Chapter four

Harry didn't want to go downstairs too early, so he waited until Hermione came and gave him a nod. Charlie kissed him put his arm around him and they walked slowly down the stairs with everyone calling out happy birthday. Then one by one all Harry's friends got up and hugged him. Harry just smiled and nodded because he had no idea if they said anything. Then Harry sat with Charlie, who kept his arm around Harry.

'Okay, before we get to the food, Harry wants to say something,' Molly smiled over at him.

Harry blew out a bit breath, 'Um, I found this out the following day. We all had injures, well I went to see Madame Pomfrey with a ringing in my ears, he dropped me a few times, twice on the side of my head.'

'Hang on Harry, stand up,' Charlie said then stood with him then turned him around, 'Neville say something to Harry, anything you want.'

'Oh, okay, um hi Harry,' Neville shrugged then looked puzzled when Harry didn't answer, 'Harry,' he called again.

Charlie turned Harry back around, 'Neville said hi Harry then Harry.'

'I can't hear, I'm deaf, I can read lips, Charlie's been teaching me over the last couple of months.'

'Oh Harry, that's so sad, can you read what I'm saying?' Luna asked.

Harry gave a small smile, 'Yeah, I can Luna. As long as I can see your lips, I can read what you're saying.'

'So it was caused because he dropped you?' Seamus asked.

'Yeah, it did some damage to my inner ear, that's what Madame Pomfrey said.'

Minerva held her hand up, but made sure she looked at Harry, 'She said there is a slight chance Harry's hearing will return, but she's not positive about that. He takes a potion every day, so we just have to wait and hope.'

'So if it doesn't, what are you doing to do, you wanted to be an auror?' Dean asked.

'I can't do that being deaf, but Charlie made sense. If I return and do my last year, get my N.E.W.T.s then I might work out something else to do.'

Charlie sat and pulled Harry onto his lap, but made Harry looked at him even though he spoke to everyone else.

'Harry can go through some career pamphlets, see if something else takes his interest. But he will have a year to work it out.'

'So Harry and you?' Neville nodded towards them.

'Neville asked about us,' Charlie nodded.

Harry turned back to Neville, 'Yeah, we're together, for a while now. We're going to live together after Hogwarts.'

Hermione touched Harry's arm so she would look at him, 'Harry only worked out he was gay when we were away, he never had time to think about any of that.'

'So Ron, how were you the first time you found them snogging?' Neville smirked making everyone laugh.

'The first time it wasn't actually snogging. Harry was sitting on Charlie, like now, then Charlie started to kiss Harry's neck. Harry decides to say it was time to eat food instead of each other. That's when it really hit and something I don't want to imagine.'

Harry chuckled, 'I don't want you imagine that either Ron,' Harry jerked and squeaked, 'Charlie,' Harry slapped his arm, 'Stop it.'

'I think you should sit next to Charlie Harry, we don't want to see anything we shouldn't,' Molly shook her head.

Harry nodded and sat beside Charlie, 'Safer.'

'You're no fun,' Charlie moved closer and mouthed the next words, 'We did just have our fun and we'll have more later.'

'Oh yeah,' Harry said in his normal if not a little louder voice.

'If you two are going to be at Hogwarts together for this year, then you need to behave,' Minerva said sternly.

'Don't worry Minerva, we will. I've already explained all that to Harry, you know, student, teacher.'

'Are you going to be our teacher Charlie?' Neville asked.

'Yeah, the defence teacher, just for the year, that will give Minerva time to find someone permanent.'

'Unless you want to stay on Charlie, I did say you could.'

'Yeah, but it depends on what Harry does. We might be able to work something, let's see how the first half of the year goes, then talk about.'

So Harry, if you're returning, it will mean others will know you can't hear.' Neville said.

'Um, just the teachers for now, I don't want anyone to know unless it's absolutely necessary, but the teachers will need to know as sometimes they aren't facing the students when they talk.'

'I can explain to them, they will keep it to themselves. But why are you so insistent in keeping it quite?'

'I just want more time to get used to this and I really don't want anyone's sympathy.'

Charlie made Harry face him again, 'He also feels a little embarrassed. He can go through a war and escaping Voldemort and death eaters and he ends up deaf from a fall. But as I said to him, it's lucky he didn't do worse.'

Harry shrugged, 'I know, I still don't want anyone to know, not yet.'

'Charlie face Harry to me,' Luna said softly then when Charlie turned Harry's head, 'You are bloody thick you are Harry Potter, you could have died, I think I'd rather be deaf than dead.'

Harry couldn't help smiling at Luna, 'Okay, I get it, but just not yet and why is it the girls always has a go at me?'

'Because we love you so when you're being an idiot we'll tell you, right Hermione,' Luna said making Hermione's eyes widen.

'Um, yes, sometimes.'

'What do you mean sometimes Hermione, you've often told me I'm being stupid even when I'm not and you're just being miss know it all.'

'Harry Potter,' Hermione scowled, 'You're lucky I love you.'

'I know, that's why I know I can get away with it.'

'Okay, before you lot end up arguing, let's eat,' Molly said and started placing food on the table then she noticed Hagrid, 'Hagrid, are you okay?'

'It's Harry, always something going on with him,' he sniffed.

Charlie turned Harry to face him, 'Hagrid's upset about you, he thinks something is always going on with you.'

Harry looked over at his large friend, then got up and stood beside him, 'Yes, it has, but it's all fine now Hagrid. He's dead, the war's over and I love Charlie. Life's great now and I'm used to not being able to hear even if I miss hearing things I love.'

Hagrid wiped his tears then hugged Harry, 'You're always so brave.'

'He can't see your lips Hagrid,' Charlie gave him a smile, 'But he knows how you feel.'

Hagrid let Harry go, 'You're okay Harry and Charlie better look after you or he'll answer to me and Grawp.'

Harry laughed then went back to Charlie, 'You're in for it now babe, Grawp and Hagrid love me.'

'Everyone loves you because you're easy to love,' Charlie said but then mouthed the next words, 'Easy to make love to as well.'

'Hey I read your lips and I wish I didn't,' Ron grimaced making Charlie laugh then explained to Harry what he said which meant everyone else heard as well.

Charlie had to leave a week early to settle in at Hogwarts and Harry was miserable and he was nervous. Hermione and Ron tried everything to cheer Harry up but the only time he smiled was when they saw the Hogwarts express. Harry wanted to apparate straight to Hogwarts, but like Hermione said, this will be there last time starting a new year at Hogwarts, they had to go on the train. Harry sat with is back against the window, because friends kept popping in to say hello, so he wanted to make sure he could see their lips so they wouldn't get suspicious and no one did. When they arrived, Harry raced off the train dragging his trunk behind him where he dumped it with others, Hermione and Ron laughing as they followed. They climbed into a carriage with Neville and Luna then set off. Harry kept lifting in his seat looking towards the castle as they moved along the road, until Hermione put her hand on his arm.

'We're nearly there, so calm down and remember, he's a teacher, wait until after the feast is over, then go see him and snog him.'

'I miss him so much Hermione.'

'We know mate,' Ron shook his head in amusement, 'But look, the castle.'

Harry whipped his head around and grinned hugely, 'Charlie.'

Hermione, Ron, Neville and Luna all smiled and Harry's eyes never left the castle until they all climbed down and headed inside. They just walked into the entrance way when Charlie stepped out and grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him into a dark corner and kissed him passionately.

'God I missed you, are you coming to my room after?' Charlie asked.

'Yes, but you need to show me where it is.'

'Behind the defence classroom, I haven't put a password on it yet, we'll work that later. But I have to get in before the first years turn up.'

'Then kiss me,' Harry smirked then his lips were joined with Charlie's and their tongues doing their erotic dance. 'This feast is going to drag,' Harry said making Charlie laugh, 'Okay, go.'

'Follow just in case someone comes in late and decides to talk to you.'

'Okay,' Harry followed after Charlie, 'Cute arse,' he said softly and even though he couldn't hear Charlie laugh he could tell from the way his body moved. Then Charlie wiggle his butt making Harry laugh. They stepped in the great hall and Harry watched Charlie head up to the staff table the he sat facing the rest of the school but between Neville and Hermione so they could tell Harry if someone talked to him. But all Harry could concentrate on was Charlie sitting at the staff table talking to Madame Hooch. Harry groaned then sighed before he saw the first years come in.

'It won't be long Harry, then you can see him properly, now try and relax.'

'I'm trying Hermione, but he's just so cute.'

Everyone within earshot of Harry laughed but they could see him just sitting there staring at Charlie with a dreamy look on his face. Harry didn't even notice when the first years were sorted, McGonagall welcomed everyone and the food appeared.

Neville tapped Harry on the arm then waited until he turned, 'Food Harry, if you're going to shag Charlie, you need energy, so you need food.'

'Hey, you're right Neville, thanks,' Harry grinned making everyone around him laugh.

Dennis Creevy walked up behind Harry and spoke, 'Sorry Dennis, Harry's in love, he's not taking notice of anything,' Hermione turned Harry's head, making it look like a joke, 'Dennis said hello, you were dreaming again.

'Oh sorry Dennis, hi, how are you.'

'I'm good Harry, you look good too, everyone does. Hermione said you're in love, is it with Ginny because she's sitting further down?'

'No, I'm gay, and with Charlie, the defence teacher, Ron's brother.'

'Hang on, you weren't gay, now you are, how did that happen?'

'I just never had time to work it out before Dennis. How's your parents?'

'Yeah, you know, there okay. They were a bit worried about me coming back, but I bought a few books and explained more and that it's all over.'

'I get them being worried Dennis.'

'Yeah, anyway, I'll see you around Harry,' Dennis smiled then walked away.

'Thanks Hermione that worked perfectly.'

'Yes, it did, no one picked up on anything,' she smiled and they started eating again, then got Harry's attention, 'Word is already spreading that you're gay. Dennis told his friend, I saw him look towards you and I read his lips, gay. Since you've been learning, I've picked up on a few things as well.'

'It'll be all over the school before the end of the feast,' Harry shrugged then started eating again. As conversations went around Harry, he mainly watched Charlie, but he would see one of his friends lips and knew what they were talking about, he never joined in, he was too anxious to see Charlie. He knew he had to go get his cloak and make sure he knew the password to Gryffindor tower, then he was going to be in Charlie's bed. While Harry was eating, he noticed Ron's face, then Seamus and Dean looked a little put out as well, so he turned to Hermione just as she got his attention, 'I zoned out again, sorry.'

'Um, Draco asked to speak with you Harry,' Hermione nodded behind Harry.

Harry looked around, 'Oh, Draco, sure.'

'Can we step over here for a bit Harry?'

'Yeah,' Harry got up and followed Draco over to the far wall away from everyone.

'I just wanted to thank you again, but I also thought if the others all realised things were going to be different between us, then hopefully they will realise that everything is changed now. There are a few Slytherin's that never wanted what he did, but they aren't sure how they will be treated by the rest of the school. You knew I never wanted that, I saw that on your face. So I figured if they see us at least being friendly, things might be better.'

'You make sense Draco and I did know you never wanted to be part of all that. I noticed a few of the other Slytherin's looked a little wary, their tense, it's in their stance and how their sitting. So even though you and I might never be best friends, we can at least be friendly, civil to each other,' Harry put his hand out and Draco shook it, 'This should help,' Harry smiled at the blond making him smile and relax.

'Yes, I think it will since we both know how things spread around this school. Rumours that we aren't sure are true or not and we are being watched.'

Harry was very good at reading people's body language, so he knew what Draco said but also the meaning behind the rumours.

'If you mean the rumour about me being gay, well that's true.'

'I did hear, wasn't sure if it was true or not. Anyway, I'll let you get back to your friends, they look worried about you.'

'Their always worried about me, it's a bad habit they have gotten into. But we should get everyone to stop all the nastiness, well, hopefully we will, with most stuff anyway.'

'Yes, we can't make everyone get on even if we'd like to,' Draco stuck his hand out again, shaking Harry's, 'It'll be good not to pretend anymore and thanks again.'

'Anytime,' Harry smiled again the watched as the blond walked away before he sat at the table and saw his friends all looked a little surprised, 'We decided it was time to put all that behind us. He said there are a few Slytherin's that didn't want all that, but they know some will hold grudges. He figured if everyone sees us acting friendly, then the rest of the school might finally realise it's all changed now.'

'Yes, that is a good idea, but I think you made Charlie jealous, look at his face,' Hermione said.

Harry looked towards the staff table and saw Charlie watching him but he didn't look happy at all. Harry mouthed the words I love you which made Charlie nod then smile and that made Harry grin.