The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 124: Candlelight by Starlight

Angelina apparated into the Hogsmeade apparition point.  She flexed her shoulders and cracked her neck before hurrying down the path.  She walked swiftly, just shy of running, and made her way into Hogsmeade proper.  Despite her rush, she enjoyed being back, looking around with fondness at the Wizarding village.  She spent many days here while at Hogwarts and she never got over that rush of excitement when visiting.

She finally reached her destination, stepping through the doors of the Three Broomsticks.  "I'm here Rabbit!" she said as she saw Harry sitting in the corner.  She walked over and hugged him briefly and tightly before sitting down.  "What's going on?  Is everything okay?  Is something wrong with Katie?"

"No not really but it involves her."  Harry took a deep breath.  "It's our one-year anniversary and I want to make it really special because she's leaving this year and she just finished her N.E.W.T.s and I want her to be happy and I have no idea what to do and Sirius and Tonks were no help at all and I am panicking a little bit and you're my last hope so please help me before she breaks up with me for being a terrible boyfriend."

Angelina blinked at him.

"Do I need to say that again?" Harry asked, flustered.

Angelina blinked again.  "Harry, did you ever get a rugburn before?"

Harry looked wrong-footed.  "A what?"

"Oh good, now I won't feel as bad."  She reached out and took a hold of his left wrist and forearm in both of her hands.  She gripped tight and started to chafe his arm by rubbing her hands in opposite directions.

"Ow ow ow!" Harry yelped.

"You scared me, Rabbit!  I legit thought something was wrong!" Angelina scolded as she continued to chafe his arm.

"I wrote that it wasn't a life-threatening emergency!  I just really needed your help!"

"Your snowy chicken chased me around!"

"That's how Hedwig normally treats you!  It had nothing to do with my letter!"

Finally, Angelina relented, letting him go and Harry shook his arm wildly to alleviate the heat of the friction burn.  "Holy crap my arm is bright red," Harry gasped, looking at it.

"You deserve it for scaring me."  Angelina scowled at him.

"I'm sorry," he said sheepishly.  "I might have panicked a little."

She rolled her eyes.  "I forgive you but you're buying me breakfast, a big one.  I woke up early and skipped it to be here."

"I already ordered a full breakfast for you.  Oh here it comes."

Angelina thanked Rosmerta as the woman placed a giant platter in front of the girl.  Angelina tore in hungrily, still shaking her head at Harry.  "Well, I guess I can't fault you too much, Rabbit.  One year is pretty big.  You two've been okay right?"

"Oh yeah, we've been great."  His face grew sad.  "I'm really going to miss her next year.  But I wanted to make today a special one for her."

"Where is she by the way?"

"Still sleeping.  N.E.W.T.s really knocked her out."

Angelina grinned.  "And you left it last minute to plan some kind of grand gesture?"

Harry shrugged weakly.  "I've been thinking for weeks, between duties and studying for finals.  I just got nothing.  I want to do something special since I didn't for Valentine's."

Angelina scoffed.  "That's arguably partially her fault if not mostly.  I still can't believe she forgot."  She munched her toast dipped in egg.  "What did Sirius and Tonks suggest?"