A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! I ONLY OWN THIS PLOT! THANKS TO MY AMAZING AND WONDERFUL BETA ELENA RAIN! THIS CHAPTER IS CO-WRITTEN WITH IM A SKYSCRAPER!
All the adults looked to each other. Was leaving London really what was best for Alex or should she stay here and continue with school?
"Look, I have an idea. It might help Alex feel more comfortable going back to school." Arthur started.
"What's that?"Jerry asked.
"You and your wife should stay here in London for the rest of the semester. That way if something does happen at Hogwarts you will be closer than if you go back to New York."
Jerry and Theresa looked to each other, then to Alex. "How do you feel about that? If your mom and I stay here, would you be more willing to go back to school?"
Alex shrugged softly. "I guess. I don't know."
"Well you need to answer honestly. Your mother and I will stay if it makes you more comfortable but we need to know so we can call home and make reservations at the Sub Shop."
Alex just sighed. She looked to Harry and Justin and Hermione. They all smiled and nodded encouragingly. Alex looked back to her parents and nodded. "Yes, if you stay here I'll go back to school."
Everyone smiled and nodded. "I'll go make the calls." Theresa said asked wondered out of the house.
Everyone had smiles on their faces. If they were all so happy why did Alex still feel so scared?
"Alex, if anyone does anything to make you uncomfortable you tell your teachers right away."Jerry told Alex sternly.
Alex just sighed. "That only makes things worse dad. Then everyone calls you baby."
"Honey, if that's the case, then they are the babies because the most grown up and adult way the handle bullying is to get help."
Alex looked up to her father. "Really?"
Jerry nodded. "Really."
Alex nodded. "Ok, Daddy, I'll try."
"That's my girl."
Jerry kissed her head and hugged her close.
Theresa came back inside and sat down. "It's all set."
"Great, who is going to take care of the shop?" Alex asked.
"Harper and Zeke." Theresa answered.
Alex just nodded. She really missed them both.
"Harper told me to tell you that if you need any cool or crafty outfits to just let her know and she'll send you some new ones she's been working on." Theresa said
Alex giggled. "What's her newest?"
"Water Bottle dress."
Alex laughed harder. Everyone smiled as her being happy again.
The rest of the break was spent laughing and having fun. Nobody spoke of returning to Hogwarts or Ginny either. It was only filled with laughter and fun.
All too soon it was time for everyone to return to Hogwarts. Alex was scared but put on her brave face for her friends and family.
Once they were all seated on the train Justin asked "Are you ok, Alex?"
Alex nodded from her seat next to and cuddled up to Harry. "I'm nervous but I'll be ok. I can avoid her during the day. It's night time I'm most worried about."
"Don't forget you've got me. I won't let her hurt you." Hermione said.
Alex nodded and smiled. "Thanks."
"You don't want to mess with Hermione, she is scary when she gets angry." Ron said seriously.
Alex giggled softly. "I've never seen that."
"You don't want to. The only people who get on my bad side are those who hurt my friends and family. So if someone hurts you I will not go easy on them." Hermione said with a smirk.
Alex giggled again. "Thanks, Hermione."
"No need to thank me."
Alex smiled softly and cuddled back into Harry's chest. She closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
She woke up to the feeling of someone rubbing her back. She smiled softly and looked up and looked around. She groaned when she saw she was back at the school. Everyone chuckled.
"You're going to be fine." Harry told her. "Hermione, Ron, Justin, and I all have your backs."
Alex sighed and nodded. Everyone left the train, Alex was shaking slightly as they walked. Ron was walking in front of her, leading the way, Justin and Harry were on both sides of her and Hermione was behind her so there was a barrier to protect her.
They arrived at the Castle and went to their normal table and sat down in their seats. Food had already been put on the table so they all started to eat.
"Welcome back everyone, I trust you all had a good Holiday break. Now as you eat I have a few announcements to make. Now I've had a request to bring back The Dueling Club. Now as long as there are enough students who like it, we will keep it, but if not than it will be removed again. All of you are required to attend it the first day, after that it's up to you if you want to return."
Harry, Ron and, Hermione all looked at each other and worried.
"What's the Dueling Club?" Alex asked.
"Students use it as a place to practice fighting and spells against each other. Normally for defense spells only but depending on who is fighting it can get…violent." Harry answered. "I had to do it once with Malfoy."
Alex gasped. "Did he hurt you?"
"Not badly, but it's not something I want to do again that's for sure."
"Will Justin and I have to do that?" Alex asked worriedly her voice shaking.
Harry rubbed her back. "I don't know. I honestly don't know. The Professors normally just pick random students."
"I…I don't know a lot of de-defense spells." Alex stuttered.
"Shhh, it's ok. The Professor will understand that."
"Wha-what if…if I get…get paired wi-with Ginny?" Alex stuttered physically shaking again.
"Hey, hey, shhh, relax. You'll be ok. I'm sure Professor McGonagall won't pair you two together. She knows what Ginny did to you." Justin soothed.
For some reason that didn't comfort her at all. She had this strange feeling in her stomach that she was going to have to go up against Ginny and she was going to lose. What if Ginny actually killed her? The thought made Alex gulp and shake more. All she could do was hope and pray she survived the week.
Two days later Alex steps into the Great Hall with Justin, Hermione, Ron and Harry at her side. She sees a long stage with moons covering the top in a line. Surprisingly it's all older students, no first, second or third years. Alex sees Ginny standing in a group laughing with them. Looking to the right, Malfoy is standing alone in the shadows.
'Maybe he feels out of place?' Alex thinks sadly.
"Alright everyone. I am going to pair you up with someone you dislike or fighting with. If I had it my way, it would be with a friend. But sadly the Ministry of Magic told me to do this." Professor McGonagall announces, "Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy."
Alex sees Harry look over at Draco who keeps his face straight and nods.
"Justin Russo and Gregory Goyle."
Alex gulps and feels Hermione grab her hand.
"Hermione Granger and Pavarti Patil."
"Ronald Weasley and Dean Thomas."
Alex's mouth drops open in fear as she sneeks a look at Ginny to find her glaring.
"Alex Russo and..." Alex looks up at Professor McGonagall to see her frowning deeply, "Ginny Weasley."
Malfoy watches worriedly as Professor McGonagall calls Alex's and Ginny's names. He knows for a fact that this will not be good.
'Ginny would surprisingly make a good Death Eater.' Malfoy thinks, 'Alex doesn't deserves this.'
He watches as Hermione and Pavarti take the stage and begin to duel. As they duel he sees Harry, Justin and Ron try to calm the panicking Alex down.
For some reason a pain hits him. He wants to be the one to comfort her.
'Maybe Potter will mess up and I can win Alex's heart?' Malfoy thinks hopeful. 'Wait, what is wrong with me?'
"Potter, Malfoy. You're up." Professor McGonagall calls.
Malfoy and Harry hit the stage after Hermione wins against Pavarti. Ron has won against Deam unknowingly to Malfoy. He was too busy watching Alex.
Alex's tears fall as she watches Harry and Malfoy duel. Justin is up next then it's she and Ginny. She buries her face into Justin's t-shirt as Justin holds her protectively.
Hermione walks over to Professor McGonagall as Ron disappears to talk to Ginny.
"Professor, please! please make Alex duel anyone but Ginny!" Hermione begs, "I can easily go again against Alex and Ginny can duel Ron."
"I'm sorry Ms. Granger, it is out of my control. I can't change them around. Even I want to change it but the Ministry won't allow it." Professor McGonagall replies sadly.
"Can't you just cancel the duel for them?"
"Sadly I cannot."
"Why?"
"Ms. Granger, even you should know that staff has to follow the rules just like students."
"But..." Hermione starts before getting cut off by Harry getting blasted back. Harry fires a spell causing him to win the duel against Malfoy. Neither one of them using dangerous spells.
"Justin, Goyle. you're up."
As both boys climb up onto the stage Hermione sees Alex is alone and is panicking. Hermione sighs and as she walks over, she sees Harry and Ron both talking to Ginny.
"Hey sweetie." Hermione greets Alex, pulling her into a hug.
As Hermione rubs Alex's back, she watches Justin get blasted back, causing Goyle to win the duel.
"Alex, Ginny. You're up."
Hermione feels Alex stiffen up and a small whimper is heard.
"No!" Alex whines.
"Shhh, it's going to be ok Alex. Professor McGonagall will put it to a stop." Hermione whispers.
Alex takes a deep breath before nodding and climbing onto the stage. What no one notices is Professor McGonagall getting pulled out of the Great Hall by Professor Sprout.
Alex watches as Ginny smirks.
"Pay back is a lovely tool Ms. I'm-So-Cool-That-I-Stole-The-Heart-Of-The-Famous-Harry-Potter." Ginny growls.
"Ginny, I did know he was famous but I didn't even want the attention. you can't stop who you fall for."
"You stupid freaking..." Ginny doesn't say anything and just casts a spell.
Alex steps out of the path before casting her own spell.
Ginny chuckles easily dodging.
"You are horrible at this." Ginny quickly disarms Alex, and catches her wand. She snaps it in half before casting the Crucio curse.
As Alex collapses on the stage silently screaming, Justin, Ron, Hermione and Harry freezes in shock.
Malfoy disarms Ginny in a blink of an eye as he climbs onto the stage angrily.
"You are not supposed to curse innocent people Weasley. Surely you know that." Malfoy smirks picking up Ginny's wand and putting it into his pocket, "Get out of here."
Ginny surprisingly does what she is told as Malfoy pulls Alex up and hugs her.
"Shhh, it's ok Alex. You will be ok. It's over now." Malfoy looks at Alex's pained face as tears fall from her borwn eyes. 'Let's get you up to the hospital wing."
Malfoy picks Alex up and begins to take her up to the hospital wing.
Justin, Harry, Ron and Hermione runs over before following Malfoy to the hospital wing, not bothering to say anything or argue. The see the tears fall down Alex's face as she struggles to get her breathing into order.
As they ran after Malfoy they all couldn't help but wonder…why had Malfoy saved her?
A/N So what do you guys think? Why did Malfoy save her? Don't worry, this story 100% Harry and Alex, there will be no Alex/Malfoy. I promise. What did you think? Leave me your thoughts in a review.
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