My Damned Lover: Third Year

Chapter 6

That night, Seraphina went to the library after dinner. This was her favorite place in Hogwarts. Something about it made her think better, and she always felt so safe and warm in here. She read over her astronomy notes as she absentmindedly twirled the gold cross ring on her right ring finger. 

According to her father, this was her mother's gift to her. She knew it was a magic ring because it adjusted to fit her finger perfectly every year. Someone pulled out the seat in front of her and sat down. She assumed it was another Gryffindor student and continued to read her notes without looking up. 

"Seraphina." 

Her eyes stopped over the last word as her eyebrow twitched in recognition at the voice. 

Slowly, she lifted her gaze and made eye contact with Draco. 

"What are you doing here?"

 "What else do you do at a library?" Draco motioned to his books.

Seraphina gave him a doubtful look. "I've never seen you study in the library before." 

Draco gave her a small smirk as his eyes lit up with confidence. "I didn't know you searched for me. I'm flattered." 

"That's not what I meant," Seraphina said flatly, bursting his bubble. "What I meant was that I didn't notice you." 

"Same difference." 

"I'm pretty sure it's not, but whatever." She went back to her books but couldn't concentrate. She didn't know about Draco, but she felt pretty awkward. Why did it bother her so much that they were studying in the same space together? Probably because we're lifelong enemies. He hates my friends, and I just want to claw his pretty face up whenever he insults them, especially Hermione. But she had to admit she had never seen this side of Draco before. It was almost as if he was human, like everybody else. He seemed like someone who wouldn't bleed or tear up, but she could possibly see him being someone with actual emotions. 

"Why did you do it?" 

She snapped out of her thoughts. "Huh?" 

Draco lifted his gaze and looked deep into her eyes. "I'm talking about the boggart." Her expression straightened as her eyes softened with something very close to sympathy. "You knew... what it was going to shift into, didn't you?" Draco whispered. 

Instead of answering, Seraphina closed her mouth and shifted her attention back to the book. "I don't know what you're talking about. I just thought it was my turn. It was a misunderstanding." She could feel his penetrating stare and closed her book. 

It was obvious she wasn't going to be getting any studying done here tonight. 

She packed up and left the library without looking back, but she just knew he was still looking at her.