A/N: More dreams in this chapter. I made sure to label them to avoid confusion. Lots of love to my reviewers; you guys make me want to write more!
As with every school term, the weeks fly by and students and teachers wonder where the time went. Alice couldn't believe she had been teaching for over a month and that the weather had changed so dramatically, especially at Hogwarts. The frost on her office window seemed to become more visible each passing day. The school had been actively preparing for the TriWizard Tournament, where they would play host to students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, even throwing a lavish ball to celebrate the event. All seventh years were contemplating who among their peers would be their champion and whether Hogwarts would be victorious in the end. Even without the competition, the effort to promote international wizarding relations made the energy in the halls palpable as they anticipated all the new students who would soon to be among them.
Alice thought her Muggle Studies course was progressing rather smoothly. She had finished her historical overview and began discussing past muggle and wizarding world discrepancies, such as the infamous witch hunts, placing them into modern contexts and connecting them to ongoing stereotypes. Students had become more comfortable raising their hands and adding to the discussion. Slytherin students often had more to say about this terrible history than others, since they knew stories about ancestors who were prosecuted by muggles. Alice encouraged them to share them. Often this was the source of their family's distrust and hatred of them. Most of the time she had the class move the desks into a large circle so students could talk openly about certain subjects. All in all she felt it was a successful first try at this course and not surprisingly she was also learning a lot from her students.
Draco had flawlessly fallen into his role as potions professor, having no issues with teaching, giving detention, subtracting points or disciplining students in the hallway. Alice saw him in action and was even impressed by his sternness. Alice had not encountered many reasons to deduct points and actually felt odd about doing so, especially since she was not fond of the house divisions. During the last group assignment, she made students pair with a member of a different house in the spirit of multi-house cooperation, saying that if the upcoming tournament is boasting of international cooperation than Hogwarts could use more integration as well.
As the tournament approached, Alice worried slightly about encountering Ivar Skramstad, the potions professor from Durmstrang and Mr. Malfoy's supposed business partner. He would be accompanying his school's students to Hogwarts as he mentioned to Draco at the Alchemical Conference in Cairo several months ago. She planned simply to avoid him, even if she admitted to being curious about what Mr. Malfoy was up to. Luckily her relationship with Mr. Malfoy had remained civil. She often encountered him and Narcissa on her way back to London, since she flooed via her Hogwarts office to Malfoy Manor. She would often stop and have afternoon tea with Narcissa. Narcissa was becoming more like family to her, while Mr. Malfoy remained that distant relative who feigned interest in her whereabouts.
After finishing her classes on Friday afternoon, Alice had scheduled to meet with Sybill Trelawney and Septima Vector to discuss her reoccurring dreams. At first, Alice thought she was overworked and that her mind continued to be active at night, making her dream more. After all, she was teaching numerous classes during the week, studying magic on the weekends, and still working on her book during her free time, so it was likely her mind wasn't taking breaks. The first few dreams she had were related in some way to an event or place she encountered that day, such as witnessing the sorting ceremony or being in the potions classroom. Her first hypothesis thus seemed reasonable. But as other dreams occurred she started to realize there were professors and students in them that she had never heard of before, but who were in fact present at Hogwarts during that time. She only knew this after she mustered the courage to describe the dreams to Draco. At first, she neglected to mention that he had a role in them, disliking having been a victim of his bullying and perhaps wanting to deny that it was actually his persona at all in the dreams. But somehow he knew she was withholding this information. It was Draco who urged Alice to speak with Sybill and Septima, whose specialty was well suited to handle the dream world.
Alice nervously walked into Professor Trelawney's classroom to find the frizzy haired woman staring with her round coke bottle spectacles into a crystal ball. Her style reminded Alice of a free-spirited hippie and her classroom's décor followed suit. Dressed in her usual burgundy robes, Septima Vector was also sitting at the same table looking through several number charts she had brought.
"Oh Alice, come in come in, we have so much to discuss," Professor Trelawney said rhythmically, pushing a chair out for her at the table. They had reviewed her dream notes prior to her arrival.
After Alice sat, Professor Vector placed her number charts in front of her. "I began running some of the dates you gave me, your birth, your mother's death, along with some alternatives, like the date you should have started and graduated from Hogwarts. Among all these dates there's a convergence here," she pointed between several numbers, though whatever she was referring to was meaningless to Alice.
"And what does that mean?" She tried asking politely, hoping the revealed information wasn't obvious.
"This, we can assume, is the date Dumbledore changed your future by altering your magical gene, but what is more interesting is that all dates from both pasts line up perfectly," she sounded intrigued.
"What do you mean both pasts? Only one actually exists, right?" Alice asked concerned.
"Well, what we gather," she looked cautiously at Professor Trelawney before continuing, "Is that both your pasts were set as your future when Dumbledore discovered them. He chose one for you, but the other still exists in possibility."
"In possibility?" Alice wasn't sure if she was following.
"Your dreams dear," Professor Trelawney responded highly interested, "They express this alternate future perfectly. When you came to Hogwarts, something sparked these memories to surface. You're reliving your other past in your dreams."
Alice was beyond confused, "But my dreams aren't reality."
"They're the reality of your other past," replied Professor Trelawney, "It's possible the two are trying to reconcile."
"Yes, that is what I assumed too," Professor Vector agreed. "As I mentioned the dates are perfectly aligned from a common start date, so there will be a related end date which will bring them into one."
"But my other future…or past," Alice was confused about what to call it, "It was supposed to have ended in some sort of tragedy, that's why my grandfather altered my direction. Should I be worried about this end date?" Alice thought perhaps this reconciliation sounded ominous.
"During your dreams," Professor Trelawney began to ask curiously, "Do you have control over your actions? Are you yourself, or are you simply in the body of yourself."
Alice blinked, this wasn't exactly a normal conversation, she thought about it deeply before responding, "I can feel that it's me, but I go through the motions without a lot of thought. I'm guided through it as an observer of myself, if that makes sense."
"Hmm, not good, not good," Professor Trelawney scratched her head.
"But I've never tried to do much more than observe," Alice quickly replied, wondering why it mattered.
"It may be time to start trying so that the two pasts don't reconcile in the same way," Professor Trelawney said.
"Are you saying that…" Alice couldn't say what she was thinking.
Professor Vector put a hand on her shoulder, knowing her thoughts, "It's possible."
"But dreams and pasts are malleable dear," Professor Trelawney said excitedly, "You may be able to alter this past in your dreams so that both your current reality and this one will meet at a better common point."
Alice felt like someone was trying to explain the concept of the multi-universe to her for the first time, "So I should try to alter my dreams?"
Professor Trelawney bobbed her head up and down, "See how much control you have over them. With more control, it means this alternate past is weaker and changing it won't take much effort."
"How will I know which direction to take it though?" Alice asked still confounded.
"There will be clues," Professor Trelawney held her hands up in mid-air, "You'll see patterns and you'll be put in situations which ask to be changed…"
Alice left the session still wondering how to alter this past when she didn't even know how or when it actually ended. Her grandfather was vague on the details, especially concerning the tragedy he hoped her to avoid. Of course, Alice believed the tragedy was her death, most likely during the Second Wizarding War. From her dreams, she gathered that the other students assumed she was muggle-born and that they knew nothing of her relation to Dumbledore. Did this information somehow leak to Voldemort? Did she later become a target? So far the dreams had been running in sequence; highlighting some key points from each year but staying in chronological order. She was still in her first few years of school.
Telling Draco what Professor Trelawney and Professor Vector told her made him ultra-concerned and they discussed key events from those school years. This was all circumstantial since Alice had no idea when or who she would dream about next, but having a more detailed history might help. After telling Draco that she believed she was in her third year, which would have been fourth year for him, he told her to expect to the TriWizard Tournament as well as the return of Voldemort. Alice had read about what happened to Cedric Diggory and how the Ministry later didn't believe in Harry Potter's story of the Dark Lord's return. She wondered if she'd dream about the tournament while the current tournament was taking place at Hogwarts. In any case, every time she went to bed, she grew slightly nervous about dreaming even if the dreams didn't happen all the time. Her most recent dream, however, proved that she did have some control over her actions.
Dream 3:
Alice began the dream staring at algebraic equations, recognizing the Pythagorean Theorem on the white page immediately. She had her book propped up on the ledge of a stone windowsill, and as she looked up through the glass window, it immediately caught her reflection.
"Gosh, I need a haircut," was the first thing that came to Alice's mind as she looked at her younger self, and she quickly pushed her long fringe to the side and slightly loosened her blue and bronze striped tie that hung around her neck. It was this moment of self-awareness which allowed her to gather her thoughts before taking any action or before any action came to her. Closing her book she walked out into the school's front courtyard, noting the chill fall breeze even if the sun was shining beautifully that day.
Several students were lounging around, making Alice think this must have been break time. Walking down the open corridor she heard some commotion in the middle of the courtyard and went to see what it was. The voice coming from the top of a tree was all too familiar.
"My father and I have a bet you see, I don't think you're going to last ten minutes in this tournament," the young Draco jeered while jumping down from a tree, he was then followed by four Slytherin boys, who looked on in amusement as their leader mocked someone. "He disagrees, he thinks you won't last five."
Alice noticed he was taunting a younger Harry Potter, who bravely approached Draco and his gang with anger in his eyes. "I don't give a damn what your father thinks Malfoy! He's vile and cruel, and you're all pathetic."
Alice ran onto the courtyard grass, wondering if there would be a fight but Harry walked away from the scene and Alice saw Draco pull out his wand. "He wouldn't," she thought, but before a curse could be said Draco was transformed into a white ferret, the curser none other than Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, who hobbled from a side corridor, his wand happily levitating the ferret through the air, his words chastising him as he went.
Shocked by seeing a teacher abuse his power, Alice forced herself to speak as she ran closer, "You can't treat a student like that!" She felt her hand go to her wand, something she wouldn't normally do.
Moody continued bobbing the ferret through the air, "Technically it's a ferret and don't think of withdrawing your wand McNally or you're next."
"Is that a threat?" she said angrily before noticing that McGonagall had also heard the commotion and was on her way over.
"Professor Moody!" She cried, "What are you doing?"
"Teaching," Moody said unapologetically, still bobbing the ferret up in the air.
"Bullshit!" Alice cried, then pointing at the poor creature, "That's a student." McGonagall's eyes went wide in shock but before she could respond Moody had swiftly placed the animal in the pants of one of his portly companions, making the crowd of students that had formed laugh in delight. Alice and McGonagall seemed to be the only ones concerned. Moody then smugly winked at Harry while another Slytherin boy tried retrieving the ferret, only to get bit on the finger.
Alice felt embarrassment on behalf of Draco, making her again aware of her two selves. Once the ferret exited the leg of boy's trouser, McGonagall promptly transfigured him back.
Spinning back into human form, Draco looked utterly bewildered and disheveled from the experience, worriedly backing away from Moody while yelling, "My father will hear about this!"
Moody began chasing after him screaming, "Is that a threat?"
"Professor Moody!" McGonagall called after him, trying to get him to calm down.
"He's barbaric!" Alice yelled angrily, suddenly making Moody turn towards her instead of pursuing Draco. She glared at him bravely and feeling an odd need to defend Draco she declared, "Now this school's hiring lunatics! What next?"
"I'll teach you to speak to me like that," Moody pointed his wand towards her. Alice retrieved hers quickly and subconsciously deflected the spell he sent, the training from her alternate future kicking in just in time.
"Alastor," said McGonagall in shock, "You just tried to curse another student," she pointed her wand at his face. "We never use transfiguration as a punishment. Surely Dumbledore told you that."
Looking down at her wand he said quietly, "Might have mentioned it."
"You will do well to remember it," she said sternly before turning from him, "And Miss McNally, Professor Dumbledore is expecting you in his office. Try not to cause any trouble on the way there." She then shooed the other students away as well.
Alice received an evil glare from the strange one-eyed man, who she remembered reading about in an historical text but she didn't expect him to be so unconventional. Something was off. She stood in the courtyard momentarily taking in the situation, realizing she had control over this dream. As she walked towards the corridor she overheard students talking of the event and eyeing her as she went by. She assumed it was probably uncharacteristic of her to get involved, especially if it looked like she was defending Draco, who from previous dreams seemed more like her enemy.
As she rounded the corner, she unexpectedly saw Draco and his Slytherin posse off to the side.
"You have some nerve McNally," Draco called to her, there was some rage left in his eyes and he still looked disheveled, even if he had fixed his hair and robes.
Hesitating slightly whether to provide a response, her tongue slipped, "Careful, I may take that as a compliment." Alice then realized this sounded a bit smug and flirtatious, and it was perhaps not the best reply considering.
His eyes narrowed, "You'd think that, wouldn't you. Always self-righteous…"
"And you're not?" Alice interrupted him as she walked closer. "Look, what that one-eyed freak did back there was despicable. At least I didn't laugh at your expense."
Draco silently backed away from her, perhaps noting her sincerity or disgusted by her approach, Alice wasn't sure. She then looked at each of his friends and sensed some awkwardness. "Well," she backed up and lessened the intensity in her voice, "I hope your day gets better."
Alice started back on her previous path down the hall, feeling strange about the encounter and disliking the feeling of being at odds with Draco. She glanced back at him curiously before turning the corner and their eyes met briefly. She wondered why he was always in her dreams and if there was a reason for it.
The scene changed again and Alice was walking up the spiral steps to her grandfather's office, unsure if it was the same day. She felt that she spent a lot of time there and she smiled when she saw the old man with his fists on his waist, looking up at one of the portraits on the upper wall. She always wished she could spend more time with him, though this was an odd way to do so.
"I heard you've been giving Professor Burbage a hard time in Muggle Studies," he said sternly, not looking directly at her.
Alice knew it was one of her elective courses. "It's not my intention to be difficult. I'm only trying to improve what's being taught. It's outdated."
"Fair enough, but that is precisely why you are no longer taking that course," he said turning around. "I think you would be better suited in a different subject."
"But there's nothing else during that period for third years that I'm not already taking," Alice said feeling worried about rearranging her schedule.
"I recently talked about your situation to Professor Moody, he says it would serve you well to sit in on the next level, since you're already quite advanced," he paced in front of her.
"You mean, take fourth year Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Alice asked questioningly.
"You can observe the class for the rest of the term; unless you'd prefer a free period?" His eyebrows were raised slightly, displaying that he'd be surprised if she didn't want to take a higher-level course.
After the previous event, Alice wondered if it would be a good idea to take another one of Moody's courses, but it would seem out of character for her to give up the chance to do so. "No, I'd like the opportunity."
"Good. And another batch of books came from your father. I took the liberty of putting false covers on for you," he pointed to the stack of books on the side of his desk. Alice immediately went to check the title pages. Tugging on his beard slightly, the old wizard continued, "He also writes to make sure you're socializing well."
Alice smirked; definitely sounded like something her father would inquire about at her age, but she didn't reply and was more interested in her book titles.
"Have you been asked to the Yule Ball yet?" He casually asked, again reminding Alice of her father during prom time.
"Of course not, it's only for fourth to seventh year students," Alice replied quickly, knowing very well that she wouldn't have any interest in a dance even if she could go.
"Not if you're asked by someone older," he replied overly interested.
Alice realized she started thinking about Draco, which was certainly an inappropriate thought for her at that time. "No one would ask me," she finally said firmly, shaking off any notions she had.
"Well I thought it was a possibility. Your father's fiancé Jane even sent a catalog of muggle dresses for you to order from just in case," he handed her the book.
Amused that it was a familiar department store catalog of designer brands, she took it and began flipping through its glossy pages. Alice then realized she was the age when her father started dating Jane, so he must have still taken the position in Los Angeles.
Dumbledore smiled, "Perhaps I should be grateful you're not growing up too fast."
Suddenly the scene changed again and Alice was transported to the outside door of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. It felt that she had rushed there and she would be walking in late. Opening the large door, she looked in on the rows of fourth year students already seated.
"So good of you to finally join us, McNally. Take a seat," Professor Moody said sternly, not having turned his head to acknowledge her. She wondered if he could see through the back of his head.
All the students turned around as she entered and then looked questioningly at their peers, obviously wondering why a third year was there. She walked quickly to the nearest open seat, which coincidently happened to be the one next to Draco.
"What's a third year doing here?" Ron asked Hermione next to him.
"I don't know, but I hear she's the top student in her year," Hermione whispered back.
"Actually before you sit," Moody said not turning around from the chalkboard, "Take out your wand."
Alice's eyes narrowed at him as she purposely threw her heavy bag on top of the desk, making a loud clunking noise. Draco, who was not amused when she stepped in the class, looked up at her in disgust. She nonchalantly retrieved her wand from inside her robe.
Moody swung around and threw a curse at her, and she quickly deflected it, feeling like it was second nature. He sent another, and Alice deflected it again and then counter cursed with a quick "Expelliarmus," which knocked his wand out of his hand.
Mad-Eye began laughing hysterically, "Perfect form, and from a third year no less! There's some talent in the ranks below you."
The students who were just starting to learn these defensive spells were spellbound by this demonstration. Alice remained in her stance, worried Moody would try something else.
"Oh sit down McNally, your time to shine is over. Now don't cause me any problems or this arrangement is over," Professor Moody said annoyed before taking a quick swig of a flask he pulled from his pocket.
Alice plopped herself in the chair and took out her new fourth year D.A.D.A book. She looked over at Draco's book, trying to gage what page they were on but he glared hatefully at her, covering his book's page number with his hands.
"What page?" she asked him quietly, but he ignored her. Annoyed by this reaction, she quickly grabbed his wrist to move his hand, glancing quickly at the page number below it. Being forwardly touched by Alice shocked Draco, and he quickly grabbed her one wrist, squeezing it hard. Trying not to overreact, Alice managed the pain and used her other hand to open her textbook, playing like nothing was wrong. She then looked at him and smiled sweetly, hoping it would make him feel foolish for continuing to touch her. Her ploy worked and he released her.
From the chapter heading, Alice knew the class would be review, since she went over this text well over a month ago with Draco, her Draco. She looked once more at the textbook the younger Draco was using next to her, thinking it strange that it was that same text she had on her desk in her future. After class wrapped, several students lingered in the hallway outside, many gave Alice strange stares as she exited.
"What's a third year doing in a fourth year's class?" A Gryffindor student named Seamus Finnigan stood in front of her with his arms crossed, purposely blocking her route.
"Obviously progressing faster than you are," Alice said not too cheerfully. She was surprised how smug she acted at Hogwarts, even if she was encountering a lot of hostility from her peers.
"Leave her alone," Hermione butted in, "You've definitely progressed further than most of us. How did you do it?"
"I read the book," Alice said casually with a smile, then glancing at the rest of the students who stood there, "Look, I'm just filling an open period for the rest of the term. My apologies if that bothers you." She decidedly turned and walked quickly away from the crowd, feeling a bit dejected by the situation. She was reminded of her high school days and being one of the few younger students placed in higher level courses. At least in that situation, she wasn't alone. Here, class and house loyalties seemed a lot stronger, almost tribal like. Alice started to wonder if she had any friends at this school and she suddenly felt sorry for her alternate self.
Turning the corner she was swung around by a strong hand on her shoulder and she was shocked to see it was Draco who had waited for her there.
"Don't ever touch me," he said sneeringly, but Alice had little fight left in her this time. She looked at him regretfully, her mind asking the questions she couldn't speak aloud. Who was this Draco before her and why does she continue to encounter him? Should she fight through his armor of anger? Was that her purpose in these dreams?
"I'm sorry," she finally said, breaking her awkward staring, "I've been having one of those days." She smiled slightly, wondering if he'd even bother to respond to her self-pitying.
"You're an odd one, McNally," he said, his eyes still looking on her in disgust.
"I know," she said solemnly, "Not like anyone here is normal anyways."
"What's that suppose to mean?" He asked with contempt in his tone. Despite this, Alice was surprised he was continuing the conversation with her.
Alice smiled, shaking her head slightly, "Normal is difficult to gage I suppose, subjective at best. My normal has nothing to do with Hogwarts or magic. But that's the problem isn't it?"
He scoffed, "Mudbloods like you don't belong here anyways."
"You say that word as if it's an insult. You're too blind to see that I'm just as proud of my family as you are of yours. It'd serve you well to try and live without the ideology for once. You'll find the world's a much nicer place."
Before he could respond, he was being waved down by none other than Pansy Parkinson, who Alice immediately recognized from her pug nose.
"Draco, you busy?" she said suspiciously, only after giving Alice an evil glare.
"Just leaving," his eyes were intent on Alice's a moment longer and she thought she saw a glimmer that he was contemplating what she said.
But then she woke up, his grey eyes still ingrained in her memory.
That evening Draco and her discussed the entire dream during dinner.
"You did what?" Draco asked surprised.
"I blocked Moody's curses, really, just like you taught me," Alice was proud that her magical skills were jumping realities. It was the one light point in their conversation before discussing the other issues she encountered.
"For a third year, that must have been pretty impressive," Draco said amused.
Alice smiled but then changed the subject and her tone, "You know, I never knew just how equally bullied you were."
"I brought it on myself," Draco replied, "I would have cursed Potter if given the chance." He remembered his version of the ferret episode clearly, having been slightly traumatized by it at the time. "The fact that you have to deal with that version of me, it's…"
"Embarrassing?" Alice asked.
"Upsetting," he replied. "I was an awful person back then and even if it's not exactly me, I don't like to know that you're being treated that way. Especially if it's believed you're muggle-born."
"Well, like now, I can hold my own, even against you," she smiled while pushing his chin up making him smile. "The strange thing was, I was continually pushed in your direction. Professor Trelawney said there will be patterns, clues for what needs to be changed. What if there's a reason you're always in my dreams."
Draco looked at her searchingly, "Perhaps you need to change our alternate relationship in order to reconcile these two pasts."
Alice was thinking along similar lines, "I just don't know how."
"You'll find a way," he said encouragingly while lovingly pushing some fallen strands of her hair behind her ear. "The good news is you have more control over your dreams so it can be changed." He then said resolutely, "I'm going to tell everything I can remember from that time."
"You don't have to," Alice felt odd if she knew too much about him.
"I need to," he said assuredly, "How else will you fight this?"
Draco spelled out his remaining years at Hogwarts, and Alice listened closely, not knowing which pieces of information would be pertinent to her. She learned of his personal relationships, his worries, the classes he found difficult and easy, where he spent his alone time, his quidditch victories and losses, his daily routine, as well as the students he regularly bullied. Luckily he felt more removed from this past than before, like he had finally come to grips with his appalling behavior. If asked, he would say Alice helped him fully move away from it, which made it ironic that she now had to deal with the boy he had distanced himself from.
After finishing his anecdotes, Alice said to him sincerely, "No matter what happens, I can never think of you badly."
It made all the difference to hear her say that.
The TriWizard Tournament began with a huge feast in the Great Hall, thrown to welcome the two faraway schools to Hogwarts. Alice attended the celebration to watch the short performances: the beautiful young ladies from Beauxbatons in their blue dresses pranced down the center aisle and the young men from Durmstrang shook the floor with their batons. Ivar Skramstad was there, already making Alice feel uncomfortable by his presence. Her brief glance was returned by a disgusted sneer. He seemed delighted to see Draco, however, giving him a solid hand shake and already asking about a new potion he was concocting. Alice knew these visitors would only stay the month, so she tried not to turn it into another worry in her life.
Alice greeted Olympe Maxime in French, who was the headmistress of Beauxbatons and also a half-giant. She surprised the amazingly tall lady with her fluent speech. If anything, this tournament gave Alice an opportunity to practice the French language, which she only got to use during her few travels to that country. This ability, however, made Alice a go-to professor for many of the Beauxbaton students, and she was often asked questions by the girls in the hallways about proper uses of English or how things were done at Hogwarts. She always did her best to answer, though she was still a Hogwarts novice herself.
The Goblet of Fire was lit during the ceremony and students were already submitting their names for the tournament. During a break period, Alice stood and watched the excited students proudly throw their name cards in, hopeful that they would be chosen to represent their school. They had still imposed a seventeen or older age limit on the games, thinking it too dangerous for anyone younger to participate. She had learned more about the past games than she would have needed to except for it being necessitated by the dreams. She was shocked to find out from Draco that the Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody she encountered was actually a Death Eater named Barty Crouch Jr., disguised with the help of Polyjuice Potion. She wondered if there was a reason he proposed to Dumbledore to have her sit in on his class. Did he suspect her relationship to Dumbledore or was it pure coincidence? She wasn't sure.
It had been a few nights since her last dream so each evening she grew a little more apprehensive about sleeping. She knew she couldn't avoid it, though it didn't make it any easier to go to bed. Then one weeknight the dream came.
Dream 4:
"Only one book in your possession at a time this year Alice," Dumbledore said while levitating part of her muggle textbook stack to the upper shelves of the wall that enclosed the circular space of his office. "The Ministry is interfering with Hogwarts and if it's discovered that you have alternate studies, well, you will not be allowed to keep even one."
"I understand," Alice said solemnly, clutching onto her high school physics textbook. "Grandfather, should I be worried about Voldemort?" She said his name without flinching.
"It would serve you well not to involve yourself with this concern. Lay low this year, focus on your studies, do not overstep your bounds, no matter what offers you are made." It sounded like he was making this ultimatum out of foresight.
Suddenly the scene changed and Alice felt cold air fill her lungs as she looked out onto the serene landscape in front of Hogwarts, the calm lake looked like it was almost frozen over from the onset of winter. It was a crisp day, the sun was shining, but the air was extremely chill and snow lay on the mountains beyond her. She felt the heaviness of her wool coat and she immediately touched its collar. It was the same coat she owned when she was fourteen, a black Burberry pea coat picked out by Jane during their first "family" trip to London, after her and her father got married. Despite their rocky start, Jane would introduce Alice to the fashion world and, according to her father, create a shopping monster.
Alice also realized she wasn't wearing the school's uniform, but a pair of black tights and a short black jumper dress she use to adore. She looked around apprehensively. She was on the outer edge of Hogwart's front courtyard and several students were passing by her also dressed in casual clothes. It was Saturday and students had leave to go into Hogsmeade. She realized she was waiting there for someone, but she wasn't sure who.
"Shall we go?" A soft voice asked her. It came from a pale girl with long blonde hair. It was Luna Lovegood, a Ravenclaw who was in the same year as Alice. "I always loved this time of year. I wonder if it will snow today." She looked questioningly at the sky before looking at Alice.
Alice realized they had something in common; both lost their mothers at a young age, were raised by their fathers, and they initially bonded over their ability to see Thestrals when not many could; though their similarities seemed to stop there. Luna was a free spirit and often fixated on things that lacked even more reason than most magical musings. Alice could sense that they were both outcasts amongst their peers, but for different reasons. She walked alongside her, knowing they were headed to meet Luna's friends, which were members of the Gryffindor House; the Golden Trio as they became known.
"I hope you don't mind meeting them in the Three Broomsticks, they're weary about discussing such topics in the school halls," Luna said calmly.
"That's fine," Alice replied, assuming this was a topic that Umbridge would not approve of.
Alice was grateful to enter the warmth of the pub but her ears had to adjust to the chatter of the numerous students which filled it. She followed Luna over to a side booth where Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting. Their butterbeer mugs were already half emptied.
Ron looked suspiciously at Alice, making her wonder more about her alternate self's reputation. Removing her coat before sitting, Hermione immediately noted, "I like your coat. Is that Burberry?"
Alice remembered she was muggle-born, "Yes, but please don't think I'm a pretentious snob!" Alice said quickly, while looking around at whom else was in the pub, "I had much humbler beginnings." She noticed she had walked by a table that Draco was at with Pansy and few other Slytherins. One looked to be a young Blaise Zabini. Draco looked at her briefly before noting who she was about to sit with.
"Bur-what?" Ron asked, "Is that some sort of plant?"
"Nevermind," Hermione rolled her eyes before turning back to Alice. "We asked Luna to bring you here because, well," her voice grew hushed, "The situation at school continues to get worse. Umbridge refuses to teach us defense and with things that have been happening outside Hogwarts…"
"You mean the return of Voldemort," Alice queried.
"You accept that he's back then?" Harry finally spoke; he had been sitting with his arms crossed the entire time, still uncomfortable with Hermione's plan to eventually form an army.
"I know he is," Alice said to him assuredly, "But what does this have to do with me?"
Hermione spoke again, "We saw your abilities last year, you know things we haven't been taught yet, and with Harry and you teaching us defense we can…" She was unsure how to word this proposition.
Alice quickly spoke, "I apologize, but I can't get involved with your plan."
"Why can't you?" Hermione questioned her surprised, "We thought you of all students would want to undermine Umbridge and all she stands for."
"There's personal reasons," Alice felt remorseful about turning down their offer, but something told her to heed her grandfather's warning. Perhaps she did get involved before and it put her in harm's way. "I respect what you're trying to do and hope you're successful, but I just can't be a part of it."
"I had a feeling we couldn't trust you," Ron said forcefully.
"It's not a matter of trust Ronald," Hermione chastised him, "I'm sure she has valid reasons." She looked at Alice searchingly, hoping she would explain.
"I'm very sorry," she felt the need to apologize again before grabbing her coat to leave.
"It's alright, at least you believe me," Harry said as consolidation.
Alice nodded, "I do, which is another reason I can't be involved." Before she walked away from them, she said sincerely, "Good luck." She hoped this was the right decision though she hated how cowardly it made her feel.
As she made her way to the door, Draco jeered, "Making new friends McNally?" Suddenly all eyes of the Slytherins at his table were on her.
"Not today," Alice stopped and then said contemptuously, "Never could get along with Gryffindors anyway." She played into his contempt for the House, perhaps even surprising members of the table with her words. She wondered why he was concerned, or whether this was just another reason for him to make jest at her expense.
Blaise started snickering, perhaps finding these words from her amusing or maybe laughing at his friend's interest in talking to the girl. Draco just furled his brow at his noise.
"Something funny, Blaise?" Pansy asked him.
"Nothing in particular," Blaise said stopping himself.
Pansy then looked at Alice condescendingly, "You can leave now." She was particularly annoyed that she was even called over to their table to begin with, especially by her boyfriend.
"With pleasure," Alice said cockily, "I'd rather walk through a blizzard than endure your company." She looked at Draco again; he had crossed his arms and averted his eyes, resolute in not acknowledging her again.
As Alice continued for the door, she was surprised by her own words. She wondered if she often played the bitch, despite finding her cockiness mildly empowering. She did have a sharp tongue since she was little, but she was hardly this confrontational.
As soon as she grabbed the door knob the scene changed again, and the doorway she was passing through was the one from the Great Hall. Looking behind her, she noticed a multitude of hanging framed decrees, a visible remnant of Umbridge's takeover of the school.
Alice stopped briefly, taking in this display of dictatorship. It was just like Draco said it would be; everyone had little freedom beyond their duties as students. By the number of them, it must be well into the takeover. Alice realized she had not been reprimanded yet and that she must have lain low as her grandfather suggested.
"Skipping class are we, McNally?" Alice heard the familiar voice behind her and she turned to meet the young Draco. She noticed his Inquisitorial Badge was displayed proudly on his robe. "I should report you just because."
"Desperate to kiss more ass?" Alice joked as she began walking away from him, but he followed her. Somehow she knew he would; she continued to wonder why he was so interested in taunting her. She added, "Besides, I've been a role model student this term, Umbridge wouldn't believe you."
"I could make something up," he said assuredly.
"You could," Alice stopped and looked him in the eyes questioningly, "But why would you?"
He didn't respond immediately, perhaps caught off guard by her seeking an answer for his interest in giving her problems.
Alice continued before he spoke, "If I didn't know any better Draco, I'd assume that you just like keeping me company." It was an embarrassing insinuation to make and it did not make Draco look at her any kinder. "I don't mind," Alice said playfully, "But you could try to start the conversation with a simple 'hello' next time."
"Why you filthy little…" He started.
"Mudblood?" Alice interrupted. "You should really find another insult for me or better yet, just settle for calling me Alice."
"How dare you tell me what to do?" He said angrily.
"Suit yourself, I actually don't mind your company," Alice said sincerely before leaving him angry and confused, thinking the conversation could have the adverse effect of making him avoid her altogether.
As she walked down the empty hall, the dream shifted another time and she turned the corner to witness Filch and several members of the Inquisitorial Squad escorting students. It was Harry and his makeshift army. Draco had Cho Chang by the arm, Filch held tight to Harry and Hermione by the shoulders. Dolores Umbridge was overseeing the entire process and suddenly noticed Alice's appearance.
"Is she involved?" Umbridge cried to the members of her squad, pointing a finger at Alice who had come that way to search for a quiet nook to study in.
Before any of his companions could speak, Draco raised his voice, "She isn't." He gave Alice a quick glance before forcefully moving Chang down the corridor with the rest of the students.
"Well go back to your dormitory, or I'll have you cited!" Umbridge yelled at her and Alice quickly turned the other way, holding her muggle book close to her chest. She was surprised that Draco didn't do what she expected he would. The last thing she felt before waking up was her heart beating heavily under her chest.
Alice awoke to the sound of her alarm clock, which she swatted accidentally off her nightstand. But she didn't care as it crashed to the floor because during this dream she felt she had made progress in some sort of sensible direction. She smiled at the dull ceiling above, wondering whether this was enough to settle the two pasts or would more still come. She wondered how she would know. If anything, it gave her hope that she could control whatever this past had in store.