No More Hiding

AN:I\'m sorry it\'s taking so long between chapters. I\'ve been so exhausted lately and i don\'t know why.

Marie is the most rockinest beta ever. she gives me good advice and feedback and fixes my brain farts, too. reviewers, you rock as well. keep them coming! i really do use all your feedback.

more notes at the end

Remus returned to Privet Drive to find a very agitated teen. He had expected to see the snarky potions master upon his return, but it was only Harry he found. Harry in a very, very, very bad mood.

“Harry, where’s Snape?”

“Not here,” was the short reply.

“And the reason he is not here?”

“I kicked him out.”

Pause.

“You what?!?”

“I kicked him out. The bastard decided that instead of helping me learn, instead of maybe asking me questions that he wanted answers to, instead of being decent, that he would use this time to basically rape my mind for those answers.” Harry was pacing the living room floor, unaware of the shocked look on Remus’ face. “I could feel him looking for specific memories, trying to see what my childhood was like and what I thought of him and it was unbelievable! The man has no morals! How dare he do something like that and think I would let him get away with it!” Harry plopped himself in the comfy chair across from the couch. “So I kicked him out after calling him on it,” came the quiet end to a very loud rant.

Remus soaked this all in before saying anything. Really, there wasn’t much to say. What Harry had done was completely OK in his book, considering the circumstances. The young man had been mature enough to apologize to his professor, and also request his help. All Snape had done was abuse the boy’s trust.

“How was the moon?” Harry asked, moving on to another topic.

“It was alright. I’m still very tired,” Remus admitted, looking as tired as he sounded. “It gave me some time to think about things though.”

“Oh? What things?” Harry asked, afraid Remus was going to back out of taking him for the summer. He knew he was a high maintenance kid, and didn’t wish it on anyone, but still, he loved having Remus around.

“Well, your birthday is coming up. We can’t do anything big, but I thought you might want to invite some friends over…then we can pack up and go to France for the rest of the summer.”

Harry let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Really? I can have friends over?” The hopeful happiness on his face both warmed and broke Remus’ heart. He loved knowing he could make Harry happy but was sad that this happiness was borne of never having celebrated his birthday with a party before. “Damn muggle relatives. I hope they get what’s coming to them one day,” he thought.

“Yes really. Only a few people, mind you, and of course, you need to promise me something in return.”

“What, dare I ask?”

“You will follow the workout regiment I have come up with every day from now throughout the summer. You need to build up your stamina for dueling so that you last longer, and I want to start you on Tai Chi, so you will do better to be in shape for that.”

“Alright, fair enough. Then I want Ginny, Neville, and Luna. I don’t want anyone else to know about it, especially ‘Mione and Ron.” They shook on it, and started their planning.

Harry gave Remus the invitations to his party to hand out personally. This way, Remus could explain about the secrecy and get their responses right away. Meanwhile, Harry began his workout. He did 50 pushups and sit-ups a day, plus two laps around the block at morning and night.

*
Time passed fairly quickly. Harry had been following through with his promise and doing his daily workouts. Remus, in the meantime, had been relaxing, researching lessons for the next month, and also working out a way to get the boy to talk.

The way Harry would let anything relating to the Dursley’s roll off his back was just not right. Maybe being away from this damn house would help him? To physically see that he didn’t have to stay here anymore? Hopefully this would be the answer. Remus’ heart ached for his cub’s pain, the pain he had suffered and the pain that would be sure to come.

Time passed quickly and soon Harry’s birthday arrived. In one hour Ginny, Neville, and Luna would arrive. Remus had cleared it with all their parents and given the three students portkeys connected to number 4 Privet Drive. At the Weasley’s house, Remus had to take Molly and Arthur aside to explain what was going on. At first they protested Ron’s actions, simply not believing them true. Then Remus invited Ginny in to back him up. After listening to one example after another, they relented and agreed not to say anything to Ron about Ginny going to Harry’s house for the day. When Harry’s customary cards and small gifts had arrived this morning for his birthday, he found among them one from Molly and Arthur apologizing for Ron’s behavior and promising that no matter what was going on with their friendship, Harry would always be welcome in their home. Surprisingly, Ron and Hermione had sent him a card with two books, the newest edition of Quidditch Through the Ages and Amateur Medi-Wizardry. It was obvious who picked out which book. Harry wasn’t sure how he should feel about receiving gifts from them, considering it was the only correspondence he had from them yet. He pushed the thought away for another time.

Harry had spent the morning making sure the house was presentable for his coming guests. This would be his first ever birthday party, and he wanted everything to be perfect.

“Harry!” called Ginny, appearing in the kitchen. “Oh, Harry, it’s so good to see you,” he heard before being enveloped in a bone crushing hug.

“It’s good to see you, too, Ginny…but it would be great to be able to breathe again.”

“Oh! Sorry, Harry. Just a little excited, I guess,” she blushed, moving back a step. Neville and Luna appeared then, and Harry greeted them as well.

Remus served lunch and left the youngsters to themselves, knowing that they would talk more freely without adult supervision.

Neville was the first to ask the question on his and Luna’s minds. “Why aren’t Ron and Hermione here, Harry? Remus mentioned something, but I still don’t understand.”

Ginny decided to answer, since she was much closer to the actual event. “Ron is being an idiot. It’s really that simple.” She took another bite of her sandwich, smiling inwardly at the impatient looks she was receiving from Neville and Luna. “The short version is this: Ron is jealous of Harry’s fame, thinks that Hermione will like Harry instead of him because of it, and so has been doing everything possible to make her forget Harry exists this summer.”

“He’s barmy!” exclaimed Neville. “He calls himself your best mate, but then treats you like this--it’s crazy.”

“I couldn’t agree more. There are so many things wrong with what he’s doing, I don’t know where to begin,” Harry said quietly, working on his sandwich. “First of all, he constantly gets angry with me for things not under my control. He loves sharing the spotlight with me, but gets angry for me always being in it. How does that make sense? He knows how much I hate being at the center of attention. And then there’s this thing with Hermione. He knows I only love her in a brotherly way, just like with Ginny here, and yet he goes out of his way to do this stupid thing this summer to make sure I won’t take her away from him.” Harry shook his head and started eating his sandwich.

“Maybe if you told him you were gay, he wouldn’t worry so much,” Luna said, as if it was nothing. The entire table was silent for a few moments.

“You always were disturbingly observant, you know,” Harry commented, smiling at Luna. He was relieved he didn’t have broach the subject himself now. She had taken care of it for him. At Ginny and Neville’s questioning looks Harry added, “Yes, I’m gay. It’s taken me a while to come to terms with it, but there it is. I hope you are all alright with that.”

Beat.

“Of course we’re alright with that, but why didn’t you say anything sooner? And who else knows? Do you like anyone? If you decide to hook up, can I watch?” Ginny rambled off her questions, throwing that last one in there to make him laugh.

It worked. “No you cannot watch! Go buy yourself some gay pornography instead.” Harry was laughing pretty hard now, along with Neville and Luna. It was a relief that they had taken the news so well. Somewhere in his mind, he was worried that he would lose friends because of this little revelation, and was all too happy to have the worry be proven fruitless. “I didn’t say anything sooner because I needed to be comfortable with it myself first. You three and Remus know. That’s it. I’d like to keep it that way, leave it at a ‘Not-going-to-tell-unless-you-ask’ sort of thing. Sound good?” They all nodded.

“You still didn’t answer if you like anyone,” Neville reminded him quietly.

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Harry leaned towards Neville, put an arm around his shoulders and said, “Why Neville it’s you. It’s always been you, didn’t you know?” Neville laughed and pushed Harry away.

“Now Harry, no public displays of affection, it just wouldn’t be proper.”

They all laughed together and continued eating. After lunch, he showed them the beginnings of his new wardrobe and discussed what other stuff he should buy for himself. Ginny gave him a few ideas that Harry considered acting on while in France. Upon Ginny’s insistence, he modeled the new clothes. The tight blue jeans and sleeveless top got him some whistles from all three. Neville decided that Harry was indeed lacking a sufficient amount of leather and vinyl in his closet for a gay man. Luna, on the other hand was blatantly staring at Harry’s abs.

“Been working out Harry?”

Harry blushed, easily embarrassed by his body. “Yes, Remus has me running and whatnot every day.”

“Well, it’s doing you good. Now you’ll be fit enough to face the Shadow Wargenstock that’s been making its way across Britain,” she informed him.

Ginny and Neville exchanged a curious look before watching for Harry’s reaction. Luna always did spout off weird stuff from nowhere.

“You should really tell Remus about that, he’ll be glad to know he’s doing me some good,” he replied straight faced without missing a beat.

Luna smiled at Harry, and continued to go through his clothes.

Ginny took Harry aside while Neville sat and listened to Luna explain about the Shadow Wargenstock. “Harry, what do you think about Neville?”

“What do you mean? As a person? He’s great. A good friend, sticks to his beliefs and all. Just needs some more confidence. Why?” He had a feeling he knew where this was going, but decided to let Ginny tell him herself.

“Well, I kind of—um—I sort of thinkilikehimalittle,” she stammered out.

“Let’s try English, shall we?” Harry smiled at her, hoping to put her at ease.

“I think I like him a little,” she repeated in a whisper, her face turning slightly red.

“Good for you, Ginny. Are you going to do anything about it?” They were both watching him as Harry waited for Ginny’s answer.

“I don’t know. I don’t know if I have a chance.”

“How about you get to know him first. Spend some time with him, and then see what you think,” Harry offered gently, wondering what happened to the outgoing and blunt little redheaded girl he knew.

“I’ll think about it,” she said, wandering back to the other two.

Harry stood there staring at the three of them wondering what he ever did to deserve such great friends.

Remus announced it was time to open presents, and so the five of them sat on the living room floor with their gifts in front of Harry.

Ginny had given him a silver chain with a Basilisk charm on it. Harry gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek. It was what bonded them together.

Luna’s gift was three glass tubes full of shiny odds and ends and some sand and a wooden contraption to go with it. The birthday boy didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. Thankfully, Luna jumped right in. “It’s a kaleidoscope, see?” She slid one of the tubes into the wooden part and put it up to his eye. It was beautiful, all the colors swirling about. He hugged her as well, thanking her.

Neville handed Harry what seemed like a book. “I thought maybe you would need this, seeing as you didn’t grow up in our world. I hope you like it.” The books was Wizarding Traditions from A-Z.

“This is great Neville. Maybe now I won’t be so lost all the time when people assume I should know what’s going on. Bloody annoying that is.”

“Language, Harry,” Remus said from behind him.

“Sorry, Moony.”

“Not to worry, cub. Here is my present to you.” Remus handed him a small non descript envelope.

Dr. Barsilai
August 2
10:30am
Harry Potter

“What is this, Moony?” Harry asked, confused.

“Dr. Barsilai is an ophthalmologist. He’s an eye doctor.”

“I already have glasses though.”

“And now, you’ll have contacts.” At Harry’s look of surprise, Remus continued. “It’s not just for the war, mind you. Although, if Voldemort knocked off your glasses, you would be in quite a pickle. It’s also because you shouldn’t hide your gorgeous face behind those ugly pieces of glass.”

The next thing he knew, Remus was being crushed in a hug by Harry, who evidently liked his present. “Thank you so much, Remus. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“You are quite welcome, cub. Quite welcome.” He mussed Harry’s hair a bit and then took all the wrapping paper on the floor to the trash in the kitchen.

Harry filled his friends in on what he would be doing for the rest of the summer, but not where he would be staying. They promised to keep in touch and they would see each other on September 1st.

All in all, it was a great day, only to get better now that he was leaving for France, never to return to Privet Drive again.

AN again: next chapter will be france, following up on ginny\'s suggestions, (no you won\'t find out what they are until next chapter) more clothes shopping, spell work, important conversations, and a much anticipated confrontation.

i realize this chapter didn\'t have much to it, but i hope it was alright.
~keren