Chapter Twelve

The Second Appearance of The Figure

Alex was the happiest he had ever been at all this whole year. There was a family that was willing to take him in. Alex looked at Ron, his face beaming, and said, "Thanks Ron. I owe you and your family big time. But…I really owe you a big apology-" Ron put his hand up and Alex stopped talking. "Don't Alex. Its ok. I think I overreacted a bit. You got up enough guts before I did mate. I mean, not like it was a contest or anything. So, there's no hard feelings. I think I pretty much got my frustration out when I hit you that day," Ron said with a chuckle. Alex couldn't help but laugh. Then a dark gray owl came soaring in through a window, dropped a letter on Alex's lap, and disappeared out the window. Alex looked at the envelope, picked it up, and opened it. It was from Draco Malfoy's father, Lucious Malfoy. "Who's it from?" Ron asked curiously. "Its from…" Alex hesitated. He wasn't sure how his friends would react to him getting this letter from Mr. Malfoy. "Who is it from?" Harry asked. "It's a personal letter that I can't let you guys hear," Alex lied. "What? You can share it with us. Its ok!" Harry said quickly. Alex shook his head. "No. I can't. It's a very personal letter. I honestly can't share it," Alex said. Hermione looked at Alex curiously. She knew something was going on. "I'm going up to the dorm to read this," Alex said. He stood up and walked towards the stairs. Hermione caught a glimpse of Lucious Malfoy's name at the bottom of the letter.

Hermione waited until Alex was out of sight then turned to Ron and Harry. "I saw who it was from…it was from Lucious Malfoy," Hermione said to them. Harry and Ron's eyes went wide. "Why would he be writing Alex?" Harry asked. Hermione shook her head. "I don't know. But apparently he doesn't want us to know," she said. "I don't see why. I mean, he just…hold on…that is weird. Why would Alex get a letter from him?" Harry said. "Shall I go ask?" Ron said. "I think he'd be more willing to talk to Hermione," Harry said.

Alex sat on his bed and stared down at the letter. He didn't know why he'd get a letter from Mr. Malfoy, but he had to force himself to read it:

Dear Mr. Price,

I heard about that unfortunate happening with your father. That is terrible. He was a good friend to me. In light of this event, seeing as you have no other family, perhaps you would consider coming to live with me and my family. We would welcome you gladly. Your family and mine were great friends! Do you remember? I am sure Draco wouldn't mind his long time friend being around during the summer. Consider my offer Alex. I'm sure you'd want to stay in the best of places during the summer.

Respectfully,

Mr. Lucious Malfoy

Alex folded the letter up and stuffed it under his pillow just as the door opened. He looked at the door and saw Hermione standing there. "Hey Alex," Hermione said with a smile. "Hi. Is there something you need Hermione? I'll be right down if that's what you are wondering," Alex said. "No actually, it's not. I'm wondering about the letter. I saw who it was from," Hermione said. Alex looked at her, not surprised. "I know…I flashed in your direction on purpose because I thought you should be the first to know…" Alex said. Hermione looked at him, confused. "Know what Alex?" she asked. Alex took a deep breath and told her. "My family, as you know, was full of pure bloods. Well, being a pure blood, and the fact my parents worked at the Ministry of Magic, my family was consistently having dinner, or something with the Malfoys. So, Draco and I…became friends," Alex stopped and looked at her. She had a shocked look on her face. "Go on," she said. Alex looked at her, then continued.

"We were friends up until about six years ago. I ended the friendship after a small argument he and I had. I can't remember what the argument was about, but I ended the friendship. He still believes us to be friends." Hermione didn't know what to say to this. "But…he throws snide remarks to you…but…he's never actually been as pig headed to you as he has to Harry, Ron, or me," Hermione said. Alex looked at her. "He thinks that when he throws those remarks at me, that its all in fun. As I said, he still believes us to be friends," Alex said. "Well…are you…are you going to tell Harry and Ron? Because, if you don't I will," Hermione said. Alex was taken aback. He looked at her, disbelievingly. "Hermione…are you mad at me?" Alex asked. Hermione just looked at him. "I feel betrayed Alex," she said.

Alex was shocked. He wasn't even friends with Draco anymore. "Hermione…I'm not friends with him anymore…I told you that," he said. Hermione looked at him. "You should have told me before," Hermione said. Alex felt his stomach lurch. "Hermione…its in the past…its all over. I am NOT friends with Malfoy anymore," Alex said for, what felt like, the millionth time. Hermione said nothing, turned around and walked down into the common room. She told Harry and Ron what Alex had just told her.

Alex found out that Harry and Ron, as well as Hermione, did not want to speak to him, simply for the fact he hadn't said anything about his past friendship with Draco Malfoy. He didn't see why they were making such a big deal over it. That friendship was in the past…it was all over. Every now and then Alex would try to talk to his friends, but to no avail. They wouldn't talk to him. One night, as he was walking down a corridor he made a decision. He was going to tell Draco that they weren't friends. But he knew he'd have to do it when Harry, Hermione, and Ron were near. He seized this opportunity the very next day. He was walking out side when he saw Draco start harassing Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Alex dropped his stuff, pulled out his wand, and walked over to Draco. "Hey Draco!" Alex called as he neared him.

Draco turned, only to meet Alex's fist. Draco fell down and looked up at Alex. Alex stared down at Draco, then seized him by his shirt and threw him down on the ground again. "Just so you know Draco, we aren't friends. And I want you to leave Harry, Hermione, and Ron alone for the remainder of your life," Alex said, then picked Draco up, held his wand to Draco's neck, and faced him to Hermione. "And I think you have something to say to her for calling her a Mudblood so much," Alex finished. Draco was shocked. He didn't know what to do. So he muttered the words. "I'm sorry for calling you a Mudblood so much, Granger," Draco said. Alex looked at Draco. "Now that wasn't so bad was it?" he said, then threw Draco to the ground again. He turned, looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, then turned and walked back up to the place where he had dropped his books. Alex turned and gave one last look at them, and smiled, then walked on into the school.

For the next couple of days Alex walked alone down the corridors to class and the common room. When he was in the common room, Alex usually sat alone now that his friends were mad at him. He said nothing to them when he saw them, he had decided it was better if he let them come and talk to him on their own.

As he was walking down the corridor to the Gryffindor Common Room, he heard some commotion coming from the entrance. He ran forward and saw a group of people crowded down into the entrance of the common room. Alex began to make his way through the crowded entrance and into the common room. As he got to the front of the crowd, he saw Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall facing a dark, hooded figure, The Figure was there. Alex turned to the crowd and began to shout at them. "Get out of here! NOW! GO!"

Everyone looked at Alex. "Get out! This thing kills people! GO!" Alex shouted. Hearing this, everyone started hurrying out. Alex pulled out his wand and joined Dumbledore and McGonagall. Dumbledore looked at Alex. "Alex? Get out of here!" he said. Alex just shook his head. "NO! This thing killed my parents! I'm not leaving!" Alex said.

The Figured turned his gaze (whatever of a gaze it had, since his eyes where hidden behind the hood of the cloak) to Alex. "You, boy, are a fool. Do you not realize who I am?" the Figure said. Alex looked at the Figure. "I don't care who you are! You killed my mum and dad!" Alex said. The Figure kept his gaze on Alex. "Yes, and now I am here to finish what I started with that silly girl!" it said. Alex looked around for Hermione, but saw her no where. "You will not touch her! You will have to kill me first!" Alex stared at the Figure. Alex didn't know why, but his insides began to churn. He began feeling dizzy. Alex looked at the Figure, then, for no apparent reason, he collapsed. As he fell, he muttered some words to Dumbledore. "Don't…let that thing…get…Hermione," was all he was able to stay, then, he went unconscious.