Changing Directions
Chapter 4 – Sorting it all out
Please don't kill me! I started working on it, but then I got very ill. FORGIVE ME! Thanks :) I also have a beta-reader too, so hopefully these will be getting out faster and sooner. I will devote as much time to it as I can, I hate the idea of not finishing it now.
It's slash, and if you don't like depictions of male/male relationships, then why on earth are you here in the first place? You clicked on it, dope! And I don't own any of this, Ms J.K. Rowling does.
Its PG-13 rating remains for language on the most part, and will do so for a while. Language might get a little extreme once or twice, but nothing that a thirteen year old won't have heard before. You'll be warned in advance when it's about to go up and I'll try and write it so you can skip those parts.
Harry and Ron have discussions, Neville and Hermione have chats; Charlie Weasley, Albus Dumbledore and Molly Weasley ponder amongst each other.
Enjoy
Later that evening, after the meal was over and everyone had digested their food, Harry was pulled aside by Albus Dumbledore.
"Don't avoid what you can't put off. There isn't enough time to risk losing someone important, and sometimes people will surprise you."
"Professor? What are you talking about?"
"You know perfectly well Harry. Just heed my advice. Although sometimes I am loathe to admit it I have had a lot of experience in life, including disputes with friends. Trust me." With that, he walked away humming a muggle nursery rhyme. Harry knew perfectly well what Dumbledore had been talking about; he just didn't know how he seemed to be aware of so much. Shaking his head to clear it, he walked upstairs to the room he was meant to be sharing with Ron. After climbing the first set of stairs, he was halted by a voice coming from the library.
"Hey, mate."
"What do you want Ron?" Harry carried on walking at a fast pace. Ron followed.
"I just want to talk to you, and I think you owe me that at least."
"Owe you? If I remember right weren't you the one who went off on one? You didn't give me a chance to talk to you before so why should I give you a chance to listen now?"
Ron simply looked down at his shoes and mumbled incoherently "Well maybe, you know, I want to help you, you know… I mean we could set you up with Cho again!" Ron brightened up at that.
"Are you kidding me?" Harry looked at him aghast. "You want to try and cure me now? For goodness sake Ron I don't need fixing!"
"Well maybe you do! I mean how can you possibly find other men... eugh!"
"Well straight women find it easy enough."
"But that's what they're meant to do!"
Harry just sighed, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He knew that Ron would never see it as anything other than an abnormality, so why was he even going to bother trying?
"Look Ron, you're never going to agree with this. So can't you just drop it and try and let me get on with me life. You can't decide for me what gender I date, or someday end up marrying." If I get to that stage of life before dying.
"But it's just not natural – "
"LOOK, Ron. You know as well as I do that I have about a fifty-fifty chance of surviving Voldemort – and don't flinch Ron, and as such I need to try and be happy. Without my friends arguing about my choices. OK?"
"Fine, fine. Let's just Floo to your house and get your stuff without the muggles noticing."
"So, Neville, how was your summer?"
Neville had been staring at his cold cup of coffee for about a half an hour now without saying a word, and Hermione was beginning to get just a little annoyed.
"Oh, you know, the usual."
"Well I was reading a book the other day." Hermione eyed him carefully to make sure he was paying attention.
"Uh-uh…"
"Oh yes. It was a book about the new Healing course. It's really fascinating, and I'm looking forward to taking the course. Aren't you?"
"Yeah…"
"It also had some interesting information about how to become an evil dictator."
"Oh cool"
"Yes, I was thinking about wiping out all the purebloods and making all muggle-born witches and wizards the rulers of the worlds. Half bloods as servants, of course."
"Really."
"Yes! Apart from Lucius Malfoy, I'm planning on using him as my personal slave for a few years first."
"Uh-uh."
"Neville you haven't heard a word I said." Hermione huffed, while poking him out of his reverie.
"Ow! 'Mione!"
Hermione simply looked at him with a glare that could scare many into submission. Including Neville. "OK, I'm sorry I wasn't listening. I'm just thinking about stuff."
"Such as?" Hermione was setting herself up for a long interrogation stint before she got anything out of the boy.
"Nothing really important. Teenage stuff mostly, and the last school term." Hermione gave him a knowing look and took the pause to look over the boy. He'd really changed since the summer it was obvious. He'd always been withdrawn, but he seemed more confident in some ways and more withdrawn in others.
"Well the last term did affect all of us, it was a horrid experience. At least we pulled through." Neville nodded.
"But it's really thanks to Harry isn't it? I mean with all those lessons he gave us in the DA. I was so sure I wouldn't be able to; my magic has never been like yours and Harry's. I mean I'm practically a squib."
Hermione looked thoughtful for a few moments, and then suddenly said "Neville, have you actually tried any spells with your new wand?"
"No, why?"
"Well try now. Here, perform an engorgement charm on this hairband. Go on, it won't take long!"
Neville looked at her like she was slightly crazed, "But Hermione, there's the Restriction of Underage Wizardry. Besides, I've never had much luck with that charm."
"Oh honestly Neville, the house is surrounded by wards that make all magic here undetectable. The ministry can't see, and it was set up so we could practice. How else would we be able to learn here? And just trust me, I have a theory." Neville just looked at her for a moment, before turning to the hair band.
"Engorgio!" Instantly, the band started growing at an inordinate rate. Neville looked in shock as the band kept growing and growing, and only after it was twice the size of his head did he take his want and practically shout "Finite Incantatem!" Hermione just looked at him with a self-satisfied smile, and returned the band to its original size.
"See, I knew it! Your new wand is right for you, your old wand wasn't meant for you to use. You have as much magic as any student at Hogwarts, otherwise you wouldn't be there. Now, let's try something else."
"Ow! For crying out loud Harry, you almost ruddy killed me in there! What is it with you and Floo?"
"Well it wasn't exactly helped by the fact I'm carrying two suitcases. God Ron just help me up please."
Ron just looked at him for a couple of seconds before grunting "Oh.." and he stuck out a hand. As soon as Harry was up, he snatched the hand away as though it was dirty. This didn't escape Harry's notice. "Ron, I said it earlier you aren't going to catch anything."
"I know that, it's just, well you know."
"No I don't, and for now maybe it should stay that way." Ron looked stricken at Harry's cold demeanour, but shrugged it off. Harry levitated his suitcases and led them upstairs, with Ron following close behind.
"So can we talk yet?" Harry sighed; he was hoping to avoid this for as long as possible. But he knew he'd have to get it over with.
"Fine." A pause. "Well?" Another pause. "Look Ron do you actually have anything to say?"
"Yeah! Well… I guess I want to know just why, how, when… look I'm no good at this OK?"
Harry sighed again feeling even more like an old man. "Well why, because that's the way it is. How, I started developing crushes on men, not women – and don't look at me like that Ron," he had pulled a strange face, "I don't mean you. Just, someone else OK? And when, last year. When, well it was when I had that crush on Cho that fizzled, and I noticed someone else. And after that kiss, who can blame me?" Harry joked, trying to lighten the mood. Ron snorted.
"Yeah, it doesn't sound like it was very good."
"Oh god it was like snogging a tap. Well I practically was snogging a tap."
"Well Hermione said that there were reasons – emotion stuff." Harry just looked at him. "But yeah, still weird."
Ron was feeling lighter until he realised what Harry had said. He developed a crush on someone. "Harry… you said you had a crush on someone. Someone, as in singular. Who? It had better not be a Slytherin. Harry, tell me you don't fancy a Slytherin." Harry was horrified for a second, before deciding to have a bit of fun with him.
"Well, I didn't want to say this. You remember those Occlumency lessons?"
Ron was starting to turn a pale sort of green. "Yes, what about them?"
"Well all the way through, I just couldn't get Snape out of my head." Well it was true, he couldn't. "And, I mean with the greasy hair, and the pale vampire face – isn't that just, oh wow!"
"Harry, you had better not be serious mate."
By this time Harry was struggling not to laugh at his friend. "Well I know it seems unusual, but when you think about it – " By this time Ron had had enough, and his ears were a bright pink.
"For God's Sake Harry! HE'S DISGUSTING! HOW CAN YOU EVEN SIT THERE AND SAY THIS?! IT'S JUST – wait. Why are you laughing? You pillock, you were leading me on weren't you!"
Harry was almost rolling around in mirth. "The look on your face was priceless! I mean I didn't lie once, just made it seem like it!"
Ron was just shaking his head in disbelief. "No seriously, who?"
"A Gryffindor."
"Oh. Well that's not too bad; it's not that Creevey kid is it?"
Harry again was horrified, "What do you take me for Ron? No, it's someone. And only Hermione knows, and I'm keeping it that way for now."
"The way you're going right now, I'm not sure I want to know. Look, this will take me a bit of getting used to, but you are my best friend. I'll still be there for you. Just, no looking at me in the showers."
"Ron, you're a brother to me. That would be quite gross."
Ron blushed, and there was a silence for a few moments. "So, want help getting unpacked?"
"Sure."
"There we are Neville, see? I told you that you could get it!" Hermione and Neville had been practising different charms for about a half an hour now, and Neville had managed to keep a Shield Charm up while Hermione threw a Stinging Hex his way. "Shall we go try it on Harry?"
"No! I mean, I don't want to bother him."
Hermione just smiled knowingly, and decided to test her theory. "Neville?"
"Yes 'Mione?"
"You like Harry don't you."
It was a statement more than a question. Neville just looked at her for a few moments like a deer caught in the headlights of the Knight Bus. "Well, I er h-he's – I mean, of course I do! He's my friend, I er like my f-friends. Why?"
"I didn't mean that, and you know it."
Neville still looked frightened "W-well what did you mean?" Hermione just gave him a knowing look. Neville really didn't want to reveal his secret crush. I mean there was no chance in hell anyway, right?
"Neville, you have to be honest with yourself. And this won't go any further, I promise you."
Neville desperately wanted to change the subject "How about trying a transfiguration?"
Hermione gave up, for now. She was determined that by the time the night was out she'd have the truth out of him. Never one for the idle gossip of people like Lavender and Parvati, she still wanted to see her two friends happy. Whether they liked it or not it seemed.
Charlie sat in his room, lost in his own thoughts. Mainly about the events of the night between Ron and Harry, and his own life.
Having been recruited by the Order, he knew that to be truly effective he'd probably have to give up his dragons and come to the UK, at least until the crisis was over. But when would that be? And could He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named ever be defeated?
He was also worrying about his family, especially the younger siblings. Even though they weren't members of the Order, they still managed to get themselves into more trouble than any Auror or Order member ever. Probably more than they ever would, and it scared him. Even though Ron was an arse half the time, he was still his brother.
Shaking off these thoughts, he stood up, only to find himself pacing around the room. He felt restless, and wanted to do something. Like go back to Romania with his dragons. So instead he decided to go to a bar in Haverstone Lane, just off from Diagon Alley. It was an all-wizarding street, filled with bars, clubs and other recreational places. So he grabbed the nearest set of going-out robes (dark plum, with a silver outline and an even darker purple as an undershirt), his wand and some Floo powder, and went down.
Upon arriving at Haverstone Lane, he picked the nearest bar and went there. Called "The Fellytone", the inside was shaped like a telephone receiver from the ceiling. It was a Muggle-themed club, and Charlie hadn't been there in several years; since he went to Romania.
He went in and ordered himself a Vodka Tonic (they only served Muggle drinks, which was probably why they didn't do as much business as some other Muggle-themed places) and stood lazily by the bar drinking. Unfortunately, he was still lost in his thoughts until a guy spotted him and came over, almost gliding across the floor. He was taller than Charlie, about 6 foot 4, and looked about 25.
"Hey, can I buy you a drink?"
Charlie looked down at his own, about to say no but then he noticed it was all gone apart from the ice. "Well yeah, sure!"
The tall guy grinned and quickly bought the drink. "So what's your name anyway?"
"Charlie Weasley, you?"
"James Waterbucket. I work at the Ministry of Magic."
"Sounds like a nice steady job! You should try my work." Charlie winked suggestively.
"Oh and what's that?"
"Dragon handler."
James was quite surprised, but looked even more interested,
Over the next hour, they talked for a while, flirting and generally being interested. Charlie noticed his eyes a lot, they were a dark blue colour that seemed to shine in the dark night of the club. He was briefly reminded of Dumbledore's twinkling eyes, but dismissed it as soon as he realised he was comparing what he would term a hot guy to the old headmaster of Hogwarts. Not a pretty picture. Things were going well until Molly Weasley barged through the door of the club, making her way straight to her son.
"Charlie Weasley what the HELL do you THINK you're doing? Going off in the middle of the night, could have been kidnapped, taken! YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD SOMEONE YOU WERE GOING!"
"Oh calm down mum, I was just out for a drink. Besides I needed to get out and think."
"THINK? What on earth about?" Mrs Weasley's temper was starting to scare James, and he was beginning to edge away until Charlie grabbed his arm and kept him there.
"For a start, my lovely bigoted little brother. Do you know how he reacted to Harry's preferences?"
Molly Weasley looked confused for a second, before realising what Charlie was saying. "Oh goodness, he didn't react like that again did he?"
"Yes mum, he did."
"Oh the poor dear, as though he doesn't have enough to be getting on with what with You-Know-Who and all."
James' ears perked up. "Wait, you mean Harry Potter?" Both Weasleys turned around and glared at him. "Sorry…"
"Look mum, I'll be home later. Just make sure those two are OK."
"Oh fine, but be back to – you know where – by one am before the wards become activated OK?" With that she left without waiting for a response.
James just looked on before saying to Charlie "I don't want to know do I?"
Charlie laughed, "Well, that's the Weasley temper."
James laughed as well, albeit a bit nervously. "And I was hoping to bring you back to mine tonight." Charlie just looked shocked, and James said "Well, I don't mean, I'm not like that o-on a first date you know, just – "
"It's OK," Charlie interrupted, "another night."
With that, Charlie gave John a chaste kiss before disappearing off into Haverstone Lane.
Hermione and Neville hadn't stopped practicing all night. Neville was getting quite proficient at most of the charms and spells he had previously failed at, and was gaining in confidence. Now Hermione chose to start her interrogation.
"Neville, will you admit to me that you like Harry as more as a friend now?" Neville immediately dropped his wand, and his almost Patronus dissipated.
"Why are you so interested?"
"Because I want to see my friends happy."
"It isn't going to happen. E-even if Harry was – g-gay, he wouldn't want me."
"Don't be so sure about that," Hermione said with a knowing smile.
Neville only briefly got the implication of that before Harry came downstairs and caught the two talking. Inwardly Hermione was cursing her friend's bad timing, but gave him a big grin anyway.
"Harry! We were practicing some charms. Neville's gotten really good with this new wand. Want to join us?"
"Er – " Harry did indeed want to, but didn't want to be too close to Neville in case something slipped. But then that would make Neville think that he didn't like the boy at all, which he did. But what the hell, what could happen really? " – Sure, I'd love to!"
The three teens spent the rest of the night practicing charms for hours, until they each got too exhausted and bid each other goodnight. Both males were happy for time spent and wished the other was too, without knowing that in fact they were both thinking exactly the same thing.
Well there we are; finally. Some of the sections were a bit short for my liking, and next week - the first training session, and Harry's birthday!
