The Alexander Chronicles Year 4: The Return of Darkness.
Chapter 31: The Coming Storm
The relationship with Daphne really had made Alex´s life better, and he spent most of his free time with her. They mostly met in Slytherin´s chamber since it was the most private part of the castle Alex knew of. They were still keeping their relationship from the public, but Alex wanted to do nothing more than kiss her in front of everyone. However, despite the relationship was a secret, it was so great especially when they practiced their snogging skills.
Being with Daphne also meant that it wasn´t that bad being isolated from the school grounds. Harry often complained that the Hogwarts grounds never looked more inviting since he was prevented from going. Alex was sure that he had felt the same if he wasn´t with Daphne.
Another thing that Alex did in his free time was training for the third task. Alex would either study up on charms, hexes and other magic in the library along with Hermione, Harry, Daphne, Tracey and Erik, or he would use the library in the chamber. The chamber still were the best place to practice the spells. Alex would continue having mock duels with all of his friends. It was still Harry that was the biggest challenge next to Blaise. Daphne would mostly challenge Alex by cast spells that effected the environment or created other obstacles
One day in the much lit an empty Charms classroom, Alex, Erik and Blaise watched as Harry was concentrating on the Stunning Spell, which he had never used before. Alex had already mastered it, and Hermione was helping Harry practice on Ron and for safety, Daphne had conjured up a soft mat behind a very uncomfortable Ron.
"Why isn't Black helping or Jensen?" Ron asked nervously. "I'm tired of getting thrown into the mat."
"It's okay, Ronnie, I was a target too," Blaise shouted at Ron. "I know how you feel, mate."
Ron muttered something inaudible and got ready to be stunned by his best mate once more.
"Can't we kidnap Mrs. Norris?" Ron suggested one Monday at lunchtime as he lay flat on his back in the middle of their Charms classroom, having just been stunned and reawakened by Harry for the fifth time in a row. "Let's stun her for a bit. Or you could use Dobby, Harry; I bet he'd do anything to help you." Hermione glared as she sat next to Alex who was enjoying Ron being stunned, the git deserved it.
"I'm not complaining or anything" - Ron got gingerly to her feet, rubbing his backside- "but I'm aching all over..."
"Well, you keep missing the cushions, don't you!" said Hermione impatiently, rearranging the pile of cushions they had used for the Banishing Spell, which Flitwick had left in a cabinet. "Just try and fall backward!"
"Once you're Stunned, you can't aim too well, Hermione!" said Ron angrily.
"Well, I think they've got it now, anyway," said Hermione hastily. "And we don't have to worry about Disarming, because we've been able to do that for ages… I think we ought to start on some of these hexes this evening."
"No Daphne and I are training at that time." Alex said quickly before looking at Daphne who gave a small smile.
"Right then," Hermione said, "you have control of your hexes anyway, and the other stuff is important as well. Do you need help?"
"No I have stuff planed," Daphne said. "So take the day off."
The bell rang. The fourth-years hastily shoved the cushions back into Flitwick's cupboard and slipped out of the classroom.
"See you at dinner!" said Hermione as she, Tracey and Erik, and she set off for Arithmancy, while Harry, Blaise and Ron headed toward North Tower, and Divination.
"So training huh?" Alex asked Daphne once they were alone.
"Hush there will be training involved."
"What kind of training do you have in mind?" Alex smiled; making Daphne hit him softly in the chest.
"You prat!" she said softly. "I mean training for the third task. You know work first then pleasure." Alex smiled and Daphne looked around to see if they were alone before giving Alex a kiss on the cheek. "See you later Mr. Black." She added before taking off to Arithmancy and Alex took off to divination.
...
"So what did Daphne want?" Blaise asked as Alex joined him, Harry and Ron toward the silver ladder and the trapdoor that led to the Divination classroom.
"Just tell me about the training for the evening." Alex lied, thankful for that Blaise nodded in acceptance.
"It's going to be boiling in Trelawney's room, she never puts out that fire," said Ron as they started up the staircase toward the silver ladder and the trapdoor.
He was quite right. The dimly lit room was swelteringly hot. The fumes from the perfumed fire were heavier than ever. Alex´s head swam as he made his way over to one of the curtained windows. While Professor Trelawney was looking the other way, disentangling her shawl from a lamp, he opened it an inch or so and settled back in his chintz armchair, so that a soft breeze played across his face. It was extremely comfortable.
"My dears," said Professor Trelawney, sitting down in her winged armchair in front of the class and peering around at them all with her strangely enlarged eyes, "we have almost finished our work on planetary divination. Today, however, will be an excellent opportunity to examine the effects of Mars, for he is placed most interestingly at the present time. If you will all look this way, I will dim the lights…"
She waved her wand and the lamps went out. The fire was the only source of light now. Professor Trelawney bent down and lifted, from under her chair, a miniature model of the solar system, contained within a glass dome. It was a beautiful thing; each of the moons glimmered in place around the nine planets and the fiery sun, all of them hanging in thin air beneath the glass. Alex watched lazily as Professor Trelawney began to point out the fascinating angle Mars was making to Neptune.
Alex was bored and wished he could just go take a nap.
He looked over at Harry who had already fallen asleep and sighed in envy. Blaise was also half-asleep. Alex watched and listened to Trelawney when he heard Harry began to moan and mumble. He turned and looked at Harry who was sweaty profusely.
"Harry," Ron whispered as he tried to wake Harry. However, Harry got louder and talked in his sleep. Many faces turned to look at Harry, who began turning his head and mumbling, shaking, and then he suddenly shouted out and fell to the ground, clutching his scar, breathing heavily, and wide awake. Everybody were watching him.
Ron was kneeled next to Harry, looking terrified. "You all right?" he said.
"Of course he isn't!" said Professor Trelawney, looking thoroughly excited. Her great eyes loomed over Harry, gazing at him. "What was it, Potter? A premonition? An apparition? What did you see?"
"Nothing," Harry said, but Alex knew it was a downright lie.
"You were clutching your scar!" said Professor Trelawney, as Harry sat up. "You were rolling on the floor, clutching your scar! Come now Potter, I have experience in these matters!"
Harry looked up at her. "I need to go to the hospital wing, I think," he said. "Bad headache."
"My dear, you were undoubtedly stimulated by the extraordinary clairvoyant vibrations of my room!" said Professor Trelawney. "If you leave now, you may lose the opportunity to see further than you have ever -"
"I don't want to see anything except a headache cure, Alex could you come with me." Harry said before whispering something to Ron, who first had looked annoyed at Harry´s words, before nodding.
Harry then stood up. The class backed away. They all looked unnerved.
"Ma´am I better go and help Harry if that is okay with you!" Alex said standing up. Professor Trelawney nodded, but didn´t look happy that Harry left the lesson. She would properly would had liked to make a bit number. Harry and Alex quickly packed his things and headed for the trapdoor. Once they were down from the latter Alex looked at Harry, "So what happened? It was a vision wasn´t it? Like the one you had during the summer."
"Later," Harry replied. "I need to see Dumbledore. You have been in his office. Do you remember the password?"
"Yeah follow me." Alex said as he walked with Harry to the headmaster´s office.
"You don´t need to walk with me." Harry said sounding a bit annoyed. "I just need you to tell me the password."
"Yes I do because then Trelawney won´t wonder where you have gone." Harry nodded in acceptance and the two friends walked in silence towards the gargoyle that protected Dumbledore's office. "Cockroach Cluster" Alex said the second they had reached their destination making the gargoyle jump aside revealing the stairs that let to Dumbledore's office.
"Right thanks for the help Alex," Harry said, "I will give you the story later in the common room."
Alex watched as Harry disappeared up to Dumbledore´s office, wondering what Harry had seen.
…
"So Harry just fainted during the lesson?" Daphne asked. The pair was sitting together in the Chamber of Secrets holding hands. They gone down there after their last lesson to train, and were now having some couple time, where Alex among other things had told his girlfriend what had happened during Divination.
"Yeah I don´t really know why. I think it was something with his scar."
"But Harry´s scar didn´t it use to hurt when You-Know-Who was nearby."
"Yes, but I doubt Voldemort is here now."
At the mention at Voldemort´s name Daphne flinched. "Don´t say his name Alex."
"Daphne, you shouldn't let that name control you." Alex said taking Daphne´s hand in his. "Say the name."
"Alex I-"
"Come on my love take away his power."
Daphne nodded. "Vo-"she paused and Alex gave her hand a squeeze and gently kissed her on the lips. "Come on my love."
Daphne smiled before taking a deep breath and whispered "V-Voldemort." Once Daphne had said the name, she smiled before she continued in a louder voice. "Voldemort."
"It was great Daphne."
"Thanks Alex." She said, looking a bit nervous but relived.
"So how do you feel?" Alex asked still holding Daphne´s hand and rubbing it with his thumb.
Daphne smiled at Alex´s touch. "Fine my beloved. Thank you. She leant in and kissed Alex on the lips. "You know you better go back."
"I don´t know. I kind of like it here."
Daphne smiled before hitting Alex softly on the arm. "Maybe, but you told me that Harry would explain what happened at Dumbledore's office. Beside I have to see Tracey as well."
Alex nodded and both teens stood up and walked to tunnel that led out of the chamber. "You right of course, I just wish that we shouldn't hide in here all the time."
"It is okay," Daphne said as he laid her arms around Alex´s neck. "We both agreed it was for the best this way."
"Yes I know, but still."
"It is okay my beloved. I would wish we could go public as well."
Both teens leant in and their lips connected in a wonderful kiss. The two of them just stood there in each other's arms while kissing.
"We better go." Daphne said as she had pulled away from the kiss and grabbed Alex´s hand.
The young couple walked out of the tunnel once they had exited the hidden entrance they let go of each other´s hands. "So see you later my love. Alex said as he kissed her on the cheek.
"Of course my beloved. Sleep well."
"Yeah you too."
…
When Alex walked in the Gryffindor common room, he saw Harry sitting with Hermione and Ron, once he saw Alex he stood up. "Good I been waiting for you."
Alex muttered a quick apology and joined the golden trio, and Harry begun telling his story.
Harry´s dream had been about Peter Pettigrew who was being tortured by Voldemort. Apparently, Pettigrew had made a big mistake and was about being killed for it. However, Voldemort had gotten an owl saying the mistake who had been a person was dead. Dumbledore's theory was that the dream was because Harry was connected though Voldemort though the scar, and that Harry felt pain when ever Voldemort was near or very angry.
Alex was a bit worried that Dumbledore thought Harry´s dream was real and that Voldemort was gaining more power. So far, three persons had disappeared Bartha Jorkins, who had gone missing near Voldemort last known location. Then there was Crouch, and some Muggle. The disappearances made Alex think of his grandfather he was missing as well. Everybody kept saying that he was on a mission and just had lost track of time, but Alex wasn't so sure.
Alex´s thoughts on his Grandfather was interrupted as Harry told that he had looked in Dumbledore's Pensieve and what he had seen in it. It had been a memory of the Death Eaters´ trials or those who were suspected as one. Alex was a bit surprised that Bagman had been accused of being a Death Eater and giving them information. Snape´s name had also been mentioned, when Harry had seen Igor Karkaroff trial where he had given up his former allies names in order to be freed from Azkaban. Alex was bit disgusted that Karkaroff was both a Death Eater and a traitor. Finally, Harry had seen the trial of Neville Longbotten´s parents tortures. Harry didn´t mention Neville or his parents, but Alex could guess. Neville had told him the names of the bastards that did it. Bellatrix Lestrange (who were related with Alex, much to his disgust.) She had done it with her husband Rodolphus, his brother Rabastan Lestrange; and Bartemius Crouch Jr.
"So Dumbledore reckons You-Know-Who's getting stronger again as well?" Ron whispered.
Harry had finished his story and the four Gryffindor´s were now discussing it.
"And he trusts Snape?" Ron said. "He really trusts Snape, even though he knows he was a Death Eater?"
"Yes," Harry said. Alex looked in the fireplace staying silent. Snape had been a Death Eater, Alex was a bit surprised at that, but it centrally qualified as being the wrong type of friends. Truth be told Alex´s view on Snape had changed since their talk. Snape had been acting more father-like and mentorish. Not that it changed that Alex still believed that Snape had been a Death Eater, so maybe he could understand Alex´s feelings at least much better then Sirius ever could. However Alex knew that he trusted the man.
"Rita Skeeter," Alex jumped slightly having forgotten that he wasn´t alone. It had been Hermione that had spoken and she looked thoughtful.
"How can you be worrying about her now?" said Ron, in utter disbelief.
"I'm not worrying about her," Hermione said to her knees. "I'm just thinking…remember what she said to me in the Three Broomsticks?' I know things about Ludo Bagman that would make your hair curl.' This is what she meant, isn't it? She reported his trial; she knew he'd passed information to the Death Eaters. And Winky too, remember…'Ludo Bagman's a bad wizard.' Mr. Crouch would have been furious he got off, he would have talked about it at home."
"I know, but Bagman wouldn´t pass information purpose." Alex as well still looking in the fire. "I mean the man is a fool, but an honest fool." However Alex did found Bagman strange, due to help he was given him in this tournament. Why would he do things like that.
"And Fudge reckons Madame Maxime attacked Crouch?" Ron said, turning back to Harry asking about the conversation Harry had heard between Mad-Eye, Dumbledore and Fudge.
"Yeah," said Harry, "but he's only saying that because Crouch disappeared near the Beauxbatons carriage."
"We never thought of her, did we?" said Ron slowly. "Mind you, she's definitely got giant blood, and she doesn't want to admit it-"
"Of course she doesn't," said Hermione sharply. "Look what happened to Hagrid when that cow found out about his mother. Look at Fudge, jumping to conclusions about her, just because she's part giant. Who needs that sort of prejudice? I'd probably say I had big bones if I knew that's what I'd get for telling the truth."
"I doubt it was her." Alex said.
"Why not?" Ron asked. "You wasn´t there were you?"
"I just do. She wasn´t there, by your logic it could have been one of her students. Hermione is right Fudge is being a prejudiced git."
Hermione looked at her watch. "We haven't done any practicing!" she said, looking shocked. "We were going to do the Impediment Curse, Harry! Alex has it well enough, but we'll have to really get down to it tomorrow! Come on, you two, you need to get some sleep."
"Hey I have trained today." Alex protested.
Alex, Harry and Ron went slowly upstairs to their dormitory. Alex pulled on his pyjamas, and climbed into his four-poster. Lying in the darkness, Alex wondered about Harry's words from today. Everything was strange, and Alex still didn't know why someone would put his name in the Goblet of Fire. He wasn't the boy-who-lived, and he wasn't the one who nearly destroyed Voldemort. That was all Harry. Compared to that Alex was a nobody. Yes, he was the heir of Slytherin, could that be the reason he was targeted? So that he could be killed and leave Voldemort the only parselmouth.
Alex signed and closed his eyes trying to fall asleep.
….
Chapter End