Chapter three

"Sorry to disturb you professor Sprout," The Seventh year prefect had the attention of everyone as he poked his head into the greenhouse.

"Not a problem Jarvis, what's the problem?" Sprout called cheerfully.

"Headmaster Dumbledore has asked that Harry Potter makes his way to his office now,"

"Oh, of course! Mr Potter, on you go, I am sure Miss Granger will catch you up," Sprout waved him on. Harry shot Hermione a look before he collected his things and hurried out of the greenhouse. He looked around for Jarvis but found the other teen had already disappeared. Obviously, he wasn't going to escort him.

He wondered what on the earth the Tournament was throwing at him now as he hurried across the grounds and up into the castle, quickly making his way to the Headmaster's office. He was even more confused when he realised Dumbledore was standing outside his office clearly waiting for him. He was sure the Headmaster watched people trying to guess sweets for his own amusement.

"Harry my boy, sorry to have pulled you out of class," Dumbledore smiled before motioning to the Griffin. It jumped to the side and the staircase started moving, the two of them hopping onto the moving staircase.

"It's ok, Hermione and Neville will let me go over their notes. Is it something to do with the Tournament Sir?" Harry asked. He realised that it calm out with a slight tone of 'what now' when Dumbledore shot him an amused look over his shoulder before stepping off of the staircase.

"Fear not, it has nothing to do with the tournament. Follow me," To Harry's surprise Dumbledore led him passed his desk, climbing up the stairs and then opening a door Harry had never spotted before.

The Headmaster motioned Harry in first and the minute he stepped into the room there was a fluttering wings and feathers and his sight was obscured by red, yellow and gold.

"Fawkes, let the poor lad sit down before assaulting him!" Dumbledore chuckled.

"Hey Fawkes," Harry muttered into the phoenix's feathers, getting a low croon back which made him chuckle as he vibrated through his whole body with Fawkes pressed so close. He crooned one more time before taking to the air and landing on his perch, allowing Harry to see the room he was in.

It seemed to be a private room, a living room, and he realised that he was being allowed into Dumbledore's living quarters. It was quite a soothing area, the sofas were mismatched and looked amazingly comfortable one mint green one black. There was a merrily crackling fireplace that took the winter chill out of the room, and one a low cherry wood coffee table there were already mugs waiting for them, along with a small plate of biscuits.

"Have a seat Harry," Dumbledore motioned to the green sofa as he got comfortable on the black one. He leaned forward and snagged a biscuit and picked up one of the mugs, so Harry copied him. Humming happily as he tasted the hot chocolate.

"Can I ask what this is about sir?" Harry asked after a few moments of them both just enjoying their drinks and the honey biscuits.

"Ah of course. Now, I had Professor McGonagall in here muttering about handing in her resignation, when I asked what on the earth she meant, she clarified that she would be handing in her resignation for exactly 10 years after you give birth to yours and the Weasley twins first child. And then, of course, we had that display in the Great Hall. Am I to take yourself and the twins are embarking in a relationship?" Dumbledore asked with an amused twinkle in his eyes.

"Ah, yes we are," Harry nodded cautiously.

"And you are happy with how things are progressing?"

"Yes I am," Harry nodded again.

"And they have been progressing properly?" Dumbledore asked gently.

"Yes, they….before they even told me anything they cast the Propriis Contactu to make sure that there was no doubt," Harry found himself saying, but Dumbledore nodded happily.

"Now normally when couples embark on something like this, they really are generally left alone. It is a little different to how I understand the Muggle world works where relationships really are left between those involved, here in the Wizarding world it is a little more guided, though not in the old fashioned way that is in the books Professor Flitwick likes to indulge in," Dumbledore winked when Harry choked on his hot chocolate and started laughing.

"Hermione has mentioned about it, but well...her parents don't really understand how things work, and Sirius is really the only person for me and he...well he's not really in a position to be here for me," Harry sighed a little sadly.

"That is very true, and I know that he will find it difficult. So, if I may, I would like to offer myself for the part, and I can discuss it with Sirius so that he may be a part of this important step in your life," Dumbledore suggested.

"Oh...really? But…."

"It is a little improper, with my being your Headmaster. However, it was no secret that I was very close to James and Lily, and that I had a large part in your life when you were a baby. And I am old enough and tough enough to ignore any grumblings that may come from it. Really my part would be to be here if you have any questions or need to talk through anything, to discuss and appease any concerns that Mr and Mrs Weasley may have, to witness the important steps of your relationship, but mainly to make sure that you are happy with how things are progressing and make sure that you do not feel pressured into anything,"

"I would really like that. But the twins are very respectful!" Harry added quickly, not wanting Dumbledore to think badly of them.

"Of course, I know both lads while they may come across as pranksters and uncaring, they have very good heads on their shoulders and are incredibly intelligent. To come up with the things that they are at such a young age proves that. Sadly I think they are dismissed because they know what they want and they are focussed on that, and it is perhaps an aim that some people are quite dismissive of," Dumbledore smiled.

"They're so clever! Some of the things that they come up with...I don't even know how their minds come up with them! They just have these amazing ideas and plans, and they manage to bring them to life," Harry said proudly.

"I admit I know of their secret workroom in the castle, when I have had a stressful day, I quite like having a glance around to see what they had come up with and what they are working on. Quite the imagination they have!" Dumbledore twinkled at him.

"They will love to hear that," Harry smiled softly.

"Clever clever lads. James and Lily would have approved of both of them," Dumbledore told him gently.

"I….really?"

"Oh, most definitely. Sirius will too when he gets over the fact you are dating," Dumbledore smiled before looking concerned when Harry let out a low groan and covered his face.

"Oh Merlin's balls!" Harry groaned.

"Ah, I take it you had not realised you would have to introduce them to Sirius and Remus?" Dumbledore chuckled.

"I genuinely do not know who to be worried for," Harry muttered into his hands.

"Ah yes….it could be rather interesting," Dumbledore said, clearly trying not to sound too amused.

"Sir?" Harry dropped his hands but did not look up from his shoes.

"Yes, Harry?"

"Mrs Weasley….I get the feeling...I...I really like her, but I have the feeling that she rather hoped Ginny and I would get together, and she does not...wholly approve of the twins and how they are," Harry said hesitantly.

"You are concerned that she will not react well to this news?" Dumbledore prompted.

"Yes, sir. The twins wrote to her today, and I know Ron and Ginny probably have as well, they are not taking the news particularly well. I just….Mrs Weasley has the tendency to have a little bit of a knee-jerk reaction when it comes to the twins and I don't want them to be hurt because of us. Would you…."

"Run interference before she has her knee-jerk reaction?" Dumbledore offered gently.

"Yes, please," Harry met his eyes and was a little confused to see pride shining in the Headmaster's blue eyes.

"You know, it is normal social etiquette for someone who is not traditionally your representative to introduce themselves to the parents of the other part of the pairing, to let them know who to talk to if there are any concerns and so on. I believe that a visit to them today would be the best time for me to go, make sure that Mrs Weasley understands how happy you are with this arrangement, and how much I approve of it," Dumbledore said musingly, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Thank you!" Harry sighed out relieved.

"Not a problem at all, this is what I am here for," Dumbledore spread his arms out in a tada motion that made Harry chuckle. "I think, I think you are exactly what the Twins need in their life,"

"Sorry?"

"Most people presume that they don't care about things, that they don't care about how people see them. And while that is mostly true, it is not completely. They need someone who will guard them fiercely, protect their hearts and be a dragon for protecting them. I believe that that is something you will do in spades. Not to mention that you will be able to keep them on their toes and keep up with them,"

Harry blushed darkly at his words but nodded in agreement. Yes, the twins bounced through life, but comments and words did hurt them, but now, now he would be there guarding them against those hurts as best he could.

"Wonderful. Right, I believe your young gentlemen are waiting for you anxiously at the base of my stairs. I shall let you get going. I will visit Molly and Sirius today," Dumbledore placed his hand on Harry's shoulder as he turned to make his way to the door. "Oh and Harry?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Congratulations,"

"Thank you, sir," Harry smiled brightly.

He walked down the moving staircase to get down quicker, and when the Griffin moved out the way and he stepped out of the alcove, the twins were indeed there and waiting for him, looking concerned as they turned to look at him.

"Harry! Are you…"

"What happened now, what…" The two of them demanded, stepping towards him as one. George let out a confused noise as Harry just stepped straight into his personal space and stepped up on his tiptoes to kiss him.

He had not been too confident in starting kisses between them, worrying that he was not very good at it, and not 100% sure on how to instigate things between them. But he felt right now as though he was soaring high on his Firebolt, dancing through the air, and he could not help himself seeing them.

George reacted automatically, wrapping his arms around Harry's waist and leaning down slightly so Harry wasn't straining to kiss him back, squeezing him gently and deepening the kiss.

"Harry what…" George managed to say as Harry pulled back, but their raven-haired love was already reaching for Fred and tugging him down into a kiss as well, Fred going willingly, and hungrily kissing back.

"Where did that come from?" Fred asked blurrily licking his lips.

"Dumbledore wanted to see me about us," Harry explained, taking their hands and started leading them down the hall as he talked.

"Us?" They asked nervously.

"He offered to step in as my representative, considering Sirius can't," Harry smiled.

"Oh...and...does he approve?" George asked slowly.

"Yes, for me and for you," Harry nodded.

"Oh, wow, ok," Fred blinked.

"He also likes having a little explore of your workshop when he needs a break," Harry said, watching as the two of them gawped at him completely shocked.

"He what?!" Fred spluttered.

"I told you someone had been in there!" George snorted.

"He's really impressed with everything that you're doing," Harry hummed.

"Really?" Fred brightened.

"He knows that you're going places," Harry nodded firmly.

"He approves of us huh?" George pressed.

"Yes, he thinks we're good for each other," Harry said thinking about what Dumbledore has said about the twins needing guarding as well.

"Ok, good, good, yes," Fred said absently.

"Were you worried about me?" Harry grinned.

"We were wondering what the hell they were throwing at you now," George snorted.

"Aside from having to learn to dance, still nothing extra," Harry laughed as his partners groaned.

"Hey, Harry!" Harry blinked and turned to watch an unfamiliar Ravenclaw girl hurrying over to him and Hermione. They were heading down to breakfast to meet the twins, the two of them had had to hurry off when they had woken Harry this morning, they had an experiment they needed to check on they had explained, brushing kisses to Harry's lips before hurrying off.

He had been worried that Hermione would become unhappy with the amount of time that the twins now spent with them, but she had assured him she was fine with it, they still spent more than enough time together just the two of them, and when the twins were with them, they made sure to include her in the conversations, and they asked for her advice and knowledge on some of their projects.

"Hi Harry," The girl smiled brightly.

"Erm….hello," He glanced at Hermione and was relieved to see that he wasn't being ignorant, Hermione didn't know who she was either.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to come to the Yule Ball with me," She said brightly.

"Erm...I don't know who you are," Harry blinked at her, aware Hermione was gawping beside him.

"Oh, Julia Hernforth!" She said it as though that was the matter sorted, not clicking onto what he was saying.

"Erm...my boyfriends very publicly asked me to the Ball, you can't have missed that," Harry frowned.

"I would be much less of a hassle to take," She trilled, fluttering her eyelashes at him.

"Not really sure I would consider my boyfriends a hassle Julia," Harry said dryly.

"I would be a much better choice,"

"Ah, not sure you would. Thank you for the offer, but no, I already have a date...dates," Harry shook his head turning to go.

"Harry! I would…."

"He said no, take and hint and get lost," Hermione glared.

"But…."

"The answer is no!" Hermione glared before taking Harry's arm and leading him into the Great Hall.

"Seriously, the Twins asking me out was all over the castle,"

"Oh she knew, she just didn't care," Hermione snorted as they sat down.

"What's happened?" Neville asked curiously.

"Someone just asked me out, to the Yule Ball," Harry shook his head.

"But the twins…."

"Right!" Harry rolled his eyes.

"What about us?" Fred asked dropping down on one side of Harry, George on the other.

"Some girl just asked me out to the Yule Ball, and then told me she would be less hassle than you guys!" Harry scrunched his nose adorably making Fred laugh as George took Harry's chin and kissed him sweetly. "I'm annoyed!" He protested.

"Of course you are," Fred grinned turning his head around and also drawing Harry into a sweet kiss.

"Incoming," Hermione said softly, and they pulled back to watch Errol sweeping towards them.

"Accio Errol," Harry intoned. The owl let out a confused squawk but then gave an appreciative hoot as Harry gently caught him and eased him to his feet, the owl seeming to appreciate not crash landing for once.

"Wonder what mum is writing to you for," Ginny smirked at the twins.

Harry glanced up towards the head table and met amused blue eyes, when he received a wink he grinned and turned back to Errol, plucking the letter from him and putting 3 rashers of bacon in front of him.

"I wonder indeed, here you go," He said brightly holding the letter out to Fred.

Fred reached out to take the letter from him but he was looking at Harry with narrowed eyes. "What have you done?"

"Me? Nothing," Harry beamed innocently at him.

"Ah ha, what have you done?" George pressed.

"Nothing!" Harry insisted.

"Hmm…" Fred narrowed his eyes but turned to open the letter anyway with a reluctant sigh.

"Dear Fred and George,

I will admit that your letter came as something of a surprise, we were not aware that you had such feelings for young Harry, and we are upset that you felt you could not share those feelings with us, especially as you express in your letter that you have had them for quite a while.

As I said, this was quite a shock, however, as long as you and Harry are all happy then we have no reason to be anything but supportive. And we are of course overjoyed at the opportunity of Harry being an official part of the family.

If you need anything from us to help you with courting Harry please let us know, and Bill and Charlie are sending brand new dress robes for you as an early Yule present for the Yule Ball. Please do send us some pictures home of the three of you together, I would so love a picture of you together and dressed up.

Give my love to Ron and Ginny and tell them I will be responding to their letters next. And of course my love to Harry and to Hermione.

Love

Mum,"

Fred and George stared at the letter for another minute nearly before they turned narrowed blue eyes on Harry.

"Ok, did you imperio her?"

"Dose her?"

"Give her a potion?"

"What did you do?" the two of them demanded, completely ignoring Ginny and Ron gawping from just down the table.

"I told you, nothing," Harry insisted, but he could not keep the grin from his face.

"Ah ha, what did you do?" George whined.

"I made sure you weren't hurt," Harry said firmly, kissing both their cheeks before settling down to fill his plate. He was aware of both the twins sitting staring at him a little wide-eyed, but he let them absorb his words as he chatted to Hermione and Neville, both of whom were looking at him with amusement in their eyes.

He jumped a little when George and Fred both placed a hand on his thighs and leant in to kiss his cheeks before turning to one-handedly serve themselves breakfast.

Albus sat down at his desk with a weary sigh, distastefully eyeing the mound of paperwork that he had to go through. He wondered if he could escape for the day and get away with not doing the paperwork again, but the thought on Minerva tracking him down, again, sent a small shiver of fear down his spine and he yanked the paperwork towards himself with a groan, ignoring the sound of amused trilling that passed for Fawkes laughing.

Really, what did he know about the types of bands that these young kids would enjoy at the Yule Ball?

"Headmaster sir?" He turned as the House Elf with brightly coloured clothing popped in.

"I don't remember ordering anything Dobby," He said surprised.

"You didn't Master Harry called me and asked me to bring this to you," Dobby chirped placing the tray on his desk. It had his favourite tea, a small bowl of sherbet lemons, some biscuits and a small list.

Frowning he picked up the list and scanned it over before chuckling amusedly. Harry it seemed had provided him with a list of sweets and drinks from the muggle world that he thought Albus would like to try.

Also at the bottom was a quick explanation of the letter that the Twins had received from Molly and a thank you.

Chuckling happily to himself he thanked Dobby and took up a biscuit, settling into his seat to rush through the paperwork so that he could nip into the muggle world to try and get some of these sweets.

Harry hummed the music that Hermione was teaching him and the twins to dance to to himself as he brushed his teeth. He was feeling in a particularly good mood.

All he had to worry about now was the inevitable meeting of the twins and Sirius and Remus.

Oh and surviving the death tournament of course.

Fred brushed his hand over Harry's hip as he passed leaning down to press a kiss to the back of Harry's neck before moving to go to another sink to brush his teeth. The twins were trying to get him used to their casual touches, both of them being incredibly patient with him as they carefully increased the intimacy of their touches and kisses, always making sure that he was ok with the new steps.

And Harry? Harry felt like a cat bathing in a hot sun patch, every touch, kiss, caress, every press of shoulders to his, hand taking his own, hand pressed to the base of his back, it warmed him and made him happy in a way that he hadn't realised he could be. Every kiss made him want hum and never let go.

He could see himself falling in love very very quickly with his two tricksters. He was probably already halfway there to be honest with himself.

He hummed happily to himself as he made his way into the dorm room and found George already in bed reading. He looked up when Harry reached the edge of the bed and lifted the covers for him.

Scrambling under the covers Harry quickly made his way to George's side pressing against his side and resting his head on his shoulder. George hummed happily as Harry wrapped his arm around his waist and snuggled even closer.

"I am not complaining, like at all, but you have been very affectionate the last couple of days," George brought up as he started running his fingers through Harry's wild hair just as Fred climbed in behind Harry and closed the bed hangings, sealing them off from the rest of the dorm.

He moved to lie right behind Harry, pressing their bodies together back to front firmly and tangled their legs together as he wrapped his arm over Harry's waist and snuggled his face into his shoulder.

"I'm just happy, really happy," Harry admitted softly. Both twins paused for a second before they pressed closer to Harry if that were possible.

"We're glad," George smiled.

"Are you guys happy?" Harry asked biting his lip.

"So happy," George answered straight away.

"Happier than you could know," Fred sighed contently kissing the back of his neck and then his shoulder.

"Mmm good," Harry hummed as he nodded off between them, unaware of the happy, hopeful look that they exchanged over his head.