Lucky Charms

I remember it well.
The first time that I saw
your head around the door
'Cause mine stopped working.

I remember it well.
There was wet in your hair.
I was stood in the stairs
And time stopped moving.

I want you here tonight.
I want you here.
'Cause I can't believe what I found.
I want you here tonight.
I want you here.
Nothing is taking me down, down, down...

Except you my love.

Except you my love...

"I Remember" by Damien Rice

Seamus was in the grip of the most wonderful dream.

It was a strange dream because he was cradled in warmth, but all around him was mind numbing cold that, for some reason he didn't know, scared him. All Seamus wanted to do was bury himself deeper in that heat and feel safe forever.

Even with his mind enveloped in a heady haze, Seamus still knew that this was a dream because nothing so perfect could ever happen to him.

When he was lowered on to something comfy and cold, Seamus made soft cries of protest and reached out blindly. It was only when he felt those warm hands brush against his lips did he calm down.

He felt the gentle tug of the buttons on his shirt becoming undone, but the sounds didn't register in his brain because he was so lost in the heat of those skilled hands as they removed the rest of his clothes and caressed his body.

He couldn't see.

He couldn't think.

He couldn't breathe.

All he could do was feel as every inch of his sensitive skin was explored thoroughly with a sensualized expertise.

Seamus began to shiver, but not with cold, when he felt a breath of hot air blow against something that hurt. He could feel that oh so familiar hand hovering just above the pain as if waiting for some kind of sign. Impatient even in dreams, Seamus arched his back and pushed himself upward.

Seamus let out a hiss of pain when his skin came into contact not with a hand, but with something pointy and wooden. Seamus could feel his mind awakening and the dream fading, but he fought against it. He fought to remain in this dream because even the pain felt good here.

All of a sudden, Seamus felt a different kind of warmth enter his body that wiped away the hurt. A tingling sensation traveled throughout his limbs from his head to his toes and when it was all over, it left Seamus with the feeling that he had melted away into nothing.

Sighing contentedly, Seamus didn't have the sense to resist as hands wrapped him in a soft blanket. He smiled and waited for those hands to come back to him and touch him some more, but when they never came, Seamus went searching.

He slowly moved his hands up his chest and then he lifted them out of the blanket and over his head in a back arching stretch. His curled feet and toes gradually inched the blanket down as he pulled his body taut like a newly awakened cat. As the soft silk fabric moved lower, it brushed against his sensitive nipples and tickled him, bringing a soft smile to his face.

So lost in the sensation of silk and satin on his bare skin, Seamus forgot about his search and caressed his cheek against the soothing warmth of the bed. Then he turned over on to his left side and wrapped his right arm around a very warm and welcoming pillow.

But when he felt a surge of heat rush through his arm, Seamus' eyes shot open and his whole body tensed. This was no pillow. Reluctantly, Seamus turned his head upward and stared.

Blaise Zabini.

He was in a bed with Blaise Zabini and the only thing between them was a flimsy silk sheet and Seamus' false sense of modesty.

Breathe, Seamus! Breathe!

"Hey," Zabini said gently as he stared down at Seamus' flushed face. True, he was lying on the bed, but he was above the sheet and fully clothed. His back was resting against the bed's head board, which meant that Seamus' arm was currently wrapped around Zabini's waist.

Oh, boy.

Seamus waited for Zabini to cuttingly tell him to remove his arm, but the boy was strangely silent. In fact, it almost looked like Zabini was making a point to not notice Seamus' arm wrapped around his body. Seamus himself didn't know what to do, so he did nothing. After all, he was trying to go for sophisticated here.

"How do you feel?" Zabini asked casually, as if Seamus being in his bed was an everyday occurrence that one shouldn't get worked up about.

"I'm--" Seamus began and then stopped. How did he feel? Wonderful. Fan-fucking-tastic. He felt like he had just received a full body massage with a happy ending.

But shouldn't he be sore? He had been cursed by two different people, kicked in the ribs, slammed against countless walls, and fallen on his face at least twice.

My ribs alone should be screaming right now, Seamus thought to himself as he frowned. Hey! Wait a minute!

Seamus sat upright abruptly and yanked the sheet outward. Then he looked down at his body and saw skin, a whole lot of it.

"Where the hell are my clothes?" Seamus shouted loudly. He was completely naked, if you didn't count the fact that he was still wearing his tighty whiteys.

"I took them off," Blaise stated simply from behind Seamus' shoulder. Seamus started nervously and pulled the sheet tightly against his waist. Then he turned himself to the left and stared at Zabini incredulously. He didn't notice how the bulge in his groin was only accentuated by his twisting of the sheet.

"I needed to check you for other injuries," Zabini declared thickly and licked his lips. After that, he seemed rather preoccupied at staring at his hands, which were clasped in his lap.

Seamus frowned at him and then he turned back around so that he was once again facing the front. Then, biting his lip, he moved the sheet away from him and looked down. He gingerly placed his right hand on top of that once sore spot and pressed down. Nothing. He didn't feel a twinge or even a bruise. He was completely healed.

Then, with a flash, he remembered those hands, the warmth, and that surge of heat that flashed through him and washed the pain away. It hadn't been a dream. It was real.

Slowly, Seamus turned around all the way, completely disregarding the sheet as it slipped away. Seamus let himself absorb everything about Zabini's tense form and commit it to memory.

He wanted to remember the way his hair covered his eyes, the way he kept moistening his lips, and the way his body was coiled so tightly as he lay in his own bed. Seamus wanted to memorize every inch of those snugly clasped hands, which had held him in so much warmth, and never forget that feeling of serenity.

So wrapped up in his own observations and still hazy from the affects of the spell, Seamus didn't notice how Zabini was avoiding his gaze as if his life depended on it. Maybe it did.

Seamus wanted to crawl towards him on his hands and knees, wrap his legs around that waist, and bury his hands in that luscious hair. Seamus blinked once and the next thing he knew, his hand was in the air and reaching towards Zabini. Seamus gasped and his hand started to shake. What the hell was wrong with him?

"Lay back down on the bed, Finnigan," Zabini ordered. The words had a sobering effect on Seamus and he promptly snatched his hand back.

Seamus nodded once and lay down in his earlier position, only this time he was no longer comfortable and very agitated, especially when Zabini placed the sheet back over his chest. Even though Zabini's fingers never actually touched him, the possibility entered his brain and he started breathing hard. His chest rose and fell, and once again the sheet slipped lower. Seamus covered his face and groaned into his hand.

"How many fingers, Finnigan?" Zabini asked softly and Seamus jerked.

"What?" Seamus asked incredulously and lifted his hand away. Zabini was holding his hand in front of Seamus' face and waiting patiently.

A horribly red Seamus stared at those long fingers, blinked a few times, and hesitatingly said, "Three?"

Apparently, that was the right thing to say because Zabini placed his hand back down in his lap. Then he cleared his throat and asked, "Do you know where you are?"

Seamus snorted and said, "Of course, I know! I'm in your bed. It's not like I'm ever going to forget this!"

Seamus winced.

Ooh. I did not just say that.

Seamus glanced up and saw how still Zabini was now sitting.

Shite. I did.

"Relax, Finnigan. It's the spell. Along with the healing, it creates a slight feeling of intoxication in the receiver. Don't worry. I won't hold what you say against you," Zabini promised rather silkily.

Seamus tensed and his toes curled. There were a lot of things Seamus wanted Blaise to hold against him, but they weren't words!

Seamus lay on the bed and waited for Zabini to do something with his eyes closed like a virgin on her wedding night. For a long time, the only thing Seamus could hear was the sound of his own breathing. Finally, his Gryffindor patience ran out and he stared at Zabini with all the intensity he could muster in his gaze.

Zabini was pointedly avoiding Seamus. In fact, it appeared that he was looking at everything in the room, but Seamus. He looked rather fascinated as he watched the slow process of mold formation on the dungeon walls.

Seamus scowled.

Hello? There's a naked and willing Gryffindor over here just waiting to be deflowered in your nice comfy bed! Hurry up and take advantage of me before I lose my nerve!

Despite all these telepathic invitations, Zabini remained immune and continued to just sit there calmly and unaffected. The furious Gryffindor breathed in a lungful of courage and decided to try a little maneuver of his own. This opportunity was too good to waste and he might not get another one. Besides, if it turned out badly, he could always blame it on the spell afterwards.

Seamus willed his body to relax and closed his eyes. He slowed down his breathing to make it seem like he was once again asleep. Then he leisurely turned on to his left side and snuggled up against the right side of Zabini's body. So far the plan was going good.

Next, Seamus lifted his arm and wrapped it around Zabini's waist. Therefore, he managed to touch Blaise, always a good thing, and affectively hold the Slytherin's arms down in his lap.

While his arm was busy diverting Blaise's attention, Seamus moved his face, which was positioned parallel to the right side of Zabini's waist, closer towards that little patch of exposed skin between his bunched up shirt and pants. Seamus leaned in and kissed that sweet spot.

Seamus didn't care that this tasty piece of flesh was just a corner of Blaise's waist and not an erogenous zone. That little bit of skin turned him on so much because it was a part of Blaise. That's all that mattered in the end.

Blaise groaned loudly and said, "Don't."

He had somehow managed to pull his arms free from Seamus' tight clutches and was now pushing Seamus back towards his side of the bed and away from him. Then he turned his back on Seamus and perched himself on the left side of the bed with his feet on the floor. He looked like he was seconds away from running out of the room.

Seamus watched in growing confusion as Blaise's hands shook and clenched in to fists. He had no idea what the problem was or what to do to fix it, and this made him angry and frustrated.

When Seamus had had enough, he rose up to a sitting position, put his hands on his hips, and asked angrily, "Why not? I know I don't have a lot of experience, but usually, when a bloke brings another bloke back to his place and takes off his clothes, that means sex or at least stuff!"

Zabini sighed deeply and shook his head, as if to clear it. Then he placed his elbows on his thighs and held his face in his hands. This simple action was so uncharacteristic of Blaise that Seamus frowned in confusion and started looking at him worriedly. Seamus' distinct lack of self confidence ran rampart and put all kinds of horrible thoughts into his head.

"Oh, I see. It was my mistake. Of course you don't want me. You're probably just sitting there trying to think up a good way to get rid of me without getting yourself in to trouble. Well, don't worry about it. It's not like I'm going to tell anyone about this. Besides, who would believe me? They'd probably laugh in my face. Seamus the half blooded poor excuse for a Gryffindor and Blaise the brilliantly perfect Slytherin together. Fat chance of that happening," Seamus said despondently. He knew that he was rambling, but he didn't really care at this point. He had lost what was left of his self respect five minutes ago.

Seamus was so busy staring down despondently that he didn't see Blaise turn around quickly or the anger painted on his handsome face. Seamus only had a second to jerk in surprise before two strong hands grabbed onto his shoulders and pulled him close.

"Shut up. I don't want to hear you putting yourself down any more. It's not true and I won't stand for it. Do you hear me?" Blaise asked as he gripped Seamus' shoulders painfully. His face was so close that Seamus could see that Blaise's eyes had completely darkened to black.

"Yes," Seamus whispered hoarsely as he stared up at Blaise. He felt so vulnerable with his naked body pressed up against an angry and fully dressed Zabini that he started shivering. He was still conscious of the fact that Zabini, who had not yet pushed him away, was staring at him intensely.

With a sudden burst of spontaneity, Zabini tightened his arms around Seamus and kissed him. His hunger, ruthless and imperious, wiped away Seamus' fear as if it had never existed, replacing it with a surge of primitive passion the likes of which Seamus had never experienced before. Drowning in it, Seamus clung to Blaise with all his strength and refused to go back up for air.

When Blaise finally released him, they were both breathing raggedly and their faces were flushed. Seamus felt weak in the knees and was trying, unsuccessfully, to resist the urge to pinch himself. That kiss had been everything he thought it would be. In fact, it had been better than he had imagined. So much so that he wanted to do it again. Right now!

Seamus licked his swollen lips, smiled and said, "Blaise, I-"

"I'm sorry," Zabini said softly.

The rest of Seamus' sentence caught in his throat. No! No! No! This is not happening! Don't ruin this for me. Please!

"Sorry about what?" Seamus asked in between sputters and other choking sounds. He forced himself to stay positive and not jump to any conclusions. Maybe Zabini thinks he was too rough? Yes! That has to be it. Damn it, Blaise! Don't look at me like that!

Blaise released Seamus' shoulders slowly and slid back toward the edge of the bed. He's putting distance between us already, Seamus noticed miserably. Now he won't even look at me.

"I shouldn't have kissed you. I don't have the right. I apologize," Blaise said rather stiffly as he stood up from the bed. Then he began pacing back and forth in the front of the room.

Seamus watched helplessly as Blaise's conflicted eyes kept wandering to the door and then back to Seamus in the bed. Blaise was prowling around the room like an agitated tiger.

He wants me to leave. He just doesn't want to say it. That bastard! Well, I refuse to make it easier for him. If he wants me to go, he better toss me out of here because I didn't sacrifice every ounce of my pride for nothing!

"What do you know about Slytherin house politics?" Zabini suddenly asked out of the blue.

The question was so unexpected and off topic that Seamus was momentarily thrown, but he recovered quickly enough. He contained his relief that Zabini wasn't throwing him out and said, "Not much. Me mam was a Slytherin, but she didn't tell me a whole lot. Why?"

Zabini gritted his teeth and ran a hand through his hair in noticeable frustration. He was obviously struggling with something that he felt Seamus should know. Seamus had no idea what was going on in that attractive head of his, but he would patiently play along in the hope that they would eventually get back to the snogging.

"Do you know what the phrase, 'making a claim,' means?" Zabini asked hesitantly as he watched Seamus carefully.

"Not a clue," Seamus answered quickly. Then he groaned impatiently and lay back down on the bed. So much for playing along with Blaise, he thought to himself.

Seamus had no idea how compromising he looked in that position on the bed. Underneath the sheet, his knees were arched and in the air in a very inviting way. His arms were spread out on both sides of the bed and stood in marked contrast to the blackness of the sheets. His sandy brown head was resting on Blaise's pillow as if it was perfect for him. With his unguarded eyes and swollen lips, he had a look to him that was half innocent and half sinful.

Seamus' obliviousness to his own sexual invitation made it even more appealing to Blaise and he couldn't help moving closer. He blinked once and the next thing he knew, he was standing on the right side of the bed and staring down at an immobile Seamus. He knew he should turn around, but he was entranced by all that honey colored skin.

Blaise sighed deeply and placed his hand on Seamus' bare chest. He let himself caress that warm skin, but he still forced himself to say what he had to say, irregardless of his own needs.

"At the end of every Slytherin's first year, all first years participate in a Slytherin tradition called The Claiming," Blaise began softly as he caressed that sensitive spot in the middle of Seamus' chest with his sharp nail.

Seamus hissed out raggedly and bit his lip. His hands dug into the sheets and his toes curled. He told himself to pay attention to what Blaise was saying, but he was a little distracted. He hoped that there was some part of his brain processing whatever information Blaise was giving him.

"This tradition began with Salazar Slytherin. Its purpose was to prevent in fighting among the Purebloods about possible marriage candidates and to give the participants an illusion of choice in their own futures. Basically, every Slytherin has to make a claim on two other non Slytherin students in his or her year. No one can be picked twice," Blaise explained sadly as he brushed his fingers against the softy downy hairs of Seamus' belly.

Seamus squirmed under Blaise's hand, but didn't try to get away. He was ticklish. He still didn't know the point to this conversation, but his resourceful mind caught on to one very important truth. As long as Blaise kept talking, he would keep touching. So Seamus turned his flushed face towards Blaise and breathily asked, "Why are you telling me this?"

Blaise ignored the question and continued with his ministrations and explanation. "After choosing a boy and a girl from any of the three opposing Houses, each Slytherin had to swear on their honor and on Salazar Slytherin's head that they would not become involved with another yearmate's claim."

"I don't understand wha-" Seamus began, but he quickly lost control of his voice when Blaise clamped his left nipple tightly between two fingers. Seamus moaned. It was too much. He couldn't take all this pain and pleasure without exploding. He couldn't breathe. Yes! Yes!

"Malfoy chose you," Blaise said thickly and with a murderous scowl on his face. Then he tore his hand away from Seamus' chest and turned his back on him once more.

Seamus had a second to think nothing, before the breath came crashing back into his lungs and he shouted, "What? Why?"

It didn't make any sense. Seamus was a half blood and a Gryffindor. Why would Malfoy, the epitome of Slytherin Pureblood pride, pick a half blooded male Gryffindor?

"He did it because of me," Blaise whispered softly. There was something in the way he said it that made Seamus still his breathing and stare at him worriedly. Blaise's shoulders were rising and falling with each struggling breath. He laughed, but there was nothing happy about it.

"I thought I was so clever. I thought that I was subtle when I watched you. I didn't know what I was back then, but I knew there was something about you that I wanted for myself," Blaise murmured tenderly. He still had his back to Seamus, so there was no way he could have seen the amazed and happy look on Seamus' face.

"Malfoy and I were academic rivals. We were always at the top of our year. He was jealous because good marks always came so easily to me, whereas he had to work hard for them. He hated the way I didn't care, when he always cared so much," Blaise said bitterly with a rough shake of his head.

Seamus could practically feel the tension emanating from him and see the knots in shoulders. Seamus felt torn. He wanted to go to him, but he didn't want to stop this sudden flood of honesty either.

"Since Malfoy was Malfoy, he was the first one to make his claims. He chose Lisa Turpin, a respectable Pureblooded Ravenclaw, and you, Seamus Finnigan. He chose you," Blaise spat out angrily and clenched his fists so hard that his arms were shaking with exertion.

Seamus sat up on the edge of the bed and placed his feet on the floor. He gripped the side of the bed and was about to stand up and go to Blaise, when he heard him speak once more.

"Snape tried to get him to reconsider. He told him that his father would be less than pleased with his choice. Draco just stood there, smiled, and said, 'It's worth it just to see the look on his face.' Everyone thought he was talking about Lucius, but we were the only ones who knew differently. Snape relented. Draco said his oath. And that was that. There was nothing I could do," Blaise stated mournfully and his shoulders sagged in defeat.

The sheet was discarded as Seamus stood up from the bed and walked over to directly behind Blaise. Then he slowly raised his shivering arms and wrapped them around Blaise's warm waist. He pushed his chest against Zabini's back and buried his face in his hair.

Breathing in Blaise's alluring scent and rubbing his cheek in between his taut shoulders, Seamus whispered, "Malfoy is a bastard, but it doesn't matter that he made a claim on me 6 years ago. I don't want Malfoy. I want you."

Seamus felt some of that tension unravel in Blaise's body and he smiled. Everything would be alright. I'm here. Blaise is here. Malfoy can't touch us. He can't stop this.

Seamus shivered in sensation when he felt those warm hands wrap around his wrists, but his breath caught in his throat when Blaise pulled himself out of his tight grip. He exhaled in relief when he realized that Blaise wasn't moving away from him, but turning around to face him.

When Blaise stared at him so intensely, Seamus flushed at the raw need in his eyes and looked away. It was then that he became more aware of his near nakedness. He felt very uncomfortable and was mere seconds away from bolting back to the security of the bed when he felt warmth caress his face.

Blaise cupped the sides of his face in his hands and stared deeply into his eyes. Seamus wasn't able to look away. He brought his hands up and covered Blaise's with his own. Then he smiled, thinking that everything would be fine and that Blaise would never give him up.

Blaise lowered his face towards Seamus, but he never touched his lips. Instead, he placed his forehead against Seamus' and whispered thickly, "I'm sorry. I want to, but I can't." Then he lowered his hands and walked away.

Seamus started shaking. He could feel tears building up at the back of his eyes, but he tried furiously to blink them away. He walked over to the bad in a trance and sat back down feeling numb. He began putting on his clothes that had been scattered about the floor. He couldn't find his socks and the buttons weren't going in their holes. Those stupid traitorous buttons.

"Who cares about some stupid Slytherin tradition? It doesn't matter! It's not like anyone could actually hold a Slytherin to their word," Seamus spat out blindly. He couldn't see past his hurt.

Zabini turned around and glared at him fiercely. His lip curled and his eyes narrowed dangerously before he marched back over to the bed. Seamus was so afraid that Blaise would strike him that, in his haste, he fell backwards and landed on his elbows.

Zabini loomed over him in a very intimidating way and said boldly, "Because Slytherins have no sense of honor, is that what you're trying to say? Because the word of a Slytherin means nothing compared to a Gryffindor's? Well, let me tell you something, Finnigan. A Slytherin will lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want, but once they make a promise, there is not a power in this world that will make them break it. Can you Gryffindors say the same?"

Seamus covered his face with his hand and rolled over to his side, so that Blaise couldn't see his face. Then he shook his head mutely. He didn't know what to say to Blaise. It just hurt so much to get his hopes up, only to have them crashing down around him.

Blaise wasn't going to fight for him. He hadn't six years ago and he wasn't going to now. Did that mean he wasn't worth fighting for?

"You don't understand. How could you? I haven't done a very good job of explaining it all to you," Blaise stated regretfully as he turned Seamus back onto his back.

"When I arrived at Hogwarts, I had nothing. No money, no allies, and my English was not at its best. To my housemates, I was barely a Pureblood and an enigma," Blaise explained softly as he slowly buttoned up Seamus' shirt.

"I had to prove myself to them, but the only tools I had to do so were my intelligence and my word as a Slytherin. Over time, my housemates have come to depend on me, partly because they have to, but mostly because they know that I'm loyal to Slytherin above all things," Blaise said as he helped Seamus into his shoes.

"I can't break my word, not even for just one time because if I did, it would mean nothing to everyone. I need to hold myself to a higher standard than Malfoy and his gang because people are depending on me. Now, more than ever, I can't afford to lose the trust they placed in me. I won't sacrifice them to be with you," Blaise said as he pulled Seamus up to stand against him. He brushed a hand through Seamus' hair and caressed his cheek, before he took that last final step back.

Blaise gathered himself together and declared with absolute finality, "I chose Slytherin over you six years ago and I'm doing it again now. This is the way it has to be. I am a Slytherin and I won't give that up, not even for you. Malfoy will suffer for what he's done to you. I promise you that, but that is all. There will never be an us."

After he said that last hope crushing statement, Blaise walked towards the door and opened it. He put a cold and uncaring look in his eyes and stared at Seamus impatiently.

Seamus flinched, but he didn't break. He squared his shoulders, inhaled deeply, and stuck his chin in the air. He wouldn't show anymore weakness in front of Zabini. He had given up too much of himself already.

Seamus walked up to the door, but he paused just before it and turned to look at Blaise. His fists clenched and he had the sudden desire to punch Zabini's face in. Something held him back. Maybe it was hope or maybe it was just desperation.

"I would have given you everything," Seamus said with every ounce of conviction he possessed.

Blaise's hand dug into the door, but that was the only thing that gave him away. His face remained impassive and cold when he cruelly said, "Nothing I can't live without."

Seamus' whole body shook and then he sprang. He bolted out of the room and out of his life. Blaise had a sudden desire to just call out to him and tell him to come back, but he choked it down in his throat and shut the door.

He pressed his face against the back of door and closed his eyes. He focused on his breathing and willed himself to remain in control. He bottled the emotion down and opened his eyes. Then he turned around and stared at his room. What he saw and felt made him rest his back weakly against the door and sigh deeply.

Seamus had only been there for a few minutes, but his presence remained. There was evidence of him everywhere Blaise looked. Blaise could still hear the sounds of Seamus' moans when he closed his eyes. He couldn't escape him so he just gave in. He walked over to their bed and placed his hand on the blanket. It was still warm.

Blaise sat down on the edge and grabbed the pillow. He brought it up to face and inhaled Seamus' vanilla scent. Groaning, he collapsed onto his back on the bed and smashed the pillow against his face.

Then he screamed.