"Well, you see, there's a group of kids in Oulton Broad who pick on kids a lot. I'm used to it, and I've been a target before." She shrugged her shoulders. "And now that I supposedly, "go to  a private school" I'll just get picked on some more. See, my mom needs to explain to everyone where I went, and where Jane went, and where Mark went for seven years. So, we say we go to private school. Kids at home then judge us and make us seem like we're pompous rich kids."

Alice shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know what to do about it, so I usually just deal with it. That tactic tends to work. Its better than standing up to them. That's for sure."

Ah, the plight of the rich kid. That was something Aileen could relate to a little better.

She nodded, understanding Miss Hunter's reasoning. The girl seemed like a kind, smart, quirky child, and those traits drew in bullies like nothing else. That was how kids were, especially when adults allowed it to happen.

They must need a McGonagall in the neighborhood. Sometimes, the only thing that had gotten through to Aileen had been those stern looks and embarrassing lectures.

"There's not always much you can do," she told her honestly, then paused as she thought.

"You could try teaming up with the some of the other kids that they pick on. Strength in numbers," she shrugged one shoulder.

"I guess I could team up with the others." She blushed. "We're all quite weak, though. We don't even stand a chance against them." She explained. Professor Reid was right. She needed to stand up to them. But she didn't feel like she had the guts to.

"I feel bad sometimes, Professor. I feel weak. And I don't like being weak, but I'm just scared of a lot of things. Do you know how I could change that?" She asked honestly. It was a question that constantly bounced around in her head.

Aileen glanced around, as if the portraits were laughing at the uncomfortable situation she'd gotten herself into. Karma for her teenage years! She fully considered changing the subject, but the girl going on about being weak and scared bothered her.

"I would hesitate to say that your unwillingness to do others harm is a weakness," she said carefully.

"Heading out in a group might help dissuade them from targeting you, is what I meant. But if it doesn't, you shouldn't have to handle this on your own. What about your parents? Have they tried to step in?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Kinda. Dad's really busy. He's an accountant. And Mom? Well, Mom is busy too. She's gotta take care of  Colin all the time, so she's almost always just at home." She exhaled loudly. "The attacks usually happen when I'm walking to or from a little market down the street. You know, Mom'll say, 'Go get a loaf of bread', or 'We're out of milk, can you pick up some?' So, I walk down to the market, and buy her stuff. I almost always go alone."

"I've brought my siblings before, though. They don't tease when I bring someone else." She shook her head. "I guess I'll just keep ignoring it, I guess." She felt defeated.

If there was one thing Aileen was grateful for about her own parents, it was that they had protected her growing up. Unless, of course, she was complaining about her older brother - then it fell on deaf ears. But by and large, no matter how busy, they would have made time to put a stop to any outsider children, especially muggles, singling her out. It was a matter of pride.

So Aileen was honestly unsure what to tell the girl. This was a good point if any to direct her to someone else! She'd tried a bit. Hadn't she?

She was quiet for a moment, then spoke, "If you go home over winter break and find that things have not changed, I would suggest asking counselor Biladeau-Yukawa for any tips once you're back at school. She would certainly know better than I," Aileen smiled wryly.

Alice nodded, with a yawn. She was getting quite tired after the day she had. "I have a lot of meetings with the councilor. Sometimes, my dreams get to be too big for me to handle on my own. Seeing the werewolf, and feeling the fear of it lungeing for me." She shut her eyes and shook her head. She didn't like to think back to the attack. It frightened her and didn't hold a single good memory. She took a deep breath, and cleared her mind, doing what the councilor had always told her to do when she got scared; clear her mind.

She smiled up at the professor, the looked down at her feet, not knowing what to say next. Alice yawned once more, letting the silence hang in the dark and quiet hall.[1]

1.	Sorry it took so long!

Aileen’s steps faltered. For a moment, she stared at her, disgust warring with sympathy on her face. Was this first-year one of the werewolves welcomed at Hogwarts this fall? She was so young. Somehow, she could understand it happening to her younger brother who had put his life on the line for his job, but a child? That bothered even her cynical sensibilities.

“I’m sure the counselor is very helpful,” she replied blandly, smoothing out her expression. Her steps quickened a bit as they reached the Hufflepuff common room at last.

“Well, here we are,” she reached forward and touched the painting so that the door swung open.

“Have a good evening, Miss Hunter.” Her tone was a few degrees cooler than it had been a few minutes ago.

Alice heard a hint of something in Professor Reid's voice that wasn't there when they had left the astronomy tower. She didn't know what the lady was thinking, but at this point, Alice was exhausted. She didn't feel like thinking about why Reid sounded different. Alice let out a long yawn, and rubbed at her eyes.

"Thank you, Professor Reid, for getting me back safely. I hope to take your class as I get older." She smiled. Alice turned and walked into the commonroom, happily tired, and happy to get to go to bed earlier than her other classmates. After the day she had, there was nothing better than her bed.