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

The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 139 – The Setting Sun

"Ah Mister Potter, come in." McGonagall smiled, truly smiled, as he walked in. She did not have the subtle lessening of pressure on thin lips, she did not have the tiniest of curls to the corner of her mouth, it was a true smile with the barest hint of teeth. "What brings you in today?"

"Just making the rounds and thanking my professors before graduation," Harry said with a sincere smile back. "The ones that I like anyways."

"Then I am glad to be counted among them." She gestured for him to sit and she poured out tea for them, opening a box of biscuits.

"I should admit that I'm visiting all my professors," Harry said as he sipped from his cup.

"Am I the first at least?"

"No, but I plan on spending more time with those that I really do like."

She snorted. "I suppose I will take what I get then."

"Don't sound so put out Professor, I'm not doing a mastery with any of the others after all."

She preened. "Indeed not. Speaking of, I wonder if I should be punishing you for your slip of the tongue. Gilly has been calling me McGonaMum and there are only a few that dare do that."

"Weird, I wonder where she heard it."

"Weird indeed." She shook her head at his insincere innocence. "I am very pleased that you will be doing a mastery in Transfiguration."

"It sounds like fun, which is something I never thought I'd say about continuing education. Also it's nice that I can do it while doing Quidditch. Thanks again for making that concession for me."

"No problem at all. I would not wish to deprive you of Quidditch nor deprive the League of you. You will do great things in both, I am sure." She took a drink. "Any idea on which team you will be playing for?"

Harry reached into his school bag. "I do actually. I was allowed to go do my try-outs over the weekend and catching a Remembrall out of a dive was the easiest try-out I ever had. Professional try-outs are grueling." He grinned when she snorted, her cheeks looking a little pink. "Luckily Mr. Timms was there and Uncle Ted came with me to act like a solicitor agent of sorts to make sure the contracts were good. Between them, they helped a lot. I'll have to hire a proper agent soon but at least I signed onto a good rookie contract with a team."

McGonagall accepted the wrapped parcel from him eagerly. She unwrapped it and she exclaimed with delight, holding up a banner of royal purple. A large stylized black P was emblazoned with a five-pointed gold star on the middle of the banner and smaller golden stars decorated the corners of the banner. "You're going to play for Portree?!"

Harry nodded happily. "They were the nicest to me and offered really good terms. I'm technically the reserve Seeker but their current Seeker actually told me she's pregnant and will want to take the reserve role soon and phase out for a bit. So she's going to get me trained up to replace her as starter and when she comes back, we'll trade off on starter roles."

He chewed a biscuit. "And I remembered you saying they were your favorite team and they were actually Dad's team too. Sirius told me. So it felt right to me."

She dabbed her eyes on the banner and hung it proudly over her desk. "Now I am even more proud to support the Pride."

"And I'll always try to get you a ticket when you come out," Harry said.

"I'll teach those Quidditch fans how to be a proper hooligan," McGonagall said to his shocked amusement. "I'm so happy for you Mister Potter." They chatted for a while, laying out a loose schedule on his mastery duties with flexibility depending on his Quidditch schedule. It then became a quasi-venting session for her, telling a delighted Harry stories of his parents of their years at Hogwarts, especially all the things James did to earn her ire.

She sighed, looking sad all of a sudden. "Mister Potter, I never properly apologized for how poorly I treated you when you first came to Hogwarts."

He shrugged lightly. "It's okay Professor."

"It is not. I was deeply fond of your parents. No professor should have favorites but they were mine, much like how you and Miss Granger are my favorites. I knew the…your relations were not to be trusted and yet, I condemned you to many years of poor living." She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I failed you and I beg for your forgiveness."

He felt teary himself but shook his head. "Nothing to forgive. You more than made up for it since you really found out and I appreciate it. If there is a list of people to blame, you're not high on the list."

She breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Thank you. I do not deserve to hear that, but I am grateful. I swear to you now like I did that dreadful day, I will do my best to do right by you, always." She rose to her feet and opened her arms, beyond happy when Harry hugged her without hesitation. She squeezed him tight before holding him at arm's length. "Such a fine young man. Not James, not Lily, but Harry. I am honored to have been your Head of House and to be your Transfiguration Mistress."

He hugged her again. "Thank you McGonaMum," he said softly.

She snorted. "No, thank you, Harry."

-0-

"And what are you doing here?" Pomfrey pursed her lips to keep her from smiling, her hands on her hips. "I've almost gotten rid of you and reduced my yearly worry and workload, and you're still here to bother me?"

"I thought I helped you later on," Harry protested, not even trying to hide his smile. "You know, being a medic and all that."

"You deeply underestimate how much extra work you gave me the first few years. You barely knocked off any of the accumulated interest."

"Well dang. I hope this makes up for the rest." He handed her a wrapped parcel

"And what's this?" She opened it and gaped at it. "Is this?" She tapped it with her wand and the slab of stone opened into a floating desk.

"A portable medical station. Capable of holding all sorts of supplies and equipment, self-sterilizing, self-organizing, perfect for triage and emergency care. Auntie Andi and Mrs. Bell recommended it."

"Haven't you done enough dear boy?" Pomfrey asked softly as she ran a hand lovingly over the station.

"Well, you did keep me alive for years," he replied frankly without exaggeration. "Also, Mrs. Bell told me you tried to undo some of the damage of things my first few years. I can't thank you enough for that."

"Better to not acknowledge it," Pomfrey said with a laugh. "It was somewhat illegal for me to have done that but I don't regret it. Thanks to more attention being put on children's health here, I'm hopeful that some laws can be changed so such things aren't necessary anymore."

"Well, that's me thanking you for all you've done for me these last seven years." He looked around the Infirmary. "What's going to happen to my favorite bed?"

"I thought about retiring it in your honor," she said as she collapsed the station and put it carefully on her desk. "Perhaps putting a placard on it with your name and your many injuries." She smiled when he laughed. "However, I am keeping it in use. People who rest on it seem to recover just a little bit better."

"That's good." He watched Healer Verity treat a student's injuries, chatting with them pleasantly. "I'm glad you have someone here to help you now."

"Me too. I hope one day that your generosity will not be needed for it."

"I don't care about that. I rather you have the help and the school has the care."

She reached out and hugged him gently. "I know, and you are a wonderful person for it Mister Potter."

He hugged her back. "Just doing what I can."

When they broke the embrace, she squeezed his arm. "Now you better take care of yourself in the League. I don't want to read in the Prophet about any unnecessary injuries that cut a promising career short."

He smiled. "If I get really injured, I'll just come looking for you."

She laughed loudly. "My fees outside of the school are rather high," she teased.

"They'll be worth it."

-0-

Snape's thin eyebrow rose when Harry walked into his office. "Mister Potter," he said tonelessly, "I would think my office would be the last place you would willingly walk into."

"I can think of a few places worse," Harry said amicably. He looked around. "It is a bit dreary though."

Snape snorted. "It suits my needs for my school duties." He gave the young man a considering look. "I believe some congratulations are in order. Proctor Marchbanks was rather enthusiastic about your performance on your N.E.W.T. practical. Said it was a credit to my teaching." He said the last sentence very dryly.

"To be fair, you got better at that. The teaching thing."

Snape snorted again, forcing the threat of a smile away from his lips. "I should warn you Mister Potter that since you are no longer a student, I can throw you out of my office with far less consideration for your feelings."

"Thank you for the warning. I just wanted to give you this."

Snape looked at the package with healthy suspicion. "And what is this?"

"It's called a present, Sir. People give them to others for a variety of reasons."

Snape snorted a third time and opened it. His eyebrows rose again when he looked at the large tome. "This…is a very rare book. I have been searching for my own copy for some time."

"I heard Alicia say that every Potions master or enthusiast should have one."

Snape stared at Harry. "Forgive me for bringing this up but I feel a need to. I thought you said that you would…never forgive me."

Harry looked back at Snape. "No, I won't. Yet you did change. No offense, but you were a horrid professor the first two years I was here." He ignored Snape's embarrassed flush. "But you changed. You kept changing and you tried to be different from what you were. And I can respect that. You didn't have to help me after that duel with Malfoy, and the times after. But I noticed and well, I can appreciate it."

"You are not wrong. I treated you, many people but especially you, very poorly before. Not that there is a good reason for it, but mine was especially petty. It took the aftermath of your game with the Dementors for me to realize that. That and the actions of your peers."

"I wish I was awake for that," Harry said. "No offense again, but I would have loved to see Katie yell at you and the Headmaster."

"It was quite impressive." Snape finally smiled. "It is why Dumbledore never quite looked at Miss Bell in the eye ever again. He became rather frightened of her."

"Really?" Harry's delight was palpable. "I can't wait to tell her that. Thank you, Sir."

"Be sure to do so." He looked thoughtful. "Seeing how you are no longer a student; you do not have to refer to me as Sir anymore."

"Oh, okay….S-Severus? Mister Snape?" His face twisted. "Those feel wrong to say."

Snape looked equally uncomfortable. "Perhaps Sir is for the best."

"Yes Sir." They stood in not quite awkward silence.

"Mister Potter."

"Yes Sir?"

"Get out of my office."

"Yes Sir."

"Harry?"

Harry turned back.

"Thank you."

-0-

"You know, I always wondered about this," Ginny said. She continued at Harry's look of confusion. "In the past, when you and someone would meet at the pitch on your own. I always thought it was about some secret Quidditch business or venting."

Harry laughed. "Nothing so secret really, well maybe a little. I think Captain Wood met with Angelina before she became Captain, probably to share some words of wisdom or the like. When she was Captain and leaving, that's why Angelina called me out here. I guess it's another tradition that was started by Oliver: captains talking to incoming captains and the like."

Ginny's eyes grew wide. "When you say incoming captains…"

"I'm recommending you to be Captain next year." He smiled at her happy squeal. "It's not set in stone but Professor McGonagall listens to the previous year's captain's advice for picking the next so you better expect something in your upcoming Hogwarts letter."

She jumped at him and hugged him. "Thank you!"

He hugged her back. "You deserve it. You got the knowledge and the drive. People like you and follow your lead. You'll take good care of everyone. Just, make sure you throttle back sometimes. Remember, the team is a family. You want to win and that's not a bad thing, just don't forget about the good of the team over the urge to win."

She nodded. "I'll try. I know what you mean, I'm pretty competitive."

"You'd have to be with your brothers."

She laughed. "Pretty much yeah. Mum calls me out sometimes, about being so stubborn over things. I've gotten a little better I like to think." She sobered. "Pretty big shoes to fill."

He wiggled his foot. "Not that much bigger than yours. Well, yeah actually my feet are pretty big I guess compared to you." He grunted when she kicked him. "But you know what's the best way to fill them? Keep walking in them until they fit."

"Pretty sure it doesn't work that way," she giggled.

He shrugged. "The mirror must have said it better than me. Anyways, you'll be a great captain. Don't worry about keeping the winning streak going or any of the noise. Worry about playing the best you can and taking care of the team."

She nodded. "Can I write you if I need advice?"

"You can write me about anything and I hope you do, but of course. Any advice I can give, I'll do it happily."

Her smile faded abruptly.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, concerned.

"It just hit me that you're really leaving." She hugged him hard about the middle. "Like really hit me."

He hugged her back. "Yeah. That's how it hit me when Oliver and Angelina left."

Her shoulders shook a little. "I'm really going to miss you. I got so used to you being around."

"It's going to be weird for sure, but we'll keep in touch. I'm still going to be best mates with Ron and so I'll bother you all at the Burrow. We'll write. And I'll see you when you join the League in the future."

She started to cry. "I won't have any family here anymore…"

He kissed her forehead. "We won't be too far. Neville will still be here, as will Luna, Demelza, Lyla, and Mirabelle. I'm only a message away."

She sniffled but nodded. "That'll be nice. Thanks." She wiped her tears away and looked surprised when Harry handed her something. "Oh? Whoa, this is the newest book about Professional Quidditch plays!"

"Just a little something for you to use. Don't worry, you'll do great."

She hugged him again. "Thanks for everything Harry. For everything you've done for me and my family."

"You guys helped save my life, gave me hope. Your family is my family too."

-0-

"You know, for someone that eats so much, you suck at making food."

Ron shrugged, not embarrassed at all. "Hey, can't be good at everything."

"What are you good at then?" Harry asked.

Ron was about to hit him with the spoon but stopped when the House Elves glared at him. "Bloody hell, you have an army of bodyguards down here."

"They're my friends," Harry said proudly and the House Elves squeaked happily.

Ron squinted as a few walked by. "Are they wearing Portree colors?"

Harry blushed. "Dobby found out and told the House Elves. A lot of them made little Portree bands to put on their togas. It's a little embarrassing but really flattering."

"I still can't believe Chudley didn't want you," Ron groaned. "You could have turned their team around."

"So you won't wear anything if I get you something?"

Ron snorted. "I'll think about it. Congrats on getting the signing by the way. That was really fast."

"Yeah even I was surprised. But they really needed a new reserve Seeker and it just worked out so I'm happy. Training starts a little into the summer so I'll be happy." Harry popped a new tray into the oven and took out a few others. "What are you doing after graduation?"

"After a week of nothing, I'll be working with Fred and George on the reg while Hannah gets her licenses. She's already apprenticing to Tom and they are already signing stuff over. George is going to teach me accounting things and I'll split time between Wheezes and the Leaky. Going to brush up on practical household charms and stuff so I can be a general handyman."

"That's really great!"

"Thanks! Yeah, like, I honestly didn't think my life would be headed that way but I like it. I know I never wanted to work at the Ministry like Dad and Percy. I don't love dragons like Charlie, well no one does really. And Bill's job sounds cool but when I hear about the dangerous stuff he does, the things he doesn't tell Mum, I want nothing to do with it. Being able to help out at the Wheezes and the Leaky, meeting people and making people smile and laugh, it feels good."

Ron flushed. "I even helped Tom at the bar one night and he said I make a good barman. I like to make people smile and listen to interesting stories while telling my own. It's nice. Simple but really rewarding to me."

"That's what matters," Harry said.

"Yeah. Mum is all for it. She thinks it's great that I'm happy and comfortable. She really turned around after seeing the twins work so hard. I think she trusts us a little more now and wants us to be happy. Dad thinks it's great too. Says he likes having the option of going to the Leaky for lunch and visiting the twins when he needs to get away from the Ministry for a bit. Same with Percy."

Ron turned thoughtful. "You don't think there's anything wrong with that though, do you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's a bit plain compared to others innit? Hermione is going to be a solicitor and turn Magical Law around, you're doing a mastery and being a pro Seeker, Neville wants to teach, Seamus is going into the Ministry, Dean is doing art and wanting to teach too, Lavender is going to business with Parvati."

Harry shrugged. "Are you going to be happy doing what you want to do?"

Ron nodded.

"Then that's what matters. You don't have to have incredible aspirations or ambitions to have a good life I don't think."

Ron sighed with relief. "Thanks mate. That makes me feel better." After a moment of silence, he grinned. "I guess in thanks I'll turn on the wireless when you play. I can tell everyone about how rubbish you were in school and cheer for Chudley when you play against them."

Harry laughed. "And I'll be sure to ask Hannah before I order anything at the Leaky so I know you didn't make it."

"Prat."

"Jerk. Here." He threw something at Ron who caught it.

"What's this?"

"It's called a book, Ron. Have you forgotten already?"

"Ha ha." He opened the packaging. "Household Charms for upkeep and repairs. What? How in the world?!"

Harry laughed at his dumbfounded look. "The twins told me your plans sort of and I figured this would be handy, mister handyman."

"Thanks, Harry. I really appreciate it." He looked sour for a moment. "I didn't get you anything."

"Just get me a drink next time you work the bar and I'm there."

He brightened. "Deal."

"Only if you didn't make it though."

"You're such a dick."

-0-

"No, I don't want it," Mirabelle said, trying to push the small envelope back at Harry.

"Why not?" Harry asked. "I'm sure you'll like it."

"If I accept it, then that means you really are leaving forever," Mirabelle said stubbornly.

"I don't think it works that way," Harry said with a sad smile.

She shook her head. "I know but this is my last-ditch attempt to make you feel absolutely wretched and force you to stay."

"And what, be a student again? No offense Mirabelle but I'm not going through that again, Transfiguration mastery notwithstanding."

"Be a teacher now," she begged. "We need you Professor Potter."

He snorted and pulled her to him and she hugged him tightly. "I still haven't quite forgiven you for that. It's rather embarrassing."

"You love it," she said, her voice muffled against him.

"Maybe a little," he admitted.

She giggled but the sound had a sad note to it. "What am I going to do without you?" she whispered. "Do you know how safe you make me feel? Do you know I wanted to leave that night I came here? I wanted nothing more than to go home."

"I'm glad you stuck around," he said, feeling his throat tighten. "You've been a great friend and an awesome teammate. I was so surprised that you tried out for the team."

She sat back, eyes wet and face red. "I wanted to be like you. I practiced really hard on brooms my first few years and I played softball when I was younger so a Beater made a lot of sense to me. I tried to do Seeker but was rubbish, but I can hit things."

"I'll say," he said, ruffling her hair. "One of the best I've ever played with. You think you'll try for the League too?"

She looked undecided. "I still don't know. I like potions a lot and wouldn't mind doing something with that. Quidditch is a lot of fun though even though my mum thinks it sounds scary. She's happy with whatever I do though."

"You still got time to figure things out. And you can always send me messages."

Her face brightened then faded. "It'll be hard though. There's not a lot of school owls and Hedwig won't be around all the time."

Harry grinned. "If only there was something that might come in use." He waggled the envelope.

She stared at it. "Did you shrink an owl and stuff it into an envelope?!"

He laughed. "No, that'd be mean, but it's close."

She finally took it and opened it. "You got me a voucher to Eeylops?!"

"Yup. Next time you go to Diagon you can pick out your own owl. I already put my address and signature into the envelope too so the owl will know how to find me." He grunted softly when she hugged him tight around the middle. "And now it'll be easier for you to talk to your mum."

"Thank you so much!" She laughed and cried at the same time. "You're still taking care of me."

"Sure am, I feel a little responsible for you. And don't worry, you'll still have Lyla, Ginny, and Luna here for another year at least and by then you'll have your own firsties to look out for. I might have suggested you to McGonagall for Prefect."

"Really?"

"I think you'd make a good one."

She buried her face into him. "Thank you. I'm still really going to miss you though."

"Me too, but we'll keep in touch. Do me a favor though?"

"Anything."

"Keep an eye on Lyla and Luna. They're tough in their own ways but they'll need you."

"I will." She pouted. "What about me?"

"I'll be asking them too silly. But you're a big strong Beater with a big bat and you're tough. I knew you were since the night I met you. Remember what I said?"

She smiled. "Blood status doesn't matter."

"And you proved that statement. You've done incredibly well in all sorts of things." He smiled broadly at her. "Keep proving them wrong Mirabelle. Be the witch I know you are."

She hugged him tighter still. "All thanks to you," she murmured.

-0-

"Hey! Where's the chocolate?!" Lyla demanded, looking crossly at Harry. She glared at the bar he gave her. "Mirabelle said there was more."

"No, what she said was if you didn't come down, I'll eat all the chocolate. That's all the chocolate," Harry replied blandly.

"First you abandon me, then you lie to me?!" She kicked him.

"Hey, stop that." He rubbed his shin and gave her a stern look. "Have you been talking to Alicia?"

"Maybe."

He sighed and took another bar of chocolate from his bag and started to unwrap it.

"You said that was all the chocolate!"

"This one is mine," he said, "but I could part with it if you stop kicking me and claiming I'm abandoning you." She looked torn and he waved the unwrapped bar at her. "It has peanuts in it."

She relented, sitting beside him on the ledge and snatched the chocolate from his hand. "I'm telling Katie you manipulated me," she grumbled through a mouthful of chocolate.

"We both know she'll say you deserve it. You'll say her face deserves it, then throw something at her. She'll chase you. You two wrestle and squabble and then I get involved and it'll end with either Katie sitting on you or you sitting on her for a few moments before you both turn on me."

"Wow, you really get us," Lyla said, laughing.

"And if Bailey is around, she'll chase any one of us and lick us and if Dora is around, she'll probably do the same thing honestly, with more inappropriate jokes."

"Tonks is so much fun," Lyla said.

"Yeah she is."

Lyla sighed and rested her head on Harry's shoulder. "This sucks. I was only supposed to get abandoned once by Katie. Now I get abandoned by you and it hurts a lot too. I got really used to having you around with her gone. Now who's going to give me food and let me be dumb?"

"I'll still do that, just not every day here. I'll spoil you when I see you on breaks."

"You better," she sniffed. "You spoil me because you want to, not because I'm Katie's little sister, right?"

"I like spoiling you independent of Katie," he reassured her. He winked. "Don't tell her I said this but I also like spoiling you because of her. She rolls her eyes a very specific way and huffs in a way that she doesn't do for anything else and I personally find it really adorable."

"You're so gross," she said, shoving Harry and smiling. "You're in love with my big sister."

"Yeah I am," he said easily.

"I guess that's okay. Katie doesn't deserve you but you're the best guy possible for her." She hugged him. "I'm glad you'll be my brother." Her eyes popped when he handed her a slim box. "Oh, I kinda feel bad now," she admitted as she grasped it.

He laughed. "Don't be. You might be a little disappointed in what it is though. I hope not but you might."

"Well that's reassuring." She opened the box and gasped. "Oh, it's my own bracelet!" She held the silver chain carefully, touching the small shield and the small crystal orb.

"Shield for protection, orb for light," Harry said. "You don't mind it's practically the same do you? I mean, I had them made separately with you in mind."

She shook her head swiftly. "No! Not at all. I love it and I'm super happy I have my own." She had him do the clasp and she shook her wrist, listening to the sounds of the charms ringing merrily off the chain. "Thank you for everything Harry."

He hugged her. "Thank you for being there for me," he said.

-0-

"I hope I'm not interrupting," Harry said as he walked up.

"Not at all." Daphne was lying on the grass, her head on Tracy's stomach. "Join us."

He did, sitting down beside them. "You look quite comfy," he remarked with a grin.

"Daphne's so airheaded, it doesn't feel like anything," Tracy said before she coughed when Daphne raised her head and let it drop back, hitting her solidly in the middle of her abdomen.

Harry snickered. "Oh I just realized that this is where we had our first real conversation, the three of us." He could remember it clearly, him sitting there with the shattered remnants of his Nimbus 2000, seeing Tracy approach him for the first time.

Tracy smiled honestly. "I still don't know what possessed me to come talk to you but I sure am glad I did." She reached out and took his hand.

"Me too," Daphne said, reaching out and taking his other hand.

He squeezed their hands gently, gratified to feel them squeeze back. "How are your apprenticeships looking?

"Good," Tracy said. "My uncle will be teaching me all the construction and inspection charms and my mother will be teaching me business stuff. I'm pretty excited honestly. I always like exploring properties and helping people find the right place for their home and business, with a comfortable profit margin of course."

"I have decided to pursue a Potions mastery and Mistress Castor accepted me," Daphne said proudly. "Spinnet was kind to recommend me to Mistress Castor and I will be joining her program. I will learn from the family accountants and my parents about the business side of things so I will be busy but it will be fulfilling."

"What about you?" Tracy asked.

"As soon as my regular training and game schedule gets made, I'll be able to figure things out for my mastery with Professor McGonagall. Pretty excited for both of those actually."

"Have you accepted a position with a team yet?" Daphne asked eagerly.

"You're looking at the new reserve Seeker for Pride of Portree," Harry said proudly.

The girls cheered. "Wonderful!" Daphne said, sitting up to hug Harry. "That was my favorite color scheme."

"And they're a good team," Tracy laughed as she hugged him too. "So even better. You'll have two fans cheering for you. We can say we were cheering for you before it was cool."

"When I can give out tickets, you'll be on the list," he said, feeling happy at their excited smiles. He handed them each two wrapped boxes. "Here, graduation gifts," he said.

"Oooh," Tracy said and hurriedly opened hers. "Hey! I love it!" She held up a gleaming silver flask, her initials etched in the front in deep forest green. "Ostentatious and a vessel for alcohol!"

"When you key it, it won't open for anyone else," Harry said. "And you can set it at a temperature range to keep the spirit at the temperature you like."

"Sneaky and practical, thanks Harry!"

Daphne sighed softly at the writing set. The inkbottle gleamed and the quill handle was silver and gold wire with a polished emerald set in the middle. The handle for the wax seal was carved mahogany and the trimming knife shone. "Oh this is absolutely lovely," she said. "It even comes with a carrying case! Harry, thank you so much!"

Tracy pulled out a box from under her discarded over robe. "Now I'm super glad we got you this."

Harry took the box. "You two got me something?"

"Of course. After all your lovely gifts we wanted to make sure we got you something we hope you will like," Daphne said with a trace of nervousness.

Harry opened the lid and looked into the box. He threw his head back and laughed deeply and heartily.

"Is…is that a good laugh?" Tracy asked, worried.

"It's a great laugh," Harry said as he removed the gleaming cup from the box. "You two couldn't have known this, but one of the first gifts I ever had the opportunity, was one to Oliver and it was a cup in the shape of the Quidditch Cup. Back when I was a firstie."

"Awww," the two girls said together. "I hope you don't mind having one of your own then," Tracy said.

"I love it!" Harry held the cup in his hands. It was large and made from solid metal, and it looked exactly like the Quidditch Cup. The surface was smooth to the touch and he exclaimed with joy when he saw his name inscribed at the bottom. "Now I can always drink from it."

"You looked rather forlorn at the Championship party," Daphne said. "So we thought you would like one of your own. It is temperature stable, stain proof, and should be nearly invulnerable."

He hugged them tightly. "Thank you," he said happily.

Daphne and Tracy high-fived, looking smug. "Told you he'd like it," Tracy said.

"Yes, yes," Daphne replied wearily. "You were right, again."

After a moment of silence, Tracy spoke hesitantly. "We're…we're going to stay in touch a lot, right? I mean I don't mean me and Daphne 'cause we're probably going to be living together. I meant us and you. We won't just…stop being friends right? I know it'll be hard with us being busy with work and all but…"

"But we've grown rather fond of you," Daphne continued just as shyly. "You're our first friend that we made outside of the House and the other Noble Families and those friendships are usually forced to be made."

"Why do you think I gave you the nice writing set? I expect regular messages. I assume Tracy will just scribble on whatever you write to me."

"Aww, you really do get us," Tracy said tearily.

"And I'd love to do weekly get togethers or whenever things work out for us." He sighed gustily. "You know, I never told anyone this, but the Hat almost sorted me into Slytherin."

"Wait, what?" The girls stared at him.

"Yeah, it almost did."

"Wha, but, why didn't you come to Slytherin then?!" Tracy asked shrilly.

"I met Malfoy on the train and really didn't want to be in the same House as him."

"We could have been in the same House if it wasn't for Draco Sodding Malfoy?!" Daphne screeched.

"I hate him even more now," Tracy swore. "I didn't think it was possible but I hate him even more!"

Harry laughed. "Well, we're friends now and will be after so it's still good."

"But we could have been in the same House!" Daphne pulled at her hair.

"We need to make Malfoy suffer more," Tracy spat.

Harry patted their hands. "All's well that ends well, right?"

"But it could have been better," Daphne grumbled.

"Oh well." Tracy leaned against him. "You're not wrong. We still have many many years of friendship left."

Daphne leaned on his other side. "We still won the most."

-0-

Harry walked into his bedroom and stopped, noticing the large lump underneath the covers. He smiled when he noticed the Ravenclaw tie on his bed stand, no longer concerned. After putting some things away, he sat down beside the lump, settling against the headboard. "How'd you get in here?" he asked mildly.

The lump moved slowly until it pressed against his side. "Hermione let me in earlier," Luna said, her voice muffled. "I've been hiding here all day."

He patted the Luna lump gently. "It's pretty outside though."

"Don't care," she said despondently.

"Will you come out?"

"No. If I don't see you leave, maybe you won't be gone," she said rebelliously.

"I don't think it will work like that," he said sadly

"No, but it's nice to pretend otherwise." Luna crawled onto him, and he could feel her shake a little through the covers. "Plus I don't want you looking at me, I'm a bit of a fright right now."

"I'll be the judge of that." He unraveled her from the blankets, combatting her efforts in burrowing deeper into the fabric. He finally succeeded and she tried to keep her face turned away from him. "Gosh, you're a handful today," he teased. "There. You don't look a fright at all."

Luna sniffled, her eyes red and lids puffy. "You're being oblivious again."

"Do I ever stop?" He hugged her and she cuddled against him, resting her face into his neck. He hummed softly as she wriggled as close as she could. "You're not losing me," he said after a while.

"My head knows that but my heart doesn't."

"Hearts are silly that way."

She nodded. "I wish I was going with you. Or you were staying."

"Just think of it this way, when you leave next year, I'll be waiting for you. Same with Hermione and Katie. You won't have to worry too much about going out alone."

"That does sound better," she admitted.

"I need you here another year," he said softly. "Lyla and Mirabelle need you."

"But I need you," she said plaintively.

"I know. Here." He used his wand and summoned a small box to him. At first she refused to take it, like how Mirabelle tried to refuse her present in an attempt to keep him from going. She finally took it in the end and opened it. She gasped at the sight of the sunflower. The eye was made from a piece of shining onyx, the petals were yellow crystal.

"It's half pin, half stand," he explained. "You can take the flower with you or you can set it on your desk or table on the stand that looks like a stem and pot. The petals move just like the pin you got me on my first birthday. Also the stone in the middle is a Sibling Stone, like Dora gave me. I already put a drop of my blood in it so you can feel it pulse when I touch mine."

"Where's the other stone?" She asked. She took the smooth onyx stone from him. Clambering over him, she took the Medic pouch off the nightstand and searched for his scalpel, having seen it before. At his nod, she took it out of the cover guard, delicately pricking the end of her finger and pressing the open cut into both stones. They glowed brightly for a moment and while they remained a smooth shiny black, a thin layer of emerald green flowed with sapphire blue shimmered over the surface.

She plucked the flower head off the stem and held it in both hands, letting the stone warm her hands. Her smile and delighted laugh soothed him when she felt the stone pulse gently as he held his. Her hug was still needy but slightly less desperate. "I'm glad you're my older brother," she murmured. "I'm glad I asked you to be."

"I'm glad you asked," he replied softly.

"We'll be okay," she said hesitantly.

"We will," he said firmly.

-0-

"How's she doing?" Hermione asked when Harry walked back into their common room.

"She fell asleep. She was fretting all night and day so she got exhausted. After I calmed her down, she conked out."

"Poor thing," Hermione said. "She'll be okay next year, I hope."

"She will. I'll write her a lot."

"I will too."

"How does cooking together and hanging out just the two of us for a bit sound? Then we can have a friend second dinner later tonight?"

Hermione smiled brightly. "Sounds wonderful!"

They cooked together, chatting and laughing in the small kitchen, and soon the cottage pie was baking away in the oven. "I still can't believe you learned my favorite dish for me," she said.

"Well, I know how much home means to you so I'm glad to have learned it."

She smiled softly. "Do you have a favorite dish?"

He thought for a bit. "Besides treacle tart? I think I have foods I like to eat with people. Like cottage pie with you and butter chicken with the Tonks family." He looked wistful. "I think it's because they look so happy eating that specific dish, makes me think it's one of my favorites too even if I don't have as much of a connection to it. Does that make sense?"

"Sadly it does. I hate that you don't have a favorite meal." She looked angry for a moment before visibly pushing her anger away. "Well, that just means we have plenty of time to figure it out together. First however," she flourished her wand and a small box came flying into the kitchen and she caught it. "Here, graduation gift," she said and handed it to him.

"Aww, thanks Hermione." He opened it and grinned. "You know, as someone born an only child, I'm pretty lucky finding siblings." He pulled out the pair of stones. They were both of equal size but had etchings of a cat and an owl on each. "I like your take on the Sibling Stones."

She smiled. "Tonks helped me find them. I really like the idea and I never fully bought into the Ministry disapproval on Blood Magic. Sure, it sounds unsavory but any branch of Magic can be abused and I trust you so I'm not worried." She took the clean knife from him and pricked her finger tip, pressing her finger to each stone, watching when he did the same. The stone glowed and the owl on each became emerald green while the cat turned chocolate brown. She sighed softly when she held hers, feeling the small pull between her stone and his. "Magic is wonderful," she said with feeling.

"I say that a lot." Harry summoned a box of his own to give to Hermione.

"Did you get me a Sibling Stone too?" she asked, teasing.

"I thought about it but Dora might have mentioned to me not to get one for reasons unknown." He smiled at her huff. "But I think this will be a good gift instead. It took a while to figure out, sort of a side project but it worked finally and I think you'll like it."

She opened the box eagerly and picked up the small round mirror. "I hope this isn't some sort of subtle suggestion for me to pay attention to my physical appearance." She took a closer look. "Wait…" Her eyes sparkled. "Is this my own two-way Mirror?!"

"Yep! Except Sirius, Remus, and I figured out how to link them to other mirrors. Turns out the materials are a little expensive and the rune work rather involved so that's why they aren't everywhere, but we made three more and linked all five of them together."

"Really?"

"Yeah! You have one, I have one, Sirius has his, Auntie Andi has one, and your parents have one."

"My parents?!"

"Mmhmm. We thought they should have one since they are a Vassal of the Blacks and now you can communicate with them a lot more easily. And if they ever need to get in touch with one of us, they can." He grunted when she threw herself at him. He wheezed and coughed as he felt her crush his ribs and force the air out of his lungs.

"Oh Harry, this is the best gift I could ever receive! I can't believe I can call my parents like on a phone now! And I'll always be able to contact you or Sirius or Andromeda! Thank you so much…" She started to sniffle.

"Hey, we're going to see and talk to each other all the time," he said, rubbing her back. "Your home is still connected to Grimmauld. You'll be working for Uncle Ted while at Law school. And now we have our Stones and Mirrors."

She rubbed her eyes against his shirt. "I know. It's just…I was scared of the future. Like, I know I said you're my biggest link to the Wizarding World, but you're more than that. You're one of the most important people to me and I was terrified we might grow apart."

"Fat chance," he said, also tearing up some. "We're best friends and sibs for life."

She somehow squeezed harder. "I love you," she said shyly.

"I love you too," he replied sincerely. "The future isn't so scary now, is it?"

"No, it isn't," she said happily. "Just different."

-0-0-0-

Z-Arc34 - Thank you so much.

slytherinsal - No but imagine if that first game was the last one. How hilariously anti-climactic.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Uh, if you thought that was bitter sweet, I wonder what you will think of todays...

CenturionEon - Wait no more as it is known today. Hope you like it. Yes, only Harry would with his luck to derail expectations.

alix33 - Poor Ron and his deserving face. Glad you liked Bampot. And Angelina harassment and twin pranking. She probably drinks from the Cup all year.

yogibears - Glad you liked it. I thought it was a bit of a cop out for not writing it fully out but I figured it was funny enough to still be enjoyed. Yes, Hedwig pranking the twins was a stroke of genius in my unhumble opinion, I thought it would be hilarious.

Urgwaew - I knew I wanted to do the mega anti-climactic ending for the final game, it was too funny not to. Hope you're doing well. All the best.