The short break together had been kind to them. The couple caught up on their lack of sleep and the muggle world calmed Draco, a distraction of sorts from the chaos that raged on his world. Abraham hadn't noticed they had been alone, nor realized he forgot Draco was coming early that morning. Instead, Draco had feigned that he just arrived as soon as Abraham returned from the store.

They had lunch there after and Draco kept them company in the small muggle home that was a blessing in disguise. He finally could find peace within the wizarding war. He received a patronus from Tanya soon after, the couple listening to her voice as she explained that his father had been successfully released.

Draco contemplated going back home quickly to greet him, but if he was honest— he was afraid of going back. To leave the arms that were wrapped around his waist, the warmth of the home, and the woman on his chest. He couldn't go back to that cold place, even if it was cruel of him to not see his father.

Tanya understood and Draco continued to stay at the bakery until the ambush of the Order. He heard the details from the Dark Lord that it would Potter's birthday, and that they would search for him then and take out the Order. The Dark Lord allowed him to stay behind with his soon to be fiancé, out of obligation of the contract and Tanya's charisma.

As he held Elia tightly in his arms on her bed as they watched the muggle television, Draco began to think. He thought this would be a good time to plan their escape, to break the news to Abraham while they had him. He wanted to be out forever, with Elia beside him every step of the way.

"Mon coeur." Draco mumbled to her, catching her attention from the show.

She turned her head to him, tilting it in curiosity.

"What is it, mi alma?"

Draco couldn't hide the tug of his lip going up at the name. No matter how many times he heard it, he loves it. It was his.

"I think this is a good time to tell your father about our plans. If it were up to me, we'd leave right now. I have the connections to the apparition point to Paris. That'll be our first stop, I want you to see it. From there, you can pick anywhere in the world you want to go and we'll bring your family too." Draco said to her excitedly, but softly so only they could hear.

He was serious, he wanted to run away with her already. They were running out of time. He wanted to take her all over the world with her and show her the beautiful places it has. He even wanted to propose in Paris to her, even though the contract stated until they finish school. But to hell with that paper anyways, the Ministry was going to hell anyways.

Draco wished for her to see the sights and food, translating for her if need be. And Spain wasn't far off if she wanted to go there too, her father's hometown about an hour away from the border. They could get a small home there with his money, he was entitled to the inheritance and more so when they get married. He had it all planned out.

But the look on Elia's face made his hope dwindle, stirring in his stomach with doubt. She looked upset, as if she heard the worst news. He took her hands.

"Is not what you want? Would you rather go to Spain? Ireland? Darling, we can go anywhere-"

"Draco." Elia said suddenly, making him nervous, "I-I can't go with you."

Her eyes watered and his heart fell to the pit of his stomach, burning and aching. He was silent and it made Elia feel more guilty. She looked down at her lap.

"Why?"

"Trust me, I love you so much and I would go this second if I could." She stated, "I spoke with Tanya after we had the plans. I know we said we wouldn't lie to each other nor hide things, I've been true to that, but this… this makes me realize how hard it was for you to tell me these things. There's things I can't tell you exactly, under the Dark Lord's orders."

Draco was now put on the end Elia was always at, where he had to be secluded from certain secrets. Just as he had done to her. But he understood her stance, upset as he was, he breathed and remained calm. The blonde took a pale hand to her face and had her look at him.

"What can you tell me?"

Elia's eyes darted down, but she still faced him.

"All I can say is he gave Tanya a mission, something that is so important to him that he only assigned Tanya. It's already risky for her by telling you she has a mission. I can't say anymore about it or where it'll be, other than she's taking my family and I with her."

Now the blood in his face had drained all color, leaving him paler than usual. He felt his life begin to fall apart slowly. She was leaving.

"Y-You're leaving me?"

"Don't say that. I would never leave you, I'm yours and yours alone." Elia said to him in comfort, "But in a way, I do have to go with her and I'm sorry, love. She won't leave us behind when things could go terribly wrong. The Death Eaters only listen to her when she's around and you know it. They could do something while she's gone and she's not risking it."

Draco knew it was a fact, a terribly harsh fact that he could not stomach. Was this heartbreak? Was this how she felt when he couldn't tell her his secrets? She tried being as honest as she could without revealing anything too dangerous, and he appreciated her for that effort. Something he lacked before. He was much too quiet, scaring Elia.

"Draco— I'm so sorry. It's been hard to keep to myself, but I couldn't hide this from you. It'd break my heart to leave your side without an explanation."

"You can't go." He said, a possessiveness inside him was taking over and he held her tightly, "You won't. I can't have you leave me nor will I let you go. Not again. We can still run. Tanya will be fine with her mission without you. But I can't live without you here."

Elia felt tears brim again, laying her forehead on his shoulder and easing into his body.

"I can't do that to her. They're my family."

"And what of me?" He nearly snarled, but Elia kissed his cheek gently that he simmered down.

"We will still be together, even from a distance. I promise, I will still be yours. We'll write constantly and once I return, we can do whatever you want. Leave, marry, I don't care so long as it's with you."

Draco felt cold despite the chaste kiss she gave, filled with reassurance and care. He was guilty for not feeling better, but how could he? He couldn't understand why she had to leave. The snake could not unravel from his badger.

"Mi alma, please say something." She pleaded into his neck, arms over the back of it as she clung to him.

His mouth went dry, he couldn't think of anything to say. He didn't have the strength. The thought of her leaving without him, destroyed him. To be left alone with a war and the Death Eaters. With his broken family and deranged aunt. Draco dropped his head into the crook of her shoulder and neck, holding her.

She accepted his silence as it was all he could offer for her honesty. It was brutal and real, perhaps that's why it hurt him so. She was slipping away, yet offered her loyalty from afar. But her presence is what gave him life. They signed a contract after all, she was stuck with him.

The thought made Draco still in her arms, he realized something.

"Draco?" Elia felt his change in mood, he lifted his head to gaze at her.

"Our contract—" He stated, "We signed it and accepted the terms. We're only 17 and haven't finished school. We're bound by it."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that we can't be apart, legally. We were separated for a while, but the contract was pending for cancellation as well. But this, this is different. We want to be together and we are being split apart. It interferes with our relationship, it's a breach of contract."

"Are you saying we can do something about this?"

Draco knew Elena wouldn't be happy, and especially Tanya. But he was a Slytherin, like hell he'd give up Elia that easily. Not without a plan and his cunning ways.

"Yes. We won't take them to a hearing, that's too much attention on us. We can negotiate terms privately. I'll go with you to wherever it is she's taking you to."

A light lit within her brown eyes, Elia cracked a hopeful smile.

"Really? We can do that?"

Draco nodded, sharing that same hope.

"We can try. I don't care where we go, just as long as I'm with you. They can't divide us anymore."

Elia embraced him, latching onto his promise and wishing deep in her heart that she could have him in the end. Yet, they realized they'd have to present this negotiation to the family. The ones they worried most about was Lucius and Tanya.

Draco's stay had come to an erupt end, forcing him back home. He found it difficult to let go of Elia as they reached the Apparition point to get home. He dressed her in kisses, pulling her close to him, even thinking about taking her with him. He pushed that urge back as it would be too dangerous to have her in the manor. They said their goodbyes, Elia lingering in the spot until Draco vanished. It was time he'd greet his father after the ambush the Dark Lord had with his Death Eaters.

Tanya had been in the Order's side, disguised in her male form and a cloak, no one recognized her. However, T had taken the mission hard, for Moody did not survive. Mundungus Fletcher has been concealed as Harry to throw off the Death Eaters. They followed him, thinking he was the real Harry considering Moody was the most skilled to protect him.

Yet, he panicked mid way as a killing curse was sent flying at him. Fletcher disapperated and Moody took the hit for him. He fell off the broom, dead and T was the only one who went back for him, disregarding the mission. Fleur told Elia that T did not care once the life left her mentor, falling off the broom with no care to chase after him. T very well could have died as well.

Elia recalled the night Tanya returned with his corpse, drenched in rain water and refusing to let him go. It was the only place she could go that was close and untraceable. It took Abraham's words to talk some sense into her, on the promise that they give Moody a proper burial. Elena made the arrangements and they had a funeral for the next morning.

Elia was distraught that Moody had died too, another weight on her heart that someone has good as he was, was taken too. It hurt her for days, but she attributed this short loss to the direct support she had from Draco and having to support Tanya herself.

Tanya didn't shed tears, but it was clear that her heart ached and another scar was added. Yet she reverted back to her studies on her personal mission. Elia didn't feel it was right to have a discussion about taking Draco with them to avoid breach of contract. Tanya already had too much on her plate so she asked Draco to wait.

The wait made him worried, as any given moment Elia could leave without him. But he understood Tanya was mourning. Besides, he needed time to think over the negotiation and how to confront his father.

Elia left to the store to do some shopping and errands. She sent out letters to several owls at a secret owlery in her Muggle town, considering she had too many letters to get back to for one owl to handle. She even sent out a package to Neville as a late birthday gift.

She bought a couple of items for the house and a few groceries while she was there. She was out for a few hours, but had called her father from a nearby booth prior to her run. Elia would have never suspected that those few hours, things would change.

The Hufflepuff walked back home, unsuspectingly and holding her bags like any normal day. That is, until she saw it. She nearly dropped her bags.

Broken glass scattered across the sidewalk and the floor of the bakery. The windows were shattered and Elia's heart dropped at the sight. She ran to the shop.

"Papa!" She cried out, searching for him as she entered the bakery.

Her heels crunched against the glass, pots and pans were everywhere along with some pastries. Her father wasn't anywhere, tears brimmed her eyes.

"Papa!"

Elia saw a figure leave the curtain behind the counter, leading to kitchen. Abraham stepped out, towel over his shoulder, a few scratches on him and his brown hair messy. He sighed, a look of concern over him as Elia ran into his embrace, dropping her purse. She cried in his chest.

"What happened? I was so scared…"

He hushed her, "Pumpkin, it's okay. They're gone."

She sniffed, pulling away and wiping her eyes.

"Who did this? Are you hurt?"

Elia fumbled for her bag, reaching to get some healing balms until Abraham pulled her from the glass, into the back.

"No, I'm okay. Don't worry. I got lucky—" He gestured to the kitchen behind them, "If it wasn't for your sister, I'd be a goner. Remember when she enchanted the kitchen when she turned 16?"

Elia nodded and he continued, "Well turns out, they have an attack mode too. These wizards tried sacking my shop, heard on the news that there were some attacks and explosions from an unknown source. Then they got me."

"Wizards did this? They wouldn't, they can't expose us to the rest of the world. Unless-"

Elia realized who it was, Abraham nodded.

"They had these masks and cloaks, tattoos on their arms. Like Tanya's necklace."

"The Death Eaters… how were you able to deflect them?"

Abraham tugged on the chain around his neck, which carried his wedding ring with her mother. She looked up at him with hopeful eyes.

"Sister enchanted this too. Like yours and Toast's collar. And this—" He took out brass knuckles from his apron pocket, "These came in handy too."

Her father recalled the event of the Death Eaters sacking his shop, and the group quickly realized the terrible mistake they had committed when it was too late.

Abraham was tidying up the shop, setting out some fresh bread when the windows had been blown to bits. He yelled out and took cover, using the empty pan to cover his head from the debris. A group of Death Eaters entered the shop, pointing their wands at him menacingly.

One expressed his disgust under his mask, "Filthy muggle, get rid of him."

They waved their wands at him, attemtping to torture the man to prolong their fun. Abraham didn't waste time in gripping the pan with both hands, hitting one Death Eater across the head so hard, the pan dented. The cloaked figure fell with a thud, alarming the rest as they shot spells at Abraham.

They were even more shocked to see the spells bounce off him, Abraham looking more mad.

"What the hell!"

"You sure he's muggle?"

"Of course, mate! He reeks like the lot of them!"

Abraham glared, a look that made them flinch. Why had they seen that look before? He slowly reached the counter, their wands raised with shaking arms. He opened up a drawer and pulled out two brass knuckles, gifts from his daughter.

"Last warning."

The group didn't stand down, one unconscious and four more ready to attack. They leapt towards him and shot more spells, Abraham slipped on the brass knuckles when suddenly the back kitchen erupted. A flurry of pots and pans flew out the entrance and towards the Death Eaters, throwing themselves onto the group. The four masks were hit repeatedly by the silverware, crying and cursing. They waved around like wild animals.

Abraham sighed, his fist lifted as he eyed the gleam of the metal.

"Never thought I had to use these."

He didn't hesitate to slam his fist into the nearest Death Eater, a powerful stunning spell locked into the brass that the cloaked man fell to the ground with a thud. He was so silent, the rest thought he died.

"What is this place?!"

"Bloody hell! Get it off me!"

"Yaxley's dead!"

One looked over at the figure, noticing a picture on the wall. Many in fact. His blood ran cold. The Death Eater saw a familiar face amongst the family photo.

"Lads, retreat!"

"Why the hell would we do that?!" One yelled as he fought Abraham, abandoning his wand as it was useless.

"Merlin's beard…" Another saw it.

They made the connection, seeing Tanya Sayre's oddly smiling face in the frame beside her sister, the two hugging. The other had Abraham holding both his girls.

"Fall back! Go!"

The rest grabbed the limp bodies, apparating out of the shop before Abraham could finish them off. The pots and pans returned to the kitchen, Abraham slumping to the ground with a tired sigh.

"They realized you're our dad?"

"Not just that, but Tanya's mostly." He said, "I assume she's just as scary to them, hm?"

Elia chuckled, hugging her dad, "Worse. I'm sure when word gets out, we won't hear of them again."

"Sounds like her in grade school."

Elia looked up at him with a frown, realizing something.

"Papa… it's not safe anymore. They know where we live now, after seeing the photos. They attacked you! If only I was here."

"I'm glad you were gone, your old man can handle himself."

"Hardly! I see that limp."

He chuckled, "I'm not as young as I use to be, pooh bear."

"We have to go, if they know where we are, it's possible they could come back for you. We need to tell Tanya and grandmother. We need to leave."

"And go where?"

She was already pulling her father, but his words had her halt in place. He made a point. Where would they go? They couldn't go to Tanya's or Elena's, the Death Eaters were aware of their homes. Draco's home was far from an option, even though she wanted his security at that moment. It was the hotspot for all Death Eaters, especially the Dark Lord.

She thought of going to Tonks' flat but the woman was relishing in her newly wed life. Then Andromeda and Ted came to mind, but she didn't want to impose on the family at all, given the great news of Tonks' marriage.

Elia ran to many dead ends, until she had a strange idea.

The house on Grimmauld Place was a sight for Elia, entering through its doors easily as she remembered the password. Before his passing, Sirius had granted her permission to stay in his home anytime she'd like. For whatever reason. He was always so kind to her, others saying he had a particular soft spot for Elia. Yet, she didn't find the need to stay, until now.

Even then, he helped her. She slipped her father through the door, quietly as she recalled two faces in the abandoned home that would drop dead at the sight of her and her father. That is, if a portrait could die once more.

"What is this place?"

"Sh!" Elia whispered to her father, "They can't hear us or else-"

"What's this?!" A shrill voice bellowed, "MUGGLES?!"

Elia stopped, putting her face into her hand with disappointment.

"Oh no."

"KREACHER! GET THESE FILTHY MONGRELS— SCUM OF THE EARTH— DAMNED MUGGLES OUT OF MY HOME!" The portrait of Walburga Black demanded, her booming voice nearly shook the house. The pair flinched at the sound, Abraham covering his ears before looking her over.

"Right, what's all this then?" He questioned, considering she was so loud even through the portrait.

Her nostrils flared, clearly offended and peering away.

"How dare you? You have returned!" She eyed Elia, the Hufflepuff shocked that she recognized her considering Sirius always steered her away from Walburga, "Kreacher! Where are you?! Sirius' whore is here, probably here to collect what she can now that he's dead! Even your hair has now matched the dirt that your blood runs-"

"Alright you old hag, leave my girl alone before I throw you in the Muggle trash!" Abraham exclaimed and she nearly jumped through the frame.

"Mistress! Worry not, Kreacher is here!" Kreacher appeared from upstairs, rushing to her and petting her frame lovingly. Walburga's face was red as he muttered softly to reassure her more. He turned to look at Elia and her father, face twisted.

"You shouldn't be here. Filthy muggles! You have no right, even if he's dead!" Kreacher charged at Elia, shouting but that a figure approached from behind them, stepping in front.

Kreacher stopped in his tracks, looking up at those green eyes apologetically. He bowed.

"Lady Tanya. How wonderful it is to have you again."

"Kreacher, cut the crap. She's my sister and you know it, and this is my father. You must remember I am a half blood."

Walburga could be heard crying out in disgust, "Kreacher! How dare you bow for a mangling half breed such as herself-"

She stopped as soon as she saw those glaring green eyes. The rarest green. Slytherin green. It was clear Walburga didn't see Tanya around, since Sirius always kept her and everyone away from that portrait.

"It can't be… I heard rumors-"

"Well it is, lady. I'm Slythetin's half blood granddaughter. I have a Muggle witch for a sister and a Muggle father. And she so happens to be courting one of your own, Draco Malfoy. Now stuff it. You will house us and not pester them at all when they are here. You shall respect them as you would me. My sister is also close with Sirius' godson, who now owns this home."

Elia glanced at her, as the last statement was a lie. She didn't speak to Harry anymore, but she kept her composure to allow themselves in. Walburga became tight lipped.

"We will stay here as long as we need. And you will leave them alone." Tanya barked, Walburga stayed quiet but it was clear she would not object. She obeyed and didn't speak anymore, only muttering to Kreacher.

"Let's go." Tanya grabbed her father and Elia, leading the way upstairs, "Are the rooms ready, Kreacher?"

"Always for you, my Lady."

Tanya took them to the upstairs bedrooms, giving one to Abraham to settle while she gave another to Elia. They realized they had stepped into Sirius' room accidentally.

"Shit, I feel bad entering a dead man's bedroom. Let's find another room." Tanya said, but something caught Elia's eye. A small package on Sirius' desk and in ink it had their names.

Elia stepped closer, Tanya inching behind her with the same curiosity. The Hufflepuff picked up the package carefully, her hands almost shaking. She stopped breathing, seeing that this was from Sirius and they didn't know nor was he alive to tell.

She took it and used an envelope cutter beside it to get the package open. Inside were two envelopes. Each had their names separately.

"This is for you," Elia said, handing one to Tanya, "And this is for me."

She used the cutter to slice the sleeve, handing it to Tanya. Elia slowly took out a sheet of parchment inside, but didn't read it after she heard a sound from Tanya. A low curse in Gaelic.

"What?" Elia asked, before turning.

Tanya's face was pale as she held a ring, a huge silver ring with a black diamond at the center. The metal surrounded it in design, looking very Victorian. Their eyes widened in realization, they remembered seeing it on Walburga's hand within the portrait downstairs. It was the Black house ring.

"Shit… I know we almost banged, but a ring?!"

"T!" Elia scolded, before feeling an object in her envelope. She dumped it into her hand, falling out the envelope. It was another ring.

This time however, it was the opposite of the ring in Tanya's hand. This ring was gold, the band resembling tree branches then spiraling into golden leaves. It wrapped around a huge glowing opal flat at the center, reminding her of a pool of glittering water. It looked like a ring straight out of a fairytale.

They held the parchments, glancing at each other.

"Let's read what this means." Elia said, before unfolding it.

To my dearest Elia,

If you are reading this, chances are my dear that I am dead. I am truly sorry that it has come to this, but I'm much more sorry at the fact that I didn't bless myself with your presence more often. Elia, you truly are a gem, one of the purest souls I've ever known in such a long time. Almost 20 years I'd say if I was honest.

Which is why I am gifting you this gem and offer you an explanation for my distance. You deserve this piece. It is the ring I had planned to give a girl a long time ago, a girl that stole my heart and never gave it back. Wherever she may be now, I like to think if she passed like I did, she lived on in you. The moment I laid eyes on you, I saw her. What should have been joy, brought me pain.

I'm sorry again my dear, it is not your fault. But I give you this ring to cherish in my name and to carry the bravery in it, that I lacked to propose to her. She was like you, muggle born and like that boy you have, I was him. Our worlds kept us apart and envy you two for the relationship you hold, but heed my words Elia— don't ever let go of that kind of love. Because I never got to come close to that with her. You're not just lucky, but wise and strong. Stronger than I ever was alive.

In your eyes, I not only see her, but you most of all. You are kind and courageous, Elia, much too caring and good for us all. Perhaps my favorite girl. Don't tell your sister though. Thank you for gracing me with your life.

Much love,

Sirius Black

Elia felt tears slide down her cheeks and blur her vision slightly. She wiped her eyes after finishing the letter, putting on the ring on her right hand immediately. She had to honor him. She felt honored for reading such words and holding an item filled with history. Tanya had dropped to knees, sighing in relief and clutching her letter to her heart.

"Good. Good. Sad for him, but good."

She saw her sister slip on the Black ring on her right hand as well. Both fit their fingers as if it was made for them.

"I sure do miss him, T. I feel bad."

"I do too, but don't fret. He wouldn't want you worrying about him. He's soft on you, nice ring by the way."

"It's lovely, sad that girl never got to have it. I wonder what it would have been like had they married. Would he still be alive?"

Tanya shrugged, so Elia took the empty packages and handed it to her sister. With the cutter, she opened a drawer to stow it away when she discovered something new that stopped her heart.

"T."

"What?"

"Come look."

Tanya leaned in and saw it. The drawer held an old photo with a letter underneath, it was obvious by how still it was that it was a muggle photo. There, Sirius Black stood in his prime. He wore a black tux, hair combed back. He didn't have a beard, whether he shaved or hadn't grown it in, Sirius was rather young.

Beside him was a girl in a champagne dress. She was petite with her blonde curls done into an updo. Her face, well Elia wished she could have seen it, but her face looked to have been blasted off like the Black tapestry's disowned members. Was this Walburga's doing?

"Oh my god."

Elia nodded, speechless and handing it to Tanya behind her. She was anxious to get to the letter that beneath it. She pulled it up before seeing a pile of photos underneath that. Elia caught a glimpse of a moving photo. It was young Sirius again, holding the blonde witch in his arms as they danced wildly around the Gryffindor common room. Her blonde waves and frantic movements caused her face to be unknown again. Elia groaned, wasting no time to finally get to the letter, hearing T go up the next drawer looking for more.

"Holy shit, El… there's more here."

"Read them, I got this one. It's her, it has to be her."

Fi,

Do expect me to drop by soon, I need to get out of this hell hole. You're the only reason I haven't launched myself off Gryffindor tower yet. As much as my family loves to brag about our purity, Muggles have it best. What the hell are we doing?

I hope you've kept my motorcycle polished, I'll be damned if there's a scratch when I get there. And this time— I'm driving. After your fiasco with your mum's car, I can't trust you woman. You need your eyes checked, or a Skele-Grow potion to make you tall enough to see behind the wheel.

Get my bed ready, love. James is out of town, Remus is occupied, and Peter lacks the room. You're stuck with me. I'm overstaying at your house until this summer ends.

Much love,

Sirius

"Fee?" Elia sounded it out to herself, "Feye?"

"I think it's Fee. Read these two." Tanya handed her another, this time it was from Fi.

Dear Sirius,

My mum keeps asking about you in her calls from Biscay. I'm afraid she cares more about you than me! Bastard. I hope you won't get in trouble with these letters, I know your mother is quite nosy and Regs covered for us last time. I must be honest, I think I miss him more than you.

I'm sorry she found out you stayed at the castle this Christmas for me. It would have been safer for you had I gone with my mum. Please be careful, Sirius. I look forward to seeing you at the station!

P.S. Thank you for the dress. I do love the flowers on them.

From,

Fi

"All these dates and letters are mixing me up." Elia added, "It gets me confused. But I need more!"

"Read the second one I gave, I think that's after she left him."

Elia's eyes were immediately glued to the second letter.

Fi,

Please, I am so sorry. I'm begging you, forgive me and write back. Just one word, your name even. This silence is worse than death, even that sounds sweeter than this. I get it, I fucked up. I see that now, and I'll change. Please, just come back and help me. I can't do this without you.

I should've respected that he's your friend. I was wrong for doing the things I did to Snape and others. You've made me see the horrible in me, I don't know how you've put up with it this long. Fi, you make me want to be a better person. When I'm with you, I already am.

Forgive me, I'll do anything. Please, talk to me. Wherever you are during this break, Biscay or the other side of the world. I'll be here, waiting. I'll always wait for you.

Much love,

Sirius

"There's more like that. He sent so many just apologizing to her. But it seems she never replied." Tanya added.

"Quick, let's find the last letter he ever sent. Even another photo of them. I can't see her face in these and the suspense is killing me!"

Elia opened another drawer, Tanya doing to same. They dug through the papers, looking at the dates of each envelope and looking for anything from the winter break of 1975. Elia then found a photo, turned upside downward . The back had the date of the O.W.L examination month of 1975, the time Fi had ended things with Sirius.

She turned the photo, catching a glimpse of Sirius sitting in front of someone in a cream blouse. He looked completely enamored, it was obviously Fi in front of him as he leaned in. All she saw was Sirius when she heard it.

"What is this?!"

The sound of Kreacher's voice shocked Elia, who shoved the photo back down along with the letters in her hand. She spun around to face him, scared that they were caught looking through Sirius' things. Tanya shut all the drawers with a flick of her hand.

"It is not wise to spy and steal a dead man's belongings. Even for a Lady such as yourself, Lady Tanya."

"Yes, but it's not wise to withhold an order from a dead man either, especially not your master." Tanya said authoritatively, saying her words carefully as she knew how to work Kreacher. He looked down in slight shame, "Sirius had this package left for us for an entire year, Kreacher. And not once did you tell us about it. Why?"

He glanced at her, grumbling beneath her emerald sneer. The elf gave in.

"Kreacher did not mean to offend my Lady. But the ring belonged to Mistress Black. Kreacher could not let go of Mistress' house ring. And the other…" He began to glare at Elia, "Is tarnished metal. A cursed item to begin with since Master Sirius wished to marry a mudblood with that! These don't belong to be near the likes of you."

Kreacher practically spat venom at Elia's feet, spewing hateful words. Tanya looked angry beside her.

"Kreacher! That's enough-"

"No T, wait." Elia interrupted, putting a hand over her sister then looked at Kreacher who had looked frightened with the Slytherin's outburst. He suddenly looked relieved, "I understand why Kreacher would be upset, he's just having a hard time letting go of something that belonged to his Mistress. You really respected her, didn't you?"

Kreacher looked up at her, waringly. He was surprised that a muggle born like her would talk to him so kindly, defend him even when he was insulting her and almost hitting her. She stood up for him and tried to understand him. Her words seemed to have calm Tanya, who let it go.

"I'm sorry we're not worthy choices to possess these rings, but Sirius wanted us to have it. Let's obey his final wish and let him rest. We'll go to our rooms now, so don't worry."

Elia stayed calm and took Tanya's hand, leading them out of the room into the hallway. They moved to a quieter area and began to whisper.

"Well, that escalated quickly."

"He'll get over it, there's not much he can do. Poor thing." Elia said, "Anyways, I hate that we didn't get any more clues. Now that he's seen us snooping, I'm sure he'll begin guarding the room. They really don't like her."

"Yep, and they sure as hell are hiding this Fi. I'm going to ask around, maybe Remus has photos that we can actually see this time."

"Good idea."

Elia pondered on what ages tell Draco in her letter, there was so much that happened in one day that she didn't know if a piece of parchment would do. She wondered how he was doing, now that Lucius was back, if she could see him… Elia's eyes lit up with a thought.

"Do you think Lucius and Narcissa knew her?"