Alicia strode into the club, Avalon, where the lights were dimmed and there was a soft murmur of the crowd over the quietly playing jazz music. The performer was on her break, and yet, Alicia was glad of it. She looked around for Cormac, and didn't see him anywhere. She sighed, and asked the hostess who immediately ushered her into the club. She allowed herself to be seated, having been told that there had been reservations made. She was ushered to a quiet back booth, and immediately an apple martini was placed in front of her.


He'd certainly prepared well for their evening, she mused, sipping her drink. Sure, it wasn't at all what she'd have ordered, but it wasn't that bad. If he was paying, she supposed he could order whatever he wanted for her, and it's hardly as though he would know she preferred a dark brew to the rather girly martini. She sighed and checked her makeup and then adjusted her small black dress. She guessed that Cormac was the type to want his girls looking pretty. She had chosen carefully before dressing this evening. Her hair was almost completely up, but a few tendrils curled softly around her face and down her back. The black dress was low cut, and though the hem ended just above her knees while standing, she still felt exposed. Her shoes were strappy red heels, which she'd rarely had the occasion to wear, but she knew they made her calves look phenomenal.

I should get out more. I feel far too uncomfortable for my own tastes. Though with that in mind, who can blame you for dressing to impress?

She looked at her watch and sighed. Where was her date? The first stirrings of panic at being stood up came to life, but were quashed as her now empty martini glass was promptly replaced. He wouldn't have gone through this trouble of reserving and pre-ordering her drinks, just to stand her up, after all. Quietly, she leaned back and closed her eyes, losing herself in the sensual jazz music.

Cormac had a scowl on his face as he walked into Avalon. He had stayed late at the Ministry getting caught up after an extended lunch this afternoon. His desk had been piled high with files and inter-office memos when he had returned. Of course it was completely his fault he was at the office so late this evening, but still, he was irritable. The hostess caught his eye and motioned him towards the back of the club. As Cormac turned the corner, his date came into view and the scowl left his face to be replaced by a look of appreciation. Ah, the years have been most kind, he thought to himself as he took in the sight of Alicia sitting relaxed in the booth, her finger tracing the rim of her glass. Cormac stepped up to the table with a smile on his face and said, "Alicia, it's such a pleasure to see you again. It's been, well, years, hasn't it?"

Alicia opened her eyes slowly and smiled at the handsome man before her. Standing to greet him, she held out her hand to shake his, and was surprised when he swept it to his lips to place a soft kiss upon it. Attempting to ignore the slight tingle and the fluttering in her heart, she spoke. "Yes, Cormac, and they've done you well, it seems. Shall we sit?" Alicia slid into the booth and was surprised when Cormac slid in beside her, instead of across from her.

She took a sip of her martini as the waitress bustled up with his pre-ordered drink. She watched him as he nodded curtly to the girl and turned back to her, his gaze sliding all over her, making her feel less dressed than she already was.

"So, Cormac, what are you doing these days?" Alicia asked, more to stop his easy scrutiny of her than anything, "I heard you're at the ministry?"

That's a girl, get him talking about himself, see what you have in common... Make him stop looking at you as if you were a morsel to be devoured.

Cormac's attention had been running up Alicia's legs until he heard his own name and came, chagrined, back to the conversation. "Yes, I'm in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but that's not nearly as interesting to me as what you're doing." He took a long drink of his brandy. "Congratulations, again, Alicia. What a wonderful turn of events for you," he said and looked at Alicia expectantly.

"Well," she smiled, "It isn't as if I haven't been working at it. I feel like it's been a long time coming."

She took a drink, and then spoke again, her excitement about her passion showing in her eyes.

"It was a long roundabout journey, starting with me leaving for a year after the war to go to India, and then having to go to Puddlemere's office every day for a month before even getting a chance to fly for them." She laughed, a soft chuckle that sounded similar to a cat's purr. "I'm afraid it's not a glamorous story whatsoever. Lots of hard work and elbow grease."

She eyed him carefully, noting how he'd loosened his tie slightly and removed his jacket, revealing his black button up shirt that fit just perfectly. He had filled out nicely, and maturity had done him well.

"You know, Cormac, most people just owled and said congrats. Why take it a step further?"

And Alicia Spinnet's bluntness strikes again folks! the voice in her head chastened. You really must learn to control that, is it any wonder you haven't had a date in four months?

Ignoring the voice, she looked at Cormac and waited for an answer. Anyone who couldn't handle the real her was not good for her, she firmly decided.

Cormac leaned closer and ran his fingers up Alicia's arm until he got to her bare shoulder, resting them lightly there. "Well, I must say I'm surprised. No one else took advantage of a wonderful situation like this? How could I not? And miss out on catching up with an old school chum who just happens to be breathtakingly beautiful?" Cormac looked into Alicia's hazel eyes, which were almost green at the moment, and smiled a self-deprecating grin. "Is it acceptable to you that I 'took it a step further'?"

Alicia shivered involuntarily as his fingers caressed her bare arm. His flattery, touch, and the alcohol were starting to go to her head. She laughed again, and a light smile played on her lips.

"If it weren't acceptable, I should think I wouldn't have accepted," she murmured, leaning in a bit closer. "And I am most pleased to have acquiesced, especially knowing that you think I am, what was it... Breathtaking?" She smiled, settling back into her seat, and took another drink. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. McLaggen, but I'm sure you've already learned that. You seem the type to pick up on such things rather quickly."

Cormac's eyes betrayed his surprise at what Alicia had said. Then the corners of his mouth turned up as he said, "I'm not sure it can be called flattery when it's the truth, can it?" Cormac leaned in towards Alicia and nuzzled her neck by her ear. "And since we're dealing in truths here tonight, might I say you smell absolutely edible."

Alicia tilted her head back and a small moan escaped her. She would not have ever expected this rapid ascent in passion to be the way her evening would be going, and yet, in the heat of the moment, she was glad of it.

"It's because I use vanilla instead of perfume," she said, her voice husky.

Cormac visibly swallowed.

She mentally shook herself and stood. There was no one dancing, but the slow, raspy voice of Louis Armstrong was playing over the sound system, and there was an area cleared for daring couples. She had to move, or she was liable to take him on the spot. She looked at Cormac, uncertain as to whether he would dance with her, before deciding that she didn't much care.

"I'm going to dance." She smiled. "And you can come, or not." She walked slowly to the floor, looking behind her for a moment.

Give me a kiss to build a dream on,
And my imagination will thrive upon that kiss
Sweetheart, I ask no more than this
A kiss to build a dream on

As the music swept around her, she moved slowly to the easy gait of Louis' song, her back to her date the entire time, fully conscious that his eyes were glued to her. Her hips swung in wide, sensual circles, and her knees bent to show the graceful ease of one practiced in athletics.

Give me a kiss before you leave me
And my imagination will feed my hungry heart
Leave me one thing before we part
A kiss to build a dream on

She slowly turned to face the man who had broken her of her four month dry streak as far as dates went. She was unsurprised to see him walking towards her with a hungry, almost feral, look on his face. She smiled and bit her lip and turned back around, drawing her hands up her sides and swaying with the music.

Cormac wasn't extremely comfortable dancing, but he'd be damned if he was going to miss such a fine opportunity to touch a woman who could move like Alicia was. He approached her from behind, reached for her hand, and turned her toward him pulling her close, her head resting on his chest. He began to hum along with the song, and Alicia could feel as well as hear the notes through his chest. He ran one of his hands down her side, coming to rest in the small of her back, the other curling around the nape of her neck. "Mmm..." he murmured as he lowered his face into her hair.

When I'm alone with my fancies...I'll be with you
Weaving romances...making believe they're true

Give me your lips for just a moment
And my imagination will make that moment live
Give me what you alone can give
A kiss to build a dream on

"Now, Cormac," she murmured into his chest, inhaling his masculine scent, "that wasn't so scary, was it?" She was enjoying the sensations that were setting her nerves on fire. This man was smooth, there was no doubt of that.

When I'm alone with my fancies... I'll be with you
Weaving romances... Making believe they're true

Give me a kiss to build a dream on
And my imagination will thrive upon that kiss
Ah sweetheart, I ask no more than this
A kiss to build a dream on

His eyes smoldering with desire, Cormac replied, "No, there's nothing scary about this. I was only worried I might not be able to control myself, and would end up throwing you over my shoulder and Apparating us both out of here." He pulled her closer towards him, holding her tight.

Alicia's breath caught in her throat. It had been far, far too long since anyone had looked at her that way. Easy girl, breathe, her inner voice cautioned.

"And I make you feel as though you'd like to resort to such... Primitive measures?" She licked her lips, and smiled at him. "How very... Unsubtle." She leaned back, her hips still touching his, and adjusted his tie. "Yet, I think you're often too subtle for your own good, Cormac. I've heard all about the great strides you've been making at the Ministry. It might do you good to be blunt once in a while."

Cormac raised an eyebrow. "I can give you blunt."

She let her hand trail softly down his chest, hovering slightly above his belt and then slid it easily back behind his neck, pulling her upper body back flush with his. "Good. I like to know what a man is thinking when he's around me."

Cormac leaned in even closer and ran his lips from the base of Alicia's neck up to her ear. "Well, I can't speak for all men, but I can certainly tell you what I'm thinking right now. I'm thinking I'd like to take you back to my flat and spend a few hours getting better... acquainted."

Alicia threw back her head and laughed.

"Well, Cormac, as tempting as that offer is... I must get up early tomorrow... You do know that I teach Yoga in the mornings? And then I have practice... There's a game this Saturday, you know." She smiled, and fixed her eyes firmly on his, "However, if you play your cards right, Mr. McLaggen, I may be easily persuaded to take a raincheck on the... Getting acquainted? However, I should be most offended if you did not see me safely home."

"And I would be appalled at the idea of not seeing you safely home."

The song ended and he walked her off the dance floor and back to their booth where he collected his coat and helped Alicia on with hers. "And where are we off to, Miss Spinnet?" Cormac asked, as he thought of being invited, albeit briefly, back to her flat.

"It's in London proper, 45 Ash St, Flat B," she smiled, "Make sure you think of being inside...Or should we Side-Along?"

"I'd like to see you home properly, if you don't mind," Cormac said, while wrapping his arms tightly around her once more.

"Not at all," Alicia shivered despite the fact that she was feeling warmer than normal, her body was clearly regretting the boundary she'd set.

"It's a small entryway, cream colored carpet, black door, chocolate colored walls. It opens into the sitting room, in which you can catch a glimpse of my overstuffed black couch. That should be enough to go by." She smiled, and leaned into him. "Shall we?"

Cormac nodded and Apparated them to Alicia's flat and couldn't help but smile when he realized how much of herself was reflected in her decor. There were pictures all along the mantelpiece, and Quidditch memorabilia nearly everywhere in the flat. Her yoga mat was unrolled on the floor in front of her couch, a black mat that strangely fit right into the surroundings.

"Nice place, very inviting. Someone follow Quidditch?" Cormac said as he pulled her over to the couch. He sat down and pulled her down onto his lap. "Now tell me, what do you have going on in the morning that's more important than this," he said, and lowered his lips to hers and kissed her softly. Alicia moaned quietly and Cormac took that as invitation to further deepen the kiss. His pulse quickened and he ran his tongue along her lower lip until she opened her mouth for him.

Alicia met his tongue with hers, tentatively at first and then with more enthusiasm. Her hands worked their way to his tie, and loosened it. She pulled away for a gasp of air, and looked at him with lust-filled eyes. "I don't know that it's more important, but tomorrow, I may feel differently. I think it's about time to say goodnight, Cormac."

Before he could respond, she was kissing his neck, and jaw line, little kisses, intermingled with small bites, planning to make sure he'd want that rain-check. She caught his earlobe with her lips and began lick and suck it, earning her a low groan from the man whose lap she was sitting on. She squirmed a bit, snuggling in closer, and then some more for good measure, hearing his breath catch.

Cormac groaned a little louder and placed his hands on Alicia's hips, stilling her movement. "Your mouth says no, but your body says yes. Which should I believe?"

Alicia looked at him, and removed herself from his lap, crossing her arms under her breasts. Her eyes narrowed, and her voice was icy, a rapid change from the huskiness that filled it only moments before. She could hardly believe he'd ask such a thing, quite effectively ruining the mood. She was no mindless bimbo to be manipulated into rushing a relationship.

"If you want me to believe at all that you respect me... Which, by the way, is very important to me, then you'll believe my voice. I think it's time for you to leave, MisterMcLaggen."

Her pulse was still racing... She hoped she hadn't pushed him too far on that one... But it was said now, and surprising herself slightly, she had meant every word of it.

That was good time for that bluntness to come out, girl. You deserve respect, and if he won't respect you, then he's not for you. This time the voice in her head was on her side, and she mentally sighed in relief.

Cormac looked at Alicia. She just wants to believe I respect her. Okay, I can do that. "Of course I respect your wishes." He stood up and straightened his tie and tucked his shirt back in, wondering how it had come untucked without him noticing at the time. He reached for her hand and pressed his lips against the back of it, as he had earlier in the evening. "Miss Spinnet, it has been my complete pleasure. I do hope we'll have occasion to do this again."

She eyed him warily as he spoke.

"You rather hurt my feelings asking that question, Cormac. I would have hoped you would have been more considerate. Tonight was fun, and I would hardly have been adverse to another evening of your company, including the raincheck I was forced to make due to my responsibilities." She sighed, trying to explain so he wouldn't leave in anger, " I didn't want you to leave any more than you wanted to, but then you questioned my word. That is not something I can take lightly, do you understand?"

A brief look of regret flickered over Cormac's face. "Forgive me please, for offending you. I promise, that was not my intention." He reached out and touched her cheek. "Goodnight, Alicia," he said and Apparated away.

Alicia sighed, hoping he would owl her, and stepped out of her dress on the way to her room. It had been hard to turn him down, Merlin knew, but she had to hope she was worth more than one night... Surely she was worth chasing, even a bit? With troubled thoughts, she snuggled into her welcoming bed, and slept.


{Summary: Cormac meets Alicia for drinks, and things nearly get out of hand.}