Author's Note: Yes, the rumors are true. I only own Alex and the plot points you don't recognize.

Chapter 4 A Little Exploring Never Hurt Anyone…Right?

"Where's Voldemort?" Alex asked, ignoring the shudders, "What's he up to? Why is he being so secretive?"

"No one knows where he is," said Mr. Weasley, in a tired voice, "Or what he's up to. That's our job, to infiltrate his plans so we're one step ahead of the game."

"Also," said Lupin, "The Prophet didn't believe your story so why should Voldemort come out in the open? He's using peoples' ignorance of his return to his advantage."

"But why?" Harry asked, "I would've thought he'd want to start his reign of terror as quickly as he could, now that he has a body and all."

"You forget, Harry," said Sirius darkly, "Most of his followers are either in Azkaban or too cowardly to come back to him. He needs to gather new members and rebuild his army once again. He wants to be revealed once he has his full power restored."

"Another thing we do here is bring awareness of Voldemort's return to the people, try to recruit people to our cause," Lupin said, "We also give protection to those who are afraid of being sought out by Voldemort's followers. We want as few people being forced to join him as possible."

"Is it working?" Alex asked hopefully, "Are people realizing that we're telling the truth?"

"Not many," said Mr. Weasley sadly, "They just don't want to believe that all their happiness is about to come to an end. Also, with no support from the Ministry or the Daily Prophet, it's hard to get people to believe us."

"We also can't go around giving flyers to people, saying, "Join the Order of the Phoenix and help us defeat Lord Voldemort!"," Sirius said, "We have to work quietly and persuade others to join our cause with patience."

"So not many people are on our side?" Alex asked sadly.

"Oh, don't worry," said Lupin with a grim smile, "We may look small, but our numbers are wide and spread throughout the country. Plus, once Voldemort shows himself, we'll have many more people wanting to fight for us. We also believe that, thanks to Elian, we'll even have connections outside the country."

"But why would that matter?" Harry asked with a frown, "Will they really be willing to send people to help fight our battles?"

"Harry, do you honestly believe that Voldemort will stop at England?" asked Sirius gently, "No, he wants control of the entire Wizarding world and will be setting his sights on other countries. The same thing happened the first time."

"The latest information tells us that Voldemort plans to simultaneously take England and America," Lupin added, "With two of the Wizarding superpowers out of the way, it won't take long for the rest of the Wizarding world to fall."

"So," said Alex, confused, "If Voldemort isn't planning his reveal anytime soon, what else is he doing? I mean, I'm sure his followers are the ones doing a lot of the recruiting, right?"

The adults all looked at one another. Alex could tell that they were reluctant in telling them this bit of information, but Sirius nodded.

"He's looking for a weapon," he said in a careful tone while looking at his folded hands, "Two weapons actually."

"Weapons?" Alex asked, frowning, "What kind of weapon?"

"Something he didn't have last time," said Lupin mysteriously, "But knows he needs to win the war."

"What is-?"

"I think that's enough questions."

Everyone jumped and saw Mrs. Weasley standing in the doorway, looking white with anger. Not wanting to start anymore trouble, the young wizards left the room and went to their assigned beds. Alex followed Hermione into a different room where Ginny was waiting anxiously in her bed.

"What happened?" she asked as soon as Hermione closed the door, "What did they tell you?"

So, while they changed into their pajamas, Alex told Ginny everything that the adults had said to them. Once she had finished, they all climbed into bed. Alex lay awake for barely ten minutes before sleep overtook her. It was a fitful sleep and she had to wake herself up many times to avoid that horrible dream. Finally, she decided to get something to drink.

Maybe some caffeine in my system will keep me awake, she thought drowsily as she made herself a cup of hot chocolate and coffee mix in the kitchen. It tasted exactly like hot chocolate but had a shot of coffee for the extra caffeine.

Once she had finished making her mixture, she brought the cup into the dining room and sat in the chair closest to the dying embers of the fire. She downed her hot drink, burning her mouth and throat in the process, and watched the small flames in the fireplace. Before she knew it, she had her head on the table and was fast asleep.

...

Down the hallways she sprinted, left, right, and left again. She didn't need to stop and listen anymore, she knew which door they had her father kept in. She burst into the room with her wand raised, hoping to beat the Minister. Too late, he caused the wand to fly from her hand.

"Please!" she begged, tears in her eyes, "Don't do this! He's my father! You can't let them do this!"

But all her pleading got her was laughter. She struggled as she was held back by an invisible man. The dementors closed around her father's seat and she heard their breath rasping. Then the hands let her go and she fell to her knees as the hooded figures turned their attention on her. All the horrible memories of her past filled her mind and she looked up. Through two sets of cloaks, she saw a black-haired man slouching in his chair.

"Dad!" she called. The man turned at the sound of her voice and Alex gasped. His eyes were cloudy and he looked at her without any recognition. "DAD!" she screamed.

...

Alex gasped and her head shot up, clutching her heart. She was panting like she had run a mile and was dripping in sweat. Snippets of the dream were still flying around in her mind and her lip began to tremble. She leaned her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands, trying desperately to keep her sobs quiet.

Snape hadn't been holding her back this time. If she was going to be perfectly honest, she preferred the invisible man because then she didn't need to hear Snape's laughter. Chills ran up her body and she pressed her hands harder against her mouth to stifle the noise.

An arm came around her shaking shoulders and she looked up quickly. Her father was sitting beside her, looking worriedly at her. Alex's eyes filled even more and she cried into her dad's bony shoulder as he patted her gently on the back.

"There now, it's all right," he whispered as Alex calmed down a bit, "I guess it was a good thing I had to get Buckbeak some more rats then, wasn't it?"

Alex let out a laugh, which sounded more like another sob, but smiled as she wiped her eyes.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" Sirius asked gently.

Alex took a few steadying breaths and said, "I dreamt the Ministry had you captured and the dementors were there and everything. I tried to tell the Minister you were innocent, but he just laughed. Then I tried to help you but someone was holding me back. I keep having this same dream over and over again to the point where it feels so real, like it's actually happening." She wiped a few more stray tears as her father looked at her tired eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me you were having these dreams?" he asked.

"Because I didn't want you to worry," said Alex quietly, "I knew if I told you, you'd put yourself in danger to come and see if I was okay. I can't let the Ministry find you. I won't be the reason for you to leave the safety of your hiding place."

"Well," he said darkly, "I can't leave this damn house anyway, under Dumbledore's orders." He sighed and said more kindly, "Come on, why don't you come in my room for the night? Maybe you knowing I'm here and safe will make it easier for you to rest."

Alex nodded and followed her father up the stairs to the top-most floor. He opened a door and Alex saw a large hippogriff taking up most of the space. Alex and Sirius bowed, Buckbeak returning it with a bow, and Sirius led his daughter to a pile of blankets beside the hippogriff. Alex pulled a blanket over her and laid her head on her father's shoulder. As she heard the rhythmic breathing of both occupants, Alex soon fell into the deepest, and the first dreamless, sleep she had gotten since returning from Hogwarts.

...

Alex scrunched her eyes against a beam of sunlight and opened her eyes. She stretched and patted Buckbeak on the side.

"Good morning, young one," the beast said, "How are you this morning?"

"I'm great, actually. I think that's the best sleep I've gotten all summer."

Alex looked around, not seeing any sign of her father. She glanced at her watch and did a double-take. It was twelve thirty! Alex threw off her blankets just as someone opened the door. Sirius was carefully walking up the stairs with a full lunch tray and a smile.

"Morning!" he said cheerfully, "Or afternoon, actually. I know you just woke up and everything, but it's really lunch time."

"That's fine," said Alex happily, "I don't mind!"

Sirius and Alex ate their lunch, exchanging stories and enjoying their little bit of time together. Once they finished, Sirius began putting the things back on the tray.

"You better get dressed," he said with a sigh, "Once Molly finds out you're awake, she'll put you to work."

"Put me to work?"

"Yeah, she's trying to make this place fit for human habitation," said Sirius, "This place has been abandoned for nearly ten years, well except for Kreacher but he doesn't do much."

"Who's-?"

"My old house-elf," said Sirius as though he were embarrassed to admit it, "He's off his rocker though, a complete lunatic. Just the other day I found him caressing a pair of my mother's old…well never mind, just get ready so Molly doesn't eat my head."

Alex smiled and went to her room, got ready, and met her father on the landing outside her room.

"We're in my father's study, trying to remove doxies from the curtains," explained Sirius as he opened the door.

"Sounds lovely," said Alex with raised eyebrows as she saw everyone holding a cloth to their face and a spray can in another.

"There you two are!" said Mrs. Weasley, "Come on now, we need extra pairs of hands with this job."

So Alex and Sirius were given a cloth and spray can and put to work. The doxies didn't like being woken up and went flying around the study in a fury. Alex and the others used their spray cans to knock the creatures out and then put their limp forms into baskets.

They had just finished when the doorbell rang. A woman began screaming at the top of her lungs and everybody ran out of the room, Sirius in the lead swearing loudly.

"FILTHY MUDBLOODS, HORRID HALF-BREEDS, ALL IN MY HOME!"

Alex came to the front door and saw a portrait of a haughty lady with her hair pulled back in a tight bun and burning grey eyes. There were curtains on either side of her frame that Lupin was trying desperately to close with Tonks' help. Alex saw her father run to help them and Alex joined them. As she approached the frame, the woman turned her grey eyes on Alex.

"YOU!" she screeched and Alex jumped, "YOU FILTHY MUDBLOOD! YOU HAD NO BUISNESS WITH MY SON, YOU LITTLE-"

"SHUT UP MOTHER!" Sirius roared as he panted with the effort of closing the curtains, "Don't you recognize your own granddaughter?"

The woman looked at Alex and her eyes grey became fierier and she spat the ground. She was about to shout some more, but the three adults finally got the curtains closed and there was silence.

"Was that-?"

"Yes," said Sirius, turning to Alex, "That was your dear old grandmother, may she rot in hell. Not exactly the cookie-making type, as you've just witnessed. You all better go back upstairs."

The young witches and wizards climbed back up to the study and found Mrs. Weasley had left. Fred and George walked back out to the landing and leaned over the rail to hear. Soon the others joined them.

"-so glad you came, Dumbledore," Mr. Weasley was saying.

"Yes, I believe we have much to discuss," the old voice of Albus Dumbledore, "Shall we go into the kitchen? I do believe I smell Molly's cooking…"

The rest was lost as the voices drifted off into the kitchen. Everyone returned to the study and sat in silence. Alex was thinking about her first encounter with someone from her father's side of the family. It wasn't a great first impression. Then again, she remembered her father saying at the Shrieking Shack that everyone in his family was a Death Eater, or a Death Eater worshipper.

"What do you think Dumbledore's doing here?" Harry asked suddenly.

"Dunno," said Ron thoughtfully, "Bet it's important though, he doesn't come here often."

"The Expendable Ears don't work anymore," said Fred gloomily, "I think Mum knows there are a few still around and puts a silencing charm on the door whenever they go in there. We tried it this morning."

"So where did you go last night, Alex?" Ginny asked curiously.

"I went to get something to drink and fell asleep downstairs," said Alex. She was going to try and keep her dreams under wraps for as long as she could. "My father found me and took me to his room, I don't remember a thing."

"Well I'm glad you got to sleep in," said Hermione, looking at her best friend closely, "You looked horrible yesterday."

"Yeah, well I haven't been sleeping very well after…you know," said Alex and everyone nodded understandingly.

Just then, Mrs. Weasley returned and looked around the room until she found Alex.

"Alex, dear," she said, "Professor Dumbledore wants to talk to you."

"Now?" asked Alex, frowning with confusion.

"Yes love, now hurry on! Professor Dumbledore is a busy man, you know."

Alex looked around at Ron, Hermione, and Harry. Ron looked completely lost, Hermione seemed thoughtful with her head cocked to one side, and Harry was frowning deeply. When he met Alex's gaze, he just shrugged and looked away quickly. She looked at him for a moment but sighed loudly and left. Alex walked down to the dining room and opened the door without knocking. Mr. Weasley, Bill Weasley, Kingsley, Lupin, and Sirius were all sitting down at the table, whispering quietly to each other while Dumbledore listened patiently. His half-moon spectacles were perched over his once-broken nose and his fingers were pressed together as he nodded his agreement.

However, she only saw a flash of this activity. For, as soon as she realized that she should have knocked, Dumbledore looked up to her and smiled kindly as his blue eyes sparkled in the firelight. Everyone looked to see what the Headmaster was looking at and immediately stopped speaking, all staring at her.

"Um...sorry," said Alex awkwardly, feeling all eyes on her, "I was told you wanted to see me, professor. I'll just...wait outside then."

"That's perfectly all right, Alex," Dumbledore said with a hint of amusement, "We were just finishing. Gentlemen, keep doing what you are doing now and I shall see you in a month or so. With school starting soon, it will be difficult to get away but I shall try. Now if you would be so kind, I must talk with Alex in private. Good day!"

There was the sound of the chairs scraping across the floor and soon, everyone was gone but Sirius. He was standing by the door next to his daughter with a determined look on his face.

"Professor Dumbledore," said Sirius, placing a hand on Alex's shoulder, "Shouldn't I be here as well? She's my daughter, after all."

"I'm sorry, Sirius, but it would be best if you waited outside for her," said Dumbledore in a tone that clearly said the conversation was over. Sirius merely nodded coldly, gave Alex's arm a light squeeze, and left without a word. "Sit down, Alex," he continued in a lighter tone, "How has your summer been so far?"

"It's been all right, thank you," she replied as she sat down to the right of the Headmaster, "I was in a show this summer at my dance school and performed a few solo dances. I like having that little something outside of Hogwarts in the Muggle world. It's almost as if I can forget what's going on in the Wizarding world for those hours I'm there."

"I'm sure there are many things you wish to forget," he said with a heavy sigh, "How bad are the nightmares?"

Alex blinked. Had Sirius told Dumbledore about her dreams? How else could the Headmaster have known?

"Forgive me, my dear, but it's obvious you are not sleeping well. It has taken its toll in your appearance, although you are still a lovely-looking young woman," explained Professor Dumbledore, "It is only natural to have nightmares after such a traumatic experience. In fact, I would have been surprised if you didn't have nightmares."

"They can be pretty brutal," she whispered, "It started out with me just reliving the graveyard scene again and again. The helpless feeling I had then was just as bad in my dreams. But then my father started appearing." At this, Alex noticed the older man's face frown but she continued anyway. "Now I dream that I'm traveling down these corridors and I find my father in this room. There're dementors everywhere but when I draw my wand, the Minister disarms me and someone grabs me from behind. I...I watch as the dementors suck out my dad's soul and then they turn on me. I always wake up, sobbing and screaming. Sir, is there something wrong?"

Dumbledore was still frowning as he stared at the space above Alex's head. He didn't speak for some time and Alex was about to repeat her question when he finally broke out of his trance.

"When did the dreams change?"

"Merlin, it was such a gradual change that it's hard to tell. I guess around the beginning of July."

"And does Sirius know of these dreams?" asked the Headmaster, "Of how they changed?"

"I told him about the dream that he is in, but he doesn't know that they changed. Is everything all right, sir? What's wrong with my dreams?"

"It seems that your dreams took a specific turn," explained Dumbledore, "Why and for what reason, I don't know. The fact that these new dreams happen often and that it is always the same leads me to believe that the dream is something that troubles you deeply."

"Of course it troubles me deeply!" said Alex hotly, "My father is being hunted like a dog when he did nothing wrong. The Ministry would like to see his soul sucked out by a godless creature so he's forced to hide in this house. I know he hates it here and I'm terrified that he'll try to leave!"

"Sirius knows the risks and would never put himself in harm's way, if not for his own safety than at least for yours and Harry's. He knows how much he means to you two," Dumbledore said gently, "And I know this is not the best of circumstances, but I also know that Sirius is completely safe in this house. You have no need to worry, Alex."

She merely nodded, unconvinced but not wanting to argue. Dumbledore seemed to sense this but didn't say anything else on the matter. Instead, he changed the subject.

"Now I know last year, we discussed that you should meet with either Madame Pomfrey or myself so we can check up on you regularly. I know your schedule is quite busy this year, what with the extra lessons you seem to acquire," he said as his eyes sparkled extra bright with happiness, "However, how does once a month on Saturday mornings sound? I promise to make sure that they do not conflict with Hogsmede weekends."

"Sure, that sounds great," replied Alex with a small smile, "I suppose they will be with you unless you have other business?"

"Correct. Come to my office at ten o' clock unless I tell you otherwise, then go to the Hospital Wing. Now, I believe that is all I have to discuss with you so you are free to go back to your cleaning duties."

Alex nodded and got to her feet. As she went to the door, she turned back and gathered her courage to ask the questions that had been bothering her since the beginning.

"Sir, I don't mean to sound rude, but why did you make Ron and Hermione keep those secrets from Harry and me? It's just that it really bothered us because we felt like they were hiding stuff from us. And it really upset Harry, far more than I've ever seen him actually."

"It was never my intention to upset you or Harry. I merely wanted to keep as much information as I could from getting into the wrong hands. While I trust Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger and know they are good people, they do not understand how easy it would be for someone to get information from their letters and use it against the Order. I was trying to protect the members, as well as you and Harry. I am sorry though, I didn't meant to cause you two pain."

"Thank you sir, I understand," said Alex with a smile, "Perhaps you could tell Harry all of this? I think it would do him a world of good to hear it from you."

"I'm sorry, Alex, but I have an appointment back at the school that I must get back in time to attend," Dumbledore replied, rising to his own feet and stretching out a stiff leg, "You may pass on the message, if you wish, if you believe it will put Harry at ease."

Alex nodded, but couldn't help the frown that appeared on her face. Since when did Dumbledore not have time for Harry? It was odd but she merely shrugged it off. Dumbledore was a busy man and she was sure that he would talk to Harry later, perhaps once school started. The Headmaster opened the door and held it open for Alex, who smiled slightly and went through. Her father was sitting on the floor but immediately rose to his feet. He gave Alex a look of concern, but she gave him a reassuring hug.

"Good-bye, Professor Dumbledore," said Alex as she started up the stairs, "I'll see you at Hogwarts!"

"Good day, Alex. Sirius, if I could have a quick word?"

Sirius nodded and Alex continued her way up the stairs. However, at the top, she immediately turned the knob on her locket to the right and became invisible. She wanted to hear this.

"Yes sir?" Sirius asked with cold civility.

"I know living here is not easy for you, Sirius," said Dumbledore calmly, "I know you are restless and want the freedom you had while on the run. However, you must remember that there are people who care about you and would not want to see you get hurt. You know about Alex's dreams, you know the pain she is going through. Imagine how that pain would be if you were to be captured! And Harry sees you as a second father. Would you want him to lose another father-figure?"

"I don't need another lecture, sir," snarled Sirius. Alex knew he was seething with anger and only his respect for Dumbledore was allowing him to keep his composure.

"Are you sure? Just remember that those children have many things worrying them and your safety is high on that list of things."

Alex watched as Dumbledore left and closed the door. Sirius glared at the door, cursing quietly under his breath. Alex quietly snuck to the study and became visible just before she entered. No one asked her questions and she was grateful. All she wanted to do was pretend nothing had happened. They worked on cleaning out the shelves in the study, putting almost everything in a garbage bag. Alex wanted to examine the family heirlooms more closely, but Sirius soon re-joined them in a mood and literally pushed everything into the bags.

"You don't want to look at these," he said, taking a locket Alex was trying to open and throwing it away, "All this stuff probably has a layer of Dark Magic three inches thick."

Alex didn't talk much the rest of the day, even though Hermione kept trying to bring her into conversations. It wasn't until it was almost time for bed that she went to the boy's room and knocked. Ron had went downstairs to help his mother so she knew only Harry would be in there. She heard a grunt that she could only assume was permission for her to enter so she opened the door and sat on Harry's bed as he stood with his back to her, facing the window.

"Look," she said, getting straight to the point, "I know you're cheesed off that Dumbledore talked to me and not you, but I can't help it that he's a busy man. I was shocked that he wanted to talk to me and not you too."

"It doesn't matter," muttered Harry as he stood with his back to Alex, staring out the window.

"Yeah, it does actually," Alex snapped, "Because if you're going to get pissed at me for something I can't control, it matters to me. You wanna know why he wanted to talk to me? He wanted to schedule counseling meetings for this year. After all the shit I went through with Nick, he wants to make sure I'm recovering. Trust me, Harry, I'd rather he hadn't chosen to talk to me."

"Well that makes two of us."

Alex could feel herself shaking with anger so she rose to her feet and stormed to the door. Just before she slammed it shut, she rounded back to find Harry finally facing her. He looked as though he had swallowed a frog, like he didn't mean anything he had said before.

"He told me to tell you that he was looking out for the safety of us and the members of the Order when he told Ron and Hermione to not tell us anything," she said heatedly, "I don't know why he couldn't tell you himself and I'm rather annoyed with him for that too, but I guess that makes two of us as well, huh?"

Alex sent him a glare before she slammed the door shut and stormed off to her room.

...

Over the next month, Alex and her friends were worked ragged with cleaning. A week after their argument, Harry finally apologized for his actions. He told Alex the only reason he waited so long was because he was afraid if he spoke to Alex before then, that she'd break the law about underage magic and hex him into the next century. Alex forgave him, of course, but warned him to be careful what he said. She reminded him that she would always be on his side. As the days to the hearing became less and less, Harry began to get fidgety. Finally, it was the day of and Alex had gotten up early because she couldn't sleep. Her dreams were less frequent, this was true, but when they came…Alex shuddered. They were ten times worse than when she had them every night, like they saved up all that sorrow for one dream.

Alex jumped when Harry came down but smiled all the same. He looked extremely pale and uncomfortable in the clothes Mrs. Weasley had laid out for him.

"Hey there," she said, patting the spot next to her and pulling over the pitcher of pumpkin juice, "Drink something, it'll make you feel a little better."

"Thanks," Harry said weakly and downed the juice, "This is pretty nerve-racking."

"Harry," Alex chuckled, "We've been in worse spots before. You'll get off, I know it! How can they convict you if you haven't done anything wrong?"

Harry nodded, but wasn't convinced. Mrs. Weasley came into the room and got Harry to eat a few bits of toast. Then she tried to get his hair to behave. Alex smiled while Mrs. Weasley tried to use a comb through Harry's messy black hair. She could have done that for hours and his hair wouldn't have moved an inch.

Sirius came down as well with Mr. Weasley. He gave Harry an encouraging smile and a pat on the shoulder before Harry left. Harry smiled nervously and followed Mr. Weasley out of the house and into Muggle London.

All day, Alex, Ron, and Hermione kept checking the clock while they paced around Ron and Harry's bedroom. Sometimes Ginny or the twins joined them, but left because, as Ginny said in frustration, "It's too tense and gloomy in here! It's like someone died!" and Alex knew she was right, but couldn't help but be worried sick. Finally, footsteps came up the stairs and someone opened the door. Harry stood there with a frown on his face.

Author's Note: Hey readers! So I know you all were expecting the last chapter much earlier than it came and I am so sorry for that. I wasn't able to get it posted before I left for the week for various reasons that you probably don't care about. However, I do have good news for you all! I was supposed to move-in to college tomorrow and start school on Monday but due to the hurricane that is hitting the East Coast here in America, I'm not starting school until Tuesday. I'm still moving my stuff in tomorrow but I'll be home during the storm. So instead of trying to get adjusted, I'll be sitting at home with a lot of free time on my hands. You know what that means...chapter updates! The only reason I wouldn't be able to update is if we lose internet because of the storm so if you don't hear from me, that is why. However, my plan is to try and get some chapters up for you guys before I go off to school.

Now to everyone who reviewed the last two chapters, I would like to thank you all so much and I apologize for not responding. If you had a question, I will be answering it but for those of you who didn't have one, I'm not going to be able to respond this time around. But starting this chapter, I'll be back on track so still review! Thank you all again for your patience and if you're on the East Coast like I am, stay safe! :D