50
Chapter 1: A Lucky Escape
July 1975
A stack of books flew across the room into a trunk, followed by a Quidditch set of robes, and finally, a broomstick as the trunk was shut quietly. The owner, a tall boy of fifteen, with a thin body and slightly muscular build from his years of playing seeker on the Quidditch team at Hogwarts, glanced around his room, his blue eyes flashing behind his square glasses. Finally, Alex took out his wand from under his bed and stuffed it up his sleeve. He knew his sister Catrin was out with her friends again: that twisted group that included, among others, Bellatrix and Lucius, who he knew from school. He then went to the door and tried the knob. He smirked as it opened. Earlier, he had wedged a book in between the doorknob and the lock to prevent it from shutting. Alex walked out of his room and walked downstairs with his trunk. All of his other luggage was already waiting below, packed and ready to go. His eagle owl Ares was cooing under his wing as Alex walked towards the fireplace, when suddenly the front door burst open with a tremendous force and a voice started screeching.
"You little brat! Where are you?"
Alex jumped, startled. He hadn't been expecting Catrin to be home this early. He gathered his things as best he could, tucking the smaller trunk beneath his arm, but Catrin swept into the room, dark cloak billowing around her shoulders, before Alex could make his escape.
Over a decade of being Catrin's brother had taught Alex not to waste time with pleasantries. Catrin, it would seem, felt similarly, and greeted Alex with a not-so-friendly punch in the stomach.
"Going somewhere, dearie? Your precious Potter perhaps? Or maybe that blood traitor Black?" said Catrin in his ear with an overly sweet tone, as she shoved him away slightly. Alex said nothing. It was not her business where he was about to go.
"Oh, no. Maybe those two are on holiday without you. Where would you go then, brother dear? Certainly not that werewolf, Remus." The two words snapped Alex out of his momentary stillness. He whirled away, quickly levitating his things and stepping closer to the beckoning fireplace. "How had she found out?" he thought quickly as Catrin raised her wand. He suddenly remembered he had his hand in the floo powder jar and he quickly tossed a fistful of it into her eyes. She shrieked in pain.
Alex stepped onto the mantle and, before Catrin's astonished eyes, threw another handful down, quickly choking out "Evans house, Cokeworth!" before he was swept away. Oddly, the flames did not feel hot. He crumpled into a ball as he waited for the spinning to stop. Finally, he shot out of a fireplace and was greeted by a blood-curdling shriek.
"MUM! It's a freak! In the fireplace!"
Alex's heart plummeted. Could Merlin not spare him from angry, screaming girls for two seconds? But the change in voice from Catrin to Petunia reassured him that, at least, he was in the right household.
"No, darling. Remember, this is Lily's friend. Alex, yes?" The freckled, kind face of Grace Evans, framed by hair as deep auburn as her daughter's, appeared above Alex. Alex attempted to smile calmly but his soot-stained clothes and trunk full of spellbooks stood out like a sore thumb in the Evans house. "Evening," he said, in what he hoped was a steady voice. Just then, he heard a soft gentle sounding voice. "Mum, who is it? I heard Tuney's shriek and then some voices." and Alex felt his heart leap a bit despite his state of mild panic.
Lily Evans, in a summery Muggle dress that fell to her ankles, appeared in the doorway to the living room. She smiled, her expression as kind and patient as her mother's, her green eyes piercing deep within Alex's soul. Despite the fact that their relationship was totally platonic, he couldn't help but blush as she walked up to him and started brushing the soot off his clothes.
"Hello, Evans," he smiled in greeting. He gave himself a mental shake. Play it cool, Alex. He flicked his blue eyes towards her emerald green ones, hoping to convey a sense of urgency. We need to talk in private when we get the chance. Returning to the conversation at hand, he smiled and said, "Sorry for bursting in on you lot like this. I was going to head to James's when my sister... well…" Alex shrugged.
Lily nodded understandingly, and Alex felt grateful that he didn't need to say anything more. Mrs Evans broke the awkward silence. "Dear, you look absolutely famished! Are you sure you're getting enough to eat? Don't say anything– why don't you wash up and join us for dinner." Alex grinned. "Muggle cooking is my favorite, brilliant!"
"Muggles eat food just like everyone else, idiot," Lily said with a giggle. "Though I admit it takes much longer without enchanted pots and whatnot." Alex laughed, "Well I'm sure it still tastes good." he said, gently knocking shoulders with the girl.
"I'm sure you'll like it, but if you don't, don't tell Mum," Lily muttered to him with a sly grin as her mother walked back to the kitchen, out of earshot.
"Wasn't planning on it."
As Alex followed Lily to the kitchen-slash-dining room, he paid close attention to the furnishings of the Evans house. He'd been in very few Muggle buildings, and none like this, with clean cozy furniture that stood still and clocks that did nothing but tell time. Still, the Evans household seemed like a nice place to live. Flowered wallpaper, the occasional houseplant, and sunny curtained windows gave the whole place an airy, pleasant impression.
"Hope the freak can eat like a civilized person", snapped a cold voice from across the table as Alex sat next to Lily. He raised a brow. When Petunia turned away he whispered "Merlin, how on earth are you two related? You could not be more different." he said in Lily's ear.
"Believe me, I've asked myself that question many times." Petunia, though too far away to hear them, seemed to guess that they were talking about her, and sneered, turning up her nose at them. Alex hoped that she had made up her mind to ignore them for the rest of the evening - he could certainly live with that. Midway through the meal, Alex was fully sold on a delicious muggle invention the Evanses called pizza. He started to smell a flowery perfume emanating from the place next to him. He felt his cheeks heat up as he looked down at his plate, realizing who was wearing it. After the meal, Alex was helping Lily wash the dishes when the doorbell rang, and he heard the sound of the front door opening and shutting. Alex turned to see who it was. His face scrunched up as soon as he saw a short boy with long greasy black hair glaring at him.
"Give me a break," thought Alex.
Chapter 2: A Greasy Summer
(July-September 1975)
"You!"
"Snivellus" replied Alex, coldly glaring at the boy as Lily turned around. "Hello, Severus," Lily said carefully, glancing back and forth between her two friends. Alex glanced at Lily: "What is the git doing-" He cut himself off when he noticed Snape's face was swollen and almost purple with a bruise. His eyes widened and he quickly shifted his gaze to the floor, feeling Snape's own eyes on his torn and soot-covered robes. A mutual understanding seemed to fall over both boys.
"What the hell happened to your face?" asked Alex, carefully glancing at the shorter boy's cheek.
"I don't think that's any of your business," Snape replied with a haughty sniff, and Alex realized that the reply was similar to the one he often used when Catrin inflicted injuries upon him.
"Yeah, nice try. That might work with some folks but it doesn't with me," said Alex with a kinder tone in his voice. "I use that excuse often myself with-" "Potter; he might as well be your boyfriend," cut in Snape with a smirk. Alex returned to glaring at the boy.
"You're so creative, Snape. Sure you're not in Ravenclaw? Because I definitely have not heard that very original remark before." Alex's voice was dripping in sarcasm, and Lily tried and failed to smother a giggle. Snape shot her a look, and Lily immediately schooled her expression into seriousness.
"Well, it shows that you have something in common," Lily pointed out, and both boys stared at her blankly. "Er, using that excuse, I mean." Alex regarded Snape appraisingly. "I guess-" he said, if only to appease Lily. "-but Potter is not my boyfriend." he added.
Snape smirked."Well then, what do you call spending summers at his place?" he said coldly. Alex raised a brow "Really? I suspect you spend yours here. Why do you think I go to James? He gives me a bit of stability in my life – the same stability you get," he snapped angrily. Snape opened his mouth to retort when Lily said "Sev, why don't you settle into your room? Alex, do you want to come with me for a walk?" with a tilt of her head towards the front door. Alex glared at Snape before nodding "Yeah, sure" and following Lily out of the kitchen. He walked out of the front door with her, the summer sunset casting a warm glow on the two of them. As they walked towards a set of hills, Lily started idly telling Alex about the places they passed.
"This town is called Cokeworth." She pointed. "That there is old Mrs Dursley with her fifty dogs. I have to keep my cat Athena away from them." She gestured at a house next door with three dogs barking at them. Alex raised a brow. "Sounds cozy," he said sarcastically, smiling as Lily smirked. As they walked up the hill and crested the top Alex saw what seemed to be a murky-looking lake filled with dirty water and algae. A rickety bridge crossed the lake, leading to the houses on the other side, which appeared to be considerably ill-kept. A shiny new sign, looking very out of place among the weeds, proclaimed the place to be "Spinner's End, ranked the 49,000th best neighbourhood in the UK by the Sunday Times!". Lily moved closer to him. "That's where Snape lives." she said, with a dark look in her eyes.
Alex sighed as he realized he and his rival had more in common than they thought. Does someone hurt him?" he asked. Lily nodded. "His father is awful. Speaking of fathers…" She trailed off, her cheeks going red, causing the freckles on them to disappear. Alex raised a brow "What?" he probed gently.
"My dad is out on a trip. If he sees two boys at home he is going to blow it." she said with a cheeky look as Alex paled. He retorted. "So that's where you get your temper, Evans." he said, grinning as Lily went as red as her hair. "Shut it, you!" she said.
Alex's smile didn't fade, but he obliged, looking again across the water. The dilapidated houses, sagging against the shore, bore a stark contrast to his family's elaborate mansion, but he supposed it didn't matter where one lived if they were afraid of their own family.
Alex turned away, and started heading back to Lily's house. He smiled as they walked, glancing sideways at Lily. She looked like a ball of flame, with her auburn hair streaming behind her and her pale skin glowing as it reflected the sunset. He looked away, feeling her eyes on him.
"What?" she asked gently. Alex, caught unaware, blurted: "Er... nothing. I might go to-" Lily sighed. "Potter's tomorrow, of course." she said in exasperation. Alex smirked as they drew closer to her house "What? Are you saying you don't want me to go, Evans?" he suggested, wiggling his eyebrows.
"I didn't say that," Lily said quickly, looking away. Alex wasn't sure if it was just the sunlight, but she seemed to be blushing. "Then what did you say Evans? You wanted to say something." said Alex, a mischievous grin slipping onto his face. They sat on her front porch, close to the garden. He raised his eyebrows at Lily.
"I do like having you around, you know," she confessed, her pale fingers nervously tapping the wooden slats of the porch. "I wouldn't have invited you otherwise." Lily's eyes seemed to reflect the greens, blues and yellows of the garden. Alex felt his heart racing, and he almost wanted to tear his gaze away. Almost.
"I like being here," He murmured. It dawned on him that their faces were close, really close. Alex could see the light freckles on her cheeks. He then glanced at Lily's lips, which seemed to be pink and slightly wet.
Nothing else for it. Alex lurched forward awkwardly, and Lily did the same, and then they were kissing, clumsily, with a bit more spit involved than Alex had expected. But he was kissing her, Lily, and he felt that his hand should be in her hair, so he moved it there, just so.
It seemed to be the right move as he felt Lily move closer to him with a small gasp. Just as Alex was about to pull Lily closer to him, as he felt her wrap her arms around his waist, he heard the door open. He jumped away from Lily and swore he heard a faint whimper from Lily as they separated. Alex turned to see Petunia glaring at him. He swallowed a bit.
"Yes, Petunia?" he asked, trying to keep his voice calm. "What are you two doing?" Petunia shrieked in disgust, but the answer was clear. "Shut it, Tuney," Lily muttered, voice small with embarrassment. She'd grown flushed, shyness and anger mixing in her eyes.
"Oh please, Petunia - it's just what everyone does at this age. It's not anything new," said Alex calmly, his eyes narrowed at the older girl. After spending one evening with Petunia, he already could see her as eerily similar to Catrin and he didn't like it.
"You're not a normal boy, though, are you?" Petunia sneered, and Alex bristled.
"I'm perfectly normal. I'm not the one shouting at my sister for kissing someone!"
"I don't know what she sees in you, but I suppose only freaks can see and find other freaks attractive." snapped Petunia, shaking her head as Alex looked down at the dirt of the garden. It was too similar to what his sister had told him many times. "Who would date you? No self-respecting pureblood would!" Alex smiled wearily. "Ah, you see, that's where you're wrong, Tuney. I fancy your sister because she is part Muggle, or 'normal', as you put it." He smiled kindly at Lily. "I like all of her quiet."
Lily bit back a smile and slipped her hand into his. Alex realized that it didn't matter if Petunia had shattered their moment - he had the feeling that they would have many more moments ahead of them.
Chapter 3
The Marauders Reunite
(July-September 1975)
A pillow slammed into Alex's head as he awoke from his sleep, his hand fumbling for his glasses. He put them on and the blurred image of James Fleamont Potter came into view. He looked around in confusion before remembering that he had left the Evans house the previous evening after having played a brillant Muggle game called Monopoly, in which Lily and he had combined their money to beat Petunia in a spectacular win. As he shook the blurriness out of his eyes, Alex noticed James more clearly than he had the night before. James had gotten taller, but his tanned skin, warm brown eyes and messy black hair were the same. "The midget has grown!" yelled Alex.
"You snogged Evans! That's bloody amazing mate, did you like it?" asked Sirius as he sat on James's bed in the room he shared with Alex. Alex shook his head. "Yes, but it wasn't the right thing to do. She has a boyfriend, and I have a girlfriend - you remember Victoria, that Ravenclaw girl?" He looked guilty. Remus sighed quietly and then when the other three looked at him, he finally spoke.
"Well, you have certainly done it now." Alex opened his mouth but Remus held up a hand gently. "Alex, I think you are adding more drama to your life than you need."
Sirius looked at Remus. "How can you say that Alex adds too much drama to his life when we're your friends? Who decided to become an unregistered Animagi to keep you company during the full moon?" he asked with a wry expression on his face as Remus seemed to go a bit red. "I didn't mean it that way," he said, then went quiet for a few moments. James broke the silence. "Well, just know if anything happens we are here for you. Now, who wants to have a game of Quidditch?" he asked, putting a hand on Alex's shoulder.
Alex looked up and smiled, thankful for the change in topic. "Yeah, let me get my Windmaster!" The four boys walked behind James, as he led the way to the Potters' broom collection. Alex was always in awe when he entered the "broom room", as it was dubbed by James, who seemed pleased with the rhyme. As James looked for a broom for himself, Alex left Remus, Sirius, and Peter to their discussion and moved closer to James.
"James, what if this goes wrong?" Alex asked, his voice pitched lower than before. James turned and looked at him, his hazel eyes narrowing in concern. "What do you mean, mate?" he asked in a gentle voice as he leaned towards Alex.
Alex said, "I don't know. I'm just a bit worried, that's all. I didn't mean to kiss Evans but she looked so pretty that-" he stopped, turning red as he noticed his friend's growing smirk. He shoved James. "Stop!" he said with a grin, as James's smile was infectious.
Alex was sitting next to Remus, watching Sirius and James play Quidditch, as Peter was next to them eating a piece of cheese. Alex was just happy to be with his friends again. He observed James idly for a few minutes, just in time to watch him score spectacularly against Sirius.
"Hey Remus, what tree do you think that is?" asked Alex, gesturing to a tree with vines wrapped around the branch. Remus looked over from where he had been observing James and Sirius and said "I don't know, Al. Looks like a cedar, perhaps." He turned to look at Peter. "Peter, what are you doing?" asked Remus, a slightly concerned look on his face as Peter walked over to the tree confidently.
"Well, Remus- it's a new tree! I think I'll be able to climb this one all the way to the top!" said Peter happily as he started to climb the trunk. Alex sighed. "What is with him and climbing trees?" he asked Remus, who shrugged in response.
"Four years and I have asked myself that many times," said the other boy, smirking with the unscarred side of his face as he and Alex started to laugh. Peter came back over to Alex and Remus after a few minutes, his face red and his stringy blonde hair dripping with sweat. "Well, I almost made it but not quite," said Peter with a shrug. The three boys continued to chatter about their summers until the two figures of James and Sirius finally landed in the gathering dusk. The five Marauders showered and then went to dinner which was, to Alex's surprise and delight, home cooked by James's mother. The food itself was obviously family recipes from James's Indian side of the family. Alex was quite eager to taste the food, especially because compared to the moldy sandwiches his sister had been giving him all summer, this was a rare treat. He cast his eyes over the mounds of food, not knowing what to start with. The only Indian food he had had before had been curry from the local curry place. He turned to Remus, silently asking him what the dish closest to him was, but Remus was seemingly just as confused as he was.
"Wow, looks delicious Mrs Potter!" he said to James's mother, as he still was confused what to begin with or how. Alex looked at what the other boys did but Sirius and Peter seemed confused as well.
"Any suggestions, mates?" asked Alex. James, sitting next to Sirius, looked perfectly at home as he began to load his plate. He suddenly noticed that no one else was doing the same, and looked at them.
"Spicy or not spicy mate?" he asked with a smile towards Alex. "I can take some heat." Alex said with a grin. Then James pointed towards a brown looking gravy that had chunks of what looked like pork.
"I would start with that first and work my way down the table." he smiled at Alex and his friends. Alex began to load his plate with what seemed to be flat bread with chunks of garlic. He tore off a piece with his left hand when James looked at him.
"Right hand, mate," James corrected kindly, as Alex swapped his eating hand and then asked "What for?"
"Well you don't want to eat with the same hand you use to wipe your-" James launched into an explanation that made his mother glare at him and snap: "Language, young man!"
Alex suddenly became aware that his mouth was on fire, and quickly grabbed his glass of butterbeer and chugged it down until it was empty.. He heard laughing and glared at James.
"Mate, that wasn't funny," snapped Alex with a brow raised in the laughing boy's direction. James composed himself and said "James Potter strikes again! You should know better than to trust me Alex!" Alex held his glare on James for a moment as he and Sirius continued to laugh. James noticed and shot Alex his well perfected innocent eyes. Alex then shook his head "Potter, that look makes you seem even more guilty." he said as James frowned. Mrs Potter, who'd been amusedly following the conversation, said "Thank you dear. For once someone agrees with me about that look–" she started when James interrupted. "Mum, that look has gotten us out of-" he began when Remus snapped. "Into detention with McGonagall more like!" He and Alex started laughing at the offended look on James's face.
"Now, Alex and Sirius can actually pull off the whole 'looking innocent' thing. James's innocent look, on the other hand, is a lethal weapon." squeaked Peter with a smile from the end of the table, where he had been sitting relatively quietly through the whole meal. Alex smiled at Peter when Mrs Potter looked away. He whispered "It's because Minnie can't bear to see me cry." He turned and shot the frowning James another look.
"This means war, Alex!" snapped James as his mother brought out dessert. Alex grinned in challenge. "Bring it, Prongsie!" he shouted, using his hand to throw one of the leftover pieces of paneer on his plate at James. From there, it escalated into an all-out food fight that raged until Mrs. Potter returned from the kitchen and demanded to know what was going on.
After everything was cleaned up and dessert, something called gulab jamun, was eaten, Alex went up to James's room for the night like always. He pulled on his red pajamas with the pictures of snitches on them as James was changing as well. Alex turned to James, but then noticed an odd painting of a man on a chariot, wielding what looked to be a formidable looking bow in his hand, hanging above the bed. His chariot was driven by a man with blue skin and five white horses. Alex tapped James on his shoulder.
"James, is that Ares in that picture mate?" he asked as James pulled on his own shirt and turned to where Alex was pointing. James then raised a brow "No, mate- that isn't Ares, it's a painting of the story of the greatest war ever fought in medieval India!" he said proudly. Alex raised an eyebrow "What made this war so great? Wars are horrible, mate." he said with a frown. James thought for a minute then smiled "Imagine it being the culmination of years of deceit and cunning. Truth and lies, good and evil-" James was about to continue when Sirius entered with Remus and Peter.
"Oh, is Prongsie telling us a bedtime story? Padfoot wants to listen too" cooed Sirius with an innocent look. Alex rolled his eyes but smiled as Sirius transformed into a dog. He started laughing as the bearlike black dog began to chase his own tail, before curling up by Alex's feet. Remus and Peter scratched him behind the ears, while Alex nodded for James to start. It was a wondrous story filled with honours and acts that seemed the epitome of callousness to Alex.
"The evil family did what? Disrobed the princess of the good brothers in front of the royal court? What on earth were they thinking?!" asked Alex, his face pale and horrified. He knew evil because of the constant stream of atrocities in the Daily Prophet as Voldemort's war became bloodier by the day, but this was beyond evil.
"My question is, why didn't the oldest brother that seems sorta like Moony here stop the gambling match before it got to their family being the bets?" said Peter with a confused look on his face.
Alex then frowned "Question is, why use your family as a bet in the first place? Its flesh and blood, not wood or steel." he said with a furious look on his face. Remus put a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down! It's just a story." he said with a gentle look on his face.
Alex looked like he wanted to say more when he felt something poke him on the shoulder. He turned to see a stag prodding him gently with its antlers. Alex smiled, his anger forgotten as he petted the stag on the head. "Hello there little guy" he said with a smile as the stag glared at him at the word little. It transformed back to James, who was looking at him indignantly. "Just for that, you're not hearing the rest of the story tonight!" he pouted. Alex smirked a bit. "Is that a threat, James?" he grinned, getting up slowly from the bed where he sat next to Remus as Padfoot perked up, his mouth almost smiling as Alex crept towards James, whose back was turned. As James was about to pick out the Tales of Beedle the Bard for their nightly dramatic retelling of "Tale of the Three Brothers", Alex pounced. The two of them rolled around on the floor when Alex managed to get the upper hand.
"Aha! A stag can't fight off a bear mate! Now kindly finish the story!" Alex yelped, when he suddenly noticed Remus get up out of the corner of his eye. "Alexander! A bear picking on a stag, when said stag has a werewolf as a friend? You should have known better!" taunted Remus, as he tackled Alex. Sirius, never one to be left out of the fun, bounded over and flopped on top of all three of them, rendering them unable to move, as he panted stinky dog breath in their faces. A moment later, Peter had joined the pile too, and they were all laughing. Alex was also just now feeling how tired he really was. He sighed as the boys separated and James began the story. No sooner had James started the story then he felt his eyes droop and he slumped sideways, his head landing on someone's shoulder.
Chapter 4
(The Next Day)
Alex's eyes fluttered open the next morning. His head seemed to be resting on a pillow, except the pillow was strangely warm. It seemed to be beating with a dull thumping noise. Alex raised his head a bit and noticed it was James's chest. The last he recalled, James had been telling his story while the other Marauders drifted off. James's arms also seemed to be enveloping him in a sturdy but gentle hug. Alex felt a smile come to his lips. He must have had a nightmare, causing James to pull him closer. He rested his head back on the taller boy's chest. A few moments later, after one last snore, James's eyes opened, and he smiled at Alex.
"Morning, mate!" "Morning, James!" responded Alex with a smile as James shifted into a sitting position. Alex shifted over and sat next to him on the bed. "What's the plan for today, Captain?" he asked the black-haired boy, ruffling his messy bed hair. James yawned, stretching his arms out. "Well, the first thing I need you to do is to brush your teeth. You have awful breath in the morning." he said, a smirk on his lips.
Alex rolled his eyes, pulling on a green shirt and bright yellow shorts. "Like your breath smells minty fresh in the morning, James." he said playfully. When James wasn't looking, Alex looked at the purple marks on his back and arms and then pulled his sleeves down to cover them. James or the rest of Alex's friends going ballistic was the last thing he needed. He hoped none of them had noticed the marks the previous night. Alex had just started combing his hair, when he heard a tap on the window.
It was his eagle owl, Ares, who had two letters in his beak. Unfortunately, James lunged to the window and opened it before Alex could get there. Alex saw the other boy wiggle his eyebrows. He knew he had received a letter from Lily, based on James's reaction. Just then, before Alex could say anything, another owl swooped to the window, dropping thick letters with Hogwarts crests on them before flying off. Alex snatched Lily's letter away from James, and then opened his mail from Hogwarts. Out tumbed a bright red badge with a lion and a golden P on it.
"Prefect?" he gasped as James turned and looked at him. "Alex-" he said puffing up as if he were about to be proud then he finished: "I'm so disappointed in you, mate! Remus was supposed to be the responsible one!", he smirked as Alex shot him a glare. A few hours later, Alex was sitting in the room he shared with James. It was a dull rainy day, but that wasn't stopping Peter in his strange determination to climb the biggest tree in the Potters' yard. Alex watched him from the window of his room before turning back around and reading Lily's letter for the third time that morning. This time, he noticed she had signed off with "Love, Lily", not her usual "Sincerely yours". His cheeks went a bit red.
He looked around, hoping no one had noticed. Remus seemed to be reading a novel, while James and Sirius's shouts could be heard from the game room next door. Alex lay back in bed with his feet on the mattress and his head next to Remus as he enjoyed the silence for a few minutes. At his sudden movement, Remus set aside his book, marking the page, and spoke. "Who do you think will be the other Gryffindor prefect, Al?"Alex sat up, then thought for a minute, and a smile appeared on his lips. "Er- probably Lily or Mary MacDonald." he said with a shrug. Remus raised an eyebrow "Well, lately Mary has been in detention with Marlene McKinnon more than she's been with Evans." he said as Alex frowned. "How do you know that?" he asked with a confused look in his eyes.
Remus rolled his blue eyes. "Evans isn't going around and sneaking out after curfew to snog boys like Marlene or playing pranks like Mary," he said, an edge of exasperation in his voice as he ruffled Alex's hair.
Alex laughed a bit, then raised his eyebrows and said "Lily not snogging boys!?" "Remus, she has five boys practically salivating after her." he added, his eyes a bit dark.
"I happen to know one of them. He's sitting right next to me." added Remus with a knowing smirk. Alex went pink as Remus then turned to him. "You know, the way you improve your chances with someone like her is by actually talking to them," he said calmly in the same tone he used to explain assignments that they didn't understand.
"Yeah, and when am I supposed to find the time to do that?" Alex asked. Remus whacked him lightly over the head with the nearest pillow. "That badge in your hand, idiot!" said Remus with a Cheshire Cat grin on his face as Alex glared at him. Alex considered this for a second, then nodded and laid back down. Unfortunately, that caused his shirt to ride up a bit, revealing the faded black and purple on his lower back and some of his right arm. He quickly pulled the sleeve down, hoping Remus hadn't noticed. By the look in Remus's eyes, Alex had not been successful.
"Al, how did you get hurt?" he asked. Alex felt Remus's eyes on the sleeve he had pulled down. Think quickly. "Quidditch!" he blurted out. Remus raised an eyebrow.
"Alex, you weren't playing Quidditch yesterday with James and Sirius. You were with me and Peter. Even if you had been playing, they wouldn't have given you those bruises." he replied, concernedly. Alex was about to try to come up with another excuse when Remus raised a hand to stop him. "You've come to James's house looking like a bruised mess. You're also as thin as I am right after the full moon, and you've only been home a month. With Catrin as a sister, are you sure everything is alright at home?" Alex didn't know how to reply to this. He looked dully at the polished wooden floor before briskly getting up.
"Lovely day, isn't it Moony? I'm going to get my raincoat on and join Wormy outside!" said Alex somewhat maniacally. As he turned to leave, he crashed to the floor with Remus on top of him.
"Oh no you don't, Alexander. You aren't leaving this conversation until you've answered my questions," growled Remus. Alex tried to push Remus off but he couldn't. Remus was stronger than either James or Sirius, which was surprising given that he perpetually looked like he would keel over with a particularly strong gust of wind. Alex squeaked "You already know why I am like this, so let me go and enjoy the rain with Pe-" He was cut off by Remus reaching into his pocket and pulling out a clear looking vial of potion.
"Alex, what you see before you is Veritaserum. The truth potion. A drop of this and Voldemort himself would admit to every single murder and heinous act he has commited. Now, if you don't tell me what's going on immediately, my hand might just slip over your chocolate pudding tonight." said Remus softly. "You wouldn't dare, especially not one of your best mates! Who knew you had this in you Remus?" Alex growled, sounding significantly more like a bear now.
"A chocolate surprise it is, then," said Remus without the slightest hint of a smile. Alex's eyes darted, looking for a way out. He suddenly noticed that Remus appeared to have shifted his attention to the potion, and away from Alex. Alex broke free of Remus's grasp, getting to his feet and staring down at him triumphantly.
As he made his way towards the door he opened it and was tackled again. Alex was now being held down by Sirius while James looked down at him. "Seriously, what the fuck?" asked Alex with an enraged look as James chuckled softly. "You may have fought off Yudhishtir Arjun, but you still have Bheem and Nakul to deal with!" he smirked. Alex groaned as Sirius shifted to Padfoot and growled in his face. Realizing he had no choice, he raised his hands. "I surrender," he said weakly. Sirius tumbled off of him and Alex found himself being pushed into a chair by James.
"Now, what exactly happened at home?" asked Remus, his voice softer now. Alex looked at Remus, James, and Sirius, who had transformed back into a person, for a few seconds. He was shocked when Sirius was the one who finally spoke up. "Do you know what I think? I think he's been given the royal treatment from a budding Death Eater" he observed. Alex sighed and nodded. "Yes, if that's what you call Catrin using me for Cruciatus practice." he said. The reactions were exactly what he had predicted, James and Sirius going through every swear in the Wizarding dictionary and some that weren't, while Remus paled and looked at Alex, horrified. Once James and Sirius had finished, there was an uncomfortable silence. Alex looked at his friends nervously. Suddenly, a scream from outside the window cut through the tense atmosphere. Remus darted to the window and turned even paler than he was before. "Pete fell from the tree- there's an odd greyish ball resembling a plastic bag that seems to have a decent number of small insects flying out of it towards Peter!"
"Oh bloody hell!" said James, shaking his head. As he headed towards the door, he turned and said "Let's rescue Pete before he gets stung even more than he already has. He's allergic to bee stings! Not all of us though- wouldn't want everyone to get stung." He seemed very concerned. Remus looked unwilling to leave but Alex, glad to have an out from being cornered by the three other boys, told him to go ahead. Remus rested his hand on Alex's shoulder for a bit, looking torn, before running after James. Alex turned to look at Sirius and found him looking back. They stared at each other for a moment or two when Sirius reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.
Alex raised a brow. "Really?" he said, his eyes serious as his friend produced a white tube and lit it with a battered metal zippo. Sirius held out the box towards Alex. "They help me when I'm stressed out. Like right now. Do you think Peter's okay?"
"I don't smoke unless it's Eckstein 1914 Christmas cigarettes and that only rarely. I hope so, Padfoot," said Alex, pushing the box back towards the curly-haired boy. Sirius blew out a puff of smoke. "When did you become such a delinquent Black?" Alex asked in mock concern, as Sirius took another drag from the cigarette.
"When did you become such a playboy, Alex?" retorted Sirius with a grin. Alex rolled his eyes and smiled back at him. Then Sirius's voice lost the joking tone. "I picked it up around the same time I started getting bruises like the ones you have."
There was a short silence, punctuated by frantic yelling from outside the window. Alex was about to look out when Sirius said, his tone colder than Alex had ever heard him speak, "Alex, I know you don't want to say who gave you those bruises, but this habit of hiding your problems in order to not upset us has got to stop." He held up a hand as Alex tried to retort. "Sure, you tell us all about your life, except the important stuff. I sometimes wonder if we are actually friends, or if we're best mates in name only."
Alex felt his blood boil. "You're the same way, Sirius! You barely talk about what's happened to you over the summer when we see you again at the start of each year. Not this one, it seems, but you know you were a bloody pulp at the beginning of third year. You hid that from us. You didn't want to talk about it, so why should I?" snapped Alex angrily. "Also, you call me a playboy? You snog girls left and right, and never consider anyone's feelings but your own! You have a new bird each week, and you wonder why Lily looks at you like you're scum. It has to stop, mate!" yelled Alex, breathing heavily.
"They don't matter," Sirius spoke quietly, his voice starting to go up in volume. "Not like you all matter to me. We're brothers!"
"If we're brothers, you need to grow up, mate!" said Alex. His tone was a bit more gentle now, as he saw that the other boy was on the verge of tears. He sighed. "There has to be a better way of coping than smoking, Pads," he said gently. "Or snogging girls left and right. Just talk to us mate. You're putting on an act, and it's only damaging your reputation!" said Alex, shaking his head.
Sirius shook with anger and started speaking with a dangerous calmness. "This isn't about me, this is about you. Can't you see that we all care about you? That your silence is hurting all of us?"
Alex stopped speaking and looked down, realizing the other boy had a point. He sighed a bit. "I-" he began, but his voice sounded weak and shaky. He felt his eyes become wet behind his glasses. "It hurts me, and it hurts Remus. I don't want to see him like that, and I know you don't either."
Alex sighed. "You're right, mate. I'll try to be more open with all of you. But you have to promise me something in return." This conversation with Sirius was proving to be a very draining one. Sirius turned and looked at him.
"What?" he replied as they heard footsteps walk up the stairs. Alex took a deep breath and whispered "Grow the fuck up this year, and tell Remus you fancy him." He looked deadly serious; his resemblance to his grandfather Wilhelm was a lot more apparent when he became angry.
"How did you figure that out?" asked Sirius, bright red now, with a shocked look on his face. Alex laughed a bit, then said "Come on! Has the handsome playboy Black fallen for the modest goody-two-shoes Remus?" Sirius flipped him off. "Lovely." he said sarcastically, as Sirius grinned. Sirius replied. "Let's make a bet then, shall we? If I get together with Remus before the year is out, we get to shove you into a closet with Lily." He smirked as Alex went red. "Fine and if I manage to get Evans to break a few of the rules this year, then I get half your sweets for the rest of the time we're at Hogwarts. Also, I can impose a snogging ban on you two." Alex offered. In response, Sirius scrunched his eyebrows contemplatively, but then said "Deal." The two shook hands.
They heard the footsteps of the others draw closer, and then the door started to creak open. Alex quickly snagged the cigarette from Sirius and took a deep draw. Remus opened the door and immediately wrinkled his nose, the cigarette smoke offending his heightened senses. "When did you become a delinquent, Alex?" Remus said disdainfully. "It reeks in here."
Chapter 6
(September- October 1975)
The rest of the summer slipped by, with day-long Quidditch bouts, lying around lazily in the sun, and late night talks with James. The morning of September the first dawned too quickly. The Marauders walked towards the barrier between platforms nine and ten, as they had done every year, talking and laughing. Alex ran through the barrier, James at his side, only to be elbowed rudely by a greasy haired boy as soon as he got onto the platform. The boy turned around.
"Ahh, Potter! Notice anything?" asked Snape with a cruel smile on his pale face. Alex's eyes were drawn to the shiny new Slytherin prefect's badge on Snape's scrawny chest. "I'm warning you- get in my way and I shall make this year so unpleasant you shall be begging to die a painful death" Snape said softly, smirking. Alex stepped forward. "Listen here, slimeball! Mess with one of my mates, and you'll be cleaning out chamber pots in the hospital wing with no magic for the year!" Alex drew his own badge from his back pocket. Snape went pale then said "Wait, if you're the male prefect for Gryffindor, then you'll be doing rounds with-" He snapped his mouth shut. Alex wondered who Snape was referring to, when he noticed a red haired girl running towards them with a Gryffindor prefect's badge pinned onto her robes.
"Lily!" said Alex, finishing Snape's sentence. This was the icing on the cake. He both got to see Snape's enraged face and have private time with Lily all school year! "Aww, is someone going to cry?" said Sirius when Lily joined Snape. She looked incredulously at the badge in Alex's hand. Alex noticed she had gotten tanner from a summer spent in the sun of Brighton. He couldn't help but think it suited her. "Hello Lily! We're prefects together!" he said, waving his badge at her.
"I, um, I thought Remus would be Prefect" she stammered, a bit pink fromAlex's enthusiastic welcome. Alex's smile became wider as he spotted her cheeks. Snape, who had been watching this exchange, snapped. "Well at least I earned my badge, unlike some people" he snarled. Alex glared at the boy, as James said in a mock thoughtful tone "How do Slytherins determine their prefects? Who slips Slughorn the best bribe and knows the most dark curses, perhaps?"
"Alex is the best at defense in our year, Sev. He more than earned the badge!" said Lily, putting her hand on Snape's shoulder to placate him. "Congratulations, Alexander! We'll have to set aside our differences, since we're working together." she said, holding her hand out towards Alex, ignoring Snape's dark look. Alex smiled and took her hand. She gazed into his blue eyes. Snape grabbed Lily's hand. "Come on Lily, let's find a compartment-" he began, when Alex raised an eyebrow. "Firstly, unhand her. It's rude to grab a lady like that, and you know it. Secondly, I believe that for the first prefect meeting, you must be with your assigned partner." Snape groaned while Alex grinned. As Snape stormed off, Sirius waved "Adios, señor!" blowing a kiss at the glaring Slytherin. Alex felt a tug on his hand, and he turned to see Lily had not let go. "Come on, Alex! We shouldn't be late." she said, her cheeks still pink. James smiled. "Come find us after the meeting, mate!" He went and took Alex's trunk, as Alex followed Lily to the first compartment of the train. It was quite spacious with two booths facing a central table. Alex sat down with Lily across from him. "Nice tan, Lily." he said awkwardly. Lily smiled. "Why thank you! At least someone appreciates it. Sev thinks it doesn't look good with my hair." "Nah, it brings out the color of your eyes" Alex said in a dreamy fashion. He felt Lily punch his shoulder. "Knock it off! That look makes me feel weird." said Lily with her cheeks reddened. "Really, though, why did you become a prefect? You're really not the responsible type."
Alex smirked "To corrupt you, Lily Evans! You have been a goody two shoes for far too long!" he said jokingly. As he did so Lily rolled her eyes, and snorted out "I would like to see you try!" Alex responded more seriously. "Truthfully, I have no idea why. McGonagall obviously thought I would be the best for the position, but Remus is right there, and I-" He cut himself off as he caught Lily giving him a look. "Alex, I meant what I said back on the platform, you know. It wasn't just to shut Sev up. I genuinely believe that you are the best Gryffindor for the job." Alex blushed, looking down at his lap. "Thank you, Lily." he said with a smile. Things descended into silence for a bit until the train started to move and Lily spoke up, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Let's see if you can 'corrupt' me this year. If you can get me to break any school rules, I'll be very surprised." she stated. Alex grinned. "If you get tempted by the Marauders' ways, then you go on a date with me to Hogsmeade. My choice of place." He saw her cheeks tinge pink again. Lily nodded. She appeared to think for a few minutes, then made up her mind about something and smirked cheekily. "But, if I reform you into more responsible actions you must apologize to Snape for everything that you've done to him for the past four years, and be nice to him for one full year." Alex sputtered. 'Evans, that goes against the Marauders code of honor!" he protested. "Take it or leave it, Alex." she said sharply, a hint of humor in her eyes. Alex then shot back "Alright, as you've raised the stakes, I am going to add something to your wager. If I win, you snog me in the great hall." "No" said Lily, now as red as her hair. "It's a fair deal, Lily. Take it or leave it." he smirked widely.
"Are you two lovebirds done?" asked a boy's voice and Alex turned to see Frank Longbottom, this year's head boy, and a friend of his, grinning at the two of them. Alex went red, but he noticed Lily nodding her head confidently, accepting the deal, out of the corner of his eye. A short while later, the prefects from the rest of the four houses crowded into the carriage.
"Welcome, new fifth year prefects! As you know, you have been granted a great privilege and responsibility. The safety of the younger students is now in your hands. Most of you gathered here have been made prefect because you excelled in a particular field of coursework, and can tutor the younger years. This means that all prefects must work together regardless of house. I will not hear of inter-House spats between prefects with younger students caught in the middle. We are role models-" began Frank. Alex started tuning out, privately thinking that working with Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw was not the problem. The problem was the Slytherin prefects. Slytherin was a hive of dark magic and stupid standards of blood purity. Alex was about to ask a question, but Frank continued. "Due to the current state of the wizarding world, Hogwarts will be hosting a small group of American aurors to provide protection to the student population. I encourage you to tell your charges not to make a fool of themselves in front of them. They are not as forgiving as Her Majesty's own Auror department.''Alex whispered to Lily "The only people he has to remind are the Slytherins. Gryffindor and the other houses shouldn't have a problem. "The nearby 'Puffs and Ravens overheard this, and nodded in agreement with him. When the meeting ended, Alex started heading towards the Marauders compartment, when he heard Lily call his name.
"Alex! Would you like to share a compartment with me? I can't find Mary or Marlene anywhere." she asked. Alex nodded, feeling his stomach flipping. "Yeah, why not." he said to Lily. They walked into the nearby empty compartment, sitting down across from each other. They sat in silence for a while before Alex smiled. "Americans coming to the rescue again, eh?" he said. Lily looked at him. "More like trigger happy cowboys. That's what my father calls them, anyway. He knows better than me, having served with them in the last war."
Alex smiled "That may be so, but they have some cool music." He leaned back with a grin. He told her "The newest Wizarding parody of a muggle song says muggleborns aren't fortunate as they aren't pureblood sons-" He stopped abruptly at Lily's incensed facial expression.
"So, I'm 'not fortunate' to be born a muggleborn, am I?" asked Lily in a deadly calm voice. Alex paled then quickly said "No, I didn't mean it that way!" His attempt to calm her down failed to work. "Then how did you mean it?" she snapped coldy. Alex was about to try to placate her again when Lily added "I would like you to remember your father was a muggleborn. You're not pureblood yourself." Alex sighed. "Lily, calm down for a second and let me talk." he said coolly. Alex was certain anything he said regarding the song would tick off her even more, so he searched desperately for a way to change the , at that moment the sweets trolley came.
"Anything from the trolley, dears?" asked the kindly woman pushing the trolley. Alex got to his feet at once. Remembering Remus's talk with him that summer, he looked at Lily. "Lily, do you want anything?" She looked at him a trifle coolly, still upset from their discussion, but replied courteously enough. "Oh, you don't have to get me anything,"Alex replied. "No, I insist!" Lily looked at him, raising one eyebrow at his eagerness. "Fine then, Mr. Charming. Two licorice wands, a pack of Bertie Botts, three chocolate frogs, and a pack of Droobles'." She had a cheeky look on her face. Alex paled at how much he had to pay. As he dropped his last cent of change into the trolley witch's outstretched hand, he turned and looked at Lily. After the witch had left, he dumped her huge order next to her. "I hope Her Majesty is satisfied." he said sarcastically and Lily giggled. "More than!"At that moment, Mary walked into the compartment with Marlene. Alex smiled, and seeing that Lily was in good company, he waved to the girls and left the compartment. He finally found the marauders in their normal compartment at the back of the train and slumped into a seat next to Remus.
"That bad?" asked James a few moments later as Alex looked up and opened his eyes. "Oh, you have no idea. But, one good thing- me and Lily have made a deal." Remus and the other boys looked at him curiously. Alex replied "Well, if I make goody two shoes Lily Evans into breaking at least one school rule by the end of the year she goes out with me, starting with a snog in the Great Hall." Remus suddenly looked worried. "Alex, I can't believe you did that! You can't force a girl to go out with or kiss you." he said warily. Alex replied. "She agreed to it Moony" he told him. "But actually, there was another interesting thing brought up at the prefect meeting- apparently, there will be American aurors at Hogwarts to protect us this year."
"Yankee Doodle went to town a'riding on a pony... But seriously, Yanks? What do they know about fighting Voldemort? They've been happily ignoring us for the past 200 years." said Sirius tiredly. James seemed to agree, adding "They'd be happier shooting spells at us first and asking questions later." he said with a sigh. "This is going to make it so much harder to sneak out to the Shrieking Shack every full moon."
Alex stared at his friend. "James, they're amazing wizards- they managed to defeat us in their War of Independence. They're here to help us. Why not give them the proper respect?" he said, crossing his arms over his chest. James argued back "Technically, it was American Muggles that took on our army, not their wizards." Each of the boys sank back into their own thoughts for a bit, until Alex interrupted the silence again. "Mates, I need ideas for how I can get Lily to break a rule-" he began, when their compartment was shoved open. "ALEXANDER! You never responded to any of my letters this summer! Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?" yelled a Ravenclaw girl with long brown hair and black eyes that were currently flashing with rage at Alex. Alex groaned internally.
"I was a bit busy trying not to get my rear busted for writing to you. You have to understand, with what I have as a sister." Alex tried to explain, but Victoria snarled "That's no excuse not to write for an idiot that owns an owl!"Alex slumped back into his seat. He supposed he could have responded to her letters once he was staying at James's house with the rest of the Marauders, but the thought truly had not crossed his mind. He heard Sirius speak up "Hey listen here, Vicky. When someone is trying not to upset an abusive relative, they can't write all the time. In fact, you should have been more understanding towards the situation your boyfriend was in." Victoria seemed to take this in with a huff, then softened. "It's fine. So tell me about your summer, Alex!"
Alex decided to be honest, or as honest as he could be, anyway. "Well, after I escaped my sister I went to the Evans house-" he began. She glared. "Evans. As in Lily Evans." Her voice began to soften dangerously. "So, you refused my invitation to come meet my parents, went to another girl's place, and didn't answer my letters even though you could have once you were out of your house. How could you?" She narrowed her eyes. "You know, I'm not sure this relationship is working all that well. When we got together last year, we agreed that communication was the key to a good relationship. But now look." She gestured between the two of them. "No communication. This is exactly what we said we wouldn't do. You know what you are, Alex? You're as bad as your grandfather. The supposed 'Kaiser of Germany'. He too had his secrets and lies." Alex was about to retort but slammed his mouth shut at the words. After it became clear Victoria had said all she wanted to say, James spoke in a soft and dangerous tone. "Get the hell out of our compartment." His brown eyes flashed dangerously. Victoria looked at James "I don't understand why you're defending him. He's been a shitty boyfriend all summer, which even you should be able to recognize." Remus stood up. "Please leave now" he said politely but with a measured coldness that betrayed him to be at the end of his patience to anyone who knew him. Alex then looked at Victoria "You know what, Vicky? I agree. We don't work together anymore. This is over, period. Now please leave this compartment." Victoria, with tears in her eyes, turned with a swish of her cape, slammed the door of the compartment, and flounced off down the passage. Alex sighed and leaned back in his seat again. Remus looked at him. "Alex. I know you don't want to hear this, but Victoria was right. You could have written to her at any time during the summer holidays, yet haven't. You haven't been a good boyfriend." Alex put his head in his hands. "I've heard it already, and I know. You don't need to tell me again." Things were quiet for the rest of the train ride.
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Alex saw the familiar sign for the Hogsmeade station a few hours later. Seeing the sign, he stood up to change into his Hogwarts robes. As he was doing so, he heard a horrified gasp come from the direction of Peter. He turned to see James was wearing boxers with pictures of puppies on them. He couldn't help but laugh.
"Nice shorts, Prongs," he said between giggles, while Sirius and Peter, who had also seen the trousers, did the same. As they disembarked from the train, Alex saw an auror in green robes with white blond hair and pale skin. She was wearing the American flag on her right sleeve, and was directing the first years. She seemed to be rather kind, as she was in the process of helping a first year who had somehow fallen from the last step of the train. He also noted the cowboy hat on her head, and what seemed to be a muggle firearm on her waist belt.
"Huh, wonder how well that Muggle weapon will work around Hogwarts" said Alex nudging Remus as they walked towards the carriages. Remus replied, contemplatively; "You're right- it shouldn't work, since Muggle technology goes haywire around Hogwarts. There must be some sort of wards around it for it to function. Maybe they were cast into the metal as it was being molded? I should go to the library and look…" He continued in this vein for the entire carriage ride to Hogwarts, with James and Peter chiming in at various points while Alex and Sirius looked out the windows, lost in their own thoughts.
Alex walked into the Great hall a few moments later the hall was its usual self with candles over the ceiling and a weathered and battered hat on a stool before the professors table. He sat next to James as they made small chat over the coming year before the doors off the hall opened and in walked the line of first years. It was at this moment Alex noticed the Headmaster's seat was vacant.
"Prongs Professor Dumbledore isn't here, he is always here at the start of the term feast" he said with a hint of alarm in his voice as James looked over and his eyes widened as well. "I dunno mate, could he be in his office and perhaps forgotten the time? I mean Dumbledore is old" said Sirius with a frown. Alex looked at Sirius in disbelief "Sirius Dumbledore is always here on time" he said when he heard a voice that made him groan internally. It was one he had shrugged off last summer he hopped.
"Brother dear there you are! Here I was hoping the whomping willow crushed you flat" said the voice of Catrin in his ear. Alex took a deep breath then retorted "Pity you didn't get arrested by aurors this summer sister I wouldn't have missed the trial for anything I assure you" he said with a cold glare on his face. As his sister opened her mouth to retort Alex got there first "Please return to your seat or I shall be forced to put you into detention" he said in what he hoped was a firm reprimand but it sounded squeaky and not terrifying in the slightest. His sister laughed and went to sit next to Bellatrix at the Slytherin table. "Oh lookie brother dear a prefect. I shall have to watch myself" cooed Catrin in a false affectionate voice. "Catrin I suggest you leave before I put you in detention prefect or not" snapped a cold voice. Alex turned to see Lily glaring at the taller girl with her fingers in her pocket and Alex knew they were gripping her wand. "Alright Mudblood I shall leave have fun brother dear" snorted Catrin before walking off as Alex had to be held back by James.
The feast and sorting seemed to drag on as desserts finally appeared on the tables. The side door of the hall next to the teachers table slammed open. In walking Professor Dumbledore he was covered in mud, seemed exhausted and had a bloody gash on above his left brow. His glasses were lopsided. Alex nudged James at once who looked up and spotted the headmaster. Unfortunately the younger years had by now noticed the state of the headmaster and were muttering nervously amongst themselves. Alex knew he had to step up now to his role as a prefect showing that he truly was the right choice for the badge.
"Professor Dumbledore will be fine. He is tougher then he looks" said Alex loudly to the younger years that were muttering darkly. "But he seems hurt" squeaked a first year. Alex looked at him "It's only a scratch don't worry" he said gently as he reached for a chocolate tart nearest to him. He then turned to James "This isn't a good mate. Americans needed for more protection, Dumbledore bursting injured into the feast like this. It's a sign it's growing worse out there" he whispered when the desserts disappeared and Professor Dumbledore stood up with his arms open as if to embrace the entire school.
"Good evening to all of you. To our youngest newest students I say welcome to your new home. To our more wise and experienced hands I say welcome home" began Professor Dumbledore; there was a ripple of appreciative chuckle from the hall. Professor Dumbledore smiled appreciatively then continued once it had died down "Alas the hour grows late so I shall endeavor to keep this brief. Firstly I shall state it that the dark forest on the edge of the grounds is forbidden to all students as is the whomping willow. Some of our older hands would do well to remember this as well" Alex could feel Professor Dumbledore's eyes flick over to the direction of him and his friends. He and James exchanged small smiles with Remus Sirius and Peter. Dumbledore gave the usual notices then suddenly became serious "Magic is forbidden in the corridors as always reminds me to restate that fact to you at the beginning of every year. But I would like to add this is a school a place of learning and growth not a battleground therefore the magic ban shall be more enforced this year. On that note we are all worthy to study here. I shall not tolerate hatred towards any student regardless of their origin. You are all young witches and wizards and I shall expect as such when you conduct yourselves in your daily affairs. But for now it is time to turn in for the night. So off to bed pip pip" finished Professor Dumbledore. Alex saw the others leave and James stood up and followed Sirius out of the hall not before resting a hand on Alex's shoulder with a "See you in the dorm mate." as he walked off.
"First years follow me please" called Lily's voice in an affirmative way Alex stood up and watched the first years follow them. Walking next to Lily they seemed very small, almost half their height. Alex turned and decided to raise the mood from the state of the headmaster. "As you can tell Hogwarts is" he began when a little voice squeaked "Wait my brother told me you were the one that set off the firecrackers in the headmasters office last year" said a little first year boy, his face looking at Alex in awe. Alex turned and took a bow ignoring Lily's tired look as Alex replied "Yes it's me" he said and the boy laughed "Well and they make you perfect" he said as there was more laughter from the crowd. Lily spoke "While my partner Alex here has had a lot of adventures they are not safe nor encouraged in this current state" she said informatively. Alex rolled his eyes as they continued to walk he whispered to Lily "Lily you really have to lighten up. You go this way they will hate you as the sticker of rules prefect" he told her softly. "Oh is this a feeble attempt at our bargain Mr. Charming you will have to do better than that" she said with a cheeky smile as Alex's cheek went pink. "Quit it with Mr. Charming '' said Alex but it was not that stern as Lily grinned and replied''No ``. "Fine Mrs. Prefect have it your way" began Alex when suddenly there were a few chairs floating in midair before they reached the common room. Alex grinned "Peeves I know it's you kindly put the chairs down mate" said Alex as Lily looked at him incredulously. There was the sound of a loud raspberry being blown and a ghost of a little man with a top hat and striped trousers appeared in front of them. "Lookie what I see. Little Alexy all grown up and apparently not a troublesome brat anymore how sad" cracked the poltergeist blowing a raspberry at Alex who only smiled. "Peeves I am still friends with James and the others just have more responsibility that's all besides I think Mr Filch just cleaned the great hall some fresh mud would look lovely" replied Alex with a grin as Peeves crackled "Well Mr Perfect I shall do as you say for now. Off I go" he saluted Alex and the chairs were put down. "How on earth Alex and don't encourage him to make more trouble" asked Lily astonished her eyes widened in surprise then narrowed as they reached the fat lady Alex laughed "It's a trick we mastered in third year Mrs. Prefect" he bowed to her with a smirk as Lily gave the password to the fat lady and they climbed into the common room. Lily turned "I am Lily Evans, your fifth year female perfect. This is my partner-" she began when Alex stepped forward and bowed "Alexander Wilhem von Hohenzollern but call me Alex at your humble service." said Alex, his lips twitching at a quiet huff from Lily. Alex laughed a bit as he let Lily give the briefing she was more qualified than he was. But his mind flashed back to an argument he and Catrin had in the summer.
"Never forget it Brother you're the reason mum and dad argued day in day out. You're the reason they were about to split up!" the crackle of his sister still filled his ears.
"Alex" said a voice and he snapped out of his thoughts to see Peter looking at him concerned. "Is everything alright mate?" he squeaked. Alex rearranged his features into a convincing smile as he replied "Yeah nothings wrong here" he told the smaller boy as he changed into pajamas and closed his curtains falling into a deep but troubled sleep.
Chapter 7: Teammates and tests
(September 2- October 1975)
The next day dawned rainy as the first night with the occasional thunder it was a type of day Alex wished he could stay in bed. But alas it was now the first day of the dreaded O.W.L year and he was not looking forward to it. With a grumble he got out of bed and went to get dressed for the day. When he noticed his eyes seemed red. He must have cried in his sleep, something that he hoped his friends would not notice. He quickly walked downstairs and sat on the couch, his mind still reeling from the nightmare of his sister. He reached into his pocket and took out a small pack of cigarettes. Taking out one small white tube and lighting it with a flick of his wand taking in a drag. He exhaled smoke and sighed as he felt himself calm down a bit. He sighed listening to the rain spatter on the windows enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. Alex was lost to his thoughts for a bit of time when Athena Lily's black cat leapt onto his lap purring as he scratched her behind the ears absentmindedly putting out the cigarette when he heard footsteps from the dorms. Alex turned and saw Remus walking towards him as he sat down next to Alex.
"Alex have you been smoking again mate" he asked, raising a brow in his direction as Alex shrugged "It calms me down." he said tiredly as he had not slept well the night before.
"It's a nasty habit mate, you should stop it while you can," Remus added after a few moments of silence. Alex sighed and nodded "Alright Remus I shall try to stop" he smiled at the shorter boy. As the two sat for a bit more time before a crash and sounds of a scuffle sounded from the dorm and James walked down looking a bit harassed, his quidditch captain's badge on his robes, his hair a mess. He smiled and said loudly
"Morning mates" ignoring the glares shot by Alex and Remus at the boy at the same time. James was a morning person, a type of personality that crashed with Alex's more reserved nature and also the fact that he did not wake up until after tea, Alice Blackburn was in a foul mood for James being loud and waking her up, she noticed he wasn't around and figured he was with his friends which pissed her off, she hated him hanging out with his friends, his attention was hers and hers alone.
"You idiot what did I say about talking with your friends and being around them" snapped Alice as James turned and his face paled "Come on their like my brothers I was only wishing them a good morning" sputtered James as Alex exchanged a look with Remus who's eyebrow rose. "Very funny, seems like you were doing more than that, come on idiot" she said it in such a way that Alex winced it was not the good type of idiot the one he used many times with his friends. He observed silently wondering when to step in if James needed him. He didn't have to wait long when there was a loud smack. Alex stood up with Remus as the latter saw a red handprint on James's face.
"Oi '' snapped an enraged voice as Sirius Black with his face darkened with anger stepped between Alice and James. "You do not touch my friend like that '' growled Sirius. As Alex stepped up and put a gentle hand on James's shoulder "Come on Prongs lets get you to the hospital wing before breakfast" he suggested softly. Putting an arm around his friend's shoulders a bit surprised when James leaned into it at once. The two walked to the hospital wing where a harassed looking Madam Pomfrey healed James's cheek with some bruise salve at once and sent them on their way to breakfast. At the end of the first day Alex collapsed exhausted onto the couch in the Gryffindor common room. Sirius sighed "Murder by homework thats all this bloody year is going to be" he exclaimed as he sat next to Alex. "Two essays in defense and charms a parchment on definitions of dark creatures of your choosing, the bowtruckle drawing for Magical creatures and that dream diary for divination" sighed James. Alex had not taken care of magical creatures but muggle studies and divination. "Well let's get started" said Remus cheerfully as the other boys looked at him in disbelief.
"How can you be so happy about doing homework?" James asked, taking out his quill and textbooks. Remus laughed a bit "Because the faster we finish the more time Alex gets with a certain lady and you get to plan quidditch strategies after all you are the Captain" he smirked in a way that Alex could tell he knew about something he was not telling them.
Lily came in near tears and they guys sat up. "Lily what's wrong?" asked Remus at once a concerned look on his face as Alex looked up from where he was helping Peter with his defense essay. James and Sirius putting down their work and exchanging looks. As Lily did not say anything nor acknowledge them and went straight up to her dorm. There was an awkward silence interrupted when Alex saw his owl Ares tapping on the window a letter in his beak. Alex opened the window to let the exhausted bird in. There were congratulations from his grandfather for having been made perfect. Alex set it aside and then saw two other letters. He opened the first one that had a seal of the American magical congress as he was informed by Remus and was a letter from a candidate running for minister of magic in the States. Alex read the letter twice then put it aside when he picked up the final one. He opened it and read aloud.
"Dear Alexander I am a friend. I was quite astonished that you have been made perfect for Gryffindor house perhaps you are not as dim witted as my sources make you out to be. My name is Tom Riddle, I am at your service if you need anything at all just write back and I shall endeavour to reply.`` When he finished Remus remarked "Well that's cryptic and worded for the ordinary bloke not to understand." he took the letter from Alex with a frown.
"I dunno Remus then there is this letter from someone named Wallace Rosevelt he seems to be running for the American ministry" continued Alex as he set the wet parchments aside stroking Ares's head gently with a finger. The boy's set to work and the first week passed in a haze of working long nights and prefect duty. Alex was glad when he awoke on the first weekend of the term. Luckily they had managed to get all their homework finished so he was looking forward to quidditch tryouts James had scheduled for the first week of term.