Descent - Mattheo Riddle

Chapter thirty-four

Lucia

June 20th, 11:35 p.m., Ministery of Magic

The moment we locked eyes with the real Lucius and Bellatrix, my pulse skyrocketed. Time seemed to stretch for a second too long, and I could feel the weight of the Polyjuice Potion beginning to thin. They were staring at their own reflections, yet in the world of magic, that was no impossibility. The creeping realization in their eyes was all the warning we needed.

Without a word, Mattheo moved first, his wand slashing through the air with a sharp flick. "Bombarda!" he roared.

The spell shot through the space between us and erupted like a bomb, exploding into a fiery blaze right where the real Lucius stood. Lucius leapt backward, his robes igniting for a moment before he extinguished the flames with a casual flick of his own wand, his face twisted into fury. He retaliated immediately, his wand already aimed. "Diffindo!"

I barely had time to react before the slicing curse came barreling toward us. Mattheo and I ducked in unison, the spell cutting through the air where our heads had been a second ago. I could feel the gust of magical energy as it narrowly missed me, slashing through a nearby pillar with a deafening crack.

Bellatrix was next. Her face, twisted into a maniacal grin, lit up with the thrill of battle. Her wand twirled in her fingers as she whispered, "Crucio!"

The red jet of light shot toward me like a predator. My body moved instinctively, rolling out of the way. I felt the heat of the curse pass me, my heart hammering in my chest. She was using the Unforgivable Curses like they were nothing. A sadistic gleam in her eyes told me she enjoyed it far too much.

"Expulso!" I shouted, sending a blast of raw energy toward her, but again she blocked it with ease, her wild hair flying as she laughed in my face.

Mattheo darted forward, his wand raised high. "Sectumsempra!" His voice cut through the chaos, and the curse shot from his wand, jagged and slicing through the air toward Lucius.

Lucius barely managed to deflect it, but the force of the curse sent him skidding back. His pale face twisted into a sneer, his lips curling in disgust. "You think you can match me, boy?" he hissed, his cold eyes locking onto Mattheo's with deadly intent.

"Mattheo, watch out!" I screamed, as Lucius cast "Avada Kedavra!". A green flash of Light bursts from Lucius wand right at Mattheo, but before it could hit, I used all my strength to cast a protection shield around us. It was crafted from ancient magic and the only protection you could use even against the unforgiveable curses. But it took a lot of energy, and I could feel my body getting weaker after the protection worn out.

Mattheo met Lucius's eyes with the same icy determination. "Curcio!" Mattheo spat, hitting Lucius this time with full force, letting him squirm on the floor.

Bellatrix shrieked in laughter, her wand flashing. "You always were such a disappointment, Mattheo!" she screeched, her voice filled with madness. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a hex spiraling toward me.

I dodged, barely avoiding the spell as it slammed into the wall behind me, cracking stone and sending debris flying. I had to fight back the wave of nausea threatening to rise from the sight of her. The Polyjuice was still working, but my movements felt slower, my limbs heavier. The potion was wearing off, and soon enough, we would be completley exposed, even through we revealed our identies already by name.

"Mattheo!" I called, barely deflecting a Stupefy from Bellatrix, my voice shaking as the realization settled in. "The Polyjuice... it's wearing off!"