Ahaha, you thought I'd be nice, that'd I'd stop with the angst. Nope. This one is more about Maya and Adriana with a few surprise cameos. This is a little bit more oomph, but I'm sorry at not being good at battle scenes, any tips would be appreciated.
Panthera101: First of all, thank you for the review. Second, yes Adriana is a Gryffindor. Third, Dumbledore was sorted into Gryffindor house but whether or not he was head of house is up for debate. I don't know if he was or wasn't, but for the sake of my fic (and the fact that he did teach Transfiguration, like McGonogall) he was the head of Gryffindor house while Adriana was at school, which would have been 1907-1914 approx.
Disclaimer: I don't own the HP universe, that is still very much the property of HRH Queen J.K. Rowling
Chapter 8:
Percival did end up going to the florists. He got a strange look from the owner. He tried to explain that he was doing a friend's garden. The man just stared at him as if he'd gone mad.
"You don't garden in that fancy get up, do you?" The owner asked. Percival realised he was wearing expensive clothing.
"No." He assured the man. "I have, other things to do today." That seemed to satisfy the owner. He ended up buying rose seeds of varying colours. Some carnations and some marigolds. He was close to buying geraniums when he thought that maybe he was getting a bit too into this. He payed and returned to the house. He started setting up each plot for the flowers. After finishing in the garden Percival went back inside and decided to do some reading.
Adriana walked into the office not entirely sure how she felt about the universe right now.
"So, what's it like living with an American?" Maya asked.
"He's doing the gardening." Adriana said in a state of mild shock. "And he helped make dinner last night."
"What's so strange about that?" Maya asked.
"You saw him." Adriana said. "Posh suits. Rigid. The man's an Auror. A head of a department. I didn't expect to see him debating what colour roses he would like to put in the back garden." Maya found this amusing.
"So, he's good with the domestic stuff. I'd keep him around." She said with a giggle. Adriana shot her a look. A memo came in. She shot a look at Maya who had just received the same note. The Minister for Magic, Hector Fawley, was going somewhere and required protection. Adriana sighed. That would mean she wouldn't get home until late. She sent a message home, just to warn Percival that she would appear later.
"Why couldn't someone else be in charge of him tonight?" Maya asked with distaste. It was no secret that she disliked the Minister. Mainly because last time they'd met he'd pinched her butt.
"We're not with him. We're meant to tail him discretely." Adriana pointed him. "You know why they want us. We do sneaky very well."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it." Maya said icily. Then she turned to Adriana. "And what about Percival?"
"I've sent him a note." Adriana said. She shot a look at Maya. "I know what you're thinking. That's not what's happening."
"Honestly Adriana, he'd be a good fling." Maya said reasonably.
"I don't do flings." Adriana said sharply. "Especially not with people I live with." She couldn't imagine having a fling with Percival. It just felt wrong. He was already damaged enough, she didn't need to hurt him more. It wasn't that he wasn't attractive... she was not considering this. It would be wrong. She'd be taking advantage of a vulnerable man.
"You just considered it, didn't you?" Maya asked with another giggle.
"Shut up." Adriana advised. "Let's go protect the Minister." They walked out of the office and headed to level one. Hector winked rather obviously at Maya, who nearly hexed him right there and then. Only Adriana's warning arm stopped her.
"Just one leg locker curse." Maya pleaded.
"We are meant to protect him. Not attack him ourselves." Adriana pointed out.
"As if anyone would mind." Maya huffed. The two women stayed far behind the Minister and his two travelling companions. They kept to the shadows. The Minister was going for a long walk apparently. Which made Adriana a whole lot more sympathetic to Maya's idea of cursing him. They finally reached an abandoned building so far removed that you couldn't find it by accident. To her surprise, the two companions waited outside. Adriana and Maya crept in. They were told to keep the Minister in their sights at all times. It became very apparent why the Minister was there.
"Madam Zhou?" Maya mouthed at Adriana. She nodded back.
"And President Picquery." Adriana mouthed back. They were in the rafters. "Why are they here?" Maya shrugged. They watched as the leaders approached each other.
"Why have you called a meeting here?" Fawley asked. He withered slightly under the gaze of two sharp women.
"I must ask the same question." Madam Zhou said. Picquery looked tired.
"I'm sure you've heard about Percival Graves by now." Maya shot Adriana a confused look. With the exception of Adriana, none of the Auror's knew exactly why Percival was in Britain. "In light of his betrayal and escape from our custody, I think we all need to tighten our security." Picquery continued.
"Surely we all do." Madam Zhou pointed out. "Why not tell all the leaders of this decision?"
"Because I cannot be sure they haven't been infiltrated." Picquery said. "If we called a meeting then they would bring aids and ambassadors. I will not allow another nation to repeat my mistake."
"President Picquery we can't just leave other nations out of talks." Fawley said. "We must inform them, discretely if needs be."
"Yes. We represent three power houses of magic." Picquery said. "I thought meeting in small numbers would be better."
"But so out of the way?" Madam Zhou pondered. "President Picquery this is very unlike you."
"I assure you Madam Zhou I am merely trying to protect my nation. If we share security programs, ideas then maybe we'll get through this." Picquery said. Adriana knew something was off. She and Maya exchanged glances and nodded. Next second they were on the floor, standing between Picquery and the two other ministers.
"You're an imposter." Adriana said. Picquery didn't recognise her. And that was a dead giveaway. Madam Zhou had her wand out while Fawley hid behind Maya. The windows broke and two men jumped in.
"We've been caught out." Picquery said. She changed into a rather heavy, blonde woman. "Let's eliminate them." There was an eerie calmness in the way she said that. Soon the air was rich with flashes of light. Fawley was no help but Madam Zhou was furiously battling two opponents while two more came in. Adriana was taking on the blonde while Maya took the two newcomers. Adriana managed to send the blonde woman flying out the window with a well-placed repulsion spell. Her hand moved to cast a shield around Fawley and Madam Zhou. Madam Zhou didn't look pleased, and Adriana didn't blame her. She'd been attacked and someone had interrupted her pounding match. One of her former opponents was in a crumpled heap. The other sported a bloody nose. Adriana hit him with a stunner and he too fell to the floor. She cast binding spells on both and kicked their wands away. Just as she turned around Maya yelped. Her body went flying across the room and thudded painfully against the far wall. One of Maya's opponents was very much dead, blood pooling everywhere. The other had a rather cruel grin on his face. Madam Zhou broke Adriana's barrier and began furiously duelling the man. She had some of the fastest wand work that Adriana had seen in a while. Trusting Madam Zhou to handle the situation, Adriana hurried over to Maya. Her friend was unconscious but alive. She seemed to have a few cracked ribs. Adriana sent a message out for back up. Madam Zhou caused her opponent to contort unnaturally and stay that way.
"We were tricked." She said coldly.
"President Picquery is not going to like this." Adriana muttered. "MACUSA is not having a great time."
"What did they want?" Fawley asked.
"Information." Adriana said. She was familiar with the methodology. Manipulation. "Most likely Grindelwald fanatics."
"Good job." Fawley said. "I shall return to the Ministry. Madam Zhou?"
"Very well." She said. They disapparated, leaving Adriana very alone. She didn't dare try healing Maya in case she got it horribly wrong. Magical law enforcement showed up. When Adriana was sure they had the situation she apparated to Saint Mungo's. Maya was taken to the spell damage ward. After being repeatedly assured that she would be fine, Adriana went home.
As she opened the door, she was surprised to find Percival still downstairs. He was dressed for bed and yet seemed fully engrossed in his book.
"I thought you'd be sleeping." Adriana said. The door shut behind her. Percival looked at her. He frowned at the sight of her.
"I couldn't sleep." He said. "Are you alright?" She had scratches and a few bruises.
"Occupational hazard." She said dismissively. Percival didn't accept that and moved his hands gently over her, healing the injuries.
"What happened?" He asked.
"I was guarding the Minister tonight." She said. "There was an ambush." She hesitated slightly. "Someone impersonated President Picquery." Percival went chalk white. "I don't think she's been impersonated at work but someone's trying to find out about MACUSA security."
"His followers." Percival breathed.
"Probably." Adriana agreed. She looked distressed. "We caught most of them. But Madam Zhou may have killed one. And Maya did too." There was a pause. "Maya's in Saint Mungo's. Our magical infirmary." Percival wrapped his arms around her smaller frame. Adriana felt safe in his arms. They were warm and strong. Exactly what she needed right now.
"Is she going to be alright?" Percival murmured into her hair.
"They think so." Adriana said.
"Are you alright?" He asked again.
"I think so." She said into his shoulder. They broke apart and Adriana already missed the warmth and reassurance. "I think we need some cinnamon cocoa."
"Fine by me." Percival said. Adriana disappeared and returned with two mugs of cinnamon cocoa. They sat on the sofa, drinking in silence.
"Did you buy anything for the garden?" Adriana asked.
"Roses, carnations and marigolds." Percival said automatically.
"I'm sure they'll look nice." Adriana said.
"I hope they do." Percival agreed. Sleep wasn't possible that night so they stayed awake on the sofa. Silently enjoying the others company.