AN~ Once again, I'm terribly sorry about the long wait you all went through for this. I could give you a million excuses but I shan't cos I know you're all dying to read this. Anyhow, please review =) muchos gracias for following everyone.
Chapter Three: The Manor
Several hours later Tom Riddle arrived at the Malfoy manor, chilled and wet from England's night rain. He had hitched a ride in the bed of an unknowing farmer's truck and gotten off when he made a stop at Divizes and walked five and a half miles through the cold night for two hours before reaching the dark mansion that now rose before. He walked briskly up the gravel drive to the manor, stopping only to salute the large iron gate that then immediately opened for him. He knocked on the large wooden doors. As he waited impatiently for the doors to be opened for him, he glanced out across the landscape. The sun was now beginning to rise, colouring the clouds above it brilliant shades of orange and pink.
The door was opened by a middle aged woman he recognised as Abraxas's mother.
"Tom!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms around him, "It's so good to see you! What on earth are you doing here?"
Tom smiled. "I just came to see my favourite witch, of course."
Mrs Malfoy blushed. "Oh Tom, you're so charming. It was nice of you to visit. Please come in, although, Abraxas is still sleeping." She rolled her eyes. "That boy, it's so ridiculous sometimes. I wish he would get up earlier, like you. It's not even six in the morning."
Tom beamed at her as he followed her through the house and into the kitchen, listening to her rambling throughout.
"Have a seat dear, I'll have the elf make you some breakfast."
Tom promptly sat down at the counter, just realising how hungry he'd been... It had been a while since he'd eaten. Mrs Malfoy snapped her fingers, and soon he was feasting.
A few hours later, well fed and in dry clothes, Tom was spending his time reading in the living room when Abraxas grumpily stumbled in. "Merlin's beard, Tom, what are you doing here so early? I haven't even eaten breakfast yet."
Tom rolled his eyes. "Go." He half demanded. "I'll be here when you return."
Tom stuck his nose back into the book he had reading. It was a magic book, which tended to be the only thing that amused him. He loved reading them, and, of course, it was in a magic book that he first discovered Horcruxes. Tom smiled slightly at the thought and subconsciously patted the diary he always kept inside his robes.
Nearly twenty minutes later Abraxas returned, smiling like the idiot he was. "We're going to Diagon Alley today to get school supplies." He announced, "You wanna come?"
Tom felt uncertain at this. He already had his school supplies, being a penniless orphan the school provided him with these things. Nevertheless, Tom grinned back at Malfoy and agreed to tag along.