Okay the line rulers aren't working but I'll talk anyway...um...hi... doges anything being thrown at me I'm really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really sorry about how long it's taken me to post. Honest I have been working it's just this chapter wasn't cooperating and I've had some difficulty with my classes here...and I've been having an acute sense of writer's block. But since you're all going to be so proud of me because I'm posting lots of chatpers would you pretty please...um...REVIEW EVERY CHAPTER! I LIKE REVIEWS: D Was that too subtle? Lol. Please really do review at least once or twice...or more because I love getting reviews. It reminds me why I keep writing. Anyhoos...onto the story?
Chapter Thirty-Three
Vinegar and Baking Soda Don't Mix
The day preceding her tutors coming to the Burrow was oddly eventless. Sure Ron blew up something in the back yard using some sort of Muggle chemicals that Fred brought over—apparently he wasn't supposed to mix them and didn't listen. Hermione and Gabrielle got in an argument over something (Lenore was tuning it out). And Mrs. Weasley was loudly disagreeing with Fleur over the marriage arrangements. Lenore had stayed in her room for most of the day, reading when she could but watching the parchment paper, praying that Severus would write, which he didn't. Nevertheless, Lenore still had plenty on her mind as she went to sleep, nervous as hell about her tutors coming the next day.
Now, if you had asked Lenore on the day before she met her tutors what two things should you never place together she could give you two right off the bat. You should never put Laura and Severus in the same room as each other otherwise the situation could get explosive in more than one way. Similarly, taking from Ron's lesson in the backyard, you don't mix an entire bottle of vinegar with baking soda mixed with pebbles. However, seeing as her mother was an elf and an Almost Human mix it had never occurred to her that Elf and Almost Humans were on….less than cordial terms, even less than they were with humans.
Though she was in ignorance of this fact Lenore was still nervous about meeting her new tutors. That was why Lenore was pacing anxiously in the living room/parlor/whatever-they-felt-like-calling-it at nine-forty-nine. By that moment she had changed her outfit four times before settling on a pair of blue jeans and a black shirt with a Celtic symbol on the front and with white-belled out sleeves. She had put on and removed a robe about seven times; unsure of what would be appropriate. Her long hair was pulled into a pony tail and the hair was a mess of waves and curls, framing her face nicely. Lenore's wand was sitting on her ear and she whipped around to start another path across the room.
"Sweet Merlin, Lenore, you're going to wear a hole in the floor." Ginny said looking up from her sketch pad.
Hermione shook her head. "I don't see what you're so nervous about, summer tutors to help you control your magic would be fun." She said while still looking at her book.
"I know but these tutors…you don't know much about the Elfish and Almost Human races…they both are very temperamental. I mean, they both have very upstanding views, what if they don't like me? Or if they think that I can't do anything? I mean—"
Hermione shut the book with a snap. "Lenore, you're stronger than any of us here put together. Even with your magic haywire." As if to prove her point Lenore's magic started making things float. "Leo,"
"Sorry." The things dropped with a thump.
"They'll like you fine." Ginny said absentmindedly.
"But what about—" Lenore started but was cut rather short when there was a shout of fright in the back yard.
In an instant they all were at the kitchen window, wands ready, the curtains pulled away to see. Ron, who had been taking care of gnomes with Bill and George, was sprawled on the ground, his lean figure in all it's glory staring in shock at three people who seemed to be staring with pure disgust at him. Bill and George were frozen with more shock than anything else. The first thought that jumped to Lenore's mind was that they were Death Eaters and apparently that was the same thought going through Ginny and Hermione's mind because together they were racing out into the yard together. But as they drew closer, as their minds began to work more rationally, they realized if these people had indeed been Death Eaters they would have killed the three boys already.
Slowing to a stop several yards away Hermione glanced at Lenore. "I think that you're tutors are here,"
"Mr. Weasley said that there would be just one, not three." Lenore hissed as the three people came towards them.
"Maybe two of them are her tutors and one is some sort of diplomat?" Hermione said.
Lenore shook her head, magic pulsing in the air was not that of an A.H. It was stronger, more refined. "Somehow, I don't think so…"
The three strangers stopped in front of them as Bill and George (as well as Ron after he had gotten up) hurried over to the group. The moment Lenore saw them up close there was no question that these strangers were Elves. She couldn't help but staring at them.
The first one she saw seemed to be the leader was a good six foot and five inches and lean. In fact, all of them were lean. This one had long raven-colored hair pulled away from his face and it hung down to his waist. His face was long and thin with a square nose. Lenore was half glad she wasn't in a robe because these Elves were dressed in what looked like turn of the centaury canvas clothes. The Leader had a peasant's shirt that was a rich blue, the color of his eyes, with a black vest and a pair of black pants and boots. Power radiated from him.
The second was closer to six foot and looked like a…well…a bookworm. He had small squinty eyes and shoulder-length hair that was a golden color. He was in a tan shirt with a maroon vest and brown pants with dark brown boots. She fought the face that was trying to show through. What were these people, primitive? He had…sweet Merlin was that a deer skin bag…slung over his shoulder.
Last was a woman who was between the two in height and had beautiful brown hair that was in a single braid that hung over her shoulder. She carried herself in a haughty air and was looking areas as if it was something of disgust. Lenore's eyes widened when she saw that on the back of this girl was a long sword. Her outfit was flattering on her body without meaning to. The black vest complemented her black pants and boots where as her shirt was a creamy white that brought out the rosy complexion of her skin.
Lenore shook her head, snapping out of her gaze. "Hello." She said cautiously.
"This is her I suppose," the girl said. "Doesn't look like much."
Lenore made a face.
"True but her power is strong." The raven-haired man said.
"Her knowledge seems sufficient enough but she's ill bred." The bookworm said. "Looks too human,"
"Excuse me," Lenore said, her irritation showing clearly in her voice. "What is—" Reminding herself to hold her temper, the teenager swallowed hard and forced a smile. "Since it is obvious you already know who I am, may I please have the pleasure of knowing your names?" despite her attempts against it, her voice betrayed her annoyance at being spoken of as if she was not there.
"Churlish girl," sneered the female of the group. "Do not speak unless you are spoken to,"
"I beg your pardon!" she exclaimed, cursing herself inside her head for sounding like Severus. "I will not be hushed as if I'm not worthy to be heard. Besides, if there is anyone here being churlish it is you! Introductions should always precede criticism lest you spoil acquaintanceship all together,"
For a moment all of them were silent, their snobbish gazes beating against her annoyed glare. "Churlish girl," the female of the three.
Biting her tongue she leveled her gaze at them. "Introductions should always precede negative opinions and in this situation the only negative opinions being broadcast are by people I do not know therefore I can only assume that humans are more intellectually stimulated than Elves due to the fact we have manors and you don't."
The look of horror and shock on the group's faces caused Ginny to snort; which had the un-approving gaze of the Elves land on her. The bookworm of the Elves stepped forward. He gave a curt bow. "I am Baqer, teacher of knowledge."
"Jairdan," the leader said, his eyes boring into her. "Teacher of magic,"
The woman sneered at her as if the very sight of her was disgusting. "Jalia, teacher of combat and arms,"
"Lenore, one very confused student." She presented with a haughty glare. "I thought I was only going to have one tutor from the Elves, not three…at least that's what Albus told me,"
Before the group could even make a crude remark at Lenore Ron let out a shout followed by a stream of curses. In one sweep of their gazes, all members standing outside had their eyes on Ron, who was once again sprawled on the floor, glaring at a group of three people walking from the trees. Ron let out another shout and jumped to his feet, attempting to shake a gnome off his hand.
"And you said that humans were more intellectually stimulated?" Jairdan said in disbelief.
"Don't group us in with him. He's a mutated species of who knows what," Ginny said shaking her head before Lenore spoke.
"Why are there three Almost Humans coming towards us?"
When the group reached Lenore the temperature around them seemed to have dropped a good fifty degrees. Hermione took a tiny step back. "Am I the only one who is confused here?" Bill voiced and was answered by the shaking of heads.
Hermione leaned towards Lenore and began whispering. "Almost Humans and Elves, from what I've been researching, never ever got along and those who did, did so unknowingly. There is a record of your grandmother creating an Elfin history for herself in order to wed your grandfather. To Elves it is the ultimate disgrace to be 'melded' as they put it with someone without Elfin blood. It has been nearly the twenty years since the two groups have voluntarily interacted with each other. The last documented case before your grandparents being nearly two hundred years ago."
"So I take it they really don't like each other?" Lenore shot sarcastically as the group stopped in front of them.
"Dumbledore said there would be only one," sneered Jairdan, the first to speak since the Almost Humans had entered.
"As he said with you but we knew different." said the Almost Human that was orange with fiery carrot-red hair that hung in curls on his shoulder. "We evened the field so to speak."
"Disgusting," Jalia said.
"Wait a minute," Lenore said but was ignored.
"Let us not forget why we are here," the human-looking Almost Human said.
Baqer shot the woman a glare. "Do not presume to tell us what to do,"
Lenore cut in. "Hello."
"A sharp tongue does not mean you have a keen mind, Elf, only the wits to parrot spoken words." retorted the woman.
Jalia shook her head. "And your verbosity is exceeded only by your total stupidity and inbreeding."
The magical tension in the air rose. "HEY! SHUT UP!" she thundered. They stared at her, flabbergasted at the fact that she was shouting at them. "What is your problem? Geeze, it's not like you're tutoring each other, but please, for Merlin's sake, can't you just stop with the insults?"
"Ginny! Ron! Get back to—" Mrs. Weasley's loud shout was cut short as she opened the kitchen door. "Oh my," the plump woman scurried out to the congregation of people in her backyard. "I thought only two people were coming to tutor her…" she muttered as she walked past Lenore. "Good day to you all, I am Mrs. Weasley," No one responded back. "Well, um, which two of you are going to be staying?" Once again no one responded back.
Lenore spoke, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Apparently they are all here to tutor me, amazing isn't it? Albus says one from each and he obviously needs to go back to school in order to learn how to count seeing as there are three from each species and not one." At that moment everyone started talking at once, the Elves and the Almost Humans tossing insults back and forth as Molly attempted to calm them down. Looking her patience Lenore pointed her wand at the six tutors. "Merlin help me if you don't all just shut up! My magic may be hell but I will curse each and every one of you!" she thundered. They all fell silent.
She took a breath in and out. "Seeing as you all seemed to have the maturity level of five-year-olds, I suggest that we call Dumbledore and have him sort this out."
Mrs. Weasley nodded. "Excellent idea, Lenore. If you all would just follow me I have a fire call to make," she started towards the house when something occurred to her. Glancing back at the two groups she forced a smile. "No magic inside the house please," the teenagers watched the two groups disappear into the house.
"I didn't know you were so popular," Bill commented watching the two groups continue to argue.
"Neither did I." moaned Lenore. "I'm not sure what would be worse at this moment, staying with Severus and Laura or these people."
"Well you have to admit their insults were inventive." Ginny commented.
Lenore shook her head plopping down onto the grass. "That they were…why would I need to learn combat and arms?" she asked suddenly, her mind falling to Jalia and that huge sword on her back. "The Death Eaters don't fight hand to hand combat or steel to steel combat as it were, do they?"
Bill laughed but Hermione seriously shook her head. "No. My guess is the Elves just wanted to show off. They are known for that…"
"They are also known for their limited to no contact with humans." Bill said.
"I hope that's nothing in the house is too breakable, because it looks like they might break something." Lenore said taking a deep breath in and following them into the house.
"….horse's arse!" shouted Baqer.
Lenore glanced at Hermione uneasily. "Insults will get you no where, deformed human." snapped the orange Almost Human.
The Elves instantly began shouting all at once. Shaking her head Lenore stepped in between them, in no mood for a battle that would rival Severus and Laura's arguments. "Hey!" she shouted. "Look can you please act civilly to each other for the sake of my friends. This isn't my home, it's theirs. Show so manners!" she demanded, ignoring how idiotic she sounded with this order. "Now, I know your names," she nodded at the elves. "But I don't know yours."
"Gagan Chris," the orange Almost Human said with a slight nod of the head.
"Wren Willow," The one that looked closer to human said but at closer inspection, the brown skin had tinges of hunter and moss green on it.
The last one managed a smile. Her hair was a raven blue-black with silky blue skin. "Taban Amy,"
Lenore managed a faint smile as Mrs. Weasley came out. "Albus will be here momenta—" she didn't even finish her sentence before the silvery haired wizard appeared in front of them by portkey. "Albus, I didn't expect you so soon."
"I thought this matter needed my express attention." Albus said with a twinkle in his eyes. He looked at Lenore. "How are you fairing, Lenore?" She took a step back. There was something different about him…something off. "What seems to be the problem?" he asked turning to the six new comers.
Her eyes narrowed on his arm. He was wearing the ring. His arm was withered and disgusting but on his finger was that ring that had made her ill.
They were all silent. "Jairdan, Taban, why are there more than yourselves here?" he asked, his twinkle disappearing.
"Lenore," George came forward. Lenore looked at him, wanting nothing more than to get as far away from that ring as possible. "Come on, lets give them time to talk."
She glanced at Dumbledore's arm once more before she met his eyes. He simply inclined her head before she disappeared out the door, being lead by George. "Are you okay, Leo? You're all pale," Ginny said as they plopped down in the shade just south of the back door.
"Did any of you get a look at Albus's arm?" Lenore asked shuttering as the feeling gradually left her. The three teenagers whom had been kicked from the house shook their heads. "Then I'm not quite sure how to explain it. It has something to do with a spell my mother cast when I was an infant. It makes me susceptible to things that are made of…well evil." She shrugged picking at a loose thread on her outfit. "Well…at least we know what my tutors think of me," Lenore said, blocking the fact that some of what was said actually hurt her feelings.
George wrapped his arm around her shoulder, causing Ginny's eyes to sky-rocket. "Elves are stupid,"
"Actually they are incredibly—no you're right George, they are idiots." Hermione started and then countered.
Lenore snorted, her eyes shutting as her head leaned on George's shoulder. "Thanks for trying to make me feel better…man I feel so drained for some reason."
"Um, Leo," Ginny said causing her to open her eyes. A set of rocks were spinning in a circle in front of Lenore.
The raven-haired teenager gasped and the rocks dropped. "I wasn't trying to do that. Honest."
George patted her shoulder comfortingly. "These people will help you sort out your magic,"
She sighed shaking her head. "I just wish I could control it already."
