Hello again lovely readers! I know I said I'd have this chapter up yesterday, but I was distracted with football. I also know that this chapter is a bit shorter, but there wasn't really much I could put in this chapter, and i think I ended it at a good point. I hope you guys like it, and I promise the next chapter will be up soon and longer. Thanks to everyone for all the lovely reviews! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own the world of Harry Potter no matter how much I wish I did.

WARNING: this will be a slash story later on, and a Sevrry as well if you dislike either of these things don't read. There are also mentions of child abusr.

Chap. 4

He mulled over how to tell her as the phone rang. It took a minute before she picked up.

"Hey, Harry! What's up?"

"Hey, Mione. Umm remember that thing I wanted to talk about?" Harry said nervously.

"Yea, what is it?"

"Well I don't really know how to say it, but promise you won't interrupt until I'm done explaining?" Harry pleaded.

"Of course Harry," Hermione said calmly but slightly confused.

"Well you know I never really stay at the Dursley's during the day if I can help it. So this summer while I would walk around I would sometimes walk all the way to the main part of the city. While I was there I'd walk around the shops and stuff, and there was this one coffee shop I liked to go to. I'd go there probably twice a week. Then one day they got this new guy at the register. Normally I didn't pay attention to anyone around me so the cashiers were the only ones I looked at. Well I couldn't help but think, wow he's pretty cute. I couldn't believe I'd thought that. I thought maybe I was just overly tired. Well I started paying attention to the people around me. What I noticed was that I could look at the girls and think well they're pretty, but nothing more. I didn't want to approach them or talk to them, but the guys I noticed I found attractive, even hot. I did want to talk to them, to have a coffee with them. Mione, I'm pretty sure I'm gay," Harry finished talking taking a large breath. He waited for his friend's reaction. After a minute of silence he started to regret telling her. "Hermione?"

It took Hermione a minute to register everything her best friend had said, but as she thought about it she couldn't help but think all the signs had been there, "Harry I'm so happy you told me! I know how hard this must have been for you. Well thinking about it I'm actually not that shocked."

"Really? You're not?" Harry let out the breath he hadn't known he was holding. He was so happy Hermione was okay with this.

"Well you've never shown much interest in girls. Whenever the boys seemed to talk about them you would be quiet, but if any of the girls were talking about boys you would talk. Not saying that you thought any of the guys were cute just which guy was nice or who had what particular trait," she admitted.

"I never thought about that. Well even still, Mione you can't tell anyone, okay?" Harry said expressing how nervous he was about all of this.

"Of course Harry, I understand that you're not ready to come out to everyone yet. But Harry just so you know the wizarding world has no problems with homosexuality," she informed him.

"Well that makes me feel better. But Mione, umm could you help me out with something?" Harry asked timidly.

"Of course Harry what is it?" Hermione asked interested.

"Well I was reminded that all I have to wear is Dudley's old clothes, and my school robes. I was wondering if you'd help me pick out some new clothes?" Harry asked hopping she would help him.

"Of course Harry! I come back next week so we can go then! Oh this will be so much fun!" Hermione exclaimed with excitement.

Harry couldn't help but laugh, "Yea it will. Well I've got to go. I'll talk to you later Mione."

"Alright, bye Harry."

He rolled off his bed and made his way towards the overly large bathroom. While he was in the shower a thought accrued to him. I'm going to have to tell Ron eventually. He probably won't react to well, even if it isn't a bad thing in the wizarding world. Should I tell Snape? Wait why would it matter if I tell Snape or not? I should tell him that I'm going out with Hermione next week though.

After getting out of the shower he walked over to the wardrobe looking for a pair of sweat pants and t-shirt. Once he was comfortable he made his way to the sitting room. Even though it was almost midnight he figured Snape would still be up.

His guess was proven right as he walked over to the fire place and saw Snape sitting in an arm chair sipping tea.

"Umm," Harry cleared his throat suddenly nervous. Whenever he was with the Dursley's he didn't have to ask to leave because they didn't care enough about him to notice as long as he'd done his chores. At Hogwarts though everyone cared where he was and during the year they had to have permission just to leave the grounds.

Snape looked up, raising an eyebrow.

"I was wondering if next week I could go into London and go shopping with Hermione?" Harry asked in a rush.

"I don't see why not as long as there are some aurors with you, but you should check with Dumbledore," Snape drawled. Honestly if that old fool made him escort two teenagers muggle London he would lose it.

"Okay I'll ask him tomorrow. Umm, goodnight professor," Harry said turning to go back to his room.

Snape made his way up to Dumbledore's office his robes billowing behind him showing his irritation. He had a purpose for confronting the headmaster this late at night. Before he could knock a, "Come in," came from the opposite side of the door.

"Ah Severus, how can I be of assistance tonight?" Dumbledore said with that ever present twinkle in his eye.

"I would like to talk to you about Potters relatives. During our occulemency lessons I saw several disturbing memories of Potters relatives abusing him, and treating him worse than a house elf. When I asked him about it he explained why received each beating and I am coming to you before I go there and do something about them myself," Severus said in a tirade, trying to contain his anger.

"Severus please, try and calm down and take a seat," with a billow of his robes Severus sat in the seat across from Dumbledore, "I have been looking into Harry's life with the Dursley's and I have to say I am also upset by this as well. If you could tell me what you have seen I would greatly appreciate it."

"Petunia was burning the boys hand on the stove when he was only seven because he had burned dinner for a party they were having. He no longer has finger prints on that hand! That walrus of a man was beating him for dropping a tea tray that was obviously too heavy for him, and his lump of a cousin would get his friends to help beat the child during school. He also said he would be starved if he woke up screaming. Which was quite a bit," Severus finished with a hush.

"Severus I have to say this is more troubling than I ever thought. I feel horrible! I paid them to make sure Harry would always be okay, but I never checked in to make sure he was okay," Dumbledore said the twinkle leaving his eyes. Severus thought the old wizard finally looked his age.

"Well are we going to do something about this?" Severus asked his furry coming back.

"I think we should take back all the money they've ever received for what was supposed to be Harry's care, and that we should have the wizards from child protective services take a look at this situation," Dumbledore said thinking of the wizards he knew that were involved with the muggle care service.

"You really think that's enough? Having child services and taking back the money is really the only thing they deserve?" Severus snapped standing from his seat.

"Severus please sit back down. I don't think this is all they deserve. If anything I wish I could send you after them, but you and I both that can't happen. And if it makes you feel better I have to go in person to tell them that they will no longer be receiving money, if you would like you can accompany me," he said smiling knowingly at Severus.

"Very well. I will come with you. May I recommend sometime next week. I know that Potter was coming to ask if he could go out with Granger next week," Severus said getting up getting ready to leave.

"Very good! I will see you later Severus," Dumbledore said seeing Severus out.