Chapter 4
Harry, Ginny, Luna, Rolf, Hermione, Ron, Louis, Lily, and James remained in the Great Hall chatting.
Harry, Ginny, Lily, and James were sitting at the Gryffindor table, getting to know each other.
"How did we end up together?" Ginny asked, much to Harry’s dismay, as he was trying to avoid the topic.
"GINNY!" Harry exclaimed.
"What? I just want to know," Lily and James laughed.
"Well, Dad, this is our favorite story," James supported Lily’s comment.
"What could be so interesting about it?" Harry wondered if his children knew how long he had been in love with the little redhead.
"Dad, yours is the best love story," Lily was excited.
"According to what you told us, Mom liked Dad since her second year but didn’t realize it was love until her fifth year," Ginny blushed.
"And according to what we were told, Dad realized he liked Mom in his sixth year," Ginny looked at Harry in surprise, wondering if Harry had liked her at that time.
"Mom was dating a guy named Dean Thomas, and Dad was jealous but said nothing because he was afraid of how Uncle Ron would react," James continued, though Harry still didn’t understand; he wasn’t jealous. "But one day, Dad got detention and couldn’t participate in the decisive Quidditch match, so Mom had to play in Dad’s place..."
Lily interrupted James and continued, "And when Dad finished his detention and went up to the Gryffindor Tower, he entered through the Fat Lady’s portrait, and when he came in, everyone was celebrating. Mom ran up to Dad and excitedly told him they had won and..."
James interrupted this time, "AND DAD KISSED MOM, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COMMON ROOM IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!" James shouted excitedly.
"WHAT?!" Harry and Ginny shouted in unison, while Lily and James laughed.
"Yes, of course, Harry wouldn’t be capable of that."
"Of course I would!" Harry defended himself.
Harry and Ginny started a playful argument just as Hugo approached the table where they were chatting.
"Lily, can you come here?" Hugo asked his cousin timidly.
"But Hugo—"
"It’s important." Lily gave in and followed her cousin and best friend to a corner of the Great Hall, where Hugo cast a Muffliato spell.
"Lily, I need to tell you something," Hugo was serious, which made Lily worried.
"Hugo, you can tell me anything."
"Well, you know I’ve been dating someone for a while," Lily’s curiosity was piqued.
"Yes, and I also know you haven’t told me who it is," Hugo was starting to lose patience.
"Lily, don’t interrupt. This is hard for me to say, and you’re the first person I’m telling," Lily felt bad for having joked; it seemed to be a serious matter.
"Sorry," Lily apologized, and Hugo continued.
"It’s okay, Lil’s. Well, I’m dating this person, and—"
"You said person, not girl. Does that mean it’s a boy?" Hugo never thought his cousin would be so detailed.
"Yes," he said shyly, and a smile appeared on Lily’s face.
"Thank you for telling me, Hugo." Hugo, who had been afraid his cousin wouldn’t accept him, felt happy.
"You’re the best, Lily," they hugged. "But I need your help."
Lily didn’t understand what he meant but nodded anyway; she would help her friend with anything. "Well, my situation with this guy is more complicated than just being boyfriend and boyfriend . It’s not just that that needs 'accepting'," he said, making quotation marks with his fingers.
"Who is the guy?" Lily wanted to know, trying to get the name of the person he’d been dating for some months.
"Lily, please don’t make a scene," Lily extended her pinky finger, and Hugo did the same; they had made a promise in Muggle style. "The guy is Louis." Lily’s eyes widened, but she didn’t say a word; she had promised not to make a scene, and she wasn’t going to disappoint her friend.
"Hugo, do you love each other?" Lily, having gone through something similar with her cousin Rose, knew the questions to ask first.
"Yes, very much," Hugo stepped away from Lily, and in a few minutes, he returned with Louis, casting the Muffliato spell once more.
"Did you tell her?" Hugo nodded and signaled to be quiet.
"Guys, I’m happy for you, but do you know it won’t be easy?" They both nodded.
"First things first, do you love each other?" Both boys nodded. "Do you know what might happen?" Both boys nodded. "Are you willing to fight for it?" Both boys nodded. Lily knew she was being a bit dramatic but didn’t care. "Do you know what happened last time something like this happened in the family?" Both boys nodded. "Are you aware it will be even harder because of your ages?" Both boys nodded. "Do you want to do it now?" Both boys nodded. "Do you know you’ll have to do it again with our future parents?" Both boys nodded. "Well, then, let’s get to it," the boys smiled. "Is either of you going to say anything?" They all laughed.
"Lily, that’s why we called you; we don’t know what to do," Hugo spoke sincerely and seriously to his friend.
"Guys, this will be difficult, but understand that today is not the time. You’ll have two weeks to do it, but TODAY is not the day," both boys nodded and hugged their cousin.
"One more thing," Louis spoke for the first time. "Hermione knows I like boys." Hugo was startled.
"WHAT?!"
"Yes, that’s why she took me out of the Great Hall when I was doing my presentation."
"Guys, don’t worry. Aunt Hermione is the best, and I want you to know she’s the smartest person in the world. She’ll realize what’s going on with you and will respect your need to be ready to tell her. I don’t doubt she already knows in our time, but she knows how to respect when you’re ready to share," Hugo and Louis felt somewhat relieved but still anxious. "Okay, now go to your families. I want to be with mine too." Hugo went back to his parents, and as Lily was about to follow suit, Louis stopped her.
"Thank you, Lily."
"You're welcome. I’m here for whatever you need," Louis smiled sincerely at her. "I recommend talking to Victoire; she’ll support you and give you advice on how to talk to your parents."
"I think so. Thanks, Lily," Louis hugged Lily, and each of them went to their families.
The second and third generations chatted for hours, and gradually everyone went back to their common rooms until no one was left in the Great Hall. All of the second generation had left earlier because they wanted to be the first in the Great Hall the next day. They were enjoying the presentations.