Prefect Duties & Public Consequences
Harry Potter had many regrets in life.
Right now?
His biggest regret was kissing Seamus Finnigan in front of witnesses.
Harry had barely made it into the Great Hall when he realized something was very wrong.
People were staring at him.
Like, a lot of people.
Gryffindors, mostly. Some Hufflepuffs, too. A few Ravenclaws whispering behind their hands.
Harry, already tired, slid into his usual seat beside Hermione.
“Why is everyone looking at me?” he muttered.
Hermione didn’t even look up from her book. “Because you made the mistake of kissing Seamus in front of half of Gryffindor Tower.”
Harry groaned. “That was not a mistake.”
Hermione smirked. “Then why do you look like you want to disappear under the table?”
Across the Hall, Seamus caught his eye and grinned.
Harry, heart racing, immediately looked down at his plate.
Hermione chuckled. “Uh-huh. That’s what I thought.”
That night, Harry had Patrol Shift™.
Which was good. He needed to clear his head, focus, remind himself that he was a responsible student who had things to do beyond getting flustered over his boyfriend.
Unfortunately, Seamus Finnigan existed.
Which meant things did not go as planned.
Harry was making his usual rounds when he heard whispering down the corridor.
He turned the corner and found three first-years, very much out after curfew.
The moment they saw him, they froze.
Harry crossed his arms. “You lot know you’re not supposed to be out this late.”
The first-years looked guilty. “We got lost,” one of them admitted.
Harry sighed. “Alright, let’s—”
Then, before he could finish his sentence—
Seamus appeared from around the corner.
“Oi, Potter!”
Harry jumped. “Seamus?! What are you—”
Seamus grinned. “You’re workin’ too hard, love. Let the kids live a little.”
The first-years immediately perked up.
Harry glared at him. “Seamus. I am a Prefect. I am supposed to be disciplining them.”
Seamus waved a hand. “Discipline’s overrated.”
Harry sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You are not helping.”
Seamus smirked. “Never said I was.”
The first-years, watching this unfold, were very clearly holding in laughter.
Harry took a deep breath. “Alright. You three—back to your dormitories. Now.”
The first-years scurried off, barely containing their giggles.
Seamus watched them go, grinning like an absolute menace.
Harry turned to him, deadpan. “You are the worst.”
Seamus wrapped an arm around his waist. “Nah, love. I’m the best.”
Harry, very professionally, shoved him away.
Seamus laughed the entire way back to the common room.
The next morning, Harry was dreading breakfast.
He was already suffering enough with everyone watching him, and now he had Seamus making his job ten times harder.
Unfortunately, Professor McGonagall had other plans.
She approached their table, eyeing Harry with a sharp gaze.
“Mr. Potter.”
Harry sat up immediately. “Professor?”
McGonagall’s lips twitched. “I assume you’ve been keeping up with your Prefect duties?”
Harry nodded. “Yes, Professor.”
McGonagall hummed. Then, very deliberately, turned to Seamus.
“Mr. Finnigan.”
Seamus grinned. “Professor.”
McGonagall stared at him.
Seamus smiled wider.
After a long pause, McGonagall sighed.
“Mr. Finnigan, I strongly advise you not to interfere with Mr. Potter’s responsibilities.”
Seamus, still grinning: “Wouldn’t dream of it, Professor.”
McGonagall exhaled slowly, looking like she regretted all her life choices.
“Merlin help us all,” she muttered, before walking away.
Hermione burst into laughter.
Harry put his head on the table.
Seamus just looked incredibly pleased with himself.