Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created and owned by JK Rowling. No copyright or trademark infringement is intended, no money is being made.
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The air was crisp, and morning rush-hour meant that there were more people around than was pleasant; the jostling at crossings was good natured enough but she was glad it was something she did not have to put up with every day. The water in the fountains outside the opera house danced merrily to a tune only it knew as the woman walked briskly by without looking up, there would be time for sightseeing after her meeting. She had it all planned, she would of course have to go to Mozarthaus, the Belvedere and the Museumsquartier as well as make a quick trip to Kohlmarkt, but the one place she really wanted to go, was a place that she imagined was on few itineraries, the Magischebibliothek, the largest library of magic in the world.
Hurrying on she took no notice of her surroundings beyond finding her destination, the Dorotheum on Dorotheergaße. Foolhardy perhaps, but save for a few renegades that the Ministry said would soon be caught, there was no longer a need for her to constantly look over her shoulder. The war was over, Voldemort's followers were keeping the Wizengamot busy with trials and more importantly, the Dark Lord himself was dead. That there would be a future and a happy one at that, was something she had sometimes doubted, but she was glad she had prepared for it anyway. Even if it did seem to be her connections rather than her talent that had earned her a trip to Vienna.
Punctual for her appointment with the Dorotheum's jewellery consultant, she turned into the entrance and was surprised to find that someone had moved out from the wall to stand in front of her. "Excuse me" she said attempting to go round, the figure moved with her and sighing she looked up. Shock, would have been an inadequate word to describe what she felt at that moment, for barring her way was an apparition from her past, looking older and decidedly the worse for wear, was Professor Snape.
"Miss Granger, how delightful".
Even his voice set her teeth on edge, "Professor".
"Taking a holiday?"
"Something like that... you?"
He smirked, "Something like that. I was just going to the Cafè Hawelka down the street, would you care to join me?"
"I'm sorry but I have a previous engagement".
He looked vaguely annoyed, "I assure you it would be in your interests to come with me instead".
Hermione debated the politest way to say no, but she didn't have time and she no longer cared what he thought, "Professor, I really can't think of anything that would be less likely to be in my interests, or less in line with my personal inclination. Now as I said, I have an appointment, please excuse me".
She moved past him and entering the building saw a man walk towards her, "Miss Granger?"
Hermione nodded, "Good morning Herr Maly, it's a pleasure to meet you". The man looked enquiringly at Snape who was now standing at her side, "shall we go to your office?" Hermione continued, ignoring him.
Maly glanced again at the man before saying, "of course... please" he held out his arm and Hermione preceded him to another door, which he opened for her and they both disappeared from view. "I have arranged to have the earrings temporarily brought up here, should you wish to view them" he said as they walked.
"Thank you, I would", putting her professor out of her mind, she was curious to see what a pair of earrings with an unlimited price tag looked like close up. They entered his office and Hermione saw a guard standing by the desk. Maly retrieved the box that was laying on it and took it over to another table, opening it he picked up an eyeglass and handed it to her.
"As you can see, the stones are flawless".
"Yes" she said as she took the glass, "I'm particularly concerned with the provenance of them".
"I see, yes there seems to be much interest in that".
"There is?" she asked, but he obviously felt he had said too much already. Gazing at them, she thought they were beautiful and as he had said, absolutely flawless.
"You will find all the documents pertaining to their history on the microfiche over there" he said pointing, "the original documents must be kept safe for the new owner you understand".
"Of course, you won't mind if I take some time to read them?"
"Be my guest, may I offer you some tea or coffee?"
She smiled and sat down, "no, I'm fine, thank you".
While Hermione went methodically through the documents, Herr Maly sat behind his desk and picked up the phone. After speaking for a few moments he put it down and several minutes later another guard and a man in a suit entered the room, he picked up the box containing the earrings and left with the guards. Herr Maly picked up some papers and started to work.
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Having been anticipating an enjoyable trip of business mixed with pleasure, she was irritated, though unsurprised, to find Professor Snape still standing where she had left him. Intending to carry on walking, she was stopped by a hand on her arm. The catalogue that Maly had given her in case she should desire to buy any more jewellery, rustled as she tensed. "Well, have you got what you wanted? Tell me do you intend to actually bid for them or were you just 'casing the joint' in preparation for a theft?"
"What, exactly, are you suggesting?" she asked looking up.
Severus, hungry, tired and irritable at being kept waiting, ignored the question and asked another of his own, "To my knowledge you still work for Gringotts, so who's your client Miss Granger?"
"That's confidential".
"Meaning you don't know".
"Meaning it's confidential".
His lips moved into a familiar sneer, "Are you telling me that you are voluntarily working for Lucius Malfoy? My, my, times have changed".
"I'm not..." she choked.
"Oh but I assure you, you are. He is, when all is said and done, paying for your little jaunt, so I hope you're enjoying it".
"But..."
Ignoring her interruption he continued, "now, I really do require sustenance, I didn't have breakfast and I find that on reflection it was a bad idea. I hope you'll reconsider your decision to join me", at that he let go of her arm, walked over to the doorway and out into the street without a backward glance.
He could of course be lying, she thought, but could see no obvious reason for him to be doing so. How did he even know she was here? Perhaps he just wished to arouse her curiosity in the quickest way possible. If that was the case, she had to admit he had succeeded. Sighing she walked out of the building, where had he said he was going? The Cafè Hawelka? She was sure she had not passed it on her way to the auction house. Walking down the street in the opposite direction she found the place she was looking for and on entering was surprised to be greeted by a wisened old man, who turned out to be the owner, Leopold Hawelka.
It was a moment or two before she noticed the professor sitting against the wall, facing the room and idly perusing a paper. He had taken off his long coat, and it was only then she realised he was in muggle clothes, all black, naturally. "So" she said sitting down and placing her catalogue on the table, "are you going to tell me why you think I'm working for the most wanted man in the wizarding world? Or are you just going to continue hurling insults at me?"
"Miss Granger, so glad you could join me. What would you like to drink?"
Hermione, who had never known him to be particularly polite to anyone, imagined that he was only being so now to annoy her; but it had been a while since breakfast. "Hot chocolate please".
"And can I tempt you to a torte?"
"No, thank you, the hot chocolate will do".
"Very well", he signalled the waiter who had been hovering since his companion had entered and ordered in broken German. Waiting until the man had left, Severus looked across at her and said, "First, and I would be grateful if you would answer me honestly, who have you been told you are working for?"
She sighed, "I haven't".
"Is that usual?"
"It has happened before. I've been on quite a few acquisition jobs and sometimes the clients prefer to remain anonymous".
He frowned, "I thought you were a curse-breaker?"
Wondering why he appeared to be keeping up with her career choices she said, "I am..." her mouth was open for a moment longer than was needed.
"But..." he prompted.
"But according to my boss, the fact that I'm a friend of Harry's gives clients confidence I'm not about to run off with their money or their goods" she answered reluctantly.
"My, my that must..."
She stood up, "If you're going to be..."
Reaching out quickly he grabbed her wrist in a vice-like grip, "Sit down and stop drawing attention to yourself".
"I don't have to stay and..."
"No, but you would be wise to none the less... sit down... please. I was merely going to say that I'm sure you like to be regarded on your merits rather than your friends". He let go of her wrist and sighed, "please don't imagine that I am doing this merely to torture you, Miss Granger... contrary to popular belief I do actually have a life and there are other things I would prefer to be doing". Struck by the thought that it would be a lot of effort for little real reason she resumed her seat.
"You think Malfoy is my client?"
"I do".
"Why? The acquisition is..." she stopped, her job was confidential and she was still not sure that it wasn't somehow a trap.
"A pair of diamond earrings, once the property of the Countess of Montenuovo?"
"Yes, how did you...?"
He leaned back and rested his head against the wall, "I've had one job my entire adult life Miss Granger, what is it?"
"Potions Mas... no, stopping Voldemort".
"Correct. My failure last time cost the Headmaster his life, I can no longer afford to make mistakes".
"But Voldemort's dead, Harry defeated him, I..."
"Miss Granger, please trust me when I tell you that the less you know, the safer you will be".
"Now just a..."
"All you need do is allow yourself to be out bid and we can both go home".
"I've been told that money is no object, if I don't come back with the earrings they'll want to know why... are you really trying to tell me that he isn't dead?"
"The Dark Lord is dead... and in order for him to stay that way", he leaned forward and whispered harshly, "Malfoy must not get his hands on those earrings". Extremely confused, she was about to ask why when he said, "ah, tea, good" and she felt the presence of the waiter by her side. The hot chocolate was placed in front of her and she watched as a teapot, milk jug, cup and saucer were placed in front of the professor, followed by a slice Sacher Torte. She looked at it, she would never have pegged him as a chocolate cake person, she would never have thought of him as a cake person at all. Looking up she saw that he was glowering at her, "is there a problem?"
She coloured slightly, "no" she said, picking up her chocolate and sipping it.
He watched the waiter wander away again, "I have had a very long and spectacularly disappointing 24 hours so far Miss Granger" he said, plunging a fork into the cake, "please do not add to them by being obstinate".
"You can't expect me to fail to do my job, without giving me a better reason than Malfoy can bring Voldemort back to life with a pair of earrings!" she hissed crossly.
"I see. Is it the reason you object to, the fact that I am asking you to fail at something, or merely the fact that I am asking?"
Hermione had nearly finished her chocolate before replying honestly "All of the above".
He looked resigned for a moment, "I have no intention of giving you any more information than you already have. It would not help you in your decision and could be extremely dangerous to your well being. What did you find out in your meeting with Maly?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"Miss Granger you are no longer at school, please do not behave like a child!"
"Then stop treating me like one. I am perfectly capable of keeping anything you tell me confidential, you..."
"Shut up!" he hissed
"...tell me about the earrings, I'll tell you what Maly said" she continued, ignoring his interruption.
"Is everything alright Sir? Madam?"
Hermione was startled to find the waiter standing beside her again, "Yes, fine, thank you".
"You know this tea is really rather good, would you like some more hot chocolate?" He asked.
"I, um, no, thank you".
"No, you're probably right, you should be getting back to your hotel. Come" he said putting some euros on the table before standing up and putting on his coat, "I'll escort you".
"But..." she stopped as she realised that the waiter was still staring at her intently. "Thank you" she said picking up the catalogue, "I'd appreciate that".
"Take my arm" Snape said when they had left the cafè and begun walking back towards her hotel. She didn't question how he knew where she was staying, but she did want to know why she was expected to touch him, "why, are we apparating?"
He clenched his jaw, "Miss Granger, is it possible for you to do anything without needing to ask questions first?"
"No Professor" she replied sweetly "I don't think it is".
They continued walking for several more minutes in total silence before she shrieked in shock as he grabbed her arm and dragged her in to an alleyway. Walking quickly down it until they reached a doorway, he pulled her into it and cast a disillusionment charm over them, hissing, "keep quiet". Hermione was just about to demand to know what he thought he was doing, when she heard running footsteps and thought better of it. Moments later a man ran passed the doorway and then stopped, looking around. She watched as Snape pointed his wand and muttered "stupefy", the man was thrown back against the alley wall before crashing to the floor. Ending the disillusionment charm he walked over and appeared to be examining the unconscious man, Hermione was surprised to see that it was the waiter from the cafè. Finally the professor said, "see that mark?" and pointed to what appeared to be a small tattoo, just below the man's right ear.
Hermione nodded, "it's a tyet". Snape looked startled and she said somewhat defensively, "there's a copy of Magical Hieroglyphs and Logograms in the library at Hogwarts".
"Yes, well if you see it again anywhere other than in a book, leave quickly, understand". He looked around him, "Come on, it's not safe here, we'll go to my lodgings".
"I thought we were going to my hotel?"
Severus laughed and looked at her for the first time since they had left the cafè, "congratulations Miss Granger, being uncooperative has made you a target, and while I don't have time to care about your well-being, I can't let you bid for those earrings. So I'm afraid you're going to have to consider yourself my guest until after the auction". About to ask what he meant, she saw him take hold of her arm again and then they were no longer in the alley.