Here is a new chapter (a lot longer than the last one), especially for all Gred and Forge lovers out there.

Chapter 25 Cake and twins

That evening in the staff room Minerva purposely sat next to Rolonda Hooch.

"How were the lessons with the first years?" She asked in a neutral voice.

Snape who sat on the other side of the table faked a snore quietly and glared at her. His meaning was clear. 'Do you have a death wish? Because we'll be bored to death with all the tiny little details of each brat holding his broomstick wrong.'

Minerva didn't acknowledge him, but listened to what Rolonda had to say.

"You won't believe what happened! This was one of the most interesting flying lessons I've ever given and that's saying something." She told them brightly.

"First there was Longbottom…" She explained about Neville taking off. "And then, do you believe it, Potter simply takes out his wand and uses a levitation charm! On a moving target! And he floats him down onto the ground, the boy didn't even get a scratch."

Minerva was surprised and quite proud. She glanced over to Severus, who while pretending to be marking essays was clearly listening. She hadn't known that her little one could already do the levitation charm, she knew for sure that they hadn't learnt it yet. And then not just on a feather, but on a boy!

"And that wasn't even the best of it. This Malfoy boy seems to have taken something of Mr. Longbottom, a rememberall I think, and threatened to destroy it, I took points off him of course, but Potter took after him. Merlin that boy can fly. It seemed like he had spent all his life on a broom. And after Malfoy sees that he isn't a match for Potter he decided to throw the ball to the ground and Potter tore after it. I haven't seen such a dive since Charley Weasley left the school. He caught it just above the ground and pulled up safely. When I questioned him he told me that he had only flown once before. It's just a pity he can't be on a house team, he's the born seeker, even if he doesn't believe he's so good. He got all modest when I complimented him, also about the levitation charm. I wanted to give him about 40 points of course, but that doesn't work. Not fair I think. Not getting points, and no quidditch either."

Minerva listened to the tale with rapt attention and as much as Snape would deny it, he was also interested in Harry's efforts. Minerva was very glad that she hadn't stormed out onto the grounds to reprimand Harry. He did indeed have a good reason: he stood up for a friend and even helped to prevent him from being injured and his property being destroyed. She was glad that Harry was being protective of his friends. It showed another side of the normally scared and timid boy. Who knows, maybe a side that would be more prominent if he hadn't been hurt for so long.

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(Sometime during third week of school)

It was meanwhile a common feat to see several first years of different houses at breakfast together. This morning Hermione, Blaise, Neville and Harry were for once joining Justin and Susan at the Hufflepuff table.

Harry saw Hermione get a package, not just a normal one, but one wrapped in colorful paper.

"Is it your birthday today?" He asked quietly, as Hermione unwrapped a book.

She looked up a little surprised but nodded.

The others immediately congratulated her.

"Are you eleven or twelve?" Justin asked.

"Twelve of course. According to Hogwarts a history the acceptance age for Hogwarts has been eleven since the founding. That means that you need to be eleven on the first of August." Hermione explained in her usual bookworm-voice.

They spent that breakfast talking amicably and finally the Gryffindors and Slytherins left to gather their potion supplies.

"That really isn't fair. Potion on your birthday." Neville said quietly. He did not get along with Snape at all.

"Why not?" Hermione inquired. "Sure Prof. Snape is stern, but the subject is so fascinating and this potion he talked about last week…" Neville only sent the others a helpless glance while they left.

Once they were away Harry immediately asked.

"Shall we throw a birthday party for Hermione?"

"That would be cool, but how?" Justin asked. "It's not as if we have any presents, cake, drinks, or anything at all."

"Gifts aren't that difficult to get." Susan answered. "We could send an owl to Honeydukes with some money, to order some sweets."

"But where could we do the party? We can't go into each others common room and it's not as if Madame Pince would be too pleased with a party in the library?" Terry chimed in.

They grinned at the thought of the stern librarian's reaction to a party in reach of her precious books.

"I… well I think we could have the party in my room, I think it would be ok." Harry said shyly. He hadn't shown anyone his room yet, he was not comfortable having a nice room and be the only one to have access to the founder's common room.

"Great Harry." Justin exclaimed.

They decided that Terry would order a few sweets as a gift since getting a suitable book on such short notice was too difficult. They would split up the costs later. Susan would speak with Blaise and Linda Moon, a Slytherin girl that came along on their exploring trips and also spent some time with Hermione on other opportunities.

"What about the Gryffindors?" Justin asked. "Who is she friends with besides Neville?" They shrugged, really Hermione was rarely seen in the company of other Gryffindors than Neville, except perhaps at meals where she sometimes spoke with older students.

"I don't know. Sometimes Ron was sitting next to us, when I was at the Gryffindor table." Harry said unsure. He had played chess with Ron once again, but he still wasn't sure about the red-haired boy. It wasn't that he didn't like him, but they were just so different. And to be honest Ron had some strange prejudices about Slytherins that didn't please Harry.

"No Harry, they don't get along. Hermione just told me yesterday that Ron was insulting her, about being a know-it-all and that she should have been in Ravenclaw, just because she likes to read." Susan said.

"He didn't!" Harry exclaimed shocked. To him Ron had always been nice except the first day, just before the sorting. But Harry had thought that to be because of him being nervous.

They were still discussing what they could do for the party and most of all how to get a cake. Harry said that he had an idea how to get one, but didn't elaborate.

During a free lesson that morning Harry swiftly went to the kitchen.

"Harry Potter sir!" The elves exclaimed happily. "What cans we do for great and nice Harry Potter sir?"

"I've just a question. I wondered if I could bake a cake. A friend of mine has her birthday today and…"

"We's most honoured to bake cake for Harry Potter sir!" one of the elves exclaimed.

"You don't have to I …"

"No, Harry Potter sir has much work and we's honoured to bake birthday cake for friend of Harry Potter."

Another elf chimed in. "Harry Potter sir is great wizard and has taught elves to make pizza, elves want to help Harry Potter sir." The other elves nodded emphatically and Harry saw that he didn't have a chance to argue.

"How many friends of Harry Potter sir's is going to come to eat cake? Does Harry Potter sir wants something else?"

"We are… well I think about 4 or five people." Harry quickly lied. He knew how the elves tended to go overboard and if he told them there were about 8 people you'd get enough cake to feed a whole house, well maybe not that much, but still.

"We's doing it, when shall's we bring it?"

"But really only if it's no trouble I could at least help I…"

He didn't have a chance. Ten minutes later Harry left the kitchen. The elves had insisted on also delivering some Pumpkin juice, as it was important that they drank something of course and were just starting to propose to send some other snacks when Harry fled, saying that he had to send an urgent owl.

The owl wasn't that urgent or anything but he just didn't know another way to leave without hurting the feelings of the elves. And if he hadn't left then, the elves would have sent up a whole banquet, not just a cake. He sent a quick note to Dumbledore, explaining what they were planning so that they knew he wasn't alone in the 'common room'. He also explained about the cake, that he really had only wanted to ask the elves if they could conjure some ingredients for him and that he didn't want to take advantage of the situation.

Dumbledore smiled when he got Harry's note. He had been pleased when he saw the snowy owl at his window and was very interested in what the little one had to ask.

Baking a cake? Well Harry was an excellent cook. But the way he asked if it was alright for the elves to help him was still somewhat sad. He was so afraid of doing something that they wouldn't approve of, it was just not normal. Of course there was no problem for the elves to bake a birthday cake. They enjoyed it immensely. Several parents asked each year about a cake for their child. Of course most families sent a cake made by themselves, but not all. There wasn't a problem in this.

At lunch Harry sat at the Slytherin table and talked with Blaise and Linda. Meanwhile at the head table Dumbledore informed both Minerva and Severus of the party. It wouldn't do for one of them to drop by in the middle of the party.

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"Hermione, I have a problem in Charms, do you think you could…" Neville began with a red face at dinner.

"Of course, let's go to the library after dinner." Hermione immediately agreed. Neville was one of the only Gryffindor first years who wasn't teasing her about being a bookworm. On the contrary, he was grateful for her help.

Meanwhile Harry, Blaise, Susan, Justin, Terry and Linda were on their way to Harry's room. Harry gave the password after they went through the Hufflepuff passage and entered the room.

"Wow." Susan exclaimed.

"It's just because at the moment I'm the only one living here. Otherwise, it would be just like any other common room." Harry quickly rectified.

"Not that." Justin said and pointed to the table. There was a big cake that could easily feed 10 people, along with pitchers of pumpkin juice and some more snacks.

"Harry how did you …"

"I… well I've got some useful contacts." He simply answered. He couldn't very well tell them that he was friends with the elves here. That would lead to more questions.

"I'll go and get them, ok?"

While he was gone Justin asked the others. "What do you think he means with contacts?"

"Probably the Weasley twins." Susan answered. "Rumor has it that they know the school, including the kitchen better than anyone else. But let's set this up right."

Harry didn't have much trouble getting Hermione and Neville to follow him. Indeed Neville only had a little question (or pretended to do so at least), they were all eager to see Harry's room.

When Harry gave the password he motioned for Hermione to go in.

"Why is it so dark?" She asked confused and was about to light her wand when a small light of candles was lit.

"Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear Hermione

Happy birthday to you"

Hermione was speechless, which was nearly a first.

"But you, you… Thank you!" she beamed at her friends.

Her mother had been right. She never had many friends at school. It was mostly because of her love of books, and the fact that she had always been the best in school. She had some friends outside school and of course a very caring family, but still. Her friends had gone to such length to throw her a party and it meant very much to her.

It was a great evening that brought the group of the eight first year students closer together, no matter what house they were in.

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(About a week later)

It was a frightening sight, most of all because it was unusual. Two redheads, two of the most cheerful students were making very sinister faces. Normally this promised humiliation to whomever was responsible for their mood. This time it was a bit different.

"Do you believe it!"

"Ten rounds around the pitch!"

"Without broom that is!"

"Oh brother of mine how shall we survive this year"

"Do you think pranking him will help?"

"Our captain? Or do you mean…"

"Mr. bighead of course."

"Mr. I'm such a great seeker that I don't need to train, you mean?"

"The very same dear Gred."

"Let us think on how to deflate his head a bit."

They continued their discussion for a while till they were joined by Lee.

"What's up you two?"

"What's up? Quidditch."

"We don't have a chance."

"And because of that Oliver is going to work us into the ground."

"Not just into the ground, he'll bury us with training."

"And that's only because of this, this…"

"This seeker."

"Only because he was by far the best in the tryout…"

"Not that this means much mind you."

"Only because he was best of the lot who nearly slipped off their brooms half the time …"

"He thinks he's oh so good…"

"Much to good to listen to instructions…"

"And you do know Oliver, don't you?"

"Punishing the whole team because of him!"

"Not fair."

"Not at all."

"We're just wondering what prank would make him train harder."

"But we haven't come up with much yet."

"Imagine, we Gred…"

"And Forge, not knowing which prank to use."

"Oh the tragedy."

"The world is coming to an end."

Lee was barley holding his laugher at the desperate faces of the twins, not that Gryffindor having a bad team was a laughing matter of course.

"So let me see if I got this right. The new seeker, Pete Conner, isn't bad but doesn't think he needs to train and therefore Oliver had you run laps and is getting desperate, which certainly is a cause for deep sorrow."

"Mr. Seeker will probably change after we lose against Slytherin."

"Yes he will, he's too proud to loose."

"But then the cup will already be lost."

"And Oliver will become even more obsessed."

The twins fake shuddered.

"Why couldn't Harrykins have been sorted into Gryffindor?"

"We told him to, you know? Sure he is a first year, but who knows he might have been able to play."

"I'd love to see that, Conner beaten by a firsty."

"That would be fun."

"And would make him train…"

"And as such save us."

"Unless… are you thinking what I am dear Forge."

"I am dear Gred. This needs planning though."

"Then let us start and we might yet survive this year."

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(About a day later)

Minerva was grading some essays when she heard a knock on her office door.

"Come in!" She looked up to see who was there and suppressed a groan. "What have you done now?" She asked in exasperation.

"We Professor?" they asked together. "We're hurt. What ever could we have done?"

"Who sent you this time? Mr. Filch? Professor Snape?"

"Oh no. We just thought we'd come by."

"Just by ourselves."

"Just like that?" McGonagall asked disbelieving.

"Would we ever do that Professor?"

"Taking up your time when it isn't important?"

"Ok, ok don't answer that. But that's not what we're here for."

"No Professor. It's about Harrykinns."

"And quidditch of course."

"Harryki… What does Mr. Potter have to do with quidditch?"

"You see Professor. Harry came to visit us in the holidays "

"And we taught him how to fly."

"Well not really taught him. There wasn't much to do."

"Just give him a broom and he flies."

"He's the born seeker you know."

"So we thought as poor, ickle Harrykinns can't play on a house team"

"Would he be allowed to at least train with us?"

"I mean there isn't a rule against that, is there?"

"No there isn't from what I know." Minerva said with a straight face but inwardly smiled. That would be nice for Harry.

"Why are you asking me and not Wood?"

"You see Professor we haven't asked Wood yet, we just wanted to know if it's allowed."

"We wouldn't want Harry get into trouble of course."

"So we asked."

"Must be a first for you." Minerva muttered.

Again the twins looked hurt.

But Minerva didn't give them time to start with their twin-speech again.

"So the only reason why you want Mr. Potter to take part in training is that he can fly? Or is there any other reason?"

The twins looked slightly sheepish.

"You see Professor."

"Not that we want to criticize anyone…"

"But we just thought, with having a new seeker this year…"

"That it would be best if he had someone to train with him…"

"To challenge him a bit and such…"

"After all it has been so long since we have won the Quidditch cup."

They knew that this was their best point. It was well known that McGonagall wanted to win just as much as the team.

McGonagall thought a bit and finally nodded. She had been observing the tryouts for the seeker position and she also overheard a bit about the problems they had in training, being a cat was quite practical sometimes.

"And what happens when your seeker doesn't need anymore, what did you say ? challenge?"

"It's still good for him to train with someone…"

"Like in the game you know…"

"And Harrykinns could also learn to play quidditch that way."

She nodded curtly.

"You have my permission, however it is up to Wood and of course Mr. Potter if they go along with it. You know that we never have first years on the teams. This is mainly because being on the quidditch team takes up a lot of time and that in the first year it is often too much. I'd say one training session a week should be enough. And as you know Mr. Potter is part of all houses, so if he'd like to train with another team as well, you will have to accept that, understood?"

The twins nodded happily. After all this didn't make much of a difference. The main point was that Harry was allowed to train with them, and their early deaths caused by massive exhaustion were postponed.

"But both Wood and Potter must agree, clear? You can't just go to Potter and say that he is to train. Ask him! And how you convince Wood is also your task."

"Not to worry Professor"

"Yes, we just have Harry fly before one of the trainings and tell Wood about it."

"He'll immediately agree."

McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "And Potter? Do you plan on informing him?"

"You see Professor, Harrykinns is a little shy…"

"A little Forge?"

"Alright, he's really shy."

"So we think it's best if we just have Wood ask him."

"He'd say that he isn't good enough otherwise."

"But we won't force him…"

"Won't be necessary anyway."

"Loves to fly that one."

"Good then." McGonagall agreed, silently very pleased how the twins were talking about Harry a bit like he was a little brother.

The twins bowed slightly and retreated.

"And 10 points to Gryffindor for initiative about the quidditch team and a fellow student."

She called as they reached the door. The twins chorused a "Thank you Professor" and vanished with another bow.

Minerva shook her head. If anyone had told her that one day she'd think the Weasley twins could be a good influence on another student, she'd have sent that person to St. Mungo's. But now she saw it differently. For such a shy and timid boy like Harry those two could indeed be good. Most of all, Harry seemed to like them a lot.

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Author's note:

Was that enough of the twins? Don't worry they will show up in future chapters too.

For all quidditch fans: I gathered it was much better for Harry to simply train quidditch. I won't keep him from flying (I'm not that cruel) but I don't think that Harry could cope with the attention and pressure of a real game. But that way he can fly too. What do you think?

Thank you all for your great reviews.