The Difference One Choice Makes
31st August 2016
"Goodnight you two… you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow" said Katie as she used her wand to extinguish the candles next to her daughter's beds.
With tomorrow bringing the day Dorea and Celia had been waiting for as long as they could remember, the two girls were barely able to contain their excitement.
As Katie put the girls to bed, Harry was in the middle of reading Henry his favourite bedtime story in his bedroom across the hall.
As Katie prepared to turn out the main ceiling light in the room, working with muggle electricity thanks to a brilliant combination with some runes, Dorea sat up in her bed.
"Do you think we could play Quidditch at school mum?" said Dorea.
Knowing that her daughters wanted to follow her and Harry into being professional Quidditch players when they were older, Katie smiled and leaned against the door frame.
"If you work hard at it yes… but if you want to play for whatever House you get sorted into, then you will have to wait until next year" said Katie softly.
"But Dad got on the team in his first year… you both said so" said Celia.
Katie smiled, thinking back to the memories of her second year playing Quidditch with the scrawny little boy that would eventually go on to be her husband.
"He did… but he got onto the team because Headmistress Mcgonagall bent the rules for him back then, I would be surprised if they did that again" said Katie softly.
Seeing both of her daughter's frowns, Katie let out a weary sigh.
"Come on, cheer up… if you really want to try out for your House team next year, your father and I will do everything we can to help you" said Katie supportively.
Both young girls looked at each other excitedly before turning back to their mother.
"We're going to be like you and Dad one day Mum… we're going to turn professional for England and win the World Cup when we're older" said Celia excitedly.
Upon hearing those words, Katie felt really warm inside, knowing that her daughters had big dreams and she wanted nothing more than to see them succeed at those dreams.
Harry, having been told of the life-long dreams the two girls had made him feel immensely proud with them and like Katie, he would do anything to see them succeed in life.
Pushing herself away from the door frame, Katie turned the light off before taking hold of the door handle and started to close the door.
"Come on… go to sleep you two, you don't want to be tired tomorrow do you?" said Katie softly.
"No Mum" chorused the two Girls at the same time.
Sending one last smile at her daughters, Katie said goodnight to them and told them that she loved them before closing the door.
As she turned away from the bedroom door, she saw Harry slowly and quietly emerge from Henry's bedroom.
"You got him to sleep then?" said Katie quietly as Harry slowly closed the door.
"Yeah… he fell asleep as I was reading" said Harry softly.
Katie's smile slowly turned into a frown before she took his arm and started to pull him down the corridor towards the stairs.
"I can't believe it… our little girls are already off to Hogwarts, where has all that time gone?" said Katie softly with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Harry pulled her close to him as they descended the stairs.
"They have to grow up eventually Love" said Harry softly as they walked towards the lounge.
Katie frowned once again, giving Harry a clear indication that something was bothering her.
"What's on your mind Katie?" said Harry softly and supportively.
Katie swallowed her nerves before looking up at him.
"Be honest with me Harry… did you ever think about having another child after we had Henry?" said Katie, looking directly into his eyes.
Though he was taken aback by the question initially, Harry quickly composed himself and pulled her closer to him.
"Sometimes yeah… it just never quite worked out for us did it?" said Harry.
"Yeah" said Katie wearily.
Harry tilted her chin up and gave her a kiss.
"Do you want another baby Katie?" said Harry seriously.
Katie nodded.
"Do you?" said Katie testily.
Deciding that actions speak louder than words, Harry manoeuvred Katie so the back of her legs were pressed against the arm of the settee before giving her a gentle push.
As her back hit the soft cushions, Katie looked up at him with a stern but lustful look on her face.
"What if the kids wake up and come down?" said Katie, glancing up at the stairs to make absolutely sure that the children were not there.
"We'll stop and go upstairs" said Harry huskily as he moved above her on the settee.
Katie opened her mouth to protest further before she was stopped as he claimed her lips and slipped his tongue into her open mouth.
1st September 2016
"You ready Honey?" said Edward as he lifted Alexandra's trunk up onto the red carriage of the Hogwarts Express.
Dressed in a dark blue jumper and grey skirt, Alexandra nodded excitedly before giving Edward a hug, followed by Daphne and Charlus, the latter of whom looked slightly upset and jealous that his older sister was off to Hogwarts while he would not be attending for another three years yet.
"We'll miss you Alex" said Daphne, using her daughter's nickname to address her.
"I'll miss you too Mum" said Alexandra softly, letting her mother wrap her in another hug.
As Alexandra was getting ready to get on the train, Daphne caught sight of Harry and Katie emerging onto the platform with Henry, Dorea and Celia in tow, the latter two pushing trolley's containing their trunks and their chosen pets up the busy platform towards them.
Daphne waved her brother-in-law and his family over, with Dorea and Celia picking up the pace slightly so they could reach their Aunt, Uncle and Cousin's first.
Once they reached their fellow Potter's, Dorea and Celia said their goodbyes to their parents, Aunt, Uncle, Henry and Charlus before following Alexandra onto the train so they could find a compartment for themselves.
Once their daughters had boarded the train, Harry and Katie looked up and down the platform to see if they could spot any of their friends.
Not too far down the platform, Neville and Hermione were making sure that their daughter Rose had everything she needed before they caught sight of Harry and Katie.
Beckoning them to come over, Neville took Rose's trolley before the three Longbottoms walked down the platform, making it easier for Rose to find Dorea, Celia and Alexandra who had only just found themselves a compartment.
After Rose had joined the Potter girls in their compartment, they were joined by Justin Carmichael, with the compartment being roomy enough to accommodate all five children and their belongings.
With Eddie, Jennifer and Andie Carmichael also joining them on the platform. Harry and Katie also spotted the familiar sight of Ron, Janet and Cassandra Weasley standing talking with some of the other Weasley's.
Bill, Nymphadora and the former Head Boy and Unspeakable Teddy Weasley, were watching as Cedrella and Daniela departed for Hogwarts ready to start their sixth and third years respectively. Cedrella had been named as a Gryffindor Prefect last year while Daniela wanted to try out for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team as a Keeper this year.
Percy and Audrey Weasley, the latter of whom served as Transfiguration Professor and Head of Hufflepuff House were stood with their 12-year-old daughter Molly who was a second-year Ravenclaw as well as the 10-year-old Andrew and 9-year-old Lucy, with Percy rattling on to Molly about following all of the school rules and making sure that she worked hard in all of her lessons.
Fred and Angelina were stood with their 13-year-old, Gryffindor daughter Roxanne and 11-year-old son Fabian who was starting Hogwarts this year. As were George and Alicia, the former of whom now owned a branch of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in Hogsmeade said goodbye to their 13-year-old daughter Kelsey while their 10-year-old son Gideon held onto his mother's hand as he said goodbye to his older sister and cousins.
As Harry continued to scan the platform looking for more familiar faces, the sound of tapping on the compartment window captured his attention.
Looking into the compartment where the five children were waving at them, Harry checked his pocket watch and saw that the train would be leaving soon as it was 10:57 AM.
After a few minutes of talking to both the children and the adults, Harry and the others waved goodbye as they watched the train leave the station, taking their children off to start the rest of their lives.
Later that evening…
"Welcome to Hogwarts" said the joyful voice of the Head of Ravenclaw House, Deputy Headmaster and Charms Professor Filius Flitwick as he addressed the crowd of first-years standing outside the doors leading into the Great Hall which was awaiting their arrival.
Excited to start his Hogwarts journey at last, the short black-haired Justin Carmichael could not wait to finally get through those doors to be sorted into whatever House he was meant to be in.
Another few minutes passed before Professor Flitwick finally led Justin and the rest of the first years into the Great Hall.
As they walked up in between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff House tables, Justin caught sight of his older cousin's Cedrella and Daniela Weasley who were sitting at the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables respectively, both of whom sent Justin encouraging smiles.
As the First Years approached the space below the teacher's table where the stool and Sorting Hat stood waiting for them.
Sitting at the high table, looking down at the First Years below them were, Headmistress Mcgonagall, DADA Professor Darren Mcgregor, Head of Hufflepuff House and Transfiguration Professor Audrey Weasley, Herbology Professor Vivian Tedmund, Professor Sinistra, Hagrid who still served as Gamekeeper and Care Of Magical Creatures Professor, Ancient Runes Professor Anthony Goldstein, Professor Vector, Muggle Studies Professor Charity Burbage, Professor Severus Snape and finally Head of Gryffindor House and History Of Magic Professor Lily Snape.
Drawing his wand and unrolling the parchment name scroll containing all of the names, Professor Flitwick cleared his throat.
"Now when I call your name… you will sit down on the stool and the Sorting Hat will be placed on your head so you can be sorted into your House" said Professor Flitwick.
He took another deep breath.
"Ambrose, Lisa!" Professor Flitwick called out.
A young, black-haired girl with pigtails stepped forwards nervously before taking her seat on the stool.
Using his wand, Professor Flitwick lowered the patchy Sorting Hat onto Lisa Ambrose's head.
"GRYFFINDOR!" bellowed the Sorting Hat.
With Gryffindor table erupting into cheers, Professor Flitwick removed the Sorting Hat from the new Gryffindor First-Year's head so she could go and sit down.
Avery, Rodrik was sorted into Slytherin before Barnaby, Sapphire was sorted into Gryffindor, followed by Bletchley, Cameron who was sorted into Slytherin.
Boot, Daniel and Bundrick, Gavin were both sorted into Ravenclaw before Justin took his seat on the stool to be sorted.
"RAVENCLAW!" shouted the Sorting Hat.
As the Ravenclaw table erupted into applause, Justin waited for Professor Flitwick to remove the Sorting Hat from his head before he went to join his new housemates at their table.
Clearwater, Amanda joined Justin in Ravenclaw before his distant cousin Coote, Kimberly was sorted into Hufflepuff and Davies, Alicia was sorted into Ravenclaw.
Diggory, Edward and Finch-Fletchley, Adam were both sorted into Hufflepuff and Finnegan, Sean went into Gryffindor.
Goldstein, David went into Ravenclaw and Harper, Lilith was sorted into Slytherin before a set of twins Hopkins, Ashley and Hopkins, Francine were sorted into Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff respectively.
Jones, Megara was sorted into Hufflepuff and Lee, Natasha joined Slytherin before.
"Longbottom, Rose!" Professor Flitwick called out.
After waiting with contained excitement, Rose finally took her seat on the stool and the Sorting Hat was placed on her head.
"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the Sorting Hat.
Macdougal, Christine and Macmillan, Dennis were sorted into Hufflepuff before Malfoy, Titus and Nott, Lynda were sorted into Slytherin.
"Potter, Alexandra!" Professor Flitwick called out.
Taking her seat ready to be sorted, Alexandra wondered where she would be sorted as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head.
With her sorting lasting nearly a minute, Alexandra was finally sorted into Ravenclaw, favouring intellect and logic above other things in life.
"Potter, Celia!" said Professor Flitwick.
Unlike her older cousin, Celia's sorting did not last longer than about ten to fifteen seconds.
"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the Sorting Hat.
As Celia went to join her new housemates, Dorea was called up to be sorted.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat called out which made Celia really happy, knowing that her sister would be joining her in Gryffindor.
Sitting down next to their best friend Rose Longbottom, Celia and Dorea turned their attention to the Sorting as Samuelson, Keith and Snape, Sarah were sorted into Hufflepuff.
As the crowd of first-years waiting to be sorted grew smaller, Summerbee, Tyson was sorted into Hufflepuff, with Thomas, Andrea going into Gryffindor and Vaisey, Amarys being sorted into Slytherin.
Weasley, Fabian, Weasley, Hugo and Wood, Curtis were all sorted into Gryffindor before Zabini, Adrian finished the sorting ceremony when he was sorted into Slytherin.
As the Caretaker Argus Filch removed the Sorting Hat and stool from the Great Hall, the now 84-year-old, grey-haired Headmistress Mcgonagall stood up to address everyone.
"To our returning students, welcome back… to our new students, welcome to Hogwarts" said Headmistress Mcgonagall.
A commanding presence when she spoke, Headmistress Mcgonagall had the eyes of everyone in the Great Hall on her.
"There are quite a few things I need to say to you all… but that can wait, the only thing I have to say to you right now… is tuck in" said Headmistress Mcgonagall, snapping her fingers which made the usual banquet appear on all of the tables.
Later that night…
Enjoying the rest of their sweets as they sat on their beds in their dormitory, Celia, Dorea and Rose were glad that it was Saturday tomorrow which meant that they had plenty of time to explore the castle before lessons started on Monday morning.
In the company of their three roommates, Lisa Ambrose, Sapphire Barnaby and Andrea Thomas, the three girls were talking about themselves and how they grew up as they indulged in sweets and chocolate.
Lisa Ambrose told them about how she grew up in Devon with her parents working in the Ministry Of Magic in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, though she would occasionally take trips into the muggle world and even attended a muggle primary school as both of her parents were muggle-born.
Given that she was also a muggle-born, Sapphire Barnaby told them about how she grew up in a strict Catholic household in Coventry but refused to go into any further detail about her home life, only saying that it was a great shock when she found out that she was a witch.
Though it appeared that the young muggle-born witch was holding something back from them, the rest of the girls decided not to press for further information, putting it down to the fact that Sapphire might be shy or nervous about the strange new world she had stepped into.
Once Sapphire Barnaby had said all that she wanted to say, Rose talked about how her parents worked long and busy hours at the Ministry Of Magic but always made time for her as often as possible.
Of course, when it came time for Celia and Dorea to open up about themselves, the fact that their parents were famous retired Quidditch players could not be hidden for long.
"What do your parent's do now then… after they retired?" said Lisa Ambrose curiously.
"Mum's a referee and Dad works for the Department of Magical Sports and Games" said Dorea.
"What exactly is Quidditch?" said Sapphire Barnaby warily.
Celia and Dorea turned to her.
"Only the greatest sport ever" said Celia.
Hearing this made Rose roll her eyes.
"Of course, they would say that… Quidditch obsessed the both of them" said Rose dryly.
The conversation switched from topic to topic over the next hour or so before all six girls finally decided to go to bed.
2nd September 2016
With no lessons today since it was a slightly breezy Saturday afternoon, Celia and Dorea found themselves walking into the trophy room with Rose, Andrea Thomas, Lisa Ambrose and Sapphire Barnaby, the latter of whom had been told many things about the magical world she had walked into by the other five girls.
With glass cabinets that were taller than all of the girls lining the walls of the candlelit room, the girls could not help their curiosity and approached the cabinet containing Quidditch achievements.
"There's Grandpa's badge" said Dorea excitedly, pointing at a shiny gold Quidditch Captains badge bearing the words.
"JAMES F POTTER"
1974 to 1976
"Grandma said he was the best player in the school when they were here" said Celia.
Sat proudly next to James Potter's Quidditch Captain badge, was an identical badge which read.
"HARRISON J POTTER"
1996 to 1998
"Did your Grandpa play professional Quidditch as well?" said Andrea Thomas.
Celia shook her head.
"No… he and Grandma were auror's" said Celia.
"Auror's?" said Sapphire.
"Dark Wizard catchers… like what the police are in your world, my Dad's an Auror too" said Rose.
Also in the cabinet next to the Potter's Captains badges, were a Captains badge with Headmistress Mcgonagall's name on it as well as a large moving photograph of the 2002 England Quidditch squad which won the 2002 World Cup.
Next to the photograph was a large black plaque with bronze writing listing the names, Houses and school years of each member of the squad including the reserves.
"Are your mum and dad in that picture?" said Lisa Ambrose.
Dorea and Celia nodded.
"Yeah… right there" said Dorea pointing to where Harry and Katie were standing arm in arm in between the unrecognisable figures of Roger Davies and Oliver Wood.
"And every one of those players was just like you at some point… impressionable young boys and girls walking through these hallowed halls for the first time in their lives" said a stern but soft voice from behind them.
All six girls sharply turned around to see Headmistress Mcgonagall standing in the doorway watching them with a small smile on her face.
"Headmistress" said Rose in slight shock.
Headmistress Mcgonagall gave Rose a small nod as she walked towards the girls.
"Miss Longbottom… and yes, every one of those players was just like you at some point in their lives, some were model students, others not so" said Headmistress Mcgonagall.
The six girls stepped away to the side as Headmistress Mcgonagall approached the glass cabinet.
"People like your mother Miss Longbottom… she was a remarkable student, top grades, Prefect, successful job as Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, I have no doubt you will be just as hard-working as she was" said Headmistress Mcgonagall fondly.
"I hope so" said Rose nervously.
Headmistress Mcgonagall gave her a small but sharp nod before bidding them farewell and leaving the room.
THE END
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed reading this story just as much as I enjoyed writing it. Upon reaching the end I can say that I am surprised with how well this has turned out. Originally this story was going to be a simple James/Narcissa story lasting 7 or 8 chapters and it grew into something a lot larger and better.