The Alexander Chronicles Year 3 The Mystery Of The Prisoner Black

by the22nddoctor

Alex is back for another year at Hogwarts; this time the peace is threatened by the escaped prisoner from Azkaban who want to kill Harry Potter. Alex also to deal with creatures that leaves you with your worst memories, secrets that will change his life forever. After this year nothing will ever be the same agian for our young hero.

10. Chapter 10: Dealing With the Emotions

The Alexander Chronicles Year 3; the Mystery of the Prisoner Black

Chapter 10: Dealing With the Emotions.

Author´s note.

First of a big thanks to those who read my stories, and to those who takes time to write a review, it makes me happy

Now enjoy the chapter.

…

Alex POV

Things were bad in the Gryffindor common room; Harry and Hermione would argue with each other every time they met, Ron would side with Harry. Alex had tried to stay neutral, but Hermione had gotten mad at him because he hadn´t defended her in her fight with Harry. She was also mad because that Alex had told her that he understood Harry.

On the other hand, Alex still got angry when he saw Harry. Therefore, he tried to stay as far away from the common room as much as possible.

…

Alex didn´t know why he had expected things to get better when the rest of the students came back from the holidays, but they didn´t. The day after their return every student in the Gryffindor common room would be silent when Alex stepped in the room, and when he was sitting alone he could feel their eyes at his back. They had of course all read the Daily Prophet and assumed that Alex would be a dark wizard, just as they assumed his mother was bad. It annoyed Alex to no end; hearing the whispers about him. It was like second year all over again only this time it was only half of the school that thought he was evil this time. Alex wasn´t really sure he would forgive them this time.

Alex left the common room to get some private time. He entered the hallway and left the seventh floor, all the way down and onto the grounds, and stopped in front of the Whomping Willow. He sighed as he looked out onto landscape that was covered in snow, except the willow that moved too often to be covered in snow. As he sat there, Alex once I again began to think about what had happen during this Christmas.

"What happened to my life?" Alex thought, feeling sorry for himself. He took out his wand, deciding to try his spell again, and pointed, "Expecto Patronum!" He said fiercely, hoping at least he could have fun with this spell, but nothing happened. There was no white mist as their usually was, and Alex knew why. Because he wasn't thinking of a happy thought. There wasn´t a single happy thought in his mind right now. There was no way he could do the Patronus spell.

"Wow you really want to get that spell right" said a voice from behind. Alex turned and saw it was Daphne, standing there, wrapped in her Slytherin Cloak. "Then again I shouldn't really be surprised."

"Hey Daphne, What is up?"

"Nothing much" Daphne said, as she quietly sat down next to Alex. "Why do you like that spell so much?" she asked, scooting a bit closer to him for warmth.

Alex could feel his heart beating a little faster than it usual did, but it didn´t really made him feel nervous. "Well it is a cool spell and well it helps protect against them." He said looking off in the distance, where the dementors patrolled.

Daphne followed Alex´s gaze, "Yeah I can understand why you want to protect yourself from those foul creatures. I don´t really trust them." There was a comfortable silence between the two.

"So did you have a nice Christmas?" Alex asked.

"Yes I did. It was very nice."

Alex smiled, "good yeah I am happy for you." He said with a tiny smile before picking up a rock and threw it at the willow.

"Do you want to talk about yours?" Daphne asked after some silence.

"Talk about what?"

"I heard about what happened to you mother. I am so sorry. You must feel awful, I really can´t imagine."

"It sucks," Alex, growled. "Everybody thinks that she is a bad witch and that I am a bad wizard. They thinks that we are psychos who want to kill everybody." Alex was about to stand up, when he felt Daphne´s hand on his.

"I don´t believe that, I would never think of you as a bad wizard. Just as I don´t think you mother is a bad witch either."

Alex smiled at Daphne "Thanks Daph, I just hate that being judged for something I have no control over."

"Well most Slytherins used to be treated like that, but then you came."

"Yeah but I also hate seeing people treat you different because of your house. You know that idiot to Fudge actually gave that reason."

"Yeah it is not fair Alex, but still you are helping changing that."

Alex smiled at Daphne again, "Yeah and this stone throwing kind of help on the mood." He said, before picking up another stone. This time however he hit the roots of the willow, and the strangest thing happened the tree froze.

"Odd" Alex said getting up and walked slowly over to the tree.

"Alex be careful."

"It aright Daph, it is safe." Alex said as he began examine the tree; he noticed a whole at the bottom of the trunk. Curious, Alex kneeled over and looked inside. He lit his wand to see it was the start of a tunnel. "Hey there is a tunnel here."

"What?" Daphne came over to Alex, "hmm it looks like someone have made this."

Alex nodded "Yeah it does."

"So where do you think it leads?"

"No idea?"

"Do you want to check it out?

Alex looked Daphne to make sure he had heard right, "wait you want to check it out?"

Daphne nodded, "Yeah won´t you."

"I am not really sure I am in the mood."

Daphne pushed him gently, "come on Alex it will be good for you."

"Fine" Alex said before clawing down in the tunnel, with Daphne following. It was a long way through the tunnel. After a while, the two of them got to a trapdoor above their heads. Alex opened it up and looked inside to find out that it was a dirty old house of some kind.

The two teenagers walked inside wanting to explore, and well Alex needed the distraction and well he was born curious.

It was a room, a very disordered, dusty room. Paper was peeling from the walls; there were stains all over the floor; every piece of furniture was broken as though somebody had smashed it or ripped them apart. The windows were all boarded up.

Alex walked over to the nearest window, outside was the village of Hogsmeade. Alex couldn´t help but smile as he realized where they were. It looked so much cooler on the inside; it looked like a cool hiding place. "Oh this is brilliant. We are in the Shrieking Shack."

Daphne looked around, looking slightly worried, "We are?" There was a small pause as Daphne looked around the room, "you were right. This place doesn´t look hunted more like it been trashed."

Alex nodded, "yeah there must have been something here once, like a big animal."

Daphne didn´t respond right away, as she examined some of the chairs, "Well it very dusty so whatever it was it happen some time ago. Maybe a werewolf was here, but as I said it has been a long time ago."

"Oh that is good, It is a pretty nice place."

"You really have weird tastes in houses."

"I am not saying I would live here. I like my home thank you very much" Alex said with a smile, but then looked serious. "Daphne can I tell you something?"

"Of course you can."

Alex sat on the ground, "well it the whole thing about my mother. I mean I just don´t get why she would help Black. I mean she is a good person and – I – I just don´t understand." Alex buried is heard in his arms, and sighed loudly, "I just don´t get it." He said in a quiet voice, feeling the tears coming out again.

Daphne walked over to Alex and touched his shoulder as she sat beside him, making him look at her, "I don´t know why your mother did as she did Alex, but if she did do it must have a good reason. They knew each other at school that is why her case is so bad."

Alex nodded, "Yeah I know. This is all Black´s fault, I hate him, and I let it out on Harry, I mean what kind of friend am I?"

"Listen Alex I get it. It is essay to blame Harry I get it, and I would understand if you want to kill Black for what he have done, but that wouldn´t be you."

"I don't want to kill anyone," Alex said softly as he realized that he really wouldn´t want to kill Black, he just wanted him to admit that he had forced Alex´s mother to help. Alex looked back at Daphne, truth and tears in his eyes. "I just want my mother home." Once again, Alex´s eyes stated to tear up.

Daphne pulled Alex into a hug. "I'm sure your mum will be out soon," she whispered to his ear. "And don't worry; I'll be here for you until your mum gets out of Azkaban." Daphne held on to Alex as he cried. "And if you really want to know about you mother and Black, then maybe you should ask you grandfather"

Alex smiled at Daphne, as she let him go and she smiled back. "Yeah maybe - I really appreciate it Daphne, and I am really glad that you are my friend."

"I am glad you are my friend too, and about Harry maybe you should try talking to him."

"Yeah maybe but how I mean it not his fault, I know that, but I-"

"I know Alex, but I think you should talk with him."

"Thanks Daph, you are right."

Alex looked in to Daphne´s icy blue eyes and smiled, she looked back at him also smiling. Daphne slowly touched Alex´s cheek, and he brushed some of hair away from her face.

After looking into each other's eyes, the two teens´ heads moved slowly closer together, they didn´t even realized what they were doing.

Slower and slower, their lips neared each other, Alex felt extremely nervous, he could feel Daphne´s breath against his lips it smelled like cinnamon- Alex closed his eyes and prepared for the moment; the moment where he would kiss Daphne Greengrass. However just as their lips were mere inches apart –a laud voice were heard, "what are you two doing here?"

Alex and Daphne pulled away from each other as if they had been electrocuted. Alex could feel that he was blushing madly and his heart was beating so fast.

Alex looked in the direction of the voice – it was Lupin and he looked shocked at finding two students.

"Oh Professor oh we were just, but we we wasn´t about oh we were oh," Daphne shuttered, it was only then Alex noticed she was blushing too.

"We just f-found the entrance and decided to check it out." Alex finished.

Lupin raised an eyebrow, "right so you came here to oh be alone so you could kiss?"

"No!" Alex and Daphne said in unison, both of them blushing even more, "we are just friends!"

"Right" Lupin said. "Anyway this place is out of bounds for students. So unless you leave right now, I will give you both a detention."

"Right sorry professor." Daphne said getting up, "we leave now. Coming Alex?" she added before walking away, with Alex following.

They didn´t spoke to each other as they walked in the tunnel that led them back to the willow Alex felt a bit awkward; why had he tried to kiss Daphne. She was his best friend yeah but that was it right? Or was she more? It felt like it sometimes. He did have feelings for her, he liked seeing her smile, but he couldn´t tell her that. What if she didn´t like him that or worse what if they ended breaking up. Harry and Hermione had crushed their friendship by dating and he wouldn't lose his friendship with Daphne, it was to important.

It was only as the two teens neared the castle Daphne spoke up, "Hey Alex what happened back there, it didn´t mean anything right?"

Alex felt his heartbeat increase, "oh I oh I suppose it d-didn´t. Did it mean anything to you?"

"No," Daphne answered quickly, "I mean we are friends, but that is it right? What we almost did before was a mistake?"

"Yeah I mean if we had feelings for each other, we would say it right?"

Daphne looked at the ground before answering, "I suppose we would. But I better go."

Daphne had walked a couple of steps, before Alex shouted "Daphne wait."

"Yeah?" Daphne said in a happy voice, one that Alex didn´t noticed.

Alex paused, he had planned to ask what if it wasn´t a mistake and that he had wanted the kiss, but decided against it, "we a cool right? I mean that thing doesn´t change anything?"

"No," Daphne said in a bit disappointed tone, "no we can say what happens in the Shrieking Shack stays there."

"Right, "Alex said smiling, "well see you."

As soon as Alex had reached the seventh floor he cursed himself for being such a chicken, unknown to him, Daphne was doing the same cursing in the dungeon.

…

Classes started again the next day. The last thing anyone felt like doing was spending two hours on the grounds on a cold January morning but Hagrid had provided a bonfire full of salamanders for their enjoyment. They spent an unusually good lesson collecting dry wood and leaves to keep the fire blazing while the flame-loving lizards scampered up and down the crumbling, white-hot logs, which Alex found pretty enjoyable for a bit, it was even not awkward being around Daphne, and he had some good laughs with his slytherins friends.

Alex had also began to get used to being around Harry without getting a bit angry. It got slightly better day by day, but Alex would still be angry and snap at his friend sometimes.

Divination wasn´t much fun anymore, they were now doing palmistry, but Trelawney spent most of lesson telling Harry he had the shortest lifelines she ever had seen, as she did at every lesson, and that thing was getting very boring.

Before the Defence against the Dark Arts lesson, at lunch Harry, who was keen to get Alex to keep his promise with the anti-Dementor lessons, reminded Alex of his promise. Blaise who also wanted to get started also sought him out.

Therefore, before Lupin´s class Alex walked up to him, it was a bit weird considering that the professor had walked in on him and Daphne almost kissing, but Lupin smiled as he saw Alex. "Professor can I speak to you?" After he had gotten a nod Alex continued, "Blaise and Harry have asked me about the patronus lesson."

"Oh yeah that is right I promised to supervise you."

"Yeah, oh I was actually thinking to do it on an evening, but I don´t really know which one you can."

"Can you this Thursday at eight o´clock?"

"Yeah it shouldn't be a problem. I mean I know Harry hasn´t have Quidditch training that day and I know Blaise can too."

Lupin clapped his hands together, "Good then we just have one problem, well a rather big one."

"Sir?"

"We need to find a way to get a Dementor we can use in the training; a real one could be a problem."

"Yes I been thinking about that too. Can´t we use a boggart?"

"Yes, but your fear isn´t a Dementor. So you wouldn´t be able to train with it."

"Yes, but I have learned of this spell; Metus Demtus. It forces the boggart into a Dementor. It is what professionals uses to train against them."

"Good. You know of that, I am impressed take five points to Gryffindor. I will try to find a boggart," Lupin said.

Alex nodded as the others students began to enter the classroom.

...

"He still looks ill, doesn't he?" said Ron as he, Alex and Harry was walking down the corridor, heading to dinner, after a great defence lesson.

"Who?" Alex asked.

"Lupin," Ron replied as Harry and Alex nodded. "What do you reckon's the matter with him?"

There was a loud and impatient "tuh" from behind them. It was Hermione, who had been sitting at the feet of a suit of armor, repacking her bag, which was so full of books it wouldn't close.

"What why a you tutting at us for?" Ron asked hardly, while Harry glanced at Hermione. Alex looked at the ground wishing he were somewhere else.

"Nothing," said Hermione in a lofty voice, heaving her bag back over her shoulder.

"So there it goes again!" Harry sneered; Alex and Ron exchanged a nervous look "do you actually know something or are you showing off again."

"Don´t Harry, I am not in the mood to argue with you now right now." Hermione said hardly.

"Oh really Ganger, then why do you open you big mouth?" Harry snapped, "Ron was saying something about Lupin and-"

"Well, isn't it obvious?" said Hermione, with a look of maddening superiority, making Alex roll his eyes.

"You are just out to ruin Lupin´s reputation. Just how bad are you?" Harry half yelled.

"No I am not, but maybe if you used you brain Potter!"

"Ha well if you are so sure that you know something then why don´t you tell." Harry sneered, he waited a bit for Hermione to say something, "ha you don´t know anything do you? You just want to seam important. You are pathetic. I must have lost my mind when I liked you."

"I don´t have time for this." Hermione huffed, "you should really grow up Potter."

"Well yeah better to be like a kid then be arrogant like you."

Hermione looked like she could kill, "you are such a jerk Potter," she sneered before leaving.

"Yeah you too." Harry yelled after Hermione´s retreating form.

"Grr is a pain, can´t she just stay out my life" Harry hissed to Alex and Ron, Ron nodded, but Alex raised an eyebrow as he looked at Harry, "what she don´t know anything, she just want to sound more clever then all of us even you Alex."

"Yeah maybe Harry but can´t you just ignore her." Alex sighed.

"No, it is not me who is to blame here, she betrayed me okay," Harry said before continued to go to the great hall

"Well but some of those things you said were out of line as well." Alex said to himself before following Harry.

…

The next Thursday, Fifteen minutes before Eight Alex was at the history classroom. He was the first one to get there, then Blaise, Harry and finally Lupin. The professor was carrying a large packing case, which he placed on professor Binns´ desk.

"Oh sir what is that?" Harry asked.

"It´s a boggart, "Lupin said as he took of his cloak, "It took me a while to get this. It the nearest we can get to a real dementor. The boggart will turn into a dementor when he see you or Blaise, and Alex has a spell that can force it to remain in that form. That way you all can practice on it, and I can store it in my cupboard, when we at not using it.

Harry and Blaise nodded, but both of them looked really nervous.

"So Alex you are up."

Alex took a deep breath, before talking up his wand; indicate his friends should do the same. Right so this charm-"Alex stopped as he his voice cracked, so it sounded so high pitched, that there was no way people would miss it. He felt himself blushing when he noticed Harry and Blaise's smirk.

"This charm," he continued, pleased as his voice didn´t cracked, "is the most advance magic. It is well beyond O.W.L level. You find even adult wizards have problems this."

Alex looked at Harry and Blaise, both of them looked determined. "It is as you may know called the patronus charm."

"How was it worked?" Harry asked.

"Well it forms a shield that protects you against the dementor. The Patronus is a kind of positive force, a projection of the very things that the Dementor feeds upon — hope, happiness, the desire to survive — but it cannot feel despair, as real humans can. Si the Dementors can't hurt it. I have to warn you guys, that the charm might be too advanced for you. I have problems mastering as well."

"But what does it look like Alex?" Blaise asked.

"Each one is unique to the wizard who conjures it," Alex answered. "Nearly always an animal, but it does become a shield like shape first. From what I have read, it often takes the same shape as your animagus form, meaning the animal that represent who you are. Now I trust you both know the incarnation, but you also have to think for a happy memory."

Both Harry and Blaise closed their eyes as they thought of a happy memory.

"Now are you constraining on your memories?"

The two boys nodded.

"Good now try the spell."

"Maybe you can show them first." Lupin said.

Alex closed his eyes he had feared that. He hadn´t used this charm since his mother had been taken, but he had to try. He thought of Daphne, and said; "Expecto patronum." To his relief a faint sliver mist came out of his wand.

"That is very good," Lupin, said. "Not as good as your first, but it would still work."

Alex smiled, feeling proud, as he had thought it hadn´t been able to cast it anymore, because of his mother. Now he just need to push the sadness away when was doing the spell. Not that it would be easy. "Now you guys try it."

Alex watched nervously as Harry and Blaise closed their eyes, smiled and said," Expecto patronum." A sliver mist came out of both boys´ wands.

"Did you see that?" said Harry excitedly. "Something happened!"

"Yeah, it was cool," Blaise, added.

"Very cool, guys," said Alex with a smile. "Right, then — ready to try it on a Dementor? If it is okay with you professor."

Lupin nodded, "who want to go first?"

Alex wasn´t surprised when Harry raised his hand. He watched as Lupin opened the lid of the packing case, a Dementor rose slowly from the box, before it turned it turned to Harry. It began moving towards Harry, who stiffened, he tried whispering the spell, but he failed and fainted, just after the lights in the room had went out.

Alex rushed over to his friend and at the same time as Blaise, he casted the patronus spell. A misty shield flew out of their wands, blocking the dementor from Harry. Together the boys managed with to force it back into the case where Lupin quickly closed the lid, and then turned the light back.

Alex had barely lowered his wand, be rushing over at Harry, and gently jerking him awake. "Harry, Harry."

"Sorry," Harry muttered, sitting up as cold sweat trickled down behind his glasses.

Alex looked over to see Blaise on his knees breathing heavily, but otherwise fine. "Are you okay?" Alex asked.

"Yes…" Harry pulled himself up on one of the desks and leaned against it.

"Here —" Lupin handed him, Alex and Blaise a Chocolate Frog each "Eat this before we try again. I didn't expect you to do it your first time; I didn't expect either of you to do it, but Blaise actually did it, along with Alex."

"They did?" Harry said a bit disappointed.

"Yeah, saved you from the dementor," Lupin said. Harry looked at Blaise and Alex giving them a smile and nodded, Blaise smiling back.

"It's getting worse," Harry muttered, biting off the Frog's head. "I could hear her louder that time — and him — Voldemort —"

Blaise and Lupin paled, "listen Harry if you want to stop this I understand." Alex said looking his friend in the eyes.

"No! Harry said fiercely, stuffing the rest of the Chocolate Frog into his mouth. "I've got to! What if the Dementors, turn up at our match against Ravenclaw? I cannot afford to fall off again. If we lose this game we've lost the Quidditch Cup!"

"Quidditch?" Alex said in astonishment as he glanced at Blaise who rolled his eyes a bit. Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Okay then…You might want to select another memory, a happier memory. That last one doesn't seem to have been strong enough. It has to be one that fills you with pure happiness…Anyway Blaise, let's have you try one more time, alone then I try after you."

Blaise moved forward, "ready?" Lupin asked and as Blaise nodded, he opened the lid of the case and once again, The Dementor glided forward, drawing its breath; one rotting hand was extending toward Blaise.

"Expecto patronum!" Blaise yelled. "Expecto patronum!"

His wand gave off the white mist that blocked the dementor, and then Lupin forced the cloaked figure back into its case.

"Excellent," Alex said with a grin. "Looks like you had a good memory."

"Yeah," Blaise said, smiling. "I was thinking about that day I spent with Tracey and how we kiss...ed..." he finished lamely, looking at Alex who had a knowing smirk, "oh shut up."

"Fair enough, I am happy for you two, "Alex said making Blaise smile "anyway it my turn."

Alex casted the spell that would force the boggart to show itself in its dementor form, the spell would only last for some minutes, but it would had to do. It was the only way he could train the spell. He let the memory of him, Blaise and Daphne having a fun time in Hogsmeade consume him before nodded towards Lupin who opened the lid once again, and a again the dementor, Alex took a deep breath as he felt the coldness and bad memories came over him. "Expecto patronum" the sliver mist that Alex´s wand produced, did what it should do.

Lupin smiled, "well done all of you, Alex care to explain what memory you used?"

Alex looked at Blaise, "well oh me and my friends having fun."

"Really all your friends or just Daphne?" Blaise said with a smirk.

"Thinking of Daphne helps a lot too" Alex replied blushing madly, "but she just a friend," he said, as Harry and Blaise grinned, "Anyway if this get out I will curse you."

"Perhaps we should say, that what we learn about each other here is confidential," Lupin said.

"Good idea" the three boys said in unison, then began to laugh.

"So are you ready to do this again, Harry?" Alex asked.

"I don't know," Harry said with a sigh. "What if I can't do it? I don't have too many happy memories."

"Listen Harry, maybe we should stop this."

"No!" Harry blurted out, "I want to lean this. "

Alex looked at his friend, "okay but your last memory wasn´t strong enough."

"I know." Harry sighed, "Listen I just focused on the wrong set of memories, I just have to think of something."

Alex watched as Harry began to rack his brain for a happy enough memory, and then seconds later, Harry smile a little, and nodded.

Lupin pulled the lid off the box and once again, the dementor rose up and began walking towards Harry, and the coldness and darkness filled the room. Alex watch nervously at as Harry raised his wand.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Harry bellowed. "EXPECTO PATRONUM! EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

Alex watched as Harry staggered and faint, this time it was Lupin who reacted by jumping in front of the dementor, since Alex´s spell wasn´t in effect. It transformed itself to Lupin´s fear which were to moon, Lupin waved his wand banishing the boggart, before checking on Harry.

Blaise looked at Alex, "poor guy."

"Yeah."

The two friends watched as professor Lupin talked to the now awoken Harry, Alex only heard bits of the conversation; it had something to do with Harry having heard his father for the first time. Alex looked at the ground, he felt sorry for him, his father was a jerk but at least he knew him. "Harry, no one here would blame you if stopped." Lupin said.

"No, please professor, please let me try one more time. Alex and Blaise have already done it."

Lupin nodded, "okay one more time,"

Harry sighed, "If only I knew what I did wrong."

"The memory have to be more than a good one, it have to be a happy one." Lupin explained.

Harry nodded and closed his eyes, and after a while, he smiled.

"Ready?" Alex asked a bit worriedly. "Concentrating hard?" Harry nodded. "Good let the feeling consume you allow you self to be truly happy, like you have no worries what so ever, think only of the happiness nothing else."

This time was different Alex knew it, when the Dementor walked towards Harry; he conjured the misty shield that blocked the Dementor from him, before Lupin once again helped getting it back into its case.

Harry dropped his arm and the charm went away he was breathing heavily and leaned against the desk.

"Excellent!" Alex said, striding over to where Harry sat. "Brilliant, Harry! That's definitely a pretty good start!"

"Can I have another go? Just one more go?" Harry begged.

"Yeah, me too," Blaise added.

"Actually, not now," Lupin said. "I think you guys have had enough for one night. Here —" He handed them a large bars of Honeydukes' best chocolate. "Eat that, it'll bring you back your strength. Same time next week?" with those woods the professor left, and the boys began sharing the chocolate.

"Yeah I better be going to have some charms homework to finish so later Alex, Harry."

"Yeah see you." Alex said as his Slytherin friend left, leaving him and Harry alone for the first time since Alex´s mother was arrested, it was kind of awkward so Alex kept quit and looked at anywhere beside Harry, until the latter broke the silence.

"Alex can I ask you something?" Harry asked, Alex nodded, "we had fun during the summer right? I mean I consider us good friends. I am right to do that right?"

Alex took a bite of chocolate and nodded, a bit taken back by Harry´s question. "Okay, good. It's just, lately, I can't help but feel that you're kind of mad at me, and I just wondered if I had done anything to upset you or something."

Alex swallowed and looked at Harry, deciding to follow Daphne´s advice. "It not you or well in some ways it is, but not really."

"Huh?"

"Look it is not you. It is your godfather." Alex said looking at his friend.

Harry´s face darkened, "what about him?"

"It is just that when I see you, you remind me of Black, and what he have done – to my mother and all." Alex said looking at the ground. "Sometimes I just can´t handle it."

"I am really sorry about your mother Alex, and I appreciate that you are honest with me." Harry paused then took a deep breath, "now that we are honest to each other; when I leaned of what had happened to you mother I felt angry at you and her."

Alex looked at his friend, as he continued, "it was stupid I know that now, but for some days I thought what if it was true and you were in on it."

"I understand Harry, but I would never betray you like that and I k-know my mother wouldn't either."

"I know that Alex, I do, look I was just stupid for thinking that."

Alex smiled, "yeah but hey my mood didn´t make it better."

"Maybe, but hey Alex?" Harry said as took a bite from his chocolate.

"Yeah?"

"I know you hate Black and everything but, I hate him as much you do, properly more. He is mine to kill, and trust me if I get the chance and I hope I will, I will kill him, and I won´t let anyone stop me."

"You really mean that?"

"Yeah I have that right more then you. I mean it i not to sound like a jerk, but you mum is still here and you have grandfather. I have no family left because of him."

"Okay, I honestly don´t want to kill him, but you have to understand something. It have been me and my mother ever since my father left. Sure I have my grandfather, but honestly he is always busy, so it always been her and me. And now it can´t be like that anymore."

"I get it", Harry said, "hey what if we get him together. We can both make him pay for the pain that he have cost the both of us.

"Okay," Alex said with a smile.

….

At the next Quidditch match, Slytherin beat Ravenclaw, even though it was a close match. However that meant that Harry was quite busy and that worried Alex a little. Beside the patronus training, that took a lot of energy, Harry now had Quidditch five nights a week, which he had one night to do his homework, and no nights to relax. In fact, the only third-year that was more stressed then Harry was Hermione, but she didn´t need energy for patronus training, still Alex was a bit worried for her too.

By the looks of it, the strain of using the timer-turner was catching up with her. Alex had tried talking with about dropping some subjects.

"I can´t Alexander."

"Hermione listen you over doing it. Maybe you should drop divination."

"No Alexander I can´t. How you are a top-student is beyond me, but some of us takes this school seriously."

"What? I do take my studies seriously, look where does this come from."

"Look it really doesn´t matter, I have to study, beside why do you even care?"

"I care because you are a friend."

That made Hermione look up her homework, "you mean that? I thought you were siding with Harry like Ron"

Alex smiled, "Yeah of course I mean it, and I am not siding with anyone, you are both my friends."

…

January faded imperceptibly into February, with no change in the bitterly cold weather. The match against Ravenclaw was drawing nearer and nearer, Harry still hadn´t gotten his broom back and refused to buy one. He would ask Professor McGonagall after each lesson, but she gave the same answer, that also meant that Harry still was mad at Hermione.

To make matters even worse, Harry's patronus lessons were not going nearly as well as he had expected of himself. Several sessions on, Alex and Blaise watched, as Harry was able to produce an indistinct, silvery shadow every time the Dementor approached him, but his Patronus was too feeble to drive the Dementor away. All it did was hover, like a semi-transparent cloud, draining Harry of energy as he fought to keep it there. Alex knew Harry felt angry with himself; he could see it on Harry's face. Alex also knew that didn´t help that Blaise and he show more progress; now they could force the creature back, Blaise actually had moved past Alex when he almost had produced a more solid patronus.

"I think you're expecting too much of yourself," Lupin told Harry in their fourth week of practice. "For a thirteen-year-old wizard, even an indistinct Patronus is a huge achievement, I know. At least you aren't passing out anymore, and for you Alex having the confidence and knowledge to teach at your age I am impressed."

Alex bushed a bit, "Thanks sir, I am proud too, but I couldn´t have done it without you."

"Oh I don´t know about that Alex, I haven´t really helped so much."

"Yeah you been great Alex," Harry said sitting next to Blaise, who nodded in agreement, "but I am doing something wrong aren't I mean a patronus should drive them away, like yours do."

"Yeah a fully working patronus does that," Alex said "but listen Harry you are doing great, there are fully trained wizard who can´t even make mist. You can block the dementor now, so if they attack again during the Quidditch match, you should be able to keep them at bay long enough to get back to the ground."

"You said it's harder if there are loads of them," Harry said while Blaise ate some chocolate.

"I have complete confidence in you, Harry," Alex said, grabbing his shoulder.

"As do I." Lupin said smiling, "and as I said I am very proud of you three, therefor I think you have earned a little drink from the three broomsticks, Alex and Blaise have most likely tried it, but you should too Harry." Lupin took out three bottles from his briefcase."

"Butterbeer. I love this stuff." Harry said, making Alex roll his eyes. Lupin also rose an eyebrow.

"Yeah I got him some from Hogsmeade" Alex lied.

"Yeah I see." Lupin said not convinced, "anyway I leave you boys to have some fun, there is still a few hours to curfew."

"Is that why you moved this lesson to an earlier time sir`?" Blaise asked as he accepted the butterbear Lupin gave him.

"No, I have some oh work that needs to be done that and the fact that I am feeling a bit under the weather, anyways behave boys." Lupin explained before leaving.

"So let us drink for a Gryffindor victory over Ravenclaw." Alex said

"Hear hear," Blaise agreed.

"Wait you want Gryffindor to play Slytherin, you know we plan to win right?"

"Oh I hope you do Harry," Blaise grinned, "I should really cheer for my own team, but it is so funny when you beat Malfoy or it funny to see him afterwards."

"Well I will do my very best:" Harry said.

The boys laughed and drank their butterbears in silence, "does any of you knows what a dementor looks like under the hood?" Harry suddenly asked.

Alex lowered his butterbear thoughtfully. "Ummm… well nobody really knows. The only people who really know are in no condition to tell. You see, the Dementor lowers its hood only to use its last and worst weapon."

"What's that?" Harry asked.

"They call it the Dementor's Kiss," Alex answered, with a slightly twisted smile. "It's what Dementors do to those they wish to destroy utterly. I suppose there must be some kind of mouth under there, because they clamp their jaws upon the mouth of the victim and — and suck out his soul." He said making Harry almost choking.

"It is terrible." Basie said, "Living without your soul."

"Wait, don´t they kill you."

"Not exactly," Alex replied. "It's much worse than that. You can exist without your soul, you know, as long as your brain and heart are still working. But you'll have no sense of self anymore, no memory, no… anything. There's no chance at all of recovery. You'll just exist. As an empty shell, a vegetable. And your soul is gone forever… lost-"Alex paused as he thought of his mother who was trapped with those creatures.

"Black will get that fate. It was in the Daily Prophet this morning. The Ministry have given the Dementors permission to perform it if they find him." Blaise cut in, making Alex shiver, if that happen Black could never testify and free his mother.

Harry looked stunned for a moment, "good, he deserves that."

"You really mean that?" Blaise asked.

"There are something that can´t be forgiven." Harry replied, making Alex and Blaise share a look.

…

Harry´s point of view.

Minutes later, the little group broke apart. Alex, and Harry began walking back towards the Common Room where the two nearly ran McGonagall over.

"Do watch where you're going, Potter, Bonteri!"

"Sorry, Professor —" the two teens replied.

"I've just been looking for you, Potter, in the Gryffindor common room, Well, here it is, we've done everything we could think of, and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it at all — you've got a very good friend somewhere, Potter…"

Harry's and Alex´s jaws dropped. She was holding out his Firebolt, and it looked as magnificent as ever.

"I can have it back?" Harry said weakly. "Seriously?"

"Seriously," said Professor McGonagall, and she was actually smiling. "I daresay you'll need to get the feel of it before Saturday's match, won't you? And Potter —do try and win, won't you? Or we'll be out of the running for the eighth year in a row, as Professor Snape was kind enough to remind me only last night."

Harry couldn´t believe his luck he finally had his Firebolt that was great, he and Alex raced to the common room. As they turned a corner, the two saw Ron dashing towards them, grinning from ear to ear.

"She gave it to you? Excellent! Listen, can I still have a go on it? Tomorrow?" He asked.

Harry nodded "Yeah of course you can, I knew it wasn´t cursed." Just then Harry felt very quality he had been the biggest jerk to Hermione sure she had betrayed him but still it was because she wanted to protect him. "Ron is Hermione in the common room?"

Ron looked confused for a minute, "Yeah doing her homework."

Harry with his friends following turned into the corridor to Gryffindor Tower and saw Neville, pleading with Sir Cadogan, who seemed to be refusing him entrance.

"I wrote them down!" Neville was saying tearfully. "But I must've dropped them somewhere!"

"A likely tale!" roared Sir Cadogan. Then, spotting Harry, Alex, and Ron: "Good even, my fine young yeomen! Come clap this loon in irons. He is trying to force entry to the chambers within!"

"Oh, shut up," said Ron as he, Alex, and Harry drew level with Neville.

"I've lost the passwords!" Neville told them miserably. "I made him tell me what passwords he was going to use this week, because he keeps changing them, and now I don't know what I've done with them!"

"Oddsbodkins," Harry said to Sir Cadogan, who looked extremely disappointed and reluctantly swung forward to let them into the common room. There was a sudden, excited murmur as every head turned and the next moment, Harry was surrounded by people exclaiming over his Firebolt.

"Where'd you get it, Harry?"

"Will you let me have a go?"

"Have you ridden it yet, Harry?"

"Ravenclaw will have no chance; they're all on Cleansweep Sevens!"

"Can I just hold it, Harry?"

After ten minutes or so, during which the Firebolt was passed around and admired from every angle, the crowd dispersed, and Harry got clear view of Hermione, the only person who had not rushed over to them, bent over her work and carefully avoiding his eyes. Harry took a deep breath and walked over to her, after he had given Ron the broom so he could put it upstairs "So I got it back." Harry said with smile.

"Yeah that is good." Hermione said looking up from her books, "is this all?"

"No" pause "I also wanted to say t-that I have been a jerk."

"Yeah you have Harry you hurt me a lot."

"Yeah I know I have been a big jerk and I am sorry about that."

Hermione looked at him, "thanks Harry, and I am sorry too, I should have tried talking to you about my suspicions."

"Well in hindsight I don´t think it would have helped."

Hermione gave a little laugh, "maybe but still I should have tried."

"We haven´t really been good at being a couple have we."

"No we haven´t"

So do you think we can go back to being friends?"

"I like that Harry, I might need so-"

Whatever Hermione was about to say Harry never got to hear, at that precise moment, a strangled yell echoed down the boys' staircase. The whole common room fell silent, staring, petrified, at the entrance. Then came hurried footsteps, growing louder and louder — and then Ron came leaping into view, dragging with him a bed sheet.

"LOOK!" he bellowed, striding over to Hermione's table. "LOOK!" he yelled, shaking the sheets in her face.

"Ron, what —?"

"SCABBERS! LOOK! SCABBERS!"

Hermione was leaning away from Ron, looking utterly bewildered. Harry and Alex, who had come over to see what was happing, looked down at the sheet Ron was holding. There was something red on it. Something that looked horribly like —

"BLOOD!" Ron yelled into the stunned silence. "HE'S GONE! AND YOU KNOW WHAT WAS ON THE FLOOR?"

"N — no," said Hermione in a trembling voice.

Ron threw something down onto Hermione's rune translation. Hermione, Alex, and Harry leaned forward. Lying on top of the weird, spiky shapes were several long, ginger cat hairs.

Harry gulped this was bad.

…

Chapter end, hope you liked it and please review.