Author's Notes:
Again I will be paraphrasing a section of Dialogue from Order of the Phoenix. As always, the world of Harry Potter does not belong to me but J.K. Rowling
Chapter Twelve
When the end of January rolled around and February came in with an icy blast, Harry couldn't tell if the last month at Hogwarts had flown or crawled by. He never would have thought that the teachers could pile on so much homework before this year, but they did, robbing him of many opportunities to spend time in the Room of Requirement. Ever since the breakout from Azkaban, Umbridge had passed another educational decree banning teachers from giving out information not relevant to their subjects.
Hermione had sent a letter back when the news came out to someone that Harry didn't know, and she was remaining very tight lipped about it. The next Hogsmeade weekend was announced to be taking place on Valentine's Day, and it seemed every girl in the castle was looking forward to it with glee. Valentine's day had never meant much to Harry, never having a sweetheart to get a present for or get one from. During one of the evenings he spent in his haven with Ginny when Hermione was too busy with schoolwork to join them, she told Heather about how she was supposed to be going to Hogsmeade with her boyfriend, Michael Corner.
"This is sounding sorta serious" Heather said.
"Not really, he's sweet and I like him, but I'm not pinning all my hopes on him." Ginny said casually.
"I wonder what it would be like to date someone." Said Heather wistfully
"You should try it!" said Ginny, an odd look forming in the back of her eyes.
"Oh yeah, let me just go ask some bloke out." Heather exclaimed, the idea of that sending a small thrill down her spine.
"I mean, it's more expected for the boy to ask out the girl, but sometimes the girl does it instead." Ginny replied, her eyes still having that look in them.
"I can see you've got some idea in your head, so go ahead and spit it out," laughed Heather
Ginny shook her head and the look disappeared replaced by a mischievous grin. "I was just thinking, what if we could find you a boy to date." she said.
"I don't know of anyone else around here who likes other boys"
"I'm sure there are some. If you could go out with anyone, who would it be?"
Heather blushed. She hadn't exactly had time for crushes lately with everything going on, but she had caught herself checking out some of the other boys around the castle. During the last D.A. lesson, she had caught herself checking out the backsides of one of the boys from Hufflepuff. He had been practicing with Ernie Macmillan and gone flying after a well-placed stunner, landing hard on his bottom with a crash. As Heather had watched him get up, he rubbed his bottom in pain and she hadn't been able to take her eyes off it. For the rest of the night she found she was staring at it without meaning too.
"Ok, but don't judge me" she said, bracing herself, "Justin Finch-Fletchley."
"Ooooh" giggled Ginny, "A Hufflepuff! He's a cute one."
"I like his hair." Heather said, her usual blush intensifying.
"Do you think he likes you?" asked Ginny.
"What? He probably doesn't even see me like that." Heather exclaimed
"Maybe, maybe not. He's a Hufflepuff and there's an old Hogwarts rumor that Hufflepuff has more gay students than any of the others."
"I've never heard that." Said Heather, wondering if it were true.
"Oh yeah, well it's probably not something that boys want to talk about."
"And girls do?"
"We tend to be more aware of things like that, yes." Ginny said, laughing at Heather's surprise.
"So why was it such a big deal last year when Rita Skeeter wrote that I might like boys then?"
"Because, Heather, it's just one of those things that isn't really talked about openly. I mean you don't see boys walking down the hallway holding hands, or girls for that matter."
"So, there are other people here like me?"
"I mean Heather, you aren't really a boy that likes other boys anymore, not really. You said it yourself that you were a girl now. We just need to find you someone who can see you for who you are." said Ginny seriously, then her grin returned, "I'll do some digging. Maybe Michael and I can double date with you." She winked at Heather.
The fourteenth of February dawned cold but bright. Harry dressed, unsure if he was going to go to the village or not. Angelina had scheduled a full day's practice for the day, ruining Ginny's plans to go with Michael. Ron had been sad at the news, but Harry found it hard to be sympathetic. He would give almost anything to be able to fly again. Idly thinking that maybe he would try and get Hermione to take him shopping, he made his way down the Great Hall for breakfast.
As he filled a bowl with cereal the post owls arrived. It didn't take more than a moment to see that Hedwig wasn't among them, since Harry had no one, he could send letters to. A large brown owl dropped in front of Hermione however, and she tore a letter from its beak.
"It's about time!" she cried as she read the letter. "If it hadn't come today, I don't know what I would have done. Listen Harry, can you come to the Three Broomsticks today around noon?"
"Err, sure. I don't really have any plans." Harry replied, wondering what his friend was up to.
"Thanks, it's important I promise" Hermione said before standing up and rushing out of the hall.
So, not really knowing what to do in the village, Harry joined the queue in the Entrance Hall amidst all of the couples who had fun and romantic days planned. He was surprised to see Cho a few people ahead of him in line with Terry Boot, a Ravenclaw from his year and a member of the D.A. Harry had to admit that they made an attractive couple. He was relieved that Cho seemed to be moving on from him.
After being checked by Filch, Harry made his way down the grounds to the gate and along the road to the village. The High Street was packed with students already, going in and out of shops, delighting in being away from the castle. Harry spent the morning visiting Honeydukes and Zonko's Joke Shop, wondering what was so important that Hermione wanted. When it was getting close to noon, he made his way to the Three Broomsticks.
Over in a corner sat three people Harry would have never expected to find sitting together. Hermione, Luna, and Rita Skeeter were waiting for him. Hermione and Rita were eyeing each other coldly as they sat, while Luna hummed mindlessly to herself. It appeared that being out of work hadn't done well for Rita. Several fake jewels were missing from her glasses, and a distinct feeling of shabbiness clung to her.
Hermione quickly laid out what was going to happen. Since the Daily Prophet and the Ministry were determined to ignore the truth, she wanted Rita to write up Harry's account of what happened last summer in the graveyard, all the facts.
"Silly girl, the Prophet will never touch a story like that" argued Rita, her voice dripping in condescension.
"My dad think's it's a terrible paper" Added Luna, who hadn't spoken since Harry sat down.
Rita looked at Luna, "And I suppose your father runs some stupid village newsletter?"
"He's the editor of The Quibbler." Said Luna, ignoring the daggers that were Rita's eyes.
Rita snorted so loud at this, it made people at nearby tables look around. "The Quibbler? That rag won't be touched by anyone with half a brain." She said.
"Well, this is your chance to raise the tone of it a bit" responded Hermione, smiling at Rita, knowing she had full control of the reporter.
"You think he's going to be believed if he's published in The Quibbler?" Rita cried, cackling.
"Not by everyone, but I think there are people out there who will be willing to listen, despite it coming from a –" She broke off here to look at Luna apologetically, "Unusual source."
Rita stayed quiet for a moment, taking in Hermione with a renewed cold expression. Her attitude didn't improve when she found out that she wouldn't be paid for the article, but still she knew she didn't have any choice. She almost balked and left, but Hermione reminded her of the leverage she had.
"Fine, it's not like I have any choice." Snappishly she pulled out her Quick-Quotes Quill and a notepad and began to ask Harry questions. Harry spoke slowly at first but Rita wasn't known as a skilled reporter for nothing. Unlike last year she seemed to be actually listening to his answers. By the end of the interview two hours later, Harry almost thought he had convinced her of the truth.
Luna had predicted that the interview with Harry wouldn't appear in the newspaper for several weeks, as her father had to finish a series on recent sighting of the Crumple-Horned Snorkack. Two weeks passed before Harry was inundated with owls at breakfast, all carrying letters from wizards all across the country. The article had apparently come out the day before and was seemingly very widely read. Harry, joined by Ron, Hermione, and the twins, dived into the letters, finding many of them full of support and many suggesting he seek counseling.
"What is all of this?" came the coldly sweet voice of Professor Umbridge, sending chills up the back of Harry's neck.
"Letters I've received after an interview I gave?" Harry said smiling in triumph and the purple expression on her face. When he handed her a copy of The Quibbler that had been delivered, that was filled by a large picture of his face, her cheeks took on a shade of violet that rivaled Uncle Vernon.
Hands quivering in rage, she asked "And when did you give this interview?" The venom she put into the last word only made Harry's grin spread even wider. He could tell he had gotten to her.
"Last Hogsmeade weekend." He answered.
"No more Hogsmeade trips for you, Mr. Potter. How you…" she took a breath to steady her trembling voice, "Another weeks' worth of detention and fifty points from Gryffindor. I have tried to teach you a lesson in telling lies but I can tell the message still hasn't sunk in."
As she turned and stalked away, still clutching the magazine, Harry saw most of the hall watching her. Somehow the dread of slicing his hand open writing lines didn't seem to affect him, so full of the glow of defying her and the Ministry was he.