Harry Potter One Shots

Of All Choices (Dean Thomas)

*For everywhereyoulook, who requested this and lots of fluff!*

Dean's POV

She was coming up the stairs with Luna, her nose and cheeks tinged red from the cold. Huddled together, she threw her arm around the other girl's shoulder, laughing at something the Ravenclaw had said. Rushing forward, I reached out to steady their packages, which were balanced precariously atop one another and had begun to sway. Between the two of them, I wouldn't have been surprised if they'd bought out half of Hogsmeade.

"Evening, Dean," Luna said dreamily. The girl beside her smiled at me in a way that warmed me from the inside out. "How long have you been waiting for us?"

I stifled a groan, wanting to sink through the ground in embarrassment. Nothing ever seemed to escape Luna and her wide, silver eyes. It didn't help that the Ravenclaw also had an endearing, if not frustrating, tendency to point out nearly everything—even things you'd much rather keep hidden.

"I—not waiting—just—passing through. Common room," I stuttered, taking some of her packages into my own hands.

"Your common room's that way though, isn't it?" Luna observed, tilting her head to one side. I shuffled my feet, unsure how to respond. "Oh, I've made you uncomfortable haven't I?" she said, looking between me and her companion with a knowing smile. "Well, I'll just be going now. It was very kind of you to help, but I think I can manage."

She held her wand out before her and waved it once. Swish and flick. Her parcels jumped from my arms and stacked themselves neatly midair, hovering before her as she made her way back inside the castle. "See you later!" she called over her shoulder. She waved at us with her free hand before skipping around the corner.

"Right," I mumbled, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. "Mind giving me a few of those so I don't feel so bloody useless?" I stuck out my arms, feeling like a fool.

(Y/N) laughed, her curls bouncing as she handed over a few of her things. My skin tingled where her fingers brushed against mine.

"Thanks, Dean, you really didn't have to."

"It's no big deal," I shrugged. "We're heading to the same place anyway."

I followed her through the corridors and up to the Gryffindor dormitories. The Fat Lady, who was preening at her reflection in the mirror, seemed a bit put out by our interruption. Setting (Y/N)'s parcels down by the fire, I shook my head slightly when Seamus raised an eyebrow in a silent question. He rolled his eyes, falling back into the armchair with a grunt. I did not miss the look he shot Harry, who was watching me curiously.

"Thanks again, Dean."

The voice came from behind me, it's owner resting her small hand atop my shoulder. I glared at Seamus, who had begun to make kissy faces at Harry, who—to his credit—was trying very hard not to laugh.

"It's no problem," I said gruffly, turning to face her. She seemed much smaller up close, and my palms began to sweat as I stared down at her. "Hey, listen," I started, wiping my hands nervously on my trousers. "I was wondering if—"

I never did get to tell her what it was I was wondering, for at that very moment a rather large crowd of Gryffindors came bursting into the common room. Ginny was at the front of the group, supporting a rather pale-looking Ron. He seemed positively ill.

"What's happened?" Harry exclaimed, leaping to his feet. "Is he all right?"

Hermione, who was reading by the fire, marked her place in the book and rushed over to lay the back of her hand against Ron's forehead. "Ron, are you feeling well?" she asked anxiously.