4 Chapter 29: The Dream and the Trials
Somehow, she had yet to fully understand how, Alexis and Harry had made it out of their conversation with Remus and Grim alive. Even Viktor, whose survival was a bigger mystery than her own, had even made it of there unscathed. Mostly.
Grim had tried to take a bite out of him but Viktor had quickly casted a paralyzing charm before apologizing to Remus for hitting his dog with a spell. It was the only time either Alexis or Harry had smiled through the whole experience.
However, being sternly told by her uncle that the conversation was not over and not to think Mrs. Weasley wasn't going to hear about it did ruin any chances of Alexis forgetting the whole situation for a while.
"And does Madeye know about this?" Remus asked as he finally released the three students from the empty classroom.
"I asked Professor Moody for permission," said Viktor calmly.
Remus raised an eyebrow but shook his head. The last thing he said to either of his past students was that he and Grim would be staying in Hogsmeade until the Third Task.
After that, what Alexis had already started calling the most dreadful experience of her life, school seemed to pick up for exams. While Harry was studying spells in the back of class, Hermione, Neville, Seamus, and Dean were taking their end of the year exams while Alexis took the rest of her O.W.L.s. Despite being stressful, everything seemed to be going fine, including Alexis's N.E.W.T. in Potions. She was thrilled to death when she saw Cedric sitting beside her for the exam, claiming he had no desire in delaying his exam and therefore his Auror training just because he was a Champion.
"Good luck," the Hufflepuff whispered before the exam givers demanded silence.
Alexis smiled at him before catching the gaze of one Potions Professor. Snape nodded at her slyly. It reminded Alexis of first year, when the Slytherin House Head had helped save her and Harry from the chamber on the third floor and had smiled at her at Christmas. He had also seemed to have known her parents when she saw his memories last year, or at least her relatives, which wasn't exactly a good thing. Maybe he knew-
"And begin."
Changing her thought process away from Snape, Alexis went to work on her N.E.W.T. It wouldn't be for another two hours before she thought anything other than ingredients and the proper, as in, not how the book taught, way to make a Draught of Living Death and she had long sense moved on to wondering what was for dinner as she and Cedric made their way to the Great Hall.
"My father should be visiting tomorrow," said Cedric as they left the dungeons. "So should all the Champions' family actually. I'm guessing that's why Uncle Grim and Remus are here?"
"Guess so," said Alexis. "Err, Ced, how is your dad? He's not mad at me or anything right?"
"No," said Cedric shaking his head. "I had a talk with him last task. He still isn't convinced that we don't have a shot in hell to go out but he's accepting the fact that we're both dating two different people."
"That's... Not what I was expecting."
Cedric shrugged.
"Expecting differently then," he said teasingly. "Now go eat with Harry before I force feed you again."
"No please, anything but that," Alexis said, mocking fear. She giggled while dodging Cedric's arm before skipping over to Harry and Hermione.
"How was your first N.E.W.T. Hex?" asked Hermione over a large roast.
"I feel confident I passed," said Alexis before taking a giant spoonful of mashed potatoes. "An' your exams?"
"Harry-" Alexis and Harry looked at her "-Prongs read the whole time but I believe I scored O's on everything. Of course, we still have several exams tomorrow."
"Not me," said Alexis, swallowing a mouthful of turkey and gravy. "Only Defense and that's my best next to Potions."
"Plus Moody's the professor," said Harry. Alexis stuck out her tongue at him. "Gross, Padfoot!"
"But I thought you liked seafood, Prongs," said Alexis innocently.
"I do," said Harry, "I just don't want to see your food."
Alexis laughed while Hermione shook her head.
"You two, so childish," Hermione mumbled.
"We're not childish!" huffed Harry.
"Yeah, it's not like we're arguing over fries being called chips or anything," said Alexis, faking innocent. Harry's eyes narrowed at her while Hermione sighed once more.
"Not this again," she moaned.
"They're chips, Hex," said Harry firmly.
"Fries, Harry," said Alexis.
"Chips."
"Fries."
"Chips!"
"Fries!"
"You're in England, they're chips, Hex," said Harry, smirking.
"You're on earth, Harry," said Alexis, "and on earth the mass majority calls them fries so they're fries!"
"What mass majority?" huffed Harry. "Just because Americans-"
"There's like three times as many Americans as there are English or Scottish or Irish or whatever in the world plus Canadians!" said Alexis. "If the mass majority chooses than its fries!"
"Chips!"
"Fries!"
"Will you two shut it already?" asked Seamus as he, Neville, and Dean joined the table. "No one cares."
"I care!" shouted both fuming Gryffindors.
Neville snorted.
"We can tell."
"Just drop it," said Hermione. "You're giving me a headache."
"Fine," huffed Alexis, "but Scarface is still wrong."
"Real cute Black," spat Harry.
"I try, snot brains."
"All you got, dragon breath?"
"You wish, Potter."
"Try me, Lestrange."
Simultaneously, the two best friends looked at each other and said, "Gryffindork!"
Alexis clutched her side laughing while Harry pounded the table, neither paying any mind to their friends curious looks let alone everyone else's. It was some time before either calmed down enough to explain what had happened but neither did so. They walked up to the Tower unable to look at each other without falling into a fit of laughter.
"Will you go to bed?" Hermione bemoaned to her friends. Alexis and Harry were both sitting on the couch laughing whenever they accidentally made eye contact.
"In a minute, Moony," said Harry, before giggling foolishly at Alexis.
Hermione shook her head before heading off to bed like the rest of her housemates. The Common Room had grown quiet but neither Alexis or Harry noticed this as the two fell asleep, having been telling each other Muggle jokes telepathically since dinner and had fallen asleep. Neither noticed they had fallen asleep either, only that they were no longer in the Common Room but running happily through a strange town. When rain began to fall, the two giggling friends took shelter inside a great Manor.
It was inside when Alexis suddenly felt the feeling of dread wash over her. The Manor gave off an eerie feeling of familiarness that Alexis didn't like and as Alexis and Harry progressed through the abandoned halls she realized this was the same manor from their dream over the summer.
The two friends reached a study were the door was left opened and the only light in the whole manor shown. Two figures were inside beside a chair that's back was facing them. The first was a pitiful looking man Alexis instantly recognized as Peter Pettigrew. He was wearing torn up clothes and looked as if he had been tortured. Next to him was a snake- a very large snake.
Suddenly a barn owl flew in from the rain and landed on the chair. Alexis gasped slightly at the sight of a skeleton like hand revealing itself as it took the letter off the owl's leg.
No doubt after the owner of the skeleton hand had finished reading the letter, a rasp voice filled the air.
"Once more you have kept secrets from me Wormtail."
Peter looked frightened.
"My Lord... I-I would never..."
"Silence," hissed the raspy voice. "You have nearly ruined this task twice now. Luckily my faithful servant fixed both your blunders and now has pointed out another of your failures."
"M-my Lord?"
"Do not worry, Wormtail," though Alexis didn't find the raspy voice's words very reassuring, "you will see what I speak of soon. She will be coming with him for the ritual... Ah, so you do know who I speak of?"
Peter looked completely frightened.
"My Lord, I-I had no idea... I did not think-"
"Crucio!"
Pettigrew's cries were the last thing Alexis heard before she pulled herself and Harry out for their dream. Both were panting and covered in sweat as they hugged each other in attempts to calm the other down.
"We need to talk to Dumbledore," said Harry, running his hand gently through Alexis's hair. "Sirius said so."
Alexis nodded her head in agreement.
"Come on," said Harry, pulling Alexis to her feet. "We don't need the cloak."
Hurrying out of the Common Room barefoot and bed headed, Alexis and Harry hurriedly made their way towards the Headmaster's office. They spoke little and only stopped moving when they were standing in front of the gargoyle.
"Do you know the password?" Alexis asked.
"Err, Sherbet lemon?" Harry tried. The Gargoyle did not move.
"Lemon drop?" offered Alexis. Nothing.
"Licorice Wand? Best Blowing Gum?"
"Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans?" Alexis said. "Come on now!"
Chocolate Frog!" shouted Harry. "Sugar Quill!"
"Cockroach Cluster!"
The gargoyle sprang to life and jumped aside. Alexis and Harry blinked.
"You had no clue that would work, did you, Padfoot?" Harry asked.
"No," said Alexis giggling a little before growing somber. "Come on."
The two fourth years hurried up the spiral stairs only to slow when they heard talking. They had come to a complete stop just outside the headmaster's door when a loud shout filled the air.
"This is nonsense, Minister," snapped the familiar voice of Swine. "Madam Maxime, please, I apologize for any disrespect the Minister may have shown. He's under a lot of pressure and didn't mean to accuse you of anything."
Someone, it was safe to assume it was Madam Maxime, huffed, sounding very offended anyway.
"You may Floo back to your carriage if you would like, Madam," said Dumbledore's voice, sounding rather apologetic. "I wish you a good nights rest."
"'Ank you Dumble'ore," sniffed the Beauxbaton headmistress. There was suddenly a roar of flames that followed something in French Alexis was unable to understand before Dumbledore spoke once more.
"What you did was very undiplomatic, Cornelius," he said, sounding like one would when they scowled a child. "I have told you many times how Madam Maxime is nothing but s capable headmistress-"
"But she's also a half-giant!" stated Fudge, no doubt using this fact to justify his actions. "Besides, you can't honestly expect me to believe Barty Crouch just disappeared off of Hogwarts ground-"
"Mr. Minister, I would highly recommend you watch your tone when you speak to the headmaster," growled the voice of Madeye Moody.
Fudge gapped loudly sounding offended.
"I'm not threatening you Minister," said Moody, "I'm warning you. Potter and Alexis are very protective of their headmaster and they're both standing outside the door."
Alexis and Harry looked at each other, surprised. The office door opened, revealing the two Gryffindors to the four older wizards. Alexis waved.
"Hi?" she said smiling lamely at Dumbledore. "I swear we're here for a reason and we'd rather not come back later... So..."
Dumbledore's eye twinkled.
"Will you two wait here?" he said motioning towards the chairs by his desk. "I am just seeing the Minister to his room. Alastor, Carter, care to join?"
Moody nodded towards his niece and her best friend before making his way past them and out the door. Swine took a little longer, looking as if he was going to say something before deciding against it, before following the headmaster and Minister out.
The door closed behind Swine with a soft click. Alexis whistled.
"Fun," she said sarcastically. Her eyes then turned to the phoenix perched on the headmaster's chair. "Hello, Fawkes."
The phoenix bowed its head.
There was a pause of silence as Alexis and Harry sat in the chairs in front of the headmaster's desk. Alexis grabbed a lemon drop but Harry took it from her hand and ate it. Frowning Alexis took another and threw it at her best friend.
"Hey!" said Harry, laughing. "You better pick that up."
"Yes mum," said Alexis with a horribly British accent. She followed the rolling lemon drop to a cabinet where it rolled under the door. Thinking nothing of it, Alexis opened the cabinet and gasped. "Look at this, Prongs."
Harry, curious, got up to see what his best friend was talking about. He was surprised by the sight of a glowing bowl with a strange whispy liquid in it.
"It's a pensive," said Alexis.
"A what?" said Harry. "What's a pensive?"
"I-" started Alexis but stopped. Alexis reached towards the bowl. "I don't know. What do you think this whispy stuff is?"
"Hex, don't-!"
Harry had just enough time to grab his best friend's arm before the two were pulled inside the bowl. They landed on their feet, surprisingly enough, and inside a strange stone room that slightly resembled a Muggle courtroom. They were sitting on high wooden benches, along with several other wizards and witches. Directly in front of them, in the center of the room, was a heavily chained chair and in that chair sat-
"Is that Karkaroff?" Harry asked, no doubt surprised to see the always over dressed headmaster wearing rags and looking extremely fearful. He was staring at a man only a few paces from the two Gryffindors, a man with an eerie resemblance to Mr. Crouch. In fact it was Mr. Crouch looking several years younger, and at his side right next to Harry and Alexis was Albus Dumbledore.
"It's a memory, Harry," said Alexis before her best friend could make a fool of himself trying to talk to the headmaster. "He can't hear you."
Harry nodded his head and Crouch began talking in a cold, curt voice.
"Igor Karkaroff, You have been brought from Azkaban to present evidence to the Ministry of Magic. You have given us to understand that you have important information for us."
Karkaroff straightened himself as best he could, tightly bound to the chair.
"I have, sir," he said, his voice filled with fright but still sounding as if he was kissing up. "I wish to be of use to the Ministry. I wish to help. I - I know that the Ministry is trying to - to round up the last of the Dark Lords supporters. I am eager to assist in any way I can. ..."
Alexis jumped in surprise when a head stuck through Harry's chest to talk to Dumbledore. It was Moody.
"Filth," he growled. "Crouch is going to let him out. He's done a deal with him. Took me six months to track him down, and Crouch is going to let him go if he's got enough new names. Let's hear his information, I say, and throw him straight back to the dementors."
Alexis, Harry, and Dumbledore all frowned at the mentioning of the soul sucking creatures.
"I don't like them either," Moody grumbled, "but at least they can get rid of filth like him."
Dumbledore looked sympathetic at Moody before returning his attention to the situation at hand.
You say you have names for us, Karkaroff," said Crouch. "Let us hear them, please."
"You must understand," said Karkaroff hurriedly, "that He-Who-Must-Not-Be- Named operated always in the greatest secrecy. . . . He preferred that we - I mean to say, his supporters - and I regret now, very deeply, that I ever counted myself among them -"
"Get on with it," sneered Moody.
"- we never knew the names of every one of our fellows - He alone knew exactly who we all were -"
"Which was a wise move, wasn't it, as it prevented someone like you, Karkaroff, from turning all of them in," muttered Moody.
"Yet you say you have some names for us?" said Crouch.
"I - I do," said Karkaroff breathlessly. "And these were important supporters, mark you. People I saw with my own eyes doing his bidding. I give this information as a sign that I fully and totally renounce him, and am filled with a remorse so deep I can barely -"
"Get on with it," bemoaned Alexis and Crouch, despite not hearing her, seemed to agree.
"The names," he growled.
"There was Antonin Dolohov," he said. "He was a mastermind in the Dark Lord's strategy. I - I saw him torture countless Muggles and - and non-supporters of the Dark Lord."
"And helped him do it," murmured Moody.
"We have already apprehended Dolohov," said Crouch. "He was caught shortly after yourself."
"Indeed?" said Karkaroff, his eyes widening. "I - I am delighted to hear it!"
But he didn't look it. Alexis had a feeling that name was one he hoped would help him a great deal.
"Any others?" said Crouch coldly.
"Why, yes ... there was Rosier," said Karkaroff hurriedly. "Auror Evan Rosier."
"Rosier is dead," said Crouch. "He was caught shortly after you were too. He preferred to fight rather than come quietly and was killed in the struggle."
Moody's lip twitched, making him look particularly foul. The sneer on his lips gave Alexis a feeling that Moody had dealt with Rosier personally.
"No - no more than Rosier deserved!" said Karkaroff, a real note of panic in his voice now. Karkaroff's eyes darted toward the door in the corner, behind which the dementors undoubtedly still stood, waiting.
"Any more?" said Crouch.
"Yes!" said Karkaroff. "There was Travers - he helped murder the McKinnons! Mulciber - he specialized in the Imperius Curse, forced countless people to do horrific things! Rookwood, who was a spy, and passed He-Who-Must-Not-Be- Named useful information from inside the Ministry itself!"
Harry could tell that, this time, Karkaroff had struck gold. The watching crowd was all murmuring together.
"Rookwood?" said Crouch, nodding to a witch sitting in front of him, who began scribbling upon her piece of parchment. "Augustus Rookwood of the Department of Mysteries?"
"The very same," said Karkaroff eagerly. "I believe he used a network of well- placed wizards, both inside the Ministry and out, to collect information -"
"But Travers and Mulciber we have," said Crouch. "Very well, Karkaroff, if that is all, you will be returned to Azkaban while we decide -"
"Not yet!" cried Karkaroff, looking quite desperate. "Wait, I have more!"
Alexis and Harry shared a look. Who else could Karkaroff have left to rat out.
"Snape!" he shouted. "Severus Snape!"
"Snape has been cleared by this council," said Crouch disdainfully. "He has been vouched for by Albus Dumbledore."
"No!" shouted Karkaroff, straining at the chains that bound him to the chair. "I assure you! Severus Snape is a Deatheater!"
Dumbledore had gotten to his feet.
"I have given evidence already on this matter," he said calmly. "Severus Snape was indeed a Deatheater. However, he rejoined our side before Lord Voldemort's downfall and turned spy for us, at great personal risk. He is now no more a Deatheater than I am."
Once more, Alexis and Harry looked at each other. They didn't need to see the skeptic look on Moody's face to form their opinion on Dumbledore's words.
"Snape?" said Harry. "A Deatheater?"
"And one that Dumbledore trusts," said Alexis. "Harry, the room's changing."
And the room was changing. Smoke surrounded the two fourth years before clearing away as quickly as it had come, revealing the same courtroom only with a lighter atmosphere. No longer taken by Karkaroff, the man sitting in the center of the room wore no chains but was another familiar face.
"Mr. Bagman?" said Harry.
"Ludo Bagman, you have been brought here in front of the Council of Magical Law to answer charges relating to the activities of the Deatheaters," said Crouch, sounding particularly vile. "We have heard the evidence against you, and are about to reach our verdict. Do you have anything to add to your testimony before we pronounce judgment?"
"Only," said Bagman, smiling awkwardly, "well - I know I've been a bit of an idiot -"
Alexis snorted, never hearing a more true statement from the man. A few other wizards and witches smiled at Bagman's words as well.
"You never spoke a truer word, boy," Moody muttered dryly to Dumbledore behind the two fourth years. "If I didn't know he'd always been dim, I'd have said some of those Bludgers had permanently affected his brain. ..."
"Ludovic Bagman, you were caught passing information to Lord Voldemort's supporters," said Mr. Crouch. "For this, I suggest a term of imprisonment in Azkaban lasting no less than -"
The crowd seemed to fall into an uproar only to be broken when Bagman spoke.
"But I've told you, I had no idea!" Bagman called earnestly, his round blue eyes widening. "None at all! Old Rookwood was a friend of my dad's . . . never crossed my mind he was in with You-Know-Who! I thought I was collecting information for our side! And Rookwood kept talking about getting me a job in the Ministry later on ... once my Quidditch days are over, you know ... I mean, I can't keep getting hit by Bludgers for the rest of my life, can I?"
There were chuckling from the crowd.
"It will be put to the vote," said Crouch coldly. He turned to the right-hand side of the dungeon. "The jury will please raise their hands . . . those in favor of imprisonment..."
Alexis let out a laugh Harry quickly followed with when no one raised their hand but Crouch. They were still laughing when smoke once more filled the room. However, when the smoke cleared, and the atmosphere of the courtroom changed dramatically, when the images of Dementors formed at the ceiling of the room. Despite knowing that the Dementors were nothing more than memories, Alexis couldn't help but to shiver. Harry threw his arm around Alexis, comforting and taking comfort in her presence.
The far doors to the courtroom suddenly opened and ten Dementors, two to every one prisoner and one leading and following the group, floated in.
The dementors placed each of the four people in the four chairs with chained arms that now stood on the dungeon floor. There was a muscular man with fierce green eyes and a dark beard who stared boldly up at Crouch; a thinner and younger-looking man, whose eyes and hair were the same color as the other man's and had a bandaged head; a young woman with thick black hair covering her face, who was sitting in the chained chair as though it were a throne; and a young man, who looked nothing short of petrified. He was shivering, his straw- colored hair all over his face, covering his deep, chocolate colored eyes. The small, petite witch beside Crouch began to rock backward and forward in her seat, whimpering into her handkerchief.
Alexis suddenly had the feeling of déjà vu as Crouch stood up. He looked down upon the four in front of him, and there was pure hatred in his face.
"You have been brought here before the Council of Magical Law," he said clearly, "so that we may pass judgment on you, for a crime so heinous -"
"Father," said the young man with the straw-colored hair. "Father...please..."
"- that we have rarely heard the like of it within this court," said Crouch, speaking more loudly, drowning out his son's voice.
"We have heard the evidence against you. The four of you stand accused of capturing an Auror - Frank Longbottom - and subjecting him to the Cruciatus Curse, believing him to have knowledge of the present whereabouts of your exiled master, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named -"
"Father, I didn't!" shrieked the young man in chains below. "I didn't, I swear it. Father, don't send me back to the Dementors -"
"You are further accused," bellowed Crouch, "of using the Cruciatus Curse on Frank Longbottom's wife, when he would not give you information. You planned to restore He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to power, and to resume the lives of violence you presumably led while he was strong. I now ask the jury -"
"Mother!" screamed the young man below, and the wispy little witch beside Crouch began to sob, rocking backward and forward. "Mother, stop him. Mother, I didn't do it, it wasn't me!"
"I now ask the jury," shouted Crouch, "to raise their hands if they believe, as I do, that these crimes deserve a life sentence in Azkaban!"
Alexis looked around the room as every hand in the jury raised. Several onlookers clapped, giving cries of justice, when another cry escaped the young man.
"No! Mother, no! I didn't do it, I didn't do it, I didn't know! Don't send me there, don't let him!"
The dementors were gliding back into the room. The young man's three companions rose quietly from their seats; the woman, whipped her head about, getting her hair out of her face.
Alexis's breath hitched.
"Mom?" she said aloud, unaware that she had taken a step forward until Harry grabbed her shoulder. "Harry, I should have remembered, the Longbottoms, Neville's parents- that's my mother!"
Harry opened his mouth to speak but before he could the raven haired woman shrieked, "The Dark Lord will rise again, Crouch! Throw us into Azkaban; we will wait! He will rise again and will come for us, he will reward us beyond any of his other supporters! We alone were faithful! We alone tried to find him!"
Alexis was taken aback by her mother's outcry. The crowd was in an uproar and the young man continued to fight back.
"I'm your son!" he screamed up at Crouch. "I'm your son!"
"You are no son of mine!" bellowed Crouch, his eyes bulging suddenly. "I have no son!"
The wispy witch beside him gave a great gasp and slumped in her seat. She had fainted. Crouch appeared not to have noticed.
"Take them away!" Crouch roared at the Dementors, spit flying from his mouth. "Take them away, and may they rot there!"
"Father! Father, I wasn't involved! No! No! Father, please!"
"You'll regret this Crouch!" howled Alexis's mother venomously. "You'll all regret this! The Dark Lord will return and your pathetic lives will never be the same!"
Bellatrix Lestrange let out a horrific cackle as Harry pulled Alexis against him. She couldn't believe that the one before her, the woman Sirius and Narcissa had so many great stories about, was her mother. She had know her mother was a Deatheater but...
"I think. Harry, it is time to return to my office," said a quiet voice behind the two friends.
Harry nodded while Alexis kept her head buried in his chest, too afraid to look back towards her mother.
"Come," said the voice Alexis could only guess was Dumbledore, and he rested an hand on her shoulder and Harry's. Alexis felt herself lifting through the air, out of the courtroom, before suddenly returning to Dumbledore's office.
Alexis took a deep breath before looking up at the headmaster. He had a handkerchief in his out stretched arm, telling Alexis something she hadn't known. She was crying.
"It's my fault, professor," said Harry as Alexis wiped her eyes. "I- we had lemon drops- I-"
Dumbledore smiled, patting Harry's shoulder reassuringly.
"There's nothing wrong with being curious, Harry," said Dumbledore. The snort that followed announced the presence of Moody. "Unless you ask Alastor."
"Only if you're not prepared for what you might find," Moody growled, looking directly at Alexis with both eyes. "Alright there, dearie?"
"I'm fine," said Alexis though she convinced no one. "Was that a pensive, sir?"
"Yes it was," said Dumbledore. "I sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind."
"Not exactly," said Harry, not even know what the headmaster meant exactly, but Dumbledore blissfully ignored him.
"At these times," said Dumbledore, indicating the stone basin, "I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure. It becomes easier to spot patterns and links, you understand, when they are in this form."
"You mean . . . that stuff's your thoughts?" Harry said, staring at the swirling white substance in the basin.
"Certainly," said Dumbledore.
"Or what he calls thoughts," snorted Moody.
Dumbledore smiled, clearly finding humor in Moody's words where others would have found insult.
"Shall I be off, Albus?" Moody asked but Dumbledore shook his head murmuring something about needing someone to walk Alexis and Harry back later.
"So," said Dumbledore cheerfully, clapping his hands together as if it wasn't an ungodly hour at night, "you two have something to tell me?"
"We had a dream," said Alexis, getting straight to the point.
"Two different dreams or the same?" Dumbledore asked.
"The same, sir," said Harry. He subconsciously looked over at Moody nervously. "It's happened before, this summer actually, we both had the same dream about..."
"... About Voldemort," said Alexis, knowing Harry was nervous around Moody. "This time it was Voldemort and Pettigrew and Pettigrew looked badly beaten."
"We think he displeased Voldemort," said Harry. "So he used the Curcatius Curse on him... several times."
"And there was this snake," said Alexis rapidly after Harry.
"It was huge," added Harry.
"And then this barn owl arrived with a letter."
"Voldemort read it and was talking about Pettigrew keeping secrets."
"Then there was some mentioning of a ritual," said Alexis. "And that's when we woke up. We were told to go to you if we ever had these kinds of dreams again-"
"And Sirius was right to tell you so," said Dumbledore. He began pacing. It was a good five minutes before Alexis broke the silent.
"Sir?" she said quietly.
Dumbledore stopped dead in his tracks. He smiled at them.
"My apologies," he said quickly.
"Do you know why we keep having the same dreams, let alone the same dreams about Voldemort?" said Harry. "Or why my scar hurts afterwards."
"Sadly, I'm afraid I only have theories," said Dumbledore. "It is my belief that your scar hurts both when Lord Voldemort is near you, and when he is feeling a particularly strong surge of hatred."
"But... why?"
"Because you and he are connected by the curse that failed," said Dumbledore. "That is no ordinary scar."
"So you think . . . that dream . . . did it really happen?"
"It is possible," said Dumbledore. "I would say - probable. Alexis - in the dream, did you see Voldemort?"
"No sir," said Alexis. "Well, not really. We saw a skeleton-like hand retrieve the letter from the owl, but Voldemort doesn't have a body anymore."
"No," said Dumbledore, "or at least, he did not."
There was another pause.
"Sir," said Harry," the last trail, with Crouch's son and..."
"It was over Neville's parents," said Alexis emotionlessly. "The woman, she was Bellatrix, my mother." Alexis looked up at Dumbledore. "Am I correct in assuming the other two men were the Lestrange brothers?"
"You are," said Dumbledore gravely. "The two were caught along with Bellatrix red handed cursing the Longbottoms. Barty, however..." Dumbledore sighed. "The Longbottoms were very popular. The attacks on them came after Voldemort's fall from power, just when everyone thought they were safe. Those attacks caused a wave of fury such as I have never known. The Ministry was under great pressure to catch those who had done it. Unfortunately, the Longbottoms' evidence was - given their condition - none too reliable."
"Then Mr. Crouch's son might not have been involved?" said Harry slowly.
Dumbledore shook his head.
"As to that, I have no idea."
"But I do," growled Moody, "and I say that boy is as responsible for the Longbottom's insanity as much as any of them."
"Now Alastor," said Dumbledore, "paranoia like that will do no one any good."
Moody huffed but said nothing else. There was another pause, one allowing Harry and Alexis to soak in everything they had been told, before Dumbledore spoke again.
"Well," said Dumbledore with a smile, "I suggest we all grab our nightcaps and get some rest. Alastor, if you would escort our two friends back to their tower."
Moody nodded his head.
"And Harry, good luck tomorrow," said Dumbledore before adding in an afterthought, "or rather tonight."
"Thank you, professor," said Harry nodding. He turned to the door but stopped when Alexis failed to move.
"I'll be right there," she said, trying to smile reassuringly. "I have a few more questions."
Before Harry could protest or stay, Moody placed a callused hand on his shoulder and directed him out of the office.
"Come along, Potter," he grumbled, clearly understanding Alexis's need to ask Dumbledore a question alone.
'I'll be fine,' she thought. Harry nodded his head before leaving with Moody.
For the umpteenth time there was a pause and then-
"I'm sorry your first look on you're mother was one of her at her best," said Dumbledore. "I assure you, she was once a sweet young girl."
"Like me?" Alexis asked quietly. "Professor, I don't want to be like that. I don't want to hurt people for pleasure. I want to protect my friends! My family!"
Dumbledore squeezed Alexis's shoulder, comforting her as best anyone could when they weren't Harry or one of her uncles. It was a nice change seeing the headmaster in his old grandfather manner.
"You act as if your path is already written," he said calmly.
"It has been, hasn't it?" Alexis asked, tears threading her eyes.
"My child," said Dumbledore with another squeeze, "you alone provide the paper, ink and words to your story. Destiny and prophecy are... are simply ideas that you mold. If you wish it to be different make it so."
Surprised by the simplicity of the old man's words, Alexis could only nod.
"Now," said Dumbledore cheerfully, "I'm sure Harry is waiting for you and you and I both know the boy needs more than a few meager hours of sleep for what he has to face tomorrow."
"Yes, sir," said Alexis, giggling a little bit. "Thank you, Dumbledore. Goodnight."
"Goodnight my dear," Dumbledore called cheerfully as Alexis left his office. She smiled softly to herself as she made her way back to the Gryffindor Tower, not once running into Filch, or anyone else for that matter, until she reached the seventh floor.
Moody met her halfway through the only hall without portraits of any kind, nearly scaring her to death when he appeared out of nowhere.
"Jeez, Moody!" Alexis hissed while her uncle cackled.
"Constant vigilance, dearie," he chuckled before going somber. "You alright, now?"
"Yes," said Alexis, giving her guardian a hug. "Thanks."
"Anything for you," said Moody. "I can't stand it when you cry, little bell."
Alexis's body stiffened, the name Moody called her bringing back the shadows of memories. She only just not able to make them out. Glancing at her chuckling uncle, her eyes widened at the familiar chocolate brown hue in his good eye. The color remained until Moody, closing his good eye as he did so, drank from his flask and shivered. His eye was once more a murky color.
"Goodnight, dearie," Moody whispered before disappearing down the hall.
Alexis watched as he went, frozen in place as memories tried to return to her but just couldn't.
"Déjà vu," she said before stepping into the Common Room for hopefully a good night's rest.
Really couldn't change a lot of this so its a lot like the book. Yes, Alexis is really close to remembering her memories and therefore getting the voices in her head back... Wow, never thought I'd say that and it be a good thing :D
Anyways, Third Task is so painfully close and as I hinted at through Cedric, so is parent meeting! That'll be fun... For us! (McPherson: do I get to make teasing comments in the background?) Err, no. (Ron: then it's hardly much fun, now is it? McPherson: shut up, ginger. I was teasing)
Ehem, well I'm sorry if anyone didn't enjoy comforting Dumbledore but he's such a cute grandpa! (Alexis: can I pinch his cheeks? Harry: Err, Hex, only the voices can help in comments. Alexis: damn)
Lastly, my next chapter title will be a Doctor Who reference (eleventh though) and if you figure it out I'll answer any question you have except for on who Alexis's father is or who the trio are paired with. It will be fun! (Ron: you're using that word wrong) shut up, ginger...
Review Responses:
mwinter1: wait no longer!
gossamermouse101: No, not really, but hey, he's about to hit puberty so that might all change! Lol
NeverBeyondRedemption: lol, you said all that was needed. Please tell me your thoughts!
HazelVex: Viktor is flattered and also very confused what the big deal was. Why was Alexis nervous around a dog? Weird. ;)
LilyiLovexxxxx: Yeah, I thought that too, but then I remembered my first dad and uncles (not blood. Very much loved though) meet boy friend and based I've very loosely off that. Ironically, Remus is very Uncle Hounddog-like (yes, that is his name. No, not his real one. My family are retired Military bikers) which fit perfectly. I'm glad you found Viktor funny though!
534667lc: You're welcome! sorry but this chapter needed to be serious towards the end
Spottedmist: thank you, that's awesome to hear!
RAINBOWSNEMESIS: glad to hear you opinion! Sorry some characters are a little too different or not as you like, it can't be help I'm afraid, but congrats on you Vex ship favoring! As for Alexis and Voldemort, that will be fun to write, no doubt but can't give you any details (well, more than I've already given) on that!
aandm20: don't worry, they'll be back (Ron: See, someone misses me! McPherson: she said Tom first. Ron:... )
Ingrid: I've missed you beautiful! Glad I could entertain your, and apparently your teacher's, day!
InLuvWithCandy: Yes, someone has no idea what he's gotten himself into
caring16: Don't worry, Mrs. Weasley is way worse ;) and I promise not to tell
Monster63: that's awesome! I'll see what I can do but I think the twins are done for this book unless I put them in next chapter
Thanks again everyone! Please keep up the reviews and remember, guess what the next chapter title is (11th Doctor reference) and get a free question answer! I might just answer everyones questions though but no promises!
Please Review!
DCF
