Chapter Text
A poster caught Alice’s attention. Bright spotlights illuminated a young woman, a microphone in her hand. She tilted her head as she took in the text. A singing competition, here in London. What if she missed her train and went to that instead? Would she get any far in the competition? Could she win the whole thing?
She shook herself out of her thoughts. She couldn’t think like that, shouldn’t think like that. The person she’d become if she neglected her duties wasn’t her and would never be her.
“Oi!” Frankie’s voice sounded behind her. “Are you coming?”
She turned around and met up with her family again, or the two that could be there. Dad couldn’t make it, seeing as he needed to prepare last-minute details at school with the new first-years arriving. It didn’t bother her, that’s how things had been since Frankie started at Hogwarts.
“Let’s get a move on,” Alice said, ushering her mum and Frankie along the station.
The sheer number of people at King’s Cross Station on September 1st still fascinated her even after eight years. Muggles walked past her dressed in business attire, a hurry in their steps as they found their platforms. None of them paid them any mind, too focused on their own lives to bother with anyone else’s.
As they neared platform nine, Alice spotted something that made her frown. An older fellow dressed in a pair of lime green breeches and a tan coat stood where the two platforms met. Was he a wizard or did he have an eclectic fashion sense? Alice had been fortunate in that regard. Growing up so close to the Muggle world did wonders for her awareness. Unlike the older fellow, you wouldn’t be able to pick her out from a crowd, wearing a yellow jumper, a pair of jeans and some trainers.
“Is he one of ours?” Mum asked, the furrow in her blonde brow deepening.
“Maybe,” Frankie said, shrugging. “Should we help him?”
“I’ll go and talk to him,” Alice said. Yet when she looked back, the man had disappeared. “He’s gone.”
“We’d better get to the platform then,” Mum said. “Let’s hope he’s safe.”
They made their way to where platforms 9 and 10 met. People huddled together as they waited for their trains, creating the perfect crowd to blend into. A quick look over her shoulder confirmed that the coast was clear. She stepped through the brick wall and a familiar sight met her.
Smoke plumed from the red steam train, the image making her lips curl into a smile. It’d be good to be back at school, to see all her classmates and teachers again. She couldn’t wait to hear what they had gotten up to during the summer holidays.
Mum appeared behind her. Wrinkles formed around her sparkling brown eyes as she smiled. Alice shared the same shade, the only difference being the shape. Their blonde hair also matched—although small streaks of grey dispersed throughout Mum’s.
“Excited?” Mum asked.
“I am.”
“I wouldn’t be if I were you,” Frankie said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Remember what I told you about sixth year, it’ll be harder than you can imagine.”
“I know, you don’t have to worry. Besides, I like keeping busy.”
“Yes, yes, we know,” Mum said, a fond smile on her face. “Make sure to write to us.”
Alice pulled her mum into a hug, breathing in her lavender scent. The smell imprinted itself in her mind, a reminder of home and the Leaky Cauldron, of quiet mornings and rolling fields.
She detangled herself from Mum’s embrace and wrapped her arms around Frankie, holding it for a few seconds.
When she pulled away, he sent her a smile. “I know I’m not going this year, so don’t forget to write to your dear old brother too.”
“Is it weird to come here even if you’re not going yourself?” she asked.
“A bit,” he responded. “But I felt good about graduating last year, and I still feel good about it.”
“That’s good.”
“Off you go.” Frankie flapped his hands toward the train.
“Bye, sweetheart!”
“Bye, Mum! Bye, Frankie!”
She turned around and gave her family one last wave as she began her trek toward the train. Clusters of people gathered on the platform. Soon, the area would fill with families as the departure time neared. She and her brother made a habit of arriving as early as possible—partly to set an example as the children of the Herbology professor and partly to ensure they got good seats.
She mounted the train, the scent of cauldron cakes and vanilla filling her senses. Her feet carried her to the front of the train, where the prefect meeting would be later. All she could think about on the walk over was who the new Head Boy and Head Girl would be. There were several good candidates among the seventh-years, but she had her suspicions about the Head Boy position.
She opened the door to a compartment, placing her trunk on one of the benches. A few seconds later it lay open, her Hogwarts robes folded on the top. She pulled them over her head and pinned her prefect badge to the dark fabric. After closing it again, she lifted it into the overhead compartment. Where she put it didn’t matter; it’d be carried to the castle during the Feast anyway.
Not having anything better to do, she walked to the meeting room. She opened the door and entered. A long mahogany table sat in the middle, surrounded by high back chairs cushioned with blue fabric. Paintings that always stirred from the train's movements filled the walls. She snagged an apple from the fruit bowl in the middle of the table, taking a seat that faced the window.
The clusters of people had grown in number and size, filling the platform. As the departure time grew nearer friends and families exchanged hugs. A small child cried as a brown haired boy turned away toward the train, a woman doing her best to comfort her.
“Early as always, Alice,” a nasal voice said.
She looked up. The voice belonged to Samuel Finnlock, a Gryffindor in the year above her.
“As are you,” she said, her lips tugging into a friendly smile.
Samuel gave her an expectant look, his eyebrow raised. She furrowed her brows, wracking her mind for any new editions to his appearance. His hairstyle remained the same blonde colour, he hadn’t grown any taller—then, she finally noticed it. A shiny new badge replaced his old one, this one with the letter H on it.
“Congrats, Samuel!” she said, joy seeping through her voice. “I had a gut feeling you’d make Head Boy.”
“Thank you, Alice,” he said, adjusting the shiny badge on his chest. “I’ll admit I wasn’t too surprised when I received the news.”
“Did you do anything to celebrate? Being Head Boy’s a big deal.”
He puffed his chest out. “Of course we did. I got Edwin Witherbranch’s new book on the practical uses of runes, signed by the author himself. Have you read anything by him?”
“No, I don’t think I have.”
“Oh, right. I forgot you don’t take Ancient Runes. You should, by the way, it’s a fascinating class. Anyway, I got a new set of dress robes as well. The others I had were just so outdated.”
“That sounds lovely. Did you do anything else this summer?”
“We went on a trip to Greece as soon as I got off the train to Hogwarts. It was incredible. We even got to see the Greek Ministry of Magic. Afterwards, we went to visit a family friend in Stockholm. My sister and I spent an entire day wandering around Old Town.” He paused, a wistful smile on his face. “How was your summer, Alice?”
“It was nothing special.” She shrugged. “I mostly helped Mum around the Leaky Cauldron.”
“That seems nice too.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.
The door opened, and two new faces stepped inside, sparing them an awkward pause. She suppressed a sigh of relief; her talks with Samuel always left her like this. His family travelled a lot, and hers didn’t. Whenever the subject came up, he’d go on a tirade about the benefits of travel and how necessary it was to be cultured and well-read. She knew why travelling was good of course, but the Leaky Cauldron and her Grandpa’s farm took up all their time. The most exotic place she’d been to was Northern France when Vic and Teddy got married three years ago.
Pushing those thoughts out of her head, she plastered on a smile, greeting the two fifth-years. Getting annoyed with Samuel held no benefit, he didn’t know any better. Still, a small pit of annoyance formed in her stomach. They’d been interacting for years, he should be used to her dull summers by now.
More students trickled in, filling the chairs one by one. Chatter occupied the room as they caught up on their summers and their duties this year. However, one seat remained empty. Alice frowned—that couldn’t be right.
The train lurched forward, and the platform passed them by. Samuel cleared his throat, all eyes directed at him.
“Right,” he began. “Today’s agenda will be like usual. We’ll start with introductions for the new prefects and go over the year’s coming schedule. Any questions?”
“Where’s Tessa?” Hailey Silver, a seventh-year Hufflepuff, asked. So she hadn’t been the only one to notice.
Jennifer, the new Head Girl, sighed. “Tessa experimented with potions again and accidentally poisoned herself. She’s currently at St. Mungo’s under strict observation.”
A murmur filled the room, voicing their worries. Alice couldn’t help but sympathise with her, despite this being nothing new. Everyone at Hogwarts knew Tessa Earlwood had a penchant for experimenting with potions, no matter the dangers or how many times Madam Pomfrey scolded her. Sooner or later she would’ve ended up at St. Mungo’s, it was just a shame it happened when school started.
“Let’s begin with self-introductions then,” Samuel said. “I’m Samuel Finnlock. Head Boy and a Gryffindor.”
The rest of the introductions followed in a similar fashion with everyone stating their name, year, house and any other extracurricular activities they participated in. Since they’d gone clockwise Alice took the final turn.
“Hi, I’m Alison Longbottom, but feel free to call me Alice,” she began. “I’m a sixth-year and in Hufflepuff. I’m also a member of the Frog Choir.”
“Thank you for that,” Samuel said, sliding a piece of parchment onto the table. ”Now, this is the patrol schedule I’ve worked out for the train ride. Someone will need to take Tessa’s place. Any volunteers?”
All hands remained lowered, most averting their eyes to the table. Alice would’ve liked to do the same, but someone would have to fill in. As much as she’d miss watching the train pass through fields all day, it’d be better to make herself useful, especially if it meant lightening someone else’s load.
She raised her hand, putting on a gentle smile. “I’ll do it.”
“Thank you, Alice. It’s always nice to see someone engaged in their duties,” Samuel said, bringing forward a stack of papers from his bag. “These are the patrol schedules for the school year. If you have any complaints, feel free to bring them up with Jennifer and I.”
Alice received a paper, sending the stack to her left. She searched the paper for her name, relieved that it only showed up thrice, on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. That meant it didn’t interfere with Frog Choir practice like it had done last year. Trying to get her patrol schedule changed had been a nightmare.
Samuel went on about the responsibilities of being a prefect. Having already heard it twice, Alice focused her gaze on the window. The landscape breezed past them as the train moved, green melting into green. A blue sky cleared of clouds let the sunshine through, casting flickers of light along the walls of the room.
Half an hour later, the meeting concluded and they were free to do what they wanted till their patrol. Alice lucked out and got first patrol. This in combination with Tessa’s shift toward the end of the train ride meant she had a rather long break.
Laughter and conversation filled the hallways as she passed through the compartments. An ugly emotion curled in her gut. She’d give up everything to have friends like that. Someone she could confide in, someone who invited her to everything, someone who didn’t consider her an added bonus.
She shouldn’t complain—they included her in group activities, people confided in her and counted on her. It was more than she deserved, so why get worked up over nothing? Keeping everyone at a healthy distance would benefit her in the long run. They wouldn’t find anything to judge her for, no ammunition to hold against her. She’d learned that lesson a long time ago.
Peeking through a compartment window, she spotted some familiar faces from her house. She knocked on the glass, taking their attention. Lauren waved at her, and Rebecca opened the compartment door, welcoming her inside with a gesture.
“Hey Alice!” Lauren said, her smile showing off her straight teeth. “How was your summer?”
“It was great, thanks for asking,” she said, tucking a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “How was your’s?”
“Oh, it was incredible,” she gushed. A sparkle appeared in her green eyes, and she leaned in closer.
“Here she goes again,” Rebecca said, rolling her eyes fondly.
Alice listened as Lauren talked on and on about her trip to Cyprus. She’d met a boy there and they’d agreed to exchange letters over the school year. Despite Rebecca’s disinterest in the subject, she nodded along, enchanted by the story. Alice enjoyed a good romance herself, even if she never took an interest in it in real life. Hearing about it from other people satisfied her enough.
Relief filled her body when she found an opportunity to excuse herself. The tale was fun the first time around, but after listening to Lauren gush about how his romantic brown eyes glowed in the sun for a third time, she had enough.
She soon found herself wandering the corridors once more. During the last twenty minutes the chatter increased in volume. Celestina Warbeck’s voice reached her ears as some Slytherin fourth-years groaned, their friends from Gryffindor laughing up a storm.
She moved away from the noise. Her eyes caught onto a compartment, and the sole inhabitant made a frown grow on her face. A boy on the younger side stared out of the window, leaning his head on his arms. A first or second-year? The former was more likely, seeing as she didn’t recognise him.
She opened the door, a smile spreading on her lips. “Hello there.”
“Oh. Hello,” the boy responded with his own smile, albeit a much shyer one.
Alice took the seat across from him. “Why are you sitting here all alone?”
He averted his eyes.
“Hey,” she said, her voice softening. “It’s okay to be alone, you know. But it might also be nice to have someone to talk to.”
“I don’t really know anyone here,” he confessed. “My parents aren’t magic, so I don’t have any friends.”
“Is this your first year?”
He nodded.
“Well then, I’m sure you’ll make loads of friends during the school year,” she said.
His eyes widened. “Really?”
“Really,” she confirmed. “I’m Alice, by the way. One of the prefects. If you're having any trouble, you can always come to one of us.”
“Thanks. I’m Paul,” he said, offering a handshake. She accepted, surprised at his strong grip. “What house do you think is the best?”
“The best? Hmm, I don’t know. They all have their perks.”
“Well, which house are you in?”
“I’m in Hufflepuff.”
“Then I want to be in Hufflepuff too.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because you’re in it.”
“Thank you,” Alice said, the smile on her face widening.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Paul stared out the window with a pensive look on his face. She didn’t prod, happy to give him time to formulate the question he wanted to ask her.
Finally, he turned to face her with the most serious expression an eleven-year-old could muster. “Do wizards really fly on broomsticks?”
The train lurched to a stop. Paul surveyed the dark platform, his wide eyes sparkling.
Alice chuckled, a smile playing on her lips. “Come on. Let’s go to the castle.”
Alice led Paul off the train. Darkness covered Hogsmeade Station like a thick blanket. Students welled out from the train, making their way toward the carriages lined up further away. Alice pulled to a stop, her eyes darting around until she found a familiar silhouette.
“You see that tall man over there?” she asked, pointing at Hagrid.
Paul nodded.
“That’s Hagrid. The first-years are his responsibility, he’ll make sure you get to the castle,” she explained. “Just do what he says and you’ll be fine.”
“Alright.” Hesitating, he took a deep breath and scurried off toward Hagrid, his short frame disappearing in the crowd.
She trudged through the crowd, zig-zagging between reuniting friend groups and couples. Only after finding herself in an empty carriage did she let a sigh escape her lips, the exhaustion of keeping an eleven-year-old entertained catching up to her.
The door to the carriage opened, and her classmate Olivia greeted her. Like usual, Kate stood beside her. “Is it alright if we sit here? Everywhere else is full.”
“Of course.”
The girls sat down opposite her. Olivia’s skin had gone a shade darker during the summer, contrasting with her blonde hair. The shade of Kate’s skin stayed the same, but the number of freckles dotting her cheeks had multiplied.
“How’s your summer been?” Alice asked, smiling.
“Pretty good,” Kate said.
“Mhm,” Olivia agreed. “My cousin and I went on a trip to Marseilles. It was lovely, you should go sometime.”
“I would love to,” Alice said. “Tell me more.”
Olivia and Kate launched into detailed explanations of their summer holidays. Alice sat back and listened, her own summer seeming bleaker and bleaker in comparison—it was always like this. At least she had other classmates who didn’t travel as much, she’d have to feel bad for herself if she didn‘t.
Soon, the carriage came to a stop. Alice stepped outside and took a deep breath. The robust stone walls of Hogwarts filled her vision, a sight so familiar she could picture it by memory. She walked ahead, her black robes billowing around her in the September breeze. Her feet carried her on the familiar path through the doors and the Entrance Hall.
As she entered the Great Hall, she scanned the Head table. A smile played on her lips when her dad waved at her. She returned the gesture and turned to the Hufflepuff table, finding a seat near the doors. It would make it easier to help rally the first-years later in the evening.
Yes, she was well aware that it was the fifth-year prefects’ job to help them to the common room, but nudging them in the right direction was always appreciated. She knew she found it helpful when the older students did it last year.
More and more students filtered in through the doors, filling the tables. Further down, Kate and Olivia talked to Waylen and Marty, two other students from their year. A group of seventh-years sat beside her, engaged in a conversation about gardening. Alice wasn’t sure if she should butt in and offer some comments or not. However, she didn’t have to think. They soon asked for her opinion and she immersed herself in the conversation.
The doors to the Hall opened, and Professor Flitwick stepped inside. A line of first-years followed him, their eyes darting around the room. Among them was Paul, his eyes finding hers. She gave him a little wave and smiled. He returned it tenfold.
The first-years always reminded her of her own sorting. She’d been nervous, her entire body shaking. But then she’d spotted Frankie smiling at her from the Gryffindor table, and she knew she’d be alright. If he thought it was fine, it would be fine.
Flitwick produced the Sorting Hat and a stool. The chatter quieted, the Sorting Hat taking that as its cue to sing its annual song. After the applause died down Professor Fliwick brought out a piece of parchment from his robe pocket.
And so the Sorting could begin.
Most students paid it little attention, only clapping when they heard the hat yell their own house’s name—but Alice always paid attention. She observed their faces and tried to remember their names as best as she could manage. Knowing their faces and names would make it easier to help them if they ever needed it, a routine she perfected in her first year. She liked being reliable, and that was the easiest way to do it.
“Robinson, Paul,” Professor Flitwick said.
He made his way out of the crowd, taking each step with determination. During the train ride she couldn’t get a grip on what house he might end up in. His curiosity might get him into Ravenclaw, or his undefinable characteristics could get him into Hufflepuff. You could never know until the Sorting Hat sat on their heads.
He took a seat on the chair and Professor Flitwick placed the Sorting Hat on his head. The hat stilled and Paul closed his eyes. A minute later the hat awoke.
“Gryffindor!”
Paul’s face fell. His wide eyes darted out toward Alice, and she sent him a thumbs-up. He brightened, a smile replacing his frown. After leaving the hat, he took a seat next to some other first-year Gryffindors. All things considered, he’d do all right there.
The Sorting Ceremony wrapped up with Ella Zhang ending up in Slytherin. Alice directed her attention to the Head Table, where her father and his fellow teachers sat. Professor McGonagall, the Headmistress, sat in the middle. Underneath her hat her grey hair gathered in a stiff bun, face wearing a stern look. Alice rather liked her. She treated students fairly and her dad only had good things to say about her.
Professor McGonagall got on her feet, the Hall quieting in an instant. “As always, welcome to Hogwarts, and for those of you who are returning, welcome back. I am your Headmistress, Professor McGonagall. First off, I must remind all of you that the Dark Forest is forbidden for all students unless they are accompanied by a professor. The caretaker, Mr Filch, would like to remind all students that performing magic outside the classroom is not allowed and will be met with punishment. This year's list of banned items can be found on his office door.
“Some changes will be made this year. On the 20th of December, before the winter holiday feast, a new competition will be held. It will be a talent showcase, judged by professionals from the Ministerial Opera. Anyone can participate as long as you have something worth showing. The deadline for signing up is October 31st. Now, I believe it is time to eat.”
Food appeared on the tables, a lovely mixture of potatoes, pork, sauce, vegetables, pies and other dishes. Her classmates marvelled at the sight and dug in right away. Alice did the same, her plate soon filled to the brim. Around her conversation flared up, but she couldn’t find it in herself to join.
A talent showcase. Here at Hogwarts, judged by people from the opera house in Diagon Alley. First the poster, and now this. If she wasn’t careful, she’d dream herself away to forbidden territory. She could already picture herself standing on stage, guitar in hand and voice filling the Great Hall. The feeling of adrenaline and fulfilment taking over her movements and thoughts, the smell of excitement filling her senses.
She snapped herself out of it. There was no way she was participating. Not ever. She couldn’t risk it. All her hard work over these past few years would disappear in the blink of an eye. She refused to let it go—refused to let herself become like her primary school self again. She was not about to break the promise she made to herself, and taking part in the talent showcase was a surefire way to do that.
She took a bite of a potato, the carbohydrate growing in her mouth as she chewed. Her attention focused on her classmates, Jay and Elijah, and their conversation about their summer holidays. She asked a question, and Elijah launched into a detailed explanation of the Spanish Inquisition.
This was good. Distractions were good. Talent showcases were not.