Aura || Mattheo x OC

(28)

Hermione pulls me to the side before we could actually initiate the plan. For a moment, she just hugs me and wishes me good luck, but then she asks a question that I assume has been on her mind for a while.

"I don't know much," she starts, pulling away slightly so she can see my face. "But you and Harry broke up because of Mattheo, right?"

I nod. "Yeah. It's kind of complicated." She doesn't mind that and gives me time to explain what happened. How Mattheo was interested in me, and we became friends for some time, then he kissed me and told Harry that to provoke him and prove a point. Then I tell her about the breakup and how I started dating Riddle afterwards, which only Lisa knew about. 

"So, it was cheating," she concludes.

My throat goes dry at her conclusion, but I can't deny her words. I nod, dejected. I hope she doesn't hate me like her boyfriend and Harry do. I can't handle that. "Yeah."

She shakes her head. "Don't give me that look. Feelings are complicated. You made one mistake, and you acknowledge it. That's the good thing." She hugs me again, and my arms wrap around her tightly.

"Thank you," I say. "I really needed to hear that from you."

"I'll tell them to be nicer," she said. "I've been tolerating their remarks for a while and it's starting to piss me off."

I laugh slightly. "It's fine. It's not like they're wrong to be mad at me."

She squeezes my arm one last time before fully pulling away. "Still. It doesn't justify being mean."

She walks off after wishing me good luck again. I look towards the Manor, taking the building in. We're currently in the trees, separated from the manor by a patch of long, green grass, stretching around the infrastructure. There's a long path of cobblestone acting like a road built from the gates through the forest. I slowly make my way onto it, exposing myself to anyone who is watching. There are tall walls acting like borders around the gates, the only way to get past them being the gates. I hold my breath, forcing myself not to look over my shoulder. No one needs to know that I'm not alone, of course.

Two death eaters almost immediately come towards me. They're on alert, already attempting to strike me down. I take out my own wand and deflect their spells, caught off guard and terrified. "I mean no harm!" I yell loudly, afraid that I'll mess up and I'll ruin the plan.

I hear them muttering to each other. Both of them lower their wands. I glance between them, waiting for them to speak, or even try to surprise attack me again. I let them grab ahold of my arms and pocket my wand. I start walking as they begin to lead me into the manor, the large metal gates creaking open by the push of their free hands. Entering the building, I take in the interior. Everything inside is mainly made of dark wood or take more of a monotonous style. There's barely light inside even if it's daytime. The windows are all closed, and the candles cast a soft yellow glow over the corners of the rooms. I hear chatter, mostly from the dining room 'm being guided to.

"Who's she?" One of the death eaters who sees us asks. I analyse him. He's tall, lanky, and has a deep voice. He means business. "One of the hostages who escaped?"

"Nah, she's some random," the one holding my left arm responds. "We're taking her to Lord Mattheo."

"Lord Mattheo? You're going to waste his time by bringing a mere girl to him?" The man scoffs. My heart skips a beat. I can't afford them to take me elsewhere.

"I need to speak to him," I say, causing the three to look at me. The man scoffs again, like that's the only mocking gesture he knows.

"Who are you to speak, little girl?" He questions, looking at me like he's ready to devour me.