Alexandra Weasley: Book 5

43

"Hi." Alex said and Hermione rushed over and gave her a hug.

"You're rotten and selfish and I'm so mad at you but for now, just tell me you're okay?" Hermione said.

"I'm sorry, H." She said.

"You understand that you can't go on like this, yeah?"

"Why not?"

"Because you consumed an untested potion and you didn't even do it properly because you were supposed to have a legilimens help you and now you have two personalities in your body. And you're hiding behind the child you used to be because you're scared and you want to be safe, but it's not safe. Even at that age you were way too inquisitive and it won't take much longer until you figure out everything."

"That's the thing. You're the only one who knows everything. As long as you don't tell her- me- I won't find out. And I'm not hiding. I'm just tired. I'm so tired, H. I have the chance to rewrite everything. No Voldemort, no Morgana, no Cedric. No troubles. My parents are happier, and Ron's beginning to like me because I'm the old me."

"He likes you just fine either way."

"I frighten him. Alexandra protects him."

"You can't stay trapped inside your own body."

"I'm not. I'm just resting. It's like being asleep and when she feels really strong emotions, that's when I wake up."

"That's your plan? Just fade away. Become nothing more than a bad memory? How do you think that's going to work out? Just because you think you're better off as Alexandra doesn't mean you are. She is vulnerable and she's going to end up going through the exact same thing you did. How long do you think it's going to take for her to get taken? You think just because you don't have the memories that everyone else will just forget? I mean how long do you think you can protect yourself when you don't even know you need protecting. When you don't even understand. It's not safer to be Alexandra, it's not safe for you and it's not safe for Malfoy. It's definitely not safe for your uncle. If you just fade away then it's just going to be impossible to keep you safe and you're just going to get hurt again. I can't protect you from that especially when you don't know that I am trying to help you. And I've already lost Cedric. Please don't make me lose my best friend too."

"I'm not going to be gone. I'll just be different."

"You don't even believe that." Hermione scoffed. Alex leaned against a tree.

"What do you think's going to happen? I don't know how to undo any of this."

"So we talk to Madam Pomfrey. There might be something she can do. This split personality, essentially being two people in one body- it's not healthy. One of you is going to become dominant and the other one will disappear. Alexandra's already lived. She's had her turn and she became Alex. That's who you are. The cleverest witch, fiercely protective. Alexandra won't survive this world with her naivety. And I need you to survive this." Alex sighed.

"I can't be Alex for long. Whatever you're going to do, you're better off doing it now." She said. Hermione held out her hand and Alex took it. The Gryffindor smiled before dragging her back to Hogwarts.

"Who's Pedro?" Hermione asked Alexandra, the next day. Her cheeks pinkened.

"No one." Alexandra muttered, carefully folding the letter away.

"Doesn't look like no one."

"I have to go to transfiguration." She said, and jumped up from the table. Hermione watched her go and turned to the girls.

"I know she doesn't remember Cedric but the idea of someone else is strange, right?"

"It's strange, but only because we never imagined Cedric wouldn't ever be here." Megan agreed. "We should probably go after her."

"Charlie's better than you." Megan taunted.

"I don't understand transfiguration." Alex shrugged. "I'm not ashamed of that."

"I mean, you used to say that." Charlie said.

"Oh, transfiguration's my weakest subject." Megan imitated. "Not like you were ever less than the top three."

"But then one day, you were just... more okay with it. Better."

"Do you think the old me was better than this me?" She asked.

"I mean, the old you had five years worth of memories and knowledge on you. You can't really compare yourself like that." Charlie frowned.

"Not smarter. Just... better. Did you prefer her?" Megan stared at her as though she was an alien.

"I'm not even going to begin to unpack that." She turned away.

"Old you and new you, as you call yourself- you're the same person. You don't pick and choose parts of a person you love. We love you, both versions of you." Hannah leaned over.

"Not that there's even that much of a difference." Megan scoffed.

"I think there is." Alexandra said. "I think I'm like a different person to who you've come to know."

"Charlie..." Megan groaned. Charlie giggled. Susan decided to help out.

"Ignore Megan. You really aren't different. The only difference, really, is that you were less open. But you were working on that. You've come a long way since first year."

"If your conversation is more interesting than my class, then why don't you share it with everyone?" McGonagall cut in and they froze.

"Alexandra had a question about the material." Charlie quickly said. McGonagall didn't look like she was buying it. She gave them a stern look.

"Well, Miss Weasley, I'd be happy to answer any questions you have if you don't mind staying behind after class." Alexandra nodded.

"Thank Professor."

"Sorry." Charlie hissed.

"It's okay, I think I have a question."

A/N- okay okay, I should make something clear. Alexandra does not have a crush on Pedro. It might be read that way, but he's like 19/20 and she's still mentally 12. She thinks he's smart and experienced and he likes potions and he's good at it. But she does not see him romantically. It just needs to be said, x.

Also favourite line is "I'm not even going to begin to unpack that." because Megan's hilarious.