"Hey Harry, did you hear the big news?"
Colin Creevey pops up from seemingly out of nowhere as Harry climbs through the portrait hole. His enthusiasm startles him out of his post-dinner lethargy. He glances at Ron and Hermione, hoping for some clarification, but they appear to share his bewilderment.
"Er… no, not yet," he says.
"Then you should check out the notice board. I don't want to ruin the surprise!" Colin grins and gives him an awkward thumbs up before dashing away.
After Harry fully processes Colin's outburst, he notices the palpable hum of excitement buzzing through the common room. The notice board has attracted a growing swarm of his classmates. A few first years stand on tiptoe to catch a glance. At the front of the pack Fred- or George, he isn't sure which- lets out an excited whoop and hi-fives Lee.
When he last checked the board, the only post was a plea from Neville for help with finding Trevor. Maybe it's because Harry's received mostly bad news this year, but his mind spirals into a flurry of worst case scenarios. This has something to do with the third task, doesn't it? He'll read the board and find out he has to fight a pack of angry trolls or drink a vial of Snape's deadliest poison. The thought makes his dinner churn in his stomach. Harry takes a breath and counts the reasons that doesn't make sense. The judges won't announce the third task for another month, and when the time comes, they won't announce it via bulletin board note. Feeling slightly calmer, he reads the notice.
Attention Students:
There will be a Hogsmeade visit this Saturday. All students third year and above in good academic standing are invited to take part.
- Prof. M. McGonagall
"Excellent, that's the day of the Cannons game," Ron says. "I bet Madam Rosmerta will have it playing on the wireless."
"And I've been hoping for a chance to visit Flourish and Blotts," Hermione says.
Ron shoots her an incredulous look, "You want to spend your free weekend shopping for books?"
Hermione shrugs, "Well I wasn't inviting you to come with me."
"Then what are Harry and I supposed to do while you're out book shopping?"
"Didn't you just say you're going to Three Broomsticks for a quidditch match?"
"And er… I'm probably going to ask Cho and Cedric if they want to do something together. You know, like, a date?"
The upcoming Hogsmeade visit brought something different to the forefront of each of their minds. For Ron it was quidditch, for Hermione books, and for him, his thoughts strode without hesitation to his partners. Harry shrugs and gives them a sheepish smile. He meant to tell his friends sooner about his new relationship- honest- but he could never find a good way to bring it up. Even after their intervention, discussing this kind of stuff makes him awkward and tongue-tied. But their bickering brought with it the natural segue in conversation he's been searching for.
Though, from their narrowed eyes and knowing smirks, it seems they figured it out without him having to say a word.
"I'm guessing you guys worked things out?" Hermione asks.
He nods, "We did."
"And?" Ron asks.
"We're seeing each other, all three of us I mean. I know it's a bit unconventional and all, but we want to try and make it work."
Hermione looks giddy, "Oh that's wonderful! I'm really glad for you. You guys deserve this, you really really do."
"Yeah, good for you, mate," Ron says. He claps him on the back and nearly knocks his glasses askew.
Harry grins. He's known all along they'd be supportive, but it's still nice to hear it said aloud. "So uh… yeah, you guys'll be on your own this weekend."
"No worries. I'm sure somehow I'll manage without you," Hermione says.
"Yeah, and Three Broomsticks will probably be packed. I'll find other friends to tag along with. Hey, maybe you could take Cho and Cedric there for your date."
"I doubt Harry and his partners want their first date to be at a crowded sports pub," Hermione says.
"Of course they do, they're quidditch fans."
"Well yes, but I'm sure they'd rather do something more romantic."
"Like what? Going to a bookstore?"
Harry's never put much thought into what makes somewhere romantic. He figures it's not the place, but the people who make a date memorable. They could stroll along the streets of Hogsmeade with no destination in mind, and he imagines he would enjoy himself. Still, he and his partners should probably have some kind of plan. A place and time to meet at the very least.
"I dunno. I guess I'll have to ask them what they want to do."
There's still a few hours left before curfew, but Harry decides it would be pointless to go looking for Cedric and Cho. Chances are they've retired to their common rooms for the night like him. The three of them are in different common rooms in separate corners of the castle, but they probably all have the same thing on their mind.
Saturday is still several days off, so they aren't in a time crunch to talk. He'll catch them tomorrow morning at breakfast, or in the halls on his way to class. This doesn't prevent the want from swirling around in his chest and keeping his thoughts set on Cho and Cedric. He wants to talk to his partners now, right now. He wants to do more than talk. He wants to do things with them that if Cedric were on prefect duty, he'd have to dock points from them for doing. Maybe their biggest relationship hurdle isn't that there's three of them, but their time together is limited by separate houses.
Maybe he could use some advice. Sirius told him he could reach out if he ever needs anything. So far Harry's asked what to do about his scar hurting and how to take down a fire-breathing dragon, but he imagines his Godfather can offer insight on normal things too, like girl/boy troubles. He could write to him, or speak to him on Saturday. Or better yet… maybe…
Harry fishes his stationary set out from underneath his bed.
Dear Sirius,
Professor McGonagall announced a surprise Hogsmeade visit this Saturday. I know you said we shouldn't visit each other in person anymore, but I'm wondering if you'd make an exception, just this once. I'd like to introduce you to some people. As Snuffles, obviously, though I hope someday maybe they can meet you in your real form. I'm still working out where and when. I'll write back later this week. But is this something you'd be okay with? Let me know before Saturday.
Anyway, that's all the news I have at the moment. Hope you and Buckbeak are well.
Sincerely,
-Harry
Satisfied, he seals the envelope and attaches with it a few leftover Easter sweets. Mrs. Weasley sent him and Hermione these enormous candy baskets to cheer them up after the Witch Weekly fiasco. Next time he sees her, he'll have to let her know things worked out okay.
Hedwig isn't in the owlery when he arrives, which is fine, since this way he doesn't have to witness the betrayal in her eyes as he attaches his letter to one of the school screech owls. Next to him, Luna Lovegood prepares to send off a large, lumpy package. The Ravenclaw insignia on her robes makes him think of Cho, which makes him think once again about finding his partners. He considers asking her if she knows where Cho is or if she could pass along a message, but decides against it. He's not sure he knows her well enough to make that kind of request. Instead, he simply returns her smile as he leaves.
Harry's still a bit lost in thought as he makes his way back to Gryffindor tower. Perhaps if he were paying better attention, he would have noticed the staircase preparing to move. Instead, he's startled by the low rumbling and bangs his wrist on the railing as the stairs swing clockwise.
"Ouch. Stupid staircase," he winces and shakes out his wrist in an attempt to soothe the pain.
"Are you okay?"
Harry freezes, hardly able to believe his ears. No, it's too perfect for Cedric to be at the bottom of the stairs. But be it magic or coincidence, there he is on the bottom step grinning up at him.
"Yeah, I'll be alright," he says. "Wow, fancy running into you here of all places."
"I know, right? I was actually just looking for you and Cho," he says. "Did you hear about the Hogsmeade visit this weekend?"
Harry nods, "I don't suppose you already have plans?"
"Nothing yet, but I was hoping you and Cho might join me."
Cedric smiles again, and a faint blush sweeps across his cheeks. A tiny flutter goes off in Harry's chest to remind him, that's his boyfriend.
"Yeah, definitely," he says, grinning back at him. "What do you have in mind?"
"I dunno, whatever you want to do is fine."
"It doesn't make much difference to me. We can do whatever you like."
"I'd like to do whatever you want to do."
The staircase continues in another slow rotation. Their conversation is similarly going in circles. They've been slowly climbing up and down the stairs as they spoke, and now they've met in the middle. Their fingers are a fraction of an inch apart on the railing. Harry would reach out to hold his hand, but it doesn't feel right without Cho with them. Talking is fine, but physical affection seems a step too far.
"We could ask Cho what she wants to do?" Harry suggests.
"I imagine she'll tell us she's fine with whatever we choose," Cedric says.
"Yeah, you're probably right."
"I guess... have you ever been to Madam Puddifoot's?" Cedric asks. Harry shakes his head. "It's a tea shop on Blackthorn Lane. I've never been there, but I've heard it's rather nice. Maybe we could check it out?"
"Sounds perfect."
The stairs grind to a halt, finishing their rotation in the same spot it started. Was there even a point to the staircase moving? Is there a point in trying to analyze the movements of magical staircases? A group of Slytherins waiting at the top cast them a curious look as they pass on their way down. They pull their hands back. They haven't figured out yet how much affection they want to show in public. Do they want to be like Roger and Fleur who lock lips in corridors and not care who watches, or Ginny who keeps her relationship on such a low profile he still doesn't know who she's seeing?
"I'll uh… see you around then." Cedric says.
"Yeah. Let me know what Cho says."
"Of course."
With the Slytherins out of sight, Cedric pats his shoulder, and they continue on their way.
-o-
Harry,
New people you say. I'm intrigued. Friends of yours? We'll have to be careful of course, but I trust your judgement. Let me know a place and a time, and I'll gladly meet you there.
-Sirius
Sirius,
We've decided to have tea at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shoppe at noon. I imagine we'll finish around two. We could meet somewhere outside the shop, or I can try to lead them somewhere less conspicuous? Whichever you prefer is fine with me.
And they're a little more than just my friends. I don't know if you remember the Witch Weekly article about me and my classmates Cho Chang and Cedric Diggory, but it's true, we're seeing each other. Well- we weren't seeing each other when the article was written, and it got a lot of other facts incredibly wrong. But the point is: they're my girlfriend and boyfriend, and I'd like you to meet them.
-Harry
Harry,
Good for you. I imagine they must be quite special if you're taking them out for tea at Madam Puddifoot's. Be sure to try the macarons. I've heard they're quite tasty.
See you soon,
-Sirius
-o-
On Saturday morning, Harry, Ron, and Hermione set off for Hogsmeade at half past 11. The wind is so strong he has to keep a firm grip on his hat to prevent it from blowing away. Maybe he shouldn't have bothered with a hat, but he wanted to look nice, and as usual, his hair refused to lay flat. It's good his partners have decided on an indoor activity, he thinks. Today would be a horrible day for flying. Maybe they could manage if they were only playing catch, but he's learned kissing on a broomstick requires some stability. Though, kissing in a tea shop requires some tenacity he's not sure he or his partners possess.
They pass Three Broomsticks first, where half of Hogwarts appears to be seated inside. Raucous laughter almost drowns out the quidditch announcers talking over the wireless.
"Well, I'll catch up with you guys later," Ron says. "Good luck on your date, Harry. And Hermione, you're certain you want to spend the entire day book shopping?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Then I hope you find whatever boring book you're looking for," Ron gives them one last smile before entering. They watch through the windows as he takes a seat at a table with Ginny and Luna.
"I suppose I'll be seeing you too, Harry," Hermione says. "Have a good time."
"Uh… yeah, you too."
Hermione turns and struts away. Perhaps she doesn't know their destinations are on the same street. He quickens his pace to catch up with her, but she just goes faster. It almost appears she's purposefully keeping a few steps' distance between them.
"Err.. Hermione, is there some reason you don't want me to walk with you?" He asks when they're both stopped at the intersection of High Street and Blackthorn Lane.
Hermione bites her lip, "Well I… don't tell Ron but… I'm sort of meeting someone."
"Who?" He asks, but the answer becomes obvious when he looks across the street at Flourish and Blotts, where Krum stands underneath an awning holding a bouquet of wildflowers. "Oh... I guess I'm not the only one with a date this afternoon, huh?'
"It's not a date!" Hermione says quickly, "We're just… I told him what I was doing this afternoon, and he offered to accompany me."
"You know, you made me spill my guts to you about Cedric and Cho. It's only fair you tell me what's going on between you and-"
"Sorry, I've got to get going. We'll talk later, okay?" Hermione huffs indignantly before crossing the street. Harry resists the urge to laugh, and notes that for all the fuss she made over it not being a date, she accepts his flowers with a shy grin.
He doesn't have much time to mull over their relationship status, as his own destination is only a few storefronts away. Cho stands next to a menu board outside the shop. She's pinned a sunflower to her robes and tied her hair back in a loose braid. Looking at her makes goosebumps prickle up his arms. He still isn't sure how he got so lucky. Then she turns his way and her whole face lights up. It's all he can do not to go running towards her.
"Harry, you've made it!" she says before throwing her arms around him. "It's so good to see you."
"I hope you haven't been waiting long."
"Not at all. Only a few minutes," she says. "Shall we get a table, or do you want to wait for Cedric?"
"He's not here yet?" he asks, though he could have come to that conclusion on his own by looking around. Cho shakes her head. "I guess let's give him a minute? What time is it anyway?"
"I dunno, you're the one with a watch," she smiles and points at his wrist.
"Er… it stopped working after the second task. I'm mostly wearing it out of habit now."
"Too bad. Maybe you could get it fixed?"
"Yeah, maybe?"
They linger outside the shop, watching for Cedric to appear at the intersection. Harry's heart skips a beat whenever he sees a black and yellow scarf peak out from inside a group of passersby, only to get let down when it's not him.
"So um... how was your week?" he asks.
Cho shrugs, "It was alright. Just lessons and stuff. You?"
"Pretty much the same."
"I probably didn't pay much attention though."
"Yeah, me too."
A sudden gust of wind blows their way and captures his hat. Cho snatches it before it can get too far, and their fingertips brush when she returns it to him. He's struck with a feeling of guilt, similar to the one with Cedric a few days earlier. Whatever this is, it isn't cheating, but it still doesn't feel right to show intimacy when it's only two of them. He takes his hat back and averts his gaze at the menu board advertising Madam Puddifoot's spellbinding cappuccinos. Cho, appearing to be similarly flustered, goes back to her watch.
"Hey, is that him?" she points at a tall, brown-haired boy at the intersection.
"I think so," he says. They wave tentatively in his direction. When the boy spots them, his face breaks out into a grin and he waves back.
"Harry! Cho! Don't you two look nice," Cedric says when he arrives, then gives each of them a quick hug. "I'm so sorry for making you wait. I was on my way when I saw a group of second-years playing with a fanged frisbee in the halls, and of course I had to stop them, which took longer than expected."
"I hope you weren't too hard on them," Cho says. "How can anyone be expected to remember the hundreds of items Filch banned at the beginning of the year?"
"Well, I might've looked the other way if it was a screaming Yo-Yo or something, but fanged frisbees are dangerous. Look, the damn thing nearly bit my hand off." Cedric pulls back his right sleeve, revealing several rows of inflamed teeth marks dotting his wrist.
"Ouch, I guess it didn't like it when you tried to confiscate it," he says.
"Yeah, you might want to have Madam Pomfrey look it over when you get back," Cho says.
"It'll be fine. The fangs weren't venomous- thank Merlin- and I've already put some murtlap on it to make it heal faster," Cedric says. "So, shall we go in?"
Thinking it the gentlemanly thing to do, Harry pulls the door open and gestures for them to enter. The inside of the shop is small, but it's a cozy sort of small instead of a cramped one. Plush rugs line the floor and the pastel pink walls are decorated with frilly bows and paintings of flowers. The coffee and cookie dough aroma wafting around makes him salivate. This cutesy style isn't much to his taste, but Cho lets out an awed gasp and Cedric too looks around with curiosity and amusement.
"Hello dearies, table for um… three?" The hostess behind the desk asks, eyeing them with a puzzled expression. Judging by all the couples sitting at tiny tables for two, this must not be a request they get often.
"Yup, we're all together," Cedric says.
The hostess glances at the book on her desk, then around the dining area, until her gaze lands on a round booth at the back of the shop. It's seemingly the only table that could accommodate the three of them. She grabs three menus and leads them over. Harry slides into the booth first, then Cedric, then Cho.
"Can I start you with anything?" the hostess asks.
"How about three coffees and a plate of macarons," Harry says without looking at the menu. It's silly, but he's kind of proud they made a decision with no hesitation and backtalk.
"Anything else?"
"Hmm… do you think we should get sandwiches too?" Cho asks.
Well, the feeling of pride was nice while it lasted.
"Um… I don't know. What do you think, Cedric?" he asks.
"Whatever you want to do is fine with me."
"It might be nice to have some variety with our biscuits," Cho says, "and it's lunchtime, so sandwiches would pair well with that. But what if we can't eat it all? That would be wasteful."
"It's only sandwiches. You don't have to put so much thought into it," he says.
She smiles sheepishly, "Sorry. We Ravenclaws tend to overthink everything."
"How about I give you some more time to decide?" The hostess says.
"That would be great, thank you," Cedric says.
The hostess nods and heads back towards her desk. A floating kettle passes by their table, stopping to pour coffee into each of their cups. Cho takes her coffee black while Cedric dumps what must be half the sugar bowl into his. Harry's never been much of a coffee drinker, but the aroma is enticing and the warmth radiating from his cup feels good against his fingers. He adds a sugar cube, takes a sip, and finding it's still too bitter, adds another.
"So… how have you guys been carrying on?" Cedric asks. "Did I miss anything while you were waiting for me?"
"Uh… not really," he says.
"Yeah, we mostly just stood around and made some small talk," Cho says
Cedric smiles and sets down his cup, "You didn't have to wait for me. I know the three of us are together and all, but you're allowed to make eye contact when I'm not in the room, you know."
He and Cho both laugh, but he's grateful to Cedric for breaking the tension. If he's been worrying about it, he imagines his partners were as well.
"We know, we were just being polite," Cho says, "But we should probably talk about that. You know, set some rules about what we should do when it's only two of us?"
"Yeah, that's a good idea." he says.
"Do you want to start then, Harry?" Cedric asks, "I remember you seemed worried about Cho and I spending time without you, and if you don't want us seeing each other without you around that's fine with me."
"Yeah, me too," Cho says.
"Well, I was mostly worried you guys didn't like me back, but now that I know that's not the case-"
"It most certainly isn't," Cho smiles and nudges his foot with hers under the table.
"Then I don't mind if you want to go on dates and stuff without me. I trust you."
"You're certain?" Cedric asks.
He nods, "What about you guys. Do you have any problems with me seeing one of you without the other?"
"Not at all," Cedric says. "I mean, I'd like to spend as much time as I can with both of you, but if our schedules don't line up, I don't want you to cancel plans on my behalf."
Cho nods, "Yeah, and in a few weeks' time I'll be buried up to my eyeballs in textbooks studying for my O.W.L.s. You lucky ducks don't have any exams, so I imagine you'll have to do things without me around."
"Ok, it seems we're in agreement," he says. "Is there anything else you think we should discuss?"
"Yes," Cedric says. He sets down his cup and gives him a serious expression. "You and I definitely shouldn't help each other with the third task."
"Agreed," he says, holding back a laugh. "We probably shouldn't even discuss it at all."
"Good. It wouldn't be fair to Fleur and Krum if we worked together. Plus, while I like you a lot, I still want to win," Cedric gives him a smirk, which he returns.
"What about me?" Cho asks. "Am I allowed to help either of you or should I take a pact of neutrality?"
"Hmm… I guess there's nothing wrong with it, but you should probably focus on your O.W.L.s instead of helping us," Cedric says.
"Fair enough," Cho says. "Tacking onto that: until the third task is over, I think we should try to be discrete about our relationship. I'm worried if people know you're seeing each other, they'll think you'll go soft on each other during the third task."
"We're doing a real good job at that," he gestures around the crowded restaurant.
Cho laughs. "This is a special occasion, but going forward let's try not to flaunt it. I'm not saying we should hide it or anything, but for now maybe only tell our friends and people we trust."
"Yeah, it's probably best we stay low key. I don't fancy us winding up in the tabloids again," Cedric says.
Harry takes another drink of his coffee and sighs quietly into his cup. He's surprised at what a relief it is they don't want to go fully public yet, but not that surprised. He suspects he knew all along this is what he wanted. The wizarding world knows so much of his life already, he'd like to keep this little bit for himself.
"I've only told Ron and Hermione, and I probably won't tell anyone else." he says, then remembers Sirius. "At least, no one else at Hogwarts, anyway."
"I've only told Kaz and Anthony, and that'll probably be it," Cedric says. Harry knows Kaz from the second task, and he assumes Anthony is Anthony Ricketts, the Hufflepuff beater and Angelina's cousin. He doesn't know either of them well, but if Cedric trusts them, he assumes he can too.
"I haven't told my Hogwarts friends, and I don't think I will anytime soon," Cho says.
"Really? You could if you want to," he says.
Cho fidgets with his cup, "I suppose, but if I tell one of my friends, I'll have to tell all of them, and telling all of them means telling Jessica."
"Jessica Marsh-Parkinson? I didn't know you two were friends," Cedric says, his nose wrinkling.
"Parkinson? Like Pansy Parkinson?" he asks.
"We're mostly just friends by association. And yes, they're estranged cousins," she says. "I'd still rather she didn't find out though. So I've only told my muggle friends for right now, and I guess I ought to tell my parents too."
"Oh right, I should write to my Mum and tell her about you guys," Cedric says.
"Not your Dad?" Cho asks.
Cedric shakes his head, "I don't think I'll tell him just yet."
"How come?" he asks.
"Well... he's not your biggest fan right now. I know it's not your fault, but he's still a bit upset about that interview in The Prophet. I'll tell him eventually, but I think that conversation will be easier in person instead of through letter."
Harry remembers the encounter he had with Mr. Diggory over the summer, specifically the part where he said Cedric would tell his grandkids about how he beat "the famous Harry Potter". Harry smiles to himself. This won't be such an accomplishment if "the famous Harry Potter" isn't some far-off historical figure, but their other grandfather.
"You could just tell him about Cho if that's easier. I won't mind," he says.
"I suppose, but that seems dishonest. You guys are a package deal, and I don't want him to know about my girlfriend but not my boyfriend."
It's at this point their hostess returns and sets a large plate of pink, purple, and blue macarons on their table. Harry's stomach lets out a low rumble. He's grown exponentially hungrier now that the food's within his reach.
"Have you guys decided on sandwiches?" The hostess asks.
Cho's worry about leftover food ends up not being a problem. They scarf down a plate of finger sandwiches and two more trays of biscuits. It helps, he suspects, that he's discretely slipping food into his robe pockets as a treat for Snuffles later. Once they've stuffed themselves full of food and coffee, the hostess comes back with their tab, which they all reach for at the same time.
"I've got this," Cho says.
"No, let me," he says.
"I don't mind. It's only fair since I arrived late and made you wait for me in the cold," Cedric says.
"You didn't make us wait long, and it wasn't that cold," Cho says. "How about I pay now, and whichever one of you wins the thousand galleon prize can pay me back later?"
"Alright, sounds fair," he says. Cedric nods in agreement.
Despite their arrangement, they both offer to pay once more at the hostess' desk on the way out. Cho takes out her coin purse, and laughing, she shoos them away. Behind her, A cuckoo clock chimes the hour, two O'clock. Right on schedule. Harry glances out the window to find Snuffles sitting under a lamppost across the street, his obedient eyes trained on the shop door.
"So… what do you guys want to do now?" Harry asks as they leave. He makes a left out the door, the direction they need to go to pass Snuffles. Cedric and Cho follow him without questioning.
"We could go to Three Broomsticks," Cedric suggests. "There's a quidditch match on, if it hasn't ended already."
"It's the Cannons, the match probably ended five minutes after it started," Cho says.
"Ooh, don't you think that's a little harsh?" Cedric asks.
"Not as harsh as the beating they got last month from Holyhead."
As they pass the lamppost, Snuffles trots over to them, wagging his tail and sniffing their hands and pockets. His partners eye him skeptically. Harry can't blame them, considering Snuffles is a huge, hairy animal who looks like an omen of death and smells like his last bath was several months ago. Harry recalls when he first encountered Sirius like this, he fell over in fright. Now, nearly two years later, he grins and crouches to rub him on the head.
"Hey there boy, how're you doing," he says. Sirius sticks out his tongue and pants, his expression looking something like a smile.
"Er… that's an awfully large dog. You might want to be careful," Cedric says.
"It's okay. I've seen him around before. He's friendly."
"Well, if you say so," Cedric says, and this appears to be all the convincing he needs, as he reaches out to scratch the back of his ears.
"So is this why you were sneaking biscuits into your pockets during lunch?" Cho asks. Harry nods, and his face grows warm. Guess he wasn't as sneaky as he thought. "Can I give him one?"
Harry nods and fishes a biscuit out of his pocket to give her. She offers it to Snuffles, who scarfs it down in one, gigantic bite. The three of them smile and take turns feeding him biscuits until his pockets are empty.
"Sorry Snuffles, all gone," he says, then turns out his pockets to further emphasize this point.
"Snuffles? Is that his name?" Cedric asks.
"It's just something I've taken to calling him," he shrugs.
"Well, it was very nice to meet you Snuffles," Cedric says.
Snuffles woofs in response, which Harry takes to mean likewise.
-o-
Harry,
We didn't have time to speak on Saturday, so I wanted to let you know how nice it was to meet Cho and Cedric. They seem like nice kids- or rather- they smell like nice kids. They practice good hygiene and treat stray animals well, both important traits in a partner. You've done well for yourself.
Did you know Madam Puddifoot's was popular back when I went to Hogwarts? Before you ask, no, your's truly never took anyone there, but I have fond memories of your Dad attempting to woo your Mum into having tea with him there. Even after they became a couple, she always shot him down. James thought the place was romantic. Lily thought it was garish. Now that you've seen it for yourself, I'm curious to know your thoughts.
I suppose it's my duty as your Godfather to tell you to be careful. It's been quite some time since my last relationship, but I do still have some wisdom to offer. For instance: some classrooms have protective charms on them to prevent students from making certain kinds of physical contact (I imagine you know what I'm referring to, though if not I could give you that talk too). The map should tell you which rooms to avoid and which ones are ok. Also, while you're required to eat meals at your house table, in between meals you can sit at whichever table you like. The three of you could have afternoon tea or an evening snack at the Slytherin table if you wanted, though I wouldn't recommend it.
You've had a rough time of it lately, and I'm glad you've found a boy and a girl who bring a little extra joy into your life. Again, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to write. I've got your back.
Best wishes,
-Sirius
It always irritated me a little that Mrs. Weasley believed that Witch Weekly article and gave Hermione a tiny piece of candy for Easter. So I fixed that.
Also: I almost had Sirius say something along the lines of "Don't hook up in the Forbidden Forest" as a reference to the infamous "My Immortal", but I couldn't figure out how to make it work.