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Chapter Twenty

Schemes and Plottings

"Two ninety eight, two ninety nine, three hundred thousand. Non sequential small bills and all the rest of that subterfuge crap." A nameless lackey snapped the briefcase shut on Malfoy's share of the money and slid it across the table. Anderson smiled.

"Pleasure to be doing business with you again, Mr. Malfoy."

"Good to be back at work again, Mr. Anderson."

"There is another affair in the planning stages that could make use of your unique talents."

"I look forward to it." Malfoy waited for Anderson to leave with his lackey before Disapperating back to his new London flat. He seriously doubted that he would still be around to help Anderson with his 'little affair', but one couldn't very well say no. The three hundred thousand tonight was the final part of his payment for the bank robbery. That villa in Italy seemed to be calling his name.

First things first, however. Running a criminal enterprise was at least as difficult as running a legitimate one. There was so much planning and coordination to be done, and it all had to be done out of sight of the authorities.

Tonight, one of his operatives from the Ministry of Magic was due to report. Malfoy hoped to learn something that would assist him in his revenge against Weasley and Potter. And against all logic, Hermione Granger had come back from the dead with some bullshit tale about being in hiding. There had to be something he could use against them.

He reminded himself to be patient. Malfoy had learned a lot of things from his father's failures, and patience was one of them.

The meeting was at one of the muggle pubs scattered throughout London. The agent was a mere desk clerk, and his information been limited to the reports that crossed his desk and office gossip. Still, Sorenson had kept his job through countless sweeps for double agents mainly because he didn't often hear anything important.

Once again, Malfoy cursed his inability to get a higher ranking informant. The days of Voldemort had made the Ministry very good at ferreting out double agents.

"Wait. Say that again."

Sorenson was unaware of the personal vendetta between him and Weasley. "The Aurors Granger and Weasley have been dating for three weeks. It's something of an open secret. There's a hundred Galleon pool on when the wedding will be announced."

"Indeed." Malfoy smiled to himself. Granger and Weasley had been quite disgustingly smitten that seventh year. Back then the pool was only ten Galleons. This could work to his advantage. "And have you placed a bet in this pool?"

"Three months from now. September 19th actually." The agent replied promptly. Malfoy chuckled softly. It was too bad the agent was going to lose his bet.

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Questions, comments, critisicms, complaints? Review, my friend, review.

.•´¨`•»¦«•Kerowyn•»¦«•´¨`•.