Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count - 1719
My Pleasure
He hated these things. He came, because it was frowned upon to avoid an invitation personally issues by the Minister for Magic, but he hated them.
He hated the robes, he hated the pretentious assholes that stalked around the large ballrooms, he hated the food, he hated the champagne. He was a normal lad from Ireland; give him a pint over a glass of bubbly any day.
More than all of that though, he hated the feeling that he just didn't belong there. Seamus worked hard as a healer, and he loved his job, but he was… just Seamus. He enjoyed nights out with his friends, and nights in front of the telly in his boxers after a long shift. He enjoyed sleeping in, and going grocery shopping just because he felt like it.
Many of the people at these events were snobby assholes that only deigned to even look at him because he'd been branded as one of the war heroes from the final battle. Of course, Harry and Ron and Hermione and Neville were all here too, along with many others from their year, but they like him were often pulled into conversations they didn't want to be having with people who only talked to them because they were the flavour of the hour.
Seamus offered an awkward apology to the man currently talking his ear off and walked away, making his way out onto one of the balconies for a sneaky cigarette. Smoking was a terrible habit, he knew that he was a healer, but it helped to settle his shaking hands, and tempered his frustration.
The night air was soothing, and he looked up at the sky. The stars always made him feel small, insignificant, but not in a bad way. He had so many memories of being a child with his mum and dad pointing out the different constellations on their many camping trips.
When he'd started Hogwarts, it hadn't taken him long to realise that his parents had made shit up to amuse him, but the memories still made him smile. Perhaps even more so, because of that.
He startled when he heard heels clipping on the floor, and he turned to see a woman slipping through the doors onto the balcony.
"Oh. I apologise, I didn't realise anyone was out here," she said stiffly, turning to leave.
"There's plenty of room," Seamus offered quietly. He recognised the woman, of course he did, but he recognised the lost and frustrated look in her eyes even more.
She hesitated for a moment before she cautiously walked forward, pulling her black shawl tighter around her shoulders. The silence was awkward, and Seamus wanted to speak to her, but he didn't know what to say.
"I saw you," she murmured, saving him the bother. "Inside. You looked about as comfortable in the ballroom as I feel, and that's certainly saying something."
Seamus' lips tilted up slightly. "I'm a simple man, ma'am. These fancy parties… they're not really for me."
"Narcissa, please."
"Seamus," he replied. "I would have thought you'd be used to such occasions. Being… who you are."
She chuckled lowly. "Being who I was, perhaps," she agreed. "But since the war, well, I do not know why I still receive the invitations."
"You saved Harry's life."
"To save the life of my son, yes," she agreed. "It wasn't a selfless act, by any means."
"It doesn't change that you did it."
Narcissa sighed. She looked at him for a moment and then looked through the windows to the ball inside. "It is ridiculous how we cling to each noel, even now, when our world is war torn and crumbling. The people in there, they laugh and joke and smile, as though Christmas simply makes life better just by being."
"Tis the season of goodwill," Seamus said after a pause. "And aside from that, I think people are going to cling to anything that could possibly be something happy. It's only been a few years, and Christmas, it makes the losses even more obvious."
Narcissa turned her gaze back on him. "So young, and yet, you speak words of those much older than you. I suppose that is an effect of the world you grew up in. Draco is much the same."
"I was younger than I am now when I fought a war. It ages you. It doesn't matter the side, everybody suffered because of the actions of one mad man, and I expect we're all going to be paying the price for many more years to come."
Narcissa didn't seem to have a reply, and Seamus looked back to the stars. He should probably return to the ball, but he didn't have the energy. Instead, he lit another cigarette with his wand and silently cast a charm to contain the smell.
From the corner of his eye, he watched a single tear roll down Narcissa's face. He wanted to offer her comfort, but he didn't know how. He didn't know if his touch would be appreciated, and he didn't really have the words to ask what would make her feel better because he was quite sure that nothing could make her feel better.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked, after putting his cigarette out.
She blinked at him, surprised. "I… thank you for the offer, Seamus, but I think I'm going to leave. I have no wish to draw more attention to myself this eve."
He smiled slowly and approached her, offering his hand. "I didn't say we had to return to the ballroom," he coaxed. When she took his hand, he spun her gently and then pulled her close, swaying them to the echo of the music they could hear from inside.
She was tense under his touch, but as the minutes passed by, she relaxed slowly, even pushing closer against him.
"It's been so long since I was touched with tenderness," she admitted, her voice little more than a whisper.
"Everyone needs someone," Seamus murmured. "Human touch is an essential part of life."
Narcissa laughed bitterly. "My ex-husband is in Azkaban, and my son is on the continent, trying to make a life for himself away from the stigma of the mark that will forever taint his skin. I have no one and nothing."
"Then perhaps," Seamus said, spinning her out and pulling her back towards him, "It's time to start living for yourself."
"I wouldn't even know where to begin. My whole life has been about my family."
"Find something that sparks your passion and follow it," Seamus whispered. "Something that gives you butterflies, something that makes you want. Find something that makes you happy."
"You make it sound so easy."
"It's not easy, but I promise, it's worth it."
The music inside drew to a close, and the two of them parted. Seamus reached a hand up to tuck a stray piece of blonde hair behind her ear. "Good luck, Narcissa."
She turned away from her and made it all the way to the doors before she called his name.
"Seamus?"
He looked back over his shoulder.
"Thank you."
…
Seamus hated these events. He'd managed to avoid the midyear ball by being out of the country, but when the Christmas Ball invitation came into his lap via owl, he knew he'd have to attend.
Granted, he thought to himself as he accepted a drink from a passing house elf, last year hadn't been so bad. He hadn't seen Narcissa since then, but he'd heard through the grapevine that she'd opened a bakery of all things, and from the comments of the staff at the hospital, a damn good one at that.
Seamus greeted his friends, and for the first time at one of these events, they were actually left alone to socialise amongst themselves for the first half of the night. Seamus wasn't even craving a cigarette, and he'd been so sure that tonight would end his three months of being nicotine free.
A hand tapped on his shoulder, and he turned to find Narcissa standing before him, a vision in red.
"Narcissa," he greeted, reaching for her hand almost automatically. He kissed the back of her hand and she smiled at him.
"Dance with me?" she requested, nodding to the dancefloor.
Seamus grinned. "After you, milady."
They joined the couples on the floor, falling into the sway of the music easily.
"I wanted to thank you," Narcissa murmured. "Last year… you helped me, I think more than you could possibly know. You helped me… you helped me to decide to keep living. To keep trying."
"From what I've heard, it seems you've had a rather successful year," Seamus replied, smiling at her. "The nurses are forever praising your cakes and biscuits in the break room."
"I thought, I hoped, you might come in to the bakery," she said quietly. "So I could thank you properly."
"No thanks necessary," he assured her. "I'm happy for you. Truly."
"Then perhaps you'll come and visit me regardless," she said after a moment. "You could taste test some of my newer recipes."
Seamus nodded. He wasn't quite sure if the invitation was friendly, or if it was friendly. While he couldn't help but hope for the latter, Narcissa was gorgeous after all, he knew that he was very much punching above his weight with her.
She was a lady, and he was… well. Just Seamus.
"I'd like that," he said, hoping that his reply was safe no matter which way her invitation was intended.
The look in his eyes told him that she thought he was being an oblivious idiot and he felt hope rising that perhaps it was more than just wanting a friendly face around.
"I should like to get some air," Narcissa said when the song ended. "Join me on the balcony?"
"Of course." Seamus offered her his arm, which she readily accepted, and the left the dancefloor.
At the balcony doors, Seamus glanced up and smirked. "Mistletoe," he murmured, nodding his head up at it.
Narcissa's cheeks coloured lightly, but she raised her eyebrow at him. "You don't need mistletoe to kiss me, Seamus. Perhaps just a stronger hint that I've already waited a year for you. Don't make me wait any longer."
"It would be my absolute pleasure."
Written for;
Character Appreciation; 2. Friendly
Disney; S7. "Everyone needs someone."
Cookie's Corner; 4. Snickers. Two things that shouldn't go together, working.
Book Club; The Lady on the Grey. Dancing / Promise / Helping make an important decision
Showtime; 27. Champagne
Lyric Alley; 5. How we cling to each noel
Em's Emporium; 8. Ball/Party
Angel's Arcade; 8. Luz. Heels / Nighttime / Smoking
Bex's Basement; 22. Jen - Narcissa
Southern Funfair; Mistletoe - SeamusNarcissa
Eastern Funfair - Paper Snowflakes; 80. Young
