Hey! Here's the next chapter! Sorry for such a long gap. School has been crazy. Updates will be quicker now, though. Thanks so much to all my readers. I hope you're enjoying the story (: Don't forget to review, any type is appreciated!
Harry and Ron were sitting at the breakfast table having a quick meal before they left for training. It was unusually quiet. Ron noticed that Harry wasn't really being himself.
"Harry…are you alright, mate?"
Harry did not look up from his plate. "It's been seventeen years, Ron. Right to the day."
At first, Ron didn't understand but then it came to him. "Oh…I'm really sorry…I should've remembered. I'm an idiot sometimes, you know that."
"No, no. It's okay. Things are different now; in a way. I mean, before, Halloween always seemed bad because it was like their sacrifice was in vain because Voldemort was still on the loose. But now he's finally gone and I feel like everyone who gave their lives, including my parents, once and for all got what they had intended. I'm so proud. Even though this holiday still gets to me a little, from now on it will be just a bit different. Just a little happier." Harry smiled and Ron patted him on the back.
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The great hall was decorated from ceiling to floor in Halloween supplies; as usual. Ginny, Hermione, Neville, Dean, Seamus, and even Luna were eating lunch together that afternoon. It had been a couple of weeks since Ginny's accident. She had healed up nicely. With a mouth full of food, she spoke.
"You guys…I have a brilliant idea!" Everyone looked at her in unsure interest.
"What could it be?" Luna asked her. Ginny smiled back at her mischievously.
"Well, it's Saturday night. None of you have plans, right?"
Seamus looked at her slightly offended. "That's not a very nice inference there, Weasley." He smirked.
"Do you then?"
Seamus looked disappointed. "Of course not."
Ginny laughed. "Excellent. Everyone meet me up in the room of requirement tonight at eight. I've got some fun activities planned."
"What activities?" Dean and Hermione asked, sounding suspicious.
"Oh, you'll see." Ginny told them with a wink. She left the table.
"What in blazes is she up to?" Said Dean.
"With her, there's no telling." Neville chuckled. "Hey, guys…you all wouldn't mind if I brought Hannah along tonight, would you?"
Hermione and Luna giggled to one another.
"Not at all, Neville!" Luna said happily.
"The more the merrier!" Hermione added.
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When the clock struck eight, just as promised, the group met outside the room of requirement. As they entered, all they could do was stop and stare. The room was dimly lit by fireplace, with couches, and a table. With three large bottles of firewhiskey sitting on top. Ginny stood there with a smile, looking very proud of herself.
"So…are you all ready for a great Halloween party?"
Everyone's mouth was agape. Hermione spoke first.
"Ginny! What do you think you're doing? Where did you even get those?" She pointed to the alcohol.
"I have ways." Ginny stated. "Big brother Georgie helped me out a bit." She smirked. Dean and Seamus snickered which caused Hermione to glared at them.
"I'm Head Girl. I simply can't allow this."
"Oh come on, Hermione! Live a little!" Ginny pleaded. "Really, when's the last time all of us could just relax and have a little fun? Let's be kids for once. Besides, after this year we'll probably never get to hang out like this again." She scanned the group to back her up.
Seamus stepped forward. "She's got a point you know."
"Yeah, come on Hermione." Dean chimed in. Hermione looked over at Neville, Hannah, and Luna for support. Neville shrugged.
"A little fun never hurt anyone did it? It'll be okay." Hermione looked defeated.
"Well…alright…fine! But I'm not drinking."
"It's okay. Neither am I." Luna said with a smile.
"And for those who are…let's get this party started!" Ginny said gleefully cracking open the drinks.
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It didn't take long for the party to get started, and for the firewhiskey to start disappearing. Ginny, Dean, and Seamus took most of it while Neville and Hannah only took a few sips. They were having a great time; even Hermione. Everyone had a bad case of the giggles. They played a few rounds of spin the bottle. Ginny even persuaded Hermione to take a few swigs of their party drink. After a few minutes of silence, Neville spoke.
"Guys, I know this may be weird but..." He belched in between words. "I just love all of you."
"Sure, Nev. We know." Seamus' words were really slurred.
"No I mean it. Just being able to be together like this is a blessing. Just a few months ago we didn't know if we'd ever see each other again. Just know that all of you mean the absolute world to me." Everyone had a solemn face. Hermione shed a few tears.
"Blimey Neville…you've gotten me all emotional.
"It's true." Dean added quietly. "But I feel the same." He smiled looking at everyone, ending his gaze on Seamus.
Ginny spoke up from the area in the floor in which she was laying. "Heeeyy…you all need to…to stop being so fragile." She stood up, immediately beginning to trip and fall. Dean ran over to hold her up.
"Alright there, Weasley, I think you've had enough." He told her with a laugh.
"Bollocks!" Ginny spat, as she started to dry heave.
Hermione came over to help her. "I think he's right. We've all had enough. It's getting late anyway. I say we get going."
With some reluctance, Ginny let Hermione help her. Luna left first, followed by Neville and Hannah, who were actually holding hands. Hermione held onto Ginny as they left to keep her from falling over. Before they all stepped out the door, Hermione glanced back at Dean. He was trying to wake Seamus, who was passed out lying on the couch.
"Will you two make it back alright?"
Dean nodded with a smile. "Sure. He's an Irishman. He'll be okay."
Hermione smiled back at him and nodded. They exited.
Dean stood up holding his head and exhaled. "Few…didn't expect to spend Halloween this way." He sat back down on the couch. Seamus stirred and groaned.
"Bloody Hell…" Seamus sat up slowly looking green in the face. He put his hand over his mouth but nothing came out.
"Whoa now," Dean said dodging anything that may projectile his way. "You'd better just lay back down. You're in no shape to move right now." He gently pushed him down.
Seamus quickly came to his own defense. "Hey… don't crack on me. We Irish can handle our drinks just fine."
"Something must've gone wrong with you then, right?" Dean snickered.
"Oh, shove off." Seamus said. They both laughed."
"It's alright. I like you the same either way." They both looked at each other seriously now.
"Look, Dean. I guess we can't ignore the troll in the room."
"I know…did you mean what you said, Shay? After the quidditch match?"
Seamus hesitated just slightly. "I…of course I meant it. I've never been so sure about anything else, Dean. It just took me a while is all. I know you may think I'm being stupid but I'm still a little scared."
Dean rubbed him on the shoulder. "I know. I am too. But that's completely normal."
"You are?" Seamus asked in disbelief.
"Of course! It's a scary feeling anyway. And when you combine it with…our situation it's worse. I mean, let's face it, two blokes being together isn't very accepted nowadays." He took Seamus' hands in his. "But I'm willing to fight to make this work because that's what love is; and I DO love you."
Seamus stared blankly into Dean's eyes. "Um…Seamus…Shay what is it?"
"Oh, bloody hell!" Seamus let out. With one swift motion, Seamus smashed his lips onto Dean's, holding tightly to his face and hair; not letting go. Dean was quite taken aback by this, but that didn't last long. He began kissing Seamus just as deeply. Nothing was stopping them. All the built up angst was let free in all of their passionate kisses. Soon enough, Dean leaned back to far causing himself to fall back and Seamus over top of him. Their body heat could be felt. As Seamus tugged on the other boys lip, it was getting far more difficult to breathe. They had to stop. Laughing with each other, Dean spoke.
"Wow…I wasn't expecting that."
Seamus sat up. "I'm sorry…it's just…I don't know it just happened."
"Calm down…I didn't say I didn't like it." Dean said with a smile.
They gathered themselves up and were just about to head back to the common room when Seamus said,
"So, what's next for us?"
"Well, first and foremost I think we owe it to our friends to let them know. They'll find out sooner or later. Don't worry. I just know they'll treat us the same."
"I suppose you're right…I'm just nervous."
"Hey," Dean said, taking Seamus into a hug. "We're in this together. Alright?"
Seamus smiled. "Okay."
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Hermione was helping a drunken Ginny through the portrait hole. She had gotten sick twice on their way up.
"See? I knew this was a bad idea." Hermione told Ginny, frustrated.
"Ohhh…com-offit Hermi-ione. Live a little."
"Oh it's clear that you did enough living for the both of us, Ginerva."
"Ugh…don-don't call me that. You sssssound like my mum." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I can't leave you alone tonight. Who knows what you'll get in to? Here, you can stay with me tonight."
When they reached Hermione's head girl suite (which was much bigger and nicer than the average dorms), Ginny collapsed on the bed, rolling around and groaning. Hermione came back wearing her pajamas and sat on the bed next to her friend.
"You know…you brought this on yourself Gin. I'm sorry but-"
"I know, Hermione. Alright? You told me so. Dammit." Ginny held her head in pain.
"This isn't like you and we both know it. What's gotten into you? Come on, I know you're hiding something."
"Does there always have to be a reason!?" Ginny was annoyed. Hermione just stared at her.
"Alright, alright. I'll talk. Bloody hell."
"That's all I ask." Hermione said, patting Ginny on the back softly. She didn't realize that the red head had shed a few tears. "Ginny, oh gosh, what is it now, come on? Talk to me."
Ginny looked up at her, tears streaming down her cheeks. "It's almost been six months already, Hermione." She cried harder now and Hermione quickly took her into a tight hug. She shed her own tears now.
"Oh, Ginny. I'm so sorry. I should've known. Honestly I've just been trying to keep everything normal around here. I should've been here."
"I just miss him so much…Fred was always there for me. And I hate even more that George is all alone tonight. Mum and Dad too. But in actuality I wouldn't be able to face them all. They look at me as the strong one and sometimes that's just too much to bear. I just needed something to take my mind off of it but…I guess we both know that was a flop. It's just so hard."
Hermione was still holding on to her. "I wish I could help you more than just being here. But know you're never alone okay? You've got all of us."
"Yeah," Ginny said wiping her tears and releasing the hug to look up at Hermione. "I do appreciate all of you. I really do wish Harry could be here though…as selfish as that sounds. He always had this way of easing the pain. I can't explain it. I just feel really alone sometimes without him."
"Oh, I understand. I do. Honestly, it's been really quite difficult without Ron here as well. I feel the same about him."
"I really love that we're here for each other, Hermione. You're my best friend and I can't thank you enough. We've only got a little while longer before the holidays and then we can finally see them. I know Ron really misses you."
Hermione smiled weakly. "Thanks. And Harry is mad for you. He loves you so much. Don't worry; Christmas will be here before we know it."
Thanks again for reading! (: