Tom Riddle's presence at Malfoy Manor during the holiday season was no mere courtesy extended by a friend it was a calculated maneuver. By his fifth year at Hogwarts, Tom had already established himself as a figure of quiet dominance among his peers. Whispers of his intelligence, cunning, and charisma and that he is the heir to slytherin had spread through Slytherin House and beyond, casting him as both respected and feared. Even the proud and haughty Abraxas Malfoy, heir to one of the most illustrious pureblood families in Britain, had fallen under his spell.
It was at Tom's subtle suggestion, cloaked as mutual interest, that Abraxas had extended the invitation. Tom had built his reputation meticulously: the studious orphan who, despite his Orphaned background, had risen to prominence through sheer brilliance and ambition. To Abraxas and others, Tom represented a kind of superiority that transcended an enigmatic force they could not help but defer to. For Abraxas, hosting Tom was not just an act of camaraderie; it was a tacit acknowledgment of the unspoken hierarchy Tom had already established at Hogwarts.
When Tom arrived at Malfoy Manor, Abraxas greeted him with a nervous energy, a far cry from his usual composed demeanor. The grandeur of the estate was meant to impress, but Abraxas found himself eager for Tom's approval, watching carefully for any sign of his guest's reaction to the towering columns, the marble floors, or the priceless artifacts lining the halls. Tom, for his part, maintained an air of disinterest, though his sharp eyes missed nothing. His silence, punctuated only by the occasional approving nod, seemed to put Abraxas further on edge.
As Abraxas guided him through the lavish estate, the younger Malfoy displayed an eagerness tinged with trepidation. Each corridor they navigated seemed to amplify Abraxas's nervous energy a stark contrast to the composed and calculated demeanor Tom had come to embody. Despite the grandeur surrounding them, it was the allure of power that held Tom's attention.
"Shall we begin the tour?" Abraxas asked, his voice laced with both pride and deference.
"Lead the way," Tom replied smoothly, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He allowed Abraxas to guide him, the younger Malfoy eagerly pointing out various family heirlooms and recounting the estate's storied history.
"Don't you find it remarkable?" Abraxas said, his voice a blend of pride and desperation for validation.
Tom nodded, his face detached yet laced with a subtle interest. As they progressed, he made careful note of the family heirlooms and portraits that adorned the walls, but his mind danced along darker paths possibilities of influence and control.
Upon entering the living room, Tom's gaze was drawn inexorably to the large portrait that dominated the space. A moving portrait depicted Lord Septimus and Lady Clotilda Malfoy, flanked by their two children. Abraxas stood proudly beside a striking girl with cascading blonde hair and mesmerizing green eyes. Her small smile was both charming and disarming, reflecting a beauty that felt almost ethereal. Tom's curiosity sharpened.
"Who is the girl?" he asked, his cool voice echoing with a careful neutrality.
Abraxas's demeanor softened, a look of fondness creeping onto his lips. "That's my twin sister, Carina," he replied, a hint of pride threading through his words.
"Interesting," Tom said, brow arching slightly. "You've never mentioned a sister before."
"She…" Abraxas hesitated, searching for the right words. "She doesn't attend Hogwarts."
"Why ?" Tom inquired, his tone deceptively casual. "Does she struggle with magic? Is she a squib?" The accusation was sharp, cloaked in false innocence.
"Absolutely not!" Abraxas countered, his voice firm but tinged with annoyance. "She chose Beauxbatons. My mother is an alumna there and encouraged her decision."
Tom stepped closer to the portrait, his narrowed gaze not missing the subtleties of the scene before him. "Is your sister not home for the holidays?" he asked, feigning nonchalance but curious to unravel more about this elusive girl.
Abraxas's expression shifted, a mixture of pride and frustration painting his features. "No, she's quite busy, actually. She refuses to come home for Yule. My mother went to France to see her last week, but I…" His voice trailed off, a hint of longing in his eyes. "I wanted to go, but they left early, and I was still at Hogwarts."
"Ah, so Carina is in Beauxbatons now," Tom noted, his tone deceptively casual. "Have Lestrange, Avery, and Rosier met her?"
"Yes, but that was a long time ago," Abraxas replied, recalling the memories.
"Why don't you speak of her more?" Tom pressed, genuine curiosity thread through his voice. "Surely a girl like her would be the talk of the school, even from afar…"
Abraxas hesitated, the words tangled in his mind. "Well, she doesn't like parties much. She used to throw tantrums when she was forced to attend," he admitted, a fond smile breaking through as he recalled her youthful defiance. "My parents spoiled her so much they can hardly stand to see her cry."
"Interesting," Tom mused, his interest sparked further. "A girl who knows how to manipulate her family's affections sounds like a… formidable character."
Before Abraxas could respond, their conversation was abruptly cut short as Lord Septimus and Lady Clotilda entered the room. Tom straightened, his posture shifting to one of measured respect. Abraxas followed suit, greeting his parents formally. The air thickened with expectation, the dynamic of the family shifting as the imposing figure of Lord Malfoy took charge of the room.
"Mr. Riddle," Septimus said, his voice authoritative and devoid of warmth. "Welcome once more to our home. I hope my son has made your stay… enjoyable?"
"Very much so, Lord Malfoy," Tom replied smoothly, holding the man's gaze with a confidence that made Abraxas's father narrow his eyes slightly. "Your home is impressive."
"Join us for dinner," Lady Clotilda interjected, her tone softer yet tinged with authority. "It's been far too long since we've had the pleasure of a gifted student at our table."
As the four settled around the dining table, the atmosphere shifted yet again. Tom noticed how the Malfoy family's dynamics shifted with comfortable ease Lord Malfoy's stern authority countered gently by his wife's apparent affection, while Abraxas navigated between both worlds, presenting a facade of calm.
"So, Mr. Riddle," Septimus began, cutting to the chase. "Tell us about your life at Hogwarts. I've heard commendable things about your studies."
Tom leaned into the question with practiced ease. "I've focused heavily on my subjects, particularly Defense Against the Dark Arts," he stated, his voice calm but edged with an underlying certainty of his talents. He allowed the conversation to flow, drawing in moments of modesty while inadvertently showcasing his brilliance.
As they discussed the various topics of academic achievement, Abraxas chimed in, redirecting the conversation back to his sister. "Mother, do tell Tom about Carina," he urged, perhaps eager for the laughter that would follow.
Lady Clotilda sighed, her voice filled with exasperation as she recounted the latest stories from Beauxbatons. "The last time I visited, Carina was the main cause of a ruckus. Three boys fought over her, you see." She pinched the bridge of her nose as if to physically stave off the annoyance. "She had created some ridiculous competition, promising that whoever could complete the most of her bidding by the month's end would be allowed to court her."
"Again?" Septimus interjected, disbelief threading his words. "That makes three times this month. It's rather unseemly."
"Father," Abraxas chuckled, a rare glimmer of authenticity shining through. "You do realize she's simply playing with them, don't you?"
Lord Malfoy's expression hardened. "My sweet angel would never engage in such manipulations. Those boys are merely making stories up, I assure you." His gaze darted from Abraxas to Tom, as if he expected validation for his daughter's innocence.
Through this interplay, Tom observed the family with keen interest. He noted how Abraxas was barely containing laughter, a mix of fondness and disbelief rolling through him. It was a glimpse into the ties that bound them, each member seemingly captivated by the orbit of Carina's presence even when she was absent.
"Believe it or not, she likely has them eating out of the palm of her hand," Tom mused, his tone flat yet piercing.
Lady Clotilda shot him an appreciative glance. "You understand her quite well," she remarked, a hint of relief in her tone. "It's not easy managing a daughter like Carina, I assure you. She's as fierce as she is lovely."
Tom mind racing with ideas. While the Malfoys fawned and fretted over Carina her beauty, her charm, her cunning he saw in her a mirror reflecting himself, a potential ally maneuvering her way through the treacherous waters of their society.
As the conversation continued, Tom sat back in his chair, his calculating mind mapping out the ramifications of Carina Malfoy's presence in the pureblood hierarchy. In her, he saw not just an intriguing family member but a potential pawn or perhaps even a queen upon the chessboard of their world.
The dinner continued, but Tom Riddle's thoughts were already racing ahead, weaving intricate plans to engage with the very girl whose absence echoed through the Malfoy domicile. He intended to explore the facets of Carina Malfoy, not merely as another scion of a powerful family but as a complex piece in a much larger game a game he had every intention of winning.