𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 (OC x OC)

[002] Chapter 24

Louis

I walk around the castle, as I was assigned the duty of 'looking for Makayla, Harry, and Ron.' Ridiculous. I shouldn't have to do this. A teacher should be looking for students.

Then I walk into the medical hall and find the three of them, exhausted, sitting by Hermione's petrified body. Makayla is standing; Ron and Harry are sitting on two chairs off to the side.

Sighing, I step a few steps forward, "Where have you been?" I ask. I am careful not to add an addition of sternness in my voice. My goal today is to not have an argument with Makayla Malfoy. May the odds ever be in my favor.

"No where," the boys respond at the same time.

Makayla says nothing. She just stares at Hermione's stiff body absentminded.

"Malfoy?"

She looks up and finally snaps back into reality. "What?" she asks.

"Where have you been?"

"I was with them," she nods her head in the boys' direction.

She was with Harry and Ron? Harry Potter and Ron Weasley? Sweet Merlin, what type of day is it to be...

I notice Makayla's eyebrows furrow slightly as her eyes wander to Hermione's hand. It's curled into a fist, which she claws open.

She grabs a crumpled up piece of parchment from the hand and unravels it–reading it to herself, and awfully quickly.

"Hermione knew what the monster was!" she exclaims.

"What?" Harry and Ron ask, standing up.

She hands them the paper and they read it together.

"What's a basilisk?" Ron asks.

"Can't you read? It's a snake."

"Someone's in an awful lot of a mood today," Ron rolls his eyes.

Makayla makes a taunting face to him as she looks out the window above Hermione's frozen body.

I watch Harry think about something and then say, "We'll figure this out on our own..."

Makayla looks to the stuff on the bedside table next to Hermione, then to the boys, "Absolutely not," she laughs.

"Why not?"

"What would've happened if we all didn't come with you last year?"

The boys look at each other, then back to Makayla. "We'll be fine," Harry blurts out, then they both run out of the hall.

Makayla sighs. They seem to not trust Makayla for some sort of reason. Is it because she spoke to snakes the same day as Harry? I'm not sure if I should care or not. But I can't help but notice the look on Makayla's face as they walk away. For once in her life, I think she's feeling sympathy–no. Worry.

She's worried about them. I've never seen her care for anyone other than Nora. This is a life-changing event, for sure.

Makayla

It honestly isn't the first time I've cared for someone other than Nora and you can quote me on that. Louis is just being his dramatic self, like always. He's as predictive as the weather.

Annelise walks into the medical hall and her worried expression changes to confusion, "You two are here... together?"

"I was here first," I say. "Did you come to pick up your brother from daycare?"

Louis rolls his eyes, then Annelise says, "No... I'm actually here to pick you up..."

That's when Louis bursts into laughter. I don't see what's so funny, but he's laughing like he saw someone trip over something.

"Is it important?"

"Yeah..."

"What is it?"

"Your father is looking for you..."

Father? What is he still doing here? To torment the rest of my year? I honestly have no reason to speak to him. But I might as well. I can't watch Hermione forever.

"Where is he?"

"The Great Hall."

Alright then.