Chapter 9
They were back in the university reception with 10 minutes to spare. Harry sent a patronus to Crassus who rapidly appeared and happily showed them to the bathrooms to freshen up.
"What's your strategy?" inquired Severus as he attempted to ease the soil out from under his nails.
"So, first part of dinner, I'm going to keep it informal. There will be the usual "ooh your Harry Potter" moments and they'll want to learn about the investigation. People will introduce themselves and probably say a bit about their work. I want to keep it really relaxed and informal until after dinner and they retire for coffee. Then we will start to move to formal individual interviews. "
"What do you want me to do?"
"Watch people reactions to me, to the discussion of the case and to each other. "
Severus nodded, "See who is concerned, frightened, overly interested?"
"Exactly. Will you be able to tell who is lying?"
"Maybe. But these people are likely to be very skilled occulmens. I could certainly get no reading from Fudge."
"Well anything you can do. I am also looking for motivation. Insights that come from the discussion which reveal pressure points in people's lives that might have led them to embezzle the money or clues that they have the skills and background to do so. Anything you can do to help me steer the conversation in that direction would be helpful."
Severus nodded as they left the bathroom.
"If you would like to come this way," said Crassus. "The other are enjoying a pre-dinner drink."
Severus had been expecting something like the Great Hall at Hogwarts instead Crassus showed them into a small elegant dining room with Indian rugs , a long table and window at one end of the room overlooking the university gardens. Instead of oak panelling, the walls were pale which gave it a light and airy feel. Fudge was chatting to some colleagues near the window.
Crassus appeared to have noticed Harry's surprise.
"The university does, of course, have a traditional dining hall, but that is for all the students muggles and otherwise. The magical faculty likes to be able to dine as a separate high table. On occasion, they do join their muggle colleagues but conversation is rather constrained," Crassus explained, steering them towards Fudge.
Severus felt several sets of eyes run over himself and Harry and unsurprisingly he heard more than one "It's Harry Potter!" Fudge had clearly decide not to brief his guests in advance.
"Professor Fudge, our guests," said Crassus
Fudge turned with a tight smile.
"Glad you could join us. It is time for dinner to be served, let me show you to your seats and I will do introductions when everyone is settled."
"Mr Potter, you are on my right, your colleague is next to Prof Crassus at the far end of the table." Fudge seated himself in the centre of the table facing the door.
Severus followed Crassus to the end of the table at the far left of the room and found himself with his back to the window. In addition to himself, Harry, Crassus and Fudge there were four other diners. He recognised Trank and Calista from the wandlore society. They must be the heads of Science/potions and langauges.
"Ladies and gentleman can I introduce you to Mr Harry Potter, currently on secondment to the Gottingen aurors and his assistant Wilhelm," Fudge gestured towards Severus without looking at him.
Everyone nodded politely. The two professors that Severus had never met smiled widely.
"On your right, at the head of the table is Calista, our head of wizarding languages and an expert on the muggle classical languages of Latin and Greek," continued Fudge.
Calista nodded politely to Harry ignoring Severus completely. "Doesn't acknowledge subordinates," thought Severus. "No wonder she reminds me to Narcissa."
"Seated directly across from you Mr Potter is Van Fabula, head of history of magic and an expert in the history of muggle Germanic people."
"Mr Potter," said Fabula jumping up from his seat and stretching out his hand. He ignored Fudge's annoyance at being interrupted. "What an absolute honour to meet you."
"A pleasure," said Harry politely shaking the proffered hand.
The man next to Fabula had also jumped up. "You cannot imagine how we have all longed to meet you. You must join my wine tasting group if you are staying in Berlin. We have such an interesting group, Johan is starring at the Festival Hall in the new…. "
"Professor Coactor, head of arithmancy" said Fudge clearly annoyed. "So sit down Coactor, you'll pull Mr Potter's arm off if you are not careful."
Undaunted, Coactor sat down but continued to smile widely at Harry. He also proffered his hand to Severus who shook it briefly. "Slughorn to a tee," thought Severus.
"And finally," said Fudge to Professor Coactor's right is Professor Trank head of science and a potions master."
"Good evening," said Trank politely nodding at Harry and then Severus.
"You know, Proffessor Crassus of course," Fudge remarked nodding to the man seated to his left. "Now what have they cooked for us this evening Crassus?"
"Onion soup followed by salmon and the lamb."
"To your liking I hope, Mr Potter?"
"I am sure it will be wonderful," said Harry with a genuine smile.
There was a moment's pause which Coactor seized with alacrity.
"Mr Potter, it is rare that we get such eminent visitors who can gives us a personal account of recent events. We here spend most of our lives buried in the academic mysteries which we are researching Would it be too much of an imposition if we asked you to tell us about the defeat of Voldemort and the search for the Hocruxes?"
Unbelievably, predictable, thought Severus. Even academics are not immune to the Potter legend.
The first course and the fish course were entirely devoted to Harry's, now much polished and edited, narrative of the search for the horcruxes and the final battle. This was punctuated by oohs and ahs from Fabula and Coactor in the appropriate places. Calista, whilst saying very little, was also clearly interested and watched Harry closely. A little too closely for Severus liking and wondered if she realised he was married. However, she must be much closer to Severus age than Harry's. Trank concentrated on his food but glanced at Harry from time to time in a polite sort of way.
Harry always finished his story with an account of him retiring to his bed in Gryffindor tower and getting Kreacher to fetch him a sandwich. As on other occasions, this drew the customary chuckle from his listeners and the story to a light hearted close. Harry never mentioned his rescues of Severus from the Shrieking Shack.
Fabula and Coactor clapped their hands.
"What a wonderful account," said Coactor.
"Really brings it to life, "said Fabula. Severus could see him taking metal notes for a future modern history book.
Harry smiled his thanks.
"Your adventures, have not led you to seek a peaceful life," observed Calista. "I understand you are now training to be an auror."
She had provided the perfect opening for Harry's next topic, realised Severus. He wondered if that was deliberate.
"Indeed, I am getting towards the end of my training and on secondment to the aurors in Gottingen," said Harry smoothly, finishing his fish, which Severus had to admit was well cooked.
Throughout the account of the Dark Lord's defeat, Severus had noticed that Fudge was becoming increasingly restless. Unused to being deprived of the limelight, Severus had concluded. Now it appeared that Fudge could contain his impatience no longer and was eager to get down to business.
"Perhaps , " said Fudge acidly. "You might like to explain to my colleagues why you have chosen to visit us today.
"Why Fredrick," drawled Calista. "Are you saying Mr Potter has some ulterior motive and that his appearance as a guest at our dinner table was not just your idea to liven up our evening?"
Fudge threw her a sharp look. "I am of, course Calista dear, always looking at ways to broaden our horizons and I would certainly have invited Mr Potter if I had known he was in Gottingen. But I'm afraid our education is not Mr Potter prime motive in gracing us with his presence this evening." Fudge turned to Harry as if to say over to you.
Harry unfazed by Fudge's intervention, finished his last mouthful of salmon, put down his knife and fork, and took a sip of water.
"I always enjoy an interesting discourse," said Harry smoothly "But I'm afraid Professor Fudge is correct. I do have an ulterior motive." He smiled warmly at Calista.
"My secondment to Gottingen has been marked by an unexpected event."
"Unexpected event," repeated Coactor.
"Hardly uncommon, for you," said Fabula in a misjudged attempt at levity.
Harry nodded at him. "Shortly after my arrival in Gottingen the body of a former retired auror was discovered."
"I take it he did not die a natural death," said Trank.
"No, he did no," admitted Harry.
"We had an auror visit us here, what was his name?" said Fabula pretending to forget.
"Lubricus," said Calista sharply watiching Harry closely." Was it him?"
Harry nodded.
Did she know already? wondered Severus. Given she knew him, she did not appear distressed.
"Poor man," said Coactor with exactly the amount of sincerity Severus would have expected. "Can you tell us how he died?"
"He'll not do that," said Trank.
"Mr Potter is here to try to learn what we know," snapped Calista.
"Surely you don't think…." said Fabula, pretending to be affronted.
"Do knock it off Van. You of all people know how an auror investigation works."
Fabula threw her a furious look. "No need to rake over old incidents, Calista darling."
"Is there anything you can tell us Mr Potter?" asked Trank calmly.
"He was found in the river washed up by Beuren," announced Harry.
Severus detected no palpable reaction from any of them.
"So what do you to want from us?" inquired Calista. "I assume we are suspects?"
"These are simply routine inquiries," Harry reassured her. "I want to hear from each of you: what he said and what you thought of him. Different and insightful views of the victim can be useful."
A point for Potter on the flattery front, thought Severus, as Fabula and Coactor preened themesleves. Calista looked sceptical.
"How do you want to do this Mr Potter or are you planning to drag us all down to auror headquarters after dinner?" suggested Calista.
"Nothing so dramatic," said Harry. "I suggest we finish our dinner in peace and I will talk to each of you privately over coffee, if everyone is in agreement."
There was a low murmur of assent followed by an awkward silence.
"Perhaps you could all give us some insight into your work, It is rare that we have an opportunity to interview such learned people," suggested Harry.
Severus thought Harry had gone too far but the move back to the academic arena lead to a collective sigh of relief.
"You should tell him about your research project Van, "said Trank. "An insight into wizarding behaviour and morality if ever there was one."
Fabula sat back in his seat smiled. "Calista and I are working on a joint venture. We are translating and interpreting wizarding writings from the mid-12th century that have been found in South America."
Severus raised an eyebrow this sounded more interesting than the tripe Binns dished up for the students. Harry's interest seemed to have been piqued.
" Sounds most interesting," commented Harry.
Calista dropping her normal sneer nodded. "The language is proving a challenge in places," she agreed.
"We will be the first to proide a detailed picture of life in that civilization," said Fabula proudly. "Unique insights into a unique culture."
"It was very different to Europe, at the time?" aked Harry who was quite obviously trying to recall anything useful from his history of magic owl.
"Extremely," said Coactor drily. "We have nightly updates," he added by way of explanation.
Severus noticed that Crassus' lip was curled in distain.
"You find it uninteresting? "inquired Severus mildly.
Crassus looked at him, "I do not see the value of studying ancient degenerates."
"One cannot judge ancient history by our standards," said Fabula gently. "You are too much of a purist. Too focused on those strange numbers of yours."
Crassus and Coactor raised their eyesbrows.
"We are working on one of the greatest challenges known to mankind: wizard and muggle," snapped Crassus. "The Riemann hypothesis. You do not understand the sheer scale of the challenge..."
"Maybe, "said Fabula. "But what practical use will it be?"
"You to talk of partical use!" snapped Crassus.
"Crassus," said Coactor attempting to intercede.
"The study of unique civilisations can have important lessons for today's society," pointed out Fabula.
"What was so unique about them?" inquired Harry.
"They were all junkies," snapped Crassus.
Harry opened his mouth in surprise.
"They made and regularly took what we would now consider to be class A drugs," admitted Fabula.
"You feel there are lessons to be learnt from their experience?" observed Severus neutrally.
"Well there is certainly one major lesson, "said Coactor. "They made a lot of money through trade. They were one of the wealthiest civilisation of their time."
"We should be decrying the way they lived," snarled Crassus now completely overwrought.
Trank looked uneasily at Crassus, " Walter would you like…"
"I don't any of your damn potions! Some of those are borderline illegal as well."
Trank sat back.
"Walter," said Fudge gently. "You must not take everything so personally. "
"Excuse me," snapped Crassus jumping up. "I need some air". He swept quickly from the room.
After a moment's pause Fudge took a sip of wine.
"You must forgive my colleague. Professor Crassus has, I am afraid, been severely affected by a drug abuse incident. He is very anti-drugs as a result," explained Fudge. "You should know better than to provoke him, "he added sternly to Fabula.
Van shrugged and picked up his pudding spoon.
Severus could see Harry searching for a way to break the tension.
"Professor Coactor, do I understand that you and Professor Crassus are working together on a mathematical challenge?"
Coactor smiled and discussion during the chocolate gateaux was reduced to a monologue as Coactor attempted to explain the basic principles of the Riemann hypothesis.
After desert, there was no pause for port, instead they moved quickly into an adjacent sitting room for coffee. Ten or so leatherback comfortable armchairs were arranged in a circle around a multitude of oak polished coffee tables.
Crassus was seated calmly in a chair by the window reading the evening paper. When his gaze met Harry's, it held no trace of embarrassment instead he looked almost unnaturally calm.
Potion for his nerves, concluded Severus.
"Mr Potter, Mr Braun can I get you some coffee? "
"Eh, yes that would be great," said Harry.
"Black, no milk or sugar," directed Severus.
"Do take a seat," said Crassus gesturing vaguely around the room.
"Mr Potter," said Fudge unable to resist an opportunity to interfere. "There is a small office just across the hall. Would you and your colleague like to take your coffee in there and you can invite members of the faculty to join you one at a time?"
If Harry resented the attempt to organise his investigation, he gave no sign of it.
"A perfect plan, Professor," he paused. "Perhaps we could start with Miss Dives?"
"Certainly," said Fudge as Crassus handed Harry his coffee. "Do follow me."
The office was clearly someone's private study. The bookshelves were overflowing but the wooden desk was clear and the chairs were comfortable.
"Perfect," said Harry again. "Now if you wouldn't mind giving myself and Mr Braun a couple of minutes to settle ourselves and then send in Miss Dives"
"Certainly," repeated Fudge.
Harry breathed out as Fudge left the room. "I think I have indigestion," he complained. "All that tension at dinner doesn't agree with me."
Severus, a veteran of having dinner with the Dark Lord shrugged.
Harry looked round the room. The office was quite large. There were three comfortable chairs around a coffee table as well as the desk and chairs.
"Given dinner, I think we need to shift to a more formal approach. Let's use the desk. "
"Do you want me to take notes?" suggested Severus. Harry looked a little surprised and embarrassed. "If you wouldn't mind that would be great."
"It is always hard to take notes and conduct an effective interrogation."
Harry looked a little uneasy.
"I found that out as Hogwarts Headmaster," Severus added quickly lest Harry was thinking of his service to the Dark Lord. "How do you plan to approach the interviews?"
"These are just the preliminaries so just the basic stuff: when did Lubricus interview them, what did he cover, where were they on the key night, what's the size of their departmental budget do they administer it themselves, have they been aboard recently, where are their family based?"
"I assume those last questions are designed to identify links to the Caymans?"
"Of course," said Harry.
"The person with the account will lie of course, " pointed out Severus.
"Probably," agreed Harry. "But it will be dangerous for them to lie about a trip abroad which was publically known."
Severus nodded.
"Plus the one they will all hate: can we see your bank records?" Harry added.
"Do you really think any of them will volunteer that without a court order?"
Harry shrugged "Worth a try. We don't have enough on any of them to get a court order to access their accounts or at least not yet."
"And my role, apart from notetaker? "
"Same as at dinner. Try to judge if they are lying. Did you pick up anything at dinner that suggested someone was lying?"
Severus shook his head. "I couldn't get good eye contact"
Harry nodded. "So sit next to me at the desk."
Severus nodded, he picked up a chair and put it next to Harry's behind the desk. He had just seated himself when the door opened. Calista Dives glided elegantly into the room and paused and couple of metres from the desk.
Harry jumped up.
"Do sit down," he gestured to a chair.
She gave a short laugh.
"It like being summoned before the Dean, that has not happened since I was a student."
She's decided on gentle flirtation rather than aggressive hostility, thought Severus. But was Harry too young to handle her and how would she react to that?
"Thank you for agreeing to help us. I know it can be a nerve wracking experience."
Calista shrugged.
"Well we won't keep you long. " Harry promised. "I'd like to start with some background," he explained. "You're head of magical languages. What is your role with regard to muggle students?"
"I teach Latin and Greek."
"Do you have a lot of students?"
"40 wizards and 50 muggles."
She didn't ramble, didn't add extraneous details. Severus wondered if she had been interviewed by the aurors before.
"Do you enjoy it?" asked Harry sounding genuinely curious.
She shrugged again. "Most of them are educationally subnormal, but it funds my research so I have learnt to put up with the situation."
"When did Lubricus interview you?"
"Sometime in late July, I would need to check my calendar to be more precise."
"Had you been told why he had been commissioned to do so?"
"My dear boy. We all knew. We'd all been at the board meeting when Fudge and the odious Crassus had discovered the money was missing."
"Why do you call him odious?" inquired Harry momentarily distracted.
""I dislike mathematics at the best of time, financial adminstrators are dull but I also dislike losers."
"Losers?" repeated Harry.
"Crassus used to be a drug user until Fudge dragged him out of the gutter and cleaned him up."
"So that's why he reacted badly at dinner."
"He nodded can't bare to be reminded. Trank has to stuff him full of calming potion."
Retracing his steps, Harry returned to the subject in hand. "So you agreed to be interviewed? What did Lubricus cover?"
"My budget, who administered it, did I know anything about the embezzlement. The sort of questions you would expect. Probably the sort of questions you're about to ask me next."
Harry smiled, "Probably."
He is either not fully immune to her charm or he is playing her along skilfully, thought Severus.
"Did he give you any information about the others he had interviewed or what he had found?"
"No, but surely you would not have expected him to do so?"
"I wouldn't," agreed Harry "But sometimes even the most skilled investigators slip up."
Calista gave a nod as if to concede Harry's point.
"You are responsible for the budget for wizarding languages?"
Calista nodded. "I am."
"You administer it yourself?"
"I am not fortunate enough to have an assistant."
"Are you aware of any trips abroad your colleagues might have taken in the last year?"
Calista appeared unsurprised by the question and shook her head. "I am not aware of any such trips and nor, as I told Lubricus, have I taken any myself."
Harry nodded. "Have you noticed anyone showing unusual signs of wealth?"
Calista shook her head. "I don't like any of them particularly but none of them is stupid," she pointed out.
"Would you be prepared to allow us to examine your private bank accounts?"
For a moment Severus was sure she was going to refuse but then she paused.
"Why not? I have nothing to hide."
"Good, "said Harry "We will ask you for the details in due course. We are nearly finished," he added pretending to look at his notebook.
"Where were you on the night of 1 September?"
"Was that when he was killed?"
"I am not at liberty to say," said Harry.
Her lip curled. "May I check my diary and come back to you?"
"Of course, "said Harry. "My final question. Do you know who embezzled the funds?"
"No"
"No suspicions?"
Calista paused for a moment. "No. None. Nor do I know who killed Lubricus."
"Yes I am afraid, poor old Crassus has been very upset by our research project," observed Fabula. "A total over reaction. In history we don't just research the topics which are morally suitable otherwise no one would ever study Grindelwald or Hitler in muggle history."
Fabula took a sip of the red wine he had brought into the office with him. "He's a bit unbalanced I think. Doesn't like Calista at the best of times. I don't think working on this Riemann hypothesis thing with Coactor helps either. Not sure their getting anywhere."
"He does a good job with the finance though?" confirmed Harry.
"I'm no accountant, "said Van quickly. "But he seems to do a reasonable job. He spotted the money going missing, on the other hand that would that be a good cover story and who better to siphon off the money. I have to say I would have thought that if anyone deserved a full investigation it would be him. "
"Are you suggesting that Professor Crassus embezzled the money?" asked Harry mildly.
"No I'm certainly not saying that! I am just pointing out that if I had been Lubricus, I would have investigated him very thoroughly."
"Did Lubricus suggest to you that was what he was going to do?"
Fabula shook his head "Not directly no. But he questioned me pretty closely about our boy Crassus, as well as the usual questions about the way university funds are administered , whether I had been aboard at all, which I thought was a strange question. "
"So Lubricus didn't give you any indication of the way his investigation was going?"
Fabula shook his head decisively.
"No he was closed lipped. I found him rather unpleasant to be honest. Not one of us if you know what I mean."
Severus felt Harry tense a little at this academic snobbery.
"He got on well with Trank I think but then Trank gets on well with everyone, even Crassus, always propping him up and dosing him with some calming potion or other. I thought Crassus was damn ungrateful tonight."
"So Trank and Crassus are good friends?" inquired Harry.
"I wouldn't say that," said Fabula reflectively. "Although their families were both in trade, so I suppose their backgrounds are similar," observed Fabula pettily.
"Access to my bank accounts?" said Coactor apparently astounded. "Whatever for?"
"Routine," said Harry smoothly.
"I don't see how it can have any bearing on what is after all a murder investigation."
"We are concerned that there may be a link between the embezzlement of university funds and the murder."
"Not sure why," said Coactor. "Seems two different types of crimes altogether. "
"Well if you could think it over," asked Harry.
"Have you asked Fudge?" inquired Coactor. "Seems to me he's been getting off very lightly in all this."
"We are asking everyone," confirmed Harry.
"Fudge won't like that," said Coactor with a smirk. "Won't want you pouring over all his expenses."
"A big spender?" asked Harry.
"Loves his little luxuries, does Fredrick," said Coactor callously. "Sorry don't like him I'm afraid. Leads poor Crassus a hell of a life. That's part of Crassus' problem. Fudge undermines his confidence at every turn."
"What's the other part of Crassus problem?" interjected Severus curiously.
Coactor paused. "He had a bad time after he graduated. Mother died. Father went bankrupt. Family reputation meant he couldn't get a job, so he joined a muggle firm. He was lonely and fell in with the wrong crowd, started taking drugs," he paused. "Fudge helped him,got him off the drugs , got him a job," Coactor admitted. "Problem is Fudge now seems to think he owns him."
Severus knew that feeling.
"You get on well with Professor Crassus? " continued Harry.
"Same research projects so obviously we see a lot of each other. We'd be making more progress if Fudge wasn't keeping his nose to the grind stone in the accounts department. He's extra wound up at the moment of course."
"Why's that? " asked Harry.
"Well with him working in the accounts department and being a mathematical expert. Everyone assumes that he was well placed to do this embezzlement."
"Don't they have the same view of you?" asked Harry.
Coactor shrugged, "Probably not. Of course I have the same background in mathematic spells but my family is well know in the region. "
Harry looked confused. Severus coughed.
"I think Professor Coactor is suggesting that it is well known that his family has money so he is less open to suspicion."
"Oh I see, "said Harry his face clearing. "Is that why you are worried about giving us access to your accounts?"
Coactor sighed. "Alright, I'll grant you access, but you do realise that if I wanted to embezzle funds neither you nor that dope Lubricus would find any trace in my accounts. I am much too skilful for that."
"You though Lubricus was a dope?"
"Not the sharpest tack in the box. Spent ages asking me about my summer holiday in the Caribbean. My family has had a house there since the 19th century. We summer there every year."
"I was able to tell him I hadn't been abroad recently, Coactor goes off relatively regularly, but I like to stay in Berlin during the vacations, enjoy the peace and quiet," explained Trank "I do travel a bit within Germany of course collecting potions ingredients and what have you. I normally encourage my muggle colleagues to travel to the international chemistry conferences."
"What did you think of Lubricus?"
"Oh sharp enough I think, his questions were a bit plodding but he was through. Infact I got the impression that he cultivated the image of the plodding auror to lull us into a false sense of security. I am guessing he was a pretty effective auror in his day. Would I be right?"
Harry hesitated and then nodded. "Yes he was. "
"The sort of person that always got his man in the end."
"He had a reputation for delivering, "agreed Harry.
"I would imagine, that the aurors are pulling out all the stops to track down his murderer?"
Harry nodded.
"Infact I am slightly surprised they gave it to a young outsider, however famous. Or did they want a fresh neutral pair of eyes?"
"Yeah, they did," admitted Harry.
"Are you going to ask to see our bank accounts?" Trank inquired.
"We are hoping people will agree voluntarily."
Trank nodded. "Let me know what you need and I will give the necessary authorisation."
"Do you have any idea who might have done the embezzlement, "
Trank hestitated and then shrugged his shoulders. "Hard to tell. It was a nifty bit of spellwork,"
Harry nodded.
"Of course, it doesn't follow that the embezzler was the murderer. I assume you are pursuing other lines of inquiry,"
"We are," admitted Harry.
"Is there anything else you want to cover?"
"Not at the moment," said Harry "We may need to interview you again as our inquiries progress. But you are free to go. "
Trank heaved himself out of chair, his potion stained fingers clutching the arms. Once standing, he put his hand of the desk infont of him and touched Harry's wand with his right index finger.
"The infamous wand that defeated Voldemort?" he said.
"It played an important part, "said Harry gripping his wand firmly and easing it back across the desk.
Trank removed his hands and put them inside his robe. He stepped slowly towards the door.
"Rumour has it that Voldemort was defeated by the Elder Wand. Amazing what rumours come out of great battles."
"Amazing," agreed Harry quietly.
"We run a wandlore society in Gottingen, you know. Fudge chairs it. A good place to meet up with colleagues from other universities. You want to come along one evening."
Severus had made hot chocolate for both of them. It was a luxury brand that he had bought from a local market during a Sunday excursion. He did not usually favour such a sugary drink. He was more of an expresso man himself. Harry of course loved it. However, given it was nearly midnight he was abstaining from coffee. He also felt he and Harry deserved something comforting after their long day. They had finished interviewing Trank at around 9.30. But by the time they had got back to Gottingen it was 11.30. Harry was crouched infront of the fire staring at the flames.
"So what did you think?" he asked as Severus put the hot chocolate on the table.
"Of the interviews?"
Harry nodded.
"They are a difficult bunch to read," conceded Severus. "But you would expect that, they are some of the brightest wizards in Europe."
"Who did you think was lying?" pressed Harry.
"All of them," said Severus.
"Everyone lies about something," said Harry "That's what Kingsley always says. It determining what they are lying about and whether it is material to the case that is the tricky bit"
Severus nodded in agreement. "Why don't you give me your impressions first?" Severus suggested.
"Calista and Fabula don't like Crassus. Fabula did his best to throw suspicion on to Crassus even if he denied that's what he was doing. Fabula's also a snob, but I don't suppose we can hold that against him."
"No. But it probably explains the joint project with Calista. Her family's one of the German aristocracy, very wealthy. Even survived the war with Grindelwald."
"How do you know?" asked Harry surprised.
Severus hesitated. "I looked her up after the meeting at the wandlore society."
"She's quite beautiful," said Harry with a sly grin which disappeared quickly when Severus threw a cushion at him. "Her face is vaguely familiar," Harry added throughtful.
Severus wondered whether to mention the security file.
"Coactor's also wealthy, " continued Harry.
"Yes it was a little odd he thrust that down our throats. I wondered if he wanted to draw our attention to that for some reason. He was certainly concealing something."
"He was lying about his money?"
"That is what I sensed," admitted Severus.
"I'll look into it, "said Harry "He doesn't like Fudge," he added.
"Another case of pointing of the finger, "agreed Severus. "Their blame throwing attempts were surprisingly crude for such clever people."
"Could be a good sign?" wondered Harry aloud.
"Nervous innocents?" ruminated Severus. "Possibly. Not much contact with law enforcement."
Harry nodded.
"Maybe. Although I had the impression Calista might have had run in with aurors before. Her answers were very precise as if she had been coached."
"That could be a bad sign," said Harry with a yawn.
"Time for bed, "decreed Severus.
"Agreed. I need to get down to the office first thing."
"That is your plan for the morning?"
"Yep, write up the interviews, check in with Peck and set some inquiries in train into the financial background of all those we interviewed and start the process of getting access to their bank accounts."
"If you can do without me I have an important meeting with a client tomorrow lunch time."
Harry nodded. "Wilhelm can call in sick, Can I borrow your notes of the interviews?"
Severus nodded. "Hopefully you will beable to read my handwriting."
"Well, I've had plenty of practice, "said Harry. "You used to write more on my essays than I did when I was younger."