The Bachelor/Bachelorette Face-Off

July 2027

"Thought I'd find you here, Oliver," Harry said as he walked up, champagne glass in hand. I smiled and nodded. He sat down next to me and surveyed the still crowded tent. "How long you think this lot will stay?"

"All night if we let 'em," I replied. "Most of the league is out there and likely thinking this is just like the triplets' parties at the flat."

"And you'd know what that's like," he said with a chuckle, glancing over at me. I frowned. What the bloody hell was he talking about? It had been years since I had been at league party. At least for longer than an hour.

"Too old for that," I said.

"I distinctly remember you and Iris having loads of parties at the flat back in the day. I did live there for part of that, you know," he replied.

"Yea, but we were in our 20s and it was before the kids," I replied rationally.

"Hosted a fair amount after the kids as well… just Iris wasn't there for most of them looking after little ones and all," he said with a chuckle. I sighed and shook my head. It seemed like that was ages ago. A lifetime ago. I barely remembered it. Partly because it was so long ago and partly because there was a lot of alcohol involved a few of those times.

"Well, I've most certainly left those days behind me," I said, sitting back in my chair.

"Really now? What was that at the bachelor-bachelorette party?" Harry asked, glancing over at me with a smile. I couldn't help but chuckle, even though Pix had let Red and I have it the next day. I had to admit, Pix and Wills came up with a brilliant idea for that.

"Wish I had done something like that for mine," I said.

"We had a lot of fun at yours," Harry said. "What was that bloke's name that you used to play with?"

"Lucas. My teammate," I said, realizing it had been years since I contacted him. I wondered what he was up to. He had left to play in the South American League a few years after Iris and I had married and we lost touch. Harry nodded.

"He and George were definitely the life of the party. I don't think even I have ever drank that much - before or since," he said. "Good thing we all were able to crash at the flat."

"Didn't Percy lose a shoe?" I asked, looking over at him. Harry laughed and nodded.

"Who knew he could let loose like that," he said. "Ron was gaping at him nearly the whole night."

"Perce isn't always so straight and narrow… well, at least back then he wasn't," I said with a chuckle. "Every so often he'd partake of my whisky stash at Hogwarts. When no one else was around, mind you."

"But still… Pix and Wills have set the bar high. No one will outdo that one," Harry said, scanning the dance floor. "You seen her, by the way?" Immediately I frowned again, looking around.

"No. Been keeping an eye out," I said, huffing slightly. "She's been missing about an hour or so, it would seem."

"Surely it hasn't been that long. Ginny just spoke with her maybe 15 minutes ago," Harry replied. I whipped my head around to look at him, frowning. How was it that everyone else seems to have spoken with my daughter while I hadn't? "She was making the rounds with Wills, greeting everyone. Then they were dancing a bit before heading off somewhere."

"Well, she best get back here. It's about time for our dance," I said, turning back to look at the dance floor, frowning slightly. Harry chuckled as Weathers walked by with his wife, complimenting me on the wedding. I smiled tensely and nodded as I thanked them. He didn't stay around long, ushering her off to one of the food tables.

"They're going to think you're sulking about Wills," he commented once they left.

"I am not!" I barked. "When are you lot going to let that drop?"

"Probably when you've publicly announced that you've accepted him," Harry replied quickly. I glanced over at him. "Seriously, Oliver."

"Seriously, Harry. I'm fine. Is the bugger annoying? Yes. But there's not a thing I can do about it now. They are married," I said. He chuckled again.

"Probably a good thing you weren't playing in the match at the party," Harry replied. "You'd of made some deal with Remus and Alan to knock him out."

"Who says I didn't try?"


A week before the wedding

Iris was already up cooking breakfast when I came down that morning.

"Good, you're up. We'll need to get started if everything's to be ready by the time people start arriving," she said without looking over at me. I walked over to the coffee pot and poured myself a mug. It was just the two of us, but the house would be abuzz soon enough.

Pix and Wills had decided to forgo tradition and combine their bachelor and bachelorette parties. Lucy nearly had a coronary. She had insisted as matron of honor, it was her duty to plan it and she wanted to do a ladies' trip somewhere exotic. Daisy nixed it, saying she didn't want to travel. Plus, she knew Wills would find a way to sneak into hers regardless, so decided the best thing to do was to just have one large party.

"It worked out well enough for yours," she had told Lucy, who had been nursing Ailis at the time.

"Mine wasn't supposed to be combined!" Lucy had nearly shrieked back, causing Ailis to fuss. Daisy just shrugged and replied that she and Wills were going to share the party, and that's all there was to it. Lucy begrudgingly went along. She then started turning a slight shade of red when Pix added they wanted to have a quidditch match. She agreed but was mumbling something about bloody quidditch taking over her life as she left.

I had to admit, even if it meant loaning out the backyard pitch, I was happy with the idea. I even spent a few extra hours on the pitch that week, preparing for the match. I was sure that I'd be asked on at least one of the teams.

"You're not playing, Oliver. We promised to stay out of the way," Iris said, looking over at me. I frowned. I didn't remember that conversation.

"But why? It's in our bloody backyard," I said, noticing that I was getting very close to whining again. Iris sighed and turned around, the eggs frying themselves in the pan behind her.

"Because the last thing a large group of young people want is the parents loitering around," she said, crossing her arms in front of her.

"But she's invited nearly the whole family," I said. "It's not fair that they get to take part and we have to stay inside."

"Oliver…"

"Is that breakfast?" Daisy said as she walked into the kitchen, grinning. Wills was right behind her, carrying a satchel. "Hope we're not too early."

"Not at all, dear," Iris said as she crossed the kitchen and hugged her before kissing her cheek.

"What's this about us staying out of sight," I said, still frowning. Iris shot me a look as Daisy laughed.

"Whoever told you that?" she asked.

"Bad form to have you help out and then not get to go," Wills replied, walking to the table and sitting down. "Especially since we're having at your place."

"I thought you said you wanted us out of the way," Iris replied, watching as Daisy walked over and helped herself to coffee.

"I said I wanted Dad to behave," she said, looking over at me pointedly.

"Behave? What's that even mean?" I asked loudly.

"No jinxing, moaning or complaining," she replied quickly.

"I don't-"

"Yes, you do," Daisy and Iris said at the same time. I stood there stunned, my mouth hanging open as Iris went back to finishing up breakfast while Daisy walked over to the table.

"Dad, sit. Unless you want to let the triplets get all of breakfast," Daisy said, reaching for the Prophet. "We've got a lot to set up before the picnic starts." Wills smiled at me encouragingly as I shut my mouth and walked over to the table, sitting.

"So, just how are you doing the match?" I asked, reaching for the news section while Daisy perused the sports section. The final had just taken place a few weeks ago - with Puddlemere beating the Arrows by a short margin. But there was a spot on potential new signings over the summer.

"Men versus women," Daisy said without looking up. My eyebrows shot up. That was interesting.

"Who you choosing, then?" I asked, turning to look back at the paper.

"Set a rule that we have to have an even amount of professionals and non-professionals," Wills said. "So, I've got Jamie, Remus, Alan, Toby, Sean and James," Wills said, starting to dig into the eggs and bacon that Iris had set out. I looked up frowning. Why hadn't the bugger chosen me?

"Please, Dad. It's going to be a rowdy game. Didn't want you to get hurt," Daisy said, reaching for the sausage. I looked at Wills, whose cheeks were turning slightly pink.

"Honestly, I wanted to choose you, Coach," he said. Daisy elbowed him slightly, causing him to grimace.

"Didn't know Sean played," I said, returning to the paper. I never figured Wills' younger brother for the quidditch type. He worked at Gringotts doing something financial.

"He played for Ravenclaw at school, actually," Wills said. "Seeker. But never was much interested in going pro. Not after I did, anyway."

"Who you got, Pix?" I asked, looking over at her.

"Dominique, Lily, Aunt Ginny, Jakes, Ashley and Lila," she said. Now that was unfair.

"How come Ginny gets to play, but I don't? She doesn't get on a broom nearly as much!" I almost shouted. Daisy sighed and rolled her eyes.

"I told you that wouldn't go over well," Wills muttered. Daisy shot him a glare but then looked over at me.

"Come on, Dad. You play all the time at family events. I figured it was time to let Aunt Ginny play. Plus, she was a good chaser back in the day. She may not have played as long as you, but she's fast. And I didn't have as many options as Wills," she said, huffing slightly.

"I still don't think it's fair that you get three professional chasers while I've got two," Wills said, frowning at her. Daisy grinned wickedly at him.

"Not getting scared, are you?" she asked. "Besides, you've got Jamie as keeper while I've got Dom and we all know how easily flustered she gets. And you've got Remus and Alan against Ashley and Lila." Wills was silent a bit before smiling.

"Suppose the odds are rather even," he finally said.

"Have we missed breakfast?" Remus shouted as he and Alan thundered into the kitchen.

"Not yet!" Iris called out. "Where are the girls?"

"Coming later," Alan said as he sat and started reaching for food. "Bridge had to do a shift this morning."

"Laura worked late last night and wanted a bit of a lie-in," Remus replied. "But Lila and Jamie should be here in a bit. Who else is coming to help set up?"

"George, Angelina, Harry, Ginny, Bill and Fleur should be along in a couple hours," Iris said, bringing more food to the table.

"And Lucy, Dom, Lils, Molly and Victoire should be here about the same time," Daisy said. She looked over at Alan. "At least I think Lils will." He chuckled.

"She will be. She was up drinking coffee and guzzling some hangover tonic when I left. Think Christos and Roxanne are coming along with her," he said. "Just to make sure she's not late."

"Like brother, like sister," Remus said, chuckling. "How much you want to bet James was out just as late as she was."

"Probably stalking her at whatever party she went to just to scare off the blokes," Daisy replied. "What party was she at last night? I didn't think you lot did anything."

"Not last night," Alan said. "Didn't James have one?" He looked at Remus, who shook his head.

"No, Broadmoor. I was there for a bit. She wasn't getting into much trouble," he said, smiling. I just shook my head. I felt for Harry. Seemed we both had rather rambunctious daughters.

"Surprised you weren't there, Pix," I said, glancing at her. Daisy looked over at me, smiling slightly.

"Wills wanted to go but figured it best that we get some rest considering how today and tonight are likely to go," she said.

"I could have handled it," Wills said, frowning down at her. "I'm not that old."

"Really?" she asked. "So, what was that moaning all about the day after the finals party?" Wills scoffed.

"I was not moaning," he said, turning his attention to his food, pouting slightly.

"Merlin, not even married yet and she's already got you whipped," Remus said, laughing.

"Watch it. You're next," Wills shot across the table. Remus' eyes went wide as Alan and Daisy laughed at him.

"I recommend you lot hurry up and eat. We've got loads to do before everyone starts arriving," Iris said as she sat at the table.

"Yes, Mum," Remus, Alan and Daisy all said in unison, causing an amused look to cross Iris' face as I chuckled. They may be adults but their mother still could put the fear of Merlin in them.


"They put you to work at the grill while they're all off getting drunk?" George said as he walked up to me hours later.

"Did you not notice the rather large amount of professional quidditch players here?" I asked, frowning at him as I reached for a cup. "I barely get a batch done before they're gone. 'Sides, who says I can't drink and cook at the same time?" George just chuckled as Harry walked up next to him.

"Still got the touch, though," he said, looking around at the full backyard. Music was playing as Daisy and Wills were standing next to each other, drinks in hand, as they talked to Nilsson and his wife Julia. Pix and Wills were wearing jerseys that read "Bride" and "Groom" on the backs, courtesy of Lucy. Daisy's team were all in white as Wills' donned black jerseys.

"Dare say this is going to be much more exciting than the usual Puddlemere-Arrows picnic," Harry said before taking a drink of his ale. "Certainly got a lot more alcohol."

"That would be Remus and Alan. Luce put them in charge of drinks," I replied, turning my attention back to the grill while taking a drink of my own. Harry and George laughed.

"Good move. Sure they've put on several charms to keep them from running out," George said.

"I know I did at my own bachelor party," Harry said.

"Where's Ron? He and Hermione come?" I asked, looking over at him.

"Hermione's got something at the Ministry and Ron said he had to do inventory," Harry said, looking at George.

"Don't look at me. I told him it could wait," he said, raising his hands in defense. "Those two don't seem to be much for partying."

"Seems you got those genes," Harry said. "And passed them on to your children." Roxanne and Christos were talking with Aleka and Blanks while Freddie was off doing shots with James and Lily.

"Seems yours did too," George replied, grinning. Harry just chuckled. "Where's that bloke of Lils'?"

"Over trying to get into the conversation with Nilsson. Seems he's hoping to get over to the Arrows reserve team from the Magpies," Harry said. "Surprised he hasn't hit you up, Wood."

I shrugged looking over to the man in question - Mark Whittle. He had been playing reserves on the Magpies for three years now. Not so bad as a chaser, but my reserves were full and I likely wouldn't have an open first string spot for a while. Wills still had several good years left in him and Jakes and Vane still weren't any closer to getting married and having kids, though they had finally wised up and starting dating. The whole bloody team had known for years how they felt about each other.

Nilsson, on the other hand, had been shopping around for new reserves chasers. Rumor had it that one of his was going to transfer to first string on Pride of Portee this summer.

"Nah. Everyone knows I've got all my slots full," I said, returning to the paying attention to the grill.

"James still thinks he's got a shot," Harry said.

"He does… when something opens up," I replied. "But that'll be awhile."

"Ah, looks like the match is about to start up," George said. I looked up, seeing everyone start to move towards the pitch. George was grinning. "This should be fun… most of them are half sloshed as it is."

"Who you betting on?" Harry asked.

"Who do you think? Pix, of course," George said, starting to walk over to the pitch. "Hurry up and get your arse over there, Wood!"


Once I had taken care of the last of the burgers, I made my way over to the stands, sitting in between Iris and Harry. George and Angelina were behind us. The teams were huddled up on the pitch as the crowd was getting loud and boisterous, most likely because of the never-ending supply of alcohol thanks to Remus and Alan. George leaned forward and handed me a cup of firewhisky.

"You need it after slaving away at the grill all afternoon," he said.

"You really think this is a good idea?" Angelina asked from next to him. "They've all be drinking. Isn't there some sort of law against flying while intoxicated?"

"If Perce were here, he'd likely list off about 20 laws of that nature," George said. "Thank goodness he's not."

"They'll be fine. We've reinforced all the safety charms just in case," Iris said, taking a sip from her own cup. I leaned towards her, sniffing it.

"The triplets get you that moonshine you like?" I asked, looking up at her. Iris smiled brightly, her cheeks slightly pink.

"Figured it was as much our party as theirs," she said before taking another sip.

"How much of that have you had?" I asked.

"Not much," she said, burying her face in the cup as George started laughing loudly. She suddenly sat up and pointed. "Ah, it's starting." I turned my attention back towards the pitch, seeing Daisy stand up and nod towards Freddie on the sideline where he was sitting in a folding chair. Roxanne and Christos were next to him, likely to try and keep him in check. But from the way he had been downing shots earlier, I could tell his commentary was going to be more colorful than George's.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the final hurrah! Just a week from now, Wills and Pix will officially be off the market and what better way to mourn- ow!" We looked down, seeing Roxanne glaring at him. "I mean celebrate, then a battle of the sexes!"

The crowd cheered loudly as the teams prepared to mount their brooms. Granted the women looked a bit steadier than the blokes. Remus and Alan seemed their usual rowdy selves, but Wills' cheeks were bright red and his grin was goofier than usual. Even Sean, who had always seemed so reserved and quiet compared to Wills, was laughing loudly.

"You ready to lose, Lils!" James shouted, leaning on his broom.

"Dunno, you ready to get your arse kicked by Mum?" Lily shouted back. James laughed loudly, tossing his head back.

"Careful, James! I brought you into this world and I can easily take you out!" Ginny shouted, causing James to freeze as the men's team howled in laughter behind him.

"How much did Ginny have before the match?" George asked.

"Just a couple drinks," Harry said, amused by the exchange.

"Must have been strong drinks," I replied, chuckling.

"On the Bride's team, we have the ever gorgeous Dominique Cunningham as keeper," Freddie shouted as Dominique gracefully soared up in the air. "And then the formidable, the amazing, making the comeback to end all comebacks, Ginny Potter as chaser!"

The crowd roared again as I looked over at Harry, who was cheering just as loudly.

"Say James, how you think it'll feel to lose against your mum?" Freddie shouted.

"Shut it, Freddie!" James shouted back as Ginny was flying fast laps around the pitch. He glanced up at her nervously.

"Probably regretting those shots," George commented.

"That look says it all, mate!" Freddie said, barely containing his laughter. "Anyway, on to our other chasers - the ever talented Elizabeth Jakes of Puddlemere fame and trying out a new position, Harpies reserve seeker Lily Potter!"

The two women flew up into the air, waving at the crowd.

"As beaters, we have the famous Ashley White and ever gorgeous Lila Wood!" Freddie shouted. Ashely grinned as she flew up, waving her bat around. Lila followed, looking as though she wanted to be anywhere at that moment but on the quidditch pitch.

"She doesn't seem too happy. How did they convince her to play beater?" Angelina asked.

"Dunno," I said, glancing over at Iris.

"Remus and Alan got her drunk one night at Jamie's and convinced her then. Couldn't back out after that," she said.

"And last, but not least, we have the woman of the hour… the one we all want to see… the amazing… the talented… the make-your-jaw-drop fantastic… the flaming Pixie herself… Daisy Soon-to-be-Wills Wood!"

Daisy shot up in the air, waving at the crowd as she grinned brightly. I sat my cup down and clapped loudly. I rather enjoyed watching her play in these no-rules bouts. Pix could be creative, that's for sure. As long as she didn't get herself hurt, that is.

"Now onto the Groom's team!" Freddie said. "As keeper, we have the ever serious, Jamie Wood!" Jamie rose up in the air to take his position, seeming not sure about how he felt about his introduction. Out of the entire lot, he seemed to be the most sober. Course once he was up in front of the hoops, his hand slipped, and he pitched forward slightly. He quickly corrected himself, but looked a bit embarrassed.

"Merlin, even Jamie? I didn't think he got drunk. Ever," George said, laughing. I frowned slightly, something seemed a bit fishy here. I looked over seeing Pix grinning as she shared a look with Dominique, who was looking rather smug.

"As beaters, we have the brutal, Remus and Alan Wood!"

The two did a chest bump before jumping on their brooms and soaring up, though Remus nearly dropped his bat a couple times. I glanced over, seeing Lila pale slightly. Ashley leaned over and said something to her, causing her to nod and focus back down the pitch.

"As seeker, we have a newcomer to the batch - Wills the younger!" Freddie shouted. Sean, who was a shorter version of Wills, frowned as he took to the air.

"It's Sean!" he shouted, though he quickly smiled. His wife cheered loudly from a few rows in front of us.

"That's my man!" she said. I leaned forward, looking at her.

"I didn't know he married an American," I said. I hadn't spent much time around him and his wife to be honest.

"She's from California, I believe," Iris commented, her eyes still trained on the pitch.

"And for chasers, we have the lone bridesman, Toby Davies! Don't ask me what it is, because I don't know," Freddie said. Toby frowned at him as he flew up and took his spot. Though once he was settled, he seemed to wobble a bit and blink.

"He's a bloody male bridesmaid!" Daisy shouted from her spot. "IT'S A THING!"

"Alright, I got it!" Freddie shouted at her. "And next we have the ever amazing, new ladies' man of the quidditch league, James Potter! For the record, he is currently single, ladies." James flew up into the air, blowing kisses at the crowd in dramatic fashion, causing me to snort in amusement.

"Has he decided on his date for the wedding?" I asked Harry, looking over at him. Harry chuckled.

"Suppose we'll find out the day of," he said with a shrug. "Usually how it goes with him. Ginny's better at keeping track than I am."

"And finally… the man of the hour… ladies, he's hanging up his player ways and FINALLY settling down… Someone check if hell has frozen over... Puddlemere captain and former Casanova… I mean really, he landed Pix after years of her refusing him, so we've got to give him some sort of applause… WILLS!" Freddie shouted. Wills hopped on his broom and flew up, waving to the cheers.

"How long before Pix knocks him off his broom?" George asked.

"I say 10 minutes," Harry replied.

"Five galleons it's five," George said.

"You're on," Harry said.

"And with that… Our referee Roxanne Weasley - soon to be Aliefantis - OW!" I looked down, noticing a glaring Roxanne with her arm pulled back as though she was planning to sock him again. "Just release the bloody balls and stop hitting me!"

Roxanne hopped up out of her chair, a chest levitating behind her. She sat it down in the middle of the field and looked up.

"As you all are aware, there are no rules, no regulations. Anything goes. The first team to the snitch or the one with the most points after an hour wins!" Freddie announced. Roxanne raise her wand and waved it, then shot off the field to her chair before she got hurt.

The teams took off, Ginny managing to grab the quaffle from James and shooting towards Jamie, who looked as though he was having a hard time focusing on her. She looked positively smug as she sunk the quaffle into the left hoop, missing Jamie's hand by at least two feet.

"Looks like Ginny's still got it," I said, smiling as I glanced at Harry.

"Something tells me it's a bit more than my wife's skills," he replied chuckling. I looked over at Iris.

"Red, you know what's going on?" I asked, becoming even more suspicious. She just shrugged and smiled as she took another sip.

"How's it feel to lose out to your mum, James!" Freddie shouted.

"Oh, shut it, Freddie!" James said, chasing after Lily who had just stolen the quaffle from Toby and was cackling as she passed to Ginny. James' eyes widened as he froze slightly.

"GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME, JAMES! I DON'T CARE IF IT'S YOUR BLOODY MUM, KNOCK HER OFF HER BROOM!" Wills bellowed, his competitive side coming out.

"DO NOT HURT MY AUNT, YOU GIT!" Daisy shouted as she flew passed Wills and yanked on the end of his broom, causing him to pitch to the right and fall off his broom.

"Pay up," George said, grinning.

"And it looks like Wills is down!" Freddie said as the crowd laughed. Wills hopped up and jumped back on his broom as Jakes scored after Ginny passed to her. She grinned as Jamie seemed completely stunned he had missed yet another goal.

"Another score for the ladies," Freddie said. "Seems James now has the quaffle and is out for blood." James streaked down the pitch, only to have Jakes and Lily came up on both sides. He seemed to struggle against them, but then Jakes shot off, grinning as she had the quaffle.

Lily laughed again at the angry look on her brother's face.

"Seems Lils is doing rather well," Iris said. "How is she liking the Harpies?"

"Seems rather happy there," he said. "Their seeker is planning to retire in a year or two. She'll be good and ready by then."

"Might even give Pix a run for her money," I commented. And it was true. Thanks to Pixie's help, Lily was doing rather well and had gotten the House Cup her last year at Hogwarts.

Suddenly James shot out and cut Lily off, nearly knocking her off her broom.

"YOU BLOODY BASTARD!" Lily shouted, once she righted herself, flipping him off in the process.

"Or not," Iris said.

"She's still young," Harry said.

"Looks like there's a bit of sibling rivalry on the pitch!" Freddie said.

"Not the first time," Harry said with a chuckle. I looked up, seeing Daisy pull at Remus' jersey as she passed him, causing him to miss the bludger he had been hoping to hit at Jakes.

"PIX!" he shouted, scowling at her. She just cackled in glee as she shot off, ducking underneath Wills. She whipped around and then ducked another bludger that Alan sent at her.

"WATCH IT! THAT'S MY FUTURE WIFE!" Wills shouted.

"BUT SHE'S NOT ON OUR TEAM!" Alan yelled back.

"Blimey, how much you think the blokes have had?" Angelina asked as James dropped the quaffle and Toby tried to snatch it up – but ended up nearly falling off, gripping tightly to the broom as he hung upside down. Jakes swooped in and grabbed it, scoring on a still dazed Jamie.

"Reckon Remus and Alan quite a lot. Same for James. Never took Toby for much of a drinker," I commented. "And Wills… who knows."

"The girls seemed to be keeping their wits about them," Angelina said. I looked over at Iris, who was smiling to herself, seeming to know something we all didn't.

"I did notice Daisy getting Wills and her brothers to do a few shots earlier," George said, watching Iris closely as well.

"And weren't Dom and Lily feeding James and Toby drinks?" Harry asked. "Granted it doesn't take much to get James to drink."

"Red?" I said. All four of us were now looking at her with amused looks.

"Well, some of the boys did have a bit to drink, but…" she started.

"But what, Red?" I asked.

"But Daisy and the girls may have slipped something into their drinks," she replied. "Especially Toby and Jamie since they didn't want to do shots."

"But what about the girls? I know for a fact they've been drinking," George said.

"That new potion I had been working on to sober you up? Daisy helped me finish it," she said, now laughing. I knew she would be creative. And there were no rules. I looked back to the field, just in time to see Ginny score as Jamie missed the quaffle by a long shot.

"Honestly, the blokes should have seen this coming," George said, laughing. "GO PIXIE!"

I looked back at the field just in time to see her leap over Wills and land on her broom, laughing as she looked back at him. He was too busy watching her to notice Lily snatch the quaffle right from his arms.

"THAT'S MY GIRL!" I shouted loudly as I clapped. This was going to be hilarious.


Just 20 minutes later, Daisy landed and did a victory dance in the middle of the pitch, the snitch firmly in her hand as the rest of her team surrounded her. James was shooting dirty looks at Lily as she stuck her tongue out at him. Jamie was laughing good-naturedly as Remus and Alan looked on at Pix in awe.

"Why didn't we think to do something like that?" I heard Remus ask Alan. Wills landed and made straight for Daisy, swinging her around, then tripping on his feet and falling, with a laughing Pix landing on top of him.

"Wills… I don't think you're supposed to congratulate the other team," Freddie said, forgetting his voice was still amplified.

"I'll bloody congratulate her if I want!" Wills shouted while grinning as Toby and Sean pulled them both up from the ground. "NOW FOR DRINKS!"

The party quickly move back to the backyard as everyone settled in to continue drinking. I wasn't too sure they should still be drinking, considering how much they had before, but I wasn't about to be a stick in the mud.

"Oliver… let them have their fun," Iris said, walking up to me. Blast her and always reading my mind.

"I wasn't going to say anything," I said, frowning as I took a drink. Iris laughed.

"Come on, then. You're too stiff," she said. She grabbed my glass and put it down on a table, then started dragging me towards where a load of folks had started dancing.

"What on earth are you doing, Red?" I asked.

"Dancing," she said, her green eyes lighting up. A lively song was playing and Iris dragged me into the middle of the group, starting to twirl around me. She was moving too fast for me and my head started spinning a bit. More than that, I was worried Iris was going to fall over.

"Don't you think you've had too much?" I asked as she fell into me, laughing.

"Course not!" Iris shouted as we started moving around. "Come on. Let's show these young ones how it's done."

As we continued dancing, I found myself loosening up. Iris and I hadn't danced like this in years, even though we would occasionally dance around the living room here and there. I grinned down at her as I spun her around, causing her to lose her balance slightly and fall back into me.

"Careful, Red," I said as she giggled.

"Mum! Dad! What are you doing?" Daisy called out.

"Dancing!" I shouted back, looking over at her. She was standing with Wills, a glass in hand. She had a funny look on her face.

"Dad!"

"Oh, no you don't, Pix!" I shouted. "We may be old, but we can have fun too!"

"I know, I wasn't saying that. But-"

"No, buts, Daisy!" Iris called out. I swung her out from me again and then pulled her back in. Iris giggled insanely as she fell into my chest, causing me to lose my footing a bit. I took a few steps back and then found my feet meeting air.

"DAD!"

The next thing I knew we were falling backwards. While the weather was rather warm, the water in the pool hadn't quite warmed up yet and it was cool enough to shock the both of us into a bit of soberness. I came up from under the water, sputtering as Iris wiped a bit of the water from her eyes. Everyone stood around in shocked silence as I looked around and then over at Red, her curls sticking to her face. We stared at each other a bit before we burst into laughter.

"Well that's one way to get us off the dance floor," she said, moving towards the edge. George walked up and reached down to help her out but was laughing too much that his grip slipped, and Iris fell back into the pool, shrieking in laughter.

"Come on then, Red," I said, giving her a boost as Harry stepped up and finally pulled her out. I then pulled myself out and looked down at my sopping clothes.

"Are you alright?" Daisy asked, rushing up to us.

"We're fine," Iris replied. "Suppose we just got into it a bit much."

"Don't worry. Doubt we ruined the party," I said, grinning. Daisy just rolled her eyes and pointed to the house.

"Get dried up and no more liquor," she said. "For either of you." I saluted.

"Aye, aye, captain," I said before I could help myself. Daisy huffed as Wills roared with laughter.

"Now."

"Come on, Red. I think we've embarrassed her," I said in a loud stage whisper. Iris giggled as I led her towards the house. "Nothing to see, folks!" I shouted.

"DAD!"


So this one is a bit longer than the others, but I couldn't bring myself to split it up into more than one chapter. And couldn't bring myself to cut anything out. It was too much fun. Just three more chapters to go, folks... I have to thank the readers for this one. Someone mentioned awhile back that it would be fun to see a quidditch match for the bachelor/bachelorette party, and here we are.

cjconner326 - Haha, I'm glad that you liked the gift! And thanks! I'm happy that you've enjoyed it!

As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing.