Chapter 60 - Christmas Eve Ⅳ (2/2)
”And though I agreed with part of his philosophy,” Abraxas said. ”I never fully trusted him as he is no Grindelwald.” The men nod in agreement as Abraxas pointedly glanced at Lucius to continue.
”My father is an open-minded man and he gives all wizards a fair chance, but sadly Tom Marvolo Riddle did his best to charm, my wise father and miserably failed,” Lucius confidently said. ”Keeping his grave suspicion's in his heart, my father kept Tom Riddle close in an effort to further sound his intentions. And what my father found is truly terrifying!”
”How bad are we talking about?” Flint asked with narrowed eyes.
”Murder and deceit,” Lucius said causing many of the men to furrow their brows. ”My father spent many hours reviewing the past of Tom Riddle to suspiciously find that Tom Riddle's biological muggle father and family were all slaughtered in a single night. But to top it all off, his uncle a pure-blood confessed to the murder.” Causing many of the men's brows to furrow and frown in displeasure.
Lucius dramatically paused, ”Which my father found unlikely as Morfin Gaunt lived in that small village with the muggle father of Tom Riddle for many years and had never hurt him before. Why I ask? Because Morfin Gaunt believed his sister was a blood traitor and deserved to die in childbirth, which she did. And if Morfin, believed such a truth, then why kill the muggle man known as Tom Riddle Sr.?”
Lucius eyes the silent fixed room and fervently says, ”I will tell you why, because Morfin Gaunt memories were changed via the Imerious Curse. During Morfin Gaunt's trial, no Auror, checked Morfin's mind for tampering as he readily confessed. But my father in his wisdom suspected that exactly is the case, but given the unfortunate mishap with Nobby Leach; Father was reluctant to come out with the truth.”
Flint furrows his brows and slowly says, ”If this is true, then I will have the Department of Magic reinvestigate the case. We cannot allow an innocent man to rot away in Azkaban for the crime of another.” The room bursts into a hush of whispers as the men largely, now discuss who and who is associated with the charlatan, Tom Riddle.
”Barty Crouch won't like that,” Orion Black pointedly remarked to his rival.
”Maybe, but I am not so easily detained,” Stephen determinedly replied.
”Thank you,” Abraxas said as he subtly gestured to Lucius to step back. Lucius raises his glass to his father, before moving away and out of the office. It was a wonder to Abraxas, where his son had gotten the information on Tom Riddle, but if it proved true, Abraxas had saved himself a great deal of embarrassment. And especially, if Stephen were to investigate and proved true Lucius's words, Abraxas would have earned himself a great deal of power.
”Your welcome,” Stephen sincerely said, before turning to eye Orion with a bit of glee in his eyes. ”Isn't that cousin of yours, Bellatrix, a very good friend of that fellow?”
Orion Black narrows his eyes and says, ”I'm sure that it just a youthful misguided friendship.”
”Mm, so you say,” Stephen taunted.
Before the two men can jump at each other, Abraxas tactfully says, ”Let us go and try the Christmas pudding. It is quite excellent this year.”
”As long as I don't get the silver sickle,” Stephen drily commented.
”Don't tell me you're afraid,” Orion sneered.
Stephen ignores Orion's comment as they head back to the great hall and naturally the rest of the men follow. For Abraxas as the host was the man to follow. And truthfully speaking, many men would follow in Abraxas's footsteps. If Abraxas Malfoy stepped right, they too would follow. And if Abraxas did not like someone the said person in question would be shunned. And in this case, Tom Marvolo Riddle would soon find himself short of allies.