I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Note: I had a rough day yesterday and today so here's an extra chapter for some positive energy. I'm pretty happy with this chapter too so I hope you enjoy.

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Extended Family

Chapter 30 – Dahlia's Day Out

Takes place after Dahlia's birth and after Chapter 23.

"It'll be okay," Harry said as he flicked his wand. Various things flew through the air and landed neatly inside a large bag. "I've taken care of Hailey and Hadley on trips before and I'll be extra careful with Dahlia."

"I'm not worried about that," Katie said, poking Harry in the side. "I just feel like you should be able to go out without worrying is all."

"I'm not worried, see? I'll have everything I need." Harry checked the contents of the baby bag before adding a few things. "I want to do my errands with my daughter and then see McGonaMum for mastery work. You're needed at the pitch for practice and pre-game stuff, not to mention the game itself."

"True. And everyone's busy and things just got bungled up hence the scheduling problem." Katie sighed. "You sure you'll be okay doing everything with Dally? I can always take her to the Port with me."

"If it was just a practice day, I'd give her to you but you have a lot going on and there'll be a ton of people. I don't think she's old enough for that yet. It'll be fine, trust me."

"I do, you know that." Katie smiled when Harry gently nestled Dahlia against his chest in a sling and hung the baby bag over his other shoulder. "You look so attractive right now by the way."

"Yeah?" He grinned goofily.

"Totally." She kissed him sweetly on the lips. "Enjoy your day, I'll be eager to hear about it after the game." She bent and kissed Dahlia. "Have fun with Daddy. Be a good girl."

"We're going to have a great day," Harry said confidently. "Right baby?"

Dahlia yawned and made a noise of satisfaction.

"She said yes," Harry said and Katie laughed.

-0-

Harry stepped into Diagon Alley from an apparition point. He bounced Dahlia as she fussed a little. "I'm sorry," he said soothingly. "I know you don't like being side-alonged. That's why you haven't had your bottle yet, didn't want you throwing up everywhere. Are you hungry now?" He fished out a bottle and held it to her but she turned her head, trying to burrow into him instead.

"Okay, let's relax a bit then," he said and stood against a wall, rocking her. Soon she settled down and made a noise that Harry associated with hunger. "Now you're hungry," he smiled and watched her drink from her bottle eagerly. "That's a good girl."

He noticed a few people turn to look at him again when they passed and he brought his cap down lower, hiding his hair and scar. He usually did not mind signing autographs and meeting fans, especially children, but he had no desire to be bothered this day when he was out with his daughter. He walked slowly and smoothly, talking to Dahlia as he did. He noticed she seemed to like it when he talked or sang to her and he was happy to oblige.

After stopping by the Apothecary to buy a few things, picking up some owl treats at Eeylops Owl Emporium, he walked through Flourish and Blotts to check for a book. He cast a sound dampening charm around Dahlia but made sure to keep his hand on her belly to reassure her and she gripped his fingers as he did.

"Harry?"

He turned at the familiar voice and smiled at Lavender. "Hi Lavender, how are you?"

Lavender smiled broadly. "I thought that was you! I'm doing okay thanks. Just looking for a reference book for my next article." She looked down his front and noticed Dahlia and she gasped. "Is that your daughter?!"

"Keep it down please," he said hurriedly, trying to avoid too much attention. "But yes, this is my little Dahlia."

"Oh I love the name," Lavender said and she leaned in. "She's gorgeous," she cooed. "She has your eyes and Katie's hair."

"Luckily she looks more like her mother," Harry said proudly. "Would you like to hold her for a bit?"

"Can I?!" Lavender eagerly but carefully lifted Dahlia out of the carrier. "Oh my goodness you're so cute. Oh no!" Lavender blanched as Dahlia started to fuss. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, she usually reacts like this to new people." He gently held her hand. "I'm here Dally."

Dahlia calmed down immediately at Harry's touch and she gurgled up at Lavender.

"What a daddy's girl," Lavender smiled. "And what an adorable nickname."

"She's a beauty alright," Harry said.

Lavender looked at him closely. "You're made to be a father."

"Really?"

"Really. Look at you caring as you do and openly like that. It's awesome. And please don't get mad but you're so different now than when you were at school. It's like night and day."

"I'm not mad. It is a big change who I am now and who I was." His face clouded slightly. "I was worried, you know? Before she was born."

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. It's wonderful to see you so happy and just look at how happy she looks. You're doing it right."

"Thank you," he said gratefully.

"Ugh, I wish I could carry her all day but I have to find that book and get back to work. Wait until I tell Parvati. She's going to be jealous." She reluctantly gave Dahlia back to Harry.

"I'll bring her by one of these days," Harry offered. "It was really nice seeing you."

"Same! I'm so glad to run into you two. We should try to get our House group together one of these days."

"I'd like that." He looked down at Dahlia. "Say bye-bye Dally."

Lavender sighed when Dahlia gurgled and waved a tiny fist. "Oh my goodness that's too cute. You made my day. See you!"

-0-

"Miss Hermione?"

"Yes?" Hermione barely looked up from her work. "What is it?"

A smiling man cracked the door open to her office. "You have a special lunch visit."

Hermione finally looked up, confused. "I didn't have a lunch appointment scheduled, did I?"

"Technically no. It was a bit of a walk in."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "And just who thinks they can barge in as a walk in on a full schedule?" She then narrowed her eyes, looking at the man closely. Felix was a valued member of Ted's firm. He has faced down screaming people time and again and barely blinked at them. The receptionist and assistant was worth his weight in gold. He never smiled unless he wanted to and he was grinning far too smugly right now.

"So that's a no then?"

Hermione frowned. "I…uh…"

Felix sighed dramatically and started to close the door. "I'm terribly sorry, Mister Potter. It appears Miss Granger is too busy to see you and your daughter-"

"Wait!" Hermione leapt over her desk and yanked the door open, revealing Felix and Harry with identical smiles and Dahlia waving her hands in her carrier. "Dally!" Hermione exclaimed. "Gimmie!"

"Ah, you have to eat," Harry said, holding up a bag. "Eat and then you get to hold Dally." He looked at Felix. "I bet she's been skipping lunches, hasn't she?"

"Answer that and you're fired!"

Felix snorted. "Mister Tonks is the only one that can fire me and he knows he'd be really frustrated dealing with people without me. You don't scare me, Miss Granger."

"You threaten to fire Felix?" Harry gasped.

"She does it knowing full well she'd collapse without me around too," Felix said confidently. "Also yes, she skips lunch at least twice a week." He laughed at Hermione's glare. "Enjoy your lunch. Bye bye cutie," he said to Dahlia as he walked away.

"I can't believe you're so mean to Felix," Harry said as he walked into Hermione's office. He put the paper bag on her desk.

"He's as insufferable as he is necessary," Hermione complained. She opened the bag and pulled out a salad. "Oh you got my favorite, thank you." She started to gobble it down.

"Slow down, you'll give yourself indigestion," Harry chuckled. "We're not going anywhere for a bit." He started feeding Dahlia. "I'm basically biding time here on Diagon until going to Hogwarts later. Managed to get through all my errands for the Alley and so we're just walking about and visiting. Oh I ran into Lavender at the bookstore. She looks great and she held Dally for a little bit."

"Aww that's nice. Maybe we should do a Housemate gathering soon."

"That's what she said. I think it's a good idea."

Hermione polished off her salad swiftly, still chewing with a full mouth as she reached out for Dahlia. Hermione sighed happily as she cradled the baby in her arms. "Hi little Dally. You're so cute." She tickled the baby and laughed when Dahlia laughed. "Such a good girl."

"I hope she doesn't get a huge ego when she grows up," Harry smiled. "With all the praise we heap on her."

"I'm sure she won't. You have the opposite of an ego and Katie is very grounded."

"I think I've developed a bit of one," Harry admitted. "A new Seeker that just joined the league tried to rattle me during last week's game."

"That's why you got super serious! What did he say?!"

He flushed. "He said he'd be the Seeker to take me out."

Hermione snorted. "Now that is a colossal ego. What did you say when you plowed him into the ground?" She grinned at him. "No use hiding it, what did you say?"

"I said much better magicals than him have tried and that he gets to join them in failure."

"Absolutely savage of you Mister Potter," Hermione said. "And I approve." She looked down at Dahlia. "That's what silly players get when they go against your daddy." She looked back at him. "Oh by the way, Mum wants to see you and Katie and Dally soon. She keeps picking up little things for Dally. People keep thinking I had a baby." She rolled her eyes.

Harry chuckled. "Aw that's really nice of her. Let me check with Katie but maybe we can have a big family meal day this weekend. You and your parents, the Tonkses, the Bells, Sirius and Amelia. Otherwise it can just be you and your parents."

"She'd love that. Luckily this sweetie is staving off the pressure Mum has been slowly putting on me to have children." She kissed Dahlia's cheek. "Thank you for protecting me."

"Dally, be careful," Harry said as he saw her grab two handfuls of Hermione's hair.

"It's okay, really! Unlike other babies that've done this, she doesn't try to yank my hair out. It's actually extraordinary," Hermione giggled as she let Dahlia playfully tug on her hair.

"She loves her Auntie Hermione," Harry smiled.

"And I love her, my sweet little niece." After a while she reluctantly gave her back to Harry. "I better get back to work. Thanks for the visit and for lunch."

"You better take good care of yourself," Harry said as he settled Dahlia comfortably in her sling. "Or else no Dally visits."

"Harry James Potter, don't you dare threaten me with that!" Hermione looked grievously wounded.

"Guess you better be take care then and Felix will tell me when you're not." He grinned as he closed the door, chuckling when he heard something thump off the closed door.

After saying goodbye to a laughing Felix, Harry and Dahlia left the office. "How're you feeling Dally? Feel up to some more visiting or are you tired?"

Dahlia made grasping motions with her tiny hands and gripped onto Harry's fingers when he rested his hand on her stomach. She cooed happily when he did and wriggled a little in the carrier. "Guess that means you're still doing okay," Harry smiled.

-0-

"Hey Harry! Hey little banshee!" Tracy put a stack of files down and she leaned down to smile at Dahlia.

"You know Daphne hates it when you call her that," Harry grinned.

"That's why I call her that when Daphne isn't around. Besides, Dally likes her nickname, doesn't she? Oof!" Tracy snorted as Dahlia waved her fists and bopped her in the nose. "Okay, maybe not."

"She's happy to see you. That's what both hand waving means," Harry said.

"That's the cutest thing. Want me to pick you up?" Tracy picked her up carefully, settling her in one arm. "What brings you two out here?"

"We ran some errands together and I'm going to Hogwarts later so we're just enjoying walking around and visiting people. I stopped by the Potions store but Daphne wasn't there. I know Alicia is at home. Wheezes was especially busy and I didn't want to take her in there yet so we wandered this way after seeing Hermione."

"Daffy's doing a visit to some greenhouses for materials and stuff and she's going to be mad she missed little banshee." Tracy rocked Dahlia and looked at Harry. "You're not playing tonight?"

"No, I'm still on a reduced schedule to be with Dally more. Shelia's starting tonight and our reserve is working out great so it's been good. Katie is the main team healer today so she couldn't have the time off."

"It's really good of you to do that," Tracy said seriously. "You wouldn't believe how many parents kinda fob this sort of thing off."

"I want to make sure Dahlia knows she's taken care of and loved," Harry said quietly. "She's going to have a warm home."

"She does, don't worry. Even a blind person can see that," Tracy said soothingly.

Harry smiled gratefully at her. "Thanks. You know how I worry."

"I do and in this case, you shouldn't. It's obvious how much you genuinely care. Little banshee knows, doesn't she?" Tracy laughed when Dahlia burped. "That's a yes if I've ever heard one."

-0-

After leaving Tracy's family's construction office, Harry and Dahlia went to the Leaky to use the apparition point. Hannah spent some time cooing over Dahlia first of course and then Harry apparated to Hogwarts, right up to the gates. The gates opened at his touch and checking the time, Harry walked over the grounds first towards the hut on the edge of the forest.

A large furry form bounded towards them and Harry fought the immediate urge to retaliate, realizing what it was. "Hi Fang," Harry said to the large boarhound.

Fang stopped so fast he almost fell over. Skidding to a stop, the big dog mooched up carefully to Harry and snuffled at a giggling Dahlia. His tongue lolled out as he panted happily, poking the baby with his noise and making her giggle louder.

"Harry!" Hagrid came walking over. "Good to see you lad." He saw Fang poking at Dahlia and he covered his mouth with his hands. "Oh! Hi little Dahlia!" he said in a loud whisper. "Gosh, she's a beauty," he said with a gigantic smile.

"She really is. We wanted to come say hi."

"Well hello then!" Hagrid tickled her gently and grinned as she laughed. "She's a happy one she is." He gave Harry a proud look. "You're a good dad. Always knew you would be."

"Thank you. That's the second time I heard that today and it still surprises me."

"It really shouldn't. You're really good at taking care of people and you've gotten better at it. You only have to listen to her to know it. You really care."

Harry blinked a tear away and smiled up at Hagrid. "Well, I had a good role model to know how to care." Then it was Hagrid's turn to wipe a tear away.

-0-

"Hello Mister Potter! And hello little Miss Potter!"

"You can call me Harry really."

Verity smiled. "Considering that you helped me get this job I'm afraid it's about respect and I'll more than likely call you Mister Potter more often than not. What brings you by today with this sweet little girl?"

"I'm meeting Mistress for mastery talk later and since she's probably still teaching, I thought I'd drop by and visit. Been going around the school."

"May I?" At Harry nod, she gently lifted Dahlia up and held her. "Oh such a pretty baby. She looks very healthy. Of course, having a healer mother and a medic father, she's in very good hands."

"Should I mention how we panic a bit here and there and have reference books?" Harry grinned.

"That's perfectly normal. You can tell how healthy she is, she's so happy. Yes she is." Verity bounced Dahlia gently.

"Verity! If you do not give her to me now, I will have you fired," Pomfrey said as she appeared. She reached out for the baby eagerly, trying to scowl through her broad smile.

"Dahlia is really causing some trouble today. That's the second person that's been threatened to be fired today around her," Harry chuckled.

"Poppy wouldn't dare. She needs me here now," Verity laughed. "Besides, Mister Potter has final say over my removal. It's in my contract. Still, in the interests of keeping a pleasant working environment," Verity gently passed Dahlia to Pomfrey.

"Oh look at you," Pomfrey gushed, hugging Dahlia gently and holding her carefully. "Such a beautiful girl. You look just like your mother and have your father's eyes."

Harry's eyes softened as he saw Dahlia rest against Pomfrey comfortably. "She likes you. She's not fussing even a bit."

"She does look to you often," Pomfrey observed.

"Yeah uh, so I discovered that she's apparently really good with me and can be a bit to handle for lots of other people," Harry laughed with pink cheeks.

Verity and Pomfrey gasped when Dahlia laughed with him. "That's the cutest thing ever," Verity said.

Pomfrey carried Dahlia to a bed. "Do you see this? This is your father's favorite Infirmary bed. He used it so much during his time here, it was known as his bed. See?" There was a tiny stylized P inscribed into the corner of the bedpost. "He was such a dreadful patient he was."

"Don't say that to my daughter," Harry protested laughing.

"It is only the truth." Pomfrey blinked. "Why is she looking at me like that?"

"Oh that's another thing apparently. Somehow, she seems to understand when people are making fun of me and she takes offense."

"Okay, that's the cutest thing ever," Verity laughed.

"I am sorry Dahlia," Pomfrey said hurriedly. "Your father was my favorite patient and has done much good for us here. I said it only in jest." She smiled, astonished, when Dahlia instantly smiled and cooed happily. "That is incredible!"

"I love it," Harry admitted.

A few students walked in, looking at them curiously. Verity walked over to help them, leaving Pomfrey holding Dahlia. "She is lively!" Pomfrey laughed as Dahlia wriggled in her arms.

"She's doing really well. We've been out all day and she's tolerated apparating. Hasn't napped much yet either surprisingly. Be good for your honorary grandmother," he said to Dahlia.

Pomfrey's eyes teared up a little. "Well now I have to spoil my honorary granddaughter even more." She sat on the bed and bounced Dahlia up and down, holding her hands and laughing with her.

"I might have to go soon," Harry said. "Have to meet with McGonaMum."

Without looking away, Pomfrey flicked her wand at her desk. A quill scribbled something on a small bit of parchment and the parchment folded into a paper airplane that flew out of the Infirmary. "She can wait," Pomfrey said.

Harry sat in a chair beside the bed. "Good enough for me. How have things been?"

"Good. Nice and peaceful. The class sizes have increased slowly every year and I'm so thankful Verity is here. We even have been talking about adding a medi-magical for additional help."

"That's great!"

"Indeed! There has also been talks about getting additional teaching assistants and teachers for core classes so be prepared for Minerva to put more pressure on you."

"Thanks for the warning."

Suddenly the door banged open and McGonagall stood there, out of breath. She looked around the Infirmary until she saw Harry and Dahlia and came rushing over. "Poppy, how could you?!" She shook the slip of parchment at her.

"What? I was informing you that Harry would be delayed," Pomfrey sniffed. "One would think what I did was a courtesy."

"By hiding the fact that Dahlia was here! I thought we were friends." McGonagall had the softest smile as she looked at Dahlia.

"Did you really run here from your class?" Harry looked at your watch. "Did you end class early?!"

"By only a few minutes," McGonagall said, waving a hand distractedly. "Give her to me, Poppy, if you know what is good for you."

"This is my domain," Pomfrey said icily but her smile at Dahlia was warm. "You have no power here Minnie."

"In the interests of preserving your friendship," Harry said and flinched lightly at the twin hard looks he got from the venerable witches, "you have held her for a while."

Pomfrey rolled her eyes. "Very well. It would not do to upset Dahlia." She reluctantly let McGonagall take her.

McGonagall sat down on the bed, a large smile on her lips as she cooed softly at the baby. "Oh my goodness. You are the sweetest little thing. Yes you are."

"It's so weird to hear you talk like that," Harry laughed. "I'm used to running from you when you use a certain tone."

"Normally I would lecture you about that but lucky for you I am distracted," McGonagall said. "Your father is being very rude to his poor old Head of House and professor," she said to Dahlia. Her eyes popped open when Dahlia frowned at her. "Why are you frowning at me?!"

"That is truly amazing to see," Pomfrey said smugly, "and incredibly amusing."

"She thinks you're being mean to me and doesn't like it," Harry said, equally amused.

"Surely not!" McGonagall looked at Dahlia who started wriggling with a very upset air. "I am not actually upset with your father. I think very highly of him?" She gasped when Dahlia immediately relaxed, going back to waving her hands.

Harry chuckled. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. The fact that it makes no sense makes it better." He gently stroked Dahlia's head. "Be good to McGonaGrandMum Dally. She can be very sweet."

Seeing Dahlia look up at her father adoringly and nuzzling against his hand stopped McGonagall's coming protests at his last words, her heart melting at Dahlia's expression. "Oh my goodness. She is an absolute treasure."

"She's a very good baby," Harry said proudly.

The door opened once more revealing Sprout and Flitwick there. "Is something the matter, Minerva?" Flitwick asked. "One of my own said you finished class earlier and left running. Figured there might be some kind of emergency."

"Oh! Look at the little visitor!" Sprout exclaimed and came rushing over.

"Ah! Emergency cuteness I see," Flitwick smiled as he came over as well. "Well hello little one!" The two professors fawned over Dahlia as she bounced up and down on McGonagall's lap.

"I don't think we'll be having our weekly progress meeting tonight," Harry grinned.

"Some things are far more important," McGonagall said.

-0-

"Someone is very tired," Katie laughed as she rubbed Dahlia's back. Dahlia had eaten hungrily and after burping, she fussed a little, pulling on Katie's hair.

"She had a very full day of being held and played with," Harry smiled, washing the dishes. "She was very good and enjoyed herself overall, I think. But yeah, she must be tired, barely fussed when we apparated back home."

"Poor thing." Katie kissed her cheeks and nuzzled her and Dahlia calmed down, yawning and snuggling into her mother's neck. She walked around their home, humming softly and feeling her daughter relax more.

"McGonaGrandMum and Grand Poppy were happy to see her," Harry said warmly. "Even Professors Flitwick and Sprout played with her some. Hagrid and Fang gushed over her."

"Well of course. Our Dally is the best," Katie said. She smiled when she felt Dahlia fall asleep and she gently put her in her crib, casting the monitoring charm over it. She cracked the door and sat at the counter watching Harry finish. "Shelia caught the Snitch and we beat Appleby. It was a good game. No real fouls and no injuries."

"Excellent," Harry said, wiping his hands dry. "We have a gap week next right?"

"Mmhmm but Coach wants you to start the next game against Montrose. They've been on a winning streak and wants you to put a stop to it."

"Sounds good. I'll put in some every other day training sessions until the last few before the game."

"How did the day go?"

He poured her a glass of wine. "Good! She was great and like I said, saw a lot of people. Met Lavender for the first time, had lunch with Hermione, visited with Tracy, saw Hannah, and then Hagrid and the professors. Oh how does a big family meal thing this weekend sound? The Grangers want to see you and Dally."

"Oh that'll be lovely to see them. Sounds good to me. Immediate family yeah? Mum never needs a reason to come over."

"Excellent. I'll send messages out tomorrow to make plans." Harry whooped with surprise when Katie grabbed him as he walked by and pulled him to her.

"Thought it was your turn to be held," Katie said, kissing him.

"I won't disagree with you," he said with his lips pressed to hers.

-0-0-0-

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - I thought it would be a nice thing to have happen, their own neighborhood.

diffident-serpiente - Yeah. I am very far from any of my old friends and I barely talk to them anymore because of it. Things unfortunately fall to the wayside.

alix33 - Someone has to week the turnips.

guest - Glad you enjoyed it.