Making the future history

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and many of the places mentioned in this story. The plot is the only thing created by me.

Thought I would post another chapter today, as it's been so long. Hope you enjoy it.

danniperson:- I'm glad you like the story so much. Please keep reading. :)

neongreenleaves:- Sorry that I made you sad! Don't worry this chapter should make you happy. :) I don't like to Ron-bash for long!

Chapter 21: The Invitation

'No Harry I wouldn't think you were disgusting just because of your sexual orientation. That is something that no one chooses and that can't be helped.'

'Can I ask a question? It may sound stupid.'

'Of course.'

'Is being gay the same for wizards as it is for muggles?' Severus didn't quite understand what Harry was asking of him.

'In what way?'

'Are there more gay wizards than muggles or less or the same?'

'I would guess about the same but I think it is perhaps more acceptable in the wizarding world.'

'So it's more acceptable here but Ron still hates me? He's never going to be ok with it.' The boy started to sob slightly again and so Severus put his arms around him, not wanting him to feel alone. Harry immediately stopped crying and for a moment, the older man forgot himself completely- he could only concentrate on Harry's scent and how it made him want to hold on tighter. He had no further advice to offer to the boy but just hoped that his attempt at comforting him was doing him some good.

'Harry, Ron will be able to accept it eventually. I mean no offence when I say this but he is not one of the most open-minded people that I have met so it will take him a few days or so for it to sink in.'

'I don't even know anyone that's gay. If I did then I could ask them if it gets better.'

'It does get better Harry.' Severus let his answer slip out before thinking about what he was admitting to and realised too late that he couldn't take this back. The boy looked up and stared straight into Severus' eyes, hoping that he hadn't misunderstood what was being said to him.

'Do you mean that you… that you're gay too?'

'Yes Harry' Severus sighed. 'I am and that is why I know that things will get better for you. Trust me.'

'I trust you' he replied, pulling the man into him once more before allowing him to leave.

This was the moment that Severus could no longer hide himself from Harry and he knew that from now on, any attempts to push him away wouldn't work. Or maybe it was just that he didn't want that to work anymore. Either way, Severus had succumbed to his growing love for Harry and despite the fact that he would never tell him, he no longer had the heart or the strength to go on with his horrible attitude towards him. This change in Severus, along with Harry's hurt at Ron's reaction allowed the two to become close again, perhaps closer than they felt they should have been as friends. They spent most of their time together over the next couple of days and as much as he could tell that Harry wanted to discuss something else, Severus often found their discussions once again travelling to Voldemort.

'Albus has more theories on where the remaining horcruxes are. I think he wants to discuss them with you after your birthday.'

'And then it all begins.'

'Indeed.'

Harry felt that the horcrux quest was becoming a heavier and heavier weight on his chest and that the more he thought about it, the more he realised how hard winning the battle would be.

'Severus what's going to happen when you have to move back to Hogwarts? How are you supposed to help with the horcruxes when you're there under the watch of all the Deatheaters?'

'I will prepare you as much as possible until I go back but after then, Albus will take over your training. In terms of horcruxes, I will be of more use to you once I am working under the Dark Lord again. I will report to Albus whenever possible and I'm sure that he will call Order meetings.'

'When will you need to leave?'

'I expect I will need to be there a week or so before terms starts in order to start preparations for the new way that the school will be run.' Severus' eyes turned cold and hurt- something that he found more difficult to conceal by the day, as he became closer to Harry.

'It will be ok Severus. I know that you're dreading what you're going to have to do but at least with you being there you can try and secretly protect the school can't you?'

'I suppose in some ways I can but I am supposed to be torturing those that are not inclined to the Dark side, which is something I expect I will have to do on a daily basis.'

'I'm sorry.'

'Why are you apologising to me?'

'Because I am stupid. I am always thinking of this war has and will affect me and to be honest, it has affected you way more than anyone else can possibly imagine.'

'If this is what I have to do then I will do it.'

'But you shouldn't have to.'

'At least this way, I am not one of the many Deatheaters that is having to kill innocent people…I just have to torture them instead.' He sighed wondering if things could ever get better for him.

The conversation stopped dead as they heard someone else enter the building. Harry left Severus alone as he went into the hallway to see who it was. His stomach churned as he saw that it was Ron, looking very awkward and confused.

'What are you doing here?' Harry asked emotionlessly.

'Not even an offer for a cup of tea? That's nice.' Ron's attempt at a joke seemed to make the situation even more awkward.

'I don't tend to offer people tea when they hate me.'

'You're mental you are. I never said I hated you.' Ron started to look ashamed of himself but this didn't stop Harry from getting angry.

'Yeah but you called me disgusting. Could you have said anything worse?' he half-yelled.

'Yeah I'm sorry about that. Seriously. I was out of order and I wasn't thinking straight. I was just gutted that you didn't tell me yourself.'

'I was worried about how you'd react and can you blame me?'

'Yeah ok. I didn't take it well but I'd have taken it a lot better if I wasn't the last to know.'

'You weren't the last. Hermione and your mum were the only ones I told before you I swear.' Ron looked guilty.

'Sorry mate. I thought that you'd told people and so I was talking about it when I was angry…'

'Ron, are you trying to say that everyone knows?'

'My family does yeah. I'm sorry.'

'When you say they know…what do they know?'

'They know that you're gay…not the other stuff. When I realised that they didn't know that part, I kept quiet about the rest.'

'To be honest, it's a bit of a relief that everyone knows. At least I can be open about it. How did they react?'

'Well a lot better than I did. Fred and George threatened to hang me from the roof for the way I acted and Ginny said that she had guessed.'

'Do you want to come in?' Harry smiled.

'No I'd better be off. The wedding tomorrow remember? You're still coming, right?'

'Course mate. Wouldn't miss it.'

'Good. Don't tell them I told you but they've got a surprise for you at midnight, as you're going to be 17.'

'Oh. I forgot it's my birthday soon.'

'Wow. The saviour of the world forgets his own birthday. We're fucked.'

Harry hit him on the arm but couldn't hold back his laughter.

'You're a dick' he told his friend.

'Yeah I am. Are we friends again?'

'Yeah I suppose' Harry rolled his eyes as he spoke. Ron opened the door to leave before turning back to face his friend.

'I completely forgot. Mum says you have to make sure that Severus comes to the wedding.'

'Ron he can't. He can't be seen by anyone.'

'He can disguise himself can't he?'

'Oh yeah. See you tomorrow.'

Severus had heard nothing of the conversation but had realised that it was Ron that had come to see Harry. The man was nothing but utterly disturbed by the mischievous grin on Harry's face as he came back into the room.