Chapter Text
"Thanks, professor," Alexandra smiled at the elderly witch. Professor McGonagall always seemed to come in at the right time. She was a strict woman but she loved her students fiercely. Her face always appeared stern, but the twinkle in her eyes gave her a motherly look.
"I am glad to see you, Miss Parker," McGonagall smiled briefly. Her friendly demeanor quickly changed back to serious. "Now please find your way to the dorms before I ask Mr. Weasley to escort you,"
There was the professor she knew and loved. Alexandra chuckled and nodded before making her way up the stairs. Her brother's threat toyed with her mind. She didn't want to cause unnecessary drama, but couldn't allow Oliver to be a sitting duck. Oliver loved quidditch. Marcus was the captain of the Slytherin quidditch team. He could easily have one of his teammates cause him harm during their game. She had to tell him to watch his back or make sure the Weasley twins were with him. Fred and George Weasley wouldn't mind knocking some Slytherins around and helping him.
She admired the moving stairs as she had done when she was a first-year student. The stairs were an absolute mystery. The way they moved without a warning caused enjoyment and headaches. Alexandra lost count of all the times she ended up lost from the stairs. The incoming first years were holding on to the stairs as they moved. She could have sworn she saw some of them crying. Hogwarts was a mysterious yet wonderful place. They would come to learn that with time.
A couple of the students asked her questions about what to expect during the school year. She felt happy to help ease their worries. Question after question was answered to the best of her ability. The students should count themselves lucky. Percy would have probably yelled at them for the bombardment of questions.
The seventh-year walked into the Gryffindor common room. The first-year students followed behind her. Her boyfriend was giving the Weasley twins an earful about the quidditch schedule. The rest of the team must have been hiding from Oliver. She couldn't blame them. He could get rather intense about the game.
"Save us," George mouthed while Oliver was lecturing Fred. He had a pleading look to him. The move might have worked on someone else but not her.
"Good luck," she mouthed and winked at him. She waved at the red-headed wizard with a smirk. They had played enough pranks on her in the past for her to show no sympathy. This was their punishment and she was going to enjoy it. She walked up the stairs and to her room. Her few possessions lay in a trunk on the bed.
"Home sweet home," she sighed and fell back on her bed. The mattress felt the same as it did all those years ago. She laid her arms out and took a deep breath.
"I can't believe you left Fred and George down there. They have a warning for you," Angelina Johnson announced while walking in the room. "They are going to get you back, Parker,"
"Happy to see you as well, Johnson," she greeted cheerfully. "Besides, all I have to do is give you to them and they will leave me alone. Have you picked a brother yet?"
"Very funny," she answered and rolled her eyes.
"Could be worse. You could have Professor Snape after you,"
Angelina made a gagging sound.
"I can't with you sometimes," she groaned. "I delivered the message the twins sent me. Sleep with one eye open... I'm happy you are here, Parker,"
Alexandra felt her eyes tear up once Angelina left the room. The feeling of being loved washed over her. Many people seemed to afford her the opportunity to be allowed to come back to school. She would be forever grateful for their kindness. Alexandra removed her belongings from her suitcases and placed them in their proper place. She slid the trunk underneath the bed. The teenager drifted off to a peaceful sleep.
Alexandra woke up the next day with a start. She didn't remember falling asleep. The sun was barely starting to peek through the windows. The others in the room were still fast asleep. She reached for her schedule and started to read the classes for today.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts is first," she smiled triumphantly. Alexandra enjoyed that class the most. She was interested in being an Auror. She wondered if this professor was going to last longer than this school year. As soon as Harry Potter started attending Hogwarts, the professors never stayed past the school year. Professor Quirrell was the first to go followed by Professor Lockhart.
She changed into her school uniform and rushed to the common room. Oliver was waiting for her as usual. This was a normal tradition for a few years now. They would spend the first breakfast of the new school year together. After the first day, he would be too wrapped up with quidditch on his mind.
"I thought you forgot about our first-day breakfast," he pouted at her.
"I would never. Good morning to you as well," she smiled and kissed him. Oliver returned the kiss and linked his fingers in her hand.
"Ready?"
"Oliver I have something to tell you," she admitted and sat on the couch. He blinked in confusion and sat down next to her.
"Everything okay? Is it Thomas? Flint? The twins?"
"My brother and Flint are planning to hurt you. I don't know when or where but I wanted you to know just in case,"
"When did they tell you this?"
"Last night. After dinner at the Great Hall. I didn't know how to tell you. I am sorry,"
He looked at her sternly not sure what to say. He was used to the Slytherin captain going after him. Flint and Wood had been enemies for years. Oliver still owed him for hitting a bludger in his stomach around two years ago causing him to fall off his broom. He never really had an issue with her brother before.
"I am not worried. The twins will watch over me despite the fact that they hate may hate me. You don't have to worry about me," he assured her while rubbing his thumb on the top of her hand. The Weasley twins always had his back no matter how hard he was on them. "As long as Flint and Thomas don't lay a hand on you I am fine,"
Alexandra sighed in relief. At least he knew to look out whether it be the quidditch pitch, school grounds, or hallways while going to class. They pressed their foreheads together. His brown eyes stared into hers.
"Thank you again for everything," she whispered.
"Anything for you. Shall we head out to breakfast?" He asked and helped her stand up. They walked out of the common room and towards the great hall. The great hall was a mess of students talking about their schedules. Oliver and Alexandra decided to sit with the Quidditch team. As they made their way towards their friends, she looked towards the Slytherin table.
Marcus and Thomas sneered at the two of them before whispering amongst several other Slytherins. The Slytherins they were talking to turned to look at them. Alexandra immediately looked away from them. She wished she could hear what they were saying. They were planning a scheme. She knew they were. Slytherins were always scheming.
"Good morning, Parker, Wood," Fred Weasley greeted politely. A sinister gleam could be seen in his eyes. She turned her full attention to him.
"Angelina delivered the message. I am not trusting either of you this year," Alexandra looked between the twins. They immediately looked offended.
"Why, Parker, it is your last year here. Surely you want to have some enjoyment this here. Our surprises aren't all bad,"
"I would rather have detention with Snape,"
"That could be arranged," a voice behind her spoke. Alexandra tensed and turned to look at Professor Snape. He stared down at her. His arms were crossed over his chest. She remained looking at him and remained silent until he left to take his seat with the other professors. Fred and George Weasley snickered amongst themselves.
"I will not miss him," she sighed taking a big bite of her eggs. Her mouth suddenly became hot. Smoke started to come out of her mouth like a dragon. She grabbed her pumpkin juice and quickly started to drink. Fred and George doubled over in laughter. Alexandra coughed as Oliver patted her back making sure she was okay.
"What did you two do?" Alexandra choked out. The smoke continued to billow out of her mouth.
"What's wrong, Parker? Can't take a little heat?" George winked. Oliver tried to stifle his laugh. Alexandra shot a glare at him yet continued to eat making sure to avoid the eggs.
"Are we at least even now?" She questioned the twins.
"Not exactly," they answered at the same time.