Alexandra Weasley: Book 5

15

The ministry had taken their infiltration a step further. Alex had received a letter from Percy late in the afternoon, the day before the paper had come out. She hadn't bothered with a reply.

Umbridge's new status as 'High Inquisitor' was almost insufferable. She'd sat in Alex's ancient runes class. Alex was grateful for Babbling's actual ability to teach, unlike some teachers, though Umbridge did look for some faults. Alex's presence in the classroom was one such criticism she'd attempted to exploit. Still, Babbling stood up for her, and explained that she was just as skilled as the rest of the class, and had Alex demonstrate some translations to shut Umbridge up. She left with a huff and Alex sent her professor a genuine smile. She was pretty awesome.

When she received her graded summer homework, and the graded essay he'd set in the first lesson, back from Snape, a letter was tucked in between her pages. She didn't dare look at it until later that night.

She waited until her dormmates went to bed before padding softly out to the empty common room. She opened up the letter and began reading it. He'd begun with a formal greeting, an inquiry into her health and then to question if she'd thought any more about visiting Shay. He then had a peculiar request. He'd asked that she be more confrontational and hostile towards him, which confused her. It honestly sounded like a trap. But she'd give it a go. Why not? She drafted a note back, telling him she'd given Shay serious consideration, like he asked but she still did not want to go. She'd left it at that.

Cedric's birthday seemed to come around sooner than usual. Hermione didn't leave her side that day.
"You know, if it wasn't for his birthday, I might not ever have found out about the hall or the grove or anything. Never have met Saph."

"You'd have found her sometime." Hermione disagreed. "Maybe not for a while, but eventually."

"Everything about this school reminds be of him." Alex clenched her fists. "Every room, every wing, every inch of the school and the forest, he's there. I go see Kichiro and remember how he visited him for months when I was at Mahoutokoro. The common room, and the kitchens- he's there. The vanishing room, he loved an open field where we could race. Even the founders areas, when he was there with our classes to help explain."

"He made his mark on the school. He'll never be forgotten. Isn't that a good thing?" Alex stared at the memorial his parents had picked out. It was a bench, shaped like a broom, with an inscription and a plaque. Hermione nudged her. "Don't avoid his memory. Don't think of his death. Remember his life."

"I don't think I can. It hurts. It's a reminder that he's not here and he's never going to do any of that stuff ever again."

"You're going to have to face it, Alex. Like you said. He's everywhere in Hogwarts. You let him in to every part of your life, so you're not going to find anywhere you can hide from him."

"You underestimate me." Alex said. "I'll find someplace quiet, someplace Cedric's never been."

"Alex-"

"Come on, we've spent enough time here. Let's go to the library. I've got to do my herbology essay."

Hermione had begun researching healing spells and potions, capturing Alex's interest.
"Why?"

"What do you mean, why?" Hermione responded without looking up.

"Why the sudden interest in healing?"

"Maybe I'm considering a future as a medi-witch?"

"No, you're not. What are you looking for?"

"Something to heal something."

"Like what?" Alex pressed but Hermione wouldn't tell her. She gave up, eventually, turning back to her own studies.

The morning quidditch games were lively. Alex kept her eye on the bludgers, just in case, while she looked for the snitch. By the time they were fluent with one of Maxine's plays, it was usually time for breakfast. One particular morning, Alex sat with Hermione at the Gryffindor table.
"Happy birthday." Alex said and gave her a small bottle. Hermione looked confused. "I went back through the books you were using to see what kind of healing spells you were looking for. Whatever it is you want to heal, the murtlap essence should help."

"You didn't have to."

"Yeah, I know. And I know you're physically okay, so it's either purely academic interest or something to do with the boys. Whatever it's for, here you go."

"Thanks!" Hermione said, turning sideways and giving her a hug.

"Yeah, whatever. I was just bored of not working together. Can we focus on alchemy now?" She heard Harry scoff across the table.

"Liar, we work independently of each other most of the time." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Okay, whatever I'm gonna go and let you do what you want with that. But I'll see you later?"

"Meet you out by Kichiro after classes?" Alex nodded reassuringly and left to go back to the Hufflepuff table.

"You've been searching up healing spells?" Harry asked and Hermione nodded. "I didn't know."

"Well, if you're not going to tell a teacher, then I'll help you of course." She told him.

"You didn't tell Alex?"

"I didn't think you wanted me to. You didn't even tell us at first. But can I tell her?" She added.

"Can you not?"

"I mean, if you really don't want me to, I won't. But I'd prefer to." Harry shook his head.

"I don't want her to know. She'll probably tell Snape or something."

Alex was with Kichiro by the time Hermione made her way.
"Did you ever get his original horn back from Snape?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah." Alex nodded. "I think I'll put it into my vault when I get it in December."

"Just three months." Hermione sighed. "And there's less than three months every year when we're the same age."

"And then I'm older than you." Alex teased.

"Good day, today?" Hermione asked. Alex nodded. It was their system. Every day, Hermione would ask her if her day was good or bad. Bad days were days she thought about Cedric. When she couldn't escape his memory and she felt suffocated. Those were the days she usually stayed in bed when she wasn't in class. Her room seemed to be the only place free from Cedric's impression beside her. Good days were days she felt close to herself. She could joke and tease and be her usual self.

"Good day." Alex agreed. She took out the box that had been sitting in her pocket all day and brought it out. "So, the murtlap essence for Harry obviously isn't your birthday gift."

"What makes you think it's for Harry?"

"I'd know if it was Ron." Alex said. "And Harry was really invested in our conversation. Clearly he doesn't want me to know. I won't ask any questions, don't worry. Anyways, this is for you."

Hermione opened the box gently before gasping. "Alex, tell me you're pranking me."

"No."

"It's the ruby."

"With a protection rune etched in it. It works, don't worry. My end of year project was the same rune, and Babbling awarded me an O. So, it'll keep you safe."

"I'm supposed to walk around with a ruby bracelet?" Hermione asked.

"You can always say it was a gift from Viktor. I thought a ring might be too forward." She winked. Despite herself, a small laugh escaped Hermione.

"You've been planning this?"

"I want you to be safe. As long as you keep it on, you will be." Hermione picked up the bracelet.

"It's beautiful." She accepted. Alex grinned and helped her fasten it. "When did you even get the chance to?"

"I designed the rune in class, and I marked the rune in the secret corridor in the evenings."

"When you should've been sleeping?"

"Yes. Wait, no-"

"I'll stay in the Hufflepuff dorm with you, tonight." Hermione said. "We could have the obligatory Hufflepuff party."

"You just want to keep an eye on me."

"Yeah, I do." Hermione admitted. "So try to sleep tonight."

A/N- So that's the memorial for Cedric 😭 poor Alex and Hermione.

Favourite line is "I thought a ring might be too forward." 😂😂😂