I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Extended Family
Chapter 51 – French Filigree
Takes place after chapter 36.
Dedicated to Thespianpoet
They walked off the train together. Two of them, the man and the little girl, were a little overwhelmed by the crowds of people in the train station and he held her carefully and securely in his arms, her arms around his neck and her eyes wide. The woman with them was more assured than they were and she led them confidently through the crowd, pushing past people easily.
"I'm so glad you're used to this," Harry laughed as he followed Katie.
"Oh yeah, pushing your way through a crowd of people is something you learn when you live here," Katie smiled. "Though I'll admit, the whole process of riding the train here was very new. Not much like the Express is it?"
"Close enough in some ways but yeah, very different in others. How are you doing Dally?"
"There's so many people!" Dahlia exclaimed.
"And this is only a bit of it," Katie said. "The other places are just as crowded if not more, but we're almost out of the station." She led them out onto the streets of Paris and she smiled at the familiar sights and sounds. "Gosh, I miss living here a little."
"It is very different and exciting," Harry said, looking around. While he had visited the city before, he knew that Katie would be considerably more familiar with it having lived here for a little more than two years. "Did you like the train, flower?"
"It was fun," Dahlia said. "I'm sad we didn't get to see fishies under the water though."
"I guess the Chunnel wasn't built for that," Harry said. "Would have been fun though." He smiled at Katie. "So, where next?"
"We're going to Fleur and Aimee's flat and from there we can Floo to Chez Delacour."
"Lead the way."
The Potters were in France on vacation. The way the schedule worked, Portree played two games one week before and earned a gap week after so they ended up having three weeks without any games. In the middle of that, they decided to listen to the Delacours' very polite demand to visit them for a vacation. Sirius and the Tonkses would join them later in the week but the Potters were taking a whole week to visit.
For some reason, probably due to Hermione, they decided to take the first trip over the Muggle way, riding the train through the Chunnel. It was a lot slower, two and a half hours compared to a few seconds, but they were able to just enjoy being with each other experiencing something new together. Though they were all a little disappointed at the lack of fish seeing.
As they approached the building where the flat was, a voice hailed them.
"Tante Fleur!" Dahlia squirmed until Harry put her down and she ran towards the woman that was waving happily at them. "Bonjour!" Dahlia jumped into Fleur's arms.
"Bonjour!" Fleur hugged Dahlia tightly and kissed her on the cheek. "How are you my sweet? It is so good to see you! It has been too long."
"It's only been a few months," Harry smiled.
"Like I said, too long," Fleur sniffed. She hugged and kissed Harry and Katie with a free arm while holding Dahlia with the other. "How was the train?"
"Nice honestly. But no fishes to be seen," Katie said.
"Pity. Well the Aquarium de Paris is quite nice. Perhaps we can go there one day."
"I can see fishes later. I wanna see you and Tante Gabi and grand-mere and grand-pere and Tante Aimee and Tante Colette," Dahlia said.
"You will see plenty of us all then," Fleur said happily. "Come, let us take the Floo and go see them. They are eager to see and spoil you."
"Oh boy," Harry grinned.
A short Floo trip later had them at the Delacour home and after much hugging and kissing, Dahlia was soon running around the grounds chasing after a pair of dogs and laughing her head off.
"Thank you for hosting us," Harry said.
"Of course," Apolline said warmly. "We will always be happy to do so. It is wonderful to hear a child's laughter here again. I hope it will not be long before we hear more."
"Who are you pressuring exactly?" Katie laughed, sharing a look with Fleur and Gabrielle.
"Yes," Apolline said, smiling brightly.
Sebastian chuckled richly, enjoying the identical looks of exasperation from his daughters. "I know what my own girls will say to that, but if you do not mind me being nosy, any more for you two?"
"Not yet, but we will, I'm sure," Katie said easily. She rolled her eyes. "Mum wants us to have at least five."
"That's news to me," Harry said with wide eyes, making everyone laugh.
"She and MumAndi talk about it a lot apparently," Katie laughed.
"Of course they do," Harry smiled.
"What would you like to see on your trip?" Gabrielle asked.
"I want to visit the Academie while I'm here," Katie said. "See my instructors, visit with Madame Lorraine for a bit, show Dally where I learned how to be a Sports Healer."
"Aimee will be here soon and she can make arrangements easily for that," Fleur said. "Madame Lorraine would be very upset if you did not see her while here."
"I'd like to show Dally the Tower and take her to Rue Magique," Harry said. "Otherwise, I'm perfectly happy going with the flow and relaxing and visiting with all of you."
"Oh! I wanted to inform you, there is a new store at the Rue," Apolline said. "It is a specialty store for cooking. They have knives and cookware and things."
"Oh yes, that sounds brilliant," Harry said enthusiastically.
"Does Dally know how to swim?" Gabrielle asked. "If not, we can teach her while she's here."
"She knows how to float a bit I think, but that sounds really good too," Harry smiled.
They watched Dahlia romp with the two dogs, squealing with laughter as they licked her and gamboled around her.
"A credit to you two," Sebastian said softly. "She looks and sounds very happy."
"I'm glad," Harry said quietly. "I worry a lot sometimes, hoping I'm doing the right thing." He smiled a little when Katie hugged him tightly.
"Do not worry," Apolline said gently but firmly. "It is clear she is loved and cared for. You two are doing very well."
"Oh, I think Colette and Aimee have arrived," Fleur said, glancing at a stone plate on the wall. She smiled mischievously and called for Dahlia out the window. "Dally! Tante Colette is here! Come here for a moment."
Aimee and Colette came into the home and they hugged and kissed Katie and Harry. "So good to see you!" Aimee said happily.
"Where is the little-" Colette started before Dahlia came rushing over from the side, disillusioned by Fleur. She tackled Colette hard, knocking her over.
"Bonjour Tante Colette!" Dahlia cried, hugging the winded and disoriented woman tightly.
Fleur and Aimee cackled at the sight of a confused Colette vaguely hugging Dahlia back after flailing on the ground for a moment.
"Dally, you have to be more gentle," Katie laughed.
"Tante Colette doesn't like my hugs?" Dahlia asked, eyes opening wide.
"No! I like them!" Colette wheezed. She glared at Fleur and Aimee. "Those two, I do not like for many reasons."
"I remember when Gabi knocked me over like that when I first visited," Harry smiled, reminiscing.
"I was a lot smaller then," Gabrielle said, cheeks pink.
"You were older than Dahlia," Apolline teased.
"I guess you don't like me as much anymore," Harry mock sighed.
Katie winked at Gabrielle and all of a sudden pushed him slightly. Gabrielle launched herself out of a chair and tackled him hard, knocking him over as well.
"Should have seen that coming," Harry gasped, smiling and coughing.
-0-
"Wow, and I thought Hogwarts was impressive," Harry remarked. He looked around the classroom. "You can feel magic strongly here too."
"The Academie isn't as old as Hogwarts, but it's still really old and holds a lot of power here," Katie agreed. "And as you can see, a lot fancier."
When they arrived at the Academie for the visit, Director Lorraine had been waiting for them. After warmly hugging and greeting Katie and Harry, she had immediately loved Dahlia and had insisted on carrying the small girl whenever she wanted as they walked around the campus. Aimee and Fleur were with them as they visited and a lot of the healers and instructors had happily greeted and chatted with Katie.
Harry was so proud of her, seeing so many people greet her warmly and fondly. She clearly made an impression while she attended as a student and had kept in touch with the staff to different degrees. He wandered a little bit away for a moment, admiring a statue.
"Who are you?"
Harry turned at the voice and tried to smile politely at the man giving him an ugly and suspicious look. "Hello, I am visiting the Academie with a former student."
The man sneered. "You have no right being here. Even if you are with someone who was supposedly a student." He looked at the beret Harry wore. "It is rude to wear a hat indoors, don't you have any manners?"
Harry gave the slim cap the man was wearing an ironic look.
He flushed. "This is part of the faculty uniform. I am going to insist that you leave before I have you removed."
"Shut up Altois." Aimee walked up with a disgusted look on her face. "Leave him be. You have no idea who you are talking to."
Somehow, Allain looked even more unpleasant. "You shut up Lorraine. I will do my duty and if I see someone that doesn't deserve to be here, then I have the right to remove them."
"Pity you don't look into a mirror then," Aimee retorted. "Oh wait, you do that so much. How are you still here?"
Allain puffed his chest out, swelling from indignation. When he saw Katie walking up he changed immediately, looking insufferably smug. "Oh hello Kitty!"
"Katie," she corrected him with a moue of distaste. "Hello Altois."
"Come now, you may call me Allain."
"I won't though," she replied blandly.
Harry was conflicted. He loved seeing Katie smack people down but he also knew this man, who he recalled hearing some stories about, was actively hitting on his wife in front of him and it was making his blood boil. Katie gave him a soft look and he took a breath, waiting for her cue.
"What brings you to the Academie?" Allain asked oily.
"Visiting. Seeing the Director and the healers. Reminiscing on the more pleasant times here."
"It is fate that we ran into one another today then. I would love to reminisce with you on our times together."
Katie's smile was all sharpness and no warmth. "We didn't have any times together. Besides, I am here with my daughter and husband, beyond happy I might add which I really shouldn't have to."
"Still sticking to the story that you are in a relationship? Even if you were in one, I wouldn't mind."
"I would," Katie said flatly. She smiled sincerely when Fleur and Lorraine walked up with Dahlia. Katie took her daughter gratefully. "This is Dahlia. Dahlia, this is…a classmate, Allain Altois."
Dahlia had been glaring at Allain with intense suspicion but when introduced her expression smoothed. "Oh. Bonjour trou du cul."
Fleur cackled loudly and exuberantly while Aimee emitted a shocked laugh that Lorraine echoed and Katie gasped at her daughter. Allain's face went red from fury and Harry tilted his head, trying to parse the words out. "Dally!" Katie exclaimed, trying to look severe while fighting a smile. "That's not nice!"
"But Tante Colette said if I met Allain Altois then I should call him that because that's his proper title," Dahlia said with a serious expression.
"Why you little-" Allain said heatedly.
"That is my daughter you are talking to," Harry said in a cold tone and everyone in the vicinity shivered as the temperature dropped. A crackle of his magic filled the air and Allain gave Harry a wary look.
"If that is your daughter…" Allain said slowly.
"I am his wife," Katie smiled with faux sweetness. "Again, beyond happily." Her smile turned feral. "You know, I do remember a certain moment that did happen. When I told you that I was with Harry Potter, you didn't believe me at first and then you tried to say you didn't think he was all that believable. You also said that you could outfly him."
"Well, I, uh, I am sure I could," Allain blustered.
"Let's put that to the test then, shall we?" Katie asked, her eyes burning.
"I am very busy and-"
"No you are not," Lorraine said. "I excuse you from your immediate responsibilities to put your money where your mouth is. Let us go to the practice field and see what will happen, yes? It should prove very…educational."
"You don't mind, do you love?" Katie asked Harry, her eyes dancing.
Harry smiled and he knew the smile he wore now was the one he wore on the pitch when he went against other teams. It was his professional smile and one that Tonks and Andromeda and Ted said was a bit chilling and intimidating. It was one of the few expressions that he let his confidence in his abilities show and he wore it in full.
Aimee blinked at the smile and Lorraine's smile was almost as feral. Fleur's smile was broad and dripped with glee. Allain looked faintly nervous. "Uh…if you insist."
"I do. Oh by the way," Harry took off his beret and Allain blanched at the revelation of his scar. "I'm Harry Potter, nice to finally meet you, Monsieur Altois. Let's have a…'friendly' match, shall we?"
-0-
Aimee and Lorraine led them to the small pitch that the Academie had indoors for exercises and testing. By then, a small crowd gathered, intrigued by seeing the Director of the Sports Healing Program carrying a small girl and followed by a very happy looking Veela, an equally happy looking great-niece of the Director and staff member, a very happy looking alumnus, a very unhappy looking Allain, and a very focused looking Harry Potter of all people.
"This may not be a fair match," Allain said with faux civility. "You are not used to French brooms."
"I can fly on anything," Harry said calmly. He inspected the brooms with an expert eye. "Here, this one is the best. You can use it." He handed Allain a broom. "I'll take this one."
"You are…too kind," Allain said through gritted teeth.
"Okay, first to catch the Snitch five times will win," Lorraine said to an excited audience. Fleur held Dahlia at the moment while Lorraine stood on the pitch in front of Allain and Harry. "I will also release a practice Bludger. We cannot have it be too easy, can we?"
She looked at Harry. "Do not worry, Monsieur Potter, this is a school of sports healers."
Harry's grin was almost blood-thirsty. "Wasn't worrying at all, but thank you Director."
Her eyes sparkled. "Then, allez!" She released the Snitch and the Bludger and Harry took to the air eagerly with Allain following behind. The crowd began to babble and cheer, chattering excitedly at the impromptu event.
"What was that about?" Aimee asked.
"Oh just giving tacit permission for Harry to obliterate Allain by saying we will heal any injuries, accidental or otherwise," Lorraine said as she took Dahlia back from Fleur. "We must teach the trou du cul a lesson in being nice, don't we little flower?"
"I really don't think we should teach her to call people an arsehole," Katie laughed.
"We are not. We are teaching her to call one specific person an asshole for justifiable reasons," Aimee giggled.
"I was wondering what Colette was teaching her last night," Fleur laughed. "At least she taught her the more polite way of saying it and not the especially vulgar way."
"Allez! Allez!" Dahlia cheered, waving her hands. "My Daddy is the best!"
"Oh this is going to be a massacre!" Aimee laughed as Harry caught the Snitch for the first time, practically right under Allain's nose. "That dumb bastard is going to suffer."
"Did you feel the air?" Lorraine asked with a wide smile as Allain clumsily dodged the Bludger. "I thought he was going to wandlessly Curse him."
"I almost did," Katie snarled. "But this way, Harry gets to smack him down very publicly and obviously." She took a deep breath. "Kick his arse love!" she shouted. She cheered when he looped around in the air, waving jauntily at her without holding the broom with his hands at all.
Harry saw Allain go for the Snitch and waited without moving for a long moment. Then he went into a sharp dive, pointing the broom directly at the ground. The crowd gasped as he dove, thinking he had fallen straight down. He pulled up at the last moment and veered right into Allain's path, snatching the Snitch as he flew past and making the other man fish tail and almost hit the ground.
The crowd cheered at the flying. A groan of sympathy and laughter filled the air when Harry baited the Bludger into following him and he slipped around Allain, making the Bludger hit the man in the side. Harry flew circles around Allain, alternating between looks of mock pity and silent indifference.
"Colette is going to love watching this memory," Fleur said as she watched Allain get hit by the Bludger again.
"I'm going to love remembering this moment for ages to come," Aimee said.
The crowd cheered appreciatively when Harry caught the Snitch the fifth time with Allain never touching it once. Allain headed to the ground, face red with anger and shame. Harry landed alongside and offered a hand. "Good match," he said pleasantly.
Allain stared at him before reluctantly taking his hand, forced to by the amount of people watching.
Harry tightened his grip and Allain winced from the immense pressure and how hot Harry's hand felt with all the magic tingling beneath the surface. His face went pale from draining blood when he heard Harry hiss, all pleasantry evaporated. "You dare threaten my daughter or my wife again and the next match we have won't be nearly as good for you. Are we clear?"
"Y-y-yes," Allain stammered.
Harry smiled and released Allain's hand. "Brilliant." Then without a backwards glance he walked away from the shaking Allain and scooped up Dahlia who came running to him. "There's my darling," Harry said, kissing her cheek.
"My Daddy is still the best!" Dahlia crowed. She smiled brightly as she hugged him around the neck. "You're not even sweating!"
"It's a bit cooler here," Harry said insincerely while the others laughed. He kissed Katie when she came up to hug him.
"What'd you say to him?" she asked softly, noticing the still cowed Allain.
"Just that he better not threaten you or Dahlia again," Harry said, eyes flashing.
Katie purred. "I love you."
"Love you more." He grinned at the gleeful Fleur, Aimee, and Lorraine. "So, will someone tell me what Colette taught my daughter to say?"
"Trou du cul basically means hole in the ass," Lorraine laughed.
"Ah. Dally, don't go around calling people arseholes, okay? It's not polite."
"Can I call him that though?" Dally asked, pointing at Allain while the others laughed hysterically.
"Only him," Harry allowed with a smile.
-0-
"Figures," Gabrielle sighed. "The time Altois gets put in his place and I was not there to see it."
"At least you got to see the memory," Fleur smiled.
"Oh I'm grateful for it! It is very enjoyable. I especially liked how Harry looked when he talked to him." Gabrielle squawked indignantly when Fleur kicked her.
"Katie is right there," Fleur sighed.
"It's okay," Katie laughed, hugging an embarrassed Gabrielle. "He was very intimidating and very hot in that moment."
Apolline flicked her wand at Colette who yelped. "Do not teach my granddaughter such things to say!" she scolded but was unable to keep her smile away.
"What?! Are you saying he is not an asshole?" Colette sniffed, rubbing her rear where the stinger struck.
"You do not always have to say what is obvious," Apolline sniffed.
"Don't be too hard on Colette," Harry said with a smile. "She gave me a valuable opportunity to get a bit of revenge. I might even be in her debt,"
"Oh? In that case, I have just received an injury. Kiss it to make it feel better?" Colette asked in a far too innocent tone. She squealed when Fleur and Aimee shot her with their own Stinging Jinxes. "Right in the same spot!" Colette shrieked.
Katie laughed until tears streamed down her face. "I missed you girls," she said gustily.
"Are you not upset at her for saying such things to your husband?" Fleur asked with a smile.
"I trust her and him," Katie said easily. "And if I ever felt the need to do something, I'd get Hedwig."
"Now that would be inhumanly cruel," Colette gasped.
"And besides, now I feel less bad about this. Look behind you," she said to Colette.
Colette spun, eyes looking all over. "She's not there-" she fell over, tackled handily by Dahlia from behind.
"I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing this," Fleur wheezed with laughter, watching Colette flop as Dahlia burrowed into her back.
-0-
"Thank you, Tante Fleur!"
"You are very welcome, my flower," Fleur replied warmly. She ate a spoonful of ice cream that Dahlia offered to her. "It is delicious, no?"
"It's very creamy and rich!" Dahlia hummed happily as she ate a spoonful of ice cream, legs kicking with delight.
"This store is my favorite on the Rue," Fleur said. "They make the ice cream themselves with as many local ingredients as they can."
"Oof, good thing I don't live here then, not sure I could survive eating it so often," Amelia smiled.
She and Susan had come over to France with Sirius and the Tonks family. They, along with the Potters, the Delacours, and Aimee and Colette had come to the Rue Magique for the day. Amelia and Susan had been a little apprehensive but were welcomed warmly by the Delacours and the girls and the large group vacation was very pleasant.
"I have to resist myself," Fleur smiled. "Or spend more time running on the grounds after a difficult week."
"I spend a lot of time at the Auror gym these days," Amelia sighed. "Most of my job is sitting at a desk or in meetings these days and I started doing dictations and some paperwork while running. Might as well combine two mind-numbing activities in one and spare myself a little."
She grinned when Susan appeared with Katie and Gabrielle. "Did a bit of shopping?" she teased.
Susan looked down at the bags in her hands. "A little yeah," she laughed. "Things are priced nicely here! I'd pay so much more back home for the same things."
"You are going to have a permanent sugar buzz for a long time," Katie sighed, looking at her daughter. "How many treats did you have today?"
"Only four," Dahlia said. "Including this one."
"Only four," Katie repeated, smiling. "I guess that's okay then. It is vacation after all. You can run with the pups later and burn off all the sugar."
"I might make Sirius do the same," Amelia said.
"Has he eaten a lot of sweets too?" Gabrielle asked.
"Oh I have no idea," Amelia said and the girls laughed.
Tonks came walking up holding a gigantic sundae. "Hey Dumpling! Look at what I got for us."
Katie laughed, shaking her head at Dahlia's pleading look. "Okay, number five and that's it. I don't want you getting sick." She looked at Tonks. "You're going to help her burn off the energy later too."
"Oh sure, was planning on it anyways," Tonks said breezily. She sat beside Dahlia and they began eating the large dessert, Fleur joining in when Dahlia gave her a spoon.
"Has anyone seen Harry?" Katie asked.
"He was still in the cooking store last I saw," Susan said. "He looked like a kid in a candy store."
"I've said it before but I'm so happy I never have to worry about Harry like that," Katie smiled. "He doesn't go around chasing people he shouldn't, doesn't spend money on dumb things. He likes to play with friends and his daughter and goddaughters and his owl, eat bacon with his owl, and buy cookware."
"It's so funny seeing him so domestic," Susan giggled. "All the other blokes I've met in law school and in work compare expensive things and homes. It's really refreshing."
"First thing most new male Aurors get," Amelia snorted, "is an incredibly expensive broom or something that just screams 'I just got money and have no idea what I'm doing with it'."
"Ah, I see it is the same here as well," Aimee said. She had walked up with Colette and heard the end of the conversation. "So many in the League do that."
"Yeah, our League too," Katie added.
"Daddy is the best," Dahlia said through a mouthful of fruit and ice cream.
"He sure is," Tonks said, wiping her mouth.
Harry returned to them with Apolline and Andromeda. He had a canvas tote over one shoulder and was eating a crepe. "Goodness," he laughed as he saw Dahlia, Tonks, and Fleur eating the giant sundae. "That's bigger than you!"
"Not that much bigger," Dahlia said. She opened her mouth expectantly and Harry gave her a bite of his crepe.
"She's going to explode," Katie smiled. She peeked into the bag, "What did you get?"
"I got us a new cast iron pot, a frying pan, a new chef's knife, and some towels," Harry said enthusiastically. "Also look at this!" He pulled out a trivet in the shape of an owl. "Isn't it cute?"
"Yeah you are," Katie smiled and kissed him. She then took a big bite of his crepe.
"The owner of the store was very sad to hear Harry lived in England," Apolline chuckled. "They became fast friends."
"At least we know where to shop for you now," Fleur laughed.
"Anyone see the other menfolk?" Andromeda asked. She sighed when they shook their heads. "Oh boy, I wonder what trouble they are getting into. Sirius encourages Ted to act with less care."
"Same as Sebastian," Apolline sighed with shared weariness. She smiled as Katie leaned onto Harry. "You look so very content and smug my dear."
"I don't know what you mean," Katie said in a tone that suggested she knew exactly what Apolline meant while the others laughed.
-0-
Harry hugged Apolline tightly. "Thank you so much for hosting us. This was a wonderful vacation."
"Of course," she said, hugging him back even more tightly. "You and yours are always welcome and we hope to see you again soon."
"Same, I like the idea of us visiting the other in turn."
"Wonderful! We will do so then."
People were making their goodbyes in the foyer of the home before taking the Floo to the French Ministry for the international Portkey. Harry hugged Colette and smiled as her eyes were darting around. "Someone's a little jumpy."
"I am going to get her first this time," Colette said. "I am not above using you as a shield."
A flicker of motion caught his eye and he looked up, his smile broadening. "Speaking of above..." He took a step back.
Colette looked up and gasped, spreading her arms wide and catching a floating Dahlia. "Got you!" Colette exclaimed, hugging her.
"I was hoping to surprise her," Fleur said, putting her wand away.
"Sorry for ruining the fun," Harry chuckled as he embraced her.
"That is okay. Colette will forget before the next visit and she will be tackled once more to our delight and amusement." She hugged Harry fondly. "Until the next time, dear friend."
"Au revoir," he said warmly.
-0-0-0-
jouve25 - Thank you. I really like it when things feel real and plausible. I'm sure we've all had debates with friends and families over things like that. I'm glad you like this slice of life fic that meanders for its own fun and sake.
guest - Thank you.
diffident-serpiente - I thought they would have been the most fun to watch watch something for the first time. I will admit, the horror movie chapter may happen because it sounds like fun to see as well. A lot of them are on Amazon Prime if you have that and Goldeneye is a very fun and approachable one. Thank you. Unfortunately work will be getting worse twoards the end of the year, but I will push on. Thank you for your kindness and encouragement, it means a lot.
Artnie1701 - That is the idea yes. Would be fun if it happens.
alix33 - Maybe something worth thinking about for a future chapter.