Chapter 10

Alex never came down for lunch or for the rest of the day's classes. By dinner, everyone in the castle had heard what had happened. Rumors were starting to spread as Harry, Hermione and Ron went down to dinner.

"I heard she almost killed him" said a Ravenclaw fourth year.

"Well, I was told that she is possessed, that's why she attacked him." said a Hufflepuff sixth year.

The tales grew wilder the next day and Alex was still nowhere to be seen. The Gryffindor table was silent all through breakfast as they listened to everyone else in the hall talk about her. Harry shook his head.

"This is insane. Someone should tell us what's going on. Or at least tell us that she's all right."

Hermione sighed.

"Well, she wasn't in our room last night. Maybe they are going to send her home. She could have killed Malfoy."

"And that would be bad how? Maybe she's in the hospital wing, you know? Something could be wrong with her. I'm going to go check." Ron said, getting up and quickly leaving. Harry sighed and got up. He and Hermione started off for potions. When they reached the dungeons the Slytherins were buzzing about how brave Malfoy was for surviving the attack.

"Now, now. She didn't mean to do it. No one be angry with her. She was just upset. I would be to if I were stuck in Gryffindor. When I talk to her, you'll see a whole different Alexandria, I promise you." Malfoy said and then spotted Harry. "Wondering where she is Potter? She'll be back soon, but I wouldn't bother looking for her. Only the headmaster knows where she is." Harry looked at Malfoy for a second and turned to see Ron coming down the hall. The expression on his face said it all. She wasn't in the hospital wing.

"Wasn't there was she?" Hermione asked. Ron shook his head as they all went into the classroom and sat down. A few moments later, Professor Snape walked in.

"There is to be no talk of Miss Reese. Is that understood?" He didn't wait for a reply. "Now, we will be making a repelling potion today. Pull out your ingredients and begin working, quietly. No one is to speak."

They all did as instructed. Near the end of the lesson, Neville, who always fell apart in potions, was shaking so badly that his potion had thickened. Snape was looking over everyone's potion when he stopped at Neville and Hermione's table.

"Longbottom? Is the potion supposed to be thick? Have you learned nothing yet? Ten points from Gryffindor for failing to educate Mr. Longbottom. Clean up and get to your next class." As soon as they left the dungeons, they erupted into complaints.

"Ten points? Ten points! Just because Neville is terrified of him, he takes ten points from us. This is an outrage!" Seamus fumed.

"Snape knows Neville isn't good at potions. And he would have taken ten points away if Hermione had helped him." Parvati pointed out to Seamus.

"Still, he was being unfair."

"Like this is something new Seamus?" Harry said as they all sat down in transfiguration. Professor McGonagall came in and looked at all of them.

"Now, I will tell you all this once, and there are to be no questions. Miss Reese is fine and she is resting at the moment. The headmaster is with her and I assure you she will be back among you very soon. You are not," she looked at Ron, "to look for her. There is to be no talk about Bloodstones or anything of the sort. I know what Professor Trelawney told her yesterday. You are not to discuss any of this with her. She does not remember anything about the incident with Mr. Malfoy. Now, with that out of the way. This year we will be moving into human transfigurations. This is a very dangerous part of the subject and you are forbidden to practice this on one another outside this classroom. You may set up a time with me if you wish to practice after class. Now open your books."

The class did as instructed. When the bell rang everyone, but Ron and Harry left for charms.

"What is it?" McGonagall asked them. "I do hope you are not going to ask me about Miss Reese. I have already told you that I can." Ron shrugged and asked anyway.

"But Professor, why was she glowing? And what is this Bloodstone. Malfoy seems to know quite a bit about it...and Alex."

"Mr. Weasley, I can not answer your questions. I am sorry. Now off to class, both of you."

Ron sighed and they went to class.

Two weeks pasted and Alex still hadn't turned up. Kagato had taken to pacing in front of the fire after dinner. Harry and Ron stayed up waiting by playing wizard chest. Cat had become worried as well. She went to Dumbledore everyday to ask how Alex was and everyday he gave her the same answer.

"Miss Blackcat, Alexandria is fine. She is resting. That is all you need to know. Now do not worry and go back to your common room." Cat came into the common room and sat in her chair, looking very annoyed.

"He still won't tell me anything. If he would just let me see her at least. Then I could believe him when he says she's fine." Cat stared into the fire as Kagato stopped pacing and leaned on the mantle.

"I'm going to go look for her tonight. I don't care if I get caught. I have to see her. I have to." Kagato kicked the carpet and looked around. "Anyone willing to join me?" Hermione slammed her book down and stared at Harry and Ron who were about to say they were coming.

"Don't you three even think about it. The professors have said she will be back soon. If any of you go, I'll inform McGonagall." Cat stood up and walked over to Hermione. She leaned in and was nose to nose with her.

"Go ahead, tell. Then you will find yourself hanging upside down in the Great Hall at breakfast." Hermione looked as though she would faint at any moment. Cat stood back up and looked at Harry. "Go and get your cloak, I'll get mine. Let's go you guys." Harry and Cat both disappeared up the stairs and came back a few minutes later. Kagato and Ron were waiting near the portrait. Cat covered herself and Kagato with her invisibility cloak, Harry covered himself and Ron with his. The four of them silently slipped out of the common room