Chapter 1 – A new friendship forms!
Disclaimer - Copyright, I do now own Harry Potter. Harry Potter is J.K. Rowlings work. Everything that is used in this story is property of J.K. Rowling. I own nothing!
WARNING – This story may contain explicit sexual content/themes and may contain course language throughout the story. This is not suitable for young readers! This is for a mature audience!
Intro - Harry Potter has been keeping a secret from everyone, even his best friends and doesn't share this secret with anyone until he finds love in an unlikely person. Everything is about to change for Harry, his partner and his friends. Enjoy
Chapter 1 – A winter's change!
"No, no, please don't kill him, I beg you", Harry screamed at Voldemort, begging him not to kill Cedric, but no one could hear him, not Voldemort, not the death-eaters, and not Cedric. Harry was held up against Tom Riddles father's grave, too weak to try and help Cedric. Harry's heart was pounding, and Harry was in a state of panic, terrified of the nightmare he had, luckily Seamus was there to help Harry snap out of it!
Harry Potters Christmas started like every other Christmas he had at Hogwarts year except for being without Ron and Hermione, and the unusual nightmares which started at the beginning of the school year. Harry finally woke up from another nightmare to find Seamus, stood over him, asking
"Harry, are you okay, you were having another nightmare! Its okay" said Seamus.
Before he could, Harry was extremely confused and in a state of panic before responding to Seamus.
"Thank you for asking if I'm okay, Seamus" Harry replied.
Seamus got up, left Harry and headed downstairs to the common room to warm up by the fire.
It took Harry 10-15 minutes to completely wake-up, not even realising that Seamus had left. Harry finally managed to gather the strength to get out of bed and draw back the curtains next to his bed, and was blinding by light which stunned Harry, it took Harry's eyes a few seconds to adjust to light, after his vision returned to normal, he realised that it had been snowing very heavily the night before.
Harry, while tying up his dressing gown, he made his way down to the common room, to find only Seamus and Neville sat there discussing their homework that was set by Professor Snape. To sleepy to take much notice of one half-asleep Seamus and one anxious Neville, Harry made his way down to the great hall. Harry, wasn't in the mood to eat his breakfast with the small crowd of students that were reading this morning's copy of the Daily Prophet so Harry decided to take his toast and tea back up to the common, his sat himself down in the arm chair across from the fireplace, while having his breakfast, and he decided to start reading the Advanced Potion-Making, which Profession Snape had set them to read.
Harry was unable to focus on reading Advanced Potion-Making, as he was distracted by Seamus, he put down his text-book and picked up his cup of tea and eavesdropped in on Seamus, and Neville's conversation. Harry has always admired Seamus's ability to speak his mind during a debate. Despite waking up in a panicky mood this morning, seeing Seamus and Neville debating made Harry's day as it was nice seeing other people argue beside Ron and Hermione! After seeing this, Harry decided not to waste his inside and venture outside to get a breath of fresh air.
It took Harry a few minutes to realise that he still had a cup of tea in his hand, but by the time he realised he was staring at Seamus, he decided to leave his cup on the table in front of him, and decided to go back up to his room to finally get dressed into his sweat pants, shirt and jumper and hiking boots, and decided to head down to Hagrid's hut, to wish him a merry Christmas and to see how he was doing after the death of Aragog. Hagrid was still a little distant over the death of Aragog, but he knew that it was okay, as he raised Aragog from when he was no bigger than a Pekingese.
To help take their minds of what's happened, Hagrid invited Harry along for a stroll in the Forbidden forest. Harry always found the Forbidden Forest somewhat relaxing, and calm, he found it easy to let mind wonder and think clearly which doesn't seem too much for him but after the fresh air helped clear out his mind, he knew that no one bother him out here. This caused Harry so much frustration but this always melted away whenever he was in the Forbidden Forest or taking a hot bath in the prefect's bathroom on the 5th floor on the castle, which he'd like to visit more often.
After 20 minutes of much needed peace and quiet, Harry and Hagrid made their way down to the great lake to skim some stones on the water but their disappointed, they found that the great lake had frozen over the night before.
"How are you finding the school year so far, Harry?" said Hagrid
"Everything is going fine except for Snape's advanced potions class. No room for failure this year", replied Harry.
"I'm glad" replied Hagrid.
After a few moments of silence, "Where's Ron and Mione?" asked Hagrid, a soft, warming voice.
"Oh, they've decided to spend the winter at the Burrow, to celebrate Fleur's and Bill's wedding, and Hermione wanted to see what a wizard Christmas was like. I didn't want to be a third wheel, so I decided to spend my Christmas at Hogwarts alone with his thoughts", Harry replied.
"Oh okay, what about Ginny, don't you two have a thing for each other? Surely you want to spend Christmas with her?" Hagrid added.
"Oh, no, it's not like that Hagrid, I see Ginny as more of a sister than a girlfriend. People just assumed we like each other and sometimes it's easier to go along with it!" Harry replied with such uncertainty, and confusing tone in his voice.
"Oh, well..., is there anyone who's caught your eye then Harry, out of curiosity?" said Hagrid in a humble tone.
"Yeah, I've got my eye on someone, and if it's okay, I'd like to keep it to myself for now?"
Finally making their way back to Hagrid's hut, Harry realised that he'd spend the past few hours in the forbidden forest, and that it was time for lunch, the fresh air helped Harry work up an appetite.
"I'm off to grab some lunch, I'll see you soon Hagrid", said Harry as Hagrid entered his hut.
After reaching the top of the iced over stone steps, Harry almost slipped, Harry regained his balance again after stumbling a little, and luckily, no one was around to see him nearly slip back down the steps, saving himself a lot of embarrassment.
Heading towards the great hall, Harry bumped into Seamus and the third floor stairwell.
"Would you like to grab something to eat, Harry" said Seamus
"I'd love to, and great timing by the way, I was just heading there myself", replied Harry
As there were few students spending the holidays at Hogwarts, everyone who was there was sat the far end of the hall, each sitting in each house. Harry and Seamus made their way to the back, and sat down. As they sat down, Harry caught a glimpse of this morning's edition of The Daily Prophet headline and in big bold letters; it said "Harry Potter, fraud or murderer".
"Don't buy into it to, Harry! It's nothing more than vicious rumours that alls" said Seamus, trying to comfort and reassure Harry, with his thick Irish accent, it worked!
Harry and Seamus didn't really have how much of a friendship until they forged one since the beginning of the year, with Seamus being there to help Harry snap out of his nightmares most nights, and the realisation happened over lunched that day, and Harry hadn't had such closeness with a friend since he met Ron, a few years back.
"Harry would you like to have a few pints of Butterbeer with me at the Three Broomsticks, I need to talk to you about something?" asked Seamus in a quiet voice.
"Sure, I was planning on heading out there anyway today, and I'd like the company" replied Harry.
Both of the boys headed for Hogsmeade, and with the heavy snow that fell the night, it took them just under forty-five minutes to get there, normally it takes them half the half time to walk there without the snow.
Finally arriving at the Three Broomsticks, they both put their coats on the coat rake, and Harry proceeded to find a seat near the fire, and Seamus headed to the bar to get the Butterbeer.
"Two pints of Butterbeer please" asked Seamus
"Two Butterbeer coming up, my love", replied Madam Rosmerta.
"That's five Galleons please" said Madam Rosmerta
Seamus gave her the five Galleons, and then proceeded over to Harry by the fireplace.
"Thank you, Seamus", replied Harry
"So, what did you want to talk to me about Seamus?"
"Oh yeah, this is hard for me to say, please promise me you won't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. I'm not ready for people to know yet", replied Seamus, in a serious tone.
"Your Secret is safe with me Seamus, I promise I'll this between us", Replied Harry
After a few seconds of awkward and intense silent.
"Harry, I'm gay", Said Seamus
"Oh wow, that unexpected, but I am happy for you", replied Harry, which took him by surprise.
"Thank you for being so understanding and i appreciate that you're keeping it as a secret, it's been killing me, not being able to tell anyone", replied Seamus.
"If we're confessing, I have something to tell you as well, I'm gay as well and I've liked I've kind of liked you for a while now", Said Harry.
"When did you realised", Said Seamus
"yeah, I realised I was over the summer, but I never told anyone, not even Ron and Hermione, they, like everyone else, think I'm in love with Ginny", said Harry.
"I'm sure they'll understand if you tell", said Seamus.
"I guess you're right", replied Harry, in a hesitant tone.
"I know you and I aren't the best of friends but why don't we try and date", asked Seamus?
"Yes, I've been waiting for a long time this to happen. But we have to keep it a secret until we're both ready to tell everyone!" said Harry
"I agree", Said Seamus
Harry placed his hand gently on top of Seamus's, and not a word was spoken.
Four Butterbeers later, Harry and Seamus didn't realise they missed dinner, but they didn't mind, as their new found relationship, made them ignore world around them.
"Do you want to head back to the common room and sit by the fire", suggested Seamus
"I'd love to", replied Harry
Finally making their way back up to the common, they sat in front of the fire, just talking about how they've come to terms with who they are and how they've kept it a secret, and for the first time ever, Harry felt like a normal wizard.
Both feeling tired, Harry and Seamus decided to head to bed.
As they headed up to their room, Harry found a note on Neville's bed, and saying that he left to spend Christmas at home with aunt, and didn't get a chance to say bye as no one was there.
"Neville went home for Christmas, it looks like we have the room to ourselves for the rest of the holidays", said Harry
"That works out perfectly! Why don't you bunk with me tonight, Harry" suggested Seamus
Harry didn't say anything, he turned around and smiled and made his way over to his bed and got him in.
Seamus got in next to Harry and wrapped Harry in his arm.
"Goodnight Harry", Said Seamus
Author's note – I hoped you enjoyed reading it