17. THE BOY WITH TWO FACES

"Tell me now, Worthington, while I'm still feeling merciful. Where is Harry Potter? You were with him just now, weren't you? To think you would grab the portkey before him. I've clearly underestimated your skills on a broom."

Alex couldn't make sense of Jason Samuels words. All she could fathom was the burning hatred bubbling within her. Aiming her wand, she launched a Stunning Spell without delay. It destroyed the branch Jason sat on but not him. He jumped down to her smoothly, confidently. She backpedaled and almost tripped. In the short time she was distracted, Jason manage to reach out and yank her by the arm.

"Let's try this again," he said, smirking. "Tell me where Harry Potter is. He and his friends went through the trapdoor, correct? That's the only way you could be here."

"Let me go, you miserable…!"

"Manners. I'm trying to work a deal out with you, one that doesn't involve you dying in this forest and your mangled body being discovered weeks later."

That was right. Alex stood in the Forbidden Forest. Which meant Hagrid's hut couldn't have been far. She screamed for help, hoping her desperate pleas would carry across the tall trees and thick branches. The longer she went on, however, the more Jason laughed.

"Save your breath. No one can hear you. Can't you see how dark it is? You haven't thought why?"

Alex kept on slapping at his arm to no avail. His strength seemed otherworldly. Peering over her shoulder, Jason paid no mind to her thrashing.

"We're deep within the forest, so deep that the trees here completely block out the sky, so deep that there isn't a chance anyone can hear us out here. I'm afraid it's just you and me, Worthington."

Alex shrieked upon being tossed onto the ground. Big mistake. She scrambled to her feet and darted behind the nearest tree before extinguishing her wand light. Her mind got to work on what to do next.

I have to get back to the castle!

She wondered how far Harry, Hermione, and Ron had gotten. Harry might have already been confronting Snape. She needed to be there when that happened.

"Come on out, Worthington," called Jason's voice from the absolute darkness. "Cat got your tongue for once? And here I thought you hadn't a clue how to shut that fat mouth of yours."

Alex wasn't falling for provocation. Breathing deeply, she kept her wand close. Leaves crunched a little too close to her for comfort. Jason was closing in. If she could pinpoint exactly where, she might have a shot at finishing him off before he could do the same to her.

"Silencio!"

As if reading her mind, Jason casted a spell that killed all sound around her. She couldn't even hear her own ragged breaths.

Well, I suppose it's not like I was in the mood to chat.

She might not have been able to track Jason's movements, though he was in the same boat. She raced ahead, her robes billowing behind her. Wandering aimlessly wouldn't get her anywhere. She no longer had a broom and couldn't Apparate. As much as it pained her to admit, Jason was likely the only one that knew how to get back to Hogwarts. She wouldn't kill him, but she had to find a way to make him talk.

Okay, so I've walked into some sort of trap. From the way that idiot is babbling on, Harry was supposed to take that key, not me. Was that their plan? Get us going for the Stone and then trick Harry into coming here?

So, Snape overheard them planning after all. Alex swore under her breath, glad Jason's spell made it a mute one. Never once did she consider waltzing into a trap, a fact that now made her feel foolish. All she, Harry, Ron, and Hermione cared about was beating Snape to the Philosopher's Stone.

Scarlet jets of light flew past from time to time. Jason was evidently firing spells blindly.

What is he doing?

So long as she didn't poke her head out from cover like an idiot, she knew she had nothing to fear. Jason had to have known that too.

Does he not want me to move then? Stalling?

Stalling for what? It wasn't like she was the only one going after the Stone. Her friends were equally as capable of getting it, if not more so. No, she felt like she was missing something.

I need him to talk.

Which meant employing the counter curse to his Silencing Charm. Unfortunately, it wasn't coming to her. She recalled seeing it in another one of her book's, so she was at least sure she knew.

Suddenly, the volley of spells ceased. Nothing whatsoever happened for the new few minutes, leaving Alex on edge.

What now? We just dance in the dark?

That didn't appeal to her. She wasn't the romantic type. Jason though was the patient sort. He might have been trying to wear her down mentally so she would make a mistake. Sweat laced her face, forcing her to rub it out of her burning eyes. She and Jason would be out there for hours at the rate things were going. That was precious time Alex didn't have. She had to get to Snape before it was too late, before he fled with his tail in between his legs.

They still had a score to settle.

Jason won't come out, not without some encouragement.

Fortunately, she didn't need to talk to cast a spell. She learned that dueling while Tristan. Aiming her wand around the tree and at a random point, she shot white light, a hex. She could hardly call that strategy, but she thought Jason hard pressed to simply stand there at let himself be hit. Then again, if she missed, she would reveal her own location.

Her gamble worked.

The dim light from her spell illuminated the area enough for her to catch a glimpse of something ducking to the right. Her confidence swelled; she launched a second hex where Jason fled, and he again rolled to safety. He angled himself into an offensive position and blew away part of the tree Alex hid behind with a Stunning Spell. Wincing, she refused to let it rattle her, understanding what to do now.

Another blast of scarlet destroyed the top of the tree. Alex already moved out into the open seconds prior, leaving herself exposed. Like a hungry lion, Jason pounced. Jinxes whizzed past Alex, resembling a hail of gunfire. One scraped her cheek and left a bleeding cut. She paid it no mind.

Think!

A second almost blew her arm off.

Think, Alex!

A third got her heart pounding even harder, hard enough to put her scattered thoughts in place.

That's it! Sonorus!

A painful flood of sounds hit her all at once—her sweeping across the field, Jason shouting as he launched yet another hex, the wind howling through the thick branches, her own staggered breathing. Drowning them out, Alex ducked another spell and aimed her wand true.

Unlike Jason, she wouldn't miss.

"Locomotor Mortis!"

In mid stride, Jason's legs snapped together, and he hit the dirt face first.

"DON'T MOVE!" Alex shouted as she hurried her way over to him. She kicked him over on his back, pointing her wand straight at his heart. "Don't you dare move!"

Having been crawling to safety, Jason heeded her words, even putting his hands up.

"A non-verbal counter spell to my Silencing Charm. Well done, Worthington. Well done."

His compliments meant nothing. Although her arm trembled something fierce, Alex kept her wand fixed on him and her expression full of malice.

"Lumos!"

She ran her light over him to make sure he wasn't carrying anything nasty. His wand was nowhere in sight. He must have lost it during the chaos.

"Thorough, aren't you?" he remarked. "I'm no threat to you now."

"Shut up!" Alex hissed. His conversational tone drove her nuts. He sounded the same when she interrogated him in the hospital wing. "Shut up! I've got you, Samuels! I've got you at last!"

"Yes, Worthington, you've got me."

Panting, Alex wasn't sure what to ask about first. Her mind, like her heart, raced.

"I've never seen a first year with such fine dueling skills. You'd make a good Auror. Trying to be like dear, old mum, eh?"

"I'm not in the mood for this, Samuels! Just tell me what I need to know! Where's Snape?! Has he already gotten the Stone?! Answer me!"

"...Why? So you can save that damned Potter boy? It's too late, Worthington. He'll die tonight, and the Dark Lord will have his revenge at long last."

Alex had half a mind to put out her wand light. The sullen, exuberant look that came over Jason shook her to the core. No human should have been able to work their face in such a way.

There remained what he said. 'The Dark Lord.' She thought long and hard about it.

"...Since when have you been a Death Eater? I thought you were just some sort of assassin."

"You fool. I have been plotting this night, waiting for it. I've been the one using someone, not the other way around. Everything has been for the Dark Lord's revival, everything."

"You-Know-Who is dead," she Alex firmly. "And so is Snape when I get my hands on him!"

Jason laughed heartily, like she had told a joke. They reverberated across the forest, making them all the more harrowing.

"You don't get it, Worthington! You don't! You've been so caught up on Severus Snape that you and your little friends have been completely blind to the truth!"

"I already know about You-Know-Who trying to come back! I've seen the unicorns in the forest. I've seen him! He's been using the blood to stay alive, but what he really wants is the Stone. It's not happening! I've already stopped you. Snape's the one I have to…!"

"You still don't get it."

"Shut up! You're not making any sense! If Harry's the one you wanted dead, why you'd keep going after me?"

"You, Alexandra Worthington, are more valuable than you know."

The cryptic reply left Alex more confused than when she began.

"...I don't have the patience for this," she uttered. Jason no doubt strove to waste even more of her time. Looking up, she pointed her wand to the sky. Red sparks, the very same Hagrid taught her to make, shot past the huge trees and up into the night sky. "They'll have a nice, comfy cell waiting for you in Azkaban, Samuels."

"You can put me there, but my Master will reward my sacrifice. I will be out in time to see blood traitors like you killed like lambs to the slaughter."

"Name calling? I figured you above that. ...Not really."

"Finding it hard to swallow the truth? I don't blame you. You all convinced yourself it would never happen. 'The Dark Lord's reign is over at long last.' Blood traitors such as yourself will be the first to go. You'll go alongside your precious Mudbloods!"

"...Don't use that word," Alex muttered bitterly, thinking of Hermione.

"They'll all be thrown out of Hogwarts. Back to their Mudblood parents and then into the..."

Growling, Alex pressed her wand against Jason's nose. If it were a knife, she would stabbed him.

"Kill me. Do it," he snapped. "It won't save you. Your time is up, Worthington. For all the times you've beaten me, it hasn't mattered one bit. Not even a little."

Alex grappled with her emotions. Every fiber of her being craved to grant Jason's wish and shut him up once and for all. If she didn't, what was stopping him from tormenting someone else? No one deserved to stay up at night wondering if they would be murdered in their bed sheets.

Even so, Alex moved her wand away. "...I'm won't stoop to the level of you and your Death Eater pals."

Her red sparks would be seen. All she had to do was wait for Jason to be hauled off.

"You are weak! This is why the Dark Lord will win. Mercy. How pathetic."

Being thoroughly defeated did nothing to hold Jason's tongue. Irritated, Alex stomped her foot on his face.

"I'll give you something to talk about since you're so eager," she said pointedly. "What was the portkey for? If you really wanted to kill Harry, you could have waited with the Stone. Since you know so damn much, you must have know we'd come for it."

She couldn't think of any particular advantage of doing the deed in the Forbidden Forest.

"Where I killed him wasn't important," said Jason. "I simply wanted to be the one to do it."

"...As opposed to Snape." Alex laughed. "You're the pathetic one. Do all you Death Eaters only care about glory?"

"And what about you, Worthington?"

"What?"

"You were drawn to that portkey, weren't you? Felt you had to get your hands on it before anyone else, right?"

Alex said nothing. The lack of light hid the fact her eyes were as wide as saucers.

"Aren't you in it for the glory?" Jason continued. "You grabbed that key because it was different from the rest. You didn't care if actually did anything special. You just wanted to stand out, to contribute to the team. Everything you do is for attention, isn't it?"

"Shut up! Don't talk like you know me!"

"Oh, but I do. I've been watching you. I'm always watching you."

That was a lie. He only claimed that to distract her. Alex shook the horrid words out of her mind and pressed her foot even harder against his skull.

"The only reason you wanted to help Potter was so you could get in on some of the glory. You crave it. You need it. That's why you can't stay out of trouble. Potter and his pals are a magnet for it. That's why you follow them around like the obedient dog you are. You enjoy being the center of attention. It doesn't matter how many points you have taken away. It won't ever be enough for you."

"Shut your miserable…!"

"We are more alike than you realize. We both want to be the stars of the show. You don't actually believe that crap about beating Snape. Just saying so out loud makes you feel good, doesn't it? It makes you feel almost as important as the legendary Harry Potter. Yes, you want to be just like him, don't you?"

"I am warning you!"

"You won't kill me, Worthington, because there's no one here to see you do it. You'd rather have me hauled off to Azkaban so Dumbledore can pin a medal to your chest and tell everyone how great you are. Please.Taking my spot on the team amused you to no end, didn't it? All those people watching your every..."

"Stup…!"

"CRUCIO!"

Alex never saw it coming. She convinced herself Jason had no means of attacking her. She shouldn't have returned his voice. She should have made sure his wand was nowhere to be found.

Instead, she half near ruptured her vocal cords shrieking at the top of her lungs. White hot pain, pain she didn't know was possible, coursed through every fiber of her being. It felt like all of her bones were breaking, like thousands of needles were impaling her. She came close to passing out on the spot. The anguish was brief but lasting, knocking her off her feet. Wheezing, she couldn't move a muscle. Her blurring vision caught sight of Jason Samuels standing over.

"Crucio!"

The second Unforgivable Curse hurt just as much as the first. The only difference was Alex no longer had the strength to scream. Foam dripped from her lips, whereas her body convulsed like a puppet tied to strings. For a number of moments, she really did black out. Her consciousness, alongside the searing pain, came back soon enough.

"You like that, Worthington? That was stupid. You really should've killed me when you had the chance. Unfortunately, I haven't been trained to show the same mercy."

Still twitching, Alex hardly heard Jason. She couldn't make sense of anything other than she was about to die. She would die because she stuck her nose where it didn't belong, because she messed with forces beyond her comprehension, because she really had lowered her guard in the presence of a complete psychopath.

"My Master has taught me all sorts of tricks. That was only one of them. Since it looks like you're no longer in any position to talk back, how about I tell you a story before you die?"

Alex did the only thing she could—she spat right on Jason's cheek as he crouched down. He merely stood there for a number of moments.

"...Your manners are as poor as your attitude. Crucio."

Alex's voice returned. Her shrill cries sped across the Forbidden Forest over and was madness. She could feel her mind breaking. The sweet release of death would no doubt be heaven compared to such agony.

"Don't worry. I assure you it's an interesting tale." Jason stood. He paced around Alex, eyeing her carefully. She blankly gazed up at pure darkness, no longer sure of what was happening. "It's about my parents, dear, old Mum and Dad. Did you know they were also Death Eaters? Yes, they were quite loyal to the Dark Lord, enough so that they died in Azkaban for him. That's a far cry from those other cowards that plead their innocent. Just the Imperious Curse they said. Just the Dark Lord threatening their families. After they plundered and gained riches beyond their wildest dreams thanks to my Master, they had the nerve to turn on him the moment things looked grim. But...not my parents. No, not them. They were proud Death Eaters. They would have died a thousand more times for our Lord.

"They raised me to do the same. For many years, I am ashamed to admit that I too had to sink my head into the ground. Though, it wasn't because I was afraid. No, I couldn't serve my Master behind some Azkaban cell. I needed to be patient. I needed to wait for an opportunity. Then, one came to me. The Philosopher's Stone. I thought it an impossible quarry. Never did we imagine Flamel would hand it over to Dumbledore, bring it here to Hogwarts. Of course, he thought it would be safe here. All the instructors did as well. What they didn't know is that we had a mole on the inside, someone who knew how to get past all the pitiful defenses guarding the Stone."

Snape. Severus Snape. Alex regretted not turning him in when she had the chance. One trip to Dumbledore's office would have saved hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

Including her own.

"Did you think I was incapacitated in that hospital wing? Hoping that memory charm your friends cast on me actually worked? No, Worthington. That's exactly where I wanted to be. There, the only eyes on me were that foolish matron's. I was free to sneak out during the night to scout out the castle and watch the movements of its protectors. Hell, even before then, I had you all fooled. How do you think we got that troll into the school on Halloween? That was me. What about looking out for the teachers so that my partner could move about freely? Again, me.

"Snape, however, was onto us. The damn traitor. He sniffed out Quirrell from the beginning. Then again, the fool has never performed well under pressure. I'm surprised he lasted this long."

Alex blamed what she heard on her pain. It almost sounded like Snape was the good guy. She wasn't sure what Jason meant by calling him a 'traitor' though.

"Snape figured me out too not long after. Of course, he couldn't just go after a student. He'd do the school and Dumbledore no good being suspended. No one would ever believe a student could be a Death Eater either. Like me, he was forced to watch...and wait.

"Snape was the one that informed your mother of what was going on here at Hogwarts, Worthington. He is the reason you got that pesky letter. I thought I had taken care of it. I thought I had convinced you Snape was the one who wanted you dead when it was really Quirrell. You and Potter. That damned Snape has been doing his best to keep both of you alive."

Alex shuddered.

Professor...Quirrell? No, that's impossible! Snape's been threatening him because Quirrell knows he's trying to steal the Stone! How could Professor Quirrell be...?

"Quirrell was a decent actor at least. Always stuttering. Always acting the part of a blithering imbecile. He has no talent for the Dark Arts, but he has done his part in keeping my Master alive so that he could seize this opportunity. He is a useful servant. Not as useful as me, but..."

"Q-Quidditch..."

"Oh, you can talk a bit? Impressive. Very impressive. You don't cease to amaze. What exactly are you trying to say though?"

"Q-Quirrell...and S-Snape…? On the...Quidditch...pitch..."

"Ah. You're referring to the incident during Potter's first game. Yes, well as I've stated, Quirrell is unfortunately ruddy at the Dark Arts. Chanting a curse in the middle of broad daylight like an idiot. No one noticed thankfully...no one but Snape. He chanted the counter curse. He saved I said, the man has done his best to keep you and Potter in one piece. This is in spite of your blind hatred for him clouding your judgment. Of course, that was the plan from the beginning. While it wasn't likely, if one of you could've removed Snape from the picture, that would have assisted us greatly.

"As it is, even he should be too late to make a difference. No dog of Dumbledore is a match for the Dark Lord's might. By now, I suspect my Master has already claimed the Philosopher's Stone and is back to the height of his power."

Stupid. Alex felt so stupid. Jason was right—she had let her hatred of Snape get in the way. Not once did she consider someone far worse could be working behind the scenes.

"I believe we've come to the end of our tale. You, of course, know the rest. By the time Dumbledore returns here and realizes what has happened, it will be far too late.

"I should've let the Bludger finish the job. I was soft. I was weak. My Master will be upset with me. ...No matter. I'll kill you this time for sure, Worthington, where there aren't hundreds of prying eyes to watch me do it. Yes, it's better this way."

Alex, having regained the feeling in right hand, tried reaching for her wand.

"Looking for this?"

If she could sigh, she would have. Of course Jason held her only means of getting out of this mess. He smirked triumphantly before pocketing it. His own wand began to glow dangerously. Another Cruciatus Curse would no doubt finish his constant thorn in the side.

"Wingardium Leviosa."

Like a feather, Alex floated into the air. Her limbs hung uselessly. So did her neck. She didn't care what happened next. Anything would be good if it meant an end to the searing pain.

Sorry, Mother...Father. Hufflepuff would have been good for me. I would've behaved like a good girl in that house.

She guessed this was the part where her life flashed before her eyes. Nothing of the sort happened. Perhaps she was too young to remember anything of importance.

Oh, I forgot to finish my Potions homework. ...Oh well.

"Goodbye, Worthington. Avada Keda…!"

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

Something clattered onto the dirt, something besides Alex. She took a wild guess and presumed it was Jason's wand. That would have explained the look of absolute fury on his face.

"THORNE!"

With her consciousness fading again, Alex wasn't able to move her head up to see who marched onto the scene, nor could she tell what the sound of a scuffle was all about. It lasted for a long while, with irate grunts and shouts trailing every punch.

"Good...night..."

Alex couldn't take it any longer. As her eyelids drooped, she sank into a deep sleep almost at once. It envied even the strongest sleeping draught.

#

"...afraid you can't keep coming here, Thorne. You too, Potter. I'll have to start renting you those beds at this rate."

It sounded like a joke. Madam Pomfrey never joked though. Alex let out a raspy laugh anyway.

The room, which once brimmed with chatter, died at once. Only then did Alex's eyes shoot open. She regretted doing so when light stung them something fierce.

"She's awake! Bloody hell!"

"Alex! Say something! Tell us you're alright!"

"Blink once for alive and twice for dead."

"Hey, quiet! She ain't dead! It'd take a lot more than that to kill you, Princess!"

"No crowding the girl now! Yes, you too, Thorne! Give the poor dear some air!"

Too many voices. All of them made Alex's already throbbing skull hurt even more. Plugging her ears, she risked opening her eyes again.

Four faces, ones that were too close for comfort, stared back at hers.

"Please, stand back!" ordered Madam Pomfrey. The elderly witch moved in even closer than the others. She pulled Alex's eyelids fully open. She then placed a kind hand onto Alex's forehead. "How are you feeling, dear?"

"...Like Hagrid sat on me for a few hours."

"Hey! What's that supposed ter mean?"

Hagrid, looking highly affronted, marched his way over to Alex's bedside. Her slight didn't hurt him for long as he gave her wide smile from the tangled mass of his bushy beard.

"All right then?" he asked.

Alex said nothing. Her brain gradually processed being in the hospital wing. It then filled her in on Ron, Hermione, Luna, and Tristan watching her anxiously. She blinked.

"Oh, she's alive after all," said Luna, nodding in satisfaction.

"Of course she is!" said Ron incredulously. "Oy, you are, right?"

Alex pondered the question. "Define 'alive.' My everything hurts right now..."

"No kidding. After what you went through..." Tristan's sentence trailed off, and his face wrinkled with disgust. "Well, let's just say it's a good thing I got to you when I did. They were going to transfer you to St. Mungos, but Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let anyone else touch you. She said you needed undisturbed rest. No wonder she's so cross with us being here."

"Got to me when you…?" It came back to Alex all at once. Sneaking into the third floor corridor with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Getting past Fluffy. The surprise portkey. Her encounter with Jason Samuels in the Forbidden Forest. Standing right at death's door. "I have several questions."

"Yes, we'd best fill you in on what's going on." Hermione sighed in relief. If Alex could wave her arms about in a frenzy, she was likely okay. "Oh, we were so worried! We had no idea one of those keys was a portkey."

"You and me both."

"Who is that now? Oh, she finally woke up."

Every head in the room shifted to the person that spoke, Alex's included. A wide-eyed and bewildered Jason Samuels stared back at her. She never imagined his expression could be so soft, so full of life. He nodded timidly, as her scowling alone could kill.

"What's he doing here?! You're really going to…!"

"Calm down, Princess!" Tristan, alongside the others, had to force Alex back into bed. "Look, I don't blame you for getting upset, but you've got to listen!"

"Listen nothing! Where's my wand?! Where is it?!"

Jason actually yelped. The sound was so cartoonish, so unreal, that all of Alex's anger went up in smoke.

"...Who is this guy?" she asked as her eyelids narrowed.

"That...is Jason Samuels. Or, at the very least, the real Jason Samuels."

He strode into the room like a strong, refreshing current. Silvery hair and beard. Half moon spectacles. Even his blue robes appeared to glitter in the morning light. Alex's jaw lowered, and lowered...and lowered. Albus Dumbledore smiled kindly, nodding his head.

"Good morning, Miss Worthington. I trust you've had sufficient rest?"

"Um...y-yes, sir!" Alex sat up straight and grew rigid like a statue. She had to stop herself from saluting. The Albus Dumbledore was actually standing before her. "I...feel fine."

"I'm glad to hear it." Dumbledore waved his hand. Four chairs came flying out of nowhere and seated Ron, Hermione, Tristan, and Luna. A bigger chair appeared before Dumbledore, and he too stretched his legs. "Now then, you've been through quite the ordeal. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have, but forgive me if I sound a bit testy. I mean no harm. I'm simply not fond of repeating myself at times. I'm sure most of what you will ask, I've already explained to Harry yesterday."

"Harry?"

How hadn't Alex noticed him? He rested in the bed across from hers, thankfully looking perfectly healthy.

"All right, Alex?" he said in a clear imitation of Hagrid. Like her, he grinned.

"I am!" she lied brightly. No wonder there were so many people there. Most of them were there to see Harry, not her. This realization did absolutely nothing to damper her sudden and good mood. "I'm so glad you're alright!"

This would usually be the part where hugs were exchanged. Alex didn't dare get up though, fearing all of her bones would snap.

"What happened to Quirrell? How did you get past him? And what happened to…?"

She gasped. The Philosopher's Stone. How could she have forgotten about the most important thing of all? She again attempted to hop out of bed. Something about Dumbledore's stare though kept her where she was. It wasn't threatening or even scary. His blue eyes simply told her everything would be just fine if she stayed put.

"R-Right...thank you, sir. Erm...about the Stone then?"

"Safe and sound thanks to the efforts of you and your friends."

Alex wasn't the only one that shifted guiltily. "Uh...a-about that, sir, we..."

"Harry has already informed me of what happened the other night."

Great. Alex sank under her sheets a bit. Here was the part where they all got in trouble, and perhaps expelled, for breaking dozens upon dozens of Hogwarts' rules. Nevertheless, Professor Dumbledore continued to beam at her.

"Mister Tristan Thorne here tells me you went through a great ordeal to protect the Philosopher's Stone. You have my thanks, Miss Worthington."

Having never anticipated being praised, Alex found herself quite speechless.

"Due to you and your friends' efforts, I managed to stop Professor Quirrell before he could flee with the Stone."

Relief swelled within Alex. "Good. That's...good. No, it's great."

"I believe so as well. I'm afraid I'm making myself out to be more heroic in spite of what actually transpired. You see, I arrived rather late to the festivities. Harry had the situation quite under control."

Alex shot Harry an impressed look. She fretted over him for nothing. It shouldn't have been too surprising that The Boy Who Lived once again done the impossible.

"By the way," she said, "how long have I been asleep?"

"Four days," answered Ron. "We didn't think you'd ever wake up! The feast is tonight, you know."

"She's fortunate she woke up at all considering..."

Tristan shook his head firmly. Hermione piped down on the double.

Of course, Alex didn't need reminding she went through hell a week ago. The culprit sat in the bed across from hers.

"It's not what you think," said Ron gingerly.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Alex cried.

"You have every right to be upset, Miss Worthington," said Dumbledore. "However, if you would give us a moment or two more of your time, I would be happy to set things straight."

Jason recoiled under Alex's gaze again. She could have confused him for a helpless infant. If this was an act, he deserved every award in the book.

"Mister Samuels here has been under the Imperious Curse for quite some time."

Alex gaped at Dumbledore incredulously. "The...Imperious Curse?"

"It seems Professor Quirrell had been quite busy as of late. We aren't sure when he put the Curse on Jason, only that it has been in effect for most of the school year. Of course, Quirrell's wand work isn't the greatest. There have been brief spells where Mister Samuels has been able to shake the Curse loose for a short while."

Gasping, Alex already knew what Dumbledore was getting at. "So, when he saved me from the Bludger…!"

"Indeed. It seems he fought the curse off sufficiently enough to anger Professor Quirrell. He really wanted you out of the picture, I'm afraid. He likely doubled the curse's effect, which would explain Mister Samuels' rather erratic behavior the next time you met."

"So, Quirrell…" Wanted her to believe Snape was the one after her life, not him. It all made sense to Alex now. "So, the story about Jason's parents being Death Eaters…?"

"Not a word of it is true. In fact, we contacted Mister Samuels' parents awhile ago to inform them their son was in one piece. Whatever you were told was all crafted by Quirrell to get you to, regretfully, kill one another."

Unreal. Alex sat in total shock, feeling weak again. There was so much to unravel.

"So..." she began with much reluctance. It would have been easier to shut her mouth and be grateful she still had her life. "Snape..."

"Professor Snape, my dear."

"Professor Snape, he knew all this? He knew about Quirrell and Samuels the whole time?"

Dumbledore nodded kindly. "You'll find him more caring than you and your friends give him credit for."

Alex wasn't sure about that. She stopped herself from snorting only because it was Dumbledore that sat in front of her. Snape wouldn't be forgiven so easily for making her life a living hell during all those Potions lessons.

But...she could concede she owed him her life.

"What...happened after Samuels attacked me? I..."

"Don't remember? Yes, I believe that a most fortunate turn of events. Mister Thorne came rushing after you once getting your message. I suspect he got there in the nick of time from the state of you."

For whatever reason, Tristan avoided Alex's eyes.

"Huh? How did he find me? I was in the middle of the Forbidden Forest! What message?"

"Ah, but Miss Worthington, you yourself were the key discovering your whereabouts."

Alex didn't follow until she remembered sending out red sparks. Still, she didn't see where Tristan came in.

"Mister Thorne here was in the middle of detention with Professor McGonagall when he saw your message from an opportune window. He broke several school rules before heading off to rescue you, but I believe I must commend him on his indomitable spirit. Of course, any and all punishments levied against him have been revoked."

'I'll know.' Tristan said those words with utter confidence, confidence Alex didn't place any faith in at the time. As she stared at him in awe, he gave her an awkward shrug.

"Yeh remembered that spell," said Hagrid, his great, big eyes welling with more tears. He grabbed an equally over sized handkerchief and blew his nose. He sounded like a trumpet. "Oh, Alex..."

"It's a right useful spell," she replied honestly. "I'll hope to use it for a more innocuous reason in the future."

"Are you all saying...I hurt this girl here?"

Jason sounded as awful as Alex felt. She couldn't imagine being put under a spell that removed control of yourself, one where you became someone else's slave.

"Why Samuels? How did Quirrell…?"

"You must have found it strange to be suddenly thrust as the manager of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team," said Dumbledore. "I'm afraid it was Professor Quirrell who gave you the initial recommendation. I believe he overheard you and Cedric Diggory talking at some point. With you on the Quidditch team alongside Mister Samuels, the latter would have had plenty of opportunities to strike. Of course, as I've stated, he fought the Imperious Curse rather valiantly."

Jason turned his head, looking like they were speaking of a total stranger.

"And...where is Professor Quirrell now, sir? Where did he go?" asked Alex.

A bit of the twinkle extinguished from Dumbledore's eyes. Or had that only been Alex's imagination? "I'm afraid Voldemort will no longer have any use for him. He's never been a man of forgiveness."

Everyone in the room grimaced at the name. Dumbledore said it as easy as breathing. Alex paid far more attention to the rest of his words. That sounded like either Quirrell wasn't among them anymore or that would be the case in due time. Regardless, she couldn't say she felt any sympathy for him.

"I must commend you, Miss Worthington. You showed caring and compassion when most in your precarious position would have responded with deadly force. An innocent man is still alive because of you."

Innocent, huh? Alex found it difficult to accept all the horrible things Jason had done as the result of a spell. The pain and torment she went through since the start of term felt real enough.

Perhaps reading her expression, Jason lowered his head.

"...What happened with the Quidditch match?"

Why she remembered missing the game at that moment, she wasn't sure. The question was so trivial, Alex felt somewhat foolish for asking. No one chastised her, however. Ron though looked like he swallowed a handful of lemons.

"...We got squashed by your team. Worst Gryffindor defeat in three hundred years."

Alex blinked. "...Huh?"

She leered at Tristan for clarification. He busied splitting his sides, which confirmed Ron's description of the game was spot on. She joined in, making Ron grow even redder.

"Slytherin won the Quidditch Cup though. House Cup too."

Tristan wasn't laughing anymore. He and Ron now shared expressions of the utmost disgust. Alex could have puked. Any happiness she felt at Ravenclaw getting their first, and only, victory of the year went up in smoke. She could picture it now—Malfoy running through the halls and subjecting anyone unfortunate enough to pass by with bragging insults.

The door to the hospital wing flew open. Professor McGonagall surveyed the room, paying no mind to the large crowd, and hurried over to Dumbledore. Worry, and a hint of fear, adorned her features.

"Professor, I don't mean to interrupt, but I'm afraid we need to speak at once. Something has happened."

She said no more. Dumbledore must have thought the panic in her tone was enough. He stood, striding toward the exit with her at his side.

"I wish you a speedy recovery, Miss Worthington."

The moment they left, everyone glanced at one another. Nothing about the conversation sounded pleasant.

#

"No! Absolutely not! Out of the question!"

"But Professor Dumbledore said I could go for a little while!"

"You are ill, young lady! Hit by the Cruciatus Curse and then talks about going to the feast! It's a wonder you're still alive!"

Alex thought that unfair. If she felt up to going, she should be allowed to. If she missed out on all the good food and tidings, she wouldn't be able to experience it again until next school year.

Besides, if there was anyone Madam Pomfrey should scream at, it was Jason Samuels. He was allowed to go to the feast despite being a homicidal maniac. Alex still wasn't ready to forgive or cut him any slack just because of an Unforgivable Curse.

"Please, ma'am? Pretty please? I promise I'll come back!"

"Oh, fine!" Madam Pomfrey threw her arms up in exasperation. "But at the very least, go down with Potter. If something happens to you…!"

"It won't."

Alex stated that with confidence. With Quirrell gone and Jason back in his right state of mind, she would be able to breathe easily again. Not that it mattered since the end of the school year was right around the corner. Chuckling, she could take solace in her remaining six years at Hogwarts being a lot more carefree. There wasn't a chance the craziness that happened during her first year would rear its ugly head again.

"Ready to go, Alex?" said Harry, climbing out of bed.

"Ready when you are."

Harry threw her arm over his shoulder and help her out of bed. She held back the urge to giggle in delight.

"Sorry about this," she said, not really sorry at all.

"It's fine," Harry replied. "Let's hurry before we're late."

"Too late for that, I think. She was holding us hostage for a long awhile."

With Madam Pomfrey glowering at them the whole time, they made their way out of the hospital wing and toward the Great Hall. From all his grunting, Alex could tell Harry was straining to drag her along. So much for her bragging about being carried to dinner by the legendary Harry Potter.

"I...think I can stand a bit. Here, just let me lean on your shoulder some."

Harry immediately looked grateful.

The corridors were empty. Just about everyone had most likely made it to the feast. Alex wasn't complaining and rather enjoyed the unusual stillness of the castle. In spite of all her protesting to Madam Pomfrey, she still ached something fierce. She really had been fortune to escape that mess in the forest with her life.

Even so, that had to be nothing compared to the ordeal Harry went through.

"Hey, Harry," she said carefully. "Erm...y-you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but Dumbledore didn't explain something. How did you manage to stop You-Know-Who again?"

"Dumbledore said it was love."

"Love?"

Harry nodded. "My mother. When she sacrificed herself to save me, it...created some sort of magic, magic that Voldemort (Alex stifled a yelp) doesn't understand. Anyway, he somehow merged himself with Quirrell, and when Quirrell tried grabbing me, it burned his skin."

"Oh..."

The mental image wasn't pretty, although Alex's unenthusiastic reply stemmed more from having no clue what to make of that. Mere love didn't sound strong enough to stop He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Was that really even magic? Putting her finger on her chin, she made a mental note to look that up when she got the chance.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to make you talk about your mother when..."

"It's fine," said Harry quickly. Alex wondered if it really was. "Anyway, that's how I stopped Quirrell from getting the Stone. I managed to hold him off long enough for Dumbledore to show up."

Since Harry answered her first question, Alex decided to go deeper. "Why does he want to kill you so badly? Samuels, when he was still Imperiused anyway, wanted you dead too to impress You-Know-Who. I guess that was really Quirrell talking."

"...I don't know."

That wasn't him lying or deflecting the question. His quiet tone made it clear he really didn't have an answer.

"Dumbledore wouldn't tell me," he added. "He reckons I need to be older to understand."

It must have been one heck of a bombshell, Alex thought. Still, she felt someone who survived You-Know-Who twice deserved to be told whatever they pleased.

"Well, I really am glad you're alright. Ron and Hermione too. Anyway, you had all those people there to see you, so they're relieved as well."

Harry stared at Alex incredulously. "What do you mean 'there to see me?' They were there for you too."

"Come off it."

"I'm serious. Even the Ravenclaw Quidditch team came to visit while you were still sleep."

The news was a pleasant surprise. Even so, Alex frowned and refused to let the good feeling last last.

There she was again. Maybe Jason was right. Maybe she craved nothing more than attention. Harry was the one who saved the day. All she did was complicate matters by insisting on going with him, Ron, and Hermione to get the Stone and then nearly dying because curiosity got the better of her. Dumbledore commended her actions, though now she didn't understand why. She did nothing special.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry.

Alex sniffled as warm, bitter tears rolled down her face.

"I...don't deserve that," she said, more to herself than Harry. "I didn't deserve any of that. I'm just begging for attention again..."

Tristan could have died trying to save her. If she merely heeded his and everyone's advice of keeping her nose clean…

"You don't really think that, do you?" Harry once more sounded stunned. "Everyone was worried about you, Alex, because we're friends."

"F-Friends…?"

She yearned to cry all over again. Now she fully understood Luna's delight when she mentioned they were best friends.

"You've helped us out loads, Alex. Nobody thinks you did it for attention."

"N-No, I...suppose they don't."

The words helped better than any of Madam Pomfrey's medicine. Alex, stifling a couple more sobs, wiped her face clean. She had her apprehensions about attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which seemed like a lifetime ago.

Now, she knew that had been the best decision.

"Um...Harry? Thanks. Thanks a lot."

She had many more questions. They would have to wait. This was the time to celebrate, not dwell on near death experiences. So, she shut her mouth and continued to let Harry guide her.

"I heard about you playing Beater for the Ravenclaws. They say you're pretty good."

"Not as good as you playing Seeker. That catch you had against Slytherin during your first game was..."

The topic of Quidditch carried them all the way to the Great Hall.

Green and silver decked the room out, from the banners that adorned the walls to the tablecloth. Someone even bewitched the torches to glow a faint green. Speaking of green, that was how Alex felt. Both jealous and sick to her stomach, she debated on turning back to the hospital wing before remembering Harry took time out of his evening to help her.

He assisted her again, this time to the Ravenclaw table. All the while, the usual chatter that flooded the Great Hall hushed all at once. Hundreds of eyes trained themselves on Harry and Alex.

"I've got her," said Tristan, taking Alex and sitting her beside him.

"Thanks, Harry," she repeated, thinking she could have said it one hundred more times, and it still wouldn't have been enough.

Harry took his seat at the Gryffindor table, and the loud talking resumed. Every now and then, Ravenclaws looked down the table to steal a glance at Alex.

"You sure you're up to being here?" said Tristan. He scowled at her onlookers, who made haste to stare elsewhere. "If you're hungry, we could've just brought you food."

By 'we,' he meant himself and Luna. She sat to the right of Alex, humming absentmindedly. While an odd time to do so, Alex finally saw how strange a trio they must have appeared. All of them had distinct personalities that weren't a shred like the others. How they got along, she hadn't the faintest idea.

"Because we're friends."

Harry's words rang across her thoughts again. She smiled.

"Hey, loony," said Tristan.

Luna's head shot up. "Yes?"

"Not you. Her." Tristan thumbed at Alex. "Why are you mumbling to yourself? Bumped your head on the way here?"

Infuriated, she smacked him on the shoulder.

"Yeah, you're alright," he said grudgingly, rubbing the spot.

Alex pointed and said, "Oh, there's Professor Dumbledore."

Dumbledore found his seat at the staff table. A pep looked to be in his step though not as peppy as when he came to see Alex. All the chattering died again.

"Another year gone in the blink of an eye!" said Dumbledore energetically. "While you all look famished enough to tear into an Erumpent, I'm afraid I need to subject you to an old man's wheezing waffle beforehand."

Everyone laughed.

"What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are as full as your stomachs are certain to be in a bit. You have plenty of time to get them empty again before the next school year."

'Next school year.' Alex wouldn't be gone from Hogwarts long, but summer vacation starting at last sank in. Sadness swept over her. She wouldn't be seeing her friends for a good while.

"If I recall correctly, we need to get on with formally awarding the House Cup," Dumbledore continued.

Alex sighed and missed the rest of what he said. The House Cup didn't matter. She lost Ravenclaw so many points over the year that they had to be dead last.

Cheers and applause exploded from the Slytherin table, reminding a sour Alex which House was in the lead. If she recalled correctly, this would be the seventh year in a row they won the Cup.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, we have some last minute points to award."

The hooting and hollering stopped. Alex spotted Draco Malfoy looking as pale as during their detention in the Forbidden Forest.

"Ahem," uttered Dumbledore fairly dramatically. "First, Mister Ronald Weasley…"

Alex found Ron next. He grew a strange shade of purple.

"...who played the best game of chess this school has seen in years. I award Gryffindor fifty points."

Howls of delight came from the Gryffindors. Alex, having heard the tale straight from Ron's mouth, gave him some much deserved applause.

"That's my brother, my youngest one!" said a familiar voice. Percy Weasely positively glowed with pride. "Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"

Dumbledore let the Great Hall get quiet again ahead of saying, "Next, Miss Hermione Granger. She displayed cool logic in the face of fire, so I award Gryffindor House fifty points."

If possible, the triumphant hollering from the Gryffindors became louder.

"Third." In spite of Gryffindor now having an extra one hundred points, Dumbledore hadn't finished. "To Mister Harry Potter, for outstanding courage and a fair bit of nerve. I award sixty points to Gryffindor."

The clapping, shouting, and air of glee from the Gryffindors reached its highest point. Even those from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff rained cheers down on Harry. With all the points Dumbledore awarded, Gryffindor was now tied with Slytherin. Alex clapped well past her hands growing red and slightly raw.

"Can the House Cup even end in a tie?" she wondered openly.

Dumbledore threw his arm up. Moments later, total silence.

"Before I mention someone who is also well deserving of praise, I also have a few points to spare Ravenclaws' way."

Gasps and murmurs of shock spread across the Ravenclaw table like wildfire.

"Mister Tristan Thorne."

The person in question came close to falling out of his seat.

"Against all odds, he showed unwavering resolve and unmatched compassion for his friends. I hereby award Ravenclaw fifty points."

Alex never would have guessed it. Ravenclaws weren't insulting Tristan for once but giving him a roaring display of approval. He appeared just as bewildered while nodding his head here and there. Many Ravenclaws got down to asking what exactly he did to garner Dumbledore's approval.

But Dumbledore cleared his throat, suggesting he had more to say.

"Secondly, Miss Alexandra Worthington."

'Eeep.' Alex shrank in her chair. Everyone already turned to her, however.

Dumbledore smiled, almost like he could see her cheeks burning. "For showing brains and brawn beyond your years, I award Ravenclaw sixty points."

Pats on the back came from every direction. So did a number of whistles. Alex, pushed all over, feared a sea of Ravenclaws would swallow her in their delight.

A scoff of protest came from the Gryffindor table. Percy Weasley shook his head in disbelief. Alex could hardly blame him given the bit of wand work she performed on him.

Things settled down and allowed her to do some math. Even with Dumbledore's gracious gifts, Ravenclaw still had no shot at winning the House Cup. With all the congratulations she and Tristan continued to receive, she could have been tricked into believing otherwise.

"And finally," said Dumbledore, taking a long and hard gander around the room. "There are many kinds of courage. Standing up to our enemies is bravery, but standing up to our friends is equally commendable. Therefore, I award ten points to Mister Neville Longbottom."

That did it. Alex had no choice but to shield her ears. The Gryffindor table came close to literally exploding with shouting. Neville, pale, vanished under a horde of arms squeezing him with every ounce of joy his fellow Gryffindors could muster. Alex wanted to hug him too. She settled on clapping again, clapping for someone who deserved hundreds of more points than she did.

The Slytherins were lethargic. None of them made so much as a peep ever since Dumbledore began handing out points. Now, it dawned on them what Neville's reward meant.

"I believe we need a little change in decoration."

Dumbledore clapped his hands. Being able to use magic herself didn't stop Alex from being awed at what happened next. The Slytherin banners became Gryffindor red and gold, with the main one behind the staff table having a majestic lion replacing the Slytherin serpent. The tablecloth and the fire in all the candles and torches changed colors too.

Alex didn't think she would have been more satisfied with the outcome if Ravenclaw colors hung everywhere instead. Severus Snape quaked with anger down at the staff table and made it all worth it. He shook a jubilant Professor McGonagall's hand with the friendliness of a Death Eater.

"That was a bit cruel, don't you think?" said Luna. "Putting up all those Slytherin decorations and then waiting until the last minute to hand out more points."

"Yes. Yes it was," replied Alex with a vindictive smirk. Luna smiled herself.

The feast went smashingly. Alex ate like food was a foreign concept. Besides the Slytherin table, the mood in the Great Hall was the happiest all year. Even Tristan grinned as more and more people came over to speak with him.

#

"What'd you get?"

"Everything came out pretty good. Perfect scores in History of Magic and Charms. Potions came out kind of ruddy though. I hate Snape."

Alex lowered her grade sheet, pouting hard enough to break a muscle. Finding out Snape wasn't after the Philosopher's Stone did little to change her opinion of him.

Ron shrugged. "Harry and I made out alright. Hermione, of course..."

He needn't finish his sentence. Hermione looked ready to sing and dance thanks to her near perfect grades, the highest of the first years in fact. Alex rated rather high herself but couldn't help but shoot Hermione envious stares every now and then.

"You've been glaring at her ever since we got on the train," said a humored Harry.

"Why she's so smart anyway?" Alex wasn't done griping. "How come she's not in Ravenclaw?"

"Because she's not a maniac like you lot," said Ron stiffly. Alex nodded, thinking that fair. "I can't believe first year is over already."

"You can say that again..."

They clambered off the Hogwarts Express and onto platform nine and three quarters, with Alex debating sneaking back onto the train. She didn't want her first year at Hogwarts to end quite yet. More importantly, she wasn't all that eager to bump into her father, who would no doubt embarrass her as much as possible.

With some difficulty, students managed to slip past the barrier separating the platform from the Muggle world.

"Have a good summer, Alex!" Hermione gave her friend a great, big hug. "You'll write, won't you?"

"I will." Alex struggled to contain her glee. She had never written a friend before and would be itching to do so the second she got home. "I'll write you all."

"You all should stay at my house this summer," said Ron. "I'll send an owl."

"Thanks. I'll have something to look forward to," said Harry.

Spotting her father waving to her like crazy, Alex groaned and said, "Good bye!"

Her friends waved her off, and she hurried to get her father to calm down.

"How are you, Alexandra, darling? Did you have fun at school? Any interesting stories to tell? Any chance the Sorting Hat changed its mind? I missed you during Christmas. Oh, is that something stuck between your…?"

"There's not."

Alex slapped her father's hand away before embracing him. In strange sort of way, she really missed him ranting like a raving lunatic.

"How was your first year?"

"Oh, Hogwarts is the best, Father! I made lots of friends, learned lots of new spells, and..."

"That's wonderful! Now, we really must talk about this whole Ravenclaw thing."

Alex rolled her eyes. Fortunately, someone came rushing toward them before her father could truly get started. The yellow robes they wore stung her eyes, and she rubbed them under the impression she was seeing things.

"Nigel! Good to see you, old friend! How are the gurdyroots? Ah! Alexandra, how fare you? Had a good term, I hope?"

Xenophilius Lovegood shook Alex's hand vigorously. She narrowed her eyelids to help block out his hideous outfit. Muggles gawked at him in droves.

Beside him was Luna, who came over to hug Alex. Caught quite off guard, Alex returned the gesture numbly.

"Have a good summer, Alex."

"Erm...y-you too. Thanks."

"Will you write me as well?"

Flummoxed, Alex soon realized Luna overheard her discussion with the others. "Of course. You'll be seeing quite a bit of Demeter, the ruddy bird."

Demeter, outraged, made a fuss from inside her cage.

"Those gurdyroots are coming along nicely, Xeno," said Alex's father. He and Mister Lovegood embraced as well. "I cannot wait to see their effects on building strong enamel! Oh, yes, I will have much research to perform in the near future."

"I'm glad to hear it, old chum! Now, I know a trick that will have them growing three times larger in the moonlight, but only on Wednesdays. You see…"

They walked off to finish their strange discussion, with Alex's father having clearly forgotten about her. Having wanted to be rid of him, she still frowned.

"They're made for each other," she grumbled.

"You know, having two dads is pretty common in the Muggle world."

If that was supposed to be a joke, Alex wasn't laughing.

Tristan, on the other hand, was. "Ladies," he said with a nod. He had a bag slung over his shoulder. "I'm off. Assuming I don't do something stupid over the summer and get myself expelled, I'll see you next school year. How about we try not getting ourselves killed, yeah?"

"I make no promises." Alex looked around. "Isn't there someone picking you up?"

"Like who? My father?" Tristan answered with a sad smile. "No, I'll have to take the subway home—oh, it's a type of Muggle train but it's underground. Anyway, I'll be fine."

With a wave, he took his leave.

"Wait!" Alex called out to him. When he actually stopped, she felt her face heat up. "Erm...i-is it alright if I send you an owl every once and awhile? You know...just to talk?"

"Oh! That sounds lovely. I'd like to mail you too," said Luna.

Tristan didn't say yes or no. He walked off again. Before going out of sight, he raised his hand, waving.

"Don't get into too much trouble while I'm gone, Rich Girl. We both know you can't do anything without me."

His laughter could be heard even after he left the platform. Of course he would go out of his way to annoy her one more time, a fuming Alex thought. She had half a mind pull out her wand and jinx him in front a large crowd of Muggles.

"'Trouble?'" she said curling her mouth even more. "Trouble finds me."