Chapter 8
No one saw Alex until Monday morning at breakfast. She walked into the Great Hall, alone and sat at the end, by herself. The twins were handing out the schedules.
"Here you are Harry." George said. "So, how is Alex? What is she like?"
"Yeah, is she nice?" Fred said as he put Ron's schedule in his eggs.
"Watch it!" Ron quickly grabbed the paper. "Oh lovely. We have Divination first thing! Why bother to eat. At least we don't have potions until tomorrow." Ron shook his head and looked down at Alex. "I wish she wasn't so sad." Harry looked at the twins.
"She's very nice. But also feels very alone right now George." Harry sighed, looking down at Alex. Alex however was staring at her plate. Kagato got up and sat next to her. Ron glared at him.
"Good morning. Umm, you ok?" He softly rubbed her back. She looked up at him and weakly smiled. Her face was a bit pale.
"I'm alright. Sorry I flipped out on you guys the other day. I, I usually never act like that. Malfoy just got me so angry, and I really can't explain why." Alex looked down. Kagato lifted her chin to look at her and winked.
"No worries. It's ok, really. Now, I would like to cheer you up. What's your favorite flower?" Kagato was grinning. She raised an eyebrow.
"Gardenias, why?" She raised the other eyebrow as he smiled.
"No reason. Close your eyes." She furrowed her brow. "Just do it." She sighed and closed them. "Ok, open them." When she opened them, Kagato was holding a dozen perfect white gardenias in front of her. "These are for you. Now please, smile for me?" She smelled the flowers and smiled as she hugged him. Ron's ears went pink and he slammed his fork down. Hermione giggled. Harry smirked and shook his head.
"Tough break Ron."
"Shut up Harry. Minor set back." Ron continued to glare at Kagato as Alex moved back from him, still smiling.
"They're beautiful, thank you." Kagato smiled and gently touched her cheek.
"Not as beautiful as you. Umm, would.... would you have lunch with me today?" Kagato suddenly looked nervous. Alex began blushing.
"Umm, I'd love to." She looks down at her schedule. "I'll see you after Care of Magical Creatures." Kagato nodded.
"I'll wait at the entrance for you." Kagato smiled and stood up. "Are you done eating? If not, I can wait and walk you back to the tower so you can get your books." Alex stood up, holding the flowers.
"Yes, I'm done. Let's go." She smiled and Kagato took her hand. They left the Great Hall together. Both Malfoy and Ron were red with anger. Malfoy got up and stormed out of the Hall. Lavender and Parvati giggled and started whispering. Ron turned to Harry who was trying not to laugh.
"Well, I guess we know who she likes Ron." Harry stood up, as did Ron and Hermione.
"I tried to tell you that you might not want to know her, but no, you wouldn't listen." Hermione walked out of the Hall. Ron and Harry walked out after her.
"Just because they left together doesn't mean anything. You watch. We have all of our classes together. I haven't lost yet." Hermione shook her head, ignored Ron and kept walking. Harry grabbed Ron's sleeve and stopped him.
"Ron, I think it is over. Just be her friend. You never know where that could lead later. But for now don't try so hard." Ron jerked his arm away from him. Blackcat, Char and Lei walked past them, talking about the flowers Kagato had given Alex.
"I'm not hearing this Harry. We need to hurry or we'll be late for class." Ron turned and marched up the stairs, Harry following behind him.
When they reached the tower, they saw Alex and Kagato sitting on the couch talking. Alex already had her books and was holding Kagato's hand. Ron started to go towards them and Harry grabbed him by the back of his robes, dragged him upstairs and shoved him into their room.
"Ron, clam down. You're acting like a stupid git!" Ron pushed Harry.
"I am not. I was just going to" Harry cut him off.
"Make a bloody fool out of yourself. Look, you can't just make her like you like that. If she does, she does. If she doesn't, be happy with friendship. It's not like she and Kagato are going to get married. We're teenagers for crying out loud. Things change quickly, ok?" Harry tried to believe his own words, the pain of seeing Cedric with Cho, coming back in his memory.
Ron shook his head, gathered up his books and left the room. Harry sighed, got his own books and went back downstairs. When he got there he saw Ron standing by the portrait staring at Alex who was now standing next to Kagato. He had his arm around her waist. Ron looked as though he could kill Kagato. Harry walked over and steered Ron outside of the common room. Alex came out right after.
"Umm, so what's the Divination professor like?" She was smiling until she noticed the look on Ron's face. "Did, did I interrupt something?" Harry shook his head, took Alex by the elbow and started walking towards the north tower.
"Umm, no. Don't worry about it. As for Professor Trelawney.... well, just wait and you'll see." Harry shook hid head. Ron walked behind them, mumbling. They finally made it to the tower classroom and climbed the latter to the room. Alex took a seat next to Harry; Ron sat on his other side and put his down head on his books.
"Welcome my children." Professor Trelawney said in her usually misty voice as she appeared from the shadows. Alex giggled a bit. Professor Trelawney made her way to the center of the circular room and looked at Alex. "Now, first I would like to welcome our new arrival, which I told the headmaster about months ago." Lavender and Parvati looked impressed. Ron made a noise and rolled his eyes. The professor seemed to not notice and continued. "Miss Reese, I sense puzzlement from you. A mystery that needs solving. I assure you, it will be solved and you will never be the same my dear." Alex swallowed hard and something under her robes started glowing. Almost everyone noticed this, including Trelawney, who gasped and pointed at her. "What is that? There is great power here." Alex looked confused, then looked down, shocked. She pulled a long silver chain, which held a glowing silver locket out from under her robes. She shook her head.
"This, this has no power. It's just my, my mother's locket. I don't know why it's glowing." Alex's voice was shaking, as were her hands. Trelawney grabbed the locket and dropped it quickly.
"Tis hot to the touch my dear. Only one thing could make such heat without melting the metal. Have you no idea what's inside?" Alex slowly nodded. Most of the class began whispering, Ron had sat up now, and his eyes were fixed on the locket. Harry looked as confused as Alex did.
"There is a picture...of my parents. And....and a blue crystal." Trelawney gasped again and dramatically fell into a chair.
"Have you never heard of the Bloodstone my dear? It is a curse and a blessing. You see your mother saw her own death with the aid of that stone. She had the gift of the inner eye, didn't you know? You have the gift as well. Stronger than she did."
Alex put her locket away. She looked roughly the color of parchment. "No, no. I haven't a clue as to what you are talking about. My mother wasn't a seer. You're, you're crazy!" Alex stood up, the glow most certainly brighter. Trelawney smiled at her, which Harry found odd.
"Calm yourself my dear. You will see that I am right in time."
The lesson went on and almost everyone fell into a daze. Trelawney made her usually prediction about Harry dying this year. He was glad when it was finally time to leave. They all left the room and headed for their next class, herbology. Harry, Ron and Alex said nothing as they arrived at the greenhouses.
