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Harry's PoV:
Harry had to break up with Ginny.
He knew he wasn't interested in her as more than a friend, but it would be hard to break up with her because he did think of her as a friend. She had helped him become friends with Severus.
Harry wondered if he should talk to Severus about what he was feeling. About how girls weren't catching his attention anymore. Were he and Severus comfortable enough around each other to have such a serious discussion, or was it still too early in their friendship?
Maybe if Harry made this talk about himself, not Severus, then the Slytherin wouldn't feel forced to reveal any of his own secrets to Harry. With that thought in mind, Harry searched around the house for Severus and found him in his Potions lab. He knocked and entered with Severus's permission. "Hey. I was wondering if you have a second to talk."
"Of course, Harry, just give me a moment." Severus wrote something down and then turned in his chair to face him. "Is everything all right? Did Ginny leave?"
"Yeah," Harry said. "Severus, I think I should break up with her."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Why? Do you not like her?"
"No, she's great, it's just..." Harry sighed, unsure of how to put his feelings into words. "We get along well and I feel close to her, but when I'm kissing her or doing anything romantic, it just feels...weird, and wrong. Like it's not me. And I don't want Ginny to have to be in that kind of relationship. She deserves to have someone who loves her."
"Is she your first girlfriend?"
"Yeah."
"Well...maybe you do need to take a break. There's plenty of other girls out there who wouldn't dare pass up the chance to go out with the Boy Who Lived," Severus said.
Harry groaned. "But that's the problem, don't you see?" he said in exasperation. "I don't want to be known as the Boy Who Lived, or the savior of the Wizarding World or all that crap. I want to be with someone who I can be myself around, who I can be honest with. Not someone who worships me for something I don't even remember doing."
"That is very wise," Severus approved.
"I'm just...not sure I'm interested in girls at all anymore," Harry confessed, surprised at his own bluntness. But it was true. He had been thinking it in the back of his mind for a while, and it felt good to finally admit it out loud to someone, even if Harry wasn't sure if it was true or not. "I don't know for sure yet, so could you please not mention it to anyone?"
Severus's expression was unreadable. "Harry, I'm glad you feel that you can trust me with this. Your secret is safe with me." Harry smiled in relief. "It is a perfectly normal thing to experiment with at your age, Harry. Try dating men, perhaps try dating some other women as well, whatever will make you happy. Your sexuality doesn't define you, Harry. You are still the same person you were five minutes ago."
"Thank you, Severus." Harry knew then that Severus truly was his friend.
Late that night, Harry was finishing up his book in the library when he saw a flash of black robes turn the corner like a shadow. He put his book down and followed Severus to the front door, watching the Potions Master leave the house.
Harry stared at the now closed door in confusion, wondering where Severus was going so late. Harry hadn't heard Severus leave before now - was this just because Harry hadn't stayed up this late before?
But more importantly, what was Severus doing?
Harry didn't think the Potions Master had seen him still awake in the library - he'd only had one lamp on and it was in the back of the room. Harry usually went to bed earlier, so Severus must have thought he was asleep which meant he was keeping something from Harry.
The next morning, Harry knocked on the door to Severus's Potions lab. "Enter," the deep baritone voice called. "Good morning, Harry."
"Morning." Harry tried to think of a way to casually ask his friend what he'd been doing up so late. Severus wouldn't lie to him, would he? They hadn't been friends for long at all, but Harry found that he trusted the man. "So...did you sleep well last night?"
"Yes. I was up late reading though," Severus said without meeting Harry's gaze.
"Reading?" Harry asked, angry that Severus would lie to him. "I didn't know that reading required leaving the house."
Severus whirled around in his chair to face Harry. "You were spying on me?" he accused.
"What? No!" Harry exclaimed. "I was in the library reading. That's how I know you're lying to me. I saw you leave the house, Severus, don't try to deny it."
Severus just stared at him.
"What were you doing out so late?" Harry asked. "I want the truth, Severus."
"Get out, Potter," Severus said through gritted teeth. "You're not allowed in here anyways."
That stung. "No. You aren't going to shut me out again," Harry protested. "I'm your friend now and I don't want to see you get hurt."
"I can take care of myself, Harry." Severus's tone was gentle. "I'm doing it for a good reason."
"Tell me what you're doing," Harry demanded.
"No."
"Severus!" Harry sighed. This conversation was going in circles. "Just promise me you'll be careful, whatever it is you're doing."
Severus held out his hands, and Harry stared at him in confusion for a moment before he placed his palms in Severus's. "I'll be careful," the Potions Master reassured him. "I promise." Severus's hands were soft against Harry's, and Harry felt suddenly warm.
A knock on the door made Harry jump and whirl around, yanking his hands out of the Potions Master's. "Sirius!" Harry launched himself into his godfather's arms, his face buried in Sirius's black hair. "I missed you so much."
Sirius hugged him back tightly. "I missed you too, Harry." He pulled back to look at his godson. "Dumbledore said you went into hiding. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Harry said. "I'm living with Severus now - temporarily."
"You two are on a first name basis now?" Sirius looked past Harry at the Potions Master, who sat in his office chair watching them.
"We decided to quit fighting, as it was getting annoying and exhausting," Severus informed him. "I care about your godson." He was speaking to Sirius, but he looked into Harry's eyes as he spoke.
Harry stared at the Potions Master in surprise. He opened his mouth to speak, but then found himself being engulfed in a tight, bone-crushing hug.
"Mrs. Weasley!" Harry gasped in surprise. "It's so good to see you! Are Ron and Hermione downstairs?"
"Yes, everyone's here," said Molly, smiling at Harry. "How are you, dear? I trust Severus has been good to you?"
"He has." Harry smiled at the Potions Master.
Molly seemed surprised. "Well, that's wonderful-"
"Harry!" Hermione appeared at the top of the stairs. "Come downstairs, Ron and the twins are about to start chess and Ron wants you on his team."
"Alright," Harry agreed, realizing with a rush of nervousness that Ginny was probably downstairs too. "Would you like to join us, Severus?"
Severus hesitated for a moment and then said, "Yes, I would like that."
"Great! I'll show you how to play chess," Harry said. They all went downstairs, where Harry was passed around the room and hugged before he was allowed to sit down on the couch beside Severus. Ron sat on his other side, while the twins sat across from them on the other couch, a small table in the middle.
"Ready to have your arses kicked?" Ron smirked at his brothers, and Harry grinned.
"Oh don't worry little brother," George said.
"With Harry on your team we got this," Fred finished.
Harry's jaw dropped. He wasn't that bad at chess. "Oh, now you're definitely getting your arses kicked," said Harry. "Bring it."
It was one of the most intense games Harry had ever played, with everyone betting on which team would win. Most people bet that the twins would win - with the exception of Severus and Sirius - and to Harry's delight, he and Ron ended up winning.
Harry had to admit that he got caught up in the victory. Well, he and Ron both did. But Fred and George had deserved it for trash talking Harry.
"Harry?" Ginny said when things had quieted down and money was exchanged. "I was wondering if we could maybe spend some time alone."
"Oh, sure." Harry stood up and followed her out of the room, looking back at Severus. The Potions Master was watching him too and when Harry finally tore his gaze away from him, Ginny said, "Is something wrong, Harry?"
"What? Everything's fine," Harry lied.
"You just haven't been talking to me tonight," Ginny said.
"Ginny, this is the first time I've seen my friends in almost a month," Harry pointed out. "We were just playing chess and having fun. I'm sorry you feel left out, but-"
"I think we should break up," Ginny said.
"What?" Harry hadn't been expecting that.
"Look, I'm sorry Harry, but you just don't seem that interested in me anymore," said Ginny. "Something's bothering you. What is it?"
Harry took a deep breath and then exhaled. "I think I'm gay."
Comprehension dawned in Ginny's eyes. "That explains so much."
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I know I've been distant, and I should have broken up with you earlier. I just didn't want to hurt you."
"I'm not hurt," Ginny said. "I actually have a crush on Dean Thomas."
"Oh," said Harry, unsure of what else to say. "Well...I would love to still be friends. I think you're a great person, and I think of you as a sister."
"Of course." Ginny hugged him, and Harry hugged her back tightly, relieved. "I'm glad we had this talk, Harry."
"Me too." He smiled at her and they went back in the living room, where there was another game of chess going - Ron and Sirius vs. Fred and George. Harry took his seat next to Severus. "Having fun?"
"Yes, actually I am." Severus smiled. "Thank you for including me."
"You're my friend," said Harry, and leaned back against the couch, suddenly noticing how close he was sitting to Severus. "You know, I love my friends, but it's nice to have a friend who's a bit more...what's the word I'm looking for?"
The last game had ended, and Fred and George had lost for the second time in a row. The twins had accused Ron of cheating and an argument had broken out.
"Quiet," Severus supplied.
"That would be it," Harry agreed, laughing.
"So, how did it go with Ginny?" Severus asked him.
"Oh, we broke up," Harry said. "We're fine and she's not upset. We're still going to be friends. We just weren't right for each other."
"I'm glad it worked out," Severus said. "You know you can talk to me about anything, Harry."
Harry smiled. "Thank you, Severus." He remembered how Severus's hands had felt in his own and his face burned. Quickly, Harry turned away before Severus could see his blush.
What was happening to him?
AN: Hope you all liked Chapter 3! Please review for more updates soon