The Unknown

There is laughter coming from the kitchen. I know that my brother is here. I can hear his booming laugh from the stairs. I have decided that it would be better to tell Bill when there are other people around. He gets a bit touchy about things ever since Fleur died a few years ago, during child birth. He seems to be particularly bad when it comes to Hermione. I think he may have a thing for our little muggle born. She has taken it upon herself to help out with Bill's twins. Kind of like a live in nanny of sorts. I figure this might make him a little upset, seeing how they all thought that Hermione and me would live happily ever after. Hopefully, with Tonks and Remus here tonight, he will restrain himself.

I walke in to find my brother and his current companions struggling to catch their breaths. I couldn't have asked for Bill to be in a better mood.

"Hey there Ron!" Bill says between gasping breathes. "Have a seat." I'm nervous. For the first time in my life I'm scared to sit with one of my brothers. This is different than being scared of one of the twins' pranks. This was real life. This was the future of our relationship. See, I know that the twins are going to play pranks, it's expected. But I also know that afterwards nothing will have changed. We will still brothers and love each other, and I know that when I need them they will be there. Pranks don't change things between brothers. But being in love with your best mate does. I don't know how Bill will react. And that's what scares me. The unknown.

"Hello Remus, Tonks." I say taking a seat across from Bill.

"Hello Ron"

"Watcher"

"You lot seem to be in a good mood" I say hoping I can keep it that way. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing really," Remus answers, "we were just discussing the possibility of there being any truth behind some rumors we have been hearing."

"Really?" I swallow a large lump in throat, "what rumors would that be?"

Bills face went from being happier then I have seen it since Fluer died, to as serious as the day she did. "That you're gay."

"I… Bill, I wanted…..I…Harry and I……We're…" I can't make the words come out. It was so easy with the others. It just kindda spilled out, but with Bill sitting there looking at me I can't seem to make my voice say the words.

"Ron, It's ok. Don't worry about. Leave him alone, Bill. It's just a rumor some stupid person made up to get attention. It isn't true, is it Ron?" Tonks is trying really hard to ease my discomfort. Giving me a way out. But I can't lie to Bill, I never could.

"Bill." I start and Remus puts his hand on my shoulder to let me know that he is there. And it calms me. To know that they are both there. "I am gay. Harry and I both are. Well, it's more like we are in love with each other. It's not that I going around looking at other guys. Just Harry." I take a deep breath, bracing my self for whatever was to come.

"Pooft!" I cringe. But the laughter is back in his voice. And he is smiling at me. "It's fine. I don't mind. You two are happy and that's all that matters to me. You are happy aren't you?"

"Yeah, we are."

There is a taping at the window and Bill turns to open it. A big owl swoops in and drops a red envelope in front of me.

"Charlie." We all say in unison.

"You better open it. It'll only be worse if you don't." Tonks says with half a smile. Remus and Bill both seem a bit nervous for me. It's just like 2nd year when Mum sent me that howler for flying Dad's car to school. I really don't want to but I open it.

The letter is smoking and as I reach over to open it my hands are shaking. It's been almost a week since I wrote Charlie. I was starting to think that I would hear from him. I flip open the envelope and it jumps to life.

"IT'S ABOUT BLOODY TIME!!!" The envelope turns in on it's self and shredded it's self. I am left speechless, while everyone else dissolves in laughter again.