Smoke curled in the air like restless spirits. Hogwarts trembled beneath your feet, the sounds of battle echoing in distant corridors. You tightened your grip on the bag of explosives, racing beside Seamus down the wooden planks of the bridge, the wind howling like it, too, wanted to escape the war.

—“Right, just like we practiced!” Seamus yelled, fumbling with the wires, sweat streaking down his soot-covered face. “Except this time, y’know, real danger!”

You knelt beside him, helping him stabilize the last charge. Your fingers brushed and lingered for half a second longer than they should’ve, but neither of you said anything. Not now.

—“I still say this was Neville’s idea,” Seamus muttered, chewing on his lip. “But if this goes sideways, I want you to know… you’ve always been my favorite partner in crime.”

You gave him a shaky smile. There wasn’t time for confessions. Only action.

With the last charge in place, you both scrambled back toward the arch, Seamus clutching the detonator like it was gold. The bridge groaned ominously behind you—Death Eaters already starting to cross.

—“Ready?” he asked, eyes flicking to yours. Not just to confirm the plan—but something else. A quiet question, almost tender beneath the chaos.

You nodded.

He clicked the detonator.

The explosion was deafening. Fire erupted in a wave, the bridge collapsing behind the wall of flames. Screams were swallowed by the roar of falling timber and magic combusting in air. You and Seamus dove behind a broken pillar, heart hammering.

When it was quiet again—terrifyingly so—he exhaled, chest rising and falling rapidly.

—“Told ya I could still make things go boom.”

You laughed, breathless, as he looked at you, all smoke and spark and something raw in his eyes.