The Matchmaker

Chapter Forty Four: The Ring

Chapter Forty Four: The Ring"One has to pay dearly for immortality, one has to die several times while one is still alive." Friedrich Nietzsche~

When Holly came back to the house that night, Elena was fast asleep on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate next to her. Lola was pulling a warm blanket on top of her and looked up with Holly walked in.

"Miss Elena is very nice to Lola," the house elf smiled, "though she did scream when she first saw me."

Holly smiled, thanking Lola, and realizing she probably should have explained who Lola was before she left Elena on her own. For a moment, Holly glanced down at Elena, noticing how peaceful she looked. It was a look that Holly hadn't seen in a very long time- not since before the war- but she was grateful that it was something she was able to see right now.

Deciding to let the young girl sleep, she made her way upstairs, letting herself fall into bed and fall asleep, her mind at peace.

When she woke up the next morning, she found herself wandering down to the kitchen. This was a habit of hers, one that she had done for years, and one that never strayed. However, this particular morning, there was something odd about it.

Standing in front of her, was a house elf and a muggle. Their only similarity was that they were drenched from head to toe in flour. When Holly walked in, Elena bust out laughing as Lola shook the flour out of her ears. For a moment, Lola's eyes became real wide as she worried that Holly would be upset they made such a mess, but that fear left quickly when the Holly started laughing.

The kitchen was a mess, both of them were covered in flour, there were eggs on the wall and there were chocolate chips covering the ground. Elena and Holly laughed for awhile before Lola felt comfortable again.

"Do not worry, Mistress Holly, Lola will clean this right up," Lola promised and Holly waved the house elf off.

"Don't worry about it, Lola. I am actually going to take Elena into town for breakfast." Lola nodded and the two watched as Holly cleaned the mess with a wave of her wand.

"This is all so cool," Elena said in complete awe, following Holly out of the kitchen. The two walked out of the house and toward Paris, chatting aimlessly about everything.

"How is it that people have no idea about magic?" Elena asked when they crossed through the barrier and no one gave them a second glance.

"Muggles see magic all around them without wanting to admit that there is something else out there. They choose to be ignorant because it is easier."

The two sat down in a restaurant and waited, continuing their conversation about this and that until they ordered and their food arrived.

"I need a job," Elena said, "I want to be able to afford my own place when all this is over. They watched the server walk away from them. Holly nodded toward the "help wanted" sign on the door.

"Why not get one here?" She asked, scooping her pancakes into her mouth. Elena shrugged.

"Is it safe for me to be out and about with Volde... Volde-"

"Voldemort."

"Thank you- Voldemort trying to kill me?"

"You'll be close enough that I'll know if something goes wrong. I'll walk you to work every day and pick you up and walk you back. I can place a masking charm on you."