Authors note: ok guys so here's the update. Oh and I forgot the disclaimer in my first chapter so...I own nothing. Oh and this is a slash fic. Male male lovey stuff.
"You know, Lavender is hosting a little get together this Saturday. She said she'd love to have you there." Ron told Harry over their weekly Tuesday night dinner.
"Yes that's right. It should be a lot of fun Harry," Hermione called from the lounge room, where she was resting. Pregnancy was wearing her out and the only position that was comfortable for her was reclining on the couch.
Harry's brow furrowed, and his lips set in a thin line. "I'm not interested in going, besides, Lavender was always closer to Ginny then me. I haven't spoken to her for a long time."
Hermione sighed. "Come on Harry, it's been so long since you have gone out and seen everyone. Luna and Neville will be there, and she's been dying to show you the engagement ring Neville gave her."
Harry shook his head. "I'm not really up for it. I'm working anyway. Maybe next time." He started clearing the table, eager to busy his hands.
"That's what you said last time Harry, after we invited you to the baby shower. You should have heard everybody talking when you didn't show up. They think your becoming a recluse. That you have some sort of people phobia," Ron piped up.
Harry saw red. "People phobia!!" he yelled. "What a stupid notion, I work at a hospital for Merlins sake. I'm around people every day, I save their lives!!"
Ron lifted his hands in surrender, "Hey, don't yell at me mate. I'm just repeating the rumours. And you have to be honest with yourself Harry, they have cause to believe them. There've been countless of social events that you have missed. It's been almost 18 months since anyone aside from us has set eyes on you."
Harry huffed and dropped down onto a chair. He ran his fingers through his thick black hair, and closed his eyes. "I don't feel comfortable being out in public at this point. I've seen they way people look at me. The sympathy in their eyes kills me. I don't want to be pitied."
"And the women," Harry shook his head. "They drive me mad. They think because I'm now single that I'm interested in dating again. I'm not, not in the least. I'd rather face a thousand angry dragons then let myself be dragged down by another woman"
"Not all women are like Ginny," Hermione said, getting up off the couch and walking over to him. "Do you honestly think that I would ever do anything like that to Ron?"
Harry shook his head. "I know you wouldn't. And I know that not all women are like Ginny, but I'm not willing to take another chance. Having my heart broken once is more than enough for me. I'm content being on my own."
Hermione took Harry's hand in hers. "Content, Harry. But not happy."
"My son makes me happy." Harry said stubbornly. "I don't want to discuss this anymore. I'm not going, and that's my final decision." He pulled his hand out of Hermione's grasp and continued to clear the table.
Ron saw the tears brewing in his wife's eyes, and slung his arm across her shoulders. "We better head off," he said softly. "The offer is still there Harry. Just fire call us if you change your mind. We'll be there too, so you won't have to go alone." They turned to the fire place, and flooed back home.
Harry finished cleaning as if he were in a trance. Conflicting emotions were running through his head and heart. He honestly didn't want to go, but seeing the pain his best friends were suffering by his hands was getting too much to handle.
After countless hours of hard thinking Harry made the decision to show up at the party, if only to appease his companions. He wouldn't have to stay long, just long enough to quash any theories of him becoming a hermit.
He sighed deeply, hoping he wouldn't have cause to regret this decision.