Disclaimer: I own nothing!
A/N: This is my first fic… it was just a random idea I had while reading copious amounts of Harry Potter Fanficition… In my version of this JKR reality… Fred didn't die and Warrington and Alicia were not in the final battle for various reasons later revealed…So it's a little AU. I have done a small rewrite... as I found my muse as to what I wanted to do with this story and while I don't expect many reviews or story alerts I hope anyone who decide to take a look will enjoy!
P.S. flamers please resist the urge to firebomb me and move onto another story :-P
Alicia gripped the vanity sink in her bathroom with one hand as she shakily opened the cabinet in front of her. It was empty bar one medium sized vial half-filled with lime green metallic liquid. Alicia waited for the wave of muscle spasms and convulsions to subside before she reached for it and pulled out the cork stopper. She cursed as some of the potion spilled out of the small vial and onto her hand. She quickly downed the contents still in the vial and licked the spilt potion on her hand scowling as the potion tasted foul.
She shakily placed the vial into the sink before she dropped to the floor convulsing. It was only 6am but Alicia knew it was not going to get better. She drew her knees to her chest as her body continued to shake. During the War she had been captured by Snatchers and taking to Death Eater Central. In the short time she had been captured she had endured many things she'd rather forget and had been hit by Cruciatus curse so multiple times it had damaged her.
That's what the Healers told her, when she had woken up in St Mungo four years ago after being rescued. They told her she was spell damaged but could not pinpoint the problem so they could fix or reverse the damage. She had felt it like they told her the quickest assumption of her problem to get her out of the place as they were overrun with many other patients at the time. She had been in a coma for the two weeks in St Mungos and had missed the final demise of Voldermort and the Great battle that killed many witches and wizards.
So, when St Mungo's became over run with injured and spell damaged withes and wizards Alicia had been given a month's prescription of McCallum's potion, her healer's bills and was unceremoniously discharged.
So every morning she would wake up to hot sweats, nausea, her muscles cramping painfully and she knew she had less than a minute before her trembles broke down into full convulsions of a bad seizure. She would make the crawl to her bathroom and down the McCallum's potion the only thing that seemed to help and wait for it to pass. Until then there was nothing she could do but suffer through it until her body stopped convulsing and she was able to pick herself off the floor.
Some days the seizures weren't so bad, the McCallum's potion worked for most part but every once and awhile she would hit a rough patch. Only double the reccomended amount of the potion would stop her body from shaking uncontrollably and even then her hands would still be shaking and her muscles sore and tense. She would try and ration her intake so when she did hit a rough patch it wouldn't be so bad. But this month for some odd reason had been more rough than usual. She had consumed more potion than her usual amount.
Alicia couldn't wait for the Potion to reach its destination and start working. It's just a rough patch, breathe… She thought to herself as she closed her eyes at the discomfort and pain as her body shuddered and shook violently. After 20 minutes her body calmed and stopped convulsing. She stayed on the floor for a few moments before she picked herself up and took a quick shower. She stopped in front of the bathroom mirror and looked at her reflection.
She looked as bad as she felt. Dark circles seemed to be a permanent feature under her dark eyes. She wished she could at least cast a glamour but thanks to her seizures she couldn't perform any magic. Her wand sat by her beside unused for years. Whatever damage she had, had messed with her ability to perform magic. She brushed her long dark hair and ignored how pale she looked before exiting the bathroom.
She padded out to the main living area of the Apartment. Alicia shared a spacious three bedroom apartment with her Gryffindor friends Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson. Katie Bell scored a prime Quidditch position as a Chaser for Holy Harpies. It meant she was out of town for 6 months of the year and the other half she spent training or sitting on the couch watching Muggle TV shows that she missed when she was away.
Angelina Johnson worked for the Ministry in the 'International Magical Office of Law' Department not the job Alicia had envisioned Angelina but apparently she enjoyed it and the money was good. Angelina always came home with some pretty hilarious stories.
Though it didn't rival Alicia's stories but then Alicia worked for the Weasley twins at their shop. They were the most understanding bosses a girl could have and she was lucky that she was even employed considering her condition. No one wanted to employ a spell damaged witch especially one that looked like death warmed over and couldn't use her magic. Luckily she excelled at potions at Hogwarts and could still brew except for potions that required magic of course.
"Hey you're up early" Angelina said from the kitchen. Alicia moved to the breakfast bar and took a seat while Angelina poured her a cup of tea. Angelina looked as though she had walked right off a Hugo Boss advertisement dressed immaculately in a tailored suit and black expensive heels that Alicia only dreamed about wearing.
"Thanks, couldn't sleep" Alicia said as she picked up the tea and took a sip.
"Feeling bad?" Angelina asked as Alicia's hands were noticeably trembling as she had difficulty holding the tea cup. Alicia put the cup down.
"Yeah" Alicia said in a tired tone.
"You should see a Healer. Maybe they can give you something stronger or there might be something new out that's better than that lime green stuff you suck on. How long has it been since you saw a Healer anyway?" Angelina asked as she pottered around the Kitchen wiping down the sink and bench spaces.
"I'm going today before work" Alicia told Angelina as she propped her face in her hands watching Angelina clean in her business suit. She hadn't seen a Healer since her first hospitalisation from being rescued over four years ago. They were expensive and so was the potion she needed. Just her Healers bills and her two week stay and St Mungo's sucked up all of her life savings. She didn't have the heart to ask her grandfather for money as he didn't have much money himself.
So she lied to her friends and bypassed the Healers and bought her potions from Knockturn Alley it was cheaper in the long run. With the pay she got from working at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes she just able cover all her share of rent, utilities, food with enough left over for the potions and a couple of treatments.
She knew her friends would throw a fit if they knew the truth. But she was too proud to tell them and she didn't want their pity or charity. The pity she got from not being able to use magic was enough. So the lying was easier than telling them the truth. In the start she had felt horrible for keeping the truth from them but then after awhile she was in too deep and figured she deserved what she got.
"Do you want me to go with you? I can take the morning off" Angelina offered. Alicia sat up at the offer she really didn't want Angelina around today as she needed to go to Knockturn Alley to restock her supply. She would also have to organise a time to see if Master Shikai could fit her in for an earlier treatment.
"No it's fine" Alicia said quickly. Angelina eyed her for a moment. Alicia wondered in Angelina could sense her panic or something.
"You sure?"
"Yeah definitely and don't you have a meeting with the Delegates from Japan today?" Alicia asked. Angelina looked at her watch and nodded.
"You're right I should get going so I can prep" Angelina said.
"Ganbatte!" Alicia said with a smile.
"Huh?"
"Good luck" Alicia translated.
"You should be at the meeting at least you can speak Japanese!" Angelina said.
After Angelina left for the day, Alicia changed into a pair of worn hipster jeans, a grey V-neck long sleeved top and a black high neck cross over leather jacket with an asymmetrical front and off centre zipper she pulled up the whole way. It was early winter and today looked to be a cold day Alicia surmised as she pulled on a pair of black gloves before wrapping a scarf around her neck before leaving for Knockturn Alley.
Alicia looked around the decrepit and dark alley to make sure no one was around or looking at her before she knocked on the door twice pausing for a moment and knocking once. She waited for a moment before an old Asian man in black robes opened the door and waved her in.
"Hello Child, you're earlier than I would have expected" He said with a smile, Alicia gave Potions Master Shikai a wan smile as she walked up to the counter in his shop. The room was wall to wall with shelves filled with potion ingredients, vial, bottles and other potions related materials.
"Yeah rough month" Alicia said with a smile, she had been lucky when a Healer at St Mungo felt sorry for her and told her about Master Shikai and where to find him. As he was the Potions Master to go to for any potion restricted or not he was able to give a good price with no questions asked. As long as you had the money he made the potions or found a way of finding them.
In Alicia's case he had to find it as the McCallum Potion for it was only made by one company who held the rights to the potion's ingredients and brewing instructions. They also only dispensed the Potion through St Mungo's. Somehow Shikai found her enough supplies to tide her over for one to two months depending on how bad her seizures got.
Alicia felt her body spasm as the small dose of potion she took less than two hours ago started to wear off. She was right it was going to be a bad day. Master Shikai raised an eyebrow at her but said nothing.
"You need more potion and treatment?" He asked her, Alicia nodded as she slightly gripped the counter.
"I only have enough for the potions though today" Alicia told him.
"You're lucky, I have an hour free tomorrow at 11pm. You can repay me later. I know you're good for the galleons but I have to tell you it's getting harder to find this potion" Shikai said he reached under the counter and pulled a medium sized wooden box up and onto the counter. He lifted the lid and she looked down at the 40 vials nestled in the box.
A knock sounded at the door making Alicia snap around and face the door. Shikai replaced the lid and put the box away before heading to the door. She watched as he looked through the peephole with his wand in hand. She relaxed when the wand went back into the sleeve of Shikai's robes and he opened the door. Alicia turned away and lowered her head wanting to keep some anonymity to whoever Master Shikai had let in. She tried vainly to not shudder as her muscles spasmed.
"Mr Warrington, do come in" Shikai said closing the door, Alicia tensed up at the name her bad day had just reach a whole new level.
"Well, well Spinnet what brings you here?" a deep male voice rumbled from beside her. Alicia reluctantly looked to her left and looked at Cassius Warrington stood at 6ft 3 making Alicia feel short at her 5ft 9 height a rarity to her. She noted how he was immaculately dressed in black dress robes, his brown hair neatly quaffed and clean shaven face. His hazel eyes danced with a predatorily gleam like he thought he had her cornered.
"I do believe that is none of your business" Alicia told him somewhat waspishly. She needed another dose of potion she felt herself shudder more violently.
"You don't look so good Spinnet"
"Always a charmer aren't you Warrington. Master Shikai I think I will come ba-" Alicia's words were cut off as she gasped in pain and gripped the counter trying to stay on her feet as her body began to spasm, it was the precursor to full convulsions of the seizures.
Shikai pulled out a vial of the McCallum's Potion and held it out for her. She grabbed it and drank the contents in one go.
"Thank you" she said to Shikai. He didn't ask her if she was ok or anything as he knew she would be fine once the Potion kicked in.
"I didn't think you'd become Potions addict when we were at Hogwarts." Warrington said with new found interest his eyes never leaving her.
"You have no clue what you're talking about" Alicia told him as she closed her eyes feeling her body slowly still the shakes were subsiding as the potion took its effect.
"Then why don't you tell me I have the time and I loved to hear a Gryffindor's fall from grace" Warrington said a smirk playing on his handsome features as he looked her over it had been over five years since he had seen her at Hogwarts. He had graduated Hogwarts and decided to work in Europe while attending a Wizarding college.
He didn't return to England when Voldermort returned four years ago. He had no desire to die in a war that he didn't believe in. He would have remained in Europe except his Father had did and he had to return to sit down with his mother for the reading of his Father's Will. As expected he inherited the deeds and titles to all the properties, investments and businesses Warrington Industries owned. He also inherited all the bad press and problems with it. His Father was a well known Death Eater and by default he was being painted with the same brush even though he wasn't in England when war broke out. He needed to clean up the businesses image and his own reputation.
Hence why he had stopped by Shikai's to talk business with the Potions Master. Who knew he'd find an ex- Gryffindor Quidditch chaser no less looking like a junkie shaking for a fix was a bonus for him. Old house rivalries never really died. It was too good to be true.
Especially since it was Alicia Spinnet, there was something satisfying about seeing her again. Just see how much she had changed, she was dressed in loose muggle clothing, old and well worn clothing at best. Her pale olive skin covered in a light sheen of sweat, long dark hair, dark eyes, high cheekbones and lush lips. He had to admit she was attractive even if she was thinner and a little sickly than he recalled from his Hogwarts school days. He couldn't help but relish in her current state as she had always had a sanctimonious attitude about having a conscience and doing the right thing back in school. Oh how the mighty have fallen... this will be fun he thought.
He could still remember her ire at him for playing dirty on the Quidditch Pitch. He could still remember how he riled her and how much he enjoyed her skin becoming flushed as he feed her a line laden with sexual innuendo and promise.
Now 6 years later here she was sucking down potion like she was dying of thirst in Knockturn Alley. He smiled at her, watching her glower at him. Her body had stopped shaking and now he noted she was only experiencing twitches.
"Perhaps another time" Alicia said, she pulled a pouch of Galleons out of her jacket pocket and handed it to Shikai who took it. There was no point in coming back. Warrington had watched her down a vial of potion her 'secret' was out in a manner of speaking. She just wished he had the decency to leave her alone. Shikai pulled a medium sized wooden box from under the counter and placed it on the counter in front of Alicia. Shikai charmed the bow so it looked like a lacquered wooden jewellery box before wrapping it up in fabric handing it to Alicia.
"Before you go I have to inform you" Shikai said to Alicia, his eyes flickered to Warrington which made her turn to glare at Warrington.
"Do you mind?" Alicia snapped at Warrington. Warrington wore an amused expression as he held his hands up in surrender and walked away from the counter to give her and Shikai space. Alicia watched as he feigned interest in the items shelved on a wall furthest away from them.
"The price of McCallum's Potions is going to be more expensive next month. There was a bad crop yield for potions this season so many potions prices are to be affected due to shortages." Shikai explained low voice.
"Ok, how much are we talking?" Alicia asked in a hushed tone. She kept looking over her shoulder to see if Warrington was listening in. Knowing a Slytherin he probably was storing every little tidbit of information to annoy or embarrass her in any future setting they might meet in.
"10 galleons more" Shikai said. Alicia's eyes went wide at this.
"per vial?" Alicia asked for clarification, hoping he was going to say on top of the original price.
"Yes" Shikai told her. Alicia hung her head as she did the numbers game in her head. She would have to find another source of income to rustle up the 300 or so galleons she would need.
"There a problem?" Warrington asked looking at his pocket watch.
"No, everything is just peachy. Master Shikai thank you I'll see you tomorrow." Alicia said bowing to the Potions Master before picking up her parcel. She turned to Warrington "I'd say it was a pleasure but I'd be lying. Have a good life Warrington" she gave him a small wave before walking out the door of the shop. Shikai closed the door and turned to Warrington.
"Master Shikai, it's been a few years" Warrington said.
"Indeed Lord Warrington. What can I do for you?" Shikai asked conjuring up two arm chairs for them to sit.
"I need information" Warrington said an idea forming in his mind as he thought of Alicia.
Alicia had finished a long day at work and was ready to fill up the bath tub and soak for the next five hours before going to bed as she turned the key in the front door of the Apartment. She kicked off her boots at the door and padded down the hallway to drop her parcel off in her room before continuing with her plans.
"Ange I'm home!" She called out. She stopped dead in her tracks when she found Warrington talking to Angelina in her lounge room. They stopped talking and Warrington rose to his feet, he wore a smug smile at Alicia's surprised expression at seeing him in her lounge room.
"Alicia" Warrington said with a smile. Alicia was stunned to say the least then she noted his expensive tailored suit and how handsome he looked. It made her want to slap that smile off his face.
"I thought you might forget our plans for tonight since your mind seemed elsewhere this morning." Warrington said.
"Warrington told me he saw you at St Mungo's this morning, that the two of you got chatting and decided to go out tonight" Angelina said raising an eyebrow waiting for Alicia to confirm or deny.
Alicia didn't know how to respond, she wanted to know why Warrington was there and how he found her.
"Yes, I was visiting an infirmed Aunt of mine when I happen to pass her on the way to see Healer Strafford" Warrington said in a smooth tone when Alicia didn't speak up.
"What did the Healer say?" Angelina asked.
"Yes, what did the Healer say Alicia?" Warrington said it seemed to snap Alicia out of her reverie she was in.
"Nothing worth talking about" Alicia said. The answer didn't satisfy Angelina's curiosity as the woman got up from the arm chair she had been seated in.
"Warrington you don't mind if the girls have a bit of a pow wow in the other room." Angelina said to him. Warrington made himself comfortable on the sofa and nodded his consent.
"By all means though don't take too long I'd hate to be late for our 9pm reservation at La Grillade" Warrington said his eyes never leaving Alicia.
Angelina closed the door to Alicia's Bedroom and turned to Alicia. "You and Warrington? Are you insane? I mean I can understand if you just want a quickie. It has been four years since you've been with anyone if I were you I'd be crawling the walls but I would not be desperate enough for a Slytherin" Angelina said, Alicia rolled her eyes as Angelina didn't go without sex for more than two days. She only knew that because Alicia had caught Angelina on a pretty regular basis in compromising positions with her boyfriend Fred Weasley. Nothing strained a working relationship like walking in on your boss shag your best friend on the dining table at 1am.
"I'm not desperate and he offered me dinner when was the last time I went out on a date?" Alicia said, she was going to have to play this one out. She was not going to admit to her oldest friend she was buying potions illegally in Knockturn Alley or the fact she now needed to find another 300 galleons for the next month to get more.
"You have a point and La Grillade is amazing. You should order the Steak." Angelina said as she rummaged through Alicia's closet.
"Why?" Alicia asked
"Because it is like tasting heaven and it's the most expensive thing on the menu. Here wear this and you can borrow my shoes. The black stilettos at the door" Angelina said as she pushed a yellow dress at Alicia to change into.
40 minutes later, Warrington and Alicia were seated in the private room of La Grillade. It was an exclusive upmarket French restaurant on Diagon Alley. He couldn't keep his eyes off Alicia as her appearance met his approval. She wore a canary yellow dress that looked as though she had been poured into it fitted her so well. It was sleeveless with a boat neckline, a black belt cinched at her waist accentuating her lithe hourglass figure with a pencil skirt bottom that finished at her knees and black patent leather peep toe stilettos. She had her hair slicked back into a high ponytail. She wore a little make up besides a bit of blush and eyeliner and mascara. She had long drop earrings but no other jewellery. She had an air of elegance about her that he hadn't seen earlier that day.
"You look absolutely ravishing" Warrington told her as the waiter handed them menus. It was the first time the spoke since he apparated them from her Apartment to the restaurant.
"Flattery will get you nowhere" Alicia said as she looked over the menu. She was tired, nervous, anxious and still feeling nauseous from her rough morning. She wasn't sure why she was playing this charade. She had gotten Angelina to cast a 24 hour glamour spell so she didn't look like the walking dead and to cover some of the scars on her back.
"Bottle of 1947 Penfold's Grange…" Warrington said he rattled off the rest of his order which included two entrées and a main for himself "And the lady will have…" he drawled looking at Alicia.
"I will have the steak, medium rare. Thank you" Alicia said as she handed the menu to the waiter who nodded before disappearing leaving them alone for a few moments before returning with water and the wine. The waiter went through the song and dance of showing the wine and opening it and pouring it for Warrington's approval. Warrington gave the tiniest of nods and the Waiter poured the wine into the appropriate glasses before leaving them alone.
"So I was planning on soaking in a hot bath tonight before you destroyed those plans" Alicia asked as she took a sip of the wine. It tasted divine and made Alicia wish she were here with anyone else enjoying the wine.
"Just so you know I'm not putting out for glass of red and steak. You lied to Angelina today so knowing you for the Slytherin you are. You have some agenda or feel the need to ruin what life I have left. So let's not beat around the bush. What do you want?" Alicia asked him.
"You"
"Right, try again"
"It's true I want you to help me restore my reputation"
"I don't see how I can help you"
"I've been associated with my Father's bad press. Like father like son they say. Many people will not do business with me for this annoying fact"
"You mean that your father was Death Eater who maimed and murdered many muggles, witches and wizards for pleasure or was it that Warrington Industries is built on Money laundering, drugs and other unsavoury activities?" Alicia asked sweetly.
A bell tolled before Warrington could answer and the door to the room opened with the waiter returning with the entrées Warrington had ordered. He waited until the doors closed again before he looked at Alicia.
"All of the above. My Father was a ruthless man who had many distasteful past times…" Warrington started Alicia made a derisive noise "I am not him nor do I plan to continue his legacy in the same fashion he did."
"How comforting, perhaps you should be wining and dining Hermione Granger. What is this?" Alicia asked pointing to her plate.
"Flash fried baby calamari on a bed of kumara mash with orange and rosemary jus" He answered. Alicia nodded before having bite of the dish. This time she couldn't hold back her pleasure at tasting the deliciously prepared food. A small moan passed her lips. The noise made Warrington watch her he had never seen a woman take so much pleasure from food. He couldn't help but smirk at the thought of her in bed if she would make the same sound.
"So get to the point of what you need me for" Alicia said as she continued to eat her entrée, she noticed that Warrington had barely started into his.
"My Public Relations Manager believes if I associate with certain people. The public will believe I am different from my father. Thus I have decided to have a relationship with you"
Alicia choked and reached for her water glass and took long pull of water to recover. "You think I'd pretend to be your girlfriend people will think you're a good guy and want to do business with you" she said before she coughed.
"Something along those lines, in the upper echelons of society I would be courting you with the interest of marriage and so forth." Warrington said in a droll tone.
"You PR manager is an idiot"
"I agree he is an idiot but when I saw you this morning I decided to humour his theory"
"I'm not finding this funny and I'm not doing it"
"You're not in the position to say no"
"I beg to differ it's quite an easy word to say"
"Yes, but then how would you be able to get your hands on McCallum's Potion you so desperately need?"
"Master Shikai-"
"Told me nothing, I have a friend who takes that potion daily for seizures. Seizures that are the result of being overexposed to the Cruciatus curse. Obviously you can't afford it by legal means hence our fortunate meeting. I will get you the best healers and the top shelf range of McCallum's Potion available on the market. If you agree to my terms" Warrington drawled.
"I'm not going to whore myself to you for potions" Alicia said coldly.
"Please don't be so crass. This is quid pro quo you get the potions you need to function like a normal witch and I get my reputation renewed by association. I was not expecting you to 'put out' as you so eloquently stated earlier. But I'm also not adverse to such an arrangement either. Now can we enjoy our meal and discuss terms over dessert?" Warrington asked with a smile.