Trying to Live

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter I would not be writing fan fiction.

Chapter 7 Friends

'Get up and walk.' Harry instantly recognised the voice as belonging to either Fred or George. Not having any choice he did as he was told and allowed himself to be nudged forwards, wondering how on earth the twins had managed to find him when he was wearing his father's cloak. Soon he found himself being turned sideways and through a door which led , as it turned out into a fairly spacious cupboard. Once the three of them were inside Harry was forced into a sitting position at the back of the cupboard by George, while Fred sat himself down against the door to prevent any chance of Harry escaping.

'Care to show yourself then , young Harry?' asked Fred , his voice betraying no emotion. Reluctantly , Harry shrugged off his cloak.

'Wow! Is that what I think it is?' George sounded awed.

'It's my dad's old invisibility cloak,' admitted Harry, hoping the boys weren't about to try and take it from him.

'How about we get to the point?' demanded Fred. 'For instance, Harry, why have you been following us everywhere?'

Harry went red. He didn't know how to admit the reasons for his actions without seeming pathetic he settled for stalling.

'I wasn't doing you any harm,' he mumbled.

'We know you haven't done anything ,' said George slowly. 'In fact you even helped us out the other day when we did that paint thing with Snape. Which was purely done to test you by the way. I hope you realise that we would never seriously consider playing a pathetic trick like that. But what we want to know is why you , a Slytherin , would want to follow us around all the time and even help us out of a tight spot.'

Harry made up his mind. Fred and George didn't sound angry with him and just maybe they would be sympathetic to his situation. So he started telling them about how lonely he was and the restrictions placed on him all his life. Once he started he didn't seem able to stop and it was some time before his story was finished. There was silence for a minute when he did at last stop. Then George spoke up.

'Why didn't you tell us you wanted to be our friend?'

'You might have said no.' replied Harry. 'And if I was your friend the other Gryffindors would give you a hard time because all Slytherins are supposed to be evil.'

'Your right,' agreed Fred. 'It really wouldn't do for us to be seen to be friends with you.' Harry stood up and started towards the door, disappointed but not really surprised.

'Wait!' Harry stopped at Fred's command. 'You misunderstand.'

'Yes,' put in George. 'It really wouldn't do for us to be seen to be friends with you.'

'After all,' went on Fred. 'Think of the advantages of an unknown helper for some of our, er, activities.'

A glimmer of hope stirred deep within Harry. 'You mean.. you mean…' he stuttered.

'Of course we mean, my dear chap.' said George. 'Now, you must understand that we're not ashamed to be your friend.'

'Certainly not!' added Fred. 'But secrecy can be a valuable commodity and with that and your cloak you will be an invaluable aid to us.'

'But don't think we just want you for helping with mischief,' reassured George. 'We think you're a fine chap and are proud to accept you as a friend.'

Although much of the twins' speech was delivered in a fake pompous manner, Harry recognised the real sincerity behind their words and was overwhelmed. It was hard to take in after all the weeks of loneliness. There was one thing perplexing him however.

'Er, can I ask you er, how you er, I mean how you knew I was er…'

'I think, Fred, that what Harry is getting at, is how we knew he was tailing us. What shall we tell him?'

Fred considered his brother's question and made a decision.

'Harry, I'm afraid we can't divulge that little secret just yet. But rest assured we shall tell you one day. Now its getting late, so I suggest you return to the dungeons and meet us here in three days time at eight thirty. Okay?'

'Okay.' And Fred moved away from the door to allow Harry out. Harry donned his cloak again and returned to the dungeons, and bed. Sleep was a long time coming to him due to the fact that he was so excited at finally having some real friends even if they were two years ahead of him. Finally he dozed off though and fell into a truly restful slumber.

Back up in the cupboard Fred and George were discussing their newest aid to troublemaking.

'Poor wee fellow.' Fred shook his head sadly. 'How on earth did he get into Slytherin?'

'Perhaps because he likes spying on people hidden under an invisibility cloak?' George sounded amused. 'Slytherins are known for their cunning after all. It's our duty to make sure young Harry uses his talents for good not evil.'

Good mischief, that is,' grinned Fred and pulled out two bottles of butterbeer from his robe. 'Let's have a toast to our new friend, Harry Potter.'

'To Harry Potter!' cried the twins in unison, and they drained the bottles in one gulp before they too returned to their dormitories and bed.

I know this chapter's short, but that's just where it decided to end itself. And haven't I been good? A whole chapter and nothing mean happening to Harry! Don't forget to thank me by reviewing.

Willowcharm