𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 (OC x OC)

[004] Chapter 26 - friends don't

"friends don't call you in the middle of the night, couldn't even tell you why, they just felt like saying hi."

Louis

We're all sitting in pews in the Great Hall as Dumbledore prepares to give a speech about Cedric's death. I guess you'd consider this as his funeral, sort of.

The flags above our heads are black and everyone's face is downcast. I don't exactly know how to feel. I never felt much toward Cedric—but Makayla's hurt, which hurts to even witness. And also he's dead. Voldemort is back and I don't even know how to process it.

How could a student be dead? Sure, we've had many close calls throughout the years, but I never thought we'd actually lose a student!

Makayla is sitting next to me, biting back sobs and holding back tears. I don't know how to comfort her, especially since, on the other side of her, sits Grayson, who has his arm around her shoulder. If he could just stop acting like he's an angel sent from Heaven, that'd be great.

Dumbledore steps up to the podium, his first words being, "Today, we acknowledge a really terrible loss... Cedric Diggory was, as you all know, exceptionally hard-working, infinitely fair-minded, and most importantly, a fierce, fierce friend. Now, I think therefore, you have the right to know exactly how he died. You see, Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort!" This is when Makayla lets out a silent sob and my heart breaks all over again. "The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this, but not to do so, I think, would be an insult to his memory... Now the pain we all feel at this dreadful loss reminds me—reminds us—that while we may come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one. In light of recent events, the bonds of friendship we made this year will be more important than ever. Remember that. Cedric Diggory will not have died in vain. You remember that. And we will celebrate a boy who was kind and honest and brave, true, right to the very end."

I walk out to the Courtyard and see Grayson and Makayla hugging goodbye before Grayson runs off to go to his friends he usually sits with on the train. The other schools are leaving and that's what most students are watching right now, but Makayla goes and stands by a wall with Annie, Harry, Hermione, Jordyn, Mattheo, Ron, and Theo. I decide to join them.

"Everything's going to change now, isn't it?" Hermione asks, slightly discouraged.

Makayla holds back a laugh as Harry places a hand on her shoulder, shrugging and blatantly saying, "Yes."

Hermione nods as she, Harry, and Ron, start to walk off, talking about the whole letter-writing habit they have. Annie talks with Jordyn, Mattheo, and Theo, which leaves Makayla with me.

She's about to say something when I randomly say, "I'm sorry, Makayla... It was stupid of me to ever even get involved with your date to the Yule Ball... It's your life and I really have no business trying to take control of—"

I'm cut off by her laughing, "Moonpie, how much of a nincompoop are you?"

She laughs again as I blink and scoff dramatically, "Well, that was rude."

"I'm not mad at you!" she says, playfully shoving my shoulder as we start to follow the group down the hall. "I've taken time to consider and I really think that both of us are just being dramatic. Yes, you had no business trying to get into my love life, but I also think that you really were just trying to look out for me. So, I forgive you, even if you don't tell me what you meant by your confusing defense mechanism that night at the Ball."

I blink, completely dumbfounded. She... forgives me?

I laugh awkwardly, "Okay, who are you, and what did you do with the Slytherin Princess?"

This causes her to laugh, "I just think that it's better off for us to leave this school year on a somewhat positive note rather than letting our stupid argument get between us having a good summer."

I nod, saying, "Alright, then... You still dating Grayson?"

She nods, which causes a pang in my chest, but I ignore it as she asks, "You still dating Jules?" I nod as well. She says, "Alright, then..."

The silence is awkward as we walk down the hall, trailing behind the group. I've noticed that Makayla looks more tired than usual. At first, I thought it was because of the tournament, but now, I don't think that's i—

"Promise me you'll write this summer," Makayla says, tearing me from my thoughts.

I stammer, "I—you—you want me to write to you?"

She laughs, replying in a playful tone, "We are friends, now, aren't we?"

I feel a smile grow on my face as I nod, "Right... Friends... Great! Uh—Yeah, I promise. I'll write."

She smiles a smile that could power a lightbulb for a whole year.

Makayla is still with Grayson Granger, I'm still with Jules Lestrange. I haven't completely lost her, but she's still with someone else, which makes me somewhat upset. But now, we're friends. That's enough for me.

Friends with Makayla Malfoy. Who would've thought?