Chapter Eight

The Warning Taken Serious

Later that night Alex walked back into the Gryffindor common room and looked around. It was fuller than it had been earlier. He looked around to find Harry, Ron, and Hermione to apologize to them, but when his eyes landed on Harry, Harry glared at him. Alex sighed and looked to Hermione who was sitting next to Harry. She looked at Alex, then back to the paper she and Harry were looking at. Alex sighed and started for the stairway to the dormitories. "Hey Alex! Come play wizard chess!" shouted Seamus. Alex looked in Seamus' direction. "No thanks. I think I'm just going to go to bed. I don't really feel like playing right now. Maybe some other time," Alex told Seamus. Seamus nodded. Alex continued up the stairs and walked into the boys dormitory. But he didn't go to sleep, instead he sat there and began to work on his Potions essay for Snape. As he sat there writing, he came to slightly difficult part. Now he wished Hermione wasn't mad at him. He could really use her help. He had alienated his girlfriend. Alex stared at the paper, and began writing again, guessing that he'd just guess on it. He heard the door open and he looked up and saw Ron enter. Ron looked at Alex. "What?" Alex said sounding slightly upset. "I just want you to know, I'm not mad at you mate. I hope you know that," Ron said, looking at Alex. "I thought you would be though. I mean, I yelled at you," Alex told Ron. "So? You were just frustrated that Harry didn't take you serious. No reason for me to mad at you. I just want you to throw Harry across the room, or put some curse on him," Ron said with a slight chuckle.

Alex couldn't help but laugh. At least one of his friends weren't mad at him. Alex looked at Ron. "Hermione is mad at me isn't she?" Alex asked. Ron nodded. "Yeah…she is. Why are you taking it so hard that she's mad at you? Its not like she's your girlfriend or anything is it?" Ron said with a chuckle. "Yeah…I guess you're right," Alex said. "But I wish she wasn't mad at me. I need help with this stupid potions thing," Alex continued. "Yeah, I can't help you there mate, sorry. Anyway, I'm going back down. You are welcome to come Alex, if you want to," Ron said. "No. I think its best I don't come down you know? Give Harry and Hermione a chance to calm down a bit," Alex said. "Ok, I'll see you later," said Ron. "Ok, bye," Alex said and with that, Ron left closing the door behind him.

Meanwhile, back in the main part of Gryffindor Common room, Harry and Hermione were working on the same potions paper for Snape. Ron went back to them and sat down. "What did Alex have to say?" Harry asked as Ron sat down.

"He doesn't know why you guys are so mad. I mean, he's pretty upset, and even though he doesn't show it, he's sorry," said Ron looking at Harry. "Well he should have thought about that before he started yelling at me," said Harry. Hermione looked at Ron. "Did he say anything about me Ron?" Hermione asked. "He's struggling with this same essay and wouldn't mind your help. But he knows your mad so he isn't going to ask. But anyway," Ron said looking down at the essay. Just then Alex came over to the table. "Well Harry, you were right. Dumbledore didn't think twice about that. 'Five will die.' So far one is already dead. My mum. But you were right Harry. That's all. But just so you know, there's only four to go," Alex said then walked back up the stairs to the dormitory. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all exchanged looks. "He has a point his mum did die. So maybe she was the first," Ron said. "So? That's just a coincidence," Harry said. "Well, anyway. Lets get back to the essay," Ron said. Not more than five minutes later did Dumbledore come in and walk to the table Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting at. "Excuse me, Harry? I have some rather upsetting news. Your Aunt Petunia has been killed. It was by a wizard. Why he would kill a Muggle I do not know, but they haven't found this man yet," said Dumbledore.

Harry was taken aback by this. Granted he didn't like his aunt and uncle, but it was still shocking. "Um…when sir?" Harry asked. "About 3 hours ago. I am sorry Harry," said Dumbledore. "Its ok sir. Thank you for telling me," Harry said. Dumbledore nodded and walked out of the common room. Harry stared at the paper in front of him. "Harry? Are you ok?" Ron said. Harry nodded. Could Alex's dream be an actual warning? Hermione could tell what Harry was thinking. "But, why would someone want to kill five people?" Hermione said. "I don't know. But I really don't feel like talking to Alex right now. Maybe tomorrow or something," Harry said. "Lets just get the essay done," Hermione said. "Yeah, we'll worry about telling him tomorrow," Ron agreed. Hermione was still slightly mad though. Alex would have to do something to prove himself.

The next morning came. Harry sat up and looked at Alex's bed. It was empty. Harry felt bad about the argument the previous day and wanted to apologize. He also had to Alex about his aunt. Harry got dressed and headed down stairs to find Alex pouring over a Potions book and scrambling to finish the essay even though it was only Sunday. Harry approached Alex and looked at him. Alex looked up. "What?" he said calmly. "I'm starting to think that you are right Alex," said Harry. Alex wasn't expecting that. "Why do you say that?" Alex asked. "When you reminded me about your mum. Then yesterday Dumbledore told me my aunt was murdered," said Harry. Alex looked at Harry. "Ok, it took another death to make you believe me? I knew it had to be true," Alex said. "I know. I'm really sorry Alex. Forgive me?" Harry asked. Alex stared at Harry for a moment then nodded. "Yeah. I forgive you. Even though its me who should be apologizing. I started yelling first," Alex said. "Its ok. But Hermione is still mad at you," Harry said. Alex nodded. "I'm not surprised," Alex said. Harry looked at Alex for a long moment. "You and Hermione are together aren't you?" Harry asked suddenly. Alex looked at Harry. "Yeah…we are. How did you know," Alex said. "The way she went after you yesterday, and the fact she was slightly crying when she came back in from going after you yesterday," said Harry. "Oh…yeah…we are together. But no one is supposed to know. So don't tell Ron, and tell her you know," Alex said. Harry nodded. "I don't know if Dumbledore is taking this serious now that someone else has been killed. Could Voldemort be behind it Harry?" Alex asked. Harry shook his head. He thought it sounded like something Voldemort would do, but, why would he kill a pure-blood witch, Alex's mother. "I don't know. Why would he want a pure-blood witch killed?" Harry said.

Alex nodded. Harry had a point. Voldemort wasn't into killing witches and wizards. Voldemort only killed muggle-born witches and wizards. "Harry, in my dream, there was something else I didn't tell you guys. I think I should at least tell you," Alex paused for a moment. Harry looked at Alex. "Yes?" Harry said. "Sorry, in the dream, that dark figure had…," Alex was interrupted when he saw Hermione appear on the stairs. "The dark figure had what?" Harry asked. "Nothing," Alex said nodding to Hermione. Harry turned and saw Hermione standing there. Then Harry knew, it had something to do with Hermione.

The day had passed slowly. It was dinner time now. Alex walked into the Great Hall alone and took a seat next to Ron. Ron looked over at him. "Has Hermione talked to you at all?" he asked. Alex sighed and shook his head. "No. She hasn't. I guess I'll just let her come around by herself. She'll have to talk to me sometime," Alex said. Ron nodded. "Yeah. She usually does," Ron said. The feast had started and Alex began putting various foods on his plate. "Harry thinks that Vol- that You-Know-Who is behind this," Alex said to Ron. Alex knew that he shouldn't say Voldemort around Ron, not to mention in a room crowded with people who feared Voldemort. "Hmm, maybe he is. But, why would he want to kill a pure-blood witch?" Ron asked. Alex shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe he had a grudge against my mum," Alex said. Ron looked at Alex. How could he say that so calmly about his mum? It was only a month ago when he found out. Ron didn't know how, but he wasn't going to ask. "Oh well. I suppose we should just not worry about that right now right?" Ron said. Alex nodded.

As the feast died down and people were getting anxious to leave, Professor Dumbledore came over to Alex. "Mr. Price, as soon as I dismiss the houses to go to their common rooms for sleep, I need you to come with me to my office please," Dumbledore said. Alex nodded. "Alright. I'll do that," said Alex. With that, Dumbledore walked back up to his seat. "Attention! You are all excused to go to your common rooms. I suspect you all have full days ahead!" Dumbledore said. As the Great Hall emptied, Alex walked up to the teachers table and looked at Dumbledore. "Follow me, Mr. Price," Dumbledore said. He wondered if he was taking Alex's dream seriously now. As they walked into Dumbledore's office Alex looked at Dumbledore. "Have I done something wrong Professor?" Alex asked. "Not at all. I just have to inform you, that I think we have made a slight mistake about you being a prefect. You see, there are only two prefects per house. I am sorry to say I must ask for the prefects badge back," Dumbledore said. Alex nodded. "I was wondering when this would be noticed. But why wait almost two months sir?" Alex asked. "I didn't know until recently. When came to my office yesterday," Dumbledore said. Alex nodded, and handed Dumbledore the prefects badge.

Then Alex looked at Dumbledore for a moment. "Sir?" Alex said. "Yes?" Dumbledore replied. "About my dream. Are you taking it serious now? Alex asked him. Dumbledore looked at Alex for a moment. "I suspect that heard about Mr. Potter's aunt?" he asked. Alex nodded. "Yes sir I did," Alex said. Dumbledore stayed awkwardly silent for quite sometime, then finally spoke. "I am not saying your dream is real but-" "Sir, why would someone kill a muggle? Why would someone kill a pure-blood witch? Who's going to be next? How many more will it take for you to see this dream of mine is more than just a mere dream," Alex said not really caring he just interrupted Dumbledore. "Who do think is behind this?" Dumbledore said, not really agreeing to it, just curious as to who Alex thought was behind it. "Honestly? I believe Voldemort was behind it. Who else could it be sir?" Alex said. Alex thought he had a pretty valid point. Who else would want to kill people. "Ah, but why would Voldemort want your mother killed?" asked Dumbledore. "I don't know sir. Maybe he had something against her," Alex said. "Well, after the death of a muggle by a wizard, I have decided that I will consider this dream of yours serious," Dumbledore said. A wave of calm came over him. "Thank you sir," Alex said. Dumbledore nodded. "Ok, that's all now. Off you go," Dumbledore said. Alex gave Dumbledore a slight smile and left his office.

Alex walked into the common room and looked around for Harry. He saw him sitting by the fire talking to Hermione. Alex walked over to them. "Sorry to interrupt Harry, but Dumbledore decided to start taking this seriously. Thought you ought to know," Alex said. "That's great!" Harry exclaimed. Hermione looked at Alex for a moment, Alex returned her look, and she looked away. Alex knew she'd be safe now. He bid goodnight to his friends and walked up to the dormitories, got into his pajamas and silently drifted off to sleep.