A Meeting of the Minds

[Bram Busby]

Just at the outskirts of Hogsmeade Village resided the residence of Mr. Vincent de Monte. Bram was oozing with excitement, he would be home at any moment, and the steak was just about ready. Of course, Bram was inside the kitchens of the house unannounced. He was positive that Vincent wouldn't mind. Bram's company only ever brought pleasure to his life. How the house sparkled and shined with each of his visits, how it left an aroma of a delicious variety of foods and apple pie. He hoped for providing only the best for his master and expected nothing in return.

He slid the juicy steaks onto a silver platter, and carefully walked them over into the dining room, where everything was set to perfection. The table was set with candles, the plates were neatly placed with a variety of forks and knives placed beside them, Two wine glasses and a bottle of wine rested between the plates in a congradulations for a night well spent. He placed the platter onto the table just in time as he soon heard a click at the door which only meant one thing, Vincent was home.

[Vincent de Monte]

Busby. Bloody moron. How many beatings was it going to take for him to understand that he was prohibited from being inside the home of his master unattended. Vincent accumulated many enemies throughout the years due to his line of work, most of whom would have absolutely no qualms about slitting the throat of the git playing housewife in his kitchen. If beating the piss out of him didn't work, perhaps it was time to consider chaining him up in the basement. Although he'd probably enjoy it..

"Bleeding christ, Busby! How many times are we going to go through this?" he shouted, while making a bee line for the wine bottle. He uncorked it with his bare hands and gulped down half the bottle before slamming it down on the table and releasing a loud belch. "You're damn luck I'm too tired to smack you around." Vincent was quite tired, exhausted even. He spent a week in Moscow tracking down a man who was believed to have been responsible for the assassination of a prominent Ministry employee. He slept very little while on duty and ate even less. If that wasn't enough, he would soon have to head out to see how his little side project was progressing. With a grunt, he slammed a fork down into the steak and devoured his food while contemplating his next order of business.

[Bram Busby]

Ah. The poor master must have had a rough day at work. Bram's heart melted just a bit. Those Ministry bastards were always giving him a ton of troublesome tasks. None of which was worth his time. Bram sat down beside Vincent and gazed at him thoughtfully. He could see how happy his master was for Brams unannounced visit. "It's good right? Cooked it just the way you like it, rare" he smiled with pride. His devotion was worth way more than the so called 'side project'. Troublesome pest it was, Bram only wished that his master could see that the thing was useless and that only HE, Bram, could best carry out all his wishes.

But alas, nothing could change his mind. Bram played with the fork beside his plate. A part of him wanted to walk over behind Vincent and give him a good massage while he enjoyed his meal... though he was reminded of the last time he attempted to do this which resulted in him unconscious on the floor for a few days, and a couple of fractured ribs. Apparantly it was typical protocol for men in the force... some sort of paranoia, or so he convinced himself. "ah... there were a couple more victims that came in this week" he mused. "Bloody mess they were, some of those bastards really dont know how to hold back now do they?" he chuckled to himself. It was funny to him how an uncontrolled beast pounced. Often there wasn't much left of a victim.

[Vincent de Monte]

Vincent placed the fork down back on the platter and wiped his face clean with the back of his sleeve. He was still quite hungry, but he needed to focus his attention on more important matters. Bloody mess they were, some of those bastards really don't know how to hold back now do they?" Vincent knew first hand what it felt like not being able to hold back. A man completely loses himself to the change, especially the recently turned. Teens and young adults were in danger of being targeted more so than anyone else due to the impulsiveness and air of invincibility associated with youth. Take a kid who thinks he can do anything and give him the ability to turn into a blood thirsty powerful beast every month. The results were on display at the St. Mungus morgue.

There was no avoiding it. He needed to keep a closer watch on the girl. She seemed reasonable and level headed enough, but he simply could not risk anything going wrong at this point. There was not enough time in a day for him to do it himself, not when he was so involved with work.

"Busby, you insufferable idiot. I have an assignment for you." Bare handed, he grabbed another steak and stood to head over to the next room. "Clean up this mess and bring me tea." he grunted.

[Bram Busby]

Bram jumped up from his seat, he craved new assignments and had been lonely without one for quite some time. His insides bubbled with excitement and he wondered what his Master had in mind. But such a thing was impossible, because Vincent was ingenius in his planning and often, he himself did not understand until some time had passed. That was how good he was. Bram quickly shuffled for his wand, pulled it out and gave the table a few taps before everything vanished. He was already lacking a little behind, as Vincent had already begun to move toward the next room. He did not like waiting, so Bram hurriedly tried to get everything done with.

He waved his wand and floating beside him as he walked a silver platter with a teacup, the teapot was floating admist the air, pouring the hot Earl Gray tea. Once that was done, Bram carefully grabbed the cup with its plate and attempted to follow in his Master's pace, whose long legs gave him a huge lead until they were finally in the other room. "---Your tea" he offered handing the teacup to him over the tiny plate. The floating teapot on the platter floated into the room shortly after, resting itself onto the table beside a large armchair. Delighted, Bram stared at his Master. His all knowledgeable master. He knew this would result in nothing but fun and adventure... or so he hoped.

[Vincent de Monte]

Vincent ignored his manservant temporarily and seated himself in the old worn out armchair, one of the few pieces of furniture he owned. He leaned back and signaled for Busby to begin massaging him. Eyes shut, Vincent sighed deeply and began brainstorming.

He ordered Busby to seek employment at Mungos because it was necessary that he remain up to date on all attacks, especially the ones that are kept hush hush by the Ministry. Now it has become necessary for the twit to be near the girl at Hogwarts. Vincent was brilliant, that much was true, but not even he could make a man appear at two places at once. Another minion was out of the question. The less people involved, the better.

"DAMN IT ALL TO HELL", he shouted suddenly, hurling the tea cup across the room.

Vincent was a man of action. He was not accustomed to sitting about like a know nothing imbecile. There had to be a goddamn way for Busby to be at that godforsaken school without having to give up his lowly position at St. Mungos.

"Busby, as your new assignment, you are to enroll as a transfer student at Hogwarts. I will provide the proper documentation. You are to keep a low profile. Talk to no one unless absolutely necessary. Your number one priority is the girl. She musn't defy me, Busby. And she is not to be harmed. You will remained employed at St. Mungos under the guise that you are interning. If something does not go according to plan, it is you that will require protection...from me. he warned, growling slightly.

"AND WHERE IN THE BLOODY GODDAMN HELL IS MY TEA, BUSBY?"

He would of course have to perform a few spells and alter some memories, but it wasn't something he hadn't done before.

[Bram Busby]

Bram flinched as the tea cup collided against the wall and shattered to pieces. Master's thought process always did result in a bit of a mess. Though it was all worth it as the ideas flowed from his mind, and out his mouth. Bram listened carefully, but the excitement of a new adventure began to diminish. Babysitting was not his idea of fun...especially not THAT brat. But that brat was so reckless, his assistance was gravely needed. Bram opened his mouth, prepared to suggest an alternative to the plan, like the mysterious dissappearence of the side project and him taking over the work at that old school.

But it was evident enough Master did not feel like discussing this matter. He jumped again from the booming voice, removing his hands off his well toned master. He quickly scurried out from behind the chair and pulled his wand out muttering a spell. A new tea cup appeared and he quickly grabbed the handle of the tea pot, pouring it as quick as he could. His master was frustrated because of that stupid binbo. How he'd love to just take care of her already... she was absolutely useless!

"---as you wish" he bowed his head, handing the cup of tea to Vincent. He had to have more faith in his masters plan.