Chapter 4
Hermione entered the debriefing room, after having made a quick stop by her room to get a notebook and a pen, in case she needed them. Harry had asked her and Draco to reconvene here only a few minutes before and as she stepped inside, she found the space already beginning to fill with the team. The room was exactly the same as she had seen it the night prior, down to the scent of cold coffee lingering in the air. The only exception was the corkboard who had seemingly been emptied and cleaned-up, ready for use on a brand new case now.
Harry stood at the head of the table, folder in hand, his expression balancing authority with faint exhaustion. Hermione glanced at Draco, who had already taken a seat, his posture tense and closed off, his gaze fixed on a spot just beyond her shoulder.
The others began to filter in. Ginny had entered only moment before Hermione, watching her make her way to the table with a reassuring smile that she couldn’t quite bring herself to return fully. Blaise was next to step through the doorway, his presence as casual as ever, leaning back into his chair with the kind of confidence that seemed to accompany him everywhere. He flashed her an easy grin. Theo arrived last, a notebook and pen already in hand, his movements sharp and precise as he flipped to a clean page. The subtle creak of chairs and the rustle of paper filled the air as the team settled into place.
Harry cleared his throat, waiting for the last shuffle of chairs to subside before he spoke. "Alright, everyone," he began, "let’s get this started. I've got you a new case."
He placed the files on the edge of the table, spreading them out in a practiced gesture, like she had seen him do a million times back when they had been partners. Without missing a beat, he reached for a small remote tucked into his back pocket, pointing it at the projector mounted above. The machine hummed with a mechanical rumble, casting a pale glow onto the white screen behind him. The projector took a second to adjust its' focus, and Harry stepped aside, giving the group a clear view of the blank canvas that would display the details he was about to impart to them. He glanced at the team, waiting for their attention to settle fully and cleared his throat.
"This one’s a bit more straightforward than some of the work you’ve done recently," he said, his gaze sweeping across the room. Behind him, images started to appear and, as if on cue, he gestured his hand towards it as he spoke. "An illuminated manuscript was stolen three days ago from the private collection of Zacharias Smith, a young but prominent art collector in the city. He’s demanding answers, and fast."
Theo’s pen hovered above his notebook. "What era? Language? Condition?"
Harry flipped open the file. "Fifteenth century. Latin. Fully intact and, according to Smith, priceless."
Theo nodded sharply, his pen moving with a speed that explained why his handwriting had appeared so illegible when she had peeked at it last night. He alternated between jotting notes in his small notebook and stroking a few keys on his laptop, the rapid rhythm of the click click click suggesting his brain was already working ahead of Harry, piecing together a problem before it had even been fully presented. Hermione noted the way he flipped to a new page without looking, eyes glued to his computer even when his hand resumed its' scribbling.
"I assume you picked this because it’s low risk," Blaise said, his voice light. "Does Smith have any known enemies, or are we looking at an internal job?"
"Yes." Harry confirmed, his gaze briefly flicking toward Hermione. "We thought this would be a good starting point for the team..." He let the sentence hang, clearly implying her addition to the group. "Smith doesn’t have any immediate enemies that we’re aware of, but the man’s reputation makes him... polarizing. I'd suggest starting with the staff and anyone who’s had access to the house."
"Sounds like a waste of our time" Draco muttered, his tone dry and edged with disdain. "We're not on babysitting duty."
"Feel free to opt out then." Ginny quipped instantly, earning a faint smirk from Blaise.
Harry sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose and throwing a pointed look in Draco's direction. "We’re doing this, and you’ll all play nice."
As Harry continued outlining the plan, Hermione found herself observing the team’s dynamics more than the details of the case. Blaise’s questions were sharp and probing, often laced with a subtle humor that seemed designed to coax reactions or disarm tension in the room. His demeanor was relaxed, but there was no mistaking the fact that he made it his business to always be two steps ahead of the conversation. Theo, on the other hand, was laser-focused—his interruptions were brief and efficient, limited to clarifications or corrections, each delivered with the air of someone whose patience had a tight limit. He spoke in clipped tones, not out of rudeness but as though he had no reason wasting time when there was more important work to be done. He dealt in facts. Anything more was useless to him.
Ginny’s presence had been confusing at first. Although she lived in the house, the same as them, she had made it clear she wasn't part of the team in that way. She was a good mediator, but not a genius and in a place like this one, it made her seem like the odd one out at first glance. Yet she had a remarkable way of steering the discussion back on track whenever it began to meander, grounding the group in a way Hermione silently admired. She could easily understand how indispensable someone like her was in this house.
And Draco? He sat back with his arms crossed, his posture a study in barely concealed irritation. He barely spoke up, but when he did, his cutting remarks were usually aiming to complain about the task and highlight the fact that their skill could be put to better use somewhere else. But beneath the cold exterior, Hermione noticed his sharp eyes tracking every word Harry said. He wasn’t just listening—he was dissecting, analyzing details with a focus his bored façade could almost mask. It was a paradox, she thought. His body language screamed disinterest, but his mind was clearly engaged and locked in, in a way that fascinated her despite herself.
Harry glanced around the table after finishing his overview, his gaze settling briefly on Hermione before sweeping across the team. "Alright, you’ve got the details. How do you want to handle it?"
The room was quiet for a beat, everyone seemingly processing the information in their own way. Then, before Hermione could stop herself, she spoke up.
"I think the course of action is pretty straight forward." she said, her voice steady despite the flicker of nerves in her chest. Her pen tapped lightly against her notebook as she continued. "Theo, you know how to snoop within the system—you should start tracing any connections through Smith’s network. Business partners, rivals, anyone who might have had access to this kind of manuscript. And pull up background checks on any staff member that might seem of interest."
Theo nodded sharply, his pen already moving across the page, jotting down notes with the same mechanical precision she’d noticed earlier. He didn’t respond verbally, but his focus shifted to his laptop, suggesting he’d already begun.
Hermione turned her attention to Blaise. "You’re best suited to handle the interviews with the staff. People open up to you—and if they don't, at worst, you can tell if they're lying to us. I can go with you, observe, and take notes on any behavioral tells as well."
Blaise raised an eyebrow, his grin slow and deliberate. "You’ve got me pegged already. Impressive." He leaned back in his chair, his amusement evident. "Alright, I’ll bite."
Finally, she glanced at Draco. His arms were still crossed, his gaze as sharp as ever, but he hadn’t interrupted her yet. He didn't seem pleased, although it was hard to tell if it was more than usual or just the natural amount. "Draco, you’re best suited to analyze the patterns in the theft itself. Look for inconsistencies in how the manuscript was stolen—if it was planned, there will be a method, something deliberate in the approach. Check for clues in the timing, access points, or even the layout of the collection—anything that feels calculated or leaves a trail that points to the thief’s methods."
Draco’s expression didn’t change save for the little tick of his jaw. He didn't answer, didn't nod, she wasn't even sure if he had listened to a single word she had said or not. Okay, so he was more displeased than usual, noted.
Hermione sat back, her heart still beating a little faster than she liked. She hadn’t planned to take charge, but the moment Harry had opened the floor, it had felt instinctive. When she glanced at Harry, she caught the faintest trace of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He didn’t say anything, but the knowing look in his eyes spoke volumes. He’d always known she had a knack for knowing exactly who was needed on what tasks. Even when they’d worked together, she had an almost instinctive ability to match people’s strengths to the needs of the moment, a skill that had clearly bled into the present situation.
The silence that followed was broken by Ginny, who gave a small laugh. "Well, looks like you’ve got it all sorted. Maybe I should just bring the coffee."
"I like this better than when Draco is in charge," Blaise chuckled, his grin widening as he leaned back in his chair. "At least interrogation will go smoother now that I’m paired with Hermione and not Draco."
Draco’s gaze snapped to Blaise, his tone sharp and cold as he retorted, "Better hope your charm works this time. Wouldn’t want your incompetence showing in front of the new recruit."
Hermione froze mid-note, unsure whether to intervene or let them go on. Blaise, entirely unfazed, turned his attention to her instead, his grin softening into something conspiratorial.
"Ignore him. He’s just upset I get to spend the day with the pretty one while he’s stuck squinting at blueprints."
Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she opened her mouth to respond, but Blaise cut her off, his voice still directed at Draco even though he winked at her instead. "Jealousy is unbecoming of you, Draco. It clashes with the whole brooding genius aesthetic you got going on."
Draco didn’t rise to the bait this time, instead pushing back his chair, letting it loudly scrape against the floor. He stood, his expression colder than it had even been a second before, if such a thing was possible.
"Let me know when you’re done wasting time." he muttered before striding out of the room without a backward glance.
Blaise chuckled softly, leaning closer to Hermione, his chair standing on only two of its' legs, threatening to topple sideways at any moment.
"Don’t mind him," Blaise said with an easy smile, letting his chair drop back onto all four legs with a light thud. "Draco’s usually the one in charge and he tends to get sulky when things don't go his way. But I can tell you this—despite the Broody McBrood face, he noticed what you did. Probably more than he’ll ever admit." His grin widened as he added, "And for the record, I’m impressed too. Looks like Harry wasn’t exaggerating when he said you'd be a good addition."
Before Hermione could respond, Theo cleared his throat from the corner of the room, his tone even but impatient.
"If you’re both done, I’ve already flagged a few preliminary points on Smith’s staff. He’s had three housekeepers in the last year—unusual turnover for someone so particular. The most recent one started a month before the theft."
Hermione straightened, pen hovering over her notebook. "Any reason given for the turnover?"
"Nothing specific," Theo replied, his fingers moving rapidly over his keyboard. "One cited personal reasons, another left without notice. The timing with the theft is suspicious, though, especially with the newest hire."
Blaise rocked his chair back again, glancing at Theo.
"You’d think Smith would run tighter checks on his staff."
Theo barely looked up, his focus unwavering. "He does, but even thorough background checks can’t account for someone playing the long game."
Hermione frowned thoughtfully. "Do we have anything on the newest hire?"
Theo’s fingers paused briefly, then resumed. "Minimal so far—basic ID checks, no obvious red flags. But," he tapped a few keys, "there are gaps in their employment history. I’ll dig deeper."
"Good," Hermione said, nodding. She glanced at Blaise, who was watching Theo with an amused smirk. "This could give us a solid lead for the interviews."
"Or," Blaise said, turning his grin back to her, "it could just give us a reason to ask very awkward questions. Always fun to see who cracks under pressure."
Theo’s tone remained flat as he interjected, "Interrogation isn't a game, Blaise. Its purpose is to gather actionable information and verify inconsistencies, not have fun." he said the last word like it was almost a foreign concept.
"Spoken like someone who’s never enjoyed the art of the reveal," Blaise shot back, clearly enjoying himself.
Hermione sighed, suppressing a smile. "Let’s focus, please. Theo, let me know if you find anything else. Blaise, try to keep things professional during the interviews."
Blaise held up his hands in mock surrender. "Of course, boss. Whatever you say."
A few hours later, Hermione stood on the front steps of Zacharias Smith’s opulent house. The expansive lawn stretched out symmetrically around the building, the gardens fenced off by meticulously trimmed hedges, not a single one taller than the others. To her left, a gardener knelt by a flowerbed, carefully pruning a rosebush, while farther off, another skimmed the surface of a sparkling pool with a net, cleaning the already pristine water. The cool air carried the scent of freshly mown grass and chlorine.
Beside her, Blaise shifted slightly, drawing her attention as he reached into his jacket pocket.
"Almost forgot. Here," he said, holding out a small object between two fingers.
Hermione blinked, momentarily thrown. "What’s this?"
"An earpiece." Blaise’s grin widened. "This keeps us on a shared frequency. Theo and Draco can slip us information in real time if something comes up. Don’t worry—they’ll only butt in if it’s important."
Hermione took the earpiece, her brow furrowing slightly as she fitted it in place. "You could have mentioned this while we were in the car." she said, a hint of exasperation creeping into her voice.
"What can I say? I like to keep things interesting," Blaise replied, adjusting his jacket with an air of practiced nonchalance.
He exuded casualness and wealth all at once, his tailored attire perfectly suited to the environment. It made Hermione acutely aware of her own outfit—a professional ensemble she had changed into earlier, chosen to emulate the kind of attire she had been expected to wear during her years in the NCA. Yet, beside Blaise, she still felt like she stood out in all the wrong ways.
"Ready?" Blaise asked, his tone light but with an undercurrent of focus that surprised her.
Hermione took a breath, glancing at the grand doorway in front of them. "As I’ll ever be," she replied, steeling herself as she reached for the brass knocker.
The heavy knock echoed briefly before the door swung open to reveal a well-dressed but stoic butler, who regarded them with an expression that hovered between disinterest and polite curiosity.
"Mr. Smith is expecting you," he said in a clipped tone, stepping aside to allow them in.
If Hermione had thought the exterior of the house was a boastful display of wealth, the interior was even grander. Polished marble floors clicked underfoot and an open foyer stretched upward to a glittering chandelier. The faint hum of the staff busying themselves with various tasks echoed further in the house. Blaise cast a casual glance around, his expression betraying none of the keen observations Hermione suspected he was making.
They were led to a formal sitting room, where Zacharias Smith waited, seated on an oversized armchair upholstered in dark leather. His whole sitting room smelled of cigar, expensive alcohol and the kind of entitlement only people with this kind of money could afford. He rose as they entered, his posture straight and deliberate, his gaze landing on Blaise first before flickering to Hermione. He trusted the judgment of men over women, she noted.
"Agents," he said curtly, his tone clipped. "I trust this won’t take long."
"That depends," Blaise said smoothly, stepping forward with the ease of someone entirely at home in such a setting. "It’ll be quick if your staff has nothing to hide."
Smith’s lips tightened briefly, but he gestured toward the two chairs opposite him. "By all means, begin."
Hermione settled into her chair, notebook ready, while Blaise leaned back casually, exuding his signature air of confidence. "Let’s start simple," Blaise said, his tone conversational but firm. "How long have you employed your current staff?"
Smith crossed one leg over the other, his expression shifting to faint annoyance. "Most of my staff have been with me for several years. The exceptions being a new housekeeper and a groundskeeper I hired within the last six months."
"Recent hires often bring fresh perspectives—or fresh problems. Anything unusual about them?" Blaise arched a brow, his tone light but probing.
Smith shook his head firmly. "I run extensive checks on all my employees before they’re brought into my household. I trust them implicitly. I can most definitely assure you, the thief did not come from within these walls."
As Smith finished speaking, a faint crackle sounded in Hermione’s earpiece, followed by Theo’s steady, monotone voice.
"The housekeeper, Mary Cattermole. Hired three months ago. Basic ID matches, but there’s a flagged gap of two years in her employment history."
Hermione blinked, keeping her expression neutral and forcing her body not to jump at the unexpected interjection, quickly jotting down a few words in her notebook to cover the slight pause. Blaise glanced at her briefly, his gaze sharp, but his grin didn’t waver.
"That’s thorough of you, Mr. Smith," he said smoothly. "But even the best checks don’t catch everything. What can you tell us about your housekeeper?"
Smith hesitated for the briefest moment, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of his chair. "Nothing out of the ordinary. She’s been very efficient, punctual, and respectful, as I require all my staff to be."
"Any reason to think she’d have access to the collection room or anything sensitive?" Blaise pressed.
"She’s cleaned every room in the house," Smith admitted, his tone defensive now. "But I was always clear about the rules concerning my collection. I’m very meticulous about my staff following instructions."
Hermione’s pen hovered over her notebook. She caught Blaise’s eye briefly, then asked, "Do you know what she did before coming to work for you? Any details she might have shared during her interview?"
Smith frowned, his brow furrowing slightly. "I believe she mentioned working for a private family overseas. She seemed hesitant to elaborate. I assumed it was irrelevant."
"I think it might be useful for us to speak to her directly. It never hurts to get a clearer picture." As he spoke, Blaise adjusted his cuffs, a casual motion that Hermione had no doubt was actually perfectly calculated to appear as casual as it was.
"If you feel it’s necessary, I can have her brought in. She’s currently managing the afternoon cleaning schedule." he said.
Smith’s posture stiffened slightly, despite his calm tone, his fingers curling into the armrest before relaxing again. "It won’t take long," he added, the faintest edge creeping into his voice. "She’s just finished with the upper floor—I’ll have the butler bring her down."
Blaise gave a polite nod, his expression unchanged. "We appreciate it, Mr. Smith."
As Smith rose to summon his butler, Hermione took the opportunity to lean closer to Blaise, keeping her voice low.
"What do you think?"
Blaise tilted his head slightly, his grin faint but loaded with implication. "He’s nervous," he murmured. Hermione nodded. She had come to the same conclusion. "I doubt he stole his own knick-knack, but there’s something about this he’s not saying."
Hermione jotted a quick note in her book, her gaze flicking back to Smith, who now stood by the door, giving instructions to the butler in a hushed but firm tone. His clipped gestures hinted at a man who had been born in a position of authority, the kind of man used to having his orders followed without question, maybe since he was a child. The way his fingers tapped briefly against the doorframe before stilling spoke to a nervous energy he seemed to keep tightly contained. Either he wasn't getting enough physical activity or someting specific had him nervous. His perfectly tailored suit, free of even the slightest wrinkle, combined with shoes so overly polished they reflected the light of the chandelier overhead, painted the picture of a man extremely concerned with outside appearances. Yet, the subtle stiffness in his shoulders and the slight hesitation before he turned back suggested he wasn’t as composed or at ease as he wanted to appear.
"She’ll be here shortly," Smith said when he returned, retaking his seat with an exaggerated grace. "In the meantime, I’m happy to answer any further questions."
"Mr Smith—" Hermione started, Blaise looking at her from the corner of his eye. She didn't have time to warn him about what she was about to say. It was a shot in the dark, but she was pretty confident. She could always apologize later. "Would you like to come clean and tell us why you've staged the theft of your own manuscript, before anyone else gets involved?"