Gifts

After waiting a while, Tom heard a knock on the door. He got up and let him in, then closed his eyes to suppress his anger. "I assume you know who started those rumors about me casting curses?!"

Without the slightest hint of guilt, Abraxas tilted his head and reached out to tuck the loose strands of hair by Tom's face behind his ear. He even casually pinched his rosy earlobe. "Heh~ Isn't this good? Far fewer people are bothering you now, and you have more time to bury yourself in the library."

The slightly cool touch made Tom take an awkward step back. His damned heart began beating irregularly again. That unfamiliar yet familiar feeling irritated him. "I don't want to explain myself to every professor one by one!"

Thinking of the scrutinizing look Professor Dumbledore had given him that day, Tom's grievance kept rising. He clearly had not done anything wrong, yet once again, he had fallen in the esteem of the professor he respected most. It felt absolutely awful.

Noticing the little brat's dejection, Abraxas reached out and ruffled his hair, lowering his voice as he spoke gently. "All right, it was my fault... How about I give you two gifts for Christmas?"

Tom slapped away the hand on his head and curled his lip disdainfully. Who cared about some damn gift? What he wanted was a peaceful environment to study in! "I don't have that many Galleons to buy you a return gift!"

Apparently having grown fond of the feeling of ruffling his hair, Abraxas's palm itched. Unable to resist, he once again ran his hand through the sleek black strands, withdrawing it just before the little brat got angry. With a light laugh, he raised a brow. "Compared to a gift bought with Galleons, I prefer something you made yourself. I'll be looking forward to it... Good night, my Little Tom~ Would you like a goodnight kiss?"

Tom pressed his lips together, opened the door, and politely ushered him out of his dormitory. Only after locking the door did he finally let out a breath. He blankly raised a hand to the top of his head, where it seemed warmth still lingered. "Damn it... A goodnight kiss? More like a kiss that leads people astray..."

Sitting at his desk, Tom took out his wand. "Orchids Bloom..." As the incantation fell, a bouquet blossomed from the tip of his wand. Dissatisfied, Tom canceled the spell, rolled his eyes, and casually tapped the quill on his desk. A black tulip floated in midair.

As long as he did not voluntarily undo the Transfiguration, this gift would remain exactly as it was forever. It was as elegant and noble as the one he had seen in his dream. That guy would surely like it.

Tom carefully placed the prepared gift into a crystal vase. Remembering that he did not have an owl, he sighed and reluctantly left his dormitory. He might as well deliver the damned gift early!

"Have you come to ask me for a goodnight kiss? I'd be delighted..." Abraxas leaned against the doorframe, teasing the red-faced little wizard with interest. Seeing Tom bite his lower lip and offer him the crystal vase, he accepted his Christmas gift in surprise.

Just as he was about to say something, Abraxas saw that Tom had already jogged away. He shook his head in amusement. If that awkward little fellow learned that Night Queen's flower language was... a confession of love, melancholy love, eternal blessings... would he smash the gift in shame and fury?

Completely unaware of what the gift he had given represented, Tom returned to his dormitory and threw himself directly onto the bed. That bastard... Couldn't he wear his nightgown properly?! Sooner or later, someone was going to swallow him whole!