A Game of Cat and Mouse

T H I R T Y E I G H T

So this is what it's like to be a bride, Annie thought as she stared at herself in the mirror. This is what it's like to be getting married.

To be honest, if you had told her a year ago that she'd be getting married to the most popular boy in Hogwarts, she would have shaken in disbelief. But yet there she was, waiting for the sunrise to appear. Because with a new day dawning, a new era dawned for Annalise Riddle. One where she would end the day as Annalise Nott.

A pit formed inside her stomach as she stared at herself in the wedding dress. Some nerves, of course, but nerves were to be expected. But there was another pit inside of her too. Not one that dreaded marrying Elio—she wanted that more than anything in the world—but one that dreaded giving up her family. Annie hadn't lied to him—she would always choose Elio without a single hesitation—but she wished she didn't have to choose at all. Perhaps in another life, she could have had them both. But this was the hand she was dealt so she had to play accordingly.

Annie smiled as she imagined walking down the aisle (did elopements even have aisles?) to see his smiling face. She imagined him struggling to hold back tears at the sight of her in her gown. She imagined holding onto his hands as they said their vows. She imagined the sun caressing the meadow just as they became husband and wife, starting their forever together.

Yes, she didn't want to give up her family. But for a life with him, she would. She'd make that choice over and over again.

Annie had realized about a week into her time without Elio that her family would never fully treat her like the adult she had grown into. In their eyes, she would be the baby—forever needing their protection. Forever needing isolation. Forever staying small.

So, in a way, while this was proving to them that she loved Elio ardently, it was also proving that Annie could make her own decisions, whether they liked the decision or not.

The dress she'd chosen was simple but Annie always supposed she was a simple girl. A white, satin slip dress that hugged her body, it felt like butter against her pale skin. The top was a bony bustier that emphasized her small curves while cap sleeves finished the dress. She'd paired with with short, simple heels that seemed suitable for walking in the grass but formal enough for a wedding—her wedding to be exact. She'd taken a simple pair of pearl earrings from her mother with the full intention to give them back via an owl whenever she could. Her outfit was finished with Elio's simple necklace. Annie decided to keep her jewelry simple today because the jewelry of real importance was coming later.

Her makeup was plain but, then again, it always was. Porcelain skin accentuated with bits of blush and some soft lip gloss. Her hair was curled before being put into a bun at the nape of her neck. Annie held within her hands a simple veil that the dressmaker had gifted her for free. She slipped it into the bun and smiled at her handiwork. For having no help, she thought she looked quite pretty. Quite bridal.

Annie's elegantly manicured nails tapped nervously on her vanity. She'd taken at least three turns about the room, staring at the window and waiting for that sliver of sun to appear. The sky was still dark, the blue hour almost taunting her with its lingering echoes.

She sat down and started to read the letter she'd written again. Annie had planned the words for weeks—before she even told Elio of her idea—and still she wondered if they could be better. How were you supposed to tell your family that you were running away to get married and that you wouldn't see them again, possibly ever? No semantics could truly convey the heartbreak she felt at being forced into this position so she'd settled, like always, for simple.

Dear Mummy, Daddy, and James,

By the time you read this, I will be gone. I know you think it insensible of me—and perhaps love is, indeed, insensible—but I love Elio. I want to be with him. I have run away to marry him and I do not plan on ever returning.