Newspaper Man

The chime of the door, followed by a flood of sunlight filling the storefront interrupted Percy's thoughts. He had been working on the next day's edition, trying to get it ready to go to press as soon as the last two articles were completed. The woman who wrote the gardening article always waited until the last minute to hand it in. Fortunately it was usually print-perfect and Percy only needed to squeeze it into its place. After leaving his job at the ministry the year before, Percy Weasley had opened a newspaper office in Hogsmeade. He was tired of the biased opinions of the Daily Prophet and had attempted to offer something more honest and liberal. The Hogsmeade Tribune had been an immediate success, particularly with the students at Hogwarts. He looked up at the three schoolgirls entering the shop.

"Classes out for the day, then, ladies?" he inquired.

"No," replied Pansy Parkinson. "We skived off Snape's lesson."

"Pansy! I told you, I won't let you do the school paper if you cut class," Percy scolded.

"Oh, Percy, I'm teasing, you silly thing!"

The blonde dropped her bookbag on the floor and dramatically arranged herself in Percy's lap, kissing his cheek. Forever the flirt, Pansy insisted on being the center of attention wherever she was. Parvati and Lavender were already looking over the layout Percy had finished for them that morning. Two months beforehand, the girls had approached Percy with an idea. Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, and Pansy Parkinson wanted to start a school newspaper. During their sixth year the girls had become friends, bonding over their love of gossip and hair charms. In their seventh year at Hogwarts, they wanted to contribute something to the school. Most of their classmates had drawn attention to themselves in some way, either through Quidditch, classes or fighting Death Eaters. Percy had offered them the use of his office, equipment, and printing press, as long as the paper didn't interfere with their studies or classes. The Hogwartian Gazette had quickly gathered loyal readers and most of the students were quick to volunteer to help. Pansy was an excellent journalist and Parvati could put together a layout that put the Daily Prophet to shame. Lavender's advice columns and hair tips were a huge hit. Percy was extremely proud of his girls. He smiled, kissed Pansy's cheek in return and shooed her off his lap. "If you want that to go to press tomorrow, you need to figure out where to put those editorials, Par. I was thinking that if you move Harry's Quidditch tip to the bottom of the page and slide those hair charms over, it'll all fit."

The girls went to work and Percy returned his thoughts to the column that he was currently editing. When the doorbell sounded again, Percy didn't look up. Lavender was excellent with customers so Percy usually let her do the talking when she was there. It allowed him to get more work done. The smell of cologne finally distracted him. A clean, crisp, sporty scent that Percy knew well. The scent that he dreamed about and the scent that had induced many naughty thoughts. He looked up from his work- right into Oliver Wood's laughing hazel eyes.

"Hey, Perce, how's it going?"

Percy, who always spoke fluidly and with ease, faltered. "Oh, it's_it's good, Oliver. How are you?" he finally managed to splutter out. The three girls exchanged looks of amusement. They had enjoyed the interactions between the newspaperman and the Quidditch player since they had started the paper. It was quite evident to them that Percy and Oliver fancied each other. Lavender knew from her brief relationship with Ron at the end of their sixth year that Percy rarely dated. According to Ron, since Percy had come out to the family about being gay, he had only gone out on three or four dates. The girls had always wondered why the handsome redhead didn't have a boyfriend. He always seemed so sweet to them. However, all wonderment had ceased the first time they were in the office when Oliver dropped off his Quidditch report. They had quickly seen where Percy's affections lay. He tended to stammer and Oliver often stared at the floor. Usually both were blushing by the time Oliver left. Pansy found the entire situation cute and the Gryffindors couldn't believe that neither man ever figured it out.

"I'm good. Just dropping off the sports report," Oliver grinned. He reached out to move a red curl off of Percy's forehead. He had always claimed to be so jealous of Percy's copper-colored hair. Once he had told Lavender, in a voice loud enough for Percy to overhear, "You know they say blondes have more fun, but I think redheads get more attention. How can you not look at those gorgeous curls?"

Today, Lavender started giggling before Pansy could dig her elbow into her side to silence the girl. Parvati retained her composure to say, "Oliver? Love? Quidditch season was over two weeks ago. Don't you remember? You, er, you played in the finals."

Oliver blushed a furious shade of red before stammering out, "Oh, yeah. I guess I'm just in the habit of stopping by here every couple of days. I'll leave now. Sorry to interrupt."

Pansy grabbed his arm before he could go out the door. "Oliver, wait. Maybe, if Percy doesn't mind, you could help us with these articles. That is, if you want something to do. We love having you around here. You always make us laugh." Pansy was batting her eyelashes and slid her hand further up Oliver's arm, pushing the sleeve of his T-shirt up. "My goodness Oliver, what big arm muscles you have!"

"Pansy, what are you on about? Leave Oliver alone and get that layout finished or The Hogwartian Gazette won't run tomorrow," Percy warned from his desk, his eyes lingering on the well-developed bicep that was still exposed. He shook his head and went back to his editing, his cheeks a bit pinker than they had been previously.

"Thank you for the compliment, Pansy. I'm glad someone appreciates me." Oliver stepped back to the girl and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Oliver, no, wait," Percy muttered in an exasperated tone. "If you want to stay and help, that's fine. I'm sure the girls would love it, and well, I don't mind."

Oliver grinned at Pansy and then looked questioningly at Parvati and Lavender who had collapsed on the floor in hysterics. Pansy shrugged her shoulders and pulled Oliver over to where she had been working. If there was one thing Pansy Parkinson had learned as a Slytherin it was to be shrewd, conniving, and not give away your secrets.

********

Oliver began working at the office of The Hogsmeade Tribune several afternoons a week. When the girls weren't there, he and Percy worked quietly on their own projects. Oliver took over the layouts for the school paper and often did the editing. Even though he loved playing Quidditch for a living, he missed being at school. Working on the school paper made it almost seem as if he had returned.

It was a sunny winter afternoon when the article first made its appearance. The students of Hogwarts often gave articles, columns, or drawings to the publishers. Some were also owled in. These usually came from younger students who didn't know Parvati, Lavender, or Pansy well enough to feel as if they could hand them something. Percy usually browsed through the post when it came in, then set it aside for the girls or even Oliver to go through. This article caught his attention, however, and he pulled it out for a better look. It had come by owl post and the writer had chosen to mail it anonymously.

Harry Potter; Just How Much Does He Like Broomsticks?

Although the jury is still out, this concerned Hogwarts student is fairly sure a verdict can be reached in regards to The Boy Who Lived's sexuality. I have compiled a list of arguments to further prove my theory that Harry Potter is, indeed, gay. I hearby present them to the court for further examination.

1) Have you ever seen how much time Harry spends polishing that Firebolt?

2) Harry has gone out with one, count her, one girl in his nearly seven years at Hogwarts. I am in contact with this woman who assures me that she initiated the only kiss that they ever shared. He has turned down every other girl that has ever asked him out.

3) His roommates have testified that while they have pictures and posters of girls in their dorm, Harry still only has a life size poster of Aidan Lynch hanging above his bed. He also never looks at a certain redheaded roommate's Playwizard collection.

4) He claims that he only spends time with Draco Malfoy because they are doing potions research together for class, but have you ever seen them "studying" in the library? Draco will have his nose in the book, while Harry is staring directly at him.

5) Yours truly found Mr. Potter asleep in front of the common room fire late one night and overheard him calling out a certain blond Slytherin's name.

6) During Quidditch matches that don't involve Gryffindor, you can always find Harry staring at the male players on the other teams, especially if Slytherin is playing. If you ask him, he'll tell you he is just watching the plays, but I think we all know better.

Therefore my conclusion is that not only is The Boy Who Lived gay; he has a serious thing for Mr. Malfoy. It is a sad, sad day for the women of Hogwarts. I believe it is safe to say that the incredibly adorable Mr. Potter definitely swings the other way.

Percy raised his eyebrows, then laughed. Well, he certainly didn't need to know about his brother's dirty magazine collection, but he really wasn't surprised. This was Ron, after all. Percy looked back at the article, considering it. Could it be true? The hero of the wizarding world was gay? It was possible. Percy pictured Harry. He certainly was good looking, almost as cute as Oliver was. Percy chastised himself for thinking about his friend Oliver like that. He tossed the article in the discard bin and went on with the busy business that was newspaper publishing. The article completely disappeared from his thoughts until Oliver burst through the front door three days later, face red, eyes popping, and completely out of breath.

"Percy! How could you? What the hell are you thinking?" he panted, waving a copy of The Hogwartian Gazette in front of Percy.

"Ol, I'm sure I don't know what you are talking about. Calm down." Percy pointed at the desk chair he had vacated when his friend had burst through the door. Oliver shoved the paper towards Percy, pointing at the headline of an article towards the bottom of the front page. Percy's eyes widened as he read "Harry Potter; Just How Much Does He Like Broomsticks".

"Ol, where did you get that? I threw that article away!"

"Percy, you could get sued for libel here!" Oliver was raging and did not even hear Percy's question about the origin of the paper.

"For starters, we do not know that that article is false. It's only libel if you know that it is a lie. And once again, where did you get it?"

"On my doorstep this morning. But, still! Why did you print it? Do you agree? What? It's not as if you think Harry's cute," Oliver was spluttering and still breathing hard. His face had nearly turned purple. Oliver usually reserved that shade for when he was mad at himself over a Quidditch match. Percy was trying desperately to calm Oliver down and get the facts straight. He snapped into "Head Boy" mode and began rattling off answers.

"For the record, I did not print that article. I already told you that I threw it away after it came in the post. I don't think it matters if I agree with it. I wouldn't print rumors; you know that. I don't know what is happening here. And I do think Harry is attractive, but he's not as cute as you." Percy realized that that last statement slipped out only a fraction of a second too late. He hung his head and scrunched up his eyes. He was doomed. A deafening silence filled the office and Percy was sure that this would be the end of any friendship he had ever had with Oliver. The quiet was broken with the creak of a floorboard as Oliver stood and approached him. Percy felt the thick, warm fingers on his chin, tilting his head back up. He forced himself to open his eyes. His cheeks were burning with shame and embarrassment. He looked into Oliver's puzzled hazel eyes. They matched gazes for a few seconds before Oliver asked tentatively.

"Percy? You think I'm cute?"

Percy swallowed hard and tried avert his eyes. He nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Are you gay, Perce? Oliver whispered.

Percy took a step back and looked at Oliver defiantly. A flame of anger and determination had erupted deep in the navy blue of his eyes. He radiated power as he steadily replied, 'Yes, Oliver, I am. But I did not print that article about Harry. Furthermore, if my sexuality bothers you, then I suggest you leave. I won't have someone here who is going to tease me or give me a hard time about it."

"Percy, what are you on about? Why do you think I hang out here all the time? It's certainly not for Pansy. I like you! In fact, I_I think I might be in love with you." Oliver's voice dropped to a whisper.

Percy stared at Oliver. He studied the strong, broad shoulders, dark hair and beautiful hazel eyes. This was the man he had admired from afar for a very long time. Percy had realized he was in love with Oliver during their sixth year at Hogwarts. It was after the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin Quidditch match and Oliver had been in his element. His team had won and was on their way to winning the Quidditch cup for the year. After the boys had retired to their dorm, Oliver had lain on Percy's bed for hours talking about Quidditch. Percy realized that if it had been any one else he would have kicked him off and gone to sleep. However, this was Oliver: beautiful, powerful, graceful Oliver. Percy knew right then that he would rope the moon for him. Since that night, he had never felt any different. Now Oliver was saying that he might possibly return those feelings? Percy Weasley had always been an ambitious go-getter. If he wanted something, he got it. He had had good grades, had been a prefect, head-boy, and the personal assistant of the Minister of Magic. He now owned and ran a successful newspaper. Percy always took the initiative and did what he needed to do to get what he wanted. For years, relationships had been the only thing that he had ever held back in. It was time for that to change. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Oliver and kissed him. Percy felt Oliver start, then relax into the kiss, parting his lips and reaching up to twine his fingers in Percy's red hair.

*******

When Lavender and Pansy met up with Parvati at the Three Broomsticks later on, they were beaming. The two blondes quickly ordered their drinks and sat down with their friend. Lavender was trying to stamp the slush off of her boots and Pansy quickly used a drying spell to remove the dirty water from the bottom of her cloak. The unseasonably warm weather had melted the snow in the streets into a slushy mess.

"So, where's the paper?" Parvati asked, looking up from her butterbeer and a copy of Witch Weekly. Seeing the looks on their faces, she asked, "It worked?"

"Like a charm."

"What happened?"

"Well, we weren't there, but when we stopped by the office a few minutes ago, I believe we interrupted a rather passionate snog session." Lavender giggled. Parvati looked as if she couldn't decide whether to be horrified by the thought of Percy snogging or pleased by the news that he was.

"So, no one at school saw that version of the paper, right? Just Percy and Oliver?" she asked.

"Oh, I slipped a copy into Draco's book bag as well, at Mr. Potter's request. He was blushing quite profusely when he left our common room to 'go study with Potter'," Pansy replied coyly.

Lavender giggled. "I still can't believe Harry actually wrote that article. Remind me to congratulate him, if we ever pry he and Draco apart."

The three matchmakers sipped their butterbeer and basked in the glory of two jobs well done.