Harry Potter and the Ancient Order

Chpt. 17. The Un-Date

Xander remained transfixed in his spot, his eyes going back and forth between Miranda's smile and Alicia's retreating figure. Malfoy was cackling wickedly in the background, but he didn't appear to hear. His cheek had the perfect pink outline of a female hand on it, but he didn't seem to notice this either. He ran his hand through his hair slowly, sighing deeply.

"Why now?" he asked no one in particular. "Why the fuck did she have to come back now?"

Vick and Bryant were still looking at Alicia, who was by now throwing open the doors to the Great Hall.

"You was rollin' with her, wasn't you?" asked Vick, indicating Alicia with a nod of his head. Xander, who was holding the back of his neck with both hands and staring blankly into the sky, only nodded.

"Sorry, g," said Vick. "We shoulda told you. She was hummin' the whole ride 'bout you. Talkin' flak like 'I'll make sure any bitch wit him drops him' and 'He'll always be mine' and shit like that. Didn't think that ho was talkin' real."

"Ain't your fault," said Xander weakly.

"We gotta roll out," said Bryant, who seemed indifferent to the whole episode. "Peace."

Once they took their leave, the remaining members of the Gryffindor house team looked to Xander. Each one of them had a million questions, nut no one wanted to asked the first. Cho took the initiative, having the most sense in such a situation.

"I take it she won't give you up so easily," she said softly, nodding towards Miranda.

"So you do see some of the picture," he said, looking weakly up at her.

"Well, of course, but you still should have done more to avoid that. It was quite rude," Hermione said. Damn her hard-line logic, thought Harry.

Xander looked at Hermione with his piercing gaze. It looked as though he was going to respond rudely, but sighed once more before asking, "Have you experienced your first love yet?"

Hermione immediately became very interested in her shoes.

"So you did date her, then," said Ron quickly, drawing the attention away from Hermione. Ron didn't seem confused at all, but was only trying to give Xander the chance to plead his case.

"Yes," he said, with a mixture of pain and fondness. "Things were great in the beginning. I totally fell for her, and she was absolutely smitten with me. It was like the model relationship. She became increasingly possessive, though. At first I took it as trying to point out that she was with me. Dirty looks at passing girls, rude remarks, you know, things like that. It was actually kind of cute. But it went beyond jealousy. After a while, she would literally get pissed off at any girl who even acknowledged my existence. Even female teachers. Soon she was tailing me when I hung out with my friends. Started complaining that I didn't want to spend time with her, that I was looking for someone to replace her. I put up with it longer than I should've, but you do things like that when your in love.

"The coach," he pointed to Bobby Knight, "is her father. Threatened to have me kicked off the team at every little thing I did that she didn't approve of. It tore me up inside. I had a choice: be free of it, or give up both Quidditch and the girl I loved. Quit the team and told her we were done. She cried the whole night, swearing she'd change, things would be different, bla bla bla. It just ripped my heart out to see her like that, but my logic took over. Told her it would never happen. Her father heard her crying and tried to hit me. I don't know what made me do it, but I decked him before he could me. He blackballed me from playing Quidditch in America.

"She's sabotaged every attempt at a relationship I've had since. Even started a rumor that she was carrying my baby at one point." Xander breathed deeply as the memories came flooding back to him. "Why can't she just let me be happy? Even in England I can't get away from her. Alicia's the first girl I've been able to get close to since Miranda. I don't want to lose her."

"If you like, I could talk to Alicia," Cho offered. She along with everyone else could almost feel Xander's heartache in his words.

Harry felt compelled to help as well. "I'll go with you," he said. "It might help if I vouch for you, too."

"Do you think she'll talk to me again?" Xander asked, hope flooding all pain from his eyes.

"I reckon she'll at least hear you out." Harry didn't have the heart to tell him the more likely "Sorry, mate, but I truly think you blew it."

"I need a walk," said Xander, looking around. By now everyone else had already went back inside with the exception of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Cho, Fred and George. "I'll see you guys later. If anyone asks around for me, tell her I'm in my dorm," he added quickly, but Harry knew exactly who he meant. Foreign visitors weren't allowed in the boys dormitories.

* * *

It was with a strong effort that Hermione an Cho were able to convince Alicia to come out of her room. They had done much talking on Xander's behalf, which she had only listened to sparingly. Not until they admitted that Xander was wrong for the way he handled the situation would she even think of coming down. Harry and Ron speaking on behalf of Xander didn't help matters any.

"Oh, of course you'll side with him, guys can do no wrong," she snapped at them. They wisely kept their mouths shut for the remainder of the conversation.

"He really wants to talk to you," Hermione said for what must have been the thirtieth time. "I think you should at least listen to his side of the story before-"

"I don't ever want to see him again," Alicia said, though sounding extremely unconvincing as the tears returned before she could finish her sentence. She ran back up to her room before anyone could say anything else to her.

"If you see him, just tell him to give her time to cool off," Cho whispered to Harry and Ron before following Katie and Angelina up to the dorms. At least they had been able to convince those two of the truth in the situation, though it had more to do with Brandy. She had come over to the Gryffindor table at dinner once she heard what happened to talk to Alicia. At first she tried to joke about the situation by saying, "He's not at dinner. World War III wouldn't be able to stop him from eating." She quickly covered her mistake by telling Alicia that Miranda had been screwing with his life for the better part of two years, even turning up in Germany last year on the rumor that he was engaged to a girl. It was a hoax, though, as Kobe Bryant had said it in anger after Coach Knight had berated him for showing off during a Quidditch match.

Just as Harry and Ron exited the portrait hole, they saw Miranda standing in front of the Fat Lady, arguing with her for entrance.

"Where's Alex?" she demanded of Harry and Ron. "He wasn't at dinner."

Hermione, who had strayed momentarily in the Common Room to collect her books, came storming out, followed by Fred and George whose silence during the entire conversation was most out of character.

"Left for America this afternoon. Said someone had to look after your baby," said George, coupled with a wicked grin from Fred.

"Bullshit," spat Miranda. "Where is he? I want to talk to him," she demanded again, speaking in such a stuck-up tone that Harry was strongly reminded of Malfoy.

"You just leave him alone, you filthy little slag," Hermione retorted, drawing admiring gazes from the boys at her stance.

"And who the hell are you to tell me what to do?"

"See this badge?" Hermione pointed to her Prefect badge. "I'm a school prefect. If you keep demanding things you're not entitled to, It wouldn't be difficult to have you banned from the castle. Now bugger off. Go back to Daddy." Harry had rarely seen Hermione this angry and was always amazed when he saw her temper. Miranda gave them all one last seething look before exiting Gryffindor Tower.

Thankfully, she was gone before Alicia turned up, having come down at hearing Miranda's voice and the ensuing argument. "Still sticking up for him, huh?" she questioned the boys. She didn't have the same coldness in her voice as she did earlier, but they all accepted the fact that it was her emotions in turmoil doing the talking. Harry took this as a good sign, thinking that she may even allow Xander to be in her presence sometime soon.

They quickly took their leave of her as the girls escorted Alicia back upstairs, hoping to find Xander before it was late and they'd get detention for roaming the school. Luckily, he was standing in the Entrance Hall, looking very much the worse for wear.

"What did she want in here?" he asked Harry.

"She was looking for you. Tried to get into the Common Room. Where've you been?"

"Roaming, mostly. Talked to Hagrid for a while. Brandy found me and brought me some food from dinner. Told me she tried to talk to Alicia, but she wasn't sure if she helped or hurt the situation." He looked to Ron and Harry for some sort of indication.

"Well," began Ron uncomfortably, "she definitely didn't hurt, but I'm not sure how much it helped." He looked up quickly. "Miranda didn't see you when she left, did she?"

"No. I ducked into the Great Hall when I heard her coming down the stairs. Muttering something about 'that bushy-haired bitch' as she left." Xander smiled slightly. "So I take it Hermione's thinking I'm not full of shit?"

Harry and Ron smirked inwardly at this, and Ron had a look of pride about him.

"May I ask for one more small favor tonight?" Xander asked.

"What's that?" Ron answered.

"Go into the Common Room first, and let me know if Alicia's still there? I don't think she's ready to see me yet."

"Sure, mate, no problem," said Ron. The three walked back up to Gryffindor Tower where Ron entered first. "All clear," he announced and Xander followed in, going straight to his bed. Harry fell asleep listening to Xander read his journal to himself while occasionally writing in it.

Harry was very aware of Xander's lack of presence in the following week. He spotted him occasionally chatting with some of the foreigners that he knew, yet noticed he very much avoided the American site. Brandy was often seen talking to Alicia, who was doing her part to be sure she didn't bump into Xander. Harry learned that Xander was spending his meals either with the Australians or with Hagrid. "He's in a righ' state, that one," Hagrid had told Harry. He was thankful that Hagrid was able to talk to Xander, since Harry was much too occupied with classes and extra Quidditch practices to say much. The only time he really saw Xander was in class or at night, reading his journal. He had nearly snapped off Dean's hand when he went to move the journal.

Handing the Quidditch pitch over to the All-Star team after each practice was always a tense moment. The Gryffindor team saw Xander enter the stadium every day, his shoulders slumped, head hung low, and enormous purple bags under his eyes. Krum had confided inn Hermione that Xander hadn't been flying very well that week, but was still by far the best chaser the team had. Alicia would occasionally glance in Xander's direction with a sorrowful look in her eyes, but always stomped off rather quickly, her angry expression firmly back in place once Xander happened to look up.

"Reckon we should try to make them 'bump into each other'?" Ron asked Harry after practice on Thursday. Alicia's play had suffered as well, as it was apparent her heart wasn't completely into it.

"Maybe we should leave it to the girls to try," Harry said. "They might be able to get her to meet him willingly. Cho said Alicia'd be willing to talk if she knew he would show."

They told their plan to Hermione once they returned to the Common Room, and to their surprise she wholeheartedly agreed.

"Well, it's about time Xander broached the subject of meeting her," she said. Harry felt slightly guilty in telling her that Xander told him he wanted to meet her, but it wasn't so much of a lie as Harry knew it was true. He had heard Xander mutter, "if she would only talk to me" late last night.

Harry and Ron joined the school in the Great Hall after they showered for dinner. They kept glancing sidelong at Alicia, and exchanged satisfied looks when they saw Alicia grab a quill and scribble a note. They quickly averted their eyes when she walked over to them.

"Can I borrow Hedwig, Harry?" she asked. He did spot Xander's name as the addressee, so he was only too glad to oblige.

She stood there for an uncomfortable second before meekly asking, "How's he been doing?"

"Not so good, from what I've seen. Refuses to talk to anyone, just shuts himself up in his bed reading his journal," Harry answered honestly. He wished he could say something different, but had a hunch Alicia would know he would be lying. She only nodded sadly as she went to the Owlry to send her letter.

Friday evening was a very tense one in the Gryffindor Common Room, everyone being aware of the meeting that was to take place that night. Everyone, Harry and Ron included, had gone to bed very early that evening so they could have their privacy. Hermione, performing her Prefect duties, had to send more than several students back upstairs who were trying to eavesdrop. Harry and Ron waited nervously in their dorm along with Dean, Seamus, and Neville. They were very worried indeed, as not one of them had seen Xander all day, even in class, so nobody was completely sure where he was. Once the clock struck midnight, however, curiosity got the better of them and they snuck down to the Common Room.

They found Alicia bawling on Angelina's shoulder, Hermione and Katie trying to comfort her.

"What're you two doing here?" Hermione asked in a very huffy tone.

"We heard the noise," Harry lied quickly. Where was Xander?

"You said he wanted to see me! You said he would!" Alicia cried to Harry and Ron. They exchanged dumbfounded looks.

"He never showed," Hermione informed them very stiffly.

"What?"

"Why not? Did he write you?"

"No, he just never showed up," Angelina retorted. "Where is he now, with that slag American girl?"

"Nobody's seen him all day," Harry said, honestly this time. He was very worried now, as there was a huge Quidditch match tomorrow.

"Bugger him! Him and his little whore!" Alicia shrieked before storming off to bed.

"I can't believe he would just stiff her, no reason or note," said Hermione unbelievingly. "I thought he truly cared about her." She quickly went off to bed, but not before ordering Harry and Ron to bed for their match tomorrow.

Chpt. 18. The Hogwarts Championship

Harry woke the next morning, seeing that Xander's bed had not been slept in. He quickly searched the room and noticed Ron polishing his broomstick.

"Yeah, I noticed, too. I can't believe he would ditch her for that American," he said. It was now universally accepted in Gryffindor House to call Miranda "that American" and not by her true name, though many of the girls had several rude terms for referring too her.

Harry quickly dressed and joined Ron in a bit of breakfast, the rest of the Gryffindor team arriving at intervals. Fred an George were knocking off nerves by slipping Canary Creams into several first-years' éclairs while the rest of the Hall laughed merrily. Nearly all of the Gryffindor students stopped by at one point or another to wish the team well, as did a few from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw even though they had members from their own houses on the All-Star team. Alicia came down from her dorm looking like she hadn't slept well (well, she hadn't) but ready for play nonetheless. She was going over some strategy points with Angelina when the time had come for the team to make their way to the Quidditch pitch as Gryffindor cheered them on.

"Good luck," said Hermione with a smile on her face. "And smack Xander in the head if you get close enough," she added, though Harry secretly thought she was serious.

Harry's nerves mounted more when he saw the Quidditch pitch; it had been expanded to accommodate the new arrivals so it now comfortably seated three thousands. Having never played in front of such a large crowd, his stomach gave a huge jolt and for a few queasy moments Harry thought he was going to wear his breakfast. Ron wasn't faring much better himself as his face was nearly pure white, making his freckles stand out considerably.

"Asshole," Harry heard Alicia say sharply before she stomped off into the locker rooms. He looked around for a second confused, then he saw what had her upset. Miranda had Xander pinned by the shoulders against the outside wall of the locker room with a smile on her face.

"He doesn't have to flaunt it," muttered Ron. Before Harry could respond, Miranda let out an abrupt yell, having been pushed aside by Xander.

"Leave-Me-Alone!" Xander said, his eyes staring daggers. The look in his eyes startled Harry. About the only thing he could compare it to was the eyeless gaze of the basilisk he had encountered in his second year. Though it had no eyes to end his life, it was still enough to drain the resolve from Harry. Miranda hadn't noticed this look, however, as she was busy readjusting her robes.

"I'll find you later," she winked at Xander before entering the stadium.

"What the hell-" Ron asked, dumbfounded. Harry shrugged as Malfoy poked his head out of the locker room entrance.

"Let's move, Majere. Game time in five minutes. You can play with your girlfriend after the game," he added with a wicked smirk on his face. Xander shoved Malfoy out of his way and disappeared through the door. Harry and Ron, who themselves were now late from watching the episode, hurried into their locker room and spotted Alicia quickly.

"Alicia, we just saw-" began Harry, but was cut off by Angelina.

"Leave her alone. Get ready, we've gotta get out onto the field," she snapped, throwing their robes in their faces.

"But-"

"NOW!"

"After the match," whispered Ron, who was already half dressed and glancing at the scouting report one last time. Harry thought it wise to let the matter drop for now. After all, it was Xander's own fault he was in this position after they all had tried to help him. Several more minutes of stewing about Xander's ungratefulness had Harry worked up enough to the point where he forgot about the size of the crowd when he entered the pitch.

Harry and the Gryffindor House team came to the center of the pitch, where the All-stars were already assembled. Madame Hooch, who would be officiating all matches in the tournament, was walking out to the center with the box of Quidditch balls under her arm. Davies and Malfoy were looking very smug indeed, but Xander kept his eyes on the grass. Harry caught him several times looking up to glance at Alicia, but it was so quick he couldn't read his expression.

"And the Gryffindors are looking in fine form, indeed, extending their winning streak to five matches..." Harry heard Lee Jordan rattling on about the Gryffindors accomplishments. The volume of the stadium made Harry realize the size of the crowd as he mounted his broom and took off, taking his place in the face-off formation well above the rest. Malfoy was busy tossing any insult he could think of at the Gryffindor team, but this didn't bother Harry. He knew Malfoy was nervous no matter how cool he acted.

Lee Jordan's voice rang out through the pitch: "And tossing out the opening face-off will be the daughter of the International Scholastic Quidditch Championship's chairman, Miss Miranda Knight."

Harry nearly fell off his broom. She was starting the game? He noticed Alicia move slightly to the left so she was directly over Miranda and let loose with and enormous loogie aimed at her head, but it disappeared in the wind and fell harmlessly halfway down the field.

"Three... Two..." shouted Madame Hooch from her broom before the whistle blew. Miranda tossed the Quaffle directly to Xander, further adding to the Gryffindors' ire. Xander, however, refused this gift and flew in the opposite direction, passing a short distance in front of Harry.

"What the hell is going on?" Harry shouted after Xander, but he merely shrugged before ducking to dodge a bludger shot at him by one of the Weasleys'. A second one immediately followed the first, making solid contact with his shoulder. Harry looked across the field to see the twins grinning before flying off in pursuit of the bludgers. Harry wasn't sure if they marked Xander so early because that was their game plan (he was by far the best chaser on the All-Stars) or out of revenge for Alicia.

"The Gryffindors gain possession after that unfair release of the quaffle," Lee announced as Professor McGonagall reprimanded him, "and are making some quick passes to avoid the All-Star defense. Johnson passes to Spinnet, flying fast up there, wait, where's she going?"

Alicia was flying at break-neck speed towards Xander, who didn't see her coming, as he was busy avoiding more bludger work from the twins. Twisting his head around at the last second, he barely saw Alicia throw the quaffle as hard as she could directly at his head. Harry was amazed he ducked quickly enough.

"Foul!" cried Madam Hooch. "Penalty shot to the All-Stars' chaser!"

Harry couldn't blame her for calling it. He resumed searching for the snitch during the break, hoping Ron would pull off the save. Malfoy flew near Harry, looking rather bored.

"Looks like she's not happy with her boyfriend for missing their little 'meeting'," Malfoy drawled, adding emphasis to his last word.

"What do you care?" snapped Harry, annoyed at having his concentration broken.

"He should be careful who he makes enemies with, or do Muggles just have no sense about them?" Malfoy continued.

"Majere scores, ten points to the All-Stars," Lee announced, as the quaffle rebounded off of Ron's outstretched fingertips to pass through the center hoop. Play continued shortly afterward, with Alicia attempting to dive-bomb Xander from behind while Madam Hooch wasn't looking.

After about fifteen more minutes of searching in vain (and six more All-Star goals to match Gryffindor's two), Harry finally spotted the snitch lingering near the Gryffindor goal. Malfoy, who was closer but had the inferior broom, took off in front of Harry, reading the look in his eyes.

"Not this time, Potter," snarled Malfoy. Just as Harry was about to pass him, Malfoy flew perpendicular to Harry, knocking the tail of Harry's broom and sending him spiraling through air. Harry's instincts took over, and with an almighty pull upwards, he once again had control of his broom.

"Outstanding display of ability by Potter, I thought he was done for!" shouted Lee as the Gryffindor section cheered themselves hoarse.

Malfoy was miles ahead of Harry now, but he had inadvertently given Harry the better angle on the snitch, which was weaving its way gradually upwards. If Harry kept his current course, he might get there before Malfoy.

"C'mon, C'mon," Harry urged his Firebolt, now laying completely flat on its handle. It felt like ages, but he was finally even with Malfoy, mere feet from the Snitch.

"Bugger off, scarhead," Malfoy snapped as Harry slapped is hand away from the Snitch. Harry reached out, nearly there-

"ARRGGHH!" cried Harry in frustration. Xander had thrown the quaffle at the Snitch, knocking it clear across the field and out of reach from both seekers.

"Clever move by Majere, keeping the All-Stars alive," said Lee, though he didn't sound very enthused about the move. Gryffindor was behind, 70-30 now, as Katie Bell put the quaffle away before Xander's defense prevented Harry from winning the game.

The Snitch seemed to have gone on vacation, as it was nearly a half hour since Harry had last seen it. Gryffindor started to pull closer, but Xander's game was proving too much for Ron. Everything Xander did was the opposite of the scouting report Angelina had put together. When he was supposed to shoot, Xander passed. When he was supposed to go high, Xander shot low. Ron was growing increasingly frustrated, but was adjusting as he had stopped Xander's last four shots with some spectacular saves. Xander answered by not shooting anymore, and instead put on an amazing display of passing, coupled with his efforts of dodging bludgers from Fred and George. They were working on Xander like Harry had never seen before, sending so many shots his way that Harry was sure Xander was a bludger magnet.

By the time Angelina called a time-out for a rest (the wind was slowly wearing on the team) Xander was a bruised and bloody mess. Harry almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

"What's the score now?" Harry asked, having lost track.

"250-110, them," answered Angelina. "Harry, we need that snitch!"

"I know, I know, I'm on it. It's just disappeared!" Harry snapped back.

"So much for that scouting report," Ron complained. He was the most winded of them all and looked near collapse.

"Quit whining," Angelina shot back. "I never knew how he played in match-conditions, only what we saw them practice. I hate to say it, but he's a true game-day player. C'mon, we gotta get back up there," she ordered as Madam Hooch blew her whistle. Malfoy was using the time to search for the snitch, but the frustrated look on his face told Harry he didn't have any better luck than Harry.

No sooner than Harry got back in the air then the Snitch appeared, hovering around the All-Stars' goal. He took off after it, as Malfoy was busily taunting Ron and didn't see it. Harry flew past Madam Hooch, causing her to blow her whistle again in surprise. This drew Malfoy's attention, and he quit taunting Ron and shot off towards the snitch after Harry.

The Snitch refused to sit still. Whenever Harry got near it, it flew away another twenty feet, teasing him. It zig-zagged often, preventing Harry from using the superior speed of his broomstick. It only took Malfoy a few minutes to catch up with Harry and begin to bump him in an effort to gain the advantage.

"Piss off, Malfoy!" Harry shouted in frustration. Why couldn't the snitch hold still for just five seconds?

Most in attendance ignored the rest of the match and watched the battle for the snitch. His attention on the capture, Harry tuned out all noise around him. It was another two minutes before he caught up with it again, this time hovering about five feet below Ron at the Gryffindor goal. Harry put on a burst of speed, slowly edging ahead of Malfoy. Just fifteen more feet to go, Harry thought. Hold still, hold still, he willed the snitch. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Malfoy veer off upward and collide with Ron. Harry reached out and felt the golden ball in is palm as he closed his hand.

"YES!" cried Harry, flying off away from the tangle of Ron and Malfoy. He looked around, elated, just as his hearing came back.

"Harry Potter catches the snitch, but the Hogwarts All-Star team wins, 270-260," Lee Jordan announced, sounding dejected.

"What!" Harry shouted in amazement. "We should have won!"

Harry looked around for his teammates to find out what was going on, spotting them down on the ground. He flew down to them, demanding answers.

Angelina looked as if her world collapsed. "When you were chasing the snitch, they scored a goal. We thought you were going to catch it in time, but when Malfoy flew up and hit Ron, Majere put the quaffle home before you caught it."

"Huh? No way," Harry muttered disbelievingly. "Are you sure I didn't catch it first? He would have had maybe 2 seconds to score."

"The buzzer rang just before you got it."

"I don't believe it," Harry muttered again.

"Nice catch, Harry." He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to see Xander standing there. Before he could answer, Xander limped off to the locker rooms.

"Hey, Majere, get back here, there's a ceremony!" Roger Davies called after him, but Xander ignored him.

Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor team trudged off to the locker rooms to find Brandy standing at the door, waiting for them.

"Alicia, we need to talk," she said, looking very serious indeed.

"I don't really-" Alicia began, but Brandy cut her off.

"Xander never got your letter," she stated simply.

"Huh?" Alicia said blankly.

"He never got it," Brandy repeated. "That Draco kid," she pointed at Malfoy, "with the blond hair snagged Harry's owl before she could find Xander. Took the note to Miranda. She burned it."

"Then where was he the last two days?" Harry asked.

"I found him yesterday in the German camp with Waldron and Kirkum. They said he was drinking all day and passed out just after sunset," Brandy answered. "It took me all night to sober him up just to play today."

"That's how he plays with a hangover?" Ron asked in awe. "Bloody hell, I think I got off lucky then."

Alicia began crying. "Then what was he doing with that slag just before the game?"

"We tried to tell you," Harry began, "but we got cut off." He shot Angelina an annoyed expression. "Just after you walked away, he shoved her away and screamed at her to leave him alone. By the look in his eyes, I wouldn't have been surprised if she dropped dead on her face."

"You mean, he truly didn't know?" she managed to get out. Brandy shook her head. "Thank you," Alicia choked, giving her a hug. She ran off to the other locker room.

"How'd you know all this?" Hermione asked, having joined the conversation just in time to get the gist of it.

"I heard Malfoy bragging about it yesterday after dinner. I went to go find Xander to tell him, but he was passed out by then," Brandy finished, looking at the ground. "I've never seen him act like that," she confessed. Just then, Alicia came running back.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, noting the look on Alicia's face.

"He's not in there. He's missing," she said, looking worried.