My Damned Lover: Third Year

Chapter 26

Draco and Seraphina finally left Madam Puddifoot's. 

They were in high spirits due to the sugar rush. 

Seraphina heard someone yell "Harry" and immediately whipped around. She spotted footsteps appearing in the snow, and her heart dropped when she saw Hermione and Ron running after him. 

"I... I have to go. I'm sorry, Draco." 

With that, she ran off. 

She followed the fresh footprints and slowed down when she spotted Hermione pulling the cloak off of him. 

He was in absolute hysterics, and she watched him break down with the news that Sirius was his godfather. 

Seraphina cupped her hands over her mouth in horror, and she never felt so sorry for Harry before. How could his damn godfather betray his parents and kill them? Harry vowed to murder the bastard, and he hung his head low as he released a guttural sob from the pit of his broken heart. 

Seraphina didn't hesitate to run over and envelop him in a tight embrace. She knew it was useless saying "it's going to be okay," so she just clung even more tightly onto him. Hermione and Ron joined them, and the four of them held each other for a long time.

-----

Seraphina opened her eyes and saw the twinkling Christmas lights. After the Hogsmeade trip, they ate dinner and came back to the common room. Nothing cheered Harry up, but the three of them still stuck by his side. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep on the couch. 

Ron's snore came from the armchair, and she spotted Hermione in the armchair beside his. They looked like aging parents, and she smiled to herself. One day, she deemed, they were going to get married and grow old together. 

But I don't see Harry anywhere. 

Seraphina sat up with a jolt and froze. Harry was sitting by the window, and he was gazing up at the window. She wondered what was running through his mind, and her eyes softened with empathy. 

"Harry," Seraphina whispered as she sat beside him. "What are you doing up?" 

"I just couldn't sleep," Harry admitted. "Why are you up?" 

"Ron's snoring," Seraphina joked, hoping to make Harry laugh. He didn't, and her smile fell. "Harry..." He looked at her as she put a hand on his knee. "I really admire you." 

"Me?" 

"Yes. Not just because you're THE Harry Potter... but because you're just a boy who's going through so much. I don't know how I could live if my parents died at the hands of my godfather. And what's worse, you were raised by those awful pigs. It seemed like things were finally looking up, but Voldemort keeps trying to kill you every year. I don't know how you handle it." Seraphina sighed. 

"That sounds pretty sad if you put it that way," Harry admitted. 

"It is, but not hopeless." Seraphina turned towards him. "Look, Harry. I heard that everyone has only a certain amount of bad luck in their lives. And judging from everything that has happened to you, I think your bad luck is about to run out soon. Your prime days are coming, so don't be too glum, all right?" 

That managed to bring a crack of a smile on his face. "Where'd you hear such wise words?" 

"My dad. If you need therapy, let me know. He's a pretty good listener, too." 

Harry chuckled, "I think I'd rather talk to you. You're a good listener, too." 

"The apple doesn't fall from the tree," she said, and he grinned at her. However, his smile faded, and he lowered his voice into a whisper, "Can I ask you something?" 

"Of course." She scooted closer, and he asked, "What's going on with you and Draco?" 

She stiffened. She knew this day would come, but she didn't know she'd have to tell him on the day he found out about his godfather. 

"Just tell me the truth, Seraphina." 

"The truth?" Seraphina sighed as she pinched the end of her sweater. "I honestly don't know. I mean, he's not that bad, but then again, he's never been that good. I just... I like hanging out with him... and he's saved me a few times. We're just friends, but I don't know what'll happen in the future." She looked at Harry and winced. "Is that bad?" 

Harry thought about it before saying, "No. At least I don't think so. You know I hate Draco. And I'd rather you hang out with someone like Neville or Dean instead. But if I'm being objective, he has been saving you a lot of times, and I heard the whole thing with Pansy was a misunderstanding. I'm glad he's there for you, but just don't trust him too easily. He's still a Slytherin, and what's worse, he's a Malfoy." 

"So... you won't make me choose between you and him?" Seraphina cautiously asked. Harry raised an eyebrow. "Who'd you choose then?"

 "You. Without a doubt, you," Seraphina said without hesitance. "I mean, come on. I was placed in Gryffindor for a reason." 

Harry chuckled. "Well, that's very nice of you, but I'm not mean enough to make you choose. Ron? Maybe. But not me. I trust you, Seraphina. You won't go to the dark side." 

Seraphina laughed, and Harry grinned at her. 

"What's going on?" Ron mumbled as he rubbed his eyes. 

Hermione shifted in her armchair before sitting up with a yawn. "Is it morning?" 

"No, go back to sleep," Seraphina whispered. 

"I can't sleep... with all... your talking..." Ron's head hit the armchair, and he started snoring with an open mouth. 

Hermione rolled her eyes and threw a cushion at him, causing him to sit up with startled eyes. 

Hermione and Seraphina burst into laughter, and Ron muttered "bloody hell" before falling right back asleep.