Days had passed since the trial of Theodora Kingstreet.  And just as he figured, Kingstreet had more or less dropped off the grid.  Or was just taking extra care to slip under the radar.  Either way it didn't matter to him what she did now.  He knew that in the end it hadn't matter if he had released her with the restriction of never being able to remove her restraints.  For Kingstreet, there was always a way around it...another option...another way...all of it was just about time and careful thinking.  Yeah, where else could Alex have learned to think in such a critical way? 

In the end he knew that Kingstreet would get what she wanted.  So why had it left him so bitter?  Perhaps because he knew his own move in the court was nothing but a hindrance, a small irritation.  And would be impossible to hold her too anyway.  Alex knew it was coming though.  Something that would show on why he and Jason MacDonell had been so outspoken against Kingstreets release. 

No, this game was just starting.  There wasn't just any one person to blame for this.  They all were.  The wizarding community was stuck in a false sense of security and whatever would be happening would give a large eye opening experience for all of them.  So what did that leave for Alex?  Well he knew several things were going to come for him specifically.  One, Kingstreet.  Second, the reporters.  And three, the citizens.  Now he remembered why he had never cared for this position.  No matter how minor of a mistake, it always brought you into question.  And while that time wasn't now...he knew it was coming.  When Kingstreet did something, Alex and Marcus would most likely be the first ones blamed.  Even though they had been the voices warning them in the first place.  And Alex had already prepared to refer to Jason MacDonell's speech on that day.  They all had been warned...but none listened.

That led to Alex where he was.  In his office, working.  What was odd, it was the same time everyone else was.  He wasn't coming in late or staying till the last candle had been blown out.  He was working normal hours and had freaked out his office for the most part.  Even Tamis seemed to have a bit of trouble adjusting to her boss' sudden following of normal hours.  To be honest he needed to throw off his normal schedule to keep his mind focused.  With a possible enemy out again he needed to have his guard up and keep the same hours as everyone else.  Limiting his time he was alone and thus any possible attempts that might be made on his life.

However, that didn't mean he was keeping one hundred precent to the rules.  He had a opened bottle of firewhiskey and a glass about a quarter full in front of him.  His door was wide open, and he was sure he would see some buisness before his day was through.  At the moment he was lazily gazing through a report on something from the misuse of muggle artifacts and kicked back in his seat with his feet on his desk as he did so.  He wasn't sure what it was about today...but maybe he would know soon enough.

Lance finished up doing his least favorite thing about this job, filing out reports. He loved being out on the streets and doing the physical part of his job. Hell he even started to enjoy working with the Aurors when he had to. It just depended who it was and if they were pulling a power trip.

He had wanted to chat with Alexander for awhile now about Remembering Day, but he had been so busy and pre-occupied by the Kingstreet trial, which Lance tried to stay away from in conversation as much as possible. Now that it was all over with, he had hoped to catch him at a good time.

As he approached his office he was surprised to see his door open. He casually strolled in with his hands in his pocket. "Hey boss!" He gave him a curious look at the sight of him looking so relaxed, and drinking something that looked to him as fire-whiskey. "Are you drinking sir?" He certainly wouldn't blame him if he was, after that trial and all the hoopla. It must be taking a toll on him.

"Hey boss!"

Not even bothering to look up he instead reached over to his nearly empty drink and finished it off.  Only to place it on the desk and fill it back up with firewhiskey.  Yeah, it was some time in the afternoon, but it wasn't like a few drinks would make him impaired or anything.  Aside  anything that would require him to use some sort of reflex was definitely not going to happen on this day. 

Of course he knew that the person that stood before him was his Hitwizard, Lance Travers.  Someone who was equally as antsy when there was no action to be had.  Though Alex had reason to believe that there wasn't going to be such a lull in action in the future.  Another one of his hunches that Jason always wanted to be let in on.  Yeah he certainly had a history of nailing things before they happen.  That was the only reason why so many people trusted his hunches.

"Are you drinking sir?"

"Yeah, I guess I am.  Then again I'm supposed to be reading through that stack of reports...not this one.  But I find that the Muggle Artifact Misuse reports or so entertaining.  Like this one.  A witch or wizard modified a television remote that when they press the 'off' button the muggle falls asleep.  Turns out they enchanted the button.  Pretty impressive to enchant just the button and not just the whole device if you ask me," Alex said ranting on still not having looked up at Lance the entire time.  Like Marcus he kept an open door policy so anyone that had a problem was free to come to him...or ask questions...or anything.  It was kinda annoying but he was good at his job and he did care for the people that worked under him.  He was definitely more concerned with Kingstreet now on the loose.  Well technically free.  Though not a private citizen thanks to his restrictions on her release.  But that didn't mean anything, for all he knew maybe she was enjoying herself and not causing trouble.  The very thought almost made him laugh.

Finally, he looked at Lance and tossed the report he was reading on his desk.  "Something I can help you with Mr. Travers?" 

Lance was one of his best Hitwizards, but because he was striving for more action it led to some issues...or rather complaints from some of the others.  Alex was empathetic though because he was the same way.  It was the only reason why Alex kept such a vigorous training schedule with Marcus.  And the two would have a competition and often put obstacles in each others way as they went to keep it challenging.  He wondered though...how did his Hitwizard deal with it?

“A witch or wizard modified a television remote that when they press the 'off' button the muggle falls asleep.  Turns out they enchanted the button.  Pretty impressive to enchant just the button and not just the whole device if you ask me."

Lance took a seat in front of his desk and leaned back casually, kicking his legs out. He chuckled at him and the report. “Hmm, very creative. Seems pretty trite to go to all that trouble for though. Someone has way too much time on their hands.”

He leaned forward, resting his arms in his desk, watching him for a moment, as he seemed too enthralled in this report to look up at him. He looked over at the empty glass of fire-whiskey on his desk, suddenly craving that familiar taste. “Is everything alright sir? I’ve never seen you… ah, drink at work before? Not that I care. You should have at least had the decency to share.” He joked with a smirk.

Lances nervous were on edge with the Kingstreet trial, he hated Voldemort’s name and talk of Death Eaters being kicked around so much again. Not to mention the up coming Remembering Day ceremonies. It was definitely not something he cared to remember. That day became a nightmare for a naive fourteen year Gryffindor. It wasn’t something he liked to talk about either unless it was with Altair. He was there with Lance inside the castle during the battle and when he received the news that his older brother was killed. It almost killed him to find out later that his brother, who he always looked up to and adored, was fighting for the other side. His body found with a Death Eater mask, bearing the dark mark.

His mother was still to this day in denial about it. They rarely talked about it. Only mentioning Colin’s name when referring to their happy childhood together. Whenever he went home to visit her, it was like stepping back in time. With photos of the two of them together, and the happy family portraits aligning the walls. It made is stomach turn.

"Something I can help you with Mr. Travers?"

Once he finally had Alex’s attention he cleared his throat and began to speak, with a serious tone. “I would like Remembering Day off sir. I know you need me for extra security but I don’t think I can be anywhere near all the hoopla, not that day.” Lance hated feeling like this. So torn about something that he should respect and be grateful for. It was his biggest weakness and he didn’t like to show it.

“Is everything alright sir? I’ve never seen you… ah, drink at work before? Not that I care. You should have at least had the decency to share.”

"And you also have never really seen me in my office at this time before recently.  But its nothing to worry about," Alex said as he flicked out a wand and created another cup in his hand and filled it, sliding it across the table to Lance.  "On me.  Just don't let Ms. Raynor catch your breath.  She may not have any jurisdiction over you but she knows who does...and who would have given you a drink on the clock.  And that is a couple bruises I don't need on my head."

Even though Alex thought it would be incredibly entertaining to do so.  Only because it was Tamis and it meant he would have managed to spark some reaction out of her that wasn't professional.  But all in all he thought he was doing well on that front.  Even if he wasn't entirely sure as to why he did so.  But that was all aside from the point.

“I would like Remembering Day off sir. I know you need me for extra security but I don’t think I can be anywhere near all the hoopla, not that day.”

With that the tone had changed, and Alex let out a sigh.  He didn't care to talk about the subject either for his own reasons.  The attack on Hogwarts was a day that no one would forget.  They all had major losses that day.  "I can't do that, Mr. Travers.  And its nothing personal because I've denied four vacation request already.  I need you that day.  However, if you do not want to be on as security then I will need you to be on your regular patrol.  As you know most of the Hitwizards and Hitwitches are security for the event, but that leaves little force off of Hogwarts.  So if you perfer I can have your assignment changed to be in Diagon Alley or here at the Ministry.  But I'll leave that choice to you, it makes no difference to me."

Alex paused for a moment looking at Lance, "I would personally like you to be present at the event.  You are one of my more talented Hitwizards and it is a loss in security not to have you there.  But if you are positive you don't want to be there then I shall have you reassigned. Is that to your satisfaction?"

Lance’s eyes lit up at the sight of the full glass of drink before him. He didn’t hesitate and took a long gulp back. “Ah… that’s better. Thanks, I promise I’ll avoid Ms. Raynor like the plague. He usually did anyway. He always got the impression she didn’t care much for or respected the Hitwizards. That they were there to just do the mindless dirty work.

"I would personally like you to be present at the event.  You are one of my more talented Hitwizards and it is a loss in security not to have you there.”

Lance looked down at his glass and sighed. He didn’t like to disappoint Alex, he prided himself at being reliable, someone that could always be counted on. Maybe he could block out what was going on and why he was there. He didn’t like the idea of returning to Hogwarts though. He wasn’t one for facing the ghosts of his past. He liked to keep them nice and buried. Perhaps that’s why he drank so much, why his fiancé left him and why he throws himself into his job.

He looked back up at Alex. “Never mind, I’ll be there. I’ll go to Hogwarts if that’s where you want me." He paused for a moment. " I heard a few rumors that they were doing some damn historical battle reenactments? Is that true?” Lance shook his head in disgust, his voice became more angry. “I don’t want to see any of it if it is. What the hell are they thinking? It’s only been ten years, I can see if fifty or a hundred years had passed. But the survivors and relatives of the deceased that died in those battles are still around and hurting. It’s disgusting. It’s not for entertainment value. I’m not going to be very damn happy if I have to be anywhere near it is all I’m saying.”

He looked down at his drink then chugged the rest of it back.

“I don’t want to see any of it if it is. What the hell are they thinking? It’s only been ten years, I can see if fifty or a hundred years had passed. But the survivors and relatives of the deceased that died in those battles are still around and hurting. It’s disgusting. It’s not for entertainment value. I’m not going to be very damn happy if I have to be anywhere near it is all I’m saying.”

"I can understand your feelings about the subject, we were all subject to loss.  I know I lost a lot then as well.  There is, however, another side of this you need to see.  The reason why the Remembering day is here to begin with.  We are not to just Remember the fact that Voldemort was defeated this day, but it is a day to mourn for those that died.  And ultimately to remind all of us why we can never let this happen again.  Its hard for a lot of us.  To see the reenactment done by kids that were merely in their infancy when the event occurred.  Obviously their thoughts on it will differ than yours, as you were still in Hogwarts during that mess.  And naturally mine will be much different than yours,"  Alex sighed and using his wand poured Lance another drink into his now empty glass as well as pouring himself one.

"The population as a whole is quick to forget the sorrows of the past.  That is why we have to remember, to remind everyone of how horrible that time had been.  No one could sleep soundly.  Fear is what swept over the whole community.  Does this make sense, Mr. Travers?  Pain, especially emotional kind is a reminder of a time that is gone.  And that is why we must all become stronger to never feel that again.  Ask yourself this Mr. Travers.  Why did you become an Auror?  Wasn't some part of it to stop anything like that ever happening again?  So that no one else in the world would ever have to feel the pain that you did?"  Alex stopped and let his words sink in for a long moment and took a drink of his firewhiskey.  He sighed as he put his cup back down. 

Sure, he had his own problems with letting the reenactment to be done by children that didn't understand the weight of what had happened back then, but that was also what he thought could be so good about it.  It should be seen as a celebration...soon the first generation of kids that wouldn't have been effected by Voldemort's reign would be going out into the working world.  Alex had a feeling that was where the future of the wizarding community would be.  He wondered if his wife would have thought the same thing.

"As per your assignment," Alex started again as he summoned up a folder from his file cabinet.  "I want you to shadow the Minister.  I don't want you to be visible, so normal street clothes will be preferred in your assignment.  The moment you see Theodora Kingstreet any where near the Minister you are to switch targets to her and prevent anything she may try.  That the only thing I can say specifically.  Other than that watch for anything suspicious and above all protect the Ministers life.  The means and way you accomplish this is up to you.  Anything suspicious I want you to report right to me, no one else.  And just for your info, the Minister knows he will be tailed.  So don't be alarmed if gives you an indication that he knows."

Lance nodded his head to thank him for the refill. He listened to what Alex had to say, but still it didn't make him feel any better or change his opinion on the matter.

"I still think it's distasteful. Children reenacting battles and death? Makes sense." He paused to take a long drink.  "I mourn it every damn time I walk into my mothers house thanks. I don't need a special day to do that.  And I'm not saying the defeat of Voldemort isn't something to celebrate, it's just the glorification of the violence of that day. It's ingrained in my mind, I don't need to see it relived."

"Why did you become an Auror?  Wasn't some part of it to stop anything like that ever happening again?"

"I chose this path so I would never end up like my brother." He simply stated, looking across at Alex. Of course he didn't want this to ever happen again, but it was Colin's betrayal that motivated him to become a Hitwizard.

"I want you to shadow the Minister.  I don't want you to be visible, so normal street clothes will be preferred in your assignment.  The moment you see Theodora Kingstreet any where near the Minister you are to switch targets to her and prevent anything she may try."

"I can do that, but I guess that means I'll have to suck it up and be right in the thick of it. It's fine. I'll deal. Just might need a few of these after," he smirked holding up his glass. Lance was surprised he give him such an important assignment, he didn't want to let him down or give up an opportunity like that. If Kingstreet showed up, all the better for him. He would love any opportunity to take her down and put her back where she belongs.

He could understand Lance, distaste for a reenactment of the events of ten years ago.  But there was importance in that itself.  Because sometimes people need that reminder, regardless of the pain and memories it might bring.  Alex knew that it wasn't an easy time for a lot of them.  Especially when he had also been apart of that battle.  Fighting so many and seemingly non-stop for a time.  He and Marcus work hadn't stopped for years after that day.  There was a lot that was effected by the 2nd Rise of Voldemort.  The Ministry had been taken over, and only a few had managed to avoid being caught up in it. 

"I chose this path so I would never end up like my brother."

"You mean his involvement as a Death Eater," Alex tone became a bit more serious.  Yes he knew all about Colin Travers.  And why shouldn't he?  As he had been one to fight him during that battle.  The outcome wasn't something he had thought about then.  "Then I should believe this day would mean more to you than anyone else.  And it is no glorification of violence.  What it signifies is that we are moving on.  Out society is finally mending its wounds and becoming safe.  That is no small part to people such as you, Lance Travers.  Do not forget or avoid the past.  Embrace it, make it apart of you and become stronger."

"I can do that, but I guess that means I'll have to suck it up and be right in the thick of it. It's fine. I'll deal. Just might need a few of these after,"

"You are more than welcome to.  I doubt you'll need to follow Marcus for anything but the main ceremony.  So other than that, please continue with your usual patrols," Alex stopped considered his words for a moment.  "Lance, I trust your skills and your judgement simply because of the past.  I know you will not make fast and reckless decisions so lightly.  I respect that.  That is why I'm entrusting this task to you and no other."