Wanting to Escape

The next day, Tom dragged his exhausted body to the end of his classes and sat alone in the library. Suddenly, the loneliness he was accustomed to felt unbearable. He longed to be embraced by warmth, and he closed his book with a pursed lip.

Tom jogged back to the common room and saw the platinum noble chatting with others. For a moment, he didn't know what to say and inwardly cursed his impulsive behavior. The instant Abraxas turned his head, Tom turned and left the common room.

"Aren't you going after him? He's been staring at you the whole time~" Volga tilted her chin towards the common room entrance, her eyes twinkling with a "let's see what happens" expression. "Your little cat... seems to really want its owner's comfort~"

Frowning slightly, Abraxas glanced at his junior, and for some reason, the word "owner" felt jarring. "Volga, he's not my pet... I don't want to hear that again."

Chuckling while holding her teacup, Volga said no more. Even though Abraxas was currently very concerned about the half-blood, how long could that last? Pure-blood nobles never truly meant it. The moment they were bestowed with noble surnames, their fate for life was decided: to live proudly and lonely, wearing false masks to continue the family's glory...

"Abraxas, for your own sake and for his, keep your distance... Your father wouldn't want to see... his perfect heir showing genuine affection to anyone. It would lead to your ruin."

Abraxas's expression turned grim, and he didn't reply. His grey-blue eyes were filled with frost. He closed his eyes and downed the wine in his cup. When he slowly opened his eyes again, he had returned to his noble and elegant platinum demeanor. "How could I possibly do something... to disappoint a beautiful lady~"

Walking across the campus with his head down, Tom listened to the surrounding laughter and suddenly wished he could escape it all. He felt out of place, like a dirty drop of oil on clear water, unable to blend in.

"Tom... is something bothering you? If you'd like, I can listen..."

The steady, familiar, gentle voice brought Tom back to reality. He looked up at the person in front of him and was surprised to find himself in Professor Dumbledore's office on the second floor without realizing it. "I'm sorry, Professor. I didn't realize I'd come in. I'm truly sorry."

Dumbledore's eyes flickered. He adjusted his glasses, stood up, and gently pushed the little wizard onto the sofa. He took out his wand, tapped a cup, and waved his wand, offering him a cup of hot cocoa. "Actually, I'm glad you found your way here unconsciously. It shows I hold significant weight in your heart~~"

The cheerful tone seemed to soothe his restless heart. A brief, genuine smile appeared on Tom's face, and he nodded in agreement, taking a small sip of the overly sweet drink he disliked. "That's right, Professor. You've always been the professor I respect the most. In fact, I've been hesitating whether or not to explain things to you... You know, 'explaining' is much harder than 'resolving,' isn't it..."

Dumbledore looked deeply at Tom, as if seeing someone else through the little wizard before him. "Yes... it is difficult, but we must still have the courage to take that step."

Tom could tell that the Professor wasn't quite practicing what he preached and was curious about what had happened to him, wondering why he always looked at him with a mixture of nostalgia and apprehension. However, he didn't voice his questions. After a few seconds of hesitation, he finally said what he had been wanting to say. "Professor Dumbledore, do you remember the first time we met..."