Author's Note: Hmm…you would think if I really did own Harry Potter, I'd have said something by now. Ergo, I only own Alex and the stuff you don't recognize from the original series.

Chapter 11 The Lack of Common Sense Makes Me Laugh

Alex entered the common room and sensed tension in the air. She looked and saw Harry and Ron glaring at each other, everyone trying to ignore the best friends' glares. Alex walked over to them and stood between them, fearing one would tackle the other.

"What's going on here?" she asked.

They both started talking at the same time. Alex shouted for silence, but to no avail. She put her fingers in her mouth, people covering their ears, and whistled so loud that the unfortunate people who never heard Alex's whistle were left with a ringing in their ears. Harry and Ron stopped shouting at each other and started yelling at her. Alex raised her fingers to her mouth and they immediately fell silent.

"Hermione, what in Merlin's name is happening here?" she asked, turning to the only one of her friends that seemed sane at the moment.

"Well," Hermion said nervously, "Ron's upset because of Harry being in the tournament. Harry told him he doesn't want to be, there was an angry shouting match, and then you came in."

"Thank you Hermione," she said, glad for a straight answer, "Now Ron, why are you upset that Harry is in the tournament?"

"I'm not upset," he said coldly.

"Oh yes," said Harry with a sarcastic laugh, "I forgot, everyone treats their friends like crap when they enter a life-threatening competition! How stupid of me?"

They erupted into a heated argument, which ended quickly thanks to Alex's eardrum-destroying whistle.

"Listen up you two," she said angrily, "Argue like little kids all you like, I can whistle all day long. Now Harry, does anyone know how your name got in there?"

"Dumbledore said it would take powerful dark magic to rig the goblet, magic beyond that of a student."

"Who said it was rigged?" said Ron, "If Harry didn't put his name in, then how was it that Dumbledore read it? An older student must've put his name in, anything to make Harry Potter happy!"

"Ron, stop this-"

"Leave me alone, Hermione! I knew you'd both take Harry's side, he's the great and all-powerful Harry Potter!" He stormed up the stairs and they heard a door slam.

Hermione looked extremely hurt but she set her face and turned to Harry. "Don't listen to him Harry, we know you didn't do anything. Once everyone sees the first task, they'll realize you wouldn't have signed up for this."

"Ron's jealous," Alex said, who had just closed her eyes and was listening as Ron vented to his owl, Pig, who relayed it to her through her mind, "He's tired of being the sidekick and being forgotten. Hermione's the smart one, I'm the fearless helper of the great Harry Potter, and he's just the goofball. That's not true!" she said after repeating this aloud, "I'm not fearless and I'm a goofball too! Between Ron and me, we should have our own comedy act."

"Whatever," said Harry, "I just thought him of all people would believe me."

Harry went upstairs and Hermione sunk into an armchair, head in her hands. Alex cocked her head and sat on the arm, putting a hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"You okay?" she asked.

Hermione lifted her head up and shook her head, "I don't think so. I haven't been myself since the World Cup. I…I can't stop thinking about him, everyday I wake up and I wonder what he's doing that minute."

Alex looked around the room, everyone leaving since the argument was over. The room was empty.

"Whoever you're talking about, you like him, that's for sure," Alex said.

"But he doesn't like me!" Hermione said sorrowfully, "And he never will because…because I'm just a walking book for him. All I'll ever be is an essay checker and someone to have a good argument with!"

Alex collected these pieces of information and put it together. She stared at Hermione and smiled.

"Ron? You like Ron Weasley?" she laughed and hugged Hermione, "I wouldn't have guessed you'd be interested in him! He's so…"

"Funny…charming?"

"I was going to say obnoxious, but those fit too," said Alex and Hermione laughed.

"Look Alex, about Malfoy…I'm sorry about what I said. People do change, you right, but just watch your back," said Hermione, "He's a Slytherin for a reason."

Alex nodded and they went upstairs. Parvati and Lavender were sitting on Lavender's bed, whispering. They stopped just as Alex and Hermione entered. Maggie came out of the bathroom and sneered.

"Well look who's here now? Do tell me how Potter managed to get his name in the goblet. I said that he bribed an older student but those two," she jerked her head at Parvati and Lavender, "Say he didn't do anything. Which of us is right?"

"And the winner is, drum roll please," said Alex sarcastically, drumming on Maggie's bedpost, "No surprise there, Parvati and Lavender! Come on up girls and get your prize!"

"You actually believe that Potter's name magically appeared in that goblet?" Maggie said, crossing her arms and glaring at Alex.

"Well, this is a school for magic, although why you're here is beyond me. The extent of your magic is turning straw into a needle. What's that?" asked Alex, turning to an invisible person, "We learned that our first day? Really? Wow, that's depressing."

Maggie pulled her wand out, but Alex's was already out and pointed at the other girl's face.

"If you want to see the extent of my magic," Maggie whispered darkly, "Meet me behind the greenhouses at dawn tomorrow."

"You're on. You might want to have your Slytherin buddies bring a stretcher, that's the only way you're gonna make it to Madame Pomfrey."

Maggie lowered her wand and pulled the bed curtains around her. A fuming Alex climbed into bed and fell straight to sleep, knowing she would need it to take on Maggie.

…...

"Your temper is going to come back to bite you, Alex," Hermione lectured Alex as they headed to the greenhouses, the sky just turning grey. Parvati, Lavender, and Harry were with them, all looking tired. Alex was the only one who was wide awake and ready to take on the world.

"I've been wanting to fight Maggie for ages. Don't ruin my fun by lecturing me."

They reached the greenhouses and found Maggie with a few Slytherins. Among them was Pansy Parkinson, a very annoying Slytherin who was obsessed with Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and Draco. He looked shocked to see Alex there.

"What are you doing here?" he whispered anxiously when she passed him.

"I'm here to beat the crap out of Maggie," she replied quietly.

Alex went to the other side of the lawn, stretching and taking deep breaths as adrenaline rushed through her. Once she was ready, she walked to the middle of the battle ground and waited for her opponent. Maggie walked over to her and they bowed, turned and took ten paces. They faced each other and Draco's voice was heard.

"On three, you begin. One…two…" Alex silently case an invisible shield charm, "THREE!"

"Stupify!" Maggie shouted. Alex raised her wand and it bounced off her shield, zooming back at Maggie. She barely missed the jet of light when Alex sent a silent spell at her.

The battle consisted of Maggie dodging spells while Alex silently bore down on her. Alex was about to send the final curse when Maggie sent a spell that broke through her shield charm. Alex went flying backward and hit her head on a rock. She vision swam and she tried to stand, resulting in her falling to her knees. Voices laughing filled her ears making her shake with rage. Maggie walked over to her and pointed her wand at Alex's chest.

"Now see whose magic is better," she whispered so only Alex could hear.

But what Maggie failed to notice was Alex's silent incantation on a nearby tree. It was a large tree with a long network of roots that ran well beyond the actual trunk. The roots sprang out of the ground and bound Maggie's legs together, causing her to fall on her back. The roots wrapped around Maggie's struggling body and held fast. Once they had finished, Alex managed to get to her feet and stagger to Maggie, blood dripping down her face.

"Yes, do see. See that you are a horrible person who treats people like dirt because you're miserable. See that you're acting like a child who didn't get what they wanted for Christmas and is taking their anger out on people who could have been their friends. But most of all, see how kind I'm being to you 'cause you're never gonna see it again. I'm not going to leave you here in such a state that you have to be carried to the Hospital Wing. I'll let you walk off this ground without a scratch on you. But if you ever try to challenge me again, I won't hold back."

Maggie just looked up at her angrily. Taking this as a sign of her surrender, Alex walked away toward her friends. Hermione handed her a towel and Alex applied pressure to her throbbing head. Leaning on Hermione, Alex and the others started leaving. Behind them, Alex heard the start of an incantation, a man's voice shout, "I don't think so lassie!" and a loud bang.

The Gryffindors looked around and saw Professor Moody pointing his wand at a weasel. Alex looked around and saw Maggie had vanished. It took a little longer than normal for her to realize the weasel was Maggie. She laughed, causing everyone else to laugh, even the Slytherins. The weasel was obviously angry and tried to attack Alex again with its claws and teeth. Moody raised his wand and the weasel began floating up and down, causing more laughter.

"What is going on here?"

The laughter faded as Professor McGonagall stormed over to the group, looking angrier than Alex had seen.

"Professor Moody, is that a student?" she asked indignantly.

"Technically it's a weasel, Professor," Moody said, all eyes watching the writhing animal go up and down.

"We do not use transfiguration as a punishment, Alastor!" McGonagall said, as though she were totally shocked at this behavior, "I do not know what has gotten into you lately Alastor, but I think you need to sort it out with Professor Dumbledore. Now change that student back and follow me…NOW!"

Moody flicked his wand and Maggie appeared, shaking horribly and looking wildly around. Moody followed McGonagall like a student in trouble, but not before winking at the group of Gryffindors and saying, "You better go up to Madame Pomfrey before you lose anymore blood."

Alex was taken to the Hospital Wing where the matron patched her up and made her drink something to help against infection. As Alex sat there waiting for the medicine to kick in, Harry was telling her how awesome it was to see her fight.

"Alex, you were so much better than the last time we saw you duel!" he said, grinning. It was the first time he had smiled all day. "Your spells were coming out so fast and Maggie had no idea what was going on!"

"I guess the dormitory will be a lot quieter these next few days, huh?" Alex asked, sitting up but stopping as the room began to spin.

"Are you kidding?" said Lavender, "Maggie won't be speaking to us all year, isn't that great?"

"That's the best gift anyone could hope for!" said Parvati happily.

Finally, Alex left the Hospital Wing and went to the library with Hermione and Harry. Parvati and Lavender left to tell the other Gryffindors what happened. It wasn't long before Krum appeared in the library, slouching to the back behind the bookshelves. Hermione seemed to grow more pink than usual as she poured over her Ancient Runes dictionary.

They were soon forced to leave when a group, larger than Alex remembered seeing last time, of girls came in making a lot of noise. Once they were gone, Harry turned to the girls.

"Does that happen often?" he asked.

"Only when Hermione's in there," muttered Alex under her breath and received a death stare from Hermione, who had heard the comment. She then said aloud, "All the time."

They arrived at the common room and found Ron sitting with his older brothers. Sighing, Alex took out a piece of parchment and wrote a letter to her dad telling him all about what happened with the goblet. She sealed it and asked if anyone wanted to join her in going to the Owlry.

"Can't," said Hermione distractedly as she finished the final conclusion of her Ancient Runes essay, which had to be written in ancient runes, "After this, I need to finish that Potions essay."

"I would but I need to start my Potions essay. Thanks for reminding me, Hermione," said Harry with a good-natured eye roll.

Alex nodded and set off. Once she reached the Owlry, she called Monty down and tied the letter to his leg.

"The castle seems nervous," Monty noted as Alex finished the knot, "All the owls sense it. People have been coming in and out sending letters to family members."

"Yeah, and telling them lies," said Alex. She sighed and told her trusted owl all about Harry's name appearing in the goblet, how Ron was upset because Harry got all the glory even though he didn't want it, and how everyone thought Harry was a pompous liar.

"Which, if they actually took the time to get to know him, they'd know he's the total opposite!" she spat angrily.

"This tournament, is it life-threatening? Is there a chance of death during the tasks?" Alex nodded solemnly, "Then you have nothing to fear, for they will see how dangerous this challenge is and that no one would go to such lengths to enter it if they were not allowed to."

"Yeah, if Harry survives that long," said Alex with a heavy sigh, "I just don't see—"

The door opened and Alex turned, quickly shutting up. It wasn't that she couldn't talk to animals while humans were around but it made her feel awkward. It was as if she picked up more on the fact that she wasn't speaking English while other people were around. It was Ron who walked in while holding Pig, which was no easy task, and he stopped dead when he saw her.

"Pretend I'm not here, that's what you've been doing all day anyway," said Alex coolly. She watched as Ron let go of Pig and the owl took off joyfully.

"I can't imagine you actually believe him," said Ron quietly, but full of anger, "But then again, you two are always joined at the hip, doing everything together. Hermione's the brains, you two are the brawn, and I'm the clown that bumbles along in the vast shadow."

"Stop it Ron!" said Alex, her eyes alight with fiery anger, "Just shut it, okay? You're being stupid! You know Harry hates the attention he gets, and you know I do too! There is a logical reason for all of this."

"Oh really?" said Ron sarcastically, "Do enlighten me on this "logical reason". That's right, you can't think of one because there isn't one!"

"I don't think you understand the reality of the situation," said Alex so loudly that the owls drew closer in their nests, "People die in this tournament Ron! This isn't some silly game where people pretend to die, they do die!"

"And what better way for-"

"Don't you dare interrupt me, Weasley!" Alex shouted and Ron backed up in alarm.

Whenever Alex called him by his last name, Ron usually ended up with some type of physical injury. First year, he had been hung up by his ankles and last year, Alex had punched him in the nose. He could only imagine what she was capable now.

"Anyone who would break Dumbledore's rules, and the Ministry's law, knowing that there was a chance of dying or being permanently injured is a moron. Harry's not a moron Ron, although after all these years of being around you I've always thought some of your moronic talents would rub off on him."

Ron was furious, but knew better than to take on Alex. He stormed out of the Owlry, almost running into Draco as he came through the door. Draco looked from a panting Alex to where Ron had almost run him over.

"Um, is this a bad time?"

"No Draco," said Alex and shook her head with a weak smile, "It's just the lack brain power in some people never ceases to amaze me."

Monty waddled over and rubbed his feathered head against Alex's hand. She patted his beak and he took off, soon becoming a black spot in the fading sunlight. Draco raised his arm and his owl came swooping down, taking the letter in its beak, and flew off as well.

"So, why were you yelling at Weasley?" Draco asked, joining her by the open window, "I could hear you from the bottom of the stairwell."

"He thinks Harry somehow put his name in," said Alex with a sigh, putting her head on her friend's shoulder.

"Most of school would agree with him," Draco said in a heavy, weary voice.

"And you?" Alex lifted her head up and looked at him.

"If anyone knows Potter, it's you. If you think he wouldn't put his name in, then I believe you."

Alex smiled and put her head back on his shoulder, saying, "Thanks Draco, it means a lot hearing that from you."

He put his arm around her and they watched the last rays of light disappear.

Author's Note: Ah, look at the two of them! Aren't they just adorable? So I know it seems like Alex is pretty cozy with Draco here but remember that it's been a couple months and she's really upset. And, of course, I think he's completely fine providing her with the comfort she needs…nudge nudge…wink wink. ;) The next two chapters will talk about the first task and have the actual first task in them. Get ready for dragon-filled fun! Now here are my replies to my reviewers:

ILoveReadingAndWriting: Yay, I'm glad you're rooting for them! It's going to be a long and crazy-filled ride though so hopefully you'll keep reading through it all. I promise it will be worth it in the end. Thanks for your review!

Peanut7890: Haha, I love me my Starbucks! :D Yeah, your description of their "ship" is pretty accurate, although I'm sure that both of them would insist that it's not a date…but we know better. :P I had to put the chocolate in there since I live off that stuff! It's quite sad actually, but I can't help it! As for Draco, he's sweet right now but there will be times where he'll be a jerk. He does have to keep up appearances after all. Thanks for your review!

azuresilver: Yeah, Harry and the others would definitely not be happy with her. The Yule Ball is a few chapters away but hopefully the rest of the story will be able to hold you over until the dance. Believe me, it will be an interesting night for them all. ;) Thanks for your review!

MiakaKyle: Thank you so much for saying that about Alex! I'm always afraid that people will think she's Mary Sue because of her powers so that's why I tried to give her a bad temper and other character flaws. I also completely agree with fast moving relationships in stories; it can be so unrealistic because that's definitely not what happens in real life. This is the case with Alex and Draco, just like you said. Thanks for your review!

c7a7t7: Do you mean with Karkaroff? I actually don't think I put that in the story. I have when Karkaroff is with Snape and when Sirius said he was in jail and all, but I don't think I used the Penseive. If that really bothers you, let me know and I can write it in. Just give me a head's up so I can figure out how to work it in to the story. Thanks for your review!

Amy aka Luke: Oh no! You exploded? But if you exploded, how will you be able to read the rest of the series? Haha, thanks for your review and I'm glad you liked it!

Tempest NightMoon: Haha, they are rather adorable together, aren't they? ;) And Draco's protectiveness will be a very key part of the series so keep an eye out for that. Thanks for your review!

nine-tails8: Don't worry, I have no plans of stopping my updates. This series is way too important to me and I love writing Alex's character so much. The only time I'll be late updating will be if I'm on vacation or graduation preparations get in the way. Thank you for your review!

Natsuki-chan2912: Ah young romance! Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter too, especially the end of it. Thanks for your review!

GinnyWho: Maybe he does… :P Haha, hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for your review!

MsPaigeMedows: I'm sorry to say that Alex won't be hexing Ron like she did to the Slytherin. She saves that much anger for her worst enemies and even though Ron is annoying, he doesn't make the list. However, as you read, she can be pretty frightening without raising her wand at all. Anyway, thanks for your review!

LoneFairytale: Haha, I'm glad you enjoy Alex's outbursts of anger. She can be funny when she's angry. :D You know, I really like your name combo for them. Dralex…I hope that catches on! And that line Draco says about protecting Alex is VERY important in the series so I'm glad you picked up on it. Good, I'm happy you picked up on the reference! Thanks for your review!

mysterygirl123: When you say something will go wrong, do you mean with Alex and Draco? Or just Alex? Or with Harry and Alex and Death Eaters and/or other Dark Magic supporters? All of those are possibilities so just keep reading to find out! :D Thanks for your review!

Thanks to all my reviewers, those who have me on alert, and those who put me in their favorites! It's great to know that you all are enjoying the series. Please take the time to review and let me know how you like it so far! :D