A Different Beginning

Chapter LXXXI - Building Order

Lavender heard the door close behind her but she just stared at him for the longest time. Then before she could stop it, she felt the anger bubbling up inside of her. "HEY LAVE! HEY LAVE! THAT'S ALL YOU CAN SAY!"

He shrugged. "What do you want me to say?"

"YOU, SEAMUS FINNIGAN, ARE THE WORLD'S BIGGEST PRAT! I THOUGHT THAT WE TRUSTED EACH OTHER! HOW COULD YOU HAVE KEPT THIS FROM ME?"

"HOW COULD I NOT HAVE? GOD LAVENDER! WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS FOREVER AND ... I'm bloody in love with you."

She shook her head no as she looked at him. "You can't be in love with me!"

"Why not?" He asked.

"Because it's not fair! It's not fair that you ... damn it, Seamus!"

She turned on her heel as if to leave and then turned to face him again. "Third year?"

He nodded and took a step towards her. "I've always found you beautiful but that day with Peeves, when you fell down the stairs and right into my arms ... I don't care how corny that sounds; I fell in love with you."

"Well, just fall out again!"

"Do you think I haven't tried? God! It's been killing me to watch you with other guys! But I was afraid that it would ruin our friendship. This year I decided I had to risk it. I couldn't go on living without ever knowing. I love you, Lavender Brown!"

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared at him. Then she turned and stormed out of the room. She made it half way down the hall before he grabbed her arm, spinning her around to look at him.

"I'll prove it."

He yanked her up against him and crushed his mouth to hers. She hit his chest as if to protest the kiss but then she melted against him. His soft lips hit hers and her hands fisted in his shirt. She couldn't think and all she could do was feel. No one had ever made her feel so much. His hands moved down to grip her hips tightly and she deepened the kiss, pushing him back against the wall. Their tongues met and he groaned, his hands moving up her sides, brushing the sides of her breasts. She pulled back as the sensations racked her body.

"Seamus ..."

He brought his forehead to hers. "I love you. Please give me a chance. I know that you feel something."

She unclenched her hands from his shirt and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Kiss me."

He grinned and covered her lips with his again just as a loud 'ahem' broke them apart. Argus Filch stood there with Mrs. Norris in his arms.

"Oh my, we are in trouble. It is three hours after curfew."

Seamus shrugged. "Sorry. We'll go back to the common room now."

Filch glared at them. "Detentions both of you. I will be talking to your head of house about sneaking out in the middle of the night like common thieves!"

Seamus rolled his eyes. "Right."

Lavender giggled. "Buh-bye!"

They hurried off in the opposite direction, Seamus' arm still wrapped loosely around her waist and she knew at that moment.

"Seamus?"

"Hmm?" He asked as they walked casually back to the common room.

She took his hand to stop him. "I think I love you too."

He grinned and brought her hand to his lips. "Save it for me and when you know for sure, I'll shout it from the rooftops!"

She laughed. "Prat!"