Chapter 36

Aleksandra walked through the main entrance of her home, her feet were sore from standing for long hours talking about the latest medical advancements in magic while sharing brandy with fellow peers. It was a delightful way to spend the evening and she did enjoy the attention. She slipped off her evening gloves and placed them on the side table in the hallway as she knew her house elves would pick up after her.

She moved into the study to have a final nightcap before going to bed for the night. She was halfway to bar when the desk lamp flickered on. The desk lamp made a soft glow in the room and it was then she drew her wand and turned on her feet to face her attacker but when she did she stopped. Will most of the room remained dark it illuminate the desk and Maura.

"Maura" Aleksandra said in surprise as Maura sat in one of the two guest chairs opposite the desk. "What are you doing here?" she asked in a polite manner as she tucked her wand back into her sleeve and turned to the bar to pour herself a drink.

"I'm here to discuss the dreadful event of Alicia's kidnapping. I was hoping that you might be able to help me, help your grandson" Maura said.

"Why would I help search for that unfortunate slip of a girl?" Aleksandra asked in a snide manner.

"Because she is to be a part of our Family" Maura said. Aleksandra made a derisive noise and shook her head.

"Not my family" Aleksandra told her and never would be if Aleksandra had her way.

"So are Cassius and I to be disowned?" Maura asked idly. Aleksandra shot an exasperated look as she didn't appreciate Maura's dramatic statement. She always disliked Maura but then her bloodlines were impeccible despite her behavioural issues.

"Please, as far as I understand it there is no hope of the chit surviving. Perhaps we should count our blessings" Aleksandra said.

"It has only been a short amount of time. How can you be certain she is lost?" Maura asked.

"I'm only hoping" "Oh don't be like that, you know my views on Miss Spinnet. She is not the female I would choose for Cassius. Her blood is impure and her genetics are mongrel their offspring would have been inferior. Just because she has had the cursed removed and gotten with child means that child will be defective at best" Aleksandra said.

"How did you know Alicia is pregnant?" Maura asked sitting up a little straighter in her seat as she knew that Alicia's pregnancy was not common knowledge.

"I could tell from the photo in the Daily Prophet this morning" Aleksandra said dismissively.

"She is barely showing and I know I didn't tell you" Maura said narrowing her eyes at Aleksandra.

"Fine, I knew from other sources whom I shall not reveal" Aleksandra said in an uppity manner. Maura looked disappointed in her.

"Oh Aleksandra tell me you didn't play a part in her disappearance" Maura said sitting back in her chair realising that Cillian was right in his assumptions. She could only imagine how Cillian was going to react but the man had remained silent in the shadows.

"No, of course not but I was approached by Mr Knott about her and I declined his offer" Aleksandra half lied., Maura pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head.

"When?" Maura asked her in an exhausted tone. She didn't want Cillian to be right but he was and she could feel the anger rolling off of him in the shadows.

"I don't recall and how is any of this important?" Aleksandra asked.

"All of it is important and to frank with you Aleksandra, I think you played a hand in Alicia's disappearance and if I am correct then I suggest you remove yourself to Russia indefinitely and forget you know my son and Alicia" Maura told her, Aleksandra looked outraged at being told what to do.

"Please-" Aleksandra started but Maura cut her off.

"No, Alicia comes from the O'Loughlin Clan. Do you think when her Grandfather finds out about this that you will be safe? The Irish tend to destroy bloodlines for something like this" Maura told her. Aleksandra raised an eyebrow as she had hear of the name but it was a common name and while there were many a wizard with dark connections who bore the name she never made the connection to the girl.

"And if you think she's lying let me assure you. I'd take great pleasure in making sure the future of my granddaughter and her offspring is secure from you" Cillian said stepping out of the shadows. Aleksandra paled slightly as she hadn't counted on a stranger in her home.

"Who are you? How did you get in here?" Aleksandra demanded of the man, she slowly pulled her wand from the folds of her robe sleeve readying to defend herself.

"I brought him here. He is soon to be family" Maura told Aleksandra.

"Aye, my name is Cillian O'Loughlin and I appreciate your daughter in law's warning but-"

"No, I will defend myself" Aleksandra said as she rose her wand at him, he gave a light chuckle and looked at her as if she were a small child, weak and defenseless.

"You could try but I would retire you before you could say your spells. So I suggest you cease and desist in your efforts against my granddaughter. Leave this country tomorrow and never return otherwise I'll make good on Maura's warning. Do we have an agreement?" Cillian asked in a chilling tone.

"You think you can scare me?" Aleksandra asked him, she had faced many wizards all as chilling as Cillian but she would not be scared by him.

"Oh aye and you can write letters and call in as many favours as you like with the underworld but they will not reply or do your tender. I made sure to send a clear message that to cross me is to ask for a slow agonising death. So do we have an accord?" he asked her, Aleksandra locked eyes with him and sizing him wondering if he was a man true to his word. He didn't waver in his stance or demeanour and but it shook Aleksandra as she was usually the one who made other people quake in their shoes. He was supposed to back down but he held his stance. He was so confidant he didn't even hold a wand in his hand. If he were from the darker cesspools of the O'Loughlin Clan then she knew he was indeed powerful more powerful than she. The queston was if it was worth testing.

She gave an indignant sniff and lowered her wand, deciding it was safer to not test him for her own sake. "Years of hardwork wasted.. I daresay your son's offspring will be magicless and mongrel but if that is how you wish it then so be it but I will not bear witness to it" Aleksandra said.

"Mmm indeed which is why I think it's best this scandal not be aired as it would besmirch your reputation and the reputation of the Warrington name. You may not survive it and that would indeed be quite sad" Maura said accepting Aleksandra's surrender. "Cillian, could you please escort me home?" Maura asked looking to Cillian.

"Of course" Cillian said he held out his arm to Maura and she took it gladly. They walked out of the house and Maura smiled because for the first time in over 30 years she was now completely free of Aleksandra and sure she would be damned for it but it felt good.

The next morning,

Warrington came downstairs to get Alicia some breakfast and tea. He had planned to visit his Grandmother later in the morning after he knew Alicia would not be alone. He filled the kettle with water and placed it on the stove when Cillian and Maura came through the fireplace. He looked at them wondering what the two were getting up to. They looked happy but it was different from their usual mirth.

"Where have you two been?" he asked suspicious of what the two were upto.

"Your Grandma's" Cillian said as he dusted himself off. Warrington looked surprised as they looked happy it was not how one felt after a meeting with Aleksandra. It reminded him that he had to send a note to talk to her and remind her of her place. He was the head of the family and he would not have his Grandmother trying to kill his bride and unborn child.

"Aleksandra's, your Grandmother sends her best wishes for your marriage and offspring but has decided to return to Russia indefinitely" Maura informed Warrington as she walked into the kitchen and picked up the kettle to fill it up with water to make some tea. Warrington looked at her incredulously as he realised Cillian had usurped him again in his affairs regarding Alicia.

"Will anyone allow to sort out my affairs on my own?" Warrington asked, he knew it was petulant but he felt like a child having his parents do everythig for him when he wanted to do them himself. Cillian and Maura exchanged looks and smiled.

"Awwh ain't that precious? the boy wanted to play hero" Cillian said mockingly. Maura smiled and moved to Warrington and cupped his cheek in a patronising manner.

"Darling, you are my hero" Maura said before she kissed him on the cheek.

"Don't patronise me Mother" Warrington said making a face as he knew how petulant he sounded.

"Ok then I will be frank with you boy. I think it would be naïve to think that Alicia is safe. It will take a few days for the message to be spread that Alicia and her future offspring are to be left in piece. Your Grandma has been put in her place and trust me, she won't be coming around Alicia or her child again" Cillian said.

"Our future children, our child" Warrington corrected Cillian "You make it sound like I will not be around" he added disliking how Cillian talked as if Warrington was going to get bored and leave Alicia and their child to the wilds.

"Well a man can hope" Cillian said in good humour as he sat down at the dining table.

"Cillian, you have to learn that our families are linked forever and my son isn't one to flout his responsibilities" Maura said as she started pottering around the kitchen to make breakfast.

"Aye I know but excuse me for having a little fun" Cillian said in a mocking manner.

"Right" Warrington said dryly.

"Now have you and Alicia had breakfast yet?" Maura asked Warrington changing the topic.

"No, not yet. I was just about to make some" Warrington said. Cillian looked at Warrington with disbelief and Warrington was about snap that he knew how to make breakfast and he wasn't completely silver spooned as Cillian like to be believe when Maura cut in before him.

"Then you will bring her down we'll have a family breakfast, we have plans to discuss" Maura ordered him.

"Yes, Mother" Warrington said leaving the kitchen to retrieve Alicia.

"He has no sense of humour" Cillian said once Warrington was gone.

"He does too, it's just buried under the concern he holds for-"

"His vanity" Cillian supplied, Maura shot him a chastising look.

"and Alicia, now get up and help me make some breakfast and tea. We need discuss the wedding plans today" Maura told him, Cillian looked like she had just told him he was being sentenced to death and she made a derisive noise. But he rose from the chair and moved into the kitchen to help her none the less.

"You know, we could discuss the political climate in Britain as it sounds just as exciting" Cillian said in a droll tone, it earned him a smack in the arm from Maura who shook her head disapprovingly.

Alicia looked out the window at the front yard of the house. Memories of a small boy running around the yard with toy airplane above his head played in her mind. Even after removing many of Clara's old memories some still came to the surface. Some were so painfully sweet and incredibly private, she really had to learn to forget them as they weren't hers.

"Alicia"

"Hmm?"

"What are you looking at?" Warrington asked as he snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. She had been looking out the window with a look like she was remembering something bittersweet.

"Nothing in particular" Alicia said turning in his arms.

"You sure, you look like you're thinking about something rather sad." he said carefully, she smiled.

"Not even close" she told him.

"Good, I was going to bring breakfast up to you but Mother would like to make a family meal of it." He told her.

"Is that your way of inviting me downstairs?" Alicia asked him.

"Yes, and be forewarned I think my mother is rather excited about our rushed nuptials."

"Please you're just as excited at the prospect of marrying me" Alicia told him. She really couldn't believe he was happy to get tied to her, especially when he could have any woman he wanted. Sometimes it just made her spin at how fast everything had changed.

"Well, you Miss Spinnet are quite a catch and I need to shackle myself to you before you change your mind. Unless you are having second thoughts?" he asked her.

"No, of course not" she said but even she could hear the doubt in her voice.

"Your confidence is-"

"Forgive me for being unstable in everything but less than 5 months ago I was slurping potions like lolly water and knut pinching to save my life. Now I'm-"

"Much improved and rather shell shocked from all the radical changes?" he offered.

"Yes" she said exasperated as she felt he was mocking her slightly.

"And now I'm planning to alter them permanently" He said.

"Yes, so excuse me for having some last minute jitters here" she said a little breathlessly.

"I'm not concerned, it's only natural" he told her in a frank manner.

"Your arrogance is breathtaking" She scoffed.

"I would have thought it would be reassuring" he said with a playful frown.

"Let's go downstairs" She said as she knew she wasn't going to get a serious conversations out of him. She slipped out of his arms and moved to the dresser and pulled out a long sleeve jersey dress and black tights.

"Whoa hold on" he said as followed her and then he grabbed her arm and turned her face him.

"What?" she asked.

"Are we ok? If you don't want to get married then say so" he said.

"No, I want to get married. I'm just nervous at how fast everything is moving" she said as she pulled off the pj shirt she had slept in. Warrington looked down at her frame taking in the subtle changes of her body. The soft curves and shook his head as he became distracted. He looked at her with a serious expression.

"You trust me?" he asked her.

"With my life" she replied and it was true, he had earned it.

"Then please go downstairs with me and save me from my mother" he said, she made a strangled noise in her throat as she had thought he was going to say something profound. He chuckled as she punched his chest.

"What?" he asked.

"Nevermind" she told him as she quickly changed.

"Alicia, how are you feeling?" Maura asked in a cheerful manner when Alicia came into the living area. Alicia looked at the table and saw it was laden with enough food to feed 8 people. Her grandfather sat at the table with a cup of tea in hand smiling at her.

"Better thank you" Alicia said to Maura, the aroma of the pancakes, fresh fruit and bacon was incredibly delicious.

"Good, come here" Cillian said as held out his arms. Alicia walked over into his embrace, he hugged her tightly and she smiled enjoying the comfort and safety it brought her.

"You here to save me from Maura?" Cillian asked her in a low voice as he released her just enough to look at her face.

"I heard that" Maura said as she sat down at the table, Warrington sat down next to her opposite Alicia.

"Of course what is she torturing you with now?" Alicia asked in a teasing manner.

"Wedding plans" Cillian said rolling his eyes in disgust.

"Really?" Alicia asked in mock surprise as she moved to her sit beside him.

"Yes, now you're here I might make some progress. Your Grandfather is solidifying my belief that men are fundamentally useless" Maura said with a sigh as she poured out tea and then started to fill her plate with food.

"Unless you want babies and good tumble in the grass" Cillian said teasingly as he made his own plate of food and started to eat.

"Grandfather" Alicia said as put a pancake and some bacon on her plate, Maura pretended to look scandalized by his comment.

"What? It's true" Cillian said defensively. Warrington smiled but kept quiet as he ate his own breakfast.

"So my dear, I know we will be having an Irish Ceremony today at Twilight." Maura said.

"Today" Alicia said even though she already knew it was happening today it still felt incredibly quick.

"Aye, sooner the better. Safer for you and my grandkid. I've spoken with O'Callaghan about what is required, he demands to officiate the ceremony and will give you your wand as a wedding gift." Cillian said to her before he ate a bite of his breakfast.

"My wedding is being held hostage by a crazy old goat who lives in the woods" Alicia said feeling a little lightheaded by it all. She doused the pancakes and bacon in maple syrup.

"Aye" Cillian said while he continued to eat.

"Anyway, he's says you two could've picked a better time of year to be wedded. So all we have to do is organise the food and wardrobe. Also how many guests we shall have" Maura said before she took a sip of her tea.

"Isn't-" Alicia started, she had wanted to ask if it was too dangerous for her to be out in the open. But Cillian seemed to already have the answer.

"We will hold the Ceremony out at the cliffs, then the reception back at the pub. No one will know where you two retire to. You will be safe" He assured her.

"I'd like to be married in Mum's wedding robes" Alicia said to him. Cillian smiled softly at her.

"I was hoping you would say that, I have it all set out in your old room at the pub" he told her.

"Do you think they will fit?" Alicia asked, she had seen photos of her parent's wedding but the images were so vague in her memory.

"Of course they will, you're spitting image of her and your grandma. The robes fit them, they'll fit you. Now if you all will excuse me I have a business to attend to." Cillian said as he stood up from the table. He kissed Alicia on the forehead in farewell.

"Of course, we'll see you later" Maura said to him.

"Marcus Flint, for what curse has befallen me that I have you darkening my doorstep" Clara asked, it was late afternoon and she was already in her cups and keeping up the appearances of Auror who hated being suspended. It wasn't a hard act for her but she did despise her peace being disturbed especially by Marcus Flint and Lee Jordan. Solicitors and Aurors were like chalk and cheese.

"If you call this a doorstep" Marcus said as he looked at the cottage where Clara resided. It was a run down cottage and the door step was just a broken peice of stone on the ground. Clara could have fixed the place up, she had the money but then that would mean she wanted to entertain and welcome people to her home. Something she definitely didn't want to encourage. All she wanted was a quiet place with that kept her warm in winter and cool in the summer and a roof that didn't leak.

"Well being an Auror doesn't pay well" Clara said as she leaned heavily on the door frame. She was good and drunk. She planned to spend the rest of freedom in a perpetual drunken state until the Aurors dragged her off to central processing to await her trial.

"Bullshit, you choose to live in squalor. You remember Lee Jordan" Marcus said gesturing to Lee who stood beside. Clara gave a nod to the man, they had a mutually beneficial friendship of sorts.

"Of course, now what are you doing here?" Clara said looking back to Marcus.

"I'm your legal counsel" He told her. Clara gave a chuckle like he told her a joke.

"I didn't hire you" Clara told him, she wished she had brought her glass of firewhisky with her to the door as she was starting to get thirsty.

"Lord Warrington did, only so we can keep you out of Azkaban" Marcus told her.

"Delightful" Clara replied in a dry tone.

"I told him not to waste his Galleons as you'd thrive in such an environment" Marcus said, Clara's lips quirked into a smile.

"That's true, I would thrive. So then why are you wasting your time here?" she asked him.

"Because he pays the bills and so I do as he asks"

"So when he says 'Jump'?" Clara asked mockingly. Marcus smiled smugly not looking the slightest bit annoyed at her unveiled insult.

"I ask how high. I know which way my bread is buttered. So what I need to know everything about you that the government will try and use against you" Marcus told her, Clara shook her head at him.

"Forget it, the government will bury me in court and then toss me in Azkaban. Kingsley allowed me to exist in a grey area from the start of my employment" Clara told him.

"A grey area?" Marcus asked as it sounded like a muggle term to him. Clara looked to Lee who knew exactly what she was talking about.

"You tell him, I can't be bothered." She told Lee. "Now if that is all, I'm going to enjoy a 300 year old bottle of fire whisky and my freedom until the Aurors come for me" Clara said she didn't bother to wait for an answer. She moved to the close the door but Marcus shot a hand out to stop the door. Clara raised an eyebrow at him wondering for a moment if he were brave or exceedingly stupid.

"Fine make it difficult for me but do me a kindness and take my calling card. Let me know when they take you, I like a hopeless case, keeps me on my toes and it's already paid for" he said as he held the card to her. She reluctantly took the card and Marcus stepped back allowing her to close the door.

"Well that went well" Lee remarked to Marcus in a sarcastic manner.

"Explain this Grey area business" Marcus said as they walked away from the cottage towards the nearest pub.

"Means she blurred the lines, did something that could be misconstrued as illegal. You're the Solicitor with the fancy law degree, reckon you can get her off?" Lee asked.

"Depends on how messy she has been. You tied up in her business?" Marcus asked, he was wondering if he was going to have to defend his own business partner in court. The man shrugged.

"I listen to people, I don't get involved unless I have to" Lee said cryptically.

"Right, well let's go to the pub. I don't want to be late in getting to Ireland" Marcus said, Lee looked at him confused.

"I thought you were banished from Ireland after-" Lee started but Marcus shot him a look of censure.

"Hey, no repeating of the story and apparently I'm getting a 12 hour reprieve to be on Irish soil. Also would it hurt for you to wear a tie?" Marcus asked.

"Yes." Lee told him with a smug smile.

Clara closed the door and tossed the card on the table by the door. She moved to the well worn wing chair in the living room and sunk into it. She held her hand out and the tumbler of whisky floated up from the floor into her hand. She lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip savouring the burn of the alcohol as it slid down her throat.

Cillian had sent her a note saying that she was no longer needed. With no work on to do she was left idle, something she did not enjoy. It gave her too much time to reminisce. The amazing part she found was even one removed a memory out of their mind parts still remained and majority of the time the brain could piece those parts together to make an interpretation of said removed memory. Sometimes it was vague like a dream and other times it was like she had never removed the memory to begin with.

Alicia's last words haunted her. "You should see him" words that verbalised one of Clara's strongest desires. She gave a sardonic laugh at how innocent and romantic Alicia was. It was amazing she even had the ability to be naive after everything she had been through. Something Clara wished she could be but she lost the capability a long time ago.