Chapter Five
The group stepped out of The Three Broomsticks and the twins looked down confused to Harry when he went tense and froze between them.
"Harry what…" Fred said before Harry was dropping their hands and taking off across the snow covered road and dropping to his knees to throw his arms around a scruffy looking black dog who yipped and barked, bouncing around like an excited puppy, which completely belied its huge, terrifying form.
"Is that…" George managed to stay before Hermione was also racing across the road and throwing her arms around the dog.
"What is going on?" Bill asked, confused.
"Erm, something that is a secret for the minute. Do you guys mind if we say bye here? Harry will want to spend some time with him," Fred smiled winningly at their group.
"With the dog?" Angela said a little confused before holding up her hand, "Actually I just remembered this is Harry, better not knowing. We will see you back up at the school," She said, linking her arm with Alicia.
"Have fun with whatever this is, you look terrified," Lee snorted, clapping them on the backs and then heading off with the girls, Neville and Luna.
"Is everything OK?" Charlie asked concerned.
"It will be, just a meeting that we have been dreading a little," Fred huffed.
"With a dog… Whose definitely not a dog, oh dear…" Bill snorted, covering his face as he put two and two together.
"You guys are welcome to come too," Harry smiled at Bill and Charlie as he slipped his hands back into Fred and George's.
The older brothers held in their laughter at the pleading expressions that the twins shot them.
"We would love to," they said at the same time, sounding so like the twins that Harry burst out laughing as he tugged his partners into moving.
"Lead the way Snuffles," Harry smiled at the dog. The Twins yelped when the massive hound dodged forward and nipped the air in front of the two of them before turning and trotting away.
"You could have warned us we would be hiking," Hermione groaned twenty minutes later as they were halfway up the mountain. Fred had moved to walk behind her and had on a few occasions caught her and righted her when she slipped. "I'm designed for thinking, not physical activity Harry!" She groaned when she heard his laughter.
"I don't know the running around you did last year to get me out was pretty impressive," the gruff voice had Harry beaming as he looked up and raced forward to throw himself into the human arms of his godfather who was standing outside a cave entrance.
"Oh thank Merlin," Hermione panted resting her hands on her knees.
Fred and George watched with soft smiles as Harry buried himself into Sirius, the two of them hugging what looked painfully tightly, it was only after a moment that they realised that Sirius' grey eyes had moved onto them and was looking at them intently.
"Right, this way, it is warmer inside," Sirius promised, waving into the cave.
"Cool!" Charlie nodded as they stepped inside and then nearly straight away ducked into a tent, the small wizarding tent was a decent size, like a small studio apartment, and Sirius led them over to where there was a wood burning stove and a couple of sofas.
"Sorry, I wasn't expecting such a large group," Sirius said as he started transfiguring a couple more sofas. He grinned when Harry dropped down onto the sofa next to him and curled his arms around Sirius' to be close to him.
"You're doing ok here Siri? You have enough food and drink?" Harry asked, concerned looking around.
"I am doing just fine, Dobby brings me more than I need, I have a nice hot shower, it is quite comfortable," Sirius said and then looked over at the twins, "especially compared to my cell in Azkaban,"
"Siri, don't," Harry said softly, and when grey eyes turned back to Harry they found him looking hopefully at him. "They have been nothing but respectful, they treat me amazingly, they make me feel safe and happy, and they manage to make me laugh on even the shitest day. I think you guys will get on,"
"But you're too young to date!" Sirius wailed loudly, throwing his head back on the sofa and kicking his feet slightly, getting laughs from Harry and Hermione, while the four Weasley boys watched bemused as the terrifying convicted prisoner turned into a toddler.
"I'm sorry Siri, but they make me happy," Harry grinned.
"Hmph. I suppose I can accept it, only because you say that they are going to be bigger than Zonko one day!" Sirius held up a finger.
"I knew the prankster part would win you over," Harry grinned wider.
"We're not going to be bigger than Zonko," George choked, shaking his head.
"Of course you are," Harry said with so much certainty that Bill and Charlie smiled softly while the twins' expressions seemed to melt a little.
"Harry says your ideas are amazing, I would love to hear some of them," Sirius smiled a little, wrapping his arm around Harry's shoulders and tugging him close, the teen happily snuggling into his side.
"We can send you some of our products if you like, some of them might come in handy," George nodded eagerly.
"Siri could give you some suggestions as well," Harry pressed the prankster bond between them, hoping it would really help them get along.
"Someone who can escape Azkaban definitely must have some good ideas," Fred nodded.
"And because he is Padfoot," Harry smiled at his Godfather.
"WHAT!" Fred and George both leant forward at the same time, wide eyed as they stared between Harry and Sirius.
"I….I told you …right?" Harry squinted at them.
"Harry, darling, light of our life you…"
"Most definitely did not tell us that…"
"Your godfather was Padfoot!" Fred and George shook their heads frantically.
"I had to have," Harry frowned a little.
"He must not have told you that James Potter was Prongs then," Hermione smirked.
"You're….the son and godson…of the….Marauders…" Fred and George muttered together.
"Professor Lupin was Mooney," Hermione carried on.
"Hermione, don't break them!" Harry said through his laughter at the expressions on the twins' faces.
"But then who was…" Fred stopped as the expression on Harry's face became serious quickly.
"Wormtail was a traitor. He was Pettirgrew who betrayed Lily and James, and set me up. He escaped, and is probably back with V…Voldemort," Sirius sighed. "I however am still the legend I always was, and pulled off one of the best pranks ever seen!" he grinned, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
"I can't believe you knew and didn't tell us Harry!" Fred whined.
"You are seriously going to have to make this up to us!" George nodded
"I hope you know that, and what it means!" Fred agreed.
"Guys if we snuggle anymore we're going to fuse together," Harry laughed, unaware of Sirius untensing next to him.
"That is the payment!" George shook his head, eyes sparkling as Harry started laughing brightly.
"You're like limpets," Hermione snorted.
"We're definitely limping after your dance lessons," Fred said, making the girl groan at the bad joke.
"Dance lessons are going well then?" Sirius asked.
"Professor McGonagall has created a dance the three of us can do, and we're going to do it perfectly and show the school where they can shove their fucking comments," Harry growled.
"Wow, you're…heated about this," Bill blinked.
"People keep asking me to go with them despite knowing I am with Fred and George, and they ask in front of them! And they keep saying things about how the twins are going to make it a joke, or embarrass the school. They're going to eat their words!" Harry huffed.
"Harry is a little protective," Hermione pinched her fingers together.
"They are morons, a lot of them. More than half the people asking me were ones that were making fun of me and wearing the Potter stinks badges a few months ago," Harry crossed his arms.
"I wish I could be there to see you dance, I bet you're going to be amazing," Sirius sighed sadly.
"We could show you?" Fred suggested already standing.
"What?" Sirius blinked.
"We're getting in practice as much as we can, we can show you where we are right now," George nodded, standing and holding his hand out to Harry who grinned happily at them, slipping his hand into George's and letting him pull him to his feet.
"Oh hang on!" Sirius hurried to the back of the tent and pulled out the gramophone he had.
"I can enchant it to play the piece," Hermione nodded when Harry looked at her.
Quickly they had a space cleared and Harry stood between the twins, all of them in the traditional dance hold, just with George holding Harry from behind. The music started and the three of them started moving together in their now well practiced steps, moving around each other almost seamlessly after hours and hours of practice.
Sirius smiled to himself as he watched Harry twirling between Fred and George, the soft, happy smile on his face and the light in his green eyes impossible to miss, as were the matching expressions on the redheads' faces, the look there could only be love as they moved with Harry, their eyes not really falling from his face.
Sirius, Bill, Charlie and Hermione clapped as the music finished and the trio turned to face them. Sirius then grinned and tapped the gramophone with his wand making a bright, 1920's swing song start playing.
"My turn!" He grinned dodging forward and started spinning a laughing Harry around the room.
"My lady!" Fred grabbed Hermione who squeaked and he started moving them around. Bill and Charlie laughed when George bowed to them as though he were a courting gentleman.
Forty minutes later the lot of them collapsed onto where the sofas had been pushed, all of them panting and laughing as softer music played in the background.
"I have not had so much fun in a long time!" Sirius chuckled, hugging Harry tightly to him where he had dropped down next to him. "I definitely approve of you two," he pointed to the twins who beamed back at him.
"Thank you," they said together.
"Thank you Siri," Harry hummed happily.
"Anything that makes you happy, this happiness is fine with me," Sirius kissed Harry's forehead. "And you're ok with the second task?"
"We have been practising swimming for the last couple of days when we get a chance, and we're pretty much set on Gillyweed being the best thing, Neville is ordering some of the best for me. Luna has given me a list of pretty much everything that is in the lake, and ways to stop them attacking me," Harry nodded.
"Any word of who has put you in?" Bill asked concerned.
"No," Hermione sighed, shaking her head.
"There are easier ways to kill you if that is what they wanted, it has to be something at the end," Sirius frowned.
"The last task?" George leant forward, his face serious.
"Yes, there has to be something about that task that will leave you vulnerable to whatever they want to do. I am not saying don't be careful, but I really think that is when whatever they're planning will happen," Sirius sighed.
"We're keeping an eye out, but that makes sense, putting Harry into the Tournament is a long game sort of thing, rather than immediately wanting to hurt him," Fred nodded.
"Something that they can do at the end of the Tournament then they can't do now, something that the Final Task of the Tournament will allow them to do," Harry sighed.
"Then we get through this task, and we focus on whatever the Last Task is and figure out every possibility it could be," George said firmly.
"Between us we will figure it out," Sirius nodded. "By the way, Ron wrote to me,"
"What?" Harry scrunched his nose looking at Sirius confused.
"Basically snitched about you, Fred and George, seemed to think that I didn't already know. From the tone, and the fact he isn't here, I am guessing he doesn't approve?" Sirius asked.
"I haven't been able to forgive him for thinking I put my name in the Goblet," Harry said softly, looking nervously at Bill and Charlie.
"He was a fucking twat," Charlie held his hands up shaking his head, managing to get a laugh from Harry.
"He and Ginny aren't happy that Harry is giving us a chance," Fred sighed.
"Didn't think they would go snitching to you when snitching to mum and dad didn't work," George rolled his eyes.
"Your parents seem happy with it?" Sirius said, looking between them.
"They are, after Harry set Dumbledore on them," Fred laughed.
"You did what?" Sirius grinned at Harry who puffed out his cheeks.
"Mrs Weasley seemed to want me and Ginny together, and…." He glanced at Fred and George.
"Mum doesn't agree with us wanting to open a joke shop, she thinks we're never going to make it big, especially when we're 100% funding ourselves," Fred said.
"And she disagrees a lot with our outlook on things. She loves us, but she doesn't really understand us," George shrugged.
"The idea that we could be serious enough to Court Harry,"
"Or take a Courting seriously,"
"Is something that she wouldn't consider,"
"Don't look at us like that Minx," George smiled softly seeing the expression in Harry's green eyes.
"He looks like he is getting ready to breathe fire for you," Charlie said, contentment settling in his chest as he realised how much Harry cared for his brothers.
"I think he would if he could," Hermione smiled at her friend.
"I think it is sad she can't see how amazing you are, your ideas are, how driven you are, and she is going to realise too late what a massive mistake she has made in underestimating you," Harry said as he stood and made his way to squish himself between the twins, the two moving to allow him enough space to fit but be pressed tightly between them.
"I am definitely interested in seeing some of the amazing things Harry has described, and hearing some of your ideas," Sirius said, smiling a little as he watched Harry sink into the comfort and warmth of the two redheads.
"Thank you," Fred kissed Harry's cheek sweetly.
"You never have to thank me for saying how I see you," Harry shook his head.
"You guys are going to have to get back to the school, you're already going to be pushing it," Sirius sighed, checking the time.
"I will see you soon?" Harry pouted looking back up at his godfather whose arms he had curled back up in as they had settled down to talk.
"Definitely, and I want a picture of the three of you at the Ball!" Sirius said.
"We will make sure you get one," George nodded, holding his hand out to Sirius. The older man considered him for long enough that George gulped a little before he found himself tugged into hug, Fred quickly being tugged into one right after.
"Keep making him laugh," Sirius requested softly.
"We will, every day," they promised together.
"Then you definitely have my approval. He has so much on his shoulders, he needs joy in his life," Sirius said sadly before shaking himself and smiling at the twins, "And definitely send over some of the ideas that you have, I really want to see them,"
"We will," The chorused together before grinning and stepping back and bowing deeply to him, "The opinion of one of the Masters will always be appreciated,"
Harry grinned when Sirius let out deep barking laughter.
"Ok Sweetheart?" Fred asked softly, wrapping his arm around Harry's shoulders while George took his hand as they walked quickly back through Hogsmeade to get back to the school in time.
"I hate having to leave him," Harry admitted softly.
"I'm sorry Sweetheart, but we will write to him, and we can sneak out now and then to come see him," Fred grinned.
"Any time that you want," George nodded.
"Thank you," Harry managed to smile a little at them.
"I can't believe we got to meet THE Snuffles," Bill laughed.
"Definitely not what I was expecting," Charlie agreed.
"Were you expecting him to still be in his prison outfit?" Harry chuckled.
"And him to be all glowery with a dark auror and be way more intimidating," Bill laughed.
"At least he didn't string us up by our toes," George hummed.
"I wouldn't have let him do that," Harry shook his head.
"Aww we knew you cared," George grinned.
"I would have made sure it was by your wrists," Harry grinned.
"You're lucky we love you!" Fred wailed dramatically.
"I can't believe you said that!" George nodded.
"You wouldn't defend us!" Fred sniffed.
"You wouldn't be concerned about us?" George sobbed.
"You have a point, I would be concerned about the fact you probably couldn't do our dance if your wrists are hurt," Harry hummed tapping his lip.
"Harry!" Fred and George wailed as Bill and Charlie burst out laughing.
"Thank you," Harry took both their hands as the twins slowed down their dramatics, grinning at him and kissing his cheek.
"We will see you guys soon, we want one of those pictures as well of you three!" Bill and Charlie said as they reached the gates of the school. They tugged George and Fred into tight hugs, and then Harry and Hermione.
"It was good seeing you all," Bill said to them.
"Really good, enjoy the Ball," Charlie gave them all another quick hug.
"Thank you for our robes," Fred squeezed their brothers one more time.
"You guys are going to look amazing!" Bill squished them.
"You are cutting it fine!" McGonagall tutted, scratching their names off her list as the five reached the gates.
"Professor, we were getting our robes so that we look all snazzy for the Ball!" George smiled charmingly at her.
"How are you, Professor?" Bill gave the same charming smile.
"Happily planning my retirement," she said cheerfully, making Harry groan and press his face into Fred's shoulder.
"Retirement?" Charlie asked, confused. "You're retiring?" he asked while looking baffled at Harry who was trying to smother himself.
"Yes, ten years from when Potter and Twins Weasley produce hellspawn," McGonagall nodded before turning and walking back up to the castle.
"There there," Bill patted Harry's back.
"She keeps saying it," Harry whined, wrapping his arms around Fred's waist and carried on burying into him.
"I think she might be serious," George hummed.
"We're going to get going guys, see you soon," Charlie said through laughter as they walked down the road.
"Wait till we tell mum," they heard Bill saying before the two aparated away.
"You ok Hermione?" George asked concerned as they walked towards the castle.
"We have just hiked up and down a mountain, and then ran through Hogsmeade. I am not ok, I need a hot bath, hot chocolate and a good book!" Hermione snapped storming up towards the castle.
"Is she going to be ok?" George asked concerned.
"She will be fine as soon as she has her bath and a book in her hands," Harry nodded. "I am really glad that everything went well, thank you," He said as they walked into the school.
"We're glad it went well too, it was good to meet him, especially because he is so important to you," George squeezed his hand.
"Though you definitely owe us for not telling us that he is Padfoot!" Fred growled, wrapping his arms around Harry's waist and nipping his cheek making Harry laugh.
Harry and Hermione laughed as they gathered their things and moved towards the exit while Fred and George pouted and followed after them.
"Harry!" George whined, snagging Harry around the waist and tugging him back to scatter kisses over his cheek.
"Stay, we can get ready together and…"
"Nope, don't tempt me," Harry cupped Fred's face and kissed him sweetly. "We're getting ready together, and you will get to see the finished product,"
"Harry," George whined, squeezing him tighter and draping himself a little more over him a little more.
"I will see you in two hours," Harry said firmly.
Fred huffed and tugged him forward into a kiss, smiling against Harry's lips when the younger went limp against him, resting against him as he twined his arms around Fred's neck and sank into the kiss.
George quickly claimed Harry back and tipped him just slightly to press slightly softer but no less drugging kisses to Harry's lips, making the black haired teen forget everything around him as he pressed everything that he was feeling into the kiss.
"Harry! Come on!" Alicia laughed.
"Just…" Harry reached out and tugged Fred back to him and pressed a few quick kisses to his lips and then turned back to George.
"Harry!" Hermione snorted, grabbing his arm and tugging him away. "You're as bad as they are!" she shook her head.
"It is so nice to watch though!" Lavender called out as Hermione and Angela tugged Harry out into the corridor.
"It is disgusting if you ask me," Ron muttered before freezing when Fred and George's eyes locked into him.
"No one did ask you," George said lowly before they drifted over to him.
"Snuffles said it was a shame you couldn't meet him with the rest of us though," Fred smirked.
"You…you met…" Ron stammered his eyes going wide and he went pale behind his freckles.
"Yup we did, he seemed fairly happy with us,"
"Fairly content that we were good for Harry," George nodded.
"Enough to tell us that you had written to him," Fred narrowed his eyes.
"We don't care what you think about us, and we don't care what you try and do to us,"
"But Harry is happy with us, and as long as that stays the case, if you try and get between us, or harm our relationship with him,"
"If you try to hurt him, we will make your life a living hell!" George finished before they stepped away and without waiting for his response turned and walked away to get ready themselves.
Harry felt a little overwhelmed as the others fussed around, he was thankfully mostly done and just sitting on a stool watching the chaos, but the girls seemed to have worked themselves into a panic, and he watched with a small wince of concern as Angela hobbled passed him with only one shoe properly one, the other had somehow come off of her foot and was only attached around her ankle, flopping along beside her like a dead fish.
"Harry, trust me to do something with your hair?" Luna asked, stepping up behind him.
"Will it make it look better?" Harry asked, tipping his head back to see her.
"Yes," She nodded.
"Have at," He waved his hands. She stepped up and cast a couple of charms over his hair, and he grimaced a little at the suddenly itchy feeling that swept over his whole head, before blinking when he realised that his hair was lengthening.
"The extra weight will help control it's wildness a little, and you can style it to help even more," Luna explained as she twisted the top part of his hair into two twists and tied them off at the back of his head, before she cast a charm to make the rest of the length of his hair to make it slightly curlier.
"Oh, I love it!" Harry beamed looking at it in the mirror that she summoned over to her.
"You look spiffy Harry!" She said, wrapping her arms around him. "Thank you for being my friend,"
"You don't have to thank me for that, I enjoy being your friend! You're so interesting and fun, and I love how you see the world!" Harry shook his head.
"No one has seen me like that before," Luna said quietly.
"Well it is time that they do," Harry said firmly.
"This has been so much fun, and I am looking forward to getting to spend the ball with Neville and you all,"
"I am looking forward to it once we get the dance out of the way," Harry groaned.
"You have it perfect though Harry," Hermione said hurrying over to him and turning so that he could zip up her dress for her.
"I know, it is just the thought of having to dance in front of so many people," Harry groaned, zipping up her dress. "You look absolutely stunning,"
"Harry," Hermione blushed.
"Lee is going to be tripping over himself, he already is on most days, but seeing you like this," Alicia shook her head.
"Thank you," Hermione said, still blushing darkly.
"We're ready!" Angela shuffled over tugging on her dress before it settled into the right place and she nodded satisfied.
"We had better get going before the others come looking for us," Hermione said, grabbing her bag.
"You mean before Fred and George reach their Harry limit and storm the castle looking for him?" Alica grinned as they left the Room of Requirements and hurried down the hallway.
"Harry limit?" Harry choked.
"We have a theory that they have a limit of how long they can be away from you before they start going into withdrawal," Angela nodded.
"They start getting twitchy, irritable, they start getting annoyed at everything," Alicia added.
"That sounds about right," Hermione said thoughtfully before laughing at the strangled noise that Harry made.
"You guys!" Harry groaned.
"They really care for you, it is sweet, they're mad about you," Alicia stopped teasing him, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.
"I know. I also know how absolutely lucky I am," Harry said softly, his face showing just how much truth was in his words.
"We're so glad you have each other," Angela nudged him with her hip. "You all deserve to be happy,"
"I am definitely happy, probably happier than I have ever been. I have Fred and George, and they're just amazing, and I have all your friendship as well,"
"Awww Harry!" Alicia looked softly at him as Hermione wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
"Right, enough of the soppy stuff, let's go blow their socks off!" Angela tugged her dress in a way that made her boobs sit a little higher making Harry snort amused, and then they hurried the rest of the way down the stairs.
Harry hugged all the girls at the top of one of the staircases, squeezing Hermione for a second time and whispered assurances to him before they went down one staircase, and he hurried down another heading to an area just off of the Great Hall.
"Oh ... .wow," Harry blinked, stopping at the top of the stairs and looking down to where people where the other Champions and their dates were waiting, but Harry only had eyes for two of the people there. His two people.
Fred was standing there in pitch black trousers and a pitch black shirt, and over the top he was wearing burnished orange robes, George was standing next to him in the same pitch black trousers and pitch black shirt, and he was wearing crimson red robes. The robes fitted them like a second skin, fitted perfectly around their Beater arms and shoulders, the mandarin collar on their robes emphasised their strong jaws, and their hair had been styled to fall around their faces.
Their blue eyes widened when they turned as though feeling his eyes on them, and they both took an automatic step forward when they saw him standing there. Smiling a little shyly, but feeling truly handsome in the face of their reactions Harry started walking slowly down the stairs until as he reached the bottom step they both reached out a hand for him.
Slipping his hands into theirs he stepped down and looked up at the two of them, his heart thundering in his chest as he couldn't stop the happy smile from crossing his face.
"You look…"
"You are…"
"You're both…" The three of them snorted as they all tried to talk over each other.
"You look utterly stunning," Fred said, kissing him sweetly.
"Amazing, I love your hair," George added, combing his fingers through Harry's longer hair.
"It was Luna's idea," Harry said, still looking between them. "You guys look so handsome," he breathed.
"Why thank you," George hummed, leaning in for his own kiss.
"I can say that my House is very well represented tonight," Professor McGonagall nodded, looking them over. "Good show lads,"
"Was there any doubt?" Fred asked her cheekily.
"Once Mr Potter went scorched earth after so many people suggested you were not going to be suitable dates for him, no," She smirked before sweeping away.
"She seems to be under the impression that you can corral us Minx," George blinked after her.
"Can't I?" Harry challenged, feeling confident standing between them.
"We hoped you wouldn't realise so soon," Fred chuckled.
"I promised her I would only use it for good," Harry said, and then grinned when George and Fred blinked at him and then started to laugh.
"Champions ready, Misters Potter and Weasleys as there are three of you to the back," Professor McGonagall clapped her hands.
"Ladies first," Cedric motioned to Fleur and then led Cho behind her. Viktor Krum duck footed his way in front of Harry with another Durmstrang student, he grimaced as he looked at Harry who managed to smile a little despite his own rising discomfort and nodded in agreement.
"Ready?" Fred asked.
"No," Harry whined.
"I am glad there is only being one person for me to trip over, never mind two," Krum muttered to Harry.
"Professor McGonagall thinks we're ballerinas with the dance she put together for us," George huffed.
"Don't, we will be more watching you than dancing ourselves now," Krum's date laughed.
"I wouldn't mind," Krum grunted.
"We have been practicing, you will be fine," His date huffed, kissing his cheek.
"Ready Champions," Professor McGonagall called.
"No," Harry, Fred and George groaned.
"We agree," Krum nodded. Earning them all a glare before the door where thrown open indicating they didn't have a choice. "I wish they had mentioned this part before I entered my name," Krum sighed before he plodded into the room.
"Here we go," Fred muttered moving.
"Soon be over," George whispered.
"Merlin," Harry whined.
He held his head a little higher though as he walked in, determined to make the best impression and show all of those who had made comments about the twins how wrong they were.
"They actually came together,"
"It isn't that unusual,"
"But the Weasley twins,"
"They're going to mess this up and we will look ridiculous!" The mutterings reached them from around the room as they walked to the centre.
"You have smoke coming from your ears Sweetheart," Fred said as they reached their place and he and George stepped in front of Harry and took a hand each.
"Fucking pricks," Harry growled managing to startle laughs from the two of them.
"They will say what they say," George shrugged.
"Not about you!" Harry fought from glaring into the crowd.
"How about you just focus on us?" Fred suggested.
"That I can do," Harry's face softened into a smile.
The music started around them, and with a deep almost simultaneous breath the three of them started moving. Harry found himself smiling through most of the dance as the nerves drifted away and they moved in their well practiced steps now, he could almost imagine that it was only the three of them in the entire room, and getting to complete this dance with the two of them, looking as handsome as they did, the three of them moving together seamlessly, showing just how well they worked together, it was almost perfect.
As the music finished they came to their natural still back with the twins in front of Harry holding his hand, and they grinned at each other as applause and murmurs reached them from the crowd around them.
Harry was practically beaming as he looked at the two of them, and they couldn't resist leaning forward to press a kiss to his cheeks, doing so at the same time.
"This way, we are being glared at," Viktor grunted as he walked past them. They followed behind, Harry holding tightly onto the Twins hands as they made their way over to the table that already seated their headteachers, and…
"Percy?" Fred blinked seeing his brother there.
"I am standing in for Mr Crouch, unfortunately he was not well enough to attend, but has entrusted me to represent him here," Percy said self importantly.
"That's good," Harry managed to say.
"It is true that you are together then," Percy frowned a little looking over the three of them as they and the other Champions seated themselves around the table.
"Yes we are," George looked at Percy challengingly.
"Not really the best representation for the school is it," Percy sniffed, looking down his nose at Fred and then George.
"I know the Twins are your brothers," Harry said sharply before anyone else could even open their mouths. "But that isn't a very nice thing to say about Cedric, Cho and Roger, you're here to represent Mr Crouch, you shouldn't be showing favouritism," He finished.
"Quite right Harry," Albus nodded though his eyes were twinkling brightly as Percy opened and closed his mouth a couple of times before realising that he couldn't say anything that would not make him look ignorant, arrogant or stupid.
"Minx," George muttered as Fred squeezed the back of Harry's neck gently before resting his arm along the back of Harry's chair.
Harry spent most of the speech that Bagman, Albus and the other two Headteachers gave glaring at an increasingly uncomfortable looking Percy until he was satisfied that the other wouldn't say anything else stupid.
"And now, supper!" Albus declared, and their meals appeared on the table.
"Oh, is that goulash? I have always wanted to try it," Harry said eagerly.
"Here Minx," George passed the bowl to him.
"Harry, can you actually tell them apart? I am sorry if it is rude to ask, but you guys are so sweet, and we're curious," Cho asked.
"I can yes," Harry answered her, blinking a little confused at the sudden question.
"You can?" Percy choked.
"Well it would get a little weird if I couldn't tell my partners apart," Harry said a little more waspishly to the other, seeming to remind him that he wasn't in the good books.
"I dare say that many people struggle to tell the boys apart," Albus said soothingly. "But when the heart is involved, I have no doubt that this helps greatly,"
"Harry has been able to tell us apart for years," George smiled at Harry.
"It is easy," Harry shook his head.
"You are very sweet, she is right," Krum's date chuckled, motioning to Cho.
"So what have you boys been inventing lately? I have to admit that I very much enjoyed the glasses!" Albus asked the twins as Harry did an impression of a tomato between them.
The meal went surprisingly well, they even managed a long conversation about Quidditch when Krum realised that Harry, Fred, George, Cedric, Cho and Roger were all players, Krum's date and Fleur sympathised with each other about having no interest in it, and started talking fashion.
Harry had a good time and when it came time for the next part of the ball he was a little sorry to see their table break up. Fred and George wrapped their arms around his shoulders and led him over to where their friends were gathered though.
"You were amazing! Absolutely amazing!" Hermione clapped.
"No wait there, pose!" Lee said, picking up the camera from their table and holding it up.
"Lee!" Harry whined a few minutes and a dozen pictures later.
"Sorry you guys are looking good!" Lee grinned, finally lowering the camera.
"We managed to get some really good pictures of you dancing," Hermione said.
"You did so well, I am actually impressed!" Alicia nodded.
"Showed all those fucking pricks!" Harry growled.
"Merlin Harry, we thought these two would be the ones to worry about, you turn into a full on dragon if someone insults their honour," Angela teased.
"I am not surprised at all, we're just lucky he hasn't started throwing hexes yet, you should have seen what he did to the sixth year Gryffindor that called me an interfering know it all tart," Hermione smirked.
"Woah…he's still alive right?" Fred blinked.
"I can't remember any sixth years going missing but…"
"He's alive, he won't be talking to people that way again though," Harry huffed. "And I am not that bad!"
"Harry, darling, you glowered Percy into submission," George chuckled.
"We have been trying to get him to shut up for years," Fred added.
"He said something stupid?" Hermione asked.
"Very," Harry nodded.
"You should have heard Harry, he took him apart, embarrassed him, and then glared at him," George mock swooned.
"Honestly, I think you're creating a monster!" Alicia shook her head.
"Luna, defend me!" Harry whined, "Neville!"
"There there, they're just slow on the uptake," Neville patted his head. Their group gawped at him for a second before they burst out laughing.
As he laughed Harry caught sight of Ron from the corner of his eye, he was glaring at their table, glowering more like, and looked as though he were sucking on a lemon. He was with Seamus, Dean and their dates, but he didn't have one himself.
Harry found part of his heart feeling sorry for the other, but the main part of him wasn't ready to forgive what he had done, and how he was acting.
"Having fun?" Hermione asked as Harry dropped down into the seat next to her panting, Fred and George already moving to go and grab the three of them a drink.
"So much! You?" Harry asked, taking her hand.
"I really am, Lee has been such a gentleman, and so sweet," Hermione smiled a little, the two of them looking over to where George and Fred were talking with Lee as they all collected drinks.
"He really likes you," Harry told her.
"I…"
"He didn't just ask you to have a date for the ball and have a bit of fun with a friend, he could have asked Alicia or Angela for that, he likes you, and he would like for this to be more than just the ball. He was really nervous about asking you," Harry told her.
"But…he is really popular, and clever, and older," Hermione frowned a little.
"And you are beautiful, super intelligent, mature, kind, loyal, why wouldn't he want you?" Harry nudged her. "Stop letting what idiots say and how they treat you affect how you see yourself. They're like that because they're jealous of how amazing you are,"
"Harry," Hermione sniffed, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and hugging him tightly.
"Here we are…do you guys need a minute?" Fred asked, concerned realising the position they were in.
"No, I was just appreciating how amazing my best friend is," Hermione sniffed a little, pulling back. Harry kissed her cheek before smiling and accepting his drink from Fred. He hummed happily when Fred pulled him to his feet and sat in his chair before pulling him back down onto his lap, George settling into the seat next to him.
They had all been talking and laughing for a good while when Krum's date came over.
"I am sorry to interrupt, would it be ok if we join you?" he asked.
"Of course," Harry smiled, and watched Krum's date beckoning Krum over who was hovering close by, shyly, Harry realised. "I didn't catch your name," he said apologetically.
"I am Stoyan, please call us Stoyan and Viktor!" the other said brightly as the two sat down while Harry made introductions.
"This hasn't been too bad!" Cedric said, tugging a seat over to their table for him and Cho.
"You have definitely looked more relaxed dancing now than you did during the main dance," George grinned.
"You did look as though you were moving a wardrobe around," Cho laughed a little, patting Cedric's shoulder when he spluttered.
"You could see you counting the steps," Harry said apologetically.
"How did you manage it with three of you?!" Cedric groaned.
"Harry and Hermione are harsh task masters," Fred and George said together.
"I will be harsh to you!" Harry glared.
"Come now sweet Harry…"
"Sweet is the last thing you're getting if you aren't careful,"
"...we merely meant that you are forceful!"
"I will force you into celibacy, full celibacy, no contact!"
"No, not forceful just….encouraging!" Fred said panicked.
"I can encourage full celibacy," Harry smiled brightly at them.
"They look as though they will cry soon," Fleur chuckled, dropping down next to Hermione. "This colour dress on you is perfect!"
"Oh, thank you, it is nice to have a chance to dress up," Hermione said blushing as Roger nodded to them all and pulled over another chair.
"Isn't it!" Algela said enthusiastically.
"It is, and seeing each other dressed up," Harry smiled looking over the twins for what felt like the millionth time.
"Are we forgiven?" Fred grinned.
"For now," Harry couldn't help smiling back, leaning over to press a quick kiss to George's mouth and then Fred's.
"Behave yourselves, we will see you in the morning!" Fred said sternly to Lee as Harry and Hermione hugged.
"I could say that to you!" Lee spluttered.
"We have the spell in place to make sure that we behave!" George smirked.
"Not for much longer," Harry whispered into Hermione's ear. She let out a tiny squeak, clearly stamping down her reaction and then she hugged him tightly.
"Really?" She asked when they parted.
"Really," Harry smiled.
"Really what?" George asked, confused.
"You'll find out. Night Lee," Harry hugged him.
"Not going to threaten me as well?" Lee pouted.
"No need," Harry shook his head before patting Lee on the shoulder, "You know already that I would make you wish you had never been born if there is a hair wrong on Hermione's head, so why would I bother saying anything?" he said brightly.
"And that is why we love him!" George and Fred chorused wrapping their arms around Harry's waist as Lee's jaw hit the floor almost.
"Come on, maybe we could talk a little about planning a date?" Hermione said shyly, slipping her arm through Lee's.
"A date…you mean you would like to see me? Past the ball? Really? We could have a date in the library if you wanted!" Lee said enthusiastically.
"Night boys," Hermione waved over her shoulder.
"Night!" Harry, George and Fred called before they turned hand in hand and headed up to the Room of Requirements.
"I feel like I have gone deaf after all that noise and music," Harry sighed contently.
"But you enjoyed it?" Fred asked.
"I had the best time," Harry squeezed their hands, "thanks to you both,"
"You would have had fun without us," Fred kissed his cheek.
"No I wouldn't have, if I had been there with anyone else, I definitely wouldn't have had as much fun," Harry shook his head.
"Us either," George chuckled a little as he and Harry stopped and Fred started pacing in front of the tapestry. "When it was announced there would be a Yule ball this year, we didn't dream that we would get to attend with you,"
"I have been thinking, if I hadn't been entered into the Tournament things probably wouldn't have happened right now between us the way that they are," Harry said, reaching out to claim back Fred's hand as the door appeared and he drifted closer to them. "Even though it is dangerous and I don't know what is going to happen, with the Tournament and whoever entered me into it, I am so glad it did, and that we're here right now,"
"We wish the Tournament and all that wasn't happening, but we're glad we're here right now as well, we have been so happy," Fred sighed, pressing his face into Harry's throat.
"More than you could ever know," George hummed.
"Can I change the room?" Harry asked after a moment.
"Of course, I had just created a bedroom," Fred blinked. The twins watched as Harry paced back and forth before the door changed to a slightly more rustic looking one.
Taking their hands Harry pushed the door open and led them into the Room of Requirements.
George and Fred blinked around at the room, smiling softly at how beautiful it was. Harry had it looking like the inside of a quaint little cabin/cottage, all open plan with a small kitchen, a little table and chairs for just the three of them, and the bedroom with a massive white sleigh bed covered in fur blankets, and the bed was facing the floor to ceiling window which was the width of the whole end of the room and was enchanted to look as though it were looking out over of snowy forest, the snow still drifting soothingly down.
The only room that was separate was the bathroom, and the three of them used it quickly one after the other, showering to get the feeling of sweat from all the dancing they had done off of them before pulling on their pyjamas and meeting on the bed.
They all snuggled down under the blankets, Harry in the centre of the twins as he always was.
"Accio robes," He muttered.
"Harry?" Fred asked, sitting up a little from where he and George thought that they were going to be going to sleep.
"Tomorrow is going to be busy with all of the others, I wanted to give you these when it is just us," Harry explained pulling out the two shrunken presents that he had kept safe in his pocket for the night, throwing his robes back to the floor before expanding the presents and handing them to the twins.
"We don't have your gifts with us!" George said a little panicked.
"It doesn't matter, we can do that in the morning, I just want to give you these now," Harry said, getting up and turning to face them, kneeling on the bed as they lay there looking at the presents. "Open them," he laughed nervously.
"We will love whatever it is!" Fred assured him seeing the nerves before he and George pulled off the wrappings to find a jewelry case inside.
Casting a look to each other they carefully opened their box and gasped at what they found.
Fred's box contained a light blue sapphire pendant in the shape of a teardrop, with the Potter crest visible in gold through the stone, the chain was a solid gold snake chain.
George's box contained a deep amethyst pendant in the shape of a square but on its side, the potter crest visible in silver through the stone, and a silver link chain attached to it.
"Harry," Fred breathed.
"I found them and some other jewelry in my vault during my third year. I want you to have them, to wear them. I don't have a lot from my family, but what I do have I want to share with you," Harry said softly.
"You know what giving something with your crest on means? Especially when we're courting?" George said, looking almost lightheaded as he looked at Harry.
"I love you both," Harry said, and there was a small pop as the spell they had cast over him broke.
"You…" Fred managed to say before he gripped his pendant carefully in his hand as he moved to seal their lips together, joy written over his face and he pressed it into the kiss between them. Harry laughed breathless when George tugged Fred back after a moment, ignoring Fred's complaints to kiss Harry himself, pressing sweet, heated kisses to his lips.
"We love you," Fred said, claiming Harry's lips back.
"We love you," George reiterated, claiming Harry's lips again.
"I love you both," Harry sighed contently as Fred once again pulled him into another kiss.
Harry lay between the twins, the two of them sleeping with small smiles on their faces, their necklaces safely fastened around their throats. He looked from one to the other, and then back again, unable to move his own smile from his kiss bruised lips.
Sighing contently he closed his eyes and snuggled down in between them, surrendering to sleep as the snow drifted down outside their window, leaving them in their own bubble of privacy.