I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 23 – Perspectives

People were giving Percy a wide berth and he was perfectly fine with that.

He knew he was hardly the most approachable person. He lacked the easy-going nature of Bill, the natural charisma of Charlie and Fred and George. Ron was shy but he had a gentle obliviousness that made him good company. Ginny was a bundle of smiles that could crack the dourest of temperaments. His mother generally bulldozed her way past most barriers and became friendly through force. His father was one of the kindest and most patient men he had ever met.

Everyone but Percy had an easy time making acquaintances it seemed.

For a while he lamented it. He wanted to be well liked, to have people want to be around him. After trying, and failing, for a few years he decided to lean into his dubious strength and be that pillar of propriety that he liked. He became a stickler for rules. Doing what must be done despite being disliked for it.

It was lonely sometimes but for moments like now, it paid off.

With O.W.L.s coming up, Percy had become more terse and strict. Fast to lecture and faster to punish if need be. It seemed like he was the only one in the tower that took it seriously. That was not completely fair. Oliver took his seriously but he knew his future did not depend on his academics as much so he was not overly worried. Vega had a large family business to rely upon and join so he could not care less about the tests.

Without substantial family coffers or any other kind of job prospects, Percy had to do exceptionally well to have any sort of chance. His family name would be a boon and a bane at the same time. A pure-blood wizarding family with a long history, a long history of being poor and a "quaint" tolerance for Muggles and Muggle-borns.

So he sat alone at a table in a fairly quiet common room. The other students, even the older ones knew better now than to try and be disruptive. No one had approached him in some time, even his brothers had left him alone.

Which surprised him when Harry stood by him.

"Hi Percy," Harry said. "May I join you?"

Percy was more than a little surprised. Normally Harry did his work with either Ron and Hermione or with any of the Quidditch team. He usually did not ask to join Percy for any reason. The younger boy's usual work mates were all missing from the common room.

As if reading his thoughts, Harry spoke, "Hermione is in the library and it's a little too stuffy in there for me right now. Ron is off doing something with Seamus and Dean. The girls are doing other things too." He smiled weakly. "I'm so used to working near someone it's a little hard to do it alone. I promise I won't make too much noise."

Percy nodded slowly. "Yes of course you may join me but I won't be able to help you. I have to study myself."

Harry nodded and sat down. "I know. I'll be quiet. I just wanted to work by someone."

Percy knew what Harry meant. The common room had other students in it. Most were reading or studying, some doing other things quietly under his strict eye. However no one that Harry was comfortable with was there. Aside from Percy that is.

True to his word, Harry remained mostly quiet. He worked slowly but steadily, careful to not take too much space of the table. Every so often Harry would stick the end of his quill in his mouth, something Percy found odd, until Harry pulled out a fresh sugar quill and stuck it to the end of his regular quill. That made Percy snort with amusement.

Harry looked up at the sound. "Is everything okay? How's the studying?"

"Fine and fine," Percy replied. "At this point I am reviewing everything again."

"That's good. Oliver told me about O.W.L.s. They sound scary," Harry said and shuddered.

Percy smiled. "They are rather intimidating, yes. A series of tests that can determine your future is daunting."

"What happens if you fail?"

Percy frowned, not even wanting to contemplate that possibility. "You have to retake them the following year which then hampers your N.E.W.T.s. Most professions require minimums of either test. That's why you should be diligent now in your first year and prepare properly every year."

Harry giggled. "You sound like Hermione."

"Seeing how I am older, she technically sounds like me," Percy said officiously. He thought about what Harry said. "So Oliver told you about the tests?"

"Mmhmm. That's why we haven't practiced as much lately."

"That's good of him to do," Percy said surprised.

"I think Alicia is forcing him to do it," Harry replied.

Percy chuckled. "That sounds more correct. Oliver doesn't focus on his academics as much as he should."

"He does okay," Harry protested, frowning slightly.

"Oh he does fine. I didn't mean to make him sound negligent." Percy was touched that Harry defended Oliver. He would have to mention it to his friend. "Oliver and I are friends. It's just he plans on joining the Quidditch League and they do not have any limitations on any tests for players."

"He did say that the more he learned the less room he'd have in his head for plays and tactics."

Percy snorted. "And what did Alicia do to him after he said that?"

"He made sure she wasn't around when he said it," Harry said snickering.

The two lapsed into an easy silence as they continued to work. Percy finally closed his books, rubbed at tired eyes. He noticed that Harry had already put his work away and was absent mindedly sucking on a sugar quill while staring off into space.

"Were you finished already?" Percy asked.

Harry nodded.

"Did you have nothing else to do?"

Harry shrugged. "Wanted to keep you company."

Percy felt touched again. "That's…very kind of you Harry."

The boy blushed a little. "I thought you'd like some since most people have been leaving you alone. The twins haven't been around the common room much to give you some peace and quiet they said. Ron too."

Percy had noticed his brothers not being in the common room as of late but had no idea why. Now that he knew, he felt warmer. He would have to do something for them after the tests were done. "Thank you, Harry. Your presence was welcome."

Harry grinned and opened his sugar quill box again. Percy was about to lecture the boy about eating so many sweets but Harry offered him one. After the briefest moment of hesitation, he accepted. The two sat together in companionable quiet, enjoying the stillness.

-0-

Oliver resisted the urge to throw his books through one of the Quidditch hoops.

His head hurt worse from studying than getting hit with a Bludger. Maybe not worse but exactly the same in his opinion. He wished the tests were done. He wished he was practicing with the team. He wished for a hundred other things, anything, other than O.W.L.s and studying.

He laid on the ground, staring up at the hoops. His books and notes were scattered all around him. The setting sun cast long shadows all over the pitch. It was his favorite time of day at his favorite place. It calmed him.

It did nothing for his pounding head but at least it soothed his heart.

He heard footsteps approaching and he sighed deeply. "I've studied all bloody afternoon and am taking a break. You don't need to nag me." A quiet giggle from someone he was not expecting made him sit up in surprise.

"That's good I guess," Harry said. "I wasn't going to nag you. Do you need to be nagged?"

Oliver narrowed an eye. "Did Alicia send you." He grinned when Harry shook his head. "Then no I don't need to be nagged. What're you doing here Harry?"

Harry shrugged. "Just wanted to say hi." He peered at Oliver closely. "The twins said you were studying so much your head would burst into flames."

Oliver chuckled. "I don't think that really happens."

"I didn't think so cause then Hermione's head would also be on fire." Harry frowned slightly. "But the other day Fred's ears were smoking and they said it was from studying."

"More like Pepper Imps," Oliver explained. "Candies that make your ears smoke and your face go bright red. Very spicy."

Harry giggled again. "Magic is so cool."

"It sure is." Oliver patted the grass beside him. "Feel free to join me. I could use the company."

Harry flopped down on the grass and Oliver leaned back, the pair looked up at the sky and the pitch.

"How're you feeling about the tests?"

Oliver grimaced. "Alright I guess. I'm not too worried even if I should be. The League doesn't really care how you do on O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s. Doesn't mean I'm going to do my worst though. My parents would kill me and I wouldn't be able to play on the school team and that would kill me faster. Plus I supposed I should keep my options open. In case I don't get picked for a team."

"As if that could happen," Harry scoffed.

"You don't know that," Oliver said with a smile. Harry's confidence in him felt nice. "You don't know anything about League Quidditch Harry. It's a whole different game compared to the school level."

"You're the best Captain I've ever had."

Oliver laughed. "I'm the only Captain you've ever had."

"Doesn't mean I'm wrong though."

Oliver reached over and ruffled Harry's hair. "Getting cheekier you are."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Nah. You're barely at acceptable levels as it is. You got to work harder." He winced a little. "Don't tell the girls I said that though."

"I won't," Harry said slyly, "as long as I get to leave practice first."

"Look at you trying to blackmail me." Oliver grinned. "You're not Weasley level yet though so I can ignore it easily. Besides, you love practice."

"I do." Harry was silent for a moment. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For accepting me on the team. If I wasn't on the team I wouldn't have gotten to know everyone. I wouldn't…" his voice faded.

Oliver sat up and looked down at Harry. Over the months the transformation Harry went through was extraordinary. He was still small, but plenty of eating had filled him out some. He no longer looked neglected. There were moments where Harry looked like a normal eleven-year-old boy. Then there were times where his fear would return, his anxiety. He looked like an animal caught in a trap, gasping for breath against unseen terrors. Thankfully those moments were getting rarer.

Oliver did not want to think of a reality without this Harry, one that did not find his solace in the team.

"You earned your spot," Oliver said. "And I'm glad too. You're a good kid Harry, I mean it. You've gotten a rough start but remember you can rely on your teammates. We care about you."

Harry nodded. Only a few months ago he would not have believed the words. Now he could. He held onto them tightly.

Oliver hopped up onto his feet. "I need some air beneath me. Come on Harry. Let's take a couple of brooms up and fly around a bit."

Harry jumped up eagerly. "Are you sure you should be doing that though? What about studying?"

"I'll study better later after a bit of flying. It's not good to be landed for too long. Besides, if I'm right, something will happen to make it better."

Despite his confusion, Harry followed Oliver willingly and they were soon up in the air on a pair of school brooms. They flew slowly but enjoyed just flying for the sake of it.

"Oliver!"

Oliver grinned and looked down. As he had guessed, Alicia had come down to the pitch. She stood by his scattered books and notes and glared up at him. "The tests start next week Oliver! Get down here now!"

"I can't hear you!" Oliver bellowed back unnecessarily loud. "The wind is too strong!"

"There's no wind you prat! Harry! Tell him to come down and get to studying!"

"I'm sorry Alicia! Captain said the wind is too strong so I can't hear you either!" Harry yelled back gleefully.

Oliver held up his hand and the two high fived.

"Stop teaching him bad manners and get down here!"

Oliver turned the broom around and wiggled the bristles at her. "Make me Spinnet!"

She shrieked loud enough for them to hear her easily and they watched as she ran for the broom shed.

"Let's get out of here Harry!" Oliver laughed and the pair zoomed around the pitch followed by a very angry Alicia.

-0-

"Uh…what's going on?" Katie asked, eyes wide at the scene in front of her.

Oliver sat at a desk in the Gryffindor common room. He was tied to the chair but his smiling face showed that he could not care less. Alicia sat in a chair facing him, her wand in hand, and a very angry look on her face. Within her line of sight sat Harry facing a corner. Given how hard the boy's shoulders shook from suppressed laughter he did not seem to mind the current predicament either.

"I'm making sure Oliver is studying properly while Harry is in time out for helping Oliver escape his duties."

Oliver winked. "I'm going to enjoy watching you lose your mind during your O.W.L.s and you better believe I'll be reminding you of this."

"That'll be next year. This is now." Alicia pointed at his notes. "You'll be thanking me for helping you get there next year anyways."

Katie shook her head and walked over to the corner. She sat down facing away from Harry, pressing her back against his. "What happened?" she whispered.

He leaned against her and explained how they flew around the pitch for a short time while being chased. When they started using one of Oliver's books as a Quaffle, Alicia had forced them down and literally dragged them back to the castle.

The two giggled helplessly as they listened to Alicia lecturing Oliver again about being academically responsible.