Seamus saw Hermione a few other times that summer. The first, in mid-July, was when he and his Mam toured a fancy muggle private school with Hermione and her parents. They seemed fairly settled in the idea that Hermione wouldn't be returning, but were trying to soften the blow by also assuring that Seamus was admitted.

His Mam had doubts, mostly that it was in England, not Ireland. Seamus heard her one night, as he sat on the stairs at the top of the landing, stomach twisting at the cold realization that he wasn't returning to Hogwarts.

"We have an extended cousin over in Derry," She blustered, waffling, "That I'm sure would take Seamus on. I've heard only things about the girls' school there, but the boys' should be just fine. It may be nice to have Seamus separated by gender."

Even though it was his father's family connection, he shrugged, "Derry or London, Ros, it won't matter. I'd rather throw him a bone and send him off with Hermione."

"Do we really want to put Seamus and his girlfriend in the same house?" His mother asked, semi-aggravated, "Do you remember how it was being a young hot-blooded teenager where we-"

And, that was exactly the moment Seamus left, not wanting to hear a lick about the sexual exploits of either of his parents. But it seemed whatever concern she had was softened to be a non-issue by his Da. Besides, he'd been going to a British school for most of his life...it wouldn't suddenly make him more British and less Irish to continue the trend.

Then his mother twittered about not wanting to impose on the Grangers, but they let her know that wasn't a concern either.

"We'd be happy to board him for the last two years," Mrs. Granger told his Mam, "As you know, Muggles are in school until they're eighteen."

Seamus hadn't remembered. What a joke; all his friends would be living their adult lives and Seamus would still be worrying over finals. It was so stupid. Hermione seemed equally put out to be reminded of that. He would have thought she would be eager for all the academics she could get, but she'd always been mature. She likely wanted to get over with her school and live as she was meant to, the same as Seamus.

"It will take more considerations," Mam said hesitantly, "Does the Headmaster…" She trailed off.

"Know? I think so; McGonagall was the one who suggested here."

"Traitor," Seamus muttered under his breath, furious his head of their house would ever want them anywhere but Hogwarts!

"We of course hope Seamus' magic returns, and it should re-appear suddenly…we wouldn't want an expulsion on his record," Mam said, patting his shoulders.

"I can't imagine we're the only parents who wish for our daughter not to go to Hogwarts," Mr. Granger said stiffly, uncomfortably, "And there must be plenty of…oh, what are they called, darling?"

"Squibs?" Hermione supplied.

"Yes, non-magical siblings." Mrs. Granger smiled widely, "Perhaps you'll make friends with them!"

That sounded downright awful.

The school itself was fine, Seamus supposed, but it just wasn't Hogwarts, and that made it a thousand times worse.

He didn't know what he'd do if his magic didn't reappear before September 1st. The idea, in a sense, had always been inconceivable to him, but each day without it, a horrible feeling grew in his stomach, more sure than ever that he was doomed.

Hermione linked her hand in his, "It has very nice classrooms, and we wouldn't be killed every term," She said, trying to cheer him up, "And we'll be together."

He supposed if he was destined for this non-magical life, he'd only go through it with Hermione by his side.

And, though he was far too young to ever really be thinking about this, the thought that they'd still have magical children - half-bloods - made him feel a bit better. Plus, with how magically talented Hermione was, it wouldn't even matter if he had nothing to offer.

His kids could still go to Hogwarts, and that settled him a bit.

They all got lunch together afterward but had no time to speak alone. Seamus assumed she had not managed to crack Nathair's journal, because if there was something of importance to tell him, he doubted she'd keep silent.

"Is Seamus going to Harry's birthday?" Mrs. Granger asked.

"Yes, I figured it would be good for him to…" His mother gave him a weak smile, "Say his to all his friends after such a trying summer."

Say goodbye to them, you mean.

"Hermione usually spends the tail-end of her summers at the Weasleys, but we're just allowing her to go for the day."

"Yes," Mam agreed, as though he and Hermione weren't sitting right there, "I think that's wise."

"We'll be making our final decision about Hermione's future on August 2nd. We are planning to meet up with Dumbledore and McGonagall, but we would appreciate you there too," Mrs. Granger said, "But you've been such a help to us, and you are magical. Perhaps there are just things we cannot fully grasp, but I'd be most grateful if you were there too."

Mam beamed, "I would be honored. I think, mother to mother, we quite understand each other."

Seamus groaned, whispering in Hermioen's ear, "I don't know to be thrilled or horrified our parents are getting on so well."

"Horrified, definitely," Hermione agreed, eyes wide, "Together, they'll be unstoppable in ruining our lives."

XXX

Harry's birthday came upon Seamus swiftly. There was much to do at the farm - magic or not - and his chores did not ease up because of his depressing circumstances. Plus, it perhaps seemed like his Da was making a bigger effort to teach him how to do things the muggle way, you know, just in case.

His Mam was totally uncool and insisted on Floo'ing Seamus to the Burrow and back, as though he couldn't be trusted himself! Well, even Muggles could use the Floo Network, so perhaps her fears weren't completely unfounded. Even if he slipped her grip, however, he wouldn't know where he'd go.

Harry had a whole hoard of people for his birthday; Hermione and Ron, naturally, and the rest of the Weasleys were there. On top of that were Lavender, Parvati, Colin, Luna, Neville, and Cho. Ginny invited Dean. Harry didn't seem upset to see him there.

It was the first time the Umbridge Mutinity Club had seen each other after Seamus had been taken out of school, failing his O. .

"You didn't fail," Lavender tried to console, "You just didn't do that."

Same fucking difference, right?

It was obvious no one knew really what to say to Seamus, all awkward and unsure like he hadn't been a good mate for most of their lives and was some strange, unfamiliar person.

Hermione was late, which was very unlike her. Harry and Ron didn't seem to share his concerns, however. Ron was trying to get a pick-up Quidditch game going. Harry was very much into Cho, as it appeared they'd rekindled their relationship for real this time, and were practically inseparable.

"Oh, if Hermione were here, you'd do the same," Cho wiggled her finger at Seamus when he made a jape at their coupled expense.

Okay, well, true.

Hermione arrived two hours past when she was meant to, and barreled past Ron to get to Seamus.

"Oi, forgetting something, Hermione?" Ron shouted, catching his balance.

"Right, Happy Birthday Harry, but I need to speak to Seamus," Hermione said shortly. Seamus saw the journal tucked under her arm.

"Is this about-," Lavender began, and Hermione turned, nodding once.

"The back gardens," Ron said in silence, "We'll all be near the Quidditch Pitch if you need us," He said, waving his hands in the opposite direction.

Hermione grasped Seamus' hand and pulled him so hastily out the door she nearly tore a socket out.

"I cracked it," She said, exhausted, "Well, not all, but the first part- I got through."

"When's the last time you slept?"

"It doesn't matter," Hermione brushed away his concern, "I did it, Seamus."

"Why…why don't you look happier?"

"I'm still figuring out what it means, but, look," She flipped the journal around and opened to a book-marked page, using a train ticket to hold the place.

It wasn't words, though, it was…drawings.

Seamus, not comprehending, picked up the book.

The first few were innocuous, though he wasn't entirely sure what they were showing. The very first was a bloke who looked a bit familiar, though Seamus couldn't place him, and a bird Seamus didn't know at all, but they were in Hogwarts uniforms. Then there was a drawing of St. Mungo's. Another one seemed to be of Finn working at a desk, perhaps the Ministry. Another was Seamus sitting in his room, though there wasn't a specific time or date attached, as far as he could tell. A third was his parents and his Aunts and Uncles.

Then, he flipped the page, and things became more…confusing.

There was a drawing of Seamus with his fox patronus, which there was no way for Nathair to have known that - not really.

The next was a drawing of a prophecy ball; Harry's ball.

The third drawing was so white, so devoid of any drawings that Seamus nearly missed it, but right at the corner was a picture of himself, his back cracked unnaturally. The shadowy hints of the Ministry lingered in the far corners of the picture.

Seamus flipped frantically.

There were other pictures he didn't understand; an impressive white gravestone with students standing mournfully, a bejeweled crown, a location that looked like his grandmother's backyard…pictures, and pictures and pictures that had no explanation.

He flipped until he reached the last one; this one was scribbled with great pressure across the page in dark charcoal. It was the strange doorway, the one he'd heard Nathair's voice through at the Ministry.

After that, the page was ripped from the book, the jagged edges looking like the open maw of a beast, sucking Seamus in. He had a feeling that this one should unease him too, for some reason, but without it present, he shoved it down. He flipped back to the last picture, trying to riddle out what it meant.

This page sent a shiver up his spine.

"What does it mean?" He demanded to Hermione.

"I can't be sure."

"But you have an idea?"

She nodded, "I don't want to say it until I'm sure, however. But I think I know how we can…"

She flipped back to the first drawing, more raw and unsteady than the rest, "That's Donaghan Tremlette."

"The Weird Sisters dude?" Seamus squinted.

"Yes," She pulled out a clipping and placed them side-by-side. The resemblance was uncanny, "He was a Slytherin and born the same year as Nathair. I think they were friends in school."

Nathair led a private life before this, so Seamus couldn't say whether or not they were. He knew all Dilan's previous friends and most of Finn's, but he'd tried hard to only learn things about Slytherins against his will.

"The Weird Sisters are performing a concert today in Chudly. I don't know when else my Mum is going to let me out of her sight, so…"

"So it has to be today," Seamus agreed, knowing his Mam felt the same, "Think they'll cover for us?" He jerked a finger back to the impromptu Quidditch Match.

Then, both of them laughed out loud.

Of course, they would.

It barely took any convincing at all.

XXX

Seamus and Hermione tumbled out of the Floo into a well-maintained town. A whole group of people were flocking toward a central stage, no doubt where the Weird Sisters were set to preform.

"Ah!"

Hermione spied a bus just behind a row of cobblestone paths, hidden by the buildings.

With no fear at all, she marched right up to the front of it, where she was stopped by a security guard.

"No groupies."

"I'm not a groupie!" Hermione sputtered indignantly, "I desperately need to talk to Donaghan!"

"Are you friends?"

"Well, no-,"

"They're your a groupie," The security wizard said firmly, "Shoo. Away." He added dismissively.

"It's a matter of life and death!" Hermione cried.

"Sure kid, everything is for you band-obsessed folks," He said, not taking anything as seriously as Hermione hoped, "You'll live without getting an autograph, trust me." His tone was downright mocking.

"Tell him it's Nathair," Seamus said, hedging a bet, "And if he doesn't want to see us, fine."

The security wizard gave a long sigh and spoke into his wand, "Tremlette? Yeah, sorry to bother you, but there's a…Nathan-,"

"Nathair," Seamus corrected.

"Nathair here to see you."

There was a pause and then the sound of someone stumbling through the bus.

"Nathair, you son of a bitch-," Donaghan snorted, pushing the door open, but froze when he saw Seamus and Hermione.

"Do you know these people?" The wizard asked, looking ready to kick them to Timbucktu. Donaghan recovered with a wide, cheery smile.

"Of course, it's my good buddy Nathair and…Hermione Granger." He said, nodding in recognition, "They're good. C'mon up."

Inside the bus, like most magical things, it was much bigger on the inside than the outside. In fact, there was a long row of doors. Donaghan took them through the one with his name on it, opening up to a large bedroom suite.

Once the door was locked, he turned to Seamus.

"You're his brother, right? Seamsu?" Then, he snorted, "Merlin, you look just like him."

"I've been told."

"Were you expecting him?" Hermione asked, crossing her arms, "Have you seen him recently?"

"No, it's like he fucking fell off the face of the earth! He was supposed to meet me when I did a benefit concert at St. Mungo's but the fucker wasn't there. I've been trying to get ahold of him for weeks." His face fell, "If you're here…"

"He's missing," Seamus confirmed.

"Shit. I don't know what to tell you…I haven't seen him. He's not the best at keeping in contact, but we usually exchange owls every month or so. It's not like him." Donaghan said, "But you already know that it's probably not innocent either, huh?"

"So you two knew each other at school?"

"Do you know what it's like to be a half-blood sorted into Slytherin? It bloody sucks. Nathair was the only other half-blood in my year, and like me, had no interest in anything related to Death Eaters or Voldemort or whatever else they peddled to the Sacred Twenty-Eight fuckers." Donaghan snorted, "Guessing he doesn't talk about me? It's fine, he's a secretive bastard, huh?" He added with a grin.

"Have you ever seen this journal before?" Hermione pulled it out from underneath her arms.

"Seen it? I gave that to him, Granger, on his sixteenth birthday. Needed somewhere to scribble that wasn't my textbooks, thank you very much," He said bitterly, "I'm still salty that I nearly failed Charms because he just had to draw on my final-,"

"He was that rude that he couldn't find somewhere else? A better piece of parchment?" Hermione questioned shrewdly. Donoghan gave a thin smile, knowing what she was doing. He was a Slytherin, after all.

"More of a compulsion. He tried fighting it once and ended up in the Hospital wing. After that, I wasn't as upset about it, but this seemed like a good compromise. And once I gave it to him, it was always as close as it could be. Kept it in his robes, right here," He motioned to a place where there was a wide pocket in the Hogwarts robes.

"Huh," Hermione said, clearly sure she was on some track with her thinking.

She opened to the first page, "Do you know what this is?"

"'Course I do. It's me asking my wife out for the first time; we didn't know each other at all. She was a Ravenclaw."

"He drew you asking her on a date? That's…sweet? What, a memento?" Seamus frowned, feeling like he was missing something very obvious.

Donaghan tilted his head, "It was because of this that I asked her out. I thought Nathair was bloody barking mad when he told me to ask her to go to Hogsmeade with me! I mean, it all worked out because she's my wife, just as Nathair promised, but I almost didn't believe it. Even she thought I was insane, walking up to a girl I'd never talked to, but she said yes."

"So that's…" Seamus swallowed hard, staring at the picture.

Hermione, though, was beaming. She snapped the journal closed with a satisfying thud.

"I was right ! Nathair's a seer, isn't he?"

"I can't confirm that, unfortunately. He kept his secrets close to his chest, even when it came to me. But he would have these fits he couldn't control, this urge to draw, and they couldn't be stopped. I wasn't sure if it was just hopped-up clairvoyance - a strong drug or something to trigger it - or something deeper, and he never told me. The only time he ever showed me was when he insisted I needed to ask Belli out."

"I think that's proof enough," Hermione said, hugging the book.

"If you have that…and you're asking around…" Donaghan swallowed hard, "Oh…fuck me. He's dead, isn't he? He'd never leave that without good reason."

"I don't want to jump to conclusions," Hermione said, "But I agree that he wouldn't leave this if it wasn't necessary. Maybe…" She thrummed her fingers on the cover, "Maybe whoever was after them, he didn't want them to have a prediction?"

"Are Seers always right?" Seamus asked, feeling dizzy.

"It's not so much about being right," Donaghan responded, "As just getting a glimpse. Interpretation can be varied. He's more just…reporting down some otherworldly intervention."

"Maybe he knows what some of the other drawings mean?" Seamus urged, "Show him!"

Hermione was hesitant.

"Look, I hate Voldemort. Fuck 'im. My wife is a Muggleborn, so," Donaghan said, "And Nathair is my best friend. I promise I'm not going to do anything to put him - or his brother - in danger."

Still, she hugged the journal.

"What if there's another prophecy about you?" Hermione asked, looking at Seamus.

"Hermione," Seamus said firmly, "Show him the book. This is about my brother, I need to call the shots."

Hesitantly, Hermione slowly unfurled her arms.

Donaghan carefully flipped through each page of drawings, face set into a deep scowl.

Most of it seemed to hold no meaning to him, as Donaghan moved through it after a few moments, studying the next page, the next, and the next.

"Sorry, nothing specifically," He said as he reached the end, "I'm not sure even Nathair knew what they meant if you know what I mean. Once he had a place to draw instead of scribble phrases, he got better at guessing, but he didn't write out a key for us to glean what he meant." He stood, stretching out, "I'm nearly due to do my soundcheck. Go talk to Dwayne outside; I'll get you backstage passes to watch the show."

"Oh, we surely can't-," Hermione began, but Donaghan wouldn't hear of it.

"Please, the least I can do. Nathair was always meant to catch a set."

"We may as well," Seamus muttered, "Before we aren't going to have any more fun until we're adults!" And he wasn't even dramatic about that, "We're closer now, I feel it."

"Well," Hermione checked her watch, "Perhaps we could stay for just a few songs…"

"I would be honored," Donaghan made a dramatic bow, "And if I think of anything at all, I promise I'll write you right away. I want to see him again, too. Tell him he's going to be a godfather soon," He said with a sad smile, "Knowing him, he probably saw that too. He always told me that sometimes, it was better to just let life happen, not to know. I can't imagine the stress a seer must be under to see ahead of when things are due to pass." He looked out at the street of gathered people, "And what it may drive someone to do."

XXX

"So what's Dilan's power?" Hermione yelled over the roar of the guitars.

Seamus, totally distracted and very into this concert, side-glanced Hermione.

"What?"

"Dilan's power?" Hermione prompted, clearly having just thought of something that couldn't wait until a time when they could hear better.

"Uhm, being a git?"

"I'm serious, Seamus! You have your fire, Nathair's a seer, and Finn's an empath. What is he?"

It took Seamus a beat to digest her question, but he scoffed, doubling over and cris-crossing his stomach with laughter.

"You're graspin', Luv," He yelled back, wiping a tear from his eye, "Finnigan family may be important, but we're not that important. Not super-powered important."

"Oh, so it's just a big coincidence?" Hermione argued, raising an eyebrow.

"Uhm, yeah. I mean, we don't even really know what my fire magic was. We can't be sure Nathair is a seer and Finn? I mean, she just says that but who is to say she's actually an Empath?" He snorted.

"I believe her."

"No wonder why she loves you."

"I'm serious, Seamus. You don't find it all a bit strange? That possibly you all…" She waved her arms around emphatically, "You know?"

"Well, Fergus is really good at apparating… unfortunately."

"I don't think it's your cousins," Hermione argued, "Just you four."

"Well, that makes no sense. We're all Finnigans."

"But something…" She was deep in thought, "Something is different about you."

"Or you're readin' into things," Seamus shrugged, "And even if it was true, don't have my magic anymore to study up on it, so let's just call it an unhappy coincidence."

"We'll figure it out," Hermione said, so sure, pressing her palms to his cheeks, turning his head so he was staring at her directly, "I will devote my entire life to getting it back if I have to."

Seamus ducked out of her hold, embarrassed. He rubbed the back of his neck, "I'm not worth that, Hermione."

She grasped his hand, not letting him wriggle away, "You are to me. And until we do, we'll both just be Muggles," She said.

"You're gunna let your Mum displace you? What about Harry and his yearly near-deaths?"

Hermione chewed on her lip, bothered by his question, "I don't know. I mean, he has others, right? And well, there's a certain point…where I have to pick me and myself and you over him, isn't there?" She asked.

"For stupid shit," Seamus said, giving a long, haggard sigh, "Not for this. Go back to Hogwarts, Luv. We'll write every day. I can still use an owl."

"Seamus-,"

"It's not up for discussion. Harry needs you, and I know where I stand in this story," He stared up at the sky, "And I've made my peace with it."

"But-," Hermione started to argue, her eyes filling with tears, but Seamus shook his head.

"Let's enjoy the rest of the concert, alright?" He asked, "And not think about any of that right now."

XXX

They arrived back at a somber party.

"Fuck, who died?" Seamus asked, but in reality, was terrified of the answer.

"Igor Karkaroff," Harry replied, picking at his cake.

"Oh…" Seamus was mostly joking, "Do we care about that?"

"Lupin just came through," Lavender sighed, "More dementor attacks. And Florean was dragged away from his store…plus Ollivander is missing."

"Oh, no!" Hermione gasped, as both these were actually horrifying to her, "Why?"

"Because Death Eaters are right dicks," Ron snarled, "Obviously."

"Okay, sure, but what would they want with an…an…ice cream maker?"

"Maybe…" Ron rolled his eyes, "Voldemort wants to give his minions an ice cream social to boost morale."

"Be serious!" Parvati hit his arm.

"Ow! I am!"

"Either way, it puts a damper on your birthday," Harry winced, "Did you find what you were looking for?" He asked.

"In some way," Seamus flopped down on a patchwork sofa, "And not so much in others."

"Yeah," Harry slumped, "Story of my life, mate."

XXX

When his Mam apparated Seamus and herself into the Granger's backyard a day later, Seamus was still annoyed to figure out that being non-magical didn't exempt him from the nausea that came along with it.

"Oh, Seamus, dear," Mrs. Granger greeted, waving them through the patio door, as though they were just getting together for a backyard party and not a discussion on Hermioen's entire fate, "And Roisin, good to see you again. Tea?"

Mam greeted McGonagall and Dumbledore, who were already seated at the table.

"I'd love a cuppa."

Seamus hung on the porch awkwardly, looking around for Hermione.

"I sent Hermione down to grab some biscuits. I thought I grabbed some on the way home, but I suppose I forgot them," Mr. Granger said, noticing his straying eyes, "She ought to be back soon. If you start walking up the road, I'm sure you'll meet her on the way back."

Naturally, Seamus very much did not want to sit with his professors who would bother him with questions he didn't want to answer, such as the state of his magic.

"I'll go find her," He mumbled, happy to make a quick getaway.

He went round the fencing and had just snapped the latch behind him when someone was reaching out, tugging him into a small, confined space.

It took only three seconds to realize it was Hermione.

"Luv," He greeted, grinning, cupping her cheeks, "If you wanted me alone like this, this is a good idea," He mumbled, leaning down to kiss her, "Where are we?"

"Garden shed," Hermione's voice was muffled against his lips.

"Mhh, grand idea," He chuckled, realizing how close of quarters they were, pressed against each other to keep from getting impaled by a hoe or a pair of garden shears.

"Sea-," Hermione started, but a hungry, desperate, worried kiss drowned out her voice. He hadn't realized it until now, but he felt nervous. He felt like his body was tied tightly between two points and it was going to snap at any moment. The thought that no matter how this meeting today went it would suck either way.

If she was forced to live as a muggle, despite her insistence she'd do it for him, Seamus knew she'd be wishing for her Witching life forever, never satisfied as a non-magical person.

But if she did like he'd insisted, and fought to go back to Hogwarts, he'd scarcely see her…

Well, he'd better make these stolen moments count.

Seamus gently pressed her against the wall of the shed, kissing her with all the franticness that he felt. His fingers started to wander from her cheeks, down her neck. As the pads of his fingers traced over her neck, she gasped at the feather-light touch. A couple of fingers tugged on the hem of her shirt, daring to go further, waiting for permission to pull it up and over her head-

"Seamus," Hermione pulled back, panting hard, "I didn't bring you here for…this…" She said, scowling, "And you're making it hard for me to remember myself."

"That's the point, innit?" He asked, grinning.

"Seamus, listen to me. I decoded the writing," She said, patting behind her on one of the shelves to find the notebook, "All of it. The part I couldn't crack before."

"Well, why didn't you start with that?" He asked, grabbing it from her fingers, "Or send an owl?"

"I just did, maybe an hour ago. I hid the biscuit for the meeting today, hoping that my Dad would send me to get some more, and I was right. Bought myself some more time."

"Are you sure you're not a Slytherin?" Seamus asked.

"Ouch; say that again. I dare you," Hermione rolled her eyes as she took the book back, flipping through it.

"What was it? What was the key? How'd you do it?"

"It's absurd, Seamus," Hermione whispered, turning on a tiny electric lantern from above them, near some camping gear, and holding it close to the book, "You're going to think I'm lying when I tell you."

"I'm about ready to believe anything."

Hermione met his gaze, frowning slightly, "The word…the one that was the cipher…it was my name."

Seamus blinked twice, "What?"

"hermionegranger. That was it. All one word, lowercase"

He laughed, "You're right, I'm sorry. I'm not sure I do believe you," He said, a slight wheeze escaping his throat, like someone had kicked the air out of him.

"I think…Nathair wanted us to be able to see this, you know, as a last-ditch effort. Or a clue." She said, "It was so unbelievable I double-checked it three times. But he had to know that he may go missing and that we'd come to find him and that we'd find this journal and I'd try to decipher it."

"That's a lot to go on. Seems like there's a lot that could have gone wrong," Seamus pointed out logically.

"Well, at the very least, you should be glad your brother was so sure we'd continue to date, right?" She rocked on her feet, "That I'd be around to do this?"

"Sure," Seamus felt faint, "Why…why would it matter what it says?"

"Because Nathair was looking into exactly what I was looking into. No wonder he was so curious…" She shook her head, "I wish I could have more time to pick his brain! He was looking into magical births too. And your family…he was trying to figure out your lineage."

"My lineage?" Seamus echoed, "Why the fuck would he need to hide that? Who else cares where the Finnigans came from?"

"Well, it's that very question that makes me think that there is more to you than even you know," Hermione said very seriously.

"Alright, is there any indication where he went?" Seamus asked, eager. The hope that maybe he was still alive somewhere had never been truly patted out, and now was burning with even more conviction. Maybe he was stuck somewhere, waiting for them!

"Yes," Hermione said simply, "A map to…well, somewhere. It's laid over a very old map of Ireland. I just wanted to tell you before I give the map to the Aurors on his case-,"

"Are you insane?" Seamus hissed, eyes widening, "You're just going to let someone else take over? No way!"

"It's their job."

"And he's my brother!" Seamus all but yelled, "And if he was really afraid of something, don't you think the Ministry is the last place we want to know about this? Sure, they're not pretending Voldemort isn't back like last year, but who knows who has eyes there? That goes for Dumbledore too."

"But-,"

"I will go myself, just tell me where," Seamus crossed his arms.

"Don't be absurd," Hermione snorted, "If you're insisting on going, of course I'm going with you."

"But…Hogwarts-,"

"Oh, I'm three months ahead anyway," Hermione waved a hand, "And if you're going to find where magic comes from, well, you may need some magic to help you." She gave a wry grin.

"Fuck, I love you, Hermione," Seamus said, pulling her tightly, kissing her again, "So much." Then, he pouted, thinking through the finer parts of this idea. One of which required him to follow Nathair's map.

"Mam will never let me go."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "And you think my Mum will either, after last year?" She snorted, "What's Hogwarts' rule on truancy?" She asked with a smirk.

"Hell if I know."

"I guess we'll figure it out," She chuckled, "But if we come back with your magic and your brother and a mystery solved, well, they can't be mad at us." She paused, "Okay, I'm sure they will, but frankly, I'm willing to hope that maybe they'll just ground us a bit more but be so relieved they sort of forget about it."

"What's the plan?" Seamus whispered, giddy and excited and feeling the most hope he'd ever felt in his entire life.

"I go back to Hogwarts. I'll need time to plan; and gather supplies. It also sounds like the path that Nathair was on only opens on certain magical holidays. I'd reckon he sought it out on Beltane, perhaps even earlier. For us…the nearest would be the Fall Equinox."

Anticipation crackled along Seamus' spine.

It was so soon .

But then again, it would take everything he had not to run out of the garden right now and go looking for Nathair. Every day in between would have him worried it would be a day too late.

"What do you need me to do?"

"I'll send a list of supplies for you to gather. Think we can get Finn to help us?"

"Absolutely," Seamus said with a hard nod, "She'd do anything for Nathair. Dilan too. And hell, half my cousins, if I talk the right ones."

"Okay," Hermione reached down to grab a tin of biscuits, "I think we've been gone too long, though. All you need to do is go to the Muggle school for a little bit. Just know that you won't be there long at all."

She leaned up for one more peck to the inner corner of his mouth.

"And I love you too, Seamus." She gave a little laugh, "It's always Harry barreling into terrible ideas. I'm rather chuffed at the idea of my own dangerous yet exciting adventure."