Don't wrinkle the Prada, sweetheart. It's expensive.

Christmas shopping was a bun fight and Muggles were superb at beating the living daylights out of you in an attempt to get at the last pair of Gucci heels. But where Muggles used their handbags and the occasional usage of overly-manicured nails, wizards used magic and it was magic that Camille used to keep the pair of Sofia High Heeled Pumps on the shelf and away from the Muggles.

Elijah left her to it, deciding that he wasn’t brave enough to fight off Muggle women just to help his sister in all but blood retrieve her shoes. He decided to take refuge in the street outside the store that she’d dragged him into. Elijah had picked out a few things of his own and had long since run up a long receipt. He’d had Viktor mail him a check for Christmas presents and such and he was spending it today. He’d bought t-shirts, jeans and he’d splashed out on accessories that he really didn’t need but thought he’d get anyway. New rings, new bracelets and an abundance of belts.

Shopping was something Elijah had grown to love. Camille and Cassidy revelled in it; the latter of the two was currently in the Valentino across the road. They were besotted with anything expensive and pretty which is why Elijah was often dragged shopping with them. He loved them to pieces, he had money and therefore he loved to treat them. Then it got to the point where they were bringing in money regularly and Elijah actually went voluntarily, not just so they could spend his money for him.

He’d also done Christmas shopping which was the main point of today’s venture. He’d gotten Thierry things mainly, finding the lad to be the easiest to shop for at present. He’d spent most of that morning in the bookshop while the girls sat down in the coffee shop below. Then they’d hit the clothing shops. But now he was shattered. He was hungry and his feet were throbbing. It was amazing to think that in a matter of days he’d be seventeen. Camille was already planning his birthday and he was nearly sure she was going to get him the necklace he’d been eying in there. He hoped so anyway.

It was seven-hundred and seventy-five pounds, well within the budget of the girl that liked to spend more than two grand on people’s birthdays.

Elijah yawned and sat down in one of the chairs outside. He rested his plastic cup of Starbucks coffee on his thigh and looked around, deciding to people watch for a while. He put his bags down and crossed his ankles. He lifted the cup to his lips and drank some of the coffee that was inside. He blamed Khaat for his sudden taking to coffee. She had it everywhere. He was even sure she kept a pot in her handbag. He was bound to have some sometime. It was a hell of a lot easier than fiddling around putting Firewhisky into cartons.

Elijah moved his previously broken arm around a bit. It was still a little stiff but it wasn’t too unpleasant to handle. He smacked his lips together and put the cup back down. He then ran his hand through his hair and played idly with one of his rings. No one seemed to be about apart from those who were resting their aching feet like him. Everyone else was in the stores. He didn’t wish to be them, he really didn’t. He had what he wanted. He just wanted to go home now and get something to eat. Jen was probably wondering where he was by now but no doubt didn’t have time to worry as Christophe probably had her run off of her feet. It was just him and his coffee, waiting for his girls to pay for their shoes and get the hell out.

Christmas shoppers... how absolutely vile. The fact that people spent money on those who had the same blood as them was just sick. The people who birthed you weren't any better then the person next to you, who you didn't know, so why spend money on them? Not that Felix had ever gotten ahold of his family ever since his mother had run off to America with his younger sister. Leaving him at Hogwarts with nowhere to go, and no money to live, at the age of thirteen. Felix glared at passerby, and they kept their distance, but he was happy he had decided on going out with polyjuice potion in his system. At the moment, he looked like a regular twenty year old muggle, out Christmas shopping for his family. Just like everyone else.

Felix looked around and then felt a slow grin cross his lips. He had been wondering for a while how he could make Khaat squirm more then he could with a knife sticking out of her hand, and suddenly he saw his chance at getting what he wanted and soo much more. In fact, it would leave a mark upon the Daily Prophet for years longer then what he would have. To be honest, he had been out to buy something, so he ran into a shop, and got what he wanted. A beautiful diamond ring. He put it in a box, and then collapsed on the seat next to Elijah, looking exhausted. Brown messy hair, brown eyes, a relatively handsome face, and so normal looking there was no way you could mistake him as the cold blooded killer that he actually was. He wore a simple muggle band t-shirt, and jeans, his tennis shoes hidden under the seat.

"What a day." He mumbled, glancing at Elijah. "You shopping for family too?" He asked staring at the ring box in his hand, before wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. "So many people here... but I told her I'd get it.." He said and clenched his fist around the box. "Sorry.." He said and looked up at Elijah, his eyes almost tired looking. "I don't normally talk to complete strangers, but... you looked like you might be kind of bored... and I really don't want to head home yet.. so.." He sighed and then looked down at his feet, running his hand through his hair before snapping with his left hand. "Find anything good in there?" He asked tipping his head towards the store in front of them.

A flash of blonde near the front of the shop caught Elijah’s attention and he saw Camille whip by with the shoes in her hands, a parade of angry Muggles following her. She had a grin on her face, one that told Elijah that she was enjoying being chased. He rolled his eyes and leaned his head on the back of the chair. He pressed his newly healed ribs with his fingers and winced. They were still a little bit tender. He pressed the other side. Yeah, it was best that he left them alone for a while. His feet were still throbbing though. He didn’t know how those girls did it and they were wearing stilettos too. He had a pair of converse on, the ones that Cassidy had given him a couple of years ago for a ‘spontaneous gift’, and he loved those shoes. He wore them all the time yet he couldn’t walk for miles in them like he felt like they’d done today.

Elijah saw another flash of blonde and he looked around to see Cassidy nip into the Gucci store, a Valentino bag having joined the others in her possession. Clearly she was going to help her sister. Either that or she was going to mug that poor Muggle that was holding a dress Elijah knew she’d like. Those girls were predictable, easy to shop for, which was why he’d managed to already buy their Christmas presents. He’d gotten Cassidy as many pairs of shoes as he could find that he knew she’d adore and got her a dozen dresses or so. He’d even managed to spend the last of what he had allocated to her on some nice pieces of jewellery. He got much of the same for Camille but he had some pictures printed for her of Thierry and Fauve.

The feeling you got when someone sat down next to you or the thing you were sitting under shifted against the weight of someone else was a feeling and a shift Elijah felt. He glanced to the left of him and smirked knowing he felt the way the other man looked. He swirled his cup of coffee and lifted it to his lips. He drank some of it and put it back down to where he had rested it prior. He glanced back at the man when he began to talk and Elijah smiled slightly. “It’s okay. You’re definitely filling the period of time between me sitting here and my friends emerging. This started out as Christmas shopping but I think they gave up when they hit Armani and I gave up when I found their Christmas presents. The blonde that flitted across the street a minute ago, Cassidy, is one of my friends.” He shrugged. “I actually got some stuff for my guardian as well which surprised me. One of those little black dress numbers...good for curves...when she, uh, regains them.”

He drank some more coffee. “So is that an engagement ring or something of the like?”

Felix looked at him carefully, keeping the look of exhaustion on his face. "Oh? I'm afraid I don't have enough money to go into THOSE stores.. I had to save up almost my entire years salary just to get this for my girlfriend." He said lightly, and then held out the ring to show him. "I'm going to propose to her on Christmas.. we both don't have any family.. so I thought it would be best.. if we were to promise each other as family, on the day when most families celebrate ya know?" He said and then sighed, snapping his fingers, before running his hand through his hair. "M'names Alex... Alex...." He looked around swiftly. "Bates." he said with a nod before looking back down at the ring.

He looked at the bags that Elijah had around him, and then sighed, staring at his shoes again, wondering how he was going to get Elijah alone and unsuspecting enough to stupify him and get him to his sanctuary.. and then get him into a room that he couldn't get out of, so that he could set up a personal torture room. Felix smiled at him lightly and then snapped with his left hand again. "Can I.. I ask you a favor?" He asked lightly. "My.. My girlfriend is in the bathroom right now.. and you seem like the kind of guy I can trust.. seeing as you look filthy rich, and this ring probably doesn't mean anything to you, but could you hold onto it... and bring it to my place if you get the time?" he asked lightly, crossing his fingers behind his back. "Here, I'll write it down for you!" He said, and dug his wallet out of his back pocket, opening it up and pulling out an old receipt, he used a pencil stub he kept in his wallet to write down an address on it. "I can't let her see it.." he said and looked at him wearily. "But she'll be back any minute.. please?"He asked, holding out the ring and the receipt.

It was hard to imagine someone not being able to afford the items in those stores; well at least in Elijah’s mind it was. He’d come from old money, come into new money and would inherit more than his fair share of his father’s fortune. He had more money than he knew what to do with which is why he splurged on Camille and Cassidy. He had yet to do something strange and buy a Quidditch team or something but he was considering buying horses for the races the Muggles held. The whole ‘year salary’ thing that was used to buy wedding rings was a classic, a cliché almost, but that was how real people did it wasn’t it? Well, Elijah was real but he was just placed in extraordinary circumstances. One of his paintings would be the equivalent of twenty years worth of this guy’s salary.

“That’s...,” Elijah struggled for a word to describe it. Cheesy would be the right word to use or maybe just a little bit sad, “romantic,” he finished his sentence.

Elijah’s dark eyes fell to his woven bracelet and he twisted it around so he could see the pink ribbon that was woven into it. Alice. He closed his eyes momentarily and allowed her face to flash into his mind before he opened his eyes again and looked at the man. Alex. Alex Bates was his name. What a terrifically common name. What could he say though? His name was Elijah Nathaniel Krum, that was hardly the most creative name in the world but it was pretty damn weird. He wasn’t even sure it was his mother that named him, or his father. If it had been then he’d probably be Viktor V. But Alex was a nice enough name and Bates was a name fitting for a scholar. He seemed like a nice enough guy.

“Alex’s” next words confused Elijah somewhat. He’d always been told by his Nanny that the rich weren’t meant to be trusted and that if you trust the rich that did nothing but strife to add to their riches then you were a fool. As a result of those kind words he didn’t trust his mother or father but he doubted that even without them he’d trust Marina and Viktor. Somewhere along the line, Alex’s logical had been flawed. He could understand his train of thought though. Elijah was loaded, why would he care about a little ring? So maybe his logic wasn’t flawed but it wasn’t something you just said to someone.

But the problem was that Elijah didn’t know if he’d have enough time to deliver it to him. They’d be leaving for Switzerland in less than a week and he knew he’d spend most of his time packing with Camille and Cassidy. They’d insist on taking all of Fauve and Thierry’s clothes and Twist would be a little git about going because Elijah knew he wouldn’t want to. It would be one hell of a couple of days. That would be all during trying to keep his children entertained. Maybe he’d just give them paint and some paper to amuse themselves with for a while.

“I can hold onto it now but I don’t think I’ll be able to come and give it to you. I won’t have the time I’m afraid...” He bit his lip.

Felix looked at Elijah carefully. This was a guy who had grown up being different, had been taught different things then people like Felix. This guy... had been taught to be the hero.. except he was a Slytherin.. so he wasn't a hero.. but he was.. this guy confused Felix to none other, and he would enjoy ripping up his little expensive suits and clothes and throwing them into a fire. Sure Felix had money, which was why he was even able to afford the ring he was going to give to Naomi, but just looking at this guy made Felix vomit a little bit. Perfect, from a perfect family, he had everything, money, friends, and last Felix had heard, a pregnant girlfriend.

When you were a Death Eater, and a criminal, you heard a lot of things you wished you didn't know.

When Elijah said he wouldn't have time, Felix felt a flash of panic, if he couldn't get him to the house.. then what? He pulled back the ring, and looked at the ground for a long moment, as though afraid of what would happen. "I really don't want her to see it, she's gonna be so pissed at me for buying it! But.." He sighed. "I guess I'll just have to... I don't know... do this." he said and while he had been speaking, he had pulled out his wand. Pointing it at Elijah, just so that he could only see the tip from around his body, he whispered. "Imperio" and pointed at Elijah Krum.

The Imperious Curse must have been what a human felt like when they didn’t take their wolfsbane. They were thrust to the back of their own mind and they were barricaded in as someone else took over. That’s got to be what happened when the wolfsbane was forgotten because that’s sure as hell what happened to him when the spell was cast. Something clicked in the small portion of Elijah’s mind that was allowed consciousness. His thoughts were still processing and he peered curiously at the man, somehow getting his body to do so. He didn’t know how to deal with the Imperious Curse or how to break it. He knew Occlumency but he didn’t know if that was enough. It didn’t appear to be any rate.

Elijah felt the mental blockades go up and he cringed as he felt himself lose control of his own body. Everything was gone; all he had was his thoughts. Perhaps it was what happened when you died. Everything disappeared bar your ability to think. Elijah didn’t want to spend eternity with himself when he popped his clogs, though. Perhaps he’d have to work on that theory to make it sound less depressing, ultimately. He was panicking inside his own head and he didn’t like it. In fact, the constraints were making him panic more so; he was just glad it didn’t show on his face. He was at this bastard’s complete mercy yet he couldn’t for the life of him figure out why he’d want to do this to him.

Then it made sense. This was not some random bloke from wherever in England. No, this was the same man that had tortured Khaat. It had to be. That small revelation only made Elijah panic further. He was sure, had he been able to feel it, that his heart would have been beating in his ears. He didn’t know now though. Barker had complete control.

He’d gone for Khaat, now he was going for him. This would be interesting therapeutic point for him and Matt to go over if he made it out alive. Nachash was roaming around his body. She’d been settled asleep on his calf but she was moving, clearly concerned by his lack of control of his body. Elijah sought her out mentally, looking for anything to latch onto. Once he found her he implored that she didn’t do anything to Barker, nothing that would cost her her life. Elijah didn’t want to die just yet. She wasn’t happy with him but she took his order and settled down his spine. If Barker was for whipping then he’d get a shock of his life time if stumbled upon her. She was a battleaxe and incredibly possessive. This wouldn’t end well, Elijah decided.

Felix grinned and looked at his now prone state, if he said something, Krum would have to do it. "Go and tell your friends that you need to leave early, give them the best excuse they will agree with, and act completely natural, once you are done, come to me at this bench." He said softly, staring at the ring, which had been pulled out during this sentence, while his wand had been stowed away up his sleeve. "I have a surprise for you Elijah Krum, that I feel you will not enjoy, but I sure will." He grinned and then pulled a flask out of his jacket pocket. He took a swig, and then grimaced. "This isn't how I actually look like, if you can even understand me right now... but you'll see what I'm actually like in a bit.. so just do what I told you kid, and then we're heading back to my place." He laughed lightly and put the flask back into his jacket. "Don't forget your bags, make it seem as realistic as possible remember, or you won't like the consequences if they are suspicious.. they may die.." He said lightly as though it didn't concern him.

He would have to put him in his bedroom until he was able to figure out a cell for him to be in, maybe even if it was just his dorm room at school. No.. that wasn't enough. He'd ask later where the one place is that he loved the most..... no people involved, yes, get him while he was imperiused, that would work, best not to leave him in this state for to long, people could often rebel if under the curse for to long, but somehow Felix doubted that Elijah had the willpower to succumb to an evil spell that easily.

The curse was a b!tch, enough said. Elijah was finding it incredibly difficult to worm his way out. He was battling against something he’d never experienced before. His mother hadn’t been around long enough to get irritated with his rebellious nature. He hated her and she hated him so there was no need for them to be around each other. Still, Elijah couldn’t help but wish now that she wasn’t adverse to putting her children under unforgiveable curses because he could have used the skills. He had to learn if he was going to figure out how to get out of the curse but he had to experience it first before he could work.

Sure enough, when the order was given, Elijah was up on his feet. He reached down and picked up his bags, somehow managing to balance his coffee as well. He exhaled mentally and watched through his own useless eyes as he approached Gucci, swaying slightly as if he were tipsy. He knew there was a reason he didn’t drink caffeine. If anything it made him sleepy, not energised. Elijah took a detour to the bin and placed the coffee cup inside. Once he heard it drop to the bottom he walked into the shop and set about finding Camille and Cassidy.

The girls were stood queuing and seemed bored to be doing so as well. Cassidy spotted him first, dumping her purchases to be on her sister before running over to him. She threw herself into his arms and Elijah caught her fluidly, thankful that he wasn’t completely useless in his imperioused state. He realised that he could work within the bounds of his orders. He watched as his hands reached up and smoothed back Cassidy’s curls. He closed his eyes mentally and sighed shakily before opening them and allowing him to see through the ones that bastard was controlling.

“What’s wrong Elijah?” Cassidy asked, beating him to it. He didn’t quite know how to answer her. He wanted to communicate some sort of message to her, one that would lead her back to him. He watched his hand reach up and growled mentally as his thumb rubbed across Cassidy’s plump bottom lip. She loved physical attention more so than her sister and he’d handle her in a particular way. This wasn’t it. He was being to gentle. Cassidy liked to be handled like a ragdoll. She liked to be thrown around, pulled and pushed. She loved the feeling of being dominated. This wasn’t it and he was going to be completely bollocked if he didn’t step up his game.

Elijah pushed at one of the mental blockades and felt his forearms come into his own control. It was a really strange feeling to have half control. He wrapped his arms around Cassidy’s waist and pulled her roughly to him, leaning down to kiss her on the mouth. She responded instantly and in his own mind, the little trapped version of himself was tapping his foot, waiting for it to be over and done with. Cassidy pulled away first, making Elijah thank Merlin, and looked at him with hooded eyes. He glanced over at Camille and smirked at the look on her face. She was most amused. Elijah wanted to slap himself and then that prick for putting him in this position.

“I’m skipping out early, beautiful,” he heard himself purr. Elijah shuddered. Did he really sound like that? It was incredibly arousing yes but it was the wrong time. He was pretty sure that he would be willing to shag her in the store though, had he had full control of his body and had he still been in a sexual relationship with Cassidy. Now it was just more foreplay...more teasing and more amusement on both sides. They loved each other immensely and Elijah couldn’t believe himself. This was so wrong. Surely she’d see the difference in him?

“Are you sure?” Camille asked, licking her lips and pushing her body up against his. He felt his chest then or maybe he just felt her breasts against it and he once again found himself wondering why he was such a bloody manwhore. He liked the touch of a woman that was his only answer. “I’m sure we could find an empty changing room...”

Shit, Elijah thought.

“I saw a leggy brunette walking towards Dior, sweetheart...” he heard himself chuckle after he spoke, “She was giving me some non-verbal encouragement...when have I ever turned it down?”

Camille pursed her lips as if doubting him before leaning up and placing a chaste kiss on Elijah’s lips. She ran her hand through his hair and cocked her head towards Camille. “You better say goodbye to her. You know how she gets when you forget her, love.”

Elijah could imagine the cheeky grin that was no doubt donning his face and the little version of him inside his head fell over, giving up and letting the idiot continue the charade. Whatever was making Elijah move moved him and he stood in front of Camille. He cupped her face within his hands and leaned down, kissing her gently on the mouth. She opened her eyes after he pulled away and he rubbed his thumbs across her cheek bones. She was softer than Cassidy yet she had just as much fire within her. He wasn’t going to admit to anyone that she was his favourite because he wasn’t meant to have favourites but she most definitely was.

“A leggy brunette?” she questioned quietly, having probably read his lips. “She better be good looking if you’re ditching us.”

“Love, the last woman I had was Chase and I think I’ve held out long enough. Dominic was probably more woman than Chase’ll ever be which is why it astounds me that he was the striker and not the goalie so to speak. I need something...there’s only so long a guy can hold out.”

Oh Jesus Christ...what is this bull? Elijah thought.

“You’re kidding right?” Camille frowned.

Elijah grinned and nodded, curling a lock of hair behind her ear as he did so. She exhaled. “But I’m still going after the blonde...”

“I thought you said she was a brunette!” she admonished.

Elijah shrugged and kissed Camille hard. She didn’t respond, clearly stunned, and Elijah realised that what mattered was the only bits he had control over. He was sure that his subconscious was coming up with the script though. If this was the last time he ever saw Camille and Cassidy then he wanted to make it worth it. He pulled away from Camille and rested his head against hers before kissing her one last time and striding back over to Cassidy. He tugged on her hair and pushed a few locks of it back so he could gently nibble on her neck.

“I’ll see you later, sweetheart.” He promised, idly wondering if he’d actually fulfil it.

Then, with that said and those things done, he strode back out into the high street where Barker was still waiting. Elijah still wasn’t sure how this spell worked and he had somehow managed to find himself a screw driver. These walls had a lot of screws and it would take him a while to undo. Hopefully Barker would either relieve him or give him long enough to get himself out of the spell and take over his body again. “Done.” He heard himself say. Elijah looked up from his ministrations momentarily before twisting the screw. He pulled it out of the wall and placed it down on the floor. One down, seven hundred to go.

Felix grinned. "Nice to see you again Krum." He said lightly, standing up and pocketing the ring. "Now, if you'd so kindly follow me, I think I have someone you'd very much like to see." he said and looked back at Elijah. The kid was a manwhore, there was no doubt about that. Felix must have his news wrong to think that him and that Chase girl were still together, even though she was pregnant, he was kissing two different chicks who were beauties sure, but still.. he had had a girl hadn't he? Felix shook his head mentally, no use thinking about the mind of a hero, they obviously had no morals as to how to handle women.

"Actually, why don't we just apparate there, it'll be faster... once we get there, I'll ask you to please enter my bedroom door, and stand against the wall facing the door, next to my bed. You'll neither speak or move from there until I take the curse off of you, once the curse is off, I forbid you to speak unless spoken too." He said and smiled. He wondered if the curse actually allowed that to happen, for him to be able to control something while the curse was off, but it may be like hypnotism, and if it was, well, it would work alright, and even if it didn't work, he didn't really care. The room had a silencing charm on it anyway.

Felix grabbed Krum's arm and moved so they were out of view of muggles, before twisting them away to his bedroom, taking Krum along with him, and letting him do as he was told, before running off to make sure his new living quarters were made up before Khaat Lupin woke up.