Lenora's Love; A Tom Riddle Story

Flowers for a Lady

  "Lazy girl!" Lenora heard her mother knock on her door, "come on and get out of that room. The rest of the Lestrange family is coming today!"

   Lenora tried to sit up slowly, it had been days but her body still ached.

"Coming" she called out weakly.

  She felt out of breath when she crossed to the bathroom, she sat in the bath, her hair fanned out. Soapy water bubbling around her.

Another rap on the door.

"Come in" she said her mother was relentless.
The bathroom door pushed open,

"Oh Jesus Lenora" Abraxas covered his eyes, "is that lust potion ever going to wear off".

  She screeched and ducked under the water, "get out!".

He waited for her in her bedroom while she toweled off.

"Pass me my dress" she said, he looked at her closet jammed pack with dresses of every color.

"Uhhh Which one?"

"The white one with the blue ribbon" she peeked her eyes out.

He shoved it through the crack of the door.

"I'm here for a reason" he said, "I need your help?"

She came out with the sundress on turning so he could tie the ribbon.

"More horcrux guarding potions?" She asked
eagerly.

The night before Tom had come in her room with Mulciber.
He walked to her bedside and cupped her chin with one hand.

"Feeling better?" He asked and she nodded.

"No more foolish potion brewing?" His brow raised.

Nora shook her head.

"Mulciber will get you up to speed".Her cheeks squished in his hand couldn't hide her smile. Tom turned around and left quickly.

Mulciber sat in the chair next to her bed with a notebook. He explained everything concisely until she was up to speed, he answered all her questions politely and specifically. Nora was beginning to understand exactly what Tom liked about him so much.

"No, nothing like that" Abraxas tied a bow on her back.

She grabbed a brush off the vanity and brushed her hair, tying it up with a matching ribbon.

"Well?" She smiled warmly at him.

"Olivine will be coming today" he said sheepishly looking at the floor, "I wanted help picking her a bouquet".

  Nora smiled delighted, "oh Brax, I'd love to help!".

     "How such an elegant lady could come from the same family as Rudolphus, I don't know" Tom devilishly kissed Olivines cheek as she just laughed. Lestrange shot daggers at him.

  "Promise me, you'll save me a dance in two weeks?" He asked as he guided her on the lawn following behind her parents.

   "Absolutely Tom" she said with a little smile.

   Abraxas stood inside taking a shot of fire whiskey from Nott's flask, Lenora reached for it but they held it above her head.

"Tom would kill us" Nott said putting it back in his pocket, "you are barely back on your feet".

Nora rolled her eyes, as she heard the door open, "she's here Abraxas" she grinned at him holding his spray of pink and white roses.

   Tom patted Olivines hand as they walked up the porch, "Now, Abraxas was very excited that you're here" she blushed smiling and looking down, "try not to break my friend's heart".

   As they walked through the door, Lenora gave Lestranges parents a friendly a hug. They were all set to have dinner, Mrs. Malfoy, Mrs. Avery  and her own mother were in the kitchen with four house elves and had been all afternoon.

     Olivine took the flowers from Abraxas, "you're so kind" she said beaming, "they're beautiful"
"As are you" Abraxas kissed her hand.

"As are youuu" a chorus of Nott and Avery said behind him. Even Tom laughed softly.

  Mr. Malfoy said it was time to go through and they all followed to the dining room. Lenora had been standing next to Tom as Abraxas received Olivine. They still stood next to each other grinning at the couple.

  She hadn't really spoken to him since the morning she woke up from her near death event.

  "Aren't they just-" she looked up at him. He was dressed in a dark blue suit, his hair combed looking like every girls fantasy of a perfect gentlemen.

"Perfect" he said nodding still watching them walk to the dining room. Lenora began to turn away and he caught her wrist.

  "You've come undone" he gestured to her dress. The bow had come untied and the ribbon hung down her sides.

  "Oh" she turned looking down and grabbing both ends, "could you?"

  Tom put his hand to his side as she turned around, ready to grab his wand to magically tie it. He stopped.

   She looked over her shoulder, "you don't mind?"

   He took the ribbon from her hands, their fingertips brushed together. As he tied, he could smell her hair, hear the draw of her breath as he took a closer step to tighten it.

  They stood there for a moment, his breath on the back of her neck made her close her eyes.
She craned her neck around to meet his eyes, "Do I look okay now?"

  His gaze held on, "No" he held out his arm for her to take which she did tentatively, "You look beautiful".

"I was worried you two got lost" her father teased as they entered the dining room, minutes behind the others.

   Tom pulled her chair out and Nora sat down, she was surprised when he sat next to her instead of the open spot between Mr. Mulciber and Mr. Lestrange.

  The charming young man he was in front of parents was a far cry from the Tom she knew him to be behind closed doors . He had a biting humor, he was polite and extremely charming. He knew how to draw out conversation from the most reserved people. He knew exactly how much to flirt and flatter.

   Tonight Tom had the whole table captivated, including Lenora. He teased her making her laugh into her hand, making sure the conversation ebbed her way. She didn't know where his true nature ended or began but Nora had to admit; she loved his attention.

   Her eyes drifted over to Black who sat next to her mother; she had him locked in a very engaging conversation. He met her eye for a moment and gave her a sweet smile.

  Mr. Lestrange left the room for a moment returning with a large bottle of Dragon Barrel Brandy. He pulled the cork out  it with a loud pop, and held it up.

"To our Hogwarts graduates". They all cheered.
Glasses were brought in by elves and set in front of everyone. When the Malfoys elf, Darbey, got to Lenora's glass it stopped and looked at Tom. He gave Nora an appraising glance and then nodded. The elf filled her glass.

  Lenora turned to Tom, "Merlin, is there anyone who doesn't listen to you" she said so only he could hear.

   Tom shot her the smirk she knew to be real, "Only you".