Behave Yourself

The first time someone had shown disgust toward him, Abraxas instinctively touched his face. Had his charm declined? Wasn't he known as walking Amortentia? Why did this little fellow... hate seeing him so much?

"Please excuse me. After all, interrupting someone else's romance invites retribution!" Somewhat grateful that the disgusting senior girl had appeared in time, Tom swiftly gathered up his books and left. If he stayed any longer, he really would not be able to stop himself from hiding this senior somewhere, just to make sure no one killed him. He never wanted to experience the feeling from that dream again for the rest of his life.

Stroking his chin as he watched the kid flee, Abraxas shot the fool who had interrupted him a sidelong glance, his brows drawing together impatiently. "Bulstrode... do you really think your little tricks can be hidden from me? Look forward to Christmas... you'll get the outcome you want."

Frozen where she stood, Celeno could not believe what she had heard. She hurried after the person who had already left, reaching out to seize Abraxas's forearm. Her anger was completely beyond control, her grip so tight that her nails nearly dug into his skin. "Why?! Because of that lowly half-blood? Abraxas! Do you know what you're saying?!"

His gray eyes filled with icy coldness, Abraxas gripped the wrist restraining him. Casting aside his usual elegance, he glared at the woman with the twisted expression through clenched teeth. "House of Malfoy does not need a mistress ugly to her very soul. Remember your own position. If you don't want House of Bulstrode removed from the Sacred Twenty-Eight, behave yourself. If you provoke me again, the consequences will not be something you can bear! Get lost!"

Their argument drew the attention of quite a few people, and the news soon spread throughout the entire aristocratic circle. Volga blew on her nails and cast a rather sympathetic glance at her senior. "To make our Platinum Prince this angry~ the little princess of House of Bulstrode is truly capable. Why don't you just admit that you have feelings for that Riddle~"

Abraxas helplessly raised a hand to his forehead. How could he possibly tolerate a foolish woman who only knew how to play petty tricks? Someone had actually been stupid enough to order Dark Arts items from House of Burke while at school. She was beyond saving, truly. "Hah... don't tease me. I already have enough of a headache... Malfoy is a pure-blood supremacist family..."

Rolling her eyes in a most unladylike manner, Volga merely smiled without speaking. Compared with the Blacks, who married within their own family, House of Malfoy had produced quite a few half-bloods. Though it was an extremely, extremely secret matter, the two families were quite close after all~

"Fine, I wish I had that kind of trouble too~ What a pity I don't have your level of charm. Oh my, your little kitty is back..."

Turning to look at Tom, who had appeared in the common room, Abraxas's lips curled slightly. Beautiful things really could lift one's spirits. "Volga, aren't you looking forward to what Little Tom will be like in the future?"

Volga desperately wanted to curse. Taking a deep breath, she got up and left. Did she dare look forward to it? She could not afford to provoke House of Malfoy, who could turn the Minister of Magic into a puppet, much less that little venomous snake. Put the two of them together, and neither would care about gentlemanly conduct. That fool lying in St. Mungo's under some unknown curse was a perfect example.

Tom swept his gaze over the people in the common room, his eyes lingering for a second on the platinum head that made his teeth itch with rage. Grinding his teeth, he went straight back to the dormitory.