Sitting in the farthest corner of her cell. Alice Cross attempted to calm her nerves by humming a few nursery rhymes her mother used to sing to her sister every night. It was strange really, being in a place that's so dark you can't see your hand an inch from your face. Alice shifted over and ran her hand against the stone wall to her left. She had been carving lines to represent how many days she spent there, however she quickly gave up, because she could no longer tell the difference between night and day.

She was locked in the small 5 by 5 prison 24/7. There were no windows and no slits to receive food from. Most of the time Alice wasn't even sure there was a door connected to the cell, it was as if the room had been constructed around her.

Closing her eyes, Alice began to imagine she wasn't in a cell at all. That she wasn't being held prisoner by Lord Voldemort. She wasn't going to be tortured until she died; instead she imagined she was sitting in the kitchen at the Burrow with her sister, Nymphadora, and that she was helping Mrs. Weasley knit a scarf for Ron while listening to Fred and George describing their first attempt at making Dung Bombs. Alice almost smiled at the idea of being warm and safe, almost. There was a force that prevented her from actually smiling, it was the same force that made her heart pause as the door to her cell swung open and a man peered in.

Alice froze as she recognized the man. " 'Ello beautiful. Miss me?" A chill ran up Alice's spine as the man known as Scabior smirked and pulled her from the cell.

All the while Alice screamed and thrashed about in his grip. "NO! PLEASE DON'T!" Scabior only chuckled as she tried to push him off of her. But she was much too weak, that's what happens to people when their starved and tortured for weeks.

Scabior smiled down at the crimson haired girl as he drew out his wand. Her eyes widened and her breath caught as he whispered his favorite curse "CRUCIO!"

With a sudden jerk Alice sat up in her bed. Drenched in sweat she clutched her chest and took in gulps of air. It had been another nightmare. 'No' Alice thought as she wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, 'Another memory'.

Chapter 1

I slowly sat up from my bed and groaned. I've been having flashbacks every night since I was rescued by the Order. In the end I had been at Malfoy Manor for three months, but it felt like years. Afterwards I was taken back to the burrow to stay with the Weasley's, and then Hogwarts was attacked. It was bloody like most battles, but somehow I left with only a few scrapes and bruises. I was lucky. My half-sister Nymphadora, however, was a different story…

Trying to push away the thoughts I glanced over at the nearby dresser and noticed a pile of books next to my pocket watch and wand. Odd, they didn't look at all familiar.

Standing I crossed the room and picked up the top book, "Numerology and Grammatica? That is very odd, ah, perhaps-" Sure enough after a moment of searching I found a neatly folded note. "Dear Alice, You were sound asleep this morning so I went and picked up your school supplies without you. We'll be leaving early tomorrow morning, so make sure you're well rested." I couldn't help but smile as I read Mrs. Weasley's words, "Oh and I went ahead and purchased you a pygmy puff".

The smile fading, I sighed and looked up at the ceiling, "Having a limbless pink ball of fluff delivering me mail, now that sounds grand."

Shaking my head I read on, "But Bill made me return it and buy you something he thought you'd prefer. I didn't want it to wake you up so I left it down stairs. I hope you're excited for your first year at Hogwarts, deary, I know you'll get along just fine. Love, Molly."

Laughing I set down the letter and pulled out some clothes for the day, "Looks like I owe you one Bill."

I don't know what I'd do without Bill. Well, to be completely honest, I do know. I'd be dead.

One night while sitting in my cell I heard two guards talking. It seemed some people recognized as Harry Potter's friends had been captured. Not even two days later the Order arrived and rescued the golden trio. It just happened to be the time for my daily torture session with Smiley McGee.

I remember hoping and even praying that they got away safely, then suddenly one of them met me gaze. It was Bill. He stunned the wizard who had unlocked my cell, grabbed my arm, and took off. It was a miracle. The Order even managed to retrieve my wand along with Hermione's and Ron's!

After slipping on some jeans and a blue blouse I walked down the stairs and was met with a loud ruckus coming from the kitchen. Cautiously I peeked in the doorway.

"I told you Fred, George; I don't want to see any more of those going off in the kitchen!" Mrs. Weasley shouted.

Fred and George stood before their mother with expressions that clearly stated this wasn't the first time this had happened, "Yes mum" the both mumbled.

I took the opportunity to give the twins a much needed break and entered the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley turned and smiled when she saw me. "Good morning, sweetheart!" She said as she gave me a tight hug.

"Good morning Mrs. Weasley. Fred, George." I nodded towards them and they grinned back.

"Mornin' Rose" Fred said, "We thought you'd never get up." I smiled and sat down at the table as Mrs. Weasley began serving up sausages with fried bread.

I loved the atmosphere here; it was comfortable and warm, much different than where i grew up with Mad-Eye. Don't get me wrong he was a great wizard, but he was more of the get-down-to-business-and-no-fluff kind of guy. No to mention the fact that the only time he allowed me out of the house was when he wanted me to tag along with him on Order business, of course that was the only time he "allowed" me to get out. I admit I had grown quite stealthy while under his care.

"Alice, dear, did you see my note?" Mrs. Weasley pulled me out of my thoughts as she began pouring glasses of milk.

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you for getting everything, I really appreciate it." Mrs. Weasley waved her arm in front of her as if to push away my thanks.

"Don't worry about it, it was no trouble." At that moment George walked back into the kitchen clutching a small cage covered in a yellow sheet. "Oh! Thanks for reminding me George. Here you go, Alice."

My eyebrows rose as George set the cage on the table in front of me. "Go ahead, open it!" he urged.

Staring curiously at the small cage I tried not to frown, I really hated cages. No creature deserves to be locked away in such a way. I personally know how it feels and trust me, it's not fun.

Reaching forward I gently pulled off the cloth and gasped as I saw a beautiful raven staring up at me. Mrs. Weasley put her hand on her hips and glanced down at the Raven, "I hope Bill knows what he's a talking about; he seemed to think you would hate to have a pygmy puff."

I smirked, Bill knew me so well, "I don't hate them, however I do prefer this." I reached out and opened the cage door, offering the bird a chance to stretch his wings. "I think I'll call him Edgar."

Mrs. Weasley looked baffled, "Edgar?"

I nodded and smiled warmly at Edgar, "Yes. Edgar Allen Poe. I think it fits him rather nicely."