It was his first Christmas away from the orphanage. Tom didn't know how to describe how he felt—part relieved, part disappointed. He wanted Old Headmaster to see what he was like now. He opened his eyes, got out of bed, and picked up a letter from among the few gifts. Seeing the elegant script on it, he rolled his eyes.
He opened the small silver-and-green gift box first and took out a pair of cufflinks. They were exquisite silver cufflinks shaped like snakes. "How could I possibly have formal robes... that idiot..."
Silently putting the cufflinks back into the box, Tom opened a drawer and stored the gift away. He stared at the splendidly feathered juvenile bald eagle in its cage and complained about that stupid senior yet again in his heart. Such a huge bird of prey! How was he supposed to raise it, damn it?!
(PS. Bald eagles mate for life.)
He reached out and brushed his fingers over its smooth feathers. Opening the cage, Tom glanced at the lake outside the window, held out his forearm for the bald eagle to perch on, and said, "Apos... let's go. I'll take you to the owlery~"
After casting a Warming Charm on himself, Tom tilted his head, hesitating over whether to cast one on his new pet as well. It wasn't because Apos had been a gift from that stupid senior. He was simply afraid that Apos might get cold!
Silently casting a Warming Charm on his pet too, Tom walked through the somewhat quiet campus. Thinking of the letter's contents, his expression unconsciously softened.
'To my dear Little Tom
I regret that I can't be with you on your birthday. Considering the gift I carefully prepared, I suppose you'll choose to forgive me, won't you ~
Happy birthday.
Your favorite senior—Abraxas Malfoy'
The smile reached Tom's eyes. He covered his racing heart, feeling as though something had filled it. The sensation was unfamiliar, yet warm. Then, abruptly remembering the thing he least wanted to recall, Tom slowly let the smile fade from his face. He... couldn't fall in love. Everything he liked would leave him...
"I don't like you. I can't like you..."
Murmuring helplessly, Tom walked into the Great Hall with empty eyes. Food that usually tasted delicious left only bitterness in his mouth. He remembered that dream, remembered the scene of Abraxas's death. It was as if heaven were warning him.
If he fell in love with that stupid senior, Merlin would send someone to take that idiot away from him. Death... really can't be avoided?
Tom suddenly lost his appetite. He ran to the library and began searching through it, randomly pulling out several books on magic and sitting in the empty library to read. Only this could calm him. His ancestor had been a Legilimency Master; he wanted to learn that profound magic too.
Tom read the obscure words intently, only coming back to himself when he realized it was nearly time for the evening feast. He put the books back and jogged to the Great Hall, sitting beside the Herbology Professor—Herbert Birley.
"Hehe~ Little Tom, there'll be a surprise performance in a while~ You'll definitely love it!" Herbert warmly greeted the adorable child, winking as he glanced at Kettleburn beside him. "Hurry up and begin! Everyone's here already~ I can barely wait!"
Clearing his throat, Professor Kettleburn rose to his feet. Holding his wand, he stood in the open space at the center of the Great Hall and waved it. A pool of spring water suddenly appeared in the middle of the hall, walls rising around it. Three young witches, filled with pain, waited to one side, sharing their sorrow with one another.
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