Hi theambler, sorry for the spoiler as I jumped in rather than reading the whole thing.
Here is an extract for 'befriend'
befriend
bɪˈfrɛnd/
verb
verb: befriend; 3rd person present: befriends; past tense: befriended; past participle: befriended; gerund or present participle: befriending
1.
act as or become a friend to (someone), especially when they are in need of help or support.
"he makes a point of befriending newcomers to Parliament"
synonyms: make friends with, make a friend of, look after, protect, keep an eye on, support, back, stand by, side with, encourage, sustain, uphold, succour, advise, guide;
help, assist, aid, be of service to, lend a helping hand to
"she decided to befriend the new girl"