Mistaken Identities

The next morning found them walking into a Starbucks on 48th and Park, per the instructions of the note delivered the previous night.

“We look ridiculous.” Hermione muttered under her breath.

“This is New York, my lovely. We fit right in.” Draco purred in her ear. “Besides, you look fantastic.”

Hermione rolled her eyes but had to stifle the blush that threatened the steal over her face. She was wearing a pair of black pants with thin grey pinstripes that managed to hug every curve and make her look taller. Her purple, silk, button-down had a neckline that plunged in a vee so low she thought it might be illegal. The shoes were black boots, of course, with stiletto heels so pointed that it was a good thing they were spelled or she would have fallen on her face. The crowning glory though, the accessory that made the look, was the black fedora pulled low over face. Her curls were trapped in a French twist and somehow Draco had managed to get her to look like a 1920’s gangster. Who knew he had it in him?

Draco was dressed to match the style. A three-piece suit in a soft grey material managed to make him look both dangerous and sexy. Not that he needed much help in either of those departments. A grey fedora added the final touch of class that set the look firmly on the dangerous side.

She wasn’t clear, exactly, how she’d ended up dressed like a character out of “Guys and Dolls” and she’d rather step on her own tongue than admit it but she was having a lot of fun playing dress up.

“Who do you think we’re supposed to be meeting?” Draco asked as they stepped in line for their tall caramel frappacino or whatever it was they served these days.

“The man over in the corner.” Hermione replied. She’d noticed him right away. He’d looked at them like he knew who they were and did not look pleased at the knowledge.

“Him? He looks like a librarian.” Draco muttered as he paid for their coffee.

“He probably is a librarian. I did promise them a book, after all.”

The two collected their caffeinated beverages and headed over to the irritable man in the corner. His tweed jacket had patches over the elbows and the open necked button down underneath was rumpled. He was nursing a hot cup of tea.

“You’re late.” He said sharply as they sat down.

“Nice to meet you too.” Hermione replied.

“We’re not late! We’ve arrived right on the nose.” Draco said at the same time. The two looked at each other and grinned.

“Oh for Merlin’s sake! Are you going to make eyes at each other all afternoon? This is nauseating. Give me the book and let’s finish this ridiculous meeting.”

Hermione rolled her eyes at Draco who winked back. She pulled the book from thin air and set it on the rickety table. The man across from them started and peered over their shoulders.

“No one noticed.” Draco said with a smirk.

“How can you know that?” The man replied.

Draco frowned and quirked his mouth at him.

“Because we cast a disillusionment charm before we left the hotel.” Hermione said before Draco could say something rude.

“Did you now?” The man licked his lips and looked at the book. “What do you want?”

“How much do you hear about the Wizarding world in England?” Draco asked, voice tart.

“Let me rephrase that... have you heard of a man called Voldemort?” Hermione added.

“He’s dead. We’ve heard that much.”

“Try again. He’s risen. He’s dangerous. And we think you can help us.” Hermione tossed the idea out.

The man stared at them and then laughed uproariously. A few patrons in the café turned and looked at them before returning to their papers or books.

He stopped laughing and looked at them, smile fading.

“You can’t be serious.”

“Am I being serious?” Hermione asked, looking at Draco.

“Completely.” He said back, practically batting his eyelashes at her.

The man made a nauseated sound deep in his throat.

“If you’ve made it this far you must know that’s impossible.” He said with a glare.

“Not necessarily. Generally, in order to make a deal, two parties must have something they wish to exchange. I can give you something you need.” Hermione crossed her legs, leaned forward, and rested her head on one hand. *Don’t lay it on too thick Granger.*

“What could you possibly have that we want?” The man sneered at her.

“Well, if we found you... others could as well.”

“Or I could just Obliviate you and call it a day.” He hissed at her.

Hermione gave a very unladylike snort.

“Get serious! You think I came all this way and didn’t have a back up plan? Not only are all of the thoughts that led me to this very spot recorded in triplicate but I have also arranged for confirmation of your presence to be sent to England if we vanish.” Hermione managed to say the whole thing with a straight face though the annoyed expression on the man’s face threatened to give her the giggles. Draco looked pretty impressed as well and she ignored the flush of accomplishment that gave her. *Since when do I care what Draco thinks of my plans?*

The man sat back and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I don’t think he likes that, ‘Mya.” Draco said in a smug tone and mimicking the man’s position. He received a nasty glare from said man for his trouble.

“What could you possibly have that we want?” The man in the tweed jacket grated out again, this time from behind gritted teeth.

“So, here’s the thing. I’m pretty sure the obscuring and memory spells you use on a daily basis could make the difference between winning and losing back home. And we can show you the modern techniques you need to know in order to keep people out in the future.”

“But you still know we exist. That is unacceptable.”

“What? You’ve never heard of a Pensieve? We can pull out any memory of your group and how we got here and still retain the information we need. Surely you have some place you could stash a pensieve. Draco and I will know something is up but we won’t know what... exactly. And a wizard’s oath should keep our mouths shut about even that.”

The man blinked and then opened his mouth. Then he shut it. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and opened and closed his mouth again before replying.

“I’ll bring this back to my superiors and we will get back to you in 24 hours.”

“Good enough.” Hermione said, standing as she spoke.

Draco stood more slowly, grinning lazily at the man before he turned to offer Hermione his arm. She smiled and the two sashayed off, barely managing to keep the smirks off their faces.

*A/N

I just wanted to let people know that I don't have an update list so I don't want anyone to be annoyed if I don't get a chance to email people. That said, I want to thank people for their feedback. I love it!

I don't have a beta so I must ask that people forgive my typos. I try to go over every chapter with a fine tooth comb but I have obviously missed a few typos. Perhaps on my next story I'll have to see about remedying the beta situation.

I also see the end of this story in sight.

Have a wonderful thanksgiving!