Quick note: this entire chapter was typed on my cell phone because my WiFi Shut off and I wanted to post it. Sorry for any mistakes
Enjoy!
3 Chapter 19: Secrets Told and To Be Told
Alexis found school year going by quickly with her now very busy schedule. Slytherin had beaten Ravenclaw in their Quidditch match, meaning Gryffindor would move up to second place if they beat Ravenclaw in their next game. This of course was a good thing but it also made Wood increase the number of practices the team had each week. Add Remus's anti-Dementor training once a week, and Alexis and Harry both only had one day to get all of their class work done.
Hermione and Ron still weren't talking to each other. Hermione had even taken to sitting with Fred and George while Ron occupied the four former best friends usual seats at breakfast. The morning of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw game was no exception.
However, Alexis had been more focused on not laughing at Wood's reaction to Harry and her Firebolts to notice her two other best friends ignoring each other.
The whole team, along with several other students, had surrounded them the moment Alexis and Harry walked into the Great Hall, brooms hanging on their shoulders.
"F-f-fire.." stuttered Wood, his eyes wider than saucers. Alexis and Harry held their Firbolts proudly in front of him. "Two, two- on my team! I- we- I..."
"I think Oliver might faint, George," chuckled Fred.
"Nicely done, you two," praised George.
"Firebolts!" Wood finally blurted out.
"We know, Oliver," said Alicia and Angelina together.
"Merlin's beard!"
Alexis glanced over at Harry. Like Alexis, he too was grinning ear to ear. Behind him, Alexis caught sight of Draco who nodded approvingly at her. Even Cedric, much to Cho and her minion's dismay, came over to admire Alexis and Harry's new brooms. In fact, everyone had come over to admire Alexis and Harry's new Firebolts including several of the teachers.
"There's no way we can't win now!" exclaimed Angelina jumping up and down in the locker room.
"Unless the Dementors-"
"Don't sweat, Oliver," said Alexis. "Harry and I can handle them now."
Harry nodded his head in agreement. The last few practices with Remus both Alexis and Harry, though Harry's were far better, had been able to cast nearly full Patronuses. Alexis had even stopped hearing McPherson's death play again and again in her ears though Harry hadn't been as fortunate.
"Then men-"
"-And women-" added Alicia and Angelina.
"- let's go win this for Gryffindor!" cried Wood and the whole team marched out of the locker room.
The Ravenclaw team was already waiting for them, sharing nervous glances between each other and the Firbolts. Cho, the Ravenclaw team Seeker, smiled at Harry before sending Alexis a cold look. Alexis merely rolled her eyes, not caring the slightest that Cho still hated her.
"On my whistle," called Madame Hooch. "Three. Two. One."
The whistle sounded and they were off. Alexis, already being the fastest flier on the pitch without a Firebolt, took off like a perfectly shot arrow towards the Ravenclaw's goals. She scored twice before anyone knew what had happened.
"And Hex has now scored twice on the Ravenclaws," said the twins' friend Lee Jordan in the commentary. "She and Harry are both flying Firebolts for Gryffindor. According to Which Broomstick, the Firebolt's going to be the broom of choice for the national teams at this year's World Championship-"
"Jordan, would you mind telling us what's going on in the match?" interrupted McGonagall's voice.
"Right, sorry Professor- just giving some background information -the Firebolt, incidentally, has a built in auto brake and-"
"Jordan!"
"Right! Okay, Hex passes the Quaffle to Alicia and Alicia passes it back..."
Quickly, Alexis dove out of the way, narrowly avoiding Davies, the Raveclaw team captain, before snatching the Quaffle out of the Chaser's hand and passing it to Angelina. Gryffindor was up fifty to zero when Alexis heard Wood yell at Harry.
"THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE A GENTLEMAN!" Wood howled as Harry narrowly missed colliding with Cho who had stopped right in front of him. "KNOCK HER OFF HER BROOM IF YOU HAVE TO!"
Alexis snorted, unable to control herself. She made another three points before catching sight of Harry diving. Cho was right on his tail when Harry suddenly pulled up and took off in another direction.
"Sneaky little-"
Alexis stopped mid sentence when she saw four hooded figures appeared on the pitch- Dementors, and they see right in front of Harry.
"Harry!" Alexis cried, carelessly tossing the Quaffle to Alicia (who scored easily). She was nose diving towards Harry but before she reached him a great white light erupted from Harry's wand and the Dementors stumbled to the ground.
"What?" cried Alexis, in surprise. "Dementors don't stumble."
However, Alexis didn't linger on this thought for Harry had caught the Snitch.
"And Gryffindor wins!" shouted Lee Jordan over the microphone.
Alexis came crashing down on Harry, tackling him into a hug. He stumbled, sending the two friends into the mud laughing.
"We won!" Harry exclaimed, still holding the Snitch and Alexis.
A giant smile fell on Alexis's face as she squeezed her best friend tightly. Harry returned the hug with an equal amount of mirth.
"Oi! Get a room!" shouted Fred and George in unison.
Immediately Alexis and Harry broke apart, equally glad their faces were smeared with mud as their team attacked them with a victory hug. The field was soon swarming with Gryffindor supporters as well.
"Bloody brilliant!" Ron yelled, pulling both Alexis and Harry into a hug. "Brilliant!"
"Well done, you two!" boomed Hagrid over the many students that encircled the team.
"Did you see the Dementors, Hex?" asked Harry, enthusiastically. "They didn't even effect me!"
"That's because they weren't Dementors," said a voice behind the two best friends. It was Remus Lupin. He had finally made his way through the crowd of Gryffindor fans. "Come see."
He motioned Alexis and Harry to follow him. Laying on there backs were Marcus Flint, Warrington, and and two other Slytherins Alexis remembered seeing Warrington speak to in Charms. They were dress in black robes similar to a Dementor's but theirs were covered in mud. Hovering over them with a look of pure anger on her face was McGonagall.
"They're gonna get it," sang Alexis. Both Remus and Harry grinned in agreement.
"Come on you two!" shouted Fred.
"Party in the Common Room!" added George. "Now!"
"Off you go," said Remus with a soft chuckle. "Who am I to deny the Gryffindors a party?"
Alexis and Harry shared a grin before running off. A celebration was over due.
.
Fred and George had not been kidding when they called for a party. The whole Gryffindor Tower was shaking with music, dancing, and celebrating all day and well into the night. Fred and George had disappeared for a couple hours before returning with a mountain of sweets and butterbeer, which they passed out unsparingly.
Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time- everyone besides Hermione. She was off in the corner of the Common Room reading a book entitled Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles.
"Did you even come to the match?" asked Harry. Alexis wanted to hit him for his lack of sense.
"Of course I did!" Hermione said defensively but not looking away from her book. "And I'm very glad we won, and I think you and Padfoot did really well, but I have to read this by Monday."
"But Moony," whined Alexis, making Hermione smile despite herself. "I want you to hang out with us!"
"I... I can't," said Hermione nearly hysterical. "Besides, he doesn't want me to."
By he, Alexis and Harry both knew she meant Ron, and almost by fate, Ron chose that exact moment to say loudly, "If Scabbers hadn't gotten eaten, he could be here, enjoying the festivities like he used to-"
Hermione burst into tears. She took off running with her book before either Alexis or Harry could stop her right outside the portrait.
"Damn it, Tails!" Alexis shouted loud enough that the whole Common Room fell silent.
"I'll go after her," offered Harry but Alexis stopped him.
"No, I got it. I need to be away from Ron or else I might hurt him."
With that, Alexis made her way out the portrait. Ever since the troll incident in first year, Hermione had taken to hiding in the closest abandoned class room whenever she was upset instead of the bathroom. It didn't take Alexis long to find her buried in her book with tears still streaming down her face.
"Hey," Alexis said softly.
Hermione made no recognition of her. She merely turned the page in her book.
"Ron was wrong to say that," Alexis continued. "We don't know for sure that Crookshanks ate Scabbers. He might have just run off for a bit."
"Precisely," said Hermione simply.
"Will you come back and celebrate with your friends now?"
"No."
Alexis blinked.
"No?" she repeated. "Why not?"
Hermione closed her book harshly, fresh tears filling her eyes.
"Because my friends keep secrets from me when I haven't ever done such a thing!" Hermione all but screamed. She broke down into tears again but allowed Alexis to comfort her. When her sobs finally lessened she spoke again.
"Why won't you tell me?" Hermione whispered. "Do you not trust me?"
"You know?" Alexis breathed.
"That you can do Legminency? That you talk to Tomas McPherson even though he's dead?" said Hermione. "Yes."
"How long?"
"Since first year," replied Hermione, sniffing softly. "It was a hunch really but at the end of second year I knew."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Hermione shrugged softly before saying, "I thought you'd tell me when you were ready like you did with Ron."
Alexis closed her eyes. She had been a horrible friend to Hermione. She knew Hermione would never betray her trust yet she had betrayed Hermione's by not sharing her secret with her as she had with Harry and Ron.
'I'm sorry, Hermione,' Alexis thought.
Hermione was startled slightly but smiled at Alexis.
"I forgive you," Hermione said aloud.
The two friends hugged each other tightly, giggling as they did.
"We're such dorks," laughed Alexis.
"I agree," said Hermione smiling.
"Are you ready to go back?" asked Alexis softly.
Hermione shook her head no but smiled at Alexis.
"Just give me a few more minutes," she said patting Alexis's back. "I'll meet you in the Common Room."
Hugging her friend once more, Alexis head out into the hall. She was just about to reach the portrait when it swung open revealing Fred with two butterbeers. He smirked at Alexis when she lifted her eyebrow at him.
"Thought our favorite bookworm might need a drink," he said casually. "Harry is waiting for you by the way."
"Thanks," said Alexis and without another word the two departed in opposite directions.
.
The party continued well into the night. Hermione had returned with Fred though she avoided Ron like the plague. Everyone seemed to have had a good time even when McGonagall sent them all to bed. Hermione had already gone to bed after giving Alexis a hug goodnight and Ron had fallen asleep on the table. Somehow, Alexis had convinced George to carry him to bed while she laid out on the couch.
"Aren't you going to bed, Padfoot?" asked Harry, stretching with a yawn.
"In a moment," yawned Alexis. "I'll head up once Fred and George bring me that butterbeer they promised me."
Rolling his eyes at his best friend, Harry made his way up the stairs to his dormitory. He had just disappeared out of view when Alexis closed her eyes sleepily. She had only meant to rest her eyes but soon found herself fast asleep and dreaming.
It was an odd dream too. She was running through the woods back where she and McPherson use to live, chasing after a strange black blur. It was very quick and kept disappearing from her view as she chased it. Finally she came to a clearing where the black blur was basking in sunlight. She covered her eyes to bloke out the light and squinted to see what it was and-
A hand clamped over Alexis's mouth, snapping her out of her dream. Her eyes opened wide and she sat up straight but something sharp poked her stomach. It was a wand.
"Don't scream," said a voice in Alexis's ear.
Slowly, Alexis turned her head to her left, her emerald eyes widening even more with what she saw.
"We need to talk, Alexis," said Sirius Black.
For some reason, Alexis found herself in no position to argue.
Who wants more Siriusness in this story *the lovelies all raise their hands and cry, "I do, I do!"* I wonder what will happen next! Anyway, quick Quidditch match and now Hermione knows (well, now Hex knows Hermione knows) that Alexis can use Legminency! Yeah! Everybody is in the loop! Except for Cedric... poor Edward...
So what do you think will happen next? What does Sirius have to say to Alexis? Why did he call her Alexis this time? Will all secrets be revealed!? Did I have too much sugar? One of these is a yes.
Now for the review responses:
mwinter1: Glad you understand! Hope you enjoy this little chapter!
Ingrid: I'm glad I'm not dead too! I can't wait to tell the rest of the story either!
tikitay13: I see where you're coming from but the Lestranges are famous for green eyes because they're a rare trait (only 6% of the world has Green eye) therefore Pureblood would deem it a certain family trait. It doesn't mean she is a Lestrange but it makes it a good bet (if you like to gamble on who a child's father is by her eye color).
Kuroi-Akuma-no-Okami: Yaaaaaayyy! A review xD hope you like this chapter too!
Luna the HP fan: I'm not sure which phrase you're talking about so please tell me. The memory from McPherson is just as confusing to you as it is for Hex but it will be explained later! Glad you liked the chapter though! Hope you liked this one!
pheonixfelicis07: I'm glad you like how I leave hints in earlier stories and chapters for things to come up later in the story. I've been waiting for this one since I started the story (just wait until you find out who the girl Tom couldn't save was). I'm glad to hear your opinion on Harry's Patronus! It's valid and I like how you mentioned if I decide to leave that in the story (it's like you know me or something ;P) Love the long reviews and hope you get this soon!
As always, please review!
DCF