Alexandra Quick and the Lands Below

Alexandra Quick and the Lands Below is the second story in the Alexandra Quick series. Written by Inverarity, the book was published at Fanfiction.net and Mugglenet from 29 November 2008 to 3 June 2009 (and later, Archive of Our Own), and runs 227,000 words in length (comparable to an 860-page physical novel). In portable document format, the novel runs 419 pages in length. Set in the Harry Potter universe, the story concerns the character of Alexandra Quick and her magical education at Charmbridge Academy.
Lands Below is set between August of 2008 and June of 2009, during Alex's seventh-grade year; the book is a sequel to Alexandra Quick and the Thorn Circle, and is followed by Alexandra Quick and the Deathly Regiment.
The story was beta-read by SwissMiss and Hermoine Jean Granger.
See also: All posts tagged with "AQATLB" on Inverarity's LJ.
== Plot Summary ==
=== Chapter 1: The Mall ===
Alex suffers through Vacation Bible School until she walks out, earning a grounding. Toward the end of her punishment, Archie sends her to the mall so that he can sleep; Alex buys underwear and socks for school, but catches Bonnie Seabury shoplifting. Alex is confronted by Brian Seabury, Billy Boggleston, and Tom, and nearly has her bookbag – with her wand – stolen, before an enchanted mannequin stops Tom. Alex meets Mrs. Grimm.
=== Chapter 2: The Special Inquisitor ===
Alex realizes that Mrs. Grimm is not the Charmbridge Academy dean, but Lilith's twin-sister, Special Inquisitor Diana Grimm. Grimm buys Alex lunch, and gives her a business card to replace Hucksteen's.
=== Chapter 3: Stormcrows ===
Alex meets Anna, David, Angelique, Darla, Constance and Forbearance on the Charmbridge Bus and hears about Darla's summer romance on an Aurora Borealis cruise. At the Goblin Market, the seventh-grade class visits Gringotts, Hoargrim's and Boxley's before heading to Grundy's. In the cafeteria, the Charmbridge class meets a group of students from the Blacksburg Magery Institute; among them is Martin, the boy who Darla met on the cruise, who publicly snubs Darla, humiliating her.
=== Chapter 4: Cultures ===
Alex heads back to Charmbridge to begin her seventh-grade year and resolves to stay out of trouble, while Anna runs afoul of a sixth-grader, Tomo Matsuzaka, with a cultural vendetta against her. Dean Grimm introduces the Blacksburg students as part of a Magical Academy Student Exchange Program. Alex begins classes including her elective Magical Ecology, attends an A.S.P.E.W. meeting, and visits a couple of old friends, all before Anna's conflict with Tomo comes to a head.
=== Chapter 5: New Wands ===
Alex, Anna and Tomo are placed on probation for the rest of the year. While Dean Grimm lets Dean Price handle Tomo's punishment, she assigns Alex and Anna to serve with the Junior Regimental Officer Corps. Maximilian King, a Stormcrow, is put in charge of training the new recruits, including Alex and Anna. One night, Charlie brings Alex a coin with the image of a corvid on one side and 'MMS' stamped on the other.
=== Chapter 6: The Mors Mortis Society ===
The coin turns out to be an invitation to the Mors Mortis Society, a secret student club. Darla and Angelique also received invitations. The night of the meeting, all of the new members are made to sign a blood oath not to reveal anything about the club on pain of death. Other students at the meeting are Stuart, Torvald, Tomo and Maximilian.
=== Chapter 7: Threats ===
The meeting takes place in a cavern with wall paintings that looks like it predates the school. One of the senior members of the MMS performs blood magic to summon a spirit from beyond the painted wall. They are told it is a portal to the Lands Beyond. After the meeting, Maximilian warns Alex to stay away from the MMS, saying they are playing with dark magic that they don't understand. When Max gives Alex and Anna extra training on their brooms, Alex runs into a tree and breaks her arm. She suspects that Max jinxed her broom to make her fly into the tree and make her obey him. Alex threatens to curse Tomo if Anna gets hurt.
=== Chapter 8: Snakes in the Grass ===
Another meeting of the MMS features a 'Mayan Brazier of Visions'. After holding their hands over the burning coals, the members have visions. Alex sees creatures beyond the painted wall. Angelique is unable to complete the dare, and quits. John, the group leader, teaches everyone a Wound Relocating Charm to hide the burns on their hands. They are also taught Pictogel, a charm to freeze portraits. Max again warns Alex to stay away, but she goes to the next meeting, where they learn how to make a Snakestone to attract snakes, as well as a charm to conjure snakes.
=== Chapter 9: Halloween (illustration) ===
It's a macabre and dangerous Halloween for Alexandra, and the Mors Mortis Society's final initiation ritual may not be the worst thing she faces. The MMS plans a Halloween ceremony at midnight in the woods. Before, Alex has to fight a duel with Darla, who tries to defeat her with Avada Kedavra, but it's Darla who loses. In the ceremony, MMS members have to face a wild boggart. He makes Alex see him as Bonnie, Brian, and Claudia accusing her to have killed them in horrible ways - and Dean Grimm claiming they'd be happier if they forgot about Alex. Allegedly, for Tomo he looked like Alex... And someone cast a Dark Mark.
=== Chapter 10: Dark Arts ===
While some escape punishment, Alexandra must face the consequences of her actions, and makes a fateful choice. After the Dark Mark event, teachers check every student's wand. All students lose their off-campus privileges for the weekend. A certain Voldemort gets mentioned. Her friends are worried about her. She tells Max to leave Anna alone. Darla, forced by Dean Grimm, apologizes for casting a Killing Curse on Alex. But Alex and Darla continue to go to MMS meeting - this time, learning how to kill snakes with Cruciatus. But Alex calls them out.
=== Chapter 11: Familiars (illustration) ===
Neither Anna nor Charlie is thrilled by Alexandra's new pet, but it's Angelique's jarvey who will cause more trouble than anyone imagines. When returning with the snake which she names Nigel, Alex learns from Em that sometimes beings come up from the Lands Below. At least she agrees with her friends again. Stuart and Torvalds have quit MMS as well. Tomo gives her a veiled threat to watch their familiars. But it's Honey who disappears. Alex starts looking, accompanied by Anna. And orders Tomo and Anna to stop fighting.
=== Chapter 12: Crucio (illustration) ===
Alex confronts the Mors Mortis Society, and this confrontation will change her life. Alex tries to save the jarvey from the MMS, but John Manuelito uses Crucio on her. Maximilian has to stop him. On the way leaving, Max reveals that MMS contacted them both for the same reason: Because Abraham Thorn is their father.
=== Chapter 13: Maximilian's Mission (illustration) ===
Alexandra learns more about Maximilian King, and about her father. Maximilian apologizes for not stopping John from attacking Alex with Crucio. At least, Honey is saved now. Also, she has five half-sisters. Furthermore, Max cooperates with the WJD to fight the stigma of being Abraham Thorn's son.
=== Chapter 14: Wizard-Dueling (illustration) ===
Maximilian has a lot to teach Alexandra, and Alexandra is eager to learn. But is she paying enough attention to the other people around her? Angelique doesn't dare to turn Darla in. Does she enjoy being infamous? At the Stormcrows, she trains wizard-dueling, and finds it cool. Then, Thanksgiving is celebrated.
=== Chapter 15: The Dark Side (illustration) ===
For once, things seem to be going right for Alexandra. But hanging out with the Stormcrows puts a strain on her other friendships, and then Alexandra sees another side to Maximilian when Larry Albo and his buddies mock-Crucio her: The protective brother. But now she has to inform Anna that he's her half-brother, not her lover. But Darla has overheard this too.
=== Chapter 16: A Walk in the Woods (illustration) ===
Alex has to deal with rumors she was dating Max. Then, Maximilian takes Alexandra into the woods, putting her trust and everything she believes about him to the test. He reveals to the school newspaper that Alex is his sister. Later in the woods, he tells her that many students at BMI practice Crucio. And then...
=== Chapter 17: Abraham Thorn (illustration) ===
In the deep, dark woods, a long-awaited meeting -- will Alexandra get answers at last? Alex meets her real father (and his raven Hagar). He tells her why he couldn't meet her. And how he wants to make revolution against Hucksteen - while still being nothing like Voldemort.
=== Chapter 18: Leave That World Behind (illustration) ===
Alex' family (well, Claudia and Archie) has moved into the new house. Alex has to remember Bonnie and Brian not to tell anyone that she's a witch. She gets a new locket from/of Abraham Thorn too. Troubling gifts and unanswered questions force a Christmas confrontation between Alexandra and her mother. But her mother doesn't want to hear anything about witches and wizards, especially not about Abraham Thorn.
=== Chapter 19: Dangerous Hearts (illustration) ===
Alex goes back to Charmbridge. When one young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of a certain young witch, Alexandra knows just what to do. In that case, making Angelique jealous by pretending to be an item with David. As usual, she has no idea of the trouble she's stirring. Maximilian has issues with her dallying with a Mu...ggleborn. JROC training goes on as well.
=== Chapter 20: Charlie the Thief (illustration) ===
A boy who likes a girl, and a raven who likes shiny things... both will provoke a wrathful response, and draw Alexandra into more danger than she knows. Alex finds out that Beatrice is just friends with Max, ever has been so. David "breaks up" with Alex, Darla kisses him, but something feels wrong, he claims. Seems he got cursed with Pustulant Pimples. The silver earring is not a big problem, but this strange silvery coin...
=== Chapter 21: The Obol (illustration) ===
Darla Dearborn is up to something, and Alexandra is determined to find out what. Alex just wants to give the Obol (because that's what the coin is) back to Darla. John seems to be angry at her because she lost it. Apparently Darla wants to go to the Lands Below, but why? Alex can bear the Crucio Darla casts on her, but suspects that she's lost it. But she has no idea just how determined Darla is, or the sinister lengths to which she will go. Now she needs the help of Bran and Poe again.
=== Chapter 22: Thirteen (illustration) ===
Alexandra gets one surprise after another, as she reaches an important milestone. She is trying to find out about the Lands Below, but Maximilian has somewhere else in mind for her. Alex suspects that Darla wants to summon the Obol back. Abraham Thorn contacts her on her thirteenth birthday. Her friends give her some great gifts. And Max tells her she's invited to his mother's family ranch in Roanoke.
=== Chapter 23: The Roanoke Underhill (illustration) ===
Alexandra takes a trip across the Confederation on the Wizardrail. Her visit to Roanoke will be more memorable than she knows. And Alex finds out that she can see thestrals, and the reason why.
=== Chapter 24: Croatoa (illustration) ===
She meets the family King, their house elves, and their Granians. Alexandra meets some of the other residents of Croatoa, who aren't all witches, and aren't all human.
=== Chapter 25: Colonials and Indians (illustration) ===
Alexandra's world grows larger; from the haunted woods of Croatoa to the charmed streets of New Roanoke, the wizarding world is slowly becoming hers. Although she was told better not to walk off left or right, or else. Then, they'll prepare for the Cotillion. Which means that Alex has to put on girly clothing. Also, there are ghosts of Colonials, Indians and Pirates on Roanoke Island.
=== Chapter 26: The Cotillion (illustration) ===
It's a night of firsts, as Alexandra is presented to Roanoke wizarding society. There will be surprises, disappointments, and intrigue -- and it won't all happen at the Cotillion. Usually, Aurors aren't needed at Cotillions. But they didn't consider that Abraham Thorn might use Polyjuice Potion.
=== Chapter 27: Her Father's Bidding (illustration) ===
What does it mean to live under the shadow of Abraham Thorn? Alexandra learns that Maximilian has been keeping a secret. Alex is sneaking out, following Max. She meets the ghost of her ancestor Absalom Thorn. Turns out, Max and Abraham are in the family crypt. Why does Abraham want Max to get closer to John Manuelito?
=== Chapter 28: Wizards in the New World (illustration) ===
Maximilian tells Alexandra some unpleasant truths about the Confederation, and his mission, and Alexandra is drawn inexorably further into her father's plans. On their way by Wizardrail, Diana Grimm sweats Max and Alex, and Alex sees no point in lying to her. Zachary Stanton, head of Roanoke's Aurors, seems to need new job now. John Manuelito has been groomed by the Dark Convention, Max thinks. Apparently, the Confederation made a treaty with the beings in the Lands Below to seal off these lands, taking a lot of the Indians' power. But what for?
=== Chapter 29: By the Magic on Your Kind (illustration) ===
Alex continues studying, even if books about the Lands Below are taboo for her. Alex lets her father know that she can tell Max about how to get there - but demands a boon in return. He agrees. And Max and Alex get promoted in the JROC. Boons, promises, binding oaths, a dangerous plan, a wizard-duel, a magical summons... all leading at last to the Lands Below! But when they go to the basements, John and Darla have been waiting for them and the Obol. A fight ensues, they win and summon Em. Who is willing to lead them on, but sorry for them.
=== Chapter 30: The Lands Below (illustration) ===
Alexandra and Maximilian begin their perilous journey. They are in a cavern full of water - with underwater panthers - between odd rock formations. After escaping the panthers, several hours later they meet Indian corn maidens. Then, Alex decides to send Charlie for the Generous Ones.
=== Chapter 31: Bewi and the Lagaru (illustration) ===
Continuing their travels in the Lands Below, Maximilian and Alexandra encounter creatures who are not what they seem, and receive a gift. Bewi, a beautiful seductive woman - with legs of a deer. Then, armed bunny people with razor teeth enter the scene - the Lagaru. After they have escaped from them, Charlie returns - with a bone flute. Alex plays it, and they suddenly are on a mountain, meeting the Generous Ones under Tiow.
=== Chapter 32: The Generous Ones (illustration) ===
Who are the Generous Ones? What gifts do they offer, and what do they want? While they let Alex have a bath, the elf Quimley tells her that he has to stay here because he gave the Generous Ones the Most Terrible Gift.
=== Chapter 33: The Most Terrible Gift (illustration) ===
Can Alexandra and Maximilian escape the Lands Below? What will the Generous Ones give them? And what gift can they offer in return? Apparently, once in the past any wizard was free to go to the Lands Below. Now they need a special token - Alexandra's locket will do - that has to be enchanted, for which they need to open a portal to the Lands Beyond. And apparently, they think Alex was promised as a gift to them. Only Maximilian's sacrifice prevents this. She doesn't take it well, almost blasts the Generous Ones, and barely makes it out.
=== Chapter 34: Beneath Charmbridge (illustration) ===
Beneath Charmbridge Academy, Alexandra's journey to the Lands Below ends where it began. But she comes back alone. Yes, Max has been lost to the Lands Beyond, and Abraham Thorn couldn't help with this either. And the way back might be blocked and have underwater panthers. When she makes it, Abraham comes along to collect the locket. When Alex is rightfully pissed at him for willing to sacrifice her while making shady promises to make this up somewhen in the future, he petrifies her and takes the locket.
=== Chapter 35: Return to Roanoke (illustration) ===
Alexandra must deal with the aftermath of her journey to the Lands Below, and the repercussions extend far beyond Charmbridge Academy. Lilith and Diana Grimm found her in the Charmbridge basements and question her now. Apparently, she was gone for a whole week. Max is considered to be dead. Veritaserum is used on Alex, but Abraham seems to have Obliviated her. Darla's been expelled, like the rest of MMS. Croatoa, where Alex goes to now, is in mourning. She gets to use the family's Pensieve. It's revealed that her memories have been stolen by Abraham Thorn, and now returned. She's willing to take them back.
=== Chapter 36: In Memoriam (illustration) ===
Alexandra must cope with memories and loss, and one more unexpected turn of events. They visit BMI for the ceremony and the condolences. Martin is very grief-stricken. Alex' three half-sisters of the White family are around too. Max died in May 2009. Alex tells Julia that Max died as a hero. When she arrives in Chicago, chaos awaits her - and Diana Grimm too.
=== Chapter 37: Enemy of the Confederation (illustration) ===
The Thorn Circle strikes, and the Confederation will never be the same. Apparently Abraham Thorn derailed the Roanoke Underhill, and dozens got killed. Fortunately, Anna, David, and the Pritchard Twins still are on her side. Even Tomo is glad Alex saved her from the MMS. As the school year ends, Alexandra says good-bye to her friends and returns to Larkin Mills. But leaving the wizarding world behind won't be so easy.
== Awards ==
* Alexandra Quick won the 2009 Quicksilver Quill Award for Best Female Other Character for her characterization in Lands Below and Thorn Circle.
* Lands Below was also nominated for the Quicksilver Quill Award for Best General Story, chaptered, but placed behind The Letter.
== References ==
Lands Below