Unexpected Encounters | Tom Riddle

XIX: Between Lines and Smiles

"It's all good then. I don't know how things work in France," Abraxas said stiffly, his tone clipped. "But here, you don't ask a boy such... unnatural questions. It's disgusting. I'm not like that. I'll marry a girl one day, like I'm meant to, and continue the Malfoy line." "Right. I understand."

He sighed, "So you will come with us to my house?" "I will." "Great. We can discuss more with the others tomorrow. And Lilia?" "Yes?" "Don't ever bring up the question you asked me again." "I won't."

Lilia remained in the common room, cheeks slightly reddened in embarrassment as she watched the blonde guy walk away, unsure about whether she had crossed a line or not.

Abraxas left the common room and went back to his dorm, where Tiernan was fast asleep while Tom was sitting in his bed, a book in hand. "Did you talk to her?" Tom asked him, putting his book away and stretching slightly. "I did, and she said yes. Is she always usually there when you go out for a smoke?" "She is. I guess she doesn't fall asleep easily." "Just like you."

Tom gave Abraxas a small smile while the latter quickly looked away, ignoring the nervous flutter in his stomach. Abraxas got in bed and shuffled under his covers, a small shiver going up his spine even though his bed was warm. "Goodnight," Tom said in a calm voice. "Goodnight, Tom. Try to get some more sleep." "I will." The dark haired boy shifted his book on his bedside table and lied on his bed.

Abraxas cherished the fact that he got to see Tom unguarded. When his hair was not slicked away with hair gel and his cheeks were rosy from sleep. His curls fell loosely around his forehead and he had sleepy eyes in the morning. Tom wasn't a morning person but he got up everyday because of Abraxas. The latter had been raised to wake up early and finish up everything for the day.

Tom had been keen to learn about the unofficial rules of the Malfoy family and Abraxas had indulged him. He shuddered when he thought about Lilia's question. His first reaction had been to say yes. Yes , Abraxas had feelings for Tom. Then, he felt sheer horror when he remembered that he would be shunned for it and his family would disapprove. It didn't matter that he liked Tom: he was expected to marry a girl and produce an heir to continue the bloodline. That was just the way things were meant to be. He had to be normal.

But Abraxas could still remember the feel of Tom's hair beneath his fingers, the way it was softer than he expected. In those quiet moments, when Tom allowed himself to be vulnerable, Abraxas felt like he was seeing a side of him no one else ever would. But now, that same vulnerability filled him with dread.

Tom had grown into someone untouchable, confident, commanding, the kind of person others followed without question. Abraxas couldn't afford to feel this way about him. Not when he knew what was expected of him. Not when he had a legacy to uphold. He clenched his fists, as if the pressure could crush the ache in his chest.

Tom was curious about Lilia, even more so because she had directly experienced Grindelwald's war. Tom didn't want to be as barbaric as Grindelwald, he would never hurt people recklessly.

He would just lead them all to power and together, the Knights of Walpurgis would be the most powerful wizards and witches to exist. Tom didn't hide the fact that he was concerned about Lilia even while he disguised it as mere curiosity.

Abraxas fell asleep with a dull ache in his chest.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

"Lilia, I'm so happy that you said yes! We will have so much fun together. You'll see, the Malfoy manor is massive. Their gardens are magically maintained, so flowers are always in bloom." Celeste gushed happily while packing for the winter break, just like Lilia and Evangeline. "I can't wait to see it." Lilia said with fake enthusiasm.