Let the Flames Begin ((Nole)) PG-13

[Elaine Bentley R6]

((Please know that this post later on will be PG-13. Reader digression is advised. ))

It took a while for Elaine Bentley to process everything that had happened over the past few weeks. School had let out for the summer holidays and Elaine was already sucked right back into the demanding appearance of the Elite lifestyle. One thing Elaine liked about attending Hogwarts was that she could get away from the hectic routine of following her parents around at exclusive parties, mingling with the rest of their kind. Some of Elaine’s peers thought of her as odd for not liking their lifestyle. But what was so special about following in your parents footsteps - or even wearing the latest designer clothes? Elaine would rather buy clothes from a muggle thrift store, which was what she did. She bought leopard print jackets, stripped tee-shirts, colorful leggings, and torn short skirts. Anything that was original was in Elaine’s wardrobe. That was why her style was funky and unique. She would get both compliments and rude remarks, but Elaine couldn’t care less. It was who she was and no one could ever change her, expect for maybe two Gryffindor boys. Crossing her arms over her chest, Elaine’s blue eyes pierced the invitation that lay opened on top of her dresser. The invite was addressed to her for Leo Keane’s party, which was tonight. She didn’t know whether or not to go. Yes, they had shared a somewhat awkward moment at the Charity event, but that didn’t make them an item. Did it? This was all too strange for the sixteen-year-old. First Elaine hated Leo Keane’s guts, disgusted by his womanizing lifestyle, but now she was sucked into his charm. How could someone change their perspective of another within seconds?

“What are you looking at?” A voice asked, making Elaine jump from her swimming thoughts. Turning around, Elaine ran her fingers through her thick black hair before ruffling the curls. She could smell the scent of her herbal shampoo flow into the soft breeze that was brought in from the open window. Elaine’s brother Noah was leaning against the door frame, his own eyes watching his younger sister curiously. “I’m thinking about going to a party tonight,” Elaine responded, her blue eyes staring into her brother’s shocked face. Noah Bentley shook his head pushing himself off from the wall he was leaning against. “You - Elaine Bentley going to a party?” Elaine smirked at his remark grabbed the invitation before her brother could snatch it first. “What’s so shocking about it? Maybe I want to hang out with Rachel tonight?” she asked in a not-caring tone of voice. Pulling her black sequin dress from the hanger, Elaine tossed it onto her bed before digging through her closet for a pair of shoes. Noticing a pair of beautiful, bright yellow peek toe pumps from bottom of the pile, Elaine snatched the pumps into her arms before throwing them on top of her bed as well. “Don’t worry about me. I’m a big girl. I handle myself and make my own choices. Now go! I’m trying to get dressed.” Before Noah could say anything, Elaine pushed him away with one arm while the other closed the door locking it in place. Leaning against the door, Elaine stared into her beige toned carpet wondering if she really could trust herself at this party. It was always embedded in a teenager’s mind to try new things, even if it ended up being a mistake.

Time moved by like a blur for Elaine Bentley. She had already dressed, looking stellar in her new black party dress, and was already on Leo Keane’s arm as they bumped into Rachel and Noalan. Why did he invite them? He should have told her! Keeping her cool, Elaine rolled her eyes as the boys began to bicker like school girls with each other. Noalan’s words however caught Elaine off-guard. Was he standing up for her? Staring into his eyes softly, Elaine felt her heart skip a couple of beats as Noalan took her hand, leading her away from Rachel and Leo. She didn’t even look back at them as she felt his breath tickle her ear. Elaine turned her head in his direction, sending the older boy a soft smile. “Do you two always have to bicker constantly like school girls?” Elaine asked looking away from Noalan’s face as she noticed a woman in a short cocktail dress carrying trays of drinks in her arms. Elaine was tempted to take a glass and before she could stop herself, her hand reached forward for two glasses. Handing the second one over to Noalan, Elaine took a sip of her trying hard to hide a wince as the vodka burned her throat. It wasn’t her first ever glass of alcohol but this drink was different. It seemed to be heavier than most glasses she drank at parties. “Does this taste different to you?” Elaine asked Noalan, turning her head in his direction. They were standing in front of the dance floor, her feet glued to the floor. Elaine was exactly ready to dance yet. Maybe after a couple more drinks.

“You know my brother was actually shocked that I was going to a party tonight,” Elaine told him only a few sips left of her third glass and already felt her head swimming. This is pathetic…. Elaine thought silently to herself finishing the rest of her drink, setting the empty glass down on a counter. At least she could still think somewhat clearly. The song changed to a fast more upbeat mix, a woman’s voice banging hard on the black speakers. Elaine grinned, pulling on Noalan’s hand out onto the dance floor, “come one, Nole,” she told him stepping away from a couple of teenagers dancing in pairs all over each other. Swaying her hips, Elaine spun around in a circle to face Noalan. Her blue eyes gazed into his softly before she stepped forward, her arms encircling around his neck. “Why are you wearing glasses indoors?” she asked curiously her right arm moving to taking the large aviator shades off over Noalan’s face. Pulling them on over her own face she laughed softly over the over the music. “Can I pull off wearing sunglasses?” Elaine didn't want to talk about Leo with Noalan even though she had a feeling it was on his mind.

[Noalan Bounds G7]

His father was in the study working on some case, he had big plans, and lots of work to be finished. Noalan on the other hand had nothing planned for the evening. That was perfection on its own. He always had plans, always something to do, someone to hang out with, work to do. Not tonight, tonight he would just sit back and relax. And of course do what he always did when he had a break, watch the game. He sat in front of the TV in his father’s large living room. Everything room was large in the house, but then again he could have easily been describing his mom’s and Cody’s house. They too had a large home; they even lived in the same neighborhood. But this week it was his father’s. Divorce was a dirty business. But Noalan had gotten over it a long, very long time ago. He didn’t want to think, all he wanted to do was sit and watch the game. With a click of a button the TV came to life, and the living room was filled with the sound of cheering and a sport reporters quick play-by-plays. Nole’s eyes followed the orange ball on the court. He wasn’t into playing sports, but watching them was another story. A time out was called and Nole looked at the clock on the wall. But his thoughts were interrupted by his father’s voice. Some one had run the doorbell.

Almost instantly a petite brunette began to block his view, the ref had just called time in. But he wasn’t paying attention anymore. He looked at his best friend, she always looked pretty, but tonight she had hit the gorgeous mark. He smiled playfully. Rachel wasn’t known to play fair, tonight was no exception. So Elaine would be there, he smiled to himself, and took the steps one by one to his room leaving the green eyed girl downstairs smirking at him. His room was an average teenage boy’s room. Messy, and disorganized. But his closet was always clean, his clothes hung up nicely. This wasn’t his doing but the maids. He took a quick shower, almost slipping on the water on the floor, then brushed his teeth, then he cute on a plain white tee shirt, a nice black jacket from one of his many suits, and dark jeans that he had in his dresser. His glasses were his favourite part. He didn’t want Rachel to see in his eyes how excited he was. She knew too much already. He loved her anyway. That was the only reason he let her drag him away from the comfort of his couch and into the night where a car was waiting on them, well rather on her. Something was up, Rachel only looked that good when she had a reason, and a party wasn’t a good enough reason.

They had arrived. He knew things were going to be rocky when he saw Leo Keane’s house. This was not good, and he again knew he didn’t want to be here. But Rachel’s quiet and silky voice reminded him again why they were here. She was too good at this game. As they bumped into a couple Noalan felt Rachel’s last words echo in his mind. Yeah, he did love her. Seeing Elaine caused the most inappropriate reaction in his ribcage. But his smile that was slipping on his lips disappeared as he saw who her date was. Leo Keane himself, it made Noalan sick. He hated the guy. He hated him more then AJ hated him, and that was saying a lot. Being near Elaine helped though. He watched the way Keane was looking at Rachel, again he began to feel suspicious, Rachel didn’t dress-up for him did she? No, there was no way. Rachel loved AJ, and AJ hated Leo, and Rachel barely knew Leo. There was no way, or so he convinced himself, not looking to see how Rachel was looking at Leo. But before he could drop the matter from his mind Leo had to bring it up. Fighting with him was tiresome, something they did again and again. But this time it was more personal, and he still couldn’t shake the feeling that Rachel had more to do with it then just words.

Finally he left Rachel and Leo on their own. He had Elaine’s hand and was leading her to the floor. He was sure leaving Rachel in Leo’s company was a horrible idea but he shook it off. He had Elaine now. He was so excited to see her; he almost forgot he had a girlfriend. He hadn’t told her yet, but that was alright. No one knew, he and Randy were keeping it quiet. He was beginning to regret coming here. What about Randy? He really did like her, except he liked Elaine more, that was true. But he was always loyal. He wasn’t AJ, nor was he Rachel. But she brought him back to reality. “Yes, and if you ask why I’ll tell you it’s because I hate him.” Nole told her simply. It was easy as that. Leo was his least favourite person, and Nole was Leo’s least favourite person. He accepted the glass of alcohol she handed to him. He took a sip, vodka; it reminded him of the night in the common room with the girl known as Bevin. “No.” He told her, and it didn’t. He had stronger before. “Really now, and why is that?” He asked Elaine teasingly as he continued to watch her drink. He wasn’t a big drinker; he had stopped after his first.

He was surprised when she led him on the dance floor; last time they dance she was very reluctant. As they dance his thoughts where swimming. Jumping from his uncertainties of Rachel and Leo, to Randy, but always back to Elaine. This is where his mind spent the most time. He was distracted by her, she looked beautiful, but her voice yet again pulled him back to reality. He laughed at her statement. “No wonder it’s so dark in here.” He commented as he let her remove his glasses. “Yes, you can pull off anything.” He told her honestly. But they were both avoiding the big question. He brought it up anyway. “So … You and Keane.” He said awkwardly.

{aquawardly.}

[Elaine Bentley R6]

The music was blasting through the speakers causing the ground with each vibration. With each thud, Elaine could feel her heart beat loudly in her chest as if trying to match the rhythm. It was always like this when around Noalan though. He had that kind of effect on Elaine’s heart every time he looked her way. The way his hair fell into his beautiful eyes…that smile that could melt a heart of stone. What kind of a girl couldn’t go weak in the knees? That was exactly what Elaine was feeling. She could feel her knees slowly wobble, so Elaine looked away from Noalan. That helped but he was still holding onto her hand. She wasn’t going to let it drop this time. No. She didn’t want to keep on running away from this Gryffindor. Bringing the cup to her lips, Elaine was pulled from her fantasies. They weren’t exactly the cleanliest of the bunch. Smirking at that thought, Elaine turned her attention back on the boy next to her. Her blue eyes found his, her head tilting in an angle. She always did this when she was deep in thought. Right now she was just trying to recall the conversation with her brother before coming to the party. “Well….I’m not much of a party girl,” Elaine began staring down into her cup. This was her fourth and she was beginning to feel the affect. “So Noah was surprised when I told him I was coming here. He’s just being the overprotective older brother. Told him he had nothing to worry about….”

Elaine could hear her last statement echo in her ears. Did Noah really have to worry about his little sister? She was standing here, holding an older boy’s hand, drinking to the point where she couldn’t quite think straight. To top it off Elaine really liked Noalan. Maybe even more than she thought. Screw it. Elaine thought quietly in her mind pushing those worries aside as she dragged Noalan out on the dance floor. Her vision darkened instantly as the sunglasses were pulled over her blue eyes. Elaine couldn’t help but giggle slightly at the sight as she fixed the lenses to fit more comfortably on her nose. Though, her right arm was still slinked across Noalan’s neck. She only grinned up at him at his compliment. He sounded truthful. Elaine could hear that in the tone of his voice. Pulling the glasses off, Elaine blinked a couple of times readjusting to the new lighting. “I may look stellar in these specs, but I can’t see a thing,” Elaine said matter of fact skillfully closing the ends of the sunglasses so it laid flat. She stared into Noalan’s eyes for a moment before stepping even closer to him to the point where their bodies were pressing into each other. Elaine could feel her heart flutter wildly in her chest almost certain that Nole could feel it through his. Slipping the sunglasses into the pocket of his black suit jacket, Elaine couldn’t help but let her hand rest on the center of Noalan’s chest.

Her palm laid flat on the board muscle. She couldn’t hear the music, or the loud thrum of the speakers. All she could focus on fully was Noalan. Though, his voice wasn’t helping much in that department. Elaine sighed as he brought up Leo. Nole could ruin a moment perfect huh? Letting her hand slide down his chest slowly, Elaine adverted her gaze away from the Gryffindor. What was she to say? That she was dating Leo because she wanted to see the person behind the mask? Nole wouldn’t understand that. He hated Leo…and so did Elaine. For different reasons though. “Were not official yet, Nole,” Elaine spoke loudly over the crowd not daring to take a couple steps back away from him. She wanted the feel of him against her. She felt protected and comforted by the warmness. Elaine hadn’t felt like this with Leo, or any other man. “I don’t understand it myself…I guess I’m just trying to look past the whole act he puts up…I dunno…why do you care, Nole?”

OK now the alcohol was talking. Elaine looked away from his eyes briefly at the bitterness in her tone. She really wanted to be with Nole, but she had heard rumors. Mainly from the Hufflepuff girls. Nole and Randy. Somehow Elaine felt inferior to the perky blonde. Who didn’t like her? Elaine on the other hand was curly haired, with a dark completion. She wasn’t known throughout school like Randy was. Sighing, Elaine gathered the courage to look up into those sparkling green eyes. “What about you? I’ve heard some things about a certain Hufflepuff…maybe after when I left the Hospital Wing?” Ok yeah the alcohol was beginning to mix in with her temper. This wasn’t a good combination. Sighing, Elaine turned sharply on her heel leaving the dance floor. She sent a quick glance at Nole as if secretly telling him to follow her.