Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, chances are I wouldn't be writing fan fiction about it.

Irish Eyes
by: Eternity Bites

Warning: Contains yaoi/slash (boy-love). Don't like, don't read. ^^
Note: My knowledge of The Half-Blood Prince is sketchy so expect timeline mangling.

Chapter 3

A few weeks later Harry and Seamus were going steady (much to Harry's surprise) and everyone in Hogwarts knew it. Very rarely was one seen without the other and some whispered that, somehow, Harry had managed to tame the ever wild Seamus. Others wondered how Seamus managed to snag the most wanted boy at school. Mostly they were charmed by the sight the couple made, Seamus the Irish heartthrob and Harry the fair-skinned maiden (a title Harry protested most vehemently and only calmed down when Seamus would silence him with his lips). Things were going great but that didn't stop the doubts from creeping up on Harry, after all Seamus was a well known player, at least to the Gryffindors.

However it seemed the house of the courageous wasn't the only one that had noticed the pattern of Seamus' conquests. Someone in Slytherin had also realized that not long after Seamus started dating someone he would drop them for seemingly no reason and pick up a new significant other. That Slytherin had passed their observation onto the rest of their housemates once it was learned that Harry was Seamus' new beau.

Now whenever Harry was caught alone (thankfully not a common occurrence) the Slytherins made faux-pitying comments about his upcoming single status. Some of the girls even went so far as to whisper loudly about their plans to ask Seamus out as soon as their relationship was over.

Usually Harry was able to shake the whispers off (because no self-respecting Slytherin would be seen on a date with a Gryffindor) and go about his day with a loving kiss from Seamus or a soothing comment from Hermione, who often knew exactly what he needed to hear. But today had been a horrible day from the start. Harry had slept in and none of his roommates had bothered to try and wake him up so he had been late for his Defence Against the Dark Arts class, costing Gryffindor 20 points. Then because Harry had rushed through his morning he had forgotten his Transfiguration homework earning himself a disapproving frown, 10 more points deducted and a detention that evening.

When the school day had ended (after Harry managed to melt his cauldron in Potions and earn himself extra homework in his Charms lesson) Hermione had given him a long chastising lecture about the importance of arriving to class on time and handing in one's homework. She followed it with a gruelling study session that had lasted until dinner. At dinner Harry had been hoping for a brief respite in the way of Seamus but it seemed that he was too busy flirting with Pavarti to even notice that Harry had arrived and seeing that Harry had turned around and headed straight to his detention with Professor McGonagall.

Harry had made a quick detour to the common room in order to grab his homework before setting off to detention. Luckily Professor McGonagall appeared to be in a good mood because she took his homework before having him write 'I will hand in my homework on time', a hundred times. Shivering slightly at the reminder of Umbridge Harry quickly began his task before McGonagall could change her mind and send him off to Filch.

After such a peaceful and dare he say it easy detention Harry knew that something worse was to follow. Knowing his luck as it was he couldn't possibly finish this day on a good note. It seemed Harry's paranoia was not unfounded when, on his way back to the common room he saw Malfoy patrolling the halls, prefect badge gleaming silver in the candle light.

"Great." Harry muttered to himself, silently praying that Malfoy would decide to leave him alone. His prayers were unanswered when the smarmy git started strolling his way over.

"Out past curfew, eh Potter? You know what that means." Malfoy sneered, seeming to come out of the slump he'd been in most of the year.

"I was serving detention Malfoy, Professor McGonagall gave me a hall pass." Harry told him tiredly, ready for this farce of a day to finally be over.

Malfoy managed to realize that Harry was impatient to leave and incorrectly assumed the reason why.

"Eager to be back with your little boyfriend, Potter? I wouldn't if I were you, it's about two weeks since you started dating Finnegan hasn't it?" Malfoy asked a malicious smile on his face.

Normally this wouldn't bother Harry, after all being the Boy-Who-Lived he was well used to people talking bad about him but after the day Harry had he could feel the blood rush to his face and tears pricking the corner of his eyes.

'Calm down Harry, Malfoy is just trying to get a rise out of you. You and Seamus are perfectly happy together.' Harry tried to reassure himself pushing the tears back fiercely.

'But are you?' Another voice whispered traitorously. 'After all everyone else whose ever dated Seamus thought things were going great and then Seamus left them high and dry.'

It seemed Malfoy had started talking again and Harry forced himself to pay attention.

"- I mean why would he want someone like you anyway? You have no defining talents, you're not very smart and you're certainly not much in the looks department either. It's clear the Finnegan is only with you for your fame because I mean, there's not much else is there?"

"Shut it Malfoy, you have no idea what you're talking about!" But then, wasn't Malfoy merely voicing every one of Harry's own concerns?

'No, shut up! It's not true, Seamus is happy with me. Isn't he?' Harry remembered the sight of Seamus and Pavarti in the great hall earlier but resolutely pushed the image away.

"Don't I?" Malfoy taunted, but Harry had heard enough and turned to make his way back to the Gryffindor common room.

"If you're interested in people who will break your heart look me up once Finnegan is done with you!" Malfoy shouted to Harry's retreating back laughing spitefully.

Harry ran back to the common room, spitting the password at the fat lady before storming his way through the common room and up to the dorm. He blew past Neville, who was trying to ask him a question. Harry would make sure to apologize later; it wasn't Neville's fault that Harry was in a terrible mood.

Seamus had tried to stop Harry on his war path but as he was the last person Harry wanted to see he didn't succeed. Harry quickly pushed by Seamus and into the bathroom where he slammed the door rather emphatically.

'Just cool down Harry,' Harry tried to tell himself as he lathered the shampoo in his hair ruthlessly. 'Malfoy is just playing head games with you. Of course Seamus sees you as more than just the Boy-Who-Lived.' But uncertainty was creeping up on Harry and nothing he told himself was helping.

Harry sighed as he stepped out of the shower drying off before summoning a set of pyjamas. Perhaps it would better to end things between Seamus and himself. After all, what was he trying to prove? Harry had been against the relationship from the beginning and if he was this insecure it would be best to quit while he was ahead.

'I'll talk to Seamus tomorrow.' Harry thought before nodding resolutely. With a plan firm in his mind Harry left the bathroom and headed straight to his bunk ignoring any attempts at conversation.

The Saturday morning dawned with the sun shining and the birds chirping cheerfully, seemingly in a direct contrast to Harry's mood. Just because he had decided to end things with Seamus didn't make him happy or his decision easy. Sighing unhappily, Harry rose from bed and went about preparing for his day. After getting dressed and shoving the marauders map into a baggy pant pocket Harry made his way down to the great hall for breakfast. It was only nine o'clock so not many people had arrived. Spotting Neville sitting by himself Harry made his way over.

"Hey Neville," Harry greeted as he sat beside him. "Sorry about last night, I was in a really poor mood."

"It's alright." Neville accepted the apology. "It wasn't anything important."

Guilt lifted, Harry nodded and turned to his breakfast.

"Are you feeling better today?" Neville asked timidly after a few minutes of silence.

"Yeah, thanks Nev. I just had a hard decision to make is all." Harry told him, not wanting to dump his issues on Neville.

"Well I hope everything works out alright." Neville said before returning to his toast.

Harry sighed quietly. He hoped everything would work out okay to but it was likely Harry was going to have a broken heart come the end of the day because despite his best efforts Harry had fallen for Seamus.

"Hey Harry." Seamus greeted cheerfully as he moved to take the seat beside him. Harry startled, not seeing Seamus approach but nodded his greeting. Seamus moved to press a kiss to his lips but at the last moment Harry turned his head and the kiss landed on his cheek instead.

"Is everything okay?" Seamus asked cautiously, likely remembering Harry's pissy mood from the night prior.

"Seamus, we need to talk." Harry told him, looking anywhere but Seamus' face.

The people around them hushed hearing the four words known to ruin relationships around the world. Harry ignored both the silence and the questioning looks his friends were shooting him in favour of finishing his bacon.

"You done?" Harry asked Seamus once he was done eating.

Seamus nodded and the two left the great hall after bidding farewell to their friends, the eyes of many upon them. The two walked in silence until they arrived at an empty classroom. Seamus allowed Harry to enter first before turning around and casting a minor privacy charm.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Seamus asked hesitantly.

"Us," Harry said. "I don't really think it's working out. I mean with war brewing maybe it would be better if we stopped seeing each other. It would benefit both of us really. I would be able to spend more time focusing on the war and you'd be free to pursue whoever you wanted."

Seamus' face had darkened throughout Harry's speech and there was a glimmer of confusion in his eyes.

"Don't I get any say in this?" Seamus asked.

"Sure you do," Harry assured him. "I just figured this was what you wanted."

"Why would you think that?" Seamus asked, curious. "Have I done something to insult you?"

"No of course not," Harry hastened to comfort him. "It's just I don't want you to feel like you're obligated to stay with me. I assumed you were looking for a way out."

"What gives you the right to assume anything about me? Why would you believe I'm looking for a way out?" Seamus demanded and Harry began to get angry, this was not going the way he had hoped it would.

"Look," Harry started irritably. "Who are we fooling? The minute we entered this relationship it was clear there was a time limit."

"Who set a time limit?" Seamus asked bewildered.

"You did! And you already have one foot out of this relationship!" Harry shouted, anger rising.

"What the bloody hell are you talking about?" Seamus had gone from confused to annoyed in ten seconds.

"I saw you with Pavarti today and everyone knows that you don't date anyone for very long! If you were already bored of me you should have just said so!" Harry accused, trying to keep the hurt off his face.

"I was just asking Pavarti about our Divinations assignment. And bored of you? When had I ever indicated that?" Seamus demanded, irritation growing to fury.

"I know how it works Seamus! You date someone for two weeks and then you drop them, why should I be any different?" Harry asked, hating that all his fears were being aired.

"Because I love you!" Seamus yelled at him.

"No you don't, we been dating for two weeks! You barely even know me!" Harry scoffed stalking across the classroom, resisting the urge to kick over a desk.

"Yeah well you certainly don't make it easy! Prying information out of you is like getting blood from a stone, it's impossible! I don't even know anything about before you came to Hogwarts!"

"All of this is just proving my point! We would clearly be better off as just friends." Harry told him, trying to calm his temper.

"No, I won't accept that. We're going to make this work." Seamus told him stubbornly, moving closer to Harry.

"I'm sorry?" Harry asked incredulously.

"You're accusing me of dumping everyone I've ever dated well I'm going to prove you wrong." Seamus promised and an explosive breath left Harry.

"Seamus," Harry started tiredly. "Just give it up, we're not meant to be you don't have to pretend otherwise."

"I'm not pretending," Seamus assured him moving to smash his lips against Harry's. Harry found himself becoming aroused but couldn't find it in himself to pull away. "Is that the kiss of a man who's pretending?"

"I just don't understand why. You could date almost anyone at Hogwarts yet you choose me, why? Is it because I'm the Boy-Who-Lived?" Harry asked baffled, his self-worth severely battered from time spent with the Dursleys.

"Merlin, no it has nothing to do with that. You must be blind." Seamus said, relief colouring his tone.

"Oi!" Harry said offended and moved to leave Seamus' embrace

"Can't you see what a beautiful person you are both inside and out? Your friends may not see but I know what you do for all of Gryffindor house. You help comfort the first years and you help the OWL students study. That's who I asked out! Not the Boy-Who-Lived but just Harry." Seamus' explained and Harry couldn't help but be embarrassed.

"Sorry." Harry muttered as he and Seamus moved to cuddle at one of the desks.

"Me too," Seamus apologized and cut off Harry as he went to protest. "I realize that I haven't been the most committed person but I promise that I will never get tired of you."

"You can't know that." Harry told him.

"I can, but what I want to know it where all this came from. I mean Thursday you were fine and then yesterday it was like..." Seamus trailed off unable to come up with a good comparison.

"I had a bad day," Harry admitted. "And I saw you and Pavarti all smiling and what not and then Malfoy cornered me and played upon my doubts. It just kind of escalated."

"You let Malfoy get to you? You must have had one truly awful day." Seamus commented teasingly, poking Harry in the side.

"Shut up." Harry said petulantly, batting away Seamus' hand. Seamus merely grinned before pulling Harry in for a round of make-up kissing.

'Now if only I could solve my problems with Voldemort this way.' Thinking through that thought Harry grimaced. 'Well, without the snogging.'

Authors Note: Here is an extra long chapter for taking a tad longer than usual. Hope you enjoyed it. This marks the conclusion of Irish Eyes and I hoped you all enjoyed it. It's not exactly my favourite thing I've ever written but oh well. Reviews are super!