Chapter Thirty Nine
Judgment Day
Morning came way to early for Harry and Ron. Rolling over in their beds to face each other they realized the dorm was empty. Sitting up the reality of last night came back to smack them into awareness.
"Does it seem too quite, Harry?"
"Yeah it does, what time is it anyway?"
"Well judging by my stomach and where the sun is I say about noon."
Well we might as well head out and see what's in store for us. Besides we have a Care of Magical Creatures class at two."
Taking quick showers and dressing, the boys made their way down the stairs into the common room. The stillness of the also empty room got to the boys, making them edgy. Leaning over Harry kissed Ron on the check.
"Well let's get this over with.."
Heading for the Great Hall they passed a few groups of students. Maybe it was their imagination but it seemed like they all stared and whispered as they passed. Taking a deep breath they entered the Great Hall. There was no and staff's turned to look at them. Muttered whispers passed through the tables. Most of the students just talked among themselves, only chancing glances in their direction once in a while. Draco and crew however felt the need to laugh loudly making no attempt to hide what they where talking about. Ron had a slight pink tinge around his scalp and ears but kept his brave face on none the less. Harry was getting annoyed but covering it well. Even some of the Gryffindors thought it was weird and gave them looks. Hermione, Neville and Ginny were the only ones to come and talk about it to them instead of about them.
"You could have told me you know, I would have understood. I mean it's strange but who am I to judge."
"Sorry Hermione but its not the easiest thing to bring up in conversation, but your right Ron and I should have told you."
"You know Mom is going to be skeptical, Ron. I mean I'm at bit at a lost myself, I never figured you to be you know.. I guess this means I not going to be with Harry after all. At least he will still be in the family."
Harry blushed hearing Ginny admit she liked him, he had never known.
"Well I think it's great you're not ashamed of it. It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends."
"Now where have I heard that before?" Harry wondered "Thanks Neville"
The group of friends continued to talk about it and other topics, trying to ignore the banter and laughing around them. Harry was unaware that someone was behind him until he felt the back of his robes being tugged on. Turning around in his seat he came eye to eye with Dobby the house elf.
"Harry Potter should have told Dobby. Dobby would have like to have known Harry potter was gay. Dobby is glad that Harry Potter is free, now that he is out of his closet."
"Ummmm, thanks Dobby"
"Harry Potter call Dobby if he or his friend ever need Dobby's help."
"I.. ah.. Thanks Dobby"
Dobby walked away totally unaware of how much he had just embarrassed the two boys.
Finishing their lunch they all rose to head for their Care of Magical Creatures class. Passing Draco and his ever present crew of goons, they could not believe they were singing. What was worst was what they were singing.
Potty and the Weasel
Potty and the Weasel
It's beyond belief
That they are both thief's
But listen to what I say
They are both raging gay…
They never got to sing the next verse because Ron and Harry both jinxed Malfoy before, Hermione, Neville and Ginny could draw their wands. It was a somewhat gross sight to look at Malfoy who had been hit with a Furnunculus curse and a Tarantallegra at the same time. The result was what seemed to be a dancing frog covered in boils. Snape was on them at once, but Mc Gonagall was right behind him. Snape was reduced to taking Malfoy to the hospital wing by floating the still dancing frog man down the hall. Mc Gonagall was not happy to say the least. After several minutes of yelling she sent Harry and Ron to Dumbledore's office, forcing Hermione, Neville and Ginny to go to class.
"Once again we are in for it for having our wands out." Harry joked
Ron groaned looking scared and dejected at the same time. "Well at least Malfoy got his."
"Yeah, but now we are going to get ours, Chocolate Frogs."
The doors to the stairway opened leading them to Dumbledore's office. When they arrived it was empty so they sat down, looking at all the tiny treasures and bobbles on tables all around the room. Falkes was sitting on his perch behind Dumbledore's desk, looking very healthy with his red and gold feathers. Harry could have sworn the Phoenix smiled at him even though it was near impossible. The doors behind them opened to revel Dumbledore as he entered the room.
"Ahh hello boys, from what I hear you have had a very busy 24 hours. Would you care for a lemon drop," the boys shook there heads keeping their mouths shut. "Ahh very well, then down to business. It always is amazing and somewhat amusing when some spells get mixed. However it can be dangerous, Madam Pomfrey tells me young Mr. Malfoy will be alright after she calms his jittering legs and cleans up those boils. It is my regret that I will have to take 15 points from each of you for being out of your Common Room after hours, and an additional 10 each for the use of a spell on another student. Let this be a lesson to both of you. Now on to what cause this mess in the first place. While it is not my cup of tea.. oh would you like some tea and perhaps a few cookies?"
The boys shook their heads and continued to keep their mouths shut.
"Very well, as I was saying; it's not my cup of tea but who am I to tell anyone who to be with and love? I must stress however that while I am not condoning or forbidding it that you must use good judgment in your actions as not everyone will agree with your choice. We must all choose everyday between what is right and what is easy."
"Now where have I heard that one before?" Harry wondered for the second time today.
"Now unless you boys have anything to say, you might be able to make it for part of your Care of Magical Creatures class."
Again the boys shook their heads not saying a word.
"Ok then, off you go"
" Now that we are done with Crups lets move on to cats. I be hoping that by this time you should all know that cats are not always just pets. Our own Professor Mc Gonagall is an Animagus. She can become a tabby cat when ever she wishes. Now some cats will be part kneazle, meaning they really smart and are a good judge of character. Round here you need to be aware of all cats, look at Mrs. Norris, I bet me beard that there's more to that cat then what you all think. They were often viewed with suspicion in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries round Europe, countless women were accused of witchcraft. They were hung or burned at the stake, and their cats killed as well. Witches and a few wizards were known to keep cats. Muggles thought them to be small demons disguised as animals who would do their bidding. Not surprisingly, black cats were singled out simply because of their color, they were considered evil and symbols of bad luck. Even now them muggles think its bad luck to let one cross their path. The sad thing being that many were condemned on flimsy evidence, such as owning a black cat or brewing homemade remedies. They did not manage to get any real witches or wizards as we, unlike them are able to take care of ourselves. Today, cats are the most popular pets owned by them Muggles, and running a close second to owls in our world as well. As for our next topic…"
The bell rang then and the students busted away leaving Hermione, Harry and Ron. Thankfully Malfoy had never made it to class.
"Are you in trouble, what happened? Are you going to be expelled?" Hermione said in a rush
"Kind of, tell you later, and no. Now I can see Hagrid wants to talk to us so we'll meet you back in the Common Room as soon as we are done." Harry responded back just as fast.
Hermione nodded and turned away just glad that she was not going to lose her two best friends.
"Well 'arry I never expected this from you and Ron but if your happy then I guess that be all that matters. Between us I be glad you gave old Malfoy what he deserved. I just wanted you to know I'm in your corner and from what I hear be careful round the house elf Dobby, them house elves been talking."
"Umm.. thanks Hagrid. We'll see you later."
Waving goodbye to their friend they took each others hand and headed back to the Common Room. No point in hiding it now besides no one was around to see anyways. By no stretch had this been an easy day so far but sooner or later it would have to get better.