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Post by Lina Harper on Mar 16, 2009 17:01:13 GMT -5
Mara was sick, which was why Lina wasn’t at work in her brother’s shop. She hated when Mara was sick, but at least the had baby potions. Even if they didn’t cure a cold, they helped.
No one was around to watch Mara, which Lina suddenly realized was a major downside to being on the outs with both of their parents. But it was fine. She just needed to run into Hogsmeade to stop by the apothecary, grab a potion or two and go home. Mara, in her arms, was bundled up like they lived at the North Pole.
It was especially cold today, and parts of Hogsmeade still lay in ruins. The streets were practically empty, and they were deserted on the outskirts of town, where she was walking now. At least, she thought they were.
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Post by Alec Mapplethorne on Mar 16, 2009 17:18:12 GMT -5
Alec was inwardly cursing Blake's name as he followed the petite brunette through the ruined streets of Hogsmeade. Could he have picked a colder, more miserable day for this? At least it wasn't... oh, wait... was that a snowflake? Alec uttered a bitter curse under his breath. He should have talked Lyle into doing it instead.
It occurred to Alec once again to wonder why he was taking orders from Blake Malfoy, anyway. The guy was a first-class arse, always ordering people around and acting like he was better than everyone else. Just because he was a Malfoy.
But the job wasn't particularly unpleasant. The girl was not hard on the eyes. Maybe he could get a taste of her before he killed her. After all, since Tanya's death, Alec's bed had been empty. He'd just have to get rid of the brat first.
He continued to follow at a comfortable distance, keeping the girl in his sights. His hood hung down, obscuring his face, but the leering smile was still visible for anyone who bothered to look.
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Post by Lina Harper on Mar 16, 2009 17:32:14 GMT -5
It took Lina a while, because she was in such a hurry to get home, but eventually, that spine tingling feeling of being watched crept up on her. When it started to snow lightly, she sighed. Of course, it had to start snowing on her.
"I'm sorry, Mara. We'll be home, soon," she told the girl, then looked up and around. She didn't see anyone, and wondered if that should make her worry more or less.
Still, her footsteps quickened. The sooner she was on the main street, the better.
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Post by Alec Mapplethorne on Mar 16, 2009 17:44:08 GMT -5
As she began to walk faster, so did Alec. Blake had told him to wait for just the right moment, when she was essentially cornered. The back street was pretty deserted. Ever since the attack, few people wandered the streets of Hogsmeade, especially not on the back streets. There would hardly be anyone to hear her scream.
He pulled his hood down lower still, keeping his head down. It wouldn't be long now...
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Post by Lina Harper on Mar 16, 2009 17:48:14 GMT -5
She was paranoid. But then, who walking alone through Hogsmeade right now wouldn't be? She laughed at herself.
"You mommy's insane, you know that, Mara? We need your daddy back." If he would just ask her again to marry him... well. If he did it soon, she would say yes. If he waited much longer, she was going to move on. She needed to to keep her sanity.
They were only a few blocks away now, and Lina turned down a sidestreet that should have been a short cut.
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Post by Alec Mapplethorne on Mar 16, 2009 18:01:51 GMT -5
Alec's smile broadened as she turned down the side street. She was isolating herself more and more, and making his job easier. He began to walk faster, so that now she was only about 20 feet away from him. Close enough that he could hear her talking to herself. Her fear was enticing, and it made him careless. He kicked a rock as he moved, and it rolled toward her, coming to a stop just in front of her. Alec hastily ducked behind a building.
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Post by Lina Harper on Mar 16, 2009 18:05:29 GMT -5
Lina stopped. She heard it before she saw it, and maybe she could have passed that off as paranoia too, but not when she saw that small rock roll past her and come to a stop. Her mouth was suddenly dry and her heart started to pound, but she turned around and no one was there.
There was no one around her. She was fine, just... just a little jumpy.
"Hello?"
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Post by Alec Mapplethorne on Mar 16, 2009 18:13:23 GMT -5
It wouldn't do for her to see him coming. He wanted to take her by surprise. But a little healthy fear wouldn't hurt. It was intoxicating.
He waited, flattened against the side of the building, silently waiting as she called out in fear. She was on guard now, which made things harder, but so much more fun.
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Post by Lina Harper on Mar 16, 2009 18:21:14 GMT -5
Lina waited a moment, then shook her head. This was ridiculous. She was an unemplyed mother. Sure, her... well, whatever Cyrus was to her, he was an Auror, but she didn't see why she would be singled out for an attack. Especially with a baby in her arms. Besides, this was exactly what they wanted... people to be in constant fear. That tended to lead to looking up to the wrong leaders.
She sighed and turned back around, forcing herself to a normal pace, though she kept her ears open as she cut through some of the lesser used streets to get to the Apothocary quicker.
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Post by Alec Mapplethorne on Mar 16, 2009 18:28:05 GMT -5
As she got moving again, Alec stepped from behind the building and resumed his pursuit at a greater distance. She was getting closer to the dead end where the Apothecary was located, and that would be where he would strike. Alec smiled. Dead end... He'd always liked that term. It was so... fitting.
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Post by Lina Harper on Mar 16, 2009 18:32:11 GMT -5
The last couple of blocks went by with no further occurances. She wasn't as scared, and she while she still had that creeping feeling that someone was watching her, there seemed to be no one every time she turned around.
Her whole body relaxed when she saw the Apothocary up ahead... and then she sighed, seeing the 'closed' sign on the door.
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Post by Alec Mapplethorne on Mar 16, 2009 19:06:26 GMT -5
Alec couldn't resist letting out a tiny chuckle. Oh, this was too perfect. She was now cornered, and no one was in the shop to hear her. There wouldn't even be any witnesses.
He stepped out of the shadows then. "Aw, that's too bad," he said. "All this way for nothing. Pretty little thing like you shouldn't be walking the streets alone. 'Specially not with that precious little bundle you're carrying."
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Post by Lina Harper on Mar 16, 2009 19:52:18 GMT -5
Closed. Merlin, could this day get any-
A voice cut off the question in her head, which was, strangely enough, also her answer.
Oh Godric. Oh Merlin. She didn't know what to do, but the site of the black hood and the words he uttered... they sounded innocent enough, but she didn't believe that. Those kinds of statements were always threatening.
All this way... and the feeling she kept getting... "You were following me." Her eyes darted to her left and right. She had nowhere to go. She was supposed to be stronger than this. Braver. She would have been an Auror, right? CLutching Mara closer to her chest, she said. "Please move out of way. I need to get home."
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Post by Alec Mapplethorne on Mar 16, 2009 20:42:51 GMT -5
Alec shook his head and stood directly in her path. "I'm afraid I can't do that," he said smoothly. "You see, I've been watching you. For a while now. And I think I'd like to get to know you a little better. Come over here, princess. I'm not going to hurt you."
The icy smile on his face carried through to his voice, marking him a liar. "Well, not much, anyway. If you don't scream, I may even let your baby live."
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Post by Lina Harper on Mar 16, 2009 21:06:43 GMT -5
"Like hell," Lina answered. If he was going to kill her, she was going to go down fighting, and he wasn't going to get his hands on Mara, or her, if she could help it.
She reached into Mara's diaper bag, which was slung over her shoulder, and pulled out her wand, pointing it at Alec. "Move out of my way. Now."
There it was. Cyrus would be proud of her for this, although she was still terrified.
"If you even move towards us, I swear I'll hurt you."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 16, 2009 21:38:36 GMT -5
It had been three days since he'd told Angelique about the identity of Blake Malfoy. There was a warrant out for him, but so far, all searches for him had turned up empty. The official word from both his department was that he was "away on business." Roland was sure he was hiding out nearby. Because he was still getting notes.
The first one, the day after Christmas, simply said,
So nice seeing you again. Reconnecting with family is important.
The second one came the next day and read,
The family's getting bigger. You must be so proud to be an uncle.
All the notes had Roland on edge. He was practically unapproachable, and he and Riley had been arguing more than usual. He felt guilty, as usual, especially after they had been getting along so well after the Christmas dinner.
He also wasn't sleeping well, and that only increased his tension. The night before had been particularly bad, and he didn't think he had slept more than an hour all night. As he walked into the Auror office carrying his usual coffee and muffin, he didn't even reach his desk before he spotted the telltale black parchment. He sighed and set down the bag containing his muffin, then took a fortifying sip of coffee before opening the latest note.
You should tell your sister-in-law that walking to the apothecary alone could be dangerous. You never know who might follow.
Roland stared at the note for a minute, panic beginning to rise. If he was reading this right, this was a direct threat. He assumed by "sister-in-law" that he meant Lina, even though she was not married to Cyrus yet. And she was on her way to the apothecary?
Maybe it was a trap, designed to lead him there and kill him. Maybe it was a real threat against Lina. But he knew he couldn't take a chance either way. Even if it was a trap, maybe it was better to face them and end this.
Putting down his coffee, he sprang to his feet and ran to Riley's desk. She wasn't in yet... so he would have to go alone. He took a breath and hurried down the hall and over to the apparition area. As soon as he got there, he concentrated on the apothecary in Hogsmeade, hoping that this was the one Lina had gone to.
As he apparated, the hooded figure was the first thing he saw. And then he heard the familiar voice behind the figure say,
"If you even move towards us, I swear I'll hurt you."
Godric. Lina really was here. And so was Mara.
"Leave her alone," he said loudly, pulling out his own wand. "I believe you're looking for me."
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Post by Alec Mapplethorne on Mar 16, 2009 21:52:50 GMT -5
Alec frowned as he heard the voice. Blake, as usual, had neglected to fill him in on the entire plan. He simply told him to attack Lina and the baby, but failed to tell him that he'd be informing Roland about the attack in time to stop him.
Swearing under his breath, Alec turned to face Roland. "Do you mind? Me and the lady were having a nice little conversation."
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Post by Lina Harper on Mar 16, 2009 22:25:22 GMT -5
Lina silently thanked whatever god was watching out for her and Mara when he turned away from her. She wanted to help whoever her savior was (there was a little too much adrenaline in her system for her to recognize his voice yet, and Alec was blocking her view), but she couldn't think of a single curse except the Cruciatus, and she couldn't use that. She still had nowhere to go, but she needed to protect Mara.
Doing the only thing she could, she curled her body around her daughter's , her knees on the ground as she leaned against the door to the shop for added shelter.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 16, 2009 22:34:51 GMT -5
"I don't believe the lady was enjoying your conversation," Roland answered dryly. "Come on, don't just stand there. Are you afraid to fight someone who's not holding a baby?"
He pointed his wand at the attacker, who he could tell was not his uncle Blake. It had to be one of the other two. "Stupefy!"
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Post by Alec Mapplethorne on Mar 16, 2009 22:41:14 GMT -5
Alec easily dodged the stunning spell. "Is that the best you can do?" he sneered. "Seems to me you need to get warmed up. How's this?"
He waved his wand and conjured a ball of flames, which he threw right at Roland.
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