PLEASE VOTE AND COMMENT

The Astronomy Tower was bathed in moonlight, the cold stone floor beneath them offering little warmth—but neither of them seemed to mind.

Austin's voice filled the air, low and honeyed, wrapping around Y/N like a second skin. The enchanted gramophone played Cost Me Time, the sultry melody thrumming in the night, a slow and dangerous pulse that matched the heat simmering beneath Austin's touch.

"I know it ain't what you came here for,
But you want what I want,
But can't ignore it anymore..."

Y/N sat perfectly in Austin's lap, her back pressed against his chest, her legs draped across his. His arms were wrapped firmly around her waist, his fingers tracing slow, lazy patterns over her hip.

His breath was hot against her neck, the stubble of his jaw scraping her skin as he whispered, "You're tense, love."

"I wonder why," she murmured, exhaling softly as his lips brushed against her pulse.

Austin chuckled, the sound low and knowing. "Maybe this'll help."

Before she could react—his teeth sank into her neck.

Not enough to break skin, but enough to claim. Enough to leave his mark.

Y/N gasped, her fingers tightening on his arms as his mouth moved lower, leaving a trail of red bites in his wake.

"Yeah, it's criminal to hold ourselves back,
A cup of plea if it comes, starts to fade..."

Austin pulled back to admire his work, his lips curling into a smirk as he whispered, "Fucking perfect."

And then it happened.

The Astronomy Tower door slammed open, the force rattling the stone walls.

The music kept playing, but the tension in the room shifted violently.

Mattheo Riddle stood in the doorway.

And he was not alone.

Behind him, Theo, Draco, and Blaise stood frozen, their gazes locked on the scene before them—Y/N, still sitting in Austin's lap, his hands gripping her waist, his teeth marks fresh on her neck.

Austin didn't move.

Didn't flinch.

Didn't let go.

"I know what I want,
So let's explore it..."

A slow, terrifying silence stretched through the room.

Mattheo's jaw was clenched, his entire body rigid.

Theo was the first to react. He let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "Oh, mate. You are so fucking dead."

Draco smirked, arms crossed. "You want to kill him quick, or make him suffer?"

Blaise exhaled, almost amused. "Slow. Make him beg."

Mattheo took a step forward.

His voice was low, dangerous. "Get your fucking hands off my girl."

Austin's grip tightened, a slow, mocking grin spreading across his lips.

He lifted a hand.

And flipped Mattheo off.

Draco choked. Theo sputtered. Blaise grinned.

Mattheo?

He lunged.

But Austin was faster. He smoothly shifted Y/N off his lap, rolling to his feet just before Mattheo's fist could connect with his face.

And then—he spoke.

"She was mine before you, Riddle."

The words cut through the air like a blade.

Y/N's stomach dropped.

Theo's eyes widened.

Draco let out a low chuckle. "Well, that's new."

Blaise grinned, shaking his head. "Oh, he's fucking dead. For real this time."

Mattheo froze, his entire body going still in a way that was far more terrifying than his usual outbursts.

"You," he said, voice like a growl, "say that again."

Austin?

Austin smirked, cocking his head to the side.

"She. Was. Mine."

Mattheo's control snapped. He lunged, but Austin grabbed Y/N's wrist, yanking her forward.

"Time to go, love."

And before anyone could react—

Austin sprinted straight for the tower's edge.

"AUSTIN!"

The boys shouted, but Y/N didn't panic.

Because she knew.

The second their feet left the stone—

A deafening roar split the sky.

Out of the shadows, a massive black dragon swooped down, his wings slicing through the night, catching the wind effortlessly.

Tarin.

Her dragon.

The boys' screams turned into pure chaos.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Theo yelled. "SINCE WHEN DOES SHE HAVE A DRAGON?!"

Draco's jaw was on the floor. "No, seriously, since when?!"

Blaise? Blaise was laughing his ass off. "Oh, this is brilliant. She had a dragon this whole time, and we didn't know?!"

But Mattheo—he was seething.

His fists gripped the stone railing, his chest rising and falling heavily as he watched them disappear into the night.

Austin, still grinning like a menace, threw a mocking salute toward the stunned boys.

Mattheo's voice was pure venom.

"Find him."

Draco raised a brow. "And do what?"

Mattheo's smile was deadly.

"I'm gonna kill him."

Because tonight, Austin may have won—

But Mattheo Riddle?

He always got even.

The Escape

The Astronomy Tower was silent now, the only sound the distant echo of Mattheo's furious voice and the crashing waves of Tarin's wings as he soared into the night sky.

Austin and Y/N were no longer paying attention to the chaos below.

With Tarin carrying them effortlessly above the Hogwarts grounds, the world seemed to blur beneath them. The moonlight glistened on the black dragon's scales, casting an ethereal glow around them. Y/N could feel the air grow warmer the higher they ascended, her heart racing but her face a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

She looked over her shoulder one last time to see the stunned figures of the boys, mouths agape, staring up at them in disbelief. Austin chuckled, tightening his grip on her as he pressed his lips against her ear.

"No one will know where we're going, love."

Y/N nodded, still breathless. "I don't care if they find out. Honestly, they're probably already plotting our deaths."

He laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Let them try."

Tarin's massive wings beat against the air with a sound like thunder, and Y/N felt herself being lifted even higher, faster. The chill of the night air was quickly replaced by a warm breeze as the black dragon soared over the coastline, toward a destination only Austin knew.

After what felt like an eternity of gliding through the sky, they finally landed on the soft sand of a secluded beach. Tarin's claws gently gripped the earth, the dragon's heavy body folding down onto the sand. The moonlight bathed the shore, casting long shadows along the water's edge.

Y/N's heart was still racing, but this time, it wasn't out of fear. It was out of the thrill of escape, of leaving the chaos of Hogwarts behind, at least for a little while. She stood up and stretched as the warm air wrapped around her.

"This is incredible," she said, a smile tugging at her lips as she took in the scene before her. The beach was private, no one in sight. Just the ocean stretching out beneath the moon and the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

Austin slid off Tarin's back and gave the dragon a gentle pat on the side. "Stay close, big guy," he murmured to Tarin, who nodded once before curling up on the sand, content.

Y/N felt Austin's presence close behind her, a comforting weight that she didn't realize she'd been craving. She turned, meeting his gaze, and his hands cupped her face gently, bringing her lips to his. The kiss was slow, deliberate, as if they had all the time in the world.

When they finally broke apart, Austin grinned mischievously. "Ready to leave it all behind for a while?"

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "You've got a vacation home here?"

"Private beach, away from the madness." He paused, looking around the empty shoreline. "Nothing but the ocean, the sand, and us."

Y/N couldn't help but laugh, feeling the tension of the night finally melt away. The moonlight danced on the water, the stars overhead twinkled, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.

Austin pulled her closer, his lips brushing her ear again. "I could get used to this."

"I think I already have," Y/N replied, her voice soft but sincere.

In the distance, she could hear the faint sound of waves crashing against the rocks, and for the first time in a long while, it felt like she could finally breathe.

They were free. And for the next few days, there would be no chaos, no running from Mattheo, no interruptions. Just the quiet comfort of each other's company—and the private beach in Costa Rica where the world couldn't reach them.

But in the back of her mind, she knew Mattheo would never stop.

He'd come after them. But that was a problem for tomorrow.

For now, there was just the sand beneath her feet, the warmth of Austin's arms around her, and the endless ocean stretching out before them.

The beach was quiet—utterly peaceful—save for the sound of the waves crashing gently against the shore. Tarin was stretched out comfortably, his massive black form blending into the night, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. The sand was cool beneath their feet as Y/N and Austin walked slowly down the beach, the moonlight creating a dreamlike glow around them.

"God, this place is incredible," Y/N whispered, looking around at the isolated stretch of land, untouched and perfect. She had never known peace like this, especially after everything that had happened back at Hogwarts. Everything had been so chaotic, and now, here she was, standing on the edge of a beach in Costa Rica, with nothing but the sound of the ocean and the presence of Austin to keep her company.

Austin, always with that mischievous grin, leaned down to kiss her again, the salty air mixing with the warmth of his lips. "We deserve this, Y/N. Time to just... be."

She nodded, resting her head against his chest as she let the moment settle around her. But as much as she wanted to forget about everything—the stress, the boys, the drama—she knew she couldn't escape it for long.

The soft buzz of her phone in her pocket interrupted the moment.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Y/N sighed, pulling her phone out. Her screen lit up with a flood of notifications. Texts, calls, messages from Mattheo, Theo, Blaise, Draco...

Here we go, she thought to herself, already feeling the tension creep back into her shoulders.

She unlocked the phone, scanning the barrage of messages:

Mattheo:

Draco:
Y/N, seriously? This is next level even for you.

Theo:
What the hell is going on? This isn't funny anymore.

Blaise:
I thought we were friends?

There were missed calls from Mattheo, Theo, and even Draco. They all had one thing in common—frustration. They knew something was wrong, but they didn't know what.

She tapped the screen, feeling a flicker of guilt. But she wasn't sorry. She was with Austin now, in Costa Rica, and everything about this place made her feel free.

But that didn't mean she could ignore the chaos. She sighed, scrolling through the messages, her thumb hovering over the reply option. What could she say? What could she do?

Then an idea hit her—a bit of fun wouldn't hurt. She could make them sweat for a while.

With a sly grin on her face, she tapped the camera icon on her phone and positioned it just right. Austin was already on the bed, lounging back with his shirt off, relaxed and carefree as he sprawled across the sheets. He gave her a curious look as she moved, but she just winked at him, telling him to wait.

The camera clicked, and she captured the perfect picture: Y/N lying on the bed, her body angled so that the ocean view stretched out behind her. The sky above was full of stars, and the soft glow of moonlight reflected off the water. She looked peaceful—content—completely at ease.

She took a moment to look at the photo. It was perfect.

With a smirk on her lips, she sent it to the group chat.

"Enjoy the view, guys."

She added a simple caption: "In bed, overlooking the ocean. Life's better without the drama."

Y/N hit send and tossed her phone on the bed beside her, turning her attention back to Austin, who was still lounging and watching her with an amused grin. "Did you just send them a picture?"

Y/N laughed softly, crawling into bed beside him. "Oh yeah. They're gonna lose their minds."

Austin raised an eyebrow, his hand sliding around her waist as she snuggled into his side. "That's gonna keep them busy for a while."

Y/N smiled, her heart swelling with a mix of mischief and contentment. For now, she could enjoy the quiet, the peace, the feeling of freedom.

A few minutes later, her phone buzzed again.

The screen lit up with several more notifications:

Mattheo:
You think this is funny?

Theo:
You better be on your way back to Hogwarts. I'm about to lose my damn mind.

Blaise:
I swear to Merlin, you're playing a dangerous game, Y/N.

Draco:
I'll be the first to admit, this is bold. But are you really going to make us beg for your return?

Y/N rolled her eyes, laughing softly under her breath. Austin chuckled as well, noticing the flurry of activity from the boys. He gave her a side-eye. "I think they're losing it."

"Let them sweat." Y/N grinned, her hand resting on Austin's chest. "It'll be more fun this way."

The tension that had built up in her the past few days was slowly melting away, piece by piece. For the first time in forever, she felt like she had control—like she was finally doing something for herself.

And as she lay there, her body close to Austin's, the sounds of the ocean in her ears, she knew that for this moment, for this night, there was nothing to worry about.

She reached for her phone one last time to glance at the messages, then set it down again. She was done.

Y/N shut her eyes, taking a deep breath, and felt the ocean breeze wrap around them. She was no longer trapped in the storm of Hogwarts. She was free.

For now, this was all that mattered.

The Next Morning

The sun had just begun to rise, casting a soft golden light over the tranquil beach. The waves were calm, rolling gently over the shore, and the air was warm with the promise of a perfect day ahead. Y/N stretched in bed, feeling the plush blankets around her and the warmth of Austin beside her. Her heart still raced from the thrill of the night before—the escape, the freedom, the beauty of it all.

She glanced over at Austin, who was still asleep, sprawled out comfortably on his back. His hair was a mess, and his lips were slightly parted, his breath slow and steady. Y/N smiled softly, enjoying the rare moment of peace. She couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness that she hadn't experienced in a long time.

But there was still the matter of the boys back home.

Her phone was lying on the bed beside her, still buzzing softly from the night before. As much as she wanted to avoid it, she knew they wouldn't stop until they had an answer. Her fingers hovered over it for a moment, before she came up with the perfect idea to mess with them.

She grabbed her phone and decided to make it personal.

The video recording started.

Y/N was lying in bed, the sheets tangled around her legs. She reached up and pushed her hair back, turning the camera toward her face. Her eyes were still a little heavy with sleep, but she gave the camera a cheeky smile, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her forehead.

"Good morning, boys." she said, her voice raspy from just waking up. The sun outside cast a warm, golden glow on her face, making her look like she was in some kind of paradise. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm having a fantastic time."

She turned the camera toward the window, capturing the breathtaking view of the ocean sparkling under the early morning light. The waves crashed rhythmically against the shore, the air was fresh and salty, and the scene was the epitome of peace.

"I'm sure you guys are all losing your minds by now, but..." She paused, giving the camera a playful look before continuing, "I think you'll survive."

She set the phone down on the bedside table, giving them a full view of the room: the spacious bed, the soft white sheets, the ocean view beyond the windows. Everything was bathed in light.

With the camera still rolling, Y/N stood up from the bed, stretching her arms above her head as she walked out onto the balcony. She was in a simple white tank top and shorts, her hair tousled from sleep. She stood at the railing, gazing out at the horizon. The early morning mist still hovered over the water, and the warmth of the sun began to envelop her skin.

"I'm really sorry, but you know... this is what happens when you decide to mess with me too much." She smirked, winking at the camera. "But, don't worry, I'll be back. Eventually. But not today."

She spun the phone around to face her once more, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight as she leaned in closer to the camera.

"And just so you know..." She lowered her voice playfully. "Austin and I are having a great time. A really great time."

She gave a quick, mischievous laugh, then stepped back from the railing, the camera following her as she walked back into the room, the golden light spilling in behind her.

With the video wrapping up, she smirked and pressed stop on the recording.

She added a caption before