Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"I was simply wondering." he said casually. "Now then." he said in a 'let's move on from this subject, finally' face. "Have you ever been to China before?"

"Well, I'll be happy to show you around some of the most wonderful places." he smiled. "My family owns many of the most famous buildings in China." he sighed as if part of his ancestors' hard work had been his doing. "My favorite is..." he went on and on about some banking buildings and financial lending and advising companies which his grandfather and eventually his father had owned and run very well; resulting in his wealth. "I myself won't bother with such menial work." he sighed as if it was above him. "I grow bored with finance...What do you do for fun?" he finally asked, seeming to come out of his prideful boast and remembering her. I wonder...I gamble and flirt...I dine at expensive restaurants...But that is the extent of my fun outside the manor...

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I was simply wondering." Mr. Li said casually. "Now then." he said in a 'let's move on from this subject, finally' face. "Have you ever been to China before?"

"No, it is my first visit," Aislinn replied with an exciting smile as if she was very exciting to be visiting China for the first time. It was useless, all this talk about Lord Voldemort, Salazar Slytherin, snakes and vampires....I bet he would not been sitting there and smiling like a fool if he had truly known who Lord Voldemort was...

"Well, I'll be happy to show you around some of the most wonderful places." he smiled. "My family owns many of the most famous buildings in China." he sighed. "My favorite is..." he went on and on about some banking buildings and financial lending and advising companies which his grandfather and eventually his father had owned and run very well; resulting in his wealth. She nodded and smiled at right moment, showing her interest in everything he told her, but deep inside she was dying of boredom. Merlin's beard, he is so boring, and he think he is charming with his wealth and riches. Men who only think about money disgust me...

"I myself won't bother with such menial work." he sighed as if it was above him. "I grow bored with finance..."

Then why the bloody hell did you start telling me about all your financing and wealth, if that bloody stuff bores you? She thought for herself, but she did not say anything. She just nodded understandingly and smilingly as if she pitied him for finding such mundane tasks so boring.

"What do you do for fun?" he finally asked. In other circumstances, if she had been dating a normal man, she would have felt revealed if the date had changed the subject to something more interesting, though now she did not care whatever Mr. Li babbled about. She was just wishing to shut him once and for good. Soon... wait until the perfect moment till you and Alastair will strike him..

"Well beside gambling, I love shopping. I do that very often, mostly shopping for pleasure, and some weekends I party with my girls at a good nightclub and other weekends I treat myself with spa. I also like to sunbathe during the summers" She replied as if it was the most natural things for her to do. I have only been to a nightclub once and that was only for a couple of minutes. I was eighteen years old back then. It was the worst experience ever. The music was a disaster. It made me feel so stressed that I almost was feeling anguish. The lights were disturbingly annoying. The minute I entered the nightclub in Knockturn Alley, the next minute I ran out from that place...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Ah." Mr. Li nodded, and then the limousine stopped at the entrance of the park. He was about to say something else, but then the chauffeur opened Aislynn's door quickly, seeming to pity her.

"Here we are." Mr. Li said, and they both left the car.

They walked along several smooth paths surrounded by trees and flowers. What made it beautiful was that they weren't walking in the dark, but that every few feet, a flower had been enchanted to glow like a soft nightlight, so that it looked like a scene right out of a fantasy novel about fairies. Here and there, a few leaves of every tree had been turned some highly pigmented color.

For once, Mr. Li had stopped talking, but had fallen silent to enjoy the walk.

After nearly an hour of walking, he stopped and turned to Aislynn, a warm smile on his face. "This is where I leave you for the night." he sighed as if he expected her to say something. Here we go...If she has any feelings for me at all, she will object and possibly suggest that we stay together a bit longer. If I turn to walk away and she so much as hesitates, I will assume she is after my fortune and nothing else... he thought as he turned to leave.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Ooooooh..." It was the most beautiful garden Aislinn had ever seen. I want to take a stroll with Alastair here at night...we would walk, holding hands, we do not need to speak, but enjoying the enchanted flowers...he would pick a glowing red rose and attach it to my hair....and when we stop walking.. She bit her lower lip so hard to stay focused. She did not dare to look backward immediately to see if Alastair was tailing her and Mr. Li, instead she looked right and left as if she was trying to take in the view of every flower. She even spun around to get a view from behind, nearly hoping and leaping around like an excited girl.

After nearly an hour of walking, Mr. Li stopped and turned to her, a warm smile on his face.

"This is where I leave you for the night." he sighed.

"No, please," She almost burst out, clutching the money she had won at the casino, in her hands. "Stay a little longer with me," She smiled and looked at him as if she did not wish to part from him at all. I am losing my patience soon. Am I supposed to lead Alastair to Mr. Li's home?

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

At this, Mr. Li smiled warmly, and put his arm around Aislynn's shoulders as they continued walking. "There are three things which I can never grow tired of..." he sighed as he looked around at the flowers. "Walking through this very garden...Gambling...And..." he smiled slyly. Looking over his shoulder dramatically before leaning forward and whispering something rather naughty in Aislynn's ear.

When he backed away again, he laughed softly before allowing the hand at Aislynn's shoulders to slip to her lower back. "Would you like to see my home?" he asked, although it was clear of what he really wanted by the lusty look in his eyes.

"I'm still with you, Aislynn." Alastair confirmed calmly. "Don't worry..." He could see Aislynn and Mr. Li in the distance as he knelt in one of the bushes, on a plain towel he had conjured so as not to stain his clothes. He held with him opera lenses similar to the ones he had gifted Valletta years earlier. In truth, they had been for surveillance, which was why they had been able to translate different languages from a distance. In this way, he could read, at the bottom of the lenses, what Aislynn and Mr. Li were saying. That was why he had given Aislynn yet another reminder that he was with her, for he felt quite sorry that she had to keep up this foul charade.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn had to use all her inner force to remain calm as she felt Mr. Li's heavy arm around her shoulders. Her face turned red of shame and anger while repulsive feelings bubbled inside of her, of what he whispered into her ear. She looked away and managed to chuckle nervously, pretending that he had made her feel rather excited than offended. She nearly went stiff when his arm slip from her shoulders to her lower back, hating every second he touched her.

"Would you like to see my home?" he asked.

"I would love to..." She almost whispered as if she was feeling nervous and excited about it. She was looking down at her feet, pretending to be shy. She did not need to look into his eyes to know what he was hinting about. He disgusts me....

If she had not heard Alastair's voice during that moment, reassuring her that he was with her, she would have freaked out.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Good." Mr. Li smiled, and they turned around to walk back, his hand remaining where it was. She's either pleasantly excited or slightly nervous...Either way, I look forward to this... he thought. Any thoughts he had after that were of what would happen when he reached his house. They detoured to a shorter path that would lead them back to the limousine, where the chauffeur had evidently been waiting patiently.

"After you." Mr. Li smiled again, as the door was held open for her. "Take us home." he ordered to the chauffeur. It was the first time he had addressed the chauffeur since he had met Aislynn, and he did so harshly, as if the chauffeur was merely a dog made to serve him.

When they were inside the limousine, he politely turned away from her to look out of his car window, for he knew that he could not look at her without staring hungrily.

Back in the car, I see. came Alastair's voice. I'm right behind you, so to speak...Your doing wonderfully, my lady. He said sympathetically. He had entered his car, but hadn't started it yet, because the limousine was still too close.

One silent car ride later, Aislynn and Mr. Li got out of the limousine to stand before a lavish estate. They entered through a gate, and came to a patio with a large swimming pool. "This is my home." Mr. Li smiled proudly. "I designed it myself." he boasted.

Inside the foyer, a lady bowed to them, dressed in a maid's uniform. "Good evening, Sir. Good evening, Ms." she said in a timid voice, bowing to Mr. Li and Aislynn respectfully. Her voice was very quiet, as if she was afraid if she raised it they may not like the sound of her voice. "May I get you anything to drink or eat?" she asked loyally. "I've made you're favorite-"

"No thank you." Mr. Li answered curtly for them before the maid could finish.

"Are you certain? Perhaps you would only like some water or-" she began helpfully.

"I said no thank you!" he said in the same harsh voice he had used with the chauffeur. In doing so he had raised his hand threateningly, and the maid had flinched. As he made to put his arm back at his side again, he accidentally knocked over an expensive-looking vase from a small table. "Clean it up, will you." he spat.

"Yes, Sir." she said quietly, hurrying to pick up the glass. In doing so, she accidentally cut herself, dropping the glass in pain as her hand began to bleed.

Mr. Li sighed in disgust as he turned away, grabbing Aislynn's hand as he started up a wide, white spiral staircase. "I have no tolerance for blood..." he sighed, feeling sick.

On the way, everything in sight was absolutely spotless; since it seemed Mr. Li only had one maid, it appeared that she had been working very hard all day.

Aislynn. Alastair said calmly. You needn't do that which Mr. Li wishes you to do. . . Find an excuse to get away for a moment; we merely need to confirm that Mr. Li is the murderer, and then we can assassinate him. He concluded, certain that the idea would calm Aislynn.

Once they reached Mr. Li's bedroom door, which was open, Mr. Li provided Aislynn with an excuse. "I am certain that you would like to wash after all of that smoke in the casino and the walking at the park. There is a bathroom located down the hall, with fresh towels in the cabinet behind the door. Do make yourself comfortable." he smiled, slowly looking her up and down before walking away without waiting for a reply. He stopped walking at the end of the hallway, and stood there to ensure that Aislynn went straight to the bathroom without any detours.

 

[Hikari Chan]

What now?! Aislinn thought as she felt the panic taking over her when Mr. Li grabbed her hand leading her up to a staircase. I shall excuse myself that I need to visit the restroom... She thought at the same time as she heard Alastair's words. And who told you I want to do this! She thought angrily. All my purpose was to lead you to this place so you could finish him..

Aislinn was about to open her mouth to speak when they had reached Mr. Li's bedroom, when he suddenly spoke:

"I am certain that you would like to wash after all of that smoke in the casino and the walking at the park. There is a bathroom located down the hall, with fresh towels in the cabinet behind the door. Do make yourself comfortable." he smiled, slowly looking her up and down before walking away without waiting for a reply.

Talk about the devil…

"Of course I would like to, thank you. How kind of you..." She smiled and tried to walk calmly to the bathroom without rushing. As soon as she had reached the bathroom, entered it and closed and looked the door behind her, she breathed out with relief.

"I am in the bathroom..." She told Alastair in a whisper as she took out her wand. She pointed at the money and reduced its size so that it become so tiny to fit one of her pockets. Then she put an invisibility charm on herself and performed the kind of magic which she had not done for a very long time. It brought back memories of the time when she had abducted Potter's children. She gulped and wished Rosa and Blaise were with her. Oh, calm down, you silly, you are not alone...

She took a deep breath and duplicated herself by creating one clone. It is alright, it is only one clone, it won't drain all your energy and I am not going create hundreds... She thought as she undressed the clone and placed it in lavish bathtub. She turned on the taps so that mostly hot water streamed down, creating a steam that almost hid her clone.

She stood in the middle of the bathroom floor, debating if she dared to do the spying act magic or if she should try sneak out from the bathroom now when she was invisible. Or perhaps try to apparate from here...

She told Alastair everything she had done till now and explained for him her options for escaping the bathroom.

"What shall I do?" She asked him.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

One moment, please. Alastair replied, thinking. She cannot open the door...Mr. Li may be watching it...But since he is a wizard, and seems to have such a high opinion of himself, she cannot risk apparition in case he has protection charms set up...It was clever of her to clone herself...I didn't know she was capable of such a difficult feat...Now, If only there was a way for her to exit without opening the door....Ah! Fingering his pin, he replied after having thought of all of that^ in merely thirty seconds of quick thinking. Can you make the door less solid than it is, so that you can move through it? I fear that Mr. Li may be watching the door, so you cannot touch it. Do not risk apparition, in case he has security with his higher opinion of himself. Alastair advised.

Lovely. Now, make your way to the basement. Search for doors on the ground floor. He explained.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Oh... of course the ghost charm, it will vanish the door so I can walk through but if anyone happens to watch that person will still see the door...

She tapped her wand three times at the door, quietly, whispering the charm and then walked through as if there was no door at all. Once she was standing outside the bathroom, she waved her wand to lift away the charm.

I managed to leave the bathroom unnoticeable and I left the water running so that anyone else will think that I am still showering. The bathroom door is looked from the inside. I do not think anyone would be able to open it unless if the person tries to break in or use magic to enter... She whispered to Alastair.

Lovely. Now, make your way to the basement. Search for doors on the ground floor, he explained.

Alright...

There was no sign of Mr. Li in the hallway, but she kept her invisibility charm as she made her way quickly and quietly towards the staircase. As soon as she had reached the ground floor, she almost froze and quickly hid behind the staircase. She was still invisible but yet she felt that she had to hide. She thought she had seen Mr. Li's figure as she only had seen the back of a man wearing different clothes. She peeked out behind the bars of the staircase. Whatever you do, do not sneeze... She thought when she suddenly felt her nose itching and tickling.

The feeling of the coming sneeze was gone with the matter of second and Aislinn relaxed of relief that she miraculously had been saved from sneezing out aloud.

I have reached the ground floor, but there's someone else here. I cannot see his face... She mouthed wordlessly to Alastair wondering if he possibly had heard what she had told him.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Now that you have cleaned the broken glass up." said Mr. Li "I want you to watch this floor." he said, gesturing to the ground floor. "Alert me if my lovely guest attempts to leave." he instructed the maid, who bowed to him.

Rather than standing upward once more, she remained bent over in the bowing position until Mr. Li turned away to walk back upstairs, adjusting the sash on his maroon night robe as he went. Clearly, he had changed while Aislynn had been preoccupied.

When Mr. Li had walked out of sight, the maid's eyes flicked right to where Aislynn's were, so that their eyes met even as Aislynn was invisible. "You can come out, now." the maid said quietly, standing from her bowing position. "Trust me; if I was going to tell him that you were here, I would have already, right?" she said reasonably.

"You really don't like him." the maid said matter of factly. "But you already knew that. . . Why are you here? Maybe I can help you?"

She seemed genuine enough, but when it seemed that Aislynn might argue, she insisted pleadingly. "Please!" she whispered. "I despise him! If I can help you hurt him, in any way, please tell me!"

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn almost got an heart attack when the maid looked straight into her eyes and spoke to her:

"You can come out, now."

She leaped on her feet, still invisible, and in the matter of seconds she was standing close, holding her wand at the maid.

How the bloody hell can she see me through my invisibility charm…?

"Trust me; if I was going to tell him that you were here, I would have already, right?" the maid said reasonably.

Aislinn calmed down a bit, but her heart was still beating to fast and she could not let her guard down.

"You really don't like him." the maid said matter of fact. "But you already knew that. . . Why are you here? Maybe I can help you?"

"I don't ne-"

"Please!" she whispered. "I despise him! If I can help you hurt him, in any way, please tell me!"

The maid seems to desperate to get rid of her master. I do not blame her. I saw how he treated both her and his driver. But I still feel uncomfortable that she can see me through my invisibility charm. How is that possible? Is she also a witch? Something does not click right in my mind, the agent who had been here before, how did she enter this place? who did she encounter with before she was killed? Did she ever meet the driver or the maid? Was she killed by Mr. Li or someone else?

"Show me the way to the basement," Aislinn whispered without any second thought. Perhaps the maid knows. Perhaps she is expecting me to ask her about the basement, to lead me down and then call for her master? Aislinn shook away these thoughts. She had to take the risk, even if the maid was a trap or not, because she did not have so much time left. Mr. Li would perhaps grow suspicious about 'her taking so long time in the bathroom'. And if he encounters with my clone, one touch and it will dissolve into air molecules and vanish.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Thank you!" the maid bowed, before turning away to walk toward the basement, walking so quietly without any effort.

Meanwhile, Mr. Li sat on his bed patiently. I am used to women who take too long in the bathroom...I suppose this lady merely wants to look lovely for me...just like the others... he thought, laying back on the bed, closing his eyes with an excited smile.

The maid led Aislynn through the kitchen and past the dining room, to another set of stairs slightly smaller than the last set. "It's behind the staircase; a door that he keeps locked...I've never been in there." she said quietly. "But I can get you the key." she turned around and walked away, returning three minutes later with a silver key that matched the lock on the door.

When it seemed she realized she may have sounded suspicious, she explained. "He keeps all of his keys in one bowl in the foyer, so that he doesn't lose them, and also so that I can polish them daily. He will punish me if I do anything he tells me not to, so I have never tried to enter here." she gave the basement door a look.

"Can I help you with anything else?" the maid asked, looking over her shoulder. Clearly, she was nervous about Mr. Li finding her. . . It also looked as if she feared what might be in the basement.

 

[Hikari Chan]

First, Aislinn looked very suspiciously at the maid who returned with a key to the basement door but then she nodded understanding. The maid's explanation sufficed enough to clear out Aislinn's suspicious thoughts. She dropped of her invisibility charm, took the key and flicked her wand at the key, creating an exact replica of the key with Gemino.

"Can I help you with anything else?" the maid asked, looking over her shoulder.

"Yes, put this in among the other keys in the bowl," Aislinn instructed the maid as she gave her the copy of the key. "And then come back here..."

She waited another three minutes impatiently before putting the key in the keyhole. She took a deep breath and twisted the key and opened the door soundlessly.

"You go first..." She instructed the maid before entering and closing the door behind her.

"Colloportus," She whispered and hoped that it won't look suspiciously from the other side. The copy of the key is among his other keys; thus, he won't find out that I have entered the basement. If he discovers my fake body in the bathroom, he will likely think that I have run away with the maid...

It was almost completely dark in the basement. A few strings of lights tried to find their way through the keyhole and the narrow door gaps, which were smaller than a hair strand. She could barely make out the steps in front of her and merely saw the silhouette of the maid's figure standing close.

"Lumos!" She lit up the basement and discovered that they were standing at the head of a small staircase.

They descended the stairs together and the further down they went a sudden faint odor emerged and reached their nostrils. When they reached the foot of the stairs and walked through the opening to the basement, they were met by such atrocious view that Aislinn turned away, gasping in horror, and clutched the maid's arm.

"Ohh...don't look..." She whispered hysterically, nearly on the edge of screaming. She had seen it on one of the pictures shown by Reji. She had known what awaited her in the basement, but she had not been ready to confront it. "Alastair..." Her voice trembled slightly. "I found it, the basement.... and..." She could not bring herself to describe it. "I do not know if any of them are alive...I got the copy of the key and I have locked the door to the basement from the inside. I think Mr. Li is still waiting in his bedroom and hopefully has not discovered my fake body in the bathroom...it is only a matter of time until he finds out that I am gone..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Yes, put this in among the other keys in the bowl," Aislinn instructed the maid as she gave her the copy of the key. "And then come back here..."

The maid nodded, then turned away wordlessly.

"You go first..." She instructed the maid before entering and closing the door behind her.

The maid nodded timidly, so scared that she was shaking. Her eyes didn't leave the floor, and her hands were folded in front of her, grasping each other so hard she was leaving marks with her nails subconsciously. She stood still and tried her best not to move, for she feared bumping into something and making noise.

Very good. Alastair replied when Aislynn reported her progress to him. Is anyone with you? He had heard something about a maid, but wasn't certain what Aislynn had meant.

Meanwhile, the maid wondered who Aislynn was speaking to, since there was no one in the room. For a moment she thought she was in the company of an insane person, before she saw Aislynn light her wand and assumed that she had perhaps sent a patronus message to an alley of hers, having seen Mr. Li do so many times to past lovers. They descended the stairs together, the maid looking over her shoulder every few steps in fear that Mr. Li would be right there, his wand raised and his eyes full of anger. When they reached the foot of the stairs, the maid had raised her hand, holding part of her apron, and used it to cover her nose for the smell.

When Aislynn turned away, the maid's eyes were unable to; transfixed in horror at the ghastly sight. She flinched when Aislynn grasped her arm.

"Ohh...don't look..." She whispered hysterically, nearly on the edge of screaming.

The maid was frozen in place, unable to move as her heart sped up so much she could scarcely tell one beat from the next as it pounded in her ears.

"Alastair..." Her voice trembled slightly. "I found it, the basement...and...I do not know if any of them are alive...I got the copy of the key and I have locked the door to the basement from the inside. I think Mr. Li is still waiting in his bedroom and hopefully has not discovered my fake body in the bathroom...it is only a matter of time until he finds out that I am gone.."

It is alright, my lady. If you claim that they have passed, leave that room immediately and take out Mr. Li if you are certain he is the killer.

"You knew these were here? He always spent so much time here...I never knew why he wanted me to avoid this room..." the maid said, her own voice trembling. "You have a friend with you, in case my master catches us...right?" she was on the point of tears, her hands gripping each other again. Please...please let her have some sort of help for us! She thought, horrified at the thought that her alley may be too far away to help them.

Meanwhile, Mr. Li had risen from his bed and walked over to the bathroom door that Aislynn was supposed to be using. "Miss?" he asked, knocking gently. "It has been nearly twenty minutes, now...Are you nearly done?" He waited a minute, and when there was no reply he repeated with the knocking and asking, louder this time. I am running out of patience for my lovely guest...We could have gotten started already... he thought, becoming less patient and more angry by the second. Why does she not answer? Is she toying with me? He thought, torn between opening the door and waiting a minute longer.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Seriously, do I have time to confirm? ...I already saw it with my own eyes....and they smell dead...they smell rotten flesh and death...I won't take a step any closer to the deceased bodies... Aislinn thought as she grabbed the maid's hand, dragging her back upstairs. The maid's words were enough to confirm that Mr. Li was guilty. Where's Alastair? I thought I would only act as a bait.... Seems that he only tailed Mr. Li to protect me...

"Please wait here until I come back..." Aislinn spoke to the maid without looking at her, as soon as they were back to the ground floor. She rushed back towards the staircase that led up to the hallway where the bathroom was located. But when she reached to the foot of the stairs her instincts told her not to ascend them. Use smoke apparition to go back to the bathroom...

Once she was back, she could merely make out the walls and the interior of the bathroom because of the steam from the hot water that had been running for a long time. She suddenly heard a hard knock (the second knock) at the door that nearly made her jump of fright.

"Miss?" Mr. Li asked. She could hear on his voice that he was growing impatient. "It has been nearly twenty minutes, now...Are you nearly done?"

Tsk....I take one hour when I shower, and I spend at least three hours when I enjoy a bubble bath... She thought as she waved her wand against the taps, turning them off and then pointed at her clone to make it vanish.

"I am so sorry that I made you wait so long.." She replied with a silky voice, waving her wand against the door. "I wanted to make sure that I look so lovely for you this night..."

It was so much steam in the bathroom that she merely saw the shape of his figure when the door swung open. Though she knew were to point her wand exactly as she spoke:

"Legilimens!"

It was easy to break through the barrier of his memories. Aislinn had been expecting him to lower down his guard with her. Perhaps he had viewed himself as man with power, as a superior over me as a weak woman… that must be his weakest spot...

The instant she entered his mind, she regretted it. Aghast, she witnessed his horrid actions. She watched how he had seduced his past lovers, fooled them to love him until they ended, one by one, in the basement. She felt a sudden and strong nausea when she saw how raw and vulgar, he was in his bedroom. She could not decide what was the worst thing these poor women had experienced with him, in the bedroom or in the basement.

"Avada Kedavra!" She exclaimed when she had left his mind.

"Ughhhh...." Aislinn threw up everything on the bathroom floor as she bent down, clutching her tummy. The dinner and the firewhiskey. She did not have the time to rush to the sink. Her stomach had been faster, revolting so hard that its content had went up with such a surprising speed.

"Oh mother, I wish you were here with me..." She thought aloud and then clasped her hands against her mouth, feeling very embarrassed, when she remembered that she was sharing a pin with Alastair and that he could hear everything she said.

She washed her face with cold water and rinsed her mouth before walking out from the bathroom. She did not take a look of her reflection in the bathroom mirror to notice how pale and sick she looked and how her eye liner had run down her cheeks and left stains on her face because she had washed with cold water. She just walked back to the ground floor where the maid was waiting.

"I need wine bottles. I think at least six bottles would do. It does not matter if it's without or with content, just empty all the wine in the kitchen sink," She instructed the maid with a surprisingly calm voice.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

As Aislynn and the maid rushes upstairs, the latter had a relieved expression now that they had let the ghastly room.

"Please wait here until I come back..."

"Yes, ma'am." she bowed, remaining in the bowing position until Aislynn was out of sight.

Meanwhile, Mr. Li was pleased with Aislynn's reply.

"I am so sorry that I made you wait so long.." She replied with a silky voice, waving her wand against the door. "I wanted to make sure that I look so lovely for you this night..."

He breathed calmly, pressing the door open slowly. When he did he barely had enough time to see Aislynn raising a wand to him, having been blinded by the excess of steam.

After she cast her spell, Mr. Li saw what he saw. He was both surprised and humiliated at what she saw.

"Avada Kedavra!" She exclaimed when she had left his mind.

Before he could plead for mercy, or try to deny his actions, he had left his body, destined to a place consumed by fire and eternally dark...

When Aislynn regurgitated her meal on the steps, the maid immediately left the room, returning a minute later with some rags and a bucket. (So, she wasn't there when Aislynn nearly embarrassed herself.)

By the time she had cleaned it up and stood waiting for Aislynn, she had walked out of the bathroom and given her an order.

"I need wine bottles. I think at least six bottles would do. It does not matter if it's without or with content, just empty all the wine in the kitchen sink," She instructed the maid calmly.

"Yes, ma'am." she bowed, walking into the kitchen. There were already many bottles from a house party her master had hosted the night before, waiting to be thrown out as they sat in a large bag. She had forgotten to dispose of them, which turned out to be convenient.

"Here you are, ma'am." she said, handing Aislynn all of the bottles with difficulty, as she had tried to carry them all at once. Surprisingly, none of them dropped one in the struggle. "What else?" the maid asked helpfully. She had found a sort of admiration for the way Aislynn was handling the situation, with her calm voice and plan.

Right then, a popping sound was heard, and Alastair appeared right beside Aislynn. "Are you alright?" he asked, seeing Aislynn's current state. "I can offer you calming potions and rejuvenating potions." he offered, holding both small vials up as if he weren't asking her if she needed them, but if she needed one or both of them, for he knew she would not turn him down. His presence had a calming effect which was felt even before any of the potions touched Aislynn's lips. My my...she has been so brave...and efficient. He sighed inwardly. He had entered the house as soon as he knew Mr. Li had been killed; it had only been three minutes since Aislynn had killed Mr. Li. He placed a comforting hand on Aislynn's shoulder as she drank the potions, then said "Now then; do you wish to do anything to the corpse before we depart from here?" He didn't remind her that disposing of the body was unnecessary, since the Agency had certain teams for that very purpose, as evident by his shared memories.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"What else?" the maid asked helpfully when she had delivered the bottles.

"This will do for the moment, thanks..." Aislinn replied.

Right then, a popping sound was heard that almost made her to jump of fright, and Alastair appeared right beside her.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "I can offer you calming potions and rejuvenating potions." he offered, holding both small vials up which she gratefully took without saying anything. Mr. Li's memories in his bedroom had left her so traumatized and shocked that she had almost become speechless.

There was something special about Alastair's presence that calmed her down and the way he touched her when he put a comforting hand on her shoulder. Something she could not describe it with words, though she knew she could not live without it.

"Now then; do you wish to do anything to the corpse before we depart from here?" He asked.

"Yes, I just want to take his blood with me..." She replied. She did not explain why because she expected him to understand that the blood was especially for her family.

When Aislinn had magically transferred all of Mr. Li's blood to the bottles, she charmed them with the unbreakable charm and reduced their sizes so they all could fit inside one of her pockets.

"The maid claims that she was unaware about what her late master hid in the basement," She told Alastair when she was done. "She actually helped me to find it. I don't know about how much his driver though. I have no doubt that he has driven Li and all his victims to this place, but I don't know how much he knows about what actually happened here."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Aah. I understand now, why she would need the blood... Alastair thought when he saw Aislynn placing Mr. Li's blood into wine bottles. "It is quite alright; we shall bring all of them to the Agency to perform a thorough investigation to fully understand their roles in his crimes." Alastair explained as they descended the stairs once more. "However, you my dear have earned a good night's rest. Why not leave me to report on the mission and help sort out the investigations? I was watching you, so I can answer any questions they may have." The way he said it wasn't that he was offering; he was nearly insisting that she go and get some rest for the night.

"In the end, you did extremely well; I had no doubts about your capability from the beginning." he smiled warmly as they reached the bottom of the stairs, where the maid was waiting.

"Oh, Ms.! I cannot thank you enough for your courage!" the maid bowed to Aislynn, still speaking in her quiet voice. It was clear she wanted to say more to the woman who had just freed her from her master's abuse, but she didn't know what else to say.

 

[Hikari Chan]

It was as if Alastair had spoken Aislinn's mind. She smiled with relief towards him. She had no patience to see Reji again, knowing that she would punch him right on his face if she saw him. Currently, Li's memories had left such an impact on her that she would not only throw up if anyone mentioned or made jokes about the thing in front of her, but she would also freak out.

"I cannot say no to a good night sleep," Aislinn spoke quietly as she blushed, feeling touched by Alastair's praising words. To the maid she said: "No need to thank me, I should thank you for helping me through this. I would not have found the basement, let alone to enter it so soon, without your help."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"You shouldn't praise me so highly." the maid bowed deeper "I really did nothing much. Goodbye." she finished, standing up again.

"Yes. Farewell." Alastair said gently. Then, he leaned forward and whispered in Aislynn's ear. "Ravenna is waiting for you just outside with the carriage; rest well."

He backed away, and watched Aislynn leave before turning to the maid.

Before he spoke, the maid beat him to it. "I understand that there must be an investigation."

With that, she held out her hand, expecting to apparate away with Alastair, as she had seen Mr. Li do.

"I also need to question the chauffeur." Alastair reminded her, not giving her hand so much as a glance.

"Yes, of course; I will go get him and we can begin the interrogation." the maid bowed, walking out the front door.

Meanwhile, Aislynn approached the carriage, where Raven was waiting with the door open. "I will drive us to a silent rooftop, and you will have a pleasant night's rest, I am certain." she bowed as she closed the door.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I'll see you later then," Aislinn whispered back before walking away and leaving the place.

"I will drive us to a silent rooftop, and you will have a pleasant night's rest, I am certain." Raven said when Aislinn had approached the carriage.

"Thank you Raven," Aislinn smiled as she entered, taking a deep breath. It was a great feeling, a feeling as if she was being back home. After a long relaxing shower in hot water she discovered to her surprise black silky pajamas neatly folded on her bed. How sweet of Alastair.... She smiled as she put it on. But her smile faltered when she was about to lay down in her bed. She stared alarmed at the comfortable double bed and could not, for a very strange reason, to lay in it. Despite the vial of sleep draught which she just had taken, she could not bring herself to sleep in the bed. As soon she approached it, Li's memories appeared so vivid in front of her eyes. Thus, Aislinn took one pillow and a blanket with her to the main room where she made herself comfortable in the couch. Exhausted after a very long day, she soon fell asleep with the thoughts of any appropriate and decent excuse, she could tell Alastair, of why she had slept in the couch and not in her bed.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Raven sighed when she parked and went inside to check on Aislynn. After seeing her on the couch, she put a hand to her forehead, laughing quietly. She placed a spell on Aislynn so that when she woke in the morning, her back and neck would not ache. Then she walked out, shaking her head. The first night, it was a suitcase...Tonight it is the couch...Why does she not sleep on a bed?



Alastair had just finished the investigations and had filed his mission report. The maid and the chauffeur were having their memories fixed, so that the Agency remained secret. They were only erasing their memories of the Agency and replacing them with memories of having been questioned by the police instead. Alastair sat with a cup of Green Tea in his hand in the waiting room on the sixth floor, when Reiji entered and announced that the task was complete.

"Arigatou gozaimasu.(Thank you.)" Alastair said formally as he stood from his seat, pointedly walking toward the door.

Reiji blocked his path, and Alastair turned to him, a very cold look in his eyes. "Ejo-dess! (That is all!)" He said quietly, his voice laced with anger.

"Onegai...Ga hoshii desu-(Please...I want-)"

"Anata ga otonaninaru made watashi wa anata to hanashite imasen! (I will not be speaking with you until you have grown up!)" Alastair said, all of the anger gone; his voice was completely cold now.

Reiji looked at Alastair with hurt eyes, not moving from his place, when Alastair walked around him without another glance in his direction.

 

[Hikari Chan]

When Aislinn opened her eyes the next morning, she sat up in the couch and looked around her. She had been sleeping dreamless the entire night and felt so well rested when she woke up. The entire room bathed in bright sunlight.

How long have I been sleeping? Are we still in China or did we travel back to Japan...? She wondered as she walked towards one of the windows of the carriage. She blinked twice and rubbed her eyes as if she could not believe that she was seeing Luna's manor.

What time could it be...? I am so hungry...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Good morning." Raven bowed to Aislynn. "We are now back in London. The time is three o'clock in the evening. You have not slept in-" she informed her with a smile "-the time difference is merely confusing. If you are hungry, I suggest you wash and proceed to the kitchen in the manor; Alastair is making a late lunch for you two." she smiled helpfully. "Before that, is there anything I may assist you with?"

Meanwhile, Alastair had washed and dressed, entering the kitchen to make a late lunch for two. He grilled chicken and sauteed vegetables, while steaming rice and squeezing juice from a variety of fresh fruits.

When Aislynn entered the kitchen, he turned and greeted her with a smile. "Good afternoon-" he said with a bow. "-my lady. Did you have a pleasant night's rest?"

"Very well. I have prepared a simple meal for us, and I do hope you enjoy it." he said as he turned back around to tend to the food, which he was now serving into two plates as the fruit juice split itself into two glasses. "Please be seated in the dining room." he said as he waved a wand at the glasses, which left the room on their own to set themselves in front of where their plates would go.

A minute later he entered the dining room himself, levitating both plates behind him and setting them down in their proper places, where he had already set the silverware from before he began cooking. Before he sat down, he looked at Aislynn. "May I get you anything?" He smiled.

"Very well. Enjoy your meal." He nodded as he took a seat, picking up his knife and fork.