I know I kinda left everyone hanging but hey. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. First piece of action Natalia you are the greatest!
Brewbucks was a new store in Diagon Alley. Like its muggle sister Starbucks, it was a Wizarding novelty. Muggle coffee with Wizarding twists made it a novel with the Wizarding world. It was a massive structure with the machines and grinders all of the first floor while on the second and third floor were the seating area. All the walls were covered by wall length shelves filled with both muggle and Wizarding books except the wall facing the forest was charmed to change the sun settings and seasons every few minutes.
"Boss." Zabini welcomed as he sat down on the chair across from Kaida. Kaida barely glanced up from her book but Zabini was not deterred. He planned to run into her; he needed to talk to her and he didn't want her to have time to prepare.
"Kaida." Zabini said.
Kaida lifted her head up and smiled a welcome. It was the first time he'd ever seen her smile. It did wonders to her whole aura.
"You look sharp." She commented as she ran her finger around the rim of the mug she was drinking from. Zabini shrugged and replied. "I dress like this everyday."
"Khakis, nice shirt, sweater, and nice shoes? A pretty boy." Kaida commented, "Who would've thought?"
Zabini smiled charmingly at the blushing waitress who brought Zabini's Panama La Florentia with wizzles. He turned back to a frowning Kaida and asked, "What does that mean?"
"I have read some of your books. Interesting but conflicting opinions you have."
"Not many people our age have read my essays. Until you, my readers have been balding middle aged wizards with young wives."
"I'm not most people." Kaida said, "What are you going here?"
Zabini leaned forward in his chair as he set down his cup, "I went to see a friend in the Ministry, buy the Quidditch tickets, buy some new quills, stuff like that."
"And where are these things?" She asked.
The simple reply; "Shrunk them to fit them in my pocket."
Kaida said nothing and instead nodded her head. They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Zabini got up and moved his seat to the right of Kaida.
"Tell me about yourself." Zabini demanded suddenly.
Kaida turned and looked at Zabini archly, "Excuse me?"
The researcher repeated, "Tell me about yourself."
Kaida laughed as she closed her book knowing she wasn't going to get a chance to read it again. Her tone was amused when she said, "Alright." She shook her head, "What do you want to know?"
"Where are you from?"
Kaida tapped her finger against her chin as if to think and replied, "The States; New Hampshire. I thought it was obvious."
"What are you doing here?"
Zabini watched her hesitate and shift in her seat, "The states were…not where I was supposed to be. Ever have a calling Zabini?"
"No; I don't supposed I have. I always thought you were supposed to ignore the voices."
Kaida chucked as she shook her head. She grinned as she stood up and put her money on the table, "You are ridiculous. What else do you want to know?"
Her style was very retro compared to his more conservative style. She wore blue jeans, black turtle neck, black flats, and grey blazer with grey glasses.
"I didn't know you wore glasses." Zabini stated, standing up as well and leaving his money enough to cover his bill and leave a tip. Kaida didn't say anything till they walked into the street, the afternoon spring sun blinding them momentarily.
"I usually wear muggle contacts but my eyes are too dry today." She looked at Zabini. "Any other questions?"
*
Before Zabini could even answer there was a loud penetrating sound before there was a flash of heat as an explosion sparked two blocks away. They weren't knocked off their feet like people around them but it took them a second before they gathered themselves.
"What the hell was that?" Kaida asked.
"I don't know." Zabini answered, "Let's go see."
Kaida was already running to the site before Zabini could finish his sentence making him have to race after her. They didn't even get more than a block before another explosion the sound of another explosion went off not three yards away from them. This time they did get pushed to their knees from the impact of the blast.
"Zabini!" Kaida called. The dust and rubble around them from the upturned cobblestones made it almost impossible to see.
"What the FUCK!" Zabini yelled.
"Zabini!" Kaida yelled before yelling a spell that moved the rock away, "What the hell is going on?"
"What the hell is going on? What the hell is going on?"
The six words rang in his head over and over like a catchy song. He felt a sharp smack against his face and blinked looking up at Kaida.
"Snap out of it Zabini. We have to get out of here! The Enforcers are here."
"You said that to me before." He whispered mutely.
"This is no time to go into shock." She shook him hard by the shoulders, digging her nails into his skin hoping to snap him out of it. It unfortunately brought up a new memory.
"She will be expecting me."
"Stay."
"I can't Cathal."
"You!" Zabini muttered before grabbing Kaida by her shoulders and kissing her without warning.
*
Maxwell was bored. There were several things Maxwell, Max for short, hated. Sitting with another man who had the same mentality as himself ranked on the top five on his list.
"So Draco…" He sighed as he looked over to Draco and sighed even louder as he watched the blonde sleep.
Stakeouts sucked.
They were in the States waiting for another scientist in the science ring Draco's informant informed him of. The description they were given was of a built green haired middle aged man who drove a green BMW. They had been waiting for ten hours and being cooped up in a car for so long, Max felt himself starting to get antsy. The scientist was supposed to have been home hours ago!
*
Max wasn't the most gracious person in the world, when he was irritated he became even less friendly. After spending twenty hours in a car with Draco Malfoy, who managed to sleep the entire time Max was just that, irritated. Malfoy with his head back, mouth open and his light snores caused by the weird angle his body was positioned further infuriated Max causing his nerves to snap and made him shake the blond once roughly to wake him up.
"What?" Draco snapped as he jerked up. He cleared his throat and looked around quickly, "He's here?!"
"No." Maxwell answered curtly, "You were snoring too loud."
The sullen reply, "I don't snore."
Max said nothing as he focused on the brownstone. New York, he thought, had such interesting buildings in many diverse areas. He caught sight of an electric blue Lexus and almost dismissed it; his instincts forced him to maintain his attention. It turned out that his gut was correct.
Draco leaned forward reaching for the dashboard, "That's him."
Maxwell looked from Draco to the man walking at the car. The man had short spiked brown hair with blue tips, completely different facial features, and was walking in the wrong direction.
"Those are two different people. Two flashy cars and hairstyles," Max reasoned, "does not make the same man."
Draco had pulled out his 9mm and without checking slid it into his holster.
"The man," Draco answered just as smartly, "has the same scar on his neck as the guy Macey showed me."
Draco waited for Maxwell to asses the situation, Max being the boss and founder, and superior. He tensed as Max unsheathed his gun.
"Alright let's go."
*
Turned out it things didn't take very long. Malfoy had his ward pointed to the scientist's nose while Maxwell's gun rested on the doctor's forehead. The doctor's eyes flashed from one face to another, desperate for sanctuary in one of the faces. When he received none he started to sweat more, his reactions further betraying his guilt.
"If you want help," Draco offered, knowing Max would give none looking around for a cigarette. He knew this was going to take a while, "You should just tell us what we want to know."
The man said nothing and Max sighed, "And down the rabbit hole we go."
*
"What in the hell is that?" Harry asked Zabini as the tall man walked into the library. Zabini without saying a word walked to the nearest window to see his reflection. He touched the bright red mark on his neck and replied, "I am here to tell you what I feel is Kaida Drake's involvement. Not about my rash, Potter."
The tone of Zabini's voice let Harry know the discussion was closed. He cleared his throat and sat up straighter in the arm chair.
"Her involvement?" He pried.
Zabini turned and rested on the window, his hands behind his back. He thought for a minute before responding.
"I think she knows what is going on." He paused once again to think of his phasing, "But not a threat. Why would she keep us alive for so long?"
"Not everything pertains to life and death. Sometimes it is all about the power a person has over a people's lives." He waited for his words to make their impact and added, "That is a greater power."
"You know something I don't know?" Zabini asked.
"Her records are too clean." Harry supplied, "Teachers never had a problem, perfect attendance, never tardy. Someone in her line of work has to have some type of blemish and she has none."
Zabini sifted from one foot to the other his expression reflecting his disbelief.
"A clean record makes her a suspect?"
Harry opened his mouth and closed it. He leaned forward resting his crossed hands on the table, "Why are you defending her?"
"I don't defend anyone but the Romans who loved to roam. Why would I defend her?"
Harry's eyes flickered from the `rash' on Zabini's neck to his face.
The silence was unbearable, the air cracked with tension. Neither one was going to give anything else away.
"Have you chosen sides Zabini?" Harry asked finally. His eyes narrowed further as Zabini smirked. A move that had irked him in school and still had the same affect.
The reply was dry, "Only if you make me."
It was a war of wills neither one of them was ready to fight.
"Am I allowed to go Potter?"
Both understood the double meaning behind it, and both tensed in anticipation behind for the answer.
"For now."
Zabini nodded and walked out the room loosening his tie. He had dinner with one of his sources tonight at The Pacific. He would tighten it when he got there. Potter so didn't believe a hickey was a rash.
TBC
So you like? I know things aren't really clear but hopefully things will clear up as the story goes on. Review please!
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