My Damned Lover: Third Year

Chapter 21

Seraphina watched Hermione in amusement. 

For the past 45 minutes, her best friend had been rambling about various topics, from Mrs. Norris almost being eaten by Buckbeak to two Hufflepuffs being caught doing the dirty in a closet by Snape. 

Hermione wasn't the one to gossip, so it was obvious she was trying to distract Seraphina. 

"Oh! And the other day, Fred Weasley-" 

Seraphina slid her hand over Hermione's and gave it a gentle squeeze, causing her to stop revealing the next "dirty secret." 

Seraphina tilted her head and softly smiled. "Hermione... as much as I'd like to know who Fred Weasley banged in the closet... I think you can stop now." 

Hermione's cheeks flushed. "It wasn't anything like that. I was just going to say Fred accidentally slammed a bludger into Mrs. Norris." 

"Poor Mrs. Norris. She's always the target, isn't she?" Seraphina chuckled. 

Hermione studied her face. "Are you sure you're okay?" 

"Yes," Seraphina assured and patted the back of her hand. "So don't you worry your pretty little head and focus on getting some sleep, yeah? You've been zooming in and out of class so much. I'm afraid you'll end up at the infirmary like I did. Twice. In one year. Wow, what a record." She gave a little round of applause, and finally Hermione chuckled and shook her head. 

"SERAPHINA!" 

She turned her head to see Fred and George. They looked way too excited to see her. 

"Hello, Cat Killer." Seraphina looked right at Fred. He let the comment fly over his head and took her hand at the same time George did. 

"Come and join the big boys!" 

"What? Hey!" Seraphina's eyes widened as the twins tugged on her hands. "Where are you taking me?" 

"She just got out of the infirmary," Hermione scolded as she chased after them. 

"Hush," George said with a finger to his lips and grinned at her. "Just watch." 

The four of them ducked behind the wall and poked their heads out. 

"Watch what? The wall? The water fountain? The ground? The rat? Hey, isn't that Ron's rat Scammers?" Seraphina squinted her eyes to get a better look. 

"Hush!" Fred put a hand over her mouth. "And it's Scappers." 

"Fred, you bloody idiot. It's Scoopers." 

"Ugh, how can you not know your own brother's rat's name is Scabbers!" Hermione snapped. 

"Oh, incoming!" Fred proudly grinned. 

"Oh my god," Hermione gasped. 

Seraphina's jaw dropped in shock. She watched as Pansy ran down the corridor with flies buzzing all around her. She stopped and shrieked, and more flies flew out of her MOUTH. She clasped a hand over her mouth, and crying, she raced for the infirmary. 

"Wicked," George snickered. The twins high-fived each other and grinned at Seraphina. 

"What'd you think?" 

"That was horrible," Hermione said with concern in her eyes. 

"Honestly... I thought it was brilliant," Seraphina said. 

"Right?" "Yeah! Woohoo!" 

"Yes, but you guys didn't have to do that. I could fight my own battles," Seraphina commented with a grateful smile. "Anyway, thank you." 

"Anything for our sweet little Slytherina," Fred cooed as he put an arm around her. 

"Aw, not you, too, Fred," Seraphina groaned and tried to shrug him off. 

Fred gently poked her cheek. "No one likes a grumpy Slytherin." 

"Bugger off," she snapped as she pushed his arm away. 

"Now that's OUR Seraphina!" George proudly put an arm around her as well. They hugged her and nuzzled their cheeks against her own. Seraphina gave up and sighed as she allowed the leeches to hold her. She glanced at the twins, and her lips quirked upwards into a smile. One thing for sure... she had some amazing friends. 

Her smile froze, and her expression flattened. 

"Fred, where the hell is your hand going?" 

"How do you know it's me? It could be George!" 

"Did Ron ever tell you the time I turned him into a ballerina? I still remember the spell. It was-" 

Seraphina pulled out her wand. 

"WHOA!" The twins scattered, and they were gone in a flash. 

Hermione doubled over with laughter, and Seraphina grinned. 

"Seraphina," a voice called. She looked up to see Oliver. 

"Heard what happened. I'm sorry. Pansy has always been a twat." 

"Oliver!" Hermione gasped. 

Oliver shrugged. "It's true. No one likes her. Not even the Slytherins." 

Seraphina chuckled before nodding. "Yes, I'm perfectly fine." 

"Great! Then don't forget quidditch practice. It's in 30 minutes sharp," Oliver said with a happy cluck of his tongue and started walking away. 

"No! Look at her face! She's in no condition to play quidditch right now," Hermione whined. 

Oliver turned around and walked backwards. "Hermione just called you ugly. If I were you, I would get a new best friend." 

Her jaw dropped open in shock. "I did not! Seraphina!" 

Seraphina laughed and squeezed her arm. "I know, I know." 

Hermione sighed in relief, and Seraphina added, "You probably think I'm hideous." 

"SERAPHINA!" Seraphina gave a little squeal before running off and broke into full laughter as Hermione chased her around the courtyard.