Harry smirked and nodded at the twins while his friends looked fascinated by the exchange. "Now boys, both William and Charles are rather pleasant as well," Harry said.
His statement made Ron turn even redder. "Shut up!"
Harry raised an temper, Ronald."
eyebrow.
"Temper,
The twins laughed and picked Ron up, making his legs flail.
"We'll just go get rid of the trash, little bird," George said.
"Yeah, it seems the House-Elves forgot," Fred agreed. As the older boys left, Ron struggling in their arms, Harry let out a small chuckle.
"What was that?" Draco recovering the quickest.
demanded,
"I do believe the twins are taking the rubbish out," Luna said, making Harry snort louder.
"But-what—why?" the blonde aristocrat spluttered.
"I told you, the twins are friends," Harry said.
"They are funny," Neville agreed. He had spoken to them quite a bit that year in the common room. They had started to share a few of their ideas about pranks with him, which he had been sharing with Draco.
"But they're Weasleys!" Draco all but wailed.
"Enough, Dray. They are my friends and I think, if you got over your silly little prideful vendetta, you would find yourself liking them as well."
Draco looked shocked and a little hurt, making Harry feel bad momentarily. But, before the blond could retaliate, they were interrupted.
"Look at this, Gred!" "I know, Forge.
"The little bird is defending us!"
"He's such a hero—"
"—so dreamy!"
"No wonder Ginny is so in love with him."
Harry turned to see the twins standing there and smirked at them. "I take it the rubbish is gone?"
"Oh, yes," they said together.
"Fancy joining us? Breakfast is far from over," Harry offered. The twins shared a look before jumping to sit down.
"So, how long have you guys been friends?" Blaise asked, reminding Harry that he loved to gossip like an old lady.
Harry watched as the twins quickly became accepted, Neville being the easiest because he had been talking to them in the common room all year. Even Draco, after initially sitting there pouting like a toddler, soon jumped into the conversation as they started to exchange notes and ideas on pranks.
After breakfast was finished, Harry and his yearmates made their way to Potions. "See, they're not so bad," Harry said, poking Draco in the ribs.
Draco grumbled what sounded like an agreement before he straighten his uniform.
Harry smirked. "What was that? I didn't quite catch it."
Draco grumbled again.
"Sorry, you will have to speak clearly. I would hate to have to write to aunt Cissa and say her only son has turned into an urchin who cannot speak."
"I said you were right!" Draco snapped, making the group snigger. "See! That wasn't so hard, was it Dracie?" Harry said
Draco looked aghast at the nickname and turned pleading eyes on Harry, "Please never, ever, call me that again."
Harry smirked. "Why ever not, Dracie?"
"I beg of you, have mercy."
The group continued to laugh as they made their way into class, making Harry glad he had decided to risk having friends again.
~ Meanwhile
Grimmauld Place, London
"You've got an owl, Sirius," Remus said, looking up from the letter to see the name.
Sirius looked up and frowned when he didn't recognise the bird. It wasn't Hedwig or one of the Malfoy's eagle owls - it wasn't even a ministry carrier.
Flicking his wand, Sirius checked for curses and compulsions and found it to be clean. Even with how tightly warded the house was, he wouldn't become complacent; he had vowed that to himself when he had finally been cleared by the healers. Picking up the letter, he broke the wax seal and quickly read the entire thing.
~
Lord Black,
I am writing to you on the suggestion of your son and Heir, Harrison Potter-Black. He suggested I contact you and give you a copy of my findings into the actions of one Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart.
You will see I have enclosed them all, so you may view them and share the results among your colleagues.
Sincerely, Rita Skeeter
~
Sirius smirked and read through the files, grinning like mad when he got to the last one.
Remus, who was watching him, looked amused. "I take it you've had some good news?"
Sirius grinned. "Oh, yes."
"Care to share?"
"You know how we've been having trouble finding proof that Lockhart is a fraud?" Sirius asked.
"Yes?"
"Well, it seems Harry asked Ms. Skeeter to look into it and she's found the evidence we need."
"Really? I thought that Dumbledore and his supporters in the ministry were making it hard for the investigators."
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