By gellerfan

NB: Thanks to JK Rowling for creating Potterverse

Rated: +13

Spoilers: No

CHAPTER TWO: FAMILY DINNER

Term finished and all the students took the train back home. Harry and Ginny were waiting for their sons at King Cross. They were happy to receive them, but quite intrigued because they have received a letter via Athena, James' owl. The message was clear "Don't talk about Quidditch in front of Al. I'll explain you at home. Kisses. James".

"Grand to see you, kids, we missed you terribly. Was the trip alright?"

"Yes, mum" said Lily, kissing her.

"Well, I guess you are tired. We have a lot to talk, but we can do it at home" said Harry. Suddenly he saw Hermione "Hello Hermione, why don't you all come dinner one of these days?".

"Great. I will talk to Ron and we'll set the date. See you" Said Hermione, after kissing Ginny and the kids.

Harry raised a brow looking at her elder son James. It was like he was asking what was happening.

"I'll tell you later" muted James.

"Well, kids, did you forget anything? No? then let's go home".

Potter's family arrived at Grimmauld Place. After dinner, Harry called James to his study.

"Well, what's happening, James?".

"Al is completely crazy. We have won the Cup and he is completely depressed. He says that he's a failure and won't succeed being a pro. He is not right but he listen to no one".

"Ok, I'll talk with him" sighed Harry. "Al, may you come here, please?".

When Al joined the meeting, Harry looked at them and said "Well, I must say that I'm proud of you, both. Not about your grades" Harry sent a stern look to James "but Quidditch. I guess a congratulations and a celebration is at order".

"Dad, this is not right, I think …".

"Al, self-perfectionism is great, but only if it goes through study, work and a serious analysis about what you have done, finding out your mistakes and what you will do to improve. That applies to you too, James. Neville told me what happened with Slytherin, and I really hope the whole team will improve a lot next season. If not, Neville will be forced to give the Cup to Slytherin. You know that four years ago he became Head of Gryffindor House, and I don't want to see him in that moment with two sons of mine in the team"

Harry looked at his sons

"I want you to think seriously what you want to do next term. Al, I'm glad you seem to be trying to improve at Quidditch. Your grades are not bad, but I want you to improve in that field too. I'm pretty sure Rose will help you if you ask to and she'll take the brunt of the work, but I don't want the story to be repeated. Aunt Hermione did it with Ron and me, and it wasn't fair for her nor good for us, because Ron and I became good wizards only where we worked hard for ourselves, like Defense against Dark Arts. James, well, you will face the OWL. I will talk to Neville, and I warn you that, although he loves you, he will be allowed to take you out of the team if he thinks your grades are insufficient to pass the OWL, simple as that, and no matter what your captain would think about it. About the team, my advice to him will be simple. We have to make a serious change in our style. We want to win, but even more important, we don't want Slytherin to win. If it means that one of you or both have to be out of the team, you'll be".

"Dad…" said James

"We've had enough for today" interrupted Harry smiling "Well, enjoy your holidays, and now be good sons, say goodnight to your mother and go to sleep".

Potter brothers had spent a week at home enjoying their summer holidays. Last years at this point their parents, mainly Harry, were hoping the holidays to be finished, fearing that the house had to be demolished because of the fights between James and Albus.

This year, however, seemed to be different. Albus had spent most of the week reading in his room after taking borrowed some Quidditch books (according to him) or looting the library (according to his father). Actually, Harry's protest was feigned. There were such a peace at home that Harry confessed to Ginny "I wish he looted the library every year".

Harry knocked Albus' door. "May I come in?"

"Yeah, dad, of course".

"You've been kinda busy. If you study this way at Hogwarts I will be pretty confident about your OWL".

"Funny. I guess you should talk with James instead".

"Where is he?"

"No idea, I guess he is hanging out with O'Brian. You're right. I've been kinda busy with this research about Quidditch, but now I have a certain idea".

"You should, because you looted my library" they both laughed. "I hope some of them would be useful, Al. Being honest, most of them were wedding presents. I don't remember if I've bought a single book about Quidditch. I played Quidditch at Hogwarts and I loved it, but maybe I gave up my passion for the game when I left Hogwarts".

Harry picked up a book. "Eunice Murray. Great seeker, you should read this book".

"Who gave you the book?".

"I don't remember now, son. We received a lot of presents. Some were gifts from people we loved, and others, well, from well-wishers. We were a sort of celebrities, you know".

"You still are, Dad, and I've found out that you didn't give me any advice, and you're still watching matches, so you could have your opinion as a seeker".

"It's true, but I watched more games in the past. I do not know why, maybe then the players seemed better to me, or maybe it's that I knew some of them and wanted to follow them".

"Who were they?"

Harry laughed. ""I know where you're going, but it's your own research. You must defend your style, which should not necessarily be mine. Take from my style what you think suits you better, and as your father I will be proud if you do it, but if you really want to be professional, then you have to defend your own style. If you want to succeed you must be Albus Potter, not the son of Harry Potter. Of course, if you need my help or you want me to contact someone, I will. "

"So you don't want to know what I am going to do, dad?.

"Yes, but we can wait till dinner"

"Why?"

"Ron and Hermione will come to dinner tonight with your cousins. Do you think you could spare some time with them?"

"It will depend on the menu"

"ALBUS!"

"Just kidding, dad".

Xxxx

"Well, Al, your mother told me that, dishonoring the family, you've become a hardworking student, maybe the sorting hat was wrong and you should've been sorted to Hufflepuff" said Ron.

"Ron, studying is good. This is what your daughter does" said Hermione.

"Actually, my research it's about Quidditch, uncle Ron. Highest grades in the family will always come from Rose".

"But we would be glad if you take your cousin as a model" said Ginny

"He is not only interested in Quidditch" intervened Rose. Rose and Lily started giggling.

"What do you mean?" said Ron.

"He is also interested in other things, Ravenclaw girls, for example, dad".

"WHAAAT" Ron started chuckling"well, this is a classical".

"Sorry?" asked Albus and James at unison.

"A classical means that in every celebration your uncle wants to be the center of attention with his comments. Don't pay attention to him, kids" said Hermione elbowing her husband.

"Impossible, it's uncle Ron".

"You know him well, and Al, you didn't answer about what Rose said. Who is that girl?".

"Her name is Julia O'Connor, she is in my year and is a clever and beautiful Ravenclaw".

"Does she play Quidditch?" interrupted Ron.

"No, as far as I know. Maybe you knew her parents. Her father is Sean O'Connor, I don't know if he went to Hogwarts, and her mother is Diana Fairweather, she was a Ravenclaw in your year, more or less".

"Mmm, No, I think Diana was a year before us" said Hermione, "but I don't remember Sean O'Connor. However, have you talked to Julia?".

"Actually, I did. Rose was very kind to tell me how to find Julia in the library, but she wasn't kind enough to explain me where the library was" everybody except Rose laughed " but I'm a seeker, so I know how to find a snitch, not golden but blue in this case. We are just knowing each other, and who knows".

"Well done, brother. In fact, now I remember we made a Hogwarts' map and we had no idea about the library" said James

"It's true, we named that area TERRA INCOGNITA, HIC SUNT DRAGONES, maybe we should fix it" said Albus.

"Yeah, now we know there are Ravenclaw girls too".

"And Rose, but considering how mad at us she is now, she should be included into the dragons. I wouldn't be surprised if she expelled fire". If Rose's glares could kill, Albus would drop dead immediately.

"Like her mother, OUGH" said Ron, after receiving another elbow.

"Well, let's get serious" said Ginny looking at Ron "our father and I are glad for you and wish you the best in that field, but keep us informed. We don't want to hear that there is a wedding in two weeks".

"It won't happen in a near future, mum, we are just knowing each other".

"You know what I mean".

Albus and James looked at each other. The silent conversation between brothers was a clear "no way".

"What about the other research?" asked Hermione.

"Well, I guess everybody knows what happened in our last game against the Slytherins"

"Yes, you won" said Ron.

"Please, aunt Hermione, elbow him again".

"ALBUS" said Ginny, but her grin demonstrated that it's was all an act.

"However, I was really close to defeat against Malfoy, which is incredible".

"Which was your mistake?" asked Hermione.

"Now you are a Quidditch expert?" said Ron. Hermione sent him such a glare that Ron thought silence was the safest option.

"The problem is that I haven't found my mistake. It's not a problem about bad luck or a tactical mistake. My problem is that the gap between me and the other seekers is getting smaller. They have learnt my way of playing Quidditch and I have to do something new, and I feel I'm not progressing".

"So?"

"So I've made a research about seekers, and I want to talk to some of them about their way of playing Quidditch. Rose kindly suggested that a professional would considerer me a competence. Of course, being my father's son they would meet me, but just for public relationships, and they would tell me nothing interesting". Albus smiled at Rose. He wanted her forgiveness for the previous joke.

"It's true" said Hermione "and a journalist would say nothing interesting. They rely on sensationalism, not in -let's say- boring technical questions".

"That's correct".

"So, Albus, which is your point?"

"My point or, if you prefer, Rose's point" finally Rose smiled "is that I want to meet some retired seekers. In fact, I have some names in mind".

"Well thought" said Ron "maybe they will teach you a thing or two. However, I know Chudley Cannons' seeker, if you want to meet him".

"Uncle Ron, Mark Paisley is known for being a good-looking player, although not a good one. As a seeker, he is simply a joke. I'm better than him, and I think I'm not a girl, so I'm not really interested".

"But he plays in the Cannons"

"Cannons are a joke too".

"You show no respect to your poor uncle. Ok, which names do you suggest?" asked Ron smiling.

"First one is a former seeker from Tutshill Tornados. Younger than you, but maybe you met her at Hogwarts. Her name is Sara Anand".

"I haven't seen her since Hogwarts, but then she was very good. She beat me in her second year, when you all three were doing the Grand Tour" said Ginny.

"Well, what we did during our seventh year wasn't exactly tourism, dear. However, I do remember Sara later, in her professional years. She was really good, and her style was way different than yours, Al, so she's a very good choice" said Harry laughing "I don't know why she quitted".

"Harry, probably the reason is that she wanted to have and raise a baby, like I did" said Ginny "you men sometimes forget the most obvious things. If I'm not wrong I read she gave birth a girl".

"Ok, my fault, and which is the second seeker, Al?".

"My first choice was Victor Krum, but he lives in Bulgaria and I realized his style is not very different from mine, so I will leave him as reserve if my second choice fails"

"And that option is?"

"I've read some articles and Sara always said that she was trained at Hogwarts by the regular seeker. One that was her inspiration, her idol, at Hogwarts and after. Even after all those years, she always referred to that seeker as captain".

"Who's that seeker?"

"Her name is Cho Chang. She played too for Tornados during six years, won six cups in a row and then she quitted Quidditch for unknown reasons. Considering her age, I'm sure you knew her".

Ron and Hermione just looked at each other and kept silence. The move was so obvious that even James and Albus noticed it.

"What's wrong?" asked James.

"Nothing. We knew her, but lost contact after Hogwarts" said Hermione.

"She wasn't that good. I defeated her twice" said Ginny.

"Mum, she won six cup in a row so she had to be really good. What you say is even more interesting, because it means that she improved a lot from Hogwarts to professional play, and this is exactly what I want".

Ginny looked at Harry and asked for his support, but he was eating in silence since the conversation started.

Harry, what do you think? Asked Ginny.

Yes, dad, did you know her? Asked Albus, James and Lily.

"We all knew her. She was a member of Dumbledore's Army and fought in Hogwarts' battle. There were some discussions with her, but it was long time ago and it's not the matter of your research.

It's all about Quidditch, Albus, not about me nor Hogwarts. I've seen you reading all those books, so I'm quite confident about your decision. I am not going to tell you anything about Cho when she was the Ravenclaw seeker. She was very good and really promising, but she passed some bad years. Her broom, a Comet 260, didn't help, by the way. After Hogwarts, Cho became an exceptional player, much better than I was. I saw her flying in several matches. This is the transformation that you must follow, the one which can make you even a better seeker. I've not seen her for many years, but I'm pretty sure Sara Anand could tell you how to find her. If she doesn't, probably Tornados will. I will contact them if needed"

"Did you follow Cho? I had no idea" said Ginny.

"During my first years as auror I was pretty busy and mostly out of the country, you know, so when I was home I always tried to find time to enjoy a good Quidditch match. I followed yours if possible Ginny, but sometimes it wasn't, and a top team like Tutshill Tornados was always a good option. I didn't follow Cho but Tornados, but you cannot split one from the other. However, what if I did? I tried to follow all our mates in Hogwarts. Oliver Wood, for example, or Roger Davies. However, everybody did".

"Of course, it just surprised me".

"By the way, Albus, I'm not sure about Sara, but Eunice Murray was Cho's inspiration. You should read Murray's biography first".

"I will. Thanks"

Xxxx

Ron, Hermione and their kids left after dinner. When the kids were asleep, finally Harry and Ginny could talk.

"Do you think the research would be a good idea?" said Ginny.

"Why not?"

"I don't know. Being a professional is hard, maybe Al could look for an alternative".

"That's curious coming from you, because you were a professional player. However, I will talk to him, because his grades must be good enough. Bright side, maybe that girl would be good for him".

"Or the opposite"

"Worse than James? I highly doubt it. Besides, she's a Ravenclaw".

"Ok, I admit it. But about being a professional. Not everyone succeeds, and I was lucky. I had you".

"Thank you for the compliment" he kissed her "but as far as I remember you won a lot of money flying for Holyhead. However, we must trust our son".