Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Written for the All-Era Endurance Test Competition, Round 3.
Better Than That
Tom twirled his wand between his fingers as he wandered aimlessly around the lake. Another year was over, and it was almost time to return to the orphanage he loathed. Surely, at sixteen, he should have some say over where he lived, what he did with his life, who he deigned to spend time with?
Of course, if he had money, the problem would be solved all by itself, because he could just rent a room at The Leaky Cauldron and spend the summer in Diagon Alley, spending his time doing much more productive things than cleaning and listening to the dull chatter of the muggle children he was forced to share proximity with.
As the idea took hold in his head, he began to wonder.
Would he get away with it? Casting a spell as dark as the Imperius would surely set off the wards? Wouldn't it? He wasn't sure it was worth the price he would pay should he be caught, but the idea of returning to the orphanage was really one he wasn't interested in even contemplating. He was so much more than that pile of rubble now. So much better.
"Abraxas? Perhaps you'd care to accompany on my nighttime stroll tonight?" Tom asked, his expression blank, his tone bored. It wouldn't do to seem eager, after all.
"Of course," Abraxas replied deferentially, nodding his head.
Tom led the way, half listening to Abraxas talking about his father's plans for a betrothal contract. They walked at a speedier pace than Tom usually did, and they were back in the castle half an hour earlier than they would be expected in the Slytherin Common Room.
"Would you like to see something rather special?" Tom asked, leading the way to the second floor.
Abraxas nodded eagerly, and Tom could barely repress a snort.
Checking the corridor, Tom slipped into the girls bathroom, hissing at the snake on the tap. He watched, from the corner of his eye, the wonder on Abraxas' face, and when the opening was clear, he gestured for the Malfoy heir to proceed him down the tunnel.
Hurrying him along, Tom finally paused when they reached the main Chamber.
"Do you know why I decided to show you this, Abraxas?"
"No, my Lord."
"Because I felt that you could appreciate it, Abraxas, that you appreciate me. Am I correct Abraxas?"
"You are, my Lord."
"Yes. You would help me, wouldn't you Abraxas, should I need assistance with anything?"
"Of course, my Lord, with anything."
"Hmm, very good, Abraxas. Imperio!"
Tom lay on the comfortable bed in his room at the Leaky Cauldron, a book open in his lap. He had only a week left before the beginning of his seventh year at Hogwarts, and he was infinitely pleased that he'd avoided the 'pleasure' of the orphanage this summer.
He would never return there again, of course.
He was better than that.