A knock sounded on the door. "You ready to go, kiddo?"

Annie frowned and opened the door to find James standing in the doorway. "I'm not a kid. I'm only four years younger than you."

Her older brother's dark eyebrows knit together with confusion. "Who are you and what have you done with my sweet little Annie?"

Her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. He was right. Despite the fact that most siblings bickered, Annie never talked back or gave attitude to really anyone. Her parents were thrilled when she went through her moody teenage years never really changing, still being their sweet little darling. But now she was starting to wonder if all this time, she'd been sweet or if she had just let them walk all over her, always trying to keep the peace and keep everyone happy.

The Riddles were the best family she could have asked for. Her parents were supportive of her always, finding the best piano teacher in London once she started to show an interest even though the best teacher was a muggle. Her father always made her feel cherished, her mother always made her feel loved, and her brother always made her feel at home. Annie loved nothing more than her family, not even her music. But just because they had a loving, healthy relationship didn't mean that there wasn't a part of her that felt empty.

In her family, there was always darkness and violence. Death constantly surrounded them, whether it was the blood on her father's hands at the end of a long day or the haunted look in her mother's eyes every fall. Even James—now that he was starting to be more involved in their father's legacy—came home reeking of death at times. Annie wanted more than anything to be their bright spot, the quiet, soothing presence at the edge of the room when they got home. The one who filled their lives with music rather than darkness. But was that really who she wanted to be or was she just trying to fit into a mold?

Ever since she'd met Elio, Annie wondered if she was always holding a part of herself back to keep everyone around her content. Saying nothing even when part of her wanted to say something, playing the piano when all she wanted to do was scream. Sometimes she felt like she truly was their sweet little Annie. Other times, she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to her than just being "nice".

Elio didn't make her feel nice. He didn't make her feel cute or sweet or small. He made her feel sexy. Desired. Adored. Cherished. He made her feel like she could be a powerful woman even though her voice was quieter. He made her feel like she could be a goddess when all she had ever felt like was a plainer version of her mother. He made her feel like she could be the shining light, not the shadow.

Don't fucking belittle her, he had said. She's a grown woman and deserves to be treated like one. No one had ever spoken to her like that, like she was worthy of defending. Even now thinking back on it, Annie's heart grew.

But she didn't feel like making a fuss this morning so Annie just mumbled, "Sorry. I must not have slept well."

James cocked another eyebrow at her as he stepped into the room. "Clearly. Your bed is a mess. Did you have a fight in your sleep?"

"S-something like that." Her mind instantly flashed back to Elio making her scream out his name. He must have cast some silencing charm to keep their activities hidden from the other members of the house. Thank Merlin because her mind was too numb to think of things like that at the time.

"It must be that little illness lingering. I tried to find you last night after the ball but Scorpius said he walked you to your room already." Thank the heavens for Scorpius. She wasn't sure what she'd do if her brother was the one who walked in on her and Elio rather than Scorpius. She reminded herself to send him a box of chocolate frogs or something to thank him for the immense embarrassment she was saved from.

"Yes. I like Scorpius."

"Me too. Of our cousins, he's one of my favorites."

It was moments like these that Annie noticed how much like her parents James looked. He had their dark hair, their mother's pale eyes, their father's curls, and strong facial features. He was the one who inherited Tom's magical talent and interest in the Dark Arts—though their father had offered to teach both of them and make both his heirs. Annie had refused the offer, something she still didn't regret. She often wondered what she did inherit from them. Her face wasn't quite like either of theirs, her beauty much plainer and much more hidden. Elio, of course, made her feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet but how could she believe that when Evelyn Riddle existed, the very definition of beauty? And she hadn't quite connected to either of parents's dark sides, preferring instead to make music rather than war. Her lighter hair and multi-colored eyes didn't quite match either of theirs and her small, lithe frame was more like a ballerina than the gothic goddess that her mother was. Sometimes, when Annie looked at the pictures of her family lining Riddle Manor, she wondered where she fit in. If she fit in at all.

But that was all crazy talk. Of course she fit in. They loved her with lighter hair and a lighter personality. They loved her shyness, her special relationship with their cat, and her ability to make even her father smile with just a few words. It was all insecurities talking, of course. That was all.

James chattered away about Charlotte as he instructed a house elf on where to take their belongings. Soon, they apparated back to Riddle Manor, where their parents were eagerly awaiting to greet them.

"There she is! Our little dancer!" Her mother cooed as she wrapped Annie in a tight hug. "Oh, I want to hear all about it. Your brother said you spent the entire third night at the ball. I hope you made some good friends, dearest, but you can tell me more later."

Evelyn stepped away to reveal her father standing with his arms wide open. "Daddy!" she smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist as he pulled her closer. Annie loved her mum more than anything but there was something special about her relationship with her father.

"Hi, princess. I missed you," Tom grumbled into her head as he kissed her crown of hair. "The house is far too quiet without your music." Then, he stepped back and began to examine her with a finger on her chin. "Are you alright? You didn't speak to any boys, I trust."

"I'm alright, really." She ignored her second question because she couldn't lie. James and her father had both seemed to be granted the ability to sense lies, something that came in really handy with enemies but not with a daughter who had a secret... boyfriend? Is that what Elio was? They hadn't really defined it but she supposed she thought of him as her boyfriend now. Did boyfriends sneak into windows and crawl up mansion walls? Probably not but hers apparently did. "Actually, I had fun."

Her father frowned. "So my hopes of never having to send you off to one of those again were in vain."

She giggled and kissed his cheek. "Sorry, Daddy, but yes. I told Scorpius I'd see him at the Parkinson Ball on Saturday." She told Elio the same thing but her father didn't need to know that.

Tom's frown deepened. "Saturday? You're already eager to leave us again so soon, my little rose?"

Annie smiled. She loved her father's protectiveness and she knew that there weren't many other girls who could say their dad adored them as much as hers did—especially considering his high-profile role that would normally mean he wouldn't have time to care about little things like balls. But now Annie wondered what it would be like to have another man at the center of her life, one who took care of her just as much but allowed her to stretch her wings a little more.

"It's only one night, Tom," her mother chimed in. "James can take her and we can have the house to ourselves."

Her father smirked. "I like the sound of that."

Annie winced. Her parents were always flirting like this. James must have read her mind because he grabbed Annie's hand and yelled, "And that's our cue to leave!" just as they started to kiss. "What do you say, Princess Annie? Piano time?"

She smiled and rested her head on her brother's shoulder. "Piano time."

⋆ ⭒ ˚ . ⋆ ⭒ ˚ . ⋆

Annie spent most of the week playing piano, cuddling with their fluffy old cat, Perkins, or checking her calendar to see if somehow the days had switched and Friday was going to be any sooner. Spoiler: it wasn't.

Now, just her mother and her in the house. Her mother was embroidering something by the fire as the snow lightly dusted the grounds outside on that cold, Thursday afternoon. The little flakes stuck to the windows of the sunroom, giving the room a bright frosted look.

This room was their special room, built as an add-on to the house when Evelyn was pregnant with Annie. Tom had insisted that a special, quiet place with lots of windows would be best for the baby. There were a lot of complications with Evelyn's second pregnancy—several miscarriage fears, health problems, and a traumatic birth. Annie always figured this was why her parents were a lot more protective of her than her brother; they had come so close to losing her many times that they were too afraid to get close to it again. Annie hardly left the house until she was a lot older and her immune system was more developed—which probably didn't help with her shyness. So as a way to "get out of the house", she and her mom would go to the sunroom, where Annie would play piano while Evelyn sewed or read. Before she was even born, this room was theirs. James and Tom never came in here, not that they would have today anyway considering her father had taken her brother on an errand.

As the notes of the song trickled off to an ethereal end, her mother put down her sewing. "That was lovely, sweetheart. I always love hearing you play."

Annie smiled and stepped away from the bench. She'd been playing for almost three hours so her hands were practically numb. "Thanks, Mummy."

Evelyn patted the seat on the loveseat next to her. "Come here, Annalise. You've been so quiet since the ball that I've hardly heard about it." Annie complied and sat next to her mother, placing her head on her shoulder and leaning into the woman's familiar warm scent and solid strength.

They sat there for a few quiet moments before Evelyn whispered, "You met a boy, didn't you?"

Annie bolted up with widened eyes. How does she know?

She must have accidentally asked her question out loud because her mother laughed. Annie had always liked her mother's laugh. It was rich and a little smooth, like espresso. In a way, it reminded her of Elio. "A mother always knows, darling. You've been walking around humming under your breath and dancing when you think no one is looking. I see that look in your eyes. Like you're in love."

Annie shook her head quickly. "I-I'm not in love." But even she was starting to doubt those words. It seemed too soon to feel something so strong for Elio and yet her heart felt like it was cascaded in sunlight every time she saw him.

Her mother smirked. "I know that look in your eyes, dearest. My baby girl is in love." Annie looked around the room but Evelyn seemed to guess what she was thinking. "Your father and brother are nowhere near. This can be just between us girls."

"Well..." And so Annie told her mother everything. Well, maybe not everything. Her mother was tolerant but she didn't think she'd appreciate hearing about how Elio pleasured her in the early hours of the morning. "He's so amazing, Mummy. He's handsome and funny and charming and smart. You should have seen him—he practically had the whole ballroom in the palm of his hand. We met on the first night when he asked me to dance and then he took me to the rose garden but I just panicked and left him. He didn't give up, though. He stayed even though he wasn't planning on it just to find me! And then he cornered me on the third night where he took care of me when I felt faint and then he kissed me! And later that night, he snuck up to my bedroom just because he wasn't ready to say goodbye."

"Darling, that's wonderful!" Her mother's eyes lit up as she cupped Annie's cheek. "I knew you would find someone who would appreciate you for the beautiful rose you are. I could have gone without knowing he snuck into my daughter's bedroom and your father would certainly murder him if he found out but I'm just too happy you found a nice boy who sees you for the amazing woman you truly are."

Annie smiled. "Thanks, Mummy. He really is special."

"Sounds like it. What did you say his name was?"

"Elio. I don't know his last name because the other conversation—" And kisses "—just kept flowing but I can ask him next time I see him."

Her mother's eyes widened. "Did you say Elio?"

"Yes, Elio."

"Oh, my word. Do you mean Elio Nott?"

Annie frowned. Why did her mother seem surprised? "I'm not sure. He didn't tell me. Do you know him?"

Her mother nodded but Annie couldn't read her expression. Was she happy that this boy was Elio Nott or did she somehow dread the fact?

"Yes. Elio's mother and I could be considered friends of sorts. I met her after Hogwarts through some mutual friends—her best friend is Astoria, who is our cousin, of course, and Elio's father, Theodore, is Mattheo's best friend so somehow, I found myself in their little group. Ariana and I hung out several times—often with Elio since he was too young to be alone—before I became pregnant with you. I still make time for Ariana and the other girls but we usually do it at their homes so we don't disturb you and your brother." Her mother nodded, seeming to be lost in her own thoughts. "Yes, I know Elio quite well."

Annie bit her lip nervously. "And... and is that a good thing?"

Evelyn considered her words for a few moments before saying, "Elio has one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen. When he loves, he loves hard. He's always been a very loyal and kind boy. A very pretty boy, too, though it seems like you've noticed that already. Even as a toddler, he was going out of his way to help others. He even tried to help me walk when I was pregnant with you even though he could hardly walk himself."

"Why do I sense a 'but' coming?" Annie asked with dread. It felt like a knife was by her heart, poised and ready to strike.

"But," her mother continued, "he's lost his way lately. His mother has been so worried about him. It's no secret to the entire Wizarding World that Elio Nott is a bit of a playboy. He parties a lot, drinks even more, and has had the company of more than a few women. If Elio has shown an interest in you, I'm happy. Both for you and for him. Perhaps he has found his heart again. I just want you to be careful, dearest, that this is what is happening. If you believe that Elio truly loves you, then I believe it too."

Annie considered her mother's words before she continued, placing a hand on Annie's knee while saying, "We can all lose and find ourselves sometimes. No one is ever truly lost. The boy with a loving heart has always been there. Perhaps he is like you, Annalise. Waiting for someone to notice his bud hidden amongst the blooms."

"How are you always so wise?" Annie asked, resting her head on her mother's shoulders once again. She breathed in the familiar scent with a smile on her face.

Evelyn laughed. "I have to be to deal with your father and brother." Annie giggled too. Sometimes having two Riddle men could be a handful. Neither woman knew whether the two would walk through the door covered in blood or with news that they had somehow purchased another basilisk. "In all seriousness, I am happy for you. Elio is a good boy. If you trust his intentions, then so do I."

"I do, Mummy. I think he really likes me." And she wasn't lying. She might have even believed Elio loved her. What she had seen in him went beyond just a man trying to bed a woman. He was truly devoted to her. At least, she thought so.

"Oh, my beautiful girl." Evelyn kissed her forehead with a smile. "Who wouldn't?"

Yay, I love seeing the little side insights into their lives. It's fun for me to just step into the Riddle or Nott home and see some of the characters I already miss so much. Anyone else feel that way?

Thanks for the comments! xx