Chapter One: Morning memories

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London– A few month later

"Good morning Syal," Alexandra Dewitt said as she entered her kitchen, "Am I moving so much now that you prefer the table to my bed?" she asked the black cat who looked at her with its green eyes.

Syal meowed and leapt from the table to go to rub its back on her legs, purring loudly.

"Alright, I get it," she said, chuckling, "Let me just get it from the fridge and you will have your breakfast."

She opened the refrigerator and took out a pack of milk. She filled herself a glass of it and then poured some more in the little saucepan that was in a corner of the kitchen. Syal did not wait for its mistress to get up and went to lap the liquid avidly, purring in delight.

"Enjoy your meal girl," Alex said, caressing the back of her cat, "I'll prepare my own now."

She stood up, took out her wand and gave a flick towards the stove, causing some flames to sprout from the medium ring. She took a frying pan and set it on the stove after having added a nut of butter in it. She flicked her wand towards the refrigerator again, causing it to open and a pack of eggs and some bacon to fly out and set near the stove. One last flick caused one of the steel spatulas to come and hover by the pan, while the eggs cracked an spilled their content inside.

A small tapping noise was heard from the living rooms window. Letting her breakfast cook, she went to open the window, sipping some milk and flicked her wand. The window opened, letting in a tawny owl who went to perch itself on one of the living room's armchairs. Alex went to it and took the newspaper that was attached to its leg, putting the required amount of money in the pouch that was attached to the other leg. As soon as she had done this, the owl let out a hoot and flew out of the room again.

Setting her glass on the dinning table, Alex sat down on a chair and started to scan through the different headlines of the day. Sunday was never too good in news so she skipped to the sports headlines and more precisely, to Quidditch.

She had discovered this sport when she entered Hogwarts in her first year. Being from a Muggle family, she had only known Muggle sports before and one of her favourite had been baseball. Add that a pure passion for flying and she found herself totally liking Quidditch. She had managed to convince her father to buy a broom at the end of her first year and she tried out for one of the beater spot in her house team, Ravenclaw, in her second year. She had not made it but this did not discourage her at all.

She trained during her second year and tried again for tryouts in her third, when one of the beater spots was available due to one of them graduating. This time it payed off and she had not let go of her broom or of her beater club since then. Quidditch had become her life. She was now playing professional since four years and was part of the Wimbourne Wasp squad, right now on the second spot in the English League, right behind the London Falcons.

The Falcons were a miracle story gone true in itself. Bottom of the League a year and a half ago, they had shot up the ranks to win the cup last year, against all expectation. This had mainly to do with them getting a new coach who had managed to revamp their strategy and also got an exceptional seeker, Harry Potter himself. He was becoming close to a legend in Quidditch as a seeker and the Falcons had not yet lost any game with him in their squad. So the Wasps were second in the league, but proud seconds, having only lost to the Falcons.

A ring from the kitchen told her that her breakfast was ready. She went to pick it up, taking an additional bowl with cereals to complement her eggs and bacon. Setting the whole of it on the dinning table she started to eat, while reading the headlines more in details. Sunday was usually dull in news but one headline did catch her eye on the fourth page.

SURREY DRIVE MURDER – MINISTRY STILL FLOUNDERING

The Ministry is still clueless on the brutal murder of Charles Dawnson and his wife Sophia during the night of the 27th. Their bodies were found by their Muggle landlord who immediately alerted the Muggle authorities. The Ministry reported that they are in tight cooperation with the Muggle police but that so far they had no strong leads. Charles and Sophia Dawnson, both respected wizards, leave behind a daughter, Kathy, nine years old.

That news caused memories to come back in her head. Another killing, another orphan.

Flashback

Seventh Year – Hogwarts

"Miss Dewitt?"

The voice caused Alex to turn around from the breakfast table and face her House Head, Professor Flitwick.

"Yes Sir?"

"I need you to come with me to the Headmaster's office," Flitwick said, "He has something to say to you privately."

Alex stood up to follow him, shooting a questioning look to Cynthia who shrugged, showing that she did not know anything but something in the Charms professor's voice told Alex that it was important nonetheless. They went out of the Great Hall and made their way towards the Headmaster's office.

While on the way Alex wondered what news could be so important for Dumbledore to request her presence in his office. At no time did Professor Flitwick say anything on the way, but she could somehow feel that he was uncomfortable. This told her that the news was not a good one. They arrived in front of the gargoyle, which moved away to reveal the steps to the office after the password Flitwick whispered in its ear. A minute after they were entering the office.

Alex had only been there three times in her years at Hogwarts and each time she felt overwhelmed by the calmness and peace of the place. She could see the portraits of the previous Headmasters looking at her and noted that many of them looked sad. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, reading a parchment. He looked up when they entered and she could see that he looked tired. The events of the past weeks had taken their toll on him.

"Please have a seat Miss Dewitt," Dumbledore said, motioning to the armchairs in front of his desk. His voice sounded tired but reassuring at the same time.

She sat down and looked at him. "You wanted to see me, Sir?" she asked.

"Yes," Dumbledore said, "Have you read the Prophet of today yet?"

"No, Sir," she answer, feeling her worry heightening, "The Owl Post has not been delivered. Too early I guess."

"Good, good," he replied, "I prefer that you learn this from me than from them."

Alex really felt worried now. What news could be so important that Dumbledore feared that it would be reported in the newspaper?

"Sir," she asked, "What is wrong?"

Dumbledore closed his eyes for a moment and let out a sigh. "I wish there was an easier way to say this," he said softly, "But unfortunately, there isn't."

He opened his eyes again and looked at her.

"I deeply regret to have to inform you that your parents have been murdered by Death Eaters yesterday night," he said, sadness echoing in his words.

Alex felt her body go cold as she gasped and brought her hands to her mouth to muffle a moan. She looked at him with horror stricken eyes at the news he had just given her. Her parents? Murdered? Why? How?

"It would seem that Voldemort and his followers are doing everything they can to keep the Ministry and other organizations on their toes in attempts to stop them," Dumbledore said, as if answering her silent question, "In the past weeks Death Eater have heightened their disruptive actions, starting to attack different targets, both Muggle and Wizard alike."

Alex did not say anything and tried to get a grip on her nerves which were threatening to fail her.

"Their latest action was an attack in a residential area of London, the Camden area to be exact," Dumbledore continued, "They attacked several houses there, murdering the occupants and leaving Death Marks above the houses. Your home was in the numbers attacked."

She could feel tears streaming down her cheeks. She felt hollow, confused. She did not know what to think or say. This was so unfair.

"The Ministry has informed me of this just this early morning and I felt it was my duty to inform you," Dumbledore said softly, "I want you to know that myself and the entire Hogwarts staff share your grief and that if there is anything you should need, please come to see me about it."

Alex stood up suddenly. She did not know what to do anymore. She wanted to escape. To leave this room that was now the place that had given her the worst news she could hear. She looked at her Headmaster and could feel his silent sympathy through his eyes. Not being able to bear the atmosphere of the room anymore she rushed out of the office, not stopping as Professor Flitwick called after her.

She did not pay attention where she ran, she just felt the need to get away. Her vision was getting blurred from tears again and she did not see the group of students that were in front of her when she came in the Entrance Hall, going to their first class of the day. Most of them avoided her but one did not move and she ran into him.

"Watch where you are going Mudblood!" she heard him say.

She looked at him and recognized Malfoy who was now glaring at her.

"I'm sorry, Malfoy," she said, trying to go past him, "I had not seen you."

He grabbed her arm before she could get away. "Well that's obvious," he said with a sneer, "And I do not think that your apology was appropriate."

"Please," she pleaded, "Let me go."

"I think not," Malfoy said, "What's the problem Mudblood? Professor Flitwick called you to let you know you had failed all your tests? Is that why you are crying now?" he asked, a sly smile on his face.

Alex looked at him. How could one be so insensitive. She tried to push her way through but he blocked her. She then caught sight of his gloating grin and a sudden realization hit her. His father was a known Death Eater, did he know what had happened already. Was this why he was taunting her again? She felt sudden anger shoot through her as Malfoy once again prevented her from going away.

"I am asking for proper excuses, Mudblood," he said, bringing his face close to her, "And your puny boyfriend is not here to get you out of trouble now, so..."

He did not finish his sentence. Alex had launched her knee in his groin, causing him to double up in pain. She finished with a chop of her right hand on the back of his neck, that sent him to the floor. A move her father had taught her, should she need to get rid of annoying men. Her father that was now dead.

Feeling sorrow overwhelming her again she sprinted out of the Entrance Hall, onto Hogwarts grounds. A small drizzle was falling from the sky, typical weather for the season. She did not care and continued running until she reached a tree that stood on a little hill overlooking the lake. There she let herself fall to the ground, her back to the tree and started to cry freely letting her grief out.

Why? That single question echoed in her mind for a long time. She continued crying. Not caring that she was missing the first lesson of the day. She lost track of time but she at some point she felt grabbed softly by two warm hands and pulled into a comforting embrace. She felt some relief seep into her as she recognized the familiar touch.

He was here for her, as he always had since they had been together. Like at the end of her sixth year, or like before the Ravenclaw vs Slytherin match, where he had protected her against Slytherins that were trying to injure her.

"I'm here, Alex. I'll always be," he said as he gently kissed her head, "Don't hold back the tears, love. It will only make it worse."

She continued crying on his chest and in the same time felt gradually soothed by his words as he stroked her hair gently. She felt some drops on her head and knew that he was grieving as well.

Back to reality

Alex broke from her memories suddenly as a thump was heard on her dinning table. She blinked hard to refocus her vision and saw that a beige owl had landed there and was looking expectantly at her, a letter attached to its leg. She gave gave it a piece of bacon and then took the letter which was obviously for her. She opened it and read it contents.

To Miss Alexandra Dewitt

Dear Hogwarts graduate,

It is my great pleasure to announce you that this year for the first time in centuries, at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be held the first Reunion of ancient students. This is a way to help the current students to find their way in their future life by taking advantage of your experiences.

I hope to see you at this great event, which will take place at Hogwarts, on Halloween. The Reunion will last two days.

In order to ease the preparation, you would be kind to signal your coming by sending back an owl before the start of this term, September the first. The guests will get to Hogwarts by the Hogwarts Express, on October the 30th.

Yours Sincerely,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

(Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Order of Merlin first Class)

She reread the letter a few times, letting the words sink in her and wondering if she should attend. Hogwarts was a place where she had many good memories, but also a few painful ones. The owl gave her a questioning hoot, apparently waiting to see if she would give her and answer.

"I will answer this a bit later today," she said, giving it another piece of bacon, "Thank you for waiting though."

The owl finished to eat the bacon and then departed by the open window, flying into the morning London air. She looked at it disappear before going back to her breakfast. Her eggs were less than warm now, due to her reverie. She finished them fast ad then charmed her plate, cup and cutleries to the washing machine. Even though she lived in the wizard world, she had not been able to get rid of some of the habit s she had picked up from being raised in the Muggle world.

Thus her apartment was Muggle in style and had electricity and other Muggle things in it, but she tried to use magic as much as she could. Not that she was feeling on doing any washing today.

She stayed a bit at the table, wondering a bit what to do of her day. She had no practice as it was Sunday and the weather outside was not that bad. She definitely needed to go out and do something to take her mind off the memories the article had re-awakened. But going out alone was sometimes so boring.

Maybe Cynthia would agree to join her. Her best friend was now married since three years with her boyfriend from Hogwarts, Sean O'Maley. Alex was amazed to see how well they had gotten along but at the same time she was delighted for both of them. Especially since they were expecting their first child sometime in January.

Cynthia Swanson, now O'Maley, had been quite a "hottie", to quote some of the Ravenclaw boys from her year, and she had had her share of hook ups and breaks during her third, fourth and fifth year at Hogwarts. However, none of them had been long term relationships. Alex had even teased Cynthia that Sean would find himself replaced before the end of the year.

Cynthia had proved her wrong and their relationship had endured until their engagement and marriage. She had to admit that Sean was a very nice person, alway cheerful and with a good sense of humour, but also extremely caring. He was now working in the Auror's department of the Ministry, under Kingsley Shackelbolt.

On her side, Cynthia was working in the Hogsmeade branch of Gringotts as a curse breaker and was in charge of making sure that all the security charms were in good working order. That she had managed to be on such a post at her young age was quite an achievement, most probably due to her high marks in charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. Alex had told her that she would soon be head of the London department if she continued that way.

She stood up and headed back to her room. The time was advancing towards ten o'clock and she had to get herself ready if she actually wanted to go out with Cynthia. She was decided to see her friend and the visit would be a good occasion to see if Sean and her planned to be at the reunion as well.

"I wonder who else will come there?" she asked herself as she entered her room. Half an hour later she was dressed and ready to go out. After giving a parting caress to Syal, who had jumped on the small table by the entrance door, she went out of her apartment.