It was Remus Lupin who entered first, looking initially worried and hesitant, but when he saw Alice sitting up and smiling, he exhaled loudly, a sign that the tension had lifted.
“How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” Alice replied, her voice still slightly shaky. She glanced at her arm, which had been carefully bandaged earlier, and decided to remove the dressing to inspect the severity of the injury. When she uncovered the scars, her expression hardened for a moment, surprised by the extent of the damage. But there was no panic or fear in her eyes.
The scars that adorned her arm were deep and wide. The first, starting on the back of her hand, extended up to her wrist. The next two, partially overlapping along her forearm and elbow, formed a winding trail of indelible marks. The last, larger and more striking, stretched above her elbow, running along her arm and stopping just below her shoulder.
Severus approached, a look of sorrow etched on his face. He was about to explain that the lack of dittany had prevented complete and final healing, but she spoke first.
“It’s not a big deal.”
“A few scars won’t diminish Alice’s charm,” added Remus, trying to lighten the mood with his reassuring tone. “They’ve never diminished anyone’s charm, for that matter.”
Alice looked up at him, a faint smile forming on her lips despite the gravity of the moment.
“Thank you, Remus.”
But before she could say anything more, a familiar voice rang out, followed by another characteristic burst of laughter.
“Scars…” George began.
“Dashing!” Fred chimed in, their synchronization as flawless as ever. The twins were there, their heads poking through the slightly open door, mischievous grins plastered across their faces.
“Fred! George!” Molly scolded from the other side of the door, her voice carrying the weight of her exasperation. It was clear that the twins’ noise had disrupted the tranquility of the room.
“We just wanted to check in and reassure Harry!” exclaimed Fred, his voice full of mischief.
“He was so worried that he refused to let us open the presents without her!” added George, feigning innocence.
The atmosphere, tense a moment ago, lightened slightly, though the lingering unease was still palpable. The twins, with their lighthearted comments and comical interruptions, had brought a breath of fresh air, even if the smiles in the room were tinged with persistent concern.
Alice turned to Remus, a look of understanding in her eyes. “Remus, could you please go fetch Harry?” she asked softly, her voice calm but firm. She knew that Harry probably needed to see her, to reassure himself that everything was truly fine, despite what he might be feeling.
Remus nodded without hesitation and headed for the door. But he reentered almost immediately, this time followed by several others. Sirius walked in alongside Nymphadora and Kingsley, who had just arrived.
“Sorry, Alice,” began Remus, his intense gaze locking with hers, “but explanations to the Order are needed before…”
“No, I have a right to know too, and enough is enough,” Harry said firmly, entering the room and brushing past the older adults’ attempts to dissuade him. He refused to stay on the sidelines while the atmosphere remained so tense, especially when it concerned his friend Alice.
“Alice, before we go any further, I need to tell you something… I’m sorry, I…” Remus began, his voice hesitant and his throat tight. He knew the secrets had to be revealed but struggled to find the right words.
“The kids already know everything,” interrupted Sirius, speaking before Remus could finish, his impatience evident as he broke the silence that had settled over the room.
“Know what?” Alice asked, bewildered. She wasn’t prepared for this revelation, especially in front of Harry.
“That you’re a Malfoy. But that doesn’t matter—what happened to you?” Harry explained, his attention more focused on the visible scars on Alice’s arm than on the revelation of her lineage.
“Alice McGarden is a Malfoy?” Nymphadora Tonks exclaimed, shocked by the news she had only just learned.
“They are? How? Who?” Alice’s gaze darted between Remus and Sirius, confusion and anger brewing in her expression. “Does anyone else have something to tell me?” she added, her voice tinged with irritation. The situation was becoming increasingly confusing, and she was not fond of it in the slightest.
“I informed Moody,” Kingsley said calmly.
Before Alice could respond, heavy footsteps echoed through the manor, climbing the stairs with urgency. A low growl of anger followed, and her name, barked harshly through the walls, made the atmosphere in the room tense.
“Please, don’t let him in right now…” she murmured, closing her eyes and hiding her face in her hands as if bracing herself against yet another verbal barrage.
No one had time to act. The door swung open with a resounding bang, the noise reverberating throughout the room. Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody entered, towering and imposing, his heavy steps commanding immediate attention. His presence alone filled the room to its brim.
“I told you to stay away from risky situations, and here you are!” he barked, grabbing Alice roughly by the arm. His tone was neither friendly nor understanding. “And I taught you better than this when it comes to defending yourself! Scars! All over your arm!”
Alice turned to him with a furious glare. “Says the one with more metal than flesh! I’m fine, you old grouch!” she shot back, her defiant eyes meeting his, refusing to be cowed by his gruffness.
Moody finally let go of her, plopping down heavily on the edge of the bed, visibly frustrated but also concerned. “Alright… Who did this to you?” he asked, his voice now laced with a worry he had tried to conceal earlier.
Alice, weary of all the tension, gestured toward Harry, who stood somewhat apart from the others. “Harry, I’m sorry. I should have told you from the beginning. Given… my family’s affiliation, I just wanted to forget them. To not be associated with them anymore…” She lowered her gaze, the words she had avoided for so long now feeling unbearably heavy. She had never wanted her origins to define her future, but now, in this room, she could no longer ignore them.
“I think I can understand,” Harry replied, his voice steady but kind. “And I get that it wasn’t personal. But that’s not important right now. What happened to you?”
“It matters now,” said Alice, her voice calmer but filled with resignation. “As you know, I should have told you before. I refuse to be like them… but…” She paused, and all eyes in the room were fixed on her, waiting for her words. Harry, Remus, Sirius, and even Moody seemed to hang on every syllable, trying to grasp the weight of her actions.
“But I thought this time he’d listen to me… And maybe I wouldn’t have to keep fighting my own family anymore…”
A heavy silence fell over the room, everyone uncertain of what to say. Alice lowered her head, her hands trembling slightly as she forced herself to continue.
“Alice?” Harry said softly, his tone kind and searching, as if he was trying to understand what lay beneath her confession.
“You went to see them?” Moody growled, his voice a mix of reproach and despair.
“‘He’ invited me to talk… Lucius,” Alice admitted, her eyes avoiding Moody’s piercing gaze. “I thought he was being sincere, that’s all…”
The others exchanged looks, a growing concern in their eyes. It was Severus, however, who broke the silence.
“And how did it lead to… this?” He gestured toward her arm. “How could you let yourself get caught up in something like that?”
Alice turned her gaze toward him slowly, then sighed. “Bellatrix Lestrange was there… And she didn’t like what I had to say.”
The mention of Bellatrix’s name sent a chill through the room. Moody stood abruptly, furious but also deeply worried.
“You really thought your brother, the Death Eater, would change?” he demanded, staring at her with a mix of disgust and disappointment. “You put yourself in danger, Alice. You walked straight into what could have been a deadly trap.”
Alice shrugged, guilt and confusion evident on her face. “I understand if you’re angry with me for hoping…” she said, lowering her gaze, shame written across her features. “I admit I was naïve.”
A heavy silence filled the room once more, Alice’s words lingering in the air. The glances exchanged were filled with concern, frustration, but also understanding. They all knew Alice’s actions hadn’t come from weakness, but from one last glimmer of hope, a desire to escape her family’s shadow.
“No one here blames you for hoping,” Kingsley said, stepping closer to Alice. “We’re just worried about what could have happened. It was dangerous and reckless.” He paused, his tone softening. “But you’re alright now, so I think we can all move on from this…”
Harry nodded and gently squeezed his godmother’s hand. "We waited for you to open the gifts, just like you asked."
Alice smiled, a sincere and radiant smile, and the atmosphere lightened instantly.
“Did someone say gifts?” one of the twins shouted from the hallway, his enthusiasm bursting through.
“Go downstairs; I’ll join you in a few moments,” she replied with a soft laugh.
Within minutes, the room emptied as everyone made their way to the living room with renewed energy. Only Moody and Nymphadora Tonks stayed behind, both appearing as though they had something to say.
Tonks approached first, a mix of hesitation and spontaneity in her steps, and hugged Alice without saying a word.
Alice, surprised by the sudden gesture, returned the embrace after a moment, a small smile forming on her lips.
“I’m sorry,” murmured Tonks as she stepped back slightly. “We don’t really know each other, so this might be a bit intrusive… but I’m just happy to finally meet you.”
Alice tilted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling with understanding. “It’s not exactly the first time we’ve met, you know. We were much younger, and I must have changed… you have too.”
“Definitely,” Tonks replied with a sincere smile before slipping out of the room, not wanting to impose further.
Left alone with Moody, Alice turned her attention to him. He was still sitting on the bed, unmoving, his gaze fixed in the distance. The sight unsettled her.
“Are you alright, Alastor?” she asked, surprised to see the usually loud and straightforward man immersed in an unusual silence.
“That’s twice now, kid,” he finally said bluntly, his voice low and gruff. “Don’t ever do that again.”
A small shiver ran through Alice at the severity of his words. “I’m sorry,” she replied softly, sincere.
He muttered something she couldn’t quite catch before getting up. Without another word, he left the room, leaving Alice alone.
She let out a sigh and sat on the bed for a moment, savoring the calm after all the day’s emotions. After a few minutes, she decided to get up and headed to the bathroom for a hot bath, washing away the tension and turmoil. Once dressed in warmer, more comfortable clothes, she made her way downstairs to join the others in the living room.
Upon arriving, she immediately noticed two absences. “Severus and Moody are gone?” she asked, glancing around.
“Moody said he had things to take care of,” Tonks explained, though she didn’t seem entirely convinced by the excuse.
“And Snape… well, he didn’t say anything, as usual,” added Remus with an amused smile before noticing the slightly tired look on Alice’s face. “You must still be exhausted. Don’t just stand there—come, have a seat.” He gestured toward a sofa.
Alice nodded gently and let herself be guided, a faint, grateful smile on her lips.
Before long, the conversations in the room resumed their natural flow. As if nothing had happened, Christmas regained its joyful and warm atmosphere, filled with laughter, lively chatter, and the opening of gifts that reignited the magic of the moment. The younger ones were thrilled with each unwrapped package, while the older ones shared anecdotes and memories around the fireplace.
Although Alice smiled, she seemed slightly detached from the excitement. Her gaze wandered across the room, observing Harry, Ginny, and the other young ones as they marveled at their gifts. She listened distantly to the animated exchanges of her old friends.
Deep down, however, she was lost in her own thoughts, savoring the sensation of a weight that had finally seemed to lift. The shadow of tension and secrets appeared to have dissipated, replaced by a fragile but precious calm. Yet a faint sadness lingered: the absence of Severus.
She regretted that he had left so abruptly. She had wanted him to stay, to share this moment of peace they had worked so hard to reclaim. More than anything, she wished she could have thanked him for what he had done for her, for saving her. She ran her hand over her arm, now marked with broad scars. She would never forget how they came to be, nor who had saved her. Never.