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

The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 46 – Giving Back

Angelina stumbled past the hanging branches, finally allowing herself to make a noise as she slumped to the ground. She had remained silent during the long walk from the castle courtyard to here, bottling up her emotions, trying to keep everything back. Now that she was alone and secluded, she allowed herself to sob.

This was her favorite place on the grounds. A stand of trees with long sweeping branches hid a tiny patch of ground that dipped gradually into the lake. You had to walk carefully over some rocks to get in and from the outside, it did not look like it was somewhere anyone could sit. The branches hid whoever within from sight along the shore line or behind while having an open view of the lake. It was the perfect spot to spend time with a friend, or to be alone.

The wind from the lake ruffled her skirt, blowing the hem about. Still crying, she tore at the skirt with her hands, ripping the edge and making large rents along the side. She blamed the skirt for her current situation but she knew it was not the skirt's fault. It was easier to punish it than herself.

She had worn the skirt at a request from her…former…boyfriend. She was the kind of girl that normally wore pants or shorts under her school robes. She never liked skirts or dresses, only reluctantly wearing them at formal events with much bargaining from her mother.

However, she and Bradley Oaken had been having a rough time of things lately. With the strict curfews and new rules during the attacks, it was not easy for them to meet and chat, much less kiss. Even during their few meet ups however, and in notes they passed to one another, there was an edge to their conversations. Apparently, he had fully bought into the idea that Harry was responsible for everything and was increasingly angry when Angelina refused to entertain the idea.

When she found out that Bradley had assaulted them out in the hall in front of students and Snape, she was livid. She had questioned why he thought it was appropriate to attack a poor second year over the basis of rumors, and that he was willing to do it in front of prefects and a professor no less.

He was angry that she refused to support him. Not only that, she thought her friendship with Harry was too much. He did not like how close they were together. He even went so far as to demand that she stop being friends with Harry and Katie, since he was still smarting from the way Katie stood up to him.

Angelina had outright refused. She said they were friends as well as teammates. While she did not go into Harry's personal circumstances, she made it clear that she would not abandon either of them. She did like Bradley a lot, and she said so, but she would not pick him over her friends.

A few days later Bradley had sent her an apology note, asking to see her in the courtyard for the day. He also asked her to wear the one skirt she brought to school with her. She thought nothing of it at the time, just happy that they had worked past the argument.

She had shown up, feeling slightly self-conscious since she normally did not wear that kind of clothes, but happy and eager to spend time with Bradley on a beautiful day.

It only took a few moments and a few words to change all of that.

Bradley was there with his friends and he loudly mocked her in front of them. He said that he would not be with anyone that would support him and him alone, that he deserved better. That her friendship with the Boy-Who-Lived was unnatural. To top it off he said she looked ridiculous in a skirt and no wonder she never wore them.

Somehow, she managed to walk slowly away with feigned dignity, the cruel laughter of Bradley and his friends echoing about her. Once she was out of sight, she did the one thing she thought she would never do.

She ran away.

She ran away from the castle and into the grounds, making for the one spot she figured she would be alone. She needed to be away from everyone, to let herself wallow in her grief and shame. So she found herself in her favorite spot, secluded and separated. The tears came and would not stop and she sat and sobbed.

Time passed slowly. The sun sank down in the sky, slowly drowning itself into the lake. The sky turned amber and crimson.

She stared out over the water, the cooling breeze never quite stopping her tears.

A rustle caught her attention. Stones shifted beneath someone's feet, the sound of someone trying to keep their balance apparent. The noise grew closer and soon she saw the branches of the trees start to sway.

She sighed heavily. Her legs came up and she hugged her arms around her thighs, burying her face into her knees. Of course Alicia would find me, she thought. She would have noticed me missing by now. She's really the only person that knows this place too.

The person stepped through the branches and she could hear them stand close-by to her.

"I don't want to talk right now Alicia," she said, her voice muffled. At the other person's silence, she grew more upset. "I said I don't want to-" she looked up and wished she would sink into the ground.

Harry stood there, looking awkward, and holding something in his hands. He looked down at her for once, since she normally towered over him. He looked sad for her, but he did not look pitying.

"Oh! Uh, hi Harry," Angelina said lamely. "I'm really sorry but I'd rather be alone, okay?"

He nodded. Instead of leaving however, he sat near her, giving her space. He looked out over the waters, holding the wrapped package in his lap.

"Harry, did you hear me?"

He nodded again.

"Then what are you doing?"

"Being alone with you."

She snorted unwillingly. "That sort of defeats the purpose of being alone."

"Fred said you can do all sorts of things alone with someone else. Sometimes it's more fun that way."

"Of course he would say that," she muttered. "Seeing how he usually isn't alone ever." She sighed. "Did he mention like what?"

"Reading which isn't surprising since I do that a lot with you and Katie and Alicia and Hermione, especially with homework. Even when we read different things it's not so bad. Eating." Harry frowned. "He made a joke about sleeping too but when I said I nap with you a lot he said it was technically different, which I don't get."

"I'm going to murder him," Angelina muttered to herself.

"I know you want to be alone but there were times when I wanted to be alone and when you and Katie didn't let me, I realized I didn't really want to be alone." He flushed and shrugged. "So I'm kinda hoping you're the same way."

Her icy resolve melted just a little. "Thanks. I…uh…well-"

Harry interrupted her. "You don't have to say why you want to be." An uncharacteristically ugly look crossed his face. "We heard Oaken talking during dinner. He was laughing about what he said to you. He wasn't trying to hide it."

Her heart sank further and she stuffed her face into her knees. "Great," she said blandly. "Now everyone knows how much of a fool I am."

"It's not your fault he tricked you and was actually really mean," Harry said softly. "People can do that. They pretend they are one way when they aren't."

She heard his pain through hers and she looked up. Her eyes wet again. "Oh, Harry."

He sniffled and smiled weakly. "I'm sorry. I'm not trying to make it about me. I just wanted to say I know what you're feeling." He looked out over the lake again before looking back at her. "You and Katie say I don't deserve what happened to me."

"Not a bit."

"Then…I don't think you deserve what happened to you."

She looked at him for a long time. "Thank you, Rabbit," she said softly.

He wiggled his nose at her and she giggled, feeling a little better.

"I guess I feel really silly," she said with a deep sigh. "I thought I knew him and it was really nice being with him. Then when he said all those things I felt like I should break up with him. Then he sounded sweet in his…apology…I thought things might be different. That I got through to him and we could work things out. Only for him to mock me in front of his mates. I could have handled it if it was private, maybe." She snorted and shook her head. "Listen to me complaining to a twelve-year-old boy. Pathetic."

Harry shrugged. "I might not understand everything, but I want to listen and help. You've done more than that for me. It's time I start."

"Harry, friendship isn't just about you doing things because I do things," Angelina protested.

"I know. But that doesn't mean I don't want to help like you've helped me."

She felt her chest warm a little more. "Thank you." She reached out and pulled him to her, tucking him into her side. They sat together as the sun continued to drift lazily downward. The edges of the sky were turning purple-black.

She looked down at the thing in his lap. "What's that by the way?"

He unwrapped the cloth from a covered plate. "I brought you dinner. It's your favorite and it's not fair you missed out on it because of Bradley."

Her stomach grumbled. The shepherd's pie was still slightly warm and the savory smell reminded her that she had skipped two meals that day. "How'd you know it's my favorite?" she asked, surprised.

"Every time we have it for dinner you always dish up a big plate and go back for seconds."

She laughed for the first time. "I guess I do."

"When Bradley was talking bad about you and I didn't see you I decided to make you a plate and bring it to you."

She hugged him. "Thank you, Rabbit." She caught him looking away. "What's that look for?"

"I, uh, might have said something to Bradley while I was walking past. He started it, saying I was looking for you like a dog looks for its master."

She growled. She knew he'd be mad at her and that's fair but it was low to go after Harry like that. "I'll fix him like a dog. What did you say back?"

"I said he was jealous of you looking better than him in a skirt because he wishes he looked good in one."

She laughed even harder. "Oh you cheeky thing, I love it. What did he do after that?"

"He tried to jinx or hex me." He leaned into her comfortingly at her startled look. "He pulled out his wand but I threw the apple I was holding and hit him in the face. Sorry, that's why you don't have an apple. Bit of a waste." He grinned evilly. "Then George and Fred hit him really hard in the face with more apples and started a fight and I ran off."

"And now I'm getting more of my friends in trouble," Angelina grumbled.

"You know them, they won't do anything they don't want to. They were getting really mad at him from the moment he started blabbing. Alicia was holding them back for the longest time but she gave me a thumbs up when I left the Hall. She also told me where to find you. I was just going to wander looking for you but she said it would be a waste of food." Harry frowned again. "Drat, I forgot utensils. Is there a spell to make some?"

"If there is, I don't know it." Without hesitation she sunk her fingers into the food and ate with her hands. "Don't tell Alicia I did this."

Harry grinned. "I won't."

She ate and ate, not minding the mess she was making and Harry did not mind either. He refused any for himself, happily sitting with her until she finished the last bite. Her fingers were messy with gravy and bits of meat and vegetables, her face an equally undignified mess.

She felt much better.

After she washed her hands with a bit of conjured water, wetting the cloth and wiping her face with it, she sat back. Harry cuddled against her and though it was about proper dark and the night's chill was coming, the two were comfortable.

"Thank you for ignoring me Rabbit," she said. "And not leaving me to be alone."

He rested his head on her shoulder. "You've done it for me. I'm glad it was my turn." He shivered a little.

Angelina knew it was not from the drop in temperature. She hugged him close, rubbing his arm and side with her hand. "Are you feeling better after…well…everything?"

"Mostly. Sometimes I wake up hearing Tom speaking and seeing Ginny lying there, lifeless. Other times I see Hermione still petrified." His voice was small. "I think about anyone from the team like that and it really scares me."

"I feel terrible letting this nonsense bother you when you already have so much going on," she said sorrowfully.

He shook his head, rubbing his cheek against her shoulder. "No don't be. It was nice to forget about what happened for a little." He hesitated. "There was one nice thing though."

"Oh?"

He nodded. "Remember when I said I used to…hear bad voices in my head last year? How I could hear the Dursleys repeat the mean things they said to me?"

She hugged him tighter and nodded.

"They used to sound a lot worse. Like, there was something to them that made them sound more awful in my head. Ever since the Chamber, the Dursleys in my head don't sound as bad as they used to. They're still there, but they don't feel as bad. The words I mean."

"I don't like that you can still hear them, but I guess it'll be a while before you stop," she grunted. "But I'm glad they don't sound as bad as they used to. Things aren't as bad when you've gone against a dark wizard huh?" she joked feebly.

His smile was small and nervous, but still a smile. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Let's get back to the tower before we get in trouble for breaking curfew," Angelina said reluctantly. It was comfortable there despite the chill and the hard ground.

Harry rose first and helped her up, making a show of pulling hard and grunting with exertion. She laughed, ruffling his hair. She looked down morosely at her torn skirt, the victim of her anger. "I look ridiculous now."

"I think you look cool. Like how some Muggles have torn jeans," Harry said seriously.

"Huh. If you say so," she said bemused.

"I do."

They walked back up to the castle hand in hand. She felt a lot better.

-0-

Alicia breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Angelina walk into the Gryffindor common room with Harry beside her. "About time you showed up. After dark. No note! Making us worry about you and your safety," she said in her finest offended Alicia voice, going so far as to waggle her finger.

"Not a word from you, young lady," she scolded when Angelina opened her mouth. "Now go up and shower and come back down. Chop chop!"

"I'll chop you," Angelina said back but listened, shaking her head. After she showered and changed into pajamas she came back down to the common room. She was tired and was thinking about staying in her room but she knew Alicia would come back up and drag her down. Maybe I'll just see what she wants and call it an early night.

When she reappeared, she was pushed into her favorite couch the team had dragged to a corner. Alicia and Katie fussed around her, sitting her in the middle and sitting on either side of her. They wrapped her in what she thought was one of the common room quilts but was surprised when it warmed around her.

"Harry insisted," Katie said with a smile.

Harry plopped himself down on the floor in front of the couch, leaning against her legs. "The twins should be finished with their detention soon. They said they would be right up."

"I hope they didn't get into too much trouble," Angelina said sorrowfully.

Katie looked about before she leaned in close, her voice dropping low. "Percy took over for their detention. Said he would make them clean up the Hall and take things to the kitchen after."

"That doesn't make sense-" Angelina began.

The portrait swung wide and the twins came in, followed by Percy and Oliver. They saw the girls and Harry and walked over, carrying suspiciously covered things in hand.

"You know the best part of doing detention around the kitchen?" Fred asked with a grin.

"You find some sweets that would have gone uneaten and isn't that a crying shame?" George answered with an identical grin.

"You know full well they do not leave sweets lying about in the kitchen," Percy said with his usual annoyance directed at the twins. "The House Elves are more than happy to make sweets for us to bring."

"Perce, you're ruining our reputations as merry ne'er-do-wells that find things unattended and make off with them," Fred complained.

"You have my apologies," Percy said in a tone that meant Fred had nothing at all.

The girls and Harry exclaimed in delight at the array of cakes and cookies that sat on the plates. Oliver unveiled a container of ice cream. He handed it to Angelina. "You doing okay?" he asked.

"I will be after I eat this," she said eagerly, taking the cold container from him. She blushed and teared up a little. "Thanks everyone…for all this."

"Oaken did a cruel thing. He deserved what he got." Percy looked at their shocked faces. "What, it's true," he said with his own face turning red.

"I mean, I've never heard you approve of rule breaking," Fred gasped dramatically.

"Perfect Prefect Percy encouraging a food fight?" George intoned incredulously.

Percy smirked and tapped his chest. "Do you see a Prefect badge currently? Since there is not one, then at the moment, I am not one. However," he glared at the twins, "I will deny everything if you go about repeating it. I am speaking unofficially."

The twins began to badger Percy with all sorts of questions about what was official and what was unofficial. When Percy told them where they could unofficially shove things Angelina began to laugh uncontrollably.

She was better.