Tom stared hard into the other boy's eyes, trying to find any hint of mockery. "The reason... I want to know, Prefect Malfoy, exactly why you treated me like this."
Abraxas shrugged helplessly and sat up slightly, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. "An investment... I think you should have found out what the name Marvolo represents..." At first, he had merely been interested, but after inadvertently seeing Tom's middle name, he had begun to take him more seriously.
More importantly... he did not understand why he was so tolerant of this little fellow. It was a strange feeling, but he did not dislike it. He even deliberately indulged his own wishes. As an heir, there were not many things he could do as he pleased, and he had no intention of suppressing that feeling.
"If that's the case..." At the word "investment," Tom narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew no one would be kind to him for no reason. Since Abraxas valued the blood running through his veins, having a reliable supporter before his wings had fully grown was not such a bad thing.
Ignoring the discomfort in his heart, Tom put his false smile back on and perfectly imitated Abraxas's aristocratic drawl. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Abou, to keep a tight hold on your leash. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind managing your dog for you someday in the future~"
After delivering his threat, Tom left without lingering, secretly curling his lip. Why could he always smell that guy's scent? Had he grown up soaking in perfume? Damn it! >_<
Back in his dormitory, Tom hastily took a bath. To his irritation, he found that he could not read a single word of the books that normally absorbed him. He collapsed onto his bed and closed his eyes, preparing to sleep.
Once again, he appeared beneath that starry sky. Tom reached out and grasped the brightest point of light near him, then looked down at his hand. The grayish-white skin was not his at all, and his body began moving as though beyond his control.
"Avada Kedavra."
A green flash streaked past. Tom watched the once-blurry figure gradually come into focus. The distinctive platinum-blond hair made it easy for him to recognize who it was, but why, from this perspective, had that breathtaking prefect become like this? Dull, lifeless skin, a gaunt frame, and an expression of utter resolve.
The owner of the body raised a hand to touch his own face. Tom knew clearly that the person who had killed his prefect was crying, but why did his own heart ache as well? Just like the day the Old Headmaster died.
"Abou..."
The dark, hoarse voice sounded as though it had come from his own mouth. Tom could no longer bear the agony in his heart, as if he were dying. He howled helplessly, trying to force himself awake. This person was not him. It could never be him. No matter how much he disliked Abraxas, he had never wanted to kill him.
"Hah... hah..." Tom jolted awake from that damned dream and wiped away the cold sweat that kept pouring out. His clothes were nearly soaked through. After catching his breath, he pulled them off and rose to enter the bathroom. Damn Malfoy! Couldn't he leave him alone even in his dreams?!
Sitting in his chair and toweling his hair dry, Tom desperately wanted to grab his hair and scream like Ian did. With a helpless sigh, he flipped through the books on his desk. He would not be able to take Divination for another two years. Could he possibly have a talent for prophecy?
"Worthy of the supreme being, godlike and demonic alike—the 'god' of both seduction and salvation! What a pity you did not grant me a blessed, beautiful dream, Abraxas... you bastard who throws hearts into turmoil!"
Before you continue