A/N: I am so so so so so sorry that I'm a day late again. I finished this at midnight last night, and I've been at primary school all week (for placement – as I'm studying to become a primary school teacher) so I've been exhausted haha. I was at primary school today too, so yeah, my lame excuses for being late.

A HUGE shoutout to

misspotter94; her stories are absolutely amazing. There's a Lorpius (Lily/Scorpius) fic that she has just finished, and a Scorminique (Scorpius/Dominique) one that she has just started…they are brilliant, so if you've the time, check them out!

REUPLOADED again because of a minor error. Sorry if this caused any inconvenience!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry. Wish I did though. But I'm glad Ms Rowling does :)

Chapter Seven: Introspection

After hearing Alexandra's proclamation, Dominique didn't feel like going to class. She felt quite anxious and to be frank, sick to the core. She knew that her family and the Malfoys didn't get along well, but she didn't think that Alexandra would take that hate, dwell on it, and act upon it. What had the witch said? Her grandfatherhad called all Weasleys blood traitors and the wizarding world would be better off without them. Dominique scoffed. She highly doubted that. The Weasleys had done their fair share of saving the world. Alexandra's grandfather had either been hibernating under a rock for the last twenty years or was completely delusional. Then again, Dominique thought to herself, she was being biased, because she was a Weasley. Maybe Alexandra's grandfather was being biased too, because he was a Malfoy. She decided to do some research, so she headed to the library.

Pulling a book titled 'The Second Wizarding War' from the shelf, she sat down and flicked through it. Skipping the parts that she already knew, she came across a page that had a headline of Death-Eaters. She knew that Alexandra's grandfather had been a Death Eater, and even in Voldemort's inner circle, and that Alexandra's father had briefly been a part of the Dark side, and she knew that they didn't go to Azkaban because Uncle Harry spoke up for them, but she didn't know details, so that was what she was looking for. In the chapter that she was looking at, she found an article.

'Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived himself, gave evidence that if it wasn't for Narcissa Malfoy, he would be dead. He also testified that the Malfoys only did what they had to do because they feared for their lives. The judge didn't look very happy, as Narcissa and her husband were a part of You-Know-Who's inner circle. Their son, Draco Malfoy, was also found guilty of the Dark Mark. Narcissa seemed to be grateful that Potter vouched for her and her family. Draco too, kept glancing at Potter as if wanting to catch his eye, but Potter only had eyes for the judge. Lucius Malfoy stared sullenly at the ground, and once the judge acquitted them, left the courtroom wordlessly.'

Dominique didn't understand. Uncle Harry had basically saved their lives from being ruined. Why did the Malfoy family ask Alexandra to execute revenge? For Dominique was now certain that Alexandra was not working on her own accord. She was put up to it. The evidence? Before the Christmas break, she and Alexandra had gotten on very well...Alexandra had even admitted it under the influence of Veritaserum. Speaking of Christmas break, Dominique's thoughts wandered back to what Uncle Ron had said when she told him she had believed the Malfoys had changed: "Whatever helps you sleep at night". Was she sleeping better at night? She had to admit that she wasn't. Why didn't she ask Alexandra all these important questions when she had the chance? She had walked out after the revelation of the plan, but she didn't think that she would dwell on it so much. By now, the Veritaserum would have worn off. Mentally cursing herself for missing the opportunity, Dominique slammed her book shut and received a glare from the librarian, Madam Pince. She hurried out of the library, turned a corner and crashed into someone.

"Sorry!" she and the other person said at the same time.
"Roxanne," Dominique said shortly.
"Dominique, erm, hi," Roxanne said nervously. "Studying?"
Dominique looked at her cousin wearily. "Not really," she answered shortly.
"Oh, um, okay, I won't keep you any longer." Roxanne had just entered the door of the library.
"Roxanne, wait," Dominique called after. She was too curious, and after letting opportunities slide earlier, she had learnt her lesson. Roxanne turned around. Dominique took as breath and stated, "You're talking to me again."
"Erm, yes," Roxanne said, again nervously.
"Why?" Dominique asked.
"Do you always question why people talk to you?" an airy voice interrupted. Dominique narrowed her eyes at Victoire.
"Fred had a chat to me," Roxanne rolled her eyes. "Said that we're family, and blood is thicker than water and all that bullfish, and you know, I kind of agreed with him."
"Thank you," Dominique whispered. Roxanne nodded and left the sisters.
"You're just going to forgive her? After she refused to speak to you and made you apologise countless times?" Victoire asked indignantly.
Dominique shrugged, "You heard what she, or rather, Fred said. Blood is thicker than water. Maybe I should just forgive...but not forget." Suddenly, she let out a laugh, "You know, that was very Sytherin of you, Vic."
"How dare you?" Victoire asked in mock-outrage. Dominique just laughed at her, and soon enough, Victoire joined in.

Upon entering the common room that night with the intentions of going straight to bed, Dominique found Alexandra sitting alone by the fire. Though she had told herself to avoid all Slytherins, Dominique had been fighting the urge to confront Alexandra when in her normal state, that is, without Veritaserum running through her blood.

"Your grandfather put you up to it, didn't he?" Dominique asked quietly, sitting opposite Alexandra.
"You had no right, Weasley," Alexandra glowered at her. Dominique looked at her blankly. "Oh don't look so innocent. I know you spiked my pumpkin juice with Veritaserum."
Dominique didn't say anything.
"It's none of your business," Alexandra said after some time."Of course it's my business, Malfoy," Dominique rolled her eyes. "You are planning to make life hell for me and my family. How is that not my business?"
"You weren't meant to find out," Alexandra said sullenly. Dominique cocked her head to one side thoughtfully.
"Parkinson told you, didn't he?" she asked.
"Look, Weasley, Parkinson has nothing to do with this," Alexandra said, rather protectively.
"Then why did you involve him? Once he heard you telling the truth, he basically blew his cover," Dominique shot back.
"Weasley," Alexandra gritted her teeth. "Just let me get on with my job."
"I can't allow that, Malfoy," Dominique said, clenching her fists. She raised her voice, unintentionally. "What else is your grandfather planning? Wizard God, why does your family hate mine so much! We basically saved your backside when you were about to be sent to Azkaban."
Alexandra let out a sigh and glared at Dominique angrily. "That's exactly why. Now go away."
"I don't get it," Dominique persisted. "The Potter-Weasleys have done so much for the wizarding world, and for your family. Shouldn't you be thanking us for the world what we live in today?" she tried to reason with Alexandra.
Alexandra ignored the comment, and pulled out her wand. "Get lost, Weasley, or else I'll hex you."
Dominique looked at the wand. She doubted that Alexandra would actually hex her, but she wasn't going to take chances. She still needed to get to the bottom of this, and being in the hospital wing wouldn't help her. Dominique began walking away, but not before turning and adding determinedly, "I will figure you out, Malfoy. And if you dare threaten to hex me again, I will hit you. My patience is at its limit."
"Whatever," Alexandra called after her, taunting her. Dominique used what was left of her patience and willpower to keep walking away.

In her dormitory, which thankfully was empty, Dominique sat down on her bed and reflected on what had just happened. She had threatened Alexandra, she never threatened anyone! Did she? She wasn't so sure now. What had happened with Chelsea and Roxanne were complete accidents, but this...this was real. This was happening. She had actively threatened someone. Was this who she was? Was this the person she had wanted to become? No, Dominique shook her head. Definitely not. She was disappointed. This was not how her first year at Hogwarts was meant to be like. What had gone wrong? Dominique scoffed to herself. She didn't even want to answer that question. She needed to get to the bottom of this, she just needed to. It was too important to let go. And if it'll save her younger cousins in the process, then it was something she would have to see through to the end. With these thoughts in mind, Dominique drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

Exams were right around the corner, so any thoughts of figuring out what Alexandra was up to was driven from Dominique's thoughts. These exams were her first formal assessment, so she was über nervous. She supposed that her ambition drove her to work harder, so every night she was found in either the library or the common room, books around her, notes spread out in front of her. Nobody disturbed her, which she was happy about, but nobody spoke to her either, so she did feel a little lonely, but she didn't dwell on it. She focused on her studies.

Her efforts paid off. Just before school finished for the year, the first-years received their exam results, and Dominique was proud to say that she passed every exam with flying colours. Even more surprised, she found out that Roxanne came out top of the year. Dominique guessed that it goes to show that even if you're the prankster's daughter and you had a rough and difficult year because of your cousin, you can still study hard and get good results.
"Professor McGonagall told me that you were top of the year after me," Roxanne's voice pulled Dominique out of her reverie.
"Um...thank you," Dominique replied, somewhat awkwardly. "Why didn't she tell me herself?"
"I'm sure she will," Roxanne replied, shrugging. "Just keep this on the down-low, you're not supposed to know yet."
Dominique nodded. As Roxanne waked away, Dominique called after her. "Roxy?"
Roxanne paused and turned around.
"Are we cool? You and I?" Dominique asked uncertainly.
Roxanne looked at her a little quizzically before saying, "Yeah, we're cool." Dominique nodded at her cousin. Roxanne added, chuckling quietly, "As long as you're up to a few jokes being played on you. Dad has been designing this whole new batch, and we need some testers." Her eyes twinkled mischievously.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Dominique gave her a small smile. "And quite frankly, I think I need a few jokes in my life."

"Miss Weasley, a word if you please?" Professor McGonagall called from the door. Roxanne beamed and gave Dominique a little push towards the door.
Dominique sat down opposite Professor McGonagall. Despite knowing what she was there for, Dominique couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
"You and Miss Weasley seem to have patched things up since the er...incident that happened earlier this year," Professor McGonagall began, quite conversationally. "I take it that you have moved on?"
"Yes, Professor," Dominique nodded.
"I am happy to see that. And I have also been monitoring your school work, and I'm very glad that none of this has affected your academics at all," Professor McGonagall said.
"Me too," Dominique admitted.
"It's been a rough year for you, hasn't it?" Professor McGonagall asked kindly. Dominique remained silent. Professor McGonagall surveyed her before continuing. "I just want you to know that you are never alone. My good friend once said 'help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it'."
"I -" Dominique began, but she was interrupted by the Headmistress.
"No, I don't want you to comment on it. Just think about it," Professor McGonagall said. It wasn't an order, but Dominique followed it anyway. "See you at the End-of-Term feast, Miss Weasley."
Dominique recognised this as her dismissal. On her way out, she saw the portrait of Albus Dumbledore wink at her and smiled to herself. If she wasn't mistaken, she now knew who Professor McGonagall's good friend was.

"She won't talk to me at all."
Dominique, who was sitting in a compartment with Callum and his Ravenclaw friends, rolled her eyes. The compartment door was open, so the carrying voices of Ethan Parkinson and the other Slytherins could be heard quite clearly. Dominique stood up and was just about to close the door when Ethan rushed out of his compartment and came to a stop in front of her.
Dominique stared at him in bewilderment.
"Weasley, you've got to help me," Ethan said.
"And why should I do that?" Dominique asked, her tone hostile.
Ethan glanced back at the compartment. "It's Alex. I'm worried about her,"
"Malfoy has nothing to do with me," Dominique said. She turned around and tried to close the door, but Ethan held it open.
"I think she may be a little...sick in the head," Ethan said quietly. Dominique froze.
"I can't help," she told him.
"What's going on?" Callum stood up and faced Ethan.
"Parkinson thinks Malfoy has gone round the twist," Dominique explained. "He wants me to help." She turned to Ethan. "What is it that you want me to do exactly?"
"Just talk to her," Ethan said quickly. "She won't talk to me or anyone else."
"What makes you think she'll listen to me?" Dominique asked sceptically. "If you don't remember, she kind of hates my guts."
"I'll try to talk to her," Callum volunteered.
Dominique raised an eyebrow at him.
"If she won't talk to someone she knows, maybe she'll say something to someone she doesn't know very well," Callum explained his train of thought.
"Worth a try," Ethan mumbled. "This way, Nicholson."
Dominique followed them.

"Malfoy," Callum sat down next to Alexandra. She turned to look at him, but did not respond. Callum continued, "Do you know who I am?"
Dominique thought he was handling this really well. She probably would have shouted already. Obviously, patience wasn't one of her stronger traits.
Alexandra nodded, still staring blankly.
"Look, Malfoy...Alex," Callum shifted his position. "I just need you to talk to me."
She hissed, curling up into a ball.
"I'm not going to hurt you," Callum said calmly. He reached out to gently pat her on the shoulder, but she lunged at him, her hands clasping around his throat.
Dominique screamed, as she and Ethan jumped up to pull Alexandra away. What in the name of Merlin was going on?

A/N: Introspection is the observation or examination of one's own mental processes. This chapter is titled Introspection because I hoped to convey Dominique's mental processes. There's quite a lot of reflection in this chapter.

Also, it's sometimes a little hard for me to write because I keep forgetting that Dominique is only eleven years old. She (and Harry, Ron and Hermione when they were in their first-year) seem so mature!

Don't forget to check my profile for updates on my writing status, and review this. Until next Wednesday (hopefully haha). :) x