Chapter 6 - In which it wasn't a dream


Harry woke slowly, vaguely aware that he actually felt rested, a rarity these days. He groggily thought of the six statements he had waiting for him today and decided it would be worth a trip to the ministry to do them orally instead. He wondered if Ron had to be in early today or…

...Ron. RON!

Harry bolted up, swiveling around to find his… well to find Ron. He wasn't entirely sure what to call him apart from that. Had he dreamt it? His body certainly didn't seem to think so as the scene from the sofa came rushing back to him, but that didn't mean anything. It wasn't like his cock differentiated dreams from reality.

He pulled the duvet back slightly to look at Ron, curled up and still sleeping soundly next to him. Right next to him. They never slept this close.

It was real, Harry realized. All of it.

Ron stirred and blinked blearily up at Harry before sliding his eyes shut again.

"C'mere," he mumbled sleepily. "...Still have an hour… sleep."

Harry continued to stare at Ron, who in his sleep haze seemed completely oblivious to the fact that Harry was having an internal crisis and was reaching over blindly to pull Harry back down to his pillow. A pillow Ron was half using himself… because they had fallen asleep tangled up in each other.

It had really happened then. He wasn't making it up. It hadn't been an outrageously detailed dream.

Ron wanted him. Wanted him.

They'd snogged, rather enthusiastically, and they'd talked. Bloody hell had they talked- like they hadn't in ages.

And they wanted to be together. As in… together.

He felt his cheeks flush. He hardly ever blushed but had done nothing else since last night.

When Harry didn't move in response to Ron's insistent tug on his wrist, Ron opened his eyes again and stifled a yawn.

"H'ry?"

Harry couldn't help himself, the realization that he'd kissed Ron and the world hadn't come crashing down washing over him as he smiled, realizing too late it was probably a ridiculously soppy smile, and laid back down, shuffling so that he was facing Ron.

"I'm fine Ron. Go back to sleep."

Ron cracked an eyelid and matched Harry's soppy grin with one of his own. He shifted forward and kissed Harry lightly on the lips.

"Just checking," he mumbled sleepily.

Harry reached over and covered one of Ron's hands with his own and squeezed. They fell back asleep easily.

The next time Harry woke, Ron was gone, a quickly scrawled note on his nightstand letting Harry know he'd had to hustle out of the house to make it to work.

Harry had never been more jealous that Ron had a job to go to. He would have given anything to have some sort of purpose to distract himself with for the long stretch of day ahead. He went to the ministry and gave his statements regarding his interactions with Goyle and McNair, picked up some groceries, and even did a load of laundry (much to Kreacher's despair) but he couldn't really recall the details of any of it. His brain was too full of red hair and freckles. He couldn't seem to string together a coherent thought all day.

When at last the soft chime indicating the wards were allowing someone inside buzzed through Grimmauld Place, Harry bolted to the foyer, skidding across the rug and to a halt just as Ron walked in and began toeing off his boots. He looked up as Harry caught his balance, an amused smile on his face.

"Hey."

"Hey," Harry replied, suddenly feeling completely ridiculous.

And giddy. And stupid. And… for the love of Merlin, he somehow didn't seem to know what to do with his hands anymore and settled on shoving them into his pockets.

"Um," Ron started, then seemed to realize that he didn't really know what to say either. "Hi."

"Hi."

"Oh for fuck's sake…"

They burst out laughing, both relieved that the other seemed to be equally out of sorts. Harry still couldn't shake the odd jittery feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Come on," Ron said, rolling his eyes. "I'm starving."

"Well at least that's familiar."

"Do we have anything decent?" Ron asked. They'd convinced Kreacher that they needed to cook for themselves at least a couple times a week. It had been a hard battle, but they figured it was better than being incapable of taking care of themselves without a house elf.

"I picked up some stuff for Shepherd's pie," Harry answered, following Ron into the kitchen. "Or at least I think I did? I uhh… I don't know what I did all day to be honest."

Harry realized suddenly that he'd pretty much just spent his entire day just waiting for Ron to get home. Good Lord… he was a wreck. He'd thought figuring out he was gay had turned him into a right mess, but this was taking it to new heights.

Ron was smirking at him from the cabinet where, for the most part, Harry had managed the ingredients they needed.

"Shut up," Harry mumbled, but he couldn't hide his smile. To hell with trying to sort himself out. It was only Ron after all.

They set to work preparing dinner as they usually did, albeit with less chatter. Instead, they seemed to keep finding excuses to brush up against each other, elbows bumping as they shared a cutting board rather than dirty a second, hips jutting playfully into each other as they jostled for space, until finally, Harry'd had enough.

"Sod this," he announced with a huff before pulling Ron around to face him and kissing him soundly.

Ron, clearly not opposed, dropped his knife on the counter and pulled Harry closer, surprised, but not at all upset, by Harry's fervor. He started backing Harry up against the dining table when…

"Ron? Are you there?"

They jumped apart, Harry's wand drawn out of habit as Ron spun towards the hearth. Percy's head floated in a mass of green flames, swiveling around and trying to see around the large dining table. Ron knew you couldn't see much from the fireplace, but his heart was still pounding in his ears as he tried to read Harry's expression. Harry was clearly too distracted with pulling himself out of defensive mode, pocketing his wand a beat later than necessary, to notice anything else.

"Shit," Ron muttered, "is it Thursday? I'm here Percy! Just a sec."

With an apologetic glance at Harry, who seemed to have caught up with the situation and was blushing bright pink, Ron made his way around the table to lean over the hearth to speak with Percy.

"Sorry Perce. I completely forgot. Can I take a rain check?"

"And leave me to entertain Jonathan? Really Ron?" Percy sighed.

"I know, I know. I've just got… things going on." He cringed mentally as he said it, knowing that was the most unsatisfactory response ever as Percy eyed him suspiciously through the flames.

"Everything Ok?"

"Yeah, brilliant, honest. I just have some things to catch up on… been really busy at the shop, you know?"

Percy did not look convinced, but seemed to decide it wasn't worth an argument as he sighed again.

"Fine. But you owe me."

Muttering to himself as he brushed the soot off of his knees, Ron came back around the table to find Harry finishing the chopping they'd started.

"Sorry mate. I forgot I was supposed to grab drinks with Percy tonight."

Harry just shrugged, dumping the mince into a pan and lightning the stove with a flick of his wand.

"It's alright. Drinks with Percy… and Jonathan?"

Ron quirked an eyebrow and watched as Harry fussed with the beef, resolutely not looking up at Ron.

"Yeah. Oliver and Andrew's friend. I told you about him."

"Their gay friend?"

Ron shifted slightly, not sure how to read the tone in Harry's voice as he finally looked over at Ron for confirmation. Was Harry… jealous? Godrick… would wonders ever cease…

"Yeah… that a problem?"

Harry shook his head quickly and blushed… again. Ron tried to bite back a smirk as it occurred to him that he would very much like to get used to making Harry blush. He didn't think he'd ever seen him flush so often and wanted to keep it happening, in several ways. At the very least, he wanted to figure out how to get Harry to start kissing him again.

"I think I owe him a thank you actually," he said finally. "He's the one who convinced me to pierce my ear."

Harry looked up at him again, his brow furrowed slightly as Ron ran a hand through his hair, revealing the earing. Harry kept his expression neutral, having perfected the art of not letting Ron see the effect he had on him over the last 6 weeks.

"Ok?"

Ron shifted so they were standing closer together, arms crossed casually over his chest as he leaned into the counter. Weeks ago, hell- mere days ago, he never would have noticed Harry's eyes flick up and down, or the hard swallow that followed. It was taking everything he had not to laugh.

How had he been missing this?! He'd been so convinced Harry was straight, so focused on trying not to weird him out, that he'd been completely oblivious to any indication Harry may have given that actually, being attracted to men, particularly to Ron, wasn't a half bad idea.

Ron had never been able to pull off anything resembling smooth, or even mildly flirtatious, in his life. Yet he was fairly positive he was driving Harry mad right now, and he wasn't sorry about it in the least. He watched Harry carefully, wanting to learn every cue, every reaction. He was determined to ignore the part of his brain that was still struggling to believe any of this was real. If this was some strange, elaborate, enchantment or just one of his more bizarre dreams, he was going to live it up while he could.

"You see," Ron continued casually, "I think the earing may have turned my best friend gay."

Harry's mouth fell open in surprise as Ron lost his will and snorted. Harry punched him in the arm, hard enough to make Ron wince as he laughed.

"Prat," Harry muttered, smiling as he turned back to the stove.

"You should come meet them," Ron said, turning his attention back to the potatoes, figuring he had all night to get Harry to kiss him again.

"Meet them? You mean like… Uh…"

Ron looked up at Harry, his smile faltering as he took in the worried expression. Realization dawned on him and he suddenly felt his stomach drop.

Logically, Ron knew this made sense. He had always known he was gay and it had taken him nearly 17 years to admit it to himself, nevermind anyone else. Harry was still figuring all of this out. Snogging Ron privately was one thing. Being out was another thing entirely.

Logical or not, it stung.

"We don't have to tell anyone Harry," he found himself saying, even as his gut twisted at the thought. Hadn't he promised himself when he came out that there would be no more pretending?

Harry shook his head. "It's not that. Well, it is I guess, just… I don't know… I'm not ashamed or anything."

Ron didn't really know what to say to that, so concentrated instead on mashing the potatoes.

"Ron, really. I don't know how to explain any of… any of what's happening."

"What is happening?" Ron asked, his tone sharper than he meant it to be. Shit. He was bolicking this up royally. "Sorry. That's not what I meant."

They stood silently for a few minutes, wordlessly passing ingredients back and forth as they assembled the pie and slid it into the oven.

"So…" Harry tried. "We should maybe uh… maybe talk about this?"

Ron rather thought they should just go back to snogging, but didn't say so. Sighing, he sat down at the table and gestured for Harry to join him. Harry hesitated. The conversation they were about to have was important, but probably going to be sufficiently awkward. He didn't want Ron to be hurt, but he also knew he wasn't ready to be so public about their... relationship? They were a couple, right? How did this even work? It had seemed fairly straight forward last night, wrapped up in the safety of their bed.

Harry mentally shook himself and gathered his courage.

"Wha…?" Ron blinked in surprise, as rather than take the vacant chair next to his, Harry straddled Ron's legs and sat down in his lap, facing him, his back braced against the dining table. Ron automatically shifted slightly so Harry's weight was more balanced and he willed himself not to become too distracted. Harry had kept himself at a fairly innocent distance, perched more or less on Ron's knees, but that didn't really help much as Ron's brain instantly went back to the previous evening on the sofa. He blinked up at Harry again, completely unsure how to react.

"Umm, how the bloody hell am I supposed to talk to you like this?" He finally managed, his hands hanging awkwardly at his sides while he tried to figure out what he was supposed to be doing with a lap full of Harry Potter that didn't involve snogging him into next week. Or quite possibly running into the next room, which would have been his immediate response less than 24 hours ago.

Harry chuckled lightly and crossed his arms over his chest with a small smirk, proud of himself for disarming Ron a bit. If he was honest, it was driving him slightly mental that Ron seemed so… sure and calm about everything that had happened between them.

"Look Ron, I don't want you to think that just because I'm not ready for… for everyone to know about... us? I mean… we're an 'us' right?" he interrupted himself, his confidence faltering.

"We are," Ron confirmed, understanding the need for affirmation better than most. "We can figure out the particulars as we go but… yes. We're an 'us' if that's what you still want?"

"Yes. I mean… it is."

Ron nodded, indicating for Harry to continue.

"So, just because I may not be ready for the entire Wizarding world to know that we're… 'us,' it doesn't mean I don't want to BE an 'us' and I just figured… sitting like this will remind you? I don't want you to be hurt Ron. It's not about you. Part of me wants to shout from the rooftops about it. I just…"

Ron brought his hands up to Harry's sides, his thumbs pressing patterns into Harry's hip bones through his jeans. Harry was smart. Sitting like this did help.

"I understand Harry. It took me 18 bloody years, so I get it. It's just that, I was ready to be done hiding. That's all."

Harry winced. "I don't want you to have to hide. That's… I mean, that doesn't seem fair."

"Well neither does making you do anything you're not ready to do yet," Ron replied, looking up at Harry to find him frowning slightly.

"Maybe," Harry said after a moment, "we just keep it private but not a secret? Like we tell a few people... your family and… oh my god… SHIT!"

"Hermione!" Ron's eyes widened as he finished Harry's thought. He leaned forward, pressed his forehead against Harry's chest, and groaned. 'Shit' didn't even begin to cover it. "Damnit Harry… I didn't even... "

"I know. I didn't either until just now. But… she'll be ok with it."

"How do you know?! She and I've only just barely gotten back to normal! Hell, maybe not even that! And now I have to tell her 'hey, by the way, I'm snogging my OTHER best friend now? P.S., turns out we both fancy blokes!' Could've been having pajama parties for years apparently..."

Harry rolled his eyes at Ron's dramatics. Pajama parties? Honestly. He wanted to snog boys, not learn how to do a plait. "I know she'll be ok with it Ron. I... Ok, don't get mad…"

Ron looked up again, perplexed this time. Harry inched forward in Ron's lap, earning a scowl from the red head but also a tighter grip on his hips.

"Cheap move Potter," Ron grumbled, shifting under Harry's weight. "What am I going to be mad about?"

"Hermione knows I'm gay… and that I'm pretty gone for you. I didn't actually tell her that part, but…"

"She's Hermione," Ron finished for him. "When did you tell her?"

Harry winced. "The day you came out to me...?"

Ron sat very still for a moment before tightening his grip on Harry's hips once again. "Do you mean to tell me we could have been sitting like this for weeks now?"

Harry shrugged helplessly. "Maybe? I honestly don't know Ron. I was so mixed up at the time. It's why I responded like a bloody idiot when you told me. I went to Hermione because… well..."

"She's Hermione," Ron repeated.

Harry nodded and shrugged again before he very quietly added, "I'm here now."

"You are," Ron agreed, "We are. Is it… I mean, is it still ok? Sorry I keep asking that. I just…"

"I know. Let's just say it Ron, it's bloody weird. But also good. Really good."

Ron nodded, doing his best to take Harry at his word.

"Too weird to tell my family?" he asked.

"No. We should tell them."

"That's not exactly 'just a few people' you realize? It's…"

"I'm aware Ron."

"I just don't want you to feel pressure or any...hrmph…"

Ron stopped his arguing as Harry pressed his lips to his, effectively shutting him up.

"Again with the cheap moves…"

"Are you complaining?"

"Shut it."

Harry just grinned. "So, Hermione first? Then… Merlin how do we tell your family?"

Ron laughed. "Well, we can go the route I did and tell them all individually, or you can just snog me at Sunday dinner. Your choice."

Harry tilted his head in thought, earning a raised eyebrow from Ron.

"That's not a bad idea actually."

"...mate…I was joking..."

"No really! It doesn't drag it out, it makes the point… I get to snog you. Win-win-win, right? Also… George may not be all that shocked by the info, just um… just FYI."

Ron gave Harry a quizzical look as he considered this, still not sure whether Harry was entirely serious about up and snogging him in front of his entire family, but also utterly distracted by the comment about George.

"Ok, first, whatever George knows, and however he came to know it, needs to be explained in great detail. Second, you have to tell Ginny ahead of time since she won't be at lunch," he ignored Harry's wince at this and plowed ahead. "Third, if you've got the balls to snog me in front of George and the rest of my gigantic, loud mouthed family, then go for it."

"Is that a challenge?"

"Absolutely Potter. I think you may need to practice though…"

They very nearly burnt the shepherd's pie.


"Ron, if you don't cool it, I'm going to hex you," Harry said with no real conviction after Ron's third attempt to subtly run his hands across Harry's arse as the estate agent continued enthusiastically describing some feature or another of the shop front they were currently investigating in Hogsmeade for George.

They agreed to tell Hermione about them in person at the Hogsmeade weekend. The preceding week and half had been a blur for both men, the days longer than they ought to have been, with Ron rushing through closing duties at the shop every night, and Harry forcing himself to visit the Ministry in person nearly every day to keep himself from pacing the foyer like a prat. Not too much of their usual routine really changed in truth. The only noticeable difference was their new competition to see which one of them could make the other cave first and start snogging.

There was a lot of snogging. If not for their mutual competitiveness, there may not have been, as they were both fairly hopeless when it came to any sort of powers of seduction, and they were equally, hilariously, inexperienced, not to mention navigating the idea of suddenly being able to snog your best mate was a bit of a maze.

Harry still felt completely stupid most days, unable to shake the lovesick feeling he got whenever Ron came home, or curled up closer to him in their giant bed, or… anytime really. It had taken him awhile to realize that was the best word for it- lovesick- but he'd never admit it out loud.

He was actually starting to get self conscious about it. Since coming out, Ron had settled into a new confidence that was frankly hot as hell, as far as Harry was concerned, but it also flipped their usual dynamic. It was usually Ron traversing the minefield of self doubt and having to constantly bolster his confidence, not Harry.

The reality was that Harry was still sorting out a lot of things in his head, getting comfortable with a part of himself he hadn't really known existed, but Ron was more patient than Harry had ever known him to be, slowly teasing pieces of information out of Harry when it was obvious he felt out of sorts, and offering nothing but understanding. It was… sweet? Which sometimes only added fuel to Harry's occasional freak outs.

But in fairness, Ron was new at this too. They were both equally unsure of what to say or do at times.

Despite their occasional confusion, they both went out of their way to clarify, over and over, that even though they were a little lost at times, they wanted this. Harry had to admit that when he summed it all up, it had been the best 10 days of his life.

Ron had convinced George to give him the Saturday of the Hogsmeade Weekend off in exchange for checking out a potential shop property while he was there. Ron was currently far too busy trying to get Harry to kiss him (again) to really inspect the property though.

Harry rolled his eyes as Ron slung an arm across Harry's shoulders and leaned into him. "I was serious you know. I know some very good hexes. You're supposed to be investigating this fine piece of real estate."

"Oh I'm investigating it all right," Ron said, smirking as he raked his eyes up and down Harry suggestively.

Harry snorted. "Really?"

"Can't help it mate," Ron replied with a wide grin. "I've had over a week with you all to myself. I should have just lied about coming today. We could have spent all day at the house."

Harry laughed and rolled his eyes again. "Some of us don't have jobs to get us out of the house. If you don't mind, I'd like to actually see the sky occasionally."

"Well gentlemen, what do you think?"

Ron caught Harry's eye and they both had to look away quickly to keep from bursting into laughter. Neither of them had the faintest idea what the agent had said.

"Uh, the shop itself is ok, but it's too far off the high street," Ron managed.

An hour later and they were crammed into a booth at the Three Broomsticks, Harry anxiously bouncing one leg until Ron finally slipped his hand under the table to rest if firmly on Harry's knee, reassuring him.

"It's just Hermione," he reminded him, "she'll probably know before you even tell her."

Harry nodded, sipping his butterbeer to keep himself occupied. It wasn't Hermione he was worried about, it was the conversation he would be having afterwards when he met up with Ginny.

Ron gave Harry's knee a final squeeze before tilting his head towards the door where a familiar head of bushy hair had entered. Hermione bounded over to them, exchanging hugs and ensuring butterbeers were ordered. She settled in and grinned at her two best friends, chattering non stop about her latest revision schedules and classwork before catching herself and taking a deep breath to pause.

"Sorry… I just miss you both so much!"

"We miss you too Hermione, don't apologize. We hardly know what to do with ourselves without you creating timetables for us," Harry grinned at his friend and she shook her head at him in exasperation.

"I don't know," Ron added, "I think we've managed to keep ourselves occupied."

Harry elbowed Ron in the ribs and began to blush. Hermione's head tilted for a moment and Harry knew this was all it was going to take…

A smile crept across her lips as she looked back and forth from Ron, smiling sheepishly, to Harry, blushing bright pink.

"Have you now," She asked, her smile now a full blown cheshire grin. "Harry, are you blushing?"

Ron laughed, finally, someone had noticed the blushing! Harry covered his face with his hands, mumbling to himself.

"Does that rather a lot these days," Ron confirmed, nudging Harry gently with his shoulder, forcing him to look up.

"Must you call it out though? Some of us aren't as accustomed to turning into a tomato every five minutes."

Ron just continued to beam at his two best friends, ignoring Harry's jibe. Hermione shook her head and kicked them both playfully under the table as they confirmed everything without words.

"How long then?"

"Last Wednesday," Ron said promptly.

"I told you Harry," Hermione pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah. You have been wrong before you know."

"Has she? When? I don't recall hell having frozen over any time in recent memory…"

Several rounds of butterbeer later, Harry was sufficiently relaxed. He should have known there was nothing to worry about with Hermione. He knew there was a part of this that was painful for her, but he was grateful that she could still be happy for them. It wasn't until a familiar shock of red hair caught his eye near the entryway that Harry remembered why he'd been nervous about the day.

Ginny's laugh reached their table and Ron looked up and spotted her as well. He gave Harry a small nudge. With an apologetic glance to Hermione, Harry made his was out of the booth and towards Ginny, knowing he needed to go in head first before he lost his nerve.

He hadn't counted on her being with someone, let alone that someone being Dean Thomas.

"Harry! Good to see you mate, how're things?"

Harry blinked stupidly for a moment before registering the situation. Ginny was here with Dean. Well. That made things easier in some ways he supposed. Not that he thought she was still carrying a torch for him or anything… but still.

"Hey Dean, Hey Ginny."

"Hey Harry! I didn't realize you'd be out here this weekend. Oh Dean- a booth! Go grab it quick. Nudge the first years out if you have to. Did you want to join us Harry?"

Harry shook his head, amusing himself for a moment by considering to agree to what he knew what only a polite invite.

"I actually wanted to talk to you for a minute Gin, privately? It won't take long…"

Ginny's brow furrowed in concern. "Everything ok?"

"Yes! Yeah, better than ok. I just need to… yeah. Can we talk somewhere else?"

Ginny glanced back at Dean who was ordering butterbeers from the booth he'd managed to procure.

"Sure. Give me just a second to let Dean know."

Harry waited awkwardly by the doorway for Ginny to make her excuses to Dean. Harry couldn't be sure, but he felt Dean's expression was slightly less than friendly when Ginny gestured towards him. He vaguely hoped Dean didn't think he was trying to make any sort of move on his date, but he was too nervous to care that much.

Ginny made her way back to him and wordlessly followed him out of the pub and away from the bustling high street before Ginny stopped, planting her feet and waited. Harry had to smile. She knew him too well to let him stew for long. They'd end up walking halfway back to Hogwarts before he finally said anything if she didn't prompt him.

"Well?" she said, as though on cue, "Are you sure everything is ok Harry?"

Harry bit his lip. He hadn't really come up with a plan here, and this was the first time he was actually going to come out to someone (he didn't count telling Hermione. Hermione was in a league of her own as far as sharing his secrets went) and that someone happened to be his ex-girlfriend, who was also his new boyfriend's sister.

"I uh, I just wanted you to know that I… I met someone."

Ginny's expression softened, but her eyes still held some confusion.

"I mean, I met them ages ago, but you know what I mean…" Harry rambled.

"That's great Harry, honest. But, you don't have to… I mean, why are you telling me specifically? And why the secrecy?"

Harry ran a hand through his hair nervously. "It's a little complicated. I… I don't really want anyone else knowing just yet."

Ginny's eyes narrowed slightly at this. "Why? Is she super shy or something? Can't handle the Potter fame?"

"He can handle the Potter fame," Harry replied, rolling his eyes.

Ginny froze, her eyes going wide just as Harry realized what he'd said.

"He?"

Harry met her eyes, slightly panicked.

"...Yes? Umm. Yes. He."

Ginny just looked at him for a moment, wondering briefly why Harry looked so nervous before realization dawned on her.

"You're dating my brother, aren't you."

It wasn't a question, but Harry saw the corners of Ginny's mouth twitch as he nodded, and suddenly his nerves evaporated entirely.

"Don't tell Ron though. We haven't told him yet, and George isn't sure how we should break it to him."

"What?!" Ginny nearly shrieked, her wand drawn out of habit as Harry put his hands up defensively and roared with laughter.

"Sorry! I couldn't help it! It was too easy…"

Ginny lowered her wand and instead swatted Harry's arm, adding a few punches to his shoulder for good measure.

"Ow! Ok, ok! I'm sorry! But you should have seen your face."

Ginny sighed but laughed in spite of herself. "Seriously then? Are you and Ron together?"

"Yeah," Harry confirmed. "I… I'm not really ready to tell anyone else though, like I said Gin, ok? It's… well it's kind of a long story I guess. Hermione knows. And I told Ron we can tell your family. But that's it at the moment. Ok?"

"Of course Harry. I… this explains rather a lot actually," she said, suddenly overcome with a fit of giggles.

Harry cringed, fairly certain he should be embarrassed by that comment.

"Oh don't be like that. I think if you'd just told me you were gay I'd be slightly confused, but since you're with Ron… well, that just makes sense."

"Does it?" Harry asked, surprised by this.

"Of course it does." Ginny said, matter of factly, "It's you and Ron! It… oh bloody hell. It took you two ages to realize it, didn't it? I should have known…"

"Ginny…? What are you on about?"

Ginny just laughed and shook her head. "Nevermind. I'm happy for you Harry, really."

"Thanks Gin."

"I should probably get back to Dean. But I want details! Next Hogsmeade weekend, I get to join the booth with you three."

"Deal," Harry said, hugging her briefly.

Perhaps this wouldn't be so difficult after all.


Harry had been quite confident that kissing Ron in front of his family was the way to go about things. Ron had told him about his many coming out conversations and it didn't sound like anything Harry wanted to replicate. His approach would be much cleaner, he reasoned. Ron had just been amused by the whole thing, making it clear he was up for it, but that this was up to Harry.

Now that he was sitting here though, Molly Weasley encouraging him to eat more helpings than he needed, Arthur laughing with Bill about some enchanted muggle hair dryer he'd had to deal with at work, George sat right in front of him, lining up his peas into the perfect formation to strike Charlie, who had worked out a way to join them once a month for Sunday dinners, it felt a bit… much.

It didn't help that Ron had been infuriatingly flirtatious all night, finding any excuse to touch him or brush up against him. He wished he could find a way to have Ron snog him instead. That would be… actually. Harry paused, his fork halfway to his mouth as an idea struck him. When it came to the little competition he and Ron had silently started, Harry was slightly ahead. It was usually Ron that caved and started snogging him first. Maybe if he…

The rest of the dinner, Harry fired back against Ron's teasing with a vengeance, even going so far as to rest his hand alarming high up on Ron's thigh under the table. He caught Ron's eye and his stomach did a small flip as he recognized the darkened gaze. He smirked.

When dessert was served, Harry found his moment as the conversation lulled and the Weasley's loaded cobbler onto their plates.

"Pass me the cream please babe?"

Ron's head swiveled to face Harry so fast his neck cricked. Harry just raised his eyebrows innocently, hand out for the dish of cream, ignoring the gazes of the Weasley's suddenly watching him.

Ron chuckled, amused at this different kind of boldness from Harry.

"You win, wanker," he muttered, before grabbing Harry by his shirt and pulling him into a kiss.

When they broke apart, the room silent around them, Harry grinned up at Ron, resolving to let Ron win a few rounds of their little contest over the next couple of days as a thank you.

"Ahem," George's exaggerated cough brought them back to the present. "Gentlemen…? Something you'd like to share with the table?"

Harry gave George a puzzled, look. "I'm just trying to get some cream mate."

George silently imploded, biting his knuckles dramatically to keep from making the joke he knew he couldn't say in front of his mother while Harry just smiled innocently at him.

"Ron?" Arthur asked, eyebrows raised expectantly.

"Erm, so, is it alright if my boyfriend joins us for Sunday dinners from now on?"

Before anyone could respond to this, Harry found himself engulfed in Mrs. Weasley's arms. He would have been surprised if not for years of experience in Molly Weasley's outbursts of affection.

"It's about bloody time. Best treat him right Ron. Not sure mum will forgive you if you don't," Charlie quipped.

Ron was already bright red, but was spared from responding by Harry's indignant huff as Molly released him.

"I reckon I can handle him myself if he doesn't." Harry said.

"I'm sure you can handle him in all sorts of…"

"George…" Bill warned.

Fleur caught Ron's eye across the table and Ron gave her a small smile. She nodded knowingly and calmly resumed eating her pudding, seemingly disinterested in the proceedings. It occurred to Ron that Charlie may not have been the only observant person in the family.

Ron felt lighter than he had in ages around the Weasley dinner table. He still felt the pang in his chest at Fred's absence. Part of him hoped he always would. But he was certainly glad to feel his family's warmth and acceptance… and Harry's thigh pressed firmly against his own.