Longing for You - Deamus

And So It Begins

Dear Sea,

You may have read in the Prophet that muggle borns have been banned from going back to Hogwarts so I can't go with you next year.

Don't worry though, Sea. I'm going to come back, I'm going to find a way, I promise. I think my dad may be wizard so I'm going to go and find him, I have no idea where he is or if he's even alive but apparently he knew Ted Tonks so I'll start there. I'll be as quick as I can so I can get back to you as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, this means that we won't be able to communicate, I shouldn't even be telling you any of this but you deserve to know so it's worth the risk. As of today, I am a wanted man. They've started collecting up muggle borns and torturing them - just like the old days. They've also started capturing owls and reading the letters for clues as to who-knows-what? I'm sorry  Sea, I won't be able to write to you, I need to keep us both safe.

Good luck with your parents by the way. Even though I'll be gone, my offer still stands. My mum loves you, she'd be happy to take you in if it goes badly.

I'll miss you so much but I promise I'll see you again. I'm going to make it, for you.

Dean x

P.S. Give Snape hell for me - set the bastard's greasy hair on fire

Seamus just stared at the letter, mouth hanging open. This couldn't be real, they couldn't just stop the muggle born students from ever going to Hogwarts again! They couldn't just get rid of Dean! No, this must be a joke, some sort of sick prank so Dean could sneak up on Seamus when they got back to school. Yeah, that must be it.

Just to check, Seamus picked up that morning's Daily Prophet that he had thrown aside earlier.

'Mudbloods Finally Expelled From Hogwarts for Stealing Magic'

'Hunt for unregistered mudbloods begins - they'll get what they deserve!'

"No!" Seamus gasped.

He couldn't believe it, Dean wasn't coming back next year. Now the only friend he had left was Neville! Of course, Neville wasn't bad but he just wasn't Dean. Seamus couldn't survive without his best friend, he was the only one who could make him laugh until his stomach hurt. He was the only one who could calm Seamus down when he was about to rip someone's head off. He was just... Dean. Just perfect and beautiful and patient and smart. And Seamus couldn't cope without him.

Suddenly, he broke down into tears. He was a crumpled heap on his bed, wishing, hoping it was all a dream. He just couldn't do it, he had to have Dean by his side and the thought of spending a whole year without him was crushing. But what was worse was what Seamus didn't even want to think about. Dean was going out by himself to find his dad who could be anywhere in the world while Death Eaters were out hunting him down so they could torture and kill him. It was a fool's errand!

Just a day ago, Seamus had been scared of coming out to his parents. That was nothing compared to what he imagined Dean must be feeling at this moment, it was nothing compared to how scared he was of losing his only source of stability. The situation was almost laughable... almost.

***

Within a few hours, Dean had his bag packed and he was ready to set off in search for Ted Tonks. He came downstairs to find his whole family gathered in the living room. His mum was sat on the sofa staring off into the distance, the bags under her eyes more prominent than ever. His stepdad was helping Dean's three little half-sisters who were sat on the floor with their colouring books, seemingly unaware of the adventure that their brother was about to go on.

"Hi" he said gingerly. His mum jumped at the sound of his voice and everyone turned to look at him. His sisters came running towards him, racing to see who could get a hug first.

"Dean! Dean! Look what I drew! It's you and me and mummy and daddy and Flo and Michelle!" babbled his youngest sister Mia. Dean took the painting and studied it for a minute. It was exactly what you'd expect from a four year old, colourful blobs with smiley faces and odd, spindly fingers. It warmed Dean's heart so much that for a moment he didn't want to go. He wanted to stay at home with his sisters and play hide and seek until the war was over. But then he remembered Seamus, his beautiful face bloodied and bruised and he decided he had to go.

"Wow Mia! This is incredible! Do you mind if I take this with me on my trip so I can show my friends how talented my little sister is?"

Her eyes lit up and that and she nodded vigorously.

"No Dean that's not fair! If you're taking hers you have to take mine too!"

"Yeah and mine! We're talented too!" screamed Flora and Michelle.

Dean chuckled at that, "of course I'll take yours, they're beautiful too!" He kissed the tops of their heads, marvelling at how much they'd grown in such a short time. By the time he got back they'd be almost as tall as him! If he got back...

"Yay! Thank you Dean!" they said in unison before running away to get back to their colouring.

Dean's stepdad, Michael, walked towards Dean.

"Dean, even if you don't find him, you know you still have me right? I'm just sorry I can't help you more." Michael stared at the floor as he said this, unsure if it was his place to be involved.

"Michael. Even if I do find him, you're still my dad. You were the one who was there when I was a child, you are the father to my sisters and I love you."  Dean pulled his stepfather into a tight embrace.

"Goodbye dad."

"Goodbye son."

Dean turned to see his mother who had finally worked up the courage to come and say goodbye.

"Dean," started his mother, "I have something for you." She held out a silver bracelet, engraved with intricate knotted patterns and fastened it around Dean's wrist. "Your father gave me this before he left.He told me it would keep me safe, now I think you're more in need of it than me."

"Thank you mum." He pulled her into a hug, tears rolling down his face and falling onto his mother's shoulder. "No matter what happens, I love you."

"I love you Dean," she sobbed out, "Bye honey."

"Goodbye mum."

Dean took one last look around the house that he grew up in and stepped outside. He mounted his broom and kicked off from the ground.

"I'll be home soon."

('>')

Hi there, sorry kinda short chapter but I guess this is the beginning of a big adventure init. Now I'm gonna go reread The Deathly Hallows so I don't make too many continuity errors bye. Love you all (all 3 of you).