"Why don't you ask Wallace and Taylor, Professor?" asked Harry, turning towards them, eyes burning with fury. "I'm sure they'll know more about it. In the meantime, Dylan here has not had a proper meal in three days. I need to do my duty as his older brother and ensure that he's well fed."
There was a collective intake of breath when Harry said that and Dylan's jaw dropped in shock as well. Trixie appeared in front of Harry, leaving delicious food all over the mat. Harry cut a piece of Shepard's Pie and put it on a plate for them both. When he was serving, a knowing smirk formed on his lips as another person sat next to him.
"Oh good, you have all my favourites," piped Daphne as she helped herself to food.
Dylan just gaped as Daphne began eating, not at all bothered that she was sitting on the floor amidst hundreds of students staring at them. He was startled to see Astoria sitting on his other side.
"Pass me a plate, Harry," she ordered.
"What do I look like, your waiter?" asked Harry with a mock frown. "Wait, don't answer that! I know what you'll say."
"For the record, you are what I say you are, so deal with it," Astoria smirked challengingly as she took a bite of her salad, ignoring the playful glare being sent her way.
"Budge along," said Fred and George as they sat down. "You really know how to throw a picnic, Harry!"
"I can't believe I'm doing this," muttered Blaise under his breath as he Tracy and Theo sat down as well. "You could have conjured a table, you know."
"Now where's the fun in that?"
"Any more room?" asked Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott and Padma Patil, taking a seat.
"Feel free!" Harry replied. He then looked at the stunned face of one Dylan Lestrange. Leaning forward, he whispered in the younger boy's ear, "I promised you that I wouldn't leave you alone. I will honour my promise, little brother."
Biting his lip to control his tears, Dylan opened his mouth only for Harry to feed him a spoonful of his favourite chocolate cheesecake.
A privacy charm ensured that they didn't have to listen to McGonagall yelling at the group of sixth and seventh-year students at the top of her voice. Harry mentally smirked in satisfaction.
No one messed with the people he cared about and got away with it. A wink from Fred and George got the confirmation he needed. The twins would take care of them now.
...
"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry demanded angrily.
"I-I thought I could handle it," Dylan cringed. Madam Pomfrey kept muttering about immature teenagers.
"I can't believe what this school has come to," spat Madam Pomfrey angrily as she healed Dylan's injuries. "A dozen seventh years picking on a first-year is utter cowardice, I tell you!"
Five minutes later, she finished. "You'll be fine, Mr Lestrange," she said. "Next time, don't be stubborn and actually come to me if something is bothering you. Merlin, why people are treating you like this is beyond me! I remember your mother and she was one of the sweetest people I have ever known!"
"You knew my mother?" asked Dylan in surprise.
"Yes, a very sweet and soft-spoken girl actually," said Madam Pomfrey with a sad smile. "She was a Hufflepuff, but she stuck to a very small group of friends. She used to spend a lot of time here because she had desired to become a Healer. But she left in the middle of her sixth year after her parents were attacked…"
There was a momentary silence. "I don't know much about her personal life, Mr Lestrange, but I can tell you everything I know. If you are interested, you can come to my office this weekend. A few memories are better than none," she said quietly.
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey!" said Dylan excitedly. Once done, Harry led the boy to the Room of Requirement.
"The next time something like this happens, I want you to tell me immediately, got it?" said Harry firmly. "I won't have them treating you like this."
"I don't want to be a burden," said Dylan fidgeting.
Harry sighed as he sat down next to the boy. "Dylan, you are not a burden," he said quietly. "We have known each other for a few months now and you have already managed to break the ice with me. When I look at you, I see myself and trust me, that is not something I want to see in anybody. But I also care about you and I want to see you happy."
"Did you really mean that?" asked Dylan hopefully. "When you called me your little brother?"
"Of course I meant it," said Harry honestly. "Not many people can get close to me, but you succeeded in a short amount of time. You may not believe it and quite frankly I'm finding it hard to understand myself, but yes, I do consider you family."
Dylan threw his arms around Harry, hugging him tightly. Harry stiffened in panic but wrapped his arms around Dylan slowly too.
"Then you're my brother too."
....
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