The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 9: Unexpected Aid

Harry looked up at the hulking boy, trying very hard not to shiver or shudder.  He had forgotten his textbook for Charms and he could not share with Ron because he had forgotten his as well.  Hermione was trying to teach him a lesson in preparation and diligence so he could not share with her either, so he had gone back to his dormitory to get it.

On his way back to Charms a large boy had blocked Harry's path.  Harry had seen him before in the tower so he knew they were both in Gryffindor but he had never spoken to him.  If anything, he tried to avoid the large boy.  Every time their eyes met the older boy had given the younger boy dirty looks.

"You think you're so special, don't you Potter?"  The boy spoke scathingly, his voice was rough like gravel falling on stone.

Far from it, Harry thought to himself.  "Not really," he said aloud.

The older boy was surprised for a moment before the frown reappeared.  "Could have fooled me.  Strutting around the tower, hiding behind the girls."

Harry's face reddened.  "I don't strut and I don't hide behind anyone.  I don't even know you, why're you being so mean?"

"Because you stole my spot on the team.  You only got it because you're the Boy-Who-Lived."

Harry shook his head though he felt a tiny kernel of doubt deep in his chest.  "That's not why.  Professor McGonagall said I could be a good player and Wood agrees.  So does the team."

"I don't think so and everyone else in the tower thinks so too.  You're going to lose us every game."

"Good thing you aren't Captain then," Harry snapped.  "Or anyone else.  If Wood thinks I am good then I rather trust him."

The older student growled and took a step forward.  He loomed over Harry and shook a clenched fist.  "You better be careful Potter or else-"

"Or else what, Langley?"

Harry and Langley jumped.  Neither had heard Percy approach.  The red-headed boy's eyes flicked between the two.  "Go ahead Langley, finish the sentence."

"This doesn't concern you, Weasley," Langley said, plainly irritated.

"You are both in the halls when you should be in class and I am a Prefect.  It certainly does concern me.  Not to mention I heard you say something that I find concerning."

"I didn't say anything yet."

"Ah so you were about to?  Then please continue so I can decide if I should be concerned or not."

"We're just talking.  Is that against school rules now?"  Langley's tone dripped with sarcasm.

Percy looked down at Harry.  The boy looked very uncomfortable yet oddly defiant.  He trembled slightly but stood his ground.

"Obviously not but it seems Harry does not wish to be 'just talking' with you.  In any case, this conversation can wait until later and while you're both in the tower.  What is against the rules is keeping students from class and you are doing that.  Don't make me take points from you."

"You wouldn't dare," Langley snarled.

Percy looked wholly unimpressed by the larger boy's bluster.  "Are you trying to intimidate me?"

Langley laughed coldly.  "Oooh.  Look at you with a backbone now.  Ever since you got that shiny gold Prefect badge you think you're untouchable, can't be intimidated?  Isn't that rich?  A Weasley with a bit of gold?"

Percy's ear turned bright red but his face became colder than Langley's laugh.  "No.  I am not intimidated for two reasons.  One, I grew up with Fred and George and your worst could never approach their laziest attempts.  Second, I'd never be afraid of someone who has to take remedial course work in everything.  Anything you attempt to do to me is bound to fail without someone helping you."