Lexi Layyer my only weakness*hp fanfic*

Alex Always Alex

A thousand pictures chasing through my head at the same time

The sorting hat roaring out “Gryffindor!” to the cheering crowds in the Hogwarts Great Hall. The feel of the wind chasing through my hair as I charge towards the Hufflepuff goalposts in a tense Quidditch House Cup Final, Quaffle clutched in my arms. The image of a Head Boy badge pinned to the front of my robes. My mother hugging me tightly, a piece of paper listing my perfect NEWT grades in her hand.

And one memory that lingers a little longer – something inside me tells me this memory is special –

There’s a man – tall and good-looking – holding what must be a much younger version of me in his arms, swinging me up in the air. “Jack,” Mum’s voice calls warningly from somewhere behind us, but she’s laughing too.

I recognize this man’s face from all the photo albums Mum has in her room, and also just because it’s so like my own. I know without knowing why that, without doubt, this is one of the most precious memories I have, but another second passes and it flashes out of sight

My first day at Hogwarts

My first day at the Ministry of Magic

My sister, screaming

My sister.

The image of a London street being blown to pieces, and the feel of my body flying backwards through the air

Just before it all goes black, the single picture of my sister’s lifeless body being approached by Draco Malfoy flashes in front of me. I want to move towards her, to push him away from her, but I can’t.

I can only watch without even really understanding what I’m seeing as he bends down towards her and strokes the hair away from her face. A moment later he seems to catch himself and he scoops her up in his arms and carries her out of sight.

And then, blackness. Trails of wispy grey light dash across the black sky every once and a while, but otherwise nothing.

It’s dark for a long while, and so quiet. The silence is deafening.

But then suddenly, one voice, cutting through the blackness like a knife. It sounds nearby but yet so very faraway.

“Alex…”

I don’t recognize the voice at all.

“Can you hear me, Alex, It’s – well, it doesn’t matter who it is. It’s not like you know me anyway.”

I want to open my mouth to reply, or open my eyes to see who it is, but neither body parts are functioning. My mind is spinning.

“Listen, Alex, you’ve been unconscious for weeks,” the voice continues. “Everyone’s worried because you’re not waking up. You’re not dead but you’re not alive, either. I need you to be alive.”

Who are you? I want to reply. I say it over and over in my head, as if, if I do it enough, it’ll transfer telepathically to him.

“…Or rather, your sister needs you. I’m a friend of Lexi’s, Alex. And I know you don’t need to hear this right now, but she’s in danger. She’s in even more danger than who are.”

Who are you?

“She’s missing, no one knows where she is. She’s been missing since the attack that day of the Death Eater attack. You were there, too - that’s why you’re here now.”

For a moment, my mind replaces the black with the sound of screaming and flashes of light. But another second passes, and it’s gone, disappeared back into the abyss.

“…I know where she is, Callum. She’s been taken -…by people who will hurt her if she doesn’t escape soon. But she won’t until she knows that you’re safe. Do you see?”

Through the darkness, there’s the image of my little sister’s laughing face, her eyes sparkling with love for life. My head feels like it’s on fire.

“And if you just wake up, Alex, I think I can help her. But she won’t try and escape until she knows you’re all right. And that’s why you need to wake up. For her. Please.”

Who are you?

“…Look, I’m… I’m not supposed to be here… if anyone finds out I’m gone, I’ll be in a lot of trouble, but… I had to risk it. I know you probably can’t even hear me, but I’m begging you. I care about Lexi just like I know you do. We need to save her. Please try.”

A pause. “Please just open your eyes. If you do, Lexi can be safe. Please wake up.”

The darkness resumes. Somewhere are the faint sounds of footsteps – of a door opening and shutting. Then silence.

A million different images chasing through my head – but this time, only of my sister.

My beloved little sister – little Lelly - who I’ve spent my whole life protecting… I remember the day she lost her first tooth, the day Ollivander gave her her first wand, her first time playing against me in a Quidditch House match – Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor.

And last of all, the image of her screaming and being flung to the ground as a Death Eater’s spell hits the floor beside her

I have to protect her. She’s my sister, and I have to save her.

She won’t try and escape until she knows you’re all right…you need to wake up. For her.

As quickly as it’s come, the darkness suddenly subsides.

My eyes flicker open.