It was an undeniable fact: Elijah Krum had been disowned; and it was something that Elijah had taken to quite easily. The place in Scotland had proved to be a haven, safe away from his family. He was certainly glad for the help he had received but was now finding his footing without their overbearing nature and the need to be in his life near constantly. He was finally beginning to be the father he had been trying to be and Merlin knew the children were grateful for it. With N.E.W.T’s more or less done, the only remaining exams weeks away, he could spend more and more time at home, balancing parenthood with studying and carrying it off admirably; or at least according to Micah he was. Elijah hadn’t had much disturbance or questioning from anyone he encountered as to what he was doing; they merely accepted it. With no questions or requests of him, Elijah could put unimportant things to the back of his mind and focus on his children and though he wouldn’t dare admit it, Mira had been one of those unimportant things until about a week or so prior when he truly felt her absence.
More importantly though, her sister had been one of those unimportant things. He’d forgotten all about what had happened at Christmas; about what he’d been told; about what he’d done. He’d forgotten. Until now.
Elijah swallowed and took Mira’s hand, leading her from the Great Hall so they were out in the privacy of the Entrance Hall. It was there that he turned and looked at her, his hands winding around her upper arms as he took her in, his eyes unblinkingly drinking in her appearance as he tried to ascertain whether she truly wanted to know. It seemed, much to his dismay, that she did. She needed to know; for closure more than anything else. Sighing, Elijah dropped his hands to his sides and looked at her, contemplating whether or not it was a good idea to tell her. She needed to know, this he recognised, but he didn’t know whether he wanted to repeat it or not. Slowly though, he came around to the idea, knowing that perhaps speaking about it would heal not only her but him and so after what felt like an eternity of waiting, Elijah finally opened his mouth.
“Stefan had been dealt with.” Elijah said shortly. “He can’t hurt anyone anymore. He orchestrated much more than just the death of Alice, Mira. This I assume you know otherwise you wouldn’t ask. The murder of Alice was to hurt me, and in turn my father. What he did to my mother is something unforgivable. Drove her bonkers first, didn’t he? Then he killed her.” Elijah licked his lips and glanced at Mira, apologetic. “Sorry...I just want to get this out and get rid of it. He was jealous of my father and attempted anything to try and break the chain of succession. I didn’t know about Alice until he tried to kill me but his attempt and success at disposing of my mother was one I had come to know of. At Christmas I...I saw him and I...I could not be held accountable for my actions. Forgive me Mira, I couldn’t sit back and smile through my teeth at him. I couldn’t. I could barely sit there knowing that he was there, after killing Alice, my mother and attempting me...knowing that Irina’s son was an important instrument...and so fragile...he...I...I’m sorry.”