Wasup! :) I'm happy, cuz we found a TV channel having a Harry Potter marathon! :))))))))) *does random happy dance* Sorry, we forgot to bring the movies with us, so I'm glad we can see them. Inspiration! :)) My shoulder is acting up, though, so I apologize for spelling mistakes, cuz my typing sucks. Anyway, thanks for the reviews, guys, we've passed 50! Plus we have over 5,000 views! :) I'm sorry to anyone who doens't like seeing the Potter twins all sad, but I have to make it like this for it to be super happy later. Anyway, chapter 25!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Good job yet again to fatcatbeatrice. I miss you, I sucks we can't talk in person anymore. Anyway, cut it out with the Hetalia stuff. Honestly.

Harry was relieved to see Hagrid and be able to talk to him. He had been gone since the start of the year. It was good for something happy to actually be going on in his crazy, messed up, depressing life. But he had to bring up the worst topic he could right now. Hagrid was the only one he trusted enough for it.

"Hagrid, can I ask you something?" he asked tentatively.

"Sure, Harry. What is it?"

"Do you know the new girl, Alex Thompson?"

"Yeah, actually, I was the one ter take 'er to Dumbledore. Why?"

"Does she- does she look like my sister would have? Like, at all similar?" Hagrid looked surprised at this.

"Wait, who told you about yer sister?" Hagrid asked, alarmed.

"Sirius." Hagrid seemed slightly mollified by this.

"Yeah, she looks a lot like I would have imagined your sister. Same name too. It's quite the coincidence."

"Yeah," Harry said distractedly. "It is."

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Alex looked at the window. Yet another snowball had just hit it. Ron finally lost is patience and went to yell at whoever was doing it. The mysterious person then hit him in the face with one. She had to admit, the look on his face was highly comical.

Hermione came in through the portrait hole. She had just been out to see Professor Hagrid, who apparently had come back. Alex was excited to meet him. Well, actually meet him. They had met before, but not for very long. She hoped he was nice, and wouldn't recognize her as Harry's sister. It was a miracle he didn't realize it the first time.

The next morning they had their first lesson with Professor Hagrid. When they showed up by his hut, he beamed down at them. Despite all she had heard, Alex couldn't help but feel fairly intimidated by him. His bulk was a sure sign of brute strength. But even with a scary first take, she could see he was actually very gentle. Well, tried to be anyway.

Professor Hagrid came over to her, Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"Hullo, you three, Alex. I'm glad ter see yer makin' friends, especially with people like them. Couldn't go wrong here. I'd be scared if it was Malfoy and them, though." Alex smiled lightly at that. There was no way in the world she would have ever been friends with Malfoy.

For the lesson, Hagrid took them into the Forbidden Forest. He brought with him half a cow. Alex was a little scared of whatever it was needed for. Sure enough, when they got there, Hagrid set it down, and called for whatever creature they were studying. Out of the trees came a skeletal creature, looking like a combination of a dragon and a black winged horse. She froze instantly, frightened. The students around her seemed to still be looking for it, which surprised her. How hard was it to miss?

Harry and Neville also seemed to be able to see it. Harry simply looked relieved, and Neville looked as scared as Alex. Maybe Harry had seen them before? Most of the class still looked expectant and nervouse, though. She looked at Hagrid questioningly, wondering if there was an explanation for it.

"Put your hand up if you can see them." Alex raised her hand slowly, as did Harry, Neville, and some Slytherin boy. Only the four of them? Why?

"These are thestrals. They can only be seen by those who have seen death," Hagrid explained. Alex felt her eyebrows shoot up. Seen death? That was awful!

Others seemed to agree, for they were backing away from the spot. Alex didn't move, still feeling rooted to the spot. Suddenly, she heard a small "hem hem" come from right behind her, and she whirled around.

Sure enough, donned in pink, there stood Umbridge, clipboard in hand. She was there to inspect Hagrid, apparently. Alex hoped he would pass all right, because she like Hagrid.

Umbridge explained why she was there, and started asking the students questions. The Slytherins all made it sound like Hagrid was a complete idiot, and Umbridge seemed to encourage it. Alex was definitely ready to murder all of them, Umbridge included. Hagrid was her favorite teacher, there was no way she could get away with this.

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December came, bringing snow and homework with it. The prefects had more duties, something Alex didn't envy. The DA seemed to be an escape from life sometimes. It was becoming easier to forget her lies, at least when she had a distraction. She just had to make sure she didn't get too ignorant, otherwise she might accidentely let something slip. Fred and George had gotten their hands on some Veritiserum, and had been slipping it into peoples' drinks. She could not let them do that to her, otherwise she would be in big trouble.*

Alex was planning on staying at Hogwarts during the holidays. Hermione was going skiing with her parents, whatever that meant. Harry and Ron were going to Ron's house to spend it with his family. Her good friend Ginny, who was Ron's sister, had invited her to come as well, but she had declined, not wanting to risk being recognized by anyone else.

She was also excited, because the Gryffindor Quidditch team now needed a new Seeker and two Beaters. Alex didn't tell anyone else, but she was planning on trying out. Without much practice, she didn't expect to make the team, but she wanted to try anyway. With any luck, at least she would have a little more experience for next year.

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The tryouts lasted a lot longer than Alex had expected. By the time everyone had finished, it was very close to time for the DA meeting. She had flown much better than she had expected. Maybe she had a chance after all.

Angelina, the captain, was consulting with the other two remaining players, Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet. They seemed to be having a hard time deciding on one of the players. Finally, they all nodded and walked over to the group of waiting hopefuls.

"First, thank you to everyone who tried out. For the Beaters, we have Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper." Alex had tried out for both postitions. She hadn't done very well as Beater, so it hadn't surprised her. She just hoped for a stroke of luck right now.

"And as Seeker, we chose Alex Thompson."

The ending was predictable, I know, but I had to put her on the Quidditch team. I hope you liked this chapter, I didn't find it all that good, but I needed the slight filler. Anyway, thanks for reading, guys. And for all the reviews, it's really great to know you enjoy the story. Thanks again!

Guest Revies Replies:

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