A/N: Sorry for any spelling errors this chapter may contain. This story will have mentions of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Sorry for the late chapter, but I lost motivation after a while, it has been a stressful year. I am now back though, so I hope you enjoy.
He woke to birds chirping outside his window. Stomach growling with hunger, he got dressed, put on his shoes, and headed towards the kitchen.
He was half way there when he thought of Alice, who would probably need some help getting to the dining hall.
He turned on his heal, and headed the opposite direction, up two flights of stairs, and down the corridor to the right.
Nodding to himself, he walked until he reached the end where he knocked.
"Rupert," said Mrs. Fitz opening the door and giving him a friendly grin. "Have ye come to escort Miss Cross to breakfast?" Rupert nodded. "Aye, I am assisting her with finding a nice outfit, then I shall hand her off to ye."
"Aye, I shall wait out here then." Mrs. fitz gave him one last smile before closing the door.
"Was that Rupert?" he heard Alice ask.
"Aye, he is here to escort ye to breakfast, but first, I think I found a bonnie dress for ye, and some nice makeup for yer face." He heard Alice giggle of pleasure as he leaned against the wall.
"Where did you get these dresses from? I don't want to put anyone out," Alice muttered almost too low for him to hear.
"It was the lady Lititia who gave them to ye, she was happy to do so, and they look bonnie on you."
"I don't want to put her out, I'm just a common person." Mrs. Fitz snorted.
"Nonsense, she has plenty more, and these are dresses she doesna wear anymore, it is no problem for her, it is her pleasure that you wear them."
"Well, all right then," Alice replied.
There was the clink of jars as Mrs. fitz began moving makeup on the dresser or table.
"Now, something to bring out the color of yer eyes," she murmured. "Aye, this will do nicely. Ye dinna need a lot, just enough to bring out yer looks ye ken?"
"Yeah, my friend Cedric used to do my makeup for me."
"A man, knowing about makeup?" Mrs. Fitz asked, voice full of surprise.
"Yeah, where I come from, some boys are interested in makeup," said Alice.
"What a queer place, and a queer thing for a boy to be interested in. What his parents were thinking, I canna say. What a queer boy."
"Cedric Diggory was not a strange person," said Alice, voice thick with anger. "He was a good and brave person who died before his time, a fierce and loyal friend." Rupert bowed his head with respect, knowing that this was one of the countless victims of Lord Voldemort, the so-called Lord that Alice fought against.
She had spoken of him while they had flown, how he had helped her during her years at Hogwarts, either with homework, or navigating the confusing castle.
Something didn't add up in Rupert's mind however, if this war she was in effected non-magical people, then why wasn't castle Leoch effected? He hadn't heard of this evil man until Alice had brought him up. This was something he would have to think on at some later date.
"I am sorry lass, I dinna mean to insult yer friend, I have not heard of men liking make up that is all," said Mrs. Fitz.
Alice sighed.
"You didn't know, how would you expect to not be surprised by such a revelation, I just miss Cedric is all, he was going to do amazing things with his life, and it was cut short. I don't talk about it much, it was horrible." Silence fell in the room as Angus appeared around the corner.
"What are ye doing just standing here?" he asked.
"Waiting on Mistress Alice. Are you not guarding Mistress Claire?"
"Aye," he grumbled. "She is headed towards the dining hall. Why did ye get the fun lass to guard?" Rupert snorted.
"She canna be that bad," he said, gazing at his friend.
"All she has been doing is picking herbs in the garden," Angus grumbled. "I could be finding a lass or playing cards."
"I tell ye what," said Rupert, not liking Angus's sad expression, and knowing that his friend thrived by social interactions. "We can trade off in the afternoon, Mistress Alice informed me that she is rather good at playing cards." Angus snorted.
"I shall see about that," he said. "How can she play if she canna see the cards and what is on them?"
"I suppose she has somebody describe her hand to her," Rupert replied.
"It is a deal," said Angus. "Are ye escorting Mistress Alice to the hall?"
"Aye, she is getting ready, then she wants to explore the castle grounds after lunch, learn how to get around on her own, so I shall work with her on that."
"At least ye willna have ta stand around and watch Miss Claire pick herbs, have a good time." The door opened, revealing Alice with Mrs. Fitz.
"Rupert, Angus, it is good ta see ye once more, now off to get some food in ye, I made scones. You had best take some before they are all eaten. I must be off, plenty of things to do before the gathering."
"What is the gathering?" Alice asked.
"The gathering is where the fighting McKenzie men pledge themselves to the Laird," said Angus.
"There is a boar hunt along with other festivities," Rupert added, steering Alice around a statue.
"Well, that sounds fun," said Alice as they neared the dining hall, smells of eggs, bacon, and other breakfast foods reaching their noses.
"Will there be coffee?" Alice asked as they sat down at a long table.
"I will check the kitchens," said Angus.
"Oy, grab me an ale," Rupert called after him.
Rupert piled their plates high with eggs, bacon and bread. The hall slowly began to fill as they ate the delicious food, Rupert pointing out arrivals such as Willy, Ned Gowan, and Murtagh.
"I can't wait to meet these people," said Alice as Angus appeared with a pot of coffee and a mug of ale.
"Sorry I canna stay," he grumbled, looking bad tempered. "I barely have time to eat, Mistress Claire wishes to look at the herb gardens." He scoffed, muttering something about women. Rupert saw Alice give him a sympathetic look.
"We will see you later," said Rupert.
"At least ye get ta eat a good meal," Angus huffed before leaving. Rupert watched as Alice poured herself a steaming cup of coffee and proceeded to chug it down.
"When is the gathering?" Alice asked, taking a bite of eggs.
"It is in a week's time," replied Rupert. "There is plenty to do to get ready for it." He leaned in so that nobody could hear his next words.
"Sometime today, I want to see more of your magic," he whispered. "We will have to find a safe place for ye ta show me." Alice nodded.
"That sounds like a good idea, I miss doing magic."
"We shall have to figure out something for ye to occupy yer time, I am sure you are becoming bored."
"I wish I could start a newspaper," said Alice with a sigh.
"Perhaps we can try and do something about that lass, there are plenty of smart people in the castle who are good at reporting things, as well as writing and editing."
"All I will need is a headquarters," said Alice. Rupert smiled at her. He liked seeing her happy.
"Perhaps I can get you in touch with Ned Gowan. He is not in the newspaper business, but he is a lawyer who kens some people who may be able to help. All ye need is a name."
"I can't think of a name at the moment," said Alice, sipping at her coffee.
"You will think of something," said Rupert. "I canna wait to read yer first issue."
Once the meal had concluded, Rupert and Alice spent the morning exploring the grounds. They greeted Old Alec and Jamie who were working in the stables. Alec allowed Alice to get to know some of the horses. He smiled at her delight.
Rupert had never understood the fascination with horses, they were simply transportation to him, but to a witch who was used to fly on broom everywhere she went, he could understand the fascination and fondness. Perhaps he could learn to see the creatures through her eyes
He had a feeling that he would be learning a lot from her.
As promised, Rupert traded Angus on guard duty. He watched as Angus and Alice disappeared into the castle, and then turned to follow Mistress Claire. She was holding a picnic basket in her hand, and was heading towards the stables.
He watched, growing board with her and Jamie's conversation. He scowled as the foolish lad told her a bit of his past. He was afraid that Jamie would regret trusting her with his secrets.
He was relieved when Old Alec broke up the conversation before the idiot could reveal more. He snorted. Just because she had a bonnie face didna mean she could be trusted.
Shaking his head, he followed her back to the castle, cleaning out his finger nails with his dirk. She shot him a glare, which he ignored.
Upon entering the castle, she ran into Dougal, and began berating him for posting guards. He shook his head when the woman revealed her depart Cher with the tinker lad. Jamie wasn't the only idiot at the castle it seemed.
Dougal was about to retort when the sound of laughter interrupted him.
Angus and Alice were coming around the corner, laughing uproariously at something or other. They stopped at the thick silence that hung in the air.
Angus whispered something to Alice who nodded in understanding.
"What did we miss?" they asked together.
"A simple disagreement is all," Dougal replied, glaring after Claire as she stalked away.
"I must see what my brother wants," Dougal grunted in annoyance. "I shall be running late if I dinna hurry."
Rupert and Angus watched their friend leave.
"What is the date?" Alice asked, turning to them.
"It is the fourth of May," said Angus.
"I need to do something tonight," she said, gazing around the empty corridor in thought.
"What is that?" asked Rupert.
"On May the second, we hold a commemoration ceremony to commemorate the final battle of Hogwarts that took place that day, and I missed it."
"What are ye needing ta do?" Angus asked.
"Well, the ceremony is held at Hogwarts by the lake. There is a moment of silence, and then we read off the list of people who died in the final battle. Speeches are given, and then there is a meal. Some people go to a pub to have a drink and share stories of their lost loved ones and of the battle."
"We have hall this evening," said Angus.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Alice asked.
"Dougal is to present ye publicly to the Laird and ask for your shelter here for ye. Ye must be there to present yerself, along with Mistress Claire."
"We can do yer remembrance ceremony afterword's," added Rupert.
"You would really do this for me" Alice asked, blinking back tears.
"Aye, we will," replied Rupert.
"I don't know how to thank you guys," said Alice.
"There is no thanks needed," replied Angus. "Whatever ye need, just let us know."
"I do need to go to Diagon Alley for some things that I need," said Alice.
"Where is that?" asked Rupert. "I have never seen such a place before."
"It is located in the wizarding world," Alice replied. "Do you guys want to go with me?"
"Aye," said Rupert, barely able to maintain his excitement.
"Dinna ye need ta guard Mistress Claire?" Angus reminded him. Rupert scowled.
"Ach, she's sulking in her chambers most likely," he grunted. "I dinna want to stand outside her door, waiting for her to find something to do."
"I'm coming as well," said Angus. "I want to help guard against those filthy red coats."
"Yue do realize that these are wizards aye?" said Rupert, rolling his eyes with a fond smile. "If there is need of guarding, it is Miss Alice, sense she knows magic, she can fend off any attack that we may face.' Angus grumbled about having to seek protection from a lass, but grudgingly conceded.
"Howa re we going to get there?" Angus asked.
"Apparition," said Alice.
"What?" Rupert asked.
"The ability to appear and disappear from one place to another," said Alice. "You have to get an aparation license."
"So, you can't do it automatically?" Angus asked.
"No," said Alice. 'Like I said earlier, you need to learn how to use magic, which includes aparation. People can get splinched if they don't know what they are doing."
"Splinched," Rupert echoed.
"Leaving a part of themselves behind," said Alice calmly, as though she was discussing what she wanted for tea. Angus turned a nasty green color.
"Don't worry, that won't happen to us," said Alice. "I am quite good at aparation. Now, if nobody is watching, Rupert, you take my arm, Angus, you take Rupert's arm.
Let me warn you, it will not be pleasant at first." The men did as she said, and she turned on the spot.
Rupert felt like he was being squeezed through a tube. He fought back panic as best as he could as the feeling grew. When he could stand it no longer, they landed near an ugly looking alley.
"Come here," Alice whispered, taking Rupert's hand, Angus scrambling to catch up, face pale.
Rupert simply followed, felling quite confused as she led them towards the blank wall. She turned to the right, and they gasped at the sign that appeared out of nowhere. The Leaky Cauldron, over a pub door.
Alice opened the door, and lead them in. Rupert stared, eyes wide at the various people in ancient looking robes, drinking tankards.
'I want a drink," Angus whispered.
"Later," Alice hissed, pulling them towards the back door.
"Hello there," said a man with a distinct English accent. Angus placed his hand on his waist where his dirk was.
"Angus," Rupert whispered in warning. "This is not a red coat. We are in her world now, not ours." Angus scowled, but did as Rupert told him.
"Oh, nothing sir, I'm just going to diagon alley. My best friends are coming along, Angus and Rupert." Rupert expected a scowl and unfriendly remarks, but the man grinned at him.
'Muggles eh," he said. "I am muggle-born myself. Well, have a good time, and happy shopping. If you want some refreshments, you know where to find me."
"Thank you, Tom," said Alice.
"Tom?" the man asked, gazing at her. 'I am Mark."
"Oh, sorry," said Alice with a blush. Angus was staring at a dwarf woman puffing on her pipe and talking loudly about something about quidditch.
Mark merely smiled, pointing them towards the door. They stepped out into the warm sunshine. Alice led them towards a brick wall.
"What now?" Angus asked. "All I see is a wall." Alice ignored him, taking out her wand, and tapping different bricks, muttering to herself. Angus and Rupert gasped as a hole grew, bricks moving aside to reveal a winding coble street winding out of sight. They gaped, turning their heads every which way at the shops that sold everything from books, to quills.
"Owl emporium?" Angus asked. "What do you need owls for?" Alice grinned.
"To send letters, and they make excellent friends. There is also a pet store that sales all types of pets. I have always wanted a kneezle." Rupert decided he would ask later as he gazed at the various witches and wizards flitting from shop to shop.
"The building is straight ahead," said Angus. As they approached the building, they saw a pair of very short men with pointy ears.
"Who are the little men?" Rupert whispered.
"Goblins," Alice replied. The goblins bowed them in, where they stopped to read the sign about thievery.
"You would have to be mad to rob this place," Angus whispered. Rupert and Angus gazed around the large building. Goblins were weighing gold and muttering to themselves while they wrote. Countless doors were opening, goblins leading other people in and out the rooms from within.
They continued to look around the large hall while Alice made her exchange.
They soon stepped out into the warm sunshine, heading towards the pet shop, where Alice purchased a beautiful kneezle, which looked a lot like a cat, and behaved like one too. He was purring gently in the basket she was carrying.
From there, they bought a potions kit, a cauldron, along with a pair of dictation quills and some rolls of parchment.
Angus didn't enjoy looking at all the ingredients, such as the bats eyes and other creepy things in jars.
After drinking some butterbeer in the Leaky Cauldron, they apparated back to the castle, landing near Alice's chambers.
"Did you enjoy yourselves?" Alice asked.
"Aye, we did," replied Rupert. "It was well, magical, though I didna like the aparation part." The kneezle meowed, alerting them to his presence.
"I think he wants to explore his new home," said Angus. He r3eached out a hand, and the kneezle gently licked it. "I like that they are good at judging people, they can ken who is trustworthy or no."
"I rather like that myself," said Alice. "Do you still have my kneezle license Rupert?"
"Aye, it is in my pocket. Do you want me to hold on to it?"
"For now, can you also keep my magical stuff with you as well? We need to keep this a secret."
"I can do that," said Rupert.
"We had best get ready for supper," said Angus. "There shall be the hall right after."
"All right, I need to give my new friend his food and water as well," said Alice.
"Aye, I will be back here to escort you to dinner," said Rupert.
"If I can give ye some advice," said Angus. I think ye should tell Dougal about your magic."
"Are you sure?" Alice asked, growing alarmed. "His brother is the Laird, and I don't quite trust him yet."
"Aye, Dougal is the Laird's brother, but ye can trust him to keep yer secret," said Angus.
Alice twisted her wand in her hand, looking quite agitated by now.
"I don't know," she said.
"I think that Angus is right," said Rupert. "Dougal is a hard man, but he must be to stay the leader that he is. Let me ask ye this, do ye trust us and our judgement?"
"I do," Alice replied. "You haven't told anybody I am a witch, even though Dougal asked you to tell him anything that you find out about me. It is just, I need time to get to know him on my own terms. I've been through war, and I know what it is to trust the wrong person. That can get you either captured or killed. My friend Harry's parents experienced that first hand, and paid for it with their lives.
You and Angus gained my trust when you didn't tell my secret. Dougal is your best friend, and I am just a stranger that you know nothing about. I just need to get to know him better."
"Aye, I think you should do it soon Lass," said Rupert. "He is wondering why we haven't been telling him everything about you. He knows that we are hiding information about you, and is growing suspicious." Alice nodded, still looking scared and uncertain.
"I'll give it some thought," she replied, entering her room, and closing her door behind her.
Alice summoned food and water bowls, filling them with food from the pet store and some water from her wand. With a meow of thanks, the kneezle began to eat and drink in the corner.
She quickly got ready for dinner, putting on her necklace of wooden beads that her grandma made for her, before putting up her hair in the style of a Lakota woman.
While waiting on Rupert, she played with her kneezle, laughing as the animal chased toy mice around the room, hissing and pouncing. Once he was tired, she sat down cross legged, and smiled as he climbed in her lap, purring and kneeding her clothing.
She closed her eyes, stroking his fluffy head. He stretched, purring more loudly as she stroked his back.
His head jerked up at the knock that came at the door.
"Let's see who it is," she said, getting to her feet, causing him to slide off. He meowed in protest, but followed her to the door. She could feel him brushing against her legs.
"Hello lass, are ye ready for supper?" It was Dougal.
'Oh, hello Sir," she said, doing her best to hide her disappointment. "Yes, I am ready to go."
"Ye have a huge cat," said Dougal, unable to help himself. "One of the biggest I have ever seen. Right then, let's go."
"I thought that Rupert would escort me," said Alice as they left the corridor.
"He asked me to escort you," said Dougal. Alice remembered his advice to get to know Dougal better, Rupert could be a sneaky man it seemed. "Rupert is Guarding Mistress Beauchamp." Alice nodded.
There was silence for a couple of minutes before Dougal spoke.
'What do ye think of her?" A burst of laughter greeted them around the next corner. A group of women were walking towards the hall, chattering in rapid Gailic.
Alice waited for them to turn the corner before speaking.
"I am not sure really," she began. "I mean, she seems nice enough, but rather too serious, doesn't seem the type to laugh, tell a joke or two, or want to have any fun.
Though, I can tell that she is hiding something."
"Aye, she gave me trouble over having guards," said Dougal. Alice could understand Claire not liking the situation she was in, but she knew that her temper would get her some trouble someday.
Claire didn't seem to like keeping her head down and following orders.
"I don't really like it myself," she said.
"Aye, ye dinna like it, but ye don't complain either," Dougal replied, helping her down a flight of stairs.
"I do like Angus and Rupert," said Alice with a smile.
"Ye do?" Dougal sounded surprised.
"Yes, they are easy going, and enjoy a good time, something that I like in my friends, sense I am such a hermit sometimes. I need friends to get me doing things outside myself." The noise was growing louder as they drew closer to the dining hall. Alice could smell cooking meets, which made her stomach growl.
"They are good companions," Dougal agreed. He escorted her to the high table, and drew out her chair.
She sat down, adjusting her skirt. Dougal sat down at her left.
"Is there coffee?" Alice asked.
"Bring the Lady some coffee," said Dougal to a passing servant.
The kitchen maid was soon back, setting a pot of coffee on the table. Alice's hands began to shake as she picked up the pot to pour.
She tried to make them stop, but it was no use. She nearly dropped the pot, but Dougal grabbed it before it could hit the table. Tears filled her eyes as Dougal poured her a cup of coffee.
Everybody is looking at me, she thought. Now they will see with a weak and pathetic person I am, can't even pour a cup of coffee. She tried the deep breathing exercise that her therapist had taught her to help her get her mind off the cruciatous after effects, but she couldn't focus her mind.
Her breathing quickened as she fought down the panic. She hated the lack of control she had in her own body when the tremors happened, the feeling like it would never stop.
"Lass, what is the matter?" Dougal asked.
"I will kill your Father slowly and painfully!" She shivered at Bellatrix Lastranges' deranged voice. She closed her eyes, forcing herself away from the terrible memories.
"I believe she is possessed by the Devil," announced a booming voice. "I shall have to perform an exorcism to rid her of the evil spirit that ravages her."
"I'm not possessed," said Alice, voice trembling as much as her hands. "I just get tremors in my body sometimes."
"That is a sign of the Devil's mark on the body!"
"Father Bain, that surely canna be the reason," said Dougal. "She was well when I escorted her to supper."
"I am fine!" Alice screamed as Father Bain began speaking. She got to her feet, but found that her legs weren't working right. She knew that victims of the cruciatous curse could suffer from leg and arm joints seizing up on occasion. All I wanted was some dinner, she thought as her legs went out from under her.
A hand landed on her shoulder.
"Let me help ye lass," said Dougal, voice oddly gentle. The hall was dead silent as all this went on.
Alice could feel the stares of many eyes on her.
"Let me see what is wrong," said Claire. "Maybe I can help."
"You can't help," said Alice. "This is just something I have to live with."
"Let me help you back to yer seat," said Dougal, giving her a hand up. She nodded, allowing him to help her sit back down.
"Do ye want me to help with yer food?" Dougal whispered. Alice nodded, tears of shame rolling down her cheeks. She hated that everyone in the castle had seen one of her episodes, and now there would be whispers and questions.
Questions she didn't have the means of answering without giving away her status as a witch.
"Here, I can feed you," Dougal whispered. "There is some soup we can start with."
Alice wasn't at all hungry, but she knew that she needed the nutrition, so she nodded.
She was glad for the decision as the hot beef and barley soup entered her mouth. She closed her eyes at the taste, savoring the salt of the beef and thick broth. She pushed back memories of ravenous hunger as Dougal fed her. It is in the past, she told herself firmly. You have all the food you could possibly dream of now.
Still, those memories were there, her and her Father on the run, doing their best to hide from the Ministry that was controlled by Voldemort.
"Please, I want more," she said once the soup was gone. She must have sounded a bit desperate, for Dougal paused before serving the next course.
"Are ye sure you are well lass?" he asked gently.
"I'm fine," said Alice, lying through her teeth. "Just fine."
This was turning out to be a bad comemerance day.
She tensed, hearing quick footsteps coming from behind her.
'Lass, are ye all right?" Relief spread through her at Rupert's voice. She shook her head, unable to lie to him when he showed such concern.
"Do these tremors happen a lot?" asked Rupert.
"Not as much as they used to," said Alice. "But they still happen. There can sometimes be pain as well."
"What is going on Lass?" Dougal asked. "I ken very well that ye are hiding something."
"I think it is time," said Rupert.
"I don't know," said Alice. She know that Dougal was Colum's right-hand man so to speak, and was afraid that he would tell the Laird, and he in his own turn would arrest her.
"Trust me, once he knows, he willna tell," said Rupert.
"Trust me," Rupert repeated.
"Fine, I will tell you, but not where everyone can hear," said Alice, relenting at last to her fate.
Dougal led her from the dining hall, Rupert and Angus following behind them. She could hear them talking in low voices.
They entered a room with a table and chairs. Dougal closed the door.
"All right lass, tell yer tale." Alice proceeded to do so, Dougal listening quietly all the while.
"Are you really a witch?" Dougal asked. Alice was surprised to hear the note of wander in his voice.
"Yes, why do you ask?" asked Alice.
"I am a wizard," said Dougal. "I too attended Hogwarts."
There was stunned silence for a minute, before a loud smack was heard.
"Why in the bloody hell didn't ye tell us?" Angus bellowed.
"My family forced me to hide away my magic once I graduated," Dougal replied. "Colum made me swear it. He and my parents hated that I am a wizard. I am forced to live as a muggle.
I wondered if ye were magical lass, I saw yer broomstick. Alice was stunned.
She couldn't believe it. Another wizard, here in the castle. It was downright amazing. She wouldn't be alone in the secret; he would share in it as well.
She promised herself that she would tell all of them about her traveling through time. Not yet however, she didn't think anybody could take anymore revelations tonight.
"Where is your magical stuff?" Alice asked.
"I dinna ken," said Dougal. "Colum locked it all away himself, afraid I would be tempted to find it, and break my vow."
"How utterly cruel," whispered Alice in disgust. Her Dad had been proud of her achievements in magic. He had devoured every magical book he could get his hands on.
"I will help you get them back," she said.