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Written for Week 4 of The Hogwarts Writing Club, prompt - Message.
WC - 422
Erratic Heart
It was hard to deal with Hogwarts being so... not Hogwarts. For that was the only way it could be explained. Seamus almost hated the fact that he was allowed to be there, did hate the fact that he only had permission to be there because he could prove he hadn't 'stolen' his magic. The only saving grace to Hogwarts under the control of the Carrows, was the DA.
Neville and Ginny and Luna, the most unexpected leaders had taken them in hand in much the same way Harry had, though Neville was more ruthless. Seamus supposed it was circumstance that had made the once good natured, pudgy boy so hard skinned, but it still made him sad to see it happen.
Throughout the year, they'd all taken various beatings, some magical, some not, but the last one Seamus had received had sent him to the Hospital Wing, and he hadn't ventured far from the Room of Requirement since then. The only thing that really kept him sane, was the thought that Dean was still out there somewhere. Still alive. Surviving despite the odds, just like he'd promised he would.
He'd awaited an owl for the first few months, banking on a message that never came, but he'd since given up hope. The school year was almost over, and all Seamus could do was hope that they all survived long enough to get away from Hogwarts and then away from Britain. He missed Dean, and there was still a small part of him that thought he might find the young man who had long since held his heart.
Neville had woken him from a nap when Potter Watch announced that Harry, Ron and Hermione had been seen fleeing from Gringotts on the back of a Dragon, and it had given Seamus the first laugh he'd had in weeks. As crazy as it sounded, if it could be true of anyone, it would be true of Harry. He'd thought nothing more of it until Aberforth sent a message through for Neville to go see him.
Seamus, and those in the RoR with him, waited on tenterhooks for Neville to return, and when Seamus saw Harry climb through into the room after Neville, his already erratic heart went into overdrive. He listened as the three newcomers talked, watched as hopeful smiles appeared on people's faces, but he couldn't join them.
Then the portrait opened again. And Dean fell through it. And Seamus heart exploded.