Don't Kill The Messenger

[Sapphire Michaels]

Out of Character:

This is set during first year, first quarter before exams

Sapphire hadn't been able to sleep. That's why she found herself here, wondering the sixth corridor, in the middle of the night. There was one thing on her mind, and that was the challenge to find the Room of Requirement before Alkander did. It was really the only reason she was out wandering the halls barefoot and in her pajamas. She made her way through the dark, relying on the moonlight to guide her and shadows to keep her hidden.

She had been through the hall at least twice now, but she knew she would be through at least twice more before she would even consider giving up. She was focused, and she planned to make the most of it. Her raven hair acted like a curtain, hiding her face and brushing her shoulder blades as she walked.

Sapph knew she was breaking curfew. But how else was she supposed to win? It wasn't like she was hurting anyone wondering around like this. The way she saw it, the curfew was more a scare tactic so you didn't have students wandering the halls at all hours of the night. And most students were dumb enough to listen.

She was so caught up in observing the hall and so confident that no one else would dare be out this late that she never bothered to see if there was anyone following her.

 

[Teebo]

It was one of the few times that the house elf abandoned the familiarity of Hogwarts' kitchens and the comforting smell of boiling cauldrons. Tonight he had a special mission to follow through for a special friend. He hadn't expected to serve the personal intentions of other humans after he was freed from the horrible family he used to serve in the past. Working at Hogwarts was his choice, a way to contribute to a larger scale rather than focusing to specific individuals. However, this occasion was more of a friendly service than serving an underage wizard. The boy was treating him with respect and every time he appeared at the kitchens to visit Teebo, he was back with a gift.

Teebo was eager to take over the favor he was asked but as he was wandering quietly across the castle's dark corridors, he had second thoughts. The fainthearted house elf was on edge. His bat-like ears were filtering the slightest sound. His round eyes attempting to distinguish shadowy shapes within blackness. Teebo was dressed in a total black sweater that was reaching his scrapped knees, a matching pair of black socks and a knitted batman beanie, one of the many of his personal collection.

In his hands was clasped a white envelope containing a letter. His task was to deliver it to a girl that was supposedly around sixth floor in search of the Room of Requirements. His friend has filled him with all the necessary information, but Teebo wasn't sure how to approach the girl. It wasn't hard to locate her. His acute hearing was able to pinpoint her at the end of the hall. Humans were exactly the quietest of creatures. Teebo on the other hand threaded his way stealthily and once he was close to the girl he stopped. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and announced his presence when he mustered enough courage.

"Ahem, Miss Michaels?" His squeaky, shaking voice broke the silence. He hoped he got the right person.

 

[Sapphire Michaels]

Sapphire's heart lept to her throat and she spun around quickly, tense and ready to fight. Her fists were raised and she stood defensively as she glanced around, searching for the source of the voice.

After a moment she relaxed a bit and her eyes lowered. Standing there, looking rather adorable, was a house elf. She let out a sigh of relief and squatted down so she could be eye level with him. Her? She couldn't tell, but thought it would be rude to ask.

"Hello," she greeted. "You startled me. Do you need something?" It wasn't the most formal greeting, but there was a friendly smile on her face.

 

[Teebo]

Teebo twitched startled as well and a squeal escaped his small mouth that echoed across the hall. He covered his lips with his free hand by reflex and rolled his eyes while listening carefully for any indicative sound that would mean trouble. Trouble for the girl cause he could disapparate out of sight in a blink of an eye. He remained flinched there, his thin legs shaking, when the girl did something that earned instantly his respect. She was the second person who had ever displayed the courtesy of squatting at his eye level in order to address him. Most wizards and witches he had met were looking down their nose at elves with a lofty sneer and barking orders. She had even addressed him with a genuine smile.

This made Teebo feel a little bit braver and safer, and finally he found his voice. "Teebo apologizes for startling Miss Michaels. Teebo had no intend to sneak up on her like that." He apologized with a deep bow. The horns of his batman beanie almost touched the floor. "Teebo knew that would find Miss Michaels here." He continued sheepishly with his arms now behind his arm, swishing imaginary dirt around with his foot. He realized that so far he had done nothing explaining the purpose of his presence. So he cleared his throat and cut to the chase.

"I have a letter for you Miss Michaels." He finally said and revealed the white envelope from behind his back. He was about to hand it over to the girl when he remembered something and drew back his arm to hide the letter behind his back again. Teebo pursed his lips as he was trying to find the right words to put the next sentence. "Teebo is not questioning that before him is Miss Michaels. But Mister-" At that point the house elf made a pause and checked the back of his free hand to read something that he had scribbled down on ink. "Mister Avaskadiras, yes, advised Teebo to make sure that his letter is going to reach Miss Michaels and not someone else." He concluded after making sure he had said right the name of the boy.

Teebo looked the girl in the eyes, both hands behind his back, protecting the letter. "Mister Avaskadiras told me to ask you, how is Miss Michaels calling him?" He divulged the safety question that the boy had advised him to ask in order to make sure that the letter was going to end up to the hands of the right recipient. Teebo new the right answer and he awaited for it in order to hand over the letter to the girl.

 

[Sapphire Michaels]

Sapphire raised a brow and let Teebo speak, not wanting to startle him again. He had an interesting way of talking, to be sure, but something he said gave her pause. He knew she would be here? She wasn't sure how she felt about that, but she was determined to play nice. He was a sweet little guy, she decided.

He held out a letter then, to explain his presence, and her curiosity was renewed. Who in the world would...? She began to reach for the letter when the house elf hid it behind his back. She blinked in surprise. That was unexpected, to say the least. Teebo continued, glancing at the back of his hand as he asked her the safety question. She cocked her head to the side, her brow furrowed for a moment. "Avas... what?" She thought a moment and realized Alkander was the only person who had never told her his last name.

It only took her a few seconds to come up with the proper answer. Having a small social circle had its benefits since she only knew maybe four boys in the whole school. "Wait, wait, Salamander sent you?" She asked quizzically as it clicked together in her mind.

How in the world did he know she was up here? And if he knew she was here then why wasn't he here, challenging her with that snarky attitude and the stupid grin? She watched the elf with curiosity in his eyes. Maybe that letter would explain what on earth Alkander was up to this time.

 

[Teebo]

Teebo was relieved to see comprehension in the girl's blue eyes despite his seemingly incomprehensible rambling. It had been a long time since he had interacted with humans. He used to despise them thanks to his former masters but ever since he was a free elf, he had met to his surprise, wizards and witches who were kind and worth-esteemed. Teebo cracked a smile when the girl said the safe-word and his lime-green eyes sparkled. "Correct Miss Michaels! That is the right answer!" He nodded excitedly with a giggle at the sound of the word 'salamander'. He found it funny that she was calling Mister Avaskadiras that way but he wouldn't dare to mock like that humans even though he was free and the boy was something close to a friend for him.

Teebo flashed a smile as he handed the white envelope to the girl, after he made sure it was still sealed. He didn't want in any way to be falsely accused for snooping.

Dear Sapphire,

I was convinced that after our little chat at the lake the other day, you would have been searching for the Room of Requirements constantly. Though the promise of this room is more than exciting, I have found a far more better secret that I'm willing to share with you.

At this moment that you are reading this lines, I'm at the location of the secret area I'm mentioning about. Please trust Teebo, he's a good little guy and he will take you in no time at my location.

Alkander a.k.a Salamander

P.s.1: Trust me, it's not a joke!
P.s.2: Hint! It involves mass amounts of food!

Teebo took a curious peek of the letter's content as the girl remained squatted at his level.
"Pff, even I have a better handwriting." He commented and waited then for her reaction after she was done reading. Whatever it was, he had to stick to the plan he had with the boy. If he had to, he would lead her to the aforementioned location without her consent.

 

[Sapphire Michaels]

Sapphire smiled at the elf, adjusting to sit on the floor as her feet were going numb. "Thanks," She told him as he handed her the letter with a giggle. The elf was adorable and she found herself liking him more the more time she spent with him. She opened the letter and frowned a little as she looked at Alkander's messy scrawl. She furrowed her brow as she tried to read it.

"Geez, how do Professors read his work?" She complained jokingly to the elf. Once she finally managed to make out Salamander's scrawl, she snorted. "He's not very subtle, is he? He better have cookies," She joked, jumping to her feet.

"Alright, Teebo, lead the way." She gestured, a wide smile on her face. She was pretty sure Alkander was just hiding in the kitchens, but she wasn't going to turn down an adventure when he went out of his way to stage it so dramatically. Her interest was piqued, and Room of Requirements forgotten for now, she followed after the elf.