The surprised and flattered face at the table isn’t who you think it is however. It’s not Ginny Weasley. It’s not Hermione Granger either. Or Lavender Brown or Parvati Patil.

It’s Neville Longbottom.

* * *

I love Harry Potter. I’ve loved him, his friends and his world dearly for the six years that I’ve been reading J.K. Rowling’s books. Judging by the millions of copies sold so far in the U.S. alone, it’s safe to say that a lot of other people love him too.

To many of us, Harry is like a member of the family. But what would happen if our beloved scrawny wizard turned out to be gay? How would children, teenagers and adults react to such a stunning revelation? Would some books be burned? Would thousands of adults turn their backs on Harry Potter, the boy-who-sinned?

We Are Harry’s Biggest Fans

Actually, it’s not the adult responses that interest me. We already know their opinions on the gay issue too well. It’s us that I care about most. We, the adolescent boys and girls whose views are still shaping, first fell in love with Harry eight years ago. We started reading the books because we wanted to, not because we wanted a part in the already developed “Pottermania.” We are the original fans and the most faithful.

If Harry Potter came out, I think that many of us kids would accept him. Harry, unlike any other fictional character, resides in millions of young people’s hearts. His homosexuality, like the prophecy in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, would shock us, perhaps horrify some of us. But similar to our final response to the prophecy, we would accept it as simply another inevitable part of Harry.

Surely if his friends accepted him, we could too. Ron, I admit, would be a bit traumatized, maybe even jealous—one more thing that sets his friend apart from everybody else. On the other hand, Hermione, the booklover and optimistic advocate for House Elfish rights, would most likely start Hogwart’s very first Gay-Straight Wizard and Witch Alliance.

The World Could Change Overnight

Just think of how far the gay community would leap if that sort of event occurred. By celebrating a gay Harry, we would be admitting acceptance of every gay boy and girl. We would be celebrating them, shedding an inextinguishable light into the darkness of the closet.

Only those who’ve experienced a loved one’s struggle to come out, or have gone through the ordeal themselves, understand what it means to accept and to love someone fully. Only those who’ve been personally touched by the plight of homosexuals can fully contribute to eliminating the homophobia that plagues our country, which is why, to put it bluntly, we need more gay people in our lives. Not just regular people though, also heroes—people we care about, admire and aspire to be. Harry Potter is one such extraordinary person. To us loyal fans, he’s our friend and, dare I say, family.

Only a Dream

Harry Potter will never come out, of course (although there are supposed to be some surprising plot twists in book seven). I happen to agree that Harry and his love interest in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince are perfect for each other. But a part of me still wonders: Will we ever experience the coming out of someone so popular and beloved, as Harry? I do hope so. And I sincerely hope that we prove to the adults in our lives and in our nation that we kids are capable of accepting that person wholeheartedly.

*Jinny Jude Griffin is the pen name of a 17-year-old living in the Northeast.