Chapter 13
Harry was still asleep when Severus headed for his breakfast meeting. When he had returned, having successfully retained the solicitor's services, Harry had left a note saying he had gone to check in with Peck. Severus had time to read through the draft contract before he returned.
"There is fresh coffee in the pot," said Severus.
"We're going to need it. You'd better add some polyjuice potion to yours," warned Harry.
Severus raised an eyebrow, "I need to become Mr Weasley again?"
Harry nodded, "Peck has suggested we bring Calista in for questioning at the station."
"All the way from Berlin?"
Harry nodded, "Yes, embrassingly, she is mentioned in Lubricus' security file. There were allegations that they were more than just good friends."
"She's not going to be in a good mood," observed Severus
"Not after the late night she had with you."
Severus was correct, Calista was not in a good mood. The relaxed witty woman of the evening before had disappeared, instead a white faced tight lipped lady sat in the bland auror interview room facing Harry and Ron.
"Would you like a coffee?" Severus felt compelled to ask. He was urgently in need of one himself.
"No thank you," Her eyes scanned "Ron" with contempt. Severus felt his admiration for her increase.
"Thank you for coming to the station," began Harry.
Another look of contempt, this time directed at Harry. She didn't bother with the "What choice did I have answer." Even so Harry wriggled with embarrassment.
Harry cleared his throat. "Some new evidence has come to light."
Calista's silence continued.
Come on Harry don't beat about the bush.
"I would like you to tell us again about your relationship," he paused "with Lubricus."
"I met him when he came to the university to interview us about the embezzlement."
Her answers remained short and sharp.
"Had you met him before that?"
"No" she replied decisively.
"How many times did you meet him after that first interview?"
"He interviewed me twice as I recall."
"Did you see him in addition to the interviews?" inquired Severus.
She paused, "What evidence do you have that allows you to make that supposition?"
Severus knew Harry was cursing him for pressing the pace of the interview.
He countered with a question.
"Would you be prepared to have your wand tested to ascertain whether a Incendio spell has been cast recently?"
Calista's eyes widened a fraction.
Got you, thought Severus. He could tell Harry was holding his breath.
Calista licked her lips. "That won't be necessary. "
She hesitated and then shrugged. "I don't suppose it matters now so I might as well just tell you. "
Harry nodded encouragingly.
"My family and his wife's had know each others some years ago. I met her again a couple of years ago at an event at Gottingen university. Art exhibition as I recall. She later invited me round to dinner to make up a party. It was incredibly boring. A group of peusdo intellectiuals trying to impress. He was the only tolerable one present. Common, of course, but didn't give a toss about what people thought. I liked that. He was refreshing, " she paused.
"And after that?" asked Harry gently.
"I saw him a couple of times just for a drink. I was bored and he was entertaining. However, his wife overeacted, reported him to the office or something and I didn't see until the embezzlement thing. Lubricus interviewed me a couple of times and then I met him again by accident in a bar in Munich, I was visiting an old university colleague and he was there on business."
"Did he say what business?" inquired Harry.
"No," said Calista shaking her head. "He was careful for the most part not to talk about his work especially the embezzlement case. He was going through a tough divorce and he was glad of someone to talk to."
"Did you meet often?"
"Twice or week or so for a month or so "
"Where did you meet?"
"Various restaurants and then later on at his apartment. He was very anxious that his wife did not find out about us. When I returned to his apartment," she coughed for a moment "I was anxious to remove all trace of my presence in his life. I felt his wife would pursue me if she had discovered our relationship."
"An incendiary spell was perhaps a little of an overreaction?" Harry suggested gently.
"Yes, it probably was, but I didn't realise it was the aurors. I thought…."
"Thought what?" pressed Severus.
"Towards the end of our time together he went away for a couple of week on business."
Harry and Severus exchanged looks. The Caymans trip.
"When he got back, "continued Calista, "He called me. He was excited like he was on the verge of a breakthrough."
Harry nodded.
"But when he called me the next night he said he was going to have to think things through. Something unexpected had happened."
"Did he say what it was?" pressed Harry
Calista shook her head.
"Did it appear related to the embezzlement?"
Calista paused "I thought so initially but when I started to question him it was like he had almost forgotten about that. He said something else, had an added complication."
"Added a complication?" repeated Harry.
Calista nodded. "I must admit I did try to push him a bit further because I could tell he was worried frightened
even maybe."
"Frightened?" said Severus.
"Yeah. Which was strange. It scared me a bit. That's probably why I overreacted when I arrived at the flat."
"You thought whoever he was concerned about had broken in?"
"Yes, he was keeping his new apartment a secret from his family you see."
"Because of the divorce?"
"Yes, I'm afraid he was trying to hide some of his assets from his wife. "
"Charming man," said Severus.
Calista shrugged "He could be very amusing. A change from dry professors." She paused again. "I suppose I should apologise for the incendio spell. I take it was you two in the other room?"
"Me and another colleague," admitted Harry.
"Are you both alright?"
"We'll live, "said Harry with smile.
They questioned Calista for another half hour or so. But got little more of interest out of her. Eventually they let her go with a warning that they might have further questions.
"Did you believe her?" inquired Severus after she had left.
"Surprisingly, I did," said Harry. "It had a ring of truth to it. I've checked her accounts. We can find no evidence she was getting any money from the embezzlement and scrutiny of Trank's accounts including the Cayman accounts support that."
"Crime of passion?" asked Severus.
"You think that it's a possibility?"
"Not really," admitted Severus. "She just doesn't seem that sort of woman, too controlled. Why didn't she just end the relationship him?"
Harry nodded.
"So what next?" said Severus
What next, turned out to be a further discussion between Harry and Peck, whilst Severus was given the task of reviewing all the notes and evidence from the other cases Lubricus had been working on. Severus had to admit that Harry was right. Nothing in Lubricus' notes or in records of the auror interviews of those involved in Lubricus domestic surveillance case, security case or the search for the lost relative looked remotely likely to have caused the sort of reaction Calista had described in a seasoned auror like Lubricus. He read carefully through Harry's interview with the head of the company requiring security: they had been plagued by spate of vandalism. Harry and Lubricus had both concluded that muggle youths were the likely culprits. Lubricus had applied vandalism repellent to the paint so any writing or pictures just faced after a couple of hours and he also strengthen the wards. The owner of the company had been quite content and the vandalism had declined. The surveillance had been an extra martial affair, something Lubricus was quite well versed in, but those concerned had been the owners of an astrology shop and Harry's background inquiries showed nothing which would suggest either parties the skill or power to threaten Lubricus effectively. The final case was to find a missing father. Leon Suche was in his late forties. His father would have been in 70s. He was believed to have been injured in the war and had been lost sight off. Some sort of head injury. He had been registered as dead. Lubricus had investigated. His notes confirmed that the man's father had been in hospital and had discharged himself. No further trace had been found but it was assumed he had been lost in the subsequent fighting in the city along with hundreds of others including his mother and father. The account Lubricus had acquired of some of those involved in the battles combined with Severus own knowledge of the period, suggested that this was a probable explanation. None of those involved seemed to have known Trank or had any connection to Berlin University.
Severus had just taken another swig of polyjuice potion and as a result was contemplating the means of acquiring a fairly substantial snack when Harry remerged.
"I'm going to go an interview Schmit. Peck said he knows it doesn't look likely but we must be meticulous about exploring all avenues and he is at least linked to the embezzlement case even if only indirectly. "
"So it's a train journey to Munich then?"
Harry shook his head. "No, I rang the hospital. They have agreed I can apparate providing I do sidelong so if you don't mind?."
"No that's fine. Anything to avoid another train journey," said Severus fervently.
"I'll just put my stuff together, and then we can head off."
"So where are we having lunch?" inquired Severus "Here or Munich, because if it's Munich I might just pop out and buy a coffee and maybe a bagel."
Harry grinned, "You sound just like Ron"
Severus groaned.
After advice from Peck, they apparated into Munich not far from the mediaeval city gate, with strict instructions to check in with the auror station just inside it. While Harry was taking care of the formalities, Severus headed for the traditional food market to identify possible options for lunch. He bought some potato cakes, frankfurters and garlic bread. When Harry returned from the auror station 15 minutes later they went for a picnic in the local park with two bottles of beer.
"That was excellent. I am going to miss this when I return to London."
Severus nodded. There were lots of things he was going to miss when Harry returned to London but being Ron was not one of them. Although in this persona, he did feel more like Harry's colleague than his Dad.
"Did the Munich aurors have any advice or information?"
"Not really," said Harry. "They'd heard of Schmit and the shop but that was because of local knowledge rather than because they had come across him in an official capacity."
Severus nodded "Well we can but try. How far to the shop?"
"About 10 minutes. It is just off Sendlinger street. It doesn't reopen unto 3 o clock, so I thought I might have a quick nap in the sun before we set off"
Severus nodded. Ron's appetite meant that he had eaten so much he felt rather sleepy.
The shop was in an alley just off Sendlinger Street. Unlike Diagonal Alley there was no secret entrance, muggle eyes just appeared to slide over the alley situated between the bank and the wine merchants. The Magicum Taberna was half way down the alley between a shop selling magical furniture which did all sort of clever things and a robe shop.
"What is magical furniture?" asked Harry pausing for a moment by the window.
"Gimmicks, " snapped Severus.
Harry looked inquiringly
"Beds that rock you to sleep, self-cleaning tables, and chairs that warm themselves before you sit down. Muggles have lots of cleverly invented equivalents."
"Yeah, I've never come across magical furniture before."
"It is not popular in England, "agreed Severus.
The Magicum Taberna was best described as sprawling: window, followed window. The door was in the middle of the large glass frontage. A bell tinkled as Harry opened it and stepped inside. The interior was very different: it was shaped like a hexagon. It was like the front of the shop had been bent out of shape.
"Flattening spell, "muttered Severus. "All the windows, front back and sides appear along the in reality the shop is a hexagon."
"Never seen one of these before either," whispered Harry.
No, it takes an awful lot of power to maintain," said Severus thoughtfully.
"Can I help you?"
The voice came from a hexagon office at the centre of the glass spider's web. An elderly wizard appeared. Severus first impression of him was that he was non-descript. His robes were the epitome of boring: plain dull colours. His hair was a mixture of blond and brown.
"I'd have thought the owner of this shop would have been more prepossessing," whispered Harry before turning his attention to the owner.
"Hi, I'm Harry."
"Potter, " said the man sharply his voice becoming stronger.
Harry held you his hand. After a moment, the man took it.
"Johan Schmit. How do you do? How wonderful to have such a famous customer in my shop! Dare I hope you are shopping for something exciting? A present for your new wife perhaps or a souvenir?"
"You're breath of your stock is amazing, "commented Harry monetarily distracted by the glimpses he was getting of the hexagon alcoves. "Wands, potions, clocks, hats, carpets."
"What is it you are interested in? " Schmit asked including Severus in his question. "Are you infact buying or selling?"
"Selling? " said Harry with a laugh.
"But of course, you are likely to have a number of items a trader such as myself will be interested in."
"Really?"
"Of course, you are famous, all of your possessions will have a value: old school books, uniform, clothes but most importantly your wand. The famous one that bested the Dark Lord. You have it with you?"
Severus found his eagnerness disturbing and it was clear that Harry did as well.
Schmit positively salivated as Harry reluctantly pulled out his wand. Schmit's eyes devoured the wand greedily.
"Wands with such a significant history command an enormous price. Should you contemplate selling it I…."
"I'm afraid I need it at the moment," joked Harry.
"Of course, of course but should you ever change your mind. Now, what can I interest you in?"
"I'm afraid I am here on business?"
"Business?"
"I'm working for Gottingen aurors. This is my colleague Ron Weasley."
"Auror, how interesting," Schmit flashed a quick appraising look at "Ron" In spite of the smooth response, Severus could sense something, maybe disquiet.
"So how can I help you Mr Potter?"
"I'm here investigating the death of Professor Trank I believe he was a customer of yours?"
"Trank is dead?" exclaimed Schmit. "When did that happen?"
Severus attempted to make eye contact but Schmit skilfully avoided him.
"A couple of days ago. He is a long standing customer I understand?"
Schmit paused.
Is he considering lying wondered Severus or is this the natural caution of a business man who operates close to the line?
"We have had a number of dealings certainly."
As Schmit volunteered nothing further, Harry continued.
"We are aware he made a number of large payments to you and monthly payments as well?"
Schmit reflected a moment "I think you had better come into the office and make yourselves comfortable."
The hexagonal office provided perfect visibility of all sections of the shop. Schmit gestured to a pair of battered but clearly expensive leather armchairs.
"Oh yes quite valuable," observed Schmit correctly interpreting Severus appraisal. "I see no reason to use magic to disguise the imperfection of real antiques."
Severus nodded.
"So what can I tell you?"
"When did you last see Professor Trank?"
"It must have been about a couple of weeks ago, he came into view a new wand in my collection." He gestured towards the wand room. "A beautiful piece owned by one of the French queens, misplaced during the revolution. It has recently resurfaced. Full provenance of course."
"Of course," repeated Harry.
"Allow me to show it to you."
Before Harry could respond, Schmit flicked his wand and a small wooden box whisked towards him. Schmit caught it deftly and placed it on the desk.
"A fascinating piece," said Schmit with relish, tenderly opening the box. "Elm with mermaid shells, a very unusual combination."
Severus from his recent study of wand lore knew that the use of mermaid scales was extremely rare and leant forward with interest. Harry on the other hand clearly knew nothing of its value in spite of feigning interest. Sensing Harry's disinterest, Schmit closed the box.
"Anyway, that was the last time I saw him."
"He was not interested in the wand?"
"On the contrary, Professir Trank could appreciate a rare wand but he told me he needed to consider his finances carefully."
"Did that surprise you?" asked Harry "Professor Trank spent a lot of money with you over the years."
Schmit shrugged, "It was not my business how he paid for things."
"How did he seem at that visit?"
"Fine. I did not know him that well."
"He also made you monthly payments, "observed Severus.
"He subscribed to our monthly magazine," Schmit opened a drawer and brought out a copy of a glossy publication which he handed to Severus.
Severus scanned it quickly "It appears mainly adverts."
Schmit looked a little affronted. "There are some very useful articles in there by well-known specialists."
"He was paying £40 a month wasn't he? That seem a lot for this sort of publication."
Schmit dislike of Ron/Severus became more evident, "As I said there are articles in the magazine, for the discerning reader, written by specialists. That sort of expertise costs money"
Out of the corner of his eye, Severus saw a movement in one of the rooms of the shop. A small thin man had entered the clock room and appeared to be methodically checking the time of each clock.
"You have an assistant," commented Severus.
"Gerard, "said Schmit without enthusiasm.
"Was he here last time Professor Trank visited?" asked Harry.
Schmit shrugged, "He may have been. "Gerard!"
The small slim figure scuttled over.
"These gentlemen want to talk to you about one of our customers, Professor Trank?"
"Professor Trank?" repeated Gerald blankly.
"Yes he was very interested in the French antique wand?"
Gerard's eyes light up, "Ah yes, you were going to put it aside for him?"
"Precisely."
"How many times did you meet him?" inquired Harry.
"Just the once when he came in to look at the wand"
"Really?" interjected Severus. "I got the impression he was a regular customer."
"Gerald is new," explained Schmit.
"Did you serve him?" asked Harry
Gerard shook his head. "No, he was here to see Mr Schmit. I escorted him to the office and brought the French wand in and some coffee."
"Did you have any conversation with him?"
Gerard shook his head. "Just a few pleasantries. He said goodbye when he was leaving. He seemed a very pleasant man."
Harry nodded clearly disappointed.
"Mr Potter, it looks like you have come a long way for nothing. Let me at least show you round our store while you are here, "Schmit stood up and gestured to the hexagonal showrooms. "I would be very interested in hearing more about that wand of yours. They say it was twinned with the wand of "he who should not be named.""
Severus stood up to follow Harry when he saw Gerald heading for the potions showroom., Nodding politely to Schmit who was attempting to tease wand details from Harry, Severus slipped away to the potions room.
The hexagonal show room was lined with glass shelves full of potion bottles. Some rare antique bottles were empty, other shelves were filled with sought after and in some cases dangerous potions. A few of these Severus guessed would be out of date, were illegal and would probably explode if handled incorrectly. However, remembering that Ron was not a skilled potions master he said nothing.
"Are you interested in potions Sir?" inquired Gerard.
"A little. It was not my favourite subject at school. I understand Professor Trank's subject was potions. Was he interested in these as well as the wands?"
"He had a quick look round when he was in here to look at the French wand. But he didn't buy anything."
"How long have you worked here?"
"Less than a month or so," admitted Gerald.
"Oh, Who was Mr Schmit's assitant before then?"
"He didn't have one. His mum used to help him, "explained Gerard, taking out his wand and casting a gentle polishing spell on the jars.
"Really? Did she retire?"
"Sort of. She's in a care home now at Krebeck. "
"I'm sorry to hear that. It must have been very sudden if she was working in the shop a few weeks ago."
Gerard shrugged, "I'm not sure. Professor Trank asked the same thing."
"Did he? "
"Yes he seemed very surprised and a bit disappointed not to find her here."
"Really."
They were heading back towards the food market as Severus had admitted he was hungry again and Harry felt that mid-afternoon was definitely time for cake.
"I need something to cheer me up," said Harry. "That seems to have been a waste of time."
"That is your impression?" said Severus.
"Yes wasn't it yours?"
"I'm not sure, "admitted Severus. "He was very hard to read, but I sensed something."
"People are often unnerved at being questioned by the aurors especially in a murder investigation."
Severus threw him a look.
"Sorry, I guess you know that given you were..."Harry's voice trailed off.
"It is alright Harry. I have no particular liking for aurors given my past experience but that was my fault and yes they do make people nervous but I think I sensed more than that."
"It is not much to go on," pointed out Harry.
"Yes I know. There is the of course the issue of his mother."
"Mother, whose mother?"
Severus carefully described his conversation with Gerard.
"It's still not much to go on," said Harry.
"No, but this swift despatching of his mother to the home and Trank's interest in her is curious."
"It could just be common courtesy,"
"Maybe" agreed Severus.
"But you think it could be something more?"
"Possibly. There was something about him ..."
"Well we have no other leads, so we might as well follow it up. Did Gerard say where she is?"
"As a matter of fact he did."
"It's just outside Gottingen" exclaimed Harry a few minutes later.
"Indeed, a quiet and peaceful village, set in lovely countryside," confirmed Severus.
"Really? " said Harry.
"I recall reading about it in the guidebook."
Harry looked at him quizzically.
"I am here by myself for a most of the time Harry. I have been exploring the countryside at the weekends trying to identify places we might visit, assuming that all your trips to Gottingen are not as busy as this one."
"Have you visited Krebeck?"
"No, it sounds a little too chocolate box."
"Can we pop in on the way back to Gottingen? "
"We are apparating Harry, so I guess we can pop anywhere if you feel up to it?"
"Always," said Harry.
"Are you sure this is the right place? It looks like a miniature version of Hogwarts."
"The Crystal Ball Care Home- anticipating the needs of our residents," read Severus pointing at the sign. "Sounds dreadful."
The similarities to Hogwarts ended at the front door.
"Yuck," said Harry. "This looks like Umbridge's sitting room."
Severus was forced to agree. The predominate colour of the mini castle entrance hall was pink. Bows cats, dogs and chintz arm chairs were everywhere.
"Not appealing, I agree," said Severus. "I do not understand why they think that older people have no taste."
"Can I help you?"
A smart business looking blond in a suit was stood behind a formal looking reception desk. Severus feared she might have heard.
"Hi," said Harry engaging full charm mode. "We are hear to see Mrs Schmit."
"Are you family?" asked the blond.
"We know her son," said Harry ambiguously.
"You look familiar," said the blond staring at Harry.
Severus could see the penny dropping.
"Harry Potter! What a pleasure. Mrs Schmit will be delighted. We had no idea she knew you. What a treat."
Severus had to admit that Harry's fame could be useful at gaining admission to places. "The ooh it's Harry Potter" phenomena, often led to the avoidance of awkward questions.
"Let me see it's 4 o clock. She'll be having Kaffe and Kunchen in Dumbledore."
"In Dumbledore," repeated Harry clearly mystified.
The woman laughed "All our lounges are named after famous wizards, Dumbledore, Merlin, and Karloff."
Severus raised his eyebrows at the latter.
"I'm Helga by the way," said the woman holding out her hand.
"Harry Potter and this is Ron Weasley"
"Do come this way Harry and Ron, I'm sure you could do with some Kaffe and Kunchen after your journey."
"Great," said Severus automatically.
Harry grinned.
Severus concluded that "Dumbledore" had been designed by someone who had met his former mentor. The décor was garishly bright and there were bowls of what looked suspiciously like sherbets lemons on each table. He wondered what the inside of "Karloff" looked like. Helga weaved her way across the lounge full of elderly witches and wizards to a table by the window.
"What is Mrs Schmit like?" inquired Harry, clearly wondering how productive this visit was likely to be.
"Much more together than most. She tends to run the past and present together a little but apart from that she is fine. I understand she was working until recently."
"Do you find it surprising that she is here?" inquired Severus.
Helga paused a few feet short of the chairs. She shrugged and lowered her voice. "People arrive here at various times. Some just don't want to live by themselves any more even if they could."
"Do you see much of her son?"
"He brought her of course when she arrived. He's been a couple of times since."
Harry nodded and he gestured for them to continue.
"Harry Potter," a witch with dirty blond hair and a perm leapt to her feet with surprising agility. Her mannerism reminded Severus forcibly of Molly Weasley.
"Mrs Schmit, "said Harry politely. "May I introduce you to my friend and colleague Ron Weasley?"
She nodded warmly towards him eyes still on Harry. Severus thought that Ron must have become quite irritated over the years.
"We met your son earlier in the afternoon," continued Harry.
"Johan, you are friend of my Johan. Look everyone my son's friend, Harry Potter, has come to take Kaffe and Kunchen with me."
The comment provoked a wave of movement. When he entered the room, Severus would have laid good money that a key adjective that could be used to describe its occupants would be shufflers. But he realised that nothing could be further from the truth as he and Harry were subsumed by a tidal wave of the elderly with walking sticks, walking frame and wheelchairs. The next few minutes were pandemonium. Most people exercised some self-restraint in these situations but in the case of this group it was clearly now or never. Severus had to restrain himself from reaching for the Elder Wand. How could he ever have believed his son would welcome this sort of attention? He was particularly tempted to hex one elderly wizard who patted him on the head and called him "sonny."
"I think , " said Helga after Harry has signed autograph books, walking sticks , wheelchairs etc., "We had better go out onto the veranda for tea , so you and Mrs Schmit can talk in peace."
"Excellent idea," agreed Severus.
The veranda offered a wonderful view down the valley and Helga quickly got Mrs Schmit settled into a cane chair.
"Do stop fusing, "said Mrs Schmit
"Kaffee?" suggested Helga.
"Wonderful, "agreed Harry and Severus simultaneously.
"So you have been just seen my son Johan?" said Mrs Schmit her eyes firmly on the cakes that had just appeared and from which not even Harry could distract her until she had chosen a fat éclair.
"Johan yes, "said Harry choosing a sticky looking pastry.
Severus against his better instincts chose a huge plaited pastry affair which had been injected with cream and coated with chocolate.
"Do you know him well? "
"Not very admitted, " Harry. "We have just been to the shop to see him this afternoon."
"And he encouraged you to come and see me! He is such a good boy."
"I understand you worked with him until very recently?"
"Yes, I loved that job, I helped with the ordering, deliveries, organising the displays and serving customers."
"It must have been very hard work, "observed Harry sympathetically. "And a lot of responsibility."
"It was, it was, " agreed Mrs Schmit. "I loved it. Han," her face clouded. "But I confused things, times, names and places and Johan would get angry so in the end." Severus could see the tears welling in her eyes. "Anyway, "she continued pulling herself together, "I am glad you have come. I'm glad Johan is making new friends. He sees so few friends from the old days. The ones that did come were always so nice to me and used to bring me little gifts. "Only the best for old Cheater's mum. Cheater was such a guy in the old days" That what they used to say. "She looked expectantly at Harry and Severus.
"I'm afraid I haven't brought anything, "said Harry apologetically
She smiled, "But you came to see me, I have so few visitors."
"I am sure you were very valuable to Johan, I wanted to ask you about one of his customers, a Professor Trank?"
"Professor Trank I remember him well from the University in Berlin. A great customer. Bought some wonderful wands from Johan. Very special wands, difficult to get hold off and costing a lot of money."
"Do you remember the last time he came in?"
Madame Schmit closed her eyes for a moment. "August ?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes it was a couple of weeks before I came here. He was one of the last important customers that I served."
"What did he buy?" inquired Severus.
"The wand of a commander?"
"Commander?"
"One of Grindelwald's commanders," Mrs Schmit clasped a hand over her lips. "Of dear, Han will be so cross, I was not supposed to.."
"It's alright, "Harry put a hand on her arm. "We won't tell anyone, don't worry."
Mrs Schmit relaxed. "Would you like another cake?"
"I would not mind trying an éclair, " said Severus before he could stop himself.
"I suggest we head for the woods turn left and apparate straight back to the flat, "suggested Severus as they headed down the drive.
Harry nodded. "I can see why Schmit sent her here."
"She is too indiscreet, "agreed Severus.
"Defintely. Repeating dear old Johan's nickname could not have been good for business!" laughed Harry.
"Indeed," said Severus. "It would not inspire confidence."
"Still, it is an awful thing to do because she's quite with it most of the time."
"But he could not trust her given the line of work he is in. Her vagueness makes her too unpredictable."
"I can't see that it is connected to Trank or Lubricus' death can you?"
Severus hesitated. "Not immediately no. "
"Thought of something?" inquired Harry.
Severus shook his head irritably. "It is the polyjuice, it is stopping me thinking clearly. Something is bothering me but I can't put my finger on it. I need to get the polyjuice out is my system all I can think about is food."
"I'll order Pizza when we get back to the flat."
"No. I'll cook. We are eating too much junk food and it isn't helping"
Severus prepared chicken and green beans and potatoes whilst Harry dealt with a pile of reports that he had collected on the way home.
"Smells wonderful, "said Harry after twenty minutes or so.
"I'll be ready in another 10 minutes or so. How are the reports going?"
"Slowly, "said Harry
"What are they?" inquired Severus giving the beans a quick stir.
"Wand reports."
Severus looked puzzled, "I though the test had not identified who had killed Lubricus."
"They didn't but those were just the initial reports. These are the more detailed reports. They track everyone's geographical movements through the spell they cast."
Severus paused. "I did not know you could do that. "
Harry grinned. "New investigative spell. Very hush, hush. You can only use it on serious suspects in a murder investigation."
"I would imagine, "agreed Severus.
"That was delicious, we have been eating too many take-aways. "
"We have indeed, "agreed Severus "Mrs Potter will be most displeased if you return home having put a stone on."
Harry nodded. "So will Kingsley Did I tell you they have started this new fitness regime? We need to pass a physical once every six months."
"6am runs and hours in the gym."
Severus laughed as Harry nodded dolefully, "Good for Kingsley."
"What's for pudding?" asked Harry.
"Fruit, "said Severus sternly.
Harry returned to his paper work while Severus washed up and made coffee. He relented and cut them both a small slice of fruit cake.
"I am glad to have got the Weasley polyjuice out of my system or I would probably order a pizza right now." Severus observed as he put the plates on the table.
Harry laughed, "I never need to worry about food when I am working with Ron he is the best snack procurer I have ever come across. I remember one time…" Harry stopped eyes on the page below him.
"What is it?" asked Severus picking up his expresso.
"That's odd."
"What?"
"I was double checking down Lubricus wand tracking report. His last wand movement was at his apartment in Gottingen but he appears to have been in that traditional German food market we were in earlier today a day or so before he died."
Severus shrugged. "He was probably doing the same thing we were doing and checking up on the shop where Trank was spending lots of his money."
"Maybe," agreed Harry. "But he would have already have had the evidence from the Cayman's why did he need the other information?"
Severus shrugged, "Tying up loose ends?"
"Does he strike you as that sort of chap?" asked Harry.
"Not really," agreed Severus.
"Also, how did he know that was where Trank spent lots of his money? How did he get access to his bank accounts, he was not an auror any more."
"Friend at headquarters?"
"Not that I have spotted," said Harry.
"So does that mean we need to go back to Munich to interview Schmit again?"
Harry sighed, "I guess. But why would he kills Lubricus? He was not doing anything illegal in supplying the wands, even if Lubricus had found out about them."
"Well that wand of Grindelwald's commanderis contraband,"observed Severus.
"Would that lead him to kill an ex auror?" asked Harry.
"Unlikely. It would probably be just a fine wouldn't it ?"
"Yeah, definitely."
"Alright, I'll get the coffee flasks ready for the morning."