alt_harry | (no subject)

Draco and I were tossing around ideas about what to do over hols. Anyone up for poker at Spence tomorrow? Blaise, Justin, Ron? Ced, you game? And Moon, you can come if you promise not to count cards. Siz says we can use the duelling salon if we get bored.

Long-distance flying club should get in at least one session. I'm thinking we haven't gone up the West coast yet, which should be interesting. So if you're up for it, let me know. Plan for it taking up the whole day.

And I was thinking we might do a Tea Appreciation next week too. Hydra, which day works best for you?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

alt_harry

We need to talk.

Draco had an idea that I should date Hydra. So Teddy'd stop bugging you, and to make things easier with your mum. And I could make it clear that we're still mates, Justin, and that there are no hard feelings or anything.

It wouldn't be

I know that it would be for show. And that's okay.

Anyways. That was his idea. And I thought I'd see what you thought about it.

And. I've gone ahead and broken things off with Katie. So. There's that.

From:

alt_hydra

Hullo, Harry. Just let me know what day it's planned for, and I should be able to attend.

From,
Hydra

From:

alt_harry

Ace.

From:

alt_hydra

What?

It was Draco's idea? To date me?

From:

alt_harry

I've broken things off with Katie. It's for the best. But look. I know you two have kept a bit of an eye on her during this contest thing, and helped her a bit, and I'm really grateful for it.

And I'd like you to keep doing it. Helping her, I mean. What'd you call it, Pans? Failing with grace? She might get some fallout from my breaking things off, and I'm going to try and make it look like we're still friendly and she didn't do anything wrong.

It's important to me that she stay safe.

From:

alt_harry

To pretend to date you.

From:

alt_justin

Harry,

I see.

I say, I wish you hadn't gone and done anything permanent about Katie, old man, until we'd all talked this through properly.

That said.... Yes. I can see how it would make things easier all round. Some things, what.

If Hydra agrees, I can--I think I can stand it. And if it stops Teddy, well, it might be the best arrangement one could hope for.

Hydra, if you don't want to do it--~~we'll~~ I'm sure you'll think of something else.

-Justin

From:

alt_hydra

If we pretended we'd have to make people believe it, which is almost the same as actual dating.

It's one thing to help me with Teddy and Mummy, but what about you? What good would it do you?

From:

alt_harry

Katie was

We were seeing each other because it was fun and we got on and there wasn't any harm in it. But it's my fault she got selected for this, and we either would have to get a lot more serious or break it off to keep her safe. And I'd rather she wasn't with me and was safe instead of making her commit to me and have to lie to her all the time.

So.

It was something I needed to do anyways.

From:

alt_ron

Sure. Sounds nift.

What time?

From:

alt_justin

That is....I'm sorry, I ought not to have assumed you broke off with Katie to clear the way for this plan. Or was there more to it?

Either way, it's a generous offer, Harry. Perhaps that's a bally well odd thing to say but--I don't want Teddy anywhere near her if it can be avoided, what.

-Justin

From:

alt_justin

Well, my condolences, all the same.

It's a jolly good point about making people believe you've taken up with Hydra. I suppose it could be a very chaste sort of relationship but that's hardly fair to either of you....

Dash it. Perhaps it wouldn't work at all.

Anyway, it's not really my decision anymore, is it? I only mean to say--I shan't stand in the way, what.

-Justin

From:

alt_justin

Harry,

Yes, splendid idea. Just say when.

-Justin

From:

alt_harry

Yeah. We would.

I couldn't keep on with Katie because we could never be equal. And I could never tell her the truth. Or trust her. And because of that, I couldn't ever love her. Not really.

I don't know if I'll ever get that chance for real with anybody. Ever. And that's okay. I've thought about it lots, and that's just how it is, and whinging about it or feeling sorry for myself isn't going to change things.

I guess

I mean, I don't need it, no. But I'd like to have someone next to me that I can be honest with. And be myself around. And helping you would be something that would make me happy. Knowing that you would be a bit better off.

From:

alt_hydra

Oh.

I understand. That all makes sense. I -

But I want to think about it first. If that's alright.

From:

alt_harry

It isn't odd. I don't want him in the same county.

And look, I'm not

I know I'm not you. And I know she loves you, and that's okay. I wouldn't try to replace you. And who knows how things will sort out. Maybe we'll get to the point where we can all stop pretending.

If she decides to go along with it, I swear, Justin, I'll respect her.

From:

alt_harry

Okay.

It's up to you.

And Justin's right. We can sort out something else if you don't want to.

From:

alt_justin

Thank you, Harry.

But--that's a better offer than one can rightfully expect. As I said, it's hardly fair to her or to you to hold her to an agreement which is no longer valid.

There are no guarantees, you see. She might find that it's easier to be herself around you, as well.

I mean to say, I shall be prepared if that were to happen.

I realise I reacted--I was thinking of her well-being but not of her happiness.

Harry, we broke up to avoid being selfish. Just as you've done. We ~~fucking~~ broke up. Every bit as permanently as you and Katie, old man. You might wish for a pretend girlfriend but our situation is anything but pretend.

I'm so sorry, I can't seem to get used to that for more than a day or so at a time.

It's not your fault this is so bally well dashed difficult. I--

~~Fuck.~~ Dash it all.

From:

alt_harry

Let's say four, and anyone who has to leave for dinner can, and whoever wants to stay can make a night of it.

From:

alt_harry

I know you didn't pretend to break up.

That doesn't mean you don't still love her though.

And we're all friends, and we're all in this mess together, yeah? And that means I'm going to try and do right by her, and try and do right by you too. As best as I can.

You're right. Things could change. I don't know what'll happen a year from now. I don't know what'll happen next week. I've got a prophecy hanging over my head, and Hydra's trying to join the council, and we've all of us got secrets that would get us killed. But if we all come out of this alive, I'd respect her enough to let her decide what came next. No matter what.

I'm sorry, mate. I really am.

From:

alt_justin

No, I'm sorry.

You're only trying to help and make the best of a bally well bad situation. And it is a good suggestion, on its surface.

This would all be much less complicated if it weren't for Nott trying to get his leg over.

I can't tell you I'll be thrilled at the thought of you and Hydra snogging, what, even if it is just for show. But as I said, I've no say in the matter anymore.

And the sooner I bally well learn to live with that, the better for all of us. It's simply that every time I believe I've controlled myself something comes up, what.

That's no excuse, though. I've simply got to make up my mind not to let it bother me. Whatever it takes.

-Justin

From:

alt_blaise

Count on me.

From:

alt_cedric

I assume I can make the stakes?

I'm in.

From:

alt_harry

No worries.

I'll make sure you can cover your bets.

From:

alt_evelyn

All right, Harry.

I'm sorry.

From:

alt_neville

I'll come along on the long-distance flying.

From:

alt_neville

Yeah, pick your jaws up from the ground. I've got to get better on the broom, and I'll do my best to keep up. If you'll have me.

From:

alt_ron

Do come. I'll pair with you and make sure you're doing alright.

And, listen, if you want, we can do some flying here first. Just to get you more comfortable, yeah?

Good on you, mate!

From:

alt_cedric

As long as it's not Tuesday I should be able to come along. I'll stick with you, Neville. Don't know how long I'll last though. I've been working on getting my control back, haven't been working on my endurance on the broom as much yet.

From:

alt_hydra

Alright. I'll do it.

From:

alt_harry

Right.

Okay.

Do you want to wait until Tea Appreciation next week? Or should I swing by tomorrow or something? How do you think this would work best?

I figure people will make up their own stories about why we're together, so we don't need to come up with a reason or anything.

From:

alt_hydra

Well. I suppose you might as well pop over, to get them used to the idea that it's going to happen more than it did before.

And yes, they're already making up stories, thanks to those photographs in the paper. We don't have to say anything.

From:

alt_harry

See you tomorrow, then.

From:

alt_neville

Thanks, Ron. And yeah, some early practise is probably a good idea.

From:

alt_neville

Excellent idea, thanks.

From:

alt_justin

Harry,

I say, sorry, but Ron and I were out this afternoon and we've just come back to the Burrow to freshen up, what. Only there's been a bit of trouble here with the goat pen and, well, Ron's got to stay and sort it. I offered to help as well.

We're not going to make it, I'm afraid. Some other time, old chap?

-Justin