The day after their trip to Limerick Harry spent the day in the pub helping Dom. Seamus had gone to Dublin to see Deans parents who were visiting Harry had offered to go with him, but felt it was something he needed to do on his own. Dom was teaching Harry how to pour a pint of Guinness it really didn't look all that difficult, Harry soon proved that it was anything but, when Dom had recovered from his fits of laughter, he seconded Harry to clear the table and deliver the food to the patrons, feeling that was the safer and less expensive option.
Harry was in the kitchen after the lunch rush tidying up when Dom came in with more plates and glasses. Elbows deep in bubbles Harry sighed when he saw the newly arrived dishes. 'I'll get to them in a minute Dom, just finish these few off' Harry said. 'There is a much easier way to do that you know' mused Dom with a sly grin on his face. Harry wasn't sure what had shocked him more the fact that Dom had a wand or that he had used it.
'You can do magic' Harry stuttered. 'Wizards usually can Harry lad' Dom chuckled. 'Isn't Kildare a muggle village' he stammered again. 'Mostly magical families with the odd Muggle thrown in' Dom smiled. Harry was utterly astonished Seamus had never mentioned that this was a wizarding village. He had been trying so hard to be a muggle. 'I take it by your expression Seamus didn't mention this to you?' 'No must have slipped his mind' Harry muttered vowing to hex Seamus eight ways to next year.
Dom chuckled and left a stunned Harry standing by the now sparkling sink. He returned a few moments later with a glass of a familiar amber liquid in his hand. 'Calm those nerves Harry' he said handing over the glass. Harry took a sip and felt the burning sensation as it slid down his throat. 'Perhaps I had better explain' Dom said noticing the still stunned expression on Harrys face. They went back out into the bar and took a seat at one of the tables.
'First of all I know who you are Harry and what you have done for our world, so I will say thank you on behalf of our village. I knew when you first arrived, but knowing what had been written about you since the war ended I was sure you wanted your privacy so kept it to myself. This is one of the few Wizarding Villages in Ireland, a lot of the time magical folk just blend into the muggle world.
I went to Hogwarts just like you and Seamus, there wasn't a magic school here back then, there is now though. I worked at the Irish Ministry for a time then bought this pub ten years ago and have been here ever since. I have known Seamus' parents for a long time, when they went away I said I would keep an eye on Seamus, as he wasn't coping well with Dean's death. He blamed himself for Dean being killed said he should have been beside him not off fighting somewhere else.
He had also started drinking quite a lot this worried Mary and Aiden so I said I would look after him. Since you have been here I have seen a change in him, he doesn't look as sad anymore and he smiles more often than not so whatever you are doing keep doing it.' Harry hadn't spoken the entire time he just sat and listened intently. He was beginning to understand how Seamus was feeling and what led him to drink so much. 'The war was utter chaos no one knew where anyone was Seamus cant blame himself I know that Dean wouldn't' Harry answered.
For reasons unknown Harry confided in Dom all that he had been through and his own grief that had felt like a weight until he came here to Ireland. How he had blamed himself for Sirius death, sometimes he still did. He told Dom about Ginny and her mother the constant pushing and hinting that he and Ginny get together and one day get married. He said that he was sure it was his fame that Ginny loved and not he.
When they were at school he told Dom that she used parade him round and would always snog him in front of people. Dom understood, he was also glad that Harry had gotten out when he did, he got the feeling that these women didn't like the word No nor would they take it as answer. Harry backed that theory and told him of the night at the club.
Later in the afternoon Dom told Harry he had received a note from Seamus saying he was spending the night in Dublin and he would see him the next day. Hiding his disappointment at not seeing Seamus he offered to help Dom for the remainder of the day and the night. There was a quiz night happening that night and Dom was thankful for all the help he could get.
The pub was jam packed later that evening Harry was kept busy delivering drinks and meals, clearing the tables, taking orders at the bar. He joined in with the quiz even reading out a few of the questions when Dom got busy behind the bar or talking to the patrons. He hadn't had this much fun in a long time, the only thing missing was Seamus, Harry knew that seeing Deans parents was important and a step on the road to recovery for him.
It was after midnight when Dom finally closed the doors and he and Harry took a well-earned break. Sipping FireWhiskey and talking about the night Dom thought it was a good time to ask Harry something that had him curious. 'So Harry my lad when do you think you'll tell Seamus how you feel about him' he asked suppressing the urge to grin.
Harry spluttered and near choked on his drink. 'You get straight to the point don't you Dom' he choked. 'Don't see any point in dancing around the subject best to come out with it' he smiled inwardly. 'And before you say anything in reply I have seen the way you look at Seamus, there is more than friendship building between the pair of you, I've also see the way he looks at you Harry' he had no idea what to say so he told the truth.
'I do feel something for him Dom I'm not sure what it is, so many other things have been going through my mind I haven't really concentrated on my love life. I only figured out I was gay a short time ago so don't know if I'm ready for a relationship let alone with someone I spent seven years at school with' he was urging the mind demon to stay away even though he could feel it pushing inconvenient thoughts into his mind. 'Wont know until you try Harry my boy' replied Dom standing and heading over to the bar leaving Harry with his thoughts.
I've planted the seed thought Dom has he got ready for bed, now I just have to see if it blooms, and with a little help it just might. Erotica was the theme of Harry's dreams that night no matter how much he resisted. He was sure when he woke the next morning that some of the features of his dreams were surely to be illegal or physically impossible he didn't know which shocked him more.
Seamus arrived back that afternoon; he came into the pub and found Harry sitting in their usual seat with his head in a book. 'Afternoon Harry did you miss me?' Seamus asked as he sat down. Did I ever he thought Oh Merlin not now please not now. 'Yes I did, Dom kept me busy though' it was all he could manage. He was nervous and sweating, he couldn't bring himself to look Seamus in the eye for fear of what his mind would conjure. He knew he had to though or Seamus would think something was wrong.
Behind the bar Dom smiled at the sight of the two of them trying to avoid direct eye contact. This was going to require a lot of expertise; lucky he was just the man for the job he mused. He left them to it and went into the kitchen. 'Did you miss me' Harry blurted out. Merlin yes, those green eyes and that body was all I thought about the imp in Seamus' mind was in full swing.
'How were Deans parents?' Harry asked desperate to change the subject. 'They are ok, trying to put on a brave face, they said Dean wouldn't want them to be sad and they're right he wouldn't it was good to see them, helps a bit' Seamus spoke quietly. 'I'm glad you went to see them I know it must be hard, but maybe you can help each other' Harry said kindly. 'Would you like a drink?' he asked getting up and moving behind the bar. I helped Dom out last night for the quiz night that was on. He poured two glasses of FireWhiskey and took them back over to the table.
'What else did you get up to while I was gone' Seamus asked. Harry told him about discovering that this was a wizarding village and Dom was a wizard and went to Hogwarts, thanks for telling me you Irish prat. Seamus smiled sheepishly. 'Must have slipped my mind' 'mmhmm' was the only reply. 'So you didn't pine away for me for too long then' Seamus grinned. No just dreamt of doing the impossible with you my Irish hunk.
Harry suppressed a grimace. 'No didn't have the time Shay' he smiled. Dom had been looking through a crack in the kitchen door at the antics going on in the far corner of the pub. If they only knew what the other was thinking they would get to it a lot quicker he thought.
They ate in the pub that night, then Dom innocently suggested in passing that they should go to the village for the night markets and the band that played there. Taking him up on his offer the two left the pub and walked the short distance to the Kildare Village. Harry suspected that there was nothing innocent about Dom's suggestion and the sneaky old wizard had nominated himself matchmaker.
There were fairy lights strung up over shop awnings and around lampposts. A small stage had been erected and the band was setting up the equipment. Something else might be erecting soon Harrys mind helpfully pointed out. This mind thing really had to be taken care of it was getting out of hand. Seamus and Harry wandered around the markets for a time, before sitting down at a row of seats that had been placed in front of the stage.
The music started and the rows of seats filled up quickly. Towards the back of the seats Dom sat carefully watching the pair a few rows in front of him. Nothing like some romantic Irish tunes to get a couple thinking about romance he thought. Harry and Seamus listened to the music tapping their feet in time with the beat. Seamus chanced a look at Harry who seemed to be in a trance with the music. Those eyes are even more beautiful under lights he thought not bothering to try and quieten the imp it seemed pointless. Harry could feel Seamus' eyes on him so he made sure he looked at the stage.
The music was truly enchanting the sounds went right through to your very soul. What I wouldn't give to be in your arms swaying to this music. Harry shut his eyes willing the mind demon to go away and not ruin the entertainment. Dom was watching from his post at the back, he chuckled at the stolen looks between them he could only imagine what the other was thinking. Seamus was feeling brave or maybe it was the music he wasn't sure what compelled him to move until his thigh was touching Harrys.
Harry dared not move, he could feel Seamus' thigh pressing against his own, there was sparks shooting through his body and the mere thought of it. Eyes straight ahead he put all his energy into the music. Dom had seen the subtle move Seamus had made. That's my boy showing him what the Irish are made of. Seamus relished in the sensation that touching Harrys thigh caused. He wanted to reach over and take his hand but he wasn't feeling that brave. He stayed that way for a while then moved when the band stopped for a break.
Well that was better than nothing Dom mused as he headed back to the pub, he would have a quiet word with Seamus soon see what he was thinking drop some subtle hints into the conversation. He would go a little easier with Seamus as he was still a bit fragile and he didn't want to push too hard. Although if tonight was any indication then he was more ready then even he realised.
Harry and Seamus wandered around the market while the band had their break. Seamus talked him into buying something called Irish Fudge. They snacked on it while the band played the second set of the night. No more impromptu thigh touching occurred for the rest of the evening the last thing Seamus wanted to do was scare Harry away, their friendship had strengthened since Harry had been in Ireland and he didn't want anything to ruin that.
They parted company after the music ended. Harry walked back to the pub and Seamus went home. He stepped into the pub and found Dom behind the bar reading a newspaper and sipping a whiskey. 'Have a good time Harry?' he asked 'Yeah the music was great' he smiled 'Night Dom see you in the morning' Harry walked in a daze up the stairs and into his room. Seamus smiled as he changed for bed and curled up under the covers. Needless to say that erotica was the theme of both teens dreams that night.
Harry woke up with a smile on his face the next morning with a vivid memory of the night dreams. He was beginning to become concerned about the intensity of his dreams, he was sure that were he back at Hogwarts he could quite possibly be thrown into Azkaban for having dreams of that nature. Thank the stars he didn't have his wand close by during the night or Merlin knows what would happen. He showered still basking in the memories of the night before. Dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. Smiling because he got to spend another day with his gorgeous Irish hunk oh Merlin it's too early for this.