Title: It Started With a Crush
Rating: T (to be safe)
Pairing(s): Harry/Austin (OMC), Other miner pairings (mentioned)
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Summary: Harry meets Austin Carlson, a friend/co-worker of Bill's, during fifth year. Sparks fly. This is the story of how they became a family. Will be a series of vignettes (in a way).
Notes: For the Fan-Made Potter Family Challenge at the HPFC forum. I was given the pairing Harry/OMC, and I chose the option to 'Write a multi-chapter with the Potter family and how Harry finally settled down.'
Usually when I write a multi-chapter, I complete the story before posting it to avoid discontinuation and to make sure of fast updates. The first chapter had to be posted by Jan 3rd, so that wasn't possible this time. I have a vague outline, but I can't promise speedy updates. I will attempt one chapter ever 2 weeks.
I do not have a regular beta reader, so forgive me for any mistakes.
Feedback: Yes
Christmas time wasn't jolly this year. There was always an air of darkness in Number 12, Grimmauld Place, but the sadness engulfed all of the house's occupants. Everyone couldn't stop thinking about Arthur Weasley's near death, or about how close of a call it truly was.
If they had been even a minute later, Arthur probably wouldn't have survived. It had been that serious.
Bill and Charlie were there for the holidays. Harry wasn't paying attention to them, though. He only had eyes for the man standing next to Bill. Harry didn't really understand much behind the magic that surrounded Sirius's house, but he knew enough to know that not just anyone could see it, which made it a safe hiding spot for Sirius as well as the organization that met there. If the guy was allowed inside, he must have been trustworthy.
Harry's gaze kept straying to the guy – still didn't know his name – while wondering who he was. The guy was very good-looking. He had dark brown hair that went below his ears and bangs that kept falling into his eyes. His bright blue eyes conveyed his interest in whatever Bill was saying. The guy made animated gestures as if to get his point across, and Harry's heart seemed to pick up the pace at the passion the guy exhibited. Harry noticed the guy's muscular build. He wasn't as stocky as Charlie, but wasn't as leanly muscled as Bill. His muscles seemed to be a compromise between the two body types, and it looked good on him.
Harry bit his bottom lip. It wasn't the first time he noticed a guy's attractiveness. After all, when he first saw Bill, he couldn't help but notice the coolness of his looks. This was simply the first time that it affected Harry so much in a way that he felt flustered.
He wanted the guy's undivided attention, but he didn't understand why. He had never felt that way before, and it was confusing him. If Harry didn't know any better, he would say he had a crush, but that wasn't possible. He had a crush on Cho Chang, and those feelings were nowhere near what he was feeling now.
Besides, he was a guy. Harry didn't think there was anything wrong with being gay, but he also never experienced any kind of feelings that would make him question his own sexuality.
The guy and Bill were whispering heatedly, and Harry began to wonder if maybe they were a couple. He was unprepared for the spike of jealousy he felt at the thought. Okay, maybe I do have a crush, Harry admitted, at least to himself.
Bill grabbed the guy's arm and dragged him over.
Harry's eyes widened and he swore he heard his heart thumping. "Harry, this is Austin Carlson. Austin, this is Harry Potter. He's my kid brother's best friend."
"Hi." Harry shyly waved.
Austin grinned, blue eyes dancing. "It's nice to meet you."
There was an awkward silence. Harry searched for a way to break it and eventually came up with, "How do you and Bill know each other?"
Austin and Bill looked at each other and it was as if they were sharing a private joke. "We work together in Egypt. I decided to come with Bill to help with the war effort."
Harry nodded. He wanted to ask if he and Bill were lovers, but he didn't think the question was appropriate considering they just met.
"I'll leave you two alone," Bill said mysteriously.
"Bill's mind is a bit occupied," Austin said. "He has a crush on a Miss Fleur Delacour."
Harry's eyebrows shot up. "Really? I thought I saw the two of them making eyes at each other last year, and I'm usually oblivious to that kind of thing."
"Well, your hunch was right on the mark. He's totally gone on her."
Harry smiled. At least he knew Austin wasn't dating Bill. That didn't help him much, though.
"Bill hasn't talked much about you..." Austin trailed off.
"There hasn't been much interaction between us."
"You know, I think it's a load of crap that the war seems to be resting on a kid's shoulders. Why are you so important that you are in the front lines?"
Harry was trying to figure out if he had just been insulted.
Austin continued, "Someone your age is supposed to be having fun, dating, studying. Not worrying about living to see his 17th birthday."
Harry shrugged. "Life's not fair. Why are you choosing to fight in the war? I know Bill came from Egypt because of his family. What's your excuse?"
"Does anyone really need an excuse to give aid? Besides, if You-Know-Who wins here, his reign will spread and no one will be safe."
Harry's eyes were drawn to Austin's lips when his tongue came out to wet them. It felt like something lodged itself in his throat, and he tried swallowing it down. It didn't work. "I've got to go." He escaped to the room he shared with Ron as his cheeks heated, and his pants seemed uncomfortably tight. He wondered if he was ever going to get used to this feeling.
That night Harry couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned for hours before throwing his blankets off of himself in defeat. H went to the kitchen, in the hopes of procuring something to drink. He was surprised to see Bill eating chocolate chip cookies.
With his mouth full, Bill lifted the plate, as if offering.
Harry stifled the laugh that bubbled up at the sight of cookie crumbs covering Bill's face. It completely ruined the image of cool he usually projected.
Even so, Harry gratefully took a cookie. He sat at the table as he bit into it, moaning appreciatively at the taste. I wonder if Austin likes cookies. And if he does, what's his favorite? Harry caressed the cookie.
"You know," Bill said, and Harry's eyes lifted up from the half-eaten cookie. "It's okay."
"What is?" Harry asked, genuinely confused.
"It's okay to be attracted to Austin. He's a good-looking guy, and he was flattered by the unwavering attention you gave him before I introduced him."
Harry didn't bother trying to deny it. "He knows? Was I really that obvious?"
"Kind of." Bill shrugged. "But you're young. With experience, you'll learn how to be more discrete."
"He was flattered?"
Bill chuckled. "Yeah, that was why I brought him over to introduce the two of you. You would definitely make a cute couple."
"So, he's..." Harry paused and furtively looked around before whispering, "...gay?"
"You don't have to whisper it," Bill mockingly whispered. Louder, he said, "There's nothing wrong with being gay. It's not a contagious disease that others will catch if it's talked about in a normal volume."
Harry still felt unsure.
"I'm guessing you never considered the idea you might be gay?"
Harry shook his head. "Austin is the first guy. Maybe I'm not gay, but Austin is the exception."
Bill looked away as he took a bite of another cookie. "That's possible I guess, but going gay for one guy is kind of cliché, don't you think?"
"Maybe, but it would be easier to accept if Austin was the only guy I was attracted to."
"Since when does the great Harry Potter do easy?"
Harry glared.
"Being gay in the wizarding world is very similar to the Muggle world from what I understand."
"How would you know? I know your dad's knowledge of the Muggle world. I can't imagine yours being much better."
Bill smirked. "Austin is a half-blood and spent equal amount of time in the Muggle world that he spent in the wizarding world. His parents wanted to make sure he was well rounded. When he and I got closer, he told me all about the Muggle world. And before you ask, if I told dad the truth about some of those inventions, he'd be highly disappointed, so I simply let him ponder what they do."
Harry nodded. His mind had latched onto the fact that Austin was a half-blood as well. They had something in common. "Bill..."
The eldest Weasley son interrupted. "I know it's scary when you discover something you never realized about yourself. But most people in the wizarding world won't care who you love. There will be a few who have a strong opinion, but those people can be ignored."
"People might care more than usual because I'm the boy-who-lived," Harry bitterly said.
"Ignore them. They don't matter. As long as you find someone who treats you well, and someone you love, that's all that matters."
"Do you think I'd have a chance with Austin?"
Bill shrugged. "Maybe, but you'd have to tell him about your crush first."
"I thought he knew."
Bill grinned. "He does, but he likes to hear the words. It strokes his ego."
Harry's smile disappeared, and he knew he must look sad.
"Harry, no matter what, you won't be alone. We'll protect you from the naysayers that have a problem with a gay hero."
"Thanks, Bill."
Harry wasn't sure what he was going to do about Austin. He might ignore his feelings, or he might get brave enough and admit them out loud to the man. Harry didn't know, yet. He was just glad that he wouldn't be alone. Everything else would work itself out in time.