4 Chapter 36: Goodbyes and Farewells
Alexis gave the Gryffindor Common Room one last, long look before joining her friends outside in the hall. She, Harry, Hermione, and Neville walked side by side down the grand staircases for the final time as fourth years towards the Great Hall in complete silence. They knew what was waiting for them at the Leaving Feast and they weren't looking forward to it.
'You'll be alright, girly,' said Cedric softly.
'Yeah, it's just a feast,' reassured Ron.
However, McPherson remained silent just as Alexis remembered him to when she was nervous.
Alexis took hold of Harry and Neville's hand while Harry also took hold of Hermione's. The four walked into the Great Hall bravely.
Long, black banners hung off the walls that were normally the color of the winning House's colors for the Leaving Feast. Each table was draped in black cloth as well. Even the teachers were in black and Alexis knew instantly that it was all in honor of Cedric.
The real Alastor Moody sat at the staff table, his eye spinning a mile a minute. It was the first time Alexis had seen him since he drew his wand on Lucius and she couldn't help but feel a prick of guilt fill her stomach at the sight of him. For the last ten months Alexis had thought the two of them had been growing close when in all actuality Moody hadn't been Moody at all. It hurt her to realize he was just as much of a stranger now as he had been two summers ago.
Taking her seat between Harry and Neville while Hermione joined the twins on the other side of the table, Alexis noticed that Professor Karkaroff's seat was empty. She couldn't help but to wonder whether Voldemort had caught up with him yet.
Madame Maxime was still there and sitting beside Hagrid. The two were talking quietly together, making Alexis smile softly. Further along the table, sitting beside Professor McGonagall, was Snape. For a moment, Alexis could see that Harry and Snape had made eye contact before Snape's gaze drifted towards her. She sent him a soft smile which her returned instead with an almost invisible nodded.
Harry had told her about Snape being a Deatheater and that Dumbledore had revealed Sirius's Grim form to him but she had taken it better than Harry. After their last talk, Alexis had begun to trust Snape despite his cold personality. She knew deep down that he cared for her and Harry just as Dumbledore had said he did.
Alexis sent a glance over to the Slytherin table where Draco sat looking at her. Pansy sat on his left while Blaise sat on his right, neither paying any heed to the fact that their friend was looking at the Gryffindor table with an expression that could almost be described as worried. Almost. Draco, after all, was a Slytherin.
With a small, reassuring smile, Alexis only caught a glimpse of Viktor sitting with the rest of the Drumstrang students when Dumbledore rose to his feet. The Great Hall, which had been less noisy then it usually was during the Leaving Feast, silenced immediately.
"The end," said Dumbledore, looking around at them all, "of another year."
There was a pause and Alexis knew she wasn't the only one who glanced over at the Hufflepuff table. Each member of the house looked sadder and paler than anyone else in the Great Hall.
"There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight," said Dumbledore, "but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here," he gestured toward the Hufflepuffs, "enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."
Alexis was one of the first to stand, her goblet already raised. She looked directly at Cho, who was wearing perhaps the saddest of expressions in the whole Great Hall with tears streaming down her face with no intention of stopping, as she and everyone else rumbled in one loud voice, "Cedric Diggory."
"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff house," Dumbledore continued. "He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. But he was more than just loyal and good. Cedric was brave, intelligent, cunning, and perhaps the perfect example of Hogwarts, most definitely the best choice for a Head Boy. He was a brother to some, a shoulder to cry on, and a caring soul. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about."
Alexis looked up at Dumbledore in surprise. Surely he wasn't going to-
"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."
Just as Dumbledore, Alexis paid no heed to the panicked whispers or looks of disbelief of several students. She merely watched Dumbledore stand stoically before the whole school with a calm expression despite the panic he had just caused.
"The Ministry of Magic," Dumbledore continued, "does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so - either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory."
Alexis couldn't help but to smile up at Dumbledore despite the sudden prick she felt in her eyes. Tears were slowly pouring down her cheeks.
"There are two others who must be mentioned in connection with Cedrics death," Dumbledore went on. "I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter and Alexis Lestrange."
Once more, Alexis kept her teary eyes locked on Dumbledore as several heads snapped her and Harry's direction.
"Harry and Alexis managed to escape Lord Voldemort," said Dumbledore. "They risked their own lives to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. They showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honor them both."
Under the table, Harry took Alexis's hand as the students and staff in the Great Hall once again rose to their feet with their goblets only to say their names instead of Cedric's.
When everyone had once again resumed their seats, Dumbledore continued, "The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened - of Lord Voldemorts return - such ties are more important than ever before."
Dumbledore looked from Madame Maxime and Hagrid, to Fleur Delacour and her fellow Beauxbatons students, to Viktor Krum and the Durmstrangs at the Slytherin table.
"Every guest in this Hall," said Dumbledore, and his eyes lingered upon the Durmstrang students, "will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again - in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemorts gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.
"It is my belief- and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken - that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. A week ago, a student was taken from our midst.
"Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."
.
Alexis took a deep breath. She placed her hand on the now newly replaced wooden door before finally, after spending several minutes in the hallway pacing, pushing the door open.
"I thought you were going to make a hole in the hall with all your pacing, lass," grumbled a gruff voice.
The real Alastor Moody was standing in the office, his wand lazily pointed at a stack of books he was lowering into a silver chest- the same silver chest the ex-Auror had spent the entirety of the school year. The thought made Alexis shutter.
"I wasn't sure if I could..." started Alexis. "If I could handle being in here again."
"So you were afraid?" Moody snorted, still not looking at Alexis with either eye for longer than someone as paranoid as him needed too.
"I'm not allowed to be afraid," Alexis said instinctively. Moody merely nodded.
"Isn't your train leaving soon?" he grumbled glancing very briefly at her.
"In a bit," said Alexis taking a hesitant step forward. "I just have one thing left to figure out before I go."
"Hmm?"
"At the dance," Alexis started, "Swine, he, he warned me about Barty. He told me that there was something off about you-Barty. He gave me something."
Moody suddenly looked at Alexis with both eyes before his magical eye began spinning once more. Alexis knew he was waiting for her to show him what it was that Swine had given her. Focusing on the flower Swine had given her all those months ago, Alexis transfigured a quill into one. Moody suddenly looked very blank when his eye made contact with the purple hyacinth flower. She extended it out towards Moody.
"Swine said," started Alexis as Moody very carefully took the flower, "it means asking for forgiveness or saying you're sorry but I think it means something different to you two, doesn't it?"
Moody nodded slowly, both of his eyes transfixed on the purple flower.
"Tom didn't tell you?" he asked quietly.
"I wanted you to," said Alexis.
Moody ran a hand through his choppy hair just as Alexis remembered McPherson doing throughout her childhood. He sighed before clearing his throat.
"I know you know about her, lass," grumbled Moody in an attempt to sound impassive. Alexis nodded, knowing perfectly well that he was talking about her namesake. "Tom would place these flowers on her grave. He thought... I made him believe that it was his fault even... even after Rosier admitted to releasing the blasted Dementors. 'Suppose he told Carter about it."
Alexis watched helplessly as her guardian looked as if he was a broken doll. However, he wasn't crying and very idea made her stomach tighten in guilt.
"Moody, I-"
"The past is the past, lass," growled Moody, suddenly sounding and looking, though he was slightly paler, normal. "Tell your boy-thing that he better not be late for his first day of training. Now, hurry on. You have a train to catch."
"Right," said Alexis awkwardly. She took a step towards Moody to hug him but stopped when he tightened his grip on his wand. Realizing once more that her relationship with her guardian was now almost nonexistent once more, Alexis couldn't help but to feel hurt on the inside.
"Bye, Al," Alexis murmured before hurrying out of the office.
She refused to cry despite wanting to when Moody didn't say goodbye back.
"Alexis!"
Alexis looked up as she entered the Entrance Hall just in time to see her cousin and his friends hurrying towards her as quickly as he could without not looking aristocratic.
"Yes, Draco?" asked Alexis as Draco, Pansy, Blaise and two other Slytherins she had yet to be properly introduced to stopped in front of her.
"I-" Draco started but then stopped. "Oh, to hell with it."
The blonde Slytherin threw his hands around Alexis and pulled her into a hug.
"I don't know what happened in the graveyard," he whispered in her ear quietly enough that Alexis was sure no one else could hear him, "but I'm here for you. I don't know about my father but I'll always be here for you. I love you, cousin."
The last part was said a little louder than the rest so Alexis wasn't surprised when Blaise, who Alexis remembered to be very sarcastic from when she first met him, spoke.
"Yes, well I love my mother but I wouldn't hug her in public," he deadpanned but Alexis caught his lip twitch towards a smile. "Apologies for the lack of a hug from me, Ms Alexis, but I believe Draco has embarrassed the house of Slytherin enough for all of us."
"Prat," said Pansy and the other Slytherin girl who looked vaguely familiar.
"Forgive Blaise for his lack of experience in expressing his emotions," said the Slytherin boy. He extended his hand out towards Alexis for a handshake once Draco released her. "No matter how useful it is in playing cards it's absolutely dreadful when he tells jokes. The name is Theodore Nott, Alexis."
Alexis, who had already taken the Slytherin's hand, nearly jerked her hand back at the announcing of his name. She remembered one of the Deatheaters had gone by the same last name.
"My," the Slytherin cleared his throat, "father is friends with Draco's. I, however, am friends with Draco and not his father. I stand by my friends alone."
"Actually," cut in the Slytherin girl, "you said, and I quote, 'I'm not picking a side until I have to because I'm smarter than my arse-kissing father.'"
"And you say I'm blunt," said Blaise while the other Slytherins laughed. "Excellent wording, Theo."
"Thanks Millie," growled Theo, looking at the Slytherin girl with a mock glare. He then looked back at Alexis. "Despite how Millicent worded it, my words stand true. I'm not saying I believe the Dark Lord is back but if he is, I want to see what both sides are offering before I jump head first."
"Thanks for your honesty," said Alexis, trying hard not to give the Slytherin a weird look. "It was very... Slytherin of you."
Theo shrugged. Pansy placed her hand on Alexis's shoulder.
"We just want you to know, that even though you're a Gryffindork, we're here for you."
"Well, they are," said Theo with an almost apologetic shrug. He frowned when the girl he called Millie hit him on the back of the head. "Ow. Come on Millie, I'm being honest. Would you rather I lied?"
Millie sighed before hitting herself on the forehead.
"Theo is our honest Slytherin," explained Blaise. "That's the real reason I always beat him in cards."
Alexis smiled. Meanwhile, in her mind, McPherson was laughing while Cedric sounded concern.
'Err, Tom?' asked Cedric. 'Is he choking?'
'Don't worry,' chuckled McPherson. 'He can't die again. The ginger just can't believe he heard honest being used in the same sentence as Slytherin without not in the sentence as well. Isn't that right, ginger?'
Alexis heard a noise of bewilderment and disbelief coming from Ron before returning her attention to Draco and his friends. Almost as if he knew what had happened, Draco said:
"I bet Weasley is rolling in his grave after hearing that."
Draco winked at his cousin casually. Alexis couldn't help but to smile at their inside joke.
"Potter!" Draco suddenly snapped over Alexis's shoulder. Alexis turned to see her other friends making their way over to her, though hesitantly because of the Slytherins surrounding her.
"Malfoy," Harry called back but without any malice.
"You better watch my cousin," Draco demanded neutrally, "or the Dark Lord will be the last of your worries because you will not escape the Slytherins."
"I'll keep that in mind," said Harry, his lip twitching towards a smile.
Alexis said her finally goodbyes to the Slytherins before turning towards her other friends.
"Do you-"
"'ex! 'arry!"
Spinning around in unison, Alexis and Harry were both greeted by the sight of one half-Veela hurrying over towards them. Behind Fleur Delacour, Alexis could see Hagrid guiding Madame Maxime to the Beauxbaton carriage with the rest of her students.
"We will see each uzzer again, I 'ope," said Fleur as she reached the Gryffindor group plus Luna, holding out her hand. "I am 'oping to get a job 'ere, to improve my Eenglish."
"That be great," said Harry.
"And you can write to us as well," offered Alexis. Fleur smiled brightly at the idea.
"I will try," said Fleur, turning to go. "Good-bye 'ex and 'arry. It 'az been a pleasure meeting you both!"
"Bye!" called Harry amicably.
"See you later!" Alexis called as well before letting out a surprised yelp. Fleur looked back in concern only to smile knowingly at what she saw.
"Don't do that, Viktor!" Alexis hissed while a certain Bulgarian spun her around in his arms.
Viktor laughed as did the rest of Alexis's friends. When he placed her down, he kissed her gently on the cheek before looking directly at Harry and Hermione.
"May I borrow your best friend?" he asked. Both Harry and Hermione nodded yes before he turned towards Alexis. "Vill you come vith me, cheren?"
"I suppose," said Alexis with a mock tone of boredom.
She let Viktor drag her off while Fred and George called after them, "No snogging our sister!"
Viktor stopped when the two of them were standing alone a little ways away from the castle steps. He took Alexis's hand and kissed it.
"I vill not see you until late in da summer, yes?" he asked though Alexis knew he knew the answer. She would be spending most of the summer at Hermione's while Viktor was taking his final Auror exams with Moody.
"Not until we all meet at Grim's place, wherever that is," answered Alexis.
"Den I must steal a kiss until I see you again, my cheren," Viktor said sweetly before kissing Alexis deeply. She was still slightly out of breath when Viktor led her back to her friends.
"It vas nice meeting all of you," he said when they had returned. Alexis had to look anywhere but at her friends because of the knowing look they were all giving her. "Fred, George, you are odd but very funny. Dean, Seamus, you two seem radder dangerous ven you vant to be but gud. Neville, you are a strong friend. Very brave. Luna, I like you. You are very calming ven odders vould panic. It is gud thing. Herm-own-ninny, you have hard name but great heart. Vatch out for Alexis dis summer, yes? And Harry, you are a great man. Much better den me. You have my trust and my support in everything. Gud luck, Harry Potter."
Alexis, surprised by how well Viktor had come to know her friends, couldn't help but to smile sweetly at him because of his words.
"You're not too bad either, mate," said Seamus. Dean nodded in agreement.
"Yeah," said Fred. "Even though Fred and I both know you snogged our sister when we told you not to."
"But Grim already has plans for you," said George.
"And who are we-"
"-to ruin a Marauders-"
"-fun?" the twins finished together with a laugh. Viktor smiled at them while Alexis rolled her eyes.
"Have a good summer, Viktor," said Harry, extending his hand out towards Viktor. Viktor shook it before kissing Alexis chastely on the lips one last time.
"Gudbye, cheren," he said softly before head off towards the Durmstrang ship.
It was the last they saw of them before the group climbed into their horse drawn chariots- which Harry froze at the sight of the Threstrals pulling it until Alexis, Neville, and Luna promised to explain them to him later- and climbed onto the Hogwarts Express. The group of nine found themselves a compartment of their own for the long train ride.
"So I have a question," asked Dean after the fifth game of Exploding Snap where he had lost what remained of his right eyebrow. "Why did Rita Skeeter stop writing those nasty articles about you, Hex?"
Alexis froze for a moment. She didn't know what to say in response. Thankfully, Harry had her back almost immediately.
"She was an illegal Animagus and Hex caught her," said Harry smoothly. "Right, Hex?"
Alexis nodded her head.
"Right. I told her she had to write an apology article or else I'd turn her in," Alexis said though she felt like she was lying when she left out what had really happened.
"Bet that drove her crazy," laughed Fred.
"Kind of like Ludo not paying you back your winnings?" Alexis threw back casually.
Both of the twins faces darkened.
"You mean from the World Cup?" asked Harry, sounding outraged. "You bet your lifesavings!"
George nodded grimly, "Yep," he said popping the p in the word louder than necessary. "The git paid us in leprechaun gold he'd caught from the Irish mascots."
"So?" asked Dean.
"So," said Fred impatiently, "it vanished, didn't it? By next morning, it had gone!"
"But - it must've been an accident, mustn't it?" said Neville.
George laughed very bitterly.
"Yeah, that's what we thought, at first. We thought if we just wrote to him, and told him he'd made a mistake, he'd cough up. But nothing doing. Ignored our letter. We kept trying to talk to him about it at Hogwarts, but he was always making some excuse to get away from us."
"In the end, he turned pretty nasty," said Fred. "Told us we were too young to gamble, and he wasn't giving us anything."
"So we asked for our money back," said George glowering.
"And he refused, didn't he?" asked Luna dreamily.
"Right in one," said Fred.
"Your entire savings!" growled Harry, again.
"Tell me about it," said George. "'Course, we found out what was going on in the end. Lee Jordan's dad had had a bit of trouble getting money off Bagman as well. Turns out he's in big trouble with the goblins. Borrowed loads of gold off them. A gang of them cornered him in the woods after the World Cup and took all the gold he had, and it still wasn't enough to cover all his debts. They followed him all the way to Hogwarts to keep an eye on him. He's lost everything gambling. Hasn't got two Galleons to rub together. And you know how the idiot tried to pay the goblins back?"
"How?" said Alexis.
"He put a big bet on Harry," said Fred. "Bet he'd win the tournament and get you, Hex."
"HE BET ON MY RELATIONSHIP!?" shouted Harry, angrily. Several others in the compartment snickered.
"So what about your money?" asked Alexis, ignoring her best friend's outburst. "Harry won the tournament even if he didn't win me, which, by the way, I still can't believe that was even a betting option."
"Yeah, 'cause Hex and Harry will never happen," muttered Seamus to Dean and Neville who both snickered. Alexis was going to say something when George answered her question.
"Bagman didn't win anything," he said shaking his head. "The goblins play as dirty as him. They say Harry drew with Diggory, and Bagman was betting Harry'd win outright. So Bagman had to run for it. He did run for it right after the third task."
"Unbelievable," growled Harry.
Everyone else seemed to agree with him. However, they were all surprised when Harry opened his trunk and retrieved his tournament winnings. He tossed it onto Fred's lap.
"What are you-"
"Hush," said Harry, sitting back down between Alexis and Neville. "I'm sick of seeing my friends ripped off or hurt. I hate it. So I want to laugh- a lot. Your store will make me laugh so your keeping the money and don't think you aren't. Else I'm going to throw that money down a drain."
"You're mental," said George, trying to give it back to Harry.
"No, I'm not," said Harry. "You take it, and get inventing. It's for the joke shop."
"He is mental," Fred said in an almost awed voice.
"Think about it as an investment if you have to," said Harry, sighing as the train began to slow to a stop. "Though I better not get any money back."
"But-"
Harry sighed dramatically before throwing his arm over Alexis's shoulder.
"Come on, Hex," he said with a tired smile. "The Dursleys are waiting for me. You too, Hermione. Bye guys!"
"Bye, Harry!"
"Later guys!"
"Don't forget to write!"
Alexis smiled as her two best friends led her off the Hogwarts Express as her other friends shouted their goodbyes while Fred and George remained seated in bewilderment. She saw Draco disappear into the Muggle side of King Cross just a few paces ahead of them but he was already gone when they made it through.
"Wotcher, Hex!"
Alexis snapped her head to the side where a familiar pink haired and newly made Auror was standing by two Muggle-looking parents.
"Tonks!" called Alexis, dragging her two best friends over to her other cousin. "What are you doing here?"
"She's coming home with us," said a small, bushy hair woman that Hermione nearly tackled with a hug. She smiled down at Hermione before looking back over at Alexis and Harry. "You two must be Alexis and Harry. I'm Hermione's mother."
"And I'm the dad," said the dark haired man standing next to her cheerfully. "At least, that's what Jean says."
Mrs. Granger smacked her husband playfully while he and everyone else chuckled. Alexis and Harry introduced themselves a little better to the Grangers before Alexis turned to Tonks.
"Not that I'm complaining, Tonks," she said, "but why are you coming home with us?"
"Dumbledore's orders," she said after looking around for any eavesdroppers. "Don't take this the wrong way, though you probably will seeing that we are related, but Dumbledore thinks it's best that we keep an eye on you three, especially you Harry. I'm sure you know why."
"Voldemort?" asked the two older Grangers making Tonks jump.
"Mum, dad," hissed Hermione. "I told you you're not supposed to say that word!"
"Sorry sweetie," said Mr. Granger as his wife merely rolled her eyes.
"It's just a name, Hermione," said Mrs. Granger. "It's not like he's going to appear out of thin air if we say it."
Alexis smiled widely.
"I like her," she said to Hermione who smiled almost as widely as Alexis and Mrs. Granger at her words.
Harry looked over his shoulder and let out a sighed. Vernon Dursley was standing by dark skin wizard Alexis remembered meeting last year by the name of Kingsley, and by the way the two were talking Alexis had a feeling that Harry's uncle had no idea that he was a wizard. Kingsley winked at her with a smirk when Vernon wasn't looking.
"Bye, Prongs," said Hermione, kissing Harry's cheek.
"Bye, Moony," said Harry, hugging Hermione. He then turned to Alexis. "You gonna give me a hug, Padfoot?"
Alexis could only stare at her best friend for a moment unable to move. She suddenly felt all the worry she had been pushing out of her mind since the two had returned from the graveyard. Jumping into his arms unexpectedly and nearly tackling him while doing so, Alexis hugged Harry as if she let him go she might lose him forever.
"We love you, Harry," she whispered into his ear as she hugged him. "I love you, you know that? Don't do anything stupid, alright?"
Harry squeezed Alexis tightly, laughing a bit at her words.
"Alright, Hex," he chuckled. "I'll be careful as long as you are. I'll even send you a note over the notepasser once I get back to Surrey if it makes you feel better."
Alexis nodded before kissing Harry on both of his cheeks.
"I mean it, Scarface," she said teasingly as they finally released each other. "No funny business. You better be in perfect health when we pick you up for your birthday party."
Harry rolled his eyes but agreed. He headed over to his uncle with a smile and Alexis watched him go. She didn't turn back to her remaining company until he and his whale of an uncle disappeared from view with Kingsley following casually from behind as to not alert Vernon.
"Ready, Hex?" asked Hermione.
Alexis nodded enthusiastically.
"How can I not be? We get bunkbeds!"
Done! The last chapter of Alexis Lestrange and the TriWizard Champion is finally finished! And yes, I had to end it on a humorous remark made by Hex.
Now, I think I can post the first chapter by the first but I'm afraid it won't be as good as I want it to be due to the lack of prepare time so instead I plan on posting the first chapter of Harry's (Le)strange Story with a chapter about Harry's POV when he first met Hex. Also I want to post a few more chapter in my other stories first before I move to the next book but because this weekend is the start of spring break I should probably have a chapter posted by Easter. PROBABLY.
Review Responses:
534667lc: I know right? Blew my mind!
jessica02: *has internal debate on whether I should hand you tissue or watch you sob with popcorn. Choices both*
caring16: I think Bellatrix went dark because she has a mental illness that took over her life after a traumatic event like such as when Remus accidentally attacked her even though he promised never to do so. That, and constantly lying about her life only made her even more confused, so much that she had to chose a lie to believe. The real question, however, isn't what drove her insane but which life was originally the real one?
mwinter1: yes, you're very consistent on that so here's some more!
WheresDaBeef: That's great to hear! I'm glad you like my 'person' Bellatrix and think it's cool if Remus is Alexis's father!
Kaylee13133: I hope the next book is as good as you all are wanting it to be! Sorry you don't like Viktor but he's going to be here a while. Glad you liked the Remus flashbacks. I don't know if that will ever happen again but I think it played its part in the last chapter. I'll try to send you a pm when I update!
Spottedmist: glad you think so! I was worried it wouldn't.
gossamermouse101: yes, poor, poor Remus. He's just as lost as Alexis
NeverBeyondRedemption: lol, no comment on that cliffhanger because I don't know yet. As for Lucius, he's going to be on a tough road for a while. Glad you liked the backstory!
EmoOwlQueen: glad you liked it! Here's an update!
91: Thanks! More Bellatrix to come!
trakster24: Never! *breathes heavily into the phone for no reason * Good luck. I find it hilarious that you're getting your Bellatrixs mixed up! Glad you liked the flashbacks too!
countergambit: no comment. Don't worry about Harry too much because he will find happiness it's just a matter of when and who and what Alexis thinks on who because best friend's opinions matter!
HazelVex: little bit but now she knows that her parents don't have to both be crazy and evil!
LilyiLovexxxxx: yes, well Snape is a lot more subtle about it if it's him. The wanting Alexis in advance classes, the caring for her after she passed out in first year, the little worry scene Alexis saw him having in his mind while she and Harry were in the CoS, him calling her Bella-her mother's nickname- when he was mad at her in the Shrieking Shack, the showing of concern-though he did so very slyly- after Cedric's death, etc. etc. Snape's very sly if he's the father ;P
Guest: well maybe it is Barty instead of Remus or maybe it's neither. You'll never know until I tell you!
Remember, five questions about the story will be answered when I post the first chapter to Alexis Lestrange and *drum roll* Dumbledore's Army. Just a random thing, I have no idea what I'm going to call the last two books. Like, zero ideas so I'm going to be brain storming soon on those.
Gonna try to update by the first but no promises!
Please review!
DCF