The Bet

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Interlude - Twos and Threes in Four Parts

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Number One - A Bedroom, about 10pm.

"Owen!"

"What? Jeeze, I just got home and you're already yelling at me?"

"We've got something to tell you!"

Owen Cauldwell closed the bedroom door behind him, dropping his bag to the floor and shuffling further into the room. Kevin Whitby and Dennis Creevey were sitting on Owen's bed, and Seamus, Owen's roommate, was nowhere to be found. "What are you guys doing in my room? I just got off of a long and boring shift at Cel's, and I really just want to relax."

"Harry's gay," Kevin blurted out. Dennis promptly slapped him upside the head. "Ow!"

"Well, you didn't have to say it like that!"

"How were you going to break the news?"

Dennis sighed. "That's not the point."

"He's what?" Owen said, staring blankly at his two friends.

"He's bi," Dennis cut in, giving his roommate a glare. "Harry told us tonight at dinner, but you were at work."

Owen raised his eyebrows, his eyes shifting around the room in confusion. "So Harry likes both girls and boys?"

"Yep."

"O-kay..." the waiter said in a sort of unsure manner. "When did he...? How...why did he tell everyone? Is this a new thing?"

"I'm not sure. He wanted us to be aware and okay with everything. So that we weren't shocked," Dennis said.

"And he's going to ask someone out!" Kevin jumped in, a big grin on his face.

Something suddenly struck in Owen's mind. "I saw him, and another guy, at the Café on Friday night."

"Really?" Kevin and Dennis said in unison. "Who?" Dennis asked, thinking of Malfoy.

"An older-ish guy. Like...late twenties, maybe. I've seen him around campus. He's...he's..." Owen mused for a moment, "the Quidditch Captain!"

Dennis's jaw dropped. "Do you think they were on a date?" Kevin asked.

Owen shrugged, starting to strip off his clothes. "I don't know. They only had a couple of drinks. Then they left."

"Probably for some mutual wankage," said Kevin, winking and giving Dennis a nudge.

Dennis slapped him again, and Kevin protested the bodily harm. "Oh, shove off, Kevin. You're being no help at all." Turning to Owen he asked, "Do you think Mikhail might be who Harry's going to ask out?"

Again, Owen shrugged. "Don't know, don't care. It's Harry's life."

"You're not shocked?" Kevin said, impressed. "I was."

Owen sighed as he threw his dirty clothes in the hamper and collected his toiletries. "Hardly anything would shock me when pertaining to Harry Potter. He's had everything from his latest crush to his most obscure habits plastered all over the news. Most of which we all know is untrue. I'm surprised the issue of his sexuality hasn't been all over the Daily Prophet before, what with all his lack of girlfriends. So he likes men too, so what? It's a new age in the Wizarding World, and nobody really cares about anything other than that we're all alive and we can all live in peace. At least until the next bastard who wants to be a Dark Lord comes around." Turning around he said, "Now, I'm going to go shower. Will you guys please go back to your own room?"

Dennis nodded, grabbing Kevin's arm and dragging him off the bed and out of the room. Once inside their own room down the hall, Kevin turned to Dennis and whispered conspiratorially, "How much you want to bet that Harry's going to ask Mikhail out?"

Dennis grinned. "How much is this bet worth to you?"

~~~

Number Two - Lounge, about 9:40pm

Seamus waved goodbye to Neville and Luna, who were walking to Number Four where Luna lived, then hooked a more secure hold around his own girlfriend's waist as he walked her up to her own dorm.

"Care to come inside?" Ginny asked.

"Sure, love."

They stepped inside to the significantly warmer temperature, and immediately started shedding their winter clothing, making their way to the lounge to sit in front of the fire.

"Hello, Susan," Ginny greeted, noting her dorm mate as she left the lounge and made for the stairs.

"Hello, Ginny. Seamus."

"M'lady," Seamus said in playful exaggeration, bowing to let the other redhead pass.

Susan giggled and replied, "You better pay a bit more attention to your own Lady, Sir, or you'll have none to speak of."

"Aye, wouldn't want me Lady's wrath upon me, now would I?" He asked playfully, his Irish lilt coming in strong.

"That you wouldn't. Goodnight you two."

"'Night, Susan," Ginny said, smiling. Seamus gave the departing redhead his own goodbye.

Settling in on the sofa, Seamus took Ginny into his lap, curling around her, and she rested her head under his chin.

"Ginny?" Seamus murmured after a few silent moments.

"Hm?"

"Are you alright? You've been really quiet tonight."

"Oh, I suppose I've just got a lot on my mind."

"Like what?"

"I dunno. Just stuff."

"You're thinking about what Harry said, aren't you? About him liking blokes?"

"Yeah, a little."

Seamus shifted so he could look Ginny in the eye. "Are you upset about it? Do you hate gay people?"

"What? No. No, nothing like that." Here, she paused, sorting through her thoughts. "My parents have generally always been open minded; concerning most things and people anyway, so homosexuality isn't really a 'bad' thing to me. Though, I've never really met any wizards that were gay, so I'm not sure I have any type of opinion on it. But Harry...I just..." she paused again, unsure of her next words. "It's not that it's different because it's Harry, but it is, you know? I've known Harry for so long...we all have, and this just seems so sudden. He never looked at guys that way before did he? I mean, even back at Hogwarts he had crushes on girls...like Cho." Sighing, she finished, "You know I had a horrible crush on him, even when I was dating other boys. I paid all kinds of attention to him...and I just really don't see it. Harry being gay. Or bi. Or whatever he called it."

Seamus bit his lip and tried not to think of Ginny liking Harry. He had kinda hoped she was over it after all these years. And after her long-lasting relationship with Dean; and now, with him. Taking a deep breath he asked quietly, "Do you still like Harry? Is that why this is so weird for you?"

Ginny blinked. "What? No...no, I don't still like Harry. Not really in that way anymore. I accepted that he would just see me as a part of the Weasley family, a part of his family, years ago. No, that's not why this seems weird. It's just...so sudden."

"Then maybe it's that way for him too. Maybe it's a new thing. Maybe he's just never been attracted to guys before now, or he hasn't been attracted to any girls for such a long time, that he's... Maybe he's looking for a different way to...I don't know, vent sexual frustration?"

"Seamus!" Ginny blushed.

"What? It's true. And it makes sense. Gin, Harry hasn't had a girlfriend since...well, Cho. And as far as I know, that had one sloppy kiss, and ended rather horribly. Unless he's gone to a brothel or picked up a call girl at some point along the way, I don't think Harry's gotten any."

"Oh, God, Seamus..." Ginny's blush deepened, and she buried her head in his neck. "I don't want to think about Harry like that."

"Well? What other conclusion is there? Somehow, Harry's taken an eye to blokes, and not only that, but he seems happier too. Happier than I've seen him in years. So, I'm gonna be happy for him."

"That is true. I'm glad he seems happier too. I just hope it's for the right reasons."

"What do you mean?"

"He started acting different, happier maybe, but definitely different ever since he started hanging around Malfoy. To me, Malfoy is another word for 'overbearing, conceited prat, hell-bent on giving Harry trouble'."

Chuckling, Seamus replied, "If you ask me, love, the changes have been good. Like you said, he seems happier. He hasn't been moping around at all like he used to. If I had any idea that Malfoy showing up on our doorstep that morning would eventually lead to Harry getting past the bloody war, I would have invited him over myself."

The redhead sighed softly against Seamus' neck. "I suppose you're right. I just don't want Malfoy messing this up for him. Harry deserves to be happy."

"I know, Ginny-love. We all think so." The sandy-haired man held her tight.

"But if this guy, whoever he is, breaks Harry's heart, I'll cast the worst bat-bogey hex this world has ever seen," she said fiercely.

Seamus did not envy the person at the mercy of his girlfriend's wand. He held her even closer, trying to reassure her fears as best he could.

~~~

Number Four - Porch, about 9:45pm

As they stepped up onto the porch, Neville pulled Luna to him and caught her in a sweet kiss. She flowed into the embrace, wrapping her thin arms around Neville's neck and shoulders.

When they parted he looked into her blue eyes, recalling a time when they were perhaps a bit more vacant and dreamy looking, and most people thought her mind was the same; vacant and dreamy. And perhaps a little loony, based on her nickname. But she wasn't like that anymore. Sure, she still had her quirks, and her infallible belief in things that even Neville, as a wizard, sometimes knew where fantastical. But he loved her. And he had yet to tell her so.

So, with baited breath, he gave her another quick kiss and said, "Luna, I love you."

She only smiled dreamily up at him, a merry sparkle in her eyes. But she didn't respond.

Neville swallowed and said a little nervously, "A-aren't you going to say something?"

"Hm? Oh...sorry, I was just thinking about what a handsome couple Harry and Draco Malfoy would make. Like you and me. Don't you think so?"

Neville's eye widened to the size of dinner plates as he stuttered, "W-what?"

"And I love you too."

Neville shook his dark head. "No, I mean...great! But...what was that about Harry and Malfoy?"

"They'd be handsome together. Nice contrast." Her face was plain and open, and Neville could tell that this was another one of her blatantly honest and observant moments.

Neville had to pull away from her and lean against the railing. "Luna, you're not making any sense." This was not how he envisioned his proclamation of love to go. Not that he expected cherubs and violin music or anything, but certainly not this. "I told you I love you, and you tell me how handsome you think Harry and...and Malfoy would be together?"

She stepped forward and ran a cool hand down his cheek. "I'm sorry, Neville. I didn't mean to throw that at you. It was just on my mind all evening." The sparkle in her big blue eyes dimmed a bit.

Neville grimaced, thinking about Raven's intentions toward Harry and Malfoy, and how Harry's newest revelation might come into play in relation to the blond git. Harry couldn't really be thinking of asking Draco Malfoy out, would he? We even asked him directly, he mused. And he had said no, that wasn't why he was spending time with Malfoy. Something wasn't adding up, but Neville wasn't sure he wanted to think about it. He had just wanted to kiss his girlfriend goodnight, tell her he loved her, hopefully have her say it back, and then get inside somewhere, because his brain suddenly registered, it's bloody freezing out here.

"It's cold," he finally said, wrapping an arm around Luna and pulling her close. "And don't worry about what you said, I just wasn't expecting that response to me telling you I loved you."

She snuggled under his chin, her long eyelashes tickling his neck. "I do love you, Neville," she said softly.

"I love you too. Let's get you inside," he replied, ushering her to the door, giving her one last lingering kiss and taking his leave; his own thoughts swirling in his head as he hurried home.

Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy...? Lovers?

He bit his lip and swore to keep that line of thought to himself. No good could come of re-starting old feuds or animosities. Ron would probably have a fit. Sometimes, back at Hogwarts, Neville had thought that perhaps Ron hated Malfoy more than Harry or Hermione did, though he still couldn't see Hermione truly hating anyone.

But come to think of it, there had really been no reaction from Ron or Hermione when Luna had suggested Malfoy's involvement in this change in Harry. Perhaps there was something going on...?

No matter. Once Harry asked this guy, whomever he was, out, then everyone would know, and there would be no questions about where Harry's affections lay. It was his life, after all, and Neville had made a promise to Hermione, Ron, himself, and unbeknownst to Harry, to stay out of his friend's affairs. Neville had no right meddling, not anymore, not ever.

He shivered once more before stepping back inside Number One.

~~~

Number One - Kitchen, about 10pm

Hermione smiled and offered leftovers to Owen, who was just walking in the door, following just a minute or two behind Neville.

"No need, 'Mione. I got fed at the café. But thank you."

"At least Celestine's keeping you healthy," she replied, sealing the food and putting it in the icebox.

"Just barely," he said, hooking his coat and scarf on the coat rack by the door. "It's mighty cold out there tonight."

"Don't I know it," said Ron, who was washing dishes in the sink.

"Well, I'm goin' ta head upstairs," Owen yawned. "I'm exhausted, and I still need a shower."

"Remember that there's still some food if you get hungry later on!" Hermione called to him, smiling. The boys were like family to her, some closer than others, but she always felt the need to make sure they were eating properly and taking care of themselves. It ironically went against her nature to have them learn everything on their own. Perhaps what she was really wanting was a family of her own...? Lots of little bushy red-haired tots running about...more additions to the already growing Weasley family. She thought of Fleur and Bill, so opposite they had seemed at first...just like her and Ron really, and now they had two twin gorgeous strawberry-blondes, as charming as both their parents, and as mischief making as their uncles.

She broke out of her musing to look at her beloved, small tendrils of red falling into his eyes. His brow was furrowed in either concentration or thought, perhaps a little bit of both, as he manually did the chores he had never gotten a hang of the charms for. That was one thing Hermione had learned quickly; the man rather tended to break more dishes than he washed, even when something as simple as a scourgify might have done the trick. Hermione rolled her eyes. Trust men to mess up the simplest of tasks. Though it had taught him that sometimes magic just wasn't meant for everyone in every department of their lives.

Coming up behind him, she twined her arms around his lean waist and leaned into him, breathing in his scent through his jumper. She felt rather than saw him cease his cleaning, and he leaned back into her embrace.

"How are you, love?" she asked, moving her head to look up at him.

"Mm...I'm not sure."

"Is everything okay?" She moved from behind him to his side, looking at his profile with worry.

Ron shrugged. "It's just this thing with Harry, I guess. I'm still trying to sort it all out."

"What's bothering you about it?" Hermione asked gently, placing her hand on his back.

He sighed heavily and braced his arms on the sink basin, his head falling forward. Slowly, he said, "It was shocking enough, the way he told me he likes men...but to throw in all that stuff with Malfoy..." He grimaced. "It makes me feel sick just thinking about it."

Hermione frowned, but asked not unkindly, "Do you really hate Malfoy so much, that you'd be unwilling to support Harry, when right now, he needs our support more than ever?"

Ron shook his head. "No...and that's not really it, either. I support Harry, Herm, you know I do. But I...if he were going to like blokes why did he have to like Malfoy? Why him? I just don't see it. He's not even attractive!"

Hermione resisted the urge to roll her eyes. It wasn't about if Ron found him attractive or boyfriend-worthy or not. It was about Harry, and his feelings and desires. "Do you find Seamus attractive?" she asked.

"What? No! Of course not! He's one of my mates." Ron looked slightly scandalised.

"But does that stop you from accepting Ginny's attraction to him?"

"I-" Ron stopped, realising what Hermione was trying to tell him. "No. No, it doesn't."

"Well then. There you go." When Ron still seemed to want to protest she said, "He's different, Ron. Changed. Malfoy isn't the same person he was at Hogwarts. None of us are. Why is it so hard for you to see that?"

Getting slightly defensive, as she knew he would, he shot back at her, "And how can you be so accepting? He was a Death Eater, Hermione. He killed hundreds of people! You don't walk away from doing that like it never happened!"

"And neither you or I know just what happened with Malfoy seeking sanctuary. If he wants to broadcast to the world what he went through, and why he made the decisions he did, then that's his business, not ours! I'm not saying I like Malfoy, Ron, but at least I've tried talking to him. And I'd like to think that I'm a good enough judge of character to see that he's different. Still an ass, but different."

"I've talked to him too, Hermione. And I know that he cares about Harry...Merlin, he practically told me he likes him! He said he knew that Harry needed someone who was more of a friend...and I know that, I understand that. But I...what if he hurts Harry?" Ron turned fully to Hermione, his eyes becoming glassy. "The last thing I want is Harry going back to the way he was. If him being friends with Malfoy and Raven has brought him out of his...self-depreciation or whatever, then why change that? Why not stay friends?" Ron looked away, picking up a towel to dry his hands.

Hermione stayed silent for a moment, taking in her fiancé's words. Ron certainly had a valid point, and she couldn't refute the precariousness of the situation at hand. But she wasn't blind, either. She saw the look on Harry's face earlier, when he talked about Malfoy. He was ridiculously in love. Whether he realised it or not was an entirely different matter. Perhaps it was just a very strong lust, and would lose its charm over time, but Hermione knew better. Harry was falling, hard and fast. And he probably wouldn't notice it until he hit bottom. But should she tell him? Would it do any good? Hermione knew the Harry needed to figure out love and lust and relationships on his own; that no one could help him; because that's what he needed, that's what he wanted, and that's what everybody else had. As much as Harry could be hurt, she also knew that he could discover and explore the most wonderful feelings and things, if he were just allowed the opportunity. So she told Ron as much.

Ron still looked about ready to cry. "He's like my own twin brother, Hermione...how can I even think of letting something like that have the possibility of hurting him? Fuck..." his breath was obviously catching in his throat and his Adam's apple bobbed as he tried to work his tears down.

"Shh...oh, love..." Hermione reached for Ron and wrapped her arms around his mid-section as he roughly squeezed her to him, sniffling into her shoulder. He smelled of dish soap and his own masculine scent, and Hermione herself fought not to cry. "It's okay," she murmured, as much for Ron as for herself. "Everything will be fine. We just have to let things happen, okay? Harry has to learn these things on his own; we can't tell him how to deal with love, or heartache. They come hand in hand, whether we like it or not. He's strong; he'll be fine. You'll see."

And Hermione knew that she was reassuring Ron's feelings on the matter just as much as she was reaffirming hers.

~~~~~