Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

A Man Obsessed

Amycus Carrow hasn't been sleeping well. 

Between his worries about Dora to his elation over their recent intimacy and his private agonizations of absolutely everything else in between, he can't seem to find a stable ground, an equilibrium.

I'm starting to think that when it comes to her there's no such thing.

And I'll readily admit it: I'm unhealthily fixated.

I know this.

But the honest truth is that I just can't breathe without thinking of her, without wanting for more of her.

And it never goes away no matter what I do.

When I can't have her, I want her;

When I have her, I want her more.

In every possible way you could conceive of it, I'm a man obsessed.

Hasn't been sleeping, which is precisely why at the present moment he finds himself strolling the grounds in the quiet early predawn hours. Having spent the entire night with Dora, when she slipped out of his room and back to her own he took to the grounds. And so, alone among the flowers and the herbs he paces and frets as the rest of the world around him sleeps.

I won't find real peace until I know Xeno's out of the picture, at least as far as Dora's concerned.

I have her, yes.

But my grip feels precarious. 

And despite her reassurances to me last night, the fact of the matter is I don't believe that she might not leave me and return to him.

After all,

He earned her love; I've hoodwinked her into it.

He's the very definition of righteous; I'm entirely without honour.

He's just finished what may well be his hundredth loop around an ancient gazebo overgrown with twining vines of fragrant honeysuckle when he comes to an abrupt stop, his heart beating wildly in his chest as he glimpses a sight he's reluctant to believe is real.

Hallucinating.

That's what this is.

That's what this must be, right?

The inevitable consequence of my insomnia; my stress. 

But no. No, the sight before him is not a figment of his imagination, but actually entirely real. There, in the far distance, Xenophilius Lovegood, alone and out of bed, practically dashing across the grounds and towards the treeline. 

For a few seconds, Amycus hesitates, blinking as though the phantom apparition his imagination's conjured will disappear. When it doesn't, when he realises the reality of the situation, he's off and running in a shockingly stealthy pursuit.

Alright.

Alright!

Remain calm.

This could be it - this could finally be the moment.

So follow after him! And for Salazar's sake, remain undetected!

If anyone else were around to witness it, it'd be quite a sight to see. Xenophilius Lovegood, pale blond hair fashioned in a long, loose ponytail, powder blue robe trailing after him as he jogs along with unmistakable determination. And, completely unknown to him, Amycus Carrow following after in hot pursuit. Breathtakingly handsome, impeccably dressed as always in a bespoke sand coloured linen suit, he moves with impressive speed and silence.