Dizzy and disoriented, Alice lost her balance and fell to the ground on all fours. The side-along apparition was much more vomit-inducing than she have imagined. She forced herself to swallow the putrid puke that threatened to sputter out from her throat.

"Alice, are you alright?" The wizard asked worriedly, drawing out his wand from his pocket.

Alice held her hand out and Dumbledore quickly grabbed it and helped her up.

"Just let me close my eyes for a while." Taking in deep even breaths, she calmed herself and soon she regained her composure along with her balance. "I'm fine now. Thank you."

"It's nothing to worry about. Are you fine enough to walk?"

"Yes." Alice raised her head and was thankful that she didn't feel woozy, although she doubted that after seeing the sight in front of her. She looked around and found herself in a chaotic but lively street. Eccentric stores lined up in each and every building. They could've been considered just another bustling shopping district, but the store signs indicated it was not just that, along with the floating candles, owls sold off, creatures who wore robes and some even paired it with pointy hats, and magic was performed openly. She could feel the magic in the air, literally.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley, although I do think the much appropriate greeting would be: Welcome to the Wizarding World, Alice." And with that, it suddenly hit Alice that she is falling in a hole much deeper than Wonderland's. She is in a reality much different from the reality everyone from before defined. A reality that she could only define for now as a cluster of madness, because everyone in front of her is thought of a fantasy that people from her world would say. Right now, words have failed her and her mind is too busy to comprehend.

"Come now Alice." Dumbledore, who seemed unaware of Alice's confusion, went on with his usual cheerful disposition and began walking. Alice snapped from her daze and followed the wizard by his side.

"Where are we going?" With a memory from her childhood, Alice remembered that sometimes things can be beyond comprehension and it will do her much well to dart questions until she can find an answer or none at all. Nonetheless, it is her job to satisfy her curiosity's appetite and so for now she reverted to her young, inquisitive self.

"See that building with a dragon guarding on top of it?" Dumbledore pointed straight at the dragon and Alice immediately craned her neck up before nodding as she indeed saw the dragon atop the building, her eyes glittering in awe. "We are heading over to Gringotts, the Wizarding bank."

"Why would we head there?" She asked. She certainly is a penniless girl and her parents' accounts were closed off decades ago.

"Why, to withdraw your money of course. You'd need them to buy your school supplies."

"But I'm broke. My parents' accounts were forfeited long ago. The funds and little savings they left to me were all spent on the asylum."

"Oh no, your parents had no Gringotts accounts. Your grandfather Liddell however, have one."

"Grandpa? But he has long gone been dead and all his wealth was transferred to Father."

"But that was his muggle wealth. Your grandfather's wealth in Gringotts was forbidden by your great grandparents to be passed on to muggles. Since your parents were both muggles, a British wizard's term of non-magical people, his inheritance is still safely tucked away in the bank, waiting for its next heir, which is you, Alice Liddell."

With that knowledge, Alice barely managed to contain the delight and surprised that showed in her tone. "You mean, I'm not broke?"

"Yes. You can withdraw money from Gringotts since you're of legal age. Your grandfather was the last heir of a pure blood Wizarding family, and so you have plenty more money that will be enough to pass on your predecessors. I know you're wise enough in spending money."

"Of course." She nodded and raised her chin up as she walked much enthusiastically towards the bank, still giddy of the thought that she will no longer spend her days in the shack cold, bitter and very hungry.

Alice dodged and squeezed through the busy crowd, tiring out so easily as her expertise of being nimble against the sea of people is challenged. Meanwhile, Dumbledore walked past the people as if he was water, and that pushed Alice to push her way out even further. It wasn't of much difficulty and they soon arrived at the bank. Alice walked closer to Dumbledore but her eyes wandered to look around the building. It was ivory white with vast bronze doors, crooked pillars that made it look slightly warped and the words "GRINGOTTS BANK" carved boldly. As they entered, people were walking in, out, and around, and it did seem like a normal bank with the huge chandeliers hanging above, beautiful patterned floorings and columns that she vaguely guessed were runes or glyphs. However, the bank is obviously a proud Wizarding bank with ink pots, quills and documents flying about, and most of all the goblins that seemed to run the place whether it be simply guarding or doing the retail job. Alice's eyes shimmered in awe, and it seemingly never does stop, after all, this world is a new and curious one. Alice have gone through several worlds, but the one in front of her is a reality so vibrant and alive that it made her confuse reality and fantasy even further.

Dumbledore was the one who talked to the goblin, giving them the key and soon they were headed to her family vault. Her eyes frequently darted around out of curiosity, the bank was much more exciting than the bleak ones she have visited before and goblins were rare to show up on her imaginations. When they arrived and entered in her family vault, Alice had thought that her jaw fell to the floor. She couldn't help the twinkle of happiness and greediness as she saw heaps and heaps of gold, silver and bronze coins.

"Coins are the wizarding currency of the wizarding world. UK's wizarding currency consists of three different coins which are Galleons, Sickles and Knuts."

"There are wizards on other countries?" Though the possibility isn't surprising, Alice felt compelled to ask that question for confirmation.

"Yes. The Wizarding World, although smaller compared to muggles, has a very interesting magic diversity. You will find out the differences sooner or later, as it will be tackled in classes."

Alice nodded, getting curiouser about the school. It was decades ago since her last day of schooling. She have missed out the vital part of her life, education. Not only was her schooling halted, her future of being a part of the society as a dignified lady like Lizzie was lost too and her time was instead wasted in the asylum where she rotted for years in a seemingly vegetative state.

Dumbledore addressed the goblin to withdraw 200 galleons which the goblin then subserviently complied. Taking 200 of the gold coins, he placed them on a pouch and gave it to Alice whose eyes were gleaming with happiness, an obvious glint of greediness, and also bit of reluctance.

"Is it really alright to take this much money? I'm not sure how the wizarding currency works, but isn't this a bit much?"

She was answered by a chuckle and a warm smile. "School doesn't start until a week. The money left on your shopping can be converted to pounds, which I think will be helpful when you get back home."

By now, Alice's mouth was pulled into an enormous grin. She had never been so happy for years, and it was not only because of money, but by the kindness Dumbledore have showed to her.

"Thank you." She thanked with much gratitude and sincerity, although it felt strained and rusty.

"Oh no Alice. It is your money after all. I trust that you'd spend it wisely?"

"Yes sir! But still, thank you."

The old wizard chuckled and ushered Alice out the bank. They first head out to buy the books, and to Alice's pleasure was able to buy two more just for herself. She bought the pewter cauldron, phials, telescopes and set of brass scales, and it was all thanks to Dumbledore who patiently shopped and explained things to her. Although his answers were sometimes vague and resembled more like clues and poems, she never struck him as peculiar. No, he reminded her of her doting father and Caterpillar very much.

"Alice, I have an urgent matter to go to, but I will be back before you finish your shopping. Will you be alright?"

"Of course. I have grown quite familiar with this place after browsing around. I only have the wand and the robes to worry about."

"Alright. Thank you for understanding Alice. You'll find your robes at Madam Malkin's at the north side and your wand at Ollivanders located at the south side. Take care and I will see you later."

"Don't worry, I can handle my own." The professor gave a kind smile before walking into the crowd and disappeared. Sighing, she headed first to the shop she's most excited with, the wand shop.

OLLIVANDERS Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.

'This shop sure have quite the fancy name.' Alice thought as she looked at the dusty, old building. At the window, she saw a lone wand resting at a pillow as a display. She marveled at the beauty of the wand's carving, wondering if she could really wield a wand like Dumbledore and the strangers she saw on the streets and shops. 'Maybe he was mistaken.. But I better try first.' With a defeated sigh, she entered the shop and was welcomed by stacks and stacks of boxes filled in the shelves.

"Hello and welcome to Ollivanders! I am Garrick Ollivander, the wandmaker of this fine shop. And may I ask who might you be, miss?"

Smiling, the girl was welcomed with an enthusiastic greeting by a middle-aged, but still youthful man whose pale eyes glowed amidst the gloom of the shop. "Mighty cheerful you are Mister Ollivander. My name's Alice, Alice Liddell."

"Alice Liddell.. Hold on. I feel like I- Oh my! You're Alice Liddell? The Alice from Wonderland?" Ollivander gasped in surprise, staring at Alice in disbelief to which she replied with her brow raised in question and faced contorted in confusion.

"That's.. May I ask why you know me sir?"

"Because of the book, of course! Lewis Carroll wrote an extraordinary book about an extraordinary child like you. Alice's Adventure in Wonderland is one of my favorites, But what astounds me is that you look.. So young even though the book was published decades ago. Perhaps of a potion you made or bought? Or was it because you got out of the book?" The man mused in wonder, staring at Alice curiously and with expectation.

"Uhm.." Unsure exactly what to say, Alice was stunned. She never thought of keeping her talent of going to the Otherlands as a secret. No, it was about the book that left her speechless. 'So Charles did publish a book about my Wonderland. He was a strange yet kind man.. I hope I was at least able to personally thank him, although, I suppose he's already dead.' With that thought, Alice smiled sadly and decided to tell Ollivander the truth.

"I-"

"Excuse me."

Alice was cut off by a voice of a young man who strode straight to the desk with precision and elegance in his steps. She was actually glad of his interruption and gazed curiously at the young man.

"Tom! What a surprise to see you!" Ollivander greeted Tom with familiar cheeriness, smiling expectantly at him. Tom was a very dashing man who seemed to be around her age(appearance-wise) and kept a prim and proper appearance. His black, wavy hair was neatly combed, and his handsome face was a kind that easily charms and attracts anyone. Alice thought for sure that he was born an aristocrat.

"Hello Garrick. I'm sorry for intruding." He bowed respectfully to Alice before facing Ollivander with a serious face. "Garrick, I need your help."

"Help? Are you in any trouble?" Ollivander's brow quirked up, surprised to see Tom asking him for his help.

"Not exactly, but I will be if you don't help me. Can we talk about this in private?" His velvety voice lowered and hushed in urgency. Alice suddenly felt like an intruder, but that wasn't exactly true since she is the one who got here first and he was the one who interrupted her shopping.

"Fine, but if it's alright with Ms. Liddell?" Ollivander sighed in bewilderment and looked at Alice for confirmation, who then nodded and began walking towards the door.

"I'll be back Mr. Ollivander." And with that Alice glanced at Tom for one last time and exited the shop. With a sigh, she sauntered towards the north side and found the clothes shop. Throughout the time she was being measured for her robes and uniform, Alice welcomed the opportunity to let her mind wander and digest the day's event. She's apparently a witch, in this world filled with magic. She felt her vague definition of reality slip further away, only to be replaced by a solidifying fantasy. If this world was truly reality, then she could see and enter others' fully manifested wonderlands unlike creatures created in wonderlands. However, she dared not risk entering right now because it didn't feel right. If she did enter someone's Wonderland, being able to immediately return was a 50/50 chance. Her wizarding clothes were given awhile after the measuring, then she hastily paid and thanked the employees, hurrying back excitedly towards the wand shop.