𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 (OC x OC) - Full Series

[007] CHAPTER 7 - I KNOW IT WON'T WORK

"part of me wants you back, but i know it won't work like that."|| gracie abrams

Christopher Lupin

I found out last week that Makayla Malfoy is a Deatheater. I don't know what to say. Knowing that Makayla is who Nora, my best friend, looks up to, I don't know how to feel either. It's like there's one single speck of sand in my gut and I can't quite shake it off or out.

Nora and I have known each other since she was born. We met through Louis and Makayla. This information does not change the fact that almost everyone I knew at Hogwarts through Nora or my brother is possibly a threat. They were all in Slytherin... and there's never been an evil witch or wizard that's not been in Slytherin. Not a prominent one, if we're into specifics.

I could ask Nora upon my return to Hogwarts if she, in fact, is sharing viewpoints with Makayla, but that is only if I am even going to Hogwarts this year. It is quite obvious that a war is coming upon us, whether we like it or not. Where there is an army, there is a battle. And Voldemort has a big army and a big battle against anyone who isn't in it.

When I look at my brother and sister, I know that I cannot seek any guidance from them on this endeavour based on their expressions. They are solemn and lost in thought all the time. When they aren't solemn or lost in thought, they're in their rooms. Speaking of, I suppose I should explain our living situation.

The Lupin Family isn't exactly rich, but now that my father is married to Nyphodora Tonks, Makayla and Nora's cousin... (Yeah, Louis isn't fond of it either.), we've recently grown in wealth by a smidge. Father was able to afford the rent of a small cottage in the woods, with four bedrooms, thank Merlin, and managed to put up a protection charm so that no Snatchers or other Deatheaters are able to see the temporary abode. It isn't ideal, but it's cozy, to say the least.

Annie loves it. Unfortunately, the only reason is because the view outside her window reminds her of what she thinks about when thinking of her stupid boyfriend, Mattheo. Gross.

Louis is okay with it... I guess? I don't really know. He hasn't been communicating at all. All I know is that he clearly doesn't know how to feel after the events of Bill and Fleur's wedding. The sudden shock, lack of explanation, and disappearance off the face of the earth has been bugging him for 13 days and it's driving me nuts. He doesn't talk and barely sleeps. At this point, I think the only bodily function he's keeping track of is eating. Oh dear, if he gave up eating, we'd be looking up to the sky to see if Jesus has returned.

In all seriousness, I don't think Louis is as okay with it as he seems. I know that he's always wanted to live somewhere like this with Makayla. At least, that's the information I got from how many centuries he's spent talking about her. The fact that we're here without her makes him sad, I think. Of course, I have no idea what he's thinking, but it's just a hunch. Given that his distant eyes are often downcast and his eyebrows tilted back as if he were frowning, I'd say I am correct, for the most part.

"Christopher?" Annie suddenly asks, pulling me out of my thoughts as I absentmindedly poke at my food with my fork. "Are you going to eat?"

I'm silent for a moment, glancing at Louis' empty chair and full plate before sighing. "You never ask Louis that question..."

"Because Louis is an adult now..." she murmurs, looking back at her food. "He's eighteen. I can't tell him what to do, and I couldn't even do that before then. We just have to hope for the best."

"So we're just going to sit here and watch him destroy himself over some girl that hated him his entire life?" I blurt out, my tone more rude than intended.

Annie is set aback, her face twisting in confusion as she looks at me with a tilted head. "Christopher, do you know anything about Makayla and how much she means to him?" she asks sternly. "As much as we wish he wasn't, he's in love with her. We can't just hope he'll fall out of love. He's already neck deep and we can't snap him out of it. No magic can stop that."

"I just don't understand what's so special about her," I murmur, my voice quickly quieting at the sound of Father's fork dropping on his plate.

"Christopher," he mutters, "that's enough."

"I'm just saying—"

"Enough."

I sigh and look back at my food. The medium rare steak is cut up into cubes for me so I'd be able to chew as if I can't cut it up myself. My mashed potatoes are scattered across the plate, barely eaten, but entirely tampered with. As I stare at my food, I hear a grumble, sounding like it's coming from the inner depths of my soul. Hesitantly, I stab my fork into one of the cubes and bring it to my mouth. I chew for a bit before grabbing my Sweet Tea and taking a sip.

I freeze at the sound of footsteps from upstairs. The only other person in the house is Louis. Has he finally left his room?

All three of us watch as Louis emerges from upstairs, his hair spiking up in all directions and eyes barely able to stay open. It's clear that he hasn't gotten any rest in a while.

Annie clears her throat as he makes his way to the kitchen, wiping her mouth with the handkerchief in her lap and setting it on the table. "May I be excused, Father?" she asks. At his nod, she rises and follows Louis. Boy, am I always forgotten when it comes to sibling bonding...

Annelise Lupin

I trail into the kitchen after Louis and announce myself with a sigh. He doesn't say anything, and, instead, stares out the window as if his mind is pondering over something.

"You haven't eaten..." I mention quietly.

"I haven't been hungry..."

"In two weeks?" I ask. "At this point, we need a doctor."

The attempt to lighten the mood does not appear to have any success as the room falls silent after that. After a few moments, Louis blurts out, "It's too silent."

"Huh? What do you—"

"She wouldn't like it here..." he mutters.

"I don't know what you mean—"

"Makayla hates the quiet... It makes her feel alone..." he slowly turns around as I fall quiet again. When he speaks again, his voice is more shaky, "Do you think it's quiet at Malfoy Manor?"

From the crack in his voice to the shine in his eye, I can tell that he's about to cry, so without responding, I walk over and pull him into my arms. I sigh painfully as he starts to sob in my shoulder.

"I miss her..."

"We all do..." I whisper, rubbing his back gently. "We'll get them back... All of them..."

"All this time..." he croaks. "All this time, I didn't know she had been going through this... Going through this alone..."

"She didn't tell you—"

"She shouldn't have to!" he cries out as he suddenly pulls out of my arms with a jolt. "I've been in love with her for 11 years and to think that the moment I get the girl, I'm suddenly blinded... It's all my fault... I got so full of pride when she said yes to being mine that I thought she'd never have to worry about the weight of silence again. Now that's her entire life... because I failed to notice."