Chapter 030 Stay safe and Healthy. "Most of us would be upset if we were accused of being 'silly.' But the word 'silly' comes from the old English word 'Selig' and its literal definition is 'to be blessed, happy, healthy and prosperous'" -Zig Ziglar * * * * * The day before the new term starts Alex was in the 'Great Hall' having dinner when three girls tip toped behind him. Just when they thought they were close enough to scare him, Alex said, " I see, so you are all back". "Brother, that's not fair, at least pretend that you didn't notice". Nicole said, making faces behind Alex's back. Alex didn't even lift his face to look at them. Nicole sat beside him grumbling and Hermione and Daphne, sat opposite to them. "So how did it go? The vacation with Hermione". Alex asked turning towards Nicole. "It was great if we exclude the time we spent going through books. Mrs Granger is such a great cook and Mr Granger, well he is the most hilarious person I have ever met. You won't be bored with them. I even doubted how can they have a daughter like Hermione?" Nicole said enthusiastically. "How can you say that in front of me?". Hermione said as she tried to hit Nicole. "Hiss... what? Everyone will think the same if they spent some days with your family". Nicole said as she rubbed her head. "No one will think you are mute if you won't speak for a while". Hermione could only swallow her anger now. "But I need to tell my brother about the experience I had at your house. Brother, there was this cousin of Hermione who was so fat that when he talked the fat around his neck flapped, just like that dog, you know what's it called..." Nicole and Hermione began to narrate how they spent their vacation after Alex left. They would quarrel while narrating, complete each other's phrases or they would try to justify their actions in a particular situation. But whatever the case they looked like they enjoyed their time together, they looked felicitous. Daphne, on the other hand, listened to them with great interest. She was envious of them and felt like she never got to enjoy herself like them. Most of the families in the wizarding world were strict with their younger generation. Their every action is under the family's observation. They are like conservative families of the eighteenth or nineteenth-century Britain and believe that one must act prim and proper, especially the ladies. After they had their dinner, Alex left with Daphne. On their way to the dormitory, Daphne could not help but ask, " I heard professor Snape called you back early. Any specific reason?" "Nothing that you should be bothered with". Alex said. "Why are you being like this?" Daphne asked. "Like what?" "We were getting along fine, but now I feel like you are trying to push me away". Initially, Daphne did not notice it but as time went by she noticed that it was like Alex was trying to push her away. "There is nothing like this". "Do you think I am ---" "I have something to take care of, you can go on your own". "You ---" Daphne could only stomp her feet with anger. *** Alex came to the library, he nodded towards Madam Pince and walked towards a seat and plunged there. There was still some time before the library was going to close. Alex closed his eyes, and just laid there when he heard, a burst of familiar waves of laughter, 'Malfoy and company'. What is he up to now? Alex peeked with the corner of his eyes and saw a fat mass squirming on the ground. Alex could not see his face, but when the squirming mass lifted his face, it was clear as to why Malfoy and others were so happy. It was their favourite punching bag, 'Neville Longbottom'. Neville tried to get up and walk but failed every time. It was 'Locomotor Mortis'. Alex tried to ignore it, but the pitiful groans which Neville let out made it hard for him to ignore. Finally, Alex stood from his seat and walked towards them. Since the evil trio was busy making fun of Neville, they did not notice Alex approaching from behind. "Can you all, not block the entrance?". Alex said. "Who dares to interfe---er---e---in---my---busin---". Initially, Malfoy wanted to throw his weight around, but when he saw Alex he could not complete his sentence and at the end, his voice was more like a buzz. "What did you say I could not catch it". "I---I--- said we were just moving, let's go". Malfoy ran without even trying to look back. "Thank you". Neville said, still on the ground. "What are you doing here now? Get going". Alex waved his hand as if trying to shoo away some insignificant fly. "But--- it's hard to move like this". Neville said as he pointed towards his legs. Alex grabbed one of his arms and helped the mass of fat on his feet, "Now hop to Gryffindor tower". * * * * * In the Gryffindor common room. "What did you say?" Ron asked as he exclaimed at the top of his voice. "Don't play," said Hermione at once. "Say you're ill," said Ron. "Pretend to break your leg," Hermione suggested. "Really break your leg," said Ron. "I can't," said Harry. "There isn't a reserve Seeker. If I back out, Gryffindor can't play at all." At that moment Neville toppled into the common room. How he had managed to climb through the portrait hole was anyone's guess, because his legs had been stuck together with what they recognized at once as the Leg-Locker Curse. He must have had to bunny hop, all the way up to Gryffindor Tower. Everyone fell over laughing except Hermione, who leapt up and performed the countercurse. Neville's legs sprang apart and he got to his feet, trembling. "What happened?" Hermione asked him, leading him over to sit with Harry and Ron. "Malfoy," said Neville shakily. "I met him outside the library. He said he'd been looking for someone to practice that on." "Go to Professor McGonagall!" Hermione urged Neville. "Report him!" Neville shook his head. "I don't want more trouble," he mumbled. "You've got to stand up to him, Neville!" said Ron. "He's used to walking all over people, but that's no reason to lie down in front of him and make it easier." "There's no need to tell me, I'm not brave enough to be in Gryffindor, Malfoy's already done that," Neville choked out. Harry felt in the pocket of his robes and pulled out a Chocolate Frog, the very last one from the box Hermione had given him for Christmas. He gave it to Neville, who looked as though he might cry. "You're worth twelve of Malfoy," Harry said. "The Sorting Hat chose you for Gryffindor, didn't it? And where's Malfoy? In stinking Slytherin." "How did you get out of there?" Ron asked. "You know Nicole's brother, who beat the boys from our house in 'Great hall'?" Neville said, he did not remember Alex's name but had a big impression of his from the first day itself. "Yeah what about him? Was he also with Malfoy trying to bully you?" Ron asked. "No --- No--- he was the one who helped me". Neville said waving his hands frantically. "Then why didn't he removed the curse?" Harry asked with a disapproving face. "I don't know. He just told me to hop to Gryffindor tower" Neville told them. Even he was a bit confused by Alex's actions, but could not say anything to him at that time. "That bastard". Ron said gritting his teeth. "Who are you calling a bastard?" A displeased voice came from behind. Ron and others turned around only to see Nicole, glaring at him with anger. Hermione who knew the situation might get out of hand walked towards Nicole, "Nicole calm down it's just a misunderstanding". "What misunderstanding? I am calling your brother bastard, what are you going to do about that?" Ron said as he showed a brave front in front of everyone. "You---" Nicole was so angry that she took out her wand and without arguing, waved it around. The furniture in the common room flew towards Ron one after the other. Students sitting on the furniture jumped off of them. Ron who did not expect the situation to turn grim in a split second, was first hit by the candle stand, followed by a couple of books then by a small table and soon enough he was buried under a load of furniture. Those who saw this, on one hand, felt chill down their spine and on the other felt pity for the 'Weasel' (oh sorry! the Weasley). Nicole left Ron, buried in the furniture and Hermoine followed her. Harry, on the other hand, cursed himself for being friends with this 'practice ground'. This was already one of the countless times he has to help him after he has been beaten by the Ashbridge siblings. But he could not leave him like this, he was the perfect lackey one could get. Ron would always jump the gun and say whatever he wanted to say getting the objective done without any of the heat directed towards him. Harry with great difficulty got Ron out of the pile of furniture. When Harry saw Ron he could not help but let out a chuckle. Even other Gryffindors burst into laughter. The already puffed face of the Weasley was now looked like a pig head, with the textures of blue and black. * * * * *