An Unnoticed One [A Seamus Finnigan Fanfiction] [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

Chapter 10: The Next Two Tasks

WE'RE IN THE DOUBLE DIGITS! Yes this is the tenth chapter, I wanted it to be an important one. Okay we left off on Iris kissing Seamus, now you get to know what happens. Read on, child, find out what happens!

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What I found odd was how Seamus didn't react or try to stop me. He went along with it. His soft lips pursed against mine as soon as I met his mouth. For a second, nothing felt out of place. The kiss we shared felt almost natural, but it wasn't until I finally realized what I was doing, remembering that Seamus and I were here only as friends, that I pulled away. I stared at him in shock of my decision, and his wide eyes looked back at me in disbelief of what just happened.

My mouth was gaping, trying to find the words to apologize, but Seamus broke our silence first.

"Iris, I-"

"Seamus, I'm so sorry," I stammered, stepping back away from him. He tried getting closer once more but I continued to retreat. "I shouldn't have done that- it was stupid. Seamus, I'm sorry."

I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks and my stomach sinking as he looked at me. The feeling of embarrassment and guilt took over me, making me desert the dance floor and hurry out of the Great Hall so I would no longer be confronted over my disastrous impulse. But Seamus would not let me go so easily.

"Iris!" he shouted as I ran off, following after me and attracting the attention of the last dancers left at the Ball.

I held on tightly to the fabric of my dress, moving as fast as I could up the revolving staircases as my damned heels would allow me. I could almost feel tears stinging in my eyes thinking about what would happen next. I thought of Neville and Dean and how once Seamus told them in the morning, the dynamic of our group would be tarnished. I was even sadder thinking of how Seamus would probably not want to speak again. I had gained such a sweet, funny, and admirable friend this past year and my split second decision was about to spoil it all.

I could hear the echoes of my name being bellowed throughout the staircases. As I stopped to look back for a second, I could see Seamus shuffling up the steps, repeatedly being delayed in his attempts to catch up with me as the stairs kept changing on him.

Finally, I approached the Fat Lady's portrait, imposing on her terrible singing performance. She was with another painting she had befriended, Violet, both of them so drunk they could barely talk without mumbling.

"Fairy lights!" I exclaimed at the Fat Lady. "Fairy lights! Let me in!"

"Okay, okay, okay!" The Fat Lady and Violet gave me a foul look as she unlocked the hatch, allowing me to enter the doorway hidden behind her canvas. "And you don't need to shout."

"Shut it," I murmured under my breath.

My legs ached and my heart beat couldn't stop racing once I finally entered the common room. I collapsed on the cushiony couch in front of the fireplace and lazily unstrapped my heels, trying to take a moment to collect my breath. I turned my gaze to the mantel, looking into the flames and recollecting my ridiculous actions that occurred just moments ago. My stupid decision was all I was could think about. Seamus was only being a good friend by asking me out and kissed him. That kiss wasn't worth ruining this friendship between him and I. Yet strangely, as I sat there mulling over it, I couldn't help but think about how despite all my guilt, I had enjoyed kissing him while I did.

Only a few moments later, Seamus arrived to the common room. Panting as he climbed through the portrait hole, he stopped in his tracker as he saw me sitting on the couch. His body slouched and he exhaled deeply from being so out of breath.

"Why did you run away back there?" he asked.

"I snogged you, Seamus."

He slowly approached me and joined me on the couch. "You just kissed me. You didn't snog me."