The Serpens Order
Chapter 38
Twists And Turns
Alexis considered the steaming train with pursed lips. The Hogwarts express, the same old train that had taken her to Hogwarts every year, and this would be her last. Well, at least she got a last year, many students hadn't even been allowed to go back. But then, Hogwarts was probably one of the safest places during the new war.
"Alexis are you coming?" Ash called from behind her and she turned around swiftly, shoulder length hair whipping her in the face.
"Nah, I promised to meet Megan" She'd also promised to meet James and Fred, but Ash didn't need to know that.
"Whatever" Ash rolled his eyes and stalked away to Scorpius and Estelle, and Alexis watched the three of them disappearing into the train.
The only people Alexis had met outside the Serpens Order during the summer was James, Fred and Megan. She still refused to meet with their families, not even Lily. But now she couldn't postpone it anymore. She'd just have to face it head on and-
"ALEX!"
Alexis was almost thrown over as Lily collided with her, long velvety black hair flying everywhere. Lily was still shorter then Alexis, but she knew that the fourteen year old would soon be just as tall.
"Oh hey Lily" She tried to make her voice light and ignore the dark memories flooding back at the sight of the other girl. "How are you?"
"I'm great, thanks to you" Lily withdrew from her and looked up at her serenely from under her bangs. "I wanted to thank you before, but I've never gotten the chance"
"Uhm… I've been busy" Alexis forced a laugh, but knew it wouldn't fool Lily.
"I understand, but still, thank you" Lily squeezed her hand for a second, and Alexis tripped over her own words. Not really knowing what to say, did you say 'Oh no problem' or 'Nah, I should have done it for anyone'? Neither fit very good. Thankfully she didn't have to answer.
"Lily I told you not to ambush her!" James said grimly to his sister as he pushed past her, Lily only glared at him.
"Oh I'm sorry I decided not to listen"
"Ignore her" James said to Alexis, who only smirked back.
"I'd rather ignore you"
"Ooo burn" Fred dunked James in the back, and lounged one arm around Alexis shoulders, just like old times. She leaned into his side for a moment, willingly forgetting about all the bad stuff that had happened recently and just pretending she was a normal teenage girl with normal teenage problems.
"So, talked to Meg lately?" Alexis wiggled her eyebrows up at Fred, who glared back at her.
"No"
"Why not?"
"Why haven't you?"
"I'm not in love with her"
"Now that would be something" James mused, and both she and Fred turned around to give him a glare.
"Uhm Alex, incoming" Lily suddenly nudged her, and Alexis tore her gaze away from James and looked towards Lily. Behind her the rest of the Potter and Weasley family where closing in on them. She took a deep breath.
"We can hide you?" Fred suggested lowly, but she shook her head.
"I have to talk to them sometime, I've been avoiding it for too long"
"They feel really bad you know" Lily mumbled as they drew closer. James father where smiling tryingly, and Alexis almost managed to return it, but not quite.
"They should"
"Hi Alexis, see you've recovered okay" Ginny smiled together with Hermione and Angelina, and Alexis nodded back.
"Yepp, wasn't that much to recover from" She replied, and James snorted from behind her. She briefly turned around to glare at him.
"Still, I would really like to talk to you, and I understand if you don't want to but-" Harry started with an apologetic face.
"It's okay" Alexis even managed a small smile this time.
"In private?" Harry glanced around at his family, and Alexis noticed the warning look James was giving his father. She nodded in return, and followed him away from the rest of the family. They made a show of not looking at them, except for James who was watching intently.
"At first I want to apologize for not believing in you. I should have, more then anyone else, I went through the exact same thing back when… you know" Harry smiled a little down at her. Alexis was stricken by the similarity between Harry and James, except for the eyes. James eyes where more… wild?
"It was a common mistake" She said shortly and Harry scratched his slightly unshaven jaw.
"And I want you to know that we're doing everything to fight against Lucifer"
"Not that I think it helps but that's good" Alexis voice was cold, but she didn't bother to make it warmer. She hadn't forgiven Mr. Potter enough.
"And last I would like to thank you, that despite all this you saved my daughter, even if it meant sacrificing yourself" His voice was quiet and serene, much like Lily's a few minutes before. Alexis couldn't deny the truth in them, and this time she knew what to answer.
"She's my friend"
"And I couldn't imagine my daughter having a better friend" Harry smiled slightly, and Alexis nodded. That was all he was going to get from her.
If he thought she was good enough as a friend for his daughter, wonder if he'd consider her good enough as his son's girlfriend?
"And also, Ron apologizes too" Harry added as they headed back towards the rest of the group. Where Alexis saw that Megan had also joined, she only gave Mr. Potter a distracted nod in return.
"He didn't say anything did he-?" James was beside her the moment his father was gone, and she gave him a reprimanding glance. He was standing a little too close to her to be just friends. Or maybe Alexis was just too aware of him that she noticed the small things?
"He apologized"
"Good" James voice was grim, and he didn't seem to notice that his hand where holding onto her waist lightly. It was a gesture too familiar to Alexis to feel comfortable, with it. They where probably this close all the time before they dated. But now she knew they had been more, and everything felt enlarged.
"Meg!" She exclaimed and broke free from James to embrace the small brunette. Megan squeezed her tightly back as usually. When they broke free from each other they found James and Fred in a discussion about quidditch. Albus and Lily was looking between them, frowning.
"What's this about?" Megan asked.
"James was made quidditch captain!" Fred exclaimed, flinging his arms into the air and almost hitting Meg in the face in the process.
"What?" Alexis breathed.
"I know! He'll be the death of us all!" Lily looked at her brother with sad eyes, which he ignored pointedly, grinning at Alexis.
"Say hello to your new captain"
"I'm not taking orders from you" Alexis pursed her lips, and Fred nodded in agreement.
"That's what I've been saying!"
"Well you're still going to" James said his head high, both Alexis, Fred and Lily snorted loudly. James glared at them before reluctantly hugging his parents. After the whole group had gone through the whole hugging-party the adult's faces turned stern.
"Promise you'll be careful?" Hermione said.
"Look after Lily" Harry told James and Albus, both of them nodding grimly while Lily rolled her eyes.
"If anything happens, you have to owl us immediately" Ginny ordered the teens.
"We'll come get you immediately" George and Ron echoed. Alexis watched as the family exchanged their final goodbyes, she even hugged Ginny and Angelina too. Alexis had already gone through the whole speak with her own parents, who where extremely doubtful about sending her and Scorpius back to Hogwarts, but reckoning it would be the safest place for now.
After that they finally jumped onboard the train, and James, Fred, Alexis and Megan joined Brian, Aaron, Courtney and Shannon in a compartment. Saying it was crowded would be a grave understatement. Courtney and Megan sat on the floor, leaning against the seats. Alexis sat pressed up between Fred and James, her feet slung over Fred's knees and leaning slightly against James. On the other side Shannon sat in Aaron's lap while Brian was leaning against the wall, his feet in Shannon's lap.
Alexis smiled slightly to herself, this felt nice, being surrounded by familiar people that she loved each in their own way. Was it because this was their last year she was feeling like this? This was the last time they'd all hang out together. She'd never been particularly close with Brian or Aaron, but they where a part of their large Gryffindor gang.
"Where's my cookies?" Megan suddenly mumbled, looking around for the small package of chocolate chip cookies she'd brought. Beside Alexis Fred made an involuntarily choke, trying to hide the bag behind him. Megan's eyes narrowed as she shot up, hovering over him. James laughed from under Alexis, his chest jumping slightly. She had to stifle a giggle herself, because it was a funny sight. Little Meg blazing with anger as Fred who was more then a head taller then her recoiled.
"Did you eat all my cookies?"
"Maybe" Fred tried a small smile, Alexis let out a low whistle.
"Bad move man"
"Why?" Aaron asked slightly bewildered, as Megan lunged for Fred.
"Ouch Megan! That hurts!" Fred howled as Megan pinched his arm.
"Good! You deserve it!"
"PMS'ing much?" Fred recovered enough to raise an eyebrow, and Megan's face grew two shades redder as she clenched her fists. Alexis, Courtney and Shannon simultaneously let out whistles.
"He did not just say that" Courtney shook her head. Then Megan lounged again for Fred, and this time he slid out of his seat, letting Alexis feet drop to the floor and then dashing out the door, Megan tightly on his heels. Brian looked after them bewildered as they disappeared down the corridor screaming.
"What just happened?"
"The worst thing you can do when a girl is PMS'ing is pointing it out to her" Courtney answered, matter of fact.
"Girls are such drama-queens" Brian concluded.
"Amen to that man" James and Aaron sighed.
"Excuse me?" Shannon exclaimed, glancing back over her shoulder at her boyfriend, who managed a weak smile.
"I love you?"
"You better"
"Aaw, so cute" Alexis and Courtney cooed. Alexis ignored the way James arm moved at her side, if he was about to wrap it around her. But he kept it at his side. She sat up, suddenly very aware of the body contact. Everyone sent them curious glances. They only knew they'd broken up and become friends again, nothing else.
And they where tactful enough not to ask about Alexis and Lily being kidnapped, most of it where in the papers anyway.
But overall everyone seemed to talk about other stuff, it was like they where in denial. Alexis knew that's why the air was so cheerful in their apartment, everyone was hiding their fear. Nobody wanted to be the one to bring it up.
And for the moment, that was just fine.
The rest of the train ride was surprisingly peaceful, probably because Fred and James didn't pull any pranks. And when they reached Hogwarts it was almost dark outside. The large group toppled out on the street together before making their way to the carriages. Even that went by without any banter, except for Fred and Megan.
The real shock came when they entered the great hall, and even then it wasn't immediate.
At first everything looked just like usual, and the students started filing in and settling at the tables. That's when people started gasping and pointing up at the teachers table. Alexis threw an uninterested glance at first, and then froze.
Her head moved back slowly again, to settle on the headmistress chair.
It wasn't occupied by McGonagall like it used to, because she was now sitting on the right side of it, while the left side was occupied by Dragomir.
But Dragomir was not the reason Alexis had gone completely cold, and a wave of fear had washed over her like a waterfall. He was not the reason she'd involuntarily shrugged back, almost jumping into James lap.
Lucius was.
Lucius, her grandfather and the man who'd tortured her, was occupying the headmasters chair. His face was turned directly toward her, and Alexis stared back. They had the same silvery blonde hair, and the same grey eyes, but Alexis had nothing in common with this man.
Except maybe the fact that they wanted each other dead.
"Oh my god" Megan breathed, as James had frozen to, then a second later wrapped a muscular arm around her waist, as if shielding her. Alexis wanted to run, to run as fast as possible. She seemed to feel every scar that Lucius had given her, even though she knew they where long faded.
"What the fuck is he doing here?" Fred growled, and Alexis noticed that he'd positioned himself so that he was shielding Megan, who was worriedly peering over at Alexis. Sill frozen in horror, staring at Lucius.
"As you might have noticed, there are some small changes in the staff this year" Lucius had risen swiftly from his chair, and moved to the podium with a grace that didn't match his age. The sea of students stirred, no one saying anything.
"I, Lucius Malfoy have taken over the position as headmaster, and Minerva McGonagall has received her old position as transfiguration teacher, also our new defense against the dark arts teacher is Dragomir Donorwicz"
A wave of murmurs broke out, Alexis faintly heard Courtney and Shannon disapproving loudly, and some shouts from the slytherin table. But no one knew, except her, Scorpius, Ash, Estelle, Fred, James and Megan. They where just generally disapproving.
"And now you might wonder why this is" Lucius voice boomed over the great hall, and it fell silent again. Alexis realized she hadn't blinked. James had now wrapped both his arms around her, and she couldn't even force herself to push away. "This is because of the war, as you are all well aware of, and the ministry thinks you have to be given a better education in defense, which Dragomir will give you-"
"Liar" Alexis finally whispered through gritted teeth, only loud enough for James to hear.
"-And the ministry found me qualified enough to keep an eye on the school, I assure you that you'll be safe here no matter what happens. Now let's move on to the sorting, shall we?" Lucius stepped away from the podium, and Alexis felt her sight turning red with anger.
So the Lucifer had infiltrated the ministry far enough to send two of his most fateful servants to Hogwarts.
Crapshit.
"I won't let him get near you, I promise" James mumbled in her ear, his voice strained. Alexis glanced up to see that he was looking at Lucius with such fierce hatred that she was surprised he hadn't tried to kill him right then and there.
As the nervous first years toppled into the great hall Alexis looked over at Scorpius. He, Ash and Estelle where looking back at her, shock visible in their eyes. Alexis gulped.
People in the great hall had started glancing at her and her brother (as if they hadn't been looking at her before), and she noticed Milly glaring openly. Alexis also saw the shining head-girl badge on her robes and was sure that she would have puked if she didn't have so many more serious problems at the time.
Like two death demons inside Hogwarts!
…
"What are we going to do?" Megan exclaimed, her jaw resting on her knee as she sat on the floor of the boys dormitory later that evening. Fred where laying outstretched on his bed and James where always glancing over at Alexis who was sitting at the foot of Fred's bed. They where the only one there, since Brian and Aaron where still in the common room, discussing the new change of events with all the other Gryffindor's.
"Tell McGonagall?" Fred tried.
"Nope, the ministry put Lucius and Dragomir here, not even Shacklebolt could stop it" Alexis shook her head, and Fred sunk back down.
"What do you think will happen?" James was looking directly at her, and Alexis winced involuntarily.
"I'm not sure, Lucifer sent them to keep an eye on Hogwarts, and they will change things I know it. Megan will have to be extra careful, because my grandfather still doesn't like muggleborns" Alexis grimaced, and Megan rolled her eyes.
"I'll be fine"
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see then?" Fred said wearily, and Alexis nodded.
"For the time being, yes"
"I hate waiting" James growled into his pillow with surprising anger, Fred and Megan exchanged a glance while Alexis just gave him a bewildered look.
…
Megan Pov:
Megan stared at Alexis across the table a week after the big disaster (yes that's what she called it). Her blonde buddy had been chewing on the same piece of toast for way to long to be healthy.
However that was not the point. Why was she thinking about toast when there was death demons in Hogwarts? She really was a bit strange… But anyway, the point she was trying to get to was that she was worried about Alexis. Because Alexis had always been her best friend, and through Alexis she'd gotten to know James and Fred. And now, Alexis was the one who needed help, and they where all there for her.
Only Alexis couldn't admit she needed help, so she just sat there quietly still chewing on that same piece of toast!
"For god's sake Alex swallow the toast" Megan said and Alexis head whipped up, James and Fred glanced at her surprised. Alexis swallowed hard, and then went back to looking straight ahead.
She was in really bad shape, Megan really had to do something, and that fast.
Let's see, how could she help someone who'd been tortured by her own grandfather who was now headmaster. Hm…
Nothing.
Stupid braincells who weren't working, she'd been hanging out way to much with Freddy lately. Fred. She meant Fred.
Speaking of Fred, had he gotten hotter during the summer? She just couldn't keep her eyes of him. The bronze hair falling into his eyes, or the darker skin tone, almost covering his freckles. He was just so freaking hot.
Had James and Fred poured firewhisky in her pumpkin juice or something? Because she couldn't keep her mind on the important things.
Like the fact that Hogwarts was a freaking battlefield, the slytherins hard parted into two groups, but the rest of the students didn't know that. Students where getting punished for small things, especially those who openly talked bad about Lucifer.
And Alexis was afraid. Believe it or not Alexis wasn't doing anything, she didn't talk against Dragomir in class, she just stared blankly ahead. She didn't disagree with the new learning plan who barely taught them any defense against the dark arts, just throwing the spells.
And it scared the living hell out of Megan, because Alexis had always been the strong one, protecting everyone else.
Not to talk about what it was doing to James and Fred. The two of them where always on edge because of their worry about Alexis. The only one who seemed to be enjoying the new Alexis was Milly, that stupid bitch. Oh correction, that stupid head girl bitch.
The moment Milly realized that Alexis and James had broken up she was on him, and Alexis didn't move a finger to keep her away from him. So Megan had stepped up, not that she had to, James barely looked at Milly.
Of course everyone knew he loved Alexis, even Alexis herself knew it. But Megan wasn't sure that they would get together, their breakup had been pretty harsh, and she'd only heard bits of it.
But now she was off rail again. Concentrate Megan! What was it now she'd read in the history books about last time this had happened at Hogwarts. Oh yes, they'd formed a secret organization to fight the headmistress.
"We should form a rebellion" She blurted out, before being able to stop herself. Everyone looked at her like she was dumb. But Megan didn't miss the spark that suddenly was lit up behind Alexis hazed eyes.
"What are you talking about?" Alexis asked, quirking a perfectly arched eyebrow. Damn her perfection, it wasn't fair!
"Yes, against Lucius, that's what your parents did didn't they?" She looked at James and Fred, who exchanged a bewildered glance.
"They've mentioned it"
"We should do it, c'mon guys! The students are only afraid to stand up against the new rule because they think they're alone!"
"She has a point" Fred rubbed the back of his neck, as Alexis was staring thoughtfully out into thin air.
"So, are you in?"
"Sure" Fred gave her a slight smile.
"Why not" James was glancing at Alexis, who remained silent a second longer, before finally answering.
"We need a name"
Megan felt like throwing her fist into the air, Alexis Malfoy was back.
"What about The Rebellion?" Fred said "It's easy and catchy"
"Everyone does love a rebel" Megan murmured, winking at Fred. Who almost fell of his seat in surprise.
"So we're doing this?" James was leaning in, determination settling in. Their spirits where rising together with Alexis.
"We're definitely doing this" Alexis smiled, it wasn't her old smile. But it was that slight quirk of lips that made her look like a complete Malfoy, and that's when you knew not to mess with her.
Megan applauded herself. You truly are a genius Meg.
AN: I'm sorry that this isn't very long, but I'm busy, I'm going away to London for a week, which I'm super psyched about but I won't be able to upload. But hey, maybe I'll learn something!
Also, thanks for all the reviews, once again I don't have the time to give you individual answers but I promise I'll start doing that again. Just know that I'm thankful for each and every one of them!
And last, what did you think of this little turn of events? I liked Megan's part on the end, did you?
Oh right, if you have a question or anything, just send a PM!
Now I'm done.