Alexandra Potter

Chapter Eleven: Firsts and Lasts

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The Enchanter's Duel between Alex and Hermione quickly became part of Hogwarts legend. Nonetheless, several weeks later everything had returned to normal – more or less. It was time, Alex had decided, to keep her head down. She'd had enough of the spotlight for one term. So she increased her reading and decreased her profile, choosing to sit at the back of every class.

Hermione still hadn't returned, having been transferred to St. Mungo's Hospital. Her empty seat in Transfiguration was impossible for Alex to ignore, the silence around it louder than any bell. Sometimes she would catch herself staring at it mid-class, her work forgotten, the image of Hermione's ruined face stuck in her mind.

After several days of feeling rather lonely, Alex started talking with Lily again. If she had noticed Alex's sudden absence from her life, she didn't mention it, accepting Alex back into her company without comment. That was the thing with Lily, Alex realised: she was the kind of easy-going friend who was justfun- but not the kind you told your secrets to.

Following Lily's advice, Alex tried to make more time for Draco, but privacy was surprisingly hard to find. By the time the Quidditch game against Montery Hall came around – the last day of the winter term – they still hadn't kissed, and Alex was beginning to get impatient. With Lily egging her on every couple of days, she was determined to get a kiss before he left for Christmas.

"Draco!" she called, pushing her way through the bustling Entrance Hall. As soon as lunch had finished, the inevitable end-of-term chaos reigned: everyone was meant to be making their way down to the gatehouse, but no one seemed to be in charge. Montery Hall was arriving at two o'clock and the whole school was to meet them at the gates. The match was quite the event in the Hogwarts calendar, so the castle was full to bursting, packed with visiting parents, journalists and even politicians.

"Alexandra!" said Draco as she approached, and it was then she noticed he wasn't alone. A pair of adults were with him, standing with their backs to her. Both of them were tall, immaculately dressed, and had white-blond hair.Oh no...They turned to face her, and she knew who they were without needing to be told. The resemblance was striking.

"Ah, the young Lady Potter," said Mr Malfoy, inclining his head ever so slightly, his eyes fixed on her scar. He had long hair, tied back in a ponytail with a black ribbon, and was extremely handsome, with a strong jaw and straight-edged nose. But his most striking feature couldn't be seen: it was his voice. Refined and precise, it had a clipped quality to it and, though he spoke slowly, every word sounded heavy with deliberation.

"Lord Malfoy," said Alex, curtsying. It was not a familiar movement. "Lady Malfoy."

"So polite!" said Mrs Malfoy, offering her a small smile. She was absolutely stunning. A woman in her prime, she could have walked straight off a catwalk. But there was a certain hardness about her, Alex thought. Her jaw and brow had the sharp, delicate lines of a model, not the soft curves of a mother.She seemed so... glamourous. "But please, call me Narcissa."

"Lucius," said Mr Malfoy, before gesturing at the clock with his cane. It had a silver snake's head at the top, but he held it by the shaft. "Your appearance is well-timed - we were just about to depart for the gate."

"And of course you must accompany us," said Narcissa, holding out her arm. "Draco's been telling usallabout you in his letters."

Alex glanced at Draco, pleased. "I'd love to," she said, and she took Narcissa's offered arm.I wonder what he's been telling them.

"Would you, Lucius?" said Narcissa, glancing at the hubbub between them and the entrance.

"Certainly," he said, and he whipped his wand out of his cane.

BANG!

The Hall fell silent. All eyes turned to the source of the sound.

"Montery Hall shall arrive in ten minutes," he said, addressing everyone. "I suggest we make our way to the gates without delay."

Hissuggestionwas obeyed instantly. In that moment Alex knew that all the talk of Lucius Malfoy's money was only half-true: even penniless, the man's natural dignity and poise would command respect. He slid his wand back into his cane. "Shall we?"

December in Scotland was not warm. Though it wasn't yet cold enough for snow, the wind was biting. Alex shivered the moment they passed out of the castle, and pulled out her wand. She remembered her manners just in time.

"Can I offer anyone a warming Charm?" she said.

"No, thank you," said Narcissa, lifting her wrist for Alex to see. She was wearing a silver Charm bracelet - no doubt one of the many Charms was for the cold.

"But I'm sure Draco would be most grateful," said Lucius. Alex looked to Draco, who shrugged.

"Don't shrug, Draco," said Lucius. Draco's cheeks went pink.

"Calortendo," said Alex, flicking the wand at both Draco and herself. A pleasant warmth surrounded her, turning the chilling wind into a summer's breeze.

"Thank you," said Draco, and he walked around so that he was next to her.

"A fine Charm," said Lucius, who had watched her casting closely. "You changed the second movement - why?"

"If you don't, you only warm the person," said Alex, not sure if she was being tested. "You have to loosen the object to include the air around you if you want to avoid the wind too."

Narcissa raised her eyebrow and glanced at Lucius. "Perhaps your criticisms of Dumbledore are ill-conceived, husband," she said. "Hogwarts' tuition has evidently improved since our time."

Criticisms of Dumbledore? Who would criticise Dumbledore?

Mr Malfoy his wife an amused look. "Perhaps," he allowed, "or perhaps young Alexandra is a budding Swann."

"She is," said Draco, "she's top of the year. You know she can actually do-"

"No need to gossip!" said Alex, seeing where he was going. Her 'ability' to perform Human Transfiguration featured in many a rumour, but no one ever guessed she was a metamorphmagus. And why would they? There were fewer than five of them in the whole world, from what Alex could find. Still, she never felt comfortable with the topic, and not just because Hermione almost died.

"Ah, yes," said Lucius, looking at Alex speculatively. "The Transfiguration incident."

"You know about that?" said Alex, dismayed.

"As one of Hogwarts' Governors, I make it my business to know all that occurs here," he said. "It was an unfortunate accident, certainly. Yet nonetheless impressive."

"You've clearly inherited your parents best traits," said Narcissa.

"And - hopefully - discarded the worst," added Lucius.

"You knew my parents?" said Alex. "Draco never said!" The Malfoys exchanged an unreadable look.

"We were... acquainted," said Narcissa, "but not close."

They walked in silence for a moment or two, and Alex took the chance to think hard about whether she was awake or dreaming. It was part of somniamancy - the first step was to become self-aware during a dream, which meant constantly questioning if you were really awake, until it became a habit.

Alex turned to Draco.

"So, Draco," she said, giving him an evil grin, "what have you been writing about me in all those letters?" Draco went rather red and glanced nervously between his parents. His mother came to his rescue.

"Well, he spoke extensively of your beauty," she said, "but I must admit, his words did not do you justice."

Her words filled Alex with warmth - a kind of happiness that seemed to begin in her toes and spread upwards. "You said I'm beautiful?" she said to Draco. No one had ever called herbeautifulbefore. If they weren't with his parents she would've kissed him there and then.

Draco looked down at his feet and mumbled something, before Lucius used his cane to lift Draco's chin. "I believe we've spoken of navel-gazing, Draco," he said. Alex suddenly became rather conscious of her own head position - she too had been looking at the ground as they walked.

The path approached the gatehouse, where parents and students had gathered on both sides, forming a human tunnel through which Montery would enter. Though they were still some way from the edge of the crowd, the Malfoys stopped walking, hanging back.

"Here they come," said Narcissa, pointing to the gate.

It became clear very quickly that Montery Hall was a much larger school than Hogwarts. They came and they came, hundreds upon hundreds of them, entering the grounds to light applause.

"There's so many of them!" Alex said. "I had no idea... just how bigisMontery Hall?"

"Three times as large as Hogwarts," said Lucius, "they accept all kinds."

"Wow," said Alex. As the visitors got closer - they were heading for the Quidditch pitch - Alex's first impression was that they were all rather... scruffy. Muggle clothes were mixed in with their uniforms. And no one seemed to be wearing their robes correctly: buttons were undone that were meant to be closed, and more than a few girls were walking around without any kind outer robe.

The passed by noisily, joking and shouting. Many of them were pointing at the castle beyond, and Alex felt a certain pride at that.

"Completely different to Hogwarts, of course," added Narcissa. "It's a rare thing for a Montery student to gain an OWL. Their education is somewhat more practical."

"I've heard Nimbus actually have a training programme there," said Draco.

"The Ministry, Nimbus, and a dozen other companies besides," said Lucius, "unfortunately for us, that includes Quidditch teams."

"Is that why they always beat us?" Alex asked, and Narcissa laughed - a very musical sound.

"They have so little," said Lucius. He was smiling, but there was a tightness to it. "We must allow them something."

The Montery Quidditch team entered last. Wearing striped robes of blue and white, when they stepped through the gate the polite applause transformed into true cheers. A proper welcome.

"You two should find a good spot," said Narcissa, looking over to the stadium. "It's been enlarged, but you'll want to be at the front."

"Where are you sitting?" asked Draco.

"In the Headmaster's box, with the other Governors," said Lucius. "Now run along - and pay attention, Draco. You can learn much from watching Montery play, if you wish to join the team next year."

"It was nice to meet you, Sir, Ma'am," Alex said, curtsying once more.

"And you, Alexandra," said Narcissa. "I look forward to our next meeting."

Alex let her hand slide into Draco's - a familiar habit, now - and they headed for the stadium, mixing in with the unruly Montery students. A fight broke out further down the path; a harried looking adult pushed through the jeering students to break it up.

"Muggle duelling," sniffed Draco, "it's like they're not even wizards." Alex hummed in agreement - she couldn't remember a single example of a physical fight at Hogwarts.

The stadium loomed ahead. Narcissa was right: it had been significantly enlarged. A whole second ring had been added. Standing on stilts, it joined up with the inner ring, providing bleachers for hundreds.

"That wasn't there yesterday," said Alex, having to speak loudly over the noise of the crowd.

"McGonagall made it last night," said Draco - he always knew things like that. Where he heard it all, Alex didn't know, but he was rarely surprised by anything that happened at Hogwarts.

"Nice," said Alex, her opinion of McGonagall's skills going up once more. To conjure up a stadium overnight was no small feat. "I wonder what-"

"Alex!" Lily called, "wait up!" She ran to catch up with them, her face flushed with excitement. "I've been looking for youeverywhere. I saw him! Right up close!"

"Saw who?" said Alex.

"... and their captain, ERIC SWIFT!"

A tall, dark haired boy swaggered onto the pitch; the stadium went wild. He raised his arms to welcome the cheers, and Alex noticed he wasn't even carrying a broom.

"There he is!" shouted Lily as she jumped up, straining to see the star over the group of 7th years in front. Draco was more reserved, but he too was leaning forward eagerly.Not you too, Alex thought. She really didn't understand all the fuss over Swift. He wasn't even that handsome.

"You know," Draco said "I heard that Puddlemere are going to sign him for-"

"Oh my god!" said Lily. Swift had stretched an arm out and, without speaking a word, without a wand in sight, a broom sailed out of the tunnel into his waiting hand.

Thatmade Alex sit up. Wandless magic like that - it was beyond anything she'd ever seen.

"How'd he do that?" she said.

"Who cares!" shouted Lily.

"You haven't seen anything yet," said Draco, flashing her a grin. He was happy that she was interested, Alex realised.Perhaps I'll pay a bit more attention.

The two teams gathered in the centre of the pitch in two semi-circles, with the referee - an aging black man - in the centre.

"And the players line up around the referee, Urquhart Pyre," said the commentator, his voice thin and reedy over the megaphone. Lee Jordan had been replaced for this important match, with Radio Minus Five's commentators taking over. The match was to be broadcast all over Britain. "As usual, today's referee has been graciously provided by the International Quidditch Association and their sponsors, the West Africa Trading Company."

Polite applause for the referee followed, and Alex mockingly turned her applause towards Draco, who inclined his head in an imitation of his father. He'd mentioned it enough times for Alex to remember: the West Africa Trading Company was the source of much of the Malfoy's wealth.

Pyre exchanged words with the teams, too quiet for the stands to hear, and a sickle was tossed. Swift pointed towards the opposite end of the pitch, and the teams switched sides.

"And here we go!" called the commentator, and Pyre blew his whistle, throwing the Quaffle into the air. The teams shot up after it, but all eyes were on Swift.

He did not disappoint.

It was like watching an adult among children. An athlete among cripples. Swift didn'tridehis broom. He merely held it in one hand and rocketed into the air, one foot braced against the shaft. He was the first to the quaffle, grasping it in one hand, before dancing his way through the Hogwarts chasers, spinning and twisting around each of them in turn.

Ding!

"And Swift scores before the Hogwarts keeper even reaches the hoops! Ten-nil to Montery Hall!"

Darco brought his hands to his face, groaning. For her part, Lily seemed somewhat divided between loyalty to Hogwarts and admiration of Swift.

"Wow," said Alex, her eyes fixed on the game. Swift had the quaffle again, having snatched it from right under Flint's nose. "He's better than everyone else put together," she said, "it's like he barely needs the broom to fly."

Ding!

"He's practically pro already," said Draco as the quaffle went back into play.

"This is how they play in the leagues?" said Alex. "Maybe we could go see a match, sometime."

"Count on it," said Draco.

"It looks like Diggory's seen the snitch!" said the commentator. For a moment, everyone forgot about Swift as the two seekers launched themselves towards the Headmaster's box. Alex squinted - she couldn't see the gold ball anywhere.

"There it is!" said Draco, leaning in to her and pointing so she could look down his arm. "Moving down the side."

"I see it!" said Alex, leaning forward - Diggory and the Montery seeker were neck and neck.

"Diggory's got the edge!" said the commentator, and Alex gripped Draco's hand. If Diggory caught the snitch now, Hogwarts would win!

But then Swift was there, outstipping both seekers.

"Can he - ?" said Alex.

"No!" said Draco, and Swift gave the snitch a mighty kick, sending it hurtling away from Diggory. "Foul!" shouted Draco, jumping to his feet.

Pyre's whistle blew, but the snitch was gone.

"And Swift is sent to the sin bin for five minutes for an open foul," said the commentator as Angelina Johnson took the penalty, "remember folks, only seekers can handle the snitch! Penalty to Hogwarts... and Angelina Johnson finally gets them into the points! Right through the left hoop! Hogwarts has five minutes to score as many points as they can, before Swift rejoins the game..."

And yet, even a player down, Montery were far from defeated. They made the Slytherin team look like fairies, so dirty was their play - always just toeing the rules, they used violence to fill the gap left by Swift.

"Surely this is cheating," said Alex as the Montery chasers and beaters teamed up on Wood. They lined up the quaffle and a bludger - Wood bit the bullet, blocked the quaffle, and took the bludger to his face. His nose was completely squashed and bloody, but he was still conscious.

"This is Quidditch!" said Draco, clapping Wood enthusiastically. "This is what it's all about!"

"And that's five minutes! Eric Swift re-enters the game with the score tied at forty to forty! Hogwarts better catch the snitch soon!"

The tide of the game turned immediately. The Montery keeper passed the quaffle straight to Swift, who used it to block one bludger before ducking under another. Flint shouted something, and grabbed a bat from one of the Weasley twins.

Aled frowned. "What is he...?"

Swift was past Johnson and Davies, but Flint was still between him and the hoops. The burly Slytherin shot right at him, brandishing the bat. Swift waited for the last moment - he threw the quaffle upwards, before diving down; Flint swung the bat, but Swift wasn't there anymore - he was the other side of Flint, catching the quaffle again, before using his feet to launch off Flint's back towards the hoops.

What Swift hadn't seen - what none of them had noticed, so absorbed were they in Flint's display - was Cedric drifting towards the Montery hoops.

"There he goes again!" shouted the commentator, right as Cedric darted forwards. He was well clear of the Montery seeker, who was having to dodge a bludger.

"Yes!" said Draco, jumping to his feet once more, egging Cedric on. "Yes, yes, yes!"

Ding!Swift scored another 10 points, but no one was paying attention.

"Diggory catches the snitch!"

As one, Hogwarts leapt to their feet - Alex included - and roared their approval as Cedric circled the stands, his fist held aloft, the fluttering wings of the snitch held tightly within.

"We won!" shouted Draco, grinning at Alex, his eyes alive, and she kissed him.

At first he didn't respond, but then he was kissing her back, their lips locking and breaking several times. A chorus of teasing 'ooh's came from around them, and Alex could feel Draco smiling against her lips. It was a nice feeling. She leaned her head to the side - her nose was in the way - and gave him one last, deep, kiss, pushing hard into him, before pulling away.

We have to do that again, she thought, a smile creeping across her face at Draco's stunned expression.I hope I did it right. She looked at her boyfriend uncertainly and licked her lips.Lily always talks about using your tongue - was I meant to use my tongue?

"Um," she said, not sure how to continue. Luckily, Draco had a pretty good idea.

He kissed her again.

Dear Alexandra,

I hope this letter finds you well. Heracles knows the way to Hogwarts well - mother is always writing me, as you know.

I've only been here four days and I'm already board. Well, it was good to ride a broom again, but father is always in town. I don't know what he does all day - it's not like he has a job. And mother is always busy with the foundation.

So I'm left here alone, most of the time. I don't really know what to do with myself. I've had to entertain several callers who turned up unannounced - honestly, they don't have any manners! Madam Framling actually brought that disgusting dog of hers with her. But they're all after the same thing - information about the ball. Who's coming, who isn't, the theme... it's enough to drive me mad.

I wish you could come, but the invites were sent out a year ago. You'll have to come next year, though. We can be board by the whole thing together. Do you dance?

Please reply soon - a letter would make my day a lot more interesting. Nott's coming over on Friday, which I suppose is something, but you know how he is. He'll probably just want to pester the Elves all day. Vince and Greg are coming on Saturday, thank god.

How's Hogwarts? I heard Daphne decided to stay, for some reason. Have you seen her? Are you still hanging around with the Lestrange girl? Father told me to avoid her - her parents were both Death Eaters, you know. In Azkaban. But really, the girl is so rude that avoiding her is easy. I don't think she has any friends at all - well, I suppose now she has you.

Anyway, I have to go and make sure Dobby's feeding the Hippogriffs right. I swear that elf was dropped on his head as a child.

With affection,

Draco

P.S. Heracles will wait for your reply. I know you don't have a messenger bird.

Dear Draco,

You owe me a jar of glitter! Heracles decided it was food when he delivered your letter. If he experiences "rash, itching, or spontaneous combustion" he should visit his family healer, so be on the lookout

I'm sorry to hear you're bored (yes, bored - notice the spelling). If I had access to the Malfoy library, I know it would take me years to get bored! Didn't you say you actually have a full collection of Proceedings? AND a first edition Obliviation. But it's good that you're practicing your flying. I bet Cedric isn't going to know what hit him (don't tell anyone I said that. House loyalty and everything).

To be honest, Hogwarts sounds about as exciting as Malfoy Manor right now - only we don't have a ball to look forward to (I'd love to come next year by the way, and no, I don't know how to dance). At least I get to avoid the dreaded Madam Framling. As you can probably guess, I'm mostly reading. There's something new I'm working on - maybe I'll show you when you get back, if I've got the hang of it. It's kinda tricky.

What else am I doing? I've gone swimming a few times (did I tell you Hufflepuff has a pool?). I'll be going to Hogsmeade this weekend, too. Looking forward to it - I've got lots of presents to buy!

To answer your questions: yes, Daphne is at Hogwarts. I don't know why - like she'd tell me! But it is strange. Doesn't she have a little sister? I'm avoiding her, mostly. For now. The thing I mentioned before, that I'm working on - if I get it right, Daphne's got something special heading her way. I haven't forgotten October.

I'm not sure if I'd call Astrid my friend. We hang out in the library together, sometimes, but like you say, she's not very friendly. I don't think she likes me much. But sometimes you just don't want to be alone, you know? And Dumbledore (cat version) is always off hunting. So Astrid it is!

Write me again soon! And less formally!

I often remember the last day of term. I can't wait for you to come back.

Alexandra

xxx