𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 (OC x OC)

[003] CHAPTER 12 - fool's gold

"i don't regret falling for your fool's gold."

Louis

I walk up to Mattheo and Theodore, licking my lollipop, as they watch Makayla walk into the woods. "Isn't she—"

"Not supposed to be here?" Mattheo finishes for me. "Yeah... She isn't."

"Apparently, she's looking to see the Shrieking Shack. She'll probably run into Weasley and Granger when she reaches the barbed wire. I saw Draco go down there to torment them, so there'll probably be some drama down there as well," Theo bombards upon me.

I blink at the information he just laid in front of me and shake my head slightly so I can get back into focus. It has been, what it feels like, years since I've last spoken to Makayla. Sure, we've spoken a few words at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but those few words do not make up conversations. Due to this, I find myself searching through my brain for a reason to follow Makayla into the woods. Then a lightbulb turns on. "Wanna go follow her to watch?"

"Obviously," Mattheo snorts as he and Theo follow me down the path stealthily.

When we get down there, we hide behind trees. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle are getting attacked by an invisible force that is doing things as far as lifting them into the air to pulling their pants down. It's absolutely hilarious.

Eventually, Draco runs off with his gremlin peers in fear, Makayla bursting into laughter as Harry appears out of nowhere.

Mattheo and Theo can barely keep it together to stay hidden. Makayla immediately notices them and it only makes her laugh more, "Are you serious, guys? You followed me?"

"It was Louis' idea!" Mattheo laughs.

"Hey!" I protest.

Makayla slowly calms down, rolling her eyes as all of us make our ways back to Hogsmeade. For the first time in a few fortnights, I think that Makayla is genuinely speaking to me—making a conversation with me. For some reason, it makes my heart leap.

"How've you been?" Makayla asks, unknowingly making my lungs pause what they're doing as if their job is overrated.

I swallow hard and glance at her to see her greenish blue eyes and a soft smile planted on her lips. It makes me have to bite back a smile, but I fail. "I'm doing well. You?"

She sighs in the most dramatic way, "Well, Ced—"

"Harry!" Hermione whispers, causing Makayla's words to trail off. For some reason, I'm quite annoyed.

When we look over at Hermione, Harry is gone. The only signs of him are the random footprints in the snow, walking to Three Broomsticks. Where on earth is he going?

"What in the—" Makayla blurts out as we get closer to the rest of the group. I notice Mattheo and Theo looking at me with their eloquent smirks on their faces.

"Apparently, Sirius Black is only coming to Hogwarts because of Harry and you," Hermione says, her tone sort of worried.

At this information, Makayla groans, "Why must I always be pulled into everything?"

For a moment there, we all think she's going to throw one of those rich kid temper tantrums. Before she gets the chance to, the door to Three Broomsticks opens and a bunch of carolers get knocked to the ground. Harry.

We all run after him—or more like his footprints—and meet him at the edge of Hogsmeade, the cloak still over his head. We can hear sobbing. This can't be good.

Makayla and Hermione slowly walk over, Hermione pulling the cloak off of his head. Before anyone gets to ask him what happened, he starts explaining.

"He was their friend," he says, exasperated and disturbed. "He was their friend and he betrayed them!"

I notice Makayla's expression harden, as if she knows something we don't. Apparently, I'm the only one to notice, though.

I quickly brush it off as we start walking back to the castle. I got to hear Makayla Malfoy's voice today. Her intentions this year are none of my concern at the moment.