Tom Stark-Malfoy

*December 23 - 6:20 pm*

"Where are we going? I thought you were going to have some people look for my father. If you lied to me, I will hex you with all my magic, and I warn you, it won't end pretty."

"Woah, calm down. I already sent the message to the head auror office. I'm sure they're looking for your father right this moment."

"When? With what? I was with you the whole time."

"When you were filling out the form. I had Bakby deliver it."

"Bakby?"

"Yes, my house elf."

Oh. Shortly after that conversation we had arrived at another building which was larger but held many similarities to the previous one. I was lead to a plain wide room while Potter was told to wait outside. In the room were two wizards who looked like seasoned aurors, they immediately begin asking me questions like how I knew magic, or if I knew what kind of magic I used. Of course, I gave them half answers.

After the interrogation they started informing me of all the laws all wizards must know about, including Rappaport's Law. Proceeding to warn me of how my actions were very much against the law, however, I have been pardoned considering my status as a minor and my ignorance of the wizarding world. I will not however, be pardoned from the law after I leave the room.

It surprised me to find out that America, Land of the Free, was even more strict in comparison to the U.K. when it comes to muggle (No-Maj) interaction. I can't tell anyone about me being a wizard, not even my father.

This soon led to me inquiring about Ilvermorny, and as it turns out, there arose a lot of problems I didn't know of before. Apparently, Ilvermorny school of witchcraft and wizardry only accepts students within the county. This is also apparent in other schools around the world such as Hogwarts, which means, coming my 11th birthday, I will be accepted into Ilvermorny and not Hogwarts.

I also have to attend since remaining in the No-Maj world as a No-Maj is out of question. You can't give up your magic, nor can you simply stop using it because of the danger of becoming an obscurious. They did not say it directly, however, I could conclude from their words that if I refuse to abide by the law and not use magic outside of the wizarding world, I would be severely punished and taken away from my own family seeing as they are not magical.

But to compensate, they have an entire system that would hide them from the No-Maj and not just disappear like what happens in Britain. As soon as muggles get their Hogwarts letter, they disappear from the muggle system (no schools, no work). Here, even if the interaction between the No-Maj government and the MACUSA is completely non-existent, to prevent No-Maj interference, they forge doc.u.ments.

Thus, when I enter Ilvermorny, the No-Maj world including my father, would believe that I entered some other No-Maj school. They also offered to have me take private lessons every week (which is actually just to have me release pent up magic, to once again prevent the creation of an obscurious, until I am of age to enter school). I must say, their system is brilliant but sadly I have no intentions of attending Ilvermorny.

I also found out that American wizards are quite welcoming when it comes to entering the wizarding world but are fearsome if you refuse. The scowl on the face of one of them could rival Death's, and this happened only because I said that I didn't want to go to Ilvermorny.

His face softened a little (from iron to stone), when I said I wanted to go to Hogwarts. It was not impossible per say, but highly unlikely unless I went to live there or was enrolled there by my guardians but again, is highly unlikely since Hogwarts has a different system when it comes to enrolling students. One which they refused to elaborate on.

There were neither any clocks nor windows in the room, so when I got out, I saw a sleeping grown man on a bench, facing away from a window to the far left which showed the night sky.

Does Potter not have a family? I sneered but deep inside me, there was a warmth that spread out at the man who did not leave. Images flashed through my mind of various times when people left me, either willingly or unwillingly. There was father, mother, and Crabbe, who left the world without saying goodbye. Pansy, Blaze, and Goyle who turned their backs away in favor of following the Dark Lord. Nott tried to kill me after his father was killed, he blamed it on me which was absolutely ridiculous. I've been Tony's son for 7 years but we only ever got along earlier this month. . .

I can't think of anyone else. Pepper is just about as absent from my life as money is to the Weasleys, understandable since I really have no real relation to her whatsoever.

. . . wow . . .

This is the first time it truly donned on me how alone I was. . .

I looked back at the sleeping man with drool slowly falling down his chin.

He is the first to have stayed.

After a few seconds I believed the moment of contemplation and peace had ended when the drool started dripping to his shirt. Disgusting.

I raised my hand and gave a hard slap to the back of his head, waking him up from his slumber.

"Stop drooling on everything! Just go home already you celibate."

"Wh-wha? Why you brat, don't you know how to respect a.d.u.l.ts!"

I snicker at the man's imitation of a sleepy Neapolitan Mastiff.

"A.d.u.l.t? where? I can't see one."

"Why you~"

My snicker turns into full blown laughter as he fully gets up from his seat, revealing to the world his eccentric style of straight flat hair on one side and a raging mane on the other.

"Come here you brat! I should teach you a lesson on respecting your elders!"

His threat falls flat on his grinning bemused face. He wipes off the remaining drool on his face with the cuff of his sleeve as he approaches me with that sleeve prominently raised towards me.

"Goss! How disgusting, get that sleeve away from me!"

"Hahahaha, You're not getting away!"

That night, I didn't notice my sneer had turned into a sincere smile.

After a few minutes of running and laughing (Yes we were long gone from the MACUSA building), we were resting on a bench in a park close to the residential areas.

"Well then, it's about time for dinner, would you care to join me and my family for dinner?"

"Family? I didn't know you had a family."

"Well I had to come from somewhere."

". . . Ah, your mum and dad."

"Did you just-? I feel like you just mocked me."

"I did no such thing, you did it on your own."

"Wha-! . . . brat."

I smirk at his baffled face. He's so easy to read. We joked and laughed all the way to his parent's house. By joking, I meant he would continue to barrage me with lame jokes and poor conversation topics as I reply with cynical comments and wordplay. The story of his co-worker's lazy eye that allows him to observe everyone in a wide spectrum isn't usually a choice of topic I would prefer to dwell on, but any form of happiness and distraction is welcome right now.

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Mr. and Mrs. Potter looked like a lovely couple. The size and magnificence of Potter Manor was quite surprising, though it wasn't as luxurious nor exorbitant as Malfoy manor, it was well maintained and homely. Only those trained in high class would notice the true magnificence of the designs and furniture of the rather simple-looking home.

It was probably built around the 16th century following the Jacobean style. It's intricate three dimensional design, and blend of Nacre(Mother of Pearl) in umnnini(Pink Ivory) is subtle but otherwise breathtaking. It's vintage design was comforting to my eyes which were tired of 21st century 'modern' designs. However. . .

What was out of place and yet not was the obvious Ikea picture frame hanging at the center of the left wall. . . That is certainly Ikea, sure it looks vintage but I know it's Ikea. I saw it posted online last week while looking for a frame for my graduation photo.

"Mom! Dad! This is Tom, would it be alright if he eats dinner with us?"

I turn to look at the surprised couple as they looked at each other, silently conversing on who was informed about my sudden presence. Both came to an understanding that neither of them were informed by their son and turned with a resignated look.

"Of course son, but who might you be? Why aren't you with your family? They must be worried sick!"

Potter. . . or should I say Samuel, to prevent confusion, scratches the top of his head as he laughs and tries to explain the whole situation with broken phrases and exaggerated gestures.

"I'm Tom. Tom Stark. My father is missing at the moment and aurors took me away from my home for using too much magic."

"W-what?!" Mr. Potter exclaims, flinching at the almost unnoticeable jab from his wife.

Mrs. Potter kneels down to my level and places both hands on my shoulders.

"You are welcome to stay for as long as you like. But if I may ask, why did they take you away from your home?"

Before I could answer, Samuel cuts in and whispers to her ear, but I could still hear it.

"His house was destroyed, some of my colleagues have already gone to investigate and find his father. Don't worry mom, he's proven to be a very strong and m.a.t.u.r.e boy."

. . . He probably thinks I would burst out again or get chocked up if I had to answer her myself.

*sigh* Considering my recent emotional imbalances and outbursts, I don't blame him.

That evening might have been one of the happiest since I was reborn. but. . . Though the Potters were all fine company, they weren't family.

When it was time to rest, they had me stay in one of their guest room, it was spacious and just as homely and comfortable looking as the rest of their house. Adorned with light shades of beige, burgundy, and cream.

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The sky was painted grey, covered with gloomy clouds that cast shadows on the grounds bellow. The air was suffocating, drowning everyone in it's ghostly silence.

"Draco."

Father? he held out his hand for me to take. But I- I don't want to. He's there. I look around me at the faces of my classmates, scornful, jeering. Like they expect me to be what they think I am. A dark wizard.

Stricken with terror, I want to run- hide. My hands wont stop shaking with fear. My breath caught in a hitch in my throat. I could feel my pulse quickening, getting stronger with every beat.

"Draco."

My mother calls out. I don't want to go, but I have to. I have to.

"Draco!"

Father is getting impatient. My muscles tense up, but mother's serene voice reassures me.

"come."

My mind completely goes blank and my body starts walking involuntarily, I don't fight back since I know I can't.

I- I remember now, this happened before. But what comes next?! I can't remember.

Harry! Harry will save-.

Time comes to a still. Everything starts to disappear as I see Potter's bloody lifeless corpse

laying stiff on the dusty cold hard stone floor.

"Why?! Why does it have to be him?! Why can't it be you! You foul loathsome evil little c.o.c.kroach! Why did you kill him?!"

{What? B-But I didn't kill him. I didn't do it. It wasn't me! I didn't kill him! I-}

"That's right. You killed someone else, didn't you?"

I watch horrified as the body morphs into a rather familiar one. Dumbledoor.

My breath was caught in my throat, the whole world seemed to get colder as the same fear I felt at that time returned in full force, making me feel nauseous and feeble.

{N-No, I- I didn't mean to I. 'H-He' would have killed me, m-my family- I couldn't-}

Stepping backwards, my foot landed on something soft. I swiftly turn around, my wand pointed at my attacker.

{Mother? Father?}

I looked down at the sleeping bodies of my parents. They were stiff, pale, and unmarked. The mark of the killing curse.

"Murderer!"

"Sc.u.m!"

"Psychopath!"

"Death Eater!"

What? No. NO! I'm not! I'm-

"Draco."

Tony? I turn around and see my dad smiling at me.

{Dad! Hurry, let's go! I don't want to stay here anymore.}

I wait for him to lead, but he doesn't move.

{Dad? Daddy? Please dad, I-.}

I reach out and take his hand. It felt so cold. Suddenly a rotting stench penetrated my nose.

Where did-?

I tug at my dad's hand and could see it tear off. There was no blood just rotting tissue and bones. I scream and throw it away.

{Dad?}

I could hear my voice quivering. I stare at his eyes, dull and unmoving.

"""""Your fault! Your fault! Your fault! Your fault! Your fault!"""""

Voices were screaming in my head. Young and old, man and woman. Their voices assaulted my head with roaring volumes aiming to destroy me from the inside. Every voice was familiar and accusing, breaking me.

All of a sudden the voices tone down into a bone-chilling whisper.

"You killed them."

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*December 24 3:00am*

I woke up with a jolt, a thin layer of cold sweat blanketed my forehead and completely dampened my shirt. Shaking the blanket off and getting out of bed, the cold floors of December crept through my toes spreading to the rest of my body.

"Shite."

I rub off the sleepiness from my eyes, only to notice the damp state of my cheeks as well.

I cried? Shite, I cried.

A hot bubbling feeling rose from my stomach and I darted to the bathroom, regurgitating the contents of last night into the toilet bowl. I heaved before an acidic smell entered and burnt my nose. Quickly flushing it, I pull myself up and lean over the sink. Rinsing my mouth, I accidentally look up into the mirror and see my horrible looking face.

My hair stuck to my head, damp from sweat. Eye bags that were terribly dark and surrounded my eyes like a panda's. Chapped lips and ghostly pale skin, I could pass as a ghost in Hogwarts.

After showering and putting on some decent clothes that I found ready for me in the armoire (A house elf probably got it ready), I looked outside noticing that the sun has yet to come up.

Samuel says that his people are looking for my dad, but I can never be too sure unless I do it myself.

Before leaving I should prepare. . . I can't leave so empty-handed like last time. I have my

phone, though it died out a couple hours ago and there's no way I could charge here. I doubt there would be an outlet o a charger laying around in an old Victorian-styled house. Money, I should have a couple galleons or dollars. . . Though the house elf may not mind me moving around before dawn he would certainly alert the Potters if I were to 'borrow' a couple galleons.

I can't ask for money since I don't want them to know I'm leaving. For sure I wouldn't be able to roam around the house to look for things I might need lest I alert their elf with my 'suspicious' behavior. . .

Straight to the fireplace it is for me then. Knowing that as soon as I step out the guestroom door, it may be a race against time so I raise my hand and wave it over myself.

[Silencio minima]

This was my noise (footsteps) would be minimized but would leave just enough sound for me to use the fireplace. I rush down the hallway and down the stairs to arrive at the fireplace in the living room.

Jumping in, I grab a handful of floo powder and proceeded to say the name of a barely noticeable dark alley I caught a glimpse of while we were walking towards the MACUSA office.

If I'm right, then that place would be the Malibu (or someplace in California) version of Knockturn alley and they wouldn't really care about a not yet 10 year old boy roaming around.

"Amorr Alley."

I could feel a pull from my navel which immediately rekindles the nausea I had finally gotten over. I should work on getting used to it soon. Stepping out of the fireplace, the old floorboards bellow me feet creak under my weight, and greeted by the dead silence of the night, could have just been as loud as a train.

"A customer?"

I look up to see a bald wrinkly old man, glaring at me with his permanent sneer.

"No. . . Pardon me, I just came to use the floo."

His face scrunches up into an unappealing scowl. He looks a lot like a pug, a big, ancient, severely misshapen pug.

Ow!

Before I realized it, the back of my collar was gripped fiercely and I was thrown out of his inn, landing with my behind first, falling on the cold, dirty, and slightly wet ground. So much for not caring, he didn't even blink before throwing out a child into the streets! Well, at least this is more convenient when maintaining inconspicuous. People who would care would probably report me as a missing child to the nearest government office.

I stand up, rubbing my sore body part. But still. . .

How dare he be that rude! I could buy his entire inn if I wanted to!

I could have easily handled that situation if I had money. Then he might even be grovelling at my feet, begging for more gold. They always do. Where am I anyway? I turn around and read the sign hanging diagonally on the inn.

"The Motley Minotaur"

Where do I go now? I severely underestimated my situation. I doubt that man would give me directions if I were to return. I should have taken a few coins from Potter! . . . wait, there's Gringotts!

Maybe I could get a few Galleons. . . I have no vault, and there's no way they would loan without a huge interest. I'd rather stay penniless for a few days than get on their bad side or get labeled as an easy target.

Where to go. . . Left or right?

On the left, at the end of the street is a brick wall, there are probably more shops around the corner. On the right is an arch and a bright street lit with flashing christmas lights and late carousers returning from their night before christmas parties.

If this were a couple years ago I would certainly go left, but considering my current age and lack of money. . . right it shall be.

The closer I got to the bright and active street, the more unnerved and anxious I was becoming.

Why though? It's not like there is danger lurking around the corner. . . Alright, maybe there is, but it isn't the first time I was alone walking in unfamiliar streets. Might it be because I haven't a penny or a map on me? . . . Well that certainly is plausible.

. . .

I shook my head to get rid of any lingering nerves and strode towards the bright street. I wouldn't get anything done by dawdling around. I need to get my head straight.

First I return to muggle Malibu, or muggle where ever I am right now, and to do so I have to find the place that serves as the connection point between the muggle and wizarding worlds. In London it was a pub and a train station so here it must be a similar place. A place where people could disappear without anyone noticing.

There is no shortcut to finding it, but my greatest chance is in finding someone who still hasn't worn his/her cloak or robes after entering which is highly unlikely unless that person is rushing.

As my feet monotonously drag my fatigued body down the shadowed parts of the street, my eyes actively scan for any clues as to where I was and where the transition area/building is. Could it be in central hall? or through an old brick wall?

It has been about 15 minutes of so since I passed the MACUSA district office and the small shops have vanished and in their place are large buildings- each several stories high with a couple of meters between them.

Just as I was about to turn around and head back to Amorr Alley where I might find an opening wall (The wall I saw at the left end of Amorr Alley is starting to look much more suspicious and inviting in my memory compared to my current fruitless attempt at observing the random passersby and buildings). I saw just the person I was looking for. A middle-aged woman who held a parcel in one hand and her wand on the other. What was truly significant about her was the fact that she was wearing normal jeans, trainers, and a parka, before magically casting on a long black wizarding cloak with a wave of her wand.

How much luck have I been saving up for this moment to happen?!

I look up and read the letters above the double doors of the large building before taking back my words. I am not lucky at all!

Are you meaning to tell me, that the building which connects the muggle and wizarding communities is the main MACUSA building?! Barmy Barnabas' Trolls, How am I supposed to pass by unnoticed in a high security government building?!

Just how much bad karma have I pilled up in my past life to receive this much retribution now? Salazar, I swear to you, if I manage to slip through undetected, I will never badmouth another Potter. Unless they deserve it.

I can't risk to wear any disillusionment charms so my greatest chance at passing by unnoticed is to hide my face with a hood. Rather than a child, pretending to be a dwarf would bring much less attention since pretending to be a goblin or an elf is out of question.

Still my stature is too slim compared to dwarves, I should stuff my arms and torso with clothes to look broader.

I hide around the corner of a nearby building and remove my scarf. Waving my hand over the green wool, I whisper a barely audible word.

[Engorgio]

A faint icy blue light follows after my hand, falling onto the fabric. Within a second, the article of clothing expands to almost thrice the size it was before. Taking off my cloak, I wrap it around by arms and torso, smoothing out any bumps that would make it look unnatural and put by cloak back on. Just in case, I secure the front slit of my cloak with a sticking charm so I wont easily get busted.

*sigh*

There are too less people at 3 in the morning. But if I wait till 6, the Potters may have already noticed my absence and take action.

There's no other way. I have to do this now.

I take one step out of the shadows and take a deep breath.