A/N: Once again, sorry for updating so slowly! Writer's block, driving licence part 2, summer job, school stuff, relatives and old friends visiting, cleaning to do, a new larp up and coming in two weeks, annoying little brother etc. etc. the usual. BUT: it's extra long this time (the chapter I mean xD) so I hope that makes up for something. And it was rather hard to write. So appreciate it! I worked hard! And I should now be sleeping!!!

So, remember a few chapters ago when Harry set a few spies after Draco....? Well, now you'll see if it was worth the trouble. This chapter we'll also actually get to see the mentioned blonde fluffy ferret, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait for the next chapter for a confrontation. That part with Fred and George just kept on growing longer and longer... :P

Also, I'd like to reveal to you a secret: when I first started this story I had no idea where it was going or even how it would really be going. My point in writing this was to, as krakelia expressed in the review, "experience situations we'd like to have seen come to life". I myself just love this endless dance with the devil or whatever between Harry and Draco and therefore you can expect quite a lot more of that before we get to the end. I'm guessing it'll take at least 2 more chapters for me to finish but I won't promise it won't grow longer since I have this one idea I got while I was at work listening to music (to be more precise, the idea has loads to do with the songs "Irresistible" by Jessica Simpson and some others that would completely give the plot away if I'd tell them now). I just love writing Harry squirm. So this is my sad excuse for ... this sad excuse for a plot I have here... hehee... I hope that once I get this done I'll have time to write Erased, which is actually fully planned plot-wise and -yes- actually HAS a plot. ;)

And a final note: The version that I originally uploaded was the wrong un-betaed one, so I hope you haven't gotten mad with the spelling mistakes! But here's the chapter again fresh and spellchecked! (though this AN isn't checked so beware...) Huge thanks for Ed-LOVER-92 for betaing and noticing my mistake! Enjoy!

12.

"… and then, about a month ago, he came up with this new strategy against you people," Flint ended his long explanation about Slytherin Quiddich tactics, "he banned all cheating against Gryffindor. He thinks you play too clean so cheating would just lose points on our side."

Harry stopped writing his fake notes and trying not to yawn. He looked at Flint who was sitting opposite to him. This was the first interesting thing in the whole story so far. No more cheating in games? What an Earth was that supposed to mean?

"So he means you have to stop the obvious tricks? Figure out something more subtle?"

"No, he said specifically that if he catches any of us cheating in any way against Gryffindor, he'd report us himself and kick the cheat out of the team for good," Flint answered, and the unhappy look on his face clearly stated that he strongly disagreed with his Quiddich captain. Harry saw that this could be his chance to get Flint say something more than just the facts and acts.

"Well that doesn't sound like him at all, what does the team think about that?" He asked, trying to sound like he agreed with Flint about the stupidity of the new strategy. Truth be told, he felt rather glad about the new Slytherin rule. Finally he could just concentrate on playing the game instead of trying to avoid Slytherin tricks. He could also skip the usual practise warm-up rehearsal of "Expelliarmus on broom" and use the time on something more Quiddich-related.

"Well the beaters obviously think it's mad but they're far too afraid of Malfoy to disobey so you'll have nothing to fear from them. As for the others, I overheard them talking and wondering if Malfoy's gone soft in the head and that maybe they really should go to Snape about this. I'm not sure if they'll all comply with the new rule, probably not. They'll just do their tricks in secret."

Harry pretended to think about this for a moment and then asked, "Is this the only odd thing he's done lately?" He was starting to get worried that he'd sound too interested, but Flint obviously didn't mind the question. Probably he hadn't been able to rant about this enough to anyone.

"To tell you the truth, he's been really strange all year now. Pansy has a theory that something bad happened to him during the summer and this is some post-traumatic stress – whatever that means. But she's just Pansy, you know, always analyzing stuff."

Malfoy? Traumatized? Not in a million years... but on the other hand, when he thought about the family the boy had to live with, it didn't sound that unbelievable after all. Cool Ice Prince of Slytherin or not, Lucius and Narcissa hardly were the best - or even good enough - parents.

"What do you think about it?" he asked, hoping Flint would be keen enough on talking about this and forget to wonder why Harry was so interested.

"Nothing, really. It's his business. I just think it's really odd for - you know - a Malfoy to go so weird so suddenly. He's started to keep to himself quite a lot, telling us he's reading for tests and all that crap. I mean, I know he can't be reading school stuff, his grades are going down. He's always been a bit of a loner but I guess it's his superiority thing, you know, can't let anyone get too close. I know his father was just the same during his school years. But this year it's different; he's become somehow all serious and quiet, too. Boring to be with. Last week I saw him walking past two first years of your house and he didn't as much as snort at them! I really can't understand that. Actually..." Flint seemed to have remembered something and fell silent probably wondering if it was worth it to tell that extra bit of gossip. Harry could bet that whatever it was, it was something interesting and held his breath.

Ever since the start of this quietly held conversation in the far back table hidden behind many sections of bookshelves in the most unused section of the empty library (next to the History of Magic-section, of course) Harry had realized that the best way to talk to Flint was to agree on everything and not to hurry. So he stayed quiet, waiting. And soon enough Flint seemed to decide that yes, getting Percy Weasley's address was worth it.

"Actually there is one thing that could have something to do with it. I'm the only one who knows about this - except for themselves of course -" Flint leaned his head closer to Harry and lowered his voice "Malfoy did have something going on with one Rawenclaw last spring. I haven't seen them together this year even once." Flint leaned back on his chair and remembered again that he was supposed to pretend to be reading and not having a conversation with a Gryffidork. "I know he isn't the kind of bloke who'd get all weepy and sad if someone ditched him but, you never know …"

"Yep, you never know", Harry said, trying to hide his surprise. A Malfoy with a broken heart? He didn't even know Malfoys had hearts. He wondered if he could ask more about the affair, but it would probably sound too odd. After all, he was supposed to be interested in Quiddich tactics. But luckily Flint seemed to be quite a gossip when he got started with it.

"I only saw them a few times so I don't even know for sure if it was anything, I mean Draco's had quite a few short flings anyway and he never gets emotional about them. But he's stopped that too now. I heard Blaise tried to get into his bed but got turned down – and that's rare!" Flint continued, "But the Ravenclaw's the last person I know he had something going on with. I don't even know the bloke's name. He's one grade higher than us and not a Quiddich player. You might have seen him, he's a Prefect, rather short and skinny, dark brown hair that he never seems to comb but I must say he knows how to dress."

Harry almost dropped his jaw open when Flint just casually slipped that the Ravenclaw Malfoy had been dating was a male one. Apparently Slytherins weren't quite as intolerant as Harry had thought. At least in this kind of matters.

"I never knew Malfoy swung that way," Harry said, trying to sound amused instead of dead shocked. Flint seemed to catch his surprise anyway and gave a silent laugh.

"Oh, he swings all ways! He's not too secretive about it among us Slytherins, especially his own class, since it's a piece of cake for him to shut them up," Flint said, shrugging, "but he's strict about not letting anyone from other houses get it, so you didn't hear this from me. Obviously his father wouldn't approve." Well that's no news, Harry thought. "But he's made it pretty clear that he doesn't care what he thinks." But that is news. Since when had Draco stopped following his father's footsteps? Harry had a hard time trying to imagine Draco disagreeing something with Lucius - it seemed his father decided everything for him, even his hairstyle!

Harry had to suppress a laugh when he imagined Lucius' face if he ever found out his only son might want to marry some rich pureblood wizard instead of a witch. He pretended to check his notes (that actually were just some random mess) about Flint's information and tried to think of another question. He had already heard that Malfoy usually spent his free time either reading or studying, often alone, and that he didn't hang out with Crabbe and Goyle much anymore, now spending his time with older students or with his Quiddich team. He couldn't figure out any more inconspicuous questions so he thanked Flint and gave him the piece of paper with Percy Weasley's address on it, pressing that no matter what, Flint should never let Percy know who he got it from. When Flint flashed him a huge, wolfish grin and sprinted off, Harry could've solemnly sworn he was up to no good. Poor Percy...

Speaking of evil-doers, when Harry got up and walked towards the exit, two identical pairs of hands extended from behind bookshelves to grab him and pull him to their hideout. Harry yelped loudly - but it was a very, very manly yelp.

"So, what did Flint tell you?" George Weasley asked after Harry had recovered from the near-heart-attack-scare.

"He - he told they aren't allowed to cheat against us in Quiddich anymore," Harry stuttered the first thing that got into his mind. "Why did you have to scare me like that?! Couldn't you just ask me to come here?"

"Who can't cheat?" The twins looked baffled.

"The Slytherin team. He said Malfoy banned all cheating against Gryffindor team - and he even threatened to throw all cheaters out of the team."

The twins seemed even more amazed - and somehow impressed. It sure was a funny look, but Harry's amusement was about to be ended with a few horrifyingly loud comments...

"Whoa, Harry!" Fred said, pretending to be breathless and surprised, "I didn't know you were that good!"

"We knew he's had it for you for ages but what on Earth did you do to that little Ferret to make him go that crazy about you?" George asked, looking scandalized.

Harry quickly peeked from behind the bookshelves and was glad to notice that there was no one to be seen in the library - except for Madam Pince, and she wouldn't know who they were referring to with Ferret.

"Would you two keep it down?" Harry asked anyway, "And for your information, Malfoy had decided that a month or so ago! This has got nothing to do with me!"

"Quiddich between Gryffindor and Slytherin always has everything to do with you and Malfoy," Fred said, shrugging and his brother nodded. "Anyway, don't you want to know what we found out?"

"Oh, you really, really, really don't want to miss this!" George added, looking quite enthusiastic.

"You'll love it," Fred agreed, winking to George. Somehow Harry doubted that.

"Sure, of course," Harry said. To be honest, he was feeling eager to hear their information, but also rather cautious, "but let's go somewhere else." Harry tried to think of a place where anyone wouldn't hear all the most probably provocative stuff that Fred and George had found out - or well, probably it wouldn't be provocative really, they just would make it be such with their comments. And with a topic like this, Harry knew he couldn't count on the twins to keep it quiet. He was just about to suggest the Room of Requirement when the twins spoke.

"How about outside?"

"Yes, how about outside? It's sunny and wonderful!"

Harry had to agree that it was a tempting suggestion. And even if there might be others there, there were enough places they could go hiding - like the Forbidden Forest. He vaguely wondered if he could lead the twins to Aragog's nest if they got too annoying with their stupid ideas...

After an uncharacteristically uneventful walk from the library to the school grounds, Harry realized that he had indeed been tricked once again. The twins led him to a conveniently bush-covered but rather spacious spot by the lake, perfect for sharing secrets. Harry wondered why he had never found this place; it was like a little room with one wall open to the lake and with the trees as a roof and thick bushes around it as walls so that the only way in was to follow a nearly invisible track through them or to swim. It was only when Harry sat down on the soft grass so close to the water that he could reach his hand and touch it when he noticed that he had been tricked: Malfoy was hanging out by the lake too. And not even far away. He was only around thirty or forty meters off, laying on a large blanket spread on the sunny grass field with a few older Slytherins with him. The others seemed to be playing Exploding Snap while Malfoy was lying on his back and reading.

"Can't we go somewhere else?" Harry sighed, knowing what the answer would be. He didn't take his eyes off of Malfoy. Apart from the few water plants and grass acting as a curtain on the lake's side of their hidden "room", the twins had made sure he had a good view.

"Nope, we can't," came the unsurprising answer from Fred along with an unsurprising sunny smirk.

"And don't worry, Harry, he won't be able to see us," George added, "We've used this place so many times for just about everything and anything and never have we gotten caught." His grin told Harry that no, he did not want to know more.

"So, well... let's get this over with then, shall we," Harry sighed and pried his eyes off of the handsome Slytherin.

"Yes, let's!" came in stereo and the twins scooted closer to Harry - but being careful to not to block his view of Malfoy.

"Well," Fred started, "I bet you'll like to hear that we found out Malfoy wears always silk boxers, usually black or green and he likes to sleep naked."

"HOW DID YOU FIND THAT OUT?" Harry fumed. Malfoy likes sleeping naked. Great, that's all his overactive imagination would need for another badly slept night.

"Actually, we didn't," Fred admitted, looking guilty and amused.

"Just wanted to see how you'd react," George explained, smirking, "But Malfoy does seem like the silk-loving type," he pondered. Harry couldn't stop his head from nodding. He couldn't imagine what would be a better material on that fine skin. Harry was again caught staring at the reading boy with a slight flush on his cheeks.

"And I bet you could make him sleep naked! You seemed to enjoy the idea," Fred said with a suggestive wink.

"So," George started again before Harry could do anything but blush even more. He pulled out a notebook and some papers and pretended to flick through them, "First of all - and for real this time - we found out that no, he's not a complete prick when it comes to hanging out with other Slytherins."

"And by not being a complete prick we mean that he's actually polite and almost friendly," Fred commented with a fake-appalled expression as if it was very dreadful manners for a Malfoy to be almost friendly.

"Yes. For example, those guys there. That yellow-haired striking looking guy is Ivan Pewretti, and Malfoy enjoys playing chess with him. Next to Ivan there's his girlfriend, an annoying bitch called Joanne. Malfoy doesn't seem to like her too much, but the feeling's not mutual - that girl's got a huge crush on him and - look, there she goes again! - that's what she always does, tries to talk to him, make him play some stupid games with her... and all that in front of her dear Ivy. There's your winning couple of the year, truly," Fred rolled his eyes at the brunette who was still trying to engage Malfoy into conversation but seemed to get just annoyed grunts in response. Then he took a deep breath and continued; "Then that short haired, big blonde guy next to them, that's Johan _kstrˆm. Played Beater last year but wasn't really good. His family is somewhere from North-East, he's got a funny accent and Malfoy seems to like his jokes - or at least he gives the smallest of smiles when he hears them. Then next to Johan there's - as always - William. That Chinese looking dude with black neat hair, yes, he always sits that close to Johan. No idea of his last name and no idea of who he really is. Seems to be a studious guy and we know for sure that he's dating a Ravenclaw girl though their love seems to be quite platonic. He's the one that Malfoy talks least with but for some reason they hang out quite a lot. Then-"

"Why do I need to know who they are?" Harry had had to ask. It wasn't really interesting, "I want to know about Malfoy, not about some seventh-year Slytherin blokes."

"We'll get there, we'll get there, Harry, now don't be in such a hurry. This is very important information!" George was waving a raised index finger in front of Harry's nose.

"Now where was I? Oh, right. I was introducing Dan. Yes, oh, yes. Daniel Chasewater. He's the last one, the slim, handsome, punk-haired guy. And he's the interesting person." The enthusiastic look on Fred's face made Harry interested.

"A very interesting person, yes indeed..."

"Why?"

"Because, if you look at him closely, you'll notice he's a flaming closet fag."

"A what?!"

"A homosexual person who doesn't feel happy about going to a gay parade. Do you still think you're the only fag in town?"

"No - just - what does this have to do with Malfoy?" Harry's tone was cautious because he could guess how it could have something to do with Malfoy. He remembered Flint's story about the Ravenclaw guy. And Fred's suggestive eyebrow waggling proved him quite right.

"I know you're not dumb, Harry dear. Come on, try and guess," George said with a knowing look.

"Daniel's Malfoy's current fuck-buddy and you two saw them doing it in an empty classroom on top of the teacher's desk at night?" Harry blurted out, aiming to be funny but only succeeding in getting some more suggestive eyebrow wiggling.

"Is that how you'd do it, Harry?"

"That's rather bold, I never knew you're so kinky."

"I bet Malfoy would love that."

"Oh, shut up, will you." Harry felt his cheeks burn red at the implications. Actually, the scenario of Harry being dragged into an empty classroom for a late night harassment was one of his repeated - err - nightmares...

"But if we will then you'll never hear about what goes on between Daniel and Malfoy"

Harry sighed a defeated sigh. He knew he had to take the stupid talk if he wanted to hear about Malfoy.

"Fine. Talk all you want."

"I knew you couldn't resist. So, here's the situation," George started but allowed his brother to continue.

"Daniel is head over heels and completely smitten with Malfoy, or well, I'd rather say he's lusting after him."

"Big time," George pointed out and Fred nodded before he continued.

"You see, our dear Danny-boy here has a certain reputation among Slytherins. The stories say he's the best shag in his year, and the most experienced, too. Rumour has it that he's running out of new fuck-buddies now on his own year. And so he's set his sights on poor, dear Draco."

"Which is so very, very wrong since Danny is just simply not the right one for him," George continued, turning to cast a pitying look at the said Malfoy, "Luckily, Draco has brains. Daniel can try all he likes but no matter how much he messes that raven black hair of his, no matter how he tries to Glamour his eyes greener, keep wearing reading glasses and no matter how he tries to annoy Draco to start bickering with him, he'll never be able to replace you, Harry."

"You're joking," Harry said, after staring at Fred for a while in disbelief, "You can't mean he actually does all that? And expects Malfoy to - to fall for that? You can't be serious!"

"We are. I mean, look at that hair style - just like yours except that when he does it with some hairdo-potion it makes it look like that... that Green Day singer. Yours is naturally post-shag hair, all soft and sexy, just the way Malfoy wants you," George ended his sentence with a wink. Before Harry could protest their ideas, Fred continued to explain.

"So, we now know that the second worst slut of Slytherin is after your Draco but isn't getting anywhere. We've seen him try and fail enough times already. But what does this tell us about our favourite Slytherin?"

"Well, what?"

"That he's definitely got a thing for you. And that he's definitely gay," Fred stated his conclusions with a victorious grin, "Of course, that's no news. But you wanted proof..."

"What in Merlin's name in that mess makes you think he- he's got a thing for me?" Harry didn't see any logic in that deduction.

"Why, if a person such as Daniel tries to get into his pants by dressing up as you, fashioning his hair messy like yours and everything, I'd say that says something. I'd say that to at least some of the Slytherins in that group it's completely obvious that Malfoy is gay and fancies you. Clearly Joanne has no clue, but I'm guessing Ivan knows - that would explain how he doesn't get bothered by Joanne throwing herself at Malfoy. Apparently also Daniel knows since he's trying to take advantage of the information, but I'm not sure about Johan and William. I highly doubt Draco has told any of them, but after all, they are Slytherins. They have eyes and some of them even have brains. See the logic now, Harry? Why else would that slut try and copy you if he didn't have facts about Dracos preferences?"

"Right," Harry said, not still sure if he should believe that. "What about that gay thing? How can you be sure?" Harry did remember Flint telling him that Draco swung 'all ways', but that could easily be exaggeration or just a stupid gossip.

"Oh, come on! Why would Daniel bother trying so hard if he wasn't sure he at least is of the right sex for Draco?"

"And besides, that's not our only proof for him being a poof." Now that got Harry's attention.

"What proof?" Harry asked and Fred started to list things, counting them with his fingers as he went on.

"Well, he dresses in such a gay manner, he looks gay, he keeps checking your arse all the time-" Wait, what?

"No he doesn't!"

"Oh, yes he does. That's how we first noticed the spark between you two. You stare at him only half as often as he stares you."

"Don't you ever wonder why he always seems to fly behind you at Quiddich?" Fred asked with a wink and continued his list: "he reads fashion magazines and goes to fashion shows, he does ballroom dancing as a hobby on summers-"

"What? How do you know that?" Well that would explain why he was such a good dancer. And such a good lead, too, in dancing (and, his traitorous part of mind pointed out, probably elsewhere too...)

"This is a well confirmed information. Our little cousins daughters mother in laws nephews best friends parents own a dance studio in London and that's Malfoys favourite. Professor Flitwick goes there too, you know, he does salsa really well."

"Okay. Is that the end of your list?"

"No. There's still one very important thing left unsaid," George said with a serious voice.

"Well?"

"Well, he's a Malfoy," Fred answered as if that would explain it all.

"And what do you mean by that?"

"We mean that he's just like his dad is. And you know how he looks at Snape..."

"I don't think I want to know," Harry stated, feeling suddenly rather ill.

"You're right, you don't," Fred said sounding and looking very serious, making a very Malfoy-ish face of disapproval.

"But on with the show," George stated and nudged his brother to go on.

"Ah, yes. In case you ever wonder where to go and find that little fluffy ferret, head to the library. He's got a habit of working on his school stuff alone in a specific table in the far corner of the library. Actually, just the one you and Flint chose for your secret rendezvous," Fred smirked, "seems you have a similar taste in library tables."

"You're just made for each other, Harry my boy! I'm so happy for you!" George flashed a shining smile at him.

"Sod off," Harry tried to snap, but the thought of him and Malfoy fitting together made his voice sound a little too dreamy for a snap. That made the twins laugh.

"So, I guess Flint already told you, dear Draco has changed a little this year. No more bullying first years - just the ones that get into his way for real. No more Crabbe and Goyle following his every step - and that's because Malfoy told them to get off his back; we hear he believes he's 'perfectly capable of taking care of himself in a school where there's only one decent opponent'. I didn't get the feeling that he was talking about Dumbledore."

"Well I don't think he was even talking about a fighting opponent..."

"Oh, shut it." Harry sighed, once again caught staring at Malfoy who was turning the pages in his book, searching for something. "I saw Malfoy with Crabbe and Goyle not long ago."

"Well we figure he still needs to hang with them for a while, you know, to keep good connections for the future," Fred said, shrugging.

"Doesn't he just look so absurdly hot, lying there in the sun?" George pointed out loudly with a malicious glint in his eyes when he noticed Harry hadn't even heard Fred's comment. "Maybe you should go and see if he'd like to go for a walk around the lake with you to cool down in the shade of the trees...? Or maybe rather warm up..."

If Harry had heard his suggestion he probably would have blushed badly, but he didn't hear. He was completely concentrated on staring. Malfoy had put the book down next to him and sat up to loosen his tie and take it off. Then he started opening the few first buttons in his school-uniform shirt. His black robes were already gone and he was wearing only the white shirt and black pants. Of course Malfoy always had his school uniform made of the finest materials and this was no exception: he seemed to be wearing a super-thin summer version of the outfit. Harry swallowed hard when he saw the revealed delicious skin.

Gods, that guy is just too damn beautiful to be legal. Malfoy ran a hand through his hair and seemed to be whining to Johan or whoever that was that it was too hot. He felt a hot flush rush through his body, settling uncomfortably in his pants. Malfoys hair looked slightly ruffled, just the way it always got when they'd had a fight - verbal or physical.

"HARRY!" Harry jumped up and got standing at the shout combined with identical pokes to his ribs.

"What?" he sighed, realizing how embarrassingly out of breath he was, not to mention completely flushed and - oops. He decided to sit back down fast and cross his legs. Bloody Malfoy.

"Got your attention. Finally."

"Want to hear more about that sexy beast?" George asked with an amused grin.

"Go on," Harry nodded. Carefully looking at the twins, trying not to let his eyes stray.

"Well, there's not much left to tell. Just the most delicious details."

"Did you know that Draco's favourite treat is Swiss chocolate? And that his favourite drink seems to be hot chocolate - he drinks that at least two cups every morning. See the connection there? Not to mention his weakness towards that chocolate sauce dessert..."

"Don't you dare suggest anything about that!" Harry cut off. He could just hear them starting with 'you know I hear chocolate sauce is really good for your skin...' or something the like.

"We weren't going to say anything."

"What did you have in mind then, dear Harry?"

"Uh.. I ... nothing," Harry said, fighting back the blush that had almost died but was back on again with the thoughts of Malfoy and chocolate sauce. He risked a glance towards the blonde boy and saw that he was back to reading. He had apparently ruffled his hair even more, it now looked just the way it was always after their fights. Just the way Harry loved it...

Wait, no, no no no, Harry did NOT "love" anything about Malfoy. He shook his head. No. He only fancied that bastard, it was just lust and only because of his looks. And that unbelievably sexy voice. And ... well, truth be told, his arrogance and evilness were also a major turn-on. Just thinking about that made him feel hot.

"What were you thinking, Harry?" George asked, looking at him with a very interested but gentle smile.

"Err... well, Malfoy," Harry decided to settle for the truth. After all, the twins knew anyways.

"You know, Harry ... you - er - you do seem to," George seemed to be unsure if he should continue but a nudge from Fred made him spill it anyway, "you really seem to like him an awful lot and ... er ... well - you know - you're like a brother to us and - "

"We'd really hate to see you get hurt and therefore if you decide to get it going with that Ferret we just want you to know that if he ever does or says anything bad to you we'll hex him so bad even his father will feel it." Fred decided to end George's mumbling. Harry stared at them. They looked more serious than he had ever seen them. It felt wonderful to have ... well, almost like family, almost like big brothers.

"Did you give the same talk to Ron about Hermione?" He smiled at them.

"Yeah. After your second year," Fred said with a smirk, "but we do hope you'll gather your courage faster than he did."

"Um... well, actually he still didn't."

"What?"

"It was Hermione," Harry said and told them how Hermione had decided to forget trying to talk to Ron about it and jumped him in the middle of a corridor. He knew he was gossiping but he knew the story was already spreading and besides, Ron was their brother, they would find that out anyway.

"That's... that girl sure has some style!"

"Too bad Ron caught her first," George sighed, pretending to look dreamy.

"Well it wouldn't help you if she was free anyway," Fred laughed but fell silent quickly. Harry's gaze shifted from one twin to the other. Did they mean...

"You're... are you..." Harry started, but he didn't know how to ask - or exactly what to ask. After a moment of awkward silence, George sighed.

"Fine. Yes I'm gay. Yes I've had a crush on you. No, Fred is not gay, it's just me." All that came out pretty quickly, worriedly and sounding a little bitter.

"I'm - um..." Gosh, what do you say to a guy in a situation like this? "I'm surprised."

"I hope it isn't a disgusting idea and I hope you won't start to worry or anything. I never meant to tell you and I knew I had no chance and so I moved on and it's fine now you're just like a brother to me..."

"George, you're blabbing like a baboon," Fred pointed out and turned to Harry. "He just wants you to know that you look really good riding a broom and that he just couldn't help liking you when you were so cute last year."

"Last... year?" Harry was baffled. Completely baffled. "I don't care- I mean, I don't mind - I mean I won't worry. It's okay. I just never would have guessed," he stuttered but then pointed out matter-of-factly, "But I'm not cute." Then he realized how childish (and probably also "cute") that sounded.

That made them all laugh and released the tension.

"You know, Harry, you still are cute. But you've grown up so now it's more like a gorgeous sexy kind of cute. No wonder Malfoy's so fascinated," George said, "but I won't mind losing you to dear Ferret as long as I have my Ollie."

"Ollie? Like- like-?"

"Yeah, Oliver Wood." George was beaming with happiness.

"Gosh, this place's gone completely queer!" Harry sighed.

"Tell me about it," Fred pointed out, faking a frustrated sigh.

A/N: So, tell me, how was it? Please review and thell me what you thought!
I'm not sure when I'll be able to write the next chapter. In less than a month I'm off to France and obviously can't continue writing from there, I'll be in a place where internet and computers are a rare species. But I'm hoping I'll get one chapter out before leaving. :)
Thanks for reading! :) And big thanks for everyone who has reviewed so far, you guys really keep me going! ;)