I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Note: I am unsure why people thought yesterday was the last chapter. There are still 10+ chapters and I will do a final 3 count down as soon as it's down to the last 3.

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The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 130 – Distance Between

Katie leaned back in her chair, stretching and groaning. She had just finished reviewing a paper on mending different kinds of fractures. Not for the first time was she glad that she did her tutoring with Pomfrey. It had given her a firm foundation for understanding things now. The classes here forced you to learn anatomy and physiology, another reason why she chose the Academy. Knowing how things work helped your spells be more efficient and she was grateful for it, even if her brain felt like a scrambled egg most days.

She smiled when her candle lit up on its own, a small light glowing where the wick would be. She breathed deep, smelling cinnamon and honey and she sighed softly, wistfully. Words appeared on the metal surface. "Hi Katie, It's Lyla. Have a biscuit smell, because you smell. Miss you."

Katie snorted and picked up the stylus, gently writing on the candle. "You smell. Miss you too." She watched the candle light dance for a long moment before she rose from her desk and opened her door. At first she was confused. Fleur, Aimee, and Colette were obviously laughing and talking out loud but she did not hear a word.

Fleur noticed her standing there and flicked her wand. "We cast a Silence Charm on your room so you would not be bothered by us."

Katie smiled. "Aw thanks! Yeah it was perfect, I didn't hear a thing."

"How are your studies?" Colette asked.

"Just finished for the day. I wanted to get most of it done before the weekend started."

"Excellent! Then you can come join us." Aimee patted the ground beside her and Katie sat gratefully. Fleur poured her a glass of wine. "I was just telling them what happened at lunch today," Aimee said, face red from alcohol and merriment.

"I am so sorry," Colette said. "Allain is not a pleasant person under any circumstance and as one of the many women he has hit on, you have my sympathy and condolences."

Katie grinned. "Should I be honored to have been hit on by the esteemed Allain Altois, Merlin's gift to France?"

Fleur snorted. "Seeing how he tries to flirt with anything with two legs, no not really." The girls laughed. "I mean, at least it proves that you are alive so that is something I suppose."

"Ah but alive but unaccompanied by Allain, what grim fate," Katie said, mimicking the boy and his accent.

Colette shuddered. "Ugh, do not do that, that is far too similar and I have drunk many a bottle to forget him."

"I have a feeling he will not be bothering Katie in the future," Aimee said. "He would not want to get on Harry Potter's bad side after all. What is Allain to You-Know-Who?"

"He didn't even believe me at first," Katie said. "Do a lot of girls pretend to be Harry's girlfriend?"

"More than a few, with even more wishful thinking," Fleur said. "He is popular here, not as popular as back in England of course, but popular enough."

"The picture of Fleur and Harry after the win made the rounds, lots of tabloid gossip," Colette said with a laugh. "Even the one with her carrying him from the lake."

Fleur flushed. "They are good pictures," she said lamely.

Katie smiled easily and patted her hand. "They really are."

"So what did Allain say after you told him?" Colette asked eagerly.

"Like I said, he didn't believe us at first." Katie sipped her wine. "Then I shared a few of Harry's likes and things and Aimee said only his true girlfriend would know those details."

"Then I was saying how Harry had grown since those photographs." Aimee's smile was mischievous. "How he is seven foot tall, bulging with muscles, and he can stun three grown men with one Stunning Jinx."

Fleur and Colette howled with laughter. "Bulging you said?" Colette repeated, giving Katie an arch look.

Katie blushed and laughed. "I didn't say! He's not bulging but he's fit enough for me."

"And when you say fit, as in he fits in-"

Fleur smacked Colette in the face with a cushion. "Zut! Down girl! Stop drooling over her boy," Fleur scolded while laughing.

Katie turned, hearing a sharp rapping on the window. "Hedwig!" She ran to the window and opened it and the snowy owl flew around Katie's head a few times, hooting happily before landing on her shoulder. She rubbed her head against Katie's, tugging on her hair playfully.

Katie sat back down with the girls and Hedwig hopped primly onto the table, thrusting her chest out to let Katie undo the latches on her harness. She slid it off the owl and undid the buckles on the pouch to reveal the contents. Hedwig hopped to Aimee and Fleur, nibbling on fingers and accepting scratches. She then fluttered onto the cushion on Colette's chest and stared down at the black-haired girl.

"Hello chicken," Colette said frostily. "I swear I will make Coq au Vin out of you! I'll have to stew you for hours, you gamey lean thing!"

Katie smiled. "Aww, you and Angelina share the same kind of relationship with Hedwig."

"Unkind?" Aimee suggested.

"Mutually belligerent," Katie said and the three of them laughed while Colette and Hedwig continued to glare at each other. "Oh here are letters for you," she handed each girl an envelope with their name on it. "Here's one for Fleur from Lyla, oh to Gabrielle. That's cute. Boxes for everyone too. Daphne wrote me a letter too? Aw, that's nice." She held her envelopes to her chest for a long moment. "You're staying for a few days, right Hedwig?"

Hedwig mooned Colette, shaking her tail feathers in the prone girl's face, making her sneeze, before she flew back to Katie. Hedwig nodded, hooting twice.

"Two days? Wonderful. That'll give us time to write letters back. Would you mind taking something to Alicia and Angelina for me too?" She smiled at Hedwig's narrowed eye. "I'll get you that sausage you like." Hedwig nodded, agreeing to the terms, and she fluttered onto Katie's head, plumping down contentedly.

Fleur gave Hedwig a fond look. "She is the smartest owl I have ever met."

Aimee opened her box. "Oh! He has sent cake! We can share mine first. Let me get some plates."

"Here is a thought," Colette said as she sat up, spitting out a snowy feather. "Let us introduce Hedwig to Allain. I guarantee he would never be a problem again after that meeting."

They all laughed at the thought and Katie opened her box. Hers was full of British baked treats that she had been missing and she divided a few sausage rolls for everyone to nibble on, giving Hedwig some bits of the savory meat. They talked and laughed well into the night and Katie laid on her bed with a sigh. Hedwig hooted sleepily as she settled on her perch, having practically dragged it into Katie's room.

Katie picked up the candle and wrote on it. "Hedwig came. Thank you for treats. Love you." She held the candle and thought of Harry, pouring warm thoughts and feelings into it before setting it down carefully on the nightstand. She slowly fell asleep with a smile on her lips.

-0-

Ron groaned as he set his essay aside. "Ugh, why are N.E.W.T.s so hard? Were things always this hard or did they get harder?"

"They've always been challenging," Hermione said. "But you're not wrong, things are rather difficult. If you think that Transfiguration paper is difficult…" she slid a paper covered with Arithmancy equations to him.

"Those are scribbles," Ron said as he looked at the paper in horror. "They can't be real things, are they?"

"No they are real things," Luna said as she looked at the sheet. She made a tiny change to one of them. "There you go Hermione."

The older girl stared at the equation closely. "Huh, thank you Luna. I missed that the first time."

Harry set a plate on the table in the middle of everyone.

"Ooh, what are these?" Luna asked, her eyes large and bright.

"Cheese toasties," Harry said, delighted by her expression. "Thought everyone would like a snack."

"What is a cheese toasty?" Daphne asked, intrigued.

"You've never heard of a cheese toasty?" Hermione asked, incredulous.

"They aren't really served in Wizarding homes," Tracy remarked, biting into one. "More of a Muggle thing."

"Oh, well, I uh, hope you like them." Harry said nervously. "They're rather simple." He blinked as he watched Ron, Luna, and Daphne eat them enthusiastically. "Guess I didn't have to worry then."

"These are really just cheese and bread and grilled?" Daphne reached for another one. "They are delightful!"

"Guess I'll make more," Harry laughed as he watched the plate be emptied in front of his eyes.

Luna looked up and saw Hedwig rap on the glass again. She rose and ran to the window and opened it. "Hello Hedwig," she greeted the owl and held her sandwich to the bird. Hedwig bit off a big chunk, hooting gratefully as she landed on Luna's arm. "Harry! Hedwig's back!"

Harry came out and hugged his owl, enjoying her nuzzle. "Hey girl, how was your trip?"

"Oh that looks darling," Daphne cooed as she saw the big pink rose charm stuck to Hedwig's harness.

Harry undid the harness and helped Hedwig slip out of it. Hedwig pecked at his hand until he realized the rose charm was fixed to a silver chain. He undid the chain and placed it around Hedwig's neck. She hooted proudly and flew about the room, showing it off.

He grinned as he opened the pouch to look at the contents. "I bet that's from either Gabrielle or Fleur. Let's see, letters for me, one for Lyla, oh one for you Daphne." He handed his friend an envelope. "Package for me, package for Lyla, and something for you Hermione."

"For me?" Hermione asked with surprise and delight. She giggled at the small cat shaped ink bottle. "It looks like Crookshanks!" The cat prowled over, bumping the ink bottle with his nose.

"I don't know how you stand it," Ron remarked. "With Katie so far away and in Paris. I bet she gets hit on a lot."

"She can handle herself," Harry said as lightly as he could.

"Just saying, she must get a lot of attention. Would drive me crazy knowing that." He reached for the last sandwich before Luna snatched it away. "Hey!"

Luna gave him a cold look. "You're being rude Ronald, insinuating something terrible."

"What? I'm just saying she must get a lot of blokes interested and…" he looked at the glares from the girls, "I can't be the only one thinking it." He recoiled when Hedwig flew up to him, standing on the table and leaning close to him until her very sharp beak almost touched his nose. She glared unblinkingly at him. "Harry? Call off Hedwig?"

"You know that Hedwig does what she wants," Harry replied blandly. He waited a long moment before he walked back into the kitchen. "I do have bacon for you though Hedwig, fresh out of the pan."

Hedwig hooted and flew around Ron's head, cuffing him with her wing before flying to the kitchen. Harry smiled softly as Hedwig delicately plucked the rashers from his hand and devoured them messily. He looked up when Tracy walked in.

Tracy reached out for some bacon. "The others are giving Weasley a lecture about being delicate."

"Oh take some from this plate," he said and handed her a plate. "Never take any from in front of Hedwig." The owl was following the plate with a covetous look despite a piece already in her beak. "Hey now, there's plenty," he chided her gently. Harry sighed as he watched Hedwig continue to eat. "He's not wrong though. Isn't it pathetic that I am a little worried about it?"

"Nah, it's normal," Tracy said. "I know you trust her and I don't think she'd ever cheat on you and I barely know her. But you can't help thinking the worst sometimes and that's okay. Just don't let it get to you too much."

Harry nodded. "Thanks, I appreciate it." His smile became easier. "I don't know why I didn't think they'd know what a cheese toasty is."

"I'm a Half-Blood and I sometimes forget what Magicals know and don't know," Tracy said with a smile. "It's sort of the reverse for us, isn't it? They know things and take for granted that we don't."

"That's true. Usually it's about technology and what not, but food things makes sense I suppose. I mean, the Tonks family knows what butter chicken is, oh wait, Uncle Ted is Muggleborn. Though the Weasleys know what a full English breakfast is."

"Well some of the Ancient and Noble Pureblood families have roots in the Nobility and have exposure to that side, so some know what curry is or have other tastes, especially if they interact with other Purebloods from other countries. Lots of trying to outdo each other with what's traditional and what's fancy. Cheese toasties are just plebeian in comparison."

"That's me," Harry said and Tracy laughed. "Harry James 'plebeian in comparison' Potter."

"You wish," Tracy said. "I mean, you probably do, but that's besides the point. Hey…I'd kill for a good burger. Think you can make some one day?"

"That'd be fun." He snorted. "Now I kind of want to see Daphne try to eat a hamburger."

"A Galleon says she tries to use a fork and knife!"

Daphne poked her head around the corner to scowl at a laughing Harry and Tracy. "Why are you two laughing at me?"

"We're not laughing at you," Harry said insincerely.

"Yes you are. Tracy has a laugh that is reserved solely for mocking me and she's using it now." Daphne stomped in and poked her. "You're supposed to defend my honor when I am not present."

"I am!" Tracy wrapped her arms around Daphne's waist. "I just showed a lot of faith into your character!"

Daphne gave her a sour look before looking at Harry for confirmation.

Harry grinned. "It's true. She'd even put money on it." He listened to them bicker as he made more cheese toasties, carrying them back out when they were finished.

Ron looked sheepish and red-faced when the trio plus Hedwig returned. "Sorry," he said. "I was just talking without thinking again."

"It's okay," Harry said, handing Ron a sandwich. "Nothing I haven't thought of myself before."

Ron looked relieved while Hermione rolled her eyes. Luna was still looking at Ron with disapproval.

Harry put a sandwich in front of her. "This has bacon in it."

Luna looked excited and she bit into it eagerly. "Mmm," she hummed, "I like it a lot!"

Harry grinned. "Good!" He leaned close to Hermione. "Tracy suggested that I make hamburgers one day and we should see how they react."

Hermione smiled. "Now that would be a fascinating study, seeing Magicals eat Muggle foods and how they react." She looked at Daphne and started giggling.

"Stop laughing at me!" Daphne shouted crossly when Harry and Tracy started laughing with Hermione.

-0-

Team try-outs went a little faster this year. With only one vacant spot, Harry was able to focus on just filling it, though he did give a brief try-out for all the positions, signing on several reserve players.

"What's with all the reservists?" Ron asked.

"Going to try and give Ginny a leg up next year," Harry said softly. "Make it easier for her to find replacements for you and me. Plus it'll be good to be able to practice with new people."

"Yeah that makes sense."

They watched as Ginny and Demelza put the hopefuls through the paces. "Anyone standing out to you?" Ron asked.

"Not yet. No one really stands out but there aren't any that are abysmal. Kinda even overall. We'll have to see what Ginny and Demelza say, and after they try scoring on you."

Eventually Harry called Ginny and Demelza over. "What do you think?"

"I like Tibbets and Coffey," Ginny said. "Both are fast and work well with us two."

"They'd be my pick too," Demelza said. "Patricks isn't bad but he doesn't seem much like a team player and I feel like our strength as Gryffindor Chasers is that we work well as a team together."

"No I agree," Harry said. "Besides, it'd be a shame to break up the Lady Chasers of Gryffindor." He grinned at their happy smiles. "If Patricks wasn't a prick, I'd consider him but I heard him mutter some things I don't like at all. Tibbets for starter, Coffey as reserve then?"

He gathered the team around him. Ron hooked his hands through his rigging, grinning easily. Jimmy and Mirabelle smiled brightly. Ginny and Demelza looked happy and confident. Erica Tibbets looked ecstatic and intimidated in equal measure.

"Welcome to the team Erica," Harry said. "You had a great try-out and I'm sure you'll do great. Ginny and Demelza will show you the ropes and I have a good feeling about you."

"Th-thanks," she stammered, blushing bright.

Harry looked at his team. "We had three winning years in a row, so no pressure on this one." He joined their laughter. "And not to mention it's my last year, same as Ron's." The laughter died and the younger team members looked at him soberly. "No seriously, no pressure," he said wanly.

"Just because you say it, doesn't make it so," Mirabelle said.

"I don't want us to lose a game your last year," Jimmy said firmly.

"We aren't," Ginny said stoutly. "We're the best, and we're going to be the best and make sure you get to the League with a winning streak." The others growled in agreement and Harry felt incredibly touched.

"What about me?" Ron asked, half joking.

"What about you?" Ginny asked placidly and the others laughed.

Harry chuckled, letting the siblings glare at each other. "Well, hey I won't say no to winning, but again it's about the team being together. We're a family and we're going to do it together."

"Yes Papa Potter," Mirabelle said cheekily. The others roared with laughter and Harry gaped at her. "Lyla told me to call you that," Mirabelle said with pink cheeks, "if you brought up the family thing again."

"What is it with you two giving me nicknames?" Harry groaned.

"Harry's more of a mother hen," Ginny said, face gleeful.

"Wait, didn't Angelina and Alicia call you mama bird a few times?" Ron asked, laughing.

Harry sighed while the others laughed even harder. Even Erica had gotten over her nervousness and was chortling with the team. "I hope you all remember this next time we practice," Harry said.

"Uh, we were kidding?" Mirabelle said, suddenly nervous. Their laughter died and they all looked at Harry with apprehension.

Harry's smile was reminiscent of Alicia's sharpness, Angelina's strength, and Oliver's fervor. "Hmm, we'll see if I am."

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iamchaos98 - Not quite smooth sailing but it won't be as heavy as the last chapter. Just some general feels sprinkled throughout the funnies.

SilverLightning26 - Thank you. Don't worry, there will still be some chapters and I hope it will come to a rather satisfying end for everyone.

alix33 - Posh off sounds hilarious.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - No, I deliberately made it that they didn't know until this time. That's why I sprinkled those random comments in all their conversations, and then let them draw the conclusion in the last chapter. Thought it would be more powerful that way. Blaise knows when to be appropriate, most of the time.

Bookingfangirl - Thank you. Drunk Daphne was such a silly idea when I thought of it and thought it would be fun to explore. Probably Tracy being even more lewd and inappropriate and Daphne being more posh.

Vickey Lopez - There is still a bit more.

minerdude - Thank you so much.

Shamgar777 - It didn't feel right for the full circle not to have occurred. I had hoped to show Harry's growth and show how far he has come. I'm sorry for the tears but the rest of the tears should be from laughter and some feels though, nothing so heavy. Maybe. Who knows.

yogibears - You know me, I have to ruin the atmosphere that I carefully created. I'm glad you liked the prefect's speech, I worked for a while on it. It's only right that Hogwarts can take better care of her children.

slytherinsal - No, nothing ever not happens anymore. Life still finds a way to remind you of the lows and the highs and I wanted Harry to be prepared for it and to show how he's grown.

Urgwaew - Thank you. It took me a really long time for me to figure out what I wanted Harry to say to Morris and to the prefects. I wanted to avoid something trite and empty, make it feel real, make it feel like it could be said in real life and to have some sort of impact. I wanted to show how he has changed and grown, how he came to this point and how he makes his experiences accessible for others. I wanted him to be able to share them without telling them and explaining them, and to let others benefit from the lessons he had to learn through his own pain. I'm glad it seemed to have hit the mark.

I deliberately kept the Slytherin girls from learning until now because I felt it would hit them harder. Seeing the little tidbits of info from past conversations, they can logically come to the conclusion as they connected the dots. I wanted to feel like real people to, reacting like a friend would to another's friend's trauma. It would have been easy to make them learn earlier and be a simple support now, but I felt there was plenty of others to fit that role. I wanted to show that at any time, people can learn things and try to cope with it.

I personally thought the loophole was really funny and Daphne being super posh while drunk to be super dumb and am glad you liked them. Hope you have a nice day and that you are less heinously busy.