"I am alone
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow
I am a rock, I am an island

I've built walls
A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
I am a rock, I am an island"

- "I am a Rock" by Simon & Garfunkel

Chapter 5

Alice enjoyed another day of classes. She found Hogwarts to be quite an interesting place. She decided to roam the corridors after school to get to know it better. She ended up wandering around without really knowing where was going. Soon enough, she ended up in the dungeons. This did not bother her, so she continued along her way.

Eventually, she spotted someone she recognized. She brightened and ran up to catch up with him. "Hey, Severus!" she said happily.

Severus glanced at her, seeming slightly surprised at the greeting. "Hello, Alice. What are you doing down here?"

"Just exploring."

"You shouldn't wander around down here alone."

Alice smiled at him. "But I'm not alone. I'm with you."

Severus gave her an odd look, but he didn't question her decision to accompany him. "I'm going to the Slytherin common room. You can't follow me into there."

Alice shrugged. "I'll just say with you until then."

Severus shook his head slightly. "Suit yourself."

Alice attempted to talk to Severus as they walked along the corridor. He nodded and listened politely but didn't add much to conversation. She figured this was good enough for now. When they neared the Slytherin common room, the door opened, and Regulus walked out. Alice brightened upon seeing him. "Hey, Regulus!"

Severus glanced at her. "You know him?"

"He's Sirius' brother."

Severus looked from Alice to Regulus. "Interesting..."

"Hello, Alice," Regulus said politely as he neared them. "Severus."

"Hi," said Severus. "I'm heading inside, so you can keep her company." He gently pushed Alice towards Regulus before walking past them to the common room.

Regulus looked at Alice with an emotionless expression. "I need to go." He started down the corridor.

Alice hurried after him. "Where are you going?"

Regulus did not look at her as he responded. "The library."

"That's nice. Are you going to study or are you looking for something to read for fun?"

"That's none of your business."

Alice frowned slightly. "I was just curious."

"Don't be. And stop following me."

"I'm not following you. I'm walking with you."

"Well, don't."

Alice looked him over critically, trying to figure out why he was acting this way. She had not given him any reason for him to dislike her. Except... she was friends with Sirius. She remembered he mentioned that the last time she talked to him. "Are you upset that I'm friends with Sirius?"

Regulus glanced at her momentarily. "I'm not upset. You should be friends with him. He is a better friend for you than me."

Alice found his choice of words curious but decided to reflect on them later. "I'm sure that's not true."

"He's told you about me, hasn't he? He must have told you that, unlike him, I always listen to and obey our parents. I can tell you don't approve of that."

Alice tilted her head to the side thoughtfully. "I can't say if I approve or disapprove if I don't know the reasons for your actions."

Regulus appeared surprised by her response. "What difference does it make?"

"It makes all the difference! If you told me, maybe I could-"

"I'm not telling you," Regulus said with an edge to his voice. "I don't tell my secrets to just anyone."

Alice let out a frustrated sigh. "How am I supposed to get close to you if you won't tell me anything about yourself?"

"You're not." With that, Regulus stepped onto a staircase that began to move, bringing him away from Alice. She was left with no choice but to walk off and come up with a new plan.

After roaming around some more, she ended up back in the Gryffindor common room. She spotted Lily on one of the couches with a quill and parchment, so she walked over to her. She let out a soft sigh as she sat down beside her.

Lily glanced at her with a small frown. "What's wrong?"

"Befriending Regulus is more difficult than I thought it would be," Alice replied.

Lily gave her a concerned look. "He didn't say anything mean to you, did he?"

Alice shook her head. "No, nothing like that. He shuts down any conversation before it starts and won't tell me anything about himself. I don't think he likes me."

Lily tilted her head to the side in thought. "I don't think that's it. After you pointed him out to me, I've noticed hit interactions with some of the other students. He has no problem snapping at them and acting rude if they annoy him. So, if all he's doing is avoiding you, I don't think it means he dislikes you. He probably just doesn't want anyone to get close to him. So, don't take it personally."

Alice nodded slowly. "Yes, that does make sense. But how do I get him to talk to me for more than two minutes?"

Lily shrugged. "Try different things until one of them sticks?"

"I suppose..." Alice did not know what else to do. It was not like she was going to give up. "I'll just have to do my best and hope he'll come around."

Lily gave her an encouraging smile. "I'm sure he will. Good luck."

Alice smiled slightly in return. "Thanks. I think I'll need it."

A week passed, but Alice did not find another opportunity to talk to Regulus. She was starting to wonder if he was purposefully avoiding her. Finally, during lunch on Monday, she decided to approach him him in a place where she knew he could not get away. Upon entering the Great Hall, she strolled over to the Slytherin table. She ignored the whispers of the Slytherin students as she searched for her target.

She brightened when she spotted Regulus. She stopped behind him to the right and cleared her throat. "Hello, Regulus," she said cheerfully.

Regulus turned in his seat, seeming slightly surprised to see her. "Alice. What are you doing here?"

Alice smiled. "Talking to you."

"You're not supposed to be over here."

"I don't remember reading anything like that in the student handbook."

"Regulus, do you know this girl?" asked the boy sitting next to him.

"We're friends," Alice said.

"No, we're not," said Regulus. "She's my brother's friend. He put you up to this, didn't he? I bet he's getting his laughs."

Alice furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Why would you say something like that?" He was right that she was talking to him because of Sirius, but why did he assume that his brother's motives were negative? She thought Regulus was more perceptive than that.

"Take a look yourself." He motioned to the Gryffindor table.

She followed his gaze, frowning when she spotted Sirius and James looking in their direction, grinning in laughing. She glanced back at Regulus. "I have nothing to do with that."

"There's no reason to stand," said the girl across from him. "Sit down."

"No, don't," said Regulus. "She was just leaving."

"Why are you being so rude when a pretty girl is giving you attention?" said the boy next to the girl.

Alice smiled at the boy. "You think I'm pretty? Thanks!"

The boy nodded. "Don't you think she's pretty, Regulus?" In response, Regulus made a noncommittal noise.

Alice had a feeling this was the most she was going to get out of him today. "Well, I should be going. It was nice to meet you all. Bye!" The Slytherin students - minus Regulus - said goodbye to her as she headed over to the Gryffindor table.

"Hey, Alice, over here!" James called from across the table.

Alice paused in her quest to sit in an empty sit, turning to see James and Sirius waving at her. She headed over to them, and they moved apart to give her room to sit down. She nodded at Remus and Peter, who were sitting across from them. "What's going on, guys?"

"That's what we'd like to ask you," said James. "Why were you talking to those Slytherins?"

"Sirius didn't tell you?" said Alice. She glanced at Sirius, and he merely grinned. She rolled her eyes. "I was trying to talk to Regulus, Sirius' brother. Sirius asked me to try to get through to him." She paused. "By the way, there's nothing wrong with the other Slytherins. They seemed pretty nice."

James shrugged. "That's because they're first years. They'll learn."

Alice raised her eyebrows. "So, you admit that your problem with them is something learned and not innate?" He merely looked away.

"Okay, I didn't ask you to become friends with all the Slytherins," said Sirius, "just Regulus."

Alice let out a heavy sigh. "Yes, I know."

"Are you having troubles?" Remus asked with a sympathetic look.

Alice nodded. "Regulus won't let me get close to him at all. I can't even have a basic conversation with him."

Remus frowned. "That's odd. You're very good at reading people and knowing how to make them comfortable so they open up to you. I would think that would work on Slytherins too."

"The other Slytherins had no problem with me. It's just him."

"Maybe he thinks you're only nice to him because you're nice to everyone," said James.

Alice looked at him, her eyebrows furrowing in thought. "You mean... he wants to feel special?"

James nodded. "Exactly."

"Then I should do something nice for him that I wouldn't normally do for others." She looked around at the boys, her gaze lingering on Sirius. "Any ideas?"

"Don't ask me," said Sirius. "If I knew how to break through his icy exterior, I would have done it myself. He's avoiding me too, you know."

"I-I have an idea," Peter said quietly.

Alice's expression softened as she looked at him. She gave him a warm, encouraging smile. "What is it?"

He gave her a timid smile in return. "You said your family runs a bakery, right?"

She nodded. "That's right."

"Would your parents send you some of their sweets if you asked?"

Alice thought about it for a moment. Her parents did deliver some of their baked goods quite a distance, so there should be no problem mailing some to her. "Yes."

"Then maybe you could give some to Regulus. I don't think he could refuse a gift like that."

Alice brightened at the suggestion. "That's a great idea! Thanks, Peter!"

Peter smile slightly and nodded. "No problem."

"I'll my my parents right after classes." Alice felt excited about the plan. This just had to work. No way could Regulus reject something good to eat.

Several days later, Alice dreamed about water. It was everywhere, and she could not get rid of it. Everyone she cared about was in there, drowning. She could do nothing to save them. She woke up gasping for air. She may have even screamed, but perhaps that was in her dream.

She bolted out of bed and looked around frantically to see if she had woke anyone. Luckily, her roommates were still asleep. She did not feel relaxed, though. Her heart was still racing, and she knew she would not be able to fall asleep for awhile. This was not the first time this year she had a nightmare.

She got up and made her way to the common room, needing something to do. She froze when she saw movement near one of the couches. "Wh-who's there?"

The figure stood up and turned to face her. She relaxed when she saw it was Sirius. "It's only me," he said in a friendly tone.

Alice gave him a weak smile as she approached him. "Hi. What are you doing here?"

Sirius shrugged. "Sometimes I can't sleep, so I come out here to think. What about you?" He sat down on the couch, and she sat beside him.

She hesitated before responding. "I... I couldn't sleep either."

Sirius' expression softened. "Did you have a nightmare or something?"

Alice nodded. There was no use hiding it now. "Yes."

Sirius immediately put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. She gratefully leaned against him, her head on his shoulder and her arms around him. She found his presence comforting, and her anxiety began to ease. He spoke to her in a soft, gentle voice. "Do you want to talk to me about it?"

"Y-Yeah." Alice took a deep breath before delving into her dream. Her voice was shaky as she spoke, but it felt good to get it off her chest. Sirius listened attentively while he gently rubbed her back to comfort her.

"I'm sorry," he said softly once she had finished. "Does this happen often?"

Alice nodded. "Sometimes I dream about my sister, other times it's people who are still alive." She leaned against him even more, and he rested her head on hers. "I miss her, Sirius."

"I know. You have a right to miss her. If you ever want to talk, I'm here."

Alice smiled slightly despite the situation. She was grateful to have such a dependable friend. His comfort did make her feel better. "Thanks. I am here if you ever want to talk too, you know."

Sirius sounded a little surprised as he replied. "Thanks, but I'm fine."

Alice pulled back to look at him. She knew he was not fine. He acted carefree, but she knew his family situation affected him. She decided to address only one aspect of his situation. "You miss your brother."

A look of sadness crossed Sirius' face before he hid it. "I suppose I do."

Alice suddenly felt a surge of determination. She had to do something. She was helpless to bring her sister back, but she could help her friend restore his relationship with his sibling. "I'll keep working on him. Don't worry. He'll come around."

Sirius gave her a small smile. "Thanks, but don't be too disappointed if it doesn't work. He's a stubborn one."

"Perhaps, but I'm persistent. I'll find a way."

He chuckles softly. "I'm sure you will."

The day finally arrived. Alice received a package in the post from her parents which contained a case of macarons. She took the treats to lunch and immediately walked over to the Slytherin table. She gave Regulus a big grin as she stopped in front of him.

Regulus looked at her with raised eyebrows. "May I help you?"

Alice smiled at him and held out her tray of macarons. "I brought you some macarons from my family's bakery at Paris."

Regulus looked at the pastries and then back at her. "No thank you."

Alice frowned. "Come on! Just try one."

"You're just trying to be my friend."

"So what? Is that a bad thing?"

"I don't need any friends."

Alice held in a sigh. She was getting nowhere with this. "Look, I'm not going to leave until you have a bite."

"I'll try one," said the boy sitting next to him.

Regulus raised his eyebrows at her. Instead of arguing, he took a strawberry macaron and took a bite. She watched with an eager expression. After a moment, he made a face and set the treat down. "It's too sweet." After a nudge from the other boy, he handed him the macaron.

Alice's face fell. "What? Too sweet?"

Regulus shrugged. "Better luck next time."

"I'll take one," said a Slytherin girl.

Alice gave her a small smile and offered her a macaron. She ended up giving away half of the treats to the Slytherins before she left for the Gryffindor table. She sat down next to Peter and let out a heavy sigh. "Here, you can have these," she muttered before giving Peter the rest of the macarons.

Peter looked at her in surprise. "M-Me? Why?"

"Yeah, why does he get them all?" said James.

"You're the one who gave me the idea to give them to Regulus," Alice said to Peter. "It didn't work, but I appreciate your willingness to help."

Peter still seemed shocked but he smiled slightly. "Thanks..."

"Aw, we don't get any?" said Sirius.

Remus chuckled lightly. "He can share if he wants." Alice stared miserably at the food on the table while Peter gave some macarons to his friends.

"Why the long face?"

She looked up at him. "I told you. Regulus didn't like my macarons. He said they're too sweet."

Sirius shrugged. "I can see that." He took a bite of the pastry. "But I think they're great."

Alice smiled slightly at him. "Thanks. Do you have any idea what kind of desserts Regulus would like?"

Sirius shook his head. "He always eats whatever our parents set out, and he never shows any indication whether he likes it or not."

"He's the typical pompous pure-blood, right?" said James. "Maybe he likes something more sophisticated."

"Sophisticated..." Alice mused. "French have a lot of that. It wouldn't hurt to try." Her mind quickly tried to think about other options that could catch Regulus' attention. There had to be something that would work!