A Night of Exceptions

Chapter SEVEN





Harry was frustrated. No, that was a complete understatement; Harry was furious. Hermione had already left them, promising to return in time for his trial, and Ron was due to leave the next day. So far any attempts he and Ron had made sexually ended up in Harry panicking and loosing all interest in sex. He was able to please Ron and occasionally get himself off with a few good placed rubs or hand strokes, but anything further was like reaching a complete dead end. And it was driving him utterly insane, and it was all Malfoy\'s fault.



Not to mention he was suffering from nerves, since the trail was fast approaching. Harry really wasn\'t looking forward to seeing that sharp, pale face any time soon. But it was a necessity that he attended, and so he would in order to secure Malfoy\'s punishment. With his father imprisoned, and his reputation in tatters, there was no way for Malfoy to buy his way out of this situation. Or so Harry hoped, since he wasn\'t aware of Narcissa Malfoy\'s reaction to her sons’ crime, or who held her loyalties.



Even so, Harry knew that Draco Malfoy\'s imprisonment wouldn\'t lead to him suddenly being able to be sexually active again. He didn\'t want counseling either, because that would be admitting that he knew he had a problem, which would also cause the question of whom he was attempting to be physical with to arise. And he really didn\'t need that information out any time soon.



Even though he was caught up with his own inner turmoil’s, he did happen to pay attention to his friends nonetheless. Harry had noticed that Hermione was acting rather odd, almost as if she knew that he and Ron needed time alone together. She\'d excuse herself from their presence, when she normally wouldn\'t have, and always seemed to disappear at random times. He was afraid that she was still beating her self up over their night of exceptions, but wasn\'t sure how to approach the topic since he really didn\'t want to bring it up himself.



And then there was Ron. But Ron was being the best friend a person could ever have, and every time Harry thought of him he couldn’t help the smile the played upon his lips. He only wished that he could show Ron just how much he, Harry supposed, loved him with physical gestures since he didn\'t think either of them were ready for verbally professing their love. But on the other hand, was Harry even ready for the physical aspects himself? Bloody Malfoy!



In the end the only conclusion that Harry could comfortably come to was that as soon as this trial was over and done with, the better, and maybe from there things would begin to look up for the both of them. He was nervously anticipating the day that he and Ron told everyone of their rather odd relationship, but Harry knew deep down that no-one would kick up a fuss, that they would be supportive.



All they had to do was keep it a secret until Malfoy was securely behind bars, and Dementors.



~~



On the morning of the trial, Harry spent a good forty minutes cleansing his body and praying to the porcelain gods to give him the power to see the day through. He hadn\'t slept, couldn\'t eat, looked dreadful and felt even worse. His complexion had soured to a dull grey, much like that of Snape\'s on a particularly bad day, and his hair was coarse and more fly-away than ever. Even Hermione\'s hair potions couldn\'t calm it down.



Somehow Harry had managed to at least dress respectively, but that hadn\'t been easy either- Ron had practically had to clothe him entirely, while Harry stood there looking dazed and confused, trying to will himself not to be sick all over his dress robes. But a comforting hug from Ron had helped him out of his stupor slightly, at least enough to realise that he needed to sort his wits out and keep his mind as crisp as possible.



Harry couldn\'t actually remember anything from the time he left Grimmauld place, until the time he entered courtroom ten. Everything was a blur around him, colours and sounds meshing into one great big catastrophe, with comforting pats on the shoulder and kind words getting lost somewhere in between.



Once inside the courtroom, Harry managed to pull himself together enough to take in his surroundings. The entire Wizengamot were already seated, along with whoever else was present. He dutifully answered the initial questions, before his attention was caught over a couple squabbling over the issue that he should have been questioned under veritserum- it was the Minister, still that incompetent Fudge, and Amelia Bones- who was in charge of his trial.



He had yet to even look at Malfoy, or his mother for that matter, who he knew to be sitting over to the side in one of those chairs that chain you down. He was flanked by two Aurors, his mother sitting nearby. Out of his peripheral vision the shock of white-blonde hair was a constant reminder of why he was there, and the fact that if he screwed this up he could be in a lot of danger- Malfoy certainly wouldn\'t let him get through this unscathed.



As luck would have it, Malfoy was questioned under the ever trustworthy truth serum, Snape\'s own, and it soon became apparent that Harry\'s attack was indeed intentional and premeditated. It wasn\'t until Malfoy\'s legal assistant turned his gaze to Harry that he really began to panic.



He was a short, plump man, but looks were deceiving. He had a sharp tongue and a piercing glaze, and Harry was certain that this man could perform wandless legilimency.



"Mr. Potter," the man began, and Harry couldn\'t for the life of him remember his name, "while it seems apparent that my client was indeed intent on cornering you for a tryst of a sexual nature, willing or not, we have an anonymous source that states that you, being what you are, would have welcomed the advances."



"And which sort, exactly, of advances would they be, Mr. Turnspout?" Dumbledore asked, looking unfazed.



The grey haired, dumpy man smirked in a very unpleasant way. "We have reason to believe that Mr. Potter engages in homosexual activities on a regular basis and that he, permit me to say, likes it... a little rough."



There was a chorus of gasps from the audience, as homosexuality was heavily frowned upon in the wizarding world. While not illegal in any sense, it was common knowledge that only those who wanted to be shunned from respective society admitted to it aloud.



"Mr. Potter, is this true?" Dumbledore turned to Harry, his blue eyes hard and penetrating.



Harry froze up. He had hoped that it wouldn\'t come to this. Swallowing heavily, Harry took a deep calming breath. "And who is this so-called source?" Harry asked, frowning heavily at Malfoy\'s lawyer, still not looking at the blonde at all.



"The plaintiff is avoiding the question," Mr. Turnspout said in an almost sing-song voice, then narrowed his eyes. "Answer the question, Mr. Potter."



Gaping, his mouth opening and closing silently, Harry searched for anything that would get him out of answering this question.



"But... but that\'s absurd," Harry stuttered, "I mean, how could I like it... um... er, rough, as you put it, when I\'ve never... I mean, I haven\'t ever had... you know." He was blushing furiously by the end of this, his eyes focused intently upon the stone floor.



Somewhere in the courtroom someone shorted loudly and unbecomingly.



"And we\'re supposed to believe this, are we Mr. Potter?" Mr. Turnspout drawled mockingly. "How likely is it that our celebrity, Harry Potter- Boy Who Lived, has never taken advantage of his fame and... shall we say, indulged himself? Surely there must be swarms of girls simply itching to sleep with the renowned boy-hero, or lads for that matter." He added derisively. "However, it is simply not plausible that a celebrity such as Mr. Potter is still, indeed, a virgin."



Loud murmurings broke out among the assembled parties, and Amelia Bones had to call for quiet extra loudly to settle everyone again.



By this point, Harry\'s temper had caught up with him and he was glaring contemptuously at Malfoy\'s legal representation. "So, what was the question? I\'m afraid it must have gotten lost in all that drivel of yours." He rolled his eyes, suddenly feeling more awake and alert than he had all day. He cast a quick glance in Ron\'s direction, and found his mate to be looking a bit green in the face. He didn\'t dare give him a reassuring smile.



"The question!" Turnspourt yelled suddenly with much vehemence. "The question, Mr. Potter, is whether or not you\'ve been keeping it in your pants!"



At this Dumbledore cleared his throat, making his disapproval known. Harry shook his head. "Then the answer is yes," he paused. "I have been keeping it in my pants, as you so pleasantly put, meaning that I am also... a virgin." He said, without preamble or embarrassment for this wasn\'t the time for it.



"Proof! We need proof of this. Your word does not satisfy me. I ask to have Mr. Potter dosed with veritserum to confirm." He was looking imploringly at Amelia Bones, awaiting an answer.



Bones looked at Harry first, catching his eye, and then turned back to Turnspout. "Ok, fine. If not, I fear this will go on and on."



Harry sighed, and waited for his dose.



~~~



Well, it could be said for certain that as soon as Harry had imbibed the truth serum that there were no more questions concerning his chastity. Of course there were a few people in the room who looked on disappointedly, but the majority looked more than relieved. However, that didn\'t stop them from asking other questions. Harry had admitted to other sexual activities -yeah, I\'ve messed around a bit if that\'s what you mean- but that wasn\'t the incriminating question, not at all. That particular question came in the form of- "Yes, but with whom have you been messing around with?"



Harry, even under the effects of the truth serum, gulped audibly. "Well, of course there was Cho Chang- you know her? She\'s a year older than me, Ravenclaw seeker? Really good, I might add. And really pretty, but you know, a bit teary..." He was cut off sharply, and ordered to continue on. "Oh, and, um, there was time when me, Hermione and Ron drank too much fire whisky..."



A dead silence had fallen straight away at Harry\'s words.



"Ah ha!" Turnspout cried jovially. "What did you just say? That you\'d had sexual relations with Ronald Weasley?"



"I didn\'t have sex with Ron!" Harry said, and it was the truth as he saw it. "We just kissed and stuff, and with Hermione too... she was there." He felt the warm weight of Dumbledore\'s hand on his shoulder as the wizend old wizard called for hush.



"You can\'t incriminate the boy for healthy sexual exploration, given," he said in a sterner voice, "also that they were under the influence of alcohol. It certainly doesn\'t excuse rape."



Apparently, no matter what this Turnspout character was intent on, he at least sought to ruin Harry\'s reputation. Even if he couldn\'t some how make it criminal, the truth was finally out. Yes, Harry had been involved with another male, his best friend, and the whole world now knew it. Only they didn\'t know that they still planned on being together- if there was a together after this sordid affair.



By the end of the whole catastrophic event, Malfoy had indeed been sentenced to Azkaban for twelve years, eight being the minimum he was to serve. Of course Harry was more than happy that he hadn\'t gotten away with it, but it did seem such a small amount of time when he, Harry, would have to live with any consequences of the Ferret\'s actions for the rest of his life.



After fighting through swarms of media, camera flashes blinding him relentlessly, Harry found himself back at Grimmauld place and wanting to sit in his room alone for as long as possible. He didn\'t even know if Ron wanted to see him, and was too afraid to approach him. Not to mention, the veritaserum wouldn\'t wear off for another couple of hours.



Very depressed and fighting the urge to blurt out the truth, even when no-one was listening, Harry succumbed to a fitful slumber.



~~~



Harry was awoken a few hours later by a hesitant knock on his door, accompanied by a ferocious growl from his empty stomach. However hungry though, the thought of food was entirely nauseating along with the thought of human company. Harry wanted nothing more than to waste away in his dull bedroom, to drift out of his body and find his parents. Maybe they wouldn\'t know what had been happening.



But before Harry even had a chance to think about anything else, the door opened a crack and he was able to notice a shock of orange-red Weasley hair. It had to be Ron.



"Harry, you awake mate? Can I come in?"



Sighing, Harry rolled onto his back. "Yeah, okay."



Ron came in, holding a tray of food, and closed the door softly. "Mum said that you needed to eat, you know, \'cause the truth serum can cause stomach ulcers or something nasty like that," Ron said, sitting down gently on the bed.



Barely managing a smile, Harry thanked him and picked half-heartedly at the marmite toast. "You don\'t have to stay Ron, I\'m alright."



"Harry, I don\'t know what\'s going on in that head of yours, but if you think I\'m going anywhere then you\'ve got another thing coming." Ron smiled at him, then pinched a chocolate chip biscuit from his tray and stuffed it in his mouth whole.



"Erg, Ron." A small smile escaped him, his eyes slipping shut when Ron\'s fingers trailed softly down his cheek. "Okay... tell me what\'s been going on down there, I need to know, even though I don\'t want to, but I need to."



Nodding, Ron made himself more comfortable. "Well, first thing\'s first then," he blushed. "I err, had to tell everyone about... you know, you and me."



"Oh God." Harry groaned around his own mouthful of food.



"Yeah, well, you\'d think that wouldn\'t you? But seriously, Mum was brilliant. First time I\'ve ever said that I reckon. You should have seen her! If this is what makes my son happy, then that is what he shall have!" He impersonated his mother’s voice quite accurately, causing Harry to chuckle. "She went on a bit longer, but I don\'t think you need the details. Only know that you\'re now officially a member of the Weasley household where before you merely a surrogate son." He rolled his blue eyes dramatically.



"You mean everyone\'s okay with this? What about Sirius?"



Ron laughed out loud. "Turns out Lupin\'s been a queer his whole life! So Sirius\' had years to get used to that sort of thing, not that we\'re... um, you know, like him."



"Merlin, tell me you\'re joking? I would never have guessed that. Lupin always comes across as... I dunno, manly I guess, being a werewolf and all scarred up and stuff." Harry laughed, feeling his chest loosing that horrible tight, constricting sensation. "Just, don\'t tell him I said that, will you?"



"Of course not," Ron grinned. Giving Harry a nudge, he spread himself out beside him and wrapped an arm around Harry\'s shoulders. Leaning up, he pressed a gentle kiss to Harry\'s lips, gasping in surprise when a hand grabbed the back of his head and forced their mouths together more securely.



Harry opened his mouth and welcomed Ron\'s furious, possessive kiss, feeling for the first time since Malfoy that everything was going to be all right. Enjoying the sensations, Harry had to pull away, another question niggling at him.



"Ron, what about Hermione? I\'m surprised she didn\'t figure this out earlier." Harry frowned, his forehead wrinkling.



"Oh! I forgot to tell you. Turns out she\'s been shagging Sirius! Who would have guessed that one?" He said, watching Harry\'s face to decipher his emotions.



"Bloody hell... shit, that doesn\'t make her my godmother does it? Fuck, to think I\'ve snogged my godmother..." Harry\'s eyes were very round at that thought.



"Git! Of course not!" Ron shoved him playfully, and then kissed him again. "Actually, I rather thought she was using it as an excuse for the fact she didn\'t realise her two best mates were shagging themselves..."



"Wouldn\'t be surprised. Wish I was there to have seen the look on her face..." Harry said wistfully, then shoved the floating tray aside and pulled Ron on top of him. "But enough of that, I don\'t want to think about Hermione, I want to think about you and only you."



"Sounds good to me." Ron said, smiling at Harry in a way that made Harry\'s insides squirm excitedly. "Just... you know, give me a shove if I get too randy?"



Harry laughed, although it was not an entirely happy sound. "I don\'t know..." He said, narrowing his eyes as if looking for a flaw on Ron\'s smooth, freckled skin. Instead, he pulled Ron\'s mouth to his own and kissed him deeply, wanting to do nothing more than feel and taste. Spreading his thighs, Ron settled between them, their cocks pressing stiffly against the confines of their trousers. Harry pushed him lightly away.



Ron, not knowing whether he\'d gone too far, began to retreat, only for Harry to foil his efforts.



"No Ron, stay where you are. I just want to look at you again, that\'s all." Harry smiled softly, tracing a finger along Ron\'s slightly swollen bottom lip.



"Why would you want to do that?" The ginger haired boy asked, flicking his tongue out to catch at Harry\'s finger.



"Just because I can. Because I have you. Because if I don\'t, I\'ll be afraid that one day I\'ll realise I took it -you- all for granted and that I never really appreciated anything." Harry stated, his hands travelling down the clothed expanse of Ron\'s back, to settle warmly upon his arse.



"Harry, I think that truth-serum affected your brain a bit... but don\'t worry, you wont do that. Let me show you what you mean to me." Gently Ron sat up and removed his shirt, then wrestled Harry awkwardly out of his, since he really didn\'t want to change their positions.



With his fingers splayed, Ron traced a path from the waist of Harry\'s trousers to his nipples, pausing to flick them with the callused tips of his fingers, causing Harry to keen out loud. One hand pinching a now hard nipple, Ron used the other to trace a collar bone, frowning slightly at how thin Harry had become in the past month.



Harry sighed at the tingly feelings Ron was causing to rush through his body, relaxing into the familiar touch, and thinking vaguely in the back of his mind that Malfoy would be spending a good portion of his life in Azkaban with no-one to love and touch him. For the first time Harry realised that they weren\'t doing this all for sexual gratification, and it warmed his heart and brought a smile to his face.



With a new surge of energy, Harry pushed Ron over, almost toppling off the bed, so that he was straddling those lovely strong thighs.



"Harry?" Ron asked, a grin forming on his face, right before Harry silenced him with an almost brutal kiss. For the moment their tongues duelled, their hips rocking in search of friction, Harry\'s deft fingers working the fastenings of both of their trousers. The moment their trousers were open, Harry lent up and pushed them down along with his pants, then divested Ron of his as well.



"Hmm... oh, shit, the door! Where\'s my wand? Mum\'s quite happy about this, but I don\'t think she needs to see anything." Ron said, taking his wand from Harry\'s hand and securing the room. That done, he pulled Harry down to him and attacked his lips, not even noticing when Harry failed to flinch as his hands squeezed his arse.



Pulling away slightly, Harry nipped his teeth against Ron\'s almost smooth jaw, and then pressed his tongue against the strong pulse point in his neck. Sucking in a sharp breath, Harry couldn\'t help the noise that escaped his throat when a finger began exploring between his nether cheeks, and even pushed back against them- for now he realised that Ron would never hurt him or take advantage, that when he was with Ron his trust was secure.



Not to mention that now he realised just how pleasurable being touched there could be when in the right circumstance. With Malfoy it had been about nothing more than humiliation, but with Ron it was all about trust, friendship and, amazed as he was to admit it, love.



"You alright, Harry?" Ron asked, kissing Harry gently on the lips, his fingers pausing on his tail bone.



Harry grinned; feeling like nothing could ever possibly spoil what they had together. "I\'m brilliant, actually."



"Love you, Harry."



Harry\'s heart skipped a beat. "Love you too, Ron."



"Brilliant."



~~



Well, that\'s finally the end of that! This has been written for ages, and I just never got around to re-reading it and putting it up. I apologise if these last few chapters are quite rough, but I lost interested once I\'d finsihed and... well, I figured I\'d just put them up anyway!



Thank you to those of you who reviewed!! ^___^