CHAPTER 6
The only two things that really happened the rest of the day was potions and elemental lessons. They'd begun a stomach-soothing solution, and this time they worked alone. Harry was sitting next to Neville, but they didn't talk. Neville did fairly well until Snape began to prowl around, nitpicking at everyone's but the Slytherins' potions. "Did you put in the nettles or the sprig first Longbottom?" Snape asked.
The young Gryffindor's hands trembled slightly. "The sprig, professor." Neville answered, looking at his light orange potion.
He sneered. "You were supposed to put them in at the same time. Start over." Before Snape could vanish Neville's potion, Harry put up a hand, "Yes Potter?"
"Sir, if Neville adds knotgrass, won't it and the sprig cancel each other out?" he asked. Though extremely not happy to do so, Snape nodded. "So, could he just do that instead Sir, then put the sprig and nettles in at the same time and continue?" Harry continued.
The room was deathly silent. "If he wants to." Snape answered, and continued his prowling, causing several students to hurriedly return to their potions. When Snape finally came to Harry's he said nothing, most likely because there was nothing wrong. The color was vibrant orange, just like it should be, it wasn't too thick or too thin, like it should be, and was odorless, just like it should be. Harry silently complimented Salazar as Snape gave the tiniest nod. When his potion cooled, Harry bottled and labeled it, then put an unbreakable charm on it—just in case.
"Harry, wait up!" Harry turned to find Neville behind him. "I wanted to say thanks for your help in potions, I thought I was doomed."
Harry smiled, "No problem."
Harry slipped away to the defense room after dinner. He and Splikvin returned to the same place and Harry greeted the wind element, then began to contact the element of the forest, or plants. It was more serious than the wind, but it took Harry an hour or two to hear it nonetheless. They returned and Harry fell asleep the moment he hit his bed.
The days were uneventful until Sunday, the day after Harry had gone to see Alex again. It was at breakfast when Harry's scar tingled. It grew until it became slightly painful. A sly glee rose up in his head, and Harry quickly Occluded his mind. He excused himself since breakfast was over, and went to Dumbledore's office. To his surprise, he ran into Moody and Remus in the hall. "Something wrong?" he asked them.
"There's been an attack in Diagon Alley," Remus answered, "the detectors we set up there went off a few minutes ago."
Harry could sense Remus was keeping something from him. "Do you know where?" Harry asked.
Remus wasn't going to reply, but then Moody spoke up. "Some store, Blurn's or something."
Harry felt all the color drain from his face. "Alex."
"What?" Moody asked. Harry didn't answer, just started running back down the hall. The two caught him just as he did a double-teleport to Diagon Alley. Harry bolted down the street, transforming into his totems as he did. There were ten to fifteen Death Eaters standing near Blurnof's Eyestore. "What the hell is that?" one cried as Harry charged towards them. Though he didn't know it, Harry had called all four of his totems into him at the same time—melting them together. His two back legs were that of the panther, his front two were from the werewolf. The cobra's enlarged body and tail gave way to the phoenix's wings and head. He was his own type of chimera.
"It doesn't matter, just shoot it!" Bellatrix yelled. Harry focused in on her, leaping over five of them. Their curses bounced off his black body and Bellatrix screamed. A silver dragon emerged from the store, trampling a Death Eater; Alex was sitting on top of her patronous, arms bleeding.
This sight only angered Harry further, and he thrashed out, his claws tearing at the dark-cloaked figures. After he'd dispatched seven of them, Remus and Moody finally arrived at the store. Being and auror, Moody was the first to recover from the sight, and quickly began to fire stunners at the Death Eaters. A few moments later, Remus joined in the fight.
Harry lunged, pinning a Death Eater to the ground; black eyes stared back at him. Harry recognized the gaze as Snape's, and launched himself backwards, pretending that Snape had knocked him off. Although he didn't really understand at the moment, Snape scrambled away, meeting back up with Bellatrix. A cold, hissing voice rose over the Death Eaters' shouts, and the Dark Mark appear in the sky. Voldemort! Harry thought, and dove for Alex as someone fired a curse at her. Harry crouched over her as the spells rained down on them. At the precious moment between two curses, Harry leapt upwards with Alex in his paws. The jump was powerful enough to land them next to Moody and Remus. Alex was slowly loosing conciousnes from loss of blood. "Harry Potter…" Voldemort hissed, throwing up a green shield around his followers. Harry answered by turning to glare at the dark wizard, and roared in a combonation of the panther and werewolf. He saw several Death Eaters shudder.
"I see you have gained a new ability," Voldemort continued, "Multi-magi, I presume?" As he took a step forward, so did Harry, letting out a low growl. "It seems he is warning me." Voldemort said with a smirk; the Death Eaters laughed.
Harry melted back into human form, gripping his second wand. He shot out the most advanced Parsloz shield he knew, praying to whatever deity existed that it would be enough. The shield was invisible, but Harry knew it was there. "That's right Voldemort," Harry replied smoothly, several Death Eaters growled at Harry's using of the Dark Lord's name. "I am warning you. You leave others the hell out of this."
Voldemort smiled again, "And why would I do that Harry? It is to my advantage to wage battle against those you care fore. It always brings you were I want you."
Harry clenched his wand harder, but kept his face emotionless. "At least I can care," he retorted icily, "At least others care about me. But no, you don't care—only for your own miserable skin."
Voldemort's face contorted with rage. "Crucio!" he yelled, pointing at Remus. The spell made contact with the barrier, causing the shield to flare brightly in a golden color. The curse hit Voldemort, and he only twitched.
"What, can't sense magic?" Harry asked innocently, thought inside he was secretly weak at the knees with relief. "I'm not a fool Voldemort, I know more than you can imagine."
Voldemort sneered. "Until next time Harry." He spat.
Harry smirked, "Until next time Tom." Red eyes glowing dangerously, Voldemort and his followers vanished with an audible pop. Harry left the shield up, and bent next to Alex. "Hello Harry," she whispered, "long time no see."
Harry smiled, "We've got to get you out of here, they might come back."
Alex looked wearily at Remus and Moody, "Did you catch any of the slime balls?"
"Unfortunately not," Remus answered quietly.
"How long were you fightin' 'em off lass?" Moody asked.
Alex winced at Harry applied pressure to her cut shoulder. "About ten minutes Sir, it was only when the other ten showed up that I was, well—this."
As Moody opened his mouth once more, Harry cut him off, "Questions later Professor, she needs to get out of here, and so do we."
Moody frowned for a moment, then nodded, magical eye zooming around. "She's not the only one I have questions for." Harry kept his face blank, knowing that he was in for an Order interrogation, as he picked Alex up gently. Instead of walking, Harry teleported them once more to the hospital wing.
"Poppy," Remus called.
The mediwitch came bustling over from another bed on which Splikvin lay, talking quietly with Snape. He sure got here fast, Harry thought.
"You again Miss?" Mme. Pomfrey said.
Alex smiled weakly, "I suppose I've gotten the Death Eaters' attention."
"More?" Splikvin snapped, sitting up abruptly, "Where!"
"Lay down Selena!" Poppy ordered, "Or by Merlin I'll stick you to that bed!"
"You could try," Splikvin growled, and lay back down when Snape put a hand on her shoulder. Harry set Alex carefully on a bed, and immediately began to get a healing potion from the cupboard in the room. "Careful, it tastes bad," Harry warned, handing Alex the bottle.
She smiled and took it, "I've had some before." She drank it quickly, and handed it back with a thank you to Madam Pomfrey, Harry and 'whoever made them.' "And you didn't even cringe from the smell," Harry joked.
Alex gave him a quick smile, "Sweet as roses." She replied, and watched as the slashes on her arms began to close up. She sighed. "I hope no one else got hurt."
"I don't think so, was anyone else there?" Moody asked.
Alex nodded. "Seven customers. I sent them out the back, there's a hidden door, then I went to distract the scum while they got out." Harry noticed that Snape flinched somewhat.
"What about the dragon?" Moody continued.
Alex blushed, " A last resort. I couldn't get out on my own, so I conjured a patronous to help me." With a wince, she clutched her side.
"Alex?" Harry said worriedly. "Is something wrong?"
Biting her lip, she pulled at something—a knife. "Must've happened inside the store," she mumbled. The wound began to bleed heavily, and her shirt was soaked within seconds.
"Severus, do you have any blood replenishing potions?" Poppy asked worriedly, pressing a bandage to Alex's side.
Snape nodded, and looked at the knife. "The potion is in my office, put the knife back in." Harry, Remus, Moody and Poppy stared at him. "It is most likely spelled to keep the wound open for as long as it is out." He explained, and left with a whirl of his black cloak.
"Go on Harry," Alex whispered, "He's probably right." So Harry carefully put the knife into her side, and she only clenched her hand in response. "I'll be alright," she murmured and closed her eyes, falling unconcious. Moody then began to ask Harry questions about the shield he'd used, the transport to Diagon Alley, and his form, but the only answer Harry gave was: "Later Professor, I only want to explain once."
Remus went over to talk with Selena as Snape came back, a dark red potion in hand. "It must be carefully administered," he said.
Mme. Pomfrey nodded, "Then you had best do it."
Snape glanced at Harry, who unwillingly stepped aside. Snape had attacked Alex, and Harry wasn't sure how to take that. A stool appeared next to Snape, and he sat down then removed the knife once more. Blood instantly began to pour, and Snape had to roll up his sleeves to keep them out of the way. Good thing Alex isn't awake, Harry thought. Snape gingerly poured some of the potion on the gash, and tipped a few drops down Alex's throat. He murmured a few words over the knife, and it shone with a dark green color, a thread of it was connected to the wound in Alex's sideIt disappeared at another whispered word. They watched as the blood stopped, and some color returned toAlex's face. Snape took a bandage from Harry and dripped some of the potion onto it, then held it to Alex's wound, which then began to close.
When Snape removed his hands, Alex's eyes opened and froze at the Dark Mark on Snape's forearm. "Thank you Sir," she said quietly, and looked down.
The potions master stiffened, and he hastily covered the mark, not looking at Alex. She THANKED him? Harry thought, he attacked her and she bloodythanked him!
"My apologies for...earlier," Snape told her quietly.
Alex nodded, "It's okay, I'm guessing it wasn't your choice." Snape wordlessly corked the bottle and stood, walking back out the room. "Was he one of your attackers?" Moody asked.
Alex looked at Harry. "Now or later?" she asked innocently.
Harry chuckled. "Depends on how many times you want to repeat it."
In the end, Dumbledore called an Order meeting that very day in his office with Splikvin, Alex and Harry present. There Snape made his report, and Harry explained his being an animagus, the Parsloz magic, and how he'd met Alex over the summer. They asked him to show his forms, but he revealed only the panther. "What about the combined one?" Moody had asked.
"Nope." Harry'd answered. After Harry answered a few questions about the fight with the Death Eaters, Alex was asked about the attack on the store. It matched Snape's closely, but was more detailed in the actual fight itself. Snape had taken a turn in attacking, but she said he'd only used stunners. Harry doubted that.
"Well, I don't believe Voldemort will hesitate to attack you again Miss Alex," Dumbledore said, eyes sad, "I fear the store is no longer safe."
"With all due respect Sir, I can hold my own if I need to," Alex replied.
"Alex," Harry said, "There's more of them, lots more."
She gave him a tiny smile, "I know Harry, but there's nowhere else."
"Hogsmede-" he began.
"Has already been attacked twice," Selena cut in, "It is almost certain there will be more." The Order nodded their agreement.
Fawkes perched on Alex's shoulder and cocked his head at Dumbledore, singing a brief, questioning tune.
The headmaster's eyes began to twinkle. "Ms. Alex, how many years of education have you had?"
She raised an eyebrow in amusement then thought about it. "Six, five in Europe and one in an American school: Tharnoz. Why do you ask?"
"Here, seven years are required," Dumbledore said, "therefore I am inclined to offer you a year of attending Hogwarts."
She bit her lip to keep in a smile as she looked at Harry. "Should I tell them?" she asked.
Realizing what she meant, Harry and Remus began to laugh. Several of the Order members gave them strange looks. "Tell us what?" McGonagall asked.
Alex smiled openly, "My last name is Zolar."
"And they're laughing because?" Tonks left the question hanging.
"She has already been in Hogwarts," Snape answered, "And in Slytherin as well."
McGonagall peered at her, "Alexandriaz Zolar?"
Alex grinned, "Hard to forget a name like that, isn't it?" Some of the people gathered in the room chuckled.
"So, do you wish to be resorted? Or do you insist on not returning?" Dumbledore inquired.
Alex looked at the people watching her, "I suppose I'll come back; but Mr.Blurnof might not be too happy to hear it."
Dumbledore beamed, and summoned the Sorting Hat from its shelf. She looked a bit uncomfortable as the hat was settled on her head, and even more so when it began muttering to itself. "I'd rather not have you creeping around in my head for long," she told it after a few minutes, "It's weird."
The hate sighed. "You are difficult."
"I'm always difficult." Some of the Order chuckled again.
"I cannot tell which house is best," the hat said with irritation.
"Alright then, we'll do it by chance." She turned to Snape, "Evens or odds Sir?"
"What?"
"Pick one."
He hesitated, "Odds."
"So now it's between Gryffindor and Slytherin," Alex looked at McGonagall, "Same question."
"Evens," she replied.
Alex looked up at the brim of the Sorting Hat. "You know the answer, do what you do best."
It opened the mouth-like tear and announced, "GRYFFINDOR!" Harry grinned, and she smiled hesitantly.
"It'll be strange, going from green to red." She told him. Removing the Hat, she allowed Dumbledore to float it back on to the shelf it had come from.
"Now that that's settled, would you mind taking a few tests of OWL level, so we can make your schedule?" Dumbledore asked.
She nodded, and rubbed her side before getting out her wand. "Ready." Harry watched as she was tested in Transfiguration by McGonagall, Defense by Remus, Charms by Bill, Herbology by Charlie, History by Selena, CoMC by Hagrid, Arthrimacy by Dumbledore, and Potions by Snape—she passed all of them withan ease that reminded Harry of Hermione.
"We'll have a schedule for you by tomorrow." Dumbledore promised, "In the meantime, Harry can show you around."
Alex massaged her side again, then thanked them and left with Harry. They talked as they went up to the common room, and there Harry introduced her to Seamus, Dean, Ginny, Neville, Ron and Hermione. Hedwig also said hello, and landed on Alex's shoulder. Smiling, Alex gently pet the phoenix's shining plumage. "Hey mate, ask her to the dance," Ron told Harry quietly as Alex and Hermione talked about Arthrimacy. "Before Seamus does."
Harry glanced at the accident-prone Gryffindor and noticed that look he was giving Alex. "Good idea," Harry replied. Once Hermione and Alex took a break, Harry told Alex about the dance, and asked her to go with him—it was much easier than it had been with Cho. "Sure Harry," she answered, a smile in her eyes.
Coming Up:
First Quidditch Match
The Moonwalkers
Then:
Relations Revealed
Making Masks
Review Response:
athenakitty: You will find out everyone's costumes in another chapter or so. (response to review of ch.5)
dragonic: I'd already planned something of the sort, you read my mind. (response to review of ch.5)
lionel: (and to all reviewers about spelling) I thank you for your advice, especially when it concerns certain words. You see, for some odd reason, my computer deleted the word program, so I have to make due with wordpad and it does not have spell check. Thank you again for your suggestions nonetheless. (response to review of ch.5)
HeWhoComesWithTheDawn: I haven't quite decided if there's a reason for changing it. Good question though, I will think about it further. (response to review of ch.5)
