September 12th 1992
Alexandra was not in a good mood. In her opinion, second year was turning out to be a bit of a sham.
Can you believe Oliver bloody Wood cancelled Quidditch tryouts because he had the quote unquote 'Perfect team'?
Ridiculous.
However, Alex had still accompanied Ron and Hermione to the Gryffindor's first training session of the season, to support Harry. Not that he needed the luck, considering he was a natural at the sport.
By the time the team finished in the locker rooms, the sun was high in the sky. What were they doing in there for so long?
"Aren't you finished yet?" called Ron incredulously.
"Haven't even started," said Harry, looking jealously at the toast and marmalade Ronand Hermione had brought out of the Great Hall. "Wood's been teaching us new moves."
Alex sighed, Wood could be really enthusiastic about Quidditch, especially on the first day. Suddenly Alex wasn't so sad about tryouts. They were going to be here all day.
It seemed the trio weren't the only Harry supporters/spectators. Colin Creevey had recently taken to following the twins around like a lost puppy. It didn't matter how many times she threatened to curse him, he simply wouldn't take the hint. The only solution the kids could think of was to split up as often as possible, in order to confuse the boy.
Worked well for Alex who knew most of the hidden tunnels and turrets and not so well for Harry.
Colin was present on the pitch, clicking that infuriating camera, which annoyed Wood who thought he was a Slytherin spy.
Really? What self-respecting Slytherin would consensually wear a red shirt, Wood?
She rolled her eyes and turned to talk to Ron about how Puddlemere United was the superior Quidditch team when Alexandra heard George say something along the lines of, "Because they're here in person,"
Several people in green robes were walking onto the field, broomsticks in their hands.
"I don't believe it!" Wood hissed in outrage. "I booked the field for today! We'll see about this!"
"Flint!" Wood bellowed at the Slytherin Captain. "This is our practice time! We got up specially! You can clear off now!"
Marcus Flint was a tall, mean looking boy with spiky black hair. He probably used the same magical gel Draco did to produce the sleek sharp looking points. Marcus was just as enthusiastic if not more than Wood.
Alexandra remembered when the Flint family had visited Malfoy Manor, Marcus had nearly smashed a vase in his efforts to reach the, then new, Comet 290s.
Marcus Flint was even larger than Wood. He had a look of trollish cunning on his face as he replied, "Plenty of room for all of us, Wood."
Alex ran down the stands to get closer to the action.
Angelina, Alicia, and Katie had come over, too. There were no girls on the Slytherin team, who stood shoulder to shoulder, facing the Gryffindors, leering to a man. Apparently, there had been none since Mrs. Malfoy left Hogwarts.
"But I booked the field!" said Wood, positively spitting with rage. "I booked it!
" "Ah," said Flint. "But I've got a specially signed note here from Professor Snape.Alex peered over Flint's shoulder, a mighty feat for a twelve year old. The note read;
'I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditchfield owing to the need to train their new Seeker'. "
New seeker?
And from behind the six large figures on the Slytherin team came a seventh, smaller boy, smirking. Of course, it was Draco.
"Aren't you Lucius Malfoy's son?" said Fred, a grimace on his face.
"Draco?" said Alexandra confused.
"Funny you should mention Draco's father," said Flint as the whole Slytherin team smiled still more broadly. "Let me show you the generous gift he's made to the Slytherin team."
That makes more sense, thought Alex as the team held up shiny new Nimbus 2001s.
"Congratulations, I suppose." said Alex politely to the blond boy as he twirled the broom elegantly, smirking with a snobbish look on his face.
"Very latest model. Only came out last month," said Flint carelessly, flicking a speck of dust from the end of his own. "I believe it outstrips the old Two Thousand series by a considerable amount. As for the old Cleansweeps" — he smiled nastily at Fred and George, who were both clutching Cleansweep Fives —" sweeps the board with them."
"Oh, look," said Flint. "A field invasion."
Ron and Hermione were crossing the grass to see what was going on.
"What's happening?" Ron asked Harry. "Why aren't you playing? And what's he doing here?"
"I'm the new Slytherin Seeker, Weasley," said Malfoy, smugly. "Everyone's just been admiring the brooms my father's bought our team.
Ron gaped, open-mouthed, at the seven superb broomsticks in front of him.
"Good, aren't they?" said Malfoy smoothly. "But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms, too. You could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives; I expect a museum would bid for them."
Alex took a deep breath in, one, two three-
"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in," said Hermione sharply. "They got in on pure talent."
Draco's smirk lessened, oh no.
"No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood," he spat.
Time seemed to still. Before anyone could get in the way Angelina Johnson lunged at the boy, Marcus just barely getting in the way.
However, the Gryffindor's faced their worst defeat when Ron tried to curse Draco. He tried a non-verbal 'Eat slugs' and it would've been effective, had Ron's wand not backfired.
He doubled over, belching, slugs falling out of his mouth.
The Slytherin team laughed and Hermione looked close to tears.
"I'll stay here, you two take Ron to Hagrid's yeah?" Alex whispered, not wanting to get too close to the boy in case the curse might be contagious.
Harry and Hermione nodded, and bravely picked the boy up by his arms.
Alex turned towards the smug looking boy, the Gryffindor team slowly retreating from the pitch.
"Are you ever going to listen?"
"What do you mean? I listen plenty," he sneered.
She shook her head, "Is this a game to you?" she asked. "People have died, people that didn't deserve to die and now the same person- no- monster who caused so much pain, so much destruction is trying to return. And- you- you- How can you call me your friend?"
"How dare yo-" started Flint.
"Let the boy speak for himself, shouldn't need to hide behind daddy's money," she sneered.
"You think that having a red badge on your robes gives you the right to look down upon everyone else don't you?" he stepped closer. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you, Alexandra."
"Don't bring my house into this! I didn't choose to be sorted into Gryffindor! I- I don't need to explain myself to you." she paused, "Are you threatening me? You-you poncey wanker!"
He looked shocked at the colourful language, but quickly masked it under another sneer "Depends if you're gonna continue to get in my way."
By now they were so close Alex could feel his breath on her face.
"Watch your mouth, Malfoy."
"Or? What're you gonna do? Call mummy?" he mocked.
That was it.
"SPONGIFY!" she yelled, wand out and pointed towards the boy.
He immediately crumbled, looking more like a white puddle than a boy by the time the curse was done. The Slytherins looked on in horror.
"Let's see you insult someone now, Draco," she hissed, before walking past the Slytherins, head proudly held high, heading towards Hagrid's hut.
She narrowly missed Professor Snape, who restored the boy to his original condition, and called him for a word. Alone.
After soothing Hermione and somewhat restoring her confidence, the four of them headed back towards the castle.
Too bad Professor McGonagall was ready for them.
"You will now have your detentions, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley." she nodded.
Poor Harry, he'd have to sort fanmail with Lockhart. It wasn't as bad as scrubbing the dungeons with Filch but Alex could just imagine the horribly inane chatter.
"Good luck, you'll need it," she teased.
Harry just groaned in response, shuffling to his dreary detention.
"Hermione, I'll join you in a bit, I just need to talk to Professor McGonagall, yeah?"
Hermione sighed but made her way up to the dorms.
"Alexandra? What do you want?" asked Minerva, straightening her Emerald green robes.
"I want to learn wandless magic."
"Wandless? That's sixth year curriculum Alexandra it doesn't make sense-"
"Neither does having me go into a war entirely underprepared. Please don't insult my intelligence by pretending to forget about my role in the upcoming war, because there will be one, Minnie. Lockhart's incompetent." she hesitated. "You owe me this much."
Minerva stared at the red-headed girl in front of her, cleaning her glasses.
She was so young.
"I'm beyond any second year in practical magic Professor and I can start with the easy spells before the duelin-"
"Very well. I'll inform the headmaster and let you know if we can arrange something with Professor Flitwick."
Alex did a mental victory dance as she head out of the classroom.
And then she heard the voice.