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3 Chapter 12: Hints to No End
For a moment, Alexis thought that perhaps Sirius Black had cast a spell on her making her immobile but his wand was still in his sleeve- for now. Yet, try as she might, Alexis felt glued in place as two great black eyes stared at her as if they were looking into her very soul. He studied her hair, her eyes, and her robes, his eyes lingering on her Gryffindor badge for an eternaty... and then the last thing Alexis ever expected to happen, happened.
Sirius Black started laughing a loud crackle that sounded like it belonged to someone who truly was insane and as far as Alexis could tell he was just that.
"Oh Trix!" Sirius Black cried out loudly. "You in Gryffindor robes, Gryffindor! If the Lestranges could see you!"
The insane convict seemed blissfully unaware of how loud he was laughing. Instead, he held his side panting for air as Alexis finally broke from her stupor.
"PEEVES!" Alexis bellowed as loud as she possibly could. Her cry stopped the madman's crackle immediately.
"Sorry," he whispered in a raspy voice. Before Alexis could think to move, Sirius Black had his wand trained on her.
"Stupefy!"
With a thump, Alexis fell unconscious against the wall. For a brief second, she thought she felt her new dog nudge her head before slipping completely unconscious.
.
When Alexis finally came to, it was to the sound of an abnormally loud raspberry and sharp cursing.
"Bloody ghost," growled the voice of Swine.
"Why so winey, Swiney?" laughed Peeves. "Has Peevesie Weesie hurt your Ickle feelings?"
"I will exercise you, damn it."
More raspberries filled the air along with a few choice words when Alexis, who had chosen to keep her eyes closed, heard the voice of a familiar grumpy old man.
"Will you two quit being bloody fools?" snapped Mad-Eye Moody. "Open your eyes lass, we know you're awake."
"Big ray of sunshine, isn't he?" Alexis grumbled mainly to the laughing man in her head. She opened her eyes to reveal Peeves, Swine, Moody, and Lucius Malfoy as well as the familiar walls of the hospital wing. The sun was just barely shining through the grey storm clouds and windows (seeing that the windows faced the east) telling her it was the morning.
"Hex!" Peeves practically squealed, zooming over in a blur to his little, living friend.
"Hey, Peeves," laughed Alexis, hugging the almost fully transparent boy. "What did I miss?"
"Black," stated Swine coldly.
Alexis ignored him and turning to Moody. "I was hoping to see Kingsley instead of that- never mind. Good morning, Lucius."
Lucius Malfoy looked exactly how Alexis thought Draco would in twenty years time. He was the role model to what a sophisticated Pureblood was supposed to look like from his fine robes to his aristocratic aura. Lucius, however, seemed slightly, and only ever so slightly that Alexis doubted anyone besides herself had noticed, nervous around Alexis no doubt remembering their last encounter. She had covered for him after the diary he had given her had possessed and nearly killed her.
"Good morning, Miss Alexis," Lucius replied, his nerves easing considerably.
Alexis smiled at him before giving Moody a questionable look.
"Where exactly is Kingsley?" she asked. Alexis really did like the newest Ministry worker she had met. Suddenly, it occurred to Alexis that she hadn't hated any of the Ministry workers she had met since Lucius, and she classified him as an honorary uncle as she did Moody- though Lucius wasn't nearly as, well, moody. In fact, Lucius was very good at holding up an emotionless mask, much like his son, that only those who knew him well could see through. Alexis liked to say she was one of the few who could.
"Discussing what had happened with Dumbledore," replied Lucius blankly. "I myself am only here to check on Draco's arm."
Alexis nodded understandably. Ever since Draco had his arm torn up by Buckbeak, the Slytherins had been down right forcing him to baby it. They had even gone as far as to have the first Quidditch match of the season changed to Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff instead of Gryffindor vs Slytherin. Draco had tried to protest but he didn't have much grounds seeing that Flint was the Slytherin team captain and saw that Draco owed him after their little fall out. That, and Draco wasn't exactly looking forward to playing in the storm that was brewing towards that weekend either.
"Now," grumbled Moody, returning the conversation to its original topic. "Mind telling us what happened?"
"Well, I was on my way to Narnia," Alexis teased but stopped immediately when she realized only Swine, surprisingly enough, knew she was doing just that- teasing. "Right, I was heading up to the Common Room because one of my friends left her assignment when I heard a cry. I ran towards it," -Alexis ignored Moody's disapproving look- "and nearly ran right into Sirius Black."
"And then?" asked Swine, for once malice not lining his words.
"He started laughing," at my Gryffindor badge, Alexis added to herself. "I think... I think Sirius Black was on the Knight's Bus with me and Harry."
Both Lucius and Swine lifted an eyebrow while Moody cocked his head at Alexis.
"And why is that?" asked Swine.
"He called me Trix," replied Alexis. "And I only ever used that name when I was on the Knight Bus. That, and he mentioned the Lestranges."
Alexis did not miss the glances shared between the three men in front of her, nor did she fail to notice Peeves grip tighten around her protectively, but before she could question it Madame Pomfrey shooed her three interrogators and Peeves out of the room.
"Once you drink this you'll be able to leave," said Madame Pomfrey after closing the hospital doors behind Moody who had been the last to leave. She handed Alexis a headache potion that smelt as bad as it tasted. "Though, if you're tired you may stay a little longer."
"And worry Oliver senseless?" said Alexis. She couldn't help but to picture her Quidditch team captain panicking when he discovered one of his star players bedridden the week of their first match. Easily, the idea made her laugh as she walked slowly to the Great Hall.
As she passed the Defense classroom, Alexis caught a glimpse of Remus Lupin. She debated for a moment on if now would be a good time to confront him on his 'illness' but decided against it. After all, last night had been a full moon.
"Hex!"
Two pairs of arms wrapped around Alexis nearly sending her tumbling to the ground.
"Hey guys," laughed Alexis as she steadied herself from Harry and Ron's surprise hug.
"I thought he hurt you," Harry whispered. Unlike Ron, he had yet to let go of Alexis. Not that Alexis protested to this. Ever since she had awoken, all she could think of was what might have happened if Sirius Black had found her best friend.
"I'm fine, Prongs," Alexis assured him before he finally loosened his hug.
'What happened?' she thought to both Harry and Ron.
Ron curled his face up in a way that showed him in deep concentration. It looked down right ridiculous to Alexis and Harry but neither said anything.
'Sirius Black attacked the Fat Lady trying to get into the Tower,' he thought loudly again. 'But you knew that already, seeing that he got you.'
Harry, though surprised he could hear Ron's thoughts as well thanks to Alexis thinking them as he said them, continued on:
'They made us all stay in the Great Hall while the professors and these Ministry men searched the grounds. The one with the ponytail came running down the stairs with you in his arms.'
"What?" Alexis said genuinely surprised to hear Swine had helped her.
"We thought you were dead," Ron said aloud. "Prongs had to be restrained by Dumbledore to keep from running after you."
Alexis looked at Harry who nodded his head, wordlessly giving Alexis permission to do what she did next. During the summer, Harry had helped Alexis a great deal in advancing her Legminens to the point were she could see memories if she pushed hard enough into someone's brain, which was exactly what she did to Harry.
Percy Weasley was handing Ron a sleeping bag when Harry glanced out the Great Hall doors towards the grand staircase. Just as he did, Pansy Parkinson let out a bone chilling shriek, her left hand pointing directly at what Harry had just caught sight of.
A man with long brown hair drawn back in a ponytail and fierce grey eyes was hurrying down the stairs with a bundle in his hands... only it wasn't just a bundle. It was a person, one with raven black hair and undoubtably bright green eyes if they were open.
But they weren't.
In fact, the small girl in the Swine's arms wasn't moving at all.
"Hex!" shouted Harry. He took off towards the door only to be stopped by a strangely strong arm.
Swine didn't falter from his course even with Harry's (along with several other students) cries.
"McPherson, you pompous arse," he growled, running quickly through the hall. "If you weren't already dead... Merlin, I hate you right now..."
"No!" Harry cried, trying desperately to break free of the arm holding him back. He was the only one close enough to the door to hear the man's muttering but the rest of the students seemed to have felt the effect it had had on him because whispering began immediately.
"She's alright, Harry," comforted a familiar voice, "she's alive."
"But he said-"
"He wasn't talking about Alexis, Harry," said Dumbledore.
The moment Alexis pulled out of Harry's memories she pulled Harry and Ron into a tight hug.
"I didn't mean to scare you," she whispered.
It had been rather touching knowing how much she mattered to her friends. Alexis had had no idea she meant that much to them.
"Just make sure you hug Moony with just as much mirth," coughed Ron as Alexis released them.
Almost as if by magic, Hermione, who had been discussing something with the Weasley twins, caught sight of Hex in the doorway of the Great Hall.
"Hex!" cried the bushy haired bookworm as she pulled Alexis into a hug. "We were so worried when you missed the feast! And then Peeves swooped in wailing about Sirius Black and Professor McGonagall said you were attacked! And-"
Alexis quickly cut her only female friend off by placing a hand over Hermione's mouth.
"I'm fine, Moony," said Alexis. "Just breath."
An undecipherable noise came from Hermione's mouth.
"What?"
Hermione pushed Alexis's hand down, revealing a playful grin.
"I said, I can't if you keep your paw over my mouth."
Harry and Ron laughed while Alexis rolled her eyes.
"When did you become such a smartalec?"
Hermione didn't reply but Alexis swore she saw her spare a glance back at Fred and George.
.
When lunch finally arrived, the four Gryffindors did not stay in the Great Hall the whole time like the rest of the school. Instead, they made a quick appearance before sneaking out as much food as they possibly could.
"Remind me," said Ron, swallowing the roll he had stuffed in his mouth, "where are we going again?"
"The boat house," said Alexis.
"Why?"
Alexis grinned, stopping before the portrait of Percival Pratt.
"It's a surprise," she said before looking at the portrait and saying, "this password is absurd."
The passageway swung open, allowing the four Gryffindors entrance. Grinning wildly, Alexis led her friends inside the dark boathouse.
"I'm back!" Alexis called into the silence, stepping a considerable distance from her friends. "And I brought steak!"
Alexis didn't know if it had been Hermione or Ron but one of them let out a shriek as a blur of black fur tackled her to the ground. Harry had immediately drawn his wand but lowered it when he heard Alexis laughing.
A monster of the dog was licking her face happily.
"Here you go boy," cooed Alexis, pulling a nicely sized steak from her bag. The dog snatched it in his great jaws instantly. "I knew you'd like it."
Standing up, Alexis grinned at her three shocked friends.
"I got a dog!" she exclaimed proudly. "So what should I name it?"
Unfortunately, Alexis's excitement was only shared with one of her three friends: Harry. He was grinning ear to ear as the monster dog finished his steak and started nudging him fondly. Harry immediately started petting him.
"Can we share him?" Harry down right begged.
"Of course," said Alexis, joining in on the petting. She immediately went to behind the dog's right ear.
Ron on the other hand, was not greeted by the dog with as much fondness as Harry had.
"Bloody hell, Hex! You brought a Grim to Hogwarts!" Ron screamed in a fit of fear. He stumbled back as the dog moved towards him, it's sharp teeth very visible. "He's gonna eat me!"
"Don't be ridiculous, Tails," hissed Alexis, quite offended by Ron's words about her pet. "Though Grim is a good name, what do you think Prongs?"
Harry was still grinning ear to ear. It was quite obvious he liked his and Alexis's new dog.
"Grim is perfect, Padfoot," he said. He rejoined Alexis next to the dog and started petting him. The dog in return nudged his head into Harry's shoulder.
"Oh, guys," groaned Hermione, "don't do that, he's filthy! At least wash him first before- EWW! It's licking me!"
Alexis and Harry burst into laughter as Hermione wiped her saliva covered hand off on Ron's shoulder. Ron just stared at them in disbelief.
"Well, Grim seems to like you Moony," said Alexis with a chuckle.
"Great," Hermione replied sarcastically.
"Oh come on Hermione," teased Harry. "He's nothing but a big teddy bear."
A small growl escaped Grim's lips causing Harry and Alexis to laugh.
"Careful, Prongs," laughed Alexis. "Grim here is offended. You might want to apologize."
"Sorry, boy," said a smiling Harry. "Will you ever forgive me?"
Grim nudged his head into Harry as if to give him a hug which Harry embraced and a small bark in her direction told Alexis to join in.
"I'd say your forgiven, Harry," teased Alexis, not letting go of Grim or Harry.
"Well I'm glad you two have a pet now," grumbled Ron sourly, "yours at least won't be eaten."
"Will you give it a rest, Ronald!" Hermione hissed. "Crookshanks did not eat you rat!"
Apparently, Scabbers had gone missing on Halloween. Alexis didn't exactly understand why it had to be Crookshanks fault but she kept her mouth shut, as did Harry, as they continued their way to their afternoon classes. When they finally had to head separate ways, Harry, Hermione, and Ron down stairs to Potions while Alexis to Divination, Hermione and Ron had completely ceased talking to each other.
Somehow, Alexis was completely okay with that.
"Why are they always arguing?" she sighed aloud.
'Not every relationship works like yours and Harry's, Hex,' replied McPherson.
"How-"
Alexis froze in the hall. Straining her ears, she could hear two hushed tones arguing around the corridor. Almost immediately, Alexis drew closer.
'Curiosity killed the cat, Hex,' warned McPherson.
'Then go bother McGonagall,' Alexis snapped back. She remembered when she had first met the Transfiguration Professor that she had shown Alexis that her Animagus formed a cat.
"You will not tell her, Draco," stated the voice of Lucius Malfoy. "Am I clear?"
Alexis peeked her head around the corner to see he and Draco were standing alone, both with their arms crossed. Draco nodded his head slowly but submissively to his father.
"But can't Severus tell her?" Draco asked. "She's going to find out eventually now that half of the Slytherin house knows, he might as well tell her."
Lucius laughed softly but genuinely at his son.
"Dear Severus was never good with two things, Draco: talking to children and telling people the truth. He's not going to betray Dumbledore's trust either. As for your housemates, tell them to remain silent or they will get the same punishment as Marcus."
"Yes father," said Draco. He looked at Lucius mildly confused. "Father?"
"Yes Draco?"
Alexis didn't have to look to know Draco was shifting almost uncomfortably. He could argue, debate, and threaten with the best of them even at his age but not his father. Draco had too much respect for him- that or Lucius was the only person Draco respected (not that it mattered to Alexis).
"Why can't you tell Alexis?" Draco asked in a calm voice.
Lucius sighed through his nose.
"Because I, as well as everyone there, swore an Unbreakable Vow never to reveal what happened thirteen years ago. People like your mother and Severus had enough common sense to figure out Alexis's heritage on their own. Not that it was difficult, son. She looks exactly Iike her mother."
With those words Alexis snuck away, her heart beating fast as she climbed the stairs to her tower classroom.
"Is that why you never told me?" Alexis asked aloud. "They made you swear not to?"
McPherson answered her with silence.
"I understand, Tom."
Suddenly full of a new amount of gusto, Alexis grinned wickedly to herself. The pieces of her past were falling together finally and now it seemed only one thing stood in the way of her discovering her heritage.
"One, two, Snape, I'ma comin' for you..."
Sorry it took me so long lovelies. I had trouble with the Malfoy scene to no end.
It should be verified that yes my Sirius Black is insane but I do not think he is OOC. I feel like if he had ran into a his cousin's look-a-like, never knowing that Bellatrix had given birth to a child, he would act a little mental because he thinks he's mental (Sirius: A young Bellatrix? Oh, Azkaban is finally catching up with me... Oh well, might as well laugh)
Anyway, what are your opinions on my Sirius Black? As you can see, I want him to appear a lot more in the Alexis Lestrange series then the HP series. And how did we feel about Swine in this chapter? Love? Hate? Confused? Good!
ThatOneGirlNoOneNotices: Dude thanks for the review BTW you and Luna the HP fan may be on the same wave link. You both said it would be hilarious if Sirius's first words were "thanks for the butterbeer."
phoenixfelicis07: "oh the irony in your first sentence shall be seen in chapters to come" -Trelawney
I know Alexis learned Remus's secret pretty fast and the reason behind that will be hinted at (but not explained) in chapters to come.
I also hope I've given you enough Sirius in this chapter to satisfy you until I find another time for him to slip in (because there will be more Sirius and all his Siriusnessness... Yes, I had to say that)
And I what I meant but "I promise at least one very dramatic change near the end of this story" I mean Alexis Lestrange and the Grim. BE WARNED this change may cause you to hate me, love me, or be indifferent. It really depends on your character preference
mwinter1: and more you have now
NeverBeyondRedemption: I would have updated quicker but I spent the weekend with my uncles and didn't have any internet (but the chapter was done Friday night, Saturday morning)
Luna the HP fan: You, my lovely, being the amazing review that you are that will review chapters even if another one has already been added, will be getting something special in the next chapter. Now I only hope it is worthy of your level of awesomeness (my father calls me asskisser, just throwing that out there...) btw that was a very accurate Moody that shall be seen in later time
Sorry for any Kingsley fans who were expecting more of him. He'll make another appearance before his technical debut in OotP promise (unless I forget and then I'll apologize to no end).
Quick note, please all of you that haven't voted please vote on who you think is Alexis's father on my profile poll. (Quit voting for Lucius, it's not going to be him you sick, twisted... lovely reviewers)
Review!
DCF