Over the next few weeks, Harry tried his best to utilize the tricks Seamus taught him every time he felt an anxiety attack coming on, for they were starting to get more frequent. Katie was furious Harry couldn't get any of the detentions off; and what was worse was Harry somehow managed to score two additional weeks' worth of them with Umbridge. After losing twenty points for having a screaming match between Katie and Harry in the hall, Harry was finding it more difficult to keep the intrusive thoughts at bay.

Just such a feeling started to arise while Harry was sitting in the common room with the others. As he now knew the signs for when an attack was coming on, he closed his eyes and started taking deep breaths. He could feel his heart pounding hard against his rib cage. He did this for a few minutes with no results. He felt a hand lightly gripping his knee. When he opened his eyes, it was to find Seamus looking at him with concern.

"Are you ok, Harry?" He asked softly, gently squeezing his knee.

Harry started to nod his head, but quickly turned it into a shake. He could feel his breathing becoming shallow once more. Harry gasped and winced as he got a sudden pain in his chest again, causing his chest to constrict. He closed his eyes for a moment and took another few breaths. He could feel his breathing becoming labored.

"Are you having another anxiety attack?" Seamus asked. The others looked at Harry as his body started to shake.

"I c-can't – I can't breathe…" Harry said breathlessly. He looked around the common room nervously, not understanding what was going on. A few nearby students looked over at Harry curiously as he started rocking back and forth. "Seamus – I can't breathe!"

"Should we get someone?" Ron asked, watching Harry nervously.

Harry suddenly burst into tears as he started hyperventilating. Seamus jumped out of his seat and knelt in front of Harry, taking his hands in his own.Hermione didn't wait for an answer and ran out of the portrait hole, going for help.

"W-what's happening to him?" Ron asked nervously, standing next to his best friend.

"I think he's having a panic attack," Seamus said, trying to stay calm. He took hold of Harry's shoulders to keep him from rocking. Harry started crying uncontrollably. By now, the common room fell silent, watching Harry curiously.

"Can you hear me, Harry?" Harry didn't respond as he shut his eyes tightly, fighting against Seamus, who was still trying to prevent him from rocking. Seamus took Harry's face into his hands. "Harry – look at me! You need to breathe!"

"I ca-can't!" Harry let out a choking cry.

"Look at me…please, Harry, open your eyes and look at me." Harry opened his eyes, filled with tears, looking terrified. "Harry, listen to me…you're safe, ok? You're here with me, and Ron…no one is going to hurt you…do you trust me?"

Harry nodded, still hyperventilating. "Remember to focus on your breathing. Follow my hand…"

Seamus lifted his hand slowly up – Harry breathed slowly in through his nose and stopped when Seamus paused – then breathed out when Seamus slowly brought his hand down. Seamus repeated the process, Harry following along. Harry let out a few choking sobs here and there, but his breathing started steadying. Harry closed his eyes and continued the exercise on his own, the last of the tears rolling down his cheeks. Ron and Dean watched Seamus in awe as Harry started calming down.

Just then, Professor McGonagall and Hermione rushed into the common room. "Everyone in your dorms, now!" McGongall shooed the onlookers. "What happened? What ails, Potter?"

"He was having a panic attack, Professor," Seamus explained. "He's starting to calm down now, though."

Harry closed his eyes and let out one more shaky breath before placing himself into Seamus' arms. Seamus held him tightly; Harry was still shaking slightly.

"Do you know what brought this on, Finnegan?" Professor McGonagall asked, watching the two.

"I'm not sure, Professor. But he has had a lot of anxiety attacks lately." Seamus explained.

"Is there anything I can do to help you, Harry?" McGonagall asked kindly. Harry pulled away from Seamus and wiped his eyes on his sleeves. He shook his head as he took a few more shaky breaths, sniffling. "Perhaps a trip to the infirmary? Madame Pompfrey has a supply of calming solutions to help."

"What do you think, Harry?" Seamus asked, taking Harry by the hands once more.

It took Harry a few minutes to find his voice to respond. "I think I just n-need to lay down for a b-bit," Harry said, his voice hoarse.

"Very well, Harry. But should you change your mind, I will alert Madame Pompfrey." Professor McGonagall said. Harry nodded. Seamus stood and helped Harry up as well.

"I'll help you upstairs," Seamus said, putting his arm around Harry's shoulders. They made their way up the stairs, away from the others. When they disappeared up the staircase, McGonagall turned to Ron and Hermione.

"Will you two keep a close eye on Potter?" McGonagall asked. The two friends nodded. And with that, McGonagall left the tower. Ron and Hermione looked at each other.

"Should we go up and check on him?" Ron asked.

"Let's let him rest for a bit first," Hermione suggested, taking a seat. "Seamus seems to have this." Ron sat next to her, sighing.

Seamus and Harry were laying in Harry's bed; Harry was curled up next to Seamus, their heads nearly touching. Seamus watched Harry while gently rubbing his hair. Harry fell asleep almost immediately after laying down. Seamus watched as Harry was breathing slowly, his chest rising and falling. He felt so bad for everything Harry was going through – he didn't deserve any of it. Seamus wanted to do something special for Harry…something that would take his mind off everything. With that thought in mind, he started to drift off to sleep.

Ron made his way up to his dorm room, just a few hours after Harry went up. He slowly opened the door, as to not startle him in case he was awake. But when he poked his head in, it was to find the room in darkness. He walked in, shutting the door quietly behind him. He glanced over at Harry's bed – and nearly looked aghast; Harry and Seamus were sleeping in the same bed, very close to each other, heads nearly touching. After this initial shock, Ron went over to his bed, grabbed a few schoolbooks, and headed back down to the common room.

"Is Harry sleeping?" Hermione asked, watching Ron making his way back to her.

"Yep. Him and Seamus…in the same bed." Ron said, raising his eyebrows. Hermione looked taken aback.

"They're sleeping in the same bed?" Hermione asked, confused.

"Uh-huh. Looked pretty cozy to me," Ron said, giving Hermione a side look. They made eye contact, and they were both thinking the same thing.

"You don't think they're…together…do you?" Hermione asked.

"I don't think so. But I have a feeling they might eventually." Ron said, lowering his voice. He moved his seat closer to Hermione.

"Maybe that's what he's keeping from us. Maybe he thinks we wouldn't accept him for wanting to be with Seamus." Hermione questioned, looking up the boys' staircase.

"I'm not sure. Harry knows we don't care about stuff like that. You know Seamus is gay, right?"

"Yeah, I did, actually. Hmm…" Hermione sat there, contemplating. "They could also just be really close. This doesn't necessarily mean they will or even want to be together."

"Maybe." Ron shrugged. The two fell into silence once more.