Rose had studied hard all week, yet she still found herself in the library, come the weekend. She couldn't shake the curiosity about what may or may not be hidden in Hogwarts or about the beautiful people she'd seen. Coming through the various shelves, and finding nothing, she went to the last section she hadn't searched yet; magical creatures and beings. While she was no expert in this area she found it all mildly interesting. She couldn't imagine the folk with pointed ears would be considered a creature of any kind but she hadn't found anything anywhere else. After a bit of deduction she figured they would be in a book about magical beings. She pulled out the first book she found. Hags, werewolves, sirens, centaurs, vampires-
She read on and on, only to see a small footnote on the page about vampires. It told of the only other magical beings they feared; Elves. They were briefly described as humanoids with supernatural beauty and distinctive ears that came to a point. Rose gasped. This is what she'd been looking for! But why did elves need to hide something in Hogwarts?
Rose replaced the book on the shelf and went looking deeper. She found a volume with much more detail, describing their abilities, speculating on where they came from, why vampires feared them, where they normally lived, etc. It wasn't as deeply descriptive as Rose would have liked but it was a very good start. Rose slammed the book shut and walked as quickly as she could to the checkout desk. The librarian inspected the book and then eyed rose suspiciously.
"There wouldn't be any particular reason why you needed this volume, would there be?" she asked coldly.
"Em…just a bit of light reading for the weekend." Rose said, trying to be as innocently vague as possible.
The librarian adjusted her spectacles calculatedly, eyeing Rose with suspicion. After a few tense moments she scribbled in the books' cover and handed it back to Rose. She coolly reminded her when it was due and turned back to a trolley of returned books that needed sorting.
Rose tucked the book carefully into her bag and made her way to the lake…
As per usual, if Rose couldn't find Cornelia in the castle, she knew she'd be sitting at the edge of the lake under a tree. Perhaps Cornelia knew the cadence of her walk by now, but she didn't look up as Rose approached her. She sat hunched over, twirling a picture of a woman in her hands, her long wavy hair blowing out over her shoulders.
Rose sat beside her friend, tucking her own wild hair behind her ears to fight the wind.
"Cor? You all right?" she asked, an unfamiliar pang of concern in her throat. It wasn't often she found herself concerned for Cornelia, as she considered her far stronger than herself, both physically and mentally. She was quiet for a beat and then looked up at Rose, squinting her eyes against the sun.
"Yeah, just…ya know." She returned her forlorn gaze to the moving photograph. She was a beautiful woman with silver hair, only there was an odd blue tint to it. "I just can't understand why she didn't want us…" she trailed off.
"Your mum?" asked Rose, her tone a bit softer than usual.
"Mhmm. Dad said she had to go back to where she belonged. He gets really sad when I bring her up, so I don't really, anymore. I just…always thought she belonged with us. I was only 4 when she left but I remember everything about her…" Cornelia stroked the silver haired woman's face. She seemed very happy in the photo.
Rose didn't know what to say. She was still getting to know things about Cornelia, but this one was kind of exceptional. Not realizing what was coming over her, she suddenly threw her arm around the sad girl, and put a huge grin on her face.
"I don't know why she left either, but I think you are a great person and I'm glad to call you my friend." She bleated all this out with an uncommon amount of confidence, squeezing Cornelia's arm gently. Cornelia looked at her with a perplexed face.
"Alright, alright. No need to get all sentimental," she laughed and shrugged off Rose's embrace, wiping her face, as she only realized it was a bit damp. "But thanks for being my friend anyways. I don't make them so easily…just…thanks."
"No problem." Rose grinned cheekily, knowing her exuberance had gotten the response she wanted. Neither of them were really big on being overly emotional like most girls their age, which is one key reason they gravitated towards each other. However, all rules went out the window when a true friend was in need.
Cornelia stood up, brushing the grass off her clothes. "I'm going to grab some lunch; I'm starving. You?"
"No, I'm good. I'll catch you later." Said Rose, squinting up at her, as she shrugged and turned to leave. Rose watched her depart for a moment before turning her attentions back to her newest acquisition. She pulled out the volume and started flipping through the illustrations before reading the text. Little did she know, a pair of blue eyes were watching her from the castle.
Rose had read the first few chapters before the combination of reading and sunshine began to lull her to sleep. She realized she was about to doze off and quickly shut the book, leaving a finger in her place, and leaned her head against the trunk of the tree. She closed her eyes for only a moment before a long shadow blocked the sun out above her.
In her sleepy stupor she peeled open one eye to see who the visitor was, not yet alarmed. However, her visitor was none other than the tall blonde man, known as Alrin Nasrohir, his gleaming white teeth peeking at her from beneath a gentle smile. Her eyes shot open completely and in her shock all she could think to do was clutch the book to her chest in defense, curling her knees up in front of her.
The man quickly kneeled, still quite a bit taller than her shrinking form. He reached out one smooth hand to touch her knee reassuringly.
"Please, don't be afraid! I didn't mean to frighten you. Sometimes I don't realize that I can be very quiet." His eyes asked for forgiveness, as if he was honestly quite guilt-ridden for sneaking up on her.
Rose gulped. "It's…It's ok. But…what do you want?" Rose's shock quickly turned into defiant suspicion, even though she felt she was in no immediate danger from this man. She couldn't help but be a bit terse regardless. She had been ambushed, after all.
"I don't want anything from you. I merely noticed the work of writ you were studying." He sat beside her, crossing his legs fluidly, his head still far above hers. "Can I ask why such a selection?"
Rose didn't relax, as all manner of questions were running through her head. Why was he watching her? Had she done something out of place? If she hadn't, what was his real motive? Could any creature be quite so beautiful? If he was really left behind to protect something, how could he be both fierce and kind? She clutched the tome a bit tighter, gathering up her wits.
"I'm curious." She said flatly, sticking her chin out a bit. Unexpectedly, the man let out a raucous laughter, as if she was telling a joke, slapping his knee lightly.
"That you are! And brave!" he laughed.
Rose was indignant. She really didn't appreciate him finding humor in her cause. She huffed and sat on her knees, facing him daringly. "Look, I'm not sure what you're playing at, but it's really no business of yours anyway!"
"Oh, but it is." He sobered up at her brazenness, but the warm smile never left his face. "You are a very brave and intelligent little witch. Even M'Lady agrees…" he trailed off, a hint of a knowing smirk on his lips, one finely arched brow rising. He was waiting for her to put the pieces together.
Rose's face blanched at that. He must be referring to the beautiful woman she'd seen. She had to have been able to see through the cloak, and, of course, told Alrin there was a nosey witch about.
"She…she saw me?" Rose gulped again, her gumption leaving her.
Alrin smirked, enjoying her child like wonder. "Oh, yes. But you needn't be alarmed. Your secret is safe with us. I would only hope you wouldn't delve any deeper into the matter. It's very dangerous, after all."
"I don't make deals with strangers." She huffed, her defenses going back up.
"I wish you would consider me a friend." He was completely sober now, standing to his feet. He reached out a hand to her. "I am Alrin Nasrohir, a wood elf of the Golden Wood…but, for now, of the Forbidden Forest." He offered her this greeting as if he wished to start over. Rose took his hand, hoping to show she didn't fear him or anyone. He pulled her to her feet effortlessly.
"Rose Weasley. Pleasure." She said this somewhat more gently but not totally friendly. She let go of his hand quickly and returned it to its death grip around her book.
"The pleasure is mine." He bowed and turned to leave, stepping soundlessly. He was almost getting away from her.
"Wait! Why are the elves here?" she tried to call out to him over the wind but he was growing farther and farther away. Suddenly, he turned and a mischievous smile played on his face. His blue eyes winked at her and then he was gone as quickly as he had appeared.
As Rose approached the castle, she ran the conversation through her head, forward and backwards. She felt like she was walking on air, could feel the blood rushing in her ears, her heart beating a mile a minute. She stopped at the entrance, realizing she could potentially be in danger, but…something about Alrin Nasrohir made her feel as safe as she had ever felt. Perhaps even safer than when her mother rocked her to sleep, reading the 'Warlock's Hairy Heart'…
She felt deeply that she should tell Albus and Cornelia, but more so that she could. Surely Alrin would be ok with this, what with him being so utterly kind…and charming…and well versed…
Rose's face flushed suddenly and she seemed to lose her breath. She hadn't felt this way about anyone besides Frank, and well, Frank wasn't around so much these days. Her face fell and instead of entering the castle she walked dejectedly over to the corner of the alcove and leaned against the freezing stone wall.
'What did I do? What's wrong with me?' she thought, her eyes moistening at an alarming rate. Rose took the cuff of her robes and dabbed at her reddening eyes, slightly disgusted with herself at this blatant show of emotion for a boy. She thought she was above this. Thought no one, especially a Slytherin boy, could have this effect on her. She sniffed and finished dabbing away the almost-tears, letting the chilled air cool her rosy face.
She tucked the precious source of information into her ruck sack and patted her hair down. Throwing back her shoulders a bit more, she went onward…
