sunlit meadows, winding brooks ✮ slytherin boys

chapter six, part two // wheel of fortune

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Continued

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          "Charlotte," Theo started, but his words were cut short as Sitra barreled toward them, panic etched across her face. Charlotte's heart dropped to her slightly sore shoes.

          "Lotte! Something's happening with Eva. We need to get Vienna and meet Mattheo, now." Sitra gasped, breath coming in short bursts. A pang of guilt surged through Charlotte. She knew she had to go, but she felt awful leaving Theo.

          She met his gaze and he gave her a reassuring nod. "Go. I'll be fine, I promise."

          Without another word, she sprinted after Sitra. Charlotte gathered her dress in her hands, lifting the delicate fabric to avoid tripping on it as they rushed through the crowded hall.

          Vienna spotted them first, her eyes narrowing as she watched them weave through the crowd, their expressions laced with worry. Her stomach churned with unease. She hoped her tension wasn't visible on her face as she took a sip of her drink.

          "What's wrong, Vienna?" Lorenzo whispered, gently squeezing her hand as he noticed her sudden change in demeanor.

          "Nothing," she replied, trying to sound calm, but her voice wavered; she averted her eyes, suddenly focused on the intricate snowflake pattern of the tablecloth.

          "Are you positive?" he pressed, lifting her chin so their eyes met.

          Before Vienna could respond, Sitra and Charlotte skidded to a halt in front of her.

          "Vienna, it's Evangeline," Charlotte managed to say, her voice tight.

          Sitra placed a steadying hand on Charlotte's shoulder, still catching her breath. "We have to leave, now."

          Vienna's mind raced with worst-case scenarios, each more terrifying than the last. "Alright..." she hesitated, glancing at Lorenzo. The thought of leaving him tugged at her heart, but the urgency in her cousins' eyes made it clear she had no choice. Lorenzo gave her a small nod of understanding, silently telling her to go. Vienna turned back to her cousins.

          "Follow me," Sitra said, grabbing Charlotte's hand, who in turn grabbed Vienna. They started towards the grand doors, shoving through the swarm of students. As they ran, their eyes examined the crowd in hopes of finding the curly blonde, but they had no luck.

          As they neared the massive, gilded doors, Sitra spotted Mattheo pacing next to it, his expression grim. She led the girls over to him as she called his name, his eyes darting up to them in response.

          "C'mon," Sitra spoke, letting go of Charlotte's hand to catch up with Mattheo. The twins followed close behind.

          They strode through the colossal gold doors that opened up into the hallway, feeling a rush of cold air from the identical doors on the opposite wall, the ones that led outside the castle. Once they had stepped fully into the hallway, the temperature was warmer from the giant torches on either side of the hall. The ancient walls of the castle were decorated with garland and wreaths, while the stone stairwell was decorated with girls crying, couples making out, and a group of Durmstrang students smoking. The only ones absent were Cormac and Evangeline, or so they thought. Suddenly, murmurs echoed from behind the historic, brick archway.