Chapter Nineteen: Thoughts of anger

Alex was glad that he had come to Hogwarts. He had missed the castle ever so much. He always wished that he could join Hogwarts, but Dumbledore said that he had to remain in London for his own safety. Alex knew that Dumbledore knew best and was only trying to help, but he shed silent tears at the thought that all his friends went to Hogwarts, but he couldn't go. Dumbledore made it up to him, by inviting Alex to Hogwarts every five years. He still remembered his first visit to Hogwarts clearly. He was eight years old. Draco was sitting under the sorting hat looking extremely anxious. He clapped as Draco was sorted into Slytherin. He noticed that everyone was happy about where they were placed. He too wanted to experience that happy feeling when the hat shouted out hishouse. But, poor Alex could never join. He had magical powers, and often, he couldn't control them. He needed someone to teach him, someone to mentor him. That was when Dumbledore appointed Professor Remus J. Lupin to teach him how to control his abilities and basically learnthe same thing that Hogwarts students learned every year. Even though Lupin was nice, Alex longed to be with his friends and learn like a normal child. He had heard of and even met the legendary Harry Potter. Harry was in his sixth year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is also in danger from father... Alex thought. Why is it that he can go to Hogwarts, when I can't? Do they think I am weak? Voldemort was my father! I have suffered more than he has! I can now handle more than he can ever handle in a hundred years! Why is it that I am locked up in this prison that they call home? Why can't I ever play Quidditch, or go to feasts, or live in a dorm with my friends? Why?

Every day for Alex was a step closer to death. He wanted to hurry up and die, because he could never handle the thought of being locked up. He thought he was going crazy. The only thing that kept him sane was Draco's letters. Draco Malfoy had been Alex's best friend since Alex had been six. They played in the backyard of Alex's small house, whenever they could. When Draco turned eleven, Alex had to say goodbye because Draco was leaving to Hogwarts. Alex had cried for days because he missed Draco. After that, he too dreamt of joining Hogwarts. On the day of Alex's eleventh birthday, Alex stood outside the house waiting for his letter of acceptance from Hogwarts. It never came. Alex was depressed for days. He couldn't join Hogwarts, he couldn't learn magic, and he couldn't see his best friend. From that day, he truly despised Dumbledore.

The door opened. Draco appeared, smiling, holding a bottle of firewhisky and several Honeydukes sweets.

"How was Hogsmeade?" Alex asked shifting his seat to make place for Draco

"Brilliant," Draco replied. "Crabbe, Goyle, and I went to Honeydukes and practically bought the whole store. Then we stopped by Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes to buy some joke items. You should see their store. It is bloody brilliant...they have kicked Zonkos to the curb. I never thought I would support a Weasley..."

"What is wrong with the Weasleys?" Alex asked looking confused. "I met two of them today. They seem nice."

"Oh they are nice and all that, but they are goody-goodies. They support Dumbledore and they are blood traitors..."

"Hold on! What do you mean by blood traitors?" Alex shouted loudly, causing Draco to jump.

"Alex! What is wrong with you today?"

"Nothing! Now tell me why you really hate the Weasleys!"

"What is up with you? No seriously, you are acting strange all of a sudden. Is it because you couldn't come to Hogsmeade? Is it because you can't join Hogwarts?"

Alex never felt so angry in his life. He felt his blood boiling and anger started rising from his feet all the way to his mouth.

"WHAT THE BLOODY DAMN HELL DO YOU MEAN?"

Draco looked thoroughly surprised. Alex was known to keep his cool. Alex never acted all violent before.

"Alex, listen to you. You are getting too over-emotional. Just calm down."

"CALM DOWN? HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO CALM DOWN WHEN I HAVE TO REMAIN IN BLOODY LONDON WHILE YOU GET TO HAVE ALL THE FUN?"

Draco stopped. He knew Alex always wanted to join Hogwarts from his letters, but he never knew Alex was that serious about it.

"Look at you! You get to do all kinds of things that I can never do! Sometimes I go mad just thinking about you. I don't like sitting back listening to Lupin drone on about how to brew a potion. I actually want to make the potion! I don't want you telling me about Quidditch! I actually want to play it! You get to do that stuff every year, but do I? No! I have to be safe! What is safe away? Staying away from what you want and going half-mental?" Alex hissed.

"But it-"

Alex interrupted him, "Potter is in danger! Why did he join Hogwarts?"

"Look I-"

Again Alex interrupted him, "The freak Dumbledore knows nothing! HE KNOWS NOTHING! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"

Draco nodded sadly. Alex started panting. Suddenly, the door opened. Pansy Parkinson entered the room.

"Alexander, Professor Dumbledore sent this letter to you," Pansy said handing a letter to Alex.

Alex took the letter and Pansy immediately left the dormitory. He opened the letter and started reading. After a few moments, Alex collapsed onto the bed. His face was drenched with sweat. Draco rushed over to help his friend. Alex got up and started speaking.

"I have been accepted," Alex said finally.

"Excuse me?"

"I have been accepted Draco! I am in Hogwarts now!"

A second later, Alex fell unconscious. Draco gasped and lifted him up and took him to Madame Pomfrey.

Hours later, Alex awoke. He heard a relieved sigh next to him and his eyes flew open. Draco Malfoy, his best friend in the whole world, was sitting by the bedside.

Draco smiled and said, "Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry".

End of Chapter Nineteen