Back to Hogwarts
POV Harry
"This feels so weird," Ron said flopping down on the seat next to Harry. Harry was staring out the window of the Hogwarts Express as the landscape whipped by.
"I know," he responded and turned to look at his two best friends, "I never thought that I would be coming back after everything." Hermione looked up from the book that she was reading across from them and smiled.
"Well I think it was the right decision. Besides I would have been lonely if you two hadn't returned with me," she said happily.
"You would have had Ginny, Luna, and Neville still," Ron pointed out.
"Of course, I know that," Hermione responded, "but it still wouldn't have been the same at Hogwarts without both of you." Harry smiled back at her as Hermione buried her nose back in her book. Harry propped his head up on his hand and looked back out the window. He thought for a long time that he would never return to Hogwarts after Dumbledore's death and the final battle. He thought there would be too many painful memories now, but Hermione had practically begged him and Ron to return for their final year with her. Harry didn't have to finish his final year, in fact all three of them had been offered jobs at the ministry straight away. He always knew Hermione would decline the position in favor of finishing her education, but he and Ron had been ready to accept the auror jobs. Ron had caved first to Hermione's pleas and agreed to return and the more Harry thought about it, the more he wanted one final year of just trying to feel like a normal student. So much of his childhood and time at Hogwarts had been taken from him by Voldemort and the prophecy that he wanted one last year at the only place that had ever felt like home.
Hermione suddenly snapped her book shut and looked at Harry. "So have you spoken to Ginny recently" she asked staring intently at him.
Ron cringed, "Way to be subtle Hermione."
"I'm sorry I was just curious and didn't know how else to bring it up," she shot Harry an apologetic look.
"It's okay, um," Harry looked hesitantly at Ron sitting next to him.
"It's fine Harry," Ron sighed. "I always figured you two would get back together after the war."
"We're not actually," Harry said looking uncomfortable. "We kind of agreed that we didn't work together." Hermione nodded giving Harry a sympathetic look but Ron looked surprised.
"Wait really?" he asked. Then he shot a look at Hermione, "You knew she was going to turn Harry down?"
"It was more of a mutual decision," Harry mumbled looking a little embarrassed.
"She kind of mentioned that her feelings had," Hermione paused, "changed."
"Changed?" Ron said incredulously, "My sister has been in love with Harry for the past seven years."
"People's feelings can change," Hermione said and shared a knowing look with Harry. Ron looked between Hermione and Harry and opened his mouth to continue arguing.
"Leave it alone Ron," Hermione said, "Ginny will talk with you about it when she's ready."
"You brought it up," Ron grumbled slouching down in his seat but he dropped the subject. Harry felt guilty about keeping what Ginny had said to him from Ron but she had made him swear not to tell Ron. Harry assumed that Ginny had also confided in Hermione based on the look that they had quickly shared. Harry's feelings had also changed sometime during the war. When Ginny had approached him and said that she wasn't interested in picking things up where they had left them, Harry had almost felt relieved. He had agreed that this was for the best, but he did ask what had changed for Ginny. It was the first time in awhile that Harry had seen Ginny actually look scared. She had broke down crying and admitted that while Harry was off searching for Horcruxes, she had become close to Luna at Hogwarts and eventually developed feelings for her. Harry tried to comfort her and even encouraged her to tell Luna but she seemed afraid of what her family would think. Harry insisted they would support her no matter what but Ginny still seemed hesitant about her parents finding out.
Now Harry had to suppress a smile thinking about her being worried about her brother's reaction because he was almost positive Ron fancied boys. Everyone had just assumed that Ron and Hermione would end up together following the war and Harry knew Hermione used to have a crush on Ron in sixth year, so it was a shock to their friends and family when Hermione and George had announced they were together weeks after the final battle. Harry wasn't shocked, though, Hermione had been by George's side the entire time that Fred had been in St. Mungo's hospital following his injuries in the battle. Everyone was relieved when Fred had pulled through but George had been a mess the whole time and Hermione was the only one who had gotten him through it. He also wasn't shocked when Ron wasn't upset by the news. His only relationship had been with Lavender in sixth year and he had never seemed that interested in her even when they were dating. But what hadn't escaped Harry's notice was the way Ron's eyes lingered on other boys in their year and the way he seemed to get flustered if anyone pointed out that he was staring.
What Harry hadn't told anyone except Ginny was that he also thought he fancied men. He was surprised how easily it had slipped out when he was talking to her about her feelings for Luna. She asked him if he had told anyone yet and he said that he would tell Ron and Hermione soon. Here he was weeks later, though, and he still hadn't worked up the courage to tell them. Part of him was looking forward to a normal school year without anything being complicated by bringing up these feelings but he knew he couldn't keep it from them. He thought about just getting it off his chest now but before he could say anything Ron spoke up.
"Oh guess who I heard is returning for this year," he said breaking the silence.
"Who?" Hermione asked looking up from her book interested.
"Draco Malfoy."