To Be A Magical Boy

Chapter 8 - Fifth Year (part 2)

Dean was practically buzzing as he waited for his turn to leave the Hog's Head. He wasn't the only one, either; those that remained, those that hadn't already left in small groups of twos and threes so as not to look 'suspicious', seemed just as excited as he was.

At first, he'd been dubious. Dean could see on the faces of those around him that he hadn't been the only one for that either. The Hog's Head wasn't exactly an up-and-coming bar; it was old, run down and dank, generally hosting the less respectable clientele that might happen across Hogsmeade. The bartender himself seemed nothing if not horrified by the appearance of so many of them – or perhaps of students in general – and Dean had noticed him staring at them fixedly on more than one occasion.

It was weird. And kind of creepy.

Except that such dankness and creepiness didn't deter their motley crew. It was exciting. It was invigorating. Dean couldn't help but stare at his housemates and friends, at Harry and Ron and Hermione, people he'd known for years, as they incited further eagerness into those that were already enchanted. Harry in particular, through his awkwardness and humble almost offhandedness for the actions of his past, only made the stories and the possibility of what he was willing to teach that much more thrilling. Dean had already known bits and pieces of what he'd done, but hearing him say it as he had... that was something else.

It was just a shame that Dean had to come by himself. He wished... but no. Seamus wouldn't. He almost couldn't. Not yet and maybe not ever. He was getting better, less distant and more like himself, but apologising to Harry? Dean didn't think such a thing was exactly on the cards just yet.

When it was Dean's turn to leave the Hog's Head, he was hardly even aware of who walked just behind him at first. He was too caught up in his own thoughts – of what this new group would bring, of the excitement elicited from undermining Umbridge, and the possibilities vaguely hinted at. It was only when Susan actually spoke to him that he thought to glance her way.

"Hey, Dean."

Pausing in step, Dean glanced towards her over his shoulder. It was cold, and though he'd noticed she and Hannah both in the Hog's Head, he considered it was likely the hats pulled low across their foreheads and their thick wrappings of scarves that had made him so oblivious to their identity. Winter was rapidly encroaching, the promise of snow darkening the horizon and chilling the touch of a breeze. Dean didn't fancy staying outside in its threatening cold for any longer than he had to, but he paused in step until Susan and Hannah both fell in alongside him. "Hey, Susan. Hannah."

Dean was maybe just a little awkward. Just a little. It had been far too long since they'd spoken. They'd barely exchanged even a single word since the beginning of the year. From anyone else, as they fell in alongside one another, that awkwardness and the awareness of their unspoken agreement to distance themselves from one another, would have only grown with every step. Except it didn't. Not with them. Not Hannah, and certainly not Susan.

"So, this is pretty exciting, isn't it?" Susan said brightly, grinning widely at Dean.

Despite himself, Dean couldn't help but reply in kind. "Honestly, I'll just be happy to be learning some defence other than that crap in the books Umbridge has us reading."

Both girls nodded in fervent agreement. Hannah's eyes were as wide – or still as wide, more correctly – as they had been since the Hog's Head. Dean had noticed. She looked nothing if not in awe of Harry the tales of his fights and accomplishments had been thrown around. Dean had to admit, he was of a like mind with her; they did sound pretty impressive.

Taking themselves from the beaten, winding track leading up to the Hog's Head where it perched distinctly aside from the rest of Hogsmeade, Hannah leapt into avid speak of just that nature. Just like that. Just as easily as that, and Dean found himself utterly relieved that they fell into companionable conversation. Nothing overly deep, but even he found himself expressing excitement for what was to come. Hannah was all but shaking with the thought of being able to practice mass-defensive charms because, "I've never been much good with Protego Charms" while Susan seemed to be hung on the idea of learning how to cast a Patronus Charm.