The Friendly

Daisy grinned as she walked into the locker room and looked around at her teammates getting into their practice kits. Merlin, she was ready to get back to this. She was ready to focus her thoughts on something other than her gifts and using them.

"Well, look at this, lads, the great Pixie has returned!" Campbell shouted. A round of cheers went around as she walked over to her locker.

"I was only gone a couple weeks," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Yea, but it's been nearly a month since we were all on the pitch together," Bray said.

"Luce has been going crazy without you," Kelly said, glancing at her from his locker.

"Been hearing about it," she said, pulling her top off and reaching for her practice jersey. "Granted, I'm sure she'd of gone crazy with or without me here."

"Either way, I'm hoping you can at least calm her down," Kelly replied. "Merlin knows, none of us have been successful." Daisy just chuckled and shook her head as she got out of her shorts and reached for a pair of shorts and a tank top. Coach had told her just before she walked in not to bother with full pads and uniform today.

"You changed your hair," Blanks said. Daisy nodded.

"Wanted something new," she said as she pulled it up into a high ponytail. "I feel like a lots happened in the last month."

"That it has," Kelly muttered.

"Looks good on you, and we're certainly ready to have you back on the pitch with us," Blanks said. Daisy smiled at him.

"Merlin knows I'm ready to get back on the pitch," she said. "Haven't been in the air since the final."

"Ready to bring in some of that Pixie fire?" Blanks asked, grinning. "We need to defend our honor this season."

"I most certainly am," she replied, grinning at him. Perhaps the loudmouthed beater wasn't so bad after all.


Daisy took a deep breath as she stepped onto the pitch, closing her eyes for a moment as she took in the smell of the grass. The breeze blew, picking up her now shorter ponytail. She smiled and opened her eyes, seeing the rest of the team walking over to Coach Nilsson to get their orders for that day's practice. The smile faltered a bit as she saw John standing next to him.

"Best get it over with," she muttered to herself as she strode over, a determined look now set on her face.

"Welcome back, Wood," Nilsson said, nodding at her.

"Good to be back, Coach," she replied, propping her broom in front of her and leaning against it. Her gaze flicked over to John who was watching her.

"Hope you learned a lot while away," Nilsson said cryptically, though she could sense a bit of concern in his voice.

"I did, Coach. Got things under control," she replied, reassuring him as best she could in front of everyone that her gifts weren't going to get in the way.

"Good. I'm going to need you focused. We've got a friendly against the Wanderers coming up. Not to mention, we've got new plays on top of making sure you all still have the old ones down," Nilsson said, fixing his ice blue eyes on the rest of the team.

"Yes, Coach," they all shouted.

"Good. Blanks and Campbell, you'll be with Kingfisher this morning doing some drills. We need to get your speed up Blanks," he continued. "Chasers, you'll be going over plays with the chaser coach. Wood, you're with me. Need to make sure you didn't get lazy while you were gone." There was a hint of a smile on his face. Daisy grinned and nodded.

"Yes, Coach," she said.

"In the air!"

The chasers took off as Daisy walked over and entered into a conversation with Nilsson while Blanks, Campbell and Kingfisher started walking down to the other side of the pitch.

"Got us doing drills?" Campbell asked. Kingfisher looked back at him, his eyes falling on Daisy for a moment before he turned back around.

"We've got some new plays we want to try," he said. "But Blanks needs some work on speed and distance. So I came up with some drills that should fix that."

"Get him to where you were, that it?" Campbell asked with a smile as he glanced at the rookie beater.

"I may be no Kingfisher, but I hold my own," Blanks said, frowning at Campbell. "I did help us win the cup this year."

"That was mostly the chasers and Daisy," John said, still walking. "But once I'm done with you, could be giving Remus and Alan Wood a run for their money." Blanks looked back at him and smiled, puffing his chest up a bit.

The three kept walking while Blanks looked back at Daisy and Nilsson.

"Bit awkward, yea?" Blanks said.

"What do you mean?" Kingfisher asked, not looking at him.

"Working with Pix and all," Blanks said. Campbell punched him in the arm.

"Shut yer mouth!" he growled.

"It's fine," Kingfisher said with a sigh. "And yea, it's weird. But I'll get used to it. Eventually."

"Suppose it's odd being around her and Wills as well," Blanks continued, earning him another hit from Campbell. "Watch it! That's my hittin' arm, ya codger!"

Kingfisher stopped and turned to face the two.

"Look, a lot is different and there's a lot to get used to - Daisy and Wills is just a small part of that. But… can we all act like professionals here?" he asked. "We need a repeat win at the finals and that's what matters."

"Aye, that we do," Campbell said. "And you need to get up to snuff." He glowered at the shorter man.

"I've got it! I'm willing to train!" Blanks shouted.

"Good. Get in the air," John said. Blanks hopped on his broom and was up immediately, but Campbell stood there a few more moments, smiling slightly. "What is it?"

"Just… I miss flying with ya, but bein' a coach… looks good on you," he said. John smiled and nodded.

"Appreciate it," he replied. "Now I'm serious. Get up in the air." Campbell chuckled as he hopped on his broom and took off. John cupped his hand over his eyes and watched as Blanks and Campbell waited for his directions. He shouted them out and then blew a whistle, watching as they started working through the first ones. Blanks did well enough in the second half of last season, but he was going to have to hit the bludger harder, faster and over a longer distance if he was going to pull off the plays Kingfisher and Nilsson had come up with.

As usual, he found his eyes moving over to the other end of the pitch where Daisy was now doing small laps on her broom to warm up. Nilsson hovered on his, watching her before barking out orders. Daisy sped up and smoothly executed a front flip, easily landing on her broom before pulling off a few more of her signature moves. She was the only one not decked out in pads, likely so she could be unencumbered while Nilsson worked with her.

Despite everything, it was still hard to take his eyes off her. Even pulling off relatively tame stunts for her, she was mesmerizing. The whole team was glancing over at her despite needing to focus on their own work. The way she moved through the air, flying almost as though she didn't need a broom. That brilliant grin she had right after she landed a stunt. Her red curls flying behind her.

It had been eight months since they broke up. Eight months since she got together with Wills. And in that time she had developed her skills and discovered she could bring back the dead. Even communicate with them. John frowned slightly and shook his head, tearing his eyes away from her. It still hurt, though he was coming around to it. He knew that they wouldn't have worked out - with or without Wills around. And something was coming. The Network would be after her. He was honestly surprised they didn't have a guard on her at all times.

Watching Blanks and Campbell, the same resolve welled up in John as before. He would do whatever he could to help her. To keep her safe, even if they weren't together. Since coming back, he felt more strongly that his future was somehow intertwined with the Woods and he wasn't about to shirk away from that.


Daisy guzzled down water after Nilsson called for the lunch break. It felt good to be back in the air, even if she was a bit sore. But coach had her in the weight room for a couple hours after lunch before she joined the rest of the team to start on the new plays. He wanted to make sure she still had her strength up. Tomorrow they would start on more complicated tricks. And then a couple days after that, they would play the Wanderers in a midsummer friendly and try out some of the new plays. Daisy admitted that it would be weird playing them without Remus and Alan on the team. She suspected Nilsson and John had already been scoping out their new beaters and had a strategy in mind. She had glanced down to the other end of the pitch while she was working with Nilsson, noting that John seemed to be doing well working with Blanks and Campbell. He seemed to exude the confidence necessary to be a good coach. She hoped he would have a long career.

Sighing, she started in, heading towards the canteen with the rest of the team. The reserves would likely already be there.

"Looking good up there, rookie," a deep voice said behind her. Daisy spun around, watching as John walked up to her. She smiled slightly.

"Haven't been a rookie in awhile," she said, falling in step with him. "Besides, isn't Blanks the rookie now?"

"I think you'll always be the rookie to us," John said, glancing down at her.

"Settled in well?" she asked.

"Yea. I mean, still getting used to coaching, but it's not so bad. Kinda fun, actually. I get to boss Blanks around. And Campbell," he said with a chuckle.

"You look good as a coach," she said. "I'm glad you came back."

"Really?" John asked, stopping. Daisy took a deep breath and turned to face him.

"Really, John. Besides, Blanks needs it," she said, smiling. John laughed softly and nodded.

"He's good, but he can be better," he admitted.

"And… well… I'm grateful… for the other stuff," she said, looking down at her feet.

"Pix… I told you, I'm on your side no matter what. Is it awkward with Wills and all? Yea. But, there are more important things going on and… I'm going to do what I can," he said, staring down at her.

"Thanks, John," she said softly, looking up at him. "We're going to get through this, aren't we?" John laughed softly and started towards the building, throwing an arm around her shoulders and pulling her with him.

"Of course, we are, Pix," he said.


Even though it was only a friendly, there was definitely excitement in the air at Appleby stadium. Dominique grinned as she leaned forward in her chair, wearing Cunningham's jersey. Teddy had given them all the day off to go, saying he didn't want the team to burn out mid-case. She glanced over, seeing him already with a beer in hand next to Victoire, surprised that she had managed a day off from St. Mungo's.

"Do you always take the day off for matches?" Tori asked from where she sat on the other side of Chris. "And do you always get such good seats?"

"Teddy doesn't usually let us off, though Toby's apparently gotten good at playing sick," Dominique replied, looked over at the man in question who was quietly explaining the rules of the game to a slightly overwhelmed-looking Tessa. "As for the seats, usually. We know so many in the league now that we manage to get players' box seats for everyone except during big games. Actually surprised we got enough for this match, seeing as most players use friendlies to scope out the competition." Chris snorted.

"Says the woman who's about to have box seats for life," he replied, smirking at Dominique. The blonde fidgeted in her seat.

"We don't know that for sure," she said, turning her attention back to the pitch as the teams came out and started doing laps around the pitch.

"There's my Pixie!" Wills shouted, leaning in his seat. "Good to see her back in uniform."

"Do you think we'll ever get her in Puddlemere colors?" Remus asked.

"Doubt it," Alan replied.

"She's pretty adamant about never working with Dad again," Jamie added.

"Is he really that bad?" Tori asked. All three triplets and Wills turned to look at her.

"You have no idea," Remus said.

"He's not that bad," Wills said, frowning slightly.

"He's not here, Wills. You can lay off on the sucking up," Remus replied looking over at him.

"Dad's got a bit of a reputation for being a tough coach," Jamie explained to Tori.

"I think it is fun to watch him explode," Christos said, grinning. Roxanne, who was seated next to him, looked over at him with an amused face.

"That's because it's hardly ever directed at you," she said. Christos smiled down at her.

"And it's that way by design," he said, pecking her on the lips. Roxanne blushed as Remus and Alan gave each other a look and then grinned at the couple.

"So, does this mean you two are officially together?" Remus asked.

"Will we hear wedding bells anytime soon?" Alan added.

"Would you two shut it!" Roxanne shouted at them, though she was grinning. "Besides, the game's about to start."

"GO PIXIE!" Wills shouted, jumping to his feet as the balls were released.

"Wills, she's not doing anything yet," Jamie said, rolling his eyes slightly.

"Of course she is! Kelly's got the quaffle and she's helping run offense," Wills replied, still standing.

"Oi! You're blocking my view! I can't see my future husband!" Lucy shouted, tossing popcorn at the blonde player. Wills sat down, but not before shooting a scowl at the redhead.

"My future wife is out there too," he said before turning around.

"Yea, yea. Shut it. I'm the one getting married in less than month," she said, settling into her chair. "Besides, where's Daisy's ring?"

"You know that I-"

"Yes, Wills. We know!" the triplets shouted.

"Better get your money ready," Roxanne said, grinning at her cousins. "I've got my money on before 25."

"Same," Remus and Alan said at the same time.

"Same here," Dominique added. Chris just laughed.

"We've got a few galleons on you too," Remus said, shooting a grin at Roxanne. She frowned as her cheeks flushed.

"Why the hell would you do that?" she exclaimed.

"Haven't you learned, dear cousin? We always bet on everyone and everything," Alan said. "No love life is spared."

"And who do you think started the bet on you and Christos?" Remus added. Roxanne's eyes widened.

"I'm going to kill my father," she grumbled.

"Okay, I'm never telling any of you anything about my love life," Tori said.

"Ah, but that's how you know you've been accepted into the fold," Dominique said, glancing over at her. "There have been many bets over the years about Toby." The three aurors looked down at the obliviator, who was grinning at a now fascinated Tessa. Her eyes were quickly following the action as the box cheered while Kelly scored.

"He seems taken with her," Tori commented.

"Finally," Chris said. "He was hung up on Pix for awhile." Tori's eyes widened.

"Really? Do tell," she said.

"Pix and Toby were best friends since they were kids and he fell in love with her around fifth year," Dominique said. "But didn't confess until a particularly drunk night after the New Year's Quidditch Ball her first season. Thanks to those three." She pointed at the triplets. Tori chuckled.

"Please tell me one of you was there to see this," she said, glancing at the two.

"I was not," Chris said.

"I wasn't either," Dominique said.

"But the way Remus and Alan tell it, it was rather comical," Chris replied. Tori chuckled as she shook her head. "However, it's good for him. Finding someone new. Especially someone that seems to be interested in him as well." The three looked down at the two as Tessa smiled at him and his cheeks turned slightly pink.

"Ah, young love," she said with a sigh.

"Getting nostalgic, are we?" Chris asked, looking over at her. She shook her head.

"The job gets in the way," she said. Chris sighed.

"I can understand that," he said.

"Me too," Dominique added. The two looked over at her.

"You're in a happy relationship," Chris said, frowning. Dominique looked over at him.

"Yea, but it took awhile to get there," she said, frowning. "We had some bumps."

"Nearly forgot. You did break up for about a year," Chris said, glancing at her. Dominique nodded and looked back at the match. "And it was all quite dramatic. In true Wood-Weasley-Potter fashion." Dominique rolled her eyes as Tori chuckled.

"I get it," Tori said. "The last guy I was with, it was probably the closest to a serious relationship I've ever had. But… with the job, just didn't want to put him into any unnecessary danger. And, well, I saw what it did to my parents."

"What happened?" Chris asked. Tori smiled sadly as she glanced at him.

"Divorced. I mean, they tried. For me. But it got to a point where they both had to admit that it wasn't working. The late hours. Going out on missions. Keeping secrets. It was too much," she said with a heavy sigh. "I don't want that to happen to me." Chris studied her for a moment before replying.

"Well, if I've learned anything, it's that… you can't get caught up in the what ifs… sometimes it's best to just… live in the moment and let things play out as they will," he said, smiling slightly. Tori glanced at him, her cheeks heating up.

"Suppose you're right," she said. Dominique watched the two, smiling slightly.

"You saw that too?" Lucy whispered from her other side. Dominique looked over at her cousin.

"Yea…" she said, starting to grin. Lucy giggled.

"Ah, romance is in the air," she said.

"Nothing like quidditch to bring out the love," Dominique said, rolling her eyes.


"There she is! The love of my life and best seeker in the league!" Wills shouted later at the Woods flat. After a five-hour match that the Arrows ultimately won, everyone had reconvened for the after party there. Tori was amazed at how many people fit in there. She looked over as the Arrows walked in, a grinning Daisy at the forefront.

The small woman immediately walked over to Wills and fell into his arms, kissing him.

"Brilliant match," Wills said, beaming down at her in pride.

"It was just a friendly," she said, rolling her eyes.

"But still," Wills said. Daisy shook her head. She then looked over, seeing Tori standing with Chris.

"You must be this famous MACUSA auror," she said, walking over with her hand out. "Daisy Wood."

"Tori Rollins," she said, shaking it.

"See they've got you caught up in the quidditch madness," Daisy replied. Tori chuckled.

"Didn't take much," Tori admitted. "I was already a fan."

"We seem to take it to another level," Daisy said, looking around the flat as Wills stepped up and slid an arm around her waist.

"Great coaching today, Kingfisher," he said, looking over at the former beater as he walked up, drink in hand. "You're really doing some work with Blanks." John just shrugged and smiled.

"Coaching's not so bad," he said.

"Then I've got something to look forward to when I eventually retire," Wills said. John laughed as Daisy looked up at him, frowning slightly.

"I thought you were going to play forever," she said. Wills looked down at her.

"I mostly likely will," he said. "But helps to keep my options open."

"Really, Wills. It's pretty good. Not as many bumps and bruises," he said, causing the couple to look at him.

"They seem to be getting along," Tori said softly to Chris, watching as the three joked around together. "John seems more relaxed."

"I'm not surprised," he said. "John and Pix were good friends before they started dating. I'm sure they'll get back to that. And, as annoying as Wills is, he's a good bloke. Everyone likes him. Save Oliver Wood." Tori chuckled as she glanced up at him.

"Just what does Daisy's dad have against him anyway?" she asked. Chris shook his head.

"Wills has been annoying him ever since he joined the team about 13 years ago. He was a smart mouthed rookie chaser and Mr. Wood was the star keeper set to take over as coach. Wills became the star chaser. And then Wills stole the heart of his little Pixie when she was just 8 years old," he said with a sigh. "He's always been protective of Pix - even back in school when we were dating. But, his star chaser becoming connected with his little girl, that was too much for him." Tori glanced up at him.

"You dated Daisy?" she asked, looking back over at the lively ginger. "I guess I see it. She seems to draw people in. I mean, I already like her and I just met her." Chris chuckled.

"She's a live one, that's for sure," Chris said. "But her and Wills, they were made for each other."

"I can see that," Tori said, still watching the couple.

Later on, Daisy stood near the drink table, watching Chris and Tori. She had spoken with the MACUSA auror a bit more and decided she liked her. She hoped to get to know her a bit better. But she was now intrigued by the two.

"How long has this been going on?" Daisy asked, looking over at Dominique and Lucy.

"We're not sure if there is anything going on, but certainly hoping to push things in that direction if need be," Dominique replied, also watching the two.

"Planning on inviting her to the bachelorette party. And the wedding," Lucy added. Daisy studied her cousins in astonishment.

"What?" Dominique asked.

"Just… not used to seeing you join in on the scheming. Thought you hated it," she said. Dominique rolled her eyes.

"Figured it was about time," she said lightly. "This is who our family is. Might as well accept it." Daisy chuckled as she looked back at Chris and Tori.

"You have to admit they make a striking pair," she said, tilting her head to the side.

"Their children will be gorgeous," Lucy added.

"Sure yours will as well," Dominique said, looking over at her. Lucy sighed.

"They're destined to be ginger," she said sadly.

"And what's wrong with that?" Daisy asked, frowning at her. Lucy looked over at her.

"Instantly recognized as Weasley," she replied.

"Being a Weasley isn't that bad," Daisy said. "Loads better than being a Wood."

"You're a famous quidditch star in a family of quidditch stars," Dominique said, glancing at her.

"With an unbearable coach for a father," Daisy said. "And brothers that think it's fun to use permanent sticking charms to plaster your boyfriend's flat with pictures of you." Both Dominique and Lucy started giggling.

"Saw the photos - did he ever get rid of all of them?" Dominique asked. Daisy narrowed her eyes at Remus and Alan.

"No. There are still a few that refuse to come down. And they just so happen to be embarrassing baby photos," she said. Her cousins laughed again, this time harder. "Oh, shut it - both of you."

"Not so fun when you're the brunt of the joke, is it?" Dominique asked.

"I've been the brunt of the joke just as much as you. You two didn't live with them most of your life," Daisy retorted.

"Ah, yea, but you did help them out more often than not," Lucy replied. Daisy just rolled her eyes.

"If I weren't so busy with quidditch and everything, I'd get them back," she said. Dominique and Lucy widened their eyes as they looked over at her. "Don't look at me like that, I don't have time."

"But it could be so much fun!" Lucy practically squealed.

"You're forgetting they are the kings of pranks," Daisy said.

"But you've got a devious mind, Daisy Wood. Put it to good use," Dominique said. Daisy smiled slightly and looked over at them.

"I'll think about it."


Got more done today. One the one hand, I'm happy this last book is coming together. On the other, it hasn't quite hit me yet that this is the last book. Mostly because I have a few oneshots and shorts in the works. Sure it'll be an emotional experience when I finish the last chapter and then post it.

AleenaBean - Thank god! I was so worried about that because it was so hard to come up with. But I came up with the idea of Athanasia's journal entries because I was stuck and that helped bring it all together. We all know Daisy at this point. She is nothing if not confident and fearless. She just needed to get back to that. Haha, she's the Gryffindor I wish I could be (total Hufflepuff, btw). And I mean, Oliver outbursts are expected, are they not? Eventually he'll come around. Just not yet. And that, it was actually an accident. There's an upcoming secret that Christos has the opportunity to divulge and he chooses not to. (It's happy, don't worry.) And as you can tell from this chapter - no, they still haven't got all the photos down. ^_^

As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!