Chapter 6
Harry and Ron raced up the stairs to the Gryffindor tower.
"Password?" The Fat Lady smiled at them.
"Hybiron Blueback. Now open up!"" Ron practically yelled.
"No need to be rude!" Said the Fat Lady as she swung open.
Ron and Harry ran into the common room and saw Alex pacing in front of the fire. There were a few first years playing chess. Lei, Char, Sid and JD playing exploding snap in a far corner. Hermione was still reading by the window.
"Alex? You ok? What happened down there?" Harry said as he slowly walked over to her.
"Yeah. How'd you do that to Malfoy? And can you teach it to me?" Ron smiled at first, then frowned. "Sorry."
Alex stopped pacing and looked at them.
"I'm, I'm sorry about that. I have no idea what got into me. It's just I'm so sure that his father had a hand in my parents dea...." She trailed off, tears welling up in her eyes and looked away.
Harry walked over to her.
"It's ok. Sit down." He led her over to the couch, making her sit. "We're here if you need us. How come you're so sure Mr. Malfoy was apart of your parent's murder?" She shook her head and kept it down.
"Because that's what my grandmother told me. She said because the Malfoy's had so much clout he was let go. They never searched for anyone else after his trial, if you could call it a trial. He was merely questioned. And I was never told the reason they were killed. My grandmother knew why, but she refused to tell me."
Alex put her face in her hands, trying to hide her tears. Ron and Harry sat down on either side of her. Kagato finally walked through the portrait and saw Alex in tears. He walked over and knelt down in front of her. He gently lifted her chin so she was looking in his eyes. Ron frowned, but stayed silent.
"Alex, why are you crying? No one is mad at you for flipping Malfoy. As a matter of fact, most people who witnessed it are calling you a wonderful person." He smiled as he wiped her tears away.
She looked at him, not sure of what to say, so she looked back down. Harry tapped Kagato on the shoulder, stood up, started walking to an empty part of the room and motioned for him to follow. Kagato gently squeezed her shoulder and followed Harry. Ron put his arm around her and tried to calm her down. Hermione quietly watch from over the top of her book.
"Ok, what happened? Why is she so upset? If I have to, I'll tear Malfoy to pieces." Kagato whispered. He looked really angry.
Harry shook his head.
"No, don't. It has more to do with Malfoy's father than anything else. She was told that his father had something to do with her parent's murder Kagato. Seems his father was questioned and let go. The Ministry never looked for anyone else. Which doesn't make any sense." Harry glanced over at Alex and sighed. "We have to find out exactly what happened. It's the only way to help her." Kagato looked over at Alex as well and nodded.
"Yes. The sooner the better. Plus we need to keep Malfoy as far away from her as possible." They both looked at each other and shook hands.
"Ok, first thing tomorrow we go to the library and look up old editions of the Daily Prophet."
"Ok, I'm in. Maybe we should get her to lie down. She doesn't look so good." Kagato jerked his head in Alex's direction. She was staring into the fire; Ron hopelessly lost in trying to help her.
"Yeah, I think that would be a good idea." They both walked back over.
"Alex? Maybe you should get some rest before dinner." Harry said, trying to smile as Blackcat came into the common room. Alex sat there and didn't move.
Blackcat walked right over to them.
"Alex? You ok? If Malfoy comes near you again, please come and tell me. He shouldn't touch you. And I told him so, which he didn't take so well." Blackcat looked at the expressions on the boys' faces and Alex's. "Umm, ok. Why do I get the feeling I missed something?"
"Long story Cat" Harry said, then an idea struck him. "You think you can take her up to her dorm? I think she's in a bit of shock."
"Yeah, sure Harry. No problem. Come on Alex."
Cat took her by the hand and led her to the girl's dorms. The boys sat down, filled Ron in on the plan for the next day, then fell silent. Hermione closed her book and went up to her room without a word to anyone.
