Harry hardly got any sleep that night. He'd spent most of it tossing and turning. When he finally did fall asleep he was woken up in what felt like a few minutes by Ron.
"Harry!" Ron said quietly, shaking Harry's shoulder, "Harry wake up!"
"Huh?" Harry groaned, opening his eyes.
"Harry you have to get up," Ron said.
"Why?" Harry groaned, throwing his arm over his eyes.
"The guests are going to be arriving soon," Ron replied.
"Guests?" Harry pulled his arm down, peeking up at Ron.
"Yes, guests, me and Hermione are having our engagement party today, remember?"
"Is it night already?" Harry asked.
"No, the party starts at noon," Ron replied.
"I thought…" Harry trailed off, realizing that Ginny hadn't told him at what time it was at.
"Come on Harry," Ron said, tugging at Harry's arm, "you can borrow one of my shirts."
The shirt was five sizes too big but Harry didn't care as he mostly just lurked in the kitchen, trying to avoid everybody.
They'd all seen that he was already there, and that Ginny had arrived later without them. They probably all knew that something had happened. No, they had to know. He'd seen the looks Mrs. Weasley had given him. Disappointment.
Harry was tempted to just disappear. At least he wouldn't have to face anybody.
Harry looked up as somebody walked into the kitchen. He and Mr. Weasley made eye contact for about five seconds before Mr. Weasley abruptly turned away and left.
Yep, they knew. And God only knew what Ginny had told them.
"Are you just going to sit here and lurk all night?" Ron asked, poking his head into the kitchen.
"I can't face them," Harry said.
"Oh come on, it's fine. They still like you, just give them some time."
"I'm sorry, I just can't," Harry said. Ron rolled his eyes but left Harry alone anyway. Leaving Harry feeling even worse.
What on earth was he even doing here? He was at the engagement party of his best friend, and friend whom he was in love with. And yes, he knew he was in love with Ron. He'd figured it out while he was busy not sleeping. Somewhere along the way he'd fallen in love with his best mate and never bloody noticed it and now it was too late to even matter anyway, because his best mate was engaged with his other friend who was pregnant with his best mate's baby. Why did this kind of shit always have to happen to him?
"Oh, there you are," Harry looked up at the face he was definitely not happy to see.
"What do you want, Ginny?" Harry growled.
"I want to make a deal with you," Ginny said.
"What kind of a deal?" Harry asked.
"You pretend to be my boyfriend."
"Why would I do that?" Harry asked.
"Because you don't want me spilling your little secret."
"Haven't you told everyone already?" Harry spat back.
"Not yet," Ginny said, "it's still just between you and me. For now…"
"Why would you even want me?" Harry asked.
"Because you're Harry Potter," Ginny replied. Harry shot her the harshest glare he could muster.
"No," he spat, "I will not pretend to be anything for you just because you want to have the famous Harry fucking Potter for your boyfriend, you self centered little whore!" Ginny looked unfazed. She shrugged.
"Alright then," she said, turning away, "your decision." Harry sat there and wondered what he'd just done.
Would she really tell? Knowing her, probably. But did it matter? They already hated him anyway. Harry buried his head in his hands. He wished now more than ever that he could disappear. But even with all the invisibility cloaks in the world he couldn't disappear forever. Might as well stay here and face whatever was coming. His dignity was all he had left, and he'd be damned if he let them take that away. He was going to stand up and take it like a man. Harry stood up and walked into the living room, not knowing what was coming, but figuring he probably deserved it.