A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 2: Chapter 26

Part 2:

Chapter 26 –

December 26th, 1976

Lia smiled at Mellie as she stepped off the last step of the stairs.

"Good morning, Mellie," she greeted cheerfully, "where are the boys today?"

Mellie scoffed, wiping harshly at the mirror that she was cleaning before spitting, "stupid boys. Stupid, stupid, stupid."

Lia's eyes widened as she wondered what the boys could have possibly done to make Mellie so mad at them. The elf was usually a sassy one, but it seemed as if all of that sass was directed towards them.

"What happened Mellie?" Lia asked softly, placing a hand on the elf's arm to hinder her aggressive cleaning.

Mellie whipped around to point a finger at her, "They wouldn't let Mellie help them fix Mister Blacks new bike!" Mellie shouted, "Said it was the therapy they needed to heal from their quidditch finals loss!"

Lia held in her chuckle, desperately trying not to add to Mellie's frustration. Leaning down to bend a knee, she grabbed on to one of Mellie's hands, rubbing softly.

"I think that they just need some boy time Mellie," Lia whispered, "but if you want something to do, then I can give you a job."

Mellie brightened at those words, jumping up to wrap her arms around Lia. Lia giggled as she gave the elf a hug before pulling back.

"Anything Miss!" Mellie cheered, "Mellie wants to do any job that Miss gives her!"

Lia smiled, but sternly rose a finger towards Mellie, stating, "only on one condition though."

Mellie continued to grin, nodding her head enthusiastically, "anything Miss!"

Lia stood up and put a hand out for Mellie to grab a hold of and leading the elf towards the bottom of the stairs, Lia lightly pushed her up them.

"I need the silver necklace in my jewellery box cleaned," Lia stated, "and then I want you to keep it. It's yours now."

Mellie's face fell, and she glared at Lia, "you tricked Mellie. Mellie does not want a necklace; Mellie just wants to clean."

Lia grinned at her, "well you can clean it and then keep it. Remember you promised to do anything," she pointed out.

Mellie's face fell for a moment before brightening once again.

"You want Mellie to keep it because of the new necklace that Mister Sirius got you for Christmas," she sassed out, placing a hand on her tiny hip.

Lia mischievously smiled at her, "I guess that could be why."

Mellie chucked before climbing up the expanse of the stairs, turning back to face the younger Potter before heading to her room, "Mellie will get you back for this Miss," she stated evenly, "that is a promise."

And then she was gone.

Feeling slightly scared of the elf, Lia walked towards the backyard where she assumed the boys would be working on the bike, toying with her new necklace as she did. Memories of the night before put an instant smile on her face.

"Lia?" Sirius whispered from her bedroom door. She heard his footsteps come closer, and the blanket be pulled back from the other side of her be,. "Lia?" He whispered once again.

Lia huffed before turning to face him, bringing the blanket up to the bottom of her chin to try to fight off the harshness of the cold.

"What is it Sirius?" She asked annoyed, not liking being interrupted from her sleep.