Chapter 5

"Where the hell have you been?"

Severus locked the flat door carefully and propelled his clock towards the coat stand before turning to face an irate Harry Potter.

"I have been out of my mind with worry."

Severus hid a smile.

"Not used to being the one waiting, whilst others conduct the operation Potter? That's a failing you are going to have to remedy if you are to rise within the ranks of the aurors."

"That's different, "snapped Harry at once "That's work. This is family."

"Indeed, now you know how the rest of us felt all those years when you were growing up."

Harry stepped forward and for a moment Severus thought Harry was going to take a swing at him, but then the boy unclenched his fists.

"I am sorry Harry but there was nothing I could do about it without blowing my cover."

Harry's shoulders slumped.

"At least you're ok."

Severus moved forward and draped an arm round his shoulders. "Come on Potter pour me a drink and I'll tell you all about it."

Harry nodded resignedly and headed for the kitchen.

"So, Mr Apprentice Auror, what is our next move?" asked Severus after he had debriefed Harry thoroughly on the events of the evening. He sipped his wine with a greater appreciation than usual this evening.

"Wait, "said Harry simply. "Do nothing and hope the body turns up. In the meantime do nothing to draw attention to ourselves."

"Is this the Harry Potter we all know and love?" inquired Severus in a gently mocking voice.

"It's the Harry Potter who is well into his auror training and who has learnt that patience and allowing events to develop are a critical part of the job."

Severus nodded approvingly. "Minister Shacklebolt has done a better job at the Ministry than I expected."

"If you weren't pretending to be dead I'd tell him you said that, "replied Harry with a grin.

"Well if watching and waiting are our next steps, I had better get some sleep before a day at the warehouse."

Harry nodded, "Yeah, you're right, I'm still in the cramming my brain full of stuff stage of this secondment and it won't help if I am half asleep."

For the next few days Severus followed Harry's advice to the letter. He went to work, showed a deep interest in the research undertaken by his staff to adapt the product to screen out magic in the hope of making phones more attractive to the wizarding community. He had an after work drinks with a client who represented a company that supplied special phones to the Italian military. He returned home promptly at 6pm each day and cooked dinner for Harry. He spent the evening listening to Harry's account of his day with the Gottingen aurors, knowing that he would likely have been bored to tears had it not been his son recounting his new experiences in his first overseas secondment.

It was on the fourth evening that Harry arrived full of excitement.

"The body's washed up near Beuren just as I thought it would."

Severus paused his stirring of the beef stew. "You are sure it is ours?"

"Its not definite, we were only contacted by the Beuren authorities at 5pm but it sounds like it. We are liaising with the Gottingen police department who are doing an analysis of the water current to try to determine where the body entered the river and when."

"When you say we?"

Harry grinned. "Me. My first solo assignment with them."

"Well done Harry," said Severus appreciatively.

"Nah, nobody else wanted to do it. I thought it might come in today so I was hanging about on the off chance. Stew's not overcooked is it?"

"No Harry it will be fine. I applied a statis charm. Get yourself ready and we will eat."

Severus gave Harry a few minutes to savour his stew.

"So what's your thinking on next steps?"

Harry wiped his mouth on his napkin. "Good stew, "he said appreciatively. "Next steps? Follow standard procedure I guess. Wait for the body to be delivered back to Gottingen, arrange an identification and post mortem. Once he is identified, they'll be lots of interest, but we will only really be able to get our teeth into an investigation if we can prove it is not a normal death."

"How long will that take?" inquired Severus sipping his wine.

"Usually it can take a week or so. But once the body is back here I can arrange an accidental identification by one of the other aurors. That should put a bomb under the investigation. I'll bet we'll get the PM done in 48 hours tops."

"I am wondering how far the investigation will have progressed before your secondment ends. "

"That shouldn't be a problem. If I am in the middle of a live investigation, the Ministry for Magic will agree an extension to the secondment."

"And what about Mrs Potter?" inquired Severus politely.

Harry gulped slightly and wriggled in his chair "She'll be ok with it," he asserted uncertainly.

"Hmm. I don't want you to..."

"Dad, it's bad enough you being stuck here. There is no way I'm leaving until this is resolved and you're in the clear." said Harry firmly.

Severus looked as if he was about to argue then he caught sight of Harry's face. "Well it is certainly good having you here," he admitted.

The following evening Severus had decided on something spicier following the stew. He was putting the finishing touches to a medium strength chilli when Harry burst through the door again in a replay of the previous evening.

"Food first, " said Severus before Harry could speak. "Wash your hands."

"Hey, I'm not six," said Harry grinning.

"No, but I suspect you probably have been dealing with a dead body."

"Ah... yes, I'll just head," He gestured towards the bathroom.

Severus concentrated on scooping large spoonfuls of chilli onto Harry's plate and slightly smaller scoops onto his own. He had just lifted the plates onto the table and was pouring the wine when Harry appeared looking cleaner and calmer.

"Sit."

"Yes Dad," said Harry half mockingly.

"It has been an eventful day?"

Harry nodded putting a fork full of curry to his mouth, "Wow! This has quite a kick. You must show me how to make it, Ron loves spicy food."

Severus ignored the diversion. "What happened?"

"I got the body identified really easily. I just got Wilhelm to collect me from our morgue at coffee time. He identified him immediately."

Severus nodded encouragingly.

"As soon as word got round it was Lubricus they gave me full access to his personal records."

"You are still on the case?" verified Severus. "I wondered whether once they realised he was an ex auror they would give it to an old hand"

"Yeah, I had wondered that too, but apparently being an outsider worked in my favour. They wanted someone with "no preconceptions." "

"Did they?" said Severus musingly "Very interesting."

"They were even more spooked when they thought to link it to that tip off that they got last week. Hand delivered, left in the internal mail. That's why they instituted a search down by the warehouses."

"Even more interesting. What did the note say?"

"Individual presumed dead, delivered to industrial estate via flying carpet."

"And they took that seriously?" inquired Severus incredulously.

Harry nodded in agreement. "It contain a special auror code in the last line. The codes are used to classify cases into various categories. This linked the case with the dark arts. "

"Fascinating, "observed Severus."They fear an inside job!"

Harry noted, " They do. But his personnel file is even more fascinating."

"You been through it already?" asked Severus sharply.

Harry grinned. "Like to see?"

Severus hesitated and then nodded.

"I'll get the pensive."

This time they entered the memories together.

Harry was in an office: desk, chair, window. On the desk was a large file. Harry was sitting at the desk immersed in the papers.

"Not a sight we often saw at Hogwarts," remarked Severus snidely.

Harry grinned amiably. "His personnel file."

"Interesting read?" inquired Severus.

"Why don't you have a look over my shoulder?"

Severus stepped forward and began to read. It was a little awkward to read over someone's shoulder in a memory. You had to synchronise your reading with theirs or you missed key facts. However, once Severus adjusted his pace, he found the file fascinating. Auror Harry did not try to read the whole file, he focused on key sections: personal information, investigation summaries, retirement sign off and his disciplinary record.

Severus concluded that Lubricus had been a bit of a maverick. Visitor Harry was leant against the window when Severus had finished.

Severus gestured that they should leave.

Harry shook his head and pointed to auror Harry, who stretched, got up and started out of the room.

"We need to follow," instructed Harry.

Severus followed auror Harry through the office corridors. They eventually entered a meeting room which was half full. Auror Harry and those around him, were grabbing coffee and bagels before sitting at the conference table.

"You will need to do lots of exercise in this job, or you will become as fat as Slughorn," Severus muttered.

Harry pulled a face and gestured that they should listen. Peck stood up and began to speak.

"Guys. Can you all grab a seat and I'll give you a quick update on the case and then hand over to our secondee, Harry Potter. "

There were a few moments of scuffling while the room's occupants grabbed a seat.

"Ok. Thanks. So as most of you know a body was washed up near Beuren yesterday. We now have a positive ID. I'm afraid it was Lubricus. I have asked Mr Potter to lead the investigation. An independent assessment will, I believe, be vital and I expect you to do everything you can to assist him."

Severus detected surpsie and concern in the audience. Peck paused until the murmuring subsided and then gestured that Harry should take over.

"As Lubricus was, until recently one of our own, I think a memory share might help take us forwards. I thought we'd start with.."

"Did he drown?" interjected a thin pinched faced woman completely dressed in black.

"No Adele, he didn't. He was struck by a killing curse."

There was a rumbled of disquiet.

"So no chance this was an accident?" confirmed a short stout man, wearing a gold necklace bearing the legend "Karl", who was attacking his second bagel.

"None. Unless he managed to hit himself in the back."

Severus was impressed that Harry took advantage of the stunned silence to recapture control of the meeting.

"So can we start pooling memories? Into two containers please: container one for the memories just before he retired; container two for any contact after he left the service."

Harry passed one large blue bottle to his left and a red one to his right.

"Please give us everything you have, every small detail could be important. "

A moment or two later they were back in the Severus' sitting room.

Severus reseated himself and reached for his wine. "You have viewed the memories?"

Harry plonked himself down in the armchair. "No, thought I'd start fresh in the morning."

Severus nodded with approval, "As you said the details could be important."

Harry grinned. "Want to come along? Two pairs of eyes are better than one."

Severus slowly placed his wine on the table.

"Surely you are not suggesting a covert in disguise mission to the heart of Gottingen's auror offices?"

"Of course."

"A few minutes ago, I was thinking how much you had grown up. Chairing a meeting of fellow aurors somewhat your senior. Advising caution at every turn, but you are still at heart a reckless Gryffindor."

"Always," agreed Harry with a smile. "But this time my plans are fool proof."

Severus rolled his eyes, "Let's hear it."

Harry was making the tea when Severus came out of his room still clad in his dressing gown.

"I was not sure what to wear for this ridiculous mission. "

"Sit down, I've made pancakes," ordered Harry. "I've borrowed some auror robes," he added sliding two pancakes onto the plate.

"And what about…"

"Hair for the policy juice potion?" finished Harry. "There's a packet on the counter, but have your pancakes first. I've been slaving over this hot stove for the last twenty minutes," Harry added mockingly.

Severus sat down and poured two coffees from the pot.

"So who am I supposed to be?"

"I told you last night, Wilhelm from the auror secretariat. Does the admin and jobs like this, second viewing of memories, cataloguing exhibits."

"The chap who took you on the working tour of Gottigen?"

Harry nodded, "He's been absent a bit too much these last few months."

"And he is away for few days? "

"Yeah, his mum's unwell. He's already had loads of time off this year, so we are really doing him a favour."

"Is he not concerned about who will be filling his shoes and why do you believe you can trust him?"

Harry passed Severus a plate and slid into a seat at the table.

"He's really desperate dad, she's dying and he can't afford to lose his job because he's got two young kids. He isn't worried about who it will be because I've told him it will be Ron." Harry paused for a moment struggling with the golden syrup.

He look across at Severus you was prodding his pancakes suspiciously with a fork.

"I'm afraid he's a bit of a Potter fan, you know, totally thrilled to be helping the golden trio."

Severus looked faintly nauseous.

"But that works in our favour," said Harry. "Ron will back me up if push comes to shove. He's on annual leave before his secondment to Vienna so it all fits."

Severus sighed. "Potter you have been a trainee auror for what 18 months and already you are running detailed rule breaking plots with your fellow co-workers even while on secondment."

"No," said Harry firmly "I'm just using out of the box thinking."

"Potter you don't have a box to think out of," Severus sighed again. "Go on tell me this plan".

"So we assume for now that the dumping of Lubricus' body in your warehouse was not a random coincidence."

Severus nodded cautiously.

"So whoever, did this knew or at least had met and targeted you."

Severus nodded again.

"Therefore you have met them even if you aren't aware of it. Given Lubricus' post retirement contract, it is possible that it is someone you met at the wandlore group."

"Reaching..."commented Severus.

"Definitely, "agreed Harry. "But the connection with you is the only solid lead we have got so far. So if you come and sift the evidence with me it is possible that you will see something I will miss. "

Severus nodded reluctantly. He could see the logic.

"First stop is the auror station. We will go through the memories I collected last night and see what we can find. Then I'm afraid it is another trip to the Bank of Berlin. We will have to go through his safe deposit box again but we can also get a review the record of all his transactions etc."

Harry paused and looked inquiringly at Severus. "So you're in?"

Severus sighed, he needed to find who was targeting him if he was to protect his new life and Harry. He picked up the packet of hair reluctantly.

"Obviously."

"Coffee?" suggested Harry as they pushed through the double doors into Gottingen station.

"Let's just get on with it Potter," muttered Severus.

Harry through him a look. "Not very friendly, " whispered Harry. "Wilhelm, is a paid up member of my fan club."

Severus supressed a groan whilst acknowledging Harry was correct. He forced his new features into a more amicable expression.

"So what's first boss?" he asked with forced enthusiasm. At least the robes were black but these tight auror boots were ridiculous.

Harry supressed a grin.

"I'll get last night's memories from the safe if you want to head for work room three," said Harry loudly. "Third door on the left," whispered Harry. "Back in mo."

Severus almost panicked when Harry disappeared. Showing no outward concern he glided along the corridor eyes straight in front of him, praying that he did not bump into any of Wilhelm's close friends. This plan had disaster written all over it. Why the hell had he let Potter talk him into it? He pushed open the third door and breathed a sigh of relief to find an empty conference room. He immediately flicked his wand towards the door and locked it. Potter could knock.

Severus slid off his outer cloak and hooked it carefully on the cloak stand in the corner of the room. He flexed his shoulder uncomfortably. He hated this sort of room. They reminded him of the interrogation rooms after the Dark's Lord's first fall. He had spent many an uncomfortable hour in the Ministry of Magic's interview rooms before Albus and succeeded in getting him released into his care pending his trail and subsequent return to Hogwarts.

He wandered over to the window and looked out into the street. He lost himself in the flow of muggle and magical pedestrians, largely indistinguishable from each other, in the street below. He was roused from his musing by a sudden thud against the door.

"What the hell?" exclaimed Harry.

Severus flicked his wand casting a cushioning spell as Harry staggered into the room with the bottles of memories. Sure enough he dropped one which rolled under the table.

"Why did you lock the door?" moaned Harry reaching under the table to retrieve the blue bottle.

"Because, you numskull, I don't want to have to field loads of questions from close colleagues."

Harry nodded. "Good point. But don't worry, sadly Wilhelm doesn't have close working relations with most people here. Most aurors think they are too grand to talk to him because he is just an administrator. "

"Apart from you I assume?"

Harry spread his arms. "Well you know me. Friends with everyone."

Severus nodded heavily. He looked at the bottles on the table.

"Where shall we start?"

"Chronological order I think- pre retirement memories first?" suggested Harry, lifting a large pensieve out of a cupboard by the door.

Severus imagined that a time machine would be similar to travelling through multiple memories. Each memory lasted a couple of minutes, certainly no longer than five, giving you a brief glimpse of someone's life. Most of the memories were based in the week or so before Lubricus' retirement. There were a couple of 20 minute chunks where Lubricus had obviously gone for goodbye coffees with colleagues before the big exit. The rest of the memories, generally lasting only two or three minutes, were concentrated at his retirement party in the staff canteen.

"You'll be glad to see the back of the early mornings I reckon?" said an auror, whom Severus recognised as Karl from Harry's previous memories.

"I won't miss them, that's for sure. The one thing about being a contractor is that you can set your own hours."

"That's what they all say. But before long their back knocking on the door of the security department asking to help with the admin. "

"Not me, "said Lubricus shortly squaring his shoulders.

The other auror snorted into his coffee.

"Doesn't pay well enough," said Lubricus.

"Got plans have you?"

Lubricus nodded. "My son wants to study music in Russia."

His colleagues whistled. Severus didn't blame him, the fees were enormous.

"And I want a bit of time in the sun. That's how I plan to spend my winter mornings."

The next memory jumped to the retirement party. Severus glanced round the current memory the canteen had been transformed with retirement banner and on the table near the window was a large cake.

Severus recognised Peck who was standing near the cake and was in the process of giving a speech.

"Klasus Lubricus has been in the service for 30 years. Over that time.."

Severus wished that there was a fast forward button for memories. He looked at the canteen's occupants. Lubricus looked faintly uncomfortable as one might expect given his boss was giving a blow by blow account of his career. The rest of the audience was divided fairly equally between: the nearly drunk, the very drunk, the openly bored and the desparately trying to appear interested. Only one young witch appeared to be drinking in the eulogy with real interest. "A fan of Lubricus or Peck?" wondered Severus.

He realised that the speech was drawing to a close and forced himself to tune back in.

"We will miss Lubricus of course, but we look forward to seeing him around as a private investigator and, " Peck paused. "Telling him to get lost as he is no longer an auror."

The expected laughter followed. Lubricus grinned uneasily, squirming slightly.

The next memory was from Peck himself as he dutifully passed a few minutes with Lubricus after his formal speech.

"You'll be working as an investigator, I understand."

Lubricus nodded slowly sipping his beer.

"Do you have any contracts lined up?"

"A couple, "admitted Lubricus cautiously.

"Anyone interesting?"

Lubricus hesitated.

"A university contact."

"Which one?" asked Peck with interest.

"I'd rather not say if you don't mind," replied Lubricus after a moment or two. "Client confidentiality."

"Of course, of course," said Peck jovially. He leant forward "However, Lubricus please remember you'll no longer be an auror just a member of the unwashed public. So I would avoid your usual rule bending."

It was nicely said but Severus felt the threat behind the light tone.

Lubricus nodded stiffly resentment gleaming in his eyes.

"I'd better circulate. Enjoy your evening and all the best," Peck swung quickly away.

The final memories redefined brevity, meaningless good byes and good wishes, perfunctory inquiries into retirement plans all of which Lubricus parried without difficulty. When they surfaced Harry looked thoughtful but seemed keen to press on.

"Post retirement before we analyse?"

Severus, who hoped that the analysis could take placed outside the auror headquarters, readily agreed and they plunged into the second bowl.

"Hey, "

An auror in uniform tapped the chap in front of him on the shoulder. Lubricus swung round.

"How you doing, how's retirement?"

Severus had no difficulty recognising the Gottingen railway station.

"Gunter, good to see you, Yeah I'm good," replied an obviously sun tanned Lubricus.

"You're looking well. Retirement suits you. Long holiday?" said the auror pointing to the tan.

"Nah, business trip mate."

"Great work if you can get it," said Gunter the envy clearly detectable in his voice.

"Financial investigations. That's where the money is," Lubricus grinned. "Anyway got to go. Train to catch."

Severus did not recognise the second venue. It was a men's outfitters of some kind. Muggle by the looks of it.

An auror, who Severus did not recognise, was stood in the street peering through the shop window.

"Come on Max we've got loads to do," said the woman next to him tugging his arm.

"Blimey it's Lubricus!" he said to his female companion.

Mrs Auror, thought Severus. He's been dragged out shopping after work. The joys of being married.

"He must be earning a bit. Look at that suit, Armani !" said Max.

"Army?" repeated his wife.

"Amani," said Max impatiently. "Posh muggle brand. He always was a flash git."

"Pity his ex-wife didn't see more of it. I wouldn't have put up with him myself."

Severus lip curled. He often wondered if he and Lily would have become one of those carping couples if they had got together. He dismissed thoughts of Hermione and Mr Weasley.

The moment faded to blackness and Severus pulled himself out of the bowl. Harry joined him a few moments later.

"I could use a coffee, "said Harry putting the lids back on the memory bottles.

Severus nodded. "Not the staff canteen Potter, somewhere we can talk with ease," he paused. "And somewhere that serves decent coffee. That stuff I saw in the memories looked like that potion I use to treat cold sores."

"I know just the place. Muggle and close by."

The Badehaus coffee shop was in a small street off the square. Severus raised his eyebrows. Harry pointed to words carved above the stone doorway: Public baths 1878. They went into a narrow hallway and swept up the stairs into a wide open café with around 20 round tables, less than half of which were occupied. Harry headed for the serving counter on the left of the doorway. Severus strode over to a French window that opened out onto a small balcony with a tiny table for three. He sat down.

Harry appeared a few minutes later carrying a tray of coffee.

"China cups?"

"They are rather old fashioned but the coffee is good," said Harry sitting down rather gingerly on one of the wooden slat chairs.

"It is certainly discrete," admitted Severus sipping the coffee which was more than palatable.

"So," began Harry. "After a session like that we are advised to pool our key impressions." He pulled a notebook out of his bag,

"You're so hi-tech Potter," muttered Severus.

"We have to keep proper records you know."

"Do you want to go first? "suggested Severus, curious as to how much the boy had picked up.

"Sure. Well, this is all about money. "

Severus nodded.

"He had big expensive plans before he left us: his son's education, time in the sun. After he had left, we have a record of him making expensive purchases and looking tanned."

Severus nodded in approval. Harry felt he was back in the classroom.

"He had a contract lined up at a university and there might be overseas links."

Severus nodded again, "Not bad. Anything else?"

Harry paused. "He's considered a bit of a rule breaker. " He looked up at Severus. "What do you think?"

"I think that is a reasonable analysis of what we saw," Severus paused, he did not want to appear to be critical. How times changed.

"Go on," said Harry eagerly.

"We saw him at the Gottingen railway station."

Harry nodded.

"Well from what we saw he was leaving platform 8. Most trains out of there are bound for Berlin."

"Berlin University?"

"Maybe," said Severus "He could have been following an investigation lead."

"It's worth pursing," said Harry excitedly.

"Certainly," agreed Severus.

"Anything else?" asked Harry. "This coffee's good isn't it?"

Severus nodded. "There was clearly a tension between Peck and Lubricus."

"Always worth looking into, "said Harry.

"Indeed, but it also gives us an insight into Lubricus' likely behaviour."

Harry looked blank.

"A poor relationship with Peck means he was less likley to turn to the auroras if he got into trouble. "

"Yeah, "agreed Harry "I've heard him described him as a bit of a loner."

Severus sat back and finished his coffee. "So what's the plan boss?" he asked ironically.

Harry rubbed his nose, "We should investigate his finances and company accounts if he had any. "

Severus nodded.

"I should probably talk to Peck again about his impressions and Lubricus career and see if I can get hold of his security file."

"Agreed," said Severus.

"I'll need to go through his office and talk to his family. Well his son at least."

"I'd cast the net a bit wider, " advised Severus. "Ex-wives can bare grudges."

"Good idea," agreed Harry. He paused, "I'm not sure how to pursue the university angle."

Severus hesitated "Perhaps your other investigations will show you a way to approach it."

"Of course, the search of his home and office and the investigation of his bank account should reveal who he was working for. I wonder which would be best to do first," mused Harry. "Bank first I think, " he concluded. "Then if we find any anomalies we can search for evidence to explain them."

"Are you going to need me for that?" inquired Severus.

"Definetly, "said Harry without hesitation. "That is one of the main reason I wanted you to join the investigation."

Severus raised an eyebrow.

"Under auror regulations all investigations of that type have to be conducted by at least two officers."

"And if you took anyone else, it would become quickly apparent that Lubricus had accessed his safe deposit box after he was dead, "observed Severus.

"Exactly, which would lead to loads of unhelpful questions which I am trying to avoid."

"Indeed," Severus agreed.

It was lunchtime and the banks shut at 4 o'clock, so they would wait for tomorrow befoe heading back to Berlin. It was agreed that Severus would go back to the apartment, allow the polyjuice to wear off and then head for the warehouse for the afternoon. Harry would go and try and make an appointment with Peck. They would meet back at the flat at 6pm. Harry promised to: "Grab some stuff from the supermarket and rustle up a quick pasta dish."

By the time Severus re-entered the apartment he was feeling hungry. He had tried to squeeze a day's work into four hours. He had spent most of the time talking to customers about new orders, 30 minutes discussing the progress of the new research and the last 15 minutes in a grindingly boring meeting with his office manager about the theft of milk from the staff fridge. A number of his workers were upset. "Intsall a free coffee machine," Severus had finally snapped.

As he opened the apartment door, he expected to see Potter huddled over the stove, pans boiling over while he grated cheese. Harry was a very chaotic cook who rarely used magic. This led to a number of spillages and burnt pans. Instead Harry was crouched over the dining table which was covered in papers. Well he supposed they could order in.

Harry looked up and smiled. "Great you're in good time. "

"You have discovered something interesting?" Severus gestured to the files as he unbuttoned his coat.

"What? Yes, I have. But I meant you were in good time for dinner. I thought you might be tempted to stay at the warehouse a bit later given you missed this morning."

"No, I managed to do what I needed to do." He paused, "We could order in."

"What? No I have made a pasta bake. It's in the oven. It just needs heating up. "

Severus avoided looking surprised.

"You thought I'd forgotten," grinned Harry perceptively. "No chance of that. I once forgot to prepare dinner for Ginny after I promised. Never again. I was in the dog house for three weeks."

Severus hid a smile. Good for Miss W… Mrs Potter but he avoided commenting. "You said you had discovered something interesting?"

"I have indeed," said Harry proudly.

Severus reached for the bottle of red wine and gestured to Harry. Harry shook his head.

"First, he was really good at his job. His case clear up rate is really impressive. Best in the department most years. "Harry continued, "But he did cut corners. He got at three formal warnings in the last five years."

"For?" asked Severus sipping his wine.

"Acting without authority and in one case disobeying a direct order."

"This guy thought he knew better than everyone else?"

Harry nodded. "Guess whose direct order he disobeyed?"

"Peck's?" said Severus.

"Exactly. Peck had him demoted. So no way Lubricus was seeking his help if things went wrong!"

"That is interesting," agreed Severus.

"But, what is even more interesting, "said Harry "Is that last year he was forced to attend a refresher course in legal ethics. Guess where?"

"University of Berlin?"

Harry nodded. "I bet that where he got his first contract from."

"That is a possibility, "agreed Severus. We should know more tomorrow after we access his accounts. "What time were you planning to set out in the morning?"

"7am train. Then we can be there when the bank opens."

"In which case I recommend an early night."

"And not too much wine, "added Harry cheekily.

Severus gave a mock scowl.

Harry grinned, "I'll head for the shower. I'll just put this stuff away. I'm not really supposed to take it out of the office it's confidential. I can debrief you after dinner, "he thrust the papers into a brief case and headed to the bathroom. "Can you put the oven on at 180 degrees?"

Severus nodded and flicked his wand towards the oven. Potter was still Potter, he reflected. Effortless energy, endless plans, bounding around and still occasionally slipshod. The boy had pushed the files into his brief case but a few sheets were poking out.

Severus sighed, levered himself off the couch, opened the case a little wider to push the file inside. As he did so, the file flopped open more widely and a picture caught his eye. He paused and looked towards the bathroom door. He could hear the shower running. His hand slipped into the bag and pushed the file open more. The picture was of a woman in plain robes. He glanced again at the bathroom door before levering the file out of the case holding it open at the picture. Severus glanced quickly at the surrounding papers. It was a security file, checking Lubricus' activities. There had been allegations about the nature of Lubricus' relationship with the woman. Colleagues had mooted that there had been an extra martial affair and there were concerns that Lubricus was at risk of being blackmailed. Lubricus had denied that and the security investigator had aceepted that she was just a family friend. Severus closed the file and replaced it in the bag. Lubricus' explanation had been plausible. The incident might have no connection to his death. The only problem was that Severus recognised the woman concerned. The last time he had seen was at the wandlore club where she had introduced herself as Calista Dives.