Awkward

Chapter - 16 The Mirror of Erised

The snow melted away from over the Hogwarts castle as the third month of the year approached. Nothing much changed for Seraphina ever since the last episode of Valentine's day, but there was still one question left unanswered to the Ravenclaw - the identity of The Half-Blood Prince. The Prince didn't make any other moves after the black roses, which bothered and relieved the witch at the same time. She felt relaxed on knowing the fact that he wasn't interested in her anymore, but what bothered her was the realization that she would not get a chance to know who The Half-Blood Prince was. Severus, on the other hand, was unaware of the fact that the girl felt fascinated by his nickname. He regretted his decision of sending her his deceased mother's favourite flowers.

Although Albus, Minerva, Filius, and Hagrid had acted as if they agreed with Severus' decision of not manipulating Seraphina into accepting a man 14 years older than she, secretly they all prayed to Merlin, that Seraphina would accept this cumbersome relationship.

Headmaster Dumbledore appointed a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher named Christopher Smith Jr . Smith was a fine man of 40 with a medium frame, but there was nothing distinguishable in his personality. Miss Hudson - the History of Magic teacher, despite that fact, showed a great deal of interest in him. Soon, it became normal to observe the duo strolling together or sitting next to each other in the Great Hall, having deep and lengthy conversations.

Seraphina felt happy for the new pair. Only a little fraction of the reason for her merriment was Miss Hudson's newfound exhilaration, mostly she was contented to see that now at least the new teacher wouldn't mind giving her any special attention.

Severus, on the other hand, didn’t mind the presence of the new teacher because his mind was already preoccupied with the thought of the Ravenclaw's reaction to knowing about the Curse of Forbidden Love. The young Professor worried that he might lose the most wonderful person in his life, but he didn't possess the courage to lie to her. Her dusky eyes always held a look of sadness in them. Warmth, mysteriousness, sadness and curiosity always played a playfully fluid dance in those eyes. It was impossible for the Potions Master to lie when she looked at him with those truth-seeking orbs. It felt to him like he was betraying himself by lying to the girl who deserved all the happiness the world could grace her with. At first, the man who took down the Dark Lord was scared to like Seraphina, but now he was scared to cause her pain and suffering because he had started to like, admire, and adore her.

                                ልረልክ

It was the first day of March. After attending all her lectures the young witch didn't go to the library like she usually did in her normal routine. Instead, she walked down the corridor leading her towards the gargoyle of the Headmaster's office on the seventh floor of the castle.

Severus made his way towards Albus' office as well. He needed to talk to the old wizard about how they would tell Seraphina about the imprinting curse when his eyes fell on her delicate figure descending the staircase of the Gargoyle, lost in her own thoughts. She passed him without even noticing his presence. Severus hurried into the office without even bothering to ask for the Headmaster's permission.

" What happened to Miss Barclay? " asked Severus at once.

" I thought we weren't allowed to intrude in her personal affairs," commented Albus in a mirthful tone.

" Oh, Merlin! For once can you please keep your sarcastic attitude out of this, and tell me what happened to her. She looked lost," said the young Wizard impatiently.

" Nothing much to worry about, my dear friend. She just came to ask for my permission to leave the castle this evening," said Albus as if stating the obvious.