Chapter 9: Phase II
First of all, I love you A! Thanks a million for your review. I've tried my best to write this chapter as soon as possible. And yes I dedicate this chapter to you for your insightful comment. However, let me assure you that this fact was not hidden from me and I would like to remind you that elves are not subject to the same laws and magic as the wizards or witches. And perhaps you will allow me to sight a few incidents to support my theory –
1. Kreature could apparate out of that cave while Regulus could not.
2. Dobby was seen apparating in and out the Hogwarts school.
I hope this chapter is up to your expectations. And is this going too fast? I have a feeling it is. Anyway, do enjoy and I have a surprise for you at the end of it.
It was on Thursday that Draco Lucius Malfoy realized that things were never to be taken at their face value. The reduction in his tasks was only meant to mislead him and he could not help but feel bitter about it. And as he would testify, at any given moment, the entire problem began with the single most damning source – that elf.
And so to understand and sympathize with his feelings of vindictiveness one must go to that Thursday on the evening of which, he was in a rather good mood.
Therefore, it was on Thursday night that Draco stood in front of his door and took out his wand. (Keys had betrayed him the last time.) There were no tasks to do and no assignments to write. He could sleep in early and there would be no puny elf to disturb him. The thought of the elf's absence seemed to lift his mood and he entered his chambers. Upon his entering, he waved his wand and the candles all around flickered to life. However, it was a foreign moving object on his bed that caught his eye. he immediately pointed his wand at it and inched closer. At closer quarters, he realized that it wasn't an object but a creature intensely busy, gnawing his …pillows?
Neither his presence nor the lights seemed to be able to sway its concentration. Draco had reached the edge of the bed when, at once, he recognized the dismal clump of hair he had hoped to avoid.
"You!" he said, fighting to control his temper.
"Mr. Malafide?" Usubi looked up from her gnawing and Draco noticed that the pillow cover was not distinguishable from the stuffing.
"Are you a pillow eater?" he wearily put down his wand.
"Hm?" Usubi looked at him and then understood his question. "Oh no. I am only practicing."
"Practicing what?" Draco flopped down on his bed. A movement which caused the feathers on and around Usubi to scatter everywhere. He groaned and raised his arm to his eyes, covering them. So much for sleeping early.
"Sucking blood," She said. She had been reading Dracula and Halloween was at hand. "Vampires do. I want to be one in Halloween."
Draco knew what Halloween was. Usubi had been going on about it ever since their fifteenth task in the Hogwarts grounds. But frankly, he didn't see any point in it since they were surrounded by magical beast at all times.
"A mosquito would be more like it. They suck blood too."
Usubi was silent and Draco adjusted his forearm to see and found her contemplating.
"I think I'd need a straw then."
Sensing that the conversation could go on Malfoy changed the topic.
"How did you get in here?" At times, he felt it was a conversation starter with the stupid little elf.
"I broke in." Usubi jerked out of her reverie of being a mosquito. "Professor Mcgonagall taught me."
This was a first. Draco never deemed elves capable of mental activity, let alone learning. However, the fact that a professor was helping her get into his room irritated him and in that instant he abandoned all his future plans of trying to prevent the elf from coming in. he propelled himself on his elbows. "Today isn't a task day. If you came for the pillow, take it and leave."
"Really? Thank you." She was touched and immediately stuffed it into her bag and for the next few moments tried to catch the feathers that had escaped. Usubi, after collecting the feathers in the room, recalled the job that needed to be done and turned to face Draco, who had taken a short nap while she had engaged herself in her idiocies. "Mr. Malafide, I came today to inform you about phase two."
"What?" Draco bolted upright.
"Phase two." Usubi climbed down the bed, walked to the middle of the room and sat on his displaced table and chair. She looked at the empty chair, then at him. She repeated that movement twice before Draco finally understood that the chair was meant for him.
At first, indignation arose within him and he wanted to stomp over, catch hold of the elf by the scruff of her neck and toss her out the window. However, reason took the reins and he got up from his place, glaring at Usubi, on whom threats, glares, and other such violent indications were entirely wasted.
"Remind me again, why we are doing this on my day off?" Draco chose to stand and tower over the elf.
"Because that is the reason why you were given days off."
Malfoy felt betrayed. He ought to have smelled the rat when he first heard of the offer. Sneaky, that's what it was.
"What are we going to do exactly?"
"Oh, nothing. Just talk."
Draco was insulted. He hadn't talked to an elf in his whole life and now he was forced to chat with so lowly a member of it!
"Don't worry Mr. Malafide; it probably won't even be five minutes."
A moment longer than that would have been unbearable to him.
"I'll stand." Draco refused to be instructed.
"As you wish," Usubi said. "We'll discuss only one question today."
"Fine." He looked away. Malfoy wondered what sort of a question it would be. He wished the answer was only one word long so that he could get rid of her sooner.
"Mr. Malafide?"
"Get on with the question."
"Look at me.
"Why?"
"I would not know if you are telling the truth or not."
"You don't need to know." Draco was getting irritated when suddenly he felt warm hands hold his face and turn it. "What the heck?"
He found himself facing someone he didn't know. he could have sworn he had been talking to the elf a moment ago, but now he didn't recognize the face in front of him. In many of his past encounters, he had never really bothered to see the elf. Her tiny figure and hair were enough of a symbol to announce her presence. He realized then, that she was not what he often saw her to be. He noticed she had human features. A tiny notice, a mouth an absolutely normal skin tone. She was so unlike the elves he was habituated with. Usubi was exactly like a girl. However, as soon as he finished his observations, the shock of Usubi's countenance softened and he regained himself. He slapped away her hand and pulled himself to his full height.
"Why can't you just ask the stupid question!" Draco almost shouted and Usubi very nearly fell off the table.
"Alright, but when you answer you must look at me."
Malfoy gazed at the window on his right and saw the night deepening. He sighed. "Okay."
"Well, if you were to identify yourself with a creature, which one would it be?"
"Huh?" He didn't expect such a question.
"I mean," Usubi elaborated. "Like I identify myself with a worm because it is so hard working and happy at all times."
"Then," Malfoy looked sharply at her. His ice blue eyes gave a cruel coldness to his words. "I would be a bird that tears worms to pieces."
"Thank you, that would do." Usubi didn't miss the intention in his answer and scampered down the table.
"Allow me to kick you out the door so as to hasten your exit." Draco picked up the house elf and deposited her outside his room. He slammed the door on her and went to bed.
That night, however, Draco tossed around in his bed for quite a good while. "What would I identify myself with?" he murmured to himself.
He had, at that moment, answered in a spirit of frustration but when he thought about it, he realized he'd indeed be a bird.
A bird caged in the bars of rage. His wings are clipped, his feet are tied. He stands on the grave of his dreams.
Author's note:
I am extremely sorry for the delay in posting this chapter. Even though I had written it, I could not post it primarily due to the absence of our internet connection. Anyway for all my reader, I have made an Usubi doodle sheet which can be viewed under the same name when googled. Thanks a lot for your time. Drop me a line?