Lenoras Lament: A Tom Riddle Tale

She is Mine.

They made eye contact. His eyes widened in surprise and he stopped immediately, he cursed accidentally knocking the lantern to the floor.
Lenora turned around and walked through the darkness. She wanted to use Lumos but couldn't risk them finding her. She heard footsteps in the dark behind her, and broke out into a run.
Once she reached the hall, Tom caught up with her.
"Lenora" he said his voice was not tinged with worry or fear like she hoped it would be. It sounded to casual, almost annoyed to be chasing after her.
She shook her head and kept walking. He grabbed her arm and she tried to pull away but he slammed her back into the wall.
"Don't TOUCH ME" her voice got a little hysterical, she was trying to control her breathing but the rage in her chest was unbearable.
  "Nora" he was shaking his head almost laughing, "darling..."
"DARLING!?" She screamed, and he hushed her now he was laughing.
"Are you drunk?" He held her chin.
"Yes I was at the slytherin party. You- you fucking loser" she sounded snide, "why am I explaining anything to you!?".
Tom took a deep breath and rested his lips on her forehead.
Her head was starting to spin a little, the whiskey swam and muddled her senses.
"Come with me please, and I'll explain" he was still holding her chin. She looked up at him as he suppressed a smile.
"I hate you" she said her voice softer, he nodded and picked her up flinging her over his shoulder.
"PUT ME DOWN" she yelled.
"Quiet before I throw you out a window" he said smacking her squarely on the bottom.

After the third hallway he agreed to put her down. He tried to hold her hand and lead her but she snatched it away with a hurt look on her face. Bastard, she thought, how could I trust him. Bastard.
He stopped in front of a wall. Tom was quiet staring at it.
"Are you trying to come up with an excuse?" she sat on the floor needing a second. She remembered why she rarely drank.
"Silence" he snapped looking stern enough to mean it.
He stood there a couple more minutes and she watched him. Suddenly, a door appeared.
"You found the Room of Requirement!?" she couldn't believe it, she didn't think many Slytherin students could open it. The only reason she heard of it was from a Gryffindor bragging in her class about it a few weeks ago.
She sucked in air at the realization. A Gryffindor with long blonde hair.
"Oh gross Tom" she made a gag noise, "you did THAT for information?!?"
He looked back at her, "I've done more for less" he said nonchalantly as she sighed.
They walked in and looked around. It was sprawling, there were looming bookshelves filled to the brim, a large space for dueling, a comfortable lounge area to study in.
"We can't really practice if we're in the library, we can do so much together here Nora"
He flopped down on a sofa in the lounge area, looking at her expectantly.
"You did this for me?" she asked.
"For us, come here" his voice growing impatient.
"How well did you know her?" She grew closer to the sofa but wouldn't sit.
"Hardly, now sit down" he insisted.
The whiskey made her spin a little, she felt foolish for everything. Why did she care? Why did she have to care? A little cry hiccuped out of her as he looked shockingly tenderly at her.
He stood and took her hands that were endlessly wringing.
"It was nothing darling, nothing" his hand cupped her cheek.
"Look at me" he said as her eyes raised up, "There is no one like you".
Her eyes welled with tears, but her lips parted.
Tom smelled the whiskey on her breath that gave him pause. He kissed her softly on the lips and quickly drew away.
"We have plenty of time to be here" he put a hand on her back to lead her out, "let's join the party"
As they walked, he hooked his arm around hers, "How did you know I was in the library?"
She told him the whole story.

     When they returned to the party, nothing was said. He had a vice grip on her waist and took a bottle from Avery. Lestrange didn't make eye contact, only gave Mulciber a smug look who mouthed something to him Nora couldn't see.
     To the unassuming eye, a very popular boy had arrived to the party. He made his group laugh so hard they almost spit out their drinks. He danced with Nora, and then Lilith and then Nott and Lilith making them laugh again. The night became so carefree even Lestrange tried telling some rambling story laughing that Malfoy interrupted to save them.
     Soon they were the only ones remaining in the common room, a hazy buzz making their eyes heavy and they began to say their goodnight.
     "Gentlemen" Tom said, "Before we depart, I need you to meet me in my room" his voice was still light and he looked at Lilith who laid on the couch with her head on Nora's lap.
"When you're ready"
     Tom headed away with Lestrange and Mulciber quickly following behind until he stopped.
"You too Nora" he said before continuing;    
   Lestrange and Mulciber shot each other a look behind his back.
    Most of them were soused. Nott carried Lillith to bed and followed Abraxas and Avery to Tom's dorm. Tom stood in the middle flanked by Mulciber and Lestrange.
   Then Nora walked in, she had a couple more drinks, so her walk was more of a sashay. Tom pointed to the only chair in the room, "sit darling".
    She did barely keeping herself from flopping down, he walked to her and stroked her hair. He dropped to knee level and leaned forward whispering in her ear, "I want to make sure you're here for this".
      Tom looked over at Malfoy and nodded, Malfoy lifted his wand and "Quies'" the room.
     "Gentlemen," Tom's voice was serious and unwavering even though she knew he drank half a bottle on his own.
      "A month ago, I divulged information about myself to you, my faithful followers. This was a privilege, not an opportunity to engage in foolish power plays".
      He drew his wand and stood behind Lenora, his hand on her shoulder.
    "She. Is. Mine." he enunciated each word severely, his face a scowl, "therefore you will show her the utmost respect".
    Lenora felt sheepish, she looked to Abraxas and Avery but their faces were wooden. Nott seemed to be holding his breath only Lestrange and Mulciber looked nervous.
    "Lestrange." Tom mindlessly stroked her hair with one hand as he held his wand in the other gesturing to the place in front of Lenora's chair, "come here".
   His brow raised and Lestrange stood in front of her, "Kneel"
    "Yes my lord" he said and kneeled in front of Lenora's chair.
    Lestrange was a tall, gawky man. Everything about him was slender, overhanging like a praying mantis. While kneeling he was eye level with Lenora who tried to still her face.
"Nora I'm-" he began
      "Crucio" Tom said with a bored tone as Lestrange fell over into the floor. Lenora had never heard anyone scream as he did. He writhed around the floor and kicked, it was hard to watch.
     "How dare you address her so informally!" Tom stood over his body, "Apologize"
    Lestrange let out a strangled sorry, "Miss Rosier, pardon- agh my informality".
     Tom shook his head, "for the library you fool" Nora turned her head to look up at Tom whose face was now undeniable rage.
     "I'm sorry.. I set you up.." he finally let out and Tom dropped the curse.
    "Get out of my sight" he said shaking his head.
Lestrange stood up slowly, and Tom turned to Mulciber, "see that he gets to his room, before anyone sees him".
      Tom let out a deep sigh and sat on his bed, Lenora stayed in her seat looking forward at Avery, Malfoy and Nott who looked unsure what to do.
     Nora finally stood and walked over to Tom who didn't smile at her. He only took her hand and kissed it softly and then finally looked over to the three uncomfortable very drunk friends.
   "Abraxas" he said, "please escort Nora back to her room".
    He looked at the other two, "Goodnight." he said before flopping back onto his bed.