Chapter 5: Kisses and Quidditch

"RON!" Ginny yelled at her brother. "Don't you even think about hexing him. He's done nothing wrong."

Ginny moved to stand in front of Alex, who was now standing facing the trio who had just come in. Alex just stood there with his hands shoved in his pockets, not even trying to defend himself from an attack.

"Ginny, get out of the way. I'm going to teach Alex here a lesson on messing with younger girls. He doesn't need to have his paws all over you." Ron said angerly.

"Ginny," Alex whispered to her, "let me deal with this please. He cann't hurt me. You should know that, seeing as you hit me with a strong stunner and it didn't phase me at all. I'm immune to your curses and hexes."

Alex stepped around Ginny and walked over to stand in front of Ron who still had his wand trained on Alex. "Ron, please, lower your wand. My "paws" as you so called put them, are not on your sister. They are in fact in my pockets. We were just talking is all. No harm, no foul."

"Ron, really mate, all they were doing were sitting on the couch when we came in." Harry said, stepping up to push Ron's wand down. "I don't think Alex would be stupid enough to try something with Ginny with everyone so close here."

"Ron, please, stop." Hermione chimed in. "We all know that you are protective of Ginny. No one wants to see her get hurt or danger come to her. I really don't think Alex would harm her any way. If any thing, he would want to protect her as well."

Ron finally lowered his wand and glared at Alex. "I know something is going on with you and my sister. I promise you, I WILL find out what it is. Stay away from her."

With that, Ron stormed up the stairs to the boys dormitory and grabbed his book bag for his classes.

"Let me handle this guys." Alex said as he took off up the stairs, following Ron. Ginny just stood there and watched her boyfriend go confront her idiotic brother. How she wished it was her dealing with Ron and not Alex. She knew though that this was something that he needed to do. He was wanting to prove himself to her family, even if he didn't say it out loud to her.

Ginny turned her attention to her two best friends and folded her arms across her chest. "Well? I know the two of you have a question brewing in those heads of yours. So while Alex is up stairs dealing with Ron, spit it out."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other with an equally shocked look on both their faces. " Honestly Ginny, we don't and we wouldn't." Harry said. "Well, I wouldn't though, Hermione might."

Hermione turned and looked at Harry, "What was that supposed to mean? I am only concerned for Ginny's well-being, just like you and Ron." Hermioine turned her attention back to Ginny, "So, what was going on before we came in. Things looked like they were starting to get serious."

"Well, if you must know, he had just asked me to go out with him when you three came in. Was about to give him an answer when Ron decided to point his wand at him." Ginny said with a smile. "AND he is a bloody brilliant kisser."

"Ron, please, hear me out before you go blasting away at me ok. Ginny is a big girl. She can choose who she wants to go out with on her own. She doesn't need you to hold her hand. What she does is her own personal business." Alex said after he followed Ron up to their dormitory. Alex stood blocking the door so Ron couldn't get away and was forced to talk to Alex.

"You're no good for her, so just leave her be." Ron said heatly.

"How do you know that I am not good for her?" Alex asked. "You don't know me that well and you are not even giving me a chance."

"I know what you want Alex. You're just like the other guys that Gin has dated. They only want to be with her for one reason and one reason only. You just want to be with her so you can shag her." Ron yelled.

Alex lower his head shaking it side to side, "THAT Ron, is the most absurd thing I have ever heard. What makes you think that is the only reason why I want to date your sister? Yes Ron, I said date. I had just asked her to go out with me when you, Harry, and Hermione came in. She was about to give me an answer when you pulled your wand at me, kinda like now. The last thing I want from Ginny is sex. I think she is a very beautiful young woman who I find very attractive and would like to spend quite a bit of time with."

Alex took a step towards Ron while continuing, "I mean her no harm and will do everything in my powers to protect her. She trusts me and I would like it as well if you would trust me. She doesn't fear me like you do. Answer me this Ron, what have I done since being here that makes me such the bad guy that you won't let me near Ginny?"

"You really wanna know?" Ron asked. As Alex nodded, Ron said "You pulled that stupid strip show on the train here. That was all I needed to see or know to know what was really your intentions for my sister."

"Ron, it was only for games and besides, if you remember correctly, Ginny dared me to take off my shirt. I have never been one to back away from a dare or a challenge. Besides, I would not have tried to shag her that fast anyway with you, Harry and Hermione sitting right there any way. I wouldn't want to embrass the two of you." Alex finshed with a smirking grin, knowing that Ron was two seconds away from hexing him.

As Ron face turned redder, Alex dropped to his knees laughing. "Ron. Mate. Relax. Please. But if it will make you feel better, hex away mate. I won't stop you. After that last remark, I guess you could say I deserve it."

After a few minutes had passed, Ron lowered his wand and knelt down next to Alex who was still on his knees and trying to stop with the laughing. "Hurt her one time, ONE TIME, and you will be answering to me and my brothers. You got that?"

Alex nodded his head in approval and he let Ron pull him back to his feet. Together, they left the dorms and went to join the others. As they came down the stairs, Alex heard Ginny telling Harry and Hermione about him asking her to go out with him and about the kiss they shared.

"Yes Miss. Weasley, I did ask you to go out with me. I would really like to know what that answer would be." Alex said as he came off the last two stairs, ignoring the deadly glaring he was getting from Ron behind his back. "So, what do you say?"

Ginny just laughed as she ran over to Alex and threw her arms around his neck, daring her brother Ron to say something. When Ron didn't respond, Ginny kissed Alex like he had kissed her earlier. Alex wrapped one arm around her waist and brought the other arm up around the back of her shoulders, kissing her tenderly. When they pulled apart, Alex rested his forehead on hers and growled so softly that only she could hear.

"Any problems that you have with my BOYFRIEND my dear brother, you can deal with me personally. You will wish that Bill had never taught me that bat-bogey hex because I will hex you so badly, even the Healers at St. Mungos won't be able to rid you of my batty friends. Got that!" Ginny said as she looked at Ron who stood on the stairs not believing his eyes.

All Ron could do was nod his head as Harry and Hermione just stood back and laughed.

As the first few months had passed, Alex was getting very much settled into his routine at Hogwarts. He attended ALL of his classes, even though he was still having his issues with not only his father but with Umbridge as well. Umbridge was furious with the fact that Dumbledore had stepped in and made it very clear to her that Alex was not to be given detention with her for her own safety. Snape on the other hand, was given the task of giving Alex detention for Umbridge. In a way, Dumbledore was trying to reconcile the estranged father and son, urging them to get along to no avail.

Alex, Harry, Ron and Ginny all four made the Quidditch team for Gryffindor and was having one of their first practices. Ron had made Keeper and was doing an outstanding job keeping. Harry had returned as the teams Seeker, with Alex as the backup Seeker providing something happened to Harry. Alex, Ginny and Angelina made up the teams chasers with Fred and George returning as the beaters. Practice was going great as Alex and Ginny were doing every thing they could to make Ron miss a goal.

Hermione sat in the benches with Luna and a fellow Ravenclaw from D.A.D.A. class, Kat O'hara. The girls were chatting away about the upcoming season even though the three girls did not play. They all three preferred to keep their feet on the ground. Hermione found through Luna that Kat was only there at the Gryffindor practice to see Harry. She also learned that Kat wasn't much of a chaser but rather wanted to be the one to be chased. Luna was trying to help her friend meet Harry through Hermione.

"You know Kat, I just might be able to help you on meeting Harry." Hermione started to say. "Seeing as we are learning absolutely nothing in Umbridge's class, we need to take things into our own hands. I have an idea for a teacher if he is willing. He knows how to do this stuff and has proved it time and time again. Just convincing Harry to teach us is the hard part. Ron and I have tried to ask him about it, but he keeps changing the subject on us."

"When he agrees to teach us, sign me up for the first meeting." Kat said smiling.

As the Quidditch practice ended, the three girls were joined by Ginny and Alex.

"You know, for a couple who have been trying to stay low-key, the two of you aren't doing it by snogging each other sensless every five minutes." Luna said in her dream like tone.

"Awww. Come on Luna. Look at them. They make such the perfect couple. Let them be and let them be young." Kat said laughing as Alex started to turn red.

"Sorry ladies. Coudn't help myself for a minute there." Alex said as he pulled Ginny closer to him. "Besides, that was the first time in over an hour I have been kissed by this beautiful witch here."

"So what's up guys? Enjoy watching us practice or did you even watch?" Ginny asked.

"Hermione was just telling us about wanting to start up our own little D.A.D.A. classes since we not learning any thing from the Toad." Kat said. "What? Hey, I'm not the only one who calls her that. I have heard it from several students already. You have to admit though, the name does fit her."

"Ron, what do you think Alex has done now to have these girls laughing?" Harry asked his best friend as they walked up to the laughing group.

Alex threw his hands up in defense and proclaimed, "I so didn't do it this time. Kat started it by calling Umbridge the Toad."

Kat sat back in her seat in the bleachers, nodding her head as the others started in on the laughing. She sat and watched Harry as he shook his head laughing, trying ot fight back the tears that were trying to break through from laughing so hard.

He has such a beautiful laugh. I just wished he knew that and laughed more. He has the weight of the wizarding world on his shoulders. He needs to have a reason to laugh. If only I was the one who gave him that reason. Kat thought to herself.

As Kat lost herself watching Harry, she didn't notice Alex snap his head around the moment she began to think about Harry and his laugh. If she had known that he could read minds so easily, she would have never had that thought.

As the group of friends made their way up to the castle, the sky clouded over and started to pour down rain. The seven teenagers took off in a dead sprint to get out of the pouring rain. As soon as they all got inside the castle doors, Alex silently swore to himself. He was scheduled to go for his weekly run that night. Even in his wolf form, Alex hated getting wet. There was no way he was gonna change while it was pouring down rain and his clothes getting drenched.

"Umm Harry, Ron, Alex? Would you boys mind if we walked Luna and Kat to Ravenclaw tower. I, uh, want to make sure they get there ok." Hermione said nervously. "I mean, we don't want them to slip and fall from their wet clothes. I would feel so much better if you boys walked them up."

"Wait a minute, just before it was 'we' and now it 'us boys?' What gives Hermione?" Alex asked before Ron or Harry could say anything.

"What! Am I not allowed to care for my friends' safety? I just want to see them safe to their tower. Besides, Filch is really getting bad about students walking alone now. Can we please just get them there?" Hermione said as she walked away.

Why is it that guys have to be such pains in the arses. I am just trying to make way for Kat to have a chance with Harry, even if Harry don't know it yet. She really likes him and he doesn't even notice her. She's a great witch but no one gives her credit for what she can really do. That why I said something about starting up a D.A.D.A. group with Harry teaching us. This way Kat can get to know him better and get to spend time with him as well. Hermione thought to herself as she walked away to the Ravenclaw tower, with Luna and Kat in tow.

"Hermione! Hold up please. I want to speak with you." Alex called out to her as he jogged up to catch up with her. "'Would you guys please walk Luna and Kat to their house common room?"

Ron and Harry just looked at each other with confused looks on their faces but went ahead and walked the two Ravenclaws to their own house.

After the four had walked away and rounded the corner, Alex spun around and met Hermione face to face. "I know what you are trying to do and I want to help."

Hermione stared at Alex in shock, "How do you know what I am trying to do? No one knows what I'm trying to do."

"You people really need to learn how to sheild your thoughts. I can read your thoughts without trying." Alex said shaking his head, looking down at the floor. "As soon as a thought crosses someone's mind, I hear it. Right or wrong, you're trying to fix Harry up with Luna's friend Kat? That is what I heard go across your thoughts is it not?"

Hermione slowly nodded her head in acknowledgment, knowing that now her thoughts were no longer hers to hear. That thought scared her until Alex let out a barking laugh, "Relax please, your thoughts are safe. No one knows that I can hear thoughts except for a few of the staff here and Jason." With a quick glance towards Ginny, Alex smiled and whispered to Hermione "I won't tell any one that you have major feelings for Ron."

"Alight! You win. My plan was to come up with an excuse to all of a sudden leave or talk to someone in private. Do you think it will work? It was just something I threw together fast." Hermione said.

"Umm, yes and no. Part of it will work but I'm not for sure on how to sneak in a private talk though. The sudden leaving is the easiset part. Come on, let's catch up with the others to see what we can do to make this plan of yours work." Alex said as the three of them took off to catch up with the other four.

"So you can read thoughts." Ginny said as she wrapped her arm around Alex's left arm. "Do I dare ask how many of mine you have heard since being here?"

Alex laughed as he pulled his arm free from Ginny's hold and wrapped one arm around Ginny's waist and the other he drapped across Hermione's shoulders. "I have heard so many of your, umm thoughts, it not even funny. Some of them, I swear would and could make a nun blush."

Ginny turned a scarlet red while Hermione just laughed at her friends embarrassment. "Easy love, no one knows what they are or pertain to but me and you. No one will ever know unless you decide to tell them.

The three continued to laugh and joke when they finally caught up to Ron, Harry, Luna and Kat. "Time to put this plan into action." Alex mumbled to Ginny and Hermione quietly. "Follow my lead ladies and we will have Kat and Harry walking by themselves before they know it. We have three floors left."

Alex unwrapped his arm from Hermione's shoulder and tugged gently on Luna's robes. She turned just slightly to see the three newcomers and knew what was going on. "Oh my. I just realized I forgot to take a book back to the library and it is due today. I must really go and get it turned in. Ginny, would you care to come with me and keep me company as well?"

"Sure Luna, I'll go with you. You don't mind do you Alex?" Ginny said blinking her eyes up at her boyfriend.

"Go ahead." Alex said trying to bite back the laugh. "I'll see you back in the Common Room then, yes?"

With a quick nod, Ginny and Luna took off to the library to return a so-called late book, only to backtrack and take a quicker route to the Ravenclaw tower.

"Oh man! I completely forgot I have a meeting with the Headmaster I really need to get to. Sorry guys but I have to go." Alex said when he looked down at his watch. He didn't really have to go but he did have something he needed to talk to the Headmaster about. With a quick nod and a tap on his watch letting Hermione know she was slowly running out of time, Alex turned and sprinted back down the corridor to the Headmaster's office.

"Oh my is right. Ron we still have a prefect meeting we need to go to and our rounds as well. Harry, Kat sorry but we do need to leave you two." Hermione grabbed Ron by the arm and was dragging him away before he could say anything.

"Well, I guess it just you and I now Harry. That is if you don't have some place to be right now." Kat said shyly.

"Errr no, I don't. I don't mind walking you really. Just cann't see why everyone left all of a sudden. If they didn't want to walk, then they should have said so, right?" Harry said, sounding a little upset.

Kat just laughed and nodded her head. "Yes I agree with you on that. But you do have to admit, it was cute on how everyone just all of a sudden had something else they had to do right now."

As they walked to Ravenclaw Tower, Harry got to know a little more about Kat. From their talk, he found that she was from the Ireland town of Trim, located about 28 miles north-west of Dublin. Kat's parents, who were muggles, were very excited when Kat got her Hogwarts letter. Understanding some what what their daughter was going through, Kat's dad started stocking books for witches and wizards alike, as well as books for the muggles.

The building that housed the bookstore, O'hara's Old Ways and Art, was an old two story cobble brick building that was handed down in Kat's dads family for generations. The complete upper floor was set up as Kat's moms art studio. Kat's mom not only painted and sculptured, she also taught young muggles.

Kat and her parents lived in the massive two story flat that was located next door to the bookstore and art studio. After Kat was born, her parents decided that they would not have any more. They had their perfect daugher who was the center of their world. They didn't want Kat to have to fight for their attention if there was another child in the house, so Kat was their only child.

Growing up, Kat was top of her class in primary school and loved to read. She had read every book at the local library and at the primay school as well. She had even read all the books in her father's store as well. There wasn't a book out there that Kat hadn't read or didn't enjoy.

Harry also learned that although she was an avid Quidditch fan, she didn't play. Her favorite Quidditch team was one that was a minor team. The local team called themselves The Dublin Devildogs. They weren't the best but they were getting better each season.

Her fear of heights kept her tied to the ground. Kat had a bad childhood experince that lead to her fear. She was helping her mom one sunny day set up for an outdoor art class. As she was setting up some painting easels, Kat got too close to the edge and one of her feet slid off the rooftop, causing Kat to fall. If she had not reached out to grab ahold of something, she would had fallen to her death. That near death experince was all Kat needed to know that her feet were to stay on the ground.

The more they talked, Harry found himself enjoying Kat's company and really thankfull that everyone split. He had never known any one so full of life and so full of happiness like Kat was. He was enjoying their time so much, that he didn't notice that they had stopped walking and were standing in front of the Ravenclaw door.

Without warning, Kat fired off one last remark, "Harry, please reconsider Hermione's idea. We need a Defense teacher who will show us how to fight, NOT talk our way through a fight. You're the only one who knows this stuff better. We need you Harry. Please. If you agree to teach us, I will be the first to sign up for the lessons." She said with a smile.

All Harry could do was smile back and nod.

"Sure Kat, I'll give it some more thought, but no guarantees OK. Still not sure if I am the right person to teach everyone is all." He said after a few.

Harry reached for Kat's hand and gave it a light squeeze. "Thanks for the talk. I really enjoyed it. It is really nice to be able to talk to someone who is very much down to earth like yourself Kat." Harry leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her left cheek. "See ya around?"

With that, Harry turned and walked slowly away, headed back down to Gryffindor Tower to let Hermione know that he would teach others D.A.D.A.