My Damned Lover: Third Year

Chapter 56

Seraphina flinched as Harry ran a finger over her bruised cheek. He winced, too, and he asked, "Does it hurt a lot?" 

"What do you think, Harry? Now stop touching it!" Hermione smacked his hand away with an annoyed look. She was extra protective of Seraphina at the moment, and she wasn't allowing anyone, friend or foe, come near her. 

"Are you sure you don't have to go to Madame Pomfrey?" Hermione gave Seraphina a look. 

Seraphina sighed, "For the last time, yes, Hermione, I'm sure." 

"I'd feel a lot better if she took care of you," Hermione said as her expression twisted into anxiousness. 

"Bloody hell, Hermione, give her some room to breathe," Ron warned. 

"Thanks, Ron," Seraphina said gratefully. 

Hermione rolled her eyes, clearly displeased. "You need help!" 

"I'm fine. Seriously. So please relax, Mommy Granger," Seraphina lightly joked as she put her hands on Hermione's shoulders. Seraphina gave her a warm, convincing smile, and Hermione sighed, "What if he comes back?" 

"That's not going to happen," Harry said right away with a determined glint in his eyes. "He's not coming anywhere near Seraphina. We're going to be with her 24/7." 

"What? How am I supposed to go to the bathroom?" Seraphina joked. 

"Hermione, go with her," Ron said, and when Hermione nodded, Seraphina's smile fell, and her expression crumbled. "...Seriously?" 

"It's the least we can do..." Hermione suddenly grew teary. "I'm so sorry, Seraphina. We should've gone up with you." 

"We were going to, but Flint stopped us," Ron explained. 

"We should've still gone with you, Seraphina." Harry put a hand on her shoulder. "We're really, really sorry." 

"Hey, don't blame yourselves. I'm really, really okay. Draco saved me before anything drastic happened," Seraphina said. 

"Ugh, not that bloody moron again." Ron shook his head. 

"He saved her. We shouldn't insult him. At least... not today," Hermione said. 

"Where did he go? I thought he'd stick next to you like glue," Harry pointed out. 

"Oh, he said he has to take care of something," Seraphina said vaguely. 

"I hate to admit it... but Draco truly cares about you, Seraphina," Harry said. Ron and Hermione looked at him in surprise, and he continued, "He really panicked when the tribulant turned green. It wasn't fear for himself, but fear for you, and I've never seen him run so fast. I hate him with passion, but... I think he's a good match for you," Harry said. 

"Hey, hey, let's stop thinking about them dating. I'm gonna be sick," Ron said and actually looked a bit green in the gills. Seraphina pretended to kick him, and Hermione and Harry chuckled. 

"WHERE IS MY LOVE?! WHERE IS SHE?!" 

Seraphina looked up, sighed, and turned away to hide herself. "And here he comes." 

Someone grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around. She was now face to face with an alarmed Fred. When he saw her face, his expression crumbled, and he became paler than ever. He had been prepared to make a joke, but when he saw that she was really injured, he couldn't bring himself to say anything. For the first time, he was speechless.