Dean was sitting on one of the benches near their next class, holding his forehead and groaning. Seamus wondered if he was sick why he didn't take himself down to the Infirmary; it's not like anyone ever was dying to be in class (sans perhaps, Hermione), and he and Dean would take any chance they could to screw around away from their professors for the day.

Seamus' second thought was maybe he'd gotten bad news at lunch.

He sat, leaning against the stone, eyes flickering around. He realized belatedly he was looking for Hermione. He wondered if she'd look his way. And if she did, would she smile at him, or would she make no acknowledgment of what had happened? Did he want her to? Or was he fine existing like they had before? Or maybe-

"I asked her," Dean said as they met up outside the greenhouse, breaking Seamus' rambling thoughts, threatening to sail themselves away with useless anxieties and absurd questions since they'd only had a few meaningful moments that shouldn't give his brain any leeway or reason to be so panicked, "Eloise. I asked her."

It took Seamus a few moments to digest this. He considered telling Dean that Hermione hadn't said 'no' (of course, not a 'yes' either), but decided he wanted to play this one close to his vest. He told himself it was that if she did decide to turn him down, he wanted to protect his reputation, but there was a nagging part that knew it was something more. Something quieter, softer. A reason he couldn't articulate yet.

He decided to focus the conversation solely on Dean.

"Why do you look so green then?" Seamus asked, "Said 'no'?"

"No, she said yes…" Dean looked close to fainting, placing his head between his legs, which gave merit to the thought that he was serious and not dramatic and could actually tip over at a moment's notice, "I bumped into her outside the Great Hall and I asked her…"

"And then!" Seamus encouraged, "Don't leave me hanging!"

Lavender and Parvati, who had been watching, flocked over, as though his question was a siren song for them to gossip.

"It was like word vomit," Parvati giggled, "I think he just blabbered on for about a minute straight!"

Dean groaned a sad, dying whimper that seemed to be a confirmation.

"Poor Midgen couldn't get a word in edgewise," Lavender added, snickering into her hand, "And she tried. 'Dean, I'd like- Dean, if you- Dean! Dean'" She mimicked Eloise's slightly nasally voice, and it was moments like this that reminded Seamus of reasons he wasn't leaping to make things serious with her previously. She could be rightly nasty when she wanted to.

"Sod off, Lav, if you're just going to be cruel," Seamus snapped, though part of his fury was the embarrassment of her rejection, "It's fine, Dean, you tried, and that's what matters." He said, patting his friend's shoulder consolingly, "Look, we still have plenty of women to ask!"

"She said 'yes', though," Dean jolted up, " Did I forget to say? She said yes! And she seemed really pleased."

Seamus blinked, "Oh! Well, then, congratulations!" He said, "See, no third-wheeling for you."

Dean was blushing. Eloise appeared at the entrance of the hallway, sending Dean a shy, flirty wave. Dean looked like he was on cloud nine.

"She asked to sit with me in Herbology today, so…" Dean winced, "Look, I can say no! But-,"

Seamus waved his hand, cutting him off.

"Harsh," Seamus chuckled, but understood, "I'll find another partner, no worries."

"It's sort of cute," Lavender nudged Dean, "This Yule Ball is really bringing out a lot of unexpected pairings. I didn't mean to be mean before, honestly."

A lot of Lavender's meanness wasn't intentional, as weird as that sounded. It wasn't like Pansy, who scanned a crowd, trying to pick out who to make cry that day. Oftentimes, Seamus felt like Lavender didn't realize the sort of way that her words could wound others. Seamus also knew she liked Dean, so there was no reason for her to try to ruin his parade.

"Thanks, Lavender. I know I must have seemed like a fish flopping out of the water," Dean said, mollified, "I'm really glad about this whole thing. I don't know if I would have ever asked her out, but maybe this will be the start of something new."

"No kidding," Seamus said, and couldn't help but look for Hermione in the gathered crowd, but she wasn't there yet. Stupidly, he thought maybe he could sit next to Hermione in class. Wouldn't that be making a statement, he thought with a wry laugh.

Zacharias Smith shouldered his way to the front, and it took everything in Seamus' power not to break his nose right there. He was boasting about how three Beauxbatons girls had already asked him, but he had to turn them all down.

"The third one cried! I told her, and it's all true, 'Antoinette, I know that I'm the most eligible Hogwarts student out there, but you're barely a five, and I can't say yes to anyone less than a nine.'" He was strutting about like a rooster, telling his stories to any Hufflepuff boy dumb enough to believe it, "I'm holding out for the cream of the crop! I've heard rumors that Fleur wants to ask me! I think maybe I'll say yes-,"

"And then unicorns flew from yer arse, Smith," Seamus broke in, furious.

The crowd quieted to a hushed whisper.

Fuck.

That wasn't meant to be said out loud.

Ron let out a bark of laughter before covering his mouth with his hand, the sole noise as everyone's gaze flickered between Seamus and Smith, or neither at all, and instead looked at the ground as though cobblestones were the most interesting thing since sliced bread.

Smith opened his mouth and closed it, as though floored that Seamus would even have the gall to say such blashemous lies out loud. Finally, he raised his chin so high that Seamus thought it was difficult for him to stare Seamus down, and got close enough that he could smell his cologne that was sprayed with the care of a toddler. It was so pungent that Seamus thought surely it had burned the inside of his nose and was so overpowering that it seemed to be working better as a deterrent than attracting ladies.

At least, if Seamus was a bird, he'd feel like this was aggressively applied in a way that would make him run for the hills.

"Look, don't be angry that the girls all want me, Finnegan!" Zacharias turned, haughty as ever.

"Do you need to go to the nurse's ward?" Seamus asked, rolling his eyes, "Because I think you're hallucinating."

Ernie coughed loudly, but everyone knew it was holding in a laugh. The way that Zacharias looked at him...ooh. It was one thing to be called out by a rival house but by your own dormmate?

Seamus felt like he should warn Ernie to sleep with one eye open for a few weeks.

"It happened!" Zacharis shouted at no one in particular.

"Conveintly when no one was around to see it?" Lavender broke in, "Suuuuure, Zach."

The doors to the Greenhouse opened and Zacharias stomped away, cursing under his breath.

"Man, I hate that guy," Seamus said and was glad to see most of the Gryffindors nodding in agreement.

"What was he wearing? Eau du Bison?" Lavender agreed. Behind her, Parvati made elaborate gagging noises.

"I think his ideal date would be an Erumpet. Pretty sure that's the musk he has on," Dean agreed with a roll of his eyes. Beside him, Eloise exploded into uncontrollable giggles, like Dean was the funniest man on the planet. Dean gave Seamus a wide-eyed look, as usually no one laughed at his jokes.

"This way, Eloise," Dean said, making a big show to pull out her chair for her. Eloise fawned and it seemed both were seconds away from passing out at the novelty of it.

Seamus lingered, counting the seconds, waiting to see if he could sit next to Hermione.

"Everyone, everyone, come on in, find your seats!" Pomfrey said, half-paying attention, as she set out the materials for class today.

Hermione hurried in as class was starting, and Neville called her to an open seat before Seamus could. Seamus ended up sitting next to Hannah, because her partner - Susan- was saddled up next to Justin, and they both were gagworthy already.

"We think he's a load of B.S too," Hannah said, leaning into Seamus, "I'm glad someone called him out."

Seamus grinned. A few rows before him, Zacharias Smith kept looking back, sending murderous glances at Seamus.

"This whole affair really brings out the worst in people," Seamus observed, and Hannah nodded vigorously, "Not keen to sit next to Ernie?" He asked, recalling that she was already attached to someone for the dance.

"Oh, it didn't seem necessary," Hannah said, shrugging, "We're just friends."

"Ah," Seamus said though he didn't understand. He and Hermione were just friends, but he wished he'd had a bit more courage to ask her to sit together.

Professor Sproat finally looked up and saw the mix-up of partners and just sighed. All the professors today were probably dealing with heartbreak, dance requests, and new strange connections. It was enough to make him feel barmy, so he couldn't imagine what the teachers were going through!

In fact, Flitwick had nearly had a conniption when someone had asked right in the middle of his lecture, McGonagall had made it clear with no uncertainty that any business revolving around the dance, if discussed in class, would be a ticket straight to detention, and honestly no one had the courage to bring it up to Snape, so potions was as normal as ever.

"Alright, class! Everyone grab your plants," Professor Sproat said, waving her hands as the fourth-years grasped their pots from the sills, "Now, as you remember, we're on our second lesson learning about the Spanish Scintillaen Snapper! Who would like to remind us what their most common use is?"

Hermione's hand shot up, like a pole being erected. Once, Seamus may have giggled with Lavender about how quick it always was; you could nearly write a calendar based on how much certainty there was in the fact that Hermione would raise her hand every time like her life depended upon it. Now, though? Seamus couldn't help but grin, because he saw her moxie and drive differently.

"Miss Granger?"

"In healing potions. The spiciness in the leaves, seeds, and flowers can help hasten the process of healing and fight inflammation."

"Perfect! Five points to Gryffindor!" Sproat said, as though there was any doubt Hermione would get it wrong, "And why are we focusing on the seeds today?" She paused, "Someone besides Hermione...?"

Finally, Neville shyly raised his hand.

"B...because..." He started out, stuttering a bit, "They're hesitant to give seeds freely. Extracting them is always a forced task. But the seeds are the most potent, and work best in healing draughts."

"Exactly! And finally, can someone remind us what happens if you do not show the plant respect and attempt to take the seeds by force?"

Hermione shot her hand up again, and finally, after staring at the blank faces of students, Sprout allowed her to answer.

"It will send sparks up and use the oxygen in the air to explode, a very effective measure against predators that may try to eat it."

"Take this as a strict warning. Everyone put on your goggles and heat protective glasses now, just to be safe." Sprout said and everyone did as she said, "Your goal today is to extract three seeds. You'll need to be gentle and coax the plant to give it to you. If it starts sparking, back away! We don't want anyone going to Madam Pomfrey today."

Hannah groaned, shivering at the plant, "I hate this," She muttered, trying to figure out the best way to go at the bright red and green bushy plant, her goggles making her look bug-eyed and even more anxious, "It gave me an electric shock last week."

"You just need to be gentle, eh?" Seamus said, petting one of the leaves, "It smells fear."

Hannah gave him a dubious look, "I don't think so."

"Okay, maybe not, but it can… tell…" Seamus rubbed up the spine of it, coaxing one of its seeds out, and the plant spat into his hand. Seamus tossed it lightly between his gloves, the tiny seed as hot as molten metal, "If you're nervous. Nervous people are more likely to hurt it, you know?"

Hannah tilted her head, "I suppose that's a good way to look at it." She agreed, "I'm not trying to hurt it." She directed this at the plant, hoping it would hear.

She mimicked Seamus' movements and within the first ten minutes had her first seed. She squealed in relief. Then, she shrieked, dropping the steaming seed on the work table, where Sproat came and nudged it into a tin before it burned down the whole structure.

"Sorry!" She winced, and Sproat just sighed, going to help Wayne Hopkins.

"Oh, I thought I'd be here all day!" She cleaned the seed off on a rag in the tin, staring at it like a proud parent, "Are you a secret herbologist, Seamus?"

"Hardly," Seamus scoffed. In reality, he thought it was his penchant for fire and sparks that the plant likely recognized as one and the same. He'd been setting things on fire, mostly accidentally, for as long as he could recall. In his younger years, his mother searched high and low for an answer, finding very little.

Whenever someone asked, Seamus liked to joke that it was just his Irish charm.

Seamus worked diligently, ignoring the yelps and squeaks as the plants spat sparks at students who tried to go too fast. The entire greenhouse smelled like gunpowder and mortars, and so far only Justin had gotten injured enough to be sent to get some aid, having grabbed a seed with his bare hands in delight.

"That'll be a nasty scar," Hannah had said, watching as Justin had left, trying not to cry, a piece of ice grasped in his hand as he was escorted away.

Seamus managed to get his seeds out long before the first half of the class was done. He wasn't lying to Hannah; he was actually rather pants at Herbology. He was usually here all afternoon trying to finish his lessons, so he felt relieved that today he'd get off early.

Sproat beamed with pride as he handed her three perfect seeds, letting him know he'd be free to go at the break with those that also finished early.

He turned, trying to decide what he'd do with his time off.

Maybe he should write his Mam and beg for her kindness. He couldn't afford dress robes, so he hoped that she had something somewhere, or would be happy to buy him a new set. Maybe if he promised that he'd get a picture in it, that would seal the deal...

As he passed Zacharias Smith's table, a leaf reached out to him, seeking. He turned, and as he caught Smith's sharp face in his peripheral, anger filled his body as he thought about the way he'd hurt Hermione, and Seamus couldn't help it.

He gave the plant images of Smith; his arrogance, his crueleness, and his lack of empathy. Personally, he wouldn't want Smith touching him with a ten-foot pole, much less dealing with delicate plant matter.

He was just rounding his seat when Zacharias Smith let out a loud yell. He looked up to see the plant exploding in his face, spitting out fire and noxious gas.

"Mr. Smith!" Professor Sporat ruched over, swatting at the smoke, "Longbottom, take the plant."

Neville immediately grabbed the pot, shushing it like it was a child, trying to calm it down.

Smith was grabbing his face, moaning into his hand.

"Let me see, boy," Sproat said gently, encouraging him to drop his protective stance. Smith whimpered, and when he looked up, Seamus tried his very best to hold in a guffaw.

His entire face was burned like he'd fallen asleep in the sun, a shade of red not dissimilar to Ron's hair, and his eyebrows were completely singed off.

Luckily, the rest of the class found it equally funny too.

"Quiet now!" Sproat chastised, "This is a serious matter!"

"My face, my face!" Smith was hyperventilating, patting his skin.

"You're lucky you weren't closer…that could have much worse burns," Sproat consoled as she examined it, picking up his hands to peer underneath, "What were you doing with that plant, boy?"

"It was Granger!" Smith said, throwing a finger out, "She sabotaged my plant!"

"Oh!"

The class broke into cacophony at his words, knowing that drama was brewing right before their eyes. Hermione was trying not to grin, trying to look as innocent as possible, which she obviously was.

"That's a bold accusation, Mr. Smith," Sproat said, scowling, "Explain yourself."

"She…" Zacharias began, but trailed off, realizing that he'd have to admit that he was a shit person to justify why she would want to attack him. Seamus could see the frustration plague his face before he finally settled on clenching his fists, "I just know it was her!"

"She has been in her seat the entire class. And, chances are, you just got a particularly sensitive plant. Now, I understand you're scared and hurt, so I won't take points for rushing into blaming someone innocent, but I am going to send you to the infirmary, just in case."

"But she-,"

"Go, Smith, before I change my mind," Sproat commanded, her tone icy and leaving no room for disagreement.

Zach grasped his bookbag, sending Hermione a murderous glare, before slamming the door of the greenhouse on his way out, so hard that the plants around the door shuddered and groaned. A handful of leaves fluttered to the ground in his wake.

"I think this is a good time to break. Those of you who gave me three seeds are free to enjoy the second hour off. Go now." Sprout shooed those who had passed out, leaving time for her to work with those who were struggling.

Anthony Goldstein immediately left, and Megan Jones wasn't far behind. Longbottom had finished but offered to stay behind and calm down Smith's plant. The only other person who had managed was Hermione, no surprise there.

What was a surprise was that she was waiting for him outside the doors.

"That was you, wasn't it?" She asked.

"What was?" He asked, grinning.

"I don't know how…but…" She paused, her brow furrowing, "It would make sense. You do…make things explode around you. This time it was…well-deserved."

"Smith had it coming to him... if I were to have something to do with it," Seamus said, "But as Sproat said, those plants are prickly!"

Hermione grinned, nodding, "Of course, sorry to assume." She said, but there was an amused lit to her voice, "You know what, Seamus? I think…I think I want to go with you."

Seamus felt his heart thud and his spirits rise.

"Really? Not a prank?"

"No, not one," Hermione assured, "I think we'll have a grand time together."

"That's great, Hermione, uhm, thank you?" He said, wincing, because he didn't know what else to say. Luckily, Hermione seemed to find it charming.

"Walk me back to the Common Room?" She asked.

Seamus nodded, "Yeah. I can do that."

XXX

It wasn't like he and Hermione became grand old friends after this. But, they certainly noticed each other more.

In the weeks leading up to the Yule Ball, sometimes Hermione would fall into line with Seamus walking to class and ask how his day was going. Noting deep, no probing, intimate questions, just the sort of stuff you talked with someone casually about.

It didn't mean he wasn't learning about her, or she wasn't learning about him.

Like...she was much more inclined to come talk to him on days it was snowing, and he was more likely to crack a joke on days it hadn't been sunny, as though attempting to infuse some brightness to the day.

And she would always have real opinions about what she asked. Though her questions were surface-level, like asking about the weather or how he fared on the last assignment, she never failed to have a deeply thought-out reply. It made Seamus feel seen like she actually cared to know. He'd always gotten the sense when he told Lavender things that she was half-focused elsewhere, but Hermione gave him her whole, undivided attention.

Slowly, their conversations moved past brief greetings, building on what they'd talked about before. It felt precarious; like they were stacking stones on top of each other, gaining a little ground each day, and some part of Seamus was hoping it wouldn't come crashing down.

Other days, Seamus would ask for her help on an assignment, and she was always glad to assist.

She never made him feel stupid for the questions he asked. In fact, she seemed delighted he sought her.

Sometimes, he'd ask her to explain something he understood perfectly well, just to hear it through her words, and see her eyes light up as she used hand motions and reference pictures to teach him a magical concept.

He liked to think it was moments of brightness in her day as well.

One day, on a day when the sun broke through the snow clouds, Seamus was sitting in the quad on a bench. Hermione joined him. Not close enough to be coupled, but on the same seat.

They sat in silence for a bit, staring at the snow twisting down, catching the rays of the sun.

"Beautiful day, huh?" He said.

"Very much so."

And though it wasn't much, they sat together in silence.

Seamus imagined that it was maybe the start of something, though he didn't quite know what.

XXX

On the fifteenth, Hermione did something out of character.

She came and sought Seamus out in the library.

Usually, it was the other way around. Seamus would go to her in the library, and she'd meet him in the halls or in the Common Room. It always felt like they were being considerate to meet the other where they felt the most comfortable.

"Can I talk to Seamus, Dean?" She asked. Dean raised an eyebrow but gathered his things.

"Eloise wants me to go to Hogsmeade with her anyway to pick out her jewelry," Dean said as an excuse, "Might as well go before the rest of the crowd walks over, yeah? Meet me for Hot Chocolate later?" He pointed to Seamus.

"You go it," Seamus waved him off.

Once he was gone, he turned to Hermione, raising an eyebrow, "Want me to pick your jewelry out with you too?" He asked in a teasing tone.

He expected Hermione to huff and roll her eyes, but instead, she didn't. She stood in front of him, before finally collapsing into the seat next to Seamus, staring ahead.

Hermione seemed nervous. She chewed on her lip, picking at her fingernails.

She was not one inclined to fret like this.

"I'm just going to come out with it, so you don't hear it from someone else. Krum asked me to the Yule Ball today."

Seamus felt his heart drop to the bottom of his stomach.

"Oh." He said, his smile sliding off his face. He searched her expression before steeling himself, nodding, "I get it. He's an International Quidditch start. I'm just…me. No hard feelings, luv."

Bugger. If there weren't choices in dates before, there were even fewer now.

He'd never recover in enough time to find someone else, not when he'd just taken a proverbial quaffle to the chest by none other than Viktor fucking Krum.

Though, to be honest, a strange feeling overtook Seamus. He wasn't sure he wanted to ask someone else. Not a possessive 'if I can't go without, then I won't go with anyone', but rather he found himself disinterested by the entire idea that someone besides Hermione would be on his arm.

"Seamus…" Hermione shook her head slowly, as though she was bubbling up the courage for a grand confession, before finally settling on, "I said no."

Seamus snapped his head up, "Why'd you do a stupid thing like that?" He demanded, "Blimey, I'd say yes if Krum asked me!"

"Because you asked me first," Hermione said, turning, taking the spot that Dean had just vacated and sitting closer than she ever had before, "And I was raised by my Mum right, you know?"

"Oh, wow," Seamus gave a weak laugh, "An obligation date. Now I feel much better."

"It's not that…" Hermione seemed to have much pinker cheeks than he usually saw her sporting, "You…stuck up for me. In a way few ever have. And you listened to me even when I shoved you. You didn't have to hear me out, I was being horrid. And you've continued to listen to me..." She tilted her head, "Krum is very nice, but he's not a great…conversationalist."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not sure I am either," Seamus said, laughing nervously.

"Seamus, just, stop it," Hermione said, "I'm going with you because I want to, okay? I just didn't want someone telling you and it blindsided you."

"What, that my date was desired by the most popular man in the Wizarding World and for some bleeding reason turned him down?" Seamus teased, "Yeah, good call. Are you sure you didn't get knocked too hard in DADA? Because I'm not sure you're thinking straight…."

Hermione knocked his hand away as he went to touch her forehead, "Seamus…Seamus Finnegan." She started sternly, "Have I ever done anything that I don't want to do?" She prompted.

"No, guess not."

"Then logically, I want to go to the dance with you. Not Krum."

"You're making sense, but at the same time, making no sense." He let out a tiny smile, "You know, this is going to make my ego huge, Granger. Like...Hogwarts big. Giant Squid big. Also, my middle name is Cinaed."

Hermione frowned, "I'm not sure why we're sharing this."

"Because I could tell you wanted to snap at me using my whole name. It's the same way my Mam says it when I've done something that annoys her," He said with a wicked smile, "I figure it's useful information to have." He added with a wink, "When you want to yell at me again. Do it properly."

"Cinaed," Hermione said, and the way she said it made his body shiver in response, "It's…beautiful."

"You're making me blush now," Seamus said, ducking his head, "It's just a name." He shrugged.

Hermione looked at him thoughtfully, "I may not have been born into the Wizarding world, but the one thing I do know is that a name is rarely ever just a name. And, it's quite…an honor to know a full one. So, thank you."

Seamus shrugged, "You'll keep it safe," He said, without a doubt.

Hermione got up, but before she left, she tapped his shoulder.

"Jean. If I'm to know your whole name, you deserve to know mine. Hermione Jean Granger."

Seamus held out his hand, "Nice to formally meet yeh, then."

Hermione, humoring him, shook his hand.

Seamus felt a spark of energy burst the moment their skin touched.

XXX

By the next day, the word was out that Krim had asked someone and that someone had turned him down.

No one knew who he had asked, nor did they know why this 'obviously insane' girl had said' no'.

Though no one was guessing it was Hermione, nor was anyone guessing Seamus was her date, it still made Seamus grin.

Just a little.

XXX

The last Friday of the term was filled with anxious excitement. No one could focus, and all anyone was talking about was the dance.

Flitwick let them just goof off in class because they were so out of focus. Seamus had gotten his dress robes shipped from his Mum just in time, though he refused to tell her who his date was.

She'd never let him live it down. Not just because it was Hermione…any bird, really, would have caused his mother to act the same.

It's like she'd lost her bleeding mind! She'd sent a long tearful and embarrassing letter about how her baby was growing up and reminded him how to cast a contraceptive spell. Suffice it to say, Seamus had been mortified.

But, because it was Hermione, he felt like she'd be particularly annoying. Everyone knew who Hermione Granger was, and his mother was no exception.

It was easier to just...conveniently forget to write her. He was busy, what with the dance just days away, so she couldn't be upset about his lack of owls, right?

That Friday, Seamus was working on a Potions assignment in study hall, one he hadn't quite perfected.

"I think you're adding too much lethe juice," Dean said, leaning over.

"Blimey, you're right," Seamus groaned.

He scrapped his cauldron and began again.

He was so sure that this time it would work and then…

Boom!

A puff of fire exploded up.

Across the chairs, Zacharias Smith jumped, like he was having war flashbacks.

Smith hadn't managed to snag any date, which Seamus thought was just desserts. His skin had peeled horribly from his sunburn and he still didn't have eyebrows. Not exactly a looker.

All purely cosmetic, Hannah had confided in him. No lasting injuries. By January, he'd be back to his annoyingly ugly self, without the interference of anyone.

Damn shame that was.

"Wonder where his three Beauxbaton girls are now?" Lavender had sniggered when, yesterday, he was begging anyone free to be his date.

Just as Seamus was re-setting up his cauldron, he saw Hermione leave the Great Hall in a flourish of robes, almost running out.

"I need to go," He muttered to Dean, despite his objections, "Just…bag up my stuff!" He said.

As the dance grew nearer, Seamus found himself increasingly aware of where Hermione was at all times. He couldn't help but always look her way, waiting for her to turn. And, sometimes she did, and would send him a quiet, almost secretive smile.

It made his whole day.

"What about your assignment? It's due tonight!" Dean whispered after him, not wanting to invoke Snape's cuffing for speaking loudly.

Seamus was already out of reach, though.

"Hermione!"

She was at the Front Staircase. She turned, and he caught a glimmer of light on her cheeks. Using the back of her hand, she quickly wiped her eyes, sniffling.

"You should finish your assignment. I saw it explode on itself. You did half a gram too much of crushed moonstone," She advised. Seamus crossed his arms, shaking his head.

"Hermione, I don't care about the bloody assignment. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," She said shortly, putting back up the walls from a month ago, as all their careful efforts had just collapsed in on themselves, "Really…go back in, Seamus."

"I won't, He said stubbornly, blocking her path, "Until you tell me what happened."

"I'm just going to go back to the Common Room-,"

"And I'll follow," Seamus said, "Something upset you. You can talk to me. We're…" He paused, trying to figure out the right word, "Friends. Just tell me whose eyebrows I need to set on fire."

Hermione's lips twitched into a near smile, "None of that, Seamus," She shook her head, "And I wouldn't admit that out loud…Smith is out for blood." Her smile dropped, "It's stupid, really. I shouldn't even be upset."

Seamus just motioned for her to continue, a slight incline of his head.

"It's…Ron." Hermione shook her head, "I don't know why I let him get under my skin, but urg! He's so…dense!"

"Oh, no. What now?" Seamus groaned. Ron was not known for having good emotional empathy. He was harmless, mostly, but Hermione wouldn't be the first girl he unintentionally insulted.

"He and Harry still don't have dates. Ron turned to me and said, 'Wait, you're a girl'," Hermione began, and Seamus winced. If anyone else was telling the story with a different tone, he may have burst out laughing. But right now, Seamus was merely blown away by such a dense question.

"Great Godrick, he didn't?"

"He did," Hermione sighed, "And after the insult of that wore off…" She shook her head, "I know I don't do my hair or wear dresses or paint my nails, but I'm not…I'm not a mountain troll or a gnome!"

"Ignore him," Seamus pressed, "He's just Ron. Of course, you're not any of those things, Hermione. You'd have to be blind not to notice you."

"Well, after finally realizing it, he asked if I wanted to go to the ball with him. He made the assumption that no one would have asked me, and phrased it like he was doing me some big favor," She said, face red, "And when I told him I had a date, he laughed. Like it was the most…absurd thought in the world."

"Oh, luv," Seamus sighed, "I'm sorry. He's an absolute dunce. We both know that."

"So why am I crying?" Hermione asked, lip quivering.

Seamus moved without thinking, pulling Hermione into a hug. She stiffened, and at first, Seamus was sure he'd made a grand mistake, until she relaxed into his hug. She pressed her nose into his shoulder, inhaling.

"Because he's meant to be your friend. And friends shouldn't tear friends down. What he said was uncalled for."

Hermione remained within his embrace, if anything, snuggling herself tighter into his grip, pressing her cheek against his chest where he was sure she could hear his heart rapidly fluttering.

"You smell like a campfire," She mumbled, "It reminds me of summer holidays with my parents."

"Dean says I smell like burnt plastic. I like yours better," Seamus said, "C'mon, let's go back to the tower."

"Your assignment…don't fail on behalf of me, Seamus."

"Oh, lass, I'm going to fail on behalf of myself," He shook his head, "No interference from you required."

Hermione laughed.

"That's horrible, Seamus. Really." She rolled her eyes, "You should give more of a care to Potions."

"Snape hates my guts anyway. One missing assignment in the grand scheme of things won't break me. Swear it."

"Okay," Hermione sniffled, wiping under her nose with her sleeve. She seemed so broken, so little. Seamus hated how Ron had reduced her from all her roar to a tiny kitten shivering against the chill.

He wouldn't stand for that.

"Play me in a round of chess back in the room?" Seamus asked, "And absolutely crush my spirits and teach me a thing or two about proper game theory?"

Hermioen's eyes sparkled, the offer too good to pass up, "If you insist."