aeonian

Chapter Four

"Draco, Elsie...this is Wisteria Soot. She's an expert in medieval magic and bonding."

Browish led a wispy haired, middle aged woman into the room. 

Her robes were long and made from a rich, purple velvet. Her eyes were so light brown, Elsie thought they were yellow at first. She walked as though she were tip toeing through a nursery, and looked around the room as if she had never been out of her home before.

"We believe she will be able to provide you with all of the information you need regarding your diagnosis."

Draco and Elsie sat side by side on a stiff leather couch in Healer Jacobson's office, thighs slightly touching.

After a tongue lashing from their mothers about improper protocol regarding Browish and Jacobson's "testing", the healers decided to let Draco and Elsie change out of their hospital issued clothing, and put on something more comfortable to make up for the distress.

Elsie was more than thankful to slip on her favorite jumper that she assumed her mother picked up from her flat while she was asleep.

"Nice to meet you." Wisteria walked over to the two, and reached out to shake Draco's hand.

Their hands connected, and Wisteria immediately flipped Draco's hand, palm up, and started to examine it.

"Um—"

Draco looked around the room awkwardly, nonverbally asking everyone if this was normal.

"Very interesting. Interesting indeed—and you must be Elsie, correct?"

Wisteria dropped Draco's hand and reached for Elsie's with a tender but slightly creepy smile.

"Yes...nice to meet you, Madam Soot."

Wisteria now examined Elsie's palm in the still silence for a few moments, before dropping it like a dead weight.

"We believe that Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Carlisle have been bonded aeonically." Jacobson stated, sitting an adjacent desk chair next to Browish.

Wisteria let out a shy giggle, that turned into a bit of laughter. She tried to cover her mouth with her slender fingers, but it didn't do much for concealing her laughing. 

"Is something funny?" Draco asked.

"Oh...it's nothing. It's just—" Wisteria paused for more giggles, "Aeonian bonds have been extinct for centuries. Not a person alive today has ever even seen one done, and I doubt there are any cupids still left alive today."

"Cupids?" Elsie asked immediately.

"Yes, dear, cupids. Only a few are capable of producing a bond with the foundation of all the elements. Back in medieval times when bonds were still around and legal, they were nicknamed cupids by the royalty that utilized them because...you know...they bonded people together. Almost like a--magical matchmaker." 

Wisteria's flited from Draco to Elsie, and back again.

"Foundation of all the elements?" Draco asked, clearly confused by the peculiar woman in front of them.

"It means—well...before I started on a tangent about the complexity of said bond, maybe I should determine if what your healers say is true."

Wisteria stood and walked over to Draco and Elsie again, both of whom were slowly putting their guard up.

Without even noticing, they scooted closer together on the couch until Elsie was nearly on Draco's lap.

Their eyes never left the odd woman though as she kneeled down in front of them.