Chapter 100 - Dawn’s Hubby (2/2)

”Isn't that a bit like slavery?” Lily hesitantly said, reminding Rowan too much of a certain bushy-haired witch of the future.

”No, Miss Evans!” Dawn shrieked in horror as she fiercely shook her head causing her ears to flap in distress. ”Dawn is proud and most honored to serve the Prince family!”

”Oh, I'm sorry,” Lily hastily said. ”It's just that house elves don't seem to be very happy at times from what is written in the books at least.”

”It is okay, Miss Evans, Dawn understands Miss Evans means well. Dawn is lucky to serve in happy wizarding home where Dawn is treated well. But other house elves are not so lucky, they are treated very poorly, ”Dawn truthfully explained.

”Oh yes, Dawn knows there are terrible, mean wizards who do most wretched things to happy serving elves. Dawn's hubby, Tadbey, very much understands. But Hubby was smart and tricked bad masters into giving Hubby clothes. Hubby was suddenly free, but all alone in the wizarding world. But Hubby found Prince manor and Hubby fell in love with Dawn.”

Dawn giggled happily as she smiled. ”But Hubby was very afraid of Prince masters. But Master is most wise and said, Hubby can stay as a free elf, but Hubby must swear an oath of loyalty and protection to the Prince family. Dawn is most proud of Hubby as he is a free elf and is paid wages every week. For master promised that when Dawn has tiny house elf babies that if tiny babies want to be more than house elf, house elf babies can have a choice.”

Dawn pauses and exclaims, ”Here we are Miss Evans, the guest room!” Dawn proudly opens the door to real a lovely girl's room in tasteful pastel colors. Lily eagerly steps into the bedroom as Severus peeks through the doorway at the well-furnished guest room including a full-length mirror.

A small smile had appeared on Rowan's face as she heard the story. Although not very grand in the scheme of things, it proved that a house elf could be something more. And by the looks of it, Tadbey, the free elf was quite interesting to say the least.

Lily turns around to face Dawn and says, ”Thank you, Dawn, the room is very beautiful. And thank you for explaining things to me, but please call me, Lily.”

”Thank you, Miss Evans. But Miss Evans is a guest and decorum must be kept,” Dawn properly declared.

”Of course,” Lily said with a giggle, before turning to Severus and Rowan. ”Now show me your rooms?”

”Mine first,” Severus eagerly said as he grabbed Lily by the hand and dragged her away to his bedroom further down the hallway.

”Thank you, Dawn, that was quite nice of you to reveal your life's story to our guest,” Rowan said.

”It was no trouble at all, young mistress,” Dawn said with a beaming smile.

”I don't know if it would be possible, Dawn, but might I trouble you to introduce, your husband?” Rowan sincerely asked.

”No trouble at all, young mistress!” Dawn eagerly said as she flapped her ears in excitement. ”This is the first time; Dawn will be introducing hubby! Dawn is most excited!”

Rowan blinks in confusion as suddenly she hears a familiar pop behind her and turns to glance into Lily's room. A rather solemn house elf in perfectly ironed, blue overalls and white starched shirt stares at her. Calmly adjusting his spectacles, the dark eyes blink at her as in a rather sarcastic voice, Tadbey says, ”Yes, young mistress, you called?”

A slow steady grin appears on Rowan's face as she takes a step forward and offers her hand. ”Rowan Prince, it is nice to finally meet you, Tadbey. I've heard so much about you that I just had to request an introduction,” Rowan genuinely said.

Tadbey eyes the tall, slender human girl before him that he had been studying for some time. Strange and quiet at times, then warm and loving, while cold and unfeeling at others. But overall, a good child, and most importantly a decent witch. Taking her hand, Tadbey firmly shakes and says, ”Tadbey at your service.”

”Rowan, where are you!” Severus's shouted causing Rowan to sigh.

”Sorry,” Rowan apologetically said as she released his hand. ”I hope you don't mind if I summon you to converse another time?”

”If I am not busy, I will come,” Tadbey firmly declared.

”Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way,” Rowan said with a smile. ”Thank you, Dawn, and I will be seeing you later Tadbey,” before walking out and heading towards her bedroom lest Severus try to break down the door.

Tadbey raises an eyebrow and says, ”I've been watching that girl and she is just as strange as the rest of this family.”

Dawn giggles and presses a kiss to her husband's face. ”Dawn is so lucky to have such good masters,” Dawn squeaked.

Tadbey sighs and corrects his wife, ”They are employers, not masters.”

”Hubby says, TOE-MAY-TOE, while Dawn says, Toe-MA-Toe. Though it sounds different it is still the same thing,” Dawn wisely said.

Tadbey reaches over and gently places a kiss on his wife's lips. The two are still for a bit before Tadbey unhappily withdraws. ”I best get back to work, I have to finish running an errand,” Tadbey sighed.

”Dawn will then keep the food warm until hubby returns,” Dawn lovingly said as she placed one last kiss on her husband's cheek, before apparating away to the dining room to clean up. Tadbey sheepishly reaches up to touch his cheek before apparating away with a lopsided grin on his face. Ah, to be young and so very much in love.