This is to make up for leaving y'all hanging for a month. Sorry, no major beginning notes cept that this chapter isn't going to have much in the way of actual action. Just mostly interaction between SilverInk and Harry.

Disclaimer: Raspberry and Joe belong to me. That's all. Nothing else, sadly. No, wait, not sadly. If they belonged to me, then it wouldn't be fanfiction. It'd be fiction and I'd have to put it in a book and never know if you guys liked it or not. But anyways, only Raspberry and Joe are mine. Everything else is JK Rowling and who ever publishes and markets her books.

Warnings:Hyper green squirrels and slashy goodness ahead.

Chatroom Anonymity Chapter 13: Who?! and Who?! are Together?!?!

     Life went back to normal for the school, well, as normal as Hogwarts life could be. It startled just about everyone on campus, to see the light green streak racing down the hallways between classes, but after a while, even that was normal. Harry and the others got used to working with their sworn enemies in potions and having a DADA teacher who practically bounced off the walls. At least SilverInk was right in one aspect. Raspberry did like to listen.
     Raspberry caught him one day as he went to leave the classroom with the others. "Harry, wait a minute." she said from her desk, where she was organizing a pile of scrolls about shapeshifters.
     Harry paused by the door, and told his friends that he would catch up with them. Then he turned back to Raspberry. "What do you need?" he asked politely.
     "Harry, is there something wrong? Don't get me wrong, you're a great student, but lately you've seemed really spacy in class as if you had something on your mind."
     "Nothing really, I just haven't been getting alot of sleep lately." Harry felt more comfortable talking to her then he did to the headmaster. He found a seat in one of the front row desks.
     "Why not? Do you stay up studying, talking or worrying?"
     "A little bit of all of them. I try to study to keep up in my classes, because that's what everyone expects of me."
     "Why?"
     "Cuz I'm Hogwarts' 'Golden Boy' and despite people's absolute avoidance of the topic, I know one day, I'll be the one to go toe to toe with He-who-is-getting-on-my-nerves."
     "Ah. Is this also the reason you stay up worrying?"
     "Yeah, but I try not to dwell on it. Mostly, I worry about my friends."
     "Whether or not they resent you?"
     "You know, you should be a counselor, not a teacher."
     "I was, a muggle high school. But we're not talking about me, we're talking about you."
     "Yeah, anyway, yeah, I worry that they might resent me, I worry that I don't know anything about them, worry that I won't live up to thier expectations, that I won't be there for them when they need it the most. . ." he trailed off, lost in thought. This wasn't something he had given conscious thought to since the summer time, when he was bored.
     "Well, Harry, like I said, you're a bright student. Don't loose sleep over studying, I have a feeling you'd be able to pass some of the classes here in your sleep. And if you're that worried about people's expectations, then get someone to help you. And I don't mean Hermione. She tends to talk over your head sometimes, doesn't she?"
     "Yeah," Harry nodded.
     "And like you said, don't dwell on Voldemort. I know you'll beat him when the time comes. If your friends mean so much to you that you stay up at night worrying about them, then I have a feeling, they'll be in the crowd that rallies behind you in that toe-to-toe fight."
     Harry smiled. "Thanks Raspberry!" he said gratefully. He stood up, and went to leave.
     "Oh, Harry!" Raspberry called. Harry poked his head back into the classroom. "Don't be afraid to talk to them. Tell them you're there." Harry smiled and walked away.
     Joe poked his head out from under her desk and climbed up into her lap. He made a soft purring noise. "Yeah, Joe" Raspberry replied. "I think he needed that too."

*~*~*~*~*

     You seem happier then usual. What's up?
     Well, I hung around after DADA, and had a talk with Raspberry. You're lucky she's your aunt. She's pretty cool.
     She is, isn't she. What did you talk about?
     Nu-uh. That's confidential. But I took her advice and talked to my friends. And I'm glad I did.
     No wonder you're so happy. What did they have to say?
     Promise not to freak out and stop talking to me if I tell you?
     Sure, no problem.
     Well, they're the first people I've told outside my godfather that I'm gay. They didn't care. And I told them that I was worried that they were resentful that they stood in the shadow of a spotlight I didn't want. Again, they didn't care. They said they would rather stand in my shadow and help me defeat He-who-is-annoying[1] then be unreachable.
     Wow. That's kinda deep. And cute nickname.
     Well it's true!
     Never said it wasn't.
     Anyway, afterwards, Neville took me aside, and we had a long talk.
     Bout what?
     Sexuality Preference. Turns out he's gay too.
     You gonna start chasing him now?
     Of course not. Wouldn't want to cross his boyfriend.
     LONGBOTTOM has a boyfriend? How did this happen?
     Silver! You shouldn't be so mean to him. You'll start sounding like Malfoy!
     Sorry. Who's his boyfriend?
     Guess.
     Weasley?
     No! Straight as an arrow!
     Oh. Finnigan or Thomas?
     No and no. I'm not sure about them though. I think Seamus may be bi. Just don't tell him I said anything.
     Whatever. So who is it?
     Who said it was a Gryffindor?
     You don't mean. . .
     Connect the dots, Silver
     GOYLE??
     Mm-hmm. I even know what he said to Neville that day in potions two months ago.
     Whatwhatwhat?! Tell me!
     ::Laughs:: Kay. He told Neville that he did a good job on the potion and he was proud of him, and Snape had a stick up his ass not to say so. Apparently despite the arguement I overheard about who was gonna try it first, Neville oversaw the entire potion and scroll.
     No way! Goyle said that?!
     Yup!
     Just a sec. I've gotta go talk to someone!
     Ack! Silver, go easy on him, who cares if he's going out with a Gryffindor?

*~*~*~*~*

     Draco put down the SpellCard slowly and walked out to the commonroom in a daze. Most of the Slytherins were still awake and down there. Vincent and Greg sat across from one another by the fire, talking about ways to tell poisonous snakes apart. Draco took a moment to study Goyle before speaking.
     "Hey Greg, c'mere a minute. We gotta talk." He looked perplexed, but did as Draco said.
     Once they were by themselves in the dorms, Draco just stared at Greg, until the larger boy got nervous and started fidgeting. Finally Draco spoke.
     "What's going on between you and Longbottom?"
     Greg's eyes just about popped out of his head. "Huh?" he said, master of smooth words. "Umm, what makes you think there's something going on? Nothings going on," he stuttered.
     "Bullshit."
     Greg continued to look more and more uncomfortable, as he searched for the right thing to tell the silver haired boy. "Who told you?" He said finally.
     "That is my business. All I know is that someone told me there's something going on between you and Longbottom."
     "You're not mad are you? You don't look or sound mad, but my dad gets quiet when he gets mad too."
     "I'm not mad Greg, I just want to know the truth."
     "Fine, yes, me and Neville are going out!"
     "Why?"
     Greg looked at him weird. "Did you just ask me why? Nevermind, I'm not going to answer that."
     "Then tell me what you seen in him, cuz I don't get it. Then I'll leave you alone."
     "I dunno. He just seemed like he was someone who needed some protection. He's kinda cute that way. And he's sweet and he doesn't treat me like I'm stupider then the dirt he walks on, like most people in this school."
     Draco nodded. "Fine. True to form, I'll leave you alone about it. Just a word or two of advice. I wouldn't tell Vincent about this. Or the other Slytherins for that matter. Or your family. There's gonna be alot of people opposed to this, and not just cuz you're both guys."
     Greg smiled gratefully at his friend. "Thanks man."

*~*~*~*~*

[1] This is from Just Silver's story Love and Darkness chapter 28. If you like my story, you ] have to read that one! Right now! Go! Anyway, it goes 'Fire and Ice' then 'Love and Darkness' and recently 'Lovers and Family'. Long, but a definite must read.

End Notes: When I first started CA, I didn't intend for a second couple. It just happened when I was writing. If you are opposed to it, well . . . too bad. I think it's kinda cute. :)

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