A/N: Thanks you guys for the reviews! Please continue to read and review!
Disclaimer: see chapter 2
Chapter seven: The Catch and the Time Skip
Alex couldn't help herself but laugh as she read the article Belinda had passed her. With Fred (who suddenly kept on eating his meals at the Slytherin table), Scorpius, Crabbe and Rose gathered around her, she read the headline article out loud in a joyous voice.
"Death-Eaters Losing Their Touch? CAPTURED!
The two Death Eaters that has caused so much trouble over the past few months has finally been captured. Strangely (and ironic enough) the pair was caught by muggle please-men. -"It's Police!" Alex muttered- The escapees couldn't defend themselves against so many please-men at once, and were almost immediately taken back to Azkaban where they now have triple the amount of security.
The two have refused, even under 'influences' to reveal how they broke out, but the guards are no longer taking any risks. Instead of being checked every hour, they now have three trolls and four wizards watching them every minute of the day.
The ban around Hogwarts preventing students and teachers alike from leaving the school has been lifted earlier this morning. Alexis Keithstone, the magic dead-point seemed to not have been informed of her position in danger by any of her teachers. "I believe that Miss Keithstone has enough on her plate already without worrying about two wandless Death Eaters," a stern Minerva McGonagall informed the Daily Prophet. "She, I believe, was in no danger anyway. The protection around this school and its students is difficult and even impossible to penetrate. There was no need to frighten her."
Alexis Keithstone, due to the protection around her, has not been asked to give her views on this issue. However, sources have told us that for the past few months, she has, in fact, been aware of the escape and has been training harder than ever to become more powerful. "We believe that she will be, no doubt, a valuable asset to both Hogwarts and the wizarding community," the Minister of Magic proclaimed. "Though young, she has proved to her teachers at Hogwarts that she is capable of living up to these high standards people expect her of. I also hear, that in addition to her extraordinary skills, she has a black belt in martial arts, which is basically the muggles art of fighting with their limbs."
For information concerning the Minister of Magic and his new pet, Lurcus the hippogriff, turn to page 10."
"This is great!" Rose exclaimed, "they've been caught! You can go to Hogsmeade like you wanted, Alex. Professor McGonagall told us that the next trip would be tomorrow!"
Alex grinned. "That is great," she admitted, "But I wanted to do something with you tomorrow Rose, if you don't mind."
Scorpius and Fred were all ears. "What are you going to do?" Scorpius asked curiously.
Alex gave him a friendly smack on the shoulder. Scorpius tried not to wince from the pain.
"Girl stuff," Alex said. Steering Rose away from the others, she sat Rose down on a chair and looked at Rose in the eye.
"Are you still sure about Scorpius?" Alex asked. "I thought that as eleven year olds, it was too early for you. But after these months, I've seen that you really do care for him. So tomorrow, if you want, I can get Scorpius and you to somewhere that Fred showed me. It's awesome."
To her surprise, Rose shook her head. "I've decided to give up on a relationship for now," she said softly. "I have to concentrate on my studies. I think I'll wait until third year. Then," she smiled, "you can help me."
Marvelled at how grown-up Rose sounded, Alex patted Rose on the head affectionately. "Then how about me, you and Belinda go to the Room of Requirement tomorrow, just us girls?"
Rose nodded her head, her grin wide. "I'd like that. Fred wouldn't though." She said, gesturing at Fred who was obviously trying not to interfere and seemed to be making moves to join them.
Alex was puzzled, "Why would Fred mind? He hasn't gone to Hogsmeade with James in ages."
Rose sighed. Alex really is thick, she realised, even I know he likes her.
They had a long way to go.
2019: two years later.
Scorpius took a deep breath and ran. Even though he was now a third year at Hogwarts, the thought of running through something that looked solid still seemed strange to him. His parents weren't able to accompany him to the station as they both had urgent owls from the Ministry this morning, asking that they come to work early.
Scorpius had, instead, been taken to the station by none other than Harry Potter, the boy (or man, Scorpius thought, eyeing his thinning hair) who lived and his father's ex-enemy. He hurriedly followed the Potters towards the train that was to take him to Hogwarts.
"Scorpius!" Someone shouted, squinting through the smoky platform, he saw Rose waving at him. He waved back, his heart beating fast as he did.
Yes, Scorpius Malfoy still hadn't given up entirely on Rose Weasley. In his first year at Hogwarts, he had assumed that his feelings for Rose was nothing more than a crush. After his father and Alex urged him to wait until he knew the difference between love and a crush (and after failing a test), Scorpius had decided to wait until he was in third year before deciding whether he should tell her how he felt or give up.
To be honest, Scorpius liked the first idea. He knew now that it wasn't just a crush. Having a crush on someone did not mean noticing everything about that special someone. It did not mean noticing how her sapphire eyes lit up every time she spoke, or the way she fingered her curly and frizzy hair when she was nervous, or how she was so competitive, she'll study past midnight if she could become first place in the class.
Nope, Scorpius was pretty sure that he loved her. His pale face was now red as he tasted the word on his lips. "Love," he whispered, then shuddered. It seemed so foreign...yet it seemed so right.
"Sorry? Did you say something, Scorp?" James asked from beside him. Snapping out of his thoughts, Scorpius shook his head. "Just reciting the twelve uses of dragon blood," he lied.
"Over achievers," James muttered, then his eyes lit up as he saw someone he recognised. "Oi! Fred!" he yelled, waving manically.
To Scorpius's surprise, James did not run towards his best friend, in fact, Scorpius could have sworn James walked slower than usual.
"Why're-?" Scorpius started.
"Sh-!" James smirked. He nodded towards Fred, "look who he's talking to."
Sure enough, Fred was talking to Alex. It was well known that Fred liked Alex, but, like many other couples, the person he fancied seemed to be totally oblivious to his feelings. James sniggered as Fred tried to help Alex pull her trunk up the steps, but Alex seemed to have rejected his offer, and instead pushed it up herself.
"When d'you think he's going to tell her he likes her?" Scorpius asked, eyeing the two fifteen year olds.
James shrugged, "hard to say, Fred's brave, but when it comes it girls, he's an absolute coward."
"Well then, how 'bout ten galleons that they get together this year?" Scorpius challenged him, stopping and staring James in the eye.
James, who has never backed from a challenge before, scowled at the younger boy. "You're on, ten galleons that they don't get together."
Scorpius grinned, he was going to be richer this year, he knew it. In fact, getting Alex and Fred together before the end of this year was going to be his ultimate goal....Well, perhaps his second ultimate goal. There still was that tiny problem of him telling Rose how he felt about her.
And speaking of Rose... his pale eyes scanned the platform and found her standing with her family. Hugo, her younger brother, seemed bored about what the family was talking about. With a jolt, Rose's blue eyes caught his as she looked at him. She gave a wide smile and waved.
"Scorpius!" she yelled, causing many heads to turn. Scorpius's face flushed as she made her way towards him. Just be normal, he told himself, normal.
To his surprise (and he was actually quite pleased), Rose wrapped her arms around him, embracing him tightly. "Missed you heaps," she grinned, releasing him after a few moments. Scorpius found that he had lost his ability to speak.
"Er-uh-um..." he stuttered.
James nudged him, "Stop being such a prat, say hi back Scorp." The younger boy managed a small, "h-hello, Rose," before clamping his mouth shut for fear he would say more than he wished to.
Rose gave him a weird look, "are you okay Scorp? You seem... strange. Oh no! You're not coming down with a cold right?" she asked him worriedly, pressing her warm hand against his sweating forehead.
With great effect, Scorpius shook her hand off. "I'm fine," he muttered, "Just tired." Rose nodded understandably, "With James no doubt, being a jerk, you must be tired, enduring an hours ride with him."
James protested loudly and shot Scorpius to tell her that she was wrong. But Scorpius had already slipped away, making his way up the steps of the train. He needed time and advice. He needed someone who could tell him about the confusing minds of girls.
He needed Alexis Keithstone, his 'older sister' at Hogwarts.
He carefully pushed his trunk up the steps and proceeded to walk down cluttered corridor. He could hear friends catching up after the long summer break, and (with a faint tinge to his cheeks), he saw a couple making out rather shamelessly in public view.
"...and my mum gave a whirl of my wand and sent the vase through the window," he heard Alex tell Fred. Her voice was coming from the compartment on his left. Scorpius didn't want to interrupt them (seeing as ten galleons were at stake) and instead sat down in the compartment opposite.
Scorpius left the door open, and he heard Fred give a loud laugh, that was, strangely, genuine. Maybe Scorpius should ask Fred how he managed to act normal around Alex? He figured it was worth a try.
He felt a shadow fall on him, looking up, he found himself staring into the eyes of none other than Professor McGongall, the headmistress of Hogwarts herself.
He jumped to his feet, "Professor! What're you doing here?" he asked, aware that he didn't exactly sound polite.
The teacher chose to ignore his tone. "Where is Alexis?" she asked him, her eyes searching the compartment. "I need to speak with her. Urgently."
Silently Scorpius gestured to the compartment opposite. "She's in there. Er, professor if you don't mind...can you tell me what's going on?" he asked tentatively, bravely looking at her in the eye.
The teacher looked at him for a moment before nodding. "You are a close friend of Alexis, so I don't see why not," she said finally. "Come on please, Malfoy, I must speak to her before the train leaves."
Scorpius followed after the tall woman and watched her as she slid the compartment door open, revealing a laughing Fred and Alex.
Silence followed as the two of them stared at the headmistress. The teacher tactfully allowed them a moment or two to register the fact that yes, she was standing aboard the Hogwarts Express before sitting down opposite Alex and waving a hand to Scorpius for him to close the door.
"Er-Professor?" Alex managed to ask. "May I ask you why-?"
"-I'm sorry Miss Keithstone, but I don't have much time." Professor McGonagall cut her off. She waved her wand at the door and cast a spell so that they wouldn't be overheard.
"I assume you trust Fred Weasley with the upmost confidence?" She asked Alex. Alex nodded without hesitation, much to Fred's pleasure.
"I will make this brief as I'll have to leave soon. Alexis, are you aware of the situation with the Daily Prophet?" She asked.
Alex shook her head, "I'm not subscribed," she told her.
"Well, the Daily Prophet has been taken over, similar to what happened roughly twenty three years ago. The content hasn't changed much to arouse suspicions, but one reporter who managed to escape requested my audience. She told me that at least ten Death Eaters have broken out with outside help, and the guards at Azkaban have all been placed up the Impervious Curse. This means-"
"That I am in danger?" Alex whispered, strangely enough, she did not seem surprised.
Unperturbed, the teacher gave her a short nod. "I'm afraid this means no Hogsmeade visits and you'll have to be with at least two people at all times. I'm sure Belinda and Scorpius from your house will have no objections to this."
Alex visibly relaxed slightly, she had expected aurors tailing along like bodyguards following celebrities in Hollywood. Not that McGonagall knows what Hollywood is, Alex thought amused.
"Also, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to step down from the train. Your presence here may cause...problems to other students. I have arranged another method of transport for you."
Alex nodded wordlessly, she understood the meaning behind this. With around a thousand students on this train, and with only the driver and the trolley lady being the only adults on board, they would be taking a huge risk with Alex being targeted.
"So, er, shall I leave my things here?"
"Yes. Mr Weasley and Mr Malfoy would look after your belongings, if you don't mind," the teacher remembered to add. Both of the boys shook their heads.
"Right, the train is due to leave in-" she checked her pocket watch, "two minutes, please grasp onto my arm tightly, Alexis." The teacher said, standing up and offering Alex her right arm.
Confused, Alex did as she was told to do. A second later, she found herself being tossed and tumbled around like clothes in the washing machine. She tried hard to keep her breakfast down as she apparated with the headmistress.
"Alright there, Alexis?" Professor McGonagall asked kindly, stepping away from the gagging teenager. Alex swayed on the spot, massaging her chest. "I-I think so," she gasped.
Without needing to look up, Alex knew she was standing in the headmistress's office. The comfortable feeling of Hogwarts had already seeped into her, and it made her feel much better after a few deep breaths.
"Your friends will be arriving much later. However, instead of letting you wander around as you please, there is something I ask of you."
Alex stared.
"Professor?" She asked curiously.
The headmistress gestured for her to sit down. "You have your wand with you, am I right?"
Alex nodded, wondering where this was leading to.
"Excellent. Now, I want you to stand in the middle of that room when I tell you to, which is...now!"
Startled, Alex walked quickly towards the space the headmistress had indicated. The doors to the office flew open with a BANG! And somewhere behind her, she heard the scuffle of someone moving out from behind a cabinet.
Indistinctively, she cast up a powerful shield around her, forgetting that one of the world's best witch was standing only a mere six feet away from her.
Spells were suddenly hurled from every direction, Alex frantically blocked them, muttering all that she had learnt under her breath and waving her wand around almost recklessly. She also relied on her athletic reflexes to dodge the ones that managed to avoid her shield and spells.
Pretty soon, Alex was sweating and swearing at the sudden turn of events. Her temper was rising fast as well. What was her headmistress doing? Couldn't she see that her student was under siege?
As you can tell, all that spell casting and running had fuddled Alex's brain. She hadn't even thought about the possibility that the teacher was involved in all of this.
Alex got madder and madder, and her shields, unknowingly to her, cracked dangerously as she lost concentration. One of the spells hit her sleeve, causing a putrid acid smell to rise and make her wrinkle her nose in disgust.
I cannot believe she is just sitting there! Alex screamed to herself, Just sitting there with god knows how many people attacking me!
One of her spells flickered weakly as her temper rose. Her shields were also on the verge of breaking.
Alex counted the number of strangers attacking her. One, two, three.... oh gods! Eleven frickin' middle aged wizards and witches hexing every inch of me they can get! She thought angrily.
After half an hour Alex had enough, three more spells had wormed their way in and had hit her on her thighs and stomach. She was fuming at how hopeless she felt. Two years of full-on training! She stormed, and it comes to this, me getting hit and limping around pathetically!
Her face turned redder and redder as she thought about the situation she was in, how she knew she was fighting a lost battle. She was no longer furious as McGonagall, but at herself, how in the world was she supposed to defend her friends if she couldn't defend herself?
Her shield disintegrated suddenly, and she was exposed to all the hexes and spells aimed at her. Desperate and against her wishes, her mind wondered about her friends who were still on the train, no doubt eating their way through the goodies they've had bought from the trolley lady. She thought about Rose and Scorpius, both who have feelings for each other but preferring to wait in favour of their studies. She thought about Belinda, her best friend and Crabbe, Belinda's younger, loud-mouthed brother. A red-haired boy's face flashed by in her mind's eye too, she remembered the way how Fred had comforted her and the way he hugged her (and James) tenderly back when she first started Hogwarts...
"NO!" She screamed, "YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HURT MY FRIENDS YOU BASTARDS!" Her wand, lying three feet away from her suddenly lit up and trembled, making strange whirring sounds. Alex made no movement to try and retrieve it, instead, with her eyes flashing with anger and shivering with the thoughts of her friends being killed, she stood up and-
BOOM! She blacked out.
I have started writing a new harry potter fanfic for those interested. It's called 'Torn, but United'. Basically Hermione and Draco Malfoy are alone in the midst of horrible natural disasters, and they must learn to trust each other to get to the bottom of the mystery.