(A/N – So…I had to put the next chapter on hold to write this. This is almost exactly word for word what happened to me the other day. I needed to get it off my chest. I don't care if you review…)

Chapter 17 – Yes, I am – Dean's POV

The night I got home from Hogwarts, I had been sitting in my room reading a book called The Journey Out ©. I don't know why, but for some reason the book inspired me to come out to my mum.

I went into the living room where I found my mum, sister, and brother watching TV. I grabbed a glass of pumpkin juice (which I had convinced my mum to buy, as I now had a taste for it), and went back into my room. I would tell her later when I could be alone with her.

A few minutes after nine, after her show ended, I was on my way back to check if my siblings had left yet and found my mum on the way to bed already. She said goodnight and went into her en suite, leaving the bedroom door open.

I wandered away slowly, my nerves failing. But then I decided to get my courage back up, and went to wait in her room for her. She wouldn't have a problem with it. I was worried for no reason, everything would be fine. A few minutes later she emerged.

I was extremely nervous. I was shaking slightly and blushing.

I walked over to her and hugged her.

"What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

I couldn't speak. I was so nervous that I laughed, unable to stop myself.

"Just tell me. What's wrong?" she asked.

At this point I wished I could just change my mind and say never mind, but I knew she knew something was up, and she would want something out of me.

"Just come out with it," she said.

I laughed. "Did you hear what you just said?" I asked.

"Come out with it?" she repeated.

I nodded. "…I'm gay…"

"Oh, Dean. You're not!"

I looked at her strangely. "Um…Yes I am."

"No…"

"How do you know?" I asked.

"…Is this because of your friend Ron?" she asked.

"No…"

"Is it because of Seamus?"

"No, Mum. This is me!"

There was complete silence for a few seconds.

"Why are you telling me this now?"

"I don't know…Would you rather I not tell you?" I asked.

"No, I'm glad you're telling me. What made you think that, though?"

"What? I don't…I've known since before last summer…"

"Well what made you think it then?" she asked

"Nothing 'made me think it,'" I said irritably. I definitely shouldn't have told her.

There was a silence that seemed to last millennia.

"I don't know what to say…" she said quietly.

I shrugged. "I'm going to bed," I said.

She hugged me. "I love you."

I left the room and went back to my desk to owl Seamus. I had to rewrite my letter three times, as I didn't want him to receive one with tearstains on it.

After I sent my owl Francis with the letter, I lay on my bed to wait for a reply.