the night i took a leap off the astronomy tower

Chapter Two: Strangers with Memories?

The rest of Alexandra's summer was dreadful, to say the least. Sirius had left, just like she had told him to. She was forbidden from seeing Regulus, her father worried he would corrupt her and turn her into a blood traitor the same way Sirius had been. So she spent her summer in solitude, barely speaking a word to her father after that night, to anyone for that matter.

On August 1st, a letter from Hogwarts had arrived, inside were a list of the books and items she would need for her upcoming year at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, also included, was a small green and silver badge with the words "prefect" displayed in the middle. There was no celebration, or congratulation from her father, not even a grunt of approval. In all honesty, Alexandra was terrified of not becoming a prefect, she was sure her father had expected her to become one, the same way that Narcissa and Bellatrix had been one, the same way that she was sure her father and mother had been as well.

The days had simply flown by after that, and before she knew it she was back in front of the Hogwarts Express, smelling the nauseating air and listening to the heavy chatter that came with the train station.

"Alexandra." Her father spoke, his voice stern. She turned to face him, straightening her posture and giving him the most polite smile she could muster.

"I've been discussing the prospects of your marriage with some potential suitors, this is a very important year for you at Hogwarts, I must push you to stay on your best behaviour, and implore you to engage with some of the pureblood boys your age. Should you fail to do so, I will be heavily embarrassed and there will be consequences." He paused looking Alexandra up and down before continuing.

"Do you understand?"

Alexandra overcome by the surplus of information just thrown at her, nodded with a seemingly dazed look in her eyes. Her father gripped her chin in his palm, so hard his knuckles turned a frosty shade of white. He forced her eyes to lock with his own.

"When I ask you a question I expect an immediate reply. I said, Do. You. Understand?"

"Yes father, I understand. I promise to behave adequately this semester and will do my best to be desirable to any potential suitors."

"Good. Best get going."

She made her way onto the Hogwarts express and immediately began looking for Regulus' compartment, she pushed past the clumsy first years, a group of 4th year Ravenclaw girls giggling over a quidditch magazine, and a few straggling students. She let her eyes wander into each compartment trying to find her friend. When she found him, he was seated with Slytherin boys from her year and the year above, all of which were prominent purebloods from the sacred twenty-eight. Alexandra's eyes met his, and she felt a chill run down her spine, they weren't the warm inviting whiskey shade she was used to, they were black– devoid of any sign of the Regulus she knew.

As quickly as their eyes met, he pulled them away. She continued to watch him for a moment, monitor his expressions, his body language, but it all felt wrong. He felt cold–different.

"Alexandra?" Hearing her name, Alexandra turned around, facing the person who greeted her. She was met with the familiar features of Lily Evans, the striking red hair, the vibrant green eyes, and the various freckles scattered across her face.

"Evans. What can I do for you? If you're looking for Severus I haven't seen him yet." The red head seemed to be having an internal battle with herself, Alexandra could almost see the thoughts swirling and formulating within her mind.

"No, it's not that at all." She swallowed an invisible lump within her throat and Alexandra looked at her expectantly.

"Right sorry–there's a meeting among the prefects, and well I wasn't sure if you were aware. I figured since you're one of the Slytherin prefects and I'm one of Gryffindors I would mention it to you." Lily's voice was unconfident as she spoke, a light stammer appearing each new word her fingers dancing among themselves behind her back.