A Warning

This was the first Christmas Tom had spent away from the orphanage. He didn't know how to describe his feelings—a mix of relief and a strange sense of loss. He wished the Old Headmaster could see him now. Opening his eyes, he got out of bed. Among the few gifts, he picked up a letter. Seeing the fancy cursive script, he rolled his eyes.

First, he opened the small, silver-green gift box. Tom took out a pair of cufflinks—exquisite, silver snake-shaped cufflinks. He muttered softly, "How could I possibly have a formal outfit... that idiot..."

Silently placing the cufflinks back in the box, Tom opened a drawer and put the gift away. He stared at the magnificent-looking juvenile bald eagle in the cage, and once again, he complained internally about the foolish Senior. Such a large bird of prey! How was he supposed to raise it, damn it!

(PS. Bald eagles mate for life.)

He extended a finger and gently stroked the smooth feathers. Tom opened the cage, glanced at the lake outside the window, and then spread his forearm, letting the bald eagle perch on his arm. "Apos... let's go. I'll take you to the owlery~"

He cast a warming charm on himself. Tom tilted his head, hesitating whether to cast one on his new pet as well. This decision wasn't because Apos was a gift from that foolish Senior, but purely out of fear that Apos might get cold!

Silently casting a warming charm on his pet too, Tom walked across the somewhat quiet campus. Thinking about the contents of the letter, the expression on his face unconsciously softened.

'To my dearest little Tom, I'm so sorry I can't be with you on your birthday. Given the gift I've carefully prepared, I'm sure you'll forgive me, won't you? ~

Happy birthday.

Your most beloved Senior—Abraxas Malfoy'

A smile reached his eyes. Tom clutched his beating heart, feeling a sense of fullness—unfamiliar, yet warm. Suddenly, he remembered the past he least wanted to recall. Tom slowly let the smile fade from his face. He... couldn't fall in love. Anything he liked always left him...

"I don't like you at all, I can't like you..."

Whispering helplessly, Tom walked blankly towards the Great Hall. The food, which he usually found delicious, tasted bitter in his mouth. He remembered that dream, remembered the scene of Abraxas's death. It felt like heaven was warning him.

If he fell in love with that foolish Senior, Merlin would send someone to take that foolish person away from him. "Is... is death truly unavoidable?"

Tom suddenly lost his appetite and rushed to the library, starting to search. He randomly pulled out a few spellbooks and sat in the empty library, flipping through them. Only this could bring him peace. His ancestor was a Legilimency Master; he wanted to learn that profound magic too.

He diligently read the obscure vocabulary. Tom only snapped back to reality when he realized it was almost time for the banquet. He returned the book and ran to the Great Hall, sitting next to Professor of Herbology—Herbert Birley.

"Hehehe~ Little Tom, there's a surprise program later~ You'll definitely love it!" Herbert greeted the cute cub enthusiastically, winking and glancing at Kettleburn beside him. "Let's start quickly! Everyone's here~ I can't wait!"

Clearing his throat, Professor Kettleburn stood up in the open space in the center of the Great Hall. He waved his wand, and suddenly a pool of water appeared in the center of the room, surrounded by a makeshift wall. Three young witches waited on the side, their faces etched with pain, whispering their sorrows to each other.