What if He had a Choice?

Meeting

Draco was nervous at how his father would take the fact that he had a sudden unexplained person with him when he got off of the train. He had not told his father that he was bringing a friend home, and he had never brought stragglers home before. Not only that he doubted that his father even knew anything about the fact that he had unintentionally raised the Dark Lord into a sixteen year old version of himself. That was something that Draco was not entirely certain how his father would react. Yet, he could not just leave Tom alone to fend for himself. Well, he could, but he would not. That would be a horrible idea and he already knew that Tom would not be capable of getting through the wards unless he was with a Malfoy, and Draco would be unable to leave the Malfoy manor without his father knowing that he had left, so either way Lucius was going to find out about Tom, and he figured that it would be better for the elder to find out sooner rather then later that Draco had picked up the 16 year old version of the Dark Lord. Draco figured that it would be better to get it done and over with sooner rather than later. Plus his father would not dare speak out against him with the Dark Lord nearby, so he figured it was probably the safest course of action at the current moment. 

"Draco," Lucius said, cold blue eyes gazing at the boy which stood with his son.

"Father," Draco said softly. He was about to speak but...for some reason his words got caught within his throat, and he found that he could not really say anything. He inhaled deeply, trying to force the words out at his father's questionable look. "Diary," is all that he could speak aloud, and Lucius merely raised a brow before nodding curtly, body stiff as he turned on his heel and began to walk away from them. 

"I expect an explanation when we get home. Hold on." He said simply, Draco rushed forwards to obey the order, fingers swiftly grasping Tom's own just before Lucius twisted and in moments they went from the bustle of the King's Cross Station to the rolling plains of the Malfoy manor. Lucius strode forwards without a second thought, and Draco kept a firm grip on Tom's hand as they walked through the barrier which secluded the Malfoy manor. Tom shuddered just a little at the feeling of ice penetrating his being.

Tom had only visited the Malfoy Manor once, and in doing so he had not had the chance to get used to the feeling of ice water flooding his body once you entered or exited the wards which were placed around the house. They were stronger now, Tom noted distantly as he followed Draco and his father to the Manor. A woman whom Tom assumed was likely Lucius' wife and Draco's mother was standing on the steps of the Manor, waiting for them. Her eyes drifted to him momentarily, but she did not question his presence with her son. He doubted that Draco would have told his mother but not his father, and therefore he assumed she likely did not wish to address the issue first. 

"It is good to see you back, Draco dear," The woman said and Draco gave her a fond smile before turning back to his father.

"Should we..." Lucius just nodded mutely, and Draco led Tom into the Manor, and up several cases of winding stairs. 

The Manor was almost exactly as he had seen with Abraxas in the 1940s. Still extravagant, yet cold and unfeeling. There was this sense of emotionlessness within the Manor. There was no personality which made the entire place feel cold and callous. The last time that Tom had visited the only thing that had any semblance of personality was Abraxas' room, and so he would suspect this was the same. 

"We are going to Father's office to discuss...everything." Draco said, his voice wavering slightly, betraying his fear and anxiety. Tom hummed softly under his breath, barely loud enough for Draco to be able to hear. Draco breathed steadily, trying to calm his racing heart. 

"Are you nervous?" Tom asked, causing the boy to jump slightly. Draco had not expected Tom to really say anything and so the sudden break in silence, barring the elder's humming which was barely audible, shocked him and somewhat caused him a bit of a fright. 

"A little, yes." 

"Why?" Tom asked, tilting his head slightly to the side. He did not understand people or emotions as well as he should, though he understood them enough, he was always trying to learn more and more to better himself and his ability to read people without having to use legitimacy. He did not like having to rely on his legitimacy too much, and it was necessary to be able to understand emotions so that he could portray them himself, even if he did not understand them. 

"I do not know how exactly father will react. Both to you, and everything about the Diary, to the death of the Weasley girl, but especially about the fact that Dumbledore had broken Counsel Regulation..." Draco paused, thinking about what he had spoken. "Actually, never mind the last part. Father will likely be very pleased that he has the opportunity to use the fact that Dumbledore disregarded regulation to try and get him thrown out of Hogwarts."

Tom agreed with the goal if nothing else. He had always disliked Dumbledore and the chance to get him thrown out of Hogwarts finally if nothing else would make him feel quite happy. It would make him victorious, even if it were something simple. 

"Well, I fully intend to force Dumbledore out of Hogwarts, if that is any consolation." Draco turned to look at Tom as they stood outside Lucius' study. 

"I already know that though," He said, his voice betraying his confusion. "That much is obvious. Dumbledore is a threat, and threats must be taken out. Besides, from what I have gathered, you never particularly liked Dumbledore. Even if you had no regard for the man whatsoever, it would endear you to many Slytherin and Pureblood families to get him replaced as headmaster, so it would be the wise thing to do."

Once more, Tom had to admire the intelligence of the Malfoy bloodline. It was truly astounding. Their intuitiveness was vital in his plans. He would make full use of them as well, make no mistake. He knew what he would need to do, but the first step is getting DUmbledore thrown out of office.