The Colour of Magic

Chapter 6

Alec ran out of the Great Hall and straight to his room, he paced the room freaking out. Everyone knew about his past with his biological parents and that he was the reason everyone was in danger from Valentine. They also knew what Valentine had done to him. Alec was feeling as though he was going to throw up. Alec jumped when he heard a knock.  

"Alexander, can I come in?" 

"Y-yeah", Alec stammered. 

Magnus opened the door and carefully made his way in the room, Alec hugged Magnus tightly. He felt as though everything was falling apart, but he felt touched that Magnus made the effort to come and see him. He was afraid he wouldn't want anything to do with him now that everyone knew the truth. 

"I'm so sorry this happened to you, I knew your parents mistreated you but I didn't realize they physically hurt you too or that they tried to kill you". 

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way, I wanted to tell you but I wanted to wait until I felt able to". 

"Don't apologise, I more  than understand", Magnus said comfortingly. Magnus had been horrified when he read what Alec had been through. He couldn't understand why anyone would want to hurt him let alone kill him. Alec was a wonderful person, realizing he had nearly lost the chance to get to know him made Magnus have to fight to hold back tears. 

"Everyone's going to hate me", Alec said tearfully. 

Magnus tightened his grip on Alec, "Many people admire you more after finding out what you went through". 

Alec gave Magnus a startled look, he had not expected that, "Really they do?" 

Magnus cupped Alec's face and Alec leaned into the touch, "Yes, you went through so much pain but you are still the same beautiful person. You never let your past change you or make you bitter. And if anyone does upset you they will have to deal with me". 

Alec smiled gratefully, "That means so much to me Magnus. By the way how did you get in the Gryffindor common room?" 

"I have my ways", Magnus said mysteriously with a grin. 

Magnus and Alec stayed in Alec's room for a long time as Alec didn't feel ready to face people yet. Though Alec knew he couldn't stay in his room forever, he had been lucky no one else he shared the room with had come in. He was worried Jace would come and try to confront him, but he was both relieved and disappointed he hadn't. 

Alec was worried about how this would affect his friendship with Jace as he had looked so angry when he found out. Alec didn't know if the anger was directed at him or the people who had hurt him. And Alec was afraid to know the answer. He was worried about the others in their friendship group too, would they also hate him? 

Reluctantly Alec left his room with Magnus, he felt a bit more confident with Magnus by his side. When he came down everyone stared at him. Alec wished hadn't come down. 

"Hey! Stop staring at Alexander!" Magnus said angrily.

"Why should we listen to a Slytherin?" Raj said and leered at Alec. 

"Because Magnus is different from most Slytherins", Clary said as she glared at Raj. Clary walked closer to Alec and squeezed his hand comfortingly, "I'm so sorry for what you have been through". Clary knew it wasn't her fault but she still felt responsible because Valentine was her father. Only her close friends knew that to protect her from people who would want revenge against Valentine. 

Alec squeezed her hand back knowing what Clary was thinking. He never blamed her for what her father or brother had done to him. "It was his fault not yours", Alec said quietly enough for only Clary to hear. Clary gave him a relieved smile.