𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 (OC x OC) - Full Series

[007] CHAPTER 14 - RIBS

"you're the only friend i need."
|| lorde

Makayla Malfoy

Father is letting us return home for the winter, surprisingly. Honestly, Nora probably threatened him. Or it could be because Mattheo is returning home and he doesn't trust me to make smart decisions while I'm alone on campus. Though, that already hasn't been happening, since I literally take a walk in the Forbidden Forest every night just to clear my head. Not my brightest decision, but I haven't strayed from it for a few months.

"Makayla, dear," Father asks.

I look up from my plate. This is no mere family dinner. This is a Deatheater meeting. I glance around at the table, meeting the eyes of many people that I've repulsed for many years up until a few months ago. When I look back at my Father, I clear my throat and ask, "Yes, Father?"

"Would you go check on our guests?" he asks before taking a bite of his food.

Everyone goes back to eating, but that doesn't last long, as everyone nearly chokes and drops their forks as I ask, "Isn't that Wormtail's job? You're giving me the rat's job?"

Father chokes on his bite and Mother rests her hand on his back, giving me a small look of warning that I should watch my words. Soon enough, Father recomposes himself and sighs, "Would you please just do it? You should know who's living in our home anyway, shouldn't you? You've been very loud about wanting to be included in these discussions and respected enough to be given this information, so, if you will, please go down into the cellar."

An exasperated breath leaves my lips as I wipe my mouth with my napkin before rising from the table and leaving the room, going straight for the stairwell. I feel a cold gust of wind as I walk downstairs, my arms wrapping around myself in a failed effort to keep me warm. In the corner sits the key to the boarded door at the end of the hallway, so I slowly grab it and approach the door.

I hit my knuckles against the metal a few times before unlocking the door and peeking my head inside. The room is pitch dark.

"The one time I wish we used muggle technology..." I mutter to myself as I enter the room and grab my wand from my pocket. "Lumos."

The room is then illuminated with light and I jump at the sight of Annie. Home... She's trapped at home... My... home... I might actually have an aneurysm. What the heck is going on right now?

"Annie?" I whisper.

"I told you that you'd know..." she mutters, sounding as if she's on the verge of tears. My heart break as I rush over and pull her into my arms, not even caring to see whomelse is in the cellar, awaiting their timely death—or escape.

"I'm so sorry..." I mutter into her hair, my hands clutching her back as I pray that she won't disappear. "I had no idea that they'd do this... I swear, I told them to leave you and Louis out of this."

"Louis got away..." Annie whispers.

I nod silently. "I know... I spoke to him... I don't know where he is, but I could tell that he was safe when I called him."

"I thought that Mattheo was refusing to give you his phone," Annie inquires.

"Well... I might've stolen it..."

She laughs bitterly, "Of course you did."

"I was bored! It's not like I knew how to use it anyway. I only called Louis because I accidentally clicked a button and then Louis' name was on the screen."

"You sound like Mr. Weasley," she chuckles.

"He's a great man, I'm honored," I smile softly before sighing. "Annie, I never wanted to lie to you..."

"I know that now..." she murmurs, pulling back from the hug. "If anything, I should've known."

"What?"

"As much as I wish it weren't true, you are Makayla Malfoy. If I was surprised by you being a Deatheater, I honestly should reevaluate myself," she explains.

"Wow... That's an... actually intelligent way of thinking...?" I tease, causing her to laugh.

"Ha ha, very funny."

"I know, I am very funny."

Suddenly another voice rises from the other side of the room. The voice is old and scrawny; male. "Elm wood with a phoenix core 11¾" and unyielding flexibility..." the voice murmurs. "Hello, Ms. Malfoy."

I turn to the voice and see Mr. Ollivander, sitting on the floor against the wall with his knees pulled to his chest. He looks so much more fragile than he did eight years ago when I walked into that dusty wand shop, and he still remembers my wand.

"Mr. Ollivander? What are you doing here?"

"I hold the knowledge that connects Harry Potter's wand with the Dark Lord's..." he explains quietly. "When I refused to share it, I was kidnapped."

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, Mr. Ollivander."

"No no," he waves a hand weakly. "There is no need for the apologies. I stand strong in my decision and will die for it if need be."

"That's admirable," a soft voice replies. I turn to see Luna Lovegood. "Hello, Makayla."

"Luna? Why are you here? Something your Father did?"

"Indeed," she nods, slowly walking over. "My Father's writings in the Quibbler upset the Dark Lord and so he took me. He's held me for a few weeks now, but I expect to be here for longer."

"You were just at Hogwarts—"

"They took me when I was on the way home for Christmas," she explains.

"Luna, I'm—"

"Don't apologize, Makayla. If Harry Potter is still alive, I trust that he will follow through on his promise to keep us safe."

I only nod, not daring to say anything more regarding Potter. The Dark Lord is still listening.

"Maky?" Annie mumbles. I turn to her. "Louis doesn't hate you..."

I pause, stiffening. "I don't care about that at the moment, Annie."

"I just thought you'd—"

"Annelise, I don't need to know anything about Louis when I'm likely to have to kill him in these upcoming months," I blurt out without even thinking, my gaze fixed on the floor. Louis can hate me or not hate me all he wants, but that doesn't change the Dark Lord's plans for me.

She falters, a tear rolling down her face. "Why are you down here, Makayla?" she murmurs.

"I was asked to check on you all by my Father. I have done so, so I'll be going now. Have a nice rest of your night. As nice as it can be in a cell," I spit out before walking out of the room and locking the door behind me. Perhaps I overreacted at the mention of Louis' name, but maybe I need to get rid of my attachment to anyone with his last name. Nora won't like this. Not one bit.

Author's Note: Just putting this here to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEASON THREE!!! (Technically, the season came out a year ago tomorrow, but I released the trailer today so YAYYYY)