The Last Of The Willow Branches

The whistle starting the game fell onto Alice’s ears both like a train whistle and like a light turning on in a room. Uncle Jack had always insisted playing a full match as Keeper required a slightly transcendental ascendance into the ethos and she agreed wholeheartedly.

She couldn’t focus on the game, she had to only focus on the Quaffle.

The Quaffle was her single solitary objective, her objective was to keep it away from her goals and watch her team score with it.

She did occasionally keep an ear out for the whirring of Bludgers, but she felt fairly safe with both Hector and Jonah flying close by.

The score stood as such:

Gryffindor: 10

Slytherin: 0

“The Little Terror’s done it again.”Cody’s voice boomed over the stadium, “Longbottom has successfully blocked another very impressive goal attempt from Warrington.”

“Cobden George Jordan, call this bloody game better than that!” Sounded the screeching voice of Cody’s dad, “Everyone with eyes could see Warrington’s attempt would have been futile.”

“Dad!” Cody scolded.

“Just calling it as I see it.” Mr. Jordan exclaimed.

“Mr. Jordan!” Sounded the headmistress. “I will have you removed from the grounds.”

Alice normally tried to block out Cody’s commentary and the crowd’s screams. She had found if she focused solidly on humming a particular ten minute song, she managed to make it through most of the match unscathed.

However she found herself giggling at the continued exchanges of the Jordan family.

“Bloody hell Cobden, no you can not say that Laurel Smith is a fine seeker, the snitch has flown past her nose twice!” Mr. Jordan exclaimed.

She was especially distracted when she heard the army of boos that followed into the arena when Cody proclaimed, “But-but dad, I mean I’m just trying to be a fair and unbiased commentator.”

“Ugh.” Groaned his father, “This is what I get for letting your Godmother influence you too much.”

There was a loud bang and a crushing noise as Mr Jordan swore loudly into the gramophone.

Alice took the crowd and Slytherin’s distraction to her advantage. She noticed a glimmer of gold by the Slytherin team’s seeker. Her eyes were glued to whatever had happened in the visitor’s box. She nodded to Jeanie across the pitch who began to dive towards the ground and the other team’s seeker. Alice decided to continue the distraction.

As the Quaffle was tossed at her with slight lackluster, she performed her somewhat signature goal from across the stadium mere moments before Jeanie caught the Snitch.

This left the score at:

Slytherin-0

Gryffindor-170

Alice breathed a sigh of relief.

Her whole team embraced her and Jeanie as the reached the ground. She was hoisted into the air by Uncle Jack who had somehow run faster than everyone else in the crowd to lift her onto his shoulders. He was followed by Dusty who immediately went to her shoulders.

“That’s my girl!” Uncle Jack cried excitedly to anyone who could hear him. “Woooooh!”

Everyone shook her hand from up upon Uncle Jack’s shoulders.

“Do you know the statistics of a near perfect game like that Alice?” Uncle Jack asked her.

“I know it’s a rare occurrence.” Alice responded.

Her parents were unfortunately close to the end of the crowd, but it parted as they ran to her. Her mother was actually running steadily, her cane nowhere in sight.

“Oh my baby girl.” Her mother kissed her cheeks after Uncle Jack let her down, “How in the world are you so talented?”

Alice didn’t have an answer, just another question, “Mum, where’s your cane?”

“Didn’t you see?” Her dad asked with a boisterous giggle. “She threw it at Lee! He’s been taken to Madame Pomfrey.”

“I didn’t throw it.” Her mother insisted with a cock of her neck.

“Of course you did.” Her father kissed her mother's cheek.

“I dropped it.” Her mother fixed her hat, “He’s one of my oldest friends. I certainly would never aim it at his head.”

“Perfectly timed drop then, one cannot assume you of all people did not intend such a perfectly aimed trajectory.” Uncle Jack insisted as he let Dusty nudge his cheek. “Bout time someone got the delinquent to shut his gaping mouth. Cody is a decent commentator at best, but he could be better if he wasn’t worried about the expectations of his patriarch.”

“I can’t say I miss your interesting vocabulary Fyre.” Said the Minister of Magic, Hermione Granger as she walked up to them, “And respectfully, I saw nothing of the sort. I saw your mother conveniently drop her cane due to shaking from excitement.”

Hermione was practically family and although always dressed smartly, never seemed like the Minister of Magic around Alice. She seemed the same as the rest of her parent’s friends.

Her husband followed in a broken sweat, “I found it!”

Ron Weasley held the cane aloft before handing it to Alice’s mum.

Her mother took her cane back like it was made of something putrid.

“Oh thanks Ron.” Her mother said before leaning against it, “I certainly did miss it.”

“Oh I would’ve left it, but Malfoy insisted you have it back.” Ron rolled his eyes towards a face Alice knew decently. “Haven’t seen or spoken to the bloke in nearly a decade but he made it a point not to let me throw it in the black lake for you. I was preparing to do just that.”

Uncle Jack narrowed behind them towards Mr. Malfoy, “Oh, Malfoy stayed around did he? Excuse me.”

Uncle Jack strode past them over to Mr. Malfoy. The two shook hands and Alice thought she could detect a small grin upon Mr. Malfoy’s face.

“He’s very concerned about Mum’s condition.” Alice explained without thinking.

Her father silently nodded towards Mr. Malfoy and Uncle Jack.

Alice admitted as she watched them, “He also told me it’s a shame I don’t plan on becoming a Quidditch player.”

“It is a bloody-“ Ron winced as his wife shot him a tense look.

“Ronald.” Hermione scowled.

“Shame Harry couldn’t be here to see your game.” Ron said, finishing his sentence with a large plastered smile.

Alice had an idea Ron felt similar to how Mr. Malfoy felt, she was wasting her potential.

“Did Harry and Ginny not come?” Alice asked looking between Hermione and Ron.

“Harry was called into the office, seemed like an emergency. Ginny is here, she’s just sending her final draft to the Prophet.” Hermione said putting her hand on her shoulder. “Albert was apparently begging for information on your victory, kept sending owls the whole game.”

“Your Godmother is here too.” Her mother said craning her neck. “As are Lorcan and Lysander.”

Alice’s heart jumped, “Are they?”

She spotted her Godmother and Lysander who waved and shouted vigorously for her. Aunt Luna ran to her and pulled her into a massive hug.

Lysander exclaimed as he too, picked her up and twirled her in the air.

Lysander’s eyes lingered on the ribbon in her hair. It was the one he’d given her, she wasn’t sure why she’d chosen that ribbon particularly for her braid, but she was glad she had. Duke flew to Lysander’s shoulder, not super close to Dusty, but near enough Dusty changed shoulders upon Alice to be further away from him.

“Duke certainly likes you. He's an excellent judge of character though, but you knew that.” Alice smiled as Duke slowly crawled to the other shoulder. It was the first time in a while Alice had seen him attempt a closeness to Dusty. He’d seemed so disparaged before.

“He is a sweet little man.” Lysander’s eyes stared at the little dragon, “Poor bloke, I see he’s made little progress.”

“She still refuses his advances, it’s almost like she doesn’t realize he’s really interested in him.” Alice said looking at Dusty who had turned her back to Duke now. “We’re going to get them there though, Hagrid and I have been very dedicated. We meet up three times a week just to put them in close proximity.”

“Certainly, you must be part dragon for you to fly so well.” Lysander exclaimed with a wink referencing a joke Cody had played.

“Possibly, because honestly I’m not sure she truly inherited our abilities.” Alice’s dad exclaimed before darting his head around, “I’ve lost Minnie I think.”

“You didn’t lose her.” Alice’s mother exclaimed before raising her eyebrows into the crowd.

Minnie was callously laughing at Warrington. Warrington’s eyes lingered on her face as she loudly proclaimed, “My sister kicked your as-“

“Minerva Longbottom!” Her mother yelled before pressing her lips together.

“Sorry mum.” Minnie responded with a slight shrug.

“I will admit I enjoy her loyalty.” Alice whispered to Lysander. “She’d never betray Gryffindor or me, not even for Cas.”

“Of course not.” Lysander nudged her shoulder.

“Where’s Lorcan?” Ron asked looking around. “He was with you a moment ago.”

“Probably aggressively reuniting with your niece.” Luna said nonchalantly before nodding in a direction towards the back of the pitch.

“Oh yes, I suppose we should say hello to her as well.” Hermione mentioned with a purse of her lips like the squeeze of a drawstring bag. She looked in the direction Luna had motioned towards.

Alice looked in the same direction, something she regretted as she watched Josie and Lorcan publicly snogging. They weren’t seeming to care that people were around or even that they were watching.

“What did I tell you?” Luna asked, her upper lip pressed up as she spoke. She threw her hands to the sky and walked towards them, “Lorcan Scamander! You are in public and the clouds are in the wrong shape for this to be an appropriate action.”

They unlocked their lips but laughed as they noticed everyone looking at them. The dirt on Josie’s face now lingered upon Lorcan’s cheeks and lips.

Alice wondered where Josie’s parents and family was, she hadn’t seen them.

Lysander had turned green but Alice swore she could hear a small giggle. Everyone else in the little group snapped their heads away as Luna continued her misty but impactful scolding.

Alice’s mother turned her head back to Lysander where Duke had remained perched, “Mr. Scamander, you are welcome to join us this evening, we were discussing fetching dinner at the Three Broomsticks and possibly enjoying a drink or two.”

“I would enjoy that.” Lysander answered with wide dotty eyes back to Alice’s mother, “If I am not imposing.”

“Of course not.” Her mother smiled a little as she leaned more upon her cane, “I invited you didn’t I? Then again I feel as if Duke has invited you.”

“Then I would be honored Professor.” Lysander nodded back.

“Yo Alice!” Josie called at her, having escaped Luna’s wrath. She waved her arms.

Alice swallowed the bile in her throat before leaving the little group to see Josie.

“Excellent final play there Longbottom. Jeanie told me you saw the snitch so she could catch it.” Josie said after shaking her hand vigorously. “If we keep up games like this, the other teams don’t stand a chance, the cup is ours.”

“I certainly think so.” Alice smiled, happy Josie was speaking to her as an equal for a moment. "We will finally bring Gryffindor back to the glory it deserves."

“I for one will be grateful for Gryffindor to finally have such glory.” Alice’s dad’s voice came from behind Alice. “Sorry to interrupt, but I had important business with you Miss Weasley.”

“I suppose you must take away points for my public display?” Josie asked wiping her forehead.

“Ten points.” Her father said with a curt nod. “But I’ll award five points for your excellent leadership today.”

Alice bit her tongue, if he knew how she’d spoken to her team before the game he wouldn’t be granting any points.

“I’ve heard you loud and clear Professor.” Josie said before offering a salute. “I should go encourage my team to get some rest now.”

“No parties?” Her father asked Josie with a slight twinkle in his eye.

“None at all sir.” Josie smirked. “Certainly none.”

“So if I come to the Common Room around midnight?” Her father asked lifting his chin.

“You will find that everyone is tucked into their beds safe and sound.” Josie said with a giant smile. She forcefully wrapped an arm around Alice who felt more like running. “My team deserves a good rest.”

Her father smiled a little over to Alice’s mother who raised her eyebrows before rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

“Good, I’ll check in around midnight and I hope everyone has a good time, resting.” Her dad said with a drop of his shoulders.

Her father rejoined his group of old friends they were all laughing quite loudly. Luna had returned to the group and was quite red in the face.

“We will probably only have till about eleven when my dad actually comes to check on everything.” Alice revealed. “When mum gives that look it normally means they are going to The Three Broomsticks with their friends, but they won’t be stopping off at the Hogs Head afterward for a nightcap.”

“That’s fine, we are changing things up and instead we’re having a party under the stands. This way other houses can come and the common room will be empty so your dad will think everyone is asleep.”

"Dad won't think that, he's not dumb you know?" Alice crossed her arms. "He probably doesn't know a thing about secret parties, but he's done a fair bit of sneaking you know."

Josie asked without her usual groan, “So I’ll see you there right?”

Alice felt her breathe stall, the last time they had a party outside the common room, she hadn’t been told about it, “I’m invited? But I'm never invited to parties outside the common room.”

“Of course you are invited Alice.” Josie rubbed Alice’s head pulling out some of her braid, “Can’t leave out the star player now can we?”

She could hear Lorcan’s blood curdling snickers as Josie rubbed her knuckles into her skull. This certainly wasn’t helping her seem older or more mature. "Stop it Josie."

“Grrrrrrr.” Dusty growled from Alice’s pocket.

Josie jolted as she heard the growl, letting go of Alice’s skull and shoulders. “Well, I’ll see you there of course.”

Alice reached up to her head, her braid was certainly undone. She’d need to clean up and get ready for the party anyway. She was probably a mess.

She mostly felt sticky from sweat as she walked back to her parents to tell them she planned to go shower.

Alice released her hair from the braid that had been giving her a slight headache. Josie’s knuckles had pulled a bit of it out and the dirt around her face from flying made her quite the unattractive sight.

She ran her fingers along the sparkly red ribbon Lysander had given her, she was shocked to see it hadn’t been damaged at all. She changed into a bright blue sweater her grandmother had made for her. She paired it with a mid sized gray skirt that had big pockets Dusty liked to snuggle inside of.

“On your way to the party?” Her sister asked her after catching her on the staircase on her way out of the girl’s dormitory.

Alice nodded, “Yes, are you and Cas coming?”

“No, Cas is still licking his wounds I’m afraid. Promised I’d meet him in our spot tonight.” Her sister said leaning against the wall. Alice noticed her sister’s skin was slightly yellowed.

Alice insisted, “Since the party is under the bleachers Cas can lick his wounds while we celebrate.”

“Oh no, I saw Josie leaving the kitchens with her arms full of pasties. I don’t want to be tempted.” Minnie said with a deep sigh.

“I think you just want to be alone with Cas.” Alice made her face mimic the motion of vomiting.

Minnie shrugged before giggling a little, “Of course I do.”

“At least you aren’t an exhibitionist like some people.” Alice grimaced.

Minnie wrinkled her nose.

“Which would go against your nature I suppose. You don't seem the type to like shoving your relationships into other people's faces.” Alice laughed, “Have a good time with Cas, tell him I said good game.”

"I will."

Alice gave her sister a kiss on the cheek before taking a few steps down, she stopped and looked back at Minnie, “Do I look alright?”

Minnie smiled before nodding, “I like your hair bow.”

“Thanks Min.” Alice said touching the bow Lysander had given her, before making her way down towards the quidditch pitch.

Alice hadn’t been to a party under the pitch before. It was honestly well lit and very nice, there was a phonograph playing Spiritsprouts and a large table of treats. Almost everyone in Gryffindor was there, except a few first and second years.

“Hey Alice, great job!” Sounded Jeanie as she came in, Alice responded by hugging her around the neck.

“And great catch you amazing little seeker.” Alice responded.

Jeanie giggled, “It was pretty amazing. I feel like I could breathe fire, does it always feel like that?”

“Maybe you are the one who is part dragon.” Alice laughed.

Jeanie rolled her eyes. “I’m going to grab some Butterbeer, want some?”

“Sure.” Alice responded with a shrug, seeing everyone around. She spotted all of her roommates who each respectively seemed locked in conversations. She spotted a few people from other houses, she wondered if maybe Mug was there but didn’t see him.

Alice felt somewhat overwhelmed by the masses and although people would congratulate her on a good game, they rarely held conversation. They would always get overwhelmed and find an excuse to go somewhere else.

Jeanie had brought her a butterbeer. Alice realized she may have over spoke to even Jeanie, she always did. Especially when Jeanie’s eyes dropped from Alice’s conversation and began talking to other people who were congratulating her on a good first game.

Alice remembered being fawned over after her first game. Alice surmised that they also had eventually tired of her over conversationalist ways.

Alice mulled through the party, dancing by herself slightly and missing the few people who ever made parties easier.

Alice was considering slipping away from the party and just getting some rest when she looked over to see that Josie and Lorcan had decided to continue their exhibition. She felt the familiar jab again.

Alice felt that was the nail in the coffin. She put her empty butterbeer glass down before heading towards the exit of the pitch.

“Hey Longbottom!” Hector’s voice called from above her in the rafters.

Alice stopped in her tracks before looking up at him.

“Care to join me?” He asked before bending back and reaching down an arm. “The party is more fun to watch honestly.”

“I wouldn’t mind the company.” She said, just thankful not to be completely alone. She climbed up before taking his hand for the last part. His hand wasn’t sweaty like Jonah’s.

“You are right, this vantage point made the party far more interesting. You can see everything.” Alice observed as she let go of his hand and looked around the party. “There’s Ruby and her boyfriend, having a row it seems.”

Ruby’s face was red as she stamped her foot towards her boyfriend, James in the back corner.

“Yes, they’ve been quite aggressive.” Hector chuckled.

"Ruby doesn't like that he talks to other girls." Alice rolled her eyes, "He doesn't though, the one girl she worried about was his sister."

"Ridiculous."

“Oh and there’s Jeanie surrounded in her newfound glory.” Alice laughed upon seeing Jeanie still surrounded. "A well deserved show of congratulations I say."

“It’s her first game, and it was a decent catch.” Hector said but now his eyes looked towards her, “Not as brilliant as your final score of course.”

Alice felt a smile grow upon her face. “Thanks.”

She looked a bit more around the room, but noticed the exact view she was avoiding. Josie and Lorcan still wrapped into each other. “You’d have thought they’d have gotten enough of each other by now. In just the small time I spent at my Godparents they barely detached, and the noises I heard them make from his room-”

She stopped himself as she noticed Hector turn green.

“I didn’t even know he was allowed on school grounds without permission.” Hector said with a shiver looking back at them.

Alice shrugged, “Yeah, that rule really seems to be bothering her doesn’t it? Obviously it’s why we aren’t having the party in the Common Room.”

“She sure knows it bothers the rest of us.” Hector groaned.

“I’m sorry, I know she probably hurt you quite a bit. I swear she did it to spite my sister originally.” Alice said trying to apologize. "Then I guess they really do fancy each other, but it's rather conspicuous that they never seem to have a problem showing off their affection in front of everyone."

“I swear she does it to rub it in people’s faces. If she weren’t quidditch captain, I’d never speak to her again.” Hector continued gruffly as his golden eyes looked upwards.

“I’m not sure I’m glad to not be alone in this situation.” Alice observed with a nod. A breeze drifted through the rafters sending a chill up her spine.

“Need a butterbeer?” He asked holding up his wand.

She nodded not seeing the harm.

“Accio Butterbeer.” He cast before the butterbeer flew up to him.

“Thank you.” Alice said before taking the butterbeer.

Hector twisted his neck to look about the room, “I actually don’t know what you see in Lorcan.”

“I don’t know what you saw in Josie.” Alice retorted wrapping her arms around herself and attempting not to spill her butterbeer.

“Touche’” Hector nodded his head at her.

Alice smiled before sipping her own butterbeer.

“So you and Jonah didn’t hit it off?” Hector leaned closer to her before asking in a whisper.

Alice shook her head looking over to Beatrice and Jonah. The two were sitting together and both seemed very red in the face. “Not exactly. I think we’re better as teammates.”

“Why?” Hector asked tilting his head.

She certainly couldn’t tell anyone it was to make other people jealous. She definitely couldn’t say Freya had advised against seeing him. Alice also knew it would be mean to tell everyone Jonah was a terrible kisser. “Just didn’t work out is all. I think we are just better as friends, besides Beatrice has fancied him for longer.”

“Oh come on Alice.” Hector leaned closer to her, he smelled like broomstick wax. “How’s a fellow supposed to learn how to impress you if they don’t know what the other blokes did wrong?”

Alice didn’t mean to but she began to giggle. “You’d have to find out on your own I suppose. I hate to tell you though, it won’t be any use if you are simply attempting to use me to get back at Josie. She finds me a thorn in her side, not a worthy competitor in the dangerous dating world, she’ll simply think you traded down.”

Hector grunted, “I’m not interested in Josie’s opinion anywhere but on the pitch.”

Alice laughed, “Well, that’s the only place she has a fine opinion of me. She, like everyone thinks I’m too loud and I talk too much. They aren’t wrong.”

“Yes they are.” Hector said in a snap. “You aren’t too loud.”

Alice wondered why he would lie about that. “Are you just trying to impress me?”

“Is it working?” He asked leaning even closer and raised his eyebrows.

Alice giggled again, “A little bit I guess.”

Alice heard a small squeak from her pocket. She opened it wider to see Dusty with her mouth open.

“Oh poor dear wants to hunt for mice I think.” Alice said before closing her pocket.

“You’ve had her in your pocket the whole time?” He asked jumping back slightly.

“Of course.” Alice laughed before reaching to begin her climb down. “She’s my companion after all.”

“Hold on a second though.” Hector called after her as he climbed down behind her.

Alice’s feet hit the ground and she felt a tiny twinge in the balls of her feet. She turned to look back to Hector as his feet hit the ground. He was sweating slightly, but his golden hair flipped to the side.

“What’s wrong?” She asked.

“I um, I-“ He looked her over slightly before taking her by the arms and slightly pushing her against one of the posts.

She meant to open her mouth to ask what he was doing, but found his lips upon her’s.

Alice swore she could feel it in her toes. She could still taste the remnants of butterbeer on his lips.

“You are a fine kisser.” Alice said breathlessly as he let go.

“Thanks.” He said and she could feel his hands tighter on her arms. His eyes lingered on her lips. “Maybe sometime when your dragon doesn’t need something, I could show you more of my abilities in that area.”

Alice felt her stomach slightly drop, she didn’t hate that thought. She also didn’t hate the thought she could feel eyes on her from nearly everyone from beneath the pitch.

She reached her eyes back to his’, “I’ll think about it.”

He laughed a little before relaxing his grip on her, “I’ll take it.”

Alice left him behind before leaving the pitch. She opened her pocket and let Dusty fly about around her. She walked down the darkened path towards the castle. She didn’t worry about Filch too much, she had permission to let her dragon hunt.

She touched her lips as she walked wondering how she’d already managed to kiss two boys. She wondered if Lorcan had seen that display and if she was seeming more mature. She had known Hector fancied her, but she hadn’t known he would be so aggressive. Was it smart to enter something like that, she’d heard of boys being pushy.

Dusty returned to her pocket carrying a large mouse in her mouth. Alice could hear her little gobbles as she walked down the path. She noticed the outline of a man inside the gate, someone who was not a teacher.

He was leaning against the gate slightly and seemed to be waving at a couple of silhouettes she did recognize. It was her parents, leaning on each other and humming quite loudly.

She had a slight idea who the man was as she came closer and she waited briefly as to not be seen by them.

“Lysander?” She asked with a slight lightness filling her voice. Lysander had a good way of always making her feel less confused.

“Oh Alice!” He exclaimed holding his hand to his heart. “You gave me quite the jump.”

“Sorry.” She giggled, “What are you doing here.”

“I was seeing your parents back to the castle, they are quite-well, inebriated.” Lysander laughed slightly before coughing. He rubbed his forehead, his tie was loose about his shoulders. “Not to say I’m not a bit beyond my capacity for drink. What are you doing out here? I’d have thought you’d be celebrating with the rest of the house.”

“Oh, I’m leaving the party now.” Alice explained, “It was under the bleachers this time, I think it was just so Josie could see Lorcan.”

Lysander coughed again, “My brother is an arse.”

Alice smelled a bit of the fire whiskey on his breathe as he coughed.

“I’ll bet he hasn’t even said a proper hello to you.” Lysander coughed again leaning against the fencepost. “He didn’t say a proper word to you all Summer.”

“Yes he did. He asked me to pass the salt.” Alice insisted, “And he just thinks I’m an over talker, which everyone does. Maybe he will change his mind.”

“Oh confessions of love are sure to come from him I’m sure.” Lysander now coughed and laughed simultaneously. “I don’t understand why you allow him of all damned humans such power. I’ve seen how he treats you, and you deserve much more than that slug. Yet, you will continue to convince yourself he’s the man for you.”

“Lysander.” Alice said, “I don’t like how you are speaking to me.”

“Not to mention, you’ve got so many talents and I believe I’m not the only one who worries you will be misunderstood.” Lysander coughed, “Or taken advantage of.”

“I don’t understand.” Alice said, her heartbeat faster than she thought possible. She could feel heated tears behind her eyes.

Lysander continued before slapping his head, “I don’t know why I said that out loud.”

“Possibly because you’ve been drinking Lysander.”

“I’m sorry Lissy.” He said before taking a deep breathe. “Honestly.”

“You haven’t called me Lissy in a long time.” Alice said, hoping to change the subject, she leaned herself against the fence. “You must be truly pissed Lysander.”

Lysander’s chest began to move as he coughed and laughed more, “I'm a little beyond my normal resources I’m afraid.”

“Do you need to see Madame Pomfrey?” Alice asked standing up straighter.

“Oh no, I should manage to apparate home.” He said with a deep breathe before coughing again. “Mum was right, wrack spurts are nasty beasts.”

Alice felt a laugh escape her throat, “You are just drunk. It takes a brave man to attempt keeping up with my parents, they’ve had much practice unfortunately. They don’t do it around Min and I, but I’ve heard them come home singing before.”

Lysander coughed a laugh, “They were singing.”

“I know I heard.” Alice exclaimed, enjoying his laughter, seeing her friend truly again. “There’s that laugh I know. I’ve missed that laugh.”

“Truly?” He asked making him lean up from the fence.

“Of course I did, you are one of my favorite people.” She admitted with a slightly louder laugh.

Dusty, startled by Alice’s louder laugh, jumped out of her pocket.

Without warning, Lysander jumped up from the fence as little black claws climbed from his pocket.

“Merlin’s pants, Duke!” Lysander exclaimed as Duke climbed out of his pocket.

Duke floated briefly looking sideways at Dusty. His eyes sparkling in the starlight.

Alice prepared to feel Dusty float back into her pocket. She was surprised when Dusty continued the flap of her wings.

Lysander’s mouth fell agape as he too stared at the two floating dragons.

“She’s not flying away.” Alice said as she watched her stay mid air.

Duke slowly beat his wings, moving slightly closer to her.

Dusty remained, but her star-filled eyes continued baring into Duke’s. Her scales glittered in the moonlight.

Alice could feel her heart beat into her throat, could they be forming a bond?

CRACK

Everyone turned their heads towards the forests.

“AAAAAAAH!” Dusty cried out before flying like a shot towards the forest.

“Dusty!” Alice called trying to run behind her.

“Duke!” Cried Lysander as Duke flew past Alice’s head and towards Dusty.

Alice’s exhausted feet were not nearly as fast as normal as she tried to catch up to the dragons who both entered the forest.

They’d never entered it before.

Alice couldn’t remember seeing Duke ever enter the forest alone before.

“Duke!” Alice called as she entered the forest behind them, “Dusty!”

She ran quickly through the forest, listening for the beat of their wings. She realized as the sound grew dimmer that she didn’t know where she was.

“Alice!” Lysander called after her grabbing her shoulders stopping her from running further. “You can’t just run into the forbidden forest.”

CRACK!

Another snap.

Lysander pulled out his wand, “Alice.”

Alice reached into her pocket and grabbed her wand. She looked around, it was just woods as far as she could see.

CRACK!

“You let the dragons get away.” A course voice called to another.

"They are slippery little suckers! I couldn't keep my grip!" Screamed another voice.

Alice’s heart jumped into her throat. Aunt Luna was right, it was dangerous to have a dragon.