The Mad Hatter's Heart

'There was a story told by a muggle, about a little girl, who wore a blue dress, a black ribbon and had blonde hair. Her name was Alice, and she was a curious little girl.' His warm looks of kindness made the little girl sitting in the bed smile back at the ancient wizard looking at her through his half moon glasses which sat comfortably on his cooked nose.

He continued. 'One day, a rabbit ran past her muttering "I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date" Alice wondered what he meant by he was late, and what important date? This is what began the story of how the Hatter came to fell in love with Alice.' He caught sight of her confused expression, so he let her ask.

"But she was only a little girl, how could he fall in love with her so fast?" she questioned wrapping her arms tighter around the little blonde doll with the lilac button eyes. It was a gift from the man who was telling her the current story. Her curiosity was what he admired the most out of the little girl, how she could know so much and yet not know anything at all, one word described her the most: Explorative. Something he noticed from her mother's side.

"When love is there, even at a young age, you have the strength to be patient, but this love grows, like a plant, it starts from a small seed, and grows into something beautiful. The Hatter's and Alice's relationship merely started off as strangers, but the older she grew, the more beautiful and elegant and kind the girl became. You could say Hatter acknowledged this and fell for the young woman in the end. But not every love has a happy ending. For you see, when Alice returned to Wonderland the Red Queen was furious of her arrival, she sent many soldiers out to find her, but the White Queen saved Alice, sending her back to where she came from so the Red Queen would never find her, The Mad Hatter saw Alice before her leaving, and he asked for her hand in marriage.'" His warm smile widened at the corners at the view of the girl who was ready to fall asleep any second. But he continued.

'The Hatter heard of her leave and his heart shattered at the very words of it. How could she leave when they were to be wed? The Hatter told this to the White Queen, she gave sad smile to the depressed Hatter and said "I apologise for this, but the Red Queen is stubborn and ruthless. We had no option Hatter." The Hatter wept a tear and stared down at his feet, bowing to the White Queen before he turned on his heel, and left. The Hatter swore that he would wait for his beloved to return to him, so he waited.' The story would have continued and finished properly, but the little blonde girl lying asleep in her bed stopped the man from continuing. He stood his silver beard and hair falling down his back and stomach. He pulled the covers closer to her chin and kissed her forehead just as another man and a woman stood at the door.

"Thank you, Albus." They chorused as they looked at their daughter's sleeping face, then their eyes flickered to Albus Dumbledore, who was tidying his rich magenta and gold robes as he walked towards the door where the woman and man stood.

"I am very happy to tell a story to Makenna as much as you both want me to. She's a questionable girl, but is intelligent and quick thinking as well. I understand that she will not be attending Hogwarts when she is eleven, am I correct?" he spoke softly but had a look of disappointment on his face. The parents shook their head and gave an apologetic look, earning an understanding nod from Albus.

"That is quite alright. But do you mind if I ask where she will be educated?" his voice was polite and soft. The woman stepped forward with her arms crossed to keep herself warm. She looked into his kind eyes and spoke slowly.

"We were hoping that maybe she could be homeschooled, my father is willing to teach her any subject that is needed. But Richard and I were hoping that you could possibly teach her Defence Against the Arts. Of course we are not forcing..." Dumbledore's hand was raised and his smile was still in place, only it gleamed with happiness.

"Of course, but as duties of being a Headmaster I cannot teach her in person. I have another way in mind but until she turns the age of eleven, her tutelage will be kept in waiting."

Dumbledore left the house later that night, leaving Richard and his wife in a quiet state.

"She's starting to look like her father..." Began Richard, his wife going all tense at the sound of it.

"Richard, if she turns out like her father there is no guarantee that she will be sane. Her father was intelligent but look at where that got him, serving the Dark Lord and being disowned by his father." Richard gave a kiss on her forehead and they both left off for bed.