Here we go. MY version of this chapter, not my friends, mine. Haha. Sorry for the confusion about the last 'chapter 10' it wasn't me who wrote it. But now I'm back on track, and hopefully everyone can forgive me about the last chapter? It won't happen again.
On Friday, the day before mine and Harry's date, I wasn't so hungry at dinner. I sat, cheek in palm, lazily staring around the hall as my friends ate. I heard Ron's knife and fork scratch his plate roughly, before the smacking of lips and satisfying groan echoed around the hall. I closed my eyes, praying I wouldn't feel like this tomorrow, I wouldn't want anything to be ruined. I don't know where this small illness came from, but as soon as I woke up, I spent the morning not in classes but spewing in the bathroom. My stomach had been empty since.
My eyes scanned the hall once more, I hesitated, but stared over at the Slytherin table anyway, noting all their nasty, beefy, tough expressions. You had to be a fighter to be in Slytherin. You had to stand your ground, and if you've got it, flaunt it: which, they do. My eyes met a pair of icy blue ones, that looked just as dead as mine. Draco Malfoy mirrored my actions; he wasn't eating either, but limply laying his face in his hand, uninterestedly looking around the hall.
I wonder what his reason of being so depressed was. Was he nervous for a coming date too? Or simply feeling down in the dumps? When our eyes connected, nothing. He didn't smile, move, wave.. nothing. But simply held his stare, making it almost impossible for me to look away. His stormy gaze was so.. spine chilling, to say the least.
I haven't liked Draco since I arrived at Hogwarts, only judging him from what Ron, Harry and Hermione told me. But looking at him now, he looked far different than what he did outside of Slughorn's classroom a few weeks ago. He was no longer accompanied by that sleazy female, nor longer wearing that arrogant smirk. He looked like an outcast on the table. A lifeless, sad outcast, and although he was surrounded by his fellow Slytherin's, he couldn't look any lonelier.
We must've stayed there for a few minutes, just staring. Although it sounded uncomfortable, for me, it was the exact opposite. It was an unblinking battle, between two warriors who weren't particularly having a great day. His tight lips twitched before Blaise Zabini, who sat beside him, asked him a question, causing Draco to look away to answer.
I sighed, turning away too, smiling at Hermione who gave me a questioning look. Well that was.. interesting.
(**)
Finally. Saturday. My date with Harry: excitement was an understatement - I was almost shaking, literally. Grateful that I wasn't poorly, I smoothed out my hair, before exiting the empty dorm, figuring Hermione was already downstairs. I woke up rather late, so it didn't surprise me when I found everyone down in breakfast, dressed in their weekend clothing.
"Morning." I sat beside Harry, giving him a large smile. He took my hand from under the table, which brought a deep blush on my cheeks.
"Morning." He replied, entwining our fingers. I smiled at Ron and Hermione.
"Is everyone ready for Hogsmeade today, then?" Hermione brightly asked.
Ron grunted, his mouth was filled with food, preventing him from replying. Hermione rolled her eyes, her face pulled into a disgusted grimace. "Do you ever stop eating? Seriously, take a break." She said. I giggled.
Harry's head was bowed into that book he found in Potions. "Really, Harry?" I groaned. "Please don't tell me that book is coming to Hogsmeade with us." I teased, yet I was one hundred percent serious.
He chuckled. "Of course not." ..Thank god.. "But that's not going to stop me from reading it."
Hermione clucked. "You need to give her more information than that, Harry, poor Alex is probably dumbfounded to why that book matters to you so much." She hissed, turning to me with a smile. "It's the property of the half blood prince."
"Who?" I asked with a confused expression.
"Exactly." Hermione shrugged. "Who is the half blood prince? No one knows, but Harry is determined to find out."
"It's not just that." Ron piped up. "There's loads of bloody amazing spells in that book. Dark ones, mostly. As long as he's got that book, he's the best in class. Better than you, Hermione."
Harry looked up, frowning, worrying that Ron had put Hermione in another bad mood. He's known the girl for six years, you would've thought he'd be aware of what makes her upset by now! Hermione cleared her throat. "Thank you for that, Ronald."
His ears went pink before he dug into his breakfast. I bit my lip, stifling a giggle. After breakfast, I ran back up to the common room, grabbed twenty galleons and sprinted down to the courtyard, where most students were already leaving for Hogsmeade. Hermione and Ron walked ahead. "Is it a long walk?" I asked Harry out of curiosity. We started for the trail.
"About ten minutes. Why? Is that too much for you?" He chuckled.
I played innocent, pretending to think about it. "Maybe. But that's fine, if I run out of breath, I'll make you carry me." I grinned up at him.
He laughed. "That seems fair." He smiled.
Harry and I reached the tiny village, having no clue where Ron and Hermione had wandered off to, but went inside the Three Broomsticks anyway, throwing down a few butterbeers: which first didn't taste so refreshing in the morning, but the burning at the back of my throat eventually eased down.
We were in a private booth at the back, where a fading lamp that dangled from the ceiling was our only light. I had to squint to see Harry's face, but that made it more cosy. "Do you think we'll work?" Harry asked unexpectedly, as he returned with two new butterbeers.
I dipped my finger in the glass, licking the froth off my fingers. "What do you mean?" I asked him. He sat opposite me.
"I mean," he began, frowning. "By now, I'm sure you know that I like you, right?" He looked away, his cheeks colouring. I didn't reply, but silently urged him to continue. He got the message. "But with Voldemort after me, and all. What if you're… bait?" He winced.
I gave him a comforting smile. "Harry, I'll be fine. If I was doubtful to what I was signing up for, I wouldn't have agreed to this date. I have two devious brothers, who practically live to hex and jinx, some dark lord will be easy as pie."
His shoulders remained tense, and that look of uncertainness was still plastered on his face. "He's not some amateur with a wand, Alex, he's a very powerful sorcerer."
"Then give me that book of yours. Ron did say you have a few bad ass spells in there." I insisted.
He lightly laughed, shaking his head. "Why do I get that feeling, that no matter what I say, you'll always be in my mind?"
I shrugged, watching his expressions soften. "Only you can control what you're thinking about." I whispered.
He slowly leaned across the table, bringing our faces closer together. When his lips were inches away from mine, he raised his hand to rest on the back of my neck, when instead – it knocked over my butterbeer. I gasped as the cold liquid tipped over the table and poured over my jeans.
"I'm so sorry," He panicked, circling the table and dabbing my soaked jeans with several napkins.
"Harry." I said. He ignored me, rubbing my jeans harshly with damp tissues. "Harry!" I laughed, grabbing his wrist.
He looked up at me. "What?" He distractedly said.
I pulled out my wand from my boot, and flicked it over my jeans. The stains disappeared. He huffed, sitting opposite me, his cheeks flaming red. "I'm sorry." He muttered, looking down at his lap.
"For what? Spilling butterbeer over my jeans, or ruining a moment?" I mindlessly asked, clamping a hand over my mouth after I spoke. We both blushed crimson.
"Maybe we should get out of here." He suggested seconds later, after gulping down his last drop of butterbeer.
"Sure." I agreed. He took my hand and led me out the shop.
It was quite cold outside, considering it was only October. I shivered, hearing my teeth clatter. We hurried around the shops until my knees were shaking from standing and walking around for so long. The sky above changed from a bright gold to a deep blue. Dinner was in a couple of hours, yet I wanted to stay in Hogsmeade. I could already see a few students make their way back to Hogwarts, which reminded me, where was Ron and Hermione? We haven't seen them all day.
"Let's sit." Harry pulled me down to a wooden bench, that stood on the outskirt of a light forest, filled with lanky trees and bright leaves. We were invisible to the students on the trail, but I watched them return to Hogwarts in silence.
"Thank you for today, Harry," I told him, smiling. "It was fun. Reminded me of our days back on Private Drive."
He nodded. "Speaking of which, how are your family? Is Daisy missing you?" He grinned.
I gave a relaxed sigh, turning away. "I'm not sure, but I definitely miss her. I swear, if my brothers are treating her like dirt.. Merlin." I cussed, shaking my head.
He gently laughed. "I'm sure they're all fine. And your parents? Are they back from their honeymoon, yet?"
It dawned on me. It's October, they would've been back a week ago. "Oh yeah." I sheepishly remembered. I haven't sent them a letter or anything. "I'll owl them when we get back to the common room."
He fingered my hair. I turned to him, giving him a confused glance, when he held up a leaf. "It fell in your hair." He laughed, pointing at the tree tops above our heads, where falling leaves were gently swaying down to the floor. Harry scooted across the bench, I felt his hand graze my thigh.
"Thanks." I breathed, not daring to look at him. His fingers trailed down my cheek, tilting my chin to look at him. He hesitantly stared from my eyes to my lips. He closed his eyes, swooping down to brush his lips against mine.
His fingers played in my curls, as his dried lips moved with mine in motion. I wrapped my arms around his neck, as one of his arms circled my waist while the other cradled my face. It happened so swiftly…
When my last breath tickled my lungs, we pulled apart, grinning at each other. I saw my breath levitate in the thick air. My cheeks were burning. "Let's get back to Hogwarts." He decided, standing up. "Ron and Hermione are probably worried." I nodded, allowing him to pull me off the bench, as we walked up the trail, hand in hand.
…
When Harry and I got back to the common room, Ron and Hermione were sitting by the fire, glancing at our linked hands before we nervously pulled away from each other. I ran up and wrote dad and Kim a letter, before joining my friends for dinner. Three hours later, when I was preparing for bed, Mary returned with a letter from my dad.
Dear Lexi,,
The honeymoon went well. We really enjoyed. You know me, even though I spent three weeks in the sun, I'm still as pale as a snow man. We're all fine – I hope you are too. You never told me Harry was the boy who lived! Merlin, Alexandra, I didn't get the proper chance to talk to him! Yet again; "Hi, I defeated the dark lord" isn't the first thing you say when you meet a neighbour, is it? Please don't worry, Daisy is fine, but she's missing you. Some good news has happened in the house, actually, Charlie is now employed. He works in the ministry, where he met his (soulmate, Kevin likes to call her,) she's nice, and surprisingly, Charlie brought her over for dinner a few days ago: he seems happy. And Kevin is as airheaded as ever. Nothing's changed. We'll all be your goofy family by the time you come home.
Can't wait to see you at Christmas.
Much love,
Dad
I laughed at the letter, realising how much I really missed my father. It was almost as if I could hear him read it over as he wrote it. I read over the last few lines, smiling. Finally, Charlie has found a girl! Now Kevin can stop taunting him about it. I put the letter beside my pillow, before lying down, smiling up at the ceiling. Today has been a great day. A great, great day.
(**)
The next morning, I was awoken by Hermione shaking me. I groaned, sitting up, rubbing my sleepy eyes. "It's Sunday, Hermione, there are no lessons, why are you waking me up at seven o clock?" I grumbled.
"Because Slughorn is calling a meeting for his club." She professionally said. I noticed she was already dressed, teeth brushed, and wild curls unsuccessfully tamed.
I sat up, now wide awake. "Ok, thanks,"
She nodded. "I'll be down in the common room." She said through the thinnest of thin lips, before hurrying out of the room, where I got dressed in peace. I threw my hair into a ponytail, before jogging into the common room, where I only found Harry.
He approached me, giving me a short and supple kiss on the lips. "Morning." He blushed, sweetly taking my hand as he stared at his shoes. I beamed.
"Good morning." I greeted. I suddenly felt a confident thrill lighten inside of me, as I cupped his face, pulling him in for a longer kiss. When I lightly pushed him away, his entire face was glowing with heat.
"S-shall we go? Hermione w-went early, but forced me to stay." He stuttered, when I was looking around for her. He took my hand and we both exited the common room, down to Potions, where the class was already full.
Slughorn smiled. I noticed him stare at our hands, before I pulled away, blushing. I took a seat besides Hermione, who knew something was up and was grinning. Harry sat behind me. Slughorn went on. "Thank you for showing up to my first meeting! I'm so privileged that all of you could be here! Let me introduce everyone to everyone!" He merrily said, before gesturing to each student and saying the purpose of them being here.
I lost myself in his speech, glancing around the room, eyeing the potions on the shelves and watching the colours swim around the jars. It was when a hand was placed on my shoulder, that I looked up, finding Slughorn's beaming face looking down at me. "This here, is Alexandra Russo. One fine witch, may I say. I heard that when she attended Salem, she did extraordinary well in Defence Against the Dark Arts, is that true Alex?" He asked in an interested tone.
I bit my lip, feeling the stares burn into my face. "Well," I cringed. "It was my favourite subject, sir, if that's what you want me to say."
"You had an O for the subject in your O.W.L's, right?" He asked, giving me a fresh look. I carefully nodded. "Well, Miss. Russo, is Professor Snape fond of you? Does he praise you? I'm sure you're one of us favourite students."
"Actually, sir, I'm not taking Defence Against the Dark Arts this year. I dropped it." I shamefully admitted, as if he were the professor for the dark subject. He gave me an incredulous look.
"But.. why?" He choked. The room fell silent: so silent, you'd be able to hear a pin drop and rattle on the floor.
"Well, my professor wasn't the.. best. I guess I lost interest." I shrugged, although there was more meaning behind the story than that. I dropped the subject because I was forced to. By Kim. She hated that class, always saying it was pointless.
"Well, I sure won't let you drop such a difficult subject. There's not many who can pass Defence Against the Dark Arts, Alex, so when us teachers notice a bright student, we take advantage of them. I'll mention a word or two to Snape. I'll ask him in a week or so if you've attended his lessons. I'm expecting him to say yes." I had never seen Slughorn so strict. He gave me a brief glance, before his signature grin returned. "Anyway, let's talk about our future and plans when you all graduate. Miss. Russo, any ideas?"
I sighed. Kim will not be happy when she hears about this. "Um. A healer, maybe? My mother was a healer, she travelled to Britain most of the time, when her job transferred her to St. Mungos. I used to go with her most days, and watch her work. I've wanted to be a healer since."
His face brightened. "Really? Fascinating! How marvellous. Great future to chose, Miss. Russo. But dare I say, to become a healer you must at least have 'Exceeds Expectations' at N.E.W.T. Potions, Transfiguration, Herbology, Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts, all the more reason for I to talk to Snape."
Inside, I was thrilled. I loved Defence Against the Dark Arts, but I feared Snape a little: especially how Ron groans on and on about how strict he is. "Thank you, sir," I smiled.
"I'm sure your mother is very proud of you. How is your mother, by the way? That question has slipped my mind for weeks! I have to meet up with her one day!" He laughed, his eyes filling with sparkled joy. My heart fell. Hadn't he heard the news?
Everyone in the club was staring at me, probably wondering why it took me so long to answer such a simple question. No one here knew about my mother's death, I hadn't even told Harry or Hermione. Cold tears fell down my cheeks. I cleared my throat. "She.. was murdered last year." I choked. "Ex-excuse m-me." I ran out of the class and through the halls.
I heard someone run after me, calling my name and pleading for me to stop running, but I ignored them. I hadn't cried over my mother in such a long time, but when I started, I found it difficult to stop – I didn't want to, I couldn't, let anyone see me like this. I reached the fifth floor, successfully ditching whoever attempted to chase after me. I flew around the corner, only to be forced to the floor. Draco Malfoy was standing over me.
"S-sorry." I muttered, not really in the mood for a bicker. He didn't look up for it, either. He was holding a fresh, green apple in his hand and didn't meet my eye. He looked like he was going somewhere..
"It's alright." He said in a cold voice, before turning away and stalking out of sight. I sighed, getting up to my feet and brushing off my clothes.
"Alex!" The voice called. I couldn't run, the footsteps were only a few feet away. A hand grabbed my arm, spinning me around. I only saw Harry's chest before I was pulled into a tight embrace. I bawled into his chest.
"Shh…" He cooed, stroking my hair. "Alex, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't want you to know." I muffled into his chest. He could probably feel my tears sinking into his sweatshirt.
"It'll be alright, Alex," He whispered, holding me tighter. "I promise."
"How can anything be alright, Harry?" I whispered, finding it too much of an effort to make my voice audible. "She was killed. I watched it happen. It was.. horrible." I shook my head, not allowing the nightmare to claw it's way back into my mind.
He leaned back, cupping my drenched cheeks in his soft hands, staring at me directly in the eye. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't feel comfortable, alright?" He clarified.
I could only nod, before he pulled me back into another hug. Great, the other students will give me great sympathy after all this. I'm sure the Slytherin's would love the feeling of satisfaction while teasing the crap out of me.
(**)
I hardly slept that night, and the attention I received the next day didn't make me feel any better. The word spread across the school. I don't know what was more humiliating, the fact that people opened classroom doors for me, figuring I was too vulnerable and weak to do it myself, or passing whispering students and hearing them talk about me.
"I don't care about some random chick." I heard one female Ravenclaw growl. "Who the hell is she, anyway? What makes her so special? Her mother's dead, is that it? People die every day, I dunno why she's getting so much sympathy for it. It happened last year, was it only me who heard her say that?"
I knew she was right. What did make me so special that people pointed and stared whenever I walked near them? Did they know something that I didn't?
"Are you coming to dinner, Alex?" Hermione softly asked me. Harry and Ron stood behind her, staring at me with pity, like everybody else.
"Uh, yeah, sure," I said, following them to the great hall. Harry whispered something to Ron before he nodded and dragged Hermione forward. Harry gave me a smile as I caught up with him.
"I don't need a companion everywhere I go, mind you," I told him irritably.
He chuckled sadly. "I know. But I figured you need someone to talk to, and considering I lost both my parents, maybe we can relate our problems."
I knew he was trying to help, but I didn't want his sympathy. I shook my head. "It only brings back rough memories, Harry," I told him tiredly. "I can't."
"You have to try-" he patiently urged.
"I said I can't!" I cut him off. He looked away. "I'm sorry." I frowned. "I'm tired, I missed a lot of sleep last night. I might go to bed."
He sighed, gripping my shoulder. "Ok. If you're sure. I'll see you tomorrow, good night." He kissed me gently on the forehead before whisking away.
I walked up the marbled stairs, heading for the seventh floor. The moving staircases couldn't be going any slower. It's like they knew I was upset, and were crossly teasing me. I arrived on the seventh floor corridor. I was only a few minutes away from my bed. I smiled at the thought.
I heard soft footsteps from behind. I wasn't really tempted to be questioned by a professor, who was curious to why I wasn't at dinner, so I hid behind a suit of armour. But it wasn't a teacher. It was Draco Malfoy. He was strolling down the corridor, looking left and right, before reaching the end of the hall.
The silhouette of two doors carved onto the blank, stoned wall. When the doors fully appeared, he went inside. My eyes widened. Did a door just appear on a solid wall? Wow, this school is yet to amaze me.
Ugh.. bed?.. mysterious Slytherin?.. bed?.. mysterious Slytherin?
My feet led me towards the doors, silently opening them before taking a step inside. If Draco finds me, I'm dead..
Ooh, so Alex's mom was murdered? By who? : D You're going to have to wait! I think I'll unravel some secrets and unexpected couples when it gets closer to the final battle, I think. And just to say, I'm not going to keep it EXACTLY like Harry Potter, considering it's not rightfully mine. So even if Lavender and Ron got together after Ron's first Quidditch match in the movie, it might be different in my story, if you get me? So if you see anything unfamiliar, they were my ideas. Hope you enjoyed!