The Luckiest Man on Earth

The Luckiest Man on Earth 37



DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended



Chapter 37: The Storm II



The Headmaster’s Office:



“I think the man is hiding something,” said Aurelius Flint icily. “Karakoff was always a strange man. I met him at one of my cousin Lucius’ dinner parties. Slippery fellow. Did not like the looks of him.”



“I remember hearing something dodgy about him at the Ministry,” said Rowan Bell as he and Aurelius exchanged significant looks.



“As headmaster of Durmstrang,” said Albus mildly. “I am sure that Karakoff is hiding something. But it is not up to me to speculate on the matter. Suffice it to say, he believes that Miss Bletchley is still on the premises. He assures me that it would be impossible for her to be off the grounds. But I must say that not checking to see if Miss Bletchley is in her dorm room at the present time is rather….suspicious.”



“I would say,” said Aurelius as he drummed his fingers impatiently on the arm of his chair.



“Are the people you have looking for Bletchley reliable?” asked Rowan as his forehead wrinkled in worry.



“Very,” drawled Aurelius as he gave the headmaster an inscrutable look.



“Ex-aurors?” asked Dumbledore with a raised eyebrow.



“The best,” said Aurelius crisply. “This morning, I had inkling that Bletchley may have had something to do with the article. They are due to give me a report in the next hour. There is something that concerns me, though. I’ve been thinking on it for awhile now.”



“What is it?” asked Rowan.



“Why hasn’t Persephone Stebbins been in contact with anyone including her family for nearly a month,” asked Aurelius seriously. “I know the muggles have troubles with communication in remote areas like Tibet but we haven’t had trouble since the Burning Times.”



Dumbledore’s eyes lost their twinkle.



Hogsmeade:



“You know,” said Terry with a slight smirk. “We could get expelled for this escapade.”



“I’ve weighed the odds,” said Alec seriously. He missed the amused look in Terry’s bright blue eyes. “It’s near the near of the term and the end of our years at Hogwarts. They’ve always turned a blind eye to occasional excursions into the village in the past. And Dumbledore is not the old codger he likes to portray. I bet half of the dowry I am going to get that he knows perfectly well where we are right now.”



Adrian gave Terry an amused look. Gods, Alec was such a Slytherin. He never did anything without weighing his options and reasoning them out.



“Besides,” said Adrian dryly. “You’re Snape’s golden boy. He’ll never let anything happen to you. Even McGonagall has a soft spot for you.”



“That’s because I never played Quidditch,” said Alec as they rounded a lane on the edge of Hogsmeade. “I have never shoved one of her precious little players off a broom and neither have I been caught fucking them either. She knows about the regular assaults you lot make on her Gryffindor girls’ virtue. Between you two, Derrick, Flint and Bole, there isn’t a virgin at Hogwarts above the age of sixteen.”



“Is that the reason why they only let third years have the unicorn lesson in Creatures?” asked Terry cheekily.



“I am sure there is one or two virgins stashed away somewhere,” protested Adrian with a smirk. “There are a few Slytherin girls who are for sure. They aren’t stupid enough to trade away that commodity. What about that brunette with the pretty eyes in sixth year? I forget her name but I can’t forget her arse.”



“Nope,” said Terry with a grin. “I had her.”



Alec smiled and said, “Fantastic arse. She’s engaged to a French wizard three times her age. I had her too.”



“She turned me down,” said an outraged Adrian.



“Will wonders ever cease?” mocked Terry.



“Bugger off, Ter,” grumbled Adrian. “Where are we going anyway?”



“To see an old friend of my father,” said Alec as he turned to walk up the front garden of a pretty little cottage.



“Why?” asked Terry.



“Hogsmeade is a small town,” explained Alec. “Everyone knows everyone’s business here. Strangers will stick out like a sore thumb. She’ll know better than us where and how to start looking for Billy.”



“She?” asked Adrian with surprise.



“Her name is Mandrake Gordon,” said Alec as he stood outside the door and raised his hand to knock. “She’s been my father’s mistress for twenty years.”



“Oh,” said Terry lightly as he looked at Adrian and raised an expressive eyebrow.



A half hour later, Ter was sipping at his cup of tea and examining the elegant parlor as Alec and Mandrake, as she insisted they call her, had their heads together. The dark haired woman paused to ask if either boy was hungry. Both Adrian and Terry demurred.



Much later, after Mandrake and Alec sent a few owls whizzing off to parts unknown, she turned her attention to the young men in her parlor. She commented about knowing Terry’s French relations and they chatted about them for a few moments. Then she turned her attention to Adrian.



“I still cannot get over how much you look like your father, Adrian,” said Mandrake as she looked at his face with surprise. “He was four years ahead of me at Hogwarts. Such a handsome man. You look like your elder brother as well. How is Tristan?”



“Thick as always,” said Adrian cheerfully. “Mother likes that though. She runs the company for Tristan. He’s angling after some heiress on the continent right now. He told me he has no intention of working for a living so he better find himself a rich witch.”



“He’s not that thick,” said Terry dryly.



“Oh yes he is,” said Adrian. “But as mother says he has a pretty face and some of the family cunning so he should be successful.”



“My,” teased Terry. “That description sounds familiar.”



“Take that back, Higgs,” said Adrian as his eyes flared. “I was more devious and cunning when I was three than Tristan will ever be. Good thing Trist hates to get his clothes dirty or else he could have ended up in Hufflepuff.”



“Well,” said Mandrake with sparkling black eyes. “Tristan Pucey is quite the stunning man. I have heard that Celeste DelaMere’s daughter is absolutely frantic to have him.”



“Good,” said Adrian as his eyes narrowed. “I’ll owl mother and remind her about marriage contracts and not to let Tristan near them. It would be like him to insist that he’s in love so he doesn’t need a contract. Stupid git.”



“Speaking of marriage contracts,” said Mandrake as her eyes swiveled to Alec.



“I’ve sent you an invitation,” said Alec quietly. “I see that you will not be attending my wedding to Svetlana.”



“Now Alec,” said Mandrake warmly. “I would never be so disrespectful to your mother. It was enough that you asked. Ah, there is the owl I was expecting from a friend at the Hogsmeade Inn. From what you told me of this girl, she would be staying at the Inn. It is the most luxurious of the inns in the village. Good, he included all the strangers staying at the Inn. He says that there are only a few young ladies that are presently checked in. Keep in mind Alec; one never knows if she has accomplices.”



“What are we going to do with her when we find her?” asked Terry.



“Give her to Marcus, of course,” said Alec briskly.



“Is that wise?” asked Adrian. “He might do something mad.”



“Maybe,” said Alec. “But Billy has gone too far this time. She needs to be punished for what she’s done to Katie and Marcus.”



“And to Mariah?” asked Adrian with speculative eyes.



“Yes,” said Alec as his grey eyes went dark and stormy.



Alec, Adrian and Terry made their stealthy way towards the Hogsmeade Inn after bidding Mandrake farewell. Mandrake had arranged for them to be let in the back way. The boys discretely searched the Inn but to no avail. In an inspired moment, Adrian convinced a pretty maid that he and his mates were the new room service waiters. It was coming on to noon and if Billy was hiding in a room, they would find her. Luckily, the two old decrepit waiters on duty were happy to let the young men help without too many questions. The sack full of galleons that Alec slipped them helped.



At half two, Adrian was beginning to think that they were mistaken and maybe Billy was hiding out somewhere else in the village. He smiled as a disgruntled Terry loaded up another tea tray and gave Adrian a glare. Adrian knew that Terry loathed doing what he called elf work. He looked around for Alec and gave a frown. Alec was leaning against a table and chatting up one of the maids. He frowned even more when Alec gestured him over towards him.



“Ade,” said Alec with a sly smile. “This lovely lass here was telling me a story about two young ladies that arrived yesterday on one of the suites on the top floor of the hotel.”



“Two?” asked Terry as he sidled over wiping his hands on a towel.



“Yes,” said the girl as she smiled at Terry flirtatiously. “Two little madams, I tell you. Never did a day’s honest work in their lives I would wager. They spent all night ordering room service and complaining about their pillows and then the heat. They drove the night shift around the bend they did.”



“Really,” said Terry as he stepped closer to the girl who blushed. “Darling, what do they look like?”



“I shouldn’t be telling tales,” said the maid as she bit her lip.



“I won’t tell,” coaxed Terry as he ran a finger down her arm and gave her a knowing smile. She gave a wicked little grin and leaned in closer to him.



Alec rolled his eyes at Adrian. Adrian watched Terry work and shook his head. Terry grinned to himself. He could see them out of the corner of his eye.



“You know,” said the girl lowly. “The one girl is foreign but at least bearable. The other one was a nightmare. I never got a real good look. I work the day shift. I expect you lot will find out straight away. They’ve just called down for breakfast. It is the middle of the afternoon.”



“Sounds familiar,” said Alec dryly.



“So,” asked Terry lowly to the girl as Alec and Adrian drifted off. “When exactly do you get off?”



“Come on Ter,” said Adrian. He watched Terry kiss the maid’s hand in farewell and gave a quiet snicker. Honestly, people called him a flirt.



“We have a final room service to make,” said Alec grimly.



The Entrance Hall: Hogwarts:



“I wonder if we can see Katie later on today,” fretted Alicia as she and Angelina made their way to their next class.



“I know she’s alright,” said Angie pensively. “Flint would be tearing down the castle if she wasn’t.” She walked for a few moments with a worried expression on her expressive face. She gave the passing students apprehensive looks as they passed. Every time someone passed Angie and Alicia, they giggled. Angie could feel the tenuous grip she had on her temper begin to slip.



“Angie?” whispered Ally as she stopped Angie with a hand on her sleeve and pulled her into a corner. “What is it?”



“Oh,” said Angie in frustration. “I cannot believe that utter wanker, Pucey. Everyone knows about us now. I overheard one of the Ravenclaw chasers tell her mates that she heard I fucked the entire line-up minus Flint. At least those witches know that Flint wouldn’t cheat on Katie. But Fred is going to find out.”



“But Fred already knew, Angie,” protested Alicia.



“I know,” said Angie heatedly. “But I am sure he didn’t want everyone else at Hogwarts finding out. What made Pucey say all those horrid things about me? He said he cared about me. Or does he say that to every girl he wants to shag?”



“No,” said Ally soothingly.



“I’ve heard that he and Daria Greengrass are getting serious,” said Angie. Now that the dam had burst, she could finally talk to someone about their break-up. She had kept the hurt feelings buried deep inside. “He said that I was ashamed of him and he couldn’t stand that. But I wasn’t. I just wanted our relationship to be private. No gossip and no jealous witches hexing me behind my back. By the way, how can you stand for Adrian and Terry being so close?”



“It’s just a part of Terry, Ang,” said Ally seriously. “It’s a part of him like his lovely eyes and that way he’s always pushing his hair out of his eyes even when there is no hair hanging in his face.”



“Gods, Ally,” said a frustrated Angie. “You know it’s not as benign as you make it out to be. It’s not hair or eye color; it’s a relationship - a relationship that has spanned years. They sleep together, Ally. They have sex. They love each other. You are just standing in between them.”



“That’s not true,” said Ally seriously. “Besides, he loves me, too.”



“Will you be content with being second on his list of loves,” asked Angelina.



“Angie,” chided Ally as her face flushed. “Love isn’t a race. There is no second place. The reason why you and Adrian are so angry with each other still is that you both have feelings for each other.”



“He was just a pretty face,” said Angie dismissively as her hackles rose. “And he was good in bed.”



“Adrian is a damn sight better than just good,” said Ally with a smirk.



“Okay,” agreed Angie reluctantly. “But he has been such an arse to me. And he went out with that Slytherin girl without turning a hair.”



“You tried to make him into someone he’s not,” said Ally seriously.



“What if…,” began Angie. Her face turned scarlet. “What if he talks about what we did together?”



“In bed?” asked Ally in surprise.



“Yes,” said Angie with concern. “We did things that I would prefer remain private.”



“Then you have to talk to him,” said Ally.



“I would rather hex his bits off,” said Angie angrily.



“He’s rather upset with you, too,” said Ally as she understated the situation. “You know Adrian; he can be quite the drama queen.”



“More like drama arse,” said Angie grumpily. “I saw you and Terry having an argument earlier. What was it about? It wasn’t about Adrian and me, was it?”



Alicia’s face paled. She shook her head and looked down. A minute later, she looked back up with a determined look.



“I have something to tell you, Ang,” said Ally as she took a deep breath and proceeded to tell her all about the situation between her, Derrick and Terry. When she finished, Angelina just looked at her in utter shock. Then she gathered Ally up in a fierce hug.



Alicia clung to Angie and got a little teary eyed.



“You are just late,” whispered Angie encouragingly. “It happens all the time. Besides what are the odds of two Gryffindor chasers getting knocked up in the same year?”



Alicia gave a teary laugh and hugged Angie back.



“Gods,” whispered Angie. “I hope Katie is okay.”



“Me, too,” said Alicia quietly and intensely. She didn’t know what she would do if something happened to Katie. “And everything with be all right with Fred.”



“I hope so,” said Angie pensively.



“And Adrian is only angry with you because he was emotionally involved with you,” said Ally. “You have to talk to him.”



Angie shrugged and bit her lip. She knew that Ally had a good point but she didn’t think her vaunted Gryffindor bravery went as far as to actually have a civilized conversation with that Slytherin wanker. Angie didn’t want to admit it but she did genuinely like Adrian. He had touched her heart. Maybe they had not been meant for each other but they didn’t have to end thing so bitterly.



Angie had wanted to take back all those things she said about his father but didn’t have the opportunity to. She had forgotten that under that urbane sophisticated veneer, Adrian Pucey was quite sensitive and prone to moodiness. It would be easier to let things lie. But she didn’t want this situation getting out of hand either. They were both passionate people and both of them tended to say cutting words first then have regrets later. It really would take every ounce of her brave nature to talk to Adrian after what she said about his Quidditch ability. Angie bit her lip thoughtfully and followed Alicia to their next class as she thought about it. Maybe she should owl him first. A letter would let her put her thoughts on paper without emotion and anger clouding her judgment.



Angie sighed as she resolved to write Adrian later that day.



The Hogsmeade Inn:



“Wait a second,” said Alec as he stopped Adrian and Terry with a hand just outside the hotel suite. “Before we go off like a bunch of half cocked Gryffindors, let’s make a plan. After all, we are Slytherins. It’s in the code.”



“I don’t believe in codes,” said Terry. “But you have a point. What if they aren’t the right witches?”



“Then we’ll say that we were sent by a Wizarding escort agency,” said Adrian with a wicked grin. “If they are not bad looking then I may do it for free.”



“You always do it for free,” said Alec as he smiled.



“I’ll just nip back to the kitchens,” said Terry as he balanced the tea tray. “And shag that maid whilst you two are busy.”



“Whatever,” said Adrian. “You are going to fuck her anyway. I know that look in your eye and your penchant for shapely arses.”



“True,” said Terry. “By the way, why do I get stuck carrying all the tea things?”



“Humility,” said Adrian with a lazy grin as Alec got out his wand.



They watched as he cast a charm on the door that made it transparent. They could see two young women in the room but could not make out their faces. He disengaged the charm and they looked at each other seriously. They collectively got a grip on their wands.



“Showtime,” whispered Adrian as he knocked on the door and said, “Room Service.”



“About time,” said a petulant voice as the door opened.



Adrian walked into the sitting room with Terry. Alec stayed out of sight in the hallway. Terry stopped in his tracks as he caught sight of the girl coming through the door from one of the bedrooms. Adrian turned and was stunned, not by the rather skimpy red merry widow and garters the girl was wearing but by her face.



“Persephone Stebbins!” gasped out Terry as he dropped the tea things to the table with a slam.



Adrian only goggled at Marcus ex-girlfriend. She was literally the last person he expected to see in this room.



“Pucey!” gasped the girl in utter shock. “Higgs!”



Adrian stepped back as something about the entire situation struck him as very odd. He looked at her in consternation.



“What are you boys doing here?” asked the girl as she shook herself and edged towards the door to the other room. “Is Marcus here?”



Terry looked at the girl with a pensive look. He looked over to Adrian and mouthed something. Adrian gave him a look that said ‘what the fuck is going on’.



“I think that maybe I should get a wrap,” said the girl as she whirled and turned for the other bedroom door.



“What are you doing?” gasped the girl as Adrian pounced on her from behind as his muddled thoughts became crystal clear to him in one blinding moment.



“You aren’t Persephone Stebbins,” said Adrian as he plucked her wand from her hand with a smooth gesture. She had hidden it behind her back. When Adrian saw her pluck it from her corset stealthily, he knew that he was right.



“Are you mad, Adrian?” said the girl as her voice wobbled. “Of course, I am Persephone.”



“Call me mad, darling,” said Adrian as he pulled her arms tightly to her body and wrapped his hands around her wrists after tossing her wand to Ter. “It is a good disguise but you forgot one or two salient facts. One, Persephone Stebbins would never, ever, wear a merry widow with garters, never mind in the color red. She calls such thing demeaning to women. Marcus could never get her to wear the lingerie he bought her. I suspect that is one of the reasons why they broke up. You know how much Marcus likes lingerie on his witches, don’t you love?”



“People change,” said the witch as she began to struggle. Adrian tightened his grip as he looked at Terry.



“Not that much,” said Adrian intently. “The next bit convinced me. While you tried valiantly to be a touch demure about the wrap. A wrap would be the first thing Persephone would put on BEFORE she tells room service to come into any room she is in.”



“Like I said, people change,” said the witch angrily.



“The knickers are a touch too slutty for Persephone, love,” said Adrian in her ear. “Remember Marcus loved the fact she was very prim and proper even after he spent the summer shagging her brains out. That small bit of lace looks lovely but she would never wear them.”



“You don’t know me or my taste in under things, Pucey,” hissed the witch.



“Au contraire,” said Adrian slyly as his hands tightened. “And you should know. After all, you were there the night you, me and Marcus shared a rather torrid evening after your leaving party out by his parent’s pool while they were away last summer. You should know that I am rather intimately acquainted with all your lovely parts and your taste in under things.”



Terry stood in front of the now angry and struggling girl and uttered a binding spell that bound her with ropes. Adrian tossed her rather unceremoniously onto the sofa.



“Hello, Billy,” said Adrian grimly. “When will the poly juice wear off?”



“On the other hand, Billy,” said Terry politely. “I have to say that disguising yourself as Persephone was rather clever. Well, clever for you, love. But the first thing you wanted to know was where Marcus was. That twigged it for me. Persephone is very polite. She’d ask about school first. Typical Ravenclaw. And Ade was right about the clothing. She wouldn’t wear knickers that scandalous. She’s way too middle-class.”





“Now what are we going to do with you,” mused Adrian as he trained his wand on her.



“Nothing,” said an accented voice from behind Terry. Terry turned to see a rather underdressed girl with long dark hair and rather spectacular legs. Terry gave her legs a quick second look before he trained his eyes on her wand that was clenched in her hand.



“Durmstrang teaches some rather lethal hexes,” threatened Billy with a smirk. “Now, unbind me.”



“Not so fast,” said Alec as he stepped from the shadows.



“You may have us outnumbered but we have the will and ability to use the hexes that you lot would never dream of using,” said Billy as her eyes glittered in triumph. “Svetlana, show them.”



But Svetlana was staring at Alec in utter shock.



“Hello,” said Alec coolly. “Adrian, Terrence, may I introduce you to my fiancée, Svetlana Borodin?”



“Pleased to meet you,” said Terry dryly.



“Charmed,” said Adrian as he pointed his wand at Billy.



“Svetlana,” screeched Billy. “This is your chance to be rid of him once and for all.”



“My dear,” said Alec coldly as he looked Svetlana up and down and looked like he clearly found her wanting. “I am sure you have a valid reason for being away from Durmstrang.”



Terry looked at Alec in surprise. Alec was using his prefect voice.



“Don’t let him talk to you that way,” said Billy in surprise and anger. She saw her partner look at her shell shocked. Her wand wavered.



“Please,” said Alec dismissively as he pinned Svetlana with a glare. “I am sure that your little escapade with Billy sounded like fun and a few days in Scotland like a vacation. But I assure you Svetlana, the consequences will be dire. Rest assured you will not want to start our marriage on this note. As I am sure that deep down inside you know that our marriage is a done deal. I will endeavor to extract you from this mess as it is my duty to protect you at all costs. Now, put that wand down and go get some decent clothes on.”



“Svetlana,” said Billy. “He is not your father. You don’t have to listen to him. Now hex his balls off.”



“You aren’t my father,” said Svetlana with a defiant toss of her head. She gave Alec a defiant glare.



“No,” said Alec coldly. “But I will be your husband. Now if you don’t put that wand down right now and do as I told you, you will regret it.”



“You can’t do anything to me,” cried out Svetlana. “My father won’t let you.”



“Svetlana,” said Alec with a light laugh. “Your father won’t say a word to me if I locked you in one of the towers of my estate and kept you pregnant and under lock and key for the rest of your life. And you know it.”



“You wouldn’t,” said Svetlana with shock. “Not in this day and age.”



“I would,” said Alec with a growl. “And from what I have learned from that private investigator I had probe your life, that tower is still an option. I will not have my wife involved in hair brained, dangerous schemes that reflect badly on her judgment. Billy’s scheme is unraveling. She may think Dumbledore and Marcus are the worst she has to face but she is sadly mistaken. Aurelius Flint is extremely angry. He will be merciless. I can and will help you from this mess but Billy is a lost cause. Pick the winning side.”



Svetlana looked at Billy and then lowered her wand. Billy screamed at Svetlana.



“I am sorry, Billy,” said Svetlana. “But he is right. I must marry him.”



“Now go and change,” said Alec evenly.



Svetlana nodded and gave Alec an apprehensive look. “No tower?” said the rather submissive girl.



“No tower, yet,” said Alec coolly.



The girl left to change. Adrian sighed and let out his breath. Terry kept his wand on Billy. Her face was scarlet with rage.



“Now Wilhelmina,” said Alec with a mocking tone. “You chose your partner in crime without really knowing her like I do.”



“You’ve never met her before today,” spat out Billy.



“But I know her better than you do,” said Alec evenly. “Her father is rather domineering. She is used to obeying. That’s what you liked about her. But I know something you did not know. We are to be married in the old tradition. I am literally going to be her lord and master. She knows it. All she really needs is strong yet easy hand. I will not be as overbearing and autocratic as her father. That is why she was rebelling.”



“You treated her like a first year,” said Adrian.



“Svetlana was thinking like a first year,” said Alec with a frown. “She is not going to fall under the influence of someone like you again, Billy. I will see to it.”



“Oh,” mocked Billy. “Mr. Prefect thinks he has it all worked out. But how will you get me to Hogwarts? After all I am innocent little Persephone Stebbins. When I scream out bloody murder, the hotel staff will come rescue me. Even if you get me out of here, you can’t prove a thing. Do I look daft? I did nothing. I wasn’t even at Hogwarts when that Bell slut got what was coming to her. Marcus will never marry her now that his precious heir is gone. Hell, I could charge you lot with kidnapping me.”



Alec, Adrian and Terry looked at each other in consternation as her words sank in and made sense.











Author’s Note:



God, that was a hard chapter but it finally worked out and is going where I want it to. It’s a long one too. I promise an update before Christmas. Plus I think we need a bit of smut soon. I will incorporate it in. By the way, I mentioned Mandrake and Tristan for a reason that will become clear. We won’t meet them again but we will hear of them and they are there for a reason.