Chapter 10;

Year; two

I don't believe you

Quidditch, Alice loved that game. She honestly adored the game; it was good for relaxing, doing that sport. You couldn't think of anything else, the only thing was the game, and winning the game. There were only two people Alice could name that could possibly like the game more than she did and they were Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain and Harry Potter.

The match today was Gryffindor Vs. Hufflepuff, they were sure to win. Wood had said not to get too cocky though, said that they could have a good side. Alice agreed with the manic – she wanted to win and she was not going to lose because she underestimated the opposite team.

And they did have a really good seeker, fourth year, Cedric Diggory. Alice knew him well, or at least she had heard way too much about him from her dorm mates. Apparently he was 'dreamy' Alice could see that, but she was more concerned about losing the game to be perfectly honest.

At the sound of the whistle Alice got onto her broom quickly assessing the other team, they all looked kind of nervous to Alice - well all except their seeker Cedric Diggory. Why didn't he look nervous? He should look nervous! He was facing Gryffindor! He was facing Harry Potter and Harry had never lost a game and he wasn't going to start now!

Snapping the thoughts out of her head, she got her game face on. Three, two and- cancelled? Wait what? NO! They can't cancel Quidditch, that isn't right! Alice was shattered.

Dejectedly she made her way over to Harry who was with Ron and Professor McGonagall? As if just seeing her, the Professor motioned for her to come closer. "Yes, you need to come too Miss Cooper," she said in a serious tone, Alice didn't understand.

"Whatever it is we didn't do it Professor," she blurted out, they really hadn't done anything!

The Professor looked at her sharply a small smile playing on her lips. "And what haven't you done Miss Cooper?" she asked her.

"Um, nothing?"

A nod and a small almost unnoticeable chuckle that almost went unheard and unseen by everyone but the Professor, before she lead the trio into the castle and over to the hospitable wing. "There has been another attack, a double attack."

Alice's heart sunk, she knew why they were here and felt guttered they had only just managed to get Hermione back! Walking into the hospital wing was like walking into a nightmare. "Hermione," Ron and Harry moaned going straight to her side, Alice just stood in the door way looking horrified, no.

"She was found holding this," she said holding up a small silver mirror. "Do you recognise this?" she asked her students, they boys shook their heads no, she turned to Alice.

"Hermione doesn't own any mirrors, she says people that own them are vain," Alice said softly.

The Professor's eyes softened slightly. "Okay, I will take you back to the dorm I have an announcement to make."

She said as the three students trailed behind her looking lost until they got into the common room in which they imminently went to the back of the room to their corner, to listen to the new restrictions that McGonagall had set for them.

When the Professor left Ron and Harry looked at each other. "We've got to talk to Hagrid, now!" Harry said in a hurry.

"But, we said we didn't think Hagrid could-" Ron began before getting cut off by Harry.

"It's the only lead we have, we go now."

"Go get the cloak than Harry," Alice whispered softly, why Hermione? Why not her?

The trio of second year Gryffindor's walked out of the great hall after the curfew had been set, the managed to make their way out of the castle unseen and unheard by everyone - for that Alice was thankful. She couldn't really muster up the energy to do much at the moment all she could do was think of Hermione motionless in the hospital wing, why Hermione? Why not attack her? She was as muggle-born as Hermione was, why hadn't the heir of Slytherin just attacked her instead? Why?

Alice was cut out of her thinking when Harry knocked on Hagrid's door- loudly. When had they gotten here? Was she really out of it so much that she couldn't even remember where she was walking?

"Who's there? Hello?" Alice heard Hagrid's big voice tremble slightly, was Hagrid scared? ...Nervous? Was Hagrid the one attacking the Muggle-borns? Alice knew it was silly and irrational to blame Hagrid of all people for the attacks but...

Harry tore the clock off of Alice and Ron, so that the three of them were clearly visible to Hagrid and his giant cross-bow, "What the hell was that for?" Harry asked alarm pouring off him in great buckets.

"Oh, nothing, I-I was expecting, ah... It doesn't matter, come on in, I just made a pot o' tea," Hagrid said stuttering over his words- differently nervous, but about what? Attacking Muggle-borns and not getting away with it? Alice knew Hagrid wouldn't do it but- he did have ... different and dangerous pets Alice recalled last year when they had to take care of Hagrid's baby dragon, not one of the safest things going around.

Hagrid turned around and walked into his hut, Alice hesitated slightly. What if Hagrid was the one trying to kill off all of the Muggle-borns, would following him lead to her death? Could she trust Hagrid- he was her friend, but Hermione was his friend too. Eventually Ron and Harry followed Hagrid into his hut and Alice bit her lip- should she go in? Harry and Ron were in there, but they were safe, they were a Pure and Half-Blood. Alice shook her head; she was being stupid, Hagrid wouldn't hurt her.

Alice swiftly ducked into Hagrid's hut behind Ron, she could do this! She got in just in time for her to hear Hagrid ask the three of them if they would like a cup of tea, to which Ron answered yes for the three of them.

When Hagrid began to pour the tea though he over filled Ron's cup, his arm shook - he was nervous. Did that mean he was scared that they were on to him? Was he going to kill Alice now?

"Hagrid are you all right?" Harry asked the half-giant, concerned.

"I'm fine... Yeah, all right," he mumbled placing down the tea pot.

"Did you hear about Hermione?" Harry asked Hagrid in a soft voice, had he? Did he need to hear about it? Or had he done it himself.

That was when Alice snapped. "Yes did you? Did you hear that she is in hospital wing? My best- bloody- friend? Hagrid did you do it? Did you? Are you attacking Muggle-borns?" she yelled at him all her negative emotions leaking out into the mini speech, that was laced with so much venom and anger that Hagrid, Harry and Ron all reeled back.

"Alice," Harry and Ron hissed at her.

Hagrid just looked at her with wide eyes. "Alice I'd never-" he then cut himself off – there was a knock on the door. "Quick under the clock! Don't say a word, be quiet all o' you!" Hagrid said in a hurry, Harry and Ron dragged Alice towards the wall where Harry threw the clock over the three of them.

Seeing that the three were well hidden underneath the clock Hagrid opened the door of his hut to the faces of Professor Dumbledore and a pudgy sort of man, Alice instantly disliked him for some reason.

"Professor Dumbledore, Sir!" Hagrid said his eyes wide in surprise.

"Good evening, Hagrid, I wonder, could we...?" The Professor trailed off looking at the large man meaningfully.

"Of course! Come in! Come in!" Hagrid said.

"That's dad's boss! Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic!" Ron whisper exclaimed, Harry hissed for him to be quite though not ten seconds after he started.

"Bad business, Hagrid, Very bad I'm afraid," the Minister sighed slightly. "Had to come, three attacks on Muggle-borns, things have gone far enough, and the Ministry's got to act."

Alice knew it! She knew it!It was Hagrid- he had attacked all of those Muggle-borns? Why though why would he do that?

"Oh, but I never- you know I never did, Professor!" Hagrid denied Fudge's story. Alice couldn't believe him though, yes Hagrid was her friend- no she didn't think he was capable of things like this- but all the evidence pointed to Hagrid, it was the only thing she could believe even if she didn't want to, why Hagrid?

Alice knew she had trust issues, but...

"I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence," Dumbledore proclaimed to the entire room, Alice had her doubts though, Dumbledore believed him? Then maybe Hagrid didn't...? But... even Dumbledore could be wrong, what about Quirrell? Snape?

"Albus look, Hagrid's record is against him, I've got to take him," the Minister began in an almost upset tone. But- wait! Hagrid had a record? Of course the last time the Chamber was opened! Was that Hagrid? So it was true? Even though Alice had spent the entire night doubting Hagrid- she was almost completely sure he had done it- hearing the evidence stating that he had done it was slightly shattering to Alice.

"Take me? Take me where? Not Azkaban prison?" Hagrid said panic pouring out of him in buckets. Alice didn't know what Azkaban prison was but she assumed that it was a place for the magical community to go to jail- normal Muggle prison; they could surly break out of easily.

"I'm afraid I have no choice in the matter Hagrid," The Minister sighed sighing, Alice knew he was telling the truth- after all, he was their leader he should know what was best and Hagrid was attacking people.

When he gets locked up- the school could go back to being the same, and Alice wouldn't have to worry about being attacked and she could figure out a way to help Hermione heal faster and then everything would be okay.

Suddenly there was another knock at the door, then said door swung open to reveal a tall blond haired man that looked allot like Draco Malfoy.

"Already here Fudge? Good," He said coolly as he strode into Hagrid's hut.

"What are you doin' here? Get outta my house!" Hagrid yelled at the blond haired man.

"Believe me," the man replied with a tinge if distain colouring his word., "I take no pleasure being inside your- house," he finished with a sneer looking like he wanted to continue to degrade Hagrid's house but he simply continued on a different tangent. "I simply called the school and was told that the Headmaster was here."

"Oh and what do you need with me, Lucius?" Dumbledore asked the man politely.

"The other governors and I have decided it's time for you to step aside... This is an order of suspension," Lucius said primly, but Alice was in shock.

They arrested Hagrid, they were safe now! Not that she really wanted to believe that Hagrid did it- but... No Dumbledore? Madness!

As the tall man handed the scroll with no doubt his order of suspension on it the Malfoy continued. "You'll find all twelve signatures on it, I'm afraid we feel you've rather lost you touch. Well, what with all these attacks, there will be no Muggle-borns left!"

"Yeh can take away Professor Dumbledore away, take him away, an' the muggle-borns won't stand a chance! You mark my words there will be killings next!"

Alice thought about this maybe the Malfoy was right, last year the DADA Professor tied to kill them and this year the games keeper is trying to kill off all the Muggle-borns? Alice respected Dumbledore and Hagrid was her friend but if it was safer for everyone than maybe, just maybe it would be for the best.

"You think so?" Malfoy coolly stated as if amused by Hagrid's outburst.

Dumbledore than smiled gently at Hagrid before interrupting the conversation. "Calm yourself Hagrid, if the Governors desire my removal, I will of course, leave- However you will find that help will always be given at Hogwarts for those who ask for it- we also must trust ourselves and our friends dearly."

Alice thought the last part of Dumbledore's speech over in her head. It was like he was talking to her, like he was telling her to believe in everyone who had been her friend. That she should trust Hagrid. She wanted to, she really did want to but she just couldn't, of course she wanted to believe Hagrid but Hermione...

There was a brief silence after he said this not even a mouses squeak could be heard.

Everyone in the room looked at him strangely until Malfoy decided that it was time to go, and thus he and Dumbledore left Hagrid's hut.

"Come, Hagrid," the Minister said with a small bit of uneasiness.

Hagrid froze for a minute before saying. "Ahem, if, uh, anyone was looking for some stuff, and then follow the spiders! All I have to say! Oh, and someone needs to feed Fang while I'm away!" he told them, before marching out of the room with his head held high, the Minister for magic just followed him slightly confused about his last words.

As soon as all of the adults had left the cabin Harry swung the clock off the three of them, and Ron was surprisingly the first one to talk. "Hargid's right, with Dumbledore gone were doomed!"

"Shut up!- look spiders," Harry hissed at Ron. Ron in turn paled and look at the spiders running up Hagrid's wall – he backed away slowly.

"What's wrong Ron?" Alice asked him slightly confused.

"I don't like spiders," he said slowly. Harry and Alice looked incredulous.

"What! Why?" Harry asked him amidst his laughter.

Ron gave them a look that seemed to sober them up and realise where they were. "Alright let's go then- come on Fang," Harry said.

Wait! They weren't going to listen to Hagrid and follow the spiders were they? Did Harry not realise what just happened here? Alice thought panicked. "Harry!" Alice's voice came out really high pitched.

"What?"

"You're going to listen to Hagrid? The one that just went to jail, for attacking students?" she asked him slightly panicked, Harry glared at her.

"Alice! He didn't do it! Even Dumbledore said he didn't!" Harry said very annoyed.

"Yeah, Dumbledore's been wrong before remember Quirrell?" Alice asked him begging him to understand.

"Hagrid is our friend! Why do you think he would do that!?" Harry exploded at Alice, yelling loudly.

"I don't want to believe it! I really do care about Hagrid- but Harry all the evidence-"

"Doesn't matter! Hagrid's our friend and we believe in our friends! Or at least I do!" Harry yelled back at Alice going slightly red.

"But Harry! What about Hermione!" Alice shouted back equality as loud.

"She would say the same as me!" Harry said trying to calm himself down before continuing in a much softer voice. "Are you coming or not?" he asked her lightly but he still had anger pouring out of him in spades.

Alice shook her head slowly. "Harry don't go!" she said pleading with him.

"I have to," was all Harry replied with before turning his back on Alice walking towards the door. "And if you truly cared about us or Hagrid you would come too," He said evenly before he opened the door to Hagrid's hut a walked out Fang following close behind.

Ron looked torn he looked from Alice to where Harry had left, he turned a questioning gaze at Alice, Alice shock her head, no.

Ron looked shattered before he turned and followed Harry towards the woods, leaving Alice behind in the hut. Alice blinked for a few minutes- she wasn't crying really- Hagrid's place was just really dusty. Alice than turned her heel and marched up to the Gryffindor common room, up to the girl's dormitories- she thankfully didn't get caught.

It was a week after the incident in the forest when it happened, Alice hadn't talked to Harry or Ron at all the last week- and they hadn't talked to her.

Alice was extremely upset about this but she didn't let it show, she spent most of her free time with, Parvati and Lavender the two other second year Gryffindor girls and in class she hung around Seamus and Dean- they were very funny to say the least, extremely funny.

Alice also spent as much time as Professor McGonagall would allow her with Hermione, she told Hermione everything that had happened, her accusing Hagrid- how she didn't want to believe that he did it but that there was no their explanation about what could have happened- about how she missed Harry and Ron but most importantly how much she missed her- Alice wasn't sure if Hermione could understand her but Alice really hoped that perhaps Hermione could understand hopefully maybe.

Alice imagined that Hermione could hear her, that Hermione would understand her plight. She hoped that Hermione would understand that all the evidence pointed to Hagrid, it wasn't just her.

Alice missed Harry and Ron, but the three of them had seemed to reach a breaking point and it well was all her fault, she knew that but that didn't mean that she didn't miss the two.

Alice then heard a loud announcement ring out for all students to return to their dormitories immediately, Alice looked at Hermione she did want to leave but she had too. "I'll come back Mia, I promise," Alice whispered to the stationary girl before leaving the room.

Alice walked out of the Hospital Wing and started to make her way to her dormitory, she wasn't really looking where she was going and this caused her to bump into someone who was quite a bit bigger than her.

Alice looked up seeing Hufflepuff robes. A Hufflepuff then. "I'm sorry, wasn't looking where I was going," Alice said dully.

"It's all good, Alice Copper," the distantly male voice said. Alice glanced up hearing her name; she studied the person in front of her. She knew who he was but the question was how did he know her?

"Cedric Diggory, how do you know my name?" She asked the fifth year Seeker slightly nervous about the answer, what if he was stalking her?

"Of course I know you, Gryffindor Chaser, Prankster, best friend of The-Boy-Who-Lived. The question isn't how I know your name; it's how you know me?"

"I like to know my competition; I dislike losing in Quidditch and by the way? If that match wasn't called off we so would have won." Alice replied airily to the fifth year, she genuinely believed that too.

"And if not," The bronze haired boy began. "I would have green hair and pink skin right?"

Alice grinned at the boy, now that was an idea! "Well... Now that's a great idea, thank you!"

Diggory groaned slightly but the message was slightly ruined by the fact that he had amusement written all over his face. "Well, I'll still be handsome."

Alice snorted. "Modest, I see?"

Cedric smiled at her too. "I'm simply stating the truth here and I'm still smart."

Alice looked at him. "Really? I thought you were an air-head, hey, are you proving me wrong huh?"

Alice got back to the common room a bit later then she had expected, she had really enjoyed talking to the Hufflepuff Seeker. He was extremely intelligent, the rumour mill, it seemed was highly accurate for once.

When she walked in the common room it was silent, no one was talking. To say the least, it was the most unusual thing that Alice had ever seen. Everyone was sitting in their little groups of people. Alice couldn't see Harry or Ron though.

Alice noticed that all the Weasley's were sitting in a group, except for Ron and Ginny. Alice seated herself next to Lavender, and asked the girl what had happened. And what she found out shocked her, majorly.

Ginny Weasley – gone was the first year girl, she was gone.

Alice wondered briefly why Ginny? Why did people she cares about get hurt? She wasn't particularly close to Ginny, but she was to Ron and she would do anything for him. Thinking about Ron made her think, where was he? Screw not talking to him, screw blaming Hagrid! All she wanted to know was if her friends were okay.

It occurred to Alice that Hagrid couldn't have done anything. He was locked up, so he couldn't have attacked Ginny. Why did they take Ginny though? Ginny was a Pure-Blood, weren't they supposed to be attacking Muggle-Borns?

Alice felt infinitively bad for blaming Hagrid, she should have believed him. Even if all the evidence had pointed to him, Hagrid was her friend and he had never lied to them before. Harry was right; she should have automatically believed Hagrid. She needed to apologise to Harry and Ron, even more she needed to apologise to Hagrid.

Alice searched the packed common room for them- they weren't there. Alice asked Dean to check the second year's boy's dormitory- they weren't there also... Alice felt like crying – what were they doing?

Alice heard the buzz the excitement in the air, The Chamber of Secrets was closed by Harry Potter, Lockheart, Ronald Weasley and Ginny Weasley. That meant her two best friends and Ron's little sister was safe, she didn't care about Lockhart not really.

Alice was waiting in front of the Great Hall- waiting... for Ron and Harry, and she would wait all night is she had too, she needed to say sorry. The first one of them to turn up was Ron and he was covered in slime and goo.

Alice didn't care though because he was alright. Alice launched herself at Ron covering herself with goo in the process. "Your okay, thank Merlin!" Alice cried hugging Ron.

"I'm so sorry Ron. I'm so Sorry!"

Ron blushed slightly and gave Alice an awkward hug back in return, patting her slightly- they stayed like this for a few minutes before Alice realised that Harry was coming down towards the Great Hall.

She let go of Ron and launched herself at Harry, hugging him tight ignoring the bewildered look on Harry's face, and the blood staining his robes. She began to blubber to him. "I'm so sorry Harry, that I didn't believe you, I'm sorry, I'm so glad that you're okay! Are you hurt? Oh, I'm so very, very sorry Harry!"

Harry laughed softly before hugging Alice back. "Its okay, I'm fine, I forgive you," he muttered back.

"Aww, isn't this sweet?" A feminine voice rang out.

The three pre-teen turned around and it was – Hermione!

*Blah the end of year two, see? It was pretty short. Alice had a perfectly good reason to not believe Hagrid, she was panicking and Hagrid was the only logical answer as he'd already gotten in trouble for it and was again.

**I believe that Cedric Diggory was a really underrated character, things are going to get a bit AU, but I'm keeping with the story line. So yes, he will die.