Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, nope no sirie!

AN: My eternal thanks and gratitude for those of you who have been hanging on to the story. I've been fighting my RL part time jobs x2 working my freelance and on the look out for my rogue muse. Found her a few days ago and hopefully will be churring out the chapters a bit you to all the new people who have Alert+ and faved this story and those who will. Drop a review and tell me what you think!

NevemTeve - Heh oh yes, I know I have a lot going I had to start taking notes the ideas were getting too mixed up.

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Chapter 24 – The Quick Fix

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Neville was gasping trying to keep up with Harry and Lizzy. Those two got along well enough after a good solid week of running together. However, Neville was feeling decided left out when he couldn't keep up with his fitter friends. They always kept close to him but were clearly itching to run ahead at a pace that suited them. It was definitely like another world when they ran on the Quidditch pitch together. Harry actually looked peaceful on the pitch. Lizzy looked less burdened, she had admitted that running with them had kept her mind off Alexander.

None of this mattered to him though as he felt his lungs burn with the effort to breathe. He hated being unfit compared to Harry and Lizzy. Granted he was positive he could outrun Malfoy, the boy was an ace on a broom, but a slug on two legs. "Come on Nev! This is good for you." Lizzy encouraged with a smile looking over her shoulder. He nodded knowing he was doing this for a reason. He still had yet to actually transform. Hermione was also working on mastering her transformation and Harry was studying his animal. He had been the first to succeed and his lack of continued success since aggravated him.

He nodded urging himself on even as his body protested. He was getting better. He could actually last as long as they ran instead of having to rest half way through. He kept his eyes focused on Lizzy's white tank top trying to keep from thinking of depressing things. Try as he might he could not fight his current depression away. He and Lizzy were much in the same boat. While she was longing for someone close by her that refused to give her the time of day anymore, he was longing for Hannah an ocean away. He had already written his girlfriend back promising that nothing was going on. That he would forever be faithful to her and he loved her deeply. He wondered if she would accept his letter as the truth.

He was surprised when they passed the Nocturnus clan banner. Alexander was laying against the banner holding something. He looked princely against the silver, gold, and black in his crisp white shirt and dress slacks. Neville resisted the urge to growl. "Alexander…" Lizzy muttered jogging to a stop.

"Hey Liz. Can I have a moment?" He said flashing a rather practiced looking smile at Neville. The polished teen turned to Harry quickly giving him a nod.

"Sure." She answered hesitantly.

"Why don't you take off that detestable cap." He chuckled off handedly.

"No."

"Neville come on let's leave them alone for a lap." Harry interjected giving him a hard stare. He nodded, perhaps it was good that Alexander wanted to finally talk to Lizzy. Maybe they would work things out and start dating again. He knew it would make her happy. Harry started off his back the new beacon Neville followed while his mind wandered.

He wanted to know what they were saying. He wanted to make sure Lizzy was okay. The idea of the two of them alone after so long apart left a bad taste in Neville's mouth. Maybe they were already arguing? They had seemed on the verge of it before they had jogged off.

"That hat is hideous take it off." Alexander's voice crept in over the abnormally loud panting he was hearing. Was he panting so loudly or was it Harry?

"No Neville gave it to me." He frowned his concentration broken. It was by the fact running after Harry's retreating back was mechanical that he didn't stop to listen more.

"It's his fault your hair is so short." He scratched at the tip of his ears the sound of the panting irritating him. He could smell something foul but he couldn't place it quite yet.

"No it's Hannah's fault. She is a jealous insecure selfish-" Was that really what Lizzy thought of Hannah. Though Neville couldn't fault her, she had only seen Hannah in a poor light hardly long enough to get a feel of how nice and kind Hannah truly was.

"Whatever," Alexander interrupted, "I didn't come to talk about those Hogwarts students. I came to talk to you."

"And?"

"I'm sorry." The panting was deafening, but still he tried to keep focus to hear the conversation. He finally figured out the smell was sweat and he was trying to ignore it as he continued on Harry's back guiding him still.

"Okay well I'm mad at you, but I will forgive you."

"Just because I said I'm sorry doesn't mean we can get back together. I have things I need to sort out Liz, I can't deal with," a short pause and a deep breath were barely registered over the panting, "us right now. I need to try to deal with my family issues with a clear head and with you by my side nothing will get done."

"This is about your mother isn't it? She hates me you know that! What's so important you are pushing me away like this? I heard someone caught you in the hall macking with that Smith bitch."

"Watch your mouth." He wanted to shout for someone to hold their breath. The panting was making it near impossible to understand them now.

"You're starting to sound like her."

"Look, I'm sorry, really I am. I brought you some sweets just so you know. When this is all over, the problems I am having right now. We can get back together. You know you're the only girl for me."

"Oh you even brought the ones I like. Thanks… I guess. I'll consider it okay? You've hurt me a lot."

"I know. Liz, answer just one question for me."

"Yes?"

"What were you doing brewing-"

The panting broke out into a full gasp. Distracted Neville lost his focus and ran straight into Harry. They tumbled to the ground together in a mess of sweaty limbs and cursing. His nose connected with the back of Harry's head. He nearly gagged as Harry's scent filled his nose. He had somehow smelled Harry from several feet away when they had been running. His scent matched exactly.

"Well didn't take Potter and Longbottom long to round the pitch. Perhaps they were rushing it. Seems my 'moment' with you is over Lizzy, have a good day." Alexander sneered eyeing the fallen boys with disgust. Harry's head snapped up a look of loathing clear on his face. He frowned perhaps this was the Harry Draco often spoke of fearing. That face promised that if given enough time a Dark Lord would appear between the cracks and devour the world in his anguish and hatred. He was the only living person with the knowledge of the deadly hex that almost killed Draco, but he also lived without the knowledge of the counter-curse. He was dangerous enough with that knowledge. Alexander could almost feel the fear Draco spoke about, almost.

"Alex," She whispered. He paused for just a moment to turn back to his ex-girlfriend. "I love you." She said a weak a broken smile on her face. He frowned. He knew what he wanted to say, what he should say, but he also knew what he needed to do. Eyeing the pack of chocolate in her hands he hoped it would be enough to sooth her later. He shrugged and turned away silent.

Neville winced, "I think I broke my nose on your head Harry."

"Nonsense." Harry growled back pushing Neville off him.

"Like hell you didn't look at his face!" Lizzy hissed sharply as she tore her eyes from Alexander's retreating back. The raven haired teen turned to look at his friend. He frowned at the sight of blood gathering under his nose.

"Well didn't know my head was that hard."

"I've heard Malfoy say it's filled with rocks. I'm starting to believe him." The irate teen fumed dropping to her knees next to Neville. Harry watched carefully as she dropped her chocolate in favor of fussing over Neville.

"I'm fine, really I am." Neville said in his nastily voice trying to push her away.

"Oh really," Harry grumbled pulling his wand free. "Episkey!" Neville jerked forward with a strangle yelp.

"You could have warned me you know!" He hissed in his normal voice. Harry could not repress the grin at poor Neville's expense."But thank you."

"You people born and raised wizard through and through make me sick." Lizzy snapped snatching up her candy once more. Neville looked at her in shock. Harry just glared. "You broke his nose, not even a sorry."

"He did it to himself."

"So what! You just fix it with spell and think everything is okay."

"But it is Lizzy." Neville interrupted standing up. Harry could see he was fighting the urge to agree with the girl.

"That doesn't change that you felt the pain and it happened. No one will learn anything with quick fixes." She snapped. She turned her eyes on Harry as if focusing her full rage on him. He didn't like that his familiar features were staring back at him. "You off all people should understand that. Just as he should…" He watched her green eyes go distant as though she was lost in a memory.

"Lizzy…" Neville whispered reaching out his hands to her. She shook her head abruptly turning away. He watched Neville's shoulder's slump in defeat as the girl ran off towards the fleeting figure of Alexander.

"You know," He said biting his lip unsure if he should even mention it. He thought for a moment that if it were true maybe he should help Neville now before he became accustomed to the bad habits. "If I didn't know any better you and her are together."

"No, never, not like that." He glared back his eyes aflame with frustration. "Why does everyone think that?" Harry shrugged his mind working. They were so close yet neither would say they were together. However, Neville had said it with such certainty that Harry believed him. Maybe Neville just didn't know how one treated girlfriends and one treated lady friends.

"I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to know. She's a rather testy girl, like Malfoy even." He snickered mentally willing away the awkward atmosphere. He watched Neville's face pinch up in annoyance but he did not comment. He was not sure if he had gone too far with that comment but Neville's silence didn't feel like anger.

"You're right, I hadn't notice it before, because she's always so nice to me. She's just going through a hard time right now though. That's all there is to it. She'll get better I promise." He frowned at Neville's wording. He didn't mind having to put up with Lizzy, he only had to be near her company at the least important parts of the day. At least he knew when it was okay to have Lizzy around. Their animagus training wasn't one of those instances.

"You should get ready for class. I'll see at lunch." He grinned helping Neville to his feet. Quietly he excused himself and left Harry to his own.

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Alexander,

I'm sick of your foolish games. You don't seem to understand I don't care that you want to stay at school it's time you left or bad things could happen. You know what I mean and I am unconcerned if you hate me for it. I'm doing this for you.

If you don't obey my orders I will make you leave by force.

-Cassandra

Dear Harry,

Teddy misses you when he goes to bed. I think he knows when you aren't around. The moment he opens his eyes it's like a light goes off and he starts to whine. I'm glad Teddy will have a father figure in his life. I will be honest with you as is it no less then you deserve for that you have done for everyone as well as my family. I curse Remus and Nymphadora for fighting in the war and dying. Yet, I am glad that I will be able to tell Teddy his parents were brave people that fought for what they believed in. I can't decide which is worse.

-Dromeda

Notes:

Harry – Lightening, Savoir, Stubborn, needs more study

Hermione – Water, Smart, Witty, Beautiful, Resourceful, less bias opinion needed

Ron – Fire, Temper, needs more thought.

Issues:

Triad ritual unbalanced, Four corners a stronger base, Safeguards?, Other points of reference; deities, feelings?, material elements

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Alexander was flipping through a book in the library furiously. He hated having to deal with all this duties and homework. The things he did for a better college resume. He felt his family signet ring weighting down his right hand. Why his mother had sent him that he wasn't sure, but he wasn't about to leave it sitting around in his room to be stolen. He growled again scratching at his ear. He could hear the pulse of people nearby. Their blood was calling to him.

The diagrams and paragraphs in the book were blurring together as he lost his focus. Someone was getting excited. The rushing pulse was so alluring to him. Glancing up from his book he saw the girl who was robbing him of his focus. She was furiously scratching away at an enchant piece of paper. He had seen the charm often enough. It was spell linked with several other sheets of paper for a limited amount of time to share notes.

The blonde looked pissed as she scribbled faster. She crossed things out and scribbled several times. He was almost positive she was keeping someone else from interrupting her tirade. He shook his head roughly turning his eyes back to the pages before him. He needed to study before something came up. There wasn't a day that went by when something didn't demand his attention as Clan Head. It was like being the student body president only worse. You were actually expected to do something.

Grumbling to himself he decided to make as much space between himself and the blonde girl. He just couldn't focus with her pulse pounding in his ears.