It was a couple of weeks into term before Harry had an opportunity to talk to Hermione and Ron about his godfather and Moony. For one thing, it brought things that much closer to telling Ron about his own sexual preferences, and from there it didn't seem as far to the point where he had to deal with... well. That didn't really even bear thinking about. So it was that on a dreary September day, Harry found himself walking by the lake with Ron and Hermione.

I forgot to tell you all something before. Remember when I went to see Moony on the first day of class? We were talking about Sirius and Moony let it slip that they're, well, together. Have been since their sixth year here, can you believe it? Anyway, that's part of the reason Sirius was here, and he'll be here alot more often this year. Harry grinned, partially because of the look on Ron's face, but mainly because he knew he'd get to see his godfather a lot more often this year.

Sirius and... and... Professor Lupin? Ron stammered out.

It does make a lot of sense, doesn't it? Hermione added. Think about how they reacted in the Shrieking Shack... and Dumbledore told Sirius to lie low at Lupin's over the summer. That's incredible, really, to have endured through so much. So you really have two godfathers, then, Harry!

Yeah, I guess I do, don't I? Sirius said it was okay to tell the two of you, since obviously we aren't about to go sharing the fact that we're in touch with an escaped convict who, by the way, we helped escape, and, incidentally, he's in love with one of our professors. Harry laughed softly. Then he noticed that Ron's face was changing from registering shock to... disgust?

That's... that's bloody disgusting is what it is! I know, I pretend to be okay with Seamus and Dean, but honestly, it's a bloody aberration! I don't care what they say about it being some kind of bloody predetermined thing, it's a choice and all the fags should just have a good shag with a cute witch until they're cured of their, their, their SICKNESS. I can't believe that the two of you are actually accepting of this! Don't you know what they do, what they are? It's DISGUSTING.

Harry's eyes showed hurt at first, but it quickly turned to anger. So that's how it is. You're no better than Vernon Dursley or Lucius Malfoy, you know that? All three of you, some obscure prejudice based on absolutely nothing. So you think gay people are disgusting, sick, and need to be cured? I'll be sure to tell Sirius to take Pig back, and tell Seamus and Dean not to trust you. Moony'll hear about this too, and I know some other people who will be very interested in your opinion. But you needn't worry about being my friend anymore, Ronald Weasley. I stand by what I said. You are no better than Lucius Malfoy. With that, Harry spat on the ground near Ron's feet, and strode off quickly for the tower.

Hermione turned to Ron, eyes blazing. I don't know who you think you are, Ron Weasley, but you can forget about being my friend AND my boyfriend. Harry's right. She turned then and stalked away, following slowly behind Harry.

Harry entered the castle and went directly to the common room, where Seamus and Dean were sitting on a couch talking. Harry sat down across from them. Do either of you know anything about Flitwick and flying crooked by the lake?

Seamus started, and Dean narrowed his eyes. Why exactly do you ask?

I hear the hedges make a prickly landing, or something like that. That and the fact that Ronald Weasley is no better than the Malfoys he hates. Apparently, being gay is something that is sick' and needs to cured' with a good shag'.

The pair's eyes widened. Oh my god, Harry, you didn't tell him you were....

No, I didn't. I told him about Moony and Padfoot. That was enough to set him off.

Moony and Padfoot? Seamus and Dean were clearly confused.

Come up to the dorm and let me show you something. The trio was headed for the stairs when Hermione came bursting in the portrait hole.

Harry! There you are. I just broke up with him, the stupid prat. I assume he thinks I'm nasty too, since my uncle's gay.

Seamus and Dean merely stared, completely shaken by the events of the past five minutes. Come up with us, Hermione. I was going to tell Seamus and Dean a few things, and they might not believe me, you know.

Hermione smiled slightly. I wouldn't believe you if I hadn't been there for most of them. The four tramped up the stairs and settled on Harry's bed as he drew out the Marauder's Map.

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good. The familiar greetings appeared on the page from the Marauders. There were four boys in Gryffindor who made this map, about 18 years ago. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. It was confiscated, and Fred and George filched it from Filch a few years back. They gave it to me back in third year when I couldn't go to Hogsmeade. It shows all the secret passages in Hogswarts as well as where everyone is. Professor Snape found it once and it insulted him. He remembered the nicknames and called for the one professor who might know where I had gotten it or how to work it – Professor Lupin.

Professor Lupin confiscated it that night, and told me only than the manufacturers would have wanted to lure me out of school. It wasn't until the night that Sirius was captured that we found out he knew how to work it. He knew how to work it because he was – is Moony.

Seamus asked.

Harry smiled. Remember, Moony's a werewolf.

Ah. You call him Moony?

I'll get to that in a bit. Moony saw a name on the Map that shouldn't have been there – Peter Pettigrew, who was thought killed by Sirius Black twelve years before. He watched the map as Pettigrew's Animagus form and his owner were dragged by Padfoot down into the Whomping Willow, along this secret passage, to the Shrieking Shack. You see, Moony's three best friends had all become illegal Animagi, so that they could be with him when he transformed. One of them was Peter Pettigrew, and his Animagus form was a rat. Scabbers, in fact. We found out that he had really killed all those Muggles, as well as... I'll get to that in a moment. Another one of them was Sirius Black. Padfoot. Sirius is also my godfather. Finally, Prongs.

Here Harry sighed heavily, and Hermione took over the explanation. Prongs was a giant stag, and the fourth member of the little group. Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, and James Potter.

Sirius was supposed to be the Secret-Keeper for my family, but he thought he was too obvious, and the three of them decided to use Peter instead. Little Peter, who just happened to be in league with Voldemort. A week after the spell was cast, Voldemort showed up on the doorstep, and... well, you know the rest.

Seamus and Dean looked stunned. So. Moony and Padfoot. Padfoot must be the big black dog. And they're together?

Have been since their sixth year. Amazing, huh?

That's incredibly awesome, Harry! So I take it that was a, uh, test run, so to speak?

Harry nodded. Yeah. Bill pretty much advised that course of action. Not that he's told anyone but Charlie and his dad.

Dean's eyes grew very big and Seamus sniggered. Oh, bloody hell, I'd love to see his face when he realises all of that!

The four chatted companionably throughout the afternoon, with repeated attempts by all of them to discover if Harry like anyone in particular (he insisted he didn't), and offers to set Hermione up with someone else.

If it's a Weasley you fancy, I wager you could get George. Or Ginny, for that matter, Dean suggested.

Hermione was extremely startled. Hey! It's not contagious you know!

The three boys laughed, and Harry jumped up then. Let's go down to dinner. I think I'd like to put one of the final nails in Ron's coffin. He built it himself, you know, but...

The quartet sauntered out of the dorm and down through the common room, where they drew some decidedly odd looks. Not that they were unfriendly with each other, but it was an unusual arrangement to be sure. They entered the Great Hall and moved to sit at the opposite end of the table from Ron, who was talking to his brothers about Quidditch. Harry got up and deliberately walked over to them.

Hello, Fred, George, Harry said civilly, smiling. About ready for Quidditch practise to start next week?

Sure thing, Harry, the twins replied.

Oh, and there's something you all three should know. Especially you, Lucius. I'm disgusting, sick, and abnormal, too.

With that, he turned on his heel, leaving Ron staring after him, revulsion written on his face, while Fred and George jumped up and ran after him.

Harry. What was that about?

Ask your brother. Apparently people like me are an... aberration, I believe his word was.

The twins blanched. Wait a second...

Are you talking about... flying crooked –

– by the lake –

– with a prickly landing in the hedges?

Harry nodded and smiled bitterly. Yes. Are you two, then?

Yes, but who told you the code?

Your oldest brother, Harry smiled. Charlie had him write to me. Hermione knows too, and now Seamus and Dean. Oh, and Professor Lupin. Harry grinned. Moony's been with the same git since sixth year here. I don't know why he puts up with Padfoot.

Fred and George both had their jaws somewhere around the vicinity of their knees at this point. Moony and... and... Padfoot? The Marauders Moony and Padfoot?

Harry grinned as the twins sat down on either side of him as he rejoined Hermione, Seamus, and Dean. Prongs was my dad, Moony is Professor Lupin, and Padfoot is my godfather. Wormtail is the rat who turned out to be a traitor and is directly responsible for my parents' deaths.

Whoa. We should hang out with you more, Harry. Any other wild secrets?

Harry grinned at Hermione and the pair proceeded to tell Fred, George, Dean, and Seamus about some of their exploits – Baby Norbert, the invisibility cloak, Polyjuice Potion, the list went on, the other four laughing appreciatively throughout dinner. None of them noticed Ron glowering at them with hatred, and none of them noticed when he stalked out of the hall. Finally kicked out of the room, Harry separated from his friends.

I should really go talk to Moony, he stated, and a sad smile ghosted across his face. Besides, Padfoot might be there. The others grinned and waved as he headed off in the opposite direction. Harry's steps, so lighthearted on the way to dinner, turned heavy. Yes, he had enjoyed dinner. Yes, it was nice to get to know Seamus, Dean, and even Fred and George better. But at what a cost! Ron was his best friend, his very best friend in the world, but he was no better than Lucius Malfoy, really. He hated Harry because of who Harry was. Harry loved Ron like a brother – had loved him, he corrected himself. And Ron was willing to throw everything away. It hurt Harry deeply, to the core of his being, and he knew it would take awhile to get over it, if he ever did.

He reached Moony's apartments and knocked three times.

Come in, Harry, Lupin called, and Harry opened the door and stepped inside. What's wrong?

Harry sighed. If Sirius is around at all, I'd rather not repeat this twice.

Of course. Moony crossed the room and went down the hall, returning a few minutes later, a bleary-eyed Sirius following him. Sirius' eyes widened when he saw Harry's face.

Oh my god, you told him, didn't you?

Well, yes, eventually, but that... that was just me finishing everything off, since he made it abundantly clear that it was disgusting to be gay, and I was disgusting for being even tolerant of people being gay. I told him off, and spent the rest of the afternoon with Hermione, Dean, and Seamus. Hermione dumped him, he added.

Then at dinner, I went over and told him I was gay too. I compared him to Vernon Dursley and Lucius Malfoy – unreasonable prejudice and all that. But he was still my best friend, you know?

Oh, Harry, Sirius murmured, crossing the room and holding Harry tightly as he gradually relaxed and then began to sob.