Chapter 39: Failed Preemptive
As soon as the parlor doors closed, Tom strolled over and waited outside. As expected, the doors did not reveal any of the conversation going on within, and Tom could only stand in front of the doors in frustration. Meanwhile, Abraxas sneaked by his side and pulled at his sleeves, tugging him and motioning him to get away from the door. Tom smacked him in annoyance when he became insistent and Abraxas just silently stomped away, hands in the air. Tom gave a silent chuckle at his antics before returning to the question of getting inside the parlor.
After a few minutes, the house elf came by with a serving cart with wine and small pastries. As Tom watched the house elf approach, an idea began growing in his head. Shooting a quick stupefy at the house elf, Tom placed himself behind the cart and calmly walked into the room.
He quickly noticed Argus's extended hand and the new blond next to him, which Tom assumed was the stranger. They were both standing in a rather relaxed pose before Tom came in.
"A wine for the occasion?" Tom asked.
Argus gave a tight smile, and withdrew his hand, making no comments of his unsolicited entrance. The blond looked mildly amused despite the Malfoy's tense demeanor.
"Of course, right on time." He replied. He gestured for his companion to sit and Tom strode over with the serving cart. As soon as he was within range, Tom slid his wand from his sleeve and pointed it at the new blond.
"Where is Harry?" He hissed.
The stranger made no movement, he did not seem to be concerned about the wand pointing at his face, neither did his bodyguard. Argus on the other hand, quickly stood up from his chair.
"Boy! Show your respect!" He commanded. Tom clicked his tongue at the order and continued to point his wand at the man.
The said man however, was giving off a smile.
"Well, you are quicker than I thought you would be. But we are all friends here, and you can put that away." He stated pleasantly as if the two were talking about the weather and not in a situation where Tom had him at wand point.
Within seconds, Tom felt his wand fly out of his hand and into the strangers. Tom gasped in surprise but quickly recovered from the slip-up. The stranger, however, stood up abruptly and placed a hand on Tom's shoulder, his grip like iron.
"Now Argus, if you will excuse us." He gave a curt nod before dragging Tom out of the parlor, bodyguard following behind.