Professor Dumbledore had gathered the attention in the great hall one evening supper. He told the school more details about the upcoming contest. He said that every Thursday afternoon, for two hours, the groups of students were to get together in separate classrooms to start their projects for the contest. He also said that the first day class
Harry and Alex argued a lot over the new few weeks. Harry was set on making a potion for the contest, but Alex was sure that it would be too simple and wouldn't make the cut.
"I'd like your attention please." Professor Dumbledore said standing. The great hall went silent, wondering why Dumbledore was interrupting their supper.
"I'm sorry to disturb your dinner, but I have a few more details I would like to tell you about our magical enhancement contest. I'm sure by now that you have all discovered who you are grouped with. Each group is to meet one night a week to plan your project. You should know that this project is just as important for your grade as exams are.
"Also, on the morning of November 11th, at precisely 11:00, we teachers will take a look at your projects and decide which of them we would like to see in the future. Of all twenty groups, only half of them will continue in the contest after November.
"On February 2nd at 2:00, those 10 groups will be graded again and we will eliminate five more groups. On May 5th, we will have a feast. At the end of the feast we will announce the winning group of the contest.
"I have only one last detail. Tonight after you are all finished eating, you will get in your groups and chose a team captain. I ask the 20 captains to report to me once you have decided. Good luck to everyone!" Dumbledore said, sitting down again.
The noise grew in the great hall with talk of the recent news.
"November 11th? That's way too soon for us to create something that will impress them!" Hermione burst out.
"I'd still like to know what this great prize is we're trying to win." Ron grumbled.
"Dibs on team captain!" Alex suddenly shouted.
"Hey! That's not fair; I'm the older one here. I think I should be captain." Harry said.
"Sure, you're older, but I've been doing magic longer than you have." Alex countered.
"That makes no sense." Hermione said. "How can you have done magic longer than Harry if you're only in second year?"
"Simple. When we were younger I stole my father's wand and practiced with it. I've been practising so long, I can do spells from NEWT level." Alex said smugly.
"So that's how you do so well in charms class. How come you're not that talented in Herbology or potions?" Ginny wondered.
"Alex doesn't read any books, she only uses magic. Irresponsibly, I might add." Harry smirked.
"We'll put it to a vote then. The rest of the group is sure to agree with me that I'm the better wizard here." Alex said. "I'm sure Malfoy will be rooting for you though." She added sarcastically.
Later...
"Alright. Now that we're all here, we need to decide who's to be captain." Hermione announced to her group. The two Slytherins had just walked through the door with the phrase, "group 5" across it.
"Thanks for the heads up, madam obvious." Pansy said smirking at Hermione.
Hermione's cheeks flushed with colour before she spoke again.
"I was only trying to get this done a little faster so I wouldn't have to be in the same room as you any longer than I have to." Hermione retorted.
"Enough! It was smart of professor Dumbledore to assign a teacher to every group to stop all this bickering. You'll never make a decision about team captain at this rate." Madam Hooch told the students.
"Okay, so how can we decide this?" Justin Finch-Fletchley spoke up.
"I think Hermione should be captain because her grades are higher than any of ours." Ron said.
"Err, thanks Ron." Hermione smiled.
"I agree with Weasley." Justin said.
"Oh alright, fine. Granger can be the captain." Pansy grumbled.
"It's settled then. Hermione, Dumbledore told me that you are to go the great hall at 8:30 tonight to meet with him and the other captains." Madam Hooch said.
Meanwhile, over in the astronomy tower...
"What was Dumbledore thinking when he made this group?" Harry complained loudly.
"He was probably thinking that you kids needed to set aside your differences for once and get along." McGonagall said shrilly.
"I vote for Alex to be our captain." Jerko Phoenix smiled at Alex. Alex looked up surprised.
"I agree. She would be much better than the other Potter. Malfoy said loudly.
"Err, I agree with Malfoy." Goyle said with a confused look on his face.
"Well I think Justin should be our captain. After all, he is the oldest and he's pretty smart." Roger Davies spoke up.
"That's three votes Alex, one vote Justin. Malcolm, Harry, what do you two think?" McGonagall said.
"I vote for Justin." Harry said calmly. "My little sister isn't going to be captain."
"Uh, I don't know Alex or Justin very well..." Malcolm said awkwardly.
"What does the captain do? They're not required to do anything more for the project, are they?" Justin Finkle asked McGonagall.
"They captain will decide what your group is creating. Of course, the whole group comes up with ideas, but they make the final decision. They captain also has to report to Dumbledore." McGonagall said.
"Well, then I don't mind if Alex is the captain. She is smart enough to choose the right thing." Justin said kindly.
"It's settled then. Alex, you are to report to Dumbledore at 8:30 tonight."
"Great!" Alex exclaimed.
"Typical. Alex always gets everything." Harry mumbled, too quiet for anyone but Alex to hear. She ignored him.
One by one, the group started climbing down the ladder out of the astronomy tower classroom.
"Alex, could I talk to you for a moment?" Malfoy said quietly.
"Of course." She said just as quiet.
"Alex are you coming?" Harry called.
"I'll be down in a moment." Alex shouted down.
Malfoy shut the trapdoor for privacy.
"What is it Draco?" Alex said nervously.
"Err, how do I say this...?" Malfoy fidgeted. Alex waited patiently.
"You amuse me." He said quietly.
"Are you trying to be funny?" Alex said loudly.
"No not at all! I, well, I enjoy watching you make fun of your brother. You can be really funny sometimes. You amuse me." Malfoy said shyly.
"Are you trying to ask me out?" Alex raised her eyebrows.
"Yes. But I don't want anyone finding out about this. Especially your brother. I would happily hex you and all your little friends into oblivion for even mentioning it to another living soul." He said cheerfully.
"Agreed." Alex smiled. "I love doing stuff that particularly annoys my brother."
"And that's exactly what I love about you." Malfoy said laughing.
"I'll meet you...in the room of requirement at...midnight tomorrow night?" Alex said slowly.
"Sounds good. It's very inconspicuous. Until then, you're just another annoying Griffindor to me." He smiled.
"And to me you'll just be another snobby Slytherin pureblood." Alex agreed.
Later...
"Okay, I`ve figured out some ideas of what our team can make." Alex told Harry. They were sitting in the common room late at night finishing homework before bed.
"Oh? Alex Russo is actually doing something she was told by a teacher?" Harry smirked.
"Oh shut up Harry I just really want to win."
"You don`t even know what the prize is." Harry said confused.
"Of course I do. That`s kind of why I`m doing all this lame work." Alex smiled.
"You know? How`d you figure it out?" Harry said surprised. Ron and Hermione looked up from their work to see her answer.
"I have my sources."
"You should be able to tell me, after all I am on your team!" Harry said.
"No, because if I told you, then you would want to know where I heard it from and that would raise awkward questions I`m not willing to answer." Alex said in one breath. She quickly got up and scurried up the girl`s tower before Harry could question her further.
"Please?" Harry said turning towards Hermione.
"Sure." Hermione said following Alex.