Quidditch League:

Round 3: Truth or Dare

Beater 1: Write about a Truth that is hatred OR write about someone being Dared to confess their hatred.

Prompts: 1.(word) fair 5. (word) difference 8. (flavour) cinnamon

Word Count: 900 exc. title

We'll Show Her

"We're having a baby!" Seamus exclaimed. He placed one arm on Lavender's shoulder and one in the air, in a celebratory manner.

"That's great," Mrs Finnigan replied, but Seamus knew his mother and something in her voice told him that it was anything but.

"Are you sure, mam? You don't sound convinced."

Mrs Finnigan rearranged her face into a smile. "Of course. How far along are you, Lavender?"

"16 weeks," Lavender replied. She smiled down and gently cradled the small bump she had.

"How lovely."

"Do you mind if I excuse myself," Lavender asked, "Baby has got me peeing constantly."

"Of course, you know where it is." Mrs Finnigan waited until Lavender was out of earshot before turning to her son who was already in full flow about painting the spare room a light shade of yellow - or maybe purple. "Honestly, Seamus, that was the one you had to get pregnant. I couldn't think of a more immature and irresponsible young woman."

"Mam!" Seamus recoiled away

"What? Come on, you know I've never approved of her. You rushed into a relationship when everyone was afraid of what the future might be like, and you've still not realised your mistake."

"That is not true! I can't believe you still think I'm making a mistake. We've been together for seven years, mam! This isn't just some meaningless fling."

"Yes, well, but still, a mother… her. She's so," Mrs Finnigan struggled for words, "flaky."

"Flaky? There's no one who deserves to be a mam more than her. What she's gone through, what she's still going through. You just don't understand, mam. You didn't see her during that year, she was incredible with the first years. She's a natural."

"You would have thought what happened to her would have calmed her down a little. Make her appreciate life a little more. No, it's like nearly being killed by a werewolf has turned her even more irresponsible than before, and that's saying something!"

Seamus was speechless; he had never heard his mother talk about Lavender in that way. Yes, she had never really liked her all that much but this was something different entirely.

There was suddenly a noise at the door. They both turned to find Lavender standing in the doorway with thunder in her eyes.

"How much have you heard, Lav?" Seamus asked with caution.

"Enough. Let's go."

Seamus looked at his mother - she didn't even have the audacity to look ashamed. He followed Lavender out of the room and said, "Lav, you know how she is, she doesn't mea…"

Lavender cut through what Seamus was saying. "I know she means it. Can we just go?"

oOo

"I hate her," Lavender said. "I'm sorry Seamus, I know she's your mother but I really hate her." She was leant against the door frame watching Seamus as he prepared two mugs of hot chocolate.

"That's a bit strong don't you think?" Seamus replied as he sprinkled a light dusting of cinnamon over the top. "Here you go."

Lavender took the mug and walked through to the living room. Colin, their springer spaniel, padded over to her and leant his face on the sofa waiting to be patted. She duly obliged, rubbing her fingers through his shiny coat.

"Irresponsible? So I like to enjoy life, that's not going to stop me from being a good mother. In fact, it's going to make me a better one!"

"I know."

"No, Seamus, you don't. You've not had people coming after you your whole life because you look like a bimbo. People don't stop to get a second opinion of me, no, I'm just that blonde emotional girl who's a little unstable! And to bring up Greyback, I thought she knew that was a no-go!"

"That was out of order, I'll admit."

"Pft." Lavender looked away, disinterested.

"Lavender, I love you no matter what. The blonde unstable, emotional girl is who I fell in love with, but I've also had the pleasure of getting to love every other part of you as well. But my mam is important to me as well, you know. I know you two have had your differences…"

"Differences," Lavender quipped back, "she's never liked me."

"That's not true, now."

"When has she ever tried to make an effort with me?"

"OK, you may have a point there. But to be fair, have you tried to get to know her as well?" Seamus raised his eyebrows over the mug.

"It's just… she makes it so hard for me to WANT to get to know her, and frankly after today I'm not sure I do. Irresponsible." Lavender shook her head slowly, as in disbelief.

"You are immature though." Seamus looked at her, waiting for the inevitable response. She didn't disappoint.

"What?" Lavender bristled, her eyebrows furrowing together.

"Come on, how immature are we together? We're ridiculous, if only mam saw that then she'd really have no words."

Lavender laughed despite herself, "Yes, I suppose that is true. Immature I can handle but irresponsible…"

"Well, do you know what we're going to have to do then?"

"What?"

"Be the best god damn parents the world has ever see! Now come here." He put his mug on the coffee table and pulled Lavender in for a hug. "You just see, our children are going to have the best mam in the world, and then we can show her."