An Unexpected Situation

The school returned to the normal routine for the rest of the week. Everyone in fifth year was on the verge of collapse due to the amount of homework they received. Quidditch practices had resumed with a fury, due to the fact that Gryffindor would be facing Slytherin in a few weeks. A win would guarantee a spot in the finals. It still looked like the winner would face Ravenclaw since Hufflepuff did not appear to stand a chance.

Their research in the Library had only yielded one extra spell they could learn besides the Patronus. Harry was successful in convincing Professor Ravenwillow to teach it, on the condition that only students in fourth year and up would participate owing to the difficulty of the spell. Harry did not protest, remembering the difficulty he had learning it in his third year at Hogwarts.

Professor Snape had returned and was being his usual self, even with the Slytherins. In a move that surprised everyone, he took 15 points away from Slytherin when Crabbe's potion exploded and flew over everyone in the room. He was immediately sent to the Hospital Wing while everyone else was cured by Snape.

As they left the room, the five remarked how well the day was going.

"I can't believe it," said Harry.

"I know," said Ron, "No points from Gryffindor today!"

"And I got that potion right for once," chimed in Neville, who had joined them. A big smile was across his face. They could all tell that the Dark Arts lessons had really boosted his confidence in all his subjects. He was actually catching up to everyone except Hermione.

As if on cue, Draco Malfoy walked by. He gave them an unpleasant smirk and walked away without saying a word.

"Well, it seems that Malfoy is acting as usual," said Hermione.

"I don't know," said Alex with a puzzled look, "He didn't say a word. That's not his usual style. I wonder what he's up to?"

----------------------------

That Friday, they went into the Great Hall for Dark Arts training. Since Harry and the others were well ahead of everyone else, they helped the rest of the students with various spells and counter-curses. Everyone noticed that more Slytherins had joined the sessions, the notable exception being Draco Malfoy.

After the session, Professor Ravenwillow announced the conditions for learning the Patronus spell. Every fourth to seventh year student agreed and it was decided that it would take place after the usual sessions starting next week. Their excitement was furthered when she mentioned that Harry would be assisting her, since he was the only student who knew the spell so far.

As Harry and Alex walked out of the Great Hall, they ran into the one person they did not want to see - Draco Malfoy.

"Well well, Potter. I see you've become the Dark Arts teacher's pet. Can't say I'm surprised."

Harry went to speak, but Alex spoke first. "Sounds like you're getting braver without help from you friends, Malfoy."

"You mean Crabbe and Goyle?" asked Draco. "Those two can hardly find their way out of the dungeons. I don't need them anymore. The only person I need is me."

Alex smirked and rolled his eyes. "You know, Draco," he said, stepping beside Harry, "Maybe you should come to these sessions. Maybe you'll learn something. Besides, spending your days thinking up lame things to say is not my idea of a good time."

"You wouldn't know a good time if it flew up your ass," said Malfoy in a calm yet threatening voice. "And I don't need to learn anything that is taught by Professor Ravenwillow. I've learned more than either of you will ever know."

"Oh really," said Alex, raising his eyebrows, "And what exactly do you know?"

"As if I'd tell you, Latham. Maybe someday you'll find out," said Draco, turning his back. He stopped and gave Alex a very evil look. "Just wait and see."

As Draco walked away, Harry looked at Alex. He expected to see anger on his face. Instead, he saw a strange look of defeat. Alex's eyes were closed, as if he was lost in a thought he didn't want to have. He was about to say something when Alex walked away at a fast pace. He caught up with him but kept silent as they reached Gryffindor Tower.

-------------------------------

That night, Harry and the others were sitting in the Common Room. He, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were all immersed in homework. Alex sat next to the fire, separating himself from the group. Hermione was about to say something to him when he suddenly got up and left the room without a word.

"What's the matter with him?" asked Hermione. "I've never seen him like this."

Harry explained to her what happened after the Dark Arts session, emphasizing Alex's expression as Malfoy walked away.

"That's odd," said Hermione after he finished. "It's not like him to get down because of Malfoy." She thought for a moment and chewed her lip. "I wonder if he's hiding something."

"Like what?" asked Ron. "He's been very open with us since we met him. I don't see what he could be hiding."

"Maybe it's something traumatic that he can't talk about," said Ginny, who had been listening with interest. "Maybe Luna knows. I'll go and talk to her about it."

They watched as Ginny made her way out of the common room. She returned some time later, looking confused.

"Did you find out anything?" asked Ron.

"Not really," replied Ginny as she sat in a chair, "Luna basically told me that she knows what's wrong, but told me to ask him about it. She said it wasn't her place to say."

Just as Hermione was about to speak up, the portrait opened up and Alex stepped in. He had his robes folded over his arm. His hair was matted to his head with sweat and two buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned.

"Where you been, mate?" asked Harry.

"Went to the Quidditch pitch for a run," replied Alex. As he sat across from Ginny, his shirt opened a bit more. Ginny gasped.

"How on earth did you get that?!"

Alex sighed. "Oh, this?" He unbuttoned his shirt and opened it all the way. Everyone's eyes went wide. A very visible scar, an inch thick, started at Alex's left shoulder and trailed in a crooked diagonal down his chest to the right side of his abdomen.

"Well, it's a long story..."

-------------------------------

(Early July of last year)

It was the kind of summer evening you dream about. It was not too warm, there was a nice cool breeze blowing through the trees. Alex stood out on the deck, wishing the night would never end. School had only been out two days, but he was enjoying himself. He sat on a chair and breathed the smells in. His dad was cooking on an outdoor Muggle cooking device and the steaks he was preparing smelled heavenly. He didn't have a care in the world as his father stepped inside.

Before him lay their spacious backyard. Trees surrounded the house on all sides. They had taken to living as far away from the city as they could. Being in a magic family could attract attention from Muggles. But living out past the suburbs surrounded by trees gave the Lathams peace of mind.

Suddenly, his head jerked up. He smelled the air and noticed something didn't feel right. A dog barked beyond the trees of the backyard. He thought he saw movement and stood up. Then he saw them - three men dressed in black cloaks and wearing masks were advancing on the house. Alex yelled for his parents and ran for the backdoor. It was too late. The first Death Eater was on the deck. He used a spell to close the door and seal it shut.

Alex tried the door, but knew it would not budge. He cursed at himself for leaving his wand in his room. He knew he could use it for an emergency. Turning around, he saw that the three men were on the deck about four feet away from him. Their wands were drawn. "I'm totally fucked," Alex thought as he looked at them.

"So, we finally found you," said a voice. He did not know which one of them said it, but it was a male voice. It was also very British. "Our master knew that Dumbledore had allies here. And we're going to make sure that you and your parents never see him again... just like your friend."

"Friend?" thought Alex. He became very angry. He saw one of the men take a step and prepared himself.

Alex moved before the spell could be completed. He rolled and the blue light just missed his head by inches. The Death Eater had made a mistake. The spell hit the window and had rebounded. It knocked two of them off the deck and caused the wand of the third one to fly away. Alex ran over and was about to grab the wand. Then he saw a flash of silver and was on his back.

He felt pain... a tremendous, searing pain that he had never felt in his life. The Death Eater had recovered enough to pull out a blade and cut him. His entire upper body was racked in pain. He saw the blade slowly rise into the air and he closed his eyes, ready for the end.

Suddenly, a small "BOOM" caught his attention. The backdoor had been blasted away and there stood his parents. Their wands were out, ready for battle. The Death Eater was quicker, grabbing his wand, rolling off the deck and running into the woods. The man screamed, "This isn't over! We'll find you when you least expect it! Just wait and see!"

Alex's mother ran to her son's side, trying to comfort her son. His father ran back into the house, yelling something. Then all was darkness.

-------------------------

"The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital," said Alex. "I was lucky. My mother put a spell on the cut because she was afraid the blade had been poisoned. As it turned out, she was right. They cured me but said I would always have this. I was going to have them leave it anyway. It reminds me to always be on my guard."

He looked at his friends. Hermione had a tear rolling down her cheek.

"You could have told any of us this months ago. Why didn't you?" she asked.

"I didn't want to appear weak in front of you," said Alex, his voice wavering. "I want to be strong. I feel I have to be. I'm not good at showing my feelings. But when Draco said that, all those feelings of helplessness came rushing back. It made me feel..."

Hermione smiled a small smile and Ginny walked over and hugged him.

"You can always tell any of us, how you feel," she said, after breaking the hug, "We will not think any less of you if you do."

He leaned back in the chair and smiled. For the first time in his life, he felt that he was exactly where he should be: surrounded by good friends who cared about him.

-------------------------------

The tension of the O.W.L.s greeted everyone on Monday. Homework was swelling to astronomical levels once again. Students who were on the verge of a breakdown collapsed under the pressure and had to be treated by Madam Pomfrey. Harry was feeling the strain as well; helping Professor Ravenwillow with Patronus training and Quidditch practice twice a week took its toll. Hermione, Alex and Luna seemed to take it all in stride, helping Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Neville with all the work in front of them. Harry's only comfort at this time was that he successfully completed his Animagus training and was now fully registered.

Patronus training was harder than it looked. After Professor Ravenwillow went over the basics of the spell, Harry demonstrated it to the students. They were amazed at his ability and worked hard to master the spell. Most had severe difficulty getting even a wisp of silver to come from their wands. Ron, Hermione and Alex were able to produce small whiffs of silver cloud, but they had to put forth massive effort. They had not progressed much by the end of January when the Professor announced that there would be no sessions for two weeks. The students were all relieved. The next set of Quidditch matches were coming up and they knew everyone would be on edge.

The Slytherins seemed to forget their truce with Gryffindor for a while. They agitated the members of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team so often that students guarded the team members with their lives. Eventually, teachers had to follow them around. The Slytherins backed off a bit, being smart enough not to try anything when a teacher or prefect was around.

Three days before the match, everything changed. Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking to Transfiguration class when they heard Ginny scream. Taking off at a run, the three ran to the source and could not believe what they saw. Draco Malfoy had apparently decided that he had enough of following the rules. He had sent Neville Longbottom onto the ceiling and would not let him down.

"All right, Malfoy," yelled Hermione, using her authority, "Bring him down this instant!"

Draco turned and shot her a look of pure evil. "No. I think I'll leave the big prat there." As he said this, he aimed his wand straight at Hermione's face. "And if you have a problem, you'll find yourself in a worse spot!"

Harry and Ron went to get their wands, but were stopped by a flash of blue. A sudden chill had filled the hallway. They looked up and were startled. Draco Malfoy was frozen solid in a block of ice. They turned to their right and saw Alex with his wand pointing straight at Malfoy.

"Did he hurt any of you?" he asked, looking at the three.

"No," said Harry with relief. Ron just shook his head, dumbfounded. Hermione walked over and embraced Harry and Ron, crying into their shoulders. They held her tightly in their arms until a shriek brought them back to reality.

"What is the meaning of this?!" It was Professor McGonagall and she looked furious. "Who froze Malfoy?"

"I did, Professor," replied Alex as he helped a few fourth years being Neville down, "He was about to hex Hermione."

McGonagall turned to Hermione. "But why, Ms. Granger?" Hermione explained what happened to Neville, who assured the Professor of what happened. She turned to Alex.

"I commend you on your quick action, Mr. Latham. But in the future, choose your spells carefully." She waved her wand and unfroze Draco. He immediately wrapped his arms around his body, shaking fiercely. McGonagall used a warming spell on him, and then grabbed him by the ear.

"THERE IS NO, I REPEAT, NO EXCUSE FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!! 50 POINTS FROM SLYTHERIN, DETENTION FOR A WEEK AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE PROFESSOR SNAPE RIGHT NOW!!"

As she took Malfoy down the hall, the students uncovered their ears. They had never heard Professor McGonagall yell like this before, and she was louder than any Howler they could remember. They each promised themselves that they would never make her angry on purpose. Ever.