The Luckiest Man on Earth

The Luckiest Man on Earth

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and no trademark infringement is intended or implied - not to say that I would not like to but please do not sue.

Author’s Note: Alec MacIntyre is an original character of mine. To me, he looks and sounds like Jack Davenport who plays Steve on Coupling -with that deep cultured voice. Shivers.

Chapter 2: Hogsmeade

The Great Hall: Saturday Morning

Angelina gave Adrian a covert wink from the Gryffindor table as she listened with half an ear to the conversation.

“My mother just sent me a huge package with pictures of dresses and robes,” said Katie to Alicia and Angelina. “She says its imperative that I chose a dress as soon as possible. She’s going around the bend. She is absolutely mad. She says that she’s giving me a week to decide!”

“Why so soon,” asked another Gryffindor girl. “It’s not like you are getting married this summer.”

“She likes to be prepared,” said Katie weakly as she threw a pleading glance at Angie.

“Did you hear what I have heard,” said Angie. “ Alec MacIntyre had a wild party in his room last night. I overheard the Slytherin girls talking about it. It seems a few of them crashed it because they weren’t invited.”

“Let me guess,” said Alicia somewhat caustically. “Certain Hufflepuff girls were invited and maybe some nclanclaws.”

“Please,” said another Gryffindor. “Honestly, those Puffs can be so thick sometimes. As if one of those prats would actually go to Hogsmeade with one of them.”

“MacIntyre went out with Eleanora Cauldwell for ages,” protested Angie.

“But they broke up after his engagement,” said Fred Weasley. “Ever since, he’s been worse than that slag Adrian Pucey. I heard Alec and Terry Higgs took one of those Hufflepuff slags for a spin together last night, if you know what I mean.”

Alicia looked down at her plate and concentrated on her bacon.

“Whatever,” said Katie with a laugh. “Terry came back to the dungeons lnighnight. He may have been horribly drunk but he was alone.”

“And how would you know,” asked George with a smirk. “Been tucking Flinty in?”

“Do you really want me to tell you what ‘Flinty’ was doing last night?” asked Katie with a raised eyebrow.

“No,” said Fred GeorGeorge with a wince.

“What about Warrington and Sarah Douglas-Scott?” said Angelina in triumph.

“Please,” dismissed Fred. “Those two are head over heels. They are probably picking out the patterns for their wedding china as we speak.”

“But that proves that not all Slytherins are sluts who just shag girls from other houses for fun,” said Angie with a challenging look at Fred.

“Yes,” protested Fred. “But between Pucey, Higgs, Derrick, and Bole; they have shagged about every girl at Hogwarts.”

“Plus,” said George. “I’d wager a few blokes, those pervy bastards.”

“Quit exaggerating,’ said Alicia. “There is no way that lot is pervy as to shag girls under fourth year.”

“Granted,” said Fred grudgingly.

Katie took a look at Angie’s flushed face and Ally’s pale one and deftly turned the subject to upcoming Word Cup qualifier coming up between England and Ireland.

The conversation ended when Marcus swaggered over to the Gryffindor table. He and the Weasleys exchanged glares and then Oliver and he exchanged cold looks. Pleasantries taken care of, he whisked Katie away from the table.

The Slytherin Dungeons:

Katie had been mistaken when she told Alicia that Terry had come home horribly drunk. He had just stumbled in to get some more liquor. In his drunkenness, he closed his bed curtains while rummaging under the bed for his emergency be ofe of firewhiskey. When Terry woke up the next morning, he was lying in Alec’s roomy four poster bed.

“Merlin,” thought Terry as he tried to open his eyes. A fierce stab of pain attacked his eyeballs. He closed them then rolled over. He froze. He just rolled over onto a body. He groped around and ascertained that it was a female body. A femalet wat was still asleep despite his wandering hands. He attempted to open an eye. After that attempt was successful, he tried the other one. His eyes were now open though shielded from the light, so he tried to sit up. He jumped when he heard a heartfelt groan from the other side of the bed. He turned his pounding head.

“Bloody hell,” croaked a very naked Alec. “Terry, do have any idea who this witch is?”

“What witch,” asked Terry as he held his head in his hands.

“The one lying between us naked as the day she was born,” said Alec as he reached over the side of the bed and looked for clothes.

Terry reached out and lifted her hair so he could see her face. He started to laugh.

“Who is it?” asked Alec.

“Mariah MacDuff,” said Terry as he held his face in his hands. “I went to nursery schoolh heh her. She’s practically my sister. In fact, I think she’s my great aunt on my mother’s side.”

“Maybe we didn’t do anything but pass out,” said Alec as he leaned in and lifted her hair as well.

“I can remember flashes,” said Terry with a groan.

“Now that I see her face, so do I,” said Alec.

“There was another girl,” said Terry as he gave Alec a horrified look.

Alec opened his bed curtains and gave the room a quick once over.

“Do you remember who it was?” asked Alec. “She’s gone.”

“She had dark hair,” said Terry. “I think it was Daria Greengrass.”

“Both Slytherin witches,” said Alec with a laugh. “That must be a first for the record books.”

“I really should stop sleeping with random people,” said Terry with a frown as he lay back down on the bAlecAlec reached over Mariah and patted his shoulder sympathetically.

“Remember what you told me,” said Alec as he shrugged on his robe. “It doesn’t count if you’re drunk.”

“Did we at least have fun,” asked Terry wistfully with a shake of his head.

“My body says we did,” said Alec as he stretched contentedly and went in search of hangover potion.

As they were drinking the hangover potion and Alec was making a half-hearted attempt to locate Terry’s clothes, Mariah woke up with start. She shrieked when she saw Terry in bed with her and Alec beside her. She shrieked again when she realized that she was nude.

“Oh no,” said Mariah as she regarded both Slytherins with a look of horror. “We didn’t.”

“I am afraid so,” said Alec solemnly. “Seeing as I am engaged already, we’ve decided that the only thing to do is to have you marry Higgs here. Family honor and all that.”

Mariah’s eyes widened. She looked at a solemn Terry in horror.

Then the two Slytherins cracked up. Mariah threw pillows at them as she shrieked, “Slytherin bastards - that was not funny.” Then she began to laugh.

“Alec,” said Mariah after the laughter died away. “Can I have some hangover potion and do you perhaps know where my clothes are?”

“I have to go,” said Terry as Alec searched for her clothes. “I’m supposed to meet Marcus in Hogsmeade sometimes today.”

“And you also have to get fitted for robes sometimes today,” said Alec. “Or else my mother will actually send me that Howler she’s always threatening to. Honestly, I really don’t care about this stupid wedding coming up.”

“It is your wedding mate,” said Terry as he threw his clothes on. He said his good-byes and went to change.

“So Mariah,” said Alec with a slight smile hovering on his lips. “Do you want to take a shower?”

Mariah watched in silence as Alec shrugged off his robe and sauntered to the lavatory. “Are you coming?” asked Alec from the doorway.

Mariah nodded wordlessly.

Later as the water is beating down on their intertwined bodies and Alec is buried deep inside her, Mariah whispered, “I have always had this crush on you since first year.”

Alec pulled one of her legs up to wrap around his waist as he rocked against her pliant body. “I know,” whispered Alec. “I always thought I would have the time to one day ask you for a date.”

Mariah ran a hand down his muscled back. “It was just not meant to be,” said Mariah wistfully. “I’ll take what I can now.”

“I’m sorry,” said Alec askisskissed her shoulder apologetically. “It’s all I can give.”

Mariah just kissed him.

Hogsmeade:

Katie gave a nervous intake of breath as they approached the Three Broomsticks. She stopped abruptly in the middle of the street.

“Why don’t I go in first,” said Katie nervously.

“We’ll do it together,” said Marcus as he clenched her cold hand.

“I’m really nervous,” said Katie fretfully.

“It can’t be worse than telling your parents that you were pregnant,” whispered Marcus in her ear.

“True,” said Katie thoughtfully. “But Rhys is my brother. I know him. He has a terrible temper. It’s about as bad as yours.”

“I do not have a bad temper,” protested Marcus with a frown.

Katie only rolled her eyes.

“You are such a disrespectful witch,” said Marcus as they went into the pub. “I’ll have to discipline you later.”

“Only if you are good,” said Katie with a smile. She leaned in to whisper in his ear, “If you are a really good wizard, I’ll do that thing with my tongue that you like.”

“Vixen,” hissed Marcus.

The couple approached a table where Marcus could see two tall men sitting drinking butterbeer. Marcus lifted his chin as he and Katie’s brothers exchanged stiff greetings. Each man leaned in to kiss Katie and it made Marcus unexpectedly jealous. He tried to remind himself that they were her brothers but he still did not like to see other men touch his witch with their lips. They sat down at the table. Katie reached out and put her hand over Marcus’s soothingly. She gave him an amused look. She knew that he was jealous.

“Katie love,” said Owen lightly. “We didn’t think you would be joining us. We wanted to meet our new brother-in-law in private.”

Katie cast a privacy spell on the table and gave her brothers asurasured look. They seemed surprised by her look. She had nicked it from Marcus. It seemed to work.

“Now is the time to say the things I know you are dying to say,” said Katie firmly. “But first, I would like to p out out a few things. I know the fact that I am sixteen and pregnant does not make either of you happy. In fact, it was quite the surprise to me as well.”

“Haven’t either of you heard of birth control potions,” said Rhys seriously. He gave Marcus a glare.

“Yes,” said Marcus. “But it was an acci. Th. There is no use flogging a dead subject. The baby is here to stay.”

“And you are doing the honorable thing and marrying Katie,” said Owen curiously. “I have to ask, why? Your family is quite wealthy. I am sure your father would have paid well to make the problem go away, so to speak.”

“I love Katie,” said Marcus as his spine stiffened. “And our child is not a problem to be solved. Look, I was planning on marrying Katie next summer anyway.”

Rhys simmered in the background. Katie tried to catch his eye. But his attention was focused on Marcus.

“That is a very reasonable answer,” said Owen as he gave Rhys an inscrutable look. “You know, marriage is hard work. Do you think your relationship is up to the strain?”

“It will not be a hardship to be married to Katie,” said Marcus as he smiled at her. Owen nodded and turned to Rhys.

Rhys gave Marcus a penetrating glare. “How long have you and Katie been having sex? Did you seduce her?” asked Rhys quite calmly.

Katie gasped in outrage and her face flushed with embarrassment. Marcus shifted in his chair. He opened his mouth to answer. He still wasn’t quite sure what he was going to say.

“For your information,” said Katie furiously. “We have been shagging since October. I was definitely not a virgin. And we had consensual sex from the first time in the Slytherin broom shed to this morning before we came to Hogsmeade. I am not a child, Rhys.”

“Yes, but you are going to have one, aren’t you,” hissed Rhys right back at Katie.

“You’re one to talk,” hissed Katie back er ber brother. “I’m surprised you haven’t got a girl pregnant yet, the way you sleep around.”

“I, at least,” said Rhys haughtily. “Know how to cast a contraceptive charm, you daft girl.”

Marcus leaned back and stayed out of Katie’s way. Both Owen and Marcus listened to Rhys and Katie fight. He gave Owen a look. Owen looked at him quizzically. Marcus mouthed ‘hormones’. Owen gave an understanding nod. Marcus felt sorry for Rhys at this point but he still inwardly winced when she had announced their morning shag to her brothers.

“Is this what this whole deal is all about? You wanted to come and punch the man I love because you think he seduced your poor defenseless little sister?” asked Katie furiously.

“What did he promise you love and flowers and all that sentime cra crap so he could bed you?” shouted Rhys. “Did you fall for that shite, Katie? I expected more of you.”

Owen reinforced the silencing spell.

“Oh please,” said Katie angrily. “Our relationship did not start like a trashy romance novel. We meet outside the Slytherin shed one night, exchanged insults, had a couple of drinks then had a truly marvelous fuck. It was not hearts and flowers.”

“Merlin Katie,” groaned Marcus weakly. His cheeks went red.

“But I grew to love him,” said Katie insistently. “And he grew to love me. We didn’t take one look at each other one day and fall passionately in love. It happened gradually after we had gotten to know each other. It may have been lust at first but it’s love now. He knows me, everything about me - all my previous lovers. He knows that I am impulsive, fiery, and judgmental and I say things I shouldn’t but he loves me anyway. Don’t you see?”

“Yes,” said Rhys with a slow smile. “I do. Okay then Marcus, welcome to the family.”

“What?” sputtered Katie.

“I wanted to get you angry so you’d tell me the unvarnished truth, Katie, ” said Rhys. “Not the drivel and glossed over shite that mom and dad have been saying. I wanted to know whether or not you truly loved this man. And that this marriage is what you want.”

“Oh,” said Katie in surprise as she leaned back in her chair.

“Marcus,” said Rhys with a conciliatory smile. “I’ll just pretendidndidn’t hear what she had said about your sex life, if that’s all right with you?”

“Trust me,” said Marcus dryly. “I was considering using an ‘obliviate’.”

“On us?” asked Owen with a snort. He was an auror.

“On myself,” said Marcus ruefully. Everyone at the table laughed and the tension faded.

The four of them relaxed and ordered lunch. Marcus rubbed Katie’s wrist soothingly as he felt her pulse even out. He was going to have to talk to her about her temper, for once, after lunch was over. She had to learn to keep her blood pressure down.

Outside Zonko’s:

Terrence moved around a crowd in front of the joke shop on his way to The Hogs Head Inn to meet Derrick and Bole for lunch. He wondered vaguely why he hadn’t seen hide or hair of Adrian today.

He ran smack into Alicia Spinnet as he turned the corner. He steadied her a touch uncomfortably. She made him nervous. It was because he couldn’t dismiss her as a shag. Alicia Spinnet had touched his closely guarded heart.

“Terry,” said Alicia breathlessly.

“Ally,” said Terry as he stared into her eyes.

“Alicia,” said George Weasley coolly. “We should go.” He picked up Alicia’s suddenly nerveless hand and made his way around a stunned Terrence Higgs.

A shocked Terry turned to watch Alicia and George Weasley walk away hand in hand.