𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 (OC x OC)

[003] CHAPTER 25 - smoke & fire

"rumors spread like wildfire."

Makayla

I clump my clothes into my trunk, barely being able to close it. Jordyn and Pant have already packed and went to the Great Hall. My cats are scattered across my bed, watching me struggle to close my trunk like the peasant I am.

As I get the clips to clip together, I hear someone walk in. When I turn to see who walked in, my eyes land on Draco.

"What're you doing here?" I ask.

"Where are you staying this summer?"

When i look into his eyes, I hear his voice echo, "I know you're reading my mind."

I scoff, "I hate that you can do it, too."

"Are you going to tell me or are you going to keep invading my privacy?"

"Why does he want to know, anyway?" I ask, knowing exactly who he is. Lucius Malfoy.

"I don't follow..."

"Father sent you here," I say, putting the cats in their cradles, "didn't he?"

"Okay, maybe, but—"

I cut him off as I turn around, "Then I'll ask you again. Why does he want to know?"

"I don't know, he just made me ask..."

"Let me guess," I say, picking all of my baggage up, "he is here."

Draco stares at the floor, choking on his own saliva. He nods silently. I roll my eyes, walking past him before he quietly calls out, "Makayla?"

I sigh, turning to him, "What?"

"I just wanted to say that I'm on your side... Dad was a bloody asshole for what he did."

I feel a gentle grin grow on my face as he admits to not hating me entirely. Before I turn back around, I nod, thanking him, and walk to the Great Hall. When I walk in, I'm not surprised to see Lucius Malfoy, patiently waiting for me.

I roll my eyes as I walk toward him, preparing to slap him across the face. As I walk up to him, a proud grin arrises from his mouth. It's quickly wiped away when I ask, "What the bloody hell are you doing here?"

"I'm taking you home," he says confidently.

I bust out laughing, "Uh, fuck no!"

"It wasn't an invita—"

"Me saying your judgement sucked wasn't an invitation for your hand to meet my face," I interrupt angrily as people start to stare.

"Keep your voice down!" he whispers.

"No! I'm not going anywhere with you@ I have a place to stay until I prove Sirius innocent and I get to live with the man who was so much more fit to be a parent than yo—"

I stop talking at the sight of his hand reaching for his wand. He removes his hand from the wand and stops passed me. I nearly flinch as the wind slaps me in the face. My eyes stay low as I ignore the tears swelling in my eyes. The room that was once filled with silence breaks out into whispers and the spread of rumors.

Dumbledore yells, "SILENCE!" The room listens. "Ms. Malfoy is not here for the entertainment of your giggles. She's here for the same reason that you all are. Find a new topic."

The room goes back to whispering. Rolling my eyes, I turn around, walking to the Slytherin table. In the corner of my eye, I notice Cedric got up behind me, following me to my seat.

Just before I sit down next to Jordyn, Cedric asks, "Malfoy, can we speak in private?"

Malfoy. "No. You can say it here." The attitude and sass surprises us both.

"I—I, um..." he glances around nervously. I stare at him, hard. Before I get the chance to read his mind, he shouts, "I want to break up!"

My heart stops. The world stops. And he is dead serious.

Stay.

Strong.

I keep my negatitive attitude, saying, "Fine, I don't care."

Then I walk off with my bags. What a fucking year.