"Robert, Theodore, Murdoch. That is your name, is it not?" The Wizengamot was silent. The rows of immaculate dressed witches and wizards then went into murmured discussion.
"Yes, it is." Said Murdoch. He was in the kept in a cage with sharp skies on the inside and outside. It made sure that Murdoch had to stand up straight. Alec was watching from the public gallery. He couldn't see Murdoch face but was watching intently all the same, this was his case, and he was going to see it through till the end.
"And do you know why you have been called in front of this council today?" Murdoch looked round and smirked at Alec.
"Because I've been very naughty." He said looking back at the council.
"Robert Theodore Murdoch. You have been called before this council to answer these charges against our nation. You have been charged with three hundred and twenty seven counts of murder, over one thousand counts of torture in violation of the Geneva Convention, three counts of racketeering, five counts of drug trafficking, two counts of abducting a minor, three counts of endangering a minor and torturing a minor, along with fifty counts of terrorism." The head took a deep breath.
"How does the defended plea?"
"Does it ever bother you?"
"Does what bother me?"
"That for all your moral authority in this world, you will always be treated with fear and contempt."
Alec was sitting opposite Murdoch in an interrogation room. Neither party could see the walls around them, the only light coming from a solitary light bulb that only showed each other.
"And this was your last request?" asked Alec. "To talk to me?"
"Well…as many colourful characters I've met in the past. No one has known me quite like you."
"I'm flattered." Said Alec. "But the fact that you share some warped connection with me makes me think I need to change some of my lifestyle choices."
"You're just my friend." Said Murdoch.
"And you're a deranged Psychopath." Said Alec.
"We all have our little problems." Replied Murdoch slowly.
"So don't play games, tell me, why did you ask for me?" Murdoch raised his eyebrow.
"I have information." He said. Alec leaned back in his chair.
"Right, ok, Information." He said nodding his head. "And why are you telling me this now? Why didn't you tell your counsel?"
"Because they cannot be trusted." Said Murdoch.
"And you trust me?" asked Alec. "Why…"
Murdoch shrugged his shoulders
"There is word through the grape vine." Said Murdoch. "About a new power rising."
"I heard, Dracula." Said Alec. Murdoch chuckled and shook his head. Alec looked questioningly at him.
"No, no." said Murdoch. "No, there's something else, someone far more dangerous than Vlad." Alec leaned forward.
"Dracula is a threat but this guy, this guy is something else." Alec felt his stomach tighten. If Murdoch was wary of this guy, then he was a threat.
"How did you come about this guy then?" asked Alec.
"I found someone snooping in on my operation." Explained Murdoch. "I asked him who he was working for."
"And…did he tell you?" asked Alec. Murdoch shook his head.
"No." he said, "All he gave me was, 'he, who must not be named.'" Alec looked at him quizzically.
"He who must not be named?" said Alec. "What sort of name is that?"
"That's what I asked him." said Murdoch. "But he wouldn't talk any more than that, said he was already in trouble for blabbing."
"What happened to him?" asked Alec.
"I found him the next morning, dead."
"How?"
"He was tortured first." said Murdoch. "The cruciatus curse, and then he was killed using the omega curse."
"The death that is life?" said Alec confused. "That hasn't been heard of in centuries." Murdoch nodded.
"But there was something else as well." He said, "Something on his arm that caught my eye."
"Which was?"
"It was a strange sign, one I thought I recognised from somewhere. Something very old and I thought lost to history."
"What was it?" asked Alec.
"I need some parchment and a quill." Asked Murdoch.
"I wasn't born yesterday Murdoch." Alec snapped back. "Describe it to me. You did always have a way with words." Murdoch laughed.
"Very true." He said, "It was the mark of Salazar Slytherin." Alec frowned and cocked his head slightly.
"The skull and the snake?"
"Exactly." Said Murdoch. "Which means, it could have been the same person who killed that mudblood at Hogwarts."
"The heir of Salazar Slytherin." Said Alec. "The chamber of secrets. Come of it Murdoch, you know as well as I do that was all a myth."
"What about the girl who died?" Alec quickly got to his feet and began to pace the room, but still seeable by the light. Maybe this was connected to the new Sons of Salazar.
"An accident." He said finally.
"Rubeus getting expelled? Come on Alec, you're supposed to be the world's greatest detective. Even I can see that wasn't right, why would they keep him on as gamekeeper if he could open the chamber at will?"
"So who do you think it was?"
"This he who must not be named." Said Murdoch. "Because when I caught this guy, he was talking to him."
"And?"
"He's also a parselmouth." Alec sat back down and leaned back again in his chair. It would make sense, the sign of Salazar Slytherin resembled a parselmouth, the skull with a snake coming out of its mouth. And it would make sense that Slytherin's heir was also a parselmouth.
"What you're saying is that the heir of Slytherin is this, he who must not be named." Said Alec.
"Who else would know the mark?" Said Murdoch.
"So does anyone else know of this guy?" asked Alec. "This, he who must not be named and The Sons of Salazar, are they related in anyway?" Murdoch shook his head.
"I've never heard of a Sons of Salazar." Said Murdoch. "I don't know his motives, what his plan is."
"So he isn't really a threat." Said Alec. "If he really hasn't got any plans." Murdoch's mouth curled into a smile.
"Maybe he has a plan, but you just don't know about it." Said Murdoch. "He could be planning something brutal right now and you would have no idea. He could be plotting to kill your family in your own home and you wouldn't even know it." Alec had heard enough. He didn't like not knowing.
"And what are you looking for in return?" asked Alec. "I told you once I would make you pay for what you did you won't live because of this."
"I know you love your historic quotes, so I'll share one with you I'm quite fond off." Said Murdoch. "Beware the man who can strike from a distance."
"Aristotle."
"If a man can kill someone under my nose then they are good." Said Murdoch. "If they can gather an army underneath your nose then there very good indeed."
"The heir of Slytherin is not making a play." Said Alec going to get up. "Now, if you're done wasting my time, I'll see you at the kiss. It's supposed to be unbearable but I'll do my best." He got up and began to walk out the room.
"Oh, and I'm sorry about the whole trying to kill your son thing." Said Murdoch. Alec stopped, after a second he turned his head back.
"I would say it wasn't personal, but, we both know that's a lie. I'll save you a seat in hell next to me."
"Guilty." Said Murdoch. The court went into animated discussion and hand waving.
"ORDER! ORDER!" The murmurs stopped.
"Robert Theodore Murdoch, you will be sentenced to death by way of the Dementor kiss at Azkaban Prison. Is there anything you'd like to say in your defence?"
Murdoch shuffled, his chains rattling and looked up at the court.
"Everything I did was for the good of our kind." Said Murdoch.
"No matter how cruel, or barbaric, was for the good of keeping our way of life. One day someone will continue what I and Grindewald have started. But like every evil it will evolve to become crueller, more barbaric, more ways to shock you. So although you've caught me…someone will take my place that will be more dangerous. All I can tell you is that you are not prepared for what's coming next."
Alec shook his head.
"Can I die now?" he added. The cage was lowered into the ground, Murdoch looked back at Alec one last time before the hole in the ground was covered up. The court slowly started to file out.
"Why did he keep looking back at you?" Alec turned to Stanford Parks. "I don't know." Said Alec folding his arms.
"Why did he want to talk to you?" Alec didn't say anything, he just rose from his seat.
"To confess." He said.
"Stanford, Stanford, can I have that word."
"Oh, yes." A man walked over to them, he was young, with greased back black hair and a handsome face, he was wearing judge clothes.
"Alec, this is Edward Gamine." Said Alec. "A Member of the Wizengamot for the realm."
"Mr Gamine." Said Alec shaking his hand. "I don't think we've met before."
"Oh we have." He said, the accent came from old money, but very pompous and conceited. "We've just never spoken before."
"Right." Said Alec. "I'll leave you two to It." Alec went to walk away.
"Actually Mister Potter. I was hoping to speak to you two about a troubling matter." Alec turned back. Gamine was smiling at him, Alec only realised now that his Irises were blood red. Very strange.
"How did you get the Red Irises?" asked Alec. Gamine smile.
"True to your reputation, you never miss a detail, do you Mr Potter?" He said. "Well, it was an unfortunate incident with the thing I'm about to discuss with you." Alec looked to Parks who nodded.
"The Minister has instructed me to set up a task for to deal with the growing Vampire crisis in Romania." He said. "There are rumours that Dracula has risen again."
"Pretty high up for MW." Said Alec. Stanford looked shiftily at Alec and then to Gamine.
"I sit on the defence council." Said Gamine, "By appointment of the Minister."
"With Gerald Smith retiring soon, the Senator position is coming up isn't?" said Alec. Gamine chuckled.
"I don't have aspirations of that just yet Mister Potter." He said laughing. "Anyway, I have reason to believe that the Vampires are expanding their lands. And not for farming or Sheep herding."
"Are they killing more?" asked Alec. "Is this what that tuberculosis crisis the muggles are prattling on about is?"
"In fewer words, yes." Said Gamine.
"What do you want us to do?" asked Stanford.
"For the moment. Nothing." Said Gamine. Alec looked at Parks and then at Gamine.
"Nothing?" said Alec. "So why are you here?"
"We believe that there are more diplomatic channels to resolving this crisis. I know you are famed for going in and solving all our problems, but right now the people want diplomacy. There tired of us playing chicken with the Russians on the big stage, wizards and witches don't want the same here."
"With respect, they will find out eventually." Said Alec. "And what are you going to do then?"
"I'm positive that it will work." Said Gamine.
"They tried that with Hitler and I'll tell you what I told Neville Chamberlin." Alec got in Gamine's face. "If you make a deal with the devil make sure it's watertight."
"And we all know what happened next."
"There is no 'Hitler' equivalent Mr Potter." Said Gamine. "Dracula has been gone for decades, thanks to your old instructor if I'm not mistaken."
"He knew what he was doing." Said Alec quietly.
"You don't like me, do you Mister Potter."
"Oh no, what I hate is stooges who think they know better." Said Alec. "I appreciate that you are trying to do this diplomatically, but these vampires are the spawn of Dracula, they will only respond to force."
"They seem open to communication at the moment." Gamine straightened his tie. "But I wouldn't worry about that Mr Potter. From what I've heard, you won't be going anywhere near this."
"Fine by me." Said Alec. "Stanford, Mr Gamine, I should get going."
He walked back swiftly to the elevator. What a prick thought Alec.
"Where to sir?"
"Auror Precinct Gary."
"Uhm…yes Sir." The attendant pressed the button and the elevator shot off. He looked over at Alec nervously, trying not to be noticed, Alec looked over at him.
"Something bothering you?"
"Uhm…it's just, I thought no one here knew my name." he said.
"I always make time to learn people's names." Said Alec. The Lift came to a Holt.
"Auror Precinct."
"Have a nice day." Said Alec walking out.
"You to sir." The lift disappeared as Alec walked into the Auror precinct.
The Auror precinct is one of the most secretive departments in the Ministry of Magic. It was fist established by Professor Gabriel Van Helsing after his excursion with Dracula, it's job was to hunt and kill dark wizards and witches along with dark creatures.
Only the best got into the Auror's. Only O's would get you into training, and if you past training, then you were quickly accepted. Although recently, they made the Auror's a branch of the Magical Enforcement Squad. Meaning less qualified wizards were getting through with less training. It also meant that Alec's office was now here.
Alec was one of the few old Auror's left, the Auror's used to share headquarters with the SAS in Hereford.
The department was like an American police bull pen with every officer having their own desk. Alec though had to walk to the other side of the room through the rows of desks before coming to what the Enforcers knew as the Auror door. It separated the two departments that Alec was grateful at least. Alec placed his hand on a small panel that read his palm print, the blue light passed up and down before turning green and opening the door.
Alec walk inside and towards his office, he opened the door and saw someone sitting in his chair by his desk. The first thing he noticed where a pair of shapely legs that where sticking out of the side of his desk. He then looked up at the woman behind the desk. She had brown hair that was tied up in a bun with dark brown eyes behind a pair of dark rimmed glasses. She was very attractive, tanned skin, piercing eyes and an easy smile on her face. She was wearing a fitted shirt with a couple of buttons undone to show off an ample cleavage.
"Ah, Mr Potter." She said. She tapped her pen on the desk. "Your late." Alec frowned and closed the door behind him.
"I didn't realise I was expected." He said.
"Well." She rose from the chair and walked towards him. She swayed her hips seductively as she walked towards him. "You are." She placed her hand on his chest.
"Jane!" The woman backed down and huffed. Alec smirked and walked to his desk and sat in his chair.
"Can't relent? Just once?" The door opened and new woman came in. She was old with a toad like face and horrible pink suit.
"Thanks Jemma." She said sweetly, "Wait outside please." The girl looked disappointed but went outside.
"What do you want?" asked Alec. "I'm busy." Jane didn't look impressed and turned her nose up at the state of Alec's office. It was covered with stray papers and fast food containers after long nights at the office.
"I've come to talk to you, as you know, Robert Murdoch's trial today."
"I know, I've just come back from It." said Alec.
"The minister commends you for your capture of the criminal, but… Where unhappy."
"Meaning your unhappy."
"Where unhappy about the time scale it took you to apprehend the criminal." Alec laughed.
"Of course you would."
"We."
"No, you." said Alec, his serious demeanour.
"It took you almost a year to track him down after the evidence was offered up." Said Jane.
"But I caught him." said Alec. "Like I always do." Jane's frowned.
"Potter, your record is…faultless." She looked very uncomfortable saying it. "Which is why the timescale for his capture is being called into question." Alec stopped clearing up and turned to face her. He folded his arms across his chest.
"I don't like what your implying." Said Alec seriously. "That's a serious allegation."
"Potter, you spoke to Robert Murdoch, in private after his capture, his last request was to speak to you, again, in private. I'm sorry, but we have to assume."
"You assume."
"We assume." Said Jane angrily at his interruption, "That maybe you had something to do with his operation."
"WHAT!" Alec stood back up. "ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE!"
"No Potter, I'm not." Said Jane. "The average timescale for a mission like Murdoch's for you is eight days. It took you eight months."
"And you think I was helping him!" shouted Alec, "Why would I help him!"
"I don't know." Said Jane, "But all avenues must be explored, so while I continue this investigation, you will be suspended until the results of my inquiry are in." Alec got to his feet.
"You know you AI's are really a pain in the fucking arse!" said Alec, "And how the hell a dumb pen pusher came the head of them I'll never know, although I'm guessing another form of head was involved." The slight grin that had been on Jane's face had now disappeared at Alec's insult.
"You're a dying breed Potter." She said, "Between me and you I want you off this team, along with moody as you two are going to destroy this department and all it stands for, the old days are gone when you had any means necessary, you have rules now."
"So you're just going to try and get rid of us so you have a whole department that falls in line with you." Alec looked down at her. "Over, my, dead, body!"
"It's not yours to walk over." Said Jane. "But it would be nice anyway. Now." she looked up at him.
"Clear your things, you're done."
"For now." said Alec, "I'll see you in two weeks." Alec pushed past her and out of the room. He waited for Jemma, who was leaning against the door to move before storming off. Jane looked around the room and turned her nose up again at it. "Jemma."
"Yes Miss Umbridge?"
"Get the cleaners down here and clean this office." Said Umbridge, "And make sure all his papers are on my desk imeadietly."
"Yes Miss Umbridge." Said Jemma.
"And clean yourself up, your flirtatious charm won't be needed now." She pushed past Jemma and out the room while Jemma put her glasses more firmly on her nose and buttoned up her blouse.
Alec reached the ministry hall and went straight to one of the fire places. He grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into the fire which ignited, he stepped inside and turned.
"Potter farm!" he said angrily. The green flames engulfed him and sent him spiralling until he stepped out of his own fire place. He threw himself onto the sofa and exhaled loudly. Alec ran his hands over his face, one hand then fell onto the floor.
"Alec? Is that you?" Katherine walked into the living room. She noticed his legs handing from over the sofa.
"Could you of taken them off?" she asked referring to his boots.
"Go away." he replied. Katherine leaned on the back of the sofa and looked down at her husband.
"I thought you'd be happy." She said. "Murdoch's been put down, so that's all over."
"Not nearly." said Alec. He looked up at Katherine who raised her eyebrow. "I've been suspended."
"What?" Katherine walked round and batted Alec's legs lightly so she could sit down next to him. Alec did and leaned into Katherine, she gently massaged his scalp.
"I've been suspended." Alec said again.
"Why?" asked Katherine.
"I.A think I've been working with him." said Alec.
"Umbridge thinks it, doesn't she?" Alec nodded dejectedly.
"She wants to force me out." He said, "I've been suspended for two weeks."
"What cause does she have though?"
"Because of the timescale of the mission along with my average search and capture rate." explained Alec. "And also the fact that I was his last request. She thinks I have something to hide."
"She won't find anything." said Katherine smiling at him. "I know you and you're going to be just fine, I know it." Alec looked up her.
"How was I lucky enough to get a wife like you?" he asked.
"You weren't." said Katherine, "You were fortunate there weren't any better suitors." They both laughed before falling into a comfortable silence.
"I can see one positive from this."
"What's that?"
"You have two weeks at home now." said Katherine, "We can just relax and not worry about anything."
"Spend some time with James." Said Alec.
"There, exactly." Said Katherine, "It's not all doom and gloom, sometimes we can't see the good things." Alec smiled.
"Where is he anyway?" asked Alec.
"He's staying with Leanne, remember." Said Katherine shaking her head, "Honestly after all this time I'd thought you'd still listen to me."
"Humph."
"I think that's plenty." Katherine turned back to look at him.
"Plenty for-!"
She was cut off by Alec kissing her. His hands raking through her greying red hair, while Katherine's cupped his face gently.
"Alec, were almost sixty." She said seriously after they broke for breath. "Were too old for to be doing this,"
"I don't think so." Said Alec. "I just want the world to know I love my wife." His hands then slid under her arms and her sweater came off. She huffed which then turned into an amused giggle.
"Ok, ok." She said, she sighed and rose from the couch.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"The bedroom?" Alec shook his head and pulled her back down on the sofa.
"You haven't lost your touch." Said Katherine.
"It comes with the territory." Said Alec not really listening. Katherine giggled into his shoulder and rubbed his chest. Katherine looked up at Alec and saw that familiar look on his face. He was thinking about the next task at hand, the next mission. Katherine sighed and cuddled closer to him.
"You're doing that thing again." she said lightly.
"What thing?" asked Alec looking back at her.
"That thing where you're thinking about work." Said Katherine. She pulled herself up and rested herself on his chest now. "What's going on in that head of yours?" she asked tapping his head. Alec exhaled.
"Nothing." He said absentmindedly. Katherine smiled and nuzzled Alec's neck with her nose.
"I know that means something." Said Katherine gently kissing his neck. "What is it Alec, you can tell me." Alec sighed.
"Have you ever heard of someone called…he who must not be named?" asked Alec. Katherine laid down again.
"No." she said, "I haven't." Alec kissed her hair.
"It's ok." He said.
"Should I of?"
"No." said Alec sighing.
"Where did you hear it?" asked Katherine.
"Murdoch's last request." Said Alec, "It's what he wanted to talk about." Katherine made a small accepting sound.
"Does he have something to do with those Sons of Salazar?" asked Katherine.
"Apparently not." Said Alec. Katherine sighed.
"You ok?" he asked. Katherine nodded.
"Yeah I'm fine." She said. "Minnie's coming over tonight."
"Is she?"
"Yeah, so could you make yourself scares?"
"If I must." Katherine smiled.
"I'm sure you'll find something to do." She said rising from the bed. Alec rose from the bed to and started to get changed.
"So where do you think you'll go?" Alec looked outside at the dark night.
"I have an idea."
Knockturn alley, a new development built off the existing Diagon Alley in the 1890's. It was made to hold new boutiques, homes, shops, but also, night clubs and swinging hot spots. A place like this was always going to attract the good and the bad people in the wizarding world.
The good was that more tourists were coming to London to do their magical shopping. It brought more money to the economy and helped set up a surviving business. The flipside to all this though was that it attracted the crime world with it. No longer where they underground, but they were hiding in plain view in this new built up area of London.
It technically fell into the Enforcers jurisdiction the deal with them. But Alec didn't trust them, they were spineless and weak when it came to dealing with these people. They didn't have what it took to get to their level, to play dirty.
Alec knew how to deal with them, they just needed coaxing from time to time, and they knew things that other people didn't. It was a necessary evil to have them around, them being the O'Leary family.
They did everything, smuggling in banned potion ingredients and pets, run racketeering firms and protection from shops on the new alley as it was called. The 'family' was led by one Andrew O'Leary. They all hung out at Seven Leaf Clover on the new alley, it was a brick work building that was a restaurant on the front with an underground club at the bottom.
Alec was thinking about going there. But there were more buildings that the O'Leary's owned and used for more muggle activities.
The street was busy with underage wizards and witches getting drunk outside the numerous bars and clubs in what was called the Knockturn Area. Girls dressed in next to nothing talking to wizards who were trying in vain to get lucky. As Alec walked down the street he wondered if Harriet would be like this. His eyes wondered towards a girl with long black hair, he couldn't see her front, but by judging her dress, she was showing far too much skin to be deemed appropriate. He shook his head and bypassed the group. He looked up and saw the place he needed to go. Unlike all of the other clubs this place only had a hand full of wizards outside. It was a tall building with blacked out windows, the second floor showed what this place was.
Lucky Clover Gentleman's Club.
The neon girls shook their hips seductively as Alec approached the building. The men on the door where big and bulging in muscles. Alec looked at them top and down, he could have them on the floor and knocked out by the time they started to pounce on him. Alec walked down towards the door which was lowered into the pavement.
"What do you want Potter?" one of them asked. "You do realise you're not welcome here." Alec smirked and stopped just outside the door.
"I just want a little chat with your boss." Said Alec pleasantly. "I think he owes me a favour after I stumbled across one of his little smuggling operation in Cardiff. Of which coincidently," He pointed to the two of them, "Didn't I see you two there?" both looked at each other uncomfortably before looking at Alec again who raised his eyebrow.
"Who knows, I might get a drink as well." Both of the doormen looked at each other before stepping aside and letting Alec in. The queue to get inside started to voice their displeasure. Alec descended down the stairs into the purple and pink light. As he reached the bottom a small room came into view with a girl who was only wearing a bra and knickers sitting behind a booth while loudly chewing gum. She had average looks with tied back blonde hair.
"I told Leroy not to send anyone daaan." She said in a thick cockney accent.
She looked up at the intrusion. Her angry face instantly softened. "Ah, Alec." She said smiling while still chewing on her gum. "Business or pleasure?"
"Business Roxy."
"Not what I think?" she said. "You've been suspended."
"How do you already know that?" asked Alec, not bothering to deny it.
"Well, that young Auror, what's his name, Cartwright?" Alec grunted and turned around. He sighed before turning back and raising an eyebrow. "He told you."
"Well…" Roxy shrugged her shoulders, and then leaning over the counter, "I know what he likes." Alec rolled his eyes.
"Is your boss in?" he asked.
"He's in the VIP area." She said picking up the phone behind the booth. "I'll need to make sure he's up to seeing you."
"Well if he's here then he's seeing his mistress and I think I'm going to a fundraiser with his wife next month."
"I'll let him know his balls are in a vice then." She said nodding and waiting for the pickup. "Hey, it's the counter." Said Roxy. "The boss has a guest…Alec Potter." There was a silence.
"He says business…yeah, and he said about the fundraiser next month." There was a pause from the phone. "Ok I'll send him up." She placed the phone down.
"He's expecting you." she said, "Be a good boy, we don't want to buy a new window."
"I'll behave." Said Alec as he walked through the door to the lower area.
The lower area was where the general public came to enjoy the shows the Lucky Clover offered. The room had two raised catwalks with a circular end which had a pole that almost met in the middle of the floor. Each catwalk had seats that went down the runway with a more clustered seating at the ends. The room was basked in low pink light which came from neon light underneath the bar at the very back of the room which took up almost all of it and from lighting in the ceiling that made the room dark.
Alec noticed some people from the ministry looking at some of the girls dancing on the poles dressed in almost nothing. Any girl who worked here started here, at the bottom, the floor, as you got better; you progressed to the pole, and after that, VIP. That's where Alec needed to go.
He started to walk across the room, weaving in and out of men leering at the girls. "Hey mister, looking for a good time?"
"No, thank you." said Alec continuing to walk towards a stairway at the end of the room.
"It's only Ten Galleons a dance."
"I said no." said Alec brushing her off and continued to walk towards the door that was being guarded by another door man. As Alec approached the man stood aside and Alec continued to walk up the stairs. As Alec reached the top he opened the door into the VIP area.
This room's decor and layout was much more different than downstairs. The music was much calmer, it encouraged the dancers to dance sexy rather than playful. The Area was bathed in dark blue light this time, but there were no catwalks. Instead there were six separate performing areas slightly raised up but with circular sofas around the performing area.
People that came here mostly came through the back for more discrete entrance. The people that came here included notable Quidditch players with wives, politicians of the same speak, even the minister of magic had come here a couple of times. Over a hundred Galleons to even set foot in here, almost triple to have a private dance.
Alec looked over at one of the booths in the corner of the room that was being guarded with an older man and a younger man watching a blonde girl in stockings, suspenders and heels dancing slowly. Alec walked towards them with his hands in his pockets.
"Ah, Alec." The girl stopped dancing briefly to look at Alec, he noted she was wearing ruby lipstick before continuing. "I was half expecting you to turn up."
"Do you want me to get rid of him dad." James O'Leary, the oldest son of Andrew, he looked like his dad in his youth. Brown hair with hard features and blue eyes.
"No son." Andrew O'Leary, head of the family, he was larger now than in his youth but still had the muscles the defined him during that era. He also had a beard that was slowly turning ginger. "He can't be here to scare me, because he's been suspended." He smirked. "So this must be a pleasure trip."
"Well you have been so hospital." Said Alec, "Usually I have to break an arm and a leg to come up here."
"Hey!" James rose up and got in Alec's face, "You better show our family some respect!"
"Back down boy." Said Andrew. "Sure Alec can be heavy handed, but he's also fair. Apologies about the youth of today." He said wearily. "He's to hothead for his own good."
"Bet it's bad for business." Said Alec smirking at James who seethed with anger. "Mind if I take a seat." Andrew laughed and nodded.
"By all means." He said. "Be nice to have a drink with an old friend. What's your poison?"
"Johnny Walker Gold on the rocks." Said Alec, Andrew pointed at the bar and the bartender got to work while Alec walked towards the booth.
"Ah no you don't." Said James standing in front of Alec. "You're not sitting down here."
"For fuck sake." Said Andrew wearily. "Jimbo, move your arse!"
"Dad, you made me head of your security." Said James, "So people don't try and kill you. He's an Auror, he would kill you."
"He's been suspended." Said Andrew, "He's not going to try and kill me."
"Did you forget what he did last time he waltzed in here?" asked James. "He put me, and five other brothers in the hospital!"
"As an Auror." Said Andrew, "Besides, I think Mr Potter just wants a drink and a little chat." James looked back at Alec.
"You're not getting past." Alec tutted and rolled his eyes.
"Andrew?"
"By all means." He said taking a sip from his own drink.
"Wait, wh-UMPH!" Alec punched James in the stomach, placed him in an arm lock and threw him to the floor.
"My drinks ready." Said Alec taking his coat off. Andrew laughed.
"Still carry those pistols." Said Andrew chuckling. The holsters where there behind Alec's back.
"Can't be too careful." Said Alec showing his own wand in its holster.
"So, Alec, what brings you to this corner of the New Alley?" Asked Andrew, "Not trading up are you?" he asked pointing up at the girl dancing. Alec's eyes flickered to her swaying her body to the slow music.
"She's very talented." Commented Andrew. "Reserve Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies, twenty one years old." Alec tore his eyes away.
"I'm guessing that you know her well in and out of work." Said Alec. Andrew smirked.
"You can do that all you want." He said. "I'm a changed man." Alec cast his eye over the girl again. All the signs where there than she was sleeping with Andrew, he looked over at him and noticed the ruby ring on his left hand. It was a sign of the head of the family passed down from Grandma O'Leary, Alec raised an eyebrow.
"Do you really want me to tell you how changed you are?" asked Alec. He heard a wheeze from behind him and saw James standing behind him with his drink.
"Your drink." He said through gritted teeth.
"Thanks." Said Alec taking it.
"Have to apologise about him." said Andrew. "He really is a hot head, has no idea how relationships like this actually work."
"Don't worry, my James will be the same no doubt." Said Alec taking a sip. The liquid was welcoming down his throat.
"So what does bring you here?" asked Andrew as the girl danced in front of them.
"I need to ask you something." said Alec sipping his drink. "Have you ever heard of someone called he who must not be named?" Andrew leaned back on the sofa and sipped on his drink.
"That's a very dangerous thing to ask Alec." He said.
"So there is someone." Said Alec, "Who is he?"
"Who told you about him?"
"Murdoch." Said Alec. Andrew chuckled.
"I thought he might," Said Andrew, "Just once more before he kicked the bucket."
"So you knew?" Andrew leaned in closer.
"This He who must not be named, came to me." He said, "He gave me and ultimatum. Conform, or die."
"What does he do?"
"What we do." Said Andrew showing his hand around. "He's gaining ground from the smaller families very quickly, putting them out of business if they don't…"
"Conform?" Andrew nodded.
"Murdoch was running with him when you were tracking him down the first time." explained Andrew, "Human trafficking from Asia."
"But why."
"Murdoch always swam with the biggest fish in the pond Alec." Said Andrew, "He was in my payroll for a couple of months before he jumped ship."
"And this was…what?"
"Nearly sixteen years ago." Said Andrew. "Thankfully this he who must not be named hasn't been heard of by my lot since."
"But you have kept an eye on him right?" Andrew didn't say anything and continued to drink. "Come on Andrew, your holding out on me." Andrew placed his drink down and looked over scathingly at Alec.
"And what do I get in return for the information I 'might' of procured?"
"We have a common interest in this." Said Alec, "I want to find this guy and find out who he is, and I'm guessing that you want him in the ground so you can expand the Empire again." Andrew looked over at Alec.
"So, I give you the information, you can take care of it?"
"It all depends on what you know." Said Alec, "So win or lose, you'll still won't lose anything." Alec could see Andrew thinking it over. He looked at Alec before sighing.
"You do realise I can't be connected to this."
"Neither can I." said Alec, "This will be done on the side." Andrew nodded. He looked at Alec before nodding again.
"Ok." said Andrew. "I want this guy six foot under though."
"I can't promise that." Said Alec, "If it comes to that, then I will." Andrew snapped his fingers and James came over gingerly.
"Go get the V file for Alec." He said. James scowled at Alec before sulking away to gather the file.
"I must warn you though Alec." Said Andrew. "This guy is ruthless."
"So I've been told." Said Alec thinking back to what Murdoch said about how dangerous this guy was. "Robert said he was Dangerous."
"So what do you know about him?"
"That's he's a parcel mouth." Said Alec, "But is also a fan of the Omega curse."
"That makes sense." Said Andrew, "A couple of my guys had a run in with him. It looks like they just fell down."
"It's a favourite of Murdoch." Said Alec.
"And now this guy." Said Andrew. He chuckled, "Looks like the world won't let you stop." Both men laughed as they drank. It was almost like they weren't enemies, more like old friends catching up over a drink.
"Here you are dad." said James bitterly handing Andrew the folder. He then handed it to Alec who flicked it open and looked at the first page. It was hand written notes, from what Alec could make out it was surveillance notes.
"So you've followed him then?"
"We've tried." Said Andrew. "Sorry it's not much to go on. But then again you've caught people with less."
"Won't deny that." Said Alec closing the folder. "He'd have a look at it when he got back home."
"So is Umbridge going to find anything on you?" asked Andrew.
"Nah." Said Alec. "She's always had it on for me. But she can't get rid of me because my record it faultless."
"Don't I know it." Muttered Andrew. Alec downed the rest of his drink and stood up with the file under his arm.
"Thanks for the drink." Said Alec. "If you get any more information on this guy, let me know."
"Will do Alec." He said. One of the bouncers got Alec's coat and he put it on.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening." He said pointing over towards the girl who had been dancing all the while they had been talking.
"Amuse me then." Said Andrew, "How do you know?" Alec's eyes looked over the scene before him, it was trying to distinguish all the little things that happened during the conversation, the body language and small details.
Hair-cheeks-skin-skin rash-good student-smoker-tea lover-left handed-lipstick-early lunch-curious of me-dilated pupils-heaving chest-exercise?-athlete? Athlete-experienced-two plus years- infatuation.
Alec's mind slowed down and placed what he wanted to say in his head.
"Her cheek." said Alec.
"Hers." Andrew said looking at the girl who had stopped dancing long enough to listen to Alec.
"She has a stubble rash on her cheeks and the base of her neck, probably from where you've kissed her neck. Her nail varnish is also on you forearms as well as you skin underneath her left hand fingertips." The girl looked at her fingers and looked up at Alec.
"Not to mention that her lipstick is also the same shade as the ring that you have on your left hand, some sort of warped recognition to associate herself with you, as if she belongs to you." Alec pushed the collar up in his coat. "But then there's the also the way she looks at you, heart rate elevated, as evident by the heaving of her chest, really love, was very distracting." The girl turned away offended. "Not to mention her pupils are much more dilated than would be considered normal." Alec nodded and turned away and started to walk towards the back entrance of the club.
"I'll be in touch."
"That guys a psychopath!" the girl said.
"He's been called worse." Said Andrew as he walked out of the back exit and down the fire escape.
The Marauders Proudly Present Alec Potter In: The Marauders Year Two
Chapter Four
The Sons Of Salazar
Written By Chambers10