"Ms. Liddell, meet the sorting hat. I'll be placing atop your head so it could sort which house you'll go to."

The sorting hat was placed in her head, her hands clasped together as her green eyes was fixed on the table, disregarding the gazes of the headmaster and his head of houses. She felt slightly agitated and curious with how exactly a hat will sort her, and though her face remained impassive, her twisting fingers tell otherwise.

"Oh dear. Quite a difficult spot you've put me in, Alice." The hat spoke after such a long pause. Its scruffy, old voice matched her imagination. In fact, she was surprised that it could talk.

'A talking hat? That's.. A bit of surprise.'

'Shouldn't be much of a surprise to you since you've seen plenty more inanimate objects talk.'

'Wait, how come I've placed you on a difficult spot? I think I'd go well in any of the houses. Just sort me quickly so I won't have them staring at me anymore.'

The sorting hat ignored her plea to sort her quick. 'That's precisely the problem. The ambiguity of your life in any of the houses is perturbing and it doesn't help that you like each house equally.'

'All of the houses seems great. Whatever house I'm sorted in, I'll be good.' Alice shrugged, and there was a mental image of the hat shaking its head in disapproval.

'But you see, that's not how sorting works. The environment will shape you, and it's my job to sort you in a house that suits your.. Questionable personality. Tell me Alice, what bothers you?'

'There are many things that bothers me, however I don't understand what you're implying.'

'Nonchalance won't cancel out an unfortunate encounter. I'm sorting you through what you're averse of instead of what you desire.'

'Huh. Guess that makes sense.' Alice's fingers stopped fiddling, curled and clenched together instead. Her brows furrowed in distaste as she reminisced an untasteful memory. 'I don't want to be left alone. I don't like being played. I don't like being taken advantage of, which I am experiencing with my situation to these people right now. And..'

Alice paused. Her clenched hands were now placed calmly in her lap. 'I have vowed to help those in dark like me, and I will fight their monsters in their behalf.'

'Ah. Now that's a clear answer. Brave Alice, defeated both the Evil Red Queen and the damned Dollmaker. Stopped the Infernal Train too. Bloodied hands, twisted sense of justice, broken human yet still wants to be a heroine. You'd suit Slytherin most but..'

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Everyone was waiting for almost four minutes, Professor Selwyn in particular was anxious with Alice being a hatsall and was greatly relieved when the sorting was over, but was also a little dismayed when she wasn't sorted in his house. The Ravenclaw and Slytherin Heads were disappointed with the sorting result, hoping that they would be the one to guide such a talent, but they congratulated her nonetheless. It was Dumbledore who was thoroughly pleased, looming over Alice with a exuberant aura as he smiled at her.

"You'd make a fine Gryffindor, Alice."

Alice felt herself well with pride as Dumbledore placed his hand on her shoulder as a gesture of him being proud. Although she'd be as happy if she were sorted in the other houses, but having Dumbledore as her head of the house was a relief, since not only is she familiar with him, she took a liking to the kind old wizard.

"Ms. Liddell, I have to inform you to keep your identity as Alice from Wonderland as a secret."

She gave Headmaster Dipper a questioning look. "Why? I thought it was a general fact that Charles's book about my wonderland is widely known."

"Yes, but how would you go on telling facts about your past so openly?"

"Oh. I see the point. Wouldn't want to be called granny or old crone."

"That wasn't exactly the point, but we'll go with that. For now, you'd rather keep your ability of going to Otherlands a secret to avoid clamor or disruption to the prophecy. Devise an excuse. Professor Dumbledore will help you, and I would've liked to help if we aren't tight in time. We should all get going."

The meeting was over and everyone hurried towards the great hall. Dumbledore walked near Alice, matching her pace as they lagged behind.

"Say you're home schooled. Your parents died from an air raid and it was in their will to have Hogwarts take you in."

"How about my name?"

"Just say there were friends with Charles and named you after his book's heroine."

"And not the other way round?"

"It was a coincidence that suited you best. If anyone were to ask of your blood status, say you're a half blood. Muggle mother and pureblood father, since Liddell was formerly known as a pureblood family. You were homeschooled to avoid discrimination, and because you were a very sickly child. No holes in the story, feel free to decorate the lie, but it will still be a lie and I'd actually rather you not. And oh, best prepare your nerves too. You'll be introduced with everyone as your audience."

"Perfect." She remarked sarcastically, and her nerve wracking feeling increased as they entered the great hall. It truly was a great hall with thousands of lit candles afloat, its enormous size holding four long tables filled with chattering students and a long table at the front of the hall where the staff sat, and if her eyes didn't betray her, the hazy figures were ghosts. The Transfiguration Professor steered through the crowd, and Alice followed suit.

The Headmaster stood from his seat and announced that the Transfiguration Professor has a few words to say say. Dumbledore walked in front the podium and urged Alice to stand beside him. The crowd was silenced, every set of eyes were focused on the new girl, their curiosity waiting to be quenched.

"Everyone, I introduce you Miss Alice Liddell, Hogwarts first transfer student since many decades ago." Dumbledore introduced her with his calm voice loudly reverberating throughout the room, which she suspected as magic. The silence broke and in flowed the loud whisperings of the crowd. Alice kept her face impassive, staring at the sea of people in front of her but not at anyone in particular. "As you all know, Hogwarts scarcely allow transfer students, but this is an exception. but this is an exception. Miss Liddell will start as 6th year Gryffindor this year. She has been homeschooled, but she is still talented of magic. I am hoping that you will welcome her as one of you."

"Go on, take a seat." Dumbledore offered, leading her towards the red and golden table of Gryffindors. The rambunctious students cheered and moved to clear a vacant space for Alice to sit on. The moment her bottom touched the bench, she was attacked by a barrage of introductions and questions.

Left and right, students of the same year as her flocked around her. From 'Hello Alice's, 'Nice to meet cha transferee's, to 'Why did you transfer' and 'How did you become a transferee?', it was dizzying. She had no choice but to accept and shake their hands, return their greetings with hello's and nice to meet you's and was thankful when they were told to behave. The ones who sat beside her didn't give up and went on to make themselves familiar with the new student.

On her right were ginger headed identical twins named Isla and Lorna Prewett. Both were cheerful twins who were worse off than Flordeliza in terms of being a loudmouth. On her left is another red head named Archibald Prewett, his red head a darker tone than the twins, he had a rugged appearance and had a scottish accent. Across the table is a blonde lovey-dovey couple, the plain, ash blonde Madison Jane Parks and stud, sandy blonde Liam Carter, who both flirted with each other while attempting to interact with her. Underneath the table, she was fiddling her fingers and felt herself turning paler than she already is, their words not getting through her ears and her mouth sewn save for the occasional nods, grunts, and yes' or no's. Overall, it was a rambunctious party that gave Alice a massive migraine, amazed that she was able to easily memorize their names despite their faces not being fully registered in her mind. She suspects she'll forget their names and even faces, but hopes she won't.

After the 1st years were sorted, Dippet announced for the feast to commence and the chattering around her magically paused and the noise was instead caused by their eating. Alice's growling stomach permitted her to devour the abundant food laid in front of her. She easily managed to steal pieces of food without the other getting suspicious, her first few bites were huge until she noticed the glances stolen by her seatmates.

"Woah! For someone so thin, you surely can eat!" One of the twins exclaimed. She heard giggles and chortles from beside her, her face bursting red. Her eating pace slowed, until the queasiness she felt made her lose her appetite. She forced herself to swallow and finish the food, waiting for the right timing to leave. After dinner, Alice was dragged by the girls to the Gryffindor room. She took in deep breaths as she followed them from behind, grateful for their amicable chatter with her and for the breathtaking structure of the magical castle. Her previous embarrassment and anxiety faded, too occupied with her awe from the grand staircase, the Gryffindor common room and their room.

"Phew! I'm beat!" Isla exhaled, flopping on the left bed nearest the entrance. Her twin, Lorna, did the same on her own bed which is just beside Isla's.

"The bed on the right near entrance is mine. On the middle is Zinnia Parkinson's, the left corner is Vivian Thorne's, and yours will be on the right corner, beside mine." Madison explained and helped Alice with her luggage. "Is there anything I could do to help?"

"Thank you Madison. I can handle it." Alice gave the girl a grateful smile, which was returned by a friendly and welcoming one.

Isla shot up from her bed and excitedly jumped up. "Oh! We should party! I've missed you girls! Where's Zinnia and Vivian?"

"Vivian's probably wandering in the library to check if it still exists. I have not the slightest clue to where Zinnia would be though." Madison answered, shrugging her shoulder.

"Ugh. Zinnia. Who knows what that vicious girl is up to?" Lorna scrunched her nose and Isla did too, then the twins chortled in agreement.

"Hey. Zinnia's not that bad. She probably was summoned by the teachers or something."

Lorna snorted. "As if."

Alice began unpacking what little things she have and settled them on the closet and desk beside her four poster bed.

"Alice! Come join us! I have cookies!" Isla waved the tin box, the contents made a shaking noise. "Lorna baked these yesterday. Here." Isla opened the tin box and Alice's nose was assailed by the sweet scent of cookies.

"These tastes great Lorna. Thank you." She chewed on the cookie happily. "These would go well with tea."

"Oh-ho. No worries about that." Lorna already prepared tea for all of them and they began their tea party.

"So Alice, isn't it nerve wracking?" Isla asked.

"What is?"

"You know, moving in here. It's really surprising to have a transfer student."

"It's completely baffling to be honest. I've been homeschooled my whole life." She lied smoothly.

"That's a pity. Why did you suddenly move here? You really weren't paying much attention during the feast. I can't blame you, we were all very curious." Madison took another sip of her tea.

"My parents wished that I'd be taken care by Hogwarts. It was their last wish."

"Oh. I'm sorry.." The three of them had downcast eyes, showing their sympathy.

"It's alright."

"Alice Liddell.. Hey! Alice in Wonderland!" Isla exclaimed.

"Uhm, yes. My parents were friends with Charles. They named me after the character."

"That is so awesome." Both Lorna and Isla nodded in agreement, Madison laughing along and nodded too.

Alice covered her mouth as she yawned, rubbing the tears off her eyes. "I'm really tired. I should retire to sleep now."

"You can't be serious. We hadn't even gone to the fun part yet." Lorna pouted.

"Yes. Seeing you've all excluded me." A mocking voice said. The brunette entered the room, sitting on her bed and looking down at the girls who were drinking tea on the lush, carpeted floor. She arched her brow and gave them all a judging look, her intense gaze lingering last on Alice. "Oh. A tea party for the transferee. Well, whatever."

"Where were you Zinnia?"

"Trying to bond with Tom, as usual. I missed him dearly. Oh look, there's Vivian."

Someone squeaked. Vivian who tried to enter the room as quietly as she can was caught, her eyes widening like saucers. "E-Excuse me. I'm sorry."

The soft spoken girl quickly rushed towards her bed, her shaggy brown hair covering her face and soon it was her blanket that covered her whole body.

"Tch. Like you'd ever get a chance with Tom. I swear the Slytherin girls are so lucky!" Lorna rolled her eyes, her face scrunching in envy.

"I'm a pureblood and the most beautiful in our year. Of course I'll be with Tom. But I still rue the day that the damned hat sorted me in this lousy house instead of Slytherin."

"We're purebloods too, and boys fawn over us too. Right Isla?"

"Yes! And I too rue the day the hat sorted you in such a magnificent house. It's you're lousy personality that doesn't match here."

Zinnia hissed, her hand quickly going over her robe's pocket where her wand is.

"Calm down you three. Let's just go to bed already." Madison was quick on her feet and has immediately cleared the cups back to the counter. She pushed both Isla and Lorna to her beds, along with Zinnia who didn't budge at first but then swatted her hand and went to bed.

Alice changed to her sleeping robes, lying on her bed with the blanket up to her neck. She shifted and gazed outside, her mind recollecting the whole day. She pressed her fingers on her forehead and massaged it.

'Too much happened in just one day.' She mused, sighing deeply. The anxiety and dread in her stomach still hasn't unknotted itself. She still had many questions, and the answers she got caused more questions. 'There will always be endless questions.'

'Folks here are weird. Then again, all wonderlands are.. Is this really a wonderland though?' Her lids went heavy, her body languid yet her mind refuses defeat. In a fetal position, she hugged her knees and closed her eyes as her mind wandered for the last time today.

"How.. Could this be reality?"