Johann dashed through the Ministry atrium. It was Monday morning, and he didn't observe his little ritual of watching, gleaning what had happened over the weekend for his wider group of colleagues from snippets of conversation or changes in their body language. He was late.

The previous afternoon, a Sunday afternoon, Johann had met and settled famous Dutch businessman, Maarten Bergen in The Leaky Cauldron, before taking dinner with him in the early evening. He had been tasked with the job to meet, greet and make Maarten feel at home by Gabrielle Murray-Harker. Maarten usually brought a favoured translator with him, his English never being as good as it probably should be, only his favoured translator had come down with something hideous and was stuck in the Netherlands.

Gabie had tasked Johann with it given the short notice, and the fact he lived in her house for the time being, he had been the easiest member of Dutch fluent linguists in her department to contact, and the fact Maarten wasn't bringing his beautiful vela wife with him rather reduced the enthusiasm in anyone who had dealt with him previously.

Bergen created plans and designs for beautiful wizarding abodes, and had the company beneath him to put the plans into reality. His designs were adored and admired around the world, and Bergen's father, grandfather and great grandfather before him had created quite a name for themselves in magical architecture.

The Dutchman was in his forties now, with two twin daughters who had just started attending at Beauxbatons. He was coming to Britain because he had interest in buying land, or properties, to work on. He had created precious few properties in Britain so far - historically, the island having its own supply of talent. Only now, Bergen had enough influence and interest that the Ministry considered it useful and helpful to encourage him to put some of his projects here. He would after all, need materials and assistance from them, and they could in turn convince him to purchase some of the land they'd acquired through executing the wills of the magical population.

So, Johann had spent Sunday morning and all night studying the paperwork sent over by the dusty little offices in the Ministry which dealt with wills and house sales to become Maarten Bergen's personal estate agent. Fun challenge, ultimately, and made all the more complex by a request from Vedir for Johann to see him.

Vedir Prideaux, affluent wizard, a bit of an enigma, business in everything, intrigued Johann. He'd been forward to approach Vedir the other week to offer his services as a freelance translator, able to keep his mouth shut, and had spent the time proving himself. Vedir had called for him Sunday evening to take on some more work, and Johann had noticed Vedir also had the sales notes on one of the properties, which Vedir disclosed that he had placed an offer of one hundred thousand galleons on, whereas the Ministry listed it at one hundred and forty.

The lift rattled open and Johann hurried along the corridor, the notes tucked under one arm in a leather folder with the Ministry seal upon it. He had to collect the charmed keys to ensure they could pass unhindered into the properties as guests. Retrieving them from one of the department's secretaries who had been holding onto them, Johann caught sight across the office that there was someone sat at his desk, and his least favourite colleague from Magical Trading Standards was stood beside it… Kaydn Hamilton.

"Who's that?" Johann asked the secretary, who gave him a funny look, and muttered something about an intern. Despite the prospect of being a moment late to meet Bergen, Johann made his way across the office, tucking the keys into the depths of his grey wool coat pockets, and approached his desk.

"Hamilton." He addressed Kaydn with flat distrust.
"Storm." His colleague replied with a smug look. "This is Sasha Schlagenweit, new intern. He's coming along with you today, like arranged."

Johann narrowed his eyes. He distinctly did not remember anyone mentioning this arrangement to him, and worse still, his brain was doing backflips over the name, which was making him feel incredibly uneasy.
"Really, was that something you decided to impart to me by telepathy from your desk at some point last week?" Johann asked sharply, snatching the offered paperwork from Kaydn's hand. His enemy smirked, bid them both a good day and slid off like a slimy snail, while Johann glanced at the memo with a severe look on his face, which remained as he looked to Sasha at his desk.

"Schlagenweit?" He asked, frowning. "Right, this way, I'm late, we're late." Turning abruptly on his heel, he set off across the office towards the lifts very swiftly.
"What languages do you speak, Schlagenweit?" He snapped, head turning momentarily to ask before continuing to stalk towards the lifts, in a very bad mood now - not caused by Sasha, but alas the boy was at the receiving end for the time being. 

Sasha really wished this Hamilton fellow would go elsewhere.  It was clear the man was waiting for Mr Storm but Sasha wouldn't mind if Hamilton found a way to do so without hovering so much.  It made him nervous.  Especially considering how much he seemed to be enjoying the wait. 

Sasha's morning hadn't shared much of the same hectic pace as that of his new supervisor.  It was his first morning at his new internship and a good first impression was imperative.  Given the shambles of a reputation he'd left behind at Hogwarts, it was refreshing to, hopefully, start entirely fresh at the Department of International Magical Cooperation.  He'd arrived at the Ministry a good twenty minutes early, impeccably dressed and and his hair and overall appearance in perfect order. 

He'd been at the stables a half an hour earlier than usual and he'd been careful not to idle more than usual.  He'd finished morning chores in plenty of time and, after a quick shower, he'd changed into a suit that he hoped would be suitably stylish in both the muggle world and, once paired with a robe at the Ministry, in the wizarding world. 

The subway had still been filled with morning commuters when Sasha stepped onto the train but he blended in well with the array of business suits and dresses.  In fact, Sasha felt fairly comfortable and in his element until about the time this Hamilton had escorted him to Mr. Storm's office. 

Sasha heard a voice behind him that, judging by the accent, could only belong to his supervisor.  He pushed himself to his feet and quickly soothed out the front of his blazer and robes before extending a hand to the man as Hamilton introduced him.  "Yes, sir," he offered with a nod in Hamilton's direction.  "Name's Schlagenweit.  I appreciate the opportunity to work with you." 

He resisted the urge to cast a curious glance in Hamilton's direction as Mr. Storm appeared to clearly be confused.  Whatever miscommunication there might have been between them wasn't any of his business.  If, due to that miscommunication, this wasn't going to work than that would be made clear in due time and Sasha would graciously take his lead.  This was business; not personal.  It was an important distinction he understood fully. 

"Of course, sir."  Sasha shoulder his bag and hastened to fall in step next to the man as they made their way back to the lifts.   

"I'm fluent in German, sir.  My family spoke it exclusively at home.  And, I've studied French for eight years.  I'm not fluent but have a confident working ability.  I took Latin a couple years before coming to Hogwarts.  I travel all over Europe to shows so I know a number of scattered vocabulary.  My sister also studied Russian and Hebrew and lived in Amsterdam for a year."  Information on his sister was, likely, superfluous.  But, usually, too much information was better than too little. 

"Where are we going, if I might ask?"

"I'm fluent in German, sir.  My family spoke it exclusively at home.  And, I've studied French for eight years.  I'm not fluent but have a confident working ability.  I took Latin a couple years before coming to Hogwarts.  I travel all over Europe to shows so I know a number of scattered vocabulary.  My sister also studied Russian and Hebrew and lived in Amsterdam for a year. Where are we going, if I might ask?"

Johann glanced back irritably at the extra information that he didn't need, but committed to memory for later anyhow, as was his nature. Just to be awkward, and also reduce the chances of anyone understanding their conversation, he switched to German without missing a beat.

"Here, don't lose them," He thrust the leather bound file at Sasha in the lift, knowing that he'd pretty much memorised most of the important details. "We're going to the Leaky Cauldron to pick up our guest." He explained, "Then we're visiting four plots, beginning with one in Diagon Alley, to persuade them to buy into Britain."

The file contained not only an overview and photograph of Bergen (long, red curled hair that looked rather feminine, pale skin - nose and chin a little longer than average, beautifully dressed in a very elegant but individual manner) but four summaries and plans of plots of land and the buildings upon them, two in London (the first the one at the end of Diagon Alley, which had an old house, for 140,000 Galleons) and two outside.

"He's an architect, his English isn't fantastic, struggles with it, would normally have his own translator, so I'm afraid you'll have to cope with me switching from English to Dutch and back all day. Just follow my lead, be polite and do as you're asked." The lift arrived at the Atrium level, and they both stepped out, Johann leading the way through the bustle to the fireplaces.

Moments later Johann turned in the main bar of the Leaky Cauldron to watch Sasha step out of the fire, the files, thankfully still under the young man's arm.
"Sorry." He apologised in English. "Hitting the ground running is more fun, honestly, but not intended."

"Johann!" The voice from behind greeted. There, behind them was Maarten Bergen, with a smile across his face, colour in his cheeks.
"Mr Bergen." Johann greeted, and dipped his head respectfully, "May I introduce my assistant Mr Sasha Schlagenweit. Apologies for being ever so slightly delayed, but we're ready to begin business now." Maarten's face flickered with a frown, and Johann swiftly repeated himself in Dutch, which seemed to please their architect.
"Shall we begin with Diagon Alley?" Johann asked, which the wizard agreed. Bergen then took a curious shine to Sasha, and began quizzing him in broken English. Johann cast a glance to Sasha and flickered a smile and a shrug, as long as his new charge could keep Bergen happy, he didn't mind. 

Stick to the facts requested.  After meeting Mr. Storm's irritated glance with an apologetic grimace, Sasha filed away that rule of thumb for future reference. 

"Ja.  Of course, sir."  Following the man's lead, Sasha slipped, likewise, into German as he trailed a half stride behind him.  Sasha took hold of the offered file and, after a quick glance at the other man to make sure he'd correctly understood the invitation, flipped the file open.  He grinned, slightly, at the photo of the man before quickly flipping past to the property descriptions.  "This one is in Regent's Park, isn't it?" he asked, glancing up from the second London property.  "Or, near it?" 

"Are his properties usually residential?"  Sasha asked as he continued to follow, dutifully flipping the file closed before stepping off the lift into the crowded atrium. 

By the time Sasha stepped out of the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace, only a step behind Storm, he could feel the buzz and elation from the slight surge of adrenaline brought on by the prompt, quick, business-like pace of the last few minutes.  He shook off the man's apology with a slight grin as he patted the file under his arm.  "I'm fine," he insisted under his breath as Storm turned to great the living flesh version of the man in the photo.  Faced with a first year on the verge of tears or a bullying fifth year and he didn't have the slightest idea what to do.  Put him in the midst of the verbal games and competition of shmoozing high-powered business-oriented bureaucrats and Sasha knew exactly what role to play. 

Sasha took advantage of the Storm and Bergen's distraction as they greeted each other and ran his hands through his hair and over his collar, ensuring the trip through the floo network hadn't put anything out of place before taking his turn to greet the guest of honor.  "It's a pleasure to meet your, sir," Sasha offered along with a hand, taking care to annunciate each word fully.  "Have you had breakfast?  Can I get you some coffee?" he offered, stepping towards the bar of the Leaky to fetch a couple coffees.  He cast an uncertain glance in Mr. Storm's direction, not sure how his new supervisor would react to the delay but Mr. Bergen seemed to like the idea. 

"You've been working with Johann long?"  Mr Bergen asked in his broken English as he finished the coffee and they followed Storm out onto Diagon Alley. 

"No sir, I haven't," he offered more slowly in response, taking care to annunciate each word fully.  "Just started working with him this morning.  But, I'm looking forward to it.  I hear he's quite good at what he does and is fair and reliable."  Yes, it was shameless brown nosing and Sasha was well aware of it.  But, it was more for Bergen's benefit than Storm's.  Hopefully, doing so would only improve the chances of a successful deal. 

Bergen glanced at Sasha curiously and, then, seemed to take an even closer look.  "Do children usually finish Hogwarts so young?"  The question seemed to be asked just as much to Storm as it had been to Sasha.  Sasha wasn't sure what, of the whole situation, had been explained to Storm or if there was some 'approved' explanation he was supposed to be offering. 

"I- no.  I'm not finished.  I'm just taking a break from academics."  Sasha started to offer, concentrating slightly more on completing the whole sentence than what he was actually saying. 

"Do children usually finish Hogwarts so young?"

"I- no.  I'm not finished.  I'm just taking a break from academics."

Johann's fingers closed around the keys in the pocket of his wool coat and he looked back at Sasha and Maarten. He had realised that question was posed to him as Sasha's senior. Actually, he had just about gleaned the reasoning for Sasha's induction to the Ministry - no thanks to Hamilton withholding it.

"Sasha's a rather unique case." Johann explained, in English, to be polite as they were discussing the student. "In a good way."

Drawing the keys from his pocket, the three of them approached the gates set into a wall that edged Diagon Alley. They were a minute or two from the hustle and bustle of the shops, nestled amongst other quirky abodes and offices. Behind the gates, was a sad looking house, as if it too was mourning the death of its owner, and now sad that it lay empty. Johann slid the key into the lock, and the gates shimmered, allowing them to step through. Once inside them, they became rigid again, and Johann deposited the keys back into his wool coat pocket.

Briefly consulting in Dutch as to which language Bergen was most comfortable to proceed with, he was surprised to hear Bergen request English, though figured it was because the man had taken a shine to Sasha, and wished him to understand the conversation.

Johann began to recite the details of the property from memory,
"The drainage needs redoing entirely, the whole house is on a tilt...." Johann added between points, which wasn't in the blurb in the folder that Sasha held to refer to. Bergen was nodding and frowning, It was in the Ministry's own surveys, but that was glossed over elsewhere. Bergen would have to pay for his own survey of course, that was how it worked, but Johann, keen to put Bergen off buying this property for Vedir's benefit, didn't hold back in adding these disadvantages in.

Unfortunately, Johann caught sight of Sasha's expression. Damn, that student was quick, he knew these details weren't to be included in normal sales patter. Thankfully Bergen took it as honesty.

"Shall we go inside?" Johann asked with sudden cheer despite his damming description of the state of the building. Leading their little group inside, Johann was pleased that the inside, stripped of its furniture since that had been sold off by the Ministry, everything looked solemn and muted. The house creaked in a melancholy tone.

Taking a tour around the house, Johann recalling details from his memory, performing one of his favourite little feats - memorising seemingly boring details (he'd have lost them if he didn't re-read them in the next day or so). It kept his mind ticking over and challenged him. Really, with all the Vedir had given him, he'd had to stay up practically all night to push it into his mind. It looked impressive to Bergen, and he needed to trust Johann - and not buy this plot and house.

"Have I missed anything?" He asked Sasha, hoping the teenager had been keeping track of the information in the leather file while tailing them round the house. Johann's level gaze at Sasha was intentional - and hinted that it was almost rhetorical.

Sasha ducked his head to hide the touch of color in his cheeks as he followed Storm and Bergen through the property gates and up the walk.  These days, he couldn't help wonder if Storm was one of only a few that really believed Sasha's break from school was due to being a unique in a good way.  And, probably, only because he knew as much about the story as he knew about Sasha's starting with the internship early that morning. 

But, he knew better than to offer any elaboration or correction.  These transactions were about perceptions, not reality. 

Which was good, considering the obvious state of the property.  Judging by the information in the file, there was considerable value in the property but it was certainly a diamond in the rough. 

The two men switched, briefly, to Dutch and Sasha trailed behind, looking at their surroundings as he did.  He'd been looking back down the path towards the gate when he heard Storm mention the drainage and foundation.  Both which sounded like rather significant details - important enough, he would think, to be on the property's profile.  From behind Bergen, Sasha cast a soundless question in Storm's direction. 

Storm seemed unconcerned and Sasha followed both men into the house without comment, jotting the additional notes down on the bit of parchment that was title Tour Notes. 

The inside was no vast improvement over the exterior.  But, with a little creativity and optimism, one could recognize the building's potential.  It could, in fact, be quite impressive.  Which, it seemed, should have been a strong selling point - especially since the building wasn't really its own selling point.  But, as the tour progressed, the picture Storm painted was anything but encouraging.  On several occasions during the course of the tour, Sasha tried to cast a questioning glance in the man's direction when it seemed Bergen was looking the other way.   

Weren't they trying to sell the place?  Hadn't Storm explained they were hoping Bergen would invest in Britain?  Had Sasha missed some important part of the explanation about the day's assignment?  He'd been flipping through the file, looking for clues when Storm turned towards him and asked the question.  He looked up from the file and his own notes to find Storm watching him intently. 

He was supposed to be following Storm's lead and, even if it made no sense to him, that lead seemed to be painting the house in a not so positive light.  It didn't make a lot of sense but Sasha knew better than to question it in front of Bergen. 

"No," Sasha said, shaking his head as he looked down at the file.  The gesture was for show.  Whatever strategy Storm was using (which was, as of yet, lost on Sasha) made it clear what was actually in the file was irrelevant.  "No, sir, that's everything."  He ended the answer with an obvious touch of disappointment as if he'd been expecting more.

"No, no, sir, that's everything."

His tone earned him a sharp, suspicious look from Johann, which he hastily masked as Bergen looked back to Johann.

"Can I just take another look around - just myself?" Bergen asked, in Dutch, and Johann nodded, indicating he was welcome. The Dutch architect left them stood by the front door of the house at the foot of the stairs, and they heard his footsteps retreat into the back of the house.

"And what was that meant to mean?" Johann asked in German, an edge to his voice that wasn't usually present. He pushed his hands into his wool coat pockets to warm them, his fingers clasping around the bunch of keys again, and turned to stand square on to Sasha and the file of information.

Softening suddenly, he shifted one foot out from the other to stand at ease and change his body language. He continued in their mutual language, just in case Bergen's English had mysteriously improved with eavesdropping.
"Look, Schlagenweit, we've known each other for what... forty minutes now. Don't go making any assumptions. Whatever I say, Bergen's going to pick the property that's got the most potential for magical architecture. Its not going to be an overpriced rotting carcass of a house like this. It's going to be something that's got potential, hmm?" He shrugged at Sasha, his hands still in his pockets, and glanced behind them, listening where Bergen's footsteps had gone, before turning back to the other German.

"Why did you leave Hogwarts, anyhow? You were wrapped up in that murder weren't you?" Johann narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Sasha. "Hamilton as usual purposely making my job harder, I was meant to have your details last week, little..." Johann stopped himself from using the word, especially as he could hear the footsteps moving about the house again.

Again, Sasha tried to send a subtle, wordless question in Storm's direction when the man looked sharply towards him.  He watched Bergen head off back into the house and made to follow before noticing that Storm hadn't moved.  He shifted his weight back towards Storm as the Dutchman disappeared into the shadows.

Sasha straightened his back as Storm spoke to him, tugging at the sleeve of his coat.  "I was just-"  Sasha hesitated a moment and then flipped the file open once more and read through the original house notes.  No.  He hadn't missed anything that would have changed his initial expectations.  Sasha looked back up and replied in German.  "On paper, it sounds like it should be more promising," Sasha admitted.  "And, the house is a little outdated but it doesn't look that useless.  I was just surprised and disappointed to hear it was in such bad shape." 

He let the file fall closed and quickly shook his head; he hadn't been making assumptions.  Okay.  Yes.  He'd been making assumptions about the house.  Based on the information in the file.  Which, arguably, meant it really wasn't an assumption.  And, maybe business was different in the wizarding world but, "don't you usually want to approach each sale with the hopes he'd want to buy it?"  He was the architect, after all.  Sasha was sure he'd be able to recognize the faults.  "It isn't impossible that he might invest in more than one, right?  Even if not now than maybe in the future?" 

The color rose swiftly in Sasha's cheeks but, with luck, the shadows in the house did a decent job of hiding it.  "Yeah," Sasha offered vaguely, at first.  He shrugged and glanced around the room they were standing in but, after a moment, he nodded.  His voice was slightly detached and dismissive as he added, "I was there; she was my sister.  I was abducted earlier in the year and my family was killed.  They decided, I guess, I needed a break."  He shrugged.

"On paper, it sounds like it should be more promising, and, the house is a little outdated but it doesn't look that useless.  I was just surprised and disappointed to hear it was in such bad shape. Don't you usually want to approach each sale with the hopes he'd want to buy it? It isn't impossible that he might invest in more than one, right?  Even if not now than maybe in the future?"

Johann raised an eyebrow at the statement. Of course, Sasha was totally correct, but Johann had to convince him of enigmatic reasons otherwise.

"Yeah, I was there; she was my sister.  I was abducted earlier in the year and my family was killed.  They decided, I guess, I needed a break."  He shrugged.

"Indeed it is a promising house, only there are three other properties the Ministry are keen for him to invest in, moreso than this. They already have a buyer for here." Johann gestured to the stairs with an arm, before replacing his hands back into his pockets. "Word of advice, don't query my motives, least not until you have some qualification." The edge to his voice was particularly nasty.

"Needed a break? Hmph." The irritable Johann, not liking anyone pointing out his plans, turned suddenly to greet Bergen and smiled broadly as if nothing had happened between them.

"Did you see everything here you wished, Mr Bergen?" Johann asked politely, and when the architect agreed, they set off to the next house, Johann giving Sasha a sharp look to keep in line. He felt terrible for doing it, but continued to lead the way to the next property.

Pulling out all the stops he gave a more upbeat recount of the second property, and then the third, and then the fourth. He could tell Sasha was even more suspicious by this change in tone. Bergen too became more upbeat, exclaiming his grand ideas in increasingly broken English to Sasha and Johann about how he'd work on the properties, make features of them. Johann was very glad the architect seemed to have forgotten the first house altogether, even if it was clear Sasha and Johann had not forgotten their uncomfortable discussion several hours back.

Eventually the three of them descended on the Leaky Cauldron once more to take a late lunch. Johann excused himself, and just before he got out of earshot from the table, he, Sasha and Bergen were sat at, when the architect, who had become rather fond of the younger man, asked Sasha,
"So if you were me, which of them would you buy?"

Sasha nodded, acknowledging he'd heard Storm's advice, but kept his continued confusion to himself.  From what it sounded like, Bergen would consider buying more than one piece of property - so, then, why wasn't Storm making an attempt at selling all four?  And, if there really was a buyer, why were they showing it in the first place?  And, it certainly couldn't be that bad if people were competing for it.  There just seemed to be an abundance of inconsistencies. 

The Ravenclaw trailed behind the two as they made their way through the other properties.  He answered their questions as best he could even if he wasn't very confident with the accuracy of the information in the files.  Whoever put together these portfolios needed to focus more on the details. 

Once they were back at the Leaky, Sasha worked his way through his salad, leaving most of the discussion about the properties to Storm.  Storm excused himself and Bergen leaned towards Sasha.  Sasha took a sip of his seltzer water to buy himself some time to consider how to answer the question.  He slid his plate to the corner and flipped open each of the charts to consider the pictures of each of them. 

"This one already has a buyer.  From the looks at it, it's not much of a loss," Sasha said, dismissively to the first property.  He flipped it closed; the less they lingered on that mess of confusion, the better. 

He considered the other three, his finger lingering on the other London property.  "This seems the best choice for commercial use; it's right on the park - I could see smaller shops and cafes on the ground floor and something else commercial on the upper floors.  This one's close to Hogsmeade which, as Mr Storm noted, is a common wizarding destination.  The Three Broomsticks is decent for accommodations but, if it were me, I think a luxury hotel would do well near the village."  Of course, that's what he would have considered with the one in Diagon.  It was old, run down, yes - but that could simply translate to classic and elegant with the right facelift. 

"I like the last one - beautiful surroundings.  I'd love to build a home there.  But it doesn't seem it has much more use than residential property.  Still profitable but, if I were you, I'd want my first project to be something that would promote my name and business.  Not as many people visit residences."  He shrugged and speared a lingering piece of pickled beet from his plate.  "I'd say first choice, second and third," he said, pointing to the Hogsmeade, London and Dover properties in turn.  "But, my father taught me big gains come from taking big risks.  If it were me, I'd go for all of them."  Then, quickly, he added.  "Well, all three."

When Johann returned, Bergen looked very pleased, and Johann's eyes slid from the architect to Sasha, wondering what had been said. It best not have been how Bergen was going to buy the first house!

Rejoining them at the table, Johann asked in Bergen's mother-tongue if everything was alright, and Bergen nodded with a broad smile.
"Everything is excellent, Johann, I was enjoying the company of your young assistant. He has a very astute business mind."
"Really?" Johann asked, not surprised, more suspicious, and slid his eyes to Sasha with warning.

Bergen thanked them both for a good morning of viewing properties and even prevented Johann from settling the bill on behalf of the Ministry, which really did indicate that he had enjoyed Sasha and Johann's company. The linguist very much looked forward to the decision... as he now had the prospect of an afternoon spent in the company of a teenage intern to contend with while he waited.

Steering Sasha away from the Dutchman who was off to review the papers in the quiet of his rooms at the Leaky Cauldron, he waited until they were far enough away, before he uttered his praises.
"Good work this morning, Sasha. I trust you kept to the script while I was away?" He asked the Ravenclaw. "Wouldn't want to hold you personally responsible for any inconvenience to the Ministry, especially on your first day as an intern..." It grated him to do this - he wouldn't ever be so manipulative in normal circumstances. Something, something very odd was forcing him to apply such pressure to himself to ensure a favourable outcome for Vedir. Sasha was getting in the way - which wasn't Sasha's fault at all. 

The tension reentered the conversation with Storm's return.  Sasha felt the weight of the man's intense gaze but was careful to keep his own demeanor calm and relaxed.  Something didn't quite make sense with this whole transaction; he knew better than to let Bergen catch any wind of it from him, though. 

He was relieved, then, when Bergen excused himself and left them.  Sasha followed Storm's lead away from the stairs, glancing at the man as he offered a dose of praise that seemed to have just a hint of a threat to it.  However sincere the compliment might have been, it was hard to take it to heart with that accompanying warning.  He hesitated for just a brief moment, considering his options. 

"I recommended he go for the one over on Hyde Park," Sasha replied.  "But, encouraged him to consider going for all three.  I didn't even consider the one here in Diagon an option.  I stuck to the script as best as I knew the script." 

He handed the file out to Storm, nodding his head.  "I've got to catch the 1:30 train to make it to my 2:00 class.  I look forward to working with you again."