Privilege

Tom returned to his dormitory and sat at his desk with a gloomy expression. In just a few months, he had already won over quite a few people in his year. He had thought he could have some peace for a while, but he hadn't expected that there would still be people unwilling to leave him alone. He really wanted to use the Unforgivable Curses on those idiots...

After freezing for a moment, Tom shook his head and flung away the dangerous thought that had surfaced in his mind. No matter what, he couldn't do that. If Professor Dumbledore learned that he had such thoughts, he would definitely be disappointed. Tom couldn't disappoint the professor he respected most.

Knock, knock.

Hearing the knock, Tom was somewhat surprised. For some reason, Prefect Malfoy was the first person who came to mind. Rolling his eyes, he got up and opened the door. When he saw the familiar witch, he put on a smile. "Senior Bulstrode, what can I do for you...?"

Brushing a loose strand of hair by her ear, Celeno handed over the gift in her hand. "What happened some time ago... was a misunderstanding on my part. You wouldn't refuse my apology gift, would you?"

With his eyes lowered, Tom gave a soft laugh. "Heh~ How could I refuse Senior's kindness?" Taking the beautifully wrapped gift, Tom untied the ribbon in front of Celeno and picked up the silver brooch resting on dark velvet. "I like it very much. Thank you, Senior..."

Smiling and nodding, Celeno seemed to let out a sigh of relief. She appeared very happy that he had accepted her apology. "Then I won't disturb your rest any longer..."

After closing the door, Tom released his hand, and the brooch floated above his palm. A cold hiss slipped from his mouth as a small snake crawled out from beneath the bed. Tom stroked the snake's head, then directed the brooch to pierce its body.

Glancing at the small snake, now covered in blisters, Tom let out a disdainful sneer. Did she really think he would be stupid enough to use something like that? Tch, Prefect Malfoy was nothing but trouble. Couldn't he even keep his own fiancée under control?! The more Tom thought about it, the more annoyed he became. He opened the door and headed straight for that damned prefect's dormitory.

"Oh~ Coming to see me this late... Little Tom, are you planning to have me coax you to sleep?" Fresh from his bath, Abraxas still had moisture clinging to his body. He stepped aside and let in the little brat, whose lips were pursed in displeasure. "Want to take a bath~?"

Clenching his fists to suppress the urge to punch him, Tom tried hard to calm himself. This was his mistake. He shouldn't have come looking for this person. The cool head he had always been so proud of simply couldn't remain rational in front of this guy. "Prefect Malfoy! I don't want to get involved in your relationship problems!"

His gaze swept over the open collar, and Tom awkwardly looked away, the tips of his ears growing a little hot. Gritting his teeth, he lowered his voice and enunciated each word. "And! Put your clothes on properly!"

Unable to hold back a low laugh, Abraxas obediently closed his collar. He tapped the cup and placed the milk beside the bristling cat. "Relationship problems, hmm~ Why not really get involved? That would make me very happy..."

Staring at the steaming milk, Tom had the urge to throw it out. Every time he encountered this person, he was overwhelmed by a deep sense of frustration. "Hah... Prefect Malfoy, you..."

Raising a hand to interrupt the little brat, Abraxas lifted his index finger and waved it. "Not Prefect Malfoy. Abou... This is the privilege I'm giving you..."

Tom was dazed for a moment. He blinked and tilted his head, unable to understand what this prefect was thinking. Even that damned senior wasn't allowed to use such an intimate form of address, so why was he giving Tom this "privilege"?