They settled on a tea towel each with the Gryffindor logo printed on it, and a badge with the Gryffindor lion on the front, and the date, the house elf's name and a message of thanks on the back for each house elf that had assisted them during the attack. There was also a plaque, charmed to be self polishing, detailing the actions of the house elf's, which would be mounted on the wall outside the Gryffindor common room once it was repaired.
The Headmaster had given permission for them to make the presentation in front of the school, and the seventh years did it after tea, only nine days after their tower was destroyed. Professor McGonagal had helped them get their order to Diagon Alley and back in record time, and Harry sat with his housemates while the Headmaster and Prefects handed out their thanks. He led the three cheers at the end, and several embarrassed house elves had to be led aside to a quiet room to recover.
Dobby was thrilled with it all, and wore his badge proudly, though Harry thought that his fellow elves would probably just put the mementoes away somewhere safe. Ron made a similar comment silently, and both agreed not to mention their understanding to Hermione, who would probably get all stirred up again.
Harry had been approached by Angelina Johnson about playing as Seeker this year. With his arm injured, he wouldn't be able to try out with the rest of the team but she had proposed they hold a separate trial for Seekers when his arm was better. Ron had been looking so hopeful that Harry had agreed, though he'd said to Ron and Hermione later that it didn't seem very fair. Ginny had announced last year that she intended to try for Chaser this term, so Harry wasn't worried about hurting her feelings.
"Nonsense, Harry," Hermione had scolded, "Angelina wants the best team possible, so of course she's going to wait until her Seeker is recovered before holding trials."
"What about the lifetime ban?" Harry pointed out, "I mean, Umbridge was a complete prat, but she did have the authority at the time to impose it."
"And that authority has been removed, Mr Potter, along with the ban," Professor McGonagal said from behind them, "Now if that's settled, perhaps you'd like to come into class!"
Harry flushed and followed his friends in. Transfiguration was becoming more and more difficult, and this year they'd be tested for Animagus qualities. As no one had known that his father and Sirius were Animagi, Harry supposed the test was a new one. The teachers of each subject had continued to pull Harry to one side during lessons and question him closely about the minutiae of the spells, charms, beasts and potions that the sixth years were learning. Harry understood it was a way to ensure he was taking in what they were saying while he was unable to actually participate, but he found it more draining than actually making the spell, charm, potion or handling the beast itself.
They were turning spoons into lyrebirds this lesson, a tricky transformation that required precise enunciation and wand control. Harry went up for his usual catechism, glad that the bandages were coming off on the weekend. That was only another day away, and then with luck he'd be able to get a bit of his own back at Malfoy. The blonde teen had taken to lurking around Harry whenever he was outside the Gryffindor common rooms, or in between classes. Harry knew he was trying to put him off balance, and unfortunately it was working. Harry was tense and paranoid, which meant that Ron was too - and his partner's temper did not respond well to unresolved tension.
"Professor," Harry said very softly when McGonagal had finished asking him questions, "When will you be holding the Animagus testing?"
"Not until just before Christmas, Mr Potter," she replied, and her eyes softened a little, "You needn't be concerned. If you have inherited your fathers talent that will be quite a useful skill for a future Auror."
"But you'll have to register me," Harry tilted his head, "Won't that make the transformation redundant? If everyone knows what an Auror can turn into then it's not much of a disguise."
"An Auror's Animagus status is sealed to the public - indeed even to most members of the Ministry," McGonagal informed him, "Don't worry, Mr Potter. You will be given more information closer to the date."
Harry nodded and went to sit down, watching Ron's spoon grow some metallic feathers. He pulled his textbook out after a moment and looked through it for the chapter on Animagus - deciding to get some extra reading done now. He couldn't explain why he felt the way he did about the subject, only that he was rather curious and apprehensive about it all.
0oo0oo0
It hadn't been too hard for Harry to regain his position as Seeker in the Gryffindor team, and Ron had helped his partner to celebrate very enthusiastically that night. Their first match would be against Hufflepuff, and Angelina had them training hard. Ron was relieved that the nerves that had held him back last year stayed buried in the past, and was able to make a very good showing during practice. Malfoy had turned up with is usual crowd of hangers-on, but the Gryffindor team had ignored them easily, more intent in breaking in their Beaters and giving Ginny a chance to practice some of her moves as Chaser.
They were still fairly elated the next morning when they sat down to breakfast. With Harry's arm out of the sling, he and Ron were able to re-establish their morning routine of reading the paper while their fingers talked to each other - a vital connection that had been sorely missed. Ron's comments on the latest Quidditch scores were still echoing up Harry's arm when he noticed the glum looks from Hermione and Dean.
"Hermione, don't take her seriously," Harry said quietly, and Ron nodded agreement. Rita Skeeter was becoming more and more insistent about her crusade, and Hermione was becoming more and more depressed over the whole matter. Ron sighed as Harry let him go and bent to rummage in his bag.
"Look, Hermione," Ron offered, "There's nothing we can do, short of revealing her own little secret."
"You know what she's building up to, Ron," Hermione scowled heavily at him, shooting a significant look at Harry, who was now writing something intently at the top of a roll of parchment. Ron sighed and glanced at his partner for a moment before looking up at the teachers' table. Professor McGonagal was scowling at her morning paper, and Professor Sprout was talking earnestly to Professors Flitwick and Sinistra. It wasn't just the students who were disturbed by the report, and Professor Dumbledore was watching the students very closely. The whole Hall was restless, people sitting with their heads together in clumps.
"I know," Ron conceded, "But short of squashing her like a bug there's nothing we can do to stop her writing. The Daily Prophet proved their lack of morals last year when they reported Harry and Professor Dumbledore were nuts. And you can't use your influence on her Hermione, because she'll find a way to twist that to her purpose too. You'd be written up as part of the problem."
"I think we can come up with another plan," Harry signed what he was writing with a flourish and stuffed it inside his bag as the teachers stood up to signal that students should head to class.
"What are you planning?" Ron scowled at his friend. There was only one area in his life that he liked surprises, and this was not it. Harry bustled them all along the corridor towards the History of Magic classroom.
"I'll tell you later," he promised as they sat down and Professor Binns glided through the blackboard.
Ron fidgeted all through the lesson, until Harry poked him in the ribs with a scowl of his own. Hermione was taking her usual copious notes, and Harry was reading through what he had written at breakfast. Ron leaned over to take a peek and Harry sighed very quietly, shoving the parchment over. The further Ron read, the bigger the grin on his face. He reached the end and nicked Harry's quill to sign beneath his friend's name. Beneath the desk, their fingers tangled.
/Good idea/ Ron commented, and Harry raised an eyebrow at him.
/You sure? It could backfire/
/Nah, you've got them cold/ Ron handed the roll back and Harry nodded, reading it through one more time before tucking it away.
/We'll start it in Gryffindor, then Hufflepuff/ Harry told him and Ron nodded. Hermione was giving them some very queer looks and they let go of each other, though Ron knew she hadn't seen their tangled fingers under the desk.
0oo0oo0
'We the undersigned wish to register our disapproval and dismay at the blatant attempts to marginalize and isolate the Muggle-born members of the Wizarding community as reported by Rita Skeeter in the Daily Prophet. We would like to assert that to our knowledge, Miss Skeeter has never once attempted to speak to any of the people concerned in her stories - including the Muggles that she is allegedly quoting. We would further like to register our disgust in the apparently slipping standards of the Daily Prophet's reporting standards and their editors evident disregard for the truth that they are supposed to be representing.'
It was signed by the entire student bodies of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, with a few teachers added besides. Copies of the petition went to the Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, and Wizards Monthly Review. Professor Dumbledore had seen the petition and given tacit approval of it by not confiscating it. Harry and Ron had sent their owls off to the periodicals, and sent the original petition back with the owl that delivered the Daily Prophet.
The newspaper ignored it until the periodicals came out with it as their leading stories. Forced to make some kind of acknowledgement, the Daily Prophet shut down Rita's regular column quietly, and printed an editors note to the effect that the paper was a forum for public opinion and the editorial process had to cater for a wide range of readers tastes.
Hermione had cheered up a little, and Dean had been heard to tell Seamus that that was the last they'd hear about that. No one had much time to brood on the matter as the first Hogsmeade weekend was coming up, and everyone was planning what they'd do once they got there.
Flourish and Blotts had opened a branch in the village, and Harry wanted to look through the books on offer. Hermione was all for that plan, and Ron came along as a matter of course, complaining under his breath and teasing Harry about turning into a bookworm.
"They might have more Muggle books," Harry pointed out, "Or you could order that one you were telling me about last night."
As they'd been in bed together last night, and the discussion had ended with a wrestling match that had further devolved into a pretty hot groping session, Ron shut up and blushed a little. Hermione asked which book he'd been interested in, mistaking the blush for being embarrassed about having a hobby so like his fathers. Ron spent the rest of the walk fending off her curious questions.
Once inside the new shop - just as crowded with books as the one in Diagon Alley - the three of them split up. Harry found the area that dealt with magical transformations and started searching for more texts on Animagi. The school library had several excellent texts that were on loan to seventh year students, and Harry saw no reason why he shouldn't just get his own copies. He tucked several promising books under his arm and browsed further along the shelves, listening with half an ear as Ron enthusiastically discussed David Brin with Hermione. Glad that they'd found something from Hermione's world in common - thus staying out of his hair - Harry pulled another book off the shelf and flicked through it briefly, a faint tinge creeping over his cheeks when he realised it was a book about sexuality. There were the usual highly detailed anatomy chapters at the beginning of the book, and then it started talking about other things. Harry realised the diagrams were moving, to give better detail to the descriptions and hurriedly flipped the pages away from one particularly enthusiastic diagram. The header at the top of the new page said 'alternate styles of loving' and showed two men…
Harry shut the book and looked at the front cover for a moment. The diagrams in that last chapter had woken a very wild desire in him, and he took a deep breath, checking the anatomy chapters again against the Animagus books he was holding. He'd be able to put the purchase of the book down to his interest in Animagi, and if he was quick he could make the purchase before Ron and Hermione caught up with him.
Decision made, Harry hurried to the front counter, placing his selection down confidently and greatly relieved when the assistant merely totalled his purchase and wrapped the books for him.
0oo0oo0
Ron felt a jolt go right to his groin and gaped at his partner. The book was open on the bed, with a couple of jars of cream from the Apothecary sitting beside it. The diagram in the book was very energetic, and the way Harry was caressing the page with the tips of his fingers had Ron hot and bothered in just a few seconds.
"You want to do that?" Ron gestured weakly, "Who'd do…I mean which…"
"I want you to do it to me," the comment was directed to a point over Ron's left shoulder. He nearly turned to see who it was his friend was speaking to. Ron gaped down at the diagram as it went back to the beginning and started again. They'd mainly used their hands and mouths on each other so far - Ron loved Harry's taste and went after it every chance he got. Seeing as they were both healthy teenagers that was quite a lot.
"You really fancy that?" Ron asked through a dry mouth and Harry nodded. Ron pushed the book aside and moved to take Harry in his arms. For someone with Harry's past to willingly put himself in such a vulnerable position… Ron thought his heart would burst.
"Not if you don't," Harry sighed into Ron's hair and Ron snorted, pulling one of his friends' hands into his lap.
"What do you think?" Ron asked and then moaned as Harry's hand touched curiously, then began a slow massage that would end the whole thing before they got started. Ron captured the hand and smiled when his partner whined in disappointment. He kissed the pout and then pulled the book back over to them.
They ended up with Ron sitting propped against pillows, Harry in his lap. They'd spent quite some time touching and playing with the slippery contents of the vanilla scented jar. Harry had felt such pleasure when Ron touched him just right that they had abandoned the book to simply experiment.
Ron had felt himself enter the tightest place in Harry's body, and it was almost over before it began. He'd held Harry close, their bodies barely moving, gasps and moans the only noises as their fingers and hands did the talking for them. They reached completion together, the world whiting out with pleasure, leaving them wrung out, messy and clinging.
Harry stirred after a little while and gave Ron a slightly embarrassed look. Ron took a guess at what was bothering his partner and did his best to make Harry feel better in his own special way. He didn't want Harry to think that Ron thought less of him for what they'd just done together - in fact Ron was hoping to do that together a lot more. He admired someone that could just let go like that, especially considering Harry's experiences. Therefore, his next comment came straight from the heart.
"Harry, my lad, you are one hell of a shag."
Outraged splutters turned into helpless laughter and Ron shifted them around, spooning up around his partner and holding on tight.
0oo0oo0
"As you know, we've spent the last week going over the theory behind Animagus transformations thoroughly," Professor McGonagal stood beside her desk and eyed them all. In a special once off lesson, all four houses were seated in the classroom, "Today you are going to attempt the Animagus transformations yourselves. I will remind you that there is no shame in being unable to perform this particular spell as it is not just a matter of understanding the spell but talent that is often inherited from your families. You will find the theory for this particular spell is covered extensively in the end of year test, and I will remind you that any transformation that you do manage must be registered with the Ministry of Magic. That will be done with my assistance at an interview I will arrange for those of you who complete the transformation."
Harry's gut was twisting in a rather nasty way. He couldn't tell if it was because he wanted to be able to transform or if he didn't. He knew his father could become a stag, but what if Harry became a rat like Pettigrew? Ron was sitting beside Harry calmly, not at all fussed about this one way or the other. Harry hadn't discussed this with his partner, wanting to seem as calm about it as Ron obviously was.
"In order to prevent any accidents I will call you up one at a time. Whilst you are waiting I think it would be best if you reviewed the theory thoroughly, and ensure you know the incantation. Remember, to actually transform you must not say the incantation at all, but will it to occur. Also, whilst you are waiting it would be best if you could be as silent as possible to avoid distracting the students that are attempting transformation."
Harry bit his lip and Ron glanced over, frowning. Unwilling to catch McGonagal's attention, Harry reached out surreptitiously and took Ron's fingers in his own.
/Do you think you'll do it// he asked Ron who grinned and shook his head easily.
/Nah, there are no Animagus in our family. We don't have the talent. / Ron looked calm about it, and Harry felt a little better. If Ron didn't care that he couldn't change why should Harry?
/That's better / Ron's sudden comment told Harry that his partner had noticed and he shot him a rueful grin. He knew that he could be a bit obsessive over things like this - a lot of the time the pressure he felt came from wondering what his parents or Sirius would think of his actions and accomplishments. Professor McGonagal was steadily working her way through the students in the room, calling them out alphabetically.
Hermione got up with a gulp and Harry turned to watch. He smiled when she glanced at them, and Ron squeezed his fingers. They knew that she would be disappointed if she failed, and five minutes later Harry put an arm around her shoulders in commiseration. She sighed and then straightened up. He let go and they watched as Neville managed to transform into a brown hare - the first successful transformation of the class. Everyone clapped, which made the hare jump rather violently, and then Neville was back, flushed with success and grinning hard. The formerly tubby and painfully insecure boy had grown into a sleek teenager during the summer, who was starting to find his confidence. Each success boosted him more and more, until he could even begin to face Potions with a calm façade.
"Good on ya, Nev!" Ron called out as their friend returned to his seat, and Neville sent them a grin. Even Professor McGonagal was beaming at him, a rare thing for the austere Head of Gryffindor.
Malfoy was next, and Harry watched with no small amount of glee as the Slytherin pureblood failed to accomplish the transformation. Professor McGonagal merely moved down the list, the Patil twins next.
"Harry Potter," McGonagal called and Harry shut his books and got up, walking to the front calmly. He knew the incantation back to front and had done enough extra reading to know that the process itself wasn't painful at all. There were remedial spells, which his father had probably used to overcome whatever problems Pettigrew had with the transformation, but Harry didn't feel the need to search them out. He'd fail at this, and then go sit back with Ron.
"When you're ready," McGonagal urged and Harry took a deep breath, centering his mind and focussing on the incantation. There was a warm sensation, flowing over him like water, and then he was looking up at Professor McGonagal from about mid thigh height. The mirror behind her showed a rather large wolf, with shaggy black tipped fur and faint rings around his eyes where his glasses sat. He gaped at her, and then shook his head, reversing the spell easily, a cold flow of sensation.
"Well done, Harry," McGonagal was smiling at him too, and Harry returned to his seat in a daze. Ron slapped him on the back and Hermione squeezed his hand in congratulations. Harry just gaped at them incredulously. He was supposed to fail!
"Close your mouth," Ron suggested kindly, "And look at Malfoy - he's going to burst something if he doesn't ease up."
Sure enough the blonde teen was red faced with fury. Harry shot him a smug look - he couldn't help it - and then turned to Ron. He had bigger problems than Malfoy's lack of talent.
"You don't mind?" he asked in a very low voice and Ron rolled his eyes. His partner shook his head and gave him a look that promised they'd speak about this later. Harry was a little paranoid about showing his partner up, or making him feel that he'd been shown up, ever since their fight during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Harry never wanted to be that alone again.
"Ronald Weasley," Professor McGonagal called, and Ron got up, walking confidently to their teacher and smiling at her. She smiled back and gestured for him to get on with it. Ron cleared his throat - the nervous habit he'd acquired in their first year had never really disappeared and always made Harry smile a little - and his body flowed and changed into that of a large red fox. Harry grinned at the surprised yip his partner made, and clapped with the rest of the class as Ron returned to his normal form. He was rather pale, and totally gob smacked.
"That wasn't supposed to happen!" he told McGonagal, "It's not a Weasley gift!"
Malfoy made some sneering comment to Millicent Bulstrode, which had her giggling not too discreetly into her hand. Half the class glared at them, and someone muttered something about 'sour grapes', which shut them both up rather quickly.
"Never-the-less, Mr Weasley, it is one you have," Professor McGonagal told him kindly, and sent him back to his seat. Ron plonked down next to Harry and gaped at him in bewilderment while Harry merely grinned and patted his shoulder.
The three people who had managed a transformation were kept behind when the class was dismissed. Professor McGonagal had them all transform again and encouraged them to move around and get used to the animal forms they had taken on while she filled out the paperwork. Harry nipped his partner on the tail, starting a game of tag that had all three of them racing around the classroom, leaping over and under furniture. Their Head of House seemed inclined to ignore the noise for a moment, and Harry took the opportunity to enjoy the feeling of sleek power and easy balance. Neville was the fastest of them, and Ron was more agile than Harry's larger form.
Eventually the Professor called them back to their human form and informed them that she was sending the news to their parents, as well as the official notification to the Ministry, who would probably send an Auror out to check them over and register them properly. She requested that they refrain from changing forms in the corridors or common rooms, and congratulated them all once again.
"Mr Potter, I thought I might add your information to Mr Weasley's note."
Harry was rather surprised at the thought, but agreed readily.
"Thank you Professor, Aunt Molly would probably singe my ears off if I didn't tell her straight away," he nodded and they were dismissed to their common room.
0oo0oo0
"Mum says congratulations, and she can't wait for us to show her at Christmas," Ron tossed the note on top of the bookcase, turning to lean on it and Harry frowned up at his partner. The redhead had gone to catch his excitable owl when it had flown itself down a chimney in the common room and started buzzing the students there. Dean had come to tell Ron what was happening, laughing so hard he could barely get the words out. Harry had been sitting with Hermione; going over the Animagus books in his collection and discussing the spells with her in an effort to help her either give up on becoming an Animagus, or help her achieve her goal.
At his partners' words, Harry felt an icy fist forming in his gut. He was expected to spend Christmas with Ron's family? With his parents and siblings? Didn't Ron know that this was impossible?
"Christmas?" he asked quietly and Ron nodded, looking a little confused.
"Yeah, we're going to the Burrow for Christmas this year mate, didn't I mention it? Mum is expecting us. You're welcome too, Hermione," he smiled at the girl beside Harry, who rolled her eyes.
"Honestly, Ron, you did this last year too," she scolded while Harry felt as if all the warmth in the room had been sucked out, "What is it with you and last minute invitations? Besides I can't go, I've got to go home. Mum and Dad are having a big family reunion this Christmas, and I don't want to miss it."
"Right, well I'll send Pig with a note to let mum know it's just Ginny, Harry and me," Ron shrugged, and Hermione nodded.
"I'll send her a note too," she decided, "Can I borrow Hedwig Harry?"
Harry gaped at her, and then frowned over at Ron, who frowned back. He couldn't believe Ron would expect them to go to the Burrow and simply lie to his parents for the entire Christmas holidays. Did he have no idea how difficult it had become for Harry to conceal about how he felt for Ron?
"Uh, yeah, she can take my note too," Harry made an effort to speak normally, though his hands were shaking with anger and shock. Two weeks with Ron's family, pretending that he didn't love Ron, and didn't just want to touch him every minute of the day. It was bad enough at school, but he had been hoping that they could relax a little together these holidays.
"Note?" Ron asked, a puzzled look on his face, and Harry wished his partner would just leave it until they were alone and could speak freely. He wasn't going to be the cause of Ron's separation from his family. He knew how much Ron loved his parents, and he knew how much it would hurt Ron to be parted from them, especially in anger.
Harry had always known at the back of his mind that he came second place to the rest of the Weasley's in Ron's heart, and that didn't bother him. It was natural for Ron to love his family first, and Harry didn't want to upset that. But he knew that he loved his partner too much to just lie about how he felt, especially to Ron's mother.
"I can't come this Christmas either," Harry kept his voice as level as possible, thinking desperately to find a plausible excuse, "I'm… spending Christmas with… Hagrid."
He bit down on a wince, knowing that Ron would probably see through this in a moment, and Hermione wouldn't have believed it at all. Sure enough, Ron started to frown, a dull flush taking over his ears.
"Is there some problem with spending Christmas at home?" he asked through gritted teeth, and Harry sent a desperate look to his partner, canting his head in Hermione's direction significantly. He didn't want to have a row over this; surely Ron could see it was for the best that Harry stayed at Hogwarts.
"I don't want to lie," Harry said significantly, and Ron's face cleared. He smiled easily, sagging back to half sit on the bookcase again. Hermione was looking deeply interested, and Harry wished yet again that they were having this conversation in private.
"You won't have to," Ron gave him that special smile reserved for more intimate moments, "I plan on telling mum and dad all about it when we get home."
Harry felt as if Dudley was punching him again, and sucked in a hard breath. He knew that he must have looked pretty ghastly, as Hermione closed her book and put her hand out to touch his sleeve. He shook her off angrily, glaring at Ron.
"You can't," Harry shook his head, stumbling upright and heading for the door, "I won't let you! You mustn't!"
He lurched out of the room and almost ran through the common room, bursting into the corridor beyond it and running blindly, his heart at war with his head as he tried to reconcile the loss of Ron with causing Ron's potential loss of his family.
0oo0oo0
"What the bloody hell," Ron broke off; staring at the door his partner had slammed behind him. He pulled his wand out and set a privacy seal on the still vibrating door before letting rip with a flood of language that had Hermione glaring at him, rather pink cheeked.
Ron felt betrayed, hurt that Harry was ashamed of their relationship. The Weasley's were a close family, and the thought of spending two weeks denying the way he felt about Harry in front of them made Ron feel physically ill. One, because Harry deserved to be acknowledged to the other important people in Ron's life, and two because his mother would serve him sprouts for a year when she found out for lying to them all.
He'd thought that Harry would be pleased, that he'd want to take this next step in their relationship - the public acknowledgement that would let them relax their guard around family. He glared at Hermione, who was looking at him rather askance, and sighed.
"Well, I've made a right bollocks of things," Ron sighed, "Maybe you can figure this out."
"Figure what out, Ron? If Harry doesn't want to spend Christmas with you…" Hermione trailed off at the glare Ron shot her. She was not as slow as she was pretending and Ron had always hated to be condescended to.
"Come on Hermione, I know that you've probably figured this out already," his voice was testy, and he folded his arms defensively, "But just in case I'll tell you straight out. And remember, I'm only telling you this because I want your help - I would rather have waited until after Christmas."
"Thanks!" Hermione snapped and Ron groaned under his breath. If he pissed her off she wouldn't be much help, and he was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to work this out on his own. Something had tripped one of Harry's defences, and Ron had the feeling that it was one of the conflicts between Wizard and Muggle society.
"Sorry, sorry," he apologised, "I just didn't expect Harry to do his nut like that."
"Ok," Hermione said grudgingly, "What do you want to tell me?"
"Look…um…Harry and I…well, we're a couple," Ron stared at his fellow Prefect's feet and tried not to blush. Beyond a little gasp, there was no reaction, and he looked up at her wide-eyed face.
"You're gay?"
Ron rolled his eyes and snorted with tension. To be fair she wasn't usually this slow, and Ron put the rather redundant question down to shock.
"Yes, Hermione, we're gay. We're both male and we're shagging each other. Does that cover it?" his voice was gruff and he knew it.
"There's no need to get shirty with me! It's just a shock, that's all. How long have you been…" she trailed off and made a vague gesture with her hand. Ron swallowed a snigger and straightened his face.
"This summer. We were together when we had Harry's party, but it was too soon to tell anyone. Look, Hermione, we didn't want to hurt you, and we'd have told you after we told mum and dad," Ron knew he had his pleading face on, but couldn't help it. He genuinely didn't want to hurt her, she was their best friend, but he had wanted his family to be first to know. Hermione seemed to read all this in his face, because she nodded and sat up.
"Ok," she took a breath, "I think I know why Harry reacted like that. It's a Muggle thing, and I haven't had any time to research this in the library…"
"Hermione," Ron groaned, "If this is one of those weird Muggle society versus Wizard society things then just tell me about the Muggle part of it, and I'll explain the Wizard side, ok?"
He'd learned that the Muggle born had what some would consider gaps in their education - natural consequences of being raised by Muggle parents. The Wizarding world did a lot of things differently, and sometimes these gaps caused tension between what the Muggles thought to be true and how the Wizards did things. Usually someone would point out the differences and the Muggle-born would adjust. Although Harry was not Muggle-born, he had been raised by Muggles and often had the same conflicts.
"Ok," Hermione took another deep breath, pink creeping over her face, "Just remember that Harry and I don't know how this works in the Wizard world."
"Promise."
"Well, most Muggles have a prejudice against gay people," Hermione started determinedly, not looking at Ron at all, "They think that it's… well, perverted, really. In fact, Muggle parents have been known to disown gay children, even throwing them out of the house. I think that Harry reacted to your announcement like that because he's scared that your family will disown you, or split you two up. Gay Muggles aren't allowed to marry, and most the time they're not allowed to raise children either, assuming that they manage to have any."
"That's barbaric!" Ron exclaimed, and Hermione looked up at him, bewildered, "Hermione, in the Wizard world it doesn't matter. You love who you love, and you marry who you marry - well as long as they're not your brother or sister or close relation or something… and you're telling me that Harry thinks that by telling my parents he's going to get me disowned?"
"It's possible," Hermione nodded and Ron swore under his breath, removed the privacy seal and headed out after his partner. He knew exactly where Harry would go.
0oo0oo0
It was dark in the Room of Requirement, and given that Harry was hiding rather unsuccessfully from Ron, the room was barely bigger than a cupboard.
"Lumos," Ron told his wand and spotted his white-faced partner crouching in a corner, tears streaming down his cheeks. Harry had managed to work himself into a right state over this.
"Harry you git," Ron shook his head and got down on the floor too, pulling the resistant form into his arms, "You're freezing! You're going to make yourself sick!"
"Stop it Ron," Harry muttered, but gave up the struggle and slumped unwillingly in the redheads' arms. Ron simply pulled him closer and wormed a hand under his robes and uniform to rub the small of Harry's back.
"Listen, I talked to Hermione," Ron waited out the indignant squirms, willing to be the patient one this time, "She told me about the mad Muggles, and Harry, it's not like that here."
"it's not?" the whisper was small and very sad and Ron shook his head. Harry relaxed a little into the hold, his head resting hesitantly on Ron's shoulder.
"I promise," Ron smiled, "Wizards can even marry Wizards, and the same for Witches," he continued in a quiet voice, "And besides, I won't be the first in the family. Mum walked in on Charlie and his best friend Geoffrey when they were fifteen. They broke up during their NEWT's year. The most she did to them was yell at them about using a privacy spell. No one is going to be disowned, I promise."
"You're positive?" Harry's voice was congested, and Ron's neck was getting wet from the tears. Ron nodded, rocking them a little in silence and waiting it out. Harry was very protective of Ron and his family, it stood to reason that he'd go a little mental when faced with the possibility that it would be him that caused them some kind of harm.
"Sorry," Harry wiped his face and sat up a little, "I just…"
"Went a bit bananas?" Ron supplied the end, "Don't worry, I'm used to it."
"Well, we are fruits," the tone was a little teasing, a little hesitant and Ron didn't bother to restrain his laughter, relieved when Harry joined in. He hit the door with their privacy spell and then leered in the dim light from his wand. He was relieved to see a bit of colour creeping into Harry's face.
"So do you fancy getting fresh with me?"
Harry's tongue down his throat was answer enough.
0oo0oo0
During the holidays students were allowed to leave Hogwarts in one of two ways. They could take the Hogwarts Express back to London - something that just about everyone under sixteen did - or they could use the Floo network from a grate in the Hogs Head - for a small fee. Those students who had passed their Apparate test often walked to Hogsmeade and simply Apparated home, which is what Harry and Ron planned to do. Rather than leaving Ginny to travel back on her own and then getting the Floo from the Leaky Cauldron, Mr and Mrs Weasley had sent the fee for the Hogs Head grate so that Ginny could come home directly. She would take Harry's bag with her, and then he and Ron would follow with the bags that held their Christmas presents to the Weasley's and each other.
"Ready?" Ron asked when they'd seen Ginny off and Harry hesitated. He was still worried that Ron's parents would react badly to the news, despite his partners' rather enthusiastic reassurance. Ron didn't say anything, just looked at him patiently, and Harry nodded reluctantly.
"Idiot," Ron said softly and Apparated. Harry took a deep breath and followed, the cold lump in his stomach feeling worse. He materialised in the back yard, under the large tree at the bottom of the garden. The ground was well covered with snow and he was glad that the school cloaks were so thick.
As he approached the back door he could already hear Mrs Weasley welcoming her children, and he smiled a little. It was such a happy sound, it warmed him all the way through. Mr Weasley was there as well, Harry could hear him in the background, and he took a deep breath before knocking on the kitchen door and stepping inside.
"Harry! Fancy knocking like a stranger!" Mrs Weasley scolded and bustled over to give him a hug.
"Hello Aunt Molly," Harry mumbled into her shoulder, and she patted his back affectionately. Ron was sitting at the kitchen table already, and Mr Weasley - dressed in very old and comfortable looking robes - was beside him, asking questions about the Animagus test. Ginny was sitting opposite, listening intently, and Harry took a seat silently on his friend's other side.
"We were very pleased to hear your news, Harry," Arthur leaned around Ron to say, "You two are the first Animagus in the family."
"Well go on, then," Molly waved a hand at them, "Show us!"
Ron gave Harry a rather resigned look and cleared his throat before changing into the red fox. It was rather strange to see his partner flow so smoothly into another shape. One minute Ron was sitting there in his school uniform, and the next a larger than usual fox was sitting in his chair. Arthur and Molly beamed at their youngest son while Ginny gaped. They had obeyed Professor McGonagal's restriction on changing at school, so she hadn't seen their animal forms yet.
"That is so wicked," she sighed, "Go on Harry, you too!"
"Yeah, come on," it seemed strange to hear Ron's voice from the animal in front of them, but Harry already knew an Animagus could speak in animal form - Sirius had spoken to them as Padfoot.
Harry got up and moved away from the table to avoid any accidents, flowing into the two toned wolf carefully. He sat down on the floor so as not to frighten anyone, and Ginny came over to take a closer look at him while her parents exclaimed over them both. Ginny giggled and reached out to touch Harry's ears.
"You still look like you're wearing glasses," she told him. Ron changed back to his human form and looked at his mum and dad seriously.
"There's something else we wanted to tell you," he said firmly and Harry shivered, all his worries coming back with a rush. He scrambled to his feet and changed as quickly as he could, walking to the table. He sat down rather heavily beside Ron, who didn't even glance at him.
"Harry and I are a couple."
Harry flushed as he heard Mrs Weasley draw in a sharp breath, and he bit his lip. It seemed that he had been right this time, when he had wanted so desperately to be wrong.
"Oh, but Ron…" her tone was a little anxious and Harry let his hearing fuzz out, not wanting to hear her tell her son that Harry wasn't worth keeping.
0oo0oo0
Ron knew that Harry wouldn't be able to relax until they'd told his parents the truth and his mum had a chance to fuss over them. Harry just didn't seem to understand that the Weasley's actually liked him rather a lot. His normally smart friend had missed all the clues that would have made this whole thing easier on him, such as the fact that they'd asked him to call them Aunt and Uncle, and had sent him Christmas presents before they'd even met him. Ron's letters home that first year had been full of his friendship with Harry, and his kind-hearted mother had reached out to include his friend in the usual round of Christmas gifts.
So he waited until the fuss was over about them being Animagus' and then simply broke the news, much as he had to Hermione. He could feel Harry quivering with tension beside him, and wished he could just reach out and hug his partner, but knew it would be best to wait for that until his parents had their say.
"Oh, but Ron I've put a folding bed in your room for Harry," his mother frowned, and Ron grinned at her. He knew his parents would take this in their stride, and glanced over at Harry. The grin disappeared at the white face and miserable eyes. Harry was one small step away from a full-blown panic.
"Hey, Harry, I told you it would be ok," Ron murmured and put and arm around his friend, "Harry?"
"I'll go back to Hogwarts. I knew this was a bad idea," Harry gulped and Ron tightened his grip. His mother made a startled noise and got up to add her arms to Ron's embrace. Harry flinched, burrowing into Ron for protection with a small moan, and she drew back, hurt. Ron realised that Harry wasn't following the conversation and gave his partner a little shake.
"Harry, you idiot, its ok! Mum won't hurt you," Ron muttered into the closest ear and Harry's grip on him relaxed a little. Ginny was gaping at them again, but stopped when Ron shot her a fierce look. He was relieved when his dad sent his mum to put the kettle on and moved to sit on the table at Harry's side. Arthur put a gentle hand on Harry's head and rubbed the dark hair.
"Harry," Arthur said in that fatherly 'I'm waiting, young man' tone that never failed to get a response. Sure enough, Harry sat up enough to look Arthur in the eye, and the red-haired Wizard smiled gently at him.
"I can't say I'm surprised, Molly and I knew that Ron had a bit of a crush on you years ago. You two have been so close that I knew it was only a matter of time before you took this step in your relationship. I'm a little disappointed that you thought we'd be mad…"
"Muggles have been known to disown their children for this," Ron interrupted, "Harry thought that you'd chuck us out of the house or something. It's not his fault. I tried to explain."
"Is that all this is?" Molly asked as she rejoined them and Harry nodded hesitantly. She rolled her eyes and clucked her tongue in exasperation.
"Well I never. Fancy being so closed minded that you'd disown one of your children over love!" she shook her head, "Honestly, sometimes I wonder how Muggles manage anything at all!"
She headed back to the stove to take the now shrieking kettle off the stove and make them all a cup of tea. Harry sat up properly, and Ron kept his arm around him. Colour was creeping back into his friends face, and Arthur had moved his hand to Harry's shoulder.
"You don't mind?" Harry asked and Arthur smiled. He was not a handsome man, but Arthur Weasley's smile was very heart warming.
"Actually I'm rather pleased that Ron chose someone decent. Bill's first girlfriend was a bit of a nightmare to be honest," he told them both, "Though if you repeat that…"
"We won't," Ron grinned remembering the hair that changed colour daily, and the odd smelling potions she'd left lying about, "Mum was saying that she'd set up a separate bed for you in my room, but we can just share mine if you like."
"That reminds me," Molly came back with tea and cakes, "I hope you two will be using a privacy spell, because I won't have any…shenanigans in this house!"
0oo0oo0
Tea at the Burrow was always noisy and full of good cheer, and Harry was more than ready to take part in it all. Ron's parents had accepted him, even given their approval of their relationship, which had taken rather a heavy load off Harry's shoulders. The twins had arrived in time to help set the table, and Charlie and Bill were home too, making things very squashed. No one seemed to mind, they bumped elbows and passed plates happily.
Percy sent an owl that he would join them over Christmas and Boxing Day, which seemed to please Mrs Weasley a lot. The twins weren't too impressed, but their comments seemed to go unheard by their mother. Harry was relieved; he didn't think he could take a row after the stress of the afternoon.
"We've got some good news to tell you all, too," Arthur said as they passed the pudding around.
"If you're going to tell us about Ron and Harry, don't bother," Fred interrupted.
"Yeah, we walked in on them snogging in the front room when we arrived," George added his two Knuts worth, and Ron scowled at them. Harry sighed. They'd been holding onto each other and Ron had been melting Harry's spine by rubbing the small of his back - a known weakness that his partner exploited every chance he got.
"We weren't snogging," Ron snapped, "We were just hugging mum, honestly."
"I have to say though, Harry, I think you could do better," Fred spoke over the top of his little brother with the ease of long practice. Harry grinned, his hand on Ron's leg to prevent his partner from exploding.
"Is that an offer?" Harry asked sweetly and Fred choked on his mouthful of plum pudding. George had to pound his twin on his back, and Charlie was laughing so hard that he needed Ginny to get him a glass of water to recover. Ron aimed a mock scowl at Harry who grinned back cheekily.
"Well, you'll fit right in," Bill sounded amused, and Ron sighed the sigh of a much put upon man.
"Don't encourage him!" there was a teasing undertone to the plea, and Harry shook his head. He still had a hard time believing his luck that the Weasley's actually seemed to like him. Arthur Weasley cleared his throat to regain their attention.
"As I was saying… The Ministry of Magic recently changed the curriculum at Hogwarts in order to test the students for Animagus abilities. Fudge seems to be worried that there are a large number of unregistered Animagi running around. They test at the sixth year level and our Ron has shown the ability," Arthur got the sentence out and looked relieved that he hadn't been interrupted again.
"Get out!" George looked impressed, and Ron transformed for them. Fred leaned around Harry for a better look.
"I'll get out of the way, shall I?" Harry asked him dryly, and changed into his wolf form. He heard Ron snicker beside him and flicked his partner an amused look. George had yelped in surprise, sending Ginny into gales of laughter.
"Bloody hell! Two Animagi in the family!" Bill exclaimed as Fred leaned back to look at Harry, who eyed him as if considering where to bite. He even licked very sharp teeth in a threatening manner, and Fred shivered a little. The twin reached out hesitantly to touch Harry's foreleg.
"That's impressive, Ron," Charlie told his little brother, "None of the Weasley's have managed that skill in centuries. I think the last one was only a mouse."
Harry still had a warm glow from Bill's comment and changed back to normal with a little smile on his face. It hadn't been easy to balance on that chair as a wolf and he was relieved not to have made a fool of himself by sliding off. Ron changed back too, and Mrs Weasley got up to start clearing the table. Harry stood automatically to help, missing the rather significant looks exchanged by his adoptive Aunt and Uncle.
0oo0oo0
Harry woke early on Christmas day and spent a few minutes staring at the wall opposite Ron's bed. The posters of the Chuddley Cannons were still for the moment, as the players were still asleep, propped up against each other. Ron was a warm lump at Harry's back, their fingers tangled together as usual, Ron's breath tickling the back of his neck. Harry took a deep breath of his own and Ron's grip tightened.
"Merry Christmas, mate," Ron kissed him, and Harry sighed, leaning into the touch. His partner levered himself up and kissed him properly, slipping his tongue into Harry's mouth to wrestle lightly with his own.
"Want to unwrap a present?" Harry asked when they paused for breath, and Ron snorted with laughter.
"Sure," his partner sat up and shoved the blankets back, enthusiastically 'unwrapping' Harry from his pyjamas, tickling him as he went until Harry was helpless with laughter, sprawled naked beneath him.
"Oooh, just what I wanted," Ron continued the game, his fingers wandering greedily over Harry's body, "Where do I stick the batteries?"
"Ron!" Harry spluttered and Ron laughed, reaching for the little jar they kept by the bed, slicking his fingers and moving unerringly to his goal.
"Ah, here it is," Ron purred with satisfaction and leaned over to kiss Harry breathless while he slicked his body, preparing him for Ron's 'battery'. Harry moaned and writhed into the touches, pleasure zinging through him. Ron could make him nuts with this, and his partner knew it. He pulled his legs up to his chest and felt Ron balance his body between his thighs. There was an instant of blunt, slick pressure and then …
"Perfect," Ron moaned into Harry's knee, "Just perfect."
"Are you going to lie there all day?" Harry gasped, desperate for the friction that only Ron could provide. Ron moaned again, a decidedly wicked look in his eyes.
"I was thinking about it," he confirmed and Harry clenched himself tightly around his partner. The resulting sensation had them both whimpering and gasping for air.
"Stop thinking. It's a bad habit," he panted when he could speak, "Shift your lazy arse, Weasley."
"God you're bossy," Ron complained, shifting as ordered with very pleasurable results, "Maybe I can trade you in for a quieter model?"
"You'd better not," Harry moaned, and all conversation halted as other more important sensations reported in.
The second waking of the morning was a lot stickier, but all the better for it. Harry kissed Ron thoroughly, and the redhead snuggled closer.
"You're stuck with me now, Potter," Ron promised, and Harry sighed happily before lifting his glasses enough to glance at his watch on the bedside table. They'd have to get up soon.
"Speaking of stuck…"
0oo0oo0
Percy had arrived when they emerged from their room and Ron swallowed a grimace. He'd spent enough time with his older brother to know that expression on his face meant Percy was at his most pompous. Fred and George were already in the kitchen, helping their mother make breakfast by buttering toast and making pots of tea.
"Good morning, Ron," Percy said rather formally as they entered, "And Harry, it's good to see you again."
"Good morning, Percy," Ron replied, grinning when Harry said it with him, perfectly timed. His brother looked a little startled but Ginny was there to hug them both - she always got sentimental over Christmas - and then Ron's Dad was hugging them too, just as sentimental as his daughter. They exchanged Christmas greetings with everyone else and Harry moved to help in the kitchen. Ron grinned and went to set the table before checking in the front room to see that his and Harry's gifts to the family were in place.
Breakfast was crowded and noisy, with people getting up every two minutes to fetch something for the table or move an empty dish to give everyone more room. Ron was relieved to see his partner relax a little, allowing others to do some of the work. There was nothing more irritating than having someone anxiously volunteering all the time - Harry had never picked up that habit, thank goodness.
With breakfast over, Mrs Weasley ordered her three oldest sons to wash up and tidy the kitchen before the opening of the presents, which allowed Ginny to nip upstairs to her room to collect the joint present from herself, Ron and Harry to Mr and Mrs Weasley. It had arrived last night, and she'd hidden it in the attic with the old family ghoul.
Percy was made to put the plates away, while Bill and Charlie chatted to each other about work. Ron realised that the Order hadn't been mentioned once since the holidays started, and was grateful to his parents for their discretion. Harry might seem like his old self, but he still spooked at the oddest times. The last thing he needed was to be reminded about Tom Riddle and the Death Eaters. It was bad enough to be reading about the failed hunt for them every day in the paper, though to be truthful old Riddle had gone very quiet.
Molly and Arthur Weasley settled into their usual position on the family lounge. Arthur had the family tin in his lap, and Ron grinned, pushing past Fred and George to claim a seat near the window. There was room for Harry to sit with him and they'd have a prime view of the family as they unwrapped their various presents. He pulled Harry's hand into his lap when his partner joined him, and Ginny came in a few moments later, having sent the present to the kitchen. Percy came to sit rather primly in an armchair - the twins having bagged the other lounge - and Charlie and Bill came to sprawl on the floor with Ginny.
"Right," Arthur looked at them all, "First things first, then. The annual Christmas draw."
"We draw a name out of the tin to see who'll be handing out the presents to the rest of the family," Ron whispered to Harry as his father shook the tin and held it up for his wife. She put a hand over her eyes and drew out a piece of cardboard, decorated with childish drawings and a name written in very tipsy letters.
"Everyone makes a nametag when they turn six," Ron continued, "And each year it's someone different."
"Hey Mum, we'll have to add Harry to that," Bill called, and Ron beamed at his brother in approval. Any signs of acceptance were eagerly received by his partner, stored away for later remembrance. Molly also smiled, righting the bit of card she held and holding it out so everyone could see it.
"I did that this morning," she told her oldest son, "Ginny, dear, you're Santa."
Ginny jumped up with a smile and went back out into the kitchen to retrieve the present she had stashed while Ron fished the plain card that said Harry out of the tin. He Summoned some pastilles from their place in the old chest that had always contained their childhood toys and nudged Harry into decorating the card. A few moments later, Ginny appeared in the doorway with a large screech owl on her shoulder, and Mr and Mrs Weasley exclaimed in surprise. She put the owl on her mothers' knee and smiled at them while Ron explained and Harry drew a snitch with careful concentration.
"Errol's getting on a bit, mum, and Ginny, Harry and I thought that he could retire."
Mrs Weasley unrolled the birds' documents and smiled. Ron had been complaining about Errol for years, and she had discussed retiring him with her husband only a few weeks ago. New owls were expensive, and her children must have saved all term for this.
"This is wonderful," she told them, reading the certificates through. They contained the owls pedigree and information about how far the owl had progressed in its training.
"Very thoughtful," Arthur agreed, "We'll have to name it - something beginning with 'F'."
Harry looked up, confused. Bill grinned and offered an explanation for the family tradition for the newest member.
"Mum and Dad have been naming their birds alphabetically. It started at Hogwarts - they each had an owl, called Agnes and Basil. It was just a coincidence at the time, but someone teased them about it and the idea stuck. When they got married they were given an owl, which they called Corinne. She was killed by Death Eaters, and so was her successor Duncan. Then came Errol, and now…"
"Flynn?" Charlie suggested, and his mothers face lit up with approval.
"Flynn it is!"
Harry grinned and started tracing a border of broomsticks around his name card. His shoulder and arm were pressed into Ron's side, giving the redhead a strong sense of peace.
0oo0oo0
Hermione was back at the school by the time Harry, Ron and Ginny trudged up through the snow from Hogsmeade. The Hogwarts Express wasn't due for another few hours, and only two Gryffindor students had stayed at school this year, so they practically had the common room to themselves. The four friends spent some time swapping Christmas stories, and then they retired to Harry and Ron's room at Hermione's suggestion for a more private conversation. Harry put the privacy spell on the door and wondered if this was where Hermione told them she didn't want to be friends with a couple of fags.
She was rather red in the face and fidgeted with her skirt a bit, pleating the hem and not looking anyone in the eye. That was so unlike her that Harry ended up gripping the edge of their bookcase in order to control his urge to just yell at her to tell them what she was thinking.
"Spit it out Hermione," Ron said good-naturedly, picking Harry's hand up off the bookcase where both boys were leaning. Ginny had gotten used to seeing this and merely rolled her eyes. The twins had a field day with the mannerism - both boys could be found at any moment holding hands, their fingers rubbing and tangling together.
Harry used the grip to tell Ron his fears - something that was getting easier to do as they slowly drew closer together. Ron's response was to tighten his grip. Neither one of them gave a second thought to the communication, Harry had assumed it was something all Wizards or Witches did with their partners, and it hadn't yet occurred to Ron that the ability was outside of the norm.
"Well, I wanted to say that I'm still your friend," she got it out in a rather squeaky rush, "I know that Muggles think that it's… well you know, Harry … but I don't. I just thought you should know…"
"Thanks Hermione," Harry interrupted, his relief coursing up Ron's arm, "That means a lot to us both."
"Yeah," Ron seconded the notion gamely, "That's… really nice of you."
Ginny rolled her eyes and reached over to pat Hermione's arm. Harry's eyes narrowed. He'd seen that look on his friends face before and it never boded well for any male in the vicinity. On the other hand it was a positive sign that Hermione's words were sincere. She wasn't just saying what she thought they wanted to hear. And Ginny had been comfortable with them ever since Christmas.
"Ignore them, Hermione," she advised, "For all the hand holding they do they're still the same Ron and Harry we know and love."
"Inept," Hermione sniffed, sneaking a grin at her co-conspirator, "Emotionally stunted."
"Boys," Ginny added and Ron growled at her half-heartedly. Harry shook his head. The past few months had been chaotic - from his departure from the Dursley's to the budding relationship with his best friend, culminating in the acceptance of that relationship by a wonderful family. Voldemort was still a heavy weight around Harry's neck, but for the first time since he'd learned about the Dark Wizard, Harry felt like he might be able to defeat his enemy.
0oo0oo0