THE LIGHT SHINES BRIGHTER THAN ever, but Seamus cannot join in.

He is filled with a never ending fear, with paranoia, and every time something happens, every time a spark is ignited to fuel the fire that is slowly building up inside the containment of the Hogwarts castle, he lies low. Every time the Gryffindor common room erupts into mighty cheers and applause for Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley, Seamus stays at the corners and watches them with a sunken heart, for he isn't doing anything to help them, and he doesn't deserve to join in on the celebration.

He is a coward. And he hates himself for it.

Both Neville and Ginny try to talk to him. Lavender and Parvati take him on walks along the long Hogwarts corridors - for the grounds are habituated by dementors and out of bounds for the students. They ask him about his home, about his favourite food, about any random thing that would take his mind off of things. One time, Lavender had snuck into the kitchens to bring him his favourite food, only to earn a bloody detention from the Carrows.

Seamus hated himself more.

He begins to practise the charms and curses he had begun learning at the DA meetings. He starts by doing them secretly, in the library, or in the bathroom. But Neville catches him at it one night, and offers to help him.

He is getting better, that much he was certain of. He is happy for Neville, at how much bravery he is showing and how much resistance he is putting up against the Carrows. He is happy for the light that is shining all over Hogwarts, at very corner, at every nook and cranny. The Carrows are being overwhelmed, and even though their temper rises a little each day, it is a sign that Dumbledore's Army is succeeding.

Seamus earns his first detention on the second last day of November.

Neville is under the Cruciatus Curse, because he has asked Alecto Carrow to shove her opinions where the sun doesn't shine, and unable to bear it any longer, Seamus shoots up and fires a blasting spell at her. She doesn't hesitate a moment to announce his detention.

When he returns to the common room a few minutes after midnight, a long gash running across his left cheek from which pools of blood are spilling out, he is greeted by warm hugs from his fellow year mates. He cannot help it - he breaks down into tears. Not because of the pain that courses through his bones, but rather because of the overwhelming sense of helplessness that has taken over everyone in the castle. He cannot care less about his studies - his days drag on with excruciating slowness, and with each passing second, he becomes more and more desperate for the year to end.

But with the rebellion brewing among the students, Seamus isn't sure how many of them would come out alive.