Author's Note: As stated many times before, I only own Alex and anything else that you don't recognize. You can't say that I didn't warn you!

Chapter 18 The Worst Dream Yet

Alex, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking to their final D.A meeting until after the Christmas holidays. They were talking about what they were going to do during the break.

"You all can come to my house," said Ron happily, "My mum loves you three and she'd appreciate the help too."

"Yeah, because you never help out," said Hermione with a laugh as Ron frowned.

"I'd like that Ron," said Harry, "That way I don't have to spend Christmas here alone or with the Dursley's house."

"I'd never allow that," said Alex as she paced the wall and thought about their D.A meeting spot, "If that was your only option, I'd take you to my house for Christmas."

The door appeared and they all entered, taken aback. The room was decorated for the holiday season with red and green ribbons, a small Christmas tree, even the dummies had Santa hats on them. There was also a huge banner that read, "Merry Christmas Harry Potter and Friends! From Dobby" with the letters changing from red to green.

"Wow," said Alex in awe as she looked around, "It looks like a Christmas tree threw up in here. I like it!"

She happened to look up and backed away quickly. She had been standing under the mistletoe. Alex turned to let the others know, but Harry was already backing away and Ron and Hermione were both bright red. Alex took Harry's arm and pulled him away from the others so, if they did do anything, there wouldn't be a crowd watching. However, when Alex saw Hermione join her with a sad look on her face, she knew nothing had happened.

The others soon joined them and the room was full of chattering students. With a nod from Harry, Alex put her fingers in her mouth and a piercing whistle filled the room. Everyone shouted out as they covered their ears, especially those right next to Alex.

"Thank you everyone!" she said with an innocent smile, "So for our last lesson until the start of school, we thought it would be a good idea to review everything we've done so far. In case you've forgotten, that's Stunning, Shield, and Disarming spells. All right then?"

"We're not learning anything new?" Zacharias Smith asked loudly, "I wouldn't have come if I knew that!"

"Sorry you didn't get the info then!" said George angrily.

"If you want to learn something new," said Alex, her eyes dancing mischievously, "I'll be more than happy to teach you. Come up here for a moment, Smith."

Harry and Hermione were looking at Alex with confusion and worry, the latter more from Hermione than Harry. She just smiled and winked. Zacharias Smith pushed to the front of the room.

"I suggest the people in the front sit down so everyone can see," said Alex, "Now, I'm going to be showing you a little self-defense, because not everyone out there is going to attack you with magic and it is against the law to attack an innocent Muggle. For example, say you're walking in London and someone grabs your arms like Smith is going to do."

Zacharias took Alex's forearms and held them tightly, his eyes glinting evilly.

"The first thing is, never try to pull away, otherwise you could hurt yourself. What you want to do is break his grip, like so." She twisted her arms outside and said while she did it, "And make sure you make it so he can't follow you." She grabbed his arms and kneed him in the groin.

Everyone laughed as Smith fell to his knees in pain. Fred, George, and Lee began applauding and so did everyone else.

"Please, please," said Alex as she bowed flamboyantly, "Give a hand to my wonderful assistant, Mr. Zacharias Smith!"

Soon all the noise died down and everyone got into pairs. Alex was with Stevie again and found that Stevie was really improving. Alex and Harry then went around and observed the others. Alex could feel a certain Ravenclaw boy watching her but tried to ignore it. Finally, she realized she had to go and check on their progress anyway and sighed. As she approached, Anthony Goldstein, who she had seen perform a Shield Charm beautifully before, now was unable to remember the spell.

"Um…uh…Pr-Pro…"

"Protego?" Alex supplied.

"Right, thanks," said Anthony nervously, "Protego!"

His partner, Michael Corner, was forced back a couple of steps, but was able to go right through it. Anthony eyed Alex and tried it again, this time with more force in his voice. Michael was thrown across the room and couldn't move a step.

"Excellent Anthony!" said Alex with a smile, "You just have to put more force into the spell. Concentrate, you have the potential but you have to mean it too."

He smiled back and nodded eagerly and Alex continued her rounds. Finally, it was time to get ready to leave.

"Thanks everyone," said Harry happily. He had really warmed up to being a teacher, "You all are doing a fantastic job, really! Alex and I were talking and we think that, when you get back, you'll be ready for Patronuses."

Everyone was whispering with excitement as they began leaving in twos or threes. Alex and her friends stayed behind to help clean up and Alex saw Cho telling her friend, Marietta Alex thought it was, to go on without her.

"I just need to get something out of my bag, you go ahead," said Cho quietly.

Marietta looked coldly at Harry and the others, and left. Alex smiled at Harry and gave him a hug.

"Go get her, tiger," she whispered and, with a wink, she left the room.

Alex made her way to her common room when a voice made her stop. She turned and saw Anthony Goldstein running after her. She stopped to let him catch up.

"Hi!" he said breathlessly, panting from the run.

"Hi," said Alex with a frown. What did he want?

"Listen," he said, suddenly looking nervous, "I was wondering if you wanted to, I dunno, wanted to go to Hogsmede with me this weekend?"

"Oh," said Alex, taken aback by this, "Anthony, that's really nice of you to ask and I know it takes a lot of courage to come up to a girl and ask that, but I already made plans. I'm sorry."

"It's fine," said Anthony with a shrug and Alex knew it wasn't, "Maybe the next one we could do something?"

"Sure," said Alex with a smile, "When is it anyway?"

"February 14th, Valentine's Day," said Anthony and he looked much better, "I know this great place we could go."

"All right," said Alex, her smile faltering a little but Anthony didn't seem to notice. Alex never liked Valentine's Day, it was too pink and girly for her to enjoy it.

"Great! When it gets closer we can decide on times," said Anthony, "I'll see you later, Alex. Have a Merry Christmas!"

"Yeah, same to you," she said as Anthony seemed to skip away. Alex merely sighed and continued on her way back. Strangely enough, Alex wasn't as giddy as she thought she should be. Anthony seemed like a nice guy and all but Alex couldn't help but be annoyed that she would miss a Hogsmede trip with her friends. But as she walked, Alex told herself that she would still have fun with Anthony and that there were many more Hogsmede trips to come. Missing one with her friends wouldn't kill her.

Alex arrived soon back at the common room to find Harry, Ron, and Hermione sitting by the fire. Harry had a strange look on his face, like he was floating in the clouds, while Ron was looking at him eagerly. Hermione was shaking her head as she was writing on a very long sheet of parchment that was already touching the floor.

"What's wrong with him?" asked Alex as she sat down beside Harry.

"We were just trying to find out," said Ron, "Mate, are you all right?"

Harry shrugged and Alex became worried. "What happened after I left?" she asked Ron and Hermione.

"I dunno," said Ron, "Cho was still hanging around and Hermione shuffled me out of there pretty fast so Harry was in there alone. I don't know…" But he drifted off as realization kicked in.

"Harry," said Alex suddenly, "Did you kiss her?"

Harry looked at Alex, paused for a moment, and nodded. Ron let out a whoop and clapped Harry on the back. Alex smiled warmly at him while Hermione continued her letter, as a couple of third years watched as Ron began laughing loudly.

"So?" Ron asked expectantly once he was finished.

"So…"

"How was it?"

"Oh," said Harry, realized what Ron meant. He paused for a moment and said, "Wet."

Alex made a gagging sort of noise and said, "Ew Harry! When Ron asked that, he didn't want all the gory details!"

"She was crying, that's why."

"Are you really that bad of a kisser?" asked Ron, though his smile had faded a little.

"Of course not!" said Hermione, still not looking up from her letter.

"And how would you know?" Ron asked, looking up at Hermione with a frown.

"Because Ron," said Alex quickly before Hermione could retort, "Cho spends a lot of her time crying. She could give Moaning Myrtle a run for her money. And it's not Harry's fault," she added when Harry's shoulders slumped, "She's just has a lot of emotions inside of her right now."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked and Hermione sighed looking annoyed.

"Well, she's obviously sad about Cedric dying, seeing as they were dating," said Hermione, counting off on her fingers, "Confused for liking Harry when she probably still likes Cedric, guilty because she likes Harry when she was dating Cedric and he's dead now, worried about what her friends will think if she starts going out with Harry. Not to mention worried because she's afraid of falling behind in her classes because of this going on and afraid of being kicked off the Quidditch team as well. Oh, don't forget the fact that Harry was there the night Cedric died so that's all mixed up and confusing as well."

Ron and Harry looked at Hermione with wide eyes and Ron let out a long whistle.

"Man, how can a girl have that many emotions inside of her?" he asked, looking at Hermione and Alex, "I'd explode!"

"That's because you have enough emotional capacity for a single emotion," said Hermione with a roll of her eyes, "Hunger."

"I didn't even start it," said Harry as Alex let out a bark of laughter and Ron stared at Hermione, "She came at me! And after…it, she starts sobbing all over me!"

"You were nice to her, weren't you?" Alex asked.

"Yeah, I patted her on the back and stuff," said Harry and Alex raised her eyes to the heavens.

"Did you ask her out?" she asked, still not looking down.

"Oh," said Harry and didn't answer so Alex just sighed again.

"That's okay, Harry," said Hermione, "You'll be seeing her a lot with the D.A meetings, just ask her then."

Harry nodded and Hermione went back to writing. Ron, who had finished writing his essay, jumped as Hermione's parchment brushed the top of his head.

"Who's the novel for?" he asked.

"Viktor," said Hermione calmly as she skimmed over her writing. Alex chuckled when Ron's face contorted into a deep frown.

"Viktor Krum?" he asked, "Why are you writing to him?"

"He's my friend, Ronald!" said Hermione with a roll of her eyes, "And he wanted to know how Hogwarts is. He said he loved it here, better than the dark castle at Durmstrang is what he told me."

Ron looked huffy for the rest of the night and when he went to bed that evening. Alex just smiled and shook her head knowingly but didn't say anything to Hermione. If she didn't know, Alex wasn't going to tell.

...

The Christmas season was coming quickly and the Hogsmede trip coming up. It was the last day of school before the break. Alex had arranged to meet Draco in Grandma Hinkins' fudge place so they could spend the time together. They really hadn't had much of a chance to talk, what with them always either mixing ingredients or working on Arithmancy. That was why she had turned Anthony down when he had asked her. She and Draco had been planning this for some time.

Alex traveled down the side roads she had memorized last year to get to Grandma Hinkins' candy store. She arrived before Draco and got to talking with the owner.

"Tell me about yourself, my dear," Mrs. Hinkins said with a warm smile, "Draco's so secretive about you that I feel as though I hardly know you."

"Well, I live with my adopted uncle. He's a great guy, he works in the Magical Games and Sports Department of the Ministry."

"How do you know Draco so well?" the wrinkled lady asked.

"I spend my Friday evenings in the dungeons, brewing potions with him," said Alex with a smile, "It's kind of hard not to become friends with the person who you're working along side with. But later, he started tutoring me in Arithmancy because he saw I was struggling with it. We've been friends ever since."

"I'm touched!" Alex turned and saw Draco waiting, leaning against the door frame, "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, thanks Mrs. Hinkins. It was great talking to you!" said Alex with a wave.

"Same to you my dear, you two be careful out there! And Draco, try not to get the poor girl soaked to the bone!"

"No problem!" shouted Draco over his shoulder and he led the way down small alleyways and byways.

"How do you know where you're going?" Alex asked and he stopped to turn toward her.

"My family used to visit here a lot when my grandmother was alive," said Draco, "My cousins and I used to play down these streets all the time."

"Draco," said Alex and she pointed to a large metal sign that read, 'The area you are about to enter is OUT OF BOUNDS to all Hogwarts Students!' Normally Alex wasn't one for following the rules but she thought of Umbridge would do if they got caught. Somehow that woman managed to worm her way into every form of discipline in the school and Alex could only imagine how much Umbridge would enjoy punishing her. Involuntarily, Alex touched the hand that had her scars and shuddered.

"Don't worry," said Draco, "No one will know we're students. It'll be fine."

"But-"

"Do you trust me?" he asked seriously.

"I…Yes Draco, of course I do," said Alex, breaking down and smiling. "You're one of my best friends."

"Good, then I'm telling you everything will be fine. I'd never put you in harm's way, you know that. Come on, I've got something to show you."

"What?" Alex asked curiously, all thought of going out of Hogwarts' bounds forgotten in an instant. Draco just chuckled.

"It's a surprise!" he said as he shook his head, "I've never met anyone as curious as you, Alex…or with a shorter attention span for that matter."

"I take that as a compliment, thank you very much!" said Alex with a fake pout.

"Stop looking at me like that!" said Draco, holding one hand over his eyes and the other reached out to cover her face.

"You know you can't resist the face," said Alex, pulling the hand over Draco's eyes away and leaning up close to pout even more.

He looked at her, his eyes dancing mischievously. Before Alex could react, he had picked her up and began carrying her while she shrieked with laughter. He finally set her down at the end of the street and she gave him a hard shove, but was still laughing.

"You're so bad!" she cried, trying to look angry but failing miserably.

"All right, I'm sorry," said Draco, but he was still grinning, "Look, I'm going to make it up to you now. Close your eyes."

"Why?" Alex asked suspiciously.

"Because I'm going to take you to your surprise and it won't be a surprise if you keep your eyes open!" said Draco. Alex gave him one final raised eyebrow look and closed her eyes. "No peeking now!"

"Me, peek? Never!" said Alex and she heard Draco laugh quietly right beside her. He slipped one arm around her waist and they began walking. He made sure she didn't trip as they traveled up an incline. Alex was about to ask how much longer when they stopped.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now," he whispered and she did, gasping out loud.

It was a beautiful scene with a waterfall crashing into a small lake with the willow trees' hanging branches draped gracefully into the water. Alex could hear schools of small fish talking happily in the lake and even heard a few turtles.

"It's wonderful!" she said in a hushed voice, full of awe, "How did you find it?"

"My cousins and I would come here for picnics all the time," said Draco, walking over to a tree and sitting on the ground, patting the hard dirt next to him.

They sat there and talked about anything and everything. Finally, they started playing a Muggle game Alex knew called "Would You Rather…" and ended up in stitches.

"All right," said Draco, clutching his side from laughing so hard, "Would you rather…date Potter or Weasley?"

"Draco!" said Alex, wrinkling her nose, "That's like asking me which of my brothers I'd want to date! Neither of them, next question!"

"Come on, Alex," said Draco, "You said I had to choose between washing Snape's greasy hair and rubbing suntan lotion on the giant squid!"

"Oh fine!" said Alex, thinking hard, "I guess Harry because he and I are so close and all. We have a lot in common and he is a really great person. But," she added, stressing the words, "I would never date him!"

"Why?" Draco asked, interestedly.

"Because we're so close!"

"So…you'd date him because you're close, but that's also why you won't date him?" Draco asked, "I don't get it."

"He's like my brother, Draco," said Alex exasperatedly, "It would be so awkward going out with him, holding hands, kissing…" She shuddered violently at this.

"All right, I get it," said Draco with a smile, "Your turn to ask me now."

"Hmm…would you rather…spend a night in the forest alone or…spend a night with Parkinson alone?"

"The forest," said Draco so instantly that Alex laughed, "It's true though!"

"Pray, tell me why this is so," said Alex, still laughing.

"She's so…clingy, and annoying, and hangs all over me," said Draco, everything coming out like he had been keeping it bottled up for some time, "She acts like she's God's gift to men and she won't leave me alone!"

"Why don't you just tell her to back off?" Alex asked.

"Because she doesn't listen!" said Draco, running his hands through his hair, "I've told her about a hundred times this year alone to go get a life, but she just giggles and calls me cutesy, lovey-dovey names!"

"Like Drakey?" Alex asked with a grin.

He nodded and sighed, "You're the only one who really understands me, you know that, Alex? I know I can tell you anything and you won't judge me."

Alex smiled and felt her cheeks grow warm. Draco stood up stiffly and helped Alex to her feet.

"We should be heading back," he said sadly, "If I don't get to see you, have a very Merry Christmas!"

"You too, Draco," she said and they walked back to the castle together.

...

Corridor after corridor she sprinted down. She knew something was wrong, but she didn't know what. Dashing through doors, she arrived in a large room where a gruesome sight met her eyes. A man was crumpled on the ground as a snake continued to strike its sharp fangs into him.

"Stop!" Alex called and the snake looked up. Alex gasped and backed away, clutching the scar on her arm as it burned painfully. The snake had Harry's bright green eyes, but the area close to the pupil was tinted red. And when the snake spoke, it was a combination of Harry's quiet, cracking voice and a high, cold one.

"You are too late," the snake said, "Look at him, he's gone!"

The man, however, was groaning and still moving. The snake was about to strike again when Alex did a dangerous thing. She picked the snake up by the tail and threw it away into the darkness. She heard the snake slithering away and ran to the man.

He had flaming-red hair that was thinning on the top with glasses. Alex recognized the man as Mr. Weasley. He was bleeding heavily and Alex began to shout for help, but had a feeling no one could hear her.

Author's Note: A new romantic interest for Alex! Any thoughts or opinions? Like or dislike Anthony? Alex may not be a big fan of Anthony now but she may come to like him as time goes on...hehe! ;) And since I've been so mean to you all before, there's one more chapter so that you're not left at a cliffhanger. Please review this chapter and then read the next one! :D