"Elenora, there's something I'd like to talk to you about." Minerva cornered her former student before dinner that evening.
"Whatever punishment you've given Harry, I'm fine with. I trust you to be reasonable, Minerva." Nora said with a smile. She continued walking up towards the staff table, Minerva followed after her.
"I'm not punishing him." The older witch stated, taking her by surprise. "I would like, with your permission, to put him on the Quidditch team."
"Quidditch? But he's too young. First years aren't allowed to play..."
"I've spoken with Albus, he's willing to lift the first year ban in your Nephew's case. All he asks is for your signature on these forms."
"But Minerva, there's a reason that we have a ban on first years! It's dangerous. He could get hurt..."
"And he could be the greatest Quidditch player in Gryffindor since his father."
"I want to say yes, believe me I do." Elenora said. "But I have a responsibility to that boy. If he gets hurts playing Quidditch I could never forgive myself. On the other hand, James would be so proud. He would sign that form in a heartbeat. What do I do?"
"Sign the form." Minerva advised. "He's an eleven year old boy, Ellen. He's bound to get hurt at some point. At least let him get a little glory out if it. He has true talent."
"Give me the forms." She decided at last. "When you give him the good news, Tell him that I'm looking forward to the first match."
The following morning Harry and Ron were sitting together at the Gryffindor table and the dark haired boy was looking rather forlorn. Mail call had just begun and while a hundred owls soared overhead none of them seemed to be delivering mail to him. Not that he had expected to actually get any mail, all of his friends were at Hogwarts along with the only living relative who actually cared about him. And yet he found himself thinking it would be nice to get a letter or two here and there. As mail call ended the owls began soaring back to the owlry. Only six owls remained and they were carrying a long thin package together as it glided over the Gryffindor table. Harry easily identified one of the birds as his own snowy owl, Hedwig. The six owls flapped their wings together before dropping the package in the middle of the breakfast table and flying out of sight. Harry heard the whispers from the students around the Great Hall as he looked down at the package excitedly.
"There's a note!" Ron said finding an attached envelope and handing it to his friend. Harry opened it eagerly.
Harry,
I can't tell you how proud I am of you. Your father was an excellent Quidditch player and I have no doubt that you will be too. Enclosed is a Nimbus Two Thousand. It's the newest, fastest broomstick available. Think of it as a late birthday present. A small way to try and make up for all the missed birthdays. Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor team Captain, will meet you tonight on the Quidditch field at seven o'clock for your first training session. I'm looking forward to your first match.
Love always,
Aunt Ellen.
"It's from my Aunt." Harry explained. "It's a broomstick."
"Well go on, open it!" Ron encouraged. Harry tore into the packaging excitedly. Though he didn't know much about brooms, he could guess that the Nimbus 2000 must have been expensive. It had arrived nicely polished with hand painted detailing. The broom itself seemed surprisingly lightweight.
"A Nimbus 2000?" Ron remarked with wide-eyes. "Those cost over 600 Galleons! You're aunt must really trust you to get you something so expensive."
"Yeah." He gulped. "I guess so."
Elenora watched the boys from her seat at the Staff table. They were both staring down at the new broomstick with stars in their eyes. She couldn't help but smiling as she watched her nephew handling his gift. After a minute or two, Harry handed the broom to Ron so that he could get a better look at it. While his friend was distracted he looked up and down the staff table before locking eyes with his aunt.
"Thank you!" He mouthed to her from across the Great Hall.
"Welcome." She mouthed back with a nod.
A/N: Thank you to Misswitlock16, bubzchoc, guest Meghan and Gilyflower for your reviews of Chapter 8! As always I'm so happy to hear that this story is being enjoyed by people out there. Things are starting to pick up for Harry and his Aunt Elenora as we near Halloween! So please continue reading, reviewing, favoriting, following and enjoying!