Apples and Snakes

Into the Woods

Something's wrong. I can sense it in the air, as the walls are closing in; the walls of the maze. I start running, to escape.

"ALICE!" I hear someone yell behind me. I look behind to see Harry, who the thicket-monsters are trying to capture. Vines twist around his limbs, and he's screaming my name. I run back to him, as fast as I can. The wind whips at my face, but I keep going, head down, trying to keep from tripping over roots and branches in my path.

"ALICE!" Harry screams, and he breaks a hand free to reach for me over a slowly growing hedge between us.

"HARRY!" I scream back, and I reach for him, closer and closer, but the wall keeps growing higher, until I am blown back, out of the way. The hedge is there still, as it loses life, and rapidly. I force myself to my feet, before I wither and gray, like the maze is starting to.

I run, as fast as I can, jumping over roots sticking out of the earth, and slide under low-hanging branches and duck under the high ones. My wand is at my side, and I feel my heart pounding as I try to make it, try to reach it. My fingers close around the diamond handles to the cup that is all mine, and everything swirls around me.

I awoke with a thud. I'd fallen out of bed. Pansy and Tracey were giggling.

"Why have you gotten so clumsy?" Daphne asked between laughter. Anger raged within, like a beast in a cage, and I balled up my fists, but got on with it all. Today's the day that it's all over. The day of the Triwizard Tournament. I smiled.

For the first time since my name got entered into the Goblet of Fire, I was optimistic. The Triwizard Cup felt like it might actually be in my grasp. I might win. I might have the glory I've been waiting for my entire life.

The euphoria followed me all the way into the Great Hall. I sat down, ate breakfast, chatted around a little bit. It was the most fun I'd had in ages. Most of the year had been spent in the library, looking up spells of all sorts. Maybe next year would be my year to have a little fun.

I was going to sit in the back of another examination, when McGonagall came up to me. "Your families have come to welcome you and celebrate the final round," she said, with a bit of a smile actually to me. I nodded.

"Thanks, Professor McGonagall," I replied, and I re-entered the Great Hall, where I only expected Mum and Dad to shower over Harry, much less a daughter that was in first place over Harry for once in her life excepting Potions and Alchemy.

With Viktor Krum was a mother with her matching dark hair in a plait, and his father, who had his predatory nose. Blondie had her sister, and a mother who was a total knockout, with a rather jolly, round husband. Cedric was with Amos Diggory and Theodora Diggory, proud Hufflepuffs in the Ministry.

Uncle Sirius, Harry's godfather, really, was waiting for him, along with my parents. Uncle Remus though, and my soon-to-be-Aunt Tonks were holding up a sign saying Go Alice! I ran over to them and hugged them.

"Uncle Remus! Tonks! I'm so glad you could make it!" I said, as Uncle Remus let go.

"Well, how could we miss an opportunity to tell you how tall you've gotten?" Tonks said teasingly as she mussed my hair. "Love the shade by the way, Als. Who did it for you?"

"Draco Malfoy," I said sheepishly.

"Well, tell my lovely cousin that he has great taste in color, will you?" Tonks said, before she hugged me again.

"I'm just a little bit surprised you came for me and not Harry," I said as she let go this time.

"Harry has enough people cheering for him," Uncle Remus said. "Besides, we couldn't help but see that our little Marauderess is in first place in the Triwizard Tournament so far! We had to come and celebrate that."

"Thanks," I said, and I reached up to swipe a tear from my face. A tear of happiness and gratitude.

"Why don't you give Remus and I tour? It's been a couple years," Tonks said.

"Of course," I replied, a grin lighting up my face.

"Ooh, who's the ring from?" Tonks asked as we walked outside by the Black Lake.

"Oh, it's a promise ring from Wesley Diggory. We're kinda going out right now," I explained awkwardly.

"Wait, Cedric Diggory's younger brother?" Uncle Remus asked.

"Yeah," I said, looking out at the kids coming out of exams, sprawling over the steps. "That's him." I discreetly pointed him out.

"Very cute," Tonks said with a grin, and she elbowed me playfully.

I blushed. "Um, thanks?"

She and Uncle Remus burst out laughing.

"Ah, why don't you introduce us to your young man," Uncle Remus said. I waved to Wesley, who looked over to Hayden, who was beside him, and pointed at me. Her face lit up, and the duo ran down to us.

"Who's this?" Hayden asked, grinning.

"This is my Uncle Remus and Aunt Tonks," I said. Tonks and Uncle Remus both were flushed a bit by that statement.

Uncle Remus outstretched a hand to Wesley. "I hear you're dating my girl?"

Wesley paled a bit. "Yes sir," he whimpered.

Uncle Remus laughed. "Bless you, I was shy too, when I was in school."

Wesley laugh, and little bit of color returned to his face. "Thank you, sir." He then looked over to Tonks, and his eyes became as wide as saucers. "You're Nymphadora Tonks!" He shook her hand enthusiastically. "You're a real figure to us 'Puffs, an inspiration, madam."

Tonks laughed. "I'm not supposed to be some figurehead, but if you're so insistent on it."

"Who's this?" Uncle Remus gestured towards Hayden.

"This is Hayden Fanning, one of my best friends," I said. I think I saw something in Hayden's cobalt eyes sparkle in a I'm-about-to-cry-I'm-so-happy way, as she shook Uncle Remus's hand.

"You mean Edmund and Hannah's daughter?" Uncle Remus asked. "They've been generous enough to give me a job this year."

Hayden turned crimson. "Um, yeah, cool."

"Well, I guess I'll see you guys later," I said to Wesley and Hayden.

"Yeah," they chorused, and they ran off.

I looked at Uncle Remus and Tonks accusingly. "You were trying to scare them off!"

"Guilty as charged," Uncle Remus answered. "We want to spend the day with you. Although Wesley doesn't seem like a bad egg."

I flushed. "Hey," I protested, even though they knew I really didn't mind. It wasn't like I got this interaction with my parents exactly. Because that's what Uncle Remus and Tonks were: my real parents.

"It's time," Severus said to me at dinner.

"Go get 'em," Remus said, patting me on the back.

"Yeah, you can do this, Als," said Tonks encouragingly.

"Thanks," I said, before I left the table to get changed into my Triwizard gear.