Chapter Four

Alex had sensed as soon as he walked in that the impossibly exquisite wizard in fine black robes was looking for her. He was far from obvious about it, menacing gray eyes taking in the whole place in one sweeping gaze, not pausing an instant when they fell across her. Of course, that was telling in and of itself. Every English wizard she had encountered had at least paused at the sight of her, and she stood out no less today than she had yesterday in her muggle clothing; even more so actually, as she was looking awfully scruffy in battered, faded jeans and an ancient sleeveless shirt that missed her waist by several inches. Even Nina had raised an eyebrow at her state of dress, and explaining that she had a massive amount of cleaning she needed to do today didn't seem to placate her.

"Well, I know you're a bit along in years for this kind of advice, my dear, but that shirt fits rather too much like a second skin to be worn in public, and even if it didn't, there isn't quite enough of it. A young lady should be more careful."

If it hadn't come out of Nina's mouth, Alex would have pounced on an opportunity to rip into such old-fashioned values, but she had developed a fondness for the woman that persuaded her to hold her tongue. Instead, she leaned on the counter and began telling her about her massive shopping spree, and soon they were chattering and giggling like schoolgirls. That was when Lucius had entered. He seemed not so much to walk, but to glide up to Nina's counter, and he stood uncomfortably close as he ordered a cup of tea. Alex was acutely aware of his scent, a mixture of very expensive grooming potions and a hint of something else, something wicked and immediately enticing. When Nina turned with the tea tray, Alex caught her eye and mouthed one word. "Wow." Nina smiled knowingly.

"Mister Malfoy, have you met our newest resident?" she asked while she settled the tray into an unnecessarily large booth.

Only then did he seem to take any notice of her, turning to look down at her with a small but tantalizing smile, and she forgot all about analyzing him and why he had come looking for her or even that she sensed his ignoble intent. God, those eyes! They were menacing and calculating and feral all at once. She couldn't seem to release the breath she had taken when those eyes met hers. She knew she was staring, but she couldn't help herself. She heard Nina's voice as if it were coming from far away, "Mr. Lucius Malfoy, this is Miss Alexandria Borgin."

When he took her hand in his, she swore that something like electricity passed from his fingers into her body, and she could tell by the sudden heat that she was blushing like a virgin. Great. "Alexandria," he said her very carefully, as if reciting a charm. "That's a charming name."

"Well, then I wish it were mine," she managed to say. "I've never gone by my full name, just Alex."

"Surely you won't mind if I indulge myself." His smile grew softer. "It's a shame to cut short something so lovely."

He hadn't yet released her hand and she relished the feel of his soft, cool skin on hers. Alex was quite prepared to let him call her whatever he pleased and was about to inform him of this when Nina cleared her throat sternly beside them. "Mr. Malfoy is a prominent member of our Ministry of Magic and is also on the Board of Governors for Hogwarts where his son attends school."

Emphasis on son. Ah. A family man. She silently thanked Nina for the warning, though she doubted that her extremely weak set of principles would stop her from doing something unethical where a man like this was concerned. Malfoy seemed to take no notice of the woman's subtle reprimand. "Would you care to join me, Alexandria?"

It sent chills down her spine when he said her name. Her instinct told her that, under no circumstances, should she spend any more time with this wizard. Alex decided quickly that her best bet would be to make some excuse about getting back to the shop and leave without breakfast, which is why she was appalled to find herself sitting across from him, steaming coffee in hand, answering his innumerable questions about her life. Oh, well. She had never claimed to hold up well in the face of temptation.

She assumed that his visit had something to do with Borgin and Burkes, but he quizzed her about her personal life for quite a while. By the time he actually mentioned it, she was feeling very amenable to telling him whatever he wanted to know.

"So, you're planning to reopen your uncle's shop."

"Yes, I am. It should be ready in a few days."

"That soon?"

"That soon."

"How long have you been in England?" Actually, Lucius, through his many connections, knew exactly how long she had been here but he wanted to keep her talking and keep her attention focused on him.

"Two days."

"And have you found it much to your liking?"

Alex smiled. So far she'd done nothing but clean, shop, and play tag with an invisible wizard. "It's had it's moments. So far, this is the nicest one." That's great, Alex, you sound like a lovesick idiot. But, she couldn't help it. She was entranced by him.

If Lucius was amazed by anything about this woman, it was how easy she had been to charm into submission. He had immediately picked up on her infatuation with him which, he had to admit, created some interesting possibilities. There were definite perks to working with this woman rather than her uncle. She wasn't a rapturous beauty, but neither was she unfortunate-looking and torture wasn't his only method of persuasion. There were certainly more pleasant paths to take. He wondered briefly if he'd have to tie her down as she seemed to be in constant motion, either drumming her fingers or folding and unfolding her napkin or twirling her fingers in her hair.

"I'm curious, Alexandria," he intoned in that deep, slow voice, "why didn't you just sell Borgin and Burkes? It seems to me that a life of ease would be awfully…" those amazing eyes scrutinized her upper body "…tempting." It was when he smirked and looked down at his hands which were folded on the table that she realized he was toying with her.

Relieved to be free of that piercing gaze, she took a large gulp of her rapidly-cooling coffee. 'What I need is a glass of whiskey,' she thought. "It's more about the activity than the money, actually. A life a of luxury would be nice for a couple of days, I guess, but any longer than that and I'd die of boredom. Besides, I have quite an interest in unique magical objects."

"Do you?" he whispered. His head was still inclined and he seemed to be inspecting a flawless cuticle when a curtain of that magnificent hair fell over his left eye. Without thinking, she reached over to brush it out of his face, and the unexpected contact caused Lucius to look up suddenly in surprise. Time, for Alex, froze. A silken veil of palest blonde between her fingers, warm brown eyes locked onto cold gray with a look of pure desire as the bottom dropped out of her world. Lucius didn't move. The naked curiosity with which he was regarding her caused a blush to rise to her cheeks as she realized that this was not a man who was accustomed to being touched. Silently she cursed herself. What was she thinking? The offending hand shook for a moment, and she slowly withdrew it murmuring an apology, but the look on his handsome face had already melted into one of amusement. In what seemed to be a thoughtful gesture, he drew a single finger across his mouth and regarded Alex with a questioning gaze.

There had been a few moments in life that she liked to refer to as "screw it" moments when she had been cornered or hopelessly outnumbered and could do nothing but stop fighting and hope for an escape. With the exception of hoping for an escape, this was one of those of those moments. She suddenly realized that she had nothing to fear from Lucius Malfoy. He was, admittedly, the type of man who would ruthlessly remove any obstacle in his path, but she was far too enchanted by him to become one, thus ensuring her own safety.

"What is it that you want from me, Mr. Malfoy?"

Ah. That's what he had been waiting for, utter submission. He leaned forward slightly and the infinitesimal adjustment in his proximity was enough to cause her hands to tremble. "I'm looking for something, Alexandria, an item that I was preparing to purchase from your uncle before his regretful demise, a scroll…"

"Excuse my intrusion, Lucius." Alex looked up in surprise at the sound of the soft, rich baritone. She hadn't even noticed the pale, dark-haired wizard slip up to the table, but somehow with the addition of his company, her head began to clear. Her limbs, which had ceased to have any feeling began to tingle slightly. It felt very much as if she was waking from a dream. And as the haze cleared from her mind, she noticed a familiar scent coming from the wizard at her side.

Her companion seemed taken aback, but responded with his usual grace. A small sigh told of great irritation, but he kept his voice serene as he responded. " Severus, I admit that I am astounded to see you out of your dungeon. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Alex could plainly hear the danger in the amiable words so softly spoken.

"A matter of some urgency has presented itself, Lucius."

"Then, I shall send for you this evening."

Severus raised a single eyebrow, a surprisingly elegant gesture for a man who looked so severe, and though the physical contrast between he and Lucius was almost polar, she could clearly see the same characteristics in those black eyes. "As much as I hate to draw you away from your present company," he glanced at her for only a moment, but with such contempt, she felt herself wither in her seat, "I'm afraid this cannot wait."

A glimpse in Alex's direction told Lucius that the spell he had woven around the woman had dissipated at his associate's untimely interruption, an offense which had damn well better be justified, but then Severus knew better than to disturb him with anything less than an emergency, therefore…

"I am truly sorry, my dear lady, but I'm afraid I must be going."

Alex, who was staring at Severus with a curious mix of wonder and offense, merely nodded her acquiescence. Now, that was interesting. What had his old friend been up to with this woman?

"Have you been introduced to our school's potions master?" Something sparked in her eyes at these last words.

"No. I haven't." She stood and extended her hand with such authority that it seemed like a challenge.

"Severus, this is Alexandria Borgin, the new owner of Borgin and Burkes. Alexandria, Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

She took his hand in hers and held it firmly until he stopped looking over her shoulder and made eye contact. The anger in his fathomless eyes was evident, but it didn't seem to be entirely directed at her. Curious.

Severus, for his part, was just glad to see the glazed expression wiped from the woman's face. One of Malfoy's most dangerous gifts was his ability to mesmerize almost anyone into a trance, even he was susceptible to it. Given any more time and Lucius would have had the woman completely at his mercy. He felt a sort of arrogant satisfaction at having pulled her from Malfoy's clutches, but knew it would be a short-lived victory. Lucius would be most displeased that his prey had been wrenched from his grasp for no good reason, and he had had no time to think of a feasible story before barging in.

"A pleasure, I'm certain, Miss Borgin, but we really must be going." At that, he turned his back to her, and gave a gesture of invitation to Malfoy. "After you, Lucius."

The wizard offered a slow, regal nod to Alex and headed for the door, briefly pausing to drop a few galleons on Nina's counter, enough to cover ten times what they had ordered. Meanwhile, with a deft gesture, Severus pulled a small bit of parchment from his robe and dropped it casually on the table before stalking out behind his companion.

Alex took the hint and waited until both wizards had apparated away before she picked up the note. In untidy, hurried scrawl was written, 'Don't trust him. I'll explain later.'

It was difficult to not be offended. What kind of fool did he think she was? She had no reason to trust either one of them.

Shaking her head, she headed for the door, deep in thought. "Alex?" She had completely forgotten about Nina. When she turned , she was met with a look of great concern. "I've said it once before, I know, but it bears repeating." She took her gently by the shoulders. "You be careful." Alex enfolded the woman with a sigh of relief. She had no proof, but there was no doubt in her mind that Nina, at least, could be trusted completely.

"Thanks, Nina."

"And if you need anything at all, you call on me straight away."

"I will. I'll see you tomorrow."

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you, thank you, thank you all for the reviews. Your encouragement is exceedingly appreciated and your advice even more so.

As for Alex being Mary Sue-ish, I assure you that was not my intention. I have no problem with Mary-Sues, personally, but I hoped for Alex to be something more than that. Maybe I just haven't given her enough room to develop. Did this last chapter help? If not, I'll work on it.