Minerva and I escorted the unconscious Gryffindors to the Hospital Wing, whilst the other teachers dealt with the Troll. Poppy Pomfrey already had beds ready and diagnosed them with magical exhaustion. They would wake up, unharmed, in a day or two. Minerva left to confront Dumbledore. She was furious that such a creature had managed to get into the school, without the all-powerful warlock noticing. Her fury was not helped by the knowledge that three of her favourite lion cubs were now in the hospital wing as a direct result of the troll. Poppy transfigured their robes into pyjamas, a nifty charm which was used by healers worldwide and returned to her office. I was about to leave when something caught my eye. Young Miss Granger was tucked under the starched white sheets of the hospital bed, her hands resting gently upon it. And it was her hands that caught my attention. On each hand, a small tattoo wound around her middle finger. I clambered onto the chair by her bed and grabbed her hands, pulling up the sleeves of her pyjamas as I did so.

I remember the one thought that went through my head as I saw the swirling pattern continue up from both fingers, the back of her hands and up her arms. Oh, Dear Sweet Merlin.

Thankfully Poppy had placed them in beds next to each other and I didn't have to run about like a headless Hippogriff. I reached across and nabbed the red-headed twin's arm, yanking up his sleeve. Same pattern. I checked with the other twin. Same tattoo, different arm. I had the strong suspicion the patterns matched. Bonding tattoos. I moved as fast as my small stature would allow to the foot of the three beds and raised my wand hoping Poppy didn't come back and question my actions.

"Reconditus" I murmured. The charm was semi-permanent, only removable by me and undetectable to others. I checked the charm had taken and the tattoos were hidden and left the hospital wing as fast as I could.

Why did I hide the marks? Surely such a momentous occasion as soul-bonding should be shouted from the rooftops and pledged in sonnets. Well, dear readers, the answer is quite simple. Albus Dumbledore. I had watched him scheme and plan and play with the lives of Lily and James Potter. I had seen his fury when Sirius Black freed his godson from the muggles and vanished. Unlike Dumbledore, I knew exactly who Harry Black was. I knew how powerful this trio would be. I knew Dumbledore was looking for his chosen one. I wasn't about to hand him three.

Sirius Black sipped his coffee. It was quiet without his godson pottering around the place, causing havoc. Sirius grinned. Pottering. He was hilarious. A loud crack caused him to slop the hot liquid and he turned to glare accusingly at the eagle owl outside the window. It glared right back. Sirius gave in. There was no winning with owls. He set down his mug and crossed to the window, opening it in one smooth movement, shaking his head. The owl stuck out its leg and he untied the message, barely clearing his hands before it flew off. Sirius sat back down at the table. It looked like two pieces of paper folded. He slipped his fingers under the flap but, much to his amazement it wouldn't come undone. He flipped it over and read the words scrawled on the back in ornate handwriting.

If I were the Map, what would you do?

Riddles weren't his strong point. He was a Gryffindor for Merlin's sake, not a Ravenclaw. Sirius threw his head back and yelled. "MOONY!"

The wizard stuck his head in the door. "I'm sorry Sirius did you call for me? I couldn't quite hear you from the room next door."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "C'mere. I want you to have a look at something." He handed him the parchment and Remus sat down, frowning slightly. "What does that mean?"

"It means you're an idiot." Remus chuckled and pulled out his wand. "This is a sticking charm which has been worded to a specific phase. That is your clue." He waited patiently for Sirius to connect the dots.

"AH! The Marauders Map." Remus rolled his eyes and nodded.

"Didn't Harry write to us and say some friends of his had found it?"

"Just tap the letter, Sirius." Sirius pulled out his wand and muttered. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The words vanished and the parchment unfolded, revealing the letter within. Remus tugged his chair closer and they began to read.

Dear Sirius Black,

We are, as you have probably deduced, friends of Harry. We went to visit the Headmaster today, for various reasons and we were made aware of the greatest trick ever played on Albus Dumbledore.

We have dubbed it "The Two Harrys". You can blame Gred and Forge for that.

We came up with a theory as to how you achieved this and were wondering if we were correct.

Firstly you hid Harry Potter away from the magical community for several years after adopting him in law.

You write to Dumbledore telling him of the existence of your own son. Dumbledore won't question the existence of such a child, especially if you tell him you hid your son away to protect him from Lord Voldemort. You explain to him that you and James believed it would be hilarious to name both your sons Harry, as you were very close to each other. It'd be like have two sons (insert excuse used here). He could be easily convinced that this was the Marauders last prank.

You later inform him that you are worried by the amount of fame and danger Harry Potter would grow up within Britain. You have made the choice of sending Harry Potter to Beauxbatons Academy and will be keeping him hidden and safe. At this point, there are two Harrys. Harry undergoes a magical adoption, via an archaic potion and becomes for all intents and purposes Harry Black, your son. Harry Potter is sent to France and never heard of again. Harry Potter vanishes and Harry Black is an unimportant pureblood out of the reach of Albus Dumbledore.

If we are wrong then you may keep your method to yourself but please do write back. I have been assured that if we were correct you will confirm it. Apparently denying a prank when you've been caught red-handed is not how a good prankster conducts himself. Forge and Gred were simply overjoyed at the chance to contact you, their hero.

Please don't mention this to Harry. We weren't sure if he knew the details of this or not and don't particularly wish to be on the wrong end of temper. Again.

Yours,

Gred, Twist and Forge

(Second generation pranksters)

P.S Gred and Forge believe I should mention that without my genius they wouldn't have worked it out at all. I wish to mention that Gred and Forge really need to get better nicknames and if you have any suggestions I will gratefully inscribe them upon their foreheads in luminous ink.

P.P.S Twist wishes to assure Gred and Forge that she is NOT joking.

Sirius sat back and laughed. Remus joined him as he read the postscripts back to himself.

"Luminous ink." He chuckled. "Well, Padfoot I do believe you have a Fanclub. Whoever Twist is, she's a genius. She managed to figure it out what Dumbledore himself failed to notice."

Sirius nodded grinning widely. "I don't actually know her name. Harry just refers to her as Twist in his letters. The twins are Fred and George Weasley."

"Are you going to reply?"

Sirius gaped at him. "Of course I am. My honour as a Marauder is on the line here. How could I possibly deny this?"

Remus shook his head and helped himself to the box of chocolates Sirius had bought for Amelia.

Filius' note: We've decided it is necessary to invite others to give their accounts of events, such as Sirius and Remus. I have been informed that it makes for a more involved story.

Minerva McGonagall was not stupid. She wandered along the Transfiguration corridor to her office, wondering which of the staff members had let the troll into the school. It wasn't simply a matter of the troll wandering in from the forest. There were no trolls in the Forbidden Forest. There weren't any in almost a hundred miles. As well as that the school was warded against such creatures. Only a teacher would be able to lift the wards to let it through.

"Minerva?" She spun around and frowned at the empty corridor.

"Down here, Minerva." She glanced down and spotted Filius. She immediately blushed. It wasn't a reflection on his height. It was just Minerva walked with her head held high and very rarely looked at the ground. She walked into a lot of first years because of it.

Filius rolled his eyes. "I need to talk to you. Can we go to your office?"

She nodded and led the way through her office door. Filius leapt from the footrest into a chair in one easy movement. He wasn't a duelling master for nothing. She sat in her desk chair and rubbed her temples, trying to ward off the oncoming headache.

"We need to talk about your Gryffindors."

"Which ones?"

"Fred and George Weasley and Hermione Granger."

She blinked at him and sighed. "This won't be good, will it?"

"No." Filius sighed "I know why they fainted. The troll didn't hurt them and no normal spell would have caused them to faint. My best guess is that they cast simultaneously and their soul bond formed."

Minerva just stared at him. She reached out blindly and opened a drawer pulling out a bottle of Firewiskey she'd confiscated from some seventh years. A burst of wandless magic later and she raised the uncorked bottle to her lips. Headache be damned. She needed this. It took three mouthfuls before her courage was bolstered enough to speak.

"You're sure?" The whiskey had made her voice cracked and rough.

Filius nodded and held his hand out for the bottle.

"I spotted the marks in the hospital wing. All three of them." He took a swig. "I've hidden them from view. Poppy would only tell Albus."

Minerva sighed, "Can you imagine what he'd do with that kind of power?"

"Albus is a good man," Filius argued. "He truly is. But he puts the battle before all else. He believes You-Know-Who will rise again. Without Harry Potter, this would be his next best weapon."

Minerva nodded and flexed her fingers slightly. "So we keep them hidden and safe. Should we tell their parents?"

"I wouldn't tell Mrs Weasley. Her family are tied to follow Dumbledore. She'd go to him without a second thought. I'm sure the twins will be able to keep this from her. Pair of natural liars they are." He chuckled slightly.

"And Miss Granger?"

Filius shrugged. "Don't you know about her family?"

Minerva snapped her fingers and the Hogwarts Attendance book landed with a thump on her desk. It was leather-bound and thick, as each child had their own page with their contact details, school records and current academic status. Minerva flicked through it until she came to Granger, Hermione.

Granger, Hermione

Muggleborn

DOB: 19th of September 1980

Place of Residence: Lambeth Orphanage

Current Status: Hospitalised

She sighed. "Orphan. I don't visit orphans, Albus does. He says he always wants to make sure. I deal with muggleborns. This does make things easier on her front. No parents to ask questions. When shall we tell them?"

"Not immediately. The charm will hold for another four days before their magic begins to corrode it. They'll know something is different when they wake up." Filius jumped off the chair and made for the door. "I need to read up on this. It's not exactly a common piece of magic."

Minerva nodded and banished the attendance book with another snap of her fingers.

"It's a pity the twins aren't chasers. Gryffindor would be unstoppable."

"Is that all you think about Minerva?" Filius scolded.

"You try losing to Severus. It'd make you dedicated to anything."

"By the way where did that Firewhiskey come from?"

She grinned. "Nymphadora Tonks."

Flitwick rolled his eyes again. "Pomona was right. She really does lack the ability to behave."

Fred groaned and punched his pillow in an attempt to make it less like a stone. He thought the pillows in the dormitories were much more comfortable than this. Dorm was usually warmer too.

If it smells like the Hospital Wing and it feels like the Hospital Wing then it's probably... he opened his eyes and groaned. Yep, the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey heard him and bustled over.

"Ah, Mr Weasley. How nice of you to wake up." She flicked her wand in an exaggeratedly fluid movement and smirked slightly. "Your magic is back to normal. Now would you mind telling me who you are?"

Fred stared at her in amazement. "You've known me since first year. Don't you remember me?"

She sighed. "I know you're a Weasley twin. I just don't know which one. Even I can't tell you apart."

"Oh. Hermione can. I'm Fred." She nodded and tapped his forehead with her wand.

"Jolly good. Any dizziness? Nausea?" He shook his head and she sighed "Very well. You can get up if you feel like it. Your clothes are in that cabinet." She strode off and closed the privacy screens behind her. Fred stood and stretched before getting changed. The last thing he remembered was disarming the troll, with George and Hermione. He shook his head and sighed. Someone would explain later. He left and looked down along the ward. All the other beds were empty, except two, which were closed off with more screens. George and Hermione.

He checked to see where Madam Pomfrey was before he crept through the nearest set of screens, scratching his arm as he did so. For some reason it itched incessantly. In the first bed he found Hermione, sleeping peacefully and looking almost angelic whilst doing so. It reminded Fred of something his mother used to say when he was little. "The little devils look like angels when their asleep. Wake them up and the disguise is ruined." Given that his mother reserved this saying for him and George it wasn't surprising that he heard it a lot. Speaking of George... Fred pushed his way through the curtains until he reached his brothers bed.

"George?"

"Fred."

"George?"

"Fred."

"GEORGE!"

George's eyes snapped open and he jumped, seeing Fred's face bare inches from his own.

"AHH..." Fred slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Shut up. We're in the Hospital Wing. Are you okay?"

George nodded and Fred removed his hand.

"Don't wake me up like that. Why are we here? Is Hermione okay?"

Fred nodded once and his brother relaxed.

"She's next door sleeping. Get dressed." Fred made to leave.
"Gred?"

"Yes Forge?"

"Why is their an F on your forehead?"

Fred sighed. "Damn you Poppy Pomfrey!"

Hermione woke to see twin expressions of concern before she was crushed by a set of thirteen year olds with deep blue eyes. She coughed slightly and they sat back, fluffing her pillows so she could sit up. Hermione smiled. It was almost comical seeing the expressions of concern and worry on such normally buoyant faces.

"What's wrong? You're not usually this worried." Her voice was cracked from misuse and George handed her his glass of water. She didn't care that he'd already drunk from it. They'd been sharing food for ages, because the twins worried she didn't eat enough.

"We don't know. We only just woke up. The last thing we remember is fighting the troll and now..." George gestured around him. Their robes had been cleaned and pressed but neither twin had their tie done up properly. Her hands itched to straighten them. She clenched the duvet instead. Actually her whole arm itched, right up to her

"Where's Pomfrey?"

"Right here."

The twins flinched and turned slowly to face the middle-aged matron. She was standing at the foot of Hermione's bed, hands on her hips in a position that reminded both twins strongly of their mother.

"Why didn't either of you decide to fetch me when Miss Granger woke up? She was twice as drained as the pair of you. It's a miracle she's even awake."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, her warm brown eyes managing to look flinty and cold standing out in sharp relief against her unnaturally pale skin, as she fixed Pomfrey with a questioning glare.

"Drained?"

Pomfrey nodded, flicking her wand over Hermione.

"Magically drained. Something that happens rarely to wizards who overexert themselves. We found you unconscious behind a statue. The only other thing in that corridor was an unconscious troll. Priori Incantatem showed that the last magic you did with your wands was a disarming charm. It is my assumption..." and she glared at them collectively. "That you put so much force and desperation behind that charm that you managed to defeat a troll and drain yourselves at the same time."

Although they were innocent for some reason it seemed to be impossible for Fred to keep his face straight. His twin seemed to be having similar troubles, as he pursed his lips. Hermione had simply settled for glaring at the healer, one eyebrow raised in defiance. Typical.

"Did you tell our Mum?"

The healer sighed and shook her head.

"I remember the last time the pair of you were in here. Quidditch injuries, wasn't it?" They nodded and she scowled. "Moronic game if you ask me." She turned to Hermione "Their mother came all the way to school and had the audacity to question my treatment. Honestly." Hermione's scowl softened slightly and Madam Pomfrey nodded as if satisfied. "Well, you're all well enough to go, although I'll give you a pass from classes today. Professor Flitwick asked me to pass on a message that he'd like to see you. Regarding your charms grades apparently." She shooed the boys out of their so Hermione could dress and they stood just outside the curtain.

"So are you sure you're ok, Twist?"

Fred and George grinned at each other as Hermione growled at them.

"Er...Never mind."

Hermione sighed and pushed her way out from behind the curtain, pulling her jumper over her head. Her frown vanished as she spotted the genuine concern on their faces. She linked arms with them and they walked slowly out of the Hospital Wing, relaxing slightly at the contact. Fred smiled slightly.

"We're sorry. It's just...you heard Pomfrey, you had it worse than us. You could've died or something."

"You're our best friend. We're allowed to worry about you."
"Well don't. If there's one thing I am, it's bloody hard to kill." They frowned at her bitter tone. The swearing they were used to. Hermione swore like a banshee. "I thought Lee was your best friend."

"Nah. He was but no one knows us like you do. Besides some of your prank ideas are simply..."

"Evil?" Hermione suggested.

"Ingenius." Fred corrected.

"Hilarious."

"Brilliant."

"Oh stop it. I think I might faint from the praise." They grinned at her sarcasm. "As for the draining thing...It's probably because of your twin bond."

"Twin bond?" They stopped and stared at her, arms still linked.

"Well yes. Didn't you know?" They shook their heads and Hermione rolled her brown eyes. "A twin bond forms between a pair of magical twins. You two ill always support each other and love each other unconditionally. You're..."She cast around for the right words. "Soul mates. I mean that in a platonic sense, so stop looking sick. Soul mates can be best friends, siblings or lovers or anything really. Soul mate means someone who fits you perfectly. They have an incredibly close relationship and are like best friends. It's not instant. It's something you have to work at in most cases. It's why you have two have brother wands." Hermione paused and frowned, remembering the words of Ollivander.

Fred stared at his brother in amazement and the silence grew uncomfortable. Hermione sighed.

"So kitchens?"

"Hell yes."

"Thank you Jemmie." Hermione politely took the dish from the elf and set it on the table. Fred snickered. "What?"

"Around everyone else, you're grumpy little Hermione, but with the house elves your..." he looked at his brother for help but George waved him off.

"Oh no dear brother. Your digging this hole by yourself."

"Ah." Fred busied himself with his food.

Hermione rolled her eyes and threw a glob of mashed potato at him. They ate in silence for a while until an owl was escorted over by another house elf.

"Mistress Hermione? This owl arrived for you."

Hermione untied the letter and passed the owl some of her steak, which is accepted happily.

"Thanks."

She scanned the writing on the top of the envelope and chuckled. "I have a riddle for you. What's noble, ancient and serious all at the same time?"

"Cactus."

"Broomstick."

"Goldfish."

"Goldfish?" Fred scowled at his brother. "Now you're just being silly."

"How you two manage to pass the end of year exams is a mystery to me." They gave her twin angelic grins and she rolled her eyes again. Reaching into her pocket Hermione withdrew her wand and tapped the envelope with it. "Sirius Black." The envelope unfolded so it was flat revealing the letter written on the same parchment. The twins whistled in amazement. "What? The House of Black is Noble and Ancient. Serious...Sirius. It was bloody obvious." She sighed in irritation and read the letter aloud.

Dear Twist,

Firstly I, Sirius Black, founding Marauder, would like to applaud your deductive abilities and confirm that you were indeed, correct. The two Harrys is, to this day the most successful prank I have ever pulled. I wake up laughing in the night sometimes. I'm amazed at my own brilliance. I'd know. Trust me, I'm Sirius.

Secondly, Fred and George, you seriously need new nicknames. Even I know who you are. This letter is addressed to Twist as I have no idea who she actually is. I can't even guess what Twist could mean. I asked Moony and he was stumped. Which is, by the way unusual.

I would automatically rule out anything which marks you out as twins though. You'd be too easy to guess.

Have you played any pranks recently?

Were they good?

Moony says I'm being ridiculous but it's nice to hear Harry has friends. Being raised by a Marauder probably hasn't done him any good on the social front.

Does Harry pull pranks?

I would like to extend a formal invitation to the three of you to visit with Harry for Christmas. I have already asked Harry and Mrs Weasley. As she was planning to visit Romania this Christmas with her husband, she didn't have any objections. Twist, I have no idea who you are. So I can't enquire on your behalf.

Yours sincerely,

Lord Sirius Black,

of the Noble and Ancient House of Black,

Marauder

"We get.."

"to meet..

"SIRIUS BLACK!"

Hermione grinned, folding the letter and tucking it inside her robes before returning to her food.

"Oh really? Wow. Aren't you two lucky?"

"Sarcasm doesn't work when you're grinning."

"Does too. It's called friendly sarcasm." Hermione widened her eyes and grinned "It's the best kind." she added dreamily, staring off into the distance. Fred scowled.

"Very funny Twist."

"I can't see how you're excited by a man who made the same dreadful pun twice in one letter."

She chuckled deeply and nibbled on her steak, her eyes never really focusing on them again.

"Shall we visit Flitwick?" Hermione glanced up at them and blinked.

"What?"

George smirked at tugged on her plait. "Pay attention Twist. Madam Pomfrey said he was looking for us. He won't be teaching now. It's break. So shall we?"

"Oh alright." They set off from the kitchens, Hermione following the twins quietly.

"What's wrong Hermione?" Fred caught her hand and dragged her to a stop in front of them. "You're not yourself."

"Fred I'm fine. George stop hovering. I'm fine." Hermione scowled at them and they grinned.

"Much better." They grabbed an arm each and pointed onwards. "TO CHARMS!"

Updated 2019