The Golden Group

Alice

"Don't forget to read pages 156 to 180 as homework!" Dad calls as everyone files out of the greenhouse.
"Bye dad," I say hugging him quickly before running outside to Transfiguration.
"Hey birdie," James says as I walk towards him. I stop quickly realizing he doesn't know about my animagus then continue slowly.
"What's with the nickname?" I say as he walks parrell to me.
"Nothin just thought I might try it out. So how have you been since umm yeah," his voice trails off. I instantly feel the sharp stab of guilt and grief.
"I- I'll manage, it still hurts though," I sigh remembering the look of betrayal and pain in Albus's eyes.

"Hey if it make you feel any better you can call me Jamie," he says shyly. I can't help but smile at the thought of calling James, one of the toughest guys I know Jamie.

"Thanks, Jamie," I say with a smile. I feel his fingers intertwine with mine. "Lovebirds you are the only friends I got right now," Rose says from behind us and James rolls his eyes,"Hello! Earth to Alice and James!" "Rose just go to the library or something," James says. "Malfoy will be there with his snarled smirk. I want to mess up his face every time I see him," Rose complains. "Well that gives time to duel him then," James says and Rose nods. "Thanks Potter. See you later mates," Rose says and runs up to the castle. "She's really lonely right now," I say and James sighs. "I know with her fight with Malfoy and Potter-"
"Don't remind me. Our group is no longer a group," I say and feel a tear stream down my face. "Hey birdie don't cry. You will be fine you've got me and Rose," he says and wipes the tear away. "I know but Rose. They are her best friends besides me. She grew up with Al-Albus and Scorpius they had something," I say and rest my head on James' shoulder. "Rose is a tough firecracker. My cousin is just like her parents. She will get through it regardless of the odds," James sighs.
I cough out a laugh as James gently puts his arm around my shoulder, hugging me.
"Thanks Jamie," I say as the corners of my mouth turn slightly upward.
"Bloody- I mean you're gonna be late to Transfiguration!" James says turning to take me to class.
"Jamie Sirius Potter you better get to your class I can walk myself to transfiguration thank you very much!" I snap teasingly pushing him in the direction of the charms classroom. Where the 4th year Gryffindors are supposed to be right now.

Sighing softly I walk through the classroom to my seat and glance at Rose who sits on the opposite side of the room, she smiles at me and wiggles her eyebrows teasingly. I smile back and then turn my attention to the front where a dark grey and black cat sits gracefully on Professor McGonagall's  desk. The cat jumps off and McGonagall transforms in human form.
"Today class we'll be reviewing for your upcoming exams. We'll start with turning a tortoise into a tea pot. Would anyone like to demonstrate?" She asks and Rose and Scorpius's hands shoot up. "Mr. Malfoy please come up to the front," McGonagall says and Rose makes an audible groan. "He has a problem. He wants to beat me in everything and of course he raised his hand," Rose rants. "Malfoy could always remake his image, which is unlikely, but he's smart and you're smart so..." I whisper shout to Rose and she rolls her eyes. "We won't have to deal with him next year. I'm cutting him off. Well no longer be friends and I won't talk to him at all," Rose says and turns up her nose. "Miss Weasley, Miss Longbottom, please be quiet," McGonagall commands and lectures on.
"Yes Professor," I sigh jumping a little from her voice. The lecture drones on and I slowly loose focus. With my mind constantly drifting the rest of the day quickly passes and before I know it I'm in the Griffindoor common room.
"Alice in goanna go to sleep, night," Rose says exhaustedly.
"Goodnight," I quietly murmur as she leaves not wanting to disturb the silence. Looking into the fire I am eventually all alone in the red and gold room that substitutes for my home for the two groups of months we call a school semester. I slowly drift into a deep sleep watching the dying flames. Not bothering to be worried by the fact that the fire is enchanted and can never go out unless put out using magic.
Nor did I bother when someone picked me up tenderly and carefully took me up into the girls dormitory, before gently laying me down on my bed and retreating to their own.

"Alice, come on wake up!" Rose says shaking me and I slowly open my eyes.
"I'm up I'm up," I say and get out of my bed and note her robes," You go ahead I'll meet you at breakfast."
"Ok I'll see you soon," Rose says and I change into my robes. I run a brush through my dirty blonde hair and leave it down. Then I lace up my boots and adjust my Gryffindor tie then leave the dormitory. I feel a pair of arms come behind me and lift me up and a smile spreads across my face.
"Hey birdie," James' voice says.
"Hi Jamie," I say and he sets me down.
"Ready for classes today?" He asks then kisses my cheek.
"Yea and I know you brought up to my dorm," I say slightly confused and he smiles.
"Got it right Birdie," he says as we climb out of the portrait hole.
"Thank you," I say and he smiles again.
"No problem Birdie," he says as we walk down to the Great Hall. We walk down the grand stairs and into the Great Hall then towards the Gryffindor table.
" 'Ello Alice, James," Rose says breaking from her conversation with Lily.
"Hi Rose, Lily," I say and take a seat and put some toast, bacon, and eggs on my plate. "Ready for the exams coming up?" Rose asks and James groans.
"Don't remind me!" James says and I giggle.
"I am at least," I say and Rose smiles.
"I'm totally set no distractions from studying or anything," Rose says and we eat our breakfast. Third year is coming to a close quickly. Oh boy.