Luna and Lucius

"Well." Hermione sighed as she watched the two men disappear down the corridor. Glancing around the large foyer she raised the bouquet to her nose and inhaled the fragrance of the beautiful flowers. "Wildflowers." She muttered to herself. Looking down she was surprised to see the tiny house elf staring up at her.

"Your name is Maisy?"

"Yes Mum." The house elf squeaked in a tiny voice.

"How long have you been with the Malfoy's?"

"I is new Mum." She said, fingering the hem of her crisp white skirt. "I is only just starting here last week. This is my first placing." She gazed up at Hermione smiling and blinking her eyes.

"Where were you before this?" Hermione asked, her curiosity peeked.

"I is with my Grandmother and my Mother, learning how to be a good house elf."

"How old are you?" Looking closely at her, Hermione could tell she was very young.

"I is 16 Mum."

"Are you the only house elf here?"

"Oh no Mum." Maisy shook her head. "There is Hoppy, she works in the kitchen and cleans. But I is helping with the cleaning too. And then Hoppy's son, Dibs, works in the yard and is taking care of the horses and the cars."

"Mr. Malfoy has a car?"

"No Mum." Maisy said, shaking her head. "Master Malfoy has two cars." She held up two tiny fingers.

"Well." Hermione shook her head in amazement. "And Mr. Malfoy's been good to you?"

"Oh yes Mum." The tiny elf smiled happily. "He is wonderful. He tell me I is to be the personal house elf of his new Missus and that she is sweet and kind."

"He said that?"

"Yes Mum." Maisy was cut off by a flash of green light and Ginny Potter stumbled out of the fire place.

"Stupid floo." Ginny muttered casting a hateful look at the fireplace. Glancing around she saw Hermione and her face broke into a huge grin. "Mione!" She cried, hugging her friend tightly.

"Hello to you too. Where's Luna?"

"She'll be right behind me." Ginny answered. "We're using the Leaky Cauldron's floo and it's bloody awful."

There was another bright flash of green and Luna tumbled out of the fireplace, her arms pin wheeling to maintain her balance.

"Well that was exciting." She said, smiling broadly at Hermione. "Where are Professor Snape and Mr. Malfoy?" She asked, looking around the foyer.

"They are in the library. Hiding." Hermione's voice reeked of disdain.

"Oh." Luna was clearly disappointed.

"Lucius felt it would be bad luck to see you prior to the Wedding." She added quickly.

"I supposed he's right." Luna said, smiling cheerfully. "What is that?" She asked, pointing to the flowers in Hermione's hand.

"Oh." Hermione said, handing the bouquet to her. "It's your Wedding bouquet. Lucius designed it for you."

"It's beautiful" Luna gasped, smelling the flowers. "It's perfect."

"Come on girls." Ginny said loudly. "Let's get this party started. Somebody point me in the direction of the pool. Well who is this?" Ginny gazed down at Maisy, who was pointing towards a hallway opposite the fireplace.

"This is Maisy." Hermione explained. "She's Luna's house elf."

"My house elf?" Luna repeated shocked. "I've never had a house elf before."

"And I has never had a Missus before." Maisy squeaked.

"Well then we can learn together." Luna said, dropping on her knees in front of the elf. "May I give you a hug?" She asked gently, holding out her arms.

Maisy bowed her head and fingered the hem of her skirt nervously. She looked up at Luna and nodded shyly. Luna hugged the elf gently. "I'm very pleased to meet you Maisy."

The elf's ears wiggled and she smiled broadly.

"Well let's get changed and go find the pool." Luna said, standing up. "Which way to the rooms?"

"This way." Hermione said turning around to face the foyer. Her face crumpled in confusion as she turned and stared at the three staircases rising from the foyer to the second floor.

"Maisy knows the way." The house elf said excitedly, scampering towards the middle staircase. "Follow me Mums."