My dog is napping on my ankle.

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The summer was long but Alice knew that it left her the chance to sleep the night through without either screaming or crying. Alice would also never admit to being forced to spend the nights with the adults as she couldn't get the image of her and Filius practically spooning from her mind. For the entire day after she would regularly have to shake her head to rid the images from her mind. It didn't help that her father spent the holiday either out trying to recruit a new defence teacher or he was with Fudge.

Four girls sat in the teaching area drinking tea when Rolanda brought up a tough subject. "Where will you sleep during the year?" She thought for a second "in the dorm. As a just in case I will cast a silencing charm." Despite her calm demeanour her slight quiver at the end spoke her true nervousness, the professors were amazed at her almost complete control. "My dear I do not believe that a charm like that is taught till the fifth year. Besides at a young age you won't be able to make one effective enough." Poppy only showed concern but Alice immediately became defensive. "It worked last time." No signs were shown of nervousness but she felt her body regret it as her heartbeat over doubled. "Last time?" Alice just stood up and readied to leave. "Alice big girl sit down." The chair was pulled into her legs making her sit. "When did you use it last time?" Her inability to make eye contact made it obvious that she wasn't comfortable. "When Mamma let me sleep alone for the first night. When I had lost my voice it was because I had been screaming for a few hours." When no one spoke another word she readied for their rage even more but when her eyes flicked up she just received looks of utter disbelief and desperation but in Minerva's eyes shone a hint of pride. "A second year could cast a fifth year spell? I am disappointed and also proud."

The feast went as it always did but Lockhart was new. Alice and Hermione sat and whispered to each other as they spoke of the dreamy man that took the place of Defence teacher. His eyes caught many girls and his blue gaze landed on Alice. He winked and gave her a charming smile that clearly displayed his dazzling teeth. Her blush was too noticeable as it compared to her usual pale features and silver hair. A few jealous glares where sent her way as he did this. When she looked up again he was still staring and she bit her lip to contain the excitement. "You are gross." Ron got out when he stopped stuffing his face. "Shut it. My father as well as all the other professors are sat there. It takes a lot of guts to do that so openly." Ron sat wide eyed at her comments. "You have to be joking." Alice was too busy talking with the twins to notice. George was first to interrupt her eye make our session. "Shut it. I am 13 so he wouldn't actually do anything." The older three planned a few harmless pranks for the year to come. "He hasn't stopped looking." George announced after they had made their action plans. "I have never seen Mamma give such an evil look before. Dad is also so very amused." The twins watched the glare that was occurring and couldn't stop the laughs from escaping. Small fingers wiggled in a polite wave as reply to the professor's.

When the meal was over and the students were taken to their common rooms Alice was joined on her bed by Miriam. "So. That was eventful with Mr Dreamy Eyes." They laughed at the absurd situation. They spoke until way after they should have but soon the usual letter arrived and she headed to the teachers lounge. This time she wore tight booty shorts and a crop top. The shorts had avocados with eyes on and the top had a large one on. The crop top didn't quite meet her navel and so the wind wrapped around her cruelly. Filch nodded his head in greeting but she stopped. "Filch. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind me stroking your cat." He nodded seeming surprised by her request but watched as the cat purred with every stroke. "Thank you." It was little conversations with him that was her saving grace when in detention with him. Alice was glad that she had worn a bra still as a final defence for her breast against the cold.

The door was opened and her small feet made no sound as her ankle slippers kept her quiet to the surroundings. If the door had been oiled then her entrance would have been in complete silence. "Ali cat." Poppy chirped as she entered. The sofas were almost all full except for next to Gilderoy and Sybill and before any of them could move he offered her the seat next to him. She glanced nervously around but accepted it gratefully. His arm was behind her, resting on the back of the chair as the other adults carried on talking Gilderoy spoke smoothly. "Dare I ask why you are allowed to join the staff?" Her face didn't tint pick as she fought the shade. "I am the daughter of Professor Dumbledore. Aside from my first year where I came a day later I always come here on the first night." His unoccupied hand raised and began playing with a few strands of her silver hair. "How do you have such perfect silver hair?" His intentions were to charm and she was falling for it rather quickly. "My mother. She always had silver and grey mixed together." He nodded and let the strands fall back into place. "Well. You must tell me more about your mother." Her face fell but he was so caught up in feeling proud that he had infatuated the girl that he didn't notice. "She didn't make it through labour." The pair were speaking so quietly that not a single one of the adults, even when they tried, could hear a word, even Sybill. His fingers lifted her chin up so that their eyes met "I am sure that she was a lovely lady. Not as attractive as me though obviously." She nodded once and felt reality slip as she thought of her mother. His hand dropped her chin and when it did her head dropped and she looked down. His attention was soon taken else where as he realised that there were other adults to bless with his conversation.

Alice sat talking with Sybill Trelawney about their subjects and the fascinating facts about tea reading. She was saved from another palm reading of 'death is dominant in your life' when Minerva spoke. "Ali big girl." She looked immediately to the woman speaking. "Mamma." Her smile was a grateful one and Minerva knew it. "You will have to sleep with one of us tonight. Who should it be?" Lockhart got ready to jump in but stopped when the young girl responded instead "I have been such a burden already. I do not wish to impose on anyone anymore." Her blue eyes sparkled with honesty and also desperation to sleep on her own. "Lockhart here hasn't been imposed on at all." All heads turned to a man dressed in black who was obviously still furious from the one time that he was forced to share a room with her. Unlike most other professors he slept on a completely separate bed on the other side of the room but still he was bitter. "I would be honoured." Despite there deep desires to disagree the other professors were silenced when Albus announced it to be a splendid idea. Alice got to her feet and kissed most of the professors on the cheek before heading to the door were a pompous blond stood. 'He smiles a lot' she mentally noted as she passed.

The pair walked in silence except to begin with when he offered his arm to her which she took readily. The halls got cold which resulted him him giving her his cloak which just smelt like she expected, a traditional man. He looked proud as he held the door open for her and they entered. "Right, well." He was obviously concerned suddenly by something but she pretended to not notice. The pair climbed into bed and slept for the night and confusion as to why she needed to be with someone stopped when she found herself sobbing onto a persons chest. She only cried for a short period of time until she managed to wake herself up completely and check the time. It was half an hour earlier than liked but Alice didn't care as she left the private area. 'His password was his name. Arrogant...' she couldn't finish this as she saw Minerva walking from the other direction. "Mamma." The old woman was surprised but hugged the girl. "How was it?" The hug broke apart and red puffy eyes became visible to the professor. "Fine. He is still asleep." Palms wiped tears that were for some odd reason still falling. "What is wrong?" Alice just shrugged her shoulders and finally the tears stopped. "Mamma. I would prefer not to sleep there again. He didn't do anything but I prefer being with people that I know." Minerva nodded and felt relief for the girl. "I need to get dressed." Silver hair flew behind the girl as she ran tirelessly.

The hot shower that was in the dormitory wasn't as good as the one she used during summer but it worked well enough until Alice froze. Absolutely terrified at the blood falling lightly down her leg. Urgently she finished the shower and checked her shorts and pants for blood and found none luckily. She dressed quickly and ran to Poppy letting her legs go as fast as they wanted to. Just as she arrived Poppy was getting ready to go to breakfast. "Ali cat?" She was obviously confused as the pale girl stood with pink cheeks and completely out of breath. "I need to ask you for something." The woman looked impatient waiting for the girl to continue. This was obvious by the wide eyes and slightly tapping foot. 'Bad mood' she noted but turned bright red as she spoke again "well. I. You see. Do you remember what you told me when you gave me 'the talk'? About to get pregnant you cannot just sleep with someone but something else has to kind of happen also." Poppy took it in and went wide eyed. "You need pads." It was blunt and she turned red whilst nodding. After being gone for only a second she came out again with a few small bags. "This will be enough for a year possibly. I know that you know how to do it. Oh Ali cat you are getting older." The teasing tone was bare and obvious. "Thanks Maw." The bags had been placed in her pocket as she turned and left the room in search of the closest toilet.

As if she hadn't been embarrassed enough by the morning she was incredibly close to turning vibrant red when she walked in for her breakfast and four sets of eyes landed on her. They all held slight smiles and an underlying smugness was clearly visible with their faces. Alice swallowed and mentally cursed Poppy and her mouth but she sat with her friends as if nothing was going on. The twins had started their terrible pranks already and Alice was due to start helping with one that day. "Alice." A pleasant voice spoke as she handed her the timetable. "Well done Ali. All of your lessons are far beyond average, you must be the brightest witch of your age." Alice shook her head and pointed at a bushy haired girl not far from her. "I am just lucky that dad is 111. Oh, Mamma, I was wondering if we could complete the last stage of me becoming an animagus." Minerva reluctantly agreed, making Alice smile from ear to ear.

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