"Do wait!" I said and quickly dusted off my dress and unbolted the lock, opening the door as it gave a loud creak, obvious that the door's hinges were rusty and needed a bad case of oiling.

"Ah! Ms. Liddell! What a great pleasure to finally meet you!" The older man expressed with much jubilation. He has a very long, white beard and is wearing a strange purple robe and bright purple, pointy hat. I was completely flabbergasted. To have this strange, old man who is probably younger than me, to actually recognize that.. No. He must've been mistaken.

"Excuse me but I am--"

"Oh no need for pretense Ms. Liddell. I know very well that it is you. May I come in?"

I only nodded. Too shocked and unable to completely comprehend what is happening in front of me. In an instant, my eyes darted on the knife hidden on my kitchen drawer. Should this man try to do anything funny, I will defend myself. And if he does try to hurt me, I will not hesitate to murder once again.

"Relax Ms. Liddell. I am here to aware you that you are not alone." The older man smiled kindly, a smile that took me aback. His guard is completely down, his bright eyes twinkling in amusement as he stroked his beard then tucked it on his belt whilst sitting on the chair, the only chair in this house.

"What do you mean alone?" I asked, confusion still scrawled visibly on my face. Although, I did put my guard down a little since he didn't look suspicious enough to attack me.

"Ms. Liddell, you are a very special being. You believe magic exists, don't you?"

"I do, but I suppose admitting that would earn me another stay on Rutledge?"

"No Ms. Liddell. Haven't you received the letter?"

"Letter?" I asked in confusion, then it suddenly dawned to me that the letter he meant was the letter I received through an owl earlier. "I did. I haven't opened it yet though since I am supposed to be eating my breakfast."

"Ah, yes. Do forgive me for intruding early in the morning and for disturbing your breakfast."

I sighed and pulled the letter out of my pocket. I gave a wary glance to the strange bearded man, then hesitantly opened the letter and read it silently.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Dear Ms Liddell,

We are pleased to announce you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours Sincerely,

Headmaster Armando Dippet

I was speechless. Completely dumbfounded by the letter I have just read. What does this even mean?

"Ms. Liddell, you are a witch. Your innate magic for delving into Otherlands is a kind of magic that is ancient and lost. We believe your schooling in Hogwarts will hone you into a hero." The man let out a mischievous grin, his eyes glinting with mirth.

"Wh-What..? Me.. A witch?" Even I couldn't quite believe it myself. I knew what I am doing is something beyond the ordinary human capabilities, but I haven't expected it to be because I'm a witch. Also, this man knows about the Otherlands. "Then.. You are a wizard? Can you go to the Otherlands too?"

"Yes and no. Yes, I'm a wizard, but going to the Otherlands is something only you can do, Ms. Liddell."

"But.. Surely you must be mistaken. And you can't expect me to believe a stranger's words."

"True. I must demonstrate why I am a wizard then." The man stood up and pulled a peculiar looking stick out of his belt, which I assume is a wand. I immediately took a step back, staring at him suspiciously. My eyes darted to the nearest object beside me, which was a broom that collected way too many dust and cobwebs.

Flicking the wand, the man said out loud. "Expecto Patronum."

With those words, light emanated from the tip of his wand and out came a silver bird. Bright and dazzling with wide wings, the bird flew over the house and around me. I gasped in amazement, my eyes widening not only in surprise but also awe. The silver bird felt warm, happiness seeping into me as its head nuzzles into my disheveled hair. The silver bird flew away and disappeared, and although I ought to feel disappointed of its leaving, I felt strangely better. The warmth that I felt from the bird still lingered.

"That was my patronus, a phoenix." The man chuckled, tucking its wand back in his belt. "The spell I casted is called a patronus charm. You cast it through thinking a cherished happy memory. You'll learn casting one once you attend school."

"This is not one of my hallucinations?" I stared at the man intently, daring him to suddenly disappear from my sight. I pinched myself too, and I felt the pain. Seems like I am not dreaming, and this hallucination is too vivid for it to be one.

"No. I am a wizard, and you Alice, are a witch." The man adressed me using my first name, and it oddly felt much more real. I sighed and looked down the floor, still expecting it to suddenly crack and I would find myself falling into a hole once more.

"I know it isn't easy to take in Ms. Liddell, but I am sure stranger things have happened in your wonderland."

"Yes, but they all happened inside my mind. This.. This happened in reality.. But then again, I do not have a clear definition of reality." I ran a hand through my hair, a habit I have grown fond of since my hair was shaved clean on the asylum and my arms were restricted by the straitjacket.

I looked up at the man once more. He was old and bearded, wearing outlandish clothes that wizards usually wore on her picture books before. He also have a wand and performed a spell that felt so warm and real. He looked very much like a dignified, wisened old wizard. I feel the power he exuberates and his gaze felt kind, nodding at me understandingly. I must admit. My curiosity has not failed to itch me and I will allow it to have its way once more. I will pay for the price later, for now, I must satiate my inquisitiveness.

"Say, mister.. I do believe that it is quite rude of you to have not introduced yourself." The ends of my lips twitched and I wasn't able to stop myself as a full smile painted my lips. It was indeed a bizarre situation, for often it was I who was called rude by the people whose mind I have entered. I usually did not bother introducing myself, but my how the tables have turned.

The wizard let out a tinkling laugh, his eyes never seem to stop twinkling in amusement. "Do forgive me for my rudeness. I am Albus Percival Wulfic Brian Dumbledore, a transfiguration professor on Hogwarts. It is of my utmost honor to have finally meet you, Alice." He smiled widely, offering his hand.

"It is a pleasure meeting you too, Mr. Dumbledore. Or should I say professor?" I took his hand and shook it.

"I take that as an answer of you accepting your admittance to Hogwarts. Now, would you rather finish your breakfast or would you rather to go on a shopping spree for your school supplies first?" I was about to say shopping spree, but much to my displeasure and embarrassment, my stomach growled loudly. Dumbledore chuckled and stood up. "I suppose shopping could be quite draining and eating to gain energy is definitely a must."

I sat back down and ate my meal quietly, finishing it as quick as I could. Dumbledore performed another spell and filled my mug with water. I thanked him and drank it as soon as I finished eating. Lucky me, Dumbledore helped with cleaning my dishes and putting the fire out with just a couple of latin-sounding words and a flick of his wand. If being a witch meant being able to do those, then I would gladly go to Hogwarts.

"Shall we, Ms. Liddell?" Dumbledore offered his left arm.

"Shall we what, professor?" I asked, looking at the arm and Dumbledore questioningly as I reluctantly accepted it.

"I am going to apparate to Diagon Alley, and you will be apparated with me." He pulled me gently to his side and locked my arm with his. "We are going to do a Side-Along Apparition spell. I must warn you that side-along apparition can be very uncomfortable, especially for the first timers, so do prepare yourself."

I gulped and nodded. He had said it with such a comforting tone that I can't help myself ease despite the little anxiety I felt over the warning. I closed my eyes and gripped his arm tightly as soon as I felt that the world disappeared before me and I felt my entire self be swallowed by a bright swirl.