Chapter 2
Hermione tried to control the beating of her heart that seemed to be racing against the tick of the clock. It was unnerving how she quickly forgot about Harry coming in that day to deliver the groceries for the household. She had not seen him in two years and she had to admit that she spent extra time fixing her hair that morning. She did not want him to think that she had completely lost it. She could hear the master's footsteps from behind. He was following her. He always followed her, of course he tried to hide this fact, but she was not a spy for nothing. She had got over her embarrassment very quickly that morning after he saw her practically in the nude, once he told her that Harry was there and waiting for her. She unconsciously smoothed her dress and straightened her shoulders. She pushed open the back door that led into the yard behind the house. There was a truck parked outside with the back facing the door and there was Harry.
Harry stood there waiting for her in an apron covered in animal's blood. He must have been to the butcher's. The sweat was trickling down his forehead and his glasses continuously slipped down the bridge of his nose. When he saw her step out from inside of the house, he wanted to gasp and run to her just to touch her, feel her skin against his hand. It had been too long and he missed her dearly. But then he saw a man step outside behind her. He figured it was Mr. Lustendam based on the description she had given in her diary. He saw the coal eyes taking him in and when they met Harry's eyes, Harry focused the brilliance of his green eyes on him, just to spite him.
"Hello?"
Harry's head snapped up at the sound of Hermione's voice. He looked at her and nodded.
"Hello miss," he said softly. "I've got a delivery for this place."
"This place," Mr. Lustendam chimed in, "is my home, Berlin Manor." Harry raised an eyebrow and regarded the man coolly.
"Berlin?" he asked with a hint of doubt.
"Yes, the name Berlin was recommended to me by mentor."
Harry wanted to snort and say, 'Can a cold-hearted bastard like you have a mentor?'
"Fine name," he said.
Mr. Lustendam looked pleased and leaned against the door, watching Harry and Hermione.
"Well," Hermione began, "I gather you found the manor without problems?"
Harry smiled. "Yes miss. The directions were very clear. I've got your order. Can you just check it over and make sure I've got everything you need?"
Hermione walked over to him and stretched out her hand for the paper he was handing her. As he gave it to her, his fingers brushed the back of her hand and their eyes immediately sought out each others'. She cleared her throat and examined the list. Moments of silence passed and eventually, the master went inside to take care of some business, as he put it. As soon as the door shut behind him, Harry exhaled and looked at Hermione.
"How are you love?"
She smiled and shrugged. "I'm alright, now that you're here."
Harry smiled and crumpled his apron nervously. "That man seems a bit, I don't know, umm…"
"I think he is doesn't trust me. I can't blame him really. I'm a new member of staff, so that must count for all the following."
Harry frowned and straightened up. "He follows you around?"
Hermione nodded. She did not seem perturbed by the idea. "Yeah, but I am used to it."
Harry seemed to be taking this information in and then nodded. "Just be careful."
Hermione regarded him and then smiled. "I will Harry."
"Well," he began, changing the subject as she counted the bags of meat on the ground, "Seamus will deliver the next time you order."
"Okay."
"And…"
Hermione paused her counting and looked at him. "And what?"
"And…" Harry trailed off when he felt tears in his eyes. Hermione's face relaxed and she stepped up beside him.
"You can say it."
Harry inhaled deeply and ran his fingers through his hair. "Come home love. Come home as soon as you can. When you get the information, just secure it and get to the British High Commission as soon as possible."
Hermione frowned in confusion. "Why a muggle institution?"
Harry licked his lips and glanced up at the house before speaking softly. "It is the last place wizards would think of looking for you, in case they need to. Besides, the high commission for British wizards is underground there. There is an old phone booth inside the grounds and around the back. Go in there and apparate to these coordinates." He handed her a Euro note. "They're written on that, memorize it then burn it. I'll be there and we can leave the country together."
"What about the others, like Seamus?"
"They work here. They work at that branch. Their job is to make sure people like you and me, get back to England safely."
Hermione nodded. "Ahh, I see. How will we leave Prague once I get there?"
"I'll tell you when you get there. For now, just concentrate on wrapping this thing up."
Hermione nodded again. "Okay, I understand.
Harry stared at her. "Hermione, I can't stress enough how important your safety is to me." Hermione closed her eyes and bit her lips. "I need you back in England, safe and sound."
"I know Harry," she gritted out.
Harry sighed and straightened his apron. "I'm sorry."
Hermione opened her eyes and reached out to him, but drew her hand back for fear of someone watching them. "Don't be. It's your part of your job as Head of the mission…"
"And as someone who has your best interests at heart."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "My best interests?"
"Yes Hermione. I want you to be safe for your sake, and a plus would be for me to able to sleep at night."
Hermione smiled and blew a kiss at him. "Consider it done Mr. Potter."
Harry returned her smile and took the money she handed him, putting it in his pocket. He helped her carry the bags inside the kitchen and he shook her hand before leaving.
"Nice doing business with you miss."
"Thank you for dropping the things off."
"It was my pleasure."
He stepped inside the truck and slammed the door. She heard the truck rev and then felt a sudden sadness creep back into her heart as she watched him drive away.
*****************************************
"Why is the place called Berlin?"
Mr. Lustendam spared her a glance from the book he was reading. "I told you…my mentor suggested it."
"It must be nice to have a mentor. Someone you can look up to is it?"
"Yes, I believe that's the definition for the word, mentor."
Hermione felt her insides churn and she clasped her hands together to stop the motion.
"Would you mind, terribly, if I could read the books in your library?"
Mr. Lustendam raised an eyebrow and kept it that way until he finished the page he was reading. He closed the book and threw it aside on the side table. Hermione felt her hair stand on end as he walked towards her.
"You are a very curious lady," he said, circling her and scrutinizing her at the same time.
"That is how I learn," she mumbled.
"Indeed."
He stopped behind her and tentatively placed his hands on her waist. She drew in a sharp intake of breath as he leaned forward, his chest pressing against her back.
"Curiosity kills the cat," he whispered daringly. She gulped and stepped away from him.
"It depends on what the cat is curious for."
Mr. Lustendam raised his eyebrows at her comeback and smiled even though the gesture did not reach his eyes.
"Did you get all the food your ordered?"
Hermione was a bit unnerved at the sudden change in topic of conversation. She, however, did not show it.
"Yes sir. Everything came as I had requested."
"Good."
There was silence as Hermione clasped her hands in front of her and stared at him defiantly.
"You are very different from all the governesses my children have ever had."
"I shall take that as a compliment."
"Yessss," he murmured, drawing out the 's' sound. "You may do that."
Hermione took the opportunity to look around the library and she could not help but marvel at the collection of books there.
"Back to my reading; may I borrow a book to read?"
"Aren't you reading Pride and Prejudice?"
Hermione felt her jaw clench and her eyes met Mr. Lustendam's in an accusatory glare. "You were in my room again?"
"Why, yes, of course."
He said that with such flippancy, Hermione folded her arms across her chest and did not even disguise the annoyance in her voice.
"How dare you!"
Mr. Lustendam's dark eyes flashed and he made one big stride towards her, stopping right in front of her. She felt like he was invading her personal space and her first instinct was to back away, but the defiance in her made her hold her ground.
"This is my house and every room in this place is under my control. I own them. I can go wherever I please. As for your personal belongings, I won't sneak through them. They're your things, but I can't help if they are in my line of vision when I explore my own home!" His voice had got progressively louder as he gesticulated angrily.
"I apologise," Hermione said meekly, even though there was still a hint of defiance in her voice.
Mr. Lustendam regarded her for a moment, then visibly relaxed.
"Accepted Ms. Charles."
Hermione nodded and turned to exit when her master's voice stopped her.
"You may borrow novels to read, only novels, nothing else. Is that understood?"
With her back towards him she answered, "Yes sir."
******************************************************
"The man has been so snappy since his wife died."
"When did she die?"
"Nine years ago."
"Oh."
Hermione was drinking a cup of tea with the cook. She had insisted that Hermione come join her for some tea and cookies the minute she found the numerous bags of food in the kitchen.
"Master told his wife everything. She knew that man inside and out and anything she wanted to know, he'd tell her."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, very much so. If he had any weaknesses, she was it."
"Do you think he could ever trust himself to love again?"
"Well pumpkin, word around the campfire is that he's interested in you!"
"In me? Whatever for?"
The cook laughed. "Oh child! Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?"
Hermione seemed surprised by the question. "What kind of question is that?"
The cook smiled gently. "Child, you are stunning. You are young, but there is this olden beauty about you. You carry wisdom beyond your years and this makes you very attractive, even to a middle aged man such as the master."
Hermione blushed under the cook's scrutinizing stare. "Thank you, you're too kind," she murmured.
"I speak nothing but the truth."
Both Hermione and the cook took the opportunity to sip their tea and sigh. The cook stretched out her legs and leaned her head back against the chair.
"The master holds many secrets. The staff fears him. He is powerful and we all recognize it."
"Is that why you call him, master?"
The cook frowned and continued to stare at the ceiling. "I don't understand."
"Well, in this day and age, no one calls their employer, master."
"Yes, well I see what you're saying. But he deserves the title. He could dispose of us all in the blink of an eye."
Hermione involuntarily shivered. "I see," was all she said.
"With all his power, you can imagine how surprised I was to realize the other day that he works for someone even greater than he is."
Hermione put her cup on the table beside her and leaned forward, her elbows on her knees, in interest. "He does?"
The cook closed her eyes and opened them widely. "It was such a strange moment for me. They were talking about elixirs and potions! I thought potions were used in the past centuries by witches!" she exclaimed.
Realization dawned on Hermione and she figured out at that moment that she was the only witch working for Mr. Lustendam and the other employees must be muggles.
"Did you see the man…or woman?"
"It was a man. He was sitting in chair, facing the fire. His hair was black and I saw his fingers clutching the arm of the chair. They were unnaturally long and grey. His skin looked grey, like rotting death. I was taking in tea for master and his master and when the unfamiliar man spoke, his voice was high pitched."
Hermione felt the excitement creeping into her bones. "Did you catch his name?"
"Mr. Mort."
"Mr. Mort?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"Yes, his first name was Volde."
Hermione could have laughed on the spot. She had never thought of Voldemort being a first and last name.
"Mr. Mort comes by all the time to tour the manor and meet the new staff…"
Hermione cut in, "Meet the new staff?"
The cook straightened herself back into sitting position. "Why yes, he always wants to meet the new employees of master. I suppose, he'll want to meet you too."
Hermione felt as if a dementor had walked into the room, and part of her wished it did, just to suck her soul out so she would not have to meet the dark lord.
"Do you know when he'll be by?" she asked softly.
"Probably in two weeks or so."
"At the minimum."
"Yes."
That gave Hermione two weeks to get her information and out of Prague, out of real harm's way.
*************************************
Hermione settled between the sheets of her bed and used that time to examine the contents written on the note Harry gave her. She studied the coordinates, committed them to memory then crumpled up the paper before throwing it into the fire that was lit in the fireplace. She took up her novel-diary and muttered a charm to unlock it before jotting down her notes for the day.
It's 12 midnight here in Budapest on the 29th of August, 2009. Whoever said that the housekeeper, cook or whatever, loves to spill the beans on whom they work for, is absolutely correct. She gave me a very firm suspicion that I am the only witch working for Mr. Lustendam in his house, and if that's the case, I better not lead him to believe that I am one. I am led to believe that he prefers to have muggles working for him, after all, they call Voldemort, Mr. Mort, all the while believing the goose's first name is Volde. What a laugh! The cook confirmed that Mr. Lustendam is indeed working for Voldemort and if Voldemort is planning to meet his new employees, then Lustendam must be in the inner circle and Volde does not want anyone cook or…governess to betray the workings of the Death Eaters. Voldemort is coming here in at least 2 weeks to meet me and I must be gone by then to keep the aurors undercover as well as keep my organs in tact. I'm sure he will recognize me as the young Hermione Granger he once met, perhaps not as quickly as he would recognize dear Harry Potter, but quickly enough none the less. Apparantly, the boss is infatuated with me. This may just make my job easier, I hope. He has a reputation of spilling his deepest secrets to his loved ones. I wonder what Voldemort would say if he knew that? In any case, I feel a lot better about this. I feel as if I am getting somewhere. I must go. It is late and I have to tutor the children in English in the morning. At least they know most of the language, makes my teaching work easier. I am signing out now. I am excited to go home.
Hermione