Chapter 1, The Way Old Friends Do
Sixteen year old Walburga Black nearly jumped out of her skin when Hagatha practically barrelled through her closed bedroom door. Well it had been closed before Hagatha barreled through it, causing it to fly open and crash hard against the wall before bouncing back closed again behind Hagatha. Hagatha was the only daughter of Ronan, the elf who had looked after the Black home for as long as Walburga knew. He had once had a wife that he did not like spoken of. She had died during Hagatha's birth. Hagatha helped her father around the manor, but both she and Walburga knew that she would go with Walburga when Walburga moved out in a few years to marry Orion.
Speaking of Orion, the family, elves included, had just gotten back from a holiday party at Orion's family's. He had been very complimentary, which Walburga always found most charming even if she enjoyed his brain more than his compliments. Tonight, her pretty holiday winter green dress must have caused him to forget his brain, for he had been all staring and compliments. Walburga must confess, though, to liking the fact that she apparently had that sort of power over Orion. She opened her mouth to say as much to Hagatha, but the elf spoke first.
"If he isn't interested in Hagatha, she shall just put a love spell on him. She has decided," she burst out.
Walburga blinked. "What? Who?" She and Hagatha were best friends. They'd grown up together and had always been one another's confidants. Though Orion had become another close friend and confidant with benefits, no boy's ears could take the place of a girl's ears and there were certain things that Walburga only felt comfortable saying to Hagatha. The elf was open, trustworthy, loyal and most importantly, honest. Walburga always knew that she could get the truth from Hagatha no matter what. Just now, though, it seemed to be one of those times when Hagatha needed Walburga's ears.
"Balthazar," Hagatha practically shouted. Her small voice was piercing and Walburga resisted the urge to cover her ears lest Hagatha retaliate with violence. Though violence was a thing Walburga could always get behind, not so much when it was directed at her.
"He's one of the younger elves that work for Orion's family, isn't he?"" Honestly they all looked the same and none of them had cause to talk to her, so Walburga had never bothered to learn the names of the elves in Orion's household.
"He is the second eldest child, Hagatha believes," Hagatha said. "She never noticed him before, and he rarely spoke, so why should she? He's grown up so well, though." She gave a dreamy sigh, her round blue eyes glazing over as her long curved nose twitched. Walburga felt her own eyes widening.
"Are you quite well."
Hagatha sighed, flopping down on the end of the bed, and kicking her pink slippered feet rhythmically against the bottom of the mattress. "Alas Hagatha thinks she may be falling in love," she declared. "Tonight Balthazar threatened to poison an owl who brought a letter to Miss Melania. The owl bit his ear enough to draw blood when he tried to take the letter, you see." Melania was Orion's mother and Walburga's own cousin.
"Poisoning an owl," she murmured. "Whose owl was it? Do you know? I mean poisoning some owls could be more risky than others depending on the owner."
"He did not do it," Hagatha said dismissively. "He merely threatened, but Hagatha very much enjoys that this is where his mind went. And his scowl was so attractive."
"In his defense, the owl bit him," Walburga mused, nodding. "I suppose it should not matter to whom it belonged. People should not send rabid owls about with their mail."
"Walburga is missing the point," Hagatha huffed.
Walburga caught one of Hagatha's kicking feet and hastily tied the flowing ribbons of the pink slipper. "I wish you'd charm those bloody things to stay tied," she grumbled. "Else some day you shall take a tumble and break your neck!"
Hagatha's lower lip jutted out defiantly. "Untrue. Walburga would take a tumble, but Hagatha can walk without falling no matter if ribbons are tied in bows or flying freely."
"Perhaps and perhaps not," Walburga murmured, not bothering to hide her doubt. "So what point was I missing? You are in love with him because he thinks of killing when angry. That sounds appropriate."
Hagatha looked mildly disappointed. "Hagatha thought you would be more shocked is all."
"Oh I was," Walburga assured. "I just process quickly."
"Very well, then," Hagatha said, mollified.
Pleased to move on, Walburga asked, "So how shall you decide if you will put a love spell on him or not? I don't recommend that, by the by. You deserve someone who appreciates you naturally."
Hagatha looked skeptical but did not object. "Hagatha planned for Walburga to speak to Balthazar on her behalf the next time we all visit Orion's family," she said.
"You plan to wait that long," Walburga asked. "Why not just invite him and Orion over for tea. Tomorrow even. I am always happy for an excuse to have more alone time with Orion outside of school, after all, and we won't return to Hogwarts for another week." Walburga bounced up on the bed as inspiration struck. "I know! I could have Orion ask this Balthazar if he found you interesting! If so, Orion brings him, and if not, he won't. How does that sound? Hagatha considered for a moment before nodding.
"So did you talk to him tonight?" Walburga asked. "What did you talk about?"
Hagatha squirmed, biting suddenly at the tip of her left forefinger. Walburga's eyes widened. She had never seen Hagatha do that! This must indeed be love. Reaching over, she briskly yanked Hagatha's hand away from her mouth.
"Stop. That is not attractive."
"Hagatha only smiled," Hagatha said in a rush. "She did not know what to say! She was dumbstruck. That is how she knew it was love. That and the unexpected rush of heat throughout her entire body. She did smile a lot, though."
Walburga choked. "He may believe you to be a psychotic murderess!"
Hagatha grinned. "Considering that he threatened to poison the owl, we should be well matched. Hagatha hopes very much that he believes her to be psychotic."
Walburga laughed. "I shall go and write Orion at once! I am eager to meet this elf of yours."
When Orion arrived for tea the next day, he had an elf around their age with him, so Walburga assumed that Balthazar was indeed taken with Hagatha. Like all the elves who served the House of Black, he wore the family crest proudly embroidered on the right shoulder of the simple black tunic he sported. "I am pleased to meat the potential owl murderer," Walburga said, laughing as she gave Balthazar a mock bow as Hagatha ushered him and Orion into the library.
Balthazar's eyes widened. "Balthazar was never going to kill the owl," he exclaimed, giving Hagatha a shocked look. "A small amount of poison merely subdues the truly vicious ones."
Hagatha looked disappointed. "Oh," she murmured.
Balthazar chuckled. "If Hagatha wishes for Balthazar to murder an owl for her, he can, he supposes. She is very pretty, after all."
Hagatha considered, then shook her head. "As long as he is willing and able if there is need, there is no need."