Classes resumed on Monday, and everything was going normally until lunch time when the twins sat down on either side of Harry. While they'd always been amicable to the boy, they were normally preoccupied coming up with mischief between themselves and their friends.

"Hiya, Harry," Fred proclaimed as he dramatically plopped down next to the boy.

"Hi, Fred," Harry answered happily.

"Ugh, not you too," the boy groaned. "I'm George."

"I'm Fred," the other twin claimed.

Harry just grinned slightly. "No you're not," Harry answered confidently.

"How do you always manage to keep us separate?" George asked genuinely intrigued.

"Easy, Fred you have a little scar by your eyebrow. I remember you telling me the story of when you were playing exploding snaps and had the brilliant idea to start your prank business with an...more...exhilarating snap. Didn't go quite as you planned, though. George, you have a little bump on your nose. I remember you telling me about you tried a spell on one of the garden gnomes and it...backfired, but you were too embarrassed so you jumped in the creek and told your mom that's how you hurt your nose," Harry explained with a chuckle.

Both boys looked at him in shock which quickly turned into their signature mischievous grins as they said in unison, "Just don't tell anyone or you'll expose our best prank."

"Hey, I haven't given you away yet, have I?" Harry asked.

"I suppose not," Fred answered.

"You really are a good friend, Harry," George offered.

Harry laughed, "You've actually gone looney now, George. Maybe you should let Madam Pomfrey examine your head."

"No seriously, Harry," Fred interrupted.

"You underestimate your own awesomeness," George finished.

"Which is why we," Fred said his mischievous grin growing a bit wider.

"Want you to be a part of our next venture," George said dramatically.

Harry looked at them skeptically. "What exactly would be involved in your next venture?" he asked carefully.

"Well, George and I want to open," Fred started in a hushed voice.

"A prank store of sorts," George informed the boy in an equally hushed voice.

"And we want you," Fred explained.

"To act as our publicity," George finished.

Ron who sat across the table let out a chuckle as Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Umm...what exactly would that mean?" Harry asked.

"Well, Georgey and I are still working out the details..."

"But basically, once Fred and I have everything in order..."

"We'd like for you to maybe give a quote or two to the newspapers," Fred finished with a flourish.

"Umm...I'd be happy to do that for you guys. Can you tell me a little more about this plan of yours?" Harry asked genuinely curious.

"Well, Fred and I are hoping to buy a shop in Diagon Alley," George started explaining.

"Georgey came up with the name 'Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes'" Fred added enthusiastically.

"And we'll sell all the trinkets and stuff we use for pranks and laughs," George offered.

"Kinda like we do here at Hogwarts, but on a much larger scale," Fred laughed.

"Merlin save us all," Hermione said under her breath.

"That sounds like a really cool idea, guys. And a fabulous name George. I'll keep an eye out for any store spaces and you guys can let me know whenever you want me to talk to the newspapers. Once you're ready I can also get flyers or something to give out at Hogwarts. Wouldn't want the professors to have it too easy once you guys leave after all," Harry answered grinning from ear to ear.

Both twins suddenly embraced Harry as they exclaimed in unison, "See! You are the best, Harry! Well, we'll catch ya at Quidditch this afternoon!"

As Harry was leaving the dining hall he almost ran right into Luna who was knelt down looking under the trophy case.

"Oh, why hello, Harry. Having a nice day I hope," the blonde girl said softly.

"I am thank you, Luna. Can I ask what you're looking for?" Harry asked worried someone was bullying his friend again.

"Why, it just seems a pixie has misplaced the new earrings my father sent me. I'm sure they'll turn up. Kind of hard to miss since they're bright yellow ducklings. I love ducklings. Oh Harry, would you want to go with me to visit the new thestral that was born last night at some point today?" Luna asked with a bright smile.

"Of course, maybe after Quidditch practice?" Harry offered kindly.

"Oh, yay! I can't wait. Thank you, Harry. I'll see you then!"

"And I'll keep my eyes peeled for your earrings too," Harry said.

"Oh don't worry too much. I'm sure they'll turn up. Have a good day, Harry" Luna called as she skipped off to her next class.

"You too, Luna," Harry called after her. He smiled even though he knew he would have to confront some Ravenclaws that afternoon. Luna always brightened his day with her calm, positive energy. She didn't deserve to be bullied as she was. Harry wouldn't stand for it.

When Harry, Ron, and Hermione finally got to the dungeons for their potions lessen, they found Neville waiting outside the doors trembling.

"Hi, Neville, you okay?" Harry asked his friend.

"Oh, Harry, I'm just nervous for potions. Do you think maybe we could study together or something? You taught DADA so well last year. You make sense to me, and I know you don't really like potions either, but I could really use some help," Neville asked as he fidgeted with his robes nervously.

"Neville, try to relax a little bit okay? Professor Snape isn't evil. He may be scary, but he won't hurt you. You've messed up before and he hasn't hurt you, he won't hurt you still. And I don't not like potions, so of course I'll help you study. Maybe we can even rope Hermione into helping us," Harry whispered the last part loudly as he grinned at his bushy haired friend.

"We'll have a study session every Saturday afternoon to review the basics of the upcoming week. But I won't give you an excuse to slack on your homework or not pay attention in class. Since we missed this Saturday, why don't we meet in the library after dinner this evening assuming you all can keep yourselves out of detention?" Hermione proclaimed confidently.

"Oh, thanks you guys! I don't know what I would do without you!" Neville proclaimed.

During quidditch practice that afternoon, Harry was on cloud nine. He was having so much fun flying through the air searching for the snitch. Everything had been going perfectly and there were only a few minutes left of practice. Harry was very pleased, until he got blindsided by a bludger which hit hard enough to knock him off his broom. He hit the ground hard and almost instantly George and Fred were beside him with Ron right behind them and the rest of the team not far behind.

"Harry!" Fred and George screamed.

"Are you alright, mate?" Ron asked.

Katie took control as she instructed everyone to back up a bit. "I understand you're all anxious, but you need to give Harry a minute. Harry stay still and slowly assess yourself. Are you hurting anywhere?" Katie asked.

"Nowhere is overly painful right now. My head is fine. I think I actually managed not to hit it for once. My vision isn't any blurrier than normal and I don't have a headache. My neck feels good. My back feels a little sore. My right shoulder is smarting. I can move all my fingers so I don't think my arms are broken or anything. My legs feel fine too, although the previous injuries I had are still sore, but I don't think they're more sore than they were. Oof, Snape's gonna be so mad at me. He just gave me the all clear to play quidditch this morning," Harry groaned.

Everybody laughed at that since the basics of Harry's situation were common knowledge amongst the Gryffindors. "Alright, Fred and George you can help Harry sit up now," Katie instructed. She watched Harry's expression carefully.

"Still no pain. Head's still fine," Harry answered her unasked questions since he knew this drill well.

"Okay, Fred and George you can help Harry stand, but stay close incase he faints or falls or something," Katie instructed.

Once Harry was on his feet he took a couple steps with the twins close by. He took care to move all his joints and his head before declaring, "I'm fine. I'll check in with Snape when I get back there tonight, but I'm not worried about anything. Why don't we call it quits for today though."

Everyone cheered and they parted ways. Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny walked with their friend back to the castle where he met Luna.

"Ah, Harry, eventful practice I see," Luna offered with a smile at the sight of a very dirt covered Harry.

He blushed slightly and changed the subject, "You ever get your earrings returned?"

"Funnily enough, my ducklings reappeared before classes ended," she answered with a thankful look on her face. "Are you ready to go?"

"Where are you going, mate?" Ron asked.

"There's a new thestral!" Luna proclaimed.

Hermione, Ginny, and Ron all looked slightly skeptical, but Harry glared at them before turning his attention to Luna and replying, "Yep, lead the way!"

Luna and Harry made their way and were excited to meet the baby thestral. "How are you, Harry?" Luna asked gently after they'd fed and visited with the skittish creatures.

"I'm good, why?" Harry asked confused.

"I don't know, you just seem...sadder. I mean, you've seemed a little better in the last day or two, but compared to last year, it's like your soul is suffering," Luna remarked staring at Harry but in her way which seemed like she was staring at somethin just past him, or maybe...something within him.

Harry sighed, "It's hard. Watching Cedric die...because of me. And then putting Sirius in the position to be killed. And all of this...Voldemort stuff. I feel...tired, ya know?"

Luna smiled at him and said, "Tired of being the adult when you ought to be a kid?"

"Exactly," Harry affirmed.

"Harry, Voldemort killed Cedric because he's an evil man. A death eater spy turned the trophy into a port key because he's either a disturbed or misguided soul. You let Cedric grab the trophy with you because you are a kind hearted wizard who doesn't have a drop of greed in his soul, only kindness. Cedric did not die because of you. Cedric died because of Voldemort, because of the death eater, but not because of you! As for Sirius, you didn't put him in that position. He's an adult who made his own decisions and you were tricked with a vision that have been real in the past. Would it have been any easier if Sirius had been taken captive and you hadn't gone to him? No. There's no way you could've known, so don't blame yourself for that either. And this Voldemort stuff, you're not fighting this battle alone. You quite literally have an entire world of wizards and witches standing with you. Let yourself be a kid! Maybe a kid that plays with baby thestrals, but a kid all the same. You are a good person, Harry. Cut yourself a little slack," Luna almost whispered.

"Thank you, Luna. I appreciate it a lot," Harry said sincerely.

"You are welcome, Harry. Now, should we get back, it is almost dinner time after all," Luna pointed out.

"Yeah, I suppose we'd better," Harry answered holding out his arm to the young girl so she wouldn't fall on their trek back to the castle.

That night, after Hermione had helped Neville, Ron, and him with potions, after he'd done his homework and had Severus check it over, as he sat looking for a store for Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes, Harry thought about his friends. How Fred and George had looked so touched when Harry explained about telling them a part, Luna had wanted to visit the thestral with him, Neville felt he understood when Harry taught, Hermione was willing to help them all with any subject they needed it, Luna had cared to listen to his woes, Remus wanted to meet with him every Friday after class, Severus was taking care of him, George Wiley was healing him, the entire quidditch team had been so worried about him. Tears welled in his eyes as a feeling of love and support filled his heart and without a second thought he bought the store that he knew would be perfect for George and Fred with the money from his parents' vault.

The next morning, Harry snuck from Snape's quarter up to the tower and into George and Fred's room early and quietly woke them asking them to come the common room with him. When they arrived moments later after pulling their clothes on quickly, George breathlessly proclaimed, "Are you okay? Is everything okay?"

"You didn't get hurt yesterday did you?" Fred added equally as frantic.

"No, no, no, everything's fine. I have to sit out the next three days while some ribs heal, but that's not what this is about," Harry replied with a laugh.

Both twins sighed with relief before Fred teasingly accused, "So what, you woke us up this early for fun?"

"You know I need my beauty sleep," George said dramatically.

"I...I wanted to give you both something. You've been good friends to me. You make me laugh harder than anyone I've ever met. I really appreciate you both. So...well...I guess...just here," Harry stammered as he shoved a piece of paper at them.

Mr. Potter,
It is my pleasure to transfer the store title into George Weasley and Fred Weasley's names per your request. We hope it will be suitable for your needs. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Diagon Alley Storefront Sales

Below the letter was a picture of the outside of the store, a few pictures of the interior, and an address. Behind was a copy of the proof of ownership with George and Fred's legal names, blank lines underneath waiting for their signatures.

"You-you..." Fred was speechless.

"Did you buy us a store?" George asked astonished.

Harry blushed as he nodded. "I believe in you. I wanted to make sure you have no excuse to not go through with this plan. Everybody deserves to laugh like you've made me laugh. After all, laughter is the best medicine," Harry replied as he shrugged.

Both boys pulled Harry into an embrace grinning from ear to ear. "Thank you so much, Harry!" George exclaimed.

"It looks perfect!" Fred added enthusiastically.

"Better than I'd ever dreamed!" George affirmed.

"I'm glad you like it," Harry responded self consciously.

"You have a lifetime supply of pranks, free of charge," the twins declared in unison.

Harry just blushed and mumbled, "I'd better get back before Snape realizes I didn't sleep in like he instructed me to." He was happy he hadn't let Severus and Remus talk to the Weasleys about everything that had happened. He could know for sure now that they were his friends for some other reason than feeling sorry for him. His heart swelled as he once again thought of all the friends he'd made in the last few years at Hogwarts.