𝔖𝔢𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔡 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 (18+ ℭ𝔬𝔪𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔱𝔢)

Brokenhearted

     A cool breeze blew into the open-sided astronomy tower. I crinkled the note from Diggory in my hand and leaned against one of the pillars. I admired Hogwarts towers and the hazy, sprawling countryside as I waited.

     Footsteps climbed the stairs. When they stopped, Seth stood in front of me, or more accurately, wobbled in front of me. His eyes were red and puffy with dark circles underlining them. He looked unclean with his hair sticking out in all directions, and his clothes were wrinkled.

     "Seth, what's going on?" I was concerned but made no effort to physically comfort him as I usually would have with any of my Pets.

     He dropped to his knees, looking like a blob of clothes. He touched my shoe with a shaky finger. "It's true, then?"

     "What?"

     "That you're with Potter now."

     "Have you seen a mirror? You look terrible."

     "Answer me...please."

     "I'm his." My heart fluttered happily until I saw Seth's pained expression.

     "But you can't, I'm yours. I care about you."

     I smiled. "I cared for you, and I will always be appreciative of what you gave me."

     He shook his head.

     "I released you long ago, Seth."

     "NO!" Tears streamed down his face.

     "Please, find someone to take good care of you, you deserve it."

     His eyes snapped to mine, and were feral, like a madman. "No one leaves without a blessing, you know that."

     I swallowed hard. "I've sent in my notice and my crest."

     "It will never happen."

     "It's done."

     "You can't leave me, I'm yours until one of us dies."

     "Any party can dissolve the relationship if it becomes disruptive to their lives."

     "I'm disruptive? What about Sue, Tiffany, Jacob, and all the rest of them? Do you really think they will let you go?"

     "Yes, and they have, over nine months ago."

     "But I love you!"

     Oh, shit! Swallowing hard, I said, "I was very clear about who I was when we started our arrangement."

     "But you could change your mind, you do that a lot."

     "I'm sorry you expected more than I can give you."

     "No, you can't leave me!" He slammed me back into the pillar so hard my vision blurred.

     "Stop, Seth!" Firewhisky was heavy on his breath as he tried to kiss me—something we've never done. Pushing my hands against his face, I tried to get out from between him and the pillar at my back.

     "I love you, Draco." He ripped my shirt open.

     Oh, Merlin, no! Please don't let Seth hurt me. "Then let me go."

     His hot, rancid mouth left a trail down my body as he tried to unfasten my pants. "Never."

     "PET!"

     His laugh jabbed fear into my soul. "Like you said, you released me." He ripped the button off my pants. "I don't have to obey you anymore."

     I shoved him with all my might.