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Reuben Crouch · February 5, 2020 – 2:35 AM

Early hours of 15 February, 1890 — a Muggle hotel in Scotland

Ben struggled with the door knob for a moment, then pushed the door open wide with one foot. He was carrying Melody in his arms, which he’d insisted upon. It may have been a silly tradition, and he may not have understood the point of it, but just because they’d gotten married at one in the morning in Gretna Green didn’t mean they couldn’t have something traditional.

“There,” he said, setting her down inside the room and turning to shut the door. “And once we figure out where we’re going to live, I’ll carry you across that door, too. In fact,” he teased, “If you want, I’ll carry you across every doorway you come across for the next month… Mrs. Ben Crouch,” he added, leaning in to kiss her for probably the millionth time that evening.

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*Melody Crouch* · February 5, 2020 – 3:02 AM

They were married! The brief ceremony had left Melody with a grin so wide she thought her face might split. It was too easy to slip into the excitement and joy of it all. For a singular blissful moment, she was Mrs. Reuben Crouch, wife of the man she loved. To be able to simply exist alongside him was a dream she dreamt for years. For a moment, Melody lost herself in her selfish happiness.And then, as he so gallantly scooped her up and carried her into their new life together, the strangling guilt came flooding back.

Ben hadn't married her because she was the love of his life, nor because he too wished to wake alongside her every morning. He wed her only because he was under the influence of the very same potion he'd gifted her to find some space for happiness. The morning would bring a nightmarish end to her happy fantasy. Their marriage would never be rooted in love. Instead, it was all lies and betrayal.

Still, Melody couldn't admit to her treachery now. Not when he was still so blissfully happy. She had to maintain the facade. She had to pretend for this singular night that she too was outrageously happy.

Melody laughed as Ben carried her over the threshold. "Only for the next month? What happens then?" She leaned into the kiss greedily before initiating a deeper one of her own. Her hands wound around his neck, holding him close. Melody then rested her forehead against his and whispered, "I love you, Ben Crouch."

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Reuben Crouch · February 5, 2020 – 3:32 AM

“After that, you’ll have to learn how to walk again,” he teased lightly. He kissed her fully while his mind wandered back to their earlier encounter that night, trying to see if he remembered how the clasps on this particular dress worked. They were on the back, right? Maybe she wouldn’t mind if he magicked her out of it this time — but that was hardly very romantic or sensual, and it wasn’t as though they were pressed for time. They had the hotel room the entire evening, and wouldn’t be interrupted — and after that, he supposed, they had the rest of their lives.

“You, too,” he agreed, though the word love itself didn’t come as easily to his lips. He hadn’t ever gotten himself into the practice of using that word, and it would doubtless take some time to get comfortable with it, now. Hopefully she wouldn’t mind. Maybe she wouldn’t even notice. The sentiment was there, though, and it wasn’t as though she could doubt his sincerity at this point. He’d married her, after all — what bigger proof could there be than that?

“Remind me what to do with this dress,” he said, fingers wandering to the laces between her shoulders.

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*Melody Crouch* · February 5, 2020 – 4:47 AM

Melody knew better than to expect Ben to return her feelings in totality, but his reply still caused her to momentarily pause. Was he still drugged? How much of what was happening was only because of the potion? Sober Ben would have woke Arthur up, or found some other way to circumvent a wedding. Sober Ben had no desire to tie his life to hers, so how could she have expected him to return her words? Ever since their first meeting Melody had always been the one to love more. A potion wouldn't change that.

There was nothing she could do to change the situation. They were married, the certificate signed. Distantly, she wished she studied more marriage law before tonight. Could Ben leave her in the morning? Would the potion even leave any memory of what happened? It wasn't as though they had rings to exchange. There was so little physical proof of their evening that he likely could abandon her if he desired to. Fuck.

She stepped back from him and forced the same smile she'd been taught since infancy across her features. The marriage wasn't consummated yet - he could annul it if they didn't continue on tonight. The guilt Melody was trying desperately to ward off ate at her. "Let me." She said as a manner of stalling. If he woke in the morning and decided to leave her she might still be able to convince Samuel to marry her. Maybe the servant at the party was wrong and this was all a big mistake.

Fuck. He was truly going to hate her. If the situation were reversed...Well, Melody wasn't sure she'd ever forgive him. Despite her shaky nerves, she reached behind her and began work on the laces.

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Reuben Crouch · February 5, 2020 – 5:06 AM

Ben had always thought it was sexy as hell when women took the initiative to undress themselves, so he let her reach back for the fastenings without protest. He took a step back and let his eyes flow over her as she moved.

“I’m a lucky man,” he commented with a chuckle. He could have been remarking on her beauty, but it went beyond that — he’d known she was beautiful before he’d agreed to run away with her, so it wasn’t like he’d been gambling anything there. To have a wife who was interested in sex, though, and who had some idea of how to actually be alluring — from his understanding, having talked with married men, was that this was something of a rarity. Melody hadn’t exactly given him any indication that she would be like this, given how proper and pure she’d been when he’d first met her.

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*Melody Crouch* · February 5, 2020 – 2:55 PM

She made quick work of her laces, her mind still racing to think of a different solution than condemning him to a marriage he didn't willingly commit to. The wise decision was to cease undressing before her desire got the better of her. Every article of clothing she shed was one less reason to avoid falling into bed with him. But, despite the war waging within her, her fingers continued deftly pulling at her dress until it slipped from her shoulders. The closet had left her confused and wanting, and an annulment might not be possible seeing she was already quite clearly not a virgin. How could they prove it without the typical small blood spill?

Was there no option for annulment, then?

Melody refused to fully give in to her carnal desires before knowing whether or not the potion was still in effect. For all she knew, the few drops she dosed him with were ineffective and this was all a willing act on his part. Unlikely for sure, though she couldn't help but hope. Perhaps there was a chance he might not leave her after all.

However, try as she might, she couldn't think of any suggestions he wouldn't comply with. Still, Melody had to try something. Anything. "Turn around and take off your jacket." She instructed, mentally slapping herself as she did so. Ben was chivalrous enough to believe she might require privacy. At the very least it would buy her more time to think without her body reacting to his heated gaze.

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Reuben Crouch · February 6, 2020 – 4:27 AM

Ben was disappointed that she’d asked him to turn around, because he was enjoying watching. The way her dress dropped to the floor send a thrill through him. But if that was what she wanted, he couldn’t particularly protest. It wasn’t as though she could keep him in the dark the whole time — and he’d already seen everything she might be particularly modest about, anyway. Maybe she had something special in mind? That made more sense than sudden shyness, given how heated they’d been in the closet at the party. Maybe she wanted to do something as a sort of surprise.

He could certainly get behind that, so he turned around without complaint. He removed his jacket and tossed it towards a nearby chair, then started to unbutton his shirt. As he did, he teasingly asked, “Is it okay if I don’t stop there?”

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*Melody Crouch* · February 6, 2020 – 1:45 PM

Short of demanding he confess his love to her, which Melody was certain he wouldn't be able to sober, she could think of nothing that would prove the effects of the potion wore off. And knowing what morning would bring was already torturous enough. She needn't harm her sanity more for an answer she wasn't sure she wanted. However, want or not, Melody needed to know. If there was a chance that Ben wasn't still drugged - that all of this was willing on his behalf - she had to know.

Something ridiculous, maybe, but even that ran the risk of him asking why. When finally, he solved the problem with his lighthearted teasing. "No. Keep it on." Melody returned as she tugged on her corset lacings. Regardless of whether or not he was drugged, there was little chance of her putting a stop to tonight.

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Reuben Crouch · February 6, 2020 – 2:21 PM

“Keep it on?” he repeated, stopping his fingers about halfway down his shirt so that the top half of his chest was revealed in an uneven ‘v.’ Loathe as he was to spoil whatever she was planning when she’d asked him to turn around, he found himself glancing over his shoulder at her just to make sure he’d heard right. She was still undressing — and depriving him of the pleasure of watching. It seemed like everything was still on track. Whatever she was asking of him, though, he wasn’t following.

“What are you scheming over there, Princess?” he asked, bemused.

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*Melody Crouch* · February 6, 2020 – 2:27 PM

He was still drugged. Melody felt a heavy weight shatter the hope that this wasn't a nightmare entirely of her own making. For months, Ben had sought out solutions for her happiness. For a way for them to exist after her wedding, and her selfishness had ruined any chance of his own. Even if Ben chose to remain with her tomorrow, it wasn't the path he would've chosen. Her hands stilled on the corset lacings as he peeked over at her. She loved him, and she had ruined him.

Steeling herself against the sharp realizations, Melody forced her hands to continue until her corset joined her gown. Might as well enjoy it. "Nothing…" she drew out as she moved to stand directly behind him. A tap on the shoulder had him facing her once more. "I want to do it."

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Reuben Crouch · February 7, 2020 – 4:33 PM

Her answer sent another quick thrill through him. Ben never would have imagined that she would be this take-charge in an intimate setting, especially not after having done the deed all of once (and that only a few hours ago). His mouth went dry as her hands moved down his buttons. He was hungry for her — and it didn’t help that she’d gotten herself nearly naked before she’d come over to undress him, and was therefore more or less on display for him.

Ben was torn. He wanted very badly to touch her, but he was also so enjoying having her take the lead on this and he didn’t want to interrupt. He settled for leaning in to kiss her as she finished unbuttoning his shirt. During the kiss he let his hands wander to her breasts, now free of their corset.

When their kiss had finished Ben stopped himself from going back for more, even though that was his first instinct. Instead, he met her eyes and said, “This time, can you tell me — when we’re together, tell me what you want. What you like. I want to make this the most incredible night of your life.”

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*Melody Crouch* · February 7, 2020 – 4:53 PM

Incredible, and soul crushing. That was what tonight would be memorialized as. Every memory would be stained with betrayal. What was even worse was that in so many ways this night was already one of the best in her life. She was married (however temporarily) to her love. She was finally free to enjoy being near him. At long last, Melody had what she wanted most.

If only she had thought of the price.

Melody nodded and pulled him in for a kiss once more. She couldn't trust her voice not to give away the deep sadness settling upon her soul. Maybe there was a chance. Maybe they would find a way. Melody's hands slid down his bare back, settling on his lower waist.

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