Tom took a step back to put some distance between them. Just as he was about to say something, his wrist was grabbed, and he was pulled into a warm embrace. A familiar scent lingered at his nose. "Let go of me... you idiot..."
Obediently loosening his hold on the person in his arms, Abraxas smiled with extreme gentleness. "Would you like to dance with me beneath the stars~?"
Tom pressed his lips tightly together, turned his head, and gave a cold snort. He did not know a single dance step! This fellow really was trying to make fun of him. Damn him—one day, he would become someone everyone looked up to. When that day came...
"I... should go back."
With a regretful sigh, Abraxas nodded and said nothing more. Holding Tom's hand, he led him down from the tower and did not let go until he had escorted him all the way to his dormitory. Lowering his gaze to his palm, which still retained some warmth, Abraxas placed his hand over his heart.
After today... he would return to Malfoy Manor and hold an engagement ceremony with Olivia Greengrass. To appease the Greengrass family, he had to display his "affection." "Haaah... grow up quickly, Little Tom..."
Back in his dormitory, Tom lay on his bed and buried his face in his pillow. Perhaps he could believe that Abou liked him? Someone liked him too. He was not alone, not some unwanted freak. "This feels so good... Is this what it feels like to be cherished?"
His high spirits lasted throughout the Easter holiday. Tom happily continued with his studies. Thanks to Legilimency, he no longer dreamed of that detestable "self," and everything was developing in a better direction.
Returning from the library, Tom entered the common room and stared blankly at the man and woman before him. What was he seeing? Why was Abraxas... holding the Greengrass witch so gently, with that tender expression on his face?
As though he had forgotten how to breathe, Tom jolted awake from the suffocating sensation, turned, and fled. He ran all the way to the Astronomy Tower. He did not understand. That person had only ever shown him that expression...
"I must be hallucinating... Yes... it's all fake..."
Heh~ How long are you going to keep deceiving yourself?
Cold, sinister Parseltongue echoed in his mind. Tom covered his ears and let out a shrill cry. "No!" Get out! Get out! He was not asleep. This voice was fake too; it was all fake. Abraxas would not treat him like this. That person was his... his investor...
Slowly lowering his hands, Tom's eyes gradually became vacant. As though he had been petrified, he sank to his knees where he stood. Yes, Malfoy was his investor. Everything had been his delusion, had it not? What had he been hoping for...?
That's right~ I told you. No one will truly love you... Only I will never betray you...
Get out. Even so, I don't need you... At the very least, I still have Professor Dumbledore...
His mind fell silent for a moment, followed by a burst of wild laughter. Tom pushed Legilimency with all his strength, but he still could not stop that voice. He heard the words he least wanted to hear.
Hahaha~ Dumbledore? Don't forget the way he looks at you, Tom Riddle. You have never earned his trust... What a pitiful and laughable fool...
Tom covered his ears again, completely emptying himself of all emotion. He did not believe it. He did not believe a single word that fellow said... But why did he remember Professor Dumbledore's wary, scrutinizing gaze?
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