"Thank you all for coming," said Liam. "As your invitations have stated, we are trying to achieve something momentous, and we are inviting you all to be a part of it." He turned to the side. "I present to you a house-elf."
There was an awkward silence, but Thea actually was interested in the house-elf-it was the same elf from the day before-apparently, Liam liked this elf. He was more cooperative after all.
"I know it's just a house-elf," said Liam, "but we've learned that house-elves' powers tend to be underrated. Wizarding magic cannot bring someone back from the dead, it's true, but the magic of a house-elf is just now being explored." He turned to focus on the elf. "House-elf!" And he gestured toward a ladder set up beside the table. "You are to climb to the top of the ladder and then dive off. After you land on your head, you will heal yourself and climb back up onto the table."
"Yes, Master," croaked the old elf, and he began to climb.
Thea watched in growing horror as the elf took each step up the ladder. Finally, the elf reached the top and dove, head first, crashing onto the concrete floor. Thea turned away as the elf let out a horrible moan. He let out another whimper, and then there was silence.
Thea peaked a glance at him, fearing that he was dead, but it turned out he had just healed himself as ordered-just in time for Liam to give another order. Thea watched, sickened by the display, as the elf followed order after order that Liam gave, and over and over he survived certain death. Unable to watch any longer, Thea began looking around at the crowd. Neither George nor Jax were happy with what they were seeing, but there seemed to be a lot of people watching eagerly.
"It's just a house-elf," some of them said.
"It's for a really good cause," others said.
Thea shook her head and headed for the love room. George and Jax were on their own for a few minutes. She should've stopped him before. Why hadn't there been a way to stop him? What if there wasn't a way to stop him now?
Before she could even get out her wand, a voice called out from behind her, "There you are!"
Thea jumped, blinking to find Liam standing there. Great. Just great.
"So I've been thinking over your new salary." He handed her a folded slip of paper.
Thea didn't open it at first-the paper was just an excuse.
"Of course," Liam put his arm around her, "if you would be willing to consider reigniting old flames, that number could go even higher."
That was what Liam was after. Luckily, before Thea had a chance to respond, George appeared. "Are you all right?" he asked her.
Liam removed his arm. "Your charming date and I were just going down memory lane a bit. Did she tell you that we knew each other back at Hogwarts?"
"It might have come up," George said lightly.
Liam offered a sardonic smile. "Well, I have a few other investors to speak to, but can I count on you for a donation?"
"Of course," said George, and Liam seemed satisfied with that, heading over to a group of investors that seemed to be waiting for his attention.
"Amor revelare." When the door opened, Thea headed straight into the love room, George following closely behind. With a flick of her wand, she closed the door.
"This is just as hard on you as it is on me, isn't it?"
Thea turned to look over at George. She took a breath. "It's bad enough having to be around him, remembering what he did, but having to sit there and watch him torture that elf..." Her voice broke, tears welling up in her eyes. "Maybe it's silly...getting that upset about a house-elf, but torture is still torture."
George took a step closer and used two fingers to tilt her chin up, so she was looking at him. There was only concern for her in his features. "I don't think it's silly," he said quietly. "I think he needs to be stopped. That's why we're here, isn't it?"
Thea nodded. "It is." Thea sighed, wiping away a few tears. "Maybe we should get back out there."
"Or we can wait a few minutes," he said, leading her over to some chairs near the wall. "You should have a chance to settle."
Thea sat down beside him. "Thank you."
