A/N: This is one of the most difficult fics I have ever done, but I hope the effort will be worth it in the end.
For Alan, Bel, and Wyvern, especially for Alan and Bel to celebrate a very special occassion. Congratulations once more.
A thousand thank yous to my beta-readers Bella and Becks for being so patient when I sent them this fic so many times, I'm sure they were screaming, "For God's sake! Stop tinkering with it and post the damn thing!" Thanks to Ian for assuring me that I would sort this mess out eventually.
Warnings (I hate these things):
1. You of the homophobic variety, kindly leave.
2. Little kiddies, kindly leave.
3. Flamers, please say something constructive and understand that personal attacks will not stop me from writing this fic or future slash fics.
Disclaimer: We all know they're not mine.
***
It was generally agreed that the reaction between Snape's hair and a lit match would be a fairly volatile one, but that reaction was nothing compared to that caused by one of the most unlikely couples in the history of Hogwarts- that of Draco Malfoy and Seamus Finnigan. Together those two were the equivalent of a blond atomic bomb.
How they got together was shrouded in mystery and legend. Several bizarre theories had sprung up to explain it. One was that a love potion had gone horribly awry. Another was that they were both under the Imperius Curse. Yet another theory was that they weren't really Seamus and Draco at all, but empty-headed duplicates. Of course Dean couldn't verify that there had actually been anything in Seamus's head to begin with, so that theory was widely discredited. The truth is rarely ever as fantastic as the rumors make it out to be, and this was no exception. It was all Hermione's fault.
The dynamic duo of Harry and red-headed boy blunder had arrived at the The Three Broomsticks on time. Piano music greeted their ears along with a woman's voice as she sang a Cole Porter classic "Begin the Beguine." Hermione, the uncannily prompt, was nowhere to be seen. Harry agreed to wait for her in a booth on the other side of the pub while Ron got them some drinks. Draco was seated at the bar and as luck would have it, Ron had to pass him in order to get the drinks. He of the platinum-blond hair and the million-galleon smirk just couldn't resist the opportunity to say something particularly cruel and nasty to him. The actual words have been lost, but the words "mother" and "street corner" are reported to have been said.
Ron reached for his wand. Seamus, who was sitting not too far away, disarmed them both. There had already been two fights between their houses that week. One more and they would no longer be contenders for the house cup unless Harry was called upon to save the world as they knew it once again. However, Ron didn't mind in the least. He had been dying for the opportunity to beat the living hell out of Draco. He delt Draco a powerful punch to the jaw. Ellen paused in her song and did a funny little side-step to avoid Draco as he stumbled backwards, rolled across the polished surface of the baby grand piano and landed right in the lap of the pianist Alan, who looked more amused than annoyed. Seamus was struggling to restrain Ron and found himself wrenched away and facing Martyn, a bartender who was under the impression that Seamus had started the whole thing.
It was no fun trying to proclaim his innocence to Snape and McGonagall when Draco coolly denied that he had said anything to Ron and Martyn cleared Ron of any wrong-doing. The blame for the entire incident rested squarely on Seamus's shoulders. Snape's answer: detention. However, McGonagall was not completely sure of Draco's lack of guilt. Her answer: detention cleaning the kitchen of the Three Broomsticks for both of them.
"Dishes are evil!" Seamus declared, elbow-deep in suds as he washed dishes.
"You're being a bit harsh on them, don't you think? What did the dishes ever do to you?"
"They got used, that's what."
"Imagine that," Draco retorted, looking vaguely disgusted as he swept the floor. "Dishes that people use. How novel." Seamus rolled his eyes and went back to scouring a dish caked in tomato sauce.
"Let me guess, you hate tomatoes too?" Draco drawled. Seamus turned to scowl at him. Draco eyed him with an odd look, daring him to make some snappy comeback with an air that said "Go ahead. I'm ready for you." However, that swaggering air didn't bother Seamus. It was the appraising look that accompanied the air. Seamus felt his cheeks turn red under Draco's cool, undisguised stare and all his nerve disappeared. Draco seemed to be deriving more pleasure from this than Professor McGonagall had intended.
"This is all your fault," he grumbled, turning back to the sink.
"I know," Draco replied. Seamus could detect the grin in his voice and once again got the distinct impression that Draco was enjoying this too much.
"Out of curiosity, do you get off by causing other suffering?"
"Absolutely," came the response.
"At least we've gotten that cleared up. Shit!" A soaped-up dish slipped through Seamus's fingers and shattered into shards resembling servings of pie. Seamus groaned. "Damn it all to hell!"
"Relax," Draco said, drawing out his wand. "Reparo." The shards drew together and the dish was whole once more.
"You had your wand this entire time?"
"Yes."
"We've been working like house elves for the past-" Draco broke into peals of quiet laughter. "Why?"
"It's fun watching you in your misery. It's so sexy."
"Sadistic bas...tard," Seamus trailed off as the meaning of Draco's second sentence hit him.
"I thought we already established that." Seamus didn't answer, preferring to gape instead. He knew he- and it was rumored that Draco- but him and HIM? His confusion must've shown on his face because Draco laughed once more. Seamus sighed. Of course, Draco was only messing with him.
"How about we get this place cleaned up in a hurry and I'll buy you a drink?" Draco asked, a smile playing on the corners of his lips.
Or maybe not.
A few drinks and several hours later both boys were what Draco called "rather inebriated" and what Seamus preferred to call "horribly smashed." They were talking, or maybe venting was a better word. Yes, Seamus was venting about anything and everything that came to mind. He only did that when he was extremely nervous. //For Heaven's sake this is *Malfoy* we're talking about,// he thought. What did he he have to be nervous about? It wasn't like he had never seen the boy before. But he was pretty sure the boy had never looked at him that way before. Draco had a gleam in his eyes that could be best described as predatory and the ghost of a smile hovered upon his lips. Under his silver gaze, the room suddenly felt tiny and stuffy and unbearably hot. Seamus couldn't stand such scrutiny much longer.
Draco was silent, watching Seamus's every move. The boy was quite beautiful. His eyes sparkled with an intense fire, which Draco knew he didn't possess, and his lips appeared quite soft and full. But why did he insist on talking? Draco really would've preferred that Seamus not say a word at all. He reached up, cupped the back of Seamus's head and kissed him for just an instant.
The human brain is often likened to a computer. Seamus had a total system shut down. His mind when completely blank and for once in his life, he was at a loss for words. He was aware of two things: his heart beating faster than hummingbird wings and Draco's eyes boring holes into him. Draco smiled. //Much better.// Seamus lowered his eyes. He appeared to be holding his breath, waiting for something... Draco kissed him again. Seamus responded immediately, wrapping his arms around him and allowing Draco's tongue to enter his mouth. Their tongues intertwined breifly and Draco pulled away, leaving them both slightly breathless. Silence. Draco ran a hand through his hair. "Let's get out of here," he suggested. Seamus nodded dumbly. Draco took his hand and led him out of the Three Broomsticks. And that was how they got together.
See? Not really fantastic at all, was it?
***
Whew! Glad to have that done with. Reviews would be highly appreciated.
Love always,
J. Silver
For Alan, Bel, and Wyvern, especially for Alan and Bel to celebrate a very special occassion. Congratulations once more.
A thousand thank yous to my beta-readers Bella and Becks for being so patient when I sent them this fic so many times, I'm sure they were screaming, "For God's sake! Stop tinkering with it and post the damn thing!" Thanks to Ian for assuring me that I would sort this mess out eventually.
Warnings (I hate these things):
1. You of the homophobic variety, kindly leave.
2. Little kiddies, kindly leave.
3. Flamers, please say something constructive and understand that personal attacks will not stop me from writing this fic or future slash fics.
Disclaimer: We all know they're not mine.
***
It was generally agreed that the reaction between Snape's hair and a lit match would be a fairly volatile one, but that reaction was nothing compared to that caused by one of the most unlikely couples in the history of Hogwarts- that of Draco Malfoy and Seamus Finnigan. Together those two were the equivalent of a blond atomic bomb.
How they got together was shrouded in mystery and legend. Several bizarre theories had sprung up to explain it. One was that a love potion had gone horribly awry. Another was that they were both under the Imperius Curse. Yet another theory was that they weren't really Seamus and Draco at all, but empty-headed duplicates. Of course Dean couldn't verify that there had actually been anything in Seamus's head to begin with, so that theory was widely discredited. The truth is rarely ever as fantastic as the rumors make it out to be, and this was no exception. It was all Hermione's fault.
The dynamic duo of Harry and red-headed boy blunder had arrived at the The Three Broomsticks on time. Piano music greeted their ears along with a woman's voice as she sang a Cole Porter classic "Begin the Beguine." Hermione, the uncannily prompt, was nowhere to be seen. Harry agreed to wait for her in a booth on the other side of the pub while Ron got them some drinks. Draco was seated at the bar and as luck would have it, Ron had to pass him in order to get the drinks. He of the platinum-blond hair and the million-galleon smirk just couldn't resist the opportunity to say something particularly cruel and nasty to him. The actual words have been lost, but the words "mother" and "street corner" are reported to have been said.
Ron reached for his wand. Seamus, who was sitting not too far away, disarmed them both. There had already been two fights between their houses that week. One more and they would no longer be contenders for the house cup unless Harry was called upon to save the world as they knew it once again. However, Ron didn't mind in the least. He had been dying for the opportunity to beat the living hell out of Draco. He delt Draco a powerful punch to the jaw. Ellen paused in her song and did a funny little side-step to avoid Draco as he stumbled backwards, rolled across the polished surface of the baby grand piano and landed right in the lap of the pianist Alan, who looked more amused than annoyed. Seamus was struggling to restrain Ron and found himself wrenched away and facing Martyn, a bartender who was under the impression that Seamus had started the whole thing.
It was no fun trying to proclaim his innocence to Snape and McGonagall when Draco coolly denied that he had said anything to Ron and Martyn cleared Ron of any wrong-doing. The blame for the entire incident rested squarely on Seamus's shoulders. Snape's answer: detention. However, McGonagall was not completely sure of Draco's lack of guilt. Her answer: detention cleaning the kitchen of the Three Broomsticks for both of them.
"Dishes are evil!" Seamus declared, elbow-deep in suds as he washed dishes.
"You're being a bit harsh on them, don't you think? What did the dishes ever do to you?"
"They got used, that's what."
"Imagine that," Draco retorted, looking vaguely disgusted as he swept the floor. "Dishes that people use. How novel." Seamus rolled his eyes and went back to scouring a dish caked in tomato sauce.
"Let me guess, you hate tomatoes too?" Draco drawled. Seamus turned to scowl at him. Draco eyed him with an odd look, daring him to make some snappy comeback with an air that said "Go ahead. I'm ready for you." However, that swaggering air didn't bother Seamus. It was the appraising look that accompanied the air. Seamus felt his cheeks turn red under Draco's cool, undisguised stare and all his nerve disappeared. Draco seemed to be deriving more pleasure from this than Professor McGonagall had intended.
"This is all your fault," he grumbled, turning back to the sink.
"I know," Draco replied. Seamus could detect the grin in his voice and once again got the distinct impression that Draco was enjoying this too much.
"Out of curiosity, do you get off by causing other suffering?"
"Absolutely," came the response.
"At least we've gotten that cleared up. Shit!" A soaped-up dish slipped through Seamus's fingers and shattered into shards resembling servings of pie. Seamus groaned. "Damn it all to hell!"
"Relax," Draco said, drawing out his wand. "Reparo." The shards drew together and the dish was whole once more.
"You had your wand this entire time?"
"Yes."
"We've been working like house elves for the past-" Draco broke into peals of quiet laughter. "Why?"
"It's fun watching you in your misery. It's so sexy."
"Sadistic bas...tard," Seamus trailed off as the meaning of Draco's second sentence hit him.
"I thought we already established that." Seamus didn't answer, preferring to gape instead. He knew he- and it was rumored that Draco- but him and HIM? His confusion must've shown on his face because Draco laughed once more. Seamus sighed. Of course, Draco was only messing with him.
"How about we get this place cleaned up in a hurry and I'll buy you a drink?" Draco asked, a smile playing on the corners of his lips.
Or maybe not.
A few drinks and several hours later both boys were what Draco called "rather inebriated" and what Seamus preferred to call "horribly smashed." They were talking, or maybe venting was a better word. Yes, Seamus was venting about anything and everything that came to mind. He only did that when he was extremely nervous. //For Heaven's sake this is *Malfoy* we're talking about,// he thought. What did he he have to be nervous about? It wasn't like he had never seen the boy before. But he was pretty sure the boy had never looked at him that way before. Draco had a gleam in his eyes that could be best described as predatory and the ghost of a smile hovered upon his lips. Under his silver gaze, the room suddenly felt tiny and stuffy and unbearably hot. Seamus couldn't stand such scrutiny much longer.
Draco was silent, watching Seamus's every move. The boy was quite beautiful. His eyes sparkled with an intense fire, which Draco knew he didn't possess, and his lips appeared quite soft and full. But why did he insist on talking? Draco really would've preferred that Seamus not say a word at all. He reached up, cupped the back of Seamus's head and kissed him for just an instant.
The human brain is often likened to a computer. Seamus had a total system shut down. His mind when completely blank and for once in his life, he was at a loss for words. He was aware of two things: his heart beating faster than hummingbird wings and Draco's eyes boring holes into him. Draco smiled. //Much better.// Seamus lowered his eyes. He appeared to be holding his breath, waiting for something... Draco kissed him again. Seamus responded immediately, wrapping his arms around him and allowing Draco's tongue to enter his mouth. Their tongues intertwined breifly and Draco pulled away, leaving them both slightly breathless. Silence. Draco ran a hand through his hair. "Let's get out of here," he suggested. Seamus nodded dumbly. Draco took his hand and led him out of the Three Broomsticks. And that was how they got together.
See? Not really fantastic at all, was it?
***
Whew! Glad to have that done with. Reviews would be highly appreciated.
Love always,
J. Silver