fortalice

“Now your just sucking up.” She teased. Alice was very proud of Frank, he was one of the youngest Auror’s ever asked to teach and he definitely deserved it, he was so determined and loved helping people. Which was part of the reason she loved him so much. Alice raised an eyebrow “Dueling? So predictable! ” she wasn’t surprised by the answer, most of the male Aurors loved to duel - something to do with the rush of adrenaline, competition, and male ego. “You know dueling doesn’t solve every problem right?” she said half-jokingly half-serious.

“I would agree with you if it wasn’t the truth.” He commented with a small laugh. James knew that the people around him were the best of the best, which is why he was more than ready for his training. “Well, of course there is more to it, but it’s still fun. Plus, who doesn’t love to make their dueling skills better. Feel more confident about going out on missions.” 

It was nice to see Remus laugh, to just joke around with a friend- everything was so serious lately she missed this. Just two friends catching up - talking about life and not how the world not ending. “You and Sirius, seriously?” She teased taking another sip of her drink. Sirius was trouble or more trouble seemed to find him constantly, which was apart of his charm or so he liked to tell everyone. “You must have your hands full, keeping Sirius out of trouble is a full-time job.”

Remus smiled, sure him and Sirius seemed like the least likely roommates out of the four of them, it was definitely nice to know one of his best friends was safe at home with him. “Sirius is a big boy, he can keep himself out of trouble.” Although everyone that knew Sirius, knew he would never stay out of trouble. It was just a part of his nature to go against the grain. “It’s nice, though. Knowing I have one of my best friends at home. At least I can keep a close eye on him. How is everything with you? And how is Frank?”

It had been a long day. The longest she could remember since becoming an Auror. The news had spread through the Ministry like dragons fire and all on-duty Aurors had been sent out immediately to try and gather any leads from there informants. For Alice, this meant she had spent most of the day traveling up and down the coast reaching out to her Merpeople contacts. They had gossip however no one would say enough or knew enough to point her in a solid direction. She apparted back to London to find herself in a bar. As she walked in she saw a familiar red hed across the way. Alice went straight for the bartender and order two Fire Whiskeys. “You looked like you needed one of these” Alice said placing down the drink in front of Lily.

SLENDER FINGERS WRAPPED AROUND the offered drink a tad firmer than usual, inviting the chill radiating from the glass. her gaze flickered upwards, acknowledging the words spoken to her. Seeing the familiar face she could feel the initial shock slowly retreating, there was just something calming and reassuring about the blonde. Or it could be that Lily was just desperate for any kind of reminder of the old, simpler times. “Thank you.” The smile she offered was friendly, though laced with unwashed sadness from hearing the news. “You know me well .” 

“Well it’s called teaching Potter.” she smirked putting her wand in her cloak “We all had to start at the bottom and work our way up. It builds character.” Alice remembered her first year out of Hogwarts learning to be an Auror. It was terrifying and tough but also the best time of her life. “What’s your favourite thing so far?”

“Well, I guess I should just be happy that we’ve got some of the best teachers out there.” James knew he had the best teachers he could ask for, especially with the Aurors that worked in their department. “Hm, honestly I would have to so the dueling is probably the most fun. Getting to learn how to act in a proper fight.” 

“Very true. I’m surprised the whole wizarding community isn’t here getting blasted with us. At least then we’d know where everyone was. Get every wasted - it could be the answers to all our problems.” She joked, though somehow it didn’t seem like the worst idea in the world. Maybe not the getting everyone drunk part, but having everyone in the same place so maybe they could talk it out. Alice knew it was a naive thought to have but she couldn’t help being just a little hopeful. “How is everything with you Remus, since Graduation? I’ve seen James and Peter around a bit of the Ministry but haven’t really heard from you.”

Remus let out a small laugh at Alice’s words. She was always so optimistic, it was really a nice breath of fresh air to be around someone like her. “Would definitely make for an interesting evening.” The thought of the entire wizarding community in one room was a scary thought to Remus. Of course he assumed Alice figured it would be a lovely chat where everyone talked about their feelings, but he knew that was far from the truth of what would actually happen. Smiling slightly at her question, Remus slid his chair a little closer to her so he could hear her a little better, the chattering of the bar had gotten a little loud. “Not a whole lot, really. Trying my best to lay low. Sirius and I are living together, although I think I would consider myself more of a live-in nanny.”

Since the news had hit - everything had been a frenzy. There was this heightened energy in the air. It was like right before a storm however people weren’t sure if the storm would bring well-needed rain or a lightning strike that will start an uncontrollable fire. Everyone was in overdrive but no department was in more overdrive than the Aurors. Everyone else was on them wanting answers. But when the suspects were potentially anyone - your neighbor, your colleague or even your best friend there were no simple answers.

Alice had come out for some air and had found herself just watching the Muggles as they went past. Just going about there every day. So simple and easy. And how their world would turn upside down if they couldn’t stop the storm. A figured appeared next to her panting. She recognised the boy from her days at Hogwarts. “Peter?” she said wiping some blonde hair out of her face. “You look positively dreadful. Are you alright?” Peter looked just about how Alice felt exhausted by the whole mess of it all.

Peter tried not to be so nervous all the time, he really did… his friends always told him he needed to be more confident and he was actually managing in his work place, he even said hello to some people now but, this madness was beyond what he felt he could cope with. Everyone else was jolting about as scared as he was and it was simply too much. He couldn’t imagine how people like Alice coped in the Auror department… It had to be even worse there.

“N-no, iI’m fine.” he said quietly, jerking his head up and down, fingers curling into his overly long sleeves and pulling at the fabric there, “Just umm… Not sleeping very well.” he told her before shaking his head, “M-must be awful where you are though.” He worked in the Law department but as a clerical officer, far away from the Auror area. “A-are you alright?” He’d rather they didn’t focus on him, no good ever came from that. “Things m-must be really hard at the moment…”  

  The wizarding world felt like it had been shattered by the murder and that everyone at the ministry was scrambling to pick up the pieces. “It’s been a long few weeks and I don’t think anyone is really ok. I mean how could they be?” She said a shake in her voice. It made her angry that someone could have done this. Murdered such a beloved member of the community and that certain families were supporting this. It was a terrifying prospect of a future. 

Alice giggled at the state of James. “As long as Frank doesn’t come home with a black eye again you can do whatever you want in ‘training’” She got at her wand and gestured towards his face. “Shall I fix the situation?” 

“Come on now! You and I both know Frank is the one showing us up in training. Making sure us rookies don’t get to big headed before we’ve even officially made it.” He commented with a laugh. “Nah, I’m good. It’ll be cleared up in a couple days.”