My Damned Lover: Third Year

Chapter 60

"FIRE! FIRE!" 

Seraphina was sure she was only imagining those screams. After all, the dormitory couldn't be on fire. 

"SERAPHINA, WAKE UP!" Hermione's scream made her jolt up in bed. 

"Huh? Er? What? Eh?" Seraphina was completely disoriented, and she couldn't even peel her eyes open all the way. She assumed it was before 8 o'clock, which meant it was too early to function for a weekend. 

"There's a fire, Seraphina! Come on! We've got to go!" Hermione headed for the door. 

"A fire...?" Seraphina climbed out of bed and reached for a change of clothing. 

"There's no time to change! Here, wear this! It's a bit chilly." Hermione threw a light blue cardigan at her. 

Seraphina pulled it over her, stuck her feet in her slippers, and hurried downstairs. 

BOOM! POW! BANG! 

"Holy crap!" Seraphina almost fell backwards, but she managed to catch the railing before she could crack her head open. "What...?" 

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SERAPHINA!" Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Fred, George, and Ginny shouted as they grinned from ear to ear. They were still in their pajamas as well. That's right. It's April 4. My birthday. 

"Oh my god..." Seraphina sank onto the stair and put her hands on her cheeks. She looked at Hermione who grinned widely at her. 

"You told me there was a fire," Seraphina pointed out. 

Hermione laughed, "I'm sorry. That was the only way to get you out of bed." 

Seraphina covered her face. "This isn't the way I wanted to start off my day. I look hideous."

"I think you look scrumptious," Fred cooed as he approached her and held out his hand. 

"You're biased, but thanks." Seraphina slipped her hand into his, and he pulled her over to the common room. She saw they had set up a breakfast buffet and laughed at the smiley pancake especially made for her. 

"Wow, I feel special." 

Ginny gave her a side hug and beamed at her. "Happy birthday, Seraphina." 

"Thank you, Ginny." Seraphina smiled back warmly and leaned her head against hers. 

"Give me some love, too," George said as he squeezed between them. Seraphina laughed and hugged him, and she turned to see Ron. He held out an arm and smiled. "Happy birthday, Slytherina." She jammed her elbow into his stomach instead of giving him a hug, and he went down with a loud "oof." 

"You totally deserved it," Ginny snickered. 

"Shut up," Ron muttered as he attempted to get up. 

"Happy birthday, Seraphina. I hope you have the best day ever," Neville said with a sweet smile that made her warm inside. 

"Thanks, Neville. Thank you everyone for getting up really early just to celebrate my birthday, which isn't even a big deal at all," Seraphina said with a playful roll of her eyes. 

"Are you bloody serious? You gave me quite an earful last for forgetting," Ron pointed out. 

Hermione shot him a look. "It's called sarcasm, Ron." 

"Don't mind him. The light's on but nobody's home," Ginny said. 

"Whoever was in there moved out a long time ago," Fred added, making everyone but Ron laugh. 

"It's not pick-on-Ron day! It's Seraphina's birthday! Now let's eat!" Ron rushed to grab a plate. 

Seraphina filled her own plate with her special pancake and sat next to Harry. 

"Happy birthday, Seraphina," Harry said with a warm smile. "I'll give you your gift tonight." 

"Tonight? What's tonight?" Seraphina blinked in confusion as she stuffed her mouth with bacon. 

"Your birthday party, of course," Fred laughed. 

"Didn't think we'd just serve you breakfast and end it here, did you?" George grinned. 

"So dress your best, 'cause we're going all out tonight!" Fred whooped. 

"All the Gryffindors are invited, of course," Ginny said as she explained the party would be held in this common room. 

"That's why half the quidditch team is missing," George explained. 

"Yeah, and not because Oliver is a git who only cares about quidditch," Fred snorted, and everyone laughed again. 

"Sounds good." Seraphina smiled cheerfully and downed her orange juice in excitement.

-----

Seraphina arrived in her room to wash up but paused when she saw Pigmy sitting at her nightstand. "Pigmy! When did you get here?" Seraphina stroked her owl and beamed. "Did you come here to wish me a happy birthday, too?" She noticed a pile on her bed and realized Pigmy had brought her mail. "Ahhh, so you did come for my birthday." 

Seraphina opened her drawer, pulled out some bird feed, and gave it to Pigmy. While her owl ate, she started to check the letters and packages. The first box she opened was from her father. She pulled out the colorful knit sweater and smiled. He had good taste and knew exactly what she liked. She opened the envelope and unfolded the handwritten letter.

Happy birthday to my one and only daughter.
You're another year older and wiser.
I wish I could spend this special day with you.
I haven't been able to spend your birthday with you ever since you went to school.
Don't cry too much because you miss me, all right?
Know that I'm always in your heart.
I love you, sweetie.
You are the apple of my eye, and I am always proud of you.

Love,

Dad

Seraphina hugged the sweater to her chest and smiled with a sad glint in her eyes. "I miss you, too, dad..." 

Pigmy flew by her side and lightly pecked her hand with its beak. "Alright, alright," Seraphina laughed and appreciatively stroked her bird for stopping her before she could cry. "Let me see what Harvey got me this year. It better not be anything crazy." She opened the box and pulled out a pink carousel. 

"Oh, what do you know? It's a music box. Something normal for once." She saw his letter and realized it wasn't just a music box. Once the song came to an end, it would turn into a real life carousel that she could actually ride on. 

"Once again, he outdoes himself," Seraphina sighed but smiled appreciatively. She spotted a green envelope on the bed and was instantly drawn to it. She didn't know if it was her intuition or her growing attachment to the color green. 

Seraphina opened the envelope and pulled out a letter that was written in familiar impeccable writing. 

Meet me in front of Honeydukes. - D.M. 

She smiled in anticipation and hastened to get ready for Hogsmeade.