Author Note 1 – I am sorry for the little delay between posting, I had planned to be constantly releasing stories on the weekly schedule. But there was a family emergency and had to go home for a couple weeks to help my parents and there was just a lot going on that needed to be done. However, I feel everything that could be done is done and I am back home, so everything is back on track for editing and posting. Will be releasing a couple more bonus stories or chapters as my way of thanking everyone who has been interested in my stories and those of you who reached out.
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Ron's pallor quickly transformed into a broad grin, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm, a large smile on his face. "Thanks, mate!" he responded with genuine excitement and appreciation. "I'll let you know … maybe we should pop by the twins and see what they have been working on … it wouldn't hurt to look."
Hermione shook her head, her exasperation evident, and turned to lead her friends out of the now-empty Great Hall. Harry couldn't help but smile as he overheard her muttering under her breath about how immature they were.
Several minutes had passed as they laboriously climbed the staircase, their climb luckily made more efficient by the opportune alignment of the stairs. When they finally reached the hallway leading to the Gryffindor common room entrance, they were met with an astonishing sight. Their expressions turned to frozen shock as they beheld a throng of approximately thirty to forty students, all huddled around a table that had been placed on a raised platform in the middle of the hallway.
Harry, initially baffled, soon discerned the source of the commotion as two familiar voices rang out, cutting through the hubbub.
"Step right up, folks! Gather 'round if you're interested in the chance to become a Triwizard Champion!" Fred's voice boomed from behind the table, addressing the assembled students. He continued, his mischievous grin widening, "For those of you who may not be of age but intend to cross the Age Line, worry not, for we have just the solution for you!"
"Behold, freshly brewed Aging Potion!" George exclaimed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm as he leaped onto the platform, emerging from the sea of onlookers.
Harry couldn't resist stealing a quick glance at his friends to gauge their reactions. He couldn't help but chuckle at the indignant expression on Hermione's face. She was storming her way towards the twins, who were now revealing a cauldron filled with the bubbling potion.
As Hermione fought her way to the forefront of the crowd, Harry had no trouble hearing her voice rise above the excited murmurs of the students.
"What on earth do you two think you're up to?" Hermione's voice carried over the bustling crowd of students and the chaotic antics of the Weasley twins. She shouted with such force that her words were impossible to ignore. "The Aging Potion is a sixth-year potion known for its extreme complexity. We only just found out about the Age Line a few minutes ago. How in the world could you have possibly brewed the potion already?"
George exchanged an amused glance with his brother and responded in a mock whisper, "Fred, did it ever cross your mind that this might be an advanced potion before we started brewing it? I can't believe you didn't tell me!" A sly smile played across his face as he glanced back at the audience. "You know, I mean I sure didn't realize that until now. Hmm ... now that I think of it, it seems like our dear Hermione here doubts our intellectual capabilities. My stars … you aren't implying that we are... stupid, Hermione, are you?"
Fred's theatrical gasp of shock rang out through the hall as Hermione lifted her gaze to meet George's, her surprise causing her to struggle to find her words. "I didn't mean... I mean, that's not what I meant … not what I said …," she stammered, her attempt to clarify herself interrupted by the twins' unrelenting banter.
"And behold, ladies and gentlemen! How can there be any doubt about our magical abilities after witnessing this astonishing feat?" Fred announced with an exaggerated flourish, playing to the crowd. "Without so much as lifting his wand, my dear brother here has managed to render Hermione momentarily speechless! They said it could never be done, but lo and behold, here's the irrefutable proof!" Fred gestured towards Hermione, who was clearly growing more exasperated with the twins' antics.
With a conciliatory gesture, George raised his hands and nodded in Hermione's direction, successfully forestalling her imminent outburst. Then, he redirected his attention back to the assembled students below. "Let's address the rumors about our supposed lack of intellectual prowess," he began, pausing significantly while his gaze settled on Hermione. "It is true that we may not be the most diligent students in our classes, but I'm certain that a good many of you have either witnessed or experienced one of our pranks and can attest to our capabilities."
Fred beamed toward the crowd and interjected, "And for that, we apologize. We never intended to prank potential customers ... unless, of course, it was for an exceptionally brilliant prank." His statement elicited a hearty round of laughter from the gathered students.
"… or unless there was a very good reason, and they absolutely had it coming," George added, his gaze locking onto the two Slytherin sixth-years amidst the crowd. A mischievous smile played on his lips as he continued, "But, in the grand scheme of things, no harm, no foul, right? I mean, your hair did grow back, eventually."
This quip triggered another wave of laughter among the students. All eyes turned to the larger of the two Slytherin students, who shot an irate glare back at the twins. To Harry's astonishment, even his female housemate was struggling to contain her laughter.
George cast a quick, inclusive glance around the gathering before shifting his attention back to the Slytherin students. With a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders, he stated, "But let's not get too sidetracked here. What we're trying to say is that we've always had a hunch that our destinies lie beyond the confines of school. While it's true that we may not have fully realized our academic potential within our classes, we've been learning in our own way. In fact, I'd wager that even our dear Hermione here would, perhaps begrudgingly, admit that some of our pranks required magical or potion-making skills far beyond what would typically be expected from students of our age when we pulled them off. Isn't that right, Hermione?"
In response to George's question, all eyes turned towards Hermione, who chose not to answer him outloud. Instead, she offered a slight, begrudging nod, still clearly perturbed by their earlier exchange.
Fred's smile grew wider as he addressed the eager crowd, saying, "Well, there you have it, folks. If that's not the most glowing recommendation we could hope for, I don't know what is. But let's not dwell on us any longer. It's clear you've all come here because our reputation has preceded us ..."
George couldn't resist interjecting with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "We're truly honored by that, by the way. Keep spreading the word about any Weasley-originated prank – you know what they say, there's no such thing as bad publicity!" His comment prompted a hearty laugh from the assembled students.
Fred nodded in agreement and chuckled, "Ain't that the truth ... well, except maybe don't go telling Filch. But we appreciate the high regard you have for our skills. You see, earlier, we were discussing how Ole Dumbledore might protect the Triwizard Tournament from enthusiastic but underage individuals like you lot who might try to enter. And, lo and behold, one of the ideas we considered was the use of an Age Line. Hence, we began brewing this very Aging Potion two days ago."
Chiming in, George addressed the crowd, "Now, as I'm sure all you clever folks here are aware, or for those who might need a refresher, just consult Hermione ... Brewing the Aging Potion is no walk in the park. It takes a minimum of thirty-six hours to craft it correctly, and that's before you add a snippet of your hair to the mix and let it stew for an additional five hours. Even then, the potion is most potent when used within three days of commencing the brewing process. So, realistically speaking, we are your best bet when it comes to outsmarting the Age Line."
Fred couldn't resist adding with a smirk, "Realistically, we're your only option. And for the generous price of just five galleons, we're more than willing to provide you with a dose, for any of you who might be interested."
With a grin, George added, "That being said, we do have some ground rules here. We won't be selling to anyone below their fourth year. As much as we adore a good prank, even we draw the line at having a tiny first-year represent Hogwarts in the tournament, what chances would we have to win if that were the case. Plus, we'd feel awfully guilty if one of those firsties got squashed because we helped them sneak in." His statement was punctuated with a jovial laugh, although it was met with groans and complaints from three students standing to the side of the stage, that Harry recognized as third-year Ravenclaws.
Fred took over, his tone playful, "George is absolutely right, folks. We're all about rules here, as you well know! Five galleons, and you get yourself a dose of the potion. Five galleons, and you can officially enter the tournament. Five galleons, and you're on the edge of a lifetime opportunity."
Fred paused momentarily, a sly glint in his eye. "Of course, should you decide not to use it, or if the potion doesn't manage to outwit the Age Line, we're more than delighted to provide a generous fifty percent refund in the form of credit. And you can use that credit to purchase any of our exciting or new pranking products."
George beamed at the assembled crowd, his message clear. "In other words, you're guaranteed to come out on top, one way or another. So, who's stepping up first?"
Harry found himself unable to contain his laughter as he observed the twins' dynamic sales pitch. "They're absolutely brilliant!" he exclaimed excitedly, turning to Ron. Seeing that his friend was currently preoccupied, his focus on the twins and the line that was forming in front of them, Harry opened his mouth and was about to continue with his thoughts, but his words were cut short when Hermione rejoined them.
"They're going to get someone seriously hurt," Hermione exclaimed with clear frustration etched across her features.
Turning to Hermione, Harry raised an eyebrow, prompting her to continue. "Do you believe they might cause harm because the potion won't work and it could be dangerous or because it might work, and the student selected won't be ready for the challenges the tournament presents?"
Hermione's attention shifted away from the twins, and she leveled a brief glare at Harry. But her expression soon softened as she sighed and replied, "It ... it doesn't really matter. Either way, there's a risk of someone getting hurt."
Harry offered her an assuring smile and said, "Hermione, I wouldn't worry. You know the twins. When they set their minds on something, they usually manage to pull it off with remarkable success. I can't imagine for a second that they would sell anything they weren't sure was safe, especially if it could tarnish their reputation. They might love their pranks, but they'd hardly be okay with someone getting hurt because of one of their products was not safe and hurt the individual attempting to use it. That wouldn't be good for their business."
Hermione began to form a reply, but Harry anticipated her thoughts and continued before she could voice them. "Apart from being pretty confident that the product is safe and as effective as any other Aging Potion, let's think about it logically," he said, maintaining a calm and reassuring tone. "I can't believe for a moment that Professor Dumbledore didn't anticipate the possibility of someone trying to use an Aging Potion and prepare for it, finding someway to prevent it from working. I'm sure the safety of the students and the integrity of the tournament have been well taken care of."
Hermione fell into a brief silence, her gaze shifting from Harry to the twins. After a thoughtful pause, she remarked, "Even so, they really shouldn't be selling those potions."
Harry shook his head gently, offering a reassuring smile to Hermione. "Don't worry, Hermione. The twins may be mischievous, but they bring laughter, happiness, and fun to the students. There's nothing wrong with that."
Observing Hermione's reluctant acceptance, as she shrugged her shoulders and headed towards the portrait which guarded their way into their Common Room, Harry turned toward Ron, who still seemed lost in thought, seemingly oblivious to the conversation between Harry and Hermione. He asked, "Are you coming, Ron?" while pointing towards Hermione and the entrance to the Common Room.
As if he had momentarily forgotten Harry was there, Ron jolted and looked over at his bespectacled friend before responding, "Umm... yeah, sure, let's go."
As they trailed behind Hermione, making their way to the portrait of the Fat Lady, Harry couldn't help but notice Ron's frequent glances back at the twins. It sparked a nagging suspicion in Harry's mind that Ron was almost certainly contemplating the idea of trying to enter the Triwizard Tournament.
Despite Harry's limited success in diverting Ron's attention, a seemingly irresistible distraction awaited them in the Gryffindor Common Room. As soon as they entered, Ron's focus was swiftly swayed, from the idea of entering the tournament, when Lavender and Parvati called out to him. Ron glanced back at Harry, trying to conceal both a smile and a hint of guilt at the prospect of joining Lavender's company and leaving him behind.
Harry responded with an understanding smile, dismissing Ron's attempted apology with a lighthearted comment. "No worries, Ron. I was planning to tackle my Arithmancy assignment tonight, and unless you're suddenly eager to lend a hand with that, you're absolutely free to enjoy some time with Parvati and … Lavender."
Before Harry could even complete his sentence, Ron wasted no time in excusing himself from his presence and swiftly making his way across the room taking a seat next to Lavender. He couldn't help but note with an amused grin that Ron was not only sitting near Lavender but rather close to her, too.
Harry offered a contented shrug of his shoulders, genuinely pleased for his friend, before turning to join Hermione at one of the tables. Upon his arrival, he noticed that Hermione had already commandeered the majority of the table's surface with her open textbook and an array of accompanying reference materials.
Seating himself at the table, Harry diligently began working on his assignment, diving into his studies. He was engrossed in his work, only pausing to take a brief break and cast a curious glance in the direction of the twins when they reentered the room. About an hour later, Fred and George entered the room, engaging in lively conversation as they carried a mostly empty cauldron between them. They made their way toward the staircase, halting on the third step. With perfect synchrony, they spun around to face the room dramatically, signaling their intention to address the students within the Common Room.
"So, how about it, my fellow Gryffindors?" Fred's voice boomed, carrying across the room. "Any mischievous underage witches or wizards here who dare to seize the opportunity and throw their names into the tournament? We've got just about five doses left, and, as everyone knows, the most potent Aging Potion is always right at the bottom!"
At Fred's call, a hushed anticipation filled the room. Students exchanged glances and muffled whispers, seeming to weigh the temptation of the twins' offer.
But when no one immediately stood up to take them up on their offer, George decided to up the theatrics. He mockingly clutched his chest and staggered backward dramatically, his hand to his forehead. "You wound us, dear housemates of Gryffindor! We always thought we resided in the house of the brave and daring! But alas ... if you're perfectly content with some underage Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, or, … Merlin forbid, a Slytherin, having the honor of representing Hogwarts, I suppose ... well, I suppose that's your choice." His words carried a tinge of mock disappointment.
In an equally dramatic exit, the twins pivoted and began their ascent up the staircase. However, as they neared the landing, George couldn't resist one last flourish. He turned back towards the room and leaned in backwards, delivering his parting words with an exaggerated whisper. "That being said, if any of you happen to change your minds... you know where to find us!"
Harry turned his attention toward the source of Hermione's disdainful scoff, meeting her gaze with curiosity. She voiced her concerns, her tone filled with worry and a sense of responsibility. "Do you really believe that the Age Line can't be fooled by their potion? I'd hate to see someone get hurt in a tournament meant for older students."
Harry chuckled at Hermione's concerns, his laughter carrying a hint of amusement. "You know, Hermione, as much as I respect the twins' wizarding abilities, and trust me I really do, I have seen what they can do when they are at their best. The day they manage to outsmart Professor Dumbledore … is the day I'll succeed in staying awake throughout an entire Professor Binns' history class."
Hermione responded with a charming laugh and a smile. She looked at Harry with an encouraging expression and gently teased, "You never know, Harry. You're already making impressive progress in all your classes. Maybe one day you'll realize the importance, start paying attention, and excel in history as well."
Harry offered a warm smile to Hermione and nodded appreciatively. "I'm fully aware that I'm making progress, and a good portion of the credit undoubtedly goes to you. I can't thank you enough for your help." Harry's nodded again acknowledging Hermione's contented smile.
"But you see," Harry continued, his tone thoughtful and measured, "the subjects I'm doing better in are the ones where I can really grasp the importance. While I understand that history is crucial … 'those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it' and all that … the way they teach History at Hogwarts, well, it's a bit of a letdown. Particularly for Muggle-borns. A properly taught class could be a real asset to them, helping them gain valuable insight into the magical world."
Hermione seemed about to interject with a defense of the school or the subject, at Harry's concerns about the teaching of the class. However, as she opened her mouth she appeared to decide against it, opting to fix her attention on her parchment in front of her, without writing anything, deep in thought.
Noticing that Ron, across the room, was still fixated on the departing figures of his brothers, Harry shook his head in amusement. He returned to his work and remained focused on his assignment for the next two hours. Once he had finished, he wished Hermione a good night as she had eventually regained her motivation for the assignment and appeared determined to write at least three times the amount Harry had written. Passing by Ron, he extended the same well wishes, and he couldn't help but smile upon realizing what had happened when Parvati had left them at some point during the evening. Coincidentally, or not, Ron and Lavender had become even closer on the couch, their hands almost touching.
- HP - HP - HP - HP -
Several hours later, Harry was abruptly jolted from his slumber as a vigorous shaking roused him from his peaceful dreams. He reacted instinctively, shifting abruptly and retrieving his wand from beneath his pillow, pointing it in the direction he believed the person responsible for waking him was located.
"Merlin's beard, mate! Bloody hell. Take it easy! It's just me," an exasperated voice whispered from the floor, as they had apparently stumbled backward from Harry's sudden reaction.
Harry's mind was still muddled from sleep, and he cautiously lowered his wand as he recognized the familiar voice. "… Ron?" he inquired, his voice laden with drowsiness, as he finally began connecting the dots.
"Aye, Harry, it's me. I just wanted to ask a favor of you," Ron confirmed.
Harry, now more alert and almost fully awake, nodded apologetically. "Oh, um, sure. Now? Sorry about the wand. What can I do for you?" he asked, rubbing his eyes attempting to clear away the last remnants of sleep.
Ron seemed a bit guilty as he began making his request. "Well …," he began, "I had a little chat with the twins after everyone turned in for the night ... and I managed to convince them to part with the last dose of the potion."
Harry was taken aback, his eyebrows arching in surprise. "Wait ... they gave you the potion? So you're going to enter the Triwizard Tournament?"
Ron nodded earnestly, his gaze resolute. "Well, I didn't have the five galleons they were asking for, but we struck a deal. If I manage to win, I'll give them fifty galleons in return. I'm … not entirely certain they believe I can win the competition, but they seemed content with the agreement. I allowed the potion to mature fully after I added my hair, and I was planning to head down and enter while it's at its peak potency."
Harry regarded his friend with a mix of concern and curiosity. "Are you absolutely sure about this, Ron?" he inquired.
Ron gazed at Harry, his response tinged with hesitancy. "Well … no … not really, but I've always lived in the shadows of my older brothers. If I were to win the tournament, I wouldn't just be 'Ron Weasley, the youngest Weasley boy.' I'd become 'Ron Weasley, Triwizard Champion.'"
Harry, taken aback by Ron's candid admission, sat up straight, his expression reflecting his surprise. "Ron," he said earnestly, "you were never just 'the youngest Weasley brother' to me. You've always been my best friend, and that's a lot more than just a label. And about your brothers, you shouldn't measure yourself against them. Each of them found their own paths, they found something they excelled at without biting off more than they could chew. This whole Triwizard Tournament thing, it doesn't seem like the right choice for a fourth-year. Dumbledore made it sound incredibly tough, and I'm concerned it could be genuinely dangerous, no matter what safeguards they claim to have in place."
Ron fell into a contemplative silence, his gaze fixed on Harry as he weighed the options.
Harry, sensing Ron's inner turmoil, let out a small, understanding shrug. He turned to his friend with a reassuring smile, finally yielding. "But if you're determined to give this a shot, you can count on me. And, of course, if you end up being selected, Hermione and I will be right there to support you in any way we can. So, what can we assist you with?"
A beaming smile lit up Ron's face, and he leaned in for a quick, heartfelt hug. "Thanks, mate. You're the best."
Returning the smile, Harry reiterated his offer. "So, what can we do to help?"
Ron rested on the edge of the bed, deep in thought. "Well, I reckon even with the Age Line, Dumbledore might have a couple of teachers... or at least Filch, keeping an eye on the Goblet of Fire," he mused. "So, I was wondering if I could borrow your cloak?"
Harry, who had anticipated this request, nodded and promptly retrieved the invisibility cloak from his trunk. "Of course, Ron. Although... I'll say, you'll be in quite a fix if you manage to get this confiscated," he remarked with a serious look, though he quickly added, "Do be cautious."
A flicker of panic briefly crossed Ron's face as he contemplated the notion of losing the invisibility cloak, but Harry's laughter instantly dissipated the concern. "I jest, mate. Just take care of it."
With the cloak in hand, Ron rose from the bed. However, Harry's attention was diverted as he glanced across the room and noted the conspicuously empty bed. "Well ... it certainly looks like Seamus is out of bed," he commented, his voice laced with amusement. "I'm guessing he managed to get his hands on one of your brothers' potions."
Ron whirled around to inspect Seamus's vacant bed, apparently surprised by the Gryffindor's early morning absense. Without hesitation, he dashed out of the dormitory, unfurling the invisibility cloak over himself as he made his exit. It was almost as though he was anxious about who might be the first to enter their name into the Goblet of Fire, or perhaps he was concerned that Seamus might inadvertently set off a dangerous reaction with the Weasley twins' potions somehow destroying the Goblet of Fire before he had a chance to enter his name.
Amused by the whole situation, Harry sank back into his bed and gazed up at the ceiling, pondering whether Ron would ultimately follow through with his plan to enter the tournament. He couldn't help but wonder how Ron would look sporting a beard if he did indeed decide to participate.
With a hearty chuckle at the thought, Harry rolled onto his side and soon drifted off to sleep, knowing that he would wake up to a day that was bound to end unpleasantly.
Kind Regards,
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Guest - I am really happy to hear that! Well ... I guess we will see ... (next chapter)
Evergone the Great - Thanks :) I will! I'm gutted when a good story abruptly stops being posted
demonboy121986 - Thanks! I'll be elaborating on Krum, so there will be more of his character being flushed out.
Joel Camarena - Thanks! As the tournament starts, there will be alot happening
healeroffates - Will do!
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Ariadne Venegas - There will be something coming up wrt to the potion
TheRazgrizDragon - Ya ... letting everyone against him doesn't sound like something that would happen
DJ Scales - They are indeed, and it'll only continue getting more!
RaiDaniels - Thanks so much, sorry for the little break, but it'll continue.
alix33 - Haha if people are willing to pay the twins would be more than willing to help
jslee102 - Thanks! There were a couple smaller chapters just as that was a natural break, but the next chapters will be increasing in length
firebirdfenix - I try not to ruin stuff but this is predominantly a Harmony story
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Disclaimer – It has come to my attention recently that I unfortunately do not own Harry Potter. Who knew.
Thanks to those of you out to those of you who enjoy my stories, I promise to keep updating the stories as long as you enjoy them, and a special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to leave feedback or reach out to me directly.
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