Passed Around Dark Lords

63

Draco glanced at Arcturus this time, tilting his head slightly. "At least, I assumed he was ruffling through my letter stock and personal belongings on your orders, hence why I said nothing, and made it a bit easier for him. I know more than most about ill-suited expectations." Draco lapsed slightly, mind plagued on red eyes, and cold blues. Tom dug his nails into the back of his hand, dragging him back to the present. Draco gave a rather dramatic sigh, and a glance to the right would show Orion tense, and somewhat pale, Tom knew how difficult it had been for him to glean what he had. Draco definitely had not been making it easier on him. It made him almost want to laugh, but instead he turned his gaze back to his dove, who had his head leaning on his hand, still staring at the Black family. "Still, if it was not on your orders, I would highly suggest having a... conversation about the privacy of dormmates." Draco gave a civil smile, cold in nature, and his eyes swirling into a vortex of emotions. "Before I do." 

"I see," Arcturus spoke slowly, as if assessing his words before saying them. The grey on grey, exact shading-if the man did not know before he certainly knew now-"yes, you may rest assured that we will definitely be having a conversation with Orion about this. I do apologize on his behalf." Draco hummed, tilting his head and a wry smile pulling at his lips. So they won't admit it. Draco thought silently to himself. Not that it is surprising. I would never either. Putting all the blame on someone ill-suited to spying though? Kind of drab, and a bit expected. I dunno what I expected from a family so tied to madness, but perhaps a bit more... something. Even Sirius Black was a dramatic asshole, despite his being blasted off the tapestry. Auntie Bella was even more so. 

"See that you do. I do not really think it would look well on the infamous House of Black for their heir to be seen obsessing over someone to the point of going through their personal affects." A placid smile was still pasted on Draco's face, and Tom did not like it. It was so...fake. He had not seen Draco like this before, and it unnerved him. He had not even seen Abraxas play a room like this. 

Before more could be said, their orders arrived and were promptly placed on the table. Draco nodded his head once in thanks while Tom snatched his and Draco's drinks, placing them before the proper owner and glancing around the table. Everyone seemed to be acting as if what happened...didn't. It was strange, but he knew the Black Lord was covering his ass. He had sent Orion to relay information on Draco, but had clearly not expected Draco to catch him in the act. 

"Although, if you were to head someone to spy on me, at least try to find someone more...subtle. It is definitely not Orion's strong suit, not that it is all that surprising, given the Black Family is not known for their subterfuge." Draco's slight warning, and helping had did surprise Tom, but he supposed the boy wanted a challenge, and Orion did not pose it. A part of him wanted to be angry at that, but he could understand. Orion was rather poor at spy work. That was why Tom never sent him on it. Abraxas was much better, but that was just based off how their families worked, respectively. 

"What exactly is going to be done about that ingrate?" Tom questioned, his eyes curious, trying to hold a polite ton as he addressed the Malfoy Patriarch. 

"The ministry will do an investigation," Enceladus began, steepling his fingers as he addressed Tom directly. For his own shock, because Enceladus had never directly spoken to him before, even on the occasions that Abraxas had introduced them. At most, the man had politely ignored his existence, which had been fine for him. "When they find the evidence, I will ruthlessly crush that pathetic family." Enceladus waved an arm, gently sipping on his tea. "Until nothing remains. Or the boy's reputation is so damaged he will have to go to a different country to get anywhere." Tom smiled at the ruthlessness. He liked that, it was what he would have done, if he had bothered to do something other than sheer torture, and then death. His go to, but he could appreciate a long con, which seemed to be something the Malfoy's prided themselves in.

Abraxas certainly had done his fair share of rebuking Tom's plans in favor of other plans that took a bit more...finesse. Not that Tom was angry at that, provided Abraxas knew the time and place to talk to him about it-rarely did the Malfoy know. Orion was much better at that as a general rule, and Draco seemed to put even Orion to shame. 

-

The rest of the meeting was tense. The Black family made idle chitchat but did not dare ask questions from Draco beyond the menial school questions and basic child likes and dislikes. Draco seemed amused, and Tom fully understood the reason for it. 

Still, he seemed even more relieved to get back to the castle, and into the dorms. He practically fell on his four poster the moment they crossed the threshold. Tom stood at the door still, a brow raised in judgement. 

"I must report to Grindelwald what happened earlier," Draco said with a sudden gasp, flying up. Tom moved forwards, just in case the boy did something stupid. Like running off before Tom could speak with him. 

"Yes, I do think that would be best, but that can wait, until tomorrow morning, at the least. No point in now, it is almost curfew, and you won't make it to the Owlrey and back beforehand." Draco groaned, hands pressed against his eyes. "Although, I am a Prefect." Tom said simply, examining his nails. Draco eyed him. 

"Would you...be willing to take it for me?" Draco asked softly, his voice low and careful. Tom hummed. 

"I want to speak to you first. Should you do that, and I shall consider it." Draco sighed.

"That isn't an agreement." 

"No, it is not" A low growl under his boy's breath had Tom grinning darkly. The boy was so caught up in obedience that the rare times his more-rebellious nature popped up was a treat. It was also always when they were alone, so he knew time and place, far more than Abraxas did.

"Fine, what do you wish to speak with me about?" 

"I wanted to ensure you were being truthful, about the marriage." The instant flush that entered Draco's cheeks was amusing, and Tom would have paid to see it. 

"You have to convince the Patriarch, and I doubt it will be that easy," Draco said softly, entwining his fingers together. 

"If I manage it?" Tom pushed. 

"Then I have no reason to refuse," Draco said even quieter. Tom smiled, a dark and twisted thing that Draco did not see, staring down at his hands as he was to hide the flush on his cheeks. Oh, he would make Draco his...in every form of the word. Just the thought of the future where Draco would be his wife was something Tom was almost giddy about. Beyond that, none would dare mess with him or Draco. He was angry with that boy, and even more livid he had to defend him from Draco's delicious decapitation. the opportunities that presented themselves before his pale fingers were growing ever steadily. 

Yes, he would have to convince the Head of the family, but that was easier done than said. Tom had convinced many people of far less than something so simple. It would have to be done after he figures out his family though. After. Then he would grab Draco by the shoulders and thrust him down the aisle, marking him forever as Tom's. 

"I want your word, Draco, I want a promise to me." Draco did so, the magic thick in the air as he promised. Not an unbreakable vow, though Tom was quite tempted to make him say one, but close enough. Draco would not go back on his word. From the memories that Tom had collected, he never did.