CHAPTER 3

Ignoring Harry, Alex grabbed the doorknob, ripping the door open. Harry's hand pressed the door back into its frame gently.

"I'm sorry, Lex. I didn't mean to pry and make you uncomfortable or scared." Harry said softly.

"I'm not scared of anything! How would you know? You don't know me at all!" Alexia screamed.

"Yes, I do!" Harry shouted back, "You're five foot six, beautiful, have cat named Gandalf, and perfect marks in all your classes! You're a seventh year Ravenclaw and a muggle-born! And I know you enough to know that you're insecure and that you're too terrified to let anyone get to know you for you!"

"How do you know all that?"

"I asked Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown. Every fact about you, I know."

"They knew about Jude?" She asked, horrified.

"No. Only I know about that, and I promise that that's how it'll stay." Harry's voice said sternly.

Alex's eyes darted to her feet and she avoided Harry's gaze with all her might. How dare he ask those gossiping girls about her!? What truths could they possibly hold about her? Alexia couldn't say anything. After all, she did read and believe every fact about Harry in every book and magazine that had passed her way over the years. Alex had done her research on him and in all fairness it had been his turn.

"Well, they may or may not have mentioned a few things about me: I'm clumsy, a bad liar, stubborn, and can be sarcastic. But, most importantly, I say what's on my mind and right now, all I know is that I want you, Potter but, I refuse to deny that the whole prospect alarms me." Alex said in one breath.

Harry shook his head, "How can the idea of being with me frighten you?"

"I know that eventually, you'll hurt me." Alex said, finally looking into his jade eyes.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Harry said caressing her cheek right before he leaned in to kiss her.

"Don't." Alex barked, "Sweet words won't make me fall for you and neither will sweet kisses."

Alex pushed Harry away gently as she opened the door to leave. Harry followed her into the corridor, the room vanishing behind them. Alex whipped around to face Harry, her straight, golden hair framing her face.

"Harry," She said shakily, walking closer to him.

"What is it?" Harry said worriedly as he took her into his arms.

"You're right about me, I am afraid to have people care."

"Lex-"

"I like it when you call me 'Lex'. Just meet me here after you get out of class, okay?"

Harry smiled as he said, "Okay."

Reluctantly, Alexia pulled herself away from Harry, her lips brushing over his smooth cheek.

Alex had been right about Snape testing them with the Peace Draft.

"It has been a long time since you all have created the Peace Draft, I know. But in the subtle science of Potion-making, you will come to find that the way to find success is not only with skill, but also with memory. You have an hour to complete this Potion by memory and turn it in. Those who do not use their memory, and rely on someone else's or parchment, will not receive any points. Begin." Snape said in a very Malfoy-like drawl.

Alex constructed her potion from memory with no problem and was the first to turn in it.

"Ms. Grant." Snape barked.

"Yes, sir?" Alex said, looking at her Potions Master.

"This is a remarkable potion constructed from memory." Snape said sternly.

"Thank you." Alex smiled.

"What career were you considering after leaving Hogwarts this year?" Snape asked nonchalantly as he went through piles of parchment on his desk.

"I hadn't put much thought in it, sir." Alex said simply.

"I would imagine that St. Mungo's would need some witches and wizards who would be able to complete potions like this from memory, to be used for medicinal purposes, of course." Snape said lazily.

"I'll consider it. Thank you, sir." Alex said, returning to her seat.

After class, Alex returned to the corridor where Harry had taken her earlier that day. She paced back and forth in front of where the door should appear, thinking "I need a place for just me and Harry to be alone."

After a minute, the door appeared, and Alex entered wearily.

The room was slightly different than it had been that morning. There was still the cream colored couch and the Butterbeer tap, but there weren't any large torches to illuminate to room. Instead there were some small candles.

Alex smiled at the warm, dimly lit room as she noticed a small round table on the opposite side of the sofa. The table had two long tapered candles in the center with the most royal place setting Alexia had ever seen.

The door creaked open as Harry came in.

"It's warm in here." Harry said as pulled off his cloak and hung in on a coat rack, that Alex was sure hadn't been there a minute ago.

Harry stood in his gray school pants and button-up white shirt as he loosened his maroon and gold striped tie. He smiled at Alex as he threw himself tiredly on the couch.

Alexia pulled off her cloak as well, and hung it beside Harry's.

"Oh, no!" Alex gasped.

"What is it?"

"My leggings'. They're torn! These were my favorite pair. I'll have to write my mum to send more." Alex frowned as she pulled the leggings off and threw them to the floor.

Harry quickly noticed her toned legs that were left bare by her short, pleated gray skirt.

Alex pulled off her blue and silver tie and hung it as well. She sat beside Harry.

Harry could feel his pulse quicken. It was very difficult for him to sit beside Alex and keep his hands to himself. He stretched his long, muscular arms over his head and snuck his left arm around her delicate shoulders.

"Smooth." Alex giggled as she cuddled up with him.

Harry kissed her forehead instinctively, "I'm sorry." He said at once.

"For what?" Alex asked, clearly puzzled.

"I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable at all."

"You didn't."

Alex pressed her lips against the base of his neck, kissing him softly, sending shivers down Harry's spine.

Harry's attention was drawn to Alex's bright sapphire eyes. She stared into his emerald eyes as well, and it seemed to take hours for either of them to move.

After what seemed to be forever, Harry leaned in. Alex's breath grew shallow and she too, pulled in.

Harry's lips grabbed Alex's gently, his tongue massaging hers, resulting in Alex's first kiss.

Harry pulled away unwillingly, leaving Alexia breathless.

"I didn't mean to rush you, I know I shouldn't have done that but, I couldn't help-"

Alex shook her head, placing a finger on Harry's soft lips to silence him. Her eyebrows furrowed and she stared at his face, digging through him to find his true intentions. After realizing that Harry meant no harm, her finger slipped from its spot and was quickly replaced by her lips.

Harry's hand ran through Alexia's hair as he drank her into his soul. The kisses grew longer and more passionate.

Eventually, Alex pulled away tucking her head on Harry's shoulder as she continued to kiss his neck.

He pulled Alex over his lap, lying her down before him. She shuddered as Harry ran his hand from her knee to her hip. He bent over Alexia, kissing her lovingly.

Alex pulled herself up; her legs intertwined with his, and wrapped his arms around her. She kissed his cheek delicately, and returned her head to Harry's shoulder.

"Don't let go of me." She said.

"I won't."

Harry could hear familiar voices calling his name from the back of his mind, but all of his energy was concentrated on Alexia and at the moment, she was all he cared about it.

Harry held in Alex in his arms for a few more minutes before they began kissing.