Elio spent most of the second day pacing around Scorpius's room nervously. Tonight—the second night of the Malfoy Masquerade—he would get another chance with her. He couldn't screw it up. Elio had already sent his mystery girl running once. He wasn't sure his heart could take a second time. Not when it had finally found a girl worthy of its affections, one he himself was entirely unworthy of.

"Dude, you are driving me insane," Scorpius complained with a groan. "Go outside. Have a drink. Fucking fap or something. Do anything other than walk around the room with anxiety. You're bad vibes are infecting me."

Elio scowled. He was already in his suit and mask because there was only an hour left until guests could arrive and he needed to feel like he was preparing for the night. "If you're not going to be helpful, shut the fuck up."

Scorpius just grinned. "This is hilarious. Remind me to use this weekend as blackmail for the rest of my left."

Perhaps Elio would have found it hilarious if he wasn't fucking obsessing over the girl whose kiss still had his lips tingling. I need you Little Mouse. I need you like I need air to breathe. And without her, he was suffocating.

An hour later (on the dot, of course), he and Scorpius were making their way down to the Grand Ballroom. Elio was walking himself through what he would do when he finally saw her again. He would go to her and ask her for a dance where he would beg on his knees if he had to for a second chance with her. He wouldn't try for a kiss—that would be pushing his luck—but perhaps he could finish the night holding her hand. Yes, that would be wonderful. Perfect, even.

One hour passed. Then two. Then four. Until the night was winding down and Elio hadn't seen even a glimpse of her. He had walked around the room several times in his anxious pacing, which drove Scorpius berzerk. She's not here. His heart sunk just at the thought. She's not here. I've lost her.

Elio Nott hadn't known much unhappiness in his life. He was sorted in Slytherin house just like his parents, made the Quidditch team as a seeker in his second year, and led his house to three consecutive House Cups. He was extremely popular, never lacking for friends but always sharing a special closeness with Scorpius. He'd never had a relationship but that was out of choice and it wasn't like he hadn't had his fair share of women. He came from a loving, wealthy home that gave him anything he could ever want and spoiled him with gifts and affection. No one who knew Elio would ever dare to call him unhappy. They would have been lying. He wasn't even sure if he had ever been sad before in his life.

Until he went that second night without seeing her. Until he knew what it was like to have his heart shatter simply because he didn't see the woman he was devoted to. Until he knew what it was like to fear that he wasn't good enough, that he had lost her for good.

"She's not here," he whispered when Scorpius came up to him. Elio just sat with his head in his hands there in the now-empty ballroom while even the band packed up their instruments to rest before the final night. "She didn't come. I've lost her."

"Cheer up, mate. You'll find her." But even Scorpius didn't sound convinced.

The sound of clacking heels echoed through the room before a hushed voice asked, "What's wrong with Elio?"

"The girl he loves didn't come tonight. He's afraid he won't ever see her again."

Aunt Astoria chuckled as if Elio was simply being overdramatic. Perhaps he was but he had never felt like this before. He had never really felt anything for anyone—except perhaps his parents and his best friend. He didn't want to lose this feeling, not when he had finally found it.

"Oh! She wasn't feeling well tonight so I ordered her to rest in her room. She'll be here tomorrow." Elio's eyes snapped up to her, hope blooming again after he was sure he had lost her.

Meanwhile, Scorpius's eyes widened. "Oh fuck. That's who the girl is?"

"Who?" Elio was sure his voice sounded crazy but he didn't care. Scorpius knew who she was. Perhaps he could take her there. Perhaps he could—

"Oh no you don't, Scorpius Malfoy," Astoria warned. "Consider this an unbreakable vow. If you dare to tell him a thing, I will kill you myself. That girl is going to introduce herself to him on her own without us interfering."

"Scorpius—" Elio began to plead with his mate, hoping that (for once) his friend would finally get over his fear of Astoria Malfoy, though most people tended to fear the small, black-haired witch with an attitude to rival Voldemort's.

"And you," she said, turning to face Elio. He got the distinct feeling he was being scolded by his mother. Perhaps in a roundabout way, he was. "Whatever meddlesome thoughts you're thinking, cut it out. Go to bed. You'll see her tomorrow and you'll frighten her off if you go to her like this. Take a bath, get some rest, and actually brush your damn hair before you see her. Merlin, it's like you boys see a pretty girl and forget to actually impress her."

A slow grin spread across Elio's face. "So she'll be here tomorrow?"

Astoria nodded. "Yes. Her parents are with her now to help her recover and trust me when I say this: it will not go well for you if you try and show up now. So listen to my advice and perhaps you'll actually have a chance of not making a fool of yourself. If your mother could see you now..." She walked off and began to rant to herself, as was typical of Aunt Astoria. Always the dramatic one, always mothering him even when he wasn't actually her son. It was quite hilarious.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Elio turned to Scorpius with a sharp look. "Oh no you don't," Scorpius warned, seeming to sense exactly where Elio's mind had gone. "I'm not telling you a thing. If my mother wouldn't kill me, her family certainly would."

Elio frowned. Scorpius seemed serious, which didn't bode well for him. "So her family is strict?" He already knew that based on her timidness and the fact that she hadn't gone anywhere but her estate. Still, he would take whatever information he could glean.

Scorpius huffed. "That's one way to put it."

"And you know her?"

His friend shrugged. "Somewhat. I've talked to her only a handful of times outside of this weekend—"

"You talked to her today? How was she? Did you go to her room?"

"She was—" Scorpius's eyes narrowed as he cut himself. "You fuckhead! You're trying to get me to spill." He threw up his hands and stalked angrily out of the room. "You're going to get me bloody killed over a damn girl. I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Elio just grinned and followed Scorpius to his room. It was going to be a long night.

⋆ ⭒ ˚ . ⋆ ⭒ ˚ . ⋆

He was right. It was a long night—one filled with a lot of tossing and turning while Scorpius grumbled from the other side of the room about killing him. Elio's thoughts alternated between anxious What ifs? and thoughts of how wonderful it felt to hold her in his arms. Mostly, he just couldn't sit still. He wanted his topolina. He wanted to sweep her into a passionate kiss while begging her to move in with him so he could spend every night holding her. He wanted to nibble on her ear while whispering sweet nothings to her for hours. He wanted to grab onto her hair while buried deep inside of her, each thrust causing her to fill the room with heady moans. Fuck, he really wanted her. In every way.

So Elio spent most of the third day pacing around Scorpius's room because he didn't trust himself not to march over to the ladies' wing if he left. Subsequently, Scorpius spent almost the entire day napping somewhere in another room, too annoyed with Elio to remain but too understanding to kick his friend out. Elio could remember many nights when he did the same thing, listening to Scorpius go on and on about Rose Weasley even though he still hadn't admitted he was in love with her.

Finally, it was happening. Night three. The night he would see her again.

Maybe. Elio was still afraid to hope again, especially after how dejected he felt last night. His mind knew that Astoria said she would be there but his heart was reluctant to believe it. Still, Elio followed his "aunt's" advice. He took a long bath where he attempted to get his thoughts together. He spent far too long in front of a mirror, making sure his brown locks were perfectly tousled. His mother had packed a dark blue suit for tonight's festivities, coupled with a silver mask. He noticed with a smile that it matched his eyes perfectly, eyes he noticed his mystery girl had stared at several times during their time together. Perhaps if he drew her gaze there, she could relax enough for him to plead his case.

The ballroom was still crowded but not nearly as much as their first night. If she was here, it would be hard for her to hide from him. Not that he had found her yet. And just like that, Elio felt his hope sink.

Until...

No. No, it couldn't have been her. It was just a flash... right? Still, it didn't hurt to check it out. He felt himself drawn to the farthest corner of the room. Perhaps it was a sign.

And then there she was. Looking fucking radiant in a dark blue gown adorned with silver embellishments that looked like the stars in her eyes. It pushed up her breasts in a way that had his dick straining at his pants, and though his hands wanted to reach out and grab them, he wanted to wrap his arms around her visible, tiny little waist and never let her go. Her hair was more relaxed, down in loose curls save for a few braids that she had pinned up. Now, he could accurately notice how long it was, crawling down her back and hitting just above her ass. Elio wanted to grab the strands and wrap them around his hand while fucking her from behind. Merlin. Was it possible for her to be more beautiful tonight than before? If so, then she definitely was.

Her shy expression was hidden behind a silver mask but he noticed the way her eyes darted around the room. His Little Mouse. His topolina. She was here.

He began to stride over to her, all coherent thoughts leaving his brain. Now, his mind could only conjure up two little phrases. My love, my love, my love. Mia topolina, mia topolina, mia topolina. And then it just moved on to silent pleas. Let me love you. Let me kiss you. Let me hold you. Let me show you how this world was meant for you. Let me show you what it is like to be in the stars. Let me show you how you are meant to be worshipped.

But then he watched it. Watched as those once shy yet calm eyes filled with dread, fear, and... was that guilt? Mostly, she seemed terrified of the room around her. Elio saw the way the rhythm of her chest rising and falling quickened, the way her mouth parted for rapid breaths. You're alright, he wanted to scream. I've got you. I won't let anything happen to you. I promised. But she hadn't noticed him so she ran out toward the hallway.

Panicking, all Elio could do was force his feet to run after her, even though he was pretty sure it was a terrible idea that would terrify the hell out of her. But he wasn't thinking clearly because all his mind could do was think, Get to her. Protect her. Save her. Love her.

So even though he knew that it was the worst thing could do, Elio grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to his body as soon as they reached the empty corridor. He marveled for a moment at just how well she felt there before realizing that she probably had no idea who was grabbing her and would, therefore, panic. He placed his hand over her mouth—which was still bordering on hyperventilating—and let out some calm, deep breaths, hoping that she would mimic him.

"Shh, mia topolina," he whispered in her ear, reveling in the familiar smell of warm vanilla that lingered on her body. "You're alright, my love. I've got you."

"It's you," she breathed.

And that was when she went limp.

Listening to Lana del Rey on repeat this chapter because Elio is definitely the type that would sing lyrics to Annie. This man would for sure sing "But you haven't seen my (wo)man." Lol, you guys will have to let me know what Lana songs you think each character is (or other songs). I love seeing things like that. Also, the cover picture is so Elio IMO.

Thanks to everyone who's favorited already! Love you xx