Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the Characters.

A/N: This story will mostly be in Harry's P.O.V. Sometimes I will find it more beneficial for Annika's, though. So if it doesn't say assume Harry's P.O.V.

NARRATOR

They stayed at Remus's talking and laughing until well after eleven. Finally, Mrs. Weasley flooed and said that she wanted them home and in bed. When they got back, she asked what Remus had to say. Harry told her to wait until morning because it was a very long story.

When Harry finished the story, the next morning, Mrs. Weasley was overjoyed and insisted she be invited to dinner. Harry, just learning to be the big brother, said he wanted to give her time to get used to the way things were, now that she was free, before he introduced her to too many people.

Harry had spent as much time as he could with Annika over the next two weeks. Sometimes he would go by himself and other times he'd take Ron, Ginny, and Hermione with him. Either way, the others understood his need to spend time ,alone, with her.

ANNIKA'S P.O.V.

"So, tomorrow's my birhtday," Harry began. "And Ron and Ginny's mom likes to make a big deal out of it. She makes a big dinner and invites her whole family, my family, really. And I was hoping you could join us?"

Annika was about to open her mouth to say yes but Remus cut her off.

"I don't think she's ready for that many people, Harry. Especially, not that many men."

"Uncle Remus, I want to go. I know it's going to big a big step but I can't let the fear they gave me control me. That would only mean they've won. Besides, from what I've heard about the Weasleys, Harry trust them with his life, so I wanna trust them, too. What time is dinner?" Annika stated.

What she said was, in fact, true. She did want to trust them the way Harry did and she wanted to get rid of her fear of men but there was something nagging at her. Even since, she heard the name Weasley she got a feeling in the pit of her stomach, like she should be disgusted, but she didn't understand why. To her knowledge, she had never met a Weasley. Unless...but no...from the way Harry talked about them, they weren't capable of that.

"Mrs. Weasley, is having the family arrive at four and dinner is whenever it's ready. Would you prefer to get there before or after everyone else?" Harry questioned.

Annika had to admire him. He didn't know he was a big brother until about two weeks ago and he was doing a fantastic job. He always made sure she felt comfortable and safe.

"After would be good. That way we can get the introductions at once." Annika answered.

Harry nodded.

"I still don't think it's a good idea." Remus stated. "Maybe the two of you should just have lunch."

Annika just laughed.

"What?" Remus questioned.

"You're doing it again?" Annika stated.

"Doing what?" Remus asked.

"Overcompensating for the twelve years." Annika answered. "I'm not the five year old you remember, Uncle Remus. What happened to me has made me a stronger person. I can handle this, promise."

"Fine." Remus said. "But I'm coming with you."

"Remus, you say that like you're not invited." Harry said.

"Well, I didn't here you ask me." Remus replied.

"Because you were to busy being Annika's overprotective guardian. You didn't give me the chance."

Annika laughed again. She hadn't had a reason to in twelve years but now, she found that she enjoyed it so much, she did it at every opportunity.

"I should be getting back." Harry said. "Mrs. Weasley doesn't like me being away too late."

He rose from the couch and Annika and Remus followed him to the fireplace.

"So I'll see you tomorrow?" Harry asked.

"Yes." Annika replied.

Harry hugged both Annika and Remus and disappeared in a blaze of green flame.

"Are you sure about it?" Remus asked.

"Yes, Uncle Remus." she replied and yawned.

"You should get to bed. By the way, how are the potions working for you?" Remus asked.

"Wonderful. I haven't had a dream since after the first night here." Annika replied as she made her way to the stairs.

"I'll make sure Dumbledore keeps you in good stock at Hogwarts. Speaking of which, are you gonna tell Harry or just surprise him at King's Cross on the September first?"

"I think I'll tell him tomorrow. It'll be another nice birthday present." she replied and continued up the stairs.

She went to her room and shut the door. When she was chianging, she caught a glimpse of her battered and bruised body. Maybe tomorrow wasn't such a good idea. How could she meet Harry's "family" looking like this. She was ashamed of how ugly she was. She didn't want to spend the evening wearing a hoodie in the sweltering heat but didn't want them to see her body.

"I guess I just gotta grin and bare it. For Harry." she said to no one.

She drank her potion and crawled into bed, she was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

Annika was awoke around noon the next day by a knocking on her door.

"Come in." she called a little groggy.

"Hey, sweetie." Remus said poking his head in. "You have some company."

"Who?" she asked.

"Get dressed, come down and find out." Remus answered and left.

Annika couldn't possibly figure out who was there. She didn't think it was Harry. She figured, he'd want to spend some of the day alone with his girlfriend. Curiousity got her out of bed. She put on a pair of black sweat pants, a purple t-shirt and black hoodie and headed downstairs.

When she reached the living room, it looked like someone's closet threw up. There was clothes and shoes and other girly things everywhere. On the couch, in the middle of the mess, sat Remus, Ginny, and Hermione.

"What are you guys doing here?" Annika asked confused. They never came without Harry.

"Well, Harry told us that you were gonna come to dinner tonight." Ginny replied. "And we figured you'd wanna look nice."

"We also, figured that you didn't have very many nice things to wear so we brought some." Hermione added.

"Thank you but I can't use your stuff." Annika said. She didn't feel right about but she was also self concious about her scars.

"This is what girls do. They borrow their friends clothes." Ginny stated.

Friends. Annika had never had a real friend before. How could she say no after something like that?

"Alright." she said and found herself smiling.

"Good. Come here." Hermione stated. "We'll start with your hair."

Annika sat down in front of Hermione. She flinched slightly as Hermione bunched the hair to begin brushing.

"Did I hurt you?" Hermione inquired.

"No." Annika replied. "Just remembering some not so pleasant moments when someone grabbed it."

Silence followed.

"So is there anything you want done to it?" Hermione asked after a few minutes of gentle brushing.

"Not really. Just not a ponytail." Annika answered.

Lucius left her hair long because he liked to use it as a "leash". He would always make sure it had the best care taken of it. It would be placed in a ponytail because he felt that it inflicted the most pain when yanked at.

"Okay." Hermione replied.

While Hermione did her hair, Annika noticed Ginny going through the clothes, pulling out different tops, and bottoms. Annika prayed whatever Ginny chose wouldn't reveal too much skin.

Three and a half hours of girl talk and disagreements later, Annika had the perfect look. Ginny had chosen a jean skirt that came to about midthigh, a pink spaghetti string tank top, and a pair of pink flip flops. Hermione had french braided Annika's hair and done her make up. She had on a basic base, pink eyeshadow, a little masscare, and some black eyeliner to bring out her eyes.

Annika looked herself over in the mirror. It was all perfect. Her clothes, her hair, and her make up but she still felt so ugly. Most of her bruises and scars were showing. How could she feel pretty with those ugly reminders of her past?

"Guys," she said. "I appreciate this, I really do. But I just don't feel comfortable meeting people with my scars showing as much as they are."

"I took care of that, too." Ginny stated and pulled out a jar of what looked like lotion.

"What is it?" Annika asked.

"My brothers, Fred and George, are inventors. Mostly, jokes and things that make people laugh but sometimes they come up with genius things like this. This is a special cream that will cover up anything you want it to. They orginally invented it for teenaged girls who had to hide hickeys from their parents but it will work for this as well."

"It's not dangerous, is it?" Annika asked, unsure about using it.

"Nope. They are test their products on themselves. It's perfectly safe." Ginny replied.

"Okay." Annika responded.

She walked back to the girls, who each took a handful of the cream and rubbed on the bruises and scars.

Annika went back to the mirror ten minutes later and looked at herself. For the first time in twelve years, she felt pretty. Her skin was perfectly normal nothing blemishing it. Tears formed as she turned around to look at the girls,

""Thank you so much."

"You're welcome." Hermione replied. "Now, don't cry. You'll run your make up."

Annika laighed away the tears and embraced her friends.