Harry could feel himself stirring. He knew it must still have been very late in the night, because it was dark, and all was quiet. Except…Harry felt the mattress on his right side starting to dip and his eyes flew open to find –

"Seamus?"

Seamus slipped into Harry's bed and laid next to him. Harry could tell there was something wrong, for Seamus' eyes were bloodshot red, as if he had been crying.

"Seamus, what's wrong?" Harry asked, concerned. Seamus let out a sob and just shook his head. Without thinking, Harry reached out and pulled him into his chest, holding him tightly. "It's ok, Seamus, it's ok. I've got you….you're safe…you're safe…". Harry could feel Seamus' body trembling as he silently cried into Harry, who gently rubbed his back.

Seamus eventually feel asleep in Harry's arms. Harry looked down at his friend's now peaceful looking face and smiled. He didn't know what caused this, but right now, he didn't care. He gave him a little kiss on the top of his head before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep as well.

Ron awoke to the sound of voices. There was no way it was time to wake up already. When he opened his eyes, it was to see Seamus slipping into Harry's bed. Ron lifted his head slightly and saw Harry embracing him. "It's ok, Seamus, it's ok. I've got you….you're safe…you're safe…".

Ron rolled over, away from the pair, confused. What was going on between those two? Before Ron could really think on it, he drifted back off to sleep.

The dorm was empty when Harry awoke the next morning. Glancing down, he realized Seamus was curled up next to him, their arms wrapped around each other. So it wasn't a dream. Seamus started to stir and blearily opened his eyes.

"Hey," Harry casually said, as Seamus sat up, stretching.

"Hey," Seamus replied, rubbing his still-tired looking eyes. He gazed around the empty dorm. "Where did everyone go?"

"Must have gone down to breakfast already." Harry watched Seamus carefully. He looked slightly anxious and exhausted. "Are you ok?"

"What? Oh yeah," Seamus said, realizing Harry was watching him. "I'm sorry for bothering you last night. I didn't mean to slip in unannounced –"

"You didn't bother me, Seamus," Harry said, shaking his head. "You seemed scared last night. What happened?" Seamus hesitated for a moment. Harry reached a hand out and put it on Seamus' shoulder. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

"I know that, Harry. It's just…I had a terrifying nightmare last night. And it felt so real…"

"Must have been really bad for you to have cried like that…" Harry said softly, giving Seamus' shoulder a comforting squeeze.

Seamus nodded, before taking a deep breath and continuing. "It was about you…"

"M-me?" Harry asked, continuing to watch Seamus, who was avoiding eye contact.

"Yeah. You were in the bathtub, only instead of water it was…." Seamus stopped, not sure whether he should continue.

Harry blushed slightly, but pressed Seamus. "What was it?"

"It was blood…" Seamus replied, his voice shaking slightly. Harry could tell it was still bothering him. "You weren't moving….your wrists were cut so deep, all the blood drained from you…and I thought I lost you –" Seamus stopped and wiped his eyes, and Harry realized he was starting to cry.

Harry gently grabbed Seamus' chin and lifted it, so they were looking at each other. "Hey, it's ok…it was just a nightmare. I'm still here and I'm safe."

Seamus nodded. "I'm sorry, I was just really freaked out. It felt so real, and I had to make sure it wasn't."

"You don't have to be sorry, Seamus." Harry paused. "I've never told anyone this – not even Ron and Hermione – but I used to suffer from night terrors when I was younger. So I get it. It's a terrifying thing, especially when it feels real."

Seamus took a few deep, steadying breaths and nodded. He looked Harry in the eyes once more, giving him a searching look. "I care a lot about you, Harry. And the thought of something happening to you…"

Harry's heart skipped a beat at Seamus' words, and he couldn't help but smile. He pulled him in for a hug and squeezed before letting him go. "I can't pretend nothing will ever happen to me – I'm Harry Potter, after all." Seamus laughed, wiping the last of the tears away.

"And as for my wrists…" Harry lifted up the sleeves of his sweatshirt and showed his arms to Seamus: Although still heavily scarred, they were slightly faded, and almost completely healed. "I haven't harmed myself since the day you stepped in. And I don't plan on it."

"I know you won't…and I can't tell you enough how proud I am of you." Seamus said, smiling at Harry.

There was silence for a moment. Harry reached out for Seamus' hand and gave it a little squeeze. "You know I care a lot about you too, right?"

Seamus nodded, squeezing Harry's hand in return. They gave each other one last smile before they got dressed for breakfast.

As soon as the door to the dorm shut, Ron creeped out of the bathroom. He looked over to Harry's empty bed, remembering what he heard last night and saw this morning. His thoughts started to run wild as he made his way out of the dormitory as well.

Later that day, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting outside under a beech tree, taking in the last of the summer rays. They had a free period before heading to Herbology. Harry was staring out into the lake, deep in thought; Hermione was deep in her Arithmacy book; Ron looked up from his essay every few minutes, watching Harry curiously. Looking back at Hermione, Ron scooted closer to Harry and leaned in.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Ron whispered.

Harry looked at Ron curiously. "Of course."

"Is there something going on between you and Seamus?"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, titling his head curiously.

"Like…are you guys – together?" Ron asked curiously.

"No, we're just friends. Why do you ask?"

Ron paused, not wanting to sound like he was prying. "You two have just been very close lately…sleeping in the same bed…multiple times…holding hands…"

Harry took a moment, not sure how to answer Ron. "Listen Ron…I do care about him, but we're not together. He's just been helping me a lot, and…I don't know…he just makes me feel safe."

"You know if you two wanted to be together, me and Hermione wouldn't care, right?" Ron said, trying to sound supportive.

"I know that. And I appreciate it." Harry smiled. They were silent for a bit.

Harry took out his special sketchbook and colored pencils. He absolutely loved this set; each color changed with the time of day, depending on what the sketch was, as well as with sun exposure. He looked out of the lake and decided to sketch that. He picked a few colors out and got started.

Later that day, the group of friends started for Gryffindor Tower. Ron and Hermione were walking ahead, Harry and Seamus walking beside each other; Dean was standing behind the two boys, watching them. They were walking a little closer to each other than was normal – and he couldn't help but notice as their hands brushed together every now and then.

"Dean!"

Dean turned to find Ginny running up to him from the bottom of the stairs. Dean paused as she made her way towards him. She grabbed his hand and started up the stairs together.

"What's going on with those two?" Ginny whispered, watching Seamus and Harry as well.

"Not sure. But I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up together." Dean whispered back. Ginny looked at him in surprise and then looked back at the two boys.

"You think?"

"Oh yeah. They definetely have a thing for each other. I don't think they entirely realize it, but it's there."

"Interesting," Ginny said. They continued on in silence.

When the group got to the common room, Dean and Ginny split and headed for an empty corner. Hermione followed Ron, Harry, and Seamus up the stairs to their dorm room.

"I've always found it weird that you can come to our room, but we can't go to yours," Ron said as they went inside. He and Hermione took a seat on Ron's bed, Seamus and Harry on Harry's.

"The founders always thought boys to be untrustworthy when it comes to stuff like that." Hermione explained.

"Kind of archaic if you ask me." Harry said, pulling out his sketchbook. "Hey Shay, want to see what I drew?"

Seamus looked at Harry curiously. "Did you just call me Shay?"

Harry turned slightly pink. "Y-yeah, I guess I did."

Seamus smiled, also turning lightly pink. "I like it." He paused as they smiled at each other. He cleared his throat and moved slightly closer to Harry. "What did you draw?"

Hermione and Ron were watching Harry and Seamus from the corner of their eyes. "Did Harry just give Seamus a nickname?" Ron whispered to Hermione.

"He sure did," Hermione replied, trying to hide a smile.

"You think they're going to end up together?"

"I kind of hope they do." Hermione said, looking back at Ron.

"Really?" Ron asked. "Why?"

"Look how happy they make each other. I don't think I've seen Harry as happy as he's been when he's with Seamus." Hermione explained.

Ron paused for a moment, watching his best friend. He was smiling excitedly as he showed Seamus some drawings. Hermione was right; Harry was looking the happiest he'd ever seen him. He turned to Hermione. "I asked him this morning if he liked Seamus –"

"What did he say?" Hermione asked excitedly, and Ron went into detail his and Harry's conversation that morning. Hermione silently squealed with delight. They looked over at the pair, watching them happily.