The Witch and The Hunters

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Page count: 9

"Morning," Dean muttered into her neck, voice low and rough with sleep. His arms tightened instinctively when she shifted.

"Morning," she yawned. "I'm hungry."

He snorted. "How do you eat so much?"

"The same way everyone else eats," she said sweetly. "I put food in my mouth, chew it, and swallow. It's quite remarkable, really."

He nipped her neck for being a smart-arse. She squeaked and scowled back at him. Dean just gave her the wide-eyed innocent look—the one she'd seen perfected by the Weasley twins years ago.

She sighed. "What do you want for breakfast? I'm thinking cereal. I've got some in my bag, along with milk."

"I could eat cereal," he shrugged.

She slipped out of his arms and out of bed. Dean's eyes instantly darkened as his shirt rode up her thighs. Yeah. Innocent look my arse. She ignored him, grabbed her beaded bag, and set the cereal and milk on the table.

"Tupper," Hermione called gently.

Dean nearly jumped out of his skin when a small House-elf suddenly appeared—neat white shirt, black trousers, and apron. Light green skin. Big blue eyes. Very... tidy.

"Mistress call for Tupper," he said with a bow.

"Good morning, Tupper," Hermione beamed. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, Mistress. Tupper happy he serves Mistress," he said, eyes filling with tears.

Hermione knelt to hug him. Dean blinked—every time she did that with House-elves, his chest did something he refused to name.

"What can Tupper do for Mistress?"

"Bowls and spoons, please. And tea for me. Coffee for Dean and Sam."

"Yes, Mistress!" Tupper said proudly. "Tupper knows how they like it." Then he turned to Dean, scrutinising him with all the intensity of a tiny magical bouncer. "You be the Mr Dean?"

"That's me," Dean confirmed, slinging an arm around Hermione's waist.

Tupper nodded seriously. "Mimsy said you be a good man. You not hurt my Mistress."

Dean honestly couldn't tell if that was a threat or a warning—or both.

Tupper vanished, returned a second later, balancing everything Hermione asked for, and vanished again after she thanked him.

She placed a stasis charm over Sam's coffee, then served their cereal.

Dean eyed her as she ate. "Alright. What's his story?"

Hermione's smile lit up her whole face. "Tupper's been with me almost a year. I found him on a case—Gnome infestation. He was being chased by a pack of dogs. Malnourished, diseased. If they caught him, he'd've been torn apart."

Dean froze. "Why the hell was that happening?"

"Punishment," she said hollowly. "He tripped over a carpet and spilt water on his previous master. He wasn't allowed to use magic to escape. 'If he could outrun the dogs, he could live another day.'"

Dean's fists clenched. Hard.

"The owner was arrested for possessing dark artefacts. The dogs were put down—they were suffering. Tupper was the only elf on the property. I healed him and brought him home."

Dean exhaled slowly. "Are all witches and wizards like that to them?"

"No," she said softly. "But some are."