Fail Demon King

How different were these years from the history he knew?If telling the whole truth was like pouring a handful of beans out of a jar, the world would be so clear and simple.

Owen closed his eyes hard and then opened them again. Everything still had to start with the history of magic paper that gave him a headache until now—no matter how Tom would react after learning about this incident, it could not be avoided: " I don't know whether to say that was many years ago... or many years later." He carefully chooses his words, "How should I put it... You know, Tom, there are some magical questions that we will never find the answer to. , but they're real: I'm not actually living with you—"

"I know."

Owen thought he had heard it wrong, and once again, he asked in amazement with his mouth open: "--what?"

"I said I knew." Tom picked up his paper again. "That would explain why you always somehow know things you shouldn't know. I used to wonder, just not sure. Now— He raised the corners of his mouth and smiled indifferently, the newspaper was rattled, and the hat of the unlucky wizard on the front page completely fell off, "Enough is enough. Keep keeping your secret, Bi Li, there are some things I suddenly don't want to know."

Owen was stunned for a while, then stared at the man with the same face in confusion.He'd had a hard time deciding to tell it all, and now it seemed like he was trying to swallow a big lump of babo tuber back down his throat.Owen gritted his teeth involuntarily: "...For Merlin's sake, I never knew you were so fickle..."

"Really?" Tom gave Owen a nasty smile. "That's a pity, you should know."

"—really, it's all my fault," said Owen dryly, "but I have one more question to ask."

Tom looked at Owen's expression, his eyes flickered: "I know what you are going to ask. Tell me," he said lightly, "It's just according to the agreement, since you didn't tell the secret, then I also have the right to keep it My—so I don't promise to answer."

Owen touched his nose in annoyance, and was about to protest, but the deliberately cold expression of the man on the opposite side made the cloud of suspicion hovering in his heart bigger and bigger.With Merlin on top, Owen decided to try his luck. He said in a deep voice, "I just want to know one thing, Tom: Tell me—what happened to that assistant coach Benjamin?"

69 A summation method of speed of light transformation

Owen couldn't figure out why things took a sudden turn for the worse. After he blurted out his question, the atmosphere at the dinner table on Christmas morning dropped to freezing point instantly.

Chances are that the snowy outside is warmer than this living room.

Tom replied to Owen with a scornful sneer: "I'm sorry, I'm not going to give the answer to this question." He concluded without accommodating, "You can give up."

However, Owen continued to ask extremely stubbornly: "Tell me, why does he look so much like me in the past?"

--no answer.

"Who the hell is he? How did you know him?"

— still no answer.

Owen was supported by an inquisitive spirit—whether it was because of Tom’s indifferent and deliberately avoiding demeanor, a sudden surge of blood on his head made his lips tremble slightly, and he finally couldn’t bear it and said The last sentence: "Is it between you and him—"

However, it was obvious that some people couldn't bear his doubts - how could the Dark Lord have such a good temper.The unlucky "Daily Prophet" was the first to suffer. Owen saw that several wizards on the page had fled and disappeared out of the frame.

A powerful, almost visible form of anger emanated from the black-haired man sitting opposite the dining table, but only for a moment, that pressure was restrained by him without a trace.It's just that the obvious contempt and anger in his tone pierced Owen's heart: "Do you think--what will be between him and me?" Tom said softly with a pale face, "Or--you Already figured out what's between me and him? Great, so that's how you see me. Then define it however you want, explanations won't help, and I don't think I need to talk at all—after all," he sneered wryly "It's been 20 years, I think each of us must have changed, haven't we?"

Owen sat there stiffly, he pursed his lips tightly, unable to speak.

The two of them stared at each other in silence, each face becoming uglier than the other.

Owen, whose heart was beating so fast, finally couldn't help but speak, his voice was so dry: "I don't want to quarrel - especially after last night and this morning." He took a deep breath, pushed the table and stood up .The soreness all over his body seemed so comical, although the discomfort was almost unbearable when the gold stars burst out in front of his eyes.Owen tried to breathe evenly, "I think...in order to avoid unnecessary conflicts, I'd better go back to the dormitory first. Thank you for your breakfast, sir."

As soon as he finished speaking, the pile of gift packages piled up next to the sofa seemed to be pushed violently by an invisible hand, and scattered all over the floor with a bang!

However, Owen couldn't take care of it, the blood hit his eardrums, he knew that he didn't have such a good concentration—especially when facing his lover's deliberate concealment—similarly, he also firmly believed that his one would definitely Die hard to the end.Stay here any longer... that's enough, he doesn't want to continue thinking about it.Owen simply strode towards the living room door.Just go out from there, go through the outer office, and he can return to the familiar third-floor corridor——

However, Owen was suddenly held tightly by a hand.

Tom's strength was amazing, and the expression on his handsome face at this moment was simply shocking.The thin, twisted lips barely seemed to move, and his voice was so soft that it seemed to be hissing in Parseltongue: "—how dare you say it again!"

"..."

Tom stood up abruptly, and with a "bang", the chair was knocked over to the ground, but he didn't see it at all, just looked down at Owen condescendingly.Due to the pressure of height, Owen had to look up at him, and that ominous red light flashed in those heavy black eyes again.

——Merlin, being the lover of the Dark Lord is really hard work, Owen thinks he should have a reason to explode: "Seriously, Tom, I really don't understand why we are doing this!" He spoke very fast He said bitterly, biting the words fiercely as if chanting a series of curses, "In my opinion, you haven't changed at all—yes, it's been like this since you were a child, and no one will let you talk about things you don't want to say." You say it, but—is it really that difficult? Damn Merlin! Trying to figure out what's on your mind is like communicating with a mermaid. I really wonder if you're caught in a devil's net! Tell it straight, please. Is it so intolerable to tell me frankly what the hell you're thinking? If so—"

"Don't go."

Owen stopped suddenly, almost biting off the tip of his tongue.He looked up at Tom incredulously, blinking rapidly, and all the words that were about to burst out were choked back in his throat, making him cough violently.

The gleam in Tom's eyes was all too familiar to Owen—"Don't make me say that again!", said the flushed gaze—but Tom's cheeks twitched, and he finally uttered a hoarse sentence in a very low voice: "...Don't go."

The hand was so hard that one wondered if Tom was trying to break Owen's wrist.Out of the corner of Owen's eyes, he caught a glimpse of those slender fingers slightly white at the joints, and in the eyes of the haughty man in front of him, threats, stubbornness, hesitation, confusion, struggle and frustration flashed quickly—you are very happy It's hard to believe that a person can have so many emotions at the same time, but those deep and complex emotions are really gathered in one person, and finally merged into the pair of dark pupils that stared deeply at Owen, as if to suck him in .

Like a dragonskin bag leaked by a needle, Owen was suddenly discouraged.He looked away from Tom's gaze, and even stammered a little: "If, if this is the new way you used to fudge me——fudge me, I can only say... well done, That's been pretty productive, Tom."

"Prevarication of you?" The dark lord's usual sarcasm that can kill people reappeared, "I don't think I need to bother with it, I have already rejected you outright - as I said, I will not ask you to answer this question." won't answer."

Owen was so annoyed that he had to take several deep breaths before finally making a dry voice: "Ha!" He smiled unceremoniously, "Ha——now it's not like you just said 'don't go' It's about time, isn't it?"

Tom looked annoyed and frustrated.However, after a long time, he suddenly curled his lips and said quickly: "It's not true."

"……what?"

"What I said just now," said Tom, his eyes narrowing, and he paused for a moment, expressionless, "isn't true."

"..."

"There are indeed some things that are different, and you know what I'm talking about." Tom continued to speak quickly, and he was still staring at Owen—the boy's blue eyes reflected his pale shadow, which was not familiar to him. The color of his iris, but still the gaze he remembered, "But none of them matter. There's only one thing—"

He paused, his black eyes flickering: yes, only one thing will not change.Of course he'd have to get used to this different Billy Stubbs - or should it be Owen Scotch - but whatever his name was, there was a soul behind those clear eyes that made him want to kiss. The power of desire | desire.

Owen blinked hesitantly, but for some reason, he seemed to see the same hesitation in Tom's eyes—the tall man had a rare look of uncertainty on his face, he frowned and hesitated It took a while, and then finally leaned slightly.

Owen watched Tom slowly approaching him, and finally couldn't help it: "If you want to apologize in a tactful way, then forget it, this is not suitable for you." He sighed secretly and shrugged , motioning himself to surrender again, "You won. Let's call it a day, after all, I also—"

In the next second, a light kiss landed on the tip of his nose.

Owen was startled, and then he sneered helplessly: "Come on, I admit this: your kiss is like a confusing spell to me. But I'm sorry, things will definitely disappoint you," he pointed to his forehead, said sarcastically, "Slytherin's basic skepticism still remains somewhat, although as you said, there is not much room here—"

He couldn't continue because someone was biting the corner of his lips restlessly.

"It's really admirable," said the man who changed the summation strategy at the speed of light, and now he began to kiss Owen's cheek completely unscrupulously. The low and magnetic voice was like a seductive Imperius , "I don't think it's too much to give Slytherin two points for that..."

Owen gritted his teeth tightly, never letting that person take advantage of him: "Thank you for your generosity..." He managed to force out the words, "Sir."

"So—" the languid voice asked, "you give up?"

"I don't." Owen said bitterly, the long, thick eyelashes brushing his cheekbones so close that he was upset, "Don't get too proud, Tom, I reserve the right to question— —Save it until you want to take the initiative to confess to me."

Tom gave what seemed to be a short laugh. "Sensible decision." He paused, and finally made up his mind between those kisses. You explain clearly—from the beginning to the end, nothing is missing.” His tone was rare and sincere, but at the same time, he was too solemn, “The premise is that when I think it is the right time.”

"...Do you think the timing is right? You seem to think you can kiss until I completely forget about it," Owen said in a low voice, "Don't be too confident, Tom—"

"—be patient, it won't be long, I promise. So now," said Tom slowly, "you'd better be quiet."

"..."

Owen didn't say anything more, because the man who succeeded in a detour and successfully changed the subject had fixed the back of his head neatly, and then forcefully bit his lips.

So far, there is no need to go into details.

In any case, Owen had to go back to the dormitory - he couldn't spend the whole Christmas holiday imprisoned in the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, although some people would probably be happy to do so.

"I don't think it will hinder anything if you stay here," Tom said calmly while sitting behind his desk, he raised his eyes and looked at Owen calmly, "it happens that you have a paper to hand in after the holiday I -- if it doesn't satisfy me, you know what the consequences are."

"...after old Melos gave me two 'bad's in Defense Against the Dark Arts," Owen said dryly, "what do you think I care about?"

It wasn't all that good to think about, and Owen realized he'd been through the damn sixth year three times - as if he'd never graduate from Hogwarts, which was hopeless.The only good thing is that among this year's teaching staff, he finally found some resources that he can use——

"You know what your homework is," Owen said, giving Tom a hard look. "I've got to go into the X section of the library. And I'm not even in seventh grade—"

"So I'm signing your autograph." Tom said with a malicious smile, and he drew the end of the voice slowly, "If you don't get the ideal score in my class, Owen, then fate will be for you It's too cruel."

"..."

——This is irony, irony, and undeniable revenge!

The little owl Victor flew over chirping and happily landed on Owen's shoulder, as if completely unaware of his master's downcast look.Nagini gleefully hissed and spat out the letter.

——This is really enough, Owen doesn't want to stay here for a second, he desperately needs a glass of iced pumpkin juice to soothe his resentful mood.However, the man behind the desk looked quite happy. He was tapping on the table rhythmically with his index knuckles, but just as he was about to say something, there was a knock on the office door.

Owen frowned subconsciously and turned around—his first reaction was that the assistant coach Benjamin who had caused the quarrel between him and Tom had returned.

But Tom obviously didn't think so.As if he knew who the person outside the door was, he said flatly, "Come in."

—the door swung open.

Owen and the person who came in were stunned at the same time.

A head of platinum-blond hair was tied neatly with a dark green ribbon, and even though he was surprised, he still maintained his manners and demeanor—Lucius Malfoy slightly opened his pale gray eyes, and looked at Owen in dismay.

70 A student who received extra attention

In the underground tunnel, Lucius and Owen walked side by side.Two feet apart, the two were silent and said nothing, each thoughtful.

After passing an old torch soaked in pine oil, they suddenly said at the same time: "You—"

Owen stopped.Lucius coughed twice: "The presents you received are still piled up at the foot of the bed. Levins has come to see you twice... Merry Christmas."

"I wish you happiness too." Owen said softly, "I didn't expect you to come early on Christmas morning to sign... I thought you had already finished writing that paper on Inferi."

"—Aren't you too? There is a section that I didn't explain very clearly, and the information is limited. It's better to go to the □ area." Lucius said plainly, and he slightly raised the corners of his mouth, "I thought Slater I am the only one who works so hard in the forest, Owen. You are really unexpected, that professor must be very pleased..." Now Lucius did not have the look of surprise when he just stepped into the office, he calmly brushed the cuffs of his robe , When he saw Owen's expression, he paused slightly, "——what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Owen turned his head calmly and looked ahead.In fact, the idea that popped up in his mind made him feel astonishingly weird: Lucretia and Labraxas' son, Lucius, and now they were roommates—Merlin!

"I'm going back to write a letter to my mother," Lucius said, as they were almost at the entrance to the Slytherin common room. "Aren't you going to the library?"

"I'll go back and open the presents first." Owen muttered, they stood still in front of the stone wall, and he read out the command, "Dignity."

"Password changed," said Lucius, "—'Secret Treasure.'"

The stone door opened slowly.

The fire in the dormitory was blazing, and the small round window was filled with sparkling light.Owen sat cross-legged at the foot of the bed and unwrapped the pile of packages—Mrs. Scooby sent a large package. In addition to the new pocket watch and a memo that would automatically remind you of things that Mr. Long letter—"Eat well, take classes well," the gentle lady wrote countless similar trivial sentences, "I am not very relieved to entrust you to Levins. I visited Mrs. Malfoy recently..." Finally , she ends with a cryptic, metaphorical remark: "Looking forward to coming home for the summer, you can't miss the big news - I'm sorry I can't reveal it now - you should have been home for Christmas, Huo Gewarts is not thousands of miles away from Essex."

—— Owen was a little puzzled, but he understood that he should also reply a long letter on this.

Owen sent a cane, he seems to be in France now; Levins sent a rare set of miniature broomstick models, he obviously came to Owen, wrapped with a letter flying under the ribbon The note: "Thank you for the handmade scarf, Owen, although I'm amazed that you could knit that..." Owen stared at the note for a long time without knowing what Levins was talking about.After a while, he found another piece of paper in the gap of the package, which was still left by Levins: "Sorry, I misunderstood, the handmade scarf is from my mother... Of course I love you more My broomstick care kit!"

The other packages were miscellaneous, and there were a few people he didn't know at all, such as Stephanie Glausef and Mad Buster.In the end, he opened the "World Encyclopedia of Spells" given by Lucius. The gold letters on the cover were shining brightly - this must be caused by genetic blood. In Owen's impression, Lucretia gave him a copy that was exactly the same.

"Thank you," Owen turned his head and said to Lucius who was sitting at the desk writing a letter, "It just so happens that this book will be used in Charms."

"You're welcome," Lucius leaned on the table, and the tip of the quill was quickly drawn across the parchment, "I like the gift you gave me very much, too." He seemed to be writing with extra force, brushing every stroke It rang, "I am much more satisfied than what my parents gave me."

"What did they... give you?"

"My mother gave me half a dozen silver ribbons." Lucius replied slowly after a long time. "It must be at her behest that my father gave me the other half dozen—dark green ones."

Owen would have laughed if Lucius's voice hadn't been so gloomy - that's right, it's definitely Lucretia's job, but it's kind of a shame she didn't send her son a jar of candied pineapple Accident.

Some aquatic creature swam over and bumped against the window, making a soft "bang".Lucius let out a deep breath, waved it away with his hand, bowed his head to write a few words, and then reached out and pressed his temple.Lucius's frown could be seen from the side, and Owen had no doubt that the heir of the Malfoy family must be hesitating at this moment—should he simply cut that damned hair short?

Soon, Owen found that he and Lucius could not continue to stay quietly in this closed room - the Slytherin dormitory for two people, the flames burning in the carved fireplace, the dark green four-poster bed, the round window with blue waves With a roommate who was writing something at his desk—all of this was too special for Owen.

Owen decided to go to the library, the Defense Against the Dark Arts dissertation was urgently needed.The penny-pinching professor had completely disregarded their special relationship on this point, and Tom's gleeful smile seemed to predict that he would not be flexible about Owen's final grades.

It was hopeless—Owen said hello to Lucius and walked out of the dormitory—and Tom's prophecy came true, and Lucius never said a word about his Christmas Eve stay.

Owen was extremely eager to find two difficult problems from the library, so that he could knock on the door of the office on the third floor again logically.However, reason tells Owen that everything needs to be restrained. Of course, I don't know how many eyes are on that person-whether he is Voldemort or Tom Riddle.

Countless histories are different from what Owen knows. This is like an age distorted in the cracks of time and space. The secret of the future is only revealed, which cannot but be worrying.It's not necessarily a bad thing not to tell Tom everything, Owen rubbed his nose and smiled wryly - the conceited Dark Lord would never be led by the nose by some damn prophecy.Owen didn't want to play the role of a prophet of wisdom in front of Tom at all, not to mention countless facts proved one point: the more you want to control everything, the easier it is to be self-defeating.

The future seems to be full of thorns. Owen really hopes that he is the son of Samson or Thetis, so that it will be easier and less laborious.However, it seems that the gods have not given him supernatural power, and he and Tom can only continue to explore the unknown——

However, his groping in the real world was obviously not successful—Owen was too engrossed in thinking, and he slammed into a armor standing sideways in the corridor on the second floor with a "bang" head-on.The poor old thing made an ominous, crunching sound, and Owen put his hands to his forehead with a hiss, trying his best to ignore the sneers from the Gryffindors passing by.

After the Christmas break, even the last chance for students to survive is gone.

The only courses that Owen could afford to deal with were Potions and Transfiguration. However, even the always loose old slug began to entangle in various small details, and the straw that weighed on the students could not help but continue There is one more.But none of these can be an excuse to avoid the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. When the professor stood on the podium, he was as cold and strict as ever. There was a rare warmth in the dark eyes.

- Talking with the eyes is a trick they have been familiar with since their teenage years, and it is now effortless to do it.

However, at the same time, even the most obtuse student can discover one thing: the prominent professor is obviously partial to Slytherin, as if to counterbalance this, there is always a hapless student in the college Tormented by endless weekends of confinement.

Once, when walking out of the classroom, Owen vaguely heard a Ravenclaw girl saying to a Gryffindor next to her: "...that poor Scott."

The real wise man is Lucius: "Honestly," he glanced at Owen before they walked out the door together, "I don't think you're actually as depressed as you seem."

Another Potions class on Friday.

"Oh, that smells good," Slughorn sniffled, exclaiming excitedly as he stared at Owen's cauldron towards the end of get out of class. "Excellent Love Potion formula...it smells so good."

All the other students were staring at him, wondering what the chubby Potions teacher had smelled.Owen speculated darkly that there would be nothing but the aroma of the pastry shop.

"Wonderful, boy! It's a perfect work. There's a saying that only a man in love can make the most impeccable love potion. Of course, I've always scoffed at it..." Slater Horn patted Owen on the shoulder cheerfully, "Nonsense, isn't it?"

——Thanks to Merlin, the get out of class bell rang at this moment.Thank goodness Owen didn't have to face a few jealous Gryffindor looks anymore. He happened to meet Lucius' gaze when he turned his head, and unexpectedly, those light gray eyes immediately moved away as if nothing had happened. up.Owen believed that he must have read it correctly: Lucius must have bowed his head and smiled quickly, if there is no place.

— Well, Owen realized with dismay, the cunning and clever Malfoy must have realized something.

The people in the classroom quickly left in disorder, and Owen also packed his schoolbags and prepared to rush out.Slughorn stopped him, however.The potions teacher's walrus-like beard was slightly raised: "I was looking for you, Owen," he looked at Owen slightly reproachfully, "If I remember correctly, you have never attended my small weekend party this semester Isn't it? It's so sad."

"However," Owen made a rather apologetic and regretful look, "Sir, Professor Voldemort put me in confinement this weekend."

Slughorn's eyes widened in disbelief: "Confinement again?" He muttered under his breath, but Owen heard it clearly, "My God, how did the students in my own academy offend him?" He clearly Clearing his throat, he turned to Owen with an ugly face, "To be honest, I seem to remember that you have been in confinement since the beginning of school, don't you?"

"Yes, sir." And it is very likely that he will be locked up forever - Owen concealed the second part of the sentence, and at the same time lowered his head slightly, trying to look more woebegone.

Slughorn waved his hand in frustration, indicating that Owen could go.This was exactly what he wanted, and the classroom was still filled with the smell of the love potion that Owen had just concocted: the sweetness of the tempting pumpkin pie, the light fragrance of the beds in the dormitory dried after being smoked, and a clean and cold——

He came out of the basement classroom with big strides and ran up to the third floor.It was dinner time, and the hallway was rather quiet, save for a few portraits gathered together and chatting in low voices.Owen tried his best not to look so happy, but he really couldn't wait. If it wasn't for the usual etiquette requirements, he would almost run away.

He stopped in that familiar office, and before he had time to knock on the door, someone opened it as if he hadn't predicted it.

"Sorry," Owen stood there, panting slightly, he couldn't help grinning, and said in a low voice, "Potions class was delayed—"

"—you're pretty punctual." A languid voice interrupted him, and Owen's familiar smile flashed in those dark eyes. "Excellent, Sco, I'm so relieved."

===========================================

The author has something to say: let me say it weakly...

Recovery day update~

I wish you all a happy reading!

╭(╯3╰)╮

71 A side-by-side snow trek

Nagini and Victor were out of the office, Little Owl was back at Sita, and for Nagini's size, the long hours in the office were too suffocating for her.

Owen hadn't seen Benjamin since Christmas, and the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor made an announcement in his second class after the Christmas break: "You won't have teaching assistants," he said coldly. Looking at the stack of papers handed in on the table, the corners of his lips curled up with a hint of sarcasm, "Although I really hope he can stay here to help me with these terrible homework. I never thought that in this world What else can torture me so much: Some people in my class are completely beyond redemption," he chuckled grimly, "and there's a paper with red jam—"

Owen was taken aback at the time, but Merlin blessed him for not being the hopeless man Tom was talking about.Because in the next second, the professor twisted his lips and completed the second half of the sentence: "——Gryffindor and Hufflepuff will deduct ten points."

Now, only Owen and Tom are in this warm office, and he can finally ask a question: "—Really, where is Benjamin?" He made a declarative gesture with his hand, "Come on—don't look at me that way, I want to ask about his whereabouts and it doesn't violate our agreement. Of course," he shrugged, "you can still choose not to answer."

Unexpectedly, Tom glanced at Owen and said calmly, "I left him to deal with other things. You won't see him at school again." Stepping up to Owen, "I knew that if there is anything particularly tough in this world, it must be your curiosity—it is simply invincible."

Owen gave him a hard look, and retorted: "Yes, but nothing compared to your tight-lipped. I believe, Tom, you are definitely the most difficult fortress in the world-truly indestructible."

"But it's a pity," said Tom with a chuckle, "that we don't need either of those good qualities to-night."

Owen took a step back vigilantly, and he slightly raised his head to look up at the hideously tall man: "So, what do you want to do tonight? Announce in advance," he said with deep hatred, "I will never sit on the bed and recite "Black Man" to you again. "Compendium of a History of Magic", so that in the end—" He stopped suddenly, his ears were slightly red, and Owen coughed twice harshly, "In any case, don't even think about it—never."

"Don't panic, Owen, we can think of something new to do during this week's confinement." Tom folded his arms and said, against the background of the fire in the office, a rare warm color appeared on his handsome face.After a pause, he suddenly frowned, "You didn't wear a cloak?"

"I didn't know we were going out." Owen responded, "If necessary, I can go back and get it—"

He choked, for Tom had handed him a black traveling cloak, and the tall man said, "Mine."

Owen stared at the cloak for a while, his eyebrows twitched uncontrollably: "...Thank you, old man," he said with difficulty, "but I... can I refuse your kindness?"

Tom raised his eyebrows impatiently, then unfolded the cloak and put it on Owen.He must have done so little of it that he even seemed a little clumsy when he fastened those silver buttons on Owen.But of course, he was so clever that he figured out the trick pretty quickly.

Owen stared blankly at those pale and slender fingers working nimbly, and soon the silver buttons were fastened from his chest to his chin smoothly.Owen was almost stunned. He stared at Tom's long eyelashes drooping down. Against the backdrop of bright candles, they flapped rapidly and were covered with orange light.He was watching so intently that he forgot why he had refused to put on Tom's cloak until—

"Okay," said Tom softly. He glanced at Owen with satisfaction, raised his eyebrows suddenly, pulled a nasty smile, and lifted the corner of his cloak. "Oh—I see," he said slowly. , "Mopped the floor."

"..."

Owen was so angry that Venus shot out in front of his eyes, he gritted his teeth and couldn't say a word