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"But I like this one best."
"Yes dear. But you don't want people to think you're just charming your robes different colors do you?"
"Uhm… no?"
Narcissa beamed.
As December drew along Harry got more invitations and placed a lot of owl orders for gifts. The parties must have been carefully organized because among the people that he knew, no two parties fell on the same night. Harry invested in some excellent stationary then very politely sent 'Thanks but no thanks' notes to the strangers who invited him to their Christmas parties, including the families who had sons and daughters in the upper years at Hogwarts. He accepted invitations from Daphne Greengrass, Jeremiah LeStrange, Kevin Larkins, and Cedric Diggory. Draco never gave Harry an invitation and Harry never pressed him. Maybe the Malfoys had changed their mind. Or maybe Draco just did not want him there. Either way, it was too much hassle to ask Draco for an invitation.
Ron kept shooting in unreadable looks and demanding "Who'd want to party with a bunch of Slytherins?"
"Cedric Diggory is in Hufflepuff." Harry said absently as he sent a polite refusal to the Burbages.
"They're probably trying to turn you Dark!"
"Maybe I'll turn them Light then."
There was not much Ron could say to that so he stormed out of the common room and up the stairs to the boys' dorms. Harry frowned as he watched Ron leave.
"What's his problem?"
"He's worried that you'll like one of the party throwers better" said George's voice unexpectedly.
Harry startled then turned to look at the Gryffindor behind him. For once, he was without Fred or Lee Jordan. For one inexplicable moment it violently reminded Harry of George standing alone and lost after Fred had died. He nearly vomited on George's shoes.
"All right there Harry?"
Harry nodded weakly. "Yeah. Why would I like anyone better? He's my best mate! And the Weasleys are my favorite family!"
George grinned and slid into the seat across from Harry. "Really? Your favorite?"
"'Course!"
"Even Percy?"
"He's alright" Harry said firmly. "Hermione might've turned out that way without me and Ron and Neville to loosen her up."
George grinned. "Yeah? Too bad there isn't a Potter in fifth year then."
"Not that I don't like talking to you but where's Fred? It's a bit odd to see you without him and Lee Jordan."
George laughed. "I'm Fred."
"Are not."
George looked pleased at Harry's recognition but said, "If anyone asks I am. George is in a broom closet with a Ravenclaw. And Lee is… busy. Studying. In an unused classroom because the common room is too noisy."
"Mmhm." Harry said in tones of vast and intense disbelief. "Really?"
"I solemnly swear that they're up to no good."
Harry laughed. "Brilliant!"
Fred and Lee chose that moment to stagger back into the common room. George grinned at Harry as he stood up to go join them.
"Don't worry about Ron. Ickle Ronnikins can be a bit thick but his heart's in the right place. Usually."
If Ron was an occasional prat with his heart in the right place then Draco Malfoy was usually a prat with his heart nowhere in sight.
"What's your problem?" Harry demanded when Draco went off on Ron in the halls about being poor. Again. Hagrid's defense did not stop Snape from removing points.
"I don't have a problem" Draco snapped.
"Bullshit!" Draco gaped. Either he knew the muggle curse word or it was the tone of Harry's voice. Either way, he knew Harry was angry with him. "Whatever your problem is, take it up with me and leave the others out of it!"
Draco blinked then glared then stormed away from Harry. He stopped giving the other Gryffindors grief after that. He also stopped talking to Harry entirely, even when Harry was sitting right next to him at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall. Draco's sulks and glares did not stop Theodore Nott or Daphne Greengrass from inviting Harry over to sit with them. Nott even made a point of sending smirks and pointed looks Draco's way. Parkinson and Zabini were delighted to see them feuding. Crabbe and Goyle did not seem to notice the change.
The last day of lessons dawned bright and clear. It was a perfect day for quidditch. Most of the student body was vibrating with excitement. It was even better than on game days in some respects since everyone had an equal chance of being picked to play for a team.
Lessons passed in a blur. Harry soon found himself standing with Cedric Diggory on the quidditch field. In the stands was a huge chunk of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and a smattering of Ravenclaws and Slytherins. Padfoot settled himself at the top of the stands where he would have the best view this time. Standing next to Harry was Cedric Diggory and in front of them milled about twenty students. Most of them were in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff but there were a couple of Slytherins and Ravenclaws in the mix from what Harry could remember of who belonged in which House. Harry was the only first year on the field. Fred and George showed up with a suspicious number of school brooms in tow. The older Gryffindor students winked at Harry, heaped the brooms at the base of the Gryffindor stands, and joined the milling hopefuls.
"Everyone line up" Cedric ordered. "How are we supposed to pick people if we can't see you lot?"
Everyone lined up in a more or less straight line. Since Cedric won the coin toss he got first pick.
"Fred Weasley!"
"George Weasley!" George made a face at Harry but joined him quickly enough.
Immediately the twins started alternately taunting and boasting to each other.
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(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
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