Chapter 34

Warrington walked to the front door and opened it with a yank, he was impatient and wondered why Clara was not here as an intermediary to Harry Potter and the man who stood beside him. They both wore their uniforms in an immaculate fashion but their posture and hairstyle bespoke of a lazy attitude to Warrington.

"Sir-" The man started but Warrington cut him off.

"It is Lord Warrington and you are not the Auror assigned to my case" Warrington said with a sharp tone of disapproval. He was putting on airs because he didn't appreciate their unannounced visit especially from two low ranking officers. Though Harry Potter didn't count as he remembered Clara saying he was an intern.

"Warringto-" Harry Potter started but Warrington cut him off too.

"Mr Potter, I do not remember giving you such familiarity with my name. As I said before you shall address me by my title. Now what are you two doing here disrupting the peace of my home at such an early hour?" Warrington demanded.

"Lord Warrington. I am Auror Gillings. We were informed you recovered Alicia Spinnet. We need to take her statement while the memories are still fresh" Gillings said, he bobbed his head as he spoke and it annoyed Warrington immeasurably as this was not how he expected events to play out.

"You still haven't answered my first question. Where is Auror Velasquez?" Warrington demanded. Marcus Flint stood beside Warrington watching on, at the ready to jump in when needed.

"She has been suspended pending formal investigation" Gillings said in an uncomfortable manner.

"Her charges?" Flint asked casually, making his presence known to the men. Gillings shifted on his feet in a peculiar manner, one Warrington could only interpret as a nervous twitch.

"I'm not at Liberty to say." Gillings replied.

"As her counsel you cannot claim such a liberty" Flint told him.

"What he means to say is that we don't know" Harry said, Warrington and Flint exchanged looks of mutual agreement that Potter would make the worst Auror as he had no poker face and understanding of keeping secrets by covering them with a plausible lie.

"But sufficed to say I have been brought up to speed on Miss Spinnet's case and I'm grateful you have found your woman but we need to close this case which requires statements and evidence alike" Gillings said with a smile hoping it would smooth everything over.

"Miss Spinnet at the moment is resting, if you wish you may go and disturb Montague as he treated her injuries and as for evidence I believe he took that to your labs for processing" Flint remarked coolly, Gillings pulled a notepad from his back pocket flipped through the pages and nodded while Warrington fought the urge to roll his eyes at the man's inept nature.

"Indeed but I still need to speak with the lady and also search the property for Cillian O'Loughlin" Gillings said.

"Who?" Warrington asked looking at them blankly.

"Cillian O'Loughlin" Gillings said louder and more slowly as if Warrington were the one who was dim witted. Warrington took a deep breath to control his annoyance as it was slowly turning to anger.

"I heard you the first time but I do not know to who you are referring to and his relation to the events that have passed" Warrington said in an exasperated manner.

"This man, he was seen entering the premises early this morning with Auror Velasquez" Potter said he produced a photo of Clara and Cillian coming into his house. Suddenly it made sense as to why Warrington would require legal counsel as well as Clara.

"Ah, yes. That is Alicia's Grandfather. Forgive me if I didn't know his full name and may I ask why you had my house under surveillance?" Warrington asked the two men.

"You may ask sir but we're under no obligation to answer. Did you know that Theodore Knott has been found dead?" Gillings asked. Warrington found that tidbit of news not surprising in the least but feigned the emotion for the Aurors' benefit.

"No and why is his demise any interest of mine?" Warrington said with an air of indifference.

"He is your friend and played quidditch at Hogwarts" Harry said, Warrington and Flint looked at one another with a smile and laughed at assumption he had made. Harry flushed at the insulting behaviour.

"I don't find anything about this amusing" Harry said tartly as he felt like he and Gillings were being treated like children. Warrington and Flint stopped laughing and looked at him, their expressions cold.

"Neither do we but allow me Mr Potter to give you some insight about the upper echelons that you poorly lack. Associations with lower class are rarely about mutual affections. It's more a mutual benefit relationship of wealth. Yes, Mr Knott and I shared many acquaintances in common in Business and a history of playing quidditch in Hogwarts but I would not count him as a friend." Warrington said with pure disdain, he was going to play his uppercrust card to such a point that Potter would call him a snob.

"Well, we believe he was connected with the Lady's kidnapping" Gillings said.

"Yes, I know it was a connection I told Auror Velasquez about last night. Now, I grow tiresome of talking on the front steps of my home while you two talk of suspicions and ambiguous connections than actually performing your duties in finding out whom is responsible for the kidnapping of my fiance and bringing them to justice." Warrington said finally reaching the end of his patience.

"Sir-" Gillings started but Warrington cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"No, I wash my hands of you and leave you to my solicitor" Warrington said, he stepped back and walked away leaving Flint to do his job. Glad that Clara had given him a heads up for the visit. He went into his study and left the door open.

After Warrington stepped into his study, Flint gave a smug smile and looked to Harry and Gillings.

"Well gentleman. Let's get down to business. If you wish to trespass on Warrington's property, then you will require a search warrant. And in regards to Miss Spinnet; you will have to write a letter asking permission to speak with my client, at it will be at a location and time of our choosing. We've had issues with your department before and so you'll understand that we will want records of all the proceedings. So thank you and good day" Flint said, he stepped back and closed the door in the men's faces. He preferred to not waste time with pleasantries. He went into the study and looked to Warrington who stood by the window.

"That should be enough paperwork to keep them busy for the next five hours" Flint said smugly.

"And until then?" Warrington asked.

"I would assume you casted some borderline illegal magic?" Flint asked.

"Perhaps" Warrington said.

"Then you should get your elf to scrub the room and a few others just in case. Where is Mr O'Loughlin?" Flint asked.

"Back in Ireland" Warrington said.

"Good, make sure he stays there. What did you all do to get Spinnet back that warrants this much effort?" Flint asked, he liked to know what he was going to muddying his business and name with. Not that he cared for his reputation but he was curious. Warrington turned to face him and opened his mouth to answer but Alicia spoke first.

"Who was at the door?" Alicia asked, Flint turned around and saw Alicia standing at the doorway looking pale and drawn. She wore an oversized shirt with short shorts. The sleeves of the shirt were rolled up to her elbows, obviously it was Warrington's shirt. Her long hair was bedraggled, Flint could appreciate Warrington's desire to wrapped in the woman obviously her being a Gryffindor didn't affect their relationship too badly.

"Alicia, you should be resting" Warrington said as he walked over to Alicia who had moved into the room. He cupped her face and she gave him a drowsy smile.

"I needed a change of scenery." She told him, she looked to Flint "Flint, what are you doing here?" she asked with a frown.

"Saving your future husband from gaol" Flint replied as he allowed himself the pleasure of looking at Alicia's form, especially her long legs.

"He's kidding" Warrington said assuring Alicia, who lost what colour was left in her face. Warrington wrapped an arm around her waist as she started to waver on the spot.

"I think I should go back to bed" Alicia said pressing a hand to her forehead as it was a bit too much for her to handle.

"I shall help you" Warrington said.

"No, stay. I feel you need to attend to some important to" Alicia said as she turned and placed her forehead on his chest taking a moment to regains some strength. Warrington wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. Flint turned his back to them feeling uncomfortable with the display of affection between Warrington and Alicia.

"Alicia, everything will be fine" he assured her.

"I believe you" She mumbled.

"I feel a 'but' coming up" Warrington remarked.

"I'd like to go to Ireland today if possible" Alicia said with a sigh.

"Montague recommended that you rest for a couple of days" Warrington said.

"I know but-" Alicia started Warrington cut her off as he'd rather not have her exhaust herself in explaining what she wanted when he could give it to her.

"It's ok, I'll make the arrangements and my mother will escort you but first write your friends and tell that you are well but in need of rest and privacy. I'm sure they are very concerned" Warrington told her. A knock sounded at the door much to Flint's relief as it gave him an excuse to leave the couple.

"That's probably one of them now" Flint said leaving the room, he went to the front door and pulled it open. He smiled and leaned against the doorframe as Katie Bell stood on the doorstep. The woman was clad in muggle street wear.

"Bell" he said.

"Flint, what are you doing here?" she asked surprised to see him of all people answering Warrington's door. Flint pulled on his tie and flattened it all the while looking incredibly smug.

"Well, I knew you were keen on me but to source out my residence and stand at my doorstep begging-" Flint started but Katie folded her arms and glared at him.

"Shut up, I'm not that blonde and I would never beg at your feet. I also know this is Warrington's place and I'm here to see Alicia" Katie told him in a tart manner. Flint who had been smiling slowly frowned at her in suspicion.

"How did you find out about Spinnet being recovered?" Flint asked narrowing his eyes at her. Katie pulled a piece of parchment from her jacket pocket and held it in the air.

"Maura sent me a missive, now will you let me in. We're being watched and the last thing I want is my name attached to yours" Katie said in an annoyed tone.

"Oh I think you would find being attached to me quite pleasurable." Flint said in a suggestive manner, Katie rolled her eyes and decided an invitation into the house would not be on offer. So she stepped up and pushed him out of the way.

"You're such a sleaze" she said as she pushed past him.

"A player, Bell. I'm a player and the game is about numbers. The more you ask the more likely you are to score. You should know that" he said as he closed the door. How he did enjoy baiting the woman.

"Go away" Katie said as she checked the rooms until she reached the study. She saw Alicia talking to Warrington, her friend looking pale and exhausted.

"Oh Alicia" Katie said, Alicia turned her attention to Katie who went to her and hugged her in a tight hold. Alicia tensed under the embrace as it was painful, her body was still sore from her imprisonment.

"Bell, ease up will you." Flint said as he could see Alicia's pain grimacing in pain. Katie released Alicia immediately and grabbed her by the arms.

"Oh I'm sorry, I'm just so glad you're alive and well. You are aren't you?" Katie asked Alicia ignoring the men in the room.

"Yeah" Alicia said with a nod. Katie could see her friend was uninjured but completely exhausted and ready for bed. She knew the signs well after seeing Alicia in a continuous fatigued state.

"You look dreadful, what happened to you?" Katie asked.

"Bell, you have no tact" Flint said as he idly picked nonexistent fluff off his suit.

"Katie, I'm fine. Just tired and I don't want to talk about what happened" Alicia cut in before Katie could swap barbs with Flint. She exhausted and she wanted to go lie down before packing to leave for Ireland.

"Of course how insensitive of me" Katie said.

"No kidding" Flint stated. Katie glared daggers at the man.

"Bell, why don't you take Alicia upstairs and help her pack" Warrington suggested speaking for the first time since Katie came into the room.

"Pack?" Katie asked confused as to why Alicia would be packing.

"I'm going away until the threat is gone" Alicia said to Katie.

"What threat? Didn't they catch the guy?" Katie asked she looked to Warrington.

"The Aurors are working on the case quite diligently" Warrington drawled in a dry tone which meant he didn't have any faith in the Aurors at all. Katie looked back at Alicia.

"I want to leave, I don't feel safe in England and Cassius has arranged a safe place for me to stay" Alicia said feeling the need to explain herself to Katie. Her friend made a face.

"But surely-"

"Katie, I won't be gone forever just a few months and we will see one another" Alicia assured her.

"A few months?!" Katie exclaimed in shock.

"I need to recuperate" Alicia said lamely as she didn't want to get into her situation right now.

"Who told you needed a few months? and can't the Aurors catch whoever tried to kidnap you?"

"Who knows and honestly I want a few months away"

"Why?" Katie asked, her questions though innocent grated Alicia's patience.

"What does it matter?" Alicia asked.

"Something is wrong, just tell me what it is" Katie said. Alicia gave a groan as all patience left her in the snap of the fingers.

"Merlin, I'm pregnant and I want to be safe. Is that ok with you?" Alicia snapped at her friend, as she felt badgered. Katie froze and looked stunned by the news.

"Pregnant? How?" Katie stuttered out.

"Obviously sex education is rather lacking in the house of Gryffindor" Flint remarked, Katie flipped him the one finger salute. Warrington watched on with concern for Alicia.

"You're pregnant? Are you sure?" Katie asked her, Alicia glowered at her.

"No, I just like being dramatic. Of course, I'm sure!" Alicia said to Katie she then pointed at Flint before he could say a word "and Shut up Flint or so help me I will hurt you" Alicia told him as she could just feel he was going to say something smarmy and it made her angry.

So angry the air crackled around them. She wished for once that there could be some joy had from her friends, genuine joy that didn't come with a backhanded compliment or smart arse jokes. She was sick of the negativity in her life, she just wanted it to go away. Her emotions boiled within her and the air started to spark, Katie's eyes went wide in pure shock and Flint took a casual step back as if he were bored by it all.

Warrington moved between Alicia and Katie and placed his hands on her upper arms.

"Alicia, look at me" he said in a soothing tone. Alicia did as he asked and he moved a hand to her face. "I need you to calm down" he told her.

"I'm calm" Alicia bit out. But a spark lit up a piece of parchment on his desk. Flint calmly walked over and snuffed out the small flame before it grew.

"Alicia, I don't want to patronise you but you're being emotional and I'd prefer you not burn down my house just because Bell hasn't the intelligence to give the right response to our news." He told her in a light manner. Alicia opened her mouth to say something but an overwhelming exhaustion rolled over her. Warrington seeing the signs quickly wrapped her in his arms before her legs gave way.

"I'm sorry" Alicia said to him.

"There is nothing to apologise for" Warrington said to her as he lifted her up into his arms bridal style. He didn't even bother explaining himself or talking to the others as Alicia was his main concern, so he left the room and headed back to their bedroom.

"Hey-" Katie started but Flint caught her arm and stopped her from trying to follow Warrington and Alicia.

"Don't go after them Bell" Flint said in a patronizing manner.

"Get your hand off me" Katie told him.

"I'm only stopping you from making a fool of yourself or worse having Spinnet burn down a perfectly good townhouse" Flint said as he removed his hand from her arm.

"I was going to congratulate her" Katie told him, he made a derisive noise.

"Liar, you're shocked and years of conditioning to despise Slytherins made you think that this situation is incredibly disastrous or whatever adjective you'd like to insert to describe your opinion on the matter" Flint said.

"I don-"

"Please, spare me Bell. You Gryffindorks are the least open minded people in our society"

"Oh really?" Katie asked.

"Yes, that is my opinion but I will admit there are a few people who are open minded that come from your glorious house" Flint said sarcastically. Katie's hands clenched into fists as she really wanted to deck Flint.

"But it doesn't apply to me" She said through gritted teeth. Flint smiled at how easily he had gotten under Katie's skin.

"Exactly, I'm so glad we are finally understanding one another" he told her.

"You're such an asshole" She told him.

"From you that's a compliment" Flint said with a smile.

"What is wrong with me? Why can't I retain even one of my closest friends?" Alicia said when placed her feet on the floor of their bedroom. She stood in his embrace feeling like the biggest fool for becoming over emotional.

"It will be ok, you've had a rough 24 hours. Of course you will lash out, Katie was just the unfortunate one to provoke you first" Warrington said.

"I'm an idiot, I over reacted" she told him.

"Stop berating yourself. It's undeserved and you need to rest and be relaxed. It's not good for you to be like this" He told her.

"Can we just hide up here?" she asked, she looked up at him and knew the answer was 'no' as he looked rather grim.

"I'd love to but I fear leaving Bell and Flint in the same room for too long could be dangerous. I'll let Bell know that you're just hormonal and pregnant and once you've rested and cleared your head. You'll be more receptive to her views about our relationship and child. I think she would have positive views but the shock was too great for her" Warrington told her.

"Yeah right" Alicia said dropping her head down. Warrington brought his hand to her chin and guided it upwards so they were looking at one another.

"Hey, chin up. I want you to rest. My mother will help you pack and take you to Ireland. I have to stay here to tie up loose ends and then I will join you. Ok?" he said, she nodded as he smiled.

"Good, I love you. Both of you. Now let me kiss you both" he said and Alicia waited for him to kiss her but he had dropped to his knees in front of her and pushed the shirt up.

"Kissing my abdomen is not kissing our child" She told him, she couldn't help but smile at the ridiculousness of it all.

"It's close enough for now" He told her as he placed a kiss just below her navel before he rose to give her a passionate kiss.

Clara sat at the bar in The Leaky Cauldron, she downed a shot of firewhisky and chased it with some ale. Three hours ago, she had spent a good two hours going over her case work with Gillings and the man still had no clue. At least Potter proved to be switched on. After that she sent off a few more messages by Owl before she retired to the Leaky Cauldron.

She drank under the pretence that she was suspended from duty which was true but she hadn't given up the case. She just decided to go at it without Kingsley's approval and now she was intimately acquainted with Alicia and the vision O'Callaghan had given her, Clara felt a need to save her. She felt Alicia deserved a happy ending to all the bad that had happened to her.

So she waited at the Leaky Cauldron for a reply and drank. The booze was definitely mellowing her out and helping her general disposition.

"Barkeep, another round"

"What are you doing here?" Clara asked as Montague sat on the barstool next to hers. Tom poured a couple of Ales and two shots of firewhisky and placed them on the bar.

"I'm here to mend bridges something that is long overdue" Montague said.

"I daresay are you feeling well?" Clara asked in a mocking tone.

"I'm very well, my best friend is happily ensconced with his fiance who is alive and well because of you and I've had a long time to dwell over my life-

"Oh dear, perhaps you should go home and get some sleep you're sounding utterly ridiculous" Clara said before she took a long pull of her beer.

"It has come to my attention that some old traditions ought to be broken. I despise majority of our family but you I do not know well enough to despise you" Montague said casually.

"Yet" Clara added.

"Indeed, perhaps I should see if you're worth the displeasure of our parents' disapproval" Montague said mockingly.

"Your parents, they disowned me remember?" Clara said as she took a pull of her ale.

"Only because you outshone mother" Montague told her, Clara shot him an incredulous look.

"That's what you think but there was more to it than that" Clara told him.

"Then enlighten me" Montague said, he never knew the truth of the situation and never asked as it was forbidden to talk about.

"Why bother? I don't need nor want your sympathy about something I'd rather forget" Clara said going back to looking at the bar wall in front of them.

"You know I tried to find you before with no luck. You disappeared and it didn't help that you changed your last name" Montague said making conversation.

"A woman tends to adopt her partner's last name when they get married." Clara told him.

"So you're married?" Montague said, he felt like he'd have better luck convincing Alicia to allow him to deliver her child than getting his own sister to talk. She was incredibly closeted like she carried many secrets that weighed heavily on her.

"I was" Clara said she motioned to the bartender for another round of shots.

"Divorced?" Montague asked as the bartender placed the drinks on the bar. Clara shook her head.

"Widowed and I would prefer if you not ask me further questions" Clara told him, she down the shot like it was water.

"Do you not care to ask about my life?" Montague asked.

"I already know all about you Graham. I've kept tabs on you" She said as she took a pull of her Ale.

"Really? You kept tabs on me?" Montague asked completely thrown as she never once tried to contact him or acknowledge their connection. She looked at him and swallowed her ale before she spoke.

"You think I could just walk away and never look back? That I stopped caring about you little brother?" she asked in a wry tone. Montague opened his mouth to reply but was stopped as a small boy in worn street clothes rushed into the bar.

"Hey Miss, a message for you" he said as he held out a piece of paper to her. Clara pulled a sickle out of her pocket and gave it to the kid for his troubles as she took the message.

"Thank you" She said to the boy. The boy smiled at the money and disappeared as a waitressed shooed him out the door.

"What is it?" Montague asked as he watched her sister read the note. She threw the note in the air and it burst into flames and disappeared.

"Something that you shouldn't worry your pretty little head over" She told him, she rose from her stool and downed the rest of her beer.

"Perhaps we could socialise another day?" he asked as he knew she was leaving. Clara pulled on her black trench coat and tossed a couple of Galleons on the bar to pay for the drinks and tips.

"Yeah I'll check my schedule and get back to you" she said in a sarcastic manner before she left the bar.

TBC- Thank yous for the reviews and See you all soon!