I truly meant to post this chapter weeks ago since I finished it not long after the last one, sorry about that! I hope you like it!
"My dears, it is time for us to consider the stars," they were in divinations now, listening to Professor Trelawney. While Alex was drifting off, Harry was already out.
"Harry!" Alex was startled by the noise that was meant to wake Harry.
Professor Trelawney continued, "I was saying my dear, that you were clearly born under the bad influence of Saturn."
"Born under what?" Harry looked still very sleepy, causing him to mumble. Alex hid her smile behind her fist.
"Saturn, dear, the planet Saturn! I was saying that Saturn was surely in a position of power in the heavens at the moment of your birth... Your dark hair.. Your mean structure.." She was starting to look crazed, "Tragic loses so young in life.. I think I am right in saying, my dear, that you were born in midwinter?"
"No, I was born in July." At that, Alex and Ron both let out their fits of laughter, but Ron did a better job of covering it up, earning Alex a sad glare from the professor.
"Since you all find this so amusing," Professor Trelawney swiftly walked back to the front of the room and was determined to win back her class. "You will each be filling in the exact positions of the planets at the time of your birth." They were each handed a complicated circular chart and set to work. Alex stared blankly at hers.
"I don't suppose Hermione will do this for me," Alex asked breaking the silence.
"I've got two Neptune's here, that can't be right, can it?" Harry asked, reflecting Alex's frustrations.
Ron began mimicking Trelawney's voice in a whisper, "Aaaaaahhhhh, when two Neptune's appear in the sky it is a sure sign that a midget in glasses is being born, Harry..." Alex busted out in laughter, at the same time Dean Thomas and Seamus sniggered also at Ron's imitation. Alex jumped when she heard the squeal of Lavender Brown calling over Professor Trelawney.
By the time she had recomposed herself and turned around to see, Alex heard the fascinated voice of Lavender, "Ooooh, which one's that, professor?"
"It is Uranus, my dear."
Alex turned back around in surprised laughter when Ron responded, "Can I have a look at Uranus too, Lavender?" The entire class was whispering and giggling, but Professor Trelawney stared intently down at Ron. She glared at Ron while she gave out the assignment that was no doubt influenced by his outburst, "A detailed analysis of the way the planetary movements in the coming month will affect you, with reference to your personal chart. I want it ready to hand in next Monday, no excuses!"
"Miserable old bat," Ron responded bitterly, "that'll take all weekend, that will.."
"What day is it today?" Alex asked to no one in particular as they all rose from their seats.
They followed the trail of students down to the Great Hall for dinner. Hermione caught up with them, and when catching a glimpse of their down faces, asked brightly, "lots of homework? Professor Vector didn't give us any at all!"
"Well then we can all share," Alex said sarcastically, secretly hoping she would bite, "What class is that again? I might want to switch."
Hermione opened up her mouth to reply, but was cut off by a group of three boys, including the blond one from their Care of Magical Creatures class. Alex didn't know whether to be excited, or defensive as her friends were.
"Weasley! Hey Weasley!" The blond boy cut in.
"What." Ron replied.
"Your dad's in the paper, Weasley! Listen to this!" He continued to read from a wizard news paper, obviously trying to cause a scene. After reading it, he launched into attacks on Ron's family, and Harry countered them while Alex and Hermione held Ron back as best they could.
"You three losers never introduced me to your new friend," as he said this, he looked at Alex. Harry, Ron, and Hermione angled their bodies in front of Alex, without completely blocking her. "Draco Malfoy. And what's your name?"
Hermione spoke up before Alex could, "Leave her alone Malfoy."
"Relax, I'm sure she can speak for herself. What were you going to say?"
"My name is Alex Russo." She said stepping through Ron and Hermione. They all watched her, and she watched Draco Malfoy, trying the whole time to look as confident as she could to make up for the way her friends has guarded her like a child.
"And you're new around here? Better reevaluate who is and isn't worth your time." He said looking over at Harry.
Everything happened so quickly after that. All Alex could recognize were shouts and sparks from wands as she ducked out of the way. Next thing she knew, Malfoy's sidekicks were grabbing at a white ferret, Draco Malfoy nowhere to be found, and a new professor proceeded to throw the ferret back and forth by the bend of his wand.
"Professor Moody!" Came the shocked voice of Professor McGonagall. "What-What are you doing?!"
"Teaching." he responded simply.
"Moody, we never use transfiguration as a punishment," she tried to remain calm yet stern, "Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?"
Scratching his chin, "he might have mentioned it, yeah. But I thought a good, sharp shock-"
"Turn him back. And if I ever catch you engaging in this activity again, I won't hesitate to inform the headmaster." McGonagall stated sharply, and swiftly walked in the direction of the Great Hall.
"Don't talk to me," Ron said as the four of them walked to the Great Hall with the last of the crowd.
"Why not?" Hermione asked concerned.
"Because I want to fix that in my memory forever," he closed his eyes and instantly looked happier, "Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing Ferret."
They all laughed and began to eat their much deserved dinner, after what had been the longest day of Alex's life.
"Don't tell me you are going back to the library this evening?" Harry asked Hermione while they were transitioning into dessert.
"Got to. Loads to do."
"But you told us Professor Vector-"
"And it' only the first day," Alex chimed in.
"It's not schoolwork," she responded while gathering her belongings and leaving through the extra large doors.
Through the now empty place where Hermione had been sitting, Alex could see all the way over to the Slytherin table where an anxious looking Draco was looking back at her. No sooner did their eyes meet, he looked back to the posse around him, entering into a conversation where he had obviously been missed.
Not four seconds after Hermione had gone, Fred Weasley took her place.
"Moody," he said, "how cool is he?"
"Beyond cool," George said sitting down next to Alex.
"Super cool," said their best friend Lee Jordan, sitting next to George. "We had him this afternoon," he informed them.
"What was it like?" Harry asked eagerly.
Fred replied, "Never had a lesson like it."
"He knows, man" Lee said.
"Knows what?" Ron asked uncomfortable.
"What it's like to do all this stuff," George said throwing his arms up, "he's seen it all!"
" 'Mazing," Lee said, dreamy.
"But we still don't have him 'till Thursday," Ron whined.
"I'm Alex," Alex said and smiled facing Fred, George, and Lee. She was longing to for once to control the words she spoke to another person.
They each introduced themselves and shared jokes and stories, Alex could tell that she had finally found someone within her own house with whom she could go to if she needed to cause trouble. She was under the impression that Hermione would probably try to keep her contained.
Alex followed along with her new friends on the way to the common room laughing and smiling. Ron and Harry trailed behind silently.
Alex went up to the girls dormitory to change and ready for bed. When she returned to the common room, Ron and Harry were the only ones left, sitting in armchairs by the fire. Alex joined them.
"How was your first day?" Harry asked Alex in a relaxed tone.
"Exhausting," Alex rolled her eyes, "But I will probably get used to it."
They all sat in silence for a while, sometimes bringing up something that happened in the day. When Ron announced he was going to bed, everyone agreed they should do the same. They said their good nights, and parted ways.
It took Alex a long time to settle her mind as she sat in bed. She was nearly asleep when she heard the creak of the door. She rolled over and saw Hermione walking over to her own bed.
"Welcome back," Alex said in a whisper.
"Thanks," Hermione responded in an even quieter whisper, and crawled into bed.
Alex rolled onto her back and feel into a deep sleep.
Please review so I know whether you liked it or not. Also suggestions are always welcome. Thank you for reading! I have been thinking about starting a new story too lately, so watch for that one. It will be from "Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side," it is one of my favorite looks, but I recommend you read the book first.