Oh, Shit

4

Draco supposed he probably should have been better prepared for his Hogwarts letter. In some regards, this was a rather vital error on his own part, but in others, he was not even sure if Hogwarts would accept him. He would have just randomly happened upon the students' list and he was not entirely sure if that was even allowed. He had never heard of transfer students, had never had a Hogwarts student transfer out either. It was odd to think that he would be allowed back, although he should not have really questioned it, he just assumed that he would have been forced to visit the current Headmaster of the school. Really, he should have known better than that, but he was not entirely certain how the student list for Hogwarts even worked in the first place.

It was not that, however, that had his blood turn to ice in his veins, it was the name upon the envelope. Draco Lucius A. Malfoy. The scrawl had him breathing down his terror and keeping it hidden as he quickly tore the envelope open before Tom would be able to see too much of it. Not that it really mattered in the end. Draco realized with a rather bitter feeling that since Hogwarts of this time frame knew his true name, soon Tom and the entire school would know his true name and he did not even know what to think of that. He would have to figure out how to deal with it, considering his grandfather was likely going to school at that very moment. Draco closed his eyes trying to calm himself down, holding the letter between his two hands and crinkling the sides of it from how tightly he was grasping onto the paper.

"Draco?" Tom questioned, his voice hesitant as he called out his name. Draco inhaled sharply, opening his eyes and giving Tom a smile.

"Sorry, I guess...I was not expecting this."

"Your letter? To Hogwarts?"

"I just was not aware that they allowed transfer students." Draco said with a self depreciating laugh and a small shrug of his shoulders. "I should have, but...it was a bit...well I guess I did not really think on it too much." Tom nodded, narrowing his eyes slightly at the other, knowing that he was not telling the full truth, but not bothering to get into that. "Do you think..."

"Yes, Dumbledore is likely on his way right now." Tom said with a sneer, detest clear in his eyes and tone of voice. Not that Draco could blame him. He himself did not like Dumbledore, did not trust him either. He swallowed nervously. Tom sighed, a small laugh in his sigh. "You do not need to worry too much," Tom said simply, standing from his bed, his school list still laying on his bed as he moved towards Draco. "Last time, I was the only one dealing with Dumbledore, it will be a bit different now, will it not?" Draco shrugged.

"I don't know," He admitted softly. "I just...I am just worried. He may...He may use my family against me. I think I have some family in England, at least, I know that I used to. I have not been close with this part of the family for a long time." His words were almost hushed. I would not normally admit any of this to Tom, but if he was going to find out at Hogwarts, perhaps it is best to let him know now rather than waiting until he gets to the school. "I...My family may be well known, I am not sure. Either here or in France. Either way, they are not exactly known for their care or kindness."

"Is that why you have not tried to get into contact with them?" Tom questioned, grabbing Draco's face to tilt it towards him.

"It would be useless." He stated, his voice slightly breathless. "They would question the validity of my claims either way. My...Well...I was never particularly close with any of the rest of the family. We sort of...distanced ourselves. It would not mean anything. If I just showed up asking for help, I would be lucky to just be turned away and not cursed a thousand times before I could even breathe." Tom hummed, nodding his head in acceptance.

"You are worried that Dumbledore may use this information to blackmail your or something?"

"I am not worried, I am almost certain of it. It is not as though that man cares much for my Family. I know little of what goes on with my family here, but our dislike for Dumbledore is universal. My family is a known dark arts family as well. We specialize in the Dark Arts...there is very little I would guess that he would do to attempt to get the jump on me, or my family."

"What makes you think he knows your real name?"

"It is on the envelope," Draco said softly, holding it out to Tom. Tom released his face to grab the paper, smoothing it out to read the name on it. He sucked in a sharp breath at the title. Draco flinched as he felt iced over brown eyes turn towards his figure once more.

"You are a Malfoy?" He questioned, slight disbelief in his tone. Draco nodded, trying to stem the trembling of his fingers.

"I am aware that I should have told you earlier. I just do not know how Abraxas will take it, I know that he will question me and my validity to my claims and I fear what could happen should he find out. I should have let you know, I know that, I am sorry that I did not I just did not know how to start it, and I know that I crossed the line by not informing you I just..."

"Enough," Tom commanded, leaving Draco falling silent beyond his own will. "That is...enough. I know full well how stubborn and complicated Abraxas can be." He said slowly. "He is my best friend, after all." Draco's eyes turned wide as he stared up at Tom.

"I am sorry," He whispered, turning his gaze back down. Tom grit his teeth, narrowing his eyes. He lift his hand, bringing it down quick and harsh against the blonde's head, backhanding him swiftly and sharply. Draco's head snapped to the side, but he did not question or make a sound. Admirable. Tom thought to himself. Stepping back, he narrowed his eyes, and all of a sudden Draco was screaming, falling from the bed to the floor, pain flooding through him. It was not as painful as the Cruciatus Curse, but it had to be some variant of it, it was far too painful to not be. Tears fell from his eyes as he curled up into a ball, waiting for Tom to drop the curse.

"Tell me, Draco, is there anything else that you have been keeping from me? Any other secrets that I should know?" Draco was breathing heavily as he looked up at the elder with tear filled eyes.

"No," He whispered, his voice coming out barely at all, pain his only friend until Tom willed it otherwise. he had never heard of a curse like this, and he realized that it must have been Tom's own invention.

"Are you going to withhold information from me again?" Tom questioned, tilting his head slightly, watching as Draco's body shook with pain in an almost apathetic manner, it was even more terrifying to behold.

"No, Sir." Draco immediately stated. Tom nodded, and Draco was so vividly reminded of his father it was almost terrifying to watch. Tom hummed, kneeling down to his side allowing his fingers to trace the side of Draco's face.

"I will keep this secret, even help you, as i know once we get to Hogwarts, Abraxas is going to have questions for you. I even understand why you hid this information from me. I understand, Grindelwald's war has indeed caused much fear between Wizards, and I know that Abraxas does have extended family that do not share his views. You...You do, though, which makes me wonder...were your parents truly killed? or did they leave you, alone, unable to fend for yourself...What happened Draco?" Draco whimpered, a cry forcing itself from his throat. "Answer me, and I can make the pain go away," Tom negotiated, and so Draco agreed.

"T-The Dark Lord..." He gasped out. "H-He was a-angry with my parents. I-I do not know the extent of w-what he wanted f-from them. I do n-not know what t-they did either. I-I just know that one moment...one moment the Dark Lord was angry and my parents were agreeing to d-do something, and th-the next I am w-waking up alone in the rain." Draco's sentences were punctuated with pain filled whined echoing from his mouth as the curse did not let up. "I-I do not know w-what A-Abraxas w-will s-say to that. I d-did not know how to say anything. I am sorry, please, I am sorry!" Tom sighed, staring at the crying and pleading Malfoy apathetically.

"I know you are sorry. I can...sense your sincerity. I assume your parents probably did not wish to join Grindelwald, and sent you out of his reach. Or tried to." Tom smirked slightly. "Your honesty, is quite refreshing young Malfoy." He laughed. "You have also shown yourself to be in line with my beliefs, and quite obedient to my orders." He reminensced, his fingers slowly trailed down the Malfoy's body, relief spreading wherever his fingers landed. "That is why I am being lenient with you." Tom whispered, his voice coming out as soft and gentle as his fingers finished canvasing the young boy's body and began once more caressing Draco's face.

"Th-Thank you," He gasped. Tom rolled his eyes, gathering the boy into his arms, letting Draco cling to him, which was how Dumbledore opened the door to see them. A tear filled, thin, grey-eyed Malfoy desperately clinging to the monster he saw as Tom. He heard the Matron's gasp and rush through trying to seperete the two, but Draco merely screamed any time they removed him from Tom, fighting as though his life depended on it. Tom watched with thinly veiled curiosity. It was likely that he had accidentally sent the boy into a flashback.