𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧

━ fifteen

AS THE END OF sixth year rolled around, the Marauders had slowly reconciled. Sirius Black knew the rest of the Marauders wouldn't fully trust him for a while, but he was glad with the progress he had now. 

The Marauders weren't the only ones who had reconciled, seeing as Maddilyn Snape (almost wrote maddilyn black lmao) and Severus Snape were also seen around each other more than usual. 

While Maddie knew it could never be like it was before, and knowing her brother had the Dark Mark, Maddie enjoyed these last few weeks of peace before the oncoming war would be looming over Hogwarts.

Severus refused to listen to Maddie's pleading to leave the Death Eaters. The only way to ensure Maddie was safe was to be on the inside. Maddie was the only person Severus Snape truly cared about, and he wasn't going to let her get killed by the Dark Lord. 

Silver Gray had dissapeared, not that anyone besides her closest friends noticed her disappearance, and Leo Reese's health was going deteriorating by the minute. 

Lucius Malfoy was seeing less and less of the light everyday, and slowly loosing hope that they could ever win. He had heard the Dark Lords plans, and he was afraid. He knew he never had a chance of a future if he couldn't face his present. 

Sapphire Selwyn was forced to drop out of Hogwarts to marry Evan Rosier, in order to ensure the Dark Lord's trust in the Selwyn family. Sapphire lived her days in the Rosier mansion, going nearly out of her mind, and only really trusted Evan's sisters, Persephone and Rayne Rosier. As Sapphire was forced to do unthinkable things, Saphhire's desire to live lessened everyday. 

Daisy Parkinson focused more on academics, choosing to ignore the pending war and pleading her parents to announce the House of Parkinson neutral on the impending war. They hadn't responded, but hopefully with Milla's support they would. 

Theodore Nott came more involved with the Dark Lord's plans, and passed on every spare message he could, which was not many, in order to help the Snake Bite Rebellion and even recruited First and Second Years to the Snake Bite Rebellion's cause, although he greatly disproved of having children fighting their battles. 

And no matter how many battered souls, there was always one thing they could rely on. The loyalty of the Slytherin House. Above everything and everyone else, they were loyal to each other. But the House's foundation was crumbling, and only so many can be strong enough to hold back an avalanche. 

I CAN'T WAIT TO get rid of these accursed crutches! Maddilyn Snape thought as she followed Leo Reese down the hall. Since Silver had left, Leo had been pretty depressed, and Maddie had tasked herself with following Leo and making sure he didn't hurl himself off a cliff. 

"I miss her," Leo said, walking slower so Maddie could keep up. 

"As do I," Maddie said. "But she's where she needs to be in order to carry out this plan." 

"This plan sucks," Leo said moodily. 

"I voted against it," Maddie said defensively. "You know that." 

"Yes but since it's a democracy of sorts, every leader there has a vote," Leo said. 

"We need each others opinions. You always need to see more than one side of the story, Leo," Maddie said. "When I had the idea of founding the Snake Bite Rebellion, it didn't mean I was leading people to do my selfish bidding. It's where other people get heard too. If I didn't listen to the others, and used them for myself, I'd be just like our favorite Voldy." 

"I hate it when you're right," Leo said. 

"I know," Maddie said smugly. 

RABASTAN LESTRANGE STOOD IN the drawing room as the Black family, and his own family were gushing about Rabastan's older brother's, Rolduphus's, engagement to Bellatrix Black, daughter of one of the most prestigious and powerful pureblood families. 

Of course, Rabastan knew better as Rolduphus and Bellatrix were only marrying for an alliance and for favor from the Dark Lord, who wanted more pureblooded children. If they concieved a pureblood child, the Dark Lord would surely favor them. But Rolduphus and Bellatrix didn't love each other, and never would. In some ways, Rabastan felt bad for them.

Rabastan's ring burned as he glanced around, hoping nobody would walk in. 

"Thank god it's you," the relieved voice of Sapphire Sel-Rosier said, a holographic picture of her popping up. "I need your help." 

"What's up, Sapphire?" Rabastan asked? 

The Lestranges and Selwyns had been good friends since the beginning of the start of their houses. The Selwyns were exceptional sorceresses and sorcerers, while the Lestranges were dangerous duelers. Rabastan and Sapphire had grown up together, and they had a sibling-like bond. 

"I need to get out of Rosier Manor," Sapphire said, her voice shaking in fear. "I need to get out of this wretched place. Make sure that Maddie, Lucius, Regulus and Milla send some help." 

Rabastan's heart sank as he heart the fright in her tone, knowing Sapphire would never joke about something like this. 

"Yeah, of course," Rabastan said. "I can do that."

Rabastan knew nobody would escape this war unscathed. He just never fully acknowledged it. But he would never forget the haunted look in Sapphire's eyes.