ALICE CHAPTER 32

ALICE POV


The chilly wind whipped my dark hair across my face gently as I slid down the tall, black iron gate to the outside of Malfoy Manor.

Get out of my sight.

I squeezed the memory to the back of my brain and went on my way down the narrow road. Not only could I get out of his face, I could get out of his house too. What did I even do? I'd always seen girls at the orphanage get hit, but there, it was normal. Living in such a huge place, I'd assumed the Malfoys were a loving sort.
Memories of Draco's blood
stained cheek and the hurt in his eyes made something in my stomach turn. A dark feeling of "I really should not have seen that" haunted my head.
So it was just a slap. It could have gotten worse, like at the orphanage. All this time, Draco had been so proud of his father. I'd never have guessed abuse was going on.

I heard a car slow down behind me. I always was paranoid someone would come from behind me, stab me, shoot me, rape me, kidnap me. This time it was different. This time, with an abused boyfriend and a spazzy brother, walking out in the cold darkness, it couldn't get much worse.
I sniffed and felt something wet fall on my head. Wiping it off, I turned up to the sky to see dark thunder clouds overhead.

Really. Are you serious.

Cold rain poured down on my black hair, sliding of the strands and sneaking into my eyes. The car I heard behind me honked, and I spun around, soaking wet in tears, rain, I didn't even know anymore.

Waving out the blue car's window was a familiar head or orange hair.

"Alice Potter? Is that you?" I recognized Mr Weasley's voice and smiled weakly. He squinted at me and then ran out carrying a thick grey blanket.
Ron's Dad hurried me into the passenger seat of his old Ford and hit the pedal hard.

"What are you, famous Alice Potter, doing out in the cold at midnight?" He cried incredulously, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Barely famous." I muttered, pulling the blanket around me tighter and sniffing in the smell of leather.

"Mishap at Malfoy Manor..didnt turn out as planned I suppose." I sighed, wishing the subject would pass. Luckily Mr Weasley took the hint and moved on.

"Hermione and Ron, and Harry too, their all at the Burrow!" He laughed heartily.

"Sorry?" I sneezed loudly and shivered.

"The burrow! Weasley home! Oh, Ginny'll have to show you around, not much, but it's home!"

In the distance I spotted a lopsided looking, old run down place. Giant grey clouds still loomed over us threateningly.

"Mr Weasley...I don't really think this is a good idea..."

"But why not?" He stared at me sadly and looked deep in thought.

I sighed. How was I to explain this to such an excepting, caring sort?

"Ginny, Ron, Harry, Hermione, the twins, everyone's in Gryffindor. Even my parents were, I'm the odd one out. I'm the Slytherin, the outcast." I squeezed the last couple words out, gulping back salty tears.

"Oh, nonsense! We all think of you as family!" He reassured me but the silence that came after the remark left me wondering.

Mr Weasley pulled into the side of the road and led me up to the door of the "Burrow."

When we stepped in, I realized it was extremely warm and cozy-feeling. Sitting at a small table was Fred, George, Hermione, Ginny, a bony-faced orange-head, and Ron. Beside Ron was...

Harry and my eyes locked together and he Gave me a caring, warm, I'm-so-glad-your-safe smile.

"Oh dear! Alice, Alice! What happened to you?!" Mrs Weasley came over to me and fussed with the blanket I still held around my arms.

"Ronald! Take Alice to the fireplace! Harry, Hermione, you also, don't want to catch a cold.." Mrs Weasley rushed us up some stairs, and, as if on cue, I sneezed twice.

Ron led us into a cozy room with a big fireplace in one corner. Tons of trophies and medals, pictures and painting adorned the pale yellow walls.

In another corner I spotted a light brown grande piano. The legs had cuts in them, and the whole thing was very worn out. A tiny little vase of violets lay atop it.
"Oh, Ginny used to play, gave that up rather quick." Ron motioned towards the instrument, after noticing my liking for it.
I ran my fingers lightly along the keys, making no noise. Memories of the old white piano at the orphanage came back to me. Playing hours on end, taking away my struggles. That is; until they gave it away to a "less fortunate place". Personally I didn't think a place could get any unfortunate as there.

"I used to, too.." I whispered, and took a seat while the golden trio hovered behind me.

I let my fingers dance across the yellowed, chipped keys, playing a happy little melody with a jumpy sort of tune. Soon I let it fade away and my hands dropped onto my lap.

"You're...really good!" Hermione sat beside me, smiling at the keys.

"My mom always teaches me bits in the summer...May I?" I nodded and Hermione started playing a tune I immediately recognized as The Moonlight. After a few seconds, I joined in. Hermione's and my fingers did a tap dance together across the old piano's keys.

Soon enough the whole Weasley family had joined together behind Hermione and I, who continued playing, our fingers occasionally crossing one another.

I felt warm. I felt happy inside.
For once in my life, I truly felt like I belonged.

ALICE POV

The next four days I stayed at the Burrow were some of the best. It was relaxed, unlike Malfoy Manor, welcoming, unlike the Dursley's, and happy, unlike the orphanage.
On the last day, I woke later than the rest, as usual.
I climbed out of the small cat and tiptoed down the long staircase down to breakfast. Seeing the Weasley's usual morning Schedule in play, I took a seat next to Hermione and Fred.

"Do tell me, Alice, what exactly is the function of a spork?" Mr Weasley studied me closely from across the table and I laughed. He asked me muggle questions like this every morning, I'd explain how it's used, then Mr Weasley would think of another one.

"It's a fork and a spoon at the same time, so you can stuff like noodley soup and still get broth.." I explained, Hermione and I laughing at all the Weasley's confused looks.

"Well, I'd better be off!" Ron's Dad got up from the table and walked over to their door.

"Already, Dad?" Ron asked, pausing in the middle of a piece of toast.

"School starts tomorrow, surely you haven't forgotten!" He laughed and flew out the door, waving goodbye to his children.
There was an odd silence after that. I was sad to leave the Burrow, but very happy to return to Hogwarts, which was where my true home was.
~
DRACO POV

Miserable. That's How life was until now.
Father punished me for inviting over a guest, then punished me again for allowing our guest to see me be punished. Alice wasn't used to evil sort of things, I didn't want her involved in them anyways.
I'd heard word after that she was staying with the Weasley's, of all people. Didn't think she could stoop that low. How could Alice possibly want to spend time in a dirty old shack rather than the magnificent Malfoy Manor? Not to mention the fact that she actually climbed over top the gate, in askirt.
A part of me felt extremely bad that she went through all that trouble to get to the Manor just to be kicked out. I honestly owed her an apology, if she ever wanted to speak to me again. Ripping up her robes and colouring her hair red were only the first signs...

My eyelids shot open once I heard a plop on the seat beside me. I grinned, totally ready to apologize to Alice, and then grunted in frusteration. Sitting beside me- just a little too close, might I add, was the blue haired chick from last year.

"How goes it, Banana Head?" She lazily dug her hands into a box of Bertie's Every Flavour Beans and swallowed a mouthful.

"Didn't you go to Beauxbatons?" I spat in disgust as her, and she started cackling furiously, rubbing her hands together. After blowing blue hair out of her eyes, she explained to me that her parents transferred her to Hogwarts to be with her friends.

"Oh, the stories I could tell you about Alice, back in the day. The other Beauxbatons told me, of course, but imagine...Alice, in a powdery blue dress..." For some reason, whatsherface's eyes got all sparkly and then she spun her head to the left.

"Alice!" Ashley dashed out frommy compartment and I heard girly squeels and laughs coming from behind me.
Stay cool, Draco, stay cool.
A familiar black-haired head poked its way into the door of my compartment in curiousity. Alice's eyes met mine and she grinned, much to my surprise.
Maybe things weren't as bad as they seemed.

ALICE POV

Draco and I stepped off the train gingerly. I spotted Hermione, Ron, and Harry up ahead and I jogged until I was beside them. Before I could give them a friendly welcome, Draco interrupted me roughly.

"I'm surprised the ministry's still letting you walk around free Potter! You'd better enjoy it while you can. I expect there's a cell in Azkaban with your name on it!" He spat out, and Harry lunged forward at Draco. My quick reflexes went into action and I pushed Harry back worriedly.

"Let's go." I rolled my eyes at Draco's immaturity and we walked towards the carriages that were supposed to pull us to Hogwarts.

A large, gross, bony, winged animal grunted and kicked the ground. My hand swiftly went down to grab Draco's in fear.
The animal was brownish coloured, and had entirley black eyes. I gulped.

"W-What's pulling the carriage, D-Draco..?" I refused to move forward and hid a bit behind him.

"Nothing, they're pulling themselves, like always. You alright? Haven't gone mentally insane, have you?" I elbowed him in the ribs hard. If he only knew how right he was.

"Don't worry, you aren't crazy. I can see them too." A very soft voice from behind me spoke, and I turned to see Luna Lovegood.

"Thestrals. You can only seem them if you've seen death...my mother passed when I was nine." The blonde girl smiled despite the harsh topic.
So, Draco hadn't seen death? I'm sure I could see them because of my parents, but that was so long ago, I'm very glad I don't remember any of it.
Then another thought came to mind.
Not only had I seen the death of my parents, I'd also witnessed Cedric's death. Like many times before, I pushed that memory to the back of brain to cry about when nobody could see me.
~
ABUKA POV

Alice and Draco sat across the table from me, Ashley and Goyle on either side of me. Everyone chattered in the huge Great Hall, waiting for Dumbledore to begin the start of the year speech.
"So, what happened at the manor.." I just barely heard Draco mutter to Alice under his breath. My best friend simply stared straight ahead and whispered back;
"Let's not relive that."
I knew things hadn't been all tulips and daisies with them lately, but I started wondering how far it was going for Alice. She smiled alot less than she used to.


"Good evening Students!" The Headmaster hushed the students and we all turned to hear what he had to say.

"Now, we have two changes in starting this year. We are pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave."

Ashley sent me a questioning look, and I shrugged. What exactly did he mean by temorary leave..?

Alice smirked and nodded her head towards the teachers tables. Sitting at the end was a short, snotty looking old woman who wore so much pink I started feeling sick to my stomach.
"Well, doesn't she just looked pleased as punch?" Alice scoffed under her breath at the overly happy woman.

"We also wish to welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Deloris Umbridge."
"The smile on her face makes me wand to punch it right off..." Draco stared, unimpressed at the crazy new teacher.
"And I'm sure, you'll all join me, in wishing the Professor good luck. Now, as usual, our caretaker Mr Filch, has reminded me to remind you-"
A little squeak from Umbridge stopped Dumbledore. She got up from her seat, revealing even more pink, and walked slowly to the front of the hall.

"Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome!" She smiled smugly.

"And how lovely, to see all your bright, happy faces, smiling up at me. I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends."

"Unlikely." I Heard Ashley mutter and I nodded in agreement.
"The ministry of magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be a vital importance. Although each headmaster has brought something new to this, historic school, progress for the sake of progress, must be discouraged. Let us preserve, what must be preserved. Perfect what can be perfected. And prohibit practices, that ought to be, prohibited!"
With a little content giggle, the walking barbie sat back down in her chair.
Alice, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Blaise, Ashley and I all exchanged glances of horror. This is going to be one long year.


AN: I wanna thank my friend Emma for helping me alot with this chapter, I went to her a few times saying "So, did Alice meet Luna before this?" and such, things i should know but am too stupid to remember xD