Chapter Forty-Two
Skyfall
When Alexandria arrived in her office, Wilder was snoozing on his perch and Austere was coiled in his bed to the point that his wings were showing but his head was not.
"Aren't we both bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning? Bad hunting last night?" Alexandria asked them critically. "Wilder, did you ever manage to deliver that note to the Magician yesterday?"
"I don't think he was around yesterday," Wilder hooted sleepily. "But he was getting buns this morning."
"Oh! That's what the bag is," Alexandria said when she saw it on her desk, opening it to find a couple of buns and even a cup of coffee nestled at the bottom. She smiled with amusement at that, taking it out and catching a small note as it fell. "Apparently I'm invited to dinner at the Quibble Club tonight 'with information to trade'... I think that's his way of saying he wants me to pay for dinner," she added with exasperation. "And how could he possibly have a Quibble Club card? I know they're anything but as exclusive as they used to be, but they are pricey. I suppose he's just going to sneak his way in... I hope that one guy who tried to pick me up the last time I went isn't there! Hopefully, he's just as eager to avoid me than I am to avoid him."
"What guy?" Wilder asked curiously, while Austere simply curled up again since he couldn't care less.
"Just some guy I accused of being the Magician when he wasn't," Alexandria said with a grimace. "But I won't make that mistake again, because I'll know him no matter how he appears when he walks into the bar, I'll recognise him now... I think. Maybe. Surely I'd be able to tell now... I mean... well, I can always ask him what we had for dinner on New Year's Eve to double check. Nobody else would know that."
"Except us," Austere hissed.
"You two I can trust," Alexandria said. "Wilder, go send for the paper and some more coffee, it won't take me long to go through this one. Since it's been a few days, I'm hoping someone else did something controversial to get me out of the gossip column today."
"That's thinking like a serpent," Austere hissed. "Wishing ill on someone else for your benefit."
"I am not! I just don't want to be in it myself, that's all," Alex explained. Wilder flew back in.
"It's on its way," Wilder reported.
"That was fast," Austere observed.
"We're in the Ministry building!" Wilder reported cheerfully.
"Yes, we are. I need to reset the Portkey maze to a more complicated pattern with a few more rooms in between to throw people off," Alexandria explained. "It'll probably take me all afternoon, so I really need to get some work done."
"And you have a date tonight," Wilder hooted.
"Exactly," Alexandria said, then frowned. "Oh yeah, I have a date tonight. I guess after I go over morning reports, I should probably head to Hogsmeade for lunch. I need to talk to Corey anyway." She got settled, opting to finish the coffee and the morning buns before the it got cold.
Then she opened up the newspaper and went straight to the gossip column, relaxing when she saw that she wasn't in it for a change. Instead there were photos that concentrated on the Villin's last holiday party before the students left for Hogwarts, mentioning some of the wealthy wizards that had danced with Cadha that evening. According to the photo, her brother escorted the daughter of a Spanish dignitary... who looked just as unimpressed with his date as she was with hers.
Smirking softly at that, Alex flipped back through the paper, stopping to make sure that the letter to the editor was complaining about something having to do with the price of pumpkin juice. She nearly choked on her coffee, wishing she hadn't let her guard down a moment earlier.
To the Editor,
Recently, the Ministry has given a statement in your newspaper that it is making 'security adjustments' to ensure that unauthorized Metamorphmagi, such as the esteemed Dashing Doppler, can no longer breach the walls of the Ministry of Magic. While I commend the Ministry's efforts in attempting to stay one step ahead of the wizard whom they couldn't apprehend before his apparent stay of arrest, I am concerned about how much these new changes in security will be costing the tax payer, especially considering it involves adding blood testing devices. Since those can be very expensive and most ministerial offices will need to be safeguarded, I look forward to seeing some budget clarity on this issue at the next Wizard Council meeting.
Sincerely,
A Spokesperson for the Silent Majority
"Silent majority, my arse!" Alexandria exclaimed, mangling her paper ferociously.
Reluctantly, she straightened it again long enough to check the headlines, but when it had nothing to do with the Ministry budget, she mangled it a second time.
"What is wrong? Another letter about you and the Magician?" Wilder hooted with concern.
"No, he barely mentioned him, but it was definitely Bagman again. This time raising questions about the budget. And how in the hell did he find out about the testing devices when we haven't even implemented them outside of certain internal documents going from the LE Department to Draco's office? Could Peter have accidentally said something during his last visit? I'm surprised Grandfather isn't in here grilling me about it right now," Alex added. She opened up the box that she normally got LE post from to see a note inside. "There it is, he's asking to meet at lunch. I guess I'll have to go to Corey's now then," Alexandria decided with a sigh, scribbling a note back and closing the box before getting her cloak. "Hold down the fort for me, guys!" she said, stepping out into the mist.
"What does it mean? To hold down the fort?" Wilder wanted to know.
"It means it's nap time," Austere said, coiling back up.
"Oh! Oh, good," Wilder hooted, closing his eyes.
Corey looked over from where he stood filling some of the back shelves, walking over to his sister curiously.
"Good morning, Alexandria. Strange time of day to see you in here," Corey commented.
"Yeah, I have an emergency potion for you to make," Alexandria said, walking into the back. Shrugging at that, Corey handed the crate to one of his assistants before following her into the Potion Lab.
"Alright, so what's the emergency potion you need me to make?" Corey inquired.
"Half a dozen bottles of Oat's Bane," Alex replied. Corey sighed with exasperation.
"There's an entire shelf filled with them right behind the counter, Alex."
"Well, I like them fresh... just how long are those good for, anyway?" Alex asked distractedly.
"About six months," Corey said, tossing components into a small cauldron.
"What, is that it?" Alex asked blankly.
"Well, they could make it longer than that, but I for one wouldn't want to chance it," Corey admitted. "I take it you just didn't want everyone to know you were buying these, but you could have handed a paper to one of my assistants."
"Yeah, I guess I could have, but I don't need any more heat right now just in case anyone happens to be standing at the counter. I have enough trouble right now considering Bagman somehow found out we're upgrading the Ministry to be able to detect fakes using bloodline checks," Alexandria said.
"Oh, yeah. I heard about the letter in the paper this morning," Corey replied. "It's not like you could have kept that a secret for long."
"No, but I wanted it to stay quiet until we had it all in place and it was fully implemented," Alexandria said. "Now there are going to be complications and delays, and in the process, Bagman's going to be doing everything he can to work in some loopholes... not to mention that he's going to be sending members of the Inner Circle into the Ministry to steal as much information as possible while we're trying to get it working. It's going to be an utter nightmare! I'd like to get my hands on who's responsible for this leak. Do you think Peter might have said something accidentally?"
"Of course not, Alexandria," Corey told her with a sigh, checking the temperature. "Not when his own Ministry paperwork is going to be vulnerable since they share the same bloodline."
"Oh, Grandfather and I figured that one out already. We're going to tie his paperwork to his mother's family line instead. We can do the same for Garvan," Alexandria said.
"Good thinking, Alexandria, I should have thought of that myself," Corey said, stirring it carefully. "Well, if you need any help..."
"Oh, would you?" Alexandria said in such a wistful tone that Corey couldn't help but laugh, turning off the burner. "I could really use my Sword back, and Mum said she was alright with it."
"Fine, but if there is even a hint that my participation is going to put Ryan in any danger, I'm out again," Corey said firmly.
"I understand," Alexandria said, handing him a crate of sterilized bottles.
"You're not going to even give me that line that 'helping the Ministry of Mysteries is protecting my family' like you typically do?" Corey asked, accepting one of the bottles.
"Corey, I know this is probably not come as a total shock to you, but I'm not exactly good at balancing my work, family, and private life," Alexandria admitted. Corey gasped dramatically. "Stop that, Corey, I'm trying to be serious here."
"Sorry," Corey said, but smiled with amusement anyway as he began ladling the bottles.
"It's just that the idea is so new to me. I know in a way that sounds strange, but I went from being a full time Mum straight to being a weekend parent, so in a way, I really never learned how to juggle them at the same time like you've always had to do. I admire that, honestly," Alexandria admitted.
"Look, Alexandria, it isn't something that just comes natural, you know. We all have to muddle through and figure it out ourselves by just doing it," Corey told her. "Your job has taught you how to prioritize... you simply need to learn how to translate that into the other parts of your life as well. Just remember that they all deserve a turn sometimes... family, job, and taking care of yourself."
"Easy for you to say. You're not the Minister of Mysteries," Alexandria said. "And you have a lot of assistants here helping you do the work."
"So? It's not like you don't have an army of Agents looking into things for you," Corey said.
"And they're all in their cells with only partial knowledge of the situation based on what they're doing. I'm the only one who knows all of it," Alexandria protested.
"Huh. Sounds like it's time you get an assistant or two," Corey suggested.
"Now you sound like the Magician. He said the same thing," Alexandria said.
"Then he has a point. All of the other Ministers have one or two assistants, typically a personal assistant and a primary secretary, including Draco, Grandfather, and quite a few Ministers under you."
"Austere is my secretary," Alexandria said.
"Right. And how is that working for you?" Corey asked dubiously.
"Well, he doesn't do everything, obviously, he just helps me keep track of the files and remembers which boxes are in which slot after I scramble them for security," Alexandria explained. "Besides, I'm privy to very sensitive information. What if I choose someone and end up not being as loyal as I think they are?"
"You behave like you don't trust anyone, but I know better," Corey said, testing the temperature before reaching for the caps. "For one thing, you trust every Agent you have or they wouldn't be your Agents at all."
"True, but that isn't the same thing, since they're all in their protected cells and I only deal with them directly when I need their specific talents for a mission. Otherwise ,they report to their cell leaders, as you well know," Alexandria said.
"Speaking of which, do you want me to tell Doc I'm back, or do you want to tell her?" Corey asked.
"Your choice," Alex decided.
"I'll do it then," Corey said then held out two of the potion bottles. "Here you go, Sis, they're on me."
"Thanks, Corey," Alex said, sticking them inside her cloak while Corey put the rest in a bag.
"Have fun, and think about what I said about getting some more help in there," he said.
"I'll think about it," Alexandria promised. "I'll be in touch."
"With a file the size of the Gideon Bible for me to read, no doubt," Corey said knowingly.
"Welcome back, Sword," Alexandria said with a smile.
"Take care, Minister. And Sis... enjoy your evening," he added.
"Oh! Uh... thanks," Alexandria said sheepishly, heading back to the Ministry.
When Alexandria met Thomas for lunch, he was only interested in work.
"I don't know how Bagman found out, but it definitely wasn't from Peter. I had words with him right after I saw the paper. While his father did bring up politics when they first got there on Christmas, Ludo quickly shut up the moment his wife got there and didn't mention it again for the rest of the evening," Thomas informed her. "Maybe Aldus Deacon heard about it... it's not like he wouldn't hear about it eventually, you know, that office will need to be kitted up as well."
"Yes, but already? The only people authorized to even know the plan right now is Draco, you, and Red and Blue from the RD department. We agreed to get all of the major offices done before the news broke so that he wouldn't have time to send someone in here on a last minute grab and stash," Alex said.
"You're talking to me like I don't know all of that already," Thomas told her flatly. "We need to go to code Dragon until the security breach is fixed."
"What! But that will cause a political nightmare, not to mention stretch resources. Not only that, but Bagman is sure to see it as a provocation on our part. He might retaliate," Alexandria said.
"Might?" Thomas repeated dubiously. "Of course, we could leave the Ministry at our normal security level and let his men start raiding offices. You think it'll be a political nightmare raising the security now, just think of the nightmare that would take place if we had to report that more Ministry offices were broken into. You can bet that he'd go for any sensitive paperwork that would cause a public uproar. We lose either way, so we may as well make sure he doesn't get anything out of it more than political turmoil... assuming, of course, that someone didn't sneak in here while we were waiting for the newspaper. Technically, he's a day ahead of us."
"We're going to need to do a document inventory on top of everything else," Alexandria moaned.
"I'd have recommended it anyway," Thomas said, standing up. "Grab a sandwich off the table, Alex. Let's head to Draco's office."
"Won't this be a fun afternoon," Alexandria said dryly, chomping fiercely on a pumpkin butter sandwich before following Thomas out the door.
Both visitors and civil servants in other departments watched in confusion as the LE Department scrambled to put up guard stations at inconvenient locations, manned by Enforcers and Agents. Tonks dashed out of the Auror department as Harry sent for more Aurors, and a lot of unauthorized people found themselves hustled towards reception to either leave or have their passes upgraded to prove they had business there. Ron Weasley was one of the least surprised about being shooed out and didn't even try for a new pass, knowing it'd be a waste of time.
"Just what on earth is all of the fuss about?" Kris Atchinson wanted to know, getting into the reception queue for a new pass since he had a magical item to register.
"Perhaps the Minister of Mystery's new boyfriend went for another tour," Damon Platt suggested, checking his watch to see if he had the time to wait.
Alexandria knew how much grumbling and questions there would be, doing what she could to avoid everyone in the corridors before returning to the office. She stepped over to her Familiar Tree and glanced at her familiars, post owls, and Agent Flyers.
"I'm going to need you all to head out of her for the day, because I have to move this office to Dragon Security position."
"Another breach? How tedious," Austere hissed.
"Thank you, Austere, that'll do. Either head home or plan to stay here tonight, but make up your mind now," Alexandria said firmly.
"Is everything alright? Was anyone hurt?" Wilder wanted to know.
"No, it isn't that sort of emergency. Are you going or staying?" she asked. Wilder flew out the window, as did all of the other owls and flyers. "What about you, Austere?"
"I think I'll stay, especially if you're going to have a man over again," Austere decided. "It'll be much quieter here."
"Yes, thank you! If you're going to be this surly, then I'm very glad you're staying," Alexandria said, closing the windows before finally moving her office.
With that done, she was more than ready to call it a day, and half tempted just to go as she was, Ministry robes and all. Reluctantly went back to her flat and got ready before finally heading to the Quibble Social Club, sitting at the bar.
"Good evening, Minister. The usual?" the barman asked.
"Um... actually, let's start with a Southern Broom and I'll figure it out from there. And you, sir?"
"Vodka martini, shaken not stirred," said the man sitting next to her. Alexandria sighed with exasperation and looked over at him.
"Why do you look like Roger Moore?" Alexandria asked flatly.
"I thought it'd be nice to give him the opportunity to say it himself for a change," the Magician explained. Alexandria rolled her eyes. "Can you buy me a drink?"
"It sounds like I already am. Put it on my account, Larry," Alexandria said. "How about you change back to normal?" The Magician melted so quickly into his regular self that it was almost seamless.
"I take it that means that you approve of my current appearance?" the Magician asked with a flirtatious smile.
"I think you know the answer to that already. Don't you have an ounce of modesty?" Alexandria asked him with exasperation.
"I don't believe so. Is it expensive to acquire?" he asked.
"In your case, quite likely," Alexandria said.
"It probably isn't worth it, then," he decided, accepting his drink from the barman after Alexandria had gotten hers.
"Come on, let's head to my private room," Alexandria told him.
"I am very much in favor of that," the Magician said.
"To have dinner," Alexandria told him sternly.
"I'm very much in favor of that as well," the Magician agreed.
"I really don't know if you're doing that on purpose or not. Follow me," Alexandria said.
"I would follow you anywhere," he said, and she pointed a finger at his nose.
"That one was on purpose," she declared.
"Indeed it was," he agreed with amusement.
She decided to turn around instead of reply, leading him out into a corridor and into a Doorlift where, strangely enough, they found themselves in a regular lift.
Alexandria used a key and put in a code, getting the door to slide open on the opposite side before stepping into a sitting room. The Magician looked around curiously after the lift shut, leaving only a wooden door.
"Does that lead somewhere else now?" he asked.
"Corridor that connects to a discreet exit," she explained, pushing a button. A delivery box opened and she took out a piece of paper, making some hashmarks on it before putting it inside again and closing it. "There, I ordered us a variety plate to share so we can both get what we like."
"That sounds ideal," he agreed.
"While we're waiting, I want to talk about... well, where to go from here," Alexandria said.
"Did you want to go back to your place after we're done?" the Magician asked with interest.
"Not like that! I mean, about where our relationship is going to go from here," Alexandria explained.
"Ah, I see! Actually... well, no, I don't understand at all. What do you mean?" he asked. Alexandria stared at him a moment. He simply stared back intently, waiting for her to say something else.
"Are we together or aren't we?" Alexandria asked.
"We seem to be," he confirmed.
"No, I mean are we a couple?" she asked.
"Obviously," he agreed.
"No, not obviously! We need to talk about this and figure this out," Alexandria told him.
"We do?" he repeated, then frowned. "Does that mean you weren't happy with me the other night?"
"No! I mean Yes! I mean... this isn't about that!" Alexandria snapped. "I meant that a relationship with me has a lot of moving parts to consider."
"Yes I know-"
"Don't even go there!" she interrupted, and he pursed his lips. "Really, Magician, I'm trying to be serious. My oldest son Janus is not going to be okay with this. And while the rest of the family will accept it, I'm not sure you understand the obligations that come from being associated with my family. Dark Wizards see us as one of their greatest threats which makes us constant targets, and to be perfectly honest, I'm not all that sure that I want to put anyone in that sort of danger again."
"There's no reason to worry. I care take care of myself, and I can take care of you," the Magician promised.
"I don't want you to take care of me, I just want you to understand that things aren't as simple as you make things out to be. Even if we put my family obligations aside, I'm sure you realized that I have a very demanding job that takes a lot of my attention," Alexandria said.
"Better than most. You really ought to get an assistant," he suggested.
"On top of that, I have to deal with spies and assassins on a daily basis, and in case you haven't been reading the newspapers, Ludo Bagman has already been commenting on the fact that we've been going out together," Alexandria explained.
"It's alright, Alexandria. I already took care of the problem," the Magician assured her.
Alex opened her mouth as if she was ready to resume her speech, but his calm certainty caught her off guard.
"What?" she asked.
"Mr. Bagman promised that he wouldn't bring up our relationship in the newspapers again," the Magician explained. "So you don't have to worry about that any longer."
"Back up. What did you do? How is it that you talked to Bagman?" Alexandria demanded.
"I knew that you were probably going to be upset about what he said in the newspapers, and since he had already been attempting to get in touch with me through his lackeys, I decided to seek him out to get him to make some concessions," he explained.
"Who gave you authorization to do that?" she flailed.
"Nobody. I went on my own for a man to man discussion," he replied calmly.
"Are you crazy?" she exclaimed loudly. "You're the one who leaked the fact we're going to use family and blood checks, aren't you? Do you have any idea just how much trouble you've caused me?"
"There is no need for this amount of distress. You are very much overreacting," the Magician informed her.
"I AM NOT OVERREACTING!" Alex shouted. "That information was top secret. Do you know what top secret means? It means you don't leak it to Public Enemy Number One!"
"In no way did I give him any details, Alexandria. I only gave him just enough information that he would be willing to share what his own business was in the area, and to make sure that he stopped commenting on our relationship. And if you calm down long enough that we can have a reasonable conversation, I will happily tell you what I learned," the Magician replied.
"You shouldn't have been talking to him at all! You are not an Agent!" Alexandria snapped.
"I know that perfectly well. I didn't go as an Agent, as I just got done telling you already," he said firmly. "I was only trying to help."
"And in the process, you made things even worse than they were before, all because you wanted to play James Bond!"
"I did it for you," he replied evenly.
"I didn't ask you to, not would I have ever asked you to do something so reckless! If I'd known you were going to take that knowledge straight to Bagman, I never would have given you that temporary cease fire in the first place. No wonder I kept getting the feeling that I couldn't trust you," she added, angry with herself. "I've made a complete fool out of myself just because I was attracted to you, and now I have an absolute nightmare to clean up because of it. Get out! I never want to see you again, and if I do, I'll send Enforcers after you!"
"Very well, but not until I've said my peace," the Magician said stiffly. "I understand that you're upset, but I am my own person with my own way of doing things. I will do whatever is necessary to protect you whether you appreciate it or not."
"You have no rights over me, and I can protect myself! What sort of ego do you have that makes you think for a moment that I even need your protection?" Alexandria asked.
"Look who's talking about ego, Alex. I'm sorry, but you have one of the biggest egos I know, believing that your position gives you the right to be queen of the world. Everyone needs help sometimes..."
"Not when it's unsolicited."
"Considering we're a couple, it is hardly unsolicited..."
"Not anymore we're not!" Alex told him firmly and opened the door, gesturing towards the exit. "You can find someone else to buy your meals from now on!"
The Magician frowned unsurely, setting down his drink and stepping over to the door. With one last searching gaze, he stepped out, and she slammed the door behind him. Alex took a moment to down her drink before returning to the office to deal with the damage he had caused.
