Lenora's Love; A Tom Riddle Story

Say Yes to Heaven

This chapter was inspired by the song Say Yes to Heaven by Lana Del Rey

The Malfoys Lakehouse was buried under Alder and Blackthorn trees. A white plat house with blue shutters.

"It's very muggle" Lenora's mother once said in her ear. A large lawn spread to meet a heft dock in the front. The lake was large enough to meet the horizon, hidden coves and hearty forests surrounded the property.

   Lenora thought it was one of the most beautiful places on earth. Abraxas answered the door in sunglasses, "Well hello pretty lady" he did a spin and she jumped in his arms to hug him.

"Oh I missed you!" She said grinning. Tom stood behind him with a stone face.

"Oh hello Riddle" she smiled warmly at him, "We missed you at the end of the year"

  Tom nodded but remained stoic, "Thank you for your concern Miss. Rosier, I had other activities that called my attention".

    "Of course" she said, "I don't know what I'll do next year without you to compete with". The atmosphere was awkward.

"I'm sure you can find other ways to motivate yourself" he was no longer looking at her.

   Her mother looked at her sympathetically and then looked at Abraxas who shook his head.

  Long before their trip he had personally made sure to plant the seeds of their messy breakup in all of their parent's minds.

She was in tears it was awful Mrs. Rosier, we find it best we don't mention it. Abraxas insisted patting her arm earlier that week. Mrs. Rosier agreed wholeheartedly. She was happy that Nora was finally acting herself again.

      Her parents guided her in as they made niceties with the elder Malfoys. Abraxas beckoned her to the next room; she followed where Avery and Nott sat.

  "Hello boys" she said happily saddling next to Avery, "please let me you have a flask of anything" she whispered.

Nott reached into the pocket of his pants and handed her one smiling . She took a drink, "Theo what would I do without you".

  She sighed taking another drink, "I don't think I can deal with the great 'Lord Riddle' sober." She missed the look Theo and Avery gave each other.

    Two hours later, the flask kept getting passed around. Avery had the bright idea to go on the lawn and start a bonfire.

  "Incendero" he yelled pointing to the fire pit in the middle of some chairs they had arranged. Nothing happened.

"Incenderroo" he slurred and Theo laughed when the fire once again wouldn't light. Nora was too busy testing the limits of the bottomless flask to correct him. Abraxas finally took it from her and set it on the floor next to his guitar.

"Incendio" a clear voice behind them said, the fire lit.

"Tom!!!" Abraxas yelled. Tom had Black and Mulciber in tow. They sat to join, Tom held his hand up when Abraxas offered him the flask but Black took a giant gulp.

   It was a little too quiet, they sat as the fire crackled. It wasn't lost on the boys that this was the first time they were all together since the duels. Even Tom was quiet, staring into the fire. He felt Nora gaze over him for a moment, studying his face.

Black was the first to speak, "Accio guitar", he caught it with one hand as it flew to them. He laid it on an empty chair and charmed it to play. Soft music filled the air.

  "We need some girls" Avery said sighing.

"Excuse me?" Lenora said and Nott laughed.
"Not that way Nora" Avery laughed, "I just meant you know to dance".
She scoffed, "So? I can dance"

  Most of them laughed but Black looked at her intently, "Then dance".

  Lenora gave him a cheeky smile, but Tom scowled.

"Cut it out Black" he said sternly.

Lenora gave Tom a funny look, "What? You don't think I will?"

Black held his hands up and raised his brows at her.

   Lenora stood slowly, she walked past them  to a more open area. The fire lit her against the dark of the evening.

All of them watched as she twirled, she lifted her hands up and traced them back down her body until she met her own waist and spun again.

  Black whistled and she moved her hips slightly before busting out into laughter. The guys all watched with bated breath. She moved to the melody seamlessly, her eyes had a playful look.

   Lenora put her head back and looked up at the stars. In that moment she felt so perfect, she felt free.

   The fire lit her face with a gentle glow, her skirt rippled against her soft swirling waist in the breeze. Toms hands gripped the arms of the chair, his knuckles were white. When she moved her hips he had to turn away.

This is what you wanted, you wanted her to be happy. Besides she was in your way. Let. Her. Go. Tom chided himself.

   Suddenly she looked through the fire and met his eyes. Tom watched her as she walked towards the chairs slowly.

"Well?" she stopped for a moment, "is anyone going to dance with me?". She addressed them all but only looked at Tom.

   They all looked at him. Abraxas quickly sprung to his feet, "Come on trouble" he said pulling her away and spinning her as she laughed.

   Tom looked at Black when they were out of earshot, "Back off" he cautioned.

  "Yes my lord," Black said ignoring his tone.