What if He had a Choice?

31

Lucius did notice, immediately, and Tom was somewhat shocked that he managed to realize it so quickly. He did not bother to say anything, however, with Tom standing next to him staring at Lucius with curiosity. Lucius would not say anything with him near, worrying about his reaction most likely. It was likely, in Lucius' mind, that he was the one who had trained him during his absence, just as much as it would raise suspicion if he asked why it was that he had been practicing an art that he had forbidden Draco to do. An art that it just so happened that the Malfoy Family is famous for. Tom knew that Lucius was not stupid enough to question Draco whilst he was there. He also knew that they did not have the time to just do whatever they wanted, at least not if they were to be getting to the train on time, and if there was something that Lucius hated, it was being late to important events. At least, outside of balls and feasts. One never wanted to be first to those. 

"Come on, it is time to go," Tom took a note of how Draco seemed to shudder slightly at the very cold, and somewhat harsh, tone of his father, and merely pulled the boy closer to him, holding onto the elder Malfoy so that he could transport them to the Station. While one could not necessarily apparate into the station's platform itself, though how someone could get their by prokey and not apparation was a bit...stupid in his mind, it meant that Lucius would teleport them near King's Cross, and they would be forced to walk through the station. He never quite understood the point. Lucius could send their luggage through to the train station, but not themselves? Hogwarts had always done some things rather oddly. 

They stopped probably about ten minutes walk from the station itself, and Tom was quite pleased with that. The inside of Kings cross was quite a bit more...well it lacked the busyness that it typically did, but that was when Tom realized that was because schools and workplaces did not take place until the day after, some sort of muggle holiday, although he was not really sure which one that it was. 

"Draco, keep up." Lucius spoke sharply, his tone warning, and Draco rushed to his father's side, head bowed slightly as he did so. Lucius, knowingly or not, was catching the attention of the few people that were wandering about the station waiting on their trains. A few began to whisper as they saw Lucius hiss at Draco again, reprimanding the boy, and Tom shook his head. If he keeps going like that he is going to get all of us horribly delayed. 

As easy as it could be going through a station, Lucius was already in a bad mood, something that had been obvious from the moment that he had stepped into the mansion floor, that combined with the fact that Lucius was not prone to disobedience, and the fact that he had been subtly staring his son down for the last...few blocks, was definitely not helpful. The harsh words, superior demeanor, and general roughness? Well, most of the time, they would probably be ignored, but it was not as busy today as it was typically, that was a given, however, considering the time. Well, that and the fact that Lucius typically took a porkey according to Draco, but they had failed to get one this time. 

"If I could just have a moment," The Security officer said, as two others came towards Draco and Tom, separating them from Lucius. Tom and Draco looked at each other, utterly baffled for a moment. While Tom had expected Lucius' behavior would end them up somewhere negative, he had not expected him to get stopped by the Muggle security of all things. He just about wanted to laugh out loud. 

"What do we do?" Draco questioned softly, ignoring the fact that the two officers were closely watching them, and listening to them as well. He did not seem to care, or perhaps had not noticed. The situation was quite out of ordinary after all, and Draco was not one who understood the Muggle things, much less what Security was. Lucius, it would seem, however, knew very well, as the man's fist was clenched and it was obvious that if he would not get slammed with a ton of charges from the Ministry, he would like nothing more than to curse the muggle where he stood.

"We wait I supposed, until they finish talking to him." Tom said with a shrug. Draco exhaled sharply, biting his lips nervously as he stared at his father and the muggle, his body tense with anxiety. "Draco, calm down, nothing will happen, on either side." The boy cut his eyes towards Tom, narrowing them in suspicion. "And no, I was not the one who made the report." He seemed to breathe a bit at that. "It was likely someone we ran into that did, worried for me and you." 

"For me and you?" Draco questioned, his voice a slight scoff. "Whatever for?" Tom pursed his lips, not answering that. The officers glanced at each other, but before another word could be said Draco began to move towards his father, Tom stopping him. "What...Why..." 

"You are not going to help anyone by going over there, Draco," Tom said sternly. 

"Father is getting angry." 

"And you can't do anything about that at the moment." Tom declared, his voice not allowing for any sense of refusal. Draco grit his teeth, upset. "Draco." Tom whispered the words, his voice and tone soft, but his eyes warning. Draco huffed, but fell back as per the unspoken order. 

"Are you two boys okay?" One of the officers asked gently. 

"We are fine." Draco grit, his voice tense and hostile as he glared at the Muggle. 

"Draco," Tom scolded lightly, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder. "They are just worried, there is no need to be nasty." The blonde had practically chewed his lip raw at this point. 

It was not until Draco noticed his father being escorted out of the station that his breath caught. "Tom...What...What are they doing with Father?" 

"We are just bringing him down to the station to answer some questions, don't worry yourself too much over it." Draco stared at Tom, gaze flitting between the two. 

"Father is going to be so angry." He said, dread flooding his voice.