Lenora's Love; A Tom Riddle Story

Pillow Fight

"How long will I be gone?" Black asked between gritted teeth.

"Months." Riddle didn't look up, he was writing notes from his more extensive conversation with Theo after the party.

It took everything in his power not to bang his fist on the desk. Damn him.

"I'm entrusting you with a very important task Cygnus. Do not dissapoint me." Tom finally looked up practically bearing his teeth.

"I'm honored." Black met his eye for a moment but sighed in defeat.

He should have just left her alone. They both thought.

"Is there anything else, my lord" Cygnus said as Tom folded up the notes to hand them to him.

"Yes, before you go I need you to brew a Drink of Despair" he was snide, "Get the directions from Miss. Rosier".

Tom had a cocky smile, "Don't forget to tell her goodbye".

Black bowed his head and exited the room in a rage.

Lenora was napping when Black knocked on her door, "come in" she said sitting up on her pillows.

He pushed the door open, "Hello lovely" he said closing the door behind him.

"I've negotiated our marriage contract with your mother" he joked walking to stand at the edge of the bed, "she's throwing in a third goat and some chickens".

Lenora giggled and dropped her head to the side, "come to claim your prize?" she tried to make her voice husky but couldn't help erupt into laughter.

Black touched the bed, "I've come to say
...goodbye" he smiled down at his shoes.

Lenora hopped off the bed, " Goodbye?" she hurried in front of him.

"Riddle is sending me on an essential mission" he said, "crucial."

"I don't know what to say" she sighed, "how long?".

"It could be a while" he ran his hand through his hair, "months even."

Nora gasped and put her hand on his chest, it was an impulsive thing but she didn't withdraw.

She tried to lighten the mood, "but I might forget what you look like" she mustered a smile.

"I think he's counting on that" Black tipped her chin up. She dropped her hand trying to decipher what he meant.

He watched the confusion on her face.
Tell her. Tell her.
He took a breath.

"I need the instructions for the Drink of Despair" he said instead taking a step back.

"Can I help?" She asked

"No... no thank you. I received instructions to go at it alone" he turned to her desk. Nora passed him and grabbed her notebook. She tore the page out and handed it to him.

Black took it from her and moved close to her, his hand moved to her shoulder. Softly he kissed the top of her head.

"Goodbye Nora" he said trying not to look at her face as he turned around and left.

Not even an hour passed when Tom pushed open her door. She was lying across her bed looking up at the ceiling.

"Not now" she snapped.

Tom ignored her, "did you take your potion?". He opened the box on her desk to count them.

"Leave me alone" she said and he realized she was crying.

"Oh. Are you sad?" He mocked, "Awww I sent your little boyfriend away"

He felt something hit his back, it was a pillow, "GO AWAY TOM".

His face when he turned around was a warning. Tom fingered the potions in the box, he gasped. She had missed the last three days of potions.

"Why aren't you taking these!?" he picked up the vial.

"I don't need them. I'm fine" she turned her head around facing the wall.

"No. You are not fine, if you don't take them you will die" his voice was plain, "or are you too stupid to understand that?"

"UGH" she yelled and hit the bed in frustration. When he didn't react she picked up another pillow.

He turned and looked at her in disbelief. "Let me see your hand" his arm was up shielding his face.

"No!" She screamed, "I don't have to!... YOU DON'T CONTROL MY WHOLE LIFE!".

He darted around the bed, catching her ankle. She threw the pillow and the vial of potion crashed on the floor, breaking. They locked eyes, his mouth dropped open.

"You insolent child!" he shouted pulling her to the end of the bed. They struggled against each other. The anger in her chest, made her tear at his shirt scratching at his arms.

He held his head away trying to dodge her as she pummeled his body.

Finally he pinned her hand and looked at the scar, black tendrils floated through her hand. Their faces were inches apart.

"Look! It's spreading!" He yelled, "take the fucking potion!"

She tried to slap him but he caught her other hand, both were pinned above her head. Nora met his eyes. She panted in effort trying to push him off, her legs kicked out.

"STOP FIGHTING ME FOR ONCE, I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU" he yelled as she flailed under him.

She shook her head back and forth and broke into tears. Tom sighed.

"I'm....SO......MAD....at.....you" she said between sobs as she shook. His face softened, he fell to his side next to her on the bed releasing her wrists.
"I know" he pulled her to his chest, she shook and he rubbed her back.

"It's your fault ......I made the potion......in the first place" her words were almost unintelligible.
"I know" he rested his chin on her head and held her tighter.

"I don't..."she sniffed in as she cried into his neck," want to die."

His hands were gentle in her hair, "shhh, you won't". She only shuddered as her weeping died down.

He let her calm down before he stood up.
Stepping over the potions and the pillow he went over to the desk picking up another vial.

"Get up" his face was stern but he sounded exhausted.

She sat up on the bed and he handed her the vial watching her put it to her lips.

"Drink."

She tipped it back and finished it.

He took the empty vial from her hand.

"Get yourself together Nora".