Harry made his way up to Gryffindor Tower, having finally completed his last class of the day. As he still had an hour before dinner even started, he was hoping to get a nap in. He felt extremely exhausted, not to mention he could feel a headache coming on. When he entered the common room, he found Seamus and Dean sitting in some of the best armchairs by the fireside. He made his way over to them.
"Hey Harry! Whoa, you ok?" Seamus looked up as Harry approached him. He scooted over to make room for Harry, and he promptly plopped down next to him. "You look absolutely knackered."
"Headache," was all Harry said, closing his eyes and rubbing them.
"Go upstairs, take a nap," Dean suggested, glancing up from his book.
"Was gonna, but too tired to move now," Harry responded. Without thinking, he laid his head on Seamus' shoulder.
"Comfortable?" Seamus asked with a smirk. Harry gave a small smile and nodded.
"Where's Ron and Hermione?" Dean asked, turning towards the portrait hole, as if he expected them to walk in just then.
"Prefects meeting," Harry sighed. He could feel himself starting to drift off a little. He snuggled up closer to Seamus; Seamus repositioned his arm around Harry. The comfort of Seamus' hold, the smell of his soft cologne, and the warmth from his body sent Harry into a peaceful sleep.
"He passed out fast," Dean said twenty minutes later.
Seamus looked down to find Harry's eyes closed, his breathing soft and slow. "Harry?" He called gently, but Harry remained motionless. "He was a lot more tired than I thought."
Dean watched his best friend smile down at Harry; his arm wrapped around their roommate's shoulder. "So what's going on between you two?" Dean suddenly asked.
Seamus looked up to find Dean watching him. "What do you mean?" Dean looked at him skeptically before sighing. "There's nothing going on between us."
"But you want there to be." It wasn't a question.
Seamus looked at Dean, who gave him a knowing look. "Is it that obvious?"
"Blatantly." Dean smiled. "Why don't you ask him?"
"What if he doesn't like me like that?" Seamus asked, voicing what he had been fearing. "I don't even know if Harry likes guys –"
"For someone who is gay, you have zero gaydar." Dean chuckled. Seamus looked confused, yet hopeful. "I don't think Harry's entirely gay. But he's definetely not entirely straight either."
"Meaning?"
"Just the way you two look at each other when you think the other isn't looking – or when you think no one else is looking. Trust me, we all see it." Dean explained. "And look at him. He came right up to you and fell right asleep."
"What does that have to –"
"With a psychologist for a father, I would have thought you would have understood the signs." Dean rolled his eyes.
"Explain."
"How many times has Harry told you he feels safe around you?" Dean asked.
Seamus thought for a moment. "I haven't kept count, but he's mentioned it a few times."
"And how many times have you two been hanging out and he's been tired and resting his head on you? Or wanting to nap?"
"It's been happening quite often, actually. Not that I'm complaining." Seamus added. "Where's this going?"
"Ever heard of oxytocin?"
"The love hormone? What about it?"
"When you're around someone who you love – or in your case, care about very much – the hormone gets released. Which promotes the feeling of drowsiness and sleepiness."
Seamus looked as though he just got a sudden realization. "Of course! Harry has said he feels safe around me and it's easier for him to sleep knowing I'm close by. It makes sense now!"
"There you go. So don't fret too much and give it a chance. He might actually like you back!" Dean said, watching his best friend's face glowing with happiness.
The portrait hole swung open just then and Ron burst in frantically. When he saw Seamus and Dean, he rushed up to them, his breathing labored. Hermione appeared just afterwards, also looking slightly breathless.
"Harry, we have some bad news!" Ron cried out, stepping in front of the group, bending double. He grabbed the stitch in his side, trying to catch his breath.
"Harry's sleeping at the moment. What's wrong?" Seamus asked.
"You gotta wake him up! It's Quidditch, it's been cancelled!"
"What?!" Seamus and Dean cried in outrage.
"What do you mean cancelled? Like – like the practice tomorrow?" Dean asked, confused.
"No, like every practice and game from here on out," Hermione explained, sitting on the edge of Dean's armchair. "Umbridge put a ban on all groups and clubs that consist of three students or more! That means –"
"Gobbstones too!" Dean cried out, putting his head in his hands.
"What the fuck?! Why would she do that?" Seamus asked, outraged.
"I'm not sure. But she said the only way she will allow any of these clubs to operate again is if they appeal to her as to why we think they need to exist." Ron explained.
"Does Katie know this?" Dean asked.
As if on cue, Katie came running into the portrait hole, looking devastated.
"I think it's safe to say she knows." Seamus said as Katie beelined it to them.
"Quidditch! How could she do this!" Was all she could get out. She noticed Harry passed out on Seamus. "Does he know yet?"
"No. I was going to wake him, but I'm not sure I have the heart too…" Seamus said, looking down at Harry.
"It would be kinder if he found out now opposed to later," Dean said.
Seamus nodded his head and reluctantly started to gently shake Harry. Harry slowly started stirring before slightly opening his eyes reluctantly. "What?" He asked, sounding annoyed.
"Harry, something's happened and I think you should know –" Hermione started, but stopped short as Harry bolted upright, knocking Seamus' arm out of the way.
"What, what happened?" Harry asked, suddenly alert.
"Quidditch has been cancelled indefinitely!" Katie cried.
"What? What do you mean?" Harry asked, confused. He shut his eyes tightly and started rubbing his temples.
"Are you ok?" Seamus asked, watching Harry closely.
"Yeah…yeah I'm fine. What do you mean, Katie?"
Katie explained what happened, Ron and Hermione providing tidbits of information when needed. Harry looked both devastated and exhausted…and slightly in pain. Harry said nothing as he continued rubbing his temples and leaned back again, moaning slightly.
"I'll go let the rest of the team know. There has to be something we can do to get Umbridge to change her mind!" And with that Katie left them.
"What the hell are we supposed to do now?" Ron asked, throwing himself in the seat opposite Dean. "We were supposed to have practice tomorrow! And don't say homework!" Ron added as an afterthought, glaring at Hermione.
"I wasn't going to say that!" Hermione glared back. "Although it wouldn't hurt for you to get caught up."
"Whatever," Ron said, grumpily. "What say you, Harry?"
Harry didn't say anything. He was breathing heavily, his eyes screwed up in pain. "Harry? You ok?" Seamus asked, putting a hand on his knee. Harry shook his head, still with his eyes closed. "Has your headache gotten worse?"
Harry just nodded again. He attempted to open his eyes, but they started to water from the bright lights. "I think I'm going to head upstairs." Harry shakily stood up, stumbling a little.
"Do you want me to help?" Seamus asked, jumping up.
"I think I'll be – I'll be ok…" Harry started to walk towards the staircase, but suddenly lost his balance. Like lightning speed, Seamus caught Harry before he hit the floor.
"Harry!" The others cried out, rushing to Harry's side as well.
Harry felt his vision going black and the next thing he knew, he was laying in Seamus' arms on the common room floor. His friends were surrounding him, looking anxious.
"Harry, can you hear me, mate?" Ron asked.
Seamus reached his hand out and placed it on Harry's forehead. "He's burning up!"
"Should we get someone?" Dean asked.
"No, I'm f-fine," Harry said, starting to sit up, but Seamus held him firmly down.
"You're not fine, Harry. You passed out," Seamus said. "At least let me help you upstairs. We can decide from there what to do." Seamus said, addressing the last part to the others. They agreed and helped Seamus get Harry to his feet.
Seamus wrapped his arm around Harry's waist and started to steer him towards their dorm room. The others followed from behind, in case Harry fell again. When they got through the dorm door, Seamus gently helped Harry into bed. Harry thankfully laid down, the coolness of the dorm and lack of harsh lighting certainly helping. Harry kept his eyes closed.
"Thank you," Harry whispered, for even talking seemed to trigger his headache turned migraine. Seamus sat next to Harry, watching him in concern. Harry knew he was being watched by him, and reached out, gently touching his hand. "I promise I'm fine," he whispered. "It's just a migraine."
"Are you sure, Harry?" Hermione asked, concerned. "Are you sure you don't want me to get Madame Pompfrey just in case?"
"No," Harry said, not wanting them to make it a big deal. "I just need to sleep."
Harry could feel himself starting to drift off once more. He could hear the others' distinctive muttering before completely losing consciousness.
Harry found himself heading down a long, dark hallway…it was empty, black doors on either side…but which one was the one he needed?…he continued on until he got to the very end of the corridor and turned to the left…and he somehow knew this door was the right one…he reached his hand out and it suddenly opened…
The hall quickly changed to that of a man, sitting in a chained chair….he was crying out, his body writhing in pain…a high cold laugh followed the man's tortured screams….
"You should have realized what you were in for Rookwood, when you disobeyed me…."
"I swear! I swear I thought I was right, my lord!" The man cried.
The man with the cold laugh said something, and pointed his wand at the tortured man…he started screaming once more…so loud…so loud it nearly ripped Harry's ear drums…
Harry sat straight up, his body covered in cold sweat. He looked around the dorm room frantically. It was dark, the others were sleeping. Harry looked over to his alarm clock; it was just after midnight. Harry didn't know how long he had been sleeping for….but with his tossing and turning, and his body drenched in sweat, he certainly felt disgusting. As quietly as he could, he gathered his pjs (he was still in his uniform) and headed towards the shower.
Harry sighed in relief when the warm water hit his aching body. He stood under the streaming water, letting the day's stress wash off him. He grabbed the soap and started cleaning himself off. He paused when he looked at his arms: While still very much visible, the scars were finally healed. Harry couldn't help but smile. He hadn't taken the moment to truly examine his scars since he started healing them. His past self would not have thought healing was possible, and yet here he was, getting better by the day.
Harry smiled and continued cleaning up, and he couldn't help as his thoughts strayed to Seamus. Seamus, who had been by his side since day one. Harry smiled at the thought of him…his smile, his dazzling blue eyes, his soft skin…
Harry's stomach dropped and he looked down as he realized he was hard. Harry swallowed in confusion….was he really getting excited from thoughts of his best friend? Best friend…that's what Seamus was…he wasn't just his roommate or friend anymore. Harry couldn't help but think back to what Ron asked him earlier that week – whether he had feelings for Seamus…
Did he? He didn't think so then, but now…the pit of Harry's stomach started churning once more at the thought of Seamus as more than a friend…the idea wasn't a bad one…and his face swam into Harry's mind again…causing Harry's hard on to twitch…Harry closed his eyes and grabbed himself, rubbing himself to images and thoughts of Seamus…He imagined Seamus as the one pleasuring him…his breathing became shallow as he started rubbing faster…He imagined Seamus grabbing him, and kissing him, their bodies entwining with each other…their tongues wrestling furiously…
Harry tried keeping quiet as he let out a little moan…he felt himself getting close…he leaned his forehead against the shower wall, pumping faster and faster until he exploded…Harry breathed heavily, his eyes still closed. He didn't want the image he had conjured up to go away, but he was becoming tired once more. So he finished cleaning himself up, as well as the shower wall, got dressed, and headed back to bed.