mmmmmmm okay i am very sorry this took so long but it's over 3000 words so that makes up for it, right? ^^'
aaaaaa I messed up with seasons- it's not too important it just bugs me. if you're american you might've already noticed it. i won't bother explaining it bc i'm super lazy and in a rush to get this chapter out
i had some other things i wanted to put here but i've forgotten -shrugs- oh well

warning, i think there are many many typos in this tezt. i just have a feeling. but im lazy af so i won't be fixing them.

MYSTERIOUS SERIAL KILLINGS IN LOS ANGELES

THERE HAVE been numerous reports of mysterious and impossible killings in Los Angeles. All the victims appear to be linked as they are all female and all have been killed in a similar fashion. Police are stumped as to what - not who - could have caused these deaths. A rough sketch of a scene has been provided.

As of the moment, only three of the seven victims have been identified, they are as listed:
Dahlia Farris
Mary Dale
and Cara Beauro.
So far no clues to what happened to these girls have been revealed, but the best officers are currently on the case. Stay tuned for more information at a later date.

written by Christopher Farnes

A piercing scream rang through the neighbourhood, waking up anyone within earshot.

"Mama!" the voice screeched, "Mama!"

Police officers visited the house, expecting a fight, however they only found a young man with curly red hair curled up on the ground, screaming for his mother, and a newspaper laying torn on in front of him.

"No-"

"Hey, hey, sshh-"

An officer kneeled down to comfort the red-head. "Hey. Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Shaking and crying, the red-head pointed a shivering finger at the newspaper. "My mama- she's-"

And the officer understood. "Alright. Can you tell us your name? It's okay to tell me, I'm an officer."

"Dale-" he sobbed, "Anthony Dale."

15/4/1791

Alexander glared at the name for five minutes, desperately trying to just remember where he'd heard it.

Christopher Farnes.

He did know a Christopher Farnes, he must have...

Alex sighed and stuffed the newspaper under his arm, then walked tiredly over to the fireplace. He stood inside, threw the power, and woosh ended up at MACUSA.

He'd gotten used to the Floo network now.

Another woosh was heard behind him and he turned swiftly around with a start.

"Lafayette?"

Their lessons had still been continuing along with everything.

"Mon Ami! I decided I would accompany you, mon petit lion-"

Laf wouldn't drop the 'little lion' nickname after all these years.

"-I have not seen you work before. Is this okay, mon Ami?"

"Oh, sure, you can tag along. It's not very interesting though."

It really wasn't, now that Jalin had left. Until someone new signed up, Alexander had the whole office to himself.

Plus there hasn't been another case in ages.

"That is alright. Which floor do you work on?"

Alex sighed. "The fifty-fifth."

The horrified expression on Lafayette's face was worth having to walk up down fifty-and-then-some flights.

The day proceeded as normal as it could. Lafayette hung around for a little while, then, like a child, he wondered around the offices introducing himself to everyone as flamboyantly as possible.

It was amusing to watch the Marquis talking to Garrison. The older man seemed very interested in what Laf had to say, at least.

Or maybe he was just that good of an actor.

The older man. It had occurred to Alexander that he didn't actually know how old Garrison was. He looked like he might've been in his late thirties, but who knows? He might be using a cloaking spell. Or some sort of age potion.

Or maybe he just looked young.

Alexander decided to ask him while everyone was eating lunch.

"Oh. I'm fifty-six."

"What?!"

Indeed, the man did not look fifty-six in the slightest. There wasn't even a single grey hair as far as Alex could see.

"That's what most people say when they find out... yes, I'm more than half-way to a hundred. I just look really young, I always have. However, I'm not going to lie, I do use potions occasionally."

"But- you-"

"Whatever you're going to say; it's already been said. I know how young I look. Hey, you're... no-maj born, right?"

Alexander nodded in confirmation.

"That means you might not know... wizards and witches tend to outlive no-majes by years and years. It's not uncommon for us to look young at old ages. My friend who works upstairs is in his seventies and he barely looks a day over forty."

"What?!"

Garrison sighed and began to reorganize his papers. It was then that Alexander noticed the same newspaper from this morning.

"Sir..." he pointed at the article, "Do you think those murders could be magical?"

"It is, the Aurors confirmed it. I take it you looked at the picture?"

Alex shivered uncomfortably. "I did. I nearly gouged my own eyes out."

"Yeah, it's not a pretty sight. It's worse in person."

"You went to go see it?!"

"I did."

"But they're all the way in Los Angeles! That town is on the other side of the country!"

"Yes, and I can apparate."

Oh.

Alexander picked up the newspaper and read through it one more time. "Does there happen to be... anyone to defend?"

Garrison raised an eyebrow and even smirked slightly. "You're a workaholic, hm? That's understandable. I suppose it's been a while since your last case, and you did win that one..."

Alex's heartbeat quicken. Would he actually get the case?!

"I'll tell you what. There is someone that they've caught, and this person is demanding they be given a fair trial. I can't assign you to this case yet, though, I don't know how good you are yet. How about you build a good case for this person first. Bring it to me, then I'll see if you can defend him or not."

"Really?!" Build a case first?

"Really. But you'll have to leave New York for a while."

"That's- that's fine. That's more than fine!"

He would be away from his family, but it was worth it. Winning case like this could earn him a lot of money.

"But..." Alex continued, "Why did you just hand it over so quickly?"

"You're the best Attorney I've hired in years, Hamilton."

"I've only won one case."

"You've only worked one case. In this world, anyway. I did know who you were before you joined. You and Aaron Burr were a magnificent team."

Alexander considered this for a moment. "If you already knew who I was, why did you ask for papers confirming that I had the education?"

"The law requires it; and besides, you easily could've been someone else posing as you. One never knows with these things."

"How would someone pretend to be me?"

"A polyjuice potion may be difficult to make, but many people do anyway."

"What would be the motive?"

"I don't know, Hamilton, what would be the motive?"

He mulled over this for a few moments. "Perhaps... no, that wouldn't make sense... I don't think there would be one."

"Everyone has a motive." Garrison stood from his desk. "I'll pay for your carriage ride. You'll leave next Monday at 10am. Is there anyone else you'll be bringing? Your wife?"

Eliza? No... she'd want to take care of the kids. Perhaps one of the... no, he'd feel weird bringing a staff member with him. He couldn't take anyone no-maj, so Burr was out of the question. Not that he'd want to go anyway. Lafayette... no offense to him, Lafayette would probably get in the way.

There was only one remaining person, but Alex was pretty certain that person didn't want to see him anyway.

Still, it was worth a shot...

"There's one person I want to bring but I don't think he wants to see me."

Garrison raised an eyebrow. "Who is this man?"

Alexander smiled sheepishly. "Jalin Lovegood?"

"Do you have to leave, Alexander...?"

This was the fifth time Eliza had asked this since Alex had told her about his trip to LA.

"Well, I-I don't have to at all, but- you know this'll be the first case I've had since my first case. To be able to get one so big right off the bat is huge, Eliza. It'll only be for a little while..."

"Yes, I understand, but... and besides you always forget to eat! You'll get so caught up in your work..."

"Don't worry about that. I'm bringing someone with me."

"Oh, but Alexander..."

"It's okay. I'll be fine..." he grabbed her hand and held it close to his heart. "I promise."

Alexander visited Jalin's house the next day. He had written a letter in case the man wasn't home or didn't answer the door; in all honesty, he was hoping he'd have to just drop off the letter and be done with it. He was fairly certain Lovegood did not want to see him.

Unfortunately, the letter wasn't necessary. Jalin ended up answering the door, wearing some tattered clothes covered in paint. When the shorter man saw who was at his doorstep, his expression darkened and he moved to slam the door.

"Wait!" Alex cried, stopping the door with his foot. "Wait, I wanted to ask you something."

"No."

"Lovegood, for God's sake-"

"I said no!"

Alex pushed the door open forcefully; Jalin took a hasty step backwards and the door slammed into the wall. "Lovegood. I want to ask if you will accompany me to my trip to Los Angeles."

There was a beat of silence between the two men (I almost wrote 'two lawyers' but then I remembered I fired Jalin whoops).

"...wha-..why me?" Jalin questioned, "And why are you even going to Los Angeles in the first place?"

"I've got a case. Well, I might have got a case. Garrison wants me to build one for the defendant before he actually hands it over to me."

"Okay. But why are you asking me to accompany you?"

Alex scratched the back of his neck. "I mean, I was thinking maybe... you could help me. With the case. It's a really big one. You know those three killings? They were in the papers...yeah, anyway, they caught a guy but he's demanding a fair trial."

"Do you know who the defendant is?"

The fact that Lovegood hadn't immediately said "no, fuck off" was a very, very good sign.

"His name is Mitchell Cerise."

"And this man is a wizard?"

"Yes. The killings were definitely committed by someone with magic, that much has been confirmed by the Aurors."

Jalin sighed. "And you want me to help you?"

"If we win I'll share my earnings with you."

"I don't want money. Look, couldn't you have chosen a different guy to help you? I know Pool would be more than willing."

Pool Hauser was another lawyer in the offices; he was an enthusiastic fellow, always wanting to lend a helping hand. He was friends with everyone; apparently he was even having small talk with Garrison.

"I don't want Hauser's help. He's a bit..."

Jalin nodded in understanding, surprisingly. "I must agree."

"Then can you come with me?"

The ex-lawyer glanced to the side, where his unfinished painting was sitting. It looked like a young girl playing with a puppy.

"When are you leaving?"

"Next week. Monday. 10am."

A sigh. "Los Angeles, right? Do you happen to know the weather conditions there?"

Yes! "I've got no idea. I'll ask Garrison."

"Right. I guess I'll... see you next week."

"Yeah. Right."

Just as Alexander turned to leave, Jalin stopped him, "Wait-"

Alex turned. "Yes?"

"I'm... sorry for yelling at you. I was just a bit... you know, I'd just been fired..."

"It's fine; I'm used to being scolded. You were right, too - you've moved on now, you're over it. That's a good thing."

Jalin gave a small half-hearted grin. "Alexander Hamilton, admitting he was wrong."

"Har har. Anyway, yes, I'll see you later, Lovegood."

"Yes. Till next time, Hamilton."

So that had gone over better than Alex expected. Way too well, almost.

"Eliza, do you happen to know any Christopher Farnes-ses?" Alex asked one night. They had just put the children to sleep.

"I've heard of him. He's a journalist I believe... didn't he write the article for the serial killings?"

"Yeah, he did. Just... I recognised his name from somewhere and I couldn't put my finger on it until now. I've just remembered I met him while you were on holiday... when I bought you that necklace he was at the stall. He was a right prick towards me but his sister reassured me he wasn't usually like that. I spoke to his brother too, who is a fan of mine."

Then Alexander remembered the promise he made to Jennifer...

"I... I promised I'd visit them for Christmas."

The sound of ruffling sheets and the movement of the mattress indicated Eliza turning onto her side to face him.

"Why would you do that?" she questioned.

Alex shrugged. "There was something about their whole family that made me not able to refuse. Jennifer, the eldest, she was just so... I don't know. Something about her. It was almost like she was subconsciously manipulating me. It was really weird."

The atmosphere got slightly tenser. "What do you mean by that?" the wife asked, suspicion evident in her voice.

"Oh, goodness, Betsey I would never-" Liar. "-plus she's almost half my age! I'm pretty certain. Just, the point is, I couldn't refuse... and oh god, they're no-maj, too."

"Well Christmas is months and months away, you have time to write if you can and tell her you can't make it."

"Yeah. That's true. I'll do that. Maybe after I'm done with this case I'll grab ahold of her," a yawn, "address."

"You sound tired. You should sleep, Alexander."

"You know, I might actually do that. G'night, Betsey."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Goodnight, dear."

17/4/1791

Just a day before the trip to LA would begin, Alexander visited Jalin's house with the intent to take the man out for breakfast. He felt they should both get used to spending time with one another in a non-work environment.

Jalin answered the door after about a minute, practically half-dressed.

"Hamilton? It's 7am. What are you doing here?" his voice was raspy, and his hair was in utter disarray. It wasn't even tied up in a ponytail.

"I wanted to take you out for breakfast. Maybe get some pancakes or something."

There was a beat of silence, and Alex could've sworn he saw Jalin's cheeks heat up for a moment.

"Why...?"

"Well we've only really talked about work and never actually held a you know, conversation. Small talk."

Jalin squinted. Perhaps he was still half-asleep, or the rising sun was hurting his eyes.

"Small talk. Pancakes."

"Yes."

"Are you asking me out on a date?"

"No! I just want to spend time with my colleague..."

Jalin crosses his arms, looking a bit more awake. He huffed. "Fine. Alright. I'll go get dressed, wait here."

"Okay. Uh, don't wear your wig, Lovegood. You look better without it."

A very loud sigh was heard from the end of the corridor.

Jalin didn't wear the wig. It was surprising. Alexander had expected him to wear it anyway, as a lot of people like to do, but he didn't.

"You ready to go then?" Alex asked when Jalin stepped out in his typical light-blue and green clothing.

"I suppose. You realise you're paying, right?"

"Of course, of course."

Alexander found a nice little restaurant just around the corner. It was relatively cheap but had good reviews.

"I've heard this place makes really good pancakes," Alex said as he sat down.

Jalin brushed off invisible dust on his coat then placed both his hands neatly on his lap. Fancy bastard. "I haven't eaten pancakes since I was very young. I got sick from one and I've avoided them ever since."

"How old?"

"Oh, nine?"

Alex did a double-take. "...Nine?! How old are you now again?!"

"I'm thirty-eight..."

"That's... that's... twenty-nine years! Of no pancakes!"

A waiter bounced over to take their order. Alexander quickly skimmed over the menu and ordered hastily. He wanted to continue talking to Jalin.

While the ex-lawyer ordered, he was taking a painfully long time, Alex thought about his upcoming trip. He'd be going with just Jalin. Just him and Jalin. Alone together. In Los Angeles.

God knows how long they'd be there, too. It could be just a few days. Or a week. Or a few weeks!

The waiter leaves, and they're alone again.

Small talk, small talk. "So when did you decide to become a lawyer?"

"It wasn't too soon after mother died. I'm an only child, you know? And I needed a profession. So I hired someone to teach me."

"Who took care of you?"

"Just the maids. The family Doctor sometimes helped as well."

Alex hmmed. He thought for a moment. "Did... you ever have like, a significant other looking out for you?"

Jalin sat in silence, seemingly taken aback by the question. "W-Well... no, I've never been in a relationship. Well..."

Alex raised an eyebrow.

"There was one person," he continued, "but it was never a "serious" thing. It was puppy-love, you know? Naive. All we ever did was hold hands."

"You're using gender-neutral terms."

"I am, yes."

The tone in Jalin's voiced screamed: "I will cut you if you ask me about it".

Alexander asked about it anyway. "I'm assuming that means this mystery person was male?"

The ex-lawyer glanced off to the side, annoyed. "Yes. Go ahead, then."

"Go ahead...?"

"Tell me I'm weird and disgusting."

"Why would I do that?"

"It's unnatural?"

"No, it's love."

Jalin stared back at Alex with confusion. "What?"

"It's just love. I fell in love with my best-friend, during the war. He always had my back..."

"You're not involved anymore, then? This person and you?"

"No, no, not anymore. He, uh... he died. He lead the first black-battalion and died doing it, so..."

"He lead the first bl...? You don't mean... John Laurens?"

"You knew him?"

"I'd heard of him from his father. Before the stupid Rappaport's Law was put in place I met with his father, Henry, at a party for stupidly rich people. He talked about his deceased son, John Laurens."

"He talked about his dead son at a party!?"

"Well, it wasn't too soon after, see? I believe it was 1782, October 30th... oh, boy, it was Halloween. That makes more sense now that I'm looking back at it. It was a Halloween party. I suppose it made sense to try scare guests with his dead son."

Alex scoffed. "I'm sure John appreciated that loads."

Jalin visibly rolled his eyes. It was...

endearing.

At that moment, the waiter arrived with their orders. Jalin looked uncertain for a moment, staring at the pancake like it had suddenly started singing. Then, he stabbed the fork into it and took a bite. His eyes lit up. That was also... endearing.

They both sat in silence while they ate. It wasn't an awkward silence, it was actually comfortable. A nice break from the madness of politics.

Even after they'd both finished, they were both silent, both thinking about their own issues.

Recently, Alexander had asked Lafayette to teach him how to be a Legilimens.

"Are you... positive you wish to learn this, mon Ami?" the Frenchman sat down in his armchair - it was actually Alexander's, but Lafayette had been sitting in it so much recently that it had been dubbed "Laf's chair".

"I'm positive."

"Mon Ami, you do not understand, legilimency is not mind reading, that is a naive way of putting it. Alexander..."

"Laf, I really really want this. Please? It would help me in court. I could see what the defendant is thinking."

The Marquis glanced to the side, thinking it through thoroughly.

"Okay," he said after a short while, "Okay, mon Ami, I will teach you. Keep in mind I do not know how to do it myself so I will learn it first and then I shall teach you."

So Lafayette had been pouring over books, trying to learn the art of legilimensy simply for Alex's sake. That man was truly an incredible friend... and tutor.

He did need to leave soon, though. Adrienne was getting reportedly more distressed in her letters.

"Hey, Jalin," Alex said after a long while, "Could you tell me about Ilvermorny?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Well, tell me about the houses."

Alex knew there were houses, but didn't know anything about them, not even what they were called.

"Oh. Well... okay. Let's see. There's Horned Serpent, my house... Wampus, and Thunderbird."

"What's Horned Serpent like?"

"They represent the mind of the wizard. And they favour scholars."

"Sounds like my type of house..."

"Yeah, I think so, too. You could also be in Wampus, but... no, no, Horned Serpent suits you best."

They talked about random things... they did not talk about politics or law. They made simple conversation. And... it was nice.

there was probably something i wanted to put here but i have the worst memory
this chapter was all over the place, sorry lmao