I dedicate the first sentence to Beau2809 (you know why)
Chapter 7
Alice knew exactly why Dudley Dursley and hisfriends didn't like her in primary school. It was simple- she didn't put up with his shenanigans. She didn't, however, have any idea why Cassius Warrington and his two goons, Peregrine Derrick and Lucian Bole, hated her.
Walking back to the Gryffindor Common Room after a rather long Charms class, Alice found herself surrounded by the trio.
"So you're the famous Alice Moody," said Cassius with a very fake amount of politeness. "Cassius Warrington. That's Derrick and that's Bole."
He pointed to two brute looking boys with permanent scowls etched on their faces. Alice's hand fell immediately to her side. Moody had been teaching her how to defend herself for as long as she could remember and she had been studying her spell books as if they were her life support since she got them. That, however, did not comfort Alice much when the odds were three against one and Cassius had already proven to be advance in magic as well.
"What do you want, Cassius?" Alice hissed. She fought the urge to step back.
"Well you're a halfblood, right," said Cassius rather then asked. "Which means one of your parents was a Mudblood."
Alice winced, her hair turning a bright green. Mudblood was a very nasty term used by Purebloods who favored blood purity. They used the term to belittle a Muggleborn witch or wizard as if to prove they belonged beneath them because the blood wasn't pure or was 'dirty'.
"And seeing that your father is the crazy Auror Mad-Eye," continued Cassius, "I guess that just leave your dear, dead mom."
"Get lost, Cassius."
Alice didn't remove Cassius from her line of vision when a familiar voice filled the air. She did, however, catch sight of Cedric Diggory standing at her side from the corner of her eye.
"How sweet," crackled Cassius, "a Badger comes to the Lion's aid! Tell me, Badger, are you going to ask us to play nicely? That's all you Hufflepuff are good for anyways, talking."
"Shut up, Cassius and get moving."
This time Alice did look away from Cassius but it was only because she was surprised by the familiar voice she heard. The boy from the train with ink black hair and tan skin was standing at the foot of the stairs growling menacingly, but to who Alice did not know.
"Come on, Mark," whined Derrick. "It's three to two."
"Four if we count you," added Bole. "They'll learn their place fast."
The second year Slytherin sneered.
"Great idea, start a fight outside the Charms classroom. Not like there's a professor in there or anything. Idiots."
Sending Alice a look that told her this wasn't over, Cassius turned on his heels and walked away, Derrick and Bole right behind him.
"Thanks," said Cedric. The older boy sneered at him.
"Shut up, Diggory," he hissed. "I didn't do it for you two, I did it so Slytherin wouldn't lose any points because some first year wanted to be a tough guy."
With that, the second year followed the underclassmen's path back to the dungeon.
"Nice guy, I'm sure of it," said Cedric sarcastically. "Bet he's a real charmer with the teachers too."
Alice snorted, her hair turning a bright blond.
"I knew you were a Metamorphmagus," Cedric said in awe. "Names Cedric Diggory by the way- but I already told you that in class didn't I? Nervous I guess. Dad says I talk when I get-"
"Thank you Cedric," said Alice with a laugh.
Cedric nodded almost apologetically. "Right, you're welcome. Um, so, see you later?"
Alice nodded before running up the stairs but not without a wave to her new friend. When she arrived in the Common Room, she found Angie jumping up and down. Several other first years looked just as excited.
"Alice!" Angie squealed. "We've got flying lessons starting Thursday!"
Alice grinned. She already knew how to fly though she never had any lessons. Moody had given her a broom and told her to learn fast and boy did she. Having an Ex-Auror cast spells at you at random can usually motivate a person to learn things quickly. Flying a broom without a tickling jinx or a giant nose hex shooting at her seemed like a peaceful activity.
"Who's teaching it?"
"Well, me of course," sang Duke, placing a kind hand on Alice's shoulder. "Would have been the snake's captain if he hadn't somehow gotten itching powder in all his robes. He's seeing Poppy right now."
"And I wonder how that got there, Duke," chuckled Bill.
Duke faked offense. He turned to Charlie who had just entered the Common Room and shamelessly acted hurt.
"Charlie, my dear Seeker!" he exclaimed dramatically. "My friend, my brother in everything but blood-"
"Watch it, Myron might get jealous," muttered Don. Duke ignored him.
"- William Arthur Weasley dared to accuse me of sabotaging a sneaky, slimy, excuse-of-a-Quidditch-captain, snake!"
Charlie blinked before looking at Alice for help. She shrugged.
"Did you?"
"Absolutely," beamed Duke. Both first years failed to stifle their laughter making Bill groan.
"Al, don't encourage him," he mumbled.
Duke only grinned wider.
Thursday, however, Alice didn't see Duke grin, in fact, she didn't see Duke at all. At three-thirty that afternoon, she walked with Angie, Fay Dunbar, and Romilda Vane along with the rest of the Gryffindor first years down to the field where lessons were being held.
The Slytherins were already there and Cassius seemed to have captivated all of their attentions as he told them about his Quidditch skills. When he starting talking about meeting the entire Falmouth Falcons, Alice let out a longer then necessary groan. Immediately, Cassius turned around and sneered at her.
"Oh look," he said with a cruel chuckle, "it's the crazy's daughter."
The Slytherins laughed and Alice let her hair turn a bright green.
"Changing your hair to our color won't make you our equal, Halfblood."
At that very moment, Alice swore never to turn her hair green in front of Cassius Warrington ever again. Instead, her hair turned a very determined, blood red.
"Why would I ever want to lower myself?" Alice sneered.
There was a great deal of silent insults from the Slytherins while the Gryffindors roared in approval. Cassius himself looked livid while Angie went as far as hugging Alice.
"Can you even fly, Gryffindork?" Cassius hissed.
"Real original," said Alice, eyes rolling. "And yeah, I can fly."
"Really?" Derrick snorted.
"Your old man let you on a broom?" snickered Bole.
"No wonder he's so paranoid," laughed Cassius and the rest of the Slytherins joined in.
Alice sneered and, judging by the Slytherins reactions, she must have one very similar to her father's. Even Cassius gulped.
"Better then you," she snapped. "Way better."
Cassius made the bold move and stepped towards her.
"Prove it. Up!"
One of the several broomsticks lined on the ground jumped up into Cassius's hand, his eyes never breaking contact with Alice's. He was on it and in the air in a moment and Alice, never being one to back down, had done the same.
Cassius wasn't a bad flier, unfortunately, Alice didn't really care if he was or wasn't. Right now all she wanted to do was knock him off his broom. The chance to do that, however, was gone in an instant. Cassius zipped back down to the ground just in time to signal his fellow Slytherins to start casting sparks at her while the more magically challenged threw rocks.
"Having fun now, Halfblood?" sneered Cassius as Alice zigzagged around the projectiles being thrown and shot at her. She would be lying if she said no. Dodging Moody's jinxes at home was one of the funnest things her father and her did together and compared to him the Slytherins were amateurs.
"All you got, Cassius?" Alice taunted and the silver eye boy glared at her. Forgetting his wand, he picked up a well rounded rock and threw it at her. It would have hit her too if she wasn't so vigilant thanks to her 'crazy' father. She caught it easily and to add insult to injury, Alice threw it back, hitting the fuming Cassius directly between the eyes.
It was a very David and Goliath moment in Alice's opinion. Except David was a girl and a witch instead of a shepherd boy while Goliath was an annoying Slytherin instead of an arrogant Giant. Either way, Cassius landed on his back, his hand moving to where Alice had hit him, which was quickly turning green.
Alice landed on the ground grinning, her fellow Gryffindors patting her back and cheering, when a shout filled the air.
"ALICE MOODY!"
It was Duke and behind him Myron. The serious look on his face could rival Minerva's as he marched up to Alice and took her by the shoulder.
"Watch them until I get back," he said sternly to Myron. Myron nodded, evidently not foolish enough to question Duke when he was in this mode.
Quickly, Duke led Alice off the field, Cassius and his gang of Slytherins snickering as she left, and into the castle. He kept his hand firmly on her shoulder, leading her through the halls and up the stairs in complete and utter silence.
Alice's mind was running a marathon. Why was Duke freaking out about her defending herself especially against a Slytherin? Hadn't he just been bragging about sabotaging one himself? At least she hadn't started it but that didn't seem to matter right now. The last quest that ran through her mind as the enter Minerva's office was: what is Mad-Eye going to say?
"Mr. Duke?" said Minerva. "Shouldn't you be teaching first years how to fly? You didn't leave them unsupervised, did you?"
Duke shook his head.
"Nah, Myron's watchin' them."
For some reason, Duke's words did not please Minerva, but before she could protest Duke continued.
"Professor, we need to talk about Alice."
Minerva lifted an eyebrow, clearly waiting for Duke to continue.
"I want you to get permission for her to be on the Quidditch team."
"What?" said Alice, surprised. Then her hair turned an irritated green. "You butt! I thought I was in trouble!"
Duke didn't even try to hide the grin that slipped on his face but before he could speak Minerva did.
"And why is that, Mr. Duke?"
"Well, ma'am, let's just say I saw what she can do on a broom," he said still grinning. "From kickoff to landing, Professor, she's a natural. And she can dodge better then even me!"
"And exactly why do you know she can dodge so well, Mr. Duke?" asked Minerva, peering over her glasses in a very stern, motherly way.
Duke didn't falter.
"Sometimes, professor, it's best not to ask those kinds of questions."
To this day, Alice swears she saw Minerva's lip twitch towards a smile.
"So let me get this straight," said Charlie for the fifth time during dinner. "You not only showed that little snake his place on the ground and in the air but you also knocked him on his back with a pebble?"
Alice shook her head yes because her mouth was full of potatoes.
"A pebble?" Charlie repeated.
"That's not even the best part, Charlie," said Thrust.
"Now we have a new Chaser because of it!" Bars exclaimed.
Alice was surprised by the yelp that escaped Bars when Don kicked him. Apparently, Don was more then your average bookworm.
"Not everyone is supposed to know," Don said dryly. He turned to Alice. "Congratulation, though. Duke and I are Beaters."
"We're Chasers," said Thrust and Bars, proudly.
"Yeah, but they were only reserves last year," whispered Herms, making Alice giggle.
"You, darling, are my hero."
Myron squeezed, and by squeezed we mean he pushed Herms out of the way, himself in between Alice and Herms. He hugged Alice before ruffling her hair.
"Absolutely, brilliant throw. Can't wait to be announcing then to everyone," Myron said, filling his plate with everything Gideon hadn't claimed.
"Where have you been, Myron?" asked Bill.
"Stalking me, Willie?" Myron teased. Bill rolled his eyes. "I've been serving my last detention from last year. Apparently, Argus has been keeping count for the teachers now."
"And your better half?" asked Charlie.
Myron rolled his eyes but played along.
"Destroying Argus's list of detentions."
"Our captain," said Charlie, "such a role model."
Alice yawned, her eyelids dipping closed. They opened wide when Myron jumped to his feet and started making siren noises.
"Red alert! Red alert!" he shouted. "Bill, Charlie, quick! Alice is falling asleep!"
Immediately, Charlie and Bill were off their seats and before Alice could say Quidditch, Charlie had her over her shoulder and in the hall.
"Hey!" cried Alice. "What are you doing?"
"Carrying you to the Common Room so you can go to sleep," answered Charlie as if what she had asked him had been a ridiculous question.
"Don't worry, Al," said Bill, stifling a chuckle. "Charlie can use the exercise."
"Shut up, Bill," Charlie growled, heaving Alice up, three flights of stairs before stopping.
"Tired already?" Bill teased. He looked around and narrowed his eyes. "Charlie, this is the restricted corridor."
"I know but... Oh, come on Bill! You can't say your not curious!"
Alice, although she remembered Albus's speech quite well at the beginning of the year, couldn't help but to agree with Charlie. In fact, every time she passed the corridor, her hair would turn a very bright, curious orange. Not knowing what was behind that door was driving her mental and it had only been two weeks.
"Charlie, I'm not going to go looking inside a room strictly forbidden because I'm curious," sighed Bill. "Especially not with a first year."
"Hey!"
"So, Al," said Bill, "but if you got hurt-"
"Bill," said Charlie, grabbing his brother's shoulders, "it's Alice Moody. Moody. She gots this, whatever this is."
Bill looked torn. He kept glancing around, trying to make sure no one was watching him or coming.
"I'm Head Boy, Charlie," he whined, halfheartedly. "If I get caught, I'll-"
"Oh, shut up and come on."
Charlie pulled his brother over to the door, and, as if he had never even protested, Bill unlocked the door.
"Alohomora!"
The door opened slowly, and the trio slipped into the room just as slowly.
"Lumos!"
All three wands lit up to revile the exact reason why the corridor was restricted. They were looking straight into the eyes of a monstrous dog, a dog that filled the whole space between ceiling and floor. It had three heads. Three pairs of rolling, mad eyes; three noses, twitching and quivering in their direction; three drooling mouths, saliva hanging in slippery ropes from yellowish fangs.
"Bullocks..." breathed Bill.
"Bloody hell..." whispered Charlie.
"Shit..." mouthed Alice.
Alice didn't remember running back to the Common Room. She wasn't even sure if her feet even touched the ground whether it was because she was moving so fast or because one of the Weasley boys carried her. All she was sure about was the fact that she was out of breath and sitting on the couch between two equally white Weasleys.
"I think I'm going to go to bed now," mumbled Charlie, once he had regained his breath. Bill nodded his head in agreement. The two boys disappeared up the stairs, leaving Alice alone in the Common Room.
Alice's heart was pumping far faster then normal but it wasn't because of fear. She was excited! First she made the Quidditch team and now she discovered a three headed dog inside Hogwarts. Top it off, the dog was guarding something, she was sure of it. She had seen the trapdoor that the dog was standing on and somehow she knew it had to do with whatever Hagrid had retrieved for Dumbledore.
Tomorrow, she'd tell Bill and Charlie but right now was a good time to write Moody and request her broom to be sent in. After all, she had to practice Quidditch on something.
So one reviewer wants Snape to be abused and another can't help but to love him... You people make my life so much more entertaining.
Thanks for the review and yes, I know that these events take place in 1991 and not 1988 but think of it as an alternate universe like world 51 instead of 26.
Please review!