Author's Note: I only own Alex and anything you don't remember reading from J.K Rowling's books.

Chapter 20 A Very Downing Day

Snow was falling hard the day of the Hogsmede trip at the beginning of February. Alex and her friends had bundled up in every available bit of clothing they could find and still allowed them to walk. Soon, Alex, Hermione, Ron, and Harry were walking down the main street followed by Parvati, Lavender, and a few other friends they had brought with them.

"We want to go to that fudge place," they had told Alex that morning.

She had reached the side street and found another crowd of people waiting for something. It turned out to be her. Fred and George walked up to Alex, wearing identical evil grins.

"We just told a few people where to find the best fudge in Hogsmede for a good price," George said, his voice full of mirth.

"I have no idea how all these people found out," continued Fred.

Alex just rolled her eyes with a smile and led the way. Twisting and turning down the streets Alex had memorized, they finally reached the shop. Alex entered first followed by the others and the look on Mrs. Hinkins' face was priceless. Her eyes were wider than saucers and her mouth was agape. Never had she had so many customers at one time. She came out from behind the counter and embraced the young girl, tears in her eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered, "How can I ever repay you?"

"You don't need to," said Alex, "Just keep doing what you do best: making sweets."

The four fourth year Gryffindors left the shop and headed toward the hills. They had gotten a letter earlier that morning from Sirius with that day's date circled and the words, "Hilltop cave." written in handwriting that made it seem like he wrote it in a hurry. As they climbed, Alex fumbled with the bag on her shoulder, full to the brim with all kinds of food. They all knew that Sirius would be hungry after being on the run for some time.

Alex was anxious to see her father, and not just because he was supposed to be in hiding and Hogsmede was full of people who could easily spot him. He had never really responded to the letter that she had sent him after the Yule Ball and she was nervous as to his reaction. Alex desperately hoped that he wouldn't say "I told you so" or anything like that. She already felt bad enough for what happened and didn't need that to be rubbed in as well. They finally reached the top and they stopped to catch their breath.

"So…what now?" Alex asked, looking around, "It isn't likely we're going to find a sign saying, "This way to Sirius' cave!" or anything."

Just then, a large black dog came bounding toward them happily. He jumped up onto Alex's shoulders and gave her a gigantic lick on the face, doing the same to the others as well. He then barked and began walking toward one of the many caves on the hilltop. When the four entered, they found Sirius Black standing there in human form, grinning widely.

"I think I smelled chicken in that bag," he said, nodding to Alex's bag.

Alex looked her father up and down. He looked better than when she saw him at her house, but that wasn't saying much. He was still as thin as a rail with his face gaunt and hollowed. She gave him the bag and watched as he ate hungrily.

"This is so much better than rats," he said as he gnawed on a chicken leg, causing Ron to turn paler than usual.

They waited until Sirius finished eating. Finally, when her father cleaned the last bone and threw it to Buckbeak, Alex sat down on the floor with the others.

"Thank you for the Christmas gifts," said Harry after an awkward pause, "Alex and I really love them."

"I managed to find some parts while I was traveling," Sirius said, "And I took apart my motorcycle so that each of you could have a little of mine in there."

"Why are you here?" said Alex, getting straight to the point, "It's not safe for you to be so near Hogwarts. What if they catch you?"

"I only came to see how you all were doing," Sirius said, looking at each of the Gryffindors in turn, "It's so hard to get the feel of things from letters. So, how are those tasks coming, Harry?"

Harry told his godfather about each of the ones in turn. When he told Sirius he was tied for first, Sirius' eyes glowed with pride.

"James would be so proud of you, Harry," Sirius said and clapped Harry on the shoulder.

"I've had help for every task, though," said Harry, turning a little red, "I couldn't have figured out any of them without everyone giving me tips."

"But when it came down to going through with it, you didn't cower in fear and run. You were a Gryffindor and stood up tall and did your best. No matter how much advice or help you get, in the end it's up to you to complete the task." Sirius sighed and turned his attention to his daughter. "How's good ol' Snapey treating you?"

"Not horribly," said Alex with a shrug, "I think he knows that if you get a whiff of something bad, you'll be here before he can say "Polyjuice". I'm learning quickly, but not quickly enough for him I think."

"Mmhm, and I heard you've been helping Hagrid out as well."

"Well, not as much lately," said Alex with a frown, "Ever since his blood-line was made public, he hasn't been out and about as much. Stupid Skeeter bitch." She muttered that last part darkly. Sirius shrugged as if to say, "I should be reprimanding you but you speak the truth."

"Yes, Rita Skeeter was something of a busy-body at school. She was a lot younger than us, but she always wanted to know who we Marauders liked," said Sirius, his eyes glazing over and his mind returning to a long forgotten time. He shook his head and returned to the present, "So has Dumbledore told you about the disappearances yet?"

"What disappearances?" they asked in unison.

"I take it he didn't," Sirius said with a grim look. He took out a worn clipping from the Daily Prophet and showed it to them, saying as they read, "I thought you got a copy, Hermione."

"I do," she said, jumping a little at being addressed as she read, "But this must've been before the start of term. That's when I decided to get it."

As Alex skimmed the cutout, she saw it was about the mysterious disappearance of a woman named Bertha Jorkins. That name rang a bell in Alex's head, but she didn't know where it came from. The article said that Jorkins had vanished while on vacation over the summer.

"Have they found her yet?" Ron asked, "My dad used to talk about her, she was always full of the Ministry gossip."

"As far as I know, not yet," said Sirius, "But I knew her too. Even then, she was the leader in gossip. I always thought it would get her into trouble someday."

"You mean," said Alex, looking at her father worriedly, "You think she's dead because she knew too much? But who would kill her? Not the minister…right?"

"No, Fudge wouldn't do that. He's a spineless little thing. No, I've seen this before, it all started like this. A few people would disappear, never to be seen or heard from again. Then, people would act strangely; like they weren't themselves because they weren't themselves…Voldemort was controlling them."

"Voldemort?" said Harry and Alex together.

"But he's gone," said Hermione in a high-pitched voice, "Harry and Alex destroyed him when they were babies. He's just a weak, spirit-like thing. We saw him in our first year!"

"He's getting stronger," Sirius said darkly, "If Alex and Harry's dreams are to be believed, little Peter has found his master after all and is nursing him back to health. Listen to me, Harry and Alex, stay close to your friends. Don't let anyone who you wouldn't trust with your life near you without someone else being there. And you two," he said to Ron and Hermione, "Watch out for them. You never know how much someone means to you until you lose them."

Alex couldn't resist rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest. She noticed that Harry shifted, bristling with annoyance as well. This didn't go unnoticed by Sirius and he stared at his daughter for a long moment.

"You know guys, if you climb up the hill a little higher, there's a great view of the village," said Sirius, not looking at them, "You should go check it out."

"What? Why would we-ouch!" cried Ron as Hermione stomped on his foot.

"Thanks Sirius, we'll see you in a bit. Come find us later, Alex," said Hermione as she dragged the boys out of the cave and up the hill.

Alex sat in silence while waiting for her father to speak. She wasn't going to start the conversation; she had nothing to say. Finally, she heard Sirius sigh loudly.

"I wish your mother was here," he said, "She would know how to handle these types of situations."

"Funny," snarled Alex bitterly, "I thought my mother had too nasty of a temper that impaired her judgment. It seems that I've inherited that too and I'm doomed to be a bitchy, hot-tempered girl for the rest of my life!"

"I see Remus talked to you," muttered Sirius.

"You knew he sent me that letter?" Alex said, whipping around to face her father, "Do you have any idea how much it hurt to read that? It made me feel like I couldn't even be trusted to look after my friends, look after myself! I'm not four years old anymore; I've had to look after myself all the years I've been at Hogwarts. And guess what? I'm getting a pretty good handle on it!"

"We're just trying to protect you, Alex," said Sirius in a calming tone, "You and Harry are in danger and we want you to know what you're up against."

"You don't think we know what we're up against?" she shouted, rising to her feet and shaking with fury, "The greatest dark wizard of all time is after us for something that we did when we were barely a year old. He wants to murder us out of revenge for leaving him powerless for the last thirteen years. And now it seems that he's getting stronger because Peter Pettigrew, the man who betrayed my mum and Harry's parents to Voldemort, is helping him! Oh, and let's not forget the fact that someone entered Harry into a dangerous tournament and that person is more than likely working for Voldemort! Sounds like we know perfectly well what we're up against!"

"Alex, please listen to me!" said Sirius as she opened her mouth to continue ranting, "You and Harry mean everything in the world to Remus and me. Remus has no children and he looks on you two as the son and daughter he never had. Harry is my godson and practically my son now. And you, you're my only daughter. You're the only thing I have left of a life that was taken away from me. I can't be at Hogwarts to protect you from whoever the spy is there so I feel like I'm actually doing something productive when I tell you to be on your guard. I'm just trying to look out for you."

"Trying to look out for me, huh?" she said, laughing without mirth, "Where were you the first ten years of my life when people asked why I lived with my grandparents and then a complete stranger? Where were you when I had to face Voldemort twice during my first and second year?" Tears were spilling and falling down her cheeks as her voice became shakier and higher in pitch. "Where were you last year when I wasn't even sure if I'd have a home to go back to at the end of the year? And where were you as I sat in a corridor crying my eyes out because some guy tried to use me?"

At this, Alex completely broke down. She heard footsteps walk toward her and felt her father wrap his arms around her tightly. Alex quickly hugged him back as she sobbed. During all of this, her father kept repeating words of comfort mixed in with apologies. Finally, Alex calmed down and wiped her eyes.

"Alexandria, look at me." She raised her eyes and met identical stormy grey ones. "I may not be the best father and it'll take some adjusting for the both of us, but always know that I love you more than anything on this Earth. And if I ever seem overbearing or that I don't think you capable of something, that's just because I can't stand the thought of anything happening to you or Harry."

"I know and I'm sorry I shouted at you," said Alex with a heavy sigh, "I guess I'm just like Mum."

"No, you're not exactly like her at all," Sirius said, gripping her a little tighter, "You may have her fun-loving spirit and loyalty and, yes, her fiery temper, but you are different as well. You listen to everything before you make a decision and you are much more dedicated to your studies." Alex chuckled lightly as he continued, "But you also have more control with your temper, something your mother tried hard at but never completely mastered. You may look like Alana and sometimes act like her, but you are Alexandria Black."

Alex nodded and hugged her father close. After she broke away, he asked her to find the others and bring Harry in as well. She nodded and left, finding them all sitting up at the top of the hill. Once Harry was gone and Alex was seating beside Hermione, her best friend spoke.

"Everything all right now?" she asked.

"Yeah, it's all good," replied Alex with a small smile.

Fifteen minutes later, a beaming Harry called them down and they reentered the cave to find Sirius petting Buckbeak.

"You four better head off, it's almost five. I'll walk you to the gate. Oh, by the way, Harry," Sirius said, frowning at his godson, "I've heard you're the new player at Hogwarts. You're welcome to my title, but don't mess around with my daughter."

Harry gaped and tried to speak, but saw his godfather's smile and looked relieved. Sirius transfigured into a dog and led the way down the hill and into town. People stared as they passed, little children begged their mothers to, "pet the doggie, please!", and other Hogwarts students did double takes. Why were those Gryffindors hanging around with a stray dog?

Numerous people came up to Alex and told her they had gone to Hinkins' fudge store and vowed to go there every time. She felt that she had just done something big, but didn't know what. Finally, they reached the gate and Alex knelt down to the dog. She hated leaving him when he was obviously starving himself just so that he could be nearby.

"You be good now," she whispered and kissed the top of his head. He responded by licking her hand.

As they went up to the castle, the mood was heavy. There was a chance Voldemort was coming back…and someone in Hogwarts wanted Harry dead. Alex and Harry each had their talks with Sirius and worked out their issues with the man on the run. The two of them were silently reflecting on what they had discussed.

"Well," said Ron, trying to lighten the mood, "It could be worse. We could be surviving on rats in a cave. I'll tell you something guys, he must really care about you two. I can't imagine eating rats and stealing papers all year."

Alex smiled as then entered the common room. She had just sat down when a little first year girl came up to her shyly.

"'Scuse me, but I was told to give this to you when you got back," the girl said quietly and handed Alex a letter. Alex opened the letter and read it to herself.

"What is it?" Harry asked, seeing his friend's face pale.

"It's a summoning to Dumbledore's office," said Alex, her voice shaking, "The owners of Honeydukes want to sue me, and Mrs. Hinkins, for stealing their business ideas."

"What?" her friends said together.

"I've been taking people to Mrs. Hinkins' shop and they think that we're trying to steal their ideas." Alex stood up and began pacing.

"That's ridiculous!" shouted Ron angrily, "You're just showing people a new place to shop for food! Is that really so horrible they want to sue?"

"It is because everyone would rather go to Mrs. Hinkins than Honeydukes because it's cheaper. Honeydukes doesn't want to have to compete with another sweet shop." She looked at the letter again and sighed, "It says they want me to be present at five forty-five. What time is it now?"

"Five fifteen," said Ron, "You're not actually going to let them do this, are you? This is madness!"

"Just enough time," Alex muttered and took off, not even listening as her friends called her back.

She sprinted down the stairs and to the dungeons. She opened the door to the classroom where she and Draco usually worked, but he wasn't there. Cursing softly but profusely, she left the room and began walking down corridors. She eventually used her Invisibility necklace so that the Slytherins wouldn't stare at her as she passed. She followed two girls who had said they needed to get their bags from the common room. They opened the door and went in, Alex barely slipping by as the door closed.

It was just as dark and dreary as she remembered from two years ago. She watched as the girls went up a staircase and she took the other, hoping no one else would be coming down. The staircase was tight and she knew that if another person were to come down, they'd run right into her. She reached the top without any trouble and found the door with a plaque with a number four on it. As she reached for the knob, she realized the fullness of what she was doing.

I'm in the boy's dormitory, in the Slytherin common room no less, trying to find a guy who may not even be here! she thought wildly, I really must be going crazy.

Quietly, she opened the door and peeked in. Draco was sitting on his bead scanning the pages of some book while he wrote. There was no one else in the room. Alex really couldn't believe her luck as she shut the door and walked over to him.

"Look Crabbe," he said, not even looking up from his work, "I've told you a thousand times not to bother me while I'm working! You need to learn how to write an essay without misspelling your name."

"Does he really not know how to spell his name?" Alex whispered as quietly as she could.

Draco jumped and looked around, not seeing anything because Alex was still invisible. She wanted to make sure no one else was in the bathroom or something.

"I think I'm dreaming," he said to himself when he saw there was no one there, "Or just losing my mind."

"It all depends on how you look at it," said Alex, sitting on the end of Draco's bed.

All he could see was an indent in his sheet where someone would be sitting. He stood up and walked over to where the indent was. Draco reached out into the air and ended up touching the side of her head.

"Holy Merlin!" he breathed, pulling his hand away, "Alex?"

"I need to talk to you," she said, "But I need to make sure no one's going to come in here and see me."

Draco went to the door and locked it, muttering a spell over the lock and returned to find Alex visible and sitting cross-legged on his bed, smiling.

"Do you have any idea how much you scared me, Alex?" he said as he sat down on the bed next to her.

"Sorry, but it's really important," she said, pulling out the letter and handing it to him. He read it carefully and reread it several times before looking up in horror.

"This is all my fault," he said, "I shouldn't have shown you that place, shouldn't have roped you into this as well. Merlin!"

"Draco, don't blame yourself," she said kindly, "I shouldn't have told so many people. I just wanted her to have better business because she deserves it. What should I do?"

"I'm not going to let them do anything to you," he said, getting up and pacing, "Or Mrs. Hinkins. I'll take the blame, tell them it was my idea and-"

"No," said Alex, standing up and coming to him, "That'll make things worse than they already are. You're father will get involved and you'll get in trouble for something you didn't do."

"Then what am I supposed to do, watch you get blamed for something that has nothing to do with you? I promised you I'd never let anything happen to you, Alex, and I'm going to stand by that promise."
"I understand Draco, but I need you to help me do something better." She whispered her idea in his ear and he looked at her.

"You think that'll work?" he asked.

"It has to," she said with her face set, "It's the only plan I've got, but we need to hurry."

Draco led the way down the stairs and out of the common room, down dark and damp corridors until they came to the Potions classroom. Alex ran over to the cauldron where they kept the Polyjuice potion and grabbed a vile. She scooped some in and pulled out one of her hairs, placing it into the solution. It fizzed and turned a deep purple. She handed it to Malfoy, saying, "It really lasts only an hour so wait until you're ready. Make sure you find a place to hide while you change back and be careful, stay on the first three floors only."

"Careful is my middle name," he said.

Alex gave him a swift hug and ran off to find Fred and George, leaving Draco to his part of the plan.

Author's Note: Hi everyone! I hope those of you on summer vacation are enjoying yourselves. I just got back from my college orientation and am very excited now for college! But enough about me, I want to hear from my readers…if there are any still around. I know it's been a while since my last update and I apologize for that. Things got a little crazy around here. :P

Are you calling me crazy?: The part with Alex being able to see Harry will be explained later, but it is pretty cool. I remember when I saw Draco on the ride, I started freaking out and saying to my sister, "It's him! Oh my gosh it's him!". My parents went on that time with us and were slightly confused as to why I freaked out at Draco but not at Harry and the others, but it was really funny. Anyway, I'm now off to read all the chapters you posted of your story so you'll be hearing from my very soon! Can't wait! :D

Thank you to everyone who reviewed while I was away, those who favorite the stories, and put me on alert. I love all you guys for your support and please continue to tell me what you think! :D