Alex Weasley: Book 3

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It was safe to say Hogwarts was completely taken in by the founders' areas. No one knew how to get there yet, but students were being caught exploring all over the place. It was chaotic and fun. Hermione found solace beside Alex who was more than enough to frighten away most people. She couldn't do anything about the people who weren't scared of her, for example, their friends. Luna confused anyone who asked and either sent them in the wrong direction or came up with a nonsense riddle that had no answer. No one really wanted to hound Cedric. That was one of the perks of being Cedric. Everyone liked him and everyone empathised with him when he said he wasn't allowed to say anything until the teachers checked it out. Laila seemed to be thriving under the attention. Especially amongst her house. She was the Slytherin who unearthed Salazar Slytherin's moving portrait.

Another bonus point was that the whole debacle confused Harry. He never recalled Slytherin's portrait in the chamber nor did he know how they got in without parseltongue or the pipes in the girl's bathroom either. Alex had never been so delighted to keep a secret.

In the evening, Alex and Emiko went outside for one last swordfight with their katanas at Hogwarts. Though Emiko was originally supposed to only stay two terms, they'd decided to let her stay the last term too.
"So you really didn't know about the founders' areas?" Emiko tried to distract her before lunging. Alex blocked.

"I had other things on my mind. I figured Hermione was spending time with Ron and Harry."

"So what were you doing?"

"Spent a lot of time with Kichiro and Venus. Practiced for my potions competition. Tried to keep up in my classes." She shrugged. "Avoided the werewolf teacher."

"I think my mother already knew." She said.

"All the teachers knew. Maybe Snape told her."

"Why would he?"

"They talk sometimes. About you, how you're settling in. In return he gets books for me for our DADA class so there's something to challenge me."

"Do you really think that's all?"

"What more could there be?"

"Well there's clearly no lady in his life, and haha has been on her own since chichi died." [mum and dad] Alex stumbled at the suggestion and Emiko gained the upper hand.

"What, no! Wait, maybe. No. Maybe. I don't know." She looked confused. "Do you really think so?"

"Haha never really writes so often. She prefers face to face meetings with people. She says it's easier to tell when they're lying and that people who hide behind paper are dishonest." Alex let her katana drop to her side as Emiko pointed hers at Alex's throat. "I win."

"Snape and your mum have been writing since last year. This exchange program was his idea. And they've known each other longer. He said it was because they're both potion masters."

"How do you know all that? Do you just talk in your DADA class instead of doing actual work?"

"No, actually- I mean, I do work, but sometimes yes."

"I can't imagine speaking to sensei Yukimura like that." She said. "Or willingly, ever, outside of class."

"Me either." Alex agreed.

"You realise Sensei Yukimura is the Mahoutokoro equivalent of Professor Snape?"

"What? No he isn't."

"You don't see it?"

"No, they're nothing alike." She frowned. Emiko smirked.

The next day when everyone went home for the summer, Alex and Danny from Slytherin stayed behind with Professor Snape and the headmaster. Snape would be personally escorting both students to their last potions contest. Well that was the official story. The truth is Alex had to wait behind a little longer to free the dragon. Charlie arrived the next day when Danny was in the Slytherin dungeons.
"Hi." He greeted with a smile and Alex waved. "Dragon, huh?"