Author's note: This story takes place in Harry's fifth year, with several variations (of course, otherwise it wouldn't be such an interesting fanfic)! I just didn't want to write a story without the Weasley twins or Dumbledore (tear). . . It will become more interesting in later chapters, but please let the story develop before you give up on it! Harry becomes entangled in a love triangle, which has potential to become a love pentagon. There's possible HP/DM, HP/RW, and HP/GW slash (only time will tell). Please review if you feel so inclined!
As Harry Likes
A roar of laughter could be heard from behind a painting of a fat lady in the Hogwarts castle. If anyone were listening very closely, they could make out the voices of many Gryffindor students. Although it wasn't exactly a hidden fact that the Gryffindor tower was behind the painting of the fat lady (at least after the incident in Harry Potter's third year).
In Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts, the Gryffindor students were partying hardily in their common room. They were celebrating another quidditch match victory, well on their way to winning the House Cup.
Harry Potter had been hoisted onto the shoulders of two rather large seventh years who were cheering raucously. His face cracked into a wide grin and the smile spread to his forest green eyes.
"Harry, catch!" Ron Weasley shouted as he threw a bottle of butter beer up to him.
He caught it with ease and patted one of the boys carrying him, "Hey, I think it's okay to let me down now."
"Nice save at the end Harry, you were great!" Colin Creevey had managed to croak out before he was unceremoniously shoved aside.
"Thanks Colin." Harry looked down at his feet, feeling slightly embarrassed by the attention. This had been the first quidditch match he could participate in months, but the win had brought many Gryffindors back to his side. So many had tried to forget his existence because they believed the many accusations of the Daily Prophet. No one wanted to associate with a liar, one who might even be siding with Voldemort (which, of course, was ridiculous).
Many people were now coming up to pat Harry on the back, give him a high five, or simply give him the thumbs up.
He wasn't sure he wanted attention and wished he could slink away to the boys dormitory and into his lovely, warm bed.
Neville, who was too uncomfortable to fight his way through the crowd, waved to Harry from the fireplace. Neville stifled a yawn and turned to go up the stairs.
Harry was instantly envious, Neville could easily sneak away, but Harry was going to be stuck in the common room for hours to come.
Fred and George Weasley came up swiftly behind Harry, pulling him away from the crowd for a moment.
"Excellent playing today Harry, glad to see the rest of the Gryffindors have come around and removed the stick up their arses." Fred whispered in Harry's ear.
"Well I couldn't have gotten far if it weren't for the two of you blocking bludgers from flying at my face." Harry grimaced.
It was lucky that any of them were playing game now. Professor Umbridge had threatened to take their brooms away, and keep them off the field. Thankfully, many of the other professors fought her decision and they were allowed to fly.
"We wanted to let you know our progress, on. . . things" George grinned mischievously.
"Of course." Harry let out a sigh of relief, he had been so caught up in the negative floating around that he forgot there were actually some people doing something enjoyable. "I can't wait until you start up your shop, I hope it's soon."
"Sooner than you think. We actually have a few products that you might have interest in." Harry looked up quizzically when they said this. "No need to worry, we've tested them out, we simply thought they might prove helpful to you, and we owe you so much."
Harry grimaced, "Now I gave you those winnings because you needed it, don't go on thinking that you owe me anything because of it."
"Fine then," Fred continued in frustration, "think of it as an early birthday present, and no, you can't refuse."
George shoved a brown paper package into Harry's arms before scurrying off. Harry looked down at the seemingly harmless package, who knew what interesting things it would hold?
He tucked the package into the cushions of a nearby chair and hurried back to the large group of people. He hoped he could put on the charade of happiness without falling asleep before everyone went off to bed.
Dean and Seamus smiled towards Harry, holding up their bottles of butter beer before delving back into a conversation with Ginny. Harry smiled weakly and looked away, Dean clearly liked her and for mysterious reasons it made him furious.
A third year Harry didn't recognize had come up to him and attempted to hold a conversation. Harry tried to look interested as he glanced around the room to see what others were up to. Everyone looked so happy, drinking merrily and laughing loudly. It would have been nice if Harry meant it went he acted in the same manner.
Harry chatted up other people in the room, but remained in a fog. Throughout the night the only thing he really remembered was being able to speak with Ron before being pulled away by a group of fourth year girls.
At about three in the morning most of the common room had finally cleared out, and Harry sighed with relief.
Finally, maybe now I can get some sleep.
"Hey Harry, you look really tired. I think you should head to bed, you'll need the sleep for the potions quiz tomorrow!"
Harry groaned, "yeah, thanks Hermione. I don't think it would matter how much sleep I had, I'm not going to do well on that potions test."
Hermione smiled sympathetically, "well I'll help you study some at breakfast, don't fret over it too much. 'Night Harry!"
Harry watched as Hermione went up to the girl's dormitory and thought now would be an okay time to catch a few winks himself. Although, in the past weeks he'd hardly gotten any sleep. Nightmares had kept him awake, no matter what he tried he woke up in a cold sweat, more tired than he was when he tried to sleep in the first place.
Harry had made it onto the first step when he remembered the package Fred and George had given him. He retraced his steps back to the chair and pulled it out from beneath the cushions. Tucking it discreetly into his robes, it felt heavier than he thought it would.
Trudging up the stairs at last to get some sleep, his eyelids drooped, and Harry was wondering if he would even make it up the stairs before he simply keeled over.
All of the other boys in the room were already asleep (several were snoring) so Harry didn't even bother to change his clothes. He threw himself down on the bed and hoped sleep would wash over him as much as he wanted it to.
But it wasn't going to be that easy. As exhausted as Harry was, he couldn't fall asleep, it was so. . . frustrating!
He lay on his back, his side, then he tried laying on his stomach. Even counting dragons as they flew over an abyss didn't seem to send Harry off into dreamland.
He gave up for the time being and reached over the edge of his bed for the brown package. He had let it fall to the floor as he hoped for sleep. I suppose now is as good a time a ever to see what they've given me.
With caution to remain quiet and not wake any of the others (who seemed so pleasantly enjoying slumber) Harry tore open the paper, dumping the contents onto his bed.
It was hard to judge what some things were in the dark and he had to hold some of them close to his face to read miniscule labels. There was a vial of a general healing potion, "made for minor cuts, bruises, and mild curses." Interested, Harry looked for a list of ingredients, mixed with phoenix tears, very clever.
Another small bottle interested him, and as he read the small label he smiled brightly. Unscrewing the cap in haste, Harry chugged almost the entire contents before letting it drop to the floor. He breathed deeply and fell back onto his pillow. A broad smile still filled his face as his breathing became very slow and even, finally falling to sleep.
A bit of sunlight just peaking in through the windows glinted off of the bottle. Dreamscapes, it read, a sip of this and you'll be off in dreamland before you know it, dreaming the most fantastical things you can think of. So enjoy a sip and lean back for a night of comfortable slumber.
It seemed like just the thing Harry was looking for, he really needed sleep and Fred and George must have been paying attention to that. Unfortunately, in Harry's hurry, he had ignored the warning under the bottle's description. Please drink with caution, only one sip is needed. More at any one time could have drastic side effects.
Poor Harry.