Chapter Text
"Good evening my dear. Have a seat." Professor Umbridge said with a grin. "You will be writing lines tonight." I sit at the desk and look around. "You didn't give me any ink, Professor."
She shakes her head. "This is a special quill. No need for ink." My brow furrows. 'What quill doesn't need ink.'
"What are my lines?" She takes a sip of her tea. "Let's see. _I will remember my place. Below everyone._" My breath catches. "Why?" She tsks. "My dear. Now we have to add another night." She smirks. "Pity."
I start my lines. Amazed that she was actually right, this quill didn't need any ink. By the fifth line, my hand started to tingle painfully. I look around the room. The cats on the plates watch me curiously. I continued my lines before Umbridge added another night.
By the tenth one, the tingling pain turned into a burn. I turned my hand, to my horror, my lines mirrored the parchment. Tears pooled into the corner of my eye. I look up at Umbridge for guidance. "No breaks, Miss Shacklebolt." My jaw drops.
'How is this allowed?'
Walking back to the Gryffindor common room, my hand felt as if someone had set fiendfyre to it. At the bottom of the stairs, I lean against the cold wall, allowing the tears to fall. How could a teacher, someone from the ministry do this to a child? My body freezes. Does Uncle Kingsley know about this? I head to bed, quickly saying goodnight to my roommates.
Forgetting that my soulmate must also be in pain.
~~~~
Neville and I worked together on our Draught of Peace. We work silently in fear Professor Snape will give us detention. I stir the cauldron, my sleeve pushed up, revealing my hand. I had forgotten to wrap it this morning. Neville gasps beside me. "Merlin Addison. What happened to your hand?" Neville exclaimed. Others looked at us while I quickly covered it back up. I shushed him. "It's nothing. Focus on the potion Neville." I hissed. Neville tried to argue but thankfully Snape walked by.
As everyone left the classroom, Neville placed his hand on top of my arm. "You had detention with Umbridge last night." He stated. I tense. The dungeon was becoming suffocating. Heat covered me like a blanket, whether it was from anger or embarrassment. "Leave it alone." I quickly walk away from the classroom. My hand was scarred after a week of detention. I was interrupted from my thoughts when I collided with a chest. "Hey! Watch where you're going." The person shouted. I looked up to see Seamus Finnegan, the Gryffindor fire hazard. I wince as a bolt of pain shot through my hand. "Sorry Seamus. I-i didn't see you." I quickly walked past him, ignoring Neville's call.
Bloody Gryffindors.
~~~~
(Seamus P.O.V)
"I got a new one today." Dean exclaimed as he walked in the dorm room. Ron sits up eagerly. Ever since he figured out Hermione was his soulmate, he has been obsessed with all of ours. Dean walked across the room showing off his new scar.
I glanced at my hand, the new scar that showed up a week ago. Anger rises through me. My soulmate obviously had detention with the toad. Had dare that bloody woman. 'Below everyone.' If anyone fits that description, it would have been her.
Once I find out who my soulmate is, I will protect them.
Someone clears their throat. "Can I talk to you?" Neville asked. I nod as he sits on the side of my bed. "What did your hand say again?" I looked at him surprised, my eyes squinted. I hold it out huffing. Neville was really starting to piss me off with this round about. The boys have been bugging me all week about it. "Well?" I snap. He stands up. Neville shrugs. "You should talk to Addison." He says before walking to his bed. "Shacklebolt?" I asked confused.
He simply nods and leaves the room.
Addison Shacklebolt. The girl was usually quiet. She joined the DA. Usually hangs out with Neville and Hannah.
She was quite pretty. I'm sure mum would like her.
"Go already." Potter says calmly. I glare at him. I really wish he would just his damn mouth shut. "She's had detention with Umbridge."
My throat dries. 'Could it be?' I race out of the dorm accidentally shoving a younger student against the wall. Stopping in the common room, I search for the bushy brown hair. "Hermione!" I call. She looks up from her essay. "Yes Seamus?" She groans. "Where's Shacklebolt?" I urge. Her eyebrows rise to her curls. "Addi? What do you want with her?" Her eyes narrowed. I sigh. I don't have time for this. She must have seen my desperation. "She had detention with Umbridge. She left an hour ago."
Shit.
I sprint to the DADA classroom. Addison was walking out with her hand held softly in her other. Tears running down her face. My fist balled up. That bloody woman hurt her again.
"Shacklebolt." I called. She quickly wipes her face before she turns to me. Surprised, she smiles softly.
"Hey Seamus." I walk quickly to her side. "Are you alright?" She nods and smiles weakly. "Oh I'm fine. Just crying tears of joy to finally be gone of the toad." I chuckle.
I place my hand on her arm, stopping her. We are in an abandoned hallway. No one ever comes this way. The Bloody Baron likes to roam these halls. "Can I see your hand?"
~~~~
I step back hitting the hall. "M-my hand?" He nods holding his hand out. I shake my head. I didn't want anyone finding out. Maybe they'll agree with what's written. He turns his hand. "Well could you tell me if your hand matches mine.?" I freeze. His blue eyes stare into mine. "Match?" I whisper. He nods.
'Could he possibly be...my soulmate?'
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Looking down at his hand, my body freezes. The words mirrored mine. My breathing quickened. My injured hand lightly traces the words. I choke, fighting tears. Seamus frowns. "I'm so sorry."
Seamus takes my hand and pulls me into a hug. "For what?" He asks. I sob into his neck. "You're scarred and it's all my fault. And now you're stuck with me."
Seamus clears his throat. "Will you look at me please?" I shake my head. He sighs. "Addi." My head shoots up. "It's her fault." He gently cups my cheek. "Not yours. And I'm not stuck with you. Let's be honest, you got the shit end of the deal. I'm hot headed, will argue with nonstop, and I suck at potions." I laugh quietly. "I suck at Transfiguration." He laughs. "I remember that incident in third year." I shove him playfully. "But seriously, I'm glad we're soulmates. It could have been worse. Could have been Pug Face." I giggle. "Thanks Seamus." I place a kiss on his cheek. "Let's go before the Toad finds us." He takes my hand leading us back to the common room.
"How did you figure it out?" I ask.
"Neville. Don't be too mad at him."
I nod squeezing his hand. "I know he meant well."
~~~~
I leaned my head on Seamus shoulder as we watched the fire crackle. Dean and Neville talked about his soulmate. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were playing wizard's chess. It's been about a month since I found my soulmate. It's been bliss. He eases every insecurity and I help calm him down. Seamus and Harry even seemed to have made up.
Life is only going to get crazier from here, but I am glad I have him.
I look up as he shouts at Dean.
My soulmate.