Ghostly Curse

Ch 15

Ch 15 - Pretty Little Packages

The package arrived that afternoon with the rest of the owl post. It was small, in a plain brown wrapper bearing the Ministry seal and marked Urgent for Ms Granger. The elves assumed that it was something pertinent to her new job she was to start soon.

So, without any thought of checking for signs of dark magic or fowl play, Mud sent it through the Floo with their mid-day tea. Lucius sat the tray on the coffee table and then went to awaken his love.

Hermione stretched and yawned before wrapping her arms around Lucius in an affectionate hug. “Good morning.” She whispered before he kissed her gently on her lips.

He smiled and caressed her cheek. “Good morning, my dear. Did you sleep well?”

She nodded and sat up, taking the orange juice he offered her. “Yes, I slept perfectly. Better than I have in ages, actually.” She inhaled and closed her eyes at the scent of fresh baked muffins. “Is that blueberry?”

Leaning in to kiss her exposed neck, Lucius chuckled. “If I told yes would you gift me with a morning shag before we broke our fast?”

Slapping his shoulder and shooing him away, Hermione moved to the edge of the bed. “I’ll shag you all day long. You don’t have to bribe me. But I’m famished. Let’s feed each other, then shag…” She suggested with a wicked smile before moving to look at the food.

Her eyes rested on the small package off to the side and she picked it up. “What’s this?”

Lucius smirked at the parcel and shrugged. “I haven’t a clue. It appears to be from the Ministry. I’m assuming it is concerning your new position there.” He moved to sit beside her and helped himself to a muffin.

Examining the envelope closely, she shrugged and set it on the table. Grabbing her wand, she cast a quick disillusioning charm to make sure it was safe. Immediately, the envelope shifted and began to grow.

Lucius and Hermione stood in unison and moved away from the offending parcel that was now turning a sickly blackish/brown color. Lucius sprang for his wand and flicked the tip of it swiftly at the offending parcel. “Eleminatario!”

The package immediately shrunk back down to its original size and Lucius levitated it directly into the fire where it crumbled swiftly into dust. Hermione stared at the ashes and asked in a soft voice. “What was that?”

Without even sparing her a glance, Lucius answered softly. “I believe, that was Bella’s way of letting us know that she knows I’m back among the living.”

Closing her eyes, she expelled a long, slow breath. “I think you’re probably right.” Then she looked questioningly at Lucius. “But, how did she find a way to duplicate the Ministry seal? It’s supposed to be impossible to copy.”

Lucius pondered her questions as he looked back at the ashes that were left from the nearly fatal package. He wasn’t sure how Bella had been able to do such a thing, but the proof that she had was smoking in the soot.

Sighing, he turned and wrapped his arms around Hermione. “We must be more cautious now.” He rested is cheek in her hair before calling out, “Mud!”

The little elf popped in immediately with a pleasant smile. “Yes, Master? Did you likes your breakfasts?”Lucius shook his head. “No, Mud. That package. Where did it come from?”

Mud looked confused for a moment before turning with wide eyes to look at the fireplace. The revelation hit him like a ton of bricks. Sobbing and cursing himself, he immediately dropped to the floor and began slamming his head into the marble.