Tom Marvolo Riddle

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After that morning, no one touched Tom Riddle.

No one spoke of what happened in the room and no one dared look his way.

Sister Rose was concerned but there was no way to tell what had happened and she didn't know if she should be really upset, because now the boys were the most behaved they had been in years.

Even Johnathon, who usually harrassed everyone. Though any time someone said Tom's name he would flinch and begin to cry.

The days went by slowly, Tom having Abraxas and the others keeping him company while they waited for Enceladus to get things cleared at the ministry.

They practiced magic and dueled, quizzed each other and sometimes enjoyed each other's company. Their bond growing stronger. A bond Tom still promised to find out about whenever he could. He figured maybe Regulas' parents had some books he could look in.

Or maybe he could look in his vaults.

Abraxas said as soon as Tom got home, they'd be off to parties and things like usual.

He was missing too much and Tom didn't like that. He had plans and they required a lot of connections.

"Tom?" came Sister Rose's voice and the Slytherin Heir looked up from a parchment he had been writing on.

"Yes?" he responded and Sister Rose gave a small smile. "Mr. Malfoy is here for you." she said and Tom had never stood so quick before.

To his amusement, Enceladus was already at the door, a wide smile on his handsome face.

"It's time to get home. The ministry said, you may stay with us until you turn seventeen. And if you wish to continue to stay with us after, you may." he said and waved a hand toward Sister Rose, the woman's eyes going misty grey.

Dobby appeared and immediately starting grabbing the rest of Tom's things as Tom brushed by.

"Thank you." he said and Enceladus smiled. "No need to thank me. Rufina has been worried sick for you. So expect a hug once we arrive." said the elder wizard and Tom sighed, the man laughing quietly at that.

Enceladus and Tom stood outside of Wool's Orphanage one final time, then disappeared.

When they reappeared, they were in front of Malfoy manor, and to Tom's surprise, his friends were waiting. Upon seeing Tom, Abraxas immediately tackled him in a hug, the others moving closer but keeping a small distance away from the boy.

"Welcome home Tom." grinned Abraxas and Tadeus smiled, nodding toward the Slytherin Heir. "It's good to have you back. I wanted to invite you to my own home soon too." he said as Tom pulled away from Abraxas.

He was not smiling, but they could feel he was elated. Even his usually cold eyes were brighter than usual.

"Dinner won't be for a while but, now that I have you all here together, I want to hear what you have been up to that has had Dumbledore tearing out his hair the entire school year." said Enceladus, the gates to the manor opening to let the group inside.

"Well.."

~^~

That night Tom had the best sleep he had, had since going back to Wool's.