What if He had a Choice?

Part 24

Settling his affairs with Borgin was going to be tedious, and he had already known this prior to deciding to do so, but that did not mean he would enjoy it any more or any less. Borgin had always been a rather aggravating older man. The fact that he was even still alive was partially surprising given how reckless he could be when meddling in the dark arts. He would have assumed the man had been popped off by some magical backlash or something by now. It would seem though even the oldest of wizards, and most clinically insane, had some promise though. Clearly. 

Tom walked to the desk and rank the dinky little bell, letting the sound echo throughout the den of a store. Draco, for his part, continued to meander, but unlike the last time Father had taken him there, he did not actively touch anything. For one, his rebellion with his father had not ended well for him, and for two, he did not want to even think of what Tom would do should he defy his direct order. He doubted that Tom had spoken to his father about bringing him to Knockturn alley either way, and Draco would definitely not be wise to push his luck here. 

He glanced at Tom, who was still waiting for Borgin to show his bloody fleshy self up, and Draco, as he often did, found himself getting a bit bored. Settling instead for watching Tom wait for Borgin, Draco drumming his fingers against his leg idly. He wondered what it was that had Tom so desperate to come here. It was a...interesting place...to say the least. He knew that Tom had worked here prior, perhaps that was why? 

Then again he had thought that the point was the less the better in terms of Tom's true identity. It was not as though they were out of the woods. Dumbledore was still skulking around. McGonagall was not an idiot either. Draco also knew that his Uncle would likely figure things out quite swiftly as well. Not to mention himself, his father, and his mother already knew. Not that Draco would question Tom's choice. He was sure there was something more to this, he just felt it a bit...unnecessary. 

As Tom continued to ponder over these things, Borgin had finally made his appearance. He had hobbled out from behind the desk, grumpy, just as the last time that he had seen the old owner. Draco bit his lower lip, forcing himself to continue to watch and not speak. 

"What do you want?" Borgin hissed, without even bothering to look up. Tom raised an eyebrow, but otherwise did not comment on the rude language and behavior. 

"Why, I was just wondering what exactly it was that you had to offer. I was attempting to procure something rather...off the wall, but then again, perhaps I should simply just find it myself." Borgin's head snapped up at the sound of Tom's voice. His eyes narrowed as he looked upon his face. 

"Do I know you?" Borgin questioned, taking in Tom's face, his body, and his voice. He could not help but think that the teenager seemed....very familiar. Yet, he could not quite place where he would have known him from, nor why he seemed so familiar. He shook his head. "What is it that you wanted to get." Tom gave a small smile, and a bit of a chuckle. 

"Now, there are a few things I would like, but I think it best to start with one, as it may seem rather...complicated to grab, and I do have to go to Hogwarts soon for school, so I shall not be capable of picking it up immediately." Tom admitted, not once looking away from Borgin, who found something about his eyes unnerving. He did not like it, but he also could not place his finger on why it made him so...tense. 

"Hogwarts huh?" Borgin sneered, but Draco found himself, and stepping up next to the elder he glared at Borgin, tilting his head much like his father the side of his lips curling into an almost smile, mocking. 

"Is there something wrong?" Draco asked, his eyes piercing the old man. 

Borgin, for his part, seemed stunned that he had not only managed to fail to realize that there was one other person in his store, but absolutely appalled that he had unintentionally offended the young Malfoy heir. Not to mention curious as to what this seeming nobody was doing standing next to a young Malfoy heir. 

Everyone knew about the young Malfoy boy. He was famous among pureblood circles, but as were most pureblood family heirs, especially ones of the ancient and noble houses, such as the Malfoys. It was made even more notable considering he was the heir to both the Black and Malfoy fortune. The boy had quite the weight on his shoulders, and he bore it well enough. Of all the heirs in this generation, the Malfoy heir had the most promise of them, yet another reason why it was shocking to see him alone with this...strange person. 

It was clear that the person was close to the young malfoy heir, and it was made more evident when the older man lifted a hand and placed it softly on his shoulder, fingers curling into the divet between his collarbones. 

"Now, now, there is no need for the hostility. I am sure Sir Borgin did not mean anything by it, of course. Right?" Tom said, his voice gentle and soft. Placating, he was trying to calm Draco down, and curses it was working. Draco took a deep sigh, and breathed out, letting his irritation fade with it. 

"Fine, He should take better care of how he speaks to people though," Draco said, his eyes cutting back to Borgin, a glare between the icy depths. Borgin almost crawled backwards at the utter anger still flooding those eyes. Something...something about this unnerved him. 

"What is it that you needed me to find?" Borgin asked, hoping to cut through the tension. 

Tom gave him a small smile, mocking laughter was in his eyes. Borgin saw it. He shook it off though, it would not do to anger the young Malfoy boy again. He was lucky that he was given this chance anyways. Tom moved forwards, gently pushed the young Malfoy heir backwards a bit. Draco took the notice and moved away, allowing the two to discuss what was needed without him hovering over them.