Chapter 4 Potions

Seamus didn't see Draco until their Potions lesson just before lunch. He noticed the bruise on Draco's left cheek and wondered when that had happened. /It's probably got something to do with me./ he thought sadly. Seamus penned a short note, caught the other boy's eye and held the note where he could see it.

"Accio note." The Slytherin sighed and the piece of parchment flew across the room towards him.

So how did that thing go with your father this morning? Did he take it as badly as you thought? And where did you get that whopping great bruise on the side of your face?

Draco groaned internally. He knew Seamus would want to know. How did you explain to someone that you couldn't see him anymore, and that it was for his own good? /I don't care what he does to me./ Draco thought bitterly /But if my father touches so much as one solitary hair on Seamus' head I will never forgive him./ Draco's chain of thought was broken as Harry and Ron rushed into the classroom late as usual, followed closely by the Potions master. Draco wrote quickly.

I can't talk now. I'll meet you tonight.

Astronomy tower, midnight

He looked at Seamus who retrieved the note. The Gryffindor's expression darkened at having to meet in secret, but he nodded his agreement. /Good. That gives me enough time to get my housemates drunk enough that they'll either pass out, or will be physically incapable of following me./

"Have you seen the mark on the side of Draco's head?" Harry whispered to Seamus. Seamus looked blandly at him, but said nothing. He thought it was a bloody stupid question. Of course he'd noticed it. How could you not? Harry did not pick up on Seamus' mood, and continued gossiping "Did you also know that Lucius was here this morning?"

Again, Seamus just looked at Harry who continued. "Would you be surprised to learn that Draco gained that bruise between breakfast and arriving in Herbology first thing this morning?"

"No, not really." Seamus sighed, and finally, Harry picked up on the other boy's behaviour.

"So you think Lucius did it do you?" Ron sounded disappointed. He'd been hoping that another student had grown tired of Draco's snide remarks and smashed him one.

"Well Lucius is a cruel and heartless bastard. It wouldn't exactly be out of character would it?" Seamus snapped. It was a stupid bloody question he thought. He could not believe his friends could be so thick. He also hated that they seemed to gain so much pleasure out of Draco's misery.

"I'm not so sure. Why would he hit his own son?" Ron still wasn't convinced and Seamus just rolled his eyes at him. Ron just never could understand that there were some families who weren't as close as his was. Draco had told Seamus about his father's abusive behaviour during many late night conversations. These deep conversations were only on of the traits that led Seamus to believe that there was more to the Slytherin than people gave him credit.

"Finnigan!" Snape snapped interrupting the boy's musings "Do you need a personal invitation to hand up your homework assignment?" Seamus looked blankly at the Professor. He could not recall having been given a homework assignment. "10 points will be deducted from Gryffindor and you will stay behind during lunch to finish your assignment." Seamus sighed. Nothing seemed to be going right for him today.

The bell rang for lunch, and the rest of the class filed out. Draco snubbed Seamus as he passed. It hurt, but the Irish boy assumed there was a reason. As Seamus settled into his overdue assignment, Professor Dumbledore walked into the classroom. He spoke softly with Snape for a moment, and then they both walked over to Seamus.

"Mr. Finnigan there is something we must discuss." Dumbledore began. Seamus blinked in confusion. What could it possibly be? He hadn't done anything.

"Your relationship with Malfoy. It must stop." Snape ordered. Seamus couldn't believe that he was hearing this.

"You're just like everyone else!" he accused. "You're homophobes who can't stand the thought of people who aren't what you'd call 'normal' being happier than yourselves! Would it be so wrong for us to be happy?"

"Watch your mouth Finnigan. I will not tolerate this disrespect. We are doing this for your own good."

"How's that?" Seamus asked dryly. He could believe they were saying this. How could they possibly think keeping him away from someone he cared about would be for his own good?

"We don't know what Lucius Malfoy is capable of doing if you are not kept apart as he requested." Dumbledore explained.

"I don't care what he does to me! You have no right to interfere! How would he know anyway?"

"He has ways of keeping an eye on Draco." Snape was becoming irritated with the boy's refusal to look at the situation logically "Besides, it not just you that we are worried about. He has threatened to take Draco out of Hogwarts and home tutor him if we do not keep the two of you apart. I'm sure you can imagine what will happen to the boy if that happens. If you really care about what happens to him then you will realise that it would be best for all concern if you stay away from him." Seamus wanted to argue but he didn't know what to say. What Snape had just said had made too much sense, and as much as he hated it, it appeared he was going to lose Draco one way or another.

"You can go now Seamus." Dumbledore dismissed him. He looked questioningly at the Potions master who nodded.

"You can hand in your homework tomorrow." Seamus gathered his things and left. This was shaping up to be the worst day of his life.