Dean Thomas was ecstatic. He couldn't believe his luck! Seamus Finnigan's family owl, Quigley, had just delivered him a hastily scribbled note on a ripped piece of parchment. Dean had been excited from the moment he had sighted the owl, as there was only one place it could've come from: the magical world.

Thinking about it, Dean realised he still wasn't used to the idea that he was a wizard - even after three years of magical education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Although he would never admit it, as each new school year approached, he was worried they wouldn't invite him back. He had been born to a non magical - muggle - mother, and so he had only learnt the truth at the age of eleven. It was a huge shock, but Dean had been overjoyed. He never felt that he had properly fitted in with his muggle friends; now, Hogwarts was a second home to him.

Smiling at the memory of the magical school, he picked up the letter from his best friend Seamus and read the brilliant news again.

Hi Dean!

Sorry I haven't written much this summer... I'm awful! Well, I can make up for it now, I have awesome news! Mum got us tickets to Ireland playing Bulgaria in the finals of the Quidditch World Cup! I said she had to get you a ticket as a birthday present - and to show you once and for all that Quidditch is better than any muggle sport! Can you come over on Wednesday? The match is on the Monday after so Mum says you can stay until school starts! I can't wait! Send back your reply now! Quigley knows where to go with your answer - I told him to fly extra quick!

See you soon -

Seamus

There was an ink stain across the left side of the page. That was typical Seamus; Dean could just picture him writing all those exclamation marks in ten seconds flat, knocking over his ink bottle in his hurry to attach his message to the owl and send it on its way. Grinning all over his face, Dean scribbled back a definite "Yes!" and ran to tell his mother and father all about it.

Hardly able to breathe, Dean was not comfortable. His brothers seemed to be bouncing around the car like rubber balls, although he knew they must be belted to their seats. The massive, leather trunk containing all Dean's school things rested heavily on his ribcage - it didn't fit in the car boot. His mother had asked if this had "crushed his excitement" and he threw an old sock at her.

Dean's parents had, of course, let him go to the Finnigans' - Mr and Mrs Thomas were so grateful for the generosity that they had insisted on taking him all the way to the house to thank Mrs Finnigan in person. Dean, too, was grateful. He knew, more than anyone else, that the Finnigans weren't rich. Not as poor as some wizards - it was common knowledge that the Weasley family even struggled to afford their spellbooks and robes each school year. Although, unlike Ron Weasley, Seamus was an only child, his mother was the only provider for the two, running a small shop of wizard magazines and confectionery.

Wild bushes and oceans of crops whizzed passed the car window. A fox dashed out of the undergrowth and stared at Dean flying along the road with enthralled eyes. His stomach twisted. Excitement filled his insides - he was going to stay with his best friend, and see the Quidditch World Cup! However, Dean also felt oddly nervous. He had hardly talked to Seamus all holiday; Dean had been to stay in France with his family, and Seamus was awful at replying to any of Dean's correspondence. His nerves intensified as the car drew closer to their destination. He had never been to Seamus' house - or, in fact, any wizard's house. How were you supposed to act in a magical home? Dean tried to recall anything Hermione Granger had quoted on the subject from her expansive knowledge of books; she had practically the whole library in her curly topped head!

Before he could think of anything, however, the car had halted and his youngest brother was rattling at the door handle. Dean's chest remained tight even after the trunk was lifted from his ribs. He hadn't realised how embarrassing his younger brothers were when they argued. He didn't want Seamus to think anything was wrong with his family. But, while Dean was still trying to disentangle the two dark-haired bundles of limbs, his father had opened the door of the dingy shop and walked inside.

Notes:

The Finnigans' owl is named after a Beater in the Irish National Quidditch team.

I know that Dean has a step father and half siblings, but I decided that he would call them his father and brothers and treat them as such, while knowing his true parentage.

Seamus' family has very little detail. I know he has a muggle father, but I always imagined his father to have left the family. If they had married with such a big secret in the relationship, I don't think the marriage would've lasted. Therefore, he has a single mother.

Dean sees a fox out of the car window symbolising Seamus' patronus.