Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
The house-elf had come dashing back into the room carrying a tray of
little cakes, which she set at her mistress’s elbow.
“Help yourself, Tom,” said Hepzibah, “I know how you love my cakes.
Now, how are you? You look pale. They overwork you at that shop, I’ve
said it a hundred times.”
Voldemort smiled mechanically and Hepzibah simpered.
“Well, what’s your excuse for visiting this time?” she asked, batting her
lashes.
“Mr. Burke would like to make an improved offer for the goblin-made
armor,” said Voldemort. “Five hundred Galleons, he feels it is a more than
fair —”
“Now, now, not so fast, or I’ll think you’re only here for my trinkets!”
pouted Hepzibah.
“I am ordered here because of them,” said Voldemort quietly. “I am only
a poor assistant, madam, who must do as he is told. Mr. Burke wishes me
to inquire —”
“Oh, Mr. Burke, phooey!” said Hepzibah, waving a little hand. “I’ve something
to show you that I’ve never shown Mr. Burke! Can you keep a secret,
Tom? Will you promise you won’t tell Mr. Burke I’ve got it? He’d never
let me rest if he knew I’d shown it to you, and I’m not selling, not to Burke,
not to anyone! But you, Tom, you’ll appreciate it for its history, not how
many Galleons you can get for it.”
“I’d be glad to see anything Miss Hepzibah shows me,” said Voldemort
quietly, and Hepzibah gave another girlish giggle.
“I had Hokey bring it out for me... Hokey, where are you? I want to show
Mr. Riddle our finest treasure In fact, bring both, while you’re at it...”
“Here, madam,” squeaked the house-elf, and Harry saw two leather
boxes, one on top of the other, moving across the room as if of their own
volition, though he knew the tiny elf was holding them over her head as she
wended her way between tables, pouffes, and footstools.
“Now,” said Hepzibah happily, taking the boxes from the elf, laying them
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