Jigsaw

CHAPTER 7

Harry followed Draco through the warmly lit corridor and into a small sitting room. Harry did a double take as he stepped through the entranceway and saw the two naked women sitting on the rug in front of the fire hearth. Pausing in the doorway Harry tried to keep his eyes to himself as he watched Draco stride over to the two women who greeted him with pretty smiles.

“Girls time’s up, an unexpected guest has arrived.” Harry bit the corner of his lip as he watched Draco gestured casually back at him, as he reached for a pot on the fire surround. Harry blushed slightly as the two women turned to him and sweetly said hello. Harry could do little but smile back at them before purposefully averting his gaze as the two women stood up, unashamed of their lack of clothing.

“Same time tomorrow Duke?” Harry had to cover his mouth with his hand as he watched the blonde of the two women lean up and kiss Draco sensually on the lips. Draco glared at Harry but nodded quietly at the two women before flinging the handful of floo powder into the fire, turning the warm orange glow bright green.

“Yes.” Draco muttered as the two women disappeared through the fireplace, having first kissed him deeply on the lips. With the women gone Draco sighed and waved his hand at the fireplace, which returned quickly to its normal glow. “Have a seat.” Draco muttered gesturing with his hand to the leather sofa, which sat in front of an extremely impressive book collection. Harry obediently sat down and took his time looking about the room. The place was immaculate, and everything looked very expensive but that was hardly surprising considering who lived there. Everything was done in wooden mahogany, with leather, and rich red velvet furnishings. Draco himself was no less immaculate and seemed to fit perfectly in with his environment. Dressed in a rich burgundy silk robe and a pair of brown suede shoes he looked at home completely. “Drink?” Harry looked up from his curious perusal of Draco’s home to where the wizard was standing at a serving decanter, its contents obviously brandy.

“I’d love one…duke.” Harry couldn’t help himself and smirked widely as Draco glared at him pointedly over his shoulder. Draco poured two balloons of brandy and brought them back over to the fire, handing Harry his before sitting down in the leather chair opposite. “So what’s with the bimbo’s ‘Duke’? Paying for sex now are we?” Harry watched carefully as Draco sipped from his brandy his gaze never leaving Harry’s as he relaxed comfortably in his chair.

“I assure you Potter, a Malfoy never pays for sex, they’re merely business associates.” Harry looked dubiously at Malfoy who didn’t even bat an eyelid as slowly swilled the amber liquid around in his glass.

“And what legitimate business would involve naked women sitting on your rug at 3 in the afternoon?” Harry inquired enjoying the familiar bantering between he and his nemesis. Draco laughed a deep throaty chuckle as he took another sip of his brandy.

“Property actually Potter, I buy and sell property.” Draco smiled at Harry before adding quickly. “…Of the land variety of course.” Harry knew that evil little grin but chose to ignore it as he sipped from his own balloon of brandy. “So what do I owe for the pleasure of your company this afternoon? I don’t assume you want to purchase any land at all?” Harry chuckled and shook his head.

“No I’m here looking for someone.” Harry didn’t miss the suspicious glance that Draco threw him over the rim of his brandy glass before returning to his usual vicious scowl.

“Looking for someone that sounds awfully interesting but I’m afraid I can’t help you. I know less people here than I did while I was at school.” Draco looked far too smug and sarcastic and Harry was forced to hold his tongue. He needed to find out if Draco knew anything about Snape and it wouldn’t do to go insulting his host until he’d got that information.

“That doesn’t matter, I’m only looking for one person and I’m pretty sure you know who he is.” Harry waited for Draco to reply and was quite surprised by how quickly it seemed Draco lost his temper.

“Cut the crap Potter and tell me why you are really here?” Harry raised a steady eyebrow at Draco who downed what was left of his brandy in one go. Fine if Draco wanted it short and sweet he’d get it.

“I want to know where Severus Snape is.” Harry watched carefully as Draco’s gaze narrowed at him for a moment before the blonde haired wizard barked out loudly in laughter.

“You’re looking for Snape? Are you kidding me Potter?” Draco stood up from his chair and walked easily from the room, Harry angrily rose up as well and followed Draco determinedly from the room and down the hall.

“I’m serious Malfoy, I want to know where he is?” Harry followed Draco into a kitchen of some sort. On the benches around the kitchen were ten odd plates of different food all of them cooling with wire nets over them. Harry thought it strange but didn’t say anything as Draco poured himself a glass of fresh pumpkin juice not even bothering to offer Harry a glass.

“What so you can turn him in to the authorities, have him serve his time in Azkaban for services to the dark lord? I don’t think so Potter, I wouldn’t tell you where he was even if I knew.” Draco leant against the bench full of meals and drained his glass of juice as Potter paused and stared at him.

“So you don’t know where he is?” Harry inquired angrily watching as Draco smiled at him with the smart arse expression Harry hated.

“No I don’t know where he is. If he’s got any sense he’s skipped the country.” Malfoy casually shrugged his shoulders and turned to rinse his glass in the sink. Harry however didn’t believe the blonde; there was something in those menacingly blue eyes that wasn’t quite being honest.

“What’s with all the meals Malfoy, too much there for just you living alone?” Harry took another tact and gestured at the still steaming meals littering the bench. Draco looked over the meals before sniffing indignantly at Harry’s comment.

“I don’t get a lot of time to cook during the week so I have the house elves cook my weeks meals in one go so that I can just heat them up when I get home from work.” Draco looked challengingly at Harry who nodded suspiciously and continued to glance around the small kitchen. A flyer sitting on a pin board above the bench caught his attention. It was a receipt from the Apocathary Supplies store in Diagon Alley.

“Brewing your own potions now are we Draco?” Draco glanced over to the pin board and smiled smugly at what Harry had just gestured to.

“I make my own massage oils and lubricants if you must know Potter.” Draco sneered at Harry who was still dubious that Malfoy wasn’t telling the truth. However before Harry could inquire again regarding Snape’s whereabouts Malfoy had butted in. “If you’re going to inquire about every thing in my life Potter you’re wasting your time. I told you, I don’t know where Severus Snape is. Now if you don’t mind I believe you’ve over stayed your welcome.” Harry took a conscious step back as Draco drew out his wand again and pointed it directly at Harry.

“Alright Malfoy, I’m going.” Harry held his hands up in surrender as he turned and began walking from the kitchen and down the hall back towards the front door. The house elf that had taken his coat and bag was already waiting for him at the door and Harry took his time pulling the coat and bag back over his shoulder. Out the corner of his eye Harry noticed a familiar leather money pouch on the hallstand and quick as lightening he grabbed it and stowed it into his pocket. Slowly Harry turned around to face Malfoy who had finally followed him out of the kitchen and was now standing with his arms crossed over his chest waiting for Harry to leave. “Well thank-you for having me.” Harry beamed sarcastically at Draco who snorted in disgust and rolled his eyes. Misty opened the door and Harry glanced out, it was still raining. Harry took a step out onto the stone entrance way but paused and glanced back in at Draco. “Just before I go.” Harry mentioned as he turned back around to face the blonde. “Do you know where Applegate estate is?” Draco sneered.

“You’re standing on it Potter.” With that curt reply the door was slammed sharply in Harry’s face leaving the wizard standing quietly alone in the rain again.

“Thought so.” Harry whispered to himself as he glanced around at the surrounding grounds and back down the hill to where he could just see the crumbling roof of the ruined manor house amongst the overgrown trees. Going into his pocket Harry drew out Draco’s money pouch and emptied the contents into the palm of his hand. There were various Knuts and Galleons, a few fluff coated sweets, some scraps of paper and few muggle bankcards, but the one thing that did catch Harry’s eye was a shimmering business card.

‘Cretan’s Cures for Cruel Curses, Shop 9 5/8 KnockTurn Alley, Floo Directory 19896’.

Harry smiled in success as he tucked the business card back into his pocket before replacing everything else in the pouch. Holding the sealed pouch in his hand Harry flicked his wand at it and returned it to its place on Draco’s hallstand.

“Wasn’t too bad after all.” Harry chuckled to himself as he glanced back at the house he’d just exited before closing his eyes and disappearing with a sharp pop.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>