A/N Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Written for the Little Leagues Quidditch Competition (Hufflepuff) (Chaser 1)
Prompt: Gryffindor x Gryffindor friendship, 'piece of cake', 'force', 'partner'
Seamus strode into the dungeons and swung his bag round onto the seat. He felt confident that he could really rile Professor Snape up today. It would be amusing to try and wind up the insufferable slime ball.
He grinned at Dean as his best friend took the seat next to him. It was always much more fun when they were partners for Snape's dire tasks, and if he was honest Seamus had a lot more faith in his friend potion making abilities than his own.
"Hey. Did you see the way I almost singed McGonagall's eyebrows at breakfast?" He asked with a smirk. Dean looked at him concerned, he was pretty sure that would merit at least a detention, although he hadn't seen the event and Seamus was probably exaggerating. However, before he could say anything Snape's cold voice cut through the room.
"Mr Finnegan. Ten points from Gryffindor for disturbing my lesson."
Seamus scowled at the greasy bat. Half the Slytherins hadn't even arrived yet. Everyone knew that Snape was such a bloody hypocrite. Dean gave him a cautionary glance. It really wouldn't do to upset the professor further.
When everyone had finally arrived Snape announced that they would be making a confusing concoction.
"Great! I've made this with me nan before". He grinned at Dean who looked worried in anticipation of the disaster that would undoubtedly follow. Nevertheless, making a decision that they might as well try to start off well, he made his way over to the potions cupboard.
"Ten minutes left." Snape announced from the front. "I expect anyone who hasn't put a perfect sample of the potion on my desk by the end of the lesson to serve a detention with me tonight."
Dean groaned and Seamus looked at him sharply. "Quit moaning partner. We've totally got this."
His words might have reassured Dean, had he not currently been trying to force a bloopa bean from it's hard outer shell. Suddenly the shell gave, sending Seamus stumbling backwards and the whole bloopa bean flying into their cauldron.
"Er mate? Was that meant to go in whole like that?"
Seamus looked momentarily concerned but smiled anyway. "Nah. But I'm sure it'll be fine."
That was what was simultaneously the reason Dean and Seamus were best friends and the most infuriating thing about Seamus. His friend was totally carefree. He didn't care what other people thought and he had a relentless optimism that mad Dean think that he would literally never give up hope. He had dragged Dean out of the shell that he had concocted around himself in first year. Coming to Hogwarts as a muggleborn he had had no idea of what to do or where to go. Seamus had attached himself to Dean and they had become best friends. They balanced each other perfectly; Dean's calmness cancelling out Seamus' craziness, and so Dean put up with the never ending catastrophes and explosions that followed Seamus wherever he went. Besides, most of Seamus' disasters were amusing to watch.
What would be less amusing however, would be if he were also on the receiving end of Snape's fury. Dean snapped to attention, rushing around in an attempt to make up for the earlier mistakes. They had worked together before so many times that it was easy for them to work around each other. As he chopped the fire pods Dean heard the sound of splintering glass behind him and knew what had happened without having to turn around.
"Stop using excessive force to try and achieve things Seamus."
Dean threw the last few ingredients into the cauldron hastily as Snape called out that time was up. He gave it a quick stir and then, careful not to breath in any of the vapours, he collected a sample of it in a neatly labelled vial. As he walked to the front of the class he noticed in dismay that their potion was a pale purple, where everyone else's were most definitely turquoise. He sighed and walked back to their desk dejectedly. Seamus pulled a face at his disappointment.
"What's the matter? We worked great together! I told you it would be a piece of cake."
At Seamus' words, as if by some malignant devil saw the irony in those words the potion began to bubble over. Small fizzes and sparks could be heard and seen as the gloop inside the cauldron spilled out and with a splat covered Neville and Ron, who were sitting in front of them, in a thick slimy purple goo.
"Finnegan! Thomas! Detention at 6 o'clock. Now get out of my sight!" Snape continued shouting as they fled from the room. As soon as they were out of earshot Seamus broke out into laughter.
"Did- did you see his face!" He guffawed.
Dean tried to frown. "It won't be funny when we're in detention."
"Yeah but-" Seamus doubled over, tears of laughter rolling down his cheeks. Dean couldn't help the chortle that escaped him, Seamus' laughter was infectious. The more he thought about it, the funnier Snape had seemed, his hook nose and narrowed eyes staring coldly at them, almost trembling with rage. He laughed and laughed, leaning against the wall for support. When he could finally string together a sentence he turned to Seamus.
"Well done partner. I think we nailed it."