Evil's Kiss

Chapter Nine

Tango for Three

Objection I'm tired of this triangle Got dizzy dancing tango I'm falling apart in your hands again No way I've got to get away ~ Shakira

At his feet, there was a folded cloak. However, not just any cloak, the fabric was silvery and shiny. It was an invisibility cloak.

Tom gingerly picked it up and went back into his room. Gazing into the mirror with amazement, he wrapped his body up, and saw it disappear. Who would give me something like this? Tom thought, confused. His parents were dead, no aunts or uncles to speak of. He was contemplating who would do something like this to him, when a tap at the window brought him out of his trance. Hurriedly stuffing the cloak under his pillow, he walked over to the window to find an owl waiting, bearing a letter. He opened the window and untied the parchment. He didn't recognize the owl but let it in anyway, for a rest. He unrolled the letter and began to read, all the while, a scowl formed upon his lips in disgust.

Riddle,

I know that you and Lily have a "thing" going on, but I don't give a damn. I saw what you did to her, the bruising on her wrists. Well I hope you enjoyed the ball, because from tonight on, you are staying away from her. She's mine. If you care a rat's arse about her, you'll meet me in the Astronomy Tower on Monday at midnight to fight for her. Moreover, even if you do win, she will still be mine. Reply by owl and come alone. NO SECONDS.

James Potter

"Well, it looks like Pottie has a little crush on my girlfriend. No seconds huh? Looks like this cloak could come in handy," Tom said aloud. He took out a quill and parchment and replied to Potter's letter.

Potter,

Your threats are useless. Lily and I are a couple whether you like it or not, and there's nothing you could do about. Nevertheless, yes, I'll duel you, having every intention of winning. Nevertheless, if on some far off planet, I don't win, Lily will still be mine. Until midnight!

Thomas Riddle

P.S. About the bruising, just goes to show you that Lily likes it rough.

Tom smiled at that last part, knowing well that it would enrage James. He looked around for the owl, but it had already gone. Saving his letter, until Monday where the whole school could witness a potentially explosive reaction to his reply, he put it into the desk. After, Tom readied for bed and fell into a deep sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He dreamt of a red head that smelled like apple cinnamon and of a passionate encounter with a mysterious stranger, that only kept getting better.

~

The weekend passed quickly and both Tom and James had fully thought of foolproof plans that would make each the victor in the battle for Lily. James would take Remus and his invisibility cloak up to the tower after Sirius let some dung bombs and ever banging Frisbee off to distract Filch. He would hide Remus under the cloak when they got to the tower. Screw what he said about no seconds. Not that he was scared, just prepared if Riddle pulled anything.

Tom would be thinking along the same lines as Potter. He would take an extra and cover both of them with his newly acquired cloak. At midnight, he would be at the Astronomy Tower, while his extra hid in a corner under the cloak just incase Potter tried to pull something. As Monday morning dawned, Tom remembered his reply to Potter. He got up, took a quick shower and dressed. Then he went through the castle, heading toward the owlry. Everything was going according to plan, until he heard a soft, feminine laugh. He back tracked a few paces and peered around the corner.

"James, someone is going to catch us," Lily said, as she came up from the dip he held her in.

"What, don't you like my Sunrise Salsa Studies? You've only been taking them for a month," James said. He spun her around and she laughed.

"When I asked you to teach me how to dance, this isn't what I expected," Lily said.

"You never asked what kind of dance I knew, all you said was, 'I want to learn how to dance, will you teach me?' and I said sure," James said and dipped her again. When he pulled her up again, she was breathing hard from the dancing and so was he. Their faces were mere inches apart. Tom was about to be sick.

"Lily! What the bloody hell are you doing in his arms?" Tom said loudly enough to disturb the dancers, but quietly enough not to wake the whole castle. The couple started and as quickly as she could, Lily untangled herself from James' arms.

"Oh Merlin Tom, this isn't what it looks like. I swear," Lily said, fearful of the look Tom gave her.

"Oh? And what am I seeing?" Tom questioned menacingly.

"I was just getting dancing lessons from James. Since I mean, he's been dancing since he could walk, I thought it might be fun to learn a few. I've been interested in dance since I was five. You know ballet, jazz, even ballroom. I've never done the salsa though," Lily said trying to explain herself. Although a few beats later, she was wondering why she had to explain herself to her boyfriend why she was dancing with a male instructor, when he knew she only wanted to be with him. She let it go for now though, their relationship was too new for these kinds of thoughts.

"At sunrise?" Tom said, interrupting her thoughts.

"Yes, Tommy boy. They're called my Sunrise Salsa Studies, nice acronym huh? Anyone could take them. It's one of my more inventive ways to make a bit of money. Is there a law against making money?" James said stubbornly. He stepped in front of Lily, so it was only him and Tom face to face.

"Well Lily honey, if you want to take dancing lessons from someone, it should be me. I know a few moves," Tom said and smirked. He did a few turns and a few hip thrusts, but he really did look like a fool. Lily fought hard to cover her smile.

"Uh, well, I er, didn't know that Tom, but I would like to stay with James on this one. We're not the only couple here if that's what you're hinting at. Sirius and Octavia were here too, but she fell and broke her ankle. So Sirius carried her up to the hospital wing," Lily finished in a breath.

"Well if that's the way...." Tom never finished because James interrupted.

"Yes, Riddle that's the way she wants it, now kindly leave," James said annoyed. Lily poked James hard in the back as if to say 'that's my boyfriend, lighten up!'

"Alright, I'll see you in potions then Lily," Tom said quietly and abruptly turned and headed for the owlry.

Once he was gone, Lily came back around, and started pacing. James watched her cross him once...twice...three times.

"Hey Lily, what's up? Let's finish the lesson," James said. "He's gone you know. You act as if he owns you," James said quietly, and Lily stopped pacing in front of him and looked him straight in the eyes. James saw fearful, anticipating green eyes looking back at him.

"James, you don't understand Tom. He's already proven to me that when it comes to things, or people he gets insanely protective or jealous," Lily said quietly, her gaze not wavering from James'. She was willing him to absorb the full impact that the little argument they just had. It may cause severe repercussions for her.

"I swear to Merlin Lily, I will not let him lay a hand on you. My word on it," James said, finally realizing what he had done. Mentally smacking himself for putting her in that position, he tried thinking of ways to make it up to her.

"I know. Tom won't do anything. I'm just overreacting. I should go see if Tavia is okay. I'll see you later, " Lily replied, already turning toward the staircase.

"Alright, remember, same time, same place next week. Tell that to Sirius also for me," James said to the fading image of Lily's back. When he couldn't see her any more, James turned and headed back to the common room saying only one word while he walked.

"Damn."