Cold Beauty (Harry Potter)

The Hogs Head

It was late at night and Alexandra and Nicholas were sitting near the fireplace in the Slytherin common room. The common room being an underground dungeon was freezing especially in the cold winter weather. This is why all the students were in their dorms, snuggled up under blankets and sweaters. Alexandra herself had tried to do just the same, but insomnia was a huge aggravation that particular night. 

And so, she ended up in the common room with Nicholas, playing a casual game of cards. The two of them played in comfortable silence as they competitively tried to defeat each other. After playing for some time, Nicholas finally raised his hands in defeat after seeing how fiercely Alexandra was winning. "It's your game," he said with a sigh but along with a satisfied smile on his lips. "How'd you do it?"

"And why should I tell you?" Alexandra retorted jokingly. After all, a winner should never reveal secrets. Nicholas gave out a light chuckle as Alexandra came close and leaned her head on his shoulder. Nicholas lifted up a hand to gently play with Alexandra's long hair. The two of them stayed like this for a few minutes in front of the fireplace. From where they sat, the warmth of the fireplace was soothing, especially in such cold weather. 

However, Alexandra and Nicholas's little cuddle session was interrupted by someone's voice. "Alexandra? Nicholas?"

The both of them flinched in surprise as they turned their heads around to look for the owner of the voice. "Alexandra, the fireplace!" Nichols exclaimed. 

Alexandra looked at the fireplace and found that Sirius Black had decided to give them a little visit. "Sirius, what in Merlin's beard?"

Nicholas was already familiar with the Order of The Pheonix and had met Sirius a few times so he was not unfamiliar with the man. "Sirius, do you have any idea of how much of a risk you're taking?"

"Well, what's life without a little bit of risk?" Sirius grinned. "Anyways, I'm going to be talking to Harry in the Gryffindor common room later, but I thought I might just drop by to say hi. Also, I got a letter from Harry saying he was worried about Umbridge. What's all this about?"

"Well," Alexandra began, "we've been given a book for first-years to study for our OWLs. And we're only learning theoretically. There's no combat or magic at all."

"Well, that isn't too surprising," Sirius said. "I heard from Arthur that Fudge doesn't want you trained in defense."

"Well, that's too bad. I've already got training anyway," Alexandra said as she remembered Sidus Academy. 

"Course' you do. You survived the Triwizard Tournament all alone," Nicholas agreed. Sirius gave Alexandra an amused smile in agreement. 

"I'm guessing Fudge thinks that Dumbledore is trying to create an army out of us? I mean, it's obviously a dumb theory but Fudge isn't exactly in his right mind now," Alexandra voiced. 

"You took the words right out of my mouth. Fudge is only growing more paranoid and that paranoia is leading him to do absolutely idiotic things. The others would kill me if they knew I told you both this but, well, the Order had been struggling lately."

"Why? What's going on?" Nicholas asked. 

"Fudge is becoming more determined to shut out the truth. People have started disappearing just like when Voldemort came for the first time. Voldemort has been making moves lately."

Alexandra thought for a moment before replying. "Sirius, there's honestly not much I can do to help but I do know people who can."

"Oh? Do tell."

"Remember that I'm a student at Sidus? Well, I've already told Sidus all about Voldemort returning and they've been taking action to help ease the situation ever since. If you can convince the members of the Order, I can help organize a collaboration between the Order and Sidus."