The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 45: Aggressive Reassurance

"Harry!"

"What happened?!"

"IS THAT BLOOD?!"

Harry smiled wanly though he did stumble a bit at the volume of the shouts.  He had barely flinched when the basilisk roared but he had the benefit from adrenaline.  Now, being screamed in what he thought was his empty dorm room by three very well-meaning but very irate looking witches, made his heart beat painfully.  He was thankful that Oliver looked incredibly relieved but did not join in with the shouting.

"Hi Katie and Angelina and Alicia and Oliver.  Uh, a lot happened and I can sort of tell you some things but not others.  Yes it's blood."  He looked down at himself.  His clothes were encrusted with slime and grime and basilisk blood as well as some of his own.  "Not all of it is mine though."

His attempt at levity fell flat on the girls though Oliver chuckled.  The older boy's chuckle died swiftly at the glare he got from the girls.  "Uh, what are you all doing in my dorm by the way?" Harry asked mildly.  He had seen Neville, Seamus Finnegan, and Dean Thomas downstairs in the common room when he snuck in wearing his invisibility cloak.  He had taken it off on the landing in front of his dorm, thinking himself alone.  With Ron in the infirmary with the rest of the Weasleys, he thought he would have a few moments of quiet in his room.

Obviously not.

Oliver coughed.  "Well, McGonagall came in and grabbed Percy and when I was looking for the Twins, they were gone too.  So I figured if it involved the Weasleys, you might have a hand in it as well."

Katie crossed her arms and glared at him, eyes red.  "We came here to wait for you to show up because you have this ability to just disappear sometimes."

Angelina was sitting on his bed and she was still desperately clutching the rabbit she gave him.  "Harry, we're really glad to see you but...no offense...you look terrible."  The older students stared at Harry.  Not only was he covered in filth and blood and goodness knows what, his arm was bandaged, his head was bandaged, and strangely he only had one sock on.  "We were really worried."

"I'm sorry," Harry said sheepishly.  He did not like being an inconvenience to anyone.  But he especially hated worrying the team, especially the girls.  He was still coming to terms that they did genuine care and worry about him.  He liked that they did but he still felt bad when they did.  "I...can tell you a little more of what happened this time."

Alicia pointed at the bathroom, looking a little green.  "You should get cleaned up first.  You're covered in blood and it's starting to make me a little nauseous."

He looked longingly at the bathroom and nodded.  He really did need a shower.  He waited for them to leave his dorm and his dread grew as he realized they were not.  "Uh...aren't you going to leave?"

"And give you a chance to slip away?  No way," Katie said firmly.

Harry panicked.  "I promise not to run away without talking to you.  Please?"

Alicia looked pointedly over Harry's shoulder.  "Harry, what did I tell you shortly after the Holiday break?"

"That I'm an idiot."

Alicia blushed, ignoring the angry looks from the other two girls.  "The other thing, Harry."

"To check in with you or Katie or Angelina before I do something stupid or dangerous."

"And what did I tell you after Oliver broke your arm?"

"Hey!" Oliver protested softly.  "I didn't break his arm."

"To check in with you or Katie or Angelina before I do something stupid or dangerous."

She looked him directly in the eye.  "Harry.  What did you do tonight?"