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

The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 52 – Distractions

"What do you mean he's not there?!"

Hermione stomped up the stairs and kicked the door of the third year boys' dormitory open. She glared at Harry's empty bed, accusing it of lying to her. She threw the covers back and tossed the pillows over her shoulder. Going so far to lift the mattress and looking beneath the bed itself.

"Did you really think I would lie about this?" Ron asked incredulously. "Or somehow miss the fact that he's not in his bed?"

"No but I am very flustered right now and this is my coping mechanism." She glared at him. "Unless you rather me be cross at you instead-"

Ron held his hands up. "Nope, not one bit. Throw his covers around some more if you like."

She did but it did nothing to make her feel better. "I don't understand," she said. "He wanted to nap here instead of go to the Infirmary. I walked him up here. He asked me to sit with him until he fell asleep. I left the room with him sleeping in his bed!"

Ron rubbed his chin. "I hate to break it to you, but he must've been pretending to. He's really good at pretending to be asleep. Like, weirdly good at it."

They shared an uncomfortable look.

"But I was sitting in the common room. I would have notice…" she groaned and opened his trunk.

Ron watched her rummage in it, idly wondering if he should be stopping her, before catching on. "He must have grabbed his cloak."

She slammed the trunk shut. "He could be anywhere by now."

Ron nodded. "Let's go check the usual places: the kitchens, the owlery, the Medical Ward just in case he gave us the slip, the library."

"And if we don't find him?" she asked, her hands wringing.

"We wait till dinner time and see if he shows up at the Great Hall. If not I'll go find Percy and the twins and we'll search the castle."

"That's a good plan," she admitted.

"Thanks. You spend enough time with the twins, you're bound to come up with one."

-0-

Luna skipped down the corridor, her bare feet bouncing up and down on the cold stones. She hummed softly to herself, skipping without a distinct destination in mind. She stopped at an intersection; head tilted. She changed direction and skipped down a different corridor, still humming softly. Her steps took her all over the corridor, as if she was following a path only she could see.

She stopped at a tapestry of a field of flowers. With a glance up and down the hall to ensure privacy, she slipped behind the tapestry. She sat down on the stone bench nestled inside the small alcove hidden by the tapestry. Normally she would snuggle into the corner but she sat in the middle of the bench instead. She hummed softly, a wordless tune that was pleasant to listen to.

"I do hope I'm not bothering," she said to the seemingly empty space.

A sniffle was heard. "You're not bothering me," Harry said. His voice was wet. "How did you find me?"

"I found a path of wrackspurts out there and decided to follow them here. The alcove is full of them and they usually don't collect here. I decided to sit here until they left. Wrackspurts are scared of two people you see. They gather when there's only one but if there are two, they tend to get shy and leave."

"Good thing you know about them" Harry said and he sounded serious. As if he believed her. "Why do they gather?"

"I'm sure you've heard the expression 'Misery loves company'. Well they are the company in the expression. They like misery and their presence, in large numbers, increases misery. They don't mean to, it's just their nature."

Another sniffle and Harry's head appeared, the edge of the cloak falling down and revealing his tear-streaked cheeks. "I'm glad you're here then."

She smiled dreamily. "I am too." She looked at him with her wide eyes. "Would you like to talk about whatever is upsetting you?"

"I wouldn't want to burden you."

"You wouldn't burden me. You also needn't tell me if you don't wish to. I like it when you listen to me and I figured you would like for me to listen to you."

He felt touched by her admittedly unorthodox but nevertheless sincere concern. "I…had a run in with a Boggart that turned into a Dementor. I reacted to it like I did a real Dementor and it made me remember something…I did not like."

Luna shivered at the mention of the Dementor and its effects. "I love all magical creatures but I must admit that Dementors are rather frightening." She reached out and patted an invisible part of Harry. "I know how you feel. I have some unpleasant memories that the Dementors remind me of."

Harry looked at her. Usually when a person says "I know how you feel", he does not quite believe them. They might have an idea of how he was feeling, but he knew they would not feel like he did. Something about Luna made him believe her however. He could believe she knew exactly how he felt. He held his hand out to her and it took a moment before he realized his body was still covered by the invisibility cloak. He blushed.

She did not seem to notice nor care. After a moment of her looking down at the empty space she reached her hand out. Their hands met underneath the cloak and she smiled as her hand disappeared from view. "Well, that's rather strange and enjoyable."

He smiled at her delight and did not mind how she wiggled their held hands about, watching how her arm appeared and disappeared as the cloak slid up and down her arm. She shivered again, drawing her legs up.

Harry noticed her bare feet and he frowned. "Luna, what happened to your shoes and socks?"

"Oh, they went missing," she replied blandly, looking away.

"Missing?" he repeated.

"Wrackspurts again. Aside from compounding misery, they enjoy taking things and hiding them."

He felt her fingers trembling and she started to let go of his hand but he held it a little tighter. "Are you sure it's just the wrackspurts? Is someone else taking your things?"

She shrugged and looked smaller all of a sudden.

He squeezed her hand gently. "Luna, are people hurting you?"

She shook her head. "No, not really. Not directly. They just don't talk to me much and if they do, they call me Loony. Because I say things they don't understand. I do think it's the wrackspurts hiding my things though."

Harry felt something aside from despair in his chest. "It's not winter yet but the stones are cold. What are you going to do when winter comes?"

"Hope for my things to return by then," she said without a hint of hope. Her tone was someone who held little hope for what they said.

It was a tone that Harry knew all too well.

"I'll see about getting your things back," he said softly but with determination.

"You're not in Ravenclaw," Luna said quietly, forcing Harry to strain to hear her.

"No, but that doesn't mean I can't try. You're my friend, Luna."

She sniffled. "You're my friend too Harry. I don't want to burden you."

He looked grim. "You're not a burden."

"You have other things to be worried about."

"Worrying about you will help. I rather think about a friend and how I can help."

She smiled and she looked radiant. "Do you have to go now?" she asked shyly.

"No, I don't," he said.

They sat together in the dark alcove behind the tapestry, holding hands.

-0-

"Hey Percy, one of yours wants to talk to you."

Percy looked up from his desk. "Thank you. I'll be right out." He finished writing his report and set it aside, stepping outside of the Prefects offices to see who was looking for him. "Oh hello Harry," he began warmly then stopped when he got a good look at the third year. "Harry, you look dreadful, is everything okay?"

Harry smiled wanly. "I'm alright, thanks for asking."

"No offense, but you do not look it at all. Let me take you to Madam Pomfrey."

He shook his head. "I'm okay, but I really need to talk to you about something."

"Of course, anything. Does it have to do with my siblings?"

"No, but you should check in on Ginny more. I think the Dementors are making her feel bad."

Percy winced. "Speaking from personal experience?" He sighed when Harry nodded. "Thank you for telling me, I will do that. Is that what's bothering you as well?"

"Sort of, but that's not why I wanted to talk to you. I have a friend in Ravenclaw. She's a second year and I think they're bullying her in there."

He frowned. "What makes you say that?"

"She's walking around the castle without any shoes or socks on. She's also missing other things."

"Is there a chance that she's…eccentric?" He floundered at Harry's uncomprehending look. "A bit…strange or someone that does things a little strangely."

"Luna is a little strange sure, but she was shivering, Percy. I don't think she wants to walk around the castle without shoes." Harry looked unhappy. "I've seen how people treat her. They treat her like she's a…" he could not bear to use the word out loud, not right now.

Percy felt terribly trying to explain the situation away. "I'm sorry Harry. I do believe you. I will see what I can do for her. Luna you said is her name? Luna Lovegood? She's actually a neighbor of ours. Does not live too far away."

"Thank you, Percy," Harry said with a grateful smile. "I knew I could rely on you."

Percy felt touched. His resolve to help increased. "I will. And thank you for telling me about Ginny but I must insist you take care. Let me take you to the Infirmary for a potion or something."

He shook his head. "Luna needs more help than me right now. I'll head back to Gryffindor tower though. Thanks Percy." He waved and walked away.

Percy watched until he rounded the corner and disappeared from sight before re-entering the Prefects offices. He looked around until he saw the one he was looking for. "Mullgrew. A moment please."

A tall, stocky seventh year boy walked over. His Prefect badge was gold with a blue front and a bronze P emblazoned in the center of it. "Yes?" he said.

"It has come to my attention that there might be some bullying in Ravenclaw tower that needs to be addressed."

Mullgrew frowned. "None that I'm aware of. I'd know of any trouble inside the tower. Did a Ravenclaw come talk to you about it?"

"No, the one who did is a friend of the one in question, Luna Lovegood."

Mullgrew snorted. "Loony?"

Percy's eyes narrowed. "Luna," he repeated.

Mullgrew waved a negligent hand. "We call her Loony. She's loopy and crazy. Says she sees all sorts of things. I've heard it all before."

"You mean to tell me that she has come to you with concerns before and you ignored her?"

"Nothing concrete or even legitimate."

"So she enjoys walking around the cold castle without footwear?" Percy's voice dripped incredulity. "She likes to be missing her things?"

Others began to watch and listen in. Mullgrew's face turned ugly. "Just saying she makes up things for attention. There's nothing wrong going on, just some harmless shenanigans. She's not being hurt."

Something strained deep inside Percy's chest, something that was dangerously close to breaking. He had heard that sort of comment made before, the off-handed way to explain a younger student's discomfort. He felt shame knowing that in the past he might have made or listened to such comments. He heard plenty made about Harry and knowing who Harry actually was, he knew just how false they were.

His shame fueled his ire. "I do not believe you have any right to determine what hurts her and what does not."

Mullgrew looked mutinous. "Fine. I'll look into it to make your little friend happy."

"Tonight."

Mullgrew stared at Percy. "What?"

"I expect a report tonight. On my desk. I will check it tonight."

Mullgrew laughed without humor. "Look, just because you think you're dating Penelope doesn't mean you can order me around Weasley."

The thing in his chest snapped.

People watching blanched at the expression Percy made, some even backed up warily. Mullgrew noticed their looks and when he saw Percy's face, he took a step back.

"My position as Head Boy means I can tell you to do your duties Mullgrew. Not my social life. Not my standing as a Gryffindor. Head. Boy. I am trusted by the Headmaster and the Deputy Headmistress to oversee the Prefects and ensure the care of the students and you will NOT be the reason I fail in my duties!"

No one had heard Percy get truly angry before. All have seen him chase after his twins time after time. All had heard him lecture them time and again with tones of increasing annoyance and anger. This time there was no familiarity on his face, no sense of him holding back. His cheeks were pale and his ears were red, and he looked furious.

"You will investigate now with the other Ravenclaw Prefects and resolve the issue. You will then give me a report tonight. If it is not to my satisfaction and the situation has not been resolved, I will enter the tower myself tomorrow and do it myself. If that does not resolve the situation, I will involve Professor Flitwick and the Headmaster!"

The offices were deathly quiet.

Mullgrew coughed. "Or else what?"

Percy stared. "I beg your pardon?"

"Normally when someone says something like that, they usually say 'or else' and list some kind of punishment." Mullgrew tried to recapture some dignity. "So, or else what?"

Percy took a step forward. And another. And another.

Mullgrew took a step back, and another step back. He kept backing up until he backed into a wall.

Percy followed and leaned in so his face was very close to Mullgrew's. "You're the Ravenclaw," Percy hissed. "I assume you're clever enough to imagine the consequences." He started to turn but then stopped, staring into the Ravenclaw's eyes. "One more thing."

Mullgrew gulped but said nothing. He could say nothing, his voice had abandoned him.

"Question my duties again or comment on my social life again and you will not have to worry about me ever telling you what to do, ever again." He somehow leaned even closer. "Do I have to explain myself?"

"No, no you don't," Mullgrew stuttered. "I'll go to Ravenclaw tower right now."

"Good." Percy took a step back and watched coolly as the Ravenclaw Prefect practically ran, followed by the other Ravenclaw Prefects. After they left, in the shocked silence, Percy spoke, "I am sure everyone has duties to perform?"

A flurry of movement filled the room and the Prefects ran about, eager to show that they were working. Anything to avoid the eye of the Head Boy.

-0-

"Hmm, that's new," Katie observed.

It actually was not to be fair. Hermione usually lectured either Ron, Harry, or both at the same time, at least once a week. However, this was a rare moment where both Hermione and Ron were speaking severely to Harry. He was sitting and looked up at the red-headed boy and the brown-haired girl almost placidly, as if he agreed to what they were saying. Instead of mollifying them, it seemed to drive them on.

"Should we go rescue him?" Angelina asked.

"Normally, but I think he doesn't mind terribly given his expression," Katie said softly. "It's more her expression that's what's interesting."

"Stuck-up?"

Katie grinned at her friend. "Be nice. No, she looks more concerned instead of irritated. She's really worried about something."

Angelina looked over thoughtfully. "He does seem a bit exhausted. I think I heard them mention a Dementor." She glanced at Katie. "But there shouldn't have been a Dementor in the castle, right?"

Katie chewed the end of her quill. "He's been in a state ever since the train. Like, he was really affected by the Dementor, more than us. I wrote mum to ask her about it."

"What did she say?"

"She said people who've had real trauma in their lives, like those that've gone through something seriously bad, can have really bad experiences around Dementors. Their aura makes those memories surface and can even cause certain people to manifest their memories."

Angelina scowled. "I bet Harry has lots of trauma he can pick from." Her scowl became sad. "It has to be a bad one. I haven't heard him scream like that before. It was worse than when we met him first year."

The shorter girl nodded with reluctant agreement. "I know I normally say we should wait for him to open up to us first, but maybe we can chat with him tomorrow some and see if it helps."

"That's a good idea. Let's do it before dinner."

Katie felt better that they had a plan, but she kept sneaking glances over at Harry, wondering and worrying.