Disclaimer:  I don't own anything…including the corn nuts I'm eating at this very second.

*** Thanks goes out to: Meliflames, thank you so much for you enthusiasm; DazzilinAngel555, I'm really glad you find it entertaining, I was afraid it was boring people; Spicey, thanks so much for enjoying this story; Hermione Weasley, I love reading your guesses…; CurlsofGold, I'm so glad to hear from you again!  Pinkchicklet that is a really cool name!  Roxy, I hate to say this but I'm glad you're frustrated…it means I'm doing what I want to do; Fiona Goldfeet, that's a cute, cute name!  And I'm Swedish too…except I live in America; Snwflakesweety, patience, patience…you already know how the story is going to end up, end up…it's just a matter of how they get there (and thanks for liking my penname…my real name is pretty boring); Hp addict, I'm really glad to hear you feel that last chapter pulled everything together…Thanks so much you all!

Chapter 15:  Slip of an Irish Tongue

"Seamus…I'm telling you honest to Merlin, if you tell Lavender how you feel, she'll wake up!" Hermione explained…again.

"Right Hermione," Seamus replied.  He was tired.  Quidditch practice had gone well, it had been tiring but it had gone alright.  He didn't get yelled at too much anyhow.

"Seamus!"  Hermione grabbed his wrist, effectively stopping him from walking away from her.  "Why don't you believe me?"

"It's not that I don't believe ye Hermione, it's that they aren't going to allow students into St. Mungo's…not unless yer Neville and have parents there anyway," Seamus said very pessimistically.

Hermione rolled her eyes.  "Hi Ron!" she greeted as her best friend came out of the library.  Ron's ears pinked and he looked quickly away after grunting a "Hey" to Hermione.

"Why isn't he talking to me?" she asked, confused.  She had forgotten Seamus was standing right next to her.

"It's obvious, isn't it?  He likes you," Seamus pointed out.  Hermione looked at Seamus, somewhat surprised by his answer.  Did everyone think Ron Weasley liked her? 

"And he probably just doesn't know how to talk to ye since well…since ye know," Seamus said knowledgeably.

Hermione stared at him unflinchingly for a moment.  "Since what?" she asked so calmly Seamus was pretty sure she would blow her top any moment now.  He wished he had taken his arm off the moment she had grabbed it minutes ago.

"Since well, ye know," he started.  He hoped she would just forget everything he had said.

"Since what?" Hermione repeated.  Her voice was controlled, very steady and Seamus was fairly sure that wasn't a good sign.

Seamus sighed and lowered his voice considerably.  "Since he found out ye liked 'im, ye know."

Hermione's mouth hung open.  "Harry told him?" she breathed finally.

Seamus was pretty sure he was in a lot of trouble now.

"Answer me Seamus; Harry told him?" she asked, demanding the answer.

He gulped.  "Maybe," he whispered, trying to get out of the corner she had him in.

Hermione however, had different plans.  She advanced upon him until his back was pressed against the cold wall and he was sure he was sweating from nerves.  "What does maybe mean, Seamus?" she asked slowly.  She articulated each syllable in such a way, Seamus was sure she was seething under her skin.

"He likes you back," he said quickly.  He hadn't meant to, he really hadn't.  Although, he hadn't promised Ron he wouldn't say anything…it was just an unspoken rule among the five fifth-year roommates.  It was a rule they generally respected, but dangerous times called for dangerous measures.

Hermione's face turned tomato red.  As suddenly as she had been advancing upon him, she turned away with shaking shoulders wishing her bed was in front of her and not empty air.

"Harry promised he wouldn't say anything," she murmured.

"He didn't mean to, Hermione.  Ye should know that," Seamus said. 

"Yeah, but why would he do this to me, Seamus?"

"Listen Hermione, Harry and Ron got inta a fight last night.  It just sort of slipped out," Seamus explained.  "I wouldn't even know except that Dennis Creevy was hiding out in the staircase waiting for them ta be done.  Tha's all," he briefed.

Hermione sniffled.  "I believe you."  She turned around and faced Seamus, who saw unshed tears and anger brewing in her cinnamon orbs. 

"Do you really think telling Lav how I feel would bring 'er back?" Seamus asked curiously.

Hermione smiled lightly.  "According to the books I found on the Non Sirce Amor curse, yes," she answered honestly.

"What does that translate into again?" Seamus asked.

"The Not Know Love curse."

"And anyone hiding a secret love gets put under this?"

Hermione shook her head and her hair flew about.  "No, it's sort of the luck of the draw, as Harry put it."  Seamus heard the undertone of anger in her voice when she mentioned Harry and for once, Seamus was not jealous of Harry Potter.

"So you could get it too?" Seamus asked.

"Hypothetically, yes," Hermione answered slowly.

"Then why don't you tell him?"

"Because I'd rather take my chances," she replied bitterly. 

Seamus sighed.  "I think you ought to tell him.  You'd be happy you did," Seamus advised.

Hermione laughed.  "Seamus, since when did you get so smart?"

The sandy-haired boy leaned into her ear.  "Just don't tell anyone, alright?" he asked.  His breath tickled her ear and Hermione thought of how different his breath on her ear was from Ron's breath.  The thought of Ron made her flush and go weak in the knees.

"There's the Autumn Ball in a month, Hermione, maybe you ought to ask him to that?" Seamus suggested.  He brightened.  "Or the first Quidditch game is Friday, you could tell him before that!"  Seamus snapped his fingers together.  "I bet know one would have a chance at getting a goal past 'im then!"

And with that, I leave you (hey, I've got to eat supper and I have a class in less than an hour).  How was that chapter?  Seriously, please.  I know it was kind of pointless but I like it because I really kind of like Seamus, he's kind of cute, you know?  So, please review.  AND, thank you so much for all of your reviews!  Oh, and I'm sorry this chapter was so short.

*** As a side note, please pray/light a candle/meditate/whatever-it-is-you-do for the Allied forces in light of the war…and not only for the Allied soldiers but also the innocent Iraqi lives that will be lost.  Remember, it is not Iraq we are against, but Saddam HusseinI apologize if this request has offended you.

It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power.

~ Former President John Adams, 1787