Chapter 23- Ell

She ignored the sudden wave of pain that shot through her head the moment the light came on. The sight of the boy before her forced too many questions to the surface of her mind to even notice the pain. He looked like…well, he looked like a miniature version of Snape, but the boy's features weren't as harsh as her Master's were. The boy had a thin, elongated nose; thin face; and straight, long, black, hair that was tied back with a dark green ribbon (which matched the formal uniform he was wearing.) He almost looked like a porcelain doll to her. "Who did you say your father was again?"

His eyes remained fixated on her, unblinking. "I didn't." He paused for a moment then, "Wretch did not mention that we were to exchange pleasantries. I am not familiar with you."

"I'm not familiar with you either, yet here I seem to be anyway. How do you know Wretch?" She propped herself up with her elbows as she spoke.

"She takes care of me." His sentences were short, to the point; his eyes still unwavering in their stare. "She is also my teacher until I go to wizarding school." He leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. "Why do you even care?"

"I was just curious."

The boy gave a small 'humph,' to which she responded, "Well I was. I just met Wretch the other day. I've never seen a house elf like it."

"Her."

What? "Pardon?"

"You said it. Wretch is a her."

"Oh." She threw her legs over to the side of the bed. "I apologize for misspeaking, then." She gave him a smile.

It was then his continuous stare faltered. "Thank you for apologizing."

"What of your parents, if you don't mind me asking?"

His posture went frigid. His lips pursed as if something was troubling him. If he had looked like Snape before, he bore a nearly frightening resemblance then. Just before she could apologize for asking, he spoke. "My Mum is never around. I can count on one hand how many two-day trips she takes to see me in a year, to see if I am still alive." He looked away fully then. "She says I remind her too much of my father, that I look just like him. I've never met him myself. Sometimes… Sometimes I look in the mirror, studying my features so that I really know what to look for in a crowd, just in case I walk by him someday. I don't want to miss him if I just walk by without knowing for sure. My Mum says he is a bad man, that she wouldn't be scarred if not for him. I just want to know… you know?" When she didn't even respond immediately he continued. "You don't need to answer. I don't see too many people, I guess I just needed to talk." He gave a half laugh. Almost immediately after, the lights popped off.

"What's going o-"

"SHHH!"

She heard a movement and then felt the boy's hand on her wrist. He gave a small jerk. "Wha-"

"Shh." He gave another jerk of her arm. Perhaps she was to follow him? Another jerk. She took that as a yes. Just as she figured out where she was, the boy quickly led her on a blind path. He turned her every so often, enough that she quickly lost where she had come from. What was going on?

A few minutes later he stopped suddenly. She heard him whisper "Steps." and pulled her forwards. He moved slowly, allowing her enough time to gain her footing on each step as they moved. After a repeat of this twenty-five more times, he led her forward on solid, level ground. She was thankful. He let go of her wrist and she heard a soft 'click'. Ell sighed. "We're safe now."

Suddenly lights flooded the room and she turned to take in her surroundings. She whispered an astonished "Wow…" Before her was a gigantic curving library with corridors, rooms, galleries and staircases that spanned three floors that went up to a dome in the center. Paintings filled the top of the domed ceiling; the gold trim fell from the center, trailed down the sides and spiraled around until the beams of glittering gold gracefully reached the floor. She had thought her Master's personal library was spectacular.

"I like it too."

She jumped at the sound of his voice, forcing her back into reality. He chuckled at her.

He continued. "This is the only room that is completely safe from the Monster Lady. Wretch made it sound and light-proof so that there would never be any worries while I live here." He walked past her and deeper into the enchanting rooms ahead.

"Monster Lady?" She followed him.

"Yes, she lives in the McCarthy house over the trees. It is a ways away, but one can never be too careful when dealing with her. People go in that house and never return." He looked at her then. "How did you get to be so lucky to end up in that place so near to Hades' heart? Wench said that she rescued you from there."

"My Master had me go to teach me the art of silence. Permanent silence is more like it."

He gave a laugh. "Very true. People die there." He looked away again and walked faster. "Sometimes, I hear their screams. I can't wait to be sent off for school."

She watched him, and adjusted her own pace to match his. Was he really being raised by Wretch? He was so easy to talk to…

He stopped at a large easy chair and jumped up into it. "Yes."

She stopped suddenly. "Pardon?" She noticed he was now facing her.

His face was oddly blank when he spoke, as if searching her face for something. He spoke slowly. "You asked if I was really being raised by Wench."

Her eyes went wide. "Oh…" She hadn't realized she had said that aloud.

"Actually…" He drew his knees up to his chest, his eyes began to shine with tears. "I don't think you did. Say that aloud, that is."

"You can read minds?"

He gave a small nod. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to. It's just… I can't seem to control it."

She gave a small smile. "It's all right. I will just have to be careful what I think, hm?"

He smiled in return. "I guess."

"So, with so many books, I would think there are some with some sort of games in them, don't you?"

He spoke quietly. "I think so."

She turned towards the expansive library. "Let's see what I can find then."

Just before she moved she heard a soft, "Thank you."

She turned back to the boy, genuinely puzzled. "For what?"

He didn't look at her when he answered. "For treating me as if I were normal."

She looked at him for a moment. She didn't think, nor say anything in response. She didn't need to. She merely smiled softly and asked, "So where do you think those games might be?"

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

It had been yet another day in his miserable life. The events of the final battle played in his mind in its entirety as if it were only a day ago that it had occurred. He had been wandering the halls for a full day, and slept in his private library.

He refused to return to his chambers. He had fled the moment he ripped into Draco's statue and carved that lightning bolt onto his collarbone. Now the statue was perfect. But he couldn't stay there; he had to leave before memories of the past devoured him. He had too many memories to dwell upon any of them. Instead, he headed to Miss Granger's new quarters.

When he entered he was overcome by that feeling again. Something was missing. No, something was wrong. Seriously wrong. Perhaps he had been misreading his intuition the past few days. He suddenly felt the urge to visit his apprentice. He pinched the bridge of his nose. It had only been five days since he dropped her off to study with Constance, if he went now…

He paused on that thought. Perhaps he could pull it off. All he had to do was set up the perfect excuse. But what? He started to pace, his hands clasped behind his back as he sifted through different scenarios.

"What in the world are you up to?"

He froze at the voice. He had forgotten that he had placed one wizard painting in that room. "I have no intentions of conversing with a painting at this moment, so if you do not mind, I have a dilemma to attend to." Why did the boy track him down to this room?

"Well, that is a fine hello for someone who saved your life."

He sharply turned his gaze to the offending canvas. "I did not, nor ever did I even remotely desire for you to do that, you idiot boy." Why couldn't the boy just have left him alone?

"I think, Professor, that it may a bit late for that." Draco gave his best smirk from within the painting and crossed his arms. "Besides, it was worth it to see the look on your face now."

He thought of something. "I hope you realize that you currently are in Hermione Granger's room."

Unfortunately, Draco ignored the comment. "You know, there will be a school meeting tomorrow. It hasn't reached everyone yet, and I thought you might like to know." That was it!

Snape drew his lips into an offending sneer. "As amusing as it is to converse with the one who has condemned me to breathe, I've no desire for idle chatter with you. Good day." He quickly turned and immediately left the room. He couldn't have very well thanked the arrogant boy, now could have he?

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

They were in the middle of playing a game of cards, one that Hermione was losing, when Wretch arrived with a small 'pop'. "Miss Hermione's Master has arrived. Wretch must get her ready for him." It quickly moved towards the earmuffs on her head.

She shied away from it. "Ell told me it wasn't wise to remove these things."

Wretch jumped up and tried to get to them again. "Miss Hermione can't be out rattling her tongue to her Master about things that simply must not be shared."

Her eyes widened at Wretch's words. "I just simply can't just forget what happened to me in that house! If he were to inquire as to what happened I very well should tell him what happened. And furthermore-"

The annoying little creature managed to grab hold of the earmuffs on her ears and tug. They then fell swiftly to the floor.

She screamed. Partly. The moment the muffs came off everything was amplified again, as if she were back in that bloody room. Instinctively she clasped her hands to her ears as she again felt herself falling to her knees. Not again! She could hear herself whimper, though it almost sounded like a sickening scream. She felt something prying at her arm. Everything was so loud that she couldn't even distinguish one sound from another, everything roared. Finally whatever it was prying on her arms was successful and she felt something cold being shoved in her ear. She sighed, then winced in relief.

Wretch grabbed her other arm, and this time she did not resist as she once again, more gently this time, stuffed something cold in her ear. She went to touch her ears. "DON'T!"

She looked over to Wretch. "What did you put in my ears?" It was a bit louder than when she was wearing the earmuffs, but it was bearable.

"A potion, and don't touch it. Master needs to see you, and not a word of what really happened, Miss Hermione. There are certain things that he best not discover, for his own sanity." With that she grabbed her arm, and both left. Ell merely watched as they left, and then, when fully alone, he made his move. He had won.