The Sallow Saga (Volume 3) A Hogwarts Legacy Fanfiction

Chapter 9. Isabella Grone

The week that followed on from Beanie's attack was relatively uneventful. Sebastian felt quietly appreciative of the lull in dramatics. Between the revelation that he was soon to be a father and Thorne's demise, (which had been handled discretely between himself and Minister Spavin to avoid suspicions arising among the auror community – who had still yet to ingratiate themselves with him); the lull among the group at the Gilded Perch allowed for focus to be spent on the organisation of the wizarding games.

Admittedly, he had been somewhat taken aback when Ominis had updated him on the Minister's decision to host some healthy competition, between the varied magical communities. While Ominis had wrung his hands and highlighted an unhealthy level of anxiety about the arrangement, Sebastian took it in his stride. He reasoned that reacting to stressful environments as though a herd of Graphorn were stampeding in your direction, would result in blind panic as opposed to logical thought and action – something he had highlighted to Ominis. The subsequent glare he'd received in response would have made a Gorgon bestow praise! Still, overall the idea of healthy competition between the giants and trolls in particular had caused even Sebastian's forced zen mind to ponder more and more as to how Minister Spavin's sanity was doing.

It was midway through the following week that Sebastian could be found reading through a series of reports on the Lestrange's latest transactions. As always, his feet were up on his desk as he reclined lazily back in his chair. He'd barely been at work for an hour and already he could feel his eyes glazing over as he reviewed the figures, statements, transactions, and other mind-numbingly dull references to various donations of funds moving from one account to another. The sound of a timid knock at the door caused him to blink the sleepy stupor from his eyes. Smiling softly, he invited Beanie in; she was holding a tray that was laden with a pot of tea and a rack of toast.
"Sebastian, friend – sir?" Beanie grinned bashfully, still showing signs of an uncertainty as to how to address her magical friends, now that it was common knowledge, she was free.
Sebastian smiled kindly, "Beanie – it's just Sebastian, or Seb to a few (including you). There's no need for formalities."
"This is very true Sebastian, friend – oh, sorry... Beanie has had such formalities ingrained into her, since birth." She blushed, bashfully as she climbed the small steps that led to the top of Sebastian's desk. Sebastian smiled at the small stairwell. Cassy had conjured them after Beanie had discovered just how untidy Sebastian's desktop could be at times and had taken a nasty tumble off the desk when she'd accidentally apparated on to a large pile of ill-balanced reports, carrying a large plate of sandwiches at the time.
"How is that so?" Sebastian pondered, as he thankfully accepted a freshly poured cup of tea from the house elf; "Ominis said you were born to a couple of free elves, why did you enter employment? You were born free!"
Beanie smiled feebly, "Beanie's parents were a rare couple Sebastian, friend. It is barely heard of for an elf to be born free, those rare few who are, tend to be shunned from their brethren."
Sebastian frowned, as he took another sip; "how come?"
Beanie shrugged, and sighed morosely; "ah sir, house elves have served magical masters for as long as we can remember. Many of Beanie's fellow elves believe their sole purpose in life, is to serve and please their masters and mistresses only. Beanie wanted her parents and herself to be accepted by her fellow elves, and so Beanie sought a master or mistress. Beanie still feels exceptionally lucky to have entered Mr Weasley's employment." She beamed brightly, "Beanie might not ever be truly accepted by her fellow elves, but she has gained acceptance with Mr Weasley and his friends."
Sebastian grinned, "truer words were never spoken, Beanie – friend." He winked jovially at her and raised his mug of tea in her honour, before finishing it off.
"On a change of track, Beanie – has Ominis spoken to you about our latest tasks from Minister Spavin?"

Beanie sighed, "yes, Beanie's friend Ominis did ask if Beanie could liaise with the pixies back at her family home in Cornwall. Beanie saw to it on Monday."
"Monday?!" Sebastian choked on his toast, "but Beanie, I saw you on Monday – you were barely over the worst of your injuries! We'd encouraged you to rest! If Ominis ordered you to..."
"Mr Sebastian! Ominis did not order Beanie! Beanie chose to go of her own free will, as she found she was missing home. The sound of the pond by Beanie's new spot by the snidget's rest is so reminiscent to that of Beanie's family hut! Also, it is rare for a house elf to wander around without an element of maiming, the pixies would have been more suspicious had Beanie appeared looking healthy and well!" Beanie preened, ignorant of the look of horror on Sebastian's face.
"Beanie, with all due respect;" Sebastian struggled, as a crumb of toast had gotten lodged down his wind pipe; "as a member of the Gilded Perch, you are expected to appear well... not ill cared for. Especially when entering into liaisons. It might set a precedent that we are mistreating you, we don't want to cause any further rifts with the myriad of magical communities out there."
Beanie folded her arms, with an unimpressed expression, "Mr Sebastian thinks Beanie is unprofessional?"