The Other Potter (Draco Malfoy Endgame)

A Fork In The Road

Chapter 16

The next morning on the way to class Hermione handed Alexis a Quibbler. Her eyes get to the size of saucers, "He talked about it? But he never talks about that night, not even to me and I've shared his nightmares over it." She flipped through the pages as they walked to class. Professor Umbridge gave them a withering glare but turned away as Mattheo returned her look with a fierceness that would have sent anyone running.

"Umm does anyone want to explain why Umbridge just ran away from the two of you?" Hermione asked looking between the two of them. Alexis looked up from the article, "That might be a story better explained when it's just the two of us." Alexis started to blush unable to meet Hermione's eyes. They got to class early and Hermione demanded she explain as they took their seats. "Okay, well on Valentine's Day, Mattheo and I had a very intimate night and it would seem our... union merged our unique abilities. He now has my flaming eye thing and I have the ability to speak parseltongue and natural Legilimency." Hermione stared dumbfounded, "Right but why is Umbridge scared of you?"

"So she's already seen me all furious with flaming eyes but yesterday after Mattheo and I talked to Dumbledore about our development, the toad found me alone waiting for Mattheo and he came flying out of Dumbledores like a flaming Angel of Death. When he saw her hands on me he... well if I wasn't in love with him I would have been scared of him. He moved in between us and the pure power and anger radiating off of him was terrifying. The flames were flickering at his hands not just his eyes. I think she believed he might actually kill her."

Hermione didn't get the chance to respond as the professor came in and started the class. As she sat listening to the lesson a voice echoed in her head, "Was I really that scary?" She glanced back to meet Mattheo's gaze. "Yes, but I wasn't scared of you, more of what you might do. I've felt that overwhelming fury and I don't think it leaves you with much control."
Mattheo nodded seeming deep in thought as they went back to focusing on class.

After dinner, the Slytherin group was hanging out in the courtyard when a woman's scream ripped through the quiet evening. They looked at each other before running towards the sound. They emerged into the entry hall to see Professor Trelawny looking wild, clothes falling from her shoulders, bags at her feet. She was holding a mostly empty bottle of sherry and shouting at a gleeful Umbridge. As Alexis watched the toad's face show more and more enjoyment over Professor Trelawney's distress over being fired, the fury began to build at an alarming rate.

She heard the toad tell poor Trelawney she was embarrassing them and something snapped, she rushed to her favorite Professor's side flames spreading down her arms. She felt Mattheo by her side emboldening her. "Shut up!" she screamed finally exploding at Umbridge. "How dare you treat her so despicably, she is an amazing teacher. And just because you have decided she doesn't deserve to remain here does not mean you can't give her a modicum of respect and dignity for the time she has devoted to this school!"

Professor McGonagall rushed to Sibyll's side trying to calm her but Umbridge was locked on Alexis and Mattheo. The sight of them had sent most of the students further back and the toad was visibly shaken but was doing her best to hold her ground. Something caught Alexis's eyes making her break eye contact with Umbridge, Dumbledore appeared giving Alexis an almost imperceptible shake of his head. Alexis released the flames but did not move from her beloved professor's side as Dumbledore explained that Sibyll would not be leaving.

Umbridge stormed off as Alexis and Professor McGonagall helped Trelawney carry her things back to her room. Mattheo started to follow but she waved him off. She knew he supported her but she knew he thought Divination was a joke and only took it for an easy class. She helped settle the professor back into her home before leaving with McGonagall. "I'm quite proud of you," she heard Professor McGonagall say as they walked back down the stairs. "The display of power might have been a bit too much but your speech was very kind."

Alexis stopped for a moment causing Minerva to pause as well, "I have visions, things I can't explain. Not like Harry, he's seeing through You-Know-Who's mind. I see actual future events, things that I know are going to happen no matter what I do," she said dropping to sit on the steps. "Professor Trelawney was the only one who made me feel like I wasn't crazy. The thought of her being tossed out, knowing how many people think she's a joke, I don't know I just snapped."

McGonagall sat down next to her, "She may not get to teach you but I know she will always be right in there for you anytime. I know Professor Snape is technically your go-to teacher but I want you to know if you need a gentler, woman's point of view, I would never turn you away." Alexis smiled timidly and nodded. "I should get going, I'd like to go hide from everyone who will probably be terrified by me now. Thank you, Professor, it means a lot to know I have someone else I can come to."

The two went their separate ways and Alexis started heading to find Umbridge. She bumped into someone causing them both to go crashing to the floor. Draco was sprawled out on the floor next to her, "Really, can't you watch where you're going?"

"Sorry Draco I honestly don't even know why I'm going this way," she admitted not understanding what was driving her to go after Umbridge.

He watched as she knelt there looking so lost and he held his hand out to help her up. She looked suspiciously at his outstretched hand before finally taking it. An odd sense of peace washed over her at the contact. Their eyes met for a moment before she pulled her hand from his, "Umm thanks, and sorry again for knocking you down."

Draco stuck his hands in his pockets, "No problem, just try to look where you're going next time." He gave her a small smile hoping she would know he was teasing her. Alexis smiled back as she walked away. She turned to look back at him seeing him still staring after her.

Draco couldn't help but watch her until she was completely out of sight. Something was going on with her. He couldn't put his finger on what but he was going to figure it out no matter what.

Ultimately she decided to go in search of Mattheo and their friends. As she wandered the halls searching for him she noticed the other students giving her a wide berth. She couldn't blame them she knew she had been a terrifying sight.

She finally paid attention to the pull in her stomach and found her friends back in the courtyard. Mattheo's words entered her mind, "Is the toad in the hospital?" She gave him a mischievous grin, "Not yet but the day isn't over yet." He chuckled causing the other Slytherins to give him questioning looks. He shrugged not ready to tell anyone that he and Alexis could hear each other's thoughts with ease.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind kissing her neck. The boys enjoyed their cigarettes as they joked and laughed about the horrified look on the toad's face when Alexis charged in. None of them realized they were being watched. A dark figure hid in the shadows taking note of everything being said. Ready to report anything that the Dark Lord could use to get his son on his side.