Title: Door to Neverland
Prompt(s) Used: A Hidden Door, Thirteen, Enchanted, It's For the Best, and Dressed to Impress
Word Count: 800
Rating: G
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): N/A
Summary: Always full of surprises. Loic shares some of his past; memories are bittersweet, although their reasons differ; and Megan meets another part of the Oakes family.

The brothers offered to show their guests around the manor before dinner, which their parents readily agreed to. Ebony was excited to see more of the exquisite decorations, but Megan's focus was on Loic as he retreated to the back of the procession. He was being quiet, so she slowed her pace to walk at his side.

It was only when he halted in the middle of the hallway that she realized they had strayed from the group, but her thoughts were swept away when he snatched her arm and jerked her into the wall. Squeaking in surprise, she was enveloped by his arms as they went through the wall into an alcove, where a door adorned with twining silver vines and animated woodland critters lie in wait.

She was thoroughly distracted from this discovery when she realized his arms were still secured around her waist, and her heart leapt into her throat as his hands settled right over her navel. Could he hear her frantic heartbeat?

Nose in her hair and lips at her ear, it was only then that Loic whispered, a mischievous smile in his words, "I'd like to show you something. I think you'll enjoy it."

He led her into what looked to be a private study: A room which had bookshelves instead of walls and a mahogany desk underneath what had to be an enchanted window. The futon was rather plain in comparison to the sitting room furniture, but with its hunter green upholstery and large pillows it looked far more comfortable. The entire room hummed with magic and knowledge, and Megan turned bright doe eyes to her guide to find him smirking at her reaction. "Is it to your liking?" was his teasing remark.

"Absolutely," she answered honestly, taking a seat as she examined the empty silver tray on the small coffee table. It was the most elegant sign she had ever seen of a dedicated scholar absentmindedly cramming food.

"This was my mother's present to me for my thirteenth birthday," he revealed as he joined her. "Thaddeus was always trying to find it, but between my mother's Charms and my own protections he was inevitably left wandering in circles."

That was sweet of her. She could just imagine a younger Loic, eyes twinkling with mischief, slipping inside just as his brother rounded the corner. "It's cozy." She wanted a room just like it. "Was this study an escape, for when you needed some peace and quiet?"

His smile looked faintly sad. "It was. If the others couldn't find me, Mother would come in and ask me to join the rest of the family." Jade eyes lingered on familiar tomes. "A flat isn't quite the same."

Megan nodded, remembering her various apartments while in the States. "It doesn't really feel like home." Coming home wasn't as relieving when no one shouted a greeting as you stepped through the door.

He pursed his lips, a far-off look in his eyes. Not wanting to disturb him, she tried to keep as still as she could as Loic was occupied by his thoughts. He soon shook his head and returned to the present, smiling softly in apology. "But it's for the best," he went on, setting aside his memories. "It was time I began a life of my own, outside of these walls."

The brunette shifted on the futon, inching closer. "…don't you miss it?"

She thought of studying with her father, and visiting her grandfather. Her grandmother. Times spent in her mother's kitchen.

He grew still. This answered her question more completely than his murmured, "Sometimes."

Their quiet gathering was eventually interrupted by a sharp crack as a House-Elf Apparated into the study. Unlike the Hogwarts Elves, this one held its chin up; its bow was respectful to its master, and to itself. The embroidered pillowcase on its small but healthy frame made it look dressed to impress.

"Hammy," greeted Loic. The brunette couldn't help furrowing her eyebrows at the name. Rather detracts from the image. "I suppose dinner is ready?"

"Yes, Master Loic." Its voice was high but masculine, so she presumed it was male. "Your presence is requested in the dining hall."

"Thank you." The House-Elf inclined his head before Disapparating, and the raven-haired man turned back to her, a smile tugging on his lips once he saw her expression. "My mother named him "Hammond," but we never call him that. He prefers it that way." This amused Megan. Of course he does.

"I guess we should join the rest of them." She had survived thus far, and she could hardly wait to eat.

He agreed, but he made her wait a moment. Wrapping his fingers around hers, he lightly kissed her knuckles. "Thank you, for coming."

She choked, "No problem." And he grinned.

-Dragon