My Dragon

"You've got to tell her," Seamus told him, for the thousandth time. "You know you can trust her. She won't tell anyone, and she won't judge you for it either. Did you know she's the first person I told when I realised that I was gay?"

"You're kidding! She didn't say anything..."

"That's my point. Harry, you need to tell her. I think you need to tell someone close to you."

"You're close to me," Harry replied bluntly.

"You know what I mean," Seamus said. "I can't believe you don't trust her."

Harry looked indignant. "I do! I just...don't want to come out yet."

"Telling your best friend isn't coming out. It's being honest. There's a difference. Personally I think you should have told her even before you told me."

"Yeah, I know. Am I being stupid, Seamus?"

"Yes."

"Should I tell her?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I will."

"Good."

"It's going to be your ass if she gets mad or goes crazy or something. Don't forget that."

Seamus grinned. "Is it going to be my ass, or is it going to be you in my ass?"

"Ugh," Harry grunted and hit Seamus with a pillow.

"Ooh, resorting to pillow fights? Gosh, Harry, if you wanted to flirt slash snog you could have just told me..."

"Goodbye Seamus!"

"Bye," Seamus laughed. "See ya later...and don't chicken out!"

~*^*^*~

"You're what?" Hermione asked increduously.

"I'm gay," he repeated, not at all surprised at her reaction. An awkward silence fell upon the two for a moment, and then she spoke:

"Harry, you've got to be kidding me...please tell me you're kidding. Please..." She laughed desperately, hoping that it wasn't true. "If you are, it's a great joke. You really had me there!"

"I'm not kidding, Hermione."

"Oh," She seemed to be disappointed.

Harry stood up from his chair, looking extremely hurt, and even angry at Hermione. "I thought you were the first one Seamus told when he found himself...I thought you wouldn't judge --"

"Harry! No...I'm not judging you at all! You're my best friend, and even if you were, I wouldn't judge you because of your sexuality. You should know me well enough to know that. I'm just very surprised, that's all. Um, have you found anyone that you, um..."

"Like?" She nodded. "Yes, I have. But I can't tell you who he is."

"Why not, Harry? I mean, it's not as if you can't trust me. You know I wouldn't tell anyone. And plus, you've already told me half the secret."

"Yeah...but I don't think he wants anyone to know,"

"Harry, do you think that maybe he's...ashamed?"

"No! Of course not! Why would he be? There's nothing to be ashamed of...right?" He seemed almost desperate for her to answer correctly.

Hermione shook her head slightly. "No, I wouldn't think so. I'm not going to peeve you into telling me, but I think it would be better if you got it off your chest. It'd do you good."

"I guess you're right. But you have to promise not to tell anyone - especially Ron. I mean, he's not exactly ready to come out, and well, neither am I. You're the only one I have told so far, and I'd like to keep it that way for a little while. Do you promise?"

"I promise, Harry. I won't tell anyone. Scout's honour." She held up her fingers in a Boy Scout salute and grinned. "You can trust me, no matter what."

"Right...again. You're always right, did you know that? You've got this aura about you -- "

"Harry."

"Oh. Sorry. Got a little off track there."

"It's okay. Take your time." She smiled and looked at him expectantly.

"Well, maybe you should sit down, Hermione," Harry said, escorting her to a sofa nearer the fireplace.

"Harry. You're stalling. Just tell me and get it over with. It'll be okay. Just as long as it isn't Seamus." She shuddered. "Ew."

Harry shook his head quickly. "No, Herm, it's not Seamus."

She let out the breath she didn't realise she was holding. "Well, that's a relief. Okay, so tell me who it is."

Sighing, Harry began. "Hermione, you may not believe this, and if you do believe it, you won't like it. But the person I'm dating is..."

Hermione leaned toward him eagerly. "Yes?"

Harry cringed. "ThepersonI'mdatingisDracoMalfoy," he said in one breath.

Hermione looked confused. "What was that? I didn't exactly hear you. Say it slower this time, Harry. You don't have to worry."

"The person I'm dating is Draco Malfoy."

Harry gasped as she fell to the floor in a dead faint.