The Aftermath

Chapter 18

The hangover potion had worked it's magic, sort of. There was still slight grogginess that required caffeine to fix. Everyone got ready in silence and headed to the Three Broomsticks to sort it out. Sipping on their coffee they each thought individually about the problems that would arise once this came to light. Would a new pureblood cult arrive? Would the four even be safe?

"If we can figure this out a lot of lives will be saved." Hermione began. "Imagine how many people at St. Mungus didn't have to end up there. There are so many files about similar instances of recurring dreams and then either death or insanity. If we can find what's hidden chances are the way to prevent it will be there too. A sedative isn't a solution." Hermione said. She needed more hands to search the archives in secret. People she knew had everyone's best interest at heart.

"Solving this will be big. The biggest thing ever." Everyone nodded in agreement. They were here for this. It was clear she was right about Dean and Draco. No point arguing and they wanted to help.

"We'd have to spend every night there if we're going to solve this before break." Cho said not really directing it to anyone in particular.

"Harry and Seamus can't help either. For reasons we can't say. We've already told too much to the four of them as is." Blaise said. There was more silence until breakfast arrived. Seamus seemed to be the only one on edge. Heavily thinking about something.

"You okay?" Dean went to put a hand on his friend's shoulder but Seamus brushed it off.

"No. No, I am not okay. You could've lost your mind or burned from the inside out this weekend. You're my best friend. Why didn't you tell me how serious it was? Draco told Harry." Dean didn't know what to say and Seamus looked at Dean with what appeared to be disappointment mixed with confusion. Dean found there was only one route to go. He really wished everyone wasn't here to witness this. But, as his mom and sister had told him, there would never be a perfect time. He waited too long and now he had no choice but to tell the truth.

"Because If I told you how I was reacting I'd have to admit my feelings for you as well. It's all connected. And no one, I mean no one other than who I've gotten naked with, knows about me. I was afraid I'd not have you as a friend anymore."

"You have feelings for me?" The way Seamus said it made Dean's heart drop beyond the surface of the floor. As if his worst fears were about to happen. He could feel his blood starting to boil. As if his body were physically reacting to the turmoil he was in.

"I need some air," Seamus got up and left and no one talked for the rest of breakfast. When they got back to Hogwarts Dean was nowhere to be found. They looked everywhere for him. He had to be there. Harry checked the Marauders Map and didn't see him. Confirming that he was definitely not there. Where had he gone? Dean looked lost. Depressed even. Almost suicidal. No one had ever seen him look this down before and they didn't know what to do.

As they walked toward the common room, Hermione spoke so only Neville could hear.

"Don't let him out of your sight. If he looks like his anger is rising inject him. If he looks like he's too depressed inject him. I'm going to go see the headmistress about going forward with a plan with Blaise. Harry is going to be watching Draco to see how he reacts to the injection. He seems to be doing fine but you can never tell. Tell the others to keep an eye on Dean too." After that, she and Blaise left the others for a before lunch meeting.

"Minerva,"

"Narcissa. So nice to see you out of Hogwarts uniforms."

"So nice to not have you steal points from Slytherin because of me."