Ever After Ch. 9
Angst and smut. Angst and smut. And more Angst and Smut! Oh, and just so you won't get confused, the first part of this chapter is a dream.

Chapter Nine

Harry sat up on his bed. He looked around his small room in confusion. He was back on Privet Drive. Back in the small room with bars on the windows, to keep him in and them out. Back where his uncle resides.

Harry whipped his head towards the door as he hears thunderous footsteps on the stairs.

He scrambled to the ground and threw himself under the bed as quickly as he could. He continued to scoot under it until he hit the wall behind him. Then he scooted up to fold himself into the corner the wall framed.

The doorknob rattled loudly bringing a gasp out from his mouth almost painfully.

He whimpered as the doorknob rattled again. "Severus…" he whimpered softly.

Light suddenly filled his dark room as the door swung open. Through Harry's scared filled eyes, he was able to see his uncle's monstrous feet.

"Boy!" Vernon snapped out making Harry start slightly. "I know you're in here! Come out now!"

Harry stuffed his fist in his mouth to keep from crying out. He sniffed and tried to make himself as small as possible. He closed his eyes tightly and began counting backwards from ten.

Nine. "Boy!"

Eight.

Seven.

Six. Vernon took one more step inside the room.

Five.

Four. "If I have to get you, you'll be sorry!"

Three. Harry whimpered with his fist in his mouth. "Severus…"

Two. "Got you!" Vernon big, beefy hand closed around his wrist painfully, dragging the boy from his hiding spot.

"Severus! Save me!" he cried out struggling greatly.

One. The door slammed shut encasing the room and its two occupants in darkness.

"Psst, Harry! Harry, wake up!" came the hoarse whisper in darkness, pulling him from his nightmare. "Wake up, man!"

Harry gasped awake. "Wha-!" he eyed his room frantically, assuring himself that he was still at Hogwarts.

"Are you ok?" warm brown eyes peered into his eyes distressed.

"Oh, Seamus!" Harry threw his arms around his neck, clinging to him desperately. He shuddered as he began to recall his dream.

Seamus wrapped his arms around his waist and held on to him. Slowly, Harry relaxed under Seamus's soothing attentions.

"It's alright, I'm here," Seamus whispered into his ear.

Harry chuckled shakily. "Yeah, my superman."

"You know it!" he joked. Then became serious again. "Are you alright?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I am."

"Want to talk about it?" Seamus wanted to know.

He shook his head, grinning.

"Ok. Well, I have to talk to you! So get up!" Seamus said changing the subject. "C'mon Harry! Pwetty pweese?"

"Alright, let me get dressed and we'll talk in the common room. Make sure you have some tea and biscuits ready, kay?"

"Thank you, Harry! You're a love!" With one more concern glance at Harry, he skipped out the room.

Shaking his head free from the cobwebs that settled in his brain. He left the room.

"Ok, Seamus. What's on your mind?" he asked flopping onto a floor pillow before the charmed fireplace.

"Cream and sugar?" Seamus stalled.

"Two each," he said watching his friend.

"Biscuit?"

"Of course," Harry replied. "Thanks," he said when handed the items. "What's up, love?"

"Er… I have a slight problem- dilemma!"

"Well what is it? I can't help you unless you tell me what's wrong.

"Well… uh… er…"

"Oh, for goodness sake, Seamus! Spit it out!"

"Please be patient with me, Harry," he begged. "I'm embarrassed enough as is."

"Alright."

"I'vefalleninlove!" he mumbled really fast.

"Huh? Say that again. And in English this time."

Going to Harry, he wrapped his arms around Harry's stomach and back. "I said I've fallen in love," he repeated.

"Really! Who is he? Dean, Neville, Jordan?"

"Try Malfoy."

"You're kidding!" Harry gasped out. "Really?"

Seamus nodded wordlessly.

"That's great! I'm so happy for you! Though, I fail to see what the problem is."

He looked up into Harry's eyes. "He's in love with you," he said simply.

Harry was shocked immobile. "No, he isn't," he protested more to himself than to Seamus. "He can't be. And besides, I only see him as one would see a brother. So its impossible. Surely he knows that's the way I see him."

"I always did say you knew how to pick them," Seamus joked.

"Don't laugh. This is serious. I think you two would be perfect for each other. I'm so happy for you. You belong together."

"Now the only thing that needs to be done is convincing him," Seamus commented.

Smirking, Harry ran his fingers through Seamus's hair. "This is going to be fun."

First Attempt: the indifferent approach

Ron, Hermione, Harry, Draco, and Seamus have all decided to have a picnic instead of meeting in the Great Hall for lunch.

After choosing their favorite tree for shade, they decided to just chill for the rest of the day.

"You know we're going to be in so much trouble when we're caught," Hermione said worriedly.

"Live a little, 'Mione!" the boys said at the same time.

She groaned. "I hate when you guys say that. I always end up having detention after you say that. Don't say that!"

"'Mione is a worrywart," Harry sing sung.

"Do hush up, Harry and hand me the picnic basket. Ladies eat first," she said snatching the basket out of his hands.

"romeow!" Draco hissed, shaping his hands into claws.

"You better believe it."

"I'll fix your plate, 'Mione," Ron offered taking her plate.

Malfoy smirked. "That was sooo cute, Ronniekins," he said in a falsetto voice.

Hermione pulled Ron's head to her chest and kept it there with her arm. "IF you want to live to live another day, Malfoy, you had better leave my Ronniekins alone," she threatened.

"Uh, 'Mione…?" Ron called with a mouthful of chest. "Not that I don't love being with you like this… I have to breath at some point."

They all laughed when she released him.

After everyone had their fill, they laid on the ground and got comfortable.

"Harry, when are you going to tell him?" Hermione asked out of the blue.

Startled, Harry looked at her. "He probably already knows."

Draco shook his head. "It's been to my knowledge that men are very dense. He won't know until it bites him on the arse," he said a bit sadly.

"Hate to say it, but the ferret is right," Ron said. "You will have to tell him yourself. The way I had to do with Hermione. She can real dense sometimes."

"Speak for yourself, Ronald Weasely!" she said hitting him on the back of his head.

Ron fingered the necklace around her neck. "It was the best day of my life."

"Mine too," she whispered.

"What happened?" Malfoy asked since he was the only one that didn't know the story on how they came to be together

"I'll tell it!" Harry said jumping at the chance to change the subject.

"You have to stop doing that," Seamus said shaking his head.

They continued to talk for an hour and a half when they heard a shrill voice call out to them.

"MR. POTTER, MR. MALFOY, MR. WEASELY, MR. FINNIGAN, MISS GRANGER! DETENTION FOR ALL OF YOU FOR TWO WEEKS! GET IN HERE NOW! FIFTY POINTS FROM EACH OF YOUR HOUSES!" Professor Mcgonagall roared.

"Well, it looks like we've been found out," Malfoy commented bored.

Hermione looked like she couldn't decide whether to cry or laugh. She laughed. "I knew this was going to happen!"

Laughing, the friends made their back into the school.

"I better head on up to the Slytherin dorm. I doubt your head of house want to see me," Draco commented heading the other way.

"I'll walk you to your house, Draco," Seamus offered.

"Thanks Finnigan," Malfoy said giving him a warm smile. "I would like that."

"So, if you don't mind me asking," Seamus began as the staircase moved. "What in the world made you want to befriend us Gryffindors?"

Malfoy turned to look at Seamus. "The truth?"

The Irish lad nodded his head.

"I thought it would be best if I was here to protect Harry. So at first, it was just about Harry. Then as the term progressed, it became so much more, you know? I found myself wanting to protect you all. You Gryffindors are rather cute and naïve. And in the ways of the dark, innocent. I find it all rather endearing."

"You find us cute?" Seamus asked incredulously.

"Yeah and what of it? All of you welcomed me when you had nothing but six years of spite to go on. And not once, was it brought up against me." He shrugged.

"Well this is it," Draco said walking up to the door. "Thanks for walking me here, Seamus."

"No problem," he said putting his hands in his pockets and leaning against the wall in what he hoped was a nonchalant pose.

"Anything I can help you with?" Draco asked.

Seamus jumped slightly. "No. Just making sure you get in safely."

"Kay. Well, I'll see at dinner. I'm going to go take a nap. Sweet dreams," he stepping into the dorm.

"They're bound to be sweet," Seamus commented quietly as he watched the door close. "Oh, I am such a chicken! Fool! Fool! Fool!" He punctuated each 'fool' with a bang against the wall.

"Well how did it go?" Harry asked pouncing on his friend.

"I chickened out. Merlin, I need a fag!" Seamus said grabbing a pack from his desk.

Harry snatched the pack away from him. "Since when did you smoke?"

"I always carry at least one pack with me. It's a wonderful stress reliever."

"You don't need this right now. Why don't you just talk to me. I promise to listen," Harry said throwing the pack into the fire.

"There goes my stress relievers."

Attempt Two: indirect

Dear Draco,

I love you. I have for a long time, now. You've fucking consumed every bloody thought in my head. You're in my dreams. I see you everywhere. I know that this might sound strange to you, but it's the truth. I hope I don't came off as a psycho but I just can't help thinking about you and what we could have together. Of course, I understand if you don't want to, but just think about it, okay? J

Love

Secret Admirer

"What do you think? Did I come off a little strong?" Seams asked as Harry finished reading the letter out loud to Ron and Hermione

The two were falling into each others arms, laughing their asses off.

"Harry?"

"Well… you may have been a little strong in the beginning. You should cut of the 'fucking' part. Other wise, it's a really good letter."

"Liar!" Seamus snapped. "C'mon, Snape's class is about to begin." He grabbed the letter and stuffed it in his bag. "Tell the hyenas that its time to go."

"Stop it, you two. I think you hurt his feeling," Harry admonished.

"Oh Merlin! I hope not!" Hermione said worriedly and ran after him.

The other two were right behind her as they ran down the stairs. "Seamus, wait!" they called.

Seamus turned to look at them.

"I'm sorry for laughing. It was rude and I shouldn't have done it," Hermione said throwing her arms around his neck.

"Yeah, me too, mate," Ron seconded, pounding Seamus on the back. "You better watch where those hands are going. Friend or no friend, I'll hurt you if you touch her improperly."

Seamus, who had been stroking her back , came to a slight halt at the threat. Winking at Ron, he let his hand wander in slower, wider strokes. He stuck his tongue at the red head when he saw he was going to attack.

Harry stepped in between the boys. "Now boys, behave. It's bad enough that our detention sentence is still for a few more days. Let's not add to it."

As the Gryffindors walked off, they didn't notice that a single sheet of paper floated to the ground.

But Pansy did.

In potions class, harry was no better at paying attention.

"Today we are going to make-" Professor Snape was interrupted by shouts and laughter coming from the Slytherin tables. "Thirty points from Slytherin for interrupting class!"

"But sir-!" Pansy gasped. "If you could only read this letter-"

"Twenty more points for speaking out of line and note sharing.! Bring it here!" he snapped.

Harry turned to look at Malfoy questionably.

Meeting his eyes, Draco shrugged, stating that he didn't know what it was about.

"Shit!" came a stricken whisper.

"What's wrong, Seamus?" Harry whispered.

"I can't find that damn letter," he whispered back. "Its not in here! Oh Merlin! Please no. This can't be happening!"

"Oh, no!" Harry softly echoed as he figured what was happening.

But it was too late, Snape had already begun to read the letter out loud.

"Oh, gosh!" Seamus whispered hoarsely.

"Clear you face, laugh at what the letter says, be cool. You can't let them know that the letter is yours," Harry commanded, whispering.

"Thanks Harry," he said as he began laughing wit the rest of the class as Snape finished.

Snape's lips were doing this strange twitching thing. "Well, that was certainly interesting. Anyone care to admit that the letter is yours?" he asked the class.

No one said anything.

Harry turned to look at Malfoy again. The blonde had turned in interesting shade of red. He was stunned but curious.

"I think the letter is from Potter," Pansy declared. "We all know that he is not quite stable. The Profit even said so."

Gasps could be heard from all around the room.

"If that's what you want to believe, I can't stop you. You're certainly entitled to your opinion," Harry drawled, smirking at the blonde girl.

"So you don't deny it?" she inquired.

"Neither am I admitting it," he said calmly.

"Then who is it?"

He smirked. "That's between Draco and his secret admirer. And none of your fucking business."

"How dare you speak to me like that!" she exclaimed grabbing her wand.

"Miss Parkinson! Detention with me!"

"But sir!"

"No buts! Get back to work!"

"Potter stay behind," Snape said as the class began to file out.

"Yes sir."

Once the door closed behind the last student, Snape turned to Harry wit his arms held out. Without a word Harry burrowed himself into his teacher's embrace.

"You're not looking too well, Harry. You're not taking care of yourself properly, I can tell. What's wrong? And don't give me any of you BS, as the muggles say it," Snape said.

"Dreams," Harry said quietly. "Vernon, Voldemort, really dark spaces."

Snape was quiet as Harry began talking about his nightmares that have been plaguing his sleep. He rubbed his hand up and down his back, just needing to feel the boy close.

When the questioning emerald eyes sparkled up at him, he couldn't help but give in. Gently, he touched their lips together in a sweet caress.

Sighing, Harry leaned into the touch and parted his lips invitingly.

"Harry, you're the best!" Seamus said. "Thank you so much!"

"I know, I know! You love me!" Harry joked that night n the common room

Malfoy came storming in. "Save me, Seamus!" he cried running behind him and hiding.

"What's wrong?" Seamus asked with a slight smile on his face.

"That bitch, Pansy, is chasing me. She wants me! She's like a damn barracuda! I was taking a nap when I felt my bed move. I opened my eyes and it was her! Crawling up to me and she was touching my trouser button. I could swear she had vampire teeth. Not only that, but she made me scream like a girl! This is just a bad nightmare that I wish I could wake up from."

There was a commotion in the front of the room.

"…I didn't come her for you, so shut up!" Pansy said placing a silencing charm on him. "Where is he!"

"She's fucking crazy!" Draco shrieked in horror wrapping his arms around the Irish lad from behind. "Don't let her have me!"

Seamus rolled his eyes in mock bliss as Harry covered his mouth to keep from laughing at his friend.

"There, there, now," Seamus consoled, idly caressing Malfoy's hands in a comforting manner. "We won't let the evil witch from the west get you."

"Dracypoo, I have been looking all over for you!" she said in a false, sweet voice.

"What for?" he asked from behind Seamus. He unconsciously tightened his arms around him. "I have nothing to say to someone who tried to rape me!"

Harry couldn't control himself any longer. His laughter sputtered out happily. He rolled around the floor holding his aching side. And that was how Ron and Hermione found him.

"He's even worse off than I thought," Ron murmured.

"C'mon Dracypoo, I know that you don't mean that. Let's go to the Slytherin House and talk about this," she whined.

"I'm sorry, but he can't do that," Seamus interjected. "He's staying here tonight."

"Wha-!"

Making eye contact with her, Seamus ran his hand up Draco's arm. The seductive gesture made the blonde boy tremble. "You heard me," he said softly.

"No. It can't be," she whispered.

"Yes. It can," Draco spoke up. "Parkinson, I have never liked you. Every since we started school, you have chased after me."

"Well, you should have told me you were gay!"

"Would it have helped!" he countered.

"Yes… no," she said in a strangely soft voice. "I'm leaving now."

"Bye Pansy. I'll see you tomorrow."

She left.

"Whoo hoo!" Draco yelled jumping up. "Thank you, you were great, Seamus," he said impulsively kissing him on the mouth.

The normally talking Irish boy was stunned immobile. "No problem, mate," he said shakily as he was released.

"This cause for a celebration! I'm going to have my bad owl me the finest champagne on the market, tonight," he said skipping out to get any owl he can use.

"Well that was interesting. Care to enlighten us?" Hermione asked.

Harry was once again the story teller.

"Wow Seamus! You're a hero," Ron joked laughingly.

"Let's get drunk!" Draco announced thirty minutes later.

"We are going to be in so much trouble," said Hermione the worrywart. "More nights with Filch, upcoming!" she predicted.

"Don't worry so much. Have fun!" Draco said passing the bottle to her. "You get the first big gulp."

She stared down at the bottle.

"Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it!" the boys chanted.

She tipped her head back and took a big swig.

"Yeah!" they shouted.

"I know that I am going to kill you guy tomorrow," she said taking another gulp and passing it to Ron.

And so on and so forth. They got pretty drunk.

"Let's play truth or dare," Harry suggested, slurring his words slightly.

"Oh no! The last time we played that game, Molly walked in and caught us in a very compromising position," Hermione grumbled.

"It'll be fun," Seamus said taking a swig.

"I'll start it off," Harry offered. "Ron, truth or dare?"

"Truth," he answered.

"You're no fun! Let's see… is it true that you and Hermione have had sex?"

Hermione blushed as Ron answered. "Nope."

Harry, being as obtuse as ever, said "But she has already given you a blowjob!"

"Harry!"

"Sorry," he said sheepishly.

"Seamus, truth or dare?" Ron asked.

"Dare," Seamus said automatically.

"Now that's a real man!" Harry commented to Ron who in turned slugged him on the arm.

"I dare you to make out with Malfoy on Harry's bed for ten minutes!" Ron said after inspiration struck.

"Why my bed," Harry whined.

"Why so long?" Hermione asked.

"The game will continue," Ron answered. "Do you accept, Seamus?"

"Only if Draco accepts," he answered.

Blushing, Malfoy nodded and let Seamus lead him into the dorm. The Irish lad held the door open for Draco and closed it behind them.

His eyes followed Draco as the blonde moved to sit on the bed. "Are you sure you want to do this. We can always say that we did but we don't really have to."

"I don't mind," Draco said softly. "I hope you don't mind. I haven't had any practice lately so I might not be any good to you. It's ok if you're disgusted by me. Its not like I'm some gorgeous girl; just a gorgeous boy. I've only been with two other men in my life-!"

His rambling was cut short by a pair of firm lips fusing onto his own.

"Seamus-!" he gasped out as he felt himself be lowered onto his back on the bed.

"Yes Draco?" he whispered planting tiny kisses along his neck then gently nipping at the sensitive skin. "Sometimes I feel like I can eat you whole."

"It was you! Oh, don't stop!" Draco panted out. "Oh Merlin, please let it be you."

Seamus made short work with his hand as he rid Draco of his shirt. "The letter was mine," he confirmed. "I don't plan on stopping, so if you are having any second thoughts please let me know now." He started kissing his way down the smooth chest. Using his tongue, he traced a line all the way down to is navel.

There he dipped his tongue in causing the blonde boy to arch his back trying to get closer. "Please?" he asked not really knowing what he was asking for. "Don't."

Seamus looked up. "Tell me you don't want this and I'll stop," he said unbuttoning Draco's trousers and sliding them off. "Can you honestly tell me you don't want this?" He looked down at the boy's body and smirked. "Cause, I'm not convinced, you know. The evidence is plain before me. And quite impressive, if I might add."

"Sod off!" Draco hissed.

Laughing, Seamus placed a warm hand on the boxer covered erection. It twitched at the touch. "Draco, I really want to do this. Will you let me?"

The Slytherin closed his eyes as he nodded.

"Good."

A/N I suck at lemons. I suck balls! Anyways, I hope you like this chapter. Please review. Anyone who can do good lemons, let me know. I'll let you rewrite mine! Thnx for the reviews