Project Mutare

Chapter One - Many Meetings.

Five people stood in a richly decorated study, seemingly waiting for the arrival of something or someone. All had a look of intelligence about them, although for one, a woman of remarkably average features, a look of anxiety overlaid it. In her hands were a number of papers, creased slightly as they were clutched tightly to her chest; these papers seemed to be the focus of attention in the room.

"Tell us again where you found them, Aderis," a tall man, held round the waist by an equally tall woman, asked in a Russian accent.

"Actually Pieter, they were sent to us by the German Ministry briefly before Grindelwald's fall," the first woman, now known to be Aderis, replied.

"By Bechen probably," a petite Asian woman was the one who spoke, bitterness piercing through her thick Hindi accent. "Gods know she got her filthy mud blood hands on enough of our work by the end. One can only wonder who the traitor was," her gaze turned to an old man, who was peering at the titles of some books on a shelf. He stopped and returned the gaze coolly, raising an eyebrow at the woman's last comment.

"Come Miss Jahbal, you know that it was not a lapse on mein Fuhrer 's behalf. After all, too few of us even knew of the existence of your world until the end of both our wars; the betrayal was made by a wizard, not one of us," the aged man spoke very calmly, as if he were reciting a speech that he had thought of long ago.

"Indeed," the companion of the Russian man spoke, her voice quite faint but clear; her English impeccable, betraying no clue as to where she might live. "Now, whom are we supposed to be meeting here? The message Pieter and I received was so vague."

Again, Aderis spoke, "I was told it was to be a man named Damien Malfoy."

"And is this Malfoy to be trusted?" the Asian woman asked, her voice suspicious; she had been in hiding for some time now and had no wish to be caught at this point.

"I believe so. Our families are rather... well acquainted."

"Nice to see that you have such faith in my family, my dear Aunt Anchusa," A new voice came from the entrance to the study. A youth was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed as he surveyed the occupants of the room.

Outraged, the old man turned to Anchusa, "Your Master has such little respect for us that he sends a child?"

"I'm as intrigued as you are Michael as to why he is here," she muttered in reply before directing her speech at the newcomer. "Do not call me that Lucius, I am no relation to you or any of your family. Now, why are you here and where is your uncle? He is supposed to be here, not you."

The blond boy smirked and walked over to the bookshelves, running his fingers along their titles as he did so. Finally he came to a desk and sat upon it, as he replied, he examined his fingernails rather nonchalantly, as if the people in the room were of no importance to him. "Oh come now Aunt Anchusa - and what an interesting name that is too, considering - my dear uncle Damien is rather tied up with Ministry matters at the moment, finding you I believe, and so he suggested sending me in his place. Our Lord did not disapprove of this," he paused and smiled to himself, "A child? Hardly my dear Sir, I'll have you know I shall be 26 this winter." Hopping off the desk, Lucius took the time to look at the other people in the room, it seemed he only recognised 'Aunt' Anchusa. "It seems you have an advantage over me; my dear uncle refrained from telling me who I was going to meet. Rather stupid of him I must admit, but I can hardly change that now, can I? So... who might you be that my Lord takes such an interest in you? I'm sure if you were really important I would have met you before now; we Malfoys take great care in knowing everyone who deserves to be known."

"Insolent child. It is hardly our fault that you are so ignorant, I should hope you never have children for I fear how asinine they would turn out to be," it was the Asian woman who said this, the others simply glaring at the youth; all were notorious in their fields, as well as being rather infamous in both the wizarding and muggle worlds in their time.

"Lucius, could you please take care in who you offend. I doubt our Lord and Master would be too pleased to find that you insulted our guests," said Anchusa, trying to keep her voice calm; she was not about to have her efforts squandered by some boy.

"Well if you told me who they were I could decide for myself whether I was insulting or not," Lucius said, folding his arms once more, he was rather put out at his treatment by the older people.

"And perhaps we might even receive an apology once he knows us?" the Russian man said with a small smirk on his face, the youth gave a disbelieving look in return. "Pieter Shapal, at your Lord's service I believe, and this is my wife Lena," his wife gave a small nod, she'd been rather amused by the goings on.

"Ah. I see... I'm afraid I must apologise for my rudeness then," Lucius replied, no small amount of fear in his voice; the pair stood in front of him had been responsible for some of the most horrific atrocities during the Grindelwald war.

"And do we also get an apology?" the old man said, frowning at the young Malfoy, "Perhaps you have already guessed who we are seeing as you know who our companions are. Nonetheless, I am Doctor Michael Durell and my dear friend here is Miss Lyta Jahbal."

"She does. But I refuse to apologise to a Muggle, no matter how 'important' you think you might be," Lucius said with a sneer.

"Lucius, this Muggle managed to survive both Hitler and Grindelwald, I am quite certain that his blood can be considered 'pure', possibly even more so than yours," Anchusa tried to reason but Durell just waved it off.

"Oh do not worry, if he annoys me any more I'll deal with it. I've worked too hard to be treated like this by a mere child. Now, Mr Malfoy; I believe you are supposed to be taking us to your Lord and as you can see we are all ready here."

"Indeed. I'm afraid we will have to take another Portkey as the place you will be travelling to is warded against Apparation, and anyway; I would think you would have rather a hard time doing that Mr Durell," another smirk crossed Lucius' face. Digging into a pocket in his robe, the youth produced a withered daisy chain. "Here we are, if you would all take hold we will be able to leave; the port key is charmed to activate when more than four people are holding it."

The others in the room quickly placed their hands upon it, Lena chuckling as she did so, her husband gave her a questioning look, "Later dearest," he would have replied to that also but the Portkey activated, leaving the room empty once more.