Alicia looked up as a sharp knock came on her door at 8:30 pm. The wards hadn't alerted her to anyone, so it was probable that this would be a Muggle. Scowling, both at the time, and at the interruption, she flicked her wand, sending her Quidditch stuff to the closet where it belonged. Raking a hand through her hair, and tucking her wand away, she opened the door. "Hello?"

Her jaw dropped. The tall, dark-haired man standing before her was familiar, and she would have grinned at him but for the sombre expression on his face.

"Colonel Hastings, please, come in." Alicia allowed him entry and closed the door behind him. "Can I get you tea?" She was confused. The Colonel was good friends with her father, and all interaction she'd had with him was due to that friendship. Why would he be on her doorstep at 8:30 in the evening?

"No, Miss Spinnet. I apologize for the late hour of this visit, and am afraid I cannot stay long. There was news, however, that I thought best delivered by me."

Alicia noted the pitying look in his eyes, and her heart started plummeting, feeling what was coming before he even said the words. She sat down heavily, tears pricking at her eyes, but willing herself to force them back. "Please then, tell me?" Her voice sounded plaintive, and she mentally cursed herself. Weak, her inner voice spat, I'm sure you're making your father so proud.

"There was a bombing at their compound. Right outside your parent's abode. Their bodies were identified by the secondary Commander. The British Government is sorry for your loss. And I am, as well."

"Do I bury them?"

The question sounded blunt, and harsh, her voice foreign in the midst of this situation. What does one say when she's just learned that her entire life is turning upside down? Sure, she wasn't exactly close to her parents, but that didn't mean she loved them any less.

"They've already been buried." The Colonel suddenly looked very old. "The bomb hit over a week ago. You have been sent this, however. In the envelope are the documents of their wills, of your inheritance, their pensions." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a folded flag with medals pinned on it, and an envelope. Handing it to her, he patted her awkwardly on the shoulder. "Your father was a good man, Alicia. And your mother was lovely. I know they were proud of you." Unsure what to say to the girl now, knowing she was orphaned, with no other family, he slowly backed away, and promptly left.

Alicia didn't care that he'd come and left so abruptly. Over a week since they died? She'd never see them again? She hadn't even gotten to go to the funeral? Staring at the flag, she turned it over and over in her hands and began weeping uncontrollably. Sobs racked her body, and she found herself screaming. Grabbing the vase nearest her, she flung it at the wall, where it promptly shattered. It didn't help. Nothing would help. She was alone, and the full meaning of that word had finally hit her. She looked around, frantic, searching, but not certain for what.

I need to get out of here. I need to get out of here. I can't stay here anymore. I need to not be in this flat. I need to not be in this world. The Muggle world is what killed my parents, with their methods of warfare. My parents meant nothing. Nothing to that mass of wires and gunpowder! It didn't see them, it didn't even have to look in their eyes... And I didn't get to say goodbye. I didn't even get to be at their funeral! Why didn't I visit more? Why....

Grabbing her wand, Alicia Disapparated.

She was still weeping when she looked up to see where she was. She needed someone to help her find the place to start grieving, to tell her what was necessary. She wiped away her tears and strode up to the door, knocking softly, and begging herself not to start sobbing again. When the door opened, however, she couldn't help herself. The tears burst out again. "I'm sorry. I didn't know where else to go."

Cormac felt his face scrunch up in confusion. Women very rarely showed up at his place sobbing. "Alicia?" What the hell? He drew her into his arms and closed the front door to his flat behind them. Sitting down in front of the fireplace in his sitting room he pulled away to look at her. She looked a frightful mess. Something was seriously wrong and Cormac didn't like it one bit. Usually he was impervious to crying females-he'd put up with his fair share of them, usually when he tired with them, but this was different. He put his hands on her shoulders and said, "Alicia. Look at me. Sweetheart-what's wrong? Are you hurt?"

Alicia looked at Cormac, and had the situation been any different, she would have laughed to see that look of concern. After all, she was Alicia Spinnet, and needed no one's pity, and he was Cormac McLaggen, not likely to give it. But today, today she had found out that her parents were dead, and that she didn't even get the closure of seeing them buried. Of hearing their friends talk about who they were. Unable to find her voice, she handed Cormac the folded flag, uncertain if he would know what it meant. Finally, finding her voice, she hiccuped a little and said, "My dad was military." Unable to keep the waver from her voice, she started weeping again, tearing at the edge of the envelope.

Cormac's mind ran through everything he knew about the Muggle Military. Military? Gods-the flag. He pulled her back into his chest and wrapped his arms around her. "Alicia, I'm terribly sorry. You just found out? I'm so sorry," he said again, rubbing circles on her back trying to comfort her the best he knew.

Relaxing into his embrace, she choked down another sob, and spoke, voice watery. "It was over a week ago. I didn't even get to go to the funeral. I'm alone, now, Cormac. Both of them, just... gone." She wipe a set of tears away, and sniffled a little. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be here, weeping on you, ruining your evening. I'll go if you like... I just thought, maybe you would look over these papers... I can't do it. I can't look at their wills without feeling like I'm awful for it, like I shouldn't want to know, because they're my parents. Like I'm a horrible daughter. I shouldn't even open this envelope ever. I can't do it. I just can't." She looked up at him, feeling like a child. This was why she'd come to him. She needed someone to open what she couldn't, to tell it to her straight. She quietly extended the envelope in his direction.

Cormac reached for the envelope, but paused instead of opening it. "Both of them? Dear God, Alicia, I'm so sorry." He paused. "Are sure you want to do it now? It can wait."

"I don't have any other sense of closure, Cormac. I didn't get to see them, I didn't get to go to their funeral, and I don't have a clue where to start grieving. I... This is all I have," she said weakly, hoping he would understand. "Please?"

Taking a deep breath, Cormac opened the envelope and shook out the papers inside. He unfolded the papers and began reading them over, stopping occasionally to pat Alicia on the back or hand her another tissue. Clearing his throat, Cormac began, "Well, it seems as if your parents affairs were in order. You've been left the family home in London, free and clear, a hefty-sized bank account and the British government has allotted you a rather generous monthly sum for your father's pension and, er, death benefits." He looked up to see how she was reacting to this and wasn't surprised to see her wearing, if possible, an even more intense look of devastation on her face. "You'll need to go sign some paperwork at their solicitor's office when-you're feeling up to it, of course."

"Of course," she said, not really caring about the money. She would see the solicitor in the morning, before practice. She would sell the house, after going through it. She'd get Dean and Angie to help... Her mind stopped it's normal logical planning as reality struck. Dear Merlin, she only had her friends now. The reality of just how alone in the world she was spurred a fresh wave of tears. She took the tissue Cormac offered, and laughed a bit, not knowing what else to do. "Dear Circe, Cormac, I'm so sorry for dumping this all on you. I just, I trusted you to be able to tell me straight, what I needed to know. Thank you..." It was at that moment that she looked up above the mantle to where her portrait sat. Had sat. "It's gone," she said quietly, her mind whirling, not knowing what to think, what to say, or where to turn. It wasn't about the portrait, not really, but she suddenly felt as if she should escape this place. Her portrait was gone, was she even really welcome here? She was imposing upon a man whom she thought had at least somewhat liked her, but...

"Alicia, it's all right. You don't need to apologize." He realized she was referring to her picture which had sat on his mantle until Pansy had... redecorated. "Er-yes. It's gone. I'm afraid there was an accident. I'm sorry." Changing the subject he said, "Why don't I get you some tea? Unless you'd care for something stronger?"

It's gone, and he isn't comfortable talking about it. What can that mean... As if a portrait even matters in the face of all this, Alicia! Why do you even care? Besides, you gave it as a gift, he can do what he likes with it, you silly bint. "No matter, I suppose. It was just a nice piece of Dean's work, and I'm finding that I just can't seem to talk straight. Or think straight for that matter. Strongest you have, if it's no trouble." She watched as he filled her a glass, and she drank it quickly, feeling it rush through her nerves. She would eventually have to face this, all of this, but for right now, she couldn't handle much more of the sadness. She had a place to start now, working on getting the house sold, and her flat. Finding a new place. She felt that she could actually start to grieve... but not yet. "I don't like being alone," she mumbled, not realizing she'd said it aloud. Looking at Cormac, she spoke more clearly. "Thank you, Cormac, for... everything... I should... leave, get out of your way... or something."

"No. You're not leaving. Not in this condition." He motioned for her to follow as he started down the hallway towards his bedroom. Turning to his dresser, he pulled out a drawer and grabbed one of his tee shirts and a pair of boxers and handed them to Alicia. "You can wear these," he said. "I'm going to go make you some tea now. Be back in a moment."


He left her alone in the room and grabbed the makings of tea in the kitchen. Merlin, I'm pants at this whole... comforting thing. He shuddered. What am I supposed to do with a crying woman? Maybe I should slip her some sleeping potion. Yes, that's it. When in doubt, drug. Cormac poured a bit into her tea and returned to his room. "Here you go, love. Drink up."

Alicia was sitting in his bed, blankets arranged around her. She gratefully accepted the tea, exhausted from crying so much. "Thank you." She took a sip, and sighed. "Would you just... hold me? Please?" She looked at him, this man whom she realized she didn't know all that well. "You've been a real mate, Cormac. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it." She drank more of her tea and felt the exhaustion starting to wear on her.

That I can do. Quickly unbuttoning his shirt and trousers, he climbed in his bed and pulled Alicia close to him. "Like you had to ask." He placed his forehead against hers. "It's going to be okay, love. I promise. Somehow." I hope.

"Thanks, Cormac," she murmured, sleep fast overtaking her. She snuggled into his warmth and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry about Halloween, you know," her words were slow and after she'd said them, she was promptly asleep, her breathing steadying. She was safe, and for the moment, not as alone as she'd feared.



***********

Pansy Apparated into Cormac's flat almost silently. She'd fallen asleep after dinner, and when she awoke, she found the owl that he'd sent her earlier in the day. Casting a glance at the scorched table, she made her way quietly down the hall, and pushed open the door, not wanting to wake him.



The sight that met her eyes was unexpected.



Pansy felt a hot flush stain her face; even in the darkness without a mirror she could tell that her cheeks were in high color. She couldn't stop the gasp that filled the room.



Her father's voice pounded in her head. Do you see? Stupid girl, stupid girl, stupid girl. You trust no one. You let no one close to you.



Cormac was stirring, she saw his bare leg slip out from underneath the sheet, and she wanted nothing more to get out of that room, out of his flat, to just get away, but she couldn't get her feet to move; it was as if someone had put a permanent sticking charm on her shoes.



Her breathing grew heavy, and she willed herself not to scream. She could still leave, still get out of there with some scrap of dignity left.



"Pansy?" Cormac said.



Fucking hell, she thought. Perfect. My heart is pounding, I can't seem to breathe, my feet won't move and he has that girlin his bed. After he invited me here. Going to kill him. Going to regain composure and kill him.

Cormac rubbed at his eyes, still mostly asleep. "Hey, love." He sat up, and as he did, he bumped into Alicia and suddenly the murderous look on Pansy's face made sense. "Oh. Pansy, this is not what it looks like. Honest," he said as he jumped out of bed, clad in his boxers. Will she kill me quickly, I wonder? He raced down the hall after her, catching up to her in the sitting room.



"Really, Cormac?" she spat. Thank Merlin, I can speak again. "Is it not what it looks like?" she asked, throwing her winter cloak over the nightie that she'd put on for him. " Because what it looks like is that you're a gigantic bastard who wouldn't understand a good thing happening to him if it hit him between the eyes." She picked up her wand and pointed it at him, actions mimicking words.



"How dare you?" she asked softly. "And were I you, I would choose my words carefully. I feel a temper coming on, love, and I'll not hesitate to curse you if I don't care for what you have to say." She flicked her wand at him. "Speak."

He approached her, holding his hands out in a 'I surrender' type gesture. "Pansy, I'm sorry I forgot I invited you over. Alicia showed up sobbing on my doorstep; she found out earlier this evening her parents were killed."



She looked at him incredulously, and shook her head. "Yeah, and I've got the Knight Bus right outside that I'd like to sell you." She glared at him. "Poor choice of words." She shook her head, a sad look in her eyes. "You could have had it all, you idiot. All of it. Now?" She sighed deeply. "Now you're not even worth my time."

Cormac stared at Pansy, his mouth open wide. "Pansy, I'm serious. She showed up, practically hysterical. I gave her some sleeping potion and put her to bed. She asked me to hold her. That's all that happened. I swear."



"You swear? And what is that worth, I wonder?" She felt her face harden and the countenance that her mother had taught her to wear click firmly into place. "A bag of Galleons, a few shags and a magical contract, I suppose." She laughed mirthlessly. "The joke's on me. My father was right." You trust no one. You don't let down your defenses. Ever. Stupid girl, stupid girl, stupid girl.

Getting angry now, Cormac said slowly and clearly, "What the bloody hell does your father have to do with anything?" His eyes narrowed and he walked over to his scorched coffee table, picked up the documents Alicia had left there and tossed them at Pansy. "Believe what you want," he said and walked away, down the hall to his bedroom and closed the door behind him.



Pansy glanced at the papers that he'd shoved her way and dropped them just as quickly, wiping her hands on her cloak. Closing her eyes briefly, she wondered if there was any way to salvage this. She stood and looked around the room once more, revolving a bit, reliving a few memories. Feeling the tears pool in her eyes, she pulled her wand and Apparated away before they fell.


{Summary: Alicia, Cormac and Pansy once again are in one place. This time there is outright hostility, death, and weeping involved.}