Chapter 9
Last Time:
"ALEX!" Hermione runs over and tells Theresa to get to forest, "Stupefy." Hermione casts a spell and it hits a Death Eater in the chest. The Death Eaters casts their own spells and fires them at the 12 and 14 year olds.
Alex breaks out of her frozen moment and gets to her feet. Hermione grabs Alex's hand and they run into the forest.
In the forest, Hermione leads Alex quickly to the meeting spot. Once there Alex breaks down and buries herself in Hermione's arms.
"I got you." Hermione whispers hugging her cousin close to her. Harper walks over and Hermione hugs her close to her as well. Hermione looks at Jerry to see him hugging Justin and Max to him along with Zeke and Theresa. Molly is hugging Ginny, the twins, Ron and Harry to her as they all wait for Arthur to arrive.
Now:
Alex follows Hermione onto the red Hogwarts train. Hermione is carrying a bag, which has her school uniform and Alex's inside it, along with a book and cards for Alex.
Alex wipes her eyes as Hermione keeps Alex's right hand in her left.
"Ahh, here we are." Hermione opens the compartment door that she sees Ron and Harry sitting in.
Hermione walks in and closes the door after Alex steps in. Justin is with Fred and George along with Max.
Hermione sits down next to Alex, who is sitting at the window.
~H&A~
The train begins to move as Alex uses Hermione's right shoulder as a pillow after moving so her feet are under her.
Harry stares at Alex, and have to admit. She's really pretty and very cute.
Alex is wearing a black flowing t-shirt that goes to her knees with a pair of blue jeans. Alex's hair is wavy and goes to her elbows.
"So what's Hogwarts like?" Alex asks quietly.
"It's amazing." Hermione smiles, "You will love it."
"Good." Alex smiles, "What are the houses?"
"There's Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor." Ron answers.
"We're in Gryffindor." Harry smiles.
"What house do you think Max, Justin and I will be in?" Alex asks.
"Justin will be in Ravenclaw." Hermione grins.
"Max will be in Hufflepuff or Gryffindor." Ron puts in.
"What about me?" Alex asks after 2 minutes of silence.
"That's a hard one." Ron answers.
"It's a tossup." Harry bites his bottom lip.
"You have the characteristics for Gryffindor and Slytherin." Hermione answers her cousin.
"Oh..." Alex looks down frowning.
~A&H~
The train arrives to Hogwarts, and Alex gets in the boat with Justin and Max. They all stare ahead at the castle stunned.
"Wow." Alex whispers.
"No kidding." Justin smiles.
"Best decision." Max agrees.
In the castle, Alex fixes her school uniform. She puts her hair in a ponytail and holds Max's hand.
"They are ready for you now." A lady wearing a green robe nods and begins to lead them into the Great Hall.
"Who is that?" Alex whispers to Justin, who is on her left.
"Professor McGonagall." Justin whispers in return.
"Can you just name the teachers in order?"
"I only know her and the tall half giant that brought us here."
"Well, who is that?"
"Rubeus Hagrid."
"Cool."
They stop with the 11 year olds. Justin feels out of place. As for Alex, well, she's short so she doesn't care.
"Welcome back returning students. And to you transfer and first year students... welcome. I am Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now, Professor McGonagall will begin the sorting with our three transfer students from America."
"Thank you Headmaster." McGonagall nods with a smile, "I will start backwards in alphabetical order. Max Russo." Max lets go of Alex's hand and walks over to the stool and sits down. McGonagall places the old hat on Max's head.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat calls.
"That's the sorting hat." Justin whispers as Max walks over to the Hufflepuff table and sits down.
"Justin Russo." Justin walks up leaving Alex standing there nervously.
Justin sits down on the stool and the sorting hat is placed onto his head.
"RAVENCLAW!" Justin stands up and walks over to the Ravenclaw table.
"Finally, Alex Russo." Alex takes a breath and walks up to the stool and sits down. Alex's right leg bounces up and down as she fiddles with her fingers. The sorting hat falls onto her head.
"Uhm... this is a hard one." Alex jumps hearing a voice in her head, "Oh relax girly. As I was saying, you are a hard one. You are an amazing fit for Gryffindor and Slytherin. You can fit into Hufflepuff and just barely fit into Ravenclaw. You are really smart, but not as smart as your older brother. You are mischievous, so Slytherin is a good fit. You are brave and kind so Gryffindor is an amazing fit. Finally Hufflepuff. You are easy going so with that, Hufflepuff is amazing for you.
"Now, you are Miss Granger's cousin. You are like a younger version of her but add easy going and mischievous to that list. Now tell me, where do you want to be placed?"
"Anything but Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw..." Alex whispers closing her eyes. But in her heart, she wants to be in Gryffindor. Suddenly the hat smirks.
"I know where you put you... GRYFFINDOR!"
McGonagall removes the hat and Alex runs over to Hermione and sits down next to her.
"Welcome to Gryffindor." Hermione whispers giving Alex a hug.
"According to the hat I have all the traits for each house. Including Ravenclaw." Alex whispers. Hermione smiles, "The hat said I'm a mini version of you but add mischievous and easy going."
Hermione rolls her eyes knowing it is true. Alex is a mini her.
"Are you going to do my homework for me?" Alex teases.
"I'll help you with the work." Hermione kisses Alex's cheek as Dumbledore stands up again and begins the feast after telling them that Hogwarts is taking part in the Triwizard Tournament and telling them that two other schools are coming and staying there.
~H&A~
In the Gryffindor common room rumours are flying around about Hermione and Alex.
"I heard they are dating." A 7th year girl whispers.
"I heard Granger is gay." A 5th year boy smirks.
"I heard that Russo kid is bisexual." A 6th year girl smiles.
Alex looks at Hermione as Fred and George walks over with a boy with brown hair, Ron and Harry.
"Hey Hermione. Hey Alex." Fred smiles.
"Hey Fred. Hey George. Hey Ron. Hey Harry." Alex and Hermione greets as one.
"Hey Lee." Hermione smiles at the unknown guy.
"Hey Hermione." Lee smiles.
"Lee, this is my cousin Alex Russo. Alex, this is Fred and George's best friend Lee Jordan. Fred, George and Lee are in their 6th year with Justin."
"Hi." Alex waves shyly.
"Hello Alex." Lee smiles at Alex. Alex bites her lip and looks down.
"Well, Alex is tired so I'm going to show her to her room before I turn in as well." Hermione wraps her right arm around Alex's shoulders and they head up to Alex's room before Hermione slips into her's after Alex is fast asleep.
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