Chapter Thirteen
Valentines Day Dance
When Alex awoke the first thing he saw was Hermione looking at him. He bolted up right. "Hermione! Are you ok? Did anything happen to you? Are you hurt?" Alex asked quickly. Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to lay down. "Its ok Alex, I'm fine. You need to rest," she said looking at him. Alex shook his head. "No. I need to be up. I need to find that thing that was in the common room!" Alex said looking at her. Hermione looked at the ground then back at him. Alex looked at her. "What is it? What happened? Did it kill anyone?" Alex asked quickly. Hermione shook her head. "No…but…" she paused and looked over at the bed next to him. Alex looked over and saw Ron laying in the bed. Alex's head snapped back to Hermione. "What happened? Is he going to be ok?" Alex asked quickly. Hermione nodded. "When he saw you collapse, he rushed in to pull you out, but that thing saw Ron coming and blasted him with something. Dumbledore muttered some spell and the thing vanished," Hermione said. Alex looked from her, then over to Ron, and back to Hermione. "That sounded simpler then it probably was," Alex said, now relaxing more into the bed.
A few minutes passed and Dumbledore came walking into the hospital wing and over to Alex. Alex looked at Dumbledore. Alex couldn't help but feel uneasy. He disobeyed Dumbledore that night. As Dumbledore neared Alex, Alex took Hermione's hand. Dumbledore looked at Alex for a moment, then a smile formed on his lips. "Its ok Alex. I'm not here to punish you," Dumbledore said. Alex let out a quiet sigh of relief, but kept a hold of Hermione's hand. "Professor…was that…was that You-Know-Who?" Hermione asked. Dumbledore shook his head. "No. I do not believe that was him. I believe, however, it was a Death Eater doing Voldemort's bidding," Dumbledore said. Hermione flinched slightly at the mention of Voldemort's name.
Alex looked at Dumbledore. "But Professor…if that was just a Death Eater, what happened to me? Why did I fall unconscious?" Alex asked with a perplexed look on his face. "Anger will do that to a person. As well as stress. You have suffered two major losses so far this year Alex. I have no doubt it finally caught up with you the other night," Dumbledore said. Alex looked over at Ron, then back to Dumbledore. "What exactly did it do to Ron?" he asked looking at Dumbledore, who shook his head. "You mustn't worry about that right now. Mr. Weasly will be fine. There is one thing, however, I am curious about Alex," Dumbledore said.
Alex looked at Dumbledore. "What?" Alex asked lightly. Dumbledore looked at Alex over his half-moon spectacles. "Why would a Death Eater come here, try to kill you, or Miss Granger there?" Dumbledore asked. Alex sat there for a moment and thought. Dumbledore had a point. Why would a Death Eater want to kill Hermione? It had to be more than the fact she was muggle-born. Dumbledore looked at Alex. "Mr. Price?" Dumbledore said finally. Alex shook his head. "I don't know sir…A Death Eater wouldn't go through this much trouble to kill someone who is muggle-born," Alex said. Alex looked at Hermione, millions of thoughts running through his head. "Maybe…maybe I should go home," Hermione offered. Alex shook his head quickly. "You are safer here," he said. Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "He is right Miss Granger. You would be safer here than at your home," Dumbledore said.
Four days went by before Ron was released from the hospital wing. When Alex saw him walk into the common room, he hurried over to him. "Ron…can I talk to you?" Alex asked. Ron nodded. "Sure," he said moving over to an empty part of the room. Alex looked at Ron. "Thank you Ron…for trying to get me out of there…I owe you…is there anything-" Alex was stopped by Ron's hand doing the stop motion. "Don't worry about it mate. I'm sure you'd have done the same thing for me," Ron said and clapped Alex on the back, and walked over to Harry and Hermione. Alex watched as Ron took a seat next to Harry. Thoughts were going through his mind. Would he really have done the same for Ron? A small part of him said no, but the rest of him was saying yes. Alex shook his head, walked over to the table and took a seat next to Hermione. As he sat, he leaned close to Hermione and gave her light kiss on the cheek. Hermione smiled at him as he sat down next to her.
Alex then remembered what had transpired between the four of them a few nights before the Death Eater attack. He looked at them. "Guys…You remember what happened that couple of nights before the Death Eater showed itself?" Alex asked quietly. Harry, Ron, and Hermione nodded slowly. "We never…we never officially made up after that…" Alex said quietly. "I think you should have known all was forgiven, not only when knocked Draco over and told him off, but also when you defended the whole Gryffindor house from that Death Eater," Harry said. Alex looked at the three of them. "Yeah mate, besides, the important thing is is that you aren't friends now right?" Ron said. Alex nodded and looked at Hermione. "What about you?" Alex asked her. Hermione said nothing, but instead, gave him a soft kiss on the lips. Alex couldn't help but smile now. "I guess that means I'm forgiven," Alex said and they all shared a small session of laughter.
The month of January passed without any incidents or mysterious deaths, and faded into February. At the beginning of the month there was a note posted to the wall next to the Great Hall announcing a Valentines Dance. The students of the school were buzzing with excitement. Girls were wondering what guy was going to ask them to the dance and guys were talking about what girl they were going to ask. Alex couldn't help but smile as he walked through the halls hearing the girls say things like, "Oh I hope so-and-so asks me!" and "Oh I think so-and-so is going to ask me!" Alex smirked as he passed some guys saying things like, "I'm asking this girl out!' or "I'm already going with this girl!" and he also heard some people saying things like, "I'm not going to any stupid dance that sounds so boring."
Alex finally reached the Great Hall for lunch, found Hermione, and sat down next to her. Hermione smiled as Alex sat down. He looked at Harry and Ron. "I'll tell you," Alex began, "some girls are just to hysterical about what guy is going to ask them do the dance." Hermione smiled and scooted closer to Alex, wrapping an arm around him. "Well we all know who you're taking," she said with a smile. Alex saw the perfect opportunity to tease Hermione and looked at her. "I have no idea what you're talking about! I have no one to go with," he said with as serious of a tone as he could get. Hermione looked at him, and began to scoot away. Alex quickly grabbed her and pulled her back to him. "I'm teasing you Hermione," he said with a smile and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "You better be," Hermione said with a smile. Harry and Ron smirked. Alex looked over at them both. "So, who are you two taking? Got anyone in mind?" he asked them. Harry shook his head. "I'm not even going. I don't want to constantly be pointed at and stared at," he said. Alex nodded. "Well Ginny is going to be depressed about that," Alex said.
Harry gave Alex a smug grin. "I never said we weren't going to do anything," he said. Ron looked at Harry quickly. "What are you two going to do?" he asked. "Don't worry Ron. Its just a little walk and talk. That's all," Harry told Ron assuredly. Ron nodded, looked back at his food, and sighed dejectedly. Alex looked at Ron with a slight smile. "Food making you depressed Ron?" he asked him. Harry, Hermione, and surprisingly, Ron began to laugh. "No…its not that," Ron said as his laughter died. Alex nodded. "Ah…I see what it is," Alex said. Ron sighed and stood up. "I'll be up in the common room. I have get stuff for Defense Against the Dark Arts," he said and walked out of the Great Hall. Alex looked at Harry, then to Hermione. "What is it?" Harry asked. Alex looked to Harry. "I think a part of him is still upset I'm with Hermione…I don't blame him," Alex said. Hermione looked at Alex. "Maybe…maybe…maybe we can ask around and try to find Ron a date for the dance," she said softly. "No…it won't do any good. You remember what happened last year when he couldn't find a date for the Yule Ball? That was a complete disaster…There will be bound to be someone at the dance that doesn't have a date," Harry said. "He's right…" Alex said with a somber tone in his voice. "I just feel so bad for him," Hermione said. "Don't worry…I have a good feeling something will happen for him at the dance," Alex said.
As the time of the Valentines Dance neared, talk about who was asking who died down considerably. Ron had cheered up when a letter from his mother. Alex was sure it wasn't the letter, but the bunches of Chocolate Frogs that came with it is was cheered him up. "That's more cards!" Ron said excitedly as he stacked them. "Drat! Only one card I don't have," Ron said. Harry, Alex, and Hermione shared a laugh when they heard Ron say that. Alex looked at Hermione and nodded to the empty couch in front of the fire place. She nodded. They both stood and walked over to it. They sat down and looked at each other. Alex took her hand in his and smiled at her. "I have to tell you something Hermione…" Alex said. Hermione held her breath, afraid of what he was going to tell her. Alex sighed. "I-I-I can't dance," he said quietly. Hermione let out a sigh of relief. "Don't scare me like that," she said to him. Alex smiled. "I'm sorry," he said. Then it hit her, what Alex had just told her. "You can't dance? Well its not that hard. Slow songs you more or less just sway back and fourth," she said to him. "Yeah, but what about fast songs?" Alex asked. "You don't have to dance at fast songs," she said. Alex smiled at her, then his smile faded a little.
Alex looked at her, and placed a gentle hand on her cheek. Hermione's eyes closed, feeling his hand on her cheek and she placed a hand on his, leaned in, and began to kiss Alex softly. Alex reacted not only by kissing back, but slowly moving his hand to her waist. The kiss began to grow, but it still remnants of a soft kiss. Hermione placed a hand onto his shoulder and kissed Alex a little deeper, her heart racing. Alex's heart was racing as he felt her touching him.
"HEY! You two! That's enough! Save it for when you aren't around people!" said Ron with a laugh. Alex pulled away from her a little and chuckled lightly. "He's right," Alex whispered. Hermione nodded. They pulled away from each other, stood and walked back over to the table with Harry and Ron. Alex looked at Ron and sat down. Hermione sat next to Alex and took his hand under the table.
The day of the Valentines Day Dance was met with great anticipation. The day was pretty much a blur as the night approached. It was time for the dance. Alex walked out of the dorm in flowing crimson dress robes. His hair was brushed and parted neatly. As he got to the main room of Gryffindor Common Room, he saw Ron sitting on the couch not dressed in his dress robes. "Ron! Why aren't you dressed?" Alex asked. "I'm not going remember?" Ron told Alex. Alex walked over to Ron. "If you go, I promise you won't regret it! Now come on! Put those new dress robes to use!" Alex said with great enthusiasm. "What new dress robes?" Ron asked. Alex looked at Ron. "The new yellow dress robes your mum sent you for this dance. They're sitting on your bed," Alex said. Ron looked at Alex. "My mum didn't send me any robes," Ron said. "Yeah she did mate," said Harry walking down the stairs with the new yellow dress robes. Ron's eyes went wide. "How did she-" Ron looked at Alex, who just smiled. "Now are you going or not: Alex said. Ron looked at the robes, then back to Alex. "No…you go have a good time," Ron said. Alex walked to Ron, put an arm around his shoulder, and spoke. "I promise Ron, if you go, you won't regret it," he said. Ron looked at Alex for a moment, sighed, then took the robes in hand. "Alright…I'll go. I'll meet you there," Ron said, turning and going up the stairs, stopped, looked to the right, looked back at Alex, smiled then continued up the left.
Not a second later Alex saw what Ron looked at. It was Hermione. She was wearing a crimson coloured dress, with black women's dress shoes. Her face was done up very lightly with a tiny bit of makeup. Her hair was neatly done in curls (more noticeable curls than her natural ones) and up in a partial pony tail. Alex's jaw was lowered slightly, as he walked to the stairs, and held his hand out for her to take. She took his hand and continued down the stairs. When she reached the bottom she looked at him and blushed.
Alex realized his jaw was dropped slightly and closed his mouth. Hermione smiled at him, her face was bright red now. Alex looked at her and finally managed to say something. "Wow…you look…you look beautiful Hermione," he said. Hermione's face became (if it was possible) brighter red. She smiled. "Thank you Alex," she said. Alex looked at Harry, who was just smiling. "Harry, tell Ron we'll meet him down in the great hall," Alex said. Harry nodded. Hermione linked her arm to Alex's and they walked out of the common room.
As they neared the Great Hall, Hermione stopped and looked him. Alex returned her look. "What is it?" he asked her. She smiled and pulled him close to her, then began to kiss him lightly on the lips. "You are the most wonderful boy friend a girl could ask for Alex," Hermione said looking into his eyes. Alex smiled at her. "You are the best girl friend a guy could ask for," he said softly looking into her eyes, but the moment was broken by Filch barking an order at them. "Are you coming into the dance or not you two?" Filch said impatiently. Hermione smiled lightly, took Alex's arm again, and walked into the Great Hall.
The ceiling was showing a clear night and the candles were dimmed down because a slow song was playing. Hermione and Alex walked out to the middle of the dance floor. Hermione wrapped her arms around Alex's shoulders and he wrapped his arms around her waist and they began to sway back and forth to the music. After a short moment, Hermione rested her head on his shoulder and he let his head rest lightly on hers, still swaying slowly to the song. To their regret, the song came to an end and he took her hand and began walking to the exit of the Great Hall when Ron stepped in. Alex and Hermione greeted him. "Glad you could come!" Alex said with a slight smile. Ron nodded and scanned the room. There appeared to be no other girls around with a date. He looked at Alex and Hermione. "Thanks for trying guys, but, nothing is ever going to happen for me," Ron said. Just as he said that, a girl approached Ron. It was Luna Lovegood. "Excuse me, Ron?" Luna said. Ron looked at Luna. He couldn't help but think she actually looked beautiful. "Yes?" Ron said, a slight squeak in his voice. Luna smiled slightly. "How would you like to be my date for tonight?" she asked him. Ron, captivated by how beautiful she looked, nodded. Luna smiled, took Ron's arm and they walked off together just as a slow song came on.
Alex looked at Hermione and smirked. "I told you that something would happen for tonight…all though…I didn't think it'd be Luna," he said looking at Hermione. "Well, he's a big boy and can take of things himself," Hermione said. "Yeah…but did you see the way Ron got all googly-eyed over her?" Alex said, turning to watch Ron and Luna dancing. Hermione looked over to Ron and Luna. "Ok, I will admit it is rather strange that they are dancing," Hermione paused and watched as Luna and Ron pulled closer together. "Ok…they barely know each other…why would they start dancing that close?" Hermione finished, with a perplexed look on her face. Alex watched this happen, then looked to Hermione. "Something is going on with those two…and I don't think it's a coincidence that they are that close to each other," he said, looking back at Ron and Luna. Alex looked back at Hermione. "I'll be right back," he said, walking over to Luna and Ron. Alex placed a hand on Ron's shoulder and whispered into his ear. "We need to talk for a sec," he said and looked at Ron. Ron looked at Alex. "Now?" Ron asked. Alex nodded. "Yeah, now," he said. Ron sighed. "Alright. Luna I'll be right back," he said.
Ron followed Alex back over to Hermione and looked at Alex. "What was that about?" Ron asked, looking from Alex to Hermione. "You tell us. What's going on with you and Luna? We thought you barely knew the girl and was just being nice and danced with her. But you two were way to close for you to just randomly bump into each other like that," Alex said. Ron smirked. "We happened to run into each other here, and just to be nice I decided to dance with her. And when dancing you are supposed to get close. I've seen you and Hermione get close," he said, looking back and forth between Alex and Hermione. "Yeah, but that's because we've been together for almost four months Ron. You and Luna bump into each other for five seconds and are all over each other," Hermione said. Ron scoffed at them and walked away.
Before Ron was too far though, Alex grabbed his arm. "We aren't done talking yet," Alex said with a sharp tone in his voice. Ron threw Alex's hand off his arm and looked at him. "Yes we are. This discussion is over," Ron said, sounding slightly bitter. Alex grabbed Ron's arm again as he started to walk off. "Let go of me Alex," Ron said. "No. I want to know what's going on. You and Luna have been seeing each other haven't you?" Alex said with a smug grin. "So what if I have? And what are you doing? You trying to steal Luna away from me like you did Hermione?" Ron said with the same bitter tone. "I didn't steal her from you. I just got up the guts to ask before you," Alex said, pushed Ron back into the wall, and began to walk off. Ron, however, grabbed Alex's arm. Alex looked at Ron's hand then into Ron's face. "Let go of me, or you'll regret ever laying a finger on me," Alex said. "What are you going to do? Faint?" Ron said, using what happened back in January to make Alex mad. "Ron!" Hermione said quickly. Alex, however, looked at Ron for a short moment, then his fist collided with Ron's face. Hermione moved back and put her hands over her mouth.
Seeing this happen, Dumbledore came over. "Mr. Price! What is the meaning of this?" he said. Alex looked down at Ron, who was now bleeding from his lip and nose. "Nothing sir. I was just leaving," Alex said glancing at Dumbledore, then to Ron, and last onto Hermione. "Are you coming with me?" Alex asked her. When she didn't say anything, Alex's lip trembled lightly, and he walked out of the Great Hall and out the front doors to the grounds. Alex sighed, found a bench, and sat down on it and began to cry softly.
As Alex sat there crying softly, he felt a gentle hand rest on his shoulder. When he looked at the hand and followed it up to see who it belonged to he saw Hermione's soft eyes looking down at him. Alex looked back down at the ground, and scooted a little to make room for her to sit down. Hermione sat down next to him and began to gently run her hand through his hair. Alex looked over at her, then pulled close to her and wrapped his arms around her, and she put her arms around him. Alex cried on her shoulder quietly. "I'm sorry you saw me do that Hermione," Alex said with a sad, regretful tone in his voice. As Hermione heard him speak, tears began to slowly slide down her cheeks and she ran her fingers through his hair. "Don't worry about it. I told Dumbledore what happened and he just looked at Ron and Ron looked at Dumbledore and said that he shouldn't have said that to you and isn't going to get you in trouble," Hermione said, moving a hand to wipe her tears away. Alex pulled away and looked at her. He saw a tear sliding down her cheek. He placed a hand on her cheek and gently wiped the tear away with his thumb, looked into her eyes and then began to kiss her softly.
Hermione wrapped her arms around Alex's shoulders and began kissing him back. The kiss began to grow more passionate. They had never been alone long enough to let a kiss get this passionate. Alex's hands moved down to her waist and let them rest there. Both their hearts began racing fast. Hermione pulled away, breathless, placed a hand on his cheek. "I love you so much Alex. I want to be with you for the rest of my life," she whispered as their heads rested on one another's foreheads. Alex spoke softly, "I love you Hermione and you'll have me as long as I live." Hermione smiled and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. They were both still breathless as they stood up and began to walk back into the school, hand-in-hand.
As they passed an area that was in shadow, Draco Malfoy stepped out and glared at them as they walked past. "Hey Price! I saw you punch your own friend in the face! What was that about?" Draco hollered after them. Alex stopped and turned. "You know what Draco? Why don't you go cry about it to daddy and get me expelled?" he said. Draco smirked. "Why don't you just take your Mudblood girlfriend and get out of here?" Draco said. Alex looked at Hermione, who shook her head. "Don't. Just ignore him Alex," Hermione whispered. Alex looked back at Draco, walked over to him, and looked him in the eyes. Draco started to very slowly back down. A smirk crossed Alex's mouth. "BOO!" Alex said loudly and watched as Draco gave a slight scream and fell over. Alex looked down at him and laughed, turned, and walked back to Hermione, who couldn't help but laugh. Hermione took Alex's arm and started walking back to the Great Hall with him.
A voice came out of the shadows speaking to Draco. "What are you doing? I told you get him to hit you so you'd get expelled! You are a moron!" said the voice. "Don't think I didn't try. Calling her a Mudblood in front of him before got him worked up that much before," Draco hissed. The voice stepped out of the shadows to reveal the who the voice belonged to. The Figure. It moved its hands up and removed its hood. "Well, you'll have to try harder next time," it said. As Draco looked up he saw his father looking down at him.