Trust No One
My Dear Friend Lysander,
I never properly thanked you for the other evening. You were there for me and I cannot express my gratitude enough that you stayed and saw that everything was taken care of. Mum says you are a good man. Not that I think Mum is in my good standing right now.
I did as you asked. I informed my parents about Freya. Now, I do not feel they trust me with anything. They have taken Dusty away for a whole week because I missed a Gazette meeting. They never punished Minnie like this.
I miss having you around,
-Alice
P.s.
Also, is it true you fancy Rosemarie Kersey? I don’t mean to pry, but you’ve always told me your fancies before.
Is she pretty?
Alice had struggled to ask the final question, but decided it was alright as she folded up the letter and sent it. She had also debated about telling him that she had missed a Gazette meeting to snog Hector Owens, but it felt odd sending him that information.
She climbed the Owlery to find a school owl since she decided it was better than to ask for Duke to deliver her letter. She never wanted to speak to her parents again.
How could her mother do this to her?
How could her father stay complacent as her mother dolled such a punishment?
How could Minnie have told on her?
It had been six days since her fight with her parents, and being without Dusty made her feel empty and her nightmares had increased with no reprieve.
She'd been attempting to avoid Hector and his badgering. He kept begging her to give an answer. Alice wasn't sure she wanted to be his girlfriend. She also knew she couldn't immediately say something, everyone would think she broke it off because of her punishment. She refused to give her parents that satisfaction.
Alice gave her letter to a small bard owl with a funny set of claws. She began her way down the tower and looked towards Hagrid’s hut. She wondered if she could look close enough if she could see Dusty at the window.
Her eyes drifted towards the forest. A flash of aquamarine hair through the thicket informed her she was being watched.
Alice took a deep breathe, she’d need to warn Freya about the heightened security. She had saved her life after all.
Alice hesitated before entering the forest, she hadn't entered it since the encounter with the poachers.
As soon as Alice found herself within the threshold of the forest she shouted, “Freya! You need to leave now!”
“Why ever should I do that?” Freya asked swinging down from a tree. Her hair whipped in the wind and her face had a big scratch on it.
“Because they’ve increased security and Auror presences.” Alice explained but laughed as
“Aurors Schmaurors.” Freya waved her hands.
“Still, my parents are hacked off enough.”
“Where’s Dusty?” Freya said looking around Alice, “She normally says hello to me.”
Alice explained everything to Freya. During her story, she and Freya both sat themselves upon a large tree stump.
“I hate them.” Alice exclaimed dramatically throwing her head into her hands as she finished.
“Come on Alice.” Freya rolled her eyes, “Your parents probably want what’s best for you.”
“But they don’t understand.”
“Maybe they do.” Freya asserted moving closer to her, “My mom and I had a few fights in my day. She was a strong woman, we come from a long line of Viking women and we like to battle each other.”
Alice sat up a little, “I don’t mean to offend, but you don’t look like a traditional viking woman.”
“My father’s family was from Korea, he left when I was little.” Freya explained scratching her wrist where Alice could just slightly make out a small tattoo.
“I’m sorry about that. I know I’m mad at my dad, but I can’t imagine not having him around. Was your dad a muggle?” Alice asked and was surprised when Freya didn’t ask her to mind her own business.
“Yes, he was. Mum never let me use his actual name though, she wanted me to use the English translation. She never trusted him.” Freya took a deep breathe. “She never trusted anyone.”
“Didn’t help much she could read thoughts. She knew my father wasn’t faithful.” Freya laughed and put a hand on Alice’s shoulder. “After he left, she’d occasionally punish me even before I’d done whatever it was I was considering. She’d hit me anytime I had a thought against her.”
“She was a legiliment?” Alice asked not ever having known that.
“Yes, it’s why I was so good at keeping Kai from my real thoughts.” Freya said her eyes drifting upward as her words drifted on Kai’s name. “How I knew I could hide what I was planning from him.”
Alice took a deep breath, “Why’d you do it? Betray him I mean.”
“My mom also told me not to trust anyone.” Freya sighed, “And I didn’t trust he’d go along with my plan. He was very dedicated to his dragons, almost too dedicated, he’d have chosen them over me any day.”
“I mean, your option was Voldemort, and not to slight your reasonings, but he was sort of-“
Freya snorted out a laugh, “I didn’t trust him either, but it seemed my best choice if I wanted to survive.”
“That’s horrible you know.” Alice insisted crossing her arms.
“I know.” Freya nodded, “But I’m alive aren’t I?”
“You are also alone though.” Alice said, the fear of her boggart creeping up her spine.
“I am.” Freya’s eyes now lingered upon Alice’s face. “I am alone. All because I don’t trust people.”
“You really don’t trust anyone?” Alice asked meeting Freya’s eyes.
“I do trust certain people.” Freya smiled.
“Who?”
“Your mom.”
“My mum?” Alice shrilled and flared her nostrils, “She doesn’t trust you.”
“Trust has to be earned.” Freya leaned onto Alice’s shoulder, “And she’s earned mine, I haven’t earned her’s obviously. No matter what I do. I would love to gain it. I expect you should gain it from her. But you won’t earn her trust if you date some boy who’s got a reputation.”
“Oh.”
“And you should tell her you saw me.” Freya giggled, “And tell her you yelled at me to go away. Which you technically did.”
Alice nodded, “But what if you get caught?”
“Oh what are they going to do? Stick me in Askaban?” Freya threw her head back, “Hasn’t worked since they rid the place of Dementors.”
“Are you going to leave? The forest I mean.”
“No, I want to keep poachers away.” Freya answered before touching Alice’s hair. “I don’t want them hurting a hair on your pretty head Little Fyre.”
“Why?” Alice asked as she let Freya begin a small braid in her hair, “Mum says you have a motive for saving me and Lysander that night.”
“I am of course making sure I get a return on my investment in Dusty and maybe I just happen to like you.” Freya said as she finished the braid in Alice’s hair. “And the Scamander boy, well he just happened to be there. I’m surprised though, is he the one you mean to catch? Because I must say you don’t need to worry about making him more interested by making out with other boys, he seemed more than infatuated.”
“No, he’s just a friend.” Alice explained, “Really, I love him, but he’s not someone I’d think of like that. He fancied my sister, not me.”
“That’s a shame. He looks like someone I knew, a long time ago.” Freya explained as she stood up from the stump, "Want my advice, forget the other small fish, even whoever it is you are trying to make jealous, that man is a good one."
"I don't know."
"Don't you trust my opinions?" Freya crossed her arms.
"Should I?" Alice asked running her hand down the little braid in her hair.
"Probably not." Freya's eyes sparkled before she nodded towards the edge of the forest. “Now go tell your mother I was here, earn her trust back.”
“Fine.” Alice said as she too stood up. She began running out of the forest as fast as she could.
Alice did as Freya suggested and told her mother immediately. Her mother was grading papers in her office with Duke dutifully by her side.
“That gargoyle of a woman, I'll inform Harry.” Her mother rubbed her forehead, “Thank you Alice.”
“Y-y-you told me I should tell you.” Alice stuttered out, still feeling a slight rage. She was trying to hide it.
“And I appreciate it, I’m just surprised.” Her mother said standing up from behind her desk.
“By what?” Alice asked.
Her mother summoned her cloak and cane to her, “That you are speaking to me.”
“Well, you told me-“
“I know baby girl, but you’ve not even answered questions in your father and I’s classes.” Her mother explained, “You made Kersey answer that question about Puffapods in Herbology.”
“It was Mandrakes and he knew the answer.” Alice explained. “I just thought it was better I tell you.”
Her mother’s lips slipped into a smile. “Well, you are in good time. I’m off to see Hagrid.”
Alice felt her heart jump, “Can I come?”
“I think you’ve endured long enough.” Her mother answered. “Besides, it’s the end of the school day.”
Alice was practically skipping as she and her mother exited the castle again.
"I like the little braid." Her mother complimented as they walked down the path, "It looks very smart."
"Thanks mum. I thought it was pretty." Alice said, knowing her mother always followed up compliments with important conversations.
“So I presume, you don’t actually hate your father and I?” Her mother asked as she hobbled against her cane.
“No, I don’t hate you mum.” Alice groaned not knowing how to feel, “I just didn’t see why I should be punished.”
“Do you see now?”
Alice didn’t, but nodded all the same.
Her mother abruptly stopped down the path from Hagrid’s. A voice was trailing over the grounds.
“Mrs. Longbottom.” A foreign woman’s voice exclaimed.
“You mean Professor Fyre?” Hagrid’s voice trailed out the open window of his hut, “She’s trusted me and had permissions from the Headmistress, the Minister of Magic and the Magizoologist Center of London.”
“Yes, but with recent events it was rumored another set of opinions would not hurt. One that is quite involved in the ministerial business concerning creatures and beasts.” The woman’s voice continued. It was slick like a waterfall with how it bounded over the grounds.
Alice’s mother hurried down the path, her skirts ruffling in the wind as she knocked on the door.
“Hagrid!” Her mother called in as she knocked quickly.
“There is Professor Fyre now.” Hagrid’s voice came booming as he opened the door. “Bout bloody time.”
Dusty flew out the door faster than anyone could stop her. Her purple tinted scales shining in the afternoon sunlight.
“Dusty here has been missing her companion.”
“Dusty!” Alice called as Dusty flew into her so hard she was knocked backwards off of the step into the dying grass.
Dusty began to lick her face causing little tingles through Alice’s face. The giggling was ecstatically escaping her throat.
“Not alone Hagrid?” Alice’s mother asked.
Hagrid’s smile immediately switched to a frown, “No, Ministry woman.”
“Let me guess, Hargroves?” Her mother smirked.
Hagrid nodded.
“Who’s Hargroves?” Alice asked as she stood up from the ground, holding her dear Dusty close to her.
“Maria Hargroves, highly established member of the Wizengamot.” An older witch with her light hair pulled up underneath a widely brimmed hat said with a flourished step from behind the door. “I also represent the Magical Creatures Safety Commissions of Great Britain. I just wished to check in on the dragons. Please correct me, but there doesn’t seem to be a real foundry for these animals.”
“We will be building a hatchery for the baby dragons, should that happen.” Hagrid explained. “Otherwise they stay with me, or with their companions.”
The two entered Hagrid’s hut. It was warmer inside, signaling to Alice that winter was on it's way unseasonably late.
“And we take excellent care of them.” Alice insisted as she reached out a hand. “I’m Alice Longbottom.”
“I’ve heard your name in the sports section of The Daily Prophet young lady and it seems you have your father’s smile.” Ms. Hargroves shook her hand. It was clammy to the touch.
“You know my dad?” Alice asked as she felt Dusty move shoulders.
“Yes, she does.” Her mother interrupted, “She used to date uncle Jack.”
“Oh.” Alice felt her cheeks wrinkle.
“Thank you for such a good trip down the ever winding memory lane, Mrs. Longbottom.” Ms. Hargroves said back to Alice’s mother. There was a small flare of her nose as she looked her over.
"Professor Fyre." Alice's mother corrected.
"Oh yes, I forgot you have an aversion to such commitments." Ms. Hargroves insisted with a roll of her eyes. “I am unsure if you three understand the implications of this whole operation. I hope you are all aware the buying and trading of genetically modified dragons is illegal.”
“They are not to be meant for mass distribution.” Her mother explained as Duke climbed around her shoulder to get closer to Dusty. “They are meant purely for study. Once they reach a full maturity we plan to send them to real Dragon Sanctuaries.”
“The Dragon Sanctuaries in America and Romania I assume.” Ms. Hargroves pulled out her notebook. “The ones you personally help to fund.”
“Of course.” Her mother tilted her head, “Both of which are overseen by one of the most respected Dragonologists in the world and endorsed by Newt Scamander himself. You've made a long trip simply to check on two little dragons.”
“I just wanted to see for myself before I finished writing out my paperwork.” Ms. Hargroves said with one last whip of her head, "How is the progress?"
"Slow." Alice exclaimed, "They are still dating essentially."
Ms. Hargroves clicked her tongue, "Ah."
"And they only get the finest of food!" Hagrid insisted.
“I’ve seen plenty." Ms. Hargroves interrupted before putting her notepad into her bag, "The Minister of Magic was right, it’s a simple operation nothing to worry about. Now if you will excuse me, I must be on my way.”
Ms. Hargroves slipped past Alice’s mother. Alice could have sworn she saw her nudge her mother's shoulder, but she couldn't be sure.
“You didn’t trust the Minister's word?” Alice’s mother inquired as she lightly touched the shoulder Alice swore had been hit.
“The Minister of Magic expected me to go off of the word of a woman who’s eldest daughter is involved with the son of a convicted criminal?” Ms. Hargroves mouth slunk into a slinky smile. Ms. Hargroves opened the door and stepped out. “Silly me.”
Alice’s mother snapped taking a step out the door after her. “The elder Mr. Cassius Warrington has paid his dues in the eyes of the law."
“Supposedly.” Mrs. Hargroves said with a tilt of her head. “I personally wouldn’t be so certain.”
“You forget Mr. Warrington did in fact save my husband’s life.” Her mother said taking a step down closer, “And by extent mine.”
“I have not forgotten.” Mrs. Hargroves crossed her arms. “I have also not forgotten that you never saw first hand what Mr. Warrington was capable of. You weren’t here to see it, now were you?”
“No.” Her mother’s shoulders pulled back further, “I was off doing my duty towards the war, what were you back then? Twelve?”
“Yes, and he tortured myself and many others younger. If I had it my way, he’d still be locked away. He shouldn’t have been allowed out, he could have offended again.”
“He’s never hurt anymore children, he has a son of his very own, one he has raised with the utmost love and affection."
"I assume it is because has no wand to perform such horrible curses anymore."
Her mother was now scowling. “We shouldn’t judge his son based on his father’s actions, he is a good young man and he is very supportive of my Minerva.”
“I see.” Ms. Hargroves looked over Alice’s mother. “Nonetheless, I cannot take your judgement seriously Mrs. Longbottom.”
“Professor Fyre.” Her mother snapped back gripping tight upon her cane.
“Of course. How silly of me.” Ms. Hargroves rolled her eyes. "I seem to have forgotten again, haven't I?"
“What does any of that information have to do with my ability to care for my dragon?” As her mother spoke, Duke began to growl.
“Although you are a longtime Dragon companion, one cannot expect you to know any hing about breeding dragons. You simply lucked into your companionship.” Ms. Hargroves sneered, "In circumstances one could find suspicious."
“My companionship that has been investigated and approved by several experts.” Her mother let Duke growl longer than she normally did. "As was my involvement in the death of Kai Jones."
“All by biased experts.” Ms. Hargroves said with a deep guttural breath.
“Ms. Hargroves, this is not the Wizengamot and you have no true authority that goes beyond the actual Minister of Magic. She has approved these activities and I have the paperwork for reference.” Alice’s mother gripped onto her cane.
“I am simply looking out for the minister."
"I'll be reaching out to her personally then." Alice's mother growled, almost matching Duke.
"If this goes badly, it won’t just reflect upon the aging Hogwarts Groundskeeper who has never legally cared for a dragon before, a malediction ridden washed up former Ministry employee, and a fifteen year old under qualified Hogwarts’ student who was recently put at risk, it will reflect upon the Ministry.” Ms. Hargroves rolled her eyes before issuing a high pitched laugh. She turned before stepping off of Hagrid’s bottom step. “Just a little reminder for you.”
“The last Ministry official who put their nose into other people’s business didn’t turn out so well. She got carried off by centaurs and was publicly humiliated by my mother.” Alice piped up as Hargroves walked past Hagrid’s window. “Just a little reminder for you too.”
“I’m sure your mother hasn’t taught you nearly enough respect child.” Hargroves stopped and looked at her, “But if you wish to compare me to that foul woman, remember this, I’ve never harmed anyone. Which is more than most of the company your mother keeps can say.”
Her mother slammed the door to Hagrid’s hut shut.
“Woah there Sammy!” Hagrid exclaimed as she sat down and removed her cloak.
“She’s a piece of work.” Her mother groaned and began scratching at an old scar above her knuckles.
“That she is.” He turned his attention to Alice and Dusty who were deep into a bit of cheek nuzzles. “She’s missed you Miss Alice.”
“I can tell!” Alice said as Dusty nudged closer.
“It was irresponsible of you not to tell me you’d be late that evening.” Hagrid scolded, “She was heartbroken, staring at the window. I had a mind to tell you that night, but you seemed right flustered.”
Alice’s heart shot into her throat. “Then she continued like that every night when you didn’t come for her when your mother dropped her off.”
“It won’t happen again Hagrid.” Alice promised, "I understand now why it was irresponsible of me."
“I should very well hope not.” Hagrid scolded again. “Poor thing, but we did make a bit of progress.”
"What kind of progress?" Alice asked pulling Dusty from her shoulder.
"Bring her here." Her mother instructed, doing the same with Duke. She extended her palms.
Hagrid put a piece of bacon into his large hands and put it between them, like a bridge.
Dusty and Duke didn't fly away, just stared at each other. Their eyes remained locked and Alice could feel Dusty's little heartbeat into her chest. The two began to share the bacon, each biting off an end.
"They are starting to like each other a bit I reckon." Hagrid exclaimed as they watched them eat, "I'll be needing to build that hatchery soon I think."
Alice desperately hoped he was right.
Later that evening Alice received a letter in her dormitory as she looked over her homework.
Dear Lissy,
I am sure your parents were trying to do what was right. I wish my mother would have had higher consequences for Lorcan when he has been caught with his mouth around any woman within a ten kilometer radius. Although, it seems a harsh punishment just for missing a Gazette meeting. Is that really all of it?
To the matter of your gratitude, know I would have done it any day or time. I apologize for my drunkenness and not being in the best state to defend you.
-Lysander
P.s.
To your question about Rosemarie Kersey, she is undoubtedly very pretty, but too quiet in nature for my personal conviction, which is why I had not mentioned her to you.
Why had you never mentioned your recent tryst with Hector Owens to me?
Alice felt her stomach flip out of her chest, why did it bother her that Lysander now knew about her and Hector?