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

Extended Family

Chapter 36 – (not)Foreign Friends

Takes place before the last chapter of Family.

A sharp crack followed a bright flash of light and the platform was suddenly full of people off balance. They stumbled and tripped over themselves and each other, save for one person that swayed in place but remained upright, holding up a second person.

She shook her shoulders, a tiny frown that made her imposing beauty that much more impressive and foreboding. She let go of the tether connecting her to the portkey and sighed. "I wish we took the earlier one. When there are so many people, the portkey is incredibly unstable."

"I said I was sorry," the girl she was holding upright replied. "I didn't mean to oversleep this time."

"You always oversleep."

"I didn't mean to this time!"

Fleur sighed and shook her head. "How do you get to class on time normally?"

"I don't oversleep during school days. This is vacation," Gabrielle said sulkily. "I wish they would get an international Floo. That would be better."

"Papa said Mister Black is considering it and that would be nice," Fleur admitted. She and Gabrielle walked off the platform and waited in line to get through customs. Through experience and developed tolerance, Fleur was able to ignore the glassy looks the majority of people threw at them, coolly and professionally rebuffing some while prompting the customs wizard to continue with his job in checking their passports. "You will get used to it," she said kindly to an unnerved Gabrielle.

"I know, I just dislike it," Gabrielle replied. "Where do we go now?" she asked after they made it through the security point.

"I think we are supposed to go to the Department of International Cooperation," Fleur mused.

"Fleur! Gabi!"

The two French witches smiled when they saw someone wave at them, walking towards them. Gabrielle ran to him and tackled him bodily, hugging him tight.

"Harry!" she squealed happily.

"Oof! Good to see you!" He hugged her back and smiled when Fleur came running up to them. "Hi Fleur!"

"Hello my friend!" Fleur pushed Gabrielle out of the way and hugged Harry tightly, relishing the embrace and Gabrielle's annoyed huff. "Did you come to fetch us?!"

"Sure did! I have the next couple days off after putting in extra training earlier for this week's game."

"I cannot wait to see you play in person!" Gabrielle said excitedly. She frowned slightly. "Why are you wearing such an ugly hat?"

Harry laughed. "So I don't get bothered as much."

"You should not have become a famous Quidditch player then," Fleur smiled.

"I mean, I don't mind visiting with nice fans, especially kids. But not when I'm with my friends, especially ones I haven't seen in some time. Come on! Katie and Dahlia are waiting at home." He led them to an apparition point and with a firm hand in theirs, apparated them to his home.

"That is a lot smoother than most side-alongs," Gabrielle said with surprise when they touched down.

"I've gotten good at them," Harry said. "I've also gotten better with my Transfiguration mastery. Apparently translocation through apparition has some transfiguration properties to it."

"Oh? I want to discuss that with you later then," Fleur said, intrigued. She smiled as she looked around the property and the house. "I love your home."

The door opened and a small form came hurtling down the path. "Daddy!" Dahlia cried. She slowed down as she noticed Fleur and Gabriella, looking up at them hesitantly. She sped back up and collided into Harry's leg, hiding behind him and looking up at the two French women.

"Dally, you remember Tante Fleur, don't you? Granted it's been a bit since she's visited. This is Tante Gabrielle, you've gotten such lovely things from them before," Harry said gently.

"Hi," Dahlia said, waving shyly from behind Harry.

"She is so adorable," Gabrielle gushed.

Fleur knelt down to eye level. "Hello Dahlia," she said warmly. "I have not seen you in a long time, you were much smaller."

"Oh you held me when I was a baby," Dahlia said. "I've seen pictures. I like your hair."

"Thank you! I like yours. May I have a hug?"

Dahlia nodded and shyly gave Fleur a hug that grew more fond when Fleur hugged her tightly. She smiled prettily and looked up at Gabrielle. "Would you like a hug too?"

"I would love one," Gabrielle said and hugged her.

When Dahlia let go, she was less shy but she held her arms up to Harry who picked her up easily and she snuggled happily against him.

"She is what you say, a daddy's girl, yes?" Fleur said with a bright smile.

"She sure is," Harry chuckled. "Come in, welcome to our home."

"Fleur!" Katie hugged her tightly. "Welcome! So good to see you."

"And you my friend!" Fleur kissed her cheeks. "Thank you for letting us stay with you."

"Of course! It'll be so nice. I hope it's okay that you and Gabi share a room for a bit though."

"I will suffer but survive," Gabrielle said with mock weariness. She squealed when Fleur pinched her.

"You'll have your own room at Grimmauld," Harry chuckled, "when your parents come."

"I might still want to stay with you if that's okay," Gabrielle said. "I can sleep anywhere even when Colette and Aimee come."

"You can sleep in my room," Dahlia offered generously.

"Which means you have to invade our room huh?" Katie asked, tickling her and she shrieked with laughter. "That's why you're being so nice to offer your room?"

"We would not do that to you," Fleur said warmly.

"Might as well," Katie said, shaking her head. "I didn't want to offer it because I never liked doing that when I was little but I guess this one has ulterior motives for her generosity."

"What does that mean?" Dahlia asked.

"It means you're being sneaky," Harry said. "But in a good way."

"Like AliMum?"

"Exactly," Katie said. "Make sure you tell her that too."

Fleur and Gabrielle unshrunk their luggage in the guest bedroom and Fleur settled in the kitchen with Katie while Dahlia took Gabrielle to her room to show off her prized stuffed animal collection. "Your home is very warm," Fleur praised.

"Thank you! We put in a surprisingly large amount of work making it like this. I never really cared that much when I was younger but when Harry got excited decorating, well, it got infectious."

"Some of the paintings are incredible," Fleur observed.

"Luna's work and aren't they wonderful? I try to pay her but she refuses. Or rather, takes payment from visiting and the like and I feel bad because I don't feel that is enough. Not to mention we love having her here anyways. But she does and that's what matters I guess." Katie poured two mugs of coffee out and gave Fleur one.

"Ah I see you retain your taste for coffee," Fleur smiled.

"I had to for the academy," Katie laughed. "Never dropped it. I still like a good cup of tea but gotta have my coffee."

"Thank you again for allowing us to stay with you for so long, and taking the time to entertain us."

Katie waved a hand. "Don't even worry about it. I'm so happy to see you and the girls again. I'll be honest, I was surprised when you said you all wanted to vacation here. There're much more glamorous and exciting places than here after all."

"We wanted to see you and Harry and Dahlia and spend time with friends and family," Fleur smiled. "That will be better than many trips anywhere."

"Well we're happy to see you and host you and we have lots of fun things planned," Katie said with an equally large smile. Katie looked over as Dahlia ran in. "Oh my goodness," Katie laughed.

"Thank you, Tante Fleur!" Dahlia said, holding a giant plushie bird. It was grey and yellow with large wings. "I love it!"

"Good! That is a thunderbird. They are very large and they say they can travel with lightning and thunder." Fleur smiled widely as Dahlia climbed into her lap, struggling to do so with the big thunderbird in her arms. "Not this one of course. Your Maman and Papa might not want a storm in doors."

"I'm going to call her Delacour because you and Tante Gabi gave her to me," she said seriously.

Fleur hugged her tightly. "Thank you my sweet. Where did my sister go-"

An ear-splitting hoot emerged from behind her and she jumped a foot into the air off the chair. "Blast it Gabi and Hedwig!" Fleur yelped, heart pounding. She turned and glared at her laughing little sister and the laughing owl that sat on her head. "I have gone years without that and do not miss it at all!"

"No wonder Hedwig looked excited about you visiting too," Katie laughed.

"Be nice Hedwig," Dahlia said as severely as a small child could.

Hedwig looked torn as she looked between Dahlia and Fleur while giving the stuffed thunderbird a glower. After wrestling with the mental implications for a bit, she shrugged and plumped up comfortably on Gabrielle's head, hooting dolefully.

Harry walked in grinning. "I know those hoots. That's when Hedwig knows she should do something and doesn't want to."

"I told her to be nice," Dahlia said.

"That'll do it. She barely listens to me when I say that so she must be debating on what to do," he smiled and rubbed his owl's head. She nipped his fingers gently.

"He looks so happy," Gabrielle whispered to Fleur.

"Isn't it wonderful?" Fleur replied with a smile.

-0-

"Hello Fleur!"

"Hermione! Hello!" Fleur hugged Hermione. "So good to see you."

"Likewise! I'm glad you can visit for a while."

There was an outdoor barbecue dinner party at the Potter home and everyone came to greet Fleur and Gabrielle. Fleur was more than happy to see them. Messaging via letter and mirror was nice but in person was always better. She had remained close with the friends she made at Hogwarts ever since the tournament and it felt nice to be with them all again like this.

She spent a lot of time playing with Dahlia and Hailey and Hadley and was now taking a small break, watching fondly as the three little girls chased Gabrielle and Lyla around, throwing little enchanted balls that splashed water when they hit someone. Submerging the balls in water filled them up again and they ran around throwing them at each other, shrieking and squealing.

Harry had thoughtfully drawn an impediment line around the food and the part of the yard where people sat and relaxed so no 'accidental' missiles could find their way across.

Fleur laughed when the twins popped from around the house and barraged the girls with a flurry of water balls before fleeing screaming from the retaliation. "I see they have not gotten too old for this sort of thing," she smiled.

"Nope," Angelina smiled back. "The other day George sat on a whoopee cushion and he and Fred laughed all day about it."

"Do you ever worry that you married someone with a lack of maturity?" Alicia asked.

"No, I just don't think about it," Angelina said and they laughed. She grinned when Oliver joined the fray. "How about you?"

"I pretend to not see it," Alicia said, turning her head.

"My hubby is the maturest while being the youngest," Katie laughed.

"Harry is unusually mature, that doesn't count," Alicia said.

"If I wasn't cooking, I might be over there," Harry said as he turned the meat on the grill. "Just saying."

"Want one of us to take over?" Angelina asked. "I'd never begrudge you acting like a kid."

"I'll play with them later," Harry assured her. "I'm perfectly happy cooking for everyone too."

Fleur covered her mouth when she saw Fred pour a few of the balls down George's pants and kick him in the rear, making water explode everywhere. "At least they are funny."

"Auntie Hermione!" Dahlia ran over dripping wet. "Come play with us!"

"I don't know," Hermione said slowly. "I'm not sure if I'm up to it."

"Are you afraid of getting wet? We are capable of drying up in moments after all," Alicia said condescendingly.

"Hey, what did Uncle Fred say to you earlier?" Harry asked Dahlia, winking at her.

She blinked back at him several times. "Oh yeah he said you won't play because you throw like a girl."

"And what does that mean?!" the three former Chasers of the Gryffindor team said indignantly.

"Oh heck no. Let's go teach Freddie a lesson," Angelina said. "Come on Hermione." Emboldened, Hermione, Katie, Angelina, and Alicia ran off to join Dahlia and soon they were chasing Fred and pelting him with water balls.

"Did he really say that?" Fleur asked, grinning.

"He said something like that ages ago," Harry laughed. "I knew Hermione wanted to play but you know her, she's worried about being dignified and all that but she missed out on kids stuff too, being an only child and not having friends really until Hogwarts."

Fleur smiled warmly at him. "What did your daughter mean by this?" She blinked like Dahlia did.

"Oh she doesn't have a handle on winking yet so she winks with both eyes."

Fleur sighed softly. "She is so adorable."

"Isn't she?" Harry said proudly. "I'm biased but I think she is really adorable."

"I think she is the cutest, though I am also biased," Fleur laughed.

Luna and Daphne and Tracy came later and Fleur and Luna talked about her art for a while with Fleur commissioning a few pieces. Dinner was long and slow and entirely enjoyable. Finally, the others left and Fleur and Gabrielle lay in bed, falling asleep.

"They are so nice and warm," Gabrielle said sleepily.

"It's wonderful," Fleur sighed happily.

-0-

Katie waved energetically. "Over here!" she shouted over the noise from the crowd.

Fleur, Aimee, Colette, Gabrielle, Sebastian, and Apolline walked over, smiling and hugging her in turn. "This stadium is enormous," Sebastian said. "And very beautiful. I very much like the woodwork and old-world naval feel to it."

"I think it's one of the best ones. Appleby is gorgeous and Wimbourne is classic, but we have comfort and class in equal measure here," Katie said proudly. "I have things for everyone."

The girls gleefully put on their new jerseys and Sebastian put on the hat while Apolline wrapped a scarf around her neck. "Oh this is rather nice," Apolline said, admiring it.

"You got one of the fancier ones," Katie smiled. "You all are V.I.P. of course. Are you sure you don't mind watching Dahlia during the game?"

"Not at all," Apolline said enthusiastically. "She is a treat and a delight."

Katie smiled. "I think so and she likes all of you so she'll listen to you easily. Follow me!" She led the party to the side and up a private stairwell, talking to the passing staff and waving at others. Dahlia was waiting on the landing with a few security guards and she skipped to them happily and Sebastian picked her up with practiced ease.

Katie led them down the walkway in the stadium proper and the visitors looked at the packed stands with wonder. Flags were waved and people laughed and shouted, the energy in the pitch already high and still rising.

"Here we are," Katie said and led them into a private box. "Our special viewing box for esteemed guests."

"This looks very expensive," Sebastian said. "Are you sure we cannot buy our tickets or pay for the box? I do not lack the money for it."

"You're friends and family," Katie said firmly. "Harry and I have it covered easily and don't tell anyone but our fee is much lower." They laughed with her. "Dally, be good for grand-mere and grand-pere okay?"

"Yes Mummy!" Dahlia said as Sebastian put her down.

"Order whatever you like to eat and drink," Katie told them. We'll come get you after the game." With a final wave she left the box, walking swiftly towards the stairs.

Aimee had a camera out and ready. "Auntie is going to want pictures for this. If she didn't have a conference, she'd be here with us."

"Next time we plan a trip we will coordinate with her," Sebastian said. "I will fully admit, it's very different being here in person."

"Dahlia, what is your favorite snack?" Colette asked.

"Daddy's meat pies and sausage rolls are a lot better than the stadium's," Dahlia said with conviction and authority. "They make good chips though and they make a nice ahh-ohh-lee to dip them in."

"Such a sophisticated girl to dip your frites in aioli," Apolline praised.

A loud foghorn blast filled the air and Dahlia clapped excitedly. "That means it's game start!"

The Delacours and Aimee and Colette cheered as the teams were announced and the players came out, cheering louder and harder when Harry flew out. He did a fancy loop in the air in front of their box, waving at them as he flew off to join the rest of Portree.

"And here we gooooooooo!" Zenny shouted, her voice reverberating around the pitch. "Portree versus Falmouth! We have ourselves a battle for being at the top of the League! Both teams have been undefeated this season but that ends today! Who's going to win? Let me know what you think!"

The hometown fans of Portree screamed and cheered, drowning out the visiting Falmouth fans. The Falmouth fans were undeterred and they cheered for their team loudly. Purple and gold warred against grey and white as people waved banners and flags.

"Duncil has possession, passing to Bilby. Bilby dives and passes to Flanders who immediately tosses it back to Duncil. Ooh! Bludger hit knocks the Quaffle to Gellers who passes to Cheyanne. Hit by Chiang knocks the Quaffle up and Duncil recovers! He passes to Bilby who shoots, blocked by Tuong! It's Kent, then Gellers, back to Kent, to Cheyanne and great dodge by the Falcon Chaser. She shoots, saved by Valentine! Valentine passes it to Bilby. Bilby weaves back and forth, good dodging there. Bilby lines up the shot and-hopping hinkypunks!"

Harry dove almost straight down into the middle of the Falcon Chasers. They scattered at his dive, disoriented and their formation broken apart. Tanya and Nathan hit a Bludger each and the Falmouth Keeper Tuong had to barrel roll to avoid them and Bilby threw the Quaffle hard.

"First goal to Portree!" Zenny screamed and the pitch cheered. "Distraction play by Potter gives our team first points!"

Dahlia screamed with delight, jumping up and down and the others in the box shared her joy.

"He's gotten much better!" Fleur cried as she clapped her hands.

"So much better! I don't think victory is assured this year in the European League," Aimee said as she whistled loudly.

"I wish I had the reflexes for Seeker," Gabrielle muttered.

"I'm glad you don't," Apolline said. "Watching Harry do it is nerve-wracking enough."

Colette scooped Dahlia up and they waved their hands at a passing Harry. "Allez!" they shouted together. They had taught Dahlia the cheer moments earlier. "Allez! Allez!"

The game went back and forth with both teams maintaining an even point spread for long swathes of the game. There were periods where both teams kept the other from scoring with dazzling plays and maneuvering.

"She really loves Quidditch," Sebastian chuckled, nodding at Dahlia. She had not complained once through the whole game, watching eagerly and showing a steady source of energy. She frequently sat with everyone but never failed to run to the front of the box and cheer when a score happened or when Harry was called out for something he did.

"More like she loves her father," Apolline said with a fond smile. "She's the most excited when she sees him or he does something."

"It is a family occupation," Gabrielle laughed. "Her mother and father, not to mention close friends they call family, all are involved."

"What's this?!" Zenny said and a hush fell over the crowd. "We have an aerial duel ladies and gentlemen! The Seekers see the Snitch and they're going for it!"

Harry and Voight both saw the Snitch at the same time and after a nod they both went for it. They dove in front of each other, using sharp turns and course corrections to try and force the other to fly off at an angle or to slow down. They did not try to shoulder or push each other away, instead letting their flying skills speak for themselves.

Voight was slighter than Harry by a small bit and he used it to his advantage, staying slightly ahead of Harry and making him slow and veer to prevent a collision. Harry saw the Snitch making for the Falmouth goal posts and cut across Voight's path, making him dip to dodge him. They both rocketed towards the Snitch, eating up the distance. The Snitch veered off at an angle, flying away swiftly.

Harry continued to fly at the post itself without changing course and at the last minute, flipped the head of the broom around and pointed the head at the Snitch. He bent his legs slightly and when his feet came into contact with the pole, he grunted and kicked hard, adding force into his sudden shift in position and pushing off the pole for a boost in speed.

Voight had tried to turn sharply but the speed made him fishtail slightly, losing momentum and ground. Harry's maneuver ensured he had the lead and lost less speed. Harry leaned over and caught the Snitch before it could fly away and the pitch roared approval.

"Potter has the Snitch!" Zenny cheered. "Portree wins! 200 to 50! What a game! They remain undefeated and are now at the top of the League! Everyone, let's thank Falmouth for an excellent game and I think, the best one of the season so far!"

Aimee had Dahlia on her shoulders and they both shouted and cheered as the Portree team took a victory lap.

"I think I like Quidditch here more," Colette said. "Less showy flying and more playing."

"I'll be sure to pass that along," Aimee said dryly.

"Good, tell them I said it," Colette grinned.

The party watched the pitch start to empty and eventually Katie appeared. "Hey everyone! Did you like the game?"

"It was so good!" Gabrielle said.

"I got plenty of pictures for Aunt Lorraine," Aimee said.

"Good! I'll give you a copy of my memory of the game too, and others before you go." Katie scooped up Dahlia. "Were you a good girl?"

"Very good," Apolline praised. "And she was correct about the aioli for the frites."

"Harry taught them that," Katie laughed. "He even gets a percentage of the profits for the sales."

"Very smart of him," Fleur said admiringly.

"He spends the majority of the proceeds from them on souvenirs and things for friends and fans so the team still benefits," Katie smiled.

"Ah he's a shrewd businessman," Sebastian said.

"Coach said sales for the chips and aioli went up like 25% or something after they started doing the aioli so she was more than happy to push that he got a bit for it." Katie looked at Dahlia who had started to pat her cheeks. "Yes, my flower?"

"Where's Daddy?"

"He's showering up very fast so we can all go to Grimmauld right after. We're going to see Nana Andi and Grandpa Ted and Auntie Tonks with Granddog Sirius and GrandMelia." She smiled when Dahlia clapped her hands happily.

"Granddog?" Apolline raised an eyebrow. "Surely she does not know Sirius' sordid history?"

"No, that's a play on his animagus form," Katie laughed. "And he taught Dahlia to call Amelia GrandMelia much to Amelia's displeasure and Dahlia hasn't learned not to do it yet."

"Of course he did," Sebastian snorted. "No one likes to play with fire like Sirius."

-0-

"I'm going to miss you," Dahlia said, hugging Fleur hard.

"I am going to miss you too little one," Fleur said sincerely. "It has been wonderful seeing you." She wiped the little girl's eyes. "However, do not be sad. You will come and visit us next time. You will get to see our home and play in our pond and there will be lots of tasty things to eat and things to see."

"Really?!"

Harry patted his daughter's back. "Yup! Might be sooner than you think."

"Tomorrow?!"

"Not that soon," Harry laughed. "But before the end of the year. Now go hug the others goodbye. You don't want them to leave without a hug, right?" He watched as she scampered off and tackled Colette from behind, knocking her clean over. "Not that hard!" he shouted weakly.

Fleur howled with laughter at Colette flailing on the ground for a few moments. "It is okay, Colette is always in need of some humiliation."

"Humility?"

"That too." She hugged Harry. "Thank you again my dear friend. It was a balm to see you and your family. This was a splendid vacation."

"Always wonderful to see you and we'll decide on a time in the next few months to come to France. I know we have a rare double gap week in November. Maybe then?"

"I think that will be wonderful. I will spend the time collecting presents for Dahlia."

"You spoil her," Harry grinned.

"No more than you spoil us."

He kissed her cheek. "Au revoir ami de mon couer."

She smiled and kissed him back. "Au revoir ami de mon ame."

-0-0-0-

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - To be honest, I don't think I'll write that chapter because I feel it is done and I can't really add anything to it. I thought this was a goodway to try and reintroduce the past and make it palatable for the girls, and let them learn a bit. It cannot always be sunshine after all.

diffident-serpiente - I hope the fallout of the storm isn't too bad for you. Fun fact, Totoro is the first anime movie I remember ever watching as a child and it's my favorite one. I love Kiki's too. I was just thinking of a generic cross with any of the Ghibli's honestly but might be fun to do a Family cross. Can you imagine Luna wandering around looking for Totoro or the Ponyo's?

Part of the reason why I only do one setting at a time is to keep it separate more easily in my mind, Extended not counting. I always read a few chapters that I feel feature the character that the new chapter will highlight to make sure I get their feeling right. That's kind of why I like writing for Extended, I don't have to be strict and follow a set timeline. As long as I keep the details right, I can hope around with impunity and have fun. Though I am still planning my next project and we will see how that will go.

Imaginer.012 - I'm glad you liked your chapter. I wanted to do it justice and hit the notes you wanted. You're a gem and amazing. Hope things are better for you too.

alix33 - The three girls shaking hands was my favorite bit too.