He had the nicest smile. Megan adored that smile. It filled her with heat. Any sort of warmth was foreign and usually to be avoided, but he made it all right somehow. He made lots of things all right for her. Things that had seemed taboo before were becoming easier, more attainable.

 "Would you like to come inside for a drink or something or do we not want to keep James waiting?"

 "I have him tied and gagged in a manor not too far from here so, a drink won't hurt." He followed Megan into her living room and saw that her aunt was sitting in one of the chairs. He took a seat next to her, winking as he said, "Hello, Hestia. How've you been?" 

 Hestia pursed her lips and didn't respond. Anthony shrugged and chuckled to himself. "I'll take a bourbon, if you have it, Megan dear." 

 "The lush here," Megan said, nodding to Hestia. "Has a little bit of everything. Bourbon it is."

 Megan poured him a glass. At least her aunt had classy crystal and glass for the liquor. She might be uncouth in other areas of her life, but Hestia Jones had class in her liquor cabinet. Megan handed him the glass, letting her fingers brush against his.

 "Would you like to see a trick I have been practicing?"

 He just raised a brow that she took as a yes.

 Megan flicked wand out of her sleeve, aiming it at Hestia. "Crucio!"

 Hestia pitched herself from the chair and was writhing on the floor like a fish dumped on dry land. She was making this pained keening sound that filled Megan with glee.

 "She screamed more at first, but I think she's getting a bit used to it now. It's rather disappointing, but I think I'm getting better at the curse."

 Anthony leaned back in his chair watching Hestia squirm in pain. He'd only done it once, but he wasn't adverse to this method of torture. I have to get myself another wand.

 "I like this, even if she isn't reacting like we would like. We have James to make up for her though." Anthony said. He looked at his watch and said, "We have about five minutes until we need to leave. I wouldn't like James to get away. Not after you've done all the research."

 Megan smiled at him. His approval meant more to her than anyone else's. They were the same. He didn't think she was odd or cold.

 "Well, no. James should not get away. He's sleeping with his wife's best friend. Dreadful behavior. I can't stand people who have no loyalty," Megan said as she moved to sit next to him.

 Slow. She was very slow about it. Megan wanted no wrong movements with him.

 "Oh, " she said suddenly, recalling. "Irony? This is Hestia's wand. I've been hexing her with her own wand. I've started to carry it with me more as well. You gave me the idea. Use another's wand for the things I could get into trouble for."

 Anthony smiled. "I'm glad you are taking my advice. I wouldn't want you to get into any trouble, now that I've just met you." He took a sip of his bourbon and put a hand over hers. "You make my days better. I didn't realize how bored I was with everything until you came along. Everyday I think of ways to see you, and I've never wanted to go to a ball more," he said with a smirk.

Megan smiled at him when his hand slid over hers. "I do not like people, in general. I find most of them idiotic and dirty. A public function is only used to gain more status, but I'm buying a new dress. For you. I'm excited about the ball as well... in a retarded Cinderella sort of way." 

Anthony smiled at the thought of seeing her in a dress. "Well, we should be on our way." He placed his glass on the table and grabbed hers and did the same. He raised himself from the couch as he pulled her with him, "Do you do anything about your aunt when you leave?"  

Megan flicked the wand at her aunt and thought her instructions. Hestia immediately went to her room. This was another bonus of repeated use of the Cruciatus. It was weakening her aunt's will. There was less resistance to the Imperius. It was an interesting and helpful find.

"You noticed how she did not fight this time," Megan said quietly as they made their way outdoors. "My use of the Cruciatus on her has made her ability to resist the Imperius less available to her. I might start testing various hex combinations on her to see what results I get."

Then she stepped towards him as usual so he could apparate them both. Megan's skin jumped a bit at the thought that he had to touch her to do so.

When Anthony and Megan arrived at the Manor Anthony had chosen, he hesitated as he let her go. He slid his hand down her arm and grasped her hand. Squeezing, he smiled at her and turned to walk up the steps. Once inside, they could hear the grunts James made as he tried to escape from his bindings.

Walking into the kitchen where he'd left him he said, "Hello James. Miss me? Oh, you'll forgive me. Look who I've brought to join us." Anthony raised his hand a little that was clasped to Megan's. "Say hello to James, sweetheart." 

Megan was momentarily distracted by Anthony calling her sweetheart.

"Hello, James. I'd ask how you are faring tonight, but I do believe I know the answer. It's a pity you could not be loyal. Cheating on you dear wife with the woman's best friend. Dreadful. yes, you should have been more loyal. You might have avoided all of this," Megan said as she started slowly circling the bound man. "How is it to begin tonight, darling?"

James jerked his head angrily at Megan, saying undecipherable things under his gag. Anthony slapped him in the face. "Don't be rude, James. Not that you would be able to talk your way out of this, but you are just digging yourself a far deeper hole." He looked to Megan and said, "I've chosen the method for a unknown amount of times. I told you, it is you who decides. If you can't think of a way, I've got my tote full of things to choose from." Anthony smiled as he gestured to his bag. 

Megan's eyes went wide. "Well, one day... not today because I like this jumper, but one day I would like something messy. But I did not think it through. Because I want to have to burn the clothing after it's so ruined, and I like this jumper. Unless I can be nude?"

She considered that for a moment.

"Too soon for that? Would it bother you?"

Anthony's eyes bulged at her last comment. "It wouldn't bother me in the way you think, I just might not be able to do anything here, for my attention would be entirely on you. If you still wish us a messy night, I did bring aprons. Let me tell you from experience, they do cover everything. I daresay you won't get a drop on you. But, take a look in my tote. If you fancy anything else, please choose that."

A thought occurred to him. Anthony went to his tote and pulled out the gloves, "See, you already distracted me tonight. Please put these on, and have you touched anything?" He smiled at her as he put his pair on.

"I haven't," she answered. "I pay attention. I don't think it should be messy tonight. I think that should be reserved for a more special target."

Megan pulled a small plastic trash-bag from his tote. She looked at him with the question all over her face. What's this for?

"Well," Anthony grinned, "that is for suffocation. Is that what you would prefer?" He walked over and slid his hand over hers as he took the bag from her hand. 

"I've never seen anyone suffocate before," Megan said with wonder in her voice.

She supposed that pretty well answered that. Megan laid herself on her side on the floor to watch. This was the best part. She loved watching him work. It thrilled her to her bones.

Anthony ripped the bit of tape from James' mouth and loosened his binds. At the start of his screams Anthony roughly put the bag around his face. He stretched it tight and fought against James struggles. Falling to the floor, James tried to bat away Anthony's arms from behind, but to no avail. Anthony put one knee in James' back and forced his head up so Megan had a good view.

"Is this good for you, my sweet?"

She just let out a shuddering breath and nodded yes. Megan rolled onto her belly and crawled towards them until she was right at James' face. She watched him die. She stared at the man's eyes until there was no light left in them. Then Megan collapsed fully to the floor. The rug smelled funny, so she tossed herself onto her back, breathing heavily. Her gloved hand was resting on her chest over her heart.

Anthony dropped James to the floor and crawled over him to reach Megan. Looking into her eyes and seeing the excitement there, he kissed her. Their kiss started softly, but soon became rough. Megan pushed him over onto James so she was on top.

Megan usually was not so aggressive. He made her want to do things though. Her normal behavior was just to lie there and wait until her partner was finished. Megan moved her body against his as she dug her nails into his shoulders slightly. She moved to nipping as his neck, able to see James' dead gaze over Anthony's shoulder. Megan gave a shiver of delight.

Anthony groaned when she shivered against him. This felt so good, better than he had felt ever in his life. He shoved her up and put her against the wall. He ran his hand up her thigh and up her skirt.

There was a noise near the back door. Anthony broke his mouth from hers and whispered, "Damn it! Grab everything a let's go." He rushed to his tote, picked it up and waited for Megan. She grabbed the bag from over James' head and put it in the tote Anthony offered. He zippered it and held his hand out to her. 

Megan put her hand in his and the next thing she knew, they were in front of Hestia's flat. She was wound very tight right now. She would ask him up, but she didn't want him to think she was that sort of girl. It should be special with him - not in her filthy aunt's flat with the slag listening probably.

"Goodnight, Anthony. I'll see you on Monday then?" Megan asked as she kissed his cheek delicately.

He groaned as he rested his forehead to hers. "Someday we won't be interrupted. I wait until that day." He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her softly. "Monday it is." 

Megan did not turn her back on him as she entered the flat. Not because she didn't want her back to him, but because she wanted to watch him some more.

{SUMMARY} Anthony picks Megan up for another night out.