Welcome to the Jungle

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or Glee. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Part Two: Sixteen

Chapter Nineteen: Homecoming

Harry's almost unsurprised when he is named Homecoming Prince. He still thinks it's dumb, but he accepts the applause with good grace, and even manages to smile during the photo with his female counterpart, Quinn. He's glad to get off the stage, in any case, glad that he only has one more appearance to make on it - for the Glee Club performance - and doubly glad that he's not the only one who thinks all of the pomp and circumstance is a waste of time.

"That photo looked painful," Cedric comments.

"I have to dance with her tomorrow night," Harry deadpans. In the face of that impending agony, the photo was almost pleasant.

Cedric offers him a sympathetic grimace. "Do you have a date?"

"Katie Bell is humouring me," Cedric replies.

Harry grunts his acknowledgement. He hasn't seen much of Katie lately - frankly, he hasn't seen much of anyone lately - but they've texted enough for Harry to know that she doesn't have any interest in developing another romantic relationship. Her time with Oliver had been a whirlwind, or some such, and she's taking some time out to find her feet again before she considers seeing anyone else. Katie and Cedric are friends though, irrespective of their shared ties to Harry, and Harry at least takes comfort in the knowledge that, if nothing else, they'll be in good company.

On stage, Cedric is announced as Homecoming King, and he lifts himself from his seat with a resigned sigh. By the time he reaches Principal Figgins' side though, there's an affable smile on his face, and Harry can't fathom how he makes it look so easy. He doesn't have a lot of time to consider the possibilities though, because Mr Schuester stands at the nearest set of gymnasium doors, and that's the New Directions' queue to gather for their vocal warmups and whatnot.

"Break a leg," Cedric bids as Harry rises to his feet.

"Thanks," Harry offers him a smile that feels more like a grimace, and makes his way towards the Glee Club Coordinator. Tina, Artie, Rachel and Kate are already there, Mercedes and Kurt aren't far behind Harry, and Finn only dawdles for a couple of moments behind them.

"Let's get this show on the road," Mr Schuester bids, and wordlessly, they do so, and despite their collective misgivings, the New Directions' performance goes well. Their are no obvious mistakes, and the audience is sincere in their resulting enthusiasm, and it's an undeniable rush. Even Harry, who'd hoped only to make it through the performance with his sanity in tact, is excited, and he can't wipe the smile off his face for the life of him.

"That was excellent," Rachel enthuses. She finger claps for effect, beams brightly at the rest of them, and then throws her arms around Kate in a spontaneous, unexpected hug. Kate returns it wholeheartedly, and they descend into a round of high-pitched, indistinguishable babble.

"That it was," Mr Schuester concurs, a fond, indulgent smile on his face. Rachel and Kate settle down, and Harry glances towards the choir room door, thoughts already on the strategy meeting he's supposed to be attending shortly. "I'm so proud of you guys. You were amazing."

"Thanks, Mr Schue," Kurt says, "We couldn't have done it without you."

"I don't know about that," Mr Schuester demurs, "But I don't suppose you guys will have to find out any time soon. I plan to be the Glee Club Coordinator for a while yet."

"At least until we graduate," Kate insists.

"At least until then," Schue agrees.

They don't linger for much longer. They'll rehash their performance next week, maybe, point out places they can improve and the like, but for now, Harry has a football game to prepare for, the others have their own plans, and they haven't much reason to stay. Not yet, anyway.

Perhaps one day…

-!- -#-

The stadium is packed to the rafters with McKinley High alumni, parents, friends, and harry spares a moment to feel bad for his father. With the noise, lights, and the abundance of people, James Potter hasn't much of a tolerance for Harry's football games, but the Homecoming Game has several times more of an audience as the Titans' usual games, and no doubt, with his PTSD and Anxiety, the man is struggling.

God forbid he even consider leaving, though.

"Are you ready for this?"

"I hope so," Harry answers Morgan, his team captain, and his stomach churns. He's never played in front of a crowd like this, and the pressure to succeed feels like a physical weight on his shoulders.

Morgan offers him an encouraging grin. "You've got this, dude. It'll be cake."

Morgan isn't wholly accurate. The team the Titans' are up against don't make it easy for them, but ultimately, McKinley High wins, and the resulting fervor is a little unreal.

"You did well," Coach Beiste praises him, "Are you going to join the festivities?"

Beiste, in her role as Harry's coach, is aware of Harry's workload. In theory, she's supposed to tell him to pack it in if it seems as though the pressure gets to bee too much. In actuality, she encourages Harry to treat football as a stress reliever, tries to avoid heaping pressure on him, and ensures no one else does so in her stead. In doing so, Harry's grown to respect her a great deal, and he hopes she stays on at McKinley for a while.

"I don't think so."

Harry sweeps a hand through his sweat-soaked hair, briefly contemplates attending the afterparty, and grimaces. He's tired, mentally and physically drained, and the thought of having to spend another night at another party is an unpleasant one.

It seems Fred and George were onto something last year. The parties all start to blur together after a while, and like the twins before him, Harry's grown bored of the monotony.

"I think I'll just go home."

Coach Beiste nods her acknowledgement. "Get some rest, then. You've earned it."

With that, Harry is dismissed, and he retreats to the locker room, and to his pumped up teammates therein. He showers and dresses mechanically, chats with the others about their post-game plans - apparently, he's not the only one with plans to forego the afterparty - and heads to the parking lot in search of his family.

His parents and sister find him first, and once Harry is congratulated and examined for injuries, he's surprised when James offers Harry his previously confiscated car keys.

"You think you'd like to drive Kate to the party?"

"Not really," Harry replies. He accepts the keys regardless, "But I don't suppose I have much of a choice?"

"God gave us children to put them to work," Lily answers, tongue firmly in cheek.

Harry rolls his eyes. "In that case, how could I possibly refuse?"

"You can't," James answers, tone bland.

In fact, he's glad to have his car privileges returned to him, and so, once he thanks his parents for the trust, he drops Kate off without further protest, and even acquiesces to collecting her when she's ready to return home. Then he makes his own way home, throws his football uniform into the wash, enjoys a proper shower and a home-cooked meal, and settles in for a night of video games and not much else.

It's the most relaxed Harry's felt in weeks.

-!- -#-

Author's Note: Apologies. This chapter was like pulling teeth. Hopefully the next few will be easier. In any case, happy holidays. Until next time, -t.