The Dare - Mattheo Riddle

18. The Graveyard

"Dad..." I whispered, my voice trembling as the world seemed to freeze around me. The sight of him, standing there as if he'd never left, felt like a cruel illusion. My heart pounded, each beat a painful reminder of the impossibility before me. How was he here? How could this be real?

"You're supposed to be dead!" The words burst from me, raw and desperate. Panic clawed at my chest, squeezing tighter with every breath. This had to be a nightmare. There was no way this could be happening.

"I know you're confused, baby, but I can explain..." His voice was a sickening comfort, twisting the knife of betrayal deeper. The sound of it made me want to vomit. I clutched my head, shaking it violently, trying to dislodge the surreal reality.

"No, no, no."

"EXPLAIN? You left me alone! No mother! No father! You abandoned me, torn between your loyalties, leaving me to believe you were dead! What could possibly be more important than being here for your own daughter, YOUR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD?" My voice cracked as I screamed at him, each word a sharp blade of accusation. But no matter how loud I yelled, it didn't ease the searing pain inside me.

"I did what I did to make sure you were safe," he said, his eyes pleading for understanding. But his words were hollow, tainted with the same lies Sirius fed me. He was trying to manipulate me again.

"I don't believe you!" I cried, the anger and hurt swelling within me until I felt like I might explode. The realization that he'd been alive all these years, never coming for me, was unbearable.

"I hate you! I HATE YOU!" The words tore from my throat, my lungs straining as if I was drowning in sorrow and rage.

"I know, and I'm so sorry, but now's not the time. We have to go," he said urgently, but his excuses were just more poison to my already wounded soul. Despite my fury, the danger was real. We couldn't stay here.

But before I could react, a cackle sliced through the darkness of the hall, freezing my blood. Bellatrix.

Enzo burst in, his face flushed and breathless. "Hate to break up the family reunion, but we need to leave. NOW."

But it was too late.

"Ah, what a lovely surprise... Regulus, the man who swore to leave for his daughter's safety, is back?" Bellatrix's smile was a twisted mask of cruelty, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"And my precious, beloved son came to watch the show... tsk tsk," she sneered, her presence a dark shadow as she advanced on us. Her nails raked across my face, a burning sting that felt like a mark of her malevolence.

"Get away from her!" Regulus shouted, stumbling toward us in a desperate bid to protect me.

"CRUCIO!" Bellatrix's voice was a venomous hiss. The spell struck Regulus, sending him to the floor in writhing agony, his screams echoing through the corridor.

I turned, my heart pounding in my chest as Bellatrix approached my father. I couldn't let her hurt him. "CRUCIO!" she screamed again, and his cry of pain was a guttural, heart-wrenching sound that shattered me.

I raised my wand, desperation lending strength to my voice. "Expelliarmus!" I shouted, hoping to disarm her. But she was too powerful, her dark magic overpowering mine.

"Avada Kedavra!" she screamed, the green light flashing through the air. My body ached as I tried to counter the curse, but I felt the connection falter. In the instant I knew the curse would hit me, time seemed to slow. My life flashed before my eyes, a disorienting blur of memories and fear.

"No!" I screamed, my voice barely a whisper against the chaos. I tried to shove him out of the way, but it was too late. Enzo jumped in front of me, his eyes meeting mine with a serene, almost resigned smile.