Hogsmeade was slowly becoming deserted. It was later than she thought. There were only a handful of students in the streets now, most making their way back to the school. Noelle didn't feel like going back right away, so she pushed open the door to the Three Broomsticks. Glancing around as she tugged her cloak off of her shoulders, she didn't see any of her friends. She hung her cloak on a hook and pushed her way to the bar. Sighing heavily, she ordered herself a firewhisky. Downing the shot quickly, she turned to survey the bar.
There were only a few students in the room. All were wearing Slytherin colors, and they were seated at a long low table along the far wall. Seated with them were a few older wizards and witches. Noelle's eyes narrowed when she saw Regulus Black, seated so he was facing the room. His grey eyes widened and he slowly stood to make his way over to her. She turned away from him as he started walking towards her.
"Hello, Noelle," he said smoothly.
"Oh, Regulus. I didn't see you here," she lied.
His dark eyebrows rose.
'Oh, fine. I saw you, and didn't feel like saying hello," she said exasperatedly.
Her hand went unconsciously to her hair and she gave the long strands a tug.
"Is that a diamond? An engagement ring? So it is true," Regulus said, a tinge of sadness evident in his voice.
"Oui, it is. Like you really care," she said.
"Of course I care. You'll be my sister now, and we have to play nice," he said lightly.
Noelle looked at him disbelievingly and saw a small smile playing around his lips. He was teasing her. She relaxed slightly and smiled back.
"So what are you doing here? A meeting of the Future Death Eaters Club?"
The blood rushed from his face so quickly she thought he would pass out. Realization dawned on her.
"Oh, mon Dieu…it is, isn't it?" Noelle groaned.
"It's just an informative session."
"It's them trying to brainwash you," she seethed.
His face went expressionless and she stepped back slowly. Someone was approaching them.
"Regulus, aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
The man's voice was low and smooth, almost lyrical. He was tall, taller even that Sirius, which made Noelle feel even tinier than she was. He towered nearly a foot over her, crowding her personal space. Feeling claustrophobic, Noelle took another step back, only to feel the resistance of Regulus' hand on her back. He wasn't letting her retreat. His skin was porcelain and his dark brown eyes were nearly maroon. He was devastatingly handsome and Noelle's breath caught in her throat.
"This girl needs no introduction, however. You are Noelle Lemieux," he said softly.
She nodded slowly.
"Ah. We meet at last. I am Tom Riddle."
Noelle's heart dropped to her feet and then rose again in the same moment. It pounded and throbbed in her chest and she found herself speechless.
"I can see by your reaction that I, too, need no introduction. You know of me?" he asked, casually pushing his shock of black hair off of his forehead.
Slowly, Noelle nodded.
"Oui, I have heard of you," she managed to say through clenched teeth. She could feel Regulus' fingers digging into her wrist
"I can tell by your reaction, your expression…your scent…that you have heard only the worst of me. Regulus, please enlighten this enchanting girl," he said. "Miss Lemieux, it has been an absolute pleasure."
He smiled seductively and in spite of herself, Noelle found herself returning his flirtations with a smile. He winked, almost imperceptibly at her and headed back to the table.
"Noelle!" Regulus hissed into her ear. "Are you out of your effing mind? How does he know who you are?"
Noelle tore her attention away from Tom Riddle's retreating back and focused on Regulus.
"Severus. Severus sold me to Voldemort. He told him that I was a Seer," she whispered angrily.
"You're a Seer?"
Dammit, she thought.
"Yes, I am a Seer. And Severus knew, too. He betrayed my confidence and the last remnants of our friendship and told him."
"Noelle, listen. That was a big mistake, allowing him into your head like that. He knows your weaknesses now."
"He knows nothing," Noelle scoffed.
"He knows you think he's handsome and charming," Regulus said stiffly. "He'll use that against you."
Noelle flung her hair over her shoulder and glared at him.
"I think nothing of the sort. That man murdered Lily's and James' parents."
"I saw the way you looked at him. Be careful, Noelle. He'll get you under his spell, too."
"I can take care of myself," she said loftily. "Good night, Regulus. It was nice to see you."
She left him with a smile and grabbed her cloak off of the hook. As she was swinging it over her shoulders, someone took it from her hands. She turned slowly and her jaw dropped.
"Allow me," Tom Riddle said with a glint in his reddish eyes. He arranged it carefully over her shoulders and fastened the silver clasp. "There we are."
"Thank you, Mr. Riddle," Noelle said formally, struggling to keep her mind closed.
"Would you mind if I escorted you back to the gates of the school?" he asked.
Noelle mind raced, but he was far too quick for her. He took her by the elbow and led her out of the bar and into the streets. He tucked her left hand into the crook of his elbow and headed up the street to the main gate of Hogwarts. He was silent for the first few minutes, and then spoke abruptly.
"You are frightened of me, are you not?"
Noelle shook her head slowly.
"No, I'm not," she said unconvincingly.
"You should be. I am a very dangerous man," he said casually.
Noelle swallowed and raised her chin.
"I am not afraid."
He glanced down at her and smiled.
"Good," he said softly. "So let me see. What do I know about you? Noelle Lemieux, age seventeen, nearly eighteen, born in Cannes, France in 1958. Attended Beauxbatons Academy of Magic for four years before transferring to Hogwarts in the beginning of your fifth year. Sorted into Gryffindor House. Engaged to Sirius Black, brother of Regulus, also age seventeen, born in London, England in 1958 as well. Father is Francois Lemieux, French Ambassador of Magic to the International Confederation of Wizards, mother was Catherine, of the St. Martin family, deceased. Am I correct?"
Noelle nodded, scared into silence.
"Your father cannot be happy about your very recent engagement, can he?"
Noelle shook her head again and stared at her feet as they walked. Suddenly her head came up.
"You were there," she said accusingly. "You were at the Savoy the night Sirius proposed to me. I saw you. You congratulated us!"
"Yes, of course I was there. I've taken quite the interest in you," he said, stopping in his tracks.
Nervously, Noelle stopped too. She kept her gaze focused on the buildings that lined the street. He took her chin gently in his hand and turned her face so she was looking at him.
"You are excruciatingly lovely, Noelle. It's almost painful to look at you," he said as he studied her features. "And our mutual friend, Severus, tells me that you have quite the gift. Am I correct?"
Noelle stood her ground.
"Non. He lied. I have no gift."
Tom Riddle bowed his head. Then, so fast that she didn't even see it coming, his lips were on hers. Her knees buckled and he caught her robes as she sank. Her mind became amazingly blank and calm. The feel of his lips on hers warmed her entire body to the point of losing control. Just as her arms were stealing up around his neck, he pulled away.
"I don't think that Severus was the one who was lying. But I do think that you enjoyed our kiss very much."
Noelle, coming back to her senses, shook her head rapidly.
"Lies, Noelle. Don't bother with them. I can tell when you're lying, little girl. Besides my talents, I also have many years experience on you."
Noelle looked up at him. Very slowly and deliberately, she wiped her hand across her mouth.
He chuckled softly.
"In the future, Miss Lemieux, I think that you might want to reconsider the repercussions of your actions. Good night."
With a start, Noelle turned and realized that they had arrived at the gate to the school. Spinning back to face Tom, she saw that he had disappeared.
As the month of April ended, Noelle still hadn't told anyone about her run-in with Tom Riddle. She was silent at the meeting of the Order, and during her training sessions, she threw all her energy into learning the dueling techniques that would have to become second nature if she ever expected to win a battle. Thankfully, Sirius and James were also wrapped up in the training process and didn't take very much notice.
"Two more weeks, and we're free!" Lily said at dinner one night.
"Finally. I've had just about enough education to last me forever," Sirius grumbled as he shoved potatoes into his mouth.
"What does Hogwarts usually do for graduation?" Noelle asked.
Lily grinned.
"There's a ball. We dance and celebrate, and most of the seventh years end up passed out drunk in their common rooms. It's after the ceremony and we leave for home the next day. I've been looking forward to it for years."
Noelle took a sip of her drink.
"We need dresses, Lily," she said with a grin.
That weekend, dressed in Muggle clothes, Lily and Noelle apparated to Paris. Checking her favorite Hermes Kelly bag for both wizarding galleons and French francs, Noelle led Lily to the Rue Cambon.
"Where are we going?" Lily asked as she tried to keep pace with the petite French girl.
"Every girl deserves to wear this designer at least once in her life," Noelle stated as she waved her hand at the elaborate storefront.
Lily looked baffled.
"Chanel," Noelle clarified as she pushed open the heavy door.
"Mademoiselle Lemieux! Quelle grande surprise!"
An elegantly dressed Frenchwoman hurried to the front of the store and embraced Noelle lightly. She deposited two kisses to each of Noelle's cheeks and held her at arms length.
"How have you been, my dear?"
"I've been very well, Odette. May I present my best friend, Lily Evans?"
"Enchantee, Lily," Odette replied, hugging and kissing Lily as well.
"Noelle! Is that an engagement ring I see?" Odette cried.
Noelle beamed happily and held out her left hand.
"Have you and Olivier set a date?"
Noelle blanched slightly, but recovered quickly.
"Actually, his name is Sirius. I attend school with him in Scotland. And we haven't set a date yet."
"Well, I hope that you will be commissioning a dress from us for the wedding!"
"Of course!" Noelle laughed. "But first, Lily and I both need gowns for graduation."
Odette's brown eyes narrowed as she circled the girls. Snapping her fingers, a tall young man came scurrying over with a sketchpad in hand.
"For Lily…celadon…long, flowy…think Grecian…high waisted, thin straps…do you have all that, Yves?"
The young man nodded, his hand flying across the page.
"And Noelle…I'm thinking Persian blue…iridescent…halter neckline, fitted, corset bodice…long, paneled skirt. Oui, that's perfect."
Noelle smiled and nodded.
"That sounds wonderful. How soon?"
"Go to lunch. They will be ready when you return," Odette said, squeezing Noelle's hand.
The girls strolled along the Champs-Elysees, looking for the perfect café to have lunch in.
"All this time, I had no idea that Coco Chanel was a witch!" Lily said disbelievingly.
Noelle laughed.
"Most of the more famous designers are," she said as she held the door of a café for Lily.
They sat on the patio, enjoying the early May sunshine beating down on them. Tourists, eager to have their own springtime in Paris, hurried by them, chattering in their native languages.
"I've never been to Paris," Lily observed.
Noelle sat straighter in her seat.
"Are you serious? I didn't know that! Let's go sightsee!"
She jumped up from her chair and threw a handful of francs on the table to pay for their hurriedly eaten meal.
Noelle paid for their passage on the Metro and waited impatiently for the train to arrive at Trocodero station. This way, she could lead Lily through the beautiful landscaping of the Jardin du Trocadero and the bridge over the Seine. As they rushed off of the train and hurried up the stairs to the street level, Lily gasped audibly. Rising over 300 metres from the ground, the Eiffel Tower soared into the perfect blue sky. Out of the corner of her eye, Noelle saw Lily's astonishment, and felt a surge of patriotism for her country that she hadn't felt in a very long time.
"Allez! We'll go to the top!" Noelle cried out as she ran through the gardens.
At the line for the lift, Noelle produced a small plastic card. The two girls were waved through the gate, bypassing the lines and boarded the elevator.
"What was that?" Lily whispered.
"My father is a government official. As a member of the family, I have special privileges that include not waiting in line, not paying any fees and getting to see things that regular citizens and tourists wouldn't be able to see."
"Such as?" Lily asked with her eyebrows raised.
Noelle leaned forward with a wicked smile.
"Want to try on Marie-Antoinette's jewelry?"
At the summit of the tower, Lily turned in slow circles, not believing that she was actually at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Noelle produced a camera from her bag, and asked a tourist to take a photo of them. After taking pictures from every side of the tower, Noelle led Lily down to the base of the tower again. They hopped into a taxi and Noelle directed the driver to take them to the Louvre.
"The French monarchs, they didn't care about the use of jewels as much as your monarchs do. There weren't many crown jewels of France. In fact, after the Revolution, many of the jewels were lost," Noelle told Lily as their private tour guide led them through the halls of the museum. "But, there are a few."
Both girls' eyes widened when the guide motioned for the guard to open the case. He selected a tiara covered with diamonds and emeralds, and placed it lightly on Lily's dark red hair.
"It's so heavy!" she said, keeping extremely still.
The guide laughed and placed two bracelets, laden with rubies on Noelle's wrists.
"These were my favorites when I was a girl," Noelle said. Her accent was so much thicker now that she was in France.
Reluctantly, the girls handed the jewels back to the guide and thanked him for his assistance. Noelle led Lily down a long parquet floor so that she could see the Mona Lisa, and then checked her watch.
"Lily! We need to go pick up our dresses and get back to Hogwarts!"
They hurried down the corridors and jumped on the Metro, whose station was conveniently located in the basement of the Louvre. Odette had both dresses ready and ordered their street clothes off as soon as they walked into the shop. With a few flicks of a wand cleverly disguised as a pen, the fittings were complete.
"To your school, Noelle?" Odette asked.
"Oui, that would be great!" Noelle sighed. "We really must be going."
Both girls kissed Odette on the cheeks and stepped into the back alley to apparate back to Hogsmeade. They joined with the students already making their way back to the castle.
"I'm sorry we didn't get to see more. I promise, I'll take you back soon, and we can see everything!" Noelle swore.
Tired, but still excited from their day, they mounted the stairs to their common room. Sirius and James were both stretched out on the couches.
"Let me see your new dress!" Sirius demanded as she kissed him on the cheek.
"I don't even know if it's here yet, and besides, I want to be a surprise!"
"Lily's bringing James up to see hers," Sirius pouted.
"Oh, fine. Come on," she said, taking his hand.
The dresses were hanging in each girl's wardrobe, encased in black garment bags with the Chanel logo. Noelle removed the dress from the bag and hung in on the wardrobe door so Sirius could look at it. She sat on her bed and watched him with a smile on her face.
"It's beautiful and you're going to look like an angel in it," he said, coming over to kiss her. She scooted back on the bed so he could sit with her and her hand hit a large box that had been placed at the very center. Curiously, she looked at Sirius. He shook his head. Shrugging, she opened the box.
Nestled on the black velvet were the two ruby encrusted bracelets that she had tried on at the Louvre earlier that day. Gasping, Noelle dropped them on the bed. Tucked inside the box was a hand-written note:
Miss Lemieux,
I couldn't help but notice how lovely these looked on those delicate wrists today. Enjoy them.
T.M.R.