TAINTED BLOOD!
the doomed ones.
𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐔𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐄𝐗𝐇𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃.
One might have thought that, with the arrival of guests from two foreign schools, Hogwarts professors would have been more lenient with their assignments and workload; however, it almost felt as if the presence of students from other prestigious Wizarding Schools had simply prompted all teacher to up their game.
The young witch was currently sitting underneath a tall tree, a copy of her finished Transfiguration essay resting on her lap. Alexandra hadn't uttered a word ever since she'd joined Neville Longbottom by the Black Lake, along with Harry, to avoid the constant gossiping. One might have assumed Alexandra to be asleep, was it not for the continuous scratching sound of her quill against the – now messy – piece of parchment.
While some students seemed to be content to receive a mere passing grade, Alexandra strived for more. Although one might have mistaken the witch's drive for a thirst for knowledge, the teen's reasoning behind the countless hours she spent studying was far more complex. Ever since she could remember, Alexandra had dreamt of becoming an Unspeakable. Grades were not enough to be considered for Alexandra's dream job; one had to both excel and further their research in several fields, and that was exactly what the young witch had been doing ever since her first day at Hogwarts.
Beside Alexandra sat Aron. Alexandra's twin had come to his senses soon after the effects of the prank his elder sister had pulled on him had vanished. Now ostracised from most of his House's members, Aron Grindelwald could often be seen in the company of his twin sister, her friends, and the boy he once believed to have tricked his way into the Tournament; Harry Potter himself.
Alexandra heaved a sigh, her brother fidgety demeanour causing her to place her school work on the ground before turning to face a slightly distressed Aron. "What is it, Aron?" The teen queried, her hard look leaving no room for outlandish excuses.
Instead of looking Alexandra in the eyes, Aron quickly lowered his gaze, his hunched shoulders alerting the witch of her twin's current state. The eldest Grindelwald sibling placed her hand atop of her brother's shoulder, a small squeeze prompting the boy to share what had been the source of his troublesome thoughts. "Have you heard from McGonagall?" Aron queried, his tone soft yet alarmed at the very same time. "You did as I told you, right?"
Aron's question caused Alexandra to purse her lips. While she might have not pressed her twin for answers a few days prior, Alexandra couldn't help but wonder how he'd known that she would have found a wrapped box lacking any gift label on her bed. However, it wasn't the presence of the box her twin had alerted her of that truly piqued Alexandra's interest, but more so his sudden shift of demeanour. Although she'd carefully avoided to come into contact with the box itself – and had immediately taken it to McGonagall and Flitwick to check for any possible curse – Aron had yet to stop throwing worried and sad glances her way. No matter how many times Alexandra had questioned the boy about his odd behaviour, the answer still remained the same; 'I cannot tell you.'.
While Alexandra had entertained the idea that her twin had had a vision of what was to pass, the odd thought had quickly left her mind, for, thus far, Aron's visions had been nothing but unclear. No matter how many scenarios Alexandra had come up with, nothing ever seemed to provide an answer to the nagging questions that had yet to let her be; what was the reason behind Aron's sudden protective surge? Who'd convinced him not to share his fears with his twin? What secrets was he keeping from her?
A loud clicking sound pulled Alexandra out of her self-induced trance, her eyes quickly finding Oaksett's. Her tiny companion wasted no time in expressing how odd he found Aron's behaviour to be, yet the striped-blonde merely shrugged before finally replying to her brother's questions. "Flitwick and McGonagall didn't find anything on the package. You need to relax, no one is trying to curse me. Besides, McGonagall took the box to Dumbledore himself; if he can't find anything wrong with it, I am sure it's nothing we should worry about.".
"Yeah. Nothing to worry about." Aron mumbled, earning a sympathetic smile on behalf of Alexandra.
"Besides –" The eldest of the two quickly added, only to be interrupted by the argument that was unfolding a few feet away from them. As Alexandra went to stand up, Aron's hand gripped her wrist, causing the witch to sharply turn her head.
"Don't." While Aron's tone might have been perceived by many as stern, Alexandra could deter the hint of fear the boy was trying so hard to conceal. "Let it be. Don't say that you've gotta put a stop to this madness.".
Aron's words took Alexandra aback. "How...?" The teen simply shook her head, electing not to question her twin, for, no matter how odd it was that the boy knew exactly what she was about to say, there were more significant issues to attend to. "Never mind. I'll be back in a jiffy." Alexandra quickly added while ruffling Aron's hair.
"Is that right? Well, you – What?" Harry's annoyed tone quickly shifted into one of utter confusion, face scrunched as Hermione stood before him.
Alexandra, who'd just joined the duo, stopped right beside the raven-haired boy only in time for Hermione to go back to Ron, questioning the latter as to what he expected her to say. The striped-blonde quickly nudged the boy beside her, her questioning gaze receiving nothing but a quick shrug by a perplexed Harry.
It wasn't long before Hermione joined them once more. "Dean was told by Parvati that – please, don't ask me to say it again. Hagrid's looking for you." She quickly added, turning around just as Harry took a step forward.
"Well, you can tell Ronald –"
"I am not an owl!"
Had Blaise Zabini been there, the boy would have probably prevented what soon followed, but, alas, Alexandra had no one to stop her from expressing her annoyance.
"For the love of Merlin and all the bloody witches and wizards that followed!" Alexandra's outburst had managed to gain everyone's attention, causing Hermione and Ginny to quickly turn around. "This has gone too far, Ronald!".
Ron Weasley did not move an inch, yet his nostrils flared as he bristled at the striped-blonde. "Of course you'd take his side instead of mine." He seethed.
A humourless chuckle left Alexandra's lips, her eyes never leaving the red-head's before her. "Oh, do me a favour, Ron; piss off. Come and find me when you've realised what an arse you've been."
The red-head was quick to leave, his boots stomping with fervour onto the fallen leaves as Hermione and Ginny followed him, heads low in disapproval. "That boy and his stupid ego," Alexandra muttered, hands running through her hair as she inhaled deeply, attempting in vain to calm her nerves. "Okay – we better get going if we want to make it to Hagrid's before dinner."
"Okay –" Harry suddenly froze. With eyes wide open and mouth slightly agape, the raven-haired boy turned to face Alexandra. "Wait, what? I can't ask you to come with me."
What was about to turn into one of the raven-haired boy's ramble was quickly cut short by Alexandra's amused look. "Could you talk any louder? I think the Bloody Baron didn't hear you." The witch sarcastically remarked, eliciting a chuckle from Harry. "Friends don't let their friends do stupid things on their own. And, since I highly doubt Hagrid wants you to go over for rock-cakes and tea, I am not gonna let you go off and end up doing Merlin knows what on your own.".
"What about your essay?" Harry blurted, attempting to dissuade Alexandra from getting into potential trouble.
"I've finished it."
"Your arithmancy homework?"
"Harry James Potter." Alexandra chided the boy before her, who heaved a sigh and raised both hands in defeat. In a matter of seconds, Alexandra had managed to gather all her scattered belongings, waving goodbye to both Neville and Aron, and joining Harry in the direction of Hagrid's hut.
A loud thumping sound caused Neville to jump, his clothes drenched due to his sudden action. Turning around, the Gryffindor boy was met with the sight of a very distressed Aron Grindelwald, who'd just banged his head against the tree he was leaning against. Unable to make out what the Hufflepuff was muttering, Neville neared Aron, his ears soon picking up onto what the boy kept on repeating.
"I should have stopped her. I should have prevented it. I should have protected them."
Hands awkwardly buried in his pockets, Neville cleared his throat. "What are you talking about? Protect who?"
Aron's head snapped in Neville's direction, the sudden action causing the former to stumble backwards before steadying himself. "Harry and Alexandra," Aron stated, his lower lip trembling slightly and eyes glossing with unshed tears. "Them two visiting Hagrid – it sealed it, it sealed it all. It sealed their future."
"I – I don't get it." Neville stuttered. Seeing the boy he'd started to consider a friend so distraught troubled him; Aron Grindelwald was known by the Grindelwald twins' friends as the utterly optimistic and beaming one of the two, a boy who had no qualms with any living – or dead – soul.
"They're both doomed," Aron stated, his usually joyous tone replaced by a rather foreboding one. "But my sister – all I can do now is hope she's strong enough. Strong enough for him. Strong enough to face the truth."
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Alexandra and Harry's encounter with Hagrid had been rather short and had left the teens with more questions than answers. Initially taken aback by the striped-blonde presence – for it was clear that the half-giant had not expected her to show up with Harry–, Hagrid was somewhat hesitant about including Alexandra in whatever endeavour he'd initially planned for the raven-haired boy. As much as she was annoyed at Ron Weasley, Alexandra had to admit the boy was right about one thing; Hagrid had almost lost his composure the moment his eyes landed on her loyal bowtruckle. It was mainly due to Hagrid's interest in Oaksett – and excitement due to the newfound information about Alexandra's talent – that the man had relented in the end.
Once again, Alexandra's cunning nature had prevailed; it was indeed no wonder the Sorting Hat had considered the witch to be a hatstall between Ravenclaw and Slytherin.
Upon the teens' departure from Hagrid's hut, the two had separated; their plan was for Harry to wait for Alexandra outside Ravenclaw's common room, only then the two would have ventured to the meeting point underneath the boy's cloak of invisibility.
Harry had initially insisted on venturing in the depth of the forest without the aid of his cloak; however, Harry's outlandish plan had been quickly shut down by a bemused Alexandra, who wasted no time in reminding him how evening patrols had increased ever since the beginning of the Tournament. Getting caught was not an option in Alexandra's eyes; Hagrid had been rather adamant the boy should see something of great importance and, were they to be noticed by a Prefect – or, Merlin forbid, a teacher – the only thing the two would have seen, for the weeks to come, would have either been the inside of a classroom or the trophy room.
While Harry spent dinner at the far end of the Gryffindor table, in the company of none other than Neville Longbottom, Alexandra sat quietly among her peers. The teen wasn't interested in idle chit-chatter, for her gaze was set on a sour-looking Ron Weasley. It was hard to miss Ron's glares directed at Harry, for the boy was anything but inconspicuous.
Alexandra Grindelwald was known by her friends for being both rather protective and very loyal; however, none of these traits ever obscured her intellect. As far as the striped-blonde could see, it was reasonably obvious Harry hadn't entered the Tournament, for all the boy ever wished was to have a normal life, one lacking the constant threats that seemed to follow him like dutiful hounds. Anyone could see it, were they only to think with their brains; however, it was almost as if common sense had become a rarity at Hogwarts as of lately.
It perplexed the witch – no, it angered her – to see one of Harry's best friends – and, as it so happened, one of her oldest ones – acting so immaturely and believing all the lies that portrayed Harry as a fame-seeking individual, someone who would have stopped at nothing to outshine others. Be it as it may, many people would have simply scoffed at Ron's attitude, but Alexandra's infamous fiery temper prevented her from putting the matter at rest.
Alexandra Grindelwald was beyond annoyed, yet it was hard to notice, for her stoic façade prevented anyone from seeing what the teen was genuinely feeling.
It was safe to say no one – aside from those Alexandra truly trusted – knew much about the witch. Those who didn't know her would describe her as cold and stoic, but none could ever truly pinpoint the reasoning behind it all. The simple truth, one might ask? Alexandra did not trust as easily as others. Who could blame her, with the last name she carried? They might have not seen her, but Alexandra heard them, she'd heard each gossip, and nasty rumour people would whisper to one another the moment her family entered a room ever since she was a young child.
At a rather young age – a sad fact indeed – Alexandra had chosen not to show any emotion to those she didn't know, detaching herself as best as possible when she felt anger bubbling within her – a coping mechanism of sorts she'd developed when she first started to fear the possibility of ever becoming like her crazed grandfather. Thus, teenage Alexandra came to be; an enigma for many, for no one could honestly tell what crossed her mind or what she felt aside from when angry, for she would clench her fists and both glare and tone would send chills down people's spines.
Only a few people had ever gotten to know the true Alexandra Grindelwald; a caring, protective individual who was always there for her friends, a rather good listener with a knack for thinking outside the box. Those she defended from bullies at Hogwarts had also gotten a rare glimpse of who Alexandra truly was; whispers of her deeds had, unbeknown to the eldest Grindelwald, changed many people's perception of Gellert's descendants.
While some students decided to linger behind or gather in their large common rooms after dinner, Alexandra opted to wait for the designated time of her meetup with Harry in her room.
Alexandra had barely entered her shared room when she noticed the parcel she'd asked McGonagall and Flitwick to inspect on top of her covers, a letter beside the silver-wrapped box. Intrigued as to why her professors would have left a note behind instead of talking to her directly, Alexandra carefully opened the pristine envelope and smoothed out the letter it contained. The messaged on the parchment was written in neat handwriting.
'Dear Alexandra,
It has been brought to my attention that you have expressed concern in regards to the parcel I have enclosed with this letter.
I would like to applaud you for your chariness, for many sometimes give caution for granted.
Furthermore, I am pleased to inform you that, upon further inspection on my behalf, the gift you have received shows no traces of dark magic or curses whatsoever.
If you are agreeable, I would like to discuss your progress this Sunday at 8 p.m. in my office.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore'
Of all the things Alexandra expected to find inside of what turned out to be a green, velvety box, a necklace was by far the last. Sitting atop ornate padding, was a silver necklace with golden detailing, its chain elegant yet sturdy looking. While the object looked far from new, it was clear that it had remained untouched by age, as if someone had placed an enchantment of sorts to keep it from getting ruined. Carefully, Alexandra ran her fingers against the pendant. The symbol was foreign to the witch. The charm was a triangle, a perpendicular line connecting the upper corner to the center of the base, the outline of a circle surrounding part of the vertical line, yet remaining within the triangle's confines.
As Alexandra went to put on the necklace, she couldn't help but notice how it lacked any latch; considering this detail, one could understand her surprise the moment the chain closed on its own, almost as if it was only waiting for her to wear it. The moment the pendent came into contact with Alexandra's chest, a rather odd feeling began to spread throughout her body, causing the mild headache that she'd started to experience to go completely unnoticed.
If only had Alexandra known what that necklace was.
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Harry Potter had stepped on Alex's feet at least a dozen times ever since they joined Hagrid by the Forbidden Forest. None of the teens knew why Hagrid had insisted on Harry showing up so late in the evening, yet they weren't given a chance to question their professor of Care of Magical Creatures, for soon the unmistakable accent of Beauxbatons' Headmistress reached their ears.
It was clear that the adults shared a particular connection, one that caused the raven-haired boy to gag, only for Alexandra to nudge him and remind him they were meant to keep quiet.
As the four ventured further in the forest, the two half-giants came to a sudden halt near a dense group of bushes that almost hid them entirely. Without any warning whatsoever, Alexandra tugged at Harry's elbow, motioning for the boy to get closer to get a better look. What the two saw next caused both to gape, Harry in terror and Alexandra in awe.
Dragons. Four giant dragons were being kept inside gigantic wooden crates, their fiery breaths singeing some of the carers' clothes.
A loud growl had Harry stumble backwards, his grip onto the striped-blonde's forearm preventing him from falling onto the leaves-covered ground and, consequently, getting caught. Alexandra, however, was utterly transfixed by the dragon's voice. "Get away from me, filthy humans!" It was like nothing she'd ever heard before; deep and guttural, the cry that reached Alexandra's ears could almost be mistaken for one that belonged to a man in his thirties.
As soon as Beauxbatons' Headmistress walked further away from them, Harry lifted the top of the cloak from their heads. "Dragons?!" The raven-haired boy whisper shouted. "That's the first task?"
"No need to panic," Alexandra whispered soothingly, only for a loud and angry roar to earn her a look of disbelief on behalf of Harry. "Yet?" The girl shrugged, a forced smile on her lips. "All you need is a good plan, and I am going to help you with that."
"You two are joking, right?" Harry queried, panic seeping through his voice.
"C' mon, Harry. These are seriously misunderstood creatures." Hagrid's voice faded in the background as the wood covering a crate was lowered, revealing a giant, horned dragon caged within.
"I said –" The deep voice Alexandra heard mere minutes before repeated, causing Alexandra's eyes to widen.
"Get down!" Both Hagrid and Harry followed Alexandra's advice, taking cover just in time for the bush before them to go up in flames, the air around them suddenly thick and torrid. "Okay, you need a very, very good plan."
"I have to admit," Hagrid spoke once he regained his composure. "That horntail is a real nasty piece of work. Poor Ron nearly fainted just seein' him, yeh know?"
"Hold on. Ron saw the dragons?" Alexandra queried in disbelief.
"Ron was here?" Harry asked, both teens speaking at the same time.
"Oh sure," Hagrid exclaimed as if what they'd just asked was complete nonsense. "His brother Charlie helped to brin' him from Romania. Didn't he tell yeh that?"
"No, he didn't," Harry replied bitterly. "He didn't tell me a thing."
Alexandra couldn't help but scoff, further disgusted by Ron's recent behaviour. Even if Hagrid's insight, along with Ron's sad excuse, pointed towards the red-head being the one who made sure Harry saw the dragons, Ron Weasley still had a lot of explaining – and apologising – to do when it came to the raven-haired boy.
"You're not alone, Doom." Alexandra's voice brought both wizards' attention onto herself. "Starting tomorrow, we'll work on a plan – hell, even a thousand, if we have to – that will help you get through the first task with all your bones intact. The rules say you can't be helped by a teacher, there's no mention of not being helped by your friends."
"See? Yeh've got a good friend here." Hagrid patted Alexandra on the shoulder, causing the witch to grit her teeth in an attempt to stop herself from wincing due to the half-giant's force. "I've never shown yeh two nothin', alrigh'?"
"Showed us what?" Alexandra quirked a brow in a questioning manner, while Hagrid stifled a laugh before leaving them and walking towards his date.
The two teens, however, did not move from their spot. Both Harry and Alexandra found themselves staring at the four dragons before them, each one growling – or, in Alexandra's case, talking – so loud that half of the Forbidden Forest's beasts must have heard them.
As giant flames left the mouth of a red dragon, Alexandra placed her hand on top of Harry's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze as she began to piece together a plan that would have helped Harry through what looked like the first of a series of rather dangerous tasks.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE
( alexandra to whoever messes with her friend. )
a huge thanks to luckyvirgo , The_Avengers_Devil & CoraFedora for putting up with my small breakdowns when it came to this chapter.
now, let's be honest for a second. i know i am not the best writer on here, nor is my story one of the best fred weasley on here. however, i can't lie and say that the fact that no one leaves any comment/feedback whatsoever doesn't hurt me.
what i am trying to say is; please, don't be a silent reader. it honestly hurts to see so little interest. i will not be abandoning this story because i am very invested and have so much planned. however, it'd be nice to see that someone - other than myself - cared about alexandra and the story as a whole. *rant over*
until next time!