I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Note: Today is number 4 to the end.
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The Family that Chooses You
Chapter 141 – Homecoming
One year later
Harry stepped out onto the pitch, looking around with wonder. He had never stepped into Trafalgar's Pitch before. It was the biggest magical stadium in all of England, magically sequestered near Trafalgar's Square, and used for major Quidditch games and events. It was not used during the regular League season, but as soon as that ended, the European League opened as well as the World Cup and it would be in use then.
He looked around with wide eyes. It was quiet but he could see the stands filled with roaring fans. The seats sloped up and away from the pitch, with the highest being slightly higher than the top of the goal posts. The grass of the pitch was immaculate, the ground spongy and soft underfoot. The stands were made from English oak, warm and comforting. The display boards were blank at this time. The ceiling was enchanted like the great hall, showing the sky outside.
It was intimidating to stand here, where Team England played for hundreds of years. Intimidating, and exciting.
"Harry Potter!"
He turned, looking towards the person that broke the solemn silence. A burly man stood at one of the locker room doors. His easy-going grin was easy to see even half the pitch away. "Get your arse over here and give me a hug!" Oliver shouted.
Harry rushed over, laughing and hugging Oliver, slapping him on the back and receiving several hefty whacks himself. "Captain!" Harry said joyfully. He saw the gleaming badge on Oliver's chest. "Captain again! That's so cool!"
The Captain of Team England grinned. "I was surprised my own self but I'm not complaining. After last year's shit show, they wanted someone with a manageable ego and a desire to win with a team in the Captain's spot. But enough about me!" He grabbed Harry by the shoulders and shook him. "What did I tell you, Sir Harry?! What did I say? Rookie of the year! Set a record for career catches as a rookie Seeker! I knew you were going to set Quidditch on fire!"
Harry smiled as his head rocked back and forth. "Well with that kind of confidence, I couldn't disappoint now could I?" He extricated himself from Oliver's grip and the two playfully exchanged punches before Oliver put him in a headlock, ruffling his hair before letting him go. "Sorry for beating you by the way."
Oliver waved the apology away. "Nah, don't be. I was glad to see Morgans miss it and hey, Portree was the only team that beat us so I'm fine with it."
"You didn't tell your Seeker how you trained me?"
Oliver laughed. "He wouldn't listen first of all. Second of all, fuck 'em. He's an ass and I'm okay with him getting humiliated. Third of all, I wouldn't share your secrets. I'm still hoping we end up on the same League team one of these days, but Team England will do for now."
"I'm surprised I got picked honestly."
"I'm not. Levi and I batted for you and half of the League Seekers agreed. Said you're going to be one of the best chances we got going into the European games, not to mention World."
"You always overestimate me," Harry said happily. "Why are we here so early by the way?"
"Oh for two reasons." He threw an arm over Harry's shoulders. "The first reason is I asked someone else to come early too, give us a chance to celebrate and whatnot."
"No way! Don't tell me-"
A happy shriek split the air and the two men turned to look at a figure standing at one of the entrances leading onto the pitch. She stood there, framed by the light from the hall and she immediately ran to them. "RABBIT!"
"Angelina!" Harry ran towards her and yelped as he was scooped up into her arms. She continued forward a few steps, carrying him easily.
"We're on the same team again!" Angelina smothered his face in kisses, squeezing him tight. "Finally!"
"Hey," Oliver laughed. "What am I? Dragon scraps?"
Angelina looked over at the smiling Keeper and nodded cordially, looking solemn and serious for a moment. "Alright, Wood?" She held her fist out and Oliver bumped it. Her facade broke as she nuzzled Harry who was laughing in her other arm.
"Don't you two see each other almost every few Sundays at the Burrow?" Oliver asked.
"And? What's your point?" Angelina asked as she hugged Harry from behind, resting her chin on his head.
"Don't be jealous," Harry teased.
"Me? Who am I, Alicia?" he asked.
They laughed harder. "I'm telling her you said that," Harry said.
"Don't complain when you see the training schedule I set then."
Angelina reached out with one arm and hugged Oliver too. "This is like a dream come true. Us on the same team again! It's going to be awesome! We're going to have a really good international season!"
"Seriously! A lot of the heads have a lot of hope in us. Levi said that our team looks tough and he would know. He also isn't the type to blow smoke either. If he says we got a good chance, then it means we got a good chance." Oliver grinned. "Wait till you lot see the rest of the team, starters and reserves both. All the giant egos didn't make the team this time. This year, we actually got a bloody team together."
The three of them high-fived. "It's almost like old times," Harry sighed happily.
"Yeah," Oliver sighed gustily. "If only we had a Weasley in the League. It still doesn't feel right not to have one on the team after having one if not more for all my school career."
"Oh we won't have to wait long," Harry said. "Ginny is definitely coming. She led Gryffindor to another Cup victory!"
"Hell yeah!" Angelina shouted. "Our legacy is going on strong!"
"Yeah! So hopefully next year or the one after we'll have her as a Chaser on Team England."
"Any word on who's she going to play for?" Oliver asked.
"She sent me a letter saying that she got invitations from Holyhead, Kenmare…." Harry smiled, "and Portree."
"No way!" Angelina groaned. "If you get Ginny on your team, we're going to have an even rougher time against you."
"No guarantee that she's going to get an offer but still, I'd be happy to have her. I really hope Mirabelle comes to the League. I heard she's been a menace on the pitch. Everyone's afraid of her," Harry said proudly. "I've already been talking her up to my coach."
The trio chatted about their teams for a few moments before more lights came up around the pitch. People began to enter, moving about the stadium on their own errands. Oliver looked over and saw a group walk in carrying boxes and crates. He winked at Angelina before clearing his throat. "You know what's cool about being Team Captain? I have a say in support staff, not just players."
"Whoa, that is cool," Harry agreed.
"Yeah. Like assistant coaches, security even. You know Eric at my stadium? Really good guy, knows how to keep people away, finds the best routes and snacks. When the regular season is over, his job slows down so I was happy to make him our head of security, gives him a boost and more money. His daughter is really cute, calls me Uncle Woodie."
Angelina and Harry laughed hard at that.
"But not just that. I have say on nutritionists, exercise managers," his smile turned sly. "Team medics and healers…"
Harry's head snapped up and looked at Oliver directly. "Team healers?"
Oliver nodded over the group of people milling about in the corner, setting up a medical station. Their eyes were drawn to a distant figure with long blonde hair bound in a very familiar high ponytail, one wrapped with a crimson ribbon that was familiar from a distance.
Harry felt his heart thump as he watched them set things up.
"What are you waiting for Sir Harry?" Oliver asked kindly. "Go get your princess."
Harry flashed Angelina and Oliver a dazzling smile and he took off running, not bothering to hide his enthusiasm or desire.
Angelina squeaked happily. "There goes our boy…"
Oliver grinned as he leaned on Angelina's shoulder. "I will never get tired of seeing him happy like that."
"We're going to make fun of them though, right?"
"Oh totally. Let's give them a couple minutes first though."
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"Who's that running over here?" one of the Medi-witches asked.
"Oh Merlin, I think that's Harry Potter!" her friend gasped.
"Ooooh Harry Potter?! Do you think I can get an autograph?" the former gushed.
"I'm going to see if I can get something more," her friend laughed.
Katie was looking away when they started talking but when she heard the first one say "Harry Potter" she dropped the crate she was holding. She froze, heart thumping fast and painfully. She did not know that Harry would be here and she suppressed a happy squeal, realizing that he was on Team England. She did not even get too mad at the two other Medi-Magicals. No one else knew that she was in a relationship, much less with Harry, save for the Senior Healer.
"Healer Bell," Senior Healer Patil said. She was an older cousin of the Patils in Harry's year and had become something of a friend to Katie. Director Lorraine had recommended Katie to join Team England's healing cadre as soon as she graduated and Sita Patil had hired Katie on without question. Sita was also a former student of Director Lorraine and had trusted Katie easily. Once she found out that Katie shared a House with Parvati, she had liked her even more.
"Yes ma'am?" Katie replied, forcing her voice to be even and professional.
Sita's eyes sparkled. "What are you waiting for? Go see your patient and boyfriend."
Katie smiled widely and with a mouthed thank you, took off running, relishing the disappointed sigh and astounded looks from the others on the team. She ran as fast as she could, her feet pounding into the ground as she homed in on Harry. When they were barely separated by a few feet Harry leapt at her. She tried to stop and brace, squawking in alarm and opening her arms to catch him.
Harry's arms encircled hers and he spun easily in midair, as if he was on a broom, and turned effortlessly. He landed on his back, carrying her down with him and snuggled securely against his chest, his hand on the back of her head to prevent whiplash. He did not even grunt from the impact, smiling lopsidedly up at her, his green eyes dancing with delight and affection. "Hi," he said breathlessly.
"Hi," she replied dumbly. She scowled and slapped his shoulders. "Don't do that you prat! What if you injured yourself?!"
"Good thing I have an awesome sports Healer with me."
Her lips twitched and she visibly fought the growing smile. "I'm rather expensive you know! And I don't treat stupid self-inflicted injuries!"
He sighed with mock disappointment. "Dang. Guess I'll have to see MumAndi or SamaMum. At least they'll give me sweets for being a good patient."
Katie snorted. She headbutted him in the chest, making him cough.
"When did you get back?" he asked as soon as he got his breath back.
"Today. Literally a few hours ago. I got back and reported to St Mungo's for the initial meeting and came straight here. My luggage is still in my bag."
"Are…are you home for good?" he asked, hoping with all his heart and soul.
Her eyes watered as she nodded. "I'm home for good. Director Lorraine accelerated me. That was my big secret the last year. I literally had no free time but she apprenticed me and I finished the course with flying colors. I'm officially Sports Healer Bell!"
"Congratulations!" His face shined with pure joy and admiration. "I'm so proud of you!"
She squeezed him hard and burrowed her face in his neck, blushing crimson. "Thanks!" she said.
"Welcome home," he whispered.
"Good to be back," she whispered.
"You're really not going anywhere anymore?" he asked softly.
"Not without you," she replied. Her eyes were warm and wet, her smile comforting and inflaming. "Only if you want of course."
"I've never wanted anything more," he said with conviction.
She bent down and kissed him, her lips meeting his. She really intended it to be a chaste kiss, one that was sweeter and more affectionate. It became something else entirely. It hungered, thirsted. The kiss became needier the longer it lasted, and she injected months' worth of love and want and feeling into it. Her hands came up to sink into his messy black hair, holding him in place so she could inhale all of him.
"GET A ROOM!" Oliver yelled.
"SNOG HER SILLY RABBIT!" Angelina screamed. "GET ALL UP IN HER!"
Katie lifted her arm behind her to flip them off, refusing to break the kiss. She heard Oliver guffaw and Angelina cackle. Finally, the need for air made them break the kiss. She buried her face into his chest. "I really hate them sometimes," she said without heat.
"They missed you too," he chuckled. "That's just how they show affection."
"By being terrible. I suppose I better go say hi." Her eyes were bright. "I love that we're all on a team again! Granted I'm not playing but it still counts."
"Of course it does!" He gently held her face between his hands and pressed his forehead against hers. "I'm so glad you're here."
She held his hands in hers and pressed against his forehead as hard as she could. "Nowhere else I want to be."
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After their first day meeting as Team England, Harry and Katie Floo'd to Grimmauld. She had sent her parents a message during lunch and they came to Grimmauld as soon as they were done with work. Lyla was at Hogwarts and would not be able to come, but Harry and Katie planned to surprise her at the next Hogsmeade weekend. The Tonks family came too once they heard Katie was back. Grimmauld that night was full of happy people, eager to welcome Katie back home.
"Too bad you didn't have like a graduation ceremony or something for us to properly embarrass you," Tonks said.
Katie shrugged. "I could go back to the Academy's ceremony later next year but I didn't care, I wanted to come home to work and see everyone."
"We can dress you up in fancy robes and take pictures on the rooftop," Andromeda said. "Make our own ceremony."
"Now that'll be fun," Samantha said.
"We'll talk about it," Katie laughed. "I'm just happy to be here with all of you."
"Especially with one of us," Sirius smirked. He looked down at Katie and Harry's joined hands. "I notice you barely let it go this whole time."
Harry snorted though his cheeks were pink. "You don't want to get into this fight with me Sirius."
"You got nothing Harry," Sirius retorted.
"What did you call Amelia the other day? Something like your sweet honey hippogriff?"
"Right! I say let's break out some champagne to celebrate Katie's return!" Sirius clapped his hands, his face red. "Nothing but the good stuff!" He fled and was promptly chased by Andromeda and Samantha, eager for more information.
"He said that?" Tonks asked, her tongue out and comically large to emphasize her disgust, that and her turning literally green.
"No, he said something worse and I won't repeat it because I don't want to repeat it," Harry said with a grimace.
Tonks shuddered theatrically. "Ugh, don't tell me then. Don't want to lose my appetite."
Katie could not remember the last time she was this happy or content. The last many months had really run her ragged. She loved the work and experience but it was grueling and taxing, almost driving her mad many nights. Thankfully Fleur, Aimee, Colette, and the Delacours had helped her when they could and she would be forever grateful to them. Still, it had been worth it. She was officially a Healer and she also managed to get a job immediately. She would have plenty of time to find another job while working for Team England, but with working for the national team, she would not have to worry about money.
She devoured dinner, happy to eat Harry's cooking again. While he had kept her in food and treats via package often enough, it was not the same as freshly made food. She was happy to see her loved ones around her while she ate, missing Lyla but she would see her soon.
"So did you turn my room into an office?" Katie asked her mother later. "Am I kipping in Lyla's room or on the couch?"
Samantha chuckled. "No, but we did put some things in there and if someone had told me you'd be back today, I'd have cleaned it out."
"You turned my room into a storage room?!"
"A temporary one! You really should have mentioned you were coming home!" Samantha rolled her eyes at Katie's huff. "You're of course welcome to take Lyla's room for tonight, but I thought you might have…alternative arrangements."
"You want me to stay here at Grimmauld?" Katie's face became pink.
"I mean, if you want to, I'm sure Sirius would let you. Why don't you stay with Harry though?" They looked at Harry who also looked pink. "You didn't ask her?" Samantha asked with waggling eyebrows.
"It…didn't come up," he said lamely.
"Wait, you don't live here anymore?" Katie asked. "Did something happen with Sirius?"
Tonks snorted. "No, and if something did, Mum and I would have murdered him."
Harry laughed. "No, nothing bad. I'm renting a small flat in Portree. I got it when I joined the team. When I have long practices or super early ones, I stay there. It's actually really nice out on the Isle of Skye."
"It really is lovely out there. Andi and I helped him find the place when he went looking." Samantha winked at him. "Quite the bachelor pad with a wonderful view."
"And you're actually encouraging me to stay with him tonight?" Katie was flattered and a little disturbed by her lack of concern.
"I did pick the place out with you in mind," Samantha said with a smile.
"Mum!"
Tonks made kissy faces at her and Harry before he pushed her away. "I was going to offer later," Harry said, blushing furiously. "You know, after a few days. I didn't want to be a creep." He pushed Tonks again who was making cooing noises at him.
"That…that sounds nice actually," Katie said, trying to ignore her mother's smile and Tonks' knowing look. "If you don't mind, I can take the couch or something."
"Or something…" Tonks said waggling her eyebrows. She laughed uproariously when Katie pushed her too.
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Katie stepped through the Floo into Harry's flat. "Oh this is lovely!" she exclaimed, looking around. The living room was very comfortable looking. The couch was large, almost the size of a small bed. A set of bookshelves was against the wall, half full of books and the other half had pictures and drawings on it. The kitchen was small but laid out well. The far wall looked out over the ocean; a series of glass doors opened to a small balcony. The bedroom was mostly a comfortable looking bed and a closet. The nightstand had the candle on it as well as his Sibling Stones, his silver rabbit, his music boxes, the light orb, and the picture orb.
"Thanks! I'm either here or at Grimmauld most of the time, so it's comfy."
"And you have no one to spend the night here with?" she asked with a teasing smile and an arched eyebrow.
He smiled. "Hermione stays over sometimes when she needs to decompress, same with Daphne and Tracy. Luna visits a lot. When Tutshill and Puddlemere play here, Angelina and Oliver stay. Alicia does work in Scotland and stays over when she needs to. Dora spends a lot of time here too, escaping MumAndi."
He turned on the lights and opened his closet. She peeked past him and saw it was half empty. "Surely you can get more clothes," she said.
He laughed. "That sides yours. I've always saved it for you."
She melted a little inside. "Rather arrogant of you," she teased.
"You know me," he said, "always the optimist."
He left the bedroom and she smiled as she unshrunk her luggage, not quite unpacking completely but enough so she could change and grab a few things. They chatted long into the night, snuggling together on the couch. As she yawned, fighting sleep, she saw him come back out with a pillow and some blankets. "You're really making me sleep on the couch?"
He snorted. "No, I'm sleeping on the couch. You get the bed."
"Really?" she asked, touched and incredulous.
"I don't want to rush or force anything," he mumbled.
She shook her head. "We've slept together on couches before. We're adults for mercy's sake. Come on." She grabbed his hand and walked back to the bedroom, her hand tight on his, belying her nervousness. Soon they were lying side-by-side on the bed, more than a little awkward.
"Why is this awkward?" she finally asked.
"I have no idea," he said. He started to laugh and soon she joined in. He blinked when he noticed something hanging off the wall. "Is that your corsage?"
She blushed. "Oh yeah, I saved it. I cast a permanent charm on the flowers so they wouldn't wither. I like seeing them when I go to bed…"
After a moment he reached out shyly, almost hesitantly. At his touch she moved over eagerly, curling into him and resting her head on his chest. She breathed deep, losing herself to his scent, his warmth. She fell asleep almost immediately, hearing his heartbeat. He felt her slip into slumber, her body going limp against him. He liked the way she fit in his arms, how warm she felt, how sweet she smelled. It took a little longer for him to fall asleep, but he did so comfortably and whole-heartedly.
Her touch woke him in the morning. He blinked slowly, unsure of what made him wake. He squinted, realizing she was leaning over him slightly, her fingers brushing his hair from his face. "Good morning," he said, and meant it with every fiber of his being.
"Good morning," she said back, her voice husky and beautiful. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you, I just couldn't resist." Her fingers drifted through his messy locks.
"I'm not complaining at all," he said. "I could get used to this," he said timidly.
She smiled down at him. "Me too."
"Welcome home," he whispered.
"I'm home," she whispered back.
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Imaginer.012 - You can do this, you're amazing
Vicky Lopez - Still a little away but it's getting closer sadly.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Sorry, totaling at 144 chapters, yesterday's was 5 of 5 with 4 more coming. So today's is the 4th to the end. But I think enough happens for it to feel good.
D.J. Scales - Yup, thought that would be a good title.
slytherinsal - I just drew from the three graduations that I've had so figured theirs might be similar. I am American so was unsure if English schools or UK schools did something differently. Graduation Balls do sound nice but not as a replacement of a ceremony.
alix33 - Everyone coming felt just right.
Hidden Circumstance - Thank you.