Hope is Never Lost Forever

Title: Hope is Never Lost Forever
Main Pairing(s): Harry/Draco
Length: 1/1 one-shot
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Draco Malfoy. If I did I would be way too busy cuddling to write fan fiction.
Rating: light R, I guess maybe PG-13ish I’m not sure
Summary: Harry has given up hope. You see, Harry is different, and in the Wizarding World different is bad. But is there something that will restore Harry’s faith?
Category(s): romance/humor/
Warning: There is some major Ron bashing in this fic. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Ron, but he just seemed like the perfect villain for this fic. So if you’re a Ron lover and you don’t want to read this fic I understand, although you’ll be missing out on some fun times! Enjoy!!

~*~*~*~*~*


Somewhere along the line Harry had given up hope.

The Wizarding World, much like the muggle one, was not a very tolerant place. The fact that people could do magic didn’t seem to make them any less ignorant or stupid than muggles. This suited most wizards just fine, 'Who needs people that are different? They just cause problems.' That was the mindset of most wizards and witches in the Wizarding World. Unfortunately for Harry, he fell into the category of ‘different’ and, if anyone found out, his life would be over.

Harry didn’t want to end up like most people when they came out. Take Justin Finch-Fletchley for example. A year or two ago he made the mistake of coming out to a couple of his close friends. His “friends” told some people and, pretty much, the whole school knew by the next day. I know, what’s so bad about the whole school knowing he’s gay?

Well, for starters, Justin was hexed frequently, beaten up at random intervals, and the entire school secluded him. Then one day a bunch of people decided to beat some sense into him, and guess who was the leader in the ‘beat the straight back into Justin’ squad, who else but Ron Weasley.

Ron was known as one of the biggest bigots in school, along with a horde of others. Ron with his hot temper and hate of everything and anything that was different, and by different I mean homosexual. Now obviously this posed a real problem for Harry; he was Ron’s best friend after all. But where did this leave him? He was confused and needed someone to talk to. Obviously, he couldn’t talk to Ron; he fancied his ribs keeping their original location and he had gotten quite attached to walking as his primal mode of transportation, go figure. I guess that left only Hermione, but Hermione seemed to be so engrossed in schoolwork and studying that she didn’t seem to notice or care about what was going on. So where does that leave poor Harry, alone and suicidal right? Of course that would be the case if he didn’t have his boyfriend for comfort.

Harry knew that he was ‘different’ after that kiss he shared with Cho Chang in fifth year. It was wet, gross, and just felt plain…wrong. After ‘sampling’ a few other girls, he decided that touching a girl’s breasts and shoving his tongue in their nether-regions made him feel sick. After his ‘revelation’ Harry went into denial, snogging and shagging anything with female genitalia. And after one of his heated sessions, he was always left with a sick feeling in his stomach… kind of like his conscience was eating away at his insides. It was after one particularly nasty sex session that he stumbled upon the love of his life, Draco Malfoy.

Harry had just finished shagging one of the Patil twins; he wasn’t sure which one it was, as they both looked the same, when he decided he needed some fresh air. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that somehow instead of ending up near the lake, where he had intended to go, he found himself climbing the stairs to the Astronomy Tower. When he got there he was surprised to see, instead of numerous couples having their nightly romps, a lone figure with white-blond hair sitting on a windowsill staring out at the grounds.

Now Harry wasn’t one for mushy words and love poems, but watching the moon play off that beautiful shock of pale perfection was breathtaking. The moonbeams created just enough light to make the figure glow like an angel, and Harry was determined to tell the person so. Even as he got closer and realized it was a male, he didn’t care because he was enamored with the blond Adonis.

When he finally made it close enough to see the person’s face, he expected to see this timidly shy creature, who he was going to pull into his arms and he knew once that happened, everything would be Happily Ever After. But instead, he saw Malfoy. Upon realizing who it was, Harry had an insult prepared and ready to be fired, until he saw the raw emotion floating around in Draco’s eyes. His usual sneer was absent from the Slytherin’s features and he looked… well, he looked human. It was then that Harry noticed how beautiful Draco truly was when he let his guard down. Two hours, some talking, and a couple of dozen insults later; anyone who went up to the tower would have found Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy locked in a heated snogging session on the cold, stone floor.

Needless to say, two years and another gay-bashing later, Harry and Draco where still together, and Seamus Finnegan made the mistake of coming out to his best friend Dean Thomas. By the next day, The Straight Brigade had sent Seamus to the hospital wing with a lot to think about. Seamus’ beating was the topic of discussion for weeks, especially for Harry and Draco.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


“You see Harry, if we even try to tell anyone we’re gay we’ll get the shite beaten out of us. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to end up half-dead in an abandoned corridor because I felt guilty about keeping my love-life from my friends,” Draco said as he snuggled closer to Harry on the fluffy couch they had transfigured from an old desk in an abandoned classroom on the fourth floor. “Finnegan was just lucky that I decided to leave early to meet you that day. If I hadn’t come along when I did, he would probably be dead.”

After a long eluded silence Harry spoke. “But don’t you just feel like you have to tell someone? Aren’t you sick of keeping it a secret?” Harry turned in Draco’s arms so that he was looking into the beautiful silver of his lover’s eyes.

Draco made a face of deep concentration, as if he was really considering the question. Finally after a minute or two of deep thought Draco looked at Harry and said, “You know what, Harry? You’re right, I need to confess this to someone…” He paused to allow Harry’s triumphant smirk to materialize itself before continuing, “Harry… I’m gay. Wow… you’re right, I feel loads better now that I’ve gotten that off my chest,” he finished in a sarcastic tone.

“Be serious, Draco!” Harry had an agitated took on his face so the Slytherin decided to actually consider the question.

“No, Harry, in all honesty, I don’t have the need to confess anything to anyone.” The blond sighed and buried his head in his lover’s chest.

“Bloody liar,” Harry chided. “I know it hurts you that you can’t tell Zabini and Parkinson… just as much as it hurts me that I can’t tell Ron and Hermione,” Harry finished in a small whisper, the last part said so softly that Draco barely heard it.

“Sorry Harry, but I fancy keeping my balls, I’ve grown quite attached to them and from what I gather so have you.” Harry smiled as the Slytherin pulled him into a hungry kiss, moaning as he slipped his tongue into the blond’s hot mouth.

A couple of minutes, and a light snogging later, Harry still had that sappy ‘you know I’m right so don’t try and change the subject with your distractive kisses’ kind of look on his face. The Slytherin groaned loudly, “Harry… listen, why do you always bring this up? We can’t tell anyone. No on will accept that you’re gay, let alone dating me. Plus, you always end up depressed after we talk about this and a depressed Harry is never in the mood to give blowjobs, so why don’t we just stop talking about it and enjoy the little time we have left before we have to go back to our dorms,” Draco finished in a soothingly calm yet teasing tone.

“I’m not in the mood,” Harry pouted.

“Not in the mood to give me a blowjob or not in the mood to stop talking about it?” Harry smiled at Draco’s attempt to lighten the mood before the frown found it’s way back onto his face.

Draco saw this and sighed. “Look Harry, we can’t tell anyone because no one will accept it. We have each other, and you’re all I need… just you.” Draco smiled and kissed Harry’s nose. “Isn’t that enough?” Draco frowned.

“Of course that’s enough… I-I’m sorry Draco I-” Harry was cut off by an elegant finger being pressed against his lips.

“Shhh, Harry… I love you.”

“I love you too Draco,” the Gryffindor said as he ran his fingers through his lover’s soft blond locks.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Later that night, Harry snuck back into the common room with his invisibility cloak securely draped around his body. Not seeing anyone in the room, except for a warm fire cascading from the large, stone fireplace, Harry took off his cloak, revealing himself to a seemingly empty room.

“Harry?” said a raspy voice coming from the large couch in front of the fire. After a good bit of squinting Harry recognized the figure on the couch.

“Seamus, it’s good to see you’re out of the hospital wing,” Harry said as he made his way over to the red chesterfield to sit next to his housemate. “How are you feeling?”

“A bit of stiffness in my neck and my throat is still sore from all of the bone-healing potions I had to drink, but other than that… great,” the Irish Gryffindor finished with a small frown.

“I’m so sorry, Seamus. It shouldn’t have happened to you.” Harry’s emerald orbs held genuine sorrow for his friend.

Seamus saw how much Harry truly cared and smiled. “It’s not your fault Harry, you had no part in it. You just kept to yourself; it was the smart thing to do. Hell, it’s what I should have done.”

“Yes, but it wasn’t the right thing to do. The right thing would have been to stand up for what I believe is right, to protect one of my own, to…” oops! Harry looked up at Seamus who was wearing a smile a mile wide and an eye twinkle that could have rivaled Dumbledore’s.

“Protect what you believe in,” Seamus’s smile grew wider, “Stand up for your own.” And if it was even possible Seamus’s smile grew even wider. “I knew it!”

While the Irish Gryffindor was in his euphoric state of revelation, Harry was mentally beating the crap out of himself. 'If I’ve just outed myself to Seamus, I could slip again, and in front of someone not as accepting; like Ron. Shite…shite…shite…shite…'

Seeing the worried emotions battling across Harry’s face, Seamus had made a decision; it was time.

“You know Harry,” he started, snapping Harry out of his emotional bashing, “I’ve always suspected. Us queers know our own; I was just never sure… until now.” Harry looked like he was about to speak but the Irish Gryffindor cut him off. “And now that I know where your loyalties lie, I’m going to let you in on a little secret.” He inched closer to the raven-haired boy and lowered his voice to a cautious whisper. “There are more of us than you think. Kids just like you, who are just as afraid as you are about people finding out. There’s a place where you can go, a support group of sorts where you can be yourself and no one will judge you because everyone there is going through the same thing; everyone understands. What do you think, Harry?” Seamus paused and looked at Harry, quietly awaiting an answer.

“I don’t know what to think. It sounds great but… I’ll have to discuss it with Dr- uh…I-I mean… um…” 'Shit, I did it again. I’m such an arse,' Harry thought.

“Oh…Oh! You have a partner!" Seamus exclaimed.

"Um.. yeah... yeah, I-I do." Harry said slowly while staring down at his feet.

"That lucky bastard,” Seamus added in a mumble. “That’s great Harry, bring him along,” the Irishman said in a confident tone.

“I don’t know, Seamus… I’ll just have to think about it,” Harry said in a skeptical tone.

“I understand Harry, you have to discuss it with your guy, no problem… but if you decide you want to come there’s a meeting in two days, in the Room of Requirements. But there are some special instructions you have to follow if you want to get in.” Seamus inched closer and lowered his voice even more. “You still remember how to get there and how to make the door appear from fifth year right?” he asked. Harry nodded. “Well, once the door appears you have to tap it three times with your wand, on the third tap you must say the password, ‘mutual love’ and the door will open.”

“Thanks Seamus, I’ll talk to Dra-uh… my partner about it.” With that Harry got up and headed for the stairs to the seventh year dorms. Right before he got to the stairs he heard Seamus mumble something. “I’m sorry… did you say something?” Harry looked back with innocent curiosity.

“Huh… oh… um… the meeting starts at 10 o’clock,” he said quickly, praying that Harry hadn’t heard the real comment.

“Oh… ok. Goodnight, Seamus… and thanks,” the raven-haired Gryffindor said before turning and walking up the stairs.

“No problem Harry… goodnight,” he called back. After he was sure Harry was out of earshot he repeated the statement that he’d hoped Harry didn’t hear. “Can’t wait to meet the lucky bugger who snagged Harry, I just wish I’d gotten there first.” With a soft, regretful sigh, Seamus heaved himself off the chesterfield and made his way up to the dormitory.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Absolutely not!” Draco said as he paced in front of the transfigured couch.

“Why not? Draco, think about it… We can be ourselves around people just like us; show affection for each other in front of other people, even if it’s only for… an hour or two,” Harry added as he got up from the couch and wrapped his arms around his blond lover to stop him from wearing a hole in the floor.

“Harry, what if it’s a trap… what if we get caught, what if someone…” Harry hushed the Slytherin with a soft, meaningful kiss.

When the kiss broke, Harry smiled softly at the blond, “Draco, it’s not a trap. It’s just a way to forget our problems for a little while,” he said in a calm voice. “Besides…” Harry smiled cheekily as he stroked Draco’s blond locks. “I think I remember you telling me last week about a certain dream you had where you snogged me in front our whole Transfiguration class. I also remember you mentioning how sticky your sheets were when you woke up. Think about it, Draco, living out one of your wet dreams; a voyeuristic fantasy come true, sounds fun doesn’t it?” This got a small but definite smile out of the blond.

The smile quickly turned into a smirk, “You know, I did a lot more than snog you in that dream.” Harry broke out into a huge grin and pulled Draco into a passionate kiss. As the blond slipped his arms around Harry’s waist he let out a soft moan, the Gryffindor knew that sound was an indication of the Slytherin’s submission. The raven-haired boy smiled as he nibbled his lover’s bottom lip before sliding his tongue inside, tasting the Slytherin’s sweet mouth.

When they broke apart Harry pulled his lover into a bone-crunching hug. “I promise you won’t regret this, Draco… I promise,” the Gryffindor chanted as he showered his blond love’s neck with sweet, wet kisses.

“Yeah I know,” Draco said, pulling away from Harry, despite the Gryffindor’s whine of protest. “I could stand here holding you all night, but we’ve got to go.” Draco looked at his watch and sighed. “We have five minutes left before curfew.”

“Oh shite…” Harry said in mock panic. “Your right. Better run, its takes what, ten minutes to get back to the dungeons from here,” Harry finished with a smirk worthy of a Malfoy.

“Bloody Gryffindor…” Draco mumbled as he walked over to the door.

“Oh, Draco…meet me here tomorrow at 9:30, and we’ll go to the meeting together.” Draco smiled and turned to leave. “And, Draco…” Draco turned again, a little irritated looking, “you better run, you only have four and a half minutes left to get back to the dungeons.” Harry smirked. Draco growled and turned the doorknob. “Draco…” the blond turned and glared at Harry as though he was about to rip the Gryffindor’s head off.

“Yes,” Draco said through clenched teeth.

“I love you.” As soon as the words left Harry’s mouth the deadly expression on the Slytherin’s face melted into one of love and adoration.

“I love you too, Harry.” And with that the blond left with three minutes to get back to the Dungeons.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Harry made his way back to Gryffindor Tower all he could think of was how truly blessed he was to have found the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. What he didn’t know was that Draco was thinking the exact same thing about Harry as he made his way back to his own house.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was 9:25 pm, the following day when Harry left Ron in the middle of a game of Wizard’s chess, mumbling some lie about not feeling well, got his invisibility cloak and left for his and Draco’s secret meeting place.

Twelve minutes later, a half-invisible, out of breath Harry stumbled into the abandoned classroom. Once Harry caught his breath he noticed a very pissed off looking blond who was tapping his foot with his arms folded across his chest in a very threatening manner.

“Potter,” the Slytherin spat coldly. Now two years ago, if Harry had heard Draco say his surname with such a disdainful tone he would have thought nothing of it, but nowadays Harry knew that if Draco called him Potter it was safe to assume that the blond was really, really pissed off. “You’re late,” the blond hissed through clenched teeth.

“I know, I’m sorry. Ron asked me to play a game of Wizard’s chess with him and if I said no he would have thought something was up,” Harry explained.

“You know, whenever you’re late it’s always the Weasel’s fault. I think you should just drop the bigoted bastard and spend all of your free time with me.” A smirk replaced the scowl and Harry let go of the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Harry walked over and grabbed his lover’s hand, pulling him into a long, sweet kiss. When they parted, Draco smiled. “We better go, just because you insist on being ten minutes late for everything doesn’t mean I do,” Draco teased.

“Hey, I was only seven minutes late,” Harry said in a tone of mock-hurt. After a couple seconds of silence they both broke out into hysterical laughter. They were still laughing as Harry covered them both in his invisibility cloak and started towards the Room of Requirements.

Once they arrived, Harry paced up and down the corridor waiting for the door to appear. About half way down the abandoned hallway they saw a worn looking wooden door materialize itself across from a tapestry with unicorns grazing around the edges as a Dragon chased its tail in the center.

Harry uncovered himself and Draco from the cloak and took out his wand. The Gryffindor took a deep breath and looked at his lover. The blond smiled and nodded once in approval; it was time. Harry tapped the door three times with his wand whispering ‘mutual love’ on the third tap. They heard the light click of the door unlocking and the raven-haired Gryffindor slowly pushed it open.

As Harry stepped into the room he was pleasantly shocked at what he saw. The room was warm and inviting, with several chairs and tables scattered around the area. In the center there was a large wooden podium with small chairs and couches sitting in front of it, much different from the training room in fifth year. But what surprised Harry the most wasn’t the décor of the room, but its occupants. As Harry looked around he figured there must have been at least fifteen people there, when he was only expecting five or six at the most.

“Harry!” He heard an excited voice yell from behind him. Harry turned his head to find Seamus rushing towards him. As Irish boy got closer he felt a possessive hand clasp around his own. Harry looked over at his blond lover who pretended to be examining the room, and smiled, entwining their fingers.

“You came, I’m so glad,” the sandy-haired Gryffindor said as he approached Harry from behind, giving him a friendly tap on the back. “Oh, and you brought your… Malfoy?” Seamus said in a shocked tone when he recognized who the blond boy was.

“Yep,” Harry said as he tried to keep a straight face, “I brought my Malfoy.” Draco’s scowl turned into a snort as he tried not to laugh at Seamus’s shocked expression.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting that one…” Seamus smiled and shook his heat at the couple. “Figures, by the time I find out that the two sexiest guys at Hogwarts are queer… they’ve gone and snagged each other before I got a fair shot,” the sandy-haired Gryffindor finished, with a cheeky grin.

“Why don’t you two mingle a bit while I finish setting up for the meeting, I’m co-president of our little operation here… welcome to G.L.A.W.S.” Seamus laughed at the confused look he got from the pair.

“G.L.A.W.S… what does that mean?” Harry said; pure curiosity etched on his features.

“It means the Gay and Lesbian Advancement in Wizarding Society, pretty clever, huh? I’m sure my co-president would have loved to welcome you herself, especially you, Harry, but she’s late… again! I swear to Merlin… studying for the N.E.W.Ts in November, they’re six months away for bloody sake.” Seamus mumbled to himself as he walked over to the podium in the center of the room.

“Studying for N.E.W.Ts… Draco, you don’t think he’s talking about… no, he can’t be,” Harry said more to himself than his partner.

“Well Harry, you never know. Granger always did seem like a bit like a dyke to me,” Draco said with a smirk as he pulled Harry into the crowd of students.

“Don’t call Hermione that. Besides it can’t be her, she’s dating Ron. It must be some Ravenclaw, you know how they are… always studying,” Harry reasoned.

“Yeah… Ravenclaw,” Draco said, deciding to humor his lover for the time being.

As they were walking through the crowd Harry noticed someone he hadn’t expected to see.

“Cho?” Harry said in disbelief as he walked over to the former Ravenclaw. Cho had come back this year to apprentice with Professor Flitwick.

“Harry,” she greeted the Gryffindor with a friendly hug. “Seamus said he was expecting some new members tonight but I had no idea he was talking about you, and with Malfoy of all people.” Her smile was soon replaced with shock when Draco smiled pleasantly and extended his hand. “I’m Cho Chang,” she said as she took his hand and shook it.

“Nice to meet you Cho… I’d introduce myself but it seems you already know who I am.” Draco smirked evilly… That’s not good, Harry thought as he saw the smirk appear on his lover’s face. “So Cho… did you know you gave Harry his first kiss?” Draco asked nonchalantly as if he were talking about the weather and not Harry’s sex life.

“Did I?” She eyed Harry as a small blush crept onto her cheeks, of course the light tint of pink that appeared on the former Ravenclaw’s cheeks was nothing compared to the crimson tide that flooded onto Harry’s tan flesh. “Kissing Harry made me realize I was gay,” she said in a small but confident tone. 'I didn’t think I was that bad,' Harry thought as his cheeks became even redder.

The Slytherin just smirked and leaned in closer to Cho. “Me too,” he said before turning to Harry, wrapping his arms around the Gryffindor’s neck and devouring his mouth, making sure the former Ravenclaw had a perfect view of his tongue sliding past the raven-haired boy’s lips into his warm mouth. When he pulled away he looked at a wide-eyed Cho Chang and winked before walking off in search of someone he knew, leaving behind a stunned Cho and a very dazed Harry.

Finally Harry snapped out of his euphoric haze and looked at Cho. “Was I really that bad of a kisser?” The dark haired girl just stared at him, still shocked from the previous display.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco made his way over to a small corner of the room where he noticed a very familiar figure lurking.

“Well, well, well…” said a voice as Draco approached the darkened corner. “If it isn’t Draco Malfoy, finally stepping out of the closet for a little sunlight. It’s about time your white arse got a tan.” Blaise smiled as he stepped out of the corner and embraced his long time friend.

“Who would have thought, me calling you a pouf all these years must have finally sunk in.” Draco turned around to see a cheery Pansy standing there with her arms around a giggling Ginny Weasley.

"Pansy, what are you doing here... I know for a fact that you like guys." Draco said in exasperation.

"No darling, I've decided to be bi-sexual. I'm a young, agile, horny teenager... might as well sample all the flavors." Pansy said while giving Ginny's butt a squeeze.

“Pansy, a Weasley… I thought you had better taste than that,” Draco said jokingly, Pansy smacked him on the head and then pulled him in for a hug. Draco looked the smallest Weasley up and down. “Well, if Pansy likes you, you must be something special.” Draco let go of Pansy and extended his hand to Ginny. She smiled warmly at him and shook his hand.

“So, who are you here with Draco?” Pansy said curiously as she looked around the room.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about Pansy… and besides, I thought this was a support group, I’m here for support and comfort from my fellow gay class mates.” Draco smiled innocently at his friend.

“Don’t play the bloody innocent card with me Malfoy, I know he’s here somewhere! You’ve been sneaking around with someone since fifth year, I’ve been watching you. I’ve waited long enough, now spill it, who is he?” Pansy whined as she scanned the room again.

“Well, since you’ve been watching me since fifth year you should know who it is by now.” The blond nodded at Blaise and Ginny before making his way back into the crowd.

“Damn you, Malfoy!” Pansy growled, before grabbing Ginny and storming off. Blaise just shook his head and went to go look for Justin.

About ten minutes later Blaise was being jerked away from the start of what was promising to be a very satisfying snogging session by, the soon to be dead if Blaise had his way, Pansy Parkinson.

“Blaise, look!” Pansy said as she pointed into the crowd of students.

“What, I don’t see anything?” grumbled a rather annoyed, and horny, Blaise.

“Look!” she said again as she pointed across the room. Blaise followed her finger and saw what Pansy was so excited about.

“I told you Potter was gay. I believe you owe me fifty galleons, Zabini.” Pansy held out her hand happily with a superior smirk painted across her features.

“Well, when you’re right, you’re right,” the Slytherin said with a smile.

“I told you Blaise, I have an eye for this sort of thing.” With that, she walked back over to Ginny.

Blaise shook his head, smiling as he glanced back over at Potter. He saw Draco approach the Gryffindor and wrap his arms around Harry’s waist, pale hands sliding down to cup two rounded cheeks. “Way to go Draco… way to go,” the Slytherin whispered to himself, smiling inwardly as he saw Harry place a loving kiss on the blond’s lips.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


“Hey there sexy,” Draco said as his arms encircled his lover’s waist. Harry smiled and felt himself flush with excitement as the blond’s hands slid down to squeeze his arse. The Slytherin smiled and Harry leaned in and placed a sweet kiss on Draco’s soft lips.

Just then the door flung open, exposing a very out of breath Hermione Granger. “I’m so sorry, Seamus,” she apologized as he approached the podium. “I was doing my Potions essay and I lost track of time, it’ll never happen again,” she huffed, still trying to catch her breath. When she finally took her place behind the podium Seamus rang a little bell, calling the meeting into order.

Harry’s eyes went wide when he saw who burst into the room, “H-Hermione?” Harry said in disbelief as he walked over to the podium.

“Harry… I’m so glad you came, when Seamus told me he invited you to the meeting I wasn’t sure you were going to show up,” Hermione smiled, “but I’m glad you did.”

“I-I thought you were dating Ron,” Harry stammered, still shock ridden.

“Well, I am… but not really.” Hermione smiled and winked at someone over Harry’s shoulder. Harry turned to see a blushing Cho Chang blow a kiss back.

“What do you mean by not really?” Harry said steering the bushy haired girl back to the conversation.

“Well, there are benefits to being the bigot’s girlfriend. I find out who the latest target is and then we,” as she said this she gestured to the people around the room, “try to make sure that that person doesn’t get hurt,” Hermione finished with a smile.

“How very Slytherin of you Granger,” Draco spoke up for the first time, making his presence known.

“Malfoy… how did you find out about…” Hermione stopped mid-sentence when she noticed Harry and Draco’s entwined hands. “Oh… well that’s a surprise,” Hermione said, blinking owlishly.

“I can’t believe this ‘Mione,” Harry said as he looked around the room. “How did you… I mean how is this…” Harry stammered with an awe stricken expression on his face.

“Harry, I had to do something about what was going on… and what’s better than to start a support group, I mean we deserve right too, just because we love differently doesn’t mean…” she was cut off by Seamus’ hand over her mouth.

“Sorry mate… she gets really enthusiastic about the civil rights stuff,” Seamus said in a teasing tone.

Hermione glared at Seamus before swatting his hand away and turning to Harry, “Why don’t you two find a seat and we can get started.”

Draco smiled, which shocked both Seamus and Hermione, before going to find a seat. Once Draco was out of earshot Harry turned to his best friend. “Thanks ‘Mione,” when Hermione gave him a confused look he continued, “you know for understanding… about Draco and me,”

The bushy-haired brunette just laughed, “No problem Harry. To tell you the truth I think you two fit together nicely, but if he hurts you I reserve the right to cut off his balls,” Harry laughed and pulled his friend into a big hug.

“I love you ‘Mione, I just wanted you to know that,” Harry said as he pulled out of the hug.

“I love you too Harry,” Hermione smiled at the boy who has been like a brother to her for the past seven years. They stared at each other for a minute more before Harry turned and went off to sit with Draco.

He found Draco a few seconds later sitting in a large, cozy looking armchair. The Slytherin pulled Harry onto his lap wrapping his arms around the Gryffindor. Harry smiled at the simple gesture of affection and entwined his fingers with the blond’s, lying back so he was leaning against his lover’s cheek.

“Welcome everyone our weekly G.L.A.W.S. meeting,” Hermione began with a warm smile. “Before we start, I would like to welcome two new members into our little family, Harry and Draco.” She paused and everyone clapped and whistled for the new members.

When the crowd settled down again, she began her speech. “Now, I would like to address a few issues this week concerning discrimination in the classroom. I feel that…” As Hermione talked, Harry looked around the room at some of the couples that were holding hands and cuddling, not worried about who was going to see them or what was going to happen if someone found out, or that in an hour or so the meeting will end and they’ll all have to go back to their problems... back into the dark corners they’ve been hiding themselves in.

As Harry was observing how happy everyone looked he felt his lover’s arms tighten around him. He smiled and snuggled back into the Draco’s embrace.

Looking around the room he realized that maybe, just maybe, there was hope for the Wizarding World after all.

~Fin~

~*~*~*~*