l'homme en noir

elis greengrass. pureblood. french. 23 years old. deputy ambassador of france. death eater.

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Valentine’s Day | Serelis AU Drabble

For Isabel, my darling friend, and her consummate patience.

@queenofthecrabbes

Considering he lives in the city of love, Elis Greengrass thinks nothing of Valentine’s Day. Perhaps he should. It is, in fact, one of the few holidays he had not marked – even customarily – until he fell in love with his wife. In previous years, his assistant has made sure to send flowers to Seraphina and he’d followed up with jewelry from the Greengrass vault but this year, the first Valentine’s Day since they’ve been married, Elis has let the day slip by unnoticed. It is around noon when he looks at the date on the calendar and matches it up with the itch in mind that tells him he’s forgotten something. Time stops. His eyes close and the breath he emits is more suited for a bedroom than a boardroom. Surely she’s realized he’s forgotten by now.

Though Elis loves his wife, loves her more than anything in this world, their relationship is anything but easy. He navigates the waves of ups and downs Seraphina throws at him while still expecting certain stipulations be met in their marriage. Sometimes he’s successful and sometimes he’s not, but he’s working on it – he’d like to say they’re working on it, but he’d be stupid as well as a fool to do so. He’s working on it and Seraphina is working on, well, being Seraphina. But he loves her because of her flaws, not in spite of them, and he knows that one day – maybe not today – she’ll show him that she loves him, too. For Elis to forget Valentine’s Day is tantamount to ignoring his love for his wife and he’ll be lucky if she ever lets him forget it. But perhaps he still has time to salvage things.

The Frenchman tasks his assistant with closing out the rest of his day while he begins the quick walk into the wizarding side of the Champs-Élysées. Flowers are, of course, a requisite purchase though they will be his last. His first stop ends up being the jewelry shop and Elis again curses himself for not pulling something out of the family vault the last time he was in London – there’s a pair of diamond earrings that will perfectly match the necklace he gave her at Christmas, but time is of the essence. Twenty minutes later finds Elis out on the street, a wrapped box of jewelry – it’s a ruby bracelet that’s almost gauche with how large the stones are – in his pocket, the receipt with the date already destroyed. He allows himself to breathe easier as he makes his way to the Swiss chocolatier that recently set up shop in an abandoned storefront. Though he doesn’t expect his wife to actually eat them – he’s not blind, though he plays the part quite well – Elis picks up a box of truffles filled with different liqueurs as well as a simpler assortment for his office. 

He’s lucky that it’s not raining today as he makes his way back to the small – by Elis’ standards, not society’s – townhouse he shares with his wife, stopping only to pick up some beautiful roses mixed with hydrangeas. It takes a bit longer than he had anticipated, because he insists on throwing out any flower that will wilt within a day. Once he arrives home, he’s surprised that the house itself is quiet and he hands the flowers to a house elf to arrange into a vase – the cut crystal one, he directs, not the glass. Elis’ coat is quickly shed, followed by his jacket, and he rolls up the sleeves of his dress shirt before he begins ascending the stairs to their bedroom, gift boxes in hand.

Once the door is opened, Elis’ eyes crinkle and his lips curve upwards. His wife – his beautiful spitfire of a wife – is still abed, her hair neatly up in the way she knows he hates as she reads one of the Muggle fashion magazines his mother would find distasteful. “It’s a bit late to still be in bed, isn’t it?” he asks her as he takes off his shoes before joining her, leaning over to press a kiss to the corner of her mouth. He pushes the dog off of the duvet, taking the time to also push away his annoyance that his wife has let the dog on the bed again. [This is how Seraphina punishes him, with little annoyances he ignores until he can’t. And then he explodes, nerve endings frayed, taking everything she will give him.]

“I was up hours ago,” Seraphina tells him without looking up from her reading, another quirk that drives him mad. “But once I realized you’d forgotten what day it was, I assumed you’d be home soon trying to make it up to me. The bed’s more comfortable.” Her lips curve up wickedly and at this, he laughs. His hand moves to her hair, unraveling it as he pulls her closer to him, his lips eager, passionate, demanding.

“I applaud your efforts, Madame Greengrass,” he tells her when he pulls back, his French accent thicker than normal. “But I didn’t forget anything.” Her eyebrows rise – whether in surprise or disdain, he can’t tell – and he hands her the boxes from the jeweler’s and the chocolatier, inwardly thankful he paid extra for the shop girl to wrap it. “There are flowers in your parlor downstairs.” While Elis doesn’t expect his wife to believe him – he’s always had flowers sent to her upon waking – he hopes that she will at least be awed at the expense to pretend she does. The chocolate boxes are quickly moved to the nightstand – which he expected – and her fingers hover over the gift.

He’s moved behind her as she opens the jewelry box, his lips moving over the back of her neck. He can feel her smile as she pulls out the bracelet and he takes it from her and clasps it around her wrist. “It’s nearly ostentatious,” he murmurs against her earlobe as his teeth graze over it. “But when I thought about my beautiful little wife at home, in my bed every night, I knew you had to have it.”

She turns, her thighs falling on the outside of his as his hands tangle in her hair, pulling her down for a bruising kiss. “Elis, it’s our bed,” she tells him, the telltale smirk on her face. “But if you want it to just be yours, I can find another.” His grip tightens in her hair and his groan sounds more like a growl. The look in her eyes tell him she has exactly what she wanted to begin with.

The last thought he has, as he flips them over, is that his handful of a wife is going to be the death of him.

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Perchance to Dream | Elis & Sera AU

[queenofthecrabbes]

“It doesn’t matter!” She snapped, his calmer tone and sigh frustrated her to no end. She almost hated how volatile she was and the way he usually responded so calmly, so together. “It doesn’t matter that you did it willingly, that you do not think I owe you anything for it. I can never repay you for that, I will always be in your debt.” I can’t stand that you have that kind of power over me. She didn’t say the last part. 

Seraphina knew he would hear her, he wouldn’t over look her slip up, impassioned unwilling confession. Her face was burning and she wouldn’t look him in the eyes, instead felt the familiar burn of whiskey down her throat. Elis certainly wouldn’t let her get away with that, not force her to say it again. She whipped around and glared at him. “You heard me.” She whispered, but softened her glare. “I said I love you.” Seraphina looked away again, annoyed at herself for showing weakness, giving him one more thing to have power over her. 

She knew she hurt him, that was low of her to compare him to her father. But she rarely thought before she spoke. Part of her wanted to apologize sweetly, get him to take her into his arms and chase away the memories threatening in the corners. Most of her was still too angry, too frustrated with him to give in that easily. “Did it not occur to you that he must have seen some of himself in you to allow you to have me? If you do not wish me to compare you, than do not threaten me like that.”

She released her hands from the fists they were clenched in to stop the shaking when she realized she’d cut herself. It wasn’t the first time she’d looked down to blood filled hands, tiny half moon scars never seemed to be enough to keep her from chasing away remembered pain with present pain. Sera seemed so calm and cruel when she spoke of him, but her heart was pounding and her breath came in shorter and shorter gasps. 

“Why do you want one so soon?” She mumbled, feeling calmed with his touch but still not entirely herself. Seraphina tried to focus on her breathing, on the sound of his steady heart beat. His lips pressed to her temple and she turned to look up at him, bottom lip stuck out in a tiny pout. “Three years.”

[elisgreengrass-blog]

“A gift is not a debt, my darling.” His voice softened at this, for he knew – he’d always known – that killing her father had created a bond between them that she was not completely happy about. She’d never liked feeling indebted to anyone – perhaps it was the Selwyn blood inside of both of them, less so in Elis than in his wife. “And I am sorry that you see it as anything other than proof of my unending devotion to you.”

Perhaps it was cruel of him to insist that she say it again, but after being married and loving her for so long, Elis thought he was entitled to at least hear that she loved him without listing off why she was angry at him in the same breath. She was intoxicated, yes, but not so much that she was unaware of what she was saying and who she was saying it to.  And then she said it, a whispered confession that showed the honesty behind her words. His lips twitched, for while they were still arguing, Elis could not deny the fact that hearing his wife loved him filled him with a lightness that had previously eluded him.

“And I love you. As you well know.” His eyes met hers, honest and open, with a hardness that came back with her comment about her father.

“Your father liked the sheer, exorbitant amount money I offered him and he liked the idea of having connections to the French government,” Elis said bluntly, perhaps a little cruelly. His eyes softened, though his voice had steel behind it. “He didn’t give you to me. He may have allowed me to have you, but he would not have done so had I not allowed him to exhort me for the privilege.” Elis sighed as he thought of the money he’d forked over for the privilege of marrying Seraphina – it had come back to them upon his death, but he still remembered.

“You matter to me far more than money ever has or ever will. I did not choose a wife based on who the best choice was. I chose you because I love you. I’ve always loved you. I’ve been doomed to love you since I was eleven and you pushed me into the mud at my grandfather’s birthday. I will not apologize for using your father’s love of money to my advantage. I swore when we married that I would never strike you, would never hurt you physically, and that is not a vow I will ever break. But don’t ever compare me to him again. You will not like the consequences.”

He pressed another kiss to her skin. “I want a child because I love you. I want a physical representation of us, a girl who’s as beautiful as you and chases after what she shouldn’t. A boy who’s as sharp-witted as his mother.” Elis bit his lip. “We will talk about it again in two, but if you feel the same way then I will not push the issue.”

[casually-furious-blog]

Dust to Dust--OPEN

[casually-furious-blog]

In the back of her mind, Lucinda wondered if anyone else would notice the way Elis’ hand pressed on hers. The way it remained, lingered, squeezing hers. Yes, others had taken her hand today, but it had always been brief.  A polite clasp, a show of support, but fleeting, momentary. All with the rote murmurings of “Whatever you need.” 

Elis, too, said those words, but coming from him, Lucinda actually for some reason believed them. Perhaps because he had been there for her already.  He had calmed her in her panicked state and made her laugh when she could barely smile. He had made her feel normal in a time when her life was anything but. 

“That’s kind of you,” she demurred, looking away from the casket, the people, looked at their hands, and then, with a flutter of her eyelashes up at him.  “I’ll be fine.” She was talking about both today–he didn’t have to stay–and his offer of future help.

The bank had released her parents’ money after all. She had enough to take care of herself for now. Though the sound of the Galleons and the Sickles and the Knuts as she had put them into her purse, gathered from her family vault, made a hollow noise, and gave her an even hollower feeling in her stomach.

“Should I stand, do you think?” she asked, an anxious little question that betrayed her desire to do the right thing by her parents one last time. 

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Though it was part of his plan, there was also a part of Elis that genuinely wished to help the young girl. He knew Vincent would scoff at her getting under his skin and in reality, he scoffed at himself. But there was something so genuine about Lucinda that if he were another man, he might have rethought his plan or abandoned it altogether. Elis was not, however, another man and so he merely allowed his jaw to tighten as he kept his hand over hers.

When her eyes moved to his, he offered her what he hoped was a soft smile. “I know you will be fine. But that does not mean that you don’t need help. Or perhaps you don’t need it, but maybe you want it. You are not alone, Lucinda.” He tightened his hand around hers and if it hadn’t been such a somber event, Elis might have kissed her temple in encouragement. But such a thing would be inappropriate now.

“No man is an island,” he quoted, knowing that the poet in question had been a muggle but not caring. “And neither are you.”

“I think that you should do what makes you most comfortable,” Elis finally said, his voice soft and low, only for her. “Funerals are for the living.” And they were - he did not want the lovely woman in front of him giving in to what she thought was proper when it was truly her own time to grieve.

[casually-furious-blog]

Dust to Dust--OPEN

[casually-furious-blog]

Lucinda blinked up at the man, another in the long line of people wanting to offer their condolences, wanting to tell her they were sorry, as if they had anything to do with it. As if they had any control over the situation. Though these days, who knew if they did? But Lucinda was just numbly trying to hold it together at the moment; she couldn’t spare the energy it would take to suspiciously glare at everyone, wondering whether any of them had a part in placing her parents in those caskets. 

She shook her head, clearing it and focusing in on Elis’ face as he apologized again. People liked to repeat themselves, especially when they didn’t know what to say. Lucinda didn’t know what she wanted to hear either, so she supposed that was fair. It wasn’t anyone else’s fault that their oozing, sympathy laden tones made her grit her teeth and want to swear at them.  She just didn’t see the point in them all coming up to her, offering their sympathies. Would anyone actually help her in any meaningful way? No. So it was only their sense of social obligation that had them paying their respects, not to Lucinda, but to the daughter of the departed.  She supposed she understood about social niceties and keeping up appearances. It was why her back was ramrod straight and her dress carefully ironed, her makeup perfectly done. She didn’t give a shit about any of it and yet, even now, she did. 

Lucinda looked down at the hand that covered hers, not quite sure how it had happened, and yet realizing that the warmth from his hand was seeping into her chilled one.  She looked up at Elis again, fully realizing his presence this time. “I’m staying,” she agreed, looking ahead at the holes waiting, and the caskets queued up to be lowered in. 

“I can’t leave till it’s all over,” she added, looking back at Elis. She couldn’t leave without seeing her parents be placed in the ground and covered with earth. She had to leave her flowers on top of the graves.  At least there would be no luncheon or anything afterwards. Her grandfather didn’t have the faculties or the facilities for it, and she was hardly about to host herself. No, after this, at least she could go home. She just had to make it the last few hours. 

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Elis did not enjoy death. He might have enjoyed killing, the rush of power flitting through his veins when he uttered a curse, but he did not enjoy the aftermath. Perhaps it was because he knew little about empathy, perhaps it was because he had little patience, or perhaps it was more because he found attending funerals so very dull. As it was, he’d barely made it through this one without a bored look falling over his face.

He’d known the need to school his features appropriately, in order to best help Lucinda and keep anyone else from the Ministry off his tail. He already had dealt with that Alice Longbottom more than once and he had no intention of doing so again. But still, the fact remained that Elis had little pleasure in being there except to further his own plans with Lucinda.

Lucinda looked put together, almost as if her clothing and makeup was the armor she wore against the world. It was a thought that fitted into Elis’ head and stayed there, permeating the rest of his thoughts even as he sat next to her. The holes had already been dug and he idly wondered if they had been done by magic or not. Sometimes, doing things the Muggle way was strangely satisfying. But thinking on that would help no one and he looked over at the girl next to him.

Elis nodded at Lucinda’s comment, his hand squeezing hers a bit tighter. “Then I will stay with you,” he said, his voice soft and firm. The well-wishers continued to walk by, though few actually said anything to Lucinda, preferring to give pitying glances that he acknowledged with an arched eyebrow. Lucinda might be grieving, but it was not Elis’ intention for her to be pitied by those who walked past. Slytherins did not appreciate that.

He wanted to ask about Hogwarts, wanted to ask about what she would do now, but the words did not come to the forefront of Elis’ mind. Instead, he leaned back and crossed his left leg so its ankle was on his right knee. “If you need anything, ask me. I will make sure you want for nothing. Especially now.”

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Perchance to Dream | Elis & Sera AU

[queenofthecrabbes]

“How long are you going to keep holding that over my head?” Sera snapped, knowing she was the one who brought it up but he always had to remind her that he was the reason she was free. She would never be able to pay him back for that, she was forever in his debt. “How many times do I need to thank you?! To tell you that I’d probably be dead without you? I know I’m terrible at showing you I love and appreciate you but – oh fuck” Her eyes widened. She’d spoken too quickly, not thought it through and let out the one secret she held over him. Why hadn’t she told him before? Wouldn’t it have been easier if he knew, would they not have been happier? Perhaps, but Seraphina has always had some mental block against being happy. Maybe she was afraid of getting bored or just thought she didn’t deserve to be happy. So she never told him to maintain some level of control, to not give him all the weapons in the war of their relationship. But of course, she was drunk and emotional and was never very good at holding her tongue. Honestly she was surprised it hadn’t come out before now. Sera turned away from him, face flushed and got herself another drink, which she quickly downed.

Her anger flashed back up quickly, he was mocking her with that tone. Reminding her of her pain and her fear. A flashback threatened at edges of her mind, she dug her fingernails into her palm to stop the telling shaking of her hands until she felt them break the skin, and blood flowed in her palm. He would have to deal with the nightmares that would come from this, like always. Unless he was too angry and she would wake up screaming alone, if she could sleep at all. “Would that make you feel powerful to force me, to hurt me, to leave the imprint of your fingers on my neck like he did? Do you want me to wish you would kill me like I so often wished he would?” She taunted him as well, could play this game as well as he did. Seraphina could be so cruel sometimes. “My dear husband, do you not realize that threatening me like that is exactly something he would have done?” She raised an eyebrow, as if daring him to rage at her. 

Seraphina knew it hurt him for her to ask such a thing, because he tried to show  her that he loved her. But she was too damaged to accept his love easily. She sighed and leaned her head back against the couch. “Sometimes I think you don’t actually love me, just the idea of me or who you want me to be. I can’t be that girl and I never have been.” She was whispering again, her fear of being abandoned, of not being enough obviously. 

She never fought fairly, and he should know that by now. She used her body and her emotions as weapons, she knew exactly what buttons to push and what to say to get him to come around. She leaned her head against his chest, hearing his heart beat while she continued to stroke the side of his face softy. “You are still upset with me.” It wasn’t a question, she knew him well enough to see that he was, but it was more disappointment than anger. She didn’t know which was worse. 

“I want five years.” She whispered into his chest.

[elisgreengrass-blog]

“I do not hold it over your head,” he said with a sigh. “I would most certainly do it again and you owe me nothing. It was a wedding gift.” The first of many, for of course Elis had purchased more than enough pieces of jewelry. As it was, he already had the elves looking through the vaults for family pieces his wife would enjoy at Christmastime.

And then the words came out, words he’d waited nearly a decade to hear. But they didn’t come out the way he would have liked, didn’t come with a tone that he could remember. No, they came out in the middle of an argument when she didn’t even want them to.

For a brief moment, Elis was shocked. Certainly he suspected his wife loved him – he wouldn’t hurt her so easily otherwise – but they were words he had never heard tumble from her lips. However, just as soon as she’d said the words, she moved to take another drink and he had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. Typical. His voice grew low. “What did you say, Seraphina?” he asked her, eyebrows rising. “I’m afraid I did not hear you.”

There were ways to punish someone without resorting to the physical and Elis had never considered physically harming his wife. To do so would be a betrayal of her trust. The thought that Seraphina considered him like her father hurt him, though Elis did not allow that to show on his face, giving her a bland expression, his thinned lips the only outward sign of his agitation.

“To even insinuate that I would hurt you in the way he has is perhaps the single most insulting thing you could ever say to me,” was what Elis finally said, voice flat, acknowledging that perhaps she had a point but also knowing that he would never do the horrible things that her father had done. Had he not killed the man – or imperiused the man to kill himself but that was just semantics – so that his wife would forever be free of the pain and devastation his dead father-in-law had caused.

“I love you for exactly who and what you are, or I would have left this conversation quite awhile ago.” Elis had little patience and little empathy for anyone other than himself. He’d needed to teach himself patience when it came to Sera, had needed to prove that he would not be the monster she clearly wanted to prove him to be. “I tell you every single day, I ensure that you want for nothing, and it’s as if all I work for matters none.” He sighed.

“You’ve already had two years,” Elis said with a slight clench to his jaw as she pressed her body against his. They were young, yes, but he wanted to have children, to share in the creation and raising of what would be only theirs. “I refuse to give you five more.”

Elis pressed a kiss to her temple. “I’ll give you two more.”

[casually-furious-blog]

Dust to Dust--OPEN

There are a lot of people here.

It was a thought that entered Lucinda’s mind, a detached observation. She wasn’t feeling much of anything these days. She had taken one of the calming draughts that the Healer had given her this morning, before her grandfather had arrived with his caregiver. Her father’s father was old and only sometimes aware of what was going on. Lucinda liked him, and had visited him often. But he was in no condition, even before the news of his son’s  death, to be any help to Lucinda. So she had to go it alone. 

The Ministry had sent a car for Lucinda and her grandfather, for which she was grateful. They had arranged the funeral too. It was the least they could do for someone who had worked so tirelessly in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. That’s what one of her father’s bosses had told her when they came to offer her their condolences anyway. Not much mention was made about Lucinda’s mother aside from that the proper Muggle officials had been notified.

Lucinda knew some of her mother’s coworkers, but she hadn’t really cared that they would not be allowed to attend the magical funeral. She hadn’t really cared about anything since finding out. Since the knowledge that her parents were dead and she was alone in the world had her crying the whole night, huddled in her parents’ bed. She hadn’t cried since then. 

She didn’t cry now, either, though her eyes felt red rimmed and dry. Instead, she sat in the front of the chairs rimming the open grave, her back ramrod straight and hands clenching each other in her lap. She watched as people passed her to pay their respects to the two closed caskets. The line was fucking never ending. 

Lucinda wanted nothing more than for this to be over. She just wanted to change out of her elegant, simple black dress and high heels, and into her sweatpants and a sweatshirt. She wanted to cuddle with Tetu in bed and sleep until she absolutely had to wake up again. 

Lucinda brought her eyes up to look at the person as one of the pairs of black shoes entered her field of vision.

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Perhaps it was inappropriate for Elis to be at the funeral of people he had tortured and killed, especially when he was pursuing their daughter. But he’d done his best to ingratiate himself with the young Lucinda, to ensure that she trusted him. Vincent thought the entire thing was ridiculously poetic, but he’d done little to dissuade his friend. Elis thought it was most likely because he had never seen his friend off the rails like this before, willing to do whatever it took to get vengeance for their Lord. But here he was, dressed in black as was proper for a funeral. He’d already sent flowers for the family, though he doubted Lucinda had bothered to read any of the cards.

Elis stood in the back throughout the entire thing, not wanting to call attention to himself. He nodded at the Minister and when the older man came to talk to him, Elis’ lips thinned as he explained what a shame it was that someone had hurt such an upstanding pillar of the community. He saw Lucinda off by herself and thought that he should perhaps pay his respect to her as well. Elis ran his hand through his hair as he began the walk, sparing only a passing glance at the caskets in front of the open grave.

“Lucinda, I am incredibly sorry.” Elis managed to interject the right amount of grievance into his voice, wanting her to think he cared more than he did. “I truly thought we could find them. I…I’m sorry.” He sat down next to her, not bothering to be invited. He didn’t think she had the frame of mind for propriety anyway.

“Do you intend to stay here until the end?” he finally asked her, his hand moving to take hers.

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Perchance to Dream | Elis & Sera AU

[queenofthecrabbes]

Dogs were sweet, they always loved you no matter how terrible and cruel you were to other people. It was the closest thing to unconditional love Seraphina knew. Unbecoming, She hated that word, what did that even mean? What was becoming? Behaving exactly as men expected her to. She glared up at him, and snapped. “You sound like my father when you say that.” That was a low blow and she knew it, but she’d never been good at holding her tongue, especially when drinking. 

Seraphina was incredibly stubborn, and selfish. He knew this and so did she, yet still he seemed to expect more from her, to be what she wasn’t. She was broken, came to him a fractured shell of a girl. She looked at him with pain and frustration in her eyes. He said he loved her, he said it often. Every time she heard it was bittersweet. It healed a tiny part of her soul, slowly pulled her out of the abyss of her self-loathing and memories of pain. At the same time, Seraphina did not think she was enough to deserve his love, or any love. 

She was surprised, when he admitted she was right. But she sighed at his next words. “Bullshit, you can change your behavior. Put some effort in, please.” She didn’t mean to snap, or curse at him. But she was angry and hurt. She felt her resolve break though, she was tired, tired of fighting and feeling stupid and useless. “Why did you even want me? Because I’m pretty? A good name and family? You could have gotten someone with just as good of a name who was much more compliant then I will ever be.” She pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged her arms around them. “I don’t mean to fight you on them, I only do that when you’re being controlling.” 

He tensed initially at her words, she knew she had struck a nerve. Maybe denying him sex wasn’t fighting fairly, but she needed control. She softened her face, still stroking his face and sank into him, sitting in his lap and tilting his face to look at her. “Time, I need more time. I need to have time to be myself and be free. There’s so much I want to do and see with out being held down by a child. Sometimes I still feel like a child myself. I need time to get away from the horrors of my parents before I even think of becoming one myself.” She sighed again and then leaned her head against his chest, curling into him as she bared her soul. “I need to have some control over my self and my body, please Elis you know that.” The last plea was a whisper into his chest.

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Seraphina certainly was not holding back any punches and if she’d been talking to anyone other than him, Elis would have been proud of her backbone. He’d always admitted that his wife did not take a hassle from anyone, did not allow herself to be walked all over in the way that others would.

He said nothing more as the dog stayed with her, though her comparing him to her father irritated him to no end. “If I sound like your father, should I kill myself the way I did him? Though I hardly think I can torture myself.”

Elis rarely spoke of what he’d done, though of course she knew. He wasn’t so stupid to think she didn’t. “Should I force you, should I hurt you?” His caustic tone mocked her, throwing back what she’d slung at him already. “You may be angry at me all you like, Seraphina.” His voice was low, dark and threatening, as his eyes narrowed across the room. “But do not ever make the mistake of comparing me to that sorry excuse for a sperm donor again. I will not be so forgiving next time.”

Why did you even want me? The fact that she had to ask this question now made Elis angry, though he hid it behind a loose jaw and fingers that gripped his glass heavily. He let out a long breath. “Seraphina, my love, if I was looking for a pretty girl from a good family, I could have had my pick in France. I was not looking for an English girl. I was not looking to tie myself to that blasted island if I could help it, not with the political climate being what it is.” Voldemort may have the best idea of things, but Elis did not necessarily approve of his methods. Living in France kept him out of the thick of things while still keeping him in the fold of knowing what was going on. And besides, he wouldn’t have been marked for anything. “I chose you because I’ve been in love with you since I was eleven and because I wanted nothing more than to be with you always. It’s a bit pedantic and romantic, more so than you’d like to hear I know, but it’s the truth. I don’t kill for amusement.”

His wife used her emotions against him too often, but Elis was not made of stone. No matter how angry he was at her – though now he was more disappointed than angry – he could not abide the sound of her voice, the honesty she could add with just a mere inflection.

“We will revisit this conversation in half a year,” he finally ground out, not happy but also acknowledging when his wife needed a concession of a kind in order to feel comfortable.

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Perchance to Dream | Elis & Sera AU

[queenofthecrabbes]

“Don’t you dare call my baby a mongrel” Seraphina smiled, still cooing at the dog. She knew he didn’t mean to insult her puppy and she was happy to see that he wasn’t mad enough to no longer be amused by her and the dog. “You’re upset, darling? I had no idea.” The biting tone was back as she walked to bring him his drink. The kiss she received was cold, so unlike what usually burnt between them. The muscles in her chest clenched nervously, maybe she wouldn’t be able to get out of this one so easily.

Seraphina groaned again, frustrated. She didn’t want to talk. She knew exactly what she wanted and how and while she was gone she’d thought through exactly how to tell him. But now that she was back, and he was looking at her like that and so cold, she didn’t know if she would get it. Or even how to tell him that. Seraphina shouldn’t have drunk as much as she did, he wasn’t nearly at her level and he would use that against her, an advantage. Everything she did was a struggle for power, and her marriage was no different. Leaving after the first fight was a point for her, having him wait was also, but her being drunker, he would surely win this one.

 “That’s not what I’m saying.” She huffed, exasperated as she ran cold fingers through her dark curls. “I don’t mind it for little things. I even like it when you order for me or something small like that. But big things should be discussed. Like…” She trailed off, clenching cold hands into fists and loosing her nerve. Like how you never asked me if I wanted to marry you. Her eyes accused but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. She owed him for that, he rescued her from her father and that was something she could never repay him for. “Do you not like talking to me?” Her voice was quieter, hurt almost, “Do you not want to know what I want?”

Elaborate. She certainly would. Eyes heavy, she got up from her perch on the couch and walked slowly towards him, before leaning over him in his chair. One hand on his forearm to steady herself and the fingers of the other hand traced lightly along his jawline. “Its very simple, if I can’t have the potion then your bed is going the be very cold tonight, Mr. Greengrass.” Her eyes flashed with anger, she was serious despite the sultry tone of her voice and the teasing of her touch. “But I don’t want that, and I know you don’t want that. Ask me what I want, Elis.” 

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Elis’ lips thinned as he looked at Seraphina, watching her give more attention to their dog than she gave to her own husband. And perhaps it was because the dog was uncomplicated, easy, anything unlike their own relationship. But thinking on such things served only to irritate him and if he was being honest, Elis did not want to make things worse for himself. “Your sarcasm is unbecoming,” he finally said, his voice laced with steel.

When Seraphina groaned, Elis allowed himself to feel a bit of pleasure in her irritation. It was nice to know that he wasn’t the only one irritated and he rather appreciated the knowledge that his behavior could set her off just as easily as hers did him. Elis loved his wife, he did, but she never seemed to understand that he didn’t seek to control her. In a roundabout way, he supposed he did, but the intention was always to help her, to ensure that she knew just how much he loved her, to ensure that she knew she would always be taken care of. He wanted her to feel safe. It seemed, of course, that Seraphina had a different idea of what he wanted.

He almost groaned himself at the quiet tone, at the hurt he could feel in the air between them. She had a point. He didn’t ask her nearly as often as he should, didn’t let her know that she was more than appreciated – she was wanted for who she was, not what she was. “You have a point,” he acknowledged, inclining his head. “A man can only acknowledge his transgressions and apologize for them. I’m sorry, Seraphina.” His tone was genuine though unused to such sentimentality – even with her. “I care about your opinions. But it would be easier if I didn’t feel that you fought me for having mine.”

He knew she was trying to turn him on, was trying to use his own body against him. But Elis was only a man and he supposed he could let her – for a little while, anyway. His jaw clenched at her words but unclenched at her touch and he let out a heavy sigh before speaking. “What do you want, Seraphina?”

[elisgreengrass-blog]

AU Serelis 

The brightest flame casts the darkest shadow.

@queenofthecrabbes

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Perchance to Dream | Elis & Sera AU

[elisgreengrass-blog]

@queenofthecrabbes

He had to know how afraid she was of children. Seraphina avoided the subject and usually came up with some excuse as to why she couldn’t discuss it at that moment or, childishly ignored him. She’d been born a disappointment, ignored then abused. Why would she ever want that for another person? No it was best if her father’s line ended with her.

The dog was one of her better ideas, and luckily Elis liked him too. Seraphina had always wanted one, dogs love you unconditionally no matter what you do, but she’d never been allowed a pet as a child. Through the guise of a wedding present to her new husband, she selfishly fulfilled her childhood dream. It wasn’t her fault the dog liked her more, Seraphina had been around to take care of it and give it attention while Elis worked. It was only natural that he would favor her more. She was tiny bit annoyed that Elis was not paying more attention to her clearly trying to tease him and she huffed in irritation. He must be angrier than she thought.

The familiar burn of whiskey down her throat cut through the bubbly drunk bringing a sharper edge and courage to say what she needed too. He would want to talk about it of course. He couldn’t just let it go and let her have her way or give in to sweet apologies and rough sex then go back to pretending he didn’t know about the potion. No he wanted to talk. If she was drinking he’d better be drinking, and at his words she turned back to the bar. She bent from the waist, reaching for another glass and straightened up, summoning ice from the air with her wand. Seraphina reached for the best bottle, something she’d taken from her father’s house after his death, her mother only drank wine, and poured him a large glass. Maybe he would loosen up a bit and give in more. “There you are, darling.” Icy fingers brushed his arm as she handed him the glass, voice simpering sweetly, almost too much.

Seraphina walked to the couch across from him and fell back on it dramatically, placing her arm over her eyes. We should talk about earlier. About the screaming and lying and the hurtful things they’d said. She took a deep breath and held it in, counting as high as she could until she started to feel light headed and let it out slowly. She didn’t want to talk, but he wouldn’t move on unless she did. “If that’s what you want.” She rolled her eyes into her arm but then turned her head to meet his.

Bored expression quickly turned into a frown. Jumping right to the point wasn’t he? “Oh?,” She said, voice sharper as she sat up and tucked her tanned legs under her, “I don’t like how you never ask me what I want. You just assume you know best and then expect that I’ll follow and then we fight. I am not a dog or some other possession, Elis.” She took another deep breath, and thing a long sip, trying to not shout again. A cruel thought passed through her mind and she smirked slightly. “And if you don’t like it that much, well there are other ways to achieve the same result.”

He wasn’t a complete idiot. Elis was aware that she hadn’t had the best childhood, knew that she had suffered things no man should put anyone through, much less a pureblooded woman in his care. But he was not her father and she was not her mother. Seraphina was not the type to sit idly by and ignore what happened right in front of her eyes. Did she really think they would be just as horrible of parents as her own had been? Elis sighed, his fingers tapping on the side of his chair as the dog left him. He heard her huff and suppressed an inward sigh that he’d annoyed her by not giving her the attention she felt was her due.

“You may have charmed this fickle mongrel,” he said as he bemusedly glanced down at the dog that was giving Seraphina all of its attention. “But I am not so easily swayed. Not when I am this upset.” He was more than upset, of course. Elis felt a bit betrayed, really, that she couldn’t even discuss this with him. No, instead he had to find out by glancing down at a potion bottle and clenching his jaw.

“Thank you, ma cherie,” he said quietly, etiquette still ingrained in him. He took the glass from her hand and stood halfway, pressing the perfunctory kiss to her cheek before sitting back down and crossing one leg over the other.

“I would rather not argue with you,” he said pointedly, straightening in his chair as his fingers clenched around the crystal glass. “But we don’t always get what we want.” He tightened his jaw. He was a man; it was his duty to sacrifice for her. “And, to be honest, I would rather we have this discussion now instead of allowing it to build up until it becomes something we cannot fix.” He loved her, he did. Which was partly why Elis felt so betrayed, why he wanted to fix this now instead of later.

But Seraphina was not the same and really he should have known better. Bringing up a subject such as this when they were both intoxicated – her more than him – and tensions were high was a recipe for disaster. But he’d never made the best decisions when it came to his wife.

Of course he knew she wasn’t a dog. Of course he knew she wasn’t a possession. But she was his wife and he was the head of the household. In his mind, Elis believed that meant that Seraphina should defer to him when it came to these types of decisions. He didn’t expect her to agree with everything he did, but there were so many things he did just for her. Did she not see them? Or did she simply not care? “So am I to stop inferring what it is you want by your actions?” he asked her, his voice even. “I tend to observe, my dear, and base my decisions off of my observations. It seems easier than simply talking about things.”

His quick eyes caught her smirk, but he merely raised a brow in response. He would not let her taunt him. “Go on, wife. Elaborate.” He took a long sip out of the glass she’d handed him, feeling the alcohol burn down his throat. He would need that feeling to get through the rest of this conversation.

[casually-furious-blog]

Affolé--LE

[elisgreengrass-blog]

@casually-furious

From the look on Elis’ face, Lucinda believed he might find an excuse to be able to go back to France and Beauxbatons. She didn’t think he’d have to try too hard; what school wouldn’t want to welcome back a distinguished alum? It was nice that he was so dedicated to his sister. And touching that he didn’t want to wait until Christmas to see her. Most people were only too happy to ship off the young ones to school. 

Lucinda nodded quickly. She was surprised he had stayed as long as he did. He likely could have accomplished his errands much quicker without accompanying her to hers as well.

“Of course,” she blurted. “Please don’t let me keep you.”

@elisgreengrass

The longer he stayed in England, the more used to it Elis became. The thought was not a comforting one. Nor was it one that he enjoyed. He would prefer to be back in France, would prefer to see his sister more than the simple odd holiday. Elis smiled as he looked back at Lucinda. “They’re a bit less strict at Beauxbatons about students leaving the grounds. I think it’s because the French culture is a bit more family-oriented. I still find it odd that Hogwarts doesn’t allow parents to visit their children during the term.” He shook his head at the thought.

Elis paid for his purchases, leaving a couple of galleons on the counter. With a glance at Lucinda and a stare at the cashier, he made it clear they were to be used for whatever she wished to purchase.

“Please,” he implored her. “Let me know if there’s anything you want or need. I’ll do my best to help if I can.” He smiled and pressed a comforting hand on her shoulder before walking towards the door.

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Perchance to Dream | Elis & Sera AU

[queenofthecrabbes]

She would never, ever tell him, but Seraphina loved Paris. There was something romantic about it, especially at night. She could be anyone walking through these streets. The pretty dark haired woman who drew eyes, but that ring scared off all but the bravest, who she indulged for a minute or two before the ice in dark eyes scared them off. She was angry, raging at him, the man left behind in the big town house, but not angry enough to seek the comfort of a stranger. Attention, yes, always, but to go to someone else would be Elis’s breaking point and as much as they fought and she pushed, she could not have him leave her.

It was the beauty of the city, the way she could hide in muggle Paris, that calmed her after a fight. It was late, far too late for any respectable woman to be wandering the streets alone but she couldn’t bring herself to go back and face him. Usually, if she was being rational which was rare during a fight, she could see his side when she’d taken time to cool off. But this time, not at all. It was her body, it should be her choice if and when she had children. She was too young, she’d barely gotten the chance to live her life and he wanted her to be even more trapped with a child she didn’t want and wasn’t sure would love her. He’d found the potion that she’d carelessly forgotten to hide and he’d blown up at her. She fought back, obviously, really it was stupid of him to think that she wasn’t actively trying to prevent having a child. They’d been married how long? And he thought it was just a coincidence that they were still childless? Unusually stupid of him. After enough yelling, and a broken glass she walked out the front door into the Paris evening.

Seraphina didn’t know how long she was planning on staying out, or staying mad at him, but a light drizzle turned her homeward. Stepping into a deserted alley, she apparated, appearing within the protective charms of the house on the front walk, only stumbling slightly. Champagne drunk was her favorite kind, the bubbles seemed to inflate her mood and she tried to hold on to this as she approached the house. She hadn’t eaten anything for dinner, like usual, so she was feeling the glasses she’d had. She opened the door and then slammed it with more force than was necessary, just so he knew she was still mad regardless of her bubbly drunk. She dropped her cloak and stepped out of her heels in the entrance, an elf would see to them before walking into the sitting room where he was surely waiting.

He was still angry, she could tell by the way his jaw was set and his fingers tapped against the chair. Ignoring him at first, she crossed the room towards him and bent down to greet the dog, who was very excited to see her. “Hi baby,” Sera cooed at the dog who’d completely pulled away from Elis’s hands and into Seraphina’s. She peeked through her lashes at her husband, making sure he was watching her because he was at the perfect angle for her cleavage, entirely intentional. After greeting the dog thoroughly and laughing at his wet puppy kisses, she stood up and acknowledged Elis at last. “Have I?” She asked innocently, before walking over to where the bar cart stood and feeling his eyes on her every move as the short black dress hugged her curves. She poured herself a shot of whiskey and downed it quickly before making another, this time adding ice to be sipped. “Would you like a drink, husband?” There was a half smirk on her lips as she turned back to face him, although it did not reach her eyes which still burned with anger and pain.

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Elis had been raised in the pureblood ideology. To him, there was no point in a marriage that would produce no children. He could understand waiting a little while, but Seraphina would not even give him that. There was no guarantee of children, no guarantee of continuing his line and it was something that plagued him more often than he wished it would. As the only male Greengrass – the only son of an only son of an only son – he knew that continuing the line was his responsibility. And then there was the fact that he loved his wife. Was it really so horrible of him to want part of them to exist in this world?

The slam of the door would have thrown him off if he was not used to hearing it. But Elis had heard it more lately than he would have liked and his lips thinned as he looked at his wife, eyebrow rising as she lavished attention on the dog before acknowledging his presence. Damn mongrel, he thought. Of course you love her more. But Elis could not even find it in himself to be angry at the dog for surely he would love her more if the situations were reversed. He noticed the cleavage that she threw at his eyes, but Elis said nothing. He was more than aware of his wife’s charms and he would not allow her to use them against him in this instance. She already got her way more often than not.

She had always been able to keep up with his own drinking habits, he acknowledged. But Elis was not pleased about the prospect of another drunken fight where they said things they felt but didn’t exactly mean. Still, at least he was no longer getting the silent treatment. That was better than nothing and he inclined his head as he looked at her. “A glass of whiskey would be excellent, wife,” he said to her, his own tone matching hers. There was no point in starting an argument, but something about Seraphina had always been able to incense him in ways that others could only dream of.

He was still angry. Angry at the dress she’d worn in public when only he should be allowed to see that much of her skin. Angry at the fact that she was using a contraceptive without his knowledge or approval. Angry that she had left while he had stayed, knowing that it would only end in yet another argument. Elis sighed as the dog came back to him, licking his fingers as if that would make his anger go away. Because at this point, nothing would make the anger and the indignation he felt go away. Not yet.

“We should talk about earlier,” he finally said, his voice even as he looked at her, eyebrow rising. Still he sat in the chair, refusing to get up, refusing to press a perfunctory kiss on her cheek when he knew that was what he should have done. He was not supposed to shirk his duty.

“I don’t like the contraceptive potion,” he ground out, his eyes meeting hers.

[casually-furious-blog]

Affolé--LE

[casually-furious-blog]

If one had to have a sibling, Lucinda supposed it was better to have one later in life. Of course, it was a reminder that your parents were still having sex when you were old enough to understand it, but once past that, Lucinda could see the benefits.  Lucinda could appreciate what a little sister or brother meant far better at seventeen than she would have been able to at seven. Then, a sibling would have just been a competitor for her parents’ attention and a sap on their resources and energy.  Lucinda knew people with large families often had less money in general. She would have hated to miss out on a travel and learning opportunity because of the fact that the whole family couldn’t afford to go. 

Lucinda could appreciate the affection Elis clearly had for his sister, though. It spoke to his kindness, and that he took his responsibilities seriously.  And the fact that he thought about her and sent her gifts often…well it was just nice. Lucinda didn’t know why she was dwelling on these insights into Elis’ character in any case. She rationalized that it was to keep her mind off of more important, sadder topics and left it at that. 

Lucinda trailed Elis to the front counter, a bag of food for her pets under each arm.

“Does she like Beauxbatons?”

@elisgreengrass

[elisgreengrass-blog]

By the time Noelle had come along, Elis had been starting school. What he knew of his sister was spent during holidays and odd weekends away for family business. He’d already had his parents’ attention and did not mind that their attention would be on the new addition. Except it hadn’t been. Perhaps that was why he cared for her so much – because he’d been old enough to see and understand that his parents did not dote on his sister in the same way they’d doted upon him.

“I assume so,” Elis finally said, his voice slightly unsure. Certainly Noelle got more attention at school than she did at home, but it was not proper or polite to say so at this time. “She is always telling me of her friends. She actually visited for a couple of weeks this summer, but I won’t see her until December. Unless I’m able to find a reason to visit the school.” By the expression on his face, Elis was clear about the fact that he expected to sneak in to see his sister.

He looked at his watch before looking back at Lucinda. “I should probably check out and get back home,” he told her apologetically.

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Reconcile | Eleanor & Elis

[elisgreengrass-blog]

@eleanorgreengrass

Eleanor had never second guessed asking Elis to spend time with her. She had always gotten on well with him and she had to admit that this was the worst their marriage had ever been. She hoped they would make up but didn’t put too much stock in it. Elis could be the most stubborn man she had ever met and she didn’t want him to feel like he had to make up with her before he was ready to.

“No. I got ready a little while ago so unless my hair is a mess….?” It was almost a question. “I think I should be fine to leave now. Is there anything you have to do?”

The Frenchman was still unsure of how this day was going to go, though he did not say anything of the sort to Eleanor. He did not want to upset her – not now. Because if he was being honest, he was angrier at her idiocy than he’d been the night before. The night before he’d been more worried than angry but when he had seen the carnage the other side had caused – just as much as their own – he had been angry that she would even consider bringing their child into this.

But Elis could not say that and he threw the thought from his mind as he looked down at her. “Your hair looks lovely,” he said, almost perfunctorily. “I am fine as well.” He held out his arm for her to take. “I’ll apparate us.”

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Perchance to Dream | Elis & Sera AU

@queenofthecrabbes

The clock in the parlor kept ticking and Elis Greengrass tapped the side of his chair in time with the second hand that moved. It was a muggle make, that was true, but wizards had never needed a clock to tell time. And Elis, of course, could appreciate craftsmanship – muggle or magical –wherever it came from. Their home had many items of craft, though he was careful to ensure that the muggle items were put out of sight depending on who visited. It was never a good idea to court discontent. There were times when he would have preferred to be at the country house, but that was one of his sacrifices for the woman he loved above all others.

He knew – because of course he knew everything about her – that Sera preferred the city to living in the country. The reminders of the country were unnecessary and so Elis had not minded living in a townhouse in Paris for the time being. There was a culture, an ease of life here that was unseen in Britain. And if it were up to him, Elis would not return to that blasted country. But he could admit that he’d married a woman who had made it quite clear she would not be cowed by him and he would not change the terms of their arrangement now.

As he tapped the side of his chair, he waited for Seraphina to return. He was still livid – the tick in his jaw gave it away – but he could admit that perhaps he’d been a bit too difficult on his wife. He knew that she thrived on conflict, knew that she could not live where things were perfectly happy. But still, when he’d found the contraceptive potion in the bathroom, he could not help but allow his temper to get the best of him. They had fought, she had left, and he currently sat in his leather chair as his fingers absentmindedly stroked the fur of his dog – a Vizsla that Sera had gifted him on their wedding day. Napoleon had served him well, though the dog tended to enjoy Sera’s attention far more than his own.

He continued to pet the dog when he heard the front door open – and promptly slam. He raised an eyebrow as he saw his wife enter the room. “You’ve been out for quite awhile,” he said, his voice even.

[elisgreengrass-blog]

Reconcile | Eleanor & Elis

[elisgreengrass-blog]

@eleanorgreengrass

Eleanor frowned as she heard the time of his voice. She had thought to make up with him but she wasn’t sure now that he wished to as well. She knew it was her fault that they weren’t on great terms but still it stung to here him speak like that. She adored Elis more than anything but maybe that had been a mistake.

Letting her hand fall limply from his she nodded with a small smile on her face. It didn’t feel genuine but none of them did anymore. She hadn’t realized how far apart they had grown until now. It hurt but she would have to learn to deal with it. “I thought we might go to that restaurant you like.”

While Elis wanted his wife to be happy – and certainly he wouldn’t mind being happy himself – he was not the type to placate her. At least, not now. He would see to her well-being and he would love her, of course, but Elis needed to know that she was going to trust in his decisions. That’s what their marriage had been like and to have her unilaterally changing it without asking his opnion bothered him more than he wanted to admit.

He smiled at her. “That sounds lovely, darling,” he said, trying to interject a hint of adoration into his voice. While he might be unhappy, there was no need to be rude.  “Is there anything you need to do before we leave?”

[casually-furious-blog]

Affolé--LE

[elisgreengrass-blog]

@casually-furious

Lucinda gathered that Elis’ sister was younger than him if she was still in school.  It was surprising–in a good way–to see the genuine smile that came to his face when he spoke about his sister. Lucinda had never really thought of Elis’ family before, of whether or not he had any siblings. Somehow, the fact that he had a sister he obviously cared about made Lucinda happy. 

She herself had wanted a sibling for probably all of five minutes when she was younger. She was otherwise happy to be an only child.  Lucinda was not exactly good at sharing. A brother or sister would be good to share her parents’ attention with–or rather their nagging–but Lucinda had never missed having another child in the house otherwise. Lucinda pushed away the thought of her parents never nagging her again determinedly. Instead, she focused on the new piece of information that Elis had given her. 

“You have a sister?” she asked, though the question was more rhetorical considering he had just said he did. She reached past him to pick up a toy mouse that, when tapped with a wand, claimed to speed around the house like a real creature. 

“How old is she?”

@elisgreengrass

He knew, of course, that Lucinda was an only child. After all, one did not kidnap individuals without knowing everything there was to know about them. Another child was something that would have shown up in the dossier that they’d had compiled – clandestinely, of course. And so, of course he had no need to ask Lucinda about her family – it would probably only make her sad as it was. He did not wish her to have another panicking episode.

No, it was better for them to bond over things other than her emotional instability at the moment. It would certainly serve Elis better in the future if he was seen as the understanding and sympathetic friend.

Elis smiled as he thought of Noelle. He’d always been close with his sister, had always enjoyed doting on her in the ways that their parents didn’t. “I do.” He inclined his head and looked ahead at the toys, picking out a couple that he knew his sister would enjoy for her kitten. “Noelle was born as I started at Beauxbatons,” he said with a smile. “So she’s just turned 12.” He smiled at Lucinda as he picked out a couple more items before making his way to the front to pay.