The next morning, Amelia woke up just before seven. She had no clue why her body had woken her up this early, but she supposed it was something to do with the fact that today was the day they would be back at Hogwarts.
Getting up, she stretched out before moving across her room to her chair, where both her muggle clothes and her robes were neatly laid out. Theo's mum had ironed all of their clothes out the previous evening, which despite the fact it took her the better part of half an hour, the woman did it without complaint and even shook off their protests when they said they could have easily done it themselves. Amelia got organised and dressed quickly, and did one last skim-through of her trunk to make sure everything was packed and hadn't moved. Once this was confirmed, she decided to go down and get breakfast in her.
Walking past Dorea's room, she paused momentarily to see if her godsister was awake or not. It was confirmed that Dorea wasn't awake, as even through the door Amelia could hear short exhaling noises which could only indicate that she was still sleeping.
When she got to the staircase, Amelia stopped again. This time, she had a playful thought. Instead of going down, she went up one level. Walking quietly on to the level, she walked down the long corridor until she got to Theo's room. Then, placing her ear flush against the door, she tried to listen out for any signs that her boyfriend was awake. She clamped a hand over her mouth and held back a giggle when she heard what could only be a snore escape Theo's mouth. Very quietly, her hand reached for the doorknob and twisted it slowly, praying it didn't make a loud noise. Thankfully, it didn't, although when she actually opened the door it made a slightly audible brushing sound against the carpet of Theo's room. When she actually poked her head around the door, though, the room was quite dark, but the early morning sun made it so that she wasn't squinting to see. She set her gaze on the double bed in the room, which was containing none other than Theo.
Amelia almost felt bad with what she was about to do, as Theo looked so cute and peaceful. He was laying on his side, facing the window rather than the door, and his arms were hugging the duvet as if he was cuddling it. It dawned on Amelia then that he had probably been thinking about her before he fell asleep, and had imagined holding her close and cuddling into her, which made her heart leap and flutter at his cuteness. His side profile looked glorious and his hair, which the top of was normally curly, looked even more tousled by sleep. Amelia felt giddy as she observed him. I really can't believe he's all mine.
Pulling herself out of her admiration of a sleeping Theo, she smirked as she prepared herself for action. Walking slowly towards the bed, she tested the floorboards before applying all her weight on them in case they creaked. When none of them did, she jumped on to his bed.
Theo started awake, and nearly jolted upwards. They genuinely would have clashed heads if his eyes didn't dart open and realise it was only her. "Oh, it's jus' you." Theo said, in a deliciously sleepy sounding voice.
"Just me." She grinned cheekily, "thought I'd wake you up. Wouldn't want you sleeping in and running us all late."
"Didn't expect to be woken up quite like this." He remarked, rubbing his eyes. She giggled, though kept it quiet.
"You were cuddling the duvet when I came in," she said, tilting her head down at him with a huge smile, "thinking of me?"
His eyes lit up. "Yeah, actually. I dreamed of you."
"Oh really?" Amelia responded, that only boosting her ego more.
"Mmmhm," Theo murmured, reaching up slightly to run a hand down her face. Her heart was fluttering like mad. "It was a sweet dream. Now why don't you come down to my level and give me a kiss?"
Her smile burst wider. "But we both have morning breath!"
"Am I the type to judge, baby?" He eyed her, smiling coyly. She rolled her eyes playfully and eventually leaned down towards his face and captured her lips with his. Amelia really loved kissing Theo - though he was the only person she had kissed, she would never want to do it with anybody else. He was just so magical and perfect at it. She loved him a whole lot.
When they eventually had to pull away, they opened their eyes at the same time and just quietly laughed. After all, Amelia was taking risks just being in his bedroom - anyone could walk in and see them, and assume that she'd been there all night when that wasn't the case. It was rebellious and risked trouble, which was probably why they found it so funny.
"I suppose I should get up." Theo said after thirty seconds. "Do you want to go down and I'll catch up with you, once I'm dressed?"
She nodded. His eyes wandered around the bedroom as he began to sit up. "I'm gonna miss this bed. It's so comfy."
"What, and your one in the Slytherin dorm isn't?" She quipped.
"No, it's comfy as well, but this one just feels more homely. Plus, I get my own privacy and space. I can't really be arsed with the fact that me and Blaise have to face Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle when we get back."
She understood. "I can imagine, since they're not really pleasant with you two anymore. Just keep your eye out for them and don't pay them any mind."
Theo got out of the bed then, and wandered over to his study table, where on the seat his clothes were neatly laid out. "I have a feeling that the older Slytherin's are going to be planning more things when we get back."
That shocked her a bit. "Really? Like what? Attacks?"
"Well, you know how we are - cunning and sly. Ever since Bletchley and Harper had Zacharias Smith under the Imperius, I can't help but think that more things like that are going to be done to others. What if they were liaising with other people before they were caught and arrested? What if they target me?"
Amelia couldn't bear the thought of her Theodore being roped in to Death Eater malarkey against his knowledge or will. All it took was for Crabbe or Goyle to cast the Imperius Curse though… No, her mind screamed, stop thinking that. "I need to have a talk with Harry regarding how all the DA members can stay safe. Some of the Houses carried out checks on people to make sure they hadn't been Imperiused after Smith had - I think it'll have to be upped to a more routine check."
Theo agreed. "Yes, I agree, and I'm sure the others will too."
Just as she was about to leave him to get dressed, Theo called her name again. "Amelia."
She faced him, looking expectant. "Yes?"
"I-I just thought I'd let you know," he cleared his throat, "that no matter what, I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe. From anything, from anyone. You know that, right?"
Her heart burst with love. She smiled softly. "Yes, Theo, I know. I would never doubt you in that regard."
He smiled back, though he looked a bit shaky. "Good. Because if anything.. Were to happen at school - another attack, a-and you were hurt.. I would never forgive myself."
Amelia couldn't help but tear up a bit at his cuteness. "Bit sentimental for a Sunday morning, Theo."
"It's my pledge to you - as your boyfriend, your best friend, loverman, whatever you'll have from me. I love you, 'melia, truly."
After a few moments of just staring at him in awe, she moved forward. "Oh come here, you big bear."
They met in the middle and swamped one another in a hug. His arms wrapped around her body snugly, and his head was buried in her shoulder as he breathed in her scent. Their heartbeats were in perfect sync.
After a minute or so, Amelia pulled away and gave him a quick peck. "Right, I really have to get down and eat. I'm starving. I'll see you down there?"
He nodded, smiling, though his eyes looked glassy. She gave him one last appreciative smile before slowly opening the door and double checking there was nobody out in the corridor before heading downstairs at last.
Despite the fact that everyone had their things packed, Sunday morning from seven thirty am onwards still felt like such a rush. Harry walked down to breakfast to see Barnaby Lee practically wolfing his cereal down. "What's the rush for? We've practically got three hours to kill before we have to Floo to the station." he asked him, amused.
"I just can't let go of the feeling that I've forgotten to pack something, or misplaced it. It's driving me nuts." The fourth year Slytherin replied.
He just chuckled. "That happens to me too, but it's most likely just your paranoia. Make a list or something to make sure you have got absolutely everything."
Regulus Black sauntered into the room then. "I don't miss the morning before the return to school, let me tell you. Always a mad rush about something."
"That reminds me! I should go say bye to Buckbeak before we leave. Harry, don't let me forget." Barnaby exclaimed, near leaping out of his chair and gesturing to him.
He laughed then. "Why can't you just go now, to get it out of the way?"
Barnaby Lee calmed down a bit then. "Oh, yeah, I guess I can."
He shook his head playfully and shared a knowing look with Regulus. "I'll come with you, else I'll feel bad for the big chicken."
Less than five minutes later, Harry and Barnaby were skipping down the front of the lawn to the bottom of the huge front garden, where Regulus had made a little field shelter/stable of sorts for Buckbeak. The hippogriff must've heard them coming, as his head appeared over the top of the stable door and he made a soft squawking noise.
They bowed to the animal just to be sure before approaching him. Barnaby gave him a soft pat on the beak whilst Harry rubbed behind his ears, which the beast seemed to appreciate as his head immediately went sideways and his eyes started closing slowly.
"Do you think we should give him a quick groom, to save Regulus doing it later?" Barnaby asked.
"Yeah, I'm up for that." Harry gladly replied. Barnaby nodded, and went into the little shed attachment next to the stable, where some equipment was kept. He emerged with a few body brushes and handed him one, and they quickly got to work, each taking one side of the hippogriff and starting to clean him.
"I haven't had the chance to ask," Harry spoke up after a few minutes of them just working comfortably in silence, "how are you enjoying your stay here?"
"It's truly been a safe haven for me. I know that Blaise feels the same. At the start, I did feel a bit bad - coming here without even telling my parents I was leaving, but now I feel like I've dodged a bullet in doing so." Barnaby replied, occasionally looking at him from the other side of Buckbeak.
Harry nodded. "They'll never find you here. And you'll always be at ease."
Barnaby agreed. After a further ten minutes of chatting and grooming Buckbeak, the two of them finished up. They gave the beast a few last treats and pats before heading back up the garden steps and into Black Manor. When they got back inside, mostly everyone except Blaise was down at the table eating. Upon further inspection, Blaise was actually in the pantry, getting some fancy granola.
"How are you feeling about your first shift at St Mungo's, mum?" Theo was posing a question to Ophelia when Harry and Barnaby sat back down.
"Nervous but excited, darling. I'll let you all know how it goes in due course." The woman replied, smiling optimistically.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay there?" Regulus asked, with something that sounded like genuine concern, "Word could spread that you're working there, and your ex-husband could turn up one day.. Or your mother in-law."
Ophelia flinched a bit at the mention of Rohan Nott, yet her confidence and demeanor didn't waver. "Well, I did think of a way to avoid that." The woman turned to Sirius, who was as always at the head of the table. "I was thinking that either Ditsy or Dippey could Apparate me directly to the Hospital every day, and Apparate me back here when my shift ends. That way, I'm staying within the Hospital the whole time, and therefore meaning I'm less likely to run into anyone on the street outside."
Sirius was nodding vehemently. "That sounds like a good idea. The elves are devoted to you anyway, so I'm sure they'll consent to this as well."
Ophelia smiled gratefully. The conversation after that was focused more on going back to Hogwarts, and the hectic term that was surely awaiting them just hours away now. "Exams feel so far away yet so close now." Blaise remarked.
They all hummed agreement. "Our Healing tests are only a few weeks away." Dorea added, looking at Amelia and Harry.
Harry definitely felt a bit of dread then - even though they were nearly done the Healing course in terms of content, there were still lots of terminology and spells to actually practise. Though it would be good to get it out of the way before the important OWLs, he just wished they had a week longer.
At half past eight, Sirius sent them all up to their bedrooms to make sure they definitely had everything. Since Harry had made triply sure the past few days that everything he needed was packed, he elected to just take the essays that were assigned as holiday homework out and skim over them, just to make sure they were correct. He gave more attention to his Potions and Arithmancy ones. When he deduced that nothing more could be added to them, he filed them away back in his bag, satisfied.
At ten minutes past ten o'clock that morning, Dorea finally lugged her trunk down the huge staircase of Black Manor, with her bag on her back and everything she needed packed. When she stepped off the final stair and onto the ground floor, she breathed a thankful sigh, and rested her arms.
Regulus appeared out of one of the study's. "You know, I could have levitated it down for you." He remarked, smirking at her tiredness.
"'S fine, uncle, I managed it."
"Just." He quipped again. He moved down the hall and into the kitchen. Resting her bag down carefully on the soft carpeted floor, when she looked back up her dad was striding down the hall towards her. He lit up when he set his eyes on her and walked towards her faster.
"All ready to go, dear?" He asked her, as he began climbing the stairs. Just before he said that, he kissed the top of her head.
"Yes, I have everything, dad." She replied, smiling broadly.
"I'm just going to get the others to take their luggage down and then we'll begin the process of Apparating to the station." Sirius replied, as he walked a few more steps up. "We'll be meeting Moony and the Weasley's there."
She nodded. She watched as her father ascended the staircase and disappeared on to the first level, where he was probably going to get Amelia. After a few minutes, she heard Amelia noisily start her descent of the staircase.
When she came into view, she chuckled at the sight of her godsister - for Amelia had her bag in one hand, dangling a bit low, and her other hand lugging her trunk along. "Do you want me to help?" Dorea called up at her, already walking up the stairs.
"No, I'm fine." Amelia called back, although she didn't look it. She even grimaced a bit when the trunk thumped down onto the next stair a bit too aggressively.
Next to come down was Barnaby and Harry - the latter taking the initiative to cast Locomotor and levitate both trunks (and Hedwig's cage) instead of physically pulling them. Blaise and Theo were the last to come down, mainly because Theo had almost forgotten his own wand and had to rush back into his bedside table to get it.
"Right, now that that's over and done with, lets go and say our farewells to Regulus, Ophelia and the elves." Sirius said when he came back down. They left their luggage where it was and followed Sirius into the kitchen.
Dorea hugged her uncle goodbye. "I'll miss you, uncle Reg," she said into his shoulders.
"I'll miss you too, sweetheart." He said affectionately, "I'll write to you. Good luck for your exams as well, before I forget!"
She smiled. "Thank you. Any tips for revision?"
"I'll owl them to you nearer the time. Hopefully they aren't too hellish; just don't lose your head completely." He said.
She gave him one last hug. "Thanks for that, it'll help a lot. Don't get too lonely here by yourself."
"I'll be fine, Dorea, really. Oh, and before you go," he pulled her a bit closer, "if your dad gives Fred a hard time, you write to me immediately. I just know that Sirius will likely intimidate him and try to scare him off."
She laughed. "Okay, I will."
She moved on to Ophelia, who had just finished a long hug with her son. The woman grinned widely at her. "Oh, Dorea, sweetie, come here!"
She hugged the woman who was something like an aunt to her. The woman even spun her around a bit. "I'll miss you all so much. Take care, and good luck when the OWLs come around!"
She smiled. "Thank you, Ophelia. I'll try and keep Theo on a path of revision for you."
Ophelia Fortesque let out a loud laugh. "Amelia and the boys have said the same. I'm sure you all will be kept busy. Remember not to bombard yourself too much with work and to take care of your mind."
She nodded, mentally noting that down for later. "I hope your trial shift at St Mungo's goes well today, too."
"I hope so too, darling. I've said I'll write to Harry how it goes, and he'll likely tell you all." Ophelia rubbed her hands together.
Within the next five minutes, the farewells were concluded - to both humans and house elves alike. They really had to get going then, as time was trickling closer to half past ten. Even though the train didn't even open its doors until ten fifty, Sirius wanted to get there with plenty of time. At half past, Sirius Apparated the boys to the station first, and within seconds he was back at the Manor and came back for the girls. They waved at Regulus and Ophelia one last time before Dorea felt the familiar sensation of being pulled into an Apparition. Just like that, they were on the platform.
Harry smirked knowingly when he adjusted his glasses, for Blaise, Barnaby and Theo looked like they were about to throw up. "I forgot how much I hate doing that." Barnaby muttered as he straightened up. Funnily enough, Hedwig didn't look that bothered - she was just perched in her cage and taking in her surroundings.
Within seconds, the girls and Sirius suddenly appeared near them with their luggage. They walked over to a pillar which was only a few feet away from one of the doors to the train so they would have easy boarding. Sirius kept checking his watch expectantly and looking near the pillar where you entered Platform 9 and ¾.
At ten forty-five, they sighted the familiar tall and lanky figures of Remus and George coming through the barrier first. Fred and Ron weren't far behind them, and they were followed by Mr Weasley, Hermione, Ginny, and bringing up the rear was Tonks and Mad-Eye. The Weasley's and Hermione came jogging over. "Nice and early getting here this time, unlike at Christmas." Ron said as they reunited, despite seeing them two days ago.
"Yeah, I didn't get barreled down the stairs and knocked unconscious by trunks this time." Ginny quipped, and they smirked at that.
"You won't believe who we seen, though," George said.
"Who? Theo asked.
"Percy."
"What?" They were surprised. Harry wondered just how they ran into him.
"Well, we were walking to the Tube station, which is down a street of these big old-looking buildings, and he literally emerged from one of them. He didn't even see us - just pulled his jacket on and quickly walked away down the path." Fred explained.
"Gosh, he really isn't for talking." Harry said, letting out a low whistle.
"Yeah, and it was impossible that he couldn't have not seen us - the twins were mucking about and Tonks was calling a question out to Remus." Ron added.
They were momentarily distracted when Hermione noted quietly to them that Pansy Parkinson had just come through the barrier with who they all assumed were her parents. Millicent Bulstrode and her family followed not long after, and the two families looked in deep discussion. "Probably talking about Death Eater malarkey." Barnaby remarked in a tone that implied distaste.
"Their families are Death Eater's?" Harry almost gasped. He knew from five years of being in the same year as them at school that Pansy and Millicent were misogynistic bullies and their families were pure-blood, but he'd never heard them ever agree with Voldemort's views. Then again, he didn't pay them any mind.
"Well, Millicent's uncle Arsenius is. He's a prominent Death Eater, yet he's really low key about it - he's never been arrested. He's friends with my dad. He's a disgusting man - he apparently keeps muggle women as… pleasure slaves." Barnaby said. Theo and Blaise nodded at that part, as if to prove it was a legitimate claim.
"Pansy's family are a bit of a mystery. I honestly don't know if they are Death Eater's or if they just agree with You-Know-Who's views." Blaise said quietly, even though the platform was filling up and getting noisier by the minute. The conversation was quickly averted from that topic, as nobody liked to talk more about Arsenius Bulstrode. At ten-fifty, the conductor opened the doors to the train, and loudly called out, "All aboard!"
The Black Manor residents and the Weasley's said quick farewells to Mr Weasley, Mad-Eye and Tonks before quickly boarding the train. Mad-Eye and Mr Weasley told them all good luck for their OWLs, and Tonks hugged them good-naturedly and said the same. Luckily, they were among the first actually on board, so they could take their pick of any compartment. Sirius and Remus dealt with their luggage and pets and urged them to go grab one for themselves.
Fred gave Dorea a quick peck, as he and George were going to grab a compartment for them and Lee Jordan. Harry grabbed the first empty compartment he saw, and the others followed him in. There was just enough room for them all. After a few minutes, other students walked past their compartment, assumedly trying to find an empty one or trying to locate their friends.
Just after Remus stuck his head in to say that his and Sirius's compartment was only two down if they needed anything, they all grimaced - for Draco Malfoy walked past. Crabbe and Goyle were hot on his heels. Thankfully, they didn't notice them and carried on walking. Although Amelia managed to see Lucius Malfoy standing out on the platform.
At eleven, the train rumbled to life and prepared for its departure. It gave a few short hoots before it slowly started crawling out of the platform. They took the opportunity to wave goodbye to Mad-Eye, Mr Weasley and Tonks one last time. Within a minute, they were out of the station and on their way to start their last term as fifth years at Hogwarts.
The train ride in itself was very chilled out - they mostly just sat and talked, and Ron got out his Exploding Snap set which they all had a good game or two with. The trolley lady also made her way up the carriages, and Harry gladly bought for them all.
Just after Harry had beaten Theo at a second game of Exploding Snap, did Draco Malfoy unfortunately spot them. They knew it would be inevitable - since he was a Prefect, and all the Prefect's had to do rounds of the train every half hour or so (Ron and Hermione had just finished there's some twenty minutes previously). He poked his stupid head around the compartment door with a filthy look on his face. "Blaise? Theo? Barnaby? What are you three doing with Potty and his crew?"
The three Slytherin's looked rather uncomfortable. Amelia answered for them. "They're our friends, Malfoy. You should try getting some of your own."
Ron and Ginny nearly choked at that. Malfoy turned an ugly shade of red. "I wasn't asking you."
"Why are you here then?" Dorea said, sighing irritably. "Don't you have first years to be bullying? Or pathetic gossip to tell Crabbe and Goyle?"
Malfoy snapped then, and started spouting rubbish. Harry fingered his temples, and shared a similar look with everyone else who were equally tired of Draco's shit. Out of nowhere, both Blaise and Ginny whipped their wands out. Ginny sent out a Bat-Bogey Hex, whilst Blaise cast a Knockback Jinx - however, Ginny was quicker. The compartment door slid back shut when Draco was knocked back and hexed. Almost as quickly as he'd appeared, he went running off back down the train, both swearing and screeching.
"Gosh, he's so annoying, I can't believe I used to hang around him." Blaise muttered as he put his wand away. Barnaby looked amazed and in awe of both his best friend and Ginny.
The train ride ended a bit quicker than anyone could have anticipated, yet everyone felt glad to be back - in the way that they were going to be seeing everyone else again. When the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station, they let out content noises.
When they eventually arrived in the Entrance Hall, there was a slow throng of hundreds of students trying to mill into the Great Hall to take their seats for the welcome back feast. It was always at a snail pace due to everyone talking whilst they walked very slowly to their seats. Harry found himself beside Terry Boot. "Hello, Terry."
"Hello Harry!" The fifth year Ravenclaw chirped happily. "How was your Easter holiday?"
"I spent them mostly revising," he said, laughing a bit, "as I'm sure all of us did."
"Oh yes, I was doing the same. I think I almost killed my brain. Do you have an idea when the DA is starting back up again?"
Harry had a thought. "Junior group is resuming tomorrow night, as Monday's are always their days. Senior group will probably still run on Saturday's."
"Great! I can't wait to get back into it." Terry said happily. Then his face lit up. "Oh, and did you hear? Anthony finally grew balls and asked Daphne out, and she said yes!"
Harry grinned. "Yup, I heard about that. I'm so happy for them."
"So am I! It seems a lot of people are starting to form romantic relationships. I wonder who will be next?"
Me and Ginny? Harry thought, his heart fluttering. Thankfully, before Terry could ask him anything about who he had his eyes on, the throng moved forward, and Terry had arrived at Ravenclaw table. The boy took his seat across from Michael Corner and Stephen Cornfoot, where he waved goodbye.
Harry sat down near his twin and godsister, with the Weasley's and Hermione following suit. The Hall was pretty noisy now. Sirius and Remus were up at the staff table, seemingly in deep conversation with Hagrid. A gap opened up between the throng, and through it Harry could see that over at Slytherin table, Malfoy, along with Crabbe and Goyle, were looking vengeful. Harry wondered how long it took for the two goons to remove the Bat-Bogey Hex from Malfoy.
After five minutes, mostly everyone was seated. Dumbledore made a short welcome back speech - which mostly covered the fact that exam season was very much upon them, and reminded the Senior's in particular about them (not than anybody from fifth year upwards needed reminding). He also reminded the Healing lot about their theory and practical tests coming up just two weeks before the OWLs. After that, it was dinner time, which everyone was thankful for. Mostly everyone was soon tucking in to a simply delicious roast chicken and vegetables with the nicest gravy ever.
Once dessert (gooey melting-middle chocolate puddings) was over and done with, Dumbledore dismissed everybody to their common rooms, ready for lessons resuming tomorrow morning. Bellies full, everybody was soon congregating either towards the Grand Staircase or the stairs down to the dungeons.
When Harry and the others stepped foot into the common room for the first time in 2 weeks, the warmth that hit them was pleasant. He had missed the cosy and homelyness the vibrant room offered, most especially the fireplace that heated the place. Just as he and the others sat down in the comfy red armchairs did Angelina approach him.
"Evening guys," their Captain said, in particular to Harry, Ron, Amelia and Dorea, "just thought I'd double check - are you all alright to up our practises to three times a week this term?"
Harry almost made an exasperated noise - three evenings a week?! Even practising twice a week was time-consuming enough - now they would be spending almost half of their weekdays being worn out and tired.
"Erm, well…" He started.
"I know it sounds an awful lot, but this is the Inter-House Quidditch Cup we're talking about here. We need to win to get back up to the same reputation people like Wood and Charlie Weasley built for the team. And because I hate Montague's guts." Angelina explained.
"Well, yes, that's completely understandable, but the OWLs and NEWTs are fast approaching, as I'm sure you know." Harry added.
Angelina cocked a brow. "Yes, and?"
He was surprised. "Oh, well… We all have study groups and our own personal revision to do, won't Quidditch clash with it?"
Angelina sighed. "Alright then, how about we do practice three nights a week, but straight after dinner? That way, we'll have the rest of the evening to dedicate to study. That okay?"
They nodded, though it would still mean they would be exhausted and likely to not get as much revision done. With that, their Captain smiled before making her way over to Alicia and Katie.
The rest of the evening was spent relaxing and reuniting with their friends. When Harry went up to the boys dormitory to put his bag up there ready for classes tomorrow, he opened the door and got a shock.
For Seamus and Dean were… well, it appeared they had been kissing when Harry had pushed the door open.
"Oh.." He said, looking between them. The two boys were still embracing one another even though they had pulled back.
"Oh, erm, evening Harry." Seamus chirped, in a voice that was higher than normal. Dean looked a bit embarrassed.
"Are you two..." He knew the answer, he just wanted confirmation.
"..We started dating at the start of the holidays, mate." Dean confirmed. Harry tried so hard not to smile - he was really happy that they finally acknowledged the fact they were perfect for each other. He'd always wondered if there was anything more between the two of them.
Seamus cleared his throat. "Erm, I know you must think that we're disgusting, but-"
"-Why would I think that?" Harry cut in, alarmed.
"W-well, you know, attitudes towards.. Gay people, are pretty hostile."
"Oh, I know that," Harry said, moving a bit more into the dorm and letting the door shut behind him, "it's illegal in a lot of places."
"Wait, you're not upset in the slightest?" Dean looked amazed.
"I don't know why you'd think I'd be upset, guys. I think the DA shows I'm pretty accepting of anybody. Besides, it's your relationship, not mine. I'll be supporting you two no matter what. You're my friends."
The two boys truly looked thankful, and even rushed forward to hug him and thank him endlessly. Wow, this truly means a lot to them, he thought, as a wave of love overcame him. He truly swore to himself to always keep an eye out for Dean and Seamus, in case they ever got hated on for loving each other.
"That reminds me, is this public knowledge?" He asked.
Seamus and Dean looked to one another. "Not at the moment. We intend to keep it private for now, and only tell trusted people."
He nodded, understanding. Dean spoke up. "Your twin sister has known for a few months, though."
"Really?"
"Yeah, she was totally cool with it. I'm sure Dorea would be too. We'll tell more people when we're ready." Dean said.
Harry nodded, and carried his original task out - leaving his bag by his bed. Once he did that, he moved towards the door. Just before he went back down to the common room, he looked back at his two roommates and close friends. "If anyone at all gives you any trouble for being gay, you come to me. Alright?" He offered.
The two of them nodded, and looked both touched and appreciated. He smiled back at them, glad to be of help in that way, and left the dormitory. As he descended back down the stairs, he swore to himself to always be there for his friends. Especially given the fact that Dean and Seamus could face some hostility for choosing to love each other.