Heavy breaths were the only source of sound that broke the usual silence in the room of requirements.  In their heated staring contest Alexa had forgotten why was she caged between Tom's arms and the smooth wall behind her in the first place.

*a little earlier*

With hurried steps, Alexa found herself near the rumoured location of the come-and-go room or in more official terms the room of requirements. The room was named so because it showed itself to those in its dire needs with their dire necessities. Her sources had informed her that Tom was found spending a lot of his time in the said room those days. And that was the reason why she was going there in the first place. Her steps halted when she looked at her cousin coming out of the said room and shutting the door behind him. His movements were cautious, but his eyes danced in pleasure. Like he had just taken one step towards his accomplishments. 

This puzzled the girl. Baffled, she hid behind the nearest pillar.  The stones of it hid her lanky cousin, yet they couldn't mute out a soft tune that he was humming. Alexa froze as she realized that the tune was quite similar to the one her aunt used to hum when she was happy. Like mother like son. A bitter smile twitched the corner of her lips.

During the weeks her boy had been busy avoiding his girl, she had found herself spending a lot of time in the school library. One such visit had arranged a fortunate meeting between the Winters cousins.

*flashback*

With her head bent in the book, Alexa was getting fascinated with Philosopher's stone and its creator Nicholas Flamel. The book was so dramatic that she was vicariously doing all the adventures the alchemist himself had done. She enjoyed reading about Alchemists and their discoveries thoroughly. 

"Hey!"

Her eyes narrowed and her lips turned into a frown when someone interrupted her apparent journey to immortality. She looked up ready to tell the person off. Hufflepuff or not, she was not ready for anyone to bother her at that moment. Her throat, however, dried when she saw the other Winters. 

"May I?" The boy gesticulated towards the seat opposite hers. 

Still having not recuperated from a sudden loss of her voice, Alexa nodded her head. Dumbly. She was not prepared for this. She knew she had to face him. After all, she couldn't just look after him from a distance forever. But the girl preferred later than sooner. 

Adrian sat in his seat. They sat there. Not speaking, not even looking at each other. The awkwardness ran through their blood as the silence around them become uncomfortable and unbearable.  His fidgety fingers and sudden moisture on his forehead screamed that he was beating himself over his choice of seating arrangements.  Perhaps, he was regretting this even more than the girl. And unintentionally, Alexa imputed herself for it. She was an elder. She was supposed to act like one. He was, after all, a son of the woman who partially raised her. Her awkwardness wavered a little when she smiled nervously at the boy.  Talk about being an asocial person!

However, the poor attempt did soothe Adrian for he smiled a lot smoother than the girl. It was clear than between those two, he was more gregarious.

"You might not even remember me, but my name is Adrian Winters."

 To make matters worse, he was named after her father. Gulping vicarious water in her throat Alexa tried to smile again. More sincerely than before. 

"I do. We share the last names after all." She tried to recover from this sudden blow. She knew Adrian would be curious about them sharing the names. She knew this was the big deal for anyone who grows up with people who don't. She knew from the moment Tom had introduced them that she should expect this meeting any moment, but then again she wasn't prepared. Perhaps she would never be after realizing the boy suffered because his mother was busy catering to the needs of his cousin. A shudder coursed through her body as guilt consumed her soul. 

Unknown to the big storm brewing inside the small body in front of him, Adrian dazzled her with his smile. "Quite rare isn't it? To share the family name I mean."

Alexa nodded her head. She knew what she was going to say will shadow this new smile. "Truthfully, ours is more common in the muggle world."

She had to because she couldn't risk another soul being in danger because of an association with her.

As predicted the smile did waver but never vanished. "You will be surprised that I didn't find anyone other than you who has the same name as me in this life, but yeah, I have heard that it is common."

They both sat silently for a few moments. Both contemplating the next words of their companions. Again Adrian was the one who broke it.

"Do you think we are siblings?" He looked thoughtful. An eleven-year-old had high expectations from his life. And his innocence called out to her.

Alexa shook her head. "I am an only child."

Adrian knew it was too good to be true. Not wanting to give up so easily, he asked again, "by chance your father had a brother?" 

He had assumed that if any of his parents were alive they won't leave him to rot alone as an orphan. Irony! Alexa clutched her book a little too tightly as it took a lot of effort on her part to shake her small head again. It wasn't a lie though since his mother was her father's sister.

The light in his eyes dulled, and so did his smile. He looked away not able to maintain their eye contact anymore. His desperation to find someone, anyone, close to him made a fool out of him. Thanks to her metamorphmagus skills, Alexa had kept her original features well hidden from people most of the times. Otherwise, he would have seen the similarities between their faces. She didn't want to give him more reasons than he already possessed. 

"It's alright. If it is okay can I sit here today?" He looked dejected.

Alexa nodded again. This time with no hesitation and more determination. Like him, she craved a family too. And she hoped that they would become one day. Someday. When no harm could harm this boy in front of her. She had promised herself to look after him. And she would. Any day. Every day.

*flashback ends*

After that awkward meeting, they did share some waves and greeting. They even continued to share a desk in their library. This was close to the family either got. For now at least.

This was bad. Worse. Associating with Tom Riddle was the worst thing that could happen to her innocent little cousin. Alexa contemplated. The Slytherin prefect was a master of manipulation. And she was sure, he had some trick up his sleeves. She had an experience first hand. Unhelpfully, her mind flashed the first kiss they shared. Her cheeks heated and she shook her head to stop herself from getting carried away. She waited until Adrian was out of an earshot.

Physically frustrated, enraged and forgetting why she was locating the boy who claimed her heart and her soul, she barged into the room. Her eyes, blazing with fire, searched for the boy whom she claimed. Her hairs channelled her fury by matching the colour of her lips that day. Bright red. Her eyes turning enchanting violet as her emotions overpowered her small physique.

Cursing under his breath Tom turned to look at her. His chocolate eyes widened when he saw the intruder. Like her, he wasn't prepared. To face her. To have her close. 

Especially when she looked so dangerous. 

So fiery. 

So attractive. 

So exotic.

Composing himself faster Tom leaned back on the desk. He crossed his hands in front of his chest as if the situation was very ordinary. As if he wasn't suddenly allured her sensual violet eyes. As if he was immune to his witch's enchantments. It was remarkable how he perfectly he hid his desire to narrow the distance between them and cage her between his firm arms.

"Yes?" He questioned coldly. Talk about nonchalance!

"What is your association with my cousin?" Alexa bellowed. So much for being subtle! Her frustration with his nonchalance had exploded her already weary patience.

Tom smirked. "Oh! You have a cousin. I had no idea."

He couldn't resist getting on her nerves. He loved riling her up. Especially when her eyes glowed as they did just then. He would do anything to see their magic.

"Cut this chase, Tom," she spat, "I know that you are the heir to Slytherin."

Tom's eyes flashed again. Not so stoic now, was he? He might have forgotten about how she had threatened him about his ancestry during their fifth year. So much had happened after that. One minute they were facing each other and the next thing Alexa knew was her getting cornered by her wizard. 

And that's where they were right then. Standing face-to-face, chest-to-chest. Sharing their personal space.

*present time*

"Try telling that to others. They already kiss the floor I walk on. I would like to see what they would do once they know this." He challenged. His deep chocolate eyes sucked her in. The dilated pupils spoke deeper than his rich voice. 

 "I would like that too since I know you have some role in whatever is happening in the school," she fired back. She wasn't backing down that day. She was challenging him. The act that made her, if possible, more seductive in the eyes of the heir.

Their heavy breaths built the anticipation. Their bodies were so close after so long. It appeared that the connection between their bodies was stronger than the ones they had with their respective minds since without wasting another moment their mouths attacked each other in the most pleasurable battle of human history.

~*~*~

I hope you liked the chapter. Please keep me motivated by your votes, comments and sharing this story with your friends. That'll mean so much.

I have something really special for you guys in my mind. Make sure you look out for an update tomorrow.

Thank you all!!!