The Marked

Several days passed and Seamus, while a bit more weary than usual, felt not even a smidgen of pain. His dorm mates acted as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened and never questioned about it. In fact, only a few things seemed unusual.

The first was Draco Malfoy. His rude remarks had halted not only about Seamus, but seemingly for any other Gryffindor for the time being. He refused to meet their eyes in the hall or in class.

The next was Professor Lupin. He was wary of Seamus. It was obvious. He hid it well enough during class, but at meals, Seamus could feel the older man's eyes boring into him. It was like that between classes as well.

Finally, there was the Mark and the portrait. Where as it had once been a deep forest green, it was now pure silver, looking almost like light itself. It shimmered brilliantly in the dark if not covered by his shirt.

But at the moment, he wasn't think about any of this. He, Dean, Parvati and Lavender were in the library researching manticores for Care of Magical Creatures. Thankfully, that was all they would have to do and Hagrid wasn't going to be presenting them with the real thing.

"Hmmm...this says that the manticore was believed to be a representative of the prophet Jeremiah," Lavender and Parvati read bits and pieces of information aloud while Dean and Seamus poured over drawings of the beasts.

"Look at those teeth!" Seamus flipped through the pages of one ancient book as Dean sketched down his own renditions of the creature. "All three sets!" He turned the page, eager to see more, when the clicking of girls' shoes approached their table.

"Hey Padma! Hey Mandy!" Parvati greeted her twin and her friend with a smile.

"Hi," Mandy Brocklehurst sat down beside Lavender, across from Seamus while Padma sat across from her sister, right beside Dean, who seemed to be have lost all control of his hand. It slid wildly across the parchment when Padma said hello to him.

"H-hi, Padma," he stammered, looking down at the table.

Mandy rolled her eyes good naturedly at the two and glanced at Seamus. "What are you all looking up?"

"Manticores," he told her with a grin. "For Care of Magical Creatures."

The Ravenclaw wrinkled her nose up. "I'm suddenly very glad I didn't take that class. You all don't actually have to care for a manticore, do you?"

"Nah, just study them." He glanced at the clock on the library wall. "Hey! It's time for dinner, you guys coming?" A general reply of yes came from the girls. Dean seemed now to have also lost control of his mouth.

"So do yo-" Mandy asked began to say as she stood, halted in her words as she caught her foot on the chair leg, tripping and falling. Seamus managed to catch her by the arms just as she was hitting the floor.

"You ok?" He bit back a smile as she blushed furiously.

"Fine," she murmured.

It all seemed to happen in an instant, and when he later reflected it had to have. She retracted her arms from his grasp, the skin of wrists and hands sliding against his own skin, much the same as Malfoy's so many days ago. Once again, his world seemed to melt away, but this time, no pain came. Only the wonderful sensation that had accompanied the Imperius curse. And also unlike the first time, no one scene was clear. Many scenes and faces flew by him at a blinding pace.

And then it was over.

Mandy stood before him, still blushing, and not appearing to realize anything had happened. The others were still getting to their feet.

"Did you..." He trailed off, knowing the answer before he asked.

"Did I what?" She looked confused.

"Nothing, never mind, let's just go down to dinner." Seamus sighed to himself. He knew it had been too good to believe it was actually over.

***

He didn't much attention to the others' conversation at dinner, his mind was on what had just happened. Not long after, the Mark had begun to throb once more, the dullest sign of a burning sensation, but it seemed to be creeping outward, like it was spreading.

He tried to forget about it, at least for the time being, as he finished his Divination homework later in the Common Room. He was sprawled out on one of the sofa's while Dean and Neville sat in armchairs across from him.

"Umm..." Seamus scratched his head looking at his work.

"This is pointless," Neville gave a great sigh and closed his book. "Let's just ask Parvati and Lavender for help."

"No!" Dean looked stricken. "We can't bow down to the enemy!"

"Uh, Dean?" Seamus looked over his friend with raised eyebrows. "Parvati and Lavender are two of our best friends."

"Not when it comes to Divination!"

"Whatever..." Deciding not to argue, they went back to work.

Three hours and no progress later, they decided to ask for help. In the morning.

"Well that was a waste!" Seamus yawned and shuffled his way over to his bed, changing into his pajamas.

"Oh be quiet," Dean told him before crawling into his own bed. "See you in the morning."

"Good night," Seamus returned, pulling back his curtains and laying down. The second his head hit the pillow, the burning returned to him, as did the growing feeling. Hastily, he sat back up and threw off his shirt, thankful for the heavy curtains once he did so.

If he thought it had been bright before, the Mark was now a full out beacon. The purest of whites in color now, it cast about him a light almost bright enough to read by. The surrounding skin was now the same darkish, shimmering green the Mark had originally been, with the veins around it throbbing a sick purple hue.

Trust aside, he decided he should probably go and see Lupin. Immediately.

***

"How does the Trio do this all the time?" He hissed to himself as he rounded yet another corner, praying he wouldn't find Filch or Mrs. Norris behind it. He had almost reached the DADA corridor and had yet to run into either of them, thankfully. But the lack of obstacles was beginning to make him paranoid.

After what seemed like a lifetime, he reached the hall way. Until now he had been wondering if he would even find Lupin down here, as his living quarters were most likely elsewhere in the castle. As he looked down toward his classroom, however, he saw light pooling from a cracked door across the way from it. As he drew closer, voices could be heard inside.

"Has anything else happened?" Seamus didn't recognize the obviously male voice.

"No, not yet." That was Lupin.

"And the test was negative?" He sounded puzzled.

"Yes!" And Lupin seemed frustrated.

"But...you're sure?"

"He has to be Cursed."

"Did you check for the Mark?"

"Yes, but his wrist was clean."

"Maybe it's not on his wrist."

"Where else could it be?"

Seamus had slowly been making his way to the door the entire time. It didn't take him long to realize they were talking about him.

"I don't know. He hasn't passed it on has he?"

"No." He could see in through the crack now. Lupin was the only one in plain sight. He could catch glimpses of the other person's shadow on the wall.

"This boy...he's one of Harry's dorm mates, right?"

"Padfoot, Harry is fine," Lupin smiled faintly. "Seamus Finnigan is one of his friends."

"Hmmm..." They spoke no more, and Seamus decided this would be a good time to enter.

"Professor Lupin?" He knocked on the slightly open door, causing it to swing fully open. "Can I-" he halted in his tracks.

"Mr. Finnigan!" Lupin leapt out his chair, but Seamus didn't pay him any mind. There, sitting across from his professor, talking to him like they were old friends was Sirius Black, the escaped convict.

"You...you..." Seamus was at a loss for words as the murderer stood from his chair eyeing him warily. "What...I don't believe this!" He hollered the words at the top of his lungs before bolting back down the hallway, praying no one would follow him.

He was back in the Gryffindor common room before he knew it. He'd run the entire way without running into Filch, Mrs. Norris, the murderer, or that back-stabbing Professor Lupin. Seamus couldn't believe he'd almost confessed! The second Lupin found out he probably would have handed him over to the Dark Lord.

He fell to the floor, panting for air. He wasn't used to running such a long distance. He didn't think he had the strength to climb all the stairs to his room. With last, lingering thoughts of betrayal, he fell asleep in the nearest armchair.

***

"Seamus, wake up!" He was being shaken. And none too gently.

"Oh, easy, Dean, easy." He reached up and rubbed his stiff neck before opening his eyes. His friend was looking down at him with a strange expression.

"What're you doing down here?"

"Huh?" He looked around, still groggy. Suddenly, everything hit him full force. "Dean!" He reached out and grabbed his friend by the wrist, ready to tell him about Lupin and Black, but something stopped him.

If he told Dean about finding Lupin chatting away with Sirius Black he would have to tell him why he was down there in the first place, and about the Mark. He wasn't sure he was ready for that yet. But...if he didn't Lupin would go on free! He was consorting with a murderer. And they had had the gall to talk about Harry. Black was supposedly after Harry, right? And here, one of their professors was helping him! Although...it had almost sounded like Black had been concerned about Harry. Why though?

"Seamus? What is it?" Dean was staring at him.

"N-nothing. Never mind. I just...couldn't sleep last night. That's all." He let go of his friend's hand, sinking back into the arm chair and rubbed his neck some more.

"Er...you sure you're feeling alright, man? You aren't going to...you know, are you?" Dean shifted his weight uncomfortably.

"No, I'm not going to freak out again." I hope.

"Well then let's get down to breakfast and beg the girls for help on our homework."

"Yeah, ok. Let me go get changed really quick."

Twenty minutes later the two of them entered the Great Hall, Seamus not once glancing at the teachers sitting at the front of the room.

"About time you two showed up," Lavender scolded them as they say down.

"Yeah, yeah, say," Dean tried to act casual. "You two finish your Divination homework?"

"Yes." Parvati gave him a disproving look. "Let me guess, you want help with it?"

"If you don't mind."

"Fine, we'll help you tonight." They didn't actually have Divination for a few days, they just liked to get a head start on the homework for the class.

"Thanks!" Dean began filling his plate. "Ah, nice easy day today. Defense Against the Dark Arts and History of Magic. Have to love Fridays."

Seamus's fork fell to his plate with a clatter, but he quickly picked it up to not draw any more attention. He'd forgotten about having DADA that day. He'd have to face Lupin...

"Hey Seamus," Parvati began mischievously. "Padma tells me Mandy's been talking a lot about you lately..."

"Yeah so?" He shrugged. "I'm sure plenty of people are talking about me with all that's been going on."

"Not like that, you prat!" She rolled her dark eyes. "She wants you to ask her to the Three Broomsticks tomorrow." There was a trip into the village the next day.

"Er...why?" Boys at Hogwarts just didn't get the concept of dates.

"To spend time with her." Parvati's teeth were tightly clenched, so he figured he'd let the subject drop.

"Hey, we'd better be getting to class," Lavender told them, standing as she shouldered her bag. "It's getting late."

Seamus groaned inwardly and followed his friends, shuffling his boots along. He wasn't looking forward to seeing Professor Lupin. He considered feinting illness, but he figured that would just stir even more trouble for him. No, it was better to act as though there was nothing wrong him and his skin wasn't slowly turning a creepy, silvery-white.

"Good morning, class, the young man greeted them cheerfully as he walked into the classroom. His eyes lingered on Seamus only momentarily before speaking again. "I though we'd work on the disarming spell today so everyone pair up!"

Seamus let out a breath of relief as he and Dean wandered over to an unoccupied area and stood several paces away.

"Alright now," Dean was grinning widely. "I don't want to brag or anything but my disarming charm is one of my better qualities."

Seamus blinked. "That's not something to brag about."

Dean ignored him. "Ready?"

"Ready."

"Expelliarmus!" Seamus's wand didn't move an inch. "Hey!" Dean glared. "That wasn't cool!"

"Your better qualities really aren't that great, you know?"

"Let's see you do better!"

Seamus grinned that grin Dean hated so much. "Ok." He took a deep breath, held out his wand, and concentrated. "Expelliarmus!" The result was most unexpected.

Dean's wand came sailing straight at him, while Dean went shooting into the wall behind him, knocking into a shelf containing numerous volumes on the dark arts. Several of them fell into him.

"Dean!" He rushed over to his friend's crumpled form. The other boy groaned and reached up to feel his forehead, which now sported a deep cut that bleeding profusely. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"

Lupin had now joined them, followed by quickly by the rest of the classes. It was all Seamus could do not to lash out at the man, "Don't you touch him, traitor!" Instead, he settled for glaring at him when he caught his eyes. Lupin merely looked away, something strange in his eyes.

"Mr. Longbottom, could you please escort Mr. Thomas here to the Hospital Wing?" Lupin looked over to Neville who looked a bit shocked at being called to do this instead of Seamus.

"Uh, yeah." He went to help Dean up and out of the room.

"The rest of you keep working. Mr. Finnigan, if I may have a word with you." He motioned for him to follow him out of the room and across the hall into his office. Seamus followed reluctantly.

Lupin sat behind his desk while Seamus sat across from him. As he did, a large black dog came padding over from a dark corner. It stopped to give Seamus a look and then lay at Lupin's feet.

"I suppose you know this isn't really about Dean, although I am curious how a single fifth-year managed such a powerful attack."

"It was an accident!" Seamus was beginning to feel afraid. "But, yeah, I know what this is about. What are you going to do to me? It'd be a bit obvious if I just disappeared after seeing you in your office you know."

Lupin looked confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Aren't going to hand me over to You-Know-Who?"

Whatever Lupin had be expecting, that hadn't been it. He sat and stared at Seamus for a few moments, his mouth hanging open and eyes wide with shock.

"No!" He finally managed to say. "Why would I?"

"You're in cohorts with Sirius Black! Why wouldn't you?!"

"Ah, of course. Sirius was accused of working Voldemort as well, I forgot for a minute." He paused then continued. "I suppose you wouldn't believe me if I said Sirius Black is an innocent man wrongfully accused would you?"

Seamus snorted.

"I thought not. Hold on, I'll be right back." He stood and left the office with a quick, "Stay Padfoot." Within a few seconds he was back. With Harry.

"Snuffles!" Harry's face broke into an expression of happiness as he beheld...the dog...which was looking quite gleeful itself as it looked back and forth from Harry to Lupin as though expecting something. Finally, Lupin gave it a nod. Slowly, the dog began to change forms. Seamus gasped as it took on the form of Black.

"Harry!" The convicted murderer, now suspected of trying to kill Harry did the oddest thing. He embraced him like a son.

"Sirius!" Harry returned the hug. Seamus was at a loss for words. "What are you doing here?"

"Can't a guy visit his godson without being interrogated?" For a convict he seemed rather...bubbly. Seamus couldn't take it anymore.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"

"Calm down, Seamus," Lupin was sitting behind his desk once more. "I told you, Sirius is innocent."

"Oh I wouldn't say that," Black replied, a devilish grin creeping on to his face.

"Sirius, you're not helping here." Lupin frowned at the other man, but his eyes were laughing along with Harry. The professor turned back to Seamus. "I figured you wouldn't believe me so I brought Harry in here to confirm. You trust him?"

"Er...yeah...I guess I do." He had his doubts, but Seamus knew Harry wouldn't trust this man unless he was sure that he was innocent.

"Well, class is wrapping up so why don't you two go grab your stuff and leave with your classmates. Harry," he added when the black haired boy began to protest, "you may come see Sirius later. Oh, and Seamus, a few last things. First, don't tell anyone about Sirius here. And please, is anything else happens, come to me immediately. And if you're hiding anything please come clean. You know what I mean."

***

Seamus did know exactly what Lupin had meant. The trouble was, his confidence in Lupin had been stirred and he wasn't sure he wanted to share the truth with him anymore. The Mark had stopped burning, but now there was a constant throb to it. The very immediate skin around was now pure silver in color, and the green had spread out almost his shoulder and the center of his chest.

He sat by the fireplace, contemplating finishing what he had set out do the night before long into the evening. Only Hermione and Ron were left in the Common Room when he went to bed, and Ron was asleep, drooling on some book. Hermione had been giving him looks all night but when he stood to go to bed, she quickly returned to her reading.

As he passed by their table, something caught his eye. There, under Ron's chair was what appeared to be a page torn from a book. Written in large, scrolling letters across the top was The Curse of Delving. Pretending to be fiddling with his boot, Seamus knelt down beside the chair. When Hermione's eyes left him, he quickly snatched the paper up and shoved into his robes before standing.

"Good night, Hermione." He gave her a cheerful, yet tired, smile and headed off to his dorm. He barely heard her light reply as he bounded up the steps. Before long, he was safely enclosed in his bed, his sanctuary as he now thought of it.

He lit the candles above his headboard, not wanting to expose the Mark. It disgusted him more and more as the days went by. When the candles burned brightly enough to read by, he took the paper and read.

The Curse of Delving

The Delving Curse was brought into existence by Fredrick Delving in 1755. No one is for certain why it was created, though Delving, who disappeared in 1756, asserts that it was by pure accident that he came across it. Many experts, however, are skeptical of this, as Delving was openly know for having a great desire for power.

The curse itself may have perhaps been an experiment gone wrong, as Delving reported. The Curse gives the tainted great power indeed, though at a great price. The power comes from within the person themselves. Their soul is turned into raw, tangible energy. The first few days for the Cursed are painful indeed as the beginning of the process is quite violent.

Those affected are also afflicted with visions of some of those they come into direct contact with. Many of the visions are too quick to be processed, but of those that can be understood, many turn not to come true.

Delving himself was the first afflicted with the Curse. As an experiment he willingly subjected one of his colleagues, Edward Montague, to the curse. Montague died within days, but not before unknowingly spreading the Curse to several people he came into contact with. This went on until the Cursed were finally contained. None lived except Delving, who was shunned from the wizarding world.

When the cursed would die, their bodies would erupt into an explosion of pure energy. Some say Delving had concocted a means to trap this energy, thus keeping himself alive. Others say he hadn't the means. Experts agree, however, that were one to capture the energy of a dying Cursed one, they would have access to unimaginable power.

Seamus dropped the paper in disbelief. So he was turning into raw energy. That would explain the light coming from the Mark. And what had happened to Dean, who had returned for lunch completely healed with no hard feelings. It might even explain why the test from Lupin and Dumbledore had come back negative. He had been wishing with all his might that it would. And the painting...he'd been feeling particularly venomous toward Hundley-Delving then.

But why hadn't he passed it on to someone else yet? It sounded like it was uncontrollable thing, except for Delving. But then again...everyone else was already dead at this point except Delving.

Seamus extinguished the candles. He'd have to talk to Lupin the next morning. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to curl up into a ball and shut the world out.