A mocking smile appeared on Tom's face. He clenched the quill in his hand and viciously crossed out the name on the page. Misunderstanding—had he not been misunderstood enough already? Even if he wore his lips raw, he could never make those who never trusted him understand or believe him.
"What a pity... Professor Dumbledore, I'd once thought you would be the guide of my life..."
Tom's feelings toward the professor who had led him into the wizarding world were complicated. He was grateful that the man had shown him he was not a freak, admired his immense power, and hated the endless probing and wariness.
Tom stared at the wand in his hand. He had forgotten—he had never deserved any of this in the first place. But it did not matter. He had clues now. Perhaps his wizard father simply did not know he existed. As long as he found his father, he would surely learn what love felt like. Like... like what he had seen as a child: tall, handsome men holding their children's hands, crouching down indulgently to straighten their clothes.
My wish will come true one day. I'm sure of it...
Encouraging himself inwardly, Tom put away the parchment, stood up to stretch his stiff body, then lay down on the bed with a faint smile. The future looked bright, didn't it~
Inside the understated yet luxurious dormitory, Abraxas pressed a weary hand to his forehead. The current Minister for Magic was not someone easily swayed. To climb from a lowly employee in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes to his current position, the man's abilities could not be underestimated. Besides, they were in the middle of a war.
Even his dear father had to tread carefully, let alone him. There was not much