𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧

━ nineteen

IT WAS SEPTEMBER OF 1977, the last year of Hogwarts for Maddilyn and Severus Snape. The very first year of Hogwarts, Maddie and Severus stuck together like honey, this year, the minute Severus got on the platform, he dashed to his Death Eater friends. Maddie watched him go, sadness in her eyes. She knew any attempts to make Severus change his mind would go down the drain. She only hoped that Severus would be able to get out of whatever shit he was in quickly. 

Maddie glanced around, looking for a familiar face in the bustling crowd. She spotted Milla and Daisy Parkinson, boarding the train. Maddie gave them a small wave, in which they gave her a subtle smile back. She also spotted Lucius Malfoy, who looked at her with haunted eyes, and Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black next to Rodulphus and Rabastan Lestrange. She scanned the platform once more before meeting a familiar pair of eyes. 

Sirius Black gave the raven-haired girl a lopsided smile before making his way over, James Potter hot on his heels. 

"Hey Maddie," Sirius said, looking down at the slightly shorter Maddie Snape. 

"Hi, Sirius, James," Maddie greeted. "Ready for our final year?" 

"Hardly," James said. "Lily and I are Head Boy and Girl and what if I mess up with her?" 

"Trust me, pretty boy, you've already messed up about twenty times, this school-year alone and we haven't even arrived to school yet, I don't think you can mess it up again." Maddie said. 

"Hey!" James said, protest in his tone. 

Maddie smirked. "You know it's true, Potter," Maddie said. 

James sighed and cursed his horrible Potter luck. 

"Anyways, how did you become Head Boy? Was Dumbledore drunk while making his choice?" Maddie asked, following the two onto the Hogwarts Express. 

SEVERUS SNAPE GLANCED AROUND, before knocking sharply on the door twice, three times and once in a rhythmic order. The door opened quickly before a hand grabbed him and pulled him in. 

"Snape," Rabastan Lestrange greeted him coolly. "This is my sister in law, Bellatrix, my brother Roldophus, and this is Elodie Ollivander, a Hufflepuff in our year." 

"A Hufflepuff?" Severus asked, his lip curling in distaste. 

"Is there a problem with that?" Elodie Ollivander asked, challenging him to respond. "Hufflepuffs aren't weak, despite what others say. And I'm one of the most loyal members to the cause." 

"This isn't a game," Severus replied, towering over Elodie. 

Elodie smiled wickedly, a smile that sent shivers down Severus's spine. "Oh, I know," Elodie said. "I know." 

"Anyways, the Dark Lord wants you two to work together," Roldophus said. "You two are in charge of looking out for each other. Kind of like an Auror partnership." 

"No way," Severus said quickly. 

"Don't challenge the Dark Lord's words," Bellatrix hissed at Severus. 

Elodie gave Severus a light smile. "Tell the Dark Lord we would be pleased to work together," Elodie said, giving Severus a look, as if asking him if he would challenge her words. 

"Yes, please do," Severus spat out bitterly. 

ELODIE OLLIVANDER SMIRKED. THE Rebellion's plan was working well. "Why are you frowning?" Elodie asked. "Hufflepuffs can be just as fierce as Slytherins can."