Author's notes(May 22, 2003): Sheesh! I started this around… One in the morning and ended… Three fifty-seven! Phew! That was long! Hehe! Anyway, I'm *always* writing the A/Ns aster writing the fic, so… Anyway, I have classes tomorrow. Japanese classes. And I'm still awake at this hour… I think it's the Graham crackers and milk again. Oh, and I think my diet's gonna change again… Yes, for the worse!

This chapter is dedicated to… *drumroll* MYSELF! MWAHAHAHA! Because after weeks of not updating (as I can't seem to get the train  running) I finally got to write this chapter, so now, I can post the eight chapter! Of course, by now, you'd be done reading the 8th chapter… So while you're reading this, know that I'm already done with the 10th chapter and doing the 11th! HAHA!

So, here it is! This is all for you guys who read my fics! Luv y'all!

AN (July 22, 2003): I am so sorry! I know it's been 2 months since I last posted a chapter! I'm glad to know someone's waiting for the next chapters (That's you RACHEL!), though. Anyway, like I said before, this chapter if dedicated to… yours truly! And of course, RACHEL my loyal reader ;P! I wouldn't have posted this if it weren't for you!!!

Anyway, here goes! Warning: Fluff, fluff and MORE fluff!

Disclaimer: No money, no own, no rights, no sue.

Tarantella

Chapter 9 – Plants, Quotes, Past and Kisses

Harry thought back to this morning as he walked towards the Great Hall for breakfast.

Draco and he woke up later than they'd planned, but thankfully, Ron was still asleep when he entered their dorm room. But as soon as he lay down on his bed, his eyes fell shut and he was back to sleepy land. In what seemed like five seconds, he woke up with a groan as Ron shook him awake just as he does when Harry overslept. Harry begged for a few more minutes and all the begging ended with Harry oversleeping again and waking up with 25 minutes left for breakfast. It took him 10 minutes to get washed up and so here he was walking briskly towards the Great Hall.

As he turned to on the next corner, he bumped into someone. He hastily got up and as the other person also stood up, he found it was Draco.

The blonde quickly looked around to see if anyone was near. When he found no one, he turned back to Harry.

"Late for breakfast, are we?"

They both had to laugh at that. Harry replied as Draco pressed a kiss on his forehead, "Yeah, well… I napped as soon as I reached my bed. How are you?"

"Oh, fine, fine. Gorgeous as ever, of course!" said Draco then flashed Harry one of his mot seductive smiles. It served Draco well as Harry couldn't help but blush, but he came back with a response.

"And just as arrogant as ever, too." Harry replied with a snigger.

Draco just rolled his eyes, wrapped his arms around the smaller boy's waist as the other slings his arms on his shoulders. They share light kiss and he said, "You're getting addicted to my kissing you, hmm?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Sure, Draco. Whatever you say."

Harry untangled himself from the taller boy and said, "Well, we better go and have breakfast."

Draco sighed and let Harry in first before he went to follow.

--

It was Herbology class for the Gryffindors and Professor Sprout wasn't there yet. Ron and Hermione were busy arguing over something… again… when Seamus quickly grabbed the seat beside Harry. Harry, who was currently fumbling for his quill was shook by the Irish boy.

"Oi, there, Harry!"

Seamus was just like his jovial self as Harry turned to him and said, "Hey here, Seam. What's up?"

"Well, besides the greenhouse ceiling?"

Both boys snorted. Seamus was always like that, making fun of everything and anything. Of course, that wasn't a bad thing for Harry…

"Oh come on, Seam! You know what I mean… What's up, really?" Harry said, playfully poking Seamus with a twig he picked up from the floor.

Seamus picked a twig and started attacking Harry while saying, "I was just wondering what you think… What you- Ow! Think about Gryffindor-Slytherin couples…"

The question rang a bell on Harry's mind and he suddenly stopped his poking. He just stared at space and thought of something good to say. He wasn't ready to tell anyone yet about his relationship with Draco, and especially, specifically Seamus. Although, he did, for a second, wondered why Seamus asked. He quickly thought of his friend's attraction for Blaise Zabini and said, "Well, I guess it's okay. It's nobody's business, really, if a Gryffindor and a Slytherin got together…"

Harry could almost feel himself blush when Seamus' sudden reply caused him not to.

"Yeah, I knew you'd say that. Exactly what I was thinking! What do they care, right?"

The Irish boy turned to Harry and frowned. Harry was staring out in space again.

'Must have a problem or something…' He thought. Seamus shrugged it off and drifted off to his own thoughts…

'Herbology… 5th year… Blaise…'

If anyone was looking at Seamus then, they could've seen the desperate look on his face that Seamus quickly wiped off from his face. Then again, no one was looking, so nobody saw…

…They also missed the single tear that Seamus rubbed from his eye.

--

The day ended quickly with the usual assignments that usually consist of foot long essays and research papers. Hermione was always a big help with these things as she, being the good student that she was, always had extra material and complete notes. Plus, her extra credit work is always a big help for others when time came that they had to tackle on the particular subject.

It was six in the evening when Harry and his roommates decided to go do their homework together. Hermione, as she was taking extra subjects, was off with some Ravenclaw classmates. Thankfully, she left her extra materials to the boys.

The five were down in their common room and were currently focusing on the paper they had to pass Professor Bins tomorrow. It was given a few days ago, but some people were too lazy to do it earlier, much to Hermione's exasperation.

Ron, who almost always sleep during History of Magic classes whined, "And so what if there was a goblin revolution a few eons ago?!"

The other laughed at Ron's sulking. Dean realized that they weren't going to go anywhere if they kept up at this pace. He set down his quill and, popping a Bertie Bott's bean to his mouth said, "Maybe we should start with the DADA paper first. I mean, all we have to do is expound on the lecture, right?"

Harry agreed and said, "Yeah, and Hermione's got some extra notes on that, too."

(A fairly old woman named Leopoldina Peakes now taught DADA. She was an Auror and is a good friend of professor McGonagall. For an old woman, she does quite well in her classes and is a lot healthier than she may seem. With the gray hair, pale skinny limbs and sharp features, she could almost be as old as the headmaster! Dumbledore is currently contacting Remus Lupin to fill in for the job for the next 6 months.)

Everybody agreed and started keeping their History of Magic essays for later and pulled out new pieces of parchment for DADA. Dean was about to start with one of the spells when Seamus stood up and dropped his parchment and quill on the carpeted floor.

"Seam?" Neville looked up at Seamus who was seemingly staring out in space.

Neville and the others looked at each other, obviously concerned with Seamus' sudden actions. Then Ron took a bean from their candy stash and tossed on to Seamus. The bean hit the Irish right on his forehead and he snapped back to himself. He looked at his housemates and asked, "Wha- What?"

"Oi, what's wrong with you?" asked Ron, his eyebrows lifted.

Seamus started to fidget and for the briefest of moments, blush. But he quickly spoke up.

"Hey, um, I'll just check in the library for… uhm… extra materials… Later."

Without another second, Seamus turned on his heal and quickly exited the Gryffindor common room, leaving his roommates shrugging at each other.

-

Down in the dungeons, Draco was with a few of his own roommates also doing their homework. The blonde tried helping Crabbe and Goyle with their homework and thankfully, they were getting the lesson quickly. It seemed like after years of sticking with Draco, some of the Malfoy's brain rubbed off on them.

"Finally, we're done with this piece of History crap." Draco said, his voice obviously showing his annoyance.

Draco often wondered why they have to study History of Magic. It was boring and useless, as he thought.

'Unlike potions, History of Magic is plain crap! Hell, even Care of Magical Creatures is better! Not to mention Binns… He's an effective alternate for any sleeping potion out there…'

The young Malfoy was unconsciously tearing up pieces of parchment when he felt a hand tap on his shoulder. It was Millicent.

"Draco." Millicent just shook her head and went back on checking Crabbe's homework.

Draco sighed and crumpled the little pieces of paper before asking if all of them were done with their History of Magic essays. Everyone replied with a yes and Draco turned to Pansy, who was, as always, enjoying her view of Draco.

"Well, let's get on with the next one." Draco said flatly, sighing in boredom.

Pansy rolled her eyes and started reading their next assignment instructions. She was already discussing the next lesson when McNair, one of their housemates, approached Draco.

"Hey Draco, have you seen Blaise anywhere?"

Draco looked over to Pansy who looked over to Millicent. The two girls shrugged. Draco turned back to his homework and started to write, as he replied, "Haven't seen him. Better wait for him here. There's no telling where he could be if he isn't in the dungeons."

Pansy quickly added, also as she wrote, "Could be off shagging someone…"

"Oh, Thanks." McNair turned and started walking off.

--

Seamus was in deep thought as he strolled aimlessly in the halls of Hogwarts.

He tried to analyze his feelings for a certain Slytherin but found that the more he thought, the more he got lost in his thoughts and all the more he starts to think about Blaise. Not that he didn't enjoy it. It was just… distracting sometimes. It was a very good distraction, thought…

Seamus shook his head and thought, 'Damn, get a hold of yourself, Seam!'

He was growing more and more frustrated with himself and decided to just start from the beginning.

He scowered his mind, trying to remember the first time he felt the certain feelings for the dark haired Slytherin. To his dismay, he couldn't decide which one was first, so he just picked out one of the most distant memories of Blaise, his weird feelings and him.

It was way back in 5th year when there was an assigned pair work for Herbology class. As usual, he was partnered with Blaise. They took their plant (whose name he couldn't remember), which was rather light and small, but looked healthy enough, and seated themselves on one of the benches. They were somewhat comfortable together as they got used to being partnered in seat works and projects.

The instructions were to take care of the plant for a week and they will be graded with the plant's condition in the end of the week.

The two of them didn't have much of a hard time, as they had excess time to see each other. They would often meet outside in the grounds or the greenhouse and there, take notes. In the weekends, Seamus would bring the plant with him to Hogsmeade and in a few hours, he would meet up with Blaise. The weekend meeting was Seamus' favorite meeting of all as Blaise and him only succeeded in eating together, and surprisingly, talking and laughing together, too. This earned them weird looks from their housemates, but at that time, they didn't really care.

Seamus inwardly beamed up as he remembered that this was the first day he started having those weird feelings for Blaise. It was because once you get to sit and talk with the Slytherin, you find yourself greatly entertained. He wasn't perverted, nor was he serious and wary. Blaise was easy going and fun to be with. He would talk and also listen, whichever he was supposed to be doing. That was exactly what Seamus liked about Blaise. His ability to make him laugh. His ability to listen. His ability to understand.

The Gryffindor recalled one of their talks in Hogsmeade…

Seamus sipped on his Butterbeer and said, "…I bet I'll never have a steady girlfriend or boyfriend."

Blaise chuckled as he flicked on one of the leaves of their plant, thinking about what Seamus said. He turned to the Irish, a smile on his face and asked, "Why? I mean, you're a nice guy so why do you think that?"

Sipping some more of his Butterbeer, Seamus giggled maniacally, causing Blaise to laugh at him, and he said, "Because I'm perverted, I'm a player and I'm a living, breathing joke."

Seamus grinned, but it faded when Blaise replied, "Hmm… I know what you mean…"

He said it in an almost serious tone that Seamus started thinking.

'Can Zabini actually understand?'

After a few seconds, Seamus spoke up. "You understand what I'm really saying?"

The other boy just shook his head, the tiny smile still there.

"I understand exactly what you're saying, because I'm… Just. Like. You."

Both of them started to blush as Blaise looked down on his Butterbeer and Seamus looked outside through the glass window and started thinking.

'He… really does understand, hmm?'

The thought soothed him and then, that's when the weird feelings start to grow. He could feel himself blush even more as he tried in vain to look directly at the equally embarrassed Blaise Zabini. Seamus was never caught in this kind of situation. It was his first time to ever be read like this and also his first time to… maybe… just maybe… actually like someone…

Seamus started to snigger. Then chuckle until it was an all out laugh. Blaise, who was surprised at Seamus' sudden change of action couldn't help but laugh, himself. Soon they were in a laughing fit. Then, Seamus piped down and with a soft smile on his face, he looked directly at Blaise, who was still trying to contain his laughter. He just stared until Blaise was feeling just a little bit awkward and said, "That's… That's good to hear, Blaise."

Somehow, their quiet moment, just staring at each other, gave them such a warm comfort that nobody dared to break it. It was strange, yet soothing. Just staring at each other, they could almost read each other's inner feelings.

The understanding that took place that moment stuck to Seamus' for the whole year, the next year and the current year, as if it was carved right in Seamus' heart.

Seamus sighed and he was surprised to find himself right in the middle of the library. Seeing as there were quite a fair number of people there, though it was also very quiet, Seamus walked towards a vacant seat and propped his head with his arms. He touched his chin with his knuckles as he tried his best to hide the blush that was slowly creeping to his cheeks as he replayed the whole incident back in his mind.

He reminisced more, savoring the feeling each memory gave him. The tingling sensation he felt whenever he would repeat a certain moment with Blaise.

-

Blaise wondered exactly why he ended up in the library with 5 hardbound, books that was approximately 4 inches thick each, but realized that he didn't want to know why.

He'd never admit to reminiscing. Ever.

He struggled to not drop any of the useless books he found in the bookshelves quietly placed them on his table- the one beside the table with a single occupant. As soon as he sat down, he sighed and laid his head down on the hard, wood table. Why did he have to feel this way?

Outside, Blaise looked asleep, the high stacks of books, though, covering his head, but inside, he was fighting an inner battle.

'Am I in love with Seamus Finnigan?'

Blaise asked himself that for the millionth time that day. It seemed like this 'problem' grew worse by the minute. Ever since Draco managed to convince him that he was 'attracted' to the bloody git, he couldn't keep his mind off… the bloody git. And surprisingly, the feelings he thought he'd managed to bury in the deepest crevices of his heart suddenly emerged itself, causing Blaise to have what he called and 'emotional breakdown'. 

But seriously, Blaise tried to hide those feelings, but it seemed like this time, he won't be able to hide them any longer. It felt like his feelings were multiplied 10 times the last time he felt it.

Blaise sighed deeply, banging his head a couple of times on the table, causing some of the library occupants to glare at him for causing such a racket.

Finally, the boy, with unwavering determination, settled on analyzing his feelings.

And boy, did he dig a deep hole for himself.

-

Seamus heard a loud banging on the other table behind him, but didn't turn to look who it was. Whoever was doing that must have a big problem, just like him.

The Irish was now ever determined to face Blaise. Seamus wanted some stability in his feelings and he knew that if he didn't face the problem now, it'll only prolong his hurting. If Blaise was returning his feelings, then that's great. If he wasn't, then at least Seamus knew.

It was strange that Seamus would feel this way. He's slept with so many girls and guys, but after those, he's still deeply in love with Blaise. Why that was, he would never know… But he didn't really, did he?

-

Grabbing one of the thick books, Blaise used it as a pillow and sighed again. He finally gave in with his thoughts that went back as far as 5th year, the incident that started it all.

He could still remember the smell of the plant Seamus and he had to take care of, the meetings they had, the small talk one of them initiated. Somewhere in the course of the week, before Saturday came, Blaise fell for Seamus. He didn't know exactly when… Just somewhere along that time… He felt a little feeling of nostalgia as he remembered that specific incident in the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. It was then that Blaise felt almost sure that Seamus was feeling the same way for him.

"…I bet I'll never have a steady girlfriend or boyfriend."

Blaise swore he must've frowned when Seamus said that, as at that time, he was thinking about the many people that must like Seamus then. He flicked on a leaf of their plant and turned to Seamus.

'He's so cute…', he thought.

Smiling, he replied, "Why? I mean, you're a nice guy, so why do you think that?"

Blaise held his smile while inside, he was mentally kicking himself. He almost gave it away…

Suddenly, he noticed the naughty gleam in Seamus' eyes and then, the Gryffindor started giggling. The dark haired Slytherin fought the upcoming snort when Seamus finally said, "Because I'm perverted, I'm a player and I'm a living, breathing joke."

One way or another, that statement had an effect on Blaise. He could actually relate to what Seamus was saying. Blaise was the easygoing person, with the bad inclination of sleeping with someone and forgetting the next day. He could admit then and there that he was, himself, a living, breathing joke.

Blaise stopped his thoughts just long enough to say, "Hmm… I know what you mean…"

He didn't expect Seamus to have an indifferent look on his face. Though he seemed to not care, Blaise read Seamus like an open book. He knew that Seamus was surprised to find someone just like him. Actually, Blaise felt the same way, but he was just better at hiding it. He is a Slytherin, after all. Plus, being with Draco everyday had its perks.

Blaise thought Seamus wasn't going to say anything more when the other spoke up and said, "You understand what I'm really saying?"

Oh yes, Blaise knew exactly what Seamus was saying.

'Nobody understands. I make people laugh but inside, I want someone to love. I don't just want to pry on other's love life, I want to have someone to call my own.' Was Blaise' rough translation of what Seamus was saying. It was also what he felt, of course…

Blaise replied, "I understand exactly what you're saying, because I'm… Just. Like. You."

That was the truth.

He suddenly realized what he said and felt himself warm up on the face. Blaise looked down, trying to hide the blush on his face while, he noted, Seamus did the same.

At that time, Blaise was screaming over drive. What was he to do now? He didn't want his Saturday to be summarized as 'a long awkward moment with Seam', but found that thinking about it wasn't necessary when Seamus started to laugh. At first, it just sounded like toned down chuckles, and then it grew and grew into an all out laughing fit. Before Blaise knew it, he was laughing with Seamus without a care in the world. He couldn't care less about the other people who stared at them as if they belonged in St. Mungo's Mental Ward. For once, he just felt happy and laughed about it.

Of course, these things have to end some time. Soon, he was trying to contain his laughter when he found Seamus already composed and serious. He started to wonder what the smaller boy could be thinking about, when in a very soft tone, Seamus spoke.

 "That's… That's good to hear, Blaise."

And after his name escaped Seamus' lips, silence fell on them. Blaise thought it would be awkward as they were 'almost' confessing with each other, but instead, he found himself warmed up by the stillness between them. It was so… new… that Blaise could've sworn it must've been magic!

Blaise felt his arm move and found that his hand was about to grab Seamus'! Before it even got "out of hand" (AN: couldn't help!), he held his hand back and grabbed his Butterbeer then with a toast, he said "Here's looking at you, kid."

Seamus was confused at first, but in no time, he raised his own half finished drink, calling it a toast.

Blaise ended it there and started slapping on his cheek. Then he banged his fist on the table and said with a groan, his voice fairly audible, "Seamus Finnigan… there's looking at you, kid."

Why he said that, he didn't know, but he just felt like proclaiming his "undying love" for the Gryffindor that he just resorted to something… anything his mind could make out that time.

-

Seamus was starting drift to slumber when he heard a bang on the table behind him, then a ostensibly painful groan. What came next shocked him to his bones when he heard a familiar voice say in a barely perceptible voice, "Seamus Finnigan… there's looking at you, kid."

He was, for a few seconds petrified. He didn't know if he should turn back or just stay there, and bury his face on his hands. Suddenly, the "face Blaise" plan was suddenly hard to do. His emotions, consisting of fear, grief, doubt and that weird feeling, grew heavier and harder to contain.

Being that he was stumped, Seamus stood up and planned to make a mad dash for the Gryffindor common room, but found that as soon as he was fully upright and ready to go, he was also face to face with Blaise.

-

Both boys were petrified. They just stood there, Blaise staring down on Seamus' wide-open eyes. Nobody could move a finger and all they could hear was the deafening sound of silence. No turning of book pages could be heard. Neither could they hear the soft murmurs of the students there in the library. In an odd way, it was like they were in their own world.

Seamus who started to fidget again, a habit he was started to build up, broke the link. He almost jumped when Blaise spoke, his voice breaking occasionally. Obviously, he wasn't ready to say anything then, but he did anyway.

"Uhm… Seam…us… I mean, Finni-… Ah, fuck it…"

Blaise was greatly surprised when Seamus started to giggle very lightly…

…But then it grew louder… until it was an all out laughing fit.

Blaise couldn't help but let himself feel the déjà vu in this and laughed with Seamus. That earned them extra heated glares from everyone, so they toned down, biting on their lips to keep their laughter to themselves.

Madame Pince walked over to them, clearly irritated with their behavior and sent them out the library at once. They didn't care though and soon, they were walking down the halls side by side.

"So, how are you?"

Blaise was thankful that this time, his voice didn't quiver or break, though he did feel another wave of nostalgia.

The Irish boy started humming and swinging his head lightly then said, "I'm good… Though rather distracted… I can see it now! Me and my St. Mungo's!"

The Slytherin snorted. Seamus shrugged then turned to Blaise.

"How about you? You look like you have a problem there, mate. Care to tell me?"

Seamus stuck his hand on his robe's pockets. He was feeling a little awkward but shoved it away. It wasn't everyday that he got to speak with Blaise. The last time they did, it was back in… yeah, 5th year.

Blaise on the other hand was tensing. Seamus had just asked him about the problem and he was unprepared for that. What was he to say?

Decisively, Blaise held on to Seamus' arm and pulled him to the Entrance Hall. Once they got there, Blaise opened the huge door leading to the Hogwarts ground for Seamus. The other boy exited Hogwarts and was followed by Blaise, who quickly closed the door behind them.

It was a rather chilly night, the November air blowing against their faces. They both took a seat on the stone steps, both of them, blowing on their hands, keeping them warm. The air was so cool that their every breath made white smoke form in the air. As soon as they were settled, Blaise clenched his fists tight and answered the hanging question as he watched Seamus, his face showing that he was waiting for an answer.

The Slytherin breathed heavily and said, "I… I was… I was thinking about you. I mean, us… 5th year… Herbology…"

"…Three Broomsticks…" Seamus said, knowing precisely what Blaise was saying.

By some means, Seamus was relieved and happy that Blaise was thinking about that time. Maybe there was some hope for him… At the same time, he was afraid. What if Blaise regretted ever speaking to him? That would hurt… terribly…

Seamus shivered at the cold and he was caught off guard when Blaise pulled his thinner and smaller body closer to him, encasing Seamus in a hug. Seamus could only give in and rest his head on Blaise' shoulder. He heard Blaise speak again.

"I think that there's something beyond this… I think…"

Again, Seamus continued Blaise' sentence, "…I like you…"

"No… It's something more than that, Seam."

Seamus felt himself tingle all over when he heard what Blaise said. Together with the change of Blaise voice from nervous to desperate and… sexy, he couldn't help but blush up.

In truth, Seamus could say the same for Blaise. There was definitely something more than like here. He knew it. He could feel it.

Seamus looked up at Blaise and asked, "Then where do we go from here?"

Unexpectedly, he was met with a smiling Blaise. That face could've passed for absolute bliss expression. Of course, that was before Seamus could react to what Blaise was about to do.

Slowly, Blaise' started to bow lower, his face coming closer towards Seamus. Soon, their lips were in full contact.

Unlike their kisses when they were with some random student, this one was way different. It was just a simple touch of lips, no tongue or anything else. It was so full of emotion and longing that Blaise and Seamus felt their slightly open eyes burn and fill with tears. Soon, the tears fell and streamed down their faces uncontrollably.

They didn't even realize that snow was starting to fall from the sky.

-----

Sorry for the fluff! Couldn't help it! And the Casablanca quote Here's looking at you, kid.! See what the crackers do?! Sheeesh! Anyway, now we're going somewhere! Finally, we're gonna have some action… err… That is, after the ALL FLUFFY CHRISTMAS MADNESS!!! But that's just one chapter, and after that, we're getting down to business! So enjoy your fluff and happy kissing in the rain scenes, because there's gonna be angst coming your way in after ONE MORE CHAPTER!

Oh! Oh! And while you're at it, visit my livejournal! Post some stuff and don't forget to leave your emails!!! I'd like to personally thank those who review and waste some time on my journal, of course!

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