The Snake and the Stag

Chapter two: Alex

THIS I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER

Harry awoke the next morning to sunlight coming through the window. He got up and got dressed then joined Ron and Hermionie going down to the great hall for breakfast. After wards, He went to the secret entrance to Dumbledore's office. He realized he didn't know the password. As he stood there, waiting for a teacher, the door opened and a shadow beckoned him up the staircase. Cautious, Harry climbed on and waited to get to the door that led to the round room. He opened it to see Dumbledore at his desk, Fauwkes on his golden perch looking at him.

"Yes, Professor?" Harry asked, walking over to the desk, the previous Headmasters feigning sleep in their frames. Harry noticed one that was related to his late godfather and the memory of Sirius' death tugged at his heart.

"I hope you received the letter I sent you this summer on continuing the club you started last year."

"Yes sir, I did."

"Then I hope you understand that I would want you using a larger classroom. You'll have more members."

"Of course I do."

"Then would you mind if Professor Redi helped?"

"No." Harry shrugged. It would help to have the new DADA professor helping out.

"You are excused."

"Thank you, sir." Harry exited but paused as he heard voices. He leaned against the door to hear a little better.

"Alex, you can join the school tomorrow. I promise." Dumbledore was saying.

"But…"

"No 'Buts' Alex. I'm asking you to stay hidden for one more day. I trust you can do that."

"Yes, I can…" The second voice sighed. Harry quickly walked away, wondering who on earth Dumbledore would keep up in his office. He hurried to his first class, Dinivision. He hardly heard what Professor Trelawney was saying about the next thing they were going to use to tell the future. He could only think about the mysterious student in the office above the school, longing to join the throng.

"Hey Harry, Are you All right? You seem kinda out of it." Ron said at lunch. Harry snapped back to his senses from imagining the student as a vampire that could stand sunlight (a day walker).

"Yeah I'm fine. Listen, when I was up at Dumbldore's office…" Harry proceeded to tell the other two about what he'd heard.

"That's crazy!" Ron exclaimed as the walked out to Hagrid's class. "A student locked in Dumbledore's office!"

"Ron!" Hissed Hemionie. Malfoy wasn't far ahead of them. "But it is odd. We'll have to wait until tomorrow then."

"He might not be in our house though." Harry said.

"He's got a point there Hermionie." Ron said. They were quiet after that when they reached Hagrid's hut. Hagrid was waiting for them with…

"Fauwkes!" Harry exclaimed. Fauwkes Blinked and looked at him.

"Aw'right, every' body 'ere? Good! Thought this would be a good firs' lesson. Open up to page three hundred!" There was a lot of rummaging through bags for their books and rusting of pages as students stoked the spines of their books and flipped through the book to the assigned page.

"Fauwkes is a Phoenix," Hagrid began. Harry knew this already from his second year. "They can carry imen'sly heavy loads and have tears with healin powers. Can anyone tell me th' other two things that make th' Phoenix special'?" Harry and Hermionie's hands went up at once. "Aw'right Harry, take a go."

"The Phoenix is extremely loyal and burns when it dies. But is reborn from the ashes." Harry said.

"Good! Five points to Gryifindor. Harry glanced at Malfoy who looked disappointed. Seemingly he could find no way to disrupt the class. The day went on slowly, potions class seemingly the longest because Harry despised it so much. He couldn't keep his mind off the mysterious student. He could hardly sleep that night but did, having to be woken up by Ron. Harry couldn't help but look around to see an unfamiliar face. Ron and Hermionie were as well because they too were looking every witch way.

None of them noticed a thing until an elegant dark gray; almost black Owl swooped in during the mail delivery. It landed a few feet from them in front of a girl Harry had never seen before and gave her a rolled up Daily Profit. She petted it lovingly and it nipped her ear. Then flew out with the other owls. Harry shoved Ron and Hemionie and pointed at the girl who was now reading. They shrugged and gathered their things. Harry dared another glance. Something was oddly familiar about her elegant black hair that framed her slightly pale face.

Harry and Ron went up to the north tower to Dinivision as quickly as possible. As A result, they were the first ones up there. They stood in silence for a few moments before they heard footsteps behind then on the stairs. A moment later, the girl from that morning came into view, panting slightly from the climb. Her dark hair fell over her face, hiding half of it from view. She glanced at Harry and Ron nervously.

"Hi." Harry said, breaking the silence.

"Hi Harry." The girl said back.

"I'm Ron Weasly." Ron said. Determined to be in on the conversation.

"Nice to meet you both." The girl said.

"Are you new? I've never seen you n the common room." Ron said. Harry then noticed the Gryffindor crest on her robes.

"Yes, I am new. I'm Alexandria. Call me Alex." Alex gave a weak smile.

"How do you like it here?" Harry asked. Alex smiled weakly again.

"Oh, I love it here. It's better than that stupid orphanage…" Harry was reminded of Tom Riddle. Tom had also grown up in an orphanage and he'd hated it. The rest of the class soon arrived and they climbed the ladder into Professor Trelawney's room that was crammed with tables and chairs.

Alex sat down with Harry and Ron, taking up Hermionie's seat. They soon started using stones to tell the future. Tossing the assorted sizes and shapes of rocks onto a roll out map type of thing.

Harry Alex and Ron all sat with eyes half closed, lazily tossing the stones and reading their books, trying to figure out what the positions meant.

At long at last, the thing Harry had been hoping wouldn't happen happened. Professor Trelawney came over to yet again tell his fortune.

"My dear, the Grim is still in your future, but another, larger shadow looms in your way! And it's close…" A loud snort interrupted her. The entire class turned to look at Alex who was sitting with her arms crossed.

" Well duh. Everyone knows about Harry and Voldemort." At the name, people either gasped or shuddered. Professor Trelawney grasped her shawl and stared at Alex.

"You mustn't speak the name!"

"Why not? It's just a name." Alex said. "And this junk about the Grim, It's a figment of our imaginations!" Harry and Ron exchanged looks. Alex was reminding them deeply of Hermionie. Apparently offended, Professor Trelawney Joined Lavender and her friend at their table instead.

After class, Harry, Ron and Alex went down to Transfiguration and introduced Alex to Hermionie. Alex took a seat on Hermionie's left and Harry on her right and Ron on his right.

Once in bed that night, Harry was no longer ale to ignore the nagging in the back of his mind saying he'd seen Alex before. He lay awake, staring at the ceiling trying to remember.