Uh, hello again. I'm dusting off my Microsoft Works Word Processor and writing a fanfic. Yay, right?

I really hate that I have to do this, but it appears that I must in case I offend religious homophobes who are dumb enough to click on (let alone search for) this. This story contains references to SLASH. But the reader/my kidnapper would laugh at me and decide I was too ignorant of the world to let me die).

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

I apologize for the lack of beta.

I'd like to thank Spotify, and their vast collection of songs (cought.A.T.) that inspired me, as well as the awesomeness that is 2/Jamie. Oh Cheesus, yes. t.A.T.u+2/Jamie=Happy Anna.

AND WE COMMENCE!

Coming Out of the Cupboard

"Where have you been?"

The question was delivered to Harry Potter the moment he entered the Gryffindor common room. The speaker had been Hermione Granger, or course. She had to know Harry's exact location at all hours, for reasons unknown. Although, perhaps, her worry did have a backing. If she knew where he had truly been…

But that was, of course, impossible. How could she have known. It's not like broom cupboards had windows.

"The kitchens," Harry half lied, loosening his tie while trying to walk past his friend. "Ask Dobby, if you don't believe me." He had been to the kitchens, at first. That was their usual meeting place. They needed to get their whipped cream somewhere, as the Room of Requirement didn't supply food.

Hermione sighed, her eyes softening. "This is the third time this week. Why?"

Ah. So she did know something. Why couldn't everyone be as oblivious as Ron Weasley?

"I know you're seeing someone. I don't know who, and I'll try to play dumb around Ron. But I worry for you. I rarely see you anymore! And when I do, you're always fighting with the Slytherins."

Harry repressed a snort. At least she hadn't figured-

"…it's a Slytherin, isn't it?" she whispered. "You're seeing a Slytherin. It would make sense, I suppose. All that sexual tension…" Hermione trailed off, her eyes widening. Harry flinched. She knew.

"Oh, Harry!" the brunette cried, latching her arms around his neck. Harry noted, in the heat of it all, that he was a good two inches shorter. "It's…it's Draco, isn't it! Is it?"

Harry bit his lip. Denying it would be so much easier. He wouldn't have to deal with the hate from his friends, the constant shunning that would most definitely result if he admitted. He knew the Wizarding World's view on his sexuality, never mind the Muggle World, where Hermione had been raised with the constant gay-bashing.

"I'm so happy for you two."

What?

"I always thought you'd end up together at some point. Don't worry, Harry, I'm totally okay with it…"

What?

"…although I can't say the same for Ron. He's rather close-minded about everything, really…"

What?
"What?" Harry finally voiced. "I mean, it's not that I appreciate your-honestly surprising-support…how did you even know…?"

Hermione looked him straight in the eyes. "Harry. I've known both of you for seven years. That's a long time to know someone. I've seen the both of you, together…and although homosexuality is frowned upon in the Wizarding World, I've heard all of Lavender and Parvati's squeals about how you two'd be the hottest couple Hogwarts could ever house."

"I…really?"

"Yes. Although I don't know if you should go public…but that's your decision."

A relieved smile appeared on Harry's mouth. "What ever would I do without you?"

"You'd fail nearly all your classes, that's what."

"Harry, mate, what you keep looking at?"

That, along with the accompanying (rather bony) elbow nudge, brought Harry back to Earth. Not that he'd ever left. But it made him realize the fact that his eyes were drifting in the direction of the Slytherin table, onto a very noticeable blonde…

"It's nothing, Ron. Just wondering…what crap D…Malfoy's gonna pull today. He's been awfully quiet since we returned for the retake."

Ron snorted. "He's just being his usually poncy self. (Harry flinched here.) Probably relishing in the fact that he's got us all worried about his next dastardly move."

"Or, he's grown up. Maybe he's too mature to start fights with his childish year mates." Hermione pointed out

"He's definitely grown, though not in height-" Harry began to mutter, a dreamy look flittering on his face, but was interrupted by an aggravated Ron.

"-but in ego, I agree!"

Hermione gave Harry an amused look. "I didn't need to hear that."

Harry blushed, and Ron, who had the impression that he was the center of the conversation, carried on with his rant.

"I suppose it is very obvious. I mean, look at him! He's looking at us, probably planning to kidnap and molest us!"

"I can think of one person at this table who'd enjoy that!" Hermione teased. "Oh, Draco," she started in a falsetto, "faster, faster!"

Ron looked startled. "Wait, what?"

Hermione snickered. "Oh, yeah. But you'll never guess who."

"Oh, Draco hates topping," Harry dismissed, distracted by the pools of onyx that were pouring into his own eyes.

Have you ever been having a conversation in a crowded room? If you have, you must know how loud it is. In order to be heard, you speak louder than normal.

Have you ever been having said conversation, and, without your realization, the whole room grows quiet? If you have, you must know that you have to had say that one thing, that inappropriate joke, or that one secret, during that time period. And how unbelievably awkward it is when you realize that everyone heard you.

So you see, this was one of those times, and the Great Hall was absolutely shell-shocked, save the two star-crossed lovers.

Hermione coughed. "Harry?"

"Yeah," Harry murmured, dazed.

"Do you know what you just said?"

"Yeah," Harry repeated. "I said, 'yeah'."

"Well, before that. You said, uh…"

"What the bloody hell do you mean, 'Draco hates topping'?" Ron exploded, spittle flying from his mouth.

Well, that brought our boys out of their fantasy.

"Weasel? What are you…?" A confused (and blushing) Draco Malfoy sneered.

The whole hall broke out in conversation. Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy? Never!

Well, that statement appeared to be false.

Uh, yeah. I might continue it, but probably not. I mean, I'm not exactly the best at logging in, other than to update. Just tell me in a review!

Oh, by the way, my computer doesn't recognise the word "poncy". Huh. I guess I've never typed it before. (Isn't that suprising, not at all). Oh, and I'll fix any formatting errors in the morning. It's 1am here!

Minty XD