Iola spent the weekend of the meeting training, splitting her time between flying herself in dizzying circles and flicking her wand throughout the space of her designated training area on the Hogwarts lawn. It was spent in dazzling shades of anger that had people hesitant to approach lest they face the extent of her wrath at the tip of her wand.

The week following that was more in shades of violets as she worked through her anger, transforming it into a bitter feeling of a storm that tugged and worked over her. Iola often left like a lightning storm trapped in a bottle, ready to be unstopped and aimed at calm oceans to churn and wreak havoc -- setting death upon any who dared touch her waters. She did not snap, however, as Iola was very good at being angry as it was a constant companion over the years, an ally that held her still in times where her spirit was crushed under the oppressive weight of Aveline's control.

It was after a week and a half of people toeing around her as though she was a sleeping dragon that brought the bravest of her acquiantances to her side. Surprisingly, it was not Dinah that came to her.

Hermione's hair was more of a curled mess than normal. It looked frizzed and tugged on, giving Iola the sense that the younger girl had been tugging on it quite a bit lately, neglecting herself in stress.

She was dressed casually under her dress robes. Her jumper looked ruffled, the stitched pulled.

Slowly, Iola lowers her arm, wand hanging at her side in a loose grip. It was relatively late in the evening, the sun setting behind her as she faced the castle.

"You've been avoiding everyone," Hermione remarks.

Iola doesn't answer for a moment, tongue touching the top of her month softly. "I have been in a  bad mood. I am still in a bad mood. What do you want?"

Hermione rolls her eyes. "You're been a foul git because of what Harry said to you? Are you still wearing nappies?"

Her hand twitches. "Excuse me? Do you know that you must not always take Harry's side because he is your friend, oui? I am not wrong for being angry that he ask me to meet with a murderer and then throw my kindness to him back in my face."

"So you're going to act like a child and stamp your feet until you get your way?" Hermione snaps.

The words leave a terrible taste in her mouth as they burn their way through her chest, ripping at her as though there was an old wound hidden beneath layers of skin and bone, as though she was nothing under flesh but tumbling dark feelings and emptiness.

"I have never had a fit in my entire life," Iola silently seethes. "I have never had the chance to stomp my feet or shout nasty words or cry like a child. I have never been allowed to be angry at others because I was not allowed near others. If Aveline had been here, I would not have feelings distract me for anything."

She steps closer, moving so that the tips of her pointed shoes touch Hermione's feet. She tries not to preen at the way the other girl shifts her stance.

"We are not the same. Do not speak to me as though you understand why I am angry or like you have any right to tell me how to react to something," Iola continues in a nasty, dismissive tone. "I am allowed to be angry at anyone that I like now, no matter anyone's opinion of it."

Hermione doesn't answer for a long moment and Iola takes that as a sign to back away, twirling her wand carelessly between her fingers as she considers her next move and how to proceed.

These sort of conversations, confrontations really, were very much like duels in certain cases. They were a back and forth as you read your oponent, your partner, and responded, moving until you either understood and slashed down or came out victor and slashed down.

"What did you want to say to me?" she finally asks. "Did you only come to fight?"

Hermione's lips twitch into a frown, pulling at the edges before she bits her lip and her expression clears. "We are not done talking about this," she warns briefly, leaving no room for argument, before she continues. "It's the House-elves, really. I- I believe that Winky might need some more help. She hasn't been doing very well lately and since you know her..."

She trails off and though Iola doesn't exactly understand her reasoning in the slightest, she still nods and tucks her wand away, ready to go and speak with the little creature if it would assist her.

The miserable dispair that bruned through the creature was likely at the forefront of her mind still, her dismissal a heavy sadness in her heart. Crouch had been hasty in Winky's dismissal, but he was an old, proud man. It made sense to her that he would remove anything that might have reflected badly on his character.

Had Ponpy been shown in such a light when Aveline was still around, then her mother would have likely killed the poor thing regardless of Iola's wishes. It had been a dark time then, the connection to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and the fear of Death Eaters, would have made anyone suspicious.

Hermione leads the way, her hands tucked into the sleeves of her robes. It was a cold evening, Iola could feel it in the air that burned the tips of her ears, her nose and cheeks rosy and thighs numb.

The warmth of the castle washed against her in a blast sending every bit of cold touched skin on fire. She bit back a grimace and a curse and schooled her face as Hermione let out a sigh of relief and shook her shoulders.

"Why did you get your house-elf Ponpy?" Hermione asks softly as they walk through the nearly empty corridors -- nearly empty but feeling as though they were alone with the soft lighting and suched whispers of quiet conversations.

"Aveline got him for me so that I can have someone to keep track of me and take care of my needs so that we would have no need of other servants. Now that I think of this, it was likely becuase she did not want anyone to see her in acts of evil by accident. Poor Ponpy would be sworn to never speak a word to anyone of what she did even if he technically belonged to me."

"Did she have her own house-elf?" Hermione asks after a beat. Iola had to hand it to her for her neutrality, pulling on nothing but her curiosity instead of her instant disapproval.

"She had two, though I did not see them often. I do not even know where they are, but I was told by the aurors that search my home that when the elfs turn up, if they have nothing to do with Aveline's actions, then they will pass to me."

"What do you mean you didn't see them often?"

Iola shakes her head, fingers twitching as she rolls the wrist of her dominant hand. "They were always with her when she was out or taking care of the parts of the home where I did not care to go to often. Other times, they would be out likely doing as Aveline asks when my mother could not leave herself. I did not speak to my mother much as I got older. She gave me more room to care for myself and my own training when I proved myself capable."

"And Ponpy was your first friend when you were younger," Hermione remarks.

Iola can't remember if she's told the girl this before or not.

"He was. I had no cousins or family to meet. My mother was an only child and had only great aunt and uncles of the Bouchard line and she did not speak to the distant Travers cousins that I hae only been told of briefly. I think that she might have felt bad," Iola says softly, brows furrowing slightly as she considers her actions. "Aveline also got her own House elf when she was a child. He is one of the two that she had now, though I do not know where Ralpey is now, or  Cappey for this matter."

"But don't you think it's wrong to force them to be with you?" Hermione asks. "Do you not think it wrong that Ralpey and Cappey have to stay with Aveline and do what she says?"

Iola frowns. "Is this not a... bias comparison? You know that Avelive is not a good person."

Hermione comes to a stop in the corridor that leads to the kitchens. "It is? Just because you know that you're nice to Ponpy and other house-elves, doesn't mean others aren't awful. Dobby was beaten and mistreated by the Malfoy's before he was freed."

"This is SPEW?"

"This is part of what SPEW is about. If a house-elf wants to stay in a families employement then they have that right, but they should have the choice instead of being bought like property. They're being treated like slaves, even if you give Ponpy an allowance and he chooses to be with you."

Iola winces, feeling the accusation turn her stomach even if it wasn't voiced as one.

"I- I do not know what to say," she admits in a quiet voice. "I feel the need to tell you that you are wrong."

Hermione nods in acceptance. "But you do not think I am wrong, do you?" she presses, voice just as soft. "You were raised to think a certain way but it's not wrong to change. That's what you're doing now, aren't you?"

She swallows thickly. "I am. Is- do you think this is something the house-elves would like?"

Her expression turns sour, sad as she frowns. "They don't like to listen to me. They don't even realize what I'm trying to show them."

Nodding in consideration, Iola says: "I will have Ponpy speak to them and see what they say before I think of SPEW."

The relief on Hermione's face is instant, mixing with her gratitude as she thanks her, letting them both into the kitchen with a tickle of the pear and a duck of their heads.

The joyous clamour of house-elves crowding around her legs, calling their names with offers -- her name more so than Hermione's -- and little hands grabbing the hem of her dress. She could spot Ponpy throughout the clamour pushing from near the back with a green bowtie snug around his neck with a clean, freshly pressed, blue suit on his tiny body.

She could remember getting him that back when she first started at Beauxbatons so that he could match her if he so chose to do so. It was a bit of a shock to see him in it now, but not wholy unwelcome.

"Mademoiselle! Mademoiselle, Ponpy have been misssing you so much!" he cries, his French loud over the others. "Does Madame want Ponpy's help? Is that why Madame is coming here?"

"Non, Ponpy, Hermione asked if I could come and see Winky. She tells me that he is unwell," she tells him, petting the top of her his and over his ears as he reaches her. "Will you take me to Winky?"

His chin wobbles. "Mademoiselle isn't coming here to see Ponpy?"

"Of course I've come to see you as well, Ponpy. I always enjoy seeing you," she clarifies quickly. "But you've been busy helping the other house-elves around the castle, haven't you? I am very proud that you've been assisting them with the increased number of guest that they are serving here."

He perks, eyes alight with joy. "Ponpy having been helping them, but Ponpy is missing helping Mademoiselle most."

"I know, Ponpy. I have missed you as well. In fact," she says, running quickly through her schedule and various dates. "I will be requiring your assistance throughout the next couple of days."

He jumps, crashing into her legs. "Yesses, Mademoiselle! Ponpy is readies."

Iola casts a quick glance to Hermione as the girl was trying to speak to the elves. She shakes her head. "Will you take us to Winky before I give you your first task?"

"Winky is being near the fire," he states, dropping his voice to say, "She having been drinking again."

Iola schools her features into an impassive expression that she know that Ponpy recognizes better than anyone, her disapproval and what she supposes to be pity quite discernable to him.

"Very well. I'll see what I can do, Ponpy," she mutters gently, petting his ears. "What I need you to do right now is broach the subject of SPEW with the other elves. See how they feel or what they think. Do you know what SPEW is?"

Ponpy nods unsurely. "Yesses, Mademoiselle. Dobby having been telling me."

"Good. Go on, then, sweets. You learn what you can for me."

He does as told, darting off with wobbly grace and confidence. Ponpy was such an adorably loyal creature.

"Come, Hermione, she is by the fireplace," she calls to the girl. "Ponpy tells me that she is drinking."

The little house-elf was dropping off the tiny stool, bottles of butterbeer strewn around her in a general mess and she held one tightly in both hands close to her chest as hiccups caused her entire body to jolt.

Something about this was recognizable, not pitable, but familiar. Iola didn't think it was empathy.

She said nothing as she sat beside the small elf, not wasting a moment in taking up the cup of tea that one of the trailing elves handed her. She smiled warmly at the lovely scent of the tilleul that offered her mixed exactly as she liked it. She murmurred her thanks.

They remained quiet for a moment, Hermione thankfully taking her cues from Iola just this once.

The floral tastes jumped along her tongue as she sipped and Iola hummed her appreciation.

"You are still sad," she comments without tact. "They call it depression, do they not?"

"Depression?" Hermione blurts. "I- are you depressed, Winky?"

The elf only sniffles, having no words for them as she drinks and cries.

Iola sighs. "Sometimes, before I sleep, I, too, think I am depressed, but then I think that it is not possible if I do not have proper feelings," she says. "Aveline was not a good mother. They say that she is cruel and evil. I do not disagree but she is still my mother and she has... she has controlled me from the moment I remember anything. But she is still my mother and now I am alone."

She keeps her gaze locked on the fire, the flames curling and flickering low by the logs, licking against the large cauldron hung above it. She can feel Winky's gaze on her. Hermione hasn't looked away from the moment she begun speaking.

"You miss Crouch, but he dismissed you, Winky, and he will take you back. It is a matter of his pride, oui? You know him better than I so you must know that he could not know after so much time."

The elf sniffles, choking on her sobs as she ducks her head as far as she physically could.

"You will work with Ponpy now, is this understood? He will teach you how I like things to be done until you are ready to work for multiple masters. I know that Professor Dumbledore has taken you in for work, but you have not been working and I insist," she speaks with a gently command. "Ponpy will take you for greasy clothes and I do not wish to see you drink any longer. I will speak with Dumbledore to have you see a magizoologist for these feelings. Do you understand your orders, Winky?"

Hermione tenses, opening her mouth to protest but Iola silences her with a sharp glare.

The house-elf chokes on a sob, sucking a harsh breath around her snots. "Yes, Master Iola."

"Mademoiselle Iola, Winky," she corrects gently.

The little thing nods. "Yes, Mademoiselle."

"Good, I will be back to see you soon. I enjoy biscuits at night with my tea. We can have them together when I come to see you," she tells her. "Ponpy, dear, make sure you take the allowance from my vault. The same that is given to you each week." 

"Oui, Mademoiselle," he chirps happily, grabbing Winky's hand as he leads her off once more, chattering quickly in French. 

The disappear with a pop and she wonders if he's bringing Winky to their home or if he was taking her somewhere else. She didn't think he would be finding any stores open at this hour, but they were likely to have a large number of things for her to wear at home on top of soaps that she knew a house-elf would feel comfortable using. Idly, she wondered what clothing items Ponpy was likely to part with. He was a bit of a horder, keeping every little thing that Iola gave him even if it was long out of style. 

She finished her tea with two deep swallows, holding the cup in the palm of two hands. 

"I'm sorry for before," Hermione mutters. "You're allowed to be upset with things in whatever way that you want. I'm just worried that the way that you feel things sometimes isn't exactly healthy."

Her scoff is quiet and full of derision. "I do not know how to feel things in any other way." 

"I know. Did you want to talk about the whole thing with Harry?" 

"Not particularly." 

"Right," Hermione huffs. "George has been very sad that he hasn't gotten to see you as often. Fred has been complaining that you broke his brother." 

"They are very dramatic," she says with a roll of her eyes. 

Hermione snorts, laughing with a pretty smile tugging her lips wide. "They are. They've taken to tormenting Harry in retaliation when George isn't whining." 

She hums, tapping her fingers softly adaint ht eside of the empty cup. "You are not saying what you really wish to say." 

"I didn't think that you would answer me even if I did." 

"You are probably right." 

They were silent for another moment and she basked in the sounds of quiet shatter and workign elves. 

"I'm here for me if you ever need someone to speak to, Iola," Hermione says. 

Her forced smile feels more like a grimace. "I am aware. Merci." 

"Right." 

Eventually they get up, both making there way out towards the lower floor that is closest to the castle grounds near the carriage. She takes a moment to consider how cold it might be outside, but resigns herself to making the walk out anyway. 

"You know," Hermione starts with a nervous lilt to her voice. "You could probably spend the night in the castle if you wish. No one would say a thing and Dumbledore wouldn't mind." 

"Spend a night in the castle? Where?" 

"Well, er, the Gryffindor tower, of course. There ought to be an empty bed in the dorms somewhere and I wouldn't mind sharing with you the night if there weren't." 

"You would share your bed with me?" she asks, incredulous. 

Hermione sniffs, turning her face away as her cheeks paint a soft pink. "They're rather big, if I'm honest. It would be fun I think." 

Warmth burns in her chest with the uncomfortable tightness that weighs on her. "It is a kind offer but I do not think it is a good night. Another day, I will take you up on your offer--" she trails off, remembering quite clearly what she wanted from Hermione in return for this favour in the first place-- "Actually, I have just the idea that I will need your help with, honnêtement." 

The other girl turns a curious gaze to her. 

"I will need you to go shopping with me first," Iola says, body tense as she fights off a smile. "I need help with presents first." 

°°°
Vote,
Comment,
& follow me om wattpad

sorry for taking so long to update! i've been busy and just haven't had the energy to write anything. 

unedited 

2020-11-21