Disclaimer - as always, i don't own any of this. Why do we even have to include these? Everyone knows that JK owns Harry Potter and Friends. o well...
Chapter 4 - Unexpected Meeting
Beep, Beep, Beep.
What is that noise?
Beep, BEEP, BEEP!!
"Shit!"
Hermione threw the covers off herself, and hurried to shut her alarm clock off. She then hurried around, getting ready for the day.
After showering quickly, dressing even quicker, and finally doing her make-up, Hermione was happy with her appearance, as she stood in front of the full-length mirror in her wardrobe. She had chosen the customary white Hogwarts blouse, but decided to spruce it up a little and wore a purple tank top over top of it. She also wore a tight fitting, short, black skirt, and black high-heeled shoes. She was determined to turn heads this year.
Hermione grabbed her bag, and headed out of her room. She passed by the door she had gone through last night, completely forgetting about it while rushing around. The memory came flooding back to her: the earthy passage, the other door, Lucius Malfoy's voice, Draco's assignment. Her head was spinning by the time she reached the Great Hall.
Hermione was still thinking too hard to notice all the boys' heads turn in her direction as she made her way to the Gryffindor table for breakfast. She took a seat across from Ginny and helped herself to some toast.
"I like your outfit 'Mione." Ginny commented, releasing Hermione from her trance.
"Wah, oh, thanks Gin. The same ol' white blouse was boring so I decided to make it a little better," Hermione said.
"Well, I like it, it looks very good."
"Thanks."
"So, how was your room?"
"Oh, great, they knew exactly what my favorite colors were, and what I would like! You will have to come and stay the night with me sometime. Let's get used to being back here first, though," Hermione said.
"I would love to! Thanks."
"No problem."
"What's no problem?" Ron said, as he and Harry approached the table. Ginny was careful to divert Harry's eyes, but that was difficult as he took the seat right next to her. Why doesn't he understand? I don't like him! Ginny thought. Ron took the seat next to Hermione, and started shoving his face full of food.
"Nothing, just me and Ginny planning a slumber party," Hermione answered.
"Oooh, can I come?" Ron imitated an excited school girl, making Hermione and Ginny giggle.
"I'm sorry Ron, but it will be no boys allowed," Hermione winked at Ginny, "So you two will have to find something else to do that night."
"But why???" whined Ron, trying to make Hermione laugh again. He didn't succeed.
"Oh, Harry, aren't we supposed to hand out schedules?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that."
"So did I until just now. Let's go ask Professor Dumbledore."
Harry and Hermione got up, leaving the two Weasley's together, and went to talk to the Headmaster. They returned soon enough with a stack of papers which they started handing out. When everyone had their schedule for the year, Harry and Hermione sat back down, looking over theirs.
"What do you two have first?" Hermione asked the boys.
"Aurors in Training class." Ron said.
"Me too!" Harry answered quickly.
"So do I, ok, so we will be together for that class, so what about the next..." Hermione said, and for the rest of the breakfast, they sat talking about classes. The trio was so immersed in their conversation they didn't even notice Ginny leave to go to her fifth year friends. Nor did they notice a particular pair of steel gray eyes watching them as they talked.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way to Aurors in Training after breakfast. They were surprised to find Kingsly Shacklebolt sitting at the desk. He caught their eyes as they walked in, and gave them the slightest glare and quick shake of the head, telling them that they were not to acknowledge that they knew him. The trio obeyed rather well, and they just took their seats, got out their supplies, and waited for class to begin.
As she was waiting, Hermione watched the others file in through the door. From Gryffindor there was Dean Thomas and of course, herself, Harry, and Ron. From Ravenclaw: Padma Patil and Anthony Goldstein. Hufflepuff: Hannah Abbot and Ernie Macmillan And to Hermione's surprise, there were two Slytherins in this class also: Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. She didn't expect Slytherins to want to become Aurors, especially these two; both of whom had fathers that were Deatheaters.
Before she had much time to dwell on that fact, Shacklebolt said, "Ok class, settle down. Welcome to Aurors in Training, or AIT for short. You are in this class because you have thought about becoming an Auror after Hogwarts. I, myself, am an Auror, and I can tell you, it's not easy. So if you are not up to a challenge, then I suggest you leave," he pointed, "there is the door." No one moved. "Ok then, we are all ready for the dangers that being an Auror may cause. Now, who can tell me who started the Auror Program, and who was the first one?"
Hermione's hand shot up in the air, as usual. She heard a sly voice behind her say, "Oh, oh course, the smart little Mudblood knows all," to the Slytherin next to him. She automatically assumed it was Malfoy but then she thought, That wasn't Malfoy's voice. It mush have been Blaise Zabini. Why didn't Malfoy make a smart comment? That isn't like him.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"What?" she said, completely oblivious as to why her hand was raised, and then it hit her... "Oh, the first Auror was Jonathon Taylor, and he is the one who started the program."
"Correct, 10 points to Gryffindor."
Someone coughed from behind her and it sounded a lot like 'Suck-up'. Ron turned around and glared at Malfoy. Malfoy shot back an expression that clearly read, 'What?! I didn't do shit!' Harry nudged Ron, telling him to calm down and turn around.
The class went on like that, Shacklebolt lecturing, the students taking notes, Ron shooting glares at Malfoy. When the class was over, Ron and Harry went on to Potions. There were only so many classes available to be an Auror, so half of the people training to be Aurors had a break second hour. The others had one fourth. Hermione had her break now, then would go to Potions next.
As she walked to the library, intending to finish the homework Shacklebolt assigned, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned and saw Malfoy walking toward her. She turned back around, ready to ignore any insult he threw at her.
But he didn't.
"Granger, wait, I gotta talk to you."
Hermione stopped, deciding to humor him, and waited until he was next to her. She started walking again and let him fall in stride with her. "Get it over with, Malfoy."
"What?"
"You are here to insult me, are you not? Well, I'm waiting, please get it over with, I have places to go."
He turned and stopped dead in front of her, glaring. "You think I'm only here to insult you? Gods, you are not as smart as I thought, maybe I don't want your help!"
"Help, what kind of help?" Hermione asked, confused.
He threw his arms up in exasperation. "You know what? Forget I said it. I fucking try to be nice and you jump down my throat, so no! Just forget it!"
He turned and started walking away, when he felt a small hand grab his arm, then he heard, "Malfoy, wait. I'm sorry I said it. Now, just what do you need help with?"
"AIT," He said, without turning around.
"What?"
He turned around and glared. "Aurors in Training, Granger. That class. That's what I need help with." He said, nastily.
Hermione was confused. "It's only the first day back Malfoy, how do you know you..."
He cut her off aggressively, "I just know ok? So are you going to help me or not?"
"What's in it for me?"
"Do you want money?"
"NO!"
"Then what do you want?"
"Just leave Ron, Harry and Ginny alone."
"Done."
"Done? Just like that?" Hermione said, skeptically.
"Yeah, don't work about it. I'll leave them alone," Malfoy said, with a hint of annoyance.
Hermione thought about it. She hated seeing her friends under Malfoy's thumb. This could be her one chance to change that. "Fine, I'll do it. Where and when?"
"Can you do it now? During this break? And maybe one more night a week?" Draco seemed happy that she agreed.
"Fine, this break is ok, but what night? Thursday works for me, what about you?" Hermione was still a little skeptical.
"Yeah, that's fine. Are you up for it being late, though? Like 11 or so?"
"Yeah, I guess." She was having more second thoughts every second. "Why so late though?"
Draco seemed a little shocked that she didn't figure that one out herself. "Well, you don't want Scarhead and Weasel King knowing do you?"
"Oh, I didn't really think about that. Well, no, I guess you're right." Hermione said, mentally smacking her forehead for not seeing that.
"Alright then, I will see you tomorrow in AIT, and then on Thursday at 11. Where should we meet at?"
Immediately Hermione thought of the earthy passage connecting their rooms. Does he know about it?
"Where is your room? Is it in the Slytherin common room?" She didn't care about telling him that she already knew he had a room. She was going to have to tell him about the passage, sooner or later. She figured sooner was better than later, so she devised a plan, quickly.
"How did you know I had room?" Said Draco, caught off guard.
"I will tell you later. So where is it?"
"Yeah, it's in the Slytherin Common Room, but I dunno what you are planning. You can't get in there." Now it was Draco's turn to be confused.
"Never mind, I'll tell you tonight. I will be in your room at 7 tonight, ok?" Hermione really liked being in control of him, watching his expressions.
"But, how are you getting there? How do you know where it is? How did you even know I had a room?" He said, exasperated.
"I will explain everything tonight. See you later, Malfoy." She walked off, leaving him scratching his head.
Hermione walked through the library doors, intending on doing her homework. But she didn't accomplish that. She just sat there, content on having baffled Malfoy, but still questioning whether it was smart to be doing this.
How does he know he needs help? I mean, we've only had one class. She thought. And why do I feel ok with this? Sure I think I'm doing something wrong, but I kind of like it. Aiding the enemy, so to speak. For once, I'm doing something without Harry or Ron. And speaking of them, they must never find out, or they will skin me alive!
Her thoughts continued like that until Madam Pince came up and told her that it was time for her next class. Hermione picked her stuff and left for Lunch.
Hermione walked through the double doors of the Great Hall, still thinking. She sat next to Ginny and they talked absent mindedly. Soon enough Lunch was over and Hermione headed off for Potions. Harry and Ron went off to Break. They would see each other again after 4th for Transfiguration.
She walked in and sat at her desk. Class started and no-one sat next to her, but the boys eyed her, avidly.
"Welcome to Advanced Potions. Today you will be working in pairs to make a Veritaserum Potion. Can anyone tell me what that is?" Professor Snape asked, from behind his desk.
Hermione's hand rose, but he didn't call on her. Just as he was about to call on some 7th year from Hufflepuff, the door opened. Draco swiftly walked in and took the only available seat – next to Hermione. Great, now he's going to press me for answers. I will just have to resort back to being aloof, and play with his mind. She smirked.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy. Surely you can tell me what the purpose of the Veritaserum Potion is, then why you were late, right?" Snape asked.
"The Veritaserum is a truth-telling potion, Slip some to a person and they will answer any question you ask them," Draco said, unfazed. "And I was late because Professor Dumbledore called me to his office."
He's lying; I was just talking to him 20 minutes ago! Hermione thought.
"Can anyone prove that?" Snape asked. He didn't really care; he just knew he had to ask, because it was his job.
"Yes, Professor Dumbledore, I, and this piece of parchment can, sir," Draco handed Snape a slip of paper.
Snape read it and excused Draco. He waved his wand and the ingredients and directions for the Veritaserum appeared on the blackboard. Snape turned back to the class.
"Your partner will be who is sitting with you at your table. This will be your partner for the next month, as that is how long it takes to brew a Veritaserum Potion. There are NO exemptions."
Hermione groaned. "Something wrong, Granger?" Malfoy asked.
"Oh, of course not, Draco," she said, in a falsely sweet voice.
"Well, better get used to it, we are going to be seeing a lot of each other. But since nothing is wrong, let's get to work," Draco started to gather the ingredients, while Hermione got the cauldron and fire ready.
They worked quietly for about twenty minutes then Draco asked, "So, how DID you know that I have a room?"
"I thought I was going to tell you tonight," said Hermione, trying to keep him interested. She didn't have to try all that much, he was VERY interested.
"Look, Granger, I'm not patient. Let's get that straight now. I hate to be kept waiting, so try to stay on my good side," Draco said, his eyes flashing.
"Who said I wanted to be on your good side?" she winked at him. "You and I both know that I can hit AS hard as any boy, and curse better than any." She watched his expression turn from annoyed to angry, FAST!
"You know what? I could forget this and go back to calling you Mudblood and making fun of Scarhead and Weasel King. Keep acting that way and I will," he said, his voice rising.
"What way?"
"LIKE THAT!" Every head in the room turned towards them. Draco glared. They went back to work. "Gods, and I thought you were smart! I needed help, and I reluctantly ask you because, even though you will NEVER hear me admit it again, you are the smartest witch in our year. So, if you are going to joke around and not mean anything, I'll quit!"
"Gods, Malfoy. Chill out! I'LL quit if you're going to flip out on me every time I joke around," Hermione said.
"Well, you seem to think that this is all a joke. That I asked you because I liked you or something. Well, I DON'T! I only asked you because you would know how to help me! Just because we have to be together, doesn't mean we are friends!"
Hermione was shocked that he said that. Who did he think he was to accuse her of thinking that? She opened her mouth to speak, couldn't think of anything to say, and closed it again. Draco just kept looking at her expectantly.
"Well, what do you want me to say, Malfoy?" she finally asked him.
"Anything!"
"Fine, let's get THIS straight. I only agreed to this to help Harry, Ron, and Ginny. No other reason! I DO NOT have a secret infatuation with you or something, so don't flatter yourself! And you're right, we're not friends, nor do I want to be, I don't want to be anywhere near you. I qu-...."
"Is something the matter Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger?" Professor Snape finally butt in to their argument.
"Yes! I refuse to work with him! He is arrogant..."
"No, Sir. We were just having a little quarrel about something stupid."
Hermione and Draco were talking at the same time and it was impossible for anyone to make out what they were saying.
Snape glared at them, and put up his hand. They both stopped immediately.
"You two will have detention. To be served on Thursday night at 11. Come see me first and I will assign them. I suggest you DO NOT interrupt my class again. And, Miss Granger, get used to working with him, you will be for the next month. Like I said, no exemptions," Snape said. He handed them both a slip of parchment, informing them of the detentions. "Get back to WORK! All of you!" By the time Snape had finished his lecture, everyone in the class forgot about their Potions and watched them. Now, they quickly turned back to their work.
"Oh my Gods! Now I have detention! Look what you did Malfoy!" Hermione spat at him, under her breath.
"It's not like I wanted one! I could have been doing MUCH better things! And it's not my fault..." Draco spat back.
"Not your fault? Oh, ok, so it was all mine, huh!? Yes, I WANTED this detention to get out of helping you, so I asked for it right?" She was furious.
"I didn't say that! I just wanted to make it clear that BOTH of us deserve this, and BOTH of us caused it!"
"You are so dense! My God! Just shut up, and get to work. I need a good grade in this class, and if you mess that up for me..."
"What, what are you going to do? Hex me? No you won't," Draco said.
"Oh, I won't, will I? Let's try it now shall we?" She pointed her wand at him.
"You still won't, it would get you into more trouble, and you and I both know that you don't want that."
Hermione glared at him over the roots she was mincing.
"Fine, I'll shut up," Draco said.
"Finally!"
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
"Good."
They worked quietly for a while, when Draco was starting to get bored. He liked teasing her, but hated her fighting back. That's why he got mad. But then again, he also liked this new side to her. She had changed in looks over the summer, and Draco had to admit that he was one of the boys who would watch her as she passed. But he also new that her attitude had changed. She was much more feisty, and he liked that, but he was used to the Hermione that didn't fight back. He decided to try to talk to her again.
"So, are we still on for tonight?"
Hermione looked up at him, disbelieving. "Are you kidding?"
"No, Granger, I was most serious."
"Hell no! And you can forget about me helping you," Hermione was too mad to think that this choice would affect Harry, Ron and Ginny also.
"Fine, Mudblood. How is the maniac Saint Potter and the dirt poor Weasels doing?" Draco knew this would get her to help him. And he NEEDED her to help him!
Hermione glared at him. Damn you, Malfoy! "Fine! But, you need to know, that I'm only doing this for them! Because I HATE seeing them tortured by you!"
"Good girl."
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Hermione and Draco packed up their things and set out for their next class.
Hermione was going towards Transfiguration, and she met up with Ginny. As she walked away from Draco, he called, "See you at 7, Granger."
Hermione looked back, saw him smirk and turn away, and walk off.
"What was that about?" Ginny asked.
"Nothing. That ferret thinks he's going to see me tonight. But he's NOT!" Hermione lied.
"Why would he think that?"
"He thinks I like him. And I told him to meet me at the trophy room tonight at seven. I'm planning to stand him up, like he does to all those poor girls. Give him a taste of his own medicine," Hermione lied again. Hey, that was pretty good, if I do say so myself.
"Good for you! Finally someone shows him where he belongs."
"Yeah, I just hope it works out, and he doesn't hex me in my sleep or something."
"Me either."
"Well, Gin. I gotta go; I will talk to you at dinner."
"Bye."
Hermione walked to Transfiguration where she met up with Ron and Harry, and took her seat.
Professor McGonagall gave the same speech about how they were there to become independent after Hogwarts. And they set to work transfiguring their rats into cats. As always, Hermione was the first to accomplish this, and therefore she was assigned no homework. Harry and Ron finally succeeded, and they didn't get any either.
When Transfiguration was over, the trio set off for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Kinsley was the teacher. Hermione was too busy thinking about what she was getting herself into, to pay much attention in class. She just wanted the time to go faster so that she could go to Draco's (did she just call him DRACO??) room and quit wondering about what is going to happen.
Finally dinner came and the three traveled through the crowd to the Great Hall. Hermione looked over in the Slytherin direction and caught Draco's eye. He nodded slightly, and she knew that the meeting was still on. She sat down beside Ginny and Harry and Ron sat on the other side, facing them. Hermione and Ginny talked about girl stuff while Harry and Ron conversed about Quidditch. Finally dinner was done and the group went up to Gryffindor Tower to work on homework.
Hermione finished her AIT homework and decided to read a book for the remaining half hour until she needed to go through the passage to Draco's room. She chose Where there is a Wand there is a Way. The time flew by fast, and Hermione looked at her watch and she has ten minutes to get to Draco's room.
"Hey guys, I'm gunna go lay down. I've got a bit of a headache," she lied to Ginny, Harry, and Ron.
"Do you want me to bring you anything?" Ginny asked, concerned.
"No, I have an antidote in my room, I'm just really tired, and it would be good if I lay down. I might be out again later, it kind of depends," Hermione hated lying to them. She turned and headed toward the hall with the rooms.
"Ok, hope you get to feeling better, 'Mione," Ginny called after her.
Hermione reached her room and entered. After locking the door, and checking her appearance in the mirror, she was ready to go down the passage. The door opened easily enough and she hurried down the path by wand light. Soon enough, she reached the other door, and it was still locked.
"Alohomora," she tried.
The door didn't budge.
"Reducto!"
The door shattered into a million tiny pieces. Hermione could see part of Draco's room through the place where the door had just been. She decided to clean up the mess, and then enter his room. Just as she had done with her door yesterday, she cleaned all the pieces, and restored the door.
When the mess was cleaned up and she was sure that she would be able to open the door to get back to her room, she entered Draco's room. He wasn't there, but she took in all the details. The walls were green, silver, and black. A true Slytherin room. It was a nice room, very clean. Somehow, Hermione figured Draco was lazy and messy, but his room was very well-kept. She decided to sit on his bed, and wait for him.
Hermione sat and waited for about 15 minutes, just thinking about what was to come when she heard footsteps outside the door. (The REAL one, not the one she entered.) She watched the door open and Draco glide in. She watched him jump when he saw her.
"Damn it, Granger!"
"What? I told you I was going to be here. It's your fault you didn't believe me," Hermione said with a smirk.
"I didn't think that it was possible. How did you get in?" Draco asked.
"That door," she pointed.
"What door?" Draco was beginning to think that Hermione was crazy.
"This door," she got up off his bed, went over to him, grabbed his arm and led him to the door.
"That door!" Hermione said.
"Why didn't I see that before?" Draco asked, more to himself than to Hermione.
"I don't know, it's your room, not mine."
"So, where does this lead?" Draco inquired.
"My room."
For a brief second Draco's head was filled with thoughts. Thoughts that his mother wouldn't be very proud of.
Seeming to read his thoughts, Hermione said, "Don't try anything stupid, Malfoy. It's locked on the other side."
"What makes you think I was going to try anything?" Draco said, trying to look bewildered.
"Your sly personality."
"Is that good? That I have a sly personality?" he asked.
"Depends on what you use it for," Hermione said.
"Oh, I only use it for good, Granger. Only good. I promise," Draco smirked.
"Well, now that you know that our rooms are connected, and I have your word that you won't go through the passage and hex me in my sleep, I will be going," Hermione said.
"Why so soon?" Draco wanted her to stay, though he would never admit it.
"Why should I stay?" Deep down, she wanted to stay, but she wouldn't admit it, either.
"We can start the lessons early if you want."
"Alright, I guess. Where should we sit?"
"Couch." Draco said.
"There is no couch," Hermione observed.
Draco waved his wand and a nice little comfy couch appeared in front of the fireplace. "There is now."
"How did you do that? Dumbledore can do that and conjure chairs, but I've never heard of a student being able to do it," Hermione asked Draco.
"You basically just think really hard of what you want, wave your wand and it is there. No spell or incantations. You try," he said.
"No, that's ok, maybe later."
"Ok, whatever."
Hermione crossed the room and sat down on the couch. She lit the fire with her wand. Draco followed and sat down beside her.
"So, Malfoy, what do you need help with, and why am I the one to help you?"
"Well, it's a long story; do you have to be anywhere soon?" Draco asked her.
"No, I told Harry, Ron, and Ginny that I went to bed because I had a headache, so they aren't expecting me anytime soon."
"Good. Well, as you know, my family is very rich," he began snidely. "And I am basically set for life. I do not need to work if I don't wish to. But last year when we were choosing classes for 6th and 7th year I chose to train to be an Auror, so I wouldn't waste my last two years doing nothing. This is what I need help with, I do not want to be in AIT, but now I can't change it. And I need you to help me make it through this class with high marks, so I can impress Mother. I don't really pay attention in class very well when I don't want to be there, so that is why I asked you."
"That's it?" Hermione said. That is very stupid! He could have asked anyone to do that! Hermione would find out the real reason as to why he needed help later.
"Basically. Lucius doesn't live with Mother and I anymore and I only see him every once in a while, so he won't find out that I'm taking training to be an Auror. And I don't care what he thinks anyway. I only care about Mother, she needs to be proud about one person in her family, and I want to make that person be me," Draco said, half truthful, half not.
"Well, I guess that's good," Hermione said. She still didn't quite believe him, but she was willing to try.
"So you are still going to help me right?" Draco asked.
"Yeah, it's either that or watch you torment my friends again," Hermione said.
"Plus, why wouldn't you want to be in the presence of Draco Malfoy anyway?" he said, cockily.
Hermione snorted. "I wonder why!?"
Hermione looked at her watch. It was 8:20 already. She had spent about an hour in Draco Malfoy's presence without wanting to gouge her eyes out before spending more time.
Even though she wasn't having a bad time, she decided that it would be best if she left.
"Draco..." she tried out the name. He looked at her with an odd expression. "Um, I think I better go."
"Yeah, I guess so," Draco said. He stood up and waited for her to lead the way to the door.
They stood there and looked at each other for a long time. Both of them didn't want to admit to the feeling that they felt deep inside them. But it was there, biting, scratching to be let out.
"See you, Draco."
"Yeah, when will be meeting again?"
"Well, Thursday is out because of our detentions, so should we make up for it tomorrow?"
"Sure. Same time, or later?" Draco asked.
"Can we make it later? Like at 9 or so?" Hermione thought of Harry, Ron, and Ginny. She couldn't lie to them twice in two days like that.
"Yea, I will be here."
"Ok, I will see you in AIT, and Potions, then at 9." Hermione turned to leave.
"Hermione..." Draco tried, "Thanks for doing this." He smiled. The first smile Hermione had ever seen on him.
"No problem. But can I ask you something?" Hermione's heart soared when he had said her name.
"Sure. Ask away."
"Why did you ask me? Why couldn't Blaise do it or someone?" she just had to know.
"To be perfectly honest, one: because you are the smartest witch in our year. Two: it was either you or Parvati Patil, which would you choose?" Draco said, truthfully.
"Well, thanks. I better go. See you." Hermione turned to leave and went through the door, back up to her room.
As Hermione got ready for bed, she tried to ignore the feeling inside her. She lied in bed, thinking, until, finally, sleep claimed her.
Draco brushed his teeth and put on his pajamas. Anything to get his mind off Hermione. The way she had looked tonight, and the way she had said his name had unsettled his mind. This isn't supposed to be happening. One night together and I feel as if I never see her again I won't be able to go on. I'm not supposed to fall for her! What will Lucius say?
After 3 hours, Draco finally fell into an uneasy sleep.
a/n - hoped you liked it. Sorry it took so long. I told myself before i started writing my story that if i ever did have a story, that i would write it all before-hand and then post it all at one time, so i didn't make my readers mad. Well that didn't happen did it? lol.
Anyways, thanks for reading. Please Review!!! I will love you forever if you do!
Thanks again. toodles, xo, aly