Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K Rowling.
AN: I've written this from Hermione's point of view. From the outside looking in. Enjoy and I'll have a new chapter up in the next couple of days, it's already written but I am having computer troubles again.
Chapter One – The 'Outing'
When I though about it, I really shouldn't have been so shocked when I heard those words fall out of his mouth. "I'm gay." I can now understand the reason why he spent so countless hours studying qudditch magazines. It was obvious now, he wasn't so much interested in the articles about the latest model brooms, or playing techniques, but in fact the buff players themselves. I couldn't blame him really, I'd been known to peek through a few magazines myself to check out the talent on the pitch.
The irony of the comment however, it was only been a couple of months since his very own mentor/grandfather figure had been outed to the wizarding community. Elphias Dodge had been giving a speech to hundreds of mourners who flocked to Albus Dumbledore' white marble tomb, when he openly stated that Albus had been gay and was in love with none other than Grindleward. The daily prophet treated that like Christmas had come early. What a day to announce it though, on the anniversary of the great wizard's death. I assume Dodge was enjoying his 5 minutes of fame way too much.
So as I sat with Harry on the Hogwarts Express, I said the first thing that popped into my head "good on you Harry, go get 'em tiger!" not the most intelligent statement to spill out the witch who was meant to be the brightest of her age. I'll give Harry credit though, he didn't laugh at me. Just smiled a lop-sided smile and offered his thanks.
That was when I lost all control and composure. I jumped out of my seat and threw my arms around his neck.
"This is fantastic, we can go shopping and perve on cute guys together and have so much fun!" again not one of my more brilliant moments, but my best friend had just told me he was gay. Maybe I was in shock after all.
"Ah, Mione, can't breath" my bad. I released the poor guy and went back to my seat opposite. We were the only two in the compartment. Ron had gone to find a cure for his hunger pains and Ginny I assumed was with Neville and Luna. We were on our way back to finish out final year at Hogwarts. We really didn't need to go, being famous for voldemort's defeat. But Harry and I both wanted to experience a year at Hogwarts without the constant threat of your life being taken. We were looking forward to kicking back and having a normal year. Ron wasn't so keen on coming back, but he followed along for fear that he might miss out on something.
"You haven't told Ron yet have you?" something had clicked into place. Surely Harry would have told us both together.
"Um, no I haven't, I'm not really sure how he will handle it. He'll either completely freak out and never talk to me again or being in denial for the rest of his life"
"Good point, I'm here for moral support when you're ready."
"Thanks Mione, and thanks for being so cool about this, I always knew I could count on you in difficult situations"
I took a minute to study my best friend. There was a light in his eyes that I hadn't seen since before the Triwizard Tornament in our fourth year. He no longer looked like he carried the weight of the world. He had a healthy flush to his cheeks and thanks to Mrs Weasley he was definitely well fed. With Voldemort gone all he had to worry about now was the next bogus story the prophet would print about him. Although he admitted to feeding them some of the storylines. 'Just for fun' he had said.
"You look happy, really happy for the first time in years."
"Thanks, so do you, at least now that you and Ron are over whatever thing you had going on"
"Yeah that was like kissing my brother" I shuddered at the memory and wondered why I ever saw him as boyfriend material. "Plus he had no technique at all!"
We both burst into a fit of hysterical giggles. This what the school year was meant to be about. Care-free and spending time with your friends. It was in the middle of our fit when Ron returned from his mission. He stood in the doorway of the compartment with his mouth full and crumbs all down his shirt. I winked at Harry, the sight of Ron sent us into more hysterics, leaving Ron standing in the doorway looking absolutely bewildered.
