Oh, Shit

9

"A casualty of Grindelwald's war." Tom said with a shrug. "He was found and brought to the muggle place I live at." Abraxas was staring at him, likely assessing Draco and everything about him. After all...his hair, his eyes...his general demeanor and delicate genes...Draco was almost surprised that he was not getting glares from the beginning. He calmed his racing heart, knowing that there was no way that Abraxas used legilimecy, it was not overly common among this side of his family. He got a weird mix of the abilities of the Blacks and the Malfoys, but it was something he knew how to use, and quite well he may add. It was not as though Abraxas was aware of that, but considering how close it would seem he was with Tom, Draco had no illusions that this would likely happen soon enough.

"Oh?" Abraxas considered. "And what happened to make you flee to muggle territory?" He questioned, leaving Draco's breath stuttering in his chest. He inhaled sharply but otherwise met Abraxas' gaze confidently and tilted his head to the side slightly.

"I did not flee." Draco admitted softly.

"You did not? Well, then, why are you here?" Draco stiffened, turning to look at Abraxas coldly, and the latter felt his shoulder rise with a sort of tension that had not been there previously. He was not sure what about this boy seemed to rise his guard, but there was something so...familiar in that look and he was not overly fond of it either.

"I woke up here. It was not as though I wanted to be here. My parents are likely either tortured, dead, or in azkaban at this point and I am not entirely sure what it is that is going on or what they agreed to do for the Dark Lord, but either way, there is nothing to be done about that. I cannot feel them, cannot reach them, and presume them dead. Yet, I am still here. It is foolish to pretend that I know what happened, but I did not flee. I may be a preservation of myself, but I am not a total coward." Draco leaned back on the train seat. "Besides, even if I were a coward, I am not stupid. There is more than enough resources to find me should the Dark Lord not satisfy himself with my parents. It is foolish to attempt to do so, and will only likely increase the torment bound to happen upon myself. Therefore, I can only presume that I was sent here...why or how or for whatever reason, I do not know, but rest assured, I did not flee from anyone, or anything."

"I see," Abraxas said simply, not bothering to push the issue, he knew that the other was telling the truth. It was obvious in the genuine anger that they had felt at the implications that he would just run away. Furthermore, the last part...wanting something...that was interesting. The Dark Lord had to be Grindlewald, there was no other, so this was more interesting information than anything else. "I apologize then, I should not have suggested such a thing." The boy closed his eyes and breathed deeply, but gave him a smile. Abraxas grit his teeth, eyes slightly wide. He recognized that tactic...

But it was one that many used, surely, it had nothing to do with the Family. It was a very common Malfoy technique though, that Heirs are trained to use when they wish to keep their appearance of calm but are trying to collect themselves and are playing at composure. Sure, some other families have similar techniques, and it was used previously by some of the other noteable families, but that was the point...noteable. He had no idea who this person was, or where they came from, but he was certain that a random Malfoy member of the family would not be willing to dwell in the Muggle world for any length of time, at least...and again, it was taught to Heirs, and this boy was not an heir.

"It is fine, there was no harm done, after all, and I do suspect you would have been worried...so thank you, I suppose." The words were polite, but Abraxas knew that sort of politeness and bristled at it being directed at him. This boy...this boy was annoying him, and there was not much that he could do without trying to get Tom to ditch him, which he already knew was not going to happen. Whatever it was that had happened during this boy's stay during the moments he knew Tom had obviously left an impression. Tom did not just speak with anyone, after all.

"Now, Draco, Play nice." The order startled Abraxas slightly, as did the bowing of the head and the softly spoken, 'yes, sir'. That made things quite a bit more interesting, because it had been obvious that Tom liked the boy, he clearly introduced them by having him in the compartment car, but even still, to hear him reprimand the boy for something...it was interesting, and the reaction was even further interesting. It was clear that whoever this boy was they deferred to Tom, just not...at first glance.

Abraxas had to also admit, it made him irate that someone would defer to Tom, and yet have no issue being defiant with him. Whilst Tom definitely had the support of a majority of the Slytherin's by now, and he himself could hardly claim the title of Slytherin Prince anymore, he was not used to someone deferring to Tom before they did so to him. It was jarring and he was not really sure what to make of it.