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

Extended Family

Chapter 55 – Poker Face

Takes place after chapter 48.

Dedicated to pinkelmo3

"So what are we playing again?" Alicia asked.

"It's a Muggle card game called poker," Hermione said. She jumped slightly and frowned at Luna. "Yes?"

"Hmm?"

"You poked me."

"You said poke her. You didn't say which her." Luna frowned slightly. "Though you didn't say poke me so I guess I misconstrued your intent."

Hermione sighed while the others laughed, Luna's expression turning merry. "You know, I should have seen that coming. No, it's called poker. It's fun."

"What do the cards do?" Fred asked.

"Nothing."

"They don't explode?"

"No, it's not exploding snap."

"They don't change symbols or values?" George asked.

"No, these are plain regular Muggle playing cards. Not the enchanted ones you have for tricks.

"That's boring," the twins said together.

"Then you don't have to play," Hermione sniffed.

Alicia snapped a pair of Stinging Jinxes at the twins. "Shut it you two, I'm actually interested in this. Continue Hermione."

People gathered at what they called 'the Triangle', the small middle ground between the Potter, Weasley, and Wood homes. It was a nice place to relax with tables and chairs and the children played under the trees and the equipment that was set up there. The sun was setting behind the horizon and magical fires kept the chill away and provided ample illumination. Hermione had suggested they play a new game and the others had readily agreed.

"So in poker, you try to make combinations of cards in your hand," she explained. "I wrote down the combinations here and their values and after each round, whoever has the highest value combination wins."

Alicia looked over the parchment. "Seems simple enough. When does the game end?"

"When a person has all of these." Hermione handed out a small stack of colored discs. "You make bets during each round and the round winner takes them. You lose when you run out of them."

"These are pretty, what are they called?" Luna asked.

"Poker chips and no, don't eat them," Hermione said.

"I wasn't going to," Luna said indignantly.

"Good because they don't taste good," Fred said as he put the chip back down, wiping his mouth.

"We literally just ate dinner," Angelina sighed.

"I can snack anytime," Fred sniffed.

Hermione sat at the table with Luna, Alicia, the twins, Katie, and Tracy. Angelina stood to watch with Daphne while Harry played with the girls alongside.

"So I'll be dealer and this is your first hand." She dealt each person five cards. "You then discard however many cards you want and draw that many. Then we bet and reveal your hand and see who wins. You can also fold if you don't think you have a chance at winning."

Katie looked at her hand and at the parchment. "I wish I had a 3," she said.

"Oh I have one, here you go," Luna said and handed it to her.

"No you can't do that," Hermione said. "No card trading and you don't want others to know what you have."

"That's just rude though," Luna protested.

"Poker is not cooperative," Hermione sighed.

"I've always wondered why this symbol is called a club," George mused. "It doesn't look like a club to me. It looks like a terrible one."

"Yeah, not Quidditch standard that," Angelina said, leaning over George's shoulder.

They played the first round and Alicia ended up winning with two pair. "I like this game," she said as she piled the chips in front of her.

"Auntie Hermione?"

"Yes Dally?" Hermione asked, smiling down at Dahlia.

"Oh, I was just checking that you were okay, you looked very serious."

Hermione hugged her. "I'm fine, this is my poker face."

"Hey!" Tracy squawked. "Dally!"

"Auntie Hermione said to poke her," Dahlia said with utter seriousness.

Daphne smiled. "That is funny," she said.

"See?" Luna smiled.

Eventually Tonks came wandering over. "Oh, you lot are playing poker? Deal me in!"

"You play?" Harry asked.

"I used to. Dad taught me. It's good fun." She plopped down at the table and eagerly took a small pile of chips.

Chips changed hands and the rounds continued. Luna was the first one to lose all of hers, followed by Katie and George. Fred, Tracy, Tonks, and Alicia began to play a little more viciously, learning the rules of the game.

"Do not get rid of that," Daphne hissed over Tracy's shoulder.

"I know what I'm doing," Tracy retorted.

"But it has the higher value."

"Just announce what I got to everyone why don't you?" Tracy cried indignantly.

The game came down to the end. Alicia frowned at her hand; a frown shared by the others at the table save for Hermione. Finally, she sighed with disappointment and put her hand down. "I fold," she grumbled. Tonks revealed her hand with a flourish. "Full house!" The others groaned and put their hands down. However, when Tonks reached out for the pile Hermione turned her cards over. "You had four of a kind?!" Tonks gasped.

"Sure did!" Hermione said, her expression transforming from her faint worry to deep smugness.

"You were sitting on that?!" Tracy exclaimed.

"I thought you didn't have anything!" Fred said.

"Hermione Granger is a liar!" Alicia said severely.

"It's called bluffing!" Hermione retorted. "I bluffed you lot into thinking I didn't have anything! And for that, last turn when you all folded, I had nothing! That's the point!"

"I'll bluff your f-"

Harry tapped a rune stone buried into the ground with his wand and it started to glow. The adults in the triangle continued to make wild hand motions and shout but no noise could be heard from them.

"What's that Papa Harry?" Hadley asked.

Harry smiled as he bounced Iris and Heather up and down on his lap. "That's a rune stone that powers a ward line I carved around the playground. When activated, it makes a Sound Blocking Charm."

"Oh that's what Mummy does when she doesn't want me to hear what Daddy and Uncle Freddy are talking about," Hailey said.

"I didn't want you lot to hear any words you shouldn't," Harry said, checking on Abigail and Alexander in their bassinet.

"Like what?" Dahlia asked with ghoulish glee.

Harry looked around with a crafty expression. "Like derriere," he said in a loud whisper.

"What does that mean?" the girls whispered back eagerly.

"It means…butt," Harry said solemnly and the girls shrieked with laughter.

After a lot of shouting and arm waving the others finally calmed down somewhat. "Okay, looks like we have to do this how we usually do things," Alicia said at last.

"Chase the twins around and throw or cast things at them?" Luna asked.

"The other way we usually do things," Alicia amended. "We practice for the week and reconvene to play again."

"Fine," Hermione said shortly. She tapped the instructions and made copies for everyone.

"Let's make it even more interesting," Fred said.

"How so?" George asked.

"Play for something more than uneatable chips."

"No money," Harry said severely. He had walked into the zone and gave them a stern look.

"Right, no money," Fred said. "Wasn't going to suggest that. But…favors. That'll be fun and add a little spice."

"Nothing outlandish," Daphne said.

"Harry can check every favor and keep things level," Katie suggested.

"I'll do that," Harry agreed.

"Good." Tonks narrowed an eye at Hermione. "You're going down next time Granger."

"Bring it T-Tonks," Hermione blustered.

"You almost pulled that off," Tracy sniggered.

"Tonks is a little intimidating," Hermione said sheepishly while others laughed.

Tonks hugged her. "I'm shaking on the inside. See?" She lifted her shirt and her stomach undulated.

"That's creepy," Katie laughed.

The little girls came into the area once Harry stopped the rune stone. "Are you done talking about dairy airs?" Hailey asked.

"Dairy what now?" Angelina replied, confused.

"No, it's Derry heir," Hadley said.

"I thought it was daily hair," Dahlia giggled.

"I'm confused," Katie said.

"Butts!" Melanie shouted as Alicia picked her up.

"Melanie!" Harry gasped, pretended to be shocked while the other girls howled with hilarity.

"Oh you were saying derriere," Luna smiled.

"What are you teaching our children to say?!" Angelina shouted with a smile.

"Papa Harry said you all were talking about that and that's why you were sound blocked!" Hailey said.

"Don't lie to the children," Alicia said, smiling as she mock glared at him.

"This is what I get for trying to preserve their innocence," Harry sniffed.

-0-

David looked up at Hermione with surprise. "You want to play poker? I thought you didn't like that game."

"I need to practice," Hermione said as she shuffled the deck. "Big game coming up this weekend and I know the others will be coming after me since I beat them. They got mad that I outbluffed them."

"Gosh, you lot get into so much fun," David chuckled. "Sure, I'll help you practice. We need to get your mother in though."

"Really? Mum?"

"Oh yeah, she's better."

"I don't remember her winning much when we played when I was younger."

"Because she took it easy on us. Trust me, in dental school, she developed a reputation where a lot of classmates refused to play her."

"Really?!" Hermione gasped.

"Really," Jean said smugly, walking into the sitting room. "Many a nice date dinner was had off my winnings."

"Mind if we tag along this weekend?" David asked

"Not at all, especially if you help me beat the robes off of the others," Hermione smiled.

"Of course," Jean said confidently. "Getting to play with Dahlia and Iris and the others will be the cherry on top."

-0-

"Hey dad, can you teach me how to play poker better again?"

Ted looked at Tonks. "Oh? Are they trying to play it at the Aurors again?"

"No. Well wait, they might be. I want to get better again so I can assert my dominance at Potter Village."

Ted snorted. "Normally I'd try to dissuade you from thinking that way but I know better now. Sure, but honestly it's better to learn with more people so you get used to playing against different kinds of thinkers."

He hummed for a moment. "Let me ask Thomas. He mentioned his Muggle relations taught him how to play before."

"Oh wait, in that case." Tonks fished out her mirror. "Katie Bell or Potter whatever."

"Really?" Ted asked with a smile.

"I forget which one for her mirror okay?" Tonks blushed.

After a moment, the mirror surface shimmered and Katie appeared. "Hi Dora! What's up?"

"I have a proposition for you. How about we do a bit of a team up for the poker game this weekend? Dad's really good at poker and he says your dad knows how to play too. How about we train together?"

"Sounds good to me! Let me talk to my parents and see when they'll have us over."

That night the Tonks family met at the Bell residence with the Potters. Bailey was ecstatic to see everyone and she slobbered over everyone before chasing Dahlia around the house. The main table was set up for Poker and Ted, Thomas, Katie, and Tonks sat at it for playing and training.

"You lot get competitive over the strangest things," Samantha remarked with a big smile.

"At least it keeps things interesting," Andromeda smiled as she cooed softly at Iris in her arms. "You are not joining them, Harry?"

"Those kinds of games aren't my thing," Harry said. "I'm perfectly happy playing with the kids though."

"Say I meant to ask, why'd you react like that when Fred talked about betting things," Katie asked, looking up from her cards.

"Oh that. My cousin got into loads of trouble with gambling money. He caused a huge issue and it was the one time I ever saw his father do something to him. I just didn't want anyone to develop any bad feelings over this. At least the kind that involves money."

Samantha hugged him. "That's very smart of you. What are people playing over?"

"Favors. Harry is checking them," Tonks said.

"That is a fabulous opportunity to make them all about getting you things," Andromeda smiled.

"Don't ruin my plan," Harry grinned.

Lyla came home during the game and she looked surprised at them playing. "Oh poker? I didn't know you lot played."

"You still remember how?" Thomas asked.

"Oh yeah. Mirabelle actually got it going for a while in Gryffindor. It spread to the other Houses too. She's really good."

"Oh, think she'd come over or is it too short notice?" Katie asked.

"I can check!" Lyla left the home and after a while came back with Mirabelle.

"Hi everyone! Hi Harry!" She hugged him tightly. "Oh my gosh, I haven't met Iris yet!" Mirabelle cooed over the baby. "She's so precious!"

"Mira, focus, I know she's cute but you're here to poker," Lyla laughed.

"Think you can keep up?" Tonks asked.

"Gosh, I can try," Mirabelle said, sitting at the table.

In a remarkably short time she had possession of all the chips and everyone looked at her with shock and awe.

"How'd you do that?" Katie gasped.

"I usually have a decent idea of what possible combinations are possible but it was more me figuring out your tells and bluffing," Mirabelle said with a large smile.

"Glad you're here," Tonks said. "Let's do this again and we can learn from you."

"You can even come play with everyone," Harry smiled. "That'll be fun too."

"Thanks! I'd love to!"

-0-

After looking at a few magazines, Harry transfigured a very fancy and nice Poker table and set it up in the Triangle. Alicia, Katie, Fred, George, Tracy, Hermione, Luna, Tonks, and Mirabelle sat at it and Ted and Thomas shared the dealer role. Jean sat at a table nearby to run commentary for an interested Andromeda and Samantha while Harry watched over the littles with Bailey and Hedwig assisting. Oliver, Angelina, Lyla, and Daphne watched on with interest.

"Right, so I took all the suggestions for dares and favors and things and after approving them, put them on these slips," Harry said. "Each has a value for chips and you exchange your chips for a slip. You can either cash out once you have a slip or slips you want or continue while betting the slips. I even added a few of my own. Okay, have fun! No shouting and remember there are innocent ears about."

"Not yours, Katie's hinted as much," Angelina smiled.

"I'll neither confirm nor deny for I am a gentleman," Harry sniffed.

"My sexy gentleman," Katie said and slapped him on the bum.

"Wash your hands before you touch the cards again," Alicia said while everyone laughed.

The game started off amicably at first before one of the slips was thrown into the pot. "I can do a lot with a box of Wheezes," Tonks mused, looking at the pot with interest.

"So could I," Alicia said.

"You could?" Oliver asked, surprised.

"Sure. I'd love to have a box and just do nothing with it. Let it sit and languish unused, utterly useless."

"You know, that hurts, right here," Fred said, tapping his chest.

"Don't listen to her Freddie," George said. "She's messing with us, getting under our skin and ruining our concentration."

"That's no different than how she normally treats us," Fred whined.

"True, this time it has a tactical application," Alicia smiled sharply.

Mirabelle won the pot for that round and she took the slip eagerly. "Man, too bad I'm not at school anymore. This would've been so useful."

"Weren't you a prefect?" Hermione asked, eyes narrowed.

"Yeah but there weren't any rules about pranking other prefects."

"There weren't?!"

"There weren't," Harry and Daphne said.

"And how do you two know?!" Hermione exclaimed.

"No comment," the former Head Boy and prefect said in unison and they high-fived.

"You high-five Harry but not me?" Tracy asked, wounded.

"We high-five," Daphne protested.

"You probably do other things together that she and Harry do not," Luna said as she looked at her new hand.

"I'm going to regret this, like what?" Tonks asked while Daphne and Tracy looked concerned.

"You two go to Society functions together," Luna said.

They breathed a sigh of relief.

"And sex of course," Luna said as she discarded a few cards and picked up new ones dealt by Ted.

"There it is," Katie laughed while half the table went red and the other half dissolved into laughter.

"Remember what Harry said about innocent ears!" Daphne hissed, face bright red.

"He already activated the silencing stone," Luna said matter-of-factly.

The game continued with chips exchanging hands and more slips being claimed. Luna acquired a small pile and looked at the list of favors still up. She nodded and pushed the pile across to Ted and picked up a slip. "I'm done. This was a lovely game, thank you for teaching us Hermione."

"That's all you want?" Katie asked.

Luna nodded happily. "Oh there are many that are nice and would be nice to have but this is the one I wanted most."

"What is it?" Fred asked.

"All you can eat feast made by Harry," Luna smiled brightly. "I don't know how much I can eat but it'll be fun to discover and I'd want Harry to make the food."

"You're always welcome to eat with us," Harry grinned.

"I know, but this makes it more of an event with possibility for delicious absurdity."

"I'd eat at a place called Delicious Absurdity," George laughed.

"I'd be worried to go there," Alicia chuckled.

The game continued. Alicia claimed a favor from the twins, which made them look at her with concern. Tonks got another all you can eat feast from Harry. Katie got a favor from Tracy and Hermione earned a favor from Alicia. Tracy was happy to get a painting from Luna. Fred won potion consultation from Alicia and George won a babysitting voucher from Katie.

"I fold," Alicia said, putting her cards down.

"Really?" Mirabelle asked.

"I don't want a babysitting voucher from the twins," Alicia sniffed. "I remember how George lost Dahlia."

"Okay, first of all, I didn't lose her, she went invisible," George said. "Second of all, Ollie was there too so not my sole fault!"

"And I'm a great babysitter!" Fred retorted.

"Hailey, what did your Uncle Fred let you do again the last time he watched you?" Alicia called out.

"What did you do Freddie?" Angelina asked, eyes narrowed.

"Harry! Activate the rune!" Fred squawked.

"Dahlia went invisible?" Jean asked. "Accidental magic?"

"No, she got a hold of Harry's invisibility cloak," Samantha said, smiling at the memory. "She snuggled up in it and took a nap."

"I had a heart attack that day," Daphne said, glaring at George and Oliver.

"I got hearing damage that day," George sighed.

"You're lucky that's all you got," Hermione muttered.

"Thankfully Bailey and Hedwig helped us find her," Lyla said.

Katie ended up winning the pot. "I'll find a use for this," she said, taking the slip. "At the very least, it'd make a good coaster."

"I do believe we're not very appreciated," Fred sighed with mock sadness.

"No, we appreciate you," Tracy said. "Just not for that."

"How's the game going?" Harry asked when Jean walked to him carrying Iris.

"Still going. Alicia, Fred, Hermione, Tracy, and Mirabelle are fighting over the last few slips. It's getting pretty vicious." She smiled and cooed at a babbling Iris. "Reminds me of my days at dental school. I miss that kind of playing.

"I bet you can set something up with Uncle Ted, and Thomas. Sirius will probably jump in too."

"That sounds like fun," Jean said. "What's for dinner?"

"I'm making a lot of hamburgers and hotdogs. We have salad and grilled fruit and ice cream for after."

"Sounds wonderful. Need some help?"

Harry smiled, nodding at his three small assistants carrying things out. "I have my sous chefs here."

"All wearing small aprons and hats," Jean sighed. "Too adorable."

By the time dinner was done, the game was finally over. All the slips were claimed and everyone had at least one if not a few more.

"I need to visit more often," Mirabelle smiled. "You guys have fun here and good food."

"You're always welcome to visit," Harry said, hugging her.

"So? Muggle card games aren't so boring, are they?" Hermione asked with a smug smile.

"Yeah, I mean, a little magic might make it more interesting but it's fun," Fred conceded.

"And that's only one form of it," Ted said. "There's more variations of poker too."

"Oh? Like what?" Alicia asked with interest.

"I guess poker nights will become a regular thing," Angelina said. "It's not bad to watch though and fun to visit with others while they play."

"Could be worse. Could be the other kind of poker," Harry said.

"What other kind?" Angelina asked. She jumped and yelped. "Hey! Come back here!" She chased after the three giggling girls that had poked her hard a moment before.

-0-0-0-

guest - With their parents, they are very clever bunnies. Glad you liked it.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - I'll see if I get another idea with the same premise.