Chapter 3

"Potter a Poofter aye?" this was the most spoken statement that had, since the morning of that day, been floating, or more like swooping around the Ministry and the Wizarding World. This time the overcooked sentence was spoken by Harry's own work colleague, Nigel Hunter. Standing in the big, yet humble office of Harry Potter, the caramel hair coloured, and brown eyed man was holding the daily news, with the revolting article showing a half-naked Harry.

"Ugh I'm going kill that bloody Rita Skeeter if I ever see her again!" growled Harry, as he anxiously raked his hand threw his black mop of hair "I swear the paper's more of a gossip rag than news these days! That picture's fake! Can't people tell the difference? Where are my rights?" By this time Harry had shot up from his chair and was flinging his arms about wildly "Why can't I bloody well have a normal life! Loads of people have done worse things than me! Like Luna and her Pumpkin Stumpkin Powder discovery! Why isn't that on the front page?"

Calming down now, Harry sank back into his chair, and buried his face in his hands, still grumbling.

"So…" Nigel started "Who's the lucky bloke?" he questioned, a strange quirk playing across his lips as he pulled up an arm chair to sit just opposite Harry.

Harry frowned, getting fired up again "Oh! Well it doesn't matter now since_" but then paused and turned an apologetic look towards his work mate "Sorry I'm just in a really cruddy mood right now, didn't mean to snap."

"All good man, I'd totally be freaking out if I was in the papers my preferences for all to see" nodded Nigel.

"The girls are completely psycho! Glaring at me and giving me all these funny looks, saying 'I know you're not really gay! I'll just have to prove it to you!' and they're not all young you know! I reckon some are like walking talking skeletons!" Once again Harry was working himself up again, his brow knitting together "And don't even get me started on the guys! You wouldn't believe the owl mail I got sent this just now. Just think of a pot-bellied, hairy old man…and not much else. My reputations been completely crushed." He finished with a long, frustrated sigh, falling back into his arm chair.

"Ah I'm sure it'll pass, after all this is the 21st century" Nigel reassured.

At that moment Harry noticed Nigel had shuffled a little closer to where he was sitting, and their knees were almost touching. Shaking his head slightly he looked up and noticed Nigel was staring rather intently at him.

"You ok Ni-"

"Harry I was wondering if I could tell you something"

Nigel was looking nervous, biting his lower lip.

"Err sure I guess…"

Taking a deep breathe Nigel then said "Harry, I'm gay as well"

Ok. Wasn't expecting that. Just breathe and try not to look shocked.

"Well more like bi but I thought I'd just let you know. I mean 'cause I know about your…orientation now as well" Nigel added.

"Well that's good of you to say mate. I mean since we're working together we should both be honest and_ Arrhhgg!"

At that moment a carefully placed hand landed on Harry's right knee. Shocked Harry flung his head back and narrowly avoided colliding heads with his slightly surpirsed work mate. Harry scrambled out of his chair, unfamiliar with the physical contact.

Oh my god, what if Nigel's trying to come on to me. No, no Nigels an honest guy he wouldn't just jump me in my office. We've worked together for almost a year, he's just trying to offer some support. Yeah that's all. Just calm down.

"Um…sorry about that…I just wasn't expecting you to err…touch me" apologised Harry still avoiding eye contact.

"No, no it's my fault. I shouldn't have startled you. Sorry. I just wasn't sure whether you'd believed me or not" replied Nigel, now also out of his chair "So the papers are actually true then? You know, about you liking guys?"

"Yeah…but I was hoping to keep it quiet. Especially after leaving Ginny last year" sighed Harry now calmer, started shuffling some papers into specific piles.

Just then the buzzer indicating the end of break sounded, meaning that morning break had ended, and the pair would have to go back to work.

"Well I'll go get those clients checked out. I suppose it'd be best if you stayed in here for most of the day" said Nigel now opening the office door to leave.

"And maybe the next week" laughed Harry dryly "See you later mate. And thanks for being so understanding about everything"

"No problem Harry" smiled Nigel has he disappeared behind the mahogany door.