When We Were Just Friends
Chapter 2
Seamus
I awoke in good spirits, feeling refreshed and ready for the day to come. I began to sit up, and realised I had a blanket laid over me. I was sure I couldn't have got it for myself, as I was still fully dressed from the day before. I shrugged off the blanket and looked up, only to see Dean sat on the end of his bed, watching me with laughter in his eyes.
"Morning, Seamus." He said lightly.
"G'morning." I said, my voice rough from sleep. I looked around, noticing that Neville and Ron were still sleeping, but Harry's bed was empty.
"Know where Potter's gone?" I asked Dean. He chuckled.
"You're his friend now you know. You can call him Harry."
"Oh, yeah. Old habits die hard, I guess." I said, mirth rising in my chest. I got out of bed and began undressing to put on some clean clothes.
"So, d'you know where he is?" I repeated.
"My guess is that he's gone to the common room. I heard him get up a couple of times in the night; had a hard time sleeping, I think." Dean replied, his smile wilting on his face. Then I remembered the blanket, and blushed.
"Uh, Dean, did you b-by any chance… I don't know… cover me last night? W-with the blanket, I mean, when we got back from the feast." I tripped over my words, unsure of what to say. Dean looked equally uncomfortable.
"Um, yeah, I suppose I did. Y-you don't mind, do you?" He looked up at me through his long eyelashes, a blush similar to mind was steadily creeping up his neck.
"No, no. T-thanks, mate, that… that was kind of you." I said, trying to show my gratitude without embarrassing myself.
"No problem, Seamus, anytime." Dean smiled up at me, and my heart instantly warmed.
Dean
I felt as if another layer of Seamus' mask had been stripped away, and I could see the softer, more natural part of him that I had not seen when I first met him. It didn't feel at all as if we'd only known each other a couple of days; it felt as if we'd already spent a lifetime together as the best of friends. I realised I was staring and hastily looked away. I looked at me feet awkwardly until I heard soft footsteps approaching me. Seamus had walked over and knelt don in front of me.
"Hey." He said softly, "Why the long face? Come on, you can talk to me you know." He looked so concerned for me; I couldn't believe that someone would feel like that for me already. I felt a grin appear on my face. A beautiful smile lit up Seamus face, making mine all the brighter. We both stood up.
"I'm great, Shay." I said. And in that moment, I really was. The smile died on Seamus' face, and I felt mine drop. "What is it? What did I say?
"Nothing."He said with a watery smile. "Or everything really. I-I've need been given a nickname before. No one's wanted to be my friend before, really, so n-no one's ever really given me a nickname that wasn't meant as an insult." He laughed quietly, without mirth. My heart broke for him, but swelled at the thought that I could be different to all those other people. I would be his friend for as long as he needed me. He deserved it; that and more.
"Let's go down to breakfast. We have our first flying lesson today!" I said brightly. Seamus looked delighted at the mention of flying.
"I can't wait for the first Quidditch match of the year! It's been my favourite sport ever since I watched my first game!" He said joyfully as we bounded down the stairs towards the Great Hall.
After stuffing down a large helping of bacon and eggs, we strolled down to find Madam Hooch, our flying teacher.
"Good Morning, class. I couldn't help but overhearing Mr Finnegan here talking to his friend Mr Thomas here about Quidditch. I thought I ought to tell you that no first year has been selected for the team for over fifty years. So, please, do not get your hopes up. You may be in a chance of getting a place on the team in your third year perhaps. May we begin?" Madam Hooch said cheerily. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Seamus' head droop. He'll show her, I thought, sure that Seamus would be excellent at flying first off. And boy, was I right.
The minute Seamus was astride a broom, he rose off the ground with such ease; he couldn't have been more comfortable on a broom if he tried. A small smile flickered on his face, a twinkle in his eye. My heart swelled as a grin appeared on my face; the look on Hooch's face was priceless.
Seamus looked from me to a blonde Slytherin boy and his face dropped. I looked at the boy, wondering why Seamus was getting so angry, his broom swaying as his hands tightened around the handle. The boy was pointing at me, and upon noticing that I had seen him, shouted over to me,
"Hey, mud-blood! What's it like being away from muggles? Are you missing your mummy?" I blanched. He c-couldn't… couldn't know… I stumbled back, sweat pouring down my face. Before he could move, Seamus had ploughed into the blonde-haired bully, knocking him off his feet. Jumping down from his broom, he ran at the boy, punching at screaming. He seemed to have known who it was.
"MALFOY! YOU EVIL, TWISTED LITTLE MUGGLE-HATING COCKROACH!" He screamed, pummelling at Malfoy's face. He had stopped laughing, and was crying out and shielding his face with his pale arms.
"Mr Finnegan! Stop right there! I said STOP!" Madam Hooch shrieked, pulling Seamus off Malfoy. He was red in the face and breathing heavily. Seamus had a terrifying look on his face, making everyone take a step back, before his face relaxed suddenly. A crack resounded around the grounds, and he collapsed promptly onto the floor.