Disturbing the Dust

Story #2

"It's the damned wind!" Draco muttered and kicked a scrub brush across the semi-cleaned hardwood and into a dusty corner. "Will it ever stop?"

The perturbed house elf scampered after it and then returned to his duties, thinking it would be nice to clean the little house in peace, but instead he remained in the room with Master Draco and the young woman named Sara. He liked being here, it was preferable to Malfoy Manor, where he had lived and worked until this morning.

The pretty girl who sat beneath the windows looked up from the tattered old book she was reading and gave Draco a mild smile, laced with impatience. "There's probably a storm out to sea somewhere. Let's hope it doesn't come our way."

Elroy, which was this elf's name, had been told he was going to Hogwarts, to keep Master Draco's dormitory tidy, but he had been promptly taken to this strange island cottage upon his arrival at the school. This actually was a nice surprise, since the idea of keeping such close quarters with the younger Malfoy, whom Elroy had never been fond of, made him ill at ease. Here, he had plenty of work to keep him busy, the climate was wonderful, he loved the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the beach outside, and the girl seemed bent on protecting him from his master. Elroy liked this girl very much. She was fair in appearance, like all Malfoys were. Surely she must be one of them, as she resembled the family, though her manner suggested otherwise. She lacked their signature cruelty and indifference.

Draco looked to the girl with irritation in his eyes. "Well, you are the Elemental. Can't you do something about it? We've been here a full hour now! I want to explore the island! Enough of this sitting around already!"

"We will." She said, distracted, the same contented smile gracing her countenance. "There's time."

"I'm bored! We've looked through the house a million times!"

"Why don't you go through the potions cabinet? See what's there and arrange it."

Elroy listened, though continued scrubbing and making as little noise as possible. He liked the way these two interacted. He had never seen his master so easily dismissed, yet he seemed to take no offense to her obvious disinterest in his selfish demands.

"Oh fun! Arranging potions! How BORING! Easy for you to say. At least you've got that silly old diary to keep you occupied!"

"Then go back to the school for awhile. Bring back lunch."

"And leave you here alone?"

"Am I going to run away?"

"I'm staying!"

"Fine!" she said, looking up from the book once more, "But if you are, then shut up!"

Elroy hid a smile as his master's face went blank. He slipped out the door as Draco sat down beside his friend in silence and proceeded to read over her shoulder.

The blustery wind smelled of salt, but was refreshing after the stale, dusty air of the cottage and Elroy made his way through the tropical underbrush with a small basket he'd found in the quaint little shed beside the house. He'd also found an old knife there which was sure to be dull, but it had been oiled some years ago and had not rusted. This he placed in the basket and flattened his ears against the wind as he ventured into the thick greenery.

Elroy carried the heavy basket back to the house with effort, thinking only of pleasing his master's kind lady friend, and made his way, unnoticed, into the kitchen. The water from the tap came out tinged at first, but soon turned clear and Elroy set to work washing what he'd gathered and then washed the knife as well. He used this same knife to prepare an attractive platter of assorted tropical fruits, adorned with lovely ornamental flowers of every color, which he carried with pride to the small table in the sitting room.

Sara's eyes brightened with delight and she gave Elroy a glorious smile that warmed his heart and made his many efforts worthwhile.

"What is all this!" she beamed at him, "How nice! You shouldn't trouble yourself after all you've done already!" she indicated the mostly clean room with a gesturing hand.

"My mistress must be hungry after a long morning." Elroy blushed.

Sara laid a grateful hand on his small shoulder and Draco scowled down at him. "And what about me?" he sneered, "You belong to ME after all, you worthless scavenger!"

Elroy cowered from his master's anger. "Elroy brought enough for Master Draco and the lady, sir!" he explained, "Oh, forgive your most humble servant!" Elroy fell to Draco's feet and groveled into the leg of his trousers. "Please forgive Elroy, Master Draco!" Elroy pulled Draco's shoe up to rest on its heel and then repeatedly cracked his own head on the hard toe of it. Draco gave a hearty laugh.

Sara was horrified. "STOP!" she shouted, "You'll hurt yourself!"

With one last amused chuckled, Draco kicked Elroy away. "Oh get off!"

Elroy tumbled backward and then sat up with big sad eyes trained on the floor. "Elroy is terribly sorry, sir." He sighed.

A gentle hand lifted his chin and Elroy looked up to meet Sara's sympathetic gaze. "Come." She whispered, "You must be hungry as well."

Sara gathered some fruit and dates on a small plate and this she gave to the elf, who bowed his head in thanks. He had never thought to prepare a meal for himself.

"I'm sorry, there are only two chairs, or I would insist you join us."

Draco screwed up his face. "Are you mad? Sharing a table with servants? You've been hanging around with that idiot mudblood too long."

"Well I'm sorry to say, Malfoy, but I like him a hell of a lot more than I like you at the moment! And if you think I'll let you sit here and insult my friends then you're QUITE WRONG!" Sara gave Draco an annoyed glance before turning back to the house elf, only to find he had left the room.

Elroy watched from the kitchen entrance as his master took the lady's hand across the table with sincerity and apology in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Sara." he said, "I don't want to upset you. I didn't mean anything by it."

The lady smiled in spite of her anger. "Eat your lunch." she said.

Elroy smiled as well and made his way back to the basket he'd left beside the cutting board. He liked the lady Sara. And what's more, he liked the way she affected his master. He took up the knife and as he set to his task, an idea had begun to bloom in his mind.

Sara smiled in even greater surprise and delight when Elroy set two small plates before them. "Mushrooms! Where did you find mushrooms?"

"In the cave, mistress." Elroy said, hiding a sly grin.

Draco jumped on the hook, as Elroy had expected one of them would. "Cave? What cave? Where is it?"

"It's not hard to find if you follow the path Elroy made, sir. Elroy could see where a path used to be and cut through with a blade from the shed. There are lemon and lime trees near the cave as well. Elroy used the juices to sauté the mushrooms!" wanting to make the cave seem as appealing as possible, the elf continued. "You'll find the path if you head toward the copse of banana trees behind the house and pass right through the middle. Go left at the pineapple grove until you come to the clearing near the far shore. There will be an odd tree there, sir, with a swing attached to it."

Sara interjected. "A swing?"

"Oh yes, mistress. A swing indeed! A lovely place, this clearing. It's where Elroy found all the flowers! The swing is surrounded by them and they even entwine it with strands of blooming ivy."

Draco interrupted the description. "And this is where we find the cave?"

"No sir." Elroy explained. "The swing is very close to the beach. You'll want to go left after finding it. You'll see a high outcropping through the overgrowth of plants. Make your way to the base of it and you will find the cave." Of course, it would have been much easier just to show them the way, but Elroy thought it best if they were alone when they found the swing. He hoped they didn't ask him. As it turned out, they didn't.

The wind had died down and it seemed the storm would miss the island after all, so Sara and Draco set out together to explore, as Draco had been anticipating all day. It was now nearing three o'clock and he was excited to finally get to it.

Elroy's directions were not necessary as his narrow path was clear. They passed the bananas, then the pineapples, both glancing around at the many parrots and other tropical birds that abounded in the trees. They squawked and then flew off as playful monkeys swung in the branches.

"Look!" Sara stopped, and then hurried forward. "That house elf wasn't kidding when he said it was lovely. Draco, look at this!"

"Draco stepped through into the clearing and glanced around at the hundreds of flowers that filled it with color and perfumed the air. "It looks like an English garden crash landed in Hawaii." He said, curious as roses grew side-by-side with hibiscus. He drew his wand. It seemed he couldn't pass a rose without casting a spell lately, and he was determined to get it right.

Sara laughed as Draco frowned at the flower before him. "Please, Malfoy." She giggled, "Don't turn them ALL black!"

"I just need to practice!" he defended, turning bright red, "Flowers aren't my specialty, you know!"

"Well I'm happy to say that there seems to be nothing of a Slytherin nature on this island. Your dark magic will have to wait for the dungeons back at school."

"Ha!"

"In the meantime," she brushed a hand across the smooth wooden seat of the swing, "give me a push."

Draco looked at her quizzically.

Sara was drawn to the swing, she realized, and could think of nothing except sitting on its seat, wrapping her hands around the flowering vines that held it fast to the jutting branch above. The idea filled her with thoughts of romance, of whimsical abandon, and above all, the nearness of Draco, and of how good he looked with the tropical sun shining like a white gold halo in his platinum hair. She wondered if she looked the same to him, if he saw the same glorious presence about her, and looked for the answer in his expression. He was looking at her, which was no surprise, his wand forgotten in one hand.

"Come here." she said.

Draco couldn't seem to breathe as he crossed the grass, unable to move his eyes from hers, and when he finally stood still he was so close that a tendril of her hair, stirred by the ocean breeze, came to rest on his arm. His heart beat like thunder in his chest.

Sara's breath caught in her throat as he moved closer, almost pressed against her as he gripped one of the swing's vines, his wand falling to the ground. She wanted him closer, she realized, ever so much more than she had the night before when they'd taken the Appassionata potion and nearly got caught up in its effects. She had come to her senses then - at the very last moment. What should she do now? When every fiber of her being was pulled toward him. So attractive and strong and masculine… She wondered if he really knew how impossible he was to resist. The urge to touch him, to throw her arms around him and kiss him madly was overwhelming.

It was as if someone had come along and swept her feet out from under her. One moment Sara was standing, her hand slipping around his waist, his fingers just barely touching her face as the attraction that drew them became too strong to ignore. Their lips had almost met, a whisper away from complete realization, when quite suddenly she was seated on the swing. The sensation that enveloped her was soft and warm, like an embrace that washed over and through her, filling her with passion, affection, devotion, desire and love. Sara looked up at Draco, his hand still gripping the vine, his eyes alive with emotion. "Push me." she whispered.

Elroy smiled with accomplishment and made his way back through the thick flora, through the pineapple grove, between the banana trees, and into the house. He sang as he polished and washed and dusted. He danced as he swept the kitchen floor. He even hummed as he cleaned the linen. Now that he had made his master happy, Elroy thought maybe his life might be good. Maybe there would be no more beatings, no more anger, or threats. No more hostility. Now that he had made his master happy, maybe they would let him stay here in this wonderful little house on this enchanted island where no dark magic existed. Where even an evil son like his master could find happiness.

Sometimes, Elroy thought, all the wealth and influence a wizard possesses, all the misery and meanness and disparity that invades the heart, can be erased by the simplest things in life. Like a smile from a pretty young lady, and a swing.

With his duties done, Elroy glanced around at the immaculate rooms and nodded his approval. Not a thing out of place. Well, except for the old book the lady Sara had left on the table. Elroy considered it for a long moment, and then crossed the room. He opened the windows to the approaching evening, climbed onto the chair, and knelt before the book. "The Diary of Madeline Croft" read the tattered old cover and the little elf was beside himself with curiosity. It took only a moment of indecision before the book was open in his small hands.

June 12

Sometimes I'm not sure if it's divine or a curse. It is both Heaven and Hell at once to love a man who has promised himself to another before the eyes of God. Even though Addison rarely mentions his wife and refuses to speak ill of her, I know he does not love her. I hear the stories whenever I visit London or Edinborough. Her scandalous conduct and sordid affairs are the talk of Great Britain. He cannot possibly love her! No one knows about Addison and me, of course, but all who utter his name do it in sympathy and none speak ill of him. He is such a patient, compassionate, and giving man. He is worthy of the respect he is given. It would be hard not to love him.

These same people care for me, I know that they do, but they think me hard of heart, foolish, and spinsterly. They look on me with pity and question my dedication to the isolation I hold so dear. How I wish I could scream from the rooftops that I love this man, and that he loves me, and that no one could ever know such happiness as I know when he is with me. I wish I could do that, but instead I sit in silence and endure their pity, their concern, their disapproval. I endure it out of respect for Addison. His heart brings him back to me. His vows are the only wedge between us.

I sit here, solitary, in my little paradise for days, sometimes weeks at a time, but am I lonely? I am never, because I carry him in my heart always and it sustains me, even though I miss him until my very bones ache with the pain of it, but lonely, never. All I have to do is think of him and I am not alone. It is so easy to lose myself in my most cherished memories. His arms around me, the sound of his voice, the sight of his face… but none resonate more than the swing. The feel of his gentle hands as I sway under the light of the moon, the scent of flowers filling the breeze that stirs my hair and caresses my skin, the trust that I feel as I wait to see how high he will send me. Each time I return from my pendulum arc, I know he will be waiting. The love and affection he has for me come through his hands like a warm embrace. There is nothing more intimate than this. It is this feeling of absolute assurance that sustains me, even through the darkest of nights.

Elroy smiled as he closed the book and replaced it with care. A warm, salty breeze drifted in through the window and the elf sighed, lost in his his thoughts until he heard the welcome sound of approaching laughter. He listened only for a moment to the playful voices before curling up in a cupboard, where he fell asleep after a long day. In his dreams, a swing swayed amid the flowers, and a lovely elf named Prinky stood beside it, waiting for him.