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

Note: Alternate titles were: About damn time, Stop asking me about shipping, This isn't set in stone, and other such inexplicable titles. I hope y'all enjoy and yes, this doesn't mean things are set in stone.

Today I wrote out my outline for the last three years and count around another 50 chapters to write, not including the ones I've already written so I still have a while to go yet. Hope everyone likes longfics!

Have a lovely day!

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The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 83 – Ask the Question

"Psst, Angelina!"

Angelina stopped and looked at Harry with surprise. "Hey Rabbit, what's up?" She grew concerned. "Is everything okay?"

Harry nodded but he looked about the room nervously. "Everything's okay, but I really need your help with something. Can I ask you a few things, in private?"

Angelina nodded. "Of course. Let me drop my things off and we can go somewhere to chat?" At his nod, the tall girl walked up to her dorm room and dropped her things off before walking back to him in the common room. "Where do you want to go?"

"The owlery?" he asked. At her agreement, he led her to the owlery, staying silent the whole time.

Angelina was more than a little curious. She figured it was not a true emergency. If it was, Harry would have been more frantic and been more upfront. At first, she tried to think of things that Harry might ask her but she decided to wait for him to actually ask her.

The pair finally got to the roof space and settled on a bench side-by-side for warmth, hiding from the frosty December wind. "What's on your mind Rabbit?" she asked.

Harry knitted his fingers together, marshaling his thoughts. Finally, he gulped and looked right up at her. "How do I ask someone out on a date?"

Angelina blinked. Her mind finally registered what he had asked her and she suppressed what she knew would be a very loud shrill squeal. "Like…a date date?" she asked as calmly as she could.

"Well…more specifically…how do I ask someone to the Ball?"

Angelina could not stop herself from squealing a little bit. "Oh my goodness you want to ask someone to the Yule Ball?!"

Just yesterday, Professor McGonagall had announced to the whole school that Hogwarts would be having the Yule Ball as part of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. It would take place during the Holiday break and only to fourth years and above though third years could be invited as a guest. The school had erupted into a frenzy of gossip, whispers, and red faces. Suddenly everyone was intensely interested in who fancied who and who would go to the ball together. Secrets were worth their weight in gold and rumors flew fast and thick.

Harry nodded, blushing slightly.

Angelina hugged him tightly. "That's wonderful! I'm so glad to hear it. Not that I'm upset or anything, why are you asking me?"

"I trust you," Harry said simply and Angelina felt immensely happy at that. "You also have a date to the ball already."

George had asked Angelina to the Ball almost immediately after the announcement. As they approached the common room, he pulled her aside and asked her in a very straight-forward fashion. Angelina had thought for just a moment and had agreed with a smile and a light flush. George had responded gracefully, at first, before he ran away screaming in delight and leaving a trail of fireworks behind him. Fred of course did the same to celebrate his twin and the two had received a very loud scolding from a slightly deaf McGonagall who the twins had run into in the midst of their firework bombing.

"So why aren't you asking George then?" Angelina asked. She laughed at the face Harry made. "Right, why'd I ask that."

Harry smiled. "The twins are so full of confidence and I'm…not. You know me and you've always given me excellent advice."

"I like to think so." Her face fell a little. "Don't you want to ask your real family for help? Now that you got one."

He rolled his eyes at her. "You're a part of my real family and I've always seen you as my first real big sister." He smiled happily when she crushed him in her arms and kissed his cheek. "I did ask Sirius and Tonks for advice too but their advice was…not so great."

"Oh now I have to know."

Harry blushed. "Sirius said to snog her silly before asking."

Angelina snorted. "I can think of a few gals that would work on, admittedly."

"Tonks said something that sounds like snog but with a few different letters." Harry blushed harder. "I'm hoping she's kidding. Auntie Andi wasn't there when I was asking so I didn't get a chance to ask her, we're not that close yet anyways."

Angelina cackled at what she guessed Tonks said. "No, definitely don't do that. Guess I'm the good older sister and Tonks can be the bad one."

"Alicia would tease the utter daylights out of me," Harry said ruefully. "She'd help but I didn't want to be teased that much, yet."

Angelina's heart suddenly started beating very fast. "And why didn't you ask Katie?"

Harry looked away. "That leads me to my second question I was going to ask you." He coughed. "Do…do you think Katie would go to the Ball with me?"

Angelina bit her hand to keep from shrieking with joy. "Let me ask you something first, do you want to go to the Ball with Katie as a friend or as something more?"

Harry chewed his lip for a moment. "I think…I kind of want something more. I just don't know if she does."

Angelina's heart was singing, but she very strongly tried to keep a lid on it, to give Harry her best, objective, advice. "Well, I'll be honest and say we've never talked about you like that. And yes, we talk about you a lot, you're our favorite conversation piece," she teased. "You know she and Leanne's been fighting a bit? Well, it's over a boy believe it or not. I personally think the git is stringing Katie along."

Harry's eyes darkened. "That's really rude."

"Right?" Angelina sighed. "So let me ask you this. If you and Katie go to the Ball together, and you both have a wonderful time together, but she only wants to stay friends, can you handle that? And don't just answer really fast, think about it."

Harry did think about it. He had been thinking about how he felt about her for a while now, and she had come to the surface of his thoughts more often than not lately. Then when the Ball was announced, she had taken center stage in his brain. He thought about their friendship, about how much he cared for her, about her. How he valued her.

"I…I would be okay with it. I can handle it. I just want her to be happy, you know? I want her to be cared for, like she makes me feel. And…" his voice dropped into a whisper, "if I can be the one that does that, I would be really happy. But if she doesn't feel that way about me and she's happy with someone else, as long as she's happy, then I'm fine."

The tall girl hugged Harry, wrapping him in her arms tight. "That's really mature of you and I am so bloody proud of you. I think that's an excellent mindset and no matter what happens, you'll be okay. And you know what, the Ball would be a great way to figure it out. Who knows, you may find that things won't work out, but then you'd know."

Harry hugged her back gratefully. "That's why I wanted to talk to you." He hesitated. "Do…do you think she'd only say yes because she…pities me?"

Angelina frowned. "What makes you say that?"

He shrugged weakly. "It's just, you all know how I was like. How bad I was. I'm getting better but, what if she only says yes because she doesn't want to hurt me? That she's only doing it to take care of me?"

"Well," Angelina dragged the word out as she thought, "I can't blame you for thinking that. I will say that Katie has strong ideals and thoughts and she doesn't do things because she should do them. If she really didn't want to go with you, as a friend or otherwise, she wouldn't. She doesn't play games like that. So I personally don't think you have to worry about that."

"That's good," he said with obvious relief. He looked out over the castle roof, at the owls roosting in the owlery. "What if I muck things up so bad, we won't be friends anymore?"

"What if you two have such a good time?" Angelina replied. "It's way too early to worry about things like that and honestly, I don't think you could ever mess things up that badly. You're too kind. What if Katie is a right monster?" she said with a devilish smile.

"She would never!" Harry protested.

"Well if you get to ask silly things then so do I." She and Harry laughed. "Mind if I ask why Katie? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"No, I don't mind telling you." He breathed deep. "She makes me feel…safe."

Angelina smirked. "Bit of advice Rabbit, never tell a girl you like her 'cause she's safe."

He snorted and poked her in the side. "I'm not saying that!" He shook his head at her giggles. "I mean, she makes me feel safe. When I'm with her, I don't feel as worried or nervous. I feel like I can do things, that I can be something. I feel like I can be regular Harry with her. Not the Boy-Who-Lived, not the abused Harry, but just Harry. When I'm with her, I want to do things for her. I want her to be happy."

"Wow," Angelina marveled. "Way to set a high bar, you little romantic Rabbit you."

Harry felt his face burn but he smiled. "I'm romantic?"

"Very. I need to make sure George steps up his game." She thought for a few moments. "How about I give you a hand? I'll be your wing-sis. Tonight, in the common room, I'll try to see what her thoughts about the Ball are. If she has a date already, I'll shake my head at you. If she doesn't and wants to go or is on the fence, I'll send you a wink."

"You'd do that for me?!"

"Anything for my Rabbit."

He kissed her cheek and hugged her tight. They sat together on the chilly rooftop feeling perfectly warm.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, how do I make you feel?" she asked him.

"You also make me feel safe, but in a different way. When you're around I know I can always be warm with a hug. That you won't let anything hurt me. That you'll always be right behind me if I ever need you. I don't feel alone with you nearby. With you, I always want to try to do better. To make you proud."

She felt a tear build in her eyes and she hugged Harry tighter than she ever had before.

-0-

Angelina was beyond giddy as she returned to the common room. For some time now, she wondered if Harry had any thoughts about dating or liking someone. She knew he would approach things way differently than most would, considering his history. While she would never push him into doing something he found truly uncomfortable, she had hoped he would come to her for help.

Then she saw the little moments between him and Katie. The way they hugged and cuddled was a little different than how he did those with others. How he reacted when Katie told him she loved him was adorable and slightly telling. Then the Snitch at the Championship game. Oliver told her later that Harry had no idea what it meant, it was a rather obscure Quidditch trivia tradition after all, but the intent was there. The feeling. And then the accidental kiss at the afterparty?

Angelina thought the two would make an adorable couple that would compliment each other very well and if she could help them, she definitely would. Even if they did not work out as a couple, she was sure they would still remain good friends and she would help him again in the future.

She really hoped they would work out though if she was being completely honest.

She sat beside Alicia, almost vibrating from excitement. She waited for Alicia to acknowledge her presence, so she could get her best friend's help with this precious task. As she watched Alicia write, Angelina realized that Alicia was currently lost in her own little world and she knew what the girl was writing without having to read the parchment.

"Say hi to Oliver for me," Angelina said with a smile.

Alicia paused and gave the taller girl a carefully cultivated blank look. "Tell him hi yourself. I'm not writing to him."

Angelina's smile became a smirk. "Yeah you are."

Alicia blinked slowly then her face twisted. "How did you guess?"

"You looked rather soft when you were writing. A soft smile, fond eyes, caressing the parchment. You know, the usual signs of a gal that's got it bad."

Alicia colored a little. "You're soft. In the stomach and your arms."

Angelina snorted. "Calling me flabby again? I'm wounded." She sighed. "How mad are you that Oliver isn't around to take you to the Ball?"

The shorter girl shrugged. "Not very to be honest. Apparently the Quidditch League hosts parties and balls all the time and we can go together to one of those when the timing lines up. Sure it would be fun to go with him but it's not something to be mad about. There's plenty of things to be mad over."

Angelina hugged her friend. "You're still going to go though, right?"

"Of course! A chance to dress up with my friends and dance? Wouldn't miss it."

"Why don't you get Fred to take you as a friend date?"

"I thought about that but I rather him ask someone he wants to go with. I'll be fine on my own. I'll just attach myself as an annoying third to you and George." Alicia's eyes sparkled. "Good show by the way, you did agree rather swiftly."

Angelina blushed and laughed. "Well, I thought about it and it sounded like fun. George sneaks looks at my bum when he thinks I'm not paying attention and he's definitely the thinker of the two which I like, so why not? It'll be a hoot regardless."

"You know he looks at your bum?" Alicia giggled mightily at that.

"I don't blame him, it's a good one to look at," Angelina said proudly. "And yeah, I guess eventually I found it funny and flattering. I'll give it a shot with George."

Alicia looked at Angelina closely. "You look far too giddy though and you didn't look nearly this happy when George asked you yesterday. So what's got you in a good mood?"

Angelina winked conspiratorially. "You're going to love this. So-" She stopped speaking when she saw Katie come into the common room. Her happiness slid off her face when she saw how Katie looked. "Katie? What's wrong?"

Katie fell into the chair opposite Angelina and Alicia, her eyes a little red and puffy. "Hey guys," she said, her voice stilted.

"Oh no." Alicia reached out and grabbed Katie's hand. "It happened?"

Katie nodded, fighting the urge to cry. "Yup. It happened. He made his choice. Leanne's over the moon."

Angelina grabbed Katie's other hand. "I'm so sorry."

"You two were right, he was stringing me along. I realized that the only times he wanted to hang out with me was times she was busy. Then he asked her to the Ball in front of me and they started snogging."

"Right in front of you?!" Alicia growled at Katie's listless nod. "Of all the shows of crass and bravado. I'm going to Curse him impotent!"

Katie smiled briefly. "As funny as that is, please don't. Leanne's…happy I guess and in this situation there was bound to be someone sad. Guess it's my turn this time." She sniffled. "I was just…hoping you know? It's my fault for getting my hopes up."

"It's his fault for not being clear to begin with," Angelina said emphatically.

"Yeah, maybe." Katie sighed. "Maybe it's for the best. I have a lot of studying to do to get my scores up, now that I have a goal. I'll just go home for the holidays with Lyla and put some good study time in."

"No don't do that," Alicia begged. "It'll still be fun without a date. You and I can be friend dates. Don't have to worry about a bloke feeling you up or anything like-ow hey!" She glared at Angelina. "That's my foot!"

"Sorry," Angelina said insincerely. She looked about the room, looking for Harry. "I agree with Alicia to a point. You should still go. But what if someone else asks you?"

Katie snorted. "Who else would be interested in me? He's the only guy who's shown any interest in me."

"Don't sell yourself short." Alicia squeezed her hand. "You're a catch and there's tons of people who'd love to go with you. Besides, if you want to go for fun you can see if Fred will go as friends or like I said, I'm going alone and it'll be a lot of fu-ck what are you doing?!" she screeched at Angelina. "Stop trying to mash my foot flat!"

Angelina gave her a look that screamed "shut up now" before she turned back to Katie. "So, let's just say, hypothetically, if a lovely guy does ask you to go to the Ball, you'd give it a thought?"

"Sure, I mean, yeah I'd definitely think about it and depending on the guy, I might even say yes. Not like I have anything better." Katie looked at Angelina with suspicion. "Wait, why are you asking me this?"

"Yes Angelina." Alicia stomped hard on Angelina's foot. "What are you on about?"

Angelina kicked Alicia back and saw Harry walk into the common room. Her eyes lit up and she caught his attention. She winked at him and mouthed "ask her now, hurry up" at him.

Harry gulped, thinking he would have more time to prepare. However, he saw the way Angelina was looking at him and he resisted the urge to run away. Instead, he took a deep breath and walked to the table with as much confidence as he could muster.

Which was not much, but he hoped he looked confident.

"Uh, Katie?" he said, cursing the way his voice squeaked at that moment.

Katie broke her suspicious look away from Angelina and turned, looking up at Harry. "Hi Harry, what's up?"

The question he had on his lips died and was replaced by another. "Are you okay?" he asked, worried.

She sniffled and rubbed at her eyes. "I'm okay." She smiled weakly at his look of disbelief. "Well, not okay really. But it's nothing terribly bad."

"Oh. Is there anything I can do to help? I have chocolate…" he dug into his bag and pulled out a bar of chocolate.

She laughed and took it. "Thanks Harry, you're so sweet. This helps loads."

He looked at Angelina while Katie unwrapped her chocolate. He looked conflicted. He felt if he asked her in this state, he was taking advantage of the situation. Angelina recognized his expression and she emphatically mouthed "ask her."

Alicia stared at Angelina and saw her mouth the words. She looked up at Harry, then Katie, then back at Angelina. Understanding dawned on Alicia's face and when she turned back to Harry she nodded excitedly. At Harry's obvious hesitance she mouthed "do it, coward".

Harry glared at Alicia briefly before he visibly steeled himself. "Uhm, Katie…can I ask you something? If you're not feeling well right now though it can wait a bit." He ignored the other two Chasers glaring at him.

Katie finished the chocolate and for a moment she was going to take Harry's offer. Then she noticed how nervous he looked. "No, it's okay. Go ahead Harry, what's up? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Harry stammered. He coughed and straightened his shoulders. "Katie…uh…willyougototheballwithme?"

Katie blinked at him and Angelina and Alicia mouthed "slower" at him.

He blushed fiercely. "I mean. Sorry." He took a deep breath. "Would you like to go to the Yule Ball with me?"

She blinked again at him. Then a few more times. "You want to go to the Yule Ball with me?" she repeated dumbly. When Harry nodded, she looked at him blankly. "With me? Why?"

Angelina stifled a groan and had to restrain Alicia from leaping over the table at Katie.

Harry shuffled in place. "I thought it would be a lot of fun to go with you. You deserve to have fun too and I…uh…want to have fun…with you? I mean, I want to have fun with you. At the Ball. The Yule Ball." Kill me now, he thought.

Katie's eyes softened. "You do?"

Harry nodded, a shy smile breaking through his nervousness. "I really do. If you're not going with someone or don't want to go with someone else of course."

"No, I mean, no one else," she stammered. "I was just thinking about not going." She bit her lip. After a moment she smiled. "Actually, I think I would like to go with you. I think it would be fun."

Harry's heart stopped and he thought for a moment he died. "C-Could you say that again?" He cursed the way his voice broke all of a sudden.

Katie's smile was full and bright. "I'd really like to go to the Yule Ball with you Harry."

"Really?!"

"Really!"

Angelina and Alicia hugged each other, stifling their squeals but unable to keep from squeaking with glee.

"Brilliant! I promise it'll be a lot of fun, you won't regret it." He dashed off then stopped, ran back and hugged Katie enthusiastically. "Thank you so much!" He ran away again, his face as red as a tomato.

Katie's face was crimson as Harry ran away. She fell back into her chair, head reeling from the rapid shifts in her emotions in the last few minutes. She looked back at Angelina and Alicia in a daze, missing their looks of pure happiness. "I guess I'm going to the Ball and I have a date," Katie said in a shell-shocked voice.

"A very enthusiastic and adorable date," Alicia said, her smile bright and wide.

"And you said no one's interested in you and no one would ask you," Angelina said with an equally large smile.

"Yeah, but, it's Harry. Who would have guessed that?" Katie said.

"And it's not bad that it's Harry, right?" Angelina asked. "You'll know he won't do anything inappropriate."

Alicia laughed at the thought. "That's such a hilarious ludicrous thought. He couldn't be lewd even if he tried. He'll be a perfect gentleman."

Katie's face warmed into a true smile. "Yeah, you're right. It will be a lot of fun with Harry. I won't have to worry about anything." She stood up. "I guess I should write a letter to my mum and tell her I'm staying for the Ball." She walked off to her dorm room, her steps far lighter than when she first walked into the common room, still wearing the warm smile.

Alicia looked at her best friend. "You knew that was going to happen before it did!"

"He came and asked me for help and if I thought Katie would say yes. Which I thought she would, even before the git going with Leanne."

"I'm glad he asked her. She really does deserve to have a good time and so does he. It's amazing he had the courage to ask her. Hey! Is that why you were trying to crush my foot?!"

"Yes. You were doing your best to ruin his chances before he had a chance!"

"Well I didn't know!" Alicia kicked Angelina in the shin. "You should've told me!"

"I was trying to but Katie got back before I could!"

They pushed and shoved and kicked each other a bit more before finally settling down.

"They would make the cutest couple," Alicia said.

"That's what I was thinking," Angelina gushed.

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DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Gotta have a little spice here and there. I'm glad it wasn't too over the top, I was hoping for amusing innuendo. Also, I really hope you enjoy this chapter. It's been a long time coming, especially with what you've been saying for the last few. Yeah, to be honest, Krum in this wasn't anything more than a fairly blank figure of opposition. Nothing mustache twirly or evil to be evil, just unpleasant.

Urgwaew - I liked how the House unity did come out in the chapter actually, it didn't feel forced to me thankfully. Don't worry, there will be a very emotional part involving Fleur and Harry coming and I hope it hits what you want. I'm sorry you didn't like this Krum, though I didn't write Krum to be liked to be honest. I never thought of him more than a small personality in this fic, he was necessary to be like this to make a few things work. I didn't want him to be a hateful Malfoy type, but an unpleasant figure.

I was waiting ages for the bad French words jokes. I knew I wanted to do that at least once. I was not prepared for the risque jokes at the end, but I think were applicable and it made things very funny. Also I'm glad you like the angst free chapters because there are a few in a row before things get...tough.

Imaginer.012 - Thank you. Any attention and letting people see different thoughts helps right?

Monto242 - Aside from a few characters, I am hoping to avoid actual bashing. Bashing works here and there but I didn't want it to be in mine for this. I was hoping to portray most people somewhat plausibly. Malfoy notwithstanding. I'm glad you thought Blitz seemed like a good version of Quidditch, I thought about it for a while.

Thespianpoet - I'm glad you loved the chapter. It was a lot of fun to write and while I planned the bad French joke, the ending happened as I wrote it and I'm not mad about it. I'm glad you liked the idea of him reaping the reward of years of toil, to show positive growth.

- If it helps, I cried writing a few chapters. Don't know if that is supposed to happen.

Syntani - Thank you for the high praise. Don't worry, I will finish this no matter what. I may cut ideas if I am flagging but there will be a proper and definitive end to this. I have worked too hard and too much to let things go without resolution. I'm glad you want to see it to the end and rest assured, it will end.

yogibears - It has been a while since we've seen Quidditch in a fic that started with a Quidditch team hasn't it? Harry's grown hasn't he? I'm glad it feels good.

teachergirl - Thank you. I see a lot of haughty Fleur and it makes sense, but I wanted a Fleur that knows how Harry feels, in a different way. I'm glad you liked the divergence too.

1529 - I'm hoping it becomes a bit more clear in the next few chapters. While I don't say it outright, I hope it feels better for you.