I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Extended Family
Chapter 18 – AU: Hard work, Tenacity, Awesome. Part 3
This starts during winter of Harry's sixth year.
"Mum, we think something's wrong."
Layla looked at her three sons with a raised eyebrow. "What are you three on about?"
"No really, something's wrong with her," Alex Johnson said.
"She's happy and not fighting with one of us," Benjy Johnson continued.
"And she's wearing a dress, willingly!" Chris Johnson finished.
Layla sighed and rubbed her eyes. "There's nothing wrong with her and don't any of you start something! She's already nervous as it is and she will absolutely kill any one if not all three of you if you ruin this for her. And I'll help her and as for you two," she pointed at Alex and Benjy, "your wives will jump on you too. So consider this your final warning."
Angelina walked into the kitchen and she frowned at her three brothers. "What's going on?"
"We were just airing some concerns to Mum," Alex said.
"Yeah, we're worried," Chris intoned.
"About what?" Angelina asked.
Benjy took her hand. "About you. We think you're under a spell or a potion or something. You're way too happy right now."
"Merlin have mercy," Layla sighed.
"Hey, we have a right to be worried over our baby sister," Benjy exclaimed. "Honestly, your attitude is not your usual one and can you blame us-" he gasped as Angelina tightened her grip on his hand. "Merlin's balls! You're crushing my hand!"
Angelina glared as she clenched her hand tighter, sending Benjy to his knees. "Do not say that about Rabbit! He would NEVER charm or potion me and I swear I will tear your mangled fingers off one by one and make you eat them!"
"I mean, the last time we saw you wear a dress was when we charmed those ones from Nanna to attack you," Chris piped up.
"I mean, this Rabbit guy must be a saint if he can get Angelina to wear a dress," Alex chuckled.
Layla opened the door, letting the cold winter air in. Snowflakes blew in too, collecting in the doorway. At that last comment Angelina had let go of Benjy's hand and head snapped towards Alex. Realizing that they prodded the dragon too deeply, the three brothers flew out the house screaming with not completely falsified fear with Angelina chasing them in hot pursuit.
Drawn by the noise, Tobias walked in, chuckling at the sight of Angelina chasing her brothers around the snow. "They started a bit early this year."
"I warned them," Layla said. "I told them that Angelina has very strong feelings about Harry and yet they decided to mess with her. I don't think they realized how much stronger she's gotten since she joined Portree."
Aster and Vanessa, Alex and Benjy's wives, joined them at the open door. "He did it, didn't he," Aster said flatly.
"Guess Benjy's sleeping on the couch tonight," Vanessa smirked. "I warned him not to bother Angelina."
"That's how they show affection, more's the pity," Tobias chuckled. "Maybe we should have put a stop to it when they were younger."
"Nah, it's good for them to experience humility," Aster said as she watched Angelina shove her husband into a snowdrift.
"Wow, she's gotten better at it," Vanessa said admiringly.
-0-
Harry stepped through the Floo and cleaned the soot off of himself. He looked around the comfortable looking sitting room with interest. It was very clean and warm in both feeling and sight. The walls were cream in color with plenty of pictures all over. Couches and chairs dotted the large room and rugs covered the hardwood floors. He fidgeted a little from nerves, unsure what to do. He was a little early and the house seemed oddly quiet save for faint sounds from what seemed like outside.
"Hello?" he called out hesitantly.
A sound made him look down and he smiled at the sight of a black and white cat looking up at him. Large eyes peered intelligently at him; a long tail swished slowly.
"Oh, hello there," he greeted.
The cat butted his leg before coiling around it, purring. When Harry bent to pat its back, the cat clambered up his leg and chest. Surprised, Harry cradled the cat with his other arm and the cat purred even louder, settling comfortably in his arm.
"Oh! You must be Harry!" A smiling woman had walked in. "My name is Aster, Alex's wife. He's the oldest Johnson sibling."
"Oh yes, hello there!" Harry managed to extend a hand. "Nice to meet you."
Aster goggled at the sight of the cat in Harry's arm. "I can't believe she's letting you hold her like that. She's terribly picky."
"She kinda jumped up when I bent over to pet her," he confessed.
"What?! It took years for her to do that to me." She shook her head at the smug feline. "You must be special."
"I wouldn't say that," Harry laughed and blushed.
"Oh, follow me. Angelina is currently teaching her brothers a lesson." Harry followed her willingly, admiring the Johnson home as they walked through it. They reached the kitchen where Layla, Tobias, and Vanessa continued to watch the Johnson siblings roughhouse outdoors. "Guess who's here?" Aster said warmly.
"Oh hello Harry!" Layla smiled broadly. She too looked at the cat in surprise. "Well! You must be a good one for Missy here to want you to carry her around so soon. Come on you silly thing, don't bother Harry."
Missy batted her hands away, looking offended.
"Oh don't you fuss with me," Layla said and lifted the protesting cat and handed her to a grinning Tobias.
Tobias held a hand out to Harry. "Nice to officially meet you in person, Harry. You should know that the womenfolk run this place."
Harry smiled. "I'm fine with that. Used to it and have no problems with it."
"No wonder Angelina likes you," Layla smiled. She winced at a particularly large shout from outside. She sighed. "Still, wish she'd be a bit more delicate but her brothers definitely provoke her more often than not."
Harry looked out the window and he smiled warmly. "Just like the Weasley twins do. Oh wow, she's gotten a lot better at it," he said admiringly as she sunk Benjy deep into the snow. "I couldn't believe how much stronger she got after she joined Portree."
"This doesn't bother you?" Aster asked.
He shook his head. "Not at all. Angelina ran around with me slung over her shoulder before. I'm really impressed. She's working really hard."
"No wonder she really likes you," Layla said with a big smile.
"It's mutual," Harry laughed, face red. "Should we go get them before they get sick?"
"Surprisingly, the boys never got sick despite being shoved into the snow so much," Tobias chuckled. "We've never had much luck stopping them but let's see how you do."
Angelina had Chris lifted up over her shoulders, hands on the back of his shirt and his pants. He flailed in midair. "How have you gotten stronger?!" he yelped.
"Purely so I can kick you about!" Angelina yelled. "You three are gigantic thorns shoved up my arse and today is not the day to mess with me!" She hefted him higher.
"Oh no, are you okay?" Harry asked as he waded through the snow to her.
"Rabbit!" Angelina dropped Chris who fell into the snow with a grunt. "Hi! You're here!"
"I'm a little early," he said as he waved his wand at her. She sighed happily as the warming charm enveloped her, stopping her shivering. He did a quick diagnostic charm and tapped a few bruises and they healed swiftly.
"I missed you," she said and hugged him, lifting him out of the snow and squeezing him.
"I missed you too," he laughed, hugging her back and kissing her cheek. "We should dig them out."
"If you insist," she sighed with mock weariness. She yanked Alex and Benjy out with little compassion and they looked at Harry with wonder.
"She's never pulled us out before," Alex said.
"Always makes us dig ourselves out," Benjy confirmed.
"That makes you our new favorite person that she's ever brought back," Chris finished.
"I never brought any boys back," Angelina growled. "Don't listen to them."
"I can see why you think Fred and George are like them," Harry remarked, feeling relieved. "Nice to meet you all in person. I've heard a lot about you."
"Nothing good, I'm sure," Benjy laughed.
"Like I said, a lot," Harry smiled genially.
Chris blinked at him. "You seriously got her to go from Angrelina to calm in moments. I've never seen that ever."
"I can also hold her back for a minute at a time," Harry said.
"I like you a lot," Alex laughed. "Let's get going while we can." He and the other two brothers plowed their way through the snow while Harry hugged Angelina.
"I told you they're insufferable," she growled.
"They love you," Harry said.
"Love to piss me off."
"That too. I like your dress."
She smiled and blushed. "I just felt like dressing up is all."
"You look great." They held hands as they walked back to the house, stomping and clearing off the snow as they stepped inside the warm kitchen. Harry jumped in to help set things up with dinner much to Layla's surprise but soon she found herself having a lively conversation about cooking with Harry. Soon the very large dinner table was covered in food and dishes and the Johnsons and Harry sat around the table. Missy jumped into Harry's lap at the first opportunity, sitting comfortably and purring.
"I can't believe she got this attached to you so fast," Chris remarked. "That cat is a right menace."
"Mostly kneazle too really," Alex said. "Typically suspicious."
"She's suspicious of you boys because you play too many pranks," Tobias said. "She's always been an excellent judge of character."
"Maybe Harry has a soothing effect on irritable women," Benjy snickered.
"I will stab you," Angelina said and picked up a spoon.
"I don't think you can stab him with a spoon," Harry said.
"She's done it before," Layla sighed.
"Oh is that how you got that funny scar?" Vanessa asked and everyone laughed. "I knew you didn't get it from a salamander bite."
"Okay, well you shouldn't stab him with a spoon," Harry laughed. "I brought pudding and a bloody spoon will make it taste funny."
"Okay, because you said so," Angelina said.
"Seriously, how do you do that?" Benjy gasped. He jumped when Vanessa kicked him.
"I do apologize for my children," Layla sighed again. "All of them."
Harry smiled. "Oh no, this is very lovely. Thank you for having me over."
"You don't have to be overly polite," Tobias said with a wry chuckle. "Our family can be rather much."
Harry shook his head. "No, I can tell it's a very loving family. It's very nice. It's a good kind of much."
"What's yours like?" Chris asked. "Must be a terror if you find ours pleasant. That or boring." He flinched when he saw the glare from Angelina and Layla.
Harry froze for a moment but smoothed his sudden disquiet away. "I didn't really have one before I met Katie and Angelina and the rest of the team. They're the ones I consider my first real family." He smiled. "My current one is great though. I live with my godfather and my god aunt and uncle and cousin now are my family. You're not wrong, the people I grew up with were a terror."
"I'm sorry," Chris said awkwardly.
"It's okay," Harry said. "The one nice thing is that everything in comparison really is nice."
"So you're into Quidditch like Angie?" Alex asked.
"Yup! I'm the Captain of the Gryffindor team and hoping for the League too. Do you three play?"
"Angie got all the Quidditch talent," Benjy laughed. "We all like watching it though. We all somehow support a different team so game days and seasons are points of contention here."
"The only team we all support now is Portree because Angie's on it," Chris said.
Dinner was very pleasant after Chris' remark. Harry marveled how there could be multiple conversations at once but people hopped in and out of others at a staggering rate. In fact, it was a lot like eating with the Weasleys which further explained how Angelina dealt with the twins so easily. However, it was clear that the whole family treated each other lovingly, despite the children showing their affection via barbed words and physical actions.
Harry liked it very much.
Later after dinner, Angelina sat heavily in a big armchair, pulling Harry with her. She buried her face into the back of his head, her arms wrapped around his waist from behind. "I'm so sorry," she said, her voice muffled.
He laughed and patted her hands. "For what? This is nice."
"I know you're lying," she said, continuing to be muffled. "My brothers are awful."
"I'm not," he insisted, pinching her wrist. "Your family is chaotic, sure but it's nice. Your home is very warm and lovely."
She smiled into his hair and kissed the top of his head. "You're sweet," she murmured.
He cuddled back into her. "It's all the tart I eat."
She laughed and squeezed his midriff. "You're clearly not eating enough or working it all off."
"Being captain and prefect really keeps me busy," he laughed. "Plus I try to keep up with the exercises you tell me about. I thought Captain was rough on us."
"Yeah, so did I until I joined the League. The first couple months I passed out as soon as I got home. Mum would find me on the floor with Missy loafing on me." She rested her chin on his shoulder and pressed her cheek against his. "I miss this," she sighed happily.
He rubbed his cheek against hers. "Me too."
Layla smiled as she peeked into the sitting room. She turned and winked at Tobias. "She looks so happy. I've usually only seen her that happy when she's playing Quidditch."
"He's good for her," Tobias said comfortably. "You can tell they adore each other. It's really nice." He looked up at Vanessa and Aster walking in. "Where are those sons of mine?"
"Stuck to some chairs for a little bit to give Angelina some alone time," Aster said without shame.
"We decided they could use some brotherly time to reflect," Vanessa smiled. "To our surprise we already found Chris stuck to a chair so we shoved them all together in the same room."
"Oh I did that to him," Layla laughed. "Great minds think alike."
Tobias guffawed. "Oh Harry, I hope you know what you're in for."
Layla looked lovingly at the sitting room. "I think he does and wouldn't have it any other way."
-0-
The end of Harry's seventh year
"He's good," Shelia muttered. "Really good. Excellent control of the broom. Keeps his head on a swivel. He's not just looking for the Snitch, he's really looking around."
"You know, I was prepared to be disappointed because of obvious reasons," Miranda mused. "Even taking his school record into account. But color me surprised that he's living up to his rep." The coach blew her whistle and one of the Beaters came flying down. A reserve Beater flew up to replace her.
"He's not easy to hit," Tanya praised. "I actually started a few minutes into the try-out, same with Nate. He takes direction well too which is nice. Normally I'd be surprised but well, we have heard good things about him from a few different sources."
The other two witches grinned. "Where is she anyways?" Shelia asked.
"Willingly put herself in the locker room for the duration to not psych him or her up and out," Miranda said admiringly. "Also didn't want to sway our judgement anymore that she has."
"Damn, she's a real good pick," Tanya said. "And I'm even more inclined to listen to her for it. What do you think Shelia?"
"I think he'd be good," the Seeker said frankly. "Like you said, he listens well. Didn't give me any side-eye or tune me out. Actively listened. He's got a solid grasp on the fundamentals. Doesn't go chasing after the Snitch like a dog after a bone."
"I trust you in these things," Tanya said. "I'm just a cavewoman that hits things with a stick."
"Captain Cavewoman," Shelia laughed.
Tanya chortled. "But yeah, I'd say yes too. For the same reasons and he's a pretty nice bloke. Shy but I think that's just how he is. I'm sure he'll loosen up if he joins the team."
Miranda nodded. "Unanimous then. I liked him when I met him and Timms told me I'd be an idiot not to sign him and you know he doesn't mess about."
The trio of witches watched the try-out continue, clapping enthusiastically when Harry caught the Snitch. Miranda blew her whistle three times and all the players and Harry came to the ground. The players were chatting with Harry as they approached and the young man was flush from exertion and happiness.
"Good catch Potter," Shelia said warmly. "Where did you pick that pick up of hyper extending yourself?"
"I'm a bit on the shorter side," Harry said easily. "So I learned to fling myself out a bit while hooking a leg on the broom for stability. Gives me a few extra inches of reach."
"I might have to steal that," Shelia said. "An extra inch or two matters." She colored when Tanya whistled and she kicked the Beater while everyone laughed.
"All right, quiet down children," Miranda said sardonically. She pulled out a roll of parchment and handed it to Harry. "Harry, this is our offer. Honestly, we're impressed and we'd like to sign you on."
Harry's eyes sparkled and his hand shook when he took the contract. "Thank you! I, uh, do you mind if I read this real fast with my Uncle Ted? He's over there. He's good at contract work."
Miranda smiled. "I'm glad you're smart enough to read something before signing it. Take your time lad." They watched as he practically ran over to Ted. Ted had hugged Harry happily and Levi high-fived Harry. The three of them looked over the contract carefully.
"He's really happy about the invitation," Shelia said with a big smile.
"Apparently his father's team was Portree," Tanya said, her voice suddenly soft.
"Oh, that's really sweet," Shelia said, a tear building.
"And his Head of House at Hogwarts is a big Pride fan," Tanya continued.
Miranda snorted. "Oh I hope he says yes. I do not want to get on Minnie's bad side. She'll blame us."
Harry returned, a smile from ear to ear. "I gratefully accept," he said and signed the contract. "Thank you for the excellent terms! It's very generous of you."
"You're welcome and it's proof of how highly we think of you. We've heard excellent things about you from multiple sources and your school record is great. We're proud to have you in the Pride." Miranda shook his hand firmly. "Welcome to Portree!" She tipped Tanya a wink who grinned.
"All hands on deck!" Tanya yelled. "Come on! Tina! Go get the laggards in the locker room yeah?"
The team assembled on the pitch and one member looked incredibly nervous, an expression that was not seen often on her face. Tanya waited for everyone to arrive before she smiled. "Everyone? Please welcome our new reserve seeker: Harry Potter!"
Everyone cheered and clapped and Angelina shrieked with joy. When the team went to Harry to congratulate him, she very visibly restrained herself and gave him a very measured fist bump, which amused the rest of the team and the coach completely.
After Miranda went over the plans for their summer training and made a few other remarks she smiled. "Well, that's it for today. I feel really good about this. We have an excellent roster going in this season and for the first time, we have a full one. We're going to have an amazing season." She clapped Harry on the shoulder and winked at Tanya and Angelina before leaving.
"Alright then, go on, before you pull something," Tanya laughed, pushing Angelina.
Angelina lunged and hugged Harry, lifting him clean off his feet. "We're on the same team again!" she yelled and kissed him wildly.
He hugged her back and kissed her hard. "Finally!"
"We should make sure their lockers are on opposite sides of the locker room," Flora teased.
"What are the rules about public displays of affection?" Samuel asked with faux concern.
"No canoodling in the locker room with other people in it. Oh and no locking the door for said canoodling," Tina giggled.
"I've had canoodles before in Italy," Nathan said with a smile. "Underrated pasta."
Tanya laughed. "Alright, that's enough. Let's not make their heads pop after the trouble we went through hiring Potter and training Johnson." She snickered at their brilliant faces. "Now there aren't rules against relationships with teammates but I don't need to tell you how things can get awkward yeah? We're taking a risk with you two but we all think it'll be worth it and we trust you."
"Already?" Harry asked, surprised.
"We know Angelina is a professional and she assures us you are too. Your records speak for themselves," Tanya said frankly. "So like I said, a risk but a comfortable one. Just don't abuse it is all."
"You got it, Captain," he said happily.
"Ooh I like that. Why don't you lot talk to me like that?" Tanya asked the rest, aggrieved.
"I've known you since we were firsties at Hogwarts," Shelia said, "I don't respect you at all."
"Your bat intimidates me," Flora said.
"You don't appreciate canoodles," Nathan said seriously.
"If I'm nice to you, I can't blame you for hard practices," Samuel sighed.
"Gosh, it's just like our old team," Harry smiled at Angelina.
"Right?"
-0-
Three years later
"Johnson scores again! She is on fire!" Zenny cried and the Portree fans cheered loudly. "No one can stop our Chaser team! Portree is firmly in the lead but if Wimbourne gets the Snitch first, they'll still win so it's still anyone's game!"
"What a flurry from White and Chiang! Those Bludgers just scattered the Wasps Chasers and the Quaffle is back under Portree possession. Flanders in front, Johnson behind, and Duncil blocks! Flanders shoots and deflection by Tooms! Duncil with the rebound and pass to Johnson and she shoots and LOOK OUT!"
Harry corkscrewed, twisting in mid-air, dodging a Bludger. He flew as tightly as he could, chasing the small golden ball. It led him around and towards the hoops, flying through the center one. Harry followed it through the Wasps goal. The Quaffle came flying at him and he dipped just below it, ducking it. The back of his broom clipped the hoop and his body twisted, the whole broom shuddering violently.
He threw himself off the broom, kicking off and lunging. The stadium gasped with horror as Harry went flying. His eyes were locked onto a single target and he managed to grab it before he twisted and rolled, his other hand about to summon his wand.
Angelina collided with him, her arms wide and wrapping around him protectively. She turned in the air, the impact from Harry hitting her causing them to spin around and around. They finally came to a stop and the entire stadium breathed a sigh of relief, like wind moving through trees.
"Rabbit! Are you okay?!" she asked worriedly, clutching him with her arms.
"I'm okay!" he gasped, one arm wrapped around her back, one hand gripping the broom and his body pressed into hers. He breathed heavily from exertion and the very real fear of falling from a great height. "Great catch!"
She growled at him but smiled all the same. "I'm going to kill you when we land, you know that right? Why did you do that?!"
He held up his hand. "This," he said meekly and the Snitch's wings flapped futilely in his grip.
"POTTER CAUGHT THE SNITCH AND JOHNSON CAUGHT POTTER!" Zenny screamed and the stadium joined her. "What a catch by both of them! Pride of Portree won the League Cup! WE HAVE OUR CHAMPIONS FOR THIS YEAR!"
The rest of the Portree team flew to them and Tanya held Harry's broom steady as he hopped over to it. "Amazing catch Harry!" she praised. "Though, it's my job as Captain to say that was a fool's risk and don't do that again."
"Our old Captain would have told me to do it whenever," Harry laughed.
"Good thing you caught it," Tina shouted over the noise of the cheers. "Otherwise Coach would kill you and scold you. You know she's going to tear you a new one yeah?"
"I don't think she'll be the only one," Harry grinned.
Very late that night, after the party at Portree Port and the subsequent party at Grimmauld Place, Harry and Angelina tiredly stepped out of the Floo into their flat on the Isle of Skye. "Are your ears still ringing? I think mine are still ringing," Harry said.
Angelina snorted. "You're lucky only your ears are ringing. I'd be surprised if you didn't have some hearing damage after tonight. How many was it?"
"Uh let's see." He started counting off on his fingers. "Katie, Auntie Sammi, MumAndi, Dora, Hermione, Daphne, Alicia, McGonaMum, Madam Pomfrey, Coach, your mum….did I miss anyone?"
"I don't think so," Angelina smiled. "Just shy of a dozen then yeah?"
He gave her a look. "Are you going to round it out?"
She swatted him on the rear. "I was tempted to but I think you got enough of a tongue lashing tonight. Besides, it was a pretty good catch. Don't do it again though," she said severely before laughing. "Besides, I'm sure Fleur will give you a piece of her mind when she sees the memory."
"There's the dozen," Harry chuckled. He took off his jacket and missed the coat hook. It fell down and something tumbled out of the pocket.
"Just cause you're a championship seeker, doesn't mean you can be lazy," Angelina scolded teasingly as she reached down to pick things up. "Why do you have a tiny Quaffle in your…pocket…" Her voice faded as she looked down at the small red ball in her hands, at the clasp on the front. She turned and saw him standing beside her, smiling. "What's this?" she asked, voice trembling.
"Open it," he said.
She did and gasped. A gold ring sat within, a single round ruby in the center with two small diamonds embedded into the band on either side. Tiny rabbit ears were etched around the diamonds and the ring warmed at her touch.
"I had it with me for the game for good luck," Harry said softly. "It was finished last week and I was thinking of how and when I wanted to ask you. I made a promise to myself today before the game that if I caught the Snitch and we won the Championship, I'd ask you tonight."
"Is that why you jumped like that?" she asked, tears building.
"Partially. I guess I really wanted to ask you, even more than winning. Don't tell Coach or Captain that," he said and they laughed. "I also knew you would catch me, like you always do. Like you did back in my third year. You've done nothing but support me and care for me. You gave me my first stuffed animal. You've given me so much and I want to give it all back to you. All the love, all the care, all the comfort."
"You do," she whispered.
"But I want to give more and get more. I want us to be together, to have a family together." Their eyes met. "Angelina Marie Johnson, will you please marry me?"
She crushed her lips against his. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him like never before. She sobbed as she felt him hug her. A lifetime's worth of memories flooded her and for some reason she remembered the very first time he had ever hugged her. It made her hug him even harder somehow.
"Yes," she whispered against his lips. "I want nothing more than to be your wife. I love you Harry James Potter. I love you so much." She sighed as he slipped the ring on her finger, feeling it tingle and warm her heart, body, and soul. "Oh, it's beautiful," she said softly.
"You're beautiful," he smiled.
She laughed. "Flatterer." She kissed him again and again. "Thank you, Rabbit. For everything."
"I should be saying that to you."
-0-
They told their team first the next day. The original team, his first family. Despite being on the same professional team, despite having played on Team England, whenever the seven of them said, 'the team', they knew it meant the original Gryffindor team.
They were ecstatic. Alicia and Katie cried and laughed and cooed over the ring and the announcement and sighed at Harry's true motivation to risk his life for the Snitch. Oliver and the twins had warmly congratulated them. True to form, the twins made a remark too far which led to them being chased by the Chasers.
The other families and friends were next to know and then the Portree team and crew. Everyone was beyond happy for them and though there were many jokes at their expense, it was well worth it.
-0-
Eight years later
Harry grunted, waking a lot faster than he normally would like. As far as being woken abruptly went however, at least having his twin daughters climbing onto him was a nice reason. He laid there, smiling warmly at two little girls with identical deep green eyes, and short wavy black hair.
"Wake up daddy!" Zoey shouted.
"It's your birthday!" Roxy shouted.
"You're supposed to let your poor father sleep in on his birthday!" he replied unconvincingly. He rolled over, shaking the two small girls off of him and they fell onto the bed giggling. He pretended to burrow into his blanket.
"We can't have that," Angelina said warmly from the doorway. "Get him bunnies! Dig him out!"
"You're supposed to help me!" Harry shouted as he playfully fought his daughters when they tried to pull the covers off.
"I never made that vow," Angelina laughed and she yanked the covers off of him with little effort. "Get him babies!"
"I give!" he said at last, wrapping the girls in a hug and getting out of bed. He carried them to Angelina and they kissed her in turn. "What did Mummy bribe you two with to turn on me eh?"
"Snuggles and candy," they said in unison.
"You two need to learn how to negotiate more. You get that enough as it is," he said back with a smile.
"I never have to bribe them to cuddle you," Angelina said. "They do it willingly. In fact, withholding it is a more effective discipline tool."
"Just like their mum," Harry said cheekily.
Angelina rolled her eyes and poked him in the side. "You two set the table and put the ingredients out so daddy can cook for us."
"You're making me cook on my birthday?!" he gasped as the girls scampered off.
"You want to eat my cooking on your birthday?" she asked. She slid her arms around his lower back and pulled him to her.
"You've gotten better," he said.
She snorted. "No I haven't. You might say so but our daughters won't lie to me."
"They don't have sophisticated adult palates."
She laughed. "You mean they don't have sophisticated adult lies."
He hugged her. "Thank goodness for that."
"Happy Birthday Rabbit," she said huskily, kissing him on the lips.
"Every day's a gift with you and the girls," he said.
"You're so cheesy," Angelina laughed.
"What can I say, you bring out the best in me." He kissed her, losing himself to her lips and touch. Eventually a large clatter cut through their moment, and the sound of indignant arguing reached them. "Better go check on that," he said regretfully.
She chuckled and wrapped an arm around his lower back. "They do know how to interrupt things don't they?"
His smile was the warmest yet. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
"Me neither," she said, her voice as warm as his smile.
-0-0-0-
Urgwaew - I wanted to try and make it feel different enough from how Katie and Harry got together while keeping it realistic and setting fitting. Glad you liked it. Poor Angelina. Well poor any Chaser really with any other Chaser eager to tease each other. I'm pretty sure I will always have Hermione walk in on someone in every story. It's too funny not to have that happen to her, poor thing. I think I will post chapter 1 of my next fic tomorrow so hope you like that too. All the ebst.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Your questions will be answered here. I think it worked really well. I really enjoyed the conversation between the guys. I haven't done a big scene like that before and it felt right to see them chat and natter at each other like that.
alix33 - Glad you liked it.
