Chapter 814 - Entreaty Ⅲ (1/2)

It was later in the evening at 12 Grimmauld Place as the clock read as past nine. Down the halls filled with the portraits of countless generations of Black family members, the frames shine without a single speck of dust. The Black home glistens with polished wooden stands, glowing banisters, and shining waxed floors. The metal artifacts of silver, gold, and goblin silver shine from being thoroughly polished including the chandeliers. The ancient rugs have a ŀuster as if new and are a richer color. Thanks to Finney, their latest house elf, their residence, 13 Grimmauld Place finally lived up to its full potential.

It had not occurred to Walburga nor Orion that Kreacher had been getting on in years nor the fact that Kreacher required spectacles. Oh yes, Finney ran a tight ship! Finney produced magnificent culinary creations and was an excellent massager. It was a tad troublesome to say, but Finney received two days off a month and had her own private funds set up for her own personal use.

Walburga and Orion had been nervous at first to grant a house elf such freedoms. To their relief, they swiftly learned that Finney used her time off to learn new things and properly dress herself or purchase items to recreate that which she had learned. ”By limiting a house elf, a house elf can never properly serve,” at least that was the common phrase now used by all the pureblood households to ensure that their house elves were properly trained in accordance to Hogwarts standards.

In one of the parlors, the Black couple can be seen relaxing. Stern with dark hair and sharp features, Walburga Black gray eyes eagerly read the novel, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It was a muggle book, but it really was quite good. She rather approved of the writer's sentiments but had been forced to purchase the book at an outrageous price from a muquib vendor for Flourish and Blotts had yet to finish setting up the new section of muggle books that were all the rage and were in high demand in wizarding society.

Seated at her side is her husband, the handsome dark-haired, Orion Black with elegant features. His gray eyes coolly read the Daily Prophet's evening edition with contemplation evident on his face. A soft pop causes them to glance up as a pretty, young house elf with chanel-like hair, wide brown eyes, and dimples bows to them while a silver tray floats gently onto the stand before them. Wearing an adorable French outfit with even a white cap, Finney says, ”Master and Mistress, Finney has prepared milk tea with a hint of brown sugar. Finney has paired the tea with egg tarts, freshly churned sweet cream, and topped with fresh fruit. And if that is not the preference, Finney also made a basket of steamed buns filled with sweet red bean filling and egg custard.”

”Thank you, Finney,” Walburga said as Finney bowed and said, ”It is always a pŀėȧsurė to serve,” before vanishing with a pop.

”Most excellent,” Orion said as he folded his paper and set it aside. With care, he opened the closed woven basket to reveal steaming perfect round buns. With care, he took the still steaming bun and blew on it, before taking a bit. ”Oh, hot,” he huffed, but he continued to eat the delicious goodness.

”Orion,” Walburga said in disapproval of her husband antics, who only gave her a sheepish look. The dessert from the orient had become one of Orion's favorite deserts as it was not overly sweet nor heavy with a distinct taste. Not that Walburga minded as she was rather fond of the dessert herself and it was one of the more popular desserts currently in society to serve to guests.

They had been enjoying their tea and sweet course when a loud pop caused them to glance up with a bit of a frown. It was Kreacher. Kreacher was their old house elf with a bulbous, snot-like nose, his bloodshot eyes were gone since he had gained spectacles. Although he still had many folds of skin that moved when he did with white hair now neatly trimmed and no longer growing out of his bat-like ears. He wore a neat black jacket over a white toga with the Black family household crest.

”Kreacher apologizes for interrupting, but Kreacher has an urgent letter to deliver from the young master, Regulus,” Kreacher said as he bowed his head down with his nose nearly touching the nose.

Walburga extended her hand and took the letter from Kreacher's hand. ”You did well, Kreacher, you may go,” she said with gratitude in her voice.

”Kreacher only lives to serve, Mistress,” Kreacher sincerely answered, before bowing again and vanishing with a loud pop.