Disclaimers: See the first chapter.

Snippets From the Potterverse

Chapter 76 - Human Piece of Toast

"Ow."

Everyone at the Gryffindor table was inclined to feel slightly sympathetic towards Seamus, who had returned from his Christmas holidays with a spectacular sunburn. Though it was now late in January, Seamus was still the colour of a broiled lobster.

"Ow. Ow." Seamus' burn was beginning to peel, and every time he tried to scratch it, it hurt.

"Where did you go again, Seamus?" Ginny asked, staring at her friend's violently orange arm.

"Portugal," Seamus replied, trying to scratch his neck. "Ow. Ow!"

"Didn't you think to bring any suntan lotion?" Harry inquired.

Seamus stared blankly at him. "Suntan... lotion?"

Harry stared back. "Yeah, you know... the stuff Muggles put on their skin to keep from getting burned?"

"Ohh... no. Me mam doesn't believe in it. She prefers Sun-Deflecting Charms."

"She needs a new strategy," Harry muttered.

"So, are your parents as burned as you are?" Dean wanted to know.

"No." Seamus scratched his nose. "Ow."

"Oh. So I guess they didn't spend as much time in the sun as you did, huh?"

Seamus blinked. "Who said anything about being in the sun?" he asked. "I accidentally got locked in one of the Muggle tanning beds."

"Ow," everyone replied, wincing.

Hermione made a face. "Those tanning beds are so dangerous. Even with charms or lotion, it's still not a good idea. It can cause cancer..."

As Hermione rambled on, Ron raised an eyebrow at Seamus. "What is a tanning bed? A sort of oversized toaster?"

"I suppose you could say that. And I'm the toast."

"Now I get it!" said Ron triumphantly.