The Gryffindor common room buzzed with energy as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Alexia gathered around the fireplace, discussing the upcoming Triwizard Tournament task. Harry, his face lit up with excitement, announced triumphantly, "I've cracked it! The clue in the egg—it's about something underwater."
Ron's eyes widened in disbelief, while Hermione leaned forward eagerly. But it was Alexia's reaction that stole the show. Her expression shifted from curiosity to sheer panic in an instant, her eyes widening as she blurted out, "Water?!"
The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into laughter. Ron doubled over, clutching his stomach, while Hermione giggled behind her hand. Even Harry couldn't help but chuckle at Alexia's unexpected outburst.
"Are you serious?" Ron managed to choke out between laughs. "The girl who tames a giant three-headed dog is afraid of water?" Ron exclaimed incredulously, his eyes wide with amusement.
Alexia rolled her eyes, shooting him a playful glare. "Hey, that was different," she protested, though a hint of laughter danced in her eyes. "Fluffy wasn't so bad once you got to know him."
Hermione reached out to pat Alexia's arm reassuringly. "Don't worry, Alex," she said with a smile. "You're not the one going underwater."
"Thanks, that's helpful.", Harry says sarcastically while rolling his eyes, making the other three laugh.
The four friends gathered around a table in the library, their heads bent over a stack of books and parchment scattered across the surface. Hermione, as always, was flipping through a tome with remarkable speed, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"We need to find a way for Harry to hold his breath underwater for thirty minutes," she said, her voice determined.
Ron leaned back in his chair, scratching his head. "Thirty minutes? Blimey, that's a long time. I can barely hold my breath for thirty seconds."
Harry nodded, a worried expression crossing his face. "I don't know if I can do it," he admitted, his eyes darting between his friends.
Alexia, ever the optimist, flashed him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Harry, we'll figure something out," she said, her tone confident.
With renewed determination, they delved back into their research, poring over books on magical breathing techniques, underwater charms, and potion ingredients that might help. Hours passed in a blur as they scoured the library for answers.
The quartet huddled around the table in the library, frustration evident on each of their faces. Book after book had been combed through, yet they still hadn't found a solution to Harry's dilemma.
"This is hopeless," Ron muttered, running a hand through his hair in exasperation.
Hermione let out a sigh, her brow furrowed with concentration. "I can't believe we haven't found anything yet. We're running out of time."
Harry's shoulders slumped, his anxiety growing with each passing minute. "What are we going to do? I can't just go into the lake and hope for the best." Alexia, usually the one to offer a glimmer of hope, looked equally frustrated.
---///---
The next morning, the quartet is eating breakfast, Hermione, with a copy of Witch Weekly in her hands rolls her eyes annoyingly as yet another rumour about her girlfriend, Alexia, makes the front page, as Rita Skeeter keeps writing articles about her.
Hermione's frustration was palpable as she scanned the latest issue of Witch Weekly, her lips pressed into a thin line. The magazine's sensational headlines never failed to irk her, especially when they targeted someone she cared about.
"They just don't quit, do they?" Hermione muttered, tossing the magazine onto the table with a huff.
Alexia, sitting beside her, reached out to gently squeeze Hermione's hand, a small smile playing on her lips. "Hey, forget about what they say. You know it's all rubbish."
Hermione sighed, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion. "I know, but it's just... infuriating. They have no idea what they're talking about."
"Exactly," Alexia agreed, her voice soothing. "They're just looking for a story, something to sell papers. Don't let it get to you."
Hermione offered Alexia a grateful smile, her frustration slowly dissipating in the warmth of her girlfriend's reassurance. "You're right. I shouldn't let them get under my skin."
"That's the spirit," Alexia replied, her eyes softening as she gazed at Hermione. "Now, why don't you focus on something more important? Like me."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at Alexia's playful tone, feeling a wave of affection wash over her. "You're impossible," she teased, leaning in to press a quick kiss to Alexia's cheek.
Alexia then takes the magazine from Hermione's hands and reads the story herself, laughing at what they say about her.
Alexia's laughter echoed through the Great Hall as she read the outlandish claims in the magazine, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Harry, listen to this," she exclaimed, pointing to a particularly absurd paragraph. "They say we're long-lost cousins, sharing the same 'eccentricities'!"
Harry chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Well, I suppose that's one way to spin it."
Hermione couldn't help but join in their laughter, though there was a hint of exasperation in her voice. "I swear, they'll say anything to sell copies."
Alexia grinned mischievously, folding the magazine and tossing it onto the table. "Let them talk. As long as we know the truth, that's all that matters."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged amused glances, appreciating Alexia's lighthearted approach to the situation. Despite the absurdity of the rumours swirling around them, they found comfort in each other's company, knowing that their bond was stronger than any tabloid gossip.
Just when Alexia is eating the last pieces of her apple, an owl arrives, she thanks the owl and takes the letter, letting the owl eat whatever he wants from the table before parting.
Alexia's face lit up with a bright smile as she unfolded the letter from her mother, her eyes immediately drawn to the moving picture of her baby brother, Reggie. In the image, Reggie was giggling and waving his tiny hands, his bright eyes sparkling with joy.
"Oh, Reggie," Alexia murmured affectionately, tracing her finger over his image. "You're getting so big!"
Ron, Hermione and Harry leaned in to get a better look, smiles spreading across their faces at the adorable sight. "He's getting bigger already," Hermione remarked, her voice tinged with affection.
Harry nodded in agreement. "Seems like just yesterday he was born."
"Blimey, he's growing fast," Ron commented, a fond expression on his face.
Alexia beamed proudly, feeling a surge of love for her baby brother. "I can't wait to see him again," she said, tucking the letter and picture safely into her pocket, cherishing the reminder of her family back home.
---///---
After dinner, Harry and Alexia walk together, joking around, on their way to the library. Harry and Alexia scoured the shelves of the library, searching for any books or information that could help Harry with the second task of the Triwizard Tournament. As they flipped through dusty tomes and ancient scrolls, their conversation turned to Hermione and Ron.
"I wonder where they've disappeared to," Alexia mused, her brow furrowed in thought.
"I would appreciate their help though...", Harry murmurs while reading yet another book about underwater creatures.
Alexia's expression turned thoughtful as she read. "Hmm, I wonder what suggestion Uncle Sirius had for you," she mused, tapping her chin lightly with her index finger, referring to not so long ago when they had a very short conversation with Sirius' head floating in the fire.
Harry shrugged, a hint of frustration evident in his voice. "I wish he would have had the chance to finish. It might have been the solution to this very problem."
The morning mist enveloped the lake, lending an air of mystery to the scene as Harry prepared to face the second task. Alexia stood beside him, her breath forming wisps of vapour in the chilly air. Despite the nerves gnawing at her stomach, by being too close to the water, she tried to maintain a composed demeanour for Harry's sake.
"Remember what we read about the merpeople," Alexia reminded Harry, her voice gentle but firm. "They're not out to harm you. Just retrieve whatever they're guarding and make it back safely." Harry nodded, though his apprehension was evident.
As they stood by the water's edge, Alexia hugged Harry tightly, her concern evident in her eyes.
"Good luck, Harry," she whispered, her voice tinged with worry. "Just focus on what you need to do, and you'll be fine."
Harry returned the hug, appreciating Alexia's support. "Thanks, Lex," he replied, trying to muster up some confidence. "I'll do my best."
As Alexia watches the boats glide across the lake, her heart races with nervous anticipation. The sight of the dark water sends a shiver down her spine, and she can't shake the feeling of dread that creeps over her. Just then, Fred and George approach, their mischievous grins widening as they catch sight of her.
"Look who's avoiding a little dip in the lake," Fred teases, nudging Alexia playfully.
"Yeah, Alexia, thought you were supposed to be the fearless Gryffindor," George chimes in, his eyes dancing with amusement.
Alexia chuckles weakly, unable to hide her unease. "You know me too well, guys," she admits, casting a suspicious glance at the water.
Fred and George's teasing continues, each comment adding to Alexia's nervousness. She rolls her eyes at their antics but can't help feeling a twinge of apprehension at their words.
"What if you drowned in your past life and that's why you're terrified of the water?" Fred jokes, nudging Alexia with his elbow.
George joins in, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Yeah, maybe you were a mermaid who lost her tail," he adds with a chuckle.
Alexia lets out a nervous laugh, trying to brush off their comments. "Very funny, guys," she says, though a small part of her can't help but wonder if there's any truth to their jesting.
Despite their lighthearted banter, Alexia's fear of the water looms large in her mind as she watches the boats disappear into the distance. She tries to push aside her worries, but the teasing only serves to heighten her anxiety as she waits for the champions to return from their underwater task.
As Alexia steps back from Fred and George, she gives them a playful glare, shaking her head at their antics. "I'll show you both who's afraid of the water... Some other day." she retorts with a smirk, determined to prove them wrong.
With a wave goodbye, she sets off around the edge of the lake and into the safe Hogwarts ground, scanning the crowd for any sign of Hermione or Ron. The twins' teasing fades into the background as Alexia focuses on her search.
Inside the pretty much empty castle, Alexia walks around freely, Peeves, the poltergeist joins her, floating beside her, suddenly, he offers Alexia to pull some pranks together.
Alexia glanced sideways at Peeves, unsurprised by his unexpected offer. Despite his mischievous nature, Peeves had always shown a peculiar sort of respect for her, perhaps recognizing her status as the wielder of the ancient magic.
"Pull pranks together, Peeves?" Alexia echoed, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of pranks did you have in mind?"
Peeves cackled gleefully, his translucent form bobbing up and down in excitement. "Oh, the usual mischief, of course! Maybe a bit of levitating furniture in the classrooms or adding some extra slippery substance to the staircases?"
"You know I'm always up for some mischief," she replies with a grin, matching his playful demeanour.
Peeves cackles gleefully, swirling around Alexia as they wander the halls together. "Oh, this will be fun! Let's give those stuffy professors something to remember!" he exclaims, his excitement contagious.
Alexia's amusement faltered as the whisper echoed in her mind once more, its urgent tone cutting through the playful atmosphere. She exchanged a puzzled glance with Peeves, surprised to see the mischievous poltergeist also reacting to the mysterious voice.
"Peeves, did you hear that?" Alexia asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Peeves bobbed in the air, his expression turning curious. "Aye, I did, lass. Strange voices whisperin' orders in our ears. What's it tellin' ya?"
Alexia shook her head, feeling a shiver run down her spine. "I'm not sure... It's been happening for a while now. Always vague, but insistent. It's... unsettling... Peeves, how can you hear the whispers?"
She listened intently as Peeves recounted his experience with the mysterious whisper, her curiosity piqued by his words.
"So, you're saying that this whisper has been around since Vada's time?" Alexia mused, trying to piece together the puzzle. "And it stopped when she left Hogwarts?"
Peeves nodded eagerly, his transparent form flickering with excitement. "Aye, that's right, lass! The weird magic, the whispers – they all vanished when Vada bid farewell. But then, when you came along, it all started up again. Ghosts, creatures, even us poltergeists – we felt it stirrin' in our bones once more." Peeves nods solemnly, his translucent form seeming to ripple with a sense of gravity. "Aye, lass. It's as if the magic of old has been stirred from its slumber by your very existence," he explains, his tone tinged with an air of mystery.
Alexia's mind raced with possibilities, her thoughts spinning like the pages of an old tome. The connection between her and Vada, between the ancient magic and the whispers – it was all beginning to make sense, in a strange and unsettling way.
"But why me?" Alexia wondered aloud, her voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "Why now?"
Peeves shrugged, his grin widening mischievously. "Ah, now there's the question, isn't it? Perhaps you're meant for somethin' grand, lass. Or perhaps the weird magic just has a peculiar sense of timing. Either way, it's got its sights set on you, that's for sure."
As Alexia mulled over Peeves's words, she couldn't shake the feeling that her connection to the ancient magic was deeper and more significant than she had ever imagined. With each passing day, the whispers grew louder, their urgency more pronounced. And though she couldn't yet decipher their true meaning, she knew one thing for certain – she was determined to uncover the secrets that lay hidden within the whispers of the ancient magic.
Peeves and Alexia, stop their walk in front of a door Alexia can't remember, Peeves on the other hand looks terrified, it is Alexia's first time seeing him like that. Before Alexia could ask him what's wrong, he leaves.
As Alexia stepped into the room, a sense of unease washed over her, the air heavy with the weight of forgotten memories. The room seemed frozen in time, untouched by the passage of years, like a relic from a bygone era.
She glanced around, taking in the faded tapestries lining the walls, the dust-covered desks scattered haphazardly across the floor. It was as if the room had been abandoned in haste, its secrets left to gather dust in the shadows.
Curiosity piqued, Alexia approached one of the desks, her fingers trailing lightly over its surface. She wondered what secrets lay hidden within these walls, what mysteries had been left behind by those who had walked these halls before her.
But as she explored further, her sense of unease only deepened. There was something off about this room, something that whispered of ancient magic and forgotten power.
As Alexia's fingers brush against the weathered spine of the ancient tome, a jolt of energy courses through her, sending a shiver down her spine. The whisper in her mind grows into a deafening roar, drowning out her thoughts with its urgent insistence. Then, with a sudden burst of intensity, the voice cries out a resounding "NO!"
Startled, Alexia stumbles back, her heart pounding in her chest as she stares wide-eyed at the book before her. Before she can comprehend what's happening, a luminous figure materializes in front of her, ethereal and otherworldly. It takes a moment for Alexia to recognize the spectral form of Isadora Morganach, her mother frozen in time.
Isadora's presence fills the room with an eerie glow, her expression grave as she gazes upon her. With a voice that seems to echo from beyond the veil of the past, Isadora delivers a solemn warning, speaking of dangers yet to come and secrets hidden in the depths of history. And then, as swiftly as she appeared, Isadora fades away, leaving Alexia alone once more, her mind swirling with unanswered questions and a sense of foreboding.
As Alexia's feet carry her away from the enigmatic room and its haunting encounter, her mind races with a flurry of unsettling thoughts. The pounding in her head only intensifies, each step echoing the tumultuous turmoil within her. With each passing moment, the weight of the whispered warnings presses down upon her, a constant reminder of the enigmatic forces at play.
Emerging into the open air outside Hogwarts, Alexia finds solace in the familiar surroundings, the bustling activity of students returning from the lake offering a welcome distraction. Spotting Hermione among the crowd, Alexia's heart lurches with a mixture of relief and apprehension. Without hesitation, she rushes toward her girlfriend, enveloping her in a tight embrace that speaks volumes of unspoken worry and fear.
For a fleeting moment, Hermione leans into the embrace, a hint of confusion flickering across her features as she senses the tension radiating from Alexia. Concerned by the unspoken distress in her girlfriend's eyes, Hermione's own worries begin to surface, prompting her to gently inquire about Alexia's well-being. Yet, despite the silent plea in Hermione's gaze, Alexia remains reticent, her lips sealed tight against the torrent of emotions swirling within her.
Caught between the comfort of Hermione's embrace and the weight of her own inner turmoil, Alexia struggles to find the words to articulate the depths of her unease. In that moment of shared vulnerability, the bond between them deepens, forged through the unspoken understanding that transcends mere words. As they stand together in silent solidarity, facing the unknown horizon ahead, Alexia finds solace in the warmth of Hermione's presence, a beacon of light in the darkness that threatens to consume her.
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I already have the prologue and the first chapter of the next book ready and waiting for y'all!!!!