Striptease

Striptease

Harry did not want to go. This was stupid... unnecessary.

"Too bad, Harry," Ginny said, dragging him out the door in the outfit that she bought and forced him into. "You need to get out more! You haven't gone out with anyone since that disastrous rump with Roger Davies... of all people. What were you thinking!"

"It was over a year ago, Gin. Can't you let me live that down?"

"Nope. Really, Harry? He's practically a media whore. He planned for that photographer to be there. I was amazed you both didn't get cited for indecent exposure."

"I never exposed myself!"

"No, you just exposed him, now shut up. It's a ten-minute walk to the Tube. I found a place in Soho that is perfect for you! You'll get the full treatment there for 20 pounds... according to Viktor," she spat and pulled him after her down the street.

The fact that Ginny wound up in Krum's bed, still blew Harry's mind, but after playing in a few quidditch matches against each other over the last few years, they became friends and eventually elusive lovers. Krum swung both ways, but he wanted to settle down, according to Gin.

"I can't believe you're taking me to a strip club... a gay strip club... no... actually a gay, muggle strip club," he muttered, finally walking under his own power.

"Yep. No one to recognize either of us! Krum used to go there with his dates. It'll be all guys we want for you... and me," she drawled.

"What will Viktor say?" he shot back.

"He said that he should just give a lap dance to both of us to save some money, but I think you would just embarrass yourself too much in front of him."

Harry already went red at the idea of Krum and Ginny in the same room... in varying stages of undress, but Ginny was joking. They were trying for kids, and Harry wasn't going to mess that up for a racy three-way. Platonic or not. Besides, he got over his willingness to try riskier things running around with Roger for a few months. But this trip was to exhibitionist central, and he wasn't interested in getting back into it... or the field for that matter.

He stopped. "Why are you pushing this? It's a strip club. You don't really expect me to find someone here? I mean... I don't need fantasy."

"Yeah, you do," she said, shoving him forward, again. "You found Davies interesting, for Merlin's sake! You need a better imagination. Viktor said that there are some good-looking guys there and that you needed this."

"Why didn't he come?"

"Because... you get uncomfortable around him, well anyone you know, when you're talking to guys, even Roger. You still think being gay is wrong, don't you?"

"No... I just... people look at me like I'm supposed to be... normal," Harry muttered, looking at the ground.

"It is normal, Harry. Completely normal. Luna and I had some experiences at Hogwarts. It is natural that some people like people of the same sex... or like both."

"But Ron and Hermione...."

"They want you to be happy."

"They had this image of us having kids together... and... I can't...."

Gin was the one who stopped and rounded on him. "Harry... that is their fault, and maybe it was appealing to you, too. If you found someone, maybe you could adopt? You ever think about that?"

Harry lowered his head. He never thought anyone would want that. Most guys were interested in a shag with Chosen One. He didn't want to try to explain to muggles that he was a wizard, without worrying about an International Secrecy violation. He didn't want to lie, either.