On entering the Gryffindor common room, Harry knew he was effectively abandoning Hermione to be interrogated by the gossip twins. Both understood that would be happening anyway, and that speaking to a set of actual twins was a matter of urgency. Since they had the bond though, they were never alone and either could call for help if things got out of hand. Managing to get Fred and George into a corner, Harry waded right in.
"I'm disappointed in you two, dumping family like that. Didn't you learn anything from ignoring your sister for the whole of her first year?" Harry knew that was harsh, but at least now he had their full attention.
"Hey, below the belt, Potter."
"Yeah, you weren't here. We tried to be supportive, Percy was taking him to Madam Pomfrey to check for love potions..."
"Ronikins pulled his wand on him."
"Good for Ron."
This had both twins staring as Harry in disbelief. "You do remember our brother Ron, 'all Slytherins are evil' Ron - that brother?"
"You may find this hard to believe but sometimes people actually grow up. Have a talk with your brother, a real talk rather than just telling him what you think. If anything, you are the ones acting out of character here. Since when did you two ever agree with Percy?"
Seeing that got to them, Harry pushed on. "That's actually only one of the reasons I'm over here. How would you two like to spend part of the summer staying abroad as a guest of Lord Potter? Your mum has already agreed but you can't prank Millie or Ron either, not without getting sent back home for abusing my hospitality. Now, to make up for that hardship, a certain Padfoot and Moony will also be my guests - you interested?"
It was fun watching these two as they tried to play it cool, Fred eventually had enough control of his emotions to speak. "We might be interested, but what's the catch?"
It was time for Harry to initiate his cunning plan. "You two get to tell your sister she's invited too. Slipping into that conversation that the beautiful Miss Granger is now my betrothed is also a requirement."
Both twins smiled at that. "You have a deal, Lord Potter."
George though was a bit more pragmatic. "We'll certainly tell Ginny you're betrothed to Hermione. No promises whether it will make any difference in her behaviour though, Ginny's had a crush on you since she was about five."
As Harry groaned in annoyance, Fred immediately changed the subject. "Just where abroad are we going for this holiday?"
Harry's explanation of sun and private beaches had both twins ready to leave there and then. Throw in meeting Padfoot and Moony, Harry was considering himself lucky to make it out of that corner without getting seriously kissed by a couple of Weasleys. Now that would have really made their sister jealous.
.....
By breakfast, news of Lord Potter and his Betrothed was indeed all over the castle. The shock was somewhat short-lived though, the Daily Prophet proclaiming Sirius Black innocent proving a much juicer topic for discussion. One glance at the staff table made Harry's mind up they needed to act now.
"Guys, I can feel Snape's eyes boring into my back. There's no way he's going to let this go, so Hermione and I will disappear for the day. It's better if you don't know what we're up to, you can't be made to tell what you don't know. We'll see you here for the feast tonight."
As he and Hermione left the Great Hall, all their friends noticed Snape rise and hurriedly leave too.
A fearful Milly watched on while speaking to the group, a group that still included all four houses. "I don't think I've ever seen Snape in so foul a mood. Do you think those two will be alright?"
With total confidence, Ron declared they would. When his girlfriend wanted to know why he was so sure, Ron drew the five of them into a close huddle before offering an explanation. "Harry has a family heirloom that shows him where every single person in the castle is, he will be able to stay one step ahead of Snape. He also has another heirloom that will render him and Hermione invisible. They won't be caught."
Hearing that saw Millie getting a tad upset. "I thought Slytherins were supposed to be the sneaky students, not bloody Gryffindors. No wonder Malfoy's been outclassed on every level since our first year." That Millie was smiling by the end of her rant set Luna off laughing. Since Luna had the most infectious laugh, she was soon joined by everyone else. Since Neville was back sitting beside her, while Hannah was across from them on Susan's left, the little Ravenclaw was in a brilliant mood.
....
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