Here's a new chapter to all who've waited so patiently. Sorry it took so long…finding a flat in Cairo's not quick business. Anyways, don't be expecting daily updates any more since my net connection's patchy, but I'll do what I can.

I apologize for the error in the last chapter, it's been fixed.

I also apologize to all of my loyal and lovely reviewers because there's no acknowledgements for this chapter. I'm completely scattered…super-quick reviewer awards, etc. will reappear next chapter.

--Aimes

After they'd eaten, mostly in a comfortable silence with occasional conversation on random comments, they adjourned back to Hermione's bedroom. She got dressed quickly while Remus stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bathroom and transfigured his clothes into a black three-piece suit and green silk cravat. He added a few flairs and a long black overcoat and silently pronounced himself complete.

Hermione entered the bathroom in the green dress with matching strappy heels on that laced partially up her calves. She quickly pulled her hair into a tight bun and growled when a few tendrils escaped and curled chaotically, framing her face. Damned hair. Could I have inherited easier hair, please? I swear I'm going to chop it all off soon. Hermione reached up to redo it but Lupin caught her wrist.

"Leave it," he said softly. "It looks…nice." Hermione watched him in the mirror for a moment as he turned back to fuss with his vest. Shaking out of her reverie she began to apply her makeup quickly: a light base, green eyeshadow to highlight her chocolate brown eyes and match the dress, eyeliner, and a dusky lip gloss. Which drawer is the jewelry in…she rummaged around in a box atop the counter and pulled out a silver band which she slipped onto her right ring finger and an intricately woven platinum band which she slid onto her left thumb. A diamond and emerald tennis bracelet went on her right wrist and she paused for a moment before removing a delicate silver chain with an emerald rose pendant. Hermione looked up to put on the necklace and saw Remus watching her in the mirror. He moved to clasp the necklace for her, gently brushing away the baby hairs on her neck and Hermione was reminded of the incident in the elevator. Oh Merlin, this is a bad idea. His silvery, wolfish eyes locked onto her gentle brown ones, his hands lingering for a moment to brush her shoulders as he finished with the necklace. Hermione felt his body press against her for a moment as he reached around her and raised a pair of diamond studs.

"These would probably complete the ensemble," he said, his sweet, low voice rolling over her. Hermione looked at them startled. What the hell?

"I don't have diamond studs. I lost them on a mission to Geneva…you were there—" her voice dropped away as it registered.

"I wanted to return them to you in Paris, however you seemed to be in a rush."

"I had school on Monday," she replied weakly. "Thanks." Hermione took them and put them on.

"You seemed very upset when you lost them."

"They were a birthday gift from Craven. He and my mum went shopping for them…I think she was considering adopting him." The dose of sarcasm relieved the suddenly emotional moment and Remus smiled at her in the mirror.

"He probably told her he was an investment banker."

"Actually," she replied with a grin as she turned to him and leaned against the counter, "he told her he was a paper pusher for Interpol. It sort of explained away the fact that he never talked about work. Although if I were an investment banker I wouldn't talk about work either."

"True," Remus conceded. "Shall we?" he offered her his arm.

"Absolutely," Hermione replied with a smile. She took his proffered arm and they went to the living room before disapparating with a pop.

And apparating on a wooden dock on a lake. They gazed up a set of stone steps to a huge manor overlooking the lake.

"We're to meet Craven up at the house. He'll tell us more about out covers and then we'll part ways with him to go to the ball. It's being held near here in Venice. We're right by Lake Como at the moment."

They had been strolling toward the house as Hermione talked and when they reached the door she raised her arm and knocked hard.

The door opened and she entered, silently leading him toward the parlour, where a tall man awaited. The house was decorated in a Baroque style completely at odds with Hermione's own less-is-more tastes. Remus found himself liking Hermione's apartment ever more as he observed the straight backed chairs with intricately carved legs and arms. The man in the centre of the room gave Lupin a critical once-over, much as the doorman at Hermione's apartment had. Unlike the doorman, the man did not find him wanting and nodded at him cordially.

"Craven."

"Smoke."

"Lia," she replied easily.

"Again?" he questioned. "Matthew," he continued in a light Eastern European accent, not giving her a chance to reply. Remus suspected he was hearing a language he'd never encountered before.

"Why Matthew?"

"Why not? I was in a Biblical mood."

"What we do is far from Biblical."

"Nonsense. Our kind have existed since the beginning of time, sweet girl. There is no shame in being what we are."

"Is that why you told mum you were a paper pusher?"

He opened his mouth then closed it immediately with a slight smile. "Why Lia?" he asked, changing the subject.

"My mum's middle name was Amelia. I rented my place under that name. It's less confusing to use as few aliases as possible."

"Yes," he acknowledged. "I'm sorry about your parents, Hermione."

"Genes is dead too. Mella got her revenge. It's time to get mine."

"Glad to know you have such a healthy approach to loss," he teased, hugging her tightly.

"Who's your friend with the interesting eyes?"

"Remus Lupin, as though you didn't know," she chided.

"Ah yes. Remus J. Lupin, war hero and one-man cleanup crew from what I've heard. And, of course, the crush of every pre-adolescent girl in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Ouf, you gave it away, Craven."

"What? My kind has been around since the beginning of time—"

"We've heard that line before. Save it for your homophobic employers. I don't care if you're gay, straight, or anything in between, as long as you get the job done."

"Always, sweet girl. Here's what I've got for you. Your enigmatic friend with the tasteful cravat is Monsieur X, a reclusive mystery. He runs the Cartel—you know the one we invented some years back. You're Amelia Jasmine, his assistant and lover. Quite a vixen in bed, according to the rumours I've started. Maybe you should've worn the blue dress. In any case, you've been invited to the Nocturne, as you are every year, and this year you've decided to attend to scope out a potential employee. Moi."

"Beautiful. You'll back us up then?"

"Naturally. Smoke," he said seriously. "What if someone recognizes you as who you are?"

"No one's ever seen me without my hair dyed, my makeup intensely done, and an American accent. The only one who might recognize me is ZT, if he's there, and he'll shut up. I cut him off."

"Ouch," Craven winced. "He must've taken that a bit personally. I mean, you accused him of selling you out."

"I'll apologize later."

"Perhaps we should be on our way," Remus interjected. "It's nearly eleven o'clock."

"After you," Craven gestured.

Hermione pulled away from Lupin for a moment as they turned to go and went to Craven. "Thank you, Michael," Hermione said softly, kissing him lightly on the lips.

"For you, sweet girl, anything. You've grown on me entirely too much."

"You'd still shoot me if they paid you enough," she replied mildly.

"Yes, but I'd feel bad about it." She laughed as she took Lupin's arm and they left the house, apparating from the dock.

They appeared in front of a huge villa facing a canal. The house took up almost the entire block and was lit gaily. Two doormen stood at the front and checked invitations. Remus pulled the card Craven had given them from his coat pocket. They strode to the door and he handed the invitation to the guards, glaring at anyone who dared meet his eyes. He placed his hand possessively on Hermione's lower back and ushered her in past the pontificating guards, taking in the scene before him.