Viper

End of the School Year, 1992. 11 Years old.

As the school year approached to an end, Lexie and her friends noticed an odd change in Professor Quirrell. He began to grow more paranoid and frightened each day and as a result, would often experience periods of blacking out during class.

Lexie’s orders to befriend Harry Potter had not gone according to plan. Harry avoided her and Draco at all cost and whenever Draco saw Harry, Lexie was nowhere near him. Perhaps this was for the best though, because Draco’s methods of interacting with Harry were quite brutal, and it wouldn't have won any points where Lexie was concerned.

“What's wrong with him?” Pansy Parkinson whispered in Lexie’s ear. The tone of disgust did not go unnoticed, nor did the look on her face that was currently mimicking her tone.

Lexie looked up from her theory parchment to see Quirrell staring at his desk with hands wrapped around his turban. There was a bizarre look of anguish displayed on his facial features. “Honestly, Pans, I haven't a clue.”

Pansy looked between Quirrell and Lexie and pushed aside her work. “No, but seriously Lex. There is something severely odd about him.”

“Don't start with that rubbish again, Parkinson.” Blaise, who was sitting at the table next to them overheard the conversation and butted in.

“Shut it, Zabini.” Pansy retorted as she turned her head. Draco was sitting next to Blaise, quietly doing his work. Crabbe and Goyle were sitting behind him trying to peep his answers to the prompt. Blaises’ parchment remained blank as he stared back at Pansy, unaware her eyes were not on him.

As Pansy continued her banter with Blaise, Lexie turned to Theo who was sitting patiently on her left side. They began to converse with each other about the prompt and whether he mentioned all the possible side effects of the Knockback Jinx. Suddenly, Lexie remembered the attack that happened on Halloween night.

She turned and said, “Oi, Pansy!” to get her attention. Pansy turned her attention back to Lexie. “You don't reckon it's from the troll attack do you?”

Pansy remained silent for a few seconds before lightly shaking her head. “No, it’s not that. It must be something else.”

Blaise, who still couldn't bring himself to focus, turned to Pansy once again. “Pansy, your theories make no sense.”

“Shut it, Zabini.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The days passed and the students were reaching the end of the term, however, Quirrell’s strange behaviour was getting harder to not notice. Especially when he didn't show up to his lessons one day.

“See, Lex, he's nowhere to be found!” Pansy exclaimed.

“Hate to admit you were right, Parkinson. But he's gone.” Blaise said.

“Where d’you think he ought to have gone?” Theodore asked.

“Probably talking to Dumbledore.” Draco said coolly. He was the most unphased about Quirrell’s disappearance. And caught multiple times muttering to Merlin to give Hogwarts a proper Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

“You don't think he got sacked do you?” Lexie butted in.

“Nah.” Draco replied. “Probably just getting told off for his behaviour. I'm sure he will be back and boring us in no time.”

“I'm tired of this school year. We learned nothing from him!” Pansy screeched.

“Well maybe if you had paid attention to our previous lessons,” Draco paused to lower his voice and arched a blonde eyebrow. “You wouldn't have relied on old Quirrell to teach you.”

“Oh please,” Pansy said. “As if learning to fight is going to prepare me to be a wife of a rich pureblood. He's not going to ask anything of me.”

“Yea Pans, because life’s purpose is to be a wife to some rich old git who expects you to pop out heirs left and right.” Draco retorted.

“Well, I don't care. The money and glamour is worth it, just look at Lexie’s mother.” Pansy replied.

Lexie put her hand up to her head in an attempt to soothe the headache that was forming. “Please dont bring my mother into this, you don't know half the shit that goes on behind closed doors.”

“I'm just saying that she is decked out in jewels and is always proper. Unlike the Mudblood’s dishevelled mother.” Pansy said, shooting a look to the empty spots of the classroom. “Speaking of dishevelled Mudbloods, where is Mudblood Granger and Potty’s posse?”

The group of Slytherins turned to notice that the only three unfilled spots in the classroom belonged to Hermione, Ron and Harry.

“That's quite strange.” Theo commented. “Why would they be missing at the same time Quirrell is?”

Draco replied to Theo’s question by saying, “Dunno, Theo, why don't you figure it out?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was much later in the day. Theodore was nowhere to be found. He had abandoned them after dinner and Blaise didn't feel like following him so they left to the common room. Pansy and Blaise were playing a game of Wizards Chess while Draco was levitating Lexie’s textbooks in the air threatening to drop them on her head. Draco loved levitating various objects and since his skills with wands were a bit rusty, he was practising. Lexie was sitting staring at the common room door and occasionally staring at Draco and mocking him. It was a quiet evening, the dungeons were practically empty.

Suddenly, the large door opened and Theo frantically burst in. “Merlin's beard!” He exclaimed. “Quirrells been bewitched! Harry Potter is in the hospital wing!” His chest was rising with each breath he took and his cheeks had taken on a beet red tint.

Draco, being startled, lost concentration on the books and dropped them mere inches away from Lexie’s head. As he turned to apologise, Lexie was already rushing to Theodore’s side.She grabbed his arm and yanked him to the couches. “What are you on about, Nott?” Theo pulled his arm from Alexandria’s hold and put his arm on his heart. He was bursting with energy and the adrenaline was coursing through his veins.

“Mate, what happened?” Blaise asked.

Theo finally took a deep breath as Draco summoned a glass of water. Theo hurriedly gulped down the water before roughly putting the glass on the table. He took another deep inhale and when he exhaled he said, “Pansy was right.”

Pansy raised her thin black eyebrow and casually admired her manicured nails. “About?”

“Quirrell, he was under the Imperius Curse. The Dark Lord did it.” Theo began running his fingers through his sandy brown hair. “He’d been trying to off Potter since the school year began.”

“Nott, seriously, what sort of rubbish is this?” scoffed Draco.

“Sod off, and let me explain.”

Draco faked a bow at Nott and said, “Be my guest.” before leaning back onto the back of the couch.

“Alright.” He took a breath again. Finally fit, he continued. “I overheard Granger and the Weasel talking about some sort of stone. They kept claiming Ol’ Severus wanted it. Naturally, I followed them until they turned the corner and disappeared. It was a couple hours later when I heard whispers that Potter had been hospitalised and Dumbledore was on his way back from wherever the bloke was. I went to the Hospital wing to ask Madam Pomfrey a question, and I overheard Snape and Dumbledore discussing the matter. Quirrells dead, Potter killed him.” He finished.

The group was silent for a couple minutes until Pansy broke it and calmly said, “Told you.” Before turning back to the chess board to make her next move.

“Then what happened, mate?” Asked Blaise, who was surprisingly quiet throughout Theo’s outburst.

Theo shot a look at Blaise and their eyes met briefly before Theo continued. “I'm not sure. All I know is that Potter is in the hospital.”

Lexie absorbed the information Theo was throwing at her with caution. She began to construct a plan, but needed Theo’s confirmation about something. Putting her hand on Theo’s arm, she turned to look at him. “Did anyone see you, Theo?”

Theo shook his head signifying a “no.” and Lexie got her answer.

She raised from the couch and headed toward the common room door. “Pansy, I need you to come with me.”

Pansy looked up, her short hair falling on her face. Confusion and surprise evident in her voice as she replied, “What? Why?”

Lexie took a deep breath before speaking. “Pans, please don't ask questions. I'll owe you a favour after this but please, help me out.” She pleaded.

Pansy waited a few seconds as if deciding if helping Lexie with her unknown plan was worth it. “What's in it for me?” Her cold voice asked.

Lexie rubbed her eyes in frustration. “Nothing yet, but I really need your help. I'll do whatever you want me to as long as you come with me.”

Pansy’s tiny facial features contained a thoughtful look. She was running her fingers across her prominent lips as she attempted to make a decision. Lexie, on the other hand, was crossing her fingers and muttering silent prayers that Pansy would agree. Lexie’s prayers must have been answered because Pansy soon turned toward her and agreed to accompany her. As a result, Lexie got up and ran toward her friend. She pulled her up from the floor and they rushed toward the door. However, they were interrupted by Draco. “Oi!” Draco called out, “Where are you off to?”

Lexie briefly turned around and said, “My task. Don't follow me.” and shut the door behind her. She rushed out the common room as fast as she could and began making her way to the hospital wing. A group of 3rd year Slytherins suddenly came out in front of their path and Lexie pulled Pansy to an empty corridor. “Pansy, you have to understand, this is important. I'm going to jinx you. I need to get in the hospital wing, and you're my only shot. I'll knock you out first so you don't feel anything. I promise I'll return the favour, just let me do this.”

Pansy’s brows furrowed and her face grew red. She was baffled by her friend’s request and was beginning to doubt ever agreeing. “You are a complete nutter! I'm holding you accountable for this. If that Madam Pomfrey cant fix my face, I'll ruin yours with twice as much brutality. Mark my words.”

Lexie put her hands on Pansy’s shoulder. “Alright, that’s fine. I won’t mind, just let me do this.” She whipped her head around to see if anyone was watching, and when she noticed there was nobody, she pulled out her wand and aimed it at Pansy’s face.

“Wait!” Pansy said as she lifted her hands to shield herself. “Why me?” The condescending nature of Pansy’s voice was ever so present as she shot Lexie a dirty look.

“Because Draco is stubborn and I cant have him in the same hospital wing as Potter. Blaise will make a fool of himself, and Theo can't go back or it will look suspicious. You're the only one.”

Pansy took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and made peace with what Lexie was about to do. When she opened them, she met her friend's eyes and said, “Do your worst and make it look your best, Rosier.”

Lexie couldn't help but smile and feel a surge of affection for her friend. She grabbed her friend's hands in her own and smiled. “Thank you, Pans.” Lexie gulped down air and proceeded to her task. “Ready?” She asked for confirmation.

Pansy nodded her head and closed her eyes once again. Lexie raised her wand and first stunned Pansy. Pansy immediately fell backward and Lexie rushed to grab her to save her from the fall. After, she made sure she was fully unconscious before proceeding to cast the Furnunculus Curse on her. Pansy’s face and body erupted in boils ranging in sizes. The bumps were red with a white bubble on top filled with pus. Lexie looked down at her friend lying on the floor and muttered to herself, “I hate this stupid jinx.” before reaching down to sling Pansy’s arm on her shoulders. Lexie checked her surroundings one more time and then began to drag Pansy to the hospital wing.

Trying to support Pansy’s body weight was a struggle in itself. The girl was rather tall for her age, but skinny as well. And though she was skinny and did not weigh much, Lexie made the decision to not levitate Pansy to the hospital wing because someone could have seen her. If she was caught, she would have to explain how she was able to perform the complicated charm, having just learned how to levitate a feather in her first year.

After struggling to carry Pansy through multiple flights of stairs and through a variety of corridors, she finally reached the hospital wing. Huffing and chest rising rapidly completely out of breath, she yanked open the large door and fell forward. “Help!” She exclaimed, looking frantically around. Her grey eyes landed on a small lump in the far left bed. The face was completely covered but she immediately took notice of the unmistakable untidy black hair that belonged to the one and only Harry Potter. It was sticking out from the sides of the large duvet covering his head. Deciding not to get distracted, Lexie turned her head to find Madam Pomfrey. “Help!” She yelled again.The small lump in the bed stirred. “Someone hexed my friend and I can't get her to wake up!”

The door at the far end of the hospital wing flew open and rushed the medi-witch Poppy Pomfrey. “Oh dear!” The witch exclaimed as she rushed to Alexandria’s side. “Oh Merlin! What happened to her?”

Lexie, who had put on a mask of concern, started to speak. “I-I don't know who did it. I was walking to the Slytherin Common Room when I heard a thud and a lot of students d-disappeared. I rushed to see what the c-c-comotion was and I found Parkinson on the floor.” She delivered her speech with tears in her frantic dark eyes.

Madam Pomfrey reached out to pick Pansy off Lexie’s shoulders. “I see. It's nothing to be worried about. I'll run some tests and make her better. Thank you for bringing her.” Lexie nodded, still visibly shaking. Madam Pomfrey scanned her eyes over the frightened girl and spoke once more. “Follow me, dear. I'll give you something to settle your nerves.” Lexie followed the path Madam Pomfrey took and just as Lexie had hoped, she placed Pansy on the bed next to Harry.

Harry, who was lying face down switched his position to be facing directly the bed where Pansy was lying on. “You go on, dear. I'll be out in a few minutes to help you and your friend. Please keep quiet though.” With that, Madam Pomfrey vanished back to the room she came out of.

“I know you're awake.” Lexie said.

Harry opened his eyes and met Lexie’s. “Yeah, because you woke me.” He retorted.

Lexie smiled a sarcastic smile bordering a sneer as she said, “You were already awake.” Harry sat up and reached for his glasses. He rubbed his eyes before placing them upon his face and simply looked at Lexie.

Lexie, taking this as a que to dive in further, spoke again. “What are you in for anyway, Potter? Hurt yourself playing quidditch?”

Harry seemed as if he was struggling to form a thought; he said “No,” before asking Lexie a question himself. “Haven't you heard? Surely you're joking.”

Lexie who pretended to be clueless simply leaned in closer and quietly said “No? What are you on about Potter?” She was a master of her act. She delivered each word with determination and the right amount of emotion.

Harry, who was convinced of this performance, simply sighed and answered “Quirrell. He was bewitched to attack me to reach the Philosopher’s Stone.”

“The Philosopher's Stone?”

The bespectacled boy nodded. “Yes. It is rumoured to grant eternal life to the person who uses it.”

Alexandria had never heard of this and remained shocked. She was no longer faking her expression. “Attacked you, did he? Who bewitched him?” Lexie whispered.

The boy just shrugged. “No clue. Dumbledore said he's working on figuring it out.”

Lexie let out a scoff. “You believe he will tell you?” She inquired.

Harry nodded. “Yes,” he said determinedly. “Dumbledore wouldn't keep something like this from me.”

At that moment, Albus Dumbledore quietly walked into the hospital wing. He saw Lexie and Harry talking and made his way towards the two. “Miss Rosier.” He nodded toward Lexie. Much different than the way he greeted Lexie, he turned to the boy and smiled. “How are you, Harry?”

“Alright, Professor.” Harry met Dumbledore’s smile with one of his own.

Dumbledore scanned his eyes at Lexie and Pansy who was still lying in bed with boils all over. “Waiting for Madam Pomfrey, Miss Rosier?”

Lexie met the headmaster's eyes and shook her head. “I'm feeling better, thanks Professor. Could you please warn Madam Pomfrey for me? I must be on my way out, excuse me.” She said as she got up. She switched her gaze onto Harry who was staring intently at her. “Feel better, Potter.” Lexie got up and left the hospital wing and rushed toward the Slytherin Common Room.

When she finally reached it, Blaise , Theo, and Draco were waiting for her in the same spot she left them. “So?” Asked Draco.

Blaise scanned the empty space beside Lexie, and noticed she was alone. “Where's Parkinson?”

“In the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey is taking care of her.” Lexie answered as she walked toward them.

“Hospital wing?!” Said Blaise with an unmistakable expression of shock on his face.The shock faded to slight anger, “What did you do to her?” he asked angrily.

“Nothing that Madam Pomfrey can't fix. Relax, Zabini, she's fine.” She said reassuringly. She then turned to face Draco and Theo. “Nott was right. Quirrell was bewitched by The Dark Lord. Only it's not for what we think. He wanted the Philosopher's Stone. Harry obviously had no clue who bewitched Quirrell but he believes Dumbledore will tell him. Dumbledore already knows. I don't think he's gonna spill. It just leaves one question, what does Lord Voldemort want with the Philosopher’s Stone?”