…Christmas…
The school was abuzz with the news of what happened to Katie Bell. It did not die down in the weeks that passed. I sat in the common room studying when I heard a disturbance outside the portrait hole. I went over to the door to listen. Hermione followed and I heard Ginny mention Hermione kissing Viktor. I turned to her, "Run!" Hermione scrambled up the stairs to the girl's dorm.
I went back to where I had been sitting in the common room. Seamus came over and sat next to me. "What on earth were you two doing?", he asked. I pointed at the portrait hole. The argument could still be heard. I climbed into his lap and he pulled me against his chest. "Who do you think is going to win the argument?", he wondered. "Ginny for sure.", I smirked. He raised an eyebrow and I kissed him lightly before resting my head on his shoulder.
Ron stormed into the common room with Harry close behind him. "Where's Hermione?", Ron asked. "She's taking a nap upstairs. Should I go get her?", I asked innocently. Ron fidgeted and shook his head. "I have something you can answer. Where did you, Luna, and Ginny disappear to last time you were in Hogsmeade? You disappeared before lunch and I didn't see until we got back to the castle.", Harry leaned forward.
I sat up and tilted my head. "We went for a walk. Then we went our separate ways. I came back up to the castle with Seamus.", I smiled. "Someone told me that they thought they saw Madalyn leaving Hogsmeade. Isn't it funny? She's supposed to be in France for school.", my brother snickered. I stared at him blankly. Then I looked at Seamus. "Did you hear an actual question in that?", I whispered.
Seamus shook his head and held up his hands. "I am not getting in between the two of you!", he smiled. I frowned at him. "Fine then!", I sighed. "Madalyn came to Hogsmeade and we hung out with her for a bit.", I waved him off. Seamus chuckled and stared off into the fire. I pinched his arm lightly and turned to my brother. "When Hermione wakes up, I'll let her know you're looking for her Ron.", I told him. I pinched Seamus one last before going up to the dorm.
The next morning Ron was too nervous eat before the Quidditch match. I talked to Hermione quietly. She peered around me and I turned to see Harry putting something in his pocket. Hermione began yelling at Harry and Ron for something that I had no idea about. Luna sat in front of me in her Gryffindor hat. I smirked and reached out to tilt her hat.
Luna and I had to drag Hermione from the table. "We'll see you guys after the game.", I called over my shoulder. Hermione grumbled, whined, and complained all the way into the stands. "Either cheer for them or sit here silently.", I instructed her. Luna laughed and sat back in her seat.
In the party after the match, I saw Lavender kiss Ron. "This is not going to end well.", I told Ginny. She shook her head and muttered, "He is such a hypocrite!" I sat down in a chair and leaned back. All hell was about to break loose. Hermione ran from the room and Harry followed her and I sighed.
Hermione sat beside me and Ginny at breakfast the next morning. Her eyes were red, and she looked like hell. I handed her a tissue, and she took it gratefully. I waved my hand and Hermione's hair tied back into a ponytail. "If you want, I'll kick my brother for you.", Ginny whispered. Hermione managed a weak smile. "Del already offered to hex him.", she whispered back.
I took a pincushion out of my bag and handed it to Hermione. "Fine, just stab this whenever you get mad.", I offered her a smile. She gave me a look but put the pincushion in her bag. I smirked slyly at Ginny. Hermione stared between the two of us and leapt up. "I need to go talk to Luna.", I said quickly and then I hurried over to Luna. She gasped in surprise as I sat down. "To what do I owe this pleasure?", she giggled.
"Hermione keeps giving me looks so I decided to come hang out with you.", I whispered. Luna threw an arm around me and we put our heads together whispering. Every now and then we shot Hermione a look. We left the hall still with our heads together and I sensed Hermione following us.
We went our separate ways after a few minutes, and I went wandering the halls by myself. I turned a corner and ran into Seamus. "Wow! I didn't think I'd see you today!", he joked. I rolled my eyes, "Why is that? I was just going to the library to study." He looked around and leaned in closer. "I saw you hand Hermione something then you went and sat by Luna. Saw you leave the hall with her. What did you give Hermione?", he asked.
I threw my arms around him in a hug. "Aww, I love you too Seamus.", I whispered. He hugged me back and I giggled quietly. "Come on. I'm going to go study.", I whispered. He pulled me over to the side of the hall. Seamus kissed me and put his hands on my waist. I wound my hands in his hair and pulled him deeper into the kiss.
His hands pressed into my back and I jumped into his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist. He pushed me up against the wall and began kissing a trail down my neck to the sensitive spot. I let out a small moan. I brought his lips back up to mine and kissed him. "No more pinching me.", he mumbled. I nodded and kissed him deeply. He responded so passionately that I thought I was going to get dizzy.
Seamus put me down on the ground and whined. My reaction caused him to smile. "Time for you to study.", he whispered. He put an arm around me as we walked to the library. "Sure! Just kiss me senseless and all dizzy then send me to study. What fun!", I scoffed. Seamus kissed my cheek and laughed.
Seamus sat right next to me as I studied so I made him study too. "Why?", he complained. "I heard you melted another cauldron. Then in charms you blew something up.", I teased him. He growled playfully and I pushed a book towards him. I went back to studying but I heard Seamus open the book and start studying. I held out my hand and he took it.
Ron and Hermione were no longer on speaking terms. Harry seemed torn between his friends and I couldn't blame him. I sat in an empty classroom as I watched him try out wandless magic. "You have to clear your mind Harry!", I reminded him as he messed up again. He glared at me and I held my hands up in surrender. "You sound just like Snape during Occlumency lessons.", he muttered.
I hopped off the desk I was sitting on. "Do you want my help or not?!", I demanded. He stared at me blankly. I went over the process again then stood back to watch. He finally got and dropped to the floor hugging my knees. "What? Did I mess it up?", he asked. I cried harder. "After months you finally got the basics down!", I wailed. He hit my arm and I winced.
I wiped the tears from my face. "I think you can succeed if you relax a little.", I sniffled. "Oh, please stop crying. Seamus might think I was asking you questions or teasing you.", Harry patted my shoulder. I burst into tears again. Seamus walked in with Ron. I had begun tutoring other 6th years after Hermione and I was confused as to why I an underclassman was teaching them when they were so far ahead.
Seamus walked over and looked between the two of us. "After months he's finally got the basics down!", I cried happily. Seamus and Ron burst into laughter. Harry glared at the three of us. I wiped the tears from my eyes and continued with the lessons.
"That'll do for today!", I smiled. The three boys collapsed on the floor holding their heads. "My head hurts!", Ron pretended to be in agony. I scoffed, rolled my eyes, and left the classroom. I was almost to the marble steps when Seamus wrapped his arms around me. "Where are you going so quickly?", he whispered. I turned around to him. "You can go back to thee classroom and pretend to be in pain with the others.", I smiled sarcastically. I removed his arms from my shoulders and kept walking.
Seamus wrapped his arms around me picking me up. I shrieked and he smirked as he put me over his shoulder. I hit his back, "Put me down right now!" Seamus began walking back up the stairs with me over his shoulder. "Put me down right now Seamus!", I demanded. People stared smirking, laughing, whispering, and pointing. "Seamus!", I whined.
He put me down in an empty hall. I hit his chest repeatedly. "I told you to put me down!", I growled hitting him between each word. He pinned my hands to my sides with his as he leaned his face down to mine. "This is the first time we've seen each other in a while and you're hitting me.", his voice was lower than usual, and shivers ran down my spine.
"Stop being so dramatic. I didn't even hit you that hard.", I spoke softly. His eyes stared into mine. Before I could stop him, he had the locket out of my shirt and was flipping through the pictures. He took the photo his mum had given me and took off running. I closed the locket, put it back in shirt safely, and tore after him. "Seamus! Get back here!", I yelled.
He spun in a circle and kept running as he held the photo above his head. I followed him onto the grounds passing our friends in the courtyard as we went. I pointed my hand at the ground and an icy slide appeared beneath my feet. I caught up to him and tackled him to the ground. We rolled down the hill with the aid of the ice slide. I rolled on top of him successfully pinning him.
"Give the photo back!", I demanded as I caught my breath. "Creating an ice slide to help you catch up is hardly fair!", he complained. I leaned my face down to his, "I didn't ask what you wanted. I told you what was going to happen!", I used his words on him. He shook his head defiantly. I sat up and got off his lap. With a wave of my hand a dome like barrier formed around him. "When you're ready to concede let me know.", I smiled sarcastically.
I walked back up the hill making the ice slide disappear. Harry stood in the courtyard watching me with disapproving eyes and his hands on his hips. "Yes?", I asked innocently. "Was it necessary?", Hermione scoffed hiding a smile. I nodded. "He should know how to get out. It's more a question of, will he?", I perched myself on the wall of the courtyard to watch.
"Del that's mean. What did he do?", Luna frowned at me. "He stole a photo from my locket. He knows he's not allowed to take it. He's breaking his mum's rules right now.", I looked at barrier. Luna laughed and hit Hermione on her shoulder. "What photo was it?", Luna smirked. "It was a photo of him when he was younger. It was a gift from his mum. Maybe I should give him a photo of me when I was younger, so he stops trying to steal mine.", I mused.
Seamus broke out of the barrier two hours later. I clapped sarcastically as he approached. I held my hand out for the photo. Instead, he put his hand in mine and pulled e towards the castle. "I want that photo back!", I reminded him. He shook his head and I stopped walking with a pout.
"Del I just want to talk so come on.", he pulled me forward. I began to walk again and put my head on his shoulder. He pulled me into an empty classroom. I sat on the desk and stared up at him. He put his hands on either side of me as he leaned in close. "Do you really like the photo that much?", he whispered. I nodded, "I love the photos of you. Not as much as I love you of course. I would like for you to return the photo but hey if you don't want to, I'll get another one.", I mumbled tilting my head up to his.
Seamus smiled and I kissed him lightly. "You love me more than the photos. So, I don't have to return the photo?", he mused. I shook my head and smiled at him. "I will accept an exchange though. I'll need another photo to replace it.", I whispered. He gave me a look and handed back the photo. I held a hand to my heart. "Can it be a Christmas gift to me then? Please?!", I murmured the words against his lips. He groaned and shook his head as if he needed to clear it.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and stared into his eyes. "Please?!", I tried again this time with a kiss. He caved and nodded so I rewarded him by deepening the kiss. "I should give in more often.", he mumbled. "Yeah, you should kiss me more often.", I mumbled. He raised an eyebrow and I shrugged. "I don't think so. You remember what happened the last time you were at my house. In my room. On my bed.", he whispered the words with a low growl running his fingers up and down my arms.
I shivered and he grinned. "I don't know what you're talking about Seamus.", I looked away. He laughed turned my head back to his. "Should I remind you or do you remember now?", he leaned so close to me that my mind went blank. "I-I r-remember now!", I stammered. He hummed quietly as he observed my now blushing face. "Now this is adorable.", he smirked pinching my cheek softly.
"You're still going with me to Slughorn's Christmas party?", I whispered. He nodded and I slid off the table. I held his hand as we walked to lunch. "Why are you trying to hide the memory of the last time you were at my house?", he whispered. I went red again and pushed him into the hall.
"This arrived while you were gone.", Hermione handed me an envelope. I took it and opened it slowly. "This is… oh!", I jumped up and raced over to Luna. "Do you remember when you stopped by for Madalyn's family photoshoot?", I whispered excitedly. She nodded. I handed the envelope over to her. I watched a sly smile as she opened it.
She dropped it onto the table in surprise and I fell onto the floor in laughter. Luna now had a blush on her face, and she turned to me in horror. "Madalyn thought you might want the pictures not me.", I held my hands up in surrender, but I couldn't contain my laughter. She pulled me back towards the Gryffindor table. Ginny and Hermione stared at us as we approached. "The next Madalyn or another one of those models wants to invite Del and one of her friends over for a photoshoot either of you can take my place.", she muttered darkly.
"What happened?", Ginny asked. I shook with silent laughter as Luna explained. I pulled the photos out of the envelope. Luna and Tonks were posed on the couch with Madalyn's brothers. "And to think they normally don't wear that much for photoshoots. I was surprised at how conservative they were acting.", I sighed playfully. Luna and Hermione went red. "Hermione you should come to the next one!", I gasped excitedly.
"When you say they normally don't wear that much clothing…", Parvati began. the girls in Hermione and my dorm leaned in closer. I winked and crossed out certain articles of clothing they were wearing in the photo with Luna and Tonks. "Holy shit!", Ginny blushed. "What are you guys gossiping and blushing about over here?", Colin asked. "My brother sent you, didn't he?", I responded. He nodded. I pulled a photo from the envelope and handed it to him.
He took it over to my brother and his friends. I leaned closer to the girls. I reached inside the envelope and pulled out a photo. It was just Madalyn's brother's posing in little to nothing. "This is how they normally pose.", I held the photo up for them to see. Hermione choked on her drink and the girls' blushes went form light to Gryffindor red.
I giggled. "Matter of fact, one of Madalyn's brothers specifically requested you!", I poked Hermione's arm. She gaped and shook her head furiously. I heard someone approach. "Um, Del. Harry would like a word with you.", Neville mumbled. I rolled my eyes and got up. "Oh, with the envelope.", he pointed. I snatched it up and waved him forward.
"Did you need something? You sent poor Colin and Neville in your place. They're too sweet to do your evil bidding Harry James Potter!", I asked sweetly as I approached my brother. He held out his hand. I put a sandwich in his hand. Seamus held out his hand and I whined and shook my head. "They were for me and my friends.", I protested. They shot me a glare.
"I could probably share it with Colin in art class.", I smirked. "Please don't test Harry's patience today Del! We saw your friends' reactions when you showed them the photos. How bad could it be?!", Ron scoffed. I raised an eyebrow. I turned to my friends and nodded my head in the direction of the Entrance Hall. They hopped up and made their way out of the hall.
Ginny and Luna came to stand behind me as I quickly explained my earlier teasing of my friends. I watched as the guys' expressions grew darker with each word I spoke. Colin and Neville inched down the table away from the dark vibes emanating from their friends. I put my hands on Seamus' shoulder and put the photos on the table. "I'm going to leave the photos here for you guys to look at. I'll see you at dinner, ok?", I kissed Seamus and patted my brother's shoulder before Luna and Ginny ran from the hall with me.
I flopped onto my bed in the dorm. "Why are they so damned fast?!", I panted. Ginny flopped onto my bed. "I don't know but I'm so happy that the twins aren't here anymore!", she chuckled. I groaned. "We have to see them at Christmas remember. I can guarantee you Ron will tell all of your brothers!", I scoffed.
We sat far away from the guys at dinner. "You think it's too soon to ask for the photos back?!", I whispered. Parvati smacked the back of my head. "You have a death wish don't you Del?", Hermione muttered. "Seamus won't be that mad at me!", I mumbled. They shot me pitying looks. I frowned and looked down the table to where the guys sat. Sure, enough they glared. I shivered and turned back to my friends. "How long do you think they'll stay mad?", I put my head on Ginny's shoulder.
It was the evening of Slughorn's party, and the guys were at least making an effort to talk to us. "Harry my boy! Your sister here is one of my best and brightest students I have had the pleasure of teaching!", Slughorn told my brother. He raised an eyebrow in surprise, and I frowned at him. I thanked the professor and they kept walking.
"You look beautiful tonight.", Seamus whispered. "So, I don't normally look beautiful?", I teased him. He shook his head. "You normally look cute. Sometimes gorgeous.", he smirked. I turned to look at him. "Are you guys going to be mad for much longer?", I asked him. I'd been waiting for a chance for a while now to ask. "Who says we were mad?", he rolled his eyes. "Every single time we looked at you guys you'd glare. When some even mentioned a guy, you'd make a fist and bang the table. When I mentioned the possibility of a snowball fight outside with some people from other houses you all but flipped a table.", I counted off the various things on my hand.
"Ok, we might have been a little mad.", he admitted. I put my hands on my hips and gave him a once over. "Fine we were pissed off. How would you feel if I took pictures of girls who were half dressed? Or, got invited to be one of the models?", he countered. I put a finger to my lips as I thought. "I'd ask if I could join you. It seems like fun to me!", I smiled happily. He sighed and ran a hand over his face.
I brought my bag down the last of the steps. My friends were waiting in the courtyard. Harry and Ron came down. I turned to Luna and Ginny. "Have they forgiven you completely yet?", I asked. they shook their heads sadly. Harry approached as we began walking to the carriages. "You know last night Colin and Neville were talking about the weirdest thing the overheard at the beginning of term. you three know what it is, don't you?", he demanded.
"You mean when they overheard us talking about how your sister wrote her name in hickeys on Seamus' chest and then caused him to get 'excited' and that's why he sounded off in his letters.", Luna spoke without thinking. Ron and Dean's mouths dropped open in shock. Harry was stunned into silence. That obviously was not what he meant. I grabbed Ginny and Luna's hands and sped off down the path.
"If I survive Christmas break after that I'm going to get you back!", I panted as we fell into a carriage. She flinched but nodded as if she'd do the same thing. On the train we sat in silence. I watched as Ron and Dean pushed a very angry Harry past our compartment. I put my head in Luna's lap and sighed. "My brother is going to kill me and Seamus!", I groaned. Ginny nodded and stared out the window with a smirk.
Before the train pulled into the station, I found Seamus with Colin and Neville. "My brother knows!", I raised an eyebrow hoping the message would get through. He stared at me in confusion. I pointed at Neville and Colin then touched the spot where I had written my name. "My brother knows about that day!", I restated. Comprehension dawned on him as the train pulled into the station. "Are you going to be ok over the break?", he asked quietly. "Of course!", I kissed him goodbye before joining Ginny on the platform.
"Where is he Del?", my brother growled from behind me. "Whoever could you be referring to? Come on! We don't want to make Mrs. Weasley wait.", I spoke as me and Ginny dragged our brothers over to Mrs. Weasley. Harry kept looking around for Seamus and I pushed him through the barrier after Ron and Mrs. Weasley.
Ginny and I kept to ourselves the first day back at the Burrow. Ginny's brothers all now knew about the photos and were keeping a close eye on us. We were changing from our pajamas into our clothes when the door opened. "Holy hell!", the twins yelled. I yelped and hid behind the bed. Ginny hid behind a blanket. "Knock much!", she yelled. Ron and Harry came stumbling down the stairs to see what the commotion was.
"You did not tell us that 1: Del has like 10 tattoos! And 2: Ginny has 4 tattoos!", Fred yelled. "Can we get dressed today!", I yelled. Harry stormed past the twins and over to me. He pulled a blanket around me and pulled me from the room. Ron and the twins went into Ginny's room. Harry pulled me into the twins' room. "What in the hell Delmira!", he growled through gritted teeth, "You got six more tattoos!", he continued, "When? Was it when you disappeared in Hogsmeade a couple months ago? I thought you were done getting tattoos?"
I sat on the floor pouting as he scolded me. When he was done, I hurried back to Ginny's room. We got dressed and headed down to the kitchen. Harry made me sit next to him. "I heard from Harry last night about your little incident with Seamus.", George scoffed. "Which one?", Ginny asked. I kicked her under the table. "If you tell us Ginny, we'll try to lessen your punishment!", Fred smirked. I kicked the twins and Ron under the table.
They pouted at Harry. "Harry Del is being mean!", Ron complained. "Oh, go tell Lavender!", Ginny and I scoffed. Ron glared and Ginny stuck her tongue out teasingly. I nibbled a piece of toast as I watched their interaction. Luna knocked at the back door. Fred let her in.
"What's going on?", she asked brightly. She received several glares. George stared at her arm and pointed. "That's the same tattoo Ginny and Del have!", he gasped. Ginny slipped from the table and dragged Luna up to her room. "Would it be wrong of me to ask you to break up with Seamus?", Harry wondered. I smacked the back of his head. "Yes! It would!", I followed my friends.
I closed Ginny's door and flopped onto her bed. Luna sat on the floor in shock as Ginny paced the room. "Is there anything else we need to tell them?", she wondered. I nodded and went back down the stairs. Ginny and Luna were right behind me as I entered the kitchen.
"Back again, are we?", Ron scoffed. "You said you wanted to know what Seamus got me for my birthday.", I spoke to my brother. He nodded. I pulled the ring from my shirt and showed him. Harry went pale. "Before you say something it's not what you think and aunt Petunia already knows and so do Luna and Ginny.", I smiled. He coughed like he'd been choking on something.
"Aunt Petunia knows!", he choked out. "Isn't that what I just said?", I asked Ginny. "She made me show her before I even went over to his house for the first time.", I grabbed a piece of toast, "And now I have no secrets left so I think I will go make some more." I left the room with Luna and Ginny.
We went to help Mrs. Weasley in the garden for the day with Fleur. Percy and Scrimgeour stopped by for Christmas dinner and I wasn't as shocked as everyone else. The visit did not go well, and I snuck off early with Ginny. Harry said nothing yet about the ring. "Seamus didn't give you anymore jewelry or an engagement ring for Christmas, did he?", Harry asked before going to bed. I shook my head, "My gift was him taking a new picture with me." He nodded and trudged up the stairs.
I searched the station for Luna when we arrived. "I'm going to go find Luna.", I whispered to Ginny. She nodded and started weaving through the crowds. I found her on the train in a compartment. "Hello there!", I called as I opened the door. She waved me over and pointed out the window. Harry was on his way over to Seamus who looked terrified. I ran off the train and tackled my brother in a hug and dragged him onto the train.
I pulled him into the compartment with Luna. Luna had opened the window and waved Seamus inside. "Be civilized!", I muttered to Harry. He rolled his eyes but said nothing. Seamus peered inside the compartment. "Is it safe?", he looked at Harry who looked about ready burst. "Of course! We'll make sure Harry keeps calm.", Luna waved him inside.
He hesitated in the doorway, so I got up and pulled him in beside me. "Harry has yet to show a reaction.", I whispered to him. he grabbed my hand. I squeezed it reassuringly. "I never saw the hickeys, so I won't say anything about that.", Harry began, and his voice was shaking, "However, you gave her a ring as a birthday present and that threw me off. As long as you two are honest with me I can make a good effort to be calm about this situation."
"Anything else?", Seamus asked. Harry sat forward, "Did you know about her new tattoos?" Seamus nodded and filled him in on the story. My brother sat back and took a deep breath as he looked out the window. I lightly pinched Seamus. "What have I said about pinching me?", he whispered to me. I shot him an apologetic smile.
"You two give me such a headache!", Harry groaned as he got up. He gave us a kind smile before leaving. Luna snickered and joined him. I put my head Seamus' shoulder. "So, your brother found out about your tattoos.", he murmured. "Yep all 10.", I answered quietly. he pulled me onto his lap. "That's two more than last time Del! What the hell!", he growled.
I licked my lips and bit them nervously. "I don't have any new piercings and I only got two new tattoos.", I protested. He rolled his eyes and put my hands on his shoulders. "Do you want to go with me next time I get a new one?", I whispered. He stared at me blankly. "Del!", he complained. I frowned and pouted. "can I get my Christmas gift now?", he mumbled.
I chuckled and leaned in close. "You can wait.", I teased. He licked his lips and kissed me. I sat back in surprise. "I wanted to give you your gift.", I looked out the window. "You took too long.", Seamus teased. I put a finger to his lips. He pulled my face back to his. "I wasn't done.", he growled playfully.
I leaned back down to kiss him. He wrapped his arms around me keeping me from moving away. Smirking slightly, I bit his lip softly just to see what kind of reaction I would get. A groan escaped his lips and I giggled. He broke the kiss and stared at me. "If you keep this up were going to end up repeating what happened the last time you were at my house.", he whispered in a low voice.
I shivered and kissed him again. "What happened?", I asked. Seamus grinned mischievously. "I'm going to take a shot in the dark here and say that you, without meaning to, invoked a reaction from me you were not expecting.", his hands drew circles on my arms. "You're wrong.", I mumbled.
He blinked and tilted his head in confusion. "It was more so my reaction than yours.", I whispered, "I didn't think I'd be able to stop, so I left." He chuckled and sat back on the seat. "This is what I get for dating you.", he teased, "You're so adorable love." I nuzzled my face in his neck. "I love you Seamus.", I murmured. I heard him chuckle before I fell asleep.
…Trouble in Paradise…
I sat in the library studying with Luna and Hermione. "Honestly, you need to study more Del. Your study habits are becoming worse than Harry and Ron's", Hermione scolded me. I winced and cracked open a book. Luna smirked. "What's eating you?", Luna whispered. I looked around to make sure no one was listening. "I may have gone to a few parties since we got back from Christmas break. I also may have been a bit drunk when I was attending these classes.", I confessed.
Hermione gaped at me and Luna ruffled my hair. Ginny collapsed into a chair next to me. "That last party was crazy right Luna. You went with us. How are you unfazed and still able to do well in your classes?", she groaned. Luna blushed and went silent. Hermione stared at the three of us in shock.
By dinner Ginny was still out of it. We ate in unnatural silence. Hermione grumbled under her breath about bad children losing house points and I snickered to myself. Professor McGonagall marched into the hall. "As I'm sure you two are already aware you have detention along with Ms. Lovegood. Next time think more about the consequences of your behavior before you come back in such a state.", she snapped at me and Ginny.
Hermione shot us looks and I winced as McGonagall handed us slips of paper. She marched up to the Staff table. I glanced at Ginny whose head was now on the table. Ron snatched the slip of paper from her. I read mine. Four detentions and we only lost 5 points each. "Whew, that could've been worse.", I breathed a sigh of relief.
"You could've lost more points, gotten expelled, or worse!", Hermione scolded. I stared at her. "I never thought I'd see the day when you used the same phrase you normally reserve for Harry and Ron or the twins on us.", I pinched Hermione's cheeks. She knocked my hands away but hid a smile. "What were you guys doing?", Ron asked handing Ginny back her paper.
Luna slid in beside Hermione. "As mentioned last term one of Madalyn's brothers wanted to do a photoshoot with Hermione.", Luna teased and lied. Hermione glared at her playfully, "That's a lie and you three know it." I rolled my eyes and looked at Ginny who was asleep. "It's not nice to yell at people who aren't even listening.", I picked up Ginny's sleeping face and pouted.
Luna giggled while Hermione looked even more upset. "No more…", Ginny mumbled. Ron turned to his sister with a worried expression. "Tell Luna I said no more firewhiskey!", Ginny groaned. Luna turned bright red. "I think I'll take this one to bed.", I told Ron. I put Ginny's arm around me and hauled her from the table. Luna helped me drag her to the dorm.
"You are going to get us in trouble!", I muttered as we tucked Ginny into bed. The girl had the nerve to smile into her pillow. I stormed over to my bed and grabbed one of my pillows and whacked Ginny with it. Luna dragged me back over to my bed before I could get another hit in. "You need to sleep too.", she told me. I got into bed after Luna left. Ginny kept talking in her sleep, so I got out of my bed and climbed into hers. She stopped talking in her sleep and I settled down to sleep.
My head was on Ginny's shoulder as we ate breakfast. I yawned tiredly and Hermione shot us a smile. "How are you two so tired?", she asked sarcastically. We shrugged. "What's wrong?", Harry asked. "Your sisters have been sleeping in my bed for a week now! That's my problem!", she waved her hands at us angrily.
I turned to face Ginny sadly. "Maybe we should have asked first if she wanted to sleep with us.", Ginny pouted. I nodded. "Do you think Luna would mind if we slept with her?", I wondered. Harry hit the back of my head. "Sleep in your own beds.", he scoffed. "That's too tiring!", we complained. "They've evolved from sleeping together.", a girl from our dorm snickered.
Ron choked on his drink. "They smelled like rum when they came back last night and climbed into Hermione's bed.", Parvati whispered to the girl from our dorm. "Well then that's not so bad. They normally come back smelling like firewhiskey or like the ocean. When I passed by Luna, she had the same smell on her.", the girl from our dorm replied.
I began humming loudly to drown out their conversation so it wouldn't reach my brother. Ginny joined me until their conversation was over. "Should we climb into your bed instead?", Ginny leaned over and asked the gossipy girl from our dorm. The girl went red then silent. "What is so hard about sleeping in your own bed?", Lavender asked. I leaned over and twirled a piece of her hair. "We have no idea!", I giggled honestly.
Ginny began to laugh with me. "We should go. We have our last detention today.", Luna spoke from behind us. We groaned and got up. I jumped on Luna's back as we left the hall. I kissed her cheek. "Can we sleep in your bed?", I asked. She burst out laughing. "Is that what today's topic of discussion was at breakfast?", she wondered. Ginny nodded as they walked to detention. "Why don't you sleep in Seamus' bed?", Luna asked.
I sniffled in mock sadness, "I'm not trustworthy enough yet." Ginny choked back a laugh. "I've been put on a no touching grounding by him. What am I going to do?", I whined. They burst into laughter and we kept going until we reached McGonagall's office.
By lunch she'd released us. Luna and Ginny walked ahead of me. I stopped at a windowsill and looked outside. "Come on Del!", they called over their shoulders. Something behind me caused them both to freeze then take off down the hall. I turned to find Seamus. He smirked and walked over. I gasped in shock. "Are you done avoiding me?", I asked. He leaned down to kiss me. "I told you stop drinking. I heard from Lavender and Parvati that you've been partying again. Are you tired still?", he murmured. I shook my head. "I feel better around you.", I whispered. He kissed me again this time pulling me close to him. "Am I ungrounded? Can I touch you?", I mumbled. He nodded and I wrapped my arms around him.
"I missed you.", I whispered. He smiled, "Have you? How much did you miss me?" I tilted my head and kissed him. He lifted me up higher and I wrapped my legs around him. "I missed you Seamus.", I mumbled. I moved his hair from his face. "Do you love me again?", I asked. He scoffed. "I told you when I gave you that necklace that I would love you forever.", he grinned. I stared at him in hesitation. "Or would you rather I have you openly wear the ring?", he offered. I was stunned. "I think I'm just fine with being able to touch you again.", I mumbled looking away. A blush creeped up on my face and he laughed.
"Naughty child.", I muttered. He kissed my neck and I turned back to him. "Now that I have your attention again no drinking at parties.", he spoke softly. I winced at his tone. He sat down on a bench with me. "Del, no drinking at parties.", he restated. I hesitated a moment longer before nodding. "Anything else?", I asked with a pout. He hummed and thought. "I want you to stop asking others if you can sleep in their beds. I have been hearing from both yours and Hermione's dorms that you keep crawling into others' beds with Ginny.", he studied my face carefully, "Did you have to go that far?" I glanced out the window. "Delmira.", he called softly.
I looked into his eyes, "Should I ask to sleep in your bed instead?" He went red. "Del!", his tone held a hint of warning. I rolled my eyes and nodded. "I need a verbal response.", he smirked. "I won't ask others if I can sleep with them or crawl into their beds without asking. Unless it's you of course.", I ran my fingers through his hair. "I don't think I want you in anybody else's bed but mine. However, you could sleep in your friends' beds.", he laughed. I frowned at him and he kissed me again. I smiled and returned the kiss passionately. We heard someone clear their throat. Seamus broke the kiss and I whined. I turned to see who was interrupting my time with Seamus.
My brother stood a few feet away with Ron. "Did you need something?", I asked. Harry pointed at the two us and then made a motion that made it like he wanted us to separate. I put my face in Seamus' neck. "Bye then.", I waved at my brother. Seamus moved me from his lap to the space beside him.
"We just passed Ginny and Luna.", Harry nodded down the hall. I kissed Seamus before going down the hall. I found my friend down the hall with some sandwiches. They handed me one as I approached. We went down to the grounds as we ate. "Why did Seamus ground you in the first place?", Luna asked. I smirked. "Well, he was chasing me because I took his Quidditch book he was reading since he wouldn't study. When we were taking a breather, his shirt had risen a bit and I may have taken a picture.", I giggled.
Ginny put her hands on my shoulder. "Where is the photo?", she asked. I took off the bracelet I was wearing. I ran my fingers along it until I found the right button and it opened. Luna and Ginny gasped. "It's fine right? As long as he doesn't realize I have more than one picture of him.", I smiled at the pictures I'd collected. On the inside of the watch lay several pictures of my boyfriend with either a bit or all of chest exposed.
"What are you three doing?", Parvati asked. I closed the bracelet and put it back on. "Nothing. We just got out of detention a while ago.", I smiled. She nodded and went to join Lavender and the others by the lake. I walked down to the lake with my friends behind me. I walked around the edge of the lake looking. "Del!", Luna groaned. I squealed in delight and ran over to something.
I began digging and found what I was looking for. I opened the box I'd found. My eyes began to water. I recovered the hole where the box had been. Tears were falling down my face rapidly and I closed the box. My shoulders were shaking now, and my vision was obscured by the tears. "Go get Harry and Seamus!", I heard Luna tell Ginny. I curled up with the box as the sobs racked my body.
When I woke up, I still had the box, but I was in Seamus' lap in the common room. "Can't we just take the box?", Ron grumbled. "We already tried but she's got a death grip on it.", Harry answered. "Say! What do you think it is? It looks old!", Ron scoffed. "Shush Ron. You'll wake her up!", Hermione whispered, and I heard someone smack him. I groaned and nestled further into Seamus' chest.
The room went silent. "See! You almost woke her!", Ginny whispered. "Did she say anything before she started digging?", Seamus asked. I didn't hear an answer so I'm assuming Ginny shook her head. "Luna and I know she's been looking for something for a while now. I think she's been looking for that box.", Ginny spoke softly. I tightened my grip on the box.
"Time to sit up and talk Del.", Seamus chuckled. "She's awake?!", Harry asked. I sat up begrudgingly. "How long have you been awake?", Harry asked. I pointed at Ron, "Since that one said take mum's box from me." Harry blinked at me but Ginny and Hermione smacked Ron's head. "Mum's box?", Harry mumbled. I rolled the box to the side. Mum's initials and a picture of her and dad was on the borders of the box. "Sirius gave me a letter from mum. It was a list of clues to find the box.", I sniffled. "Don't start crying again!", Ginny groaned. Tears streamed down my face. I wiped the tears away and opened the box again. I handed Harry a letter, "It's mum and dad's last letter to you." He took it with a trembling hand.
Tears spilled down his face. I went through the contents of the box. Seamus patted my arm. I looked at him. "Why were you crying before you went through the box?", he whispered. I held up a photo. Me and Harry sat on a couch between our parents smiling. I passed the photo and box to my brother.
I put my head on Seamus' shoulder and played with his hands. Harry was done with the letter and his tears had subsided. He cleared his throat and wiped the remaining tears away. "The tears just fall without you meaning to.", I muttered. Harry nodded, stood, and walked over to the window. Hermione and Ron joined him. "He really does have his mum's eyes and you have your father's. Your father looks as mischievous as you do!", Ginny remarked looking at the photo.
I turned to Seamus. He wiped a few stray tears from my face. "I love you.", I whispered. "I love you too.", he whispered. I kissed him lightly before taking something from the box. With a wave of my hand my camera flew down from the dorm. I got up from Seamus' lap and snuck over to my brother. I put the item from the box in his mouth. He whizzed around and I took the photo. In his mouth was his old binky. I collapsed on the floor in laughter. "Aww! Is the little baby upset?!", I cooed. He spat the item out and stalked towards me. I yelped and ran across the room. He chased after me and I climbed up the cabinets and shelves. Once I was over the balcony into the girls' dorm, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Harry in his angry state tried to climb the stairs but it turned into a slide. He stalked around beneath me and waved for me to come down. something caught his eye. My bracelet had fallen off. I slid down the slide fast as I could. He twirled it in his fingers. "Why is this more important than anything else? What are you hiding in here?", he smirked. "I'll delete the photo! Just give me my bracelet back! Please!", I begged. He pretended to hand it over then snatched it back. "The bracelet or Seamus?", he waved the bracelet at Seamus. "Oh, that's cruel!", Parvati whined. "Seamus of course, but I would take the bracelet still.", I stepped closer to my brother.
Seamus grabbed the bracelet. "You wouldn't happen to have something that would make me or your brother mad, would you?", he teased. I blinked and froze. "Define mad.", Ginny scoffed, "I've seen the contents and you will have to be more detailed if you want the answer you're looking for." I threw a cushion at her. "Delmira!", they growled. I pointed a finger at Seamus, "I already told you I hate it when you two are in sync!" He rolled his eyes. My contact bracelet from Madalyn began buzzing. I went to the corner and answered it. I turned to Hermione. "Did you tell Madalyn?!", I whined. She nodded. I ran my fingers through my hair.
"Delmira Lily Potter!", Harry and Seamus growled. "Fine!", I snapped, "It has pictures inside." They waved for more information. "Should I ask Luna?", Harry shrugged. I didn't answer. He left the common room followed by Ron and Seamus. I tore after them. It was dinnertime and I had to weave through people on their way down to the Great Hall. "Come back here!", I yelled. They sped up. Damn their longer legs.
I saw Luna up ahead and they were already talking to her. I hid behind a column. Hermione and Ginny came into view and ran over to me. "What type of pictures are they that you have to hide?!", Hermione asked as our fellow Gryffindor passed. I quickly explained and a few Gryffindors stopped in their tracks. Ginny glared at them and they kept walking. "I didn't exactly ask for his permission to take the photos. Well, I mean I almost never do.", I confessed.
Hermione smacked my arm. "I know right! And she just got ungrounded.", Ginny smirked. I pushed Ginny into the sights of our brothers. Hermione went to go calm the situation down as I snuck around the column. I hid in a passage as Harry and Seamus walked where I was previously hiding. "She's not here. Where could she have disappeared to that quickly!", Harry grumbled. I waited until they all took off for dinner.
I laid on my bed trying to figure out how I was gong to get out of this. I heard my fellow Gryffindors coming back in from dinner. I got under my sheets and pretended to be asleep.
The next morning, I heard grumbling downstairs. I snuck to the balcony and peered over the edge. My brother was waiting for me and the others were watching with bated breath. I went back to my dorm and changed. I did some yoga to really stretch before sneaking out my usual way and down to the grounds. I jogged around the grounds a couple of times. I snuck back and showered and changed.
My friends were still down in the common room. I pulled my damp hair into a ponytail. I tested the water by sending sorry notes down to Seamus and Harry. They crumpled them up and tossed them into the fire. I decided to just go down to lunch. I was almost done when they appeared. Luna who had joined me and thoroughly apologized winced as they approached.
I stared at my sandwich as Seamus sat next to me and Harry in front. "You should know by now that avoiding us never works.", Harry began. I put my head on the table. "Ginny said you weren't in your bed this morning, but you were last night. Why?", Harry asked. "She slept with me last night.", Luna confessed. "I was afraid you two might have Ginny and Hermione drag me down to the common room again.", I confessed.
Seamus scoffed. "Hey! You said it was ok as long as they were a friend.", I protested. "Yeah! But I would think you'd realize that that deal is out the window when you know your trouble.", he looked at me in disbelief, "Not to mention you took the photos without my permission." I put my head back on the table.
Luna patted my back. "You already know you're grounded, again don't you? Ginny and Hermione are collecting a few of your things right now that we've decided to confiscate.", Harry informed me. I choked back a sob. "What are you confiscating?", I mumbled. "Your camera, some of your art things, your photos so we can make sure there are no more unwanted pictures, and anything from your partying. Let me just tell you now Delmira. If they found alcohol up there just confess now.", Harry growled.
I winced. "6 bottles of firewhiskey, 2 bottles of vodka for art purposes, 3 bottles of rum, and 10 bottles of tequila.", I confessed. Seamus put his hand on my thigh and tapped it. I glanced up at him. "Madalyn?", he asked. I nodded, "After we helped her ride a wild dragon earlier this month. Before Hermione did the photoshoot with her brother." "We?", Harry choked. "Me, Delmira, Ginny, and Hermione.", Luna confessed.
Harry put his head on the table. Seamus pulled me from the hall. I mumbled and complained until he pulled me into an empty classroom. "Has it not yet crossed your mind that Madalyn may not be the best choice in friends?", he yelled. I flinched. "Del you can't keep being this reckless!", he continued, "You're beyond grounded. I don't know how to get you to understand that this behavior of yours is just wild. Do you know when or how to tell Madalyn enough I enough?"
I was sitting on the floor crying now. "You have no idea how much your behavior makes me worry and hurt, do you?", his voice was much softer now. I managed to make eye contact only to find he was on the verge of tears himself, and that broke me. "I'm truly sorry!", I cried, "I thought I was over it. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" Seamus walked over to me and bent down so he was at eye level.
"Look me in the eyes then and tell me that this behavior will never happen again!", he demanded. I looked in his eyes. "I can only try. I can't promise you or anything like that. I've been doing these things to long. It's a habit now.", I whispered. He scoffed and looked away. "I don't think I have the will power to stop, but I hate seeing you like this.", I mumbled. He stood and walked over to a window. "You should go up to the dorm. I'll see you later.", his voice sounded pained and I could tell he was about to cry.
I got up and walked over. My arms wrapped around him, "I love you Seamus Finnigan" I kissed his neck lightly before going up to the dorm. Hermione and Ginny said nothing when I appeared. I slid under my covers and cried myself to sleep.