Chapter 35

Hogsmeade and Puberty

Harry wrote a letter to Tom, telling him about the dementor attack as well as Professor Lupin's promise to teach him a spell to defend himself against them. Tom's reply came a week later, giving praise to Harry about his innovation and wishing him luck before ending the letter with another promise to see Harry on Yule.

With the promise of anti-dementor lessons from Lupin and the thought that he might never have to hear his mother's death again, Harry's mood took a definite upturn. Better yet, Daphne seemed to be opening up to them once more, talking with them easily once more and sitting somewhat more relaxed as December came. Harry saw no hint of a dementor within the grounds. Dumbledore's anger seemed to be keeping them at their stations at the entrances.

Two weeks before the end of the term, the sky lightened suddenly to a dazzling, opaline white and the muddy grounds were revealed one morning covered in glittering frost. Inside the castle, there was a buzz of Christmas in the air. Professor Flitwick had already decorated his classroom with shimmering lights that turned out to be real, fluttering fairies. The students were all happily discussing their plans for the holidays. Harry was once again staying at Hogwarts for the holidays, much to his and his friends' disappointment, however, he wouldn't be alone as they learned that Nathen Davis, a fifth year, was staying as well. That, along with many promises that they will see each other during Yule, finally convinced his friends not to kidnap him once the term ended.

To everyone's delight, there was to be another Hogsmeade trip on the very last weekend of the term. On the day of the trip, to make sure that he did not miss it, Harry made sure to have his heavy cloak and scarf ready, as well as escort his friends to the front of the line when they were done with breakfast.

There was thick swirling snow outside, and Harry huddled with Draco and Blaise as the group went down the path to Hogsmeade, talking excitedly about their Yule shopping as Draco listed the shops that Harry just had to visit.

Hogsmeade reminded Harry of an old muggle Christmas card. The little thatched cottages and shops were all covered in a layer of crisp snow; there were holly wreaths on the doors and strings of enchanted candles hanging in the trees. Blaise took Harry's hand and grinned as he dragged Harry to a shop called Honeydukes. "You're going to love it in here Harry," he grinned as they went inside.

There were shelves upon shelves of the most succulent-looking sweets imaginable. Creamy chunks of nougats, shimmering pink squares of coconut ice, fat, honey-colored toffees; hundreds of different kinds of chocolate in neat rows; there was a large barrel of Every Flavor Beans and another of Fizzing Whizbees. Harry and Blaise squeezed themselves through a crowd of sixth years, the others pushing in after. "I gotta show you my favorite chocolate Harry," Blaise said, not letting go of Harry's hand. They shuffled around the crowded shop and Blaise pulled down bars of chocolate from Japan as well as others that advertised of having real coconuts in it. "You have to try it!" Blaise grinned. "Ohh and there's this lollipop that tastes of your favorite dessert! Draco and I had ten of them last time we were here, right Dray?" Blaise turned to Draco.

Draco nodded, and crossed his arms, "Yeah," he muttered. "We did." His eyes fell towards Harry and Blaise's hands then looked up and caught Harry staring at him. His cheeks turned red, and he turned away. Harry felt a little awkward but turned back to the candy.

"So, this is your favorite?" Harry asked as he picked up the coconut-flavored chocolate bars.

"Yeah," Blaise nodded. Harry took several more and smiled, "Then I'll try one for myself," he said.

"Harry, you have seven bars," Blaise pointed out.

"I know," Harry hummed. He looked around and gasped, "My mentor loves these!" he said. He went to what looked like more older candies with caramel. He took a bag and grinned, thinking that it would be a nice treat to go along with his real gift. He went around the packed store and somehow gotten his arms full of treats and candy bars before he decided that he had more than enough and purchased them all and shouldered himself outside the shop where he saw Pansy, Theo, and Daphne waiting.

"What took you so long?" Pansy demanded. Harry just lifted his bag as an answer. "Why did you buy so much? Don't you care about your figure?"

"They're not all for me!" Harry shot back. "Some are for others. Small treats I thought would go good with their Yule presents."

"That's very sweet Harry," Daphne smiled. She looked extremely comfortable as she and Theo stood very close to each other. Harry just smiled before readjusting his scarf.

"Where should we go next?" he asked as Draco and Blaise walked out. "It's a bit cold."

"You have to see the Shrieking Shack, it's very creepy," Draco said.

"The Shrieking Shack?" Harry said questionably.

"I rather get back inside somewhere," Blaise complained.

"It'll be quick," Draco said quickly and he took Harry's gloved hand. "Come on," he said and he tugged Harry along.

Harry just shrugged and went along with it, quickly matching Draco's stride. "Are you okay?" he asked. "You seem a bit jumpy."

"I'm not jumpy," Draco said quickly, "I just want to show my best friend something. That a crime now, Potter?" Harry frowned and said nothing. Draco sighed and squeezed Harry's hand. He looked over his shoulder and muttered, "Sorry. Just, Harry I just wanted to talk with you alone."

"Ohh, okay," Harry said. He waited for Draco to elaborate but the blond didn't. Instead, the two walked on down a dirt path that led away from the main street. The dirt road curved until it reached an overlook with a short path that led to an abandoned house.

"They say that it's haunted," Draco said. "The villagers used to hear screaming from inside it. Thing is, it doesn't have any doors leading in."

"Huh," Harry hummed. The two leaned against the fenced overlook and stared out at the shack. "So, what was it that you wanted to talk about?"

Draco sighed. He looked down at his hands and fidgeted for a moment. "I wanted to ask about you, honestly. I wanted to ask when was the first time you realized you were in love with the Dark Lord."

Both their cheeks turned redder from the cold and embarrassment. "Ohh," Harry said. He hummed and looked out at the shrieking shack. "I think I was always in love with him, but in different ways," Harry said. "Hey, if I tell you something, will you promise to keep it to yourself?"

"Of course Harry, anything," Draco swore. Harry looked at him for a second and smiled.

"Tom," he said. "That's my master's name. Tom. Like I said, I think looking back I was always in love with him, but in different stages. When he first saved me, I started to love him as a mentor and guardian, someone who taught me about our world and kept me safe from the muggles. We talked and learned more about each other, and when I was ten or eleven, something strange happened. There was this gay couple, two men who looked to be in their twenties or thirties, and there was this asshole yelling at them. This was also my first time actually seeing a gay couple, funny enough. Anyway, this asshole was just yelling at them, and I stepped in to stop him. He slapped me before running away, and the couple and I talked, they were making sure I was okay. Just seeing them made my heart feel weird, and when they asked if there was someone special in my life, all I could think of was Tom."

"What happened to the asshole?" Draco asked.

"I chased after him and burned his face," Harry hummed. He snapped his fingers and held out his pointer as an orb of fire appeared. He gave Draco a cheeky grin.

Draco chuckled and shook his head ruefully.

"That was also the same day I learned Tom's name, I was just calling him Lord Voldemort before," Harry said, dismissing his fire.

Draco gasped. "You were calling the Dark Lord by his name? Are you insane?"

"Maybe, but it's worth it," Harry smiled. "Anyway, over time Tom told me about his life and his time at Hogwarts all those years ago. Did you know that he was in love?"

"Honestly, I didn't even think the Dark Lord could love," Draco said.

"Well, he can, and he did," Harry said. "He had another boyfriend, another little snake. Honestly, I'm still a bit jealous of him, Adrian, however whenever Tom compares me to him and says just how much I am like Adrian or reminds him of him, it makes me happy strange enough. Someone needs to be there for Tom, I think. Adrian couldn't, and so it's up to me to watch out for him."

"What happened to him? This Adrian person?" Draco asked.

"He passed away," Harry frowned. "He was sick and died when his father separated the two. Tom was so heartbroken. They both just graduated Hogwarts when it happened."

"That's awful," Draco said.

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "Sometimes, I wish I could have met him. I saw him once in a memory. He's very beautiful, I'm a little jealous actually."

"Why? You're beautiful too Harry," Draco said honestly. "Your hair, the shape of your face and eyes, you're turning into a very beautiful person."

Harry blinked and looked away, blushing. "Thanks," he stuttered, "I think you're beautiful too."

"Thank you," Draco blushed. The two blushed in silence for a moment before Harry cleared his throat.

"Anyway, after that my feelings for Tom changed, I just want to be with him. To hold his hand, kiss him on the lips, and just live with him if that makes sense. He's always on my mind, even if I don't show it," Harry said shyly. "In fact, one of my biggest dreams is being in his arms and just stay there. For an hour, for a lifetime, I don't know, but as long as I'm in Tom's arms, I know that everything will be okay."

"I see," Draco muttered. "Thank you, Harry," he said. He turned to Harry and looked absolutely fearful. "Thing is, I've been feeling something strange for some time. For a guy. But I'm scared to admit it. Because if Father hears, I'm honestly scared of what he'll say or do."

Harry immediately grabbed Draco's arm and pulled him into a hug. "Don't worry," he whispered. "I have you. If Mr. Malfoy even dares to do anything—anything at all, then you'll come to me, okay? But honestly, I don't see what's wrong."

"I'm… Harry, I'm g…" Draco struggled with the word. He took a breath and said in one breath, "I'm gay Harry, I can't have kids!"

Harry held him tighter, but he couldn't help but smile, "Is that all?" he asked.

"Harry you don't understand, with our families we have a duty to continue them," Draco stressed. "As family heirs, we have the responsibility to make sure that the family lives on."

"Well, then you or whoever you love will get pregnant," Harry said. "There's this method in Japan that I want to learn more about. They're able to get men pregnant, and honestly, I wouldn't mind it, you know? I mean not until I'm way older obviously, but being able to carry Tom and my child? The thought excites me."

Draco pushed back slightly to stare at Harry. "You're not joking, are you?"

"No, I'm not," Harry said. "Tom and I are going to go there during the summer before our sixth year."

Draco nodded and looked shyly at Harry. "Do you think you can…"

"I'll tell you everything I learn, I promise," Harry said. Draco smiled and seemed to relax.

"Thank you," he whispered and hugged Harry. "I just wanted to talk to you and tell you before I tell the others," he said.

"No problem," Harry said, "I'm always here for you. Though I think we should head back, it's kind of really cold."

"Yeah, we should," Draco chuckled. They smiled and walked away from the shrieking shack. The others were waiting at the start of the road, Pansy crossing her arms when she saw them. "What was that about?" she demanded.

"Just seeing the sights," Harry hummed. "Come on, I'm thirsty, is there a place to drink around here?"

"The Three Broomsticks!" Blaise said, "I'll show you."

Harry smiled and took Draco's hand. "Well, lead on," he said. Blaise stared at Harry for a second before grinning. They walked down the street with crowded shops and homes and either side of them. Down the road, there was a tiny inn that they entered. It was extremely crowded, noisy, and smoky. A curvy sort of woman with a pretty face was serving a bunch of rowdy warlocks up at the bar.

"That is Madam Rosmerta," Blaise said, "she owns this place."

They all piled into a booth with Harry, Draco, and Blaise on one side and Theo, Daphne, and Pansy on the other. Once again Harry couldn't help but notice that Daphne and Theo were sitting very close to each other. "I'll go get our drinks," Blaise said as he slid out. He came back a moment later with a platter of tankards that he passed around. "Butterbeer," he said at Harry's confused look.

Harry took a sip and hummed. It was the most delicious thing he has ever tasted. Pansy took a long sip of hers and sighed, "Are we just going to ignore whatever is happening between Theo and Daphne?" she asked. "I mean they're more obvious than if they would snog in front of us."

"Pansy!" Daphne shrieked.

"Yeah, I was wondering about that too for a while," Blaise said as he played with a straw in his tankard. "Are you two dating?"

Daphne and Theo's faces went completely red. They glanced at each other and seemed to sputter. "K-Kind of," Daphne stuttered.

"I mean—I like Daph a lot," Theo said, his face entirely red.

"You are dating!" Pansy squealed. "Daphne! Why did you tell me we could have done so much stuff together—oh my god how did this all start? Tell us everything!"

Theo shifted in his seat and glanced at Daphne. "Well," he began. "Daph?"

"During summer," Daphne said. "We hung out and talked a lot, and before we knew it, Theo took my hand and—well…" Her cheeks turned very red and looked down at her lap.

"I kissed Daph's cheek," Theo muttered, his cheeks red as well.

"Adorable," Blaise said, smiling. "I'm a little jealous."

"I know!" Pansy said, "I thought that I would be the first one to date, not these two!"

"Gee, thanks Pansy," Daphne muttered, rolling her eyes. She took a gulp from her butterbeer and said, "Anyway it doesn't really matter. I mean, Theo and I just like to hold hands right now."

"Yeah," Theo muttered.

Next to Harry, Draco was vibrating nervously. He could see the blond tapping his foot constantly under the table and his eyes shifted around between everyone. Harry had never seen Draco looking like such a wreck. He took Draco's hand and put it in his lap as he held it. Draco flinched at the touch and looked at Harry who offered him a supporting smile. Draco seemed to calm down and took a breath. "Guys," he said a little too loudly. "Err, I need to tell you something."

The table grew silent as they all turned to Draco. The blond Slytherin cleared his throat and sat up a little taller. "I'm gay."

There was a moment where nothing happened. Harry could feel Draco squeeze his hand fearfully. Then, Blaise's hand was on Draco's shoulder. "That's awesome Dray," Blaise smiled. "I'm so proud of you."

"I am too," Daphne said in a soft voice.

"Me too," Theo said.

Pansy sighed and sat back, "Well," she said, "I guess that means we have two gays in our friend group now."

"Thanks, Parkinson," Draco drawled. "So happy you're so concerned."

"I'm not judging, power to you and all that, just pointing it out," Pansy shrugged. "However you will allow me to fix your wardrobe."

"There is nothing wrong with my wardrobe!" Draco yelled. "Seriously Parkinson I come out as gay and your first thought is how I dress?"

"Well, how else are you going to get a boyfriend?" Pansy demanded. Draco's mouth hung open speechless. He snapped it shut and grumbled under his breath, glancing at Blaise, who kept his hand on Draco's shoulder.

"I'm positive that Draco can find a boyfriend by himself," Harry smiled, "and he always looks very nice, right Blaise?"

"Yeah, Dray always looks amazing," Blaise said, giving Draco a wide smile.

"Thank you," Draco blushed.

Pansy sighed and said, "Fine, then I'll have to stick to Harry for my needs. But hey, now there are two gay guys in our friend group now."

Harry blinked at her and looked around. He knew that Draco came out but didn't even think if Blaise came out at all yet. "Who's the second one?" he asked.

Pansy stared at him. "Seriously Potter?" she scoffed. "It's you. You're the one who's always going on about marrying the Dark Lord—who is very male."

"Ohh," Harry said, his cheeks tinting pink as he took a sip of his drink. "I actually never thought of that.." Pansy groaned as Blaise laughed loudly.

A/N: So I was gonna end the chapter funny enough with Harry jacking it for the first time but then I decided "Nah let's make them wait a bit more for that."

Aunt: Serious accusations need serious proof or I'm just gonna delete your comment again.

SoraMalfoySlytherin: LMAO Yee don't mess with them.

JjLoves PJO: glad you've enjoyed!

Louise Spinster Black: Idk but they'll get in trouble I'm sure.