Summary: Sift through the lives of Hogwarts' slightly deranged students with resident Gryffindor dunderhead, Neville Longbottom.
Disclamer: Not mine, JK's. I derive only amusement from writing this. No money is being made. Btw, has anyone watched King Kong?
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Chapter Four…
Dean was close to tears. He didn't mean to do anything to mortally wound his best friend's reputation. Seamus must have been really mad at him. He had a right to be, Dean had just caused him pure embarassment. He would've blamed it on Draco but the blonde looked so 'innocent', eating his pancakes. He supposed Draco hadn't meant for it to happen.
He exited the hall and before the large doors coould close with a resounding 'thud' behind him, he heard loud, howling laughter. He walked by the lake. Dean heard the lake water rippling, probably caused by the Giant Squid's tentacles tentatively lapping the water.
The black haired boy sat on the dewy grass and breathed in fresh air. He felt guilt eating away at his insides. Seamus would never forgive him. He sighed, he didn't deserve forgiveness. He made his best mate the laughing stock of Hogwarts.
Seamus had a chest. Big ones too.
The young Gryffindor sighed again. Everyone knew Seamus had a reputation for making girls swoon at his feet. He didn't want to lose his best friend, without Seamus, he was nothing. He heard footsteps behind him and decided to face Seamus like a real Gryffindor.
Blaise strode casually towards Dean. He gave the Gryffindor a sweet smile. "Relax, Dean. What's troubling you? You look upset," Blaise said.
"I feel so bad for Seamus. Oh, Merlin. He probably hates me..." Dean confessed. He was having trouble breathing now.
"Well, actually, he was never happier. Besides, the potion wasn't your fault. We all know how hopeless you are. Didn't you ask anyone to check the potion for you?" He added the later part with slight hesitation.
Blaise frowned, comtemplating what could've gone wrong. Draco. The answer was obvious, that was why the blonde was sniggering to himself during breakfast.
His poor demented friend had finally sought out some form of entertainment. "You asked Draco to check your potion, didn't you?" Blaise demanded.
Dean nodded.
"My lovely and most dearest friend, Dean, you do realize that Draco's word cannot and should not be trusted, right?" Blaise asked the question as if there was an obvious answer which in this case, was a yes.
Blaise was amazed. Never, in his seven years of Hogwarts did he ever meet anyone who trusted Draco so… simply.
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Draco picked himself up.
Seamus picked himself up.
Draco stared.
Seamus laughed.
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Neville was in quite a good mood today. Breakfast was interesting, Snape didn't bark at him and Albus didn't pace around, muttering about a resurrection of Tom Riddle. Neville vaguely wondered if being one of the greatest wizards of all time was not good enough for his standard. Perhaps the headmaster wanted to be a necromancer.
The real highlight of today though, was that it was Confession Day. He decided he did like confessions after all. Even if it meant listening to an awfully long and boring story about cupboards. In the end, it paid off.
But for now, he would enjoy the sun by the lake and write a letter to his Gran.
Dear Gran,
Nothing much has been happening. And NEWTs is still a long way to go. I hope you're doing okay at home. I really miss you.
The Confession Booth is doing quite well for its first confession , I suppose. I made sixty galleons, I hope it'll help. I'll send it by post tomorrow. Maybe one day, we'll be able to afford a new home. After graduating from Hogwarts, I'll work and get you a better home, Gran. That's a promise.
I'm actually doing better in potions, since Malfoy helps me when he thinks no one else is looking.
Snape actually washed his hair and I suppose I can concentrate much better now that I don't see cauldrons reflecting the light from his hair.
I think I might be improving in Arithmancy as well, Blaise is awfully good at it.
We're going to Hogsmeade next Saturday. I can't wait to see Fred and George's new stock and Honeydukes new asortment of candy. I know how much you love peppermint.
I don't have a lot of free time on my hands now. Everyone's busy preparing for the exams and I heard that Snape's foul mood hasn't changed towards the Gryffindors despite his favourite student befriending them and all. I'd better be off now, Sunday break is calling.
I'll write to you soon, take care.
Love you lots, Gran.
Yours faithfully.
Neville Longbottom.
Neville rolled up the parchment and tied it with a red ribbon. Then, he headed towards the owelery, tied it to the clever creature securely and watched as it flew away.
He headed back to the lake. No one should miss Sunday mornings, he mused. The birds were singing and it was a lovely, bright and sunny day. He seated himself next to Blaise who was trying to sooth a hallucinating Dean. Blaise flashed Neville a small smile and turned to the rapidly breathing Gryffindor.
"I didn't mean to.. oh Merlin. No, no, no, no, no… Seamus is okay... He'll forgive me, yes he will. And we'll still be friends.. No! He'll hate me forever…" Dean wailed.
"Dean! He would never hate you and you didn't do anything wrong, everyone knows he's a…" Blaise was cut short from a rather loud outburst.
"...WOMANIZER! Everyone knows that! I know that! But I gave him the potion! Argh… I'm such a horrible, terrible, stupid, idiotic friend," said Dean.
Neville shook his head. "Dean's been known to undergo hysterics... he's not used to entanglements like what's happening right now. He feels he's betrayed his best friend beyond redemption." Neville explained.
"What are we to do?" asked Blaise. "I can't tell him that Seamus is.. well.. you know.. That'd be wrong... and it's.. well.. not polite," Blaise said defensively, crossing his arms.
Blaise was all about wizarding etiquettes and it seemed mentioning that someone was gay happened to be an awful offence.
Then, a lightbulb appeared in Neville's head.
"Why don't you check the suggestion board? There must be something that can help him. You know what? We're in luck. I checked it out a while ago and there was something to do with some sort of confession board of some sort. Wait, it's the Confession Booth. That's it. Harry and Mryan tried it out, didn't they?" Neville asked.
The couple sitting nearby gave a thumbs up and dissapeared behind a willow tree to do merlin knows what.
" I don't quite remember where it is exactly but you can check it out. Since he's not comunicating with you… you might as well try the Confession Booth. Someone'll be listening to his confessions and I'm sure he'd feel much better after that." Neville suggested.
Blaise smiled, white teeth showing. "You're brilliant. I'll go check it right now. Thanks a lot." With that, the Slytherin boy pulled the other black haired boy to his feet and rushed towards the direction of the suggestion board.
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Neville arrived right before Blaise did, panting. He wasn't a fast runner, not as fast as Blaise anyway. He disguised his voice and asked calmly, "Would you like to make a confession?"
Blaise nodded. "It's my friend, actually," he hoisted the other boy on top of the chair and stood next to the booth, waiting. Dean was still muttering.
"Dean, you're going to confess now, okay? Then, you'll be rid of your troubles." Blaise explained slowly.
Dean finally snapped out of it and turned to Neville. "I feel so horrible. I made verisaterum and I tried it out on Seamus to ask him about his new fixation. You know, about the hair, the stockings and all. I was naturally curious, Seamus didn't mention anything about it, at all. And I just wanted to know and then.. then… there was that potion accident.. and now, he has a chest! He'll hate me… I'm so stupid, I should have just asked him but I didn't want to upset him and... and... and…" He trailed off, sobbing.
Neville put a hand on his back, trying to sooth the boy.
"It's not your fault, not all potions are flawless. Besides, you were just concerned about the affairs of your friend. You have to understand though, there's nothing wrong with Seamus." Neville said patiently.
"Really?" Sniffed Dean.
"Really," Neville said.
"What is with the new attire and all?" asked Dean.
Forsaking all the wizarding ettiquettes for his fellow Gryffindor, Neville bravely said, "Well, that's because…well… err.. he's a.."
"Homosexual." Blaise finished for him. The Slytherin looked pretty guilty but soon decided that all wizarding etiquettes be damned if it meant saving his dear friend from hyperventilating.
He waited until the imformation sunked into the other boy's brain. Three.. two.. one..
"I get it! Owh… merlin…Oh! I get it now! Thank you so much!" He smiled brightly and turned to Blaise, embracing him.
"Thanks, Blaise. For helping me through this. I've got to find Seamus now." With a determined look, he set off to find the brunette.
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Seamus loved the look on Draco's face. He just didn't understand.
Seamus Finnagan is a very cool guy. Seamus Finnagan didn't mind being laughed at. Seamus Finnagan loved practical jokes.
So, he really didn't mind his chest.
He thought it was brilliant.
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Dean took a deep breath and pushed the doors to the Great Hall open. Seamus was sitting with Draco. Seamus was still laughing. Draco was just staring at the other boy, eyes wide. When he spotted Dean, he beckoned him over, waving his hands frantically.
He stood in front of Seamus, ringing his fingers together. Draco was smirking at Dean, Seamus was just looking at him. It was thoroughly unnerving.
Then, Seamus laughed. "Breathe in, breathe out. Yes, you can do it. In and out, Seam. You might die from too much giggling," Draco scolded.
Dean smiled, "Seam, I'm really sorry about everything but now that the 'listener' told me that you're gay, I'm okay. I'm really sorry. I bet you're having a horrid time.." he cringed.
Seamus snickered. "On the contrary, I'm doing great actually. I was betting with Draco here that if he drinks the potion and grows a woman's chest, it wouldn't be nearly as big as mine."
Draco made a face. Dean and Seamus grinned.
"I'd love to find out.." said Dean. "In due time, mate. In due time," said Seamus.
And they did. The very next day.
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Hope you liked this chappie. Read and Review, you know you want to!
Muahahahahaha! Lucky thing Draco used only one third of the potion. (wiggles eyebrows suggestively)
Owh… and these are the few answers to my bright and inquisitive reviewers' questions :-
You're right, old Dumby (sorry, I like that nick name..) would most probably buy the socks but hey… what about Tom Riddle? The old man is feeling out of sorts and is trying to overcome guilt so he ain't exactly into soxiez…Besides, Dobby must've given him plenty.
Neville is one forgetful dolt but we love him that way. I doubt he'll be able to forget all those galleons though… Who would?
To my lovely reviewers, thank you so much! Huggiez!- Aly