Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter but the awesome J.K Rowling
Chapter 2
Bloody Tea Dregs
I'm in a house.
A woman was running.
There's a baby in her arms.
She never stops running, trying to head down the stairs.
She was running from someone.
Who?
"NO!"
Merlin! That woman can really scream!
I continued watching her run towards a man that was lying near the door, dead.
I've seen the effects of the killing curse before, no doubt that now pale face man had died of it.
Who are they? Who is this black hair woman that oddly looked so much like me?
Did I just travel to the future?
"NO! Please! No! Will!" She screamed.
Will? Do I know any Will? Who the hell is he?
"Hey future me! Stop crying! Whoever that you're running away from is just behind you!" I yelled when I notice a dark figure descending down the stairs, a wand in its hand.
What else? Another one in black cloak, only this time, he was wearing a white mask that covered its face. Just what's with the bad guys and black cloaks? Can't they be a little more original?
"Are you an idiot? RUN! You're going get us both killed!" I tried to grab her arm, but…
What in the name of Merlin?
Surprise surprise, I actually ran through her, well, me.
"Please! Just take me! Please, don't take her too!" Future me begged, tears streaming down her face.
What do you know? The mysterious killer answered her with silence. What a great conversationalist.
"Please, I beg you Severus, she's just a baby."
Severus? Severus Snape? As in my father figure of all time Severus Snape? He's the one who'll kill me in the future?
"I'm sorry Elizabeth."
Huh? Elizebeth? That's not me.
And, that voice…
It was without a doubt Uncle Sev's voice.
"Please, you-know-who only wanted us, he didn't know about our child. Please, please spare my daughter, please spare Alexi."
Daughter? Me?
Shocked would be an understatement as I gawked with wide eyes at the crying women.
This wasn't the future. It was the past!
And that woman, she's my mother!
The mother I've never heard anyone mention before.
The mother I never knew how she look like.
The mother I don't even know her name.
The mother, I never get to meet.
"Please Severus," She croaked, cradling the baby protectively, "I've never ask you anything from you, just this."
She sounded so broken, her trembling voice mixed with the sound of her sobs.
After a moment of hesitation, the man that sounded like Uncle Sev finally spoke up.
"I'll do whatever I can."
"Thank you Severus, thank you." Her voice strangled as she handed over the baby, managing a tiny smile. A smile that a woman with red swollen eyes and covered in tears and snort can muster up that is.
"Anything else?"
Surprisingly, Uncle Sev wasn't being sarcastic when he asked that, he was actually being dead serious.
"It's Wormtail isn't it? It's him who betrayed Will." She whispered, suddenly solemn.
It then hit me.
Will. William Whyte.
The dead man was my father.
Betrayed? Someone betrayed my father?
Uncle Sev didn't say anything, but just nodded briefly.
"I see, I guess it's truly goodbye then Severus. Please take care of her." The woman said as she closes her eyes, uncle Sev's wand just right at her face.
Once again, I tried to push the woman out of the way, but instead, I ended up at the ground.
"Avada Keda-"
"NOOOOO!"
Suddenly, my whole body was overwhelmed by an intense range of emotions.
Fear.
Despair.
Betrayal.
Gratefulness.
Hope.
Love.
Loss.
Death.
"Harry! Harry! Are you alright?" Hermione asked frantically, both her and Ron kneeling next to him on the ground.
Harry let out a groan before he slowly opened up his eyes, his head was still throbbing from the shrilly scream of a woman he heard earlier.
"W-what happened?" Harry felt sick, his whole body covered in cold sweat. Last thing he remembered was a woman screaming, a scream filled with despair.
"Dementors," Professor Lupin said, an unconscious girl in his arm. "Two of the dementors of Azkaban."
Not just any girl.
Alexi Whyte.
"Alexi!" Harry's strong concerns were evident in his tone as he tried to get to her despite his weakened state.
She was the only family he had other than the Dursley, she was the daughter of his father's younger sister.
His cousin.
Although he had promised Dumbledore to keep this as a secret from everyone else in order to protect her, no one should ever know that she's related to the Potters. Yet, Dumbledore surely did not claim that he can't get to know her as a friend. All Dumbledore ever did was flashed that twinkly blue eyes of his.
Sure, he was pretty apprehensive in the beginning, seeing how she's from Slytherin and friend of Malfoy. And granted, for the past two years, the only reason she had gotten involve in all their plans was because they always bumped onto her whenever they were about to do something drastic.
And according to his friends, especially Hermione, it was only to make sure that she won't go and tip the Professors off. It certainly beats the other option of petrifying her and lock her in a closet, an option which Alexi had greatly opposed to.
Thus, her participation in his adventures.
As evil as she tried to lead on, Harry realized from the few near death experiences with her that she wasn't exactly what she was seen to be. Like many other Slytherins who's bark was worse than their bite, Lexi was nothing but a harmless little puppy.
"Is she alright?" Harry asked, taking a closer look at her fallen form. She was sickly pale, covered in cold sweat and tears like him. She was fidgeting and breathing harshly. Her whimpers were filled with sorrow and anguish, anyone who heard it would have their hearts clenched in sympathy.
"Can you take care of her?" Professor Lupin asked, his voice hoarse as Harry.
Oddly, Harry noticed the regretful expression, undeniably filled with concern, maybe even mirroring what Harry himself looked like. But when they had locked eyes, the professor's eyes had widened slightly, as if he had recognised someone.
No, he did not recognise him as the-boy-who-lived. Professor Lupin had recognised him as someone familiar.
Harry further scrutinized the mysterious new professor, noticing that he looked far beyond tired, utterly exhausted both mentally and physically would be more appropriate. There was even an air of sadness hung around him, making the poor professor looked much older than he should be.
Harry wondered, the stories behind this Professor had that made him who he was today. And for a very brief moment, Harry wistfully hope that maybe, he knew something about his parent.
After Professor Lupin had passed over Alexi to Harry, he, along with the help of Neville hoisted Alexi up to the seat while they waited for her to wake up. Both Hermione and Ron who were still sitting opposite them appeared to be just as distraught.
"Eat," Professor Lupin spoke again as he fished out a few large slabs of chocolates from his pocket started to pass around. "It'll help. Give some to her when she wakes up, she'll need it. I need to speak to the driver, excuse me."
Draco stubbornly pushed himself up and staggered towards the door, ignoring the light dizziness he felt from the passing dementors just a moment ago.
"Draco, where are you going?" Pansy asked, her voice barely came out as a whisper.
"Where else am I going? I'm going to find Lexi!" Draco snapped, his cool façade disappearing. How can Pansy actually came up such a dim-witted question when the answer was so blatantly obvious? And he thought she was only acting to be one, maybe he was wrong.
"Hey! No need to be snippy, I know you're worried about Lexi, we all are! But it isn't really smart of you to go out alone and look for her with the dementors still out there." Blaise cut in, defending Pansy while he tried to get Draco who's still unsteady on his feet to sit down, "Furthermore, you've barely recovered from the earlier attack, I'm sure she's fine, she always has a knack in escaping from danger, even better than you."
"Maybe that's why with everything she did in the past years, she hasn't gotten even one detention huh? Not even Snape can catch her." Theo added lightly, earning a few chuckles from everyone.
Theo knew, that all of them were on edge from the unexpected visit they got from the dementor. It was clear to him and everyone else that even though they were from different families, their childhoods were extraordinarily similar, especially Draco's and Alexi's. And if Draco was evidently the one who had been affected the most among them, it's no doubt why he was so worried about her.
"For the last time Potter, I'm fine!" I yelled in exasperation for the thousandth time and trudged forward towards the castle, leaving him behind when he started to fuss over me again.
For the love of Merlin!
Out of all the compartments I choose to faint and be saved, it just had to be his, Saint Bloody Potter.
Oh my poor Slytherin pride.
The only good thing that came out of it? I can practically feel the pure hatred radiating out of Weasel and Beaver who were following us a few foot away.
How smoothing.
"You fainted Potter? Did I hear it right? You actually fainted?" An all too familiar voice drawled out from behind.
"Shove off Malfoy!" Ron said, his jaw clenched, "It's none of your bus-"
"Draco!"
I had spun around almost instantly and ran towards him, practically slamming myself against him after I elbowed the annoying Weasley away.
Ha! Serve him right for being so rude.
Draco caught me effortlessly, not even stumbling a little. Guess he was no longer the pint size prat he used to be. Now, he's just a taller and bigger size prat.
"Lexi, are you alright? Do you need me to get Professor Snape?"
Uncle Sev.
Oh Merlin.
I shook my head fervently, tears threatening to fall as I buried my face further into his chest. I can feel his grip around me tightened, his body tensed. I never show any weakness, except around him.
Whenever I'm with Draco, all my defensive mechanisms would just turned off and all walls would broke down. In the cold family I grew up in, he was the warmth that I seek. And after knowing the truth and reliving my parent's death, I just want to curl up into a ball and cry my eyes out.
"Lexi," Draco whispered softly as pulled away a little, holding my face gently, his assuring pair of grey eyes of his met with my hazel ones. "Lexi, can you be strong for me a little longer?"
I nodded very subtly with a slight movement of my head, taking in a deep shaky breath as I tried to calm myself down. It didn't take me long before I wiped my face blank of all emotions.
We all had to do it, no matter how much pain we're in, how upset we were, how hurt we felt. We can never let anyone know our true emotions or people would use this weakness against us.
There's just so much we can do when all other houses were against us.
We need to stay strong.
Even when we weren't.
"Well, it's all lovely and all but alas, this is where we part ways and I pray that we'll never have to do this again. Potter, little tree friends." I nodded my goodbye and pretended to tip my invisible hat, a Malfoy worthy smirk on my face.
The Malfoys should really trademark it.
"You-"
Draco held me close as we walked past them, not even sparing anyone a chance to retort. Though I had kept my face empty, my quivering body was betraying me.
"Little tree friends?" Draco smirked, a brow quirked up in amusement, "Nice."
When we entered the Great Hall, I spotted Uncle Sev who's at the end of the Slytherin's table staring straight at me. I instantly turned on my heels, ready to sneak away until…
"Whyte! Potter! Granger! Weasley! I want to see all of you!" The Transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor House; Professor McGonagall called out as she made her way over the crowds, approaching Draco and me and the Golden Trio who were behind us.
My jaw dropped, class had yet to start and I've gotten into trouble with the soddin' trio already?
"There's no need to look so scornful Ms Whyte, they weren't the reason why you are required in my office," her voice clearly expressed her distain. "Now move along."
"I'm going with her." Draco demanded firmly.
"Mr Malf-"
"I won't take no as an answer."
It's moments like this one can see that he's a true Malfoy. I squeezed Draco's hand, thanking him silently. I really can't be alone right now, not to mention entering the lion's den.
"… … Very well then Mr Malfoy."
Once we had all entered Professor McGonagall's office, she wasted no time motioning us to sit down while she returned to her seat behind her desk. Of course, feeling out of place, both Draco and I settled for standing.
What can we say, paranoia runs in our blood.
"Professor Lupin had sent an owl ahead to say that you and Miss Whyte taken ill on the train." said McGonagall abruptly, her eyes trained on Potter all the while and only flickered over to me for a friction of a second.
Before Harry could reply, there was a soft knocking on the door and Madam Pomfrey, the nurse, suddenly barged in, making a bee line Harry like bees to a honey pot.
A very very annoying honey pot.
"Oh, it's you again Harry Potter, is it?" Madam Pomfrey fussed, skipping over Draco and me who had been standing nearest to the door. "I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?"
"I'm fine, I don't nee-" Harry started, only to be cut off by Professor McGonagall.
"It was dementors, Poppy,"
"Dementors? No wonder, yes, he's pretty clammy." The nurse continued as she took his pulse, totally ignoring the frustrated look on Potter's face.
"I'm alrigh-"
"Terrible things they are, the effect they have on you poor boy who's already delicate-"
"I'm not delicate!"
"Of course you're not," Madam Pomfrey dismissed absentmindedly, ignoring Potter's feebly weak protests.
"Oooh, this is just gold." I cooed, stifling a snicker as I watched them torturing Potter, and by the look on Draco's face, I can see he's enjoying it.
But then, as the old saying goes…
Karma is a bitch.
"Madamn Pomfrey! Alexi passed out in the train too, if fact, she took quite a long time to wake up too." Harry piped in with a tiny grin in my direction, causing Madam Pomfrey turned her attention towards me instantly, making me jump.
She turned her head so quickly that momentarily, I thought she might snap her neck. And I swear, I actually saw that glint in her eyes that resembled a hawk when it found its prey.
Suddenly the words 'target lock' had a whole new meaning.
"Oh you poor dear!"
"No- wait- I-" I spluttered, yet to even brace myself when the nurse pounced on me, even knocking Draco out of her way.
"Why didn't you say so earlier? Let me get a look at you!"
"I feel fin-"
"Oh, you're pretty clammy too!"
"I'm sure Potter requires more of your attention," I gritted out, glaring at the said boy.
"Nonsense! You look even paler than Mr Potter! Oh you poor little thing!"
"Hey! I'm not little!" I'm losing all my composure as she continued hovering over me while Potter was still sitting on the couch, enjoying the whole thing with that infuriating grin on his face.
"Draco! Tell her I'm not little!" I cried out indignantly, only to have him shrugged lightly and gave me a smirk.
Traitor.
"Maybe a little bed rest for the night would do you two some good." Madam Pomfrey concluded, all too eager to force us into her lair.
Seriously, Madam Pomfrey really should make more friends rather than continuing kidnapping students like us to keep her company.
Maybe I should get her a cat? That should help her get a head start on being a cat lady.
We all got to think ahead don't we?
Let's just hope I don't create a monster like a second Filch.
"No! I'm fine! Really!" Harry protested, jumping up.
Madam Pomfrey was about to round up on me when I put up my most innocent look, trying to sound as sincere as possible.
"Madam Pomfrey, I'm fine, I really don't need to stay in the hospital wing tonight. I'll definitely go look for you if I'm feeling any unwell or need anything. You don't have to worry, Draco here will take care of me too."
"Ah yes, Mr Malfoy. Very well then," she shifted her gaze to Draco, finally allowing herself to relax.
She'd seen Draco just as much times as she'd seen me, since Draco would always visit me whenever I gotten myself into the hospital wing, regardless how big or small, true or false my injuries and sickness were. In fact, most of the time, he was the one who brought me to the hospital wing, even helping me to come up with fake excuses.
I have a sneaky suspicion that Draco love getting out of classes too.
We're such rebels.
After many empty assurances given to Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall having her little private chat with Granger, they finally saw us fit and extremely reluctantly let us go.
"Well, that's a real waste of time" Draco grumbled as we head back to the Great Hall, the both of us strutted with our heads held high like we own the whole damn place while the Trio trailed behind us pathetically.
"Alexi, are you really sure you don't need to go to the hospital wing? You still don't look that good." Harry asked as he grabbed my wrist and stopped me from proceeding.
I stared at Harry in shock. He actually dare do that in front of Draco?
Not that I'm Draco's property or anything, but with Draco and Harry's never-ending rivalry since first year, he should know Draco won't take that action of his very well. Didn't he learn from the past that Draco would pick a fight with him even for the smallest reason?
Before Draco can curse Harry to his heart content, I stood in between them, blocking his firing range.
Why?
Because I can bloody fight my own battle! Sheesh.
"Geez Potter, you really know how to make a girl feel good about herself don't you?" I muttered, completely deadpanned.
"No! I don't mean it that way," Harry burst out, "I just, I-"
"Give him a break Whyte! Harry is just trying to be nice! In fact, if I recall correctly, you are the one who always goes to the hospital wing even when you don't have the reason to! Shouldn't you be glad that now you have another excuse to be there?" Hermione interrupted, a deep scowl on her face. "
I raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing at the frizzy hair girl in before shotting Draco a look, asking if she's really that stupid.
I'm pretty sure she caught it too when Draco let out a snort. Her face had turned into a darker shade of red, almost to the extent that if it goes on any longer, her head would definitely explode.
She really does need to get help on her anger management issue.
Maybe then she'll have some friends.
Gah, who am I trying to convince? She's a gone case.
"Honestly Granger, for someone who claims to be smart, you're pretty dumb you know that? Isn't the answer obvious? I would never willingly stay in the hospital wing if it doesn't get me out of class, even Crabbe and Goyle knows that without anyone telling them. It really does says something about your intellect don't you think?" I smirked, Draco chuckling behind me.
Hermione was positively livid. In fact, I think I can actually see the smokes that were coming out from her ears.
I am just that good.
"Only doing things if there's something in for you, what a typical Slytherin!" Hermione spat out venomously, well, as venomously as a Gryffindork like her can that is.
"Why! Thank you!" I replied back cheerfully.
"That was not a compliment!" She yelled back.
"It's not?"
"No!"
I continued staring her for a few more seconds before looking back Draco sincerely.
"Can she get any stupider?"
At that, Draco burst out laughing, along with my snickers. They soon can't stand us any longer and stomped off for the welcoming feast angrily, dragging Harry along.
I was enjoying myself when I noticed this torn-in-between expression Harry had on his face when he turned back and gave me a last glance. Really, what's wrong with him? Just side with them and against us, simple and easy! Why was he making this so difficult for himself?
Argh!
Great! Now he successfully made me feel guilty.
Bloody Golden Boy.
I was grumbling to myself not noticing that Draco was being strangely quiet. Unknown to me, Draco saw that look too.
"Hmm, I think I see… … a rabbit?" My eyes were still squinted from trying to figure out what the hell these soggy tea dregs looked like.
"Riiight, and what does that mean?" Draco drawled, bored of his mind as he leaned back against the cushions.
"That Easter is coming?"
"Oh really? And to think I had worried my mind out that Easter may never come. Now you'd put my mind at ease. All hail the great accurate tea dregs."
I laughed, can't believed that he can still keep such a straight face when saying that. Like many others, we find the Divination class that was run by the batty old Professor Trelawney, was nothing but a fraud. Still, that doesn't mean we don't get a dig of its ridiculousness.
Try to open your Inner eyes she says.
I bet that if she's in the mood she'll throw in inner nose, inner mouth and maybe inner ears too.
Hmm, inner nose, do thoughts have smell?
I wonder.
"I think I'm going to name the rabbit Robert." I decided, writing it down in my parchment, earning a snort from Draco.
"So," Draco started, suddenly looking thoughtful, "Where were you this morning? Snape was looking for you."
"Did he now?" I deliberately focus my attention on my parchment, not looking up. If there's anyone who can sense there's something wrong, it would be Draco.
Like a girl, Draco had always been so observant and sensitive, sometimes even more.
Maybe it had something to do with his pretty face?
Or is he secretly a gay?
Dear Merlin I better hope not, it'll be such a waste.
But then again, he had never shown any interest in any females before as far as I know about.
All evidences were pointing to that conclusion! Maybe he's reall-
"Oy Lexi!" I snapped my head up, Draco staring back at me in annoyance. He had long ago leaned himself forward when I did not notice. I applauded for his effort for actually trying to compose himself and stay calm when he's clearly losing patience with me.
"I'm doing it again am I?"
He nodded.
"Sorry," I murmured, "What were you saying?"
"Snape was worried, he asked me about you last night and this morning when you skipped breakfast."
"Uh huh, so?" I took Draco's cup and examining it half-heartedly. Not quite ready to talk about the man who killed my parents and kept it from me. Even after spending a whole last night tossing and turning, thinking about the whole thing, I still do not know what to think of him just yet, not knowing, how to face him.
"Are you avoiding him?"
Now he's doing it again! Over observant and sensitive!
Noooooo! I weep for all female in Hogwarts.
Well, not Daphne Greengrass that's for sure, she can go cry herself a bloody river for all I care.
That bitc-
"Lexi!" Draco snapped his fingers right in front of my face, breaking my colourful train of thoughts.
"So? Why are you avoiding Snape?"
"Hey, do you know that blob in your cup look like fish? Do you want me to name it too?"
"Lexi,"
"Oh! I know! We can call it fishy the fish!"
"Lex-"
"Do you think my rabbit will be friends with your fish?"
Draco let out a sigh, shaking his head as he flopped back against the cushions. He knew I won't be giving any answers anytime soon. I'm just stubborn like that.
"You'll talk to me when you're ready right?" Draco asked softly, so soft that I initially thought I'd imagined it if it wasn't the piercing stare he was giving me.
Well duh? Does he know anyone else that I talk about my tragic life story with?
I was about to make a snide remark when the sound of Professor Trelawney's screaming at the other end of the classroom caught our attention.
I strained my neck to look for her. Ah! There she was, kneeling near someone's table and rambling crazily something about death omens and the Grim.
Sometimes I think her parody give even me a run of my money.
Yes, Professor Trelawney, you're a tough match!
And I'll never lose to you!
"Hn, who else? It's Saint Potter again," Draco sneered, shoving his books roughly back into his bag. He actually sounded more hostile than usual when he spat out his name.
Weird.
Wait, did he just said it's Potter who got the death omen?
Once again with feelings... ...
NOOOOOOOO!
Should I be scared that I actually don't find it a surprise that his life is in danger once again?
And why do I have this really bad feeling I might get drag into whatever he'll get into again?
I swear to Merlin, I really should get a restraining order against Potter soon!
Bloody tea dregs.
A/N
Great thanks to xXMiss Alec VolturiXx for the review and people who added this to their favourites!
That's all for now~
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