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

The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 134 – Dare to Hope and Dream

"What's this?" Katie asked, delighted. She was currently sitting in the Delacour family room with the Delacours, Aimee, and Colette. Fleur had taken Katie with her to her home. After a long grueling month of final tests and practical tests, Katie's mind felt like mush. She was glad to fully relax and was so grateful to be invited back to the Delacours.

"It is a present," Apolline said worriedly. "Do you English not celebrate the holidays with presents? Your country sounds drearier and drearier."

Katie joined their laughter. "No we do, I just wasn't expecting one. Plus it's still days away from Christmas."

"Ah after gifting us your presence and your own lovely gifts? You should have expected one." Sebastian winked. "Trust me, you will want to open that tonight, do not wait."

Katie opened the brightly colored box and looked at the silver and gold threaded rope. "Oh it's very pretty! What does it do?"

"It is a Portkey," Sebastian said. "An international one to be exact, leaving first thing in the morning tomorrow."

Katie gasped. "Back to England?"

"Where else?" Sebastian's eyes twinkled. "Unfortunately, you will not be able to stay too long at home, so Aimee and Director Lorraine tells me with your schedule. However, you will be able to celebrate the holiday at home with your family and friends."

Katie teared up a little. "Oh, this is, I didn't think I'd get to go home so soon. How much was this? I can-"

"-can say thank you and not worry about it," Apolline said smoothly. "The first holiday away from home is terrible and we wanted to gift this to you to avoid that. You have given us your friendship and like we said, we remember the kindness you showed our daughter when she was at your school."

"That was more because of Harry," Katie admitted with red cheeks. "I mean, I'm really happy we're friends and I am so grateful to be one. But if it wasn't for Harry, I don't know if we would have become friends."

Fleur smiled. "And I appreciate your honesty in that. I am very glad we are friends and if we became friends because of Harry, then all the more reason to be happy. This is a gift from my family to yours. Please accept it."

Katie rose and hugged each of the Delacours hard. "Thank you!" she said. "I'll be sure to bring things back for you."

"Candy please!" Gabrielle said as she hugged Katie.

"Gabi!" Fleur scolded.

"Plenty of candy," Katie said to the blushing little girl.

Fleur shook her head. "Don't spoil her," she sighed as Gabrielle stuck her tongue out at her. "Let's go back to the flat and you can pack properly. We will come back here to spend the night and early tomorrow we will take Papa's private Floo to the Ministry so you can go home."

Katie's eyes sparkled and her heart felt full and bright.

-0-

Katie's eyes were sleep-heavy and she stumbled upon landing. The Delacours were not kidding when they said early, it was still dark when they woke Katie up and took her to the Ministry. There were perks for leaving so early however. There were no other people waiting and the Portkey was just her. Taking the private Floo meant bypassing a lot of the lines and things as well so in the end, she was incredibly grateful.

"Katie!" Samantha looked just as sleepy as Katie but no amount of tiredness could hide her excitement. She waved and held her arms wide for her daughter.

"Mum!" Katie sighed into her mother, beyond happy. She squeezed her tight, energy coming to her at finally being home and seeing her there.

"Oh my darling girl," Samantha cooed. She kissed her face a few times. "I've missed you so much!"

"I missed you too." They stayed like that for a few long moments before breaking apart. "Thanks for coming to get me so early."

"Of course." They left the Portkey Port, arm in arm. "I'm taking the day off work. Your father has to do some things but is doing a half day. Lyla was still asleep when I woke up so she's at home still."

"When did you guys know about the Portkey?" Katie asked.

"Only a couple of days ago. Sebastian Floo'd us and told us the good news. Also don't worry, we'll be sending lots of gifts back for everyone with you. Sirius already got several bottles of scotch that he likes." Samantha's eyes twinkled sleepily. "Harry already starting baking lots of things."

Katie smiled lovingly. "Of course he is."

"He wanted to come too but I told him that he should rest and get his baking done and studying. We're heading over to Grimmauld in the afternoon and there's going to be a big dinner party. He's already invited for Christmas Eve at our home, and we're having a family dinner Christmas night at Grimmauld again."

"I didn't come back just to see him," Katie said with a blush.

Samantha laughed. "Of course not, but I wanted to assuage any worries you might have."

Katie sniffed but hugged her mother hard.

-0-

Bailey pounced on Katie the second the girl walked through the Floo. She barked happily, licking Katie and whimpering and whining.

"Oh I missed you too girl!" Katie wrestled with Bailey and as usual, lost as the dog slobbered over her in victory. "You win!" she giggled. "Let's go wake up Lyla, where is she? Lead on!"

Bailey led Katie to her bedroom and for a moment Katie looked fondly at her little sister sleeping in her bed. She climbed into bed and went limp, pressing into Lyla.

"Hunh, wha?" Lyla muttered as she slowly woke up. "Katie! Why are you wet?!"

"Bailey slobber," Katie said as she wiped her face on Lyla.

"Ugh! Why?! You suck!"

"Why are you sleeping in my bed?! Trying to take my room when I'm gone?! Bailey! Get her!"

Samantha poured herself a cup of coffee, smiling wide at the barking and shrieking filling the home. She had missed the sounds for so long. It was nice to hear them again. She walked to the room and leaned on the door jamb, sipping her coffee and watching them wrestle and fight. "Your sister dumped her things out onto her bed and took to sleeping in your room so she wouldn't have to clean."

"Mum help!" Lyla shouted.

"I told you this would happen," Samantha smiled. "Reap what you sow dear."

The rest of the day passed swiftly. After cleaning up and forcing/helping Lyla clean up her room, Katie unpacked and gave her mother and sister early gifts from France. She spent a lot of time talking about her classes and experiences, about the few times she explored the city with Fleur, Aimee, and Colette. Thomas came home for lunch and the family enjoyed being back together for a long time.

Still, if she was being completely honest, Katie was very happy when it was time to Floo to Grimmauld. She burst through the fire eagerly, shaking the ash from her head and stomping on the grate.

"Welcome back!" Andromeda smiled and pulled Katie into a hug. "Good to see you future-Healer!"

"Aunt Andi!" Katie hugged the older witch hard.

"Hey welcome back stranger!" Sirius came walking in when the rest of the Bells arrived. They greeted one another brightly, chatting and laughing. The air felt warm and festive and Katie felt instantly comfortable, looking around the room.

Andromeda winked. "He's in the kitchen. Go on then."

Katie smiled gratefully and practically dashed from the room, ignoring Sirius' laugh. She opened the door to the kitchen and stopped, eyes wide at all the food lining the counters and tables. Baked goods were overflowing and the air was heavy with savory and sweet scents.

Harry was focused on something over the stove, eyes focused on a cookbook propped open on a floating writing desk at his side. He tasted something off a spoon, frowning at it before he went back to the cookbook. Then, as if feeling her gaze, he turned and his smile swallowed the frown whole.

Katie ran and almost jumped at him, just barely restraining herself to a full-on tackle. "Hi," she said as she buried her face into his chest, breathing deep. He smelled like she remembered: cinnamon and honey with a hint of oak polish.

He kissed the crown of her head, hugging her close. "Hi," he said back, breathless.

She looked up at him, eyes full and warm. "Is all this for me?"

"I might've gone a little overboard," he confessed and she laughed. "But yeah basically. I'm going to be packing a lot for you to take to the Delacours and Aimee and Colette, and a bunch will be for you too. But a big chunk of it is for all of us tonight."

She looked around. "Aw, you made my favorites."

"I asked your Mum and she told me them. Figured you would like some plain British fare after all the fancy French food."

She kissed him on the lips, savoring his taste.

"Am I plain British fare?" Harry asked as soon as he got his breath back. He shivered pleasantly at her bright laughter. "Oh and Angelina and Alicia said they're kidnapping you tomorrow during the day. They couldn't come tonight but want to see you tomorrow."

"Oh good! I want to see them too. Are you coming?"

"I just saw them the other day and want to let you spend time with them. I can do my N.E.W.T. studying when you see them. I'll be seeing you Christmas Eve and night after all."

"So practical," she teased, running her fingers through his hair.

"Just what a guy wants to hear from his girlfriend," he replied with a smile.

"Are you decent in there?" Lyla shouted through the door. "I hope you are, don't ruin the food with your cooties."

Katie snorted and let Harry go, going to the door to drag Lyla in. "Someone is being pesky."

"Is it you? It's you, isn't it." Lyla hung onto Katie's arms as Katie hugged her from behind. "Right Harry?"

"Katie just got back, don't get me in trouble with her," Harry said, bopping her on the nose gently with a wooden spoon.

Later, Katie felt the best she had in a long time. Doing well at the Academy was very satisfying, and comparing what she knew now to what she did then did wonders for her self-esteem and confidence. The rooftop garden was full of people. Pomfrey had come to eat dinner and visit with them and she, Andromeda, Samantha, David, and Jean had spent a long pleasant time chatting with Katie about her studies and what she learned. The Grangers were especially interested in hearing about some of the ways Katie learned to treat broken jaws and teeth. Katie felt mature talking about healing with them, especially with three witches that she considered to be incredible Medi-Witches.

Now she sat snuggled against Harry, playing with the fingers of his hand. Lyla and Hermione were talking about something in school while Susan and Tonks were having a Quidditch argument. Harry alternated between the school talk and the Quidditch talk, but spent a lot of time resting his head on Katie's.

It was perfect.

-0-

"I'm so sorry," Angelina said, face bright and flushed.

"Don't be," Katie said, giggling. "It's really nice to see actually."

Angelina had been asked for an autograph for the third time. Two had come from girls that Angelina had been touched and eager to sign their things for. The third had been a guy who tried to hit on her but found out that an unamused Angelina was a terrifying prospect and he fled swiftly after her flat "no".

Katie tugged on the jersey Angelina brought her. "Now I have an awesome jersey from my awesome Quidditch friend! Oh and thanks for the model of the stadium, Director Lorraine will love it."

"You should see her in Tutshill," Alicia said smiling. "She gets mobbed now. We went out after her game there and she was surrounded."

Katie laughed. They were sitting at a café in Diagon and while Angelina was not mobbed, there were a few people who recognized her, hence the autographs. There might have been a few who wanted to heckle her but seeing her on the ground and how tall she was, to speak nothing of her muscles, made those few individuals run away.

"I mean, I knew I'd be kinda famous if I played well," Angelina confessed. "I kinda like it too, if I'm being terrible. But I didn't expect it this fast or this much already."

"You should, you're awesome," Katie said. "You set a record for the Tornadoes, right? As a rookie player?"

"And by all means, enjoy the fruit of your labors," Alicia said. "It means we can enjoy the fringe benefits when we're with you."

Angelina laughed. "That's shameless."

"I'm just saying I'm not getting asked for autographs or anything and I'm going to enjoy some of the benefits if you are. Most Potions masters aren't very popular for some reason."

"Harry told me that you wrecked his N.E.W.T. class." Katie smiled. "You apparently gave a student a complex. How's that for notoriety?"

"Scruffy? I certainly hope so, he is a slob. Once he cleaned up some, he's a passable potion maker. Besides, Professor Snape doesn't mind. Says that they are performing a little better after my classes."

"Somehow you manage to get students to behave in a way the legendary Snape doesn't," Angelina said, shaking her head.

"I have two things that he doesn't."

"Scathing wit?" Katie asked.

"The reassurance that you won't lose your job if you mouth off too cruelly?" Angelina suggested.

"No, tits," Alicia said baldly, making her friends shriek with laughter. "And the other things you two mentioned." She preened. "I'm a whole package."

"You certainly are," Angelina said and took Alicia's hand. "I still can't believe you and Oliver are engaged."

"You think I would lead him on?" Alicia looked angry.

"Sorry, I meant this early. Thought it'd take him longer to find the courage."

Katie sniggered. "Oliver has plenty of courage. Takes a brave man to get balls pelted at him for a living."

"Yes well, it was a bit of a surprise to me as well. This early too. But it worked out and I'm very happy."

"You certainly look it." Angelina grinned slyly. "You could even say that you're glowing."

"Radiant even," Katie said, keeping a straight face.

"Harry told you both, didn't he," Alicia said flatly. She ground her teeth when the other two howled with laughter. "I still can't believe he did that to me."

"You did it to yourself!" Angelina dabbed at tears. "You can't blame him for making you think you were preggers!"

"I certainly can! And do! He has that stupidly sincere face that makes you entertain all sorts of nonsense!" She smiled unwillingly at their enjoyment. "Still, I reacted better than Oliver. He almost fainted when I told him."

"Okay, maybe not enough courage then," Katie laughed. She sighed gustily. "I've missed just talking to you two like this."

"It certainly is harder to do these days," Alicia said sadly. "But that means we will have to try harder to do it when we can."

"Damn straight. We have to keep on the lookout for that triple property too, you know, to be neighbors."

"Yeah, that'll be really nice," Katie said wistfully. She pushed those thoughts away for the moment. They still had time for the future. For now, she wanted to enjoy the present.

-0-

"Someone looks comfy."

Harry grinned up at Katie. "She really does, doesn't she?" Bailey did look almost indecently comfortable, sprawled over Harry's legs, her head on his hand, her tail wagging slowly.

Katie sat next to him, picking up the dog's head to slide her legs underneath. Bailey squirmed, filling the cracks between their bodies with hers and she sighed happily. "Such a lucky girl," Katie crooned. "Got a new collar for Christmas from Harry and gets to lump on him. And had a roasted dinner too."

"It felt cruel not to cook dinner for her too," Harry protested.

"Ingratiating yourself with everyone in the family, I'm onto your tricks," Katie said with mock outrage.

"You caught me," Harry gasped.

Her arm snaked around his lower back. "I didn't have to try hard to do that."

"Stop being so gross you two," Lyla sighed. "Stop flirting in front of everyone." She returned Katie's rude gesture.

This Christmas Eve, Katie's Aunt and Uncle with their family visited. Samantha's sister was eager to meet Harry and welcome Katie back, and her husband and children had been very open and welcoming too. Harry found it almost as easy to get along with them like he did the Bells. He felt more at home this year, being very fond of the Bells and enjoying the company of their relations.

The cousins were starting Hogwarts soon and eagerly learned as much as they could from Katie, Lyla, and Harry.

"Sorry," Harry said sheepishly.

"Don't be sorry," Katie said. "She's just being a brat."

"Your face is a brat."

Katie gasped. "Bailey! Get her!"

Bailey looked up briefly before her head came back down, snuggling closer to Katie and Harry.

"Damn it, Bailey," Katie muttered as Harry and Lyla laughed.

Later Samantha found Katie leaning against the door, peering out into the living room. The two witches watched Harry sitting on the ground, showing the cousins something while Lyla leaned on his back, her chin on his shoulder with Bailey sprawled over his lap.

"He looks happy," Katie said gratefully.

"So do you," Samantha said, hugging her daughter.

"I never thought he'd ever look like that," Katie whispered. "I hoped, but never thought it would be like this."

"He looks good with a real family around him, doesn't he?"

Katie gave her mother a sidelong look. "I hope you're not pressuring me."

"Perish the thought. I want you and him to do things at your pace, enjoy yourselves. You both deserve it. I rather you both have steady careers and a good relationship before anything else happens." She squeezed her. "That being said, I wouldn't say no to many grandchildren."

"Mum!" Katie shook her head, face bright red. "How many is many?"

"At least five."

"Five?!"

"Open to negotiation."

"Negotiation?!"

"Hey, Grandmum Samantha and Nana Andromeda will always be there to help watch the grandbabies."

"You two talk about that?" Katie asked, embarrassed and flattered in equal measure.

"One of our favorite topics," Samantha said warmly. "Also don't worry, Sirius isn't allowed to baby-sit without observation. Dora will be allowed to when they're much older so she can't teach them tricks."

"She might need observation too," Katie said with pink cheeks. "She told Harry to shag someone and then ask them to the Yule Ball."

Samantha cackled, covering her mouth when everyone turned to look at her. She waved them off, shoulders shaking with suppressed mirth. "That sounds like Dora but honestly she probably told Harry that because he's so proper, he'd be hilariously horrified."

Katie giggled, agreeing.

Samantha nudged her. "So, I assumed it worked?"

"MOTHER!" Katie screeched and Samantha cackled even louder.

-0-

Harry felt himself being pulled backwards and he landed on the couch with a grunt. He smiled as Tonks crawled on top of him, going limp as she draped herself onto him. "Comfy?" he asked?

"Very. You know, Angelina had a good idea about this. Lying on something warm is great for a full tummy." She smiled at his snort of amusement.

People wandered around the rooftop. The fire pits kept the cold winter air away. Enchanted baubles floated around, shining bright and emitting light for people to see. The main table still had plenty of food and people reached the part of the meal where they nibbled at favorites to fill the corners.

For the second year in a row, the Tonks family joined Sirius and Harry, the Bells, and Amelia and Susan. Remus and Professor McGonagall were there and the Grangers joined this year, making for a comfortably full rooftop. People walked about and visited with one another, plenty of laughter and chatter filling the air.

Tonks' stomach gurgled and she turned her head, belching softly.

"Oh gross!" Harry laughed.

"At least I turned my head away, I'm a lady," Tonks sniffed. She snuggled closer. "Harry, thank you."

"For what?" he asked.

"Everything."

"That narrows it down," he smiled.

"I mean, I had a good childhood. I love my parents and we are a good family. But I was a little lonely you know? Mum and Dad didn't have a lot of friends and it's hard getting along with Dad's Muggle relations. Holidays were comfortable and happy, but it was a little lonely. I feel like a berk saying that considering what you went through, but I'm being honest."

"No I get what you mean," he said softly, his arms wrapping around her.

"Thanks. But I mean, now, I have you and Sirius is back and now we're even closer with the Bells and the Grangers and it's so nice. I was so excited for the holidays this year, hoping to see you again and to have a big party like this again. I get to look forward to letters and stuff and look forward to seeing you and chatting and doing things like going to Quidditch games." Her hair turned black and long, her eyes became soft blue. "It's really really nice and I'm so happy and it's all thanks to you."

Harry buried his face into her neck. "That's how I feel. I never dreamed I would ever have a real family and be happy like this but you and Auntie Andi and Sirius and Uncle Ted made it possible. And with the Bells and the Grangers and everyone else." He sighed when she hugged him. "I love you Dora, thank you."

"Love you little bro," she said and then licked him. She looked up and waved an arm. "Hey, Katie! Come over here."

Katie walked over, smiling at the sight of Tonks and Harry. "Hey Tonks, what's up?" She whooped with surprise when Tonks grabbed her around the middle and pulled her onto the couch. Her face went red when the older witch clambered on top of her, letting Harry free.

"Thank you," Tonks said, snuggling Katie.

Katie looked up at Tonks, pleasantly confused. "What for?"

"For saving Harry," Tonks said simply. "For making all this possible."

"Oh, well," Katie blushed and looked away, teary-eyed. "I'm happy I did for many reasons. I won't accept sole responsibility though. A lot of us helped."

"True, but you were the first." Tonks' hair turned dark blonde and wavy, her eyes chestnut brown. She looked like an older sibling of Katie. "Since Harry is my little bro, you'll be my little sister-in-law eventually hopefully so you're mine now too."

Katie smiled softly. "I always wanted an older sister."

"Well you got one. Sorry about threatening to toss you into Azkaban last year."

Katie laughed. "That's okay. I threaten Lyla all the time."

"Oh good, that means I'm doing it right. Speaking of, oi! Little Bell!"

Lyla walked up, eyebrow raised at the sight of Tonks and Katie. "Little Bell?" she squealed when Tonks pulled her down onto the couch, being ensnared by Tonks and wrapped up with Katie.

"We're sisters now," Tonks said.

"Ooh does that mean you'll help me deal with Katie?" Lyla asked, wriggling into a more comfortable position.

Harry smiled down at them, beyond happy to see them close. Andromeda came up and wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders. "So apparently 50-year matured firewhiskey makes Dora rather physically affectionate."

"I didn't notice a difference really," Harry said to Andromeda's laugh. "Though she did snuggle Katie and Lyla a lot more easily than she normally would I suppose."

"I jest. Dora has been more open with her thoughts and feelings lately. Something I am very thankful for. She used to repress much. Always chipper and cheerful on the surface but kept other things bottled away." She kissed Harry's temple. "All thanks to you."

He wrapped his arms around her waist. "The feeling is mutual," he said softly.

"Our family's future is looking bright," Andromeda said happily. "And bigger than I ever dared dream."

-0-0-0-

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Yes, succumb to food cravings. My job is done. Fred having avoided punishment for so long emboldened him. Tonks is always fun to write for and poor mama dragon Angie. I hoped you enjoyed the callback jokes and one of my favorite ones is in today's chapter.

alix33 - I'm glad you like the letters.

Thespianpoet - I thought having McGonagall losing her cool would be really funny and am glad you enjoyed it. Alicia is a dangerous instructor indeed. The Potheads joke was so bad when I thought of it and I had to include it, it was too terrible not too. And I thought you would love the Luna aspiration, it feels right to me. I'm glad you liked that detail in the letters. I wanted to try and capture their personalities in them and think I did a good job. I did feel a little bad for Angelina and Luna but thought it was fun throughout in the end.