What is Needed

Tom sat on the grass, watching the two interact intimately. That familiar feeling of being ostracized by the world resurfaced. It was as if an invisible barrier surrounded him, completely isolating him from everyone else, a sense of emptiness and loneliness clinging to him.

"I... suddenly remembered Professor Slughorn asked me to handle potion ingredients. Sorry, I have to go..."

With an apologetic smile, Tom got up and left, his footsteps gradually quickening, giving him the impression of a hasty escape. 'I feel so sick, I want to throw up...' Covering his mouth, Tom ran to the washroom, retching repeatedly. It was like a vampire accustomed to darkness suddenly exposed to sunlight; that sunny smile made him incredibly uncomfortable.

Leaning on the sink, Tom splashed water on his face. He looked up at his dripping hair in the mirror and closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind. His agitated mood gradually calmed. He took out his wand, tidied himself up, and left with his chin held high.

Back in the common room, he walked directly to his dormitory. Tom coldly turned his head, looking at the person following him. "Something wrong?... Abou... Senior."

Abraxas's fingers twitched as he stepped forward, passing Tom and opening the door to his dormitory. "Aren't you going to invite your dear senior in for a chat~" He looked down at the person standing so close, his eyes darkening for a moment. Abraxas licked his lips and chuckled softly. "Snap out of it... little Tom..."

Clearing his damn mind once again, Tom was the first to step into his dormitory. He sat on a chair with his lips pressed together, remaining silent. It seemed he hadn't learned Legilimency yet, otherwise, he wouldn't have been so captivated by that damned floral scent. "Senior Abou! Did you bathe in aromatherapy?!"

For the first time in his life, Abraxas wore a bewildered expression. What had he just heard? Did he need something like aromatherapy? "I... I didn't spray anything on myself, little Tom~ Or is it that only you can smell that scent?"

Somewhat surprised, Tom quickly adjusted his emotions, shifting his gaze and snorting, "What do you want from me?"

Leaning on his chin, Abraxas tilted his head. He casually pushed aside the hair falling in front of his chest, hooked his lips, and pointed to his ear. "Here~ Little Tom... your ears are very red~"

Catching the pillow thrown at him, Abraxas buried his face in it, his deep, magnetic laughter echoing from within. He stopped laughing before his "little one" could explode. "It's nothing important. I just wanted to invite you... to accompany me to the Astronomy Tower during the Easter holidays. I really enjoy observing the trajectory of the stars... but it's a bit lonely to go alone..."

Tom found himself unable to refuse. He pouted in dissatisfaction. Thinking of the men and women surrounding that scoundrel, he couldn't help but mock him. "I don't believe you'd be lonely. You only need to snap your fingers, and a crowd will flock to you, won't they? Why do you need me to accompany you?"

The smile on Abraxas's lips widened uncontrollably. He raised a hand to cover his mouth. "Little Tom is actually jealous? This truly makes me happy~ I don't need those people..."

'So you need me...' Tom bit his lower lip tightly, stopping the words that were about to escape. He took a deep breath before slowly nodding. He opened the door directly, making a 'please' gesture. "I understand..."