Blaise looked shell shocked as they approached him, ducking under the crime scene tape. Working murder cases was hard enough when you were a trained professional but waking up to find a body on your own estate was something, Hermione thought, no one could prepare you for. On top of that, having your best friend interview you to rule you out as a suspect was not an experience she would relish being a party to.
She watched as Draco reached out to give him a squeeze on his shoulder. She smiled at him sympathetically as the pair who shared a fraternal bond walked towards the Villa before making her way to where the medical examiner was hunched over the body. Sensing Hermione's question before she asked it, the middle aged woman smiled and gestured her permission for Hermione to retrieve the letter. This letter had been dropped casually on the torso of the young woman who lay splayed on the lawn of the Villa in a pool of congealing blood. It was almost as if the killer had left it as an after-thought.
She stood to read the parchment and was interrupted by the Trace specialist who handed her the rust coloured file that contained the report and the crime scene photos and smiling gave her thanks before turning and making her way over to the Villa.
"Hello Missy" started the house elf who stood wringing her hands at the open front door "I am Binny the house elf. Master Blaise and Mister Malfoy are in the drawing room and said I should be showing you in when you is arriving" she hurried out, motioning for Hermione to follow.
"Thank you Binny" Hermione smiled at the elf, following her into the open plan reception room and under an archway into the drawing room. Draco was sat in a wing back chair, while Blaise stood at the drinks cabinet in the corner pouring himself a large Firewhiskey. It was an uncomfortable interview and by the end Draco and Blaise both looked truly awful.
"Binny" Blaise called when they were finally done. She appeared instantaneously.
"Can you prepare a light meal for us, please? He asked "We shall eat out on the terrace"
The house elf disappeared and Blaise motioned for Draco and Hermione to follow him out to the rear of the house where the large open plan lounge opened up on to a sun terrace with steps leading down to beautifully manicured formal gardens to the West and down to a dock on the East . Hermione thought it was exceptionally stunning. They sat at the table and Blaise explained to Hermione how the Villa had belonged to his mother and had become his when she passed away. He now divided his time between Italy and England, staying here for the most part and his apartment in the district of Cannaregio when he needed to be closer to the Ministry or more urban night life. Binny returned with a light antipasto and the three casually engaged in idle chit chat. It was a welcome break from the emotionally wrangling conversation that had taken place indoors.
Sipping the cool lemonade Binny had brought her, Hermione admired the beautiful estate. Opening her mouth she was just about to ask Blaise a question when a cough from behind her interrupted her. Draco's face contorted into the familiar sneer she had all too often bore witness to as an adolescent and she turned around in her chair to see the recipient of his callous look.
Her jaw fell open.
"Hello Hermione"
A/N: Cannaregio is the northernmost of the six historic sestieri of Venice. It is the second largest sestiere by land area and the largest by population. This part of the city is quite historic and some of it makes me think of Diagon Alley. I see Blaise owning a traditional, historic luxury apartment rather than a contemporary one and this is the part of the city I picture the Ministry because its not as touristy as San Marco while still being in easy reach of the night life. WIkipedia informs me there is a casino... yea I picture Blaise there A LOT! ;)