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

Chapter 30: The End of It

My hands were stained with Annabelle's blood. I had washed them, but it wouldn't rub off all the way yet. I just stared at my palms, not focusing on anything else. I'm not even sure if I was blinking. I glanced to the center of the Great Hall where there were rows of bodies. I knew people would fall tonight, I just didn't think so many of our own would die.

Annabelle and Nigel's corpses were laid next to each other. I bit my lip, wishing this wasn't real. My heart ached at the sight of the rest of the bodies. I looked down at the stone floor that I was sitting on, just thinking, zoning off into my own world. They didn't deserve this. They had more time ahead of them. Nigel, he was only fourteen. I heard that things happen for a reason. Well what's the reason? They just had to die? This war had to happen? No, I call bullshit.

I bothered to look up and saw Seamus walking over. He sat down next to me, not speaking a word. He purposely moved his hand closer to mine, letting me decide if I wanted to hold his hand or not. I grabbed his hand and scooted closer to him.

"When I showed up on your doorstep on Christmas morning to surprise you and I was told you weren't there, she asked me why I looked all beat up," he began. "and I told her that the Carrows did it to me. Then she asked what I did to get hit like that, so I told her that I was attacked by trying to protect you . . . . She said she approved of me. She said anyone who'd try to protect you was someone she admired."

"I knew she was going to approve of you sooner or later," I murmured.

Seamus wrapped his arm around me. He was careful with my shoulder while doing so. Even after Madam Pomfrey had wrapped it in gauze, it was still vulnerable. I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes.

"I'm not hurting you, am I?" Seamus checked.

"No, I'm fine," I responded. "Madam Pomfrey said it'd leave a scar."

"She said the injuries on my face would scar too. At least you can cover up yours."

"There's nothing wrong with scars." I look at Seamus.

"People stare at scars," he reminds me. "People will stare at me."

"Scars show how strong you are," I explain. "They show how strong you are to continue your life, even with these terrible things that have happened to you. They show how brave you are."

Seamus smirked. "Thanks."

I giggle at his voice.

"What?" he asks.

"Nothing," I say. "It's just, your accent."

"What about my accent?"

"I never really paid much attention to it. I like your accent," I giggle. He chuckles in return. I immediately look down at my feet. "I feel bad, for laughing at a time like this."

"We need a few positive feelings," he reminds me.

I stare at him for a moment. His blue eyes leave me in a trance. I like everything about him. I'm glad he's here with me in this moment.

"I love you," I blurt out.

A smile surfaces. "I love you too," he tells me.

"I mean it. I really, really love you, and I wish I've said it more before. I was just so cowardly and just- ugh . . . . I just don't want to lose you."

"You won't. I promise you that you won't."

I believe him.

***

I walked around the Great Hall to see the rows of dead bodies. I wanted to pay my respects to those who had fallen tonight.

Colin's corpse was pale. There was still a splash of blood on his head from hitting it on the railing. I wondered if his younger brother Dennis knew that he was dead. He mostly likely doesn't. Dennis was probably in Hogsmeade, lingering around Hogs Head, he might've gone home. He deserved to know what had happened to his brother.