A Game of Cat and Mouse

T W E N T Y N I N E

Elio was just putting the finishing touches on his wrapped gift—yes, he actually was good at wrapping presents despite being a masculine boy, thank you very much—when a hand appeared on his shoulder.

The only reasonable response, clearly, was to scream at the top of his fucking lungs. What else was he to do when a man's hand appeared on his shoulder out of thin air? Was the hand even attached to something? He honestly wasn't sure. All he knew was that his father was working and that wasn't his father's hand.

"Come on, Nott. Time for a field trip," a familiar voice growled at him.

But before Elio could respond and ask if that was James he was hearing, he felt himself get apparated. His stomach pulled to the ground and the world whirled around him. Elio felt queasy; he couldn't exactly prepare himself for being kidnapped and apparated, now could he?

They appeared in front of a large, dark, beautiful, and, frankly, intimidating manor. "Woah," Elio whispered as he took in the home. Did he somehow get teleported inside Dracula? Merlin, this is how he imagined vampires lived. It was glorious. Suddenly, he didn't care that James had dragged him here two hours before they were supposed to meet. All he cared about was exploring the coolest fucking place he'd ever seen. "What is this place?"

Suddenly, the same hand that had apparated him here grabbed him by the ear and pulled him inside the home. "Shut the fuck up, Nott! Bloody hell, you're the worst kind of idiot."

Elio squirmed in the older boy's grip but James was bloody strong. Plus, being grabbed by the ear wasn't something he could easily get out of. It was an odd position to be sure. "Hey! Stop manhandling me! Precious goods here—"

But while he was fighting, he hadn't realized he'd been dragged inside. Merlin, the house was as cool on the inside as it was on the outside. They were standing inside a large foyer with an iron chandelier above them, its lit candles the only source of light. Large windows made up the entirety of the wall behind the stairs. Elio could see the night sky through them and, in the distance, a cracking thunderbolt.

"Oh hey," he said in awe, a small smile spreading on his face from how cool this place was. "You have a banger of a house, mate, why haven't you invited me over here before?"

He was already thinking of all the activities they could be doing. Quidditch on the stairs, drinking in front of the windows, maybe even a craft. Oh, he fucking loved doing crafts. He could ace the shit out of a little crochet.

Actually, maybe he shouldn't tell James that. Scorpius still hadn't stop making fun of him since he walked in on Elio crocheting a sweater. And just for the record, it was the best damn sweater in the world. All nice and warm and cozy—

"Shut up, Nott," James hissed before dragging him into another room to the right of the entryway. This room was more well-lit, a fire going in the hearth no doubt the cause of the warmth. Bookshelves lined the walls while a few chairs and a sofa were in the center. And on the sofa sat Annie.

He couldn't help the smile that spread across his face at seeing her. Did she get more beautiful? He wasn't sure it was even possible and yet as he stared at her, he couldn't help but think she was even prettier today. Yes, her dress was lovely (and he certainly enjoyed the nice view of her tits in it) and her makeup was nice and her hair looked particularly good but it was something else. She had this sort of glow about her. Like she'd come straight from heaven itself.

"Hi, topolina," he whispered, still in awe at how wonderful she looked. Was she really his? How did he get so lucky? To call her beautiful simply didn't do her justice. No words could describe how utterly effervescent she was. He couldn't get over it. How much he was truly and ardently in love with her. "Happy birthday."