Thank you so much for the kind words and suggestions in the review box! They mean a lot.
Belindahosie: Thanks for your kind words! I'm glad you liked it. And don't worry, the next chapter will be nothing but Hinny and Romione. It'll be up 1st of July (:
Ron exited the ministry in a zombie like state. His boggart really took it out of him. And he used to think spiders were bad…no. This was much worse. As he walked down the street, getting closer to Grimmauld Place, he couldn't help but think of his family and Hermione and how much he missed all of them. Seeing them in pain was a true horror to Ron. But thankfully, it was all imaginary. This gave him a sense of purpose though. No one would ever cause pain to his loved ones as long as he could help it.
Just at sun down, he finally made it back to Grimmauld place. Walking in slowly, it felt very quiet. Too quiet. He crept softly around the corner until he was in the kitchen, and that's where he found him. Harry was sitting at the kitchen table staring blankly at the wall in front of him. His facial expression matched the zombie like look Ron had to a T. Harry didn't even look up when Ron joined him at the table.
"Um…Harry, are you alright? Did you make it okay with your boggart? I'd wondered where you'd gone off too. I'm tellin' ya…I almost didn't make it out." He looked up at Harry who still hadn't moved. His eyes had a painful look in them. "…What did you see, Harry? What was your boggart?"
Harry winced. Finally, he looked up at Ron and spoke in barely more than a whisper. "…I saw death. Everyone was dying right in front of me. Everyone I've ever been close with. You, Hermione, ….my parents…again. I saw them come back to me, I could even feel them; but they died again…and so did…so did…"
"Who Harry? Who else?"
"So did…Ginny." He clenched his jaw and looked at Ron. "But see, that's not the worst part. They weren't just killed by anyone, Ron. It…it was me! I was the doing the killing…and I couldn't control it!" Harry slammed his fists on the table.
Ron was a little stunned. "We're real similar mate. I guess nowadays we fear for the ones we love, and causing them harm, or losing them completely. But we made it through right? I'd say if we can take that we can take just about anything."
"I just can barely take it anymore, Ron."
"Take what?"
"Not seeing them! Not seeing any of them. And I know you miss Hermione something awful. Not seeing Ginny is about to drive me mad. Does that make me terrible and selfish?"
"No! But if it does, then I am too. I wish we could see them."
Harry stooped and thought.
"What?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"We can go see them."
"You're mad Harry! We can't leave. You know the rules…that would cause an automatic termination of our contracts."
"And we're such strangers to breaking the rules aren't we?"
"You know this is different…we're not talking about a loss of a few house points. This could mess up the rest of our lives."
"I know you want to see her too. She was in your boggart, wasn't she?"
Ron looked down. "Yeah."
"Come on, I know you want this just as bad as I do."
"Fine…what do we do then?"
Harry smirked. "Don't worry. I have a plan."
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A few days passed. At Hogwarts, everyone already seemed to be getting into the Valentine's Day spirit, even though it was only the very beginning of February. Tons of pink and red decorations were already being put up. A Hogsmeade trip was planned for the day. Ginny, Hermione, Dean, and Seamus walked together along with Luna who brought her friend Joey Forthworth (her housemate that came asking for the Quibbler on the train). The group had planned on going to get some drinks and sweets. A think blanket of snow covered the ground which made the scenery very enjoyable. The six of them settled into a booth at the three broomsticks and ordered some butter beer.
"This is so nice." Luna said cheerfully. "I always love when we spend time together as a group."
"I agree!" Hermione said with a smile.
"I can't believe that the school year is pretty much half over though." Seamus added, taking a sip of his drink.
"Right? It feels like we just got here." Ginny added.
As the conversation continued, the group noticed Dean shift uncomfortably in his seat and attempt to cover his face. He scoffed.
"What is it, Dean?" Seamus asked intently.
He mumbled, "Look who just walked in."
The group all turned and noticed the two Ravenclaw bullies taking a seat across the way. They all rolled their eyes, including Joey.
"Oh, you know them too?" Joey asked.
"Who are they, Joey?" Hermione questioned.
"Just a couple of no good blokes." He wiped some butter beer off his lips. "They're rude, immature, and all for blood purity. That tall one there," He motioned. "His name is Chris Bales. His friends name is Jordan Watts. They discriminate against almost everyone who is 'different' from themselves. I'd just steer clear of them…they're nothing but trouble."
"We've noticed." Seamus said, glaring in their direction.
"No doubt." Ginny added. "Well, if everyone's finished, shall we head to honeyduke's?"
They all nodded in agreement and exited the building. As they started down the street, Dean grabbed hold of Seamus' hand and stopped him. Seamus looked up, confused.
"We'll catch up!" Dean yelled to the rest of them.
"What are you doing Dean?"
Dean wrapped his arm around Seamus and started walking them in the opposite direction.
"I just thought we could have some us time today." He smiled and leaned in.
"Hey…not here." Seamus whispered. "I mean, I want to…but not here…not yet."
"You're right. I'm sorry…um…let's just sit here for a bit then." He motioned to a small bench a little ways off the road near the trees. On it sat two hot steaming cups of hot chocolate.
After they sat, Seamus smiled and said, "You planned this!"
"Guilty as charged." Dean chuckled, taking a drink.
They sat talking for quite a while. It was nice to get away from school for a bit and still be together. They weren't ready to be completely public yet, but this was close enough. Ever so slightly, Seamus took Dean's hand. They subconsciously leaned on each other after that, truly just enjoying the peace and quiet.
But it didn't last long. About a minute later, Seamus felt something cold smash into the back of his head. The two boys turned quickly and saw the two people they wished they hadn't; Chris and Jordan. Somehow they had found their way to them and thrown a snow ball. They were moving towards them quickly.
"Well, well. If it isn't our two fruit cakes." Chris sneered.
Seamus and Dean stood up, holding their ground.
"What do you two want?" Dean spat.
They laughed. "We saw you out and about. You didn't honestly think we'd let your Irishman get away with that cheap shot did you?" Jordan told them.
Seamus puffed out his chest. The four boys were directly face to face now.
"You deserved it! You deserve what I did to you." Seamus said hotly.
"Settle down, Seamus." Dean told him. "Now look, we're tired of this…it's selfish. Alright, we get it. Not everyone accepts the way we live…but that gives you know bloody right to put us in danger!"
The two Ravenclaw boys erupted in laughter.
"You think we care?" Jordan mocked.
"On the contrary." Chris added. "You need to be rid of."
"Oh yeah?" Seamus said. "What're yeh gonna do?"
In that moment, both boys attacked Dean and Seamus with brute force, neither holding back their punches and kicks. Neither Dean nor Seamus was prepared. They tried to gain the upper hand but to no avail. Both were being held down and wailed on. Pretty soon, blood was spilled. Seamus had a broken nose.
"Ahh! Payback huh, Irishman?" Chris laughed as Jordan continued on Dean.
"Stop it! Stop it now! Seamus…Shay graahhhh!" Dean tried to break free of the grip. He almost crawled away until Jordan took hold of his foot and began twisting his ankle. "Ahhhh! Bloody Hell!"
Seamus looked over in a haze and saw what pain Dean was in. With all his strength, his pushed the other boy completely off of him and got to his feet with his wand drawn.
"Stupefy!" He screamed, sending the two boys flying a few feet. This gave him the opportunity to help Dean to his feet even though.
Chris and Jordan got to their feet, drew their own wands, and came back on the offense; but not quickly enough. Before they could do anything further, Ginny, Hermione, Luna, and Joey were all running to their aid.
"Confringo!" Ginny yelled, singeing the Ravenclaw's clothes.
"Bombarda!" Hermione screamed directly after, sending the two boys shooting off into the distance. They all rand to Dean and Seamus.
"Boys! Are you alright!? We saw you just in time…we-"
"You're bloody lucky you weren't killed!" Ginny yelled. "Dear Merlin, if I had gotten to them sooner I would've ended them."
"Ginny….really." Seamus said breathing deeply. "We're okay. They're not worth it."
"Seamus do you not see yourselves?" She pleaded.
"Shay's right. We would've gotten them eventually…but we are glad you were here." Dean smiled weakly, limping over to hug them.
"We're glad you're okay…" Hermione said breathlessly. "But you have to report this."
Dean and Seamus exchanged glances. "No."
"What!?" Hermione yelped.
"They'll only do it again and again!" Ginny added.
"Look, we don't want to drag this out any longer." Dean said.
"Besides, I think they learned their lesson." Seamus told them, looking over at the bullies, who had since began crawling away. "And we don't want to give them that satisfaction."
Their friends had given up arguing with them.
"At least let us help you back to the castle." Luna said lightly.
"It's fine guys…really." Dean smiled. "Don't let us ruin your day. Go on…we can handle it." He nodded.
They looked at them unsure, nevertheless they bid them farewell and headed in opposite directions.
Seamus had to help Dean walk. His ankle was a bit swollen still, although Seamus' nose had dried blood all over it too. Eventually, they made their way back into the castle safely in their dorm room. Seamus helped sit Dean on the bed and joined him.
"There we go." He grunted. "You need to prop that foot up. I think it's just a sprain but you can't be too careful."
Dean smiled. "Thanks. Blimey, your nose is looking rough though."
"Eh, it'll be alright. I'll ask Luna to fix it when they get back."
Dean's happy demeanor quickly turned to anger. "Merlin, Seamus! What in blazes just happened to us!? We practically got mugged in Hogsmeade! Dammit…I hate them."
"I know Dean, I know. But I'm trying my hardest not to focus on that right now…you're okay…that's all that's important to me."
"I know but…what if we hadn't gotten help? I tried my hardest to help you but I couldn't." He clenched his jaw. "And now look what happened to you."
"And same goes for me. I'm not always the one who should need rescuing. I need to be there for you as well."
"And you were." Dean let a small grin show.
"Dean…I'd go mad if I ever let anything happen to you." He scooted next to Dean now, both their backs propped up against the headboard.
"I know…the thought of losing you drives me insane. Don't ever go anywhere." He placed a small kiss on Seamus's neck.
Seamus turned his face up towards Dean. "I'll be here with you. Forever." He grabbed both sides of Dean's face and kissed him deeply.
Dean opened his eyes slowly. "Wow Seamus."
"I mean it…..I want to love you forever." He began kissing him again, slowly but intensely. He looked up one last time before removing his shirt.
"Um…whoa…Seamus?" Dean asked.
"Dean…are you ready?" He asked, looking deeply into his eyes.
Without having to say another word, they fell into each other.
Not until much later did any of their other friends know that that night was when they officially became one with each other.