A Castle and Moat

"You're not to see him anymore."

Mira turned away. Her face was masterly expressionless but her eyes betrayed the fury beneath. School was over forever and Mira had had no choice but to return to Anderson manor for the foreseeable future. Honestly she had never given much thought to what she would do with her life once she graduated and now the future looked much more threatening than promising. It wasn't like she wanted to be here, a slave to her mothers wishes, but with no actual money belonging directly to her it wasn't like she could just leave. For the two weeks Vivian had been criticizing everything about her daughter. This wasn't anything par normal but for the first time in her life Mira wasn't about to tune it out or just consider it as 'friendly advice designed for her better well being'. Ever "Sit up straighter." and "Don't eat so much." and "Fix your hair, dear." had dug deeper and deeper into her skin, driving Mira closer to the brink.

But what bothered her the most was her mother's relentless attacks of Elijah Krum. Every chance she got she insulted him, as if hoping to deter Mira from ever looking at him again. At least with any sort of civility. She had caught sight of the way Mira stared at him during her graduation. However emotionless Vivian herself may be, she knew that look. In no time at all, Mira had become besotted with the Bulgarian once again. He didn't even need to speak. Last night Mira had spoken up. A simple "I just think his punishment was a little harsh is all." But everyone had looked at her like she had crabs crawling out of her ears. Now, her mother had dropped the act. She had plainly told Mira that Elijah Krum was a disgrace to the Krum name and -

"You're to be betrothed to a more.. suitable man by the end of the month."

At this Mira stood up, facing her mother. "No." Vivian's nostrils flared, both angry and surprised to find any disobedience from her most dutiful daughter. Then she laughed. A cold, dark, laugh. "Sit down, Mira" she scolded, as if she were no older than a schoolchild. Someone who just needed to be beaten to be broken. Her eyes full of malice, Mira strode out of the room. Once she was out into the hall her strike lengthened, and before long it was a full out sprint to her room. She could hear the older woman's empty laugh echoing behind her. Tears stung her eyes. Although her mother's feelings meant close to nothing to the blonde, her own emotions were of the utmost importance. And as of right now Mira's pride felt very, very, violated. Mira had always thought about just leaving. Packing up and heading to Miseria's to live. It had always been a secret little fantasy of hers. But now for the first time she actually had the means to do it. Vivian's laugh was an insult in itself. Telling Mira exactly what she couldn't do.

She was done. She was leaving. Forgetting about her wand, Mira started throwing her clothes she liked best into her now empty school trunk. In addition to the colorful collection of clothes she packed all the money she had with her, as well as sweeping all the contents off her vanity table and into the bag, throwing in a small book of photos, and not to mention the various schoolbooks and old papers that she had never bothered taking out of the trunk. It wasn't much, but Mira was realizing now how little she would be leaving behind here. Besides a couple posters and photos this large bedroom could belong to absolutely anyone. Mira was nothing more than a ghost in her own home. As she buckled her trunk closed she was quite sure she was doing the right thing. Leaving the house of hell to live with the best friend. It was like a story, honestly. Some work of beautiful literature.

Mira dragged her trunk out of the room and down the hallway, not bothering to enchant it in the hopes that it would leave some scratches in the perfectly polished floor. When she reached the stairs she dragged the trunk down behind her so it made a loud thunk with every single step. She knew she was behaving like a child, or rather a teenager who was trying to rebel but had no idea how. But now that wouldn't matter. She didn't have to act in a way that was proper. The idea filled her with new vigor and her trunk began bumping even more loudly. When she reached the bottom of the stairs her mother was standing at the entrance to the parlor. She wore a delightful expression of cynicism. Clearly she thought Mira was just putting on a show to get her way. Just like the child that she believed Mira to be. Although she was just about bursting on the inside, she managed to keep her face cold and expressionless.

Vivian opened her mouth to demand Mira's hasty return to the parlor but before the first word came out of her mouth Mira smirked and said "Sit down, Mother" And with that she walked out, taking great care to slam the large door behind her. The second she was outside, a little of the trill had worn off. Now she was alone, pennyless, homeless, coatless.. And, ah look, it was even raining. But there was absolutely no chance of going back (what's a dramatic exit worth if you just re-enter again?) so the blonde tapped her trunk once. It floated a few inches off the ground and she walked off down the street. Her goal had been to go to Miseria's. But now that she thought about it Mis had mentioned that she might be going away to celebrate graduation for vacation. Knowing she couldn't afford any more bus tokens than necessary.. There was one place she knew. But.. did she have the nerve?

Closing her eyes and thought of her destination with determination and deliberation. Holding on to her trunk she felt the air squeeze around her unpleasantly for what felt like quite awhile. Mira felt vaguely like vomiting. Then it stopped. Mira looked up and she felt her breath leave her. Krum Mansion was bigger, more impressive, and more expensive. But Krum Manor was somehow infinitely more beautiful. Now Mira was sure that she had made the right choice in coming here. As she made her way up the long driveway the rain beat into her back, soaking her clothes and drenching her to the bone. Suddenly it was much colder than expected and she shivered. When she finally reached the door it was like a blessing. Reaching for the iron doorknocker, she send two loud bangs into the large house.

Leaning up against the stone wall she breathed heavily, hoping that someone would come to get her. She was alone now and it was time to finally grow up.

As dusk fell behind the tall, sky-grasping firs that lined the grounds that sprawled across at least four acres of land, perhaps more, the clouds swirled across the darkening sky, carrying with them the rain that began to fall not an hour later. The house seemed to grow warmer when the water began to tumble from the sky. Elijah had long since tucked his children in, replacing the sounds in their rooms with sweet melodies rather than the echoing crash of thunder that pealed through the house, disturbing even the heaviest of sleepers that dwelled in the portraits mounted on the walls. He’d retreated to the south-facing parlour that looked out onto the grounds and he’d reclined in one of the chaise longs with a small tumbler of whisky clasped in his hand.

He’d seen Athena drift up to bed, a book clutched to her chest, an hour or so before, her house elves traipsing around behind her carrying tea and nibbles. Elijah was content with the silence of the parlour, allowing his thoughts to take him to other worlds rather than flimsy literature. It was those musings that kept him relatively at ease but the punctured quiet not an hour later nearly shocked him from his skin.

Rising from his seat, Elijah put the whisky down on the coffee table. Tentatively he made his way out into the large foyer through one of the many corridors and met the House Elf at the door who, he was sure, was wearing a similar look of confusion on his face. The House Elf decided she’d be the one to open the door after it became obvious her Master had no intention of doing so and Elijah watch as the elf, with a little click of her fingers, made the door ease open, thankfully making sure to manoeuvre it in a way where the creak could not be heard in the hinges.

“...Mira?”

The gutter had a leak. In a steady rhythm of drip, drip, plink, drip drip, plink the downpour of raindrops had a vey musical quality to it. Unfortunately the music was happening on top of Miras head. Her hair had become wet enough that it had started to drizzle down her back in little rivers. If she didn't get in soon even her underwear would face being drowned. But lucky before any such tragic events could occur the house door was opened soundlessly. Behind it stood a house elf and, looking very much larger than normal by comparison, Elijah. They both were wearing expressions of confusion. Mira wondered if it was from her arrival specifically, or just the hour of the night. Before she could open her mouth to form any kind of explanation Elijah spoke. "...Mira?" In response Mira gave an uncharacteristically timid smile. 

Every time she had approached Elijah for help or a favor in the past it had been of relatively even ground. At the Krum mansion or Anderson manor, Slythirin dorm, Great Hall, or down in Hogsmede village. A neutral zone where neither really had definite control. But this was very different.. It was his house. Mira had no rights here and she knew she owed a certain amount of respect. Not that she had any trouble finding it in herself. Mira looked into the grand entrance hall and could feel the much-warmer air licking her skin, pulling her in. Swallowing, she said "Sorry to bother you.. But it appears I'm in a bit of a situation." She glanced down at her feet. Even they were dirty and muddy now after landing in a pudding on her apperated arrival. But even looking at destroyed shoes was better than trying not to read Elijahs expression. 

While Mira had been confident in her coming here moments before, now she wasn't so sure. It would be all too easy for Eli to slam the door in her face so he wouldn't ever have to look at her again. And the sick part was Mira would understand it if he did. He had given her a chance, she had f**cked it up. And besides, not once in his life had he ever thought of her as more than a pretty face. But drenched in rain and splattered with mud she wasn't even that anymore. He wouldn't want her anymore. No one would. Mentally Mira slapped herself to stop the self degrading sob story. That was just the homelessness talking. Looking back up, she met his eyes and asked quietly "Can I come in?" 

The night seemed to be darker than summer would have allowed with the unnatural cover of rain looming overhead. Mira didn’t have to ask anymore than she already had. Elijah took her hand and gestured for the House Elf to take her bags. He brought her inside and kept hold of her hand, leading her through into the parlour where, with a flick of his wand, sparked a fire in the hearth. He pressed lightly on Mira’s shoulders, encouraging her to sit on the soft, fluffy rug in front of the fireplace, before leaving the room momentarily to fetch towels and to tell the House Elves to make something for Mira to eat and hot chocolate for her to drink. The House Elves set about readying what he ordered immediately and Elijah returned to Mira with a handful of towels in his arms and a House Elf holding a change of clothes, regrettably a set of his own clothes, for her to slip into.

Elijah dropped the towels onto the rug and took the clothes from the elf, thanking him briefly before sinking down beside Mira. Elijah put the clothes down and reached for one of the towels, bringing it up to rub against her hair. Elijah looked at Mira cautiously, unsure as to where they stood but knowing exactly how he wanted it to be. “Change into these,” He told her softly, nudging the clothes towards her with his knee as he rose up onto his knees, moving behind her so he could properly coax her hair into drying out with the towel. “I won’t look,” Elijah chuckled a little. “But, it’s nothing I’ve not seen before. The House Elves are making something for you to eat and drink. They’re setting a room for you also. Mira, not that I am not pleased to see you – I’m overjoyed – but, what are you doing here?”

Mira gratefully was led through the house by Elijah guiding hand. When she saw the soft rug on the ground she found herself falling onto it before he even suggested her to. It was late and it was so warm here by the fire. Everything was trying to convince her to close her eyes and drift off into peaceful sleep. But Elijahs presence kept her alert. He nudged the bundle of clothes towards her and she noticed they were all his. When he mentioned he could turn away Mira actually blushed a little. She had never been modest like that around him. But should she be now? As he continued to talk he mentioned food and a place to stay. Immediately Mira felt like she was being a terrible burden on the whole house. 

When Elijah demanded an explanation Mira fidgeted a little. "Well" she picked up the shirt that lay folded in front of her. "I honestly don't know what came over me." With a little difficulty she slid the wet shirt she was wearing over head and dropped it on the floor with a wet plop. "One second I was sitting and talking to Mum. Listening to her rant on and on -" She unfastened the back of her bra and slid it off. Mira pulled Elijahs shirt over her bare chest more quickly than she normally would have, unsure how he would feel about nudity now. "- Then I just couldn't take it anymore. So I got up and left. Went upstairs, packed my stuff and walked out." 

She slid off her pants, revealing her long, light colored legs. Her pale color held a certain glow in the light in the firelight. "It was stupid, looking back now. But it felt so amazing as I did it." Mira laughed quietly to herself. She reached out to pick up Elijah's old boxers but just as she had grabbed them she looked up and met his eyes. "Thank you for letting me stay." she murmured. He was being too kind and Mira knew she would owe him for a very long time for this.