Author's Note: Here's the last of the mega update chapters! Again, I only own Alex and everything you didn't read in Ms. Rowling's totally awesome series.

Chapter 19 Waiting For Answers

"Alex! Alex, stop shouting!"

She awoke with a start, pale and sweaty. Everyone in the dormitory room was gathered around her bed, looking frightened.

"Mr. Weasley," said Alex shakily, "He's hurt! We have to get Dumbledore or McGonagall right now!"

"Alex," said Lavender in a would-be-calm voice if not for the fact it was high pitched and shaking, "It was just a dream."

"No," said Alex, shaking her head, "No, it wasn't. This was different, I know it! It was so real and…and I just can tell, all right?"

Alex managed to untangle herself from the blankets and ran down into the common room, the girls at her heels. There she found Ron, Harry, and Professor McGonagall talking.

"Professor," said Alex quickly, before anyone could stop her, "Ron's dad, he's in danger! There was this snake that attacked him, he's bleeding badly!"

McGonagall looked at Alex and then Harry, her stern eyes looking for any trace of a lie. Her face had gone pale once Alex had spoken.

"Follow me," she said sternly, "Just Ratcliff, Potter, and Weasley. Everyone else needs to go back to bed right away."

Alex turned to Hermione, who looked completely lost, and they left. Harry was shaking like Alex was while Ron was pale and worried-looking. They reached the two stone gargoyles.

"Fizzing Whizbee," said McGonagall and the gargoyles stood up and moved aside to reveal a moving spiral staircase.

They got on a stair and made their way up. When they reached a door with a griffin knocker, the stairs stopped and McGonagall knocked. The door opened of its own accord and they entered Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore sat in a high-back chair as he observed each of them in turn, except he skipped over Harry and, instead, laid his bright blue eyes on McGonagall.

"Good evening, Professor McGonagall," said Dumbledore, "And to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you this evening?"

"Headmaster," McGonagall said with a frown, "It seems Potter and Ratcliff have had the same…nightmare, you could say."

"It wasn't a nightmare, sir," said Harry quickly. But Alex looked at Harry strangely. She couldn't forget the eyes and voice of the snake, how it was a mixture of Harry and Voldemort. Harry had the same dream, did that mean he saw a little of Alex in the snake?

"What was it then?" Dumbledore asked politely, looking at Alex intently.

"Well sir," said Alex slowly, "I don't know for Harry, but I was asleep at the time. But I know this wasn't a dream, it felt so real! I just know it actually happened. There was this snake, a really big one, and it…it was attacking Mr. Weasley. I tried to tell it to stop, but it told me I was too late. I picked up the snake by its tail and threw it out of the way and went to Mr. Weasley. He was breathing, but there was blood everywhere."

She shuddered violently as Harry told Dumbledore the same story. Alex didn't mention anything about the snake's eyes and voice and neither did Harry, but she knew Harry was holding something back. Apparently, so did Dumbledore.

"Where were you watching from, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, not looking up from his desk.

Harry didn't answer for a moment, but then he said, "It was like I was the snake. It was from its point of view."

Alex looked shocked and felt the room start to spin. Suddenly, McGonagall conjured up three chairs and Alex sat in one. She couldn't believe it, Harry really was in the snake! But why was Voldemort there too?

Everything else happened in a blur. Dumbledore was telling portraits to go certain places and give reports and McGonagall left to find the other Weasleys. All this time, Alex felt nauseous as she remembered the amount of blood on Mr. Weasley and the floor. She hoped and prayed they weren't too late. She looked at Ron, whose face was whiter than a sheet, and Harry, who looked slightly annoyed about something. Alex ran her fingers through her black hair and wished she had Hermione, her father, her uncle, or even Erin.

No, she thought dully, I need Draco.

He would understand how important it was they move quickly. He would know how horrible she was feeling and try to comfort her. She felt a pang of longing for him to be by her side, to hold her close and make her feel even just a little bit better. But he was probably in his bed, fast asleep and not knowing what was going on. No one would until the next morning when they read the papers or something.

"PHINEAS!" said Dumbledore loudly, causing Alex to jump like a frightened animal. Dumbledore was shouting at a portrait of a sleeping wizard with a pointed beard and was depicted wearing the Slytherin colors. The man pretended to jerk awake and stretched.

"What seems to be the trouble?" he asked in a sly voice. Now that his eyes were open, Alex saw he had stormy grey eyes, eyes quite similar to her own.

"Phineas, I need you to go to your other portrait. I have a message to deliver," said Dumbledore calmly but sternly.

"My other portrait?" Phineas asked, looking at the pale faced children and his eyes resting on Alex. "And who are you?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

"Alex," she said, her voice cracking and she cleared it, "I'm a fifth year Gryffindor."

"Sir name?"

"Well," said Alex, glancing nervously at Dumbledore, who nodded, "Technically it's Black, but most people say Ratcliff."

"You're a Black?" Phineas asked outraged, "And you're a Gryffindor? Wait a minute, Ratcliff…the Tortelli friend…you must be the daughter Sirius has told me so much about."

"Yeah, Sirius Black is my dad," said Alex defensively. Phineas sneered.

"Well then, hello there great-great-great-granddaughter," he said, "I knew I recognized those eyes. You have the Black family eyes."

"Er…thank you?" Alex said, unsure.

"Phineas," said Dumbledore sharply and the man turned back to the Headmaster, "Tell Sirius that Arthur Weasley is gravely injured and Harry, Alex, and the rest of the Weasleys will be arriving at his house via Portkey. Have you got all that?"

"Arthur Weasley hurt, kiddies are on the way via a piece of garbage," said Phineas, "Aye, aye captain!"

The man in the portrait stood up, stretched again, and disappeared from view. Just then, Fred, George, and Ginny were hurried in by McGonagall, all looking tired, worried, and confused.

"Harry, what's going on?" Ginny asked, looking the most frightened of them all, "They said you saw that Dad was hurt."

"Your father been injured while on duty for the Order of the Phoenix," said Dumbledore swiftly, "He's on his way to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries."

"Can we see him?" George asked.

"I think it best to wait until he is fully treated," said Dumbledore and he picked up a dented pot, muttering a spell as it flashed bright orange, "This Portkey will be taking you to Sirius' house. This way you are closer when it is time to see him."

Suddenly, flames burst up from a bird perch and Alex jumped again, running into Harry. She mumbled an apology as she saw a single feather the colors of fire. It was a phoenix feather.

"She must know you're out of bed," Dumbledore said quietly, "Minerva, find out where she is and slow her down. Tell her anything you can think of, just go quickly!"

McGonagall was gone in an instant and Alex's heart dropped. There was only one person Dumbledore would refer to as "her" and "she" and Alex didn't want to have to deal with her at all.

"He says to come on over whenever you are ready," said Phineas as he appeared in his portrait.

"Very well everyone, please gather around the pot. I suspect you all have traveled by Portkey before?"

"To the World Cup," said Ginny quietly, "Dad took us."

Dumbledore nodded sympathetically and said, "Then let us hurry before we are joined by uninvited guests. On the count of three then…one…two…"

Suddenly, Alex felt a sharp pain in her scar and felt someone trying to attack her mind. She pushed them out with all her force as Dumbledore finished.

"…three."

The force of the Portkey caused the pressure feeling to disappear as Alex felt the ground lift away from her feet as she bumped sides with Fred and Ron. Then hard ground came so suddenly that Alex fell to the ground, the pot falling with a loud banging noise. There was the sound of Mrs. Black's screams and Alex got up quickly, rushing to close the curtains. The shock of seeing her granddaughter again must have allowed her hold on the curtains to slacken because Alex was able to shut them without much trouble.

Footsteps pounded down the stairs and Alex saw, with her heart soaring, her father rushing towards them. He looked like he had just rolled out of his bed, his face unshaven and his hair all tousled. He was wrapping a bathrobe around his slim body as he came down the stairs, looking worriedly at each of them in turn. When his eyes met Alex's by the curtain hiding his mother's portrait, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank heavens you are all right," Sirius said, helping the others off their feet, "I was afraid that Umbridge woman would try to get to you before you left. Now, someone tell me what is happening here?"

Everyone either looked at Harry or Alex and she sighed. She told her father the story so Harry wouldn't have to change his to make his point of view different. Fred, George, and Ginny stared at her for a while and Alex felt a wave of emotion overtake her. Mr. Weasley had always been so nice to her and Harry, she couldn't believe his had happened!

"Where's Mum?" George asked, turning back to Sirius.

"Dumbledore will be letting her know by now," he said wearily, "She'll probably want to see him in St. Mungo's before she comes here."

"We should be there too," said Ginny urgently, "Can't we borrow cloaks and just go and see him? We ought to be there for support…" Her voice drifted off as Sirius shook his head.

"You need to stay here for now," said Sirius, "You're not supposed to know he's hurt yet, not before he's even at St. Mungo's."

"We can say someone told us," said Fred angrily, "But we need to see him!"

"And who could've told you?" said Sirius, "We can't go around publicizing the fact that Alex and Harry have visions of things that are happening inside the Ministry's walls! What do you think people'll say if they knew that? Don't they get enough crap without having the Ministry thinking they're Seers too?"

"We can tell them it was someone else!" said George.

"But how would you explain knowing before his own wife got the news?" said Sirius, and let out a sigh, "Look, your dad has been hurt while on duty for the Order and his reason for being where he was at the time would be fishy enough without the fact that his children knew of it seconds after it occurred. The whole Order's cover could be-"

"We don't care about the bloody Order!" shouted Fred.

"We want to see our dad before it's too late!" said George angrily.

"There's a chance he'll pull through," said Sirius impatiently, "And I'm sure your father wouldn't like it if his children messed up the months of secrecy we've put into our work. He knew what he was getting himself into when he joined."

"Oh yeah," said Fred furiously, "It's so easy for you to say that when you can't even leave your house! I don't see you risking your skin for the Order, do I?"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!"

Everyone turned to Alex, who had moved to the stairs and was sitting with her head up and staring at the twins.

"I know you two are worried," said Alex, taking deep and calming breaths, "And we all are too, so don't think that can be an excuse for shouting at the man who let you stay in his house while we wait. Sirius is right, we've got to stay here until your mum comes back. Once she comes back, maybe she'll let us all go and see him, okay?"

Fred and George were staring at Alex with so much anger that she thought they were trying to melt the skin off her face. But she never backed down or looked away until their faces softened a little and they nodded. Sirius led them all to the dining room and got out seven butterbeers for them all.

Alex didn't drink much because her stomach was grinding around her insides. She knew that if it weren't for her and Harry, they'd all still be asleep and Mr. Weasley might not have been found until later that morning. And yet, the image of those snake's eyes bored into her mind and she shivered. None of it made any sense, why would Harry be a snake? He wasn't an animagus. Maybe the reality of the dream had been mixed with some dream-like elements. Maybe those really weren't Harry's eyes at all. But that voice…

There was a burst of fire at the middle of the table and Alex fell out of her seat with a shout of fright. Why was she still so jumpy? Fred grabbed the paper that had fallen from the flames with a phoenix feather and read it aloud.

"Dad is still alive and I am on my way to St. Mungo's right now. Stay where you are with Sirius. Give everyone my love and I will let you know if his condition changes drastically. Mum." Fred read and his voice was hoarse from not talking.

"Still alive?" said George, "She makes it sound like…"

"What does she mean, if his condition changes drastically?" Ginny asked, her eyes shinning with tears.

"It could mean if he gets better," Alex whispered quietly but everyone ignored her.

No one said anything and silence enveloped once again. Ron sat with his head in his hands, it was unsure if he was asleep or not. Fred dozed on his twin's shoulder while Ginny curled up in her chair, staring at the fire. Alex felt like she didn't belong amongst the family's grief and caught eyes with her father several times. He seemed to feel the same way. He suggested that they all try to rest, but he was shot down by the glares of Fred and George. So they just sat in silence, waiting for the answer of their unsaid prayers. Alex hoped they would be heard.

The hours ticked by slowly and Alex felt her eyelids drooping. She had laid her head on the table when at five thirty, according to her watch, the door opened and Mrs. Weasley found them all waiting. Ginny looked up with wide eyes. Fred, George, and Ron had risen from their seats and Mrs. Weasley gave them all a teary smile.

"He's going to be just fine," she said, her voice tired and weak, "He's sleeping at the moment so we can visit later, but they say he'll make a full recovery."

Ginny let out a sob and covered her hands to her face. The Weasley boys all went to hug their mother while Harry leaned back in his chair with a relieved sigh. Alex put a hand to her locket and smiled.

"Thank you Mum and David," she whispered to herself.

"I think we could all do with a nice breakfast," said Sirius joyfully, rising to his feet, "There are eight of us I see, so I'll start making the eggs and bacon. Harry, if you'll get the plates and silverware while Alex gets the tea and toast, that'll make this go smoother."

Alex nodded and hurried into the kitchen. She didn't want to be an intruder on their family moment. As she was boiling the water for the tea, however, the door opened and she felt arms wrap around her shoulders and saw red hair fall in her face.

"Thank you, Alex," Mrs. Weasley whispered and Alex felt her tears on the side of her face, "If it weren't for you and Harry, I don't know what would have happened. They probably wouldn't have found him until it was too late. But Dumbledore was able to make up a story for why he was down where he was and everything's going to be fine. I don't know how to ever repay you, Alex dear!"

"Mrs. Weasley," said Alex, her face turning red, "It's fine, you don't have to repay me at all! I'm just glad Mr. Weasley is going to be okay. I know you and your family would have done the same for me if the roles were switched."

Mrs. Weasley just smiled and hugged Alex again. She told Alex that she'd take care of the breakfast and Alex wondered out into the hall, not ready to go with the other Weasleys yet. She knew they needed time alone as a family.

...

After a big breakfast, Mrs. Weasley suggested they all go upstairs and try to get some rest. Alex went up to her room which she had shared with Hermione and Ginny over the summer holidays. She found Monty with a letter in his beak and went over to her trusty ebony owl. He had made a complete recovery from his attack and was now able to fly again.

"Who's this from?" she asked as she took the letter.

"That Slytherin friend of yours," said Monty, "He seemed rather worried when you weren't on the train today."

Alex remembered yesterday was the last day of Hogwarts before Christmas break. She opened the letter and read it to herself.

Dear Alex,

I know your owl will find you so that is why I am sending this through him. Rumors are flying around the school that you, Potter, and the Weasleys are missing. I didn't believe them until I didn't see you all on the train. Is everything all right? Please write back soon, but be careful what you write.

Draco Malfoy

Alex sighed and pulled out a piece of parchment. She knew Draco had to be careful what he wrote in case someone from the Ministry intercepted the letter and showed it to his father. So that meant she had to be careful what she wrote to him. Finally, after throwing out several pieces of parchment, she read over her final draft.

Dear Draco,

Everything is fine, my uncle just had an emergency that I had to attend. Why Harry and the Weasleys are not there, I don't know, but maybe they have a family emergency too. Whatever the case may be, it is very lonely here and I can't wait to come back to Hogwarts. Enjoy the holidays and do tell your family I say hello.

Alex Ratcliff

She hoped Draco would see through the sarcasm in her last sentence. He knew how much she disliked his family. It was a bit of a joke between them. Sealing the letter, she laid it on her bedside table. Monty could deliver it once she woke up. All she wanted to do at that moment was go to sleep and try to forget those snake's eyes and voice.

Author's Note: First of all, I would like to apologize for being gone for so long. I've been at college and I've learned that while I'm there, I really have no time to update my stories. The only reason I was able to do this mega update was because I have been on Easter break. When I do put up chapters, I always read through them and make edits. Sometimes I even add on if I feel that the chapter is lacking in either detail or character development. Because I take so much time with each chapter, it's almost impossible for me to update while I'm also studying for exams and writing papers. But that doesn't mean that I'm giving up on this story. I hate it when author's do that and I promise that won't happen with this story. If you stick with me long enough, you'll get to finally learn what happens at the end.

I would like to thank the readers who sent me PM's asking if I was still continuing with this story. The fact that you care enough to contact me about it is really touching. Also, I would like to thank all the fans who have reviewed the stories so far, including this one and the previous ones. Sadly I just don't have the time to answer all of you guys because there are so many of you now! I will say though that any of you who asked questions about future chapters to just hang tight because all will be answered soon. Thank you as well to everyone who added me to their favorites and put me on alert. I am always shocked and incredibly touched by the amount of success this series has had so far and thank you all so much for it.

With that in mind, I am extremely eager for your feedback! All comments, suggestions, and questions are appreciated. Thank you again and Happy Easter and Passover for those of you who celebrate those holidays! :D