Harry and Seamus were sitting outside under a beech tree, soaking up the last of the warm sun of the season. It was a warm Saturday afternoon – the day they should have had their first Quidditch game of the season. But instead, to get his mind off, Harry was finishing up another art piece of the castle, and Seamus was studying for his Arthimacy exam for Monday. Harry turned to watch Seamus concentrating hard, his brows furrowed. Harry couldn't help but smile. The way Seamus' lips puckered when he made this face was adorable; the way his nose crinkled, the random sighs he let out, as if he forgot to breath.

As if he knew he was being watched, Seamus looked up and saw Harry staring at him. He gave a shy smile. "What?"

"Nothing," Harry said, looking down at his lap, still smiling. But he could feel Seamus still staring at him. When he lifted his gaze, it was to find Seamus had moved slightly closer to him. Harry swallowed hard, his breath caught in his throat. He looked down at Seamus' lips and noticed Seamus doing the same. And without thinking, the two boys leaned closer until their lips met.

Harry felt his heart pounding as they kissed. He reached his hand out and gently put it on the back of Seamus' head, pulling him in closer. It was the most amazing feeling he had ever experienced – he didn't want it to end. And yet…

"Hey Seamus!"

The two hastily pulled apart and looked around: Dean was standing just inside the castle doors, waving Seamus over. Seamus looked at Harry reluctantly. "I'm sorry – Gobbstones –"

"It's ok. We'll talk after," Harry said, smiling at him reassuringly, his heart going a million miles a minute. Harry watched Seamus walk away, not believing what just happened.

Harry was still in a daze as he walked through the portrait hole. He didn't even remember how he got there. He was happy to see that not only was the common room basically empty, but Ron and Hermione were sitting by themselves. He walked over to them, barely watching where he was going. Hermione looked up as Harry approached.

"Harry? Are you ok?" Hermione asked. Harry slowly nodded as he took a seat on the rug next to Ron's chair.

"You look very confused," Ron said, observing Harry curiously.

"Did something happen?" Hermione asked, watching her best friend.

"We kissed," Harry said after a moment.

"Wait what?" Ron jumped to the edge of his seat in confusion.

"You kissed who?!" Hermione asked, wide eyed.

Harry slowly looked up at his best friends and said, "Seamus. We – we kissed."

"You kissed Seamus?!" Ron said, trying to hide a smile.

"Wait, who kissed who – did you kiss him, or did he kiss you?" Hermione asked, leaning closer to Harry.

"It was….sort of mutual," Harry said, replaying the scene in his head. He smiled at the memory. He looked between both his friends, who were staring at him in awe.

"And?" Ron pressed.

"How was it? How do you feel?" Hermione asked, hungry for details. She was also smiling excitedly.

"It felt great – right, even." Harry's smile grew wider.

"So…do you like him?" Ron pressed.

Harry nodded vigorously. "I do. I really do."

"So what does this mean for you guys?" Hermione asked.

"Are you two going to be together?" Ron followed up.

Harry furrowed his brows in concern. "I – I hope so… I really want to be with him. And I'm pretty sure he wants to be with me –"

"You guys didn't talk about that?"

"I think we were about to, but then Dean came to get him for Gobbstones." Harry explained.

The portrait hole opened just then: The three friends turned to see Seamus hurrying into the dorm. "Harry!" He rushed towards Harry as soon as he spotted him.

"Seamus? I thought you were at Gobbstones?" Harry asked, standing up. Seamus stopped in front of Harry, breathing heavily.

"I couldn't concentrate." He turned and looked at the other two and Harry knew what he was thinking.

"They know," Harry said, not taking his eyes off Seamus.

Seamus turned back to Harry and stared into his eyes, searching. "Harry – I have to get this off my chest before I lose my nerve. I like you! I like you a lot, and I just want to be with you. And I can understand if you don't –"

Harry didn't let Seamus finish: He put both hands on the side of his face and pulled him in for a kiss. Seamus reached out and grabbed Harry by the waist, pulling him closer. Hermione squealed happily as Ron nodded his head approvingly. Harry pulled away and stared in Seamus' deep blue eyes.

"I want to be with you too, Seamus. More than you could ever realize." Harry's heart fluttered to excitement.

Seamus hesitated for a moment. "So….boyfriends?"

Harry smirked. "Boyfriends!" The two hugged tightly, neither wanting to let the other one go.

The news that Harry and Seamus were dating spread like wildfire by the next week. Harry and Seamus walked down the hall and into classes hand in hand. Most people were happy for the two of them; they were the cute couple no one expected to get together. Other people merrily stared at them with curiosity. Then there were people, like Malfoy, who were all too thrilled to have new bullying material. He made it a point to mess with them every chance he got. But nothing could bring the two boys down.

Just such an occasion happened while Seamus and Harry were outside, sitting on one of the stone benches in the courtyard. They were kissing deeply, not caring who was watching. Harry's arms were casually draped around Seamus' shoulders; Seamus had one hand in Harry's hair. Nothing else had mattered in the world to them.

"Hey fags!"

The two pulled apart to find Malfoy sauntering over to them. "What do you want, Malfoy?" Seamus asked aggressively. He kept a firm hold on Harry's hand, for he almost lunged at Malfoy.

"Wanted to see how Hogwarts' favorite fags are doing –"

"You shut your mouth before I shut it for you!" Harry spat back, trying his hardest not to lose his temper.

"Ooh, not very friendly," Malfoy sneered. "You better watch it, or you and your boyfriend will have detentions. Separately, of course!" Malfoy laughed.

"Pretty bold of you to be saying these things when there's two of us and only one of you," Seamus said, narrowing his eyes. "I suggest you leave before you give us a reason to get detention!"

Malfoy seemed to realize that Seamus was right and started backing up. "Whatever. I wouldn't want your fag hands to touch me anyway." And with that said, he turned and walked briskly away.

"I hate that word!" Harry said angrily, sitting back down.

"It sounds so awful," Seamus agreed. He took Harry by the waist and leaned their foreheads together. "Forget Malfoy, though."

Harry smiled as they continued kissing.

Professors McGonagall and Snape were walking through the courtyard, deep in conversation. "There has to be something to be done about Umbridge. We cannot keep going on like this, Severus."

"I understand. Albus is trying his best to get everything sorted. But unfortunately, it's taking time."

"I spoke with Dumbledore again this morning – I believe he was able to reestablish the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I suppose we will find out at the staff meeting."

Snape suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Is that Potter and Finnegan over there?"

McGonagall looked where he pointing: It was, indeed, Harry Potter and Seamus Finnegan, kissing on one of the stone benches. "Yes, it is. There have been rumors saying they are the new hot couple of Hogwarts." McGonagall said, continuing on. Snape stared just a second longer before following McGonagall once more.

"Shouldn't we stop them?" Snape asked, uncertain.

"Stop them doing what? Acting like a couple? They have every right to express themselves as any other couple in this school, Severus" McGonagall said rather sharply.

"I didn't mean anything by it," Snape said stiffly.

"Personally, I think Finnegan and Potter are a perfect match. They work so well together – I've not seen Potter as happy as he is when he's not with Finnegan."

"Personally, I don't like to pry into the students love affairs," Snape said, crinkling his nose.

"Moving on, we should head to the staff meeting before we're late." And they continued on their way.