A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I haven't abandoned the story I just got buried by the real world otherwise known as university :-( can't wait for it to be over just six months to go! So please forgive me for my absence and enjoy! Will update with more next week to make up for my long absence! Also big thanks for the reviews and story Alerts and Favourite hits!They make me smile :-)

Chapter10

When Alicia and Warrington arrived at Greengrass Estate they were promptly shown to back garden where a large Marquis was set up. Alicia stayed by Warrington's side as they descended into the large gathering. The crowd was predominantly slytherin with a few Ravenclaws and a couple Gryffindors.

Warrington handed Alicia a glass of Champagne before taking his own. She smiled as they clinked glasses and took a sip.

"Greengrass Family are pretty well off" Alicia commented in a low voice as she looked from the lavish Georgian Mansion to the estate that encompassed the mansion which was all manicured lawns and gardens.

"They invest most of their money into Warrington Industries" Warrington said.

"Really? I'm amazed their wasn't an arranged marriage between you and Astoria…or is Daphne your bride to be. It would explain why she's looking at me with daggers in her eyes" Alicia said in a low voice before she pasted on a smile for Draco and Astoria who came up to them.

"Alicia, Cassius so delighted you could make it" Astoria said in her cultured tones as she kissed Alicia on the cheek in greeting like they were old friends. Astoria was elegantly dressed in a Chanel with her hair quaffed into an elegant French roll. "I love your dress"

"Alexander McQueen, I love your dress Chanel?" Alicia asked.

"It you have an excellent eye for fashion" Astoria commented looking impressed.

"One of Alicia's many gifts is her eye for details and her taste in fashion" Warrington said as he rested a hand on Alicia's waist.

"I was just saying to Cassius here what a lovely estate your family has" Alicia said.

"Yes it's been in the family for generations but it pales in comparison to the Warrington Castle"

"A Castle?" Alicia said with a smile at Warrington. He could tell by the glitter of mischievousness in her eye and smile she would save that tid bit of information to tease him later. Not that he minded.

"Yes, its Buckinghamshire isn't Cassius?" Astoria asked.

"Indeed it is" Warrington said smoothly as he took a sip of his champagne.

"I wonder will you be holding up tradition in having the annual Christmas Ball." Astoria said.

"I think such an event would be better held in a more intimate setting perhaps at the Malfoy Manor hosted by the new Lady Malfoy don't you?" Warrington asked, subtly telling her that he had no intention of holding the event and knowing Astoria would love to sink her teeth into such a project.

"How gracious of you, I gladly pick up the gauntlet" Astoria said with a smile.

"Speaking of gauntlets, your mother is coming up behind you" Draco said to Warrington. Warrington and Alicia turned just in time as Warrington's Mother smiled at them. She was an elegant, lithe woman with light brown hair and the same green eyes as Warrington. She wore a burgundy sleeveless pencil dress with an asymmetrical neckline that hugged her curves and her brown hair was loose to her shoulders in waves, she looked no older than 35 but then age was deceptive with witches and wizards. She spoke with a transatlantic accent which reminded Alicia of an old muggle actress Katharine Hepburn.

"I was so close to sneaking up on you son" Warrington's mother said with a mischievous smile. She looked at Alicia with keen interest and smiled wider.

"Mother I'd like you-" Warrington started.

"Alicia Spinnet, I believe our introduction has been long overdue. I am Lady Warrington, but you may call me by first name Maura or mother…Look at you, such a beautiful young woman. I can't wait for the grand childr-"

"Mother" Warrington said cutting Maura off with a cautioning tone.

"Yes darling" Maura said sweetly.

"Allow me to introduce Miss Alicia Spinnet, Alicia this is my mother-" Warrington started only to cut off by his mother much to Alicia's amusement.

"My dear boy, we've already disposed of the formalities do keep up" Maura said rolling her eyes as she wrapped an arm around Alicia's like they were best friends "Men are so slow on the uptake. Now let's you and I take a turn around the garden and get to know one another. I'm sure Cassius has business to attend to and assuming the soon to be bride and groom don't mind me stealing you away" Maura said with a dramatic manner. Alicia was stunned by how friendly the woman appeared to be. She had expected Warrington's mother to be more uptight and cold.

"Of course not Lady Warrington, Draco and I don't mind at all" Astoria said with a smile.

"Excellent, we'll find you later dear" Maura said to Warrington as she pulled Alicia away from the group.

"That is never good my old friend" Montague said as he arrived just as Alicia and Maura walked off.

"Montague, I'm amazed you showed up on time" Astoria said dryly.

"I know, it's a nasty habit I thought I'd try and develop" Montague replied as his eyes were firmly on Warrington's mother and Alicia making Warrington feel distinctly uncomfortable even though he knew he had nothing to worry about.

"He just wants to have a go at Lady Warrington" Draco commented. Montague brought his attention back to the group and smiled.

"Yes, she is looking quite ravishing as is Alicia and you Astoria are positively glowing" Montague drawled as he greeted her with a kiss on the hand. He released it to pick up a glass of champagne and moved to stand beside Warrington.

"So Malfoy, I assume the wedding date has been set?" Montague asked continuing the conversation.

"I know you were probably expecting me to be like Cassius's grandmother. The woman is a piece of work but then she is my late husband's mother not mine thank the gods" Maura said as she and Alicia strolled through one of the many gardens.

"She was polite if not a little blunt" Alicia said.

"Yes, you have to understand she comes from an entirely different era to us. She probably despises the fact that you were in Gryffindor, she gave me the same hostility for being a Ravenclaw" Maura said with a smile.

"I thought you would have been a Slytherin" Alicia said surprised.

"My whole family was in Slytherin. I was the odd one out. My only redeeming quality was my good looks if you asked my father, the old toad but enough about me I want to know about you and my son. You are the first woman he has ever brought to such affairs as these. You must be very special to him" Maura said.

"He certainly treats me that way" Alicia said with a smile.

Warrington stood with Montague at the outdoor bar watching Alicia and his mother talk as they strolled. So far they seemed to be getting along but then his mother was very different from the other mamas of high society. She loved the gossip and the romance but didn't care about status or money. She just enjoyed life something she hadn't been able to do in the last few years because of his father.

"What do you think they are talking about?" Montague said with keen interest.

"Who knows my mother is quite unpredictable in her topics of conversation" Warrington said trying to remain calm. Knowing his mother they were already discussing china patterns and colour themes for the wedding.

"So I spoke with Zabini" Montague said grabbing Warrington's attention.

"Oh?" Warrington asked.

"Yes, he said that it will take a few days to locate the artefact. Apparently after the war there was a lot to catalogue and things got messy as they do" Montague said they both knew that it was either catalogue and lost or someone may have taken the knife before it even arrived at the Ministry. Either way it was going to take time to find the knife they needed.

"Great, I don't suppose there would be any chance he'd let us offer a hand in the search?" Warrington said.

"No, Ministry is cracking down a lot these days. They even have an eye on Shikai's place. Lucky you warned him that day to move his stocks and nefarious dealing off site." Montague told him.

"The Ministry are truly useless lot" Warrington murmured as he watched Alicia head into the house and his mother walk over to him and Montague with a excited smile on her face.

"Lady Warrington, you look ravishing" Montague said in greeting.

"Thank you Graham but didn't I tell you that you could call me Maura?" Maura said as she took a glass of Champagne that Warrington handed her.

"Mother is everything ok with Alicia?" Warrington asked.

"Of course she went to freshen up. By the way I want you and her to stay with me for a couple of days preferably this week" Maura said even though it was a suggestion it sounded more like an order.

"Can I come?" Montague asked like an eager child. Warrington shot him a dark look as he really didn't appreciate Montague hitting on his mother. The man had no sense of propriety.

"Of course you're always welcome you know that Graham" Maura said as she took a sip of her champagne and smiled as she appreciated the taste.

"What about Grandmother?" Warrington offered.

"Oh no, your grandmother is a lovely, practical woman but I don't want to change my clothes for every meal" Maura said.

"I could help you change those clothes" Montague said, Maura smacked him in the arm and shook her head while laughing while Warrington tried not to gag.

"Montague you're incorrigible" Maura told him as a light blush graced her cheeks.

"Admit it I make you feel young" Montague drawled in a smooth voice and a wink at Maura.

"You make me feel sick to my stomach" Warrington offered to Montague.

Alicia took a deep breath looking in the mirror at the glamour that was over her face. She looked so healthy it was a shame it was an illusion. She looked down at the sink at her hands that were shaking. She wrung her hands before taking a deep breath and opening her clutch and pulled out two vials of the potions and downed the contents of them. She sighed as she sunk to the floor waiting for the potions to take effect.

She was glad that Warrington's mother was nothing like what she had expected. She also appreciated the fact that they didn't once talk about the war in any great length and that Maura didn't look down her nose at her. It was such a genuine conversation about good things that were happening and being able to appreciate life. Mainly Alicia listening to all of Maura's travel stories about where she had been after her husband died apparently there wasn't a lot of love lost as Maura said that the man she loved had died a few years ago.

A few minutes passed and Alicia felt the potions start to work. She gave a sigh of relief and pulled herself to her feet and checked her hair and makeup, only to reapply her lip gloss. She smiled at the reflection and washed her hands. She dried her hand on the hand towel and picked up her clutch double checking everything was perfect and left the bathroom.

She was halfway down the hallway going back to the garden when Theodore Nott came towards her. Alicia kept her head down as she didn't want to talk to the man.

"Alicia Spinnet, as I live and breathe I didn't expect to see you here" he drawled, Alicia lifted her head reluctantly acknowledge his presence.

"Well I'm here, now if you'll excuse me" Alicia said as he had stepped into her path.

"No, long time no see?"

"Cassius is waiting for me" Alicia told Theo so he would move out of the way.

"I'm sure he won't mind us catching up"

"I have nothing to say to you except for you to please get out of my way"

"I was wondering something"

"Then wondered about it somewhere else"

"No need to be rude" he said he reached out a hand and Alicia backed away.

"What are you trying?"

"I just want to see it" he said taking a step closer to her, Alicia didn't like the glint in his eyes as he looked at her.

"See what?" Alicia asked narrowing her eyes at him.

"Dolohov's Artistry, he would go on about how delicious your blood was" He said he reached out again but this time Alicia parried the hand and right hooked Theo in the face, he staggered back in surprise.

Alicia didn't wait as she ran but she didn't make it far as Theo hit her with a spell from behind. She fell to floor and groaned as she felt like she had been with a brick between the shoulders. She rolled onto her back just in time as Theo was nearly on top of her. She kicked at him as he got closer she managed to kick his wand out his hand before he could throw another spell at her. He tried to grab her legs but she continued to kick him. He blocked some of the kicks while others missed that was until she managed kick his chin her heel sliced his chin on the way through. He fell backwards and clutched his chin.

"You bitch" he growled as Alicia backwards rolled on to her feet. She picked up his wand and held it pointed at him, Theo froze. Alicia moved and slowly picked up her clutch purse.

"Alicia"

Alicia turned to see Warrington standing in the corridor. He moved to her side and took Theo's wand out her shaking hand. He looked between Theo and Alicia.

"Warrington your woman is a viper she attacked me" Theo said as he touched his chin that was still bleeding.

"I'd like to know why you provoked her" Warrington said calmly.

"I didn't provoke her, we were having a civil conversation and then she attacked me"

"A lady in my experience never tears an expensive dress unless it is absolutely necessary. So I suggest you save your lies and leave the party. Oh and if you ever attempt to make a move on what is mine. I will end you" Warrington told him in a chilling manner. He tossed Theo's wand at him.

Theo grabbed the wand and looked at Alicia through narrowed eyes before he disappeared with a pop. Warrington turned to Alicia who was still shaking.

"Are you ok? What happened?" he asked Alicia shook her head and blinked away the tears threatening to fall.

"I'm fine" she said with a smile. Warrington cupped her face and looked her in the eyes. "He wanted to see my scars. I wasn't receptive to his advances" Alicia said not bothering to lie. He closed his eyes and muttered a curse under his breath.

"He was there wasn't he?" he asked.

"Not that I recall but he heard about me from Dolohov" Alicia said, she watched Warrington for a moment and wished she could just have one party that didn't end up being tainted by her past. She reached out and touched his face. "Look I'm sorry-"

"You have nothing to be sorry about" Warrington said cutting her off. He pulled his wand and repaired the tear in her dress she hadn't even known about.

"Then kiss me" Alicia told him with a salacious smile wanting to erase the bad air around them. He leaned down and kissed her long and slow, his lips exploring hers. The kiss soon became impatient and demanding as he swept his tongue into her mouth. Alicia moaned in pleasure as his hands moved from her face and pulled her body flush against his enjoying the feel of her slender form against him.

She kissed him back enthusiastically, welcoming the ferocity of his kisses, winding her arms around his neck, pressing herself even more tightly against him. After a few moments of pure heaven he pulled back they were both breathing hard and Alicia wore a smile of a woman who was thoroughly pleased.

"We have to get back outside" he told her.

"Shame, I was kind of hoping we could not" Alicia said as she licked her lips.

"I agree, but we can pick this up later tonight after you finished work" He bargained.

"I'd like that" Alicia said as she smoothed her hair and picked up her clutch purse that she had dropped. "Do I look presentable?" she asked.

"Perfection" he said she smiled as she stepped close to him and ran her thumb over the top of his lip.

"You had a bit of lip gloss" she told him.

"Not my colour?" he asked as he touched his face double checking for anymore evidence of lip gloss.

"You could pull it off" Alicia said with a chuckle as she walked away in the direction of the garden. Warrington caught up to her in two steps and took her arm and wrapped it around his.

"Your mother wants us to visit her for a couple of days. She says you haven't seen her new place in Wales" Alicia said,

"I know I've been busy" Warrington said.

"Yet you found time for me and not your mother?" Alicia asked innocently

"Well-" Warrington started but he stopped when he realised she was riling him. She wore what he realised was her trademark 'I got you' smile. "Oh you're good" he told her.

"I have my moments" Alicia said.

The rest of brunch of an easy affair, Theodore Nott did not show his face for the rest of the event much to Alicia's relief. She sat with Maura and Montague while Warrington was occupied with every business man in the room wanting him to talk business. Alicia actually didn't mind as Montague was flirting outrageously with Maura who blushed but never indulged in returning the flirtations until Warrington returned to the table and broke up the party to take Alicia to work. They said their goodbyes and congratulations to the families before apparating to the Diagon Alley.

"Just think you could call Montague 'Daddy' if those two make it happen" Alicia teased as she and Warrington walked down Diagon alley to Weasley shop.

"Please I had an excellent brunch I prefer to keep digesting" Warrington said pulling a face.

"Well your mother is still a young and vibrant woman with needs-"

"Stop please"

"Wow you are such a prude! It must be so conflicting for a Slytherin" Alicia said and she playfully smacked his arm. Warrington caught her hand and pulled her into his arms. Drawing her body flush against his.

"I am not a prude" he told her in a low voice. Alicia felt her heart quicken from the close contact, she really enjoyed the contact of their bodies and how he made her feel alive and whole.

"I don't believe you" Alicia breathed as she licked her lips in anticipation of him kissing her but instead he bypassed her lips to her ear.

"I will prove it to you later but for now you are late for work" he whispered in her ear before he placed a languid kiss in her sweet spot on her neck below her ear. He slowly made trailed his lips along the column of her neck making her melt. Alicia sighed in pleasure at the contact forgetting that they were standing in the middle of Diagon alley and herself for a moment as she gripped his upper arms enjoying the pleasure of his lips. the Clock tower chimed as it was 1pm stirring Alicia out of her fog.

"Work" Alicia reminded herself as reluctantly extracted herself from his arms. Warrington gave her a smug smile as she was still dazed but not dazed enough to miss his smile. "Oh I'm late and I still have to get changed" Alicia said.

"I could help you with that" Warrington said as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"You know Montague offered the same thing to your mother" Alicia said with a grin.

"Way to kill the mood" Warrington groaned. He loosened his hold around her waist as Alicia laughed as she extricated herself from his arms and turned to poke her tongue at him before she took off running to the shop. "You really shouldn't be running in your condition or those heels!" he shouted at her "She's going to break her ankle" Warrington murmured before he took off after her.

TBC~ See you all next week!