Chapter 270 - Undulations (2/2)
”Still that does little to ease my worries,” Alastor said as he shifted in his seat. ”I'd rather not add the tangled poisonous web of the underworld at this time. We already have enough on our plates as it is.”
”We may not be given a choice in the end,” Percius mused. ”But still, who are the present leaders of the underworld?”
They all turn to glance at Alastor, who wrinkles his nose in revulsion. ”As far as we know, old Sanderson is still ruling London, Newport for the coast, Forsythe for Scotland, Lewis for the Welsh, and Murphy for the Irish. While the northern part of England's leader is always constantly changing, I'm not sure if Smith is still ruling or not.”
Percius nods his head, before turning towards Alphard. ”And you, Alphard, how's the new job going. I heard you transferred to the personnel filing office.”
”Aye,” Alphard smirked. ”As my health is in decline, and for once I wouldn't mind a paper-pushing job. It's quite comfy down there.”
”I have half a mind to believe that you did it all for the cushy chairs,” Percius teased.
”Ah, yes, did I forget to mention that?” Alphard said with a wicked smile. ”The desk chair is quite plush and comfy.” Alastor rolls his eyes as Gideon and Fabian, both flash Alphard mischievous grins.
”I don't mind if any of you come to visit me with office warming gifts,” Alphard paused to point at the two red-headed men. ”Except for you two. I would prefer to be left with my dignity intact.”
”Spoilsport,” Gideon muttered under his breath as Fabian merely indignantly sniffed at being so openly called out as a troublemaker.
Alastor climbed to his feet revealing his large trench boots. ”Then it that case, we best be going. With all, the Quidditch World Cup to be held this summer, I tend to find my days rather long especially with Scrimgeour on my case all the time.”
”I did hear that the two of you now eat lunch together,” Percius said with a chuckle. ”Though more often than not the two of you are shouting at each other.”
”Yes, well, I still can't stand the brat,” Alastor admitted. ”But he's not as bad as I had originally thought. He's got a mean swing and even faster spell work.”
”That's rather high praise coming from you, Alastor,” Percius chortled.
Alastor snorts and says, ”Don't be getting all gooey-eyed on me, Clements! I still don't like the brat!” With a huff, Alastor stormed out to their amused faces.
”I reckon, he must not mind Scrimgeour as much,” Gideon grinned. ”I've actually seen them eat in peace as of late. Which many including myself would have sworn on Merlin himself that was an impossibility!”
”Yes, well, I still argue that they've been dosed with calming droughts,” Fabian chuckled as he pulled his brother out the door.
Percius extends a helping hand to Alphard, who gratefully accepts the offered hand to climb onto his feet. ”How have you really been doing, Alphard?” Percius sincerely asked.
”I've improved a bit as the office is relatively warm when in comparison to my previous position,” Alphard said as he put on his cloak. ”But the healers say that I'd be better off without any stress. But given what I know, I don't believe that is remotely possible.”
Percius silently claps a hand on Alphard's shoulder, before giving him a brisk nod. The two of them extinguish the fire, before departing from the small flat. They quickly left the flat and apparated away to their own destinations, their beds. They would be able to get several hours of sleep before the sun arose. Not as much as they would have hoped for, but enough that they wouldn't be exhausted while at work.