Chapter 25

"Um...how are you guys?" She asked. That question was safe enough...wasn't it?

Hermione just smiled and nodded. "Pretty god. Tired from the long train ride but good. I'm getting all passing marks this year."

"No surprise there." Ron mumbled.

"You can study Ronald, and get passing marks too."

"But its so much more fun to have you do it for me."

Hermione just smirked. "If that's how you feel, from now on I'm not helping you all. You're on your own."

"What!"

"What about me? You normally help us both?" Harry said.

"I'll still help you. You at least try to learn from what I teach you. Ron just ignores me."

"That's not fair! Hermione I'll fail without you, I'll get suspended!"

"Well...maybe if you're extra nice to me AND extremely nice to Alex while we are here I'll change my mind."

"I am always nice...but fine."

Alex couldn't help but giggle softly at their playful fight. She loved how Hermione always won the arguments against Ron. She wish she had the courage to stand up to Ron the way Hermione did.

"Hey look..." Harry said. "It's snowing."

Everyone looked out the window and saw white snow covering the ground.

Alex's eyes lit up. She wanted so badly to go outside a play in the snow, make snow angels, may even be brave enough to start and maybe even win a snowball fight, just like in New York with Justin and Max.

"Who wants to go play outside?" Harry asked knowing Alex was too scared to speak still.

"I do." She answered softly.

"Me too. Let's do it."

"Do we have to?" Ron whined. "It's cold out there."

"You can stay in here by yourself." Dudley shrugged.

"That's no fun. Ok fine. I'll come, but if anyone hits me with a snowball I swear they are dead."

Alex gulped and tensed. Maybe going outside was a bad idea.

Hermione rubbed her back. She knew Ron's threat was a hundred percent playful, but Alex didn't. "Don't worry I'll protect you from Ron. I know all his weaknesses." She whispered in her ear with a wink.

Alex giggled softly and nodded. Everyone went to get their jackets, hats, scarves, gloves, boots, and everything else they needed and headed out back.

The second they did Alex dropped to the floor. She started moving her arms and legs up and down.

She froze when she heard Hermione shriek. She looked up and saw snow dripping down her jacket.

"HARRY POTTER!"

Alex giggled and stood up. "Harry you're in major trouble now."

"Not really. Hermione won't hurt me."

"Wanna bet?"

"Harry run, she's lost it!" Ron teased and took off running.

Alex laughed as Hermione ran after Ron and Harry.

"What makes you think you're safe?"

Before she could speak wet cold snow hit her in the back of her neck. She screamed and turned around. Dudley was standing there smirking. At first Alex didn't know how to react. Did she just laugh it off and go back inside? Did she break down crying? Did she...could she possibly hit him back? Alex bit her lip and bent down to pick up some snow and shaped it in hands into a ball. She looked at it for a second before raising it up and throwing it in the air. She squeezed her eyes shut scared of seeing where it landed but then she heard Dudley gasp and her eyes shot open. She had got him right in the stomach. She giggled softly. "Um...I'm sorry?" It was more of a question.

Dudley laughed and shook his head. "Oh no, it's on now sis." He grabbed another snowball and threw it at her. Alex ducked and then took off running. Dudley chased after her with a snowball in hand. Alex ran passed Hermione, Ron, and Harry as Hermione attacked the boys with snowballs. She couldn't help but laugh at that. She turned her head briefly to see if Dudley was still chasing her.

"ALEX! LOOK OUT!" Dudley yelled.

Before Alex could stop herself she slid on a piece of a ice and landed face first on the ground.

"ALEX!"

"MOM ALEX'S HURT!"

Everyone rushed over to Alex. She sat up and saw everyone gathered around her and she screamed quickly turning away from them. "NO!"

"Alex honey, it's ok. You're safe we just want to help you." Petunia said.

"NO! Stay away!" Alex started to cry.

"Come on Alex, it's ok." Ron said.

"NO! NO! NO! GO AWAY!"

"Guys, back up. I think I have an idea."

Everyone back up and Harry moved to sit in front of Alex but didn't touch her. "Alex, Honey, can you hear me?" he asked softly and gently.

Alex nodded and calmed down slightly.

"Good, I want you to do something for me. Close your eyes."

"NO!" Alex screamed.

"Shhh, listen to me, no one will hurt you. Trust me Alex, trust me."

Alex looked at Harry as tears streamed down her cheeks. She nodded softly and closed her eyes. She started to cry harder. "Harry!"

"I'm right here. It's ok. I'm right here. Now I want you to pictures yourself back in my room. Remember we were looking at pictures."

Alex slowly started to calm down as she nodded and sniffed softly. "You took my picture."

"I did you're right. Do you remember what you said?"

Alex shook her head.

"You said..." he leaned up and whispered in her ear "Sardines."

Alex burst into giggles, in her mind it was just her and Harry, nobody else was around. Keeping her eyes closed she turned back around to Harry.

"Do you remember what happen next?" As he talked to her he looked closely at the bleeding wound on her forehead.

Alex nodded and giggled again.

"What?"

"You...you ckle me." She whispered.

"What did I do?"

"Tickled me."

"What did you say, Alex? Tickle you? Are you sure?" he teasing poking her in the side.

She squealed and her eyes snapped open. That's what she saw the others and gasped.

"It's ok. You're safe. I'm still right here. Does your head hurt?"

Alex nodded and kept her eyes focused on Harry.

"Do you want me to help you clean and cover it?"

"Can it be just you and me?"

"Of course."

Alex nodded and crawled into his arms. He smiled softly and kissed her head. He lifted her up and carried her inside and into the bathroom. He helped her clean her cut and then covered it with a band-aid. He finished it off with a small kiss.

"There all better. Any other places you are hurt, your sides or belly maybe?" He teased gently poking her sides and stomach.

She giggled and squirmed pushing his hands away. "No. I'm ok now. Thank you, Harry."

"You're welcome."

He kissed her cheek and took her hand. Together they went back outside to join the others.

"Are you ok?" Hermione asked.

Alex nodded. "I'm ok now. Harry made me feel all better."

"It wasn't anything big, just a band-aid and kiss and she was as good as new."

"A kiss? Ooooo maybe we should leave you two alone so you can...OW! HERMIONE WHY'D YOU HIT ME!" Ron teased.

Alex turned bright red and was going to start crying but then Hermione hit Ron on the back of his head causing her to giggle. In that moment she knew that no matter what Harry and Hermione, Dudley and her Mom were ALWAYS be there for her.

Thank you again, Hopelessromanticgurl! You're the best.

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