James stands awkwardly in the center of the room. He fidgets.

"Minerva?"

McGonagall jerks. She looks at Dumbledore. Dumbledore is looking at James, though.

"Yes?"

"Could you perhaps leave Mr. Potter and me to speak alone?"

James expects McGonagall to say something – anything – but what she does say.

"Of course, Headmaster."

And she leaves, leaves James standing there before Dumbledore.

-

"Take a seat, James."

James complies eagerly. He's still sore, he realizes too late, and winces.

Dumbledore hands are folded. He says conversationally,"Mr. Argyle did a number on you, didn't he?"

Argyle? Max Argyle?

"A bit, sir."

"From what I hear, Mrs. Norris spotted you heading to the Quidditch Pitch."

"Did she, sir?"

"Mm-hm. Lemon drop?"

"No thank you, sir. I just–" James chokes on the words, not because he cannot say them, but because he doesn't know what to say. "I just . . . we just . . ." He falls silent.

Dumbledore looks at him with interest; he cocks his head to the side.

"Speechless?" he says thoughtfully, "That isn't like you at all, James."

Yeah, well, James hasn't really been himself for the past few days.

"Hm? Why is that?"

Shit. Did he say that aloud?

"Uh . . ."

"You can tell me, James."

"Uh, I . . ."

I spent the entire week wanting to fuck a Slytherin? Or maybe, I spent the entire week wanting to fuck another guy?

Could he possibly tell him that James Potter just might be a . . . a . . . a faggot?

James wonders if Dumbledore could believe something so farfetched. Hell, he hardly believes it himself.

"I, uh, just haven't been feeling well, is all."

Dumbledore nods solemnly. He smiles.

"I see. Well. whenever you are willing to tell me about it, I am always here."

Shrewd man, that Dumbledore.

-

Dumbledore doesn't question him on motives. In fact, they end up not speaking of the Slytherin at all. James is punished once McGonagall is invited back into the room: detention for fucking life, he has.

Detention with Filch. Detention with the Slytherin.

James isn't sure who's worse.

-

Once they are finished with him, McGonagall escorts him to the Infirmary.

James locks eyes with the Slytherin.

The Slytherin sneers. James stomach sinks.

He's fucking scared of what he'll tell Dumbledore.