The Loss of Equilibrium

Chapter 8

Malfoy Manor, England, August 25th, 1943

Over the past weeks, Tom and Victoria had effortlessly settled into Malfoy Manor. Nicholas and Isabella had at first been alarmed upon Victoria's arrival with a teenage wizard in her grasp. After learning of the circumstances and several discussions with the recently emancipated Lord Slytherin, they welcomed him lavishly. Abraxas whined as expected about the attention he sought being missing, but he took it in stride using it to solidify alliances before the new school year. Today was as domestic as the previous days with the three children in the Library. The Malfoy family library was as extravagant as all other aspects of the manor. High ceilings that had a painted scene with ornate light fixtures were apparent in the room. Several windows were on one side that gave a beautiful view of the surrounding land. The thousands of books ranging from the lightest of tomes to the darker aspects of magic within the room were are all under numerous charms to keep them safe. Ideal study space for the group Isabella told them.

"I don't get it! How would this rune cause my whole circle to malfunction, if anything it should-"

"Do shut up Malfoy, I bet you barely read the book before beginning the project." Tom hissed out cutting, off Abraxas.

"I did not!" yelled an offended Abraxas from his seat. The pink-haired boy and dark-haired boy were seated at one of the tables in the Malfoy family Library. Tom had completed his summer work earlier in the first weeks of break, sat reading the book titled The Dark Forces: Magical Theory by Quentin Trimble. Abraxas had also completed most of his work earlier in the summer yet postponed completing his infuriating Ancient Runes project.

"I've been sitting here for the past hour and, you barely used the textbook you, idiot," retorted Tom.

"Whatever, I bet even you couldn't figure out this insane project," mused Abraxas snickering slightly.

The dark-haired wizard, fueled by his pettiness, flicked his wand twice and corrected the faulty rune circle. Leaving, the pink-haired wizard across from him sputter and gape.

"You cheated! Victoria he, messed with my project!" Abraxas screamed turning, to his cousin to get her help.

"Be quiet and hush you, two dimwits," interjected Victorica from her seat at the window. The witch busy speaking with Hendrix mentally. Apparently, in another realm, a plague had started leaving him with mountains of paperwork.

Abraxas stopped his whining to duck behind his textbook. The pink-haired boy knew better by now to annoy his cousin when she was in one of her moods. Tom instead simply; tutted and glared at both Abraxas and Victoria before returning to his book.

~~~

Platform 9 ¾, Kings Cross Station, England, September 1st, 1943

The rest of August passed accordingly, with the trio causing only several minor heart attacks for Nicholas and Isabella. Victoria even begrudgingly changed Abraxas' bubblegum pink hair back to his original platinum blonde the night before. Abraxas had almost wept at having his 'good looks,' as he said back.

The group of 5 all stood on the platform that morning, Tom off to the side in a conversation with Nicholas as Isabella looked over Victoria and Abraxas several times.

"You have your winter coats packed?" questioned Isabella once more.

"Yes, Mother," answered Abraxas while he smoothed out his blonde hair.

"Yes, Auntie Isabella," replied the blonde-haired witch sharing a look with her cousin.

"Tom, darling, do you have your winter coat packed?" Isabella asked turning, away from the two blonde-haired children.