Lenora's Love; A Tom Riddle Story

Firestarter

It was a larger turnout than expected. Mulciber Sr and Mr. Malfoy both shot each other a look of accomplishment as Eldritch Diggory made his way through the crowd with a line of followers.

"Minister" Mr. Malfoy shook his hand, "what an honor".

Men of all pure blood houses arrived to compete, the word had been spread. Nora sat on a chair in the lawn, watching them all pour in like ants.

"This is ridiculous" she snorted, "why is it only men?"

Abraxas sat in a chair next to her, "fairer sex".

She laughed and kicked his chair.

"Nora" his tone shifted to a serious one, "please just stay out of the way".

She glared at Malfoy who was standing to join Tom and their group standing near the minister.
"We all know you can duel" he began to walk away, "you have nothing to prove".

Abraxas stood next Tom who was speaking with the minister. They shook hands and he winked at the them both, "I've got money on this boys. Don't let me down".

Arden Yaxley strode up to them with Jence Greengrass in tow.
"You should tell the minister to save his money" Yaxley looked at Tom.
"Especially you golden boy, I bet you're not as good as they say"

Tom looked unphased by his comment, " in order to get the honor to duel me today Yaxley, you have to get through two duels and then Nott" he crossed his arms on his chest, "I won't have to lift a wand to you".

Yaxley gritted his teeth, "Oye Nott" he picked up his chin, "if I best you, say I get that pretty little blonde that's always on your neck".
Theo lunged with Mulciber and Black catching him.

Mr. Mulciber walked over, "save it for the duels". They all straightened and took their seats.

Nora sat in the back alone watching. She had to admit they impressed her. The first set of rounds they all sat back down within fifteen minutes. Every single one of Tom's group won their first two duels.

Greengrass was matched against Tom. He was in their year but they never shared a dueling class. He was supposed to be top of his class, he was quick as fire some parent in the audience told her.

Tom bowed, taking confident strides away and turning at the ready. Greengrass could barely draw his wand before Tom disarmed him, leaving the crowd to gasp. He hit him with a leg locking spell knocking him to the floor. Within minutes he was claimed the victor. His moves were formal, loudly pronouncing spells he could easily do in his mind. The duel was merely a performance to entice the pure blood audience to be in awe of his ability.

He even removed the leg lock on his opponent when the duel was done. Giving him his hand and pulling him up slapping him on the back for a good attempt

"Maybe next time Greengrass".

Eldritch Diggory beckoned him over afterwards, having him sit and talk while the next round started.

Theo stupefied Yaxley who flew back. He caught himself hitting Theo back. An electric buzz echoed as magic flew across the area.

"May I?" Cygnus approached Nora who watched intently, moving her head as he stood in front of the duel.

"Only if you do so quickly!" She snapped back and he smirked at her intensity as she watched them duel.

There wasn't any letting up from Yaxley, Nora watched with her teeth gritted fearing for her friend.
Come on Theo she thought, hit him with something stronger She thought as she watched her mouth moving silently.

While she watched the duel Black watched her.
Theo was hit on the shoulder, he cried out dropping to the floor but kept his wand up defending himself. Yaxley closed in as Theo struggled to stand .

Lenora gasped Fiendfyre, use it to push him back. Fiendfyre she thought frustrated.

Flames sprouted from the ground, crackling and growing. Yaxley began to step back as it grew. Fear flooded his face. The crowd gasped and murmured in panic, Theo looked in awe and sprung to his feet.

Black touched her hand "Nora" he said but she was in a trance her lips moving.
Tom stood in surprise and looked to Theo whose face looked as shocked as his own.
His face poured over the crowd until he saw Cygnus and Lenora.

Her mouth was moving as if muttering. Black looked scared trying to shake her arm.

Tom excused himself from the Ministers box and drew out his wand, "Finite Incantatem"he began to utter trying to reverse it.
He could keep them at bay but was unable to completely extinguish.
Black tried not to draw too much attention to her as he tried to get her attention.

Abraxas and Avery looked at Tom, was he doing the spell? They couldn't figure it out until Tom caught their eye and shook his head.

Abraxas saw Nora in the crowd, he knew.
Lestrange saw everything happen from a distance. He began to tear through the crowd ready to kick her chair out from under her to stop her.

The pull was strong, the flames were growing up to eight feet within minutes, even Mulciber senior called out "Alright Nott, you've got him now let's end this".

Black and Tom made eye contact for a moment. Do something.

Black put one hand around the back of Nora's neck. He pulled her head to the side with a quick tug and caught her cheek with the other hand. Then he kissed her roughly.

Almost pulling out her of her chair. His hand snaked around her waist and she made a muffled sound. Lenora's mind cleared for a moment. She felt his tongue collide with hers and she gasped. He smelled like leather and vanilla, she was surprised at how roughly he grabbed her although in that moment she didn't mind.

Happily she returned the kiss, her hand touching his shoulder.

The flames died down and Theo yelled "expelliarmus" disarming Yaxley and was declared a winner.

All the boys took a breath of relief except for Tom. He was too busy watching Black pulling back from their tawdry exchange.