Chapter 36: Spinning Half Truths
As much as Tom hated admitting that he made a mistake, the boy could only grind his teeth in silence as he waited outside the Malfoy study door. Abraxas had invited him over for the Samhain celebration and he was currently inside talking to his father about the 'representative from Durmstrang'. Of course, he wasn't telling the Malfoy senior the actual truth, in fact, Abraxas couldn't even if he wanted to. Instead, Tom created a story where he supposedly admired interschool knowledge, building relationships and whatnot, and wished to gain more information on the representative that Abraxas had heard from his father. Nothing was to be mentioned about the inn. He had thoroughly convinced Abraxas of this matter himself, and he was confident that Abraxas believed it to be the whole truth. After all, it was perfectly acceptable for a boy to sneak out to Honeydukes but get lost on the way. He blamed his fainted form on anemia and his overexcitement. Abraxas had given him a disbelieving look at the last excuse but Tom just shrugged for him to deal with it. When he questioned about Harry, Tom only shrugged and said the girl had refused his offer to sneak out. Now, the only hurdle was getting his father to believe the story he had created about his interest in Durmstrang.
Tom sighed imperceptibly. Well, his grades and conduct should help in the persuasion. He was the model student, and top of his class. But then again, Abraxas's father had much more political experience with manipulations. Holding in the urge to heave another sigh, Tom's thoughts flicked back to the girl that had been missing for a week.
Harry's friends went batshit crazy the first day when she didn't show up to class. Abraxas didn't say much on the situation, but he gave Tom a slightly worried look which Tom ignored. The whole matter blew out of proportion when the transfigurations professor Dumbledore got a hold of the news. It was unheard of for a student to simply disappear when attending Hogwarts, and Headmaster Dippet even gave a short speech on how a search team for Harry would be arranged. All in all, it was total chaos, and nothing really got done except rumors flew everywhere. Tom, on his part, only made sure the third year girl who had smuggled them out kept quiet about the situation. A little persuasion was needed, but he got the job done. The girl never knew Harry was the one with him anyways so Tom just kept silent until Abraxas could contact his father again.
It felt like he had waited a long time before the oak doors of the study opened. Abraxas stepped out, his face neutral and unrevealing.
"He said he wanted to talk to you inside."