Dedicated to Dear Pigfarts. Love the Doctor for completing a competition of mine.

Written for the Harry Potter Chapter Challenge (The Advanced Guard - write about protection)

Written for the Prompt Relay Challenge (brake)

The Best You'll Find

"The brakes on this beauty are the best you'll find. Even if you're just inches from another, you'll stop in enough time for the Hogwarts Express to go past."

Seamus shared a look with Dean, a raised eyebrow between them. "I know what you're thinking," he said.

"The Hogwarts Express is wider than a few inches."

Seamus burst out laughing, causing the wizard who was trying to sell them his own, unregistered broom-make, to appear unsure. "I promise, you'll get five years at least out of this."

"No thanks," Seamus replied after recovering. "Neither of us are flyers, really. We just like to look at them more than anything."

The maker looked disappointed and Dean caved. "It looks like a great broom, though!" he said quickly. "I'll definitely tell everyone I know to come over here. Er… sorry we couldn't buy it." He was dragged away by a muttering Seamus.

"I'm tellin' no one about that piece of junk," he whispered as they left the stall.

"Well… I'm sure somebody will buy one," Dean answered.

"No me."

"He's just trying to earn a living."

Seamus laughed. "Sometimes I feel you're too nice, Dean. It's better he gives up now before somebody gets hurt."

Dean gave a shrug as they reached a Honeydukes stall. "You don't know how bad it is until you've tried it."

"And I don't want to," Seamus answered. "I'd rather see an alive you than a dead you. Just trying to protect you."

Dean sighed, shaking his head.

"What?" Seamus wanted to know.

"You're always trying to protect everybody, Seamus. We're grown-ups now, you realise."

Seamus frowned. "But, protecting the ones I love is what I do." He turned away from the colour-changing lollipop and looked Dean in the eye. "And I love you, Dean," he said. "More than you'll ever know."

Dean grinned. "I'm the 'best you'll find'," he teased, quoting the broom seller.

Seamus nodded, turning back to the lollipop his eyes had become hungry for. "Now, I know you wanted that broom so badly, but how about I make up for it by buying you a lollipop instead?"

Dean laughed, but nodded. "I suppose that'll have to do," he said with fake disappointment. "You always know what's best for me.