A/N: I am sorry this took longer than usual to get up. I meant to have the fic updated last week but I banged up my wrist after being locked out my flat. And it's so much harder to type with practically one hand.

Thanks once again if you've suscribed, commented or even read it! I appreciate it so much! Thank you :) !

Anyway here we go;

Love-

Diana

It took over a week to get a reply from her father. So much so it was into early October. Lexie had almost forgotten she'd sent it, only to be reminded when post arrived and Sian shoved the letter delivered by Archie into her hands.
"Well, aren't you going to open it?" Her friend was typically blunt, getting straight to the point as usual.
Lexie shrugged "I'm going to wait till I get back to the common room," she fiddled with the seal, tempted to open it the moment the words had left her mouth.
A look of curiosity passed over Sian's face "All that rush to send it and you're going to wait?" Lexie hadn't told Sian anymore after she'd sent Archie out despite her friends concerned questioning. After all, you don't suddenly 'need' to send out a letter without there being some sort of other motivation.
Lexie poked at her wealthy looking meal, and then glanced up at Sian "In fact you know what… I'm not that hungry." She smiled wryly. "I'll head back to the common room,"
Sian rose an eyebrow, knowingly "You never were very patient,"
Lexie grinned. "Well, you know me," she waved with her letter holding hand and headed back to the Ravenclaw common room, as soon as she arrived, she ripped open the letter and pulled it out of the envelope and scanned it for notification of this news, disappointment flooding in almost instantly. It revealed next to nothing.

'Alexandria,
We cannot divulge too much information now, Lucius has only heard small sections from sources close. I cannot say who or why; But you will know more soon, In the meantime; I request you return for Christmas, this is non negotiable. "

Lexie screwed up the letter and tossed it into the Ravenclaw fireplace. She'd never been back for Christmas. Christmas at the Fortian's usually revolved around herself and Marcus receiving half of Honeydukes, new brooms, and an assortment of other extravagant gifts, which although appreciated it was most likely to make up for , Gregory and Amelia apparating to friends houses and leaving the house elves to cook dinner. When she'd turned 11 and had the option to stay at school over the holidays she had graciously accepted this as a route out of playing not so happy families. However as last Christmas Eve, she'd had the Yule Ball incident with Eddie, Lexie decided it couldn't possibly be any worse and messaged her father back with a simple message agreeing to return for the Christmas break, and set off down to Defence against the Dark Arts, her last class of the afternoon.
She met with Sian outside and rested against the wall until Umbridge arrived and waved them all into the classroom, met with several scowls and grimaces. It seemed even amongst those who thrived in the subject had their enthusiasm diminished with the arrival of Umbridge.
"If you'll take your seats and read the next chapter in silence please," the demon in pink spoke. "If you wish to ask a question, raise your hand and I will to my very best to answer you," she simpered, her now clearly fake smile plastered on her fat face. A seconds scan of the classroom to make sure no one had dared question her then "Good," he sat down, clasped her hands and stared out over the classroom.
The class in itself seemed to drag by with the only sound being the turning of pages of the textbook. It was like a ghost of the classroom from previous years. It hardly seemed like the class were she'd faced invasions of pixies by Lockhart in a seemingly cameo appearance, realised her fears in the insect shaped boggart as taught by Professor Lupin and witnessed the Unforgivables by none other than a Death Eater in disguise. She'd swap any of them for this bat, hell even Lockhart would be more interesting. At least that'd maybe rise a laugh. Still, Lexie thought, leafing over the page purposely loudly, at least she'd pass her OWL if the demon in pink was to be believed. The next pages title was as useless as the previous one. "The Case for Non- Offensive Responses to Magical Attack"
"Sure," Lexie muttered to herself "Someone's shooting Killing Curses and I'll ask them to stop nice and calm, that'll totally work out well," she rolled her eyes"
"Hem-hem" It came from the front of the class and Lexie notably shuddered "Something to say, Miss Fortian?" Umbridge asked
"No, Professor" she deadpanned.
"Good," Umbridge spoke in her trademark simper "Back to your textbook,"
Lexie rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the book in front of her, reading the same sentence over and over until Umbridge eventually dismissed the class.

Scooping her books up and dropping them into her bag, Lexie left the classroom without a moments' notice and began making her way back to the common room, completely enthralled in her own thoughts. So much so that halfway there, when she heard a cough behind her she jumped, almost dropping everything.
Turning around, she saw Blaise Zabini, Draco's very attractive friend in the same year, giving her a trademark half smile. Lexie had spoken to him briefly when talking to Draco but never had she had a one to one conversation with him.
"Hi" Blaise spoke first, his voice cool, calm, confident. Lexie immediately looked around for any of his friends. It wasn't like him to be alone; in fact he was usually with Draco and the other two Lexie never bothered the names of. Now that he was alone, Lexie noticed how handsome he really was. He'd always been attractive but Lexie had always speculated to herself that was only because most of the boys around were very plain looking. Now, she realised; take him out of the group and he still stood out. His eyes appeared to be staring through her, waiting for a reply.
"He-Hey, hi," Lexie stammered momentarily losing any cool she may have maintained, which Blaise responded to by raising his eyebrows."Hi, Blaise," Lexie attempted composure.
This seemed adequate enough as Blaise smiled.
"Alexandria, I thought I would ask you if you happen to be going to Hogsmeade this weekend. That is if your friends can bare a day without your company" He laughed to himself and she forced a smile.
"Um, yeah, sure, I mean.." Come on Lexie pull yourself together. "Yeah that'd be great," she smiled back at him and fiddled with a strand of her hair.
"Okay, cool, I'll maybe see you there, Outside Honeydukes?" he asked
Lexie nodded and Blaise turned and walked off.
That was weird, she'd expected him to offer to walk her to her common room or stay and chat for a minute more but he just left as if he'd just asked her the time in the corridor. And why had he just asked her if she was going to Hogsmeade. He only knew her through Draco and… She shook her head.
Think straight damn it. He's Blaise Zabini. He's always seemed slightly 'cool' and overtly calm. He's probably just making friends because we both know Draco, she assured herself. That's it. Nothing weird.
She continued to the common room, only to be stopped once more on her way by none other than Pansy herself. Since the incident with Pansy, yet the Slytherin girl had a odd knack for turning up when Lexie was doing something or with people Pansy disapproved of. When she'd bumped into her coming out of Charms, chatting with Sian, Pansy had muttered something to her sidekick and stalked off giggling and the next day when Lexie had met Neville again in the library at the same table, arms laden with textbooks, Pansy had strode past with nothing more than a glare and another whisper to another girl so Lexie was fully awaiting the wrath of Parkinson.
"Hello Alexandria," Pansy simpered politely and continued walking.
Lexie raised her eyebrows "Um.. hey Pansy…" she trailed off.
No gag? What was going on?

The weekend had came around faster than expected with Fridays final class being a welcome end to the week. As she stepped out of Transfiguration, she grinned at Sian. "Weekend !" she high fived her friend. Friday had fast become a favourite. It meant no Umbridge for two whole days.
"I know right! Seems like it's been a while! Anything interesting planned?" Sian spoke. "Cause I've heard a rumour from-," she trailed off, as someone rounded the corner and almost walked directly into them.
"Sorry," they muttered then looked up "Oh hi there, Lexie,"
"Alright Neville?" Lexie smiled.
"Yeah- yeah.. um now that you're here I meant… to..um to tell you something, I mean I heard something and…well I thought you'd be interested." Neville said this very quickly and Lexie looked curious
"Sure," she motioned for him to continue. Sian looked from Lexie to Neville
"I'll catch up with you in the Great Hall, Lex," she nodded before turning and heading off. Both watched her retreat around the corner before Lexie turned back to Neville
"So, what were you saying," she asked.
"Um…I heard..from people in my house I mean.. that there's.." Neville appeared to lower his voice, Lexie was unsure if it was because he was still shy or he didn't want anyone to hear their conversation "well, there's people meeting…tomorrow, it's supposed to be sort of secret, y'know…" he looked at her "so not many people find out about it, but…"
Lexie widened her eyes "Neville, I really have no idea what you're talking about, you've heard something about a meeting tomorrow?"
He looked as if he was in thought then nodded.
"What's this all about"
"I..I don't know for sure…Dean said something about Harry…and…him being better than Umbridge," Neville answered. "The Hog's Head…tomorrow…I mean, well that's if you want to go, I thought, well I thought…maybe you'd go because…" he trailed up
Lexie's curiosity kicked in and she instantly began wondering exactly what was going on. She glanced at Neville. "You know what, sure, I'll see you there," she paused. Tomorrow was the day she was supposed to see Blaise. "Oh… I've just remembered," Lexie ran a hand through her hair. "I'm supposed to meet a friend tomorrow, I..I'm really sorry," she bit her lip.
Neville nodded "Um.. okay, sure, don't worry about it" he said more to the floor than to Lexie and with that he left pretty rapidly, leaving Lexie to walk to the Great Hall to find Sian.
"So?" Sian asked "What went on there? Has Blaise got competition now?" she laughed.
Lexie shoved her friend playfully. "Come off it, he was just…asking me something about…Charms," She hoped what she put in would prove believable. Sian gave Lexie a look but didn't pursue it any further. Thankful for the break; Lexie slid into her seat and began helping herself to food.

She stood outside Honeydukes, Ravenclaw scarf pulled tightly around her neck, gloved hands rammed into her cloak pockets. It was very cold for October and Blaise was very late. Lexie had already eaten two liquorice wands, a chocolate frog and a sugar quill whilst she'd waited. For the first twenty minutes she'd considered it to be her impatience and had decided to give Blaise the benefit of the doubt but another twenty minutes later and she was beginning to feel rather like a moron. The old witch sitting on the bench opposite was giving her a sympathetic look. She should have known Blaise wouldn't come. Hogsmeade was practically empty, bar a few from Hogwarts and the occasional elderly one out for a walk in the snow. The woman appeared to now be staring at Lexie aware of her plight. She wondered if she was into Legilimency and was about to delve into her mind. Lexie shuddered and pulled on her blue hat. Of course he's not coming, that's probably why Pansy was being so sweetness and light. She was in on it.
Lexie scowled and immediately walked off from the pair of eyes settling on her. I don't need pity. She walked into Zonko's Joke Shop and hovered around by the Hicough Sweets and Nose Biting Teacups working over reasons why Blaise wouldn't turn up and why she'd be highly tempted to hex him if she ever had to see him again. It wasn't until she heard nearby voices that she stopped and leant in to listen. Two boys from her year stood feet away, yet were unaware she was even there.

"We'd better go…we've to be at the Hog's Head by now, better leave before the street gets busier and there's more people around,"
"Shhhh!" the second boy with dark hair whispered "Shut up Terry, there could be anyone around! Come on then let's go"
The Hogs Head? Lexie thought to herself.
Follow them. A voice in her head . She followed Terry and his friend out of the shop and down the quiet street to the inn and waited for them to enter before catching the door before it closed and sliding in afterwards moving to the very back of the room, hoping to go unnoticed. The entire room appeared to have Hogwarts students of all years and almost all houses in, some of them she recognised, some she'd never seen before. A few seconds later and the door opened again, Harry Potter walking in looking slightly apprehensive.

It appeared she'd happened upon the meeting anyway…

A/N: It's not perfect and not exactly how I wanted it but it was driving me mad so I thought I would post it just so I can get past this bit and get cracking on Chapter Four. I know it's still a little slow at the moment. Any comments/reviews/alerts are appreciated, I don't bite :P