A pair of shining green eyes poured over a page filled with messy words, many scratched out. With a sigh the boy closed the old tattered journal and gently set it under the floorboard in his small room. It was the summer before Harry's 7th year and he was once again stuck living with his aunt.

Not much had changed over the years. After Sirius had fallen he had started taking the threat of Voldemort more seriously. He had been taking private lessons from Dumbledore and Snape all of 6th year. The lessons with Dumbledore were great. He learned so much and he looked forward to them every week. The ones with Snape, on the other hand, had been a nightmare in the beginning. They had fought like cats and dogs.

This was, until Harry had witnessed Snape coming back from a Death Eaters meeting. He could barely stand and Harry, who had been waiting for their lesson, had helped Snape get the potions he needed. After that night and many lessons, the two had learned to work together. In an odd way, Harry enjoyed the lessons with Snape even more than the ones with Dumbledore. Snape didn't coddle him. He was the only one who could really teach him how the Death Eaters fought.

Of course he was still close to Hermione and Ron, but it was obvious that they were not as close as they used to be. This may have also been escaladed by the two beginning to date.

Harry smiled as he remembered how the two had finally admitted their feelings. It had been last school year and as always, they were arguing.

"Ron, I don't care what you think you've heard about Dean, what does it matter if I go with him to Hogsmead?"

"But.. But Ginny! She-He-They.." Ron stuttered as his face became flushed.

"It doesn't matter; I've already told him I would join him this weekend."

"What! But, you just can't 'Mione!"

"Oh, and since when have you had any right to tell me what to do? Give me one good reason Ronald." She stated, with her hands on her hips. She had that fire in her eyes that she got whenever someone gave her a challenge. Harry watched helplessly on the sidelines. He had long given up on trying to be the peacemaker between the two. Most people in the Gryffindor Common Room were either ignoring the pair or watching avidly in fascination. Their fights were legendary by the point. It happened quite often.

"Because," Ron started, his face reaching an all time red, "Because you should be going with me."

Hermiones eyes widened with surprise and Ron stepped forward, pulling the shocked Hermione towards him and kissing her. Harry's mouth opened in awe, as the Common Room became eerily quiet. Soon the pair pulled away from each other, now both equally red and Ron snapped, "What are you all looking at?". Most of the Gryffindors smiled at the pair who quickly sat down next to Harry, forgetting all about their argument.

"It's about bloody time." Harry stated, turning back to his Potions essay that had taken up his entire evening.

"Er.. yea." Ron muttered, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. Turning back to Hermione, who still seemed to be in shock he asked, "So.. you're not going with Dean anymore, right?"

Hermione looked at him in confusion and then smiled. "I guess not."

That had been the beginning of their very odd relationship. Harry was happy for them, he was. But, he often felt a bit like a third wheel.

Harry lay down on his small bed with his arms behind his head. In a few short hours he would be turning seventeen. In the eyes of the Wizarding World, he would be considered an adult. He would come into his inheritance, and he would finally be free to practice magic on his own.

Harry tried to stay awake to greet the owls who would bring gifts from his friends, but his eyelids failed his resolve as they slowly closed and he drifted into a fitful sleep. Harry awoke a few hours later to a searing pain throughout his entire body. He gasped as his eyes flew open.

One hand went to grasp his forehead as his scar burned intensely and the other hand gripped his stomach. The pain in his body continued to grow as his back arched off the bed as the pain raced down his spine. He felt like his entire body was on fire. If anybody had been watching through the small window they would have noticed that his eyes were glowing brilliantly, blood was dripping through the fingers that covered his scar, and there was a shimmering cloud encasing the boy. Yet Harry was oblivious as all he knew was pain, and as it eventually receded, his eyes closed in exhaustion.

Harry's eyes fluttered open as he struggled to regain consciousness. As he finally felt awake enough to move, the memories of the pain he last felt rushed back to him. He sat up and immediately regretted it. His body ached and he felt like his head had been split in two. He had no idea what had gone on last night, but chose to think about that later as he saw the pile of letters and packages from his friends.

He received a book on wizarding history and another book of Quidditch from Hermione, 'at least she got me one book I will enjoy' Harry thought. He got sweets and some items from Fred and George's shop from Ron, and the usual inedible rock cakes from Hagrid. Molly had sent him a cake, and Remus had sent him a book on defense. From Fred and George he had gotten a letter and a package. As he read the letter a blush grew on his face.

Oy Harry!

You're not a wee lad anymore so George and I thought we'd chip in and get you a little entertainment, you know, for those times when your imagination needs a bit of help. Of course… if this doesn't work, you always know where you can find us.

Have a good one Harry,

Fred and George

Harry opened the package and he found a magazine with a very attractive and very naked man on the cover. His blush grew as he remembered a certain event at the end of 6th year.

Harry had been wandering Hogsmead alone as Hermione and Ron were on a date and he didn't feel like intruding. As he saw the twin's shop he figured he'd pop by and say hi. As he entered the mostly empty building he noticed that both twins were missing. It wasn't a big deal since it was early and most people weren't awake enough to venture into the unpredictable and often loud store. He figured the twins were in the back getting the stock ready for the rush. He walked behind the counter and headed towards the back. Fred and George had made it clear that the trio was always welcome, so Harry only felt a bit odd roaming their store.

As he walked into the back he stopped short as he heard an odd noise. It sounded a bit like a groan of pain. Harry inched forward as his curiosity gripped him. He turned a corner and stopped dead in his tracks and his jaw dropped. The twins were in the back, alright. One twin, Fred Harry thought, had his back pressed against a cabinet as the other twin was in front of him, on his knees. Fred's pants were bunched at his knees and his head was thrown back. Harry heard the noise again only now realized it wasn't a groan of pain, but a groan of pleasure from Fred.

Harry hadn't known what to do. He had kissed Cho a few times in the past and he and Ginny had dated for a bit in the beginning of 6th year, but that was the extent of his romantic knowledge. As Harry watched, he noticed in shock that his pants were beginning to feel a bit tight, and as Fred's moans grew, Harry let out an audible gasp. Fred's eyes flew open and when he saw Harry he smirked and then let out a loud moan as he came. Harry flew out of the back and out of the shop as quickly as his feet would take him. He ended up by the Shrieking Shack. He had collapsed under a tree and finally let out his breath.

After that encounter and a very uncomfortable meeting with Fred and George, Harry had begun to realize the actuality of his sexual preference. Since then, he had often gone to Fred and George to talk about his worries. So far they were the only two who know of his newly discovered preference. The assured him that the wizarding world did not have the same prejudices that muggles did since wizards had potions to ensure that same sex couples could have children. Lineage seemed to be the only importance to most wizards and as long as children could be had, it didn't matter the sex of the couple. Harry had learned a lot from the twins. The magical world continued to shock him. Magic really did change so much. The twins explained their relationship to him as well. Apparently magic was the reason for the lack of sexual prejudices. The twins explained the concept of magical soul mates and auras. It was less well known of, but the explained that some magical beings innately knew their mate. Much like Veelas and other magical creatures, twins knew their mates at birth. This was because twins were always soul mates. Twins were created when a beings magic was torn in half. Thus, twins were magical soul mates, always.

Harry smiled as he thought of the twins. They had helped him so much over the past months. Not only had they helped explain magic to him, but they had also helped him accept his sexuality. Yet the twins continued to make fun of Harry for watching that day, and often propositioned for him to join them. Harry had always refused, until one day when he confessed his frustration at his lack of sexual knowledge. The twins had taken him under their wing and had helped him understand the mechanics of sex. After that day they had gone back to their friendship but the twins continued to joke and flirt with him. Harry had appreciated their very enjoyable help and even now continued to blush at their implications.

Harry shoved the magazine under the floorboard as he reached for the final letter. It was much more official looking than the rest had been and Harry was confused as to who it was from. His eyes widened as he read the letter.

Mr. Potter,

As our records have shown, you have reached magical maturity, and thus have come into your inheritance. As stated in your parent's will, you shall now receive your inheritance and what was left to you in said will. Please report to Gringotts on August First at eleven a.m. sharp.

Thank you,

Griphook

Harry knew this birthday was significant but hadn't known just how much. Somehow he felt like there was something he was missing. Tomorrow was the meeting and there was no way her was going to miss it. He had a feeling that whatever had happened to him last night was connected to this meeting.