Author's Note: Thank you for all the reviews! I'm sorry it's taken a while to update, but I had writer's block since the last time I updated, so, again, my apologies if this chapter seems a bit crappy.

etheriums angel: Ah, yes, Peter DOES seems a bit OOC, but I had to do that so it can flow with the story.

Bright Sky: Yes, I'm starting off a bit hate-hate, but there's some surprises ahead that you can't even think of.

A Little Bit of Everything and kamicomeget: Thank you.

showmetheSQUEE: I thank you for your advice. I finally decided on a purpose for Aceline and I'm going to make her sound less perfect.

Chapter Three: Advice and Apologies

Aceline noticed that Lucy ignored her siblings for the rest of the night. To keep her mind off of the wardrobe, she taught her how to play Cat's Cradle.

"I did it!" Lucy exclaimed as the string got onto her hands. The teen grinned.

"Told you that you'd get it in the end." The five were sitting in the living room. Peter was in a corner, a book in his hands. Edmund was busily scratching a table. Susan sat beside him, a look of disapproval on her face. Just then, one of the maids walked in.

"You have a phone call, Miss Hethers. A Miss Emilia wants to speak to you." Aceline couldn't stop the squeal of delight that escaped her. She thanked the maid. Sure enough, the phone was off of its receiver when she entered the kitchen.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Aceline, it's me," Emilia said.

"It's so good to hear from you," the younger teen gushed.

"Ace, it's only been a few hours."

"I know, but I miss you."

"Ditto."

"How is it at Mrs. Plummer's?"

"Fine. She's very nice. She reminds me a bit about Grandmother. How are things at the Professor's?"

"Well, I'm grateful that I wasn't the only one sent here. Four siblings called the Pevensies were sent here to. I'm best friends with Lucy, who's the youngest. The oldest is a prat though. His name's Peter and I overheard him saying to his siblings that I was 'too plain and didn't look too bright.' Can you believe him?"

"Well, you are a bit plain."

"In clothes, yes, but in looks, I'm most certainly not. How many people do you know that have black hair, violet eyes and are from London?"

"Only you."

"Exactly."

"So what did this Peter do to make you think he was a prat?"

"He was really sarcastic with me today. And all I asked was a simple question!"

"Well," Emilia began, "I think that's just his way of dealing with being sent away from his family. Try to be nicer to him. It must be hard for him. If he's the oldest and his father died in the war, then he has to be a father figure and an older brother for the others." Aceline considered her words.

"You're right, Emmy. I'll try to be nicer to him."

"I'm glad you finally decided to take some of my advice." The reply was a short laugh.

"Night, Emilia."

"Goodnight, Aceline." She hung up, feeling the homesickness lessen considerably. She walked back into the living room, surprised to see Peter and Lucy playing Cat's Cradle. The eight-year-old looked up at her.

"Look, Aceline, I'm teaching Peter how to play! That way he can play with you!" The boy gave her a smile. No, more like a grimace. She guessed he was embarrassed to be taught by his youngest sister, and this was his way in showing it. Strange kid. Just then, Lucy let out a yawn as the grandfather clock chimed ten.

"Time to go to bed, I think," Susan said. The rest voiced their agreement and got up.

"Goodnight, Lucy, Susan, Edmund," she said. Then she quickly added, "Goodnight, Peter."

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Aceline marked the page in her book as she laid in her bed. She placed it on the nightstand and blew out the candle. She closed her eyes, hugging Angel closer to her, when someone threw the door open.

"Aceline, wake up! I'm back! I'm back from Narnia!" Lucy yelled. She groggily sat up and rubbed her eyes. But by then, the girl had already ran out the room.

"Wake up, wake up, Peter! It's all there!" She picked up her robe-a dark red one-and ran after Lucy. She found her in the boys' bedroom. She was shaking the oldest Pevensie awake.

"What are you harping on now, Lu?"

"Narnia! It's all in the wardrobe, just like I said."

"You've been dreaming again, Lucy." Susan came into the bedroom, busily tying on her light green robe.

"No I haven't! I saw Mr. Tumnus, and Edmund came too!" Simultaneously, they turned to Edmund. He looked at them individually.

"You saw the faun, Ed?" Peter asked curiously. The boy shook his head.

"Well, we didn't go together," Lucy began. Then she stopped, turning to her black-haired brother. "What were you doing?"

"I was just playing along with your silly game," Edmund stated. "Sorry, Peter. I shouldn't have egged her on. We were only pretended." With this, he sank down on his bed with, much to Aceline's disgust, a satisfied smirk. A bitter sob escaped Lucy and she ran out the room, the oldest girl hot on her heels.

As she rounded the corner, she heard a thump as two bodies crashed. She saw the young girl hugging Professor Kirke around his waist. He looked rather surprised.

"You children are one mishap away before you sleep in the stable!" Mrs. Macready appeared out of nowhere, tying the knot of her robe so quickly that her hands appeared a blur. She looked a bit embarrassed when the Professor shot her a questioning look.

"My apologies, Professor," the housekeeper mumbled. "I just thought the noise they were making would bother you..."

"It's quite alright, but I think she needs a bit of refreshment." Professor Kirke's voice was kind as he lightly pushed Lucy toward his housekeeper. The woman merely nodded. Aceline, who felt that she had no buisness being there, turned to leave (nearly crashing into Susan, by the way) but was stopped as the elderly man cleared his throat. He gestured for them to follow. She bit her lip as she glanced at the two oldest Pevensies, who gave her worried frowns. The three had no choice but to follow the Professor.

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"It seems you've perturbed my housekeeper's internal balance," he said while lighting his pipe.

"We're truly sorry, sir," Aceline said.

"Yes, it won't happen again," Peter said. He grabbed both girls by the arms and attempted to drag them back, but Susan pulled away.

"It's our sister, sir."

"The crying girl."

"Yes. She seems upset."

"Which is shown by crying."

"It's nothing," Peter said hastily. "We can take care of it."

"Oh, I can see that happening," Professor Kirke said, glancing at Peter. Once again, Aceline felt uncomfortable. She started to edge towards the door.

"I'll just go," she said. The professor shook his head.

"You may stay, Miss Hethers," he said. She nodded, walked over to the sofa and sat down on it. The man sat across from her in an armchair.

"Miss Hethers," he began.

"Aceline," she corrected.

"Well, Aceline, can you tell me why Lucy's upset?"

"She thinks she's found a world in the upstairs wardrobe." Professor Kirke looked at her. Then he turned to face the Pevensies.

"Is this true?" he asked. Susan nodded. Both siblings sat on either side of her.

"She won't stop harping on it," Peter said.

"Do you believe her?" Aceline nodded while the other shook their heads.

"And why do you believe her, Aceline?"

"Because," she began earnestly, "when I passed the room the wardrobe was in, I felt a breeze coming from it." Professor Kirke looked satisfied.

"And we don't believe her because, logically, it's impossible." The males and Aceline turned to Susan as she spoke.

"So who do you believe?"

"Edmund said they were only pretending," Peter stated.

"And he's usually honest?" The professor brandished his pipe at him as he asked.

"No," Susan said. "This would be the first time."

"Well, I suggest you believe in her if she's the more honest one. That way she'll stop harping on it. After all, you're supposed to be family," was the reply. Aceline felt both Pevensies sink into the sofa.

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"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty," Peter joked. It was the next day and the five were outside playing cricket. Well, Susan, Edmund and Peter were. Lucy had glued her eyes to a book. Aceline had done the same things. But right now, she was scowling. The least Peter could have done was warn Edmund that he was about to bawl.

"He could at least apologize. Prat," she mumbled to herself. She continued to read, ignoring what the siblings were saying. She looked up, her face disbelieving, as she heard a window break. She got up, her book in her hand as she went up to observe the damage.

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"Nice going, Ed. Real smart," Peter said with a sharp look towards his brother.

"Don't blame him, you bawled it!" Aceline exclaimed, giving him the same look. He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by a voice.

"What in heaven's name is going on up there?"

"The Macready!"

"Come on!" Peter shouted and grabbed Lucy. They ran towards the door and up the hallway.

To Aceline, it felt like she was coming from everywhere. Footsteps sounded throughout the house. Finally, Peter dashed up to a door and tried to open, but found it locked. Edmund made towards the second door. He wrenched it open and ran inside. The purple-eyed girl was the first to follow him.

"You have to be kidding me," Susan mumbled. But her brother pushed forward as footsteps sounded behind them. Aceline and Lucy were the first inside. She felt Edmund step on her foot.

"Edmund, you're on my foot!"

"I'm not on your foot, Lucy is!"

"I am not!"

"Will you stop shoving!" Aceline shoved a very Peter-like figure impulsively. She felt him push back. Getting annoyed (and forgetting that she had started it), she grabbed him and jostled him, so he fell back. There was a soft crunching sound. She feared for a second that she had broken one of his bones, but she was relieved when she saw him get up. Beside him, Susan stood, her head turning to look at her surroundings.

"Unbelievable," she whispered. Curious, Aceline walked towards them and looked over their shoulders. She gasped.

They were standing in a snowy wood. Snow was falling lightly from the sky, landing on the already white ground. Leafless trees grew from the ground, giving the forest a slight eerieness to it.

"Er, Lucy?" It was Peter who had spoken. "Would apologizing clear things up?" Lucy shook her head. And suddenly, a snowball hit him on the forehead. The boy looked so shocked that Aceline couldn't help a laugh that escaped her lips. Peter threw a snowball at his youngest sister. Then, with a grin, he chucked one at her. A snowball fight soon broke out between them, ending when Susan threw one at Edmund.

"Stop it!" he said. A look of disbelief crossed his older brother's face.

"You little liar! Apologize to Lucy," and he gestured towards the girl. When Edmund didn't show any sign of moving, he yelled, "Say you're sorry!"

"I'm sorry!" Edmund said hastily.

"Forgiven." A discussion soon started between Susan and Peter, whether or not to explore. Peter won in the end, giving coats to everyone. Lucy, Edmund and Susan went first with Peter and Aceline bringing up the rear. She lightly tapped him on the shoulder. He turned his blue eyes on her.

"Sorry for pushing you," said she.

"Forgiven. Sorry for pushing you."

"Forgiven." The black-haired girl hoped things would get better. But she wrong.

Things were about to get worse.

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