The slender body of Irina Krum was swathed with ill-fitting robes designed to conceal something from the eye of the average, un-observant wizard. For Elijah Krum it was impossible for him not to immediately notice. After taking her four month year old son from her rail thin arms he took a moment to look at her and appreciated for a moment the youth of the woman that was barely older than his self. She was strained under the weight of both illness and pregnancy and as Elijah cradled his half-brother he realised that what the robes concealed was another child growing, flourishing inside of her; and Elijah found his self praying that for her sake it was another son. Then perhaps Viktor would leave her be. The dark circles beneath her eyes betrayed her illness and her hollowed out cheeks did little to support the idea that she was trying to carry off - that she was fit and healthy. Elijah wrapped his arm around her waist and led her over to one of the benches, allowing her to rest her legs for a moment. Elijah glanced down at the babe in his arms and sighed heavily, moving the blanket away from the child’s face to take in the soft features he boasted.
“He’s beautiful.” Elijah murmured, glancing over at Irina whose hand lay over her stomach, a weary smile brightening her rosy face. “You are blessed, Irina. Viktor has his son now. Why are you still pushing yourself?” The woman sighed heavily and shrugged her shoulders, prompting Elijah to wrap an arm around her. She curled instinctively into his chest, her hand coming to rest over his heart as her eyes took in her son who had long since fallen asleep. She closed her eyes at the feel of Elijah’s lips on her head and she snuggled in closer to him for fear that if she let go she would have nothing left. For some reason, it was Elijah who she got on best with. She did not know how to play the evil step-mother role and he’d seen through her charade. They’d grown close as a result, her trusting in him many of her secrets and her worries. Elijah was someone she’d grown dependent on, finding her loneliness impossible to deal with. “You’ve got to smile through it, Irina. You have to look after yourself.” Elijah reminded her. “I can’t always be there, sweetheart.”
There was little Elijah could do to console the woman who had been betrayed by her family and forced into one where even her husband was hostile towards her. Irina cried until she could no longer muster up the strength to continue on and Elijah took her to the Hog’s Head for lunch where they were served pies and some warm cider which she sipped at but never really drank. It was during that time that Gabriel woke, startling Elijah and Irina out of their discussion. Both turned to look at the sobbing child and Irina made to get up but Elijah stopped her, reaching instead for the child. He lifted the boy into the air before cradling him gently, shushing him with whispered questions as to why he was crying and small smiles. Irina herself could not help but smile and found herself sat on Elijah’s knee, stroking the head of her precious boy and coaxing him out of his sadness.
They departed with a promise to meet again. Elijah hugged the woman fiercely before kissing her on the mouth and releasing her. He cupped her face in his palms and rubbed away her tears with his thumbs before reaching to kiss her forehead and whispering that very promise. She smiled through her tears and nodded gently before allowing Elijah to place his hand over her stomach to feel the child blossoming within her. There was much magic there, just as there was in Gabriel and Irina herself. She had talent but she was being drained of her energies and so it was Elijah who took her home, taking her right to the door of the Bulgarian manor and placing one last kiss on her forehead before Apparating away for fear of being caught by a nosy family member. He loathed leaving her by herself but knew there was no other way. She knew where to reach him. And so Elijah resigned himself back to Hogwarts, digging his hands into the pockets of his robes and walking with his head down up to the castle where he realised he had no place anymore. He was all alone - just like Irina.
Elijah had a cigarette between his lips when he entered the courtyard. Immediately he sensed another feline in the area and he looked around, quickly spotting a kitten in the arms of a young Gryffindor. He smiled a little and took the cigarette from his licks, flicking the ash onto the cobbles before walking over, keeping the cigarette down by his side. Brazenly, he knelt down by the girl and reached up to pat the kitten on the head. The animal meowed in response and Elijah chuckled, shaking his head in reply. He then glanced up at the girl and smiled before explaining to her,
“I think your kitten is a little hungry. She’s enjoying the cuddles though.” Elijah smiled gently and flicked the cigarette away, rising to stamp it out with his shoe before sitting back down beside the girl who looked as if she was barely thirteen. “I have a kitten too.” He mentioned with a smile. “Twist, his name is. Little bugger is that cat. Drives me mad. Nice enough though. What’s your kitten called?” Elijah smiled at her again before adding, “I’m Elijah, by the way. Elijah Krum.”
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