The disembodied voice rang about the room and a gilded door opened on the right. Hermione looked at Severus who nodded and led the way. Beyond the door was a salon. The same kind of furnishings and a variety of large plants. The room was darkened by drawn scarlet drapes and only the light of the ornate fireplace. Decorating it above, was a muggle painting of an Incan king. His face haughty and his muscled body festooned with black and red bird feathers, a leopard skin, and a tattoo of a black and red coral snake on his shoulder. Its eyes caught Hermione like a snare. Dark and treacherous.
"Do you like my ancestor Hermione? He's quite something, isn't he?" A chair in front of the fireplace held the infamous doctor. In front of him was a small table with a tea pot and scones. A settee was across from him, and he motioned them to sit. "Will you have some tea?"
Severus was quick to reply. "No thank you Doctor Mamani."
"It's not poisoned" The malevolent face smiled as if trying to put them at ease. "If I'd wanted to kill you I could have done it anytime today. You were both so wrapped up in each other, I could have kicked you in the shin first." He grew impatient. "Please sit down. We have much to discuss."
Severus took out his wand and scanned the room for traps. When he was sure it was safe they came and sat down. Never being one to beat about the bush Severus began. "Why have you embarked on a killing spree? Surely you could have gotten all the body parts you wanted at the hospital."
Mamani smiled. "True. But you know how it can be. Potions ingredients are best when fresh and picked at the correct time. One must also be very aware of the specimen being used. Quality is everything, least you have to start all over again. I spoke at length to all my subjects. They had no family, no friends. No one will notice their departure from this life. Well… All but the child. It was just collateral damage. I had already taken its mother when the welp returned to her. If I hadn't silenced it there would have been an incident. I took the hand for a side experiment. No sense letting it go to waste."
Hermione was incensed beyond reason. His lack of compassion sounded too much like Voldemort, and she had vowed never to let that happen again. "The IT you speak of was a child! Your specimens were human beings you cold hearted monster! What gives you the right to kill and take what you want?"
Mamani was enraged by her question. "Be silent woman and know your place! You are here on my sufferance as a courtesy to Severus! I claim the right of kings to know what's best! Do not dare to presume to judge me."
She moved to do more than presume, but Severus stopped her hand, and she had to be content with words. "The right of kings? Surely your kingdom is far from here. You have no extraordinary rights in this country. Here you are just a common murderer!"
Mamani's wand shot out, but she was ready and blocked the spell. "Dr. Luis Mamani I hereby arrest you in the name of the ministry of magic for the murder of eight souls. I recommend you come along quietly, or I will kill you where you sit." She stood, her wand at the ready.
Mamani laughed. "Now I know why you keep her around Severus. She's quite amusing. And decent to look at, no? You've looked like you've wanted to fuck her all day. I may take her with me when I leave, for breeding purposes. A sweet puta like her could amuse me for quite a while." His voice became hard. "Sit down witch, before you become part of my specimen collection."
Hermione cast the Avada but Mamani intercepted her spell, letting it crash into the fireplace.
Severus was quick to try and defuse the situation. "What does your potion do doctor?"
"See Hermione. He knows he must have his answers first. His curiosity is stronger than his moral outrage, if a death eater has any. Severus has the understanding that sometimes you have to allow unpleasant things, in order to achieve your goal. How many innocent people do you think he's murdered Hermione? Have you ever asked how much blood is on his hands? No? You should have listened more to my staff. They could tell you of the human wreckage left in his wake. You have granted him pardon because it was for the greater good."
He looked at Severus with respect. "My timing was terrible. I arrived just before the end of your war. As long as you were in my ward there was always someone poking about asking questions. I couldn't do any of my experiments in secret. All my clumsy attempts to try and hurry you along. Make it look like you died of your injuries. My apologies for your pain by the way. But your bitch over there barked so loudly I couldn't finish you off. She made for the best guard dog after that. I couldn't get near you. She delayed me too long, and I had to wait months for the correct lunar alignments to return. It's a pity really. I think we could have been friends otherwise, one potions master to another. I would love to pick your brain on other topics."
"Answer the question Mamani." Severus was having a hard time holding his temper.
"I think it best if I show you. You will appreciate the intricacy, the delicacy of my work, more than others. Leave the annoying witch here so we can talk shop." He sneered at her.
"I think you underestimate Hermione, doctor. She's a fine potions maker and appreciates skill. At any rate I'll not let you separate us."
"Oh, very well Severus." He huffed. "Bring her along." Mamani stood and left the room, assuming that they would follow.
Severus motioned for Hermione to follow them, with a quick whisper in her ear. "Do not underestimate him. He's not the man he was at St. Mungos."