Song of the Gemini

"Not like I need to depend upon anyone
Since I can see the lack of need for me to be here at all
One more anthem for the know it all
I won't be standing up for long I better learn how to crawl
Learn how to crawl

In ten minutes I'll be laying out flat on the floor"

- Nickelback, "Flat on the Floor"

(From The Long Road)

Chapter 6

The next morning at breakfast, Allexia thought she'd been seriously neglecting the first meal of the day. Normally all she had was coffee and the occasional bagel. Today, like yesterday, she found herself eating like a horse. Of course, back home she didn't have an army of house elves cooking all this lovely food. She caught the professor from last night staring at her in disbelief and oftentimes contempt. Her father told her that he would be leaving for the Ministry after breakfast and wouldn't return until right before dinner, so she didn't have time to speak with him. He seemed fine, but she felt that there were still unresolved issues under the surface. This did, however, give Allexia time to explore the castle unaccompanied.

After wandering aimlessly for an hour and a half, she discovered that no one had bothered to warn her about the staircases. Thankfully, Sir Nicholas happened to float by as Allexia was attempting to spell the staircase into moving back. He guided her down to the library, albeit taking the scenic route. She got a tour from Madam Pince and an open invitation to come back anytime or take a book back to her room. Glancing at her watch, she saw that it was only noon. Most of the others were probably eating lunch. It looked like a gorgeous, sunny day outside. I wonder if anyone will mind if I took a dip in the lake? Heading for her rooms, she really didn't care if they did.

Allexia didn't bring a bathing suit so she transfigured a purple one out of a tank top. She also conjured up a flower printed sarong to match. The suit was a simple one piece. She knew she was in great shape, but she wasn't as comfortable as Liz with showing off her body. Liz's idea of swimwear looked like shoelaces tied together. She regarded her reflection in the mirror, enlisting it to make what sounded like a catcall. Liz was shorter and thinner, with a modest bust size. She looked like a supermodel with her fine blonde hair and dazzling smile. Allexia was tall, athletically built, and had inherited a large bosom from her mother. She also got her brown complexion from her mom. Satisfied with her appearance, she grabbed a towel and headed down to the lake.

Snape stalked through the halls, his robes billowing as usual. He heard footsteps behind him, but wasn't in the mood for conversation, so he wasn't about to say hello. Allexia noticed the professor walking in front of her. What did Dad call him, again? S-something? Oh yeah!

"Severus!" She jogged a little to catch up with him. "Severus!"

"Professor Snape!" he snapped in response.

"Excuse me?" He stopped abruptly and turned menacingly towards her.

"My name, Miss Price. You will address me properly as Professor Snape. I do not remember giving you permission to use my first name." He looked over her apparel, or rather lack thereof, with a sneer.

"Well, I beg your pardon, Professor Snape." She bowed slightly to mock him. "Care to join me for a swim?"

Snape snorted and walked away without saying a thing. She shook her head at his departure. "I'll take that as a no, then?" she called to him. "Prick", she muttered.

Allexia welcomed the sun's warmth as she made her way to the edge of the lake. Dipping a toe into the water, she found that the temperature wasn't too cold, but she cast a slight warming charm on her body anyway. She removed the sarong and set it next to her towel. Allexia dove into the lake, her skin tingling in response to the sudden change of environment. She swam out to the middle where she felt something tickle her feet. Apparently she disturbed the giant squid's nap. She swam a few laps to and from the center of the lake. Her muscles burned from the exercise, but she was having fun. Coming up for air on the last run, she noticed Hagrid and Flitwick heading towards the lake. It was funny to watch them walking beside each other. The little professor had on a bathing suit that would have been in style at the early 1900s. Hagrid, on the other hand, wore bright orange swimming trunks with dancing pineapples on them. She waved at them.

"Lexy! Severus told us your were taking a dip in the lake and it sounded like fun. Mind if we join you?"

"Of course not. Nice shorts, Hagrid!"

"You like 'em? Olympe got them for me," he said, blushing.

* * * * * *

Severus Snape stood alone in the staff room, staring down at the lake with disgust. Something about that woman irritated him. It didn't matter whether or not she was Dumbledore's daughter. He watched as she stood on Hagrid's shoulders and back flipped into the water. It should be illegal for giants to go around half naked. Unfortunately the fullness of Allexia's bosom and her long, shapely legs didn't go unnoticed by the potions master, though they were a bit more muscular than he normally liked. He wasn't dead, for Merlin's sake, but her arrogant attitude was enough to stifle any attraction that might be forming. Bloody American. He left the staff room for the solace of his dungeons. No one would bother him there, leaving him free to work on his research in peace.

* * * * * *

"Dad? I think we need to talk." She walked into his office, a black robe over jeans and a t-shirt. Her hair was pinned up in a loose bun. Dumbledore looked over his half-moon glasses at her.

"Is there something wrong, my dear?"

"Maybe you could tell me. Why didn't you look me in the eyes last night?"

"What do you mean?" Allexia sat down in front of his desk. Fawkes flew over to investigate and she stroked his feathers automatically.

"Dad, I'm sorry that everyone knows that your daughter has done all these terrible things for money, but that's part of who I am."

Dumbledore shook his head in frustration. "It isn't any of their business what you've done. You didn't need to answer any of Moody or Snape's questions."

"And have the Order speculate about me and turn me into some sort of super witch just because I'm your blood! I would rather be honest and have them accept me for myself. Just as I want you to accept me. I know its hard, but please try."

"I do accept you, but I can't help but think how differently your life might have been if I hadn't kept the truth of your mother's death a secret."

Allexia stood back up, causing the phoenix to squawk in indignation. She began to pace. "Yes, things would have been different, but that doesn't matter now."

"But I caused you to become what you are today. This isn't the life your mother and I envisioned for you."

Her anger was growing again and she tried desperately to get it under control. "It sure as hell isn't what I envisioned either, but it's my life. You didn't cause it, I did! The choices I made have brought me to this point. It was my choice to leave training; it was my choice to become obsessed with finding Mom's killer; it was all my choice. Don't blame yourself!"

Dumbledore was on his feet now. "Allexia, I promised I would learn to accept all the aspects of your life and I will do my best to live up to that promise, but I do not want the other members to form a negative opinion of you based on what you've done in the past."

"I don't care what they think of me! You either like me or you don't. I pledged to do my best to help the Order bring down Voldemort and I plan on delivering. They don't have to like or respect me, they just have to let me do my part."

"Your mother said the same things to me long ago. Allexia, if your criminal activities were to become known to Voldemort and his supporters, you would become an even greater target. He would try to exploit your darker side. Be careful how much you divulge."

"Do you think that I would go to his side? Is that really the reason or are you too ashamed to have everyone know what kind of work I do?" Her father moved around the desk to stand in front of her.

"Allexia, please stop this. You said you wanted to change your life, so why drag it out into the open for all to see. I am not ashamed of you. I love you and I am just trying to protect you."

Her hands were balled into fists and her breathing became ragged. "I haven't needed your protection for years, besides look what happened the last time you tried to protect me." Allexia regretted those words as soon as they left her lips, but there was nothing to be done about it. "One night is not enough to change my life and obviously it isn't enough to seal the rift between us." Before the headmaster could reply, she stormed out of his office. Dumbledore slumped into a chair and buried his head in his hands.

Allexia was so worked up she wanted to hit something or someone. Gods, she needed to calm down. I need air. On her way out the main doors, she nearly collided with Minerva. She muttered an apology, but kept on walking. Minerva looked at her puzzled, wondering what happened to upset her so much. She decided to find Albus and ask him.

As it was nearing dinnertime, the weather outside turned cool and breezy. Allexia sat beside the lake, thinking to herself how happy she was just a few hours ago. While she sat on the bank, the sky grew darker and the stars began to brighten and twinkle. She lost her temper when she shouldn't have. Her temper always got her in trouble. Allexia fell back onto the grass, hoping she didn't just fuck up what she so desperately wanted. Footsteps a few minutes later caused her to sit up. They were large and could only belong to one person.

"Oy, Lexy! Didn't expect to find you out here."

"Were you sent to fetch me to dinner, Hagrid?"

He looked a bit confused. "Nope, I was on my way to the pub actually. Bit o' cards and drinks. Wanna come?"

"Sounds like fun." He helped her up. "I could use a drink."

* * * * * *

"Albus, are you coming to dinner?" Minerva walked to where the older wizard sat slouched in his chair with Fawkes by his side. He looked caught somewhere between fury and disappointment. It pained her to see him thusly. "What happened? Has Fudge done something stupid, as usual?"

He sighed into his hands and looked up, peering gravely at her. "No, love, it is not the Ministry that ails me this night."

Minerva nodded in understanding. "I see. It's Allexia, then? I saw her heading out the door in a right state. Nearly knocked me down."

"She left?" he asked, panicked.

"I think she just went out for some fresh air. That's what I do when I'm upset. Did the two of you have an argument?"

He stared intently at the carpet for a few minutes to gather his thoughts. "It was about last night's meeting. I didn't think she needed to tell everyone about her...occupation. If Tom knew that I had a daughter who has done some less than honorable things, he would pursue her even more. Now she thinks that I'm ashamed of her."

"And for good reason!" exclaimed Minerva. "Did you tell her that?" He nodded. "Who she tells about her life is her business, Albus. I know that you aren't happy about it, but you need to get over it, as they say. Besides, the others know that Severus has done all sorts of terrible things as a death eater, but they still respect him and they will do the same for Allexia. So what if she's kidnapped people for money and what not. We've all got skeletons in our closet."

"They may respect Severus, but they don't trust him, not all of them."

"They trust him because you do. If you show support for your daughter, the others will trust her too. Don't think of her as Alexandria Price, bounty hunter and free agent, think of her as Allexia Dumbledore, a bright young witch that I would love to get to know better."

Albus looked into the eyes of his partner, both personal and professional. "As always, you are right, my dear. I have been such a miserable father. I need to start making up for lost time. You're not the only who would like to get to know her better."

She took his hand in hers, squeezing gently. "Tell her that. Don't let another fourteen years go by. Next time she might not come back. I happen to like her very much, Albus. She's willful, strong, and loyal."

He chuckled. "Just like you, love. She would have been a wonderful Gryffindor."

Minerva thought of some of her other qualities, ones that enabled her to do all those things. "Or a wonderful Slytherin."

* * * * * * *

Two hours and quite a few drinks later, Allexia was on her way to being blissfully drunk and down close to 300 galleons. She wasn't as good at poker as she was at blackjack, so her money was going quickly. Most of the other patrons at the Hog's Head looked shifty and ruthless. While others looked like Hagrid, wild but lovable. She was also the only female present tonight, besides the barmaid. She glanced down at her present hand; it looked promising.

"I'll see your fifty and raise you fifty."

"I think your bluffing, little missy. I'll see your fifty," said a scruffy looking wizard in his sixties named Liam. The others folded. Allexia smiled maliciously.

"Read 'em and weep, boys; royal flush!" Liam threw his cards down in defeat and muttered something remarkably like "bloody bitch." She pecked him on the cheek. "Don't you forget it, sweetie!" Allexia reached for the money, which now put her up by 80 galleons.

"Nice one, Lexy!" Hagrid complimented. "You should know by now that women don't bluff, Liam."

"All the ones I know do. Especially in the bedroom!" Allexia laughed along with all the men surrounding her. She thought it funny that she should feel more comfortable in a dimly lit pub flocked by shady characters than in the Great Hall with all the professors. "You play a good card game, Lexy, but can you play this game?" Liam set a large bottle on the table and two shot glasses. Various noises and comments were emitted from the other patrons.

"Watch yourself, Lexy, that's Odgen's Firewhiskey. Mighty powerful stuff," warned Hagrid. Allexia, never one to back down from a challenge and already slightly inebriated, poured the first shot.

"No one's ever beaten Liam. This should be over quick." This came from a man standing behind her. She knew she would regret this in the morning, but she was damned well determined to show these guys what she was made of. The both of them picked up their glasses and toasted each other. At the same time, they downed the shots. Allexia felt like she had just swallowed lava. She could feel it burning from her tongue down to the pit of her stomach. Her eyes watered slightly. "Yow! That is some strong shit!" she coughed out.

"Think you can play, girly?" The smug look on Liam's face pissed her off and only fueled her determination.

"Pour the next one, old man." Bets were now being made amongst their audience. She was surprised that half were in favor of her. The second shot went down a little easier, but it still burned like hell. Liam on the other hand didn't seem to be phased by it. By the sixth shot, her throat was pretty much numb, but things started looking fuzzy. She pushed on anyway.

"Twenty!" someone shouted.

Liam eyed her with something akin to respect and so did many of the other wizards. Hagrid, who was quite drunk himself, was sitting in the corner telling whoever would listen all about "his woman." Five shots later, the room started to spin slowly but she saw panic in Liam's bloodshot eyes. If she held on a bit longer, she would have him. After only two more shots, she was rewarded by seeing his head hit the table with a loud thunk. The men who bet on her were rejoicing in their success. Allexia stood up, cheered, and then promptly fell backwards. A young wizard caught her and she thanked him by kissing him thoroughly. While the rest of the pub sang bawdy drinking songs, Allexia tried to get to Hagrid. Barely able to walk, it took her a full half hour to find the huge man.

"Lexy!" he cried. "Did I ever tell you how beautiful Olympe is?"

"Many times, Hagrid. We need to get back to Hogwarts. Hog warts? I've never seen a pig with warts."

It took another half hour to find the door, but soon they were on their way back to the school. She needed to rely on Hagrid to hold her up. They sang loudly and off key the whole way.

"A wizard's staff has a knob on the end,
a knob on the end,
a knob on the end,
A wizard's staff has a knob on the end,
And what he does with it is magic.

He holds it tight to charge it up
and he does it every day
Then he uses it all in a ten-second blast
and the magic's gone away.

A wizard's staff has a knob on the end
and runes up the shaft
it's long and proud and stiff and loud
it's the pride of wizardcraft.

A wizard's staff has a knob on the end,
a knob on the end,
a knob on the end,
A wizard's staff has a knob on the end,
And what he does with it is magic."*

Allexia knew there was no way she was going to make it all the way up to the castle, so they went no further than Hagrid's hut. The half-giant collapsed on his bed, asleep before his head hit the pillows. Allexia fell straight to the floor; not caring that it was cold or that Fang was drooling on her.