Storm Clouds Always Roll In On A Wednesday

Chapter Four: Dreams That Aren't Dreams

Alex felt herself go from being in a dreamless sleep to a place below that. Suddenly, she was in a room, and the only light was coming from the fireplace. There were no windows or doors, just a large square room. It had all the basic necessities, a carpet to keep your feet warm, a large plush chair by the roaring fireplace, and a small bed in the corner.

Alex felt the tension and bad feelings drain out of her just by looking around. This was her sanctuary; this was where she felt comfortable. She had felt like this before, when she was little. When she was nestled between her parent's arms. Pheobus! How good that felt…

Alex shook her head. This was no time for trips down memory lane. Not tonight. Right now she had to see if Draco was here, and if not, she would have to wait. She stepped out of corner where she had- she had what? Appeared? Materialized? Became? No matter, she was here, and that was the important part.

She stepped out of the corner where she had been standing and slowly walked in an arc towards the chairs. She could already feel the heat from the fire. How good it felt! She was still a couple of feet away from the chairs when she stopped and tilted her head back to bask in the warmth from the flames. Stop wasting time and look already! Wasting time? Was that what she was doing? Yes, yes, she supposed it was.

She walked the rest of the way around the chairs and sank down to a sitting position in front of the chair. She pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs, and leaned her head against the leg of the person sitting in the chair and closed her eyes. She was glad she decided to come. Everything didn't feel as impossible here. Didn't feel like everything was going to swallow her whole. Alex was so lost in her thoughts she almost startled when Draco spoke.

"How's life on the Yank's side of the ocean?"

Alex sighed.

"Sucky."

Draco raised one aristocratic eyebrow.

"Well, well, what's got your knickers in a twist this fine evening?" He paused and in an impossibly sweet and innocent tone that was distinctly NOT innocent added, "And would there be a chance I could help you un-twist those fine knickers of yours?" He smirked. Alex rolled her eyes and proceeded to give Draco a horse bite on the inside of his knee. Draco jumped.

"Ow! Bloody Hell woman! What are you trying to do, cripple me for life?" He glared at Alex and rubbed the place where she had pinched him. Alex just looked at him.

"Crippled for life?" Alex's tone left no question that she didn't believe that.

Draco pouted. "You never know. For all I know it was some sort of weird muggle acupuncture that's supposed to shrivel up my nerves and stuff. Not to mention the way you're constantly abusing my poor fragile body." Draco sniffed disdainfully. Alex looked up at Draco, who was leaning back in the chair and staring into the fire.

"Since when have you been poor? Or fragile for that matter?" Alex's voice was quiet but with a sardonic twist. It was enough to make Draco look twice at her and notice how closely she was scrutinizing the flames. Something was up. Draco wondered how long it was going to take her to tell him.

"Never I suppose." He answered. "Of course, if you're going to talk about poor, we must be talking about the Weasleys." He was expecting Alex to retort, or at least acknowledge that he said something, but he was thrown off by what she actually did say.

"How do you manage to stay so cold Draco? How do you manage to not care?" Alex let herself be lost into the flames. "I try, you know. I wish I could be so cold, then maybe the pain would deaden a little bit." She looked up to see Draco's face impassive. She wondered what he was thinking. Even after knowing him for two years, she still couldn't tell what he was thinking unless he was very stressed out. Alex waited for him to speak and when he didn't she gave a bitter laugh.

"I had a fight with my Grandmother today. She keeps wanting to fix me and she doesn't realize I'm not broken!" Alex took a breath to calm down. "Well, I am broken, but not in the way she wants to fix me. And besides, I don't want to BE fixed. I just want to be left alone." Alex dropped her head onto her knees. This time Draco DID speak.

"Of course you do. Unlike most brainless idiots, you work things out by yourself. You don't need people claiming they care about you trying to fix you." Draco snorted. "I doubt you need anyone at all." Least of all, me, he thought, remembering the past few days.

Alex noticed the look of self-loathing on his face knew what he was referring to. Himself. He thinks I don't need him, Alex realized. He doesn't know how wrong he is. The thing about Alex and Draco is that they're kindred spirits. In one way or another, they had come to rely on their unusual- if not strange- friendship. The only time they ever got to express their feelings and truly be themselves was when they were together, in this room.

Alex watched as Draco's face darkened. She wondered what had happened this time in the Malfoy household.

"You okay Draco?" She watched eyes. Weather he knew it or not, his eyes gave him away more often than not.

"Does it look like I'm okay?" he snapped. Alex scoffed.

"What did your dear ol' dad do this time?" Draco glared at Alex's tone.

"Why do you care? You have your own problems." And as if on an afterthought added, "And don't insult my father." Alex shook her head. Even after two years, Draco still had problems trusting Alex with his problems. Of course, it wasn't nearly as bad as it was before, but still…

"Drake, you should know better. I'm here for you." Alex and Draco both winced after Alex said that. Ugh, she sounded so… what's that word…?

"Alex," Draco sounded slightly revolted. "That was so Gryffindorish." Alex gave a laugh. That was the word. Gryffindorish.

Alex looked at Draco expectedly.

"Gonna tell me, or are you gonna sit there and look like a surly spoiled rich kid?" This got Draco to smirk at least. Then he sighed.

"Fine, you want the short story? Father expects me to become a Death Eater at the end of Summer Hols. I keep resisting and he keeps punishing me." What little good feeling Alex had went away. She knew how Draco's father liked to punish him. With the Cruciatus Curse. She felt her heart go out to him. No one should have to constantly suffer that.

Alex stood up and looked down at Draco in his armchair. He raised an eyebrow. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Suddenly there was a loveseat where there had been an armchair to begin with. Alex sat down next to Draco and wrapped her arms gently around him. He stiffened at first, he had never really gotten used to physical touches, but he relaxed after a few seconds. He then returned the favor and wrapped his arms around Alex just as gently. It was just a hug, but to Draco and Alex it was just what they needed.

Draco, who had never really gotten affection from his parents, was constantly amazed whenever Alex so casually hugged him or touched him on the shoulder, or for that matter pinched him. And he was always grateful when Alex understood what he needed, even if he himself didn't.

It always startled him when Alex turned to him for comfort too. It's not as if he was regularly giving comfort or anything. But the fact that she trusted him that much always caught him off guard. Sometimes he would almost feel like he wasn't Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy, but that he's just Draco, giving his best friend- hell, his ONLY friend, reassurance.

As for Alex, she had come from a very touchy family. Where there were constant hugs and kisses and pats and squeezes on the shoulder. Draco had always been there for her to talk to when she felt she couldn't talk to her parents or anyone else. And now that her parents were gone, she felt like Draco WAS the only one there for her. And right now, she needed a hug very badly, and she felt Draco did too.

It comforted them both, just as knowing that even if they didn't have another friend in the world, they would always have each other to turn to for comfort. Especially when it felt like they had nowhere else to turn. They sat like that for a while. Eventually, Alex's mind drifted to things in the past. Like when she had first met Draco Malfoy in person.


::FLASHBACK:: One Year And Six Months Earlier…

Alex Blake's parents had been invited to the annual AGOM Christmas party at the Minister's house. Jacob Moville invited only the top ministry workers to his Christmas parties because very often he had visitors from other Ministries there.

This year it was the European Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, and some of his associates. One of which was Lucius Malfoy and family. Jacob never had a problem with children and the like, so many of his parties, and especially his annual Christmas party, were family orientated. In fact, he loved it when the whole family came. Which was probably the only reason that Narcissa and Draco had come at all.

As soon as Alex and her parents had come through Jacob's door he was there. Of all the things you could call Jacob Moville, a bad party host was not one of them.

"Ahhh! Jessica!! David!! I'm so glad you could make it!" He paused and gave a genuine smile when he saw Alex. "And is this little Alex?" He lifted her hand up to his mouth and kissed it. "Simply a beauty!" He looked at David Blake, Alex's father. "She's going to break a few hearts by the time she's through here David." He chuckled and David and Jessica, Alex's mother and father, joined him. He immediately started introducing the Blakes to the various people at his party.

"..This is Harold Mau, editor in chief, and this is his lovely wife Emma…" After the initial ten people, Alex was bored. Of course, that all changed after Jacob started introducing them to his European guests. In fact, you could say Alex's interest was peaked.

"…And this is the European Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, and his associate Lucius Malfoy and his wife, Narcissa, and his son, Draco." As Jacob had said their name, each person bowed their head in greeting. Except Draco. Who was looking distinctly bored, Alex observed. Now Jacob had started introducing Alex's parents and herself.

"And this is David Blake, by far, my best Auror." Alex's father shook hands with Fudge, and then Lucius, followed with a kiss on the hand for Narcissa and another, reluctant on Draco's part, handshake with Draco. Now he looks annoyed, I wonder if it's because he doesn't want to shake hands or because of his father's tightening grip on his shoulder. Alex hid a smile. I wonder if he actually wants to be here at all. Jacob continued while Alex watched Draco.

"And this lovely flower is David's wife and partner, Jessica." Once again, greetings were exchanged. Jessica shook Fudge's hand firmly but was surprised when Lucius took her hand and gently kissed the top, as David Blake did to Narcissa. He gave a cold smile. "Enchanted." he murmured. Jessica shook hands with Narcissa before moving on to an annoyed Draco. Once again, Lucius' hand was on Draco's shoulder, probably as a warning, Alex thought, which stuck her sense of twisted humor as a very entertaining thought.

Alex watched as Draco put a sickeningly arrogant smirk and also kissed Alex's mother's hand. Alex had to put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing as she watched Draco give a sly wink to Jessica- really, her own mother!- before letting her hand go. Jessica had a faint blush to her cheeks when she turned back to her husband.

Now Alex had to put the other hand over her mouth too to keep from laughing even harder. Her own mother was blushing because some fourteen year old boy gave her a wink! Of course, that wasn't to mention that the same boy was a gray-eyed, platinum blonde haired angel with a face that would make Mary Magdalene blush. Alex's mother cleared her throat.

"Have you met our daughter Minister Fudge? This is Alexandria." Alex dutifully stepped forward with a smile on her face as she extended her hand towards Fudge. He took it and gave it a brief shake. Doesn't like children? Alex wondered. Next was Lucius Malfoy. Alex had to suppress a shiver when he kissed her hand. The look in his eye was entirely predatory. I wonder if I can see it only because I'm looking for it? Alex gave a cool smile in response. Narcissa shook hand with Alex gently and gracefully. She looks like a porceline doll I once owned. Then Draco was holding Alex's hand gently. Alex looked at him and noticed that he had a genuine half smile, half smirk on his face. Does he ever REALLY smile? A full, genuine, I'm not an evil Malfoy who's waaay superior to you, kind of smile? He kissed her hand in an exaggerated way and almost went into a half bow. She rolled her eyes- mentally of course. It wouldn't do if she rolled her eyes for the Malfoys and her parents to see. Draco's voice was low when he spoke.

"Pleasure to meet you Alexandria Blake." 'Finally' he mouthed at the end. Alex almost didn't catch it. She smiled in return. "Pleased to meet you too Draco Malfoy." 'In person' she mouthed at the end. He smirked and dropped her hand. What? No wink for me? The charlatan. Alex gave a tiny shake of her head at her thoughts. He had winked at her mom just to get a reaction.

Each stood with their respective families and politely listened to their parents and Ministers talking together. Alex let her thoughts drift. Politics, of course. What else would they talk about when all parties have hardly anything in common besides the ministry? How boring… politics… it's all one big popularity contest anyways. At least with a dictatorship there IS no politics. It's all a great big war from there. She glanced at Draco and noticed he almost looked interested in the discussion they were having. It was about the quality of wizarding schools.

Wonderful. Alex scrunched her nose at the thought. She wondered if there was a way she could get out of this. The dance floor looked at least entertaining. She paused. I wonder… she looked at her parents out of the corner of her eye, still animatedly talking about the schools and the politics behind them. Then she glanced at Draco, he was bored again. Alex caught his eye and gave a small wink that said, "Watch this". She knew exactly how to get out of this sand trap.


A movement from the side caught David Blake's eye. It was Alex fidgeting and shifting from side to side. To anyone else he doubted it would be noticeable but he hadn't raised Alex from a baby to not notice her different tendencies. It was obvious she was bored. Her posture and her shifting said it all. He looked up at the ceiling and gave a tiny shake of his head, of course she was bored, she hated it when her parents "talked shop"- so to speak. He wondered how long she would stand here until… ah! There she goes! Alex slowly edged up to her father's side and wrapped her hand in his. The corners of his mouth turned up the tiniest bit. Then she would… David smiled just the tiniest bit more when Alex gave a gentle tug on his hand. He turned his head slightly and looked at his daughter out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head a bit more and spoke lowly through the side of his mouth.

"Yes?" Alex stepped up to her father and stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.

"Dad, this is boring, can I go?" She looked so hopeful that David wouldn't help but stretch it out a little bit. He gave a tiny frown and turned his head a little bit more.

"Go? But I thought you liked hanging out with your old man." He tried his best to look slightly hurt without smiling. This time it was Alex's turn to frown. David turned back to the conversation when Jacob asked him what he thought of the current teaching methods. A minute later the attention was turned to his wife when she pointed out some differences in the teaching curriculum eighteen years ago compared to now. Alex gave another gentle tug on her father's arm. He glanced at her. She had crossed her arms.

"C'mon dad, you KNOW I hate politics and politics about school isn't any better." She looked pleadingly him. He gave a small chuckle and nodded.

"Alright, you can go. Give me a minute and I'll bow you out." Alex grinned and he smiled fondly at his daughter. She gave a small cough and he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?" She nudged her head and glanced in the general direction of the Malfoy boy. Who he noticed was also looking a bit bored. He gave another chuckle. He winked at his daughter. "Okay." he whispered. She beamed and stepped back a little.

David quietly cleared his throat until he had everyone's attention. He gave an almost apologetic smile and gave a small shake of his head before speaking.

"I do believe that we have properly bored the children. Perhaps we could excuse them and let them socialize with the others on the dance floor while we finish our discussion? I'm sure that Alex would be delighted to show your son around Mister and Missus Malfoy." A few chuckles went around. Alex scowled and Draco smirked. Jessica smiled and was the first to speak.

"I see no problem letting them wander, do you?" She looked at her husband and he shook his head, then she looked at the Malfoys. "Do you mind?"

Lucius Malfoy looked his son up and down as if evaluating him. "No." he said almost absently, "Not at all. I expect you to be on your best behavior Draco, do I make myself clear?" The last sentence was directed at Draco who nodded.

"Yes father." Lucius nodded and waved a hand to signal that they may go. Draco cocked an eyebrow at Alex and offered his arm. "Shall we?" he asked. Alex smiled exasperatedly and took his arm to lead him away from the adults and to the refreshments table. The adults turned back to their conversation with both father's watching their children walk off. One with fond thoughts about his daughter growing up, the other about how his son had better not embarrass him in any way or there'd be hell to pay when they get home.


AN:: Alright, I know this is like, a WEEK late, but I was sick with the flu and my mom also get's the writing bug and she has ursurping rights to the computer. I"m not done with the flashback but I thought this would be a good place to end it. I know this chapter is a bit long, but the Draco/Alex scene was a bit short and the flashback was going to be long... I wondered if I should have just put up 2 chapters.... hmm... I'll try to get the rest up ASAP but don't expect it in less than two days- at LEAST. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and don't forget to review. Any questions oyu have feel free to ask and I"ll answer them to the best of my knowledge. I PROMISE!! Reviews in general are welcome too you know!! I"m not sure if all chapters are going to be this long, but you can always hope!!

Thanks to:

lizzie5555555: I know I don't have much magic yet, sorry bout that, but more WILL be coming, just hold on!!

Lil' Bode: Thank's for the words of encouragement I appreciate all pats on the head!!!

Spanky And Pie: I"m sooooo sorry I didn't update too soon, but I promise to get the next chapter up in a few days!! Sorry 'bout there being a lack of Remmie here too. he WAS going to be in the next chapter, but now that's going to be more flashback. I might fit him in, but it's more likely he'll be in chapter 6 . Sorry... Again!!

As for the rest of you reading this thing and not reviewing... bad you!!! I scold you all!! I'd send howlers if I could!! Review Review Review!! = D