What if He had a Choice?

54

My dear," Tom said the moment Draco walked to the Great Hall, he stood, fully expecting Draco to tuck himself into his arms, and Draco did exactly that. Tom pulled his arms around the boy, and sighed softly. "How did it work, dear?" Whispered in Draco's ears, and well away from prying thoughts. Tom did not care for people listening in on his conversations, although he never truly minded much them watching him. Draco just sighed, tucking his head into his neck, breathing deeply. Draco did not know why it was that Tom felt so...but he supposed it did not matter. Tom was here, and the necklace actually did help, which was something that was surprising to Draco. Tom was so powerful.

"Yes, it did," Draco murmurred back. Tom smiled, and hummed pulling him toeards the table and sitting him down next to him. "I was rather, surprised, although I am still confused about what...what happened...And why..."

"Do not fret your pretty little head about that." Tom said, a gentle pat on his head. "I will figure that out for you, and besides, we already have the solution, so it doesn't matter too much." Draco narrowed his eyes slightly, a bit frustrated, but Tom easily smoothed it back over by giving him a smile. "When is your quidditch game? I am not all that great at the sports schedules, never truly my thing." Draco smiled, eyes bright at the implication.

"Does that mean you want to watch me play?" Draco asked, his voice light, and playing at nonchalance. Tom knew better though. He had learned, quite quickly, that Draco adored sports. Quidditch was something he was good at, and while the boy never truly spoke of it to him, it was obvious enough how much he enjoyed it. He had a broom, and cleaning kit, and his quidditch robes were extremely high quality. Though, everything to do with the Malfoy's was high quality.

"I have to admit, I am not overly fond of it, but I will watch, if only to see you play."

"Our first game is against Gryffindor," Draco muttered under his breath. "Perhaps you may want to watch the second game instead." Tom narrowed his eyes, not liking the tone Draco was taking. Secondly, he was not fond of the idea that something had happened that he was unaware of, and it was obvious that something did happen between Draco...and probably that trio of Gryffindors he had seen briefly in the shop. Draco never did have the best to say about them.

"Why would I miss your first to watch the second?" Tom questioned, tilting his head slightly as he did so. His tone was far less than pleased, and Draco sighed.

"I never win against Gryffindor." Came the admission. It was layered in shame. Tom sighed, and placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. He tightened his grip, a dark smile on his lips.

"I am sure that you will figure a way to do so this time, after all, it is not often that you have someone watching you, personally, is it?" Draco shook his head.

"Father came once, last year, the first time I had a game. He was less than pleased with my performance." The words seemed to take everything out of Draco, and Tom hated to see it. The whole thing was frustrating, and the boy's ties with his father were getting less strong, but it was a trying situation. Lucius seemed to have the nagging habit of popping up at the worst possible times, and even then, when he was not physically present he seemed to be mentally on Draco's mind. It was annoying. How was he supposed to undermine Lucius if his son kept thinking about him? He knew that Lucius had done this on purpose, but that did not mean he had to like it.

Yes, it did open many doors, though...Tom was not really sure what he preferred...He let his thumb slide underneath the collar he had given Draco, humming to himself softly as he considered the present.

"Tom?" Draco asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"Yes, Draco dear?"

"How...How did you find the new DADA teacher?"

"I forgot, you did not have him yet...He is alright, though nothing to really boast about...The Transfiguration teacher is simply too easy, so at least the other new professor offers a challenge."