𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 (OC x OC)

[004] Chapter 2 - don't you

"don't you smile at me and ask me how i've been."

Makayla

Last night I had the worst nightmare ever. By the look in Harry's eyes, I could tell that he felt similar.

I've been pondering over the thought that Harry and I might be connected—somehow—over the summer. Just based on the previous three years. I'm only nervous to see what signs will be shown this year.

While we're eating breakfast, the boys are talking about Viktor Krum and how they're going to be so high up that they could see him up close if he flies up enough. I keep my eyes on my food, fiddling with it with my fork. All I can think of is if my father will be there. It hasn't been more than three months and it still hurts. The whole situation with Cedric is also a lingering infected wound. Seeing him tonight will only add salt to it.

Louis breaks my thoughts apart by saying, "Makayla?"

I look up from my food, my fork pausing in motion. "Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

Now everyone's looking at me. Great. They all stare, waiting for my response. I don't know how to respond. He asked me out of the blue. It caught me by surprise.

"Um," I stammer. "Yeah, why?"

"Your fork is touching the food more than you are," he laughs slightly to lighten the mood.

I sigh, saying, "Cedric is going to be there."

I don't know why I told him. It just felt right. Which feels weird since it's him.

I notice Louis' face grow sour as he sets his fork down, sternly asking, "Why is he going?"

"He's a part of our group," Mrs. Weasley says, putting some food in her mouth.

"What?" Jordyn asks, her face turning sour as well.

"He and his father are joining us because we're friends with the family," Mr. Weasley says. "We know what Cedric did, so we're working on getting Makayla's seat swapped with someone."

"Have her swap with me," Louis says abruptly. "I heard Ginny suggest doing it, but I doubt she wants to deal with Jamie and Mattheo."

"Oh, yeah, no," Ginny says.

"Rude," Jamie says, rolling his eyes.

"Alright, then it's setting," Mr. Weasley wipes his mouth with a napkin.

"No. Fighting," Mrs. Weasley scolds the boys, causing all of us to laugh.

Later on, we start walking to the portkey. As we approach the path, I spot Cedric's father hugging Mr. Weasley. Great. Cedric must be hiding behind a tree or something.

I hear a crash behind me. When I turn around, I see Cedric getting up off the ground in front of Harry and Ron. he was in the trees... Close enough.

I quickly turn back around and catch up with Jordyn and Ann. It's better for me to not talk to him at all while we're here. It'll save me the trouble of having to get over him all over again.

We reach the portkey, which is disguised as a boot on the top of a hill. Everyone except for Ann, Fred, George, Jamie, Jordyn, Louis, Mattheo, Ron, and I, kneels down onto the ground and sets a hand on it.

"Are you sure that it can fit all of us?" I ask.

Mr. Weasley laughs as he waves me over with his free hand, "It's a boot, not a car!"

"What is this?" Louis asks as I walk to the boot and set my hand on it.

"A portkey, now grab on!" I shout at the same time as Fred and George. That's been happening more often. It's started to get annoying.

The rest of them grab on as the world begins to spin. We fly into the air and the only thing keeping us from falling to our deaths is our grips on the boot.

"Let go, kids!" Mr. Weasley shouts.

"WHAT?" Hermione screams.

I laugh as Ann, Jamie, Jordyn, Louis, Mattheo, Ron, and I let go of the boot. We plummet down to the ground, some of us meeting the ground with a thump. I use my wand to act as an umbrella to cushion the speed of my fall.

As I land, the others follow behind, having the same idea. They land shortly after me and I walk over to Ann, Jordyn, and Louis, helping them up. I help Louis last.

"Thanks," Louis grunts, his hand lingering over my arm longer than I expected. When our eyes meet, my stomach does jumping jacks and cartwheels. What the hell...?

I manage to smile and respond with, "No problem!"

We stay there a little longer than I am used to. For a moment, I swear his face starts to move closer to mine before Mattheo starts yelling.

"Guys! Come on!" he shouts. "We have to go!"

Louis gives him an annoyed eye roll before running off to catch up. I smile softly before starting to catch up, too.

"Do you like him?" I hear a familiar voice ask. Cedric walks up next to me, saying nothing else.

"No, why?" I try my best to stay as distant as possible.

"Well, you two almost kissed before Mattheo shouted at you guys to move along."

I brush off his comments, changing the subject. "I'm not sitting next to you anymore."

"Oh, really?" he laughs slightly. "Who'd you switch with, then?"

"Louis."

I notice his gaze hardens as I say Louis' name, then quickly scurry off to catch up with the others, leaving him in the dust. Yes, it was rude, but being rude is who I am...

Unfortunately...