The Ballycastle Bats' home Quidditch pitch was filled to the brim with eager fans. Witches and wizards of all ages, shapes, and sizes cheered loudly as the Quidditch players from Ballycastle and from Kenmare soared around the pitch. The Chasers from both teams were flying straight toward the Kenmare side of the pitch. As they flew, the three Ballycastle Chasers tossed the Quaffle between them like they were the only ones in the air. Draco Malfoy sat in the stands, cheering hard for the Ballycastle team. Beside him was his wife of twenty four years, Pansy Malfoy, formally known as Pansy Parkinson. On his other side rested one third of his pride and joy, his daughter, Charlotte Malfoy. Charlotte was more commonly known as Charlie to family and close friends. Draco was extremely proud of this young woman. At close to eighteen, she was going into her seventh year as a Slytherin at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was a five year veteran of the Slytherin Quidditch team, much to the joy of her father.
The other two thirds of Draco's pride and joy were currently streaking up the pitch, getting ready to score once more. Daniel and Liam Malfoy were Draco and Pansy's sons. Both former Slytherin Quidditch Chasers and captains, they were scouted right out of Hogwarts and were signed to Ballycastle's starting team at their respective graduations. There was a rumor circulating around Wizarding Britain that the youngest Malfoy would follow her brothers' footsteps and go into professional Quidditch. The rumor had yet to be confirmed. It was widely known that Charlotte was a brilliant Chaser for Slytherin. She had been tipped to become the next Quidditch Captain, now that her brother, Liam, had left school. What was also widely known was that she was currently studying subjects that would be useful as a Healer or as an Auror. She had been seen going with her godmother to work, taking a tour of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, which was headed up by Ginny Potter. Ginny had offered to show her goddaughter around the department, showing her what a typical day as an Auror would be like.
Her parents didn't even know what she wanted to do with her life after school. She could work for her mother at the famed wizard magazine, The Midnight Owl. The monthly magazine kept witches and wizards aware of the political issues around the magical world. Some Muggle-borns likened it to Time. Pansy was the editor in chief; the award winning editor in chief. However they were at the Quidditch game and were watching Ballycastle show Kenmare who the better team was.
"And it's Malfoy to Malfoy to Wood. Wood scores! Mitchell Wood, son of the famed Puddlemere Keeper Oliver Wood, has scored for Ballycastle, bringing the score to 120 to 30 in favor of Puddlemere," the announcer said to the crowd.
"That was an amazing shot!" Charlotte cried as she and the rest of her family cheered on the team.
"I always knew he had it in him," Oliver Wood, proud father of Mitchell, said from Charlotte's right. Charlotte looked up at the older man and smiled. She always had a special relationship with the Scot. Mitchell was Liam's best friend at Hogwarts and beyond. Although Mitchell resided in Gryffindor and Liam was in Slytherin, they still made time to be the best of friends. Liam would drag Charlotte around with him when he went to the Wood estate, consequently allowing Charlotte to meet Mitchell's parents and get in a few practice shots against Oliver. Going over to the Wood household also allowed for Charlotte to gain her best girl friend, Mitchell's younger sister, Isabella. The youngest member of the Wood family was currently a row behind Charlotte, sitting with her boyfriend, Jeremy Weasley, Hermione and Ron Weasley's only child. Jeremy and Isabella were good friends of Charlotte's, so was Jeremy's cousin, Michael Potter. Michael was sitting next to Jeremy, cheering on the team that contained his two god brothers. Charlotte was grateful for her three closest friends. Jeremy, Michael, and Isabella were all in their last year of Hogwarts. Isabella and Michael were in Gryffindor and played on the Quidditch team. Jeremy, who had inherited his mother's smarts, was in Ravenclaw and played Quidditch for them as well. Jeremy, the Keeper and Captain for Ravenclaw, often faced his girlfriend when Gryffindor would play Ravenclaw. Isabella was a Chaser. Michael was Gryffindor's Seeker and Captain.
"Wood has just scored again!" the announcer for Ballycastle exclaimed. "He has to be going for a record. He must have been training against his father at home! I have never seen anyone play like this before. 180 to 30 to Puddlemere."
"If he keeps playing like this, Puddlemere's going to have to call me back up to the team," Oliver joked as he cheered on his son. Oliver had since retired from Quidditch, leaving him to do endorsements and guest columns for Quidditch Weekly. He had also made an appearance at the World Cup when Scotland had played and won the previous year.
Two hours later the Ballycastle Seeker had spotted and grabbed the Snitch, finishing the assault on Kenmare. Charlotte eagerly made her way through the crowds of fans to get to the doors of the Ballycastle locker room. Security wizards recognized her and after a screening, let her into the locker room. She went in and heard the familiar sounds of celebrating and the familiar stench of sweat after a game. She ran into Liam first, who had divested himself of his outer Quidditch robe and sweater, putting it into the large laundry basket.
"Charlie!" he greeted when he saw his sister. He came over to her and gave her a sweaty hug that made her cringe slightly. But the smile he was showing melted her mild annoyance away.
"You know, you're going to ruin this Ballycastle limited edition t-shirt and then where am I going to find one?" she asked her older brother, with her hands on her hips but with a smile plastered on her face.
"You could always get me to get one for you," she heard a Scottish voice say from her right. Charlotte broke her façade and turned to jump into the waiting arms of Mitchell Wood.
"Just the man I was looking for," she said as he put her down after an enthusiastic hug. Mitchell beamed.
"Enjoyed the match?" he asked her. Liam came over to join them.
"It was all right," she responded. "It was pretty close there. Could have used more out of you." Liam chuckled at his sister's sarcasm while Mitchell couldn't seem to wipe the smile off his face.
"Daniel!" Liam called toward the rows of lockers.
"What?" they heard being yelled back.
"Our lovely sister has graced us with her presence in the locker room," Liam told him. Daniel poked his head around the corner of the row he was in and smiled as he spotted Charlotte.
"Charlie," he started as he moved around the lockers, clad only in a pair of jeans. "All right?"
"All right," she responded. "Nice game earlier."
"I thought you'd like our little show," Daniel responded, pausing to ruffle Charlotte's hair, earning him a scowl from the young woman and the chuckling from his fellow Chasers.
"You could use a few pointers. The Hawkshead Formation was a little off. It could be cleaned up," Charlotte said, in a mock-seriousness. The three professional Chasers knew that the Hawkshead was their best play, and laughed along with her.
"You want to tell Mum and Dad that we'll be done soon and then we can head out to dinner?" Liam asked of his little sister. Charlotte nodded.
"I expect you'll be joining us," she said to Mitchell. "Mum and Dad won't pass up an opportunity to celebrate something. They'll be wanting everyone over. And I do mean everyone."
Everyone, it turned out, happened to be half the Wizarding community. Potters, Weasleys, Woods and Malfoys filled the Malfoy residence, more commonly known as Westfield House. Pansy had disappeared the moment she arrived at the house to the kitchen to prepare dinner. The women of the family had joined her when they arrived as well. Most of the children were of Hogwarts age and stuck together in the sitting room with their fathers, kept out of the kitchen for their own safety. The Quidditch players, both former and current, gathered around each other and went over the finer details of the match as dinner was being cooked.
"The Wronski Feint can only be done so many times," Harry Potter was saying. "The other Seeker is going to catch on at some point. It can't be the only play a Seeker can rely on."
"True," his son, Michael, responded. "But if executed effectively it can throw any opposing Seeker off their game."
"I just think that there are too many fouls in Quidditch," Charlotte said from her place on the floor, in front of the couch that her father and Oliver sat in. "Excessive use of elbows? What is that? How am I supposed to protect myself?"
"Typical Slytherin," she heard from beside her. She turned to Mitchell, who was sitting beside her on the floor, with her mouth agape. She smacked him on the arm.
"You take that back!" she exclaimed. Draco and Oliver could be heard chuckling from above them.
"No way," Mitchell protested. "You know you're a dirty, cheating Slytherin." Charlotte's mouth widened at his reply. She smacked his arm again, causing him to rub it while laughing.
"All right," he conceded. "All right. You're going to mess up my arm if you keep hitting me. I know you're a strong Chaser. I've played against you."
"And who won when we were playing?" Charlotte asked with a smug smile on her face. She already knew the answer.
"You did," Mitchell answered. Charlotte smiled. "Only because you cheated."
"You bastard!" she exclaimed as she lunged at him, wrestling him in the middle of the floor.
"My dad's sitting next to yours," Mitchell said between his laughter and with Charlotte sitting on top of him. Charlotte stood up and walked to the door of the room. Mitchell propped himself up on his elbows.
"Charlie," he said, causing her to turn around. "You know you're still my best girl." Charlotte smiled and left the room. Draco and Oliver shared knowing looks with each other as Mitchell sat up and moved back to his place in front of the couch they were sitting in.
A couple of weeks later, as July was coming to an end, Pansy and Draco were sitting comfortably in chairs on their back patio. Sharing the Daily Prophet between them, they could hear sounds of cheering and jeering as they read. From their place on the patio they could see their private Quidditch pitch. The six golden hoops, three on either side, gleamed in the morning sun. Draco rarely saw his three children before noon on most days. This day, however, was the first in a long time that the three could get together and compete against each other. Quidditch was the only thing that could get the Malfoy children up on a summer's day. An atomic bomb couldn't even do it.
Now they were cheering and jeering at each other as they played an extravagant and complicated game of Keep Away. Points were earned for complex and daring flying. It was every man for himself… or herself. Charlotte's brothers never played easy against her, knowing that she would go against them and possibly beat them. The pitch was where they were equal.
Draco always smiled a little bit wider when he heard his daughter cheering as she earned points against her brothers. He had always wanted a daughter to spoil. He loved his sons to death, but his daughter was special. She always had been. He glanced up from the society section of the paper, a section that never really interested him much, and looked toward the pitch. He watched his daughter in her Slytherin Quidditch robes circle around her eldest brother. Daniel was in his old Slytherin robes, as was Liam. It reminded Draco of the three years when all three of his children were the Chasers on the Slytherin Quidditch team.
He and Pansy had made numerous trips up to Hogwarts to see their children play. They had been there for Quidditch Cup wins and disappointments. Fortunately there were more of the former than the latter.
A sound at the back door took Draco's attention away from his children, although he could still clearly hear them. He turned and saw his wife stand up to greet Mitchell Wood. The young Scot was always welcome at Westfield House. He had been good friends with Liam since they were in diapers. Even being split up and put in rival houses at school could not tear them apart. Charlotte's close friendship with his younger sister secured Mitchell's spot at the Malfoy dinner table whenever he pleased. Once Mitchell had greeted Pansy, he moved around the chairs to shake hands with Draco. Draco stood and pulled the young man into a hug.
"How are you?" Draco asked. "Still fending off marriage proposals?" It was a joke throughout the extended family that the professional Quidditch players would constantly be denying offers from young female fans. Mitchell took it in modest stride. He was a handsome young man. There was no doubt about that. He inherited his father's good looks. His brown eyes were complimented by his brown hair. At a reasonable height and with a sturdy build, he was not a figure to be messed with.
"I'm all right," Mitchell answered, running a hand through his hair. "I had to turn down five the other day." Draco chuckled and motioned to a chair beside his. Mitchell sat down while Draco did the same.
"Are you enjoying your time off?" Draco asked.
"I am," Mitchell said. "We only have a few more days though. Once August is our biggest month; that's when it's decided which teams go to the tournament toward the cup."
"Ah, yes," Draco said, remembering. "You'd think I would remember that, being Head of Magical Games and Sports, and all." Mitchell and Draco shared a laugh. Mitchell looked toward the pitch.
"What're they doing?" he asked as manic laughter filled the air from the pitch.
"My guess is that they're playing Keep Away," Draco said. "They've been at it all morning."
"All morning? Charlie was up before noon?" Mitchell asked, taking his attention away from the pitch.
"I know," Draco said with a knowing smile. "I was surprised as well."
"It looks like they're coming back in," Pansy said from her chair. She put down her paper and stood. "I'm going to start lunch. Mitchell, will you be staying?" The young man nodded. Pansy shared a loving look with Draco before heading inside the house. Draco and Mitchell looked toward the pitch only to see the air empty but the Malfoy children walking toward them, playfully shoving each other. They had neglected to put on their outer robes when playing, leaving themselves in the standard Slytherin Quidditch sweater, pants, and protective gear. Their brooms were carried at their sides and they were wiping sweat off their brows as they continued to berate each other.
Their laughing became louder as they neared the house. The laughing stopped when they spotted their friend sitting with their father.
"Dad," Liam called out. "I didn't know we were entertaining Gryffindors now." Mitchell stuck out his tongue at his best friend, who only smiled in return.
"I know, son," Draco replied, solemnly. "This one just keeps showing up. Your mother and I are hoping that one day he'll stop." Draco shared a smile and a wink with Mitchell. Daniel and Liam did a funky handshake with Mitchell when they greeted him. Mitchell picked up Charlotte and hugged her tightly.
"Charlie," Mitchell said as he put her down. "You're all sweaty and gross." Charlotte glared at him and lightly punched him in the chest.
"You're an arse, you know that?" she said.
"Come on, now," Draco said. "Your mother has lunch ready." Draco was followed into the house by his sons. His daughter stood her ground against Mitchell. The latter playfully slung an arm around Charlotte's shoulders and guided her inside, laughing as she smiled.
A few days before September 1st, three members of the Malfoy family traveled to Diagon Alley. Charlotte followed her parents into the Leaky Cauldron and waved to Tom, the barkeep, as they passed on through. Pansy tapped on the right bricks and led her husband and daughter into Diagon Alley.
"Sweetheart, where do we need to go?" Pansy asked her daughter. Draco came up to Pansy and grabbed her hand, interlocking their fingers, while pressing a kiss to her temple. Charlotte was busy looking at her school book list.
"Flourish and Blotts, of course, Madam Malkin's, and the Apothecary," Charlotte listed. Draco looked at Charlotte.
"Madam Malkin's?" he questioned. "But all of your school robes fit."
"We need dress robes," she said. "I need some new ones for the Spring Ball."
"You have plenty of dress robes," Draco said, genuinely confused as to why his daughter would need more dress robes when she had plenty in her wardrobe at home.
"Those are all for summer and winter parties," Charlotte reasoned. "This is for spring. That means entirely different colors."
"Oh," Draco said, remembering his mother's need for new dress robes every time a new party came up. Pansy chuckled slightly and smiled at her husband. She kissed his cheek as they continued on down the long lane of shops.
"What color are you thinking of, darling?" Pansy asked. Charlotte looked up from her list and studied the sky as they walked.
"I'm not sure," Charlotte said. "What do you think?"
"Maybe a soft yellow?" Pansy suggested. "A light green? Although, that may be too Slytherin, even for you." Charlotte smiled.
"We can always ask Madam Malkin for some suggestions," Charlotte said. "She always seems to have some good ideas."
Draco, Pansy, and Charlotte walked past many shops on their way down to Madam Malkin's. As they walked past they made notes of what shops to visit later. Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was a definite must, while the Golden Phoenix was decided on for lunch.
A bell chimed when the family entered Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions. Madam Malkin was busy attending to a young boy, who looked like he would be entering Hogwarts that year. She looked up as the Malfoys entered and greeted them with a smile.
"I'll be right with you, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy," she called out. She turned to the boy and took off his robes. "You're all done here. I'll pack these up and give them to you. Good luck at Hogwarts." As Madam Malkin packed up his robes, the young boy turned and saw the Malfoys waiting by the door.
"You're Charlotte Malfoy," the young boy said. "My brother talks about you." Charlotte looked at the boy, confused.
"Who's your brother?" Charlotte asked.
"Andrew Davies," the young boy answered. "I'm Alex Davies." Charlotte stuck out her hand to shake his and Alex took it firmly.
"Well, Alex Davies, I do know your brother," she said. "He'll be starting his last year now. He plays a mean game of Quidditch."
"He said you're the best Chaser the school's ever seen," Alex said, clearly in awe.
"Tell him he's mistaken and that he's pretty good himself," Charlotte said. Alex nodded. Madam Malkin came over with his robes and said he was allowed to go.
"He also said that you're Head Girl this year," Alex said. Charlotte nodded. She watched as Alex made his way to the door as her parents chatted with Madam Malkin.
"Alex," she said, calling him back. "You can call me Charlie." Alex grinned.
"It was nice meeting you, Charlie," he said. "See you at school." With that he was gone. Charlotte smiled to herself.
"Charlie," she heard her dad's voice say. She looked up and saw Madam Malkin waiting for her. Charlotte walked over to her and they began searching for dress robes.
"Charlie!"
Charlotte turned as she entered Quality Quidditch Supplies. She smiled when she saw who had called her name. It was Derrick Flint, her Quidditch Captain and fellow Slytherin. With him was the rest of the Slytherin team. Her fellow Chasers, Aidan Higgs and Graham Goyle, were standing behind their captain, trying out new wrist guards. Ryan Crabbe and Thomas Warrington, the team's Beaters, were looking at the newest Firebolt model in the window of the store. Skyler Nott, their Seeker, was at the cashier, buying a new set of shin guards.
"How's your summer been?" Charlotte asked as she reached Derrick.
"Good," he answered. "I've been coming up with new plays for the year. Congratulations on Head Girl."
"Congrats on Captain," she replied. They smiled at each other.
"I got to catch some Ballycastle games," Derrick said. "You'll have to pass my compliments on to your brothers and Mitchell."
"I'll do that," Charlotte said. She watched as the rest of the team came up to her and greeted her, hugging her and what not.
"Where're your parents?" Aidan Higgs asked.
"They're in Flourish and Blotts," she answered. "They found Flint's parents and have been talking with them for a while. I left my books with them and told them I'd be here if they needed me."
"Rumor has it that you'll be taking a spot with Ballycastle once the year's over," Derrick said.
"Rumors will be rumors," Charlotte said cryptically.
"C'mon Charlie," Derrick coaxed. "Tell us what's going to happen."
"I wish I knew," Charlotte said. "Besides, the Chaser spots are filled."
"Charlotte, sweetheart!" Charlotte heard her mother call her from the store's entrance. She turned and saw her parents waiting for her. She turned to say goodbye to her teammates before walking toward her parents. Her teammates said their farewells and waved to her father, a friend of their fathers'.
Charlotte joined her parents and they continued down the alley toward their desired resting place. They walked, occasionally being stopped by those they knew and chatting for a while.
"How's the team?" Draco asked Charlotte as they moved on from a family they knew.
"They're doing well," Charlotte answered. "Derrick's captain." Draco smiled.
"I thought he would be," Draco said. "He's quite like his father. Be sure he doesn't work you into the ground like Marcus used to do."
"I'll make sure he doesn't," Charlotte said.
They entered the Golden Phoenix at a quarter to one in the afternoon when the restaurant was at its busiest. Draco didn't like to use his name as a means of leverage, but when stating that he was a Malfoy when asked for his name got him higher up on the waiting list for a table, he did not complain. The Malfoys only had to wait five minutes for a table. They walked into the sitting area of the restaurant and found that their table was one of, if not the best table in the restaurant. There was a clear view of Diagon Alley below them. Their waiter was prompt and polite. Charlotte was used to such things but wasn't so keen on keeping them around. She was grateful for her fortunate status but at times it was overbearing and annoying.
Their lunch was rather uneventful. They were recognized by those high up in wizard society and even were chatted up by a former Minister of Magic. They waved when they saw that Ron and Ginny had stopped in for lunch as well. As they were on a lunch meeting they didn't stay to talk or join them.
After a celebratory piece of chocolate cake each for Charlotte's appointment as Head Girl, Draco paid the check and led his family out of the restaurant. They strolled leisurely through the rest of Diagon Alley, stopping in a few stores here and there. Finally they reached the Leaky Cauldron and stepped in. Saying goodbyes to Tom they walked out of the pub and into the streets of Muggle London. Charlotte watched as her father took her mother's hand without a word. She smiled to herself, wanting at some point the kind of relationship that her parents had.