Chapter 26

Nott couldn't stop staring at Anastasia in astonishment, making her roll her eyes.

"I just can't believe that dress used to be your mum's Avery." Rosier joked making them all laugh. Tom was over on the other side of the ballroom talking to guests Anastasia didn't recognise, but she could feel the boys were all relieved to have some time to enjoy themselves.

"I really don't want to imagine her wearing something like that to be honest." Avery mumbled. Anastasia sneered at Nott who still hadn't said a word even though his mouth was hanging open.

"Nott could you please re-hinge your jaw." He blinked at her.

"Honestly Anastasia, no. You look like some Slytherin goddess or something. It's rather jarring." Anastasia and Rosier burst out laughing.

"Ok well that's my cue to get another drink." She giggled as she walked away looking for a tray of champagne.

"I do hope you are looking for me Miss Delaney." The voice sent a small tingle down the back of her neck. She turned around to meet Elius's grin.

"Actually..." Anastasia took his glass of champagne out of his hand and finished it off before handing the empty glass back to him "that's what I was looking for." Elius burst out laughing.

"Well I'm just glad I could be of service." Anastasia laughed, still feeling the need for more alcohol to enter her system. Elius raised his hand, calling over a waiter, and took two fresh glasses of champagne from the tray, handing one to Anastasia.

"Thank you Mr Lestrange." She smiled, taking a big swig.

"Is the party making you nervous Miss Delaney?" Elius leaned down and whispered, still grinning. Anastasia quickly looked over her shoulder to see Tom was still deep in conversation.

"I don't know if you've noticed Mr Lestrange, but I'm not the most educated on social etiquette, so any party makes me nervous, let alone a party such as this." Anastasia responded, taking another large sip of her drink. Elius nodded.

"Yes, some guests here are not the most..." He sighed, darting his eyes towards Tom. "Well, not the kind of people that I would consider friendly." Anastasia smiled back at him, Mrs Avery's words ringing in her ears. She looked back over at Tom, fearful of those accusatory eyes. "Why don't we take some air? It will help calm the nerves." Elius extended his arm. Anastasia thought for a moment, but his strong arm was too tempting. Elius led them into the front garden where they began walking around a large fountain.

"I fear my actions on Christmas have made you think rather terribly of me." Elius stated, taking Anastasia by surprise. She had been quite willing to never discuss what had happened, even though deep down she could still feel his grip on her thigh.

"It was rather unexpected." Anastasia whispered looking at her feet on the crispy grass.

"I hope you know it was rather unexpected for me too Miss Delaney."

"So your hand accident fell into my lap?" Anastasia stated, with a slight smile curving on her lips. Elius's laugh clouded in the cold air.

"No I'm afraid that was quite deliberate Miss Delaney. I mean that I wasn't expecting to want my hands to be there." Elius stopped walking, forcing Anastasia to stop with him. He released her arm from his and turned towards her. Her breathing became heavy. "Anastasia, please look at me." She flickered her eyes up to his, their breath mingling in the space between them.

"Elius-"

"No please, may I?" Elius looked almost child like in the dim light. He wore an expression she had not yet seen on him, it was so different from his usual self-assured grin. "Anastasia I think you are the strangest, most uniquely brilliant woman I have ever had the honour of meeting." Anastasia stared into his eyes as she felt her whole body freeze. "I know we hardly know each other, and trust me when I tell you I had not planned for this to happen, but I find myself rather lost when it comes to you." Elius moved closer and picked up Anastasia's hands. The warmth of his fingers wrapped around her skin made her legs tremble slightly. "I've become..." A slight laugh exited his lips. "I've become completely besotted by you Miss Delaney. I find myself only thinking of touching you, holding you." Anastasia stayed completely silent, unable to form any words. She could hardly think, this was completely new territory for her. His large silhouette in front of her made her body quake. The moonlight created shadows along his cheekbones, and she felt her body and mind competing with one another.

"Anastasia." He whispered softly. "Did you like it when I touched you?" His head arched down towards her. "When you lie alone in bed, do you think about my hands-" As Elius's leaned down further Anastasia felt her eyes begin to close, desperately waiting to feel his lips on her, but suddenly she heard footsteps behind her. The pair suddenly took a step back away from each other, Elius dropping Anastasia's hands.

"Mr Lestrange, I believe your parents have just arrived." Anastasia's heart stopped as she heard Tom's voice behind her. "I believe they are eagerly awaiting to see you." Elius' face turned dark and stiff. He looked down at Anastasia.

"I'll come find you later." He whispered before walking past her back in the direction of the house. Anastasia couldn't move. She kept her back to Tom, hoping he would just go inside and leave her be. After she could no longer hear Elius' footsteps she heard Tom speak.

"Miss Delaney." Anastasia slowly turned around to find Tom standing right by her. She immediately looked down to her feet.

"Mr Riddle, I-"

"Did he kiss you?" Tom's tone was clear, but not as sharp as she was expecting. She snapped her eyes up to him in shock.

"What? No, no he-"

"Has anyone ever kissed you Anastasia?" Tom kept his hands neatly behind his back as he looked down at her, taking a small step closer.

"Um... no no one has ever-" She whispered nervously. Suddenly Tom's hands unclasped from behind him and landed on the back of her neck. Tom pulled her up to him as he forcefully placed his lips onto hers. His thumbs cupped under her jawline as he moved his tongue into her mouth. Anastasia felt all the muscles in her body give out, her arms stayed by her side as her mind became engulfed in the feeling of his body on hers. He gripped her with purpose as he tilted his head against hers. Tom could feel her pulse racing through her neck making him grip even tighter. He removed his lips from hers, but kept his hold of her, keeping their bodies pressed against each other,

"Now you're mine, Anastasia." Tom breathed heavily. A proud grin forming at the knowledge that he was the first man to ever touch her lips. "No one else can touch you. I'll kill any man that tries." He whispered, before quickly releasing her from his arms and turning back towards the house leaving Anastasia alone and breathless.