Chapter 2
"I will not have you cuckold me or make me to be a fool." Warrington said coolly.
"Same, since I have to get all gussied up and hang off your arm in public like you're my sole reason for living. I have more to lose than you" Alicia said, yeah my friends, respect, dignity the list goes on… Alicia thought.
"Isn't that the truth" Warrington murmured, he had watched Alicia throughout the meal. He knew she had already decided to take the offer as she didn't have the choice but he allowed her the façade that she actually could say no.
"But you lose the opportunity to gain anything. I have my concerns one of them being I highly doubt we can convince anyone that we are a couple" Alicia said looking at her half empty glass of wine she turned the stem of the glass as she reclined in her chair.
"Johnson seemed convinced" Warrington said taking a sip of his wine watching her carefully. Alicia chuckled at his statement.
"Angelina thinks I'm only going out with you for steak and quickie" Alicia told him.
"The steak was superb"
"Yes it was, but don't get any ideas about the quickie" Alicia told him bluntly sure she was a sucker for a good meal. The steak was hands down the best she had eaten her whole entire life. Didn't mean she was planning on letting Warrington get any fanciful ideas about getting into her knickers.
"I would never presume" he practically purred at her, it made her frown as he looked delighted at her rebuffing him. "Tell me. Just out of curiosity, how are you planning on getting the extra money for your potions? If you don't take my offer or say we hadn't met" He asked.
"I could take up pole dancing or maybe work at a Gentlemen's club in Muggle London at least I get to keep my knickers on" Alicia said thoughtfully. Warrington chuckled even though his mind was imaging her in various states of undress and positions he was a man sitting opposite a very attractive woman after all.
"It would take a lot of lap dances to make 300 galleons to pay for your monthly needs. Considering how bad the currency rate for pounds to galleons is" he said.
"How did you know it was that 300 galleons I need?" Alicia asked looking a mixture of shocked and annoyed.
"A wizard never reveals his sources" he said simply as he watched her sizing her reactions.
"You mean you were eavesdropping" Alicia said feeling stupid she hadn't thought of it earlier.
"It is a very small shop and I was bored"
"Of course, I'm so glad you have such respect for my privacy" Alicia said dryly.
"So are you agreeing to my terms?" he asked redirecting their conversation. The door to the room opened and the waiter came in with a cheese platter with an assortment of cheeses, water crackers nuts, fresh fruit and dried fruit. It was placed in the centre of the table between them before leaving them again.
Alicia looked at the platter while the waiter poured two glasses of Port to accompany the platter. Warrington was immensely entertained by Alicia, she took pleasure in eating though she didn't let her dislike of him get in the way. She still as smart as whip and while he remember her being 'the girl next door' type who stood up for her friends. It seemed she had learned the art of sarcasm and cynicism.
"I don't know" Alicia started as she reached for her cheese knife slicing a piece of Camembert and eating it. "It's not exactly in my best interests long term speaking. I mean what happens when your reputation as a solid citizen happens. You'll dump my ass and then I'll be back to where I started"
"If you don't do it I will make sure no one will sell you the potion you require unless you have a Healer's prescription. So not only will you have to come up with the money to see a Healer you'll have to pay full freight not very conducive for someone who makes roughly 288 Galleons a month. You're lucky to even make that much considering an Assistant Manager in Retail only makes 42 Galleons a month. What is it that you do for them?" Warrington asked.
"Hmm you should try the Camembert with the strawberries it's delicious" Alicia said slightly distracted by the food for a moment. "As for my job, I do many odd things for them that I can't tell you about as I took a wizarding oath." Alicia told him.
"Not very trusting of the Weasels" Warrington said, Alicia narrowed her eyes at him.
"It's a show of loyalty. Something you wouldn't understand" Alicia said as she cut into the brie.
"Oh how you wound me" He said dramatically.
"Whatever" Alicia said as she continued to eat, the meal was otherworldly she was not going to let Warrington take away this small pleasure even if he was forcing her into a situation that was likely to blow up in their faces.
They had remained remarkably civil with one another mainly speaking about the appreciation of well prepared meal and common day to day conversation about the current politics. He had silently pleased that he had tracked her down. She would no doubt impress many of his counterparts. When the mains were cleared it marked the time they start talking about Warrington's idiotic plan in Alicia's opinion as Warrington was already enjoying the idea of her company. So far they were just throwing out boundaries and terms about what they expected of one another. Mainly what Warrington expected of her.
"As to your earlier assumption, I'll have a contract written up if you like" he said.
"I can't wait to read it. I Alicia Spinnet will pretend to be your Warrington's 'woman' for… what six months? While you supply me with McCallum's potions for a year?" Alicia asked she wanted to know how long he wanted to keep up the charade.
"I was going to say two years and all the while you are my 'woman'. I doubt people will believe our relationship is real if it doesn't last for longer than a year" he said with an amused expression. Alicia balked at him saying two years. It was a long time to pretend to be in a relationship with but it was also two years of being under proper medical care and fully stocked with McCallum's potion.
"I doubt anyone will believe it will last six months considering it's you and me. Even then I'm sure there'll be wagers" Alicia told him as she chuckled.
"Two years for two years of potions" Warrington said.
"Make it three years supply of potion for two years. Two years is a long time to put up with you and not to scratch my 'itches' if you get what I mean" Alicia bargained.
"Two years supply and if you have any 'itches' I'd happily scratch them for you" Warrington told her in a salacious tone.
"Four years of potions for two years... my 'itches' are never going to be scratched by the likes of you" Alicia said.
"We'll see. Though you've never haggled in your life before have you?" Warrington asked, Alicia gave a shrug as she ate another strawberry. A smirk worthy of a Malfoy gracing her lips as she swallowed the strawberry.
"I have and the more you try to haggle the higher I go. Five years worth of McCallum's Potion for putting up with you for one year I figure if I can't say 'no' and have to make a deal with the devil. I might as well get the best out I can get since" She told him.
"Four years worth of McCallum's for two years, I will also give you a new wardrobe since I assume as lovely as that dress is it is probably the only one you have" Warrington commented, Alicia blushed lightly and remained silent which he took as a sign he was correct. He knew the shoes were Angelina's as they were half a size too big on Alicia before she magicked them smaller "and I will acquire any other things you will require to 'play' the role." He added
"I won't complain about free shoes and dresses" Alicia drawled.
"Anything else?" he asked tongue in cheek.
"Yeah, you can pay my share of the rent if I'm going to have to buy McCallum's potions at their inflated price in 4 years time I gotta start saving now." She told him. It was his turn to smirk as they reached an agreement.
"Then we are in accord?"
"Like I ever had a choice?" Alicia asked in a mockingly sweet tone.
Alicia sighed as she opened the door to the apartment. Warrington had apparated her to the front door.
Flashback~
"Surprisingly I enjoyed myself tonight considering I was blackmailed into the whole thing" Alicia said as she turned to Warrington. He smirked as he faced her.
"Indeed, since this was our first date perhaps we should indulge in-"
"I thought we established our boundaries unless you want me to show you the kind of physical contact I'm in the mood of showing you" Alicia said cutting him off, he had already moved in close as a two people could be without touching. She raised an eyebrow daring him to try her.
He merely looked amused at her and leaned in to her ear and whispered "Perhaps another time".
End of Flashback~
Alicia shivered involuntarily as remembered how his hot breath caressed her ear, his delicious clean, fresh and very masculine scent and the warmth radiating off his body was entirely intoxicating mix for her. She inwardly blamed the wine for her reaction especially when he stepped away and she swayed instinctually toward him. She walked down the hallway to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea before going to bed.
Maybe Angelina was right, maybe she needed to get laid. Just not Warrington... She told herself. She had to be desperate if she was willing to bang the gong with a Slytherin. Sure she shouldn't be tied up in old school house rivalries but there had to be something said about the character of an individual and the house they were placed into.
Only a Slytherin would exploit a person's weaknesses for their benefit. Why couldn't she have run into a Hufflepuff? At least they would have admired her hard work ethic and understand she was doing her best considering the situation she was in. A Ravenclaw probably give her a few ideas and financial advice for the future. None of them would do what Warrington would but then none of them would dare set foot in Knockturn Alley.
She could predict her Gryffindor friends reactions if they had caught her in Knockturn Alley and it would end in a lot of yelling, followed by some hurt egos and problems with trust and then the pity parade would begin followed by Alicia getting handouts and talks about how she could do so much better if only she had come to them earlier. She really didn't want any of that, she had enough of handouts like cheap rent in nice digs with Angelina and Katie. She was paid well at the Weasley twins shop but at least she worked hard so she didn't feel like she was such a burden but still.
There were times when they would mention how she could have been a pro Quidditch player or working for the Ministry as highly paid Interpreter but thanks to her late mornings and never knowing when she'd hit a rough patch of seizures or when she would have a good day definitely made her undesirable.
Alicia was broken from her reverie when she flicked on the kitchen lights to find Angelina and Fred in a very compromising and unsanitary position on the bench.
"Oh seriously you two I eat in here!" Alicia said as she held a hand up to cover her eyes. She turned her face to the side disgusted. She heard the rustling of clothing being righted and a belt and zipper being done up.
"Decent" Fred told her, Alicia slowly dropped her hand away and saw they were indeed decent, Angelina was wearing her bath robe which was closed and tied up now. Fred was in the clothes she had seen him in earlier that day.
"I thought you'd be out with Warrington longer" Angelina said with an apologetic smile, it wasn't the first time Alicia had caught the two in the act around the apartment.
"I wish I had at least then I wouldn't have the lovely mental of you two burned into my retinas" Alicia said she made a gagging motion as she stood where she was.
"Jealous that you aren't getting some of this fine, sweet ass Spinnet? Because George my identical twin I'm sure you've met him. He's got the same ass as me and currently single" Fred said with a grin as Angelina smacked him in the arm.
"First I like my job and I prefer not to shag my boss and secondly I just wished I didn't have to see your skinny pale ass every time I want a cup of tea after midnight. You guys have a room" Alicia said.
"I know we were getting a cup of tea ourselves"
"I'm sure well you two have thoroughly turned me off a cup of tea for another 8 hours have fun and please clean the kitchen when you're done. Night!" Alicia said
"Stop right there" Angelina said.
"I'm not watching you two go at it" Alicia said.
"No I want to hear about your date with Warrington" Angelina said
"Warrington?" Fred said.
"Yeah, they went on a date" Angelina said.
"It was dinner, not a date and seriously you guys are barely post coitus wouldn't you rather continue getting busy in your room?" Alicia asked she stressed the 'in your room' part so she wouldn't witness anymore nudity except for her own when she stripped down for a late night bath.
"Nope you killed the mood" Angelina said having no shame.
"Really?" Fred asked disappointed at the news it earned him another smack in the arm.
"So Warrington and La Grillade" Angelina asked.
"Food exquisite, company well was company but hey he paid so I'm not complaining. Goodnight"
"Hold up! Is there going to be another date?" Angelina asked.
"It was dinner. Not a date and I don't know we'll see" Alicia said she could see Angelina was frustrated with her answers while Fred watched them. He was probably going to wait until work tomorrow to grill her with George.
"Ok I get it. We'll talk in the morning" Angelina said.
"After you scourgify the kitchen at least three times?" Alicia asked
"Yes" Angelina said rolling her eyes.
"Ok, be safe kids and stay off the kitchen counters!" Alicia sang as she made a quick exit to her room. She already knew the two were back at it when she heard a giggle and then felt the magic of a silencing spell in the air. She shook her head at her friends before stripping off her clothes and falling into her bed forgetting about her bath.
Warrington sat in an arm chair by the fireplace in his study sipping on a fire whisky. He watched the fire flicker and dance as his thoughts wondered to Alicia and their last moments together. He was currently taking inventory on her many lovely attributes when his thoughts were rudely interrupted.
"Warrington, what brings you here?" Montague asked surprised as he strolled into the study.
"Last I checked I lived here and you a guest" Warrington said mockingly. Montague helped himself to a glass of fire whisky before sitting in the arm chair opposite Warrington's.
"Right, before you ask I will be here for another week" Montague told him, Montague had been residing in Warrington's townhouse for the last three months as he'd been having his Penthouse apartment renovated. Since Montague and his father were on the out he didn't want to stay at his family homestead or sleeping in crash room at St Mungos where he was a Healer. Warrington didn't mind the company as he preferred Montague over his mother residing in his townhouse with him.
"Mi Casa Su Casa" Warrington said nonchalantly.
"I saw you and Alicia Spinnet walking down Diagon Alley late this fine evening" Montague said raising an eyebrow at Warrington. "She is looking mighty fine, how did you convince her to partake in your company?"
"I asked her nicely" Warrington said matter of factorily, Montague snorted.
"That's rich, seriously though how did you get one of the finest ex- Gryffindor Chasers?" Montague asked.
"I haven't gotten her yet" Warrington said he continued to fill Montague on the details of his day. He and Montague had been friends since their youth. As a result Montague was the person he ever truly trusted in his life. He informed Montague of his dinner and his long term plans he had for Alicia and himself. After he was finished Montague wore a bemused expression.
"That's some plan" Montague said.
"Indeed" Warrington said quite pleased with himself.
"And she agreed to all of it?" Montague asked in disbelief.
"She will eventually" Warrington answered smugly, as he took a sip of his fire whisky.
"Better hope she doesn't catch on too soon. If I remember correctly she had a mean right hook" Montague said as he chuckled at his friend.
"She won't. Gryffindors are too trusting of people. On a separate note when are you free in the next few days?" Warrington asked.
"Why?"
"I may be in need of your services"
"You know my conceirge Healer fees are quite exorbinate" Montague said, Warrington raised an eyebrow at him "But I'm willing to wave them in lieu of room and board" Montague said chuckling.