THIRD YEAR
"𝖤𝗑𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗈 𝖯𝖺𝗍𝗋𝗈𝗇𝗎𝗆!"
—ALEXANDRIA ROLLED HER EYES WHEN SHE NOTICED HER FATHER'S LOOK. "I can't." She said, avoiding eye contact and looking around the busy platform. They were on Platform 9¾, since it was September 1st, meaning it was now Alexandria's third year.
"Lex, I know this is hard for you, but they already—"
"You've said that a thousand times just this week." She complained impatiently.
"Then you will do well to remember it," said Tom sternly, sighing when she frowned. "Lex, just lie low for a while."
"But you're saying to put my daggers away! I can't do that!"
"And that's because they know that the Fawleys were killed with daggers. Alexandria, this is for your own good. The light side might be powerless, but they're not dumb. Even I have to admit that Dumbledore is going to realize that you had something to do with the family's death, and they already know about Ava being alive, so if they take you.." he shook his head at the end, unable to even think about what might happen. "I just don't want—"
"Want to lose me, I know." His daughter cut him off and sighed. "I won't make any promises, but I'll try."
Tom had to refrain from rubbing his forehead to ease the headache he was having. "It's better than nothing, I suppose."
Alexandria's frown went away when he kissed her forehead.
"Owl me soon."
"Yes, father."
♡
Alexandria was walking through the many compartments on the train when she was pulled into one, making her pull out a dagger instinctively.
She glared at the person immediately, who held his hands up in surrender, showing that he meant no harm.
"I just have to talk to you," said Harry Potter, sitting down in the empty compartment, motioning for her to do so as well.
The girl obeyed, but was still glaring at him. "What do you want, Potter?"
"She's alive." He said, voice laced with happiness. "Ava's alive."
"..and what do I have to do with this?"
"I need your help," said Harry, running his hands through his messy hair. "We know that she's alive, but we don't know where she is. You can help me, Slytherin. I know you can."
"What makes you think that I want to help you?" She scoffed and stood up, but was stopped by the boy.
"Remember when you said 'I hope you find her one day' the first time we met? Please.. please help me. I can't live with myself knowing that she might be in danger."
"You've done it for 12 years. Keep it up." Alexandria rolled her eyes, trying to get out of the compartment, but was stopped once again.
"I'm begging you, Slytherin. Just once. I know you're not as you seem. I know you want to help—"
"No, I don't!" She immediately denied, pushing him aside. "And I couldn't care less about your family drama, Potter."
Harry frowned sadly as she walked away.
♡
"Oh, we were planning to send a search party to look for you," said Pansy as she hugged her best friend, who just walked into their compartment.
Daphne shook her head at her ridiculousness and joined in on the hug. "Ignore her, Dria."
"I was late for 5 minutes." Alexandria stated as they pulled away, rolling her eyes fondly.
"Exactly! She almost killed me!" Pansy pointed to Daphne, who was straightening out her skirt.
"I made her read."
"Understandable," said the Slytherin heiress sarcastically.
♡
Alexandria immediately tensed when the train started getting cold. "What's happening?"
"I'll have a look—"
"Sit down, Daph. I'll check," said Pansy, blocking Daphne's way as she stepped out of the compartment.
"So?" asked Daphne when Pansy came back, looking horrorstruck.
"Dementors."
They didn't have much time to contemplate what Pansy had said, since their compartment door suddenly started opening and a decayed hand showed itself.
For the first time ever, Alexandria had to conjure what was considered to be a light charm. One of the things she hated and wasn't really good at because of her dark core. However, all this specific light charm needed was a happy memory, which was why people with a dark or neutral core could still do it.
Alexandria immediately stood up and pulled out her wand, not knowing if her spell was going to work or not, but still giving it a try. "Expecto Patronum!" She exclaimed.
A basilisk patronus burst out of her wand, which made the dementor leave immediately.
"A basilisk?" asked Daphne in awe.
"Are we really surprised?" Pansy rolled her eyes with a small smile.
Alexandria sighed and asked what they were really thinking of, "What the hell is a dementor doing on the train?"
"We'll find out soon, I suppose."
♡
When the new first-years were finally sorted, Dumbledore stood up with his regular grandfatherly smile, which made Alexandria grimace.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast.." The headmaster started, " As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."
"Ministry of Magic business—?" Alexandria whispered, but then stopped as everything started dawning on her.
They were here searching for Ava Potter.
But honestly.. dementors?!
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises - or even Invisibility Cloaks. It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors." continued Dumbledore. "On a happier note, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Black, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Remus Black stood up over the applause and gave them all a kind smile, which slightly vanished when he made eye contact with a shocked-looking Harry, but it came back when he made eye contact with his goddaughter.
"As to our new appointment, well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none another than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
"Hagrid?" repeated Pansy incredulously. "That blubbering oaf? Does he think that a guy who never even finished school can teach?"
"Well, I think that's everything of importance. Let the feast begin!" finished Dumbledore.
Alexandria put some food on her plate and started to eat along with everybody else.
"Let's just give him a chance, Pansy." Daphne said, noticing Pansy's troubled look.
"A chance, Daph?" scoffed the Slytherin heiress. "That oaf got his wand snapped on his third year. He's not even allowed to do magic."
"How do you know that? I've never heard of it."
Alexandria shrugged. "I've got my ways."