Harry found that he was having quite a bit of fun sneaking around with Fred and George now that they knew that they weren't supposed to be doing so. It was also different in that they knew they were soulmates, so they no longer believed that what they were doing could be morally wrong. Having that assurance made every kiss, every touch more electrifying.
Later that same day that they had eavesdropped on the stupid adults, Mrs. Weasley gave the two twins their monthly potion.
"Mum, how come we have to take this disgusting potion but Ron and Ginny never have. Is there something wrong with us or something?" George asked teasingly, eyeing the dreaded potion.
"It's specifically for twins,"she answered.
The two boys shrugged and simultaneously downed the potion. They gagged slightly and Fred muttered something about making it taste better. Molly seemed to give a sigh of relief which made the three boys share a quick knowing glance.
Before they knew it they were back at Hogwarts with their same sneaky routine. And no one was the wiser. Harry didn't have visions when sleeping with the twins so he was never asked to take any mind blocking lessons but Harry did start teaching himself per Sirius's request.
It was Valentine's day when things really changed. Harry had been bombarded by Cho and Ginny every second the whole day. And though the twins knew that Harry would rather kill the two girls than kiss them, it still upset them to see him with someone else on the day of love. And Harry could feel their anger and it swelled something up inside. Finally after lunch, Harry was able to sneak away. Saying something about getting a book from his trunk. Harry did indeed run up to the Gryffindor tower where he had seen the twins leaving to just five minutes before. But instead of stopping in the common room or even looking to see if they were there he just ran straight up to the dormitories, to their dormitory. Lee was in there but he wasted no time in leaving having figured it out after a week of Harry staying in their dorm at night. The twins were there within seconds and soon had their hands and lips all over him.
Harry was pushed onto the bed with Fred on top of him kissing him deeply and desperately. George was at his side working on his neck. When they came up for air Harry told them, "I want to…" Fred and George shared a look then nodded, showing their understanding. Fred got off of Harry and George rolled away. They both started taking off their shoes and socks, and their shirts so nothing but their trousers remained. Harry followed their lead and then gulped.
"That felt good," Harry said finally. "Do you think we're different now?"
"You don't look different." Fred said. "We were right about the lion though. Right here on your back."
Harry felt Fred caress a patch of skin on his back. "I can feel it. I feel different now. I like it." Harry whispered.
"We're going to need to pretend that nothing's happened, aren't we?" George asked.
"We don't have to do anything now if we don't want. We're immortal now." Harry smirked. "Though we should probably talk to Sirius and Remus."
Harry moved to grab for his bag, inside was the mirror Sirius had given him. He got it and activated it, it only took a few seconds before Sirius's face appeared in the glass. "Hey, Pup. Hey, Fred and George. Shouldn't you be in classes?"
"They skip all the time. And I have Umbridge." Harry shrugged.
"Did you just mate?" Sirius asked surprised. The three boys blushed. "First thing you need to do is hide those soul tattoos. If people see them they can hurt you. Just urge it to a place people won't be able to see it. While you're still at Hogwarts you're still vulnerable, though slightly less than before. I'll spread the news and we'll get someone there to help you."
"We need to keep it hidden still, don't we?" George sighed.
"For now, but not for long. We'll be more able to plan in the summer, with your parents. Think you can wait that long?" Sirius asked. They nodded. "Good, now get to your classes and pretend nothing happened."
"Love you, Sirius." Harry sighed.
"Love you too, Pup." Sirius replied before his face disappeared.
"We should probably get dressed." Harry groaned. They did so with fluid movements, graceful. Harry checked his watch. Umbridge's class gets out in five minutes. He might as well just go straight to potions. He made sure to get the right book from his room and kissed Fred and George goodbye.
He met up with Hermione and Ron in the dungeons. "Harry, where were you?" Hermione questioned.
"Got distracted. Umbridge's class doesn't matter anyway." Harry scuffed. "I doubt I missed much."
"You can't just skip classes because you don't like them, mate." Ron tried reason.
"Sure I can." Harry challenged coolly.
"Hey, Potter." Malfoy announced his presence. "I just heard, Congratulations."
Harry looked at the boy in confusion for a moment. Then it hit him. Draco was an Elf too. Sirius must have told Malfoy's father, who told his son. Sirius had said he'd get someone at the school to help. But that had been fast. Harry blushed lightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Shut up, Malfoy." He said glancing in his "friends" direction. Malfoy also glanced in their direction.
"Scram, filth. The adults are talking." Malfoy ordered.
Ron looked like he was about to argue, but Harry stopped him. "I can handle this, just go."
Ron huffed but they both left to go stand somewhere else. Malfoy's eyes followed them. "I assume you know what just happened. You know what it means."
"I think so. Sirius said to lay low until summer. But I assume I'm officially on your side now, right? And then there's a bunch of soul stuff." Harry replied quietly.
"How do you feel?" Malfoy asked. "My dad asked me to help you through it."
"A bit giddy to be completely honest." Harry replied.
"I really am happy for you. Finding your mate is the best experience in the world." Malfoy smiled.
"That stuff I saw around Hermione…" Harry trailed off looking at the girl in question with curiosity.
"Her blood. Muggles are worse trust me. You'll get used to it. You should also let yourself do better in your classes, don't bring yourself down just to appease Granger. You're smarter and more talented than her, being better isn't a bad thing, you deserve it." Malfoy confirmed.
"I don't know if I can at this point. I've been doing the opposite since I started school when I was five." Harry muttered.
"It's fine, I'll teach you. Be my partner in class and I'll talk you through it." Malfoy assured him. Harry shrugged.
Snape opened up the door and let them in. Malfoy chose a desk in the back. Harry set down his bag and sat down. He tuned out most of the lecture. Choosing instead to read in his potions book. He let Malfoy get the supplies. When he got back he asked, "So looking at these ingredients, what do you think we're making today?"
"I don't know…" Harry automatically replied.
"Think about it, look at them and think about it. We won't start until you get it." Malfoy challenged.
Harry sighed and examined the ingredients, "Skele-gro?"
"Yup, see it's not about answering questions in class like Granger insisted to do. It's about knowing the answer but not answering because you weren't asked to. You know you're smart, and the Professor sees it in your work. But you don't even let yourself figure out the answer." Malfoy explained.
"You don't need to prove yourself, if they don't know they don't need to." Harry nodded. "You know I like cooking, if you want to get a truly good taste you need to change the recipe."
"Are you saying you've been purposely sabotaging your own potions?" Malfoy questioned.
"More like, slightly altering them for they are less effective or a different color. It's actually a lot of fun, but I assume we're not going for a lower grade so I'll stick to the correct outcome." Harry shrugged.
"If we get done early, I happen to know what Snape is assigning us." Malfoy said as they started.
"Speaking of Snape. What's his side of this? Because Dumbledore says he's spying on Voldemort but that Voldemort thinks he's spying on Dumbledore." Harry asked quietly.
"Tom doesn't trust him, he isn't an Elf and he really believes it's about blood. Sure us Elf's dislike mudbloods. But it's Dumbledore that tells people that's what it's about, so the mudbloods will fight for him." Malfoy whispered.
"Dumbledore said something about my death ending the war. But if the Elves are immortal how could my death end the war?" Harry questioned.
"Dumbledore was able to link a whole bunch of Elves life's to your life. We don't know how. But it doesn't matter anymore because you're immortal now too. Whatever it was has been cancelled and we're safe. But I might be wrong, the adults don't tell me much about the war." Malfoy admitted.
"It's okay, you're right it doesn't matter anymore." Harry muttered. "I want to kill Dumbledore. I want to hurt him for lying to me about my parents and my friends and the war."
"Don't think about it. Take revenge on a smaller target first. And do so in more subtle ways." Malfoy persuaded.
"Starting with showing Hermione up in classes." Harry smirked. "Ron's not so hard to annoy if you know how. And I think I know how to upset a few others. This is going to be fun."
An hour later Harry and Draco, as he insisted they call each other now, were done with their potion and had already gotten half of the paper done. "I'm just saying us fifth years should have a valentines party. We'll make it tomorrow so that it doesn't interfere with anyone's previously made plans."
"You mean so that you can go and make love to your soulmates more." Draco challenged teasingly.
"Exactly, so we'll have it tomorrow and all fifth years from every house will be invited. There will be dancing and alcohol, and it will be so fun." Harry went on. "We'll say we're trying to promote better relationships with the other houses. People will just get to relax for a few hours and take their minds off all the studying for OWLs. Admit it, you want to be a part of this."
"I'll get the other Slytherins to come. And I'll help provide alcohol. You'll have to figure out the music yourself and you'll have to come up with the place yourself." Draco agreed.
"Seventh floor, Room of Requirement." Harry supplied. "I don't think I could get a band to come, but I could charm instruments and I know how to amplify sound on a way that could be good."
"Tell me, Mr Potter, what does music have anything to do with this potion?" Snape asked loud enough to get the attention of the whole class.
"I'm sorry Professor, but my partner and I have finished the potion and decided to discuss a possible truce in the name of planning something to help people get a break from all of their hard work. We're going to get all the houses involved and have a party. I was under the impression we were supposed to be constructive with our time after finishing. You after all did not give us clear instructions to do anything else." Harry answered straight faced.
"You are planning a party with Mr. Malfoy?" Snape sneered in disbelief.
"Yes, everyone in fifth year is invited. Alcohol will not be served, of course, because that would be irresponsible and wrong. But things such as music and food will be provided." Malfoy replied helpfully.
"Tomorrow, in light of Valentine's Day without disrupting it. 7 o'clock in the Room of Requirement." Harry added.
"I don't want to hear about it. Just… just work on your paper 15 inches on the properties of Skele-gro." Snape snapped in annoyance walking away.
"How much you got left?" Malfoy asked in a whisper.
"One inch, you?" Harry replied.
"Finished." Draco sighed.
3 minutes later Harry announced that he was done. "What do we do now?"
"We could just read." Draco suggested. Harry shrugged and pulled out a book. The spent the next thirty minutes silently reading.
"What was that about?" Hermione demanded when they were walking up the stairs.
"What was what about? Sassing Snape? I felt like it." Harry questioned.
"You're suddenly planning a party?" Hermione clarified harshly.
"Oh, that. Yeah, sure, why not? It's supposed to be a stress relief, might as well before all the fighting starts." Harry shrugged.
"Harry, mate, why'd you have to invite the Slytherin's too?" Ron groaned. Harry's only reply was rolling his eyes.
"Harry, just the man we wanted to see. We need your help testing some products." Fred said when they walked through the portrait hole.
"Good luck, mate." Ron said with fake sympathy. Harry smirked and let the two twins drag him off.