Hey folks,
Like I said, we're reaching the end of this story. All in all I think there might be three or four more chapters. I'm going to cover Harry's return to Hogwarts and his start of the trial period – probably describe his first day back or something – I'm going to cover Harry telling Fred and George about Jet. I'm going to cover the three of them working hard on their exams. And I'm going to cover Harry spending his first holiday with his father.
And maybe other stuff,

Venquine1990

Chapter 42
Welcome Back, Harry

17th of March 1996
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Harry's POV

Bill reminded me that I still need to stay inside the Shack for another week for the new set of wards and the Feeding Line to fully settle and charge accordingly. This made me sincerely regret that I had openly revealed my relationship with the twins and indulged in it, but Sirius had pulled through. He had actually handed Fred and me two Two-Way mirrors and explained to us how they worked similar to a Floo-call.
Instantly I had hugged the man gratefully and the twins had joked and asked him if he couldn't have given them to us sooner. Sirius had joked back and argued that they hadn't given him a reason as we'd kept our feelings for each other a secret. The twins had laughed and conceded to this. Still the three of us had repeated the same gesture as before, but then in reverse with Fred kissing my lips and George sucking at my neck, before they left.

And after they left I had spent a few minutes happily admiring the two new hickeys in my neck and even applied a charm that would make them last at least a week or two. The rest of the week had been pretty hard on me. I had worked out, eaten healthy thanks to Dobby and Kreacher, had done my homework and practiced the required spells and sent the memories with Dobby and I had tried to keep myself properly busy and entertained.
But whenever I wasn't busy, my mind would wander back to those kisses, those hands, those lips and those bodies close against my own. I had taken full advantage of the fact that I was by myself for the whole week and had let myself experience several wet fantasies about the two delectable, lovable and hot-looking Weasley twins. Yet last night, when I was about to climax, Sirius had made me feel utterly horrified as he suddenly popped in.

"WOW! HARRY! Dobby, couldn't you have warned me that now was not a good time? Sweet Mother of Merlin, I did not need to see my son do that." I had yelped when the man had shouted and hid myself under my cover. And yet I was still able to hear his statement and while my cover was purple, my face was beet red with embarrassment. Thankfully I had my nightclothes on the bed with me and I had hurriedly put them on.
I had asked why he was here and mentioned how we had agreed to wait with the adoption until after the Trial Period in case something goes horribly wrong. Sirius had nodded, his face proving that he valiantly tries to reduce his own embarrassment and he says: "I know, pup. That's not why I'm here. It concerns something else.
I've been thinking about this all week and I think I found a way that could help you in case someone wants to give you a hard time about your relationship with Fred and George. Don't get me wrong, I'm quite sure that Hermione will argue and fight over this idea of mine as well, but at least she'll have to argue with me over this, not you." The man had me deeply intrigued, though Ron had also told me that he was already talking in on Hermione.

The girl had indeed tried to throw a tantrum about how men loving men is wrong, but the twins had set her down and asked: "Is love an emotion without rules or bounds or is it part of the English Code? And after how loveless Harry's life has been, are you really going to deny him the chance to be loved? Surely you know better than that, Hermione." And similar conversations have been taking place between my friends since.
I had wondered and worried if this new plan of Sirius might not create a setback for Hermione's growth and acceptance of the whole thing, but it hadn't been able to beat out my curiosity. And when Sirius had shown me what his plan was and told me that he already had Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's approval, I had been left speechless. I knew he didn't really need their permission, but that they had given it regardless had meant the world to me.

I now have Sirius' idea in my pocket and Sirius besides me. I know that Lupin is waiting for me on the other side of the Willow tunnel entrance, even if the man is under my invisibility cloak to keep others from knowing how to get to my safe haven. A small part of me feels reluctant to leave this sanctuary that I created out of the Shrieking Shack, but it's quickly beat down by my desire to be with my friends and go to school again.
I miss walking the hallways of Hogwarts with them. I miss sitting in class with them. I miss hearing the teachers give their lectures. I miss earning points in class. I miss the meals in the Great Hall. And as great as Sirius' comforter is, I miss my dorm bed in the Gryffindor dorm. And I miss the hustle, bustle and business of the castle, the hallways and the common room. I love my new home, but I feel homesick at the same time.

Sirius asks if I'm ready and I nod at him. We head through the tunnel together and I silently admit to myself that it feel incredibly great to be in my Hogwarts robes again and to have a bookbag full of my course books on my back once again. I know classes won't start until tomorrow, but I felt the need to return for dinner instead of breakfast, if only for one night. I know tomorrow Dobby will pop me back to the Shack and I'm fine with that.
Sirius and I don't say a thing as we pass through the tunnel, but every so often I send him a look to see how he feels about this. And every few minutes I feel the man return the gesture. Then, when we near the end of the tunnel, I stare at him at the same time he stares at me and for a moment tension grows between us. But then it breaks and we both burst out laughing. I love the fact that Sirius and I can laugh about something that happened that made no sense.

After we catch our breath, we resume our walk and start to climb up the slope to the roots of the Whomping Willow. The tree already seems unwilling to move and sway and this proves that Remus has already cast the required charm. I notice the toes of a shoe vanishing from sight when I climb out and send a grateful smile at where I assume Remus' face is. Sirius joins the two of us, but after we take a few steps, something happens.
The unpleasant sensation of Elf travel overtakes me and when I look around I'm actually already inside the Gryffindor boys dorm. Instantly I realize what happened, a second before the sensation takes me over again. And when I arrive at my next destination, the antechamber, a House Elf is there waiting for me. The elf wants to open his mouth, obviously to explain the detour, but I smile at him and tell him that it's okay, that I already know.

The elf looks startled, but he nods and asks if he should announce my presence. I shake my head and tell him to just get back to his duties, I'll take care of it. The elf tilts his head to the side for a moment as he studies me and then he says something I have heard a lot since I came to the Magical World. "You're an odd one, Mr. Potter. Your kindness is – genuine. Not just from your gratitude to our services, but – genuine."
I want to shake my head, sigh and explain, but the elf pops away before I can open my mouth. I roll my eyes and mutter: "I know what it's like to be a servant. Is it my fault that I treat those who deserve respect with said respect?" The other two men smile at me and Sirius explains that this elf is probably one that was once bought from a family like the Malfoys. And because of Dobby, I already know exactly what that might entail.

Silently I think to myself that, in that regard, Hermione has all right to be upset with the treatment of House Elves, but I let the matter rest for the moment. Instead I just head over to the door leading out and knock on it just loud enough that I'm sure the sound is heard by the Head Table. The knock also pushes the door ajar and I hear a lot of noise coming from the other side of the door. Some of that stops and I know my plan worked.
I hear Bill call for attention and the whole hall quiets down. I smile in pride at the evidence of how much Bill has been able to earn the respect of the School and he continues. "This last month has been – interesting. The wards have been recharged and are back at full power, Hogwarts – no offence – got her ahem handed to her in regards to the past few years and precautions and actions have been taken to ensure that such events don't reoccur.

And while most of these actions will benefit the school in general, we all know that some of these things happened for the sake of one of our own, one who hasn't been seen at this school in months. But now that you have all gotten a firm reminder of what this one student has been through, I ask you all to ask yourself one question. If you went through all that, went into hiding and then truly faced your inner demons while in hiding –
Would you be able to return here all willy-nilly and without a care in the world? Or would you rather return through a steady trial period and decide for yourself when you want to make the return permanent?" I blink back tears at how impassioned Bill sounds as he asks the students these questions. And while I can only hear the buzzing of voices, most of their tones prove that they feel a sense of empathy and understanding for my situation. Never before have I felt so incredibly closely connected to my peers as I do now.

Bill notices the same as his voice is even warmer and full of pride as he says: "Exactly. And that's exactly what will happen, starting today. No, the Fidelius is not yet down. It can still sense Harry's hesitancy and his need for both reassurance and comfort, for both familiarity and safety. I don't think it will fully go down until Harry himself decides that it's time. But Harry is ready to take the first step towards that decision.
So from now on, Harry will be at breakfast and in classes with the rest of Fifth year, but he won't be at dinner anymore. Instead, once his last class finishes or once he feels ready to head back, an elf will pop him back to his hiding location. That will basically be his dorm while away from Hogwarts. And please understand one thing. While we were discussing this trial period, Harry asked me, and through me the staff, a vital question.
With Floo grates at every staff member's office, House Elves working for certain families and adult witches and wizards able to Apparate, why can't some student be offered the same chance? To pick one week, day or even certain night of the year where they just want to head home and be with their families? Why is that chance restricted to the holidays? Why is Hogwarts, an amazing place, a boarding school that is also so far away from home?

And I can honestly say, the kid's not wrong. There are methods through which you can all just head home whenever you please, though that would be very disorganized for us members of staff. So if and when it's proven that Harry's trial period is successful, a self-updating notice will be posted at each common room. On this notice each student can write their name down and this will grant them a certain period of time in which they can go home.
Please note that going home will only be for the night during the school week and that, if you put your name down for, say, the first of May, you won't be able to put your name down anymore after that until next year. Though that is mostly to make sure that all those in your House can do the same. We believe that, in total, 8 students can be offered this privilege a week – again for a certain amount of time of their choosing, though no more than a week.
This should make it possible for everyone in one House to go home in the period of two to two and a half months. I understand that that's still a large period of time, but we hope to build the number up and have it somewhere around 20 by this time next year. And again, this will only be possible if and when it has been determined that Harry's trial period is successful. And this will be as much on him as it is on us the staff and on you."

Silence greets the words for a few minutes and then someone speaks up. "Hold on a second. Potter went through two seriously tough years, survived the Tri-Wizard Tournament, got traumatized, watched a friend get killed, watched his parents' killer return, got betrayed in his trust, had to go into hiding, went through his own personal demons while in hiding – and he's still thinking of ways to improve life for us? Why?"
I wince and cringe at how crudely the guy describes the last few years of my life, even if it's also an accurate description. But then my discomfort is washed away when the Weasleys, the team, Hermione, Neville, Luna and several others who I can't instantly discern by name chorus: "You don't know Harry very well, do you?" Again silence is heard and the guy mutters that, apparently, he doesn't. This is met with giggles and snickers.

"Either way, I won't hold up dinner much longer. Come on in, Harry." Bill says and I happily walk into the Great Hall. For a moment, just like I expected, everyone stares at me. But then something happens that hasn't happened in five years' time. As one a lot of students turn back to their own tables and a few send me a quick and short smile or wave at me before they resume their own activities. This simple acceptance brings me to tears.
I blink them away, yet still silently thank them in an almost breathless voice. A few students near me hear it and turn to blink at me. They grin and nod at me and then continue their meal, though they also whisper to their seated partners what just happened. And while it seems to quickly spread across the tables, my friends rush for me. Instantly I grin widely and then, while I know that Hermione won't really like it, I act.

Last night I had sent the twins the request to give the mirror to Cho for a few minutes. We had talked over the mirror and the girl had easily accepted that I wanted to end the plan. In return and as thanks, I had promised her a copy of the memory of when Cedric got killed, though I also warned her about how horrible it all had been. The girl had been grateful, both for the memory and for the severe way I had worried for her and warned her.
And because of this agreement between us, I act. The twins might be behind Ron and Hermione as they run for me, but I rush for them both and press my lips firmly against Fred's in a passionate kiss. And naturally George is instantly pressed against my back and his lips are back on the same spot as last week. Though I had my eyes slitted open and I had spotted his proud and excited grin when he spotted that his hickey was still there.
This time George's lips are slightly higher on my neck and after Fred breaks our kiss, he too attacks my neck with his lips. And thanks to their ministrations, both of their lips, teeth and tongue and of their hands that roam all over my upper body, I am very glad that I am held between them. My knees are utterly weak and tremble underneath the loving treatment and I know I would have fallen if not for my twins.

And just like they always seem able to read each other's minds, they seem able to read mine this time as they pull their lips and teeth from my neck and breathily hiss the word ours against my skin. The action has me hold back a gasp of bliss as I am not quite ready to go that far just yet. But it also reminds me of what happened last night, both the good and the bad. And because of this I grin and say: "I can be, if you sign a little something."
Instantly I have everyone's attention and I happily pull Sirius' plan out of my pocket as I tell them that Sirius wrote it up and that he already got the approval of the Weasley elders. Yet Bill still asks me if he can read it through as an official Gringotts employee. I really don't see a problem with this and Sirius doesn't seem offended either, so I comply. Bill reads through the whole thing with incredible speed and grins at the end.

"Very nicely done, Lord Black. This contract was clearly set up with many important factors taken into account and with the emotional and personal future of both House Potter, Weasley and its members in mind, especially the members that are the concern of this here contract. I would almost say that this was set up by an employee of Gringotts, but then again I know how gifted certain families are with writing up these contracts.
I can safely say that, if they had been alive, the Potters probably would have written up a similar contract and I can honestly say that Gringotts would have been happy to have done the same. I may not be Lord, but as Eldest of House Weasley, I definitely give my approval. Both of this contract and the union it will one day forge." And with that Bill spreads the contract out before us and summons a quill for Fred, George and I.

From the corner of my eye I notice that Lupin has pulled Hermione against his form and that he is silencing her with a hand over her mouth. Neville and Angelina are also silently telling the girl to keep quiet with angry glances. For a moment I worry that if I do this I might lose a friend, but then I remember what Cho and I discussed and why I said I wanted this. And so, even though I recognize the blood quill with dread, I accept it.
Fred wraps his hand around the back of my own as he helps me write and I give him a short look to thank him as I sign the contract. He takes over while George quickly draws his wand and heals the latest cut on my hand. He repeats this action when Fred has signed the contract and Fred returns the gesture when George has put his signature down. Bill sighs as he dismisses the blood quill, yet he still smiles at the three of us in pride.

Then something happens that I never saw coming. I notice movement from the corner of my eye and for a moment I fear that it might a Snake about to attack one of us. I turn around and have my wand already in hand and halfway up to an aiming position when Blaise Zabini speaks up. "To the Union of House Weasley and the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. Amor Vitea." And the last two words echo through the hall.
What astounds me isn't just the fact that a Slytherin was the first to make a toast, but that even Malfoy – who had been so dismissive of Cedric's death only last year – joins in on the toast. What's more the blonde seems to actually genuinely mean it too. And in my astounded shock, I only barely hear my wand clatter to the floor. Ron, who is standing with us, quickly picks it up for me and puts it back in my pocket as he whispers: "I know. Crazy."

A few hours later
In the boys dorm

It feels utterly amazing to be back in my old dorm. I actually belatedly realized how much I had missed Ron and Dean's snoring as the sound now feels like music to my ears and brings a nostalgic grin to my face. The twins had gone to sit on either side of me and had fed me a few bites all throughout the meal. I wondered if they wanted to prove to others that we were dating, but I considered it all too adorable to care.
Sirius and Remus had, naturally, left and said goodbye after dinner was over, though the twins had also tried to return the Two-Way mirror to Sirius. Sirius had told them to keep it and that he now had Remus' and that they shared. I realized, only there and then, that I had dad's version and once I got to my trunk, I had made sure that the mirror was secure and firmly tucked within several of my thicker cloths. I had explained to the others why.

By now it's late enough that I know I should be asleep, but something is keeping me awake. A part of me wonders if it's a sense of uncanny valley, but I know this can't be the case as it was never a problem before now. Part of me also wonders if it wouldn't have been better if I had done this on Saturday night as I start to wonder if I'll be able to catch enough sleep to be active in classes come tomorrow morning.
No matter what I try, I can't seem to get my brain to shut down and no matter what position I turn into, it just doesn't feel comfortable enough for me to doze off. But when suddenly the door to the dorm creaks, my eyes widen and I pull my wand from underneath my pillow. For a moment I wonder if perhaps Hestia Jones thought she should consider Potter watch, but then I dismiss this thought as she'd need the password to the Fat Lady.

And then my fears are laid to rest as two very familiar voices whisper that it's okay and that it's just them. And the other voice calling me their snuggle cub proves to me that it's the twins as they hadn't called me that at all while at dinner, only last week. I put my wand back underneath my pillow and the two climb into bed with me. To my slight amazement the bed is actually just the right size for us to fit in snuggly.
I love how I am, yet again, sandwiched between the two warm, hot, muscular bodies and when they ask if I couldn't sleep either, I mumble: "No. And it's not even because of Ron's snoring. I missed that so much it and Dean's snores sound like music to my ears." The twins snort and Fred whispers how they grew up with Ron the steam engine Weasley. Then, even though he's fast asleep, Ron actually throws a pillow at us.
Quickly I pull my wand and gently banish it back to him. I know Ron and I know that he'll wake within seconds if he doesn't have his pillow. And because I don't feel like having him scream the whole dorm room awake when he sees the three of us in bed, I quickly make sure this won't happen. Ron moans sleepily and then grins in his sleep before he turns his head and resumes his snoring, obviously even faster asleep.

I sigh in relief and Fred whispers how it's a good thing that private dorms were a part of the contract for after the trial period. My eyes widen as I hadn't actually read the contract. I had just trusted Sirius to do as Bill said earlier, to write up a contract that would benefit everyone equally and that was merely meant to ensure that I won't receive any slack or hardship from others for being in a relationship with two men.
Right there and then I am glad that the wards have already dealt with Rita Skeeter once before as I'm sure the woman would have devoured this story if she had been given the chance. But then I ignore both this thought and the thought about private chambers. Instead I smile as an extra blanket is conjured by the House Elves for the twins and I happily cuddle a little more snuggly in-between the two of them as I finally fall asleep.

Sweet dreams, Harry.
Okay, so is the whole sleeping in the same bed together a bit forbearing and hasty? Maybe, but consider two factors here. One, the twins and Harry have been secretly dating for almost two years now. And two, there is an extra blanket involved, so there is still plenty of fabric between the three of them. Oh, and of course none of them are naked, though that's more because it's still March and they live in a drafty castle.
Yeah, go figure,

Venquine1990