Begged and borrowed time - Tom Riddle

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒚-𝒐𝒏𝒆

Pansy and August were on their way to the Great Hall, the two girls running late for the dueling club session that one of them had been eagerly anticipating. "I swear on Merlin, if I can't duel because we're late, I won't speak to you for a week," Pansy said, flashing her white teeth in a playful smile as she quickened her pace. It had been a strange week already. Ever since Halloween night—when Filch's cat was found petrified and the writing appeared on the wall, everyone had been on edge. But things had settled into a tense sort of normal, and for Pansy, dueling club was the most exciting thing Hogwarts had to offer at the moment.

 On their way, the witches spotted two familiar faces: Nathaniel Rosier and Eden Lestrange, both striding purposefully in the same direction.

"He's going to kill us," Rosier muttered, his voice tinged with dramatic despair as he pulled at his hair. "He's been holding back all this time, avoiding attention, but now he's had enough. He's going to kill us."

"Nathan!" August called out, her voice cutting through the bustling corridor. Rosier turned abruptly, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of his friend.

Pansy's expression flickered briefly with surprise at the sight of Lestrange, but she masked it with practiced ease. She exchanged a quick glance with August.

"See? Now I know he won't kill us," Eden whispered to Rosier, who nodded nervously, guilt evident in his eyes.

"Are you on your way to the dueling club?" August asked, feeling more excited about the idea than she had been two minutes ago.

"No, I don't think—" Rosier began to explain but was abruptly interrupted by Eden's sharp elbow jab to his side.

"Yes, actually, we were. You are more than welcome to join us." Eden's forced smile did little to mask his impatience, the effort it took not to draw his wand and duel one of them on the spot was immense. "If you're not afraid," he added, hoping that one of them would accept his challenge. It had been a long time since he had battled against a worthy opponent.

August grinned, sharing a determined glance with Pansy. "Lead the way, then."

As the group pushed open the ornate doors of the Great Hall, a sudden, dazzling flash of scarlet light erupted from the center of the room. Lockhart, in his usual dramatic fashion, was blasted off his feet. He soared backwards, crashing into the stone wall with a resounding thud before sliding down to sprawl on the polished floor. Draco Malfoy and several other Slytherins erupted into cheers at the spectacle.

"Enough demonstrating! Pair up, everyone!" Lockhart's voice rang out sharply, cutting through the excited chatter. August turned to her friend, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she gathered her short hair into a makeshift ponytail. Just as August was about to choose her as her partner, a firm tug on her wrist forced her attention elsewhere.

"I don't think so. I was promised a short, friendly battle," declared Lestrange, his greenish eyes alight with anticipation as he stepped forward. The witch hesitated, glancing back at her friend who had swiftly found a dueling partner the moment Flamel walked away. Pansy batted her eyes through dark, thick lashes at Abraxas Malfoy. August took a moment to appreciate the stark contrast between them: light versus dark, calculation versus compulsion. They seemed an unlikely pair, yet somehow complemented each other. Lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice the subtle exchange of gazes between Lestrange and Tom Riddle. A silent nod passed between them, a clear signal granting Lestrange permission.

"Wands at the ready!" shouted Lockhart. "When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent – only to disarm them – we don't want any accidents. One ... two ..."

But Eden couldn't contain his anticipation any longer. He had restrained himself for too long without a proper duel. His desire to either prove to Riddle that August wasn't as special as he thought, or, ideally, find a capable ally, was too strong to wait any longer.