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Alex woke up with the sun filtering on her face through the curtains of her bedroom the next morning. She now remembered that she had not drawn them fully the previous night. Her mind had been entirely on something else, like unbuttoning Yannick's shirt. She smiled at the memory as she rolled over in her bed, only to feel a cold feeling wash through her. Yannick was not here.
She sat up, clutching the blanket against her chest and her eyes darting the room. Had he gone again? Just when they had gotten back together? She looked around and suddenly saw something that calmed her a bit. Her clothes were folded neatly on a chair next to the window. She did not have a House-Elf so it could only mean that Yannick had done that. Looking towards the door on the other side of the room she saw the other chair, with his shirt folded on the seat. She smiled and felt relief wash through her. He was still here.
Just as she was about to let herself fall down on her pillow again, she saw a red rose on her bedside table, with a note attached to it. Smiling she took the flower. It felt fresh, like if it had just been plucked from a morning garden. Leaning back in her bed she read the little note.
Woke up this morning with the most beautiful sight in the world; you sleeping peacefully at my side.
You looked so peaceful and beautiful that I could not bring myself to wake you up.
I am preparing some breakfast.
I love you,
Yannick
She smiled and clutched the note on her chest, feeling warmth going through her. She had missed this. He could be so sweet and romantic sometimes. And to think that she had done her best to shut him from her life these past years and literally taken off his head when he had reappeared. She had been angry at him like never before and she had been right to be, but she had also not let him explain himself until last night and his reasons had been valid too. Only then had she realized how much she had hurt him.
His revelation of Andrelith's involvement in her parent's murder in her seventh year had rocked her. This was the point where she had seen that he had never intended to hurt her. He had only tried to protect her in the best way he could and she had been moved by this revelation. To find out that after all these years away from her, where she had decided to move on and forget him, he had not forgotten her and still loved her with all his heart. To kiss him again had plunged her into pure bliss. He was so right for her.
The memories of the night they had just shared together filled her with joy as she remembered them. It was not her first time but it was the first time that it felt so right. She felt that Yannick and herself completed each other perfectly.
She stretched to finish waking her body and stood up, moving towards the chair near the window and putting her hand on the light dressing gown that was there. As she did this she looked at the chair Yannick had put his clothes on and saw his shirt, a smile crept on her lips. She picked it up and put it on, feeling the rough cotton fabric brushing on her bare skin as she fastened the buttons. She went to the door and opened it quietly, listening to the sounds in her flat. Something was definitely going on in the kitchen. She moved silently on the carpeted floor and reached the kitchen's entrance. What she saw as she peeked around the corner made her smile.
Yannick was in front of the stove, dressed in his jeans and wearing a simple t-shirt, apparently cooking something. She could not make out what it was but it smelled very good to her and Syal seemed to agree. Her cat was sitting next to the sink, looking at the young man's movements with her green eyes.
"No little one," she heard Yannick say as the cat was reaching towards him with her paw, "It is still quite hot and you would burn yourself. Stay where you are like a good girl and you will have some too, I promise."
Alex smiled as her cat meowed and settled back to wait and look. He had not lost his touch with animals.
"Watch out now, Nick," she said, reaching to hold the top of the door frame with her hands, "She'll take you to your word, like me," she added, with a smile.
He turned to face her and she saw his mouth fall open and eyes pop out of his head. He also dropped the spatula he had in his hand and quickly bent down to pick it up, blushing like mad.
"What?" She asked, smiling .
"No, nothing," Yannick said, turning back to take care of what was cooking, "You surprised me, that's all," he added.
She smiled as she could see he was blushing harder, clearly uncomfortable with what he had just seen. In the time they had ben together before, he had never seen her this way and she was quite happy to have such effect on him. Another good thing to be a Quidditch player. She went up to him, her bare feet not making noise on the kitchen's tiled floor and slowly snaked her arms around him, holding him in a soft hug from behind. She felt him tense a bit but then relax immediately. His heart on the other hand was still racing wildly.
"Good morning, in any case," she said, kissing him softly on the cheek.
"Good morning," he replied, reaching for her hands on his chest and giving them a soft squeeze, "Slept well?"
"Absolutely," she purred, "And waking up felt great too. Thanks for the rose."
He sighed, apparently relieved of something, "You're welcome.Don't you use a nightgown usually?" He asked her.
"I do, but I also like a shirt," she said, "More comfy. And yours is just fine," she added, kissing him in the neck.
"Glad you think so," he said as he flipped what he was cooking.
Alex saw that it was a pancake but was surprised at its size, nearly the double of a normal one, although it looked very thin. She also saw that her stove was different and was just one big round black heating stone, the same size as the pancake.
"How did you manage to change my stove without waking me up?"
"Transfiguration," he said simply.
"You managed that without blowing anything up?" she teased him.
"Gee, thanks," he answered chuckling, "My Transfiguration actually improved markedly during Hogwarts, you know. Thanks to you too for all the coaching," he added, kissing her the best way he could without turning.
"My pleasure," she answered, "So pancakes, huh?"
"Yes," he answered, "But not any kind of pancakes, Britannian pancakes, like we do them back home and a very good dish to start the day with. I am certain you never tasted it."
"What will you put in this one?" she asked, "Jam?"
"Ah no. This will be a salty one," he said, "So I'll just put some ham in it, with an egg on top and some grated cheese to cover it," he added as he tied action to his words. As soon as it was done he folded the pancake in half and then in a quarter, before to put it on a plate which held other pancakes.
"One plate for each?" Alex asked as she saw there were two of them.
"Nope again," he said, as he poured some liquid dough on the warm stove and spread it in a neat circle, "One plate for made salty pancakes and another with plain ones for sweet stuff of your choice."
"Isn't all this a bit too much for a breakfast?" She asked teasingly.
"If you look at the time you will see that we are close to noon," he told her, "Consider this a brunch."
"I brunch it is then," she said, "I'll go to set the table."
"Already done," he answered, "You just go and seat down, while I finish this one. Then I'll join you."
"You thought of everything, didn't you?" she asked.
"I hope I did," he answered.
"You better watch out Silverleaf," she teased as she let go of him, "I could get used to that type of treatment," she added, kissing him on the neck.
"And I could get used to this," he said, grabbing her suddenly with one free arm and kissing her.
She gave it back with all the passion she felt for him. Merlin how she loved him. And the funny part was that she too had never stopped. She let out a moan of satisfaction as they parted and smiled dreamily, losing herself in his deep green eyes. Her heart leapt of joy when she felt his hands venture under her shirt, sending shivers of delight through her. She took pulled the shirt off by passing it over her head and let it fall on the kitchen floor as she kissed him passionately, loosing herself in the feeling.
She was still smiling as she dried her hair from the shower she had just come out of. Brunch had had to be re-heated and after enjoying it and going over what they planned to do for the day, they had decided to take a shower together. Yannick was now in her room getting dressed while she had gone to put some order on the living room table that they had left in disorder.
She however had not expected what greeted her eyes when she came in the living room. The table was clean and bare, as if they had not used it, this morning. Puzzled she went to it, passing her hand on the smooth wooden table. It felt cleaned and polished.
"Nick?" she called, "can you come here for a second?"
"What is it love?" he asked when he came in the room.
"Did you clean the table before we took a shower?" she asked him.
"Did not really have time to," he reminded her with a little grin.
"Right," she said, "well someone did. And it even feels polished," she added.
Yannick frowned slightly and went to the table. She saw him put his had on it and close his eyes for a second. He then looked at her.
"It has been cleaned by magic," he said, "and less than half an hour ago," he added, fingering his wand as he walked towards the kitchen.
She followed him there and saw that the kitchen was also cleaned spotless. The oven was even transfigured back to its normal state. Syal was on the little table, looking a bit disgruntled about something.
"Alright," Yannick said aloud, "You can come out of hiding, whoever you are. I know you are here."
Alex heard a little pop on her right and turned quickly to see a House Elf staring at both her and Yannick with distressed eyes. It was female and was dressed in domestic clothes that she had seen before.
"Twinky?" Yannick asked, sounding surprised, "What are you doing here?"
"Twinky is sorry master Silverleaf, Sir," the little creature squeaked, "Mistress Silverleaf asked me to convey a message to young Sir but as young Sir was busy, Twinky though good to clean a bit up around," she said, looking uncertain.
"It's alright, Twinky," Yannick said, kindly, "You have done no wrong and I thank you for your assistance in cleaning up after us. But how did you find me? No one knew I was here."
"Mistress Silverleaf told me Twinky would find young Sir here," the House Elf said.
"How did your mother know you were here?" Alex asked Yannick, but he did not answer her immediately, his attention on the House Elf.
"What was the message you were to give me?" Yannick asked her.
Twinky seemed to glow with pride and straightened up. "Mistress Silverleaf ask that young Sir and young Madam would be expected for dinner tonight," she said.
Yannick snorted with a little laugh and shook his head. "I don't believe it," he muttered, "Thank you very much Twinky," he added to the House Elf, "You can tell her that we will be there."
The House Elf smiled and nodded hurriedly, before disappearing with a small pop.
"What was that all about?" Alex asked, coming close to Yannick.
"Well it seems that we have a dinner to attend tonight," Yannick said, looking at her with amused eyes.
"And how exactly did your mother know where to find you here?" Alex asked, "Does she have you on watch?"
"No, my mother does not have me on watch," Yannick said, laughing a bit, "And the message was not from her," he added.
"Really?"
"We would have gotten it from another House Elf if it had been," Yannick said, "The only person Twinky refers to as Mistress Silverleaf is Gran."
"Oh," Alex said, surprised, "So I guess the dinner will be in Silverleaf Manor then?"
"Yes," Yannick said, "If you agree, that is. I don't want to force this on you, either," he added quickly.
"It's alright Nick," she said, smiling at his care, "I think it is time that I talk to Gran in any case. I should have done this long ago," she added.
"Good," Yannick replied, looking relieved, "We still have time until then though," he added, coming to hold her in a soft hug.
"Aye we do," she replied, kissing him, "You know what? Each time I am to see Gran, I feel like I am to be revealed a part of history I did not know about," she added when they parted.
"Same for me," Yannick said, smiling.
"I guess her age makes her into a priceless historian," she commented lightly, "What?" she added when she saw Yannick realize something.
"That's it!" he breathed, "You are a genius, you know that?" he told her before to kiss her.
"Thanks, but what do you mean?" she asked.
"That's the link!" Yannick said, "They were all historians! How could I have missed this?"
Alex looked at him, confused and not really knowing what to respond.
"Look, I have to pass by the ministry to see Kingsley on this," he said, "It is too important to wait too long."
He looked for something in his pockets and took out a small silver talisman, which he gave her.
"This will enable you to apparate at Silverleaf Manor," he said, "I'll join you there as soon as I am done at the Ministry. Okay?"
"Can't I come with you?" she asked.
"I'd love to take you with me there, love," he said, "But I doubt Mr. Shacklebot would allow it. Besides, I won't take long. He gave us straight orders to not come in until Monday, but this was mainly aimed at Sean, due to Cynthia and this news is a bit too important to wait."
"I was hoping to spend more time with you," she said, making a false disappointed face.
"I'll be all yours for the rest of the week end," Yannick promised, kissing her on the tip of her nose, "besides, like this you can have a quiet chat with Gran," he added, with a small wink.
"That should be nice," she replied, "like this I can find out all your little secrets," she added with a grin.
"I really better be quick then," he said before to kiss her, "I love you," he said when they parted.
"I love you too," she replied.
She let him go reluctantly and he apparated out of her flat.
[iAnd now what do I do?[/i Alex asked herself.
She had passed by Cynthia's to pick up her cloak, and also give the news to her best friend and Sean, who had not really been surprised at all. Sean had gone to the Ministry as well when Alex told him why Yannick had gone there and she had soon left herself to Silverleaf Manor. She was standing in the apparating room since a few minutes now, waiting to see if anyone would greet her but for some reason no one had showed up, leaving her a bit at a loss as to what to do. She decided to go around, in order to find someone and so she dropped her bag by the baggage shelf so the House Elves would take care of it.
The big door opened silently and she walked into the main hall, listening for any noises that would tell her where anyone was. The hall had not much changed than since she had last seen it five years ago when she had come with Yannick to spend the Christmas holidays with his family, as hers was by that time no more.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Miss Dewitt," a voice said on her right, startling her, "It has been a long time since you have graced our hall with your presence."
She turned to face the direction where the voice had come from and looked at the aged wizard in the painting on the wall.
"It is nice to see you again, Sir Daniel," she said, "You too, Lady Catherine," she added to the painting right next to it. The witch there smiled at her.
"It is pleasant to see you again my dear," Lady Catherine said, "happier it would seem?"
Alex smiled at that and nodded.
"This is good," Lady Catherine said, before to be startled by a small exploding sound and turning to the other painting, "Daniel! I told you many times that taking care of your potions while a guest was around was very rude."
"But I am so close to achieving the right results!" the wizard complained.
"Should I remind you that no potions can change lead into gold?" Lady Catherine asked sternly, "Only a very good transfigurer can, and even they have problems."
"You can change lead to gold using a potion," Sir Daniel said, sounding a bit outraged, "just like the other day I managed to transfigure a salamander."
"But salamanders are immune to transfiguration, aren't they?" Alex asked, feeling amused by the way the conversation was going.
"See there Daniel?" Lady Catherine said, "Even Miss Dewitt agrees there."
"I did transfigure this salamander," Sir Daniel said sounding adamant, "and if you just wait here a minute, I'll show you it can be done," he added, going out by the edge of his painting.
"You better escape while you still can, my dear," Lady Catherine said, "he's quite insufferable when he starts on these subjects."
"Did he really transfigure a salamander?" Alex asked.
"It was a common black lizard he found basking in the sun of the Jerusalem painting of the dining hall," Lady Catherine replied, "I am pretty sure he went there again to find another one."
Alex chuckled at that. "Do you know where I can find some of Yannick's relatives, Milady?" she asked politely.
"You are looking at one my dear," Lady Catherine said brightly.
"I meant, living relatives, Milady," Alex précised, "sorry if I offended you," she added when she saw the witch sadden a little at that.
"Don't worry about it dear," Lady Catherine said dismissively, "I know that Rozenn and Yves went with their son Loïc to the village for the afternoon. Rozenn's parents, Gabriel and Annick, are gone for a few days to visit relatives in Japan but Gwenaëlle should be around. If you do not find her, I'm sure she will find you when she is done whatever she is doing," she added with a smile.
"Thanks you my Lady," Alex said, making a small curtsy.
"You are very welcome my dear," Lady Catherine said. "Now you better go. I think that Daniel is on his way back with his 'salamander'," she added, rolling her eyes.
Alex chuckled and continued down the hall, heading towards the veranda that was at the end of it. It was a beautiful day even here in France and she figured that she had a better chance to find Gran outside than inside the manor. She opened one of the glass doors to the veranda and stepped out, pausing to look around. The forest was covered in snow and so was the clearing by the veranda. The snow there looked untouched but she could see one or two destroyed mounds that told her that a good snow fight had taken place not so long ago. The veranda itself was devoid of snow and felt warm, contrasting clearly with the still fresh weather outside. Yannick had explained it to her the last time she had come that this was due to a charm that was cast on the veranda's stones. It made them accumulate the heat of the sun during winter or very cold days and then radiated it off, thus melting the snow around and making it warm enough to be out without having to put on a coat or cloak. The formers were still required if you wanted to go out on the clearing as the charm was only on the veranda, and anyone going out on the clearing without protection was bound to get a quick cold due to the temperature change.
She walked around a bit and at one point stepped into the clearing, enjoying the noise the fresh snow made when she walked on it. She still could not hear anything that would tell her where Gran might be. She saw the greenhouse in the distance but no movements in it. Deciding that no one was there and not really wanting to go down there in any case she turned around to head back to the veranda, but froze instantly as she had done this.
On one of the snow mounds stood a pure white wolf, its golden eyes looking straight into her own. She did not move at first, not wanting to provoke it in any way. Although she had grown accustomed to Altair and its friendliness towards her during her last year at Hogwarts, nothing proved that this one was as tame as him, although she somehow felt it meant her no harm. The eyes of the beast looked more questioning than anything else. As if it was asking her who she was and what she was doing here.
"Hi there," she said softly to the wolf, showing her opened hands as so as to show she did not have her wand or a weapon there, "I'm Alexandra Dewitt, from England. I came here a few years ago with Yannick, but you clearly were not here."
The wolf's eyes looked at her more intensely when she had said this, reacting when she had said Yannick.
Looks like it knows him, she thought, that's probably a good start.
The wolf seemed to think for a bit and then, nimbly jumped off the mound and landed softly in the snow, making hardly a sound. It walked to her, looking wary a bit. Alex remembered what Yannick had told her about gaining an animal's trust and knelt on the ground, reaching to the wolf with her outstretched palm. The wold came to her slowly and started to smell it, still cautious. After a few second it whined and licked her palm. Alex smiled at the warm feeling and her smile grew wider when the wolf walked around her, rubbing its head on her as it did so.
"Do you have a name?" she asked the wolf out of habit.
The wolf looked at her intently in the eyes again and after a few seconds she heard a faint feminine voice answering her.
I'm Nimloki.
Alex let out a small gasp of surprise and staggered back a little. The wolf had talked to her? She had understood what it said?
The wolf sat there, looking at her questioningly, as if not understanding her reaction.
"I see you met Nimloki," a voice said from the veranda's steps.
Alex turned to find Gran standing there, a warm smile on her face.
"It is good to see you again, Alexandra," Gran said, "But I would say that Nimloki startled you somehow?"
Alex stood up, brushing off snow from her and feeling still shocked by what had just happened.
"I heard a woman's voice when it looked at me," she said, "It said she was Nimloki."
"The Elven word for 'White Dragon'," Gran said, coming down the steps to meet her, "But I am surprised that you understood her," she added.
"Why is that?"
"Well, Yannick understands Altair," Gran replied, "But that is due to his bond to him. The fact that you are able to understand Nimloki is strange but a good sign too."
"Really?"
"Yes, Nimloki came back with Yannick from his training last year," Gran said, "The main reason for that being that she's Altair's mate. But apart from Yannick and myself, she has not approached anyone else. That she approached you out of her own freewill means that she has recognized you somehow, and accepted you."
Alex looked at Gran, not really knowing what to say to that. Her feelings for the Elven lady had been mixed during the past years, she had had thoughts about her that made her regret them right now but also wondered why Gran had not contacted her, despite of what Yannick had told her.
"I think we will be more at ease inside," Gran said, motioning towards the Manor.
Alex followed her inside, giving a last glance behind to Nimloki, who seemed content on staying outside.
"She will not come in," Gran said, "Unlike Altair, she has lived most of her life, however long that may be, in the wild near the Elves. She's still not used to humans and houses."
"She's a beautiful animal," Alex said as they entered, "Altair is lucky to have her."
"Yes, so is Yannick," Gran said, "Nimloki saved his life twice since he came back with her."
Alex looked at her surprised. Yannick had not mentioned any of this, although he truly cared for her safety. Gran looked at her without saying anything.
"There have been a few changes since you came," Gran said, "Let me show you your room," she added, leading her to the stairs.
"How did you know that I was here?" Alex asked.
"I actually did not," Gran said, "I wrongly thought that you were Yannick as you aparently used his talisman to arrive here. I think he told you about the incident of this Christmas period, did he not?"
Alex nodded.
"Due to this we changed the security wards on the Manor so that only the ones with the proper talisman, made of silver and enchanted by myself, could apparate to the Manor," Gran continued, "I was having a talk with Sir David and his wife, when Sir Daniel came into their painting, looking for a salamander, to show Lady Catherine and Miss Dewitt that they could be transfigured. It was then that I understood that you were here and that I went to look for you."
"Sir Daniel seems to not have changed since I last was here," Alex said, "Has he always been like this?"
"Most of the time yes," Gran said, "But do not let yourself fooled by his antics; Daniel Silverleaf has been a great potion maker in his time. But I guess you can tell that from his painting."
"Yes," Alex said, "Lady Catherine told me that he found his 'salamander' in the Jerusalem painting, I don't recall that one."
"It is a recent addition to the Manor's many wizard paintings," Gran said, "We got it from one of my relations in Israel, who thought its place was better here than accumulating dust in a antique shop. Azim always had an eye to find wizard paintings in the Muggle world. We were delighted to find out that this one had belonged to David Silverleaf, a knight but also a wizard that had gone in the last crusade. However, his goals were not of conquest and riches, like the ones who went there, but more to elucidate the rumors of great magicians living there."
"He was related to you?"
"Yes, David was my great-grandson, three times removed. He was always fascinated with the tales of the East that I told him about," Gran said with a smile, "He went there when he was old enough and liked it so much that he chose to remain living there. I am sure that Alisha, his wife, had a lot to do in his choice. She was a wonderful lady and witch. You should try talking to her sometime."
"I have a hard time to think about wizards being living in those areas," Alex said, "The Muslim's beliefs are so different than ours."
"Beliefs and religion have never stopped wizardry from going all over the world," Gran said with a smile, "You will find wizard communities all around now and you would be surprised to know that Arab wizards once were some of the most proficient in their arts, especially in potion making and divination. A lot of the Muggle mathematics, navigation methods, medicine and star charts of the western world came from the Arabs."
They had reached the second floor now, and gone down a hallway Alex recognized. These were not the guest chambers but the family ones. Gran stopped at a door.
"There we are," she said smiling, "I hope you will not feel too disoriented by the change of settings since you last came."
Alex went in the room, starting to recognized which it was. The things around looked very familiar. This was Yannick's room. Why would Gran lead her here unless? Blushing slightly, she turned around to see Gran looking at her kindly, but also looking amused at her reaction.
"How did you know?" she said, finally asking the question she had meant to ask, "How did you know Yannick and I were back together?"
"I could say that it was because he gave you the talisman, but I would be lying," Gran said, "I knew already since the early morning that you two were back together and that Yannick had managed to heal his heart like I had told him to. This is how I knew to send Twinky to your house, to deliver the message she gave you two."
Alex looked her, not knowing to what to say.
"You see, magical homes of old had wards cast on them, both for security and also for the comfort of their inhabitants. A magical home will tuned itself to the mood of its owner. In Silverleaf Manor's case, each room has its own ward," Gran continued, "I knew when I saw that a double bed had replaced the usual one, that extra cupboards had appeared and that your name is now engraved near Yannick's, on the door's plaque."
Alex went to look at the door and saw her name there, next to his, but with two interlinked hearts between them. She turned to face Gran again, feeling blush creeping on her and wondering just how much the Elven lady knew.
"Do not feel uncomfortable by this Alexandra," Gran said, "That the room changed to adjust like this means that Yannick really does love you and that deep inside you, the feeling is the same."
Alex felt overwhelmed by this and felt tears coming to her eyes. Gran saw this and gently led her to sit on the bed.
"I'm sorry," she said, "I must be making a fool of myself by reacting this way."
"You spent five years of your life thinking that Yannick had abandoned you and hating him for it. Only to find out the truth when he came back after and finding out that your love for him was never gone," Gran said, taking her hand, "Nothing in what you felt, did and thought during those years he was gone were wrong. I know what it feels to lose one's family and also what it means to have one's loved ones around for support. My guilt in this is that I should have told you the truth, despite what Yannick said. I hope you can forgive me for that."
"If I forgave Yannick, I most certainly can do the same now," Alex said, smiling lightly.
"Good," Gran said, "I am happy to have you back with us Alexandra," she added, before to pull the young woman in a warm embrace that made her sadness melt away.
"How come it is that you can have such soothing influence on people?" Alex asked her when they parted.
Gran smiled again. "I guess it is the benefit of having lived so long," she replied, "I have had so many different experiences in my lifetime that I can easily understand the troubles of others. And I also have a very good adviser on human reactions, too," she added, winking at the English girl.
"I wonder who that could be?" Alex said, half knowing who she meant.
"Aidan had a way with others that made him very likeable," Gran said, "I guess that is what attracted me to him before that feeling turned to love. The fact that he befriended the Elves is also a good show of his understanding of relations with others."
"I'm surprised I did not see him yet," Alex said,
"He's around in the forest," Gran replied with a smile, "even as a ghost he enjoys taking time to go there. I guess that it fits, once a treeshaper, always a treeshaper. And what would be more home to one than an enchanted forest?"
Alex smiled at that. Brocéliande seemed out of this world, one of the last enchanted forest of France and home to many creatures. She continued to talk with Gran, finding out more about the Silverleaf family's history and the manor's. In turn she told Gran what she had done for the years after Yannick's departure and also parts of her childhood, finding it easy to confide to the Elven Lady. After some time she paused, frowning at a thought that passed.
"What is it dear?" Gran asked.
"I was just wondering," Alex said, "if Yannick gave me his portkey to apparate here, how will he get to the manor then?"
Gran smiled. "Yannick knows how to fashion portkeys to the manor," she said, "and besides, there are always two other ways, although only Silverleafs can use them. He can apparate, making short distance jumps. Not the best way of traveling if you ask me. It is quite tiring at length."
"I can imagine that," Alex said, "What's the second option."
"Yannick gave you the silver coin I gave him, but there is another artifact he can use and that all Silverleafs possess," Gran said.
"Their medallions?" Alex asked.
"Very good, I see your sharp wits have not left you," Gran replied. "The medallions are enchanted in many ways. But recent events caused me to add one more to them during the winter reunion, and that is to make it hard for anyone without one to apparate on Silverleaf lands. They might be able to make it in the apparition room, but the doors will not open unless family does. The same goes for your coin."
"Wow," Alex said, "I did not know such spell existed."
"There are not many Elven spells that are known to Humans," Gran replied, "This makes our magic only the more powerful."
"Amazing."
"Thank you," Gran said smiling, "Do you still have yours?" she asked.
Alex smiled and reached behind her neck to unfasten the medallion. Yannick had been quite surprised and pleased to see that she was still wearing it.
"Of course I do," she said, showing it to Gran, "it saved my life once and I am not near forgetting that. I would not part with it for anything."
"If you will allow me, I will make sure that the same charm gets added to yours," Gran said, taking it from her, "so you do not require a coin to get here. Twinky?" she called softly.
A little pop was heard and the House Elf appeared in the bedroom. She smiled at Alex before bowing respectfully at Gran.
"Yes Mistress Silverleaf?"
"Can you be so kind to bring this medallion to Yarry and see that he applies it the same charm than the one he used on the other medallions recently?" Gran asked.
"Of course, Mistress," the House Elf said, taking the silver rose medallion before disaparating.
"Yarry?" Alex asked.
"One of the oldest House Elves of this manor," Gran said, getting up.
"He's the one that applies the charms to the medallions?"
"It is a very basic charm to start with," Gran said, "Yarry is more than able to cast it. He will then bring it to me so I add the finishing touch to it, so it cannot be reproduced by another."
"Clever," Alex said, "I had forgotten that House Elves could do such magic," she added, joining Gran and following her to the corridor.
"House Elves are very underestimated when it comes to magic," Gran said, "Because they almost hardly see them, people tend to forget of what they can do. This is why you should never anger a House Elf," she added, winking, making Alex chuckle.
"Well maybe I'll remind them to remove a certain hole," Yannick's voice said from the stairs.
Alex smiled as she saw him coming up the stairs, only to frown almost immediately at his appearance. His clothes were stained in brown to the waist and it appeared that even the cleaning spell had not been able to get rid of the smell.
"What the hex happened to you?" she asked.
"I overshot my target," he said, definitely looking displeased at that, I apparated in the humus hole. Why does dad insists in using that stuff?" he asked Gran.
"You should ask him yourself, dear," Gran replied, looking amused, "Your father does not have the same skill in plants that you possess and thus he does need to use more conventional methods."
"I'll be sure to ask him about that," Yannick said, "I am not too fond of taking a bath in this pit, the smell is horrid," he added, making a face.
"I'm sure its nothing that a good shower can't remedy," Alex said.
"And the House Elves will be able to clean it off your clothes as well without a problem," they've handled worse you know," she added.
"I sure bet they have," Yannick answered.
"When you are done, you can join us on the veranda, the weather is perfect for some tea there," Gran said.
"Sounds good," Yannick said, going to his room. Alex saw him pause a slightly at the door and the new engraved sign on it before going in hurriedly. She could have sworn that he was blushing a bit.
"Come dear," Gran said, taking her gently by the arm, "Lets go downstairs. I'll see what little secrets I can tell you about him before he joins us," she added, winking.
"I heard that!!" Yannick said from the room.
"You were meant to, Dear!" Gran replied with a big smile on her face.
"I'm sure I was," Yannick said, "now you can be sure I'll hurry up."
The two women shared an amused look before to burst out laughing and heading downstairs towards the ground floor.
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