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Chapter 14

Last Time:

"Hermione and I are doing our homework for Christmas break." Alex asks.

"Ok. Would you like your iPod?" Jerry picks up Alex's black iPod and hands it to her.

"Thanks dad." Alex turns on her iPod before handing Hermione a headphone and she puts the other in her ear. The two girls ignore the wizard lesson and just work on their homework together.

Now:

It is Christmas morning and Ramona jumps on Alex's bed.

"Alex! Wake up!" Ramona giggles. She has already woken up Max, Justin, Theresa, Jerry and Hermione.

"Mmmm." Alex rolls over so she is on her back.

"ALEX!" Ramona whines. To her surprise, Alex grabs her waist and pulls her down.

"I gotcha!" Alex laughs. She climbs off her bed and carries Ramona upside down downstairs. Ramona giggles all the way down holding onto Alex's leg to keep from falling.

Once downstairs, Theresa looks at her two daughters.

"ALEX! PUT RAMONA DOWN NOW!" Theresa screams. Alex jumps and quickly puts Ramona down gently. Theresa walks over to the eleven year old and pulls the nine year old away, "YOU COULD HAVE HURT HER YOU MONSTER!"

Tears fill Alex's eyes as fear and hurt fill them a lot faster.

"I... I..." Alex tries to apologize but Theresa ignores her. The adult grabs the collar of Alex's pj top and pulls her closer and begins to scream swear words into her face.

Hermione watches in shock from the couch before getting up and running over.

"MRS. RUSSO! CAN'T YOU SEE YOU'RE SCARING HER?!" Hermione shouts ripping Theresa's hand from Alex's shirt and keeps the younger girl behind her, "Back off and leave her alone! They were playing and Alex wouldn't hurt Ramona. Ramona was laughing! You know what? I'm going to write a letter to Alex's REAL mother to come and get us. If we stay you are just going to hurt Alex." Hermione glares at Theresa before gently pulling Alex into a hug and takes her upstairs.

Hermione immediately pulls out a parchment and begins to write to McGonagall. Alex winces hearing Jerry and Theresa screaming at each other before the door slams shut.

"Hermione." Alex whimpers. Hermione looks up at Alex from her writing and opens her arms. Alex walks over and sits down beside Hermione on the floor and buries her face into her neck. Alex begins to cry and Hermione holds her close as she continues to write.

Dear Professor McGonagall,

Professor, Alex really needs you. Mrs. Russo was just screaming at her and looked like she was going to hurt her.

Please come and get us.

Hermione Granger

Hermione ties the letter to Alex's owl before sending her off.

Alex and Hermione stayed upstairs for the day and never left to go get food or anything. No one came upstairs at all either.

Just then there is tapping on Alex's window and both girls look to see McGonagall. Hermione helps Alex to her feet to only have her collapse on her bed. Hermione opens the window and McGonagall steps in.

Immediately McGonagall flicks her wand and all their school stuff and trunks are packed and sent to Hogwarts.

"Stay here honey." McGonagall kisses Alex's forehead and gives her a hug, "I will be right back." McGonagall gives Hermione a smile and once out of the room, McGonagall closes the door.

They hear McGonagall walk downstairs and not even seconds after shouting is heard. Alex covers her ears and Hermione pulls her into a hug.

"Shh, nothing will happen and you are safe. McGonagall will protect us like I will protect you." Hermione tells Alex honestly.

"Thank you." Alex whispers hiding her face into Hermione's shoulder.

~H&A~

It has been a week since Hermione and Alex have arrived back at Hogwarts. Hermione told Alex about what is going on between her, Ron and Harry about solving a mystery and even asked Alex to join. Alex agreed and that is where they are now... the library.

"So someone is after the Philosopher's Stone." Alex concludes after they filled her in completely and caught her up to speed.

"Not just anyone. Snape." Harry answers.

"Why would he want it?" Alex questions.

"Eternal life." Ron smirks.

"We know that, but why would Snape want that?"

"Why would I want what?" The four eleven year olds look up to see Snape standing over them.

"Oh, it's just a survey we are making. If you could have eternal life, why would you want it?" Alex lies.

"I don't want it." Snape answers. Alex has always been his best student besides Hermione. Plus Alex isn't like other Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs or Slytherins. She's unique.

"Why?"

"Because it's pointless." Alex nods.

"Thank you sir." Snape watches Alex write something down before nodding and walking away.

"I told you!" Alex whispers.

"He could be lying." Harry argues.

"Whatever. I don't think it's Snape who is after the stone. But I believe someone is. I will help you."

~A&H~

April quickly arrives and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Alex have gotten along and all look at each other like best friends. They have all agreed they will go to the third floor and to go down and protect the stone.

Alex writes her final exam... Transfiguration. She is the final person in the classroom as McGonagall is at her desk beginning to mark them.

"Done!" Alex smiles as she sighs in relief. She gets up and carries her exam over to McGonagall.

"Well done. Sweetie, I need to talk to you about something important." McGonagall flicks her wand making the exams to disappear and an empty chair to appear next to her. Alex takes a seat worried.

"What is it mom?" Alex asks nervously.

"Dumbledore and I have found a new home for you and sadly they agreed to adopt you but it will cost you to miss the next four years. You won't return until your fifth year." Alex's mouth drops open in shock and hurt.

"WHAT?!" Alex screams standing up rapidly and the chair knocks over. Tears fill Alex's brown eyes before she takes off running out of the run and away from the new information.

McGonagall groans and rests her head on her folded arms on the table.

Alex is going to hate me. She is going to hate me with a passion. I never even got a chance to tell her that she is going to be living with Cedric Diggory and Cedric's father. McGonagall thinks.

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