What if He had a Choice?

Part 26

Draco was waiting for Tom to finish whatever business that he had with Borgin. He had not really been in this place without his father, and being left alone rather than under the unnerving eye of the man was different...to say the least. He could not say that he disliked it. It was much better in his opinion, though he knew that his opinion would never really matter to his father. Tom was different. He told him to not touch anything and unlike when he was around his father, Draco actually felt inclined to listen, which was weird. He supposed it may have something to do with the fact that despite everything, Tom had never really hurt him. Whenever he told him to do something, it was usually for his good, and whenever his father usually told him to do something...well usually it was not necessarily...a good...thing...at all. So in the end, Draco decided to listen, this time. 

The time spanned further the longer Tom seemed to be talking to Borgin. He supposed there had to be a reason why it was that Tom decided this specific shop. He knew, though, that this shop did have a lot to do with the dark side of Magic, if you needed something that was not technically...approved by the Ministry, Borgin and Burkes was definitely one of the places that you could go. His father often did business with Borgin, although where Burke was in the Borgin and Burkes, Draco did not know. Then again, he supposed it did not matter. If there ever was a second partner they had likely died because of some wayward order gone wrong, or because of an enemy that they had made. It was not exactly uncommon to have people that hate you, or would like to kill you, especially in the dark arts. 

Draco just stayed at the counter, idly tapping his nails against the desk bored out of his mind, eyes glancing at everything that was displayed before the shelves. The shop itself was rather...dingy. Though Draco supposed it added to the charm. It was still dark and damp, and Draco knew that they had to get shopping for their actual hogwarts items before they would be gone for far too long. He shuddered still to think what his father would say to him. Not in front of Tom, no, his father was too...worried about him...Draco knew this even if his father would not say anything. Alone, though? In his bedroom when there was no Tom to help him, or to protect him? Draco shook his head outwardly, cursing his inner thoughts. 

He could not allow this to deter him. If Tom knew he was worried he would have more problems on his hands. He did not want his father punished by the Dark Lord, he still cared for him, even if the other was terrifying at the best of times. His father had an...odd way of showing his love, but Draco knew that it was there none the less, and he would rather not have him be horrifically punished for something that was really on him, considering he was the one who would let aloud his worries.

He was, therefore, relieved when Tom actually did come back out rather soon after that. It was exhausting not knowing. He did not really particularly like have no idea when it was that the other was going to be coming back out. It was terrifying in his opinion, and he would really prefer that it not happen again. Still, he guessed that it could be worse. He was rather grateful that it did not take too much longer. 

Tom easily grabbed him by his wrist, and pulled him out of the shop without preamble, ignoring Borgin as he hastily spoke thanks and that he would have the items in no time. Tom almost rolled his eyes, as did Draco. The kiss assing was ridiculous, but it was something that Draco was used to. It did not mean he would ever really care for it. It was annoying at best, and at worst it made him want to flay something alive. It just annoyed him. It was all false flattery from those that were below him. It was far more genuine if it came from someone of similar status. 

Tom...Tom was not technically, in some ways, but in other ways, he sort of was. He had carved his spot out. Furthermore, to Draco, he was. Tom was very strong, incredibly powerful, and very well versed in the Dark Arts. He was a joy to have, and great company. Furthermore, he had taught him the Unforgiveables. Not that he would ever speak of such a thing to his father. He did not want the other man to go into a flying rage, which he definitely would the moment he realized that. Especially considering that he had been forbidden from practicing. He just...he wanted to know, and one way or another, he would always figure it out. Hogwarts was sort of useless though, because it would never teach those sorts of things, and the teachers would never lend him the books in the restricted area. He was a Malfoy, they would never even consider it despite whether he had a good reason for it or not. 

"We need to actually do our shopping now." Tom muttered under his breath. Draco lit up, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Tom sighed, he was put at a conundrum. He did not want to ask Draco to pay for his items, but he also did not want to have to deal with second hand...crap...Hogwarts had even sent him the orphan salary that they had given him when he was at Hogwarts in his youth, though it was...larger than he remembered. 

"Don't worry, I can pay for your things." Draco said with excitement. Tom tilted his head, wondering if it was genuine, or out of pity. "I...I want to." Draco said, seeming to dwindle down when he realized that Tom was not exactly pleased with the idea. "I..." Draco paused, closing his eyes before forcing the words out, not allowing himself to get nervous in the face of Tom's agitation. "I want to. It is not as though Hogwarts gives much to their orphaned students. Not to mention, you are a Slytherin. The Heir, of all things. It would not due to have you stuck in meager clothing or with bad supplies." Draco paused, continuing far more hesitantly at the second part to his determined attempt to convince Tom to allow him to pay for everything. "Besides, we...are friends...are we not?" Tom finally relented nodding once. "Great, then I am going to pay for everything." Tom huffed a bit amused that now was where Abraxas' inner nature came out of course with this.