Alice

Prologue

Ireland -- 1324

Lady Alice Kyteler stood in the dungeon of her family castle and whispered through the bars on the door to her maid.

"Take Lian to Hogsmeade, my sister Lady Anne Flint is there -- she will look after him. Tell her that when he is of age that he is to go to Hogwarts castle. She is to use my share of the money in the vault. She'll know what I mean."

"But Maam..."

"Hurry maid. I'm to be tried tomorrow and I want Lian gone from here." Lady Alice was almost hysterical. "And take whatever you want from my chambers. I will no longer need it."

"Yes maam." But the maid made no effort to move -- staring intently at her mistress -- how could she say these things....

"GO WOMAN, MAKE HASTE"

With that the maid snapped out of her reverie, turned and fled, whilst Lady Alice slumped on the floor and finally let the tears come.

Hogwarts, 1991

In the dungeon of Hogwarts castle a tall, slender, black haired girl stood fingering an envelope that she hoped would help her make a decision about her future. All her dorm mates had left hours ago, but Alice Kyteler remained. She finally worked up the courage to open her envelope. A slow smile spread across her face -- she'd done it. Passed advanced defence against the dark arts and advanced potions. She had majored in her parent's areas of specialty. Dark Arts for her Fathers side; who were aurors dating back to sometime in the 1300's. His family had either openly or secretly worked for the Ministry of Magic in their various incarnations since then. Her mother's side of the family were apothecaries -- hence the potions. Alice was still unsure which career she was going to pursue so she was going to stay with her Gran Kyteler in Dublin and take some time to decide. Her family was unofficially working for the Ministry in Dublin and Alice was going to assist her Gran however she could.

Alice was soon brought back to earth as she remembered she had to get her things out to the front door of the school because her parents were picking her up. She levitated her trunk off the ground to make it easier. Balanced precariously on top were her cauldron and a cage containing her red fox Madox. She picked up another suitcase and wheeled it out of the dormitory, turning to take a last look at what had been her home for the last seven years. She cast a summoning spell on the trunk to make sure it followed her and she set of into the unknown.........

Chapter One

ALICE

Alice Kyteler stood staring around the classroom, surveying the bookshelves and the empty desks. She sighed and resumed levitating books and some of the more interesting "artifacts" she had collected over the years into the shelves. She was tired after her long journey to Hogwarts, but she knew she wouldn't be happy until she had unpacked. She was just levitating a jar with a bezoar in it when Professor Dumbledore entered the room.

"My dear girl, I just came by to welcome you to Hogwarts and to inform you that dinner will be served in the Great Hall in 5 minutes."

Alice smiled fondly at her old headmaster, "thank you, I'll be right along to dinner after I've brushed some of this dust out of my hair." Alice replied looking a handful of her long black hair that appeared to have turned gray.

"Of course. Some of your old professors and I look forward to hearing of your adventures since leaving Hogwarts. It is not often that one of our pupils returns to teach, especially after such a short period of time."

Alice was about to protest that six years was not a short period of time, but thought better of it and merely commented that she also looked forward to renewing her acquaintance.

Fifteen minutes later Alice came stumbling through the doors of the Great Hall like she had so many times in the past. Out of habit she put her head down and scuttled toward the Slytherin table when she realized that she was no longer a student but the new assistant professor for Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Since the war with Voldemort and the Death Eaters was showing no sign of improving, most of the professors at Hogwarts were finding less time to teach as their presence was often required by Professor Dumbledore in repelling uprisings across the country. Not to mention helping to protect the inhabitants of Hogwarts itself. Little known to the wizarding world at large was the fact that Dumbledore was protecting a number of former Death Eaters and a great number of other wizards scared for their lives within the grounds at Hogwarts. The Ministry of Magic was still refusing to believe that Voldemort was behind events of the past year, however plans were afoot to change that. Alice had been hired to assist Professor Remus Lupin, who had returned to his post as DADA professor last year. Her main duties would be teaching the first and second years and helping out where ever possible.

On remembering her place Alice blushed slightly and made her way up to the teachers table to the seat Professor Lupin appeared to have been keeping for her. As she sat down her eyes scanned the faces of her former teachers and now colleagues. She smiled hesitantly and apologized for being late. Professor McGonagall laughed, "Think nothing of it my dear."

Alice relaxed slightly and was about to start helping herself to food when she saw the glowering eyes and stern face of Professor Snape looking at her. Alice's mind raced back to years of potions lessons and to the harsh way Snape had treated the class. It was only now, as Alice was to begin her teaching career, that she realized he had done his students a favor, but that still didn't stop the involuntary shiver that ran up her spine at the thought of his classes. And she didn't even want to think about the points she had lost for Slytherin, mainly from him, for her late night escapades.

As she helped herself to Roast Beef, Professor Dumbledore asked her how her trip from Ireland was and what she had been doing since leaving school.

"Oh the trip was fine, but I must say it felt strange being on the Express without students. The whole castle feels different without them around. I guess I should make the most of it." Lupin smiled at her, "without a doubt" he lowered his voice and continued "I meant to stop by your classroom before dinner but I had other business to attend to" he cast a furtive glance at Snape, and then resumed talking to Alice. "If you aren't too tired, would you mind if we caught up tonight...perhaps over a glass of butter beer?" Alice was tired, but as the new girl felt she couldn't refuse.

She then turned her attention to the other professors and began telling them of working with her Gran Kyteler in Dublin in her unofficial role as Ministry of Magic ambassador and keeping Leprechauns from causing too much mischief. At 21 she was finally old enough to undertake the advanced dark arts training with Professor Alec Kenobi in Dublin. She discovered during the first year of advanced training that her thirst for knowledge was greater than her desire to emulate her Gran and become an auror. She had just finished her course in Dublin when she applied for -- and much to her surprise -- got the job of assistant professor. She was fascinated by the dark arts which was fairly typical of your average Slytherin and Kyteler she thought.

After dinner she and Professor Lupin walked out of the hall together, and rather then return to the Dark Arts classrooms, Lupin suggested they retire to his private quarters. Alice blushed slightly and murmured an okay. There was something strangely attractive about Lupin, but Alice couldn't put her finger on it.

"Well follow me" Lupin said and Alice realized she had been staring into space. "My rooms are in the dungeons." "Oh" Alice was clearly puzzled, "why would a Gryffindor choose to live in the dungeons, near the Slytherins?" Lupin laughed, "I actually find the dungeons comforting, and my rooms are near Severus' should I need him in an emergency."

"You choose to be near Professor Snape?"

"Yes, when we get to my rooms I'll explain a few things that I probably should have told you at the interview in Dublin..." he looked at her and smiled feebly "sorry."

Alice was a bit surprised and began to wonder if other candidates had turned down the job based on the mysterious piece of knowledge about to be imparted.

Alice was lost in her own thoughts until they started walking along a very familiar corridor that led to the Slytherin common room. Alice laughed.

"Oh this brings back memories, all the times I got caught sneaking back into the room and getting sprung by Snape every time. You would have thought I would have learnt wouldn't you? But no."

"Aaahh bit of a wild child were you?"

"Well I wouldn't describe myself as such, but I do remember being led astray by a couple of Gryffindor boys once or twice."

Lupin laughed, "no wonder Severus told me I was asking for trouble hiring you."

They stopped in front of a door just next to the entrance of Alice's old common room.

"Well, here we are" Lupin said as he got his wand out and disarmed the door with a few muttered charms. Alice looked at the door, she could have sworn it used to be a broom closet...it was the last time she had been in it.

Lupin opened the door to a softly lit room. Heavy red curtains hung at the high dungeon windows, whilst the décor could only be described as minimalist. There was an archway on the right, which led to a bedroom, again done in a very minimal -- albeit Gryffindor colored - style. Lupin appeared to be reading Alice's mind as she looked around the room.

"I know it is very minimal, but I like it that way, it makes it easier if I have to leave in a hurry. Not so much to pack."

"I should take lessons from you...I can't seem to throw anything out."

"You learn to be like this, especially after all I've been through...Please sit down."

Alice sunk into a surprisingly comfortable pale gold couch whilst Lupin walked over to a sideboard and poured them both a glass of butterbeer.

"Well first things first" said Lupin raising his glass "to new beginnings" Alice reached up to the still standing Lupin and clinked her glass with his "to new beginnings Professor." Lupin smiled, "The second thing I want to say is outside the classroom please call me Remus. I don't hold much with formality unless it is unavoidable."

"Sure, no problems" Alice smiled.

Remus ploughed on quickly and nervously "And you should also know that I'm a werewolf. I know I should have told you before you accepted the job, but I was just so desperate for you to start."

Alice stared at him open-mouthed "A werewolf?"

Lupin nodded looking down to avoid her eyes.

Alice was shocked. Infuriated. Such a minor detail...how could he...her first job and her boss had lied to her. She was fuming.

Alice raised her eyebrows and asked rather archly "anything else I should know...Remus?" She practically spat the last word out, as she glared at Lupin.

Remus shook his head and continued looking down at the floor. Alice realized she was being unfairly harsh, probably caused by extreme tiredness. She really needed to sleep on this.

"I need to think about this" she sighed "can we catch up after breakfast and talk?"

"Sure." Remus sighed and sank into the couch as Alice got up. "I'll see you tomorrow."

She turned and walked out of his room, casting a fond glance at the wall that hid her old common room before storming up to her rooms in the teacher's wing. All in all it had been a very long day Alice reflected as she climbed into bed, still shaking in anger. As she lay in bed thinking about the consequences of Lupin's revelation she drifted into a dreamless sleep.

*** *** ***

Remus Lupin leaned back on the couch and let out a long sigh. He hadn't handled the situation with Alice at all well. He just hoped she wouldn't quit the job before she had even started. He leaned forward and put his hands in his head. The whole situation was his fault, he'd begged Professor Dumbledore to take him back as a professor last year so he could be near Harry if anything went wrong. He may not have been Harry's godfather like Sirius, but he still felt compelled to protect Harry and be there for him.

A knock at the door brought Remus out of his silent reverie.

"Enter"

The door opened and in walked Snape.

"What happened with Alice?" Snape was his usual abrupt self, dispensing with any pleasantries and getting right to the point. Remus got up and walked toward the sideboard.

"I told her...I don't think she took it very well judging by the way she stormed out of here. However, she did say she needed to think about it and would see me after breakfast."

Snape thought about what Remus had said. "Damn child, she has always been impulsive, I had hoped she might have matured. I see I shall have to have words with her, or maybe I can owl her grandmother. I know she listens to her." His clipped, almost whispered manner of speaking sent a chill down Remus' spine.

Remus opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again. He stood at the sideboard slowly drumming his fingers, lost in thought. Eventually he spoke.

"Actually Severus, I'll see how things go. I suspect she still thinks of you as a bit of an ogre."

"Well I have some work to do back in my office." Snape said hastily. He started to walk toward the door but stopped as he remembered something.

"I'll be making some more Wolfsbane tomorrow so you may want to avoid my dungeons. If you need me to talk to Alice, owl me." And with that Severus Snape walked out of Lupin's rooms in a swirl of black robes.

As Remus watched the departing figure of Snape he was struck once again by how much his old adversary had done for him. Standing up for him with Dumbledore last year, and making all those batches of Wolfsbane. Perhaps he had done as much for him as Sirius and James. Perhaps. With that thought he pulled his wand out and extinguished the candles in the living room and walked into his bedroom and collapsed exhausted on the bed.

*** *** ***

Alice woke up early and immediately felt guilty for over-reacting to Remus' news. She had been overtired last night and had not reacted well. She resolved to go and see him before breakfast to apologize and talk to him. She didn't want to leave Hogwarts and the job of a lifetime. Alice was not about to let old prejudices influence her decision.

She showered and dressed in her new black robes and practically ran down to the dungeons. She stood before Remus' door and hesitated a little before knocking. It took him a while to answer the door, but when he did it was apparent that he'd slept in his robes.

Alice looked at Remus and wondered where to start.

"Umm, I want to er apologize for um getting so narkey last night. I don't usually fly off the handle like that. I was over tired."

Remus just looked at her and didn't say anything. God he must really hate me Alice thought. He merely stood aside to allow Alice to enter his rooms. She stood nervously whilst Remus eyed her questioningly.

" Can I ask you some questions?" Alice ventured.

"Sure"

"You wouldn't be a teacher here if it wasn't safe so I guess, I mean", Alice stumbled over her words, "what do you do near full moon? I mean you can't make Wolfsbane potion on your own can you?"

"No I can't, Severus does. And I have a friend who comes to stay sometimes on full moon. He's an animangus."

"An animangus? What a wolf animangus?"

"No not a wolf. IF you stay I'm sure you'll meet him. He's working for Dumbledore too, in other capacities, so he is usually around a fair bit."

"Oh. So you still transform every full moon?"

"Yeah. Some measures, such as the potion, make it easier and I deliberately remove myself from the school on full moon."

"Is it painful?"

"At first it was...the first time it happened was terrible. I was so scared I had no idea."

"How old were you?"

"I was young, 4 or 5, I can't remember. It seems forever and sometimes I wish I could go back and erase the past. Erase what happened to me. I would never wish this on anyone -- not even an enemy."

Alice looked at him. His eyes reflected so much pain and anguish that she almost cried. All she wanted to do was hug him, but she resisted, sensing that the last thing he wanted was pity. All he wants is understanding and tolerance Alice thought.

She looked at him "I'll stay. I don't want to give up this job."

Remus smiled "thanks, you have no idea how much I was dreading you leaving. It would have been a nightmare without your help."

"Well you can call on me to help you with anything."

"I'll do that" Remus laughed "trust me. I'll be calling on you. But at the moment the only thing doing any calling is my stomach. I'm starving, lets go to breakfast."

They both turned and walked out of the dungeons, heading for the Great Hall. As they walked in Alice felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and came face to face with Severus Snape.

"How are you this morning Miss Kyteler? Calmed down from your little outburst last night? I hope so, it would be a shame if I had to owl your grandmother."

Alice stared at him open mouthed. "Excuse me? I'm not sure if you noticed, but I'm a teacher now, not one of your Slytherins. And as for 'my little outburst' as you put it. It was nothing a good nights sleep hasn't fixed. Thank you very much."

"Charming as always Miss Kyteler. Shame I can't take house points from you, but I have probably taken enough points from you to last several lifetimes." And he swept passed Alice and a mildly amused Remus into the Great Hall.

"Prick" Alice muttered under her breath.

"That's no way to talk about your former head of house."

"Former head of house or not -- he's still a prick."

"And a colleague so get used to it. Now can we please go in and get some breakfast."

They both walked in and sat down to a very hearty breakfast.