Title: Keep me Safe 6/34- walls are closing in

Author: Harmoni

Category: HP-BTVS

Rating: T for teen...cuz I like to swear hehehe

Chapter Summary: Hogwarts is starting

Disclaimer: the OC's belong to me… Harry Potter to Rowling, Buffy to Whedon

Spoilers: Doubt it, this takes place after Season 7 and book 5

Feedback: Please

Author's Note: Yes so this is being revamped.. why? Cuz parts of it make me cringe… and I'm waiting out my current writers block…so bare with me, and give it a chance please and thank you, and review…and this is also my first one ever so things may not be superb… but I'm still proud of it… most of it…

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discomfort, endlessly has pulled itself upon me

distracting/reacting

against my will I stand beside my own reflection

it's haunting how I can't seem...

to find myself again

my walls are closing in

(without a sense of confidence and I'm convinced that there's just too much pressure to take)

I've felt this way before

so insecure

crawling Linkin Park

--- --- ---

Alexa went back to her room, sneaking in to avoid Hermione, who was sitting in front of the fireplace, reading a book. She probably didn't need to sneak though, when Hermione was into a book, it was hard to get her attention.

On her bed was a letter from Harry. They had been exchanging letters every few days and their friendship grew closer. Alexa wasn't sure where she stood when it came to Harry. She didn't want to know. She knew she was lying to everyone but she couldn't tell them the truth, they would hate her, they would think she was a murderer. But she knew something would have to happen soon. Her roots were growing in and they didn't even have hair dye.

She picked up the letter and tore it open.

Dear Lynne,
One more week to go. I'm counting down the days. I hope all is
well. I hope your tutoring is good, because you just have to be
in our year. If Malfoy's giving you problem's, let me know.
Everyone says hi and good luck.
See you soon,
Harry
PS It's not the same without you

Alexa softly smiled and wrote out a quick reply

Harry,
Really busy. Lot's of studying. One more week of this. Thank
god. Malfoy's fine. All's well. See you soon.
Lynne

She knew it was short, but she wasn't up to writing about everything that had gone on with Draco and that was all that was occupying her mind right now. Hermione had already wrote to him about what had happened so far in Diagon Alley and at school. Harry had swore he would make Draco pay and she really didn't want to cause more problems.

Alexa crossed the room to Kat and attached the letter while petting her owl, given to her to match her hair. If he only knew. If any of them knew, what would they think?

Alexa shuddered at the thought.

--- --- ---

Draco slowly walked to his room, rubbing his jaw. That strength was incredible and she hadn't even been aware. There was more to Lynne Conners then met the eye, that was for sure and this frustrated him even more. He couldn't get her out of his mind. She was all he thought about now. If anyone found out, what would they think? Him, falling for a Mudblood? It was preposterous, besides this girl had just bruised his jaw. He should be mad, he should be completely pissed. Instead, Draco wanted to go find her and apologize. He wanted to make everything better. She hated him now and when she had given him her final look, she had looked at him like everyone else did. With disgust and hatred. Nothing had ever hurt him more.

--- --- ---

Alexa's last week went by quickly, she met with all but one professor and they seemed to be happy with her work. They said she was doing better then expected. Her charms work and transfiguration were really strong. Professor McGonagall was very surprised and had even told Alexa that she had nothing to worry about.

Her potions were not as strong but still very good. After two minutes with Snape, they were already fighting like cats and dogs. She was different from any student he had before, and this amused him to no end. Whenever he said something to her, she was there and ready to fire something right back. Snape thought that this would be a most interesting year.

Finally it was the day before the other students were to arrive and she was to have a meeting with Dumbledore. Hermione was off preparing for the new school year and as for Draco, well she hadn't seen him since she had punched him.

"Ah, Ms. Conners. Do come in." Dumbledore gestured as she reached his office.

"I do hope all is well?"

"Yes, Professor." She replied.

"Good, good. I have talked to all your professors as well as your tutors and they are all pleased with your progress, they believe you'll do just fine in the sixth year." Dumbledore told her with a smile.

She let out a gasp "Really? That's awesome."

"I thought you would say that." He said with a chuckle standing up. "We also have to sort you into a house and I believe it's better if we do that now." He placed a grungy looking hat on her head.

"Hmm.. Interesting." A voice whispered in her head.

She jumped. "Jeez, is it supposed to do that?" She asked Dumbledore.

He nodded.

"This one will be very hard I see." The voice continued. "I see a great power in you. One that is very different. But will do wonders for you in Gryffindor. But all the attributes that determine your house are very strong in you. You are kind like a Hufflepuff, Except when your temper comes in to play."

Alexa scowled.

"But you're very clever like a Ravenclaw, in three weeks you did 6 years of work. You are very cunning like a Slytherin, but although you have great power, your thirst for it is not as strong as most Slytherins. And you are very brave like all Gryffindors. Especially one Harry Potter."

Alexa blushed. "You gonna be done anytime soon?"

"Impatient like him as well." He chuckled. " But also like one other. I think it best you go to .. Gryffindor"

"Excellent" Dumbledore said, removing the hat. "No need to remove your belongings. Everyone will be arriving tomorrow Alexa, so I believe it's time to get some sleep."

"You're right." Alexa said standing up " Good night Prof- Did you just call me Alexa?"

"That is your name, is it not?" He replied

"N-no," She stuttered. "My n-name i-is-"

But he cut her off. "Alexa Lynne Conners. Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Parents were Edward and Kim Conners. Siblings were James, Jenny, and an identical twin sister named Katarina, or Kat." Dumbledore said all this calmly. He wasn't judging, he wasn't accusing, he was just stating the facts.

Alexa stared in shock "How did you know?"

"Alexa, it is my duty to know about my students family. It helps when I'm trying to find out if they have any magic in them. But do tell why do you go by your middle name?

"If you know all that, then wouldn't you know everything else?" She asked, glaring at him.

"You're right." He informed her. "I do know, but it's better hearing it from you."

"What if I don't want to?" Alexa crossed her arms, staring defiantly.

"That Alexa, is entirely up to you. But I want you to feel comfortable and safe at Hogwarts. I fear you won't be able to do that until you face what has happened. Tomorrow night, I shall introduce you by your full name. It is up to you as what you tell your friends."

"You can't do that." She told him, her eyes going cold.

Dumbledore peered at her through his glasses a long while before answering. "Alexa, I want you to know and understand that what happened was not your fault."

"That's enough." She hissed. "I don't want to talk about it."

Dumbledore gave a slight nod. "As you wish, but please know that when you are ready, there is always someone to listen."

Alexa gave him one last glare before leaving. He went over to Fawkes' perch and started petting him.

"She's not ready yet." He whispered to his pheonix.

--- --- ---

Hermione and Alexa were already seated at the Gryffindor table when the students arrived. Alexa knew Draco was at the Slytherin table. She also knew he was staring at her. She refused to acknowledge him though.

They heard the door open and students came pouring in, more then a few sending Alexa some curious glances.

"Hey" Harry said sitting down beside Alexa.

"Hello" Ron said sitting down across from her and beside Hermione.

Alexa gave them both weak smiles before turning to Dumbledore.

Harry shrugged it off as nerves and he turned as well.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts." Dumbledore's voice boomed throughout the Great Hall. "Before anything else, I would like to introduce the first years."

McGonagall entered through a side door, closely followed by a group of scared looking first years.

"When I call your names." McGonagall said. "I want you to sit on the stool so you can be sorted. "Abwen, Tanja."

A scared looking girl started at the sound of her name and meekly walked up to the stool.

Harry leaned in to whisper in Lynne's ear. "Are they going to call you up?"

Alexa gave a small sigh. She was on edge and as the minutes ticked by, she wasn't getting any better.

She slightly turned and leaned back into him. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Draco glaring at them. She swore she could hear him growl, It seemed as though her hearing had improved immensely since coming to Hogwarts. She assumed it was the magic in her.

"I was sorted yesterday." She confessed to Harry. " Not only am I in Gryffindor but I am a sixth year too."

"That's wonderful." He told her, wrapping his arms around her. She leaned back against his chest. Slightly comforted by his touch.

A few tables away, Draco practically fell off his bench, his face red with anger.

Up front, the last of the First Years had been sorted and again, Dumbledore stood up.

"I believe I have a few introductions to make. The first is your new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. He goes by Professor Williams."

Alexa looked at the only Professor she hadn't met yet. He looked like an older Draco and when she looked at him, she felt a weird tingle shoot up her spine. As if there was something different about him. As if he was aware of her, he turned and stared, giving a small jump as if he realized something. Alexa gave him an odd look and turned back to Dumbledore.

"Our second is a new student from BC, Canada."

Out came truth number one. Beside her, she heard her friends gasp. She groaned as she waited for him to continue.

"She will be joining the sixth years and is in Gryffindor."

"Lynne?" Harry whispered. But she ignored him.

"Her name is Alexa Conners."

Out came truth number two.

Alexa slammed her head on the table. Harry was still calling her name, or rather saying Lynne. Ron was swearing and Hermione was mumbling something. Then she heard the whole hall gasp and she slowly lifted her head to see what everyone was gasping about. Her long blonde hair fell forward and she went to tuck it behind her ear.

'wait a sec.' She thought. 'Blonde? That's not right.' She grabbed her hair and pulled it in front of her. She did see right, it was blonde, very blonde and she knew without a mirror that her eyes were now Dark brown again.

"Oh shit." She whispered aloud, looking at her three friends.

"Th-that picture. It was you." Stammered Hermione, staring in disbelief.

"That's the case, isn't it Hermione?" Ron said. "she murdered her family."

"N-no." Alexa cried standing up. "I-I didn't. Harry." She turned to him.

"Then why lie?" He asked coldly, moving away from her.

"And you'd have believed me?" She asked all of them.

The hall grew quiet as everyone watched.

"No, you wouldn't have." She answered for them. "You would have accused me and jumped to conclusions just like you are now."

"Because you lied." Ron yelled. "you took advantage of us."

"Advantage? That's how you see it?" She yelled back fixing her steely gaze on him. "I take a chance and trust and this is what I get for it?"

"Don't talk to us about trust." Hermione cut in. "you lied to us."

"You're right, I did. But it wasn't because I'm some murderer. It's because I watched as my mom was killed okay? I saw my whole family, dead. There's nothing worse then that. I wanted to escape it all. Thanks for helping."

Alexa turned and stalked out, stopping at the door.

"Oh and thank you Headmaster." She threw at Dumbledore before leaving.

Then the hall erupted. Everyone started talking about this girl. All except four people. Three of them sat in shocked silence, while another snuck out of the hall.

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