Hermione wasn't sure how to tell her parents she was dating someone. She didn't expect they'd disavow it; she was nearly sixteen, for Merlin's sake, and they often made light jests asking if she'd found someone or not, but it was never pushed very far.
But actually dating someone was much different than wondering about the possibility of it.
Her Mum would be hurt that she never mentioned it in her letters home, not that her letters home were filled with much truth. She always wrote enough to satisfy their worries but stopped letting them know exactly what had happened at Hogwarts after her first year. A couple of clever enchantments to make sure letters didn't make it to her parent's doorstep…she shuddered to think how her mum would have reacted to find out she'd been petrified!
It was moments like that Hermione was very grateful that although they loved and accepted their daughter's life, they were very much uninterested in socializing with other muggle parents. There had been invitations, naturally, but they'd declined all of them, always citing that Hermione was enough magic for them.
This meant that…hopefully…they didn't know about Cedric Diggory.
Her parents were pragmatic and less dramatic than other parents, but she couldn't imagine they'd allow her to continue her studies there if they knew what went down at the end of the year.
They'd likely send her to Beauxbatons or Ilvermony, not completely against the idea of magical education, but surely in need of something far safer.
Hermione understood it from their side, but luckily, they didn't know (and never would) so it was a non-issue.
The first day she called Seamus, her heart thudding fast as she wondered if he would even bother picking up on the other end like he might have grown bored of her in the five days since they last parted ways, her parents were both at work so it was easy to hide the hours she spent with Seamus on the phone. She sprawled against a window nook, corded phone in hand, listing to Seamus as he told Hermione, worriedly, about the unwelcome home he'd been greeted with.
"What do you mean your mother doesn't like me?" Hermione squawked in protest when he told her his Ma's reaction, "All adults like me!"
"Well, this might have met your match," Seamus sighed, "Finnegans are a stubborn bunch, Ma more so than others. She's not used to being challenged on anything."
"I could get a ticket for this weekend," She argued, brain already whirling with ideas to fix this, "And show her I'm a proper girlfriend. Not someone to worry about."
"Because showin' up on her doorstep announced would really get the point across," Seamus snorted.
"Well, you could say we just bumped into each other in town. That I was…with a summer school group or something." Hermione said, vibrating at the idea of seeing him again. She never thought she'd be a girl to moan about the distance between her and her beau, but she had grown used to his presence and it was frustrating to want to talk to him, and turn around and have him miles, and miles away.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Seamus whispered uneasily.
"Do you not want to see me? Not want me to see your house?" Hermione asked, feeling stupid. How garish of her to invite herself out there! He must think the worst of her or secretly have lost his affection, and here she was throwing herself at his feet!
"Are you bleeding joking?" Seamus sputtered, "I want to bring ya out here for the whole summer! I want to show you every secret place I hid out as a kid, take you down the best secret trials, and spend my whole summer with you. To think I wouldn't want to…" He laughed on the other end, "Merlin, I do. But we both know it would only make matters worse."
Hermoine deflated, "I suppose."
"Sides, how would you pitch that idea to your parents? By the way, how did they take it?"
"Fine."
Seamus groaned on the other end, "Bugger. You haven't told them? You're not ashamed of me, are yeh?"
"Of course not!" Hermione rushed to assure him now, "We just haven't been in the same room, all three, since I came home. Dentistry is busiest during the summer when all the kids are on their hols."
"Right," Seamus said, but she could tell he didn't believe her completely, "I just think that the best plan is to show my Ma for as stubborn as she can be, I'm far worse."
"So I'm going to be your teenage rebellion?" Hermione asked wryly, chuckling at the idea that she could be that for anyone.
"You're much more than that," Seamus murmured quietly. Hermine softened, sobering her humor.
"I know that," She said, pressing her cheek against the cold plastic, "Any fun plans for the weekend?" She asked, trying to ease them back to some feeling of comfortableness.
"Finn wants to go see Braveheart with me. She thinks she can sneak me in; she knows someone in Muggle London who works at the theater."
"Well, that should be a good time!" Hermione said brightly, "My Da's been wanting to see that one. I've heard him talking about it. I'll let you know if I can see it too, and we'll talk about it after."
"That sounds mint, Hermione, really," Seamus breathed out a sigh of relief, "I'll let you know if there are any other films I think we'd enjoy. I'd love to talk about them with you."
Hermione felt herself blush as she listened to his breathing on the other end of the phone, "Me too."
"Shit! Ma's back early. I'll talk to you later; bye, Hermione!"
"Bye, Se-," Before she could finish, his line went dead.
She sighed, setting the phone back on the hook, willing him to ring back and talk longer.
She found herself staring at the phone at dinner that night, so much so that her father joked, "Waiting on an important call, Hermione?"
She turned, realizing that both her parents were present, as she'd been so caught up thinking of Seamus and Braveheart and traveling to Ireland the whole day their presence had escaped her notice.
She breathed in, figuring it was best to rip it off like a bandaid, "Actually, sort of. I'm waiting for my boyfriend to call me."
She turned to see both her parents frowning, scrutinizing her like she'd just told them it was raining meatballs.
Neither looked upset, just…confused.
"Did I hear you right, dear?" Her mother asked, "Did you say…boyfriend?"
"Yes."
"Well," Her father put down his fork, "That's…quite some news. Is it someone we know?"
"Ron or Harry?" Hermione asked with a chuckle, "No, neither of them."
"Oh," Her mother exchanged glances with her father, "Is he…what….how long…" It seemed she couldn't quite pick a place to start.
"He's in my year," Hermione said casually, and she didn't miss the way both her parents relaxed, as though they thought she would be crazy and tell them it was a seventh year. Though, narrowly, if she'd just gone with Krum and Seamus never asked her, perhaps the conversation would have been more difficult, "Another Gryffindor, actually. We went to the ball together in December, but I suppose we've been really dating since about March."
"Well, crumpet, that's lovely!" Her father said with a wide smile, "Your first boyfriend! Gosh, I'm so old. Jean, we're old, dear."
Her mother seemed to have color back in her cheeks, "Hermione, you must tell me everything! I'm so thrilled for you!"
"Let's see, other than Harry and Ron, there's that Neville chap? The boy with the toad? Is it him?"
"Or Dean, the artist?" Her mother added a guess too.
"Neither. It's Seamus. Seamus Finnigan."
"Oh, the…" Her father coughed, "Irish one?"
Her mother had less tact, "The one who makes things explode? Him?"
"We really connected this year. I just can't really describe it," Hermione said, face growing warm. She somehow had not thought about the third degree of questioning, and very much wished to be excused from this conversation, "And he's really sweet, I swear! He's so kind, and good, and makes me laugh-,"
She broke off, seeing her parents giving her a goofy smile, "What?"
"Oh, darling, we can just tell you're smitten," Her father said, leaning forward to rub her head, "We never thought we'd see the day!"
Her mother elbowed her father, "We didn't think it would be until later," She corrected, "You've always been so focused on studies."
Hermione snorted, "Trust me. I was just as surprised as you."
"So it's serious if you're letting us know?" Her mother asked. Hermione took a moment to consider the question. It came with startling clarity.
"Yes, I'd say we are. I'm very…" She tilted her head, "Interested to see where it goes."
"I'd love to meet him!" Her mother said, genuinely pleased, "Could he perhaps come for tea sometime this summer?"
Hermione sighed, "Doubtful. His Ma's very…protective right now. And it's not easy to get all the way out here just for tea."
"You make good points," Her father said, "Well, I'm sure if it continues to be serious, we'll meet him eventually." Her father said, "Now, tell us about your classes this year, Hermione."
And that was really all the conversation necessary about him.
Occasionally, her mother would ask if she called him that day, but as Seamus' Ma became more and more unreasonable, it became harder to get ahold of him at their planned times. More than once, Hermione's mum answered for Seamus to be asking for Hermione on the other end.
In that sense, Mum and Dad had met Seamus, having the opportunity for brief conversations as they waited for Hermione to thunder down the stairs and take the phone from them.
Whenever she got an Owl from Seamus, her parents knew to leave her alone the rest of the afternoon so she could read his words trice over and craft the perfect response. She saw the hidden smiles behind their teacups, but other than that, they didn't tease her much. She was always a third adult in the home with them instead of a child and two parents.
They asked about him often; they wove Seamus into their everyday conversation. It was never pushy or bothersome, and it seemed like they genuinely wanted to know him. Perhaps they wondered how he caught Hermione's eye? She knew, standing apart from this, that they must seem like an odd couple together, and surely her parents were trying to riddle out in their minds what made him such a good partner for their daughter.
It became so easy to talk about him. It was the easiest thing in the Wizarding World that she could talk about. She realized perhaps this interest in him made sense in that way…while her parents were confused by discussions of charms class or moving pictures, they knew about teenage dating. In fact, stories of her parent's youth were pouring out of them at rapid rates, in an effort to connect with her.
If you ignored that she was a witch and he could burn things when he was thinking too much or too little about it, it almost seemed…normal.
The most 'normal' thing about her life for a yard or two, it seemed.
As the time grew nearer for Hermione to meet back up with Ron and Harry close to the start of the new year, her mother posed a question she hadn't dared to wonder about.
"Will Seamus be joining you three?"
She'd considered it once; a fleeting, selfish thought that maybe Seamus would join them. Then she'd quickly dismissed it as mere fantasy.
"I'm not sure," She admitted, frowning, "If he'd be…invited."
"I just thought, with the way you talk about him, you'd be eager to see him."
Hermione felt herself blush, "I am."
Her mother nodded thoughtfully, seeing something Hermione did not, "Well, could he? Have you tried?"
"Tried…?"
"Inviting him. I know perhaps it's rude of me to invite someone to someone else's house, and maybe other parents would take issue with it, but I doubt Mrs. Weasley is going to let anything happen under her watch."
"Well, that's true," Hermione said, snorting as she recalled the time George had been caught trying to sneak someone in and his Mum had grounded him for a month, even while at Hogwarts, sending Percy to do 'random' check-ins to assure he was staying in line.
He hadn't, naturally, and Hermione could still hear the howler ringing in her ears.
"Or maybe I could try to meet up with Seamus' mum and our families could all spend a few days somewhere together. Or we could all go to Ireland; I have some time off soon, dear."
"I can't bail on Harry and Ron," Hermione groaned, washing, not for the first time, she could really explain what was going on with the state of the wizarding world and Harry and Voldemort and how she really could not - even if she so desperately wanted to say yes to her Mum- skip this vital time with Harry before school began again.
Some things, or rather many things in her life, took a place above boyfriends, something she was coming more loathed to admit.
"I just think that while it's good that you are so loyal to your old friends, I just worry, dear," Her mother continued. Hermione frowned in question, watching her mother pause, "That you aren't taking proper care of your new relationships; not with Seamus, but it seems you've grown closer with Lavender and Parvati too and I'd hate to see you fail when you're stepping out of your comfort zone."
"Well-,"
"Think of how you had to nurture your friendship with Ron and Harry in the beginning, right? It seems natural now, but it wasn't always."
The threat of certain death bound us together pretty nicely, actually.
Instead, Hermione sighed, "I suppose you might be right."
"I've had a lot of life and made a lot of mistakes with boyfriends I wish I could take back. I don't want to see you make the same ones I have." Her mother said wistfully, "And Seamus seems like a good boyfriend. But he has his limits, like everyone."
Will I always play second-fiddle to Harry?
Seamus' question rang through her mind. She swallowed uncomfortably at the memory.
By the time she had finished her tea, it had been decided in her mind…Seamus was going to meet up with her when she went to Harry and Ron's.
She knew this meant…letting him in, in a sense. He'd have to know what was going on. But she trusted him; she didn't think he'd cower or betray them. And while his loyalty wasn't to Harry, it was to Hermione, and shouldn't that be enough? Because Hermione was on Harry's side, 100%.
She knew that every problem had a solution, even a tough one like this that begged the question of how she'd convince a bunch of adults that Seamus was worthy.
It just was a matter of confiding in the right person…
In Hermioen's mind, she began to brainstorm.
XXX
Getting Seamus included would be difficult, Hermione knew, but she didn't imagine it would be like this .
Mrs. Weasley had brought him up first; as soon as Hermione had dropped her bags in the long, dusty hallway, the Weasley matriarch had scuttled out.
"I hear you're dating someone, Hermione!" She crooned, "I'm just so thrilled for you!"
Hermione had given Ron a furious look, but he'd only straightened his shoulders under her glare.
"Trust me. I'm not talking him up at all to Mum."
"It was me, sorry!" Ginny said, coming to hug Hermione around her waist, "I'm just so happy for you, you know!"
"Right, no worry, Gin," Hermione said, glancing uneasily at Mrs. Weasley, "And you think this is…good?"
"I think it's fantastic!" She said enthusiastically, and Hermione wondered what her thought process was. She was too jaded to think any adult other than her own parents would be so thrilled without another reason.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about him. Well, not you. Maybe Lupin." Hermione said, trying not to shiver under the gaze, and let her worries have the plan fall through.
"Talk to me about what, Ms. Granger?" Lupin asked, popping his head out of the dining room. Hermione detached from her friends, taking three steps into the space to see quite the array of adults busy at work; Mad-Eye, Kingsley, Lupin, Sirius, and Mr. Weasley to name a few.
"Well, I wanted to talk about possibly bringing Seamus here at the end of the summer."
"Oh," Mrs. Weasley laughed at the notion as though it was absurd, "Young love. Do you remember those days, Remus?" And then, before she could protest, "Dear, I just think that perhaps you don't realize what it is you are asking."
"I entirely do." Hermione said firmly, but she spoke to Professor Lupin, acutely aware of the interest of everyone else piqued in her direction, "I want to be able to tell him things. I know we can trust him; he's a good man, and he wouldn't do anything to hurt Harry or the cause."
"That's more of an ask than we can afford, Hermione," Mrs. Weasley said, her expression darkening, "Now, why don't you go upstairs with Ginny-,"
"I have no intention of breaking up with Seamus, and he's not dumb. He'll figure it out eventually being around me."
"Now, just wait-," Lupin said, rubbing his chin, "Perhaps this is worth a discussion."
But it wasn't just a discussion. Merlin, Hermione was sure that getting into MI6 was a far easier task than what she was asking for Seamus! For days, the entire Order dissected every comment, every memory of him from anyone who had ever had a passing conversation with him. They asked Harry (who gave mildly glowing comments, as best as she could hope), Ron (who didn't torpedo it like Hermione thought he would, which was quite unexpected), Ginny, and the twins and picked their brains for hours.
Hermione sat on the chair outside of the dining room each day eagerly and anxiously.
Now that she'd begged the question... if they deemed he was not worthy…well, she'd forced her own hand. They wouldn't want her to date him if they couldn't trust him, now that she'd made it clear her intentions of the situation.
And if they didn't…?
Well, Hermione shuddered to think.
She did not want to go down that rabbit hole, not yet.
Finally, Lupin appeared.
"Can he meet me in Diagon Alley on the 23rd?"
Hermoine beamed, "I'll make it happen."
XXX
"She's completely mental."
"I heard that, Ron," Hermione said, eyes fixated on the door, but refused to turn.
"Have you ever seen her like this? I think her brain is broken," Ron continued, whispering to Harry, "I mean, should we call a doctor-,"
"She's in love, Ron. You wouldn't know the feeling," Ginny said, passing by.
"Kill me now," Ron moaned, "Don't start talking about Corner. I might barf."
The door clicked open at exactly 2 pm. Hermione only had to see a dash of sandy blond hair before she was bowling through Lupin to get to Seamus, hugging him so tightly that he stumbled a bit on the steps.
"Hello to you too," Seamus said, hugging her back, and pressing his cheek against her hair.
"Have you gotten taller?" She asked, examining him, "I think you have."
Lupin pushed the pair inside the best he could to close the door. Mrs. Weasley appeared from the kitchen.
"Ah, Seamus! Lovely to see you. So happy that you could join us. You peckish? I have some tea on."
Seamus gave Hermione a strange look who sighed, rolling her eyes. Mrs. Weasley seemed to think that Seamus was a perfect match for her, and she mostly ignored the implications of whatever that meant. Whenever they were alone, Mrs. Wealey just crowed about him, which Hermione was for sure finding more than a little bit odd.
"Sure. Erm…where are we?" He asked, looking around.
"Come sit down," Lupin said, "We have a lot to talk about. I would tell you that this is top secret, but, alas, we're going to have to do an Unbreakable Vow anyway, so it's a moot point, huh?" He said with little humor.
"Err…okay?"
"It's not scary. I promise. I vouched for you." Hermione said, squeezing his hand, "C'mon, let's explain it all."
XXX
Three hours later, Seamus was still running it all through his mind.
"So Sirius is-,"
"Alive."
"And Dumbledore has-,"
"A volunteer group, housed here."
"Harry's-,"
"Telling the truth."
"Yeah, I figured that, sort of," Seamus groaned, rubbing his temples, "I mean, you believe him, and you're generally of sound thought, Hermione."
"Thanks," Hermione teased, "What kind words."
"You know what I mean," Seamus said, wincing, "It's just… a lot."
"Sorry," Hermione said, startling him, "I guess I just wanted you here. I didn't think what it might…mean…you never asked to take this on. I guess it should have been more of a mutual conversation."
"No, no," Seamus shook his head, "I'm glad to be here. With you. To be trusted with this. It's just…well, staggering."
Hermione grasped his hand, "I know that you can handle it." She squeezed it gently.
Seamus smiled, leaning down. He was just about to kiss her when he heard a grunt from the doorframe. He looked up to see Ginny shaking her head, and two seconds later, Ron blustered in, as though trying to catch them in something.
"Hi, Ron."
"Seamus." Ron responded cordially, shuffling his feet, "Erm…glad you could come."
He seemed to feel the exact opposite of his words.
Seamus would be busy most of the time, doing odd jobs in Grimmauld Palace for Mrs. Weasley, helping with tasks here and there. He was sleeping with the boys, not that he thought he'd be so lucky to be in Hermione's room, and he was kept in line by watchful eyes.
He couldn't wait to get to Hogwarts and be out of the scrutiny of so many adults. He was a bloody teenager that was full of hormones, for Merlin's sake!
He wasn't sure Hermione felt the same way until her hand would linger on his when she passed him dishes at dinner for just a bit too long, or he'd catch her staring his way with a peculiar look like she was unraveling him with just her eyes.
It was perhaps worse that they both wanted it but could do nothing to remedy that.
There was only one moment they grasped; all the adults were busy with various Order members that came and went, Ron was showering, Harry was napping, and Ginny made herself scarce as soon as she realized the position they were in, deciding now would be a perfect moment to write her new amour, Michael Corner.
"Want to play some chess?" Hermione asked, motioning to the study.
"Yeah…yeah," Seamus said, but as soon as they entered the hallway, turning the corner out of sight of the main walkway, Hermione pulled herself up to kiss him.
Whether or not it was intended, the one kiss turned into two, three, and four.
Seamus pressed her against the peeling wallpaper, biting her bottom lip gently, eliciting a quiet moan from her. Her hands clawed on his back, untucking her shirt, pressing her palms to his skin, and tugging him closer.
It wasn't until they heard footsteps in the hall showing someone to the door that Hermione managed to tear herself away, panting and cheeks flushed.
Even though Seamus wanted a repeat, that memory would keep him quite satisfied, and he'd replay it whenever he thought his sanity was slipping, just a bit.
"Wow," Seamus whispered, rubbing the back of his neck, "That was…nice."
"I hope more than nice," Hermione said, suddenly shy, but bold at the same time, as she glanced up at him through half-lidded eyes.
Seamus, riding on the high of that moment, could only laugh.
"Of course, Hermione. I was being dumb; It was pretty darn fantastic."
XXX
Their book lists came the day before Hogwarts started up again, late, just as Seamus had thought.
That teacher his mother was so pleased about had been appointed, and he was sure this was buttering her case to let him stay the entire year.
The letters came with Prefect badges; if you were so lucky.
Hermione opened hers and let out a squeal, the badge falling into her palm.
"Oh, I'm a prefect! I got it, Seamus!" She jumped, "Put it on me!" She begged.
"I knew you were a shoo-in, Hermione," Seamus said with a grin, "Obviously." Neither he nor Dean would win money on this; they both guessed Hermione. Who else was going to take the mantle? Lavender? Parvati? No, Hermione was the most obvious choice.
Ron slammed the door, Harry opening it a moment later with their letters.
"Oh, of course, you got it," Ron said, spying Hermione's badge, rolling his eyes with a humorous smile.
"What about you, Harry?" Hermione asked, ignoring Ron completely. Harry shook his letter.
"Nothing. Ron neither."
"Well, I mean, Ron wouldn't…" Hermione stopped herself before saying something unkind, "Really, Harry?" She checked again, upending his envelope.
"Shit," Seamus snorted, "Maybe Dean really did get it." He whispered to himself until he realized that his envelope felt heavier than it ought. Confused as hell, he opened it to find the second Prefect badge there, so innocently.
"There must be a mistake…" He said, and this caught everyone's attention.
"You?" Ron demanded, "You're right! There must be!" He said.
"Hey, now," Seamus said, warningly.
"Oh Seamus! I can't believe it!" Hermione was over the moon, "Look at this!"
"Why did you get it? Why would Dumbledore choose…you…" Harry seemed mystified too, which did wonders for Seamus' self-esteem.
"It was McGonagall, actually. She included a letter to us," Hermione corrected, sending a murderous glance at Harry. Ron's saltiness they could predict, but it seemed Hermione was furious that Harry had responded so inappropriately, "See?" She shoved a missile into Seamus' hands.
"Well, read it out loud, then. Don't keep us all in suspense!" Ron snorted but tried to crane over Seamus' shoulder to read the contents.
"Oi, away," Seamus said, taking two steps back. He inhaled, breaking the seal on the letter, and crinkling it flat. It wasn't flowery or very long at all...not that he thought McGonagall the sort.
Dear Mr. Finnigan,
You have shown great promise and a strong take on what is right over the last year. I have seen you change and blossom into someone who cares and stands up for what is right. I ask that you consider the invitation to become a Gryffindor prefect this year.
Regards,
Minerva McGonagall
"Blimey…" Seamus said, "It's true, huh?"
"You're not going to accept, will you?" Ron asked, sour-faced, "He can't!"
"Why not, Ron?"
"He's dating you, for one! That's gotta be…somewhere…that's has to…" He scratched his head, "And c'mon, Seamus? Must be a joke."
"Shut up, Ron," Seamus threw him the bird.
"See! Unfit!"
"What's all this yelling about?" Fred and George asked, popping in, "Ah! Prefects! Good on you, Hermione. Where's yours, Harry?"
"Erm…I…don't. I didn't get it. Seamus does."
Fred and George swung their heads around. They weren't as mean as Ron, just stared, rubbing their chins.
"Huh." George said, "Look at that."
"Peculiar," Fred agreed, "Downright unexpected."
They both looked at each other, sharing an invisible conversation before coming over, and clapping Seamus on the shoulder.
"Great job, mate."
"You'll do swell, pal!" George finished as they clipped the badge to him, wheeling him into the kitchen, "Time to celebrate, Mum! We have two prefects in the house!"
XXX
Seamus couldn't sleep that night. He found himself drawn to the kitchen late at night, standing by the sink, arms on the counter, staring at the Prefect badges that glinted in the moonlight.
"You alright?"
Seamus nearly jumped out of his skin, turning to see Lupin in a ragged cardigan, turning on a small lamp so there was just the barest hint of illumination that crossed the way between them.
"Yeah. Just…" Seamus trailed off, unable to answer.
He was thinking of Mum and how she'd be so upset with him if she knew where he was right now, but how she'd be overjoyed to hear he was a Prefect. Naturally, he'd tell her when he got to Hogwarts, but he wished they weren't arguing so much, so he could tell her the news right away. For all their fighting, he loved his family, and this tension was eating away at him.
He'd be the first of his family to be given such an honor.
Other thoughts troubled him too; the whole affair of this; Cedric's death, Harry's smear campaign, and Voldemort's return. It had started as a slight concern upon arrival that grew like a lump in his stomach until he couldn't bear it, leading to a restless lack of sleep.
"Hot chocolate?" Lupiin offered, "I find it soothes fears."
Seamus nodded slowly. He'd liked Lupin; he thought he was the best Defense teacher they'd had yet. It was still odd to him that he was rubbing elbows with teachers in such proximity, and he was a bit taken aback by how easily Ron, Harry, and Hermione were taking it on.
"Now, what's really bothering you?"
Seamus looked down at his badge, "Why me?" He asked, "I know only McGonagall can really know, but why do you think?" He asked, "I mean, I'm nobody. I'm just Seamus. Harry's faced death. Ron's a chess master. And Hermione is bloody Hermione…" He rubbed his neck, "I just blow things up on accident. And more than that!" He was on a roll now, his fears spilling out of him, "The fact that you all trust me with all this?" He waved around Grimmauld Place, "Absolutely bonkers! I just…"
He caught Lupin's gaze, his kind smile, and all Seamus could think was; werewolf.
And then he thought of Sirius; not a mass murderer, friendly dog, Harry's godfather.
Or Moody; actually a professor. Polyjuice last year. Stolen identity. Met for the first time days ago, not last year.
It all threatened to spill out of him if it could, but lately, he was wondering why he was even here.
"Ah," Lupin said, raising an eyebrow, "Well…" He sipped his hot mug, sliding one over to Seamus, "I rather think that's part of the point?" He asked, "That you are just…the grounding reason."
Seamus was silent, confused as Lupin continued, "When the war came for us, Harry's dad and my friends…we were adults, you know? By the time anything happened, we were long past Hogwarts days. We would have never imagined what was coming for us in fifth year! When we were your age, I think I was obsessed over my O. . James was dating Marlene in an attempt to get over Lily, not that he ever did…hmm, Sirius was trying to get with two girls from every house by Christmas hols and Peter was absolutely sure he was going to get on the Quidditch team. All normal fears."
Lupin looked down the darkened hallway, "Harry, Ron, and Hermione have not known a true moment of peace since the day they all befriended each other. It's normal to them. It shouldn't be. I think that perhaps some of the adults are realizing the weight upon their shoulders, even if we don't mean to. And we want to foster that…that sense of…childhood."
"With all due respect, I'm not sure what childhood is left for 'em." Seamus snorted.
"True, but seeing Hermione care about what her boyfriend thinks shows me that there is still hope. We cannot erase the past, but we can try better for tomorrow. When she asked for you to come, of course, everyone thought it crazy, but frankly, that's what teenagers do. They bring their boyfriends to their houses and have them meet their friends. To deprive Hermione - or Ron or Harry if they were dating someone - that teenage experience would be a great disservice and a failing on all of our parts. True, your presence came with more pomp and circumstance than it would in a different universe, but it was very important to me that she be allowed to invite you, and you be welcome to come."
"So I'm the token normie?" Seamus asked dryly, "What an honor."
"It is." Lupin insisted, "You remind us all how young you all truly are. I think we're so used to seeing them as grownups, that sometimes…we all need a good kick to the head. You're so…" Lupin sighed, his face pained, "Young."
"So I'm here to stop Hermione if I think something suspicious? To be the voice of normality as things get weird?"
"That may be my guess. And, from what I've heard, you care about fairness and you aren't afraid to stand up for it. You're the sort of role model young Gryffindors ought to look up to." Lupin patted his shoulder, "I've enjoyed your company here, Seamus. I hope this all doesn't scare you off."
"No sir," Seamus replied, though he wasn't sure he believed his own words.
Lupin seemed to understand this, "Goodnight. Oh…" He added at the threshold, "Call your Mother tomorrow. She loves you."
Seamus frowned, "How'd you know-,"
Lupin's smile was almost alarming now. Seamus wondered if Dumbledore was watching everything and if perhaps that now meant him too. He wondered if they all knew his mother's idiotic view on things, and he was on a watchlist, just in case.
He finished his drink, crawled into the twin bed he'd been given with Ron snoring away across the way and Harry muttering in his sleep, and prayed that Hogwarts would be better this year.
A murder was pretty much the lowest point you could go, right?
Right?
XXX
The platform for Hogwarts was always busting with noise and calamity. You'd think that a train that departed the same time every year wouldn't cause such a fuss, but it's like everyone collectively forgot about the year before and every year back when September 1st came around again.
Seamus and the whole brood from Grimmauld Place (Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and Ginny), along with Mrs. Weasley and Sirus (dog) snaked through the crowds with their luggage.
Seamus wished it could be as carefree as other years. He knew they had more than one tail on them, for Harry's safety, but the uncomfortable feeling that he didn't quite deserve to be grouped with these people hadn't gone away still.
The only thing that made it better was Hermione's fingers grasped tightly in his, tugging him through the crowd.
The twins vanished first, greeting Lee. Seamus snorted as he spotted Lee in conversation with Parvati, who was blushing and twirling her hair.
"What's that?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing. Just something Dean told me."
"Speak of the devil…"
Seamus spun to see Dean with his luggage cart, beaming.
"Hullo, Dean!" Hermione welcomed with a warm smile, "Hope you had a good holiday."
"Perfectly swell," Dean said, "Did you take care of Seamus?"
She squeezed his fingers, "I sure tried."
They tried to talk more, but Molly Weasly was sure they were seconds away from missing the train, and she more or less shoved everyone to the platform like a bulldozer. Seamus helped Hermione hand off her luggage, and it seemed the Weasley matriarch wasn't too far off. Just minutes after boarding, the train whistled to signal its departure, and Seamus felt like maybe he'd gotten away with his gambit to see Hermione, and his mother would never be the wiser.
Or…he'd go back for Christmas and be grounded until he was thirty.
He snuck a glance at Hermione.
Worth it.
Dean cleared his throat, taking out their betting sheet, "So I think we both can call it a draw for Malfoy; we knew it would be him, we just didn't want to believe it. He was strutting around like he owns the whole damn castle, showing off his badge." Dean said, crossing out an entry, "Neither of us got Parkinson, though, ugg. Can you believe it? Terrible choice. Don't know what Snape's smoking." He glanced up, "Course Hermione got it, but we knew that," He said.
"What are you doing, Dean?" Hermione asked, tilting her head.
"Oh, Sea and I made bets about who would make prefect. There's money involved. I take it very seriously," Dean said as they loitered in the halls, "Let's see, we might have to do some digging on the train. But I know you got Anthony for Ravenclaw and I got Hannah for Hufflepuff so we're basically even right now. Hey, by the way, do you know who got the male Gryffindor? I just saw Neville and he says it's not him, and I swear it's not me."
Hermione laughed but tried to hide it with a fake sneeze.
"It's Harry, ain't it?" Dean said, "I knew it…I knew I should have…"
Seamus found the badge in his robe pocket, his fingers grasping the metal edges, "Well…" Seamus pulled it out, holding it to Dean, "Er…surprise?"
Dean gaped at him, "What? No way, mate! You're pulling my leg!"
"He's not," Hermione said, proud as ever. Seamus liked hearing her warmth when she talked about him, "I swear it, it's him! On my life."
Dean touched it like he thought it was perhaps going to wriggle, as though it could be sentient.
"Great cor…" He whispered, snapping his face to Seamus, "You're important now!"
"Wow, gee, thanks."
"No, fuck, I mean…" Dean swallowed, "You have power! Like…power-power."
Seamus clipped the badge on, "I know."
"Do you?" Dean's voice pitched, "Do you really?"
"We should be going anyway…" Hermione said, speaking more to Ron, Ginny, and Harry who were looking at her expectantly, "Seamus and I have to go to the Prefect's train…I mean, maybe we don't have to stay the whole time."
"It's fine. Leave us for your better friends. Whatever." Ron rolled his eyes, no hint of a joke. Harry hit his side.
"We're really proud of you both," He said, though he spoke more to Hermione, "Want to sit with us, Dean?"
"Guess I'm not one of the cool kids now, so sure," Dean chuckled.
"Shut up," Seamus groaned, rubbing his face.
Dean smirked, "Yes sir, Mr. Prefect, sir." At the expression on Seamus' face, Dean laughed out loud, "Oh man. This year is gunna be so much fun."
XXX
Hermione sat in the Prefect's carriage, squished between Hannah and Pansy. She was leaning heavily onto Hannah, refusing even to brush a hair with Pansy. It seemed the odious Slytherin girl didn't want to be near her either, pressing herself as much against the wooden paneling as she could.
Hermione did have to hand it to her; it seemed Pansy had picked up some glamour skills over the summer, or at the very least, was dressing in a sense that wasn't so childish and offputting and, if Hermione cared more about fashion, she would think it looked very good on her.
She still was acting like a right arse, though.
The Hogwarts train chugged along, squeaking over the tracks.
The boys and girls were separated on each side of the train, in a carriage that was larger than usual and filled with plush chairs and pumpkin juice.
Hermione's grip on her cup was firm.
The Head Boy, Gryffindor Adam Pickering, was talking animatedly. She'd never paid much attention to him before this, but the only thing she could think as he used sweeping hand gestures was that he was…spirited. Even for her.
The Head Girl, a Ravenclaw, was Daisy Corran. Despite the fact that her name may have one thinking she was small, cute, and delicate, she was intimidating and made Hermione feel like all of her past transgressions would be magically and immediately seen.
The other years of Prefects were sitting on chairs ahead of them, nudging each other, having made bonds the years previously to become comfortable with each other.
Though usually, Hermione was one to always listen with rapture, especially as rules were being given out, she was distracted.
Seamus was sitting on a chair across the way from her, and though she knew sitting wasn't unlawful in any way, it should be. How was she meant to focus like this when he was capturing her every thought?
It was casual but relaxed. She drew her eyes up to his face where he was listening to Adam, rubbing his chin, chewing on the edge of his lip, head tilted ever so slightly. Something about how seriously he was taking this, not slouched and distracted, made Hermione want him even more.
His other hand thrummed on the seat next to him, and she flickered to look down, thinking about the way those palms had grasped and held her the last time they kissed.
She inhaled hard, trying to hide her breath, and looked back up. He glanced over, just for a moment, and Hermione was bowled over by how intimate a shared glance held a moment past expected norms could be.
She pressed her thighs together.
She'd always been far too focused on her studies and Harry to think about boys, and Seamus coming into her life had been a happy accident. Whenever Lavender whispered naughty things about what Louis and she had done, Hermione had always thought her crazy, or obsessed.
But now?
She clenched her fingers into her palms, trying to recenter herself.
She was a Prefect; she could not allow herself to be taken off task by anyone, much less her boyfriend!
When she opened her eyes, Pansy was smirking at her, knowingly.
"-We'll have a more formal meeting when we get to Hogwarts, but we just wanted to say 'hi' to everyone!" Adam was finishing up, "So, your starting task, for those new Prefects, will be roaming the carriage halls and making sure everyone stays safe. New prefects, 5th years, will take the 1st and 2nd year corridors. 6th years - you'll take the third and fourth years. 7th years, you get the fifth and sixth years, and Daisy and I will take the 7th years."
"We have about eight hours left," Daisy checked the time, "So each pair will have a two-hour shift. Last year we really came together as a school and joined as one big house, instead of four, and Adam and I agree we should continue this momentum. So, all of you will be paired with someone in another house from your year for your patrol, and we'll regularly switch this up during the year."
Everyone groaned.
Seamus pouted too.
Hermione was secretly a bit glad; she would have to figure out how to get her attraction to Seamus under strict control, or else she would never be able to do this job!
However, a moment later, when Daisy pulled her name out with Pansy's, Hermione wanted to eat her words.
Seamus, paired with Hannah, gave her an apologetic look.
"You two are on first guard," Adam said, and then realizing it was a Slytherin and Gryffindor, groaned, "Please remember you are Prefects and are meant to set a higher example. Don't kill each other."
Seamus slipped out along with the rest, going towards the higher-year cabins with a little wave.
As Pansy and Hermione made their way to the younger carriages, it was silent. Pansy and Hermione stood next to each other, a united presence, but didn't talk. Or, at least, Hermione did not attempt to, until Pansy spoke to her forty-five minutes in.
"You and Seamus, huh?"
"Why do you care?" Hermione said as she shooed a group of second-years back into their carriage instead of sitting in the hallway.
"Just surprised, I suppose. It's going well."
It wasn't a question.
"You a master of relationships, then?"
Pansy smirked, "I know what it looks like when a girl wants to-,"
"Shh!" Hermione felt her face grow red, "Young ears!"
"I'm not dumb, Granger. I wasn't going to say anything too…" She was grinning, "Spicy."
"There is no spice."
Pansy sucked in, "Youch. That's unfortunate, truly."
"That's not…" Hermione rubbed her temples, "What I meant." She muttered quietly.
"I sure hope not! Even I wouldn't wish that on you." Pansy confiscated a firecracker from a first year trying to impress his friends. Hermione was pleased to see her taking this semi-seriously, and not just looking the other way at every infraction. Though, Pansy probably liked being in control. "I wonder if it was on purpose."
"What was?"
"The coupling." Pansy said, and at Hermione's face, she sighed, "Oh, come on, seriously? I noticed and you didn't? You and Seamus, me and Draco, and Hannah and Ernie. I bet you ten galleons that Padma and Anthony have knocked boots. No, wait, you probably can't afford that. Two galleons?"
"I'm not gambling," Hermione said sternly, trying to swallow her embarrassment. It was a strange coincidence indeed, and she felt foolish for missing it.
"Really, that poor?" Pansy chuckled, "Okay, a sickle?"
"I have enough," Hermione snapped, "I just don't want to play this game."
Pansy huffed, "You're no fun."
"This isn't supposed to be fun," Hermione said icily, "We don't…like each other." She reminded in a low, cold voice.
"I'm just making conversation," Pansy crossed her arms, scowling, "You don't have to be such a stuck-up. Odds dictate we'll have more nights patrolling together. Should we braid each other's hair and swap makeup? Merlin no! I mean, you're not dull, but you're annoyingly opinionated. And I don't need more friends."
"Wow, you're really selling this opportunity," Hermione said sarcastically, "You've been awful to me literally since day one."
"You tell anyone I talked to you other than mocking and I will make you regret it, for sure," Pansy narrowed her eyes, "I still don't like you. I just like boredom less."
They stood in silence together, watching the carriages for a while.
"Is he a good kisser?"
Hermione sucked in frustration, staying silent, at least until they were starting back toward their carriages at the end of their two hours.
As Pansy was unlocking the doors between, Hermione laughed slightly. She thought of that kiss in the hallway of Grimmauld, the one that still made her weak at the knees.
"Bloody brilliant," She whispered, and though the question had been hours ago, Pansy understood.
She shot one unbridled look of amazement and amusement, before sliding a scowl back on her face as she faced a carful of their peers.
"Knew he had to have something going for him," Pansy whispered under her breath.