Disclaimer: Potterverse is not mine and never will be. The plot and OC's, however, are mine.

Want
Chapter Four

Hermione looked around her room and took in all the furniture. There was a large double bed against the wall facing the window. It was more luxurious than she could have imagined he would have provided for her. But then, if he really did love her, then this was to be expected.

"Maybe he is telling the truth."

"Master does not have a habit of lying. You would do well to remember that."

"I know he does not like to lie. I know he will do his best to tell the truth whenever he possibly can. I was talking to myself about a private matter. I would like you to remember that!" Hermione snapped. Her patience had been stretched on the way up to her room, with Riply making several comments about her heritage and about how unbecoming it was of her to leave her husband, unescorted and without any thoughts of his well-being.

"Master will not appreciate you being rude. He likes those around him to carry themselves well and have good manners. Perhaps you are the trash that—" And just like that, he stopped talking. His green lips were moving furiously, and his eyes shot accusingly towards Hermione.

"I think you'll find that your Master also requires his staff to respect those whom he has invited in and not to be rude to his guests." With a smirk, she put one hand on her hip. "Perhaps you should go and see him; I'm sure he is the only one that can lift whatever hex has been placed upon you."

She watched in amusement as the house-elf stormed out of the room, the door slamming behind him and a loud pop echoing in the hallway outside.

"Excuse me, Miss."

Hermione looked down at her ankle, where a young house-elf stood quivering. "I'm sorry about Riply, Miss. And it was me that hexed him. You are right; he should not have been rude to you, and I do not think that the Master of the house would be happy with his service."

"Thank you. I'm glad to see that not all of his help are as rude as he can be."

"Oh, I'm not strictly attached to the Master of the house, Miss. I'm not really of service to anyone. Perhaps you would like me to help you whilst you stay here. I would not want you to have to put up with the rudeness that you may encounter. The others were not happy with your behaviour, and when they found out you had gone, there was a group that got together and tried to hinder his search for you."

Hermione smiled at the creature and stepped around her, perching on the edge of the bed. "And what might your name be, then?"

"Leafer, Miss. And would you like me to be of service to you?"

"I think that would be perfectly acceptable. As long as you are sure that Severus won't mind."

"I'm sure that he will be happy for the arrangement to take place."

"Thank you then, Leafer. I would like to accept your services." Hermione smiled as the small green creature in front of her jumped up and down, clapping her hands in excitement.

"My first, Miss!" she screeched, before becoming very still and looking at her seriously. "Right then, just stay still, Miss."

"Excuse me, what?" Hermione gasped as Leafer snapped her fingers before wiggling her fingers and letting a large, warm, golden bubble form, shooting it towards Hermione.

Leafer began giggling excitedly and watched with a grin as the bubble encased Hermione and began to have a silver hue before snapping out and shooting back towards her small green body.

Hermione quickly checked herself all over before looking back at the house-elf. "Leafer… what just happened?"

"I bonded us, Mistress. You are now officially my charge. And I will only obey you, unless you command me to do otherwise. I am loyal to you, and you only."

"But what about Severus?"

"Mistress, he was never my Master. You do not need to worry yourself." The young green house-elf bowed, her nose brushing the floor for more than a second before she sprang up. "Would the Mistress like to have a bath to refresh herself from her travels?"

Hermione had been sitting there gawping, her mouth opening and closing like a fish, and she snapped to, her eyes glancing towards the door at the far side of the room. "I suppose that would be acceptable, Leafer. Perhaps with some Lavender incense, as I am feeling particularly stressed this evening."

"As you wish, Mistress."

AN: I hope you enjoyed the chapter! And I look forward to reading your reviews!