Chapter 10

Out of the Closet

AN: I've actually never had anyone react negatively to anyone me telling them I'm Bi, so I hope I didn't offend anyone with my portrayal of it. Anyway, please enjoy.

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It took the 4 less than a minute to transfigure their robes into muggle outfits. Harry was impressed, he supposed this was the result of living most of their lives in the upper echelon of the wizard world.

Narcissa who had worn a simple formal robe in black, now sported an elegant white chiffon tea dress, the wide straps of the dress fell just to turn of her shoulder, Harry did wonder if she had worn the 6-inch white heels the entire time, and her long blonde hair was now twisted elegantly atop her head.

Severus had changed as well, and quite frankly the switch almost gave Harry whiplash. Gone now was the "greasy git" who had attempted to teach Potions. In his place was a man in tailored black slacks, and white button up, his tie tucked into the black vest covering his chest, his black jacket lay just so, over his wide shoulders. His hair which once held too many potions' fumes, now looked cleaned, parted to the left. He looked like he'd be right at home on the red carpet.

They look so fancy. He thought, turning to look at Draco. He froze.

Like Severus, Draco and changed his robe into a pair of tailored slacks, and white button up. However, Draco had chosen to for-go the tie, choosing instead to leave a few buttons open at the top, giving his shirt a loose feel behind his black vest. Somehow even his jacket which he had thrown over his wide shoulder looked elegant. Have I ever seen him in muggle clothes? Harry wondered. Holy shit…..nope back on track Harry, stay on track. He thought. Looking down at his own attire, he felt under dressed.

He looked up to see Draco staring at him blankly. Like the others he had gone for a simple black suit, no vest but a fitted white shirt tucked neatly into his tailored black slacks.

"Should I add a vest?" he asked.

Draco seemed to shake himself out of whatever thoughts held him captive.

"No, I think that looks fine." Draco said, clearing his throat a blush rode across his high cheek bones. Keep it together Malfoy.

Harry nodded. If Draco said it was fine then it must be so, he decided, Why the blush thought? He wondered.

With that done the small group set off for 3rd Avenue. After a short walk they came to a black building, large glass windows gave the restaurant the appearance of a painting, it showed a scene of elegantly dress groups enjoying an evening companionship, as the door opened the sounds of laughter, conversation and the clinking of wine glasses filled the air. A beautiful golden plaque adorned the building declaring it to be Un Avant-Goût De La France.

"A taste of France." Draco translated for Harry. "Mother and I used to come here when I was just a kid. She said it was out little secret." He smiled at the memory.

"That sounds wonderful." Harry said, a small flair of jealousy ran through his body before he suppressed it. No use being jealous, he thought, Draco was loved. That's all that really matters.

Narcissa had no more than smiled at the seating host, before the owner was standing before them.

"Madam Malfoy," He spoke, a heavy French accent colored his words. "How wonderful to see you again! We have missed you so."

"Peter, how good to see you. How have you been, how is Sophie?" she asked. Harry could hear the fondness for the man in her tone.

"My Sophie is well, as am I." he said, drawing the woman into a hug, before pulling back and kissing both of her cheeks.

He continued. "But enough of me! Where have you been? I was worried something had happened to you, non, this will not due. You will sit at my table and tell me all that has happened."

"Peter I would love to catch up, but I fear today I am with family." She said gesturing to the group behind her.

"OH! Oui, they must join us then." He said, refusing to take no for an answer, waving off the host and practically dragging Narcissa up the stairs. He led them to a large section of the balcony, which seemed to be cleared only for his use. It held a large table, with 6 chairs.

As they all sat down, Narcissa introduced the man to the group.

"Everyone meet Peter, he moved to England when he was 18, and began to look for investors in his restaurant. He met me, and I'm pretty sure I paid for his first several years in business, until the restaurant could fund any needs on its own. He is a muggle, but he married a very fine witch several years ago." She told them with a smile.

"Peter, you remember my son, Draco?"

"Oui, of course. He has grown into such a fine young man." Peter said.

"Thank you, my friend." Narcissa inclined her head to him, before continuing the introductions. "This is my friend Severus Snape, Severus and I met at Hogwarts." She told him.

"Severus it is wonderful to meet you." Peter said shaking the man's hand firmly in his. "I have heard many stories of you."

"All lies, I assure you." Severus snarked, glancing at Narcissa who had gone a bit pink around the ears.

"And this young man is Harry Potter." She finished.

"Non, not THE Harry Potter?" Peter asked, shock coloring his heavy accent.

"One and the same sir." Harry answered. He was stunned when the man suddenly sprang from his seat and pulled him you into a hug.

"Merci, Mr. Potter, merci." Peter pulled him tighter before releasing the startled man from his grip and kissing both his cheeks.

"My Marie, she is 11 the year, she can start her training at Hogwarts with a light heart, thanks to you."

"I would love to say it was no problem, Peter, but it was actually quite a lot of trouble." Harry laughed.

"Oui, I would imagine so." Peter responded with a smile, as he once again took his seat. "But you have prevailed, yes? You won. Twice! Most impressive Mr. Potter, most impressive. Now you will allow me to get you lunch, to say Thank You."

The waiter approached and Peter ordered before anyone could protest, and wine was handed out to all present, regardless of age. Peter caught the look on Harry's face, confused and unsure. "I am French Mr. Potter, what are a few silly laws to the enjoyment of good food." He said with a wink.

Harry just gave a little laugh and drank the wine, as food began to arrive, each of the group was lost to their own conversations. Narcissa caught up with Peter, while Severus, Harry, and Draco discussed the best place to purchase quality quidditch equipment, and the likelihood of a decent season for team England after the war. Yet all agreeing that nobody would beat Bulgaria as long as Krum still played on the team.

The food was delicious, and the company was wonderful, Harry decided he would come back and eat again. However, their conversation was paused as a waiter approached quickly, telling Peter there was a problem a guest on the lower floor.

Just below them they heard the voice of the host raising over the balcony, arguing with someone, as Peter rushed down the stairs to either fix the problem or remove the guests.

Harry, having enjoyed himself to the point of forgetting the earlier confrontation, and feeling the light buzz of 3 glasses of wine, when Draco finally asked.

"SO…. are you going to tell us what happened earlier?" he asked gently.

With a heavy sigh, Harry observed the group, Severus and Narcissa looked concerned, but he knew the look in Draco's' eyes, pure Slytherin stubbornness shone there, and he knew there was no way Draco would let this go until he told them.

"OK, I'll tell you. BUT, no interruptions, you can ask questions at the end deal?"

"Deal." The other 3 readily agreed.

"Fine." Harry said, taking a deep breath. They'll find out eventually. Better they hear it from me.

"Ginny and I spoke after the Battle of Hogwarts; we had broken up the previous summer and promised to reconnect after everything had been…handled. Ginny kept apologizing," he said, giving a soft laugh. "she said she fell in love with someone else. She was sorry, she didn't mean for it to happen. I had to stop her, I don't mind that she fell in love, I'm happy for her really." He looked up from where he was fiddling with his wine glass, watching Draco's face to see how he would react.

"I was going to tell her that I couldn't be with her anyway, all that time over the term, I had realized…. I'm gay." He paused, waiting for them to react, to tell him he was a perversion, a waste of space. When no one spoke, and Draco gave no reaction, he continued.

"She asked me to tell everyone, she said she wasn't ready to tell who she was dating. So, I did. Though in hindsight perhaps I shouldn't have told them both things at the same time. Hermione was fine with it, but Ron…. He lost it. Started calling me names, saying my family would be ashamed, that if they weren't dead, they would have disowned me for my "perversion" as he called it. We haven't spoken since, nor to Hermione, she says she doesn't care but she doesn't want to lose the man she loves." His shoulders gave a shudder, and he took another drink of his wine, before taking a deep breath.

"So, there you have it. The reason the Golden Trio broke up." He finished. "Questions?" he asked, a bit of sarcasm leaking into his voice.

"What a load of crap." Severus said, anger coloring his voice, causing Harry to flinch. Here we go. He is going to tell me I'm a freak, that I don't belong in the wizarding world…

"Lily and James Potter, upset over their child being gay, as if Sirius and James didn't date for two years, as if you couldn't find Lily and Alice in each other's beds most of 5th year. What utter bull." He ranted. Gesturing wildly with his wine glass. "What on earth is that boy thinking, besides even if, even if they were concerned, its not as if there aren't potions and magic to carry on the bloodline. Absolute garbage!"

"Severus, really, calm down. You'll scare the boy." She said, looking at the stunned face of Harry.

"My parent?" Harry asked, shocked.

"They were Bi-sexual yes." Narcissa said. "So, you can see where we have a bit of trouble believing that they would care if you were gay."

"I'm more confused as to why it matters to Weasel." Draco joined in. "Being gay hasn't been an issue in the Wizarding world for like 200 years. Honestly though, Harry, I am sorry he reacted like that. I mean he could have just taken the Blaise route and just told you not to look at his ass." He said, joking about his own experience to lighten the mood.

"Why would Blaise care of someone staired at his ass?" Harry asked, "He is quite fit thought."

"Not just anybody," Draco clarified. "Just me, he said it felt like his brother was checking him out." He said with a laugh, pouring them both another glass.

"You're gay?"

"Yep, and proud of it." He joked, making Harry laugh.

Well, that was easier than I thought it would be. He thought. Relief flooded through him, and he breathed a sigh of relief that he wouldn't be losing anyone at the table, they had simply accepted it as fact. The sky was blue, the grass was green, Harry was gay.

Draco watched the smile spread across Harry's face; his emerald eyes glowed with joy. Such a simple thing made him so happy. Draco began to wonder what other things he could do to make Harry happy. Take him flying? Cook him dinner? Buy him emeralds to match his eyes? Take him to Greece for a well-deserved vacation by the ocean, they could go for a nice swim. All completely friendly gestures. He assured himself.

"Anyway Harry," Draco said pulling himself from the daydreams of his totally platonic friendship. "What did Lady Hattie give you?"

"I'm not sure, she said not to open it until I got home."

"Well then, let go." He said standing up.

Harry and Draco looked over at Narcissa and Severus, who appeared to be having a debate on the best way to brew Wiggenweld Potion, before looking back at each other with a smile.

"Mother," Draco said, drawing Narcissa's attention. "Harry and I are going to head back to Black Manor to see what Lady Hattie got for him. Will you to be joining us?"

"Well dear, I was rather hoping to speak with Peter some more, it's been almost 3 years since I've spoken with him, why don't you two go ahead and we'll catch up." She responded, glancing at Severus who gave her a nod of agreement.

"We will see you soon then," Harry said, pulling out his wallet and leaving $200 on the table. "For the waiter. I'll pay the bill on our way out."

"Non," Peter said as he approached the table, troublesome guests dealt with. "I told you Mr. Potter, it is my treat. I will allow the tip, but no more."

Harry rolled his eyes at the man, "Very well, Peter if you insist."

With a sigh, he grabbed Draco's arm, missing the flush that crept up the other mans face. "Let's go Draco." He said, pulling him along and down the stairs.

"You know," Peter said as the young men hurried out the door, "They would make the cutest couple, non?"

}TBC