Previously…
Non, Alexander… was he that much of an imbecile? Did he perform magic in front of a group of colonists?
It was an explanation that fit, which meant the Marquis had pressing questions for his friend.
Oh, Hamilton, Lafayette thought, are you a Sorcier, too?
.
Hamilton nearly died of laughter when he saw Burr's face. The man looked like he was trying to decide if he should be exasperated or confused. Alex started to walk over to Burr to gloat, but he was stopped by a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Alexander, mon amie, we need to talk. Now." Alex was confused at Lafayette's stern tone. The easygoing man was the least likely of his friends to berate him for doing what he thought was right.
"Sure, just let me go infuriate Burr some more. It's so funny when he's irritated, I bet if I shout obscenities about the king loud enough…"
"ALEX! I do NOT think you understand how serious I am about this. I will…" Lafayette stopped and thought for a moment, muttering under his breath. "Merde, what's the word… not important, I will use transplanage to leave here if you do not discuss this with me."
Alex was so confused. He'd grown up speaking French alongside English, but he'd never heard that word before. And why was Fate so angry? "What on Earth do you mean? I don't understand what that means, perhaps that's only used in France-"
Lafayette cut him off. "Don't play dumb, let's go. I know a place where we can talk."
"Please, Fate, you still haven't told me what we are talking about." Alexander said as he found himself dragged away from the crowd, and into a deserted alley. "What's going on?"
Lafayette checked the surrounding area, and saw no one. Content they were not going to be spotted, he decided it was time to leave. "Ok, I need a drink with- merde, I remember now, apparition- it was APPARITION" he bellowed at Alexander, who froze.
Alex felt a flurry of questions go past him. How did the man find out? Was the Frenchman mad? Was he one of those scourers that his mother told him lurked in America? Wait, no, that couldn't be right, his friend was barely twenty, the witch trials were decades ago. So Lafayette knew about magic? How?
Oh, I get it now, he thought as he felt himself disappear with a crack, and Alexander and Lafayette teleported away.
.
Burr, meanwhile, heard something that sounded like a gunshot coming from the alley he had spied the immigrants entering. He felt a flash of fear, and ran as fast as he could towards them. Sure, Alex was annoying, but he didn't deserve a bullet to his brain.
Of course, Burr thought it was more than likely that Alex was the one who had shot a man, but he would cross that bridge when he came to it.
But to his great surprise, Burr found the alleyway completely deserted. There was not a soul to be found.
That's odd, he thought, but I suppose everything about Hamilton is. I really need a drink.
.
Meanwhile, Alexander and Lafayette arrived in a pub. Hamilton opened his eyes to find an array of things that had him reeling in shock.
It was dim in the room, but Alex could clearly see things were occurring that were atypical of any pub he had ever been to. The main bar was tended by a creature he had never seen before; it was short, had long ears, and was passing drinks to patrons telekinetically. Candles floated overhead, and in the corner, an enchanted fiddle and piano were playing a jaunting tune by themselves.
Alex was not prone to fainting, but he felt a dizzy spell coming on as he grabbed a barstool to steady himself. "So, I guess there is a wizard community in the new word," he chuckled weakly.
"Of course," Lafayette said as he dusted off his jacket. "You mean you have never been to this side of Manhattan? That shouldn't be, unless your parents are… not as gifted as yourself."
Hamilton glared at the man. What was the Marquis insinuating? He had to be careful here, Alex realized. Someone as titled as Fate must be a pureblood. If Lafayette had prejudice towards those with muddled bloodlines, Alex doubted he would get farther with their friendship. Let's force him to show his hand, Alex thought as he took on a confident air.
"My father is a No-maj, but my mother was a witch, if that was what you meant. Not that matters, of course" he said while watching Lafayette's countenance with a careful eye. To his relief, Fate looked embarrassed and quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Non, I am sorry, Alec. I did not mean to offend you, for blood status is of no importance to me. Actually, that is one of the reasons I left France, to get away from my parents. They are quite closed-minded, I am afraid. You are like my brother, and I will fight to the end with you."
"Apology accepted, Monsieur," Hamilton said as he tried to think of a way to explain his predicament to his friend. But he trusted him, so Alex decided to tell him his life story. He ordered two beers, but Lafayette interrupted.
"If this conversation requires something stronger, I recommend firewhiskey, mon amie. It would most likely make muggles pass out if they took a single sip."
"Perfect," Hamilton said as he waved the bartending creature over. "Two of those, please."
And after Alex felt considerably fuzzier, he began to speak.
.
Lafayette grew more and more horrified as Alex told his harrowing tale. No wonder Hamilton knew so little of this world, for his family was deep underground, facing poisonings and hurricanes. Alexander had no idea of the current politics, of MACUSA…
The Marquis also remembered the Faucette name, vaguely. While he was sure it was on the list of extinct lines, perhaps there was a way for Alex to claim the title. The irony of Alex growing up in squalor when either a lordship or bank account could be in his name was especially cruel. Lafayette didn't want to give his friend false hope, however, so he told himself to investigate in secret without telling Alex.
"You poor soul, mon amie. If there is anything I can do to help you, let me know" Lafayette said as he patted Alex on the back. Lafayette had money to blow, so he truly meant what he said.
"Fate, you are very kind, but I cannot accept such charity. It is generous of you to offer, but I have money and opportunity here in America." Alex replied in a quiet tone. His eyes were no longer focused on the Marquis, and Lafayette turned around to see what Hamilton was looking at.
.
Three wizards were sitting at a table, getting louder and louder in a heated argument.
"I don't give a damn about the Statute of Secrecy, you ass! We could be turning the Redcoats into lice, yet you all sit around and act like nothing has happened. What events that occur with the No-Maj's affect us, and you daft idiots can't see it!"
"It's best to stay out of it, Hank" a man with a ridiculous-looking hat said. "Sure, you would get rid of the redcoats, but it would end with burnings at the stake. Quiet support, that's what we should do. Send in the gold and hope for the best. You need to realize, No-Maj's usually hate magic more than taxes."
The third man tried to interject. "Look, you two, it's not like the monarchy has a hold over us, anyways. The war itself is pointless for us…"
'Hank' pointed his wand at the man, who soon found himself unable to voice his (loyalist) views. Alexander could see why being turned into a particularly hideous sofa could do that to a person.
Ugly hat man turned a shade of purple and drew his wand. "TRANSFIGURE MY BROTHER BACK, YOU PATHETIC EXCUSE OF A BEING."
Hamilton grimaced at the scene. "We should get out of here, Fate. I've only ever seen one wizarding duel, and I'm perfectly content with keeping that number stagnant."
"I agree, mon amie." Lafayette said as they made their way towards the door. Hamilton glanced outside and was glad to find he was only a few blocks from his room.
"Bonne nuit, Lafayette. See you with the crew on Friday, yes?" Alex started to make his way to his apartment, but heard Lafayette shouting to him in a slurred voice.
"Don' think I forgot 'bout what you did in front of Burr, Alex. That's bad, breaking the Statute of Secrecy, that is. You never know who's watching…"
Alexander smiled to himself, and continued to walk along the street in darkness. He understood, more than anyone, but if nobody knew it was him…
He made his way into his bed, and promptly passed out. In the morning, when he downed a potion to deal with his killer hangover, he realized there was so much to think about and plan.
How many wizards are patriots? And how do I become a part of this MACUSA?
A/N: I'm Back! I hope you liked the chapter! Please rate/review!
I have some bad news for you guys. I'm going on vacation/camping for the next month or so, and won't have access to a computer in the foreseeable future. I promise to keep writing, & will update ASAP. Thank you so much for reading! Tot ziens!
