Uncomfortable Truths

Chapter Fifty-Five - Doubt, Love and Payback

Seamus watches Ian leave their table after talking to Malfoy. He remembers why everyone does their homework in the common room now. For a library, it's a hub of social interactions. Harry isn't back yet. They shouldn't have skipped the rest of their classes today, the amount of work they need to make up is insane. He's glad they did though, too many eyes on him. Too many that don't know what happened but are clever enough to piece things together. At least he has Dean, he knows everything and makes a great buffer from the rest of the world.

"I think she's right." Dean whispers, "Look, he's smiling at you."

Seamus looks at the table, Malfoy is smiling. It's not the glowing smile he gives Harry when no one's around, it's a small tentative smile. This isn't good. He smiles back, Malfoy didn't do anything wrong.

"What should I do?"

"How would I know, this is crazy." Dean laughs, "I wouldn't do anything. I'd see how this all plays out. Just don't do anything you don't want to." Dean sits at the table leaving the spot between him and Malfoy open for Seamus.

"What are you two whispering about?"

"Daisy's going to keep everything to herself." Seamus pulls out his History of Magic book.

"Oh my god, finally something's going right today."

"Excuse me." One of Ian's Gryffindor friends is standing next to the table.

"I knew I spoke too soon." Malfoy frowns, "Yes?"

"Ian said that you tutor potions, I was wondering if you had a minute to explain some stuff? It'll only take a minute." Cian gives him an awkward smile.

"I have office hours." Malfoy sniffs.

"Yeah, I know, it's just that it's due tomorrow and your office hours aren't until Wednesday, and it'll only take a minute."

"Oh, come on, Malfoy." Seamus nudges him, "You know you love potions and you'd be helping Ian's friends."

"I've already helped Ian today." Malfoy sighs, "Fine, but it better only take a minute. I'm not a charity worker or, I don't know, a monkey trainer. There's only so much I can do for Gryffindors."

"I'll let Hermione know that." Dean smiles.

"Shut your mouth, Thomas." Malfoy takes a quick glance over at Hermione's table. "She's the exception." He follows the third year back to his table. Apparently, he was chosen to ask for everyone there, including Ian who looks sheepish over the situation.

Seamus pulls his book closer; they have a project that they need to do in groups of four. Any topic they want, he starts reading over what they'll be covering the rest of this year, but his eyes are getting heavy. Maybe he can just lay his head down for a minute.

It's not long before Dean hears the gentle snores of his best friend. None of them really got any sleep last night. Malfoy gave him a sleeping potion after they couldn't get Seamus out of the Room of Requirement, he's been drowsy all day. They only managed three hours of sleep, who knows what Seamus got.

Dean scoots his chair closer. He'll let Seamus sleep, he's here and Malfoy's only a couple tables away. Goyle and Hermione are nearby too, Seamus is safe here. Harry should be back any minute from talking to that Ravenclaw boy. Madame Pince, the librarian, is back at her post after looking for whoever was swearing loudly. Yes, Seamus is safe and that's what's important. Dean puts his elbow on the table so he can rest his head on his palm. He can't focus on schoolwork, he's too tired. He'll just watch over Seamus instead. His deep rhythmic breathing, the soft snores, his... he'll just close his eyes for one minute. That'll be fine, he won't lay his head down like Seamus did. He won't fall asleep because he's not laying down.