Harry applied the protection runes to Arthur. Even in such a time, he couldn't help himself. Harry placed the runes on his lower back, effectively given Arthur a magical tramp stamp. He had to force himself not to giggle. Harry would probably never tell anyone about it, and he doubted Arthur knew what one was. This was little prank was just for him.
Arthur stayed for dinner, much to Dobby's delight. They found that Muggle alcohol didn't has as much of a kick to magical folk. Petunia, Arthur, and Vernon nearly finished off a bottle of fine whiskey Vernon had saved for special guests with only Arthur remaining conscious. The man had a pleasant buzz but was far from knock-out drunk. He had taken the Night Bus home, just to be careful.
Fred and George were rather impressed with the coffee table battlefield Harry had arranged. With their help, they created five new armies of twelve troops each from random bits and bobs they found. The twins also transfigured the rarely used loveseat into another table. This one was sculpted to have a landscape all its own complete with a couple of small mountains, a forest, and a river. Fred and George could control their troops, Dobby moved his, and Harry moved his own as well as Dudley's. They still took as a turn-based game. Dobby was the first one out, preferring the tactic of simply charging at whichever enemy was in front of his troops. The elf nearly cackled with glee when he nearly knocked Harry out of the game. His downfall came from neglecting the terrain. Harry's final squad had the high ground. By the end of that skirmish Harry only had three troops left.
Luckily, Dudley was making a rather impressive string of hit-and-run battles with the twins. Naturally, Fred and George teamed up. They had thought Dudley to be easy prey. Unfortunately for them, his cousin had a deep love of military history. He split his twelve troops into pairs, used the forest to spread out their numbers. The twins were so busy focusing on Dudley they didn't realize that Harry had defeated Dobby and was on his way before it was too late. His trio of troopers picked off their soldiers outside of the forest, leaving them fighting a battle on two sides.
Sure, Harry only had three troops, but Dudley had been whittling down their numbers. The twins started out with twenty-four and were now sitting at ten. Dudley had five left, still in the forest, and Harry had three.
Fred and George retreated from the forest. With them each having a turn they were able to leap-frogged through the tree, providing defense to the troops as they moved. Harry used the time to reposition his trio across a stretch of open field, settling in for their final battle. There wasn't enough time to put the river between the approaching soldiers and his or get to a better location. Dudley, continued to harass the fleeing troops, though didn't manage to actually thin their numbers.
The final battle came down to remaining troops from all four armies battling it out on the open ground. Fred and George had the numbers but had to hold off Dudley's commandos and Harry's warriors. The cousins fought valiantly, but in the end, the twins came out victorious.
"Should we clean this up?" Dudley asked.
"It will stay like this for a few more hours." Harry was hit with a wave of exhaustion. He looked at the clock to see that it was nearly four in the morning. "Once it changes back, we can clean it up."
"You know, Harrykins." One of the twins said, Harry was too tired to care which.
"This is an interesting little game you came up with." The other continued.
"Give us a bit of time to work on it and we could take the world by storm."
"Sleep first." Harry yawned. "We can talk after breakfast. Let me show you to your room."
Harry led them upstairs to what had once been his room. Now, it had been cleaned and redecorated as a guest room. The queen size bed had been replaced by two twins for their stay. Harry still had no idea where Dobby slept. The elf swore it was somewhere safe and with enough space. He suspected the attic. As long as the elf was happy, that was what mattered.
"It's been a busy day." One of the twins said. "First you save our family. Then you spoil us with fresh sheets."
For once, the duo didn't finish the others' sentences. The fact that one had passed out the moment he hit the bed probably had something to do with it.
"Not sure I saved your family, mate." Harry whispered. "Felt like I broke it."
"It has been broken for a long time." The still-awake twin said before slipping into bed. "Night, Harry. You're a good friend."
Harry wanted to think his misting vision was due to his need for sleep, but even he didn't believe that. He had potentially shattered the Weasley family, and they thought he was a good friend. Would they think that when their parents split, or worse? In the end, it was up to Arthur.
He wasn't sure how he made it downstairs and into his room. His next conscious thought was the smell of bacon. Harry got out of bed to find that he hadn't changed out of the clothes he had worn yesterday. He slipped on some fresh ones before heading to the kitchen. Fred and George were sitting at the table, looking much more awake than they had a right to be. Dudley was practically asleep in his chair. His aunt and uncle were elsewhere.
"Dobby, could I have you grab a couple of Hangover Potions." Harry yawned. "They are going to need them once they are up and about."
"Dobby did last night." The elf smiled at him.
"You are amazing, Dobby." Harry returned the smile.
"Now, Harrykins." Fred put down his fork before speaking.
"We're saving up to start our own business." George was practically bouncing with energy.
"Our own shop that will blow Zonkos out of the water." Fred was starting to get excited as well.
"We'd like to add in that game of yours as well." George said.
"When did you come up with this?" Harry asked.
"Last night." George answered.
"About the time Dobby started cackling." Fred added.
Dobby let out another cackle. "Dobby almost had you, Harry Potter sir."
"It was over Dobby. I had the high ground." Harry shook his head.
"Harry Potter sir underestimates Dobbys power." The elf rubbed his hands together. "Next time, Dobby will be victorious."
"Dobby." Harry couldn't help but smile. "I am glad you are on my side."
"Of course, Harry Potter sir." Dobby instantly swapped back to his usual self. "Harry Potter sir is a great wizard and Dobby is honored to work."
A brief flash of holding the lifeless elf in his arms hit him. Harry stood from the table. He pulled a very shocked Dobby into a hug. Dobby happily returned the embrace even if he was confused. The elf pulled a sock from his pocket, one that looked suspiciously like one that Harry had lost a week ago. He held it out to Harry to use as a tissue.
Harry laughed. He took the offered sock and dabbed his eyes. The twins and Dudley watched, more than a little confused. His cousin looked to Fred and George, who shrugged.
"Right." George said once Harry returned to the table.
"We could sell it in different variations." Fred pressed on.
"As well as fold out tables that have a variety of terrain." George said.
"Each set would come with two armies included." Fred looked to his twin.
"Twelve each for the standard game." George pulled a piece of parchment from his pocket.
"These are our notes." They said as one.
"Wow." Harry looked down at the long list. "That sounds great. Give me a chance to read it later?"
"Of course." They nodded, moving in sync.
"Now." George leaned in.
"Do we need to Harrykins the wonders of female companionship?" Fred smiled as Harry blushed.
"You're a young wizard, Harrykins." George pressed.
"Caught the eye of more than a few witches." Fred wiggled his eyebrows.
"Wizards too if you swing that way." George grinned.
"But you haven't so much as looked at a bird." Fred sighed dramatically.
"Pushed sweet Hermione away too." George added with equal drama.
"It doesn't feel right." Harry tried to think how to phrase it. "I'm…" He motioned to himself.
"The great and powerful Harry Potter." Fred mock-bellowed.
"The Boy Who Lived." George waved a hand as though introducing Harry to a crowd.
"I hate that title." Harry rubbed a hand over his face.
"There are no birds in the area?" George asked. "Muggle ladies who don't know?" Fred asked.
"You've got the bad boy rep to back you up too." Dudley added. "Girls love trouble." His cousin motioned to the basilisk bite. "And scars."
"Fine." Harry groaned. "I'll look for a muggle woman."
He froze when he realized what he had said. The twins shared a devious glance.
"A woman he says, Fred."
"Not a girl, George."
"Harry likes the older ladies."
"Yes." Harry took a deep breath. "I like older girls. Sixth and seventh years, maybe. A bit older than that."
"Say a professor?" Fred grinned.
"Not dear Minnie." George had the same expression as well.
"He did say older." Fred pointed out.
"A little older." Harry held his head in his hands.
"Want to pursue Astronomy?" George pressed in.
"Or Arithmancy?" Fred didn't let up.
"Maybe runes instead?" George leaned back in his chair.
"You two are worse than Petunia." Harry muttered.