Chapter 24
It seemed that everything had returned to normal in the weeks that followed the tryouts. Harry started up the Quidditch practices, four times a week ("Harry, are you trying to kill us, or just out do Oliver?" Ron would complain after every practice and Alex would just giggle at him. "Practice isn't that hard Ron. We need it." Was her usual response) The first match of the season was quickly approaching (Slytherin versus Gryffindor), as was Halloween, which fell on a Tuesday. Between practices and schoolwork (the dragon eggs were taking up most of their time), Harry hadn't thought about Alex's Bloodstone or her druid visitors. Thankfully, neither had anyone else. Malfoy had returned to insulting most Gryffindors.
On Halloween morning, they were waiting outside the potion's classroom, when Malfoy walked over to Alex and whispered in her ear. She glared at him.
"And how would you know? Don't lie about something like that. Look, just leave me alone, ok?"
Malfoy grinned evilly.
"But it's true. Ask him if you don't believe me. I'm only trying to look out for your safety."
"Yeah, sure you are. Go play with the squid Malfoy."
She rolled her eyes, the rest of the Gryffindors snickered. The doors to the room opened and they all took their seats. Snape was pacing in front of his desk.
"Silence. Today's lesson will be concerning attracting potions. Please pull out your ingredients. Miss Reese, you are to work with Mr. Malfoy today, not Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. Gather your things and move."
She let out a quite groan and moved to Malfoy's table. Most of the Slytherins found this very amusing. Pansy Parkinson was the only one wearing the same expression as the Gryffindors, pure hatred.
Harry and Ron kept a close eye on Malfoy. There were a few times, it seemed to Harry, that Alex was on the verge of punching Malfoy. The lesson seemed to take forever. Finally, Snape came around to inspect their work. He started with Harry and Ron.
"Potter, is this potion supposed to be greenish blue? I think not. It's supposed to dark blue. Weasley, yours is too runny, I suggest you both fix it. Fifteen points from Gryffindor."
He left their table and moved on to Malfoy and Alex. Snape actually smiled.
"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Reese, your potions are perfect. It's nice to know that some of you pay attention. Ten points to each house."
Everyone fell silent, and the Gryffindors looked around at each other in shock. Snape finished his walk through of the students, taking five points from Neville for spilling some of his potion, and ordered them to clean up and leave for their next class.
As soon as they were clear of the dungeons, they started talking all at once.
"He actually GAVE us points? He must be ill." Parvati said to Lavender.
"We only lost ten points today, it's usually more than that."
"Wonder why?"
"Who cares as long as he keeps doing that."
The fact that Snape had given points to Gryffindor traveled like wild fire through the castle, even though he took them back. By the time lunch arrived, the whole Gryffindor table was questioning the fifth years. The rest of the day was blissfully quiet.
Practice was cancelled, due to the feast that night. Everyone was excited, everyone except Alex. She sat in the common room, staring at the fire; Malfoy's words from earlier in the day still fresh in her head. Everyone else was talking loudly or finishing up their homework. Kagato came in from the library, kissed her cheek and sat next to her.
"Alex, is something wrong?"
She nodded and whispered in his ear, then looked in his eyes. She knew the answer to her question before he even opened his mouth. Harry had been watching and moved a little closer, trying to hear what was going on. Kagato looked fairly upset.
"Where did you hear that? Tell me who told you that."
She looked down, avoiding his eyes.
"Malfoy. Is it true?"
Alex looked back up; still hoping it was a cruel joke on Malfoy's part. The look on Kagato's face said otherwise.
"I, I won't lie Alex. It's true, though, I'd love to know how that little punk found out."
Alex immediately stood up and backed away, a look of horror on her face. The common room fell silent. All eyes were Kagato and Alex.
"It's, it's true? When were you going to tell me?"
Without waiting for Kagato's answer, Alex ran out of the room and up to her dorm. The door could be heard slamming in the common room. Everyone started whispering. Kagato got up to leave the common room and head for his dorm when Ron stopped him. The common room went silent again. Cat and Lei stood up and moved closer to them. Ron grabbed Kagato's arm.
"What did you do to her?"
"Nothing. Ron, this is between Alex and me. Stay out of it."
Ron's ears started to turn red and Harry went over to them. He tried to pull Ron away.
"Ron, come on. Leave it alone for now."
Ron jerked his arm away from Harry and pointed at Kagato.
"Hasn't she been through enough? I want to know what he did to upset her like that!"
Cat grabbed Ron and took him to a corner, Harry and Lei followed. Kagato hurried up the stairs and out of sight. Talk resumed in the common room as Cat whispered to Ron and Harry.
"Tell us what that was all about."
Lei looked serious and whispered as well.
"Yeah, what's going on you guys?"
Harry shrugged.
"Honestly, I have no idea. Malfoy told her something before potions this morning. We never got a chance to ask her what he said. Looks like it was bad."
Cat nodded and her eyes drifted over to the stairs.
"You two stay here and go down to the feast when it's time. I'm going to make sure she's ok. Maybe she'll tell me what's wrong." Harry nodded. Ron crossed his arms. "Lei?"
"Yes Cat?"
"Do you mind staying here and checking on Kagato if he doesn't come down soon? I'll make sure to bring something back for you."
Lei smirked and saluted her.
"Not a problem. Your prefect is at your service!"
Cat smiled a little and went up the stairs. Lei took a seat facing the stairs and started reading a book. Harry dragged Ron over to the fire and made him sit in a chair. Everyone in the common room but Lei left when the time came for the feast.
