By the time the Halloween Feast was over, Alessia and Hermione had been bantering about various spells and potions for two hours straight. Harry and Ron had sat down next to Hermione, but seemed to have gotten bored about ten minutes in, so Ron starting teaching Harry Wizard's Chess.
"Oh!" Alessia exclaimed after a few minutes' silence.
"Now what?" Ron muttered. "Forgot to mention something about a spell to turn a book into a bird?"
"Don't be a Dorcus, Weasley," scoffed Alessia. "No. I just remembered I took notes for you, Granger. Since you missed History of Magic because of this one." She punched Ron in the shoulder. ("Ow!")
"Thanks," Hermione said, smiling.
Alessia had cut down her study time with Nikos to twice a week, which he was relieved about. Even though they spent their time silently, he had become accustomed to his solitude over the past two years and secretly yearned for that once more.
November chill accompanied the start of the Quidditch season. Despite the frost that covered the grounds, Wood still insisted upon the same training schedule. On Saturday, Harry would be playing in his first game. It was clear to him and Hermione that Alessia felt conflicted over the match as it was Slytherin versus Gryffindor. She tended to ignore their questions and continued to assist Hermione with helping Harry keep up with his homework instead.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Alessia were seated at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall when a few fourth-years walked by.
"Good luck, Potter! We know you'll do brilliantly."
Alessia glanced up as they wandered away. "I thought it was supposed to be a secret."
"It was, but I guess the news got out," Harry shrugged.
"Bloody hell," Alessia groaned.
"What?" Hermione said.
"Incoming."
Malfoy and his cronies were sauntering over.
"Just keep your heads," Hermione reminded them.
But Alessia was scowling even before Malfoy reached the table. "So Potter," he sneered with derision. "We heard you'll be playing as Seeker tomorrow."
Harry ignored him.
"We'll be running around underneath you holding a mattress."
"Too bad nobody did that for you when we played," Alessia muttered. "Maybe you wouldn't have broken several bones."
Malfoy's eyes shot to hers, acknowledging her for the first time in weeks. She wore a smirk and raised her eyebrow at him.
"What is it, Draco?" she slighted, her tone dripping with faux concern. "Can't handle being reminded of your failures?"
Malfoy's features moved into an angry glower before he and Crabbe and Goyle marched away. Alessia snorted.
"Blimey," Harry said. "Remind me never to cross you."
Alessia shrugged. "At least it got him to go away," she said nonchalantly. "He was always a sore loser."
Harry returned to poring over Quidditch Through the Ages, which Hermione had lent to him. Even in the Great Hall, the cold seeped in. As they left for their classes, they shivered.
At break, Hermione found a solution. They were out in the freezing courtyard when she conjured up a bright blue flame that could be carried in a jam jar. They sat on the bench with their backs to it and were getting warm when Professor Snape hobbled across the lawn.
They moved closer to hide the fire from view; Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Alessia were unsure if it was allowed. They must have looked a little guilty because Professor Snape's attention was caught and he hobbled over. It wasn't the fire that he cared about. He simply wanted to tell Harry off.
"What's that you've got there, Potter?"
Harry showed him Quidditch Through the Ages.
"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," said Professor Snape. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."
Alessia scoffed in disbelief as the Potions Master limped away. "What the bloody hell?"
"He just made that rule up," Harry muttered angrily.
"What's he got against you?" Alessia asked.
"Dunno, but did you see his leg? Something's wrong with it."
"Hope it's hurting him," said Ron bitterly.
The Gryffindor common room was very noisy that evening. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Alessia found refuge by a window.
"What did you write for this?" Harry asked, trying to peek at Alessia's Charms homework.
"Oi! I'm not going to let you copy!" Alessia said as she covered her parchment.
"Oh, c'mon," Ron whined.
"How will you learn if you just copy us?" Hermione posed, raising an eyebrow at the boys.
"We'll check your work when you're done. Deal?" Alessia offered.
Harry and Ron nodded. "Sure," Harry said. "Better than nothing."
When the boys finished, Hermione and Alessia huddled together, comparing the answers and pointing out errors to each other. Harry was fidgeting.
"Potter!" Alessia snapped. "Stop!"
"Sorry," Harry apologized. "I'm a bit restless."
"Go for a walk or something," suggested Alessia.
"I think I'll go see if Snape will give me back Quidditch Through the Ages."
"Better you than me," Ron and Hermione said together. Alessia muttered something incoherent. After Harry left, the girls returned to their work while Ron revised his homework. About fifteen minutes later, Harry returned.
"Did you get it?" Ron asked as Harry rejoined them. "What's the matter?"
"I went to see if Snape was in the staffroom and Filch was there helping bandage Snape's leg. It was all bloody and mangled. He said something about the three-headed dog. When I saw, I tried to leave, but he saw me before yelling at me to get out. You know what this means?" Harry finished breathlessly. "He tried to get past the dog at Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him - he's after whatever it's guarding! Probably whatever Hagrid took from Gringotts before the attempted robbery. And I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to make a diversion!"
Hermione's eyes were wide.
"No!" Alessia contended. "He wouldn't. My mum is friends with him. She'd never be friends with a criminal."
Ron raised a skeptical eyebrow at her.
"I know he's not very nice," Hermione said. "But he wouldn't try to steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."
"Honestly, you two," snapped Ron. "You probably both think all teachers are saints or something."
"Maybe if you were a better student you'd think better of Professor Snape too," Alessia snarled.
Ron stood up angrily, towering over Alessia. She rose from her seat to face him. They glowered at each other.
"Everyone knows Slytherin spits out rotten witches and wizards," Ron said, glaring at Alessia.
She slapped him hard in the face and picked up her books then stormed off into the girls' dormitories.
The next morning was bright and cold. Delicious aromas of fried sausages and happy chatter filled the Great Hall. Still irritated with Ron, Alessia arrived alone to breakfast. The other three had already sat down. Instead of joining them, she took a seat alone.
"Are you all right?" George asked as he sat down across from her.
Alessia ignored him. "Okay," George said. "You don't have to tell me, but I did hear what my brother said to you last night."
"Are you angry that I hit him?" Alessia said softly.
"He got what he deserved." George's eyes twinkled as he grinned.
Alessia offered him a small smile. Hermione glanced over and she stood up to join them.
"Hey," she said. "I know you're still annoyed with Ron, but do you want to help the others with making a banner for Harry?"
Alessia looked down at her unfinished meal. For once, she actually had an appetite. "Do you mind waiting until I'm done?"
"Sure." Hermione sat down next to George.
"Well," he said. "It seems you have better company than me, so I'll see you later, Alessia."
She nodded as she took a bite of sausage, trying to ignore the little spark of heat in her cheeks when he said her name. Hermione seemed to have noticed Alessia trying to avoid her friend's eyes.
"George is nice, isn't he?" Hermione asked with a casual voice.
"Mhmm," Alessia responded as she shoveled more food into her mouth.
"So how are you after last night?" Hermione inquired, seemingly aware that between the two topics, Alessia might actually talk about the latter.
"It's like you said. I'm still annoyed."
"Why-"
"Granger," Alessia remarked. "I know you care, but I don't want to talk about it."
"I just want you to know you can trust me."
"I do. I just don't want to talk about it where everyone can hear me."
"So you'll tell me later?"
"Yes."