Seamus Finnigan and the Quest for the Leprechaun Gold

Chapter Two

Seamus was the first in the third year boys' dormitory to wake up the next morning. St. Patrick's Day was his favourite day of the year. Well, after Christmas. And his birthday.

He put on his school robes and his lucky shamrock socks, and made his way down to the common room.

"Seamus," one of the Weasley twins beckoned him conspiratorially. He sat down between the two of them.

"We hear you can turn water to rum," the other twin told him.

"Well, I did get it to work finally last night... but I don't know if --"

"FANTASTIC!"

"INCREDIBLE!"

The other Gryffindors who were already in the common room looked up.

The first twin began again, quieter. "We need your help. Are you up for it?"

Seamus eyed them both. "Depends on what you're doing."

The second twin looked left, then right, and then leaned in and whispered, "we're going to prank Snape."

"BRILLIANT!" Seamus declared. Again, the others in the room looked up. He lowered his voice again. "Count me in!"

Both boys grinned, and each patted one of his shoulders. "You won't regret it," they said at the same time.

"Regret what?" Dean asked, approaching drowsily from the stairwell.

"Eh..."

The portrait of the Fat Lady swung open, and Professor McGonagall entered. "Good morning, students," she said with a rare smile. "As soon as everyone is awake, we can assign your teams for the Scavenger Hunt." She took a seat by the fireplace, and a few first years sat down to talk about their lessons with her.

Lee Jordan came down the boys' side of the stairs groggily. "What're you up so early for?" he asked the twins. They pulled him into a huddle to explain their plan. Seamus and Dean sat down at another table, and played wizard's chess while waiting for the rest of the Gryffindors.

"Is that everyone?" McGonagall said at last, after Seamus had lost all his pawns, both bishops, and his queen. "Very well. The Sorting Hat has sorted you into teams of seven. When I have called your entire team, you may go down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Team One. Percy Weasley. Hermione Granger. Neville Longbottom. Ginny Weasley. Colin Creevey..."

Seamus sat staring down at his lucky socks until he heard his name among Team Seven. He got up and joined his group, which consisted of Oliver Wood, the twins, Lee, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley. The seven of them left through the portrait hole and headed down to breakfast.

Seamus took a seat between Harry and... whichever twin it was. He probably should have sat somewhere else.

"Nice socks, Finnigan," Draco Malfoy drawled on his way to the Slytherin table. "Good work, Potter. Your new friend actually makes the Weasel look sophisticated."

Ron balled up his fists and narrowed his eyes after the Slytherin boy. "I swear... just give me ten minutes..."

"Ron, what did I tell you yesterday?" Hermione reminded him from a few seats away.

Ron mumbled something which sounded like "stupid fangirls," and slumped over his breakfast.

Oliver was giving a pep talk to their team. Actually, it sounded more like a threat to anyone who hindered their chances at winning. Seamus stole a glance in Snape's direction. He doesn't suspect a thing, he thought, and snickered aloud.

Dumbledore was standing now, and the Great Hall went quiet.

"First off, I'd like to wish you each a very pleasant St. Patrick's Day." There was scattered applause. " And second, I would like to explain the Scavenger Hunt, and give you your first clue."