Epilogue

-Last day of School-

Alex sat alone on the staircase waiting for Professor McGonagall to assemble the school into the Great Hall for her speech to the Graduating 7th years. She thought of her years here at Hogwarts, the death and mayhem of it all. She smiled and remembered the good times, and conveniently pushed everything else to the back of her mind. After Christmas break had ended Alex had gone about her business, and submerged all her energy into her schoolwork. She still hadn't talked to either Harry, or Fred. Keeping civil in their presence, but never saying more than a few curt words. She had passed all her exams, like she knew she would, and she was even offered an internship at the Ministry of Magic for the containment of dangerous creatures' wing.

Hermione came up behind her and sat down on a step above. "Still brooding?" She asked with a smile.

"I just don't want to leave. This is the only home I've ever known. I don't know where I'll go after this."

Hermione smiled. "You can always stay with me at my parents' house for a while, until we figure out what to do."

Alex tilted her head. "Well I have money, I'd only stay until I could move in elsewhere."

Hermione shoved her playfully. "Good, I've already written to my mum and dad anyways saying you'd be staying for at least the summer."

Alex laughed. "Well then at least I know where I'm going."

Hermione looked at her friend seriously for a moment. "Alex do you really want to just go off on your own?"

She nodded. "Absolutely. I don't know where I'll go, maybe London, maybe even America. I don't know."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh you better not! If you go to America I'd go insane!"

Alex laughed. "You wouldn't miss me, don't lie."

"I would too!" Hermione scooted down to sit directly next to Alex. "Everyone would."

Alex shrugged. "I plan on taking all my half of the inheritance out, open my own vault, and get a job. Then I can go from there. Just disappear into life for a while."

"You'll still write at least?" Hermione pouted.

Alex put an arm around her friend. "I wouldn't dream of neglecting to write Hermione. I know you'd track me down and skin me alive if I didn't."

Hermione nodded. "Exactly." She sighed. "But really, you don't HAVE to disappear."

Alex nodded. "I do Hermione. I just can't be around everyone anymore."

Hermione frowned. "You can't hide from them."

Alex sighed angrily and stood up. "Yes I can, and I plan to."

Hermione got up to follow as Alex began walking into the Great Hall.

"Alex, you need to make peace with them. Just get some closure at least!"

"Hermione, please. I've dealt with this all year long. It's been a black hole in my existence and I just can't stand it anymore. I'm going away, I don't know where, and I plan to be alone until I DO decide to make peace with it."

Hermione sighed. "Fine. I won't say anymore, I still want you to write me."

Alex smiled. "Good. You'd be the only one I could talk to. Summer is so furious with me for not talking to Fred or Harry so I can't really talk to her, and now that Ginny is dating Harry, she's on me to make amends as well."

Hermione shrugged. "If you'd just-" Alex glared at her. Taking the hint Hermione zipped her lips and pointed out the window. "Look, what a beautiful day!"

As she walked away Alex crossed her arms and leaned against a wall.

This was the plan, she reminded herself. Just disappear.

As Fred walked out of the castle for the last time, he sought out Alex with his eyes. He made his way through the crowd and grabbed her arm to pull her to the side. It was a warm night out, and everyone was headed for the train to get the good seats.

"Alex can I talk to you?" He pleaded with his eyes.

Alex shrugged.

"I know you're still angry with me, and you have every right to be, but I didn't want to leave without at least seeing you."

Alex sighed. "I don't want to do this Fred."

"I love you Alex. I want to be with you. If this is my last chance to tell you that, I wanted you to know that I meant it every time I ever told you. I shouldn't have hurt you to protect you. I should have-" He sighed. "I don't know what I should've done."

Alex stared up at him, a breeze went through his hair and she refused to smile. She missed him, so deeply.

"You left me so broken inside; I don't know how I can heal from that." She began. "I'm going away Fred, and I don't want to be found. I told you before, we were just stupid. You're not in love with me, you were in love with the idea of loving me. I just-I can't do this Fred." Alex ducked under his arm and walked away without a backwards glance.

"If it was only an idea, it was the best one I ever had." He whispered into the night.

-Author note-

YES I know it's not a lot, and it leaves off kind of sad and depressing…but WAIT…there's MORE! I'm already in the process of writing book 2, the Sequel to Dirty Little Secret which will take place two years from now, and maybe…just maybe things really will work out in the end :-)