Nothing You Can Do

By Spunky

Summary: When Seamus Finnigan finds himself outside protection during a Christmas tide attack on Hogwarts, he must join Harry Potter in seeking refuge in the Muggle world. But what happens when he learns more about The-Boy-Who-Lived than he ever wanted to know?

Disclaimer: "Everyone's stealing from someone:

Burglars get burgled as well.

There's nothing that's new under heaven;

There's nothing unique over hell."

Anonymous

Simply stated - It ain't mine, I'm just borrowing. Actually the disclaimer isn't even mine.

Also (since I was asked) this is going to have NO SLASH and NO SHIPS. I don't really like to write romance of any kind. So all are safe to read this story (unless, of course, you're looking for something with romance).

It was around eleven o'clock that night when Seamus's stomach started to complain. The common room was nearly empty. Only a few of the fifth years were still up, working on their O.W.L.s assignments no doubt. Seamus and Dean had just finished a game of Exploding Snape, a rather new invention of Fred and George Weasley's that had immediately been forbidden from the dungeons. (The potions professor had been less than happy with the newest development.)

"Hey, Dean. I'm going to go down to the kitchens to nick some food. Do you want anything?"

"Seamus, it's after curfew." Dean replied, standing. "I'm going to bed. Can't you wait until morning?"

"It won't take long. No one will even know I'm gone."

"Fine." Dean replied with a yawn. "I'll see you in the morning, just don't get caught."

"I'll be back before you know it."

Seamus snuck out of Gryffindor Tower and down the hall toward the kitchens. Fortunately the Fat Lady seemed to have gone visiting, there was no one to berate him for his little trip. He tickled the pear in the portrait on the ground floor and he was in the kitchens.

The house-elves were more than delighted to load him down with food, as usual. He ate his fill before starting his return to the tower.

As he crept down the second floor corridor a sudden rumbling shook the castle, throwing Seamus to the floor in surprise.

Earthquake? Seamus wondered. Here at Hogwarts?

It just didn't make sense, wasn't the magic of Hogwarts supposed to protect the school from dangers like that? Seamus hurried to the nearest window. Looking out he spotted a mass of black and white approaching the school. Death Eaters!

They appeared to be testing the wards, trying to break them. Seamus's stomach dropped to his knees as he realized that he was sneaking around the school in the middle of a Death Eater attack. He had to get back to Gryffindor!

Seamus raced through the hallways, up the stairs, taking the steps two, three at a time. The sounds from outside the castle seemed to be growing louder as he approached the Fat Lady's portrait. Only one more hallway to go and he would be back at Gryffindor tower.

Seamus snuck neatly round the corner...

And ran straight into Professor McGonagall.

"Mr. Finnigan!" McGonagall exclaimed, looking throughly flustered. "What on earth are you doing out of the tower?"

Bugger.

"Um... hello Professor. I... ah... didn't see you there." Seamus stuttered and stumbled, breathlessly trying to come up with an excuse for his night time foray.

"Obviously not, Mr. Finnigan. Really, I expected better than this from you!" Suddenly her voice lost the scolding tone and became gravely serious. " In case you have not noticed, the castle is surrounded by Death Eaters. I have just finished setting wards to Gryffindor tower to prevent anyone from entering."

"Certainly." Seamus blustered, "Why don't I just... return there. You can continue with whatever you were doing and I'll just slip back–"

There is a reason why we have rules against sneaking out after curfew Mr. Finnigan." McGonagall snapped. "Unfortunately I am unable to lower the wards to allow you entrance to the tower. Only the headmaster and deputy together have that power and Professor Dumbledore is otherwise occupied."

"I'm sorry Professor." Seamus cringed. "I didn't know. There's never been any problems before and..." Seamus trailed off as he realized just what he had admitted to.

"And just how many times have you snuck out of the tower after curfew?" the professor asked, looking down her nose in exasperation. "Never mind, I don't think I want to know. You are to follow me and keep close. The attack could start any moment."

Seamus followed Professor McGonagall at a brisk pace through the halls of Hogwarts. He had to hurry to keep up. All around him he could hear a low rumbling coming from outside that added to the already haunting appearance given off by the castle at night. It sounded as though there were some sort of large animals outside trying to get in.

"What the–"

"Giants, Mr. Finnigan." McGonagall said. "Those creatures you are hearing are giants. I believe there is also chimera or two out there. You-Know-Who is certainly displaying his powers. You understand then, why I was less than delighted at your recent escapades."

Seamus once again found himself cringing. "I'm sorry Professor, really I am."

The two continued in silence down corridor after corridor. Finally they came to a stop in front of a statue of a gargoyle that Professor Dumbledore was also approaching, from the other direction.

"I found Mr. Finnigan on my return from setting the wards to Gryffindor tower." said Professor McGonagall, "He is now unable to enter the protection of the tower."

"Indeed, Mr. Finnigan?" Dumbledore sighed. "Very well. Minerva, Mr. Potter is in my office. I will need to secure his transport. Severus brought him directly from his lesson and is now making some contacts for me. If you could alert the rest of the old crowd?"

"Certainly, Albus."

"Mr. Finnigan, you will be coming with me. Ton Tongue Toffees."

Evidently that was a password because the gargoyle statue stepped aside and Professor Dumbledore turn to entered. Seamus reluctantly followed behind. Now, more than ever, he was beginning to regret his raid of the kitchens.

They rode a spiral wooden staircase upward into what appeared to be a tower. This must be the way to Dumbledore's office, Seamus thought as they reached an entry way. Dumbledore pushed open the door, revealing a large, rather peculiar, room.

The room was a circular one, as eccentric and curious as the headmaster it belonged to. The walls were filled with portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts and Seamus noted the Sorting Hat sitting on a shelf. A large desk sat centered across from the door and there, sitting in one of the chairs across from the desk was Harry Potter.

"Seamus!" Harry exclaimed in surprise when he spotted who had just entered the room. He jumped to his feet. "What are you doing here?"

Seamus grimaced.

"Professor McGonagall happened upon Mr. Finnigan as she was returning from setting the wards on Gryffindor tower." Dumbledore replied in Seamus's stead. "He was visiting the kitchens for a late night snack, I believe."

Seamus started to nod sheepishly. He was becoming more and more embarrassed by his actions by the moment. Of all the stupid–

Sudden Dumbledore's words caught up with him. He gave a jolted start. Wait a minute, McGonagall never said where I was, just that I was out of the common room. How did he...

Seamus glanced over at Dumbledore in a puzzlement, but Dumbledore had already started speaking again.

"Sit, please" said Dumbledore, motioning to the two chairs in front of him. Dumbledore moved behind his desk and sat as well. "Are you alright, Harry?" Seamus couldn't help but notice that Dumbledore had used Harry's first name instead of calling him Mr. Potter, like all of the other teachers called him. Not for the first time did Seamus wonder just how well Harry knew the headmaster.

"Fine, Sir. What is going on?"

"The Death Eaters have the castle surrounded. I am afraid Harry, that the primary goal of this attack is to capture you."

Seamus took in a sharp breath. The reason You-Know-Who sent this lot to attack the castle was to get hold of Harry? Seamus could hardly fathom what being captured by You-Know-Who would mean. He could only imagine that it would be painful. Very painful.

"Voldemort wants me again, doesn't he? Well, at least this time I'm better prepared."

"Indeed, you have made a fool of him too many times for him to leave you alone. Not to mention..." Dumbledore trailed off, but Seamus got the distinct impression that Harry understood exactly what the headmaster had meant to say.

"Right." Harry replied, sitting up anxiously. "So, what will happen? Will I go to Headquarters or will you let me stay and fight?"

"You will not be fighting Harry. I highly doubt that Hogwart's defenses will be breached in this attempt. However, I am not willing to take any chances. And there is currently no one else at Headquarters to keep an eye on you."

Dumbledore turned to Harry. "I am very sorry for this Harry, but you must return to the Dursleys."

"No." Harry's eyes flashed. Seamus watched in fascination and surprise at the sudden change in his roommate. Beside him Harry was shaking in fury.

"Just for the duration of the attack."

"I will not."

"Harry it is too dangerous for you to–"

"YOU PROMISED!" Harry leapt to his feet and began pacing the room, "You said at the start of term that I wouldn't have to return there til summer!"

"I am sorry."

Harry snorted. "Well you have a funny way of showing it."

"Never the less," Professor Dumbledore sighed. "The protection granted to you by your mother's sacrifice is too great to be ignored. The Death Eaters are attacking the castle with the sole purpose of capturing you. If you are taken you know what will happen. I cannot, and will not, risk your capture."

"Don't want to risk losing your weapon." Harry snapped.

Seamus' eyebrows snapped up at this. What were they talking about?

"That is not true and you know it. I don't want to see Harry hurt. This has nothing to do with that and everything to do with the fact that the Death Eaters have come here after you. It is not safe."

No one spoke for several minutes. Harry stood by the window looking out at the Death Eaters surrounding the castle, his breathing heavy. Professor Dumbledore watched him. His gaze steady and almost sad.

Seamus's eyes darted between the two. What was going on? Where did Professor Dumbledore want Harry to go? What was this protection? And what was this about a weapon? He recognized the name Dursley from somewhere but he couldn't place his finger on who they were talking about.

It was rather nerve wracking to be in the room with Harry and Professor Dumbledore, watching their argument. Professor Dumbledore was probably the most powerful wizard in the world and the whole school knew Harry was certainly no Squib. Seamus knew from experience that Harry could be scary when he was angry.

"This is not a request, Harry. You will be spending the duration of the attack at the Dursleys. Hogwarts is not safe enough for you."

Harry didn't turn. He simply continued to stare out the window. Finally he have a short almost imperceptible nod.

It was a long time before Professor Dumbledore took a breath and continued.

"I must also ask, Harry, that you take Mr. Finnigan with you to Privet Drive."

Seamus's eyebrows shot up in surprise again and he opened his mouth to speak, but Harry beat him to it.

"You have got to be joking." Harry snapped around to stare directly into Dumbledore's eyes.

The Headmaster looked older and more tired than Seamus had ever seen him. Seamus had never considered Professor Dumbledore to be old, perhaps it was the twinkle in his eyes and the constant presents of sweets, but he always seemed so young. It was a bit of a shock to Seamus to note that Dumbledore was, actually, old.

"Harry–"

"Do you know what they'll do if I bring another wizard with me?" Harry ranted, "It's bad enough that I'm showing up in the middle of the year– in the middle of the night!"

"I understand that what I ask of you is difficult."

"You have no idea how much so." Harry snapped.

"Harry," Dumbledore walked around his desk to stand directly in front of Harry, "He is outside the wards placed on the dorms. He is not safe. They will kill him if he is found!"

A shudder ran through Seamus' body. They would kill him?

"The Dursleys won't like it." Harry muttered.

"I know, I am trying to keep you safe Harry."

"Stop trying to pretend that your doing what is best for me. You're doing what's best for the wizarding world." Harry sighed, his anger dissolving. "But that's important too. I understand. I may not like it but I do understand. Where's the bloody portkey?"

"I will have you out of there as soon as possible, Harry."

"I know."

"Fawkes will be sent to you with a portkey back as soon as the attack is over." Dumbledore pointed his wand at the box of Sherbert Lemons on his desk. "Portus."

"Let's go."

Harry reached out for the portkey, clearly expecting Seamus to follow. But Seamus found he couldn't. He had been silent through the exchange, allowing Professor Dumbledore and Harry to decide what was best. He hadn't wanted to get into the middle of an argument between two of the most talented wizards in the world, but now he had to ask.

Seamus cleared his throat, "Where are we going?"

Harry let out a long sigh before replying, "My aunt and uncle's house, where I live during summer holiday."

Suddenly a loud explosion shook the room.

"The portkey!" Dumbledore exclaimed. "You must leave now."

Seamus reached out, setting his hand on the Sherbert Lemon box beside Harry. For a moment nothing happened.

Then the portkey activated and Seamus was pulled alongside Harry out of the Headmaster's office. A moment later he fell to the ground, landing upon a hard pavement. It took Seamus a moment to orient himself. He sat back on his hind legs, taking in his surroundings.

The first thing Seamus noticed was how very much the same everything was. The Muggles house on the street appeared to have come out of a cookie cutter. They were practically identical, right down to the meticulously shoveled walkways leading up to the doors.

The house directly in front of him was no different than the rest. A Christmas tree set in the front window, the Muggle Christmas lights giving off a welcoming glow. The eves were draped in white lights and a large fir wreath hung on the door. A car passed behind Seamus, it's headlights illuminating a silver number four that hung to the side of the door.

Beside Seamus, Harry pulled himself to his feet, wiping the snow from his pants. His face wore a closed expression as he helped Seamus up. Glancing at the front door he sighed.

"Well, there's no place like home." Harry muttered darkly before starting up the pathway.

Seamus followed quickly behind Harry, ascending the front steps. As they reached the top step Harry stopped abruptly causing Seamus to nearly run into him. Harry turned and stared straight into Seamus's eyes, giving him a dark look that Seamus had never before seen cross Harry's face. "Whatever happens," he said, "Whatever my aunt and uncle may say or do, don't say anything."

Seamus looked at Harry, bewildered. "What are you –"

"Don't say anything, don't do anything. There is nothing you can do. Do you understand. You will only make them worse."

Before Seamus could open his mouth to ask Harry what he was talking about, the porch light flickered to life and the front door swung open to reveal a large – purple faced – man looking on in fury. "Boy," snapped the man, "What the hell are you doing here? Get in before the neighbors see you."

So you know: This is NOT going to be a "let's abuse Harry and see how much we can hurt him before someone comes to the rescue" fict. I've got reasons behind the plot and made sure there was absolutely nothing worse than the books in here. It may seem more harsh because this is taken from an outsider's POV but one of my goals in writing this is to take the set-up as directly from canon as I can manage.