A/N: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 14 Some Quidditch and Long Talk

The rest of the week flew by without incident; many students had tried to test the rules and ended up getting punishments; Daphne and Alex had repeatedly asked for his forgiveness, they were becoming friends, and progress was good. Harry and Neville couldn't have been happier by the lack of attention from everyone. Both continued to outshine the rest of their fellow first years in class, but after a week of studying with the boys in Harry's suite, the Ravenclaw trio was slowly closing the gap.

When Friday finally arrived, Harry couldn't wait until the flying lessons started in the afternoon. It was only a few days since he last flew with his dad at Potter Manor, but Harry had already missed the freedom of being in the air. Without Madam Hooch's approval, students were not allowed to access the school brooms in the shed, and since Harry couldn't have a broom as a first-year, he needed this class to get back in the air.

Harry's excitement over flying was suddenly put on hold when he saw a large grey owl bearing the Gringotts seal glide down to the table. "Hey girl," he greeted the bird out loud. "You have a letter for me?"

The owl didn't seem to have any problems understanding him because she stuck out her leg and allowed him to take the letter. Harry spent a few minutes petting the bird and allowing it to drink from his pumpkin juice before turning his attention to the letter he received.

Dear Lord Peverell-Gryffindor-Emrys,

We have found six individuals ready to proceed with the first testing phase. As per your instructions, they have all signed the magically binding contract you requested, and the money they are to receive for participating in this trial has already been deposited into their accounts.

The potion has been brewed precisely to your specifications, and our healers are ready to monitor the vitals for the test subjects during the full moon later this month. Should this discovery turn out as you anticipated, I have already paid the records department to register this Potion under Marauder's Inc. through the ICW and several other countries. As per your request, Britain will not be informed of the findings.

I have spoken to Lord Ragnok regarding the other business venture you inquired about, and he is most intrigued by the idea. He would like to meet with you in person to discuss the details, but he knows you are indisposed at the time. We at Gringotts realize that you have just begun your education at Hogwarts, so Lord Ragnok would like to schedule this meeting over the summer. Is this acceptable to you, or please inform me immediately if you would like to schedule an earlier appointment.

In the meantime, I have found several properties that meet the requirements you gave to me. Should any of these interest you, I can immediately begin purchasing the property on your behalf. The muggle investments you asked us to make have already been made, and we picked up as many shares as we could in each of the companies you indicated. You now own 22% of Apple, 14% of Microsoft, 30% of Samsung, 9% of Chevron, 18% of Sony, and 11% of Disney. Your entire business report will be available to you on the last day of the month.

Finally, I have found a Goblin willing to teach the House Elves you purchased to extract the gold from your mines. He charges slightly more than other Goblins who offer the same service, but Master Axegrip is the best at what he does. I highly recommend you choose him to do the training.

May your vaults forever overflow with gold,

Junior Account Manager Ripclaw

Account #3: Harry James Potter

Account #6: Most Ancient and Noble House of Peverell

Account #7: Most Ancient and Noble House of Gryffindor

Account #8: Most Ancient and Noble House of Emrys.

Harry turned his attention back to his lunch until he saw Neville walk through the doors of the Great Hall. His godbrother was once again surrounded by Ron, Seamus, and Dean, and Harry winced at the headache he knew Neville was probably having at the moment. Unfortunately, the Gryffindor first years decided they would be the Boy-Who-Lived's best friends, and Neville was too polite to tell them he wasn't interested. Several times this week, he already had to delay his god brother's stalkers, so Neville could have a chance for some peace and quiet in his room.

When the group finally made it to the Gryffindor table, Harry grinned at the horrified expression on his god brother's face and said, "What are you lads up to, Nev? Trying to kill some time until flying lessons start this afternoon?"

Ron glowered at the Potter boy, somehow knowing he was about to take Neville away from the group. All week long, he had been trying to become friends with the Boy-Who-Lived, but Harry freaking Potter managed to thwart him every time. It almost seemed like the two of them was attached at the hip, and if Ron didn't make some headway soon, he knew Dumbledore wouldn't hesitate to stop paying him to spy on Neville.

What's worse is that he couldn't even say Potter was a poor choice for the company. In their year, the arrogant prat was top of the class, rich, a Lord of three Ancient and Noble Houses, and already shared a godbrother relationship with Neville. It just wasn't fair. Stupid Potter already had everything he could want. The Boy-Who-Lived was supposed to be his friend. His ticket to a life of wealth and comfort. He was tired of living off his brother's hand-me-downs, and Dumbledore's offer gave him a chance at money from two different sources. All he needed to do was convince Neville to be his best friend. Then he could get his "best mate" to pay for everything and hold on to the money he earned from Dumbledore.

Before Neville could answer the question, Ron sneered at Harry and said, "We're actually going to head up to the common room and play some chess with Neville. Don't you have some books or something to read?"

Harry was amused by the apparent hostility he could hear from the redhead's tone.

"Now, now, Ronald," he replied with a smug smile. "It's much too nice a day to be cooped up in the Gryffindor common room. I think it's the perfect time to get a nice run-in before flying lessons. What do you say, boys...want to go for a jog around the Lake? Get that heart pumping and the blood flowing. I guarantee you'll feel more awake when you're done."

Since they already did their cardio in the morning, Neville immediately knew his godbrother was giving him a chance to get away from the other Gryffindors. He played along and said, "That sounds like a great idea, Harry. I could do with some exercise since we've been stuck in this Castle all week long."

Ron winced at the idea of running around for fun, and by the looks on Seamus and Dean's faces, he knew they weren't thrilled by the suggestion either. As much as he wanted to spend time with the Boy-Who-Lived, Ron wasn't about to run around the Lake to do it. When he realized Potter had won this round, Ron decided he would just have to try harder during dinner.

"No thanks, Potter," he replied with a grimace. "Don't really fancy running around for no reason."

Once Seamus and Dean voiced the same sentiments, Neville happily watched the three of them leave the Great Hall. "Thanks a lot, Harry. You're a lifesaver. So, what do you really want to do today?"

When he saw his godbrother cock his left eyebrow and stare at him silently, Neville was instantly worried he would really want to work out again. "You weren't serious about the run, right mate?"

Harry let Neville stew a minute longer before he grinned and replied, "Nah. Don't worry, Nev. I'm not crazy enough to make you work out again today. I heard Wood scheduled practice before our flying lessons, so I figure we can go and see what kind of team we'll have for this season."

As an avid fan of Quidditch, Neville was more than agreeable to the idea, and the two boys quickly made their way to the Pitch. When they finally arrived, the pair was surprised to see Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson were the only ones from the present team.

As the two boys made their way to the Gryffindor starting Chasers, Harry felt a rush of emotion at the thought of their deaths in his old world. Both girls had died at the Battle of Hogwarts while successfully defending the younger kids from the Death Eaters that managed to make it in the Castle. The girls fought ferociously with fellow Chaser Katie Bell by their side, and thanks to their efforts, not a single kid from the lower years was harmed that day.

Harry's pain at seeing the two girls were soon washed away by realizing that they were both alive in the here and now. As long as Harry did things the right way in this world, there wasn't any reason for the pair to be alive for a very long time.

Harry's reverie was broken when he heard Angelina jokingly call out, "Well lookit here, Alicia, it seems we're about to meet the Golden Lion of Gryffindor and Lord of Dragon."

Neville and Harry looked at each other in surprise and mouthed the title silently. Turning back to face the girls, Harry asked, "I'm sorry, ladies, but the Golden Lion of Gryffindor and Lord of Dragon? Why would you call us that?"

Angelina looked at the two first years and realized they really didn't have a clue about the nickname the rest of the House had given to them. Everyone was thrilled by the points they were bringing in from their classes, and after how they handled Snape, the pair was already famous throughout the lower years. When she thought about it, it made sense they weren't aware of the name since both boys had their own quarters and, so far, only spent a limited amount of time in the Gryffindor common room.

"That's what everyone is calling you two," Angelina explained.

Harry and Neville blushed when they heard about the nickname, and the pair couldn't understand why their Housemates would use it.

"Why in Merlin's name would anyone call us that?" Neville asked the amused girls.

"Come now, Mr. Boy-Who-Lived," Alicia joked with the first year. "Not only are the two of you at the top of your year, the pair of you have so far earned the most points in the House this year, and you're both the only first years to go toe to toe with Snape and not just come out alive, but you actually beat the slimy git. Whether you like it or not, you got most of the lower years worshipping you as minor deities."

The Gryffindor Chasers laughed at the simultaneous groans that erupted from the two first years. The two girls were definitely amused by their antics and slightly pleased that the boys didn't let the praise go to their heads. From their own time at Hogwarts, the Chasers saw few people who got to be in the limelight and didn't get a big head from all of the attention.

Deciding the boys had been teased enough, Angelina asked, "So what can we do for the two of you today?"

"I heard Wood was holding a practice before the first year flying lessons, and we wanted to check out how the team looked," Harry replied. "But it seems you're down several players. Where is everyone?"

"The Weasley twins are serving detention with Flitwick right now, but they should be out soon," Alicia answered. "Wood's late because he's going over the try-out schedule with McGonagall. We're going to need a Seeker and a Chaser this year, so he's kind of freaking out right now."

Harry nodded his head in understanding. From his own memories of Wood, he knew the captain liked to book the Pitch forty outs before the other Houses got a chance. He wasn't sure about the reason behind it, but he did know it was essential to the Keeper. What surprised him was the team's need for another Chaser. That spot was supposed to go to Katie Bell. He hadn't seen the second-year girl this week, but he assumed it was because he hadn't spent much time in the Gryffindor common room.

"That's got to be hard for Wood," Harry replied. "But I thought I heard someone say you already had three Chasers."

Alicia grimaced slightly before answering, "We did, but things didn't work out as planned. Last year we trained this girl named Katie Bell for the spot, but we learned she wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts over the summer. Her dad got offered a promotion at work, but their family had to move to the States for him to get it."

Harry was stunned to hear the news. He knew this world would have its own changes, but a part of him was sad he wouldn't be able to see Katie Bell again. Not only was she an outstanding Quidditch player, but after the Weasley twins, he was probably the closest to her on the team.

As she watched the two first years in front of her, Angelina suddenly had an idea. They still had plenty of time to kill before the rest of the team arrived, and she thought it would be fun to give the boys some early practice at flying.

"If you two aren't doing anything right now, how about we play a quick game until everyone else arrives? The boys left their kits here, so you have three brooms to choose from. I'm sure they won't mind you using them for a friendly game."

Harry was thrilled by the offer, but he wasn't sure if Neville would be interested. Old Neville was afraid of flying, and he didn't know if the new one shared that fear. He was just about to ask his godbrother if he wanted to play, but he stopped as soon as he saw the gleam in the brunette boy's hazel eyes. He'd seen that gleam several times this week, and he knew his godbrother was already frothing at the mouth to play.

Curious about how good Neville was at Quidditch, Harry leaned towards him and whispered, "Are you any good, Nev? We don't have to play if you don't want to."

Neville brushed off his friend's concern and quickly replied, "I spent most of my time alone at the Manor, Harry. I usually flew on our private Pitch whenever I got some free time. I can hold my own in the air."

Harry couldn't wait to play once he received confirmation from his fellow Gryffindor. "Yeah, we'd love to play two on two against you girls."

Within a minute, the two boys kitted themselves out with the Weasley twins' gear, grabbed their brooms, and raced into the air to meet their opponents. As the taller of the male pair, Harry chose to defend against Angelina, leaving Neville to guard Alicia.

No sooner had the boys taken their positions than the female Gryffindors went on the attack. Harry marked Angelina closely, and when he saw she was about to pass, he swooped in and intercepted the Quaffle. Without missing a beat, he twirled around on his broom and hurled a pass to an open Neville.

If he wasn't one of the players in the game, Harry would have been cheering his godbrother for the move he just completed. Rather than waste time trying to catch the pass he'd just thrown, Neville pulled off a Professional move called the FinbourghFlick, and used his broomstick to hit the Quaffle into the goalpost. The two boys grinned smugly at the sight of the stunning looks that suddenly appeared on the faces of the two Chasers and quickly moved back into position for the next round.

Once the girls got over their surprise at the play, Angelina and Alicia glared furiously at each other. They silently held a conversation through their eyes and decided it was time for them to get more aggressive. Using a move called the PorskoffPloy, the two girls attacked the goal simultaneously. Angelina took possession of the Quaffle and flew high while Alicia moved below her and mirrored her movements. They practiced this move for hours over the summer, and it took exact precision to pull off.

Just as Harry attempted to intercept her, Angelina faked a shot at the goal and released the Quaffle directly below her. The move temporarily froze both Neville and Harry, but it gave Alicia enough time to catch the Quaffle and fire a shot through the goalpost. This time it was the girls' turn to celebrate, and they smiled when they saw the appreciative looks appear on their opponents' faces.

For the next thirty minutes, the two sides played tough-nosed Quidditch, and it was evident that neither side was holding back anymore. The boys were obviously better fliers than the girls, but the female Gryffs hung around with their experience and superior ability to play with one another. By the time the game was slowly coming to a close, Alicia and Angelina scored 80 points with their chemistry, and through plays, they perfected during hours and hours of practice with their teammates. Meanwhile, Neville and Harry played with reckless abandon, and the skilled duo racked up 110 points off numerous stunts, tricks, and made-up plays.

At this moment, Alicia fired a pass to Angelina, and suddenly she felt the clasp on her bracelet break. In her haste to play the game, she had completely forgotten to take off her grandmother's bracelet, and now she watched as it plummeted towards the Earth. She was just about to race down to pick it up when she saw Harry's broom shoot out like an arrow after it.

As soon as Harry saw the sunlight reflect off the surface of the bracelet, his eyes zeroed in on the target, and his broom shot out in pursuit of the falling object. The wind whipped across his face as he hurtled frantically towards the ground, all the while ignoring the screams of protest he heard from the girls behind him.

When he saw the ground rapidly approaching in front of him, Harry reached out his hand and felt his fingers wrap around his chosen target. As soon as his prize was secure in his grasp, he pulled back viciously on the front of his broom, and his feet grazed the grass below him, as he barely managed to avoid hitting the ground.

Harry was just about to raise the fist that held the bracelet up in victory when he suddenly heard McGonagall scream, "MR. POTTER, what do you think you are doing?"

As soon as he turned around, Harry saw the stern Transfiguration teacher glaring at him, and behind her stood the Weasley twins and Oliver, all three with silly grins plastered across their faces.

Before he could respond, Angelina and the others joined him on the ground, and the female Gryffindor interjected on his behalf. "Alicia and I will take full responsibility for this, Professor. We were just playing a safe and friendly game of two on two."

McGonagall had been standing there for the last ten minutes with the other members of her House team, and she knew the game she was just watching could be called many things, but a safe wasn't one of them. The sheer skill and daring she saw from the first-year boys made her simultaneously want to jump up with joy and give them both detentions for the next seven years. In particular, Harry's last maneuver was enough to shave off several hours of her life.

"I see," she replied sternly to the worried Chaser. "And what exactly was Mr. Potter hoping to accomplish with that dive?"

Harry grinned at the teacher and slowly opened his fist so she could see the bracelet that now rested on his palm. "This broke off of Alicia's wrist, ma'am, and when I saw it, I raced after it."

Despite the anger, she was feeling at the moment, at the sight of the bracelet in Harry's hand, Minerva McGonagall allowed the briefest of smiles to grace her lips. "It seems, Mr. Wood, that we have found you a new Chaser."

When the Gryffindor team suddenly erupted into cheers around the two first years, Harry knew he could not be on the team and understood it was Neville. He allowed a smile to grace his lips, but it was not meeting his eyes, and only Professor saw it. Neville was just thrilled to be on the team.

"Mr. Potter would like to follow me; I would like to have a chat with you." Professor McGonagall said.

Harry nods, and they continue to journey to the office in silence. As they both enter the office. He observes and doesn't find any changes compared to the office in the old world. He sees that Professor closes the door and applies a privacy ward around the office.

"Please take the seat, Harry." The seats in the offered chair. "Would you like some tea?"

"No, thank you, Professor. You said you wanted to talk to me."

"Now, Harry, what have I have to tell you to call me in private."

"Of, course Minevra."

"You know Harry, you take too much after your father, other than intelligence and eyes. I saw the look on your face Harry when I announced Neville as Chaser. You wanted to be on the team as well. You also knew that you couldn't be on the team. Harry, can I ask you a question?" at Harry's nod. "Why did you decide to announce the lordship when you knew it would take away many things from your teenage?"

"Minevra, what everyone sees me today is not someone I grew up as. I have made many mistakes in my life and not a few. I was born with my core twisted upon itself and was declared a squib. I let the beliefs of pureblood houses control me. I always thought my dad would obliviate me and send me away; they would think me nothing more than a disappointment. I made a plan. I started investing money from my trust vault, using the money I brought in a 7 compartment trunk to make it less emotional. I have been rude to everyone in the family. Before everything, Alex was my best friend. I said some things and hurt her very severely. Everything changed when I made a recovery putting my life on the line. When I recovered, I knew I had a chance to prove to everyone that it was nothing but an act to make everyone hate me. They gave me a chance and clutched to the chance and tried my best to a good son, whom they would be proud of." Some tears were starting to flow from his eyes.

"Minevra, why am I feeling some memories leaking and showing me something that I don't remember happening or saying." Harry used his full magical force to unlock the memories and view some memories.

Harry views many memories of him and Professor McGonagall together. "Minevra, I am really sorry for saying those foul words last time we met." Harry got up from his chair, bent in front of her, took her hands in his, and said, "Please forgive me for saying such foul words Minevra. I can't even say in anger; that would be the worst I have ever said. How could you still talk to me like nothing happened?"

"Harry, you remember the day the first time I held you in arms? Did you see the look on my face? Do you remember what you had called me? The first time I held you in my arms, I formed a connection with you, something I don't remember making with any other child. It was like, you are my grandson. Your parents would tell you to call me Auntie Minnie, but you called me Grandma Minnie. It was the day I had the biggest smile on my face after my husband's death. We used to spend so much time together. I still remember every time I would babysit you while your parents went outside. Then on the day, you called me a 'pussy idiotic old lady.' I was hurt deeply and didn't want to see you again. I would have scolded you, but I saw the look on your face. It was not of anger; you meant it. I knew I had lost my grandson and wanted nothing more than to distance myself from you. Every time I would see you, I would remember the day so, I used a special family spell that would allow you to forget any conversation we had until that point. I would have never have reminded you of all those memories. Still, yesterday you asked towards whom my loyalties are; I had to make you remember the grandmother oath I took when you were young; it was like my instincts and special power was telling me to take the oath and trust you, but after that, I was so much angry at myself for taking the oath, but past few days you made many sacrifices, and I knew I had the right decision and my instincts to trust you were always right. Even during everything that happened, you were still grandson to me, Harry, and you are still." Minevra took her chin, lifted it up, and looked into her eyes as she ended the sentence. She saw the tears were flowing from his eyes as were her and wiped the tears from his cheeks. "Harry, you promise not to break my heart again. I am an old lady who loves you very much and can't retake a heartbreak."

"I would never do it again, Grandma Minnie. Please accept me again as your grandson. I will try to be a good grandson. Please forgive me, Grandma Minnie." Hearing him call Grandma Minnie made her heart warm again.

"Harry, just be yourself; that's all I want and hug this old lady." As soon as Minevra finished, Harry hugged her fiercely, and his enthusiasm was returned. They just sat there holding each other for some time. Then, "Harry, now it's your time to return to the suite, and we will talk again about everything that has happened since the day and everything."

Harry returned to his suite, and both slept with a smile on the face of happiness.