There was an unnerving uncertainty swirling in Alice's stomach from her current dream. She wondered whether confiding to that past's Draco about her extracurricular muggle curriculum was beneficial to building his trust or did it provide him another path to take in his mission to destroy Dumbledore. Alice thought their conversation during Snape's detention was friendlier than any had been; Draco mentioned the stress he was under, expressed a certain feeling of hopelessness, and he directed a few personal inquiries to her. He had refrained from calling her "mudblood," even if her ancestry was still speculative to him and the school. Then there was Professor Snape, who suspected something; she didn't know if he sensed her alternate self or simply found her behavior odd for other reasons.
Alice tried to take in the calmness of the lake as she waited for Draco to stir from his nap. They were alone on a vast landscape somewhere in the magical realm. She could hear the breeze blowing and the subtle breathing of her partner. Their relationship went against all other's expectations, and yet they had fallen in love so easily. But in her alternate past, she could barely hold a pleasant conversation with him. With each new encounter, she could sense the turmoil he was going through; the fear he held inside; how alone he must have felt. He had come so far form that time, from his ingrained beliefs, from his need to bully. As she looked down at him sleeping peacefully, Alice appreciated his love even more.
She then calmed her thoughts and meditated, breathing in the clean air, waiting. While Draco wanted Alice to share her problems with him, she couldn't help but feel sorry for doing so. There was always another dream to over-analyze and worry about. As she meditated, the world slowed down for five minutes until she felt a soft hand on her back.
"Hey," Draco said quietly, not knowing if Alice was sleeping.
She fluttered her eyes open, realizing she had not heard him move. Huddling close to him, she started, "It happened again…"
"…It might be wise if you learn Occlumency," Draco said after Alice finished discussing her worries about Snape. "Snape could use Legilimency to know your thoughts."
"A teacher would do that?" Alice asked surprised, thinking that was certainly an abuse of power.
"If he suspects something amiss," Draco confirmed, "It's a trying time at Hogwarts and especially for Snape who's playing both sides. Just because you're Dumbledore's granddaughter doesn't mean you're trusted."
"Snape tried to help you though, right?" Alice asked unsure.
"He was obligated to, but I wouldn't have it," Draco remembered. "He did try using Legilimency to find out what I was up too, but I was taught Occlumency by my aunt so no one would know my secret. That's why I'm saying it's not unlike him to try."
"Okay, I'll learn," Alice felt it was another impossible magic trick but she would give it a try, "But I could have another dream tonight and be completely unprepared. I have to be more careful with how I act, especially around Snape."
"And around me," Draco reminded her, "I'm not so sure if befriending me is exactly the right strategy. I honestly think avoidance is better."
"But the dreams are placing us together for a reason, if not to reach out to you then what?" Alice thought forward, "I'm curious about the next school year, when Death Eaters are in charge of the school…"
Draco shook his head, not wanting to think that far ahead, "I'm hoping you're not at the school at that time; that you're hidden, safe."
"I'd be imprisoned, wouldn't I? If my documents confirm that I'm muggle-born?" Alice asked.
"Yes, after the Ministry fell they began rounding up all muggle-borns, having them prove their ancestry. But if you try and prove your link to Dumbledore, either they won't believe you or it'll make you a target," Draco said concerned.
"Those who hid themselves probably didn't stand much more of a chance," Alice thought aloud.
"Many were killed by the snatchers who went after them," Draco confirmed solemnly.
"If this situation arises, I have no clue which direction to go in," Alice said perturbed.
Draco then thought, "You need to find out more information, maybe from your grandfather."
"He seems to brush off any need for my concern. He doesn't want me to get involved," Alice noted.
"But you will be involved and dangerously so," Draco said adamantly, "The school already suspects some discrepancy in your ancestry so ask for his opinion, maybe he'll give provide you some form of guidance."
Alice nodded, accepting that this should be her next task, "It's a starting point," then realizing the time, "We should go, it's almost dinner time."
They had spent a majority of the late afternoon discussing her recent dreams that time seemed to speed up. After they apparated to the grand foyer of Malfoy Manor, Alice was immediately rundown by Fritz, who scampered from the drawing room to greet them.
"Something smells good," Draco commented on the aroma wafting through the place.
"I hope so," Narcissa exclaimed, also coming from the drawing room, "I did request Loister to make a proper roast so hopefully he complied. House elves aren't what they use to be."
"Not after all the Ministry's ethics regulations for them," Lucius said disdainfully, also coming from the drawing room.
Draco gave Alice a brief explanation, "If Loister feels mistreated, he can file a report with the Ministry and we could be cited. But house elves are also contracted to their master and expect harsh treatment so it's unlikely they'd file a claim."
Alice laughed, "Still, keeping oneself out of trouble with the Ministry is wise."
"Yes, we all know that well," Narcissa quickly agreed. "Well, you two come on in and get comfortable. We have a lot to discuss."
The discussion had to do with the upcoming wedding and with Alice moving to the manor. Something she was eager but nervous about at the same time.
"I'm thinking of extending Draco's room into the adjoining lounge. I know you're going to need more space," Narcissa mused over her plans for renovation, "It is perfect for an extra office, which I'm sure you'll want."
"That'd be great, especially if you could manage to add electricity in that space?" Alice said politely though unsure.
"Of course, of course" Narcissa said, "And don't worry, you won't have to share the same closet. There will be a whole other space for your clothes, one worthy of a Malfoy."
Alice smiled at Narcissa's tone, both knowing how necessary a larger space for clothing was for both of them.
Draco added amused, "Alice is already carrying on a family tradition."
"You don't think I'd let you marry someone who lacked style," Narcissa joked.
"You'll learn more and more that this family is all about image," Draco said in passing.
"As are other families in our rank, the difference is we make it look effortless," Narcissa said cockily.
"Well, I never thought dressing good was a chore," Alice replied.
"Precisely, and it shouldn't be," she exclaimed, "Especially not when you have the means to do so."
Then Lucius commented dryly, "The money this woman spends on clothing…"
"Not as much as you invest in worthless companies," Narcissa interrupted, "Not that he'd admit it but he likes dressing up just as much as I do. Draco is a bit more subdued with his fashion though."
"I admire a good suit when I come across it," Draco corrected her, while being amused by his father agitation.
"You were always that way," Alice asked, thinking of him in her dreams, "With your black custom suits?"
Draco looked at her and realized it wasn't a question but a realization, "I guess so."
"That reminds me," Narcissa remembered, "I found some old photographs," she got up from her armchair and went to a side cupboard, pulling out some leather bound photo albums.
"She isn't…" Draco remarked quietly after seeing the books.
"I am," she replied, of course hearing his remark. "I've been reminiscing since you two began teaching at Hogwarts, thinking of when Draco went off to school." She opened one of the photo albums to a page showing a moving picture of the family holding Draco as an infant.
Alice couldn't help but smile, despite Draco's utter embarrassment. She then told Narcissa, "My father did the same thing to me when he visited, actually devoting luggage space to photo albums. I'm glad you're providing retribution."
Narcissa laughed, turning the page while giving anecdotes to each of the pictures. Lucius poured him and Draco another glass of tonic to distance them from the embarrassment.
"And this is him in his quidditch uniform. We were really proud when he made team seeker his second year," Narcissa continued turning the pages. Alice began seeing in the pictures the face she knew in her dreams, making her relive them again.
"…And that's as far as they go I'm afraid," she closed the album which ended after his fifth year, saying solemnly, "There weren't many worthy moments to document after that."
Alice looked at her consolingly.
"But," Narcissa started optimistically, "You've already prompted me to start a new album." She placed the one unopened album on her lap and opened it, revealing a picture of Alice and Draco on their engagement night. Alice didn't even remember the picture being taken, as it showed them entering the banquet room smiling at each other, hand-in-hand.
"This will start your memories of your married life together," she said, handing the album to Alice who took it graciously, thanking her. After looking at Draco, who seemed also touched by the gesture, Alice fully felt the acceptance that he and his family had given her; something that would have been impossible for them a decade ago. She understood this slightly better now since her dreams began, having encountered the sheer prejudice and misunderstanding Draco had for muggles and muggle-borns. This family had been through an emotionally devastating and dangerous roller coaster, barely surviving Voldemort's humiliating takeover of their lives and home, while also suffering the social sting of their involvement. After all this, for Alice to end up here, a muggle accepted into their pure-blood family, was an almost unthinkable occurrence.
Lucius, feeling uncomfortable with the love fest, interjected, "Could we finish with this sentimentality before it spoils my appetite?"
"Oh please," Narcissa spat, "I saw you secretly looking through these very albums the other day," then she said nicely to Alice, "He often pretends he doesn't care, but he does. Just see, he'll be an emotional wreck on the wedding day."
Alice glanced at Lucius who looked annoyed by his wife's insinuation. Then he stated derisively, "But not for joyous sentimental reasons."
Alice smiled at him, "I hope it won't be too painful for you Mr. Malfoy."
"I think father has a pretty high threshold for pain," Draco added, "Just wait until Alice calls you 'dad'."
Alice tried to suffocate her laugh, but did so unsuccessfully. Then Narcissa added amused, "Well, it's just something he'll have to get use to."
"Yes," Lucius added slowly, "I'm quite aware of my choices or lack thereof. And in time, Alice will learn what it takes to be a Malfoy, if she can handle it."
Alice looked at him and said seriously, "I'm actually quite proud to become a Malfoy and hope that I can contribute to the family's history, not deduct from it."
Lucius noted her sincerity and nodded as if to say he was holding her to her word. The family would soon eat a lavishly prepared dinner and then find themselves in the drawing room, drawing up plans for the wedding. It was decided to hold it in one of the manor's gardens, which had an elaborate glass gazebo that could be heated during the winter months. Narcissa and Alice also planned to go dress shopping together the following weekend.
The excitement of the joyous occasion seemed far removed from the troubles Alice was experiencing in her dream reality. If only she knew how to make the other one move in the same direction. That night she stayed with Draco at the manor, falling asleep in his arms; something she missed dearly since they started teaching. There, her world seemed perfect, making it harder to close her eyes and drift away from it.
Dream 7:
Noticing immediately that she was dressed in her modest school uniform, with the tie too tight, Alice looked up to see the stone sphinx that guarded the spiral staircase which weaved up to the headmaster's office. Time had passed in this realm since her last dream and Katie Bell had recently been hexed. Alice realized she was so far spared from being used by Draco in his mission.
Stopping before the entrance, the steps began descending, meaning someone was coming from the office above. Soon she came face to face with Harry Potter, who had just met with Dumbledore to further discuss his mission for the school year; which Alice knew had something to do with Professor Slughorn.
She nodded in acknowledgement of him, not necessarily being friends with 'the chosen one,' especially after rejecting his and Hermione's invitation to be part of Dumbledore's Army last year. Alice remained on the fringe of the school, preferring solitude to involvement; for this she was misunderstood and slightly mistrusted, even to her fellow Ravenclaws. If it wasn't for Luna, Harry would have been weary to have even mentioned the Army to Alice. Now the current rumors of her ancestry made her even more recognizable to students who queried whether it had anything to do with her oddness. Other muggle-born students, like Hermione, who may have felt kinship with Alice for their shared minority, also grew suspicious of her. She heard from Luna that some already suspected she wasn't muggle-born because she wasn't attacked by the Basilisk when the Chamber of Secrets was opened in her first year, as other muggle-borns were. Simply being a topic of conversation among classmates made Alice even more uncomfortable in her surroundings and reminded her that she needed to discuss this with her grandfather tonight.
Seeing Alice, Harry nodded in greeting, asking, "Have an appointment with Dumbledore too?"
"That's right," Alice said disinterested, hoping to continue up the steps without anymore conversation.
"Well, see you at Slughorn's Christmas party no doubt," Harry said pleasantly as he passed her.
Just that week Alice sat near him and Hermione at one of Slughorn's social dinners, an ongoing part of his recruitment for his Slug Club. Alice's steady top grades and academic potential of course made her eligible for the elite group. She would have preferred to stay out of it, but her grandfather insisted it would be good way for her to socialize. The round table dinner became extremely uncomfortable when asked what her parents did; even if she went after Hermione who explained that both her parents were dentists. Alice quickly stated that her father is a financial advisor while her mother is deceased. Several of the students looked at each other as if it offered any more clues about her ancestry. Slughorn, who didn't know of the rumor, didn't linger on what he thought was a tender issue of a dead mother. Alice had to endure some rude stares from Blaise who sat across from her, reminding her of his cold, insensitive interrogation in her own time.
After rounding the staircase, Alice found her grandfather's office eerily tense, as the old wizard continued to stare into his Pensieve. She knew he had a brilliant mind, but she couldn't help but feel that Voldemort was providing him a challenge unlike he ever anticipated. And his time had been considerably shortened by the fatal curse of Marvolo Gaunt's ring. It pained her to know that he was in his final months.
"I'm glad we are able to meet again before I leave," he said steadily, still contemplating issues from his prior meeting with Potter. Unknown to anyone, he would be taking off that evening.
"I'm glad too, I have to ask you something," Alice started, still uncertain how to word her worries.
"Yes, the rumor about your ancestry has caused quite a stir amongst the school," he said in recognition of her troubles; she felt as if he was reading her thoughts.
Alice replied hastily, "I don't think it's safe for me to identify as muggle-born anymore."
"Nor is it safe for you to identify as my granddaughter," he said solemnly still looking into the dark liquid.
Sounding a bit hopeless, Alice asked, "Then what should I do?"
Turning from the Pensieve he spoke directly to her, "Your original ancestry documents were destroyed along with the memories of those whose hands they passed through. They were then replaced by ones that lay no claim to my line. However, I embedded a charm that will alter them when the timing is right." His voice was steady and assured; he had thought this through already.
"When?" Alice prodded; she detested how vague he was.
"When it is necessary," he said casually, walking over to the desk to sit down. He was looking more frail than normal. "It is wise to hide the truth until it specifically asked of you, until your freedom depends on it."
Alice wondered whether this was when the Ministry of Magic invoked the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, enforcing all muggle-borns to be interrogated, facing imprisonment and degradation for what they would call "stealing magic." Would her secret be revealed then? What would happen once Voldemort discovered Dumbledore had an heir? Would he care?
Dumbledore then added, "Continue on your path and you'll be safe, as long as you're true to yourself. You are ready."
For a moment, Alice felt that he knew about her alternate life; that he knew of her mission to save herself from that tragedy that would have befallen her if she couldn't change it.
Before she could respond the dream shifted and she was standing in girl's bathroom with Luna in front of her. Alice was helping her fix her long blonde hair for Slughorn's party that evening. Luna was wearing a hideous metallic tiered gown, which, despite its unattractiveness, matched her personality fittingly.
"I think that looks good," Luna said after Alice pinned another lock of her hair back.
"I think so too," Alice replied cheerfully, noticing she was wearing a short but tasteful black cocktail dress, something befitting of her style.
"You like to wear black don't you?" Luna asked curiously, while putting in her radish earrings.
"You never can go wrong with black, it's classy and understated," Alice replied proudly, pulling back her hair into a sleek ponytail.
"Clothes do express your personality," Luna stated, "So it suits you."
"Thanks," Alice said, unsure if it was a compliment.
"You're welcome. I should go meet Harry," she said calmly, "I don't want to get lost."
"I'll see you there," Alice said, still fixing her hair.
Before leaving, Luna added, "It's too bad you don't have a date, you really look lovely."
Alice looked in the mirror again thinking that it was typical of her at this age not to have one. She was later informed that it was because she intimidated those who would've asked her, not to mention at this school she was even more misunderstood.
Putting on her heels, she made her way to the seventh floor, noting the red floating lanterns that were illuminating the high arched ceilings above her. Her shoes made a clacking noise that echoed down the hall. Being out of her uniform and in a dress and heels made her forget that she was a student; for a moment she felt like the twenty-six year old who taught Muggle Studies on the fifth floor.
Walking into the party, she was greeted by Professor Slughorn, who noted how tall she seemed and then asked why she didn't bring anyone. But before she could reply, another student approached the rotund professor with his date. Alice side-stepped the group and went to grab a glass of what appeared to be champagne from Neville who was walking around with a serving tray. She noted how odd it was to see the Herbology professor serving drinks to other students. Alice was glad his future self moved past this degradation into a respectable career.
Alice then noticed Professor Snape, who seemed to be looking for someone. Her glance prompted him to give her a suspicious look, making her feel slightly vulnerable. He definitely suspected something, she thought, and now knowing he was a skilled Legilimens, she tried not to let her thoughts betray her. She quickly went to join Luna who was talking with Ginny Weasley nearby. Already Alice wondered why this party was of any importance for her to pass through in her dream.
After a few minutes of mindless chit-chat about their dresses, and Alice noticing Snape talking to Harry Potter, Filch stumbled into the event holding none other than Draco by the back of his blazer. This prompted everyone to stop what they were doing and stare at the duo. Alice was quick to move in front of everyone, not sure what to expect.
"Mr. Slughorn sir, I just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party," Filch said to the confused professor, who promptly stopped the photographer next to him from taking a picture.
"Okay okay, I was…" Draco started to explain.
"Waiting for me," Alice interjected quickly with a smile as she stepped next to him, "Our meeting time was off." Then saying to Draco convincingly, "Sorry about that."
All the students stared at her in disbelief, but Alice continued, saying specifically to Slughorn, "He's my date."
Slughorn finally spoke to the crowd, acting completely unfazed by the situation, "Well of course, this beautiful young lady wouldn't come alone! That'll be all Filch."
Filch unwillingly let go of Draco's suit as he jerked away from him, prompting the young man to sneer at the old gatekeeper disdainfully.
Slughorn told the party attendees to carry-on, though looks of disbelief had not left many of their faces. Alice found herself reaching to fix Draco's collar, which had curled up from Filch's rough dragging; something she would have done in her reality. He back away from her touch, which made Alice realize she was not that twenty-six year old professor and he wasn't her fiancé. Draco gave her a look of anger before grabbing her arm and dragging her from the party to the outside hallway. She willingly followed him, trying to act like she wasn't being forced by his hand. Once in the darkened recesses of the hall, his grip tightened on her arm and he threw her against the wall, making her hit her back against the stone surface. He pulled his out his wand and placed it at her throat.
"Why are you helping me? What do you know?" He said hastily.
Alice looked at him searchingly, noting the fear behind the anger in his eyes, "Just trying to get you out of detention." Then adding optimistically, "It worked, didn't it?"
He pondered whether this was the truth as he slowly lowered his wand.
"Sorry if I embarrassed you Draco," Alice added concerned, "I can return to the party alone, answer any questions as you like." She noticed his breathing was trying to steady itself, as if his nerves finally realized the trauma of the previous situation. He was extremely fragile and probably in turmoil over the misdirection of his previous plot to send a cursed necklace to Dumbledore. Katie Bell didn't die in the exchange, but if she was released from St. Mungo's fully healed, would she remember her curser? These thoughts must have been haunting him.
"No…" he started confused, perhaps even unsure of what Alice said.
"Hey," Alice placed a hand on his shoulder, saying sincerely, "It'll be alright."
They each heard footsteps and the dark figure of Severus Snape appeared at the end of the hallway. As he approached the two, Alice looked again at Draco who seemed bewildered by the past events. She said again to him, "It'll be alright."
Then directing her voice to Snape, "I was just leaving." The professor glared at her suspiciously, but didn't stop her from departing. She quickly clacked her heels down the hall, feeling mild pain in her back before being thrust into a new part of her dream.
This time she sat alone in Professor Snapes' office, presumably serving another Friday night detention for making Pansy Parkinson fall down the stairs. But this time she felt very uncomfortable, as if awaiting interrogation.
"It's obvious you know something," he said scathingly, pacing nearby, "Did Dumbledore give you information?"
"No," Alice said, unsure of Snape's interest. From what she knew from her reality, Snape was loyal to her grandfather; that he died bravely maintaining his allegiance to the Order. Alice wasn't worried about him causing her harm but she wondered what it was about this moment that needed to be changed. Should she confide in him and ask for his help? Maybe that's it, she thought.
"Then perhaps you're being used by someone?" He sounded intrigued by this unique implication.
"Of course not!" Alice said adamantly.
"It's obvious you're lying," he replied, looking at her incriminatingly. "What is it then?" He seemed to search her mind, she wondered if he was attempting Legilimency on her.
"I can't explain, but," she hesitated, but not being able to turn back, she said, "I can show you, through my thoughts." She then let him into her mind.
Snape first saw a recent memory of Narcissa handing a slightly older Alice a photo album, hearing Narcissa's mellow voice say, "This will start your memories of your married life together;" the photograph of Alice and Draco walking hand and hand after their engagement repeated in front of him.
Then her memories shifted farther back to her trail and Snape saw Alice standing in the center of a crowded courtroom, looking uncertain but holding her dignity. Before her was a sea of plum colored robes, and Snape immediately knew she was being interrogated by the Wizengamot. He recognized the older sixth year Slytherin student Blaise Zabini, addressing the audience, "Alice McNally was brought into custody in order to assess the source of her information…Her knowledge, however, is rightly her own, deduced from years of personal research. We also conducted blood and ancestry tests that conclusively showed that she is the granddaughter of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. However, she possesses no magical ability. The reason for which became apparent after another series of tests showed that an enchantment placed on her as a child effectively repressed her magical gene…"
Alice's memories then transported Snape to Olivander's wand shop, where he saw Alice standing next to Draco as the old wizard pulled a wand box from one of his back shelves, blowing the dust off its badly worn box. Alice looked on apprehensively as Olivander spoke the words, "Very rare that a wand has been waiting for you since your coming of age; that it should wait and survive the destruction of this very store…"
Again her memories changed to a sunlit grassy lawn in the Malfoy's outside garden. Alice threw a stick and a large Irish wolf hound ran hastily after it. Draco stood nearby and began levitating the stick in mid-air with his wand, making the wolf hound look up in confusion. Alice shook her head in amusement, feigning dismay, "That's awful!" To which Draco replied equally amused, "Isn't it though?" before having the stick fly further away. "Magic is just pure whimsy," Alice remarked while walking over to Draco, her hand reaching out to him as he took it and pulled her to where they were holding each other arm distance apart. "You just haven't learned the interesting spells yet," Draco said jokingly to which Alice replied skeptically, "How about useful ones?" Draco then said to her sincerely, "You don't have to use magic Alice, especially not because of me." Alice smiled at him, "I know. You'd still love me even if my enchantment wasn't lifted." Draco nodded to the words he'd already told her. "But I wonder," Alice though aloud, "Why did my grandfather lift it? What do I have to be ready for?"
This inquiry led Snape to another memory; as he stood in the Muggle Studies classroom on the fifth floor of Hogwarts. He saw Alice leaning against the front desk, her arms were crossed and she looked out on a classroom of seated students. She spoke to them, "Being a muggle means you have no choice in your ignorance of the magical world. You're obligated to not know. So one thing I will reiterate again and again in this class is to never forget that you are privileged to be keepers of knowledge that is kept from so many. But there's a further step beyond knowledge, which is understanding. This involves having to think clearly and critically…"
Her memory then cycled back to something more recent as Draco and her sat next to each other on a blanket, looking out on a large lake. Alice spoke, "I wish these dreams would just resolve themselves so I can focus on something that I'm supposed to be stressing about, like our wedding." Draco looked at her consolingly, "I wish I could help." "You are," Alice sounded grateful, "I know everything I possible can about that reality." Looking back over the lake, Draco added, "Except for your fate." Alice nodded, "Maybe this is what my grandfather said I was ready for. I have to resolve both realities before I'm allowed to move on."
The memories broke and Snape looked at Alice slightly bewildered, not at all expecting what he encountered in her mind.
"I may need your help, perhaps not now, but in the future," Alice said immediately, expecting his reaction.
Snape reverted to deep concentration, immediately turning away from Alice. "You possess dangerous information on the fate of this world. If it falls into the wrong hands…Who else knows?"
"No one, not even my grandfather," she said quickly.
"Keep it that way," he said sternly.
Alice nodded, "I'll learn Occlumency, I know it's necessary."
Snape added, "And it's imperative that you refrain from telling me anything of my fate or others."
"No one's fate except my own is at stake," Alice confided, "In my world, upon recollection of my existence, Dumbledore foresaw tragedy in my future. That's why he suppressed my magical gene and I grew up as a muggle with no recollection of my ancestry." She paused briefly before continuing, "Then I wrote a book expressing a hypothetical world in which magic exists; I reiterated events from the later half of the twentieth century with surprisingly accuracy. It ended up getting me suspected and charged by the Ministry for working against their statute of wizarding secrecy. That's how I met Draco while also discovering my ancestry. After the trial, I saw my grandfather in a trance and he lifted my enchantment telling me I was ready, but for what I didn't know. I'm assuming it was to resolve this alternate past that I could've lived."
"You have two existences that need to be reconciled," Snape knew of its possibility, even if it was an extremely rare occurrence. He said slightly dismayed, "It may have been a mistake to have told me."
"But you suspected something. I was informed that I'll be given clues to my path here. One is Draco, there's something about our relationship that I need to change. But I don't think I can do this alone, especially with what will happen next year." Snape then looked at Alice and he could see the maturity in her eyes. Being on the verge of pleading, she said to him, "Draco says you're an honorable man, loyal and brave beyond measure. I would not have confided in you otherwise."
Despite feeling the weight of another loaded responsibility, Snape conceded to assist her, adding, "I cannot guarantee your safety."
"I don't expect heroics. You know my truth as I already know yours," she said boldly, referring to his true allegiances, "I just want to survive, so I can live my life."
The scene changed and Alice found herself seated alone at the very back of the Hogwarts Express, as it returned to London for the start of the holiday break. She realized that her grandfather kept his word and gave her back her CD player, since she heard slow electronic melodies playing in her ears. She was resting her chin on the back of her hand, watching the hills drift by outside her window. Having Snape on her side made her feel slightly more relaxed about her predicament, which would get tenser with time. She knew this was the calm before the storm.