43: A Change in the Tide

"I still can't believe it," said Fleamont for the fifteenth time.

Instead of joking with him, Abraxas stayed silent. He knew Fleamont was struggling with warring emotions from the information overload on two of his friends.

It had been over an hour since Hermione had told them her secret. An hour since she left. An hour since Fleamont learned the truth about Tom's secrets, though Abraxas had the feeling that Hermione knew even more than what was said. An hour had passed and the two of them were still in the library, missing breakfast.

"I can't believe it."

Abraxas sighed. "You better believe it. Now, come on. There's still time to catch breakfast, I hope."

"How can you even think about eating?" Fleamont shot a brown steely gaze at him. "You've been darker ever since Kathleen."

There was that name again. Everyone always talked about that dead Gryffindor in hushed whispers while giving him sympathetic looks. Something itched at the back of his mind. It was as if he was forgetting something.

He was tempted to ask Fleamont what the deal was between him and a girl he could barely remember. One look at Potter told him that he should probably save his questions for another day.

"I'm not a dark wizard, if that's what you're thinking," said Abraxas instead. He knew that was where his friend's mind was probably going.

Fleamont sighed and leaned back into his seat. "I know. It's just. . ."

"A lot to take in," finished Abraxas.

"Yeah." Fleamont glanced towards the entrance of the library behind him. "We missed breakfast, didn't we?" When Abraxas nodded, Fleamont sighed. "I have snacks stored in the quidditch locker room." Fleamont stood up and stretched.

"Should have known. They probably won't last once I know where they are," grinned Abraxas. He went to stand up to follow Fleamont but a searing pain in his arm caused him to fall back down. Tom was calling him? A meeting at this time?

Fleamont glanced at Abraxas with worry. "What's wrong?"

Abraxas offered a weak grin. "The dark lord calls." Fleamont scrunched his brows together in confusion. Abraxas rolled up the sleeve to his shirt to reveal the writhing snake on his arm. "All of the Knights of Walpurgis have one. It's Tom's way of summoning us."

Fleamont did the unexpected. He flashed Abraxas a large smile that told him that Potter had an idea. "Wait here for me." Before Abraxas could ask or protest, Fleamont was off.

. . . .

Abraxas held the door to the Room of Requirement open just a little longer than necessary. "I can't believe we're doing this," sighed Abraxas.

"Believe it," whispered Fleamont from underneath his Invisibility Cloak.

If they get caught, he was so going to murder Fleamont. If they managed to get away with it, he was going to have to borrow Fleamont's Invisibility Cloak. Who knew the guy had something that handy lying around. At least Abraxas now knew how Fleamont never got busted for sneaking out past curfew.

The rest of the Knights of Walpurgis were already in the room. So was Tom. Abraxas was screwed for being this late. Maybe he would murder Fleamont anyhow.

"Malfoy. Nice of you to join us." Tom never used any of his knights' first names during meetings. It didn't make Abraxas feel any better.

He scurried over to an empty spot. He just hoped that Fleamont would stay in the far corner where none of the other knights were.

"Now that everyone is here, we can finally get down to business," started Tom. He stood in front of the group with his hands behind his back. "Now that Grindelwald and his followers are all banished to Azkaban, the ministry will be able to reorganize itself. I have already set a few pieces into play. A few of the graduated knights will be taking seats on the council. That will give us the foothold that we need to bring about change."

"A change to destroy the wizarding community," scoffed Parkison.

All eyes turned to the young Slytherin. "What was that?" asked Tom.

"Nothing, my Lord," said Parkison with a bright face. Abraxas knew what was coming to the boy but couldn't find himself to feel sorry for him.

"Now, please share with the rest of us. Your thoughts are very important to me." Tom flashed him a smile that was very snake-like.

Parkinson looked at the others, unsure of himself. He probably knew what the rest of them did, that this was a trap. "I believe that allowing the mudbloods to live will be our destruction. They are filthy blood that are practically insects."

Abraxas sighed with inner relief when Fleamont didn't act out. Now, if only he'll be able to stay silent for this next part.

"They may be insects, but we should not view them as such. Even insects can be deadly." Tom looked as if he was going to say more but stopped. His eyes narrowed slightly at something behind the group. "That is all. You are dismissed."

Everyone started shuffling out. They were all shocked and thrilled that Tom had not crucioed Parkinson. "Abraxas, you and your. . .companion may stay."

Blast! They've been busted.

The knights that were still in the room traded curious glances. They were all probably trying to figure out who Abraxas' 'companion' was. Tom shot them a glance which caused the knights to quickly shuffle out.

"My lord?" asked Abraxas hesitantly.

"There is no need for that." Tom turned to face the wall closest to the door. Abraxas turned to see what Tom was looking at and his jaw dropped. Fleamont's feet were visible.

"There's no need for the Invisibility Cloak."

Fleamont appeared above the spot where his feet were. The cloak fell to the ground in a pool of silver and red. "How did you know I was here?"

Abraxas couldn't help it. He faced-palmed himself. "You dafted idiot! Your shoes were showing!"

Tom shook his head as if he were amused by their charade. "I believe you are too tall for it." He turned to face Abraxas. One eyebrow was perfectly arched. "Why did you tell him?"

Fleamont jumped in before he could speak. "I had Abraxas fill me in on the blanks. I really needed answers after I cornered Hermione in the library."

Tom faced Fleamont with a dubious look. "You cornered Hermione?"

"Yeah. You should have told us the girl was a spy. And here I thought we finally found someone who can resist your charms."

"She told you?" Abraxas couldn't help but notice how shocked Tom looked. He apparently wasn't expecting Hermione to spill her secrets to anyone else.

"She did," confirmed Abraxas. "The details were a little vague."

Tom turned back to Fleamont. "You seem to be handling the news well."

"He's not. He had a mental breakdown in the library."

"Abraxas!" Fleamont turned to face Tom. "Honestly? I really want to kick your arse but I know you can easily beat me in a duel." Fleamont shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal. "I'll just have to kick your arse in quidditch."

"I would like to see that," smirked Tom.

Abraxas glanced between the two. Everything seemed to be fine but he was still feeling uneasy. "Are we all good?"

Tom nodded. "We are. I actually appreciate that you brought along the idiot. It stopped me from doing something that I would regret."

"Are you sure he's a dark wizard?" Fleamont asked Abraxas.

. . . .

Tom looked around Hogsmeade. The ground was completely covered in snow. It was strange to think that it felt like summer just a couple days ago.

Tom let out a breath. He watched as his breath turned into white tendrils. He started thinking about his grandmother and with a side step, he apparated.

He landed in the middle of a grand sitting room. His grandmother was sitting on a pink and gold settee. She looked up at the crack of his apparation.

"Tom," smiled Mary.

He did something that he never thought he would do. He walked over to the woman and gave her a hug. "Hello, grandmother."

Tom took a seat beside his grandmother. He reached into the pocket of his slacks and pulled out the ring that she had given him. "I came to give you this."

Mary's face fell when she saw the small object. "She said no?"

Tom laughed at her facial expression. He was really glad that he had decided to try to like muggles. Even if it was for Hermione's sake.

"Never got to ask her. She turned out to be a spy."

He watched as Mary's face morphed from shock to anger. "She used you?" Tom nodded. Mary rose to her feet and paced back and forth. Her tiny hands were balled into fists. "If I ever see that floozy, I'll-I'll!"

"You don't have to worry. You'll never have to see her again."

Mary turned to face him with a confused expression. "Why does it sound as if you don't want that to happen? Don't tell me you still love her?"

Did he? Yes. That was the only explanation for why he was still acting like he did when he was with her. Even if she was trying to get information on him, or kill him, or whatever it was that was her mission, he still loved her.

Mary plopped down next to him with all of the fight drained out of her. "Did she ever say what her mission was or why she was spying on you in the first place? She was spying on you, wasn't she?"

"No and yes. Truth is, I never let her explain her side," said Tom. Did he even want to hear her side?

"Has she tried?"

"I haven't given her the chance," admitted Tom.

Mary gave him a sympathetic look. "I don't really want you with her after hearing the news but you should always let the other side explain their actions."

Tom sighed inwardly. Was he being a coward for staying away from Hermione? Should he give her the chance to explain?

Maybe he should listen to his grandmother. He'll let Hermione explain her side. He could let her explain her side without getting back with her. Why did the thought cause him pain? Was he really that attached to her?

Mary patted his leg. "You are a smart boy. I'm sure you'll figure everything out."