The Alexander Chronicles Year 6: The Darkness Falls

Chapter 11: Broken friendship

…

Jack was walking with Alex, Hermione, Neville and Ron towards breakfast. Alex seamed extremely happy for some reason and was humming. It was very weird. Harry and Hermione had a knowing smile on their faces, as they seemed to know something.

"Why is he so happy?" Jack asked.

"Uh," Hermione said looking a bit uncomfortable, "I think he just enjoyed the party last night."

"Oh" Jack said as he followed the older students. It didn´t make any sense. Who would be that happy because of a party? Jack looked at Mark who was a follow second year, but the dark skinned Gryffindor just shrugged. Never mind, it was really that important. Jack was just feeling exited for the coming Christmas Holidays. He had missed his dad, and looked forward to seeing him again. However, he would miss Astoria. Jack felt his heartbeat ingress as he thought of the Slytherin girl. Jack had been happy that she had visited him so often when he had stayed in the Hospital Wing. She had held his hand, and it felt so great.

Demelza had been a frequent visitor as well, and Jack had a feeling that the two girls didn´t like each other very much. Jack didn´t know why. Luckily Demelza hadn´t tried to kiss him again, well expect for last night when she had kissed him on the cheek. Jack was of course flattered, but he wished it had been Astoria that had kissed him instead. Demelza was cute and beautiful, and he did like her, but she wasn´t like Tori.

…

Meanwhile Alex could hear people talking about him, but he didn´t really mind. He wasn´t about to tell about what had happened last night, but his followed sixth years properly knew.

Alex smiled a bit as they neared the Great Hall and noticed how driffrent couples met up. Alex eyes wandered to the hallway that led to the dungeons and the Slytherin common room, trying to spot his girlfriend. He was surprised to see that Malfoy arriving with Nott and Parkinson. The two Slytherin boys were chatting. Again, Draco made no sign of acknowledge Alex.

"Do you know if Daphne and the others have heard anything about Malfoy?"

Alex gave Harry a puzzled look wondering what he meant. "What do you mean?"

"Well I-"Harry paused, "I have something to tell you. Later when we are alone."

Alex nodded as Daphne appeared behind him grabbing his hand. "Hey you."

"Hey," Alex said giving her hand a squeeze."

The couple stared lovingly at each other both remembering last night.

"Uh Daphne," Harry said. "I was wondering if you had noticed anything odd about Malfoy."

Daphne led Harry, Alex, Ron and Hermione a bit away from the masses. "I guess you saw him with Nott?"

"Yeah and he was with him yesterday as well." Harry said. "It is very odd, because they seemed almost friendly."

"Yeah" Daphne said. "He have been very distant lately and sometimes even hostile."

"Well maybe it is about his mum. I mean she is on the other side of this war."

"Yeah, I know, but Alex then why is he with Nott and why is he staying here for Christmas."

It was true Draco had been so distant lately. He wasn´t sitting next to Alex and the others in class and he studied alone. Alex had tried talking with him, but lately Draco had just told him to leave him alone. "I will talk with him."

"I really hope we can trust him." Harry said looking worried.

"Do you know something?" Alex said looking at his friend, who didn´t meet his eyes.

"I will tell you later."

"Right, so you do then." Alex said looking towards the Great Hall where he could see Draco talking with some of his housemates. Alex took one more look at his friends before walking over towards the Malfoy heir.

"Hey Black." Nott said with gleeful smile.

Alex ignored him and looked at Draco. "So are you sure that you won´t come home for Christmas? I mean you still haven't seen my sister."

"Wow you are really thick." Nott mocked. "I mean do you not get that Draco doesn´t want anything to do with you anymore."

"It is true." Draco said. "And I don´t really care about your sister. It is just a stupid baby. Beside I am done playing you your game Black."

"What game?" Alex said trying to ignore the confusion and hint of anger that was spreading in his body.

"This war. You and your little friends. I am done okay. I am done standing by your side." Draco paused and looked away for a few seconds before looking back at Alex. "There is no way I am not risking my life by living with mudbloods and blood-traitors."

"What?" Alex couldn´t believe it. It sounded like the old Malfoy.

"You heard me." Draco hissed.

"So this friendship?"

"It was a joke." Draco said in a sneering tone. "I was never at your side or your friend. I just used you. However since you have sided the way you have then I am done living with you."

"The way I have sided?" Alex hissed.

"Yeah, why should I risk my life by being friends or even associate with you?" Draco sneered. "I mean look what happened to Blaise."

All colour disappeared from Alex´s face. Blaise. His friend who had died saving him and now Draco Malfoy was throwing his name as an insult. Alex growled. "What? What did you say?"

"You head me Black. You are on the losing side and only a fool would stay with you. Just like Zabini." Alex was boiling with rage. Draco smirked. "Must have touched a nerve. Look Black Zabini is dead because of you. Because he was stupid enough to stand against purebloods and one of the most powerful wizards in existence."

"We should go Draco. It is just as you said; it is best not to associate with those blood traitors in public." Nott said as he gave Alex mocking smile.

"Yeah we should." Draco agreed. "So again leave me alone Black."

The two Slytherins left and Alex couldn't help but feel hurt at Draco´s betrayal. He felt hurt, sad and angry.

"Uh we should let Sirius know or Dumbledore." Harry said with a solemn look. "I mean he lived with us at the order."

Alex looked at Harry who was standing with Daphne, Hermione, Selene, Tracey and Ron. All of them had an apparelled look on their faces. The look on Tracey´s face showed Alex that she had heard everything Malfoy had said about Blaise. "I - You heard?"

"Malfoy is a jerk." Tracey said. "He is a selfish coward. Blaise would have-" Tracey paused as the tears began rolling down her cheeks. Daphne touched her shoulder and hugged her.

"But yeah," Alex answered. "I should properly uh-"

"You just trusted him." Ron said. "It wasn´t wrong. Malfoy is just damaged goods."

Alex didn´t respond. He had really trusted Draco Malfoy. So the betrayal really hurt. He had thought that Draco had been his friend. Had Sirius felt the same about Pettigrew? Alex signed, hoping that he hadn´t turned that bad.

"You also need to secure the chamber." Selene whispered to Alex in a low voice so no one could hear them. "Just like we did with Slytherin´s castle and see if we need to upgrade the one we already have. I won´t let that creep misuse our family history. Hopefully he is just a jerk, but there is no way Silan should get access to this kind of knowledge." Alex nodded. He and Selene had been in Slytherin´s castle during the summer, where they had learned how to protect the castle and key the wards against Voldemort and Silan. Alex had wanted to tell his friends, but now he was glad that Selene had insisted that only they should knew.

"Yeah," Alex said looking at his cousin. She had a determined look in her eyes. "However I keyed the wards to the two of us. So maybe we should add the Fidelius charm on it."

…

The journey on the Hogwarts Express was very uneventful. Alex was sitting in a compartment along with Daphne, Tracey, Hermione, Selene, Harry and Ron. They hadn´t talked that much. Harry had briefly told them about what he had head during Slughorn´s Christmas party. Alex doubted that either Snape or even Malfoy was on Voldemort side. No Snape had to be on their side. He just had to be. As for Malfoy then he was just scarred. However, it didn´t mean that he was a Death Eater did it?

Alex´s thoughts was interrupted as he head Ron sign "oh no."

Alex looked up and saw that Lavender Brown was standing outside their carriage. She waved Ron to her. Ron hesitated a bit before walking out to her. Once outside Lavender began snoggning Ron. Alex signed and looked away. The two of them was bit too much. Tracey seemed to have it the worst. Her brown eyes started to tear up. Daphne silently grabbed her hand, and Tracey looked away. Seconds later Ron stepped back in the compartment. Lavender was still outside giving Ron small waves. Ron awkwardly waved back. Alex frowned he had noticed it before. It seemed that Lavender was a bit more interested in Ron then Ron was in her. Tracey had dried her eyes in an attempt to hide her hurt. She was pretty good at hiding it, if Alex hadn´t known her that well, he wouldn't had noticed.

The rest of the train ride was pretty awkward, so Alex was pretty relived when he had to do his prefect rounds along with Susan Bones.

"How are you holding up?" Alex asked as the two walked around. He knew how hard it was to celebrate Christmas after having lost a loved one.

"I still have my parents and brother." Susan said. "Beside there is a lot of families that are losing loved ones in this stinking war." Susan paused. "Honestly I would have been a much bigger mess if it hadn't been from Erik. He have been amazing to listen and to talk, and if hadn´t fancied him before then I- Honestly I was so happy when he asked me out, and when he kissed him then-" Susan laughed. "Sorry I am rambling."

Alex smiled back, "it is fine. I am happy for the two of you."

It was pretty fun patrol. Students were chatting happily about what they had planned for their holidays. There wasn´t even that many that was misbehaving, there was only a few that did magic on a corridor or had banned items. Alex also spotted Jack Bennett who was sitting with his friends. The group seemed to having fun, and apparently, they were teasing Jack a bit, given his embarrassed smile. Alex smiled a bit; with everything that was happing was it nice to see that the younger kids having fun.

…

As Alex stepped into the Ambrosius household, he could feel his excitement. Sirius, Remus, Tonks and Mad-Eye had picked them up at King´s Cross Station. According to Sirius, both Bianca and Cyrina were doing great, and Bianca was as healthy as a baby should be. Cyrina was waiting for them and went to hug Alex as soon as he stepped inside. "I have missed you." Alex smiled and enjoyed the hug, then Cyrina went the greet Harry and Selene.

"Uh Sirius there is something I need to tell you." Harry said as he, Alex and Sirius had carried the two boys´ trunks to their rooms.

"Yeah?"

"I think Draco Malfoy is up to something."

"What makes you say that?"

"I heard him and Snape talking." Harry paused. "I think that he have joined the Death Eaters."

"Harry, Voldemort doesn´t use school boys as Death Eaters."

"Well I heard him, and I think that Snape is in on it too." Harry defended. "Snape said that he made an uh unbreakable vow to his mother to help him"

"It hardly prove anything Harry."

"What?" Harry sounded shocked. "Sirius we are talking about Snape. He is a git and-"

"I know Harry, but as I said to you once then you can´t make the world up in Death Eaters and good persons." Sirius paused a bit. "Look I hate Snape as well, but Dumbledore trusts him, and as much as I hate to say then I trust him somewhat as well."

"Why? He has done nothing to help. He properly even hope that you would have been killed in the Ministry fight, because he sure didn´t make any move to stop us from going."

"You was with Umbridge as the time so he had to act like he didn´t know what you were talking about. But one of the first things he did was to contact me so we could alert the order."

"Yeah but he been saying you have been a coward. It been like he wanted you to risk your life." Harry argued back.

"Harry, the two of us hate each other make no mistake, but Snivellus´ comments was just that."

Alex had been silent the whole time decided to interfere. "Beside Snape could have just lied to Draco in order to him to trust him."

"He might have done the same to you." Harry said. "I know that you trust him for helping you back in our fourth year, but what if he was playing us even back there. Beside Malfoy was acting nice and now he is back at being a git."

"I agree with Alexander, Harry. Look Malfoy might be up to something, but the raids on his house have turned up empty. As for Snape, then he is properly just trying to get Draco´s trust so he can help him."

"Yeah, but then why hasn´t he told Dumbledore."

"He might have." Sirius said. "Dumbledore doesn´t tell us everything. Look I agree I don´t trust Snape, but I do trust Dumbledore, even if I don´t agree with everything he does."

"But he-"

"Look I keep an eye out for Snape, and please tell Dumbledore what you told me, but I wouldn´t be surprised if Dumbledore have asked Snape to look out for Draco."

"But dad, do you know something about Draco?"

Sirius shocked his head. "No not really. But I don´t think you should trust him that much anymore. I mean I doubt that he will be a Death Eater, but both his mother is associated with them and he is with the Nott family now."

Alex nodded, he already hated that he had trusted that ferret.

…

The night before Christmas the little extended family was relaxing and listening to the wireless radio. It was a tradition that Alex always had had with his mother, and it was nice to share it with his father, Selene, Harry, and Remus Lupin who had dropped by. Apparently he hadn´t been that much in contract with Sirius as the werewolf professor had been on a mission for the order.

"So where have you been?" Alex asked as they had listen to the radio for a while. "Mum and dad says that you haven't been that much around, and we haven't heard from you either."

"Yes sorry about that. I've been underground," said Lupin. "Almost literally. That's why I haven't been able to write; sending letters to you would have been something of a giveaway."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"I've been living among my fellows, my equals," said Lupin. "Werewolves," he added, at Harry's look of incomprehension. "Nearly all of them are on Voldemort's side. Dumbledore wanted a spy and here I was . . ready-made." He sounded a little bitter, and perhaps realized it, for he smiled more warmly as he went on, "I am not complaining; it is necessary work and who can do it better than I? However, it has been difficult gaining their trust. I bear the unmistakable signs of having tried to live among wizards, you see, whereas they have shunned normal society and live on the margins, stealing — and sometimes killing — to eat."

"Why do they like Voldemort?" Harry asked.

"They think that, under his rule, they will have a better life," Lupin explained. "And it is hard to argue with Greyback out there. . . ."

"Who is Greyback?"

"He is werewolf thug." Alex said having read about the monster. "From what I have gathered then he actually wants to hurt people when he is his werewolf form, and tries to be near people when it is the full moon. He is truly a monster."

Sirius growled in agreement. "You got that right. He wants to bite and to contaminate as many people as possible; he wants to create enough werewolves to overcome the wizards."

"Voldemort has promised him prey in return for his services. Greyback specializes in children." Lupin added. "Bite them young, he says, and raise them away from their parents, raise them to hate normal wizards. Voldemort has threatened to unleash him upon people's sons and daughters; it is a threat that usually produces good results." Lupin paused and then said, "It was Greyback who bit me."

Alex hadn´t known this and by the look on Harry´s face then he hadn´t known about it either. Alex had of course wondered, but it had always felt wrong to ask "How or I mean why?" Harry asked.

"Yes. My father had offended him. At first I didn´t knew who had attacked me so at first I felt pretty for him. I was thinking that he had had no control, knowing by then how it felt to transform. However as Alex said; then Greyback is not like that. At the full moon, he positions himself close to victims, ensuring that he is near enough to strike. He plans it all. And this is the man Voldemort is using to marshal the werewolves. I cannot pretend that my particular brand of reasoned argument is making much headway against Greyback's insistence that we werewolves deserve blood that we ought to revenge ourselves on normal people."

"But you are normal!" said Harry fiercely. "You've just got a — a problem —"

"Yeah," Alex added.

Lupin burst out laughing as Sirius smiled. "Sometimes you remind me a lot of parents. James called it my 'furry little problem' in company."

"Yeah most people were under the impression that Money owned a badly behaved rabbit." Sirius said laughing as well.

Lupin smiled and accepted a glass of eggnog from Cyrina with a word of thanks, looking slightly more cheerful. "Still at least there is a few werewolves on our side. One of them is a healer so that is good."

"And the vampires are neutral at least." Sirius added.

"Have you ever heard of someone called the Half-Blood Prince?" Harry suddenly asked making Alex look at him. Why was he asking about that now?

"The Half-Blood what?" Sirius asked.

"Prince," Harry repeated.

"There are no wizarding princes," said Lupin, now smiling. "Is this a title you're thinking of adopting? I should have thought being 'the Chosen One' would be enough."

"It's nothing to do with me!" said Harry indignantly as Alex smiled. "The Half-Blood Prince is someone who used to go to Hogwarts; I've got his old Potions book. He wrote spells all over it, spells he invented. One of them was Levicorpus —"

"Oh, that one had a great vogue during our time at Hogwarts," said Lupin reminiscently. "There were a few months in my fifth year when you couldn't move for being hoisted into the air by your ankle."

"My dad used it," Harry said. "I saw him in the Pensieve, he used it on Snape." Alex could hear that Harry tried to make the little comment casual, but Alex could tell that he wanted to know something. It made sense of course, and it explained why he was so interested in the book, he could have been used by his dad."

Sirius nodded. "Yes I remember, but he wasn't the only one. As Money said, it was very popular. Harry these spells come and go. "

"But it sounds like it was invented while you were at school," Harry persisted.

"Not necessarily," said Lupin. "Jinxes go in and out of fashion like everything else."

"Listen Harry James was a pureblood, and he hasn´t been asked to be called Prince." Sirius said.

Harry just nodded, and Alex couldn´t help feel a bit sorry for him. He should have gotten the chance of knowing his parents. Alex had that chance, but unlike Harry he didn´t want to fight. It did really seamed like the most noble choice, but could he really risk it.

…

As Alex woke up Christmas morning, he felt very excited. He would be celebrating Christmas with his family, not just with his mum or dad, but both of them, and with Harry and Selene. It would be great. Both the quite gathering this morning and the small party at lunch, where he could introduce Bianca to Daphne.

After he had opened his presents which among other things included, a Weasley sweeter, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products and a really nice muggle shirt from Daphne, Alex went down stairs to the kitchen. "Morning mum and thanks for the watch." Alex said with a small smile as he showed the watch he had gotten from his parents.

"You welcome, and thanks for perfume set and for the teddy bear you got for Bianca." Cyrina paused and looked at Alex. "Who got you that shirt?"

Alex´s face redden a tiny bit. "From Daphne, it is really comfortable."

"Right, well it looks good on you."

"Thanks."

"When are we going to the Burrow?" Alex asked as he took a coffee cup.

"After lunch." Cyrina paused. "You are really too young to drink coffee." She commented.

"Did you start drinking coffee when you were my age?"

"I was seventeen." Cyrina admitted. "Your grandfather was sixteen though. It is a really a bad habit for our family. We should be drinking tea."

"It must be our American side of our family." Alex said.

"Yes, it must be that." Cyrina said grabbing ger own cup.

Alex spent the day doing some of his homework and playing a bit with his sister. He didn´t see much of Selene, but she was also working on her O.W.L´s.

They were the first ones to arrive at the Burrow. It was still weird to see the family out Arthur Weasley. Ginny looked she had cried, and Alex was surprised that Selene went over to hug her. He didn´t knew that the two girls had become that close friends.

"I love your neckless Molly." Cyrina said.

Mrs. Weasley smiled. "thanks." She said as she touched the golden neckless. "I got it from Fred and George."

"Well, we find we appreciate you more and more, Mum, now we're washing our own socks," said George, waving an airy hand.

Alex didn´t hear the rest of the conversation as he noticed that Daphne and her family had arrived along with Tracey. Tracey had been a bit reluctant to be at Ron´s home, but she had said yes for Daphne´s sake.

"Hey," Alex said as walked over to them. Daphne, Astoria, Agatha, and Tracey smiled at Alex, while Daphne´s father looked a bit more formal. "Hallo sir I am happy that you could make it."

"Yes my daughters and wife was quit insisting." Victor Greengrass said. "It is good to see you Mr. Black." Alex shocked the Mr. Greengrass´s hand. The elder wizard´s hand was frim, but Alex didn´t wanted to show any weakness.

"Victor behave yourself." Agatha said ignoring the girls´ giggles.

"I don´t know what you are talking about my dear." However his handshake wasn´t as frim as before.

"It is good to see you Alexander." Agatha said smiling at Alex before she and Victor went over to talk with Cyrina, Sirius and Molly.

"Yeah Tori we should let the love birds say hi together." Tracey said.

"Yeah I kind of fancy a butterbear." The younger Greengrass said, "Have fun sister of mine."

Daphne growled a bit, but smiled at Alex as the two girls had left them.

"It looks good on you." Daphne said looking at Alex before hugging him. Alex was happy that he could smell the perfume that he had given her. It really suited her.

"Uh you smell good."

Daphne smiled, "I loved it Alex."

Alex smiled, "so uh do you want to see Bianca. I mean if she is awake."

Daphne nodded, "yeah of course."

Luckily, Bianca was awake and was currently being held by Cyrina.

"So this is Bianca." Alex said.

"She is cute." Daphne agreed.

…

Daphne couldn´t help watching Alex for the rest of the lunch when he was taken care of his sister. He appeared to be rather good with children, even if it meant that he had to spend less time with his friends for helping Bianca to ready for bed. Daphne smiled a bit, she was pretty sure that he would be an amazing father in few years. Right now couldn´t help but imagine how it would look like if it was there child that Alex was holding. Daphne knew that she wanted kids, and she knew that it would be with Alex.

"You look happy." Daphne turned to face Selene, Alex´s cousin. The two of them hadn´t spoken much.

"It is nice day despite everything."

Selene smiled, "yeah you certainly appears to enjoy looking at my cousin."
Daphne blushed a bit, "well he is my boyfriend."

"Yeah I don´t think that are anyone that doesn´t know that. Still I am glad that you are there for him." Selene paused, "he wasn´t in a good place when you weren't together."

"Thanks, I honestly doesn´t know where I would be without him either."

"He chance a lot of lives for the better." Selene agreed.

"So what you are talking about." Tracey asked as she and Tori walked.

"My cousin."

"Oh you mean my future brother-in-law." Tori said. The three girls began to laugh much to Daphne´s embarrassment. Honestly, she really had to give Tori back at some point in the near future. Thankfully Jack Bennett had made it quit essay.

Daphne´s thoughts was interrupted as something exploded outside.

…

Chapter end

Sorry about the wait. I have given the story a small rewrite and fixed some mistakes.