Alice Barnes

Alice Truly in Wonderland.

Alice Clara Barnes was definitely not what you could call "normal." She always was different. She could make things move or change color or anything, even sometimes if she didn't want to. The people at primary would always like to poke fun at her, especially when something unexplainable happened. It never made any sense, yet neither did Alice.
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It was a normal Sunday afternoon on June third. Alice was having a small get together with her parents and grandparents to celebrate her eleventh birthday. She got a few presents, including a new jumper her grandmother had knitted( which was slightly too big, although Alice wasn't complaining, she loved large jumpers) and a writing notebook.
By three o'clock though, her grandparents had left and everything was quiet again. Alice had already started to write in her new notebook, but not five minutes after they had left, a large crack was heard. Everyone's head snapped up. A second later, there was a knock on the door. Alice assumed one of her grandparents had forgotten something, it always happened. But no, a conversation could be heard between her dad and a woman. A minute or two later, an older woman came in behind her dad. This was definitely not her grandmother.
"Hello, Alice! I am Professor Minerva McGonagall."
Alice racked her brain, trying to remember any teacher by that name. Surely she couldn't have forgotten any teacher's name...
"Who are you?", Alice's mum said. Professor McGonagall looked almost annoyed at the question, like she had to answer it everyday. Maybe she did.
" I am Professor Minerva McGonagall. I teach Transfiguration at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I know this needs explanation so if we could all sit down I would be glad to explain."
Alice quickly moved out of her seat, motioning for the woman to sit down.
The woman sat down and started to explain everything. She talked about magic and Hogwarts and what the wizarding world was. Of course, Alice was sitting there the whole time, looking shell-shocked.
"Are you okay, dear?" McGonagall looked at her.
"..... What do you mean I'm a witch?" Alice rushed.
"Well, haven't you ever made strange things happen? Maybe made something fly? Have weird things happened around you that you can't explain?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"One time, I made a candle light without a lighter. I was sitting at the table when mum asked me to light it, and I did, only  by thinking it," Alice spoke cautiously. She still thought this was a joke. Maybe this was some kid's mum or grandmum tricking me. Oh no, Alice thought,everyone will make fun of me on Monday. They'll make up something with the candle. Just what I needed was another story about me.
"That's magic, Miss Barnes. We will teach you more advanced and willed spells at Hogwarts, if you do choose to come, which I highly recommend," she continued.
"Will she be safe at this 'Hogwarts'," her mum asked.
"Yes. The safety of our students is of utmost concern to us. Now, if you could please make a decision about whether or not Miss Alice here will be attending. Here you go," Professor McGonagall said passing Alice a letter," it has everything you need in it."
Alice's father then took his wife into the kitchen to discuss whether or not she would be going. Alice sort of spaced out.
"- I really do think you will love that. " Professor McGonagall said.
" I'm so sorry, Professor McGonagall. What have you been saying." Alice mentally scolded herself, how could she have tuned out?
"I said, Alice, that tomorrow, if you decide to attend school, that we will go to Diagon Alley. It's in the wizarding world and there are shops of everything that you could possibly need. It's very large and beautiful. It surprises me every time. I really do think you will love that." She said.
At this moment her parents came out and more or less dragged Alice into the kitchen. She managed to get out a " sorry" to the professor before they closed the kitchen door.
"Well, I still don't know anything about this 'wizarding world'," her dad said.
" I think Alice would be somewhat safe though," her mum mumbled.
Alice had to bite back the words wow I feel loved mum. This was her problem. She was funny and sarcastic, well at least she thought she was, more like she hoped she was. But if she actually said anything that wasn't completely respectful anywhere at anytime. She most likely wouldn't live to see the sun rise again.
"Mum, Dad. Do you think I could possibly have a say in whether or not I might get to go to Hogwarts?" Alice was surprised in herself for managing to choke this out.
"Umm Alice about this school. We-"
" I want to go father. I want to meet other people who can do stuff like me. I want to do magic and Professor McGonagall is nice and she thinks I will fit in very well there. Please. Can I please go," Alice hoped somehow she would be able to convince them to let her go. For some reason she felt like she had to. Like there was not another second she could live if she knew she was missing out on a whole other world the she could have been a part of.
"Does it really mean that much to you, Alice?" Her mum asked.
"Yes it really does. "
"Fine." Her parents said at the same time.
Then the three of them walked back out into the living room where Professor McGonagall was still sitting. Although it looked as if she had a book out now. If this is what all witches and wizards are like, Alice thought,I'm never coming back home.
"We are letting Alice attend Hogwarts, Mrs McGonagall," her mum said. Alice heard a tint of annoyance in her speech, only helped by the fact she said Mrs. McGonagall.
" Fantastic! I will be back here tomorrow at ten to take all three of you to Diagon Alley, where we will get Alice's school supplies. Also, if you could do everyone a favor and not tell anyone that your daughter is a witch. Also the fact that there are wizarding communities everywhere. That would truly help us. Well, goodnight. I will see you tomorrow." The professor then walked out the door. Only Alice said goodnight, although she doubted anyone heard.
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That night, falling asleep, Alice had never been happier knowing that in two months she would be surrounded by people who wouldn't make fun of her. People who were different. People who were, truly, just like her.