[HP] Dearest Enemy

The Christmas holidays are approaching, and Tom has received invitations from a bunch of people.Tom sighed, he wanted to stay in Hogwarts and spend Christmas with Harry quietly, but as a Slytherin prefect, this was obviously impossible.The invitations from the Malfoy family and the Black family cannot be declined, and neither can Selwin and Lestrange. Even Alex sent him a formal invitation letter.Harry got a copy too, and he gladly wrote back to Alex on Tom's behalf.It's a good thing to get to know pure-blood wizards, Tom reminded himself as he replied to the invitation, these connections will be useful in the future.

Harry went with Tom to order dress robes during the last Hogsmeade week before Christmas.Both Harry and Tom had only one dress robe, and to those parties one had to be modest, at least not to be sniffed at in taste.Tom recruited Alfred to be a fashion consultant for himself and Harry, and Alex learned the news from nowhere, and happily dragged Harry to take a step ahead in the name of a professor.

How brazen to the extreme!Tom was furious, but it wasn't easy in the presence of Arffate and Walburga.When the eldest lady of the Black family heard that her senior was going to order a dress, she immediately asked to accompany her.However, Walburga's title as the most beautiful woman in Slytherin was well deserved. She was so demanding on the matching and selection of clothing that it made the good-tempered Mrs. Malkin want to cry.Alphard was very fortunate to have his elder sister, a high-ranking member, who would never have any problems. The siblings were enthusiastically discussing what kind of robe they should buy for Tom. No one noticed that the expression on the black-eyed boy's face was getting colder and colder.

Tom and Harry make an appointment to meet at the Outfitters.Originally, Harry wanted to go to Madam Malkin's robe store as usual, but Tom felt that the style of the robes there was too single, so he suggested another place.Harry was already trying on robes when Tom arrived at the tailor with the Black siblings.Alex sat on the sofa next to the fitting room with his chin propped on one hand, critically judging the robes the clerk brought.

"...emerald green isn't for you, man. It's a color that goes with your eyes though...yellow isn't good either, you'll look funny in yellow..."

Even if Tom didn't like this guy, he had to admit that Alex's taste was higher than Harry's by a not a bit.Walburga did not take the Protection of Magical Creatures class and was not very familiar with Alex, but this did not prevent her from expressing her appreciation for his taste to this always high-profile professor.

The next hour or so was torture.Harry was dismayed to find out that Alex would also be arguing with a girl who was two heads shorter than him over the style of a button.In the end, Harry's robe button style was decided by Alfart.It didn't take much time for Tom's clothes to be settled. He didn't like those complicated decorations, so he only chose the simplest style of robes, but even so, he felt that he almost tried all the robes in the store.Harry and Tom chose a few more classic-style dress robes very tacitly, while thinking to themselves that they would never bring these two guys as staff officers next time they came to order robes, it was simply too much trouble.

After leaving the order address, everyone parted at the door of the robe shop.Tom was off to buy some new books, Walburga had made an appointment with a few people to meet at the coffee shop, leaving Harry and Alex with nothing to do.

"Why don't we go to the bookstore together." Harry said to Tom and Alphard who accompanied him. Tom was overjoyed and nodded in agreement.

"Take me, too?" Alex smiled, putting his arm around Harry's shoulder, and winking at Tom.

"Let's go together." Harry didn't notice the flash of anger in Tom's eyes at all.

Several people came to the only bookstore in Hogsmeade village.Tom quickly picked out the books and magazines to buy, trying to ignore Alex muttering beside Harry while suppressing his anger.When it was time to pay, Harry took the book.

"They're all in the library," said Harry.

"I think it's necessary to buy it." Tom glanced past Alex, who rested his chin on Harry's shoulder, and shrugged his shoulders pretending to be relaxed.

"Add these few books." Harry handed the books he had chosen to the clerk to count the money.The two people who were competing in secret were stunned for a moment, and then looked at each other inexplicably.

"I think you'll probably stay here for a while." Harry magically shrunk Tom's book and handed it to him. "I'm going back to school first."

"Drink something and go back." Tom blurted out, and glanced at Alex who was staring at him. "Anyway, you don't have anything to do when you go back."

Harry thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"Professor Alex, can I have a word with you?" Alfart said suddenly.The expression on Alex's face froze for a moment, and he gave Tom a meaningful look.Tom smiled slightly.It wasn't his arrangement, but he didn't mind Alex taking it on himself.

"Then we'll be waiting for you at the Three Broomsticks." Harry said, putting his hand on Tom's shoulder and pushing the door open.Before going out, Tom bowed slightly to Alex, and couldn't help the smile on the corners of his lips and brows.

Even if you win this game.Alex squinted at the dark-haired boy.

If you give in, you won't win the next game.Tom laughed more and more slyly, and soon slipped out of the bookstore with Harry.

"Professor Palampion, you and Tom..." Alfart finally discovered the weird atmosphere between the two.

"Ah, Tom and I have always had a good relationship." Alex looked back, "What's the matter, Mr. Black?"

……

Tom left Nagini in hibernation at school, and he and Harry returned to London.It's a busy Christmas day, and Tom has to go out almost every day.Harry also has a few friends who need to visit, and the two of them only stay at home on Christmas Eve.Harry accepted Alex's invitation to live with him until the holidays were over, and then went straight to school.Alex also invited Tom, and the two came together to the Palampion Manor in Abertillery.

Although Palampion is an ancient surname, the population has not been very prosperous. Only Alex and his father live in the huge manor.Palampion Manor is not as luxurious as Malfoy Manor, nor is it full of medieval classical atmosphere like the old house of the Black family, but it is also very grand.Old Mr. Palampion is a very easy-going person. He warmly received Harry and Tom, and personally led them to visit his manor.

Tom's excellent social skills made Mr. Palanpain favor him, and he got the honor of using Palanpain's private library at will.More than half of the members of the Palampion family were Ravenclaws, and the size of the library also made Tom amazed.Half of the space on the second floor of the manor was occupied by bookshelves as high as the ceiling. Tom felt that the collection of books here was no less than that of Hogwarts.While browsing the bookshelves, Tom found a large number of books that were out of print, which made him very happy.

So Tom spent most of the rest of the holiday in the library.Mr. Palampion was very happy to see that Tom loved learning so much, so he often invited Tom to have afternoon tea with him.Both Tom and Harry were amazed by Mr. Palanpayne's erudition. This old Ravenclaw made no secret of his love for Tom. He always taught Tom various things during tea time every day. Leave Alex alone.Alex complained helplessly to Harry that if the old man knew Tom earlier, Harry might not be the godfather.

Harry smiled and said nothing.Be godfather to Tom, he can't trust anyone but himself.It's not that Harry himself is very competent as a godfather, at least others will not know what kind of person Tom may become in the future.But now Harry is not so worried that Tom will go astray. He believes that this smart boy knows what he should do and what he should not do, and he has a plan for his future. It is almost impossible to become Voldemort thing.He has faith in his godson.