The Marauder Proudly Present Alec Potter in the Marauders Year Two
Chapter Twenty Six
A Day in the Life
Written By Chambers10
The ice hit the bottom of the glass. Then the sweet bourbon hit the glass and filled up so sweetly and elegantly.
"Leave the bottle." The barman looked at Alec for a second before deciding that he wasn't drunk enough. He slid the bottle over and then Alec slid a few galleons across the bar. Alec downed the sweet liquor and then looked across again.
How the hell could he be missing work again? This was one of the most dangerous professions in the world, and here he was with a free way out and he wasn't thinking of taking it, no wonder Katherine was pissed at him. He looked across the bar. A young woman was looking at him, she was thin, attractive, a very nice cleavage and flowing blonde hair. She looked at Alec and smiled at him.
Alec looked away and smirked to himself. Even after all these years he still had it. The woman finished her drink and walked over. She walked nicely in heels, not many women know how to nowadays thought Alec. She was wearing a body hugging dress with a plunging thigh gap.
"A bit late for a man to be drinking alone." She said. She sat next to Alec and tossed her hair back. Alec didn't know why James had a thing for blondes, but with the drink in him, it suddenly felt curiosity.
"A lot later for a woman to proposition such a man." Said Alec as the woman sat down next to him. She laughed and tossed her hair back again.
"I don't deny that." She said. "So, why don't you tell me, who I'm propositioning?"
"Run along." Said Alec knocking back another drink. "You don't want to know me."
"I think I do." She said. "Dark mysterious stranger walks with a look like he's seen a thousand battles." Alec laughed slightly, he poured himself another drink.
"A few more than that." He said.
"So, what are you?" she asked. "You're pretty buff and old to be just an enforcer."
"Flattery won't get you anywhere, though it sounds nice." Said Alec.
"You're an Auror." She said smiling. "Explains why you're so mysterious." She shuffled closer to him. "Does that mean I could get in with these detective skills?" she asked.
"No." said Alec, glass still in his mouth.
"That was very abrupt." She said. "Don't you want to see what else I can do?" She looked down her body and back at him.
"Tempting." He said pouring another glass. "But not interested." He said downing it in one go.
"Besides, I'm waiting for someone." He said patting files next to him.
"You Auror's are all the same." She said getting up. "Rude, and obnoxious."
"Comes with the training." Said Alec pouring another glass. She rolled her eyes and walked out while Alec sat chuckling to himself in his chair.
"Still got it after all those years." Alec looked up and Michael O'Leary sat down next to him and picked up the bottle, he let out a low whistle.
"Johnnie Walker Platinum." He said, "And nearly half the bottles gone. Rough day?"
"Rough month." Said Alec. "I have what we discussed." He patted the files.
"You know, you would make a brilliant cleaner and P.I." he said. "If you ever consider a change of profession."
"I think we both now that's not my style." Said Alec. "Have a drink." O'Leary signalled the barman. He came over and poured out a gin and tonic and walked away.
"How's medical leave treating you?" asked O'Leary. "If you've actually been taking any."
"It's boring as hell and I need to keep myself occupied." He said. "I'm open as a P.I but not a as a cleaner."
"So, what have you found out about this guy? The one muscling in?"
"He's got backing I'll give him that." Said Alec. "Since Murdoch has been in prison it's created a huge vacuum for this illicit trade."
"Which we've been hypothetically-"
"Hypothetically expanding." Finished Alec, "But he seems to have picked up all the old contacts and filled it really quickly."
"So why hasn't he come to us then?" asked O'Leary.
"He's consolidating." Said Alec drinking again.
"Do we know his name?" asked O'Leary. Alec placed the glass down.
"His name is Tom Riddle." Said Alec. "Left Hogwarts at eighteen, mostly exceed expectations in his exams. He applied for the defence against the dark arts position at Hogwarts not long after. But was rejected on the count of his age."
"Ok, what about afterwards?" asked O'Leary looking through the folder.
"After he went travelling around the world, mostly African countries where they specialise in Voodoo and black magic in controlling people."
"Mind control?" Alec nodded.
"A particular aptitude in controlling animals." Said Alec. "Which makes his moves to the beasts all the more worrying."
"You think he'd go that far?" asked O'Leary. "Ok, where did he go after Africa?"
"He spent time in eastern Europe." Said Alec, "Mainly Albania but there are rumours he's spent time with Dracula in Romania."
"So he's been about. This guy looks like he's been practicing the dark arts for a while." Said O'Leary. "Do you think this is the one Murdoch was trying to gain information from?"
"That wouldn't surprise me." Said Alec. "But, it's his muggle background that had me more interested."
"How so?"
"The kids a little psychopath." Said Alec. "He was abandoned at an orphanage at few days old. He was then constantly punished at the same place for thieving and assaults. On one trip to Cornwall he was caught torturing two small boys in an abandoned cave."
"What happened to the boys?"
"Alive and well." Said Alec. "When he went to Hogwarts, in his first year he was disciplined for the fighting. As he got older they got more infrequent, and then virtually none in his last year."
"And then he went in his travels." Said O'Leary having a drink. "What do you think he's going to do next?"
"It doesn't matter what I think." Said Alec.
"It will when they send you to deal with It." said O'Leary. "Come on, if you where this guy, getting a foothold in the business, what would you do next?"
"Wait." Said Alec.
"Why wait?"
"Because with Murdoch dead he's left a huge power vacuum." Explained Alec. "Now you, have some smaller gangs and Dracula that are consolidating, he's waiting to see who can be picked off the easiest."
"Because that's what you would do." Said O'Leary chuckling.
"It's what anyone who's smart would do." Said Alec, "You watch, he'll make his move when the time is right for him. Until then." He patted the file.
"Find whatever you need to keep him quiet."
"He's recruiting some big hitters." Said O'Leary. "I heard he's propositioned the Blacks to join him. That would be some serious money and influence behind him. I heard he's already has the Malfoys on payroll." Alec looked up at him.
"Really?"
"According to my informant they have." Said O'Leary. "Do you reckon he might go for you?"
"If he had sense he would try and proposition my brother." Said Alec holding the glass to his lips.
"The alcoholic or the stiff?"
"The stiff." Said Alec. He wouldn't he overly surprised if Tim already knew about Tom Riddle. A necessary evil he would call him, one that doesn't cause too much trouble and could be useful in time. Alec didn't believe in such things, even though, the only reason he was still alive was because he was deemed to be a valuable asset.
"Can you see that happening?"
"…No." said Alec downing his drink. "But I might have a word with him anyway."
"That might not come soon enough, little brother." Alec sighed and slumped on the bar as Tim came striding in.
"I did say for them to use a red head to try and lure you out, you always did have a weakness for them. Or, maybe I should of had her dress up as a stripper."
"What do you want?" asked Alec. "I'm having a drink with an old friend." Tim turned his nose up as he looked at O'Leary.
"My apologise." He said. "How is medical leave treating you?"
"Very well." Said Alec. "Gives me time to meet up with." He motioned to O'Leary. "Old friends."
"And do some work for them I believe." O'Leary was just about to snap the file away before Time brought his umbrella tip down on it and sliding it over towards him.
"Besides, your leave is cancelled." Said Tim. Alec turned back to look at him with a sly smile.
"Oh, so, who's messing with you now, big brother?" asked Alec. Tim looked to O'Leary and then back to Alec who was still grinning at him.
"Maybe that's something we should discuss in private." Said Tim. "It is very sensitive information." O'Leary laughed and stood up.
"You really do have a weird family." He said, "I thought my life was strange."
"Comes with the territory. Say hello to that chaser for me." Said Alec standing up to.
"How the hell do you?" Alec raised his eyebrow. "Point taken." He said. "Until next time."
"Until next time." said Alec walking out. "Come on Timmy." He said patting his brother on the shoulder. "Let's go fight some monsters." Tim straightened his suit jacket and followed his brother out into the street where his car was waiting.
"Can't we floo?" asked Alec looking at the Jaguar.
"This is being dealt with the upmost discretion little brother." Said Tim. "This enemy of interest has eyes everywhere." Alec rolled his eyes.
"Fine." He said walking to the car and opening the door. Tim followed him in and closed the door. The car roared into life and then pulled away from square.
Alec looked around the car interior that was always clean to within an inch of its life. It was always a reminder of his youth when he was bundled into one of these cars. Old memories die hard.
"It does certainly say a lot about you that you now have drinks with you old enemies." Said Tim. "I thought you were enemies."
"Times and circumstance change." Said Alec. "Maybe you should think about making friends."
"Of course, because your all into that now." said Tim with a smug smile. "'Making friends'. As if your old enemies will show you any loyalty." Alec looked at the lights passing by.
"Has it ever accrued to you that it's about more than that." Said Alec. "Companionship."
"Like that muggle you go drinking with as well." Said Tim looking at his nails. "You really are expanding your social circle."
"So I'm breaking the mould in making friends from outside the social circle." Said Alec. "Maybe you should to. You never know, you might find a life outside your little bubble."
"Oh, and always be happy like you are." Said Tim. "I'm not lonely little brother." She said looking out his window. "Just set in my ways."
"Heh, how would you know?" asked Alec. Tim looked over at Alec with a funny look before looking to the driver as they sped through London.
The car made a left and they descended into an underground carpark which was brightly lit and made Alec wince slightly. The car turned and then stopped. Tim opened his door, Alec did to and then followed his brother towards an Elevator. When it opened it showed off a fancy interior with a gold mirror, deep red wall paper and carpeted floor with a fancy light hanging down.
They stepped inside, Alec looked over and saw Tim place a key into a slot on the console and turned it. A light lit up which then made the lift lurch into life. The doors closed and then moved up.
Alec wondered where he was exactly, it wasn't the ministry, and he would recognise such a god awful lift. He could be in Whitehall, but his brother would have just brought him the assignment otherwise. So…he was in Downing Street. He was going meet the Prime minister. This really was serious if he was being called here, and to get his brother to bring him in. Maybe it was something he would need convincing to do.
The lift stopped and opened up. The hallway was decked out the same as the lift, even down to the wall paper. Tim checked his watch and then moved forward.
"Where are we?" asked Alec putting his hands in his trouser pockets and following him.
"You're the world's greatest detective." Said Tim. "You figure it out." They reached the end of the corridor and where faced with a large oak door. Tim checked his watch again and then banged on the door with his umbrella.
"Enter." Tim opened the door and showed Alec inside who followed him. They were inside a large office with open fire place which was lit. The room was filled with bookshelves and a big desk at the end of the room by the only window in the room that over looked London. Alec turned to Tim who had now closed the door and turned on a dimmer switch which lit up the room slightly.
Over on the other side of the room a door on the other side opened and The Prime Minister, Edward Heath walked in along with the Home Secretary, Reginald Maulding and the Foreign Minister, Alec Douglas-Home as well as the Minster for magic.
"Ah, Timothy." Said Heath, "Is this the man?"
"Yes Prime Minister." Said Tim. "Prime Minister, I'd like to introduce to you my younger brother, Alec Charlus Potter."
"Mr Potter." Heath said shaking his hand, "It is an honour, both Rufus and Tim have told us about you exemplary record."
"Well it's very nice and all that." Said Alec. "But I'd like to know why I'm here?"
"Ah, straight to business." Said Heath. "Well Mr Potter, where here to talk about a very delicate matter."
"I'm guessing it's big considering that the big hitters from both the muggle and magical government are here." Said Alec.
"You'd be right." Said Maulding. "Where here because where going to ask you to do something that this government has authorised officially since the Second World War." Alec looked to Tim who looked down.
"So this is a magical issue." Said Alec.
"And one that has affected us abroad." Said Douglas-Home. "Tell me Mr Potter, what do you know about Dracula?" Alec raised his eyebrow and looked at all the men in the room.
"Dracula?" he said.
"According to your people he's becoming a problem that soon will affect everyone." Said Heath. "He's killing more and more people and we can't stop him, all our envoys have failed."
"He's risen again after spending the last fifty or so years on ice. Of course he's going to be pissed." Alec said folding his arms.
"Where's Gamine, wouldn't he want to be vetted on this?"
"Secretary Gamine thinks the enforcers are still the answer to this problem." Rufus Henley. "We sent a team of them lead by Rufus Sigemour. But his team was wiped out forty eight hours after they arrived in Romania with Rufus now missing presumed dead."
"Do you have any idea who waked him up?" Alec asked.
"We are still looking into it." Tim said.
"You told me it was impenetrable." Alec said rounding on his brother. "After going to all the trouble of finding that bloody skull."
"Like you could have looked after it better." Tim shot back.
"Considering that where I wanted it, yeah, I would off." Alec said shaking his head. "So what exactly do you want me to do?"
"Alec, we want you to kill Dracula." There a muted silence around the room that Alec could pick up on.
"Kill Dracula." Said Alec. "Are you serious?"
"Very Serious." Said Tim. "He has become a problem, a problem that we now need you to deal with, you know, being a special asset."
"You want it contained?"
"Not contained." Douglas Home interjected. "Terminated." Alec looked up at the men before him.
"Why, why now?" He asked. "There must be something or you would of asked me at Christmas when we first knew he was back."
"The muggles have detected that some of their best and brightest engineers have gone missing since Christmas." Tim explained. "When we investigated we found a common fibre which lead us to Vampires."
"Bodies?"
"Of the families but not of the individuals." Maudling explained. "These are the top engineers from the top firms, Boeing, Rolls Royce, BAE Systems."
"What do they have to do with Dracula?"
"Alec, do you know why we sent Edward Stone after Dracula?" Tim asked.
"To stop Dracula." Alec replied. "To stop him from sending Vampires to Britain." Tim nodded.
"Dracula had courted and hired Dr Victor Frankenstein Junior to recreate his father's machine, which, according to Stone, he had, but for a different reason."
"That reason being?"
"We never confirmed it but Dracula's brides had given birth to thousands of Vampires that he wanted to bring to life using Frankenstein's Machine." Tim said gravely. "We're thinking that Dracula is going to try again, and he's kidnapped these engineers to make this machine operational again."
"You're sure?"
"It's just a theory."
Alec walked to the window of the office and looked out on the city. Maybe Dracula was working on this machine of his right now, maybe by the time he does something it might already be too late.
"Do you think you can kill him?" Heath asked.
"Dracula is the living embodiment of death." Alec explained. "You cannot kill what is already dead."
"So how do we stop him?" Heath asked.
"That I don't know." Said Alec turning back round. "But I'll find out. What you need to do is find somewhere secure to leave his remains when I bring him back. Because there are people out there who might want to control him as well."
"And you know these people?" Heath asked.
"The devil you know." Said Alec. "You do realise Dracula could be replaced by something much worse that you don't even realise."
"Well, thanks to you, we now know." Said Tim holding up Alec's file on Tom Riddle. "Good to see that you can be of some use, even when inactive."
"Although we know about Tom Riddle he doesn't present such an immediate threat as Dracula." Said Maulding.
"I bet he doesn't." said Alec.
"Dracula threatens to destroy the whole world." Said Maudling.
"Oh and then that's it?" Alec said mockingly. "After Dracula there's no one else in the world who wants to destroy or take over the world. There's always someone else to threaten the world." Alec finished on a serious tone. "It's why the Auror's are here."
"So you promise us that you'll stop Dracula." Douglas Home asked.
"I don't promise anything." Said Alec. "But if you still want to do this then you risk maybe accelerating his plans. And I can't guarantee that there will be a corpse at the end of it."
"Except maybe yours." Said Tim.
"Maybe." Said Alec. "But I doubt it. So, now that you know all the variables, do you still want me to go, or do you want to think on it?"
"I think we need more time." said Heath.
"No Prime Minister, I think we should go ahead with the mission as planned." Said Tim.
"You may be part of the Establishment but you don't make the final decisions when it comes to this sort of thing." Said Henley. "Alec's right, this could end up back firing."
"I agree." Said Maulding. "We need more information if it's to go ahead." Heath looked at Alec.
"How soon can you be ready to go?" he asked.
"Twenty four hours." Said Alec. "But I need an answer soon." He stood up and walked from behind the desk and went to stride out of the office.
"Wait!" Alec stopped and looked over his shoulder.
"Can you at least try?" asked Heath. Alec nodded.
"I'll be out in Romania in two days." Said Alec. "If you need any more info, contact my brother."
Alec turned on his heel and apparated away. He ended up though outside a pub in Sheffield. The one John Evans brought him to. Why did he think of here. When he last came here, he thought of it as a real heaven. He laughed to himself and pushed the door open where all the occupants were laughing and joking. Alec weaved his way to the front to the barman who smiled warmly at him under his bushy moustache.
"What can I get for you sir?" he asked.
"A pint of that really nice dark ale please." Said Alec.
"Right you are sir." He said going to get a glass. Alec picked up a newspaper on the side of the bar and looked at the front page that was about a mining strike while in the corner was a story about a missing engineer who had murdered his family. No doubt Tim's influence on the story. Alec's eyes flickered up to the barman who had just finished pulling his pint.
Alec swore and then went to check his pockets, he hadn't brought any muggle money with him. He was really looking forward to that pint as well. He sighed and resigned to the fact he would never get it. The barman came over and placed the cold glass in front of him.
"That'll be twelve pence." The barman said.
"Ah, listen, I-"
"What he means Tom is that this round is on me." John Evans placed the money down and then sat down next to Alec.
"Right you are John." The barman said walking away. Close shave thought Alec.
"I told you once you went ale everything would go stale." Said John. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to have a drink." Said Alec. "I just had a conversation with my brother and I needed a big one."
"I didn't know you had a brother?" said John.
"I have two." Said Alec. "Ones a stiff that works for the Government while the others an alcoholic that lives out in Hawaii."
"Your parents have a lot to answer for." Said John.
"Yeah, I guess they do." Said Alec. "But I really liked it last time I was here, it was friendly, had a nice atmosphere and did one hell of a pint."
"Everything you need in Yorkshire." Said John. "So what did your brother want?" Alec drank some more.
"He cancelled my medical leave and gave me a new assignment." Said Alec.
"And you drink every time you get a new one?" asked John.
"No, I was meeting a friend for a drink when my brother ambushed me." Said Alec. "So I've thought why not get drunker after I've been told to kill Dracula." Both men were quiet for a moment while John took the information in.
"Kill Dracula?" said John finally.
"Yeah." Said Alec looking down at his drink. "Sounds stupid now I think about it."
"There really is a Dracula." Said John. "Like, a vampire." Alec nodded.
"Oh yeah. Now I have to kill him." John sighed and both men drank.
"So, what, are you going to do now?" asked John. Alec downed the rest of his pint.
"Honestly, I need to go home and prepare for this mission, make up something that might stop a vampire." Said Alec. "Then find out where Dracula is."
"How do you know where to start?" John asked. Alec looked down at the bottom of his glass.
"I know a guy."
"Not a lot then?" said John. Alec laughed.
"Thanks for the pint." Said Alec getting up and putting his coat on. "I'll get you one when I'm next in town."
"Not a long visit then."
"I have work to do now." Alec replied. "Which seems weird because it's all I've been doing and not doing for the last four months."
"You need to stay and enjoy yourself." John said summoning the barman over. "The way I see it you need to prepare yourself for your next….whatever it is your doing. And the best way to do that is having a drink. Normally we all get our best ideas after a drink."
"I normally work well when sober." Alec said looking to the window.
"You can't go home sober in Yorkshire." Explained John, he then ordered another drink. "I found that out the hard way when I moved up from the south." When looking out the window Alec saw a car parked out front. It was a Jaguar.
Alec shook his head and picked it up. "Sure, why not?"
"I love Yorkshire." Said Alec as he and John walked out an hour later. "My dad wanted to live up here when he retired."
"Why didn't he?" asked John.
"My mum." Said Alec. "She wanted to stay down south. He bought a place."
"Where?"
"On the dales?" said Alec. "Beautiful place." He stretched, and clicked his back. "But I think the place is derelict now."
"Shame." Said John.
"Hey!" Both Alec and John turned round to see a gang of men emerge from the darkness of an alley way. "Haven't got some spare change have you?"
"Yeah, sure." John went to his inside pocket but Alec stopped him.
"No."
"What?" Alec squinted at the gang of men.
"Yeah, old man, what's your problem?" Alec let go of John and walked forward.
"They want to mug us."
"Them?" John asked pointing at them. "How do you know?" Alec's eyes scanned over them.
"They all have their hands in their pockets." Alec began, "It's a warm night, why do they need to be? Sensitive hands maybe but the bulges are pointed, so there carrying a sharp object. Probably a knife."
The men all looked at each other in disbelief.
"Next time guys, don't try and mug someone in a group by being polite. Jump um, the element of surprise."
"Should you really be giving them advice?" John asked.
"Oh there going to let us go." Alec said. "They don't have the balls."
"I don't think so." The lead one said. The four of them walked round slowly so they surrounded John and Alec. They were all tall and mean looking while cracking their knuckles.
"I've never been in a fight like this." Said John.
"How manys the most?" asked Alec.
"Two." Said John. "What about you?" Alec took his arm off John.
"Three hundred." Said Alec. "Watch and learn." Alec cracked his neck and walked towards them. Alec smirked.
The main man went for the punch. Alec dodged the swing, placed a hand on his wrist and then with his other hand punched through his elbow. He screamed in pain and fell to the floor. Alec slipped a wingding into his hand and then threw it at one of the men who had pulled a knife. It smacked his wrist and he dropped it. Alec ran over, grabbed him by the shoulders and kneed him in the head. He then round house kicked him into a wall.
Alec then turned to the other two who looked shell shocked at what they had seen. Alec walked towards them slowly.
"You have two choices, run, or the same fate as those two." Explained Alec. "Now I've had a bad day, so which is it going to be?" He punched is fist into his other palm. "Please say two."
One ran while the other came towards him. Alec side stepped him, kicked him up into the air and then elbowed him into the pavement. Alec rubbed his elbow looking around at the lifeless bodies around him.
"Now I think about it, maybe you should have run out with your friend." Said Alec. He rotated his shoulder and walked towards John who had his mouth aghast.
"That was amazing." Said John. "I mean seriously, how did you do that?"
"In a pit in the Icelandic mountains." Said Alec. "Fun times."
"You really do go everywhere don't you." said John. "And here's me still here after all these years." Alec looked down at his feet as they walked through a more suburban area of Cokeworth.
"Don't sell your life short." Said Alec.
"Why not?" asked John.
"Because I would give anything to have the life that you have." Said Alec.
"You would?" Alec nodded.
"You have a beautiful house in one of the nicest places in the world." Said Alec. "You have a wonderful wife who loves and looks after you. Two beautiful girls who think the world of their father and a job where you know you'll come home every day."
"Trust me when I tell you, you have a life that would envy most men." Said Alec.
"I never thought of it that way." Said John. They got outside the Evans home.
"Thanks for the pint." Said Alec. "But I'll-"
"No." said John firmly. "No, you're going to stay here."
"Here?" Alec looked up at the house. "No, it's ok, I can apparate."
"I don't want to hear it, I'm pretty sure you people have laws against drink apperating." Said John walking up to the door and opening it. "Come on, you can use Lily's room." Alec followed him inside.
He looked around the small kitchen with the table in the middle of the room and thought about all the happy meal times they must have shared at the table.
They then walked into the hallway where there where photos hanging up on the walls of John and his family.
John then walked up the stairs where there were more pictures of the Evans family. Alec sighed on the inside. John then walked to a room at the end of the hall where there was a wooden plaque on the door with a picture of a Lily and the name in loopy hand writing.
"Should be nice and clean." Said Alec. "Lav always cleans it on a Friday." He opened the door and walked inside and turned on the light.
"Thanks." Said Alec. "It's fine."
"See you in the morning." Said John closing the door. Alec felt tired, he looked round at all the books on the shelf. He walked up the step to the bed and laid down on the bed. Within a minute, he was out.
Bird song. Bird song, and warm sunlight. Alec's eyes flickered open and the first thing he saw was a record player on the shelf. Alec closed his eyes and rolled over. He sat up and rubbed his head. God had last night really happened.
Alec got up and looked around the room. So this was Lily's Evans room. Alec walked over to a book shelf on the first tier of the room and looked down the titles. She really was a self-confessed bookworm. He then looked over at a dressing table which had pictures on it.
Alec moved over and looked at the photos. One was of Lily and Dorcas laughing at a part of the castle. It was a still photo, not a magical one.
"Proud of her roots." Alec muttered. He saw another of parts round the castle. And with her friends, most of which he didn't recognise. He then moved onto the last one at the corner of the page which had all of the Gryffindor year on it. Alec noticed that it was more finger worn than the rest, meant it had been touched more.
Alec picked it off the mirror and looked at the corner. It was faded, it had been taken off a lot. Placed it photo side down on the table and looked at the finger marks on it. Most of them centred on the bottom left of the picture. From the finger marks, it looked like it was held so she could focus on one person in the photo. From the way these marks where more consistent he would say that it was held this way often.
Now curious, Alec turned the photo over and held like Lily would, the noticeable difference being that Alec's hand was much bigger than Lily's. But the person she was noticing wasn't that different after all.
It was James.
"Huh." Alec looked at the photo again. He'd only ever seen them together once, when he went to James's dorm and saw her in their folding James clothes for him. Obviously the young witch had thought about him a lot over the summer. Though she would never admit it. Especially not to anyone who knew James anyway.
Alec placed the photo back on the dressing table mirror. What is it about Potters and red heads he wondered.
The sound of plates being moved came from downstairs. Alec looked up and now fully realised where he was. He went back up to the bed and pulled his coat off and then opened the door. Before he went out he looked around one last time.
Is this what Harriet's room would of looked like wondered Alec. It wasn't overly girly but at the same time you knew that it was a girl that lived in here. Alec frowned and then closed the door behind him. He walked down the hallway and down the stairs into the living room where there were more photos of the Evans family he hadn't noticed last night.
He walked into the hallway and could hear voices from behind the kitchen door.
"He just turned up and we had a couple of drinks." Said John. "It was a nice surprise really."
"Yes, but what was he doing in Sheffield though?" asked Lavender. "He's not on a mission is he?"
"No, he said he just had a meeting with his brother." Said John. "I wasn't going to ask questions, he stayed the night, probably knowing him he's already left."
"Wouldn't bet on that." Said Alec opening the door.
"Alec, so nice to see you again. So it was you who kept my husband out till the small hours." Said Lavender.
"The reverse actually." Said Alec.
"Would like tea or coffee?" asked Lavender.
"I really think I should get going." Said Alec. "But thanks for the offer."
"Nonsense." Said Lavender. "It's always been tradition that we have a cooked breakfast on a Saturday morning, and since you are our guest, you will have one to."
"Really I'm-"
"Don't bother." Said John. "She won't take no for an answer." Alec sighed.
"Ok, I'll have a black coffee." Lavender smiled and got on with making said coffee.
"Did you sleep ok?" asked Lavender, placing the coffee in front of Alec.
"Fine, thank you." said Alec taking a sip of the coffee, perfect. "I'm sorry if I've been a nuisance."
"Don't be stupid, of course you haven't." said Lavender. She was putting some fried eggs onto two plates and then placed them in front of Alec and John.
"Now, I wasn't sure what you liked, so I just gave you what John has." Alec looked down at the feast. He would certainly get used to this.
"This is brilliant, thank you." said Alec. Lavender sat down with her own bacon sandwich.
"So…what brings you round our neck of the woods?" asked Lavender. "Nothing sinister I hope?"
"No, no." said Alec sprinkling pepper onto his breakfast. "I had a meeting with my brother, it's always been hard work with him so I needed a drink. And I fancied a pint of that nice Ale John got me."
"You found him out of nostalgia then." Said Lavender.
"Something like that." Said Alec. "But I guess I'll be seeing my brother again before the days out."
"I'm guessing you're not popular then." Said John.
"No, but at this moment in time he needs me." Said Alec.
Breakfast was nice, it was nice just to have a nice conversation with friends, after what happened last night, he was happy. When they were finished Lavender took their plates to the side.
Lavender placed her cup down and looked outside.
"Something the matter?" asked John. Lavender went to speak but didn't.
"No, no it's nothing its fine." She said.
"What is it?" asked Alec. Lavender looked uneasily at the window and then back to the outside.
"There's a car outside." Said Lavender, "It's been outside for the since I got up."
"When was that?" asked Alec, knowing it was Tim outside waiting for him.
"Oh, about seven." Said Lavender.
"Let me guess. It's a Jaguar isn't it?" said Alec.
"Yes." said Lavender amazed, "How did you know?"
"Because it's my brother." Said Alec getting up.
"Oh." Said Lavender. She looked outside again. "That's a bit much isn't it."
"He did always like theatrics." Said Alec. "Thank you for breakfast and a bed for the night. But I have to go and see him."
"Oh, ok." Said Lavender.
"Well it was nice to see you again." said Alec shaking John's hand. "I'll see you soon."
"Ok, bye." Said Lavender as he walked outside. He took a deep breath and walked out to the car. The door opened and he saw his brother.
"Get in." he said without looking at him.
"What, no morning or how are you." Tim didn't look up from the file he was reading.
"I said, get in." he said. Alec looked over the car before sitting down. As soon as he closed the door the car sped off.
"Have you been out there all night?" asked Alec. Tim didn't say anything or look up from his file.
"Humph, John was right." Said Alec. "Our parents do have a lot to answer for."
"If you think this hint of amusement will gain favour with me you are sorely mistaken," said Tim, still not looking up.
"Then why have you come to get me?" asked Alec.
"Because the Prime Minister has decided to press ahead with the mission." Tim pulled a paper from underneath the file threw it into his lap. Alec read the headline.
Humanitarian crisis continues as tuberculosis kills more Romanians!
"We need you on the ground as soon as possible." Said Tim. "This has become more than a crisis."
"So you decided to come and pick me up and make sure I do It." said Alec, he laughed and shook his head.
"This isn't like when I was a rookie, Tim."
"And so you decide to go getting drunk after we give you an official assassination." Said Tim. "It seems you have grown up, little brother."
"What, I'm not allowed to have a drink with friends before I go off on a potentially dangerous mission." Said Alec. "Sorry for having a life."
"Having a 'life' isn't a crime little brother." Said Tim. "Not having your priorities straight however is." He said.
"You wanted me at home preparing." Said Alec.
"Now, who told me fortune favours the prepared." Said Tim, still not looking up from the file he was reading.
"I want you to take this seriously little brother." He continued. "This is a matter of national security."
"I will take it seriously, don't worry." Said Alec.
"It would of made mother happy to us working together." Said Tim. Alec could tell he was smiling his twisted smile.
"Yeah, wouldn't it just." Said Alec. The car came to a stop in a country lane. "Kicking me out already, I thought we were going to have a love in."
"Inform me of your progress." Said Tim, he turned his hand and the door slammed shut and the car drove off.
"Just like old times." Said Alec. He looked over at the two tall towers from the steel factory. With a flash of light he was gone.