Tom Riddle is Here-Plan in Action

27

Tom held Draco's chin in his hand, not allowing the other to turn his eyes from him, fingers gripping tightly whenever Draco tried to avert his gaze. "I know you are upset with me, Draco," Draco's eyes widened at that.

"My...My Lord I..."

"There is no use in denying it, Draco, I am more than aware of the fact that you are not happy with me right now." Tom said sternly. "I would prefer you not try and speak against what I am already aware of, it only makes me agitated." Draco lapsed into silence, staring at Tom unwillingly, his shoulders practically caved downwards. Tom heaved a sigh. "You trust your Uncle Severus, and I am glad that you do." He began, drumming his fingers against the sides of Draco's face. "It is important that you be able to trust someone, and that it is your Uncle is a great thing, but I don't know your Uncle, as of yet, my dear," Tom spoke, Draco not daring to move, barely even daring to breathe. "I am not trying to question you, nor your reasons to trust your Uncle, and I am not trying to demean your, nor minimize what your Uncle has done for you." Tom used his hold on Draco's chin to push the boy backwards, watching as he stumbled back with Tom's forwards steps. Tom continued to move forwards until Draco was pressed tightly against the wall, and Tom bracketed him in with his body, ignoring the shudders that wrecked Draco's body at the action. "I am being cautious, I am sure that you would understand that, correct?"

"Y-Yes My Lord," Draco agreed reluctantly.

"Then why, pray tell, are you acting like this?" Tom hissed, his eyes flaring darkly. Draco curled back into the wall as best as he could at the look.

"I...I do not know, My Lord, I just...I feel weird about it. I do not mean to undermine you, nor question your choices, as I know they are always in good form, and after contemplation. I just..." Draco felt tears sting his eyes as he tried to answer Tom's question but he could not really understand himself, so how could he possibly even begin to explain it to Tom.

"Enough, enough, that is enough, I have heard enough from you." Tom sighed, his eyes trailing down Draco's face, over the fingers and how they pressed against his skin, and further, to his collarbones and neck. He inhaled sharply. Not the time, He thought to himself. "How about this, I cannot say that I trust your Uncle. He is hiding information, important information at that, and I cannot abide by that." He said simply. "However, I will not actively attempt to test him, nor will I show my distrust of him. I trust him more than Dumbledore, at any rate," He admitted. "Furthermore, while I do request that you do not hand any pertinent information over to him, I will attempt to get to know him a little better. You care for him after all," Tom admitted, finally releasing Draco's jaw and sliding his hands down his neck to rest at the bast of his neck, and the tops of his shoulders. "Is that agreeable?"

"Yes, it is more than agreeable, My Lord. Thank you," He whispered, unable to speak higher, worried about just how that would be taken. Draco honestly was scared of being punished when Tom had dragged him here, and yet he had not even hit him, there had been no shouting, no slapping, no...no nothing. It was surprising, but definitely welcome, and he was grateful to have that change of pace.

"Now that we have that dealt with, you need to start resting." Tom ordered simply. "I will not have you failing in classes, or collapsing because you have not been resting enough. It is dangerous enough to even walk the halls of Hogwarts alone, or in a group these days, let alone if you suddenly faint or pass out." He said this sternly, leaving no room for doubt that it was a command, as though Draco could not tell that merely from the words themselves, let alone the tone. "So, you will spend the next two days resting, and you will not leave this room, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, My Lord." Draco bowed his head as he spoke. Tom sighed, staring Draco down, but nodded. It was acceptable after all, and as flattered as he was that Draco was taking hteir plans seriously, he did not need him fainting on the spot. Neglected health was dangerous, and he did not want to give the Gryffindors any sense of leeway to do anything. They had to be wary, and he was not overly pleased that Draco was neglecting himself in order to do it, without his permission.

"Don't do this in the future, Draco, I am not overly happen when you do things without consulting me, but if you are that stressed or worried about our plans, I expect you to talk to me. Next time, this will not be warning, and I will punish you for it, but I will give you some leeway this time. Now, as for your friends." Tom continued, "They are not going to get off without being punished either. I cannot have people berating me, much less in public. I am sure you understand the sentiment, correct?" Tom pushed. Draco nodded once again. " Very well, I just wanted to be sure you understood." 

"My Lord," Draco began softly. "What...exactly are we going to do about Father?"

"What about him?"

"I am supposed to report to him at least once a month. It is nearing the end of the month...and...I do not really know what you want me to say to him." Tom paused, glancing back towards Draco.

"And what happens if you don't?" He wondered aloud. Draco's eyes widened at that.

"I am not sure, I have never missed a month."

"Well, you are missing this one."