I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Extended Family
Chapter 24 – The Cup Overflowing
Initially takes place during Harry's fourth year
If this looks familiar, I used an idea from a Reddit response I did. I am stealing my own idea for this fic. Shock and horror abound.
There was a Cup in the Teacher's Lounge at Hogwarts. As far as appearances go, it was rather plain and unassuming. It started off life at Hogwarts as a simple water cup, a basic vessel for the humblest of liquids. Yet in time, it became something more.
It found a new purpose when it was used to hold a few coins. The coins, donated by the professors at the school, were a bet. The professors had much to bet about of course, as a school would have plenty of reasons for the instructors to bet. The newest and strangest spell catastrophe, the funniest overheard line said between students, the most egregious lie for not doing homework, the most absurd answer on a test. However, none of those categories were ever important enough to use the Cup for.
When students overhear their professors talking about 'the Cup', more than a few assume they talked about the Quidditch Cup. Most of the time, they would be right. While McGonagall was the most enthusiastic Quidditch fan, fanatic some would say well out of hearing, all of the Heads of House liked to see it and rib each other for who held it. Earlier this year, the Cup could have been a reference to the fabled Goblet of Fire.
However, for the professors, when they talked about the Cup, they referred to the one that never left their lounge. It was something that made them laugh, made them cry. It started so many arguments and ended many more. As long as the school had students, the Cup would always have a purpose.
The full name of the Cup was: The Matchmaking Cup. And it would be well used this day. The Yule Ball had been announced and money would change hands and predictions be made with plenty of lively discussion.
Sprout tucked the handful of coins into her pocket. "I told you. George is always looking at her rear. Especially when his mind wanders."
"I suppose I am usually yelling at the pair of them together," McGonagall said ruefully. "Whenever I see the twins around Johnson, they are playing Quidditch or they are being scolded so I do not notice."
"I'm surprised that he can let his mind wander in the greenhouses," Flitwick chuckled.
"The twins are pretty good with plants," Sprout said. "I think they have a large garden at home so they are comfortable with their work, work fast and well enough. I think it's endearing and clearly she enjoys the attention so I never thought to put a stop to it."
McGonagall huffed at that and the others snorted.
"But, I have a new offering for the Cup," Sprout said with a wide smile and everyone turned to look at her, interested. She put a Galleon in. "Mister Potter and Miss Delacour!"
"Surely not!" Flitwick said. "Truly?"
"Oh yes! You should see how she looks at him when they are on the grounds. She seems rather taken with him. And he can hold his own when he speaks to her. No vacant drooling from him. He's made from sterner stuff!"
"Considering how his father drooled over his mother, you know where he got his sterner stuff," McGonagall said fondly.
"Lily of course," Flitwick smiled. "She did resist him for many years." He shook his head. "I don't know if I agree with you on this one Pomona. I think you are allowing your romanticism to get the best of you."
"You might be right," she conceded. "It is the stuff of stories. A foreign beauty comes from distant shores, falls in love with the local boy. It is quite romantic." She narrowed her eyes. "Do you have guesses then, Filius?"
"Involving Mister Potter? Unfortunately not. I know he has a very close relationship with Miss Lovegood but it is sibling-esque in nature and I fully appreciate it." He shook his head angrily. "I still cannot believe what was going on beneath my nose."
"At least it has been resolved," McGonagall said soothingly. "Do not beat yourself up longer over it." She looked at Sprout. "I, however, will remain true to my guess. Mister Potter and Miss Granger."
"Bah! That is also purely sibling-esque," Sprout said, waving her hand. "They are very close yes, there is no denying that. But They are comfortable around each other, far too comfortable for that sort of thing."
"Comfort is a fine foundation for affection and eventual romance. A fire blazes longest with proper kindling," McGonagall argued.
"I sort of agree with Minerva," Babbling said. "Those two are quite the pair in Runes. I'm rather glad he joined when he did. He adds a bit of levity to the class, keeps Granger grounded and helps breaks up a certain squabble before it gets too far." Her eyes twinkled. "Actually, now that would be a fun one if I'm being honest."
"Who?" Sprout asked.
"Mister Potter and Miss Greengrass."
"Oooh," Flitwick said. "That certainly would be. I do like her a lot. She's certainly a child of the noble families but she is inquisitive and kind enough to others, if somewhat aloof."
"I agree," Babbling smiled. "But when she's around Potter, she softens. Noticeably. It's rather sweet."
"Interesting! Ah Severus! A question for you," Flitwick said.
Snape had entered the lounge and was pouring himself a cup of tea. "Yes?" he asked pleasantly, dropping a cube of sugar into his cup.
"Any insights into a potential relationship between your Miss Greengrass and Mister Potter?"
Snape's eyebrow rose. "Hm. Nothing comes to mind. Then again…" He blinked with surprise as the other professors leaned in, completely interested. "There have been times where Potter and Greengrass work together during class. They work well together, along with Davis. I was somewhat surprised the first time they did. I was not aware they interacted outside of class but they do apparently."
Babbling tossed a Sickle into the Cup. "I'm sticking to it: Mister Potter and Miss Greengrass. Now that is a proper romantic story: a forbidden relationship between two rival Houses. Their friends would never accept their love. They have to meet in secret places and unused classrooms for their trysts."
"What do you read in your free time?" Sprout asked with a big smile.
"And may I borrow it next?" Flitwick asked with an equally large smile.
Pomfrey walked in stifling a yawn.
"What happened?" McGonagall asked with concern.
"Long morning," the Matron said. "Apparently a few Hufflepuffs had a free period in the morning and decided to joy ride about on the school brooms and had a bit of an accident."
"Oh no," Sprout groaned. "Was it bad?"
"Lots of broken bones and a concussion or two. Nothing that can't be fixed, aside from how stupid they are," Pomfrey said.
"Splendid. I know who you're talking about with that ending statement. It looks like they need more detention to stay out of trouble."
Pomfrey accepted the cup of coffee from Snape and she noticed the Cup. "Oh? Did someone start a new one?"
"Yes and no. We're being romantic," Sprout pointed at Babbling and herself, "and Minnie is being practical."
"You say that as if it is a bad thing," McGonagall sniffed.
"Ah, so we are talking about Mister Potter," Pomfrey said knowingly. "What are the new developments?"
"I think we will be seeing Mister Potter on Miss Delacour's arm," Sprout smiled.
"I'm behind Mister Potter and Miss Greengrass," Babbling said.
"And I still believe that Miss Granger will be the one in the end," McGonagall said stubbornly.
"All good choices, but all wrong ones."
Everyone turned to look at Pomfrey.
"Go on then, who do you think?" Sprout asked.
"Mister Potter and Miss Bell."
"Now that is a sibling relationship if I ever saw one," Sprout said dismissively. "Even more so than him and Granger. No, won't happen."
"You haven't seen what I have. There's something there. I am absolutely sure of it."
"You do sound awfully confident," Babbling mused.
"That is such a long shot though," Sprout hummed.
"Sometimes long shots are accurate ones," Filius chuckled. "I was the one that called Edward and Andromeda after all."
"That is true," McGonagall said. She looked at Pomfrey carefully. "You sound very confident."
Pomfrey reached into her pocket and removed a small coin purse. Withdrawing two Galleons, she threw them into the Cup with a flick of her fingers. "Mark my words. Those two will be together and happy. I will bet my reputation on it." So entranced by the four witches glaring at each other, it was not until the clink of a coin falling into the Cup did others realize that Snape had dropped his own offering in.
"Severus?!" McGonagall said, shocked.
"I will agree with Poppy." He blinked at the astonished looks. "Am I not allowed to participate?"
"Of course you are, we just never have seen you do so. You usually say it's so…banal," Flitwick exclaimed, his smile from ear to ear.
"I have a certain amount of…gratitude for Miss Bell," Snape said softly.
"For what?!" Sprout said loudly.
Snape gave McGonagall and Pomfrey a look and the witches understood. "The way she absolutely told Albus to shove it," Pomfrey grinned. "Last year."
"Well, that is rather impressive," Sprout conceded. "Not many can do that at all, especially a student."
"Indeed," Snape said. "Therefore, she has my vote." He nodded amicably and left the lounge.
"Did he just willingly participate with us in what he used to call 'needless stupidity'?" Babbling asked softly. "And involving Mister Potter no less whom he had a rather substantially large dislike for during the first couple years?"
"Yes, yes he did," Flitwick said approvingly.
"Pomona," McGonagall chided with a smile as the Herbology professor walked over to the counter to check the tin of tea that Snape used.
"What? Just making sure there's nothing wrong with it," Sprout grinned. "With the Weasley twins, you can never be too careful."
-0-
At the end of Harry's fifth year.
Pomfrey looked up as McGonagall walked into the Infirmary. "Hello Minnie." She frowned at the other woman's facial expression. "What's wrong? You look shocked."
McGonagall blinked slowly and sat down at the Matron's desk.
"Minnie?" Pomfrey reached a hand out and touched McGonagall's forehead. "Are you feeling okay? You looked flushed but you do not have a fever."
"I, uh, well…"
"Out with it then!"
McGonagall coughed. "I uh, I might have walked past and heard something that you might be interested in."
"It must be good if you look like an apple because of it."
"I just walked past Miss Spinnet and Miss Johnson doing a bit of shouting."
"Oh?"
"At…Miss Bell…"
"-as they do."
"-and Mister Potter." McGonagall looked right at Pomfrey. "Together." She watched as Pomfrey smiled broadly. "Doing something rather inappropriate." She shook her head at Pomfrey's disgustingly smug look. "Oh go on then, get it out of your system."
"I am going to be dining on this for quite some time," Pomfrey said, very self-satisfied. "Goodness me, what a delicious moment."
"Gracious in victory as always," McGonagall said with faux disgust.
"I am surprised you did not try to punish everyone involved," Pomfrey said. "For the shouting and the inappropriate behavior."
"Well," she shrugged weakly, "Spinnet and Johnson are graduating and it is the end of the year. And Potter had a difficult year…"
"And they did just get you the Quidditch Cup two years in a row," Pomfrey said. "Playing favorites are we?"
"I never play favorites!" McGonagall said, scandalized. "At least, not so obviously," she conceded at Pomfrey's look.
"You can be happy for them too," Pomfrey smiled.
"Oh I am, even if I am wrong," McGonagall chuckled.
-0-
Snape raised an eyebrow when Pomfrey walked into his office. "How may I help you?" he asked. His eyebrows rose higher when she motioned for him to hold out his hand. When she dropped a stack of coins into it, he looked at her with even greater confusion.
"For agreeing with me," she said.
After a moment he nodded with understanding, the slightest curl to the edges of his mouth. "Is that so," he murmured. "Well then, what a nice surprise."
"In what happened or being right?"
"Yes." He waited for her to stop laughing. "How did the detractors take your accuracy?"
"Pomona has quite the dirty mouth on her. A side effect of her profession I imagine. Bathsheda still thinks Potter and Greengrass would work well together."
"Perhaps, but she is perfectly happy with Davis." Snape shrugged at her astonishment. "I do generally know what my students are up to here and there, especially if they do not try to hide it."
"Well, isn't that sweet?"
"I do hope you are referring to Greengrass and Davis and not to what I know about my students."
"Yes." She laughed heartily at his sour expression.
-0-
Before Harry and Katie got married.
"Hello Severus, how may I help you?" Pomfrey accepted the package from him and looked at him questioningly. "Wrapping up creams and medical potions for me now?"
"I can do so if you wish," he said blandly. "However, in this case, I was hoping you would do me a favor. Could you take that with you next weekend?"
"Next weekend?" She blinked. "Oh! I mean, yes, I would be happy to. That's very nice of you Severus." She made a show of shaking the package. "Unless I am aiding in taking something unpleasant."
His smile was small but sincere. "Certainly not. I have been waiting for this actually. I never spent the money from the winnings and saved it instead for this moment."
"My goodness. Now that is truly sweet," Pomfrey said with a warm tone.
"Do not tell them."
"Do not tell them you got them a wedding gift or saving the money since then?"
"Yes." Snape nodded and left.
-0-
A few days later.
Snape walked into his office and stopped. Normally owls did not go into the dungeons but there was one sitting on his desk right now. He soon realized that he recognized the owl. "Hedwig, is that right?" he said aloud.
Hedwig nodded.
"I take it that you are delivering something."
She gave him a flat look that he knew he had used many times when told the obvious by oblivious students.
"Right," he said, slightly chagrined. "Thank you." He undid the tie that held the envelope to her leg. "I have no food here but you may fly to the kitchen if you wish."
She did and she hooted with thanks, flying out of the office.
He opened the envelope and looked at the card within. He smiled at the simple message written on it.
Thank you for the present. We will use it often.
Sincerely,
Harry and Katie Potter.
P.S. Sir.
He placed the card into a secret drawer in his desk and continued on his way.
-0-0-0-
mwinter1 - Clueless Harry is fun in a good way here and there.
diffident-serpiente - She takes her role as auntie very seriously. And honestly, can you blame Tracy given how her brains were scrambled at that point and given the family profession? Glad you liked it, I was rather happy with how it came out.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffle - Glad I could help your day be a little better. Dang, that chapter is already practically written. Not sure how I could improve on it. I'll keep it in mind though if I think of anything. Hope you're doing well.
alix33 - Hope things get better for you.
Urgwaew - I know it makes no sense at how Dally could understand them, as someone so delightfully made in a review way back about having her somehow make others look bad, but I just thought it would be a fun idea and that it would add to the cuteness. Plus, Harry deserves it. Hope you are doing well.
