ALICE POTTER CHESHIRE CAT
CHAPTER FIVE
August 3rd 1994
Arthur and Amelia drained their drinks rather quickly before pouring a second glass for themselves. The past two hours had been a blur of explanations, confusion and the setting up of sponsor payments and meetings during the school year. There was even one or two arguments over the fact that Alice should stay with either sponsor until Alice fully squashed it by saying no to the both of them. This had prompted the discussion of several properties and a relocation to the hotel room Alice was currently staying in.
"Alice this is a lot to take in" Arthur said coughing on the burning liquid he'd swallowed "and a lot to see my brain is still processing everything"
"That's cool Mr Weasley" Alice said playing with her tail as she sat by the window watching the sunny afternoon outside "It took me some time to get used to it too...especially after I found out there were two others who could have put it on and have damage done to them"
"There are two others?" Amelia spat out in surprise with her shot of whiskey landing on the table and quickly spreading
"Yeah" Alice replied and relayed the whole conversation she'd had with Bloodfang about Luna and the little boy in Australia as Amelia cleaned up her mess
"Did second year flash across your mind at all?" came Arthurs next question as he looked worried Alice turned to him and smiled softly
"I did but it felt different" Alice replied honestly "I wouldn't have put it on if it felt at all like the book did"
"Book" Amelia said warily placing down her glass and looking to both of them with a strange look on her face "What book?"
"To tell you Madam Bones I'm going to tell you about my whole time at Hogwarts and how crazy it was" Alice answered after sharing a look from Arthur "And It all started with getting a letter my relatives didn't like"
As Alice told them every experience she had with Hogwarts inside and outside the school year including what happened in the chamber to Ginny Weasley and how Sirius Black escaped Hogwarts last year and how innocent he really was.
"I'm willing to go under Veriterserum and show my memories in the court of law" Alice finished her voice cracking slightly as tears ran down her face.
Amelia's face grew more grim and determined whilst Arthurs grew a little more soft and understanding at the sight of the crying teenager.
"I will help you get Sirius the legal help he needs Alice I promise you" Amelia soothed grabbing Alice's hand and giving it a squeeze "Next time he writes to you ask him to write to me and to send his memory of that night and anything else he feels is necessary to his freedom...we'll work something out...ok"
Alice nodded and hiccuped before wiping the tears away with her sleeve. Amelia smiled softly and took both of Alice's hands
"I suggest you go and give ytour face a wash sweetheart...i bet oyu feel a little grubby?" Amelia asked Alice nodded "go on then we'll talk when you get back"
"Arthur" Amelia began tossing back the last of her whisky down her throat as Alice went to the bathroom"We're gonna need a meeting with Dumbledore about that book and soon...I have a feeling it's to do with Voldemort"
"I agree especially with how Alice's years at Hogwarts are" Arthur replied running a hand down his face "I worry about her just as much as my own children"
"It's good she has you Arthur" Amelia said with a smile "Now its time to prove ourselves worthy of her trust in us"
Both adults were unaware of Alice listening in from the bathroom door. The tap running behind her gave her a semblance of cover.
'Well done on the acting dearie' Cheshire replied before yawning and making stretching sounds 'That was rather believable'
'Good' Alice thought back 'after all having Sirius black properly free will ultimately put a few noses out of joint and help us cause a lot of trouble later on'
# # # # #
August 10th 1994
Alice sat up and opened her eyes in one swift movement. The hair on her arms and the back of her neck stood up in warning...something was wrong, very, very wrong. The QWC match itself had passed by in a blur of knowledge, colour, excitement and loud noise. Alice found out she could speak any language after talking to the Bulgarian minister almost easily thanks to Cheshire whose magic had rewired her brain during her blackout. Getting out of bed Alice jammed her feet into her shoes and began shaking everyone awake
"Rise and shine everyone" she called out as the noise outside changed rapidly "Chaos is happening...best get to safety whilst we can"
Arthur, Bill, Percy and Charlie joined in with the ministry workers trying to stop the troublemakers not before sending the kids into the woods with the promise to keep together...Alice however wasn't having it, even with Arthur pleading with her to stay out of it. Bringing up an illusion over herself Alice left the tree line and headed towards where the action was happening.
Hooded and masked people in black robes strode through the main part of camp, destroying tents and hovering the muggle family who ran the camp over their heads. Alice felt sick to her stomach as a rage settled on her shoulders. Cheshire was purring loud enough that it sounded like he was growling
'Lets show these worthless scumbag how we deal with them' Cheshire said as he sent a few images and spells though Alice's mind.
Alice began firing spell after spell towards the group making sure that the muggle family wasn't harmed as she did so. One by one the masked men fell bound, gagged and covered in bruises, cuts and a variety of grime and goo. Alice fought the urge to cackle as she bound the last figure to the group. The ministry workers collected around them with a few aiding the muggle family...Arthur looked towards Alice and sighed shaking his head
"I hope you can keep that up Alice" He murmured reaching her and holding out his hand to check her wand "And show your true self elsewhere"
"I promise" Alice replied handing her wand over as Arthur checked it and handed it back "We should de-hood these scumbags and arrest them for disturbing the peace"
"I quite agree" Amelia said appearing at Alice's other shoulder giving her a look that spoke volumes
One by one the group was de-hooded and de-masked revealing every single man who pleaded being spelled to do Voldemort's bidding including Theodore Nott Senior and Lucius Malfoy...Alice felt a spark of glee seeing Malfoy Seniors blonde hair and bruised face. Maybe this will knock the wind out of Draco's sails. As the Ministry workers cuffed the men and disappeared, Alice sauntered away revealing her normal self some time later with a bruise on her forehead and looking confused. Passing off being missing as hitting her head on the way to safety.
# # # # #
August 14th 1994
Alice had spent the past four days furious, Mrs Weasley was in no position to order her, Cheshire or Hermione about or lock them away, By key or by magic. For the past three days Molly Weasley didn't let her children and their friends out of her sight. It had caused several loud and rather painful to hear arguments between her and Arthur who was firmly on Alice's side and letting her and Hermione head back to Alice's hotel room. Luckily Arthur had passed on a message from Alice to Amelia explaining the situation and added his own apologies due to the fact his wife was rather over possessive on child safety even when protection was already in place and Amelia's department were handling the troublemakers. It had taken two days of Arthur passing on messages to and from Amelia for Alice to feel safe about up and leaving the Burrow without consequences...after all she had both sponsors permission to leave and even had permission to take Hermione with her from the Granger's.
Today was the day they were leaving...Mr Weasley had lowered the parental wards over the windows in the Living room the night before, so both girls could get out quickly and easily without causing much noise. Both girls went to bed dressed leaving their shoes by the bedroom door. If Ginny had any idea they were breaking out she didn't say anything, Alice looked to the sleeping redhead from her sleeping matt on the floor...Ginny had been acting rather odd the past few days, much odder than usual not enough to be alarming like second year but enough to be noticeable. Even Cheshire pondered if she could sense him and Alice's continuous transformation as the new Cheshire cat.
'Time to go dearie' Cheshire muttered in the back of Alice's head 'The sun's coming up and the human howler will be awake soon'
Alice looked to the window and grinned Cheshire was right the sun was coming up and they needed to move and move now.
"Hermione" Alice murmured waking her friend up as she pointed to the sleeping Ginny before placing a finger on her lips "Time to go"
Hermione remained silent but crawled out of bed. There was no need to collect anything since Mr Weasley shrank her trunk before sending them off to bed with a wink. The pair of them shuffled downstairs as silently as they could shoes in hand. The girls reached the ground floor and as quietly as they could put on their shoes and opened both windows. A light flickered on at the top of the stairs causing both Alice and Hermione to falter nervously.
"Who's up and walking around down there?" Mrs Weasley asked sounding sleepy and confused.
"Go, Go" Alice sputtered in as quiet a whisper as she could as she climbed out of the living room window she was beside.
Alice landed on her feet gracefully and booked it up the Weasleys driveway as fast as she could with Hermione in tow. A scream echoed up behind them as Mrs Weasley appeared at the front door just as the girls reached the road and turned the corner. Alice couldn't help but laugh as she felt the wind on her face as they ran up the main road to the village. It seemed getting out of a house you were locked in -even with a little help- gave her an adrenaline high only Quiddich seemed to give her.
Reaching the village post office both girls stopped running and tried to catch their breath. Alice kept an eye out just in case of any unwanted attention before calling the Knight bus.
"Well that was a high" Alice said catching her breath enough to speak "I'll happily do that again"
"Only you Alice" Hermione sputtered out clutching her side "Only you...I'm not doing that again for a while"
Alice chuckled as she struck out her left hand summoning the knight bus and pulling out her purse with her right. Not even twenty minutes later the girls were tucking into breakfast at Alice's hotel.
# # # # #
August 15th 1994
Diagon Alley was busier than normal Alice thought before recognising a few Hogwarts students ahead of her.
'Must have the same idea you have since they'll have their letters too' Cheshire chuckled pointing out the obvious
'Shush you' Alice replied jovially and without much bite...they were sharing the same head space after all
"Everyone's had the same idea as we have" Hermione muttered into Alice's ear unintentionally echoing Cheshire as they stepped through the portal followed by Amelia and Susan.
"Yeah not Shit...Ow" Alice said frowning slightly whilst rubbing her shoulder after Amelia had rapped it.
"Time and place for gutter language Alice it is not here" Amelia informed her authoritatively before straightening her shoulders "Now to Gringotts"
The small group made it's way towards the bank at the end of the Alley occasionally stopping to say hello to fellow students or adults who knew Madam Bones. Alice kept her tongue and impatience to a minimum...the tongue lashing she'd received from Amelia for the stunt she pulled at the QWC was enough to keep her in check for the rest of summer.
"Oh by the way Madam Bones" Alice said attracting the adults attention "I have an order for stationary to collect out in the muggle world would you like to come with me to get it?"
"Of course" Amelia said smiling "how big is the order and do I need to bring back up"
"You're gonna need the back up" Alice said earning chuckling from Susan and Hermione as they met Neville and a blonde haired girl who must be Luna at the steps of Gringotts "Hello Neville good to see you again...and you must be Luna"
"And you must be Alice Hello" Luna replied shaking Alice's hand...Alice knew by the glint in the girls eye she had both a friend for life and a sounding board for craziness.
"ready for the new school year?" Neville asked after sharing greetings with everyone else "I'm fifty fifty, right now and working on it"
"Well as long as it's an improvable fifty fifty Neville" Alice replied with a chuckle leading everyone into the Goblins run bank to get money "Then I think we can help you"
The group including Neville entered
"Lady Potter" Teller Pike called out attracting the groups attention, Alice led the group over tot he goblin with an easy smile and grace
"Teller Pike I hope your money is ever flowing" Alice replied stopping before the goblin "What can I do for you?"
"Money is ever flowing and I hope your enemies quiver at your feet...Banker Bloodfang ordered I keep an eye out for you and prompted me to give you this" Pike answered pulling out some parchment a small cloth bag and a plastic bank card "These were meant to be given to you last time you were here but was forgotten in the chaos...he knows you have a busy day today"
"Ah thank you Pike where do I sign?" Alice said taking the items and a quill before signing the parchment "Please pass on my thanks to Banker Bloodfang for me Teller Pike"
"I will do so Lady Potter now who in this group is in need of money?" Pike asked turning tot he group
"Hermione don't worry about your school shopping this year" Alice said pulling her best friend aside
"How come?" Hermione asked biting back the urge to tell her she could get her own stuff
"'Cause I'm gonna buy them for you this year...consider it several birthday presents" Alice said smiling feeling slightly guilty at missing Hermione's Birthday last year "plus I'll get you extra books and a multi-space trunk for them if you want"
Even the Cheshire cat winced at how loud Hermione squealed before throwing herself into hugging her. Alice hugged her friend in return before wiggling her fingers in her ears...Hermione could get rather loud after all. One by one their friends rejoined them with Amelia and the group headed back out into Diagon Alley. Alice fought the urge to head to The Bandersnatch Curiosities, the books she bought from there were some of the best she ever read. Alice shook her head to clear it...she could always go there later on after all The Jabberwock pub at the end of knockturn was on the same street as an underground station of the line. She can always go later...Alice smiled before turning to her friends and asking
"So which shop first?"
# # #
Alice strode forwards into W. with a big grin on her face as Hermione, Susan, Tonks one of two auror's she'd just met and Amelia trailed behind her like a group of ducklings.
Luna and Neville would have joined them but Madam Longbottom was still put out by the arguing and buying of Neville's new wand and Mr Lovegood needed an extra hand with some editing of a few larger pieces. Both of them had already spent a lot of time with them already shopping through the shops of the alley and having a leisurely lunch at the leaky cauldron.
"Hello again Miss Emily" Alice called out reaching the collection point desk and attracting the ladies attention
"Well hello to you too Miss Alice" Emily replied turning from her colleague she'd been talking to. "Here again for more stationary?"
"Well more for the order I put in but yes Miss Emily" Alice answered handing over the reference paper in her hand
"How are you gonna get this home little lady?" Emily's colleague asked reading the order ref over her shoulder and recognising it
"We have a car outside" Alice replied smoothly her grin still on her face"wise enough to turn up with help this time"
"I'll go get Jack-o and the order" the colleague said turning away and heading out back quickly causing Emily to shake her head
"Who are your friends?" Emily asked as she came around the desk
"Hermione, Susan and Tonks" Alice chuckled as she jabbed a finger at each friend "And this is Miss Amelia Susan's aunt she's being the boss today"
Emily shook hands and exchanged greetings with the adults before turning back to Alice, Hermione and Susan
"Well It's going to take everyone out back a good few minutes to get your order so its best to get anything else you want whilst your here" Emily said gesturing to the store "You have ten minutes max"
"I'll stay here Alice" Amelia added with a smile and a shooing gesture"that way I'm not lurking over your shoulder all day"
"So...there's a few books I definitely recommend" Alice chuckled and nodding before leading Hermione, Susan and Tonks over to the books section.
Half an hour, two hundred pounds worth of books and four grands worth of stationary in the back of the ministry official car. Alice left W. W. still grinning with a surprised Amelia and two year mates gushing over the books she'd bought them. Amelia turned to Alice as the car pulled away
"So how come you want all that stationary?" She asked with genuine interest
"Ive been planning to use muggle stationary to take notes and inly use ink and parchment for homework since the beginning of summer" Alice replied with partial honesty "And I thought hey other students may want some as well so I decided to buy enough to share if asked"
Amelia nodded then gestured for Alice to continue...the muggle stationary had given her an idea.
# # # # #
September 1st 1994
'Ah so this is the Hogwarts train?' Cheshire cat asked a slight purring in his voice as Alice pushed her trolley out of the way of the portal from kings cross station.
'Yup' Alice replied popping the p like she would whilst speaking aloud. 'It's a GWR 4900 class 5972 Olton Hall, A 4-6-0 Hall Class Steam Locomotive'
'wow that's...oddly specific information' Cheshire chuckled 'Information I didn't need to know'
'Suck it up fuzz ball' Alice replied grinning as she headed to the usual carriage the crew used and loaded her trunk onto the train 'It's partially your fault I'm retaining more information, even information that's not really needed'
"Alice you in there?" came the voice of Hermione prompting Alice to return to the open door and the platform
Hermione was there alongside Luna, Neville and Susan, The Weasleys had turned up surprisingly ahead of time with Arthur and Amelia talking off to the side. The glare from Mrs Weasley told Alice everything she needed to know about how she felt.
"My friends you've arrived" Alice called out happily jumping down from the train "How is everyone?"
"Good, Well, Fabulous...generally OK" echoed around the four of them in reply as Alice hugged each and every one of them
"I'll be with Hannah and the other Hufflepuffs down the train" Susan added pointing towards where her friends were further towards the engine "I just came to say hi"
"That's cool" Alice said "We can always talk tomorrow"
"You're OK with it?" Susan asked surprise colouring her tone and showing on her face
"Well yeah, their your friends too" Alice announced not really caring but still smiling "No need to worry yourself. we can always hang out at other times"
"Fair enough" Susan said hugging Alice again smiling brightly "I'll come see you tomorrow at breakfast"
Susan skipped off towards her friends with her trunk in tow as Alice shook her head and turned towards her other friends to ask
"Don't forget to well them about the stationary I'm selling" Alice called after her before turning back to her friends "Shall we get your trunks on board?"
Between the four of them the trunks were loaded onto the train and the trunk shelves rather quickly. Alice stood at the door as the other three filed off to say goodbye to their parents and guardians. She left the train as Arthur approached
"Alice" he began leading her off to the side so no-one would listen "Be careful this year...there's an event happening called The Triwizard tournament"
"Amelia mentioned something similar" Alice jumped in "she gave me a book on the subject"
"Good" Arthur said shuffling slightly "With how your past three years have gone we have a feeling something will happen that will pull you into the tournament...we're working with Bloodfang in case it does"
"That's nice to know" Alice said pondering the sentiment before shrugging and giving the man a hug "Thanks Mr Weasley It's nice to know there's some adults on my side"
Arthur Weasley looked surprised for a brief moment before chucking and hugging Alice back. Clearing his throat he pushed Alice away enough to get a good look of her
"Now do as well as you can with your school work and if your going to cause trouble with the twins keep it down to a minimum promise?" Arthur asked smiling
"I promise Mr Weasley" Alice replied hearing the whistle to go "I'll write both you and Madam Bones tomorrow"
"Wise Idea" Arthur said leading Alice back tot he train and letting her get on after Hermione and the others. "Good luck"
Alice waved once more out of the window as the train pulled away before going to the carriage they'd taken control of for the trip.
"So guys...how about a game of Rummie?" she asked sitting down and pulling out a muggle set of cards
"I'll play what's the rules?" Neville asked looking interested as Hermione and Luna agreed to play
"Ok here's how it goes"Alice continued launching into explaining the game grinning broadly and opening the pack...It was time to level the playing field somewhat between the pure bloods and Muggleborns a little bit.
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AUTHORS NOTE:
THANK YOU FOR READING CHAPTER FIVE OF ALICE POTTER CHESHIRE CAT
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ALL POLITE, RESONABLY CONSTRUCTED AND RESPECTFUL CONTENT WILL BE RESPONDED TO AND WELCOMED.
ALL FLAMERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO WRITE RESPECTFULLY WILL BE DELETED AND BLOCKED.
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MNAY THANKS TO THESE REVIEWERS:
ULTIMA-OWNER
oh I hope so
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XIU
Here's another Chapter for you to read
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FOXCHILD1
I hope this is a good way to find out
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HIKARI NOVA
Why thank you, I'll consider it
(I apologise for getting your name wrong last time)
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ARCHERON GODDESS
I hope you don't get too dizzy
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HNH058513
I truly hope to live up to that question...there's so many ideas it could lead to.
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CHAPTER SIX IS BEING WRITTEN AS WE SPEAK...