A/N: I want to thank everybody who left one of those lovely little things called Reviews ... They so make my day! :-)

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Chapter 23 February 14th, 2000

Monday was an eventful day. It started with Harry barging into Alicia's small office around noon, his face red and excited. "Aurors have just arrested the witch who sold George the Lethe," he got out, breathing heavily. "The boss asked me to send for George so he can identify her but I thought you might want to be present, too."

Of course Alicia wanted to be there, although she felt such anger towards the dealer she was almost afraid she might jump on her. The feeling scared Alicia – it was so unlike her. On the way to the Aurors' office she willed herself to stay calm, telling herself that it wasn't just the witch's fault. It was George who had bought the potion after all. But then, he had been vulnerable at the time he first took it and she had taken advantage of that. It was enough of a reason for Alicia to hate her.

When she arrived at the Aurors' office George wasn't there, yet. But Kingsley was. When he saw Alicia he frowned. "Did Harry tell you?" he asked pulling up a chair for her.

"Yes, I hope it was okay I came. I want to support George."

"I can understand that," said Kingsley. "But there isn't much to happen. We just need George to look at her through the window of our questioning room, that's all."

"I want to see her," said Alicia quietly.

"I know," said Kingsley. "But she is not an animal in the zoo. Maybe you should rather just come to the trial, if you want to know what she looks like. George will need you much more when he's there, anyway."

"Okay," mumbled Alicia.

Not much later George arrived at the ministry looking nervous. He briefly kissed Alicia and shook Kingsley's hand. "I'm really relieved that you finally caught her," he said.

"Not so fast. First of all we need to make sure we arrested the right one. She's in our questioning room right now. It's an anti-magic room. No magic works in there so there's no chance for her to disguise herself."

"She could've have disguised herself the times I met her," George pointed out.

Kingsley nodded. "Yes, that's right," he said. "That's why we are going to need as many witnesses as possible so we can find out more about her. Aurors are already on it, questioning the barkeeper of The Dragon's Skull. We still have him under arrest, too."

"Will I have to give testimony in court?" George asked looking worried.

"I'm afraid so. It's probably going to be bad for your business if people know about your addiction, isn't it?"

"Probably."

"Maybe we can keep out the press then. Word will spread anyway but not as quickly as it would if the Prophet wrote about it."

"Can you arrange that?"

"I'm the Minister for Magic, George. I think I can arrange it."

"Thanks, Kingsley."

The minister was about to reply when Head Auror Conrad Mollowiddle strolled into the room. "Ah – there you are, Mr. Weasley. I take it Potter has told you everything already?"

"He has."

"And he has also told you what we want you to do?"

"Yes."

"Good. Follow me then, please." Mollowiddle placed one large hand on George's shoulder and guided him towards a small window. "Open the curtain, please," he called out to another Auror. George shot Alicia a glance, then he looked through the little window and she could see by the way his expression changed that he recognised the person inside the other room.

"What's going to happen with her now?" Alicia could hear him ask Auror Mollowiddle.

"I will turn the case over to the Wizengamot. She is going to be locked away until her trial in a month or two. You will have to give testimony court, I'm afraid. If the Wizengamot finds her guilty, she'll go into Azkaban, if not … well, there's nothing we can do. But I am sure they will find her guilty. We found some of that nasty stuff on her when she was arrested."

George nodded. He sighed and came over to Alicia. "Guess my work here is done. Have you had lunch, yet?"

Alicia stood up from the chair. "No, not yet. Shall we go to the Leaky Cauldron?"

"That's what I was thinking."

"I must be off, too," said Kingsley. "Lots of work to do and there's a portkey to Poland I have to catch later this afternoon." He shook hands with both George and Alicia. After he had left the two of them went into the entrance hall to take the Floo. It was lunchtime and they had to queue for five minutes because everyone was on their way out. They found no free tables at the Leaky Cauldron, so they adjourned to the Saucy Saucepan instead.

They sat in silence until their food arrived. Halfway through her Yorkshire pudding Alicia noticed that George was pushing his food around on his plate, rather than eating it. "Are you okay?" she asked gently.

"Yeah … it's just that – what if I'm not convincing enough as a witness and they let her go?"

"The dealer?"

He rolled his eyes. "Who else?"

Alicia reached for his hand, took his fork and put it on the table before linking her fingers with his. "Don't worry, love. I'm sure they'll do the right thing. If she's guilty she'll go to Azkaban and you'll be a part of it. You should be proud."

"Not yet," he said. "So far I haven't done anything to be proud of, have I? Quite the opposite, actually." He looked away from her, staring at the door, but didn't move his hand away which was a good sign – at least he was letting her comfort him.

"George, you can help put away a dangerous witch. I think that's what you need to think about." Her fingertips were caressing the back of his hand gently. "Everyone makes mistakes and when she sold you the Lethe the first time you were in a very vulnerable state."

He looked at her.

"You've got the chance to make up for a lot now," Alicia went on, "and I know you will do great in court. Your family will be proud of you, and so will I."

"Will you reward me?" She saw the familiar twinkle return to his eyes.

Alicia laughed, happy that he had snapped out of his bad mood so quickly. "Maybe …" she said.

"How?"

She slapped his fingers playfully. "You'll see that then. And now eat your food before it gets cold."

"When are you going to start your new job?" George asked after they had finished their lunch. He was leaning back on his chair, hands crossed over his full stomach. Alicia had told him about Evan hiring her on Saturday evening before they had gone to Lee's birthday party and George had taken the news surprisingly well. At least until now, he hadn't said much about it.

"April, 3rd. It's a Monday."

"I know that," said George indignantly. "My birthday is on Saturday. And it just makes me remember – I was thinking about taking the day off. Would you like to go somewhere?"

"You're not planning to have a party?"

George shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "I don't really feel like it. I mean, a party sounds good, just not on that day, you know."

Alicia smiled compassionately. She wondered how George had spent his last birthday, the first birthday after Fred's death. She didn't dare ask him. "Where do you want to go then?"

"I'll think of something. Now, before I forget; did you that there's going to be a Diagon Alley Quidditch club?"

The change of topic was very abrupt but Alicia just went with it. "A Quidditch club?"

"Yeah."

"Who told you about that?"

George grinned. "Remember Roger Davies? Most stupid Quidditch Captain Ravenclaw has ever had?"

Alicia laughed. "I really don't know what you have against Roger. But yes, I do remember him. Did you meet him?"

George nodded. "He came to the shop last week. Didn't buy anything; just came to tell me that he was one of the founders of a new Diagon Alley Quidditch club. The Diagon Hawks." He sniggered. "No idea who came up with that name. Anyway, wouldn't it be fun to play Quidditch again?"

"Did Roger ask you to join the club?"

"Yep. He also asked if WWW could do some sponsoring – I said yes."

"And you're planning to get back on the broom and be part of the team?"

"Well, yeah, why not? I mean, it's not like it's going to be professional Quidditch or anything. Just practising a couple of times a week after work. I guess, it would be fun, and I wouldn't mind getting back into Quidditch shape."

"You're not out of shape," said Alicia, feeling herself blush. "Anyway, I think it sounds like a really good idea. Do they need another Chaser?"

"I'll bet they do, if they can have you. You're, of course, the best damn Chaser I've ever seen."

Now, Alicia knew she was really going red. And she had no idea why. After all she had been with George quite a long time, counting all the times they had been together before and after the war. There was certainly no need to blush when he was complimenting her. But even after all that time, when he said something very nice when she wasn't expecting it, she still felt that tickling sensation in her stomach – just like she had felt it when they had first been going out.

"Where are they going to practise?"

"They're renting a place in Richmond Park three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Some other Quidditch clubs use it, too. It can't be seen by Muggles, of course."

"Must be expensive," said Alicia. "Who's financing the club?"

"Well, that's the best part about it all. You wouldn't believe who else is one of the founders of the new club."

"Who?"

"Guess."

Typically George, Alicia thought. But she didn't feel like guessing so she said, "Just tell me."

He rolled his eyes. "Sometimes you're no fun at all."

"George!"

"It's Draco Malfoy, for Godric's sake!"

"How was I supposed to guess that?" said Alicia loudly. People at the next table turned their heads at her and George. "Anyway," she said more quietly, "that is a surprise. Is it really the Draco Malfoy?"

"How many other Draco Malfoys do you know?"

When she was back at work later Alicia thought about the Quidditch club again. There was no denying that the idea of playing again appealed to her. It was only going to be a hobby, anyway. The only thing she didn't like about it was that she would have to put up with Draco Malfoy. But then she thought it was probably not so bad when George was with her.

Alicia left the office early that day deciding that she would come in a little earlier on Tuesday. She hadn't expected George to be back from his shop, yet, but he was. Alicia found him sitting cross-legged on her sofa with the shop's account book lying opened on his lap. He looked up when she came in. "You're early," he stated.

"So're you. Since when have you been taking work home?"

"More often than you think," he said, closing the book. "I can concentrate better when I'm here, much better than in the office or in my own flat."

"Wonder why you still have the flat," said Alicia. "You're practically here all the time, anyway."

"True. And I've been thinking about that, too. Maybe I'm going to rent it out to Percy. He's been living with Mum and Dad since after the battle, but considering he's twenty-three now, I guess he'd want to have a flat of his own again soon. I mean," he hesitated, "if you don't mind having me move in with you officially? I'll pay for it, of course."

Alicia did not mind. In fact the thought excited her. She told George how she felt. "Have you asked Percy, yet?" she added.

"No. Most of the time he still tries to avoid me."

"Oh."

"Don't worry about it. He's a git, anyway."

Alicia knew George well enough to know that he didn't care as little as he pretended about his older brother. But she also knew that there was no use in trying to talk to him about it. "Shall I make us some dinner?" she asked instead.

"Sounds good."

They were about to start eating when there was a voice from the fireplace. It was Katie, and Alicia remembered her saying on Friday that she wanted to come over. Alicia invited her friend in and fetched her a plate so she could join them for dinner. Katie lost no time in telling George all about that wizard in Wales and the potion he had managed to brew.

George, however, did react at all the way Alicia had expected him to. He looked sceptical. "I'm not so sure if I really want my ear back," he said slowly, avoiding both, Alicia's and Katie's eyes. "I sort of got used to the way it is now."

"But it could improve your hearing," said Katie.

"Oh, I can hear just fine, thanks very much," George snapped and Alicia nodded.

"It's true," she said. "His hearing in the other ear is very good."

"And it's not like I'm completely deaf in the other," George added.

"It was just a suggestion," said Katie. "I just wanted to tell you that there might be a possibility to have the ear grown back."

George turned to Alicia. "Do you want me to have it back?"

"George, that's completely up to you. I mean, it's your ear, after all."

"Yes, I just mean, would you find me more attractive with the ear?"

He looked so worried asking that Alicia got up and sat on his lap wrapping her arms around his neck. "I love you with or without the ear." She placed a gentle kiss on his hair that covered the scar where his left ear had once been.

Katie gave a small cough. "Well, when you've finished canoodling over there, you could tell me if you have heard about that new Quidditch club as well."

Alicia and George both grinned. News spread quickly among the wizarding community.

"Are you going to join as well?" they both asked at the same time.

"Definitely. I've been missing playing. Hope my shifts at Mungo's will allow me to come to practise more than once a week. Speaking about Mungo's, George, have you considered seeing that psychologist I've been telling you about? The one who's specialised to work with Lethe addicts?"

"No," said George. "And there's no need to ask me again because I won't consider it."

Katie rolled her eyes. "You're so stubborn. Well, tell me if you change your mind." She took a look at her watch. "Merlin's socks, I must get going." She smiled happily. "Lee's taking me out to dinner tonight before he leaves for France tomorrow morning."

"I thought you're supposed to go with him?" said Alicia.

"No, I can't leave until Thursday afternoon. I'm taking the Floo to Paris on Thursday evening." She beamed. "I'm all excited already!"

"I'll bet you are," said George with a wink. "Maybe we should go to Paris, too, one day, Licia. What d'you think?"

"Maybe on your birthday?"

"I'll tell you if it's worth it," Katie promised.

After she had left George and Alicia sat at the table for a long while; she was still on his lap, her head leaning on his shoulder. It had been an eventful day. Alicia was happy that the Aurors had managed to arrest the Lethe dealer but was also worried that George was going to have a hard time when he had to give his testimony in court.

She let out a deep sigh and felt George's arms tighten around her. It was all not as bad as it might seem, she thought. As long as they were together.

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A/N: :-)