Chapter 35
"Mother, I've left Alicia upstairs. She would like to go to Cillian's, would it be a bother if you helped her pack and journeyed with her?" Warrington asked as he met his mother at the bottom of the stairs that led up to the bedrooms.
"Not a bother at all, tell me is everything alright with her?" Maura asked him in an innocent manner.
"Of course" Warrington said. Maura raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips an expression wore when she knew he was hiding something.
"Oh so this strange scorch mark I have on my dress-" Maura started to say as she turned to show a burn on the back of her dress on the shoulder. Warrington frowned as he saw the mark and cut her off quickly.
"Is rather interesting. If you've taken up smoking tobacco again which I should remind you is a muggle behaviour and frowned upon in both magical and muggle society" Warrington remarked casually as he saw there were a couple more small scorchmarks on his mothers cream dress but he wasn't going to point them out.
"Please it was fashionable to smoke, even sexy back then" Maura said slapping his arm playfully. "Now tell me what is going on" Maura said, Warrington smiled for a moment before becoming serious.
"Alicia… how do I put this delicately? She is oversensitive and when Bell's reaction was pure shock with no hint of Joy. Alicia didn't take it so well. I'm not sure if she is traumatized or if it's her current state" Warrington said, Maura looked at him with understanding.
"I apologise, I sent the letter informing Alicia's friends that she was safe and sound. I did not intend for it to be an invitation for them to come here. If I had known. I would have expressed them not to come over" Maura said disapprovingly. Warrington gave a closed lip smile and touched her shoulder.
"It's quite alright mother, if anything it solidifies my belief that Alicia should be taken to Ireland. It seems her magic fractious and rather dangerous here" Warrington said as he noted a several scorch marks on the carpet and the walls. He had thought her magic was confined to the study but apparently he was wrong. He made a mental note to be careful not to upset Alicia.
"Well, I shall go upstairs and get her packed up. Would you be so kind to send word to Cillian for me?" Maura asked him as she moved towards the stair case.
"of course and out of curiosity were there any other fires in the house?" Warrington asked, Maura smiled at him.
"Not that I am aware of but I'm sure Hetti put them out in time" she told him.
"Great" Warrington said dryly, Maura chuckled and proceeded up the stairs to Alicia.
Meanwhile,
"I was suspended because of our Association among other reasons. I think my days as an Auror are numbered" Clara said she toed a loose pebble in the foot path. They stood on an old country foot path just outside a small Irish wizarding population on the border of Northern Ireland.
"Well, you have to admit that you only took the job for one purpose which you've already met. Why you stayed this long is beyond me" Cillian said as he kept his eyes peeled for trouble. He highly doubted that would be any but old habits were hard to kick.
"Because I despise being idle." Clara told him. He nodded in understanding, Clara was barely 24 hours into her suspension and he could see she was restless and he could smell the alcohol on her. A moment of silence passed between them before he spoke.
"So, the case" Cillian prompted referring to the message he had sent her asking if she had made any leeway with Alicia's case. Clara ran a hand over her face and nodded.
"I perused Alicia's memories of before storing them away. There are many familiar faces. Luckily half of them are dead, the other inhabit a high tier of society. We can't exactly go at them head on and for most part they appear to have moved on with their lives" Clara told him.
"How do you know?" Cillian asked.
"Because they are on a watch list" Clara said, the Ministry kept a watch list of people who had sided with Voldermort; those that they didn't have enough evidence to convict and those who were known supporters just in case they decided to go back to their old ways.
"The same one Theodore Knott was on?" Cillian asked disdain dripping from his tone. A smile curled at the corner of Clara's lips. She could give him a million excuses but the truth was that while they had a list they didn't have the resources to monitor every individual.
"Yes but he was a lower echelon of society. The others are frequently in the papers. They would not jeopardize their images to slack their less than savoury desires with Miss Spinnet. Anyway I think we need to look closer to home for who is responsible. Illegal Portkeys and your friend do not come cheap" Clara said as she folded her arms across her chest. She hated speculating on a case that had little to no physical evidence to back up her suppositions.
"Who are you thinking?" Cillian asked. He knew she wouldn't have mentioned it unless she had a good idea of who it might be.
"Well, I think that it's rather odd that after four years of not garnering attention that right now after she's with Warrington that she's suddenly a target" Clara said looking at him.
"Aye but then he's in everything but a bath" Cillian said, Clara chuckled.
"Yes, well I think perhaps his Grandmother is playing a hand in this" Clara told Cillian, the old man raised an eyebrow at her.
"How so?" Cillian asked.
"It's common knowledge that Warrington family breeds like one would breed crups for a competition. Only the best bloodlines are mixed with the Warrington's."Clara said.
"And his Grandmother chooses the blood lines that get mixed into theirs" Cillian said drawing the conclusions for himself.
"Yes and no offence to Alicia and yourself but your bloodlines aren't exactly stellar" Clara told him.
"We breed well" Cillian said with mocking smile, even Clara couldn't resist smiling at the comment.
"That is beside the point, I think she is the benefactor and I wouldn't be surprised if she tried again" Clara said.
"Well then I guess we know what we have to do" Cillian said, it was Clara's turn to raise an eyebrow at him.
"You can't make her disappear, she's a figurehead for the medical community and her absence will be noticed" Clara told him, she knew how Cillian operated and hell she was no better. Cillian lived by the old credo that if you have an enemy you go on the offence and take them down before they can get you. Any relatives or friends who felt slighted by the death would be warned not to pursue revenge otherwise they would meet the same end.
"I was thinking a nice chat" Cillian told her in an innocent manner and Clara made a derisive noise.
"You don't do nice chats" Clara said dryly.
"I do too" he said defensively.
"The last 'nice' chat you had with someone included breaking three fingers and a mild concussion" Clara said reminding him.
"Not my fault he was clumsy and before I forget what you doing the next couple of days?" Cillian asked her.
"Oh you know not much since I'm suspended and under investigation. Why?" Clara asked.
"Alicia is marrying the boy. I want you there" Cillian told her.
"I thought it was customary for the bride and groom to choose their guests" Clara said.
"Oh aye didn't I mention Alicia will want you there?" Cillian asked with a smile.
"No" she said flatly. She preferred to stay out of people's lives, she didn't like to have attachments to anyone especially those she had possessed via the Teneo curse.
"Well she will" Cillian told her, she grimaced as she knew he trying to pull her back into his world or what he liked to call 'the land of the living'.
"You know how I feel about interfering with past host-" She started but Cillian cut her off.
"It's not interfering. It's becoming involved in life again, you were at that fancy party last night" Cillian said in an uppity manner, Clara narrowed her eyes at him as she knew he was refering to her going as Charlie Weasley's plus one and she only went with him because his date had backed out and he didn't want to show up stag.
"That was a favour to an old friend" Clara told him, she felt like she was doing a lot of favours for her friends of late.
"It's about time you started living again" Cillian told her.
"I am living my life the way I choose and you know I prefer not to be around people I shared consciousness with until they forget my memories and vice versa. I will help you neutralise any threat against Alicia and her child but I will not socialise with them. It's nothing against her personally-"
"Alright" Cillian said holding his hands up in mock surrender.
"If you want to have a 'nice' chat with Warrington's Grandmother I suggest you go with Warrington" Clara told him.
"I will and I think I'll enjoy it but for now I have to go. Alicia is coming home today" Cillian said with a smile.
"Send her my congratulations on their wedded bliss and all that" Clara said.
"I will and take care of yourself" he said before apparated away.
Cillian made it back to the house in Ireland just in time to catch Alicia as she stumbled out of the fireplace. He smiled as he loved having his granddaughter home on Irish soil even if the circumstances weren't ideal. He had 4 years of being lapse his duty of protecting her to make up.
"Hey chicken legs" Cillian said as he righted Alicia so she was standing up. She looked so incredibly pale and fragile, he felt her muscles quiver under his arms.
"Hi" she said with a wan smile.
"You going to throw your crumpets?" he asked as she looked like she was going be sick.
"I'm hoping not" Alicia said as her head swooned and nausea rolled over her. Cillian kept a steady hold on her so she wouldn't fall.
"Why don't I take you upstairs for a lie down?" Cillian offered but Alicia shook her head.
"Can I just stay here on the lounge?"Alicia asked, she just wanted to lie down and the lounge was the closest and most comfortable spot.
"Of course" he said, he helped her to the lounge and carefully laid her down before pulling the blanket up to her neck. "Here we go, all tucked up like a bug in a rug" he told her. Alicia smiled and shook her head.
"You're making me feel like I'm five" Alicia grumbled as she pulled an arm out and put it on top of the blanket.
"I miss those days" he told her. She smiled as she missed them too. It seemed like it was a hell of lot easier to be a kid.
"Well you'll be able to relive them with your great grandchild" Alicia told him, her smile grew wide as she loved the idea of her grandfather holding her child and telling her or him wild stories. Cillian smiled and touched the side of her face as a loving gesture.
"I look forward to it. Now, you need anything else you just holler ok?" he told her.
"Yeah, I will" she said.
"Rest easy" he told her, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and rose from the lounge leaving her to rest.
"We're back and this time with a warrant" Gillings said whe Warrington opened the door. Warrington plucked the folded piece of parchment Gillings had shoved in his face.
"May I?" Flint asked, Warrington handed the parchement to Flint who broke the seal and opened it up. He perused the document for a few moments while Warrington looked at the five men standing behind Gillings as well as Harry Potter ready to execute a search of his property. He was glad that Gillings had taken so long to get his warrant as it had given hetti enough time to clean up any remanents of illegal magic and for Alicia and his mother to leave for Ireland.
"Well, well Gillings did Mr Potter do your work for you?" Flint asked, he looked up with a mocking smile.
"No" Gillings said in annoyed manner. Flint looked to Warrington.
"Step aside Warrington, they have a right to search the premises" Flint said. Warrington stepped out of the way and watched as the Aurors came into the townhouse and spread out. Warrington frowned as one of the Aurors nearly knocked an expensive vase off it's pedestal in the hallway.
"If anything is damaged, I'll send the repair bill to the ministry" Warrington said as a warning. He looked to Gillings and Potter who were apparently going to stay with him and Flint.
"Also this is an order of the Wizengammot for Alicia Spinnet to appear in the Aurors office" Gillings said as he pulled out another piece of paper; handing it to Flint.
"An order? On what grounds?" Flint asked in a professional manner though Warrington could tell the man was annoyed. He unfolded the parchment and looked it over.
"Theodore Knott was found dead in his home this morning." Gillings said.
"Yes, my associate informed of that unfortunate news" Flint said dryly, Warrington kept his expression impassive as he knew Flint was lying through his teeth but he was incredibly believable. An Auror came to the front of the house and stopped at Gillings.
"Sir, there is no sign of Miss Spinnet or Cillian O'Loughlin" He informed Gillings.
"Where is Miss Spinnet?" Gillings asked Warrington.
"I thinkg she went home but then who knows. She may be my fiance but I'm hardly her keeper" Warrington said.
"Then call her here" Gillings told him, Warrington's lips curled into a cold smile.
"And do your job for you? I think not Mr Gillings" Warrington told him.
"Lord Warrington to refuse the orde-" Gillings started but Flint cut him off.
"Gentlemen, let us remain calm. Gillings, you have an order for Miss Spinnet to appear before the Wizengammotin the next 30 days. So why don't you focus on your business involving Lord Warrington" Flint said to them he looked to Warrington "I will address the Wizengamot and have this order rescinded." Flint looked to Gillings "I can't wait to read the court transcripts on how you managed to nab this one boys" Flint said with an amused smile.
"We travelled too soon" Maura said in a low voice as she stood in the Kitchen area with Cillian. Alicia was sound asleep on the lounge. Cillian was waiting until Alicia was in a deep sleep before he moved her upstairs to her bedroom so she could sleep without being disturbed.
"She'll be fine" Cillian said before he took a sip of his tea. "Tell me, how does your Mother in Law feel about this union between my Granddaughter and your son again?" he asked, Maura frowned at the question.
"She was not impressed but I don't believe she would go as far to help Theo abscond her. If that is what you're thinking" Maura said.
"Why not? She has the motive and means" Cillian said, Maura for a moment wondered if she should be defending her mother in law.
"Aleksandra would never risk the scandal" she said feeling for a moment to just play devil's advocate but then it wasn't hard to imagine Aleksandra trying to remove Alicia out of the picture.
"Would you like to know for certain?" Cillian asked.
"You want to go speak with my Mother in law?" she asked.
"Aye" Cillian said, he was taking Clara's advice; he was taking a Warrington with him and he needed Maura to come with him as it'd get him easy access into Aleksandra's house. Maura looked him for a moment before she nodded.
"Ok, but we won't leave until my son is here to watch over Alicia. I feel it is best if we do not leave her alone in the house" Maura said.
"I agree, the Teneo curse can be quite devastating on the mind" Cillian said as he knew first hand what it was like to suffer the aftereffects. It was why he had wanted Clara to come to Ireland. He didn't want her to be alone.
"Please tell me I am able to leave" Warrington said to Flint and Lee who had just walked into his study. The two men had been at the Ministry while Warrington had stayed at home vainly trying to work but finding it futile as all he wanted to do was go to Ireland and be with Alicia.
"Yes, you are. It appears that when Auror Gillings dropped the bread crumbs about Theo's death were just to throw us off course." Flint said.
"Why?" Warrington asked.
"Auror Velasquez in under investigation of Corruption, colluding with undesirables, to be honest the Internal Affairs office are trying to make a name for themselves again. It also helps that they have firm evidence of an association between Auror Velasquez and Mr O'Loughlin." Flint said as he took a seat in one of the two guest chairs while Lee took the other. Warrington couldn't help but still feel surprised that Lee Jordan worked with Flint.
"One photo" Warrington said taking his seat and looking to Flint wondering why the Aurors were trying to tie everything up on Clara and Alicia.
"No, they have a photo and a witness placing them in each other's company and it seems they have found a few more in the Azkaban system willing to testify for a shorter sentence" Flint said.
"When did a criminal's testimony become credible source of information?" Warrington asked.
"Well, the first witness is Harry Potter." Lee said.
"I'm amazed they aren't knotting the noose as we speak" Flint said in a mocking manner, Lee rolled his eyes not rising to the bait to defend Harry Potter as he knew better.
"It also appears the search of your property was to find more evidence to indict Velasquez sounds like they've been sniffing around her heels for a while. It's not looking good" Lee said casually like they were talking about the weather.
"I'll cover her legal expenses, keep her out of Azkaban" Warrington told them.
"Of course, though I do believe she would be one of the few people who would thrive in that environment" Flint remarked.
"I'll take your word for it. Now back to Alicia's situation" Warrington said as he didn't know Clara to agree with his statement.
"Right, it's been closed. Apparently Theo left a letter about how he planned and kidnapped Alicia but soon realised his mistake and knew he could not survive in Azkaban and thus ended his life. He contacted a street kid to pass word to Cillian to retrieve his Granddaughter. Since they feel the culprit has confessed and died there is no need for any further investigation" Lee said.
"Sounds like it was a rather convenient and informative letter" Warrington mused.
"Indeed, though I can't say I'm sad that he is gone." Flint said sarcastically.
"You had a dislike for Knott?" Lee asked Flint in a dry manner.
"I was indifferent to the man. The only redeeming quality I can the man carried was that he could play Quidditch really well" Flint said with a shrug to Lee.
"Right, well if I am no longer required. I think I will join my fiance" Warrington said.
"By all means. I'll keep you posted on Velasquez's case" Flint said.
"Until then" Warrington said, he gestured to the door and the men rose from their chairs to leave. Warrington saw them out and after they left he gave instructions to Hetti to keep the house in order in his absence before he packed a duffel bag and went to Ireland.
After he stepped through the fireplace of their house in Ireland he exchanged a few quick words his mother and Cillian left as Maura needed to go to her home in wales and pick up some clothes and Cillian had his bar to tend with. Warrington didn't mind them leaving as it gave him time to spend with Alicia alone. He made up a plate of banana bread, fruit and biscuits with a pot of tea before upstairs to his and Alicia's bedroom. He opened the door and went inside. Alicia laid on the bed fast asleep. He placed the tray of food and drinks on the coffee table in the room before he moved to her side and sat down on the edge of the bed. He gently brushed a hand down the side of her face. He felt a deep satisfaction as she softly smiled and opened her eyes, she looked up at him.
"Time to wake up" he told her.
"Tired" She murmured, she pressed her face into his hand.
"I know but you need to eat something" he told her in a gentle manner.
"I'll eat later" Alicia murmured as she closed her eyes.
"No, you'll eat now. You must be starving" he said as if on cue her stomach rumble protesting against her unwillingness to eat. Warrington gave a smile and she narrowed her eyes at him.
"Shut up" she told him. he leaned down and kissed her neck.
"My son doesn't appreciate you starving him" he whispered in her ear not heeding her last comment at all.
"Your son could be a girl" Alicia told him as she turned her head so their faces were millimeters from one another. She lifted her head and gave him a soft yet teasing kiss.
"Nonsense, all firstborns in the Warrington clan have been boys. Thus tradition dictates that you will bear me a healthy son" Warrington said before he kissed her back.
"Well guess what I'm breaking with tradition." she told him a smug smile curving her lips, he chuckled.
"Please do" he told her.
TBC- Thank you for the reviews and cya all soon :-)