MAKING AMENDS

A couple days passed by. Draco was recovering from his wound. He had a little fracture on his arm, but nothing to worry about. They were at the great hall, doing some homework. Remus and Snape were keeping watch at the students.

- Does it hurt terribly, Draco? – Pansy was hovering over Draco, as close as possible. And that pissed Alex a lot. She wasn't sure why.

- It comes and goes. Still…I consider myself lucky. According to Madam Pomfrey, another minute or two…and I could've lost the arm. – he loved the drama, and he loved being the centre of attention, even if it was for Pansy.

- No, she didn't say that… - Alex murmured to herself. She was centred on her homework, when suddenly, Seamus shouted.

- He's been sighted! – she knew who he was talking about.

- Who? – asked Ron.

- Sirius Black! - She got up and went closer, everyone was gathering around a newspaper. She lightly pushed Fred to be able to see. He didn't complain. In fact, he stood up, and let her his place. She smiled softly at him. He placed his hand on her shoulder.

- At Dufftown? That's not very far from here. – said Hermione.

- You don't think he'd come to Hogwarts, do you? – Neville asked terrified, slightly looking at Alex, like she had the answer to that.

- With the Dementors at every entrance? – said Hermione.

- Dementors? He's already slipped by them once, hasn't he? Who's to say he can't do it again? – Seamus added.

- That's right. Black could be anywhere. It's like trying to catch smoke. Like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. – another Gryffindor said. All of them looked at Alex, who was shivering and hyperventilating. This time, it was looks of worry more than fear.

- Alex… - Fred squeezed her shoulder. She needed to get out of there. She pushed everyone away and started running away. She could hear steps behind her. "I need to find him". She turned a corner. "No, he'll kill me". She walked outside the castle. Her mind was running a mile an hour. She couldn't make it stop. She tried to shut it down, hands of her ears. She closed her eyes tightly, wishing it all went away. Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind, which made her jump out of fear.

- No! Don't touch me!

- Woah, Alex! It's me! – she looked at the person in front of her. Remus. Fred and George were behind him. So were the rest of his friends. All of them. Neville, Ron, Hermione, Harry…Draco. They all looked worried. Not afraid. Worried. Remus reached out to her. – C'mon, I'll make you some hot chocolate, yes?

- He won't be able to get in, will he? – Alex was terrified. Afraid of her father. That made her also sad. She dropped a single tear.

- He won't hurt you. I won't let him. – Remus told her. Alex nodded and took his hand. He led her towards his office. There, he prepared some chocolate, which he served with a waffle next to it. That made Alex smile.

- You remember…

- That waffles change your mood for the better? Of course I remember. – he laughed, and sat in front of her. – You want to talk about it?

- I don't know…maybe I should. – Alex bit her waffle. It was delicious. – Do you miss him? Not his actual version, but, the younger one.

- Everyday…I miss him and the rest of the gang.

- "The marauders". I always thought it was a funny name for a group of friends.

- Now, you remember.

- You used to tell me stories when I couldn't sleep! – they both laughed at the memory. – Were they true? The stories, I mean.

- Unfortunately for me…they were true. – Alex burst a laugh. Remus smiled as well.

- Even that one time when a muggle guard stopped your car and suddenly you were surrounded by three different animals?

- Oh, don't remind me of that. Those pricks… - Remus laughed at the memory of his friends. – Letting them turn into animagus to come with me on full moon nights was the worst decision ever made.

- I wanted to be one. An animagus. When I was little and you told me those stories.

- You told me in one of your letters.

- You'd never let me do it, so…

- You're completely right. What animal did you thought of, anyways?

- A wolf. – she looked him in the eyes. He smiled. – You were my role model.

- Is that so? – he caressed her head. – Stay here until you feel better, okay? I need to keep on my duties as professor. – he walked out the door and stopped. – Actually, maybe you should come out here. Seems like some people want to talk with you. – Alex got up from her seat and saw her friends standing there. Even Draco was there, on the door, away from the rest of them. Remus left them alone.

- How are you feeling, Alex? – Hermione asked.

- I'm not sure…It's complicated.

- We wanted to apologise. – said Ron. – We got afraid, considering that you're…his daughter.

- Our families told us that maybe he could come for you so it was better if we stayed away… - Neville looked at the floor.

- We know that's not an excuse but… - Fred said.

- Watching your reaction back there, it's pretty obvious that you're the one most terrified, so… - George added.

- We're sorry, Alex. – said Harry, finally. Draco watched all of them annoyed. He was angrier at them than Alex herself.

- You think he's coming after you, Harry? – Alex asked. Harry nodded. – I get it. It's okay… - she smiled at them. Fred was the first one to get closer and give her a hug. George joined eventually, and then the rest of them. It was good to have her friends back. She missed them so much. She looked at Draco, who hadn't moved from his place next to the door. He smiled lightly at her. She knew how much he hated her friends, but he was happy for her. At least, she wouldn't feel that lonely anymore.