Chapter 9
Herbology as fairly uneventful. They didn't have chance to talk, however. Professor Sprout had them working in silence. When the lesson finished they made their way across the lawn to Hagrid's for care of magical creatures. The Slytherins were already waiting.
"Alexandria, how can you stand to hang out with those two?" Malfoy had come up and pushed Harry out of the way. All she did was glare at him and walked to the tables that were set up. There were covered baskets on the tables. One for each of them. Hagrid came out, smiling.
"Now, got a real treat fer yeh. Had ter pull a lot of strings, but yeh should really enjoy this year project." Hagrid looked as if he was about to burst with happiness. Ron swallowed hard.
"Umm, and what IS this years project Hagrid?" Ron was now pale, remembering all too well the Blast-Ended Skrewts from last year. The rest of the class, excluding Alex, who just looked puzzled, looked very nervous. Hagrid bounced on the balls of his feet and motioned for them to take a spot in front of a basket, which they all reluctantly did.
"Well, take off the coverin' and see fer yerselves."
They all removed the cloths over the baskets. No one made a sound. A few backed away from the tables. Hagrid simply smiled. Alex raised an eyebrow, looked at Harry and Ron, then to Hagrid.
"How on earth did you get anyone to allow us to work with dragon eggs?" Hagrid's face fell a little.
"It, it weren't easy, that's fer sure Alex. Now, everyone, everyone, yeh have ter get closer so yeh can do yer work"
"I'm not going anywhere near that, that monster, hatched or not. When my father hears about this, you can be sure you'll be out of a job!"
"Shut up Malfoy." Harry said quietly. Malfoy faced Harry.
"Oh what are you going to do Potter? You know this is crazy. You can't deny that. What if, when these beasts hatch, they take off someone's fingers? What then?"
"Shut up Malfoy." Alex said just as quietly as Harry had. The glow from her locket had returned and most of the Gryffindors backed away from her. Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Don't tell me you're sticking up him? Dragons are illegal to raise. We could all end up...." Malfoy suddenly stopped talking and started gasping for air. He was then thrown to the ground, breathing hard. No one was watching that, however. All eyes were on Alex, who had started to glow blue and seemed to be in a trance. Harry gently shook her shoulder.
"Alex? Alex!! Come on, Alex! Ignore him! Alex!" He grabbed her other shoulder and started shaking her. She suddenly blinked and stopped glowing.
"Huh? What? How, how did I do..." She looked around, saw the shocked look on everyone's face. Alex backed away from Harry and took off running for the castle. Harry grabbed Ron by the sleeve and they chased after her. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle followed not too far behind them.
Alex came running into the entrance hall and slammed right into Kagato, knocking him over. Losing her own balance, she fell on him.
"Alex? What's wrong? What happened?" Kagato said as he got up and helped her to her feet. She backed away from him and kept her head down.
"Umm, umm nothing. I, I can't...can't have lunch with you, I'm sorry." She burst into tears and ran up to the Gryffindor tower, leaving Kagato standing there, bewildered. Harry and Ron came running in next, out of breath. Kagato stood in front of both of them.
"Ok, why is she upset? What happened this time?" Harry managed to say one thing.
"Malfoy." Then he and Ron ran up the stairs, Kagato close behind, as Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle ran in.
"Where is she Potter? I want to how she did that without a wand! I want to know how she..." They were running up the stairs behind them as the rest of the magical creatures class came into the hall. Hagrid took the stairs three at a time and stopped all of them.
"Let her alone. I'll go an see what's wrong. Now, all of yeh, off ter lunch" Hagrid crossed his arms and there was no way to get around him. They all turned and went into the Great Hall. All except Harry, Ron, Kagato, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. They all glared at each other.
"So the rumors ARE true. The Bloodstone is real. And she has it. She has no idea what it is either. It's what got her parents killed you know." Malfoy seemed very smug. Harry stared at him.
"Is that why you've been so interested in talking to her alone? Tell us everything you know Malfoy. NOW!"
"And why should I tell YOU anything? It's for her to know not you. She's very special. The last in her family. Very special talents even she doesn't know about yet. Yes, father knows much about her. I don't know whom the Ministry was trying to fool. The ones they were trying to hide her from knew she was still alive. Hmm, I think I'll keep the rest to myself." Malfoy was smiling as he turned and walked to the Great Hall, Crabbe and Goyle followed him. Harry, Ron and Kagato, stunned, made their way into the Hall as well.
