Hermione felt like she had stumbled into a dream.

Who would have thought that the date of her dreams would be…Seamus Finnegan?

After the whole affair with Smith, she had been sure she would have to ask someone herself, or just cut early and not go at all. Besides, there were plenty of other things to be doing besides going to a silly dance, right?

All morning she'd tried to convince herself that something as frivolous as a dance could hardly bother her, and she had so many other interests and not having a date shouldn't be seen as a blight, but a badge of honor...if someone were tracking that at all.

Still, as she'd watched her classmates be asked all day, Hermione couldn't help but feel that perhaps she actually wanted that too.

Deep down...didn't everyone want to be wanted?

Enter Seamus.

While originally unsure, his little stunt in Herbology had assured her that he was alright. Better than alright…she was usually the one fixing problems herself or fixing for others, but to have someone do something just to make her feel better? Well, suffice it to say, Hermione was unused to that feeling.

Since then, she'd noticed Seamus more.

And, she'd found herself quite happy with what she was seeing.

Then, to really cinch it, the look on his face when she'd exited the staircase had been…everything. So much so that Hermione didn't even remember Viktor Krum had asked her as well because all she wanted was someone who thought she looked beautiful enough to have that sort of look on his face.

And he was a marvelous date! Attentive, laughed with her (not at her), paid attention, and didn't go off with his mates the first chance he could, and then actually looked excited to go dancing with her.

By the time Seamus offered to get her some punch, both of them sweaty and high on endorphins, Hermione was wondering why she'd never looked his way before.

She stumbled over to the nearest table, finding Harry and Ron at the one right next to it. While Harry hadn't done anything stupid yet- other than being on 'no one's side' (which was just as good as picking Ron's) she decided to try to extend an olive branch to Ron. She sent a forced smile his way.

"Your date looks beautiful," She said. Padma gleamed, but Ron hardly glanced at her.

"I suppose."

Hermione tried again.

"It's hot in here, isn't it? You'd think with the ice it would be cooler," She said, using a hand to fan herself, "Seamu's just gone to get some drinks."

Ron pulled a puckered expression, "Oh, spare me."

Hermione shook her head, "What possibly is wrong with you?" She demanded, crossing her arms. Apparently, Ronald didn't know the meaning of the word 'peace'.

"If you don't know, I'm not going to tell you," Ron replied scathingly. Hermione looked at Harry, who shrugged. Before Hermione could even try to coax him into talking, Ron exploded.

"One of my best mates! You went behind my back and went with Seamus!"

"Behind your back?" Hermione asked, voice chilly, "What are you on about?"

"I think it's treason, you know!" Ron pointed a finger, "It's the 'Bro-Code'. He's no better!"

"Oh, you' can't be serious!" Hermione shrieked, "You're bloody insane, Ron. There is no such thing!"

"Tell her, Harry!" Ron pushed Harry's shoulder, "Tell her!"

"Erm-,"

"See! It's a thing, and Seamus broke it, but you also broke it by accepting it. I've never even seen the two of you talk, Hermione," Ron scoffed.

"So what, you think this is an elaborate prank, just to get to you?" Hermione asked, furious.

"Well, maybe! I mean, c'mon, Hermione. He didn't really ask you. I didn't think you were naive-,"

At this moment, Seamus reappeared with drinks. He read the room immediately, though even a half-blind Hippogriff could have picked up on it. Ron, staring down at the floor with murderous intent; Harry, rubbing the back of his neck and looking like he wished he could vanish; Hermione, face red enough to be mistaken for a tomato; and the Patil Twins, trying to look anywhere but their table.

"Bad timing?" Seamus asked, obviously trying to ease the tension.

"C'mon, Seamus. Let's go," Hermione said, grasping his arm.

"What's wrong?" He asked, breathing quickly as Hermione pulled him as far away as she could, "I keep saying…I have no qualms about punching Ron. Honestly, he probably deserves it."

Seamus touched the edge of his face, and with the glamour spell McGonagall had put on, Hermione had nearly forgotten a nasty bruise lay underneath.

"He's just being stupid, again. I don't know why I try." She shook her head, chugging her punch.

"Because he's your friend, sometimes," Seamus said with a sigh, "When he hasn't woken up on the wrong side of the bed, even I find him enjoyable."

The tone of the music had changed, right as Hermione was finishing her drink. It was now a slow song, and couples were either trying to exit as quickly as they could manage or dragging their boyfriends to the square. Hermione coughed, unsure what to do.

Was she in the former or latter party? Previously, she would have thought the former, absolutely. But just looking at Seamus warmed something in her, and made her heart quicken.

Perhaps it was best they didn't...she wasn't sure her heart could pace so fast, and she was worried she'd give herself a heart attack. She imagined draping herself on his arms, having him close enough where she could smell his cologne and he could smell what she'd spritzed on her hair. She imagined being able to feel his heart beating beneath his robes.

"Do you…want to?" Seamus asked, embarrassed, "I mean, if you don't…that's okay too."

"Do you want to?" Hermione threw the question back at him. She knew that they'd both agreed to go as just school chums, and this seemed a step above that. And she surely wasn't going to force him into some uncomfortable ballad if he wasn't feeling up for it; she could see a couple of dates wishing they were anywhere but, and would never want to be that girl.

Seamus shrugged, scratching the back of his head, but his sea-green eyes never left her.

It was the way he looked at her, she considered. It was so careful, like he was drinking every inch of her in, never quite grasping who she was, so always needing to keep watch. She never felt like anyone else examined her with such curiosity and genuine earnestness before. She had never caught Seamus half-listening, eyes focused elsewhere, in the times they talked. He always made it clear that she was his full focus, and this moment was no different.

"A bit," He admitted after a moment, "I guess I was worried I might seem like a sap if I said so."

Hermione was grateful to have found a date with some communication skills because she knew Ron and Harry rarely had that. If Merlin-forbid, she was with either of them as her dates, the best she could have hoped from asking that question would have been a general groan that would have left her trying to divine the meaning.

"Okay, then," Hermione said, allowing Seamus to take her to the edge of the dance floor, "And you're not a sap."

Seamus shrugged, like perhaps he'd said too much, and they both glanced around to try to figure out the right way to align themselves, stumbling a bit to fall into position. They were stiff for a moment, almost comically proper, until Seamus sighed.

"That's not comfortable for you," He said, before coaxing Hermione in closer, letting her rest her cheek on his shoulder.

Hermione breathed in the whiff of him that she'd become used to recognizing lately; that smokey, dusty smell that reminded her of the best nights of summer break. It was a comfort and settled her anger as she let him sway her to the gentle music.

She'd become at ease with him, she realized with a bit of a jolt. To be here, leaning into Seamus' strong body and not be worried about what others would think or what he was thinking or if she should or shouldn't was nothing short of a miracle. For the girl who overthought everything, she found her mind absolutely silent, just swaying to the rolling notes of the song, letting Seamus gently lead them to and fro.

When the song ended, Hermione was a bit disappointed to have to detach herself. The rhythm picked up immediately, and right as Hermione was about to suggest they sit down, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Mr. Krum…hi…" Seamus said, blinking at the tall figure behind her.

"You can call me Viktor. It is fine," Viktor said in his broken English, "May I steal Hermione away for a dance?" He asked.

Hermione looked back at Seamus, trying to read his face.

"What about your date?" Seamus asked, placing his hand on the small of her back, tensing the fingers.

"We are just friends. She will not mind."

"Well," Seamus scoffed, "I'm not her keeper. Hermione is fully capable of answering the question herself," Seamus said. Hermione realized both boys were looking at her expectantly.

Hermione tilted her head, "I suppose…" She spoke carefully, "A dance between friends wouldn't hurt." She said clearly.

Seamus, to his credit, didn't look upset, "I'll get snacks," He said, "Have fun."

Part of Hermione almost wished that he would stop her, but Seamus detached and let her pass with Krum.

XXX

Seamus, on his way to get snacks, was pulled into not one, not two, but three utterly pointless conversations. By the time he got food in hand and returned, only a scant few people were still dancing slowly in the glittering moonlight, and Hermione was not among them.

Of course, she probably went looking for him; she must have worried he'd died on his way back with how long it took!

"Oi!"

Someone grasped Seamu's shirt and dragged him behind a stone pillar.

"Get yer hands off of me," Seamus said, "Have you seen Hermione?" He asked.

"Lost your date? Already?" Corner asked. He was one of the boys behind the pillar. Justin's hand was still on his shirt and he dropped it at Seamus' glare.

"I wouldn't have if you didn't drag me behind stoneworks," He argued.

"Awe, mate, she probably just went to bed, you know? It's late." Corner said, "And besides…we all deserve a drink."

From behind his back, he produced a bottle of fire whisky.

"Where'd you get that?" Dean gasped, clasping Corner on his back, grinning widely.

"I had few favors. This seemed right to use it," He said with a wink, quietly easing out the cork, "Tonight we went from boys to men. Drink up!" He said, handing the bottle off to Dean.

Dean took a swig and coughed violently, "That burns."

"That's the name, right?" Seamus sniggered. He found the bottle in his hand next, "I shouldn't-."

"Oh, come on," Justin shook his shoulder, "The night was a success! I wouldn't be too worried; no one's gunna get the slip on Granger, right? She's fine."

Seamus grinned, ducking his head. He knew his lass could handle herself quite well.

"Just a bit," He muttered in agreement, being less generous with his drink. He had been sneaking fire whisky off his older brother since was a First Year, but the taste never got better. At least, not straight, without a chaser, "You need a mixer with this," He said, handing the bottle to Justin, who tipped it back, "A fizzy drink, maybe."

"It's more fun this way," Corner said.

They stood behind the pillar for a bit of time, in general merriment, swapping success stories and congratulating each other on not only finding dates but not making complete fools of themselves in front of them.

It was at this time that they were also sharing… conquests.

"-If we hadn't heard Mrs. Norris coming, who knows where we would have gone," Corner groaned, recounting a broom-closet encounter with Albena, "Bugger it all."

"So your hand was-,"

"-Yep, down her skirt."

"Corner!" Dean gaped, "Merlin!" Seamus wasn't sure if he was in awe or disgust.

"Susan and I didn't get that far," Justin said, the tips of his ears pink, "But I would have if she asked. I bet her skin is really soft..." He added, his eyes hazy from the alcohol.

Dean took the bottle again and took a drink before murmuring, "She kissed me. Eloise. With tongue. I feel like a man now."

Seamus blinked in surprise at his friend.

"Good on you," He said genuinely.

"Did her acne scratch your face?" Justin asked seriously.

"No! It was really dreamy," Dean said, "I was surprised by her forwardness! But I enjoyed it."

He realized that everyone was looking at him. He laughed uneasily.

"Nothing to share, boys."

"Is that there wasn't or you don't want to?" Corner asked suspiciously, as though he was bound by law to tell them.

"Both," Seamus said dryly.

"C'mon, Finnegan. We're not going to tell," Corner egged him on, "Every bird and boy here was doing something with someone, right?"

Seamus crossed his arms, face pulling like he'd sucked a lemon, "I'm not that kind of boy to share. We had a fine time, and that's all that I want to say."

When Corner began to protest, Justin held up his hand.

"It's Granger…" Justin said with a roll of his eyes, hiccuping a bit, "I mean, let's be honest…she's not putting out."

Dean saw Seamus lunge before he could reach Justin completely.

"Woah, hey!" Dean snapped, "He's drunk. He's had a bit too much. He doesn't mean it.

"Sure I do," Justin argued behind Corner, who had noticed the danger and shoved him back too, "Does she even know what sex is? I doubt it."

"Keep Hermione's name out of your fucking mouth like that!" Seamus snarled, fighting against Dean, who was much stronger than he remembered. Justin jumped, frightened a bit, and the bottle shattered to the floor.

All four boys froze at the sound. Corner's eyes were wide.

"Shit…seems like that's our cue to go!" He whispered, "Scatter!"

Seamus didn't need to be told twice. He ducked out, running in a totally different direction than anyone else, including Dean. It was past midnight now, and he would be in loads of trouble if he were caught as it was. Plus, if anyone found the bottle and smelled it on his lips…he'd be busted until he graduated!

He looped around the courtyard, scurrying like a mouse in the silence of the halls. He'd never been out this late, and the shadows lengthened on the castle and made shivers run up his spine.

He heard footsteps and ducked behind a large hanging tapestry until he saw a head of familiar messy black hair.

"Wotcher, Harry!"

Harry nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Blimey, Seamus…" He adjusted his glasses, "What are you still doing up? If anyone catches you…"

"The same could be said of you," Seamus said, raising an eyebrow, "After you…" He dramatically flourished his hand in the direction of the Gryffindor common room, "Hey, have you seen Hermione?"

"Last I saw she was saying goodnight to Krum," Harry shrugged, "She seemed…erm, really happy to be going with you."

"Are you kidding? I'm just happy to go with her," Seamus gave a grin, "Luck of the Irish, I suppose."

Harry seemed to see Seamus in a new way at that comment, as though his answer genuinely shocked him. Seamus could only imagine what awful things Ron was muttering about behind his back, the bloody baby.

And speaking of the devil, as they ducked into the common room, they saw Ron first, in the middle of the common room. They heard Hermione next.

Both were scarlet in the face, all the way on opposite ends of the common room, screaming at each other.

"Well if you don't like it, you know what the solution is, don't you?" Hermione said, waving her arms.

"Oh, this can't be good," Harry whispered to Seamus, going stiff. Seamus wasn't sure whether to go to Hermione or go fight Ron again.

"Oh yeah?" Ron yelled back, spittle flying from his mouth.

"Next time there's a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!"

All it took was one look at Hermione's face, trying so hard not to cry, to give him his answer.

"Are you alright, Hermione?" Seamus asked, standing in the space between the two. Hermione wiped her eyes with the pad of her thumb, giving him a watery smile, as though she was just glad to see him. Harry jumped to grab Ron, as though anticipating he'd try to pummel Seamus again.

"Oh, good, you're here too?" Ron groaned, looking around Harry's shoulder.

"I'm here date," Seamus snapped irritably, "Of course I am."

"She doesn't need you," Ron sneered, "Do you?"

"More than I want you around," Hermione replied, eyes still blazing with fire, "Goodnight, Ronald."

She spun on her heels.

"Hermione; wait," Seamus rushed after her. He caught her halfway up the stairs to the girl's room. She had collapsed on the stairs, angrily trying to take her heels off, tears running down her cheeks.

"Sorry I vanished at the end there, Seamus," She whispered, trying to wipe them away, "I thought you'd left me."

"What? Never," Seamus said, leaning as far as he could on the staircase, "I was looking for you."

"Aren't we a pair," Hermione said, grinning slightly.

"Do you…want to come back down?" Seamus asked softly, "I can't follow you up there."

Hermine stood, peering around his shoulder, "Is Ron upstairs?"

"I don't hear him still screaming, so I'd guess so."

Hermione considered it. She didn't come all the way into the common room but came to sit on the last step, where Seamus could sit without it turning into a slide. She wordlessly laid her head on his shoulder.

"I had a good time tonight."

"Until Ron ruined it?"

"No 'buts' or 'untils'. I had a good time tonight separate from the fact that Ron is a pigheaded moron."

Seamus chuckled, "Indeed he is, lass."

Hermione was silent. Seamus was too. He didn't feel the need to say anything.

"Krum asked me out on a date while we were dancing," Hermione said, "He did not want to offend but…he didn't want to assume we were…" Hermione swallowed, "Plenty of people just went as friends, you know?"

Seamus bit the inside of his cheek, "Oh." He tried not to let his disappointment curl deep inside his stomach. Of course, she'd want to go out with a Quidditch star, not someone like him. They'd just gone as old pals to the dance. They'd done each other a solid.

"I wasn't sure what to say," Hermione whispered.

Seamus couldn't look at her, "I mean if you want to, you…you should."

"I should?" Hermione echoed, confused.

"Why not?" Seamus whispered quietly. He felt like he'd been given the Monkey's Paw; you get one of the best nights of your life with an amazing girl, but at midnight, she goes back to being someone else's. What else should he have expected?

"If that's so…" Hermione trailed off, "Perhaps…maybe…"

"He'd be happy. And you probably can't do better than Krum."

That was the last thing Seamus said. He knew he should get up, lick his wounds and pout in his bed, but Hermione's head was still on his shoulder, and he'd be damned to get up before she did.

He tried not to think too much about how she stayed sitting with him for another half hour.

XXX

Because of the Yule Ball, most students did not go home for the Holidays.

It was for the best; Seamus wasn't sure he could take the grilling from his siblings about his Yule Ball date, not when he was feeling so heartbroken and sorry for himself. He could pretend to miss their Owls or say that his owl got terribly lost and ignore it entirely this way and it was for the best. He figured he had until Summer break to find a way to explain that yes, he went with Hermione, but she went for something better later.

Or, how to say it without feeling like a total loser.

Hermione still tried to talk with him, but he now knew she was just being nice.

He heard all about their date in early January because everyone heard about it. Rita Skeeter wrote a whole article about it in excruciating detail, enough to make Seamus want to vomit.

The day the article came out, Seamus pretended to be sick and didn't get up all day, just so he wouldn't have to see the blasted article in all his friend's hands, or see Hermione and Krum being nauseating cute, or reveal how much it hurt him because when he looked at her, it felt like his heart was being ripped clean out.

Everyone had been surprised that Hermione Granger had chosen to go with Seamus to the dance, but hearing that she was dating Viktor Krum? Well, that was basically the best and juiciest gossip all year!

Whenever Dean tried to pry, Seamus would mutter, "I just don't want to talk about it," and that was rather the end of that.

At least Seamus wasn't the only one whose date didn't crash and burn. He knew that Harry and Ron's dates with the Patil twins were less than ideal, mostly because Parvati talked about it all the time. It seemed that he wasn't the only one Anti-Ron these days, because Parvati's time had been horrid enough with Harry, but Padma's time had been nothing short of torture, so of course her twin was with her. And, naturally, Lavender also sided with them. It also wasn't some big surprise that Seamus would be in on this little coven; the bruise lasted long enough to make Seamus pissy. Not that he'd gotten it for a girl that didn't want him in the end (it was never Hermione's fault) but that Ron would have the fucking audacity to punch him anyway!

Albena decided she also just wanted to be friends with Michael, who was grumpy for days after being told. He had been bragging about how he would be a virgin no longer, and apparently, that wasn't happening anytime soon.

Justin and Susan had a big row about something that Seamus thought was really stupid, but they were on the rocks by the second week of January.

Dean was the only one of their little foursome that seemed to be doing just dandy with Eloise, but he wouldn't call them 'dating'.

"Just…enjoying the journey," He explained.

Seamus wished that Lavender had just as shit luck because he would have gone back to her like he unusually did. And he expected it since she only went with Louis to annoy Ron.

Their relationship was a mystery to Seamus. Some days Louis and Lavender were perfectly peachy, other days they seemed at opposite odds with each other.

Seamus just waited, knowing eventually, Lav would come back to him.

It was the last week of January when she did.

Seamus had just watched Krum leave Hermione off at class and suddenly was feeling ill with an unexplainable cough. He made a big enough fuss about it for Flitwick to dismiss him, and he stormed back to the Common Room, yanking his tie off and wondering when it would stop feeling like someone was stomping on his heart whenever he saw them together.

The Common Room was deserted, all students in their classes.

"Sea?"

Foolishly, Seamus had hoped it was Hermione, having noticed him leaving, but his hopes were dashed when he realized it was Lavender.

Wait; it was Lavender. Wasn't that what he wanted?

"Shouldn't you be in Charms?" He asked roughly.

Lavender closed the space between the two of them, throwing her arms dramatically around his shoulders and leaping into his arms, kissing him with the same passion they always had.

"Wait- what about Louis?"

"Who cares about Louis?" Lavender mewled, pushing against him, "Sea...please-," She begged, her fingers unbuttoning his shirt.

"I'm serious, Lav. I'm not a cheater!" Seamus said hotly, shoving her away. Lavender pouted, crossing her arms furiously.

"We had a really big fight, alright? And I think we may have broken up, happy?" She demanded, "Please, Seamus. We always fall back into each other. We can make each other feel good again," She said, finger trailing up his shirt, grasping the white starched button-up and pulling it from where it was tucked into his trousers.

Seamus should have been over the moon. This is exactly what he had desired. It was what he'd hoped. It was what he'd been waiting for.

He grasped Lavender's hair, but all he could wonder was what Hermione's hair would feel like if he were to do this with her.

The thought felt like a sucker punch.

He pulled away, "I'm sorry...Lavender, I can't."

Lavender sighed, examining him, using her finger to clean her lipstick as she stared, "It's about Granger, isn't it? She's not even interested in you."

"I know, but..." Seamus couldn't find the words, "I think that we've outgrown each other, Lavender. I want to be more than an act of revenge or rebound. I want to be a first choice." He said honestly.

"Even if you're not even Hermione's second right now?"

"Yeah, even then," Seamus said with a slow nod, "Maybe you break up with Louis, honest. Maybe you don't. But I don't want to be this with you anymore." He said, motioning between them. He began to re-button his shirt.

"You're really serious, huh?" Lavender asked, entirely stupefied by his actions.

"Maybe that makes me dumb as rocks, huh?"

Lavender's expression was pinched, as she leaned against a chair arm, "I think...I think that makes you mature, Sea. I won't ask again, cross my heart," She said, making an 'x' over her heart, "Only if you come to me."

A sense of finality settled in his bones, "I won't."

Lavender sighed, "I know. But, somewhere, I can still hope." She leaned up, kissing his cheek, "I hope you find all that out there, Seamus. Someone who does pick you first."

Though this had perhaps clarified something for him, it still didn't help Seamus from feeling utterly alone.

All he could think…he'd thought there had been something there, between him and Hermione.

It plagued him as he was falling asleep, or when he saw her in class, or when he spied his dress robes, still needing to be sent back for his Mam to return.

Guess not.

When Valentine's Day rolled around, Seamus wanted to curl under the covers and wake up the day after. He'd never felt such hatred toward the day, because he'd never wanted to legitimately send a girl a Valentine's Day Card so bad, but knew it was a poor idea to do so.

Today marked the first day that he said much of anything to her past what was required in classes, or polite greeting passing on the stairs or hallways.

He saw her at breakfast and his first thought was;

She looks beautiful.

But then his second thought was;

She's not yours.

His ire led him to be cruel; he came up behind her, casting a shadow over the book she was reading with her morning tea. She glanced up, surprised to see him.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Seamus," Hermione whispered quietly, curiously.

"Doing something special with Viktor?" He asked, but couldn't help his jealous edge seep in.

"Why do you care?" Hermione asked, immediately gathering her things, and banging her book closed pointedly. She chugged her tea, slamming it on the table, "You haven't given a concern to me for two months."

"Not my place," Seamus grumbled.

"Then don't ask," Hermione said, brushing past him, with enough force to push him to the side. He stared after her, heart beating fast, wishing that it was him who was making stupid plans to go to Madam Puddifoot's with her, not Krum.

"Oh man," George whistled, "Freddy, was I that dense as a little 4th year?"

"Indubudibly," Fred said.

"What are you talking about?" Seamus asked, finding himself not hungry anymore.

"Oh, nothing…" George shrugged innocently.

Seamus tried to put it out of his mind. The twins were just trying to get a rise out of him.

At the end of the day, he penned Hermione a card, but at the end, couldn't send it.

A Gryffindor couldn't be brave all the time.