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Chapter 11

Last Time:

"Professor McGonagall! Help!" Hermione shouts over the grunts the troll makes. McGonagall looks over at Hermione and gasps seeing her daughter. McGonagall rushes over and kneels down next to Hermione in Alex's blood. She pulls out her wand and mutters words that Hermione couldn't catch.

Hermione sobs wrapping her arms around her as she watches the blood flow back into Alex's head. Soon Alex gasps and opens her eyes.

McGonagall sighs in relief and helps Alex sit up before hugging her close. She wraps her right arm around Hermione's shoulders and pulls her into the hug knowing she and Alex are basically sisters.

Now:

After school a week later, Alex is sitting on the couch next to the fire writing her Defence Against the Dark Arts essay. Hermione is hanging out with her new friends Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Ever since the day with the troll, Hermione, Harry and Ron have become friends. Alex would have nothing to do with Ron and each time Hermione invites her to hang out with the guys, Alex would come up with an excuse not to.

As Alex writes her last few words of her essay, the door to the common room opens. Alex hears three sets of feet and begins to pack her homework into her bag.

"Hey Alex." Alex looks up with her neutral face and sees Harry, Ron and Hermione standing in front of her.

"You do know the essay isn't due for another four weeks right?" Hermione asks Alex softly.

"I know. But you also know that I take a long time to write. Plus we have a test tomorrow that I have to study for." Alex grabs her bag and walks around the group.

Hermione sighs as tears fill her eyes. Alex is her best friend and she doesn't know what is wrong with her.

"What is wrong with your friend?" Ron asks Hermione.

"I don't know." Hermione frowns staring at the stairs where Alex disappeared.

~H&A~

Alex walks down the hill at 9pm. She couldn't stand being in the same room as Harry and Ron, nor could she stand being in the dorm with Hermione. There is a light breeze making Alex's hair blow around her.

"Ms. Russo." Alex jumps and turns around to see...

"Professor Snape." Alex whispers.

"You're not supposed to be out and about." Snape narrows his eyes at Alex, but Alex could see that they are softer than in class.

"I'm sorry sir. I just couldn't handle being in the common room or dorm any longer." Alex admits quietly.

"Ok Ms. Russo. You, myself and Professor McGonagall need to have a talk." Snape signals for Alex to begin to walk to the castle and she does so.

As they walk up to Gryffindor Tower it was silent... a comfortable silence at that.

~A&H~

As they arrive to McGonagall's office door, where McGonagall is grading tests, Snape opens the door.

"Step in." Alex steps into the office and rubs her cold arms. Snape signals for Alex to sit down in a chair and Snape joins her in the other chair.

"What may I do for you Severus?" McGonagall asks.

"Ms. Russo here was walking around outside." Snape answers. McGonagall looks at Alex who is now looking at the ground.

"I'm sorry Professor. I know it is wrong because we are supposed to be in our common rooms now, but I wasn't comfortable and..." Alex stops speaking and looks up at McGonagall.

Tears fill her eyes as she finally cracks.

"Hermione is friends with Harry and Ron. After Ron hurting both of us, Hermione forgave him and I can't. Hermione keeps inviting me to hang out with the guys, but I turn it down. I just want my best friend back." Alex breaks down crying and McGonagall immediately gets it. Alex lost her best friend to Ron and Harry. Sure she is friends with Harry, but it's like Ron replaced her original place. She doesn't fit in at home in New York, and now she doesn't fit in with her friends.

"Alex, I'm sorry about this, but you will have to serve detention with Hagrid next week." McGonagall tells the eleven year old strictly yet softly.

"I don't mind." Alex whispers as McGonagall hugs her tightly.

~H&A~

Alex sits in the stands watching Harry catch the golden snitch in the Quidditch game. Hermione is with Ron and Hagrid as normal. It is two days after Alex was caught by Snape and McGonagall gave Alex a detention, which is next week on Wednesday.

After Gryffindor wins the match, Alex quickly leaves and takes off to the Black Lake.

Once she arrives she sits down on her regular rock and buries her face into her knees. She has been going to the lake to get away from Hermione, Ron and Harry. She signature spot is surrounded by trees and her rock is at the edge of the lake. The front of the rock has shallow water and has a calming feeling.

After a few minutes of relaxing, Alex stares out at the water. She hears a branch snap behind her, causing her to turn around.

Soon a familiar person breaking into her spot. It's Draco Malfoy.

"Hey Russo." Malfoy greets. Alex's eyes secretly widen in surprise. Malfoy is actually being civil.

"Hey Malfoy. Whatcha doing here?" Alex asks softly.

"I come here to think once in a while. Why aren't you with Potter, Weasel and Granger?"

"I don't like Ron. I'm not friends with him. Mostly since he hurt me and Hermione. Hermione is friends with both boys and I don't want anything to do with Ron." Alex crosses her arms and turns back to the water. Malfoy climbs onto the rock and sits down next to her.

"You know, for a mudblood you're not half bad." Malfoy admits. Alex looks at him shocked.

"Can you please not call me a mudblood?"

"I'm sorry Alex. But you're not half bad for a Gryffindor. Is that better?"

"Actually yes. Thank you Draco." Alex gives Malfoy a small smile. Malfoy returns it with one of his own.

"When you need someone to talk to, just pass me a note in one of our classes and this spot could be our meeting spot."

"Are you sure you won't blackmail me if I agree?"

"I promise." Alex and Malfoy shake hands to seal the promise.

Surprisingly the two of them become friends and Alex has someone to talk to in private.

It's like a spy mission. Alex thinks happily before she and Malfoy begin to talk about classes and their home lives.

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