QUIDDITCH GAME AND A BLACK PAST

It was Sunday morning. Alex was in the great hall, having breakfast at the Gryffindor table. She was sitting with Neville, helping him with some potions homework they have to hand the next day.

- See? It's not that hard once you get it.

- You're right…but I can't focus in class…

- Why not?

- Professor Snape is pretty scary…

- I totally agree with that. Just…avoid looking him in the eyes. - Alex smiled as she was trying to make Neville feel more comfortable.

- Thanks, Alex. I'll go to the common room to leave the homework before I lose it. - with that, Neville left towards the Gryffindor common room. Alex kept on having breakfast on her own, until one of the redhead twins sat next to her.

- Morning, Slytherin pup! Do you mind if I sit here?

- Not at all, but I'm not a pup, you know?

- Haha, sorry. Last time we talked you didn't tell me your name. - he had a grin on his face.

- Something tells me you already know, since a lot of people around here stare when I walk into a room.

- Maybe you're right…but I'd rather get your name from you, like normal people do. - Alex smiled at him.

- Alexa Black, but everyone calls me Alex - she shook his hand, and noticed his clothes. It was the quidditch uniform. - Ready for the game today, Fred?

- I'm always rea…wait. Did you call me Fred because you know I'm Fred or you tried to guess? - he seemed pretty confused. Alex couldn't help but laugh.

- I know you are Fred. It's pretty obvious.

- Pretty obvious? My mother, who gave birth to us, confuses us all the time.

- Haha, it's the little details.

- Like what? - he was truly curious.

- Your brother has a moll in the neck that you don't. Also, your voices are different. - Fred was smiling in disbelief. Suddenly, he turned serious.

- Well, nice try, but I'm sorry to tell you…I'm George. - in that instant, the other twin showed up.

- Hey, Fred! We need to go, the match will start soon. - Fred's face turned into a sigh. - Oh, morning, slythergirl!

- Morning, George. - she said, trying to hold her laugh.

- She prefers Alex, George. - Fred looked at Alex with a grin and a look that said "you got me". He got up and started walking away with his brother. - Hope you'll cheer for us!

- Not a chance! I'm loyal to my colours! - with that, the twins vanished through the great door and Alex stood there, smiling.

She kept on eating her breakfast, when the mail arrived. A letter landed in front of her. "Uncle Remus". It had been more than a month since she wrote to him, asking about her parents and her last name. Would he give her an answer? She grabbed the envelope, shaking. She opened it, revealing Remus's calligraphy and the truth…

"My dear Alex. It'd taken me some time to write this letter. What you asked has not a simple answer, or an easy one. Before anything else, I want you to know that I love you, and if I never told you this was because I wanted to protect you. I wanted you to grow up happy, with no ghosts on your back. You don't deserve it. That's also the reason why I usually never talked about your parents. I wanted to keep you away from the truth, but I didn't want to lie either…I know that once you know, you'll be mad at me, and you'll probably won't write back, but deep down, I hope you'll understand….

Here's the truth. Your father, my friend…he did some bad things. He betrayed his friends and joined he who must not be named. He killed people. Innocent people. He was sentenced to Azkaban for life. But he's gone. However, his name granted him a certain fame. I guess that's why some students stare at you…This is not how I wanted you to hear from this…I never wanted you to hear from this. And I'm sorry I kept you in the dark all these years, and I'm sorry you had to learn this from a letter.

Your mother, on the other hand, died fighting against the death eaters, he who must not be named followers. She was a brave woman, and an incredible human being. And so was your father, before his judgement darkened.

I know how hard it is. All of it. And once again, I'm sorry. My apologies won't be enough, I know…Please, write me back, even if it's just to insult me. I just wanted to protect you, Alex…I love you, and…sorry."

…Cold. That's what she felt. Cold. She wasn't shaking. She couldn't. Alex was completely paralyzed. She kept her eyes on the letter. "Betrayer and a killer". She blinked. Tears started falling from her eyes. Everything was quiet around her. Or maybe not, but she heard nothing. "Betrayer and a killer". She looked up from the letter. Her eyes were lost. It was like she was expecting to find something or someone, but there was no one, except for the students eating and talking. "Alex?". Did someone call her? She wasn't sure…But there was one thing she was sure about. "Eyes". There were some people looking at her. "It's because you're crying". That's what she thought at first. "No, it's because of him…betrayer and a killer".

- Alex? Are you okay? - someone was talking to her, now it was clear. Hermione was standing up from her seat next to Harry and Ron. The three of them were looking at her, worried. Everyone was looking at her. At least that's how it felt.

Before Hermione could come any closer, Alex grabbed the letter, and started walking away. Running. She could hear Hermione from behind her, calling her name. She couldn't face her. Not at that moment. She kept on running. She didn't know where she was heading. She didn't care either. Her mind was blurry. She was a mess. All of her life…everything was a lie. Well, not everything. She was an orphan, that was true. But her parents didn't just die. "She died fighting the death eaters…no, she was murdered, no matter that uncle Remus tried to make it sound better.". Was her murderer still around? Who did it? Did they have what they deserve? Anger. Her blood was boiling. She was mad. "He lied to me. How could he lie to me? I hate him". She was mad at uncle Remus for not telling her the truth. She was mad at him for telling her the truth at that moment. She was mad at her mother for getting into a war. She was mad at her father for being a traitor and a murderer. She was mad at the Malfoys for taking her away from Remus. She was mad at the rest of the students for judging her for something she didn't do or even know about. She was mad at herself for being mad. And sad. And hurt. So hurt…

She had walked around the castle without being aware of her steps. She found herself standing on a big tower. The astronomy tower. There was a lot of wind up there. It made a loud sound. That was good, she wouldn't be able to hear her own head. And people wouldn't be able to hear her cry, or even scream. She sat on the stairs, looking towards the horizon. From there, she could watch part of the castle, and also the lake. The wind dragged some cheering and screams, probably from the Quidditch field. Alex cried, alone, till her eyes hurt. She hugged her own knees, and hid her head between them.

Time passed, she wasn't sure how long, but she started shivering. It was late and cold. It was time for her to go back. Alex walked down from the astronomy tower, walked around the halls, where some students were wandering. She arrived at the great hall. Students were getting ready for dinner. But she wasn't hungry. She was tired. And cold. She kept her way down to the dungeons. When she arrived at the common room, it was empty. She went upstairs and put on her pyjamas. Then, she walked back down, grabbed a blanket, and sat on the floor, next to one of the giant windows that showed the lake underwater. Alex stayed there, warming herself up with the blanket, until the rest of the Slytherin students walked in the room. They didn't notice her, and if they did, they ignored her. After all, she hadn't made many friends from her house. "Draco". Just as his name ran through her mind, the blond boy sat next to her.

- Where have you been? I've been looking for you all day long! - he looked somehow mad. But as soon as Alex looked at him and he saw her puffy red eyes, his expression softened. He placed his hand on her shoulder. - Are you okay?

- I'm sorry…I didn't want to worry you… - Draco shook his head, worry in his eyes. - Remember that my uncle Remus wrote to me? When I answered…I asked him about why some people around here looked at me funny. Like something was off… - Draco nodded slowly. He knew what she was talking about. He had noticed those looks on her.

- Did he write you back?

- He did…this morning… - Alex looked outside the window, as a single tear started falling from her eyes. Draco got closer to her. She started to speak lower. - My father…he killed innocent people. He joined he who must not be named. And my mother… - her voice broke for a second. Draco was listening carefully, not knowing what to say. - My mother was killed by other of his followers…

She started crying again. She couldn't digest all of that information in one day. It was too painful. Draco decided to hug his friend. It was all he could do. No words would be enough. And even if they were, they were just children. They couldn't understand any of that, even if they tried. Other students looked at them, but no one said anything. As the night started falling, the students headed to their dorms. They were alone in the room. Draco was holding her while Alex's head rested on his shoulder. She wasn't crying anymore. But they were silent.

- How did it go? - Alex asked. Draco was startled.

- What do you mean?

- The Quidditch game…Did we win?

- Oh…No…We were doing pretty good but Potter grabbed the snitch and it was over… - Draco changed his tone when he talked about Harry and his friends. He didn't like him at all. - It won't make you sad since you are friends with those Gryffindors… - Alex laughed. At some other time, she would have looked annoyed, but after that day, Draco's stupid behaviour and his "jealousy" towards the Gryffindors make her laugh.

- Don't worry, Draco. - she looked at him. - You'll always be my favourite.

Next morning came, and Alex was having breakfast at the Slytherin table, next to Draco. He had taken care of her all night. He had baggy eyes. They hadn't talked about it. They didn't need to. Alex knew Draco was her friend, and he cared for her. And he knew Alex didn't want to talk about it, not anymore. It would only cause her pain. Once breakfast was over, they headed towards their first class of the day. On their way, the Gryffindor trio stopped Alex.

- Alex! Wait! - she turned around to see Hermione, followed by Harry and Ron. Draco nodded at Alex, and he kept on walking.

- Morning, guys! - Alex smiled at them. She didn't feel like smiling but she didn't want to share the news with them.

- Are you okay? Yesterday you looked pale and you disappeared without saying a thing. - Hermione was clearly worried.

- Yeah, and you were also crying… - Ron added.

- I'm fine! It was just…breakfast didn't suit me well. I wanted to puke, and since I didn't want to do it in front of the entire school, I ran away. I'm sorry for worrying you. After that, I went to my common room and stayed in bed all day. - the trio looked more relieved, but it was obvious that Hermione didn't believe any of that. However, she didn't insist. The four of them kept their way to classes.

They told her what had happened at the quidditch game. Someone had cursed Harry's broom. More specifically, Snape. They also talked about Halloween night, about the three headed dog and Snape bloody leg. And they also told her about what Hagrid had told them. Something about Nicholas Flamel and a thing that was being guarded by the big dog.

- Nicholas Flamel? Who is Nicholas Flamel?

- No idea…we'll have to look out for him at the library.