Chapter 10

In the last week of her classes before the holiday break, Alice noted a change in Professor Kirkland. Although his health had improved, the blond-haired girl noted of how the professor seemed distracted, especially around her presence. She didn't know why, and when she had asked Evangeline about that, the darker girl shrugged. "He's probably just bloody noted of how the two of you look like twins," the Slytherin stated sarcastically, causing a smile to form on Alice's lips at the memory. Although she only spent not even six months with Evangeline Emyr, she noted of her habits of cursing were rubbing off on the former chaste-speaking first year, and Evangeline seemed to relax considerably in her presence. The first year Gryffindor saw of how Ron stared at her in disbelief when, after her strange collapse in positions, she often visited the dark haired Slytherin at her table during breakfast.

"Houses don't usually intermingle with each other," Hermione explained to Alice as her fifth year friend talked with Harry. "Most of the friends that we have our in own Houses, not that it doesn't happen that we have a…friend in another House." Hermione pointed to the Ravenclaw table, where a light haired blond – so blond it could be considered white – ate alone among the students, picking at her cereal. "That's Luna Lovegood, Ginny's friend, a fourth year. She often rambles about things that don't exist," the older girl stated with an indignant sniff, "but she is a good listener if you have problems." Hermione's face clouded for a moment before continuing eating, leaving Alice to her thoughts as she stared at the older girl.

I wonder if she is lonely, Alice had thought afterward as she observed the young witch named Luna Lovegood weave her way around the students, whispers following her and students parting where she walked. Like I sometimes felt before I came here.

"What are your plans for the holidays?" Alice looked up and could see Evangeline peeking at her as she wrote furiously with her quill. They were both in the study halls, as it was there free period. The two would often try to get some of their assignments finished before bed. Usually it was Alice who asked the questions, and not Evangeline, and a spark of warmth surged through the girl at the thought of their developing relationship.

"I'm staying with my parents." Alice beamed at the thought of them. Although they had exchanged letters – her father complaining that this was the late twentieth century and not the early twelfth – Alice still missed them and longed to see their faces again. "Most of the people in our village go to visit their families in the cities during the holidays, so it is especially quiet. What about you, Evangeline?"

"Father and Mother often host dinner parties to celebrate Christmas. We're forced to go." At this, Evangeline made a face, causing Alice to slightly giggle at her friend's expression. "Because my family is pureblood, we used to have many guests over in our manor. Now after the war, they're aren't so many people." For a moment, Evangeline's face darkened and she suddenly stopped writing with he quill. Alice stared at her friend with concern when the other girl's gripped her hands tightly. "My parent's manor was vandalized, so we're not having any parties this year."

"Vandalized?" Alice had been under the naïve belief that wizards and witches didn't do such things to each other. "Why?"

"My parents refused to support the Dark Lord when he rose to war years ago," Evangeline drawled as a serious expression clouded her thin face. "And now with him rising again, they think they'll change their minds." The dark-haired girl shook her head, and Alice wondered if she was truly as calm as she seemed.

A house divided cannot stand, Alice thought as she remembered the words of the beloved American president Lincoln. That's what the Sorting Hat said too. Evangeline said that she and her sister are often ridiculed for being friendly with me, and Ron still doesn't trust Emyr only because of the House she was sorted into. Alice tried to meet her friend's gaze, but found that Evangeline was already writing again. Professor Kirkland said that we must forgive the past and learn from it…but so far that doesn't seem to be happening.

Harry watched with growing apprehension as Ron rolled his eyes.

"What is it now, Hermione?"

The bushy-haired teen wouldn't speak for a moment. Her brown eyes focused on the girl's dormitory, where Alice had walked up into.

"Something's not right." Meeting Harry's bewildered stare and Ron's exasperated one, Hermione continued. "Did you find it odd of how Professor Kirkland suddenly started talking about ancient to medieval Scottish history when the day before we were talking about the fall of France?"

Harry had noted. He remembered of how Professor Kirkland had talked passionately about Scottish history and even mocked the English failures, when before all the students, Ron included, knew of how strangely patriotic the wizard was about Muggle affairs.

"It doesn't coincide what we were talking about before, and he seems to be healthier since that day as well."

"That's good, right?" Hermione shook her head.

"I noticed of how Alice thanked the older Gryffindors for transporting her to the Hospital Wing when she had her nightmare." At the mention of that night, Harry inwardly felt guilt taint his stomach. He had heard the younger student's screams, and had been stunned when Hermione had told him that Professor Kirkland had arrived in the common room and left with a screaming Alice in his arms. Since Umbridge had mysteriously left and with their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor added with insane piles of assignments, Harry had no time to think of that night. However, now that Hermione mentioned it, Harry started to suspect that Hermione had a point. "But no one transported her to the Hospital Wing, except maybe Professor Kirkland…and that in itself was odd."

"It sounded like she was being hunted by Death Eaters from the way she was screaming," Ron noted.

"That's not all," Harry said as he remembered as her wounds healed at a much faster rate than his. "She also –" Suddenly he stopped.

Alice was looking at the older Gryffindors in surprise. Thankfully, it appeared that she hadn't overheard their conversation.

"What are you three doing?" she asked curiously.

"We were…discussing our O.W.L.s and how to prepare for them," Hermione quickly stated as Harry smiled at her quick wit and Ron groaned. "They're coming in a couple of months, so we can't be too careful."

It appeared that Alice believed them. "I forgot that I was supposed to visit Professor Kirkland after class, so I'm going now." Harry's eyes widened a fraction, and he noted both Hermione and Ron peer at the emerald-eyed girl curiously. The smile on Alice's face faltered for a moment before her former expression returned. "It's going to be the last time I'll see him before we come back, so I wanted to give him something before I left."

Harry's curiosity peaked as he stared at girl almost glowing with excitement as the first year fingered something in her pocket.

"I've got to go now," she stated as she almost ran towards the opening of the common room. "Cherrio!"

"She certainly is strange," Ron said as he stared at the girl's back. Harry nodded. Even among Muggles, the way Alice said good-bye was strange. Hermione was not thinking about what was said however.

"Harry." The dark-haired teen stared from the seriousness of his friend's tone. "Get your Invisibly Cloak."

"Whatever for?" Harry asked.

There was a determined look in Hermione's eyes. "We're going to follow Alice and solve the mystery of this strange professor."

"Professor?" Alice called. She had yet to find the blond-haired wizard who was interacting so strangely to her. She observed the artifacts in his office closely, as if it was her first time in his office. It was mostly bear with dark blue curtains. A desk was in the center of the room with several books and assignments stacked neatly. "Professor Kirkland?" She did not notice of how, as she slowly closed the door, the Gryffindor students were spying on her and the absent professor.

"Oh, hello Alice." Alice started, and turned to find Professor Kirkland walking towards her. "Are you looking forward to the holiday?"

Alice nodded. "Although I will miss you, Professor Kirkland." For some reason the words did not have the reaction Alice thought it would have. The professor looked away from her, and didn't move as she moved closer to him, trying to understand what was wrong. "Professor?" she whispered. The wizard appeared to hunch, his eyes not meeting hers. "Professor, what's wrong?"

Professor Kirkland stared at her once more, and she was stunned to find him looking at her in apprehension. "Come near me, Alice." Alice complied, feeling slightly strange as she found herself straight in front of the professor.

Suddenly she found herself being held in the professor's arms. He held her tight, his arms around her waist and her head lying on her shoulders.

"P-professor?" Alice whispered. The wizard didn't answer her but his grip slightly tightened. "Professor…w-what's going on?" Emerald eyes stared into her own as the History of Magic professor suddenly released his hold on her and looked at her with a tender glance.

"My dear child…" His voice faltered for a moment, and Alice was astounded to hear the emotion cracking his voice. "How I wanted to hold you for so long." A smile appeared on his face.

"Professor…" Alice stated with growing apprehension as the blond wizard continued to stare at her. "What's going on?" Her voice slightly quivered. "What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry for lying to you, Alice." The girl blinked, uncertain what she was hearing as the professor spoke solemnly. His emerald eyes darkened with unknown sadness. "I thought…it would be the best."

"The best…?" Alice echoed. This time the professor smiled at her ruefully.

"I am not who I appear to be, Alice." He said her name softly like a song. "I am known as Arthur Kirkland by some…but by many, I am known as England." She stared him, hardly taking a breath at his words. "I know it is hard to believe. Only the leaders of the world know I exist." The professor's expression became serious. "I am a nation."

"Nation…?" Alice gasped. She thought vaguely of countries the professor had stated during her time at Hogwarts. "In November of 1918, the German Empire surrendered to the Allies. As you know, the Allies consist of…" Alice stared at the professor in front of her. How could he be a nation? If it was so…

"Yes." Professor Kirkland was very patient. "We have lived throughout centuries, breathing history as we hide our secret." He stared at her with a sympathetic expression. "Many of my citizens balk when they here of this and meet me for the first time." Suddenly his expression fell, becoming subdued. "Alice, you are different." The girl looked at him with shock. "You…are also a nation." He did not bother to hide the truth. "You are not human."

Alice could barely breathe as the professor – no, the nation, stood in front of her. As she stared into his eyes, she could see the images in his mind – bombed buildings, soldiers wearing red coats running to the battlefield, and a young queen with red hair beaming – when she stepped back. She didn't know why couldn't speak.

"How?" she rasped moments later.

"You are my daughter." Alice's wide emerald eyes stared into his gentle own. "In truth, I am your mother, as some would say. I gave birth to you," he stated with patient gentleness as Alice stilled. "Being the son of Britannia and both your father and I having magic, you were conceived and born." The girl's emotions and mind were in turmoil, vaguely hearing what the man claiming himself to be England stating as he stared at her with…love in his eyes.

"W-what about my parents?" Alice almost yelled. She did note of the man in front of her remained calm and collected as her emotions became chaotic.

"They are your adoptive parents, Alice." The first year Gryffindor stared at him in shock. "I had no idea they shared the same human name as I did." A small smile graced England's face. "France is your actual father."

For a moment Alice felt numb. She stared at this man – this nation – in front of her and suddenly anger flamed in her veins.

"So all of this was a lie…?" Alice whispered. She was trembling and trying to control the emotions in her voice, but found that she couldn't. "All of my life…was a lie?" Her emerald eyes flamed. "Why didn't you raise me then?!" She screamed as angry tears started to fall from her eyes. England was staring at her in shock, his face white and his eyes wide. "Why didn't you and this supposed France raise me then, like good parents?!"

"Alice…" She didn't see of how hurt he was by her words, for anger had overtaken her reason. "You are my successor…the next England. I…selfishly, I wanted you to have a normal human life before becoming one of us." He closed his eyes briefly, agony drowning in his emerald orbs before he looked at her face. "I'm sorry, Alice. I wish this didn't happen to you."

Fearfully, as she stared into his tearing emerald eyes, Alice ran, tears falling onto the ground like silver as she ran from the office.

England stared at the door in defeat as he continued hearing Alice's cries. That went well, you stupid excuse for a nation, he thought as he sighed deeply. He should have expected this. Perhaps…he had hoped too much that she would not react like any other human would. Steeling himself, England turned towards the doorway.

"Potter. Weasley. Granger." His voice was strangely quiet and emptier than he would usually be if he had caught his students eavesdropping and spying. "Reveal yourselves," he said tiredly.

Alice didn't know where she was going. She only knew her heart was breaking into tiny pieces. My life…who I thought I was… She thought of her mother, brushing her hair as a little girl, and her father with the pocket watch in her hand. "You did brilliant today, Miss Kirkland." Tears started blinding her anew as she thought of the young professor who had revealed to be the nation she loved the most – England, and her…mother? Tears started falling faster as a raw howl started to scream through her throat. I don't understand. I don't understand anything anymore! Suddenly she gasped as her body collided with another, falling on the ground as tears continued to trail down her cheeks. The unusual ginger hair was unmistakable, and she noted the professor's lax attire of a white button down shirt and dark brown trousers. His eyes, so much like her own and Professor – England's, looked down at her knowingly.

"Come with me," he said.