A/N: I've been working on this story on and off for over two years. It's still not completely finished, but I've got several chapters done and am ready to start posting them every so often. Ginny and Seamus are two of my favorite characters and, therefore, a pairing I cherish. I hope you like this.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize from the Harry Potter series.
It all started one fall night in the nearly empty common room with an innocent request. "Let's play a game." Seamus and Dean had been helping Ginny with a particularly hard Potions assignment. Dean had bailed much earlier - after being all but begged by a third year to draw a picture for her. That left only Seamus to help her and, knowing they had a long night ahead of them, Seamus grabbed some candy from his secret stash for a much needed energy boost. They devoured various sweets until they felt satisfied with their sugar rushes and finished up her work. That brought them to where they were now - work done, wide-awake and nothing else to do.
"Truth or dare?" Ginny suggested back at Seamus with a grin. She loved playing this game and she knew with Seamus and his brazen recklessness she could dare practically anything and he wouldn't hesitate to do it. He nodded his agreement and grinned back at her. "Rules?"
"The basics," he shrugged. "If dared to do something at a later time you have to have some sort of valid proof or a witness. If you refuse a dare, you have no choice but to take the consequence. Game ends when one of us says it's over. No complaints."
"Wonderful!" she smirked. "Truth or dare then?"
"Dare," he said boldly. She eyed him critically before giving him his dare.
"I dare you to go take a few laps around the corridors," she said slowly before finishing with, "dressed like a unicorn."
He blinked, processing such an idea before nodding. "Find me a unicorn costume and we've got a deal."
It took five minutes for them to find what they needed and create a make-shift unicorn costume. If Ginny was to be honest she didn't even need him to go running through the corridors anymore, just creating the costume was entertaining enough for her. She'd borrowed her room mate's stuffed unicorn and charmed it to stick to Seamus's head like a hat to give the impression of him having a horn. Then they'd charmed all of his clothes white and Ginny took great pleasure in shredding an old shirt he'd allowed her to destroy in order to create a tail. She almost wished she'd had a camera to take a picture of him, but knew she'd never forget the picture he made anyway and sent him on his way.
Twenty minutes passed and she was starting to get worried. Seamus hadn't returned yet and she knew he could lap around the corridors fast enough to be finished by now. With a sigh she decided it was only appropriate to go look for him and make sure he wasn't in trouble. She opened the portrait door and, looking around to make sure the coast was clear, she left the comfort of the common room in search of him. She nearly missed him when she finally came across him. If it hadn't been for the hushed "Ginny! Hide!" and the arm pulling her behind a tapestry she never would have seen him. She turned to look at him in bewilderment, none too kindly asking, "What are you doing?"
"Filch," was all he said. However, no more was needed for her to understand. He'd come across the caretaker patrolling the halls and had needed to hide. She went to say something but he silenced her with a shake of the head and she sighed to herself. A few minutes passed and Ginny was left wondering if her friend would ever let her talk. Eventually she stopped waiting for the okay.
"Where was Filch supposed to have been?" she whispered.
"He went around that corner," Seamus said, pointing in the direction Ginny had originally been headed.
"And if he went around the corner why are we still hiding?"
Seamus sighed, looking, for all extents and purposes, like explaining this to her would be a tedious task. "You know he always does a double patrol of the corridors," he frowned. "We need to wait for him to make his second loop."
Though she knew his words to be true, Ginny didn't fancy the idea of hiding behind a tapestry while Filch strolled all the way around the loop the corridors made - that's if he hadn't already done two loops even. She just needed a good distraction to get Seamus to leave the cover of the tapestry. It didn't take long for an idea to strike and, though she was hesitant to share her knowledge, she suggested it anyway. "How about we go to the kitchens for a snack?" she suggested, rolling her eyes at the way his face lit up instantly. "If we take the stairs straight across from us we'll be gone before Filch comes back around the corner."
Seamus barely had to debate it before he grinned and nodded. "I could use a snack."
Rolling her eyes once again she dashed out from behind the tapestry and down the stairs, Seamus only seconds behind her. She slowed down when she was on the next flight of stairs and secure in the fact they were out of Filch's range. Taking care to keep an eye around her and painstakingly avoid her favorite secret passages, they were safely on their way to the kitchens.
"I only got through a loop and a half," Seamus said suddenly, a frown crossing his face. "You suppose that's enough? I can run a loop here if you want to wait for me to finish."
She laughed. "I think you're good Seamus. After all, you're trekking through the whole castle in that costume."
He laughed, grabbing his tail and swatting at her arm with it. "You little schemer," he teased. "That was your plan this whole time wasn't it?"
"Oh yes," she smirked. "Because I adore being seen with a man dressed as a unicorn. Does wonders for my image don't you think?"
"Oy," he said, sounding indignant. "If any man can pull this costume off, you know it's me, love."
This time, she swatted at his arm and laughed. "I'm not sure I'd be terribly proud of that if I were in your shoes."
"Be glad you're not then," he said, changing the pace of the conversation. "Now I believe, dear Ginny, that it's my turn. Truth or Dare?"
"Dare of course," she answered.
"Since we're here," he smirked, coming to a stop in front of the doors to the great hall. "Are you any good with a hovering charm?" Ginny nodded somewhat hesitantly and he grinned. "Brilliant! I dare you to switch the banners around."
"How so?" she asked. "Would you like them all huddled in a corner? Over the wrong tables? Maybe they should assault a person at the door?"
"Over the wrong tables," he said thoughtfully. "Wonder how long before anyone will notice. You know people don't look at 'em."
"Too true," she grinned. She switched all the banners around, taking an odd delight in moving the Gryffindor banners over the Slytherin table - both houses would undoubtedly hate that. When she was finished she turned back to Seamus with a smirk. "Are we good?"
"We're great," he beamed.
"Good, now let's get to the kitchens.
After eating a disgusting number of desserts provided by the house elves, Seamus was nearly ready to give up on the dares. They had kept up the game throughout his eating, but that last éclair made him want to lie down onto the bench they sat on and never move again. Ginny, amused but sympathetic, agreed that he could stay in his seat until ready to make the trip back to their common room. Seamus sighed in relief as he had last picked dare and had stuffed his face while waiting for her to choose something.
"Alright," she grinned. "I know one that you can do when you get back to the common room." Seamus nodded his agreement with this switch in the game and she went on. "When you go up to bed tonight, I dare you to wake one of your dorm mates with a copy of Witch Weekly, insisting you can't sleep until you're read to," she laughed. "Oh and you can't mention it's a dare!"
"That's going to take forever," he whined pathetically.
"You could take a consequence instead," she taunted, knowing he'd never agree to that.
"No, I'll do it," he said quickly. "I'm just saying it won't be easy."
"Yes! Now make sure to pick a good roommate. Not Neville, he'd be no fun, and not Dean, he'd probably sock you."
"I'll probably go for Ron," Seamus shrugged. "Just for the kicks. Truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"Tell me, in detail, just how dead sexy I am," he grinned. As an after thought he added on, "And you can feel free to compliment many features."
"Way to give me the hardest dare imaginable," she teased. She stared at him critically, making sure to choose her words carefully as she answered. "Let's start with your eyes then. I love how they're almost always twinkling with amusement, like they currently are. Even when you're being serious, your eyes show your sense of humor. I suppose you've got a nice face. Your features are very masculine, which most girls love. It makes you look, well, manly you know? Even with a unicorn sitting on your head. Your grin has made many girls, enemies included, weak in the knees. Your hair," she paused and tilted her head to the side, as if recalling his hair. "Well it's kind of sexy honestly. The way it's got that naturally ruffled look to it. You do nothing to it really, but it pulls your whole look together. And that's all you're going to get out of me. Is that all good enough for you?"
"It sure is love!" As he grinned over the table at her the twinkle she mentioned in his eye was shining tenfold. He quipped, "I feel like I could conquer the whole female population."
"Oh no," Ginny groaned. "What have I done?" Seamus rolled his eyes at her dramatics. "Fine, fine! Truth or dare?"
"Truth this time."
"Why in the world did you ask out Cho Chang? Surely you heard what a mess she was from Harry."
"I did hear, but she's damn good looking. Plus, I wanted a date and she happened to be available," he finished with a grin.
"Boys are so unbelievable," she huffed lightly.
"Well who else could I have asked? All the good girls are taken," he defended himself. "Truth or dare?"
"I'll go with a truth this time too."
"How much did you really learn from Fred and George?" he asked. "Besides where the kitchens are – which I highly appreciate learning by the way."
"More than I want anyone to know," she sighed, knowing she'd have to share the information she'd kept secret for so long. "I know every secret passage through the castle, every passage in or out of the castle, the best and worst hiding spots and that's only for getting around. I can scheme as good as them, get myself out of most any situation and I even invent with them sometimes when they get stuck and want a fresh mind's outlook. To sum it up, I know about everything. I mean, I'm sure they kept plenty from me, but still."
"Wow Ginny," he said in awe. "That's bloody awesome."
"No Seamus, that's a bloody secret," she mocked.
"I won't tell anyone," he told her solemnly. "I know how that news would cause you hell because I'm now certain you're behind many mystery pranks from last year and the beginning of this one so far."
She nodded and grinned. She had gotten away with so much already. "Truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"Carry me around all day tomorrow."
"Done. Truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"Offhandedly mention to Dean what a lovely time you've had with me tonight. It'll be fun to see him get worked up, especially after I carry you in."
"Done," she grinned. She, too, thought that'd be quite fun, a bit cruel, but fun. "Truth or dare?"
"Bed," he answered instead. "I'm ready to pass out."
"That's what you get for eating so much," she scolded lightly. "But alright. Let's head back." They made quick work of reaching the common room. Deciding not to leave their mess behind, they picked up the things they'd left earlier and fixed Seamus's clothes back to normal, removing the unicorn from his head. They were just getting ready to say goodnight when Ginny grabbed a magazine from a bin near the fireplace where the girls often kept the outdated issues. "Don't forget your Witch Weekly!"
"I never go to bed with out it," he joked, taking the copy she offered. He headed towards the staircase chuckling. "If Ron avoids me in the morning don't be surprised. Good night."
"I'll be waiting right here for my ride," she called to his back. Tomorrow would be a fun day indeed.
"Are you coming to breakfast or not?" Dean asked with an edge of impatience. Seamus and he had just come down the stairs and, instead of heading straight through the common room to the portrait, Seamus had made an unexpected turn and sat down in front of the fireplace.
"I'll be there shortly," Seamus answered, waving him on. "There's something I have to do." Dean eyed him questionably for a moment before shrugging and heading down by himself. It was only a few minutes later when Ginny came down the stairs. She looked as tired as Seamus felt, but when she saw him waiting for her a grin spread across her face. He stood and gave a gallant bow. "Your chariot awaits."
"Why thank you."
Grabbing her bag, he picked her up, arms under her back and knees and was rewarded with giddy laughter erupting from her. They made their way down to the Great Hall receiving many odd looks along the way.
"So here's the decision of the day," he told her as they neared the entrance hall. "If the banners aren't moved back do we sit under our banner? Or at our table?"
She thought it over for a moment before a slow grin spread over her face to match the one on his. "Our banner," she answered. "If you're up for the Slytherin table that is."
"Oh I'm up for it love. Who would I be to pass a chance to rightly mess with a few of them."
When they walked into the Great Hall they were happy to see the banners were, indeed, still over the wrong tables. Ginny thought it a little unlikely that no one had noticed, but, like Seamus had said before, how many people actually looked up at them before sitting down. Seamus gave her a quick squeeze before heading over to the Slytherin table with his head held high, looking as if he had every right to be setting Ginny down on their bench before situating himself beside her.
"I know it's still hard to figure out after six years," said a boy dryly across from them whose name Ginny couldn't recall, "But you're at the wrong table, Finnigan."
"I'm 'fraid not," Seamus shook his head. "My table is under my house banners, Nott. If you'd turn your attention upwards," he told him, tilting his own head back and resting his eyes on the scarlet and gold above, "you'd see I'm at quite the right table."
Nott rolled his eyes but looked up anyway, startled to see Gryffindor banners where the Slytherins rightfully belonged. His eyes scanned the other house banners before looking back at them. "Just because your banner is here doesn't mean you can sit here. You don't see us sitting at the Hufflepuff table do you?"
Seamus was about to respond when Ginny nudged him in the side. He shot her a questioning look and she tilted her head towards the Gryffindor table, where Dean and a few others were looking over at them in confusion. He grinned at her instead and, with a cheery goodbye to Nott, scooped her up and moved over to his own table. He dropped her beside Dean before situating himself in the space on her other side and filling his plate with great concentration. When he finally glanced up it was to find everyone around him looking at him funnily.
"What?" he asked, trying to sound for all extents and purposes like he had no idea what the problem could be.
"Did you just carry Ginny in here? To the Slytherin table?" Dean asked slowly.
"Yes," he responded simply, taking a bite of his eggs.
"Why?"
"Thought it'd be fun," he shrugged carelessly. "And there's been some mix up with the banners it seems. We just went to sit under ours." It took him a lot of control not to laugh at the look on Dean's face, but he didn't want to ruin it. Luckily, Ginny burst into laughter and everyone's attention turned her way instead just then. Seamus gave her a look to say "your turn" and she nodded once and turned to Dean, pulling herself together.
"How'd the drawing work out Dean?" she asked kindly. "I hope it didn't turn out to be difficult."
"It's looking good," he answered. "I'm not finished yet though. I thought I'd give it some good detail."
"Oh, that's sweet of you," she smiled. With all of his step sisters Ginny knew he had a soft spot for younger girls - and not in the creepy kind of way.
"Did you finish your assignment okay?" he asked. "I'm sorry I didn't stay and help. She was pretty relentless though."
"Oh yes!" she smirked. "Finished it with minimal problems. Seamus and I ended up having a smashing time as well."
Dean quickly looked to Seamus and back after catching her smirk. "What did you guys do?"
"Oh you know," she said nonchalantly, "stuff."
"Stuff?"
"Stuff," Seamus confirmed, holding in his laughter again.
Dean looked particularly bothered. "Like what?"
"Oh nothing really," Ginny answered.
"Wouldn't interest you mate," Seamus added on.
Everyone watched this exchange closely, none missing the looks passing between the pair. They both turned to their breakfast, ignoring the rest of the questions; they were waiting for the next bit of fun. Dean had quit on asking questions when it became obvious he wouldn't be getting any answers, but he kept sending wary glances between the two. He wanted to know what was up with his girlfriend and his best mate. After many minutes of quietly enjoying their breakfast Harry and Ron walked into the Great Hall, the latter looking particularly tired. Seamus was first to notice him and quickly nudged Ginny.
"Ron!" she called out immediately upon spotting him. "Come sit over here. I need to talk to you quick." He sent an unsure glance to Seamus, who smiled in return, before rushing out an excuse.
"Sorry Gin, Harry needed to talk to me about something important." He quickly ushered a confused Harry away, proving his lie instantly.
"Well that was odd," Neville pointed out slowly, staring at their retreating backs as they moved to the far end of the table.
"A lot of odd things have been going on," Dean corrected him, still glancing between Ginny and Seamus, both of whom were laughing maniacally.
"I have to get going now," Ginny announced after the group ate their breakfast in silence. "I've got Potions and would hate to be late."
Everyone watched in wonder as Seamus stood, picked up both of their bags and waited for Ginny to rise. She turned to share a quick kiss with Dean before getting up and turning to Seamus, who picked her up and walked towards the doors. "Oy!" He turned at the sound of Dean's voice. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Going to class," Seamus answered innocently.
"I mean with Ginny you git!" he specified in exasperation.
"I'm bringing her to Potions," he said simply before turning and walking away. Once outside, with the doors firmly shut behind them, Seamus finally burst out laughing - Ginny quick to join in. They loved the way everyone had been staring at them.
"How did it go with Ron?" she asked once they calmed down and were headed for Potions.
"It was brilliant! I wish you could have been there," he shook his head fondly. "He had no idea what was going on when I woke him up. He kind of just nodded and accepted the magazine. Once he started to read, though, I started commenting on articles. Giving him my input, you know? That definitely woke him up to what was going on. I even tried, unsuccessfully I'm sad to say, to start a debate with him."
"Wicked, I hope he's scarred for life now," she smirked. Her smirk only grew as an idea struck her.
"Truth or dare Shay?"
"I thought we ended this?" he raised an eyebrow.
"It ends when we say it's over," she specified. "All you said was that you were going to bed."
"Dare," he grinned, loving her logic.
A/N: Thanks for giving the first chapter a chance! I hope it didn't disappoint.
