Chapter 2 Truth
How
did I get here
Think I know what I did
Always worked real
hard
Maybe I missed something
I'm not into pointing
fingers
Showin who's right or wrong
I just wanna keep it
real
Cause maybe I was doin fine on my own
Janet Jackson "Truth"
Wow, that was some weird dream. No more Bahama Mamas for me and maybe I need to cut down on the Harry Potter fanfic? Alicia thought as she stretched and opened her eyes. And found herself right back on the same sofa, under the same blanket, but this time looking into the friendly, twinkling eyes of Albus Dumbledore.
"I'm sorry, my dear. You were handling everything else so well. I will admit it was a bit of a shock to me, but I should have found a better way to break it to you," Dumbledore said, gently patting her hand.
"I don't think there is a way to break it to someone gently that they have just taken up residence in a stranger's body, traveled eleven years into the past, to another country, and pretty much into an alternate reality where magic is real and witches and wizards do exist," Alicia stated wearily.
"What if I change the future of this reality just by being here?" was Alicia's anguished cry. Hope dawning, she looked at Dumbledore. "Maybe the only real parts of the story are you, Fawkes and Hogwarts. Maybe, the rest was Ms. Rowling's own invention. Tell me, is Harry Potter a student here? Is he 'The Boy Who Lived'?"
"Yes, Harry Potter is a student of Hogwarts," Dumbledore went on to dash Alicia's hopes. "He will be starting his third year September 1. And yes, some people do call him 'The Boy Who Lived'. Now, please tell me about these books."
Dazed and confused, Alicia gave Dumbledore Harry's background according to the series. Voldemort's rise to power, Death Eaters, Severus Snape's conversion from Death Eater to spy for the Order, James and Lily Potter hiding with their son. She described the betrayal of their trust that resulted in the ultimate sacrifice. Harry's miraculous survival with just a lightning shaped scar. "And he has been living with his mother's sister's family for the last twelve years. Since this is 1993, and he is starting his third year, the books are on track," Alicia finished.
Dumbledore was amazed, but at the same time worried. "All of this is true. Before we go any further, I had better call Professor McGonagall. She will need to hear this as well."
"If your Professor Snape is anything like the books' Snape, you better call him in as well."
"Describe the books' Professor Snape," Dumbledore requested.
With a slight smile, Alicia complied. "He is protective of you and Hogwarts. His protectiveness comes out as suspicion and paranoia regarding anything he does not fully understand. He is extremely intelligent and if he suspects that we are not being totally honest with him he will hound us both until he finds out exactly what is going on."
"Got him in one." Dumbledore stepped over to a bell pull and gave it a firm tug. A house elf instantly appeared neatly dressed in a tea towel with the Hogwarts crest on it.
"Gridley, would you please ask Professors McGonagall and Snape to join me in my office."
Gridley gave a low bow and a smile then disappeared with a pop.
"Now, while we wait on them to join us; how about a nice cup of tea?" Dumbledore flicked his wand and a tea tray loaded with small cakes, finger sandwiches and a full silver tea service appeared on the desk between them.
Alicia sat there holding a cup of tea that she really didn't want, trying to gather her thoughts. She was still in shock and not quite convinced that this wasn't some form of dream or joke. For now she would go along with it. She enjoyed the Harry Potter books and movies, so she might as well relax and enjoy this dream, joke or reality; whatever it was. If it were a dream, she would eventually wake up; if it were a joke, it would eventually end: and, if it were reality… well, she would cross that bridge when she came to it. She looked up at Dumbledore and again got the feeling that he could see right into her soul and knew exactly what she was thinking and feeling. She smiled and shook her head as he offered her a cake. Just then there was a knock on the door causing Alicia to jump in her chair.
"Come in," Dumbledore called. The door opened allowing a stern looking witch to enter followed by a tall, dark wizard. Alicia's attention was taken up with the witch. She was amazed at how much like Dame Maggie Smith she looked. They could have been sisters.
"You wished to see me, Headmaster?"
Alicia turned as the sound of the deep, dark, velvet voice sent shivers up her spine. She found Alan Rickman's younger brother standing off to one side. Tall, slender, pale skin and yes, greasy looking hair falling forward to obscure his eyes; it was Professor Severus Snape.
Alicia realized she was rudely staring when the Potions master turned and glared at her, raising one coal black brow in question.
Dumbledore noticed the byplay and thought to himself, This is going to be very interesting.
"Yes, I believe introductions are in order: but first, an explanation. Please, both of you, sit," and Dumbledore conjured another armchair and offered the Professors tea and cakes.
They both refused impatiently.
"You are both familiar with how Miss Alexis Draluck was struck down by the Sleeping Death curse fifteen years ago while fighting a group of Death Eaters…"
Snape nodded as Professor McGonagall interjected, "Yes, I remember when it happened. Miss. Draluck was a Gryffindor and obtained an E on her Transfiguration NEWT."
Minerva was casting glances at Alicia with increasing frequency.
Snape sneered, "Of course she was a Gryffindor. Most Aurors are, since unreasoning bravery seems to be a job requirement."
Professor McGonagall gave him a dirty look for that comment as Dumbledore quickly took back control of the conversation, "The young lady sitting here is Alexis Draluck."
"Impossible," was Snape's response. "No one ever recovers from the Sleeping Death Curse."
Professor McGonagall's eyes were bright as she said, "Oh my dear, I thought it was you; but, I just could not believe it. The healers at St. Mungo's are doing amazing things."
"Yes, the healers are doing amazing things, but it is difficult to explain. This is Alexis Draluck's body but it is not her essence. Due to a magical transference, the person who is actually sitting with us is Alicia Gregory," Dumbledore sat back at the explosion of questions.
"Who is Alicia Gregory?"
"What do you mean magical transference?"
"Where is Alexis?"
"Are you sure she can be trusted?" The last, of course, from Snape as he turned an intense stare upon Alicia, as if trying to read her intentions, thoughts and plans. Snape stood abruptly and loomed over her as if trying to intimidate her into confessing her malevolent intentions towards Hogwarts and its headmaster.
"Come, girl, who are you, and what is your purpose for being here?" Snape's voice was a low growl of interrogation and his expression and stance were the same he used to frighten many a student, and some teachers into quivering masses of submission. He thought from the expression on her face that, once again, it had worked.
Until Alicia said, "Your voice, and the way you use it is absolutely amazing. Have you had training, or is it a natural gift?"
Snape took a step back in shock, which quickly turned to anger. How dare this slip of a girl mock him in this way? Obviously she had no idea whom she was dealing with, and she should be afraid, very afraid. Moving forward, he again loomed over her and in an even lower growl said, "I have many gifts and I have had much training, so if you do not want to be on the receiving end of some of my more, shall we say, unusual training you will answer my questions quickly and honestly. Believe me I will know if you lie."
Again his intimidation did not have the desired effect. Instead of cowering in her seat and babbling all her secrets, Alicia instead took a sip of her tea, looked up at the angry Potions master and said, "I believe that Headmaster Dumbledore was trying to answer your questions until you interrupted him." She then turned back politely to the Headmaster and ignored the fuming Potions master.
Professor McGonagall was looking at her with respect and a hint of amusement. Not many could withstand the full Snape Scowl with such composure. She is definitely still a Gryffindor thought McGonagall.
"Severus, if you will take your seat, I will continue with what Alicia and I have been able to piece together." Dumbledore then proceeded to apprise the two professors of the facts, as they were known.
