Otherworldly Interference

As Harry changed into his Quidditch robes after finishing his classes, the weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders. Two weeks had flown by since the troll incident. Harry had very little leisure time these past two weeks as Wood was paramount on being ready for the next match.

Upon entering the common room, Harry found Ron huddled on the couch, absorbed in a book. Ron glanced up, his brow furrowed in concern, as Harry descended the stairs.

"Again?" Ron inquired, his tone laced with sympathy.

Harry nodded wearily, a sense of resignation creeping into his voice. "Yes, Wood's been a bit on edge lately, especially with Hufflepuff being our next opponent."

Ron let out a low whistle, understanding dawning in his eyes. "Ah, right. They were the Quidditch champions last year, weren't they?"

Harry nodded, his expression grave. "Exactly. Wood's determined to make sure we're prepared, but sometimes I think he might be pushing us too hard."

Ron frowned sympathetically, his concern evident. "Well, let's hope it pays off. We could use a win after all this practice."

"Definitely," Harry agreed, his determination unwavering. "I'll see you later, Ron. Wish me luck."

With a reassuring pat on Harry's shoulder, Ron offered a supportive smile. "Good luck, mate. Don't kill Wood if he pushes too hard."

Harry chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "No promises there, but we'll see."

With that, Harry made his way out of the common room and towards the Quidditch pitch, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead.

As Harry made his way to the Quidditch pitch, the cool breeze of the late afternoon air brushed against his face, momentarily easing the tension that had settled in his muscles. Despite his apprehensions about the upcoming match, there was a sense of exhilaration that coursed through his veins, a familiar thrill that came with the anticipation of taking to the skies.

As he approached the pitch, the familiar sight of his teammates greeted him. Wood was already there, pacing back and forth with a determined expression etched on his face. Fred and George were engaged in a heated discussion nearby, their voices rising and falling in animated debate.

"Come on, George, we need to step up our game if we're going to beat Hufflepuff," Fred urged, his tone urgent.

George rolled his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, please. We've got this in the bag. Besides, it's not like we're playing against Slytherin."

Fred scoffed in mock indignation, his hands planted firmly on his hips. "Hey, Slytherin may have a reputation, but Hufflepuff was the champion last year. We need to be prepared for anything."

Harry approached them, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Are we talking strategy or just trying to see who can outdo the other in banter?"

Fred and George turned to him, grins spreading across their faces. "Ah, Harry, just the man we need," Fred exclaimed, clapping Harry on the back. "What do you think? Are we ready to take on Hufflepuff?"

Harry snorted, "What do you think we have been doing for the past two weeks?"

Fred and George exchanged a weary glance, their expressions mirroring Harry's sentiment. "Wood is being even more paranoid than last year," Fred remarked with a sigh, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Yeah, I swear he's going to have us practicing in our sleep next," George added, a hint of exasperation in his voice.

Harry chuckled, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "Well, if anyone can make that happen, it's Wood."

They waited for the rest of the team to gather on the field, their anticipation building with each passing moment. As Angelina joined them, her brow furrowed in frustration, she wasted no time in voicing her concerns to Wood.

"Oliver, we've been practicing non-stop for the past two weeks," Angelina protested, her voice tinged with frustration. "I think we've had enough. We need to give ourselves a break before we all burn out."

The sentiment was echoed by the rest of the team, nods of agreement rippling through their ranks. Even Harry couldn't help but feel the strain of constant practice weighing heavily on his shoulders.

"Angelina's right, Wood," Harry interjected, his tone earnest. "We're all exhausted, and pushing ourselves any further might do more harm than good. We need to be fresh for the match."

Wood's brow furrowed in thought as he considered their words, his determination warring with the practicality of their situation. After a moment of silence, he let out a resigned sigh.

"You're right," Wood conceded, his tone begrudging. "We've put in the work, and I trust that you're all prepared. Let's call it a day and give ourselves a chance to rest up."

With a collective sigh of relief, the team began to disperse, their exhaustion palpable as they made their way back to the common room. But before they could leave, Harry couldn't resist adding one final quip.

"Who knew relaxing could be so exhausting?" Harry joked, earning a chorus of laughter from his teammates as they made their way back to the comfort of Gryffindor Tower.

As they entered the common room, Harry's gaze scanned the familiar surroundings, searching for the familiar faces of Ron and Hermione. Disappointment pricked at him when he realized they weren't there. Instead, Neville sat perched on a chair near the window, his nose buried in a Herbology book.

Harry made his way over to Neville, a friendly smile on his lips. "Studying hard, Neville?"

Neville looked up, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Trying to, Harry. I have to finish the essay on Devil Snare for Professor Sprout"

Harry chuckled at Neville's response, a sense of camaraderie settling between them. "Devil's Snare, huh? Tricky stuff. I just finished that essay, actually. If you want, you can take a look at mine for reference."

Neville's eyes widened in gratitude, his expression lighting up. "Really? That would be fantastic, Harry! Thanks a million!"

With a friendly pat on Neville's shoulder, Harry excused himself and made his way up to the dormitory to change out of his Quidditch robes. He swapped them for a comfortable pair of jeans and a grey sweatshirt, eager to relax after a long day of practice.

When he returned downstairs, he found Neville waiting patiently by the fireplace, a hopeful look in his eyes. Harry smiled reassuringly and gestured for Neville to join him at the table.

As Neville eagerly flipped through Harry's essay, absorbing the content with rapt attention, Harry took a seat beside him, ready to offer guidance. Neville's brow furrowed in concentration as he began jotting down notes, occasionally glancing at Harry for reassurance.

"Alright, let's start with the introduction," Harry suggested, pointing to the parchment. "You've got the basics down, but we can add a bit more detail to grab the reader's attention."

Together, they delved into the intricacies of Devil's Snare, Harry offering insights and anecdotes that weren't found in their textbooks. Neville listened intently, soaking up every word as he incorporated Harry's suggestions into his essay.

As they worked, the portrait hole swung open, and Hermione stepped into the common room, with a stack of books in her hands. Spotting Harry and Neville deep in conversation, she made her way over and settled down next to them, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

"What's going on?" Hermione inquired, peering over Neville's shoulder at the parchment.

"I am helping Neville with the Devil's Snare essay," Harry explained, a hint of pride in his voice. "He's making great progress, but a little extra help never hurts."

Hermione nodded approvingly, her gaze flicking between Harry and Neville. "Well, it's wonderful to see you both studying together. Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say."

"Wait, where is Ron?", Harry suddenly noticing that Ron not with Hermione.

Hermione's brow furrowed in concern as she glanced around the common room, her gaze searching for any sign of Ron. "I'm not sure," she admitted, her voice tinged with worry. "I thought he might have gone to meet you after you finished Quidditch practice."

Harry shook his head, his expression troubled. "No, he was sitting here reading a book when I left for practice, and I haven't seen him since. I thought he had gone to meet you after I went for practice."

Neville, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "I saw him leave the common room about 20 minutes before you came back, Harry."

Hermione frowned, considering their options. "I was in the library all afternoon, so I didn't see him either. Maybe he's in the dormitory?"

"Nope, I just came down from there after changing. Didn't see him there," Harry said with a furrowed brow.

Hermione suggested, "Maybe he went off to the kitchen to grab a snack. He does have a tendency to disappear when he's hungry."

Harry nodded in agreement, a hint of relief washing over him. "That's true. Ron's never one to turn down food."

Neville, his expression one of disbelief, interjected, "Wait, you guys know where the kitchen is?"

Harry chuckled, exchanging a knowing glance with Hermione. "Of course, Neville. We've been on a few midnight snack runs before."

Hermione nodded, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "It's one of the perks of being friends with Harry. He knows all the secret passages."

Neville's eyes widened in amazement, realizing that there was still so much about Hogwarts that he had yet to discover. "Wow, I had no idea. You'll have to show me sometime."

Harry grinned, the tension from earlier dissipating as they fell into easy conversation. "Absolutely, Neville. Let's finish the essay and I'll show you."

After finishing the essay, Harry rose from his seat, eager to show Neville the secret passages leading to the kitchen. Turning to Hermione, he asked, "Would you like to come with us, Hermione?"

Hermione paused, considering for a moment before shaking her head. "No, thanks. I think I'll pass this time. I could use a shower and some time to relax."

Harry nodded understandingly. "Alright, suit yourself. We'll see you later then."

With that, Harry led the way out of the common room, Neville trailing behind him. Just as they reached the exit, they were surprised to see Ron approaching from the opposite direction.

"Hey, where have you been?" Harry asked, curiosity piqued.

Ron grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, I just went to the owlery to send a letter back home. Lost track of time, I guess."

Harry chuckled, exchanging a knowing look with Neville. "Well, at least you're back now. We were starting to wonder where you'd disappeared to."

Ron shrugged, "Sorry about that. Where are you guys off to?"

Harry says with a grin spreading across his face. "Showing Neville where the kitchen is. Want to come along?"

Ron's eyes lit up at the invitation. "Absolutely! I could do with a snack."

With Ron joining them, the trio made their way down the corridor, Harry leading the way with confidence. As they walked, Neville's curiosity got the better of him.

"So, how do you know where the kitchen is?" Neville asked, his tone tinged with awe.

Harry chuckled, "Found it during the second week early morning when I was coming back from the owlery"

Ron grinned, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Yeah, Harry here has a knack for stumbling upon hidden passages. Probably inherited it from his dad."

Harry rolled his eyes playfully at Ron's comment. "Or maybe it's just luck. Either way, you'll understand why it's worth the detour when you are craving a snack sometime"

Neville nodded eagerly, his excitement growing with each step they took. "I can't wait to see it!"

As they rounded a corner, the portrait of the fruit bowl that concealed the entrance to the kitchen came into view. Harry tickled the pear in the center, causing it to transform into a handle, and pushed the door open, revealing the warmth and aroma of the bustling kitchen beyond.

As the trio stepped into the kitchen, Neville's eyes widened in sheer astonishment at the sight before him. The room was a hive of activity, with house-elves bustling about, pots and pans clattering, and delicious smells wafting through the air.

Ron nudged Harry with a grin, motioning towards Neville, who stood with his mouth agape in awe. Harry stifled a laugh and turned to face Neville, adopting a pompous tone.

"Welcome to the Hogwarts Kitchen," Harry declared grandly, gesturing around the bustling room.

Neville blinked, still trying to process the sight before him. "I... I had no idea..."

Before Neville could finish his sentence, two familiar house-elves, Tinsel and Dinky, came bounding over at the sight of Ron and Harry. Their eyes lit up with joy as they greeted the trio with enthusiastic squeaks and gestures, eager to assist in any way they could.

"Harry Potter and his Wheezy is needing something?", Dinky asks.

Harry smiled warmly at the house-elves, his eyes crinkling with affection. "Dinky, it's good to see you. And Tinsel too. How are you guys holding up?"

Dinky and Tinsel's faces broke into wide grins at Harry's question, their enthusiasm palpable. "Oh, we's doing good, Harry Potter! Very good indeed!" Dinky exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Harry chuckled, pleased to see the elves in such high spirits. "That's great to hear. I was just showing my friend Neville here where the kitchen was."

Neville offered a shy wave, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the elves' exuberance. "Hello, it's nice to meet you, Dinky and Tinsel."

Tinsel's ears perked up at Neville's introduction, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "And where is Brainy Bunny miss?"

Harry suppressed a laugh at Tinsel's description of Hermione. "Oh, she's back in the common room. Probably taking a well-deserved break after a long day." 

Ron and Neville couldn't help but laugh at the elf's nickname for Hermione.

Dinky nodded "Ah, Bushy Bunny. Always in need of a little relaxation, she is."

Harry laughed, amused by Dinky's nickname for Hermione. "Exactly. I'll be sure to pass on your greetings, though."

Ron and Neville couldn't contain their laughter at Dinky's nickname for Hermione. Ron grinned mischievously, nudging Neville with his elbow.

"Did you hear that, Neville? Bushy Bunny!" Ron chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

Neville laughed along, wiping tears from his eyes. "I never would have thought of that one. The house-elves here are something else."

Harry chuckled, "Okay guys, you need something?", asking Ron and Neville who were still laughing.

Ron wiped away a tear of laughter before turning to Dinky with a grin. "Actually, could you bring us some of those chocolates?"

Dinky's ears perked up at Ron's request, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Of course, Wheezy! Right away!"

With a snap of her fingers, Dinky vanished into the depths of the kitchen, her eagerness leaving the trio chuckling in amusement.

Harry turned to Tinsel, a playful grin on his lips. "And for me, could you pack up some treacle tart and fudge, Tinsel?"

Tinsel's ears perked up at Harry's request, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes, Harry Potter sir! Right away!"

As Tinsel scurried off to fulfill Harry's order, Neville scratched his head, uncertain of what he wanted. "I'm not really sure what I fancy at the moment," he admitted with a shrug.

"That's okay, Neville," Harry reassured him with a friendly smile. "You can always come back here whenever you're in the mood for a snack."

With their snacks in hand, the trio made their way back to the Gryffindor common room, the warmth and aroma of the kitchen lingering in their memories. As they entered the common room, Harry glanced around, noticing the familiar faces of their fellow Gryffindors scattered around the room.

"Well, I better go find Fred and George," Harry said, handing Ron his share of treats for now. "Got some important things to discuss before dinner."

Ron nodded in understanding, a curious expression crossing his features. "Anything I should know about?"

Harry shook his head, his expression serious. "Not yet. But I'll fill you in later if everything goes as planned."

Neville looked between Harry and Ron, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Should we come with you?"

Harry shook his head gently. "No, it's alright. This is something I need to discuss with them alone."

As he stepped towards the common room exit, Harry's mind raced with thoughts of the map he needed. The idea of creating a copy excited him, envisioning the ease it would bring to navigating Hogwarts without constantly expending magical energy.

"Harry, shouldn't you check the common room and dormitory first?" Neville's voice interrupted his train of thought.

Harry turned back with a smile. "That's okay, Neville. I already know they're not there."

With a nod of understanding, Ron ushered Neville towards the dormitory, leaving Harry to his own devices. The portrait swung shut behind them, leaving Harry to navigate the castle corridors alone. 

As Harry walked down the corridor, his steps echoing softly against the stone walls, he quickly made his way to an empty classroom. With a flick of his wand, he closed the door behind him, enveloping himself in a cocoon of solitude.

Taking a deep breath, Harry called out in a low voice, "Tinsel?"

There was a faint pop, and suddenly the house-elf materialized before him, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Harry Potter sir is needing Tinsel?" the elf asked, his ears perked with curiosity.

Harry nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, Tinsel. I need you to find Fred and George Weasley for me. Tell them to meet me here as soon as possible. Also I need you to tell me where Professor Lupin's quarter is"

Tinsel nodded eagerly, his fingers twitching with excitement. "Yes, Harry Potter sir! Tinsel will find them right away!"

With another pop, Tinsel vanished into thin air, leaving Harry alone in the empty classroom. But before he disappeared, the elf left Harry with a parting gift of information.

"Oh, and Harry Potter sir, Professor Lupin's quarters are located on the second floor of the North Tower, behind the tapestry of the unicorns" Tinsel informed him, his voice fading as he apparated away.

Harry smiled, he would have to pay Lupin a visit after the dinner to get some of his blood for the Moonsbane potion.

As Harry waited in the empty classroom, his mind wandered to the upcoming task at hand. He couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency, knowing that time was of the essence. The thought of brewing the Moonsbane potion lingered in his mind, a reminder of the risks he was willing to take to help his friend.

After what felt like an eternity of waiting, the door creaked open, and Fred and George Weasley entered the room, their expressions tense with anticipation.

"What's the problem, Harry?" Fred asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

Harry wasted no time in getting to the point. "I need the Marauder's Map. I want to make a copy, but first, I need to understand how its charms work."

The twins exchanged a knowing glance before nodding in agreement. Without hesitation, they handed the parchment over to Harry, who took it with a sense of reverence.

Closing his eyes, Harry immersed himself in the magical essence of the map, his senses tingling as he navigated the intricate enchantments woven into its fabric. With a delicate touch, he allowed his magic to merge with the parchment, tracing the lines and symbols that pulsed with hidden energy.

"My dad and his friends really outdid themselves with this," Harry thought with a sense of admiration, feeling a swell of pride for the creators of the map.

After a few moments of intense concentration, Harry opened his eyes, a satisfied smile curling his lips. "There we go," he muttered, his voice tinged with accomplishment.

Turning to Fred and George, Harry's expression shifted to one of determination. "I should be able to upgrade the map and create multiple copies."

"Why do you want to make multiple copies?" George inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Well, it's time for Hogwarts to have another set of Marauder's, isn't it?" Harry replied with a mischievous smirk, his eyes glinting with excitement.

Fred and George exchanged a glance, their faces lighting up with anticipation. "Absolutely," Fred chimed in eagerly. "The more mischief, the better."

"But would we call ourselves the Marauders?" Fred queried, a hint of uncertainty in his tone.

"No," Harry responded confidently, a smirk playing on his lips. "We will call ourselves the Phoenix Covenant."

Fred and George exchanged a surprised glance, their expressions reflecting both approval and intrigue at the new name. "The Phoenix Covenant," George repeated, testing the words on his tongue. "Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

"It's perfect," Fred agreed, a grin spreading across his face. "A new era of mischief awaits us, under the banner of the Phoenix Covenant." 

Fred and George exchanged curious glances, their interest piqued by Harry's choice of name. "Why the Phoenix Covenant?" Fred asked, his brow furrowed in curiosity.

Harry's smirk widened as he explained, "The phoenix symbolizes immortality. Just like the phoenix rises from its ashes, our mischief and legacy will endure, even beyond our time at Hogwarts. Someone else could carry on our legacy long after we've left these halls."

George nodded in understanding, a sense of pride swelling within him. "I like it. It's like we'll be leaving behind a lasting mark on Hogwarts."

"As for who else will be part of it," Harry continued, "I've got Neville and Ron on board. Hermione might need a bit more influencing, if you know what I mean" he added with a wink.

Fred and George snickered at the mention of Hermione, sharing a knowing look. "No doubt about that," Fred agreed.

"Speaking of legacies, how's business going?" Harry inquired, eager to change the subject. 

Fred and George straightened up proudly, puffing out their chests. "It's going brilliantly, Harry! We've nearly reached 570 galleons in profit," George boasted.

Harry's smile widened at the news. "That's fantastic! Now that you're earning that much, maybe it's time to break the news to your family. They'll be thrilled."

Fred and George exchanged hesitant glances, their doubts evident in their expressions. Sensing their uncertainty, Harry placed a reassuring hand on their shoulders.

"Don't worry, I'll be right there with you when you break the news to your family," Harry assured them. "And with the way things are turning around, by Christmas, we could really turn things around for the Weasley family."

As he spoke, an idea began to form in Harry's mind. "Actually, maybe we should save the big reveal for Christmas," he suggested. "It'll be a perfect time to surprise everyone."

With a determined glint in his eye, Harry reached into his subspace pouch and withdrew a bag of galleons. He handed it over to Fred and George, who looked at him with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

"Go crazy with the inventions," Harry urged them. "I'll handle your school work and assignments. Let's make this Christmas one to remember."

Fred and George's blank expressions slowly gave way to disbelief, then gratitude. But just as Harry began to bask in their appreciation, they posed a question that left him shaken to the core.

"Why are you doing so much for us, Harry?" they asked, their eyes searching his for an answer.

Harry was caught off guard by their question, his mind racing as he searched for a suitable response. But try as he might, he couldn't seem to form any words. Why indeed? It wasn't as if Harry owed them anything, and yet he couldn't shake the feeling that helping Fred and George was simply the right thing to do.

"Do I need a particular reason to help my brothers?" Harry finally managed to say.

Fred and George stared at him in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief. It was clear that Harry's words had struck a chord with them, leaving them speechless in the face of such unwavering loyalty.

After a moment of silence, Fred cleared his throat, his voice hoarse with emotion. "No, Harry, you don't," he replied, his tone filled with gratitude. "Thank you, mate."

George nodded in agreement, a lump forming in his throat. "Yeah, thanks, Harry. We really appreciate it."

With a nod of understanding, Harry offered them a small smile. "Anytime, guys. We're in this together, remember?"

"Just send me all your assignment and everything and give me the time you need it by. I'll get it done. You guys go crazy with inventions.", Harry said as he got up to leave. 

With a final exchange of nods, Fred and George rose from their seats, their expressions a mix of determination and excitement. "Right, let's get started then," Fred declared, clapping Harry on the back as they made their way towards common room. Once inside Fred and George went off to their dormitories saying that they wanted to put in some orders before dinner.

The common room was bustling with activity, students scattered throughout the room, engrossed in their studies or engaged in lively conversation.

As Harry glanced around, he couldn't help but notice a subtle shift in the room's size, as if it had expanded to accommodate the influx of students. It was a phenomenon he had grown accustomed to at Hogwarts, yet it never failed to intrigue him.

Lost in his thoughts, Harry scanned the room for any sign of Ron or Neville, but they were nowhere to be found. With a sigh, he resigned himself to the fact that he would meet them during dinner.

Leaning back in his chair, Harry's mind drifted to the task at hand: convincing Professor Lupin to provide him with some of his blood for the Moonsbane potion. It wouldn't be an easy feat, but Harry was determined to succeed, no matter what it took.