I stand outside the door of Mrs. and Mr. Longbottom's room. I never intruded when Neville came to see his parents. I knew Lockhart was here somewhere and we usually avoided the ward he stayed in but we weren't always successful.

This time though it was oddly quiet in St. Mungo's. A nurse passed nearby and I flagged her down. "Excuse me Miss, um. When my friend leaves the room can you tell him I'll meet him back over near the front desk?" I asked softly. She nodded with a smile on her face.

I began to wander through the hospital, my hands shoved in my pockets. There were small familes visiting patients or nurses msking their rounds, or patients wandering around like I was.

A group of three people were standing awkwardly talking to a nurse who stood with Lockhart. As I approached I recognized the Golden Trio. "Hey Claire. What's new this year?" I asked drawing her attention from Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Ah nothing out of the ordinary Alex. Just telling these fine young'uns about Gilderoy." She said with a smile.

I clucked my tongue and winced. "Yeah~ well I know them from school. See you later Claire. Have good holiday." I grinned with a wave. I signalled them to follow me, and they gladly obliged.

"Why are you here Alex? Someone you know here?" Ron asked and I looked at the ground. Hermione elbowed him and he let out an ouch. "No I'm here with someone. What about you lot?" I asked turning around.

Ron let out a sigh, "My Dad is here. He was attacked." My eyes widened. "How is he?" "They got to him just in time. Another minute and he wouldn't have made it." He answered. I rested a hand on his shoulder awkwardly.

I've always been rough when it comes to emotions so I'm not good whth comforting people. "Er. Hope he does well." I say and retract my hand. I turn as shoes squeak behind me. "Neville. H-how did it go?" I asked and he smiled sadly.

"Like usual. *SIgh* Its kinda like talking to a wall." He trailed off noticing the trio behind me. "Hey Neville." Hermione said with a soft smile. At that moment Neville's mum walked up. "Hey mum." She gave Neville a gum wrapper as Neville's gran approached.

"Thanks mum." He said wrapping his hand around the wrapper. As she walked away Neville stared at them as if daring them to laugh. I looked away holding my arm. "Neville throw away that wrapper. She's given you enough to paper your room by now. You see my son and his wife*explains what happened*"

I noticed that Neville secretly pocketed the wrapper. I smiled sadly and saw the looks of horror on Harry, Hermione and Ron's faces. "We should get going. Say good bye you two." Gran said. I called her Gran at her request since she saw me as family.

We said our farewells and walked out of the hospital. I noticed Neville looked forlorn and depressed. "I know you didn't want to tell them but it's better out in the open." I said walking beside him.

"Y-yeah. Y-You're right. C'mon before Gran leaves us behind." Neville said and I laughed running after him to catch up with the quick woman. Considering how old she was she acted like she was still 20 or something.

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I lay in bed fast asleep untilsomeone tuggs my blanket off. I groan. "Whaaaaat?!" I ask rolling over away from the chill air. "Get up already. It's Chrsitmas." Neville exclaimed and I sat up straight.

"Why didn't you say so?!" I said before grabbing my robe and running down the stairs. Neville followed after me with a small laugh. Gran instantly stopped our childish behaviour with a stern lecture.

I just nodded when it was appropriate and looked like I was ashamed of myself, as if. She finally gestured to the small pile of gifts that sat on the couch. We seperated them into the correct owner and began to open them.

The first one was from Neville which he got me a necklace the glowed when I was in trouble. Harry got me a book on Advanced Charms, Ron: a box of HoneyDuke's Sugar Quills, Hermione: a small bag to store my wand other smaller objects. Gran: an easle with new paints and brushes.

I thanked Neville and Gran and wrote letters to the rest saying thanks for their gifts and asked if they liked what I gave them. I gave Harry: A guide to Quidditch tricks and fouls. Ron: a box of assorted sweets. Hermione: a set of rainbow quills and ink. Neville: a jar of plant samples that he could grow into exotic plants.

We spent the rest of the day messing with our new gifts and packing our trunks to go back to Hogwarts tomorrow. I started a painting of a night sky with mixes of purples and greens. Neville made small suggestions and I added some to make it more vivid.

I grinned at the final product, my white shirt and blue jeans stained with paint. "What you think Neville?" I asked slightly breatheless as I stepped back. He walked over and inspected it. "It looks amazing."

I nodded in agreement before starting to clean up the paints scattered on my painting desk. "What time is it?" I asked glancing at Neville. "Um, It's 8:40 p.m." My eyes widened in surprise. "Wow! I was that focused?" I asked wiping my hands.

He nodded with a smile. I rolled my eyes good humuredly and grabbed my sleep wear. I changed in the washroom before returning to the room I shared with Neville when I stayed. I still sometimes stayed on the streets since I spent most of my childhood there.

For me it was natural. I knew how to work my way around the dangerous folk and get food without any trouble. I would often meet Neville and Gran in Diagon Alley and I would stay for the rest of holiday until we left for Hogwarts.

I refused to be sent to foster homes since I knew that would result in getting adopted then taken from everything I knew. I swallowed before climbing under my blankets. "Night Neville." "Night Alex."

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"Expecto Patronum!" I shouted and a small silver wisp eerged. I growled and pulled my wand closer to me. "It takes practice to produce a patronus. When it has a shape that's when it's strongest. Think of your happiest memory. It has to be a good one." Harry instructed as he navigated through the room and adjusting forms and grips.

Harry loosened my grip on my wand and tilted my hand to the right a bit. I gave him a look that said really? "Expecto Patronum!" I repeated and this time a  silvery coyote appeared. I let out a small gasp and it began to run around me.

It vanished and I noticed Ron staring into a hole in the wall. The room fell silent and a loud boom exploded near Ron and the wall burst open. "OH SH-!" I took off running as did many others as Umbridge and her Inquisitorial Squad moved to grab members. (This sounds so wrong and I'm sorry)

I rounded a corner sharply and the sound of skidding echoed behind me. I grinned but it was short-lived. A sharp round of pain roied through my bodty making me collapse with a gasp.

"Argh. Ergh. You- bloody- bully." I hissed in pain as A smug Slytherin approached me. I hissed as I realized it was Pansy Parkinson, she gripped my arm as she dragged me to the office of Toad-face herself.

"Hay pug-head." I said, we were still a distance from her office. "WhAT?!" SHe demanded turning around. "Try this." Isaid punching her with my free hand and running through a nearby hallway.

Turns out she had recovered quickly because she had me in Umbridge's office 5 minutes later. Her nose was crooked since I punched her hard, I had learned how to on the streets and it helped a lot.

"Well now who may this be Miss Parkinson?" Umbridge asked in a fake sweet voice. Her eyes were maniacal and her wand was gripped tightly. "Dunno but she put up an annoying fight." She said, her voice sounded nasally with her nose broken.

I smirked in satisfaction. "Dear, you look familiar. Ah yes. That day a few months ago. But I do not recall your name. Do tell." She said her smile vanishing as she got closer to me. I growled, "Like bloody hell I'd tell you! It wouldn't be much for me to get out of Puggy's grip and break your nose too." I spat indicating Pansy behind me.

"You ungrateful little-" She started but broke off and turned to Harry. She started ranting to him while I squirmed against Pansy's grip. She kept digging her nails in and it bloody hurt with her dragon claws.

"Harry just tell her." Hermione said suddenly. "Tell her about the secret weapon or I will." She said catching Umbridge's interest. "Weapon?! Where! Tell me stupid child." She hissed in Hermione's face. "I-In the Forbidden Forest. We can show you. Me and Harry." She stuttered.

She gave me a glance and realization filled me. It was a trick. Smart idea Hermione. Hermione was released and she and Harry led Umbridge out of the castle. We all sat in silence for a few moments. I had gone still resulting in a slack grip from Pansy.

I nodded slightly at Neville and he nodded to the others. I whisked around and socked Pansy for a second time. "That is so satisfying!" I claimed before we all managed to get out of the office.

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