The morning sun streamed into the dining room of Malfoy Manor, illuminating the lavish breakfast spread. Orion and Abraxas entered the room, looking noticeably more relaxed and at ease. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, a welcome change from the previous day's tension.
Orion and Abraxas greeted Lucius, Narcissa, and Sirius with smiles as they took their seats. The conversation was light and pleasant, with family members discussing plans and catching up on recent news.
Orion, now comfortable in his new clothes, chatted with Narcissa about recent developments. Abraxas sat beside him, occasionally squeezing his hand in reassurance. The breakfast proceeded smoothly, everyone enjoying the meal and each other's company.
Unbeknownst to Orion and Abraxas, Tom Riddle, now a young adult, had been invited as part of a broader family gathering. He was seated at the far end of the table, engaged in conversation with a few others. Tom's presence went unnoticed by Orion and Abraxas initially.
As Orion turned to grab a piece of toast, he glanced around the room and his eyes widened in surprise. "Tom?" he gasped, recognizing the familiar figure.
Tom looked up, his expression softening at the sight of Orion. He rose from his seat and walked towards him. "Orion," Tom said with a warm smile. "It's good to see you."
Without hesitation, Orion stood and rushed towards Tom, enveloping him in a heartfelt hug. The joy and surprise were evident on his face. "I didn't know you were here! I'm so glad to see you."
Tom returned the hug, smiling widely. "I didn't realize you'd be joining us for breakfast. It's great to see you too."
Abraxas approached, his demeanor friendly. "Tom, it's nice to see you again. I didn't expect you here either."
Tom nodded, his gaze shifting between Orion and Abraxas. "It's been a while. I'm glad to see you're both doing well."
Narcissa, observing the exchange with interest, stood and approached Tom. "Tom, welcome. We're pleased to have you join us."
Tom offered a polite bow. "Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy. It's a pleasure to be here."
The group settled back into their seats, and conversation turned to catching up and sharing news. Orion and Tom reminisced about old times and discussed recent events, with Abraxas and the others joining in.
The presence of Tom added an unexpected but pleasant element to the breakfast, making it even more memorable.
As the conversation became lively, the topic shifted to their school days. Tom began to recount some of his experiences.
"So," Abraxas said with a teasing smile, "how have you been handling Bellatrix's antics? I remember she had quite a reputation for causing trouble."
Tom rolled his eyes playfully. "Oh, she's as intense as ever. I've been trying to avoid her as much as possible. No way am I getting involved with that."
Orion and Abraxas exchanged amused glances. "Come on, Tom," Orion said with a grin, "you must have had some interesting encounters."
Tom chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Well, let's just say I've learned to steer clear. She's… intense. And besides," he added with a smirk, "I've got someone else. A lovely boy, actually."
Orion's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" Abraxas asked, curious. "Tell us more!"
Tom's smirk widened. "Yes, he's charming and wonderful. Quite the opposite of Bellatrix, if you can believe it."
Orion and Abraxas burst into giggles. "That sounds delightful," Orion said, still chuckling. "I'm glad to hear you've found someone who makes you happy."
Tom's eyes sparkled with amusement. "He certainly does. And I'm sure you two have your own stories to share."
Abraxas nodded. "We do, but it's nice to hear about your good news."
The conversation continued with a light-hearted tone. The surprise reunion with Tom added a fun and nostalgic element to the breakfast.
As the conversation flowed, a sudden loud crack from the fireplace drew everyone's attention. Lucius stood up abruptly, his expression shifting to concern. "Excuse me," he said, heading toward the fireplace. Moments later, he returned with Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange, both looking serious and troubled.
Tom's concern was evident as he jumped up. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.
Abraxas and Orion, sensing the change in atmosphere, quickly rose from their seats. The room fell silent, all eyes on the new arrivals.
Lucius cleared his throat, his demeanor tense. "Rodolphus, Rabastan, thank you for coming. Please, sit down. We need to discuss an urgent matter."
Rodolphus took a seat, his face serious, while Rabastan remained standing, scanning the room with concern. "There's been an issue," Rodolphus began, his tone grave. "We need to address it immediately."
Abraxas moved closer to Orion, offering him a reassuring touch. "Stay calm. We'll find out what's going on," he murmured.
Orion nodded, trying to steady his breathing as he looked at the Lestrange brothers. The gravity of the situation was apparent.
Lucius took a deep breath, addressing the room. "Rodolphus and Rabastan have important news that affects us all. Let's listen to what they have to say."
The room was filled with tense anticipation as everyone waited for Rodolphus to explain.
Rodolphus took a deep breath. "There's been a leak," he said, his voice steady but filled with regret. "A letter has been made public. It's reached our parents and is now known by everyone."
Orion's face went pale, and he felt his heart sink. "I'm sorry," Rodolphus said, his gaze full of sympathy. "This wasn't supposed to happen."
Rabastan, sensing Orion's distress, spoke up reassuringly. "You don't deserve this, Orion. It's not your fault."
Abraxas's eyes widened in horror. "Oh no," he gasped. "Father, Mother—what can be done to fix this?"
Lucius, troubled by the news, looked at Abraxas with a worried expression. "We need to address this immediately. We must take steps to manage the situation and minimize the damage."
Narcissa stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "We'll work together to handle this. The most important thing now is to support Orion and ensure the situation is controlled."
Overwhelmed, Orion began to cry, his tears flowing freely. Abraxas held him close, offering comfort and support.
"It's going to be okay," Abraxas whispered, his voice gentle. "We'll figure this out together. We have the support of everyone here."
Tom, witnessing the distress, approached Orion and offered a supportive gesture. "We'll help in any way we can. Don't worry, we're all here for you."
Lucius nodded. "We'll address the leak, manage the fallout, and ensure that Orion is protected. We need to act quickly."
As the group gathered around Orion, offering their support and devising a plan to address the situation, the focus shifted to finding a solution and providing comfort in the midst of the crisis. Despite the distress, the presence of his friends and family provided a sense of solidarity and hope.
Orion clung to Abraxas, his body swaying slightly with the intensity of his emotions. "I don't feel well," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.
Abraxas immediately wrapped his arms around Orion, deepening his concern. "It's okay, Orion. Just focus on staying calm. We'll get you through this."
He guided Orion to a nearby chair and requested, "Everyone, please give us a moment."
Lucius, Narcissa, and the others stepped back, giving Abraxas and Orion some space. Tom and the Lestranges watched with concern, ready to assist if needed.
Abraxas knelt beside Orion, gently stroking his back. "Just breathe deeply," he encouraged. "You're going to be alright. We're here for you."
Orion's breathing was shallow, and he continued to tremble. "I'm so scared," he admitted, tears streaming down his face.
Abraxas continued to offer comfort. "I know, love. It's a lot to handle, but you're not alone. We'll get through this together."
He glanced at Narcissa and Lucius, signaling for them to bring water and perhaps a calming potion. Narcissa quickly fetched a glass of water and handed it to Abraxas, while Lucius retrieved a potion from the study.
As Abraxas helped Orion sip the water, he maintained his comforting presence. "You're doing great," Abraxas said softly. "Just focus on calming down. We'll handle everything else."
Orion took small sips of water, gradually regaining some composure. With Abraxas's support and the care from those around him, he slowly began to feel a bit better, though the stress of the situation still weighed heavily on him.
The group continued to offer support, working together to ensure Orion's well-being while preparing to address the fallout from the leaked letter.
