Chapter 48
LB
Since Draco refused to go to the platform at the same time as Harry, we apparated to King's cross before them. Draco could be such a drama queen. We arrived later than last year, and the platform was already crowded. I glanced around the platform in search for a familiar face, but no such luck. A few of the younger ones from duelling class waved at me as they passed.
"I see Theo and Blaise." Draco said to his mother and kissed her cheek. "I'll see you at Christmas."
"If you want to come home that is." But she just smiled as Draco looked confused at her. Would it have anything to do with the tournament? "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, mother. Be safe." He added in a serious tone. He nodded at Remus before walking over to his friends.
"You'll keep an eye on him, right?" Aunt Cissy asked me, looking worried.
"You know I will." I smiled and pulled her in a hug. Her hugs were always warm. Most people think she's pretentious and sticks up her nose to everyone, but nothing could be farther from the truth. She was warm, honest, sweet and motherly. She's the closest thing I had to a mother growing up. "I'll miss you, Aunt Cissy."
"I'll miss you too, Alexandra." She kissed the top of my head. She patted my cheek softly before giving me and Remus a moment.
I wrapped my arms around Remus's waist as he circled his around me. "You'll be safe, alright? And keep Cissy safe."
"We'll keep her safe." He murmured in my hair.
"We?" I asked, pulling back with a quirked brow. "Who is this we?"
"I - uhm – well." Oh gods, Remus was blushing! "I just mean Sirius and me. He is her cousin."
"Right. I should get on the train." I said picking up my trunk. "See if I can find the twins."
"Alec." He said before I could step away. "You'll be safe, okay?"
"Safe?" I repeated with a frown, then it hit me. "Oh, de la Barre, Moony! What do you think I'm going to do?"
"Don't think I don't see how -" He stopped himself before he said. "How some boys look at you. And I won't be around now to look after you." He clenched his hand.
"Hey." I took his hands in mine, and they relaxed. "I'll be safe, don't worry. On all aspects." I smiled. "I know how to take care of myself. Don't forget, you're the one who raised me."
"I remember." He smiled. "Where are you going to sleep?"
"I haven't the foggiest." I chuckled. I saw Harry and Sirius walk through the wall, and they smiled as they walked towards us. I tugged his hand. "You'll be Safe too, right?"
Remus spluttered, turning red when I nodded towards the pair. "I - I." He cleared his throat. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Uhu. I won't mind, you know. I promise." I squeezed his hand tightly. "Just let me know when anything changes, alright."
"Yeah." He let go of one hand and rubbed his red tinged neck. I gave him a lopsided smile and leaned up to kiss his cheek.
"I'll write soon, and I'll see you at Christmas." He nodded, still in a daze, thinking things over. "I love you, Moony."
He came out of it and smiled broadly. "I love you too, cub." He said just when Sirius and Harry stopped next to us.
With a last squeeze of his hand, I let go and turned to Harry. "I'll see you on the train, Harry." I glanced to Sirius Black, gave a short nod before I walked up to the train. I heard Remus say to Sirius.
"Give her time."
LB
I pulled my trunk to the front of the train, until I reached the cab. Once I was inside, I glanced out the window and waved to the three of them, Harry must've boarded the train already. Remus and Narcisa looped their arms together, and my stomach twisted by the fact I won't see him for a long time. Even in Beauxbatons, I came over once a month. Maybe I'll find a way to do that this year too. With a sad smile, I saw them disappear from the platform. Once I saw a family of red heads appear through the wall, I ducked my head inside and started filling Oscar in about my summer.
The train ride went smoothly this year and before I knew it, we arrived at Hogwarts. In the past hours, I didn't leave the cab, Mary supplied me with candy while Oscar supplied me with stories. I knew Angelina and the others must've searched the train for me, but they'll see me soon. I was still a bit mad at Fred at what he said during the cup about Draco. I knew it was probably because he was scared, but still...
Oscar let me out of the train before the rest of the doors opened. I hid behind one of the trees before I turned into Loki. I saw the doors from the train open and the students filtered out. I bounced between the coaches as I trotted towards the castle. I may have four legs, but they were rather small, so I came in later then everyone except the first years. I turned back to myself in an alcove before slipping in the great hall.
My eyes found Draco first, and even though he had seen me enter the train, he looked relieved to see me. The same was with Harry's look. But what struck me the most was that Harry and Draco had shared a glance after they spotted me. I saw Angelina and the twins jump up when they saw me, so of course almost the whole great hall turned to me. With a smile and a little wave, I made my way to my friends. Angelina hugged me when I stopped next to her, before pulling me down next to her. On my other side sat Harry, across from me the twins and on Angelina's other side sat Lee. Before anyone could say anything, Harry tugged me closer.
"Where were you?" He whispered.
"I'll tell you later." I heard a door open. "Oh, look the first years are here."
I knew I was safe from further questions until dinner, and I focussed my attention on the new first years. I felt the twins' eyes on me the whole time but didn't turn to look at them. After the kids were sorted and dinner appeared, Hermione was the first one to speak.
"How come you were late, Alec?"
"Got caught up with Oscar." I said as I filled my plate.
"Who's Oscar?" The twins asked. I glanced at them for a moment before scooping up my plate with baked potatoes.
"The driver, he's a family friend."
"But why weren't you in one of the coaches, we were in the last one." Angelina asked.
"I-"
"Malfoy." Harry whispered softly next to me, giving me an excuse.
"I was sitting with Draco and the others."
"And Nott." Fred grumbled as he glared behind me to the Slytherin table.
"Right." I said with a small frown. "You know..." I said turning to Angelina. "I wonder where I'll be staying, because I think that Moody fellow is going to stay in my chambers from last year.
"You haven't heard anything yet?" She asked surprised and I shook my head, my curls flinging from left to right. "We'll ask the prefect after dinner or go to McGonagall."
"I've missed you." I nudged her with a smile.
"I've missed you." She bobbed my nose before we laughed.
LB
Angelina, Lee, and even Alicia talked about their summers, while they asked us about what happened at the world cup. Even though the night was terrible and horrifying, Harry could find something funny in the middle of it.
"Sirius is still miffed about it." Harry laughed, nudging my side.
"Miffed about what?" George asked.
"Didn't Charlie or Bill tell you? They were there." Harry choked out between laughs as he held his side. The twins shared a glance with raised eyebrows before they looked to Ron who shrugged.
"No, what did we miss?"
"Well, two death eaters found me and Draco not far from the forest line."
"Let me guess you knocked them down a peg?" Lee offered with a grin.
"Maybe?" I smiled. "Not all death eaters are smart. But just after I disarmed the second one, I heard someone else come closer. And well... I whirled around and hug that person upside down in the air."
"And that was Sirius Black?" Angelina looked shocked and the corners of her lips twitched up. I pursed my lips as I looked innocently at her. Then they all started laughing, I smiled a little as I ducked my head.
"He should've announced himself." I shrugged and the others just laughed harder. With a smile, I looked around the great hall. I saw Cedric digging into his pudding like a madman, I chuckled softly at that. Even though there was no chance he could hear me, he still looked up. He gave me a lopsided smile and I waved back. The twins stopped laughing and snapped their heads to the Hufflepuff table. He winked at me before turning back to his friends. After a second the twins turned back to me, just as dessert disappeared from the table. People were starting to stand up, but Dumbledore rose from his seat, making everyone still their movements.
"Before you go to your chambers and doze off, I have an announcement to make." The great hall went dead silent. "We have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event which has not been held for over a century. It is my great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."
"You're joking!" The twins shouted, and I laughed. I leaned my head on my hand as I was lost in thought as Dumbledore explained the rest of it. I was tired, and I was just starting to doze off when the twins shouted again.
"THAT'S RUBBISH!"
"Huh, what going on?" I asked with a little slur.
"Dumbledore said the tournament is only allowed for kids who are off age when the names are drawn, Oktober 31." Harry explained, looking at me funny.
"Oh." I said, closing my eyes again. Sometime later, Angelina nudged my shoulder. "Hm?"
"We can go up." She said.
I looked around and saw that more than half of the kids had already gone to their common rooms. I was walking with Angelina on one side and Harry on the other, the twins were behind me.
"You were sleeping." Lee stated from Angelina's side.
I leaned forward smiling. "That's what you do when you're tired."
"I know but Dumbledore just announced something exciting! And you were asleep!" Lee laughed.
"You didn't look surprised." Harry mused with a small frown. "You - did you know?"
Everyone stopped as they looked at me. I took another step before turning to face them. "I did."
"How?" They all chorused, even Hermione and Ron.
"Friends in high places?" I shrugged. "Look-" I began but was interrupted by one of the Gryffindors prefects.
"Alec?" Diego said politely.
"Yeah?" I turned to the seventh year with a blond buzz cut.
"Professor McGonagall informed me that you'll be staying in the seventh-year girls' dormitory, since Dorice is in the exchange program with Beauxbatons. Your things are already up there."
"Thanks, Diego."
"No problem. I hope that the duelling club is still on this year." He smiled already turning. "Oh, right and the password is Butterbeers." And he was gone.
"So, up to the common room then?" I grinned at the others. Angelina looped her arm through mine as we walked the staircase.
"So, is Jack coming to Hogwarts? Or any of your other friends?"
"I don't know, not all of them will be seventeen by then." I said, not seeing the twins' frown behind me. "I'm not expecting all of the students that are off age to come here, they'll probably do a selection. I'll write to him later, see if he knows anything."
"I hope he comes, I wonder what he looks like." Angelina grinned, pulling me closer to her.
"Butterbeers." Hermione said and the fat lady swung open.
"Alec." Fred's voice came behind me. "Can I talk to you?"
Angelina unwrapped her arm but looked at me for confirmation before she headed inside, leaving me alone with the twins in front of the portrait. George was leaning against the railing while Fred was nervously shuffling his feet. He looked adorable being that nervous. No, stop thinking like that! I clapped myself internally on the head.
"I'm so sorry about what I said after the cup. I didn't mean it, I promise I didn't mean it. I know the situation with Draco and his father isn't simple. And I know he isn't his father and since you came into our lives everything has just been better, not only for Draco but for us too." Fred rambled on.
He was just taking in a breath to ramble some more, but I just flung myself at him, wrapping my arms around him tightly. Because he didn't expect it, he nearly lost his footing. George had stepped in on time and placed his hand on Fred's back. Fred's arms were loose next to his sides for a second, before wrapping them around me.
"I forgive you." I looked up from his chest and offered him a small smile. His brown eyes were burning right through me, and I had to look away, I turned to George. I reached out for his hand, and he stepped closer wrapping his arm around me. "It was a scary night for all of us. I'm just glad we're all safe."
"Me too." They whispered against my hair before they kissed my temple.
"That night, was the worst night of my life." George said quietly. "Not knowing you were safe."
"I'm sorry."
The twins pulled back slowly. Fred had still an arm around me, while George cupped my cheek. His thumb grazed my cheek softly. It was the closest the three of us have been besides hiding in the alcove in the beginning of last year, and it send my heart and head in overdrive. "You've nothing to be sorry about, love. You were protecting your family."
"Huh-hum." A throat was cleared behind me. The three us jumped apart and looked at the Fat Lady. "I want to go to sleep, so in or out."
"Butterbeers." I said quickly and walked through the portrait hole, the twins on my heel. I told the others, who were plastered in front of the fire, that I was going to check on my new room before darting up the stairs. I ducked in the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face, breathing in deep. I glanced up to myself in the mirror. "You can't." I whispered. I can't fall for them! I thought to myself, but I knew it was already too late. "I need to distance myself, find other things that interest me." I said looking at my reflection. "Don't ruin the friendship you have with them."
With another splash of cold water in my face, I walked to my new room. I changed into my pyjamas before I re-joined the others. I laid down with my head in Angelina's lap in front of the fire as we talked. But not before long, I fell asleep in her lap as she combed her fingers through my hair.