"Warm Night at Hogwarts"
Chapter 9
"Coming Clean Part 1"
Coming Clean Pt.1
The castle was still dark at this early hour of the morning. Students and teachers were still snug in their beds, oblivious to their surroundings. The school ghosts could be seen every now and then roaming the halls in a sleepwalk fashion. Harry and Ron were walking down the stairs silently. Harry cautiously reached his hand out and grabbed Ron's in assurance that everything would be OK. Ron looked over at Harry with pleading eyes. Harry knew that he wanted to go back upstairs and go to bed and just forget this whole thing was happening; he wanted to forget the letters, the photo album, and most of all, he wanted to forget the letter from his mum.
The two boys walked quietly to the Great Hall. Anyone who would have stumbled upon them would have noticed the tension from three corridors away. One would instantly think that these two boys had done something so severe that they could only be punished by the headmaster himself. As soon as the two boys reached the bottom of the staircase, the stairs behind them immediately took flight and changed direction. As the two forged ahead, Ron turned around and watched the staircase move. How he longed to be at the top of those stairs right now heading in the opposite direction.
Harry put his arm around Ron and pulled him to him. He rested his head on Ron's shoulder as he slowed his step. They reached the doors to the Great Hall and Harry lifted his head to look at Ron. He solemnly whispered, "I love you." He reached out and placed his hand on the door and he felt Ron's hand on top of his.
"I love you too," Ron said.
Harry pulled open the doors and peered inside. The inside of the Great Hall was empty save for the two adults sitting at the long Gryffindor table. It was early enough that the ceiling was not enchanted yet. The two boys swiftly made their way to where the adults were sitting. Their robes began swaying with the small amounts of wind that they were creating behind them.
"Hi Mum, hi Dad," Ron said as they arrived at the table. "How was your trip?"
"The trip was fine son. How are you boys this morning?" Arthur said.
"Tired," mumbled Harry.
"Yeah, tired," agreed Ron.
"Well, that's understandable. But there are some things that we need to discuss about this summer. We'd better start now," Molly piped in.
"Ok Mum, what do you want to talk about?" Ron asked.
"Well dear, it seems that we've gotten word that Harry is to stay here over the summer with Professor Dumbledore. With that being said, there will be no need to rescue him. Thank Merlin for that. But the question I have for Harry is, what do you want done with the stuff that you brought to the Burrow last summer?"
Harry thought about that for a moment. He wasn't really sure what he wanted done with his things. He just always thought of letting them be and then when their time was done at Hogwarts that he would be going back there and living with Ron for the rest of their lives. "I don't know, Mrs. Weasley. I just thought that I would leave them there, but only if that's alright with you."
"Yes, dear, that's fine. But I must object once again to you calling me Mrs. Weasley. I'm not old and decrepit, am I?"
Harry immediately shook his head. She was not old, and she was sure not decrepit. But he still didn't feel comfortable calling her Molly let alone, call her Mum.
"Ok, with that issue resolved, I'm wondering if there is anything you boys wish to tell us."
"What do you mean Mum?" Ron asked.
The Great Hall became suddenly silent. Harry reached his hand under the table and gave Ron's a reassuring squeeze while waiting for her to answer.
"Well boys, it seems that we have received several owls about you in the past weeks. We were just wondering if everything is ok."
"Yeah, we're ok. Dumbledore excused me from some classes because he figured that Harry would want someone to talk to about him now having a grandmum and all that. But other than that," Ron squeezed Harry's hand in return, "nothing's wrong. In fact, things are almost better now than they have ever been."
"What do you mean son?" Arthur asked.
Before Ron could answer his dad, the doors to the Great Hall opened with a loud whoosh of air. Harry expected to be swarmed by students coming in for their morning meal but was rather surprised to see Professor Dumbledore walking up to them.
"Good morning Molly, Arthur," Professor Dumbledore said.
"Good morning Professor," replied Molly.
"Morning Albus. Is everything ok?" Arthur replied and asked.
"Yes, yes, everything is fine. But I see that you four have wasted no time in starting this morning's meeting without me. Good," Dumbledore said.
"Yes, well why should we have waited? You said nothing in your owl that you would be attending this meeting," Arthur said.
"I suppose you're right, Arthur. I just figured that with these two boys that some guidance might be needed."
"Guidance?" Harry and Ron asked at the same time.
"No time for explanations now, boys. But I think that you four should take this conversation to the Burrow at once. It is almost time for the other students to be getting their morning meal and I wouldn't want such an important conversation wasted on ignorant prying ears."
Harry sat looking dumbfounded at his headmaster. Before he could think of anything else, Ron was up and at the door running out of it. He was on his way to the main entrance and out the door.
Harry stood and followed his boyfriend out the door. By the time he caught up with him, Ron was almost half way to Hogsmede.
"YOU BOYS SLOW DOWN THIS INSTANT!" They heard Molly scream from behind them.
Ron slowed his pace down to a jog and Harry matched his pace. "Do you think they know, mate?"
"Know what?" Harry asked out of breath.
"Know about us, you git."
"I don't know. I mean, I think Dumbledore might know, but I don't think he would have told them in a letter. Do you?"
Ron stopped dead in his tracks. He hadn't even thought of that possibility. His parents had said that they had received many owls about them over the past couple of weeks, when their friendship was slowly becoming so much more. "Well, he could have. You don't think he would have, do you?"
Harry stopped along side Ron and thought about this for a moment. "No, even that seems a bit to cruel, even for Snape. So I don't think Dumbledore would have. He probably just told them that we have something to tell them, and then, like he always does, waits for us to say something."
"Yeah, you're probably right."
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Hermione woke up still in the Gryffindor Common Room, pains shooting down her neck from sleeping on it the wrong way. She looked around to find many first years still bent over their textbooks with small puddles of drool smudging the ink. Every now and then, a small snore would escape out of someone's mouth and reach her ears. Something's not right. Hermione thought to herself. She found Seamus and asked him to go and get Harry and Ron.
"They're not here, Hermione."
"What do you mean they aren't here?"
"They said something about having to meet Ron's parents in the Great Hall this morning. I don't know what it's about though. They kept everything very hush hush. Kind of worries me really. I hope everything is ok."
"I'm sure it is," Hermione replied. But what if it's not?
"Oh Hermione, there's something I wanted to talk to you about."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I know you're good friends with Harry and…" Seamus paused.
"And what Seamus?"
"Well, I was wondering if you knew something about Harry."
"I know a lot of things about Harry. Anything specific you wish to know?"
Seamus kicked his feet around silently protesting against himself for bringing this up. "Well, you see, I was wondering if… Well, Harry's kind of… Oh Hell, Hermione, do you know if Harry's gay?"
Hermione stared open mouthed at him. She could not believe that he was asking her this question.
"Seamus, I know a lot of things about Harry, but I don't think that is my place to say anything about that."
"I understand. But if he is, could you tell him that I like him?"
"YOU'RE GAY?" Hermione screamed across the Common Room waking up several students.
Seamus' face turned bright pink, then red, then fuchsia, then deep crimson. "Yes, Hermione, I'm gay. IS THAT ALRIGHT WITH YOU?"
"Yes, that's fine. I don't see what the big deal is anyways. I mean, it's just that you like boys rather than girls."
"Hermione, could you say that any louder? I don't think the Slytherins heard you."
It was now Hermione's turn to blush. "I'm sorry, Seamus."
"Yeah, well you should be."
"Seamus, don't make me do this."
"Do what? You can't do anything to me."
Hermione jumped out of the chair standing straight up. She said in a harsh whisper, "Ten points from Gryffindor for being an inconsiderate ass." With that she turned sharply on her heels and made her way down to the Great Hall to get some much needed breakfast.
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The streets of Hogsmede were empty. The only sound that could be heard was the wind that was steadily blowing around the buildings. Through the cloud of dust, four figures could be seen making their way into the town, their capes flowing in the wind and their shoes making little sounds as they pad against the hard earth beneath them. The deafening silence of the town gave it an eerie effect. They made their way into The Three Broomsticks.
Bypassing all of the patrons of the bar, the four travelers made their way over to the fireplace. Each grabbed a handful of powder and one by one, stepping inside and saying very clearly, "THE BURROW". Green flames rose from beneath them and engulfing them in a fiery blaze as they spun down into the flooring and then, out of sight. As soon as one was gone, the next stepped in and repeated the process until all four anonymous travelers had disappeared.
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Draco stood in the center of the room, looking around. The silence was having an unnerving effect on him. He longed for someone to talk to, someone he could spend some time with, or just to hear another voice. Immediately a small creature appeared in front of him with a loud CRACK. It stood about two feet tall and had enormous ears that rose high above his head. He was wearing a thin white piece of paper on his head and had very colourful socks that did not match. "Sir wishes to speak with someone?"
"Wh- Who are you?" Draco stammered.
"My name is Dobby, sir."
"Wh- What are you?"
"You mean to say that you don't remember me?"
"How can I remember you if I've never met you before?
Dobby looked around the room and saw a goblet full of pumpkin juice on the table. He walked over to it and climbed on the chair and then onto the table. He picked up the goblet and sniffed it's contents. It seemed OK. "You really don't remember me, sir?"
"No, how can I?"
Dobby let out a huge laugh. He started dancing on top of the table with glee. He saw a huge opportunity before him, but he was unsure if he should take it. Just the thoughts going through his head made him feel he needed to punish himself. He proceeded to bang his head on the table.
"Stop. Dobby, stop that." Draco ran over to him and grabbed Dobby's head. What is he thinking banging his head like that? Is that how he got so ugly?
"Sorry sir, I was just thinking something I shouldn't and had to punish myself for it."
"What were you thinking?"
"No, I can't answer that sir. I'm sorry, but Dobby is sworn to secrecy regarding one Harry Potter."
At the sound of Harry's name, Draco visibly winced. Why does that name sound so familiar? "Dobby, do you know who I am?"
"Yes, how can Dobby forget?"
"What do you mean?"
Without answering him, Dobby jumped off of the table, throwing himself onto the floor. He pounded his head into the cement.
"I TOLD YOU TO STOP THAT, YOU STUPID GIT!" Draco screamed.
"Yes, sir." Dobby cringed out of old habits.
"Why do you listen to everything I say?"
"Because sir, you told me before if I didn't, you would…" Dobby trailed off trembling.
"I would what?"
"You would kill me."
"When did I say this? I don't remember saying this."
"It was seven years ago, before you started at Hogwarts."
Draco's face lit up. "I read a book about that place. Where is it?"
Dobby jerked in alarm. Before he would answer him he left the room with a loud CRACK.
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Three Weasleys and one Potter sat at the kitchen table in The Burrow. Four pairs of eyes were feverishly scanning the room, purposely not making contact with each other. If one were to look in the window of this house they would see two parents and two teenage boys secretly holding hands beneath the table.
"Why did Dumbledore want us to come here Mum?" asked Ron.
"He feels that there are other things that we need to discuss. Would either of you two know what those things would be?"
Harry could feel the heat rising to his face. He knew that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop it. "Ron, let's just tell them."
Arthur ignored Harry's statement toward his son and, remembering what Ron said earlier, asked him, "Ron, why is it that things are better now than ever before?"
"Because I'm in love," Ron said before he had the chance to think about what he was saying.
Molly Weasley jumped up in excitement. "Oh my goodness, Arthur! Our dear boy is in love!" Molly squealed in delight as she turned to face Ron. "So who is she? Who's the lucky girl?"
Ron and Harry looked at each other, gazing deep into each other's eyes. The meaning obvious to anyone who wished to see it.
"Oh," Molly said knowingly.
Arthur looked to Molly for some sign of what was going on. "What is it, Molly dear?"
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Petunia Dursley woke with a feeling of suspense. She didn't know why she had this feeling, but something was going to happen today that she knew would change her life. She looked over at the still sleeping Vernon and her horse face drew tight in disgust. I can only put up with this for so long. She started when he began to snore again. Quite loudly at that. How can anyone sleep through that rubbish? She grimaced and moved toward her side of the bed and stepped out. She put on her day clothes and walked downstairs.
The morning light was pouring through the kitchen window. An owl was sitting on the window sill. When she saw it, she gave a slight smile. Did that owl just wink at me? I swear, things are getting weirder and weirder each day. I love this time of morning. All is quiet and I'm finally alone. She walked over to the window and opened it a bit. The owl gave a tiny hoot and lifted it's leg. Petunia reached down, and with a bone thin hand, took the letter quickly. She opened it, and saw only two words. Two words that scared her half to death. "It's time." She put the letter into her back pocket and then walked nervously to the refrigerator to gather the things she would need for breakfast.
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Hermione sat in the middle of her Potions final. Without knowing why, she sat straight up in class and laughed uproariously. She didn't know why she felt so giddy, but it seemed as if a weight was about to be lifted off of her chest.
"Would you mind sharing what you find so amusing, Miss Granger?" Severus Snape said from the front of the classroom. The sneer obvious in his voice.
"If I knew, I would tell you," Hermione snapped back, surprising herself as well as everyone else in the class as she lowered her head back down to the exam. She dipped her quill into the ink and began writing again.
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The air was still and each breath that was heard was labored. Molly's hand went to her mouth quickly. "Well, this isn't what I expected, but I must say that I am very happy for you Ronald."
Arthur piped in confused, "What? What's going on?"
Scared of his father's reaction, Ron hung his head.
"Ron and I are in love, Mr. Weasley," Harry said.
"You both found girls? How exciting. Good show, boys."
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Petunia, standing at the stove, frying pan in hand, stiffened. Looking up sharply, she gazed into the distance and heard something. "Harry," She whispered.
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Harry, mustering up all the strength in his being, says, "No, sir. Ron and I are in love. With each other."
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The sound of the pan hitting the floor shook Petunia out of her daze. Finally! The smile on her face was wiped away when she heard her large husband walking down the stairs to the kitchen.
"What's all that ruckus?" Vernon bellowed.
"Nothing dear. It's nothing. Bit of grease popped me on the hand and I dropped the pan. I'll get it cleaned up and have your breakfast for you in a flash."
"Make it quick. I have a meeting this morning that I can't be late for," Vernon said, before disappearing behind his morning paper.
"Yes dear," Petunia replied. The smile slowly crept back onto her face.
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Draco, still pondering that odd creature named Dobby, walked the length of the room. Once he reached the wall on the left side, a door magically appeared before him. He jumped back in fright with a yell. The door disappeared.
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Hermione dropped her quill.
"Is everything all right, Miss Granger?" Snape sneered.
"Did I say anything wasn't alright?"
"TEN POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR FOR BEING FRESH"
Hermione picked up her quill as a smile came to her face and she returned to the parchment in front of her.
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"You're…what's that word?" Arthur asked.
"Gay dear? The word is gay," Molly replied helpfully
"I thought gay meant happy. Not that you boys aren't happy, it's just… Well, I don't understand." Arthur frowned, perplexed. Arthur got up and looked out the window towards the garden. He let out an audible sigh and went to the door. He turned around to see the boys and Molly still sitting, watching his every move. He walked out the door to contemplate this new revelation in his life.
The silence grew quickly around the three at the table. The boys were growing visibly nervous, wondering if Arthur was going to be OK with this.
"Oh, pay him no mind. He'll be alright, boys. So, when did this happen?" Molly excitedly questioned. "You must tell me everything."
The boys shared a look that said, Well, not EVERYTHING.