Dollhouse [Rabastan Lestrange]

Chapter 22

"She's the perfect amount
of chaos and peace."

Monday morning began the same way any normal school day began. Callista woke up to a grumpy Genevieve and an amused Fallon and together they got dressed and began the long walk to the Great Hall. Towards the entrance, she spotted Remus walking towards the door. She waved to her friends who went inside and waited for him.

"Morning, Callista," he said as he approached, emphasizing her name. They never had nicknames for each other, instead they often said their names in a different voice. Sometimes they got funny looks, but they did not care. He opened his arms for a hug and she laughed, falling into his arms. "Happy Birthday."

She chuckled, stepping back. "Thank you, Remus." They walked through the massive doors and headed to the Gryffindor table.

James was sitting with Lily and her friends, which became a normal occurrence after they started dating. Peter had already joined them and sat across from him, next to Mary.

"Hi, everyone." She waved at them, offering a smile. She was still annoyed at Marlene but she did not want to cause any more trouble between them. She sat next to James, Remus sitting beside her.

James turned. "Oh, hey, Cal." He turned back to Lily, jumping right back into their conversation. Her face dropped. Did he really forget it was her birthday?

She leaned forward on the table and turned her head to Remus. He gave her a sympathetic look.

"Happy Birthday, Callista," Peter said, smiling at her, his tone soft. James, caught up in a loud debate, had not heard.

She smiled. "Thank you, Peter." She leaned over Remus' shoulder. "So, what book are you reading?"

He looked at her, holding it up to show her the cover. He put it down, closing the book. "You've come up with more interesting topics than that."

She rested the side of her head on the palm of her hand, looking at him. "I feel we've exhausted all interesting topics."

"Not the prank."

"What prank?" She sat up straight, her eyes glowing.

"Potions classroom." He leaned closer. "James and Sirius set up dungbombs all over. Sirius is finishing them up to make sure the detonate."

"So no one suspects why they're both late to breakfast."

He smirked. "Exactly." Leaning back and picking up his book, he said, "Oh, and come late to Potions."

She shook her head, a small smile forming on her face. "You really want me to be implicated too, huh?"

A mischievous grin formed behind the edge of his book. "Take Lestrange with you as an alibi."

She whacked his arm. "Remus! You're as bad as they are!" She laughed.

"Remus is terrible, we know this." The boisterous voice of Sirius Black announced as he walked up the side of the Gryffindor table. He sat down across from them. "Happy Birthday, Cal!"

The table was silent as they looked at her. Sirius frowned, confused, and a soft, "Shit," was heard from beside her.

James turned to her, regret filling his features, but she was already getting up. She smiled at Sirius. "Thank you," she said. She started to walk away but James followed her.

"Cal. Cal. Cal!" He tried to call her, jogging to catch up with her.

She reached the door and was out but James grabbed her elbow and she whipped around. "Oh, so now I'm worthy of your attention?"

"Wait, wait." His voice was desperate. "You have a right to be mad. I'm so sorry, Cal. It slipped my mind."

"Of course it did. You've been spending so much time with Lily and her friends, I'm surprised you even remember my name."

"It's not Lily's fault."

She cut him off. "I know, Lily is an angel. You, however, could not even stand up for me when McKinnon chose to comment on my friends." She was still upset about that.

"I was still angry about the situation with Lestrange. I still am. I should have stood up for you. I'm really sorry."

"Great, are you done?" She needed to calm down before she could talk to him again. She turned around and began walking away.

"No, I'm not done." She continued walking. "Cal! Callista! For Merlin's beard, turn around!"

She rolled her eyes and turned around, her jaw clenched. "What?" She snapped.

"I didn't forget."

"What?"

"It was a prank."

She walked up to him and whacked him on the arm with her book. "A horrible prank!"

He gave her a sheepish smile. "Just look back in the Great Hall."

He pulled her closer, putting and arm around her shoulder but she could sense the tenseness in his shoulders. He led her to the door. Inside, fireworks were going off. One was a snake, some took the shapes of balloons or presents. Banners in the air read, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAL!!"

Sirius ran down the Gryffindor table followed by Remus and Peter who scrambled up after him, narrowly avoiding McGonagall.

Callista sighed, crossing her arms and turning back to James. "So when did you come up with this emergency plan?" Her voice monotone.

He grimaced but it turned into a grin as he watched Sirius slip on some parchment. He managed to keep his balance. "Three years ago."

"You absolute prick."

"It was bound to happen someday."

Sirius reached the end of the table and jumped off, followed by the other two. He ran towards them, grabbing Callista's arm and pulled her with him. She caught herself and ran with him, the others quick behind them.

"Again with the implications!" She shouted but it turned into laughter as they sprinted around a corner, their footsteps echoing in the empty hallways.

James grabbed her hand and the three of them were running together. Remus and Peter were right behind.

They all joined in with the laughter and soon they were all laughing too much to run any further.

Sirius stopped them and they turned down another hallway. "That was brilliant," he breathed, wiping tears from his eyes, bending over.

James pat him on the back, clutching his stomach as he continued to laugh.

"I can't believe you two helped him get away with forgetting my birthday!" Callista said, her tone lighthearted. She could never stay mad at these idiots for long. Her idiots. That were going to get her into detention.

"I'm sorry, Cally," James said in a higher voice. He grinned and tackled her in a hug and she almost fell over. "I'll make it up to you at Hogsmeade."

"Group hug!" Sirius yelled, crashing into them.

Remus joined in next to James and Callista opened one arm to squeeze Peter in. "Peter and I are deeply disadvantaged in this hug. She had her face squished into James' chest and his was against Remus' arm. The others were tall enough to avoid any discomfort.

But she did not mind. Even as they laughed and her feet were stepped on, she would not trade it for the world. This was a perfect birthday in her mind.

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Hello loves x

I have been editing a few chapters but it's small. If you have any feedback that would be amazing.

Any thoughts on pacing, characters that are flat, or plot that feels irrelevant? Anything would be helpful! <3

- walkingmasterpiece xx