"Why didn't you tell me?" Pansy hissed, pulling my arm roughly.

 "I haven't seen you! Besides, I've disowned him," I said dismissively, smiling at Alex who was filled with obvious excitement. He was across the room, but he caught my eye and smiled back.

 "You have a brother! Is he related to me?" she asked.

 "No Pansy, he's Blaise's half-brother and my half-brother," I said.

 "So are you related to Blaise?" she asked.

 "No," I laughed.  Pansy sighed in frustration and my eyes scanned the crowd. I saw Blaise talking to Riley in confusion and Draco silently listening to his parents talk with Barty. He must've felt my gaze because he looked over and I tore my eyes away from his face. Much to my surprise, he started making his way over.

 "Leah I really wish you didn't come," he said with a frown.

 "I can't just disappear!" I said, putting my hands on my hips.

 "Well something bad is going to happen, I know it!" he said angrily. I bit my lip and took his hands in mine.

 "Hey, it's alright! Nobody would dare try and hurt me anyway," I comforted, and he looked surprised but then relaxed.

 "Okay," he said, looking away from my intense stare. I sighed and dropped his hands, and then saw Blaise making his way over.

 "Hey there Ms. Riddle," he smiled.

 "Hello Mr. Zabini," I laughed.

 "Wow its official, you're a death eater," he smirked.

 "I know," I nodded. Blaise went to respond, but my father began speaking.

 "I would like to make an announcement," he said over our conversations which simmered down.

 "As you all know, I indeed have a daughter and a son. Leah, would you come join me?" he asked and I gave him a confused look but walked up. Draco looked anxious and I bit my lip but said nothing.

 "Though Riley is the eldest, I feel that Leah is rightfully entitled to be the heiress to the Slytherin throne," he smiled and I gaped up at him.

 "No way," I whispered. Even though this wasn't exactly a monarchy, I guess the symbolism of a tiara was needed. Father placed the silver and emerald tiara on my head and I curtseyed to him before beaming at the crowd. I turned to smile at Barty, when I heard a curse being shouted at me.

 "Avada Kedavra!" Riley shouted and I couldn't put up a shield in time. Luckily, Draco could. I felt my eyes turn red, and two of Riley's friends backed him up. Alex and Draco rushed to my side and everyone had wands out. All but me. Of course this is the one time I leave my wand upstairs! Good thing I can do wandless magic.

Other Death Eaters got their wands out to defend me, but father waved them off.

 "Let her handle this," he commanded, and suddenly it was us six in a showdown.

 "Crucio!" I shouted, and Riley blocked it.

 "Stupefy!" he said, but I blocked that too. We started throwing spells back and forth, and I couldn't tell who was saying what. Alex and Draco were doing great against the other two, but then things got chaotic.

 "Incendio!" I shouted, setting Riley on fire. One of his goons backed him by using a water charm. Riley was slightly charred, but mostly unharmed.

 "Sectumsempra!" Riley shouted, but it missed and hit someone behind me. Out of everyone behind me, I just hoped it wasn't Draco. I realized that someone wasn't shooting spells anymore, and it was one of my backups. I had two people fighting me at once.

 "Avada Kedavra!" someone yelled, and one of Riley's goons dropped dead. Draco rushed to my side to help me fight off the last two. Riley and his goon looked at each other and nodded. Just as I yelled 'Avada Kedavra', they disapparated.

 "Carrow's and Rodolfus Lestrange go find him and bring him back alive!" I snapped, and they disapparated.

 I took a deep breath and felt really tired, but at that moment, I knew I couldn't hold back any longer.

 "I trust you!" I blurted to Draco  and started crying as I hugged him.

"I love you," Draco said quietly.

 "I love you, too," I whispered, and then froze. I spun around and saw Barty hovering over Alex, who was bloody from the Sectumsempra curse.

 "Alex!" I gasped, running over.

 "Someone help him!" Barty pleaded; Alex was dying right in front of me. I dropped to my knees and my eyes raked over him frantically.

 "Accio healing potion!" I said and my potion zipped down the stairs. Draco knelt next to me as I caught it and then poured it down Alex's throat, only he was no longer moving.

 "No" I whispered.

 "I'm sorry," Draco said softly, taking my hand. Suddenly, Alex's eyes shot open and he took deep, greedy breaths. I gasped and then hugged him tightly, which resulted in much laughter. Alex hugged me back and smiled.

 "Thank you so much," he said and I nodded, helping him up.

 "Of course," I said. Draco walked up and gave Alex a pat on the back like guys often do and put his hands in his pockets.

 "Well, I heard that you and Leah are back together," Alex sighed and I gave him an apologetic look.

 "I'm really sorry Alex," I said, and I actually meant it.

 "It's cool," He shrugged, and Pansy ran up to me.

 "That was terrible, I thought you were going to die!" she cried and I hugged her.

 "Me, die? Never," I smiled and she laughed.

 "Well, now that that's over with, I wish to make yet another announcement. It is my pleasure to say that I have put together an arranged marriage! Leah, you and Alex are to be wed," father smiled, and I felt my whole world fall.  

***