Soo... I'm not dead! Sorry it took so long lovelies I've been going through this horrible time consuming thing called life that I swear I'll try to avoid until I get this baby finished.
Sorry that it's sorta short too!
Enjoy!
Chapter 7: What Does Puberty Have to Do with It?
Despite Ron completely ignoring her at breakfast, Alexis was having a rather enjoyable morning. Cedric had nearly tackled her in front of everyone when she entered the Great Hall. Everyone was looking at them when Alexis let out an uncharacteristic yelp in surprise while Cedric crackled like a mad man.
"Did I scare you, Hex?" Cedric teased as he lowered Alexis to the ground from his hug.
Alexis mock glared at him.
"More like, took me by surprise. How was your summer?"
Breaking into a grin, Alexis watched in amusement as her older-brother-in-every-way-but-blood explained what he had done over the break. None of the Gryffindors seemed to care that a sixth year Hufflepuff was sitting at their table practically force feeding one of their third years. In fact, Oliver Wood, a seventh year Gryffindor and Alexis's Quidditch Team Captian, found Cedric's actions justified on account of last year his star Chaser had been very food neglected (as well as sleep) thanks to a certain cursed diary.
"Make sure she eats some fruit, Ced," said Wood with a toothy grin.
"Guys!" said Alexis before a second spoonful of oatmeal was stuffed down her throat. "I can eat by myself."
"You lost that privilege last year," said Wood plainly. "We need you in tiptop shape for Quidditch this year."
"Yeah, that way when Hufflepuff wins, Oliver can't blame it on you," teased Cedric.
Alexis gave up. She looked over to Harry who was sitting in between the Weasley twins and Hermione. All four of them were watching in amusement.
"Don't forget we'll be taking our Potion OWLS this year, Hex," said Cedric. "You know, on account that they were canceled last year."
Last year, as a reward for saving the school from being closed down, all end of the year exams had been canceled, including all OWLS (though NEWTS were still given). For a brief moment, Ron and Alexis shared a knowing smile before Ron resumed ignoring her.
"So that means I have to take my Potions and Divinations OWLS along with my Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Transfigurations this year," said Alexis. Everyone near her scooted back when she smiled widely. "Awesome."
"Right, here are your new course schedule," said Percy, walking up to them proudly. "As Head Boy, Professor McGonagall has entrusted me with handing these out. I, of course, won't be one to let her down."
Alexis didn't even bother to hide her eyeroll.
'What a ninny,' laughed McPherson making Alexis giggle softly.
"Here you are Miss McPherson," said Percy. He handed her a long parchment with her class times on it. "I do hope you're prepared for all the classes you're taking."
He walked off in what Alexis assumed he thought was a elegant manner but in truth made him look ridiculous.
"Our brother," sighed George.
"Is a nutter," finished Fred.
Alexis couldn't agree more. She gave Cedric a quick hug, waved to Harry and Hermione, and grabbed one last slice of toast for Wood's sake before heading off to her first class.
"Double History of Magic," Alexis read aloud. "With the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw fourth years... Fun."
Shifting her satchel, Alexis hurried down the hall, knowing full well she had to make it early if she wanted to get a seat in the back. She was an excellent student but even Hermione, girl who takes notes for everything, couldn't stay completely awake in Professor Binns class. Maybe it was because he was a ghost or that he had been very old when he had died, Binns spoke in a very monotone voice that could put even the most concentrated student to sleep and two hours of it was just pure torture.
Suddenly, there was a shift in the wind and out of nowhere a nearly transparent boy with pasty white skin, raven-black hair, and orange eyes of mayhem appeared in front of Alexis. He was grinning a Cheshire grin and was floating with his legs crisscross underneath him.
"Peeves," said Alexis grinning back at him.
"Oh me, oh my, how does time fly?" sang Peeves, swooping towards Alexis. "You don't look a thing like the Ickle Firstie I found out in the woods."
"You didn't find me, Peeves," corrected Alexis, still heading to class. "Mrs. Norris did."
"Well, I threw her your direction," pointed out Peeves. "Quite literally too."
Alexis laughed softly as her poltergeist best friend floated through the air at her side, miming as if he was doing the backstroke. She had most definitely missed Peeves antics though there had been a few occasions she had been rather... peeved by them. First year when he stuck Alexis and Harry under a mistletoe was one example.
"I'll see you around, Peeves," said Alexis, entering the classroom. She just barely caught sight of Peeves saluting her in a mock military style before he dove through the floor crackling.
Smiling softly, Alexis made her way inside the History of Magic classroom. Only two other students were there, both of which were girls and Ravenclaws. One was a very pretty Asian girl with long dark hair and dark eyes while the other was a fine skinned, curly reddish-blonde hair girl who looked to have a constant smile on her face. Alexis recognized the first as Cedric's girlfriend Cho Chang.
"Hi," said Cho. Alexis waved politely at her. "Hex isn't it?"
Alexis opened her mouth to reply but Cho beat her to it.
"Of course it is," she said and Alexis swore she thought she heard spite in her words. "Everyone knows who you are. It's Marietta and I who need to do introductions. I'm Cho Chang and this is Marietta Edgecombe."
Marietta waved while Alexis blinked in confusion.
"I know who you are, Cho," said Alexis, almost unsure of herself. "Cedric told me about you."
"Good so you know he's my boyfriend right?" said Cho with a false giggle. "And you'd understand if I don't like it when, oh I don't know, when he makes a fool of himself in front of everyone to say hello to you, right? Because people might get the wrong idea and think you and him are a thing with how close you two are."
Alexis couldn't help but to let her jaw hang a little bit in shock. She had no earthly idea what was going on. Shaking her head both to remove her confusion and McPherson's laughter, Alexis raised an eyebrow at Cho.
"Huh?" was all Alexis could think to say.
"Oh, very ladylike," giggled Marietta. "You don't have anything to worry about, Cho."
Before Alexis could breath out another huh, the classroom doors open up and the rest of the class started filling in. Katie Bell, a fellow Gryffindor and the Quidditch Teams reserved Chaser, took her seat next to Alexis. When she saw the baffled look on her young friend's face, she gave Alexis a confused look herself.
"What's wrong, Hex?" she asked in her usual motherly way.
"I think I was just threatened," said Alexis blankly, the confused look not leaving her face. "Over a boy."
Katie grinned widely at Alexis before patting her on the back.
"Welcome to puberty, Hex."
As much as Alexis had been hoping to take a nap in class, what Cho and Marietta had said to her had made her too confused to put her head down. McPherson didn't help.
'But what does puberty have to do with it?' thought Alexis as she made her way out of the class towards Charms. McPherson didn't answer her, instead he laughed.
"I'm serious here!" Alexis snapped in a harsh whisper.
'That's what makes it so funny, Hex,' said McPherson. 'You're just so innocent.'
Alexis scoffed, "Hardly."
"Talking to yourself, Hex?" teased Fred.
"People will think you're mental," added George.
Alexis rolled her eyes both at the twins tease and at McPherson who was still laughing before taking her seat in the front of the class. This was one of the few ways she got back at Fred and George, who both detested sitting in the front but hated passing up an opportunity to mess with their little third year.
"Good morning class!" said Professor Flitwick. He sent Alexis a soft smile.
Professor Flitwick was one of Alexis's favorite professors. There was rumor that he was half goblin on account of his height and claw-like fingers but his personality begged a differ. Unlike goblins, or at least what Alexis had heard about them seeing she had never met one, Flitwick was kind, gentle, and fair. He never cheated anyone and very rarely punished students. When he did, Flitwick was the kind of teacher to assign extra practice instead of detention.
Alexis was one of Professor Flitwick's favorite students too or at least the twins like to say so. Alexis thought it had to do with her telling her last Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gidleroy Lockhart, off on his dueling skills and sharing with the school the not-so-well-known fact that Flitwick was a master dueler that had never lost a duel in his life. Everyone else said it was because she was capable of keeping the Weasley twins in line.
With a satisfied smile, Professor Flitwick finished roll call. He looked at his students with his goofy but sweet manner.
"As fifth years at Hogwarts, you will all be taking OWLS. I'm sure you other professors will tell you just how serious these test can be seeing that they effect..."
Alexis, as much as she enjoyed Flitwick's little speeches, became distracted when she noticed three Slytherin boys whispering across the room from her. It wouldn't have bothered her at all if she hadn't noticed they kept looking at her. Against her usual self restraint to not prob her fellow classmates minds, Alexis pushed into the closest of the threes brain. Her entrance went unnoticed but she nearly gave herself away when she heard what they were talking about.
"Marcus said so, that Hex girl is one of them," said the first Slytherin.
"But how does he know?" asked the second Slytherin.
"You know the Flints are high up there in the Ministry," answered the Slytherin who's mind Alexis was in. "They've got connections to finding out all the dirty secrets. Marcus over heard his father talking to Octavius Lestrange about Alexis-"
"Mr. Warrington," said Professor Flitwick. Alexis quickly pulled out of the Slytherin's mind. "Care to share with the rest of the class what you thought was so important that it couldn't wait until lunch?"
The Slytherin smiled slyly at Flitwick.
"I was only asking if we'll need to know both the Levitation and the Growth Charm on the OWLs or just one, professor," he lied way too easily for Alexis's liking. However, Flitwick took the answer and continued on his explanation of the OWLs. Alexis looked over at the three Slytherins only to find the one called Waerington looking at her smugly.
'Something wicked this way comes,' said McPherson.
"Oh shut up," grumbled Alexis.
.
By the time Alexis made it to lunch she was righteously confused. Taking a seat next to Harry at the table, Alexis sighed before leaning against her best friend.
"Rough first day?" Harry asked.
"Just confusing," replied Alexis. She sat up straight before grinning at him. "I'm in Care for Magical Creatures with you after lunch."
"Yes, well that's what our course schedule says," said Hermione, completely missing the significance that Alexis and Harry saw in this.
"No, Moony," whispered Harry. "This is Padfoot's first class, with us. The New Marauders are finally going to be together!"
"But we're always together, Harry," said Hermione. "We're in the same House, so it's hard not to be, really."
Alexis shook her head.
'She just doesn't get it Prongs,' she said.
'Guess not, Padfoot,' thought Harry.
"So how was Divinations?" Alexis asked aloud, already seeing the weird looks she and Harry were getting. "Did Trelawney predict one of your deaths?"
Three jaws dropped at once. Hermione was the most composed but still rather surprised, Harry looked like his eyes were about to pop out of his glasses, while Ron, who was sitting on Harry's right, had his jaw so low his soup was dripping from it like a faucet.
"She predicts a death every year," clarified Alexis. "She predicted mine in first year but McGonagall had pre-warned me. She said I was going to die right after my best friend and by the same snake, whatever that means. So, who was it she predicted this time?"
"Harry," said Hermione. "And Professor McGonagall told us that she makes a death prediction every year during Transfigurations today and that they never come true. We were going over Animagi."
Before Hermione could successfully change the subject, Ron butted in.
"Harry, you haven't seen a great black dog anywhere, have you?"
"Yeah, I have," said Harry. "Hex and I both saw one the night I left the Dursleys'."
Alexis nodded her head in agreement but Ron ignored it. He was staring in complete befuddlement at Harry.
"Probably a stray," said Hermione calmly.
Ron looked at Hermione as though she had gone mad.
"Hermione, if Harry's seen a Grim, that's - that's bad," he said. "My - my uncle Bilius saw one and - and he died twenty-four hours later!"
"Coincidence," said Hermione airily, pouring herself some pumpkin juice.
"You don't know what you're talking about!" said Ron, starting to get angry. "Grims scare the living daylights out of most wizards!"
"There you are, then," said Hermione in a superior tone. "They see the Grim and die of fright. The Grim's not an omen, it's the cause of death! And Harry's still with us because he's not stupid enough to see one and think, right, well, I'd better kick the bucket then!"
Ron mouthed wordlessly at Hermione, who opened her bag, took out her new Arithmancy book, and propped it open against the juice jug.
"I think Divination seems very woolly," she said, searching for her page. "A lot of guesswork, if you ask me."
"There was nothing woolly about the Grim in that cup!" said Ron hotly.
"You didn't seem quite so confident when you were telling Harry it was a sheep," said Hermione coolly.
Ron looked like he was about to blow up when he suddenly jumped to his feet and stormed off, mumbling, "What's wrong with my bloody friends."
Alexis, Harry, and Hermione all exchanged glances. Finally Harry sighed and stood up.
"I'll go talk to him," he said before running off, leaving the two girls alone.
Hermione smiled at Alexis who grinned back.
"And how was your first class?" Hermione asked softly giggling.
"Okay," said Alexis with a shrug. "Um, Moony?"
"Yes, Hex?" said Hermione, looking back at her book.
"Can I ask you a weird question?"
"Not too weird."
"Okay," said Alexis, taking a deep breath. "Um, do you know what puberty has to do with being threatened?"
With a loud thump, Hermione closed her book and looked at Alexis with a very concerned and curious look.
"Care to explain?"
Alexis took another deep breath.
"Well, you see..."
Haha, poor Alexis is so oblivious to teenage drama but will Hermione be able to help her? And what was Cho going all defensive about anyway? AND what were those sneaky Slytherins talking about? All shall be revealed soonish...
Anyway, thanks for the reviews!
GodShynin300: the trauma, the drama, and the down right destroy our beloved Hex if it were... And just might be ;D or might not ;P
Kuroi-Akuma-Okami: Your... Welcome? haha I'm glad that you didn't want to see Sirius on the list either but it's so fun mentioning him as an option! All the odd looks you get, it's the best!
Luna the HP fan: you totally gave me an idea ;P haha. I like how your hoping for Malfoy just because of the drama it would bring, though I wouldn't count any of those other Deatheaters out yet. Anyway, always enjoy your reviews!
StrawberryObsession: Of course choosing Rodolphus would be funny as hell and down right disappointing to some of you but your reasoning to why it can't be Sirius made me laugh so thanks!
Ingrid: I'm. Glad. You. Think. So. And I apologize for taking so long on fulfilling your request on an update.
Guest: It's being discussed ;D
Phoenixfelicis07: glad you enjoyed Remus's reaction to Hermione being called Moony and Alexis's unintentionally quoting of a certain scruffy Marauder. You, my friend, have the most amazing theories and reasoning to why and why not it can be certain people as Alexis's dad. And the answer to your question about Rosier is while Bellatrix's mother's maiden name is Rosier it is not clear what her relationship is to Even Rosier. That leaves it up to them being siblings, cousins, aunt and nephew and even eighth cousins twice removed. It should also be noted that Sirius's parents were third or fourth cousins if Rosier does turn out to be Alexis's father
Thanks again, and review!
Oh, and for any of you Alice Moody fans, I swear I've been working on the next chapter but you need to understand there isn't anything to go off of when it comes to Madeye Moody at Christmas and I want him to be as Madeyeish as possible while still being Alice's dad. I'll hopefully have the next chapter done soon.
Remember, review!
DCF