Chapter Twenty-Six: A Summons from the Dark Lord

Abarax Malfoy was a peculiar boy.

He was one of the few purebloods who Cordelia had barely interacted with over the years, yet he was more respectful than most of the ones she had the misfortune of being associated with. Abarax was the epitome of a perfect pureblood boy, with his put-together looks and ambitious yet polite personality it was no surprise that he was one of the boys who had been betrothed early on.

Whether it be a parent or a potential partner, Abarax was everything anyone could ask for. However, in a way it was his perfection that was his shortcoming.

For Abarax might have seemed like all that and then some, but unlike Tom he didn't know how to uphold or use that image to his advantage, making him nothing but Tom Riddle's insignificant right hand in the eyes of Cordelia and many others.

Yet somehow that never got to him. In fact, Abarax seemed satisfied with being known as such.

Malfoys certainly weren't the type to serve, but with the way the blond boy before her upheld his duties Cordelia couldn't help but question his upbringing, after all, why else would someone dedicate their lives to serving someone?

"You don't get it, do you?"

Cordelia couldn't help but feel bashful as he finally looked up from the book in his hands, making it clear that her staring fest hadn't been as subtle as she thought it was.

"Not really."

"I understand. After all, you're not like me."

His response made Cordelia abandon her own book to instead rest her chin in her palm and give Abarax the attention he needed to continue.

"The two of you see the world differently, Cordelia."

Others would have thought of his response as perceptive, but all Cordelia could see it as was oblivious. After all, it the one who undermined his own capabilities was always the fool in the room, the other person just happened to be lucky enough to be paired with him, just like Tom was.

However, Cordelia wasn't keen on driving away the only person who she could actually hang out with over the past few days, especially not when it was Abarax who had taken to leading her to and from the kitchens and making an effort to ensure Tom's decision to isolate her from the others wasn't taking too hard of a toll.

Usually, she wouldn't have been the kind to be compliant, but even she knew better than to drive away her only source of information at the moment.

"The likes of you and Tom are the kind who will make history, I, however, will be fortunate to be able to stand by his side when he does."

It wasn't often someone of his stature admitted his shortcomings so openly.

Abarax's words had Cordelia wondering just how much work Tom had put into manipulating and converting the Slytherin boys, and whether it was truly the kind of expert mind games that would make them go to war for their lord and his shaky ideals.

The thought almost hurt her as Cordelia thought about the likes of Theodore, Orion, and Rodlphus, the people who were close to her heart but also, unfortunately, part of Tom's ranks. It was the thought of them that had her finally picking Abarax's brain in an attempt to make him see how wrong Tom was.

"And what of the repercussions?"

Abarax's personality seemed to do a complete turn-around at her words, with his dormant, almost bored, expression quickly turning into one of annoyance that was more befitting for a spoilt pureblood like him.

"You're growing, Cordelia. But so is he."

It was clear that he was avoiding any real conversations, however, Cordelia didn't get a chance to press Abarax further, for it was then that the blond finally revealed the reason he had been rereading the same two pages for the entirety of that afternoon, for nestled between his book was a letter Cordelia sought to burn the second she set her sights on it.

Of course, Tom would use his lackeys to do his bidding.

Cordelia had come to think of Abarax as a weak link of sorts over the past few days, someone she could use to gain intel on Tom while she remained right where he wanted her to, however, she should have known better than to think that a little bit of prodding could ruin five years of loyalty.

"You should talk to him. I'm not the only one who thinks this is the calm before one of his worst storms, and when it comes to Riddle it's best to stand on the sidelines than get caught in the winds."

He remained silent after that, simply sliding the piece of parchment to her end of the table and allowing Cordelia to quietly stare at the small slip of parchment in her hand while he finally flipped to the next page of his book.

The girls' lavatory on the second floor, 3 pm

Tom Riddle was always the unpredictable kind but she couldn't quite comprehend whether his latest decision was stupid or brave. After all, it wasn't every day a murderer invited another suspect to an old crime scene. As she followed Abarax out of the kitchens, Cordelia just hoped that this time Tom wasn't planning on making her the victim.