I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Extended Family
Chapter 37 – Moving Dazed
Takes place in the few weeks after chapter 29
"I love the layout," Alicia said as she walked around the home. It was empty of furniture and things of course, being newly built, but it already exuded a practical warmth and comfort. "At first the living room seems way too large but I think I like how it integrates directly into the kitchen."
Angelina smiled. "Yeah, George and I talked about it and I think it'll work better because you can cook and stuff and still be right here in the same room. The dining table will be against that wall so it's all combined and it kinda makes everyone be together on the main floor you know?"
"It'll be easier to clean too," Katie remarked. She smiled at Angelina. "Especially considering how many children you have, or will have."
"Ugh, I might call it after this one," Angelina groaned. "These two are wearing me out," she said, patting her abdomen. "Still, and George knows this, but I'm not having as many kids as he has siblings. Maybe one more but that'll be the last and it'll be a while before I try again."
The former Chaser trio were walking around the houses that were just finished for them. Their homes were prioritized for building but the construction company had set aside more than one crew for building and inspection and so the time it took to build and finish the homes were remarkably short and yet still somewhat cheaper than other companies in other places.
The others were being built, some almost finished, others just beginning, but the Potter, Weasley, and Wood houses were all done and fully inspected. Now they were exploring and seeing how things were done and everyone was very happy.
They walked into Alicia and Oliver's home and admired the simple but classical interior of the rooms and the main floor. "Oh wow, I was wondering what you had them do the cellar into the hill but now it makes a lot of sense," Katie exclaimed.
"I know it is traditional to have your potions lab underground and sequestered away," Alicia said," but I really like having windows. So building the cellar into the hill and having the back door out on ground level made sense and I get some lovely windows now. Plus I can just walk out the back door and get to my gardens for materials."
"Don't you have some things that are sensitive to light?" Angelina asked.
"Yes but I learned a few charms that negate that easily. Plus the interior room here to the side will be the storage and I'll wrap that in charms and protections." Alicia gently patted a snoozing Melanie in her sling dangling down her front. "Cannot be too careful for the little ones and my big idiot."
"Speaking of, I assume he's inspecting the local pitch?" Katie asked.
"He is," Alicia sighed. "I'm glad baby bird listened to me and had it moved more interior to the plots and I don't have to look at it directly if I don't want to."
"As if you're not happy to play on it too," Angelina snorted.
"I'm not obsessed with it like some people," Alicia sniffed.
"You know you're talking to a sports healer and a professional Chaser, right?" Katie smiled.
"You're not obsessed with it," Alicia replied pertly.
"That's fair," Angelina laughed.
Finally, they walked through the Potter home. It was designed a lot like the Bell residence: an emphasis on comfort over style. The kitchen was large and spacious, looking directly into the backyard. A large interior window was cut into a wall to look into the living room as well.
"I love the windows," Angelina said. "It really makes it feel a lot bigger and roomier. More open."
"I wanted them like that," Katie said. "The less enclosed spaces the better. Because, well, you know." She sighed softly.
"Yes," Alicia said and hugged her. "It's a good design."
Angelina dabbed her eyes. "Also, I have to say, at first I was a bit worried about our backyard plan but seeing it like this, I love it."
They decided that they did not want to build any back fencing between the three homes, instead making a large combined backyard. Small low stone seats marked the technical boundaries of each property and a small triangle shaped bit of land in the middle was shared. Harry had set up a swing set there and tables and chairs already with a few trees for shade. Dahlia, Hadley, and Hailey were playing there and their laughter and happy chatter filled the air.
"Me too," Katie said, her eyes warm and soft. "It's so nice not to have to worry about it. This is much nicer than what I had thought we'd have one day."
"All thanks to you and Harry." Alicia shook her head. "I thought I was used to his generosity and heart but this is beyond anything I could ever imagine."
"More Harry than me. All the money and stuff he put into the land was his. He set it aside from his paychecks and investments. Said he didn't want to hamper me or the family in case things didn't pan out."
"I love him so much," Angelina sighed.
"We're very lucky," Alicia said softly. She wiped her eyes. "I had the land appraised the other day, just to give an estimate on how much it would potentially cost elsewhere. To say we got it on a steal would be a gross understatement."
"But if we kept waiting for free land or an established place for the three of us, who knows when that would've happened. Not to mention for everyone else," Katie said.
"We'll just have to make sure Rabbit is always loved and thank him in all sorts of ways," Angelina said.
Katie's smile smoldered. "I do thank him in all sorts of ways."
"Ugh! You're gross!" Angelina said and poked Katie who laughed.
"Hey there!" Tracy poked her head through the door. "How's the tours going?"
"Amazing!" Angelina said happily. "We love everything. Your family's business does an awesome job."
"Thanks! Yeah we do. We're not as big as some companies but we're one of the best because we care and do good work."
"I'll happily write reviews," Alicia said seriously.
"Brilliant! We'll take them. Especially positive ones."
"How're the other homes coming along?" Katie asked.
"Really good. I think all the main ones will be built and finished by the end of the month. We're on retainer for future plots too. Harry signed an exclusive contract with us for future developments and repairs and stuff. So you guys won't have to worry about repairs and the like or any kind of improvements or expansions and whatnot."
"That is a huge relief," Alicia said. "You never like finding out when one magic fights another when you're trying to build on an established building and property."
"Tell me about it. One time we were asked to repair part of the roof and they didn't tell us how the original one was built. The two pieces essentially resented one another and they kept splitting up and curling." Tracy shuddered at the memory.
"Oh no, what did you do?" Katie asked.
"Nothing we could do would make the ends meet so we built a new roof underneath the hole to fill the gap and we curled the other end of the roof to make it look like a planned decorative design."
"Wait, I know that house! I always wondered how that came about," Alicia laughed.
"Where's your and Daphne's place?" Angelina asked.
"On the other side of Alicia's. Daffy and Alicia are going to split a greenhouse for potion things so we took the plot next to them to make it easier for projects. Come check it out!" She led them to the house next door and showed them the expansive backyard with greenhouse already built. She then took them on a tour of the home itself, still under construction but the layout was finished.
"I see she took my suggestion," Alicia said smugly as they looked at the underground potions laboratory, with a door and a window leading out into the backyard.
"Yeah she really liked it and was a little upset she didn't think of it first," Tracy laughed. "She never thought about convenience back at her home. Their House Elves would bring whatever was asked for or ordered for of course so it never occurred to her."
"That's a question. Are you going to be looking for one?" Angelina asked her and Alicia.
Alicia shook her head. "Not really. I mean, I love Mimsy but having lived on my own for so long and with a family, I don't feel the need for one. If she ever wanted to leave the Spinnets and was allowed to, I'd take her in a heartbeat but more because she was always so nice to me."
"We're the same. I mean, my family didn't have a House Elf growing up but I was familiar with the Greengrass ones of course. I was actually curious if Daphne would want one of her own but she hasn't said anything. She actually got pretty good at housework and stuff. She's getting a little better at cooking." Tracy shrugged. "I always thought House Elves were needed for those giant manor or mansions and not like smaller homes."
"George joked that his family never had a House Elf not because of money but because Molly would be bored otherwise," Angelina grinned and the others laughed. "Seriously though. My Mum was always busy with the four of us and Molly has seven. I thought she would be bored now with pretty much everyone gone but she keeps busy working with St Mungo's for potions and knitting everything for everyone. Plus she'll take Hailey whenever she can."
"She must be even happier with your two coming soon," Alicia smiled.
"Happy isn't enough to describe it," Angelina laughed. "She and my Mum have come close to dueling for grandmother time."
"What about you?" Tracy asked Katie.
"Technically we don't have a House Elf now," Katie said. "My family never needed one growing up."
"What do you mean technically?" Angelina asked.
"Kreacher shows up to clean and organize every so often," Katie said wryly. "For a while we had absolutely no idea. Until one time we caught him. We thought Sirius sent him but he came on his own. Said that he wants to serve Master Harry and Mistress Katie and if he could leave the Bad Master he would."
She joined their laughter. "He loves Dahlia though and she loves him too. He's so sweet with her and let me tell you, I was worried at first. But he's so nice to her, he calls her Miss Little Star. Which cheeses Dora off because he still calls her Mistress Andromeda's Young more often than not. And that's not even the only one."
"Really?" Tracy asked.
"Mmhmm. Whenever Madame Pomfrey or McGonagall visit, either Dobby, Inky, or Fanny will tag along to 'help'." Katie shook her head. "None of us knew until one of them got into an argument with Kreacher during a visit."
"I thought they couldn't leave the school without permission," Angelina said.
"Because Harry is keyed into the school wards and they accompany a school professor, they say they can visit to help because they see where Harry is as tangentially related to Hogwarts," Katie giggled.
"Gosh, that's some proper loopholing," Alicia said admiringly.
"Which of course is what McGonagall is using to pressure Harry to come to Hogwarts to teach," Katie laughed.
"I need to tell Daphne," Tracy grinned. "Technically not owning one but have the services of four. That's really impressive."
"They love Harry," Katie smiled.
They walked back to the combined backyard and Angelina and Katie sat down with sighs of relief. They watched the little girls play with fond expressions, the happy sounds making the bright sunlight warmer and brighter.
"Who's next after yours?" Angelina asked.
"Luna and Hermione's should be finished pretty soon. Theirs are smaller and simpler so they won't be as involved. Luna's is really nice. She has a big art studio on the ground floor and a nice garden set up and she's next to the creek. Hermione has a huge office and library but is also really nice and simple. Ted and Andromeda's is on hold for now. They don't want to build anything yet but will come over within the next few years or so. Tonks' is pretty simple too so that will be next. Ron and Hannah haven't started yet either. They aren't in a rush."
"That's all of us for now then," Angelina said. "Harry offered spaces for the other Weasleys but they all deferred for now. They are all pretty set where they are now. Plus with Floos and our own apparition point, it'll be fine. We have an extra room at our place for the Weasley visitors." She looked at Katie. "What about your parents and Lyla?"
"They have a plot for when they retire," Katie said. "Which won't be for a long time yet but they love their current place so they aren't in a rush either. Lyla likes living in her own flat right now but we have a Bell room at our place too. Oh but I think Fleur is buying a vacation home spot though for her and her friends and family."
"Oooh, that'll be nice," Tracy said.
"What's wrong with your face?" Angelina asked Alicia.
Alicia made sure none of the little girls were watching and made a rude gesture at Angelina. "Nothing, what's wrong with yours? But I've been doing some more thinking and something doesn't make sense." She looked at Tracy. "I know Harry said we are getting materials at cost and a discount on your family's services, but just how much? We aren't underpaying you, are we?"
"No, we make sure we pay our workers really well so they don't leave," Tracy said. "Oh and I think I hear Daphne calling me…"
"Oh here, hold her for a second." Alicia gently passed her sleeping daughter to Tracy. Tracy took her, looking confused for a moment. "Now you can't run away without waking her and you wouldn't do that to her, would you?"
"You monster!" Tracy gasped.
"You're the monster if you wake her," Alicia said. "Now, why were you running away?"
"I wasn't running away," Tracy protested. "I was walking away. I try not to run if I can help it."
"Fine, why were you walking away?"
Tracy sighed. "Because I was asked not to say certain things unless absolutely necessary."
"If you don't tell us we will write terrible reviews," Alicia said.
"That counts then." Tracy settled Melanie comfortably against her. "So remember when I said Harry put down a retainer fee? It was a huge retainer fee. I did some snooping after I found out that he was the contract holder and it was the biggest one that the company ever received. It's basically an account and we take extra costs out of it and to make up the differences between what you guys pay. Everyone is still getting a massive discount and the materials are still at cost but yeah."
"How can he afford that?" Angelina asked, shocked.
"After Harry's rookie season, he renegotiated his contract with Portree and got a really good one," Katie said. "He told me and he's been really good at investing his earnings and letting them grow slowly. He didn't go crazy with his first paychecks and built things up." She shook her head. "I didn't ask about the deal he made with the construction firm though."
"Mum told me that he basically became a silent investor in the firm," Tracy said. "He bought a small percentage of it, put down the retainer, and between that and the fact that he's an investor, we can give him all the discounts and we're still making money from the deal. Not as gross of a profit as we have done with others, actually the smallest profit margin that we've ever done really. But with him as an investor, the firm's security is much better. Especially that we have a permanent deal with all the houses here."
"It's too much," Alicia said, sitting back and looking shell shocked. "Not only do we own the land and have new homes made, it's at a fraction of the cost." She looked at Katie. "We can never repay this level of kindness."
"Mum told me something that might make you feel better," Tracy offered. "She basically asked Harry why he was going so far and he said he can never repay anyone back with how much love and kindness they showed him before. He," she sniffled a little, "he said he never imagined he would ever have anything growing up. He truly never thought he'd ever have any family of his own ever since he was a little kid, much less any friends. So he said that the joy and comfort he gets from everyone now is priceless and that money doesn't make him happy, we do. So if he can spend what he doesn't care about for what he does care about, then that's what matters."
"I love him so much," Angelina sniffled.
"He has been incredibly happy," Katie said, smiling through her tears. "Like, seriously super happy. Ever since we brought everyone here and everyone took their plots. Every time Hedwig brings him a progress report about this place his smile somehow gets bigger. Even that game last week when he got knocked off his broom, he said he only had to think about living here with everyone and he could ignore the pain."
Alicia blew her nose noisily into a handkerchief.
"Is everything okay?" Dahlia asked worriedly. She and the other girls had wandered over and looked alarmed at the older women looking teary-eyed.
"Everything is perfectly okay," Katie said, hugging her. "These are happy tears."
"How are you bunnies?" Angelina said, wiping her tears away. "Are you three happy?"
"So happy!" Hailey shouted. "It's so nice here and I can't wait to live next door to Papa Harry and Dahlia and Hadley and everyone!"
"Yeah!" Hadley exclaimed. "It's the best!"
Alicia smiled. "Good! Now all of this is possible because of Papa Harry so you have to make sure you always show him love, okay?"
The three little girls gave her identical flat looks. "We already do," Hadley said indignantly.
"Of course," Alicia said soothingly, "but be sure to show him extra."
"In fact, go hunt him down and attack him," Angelina said with a wide smile. "I think he's at the pitch right now."
Not needing any more permission, the three girls ran off on their mission.
"Dang, they sure are adorable." Tracy sighed gustily and looked down at the slumbering Melanie. "You know, I never imagined my life like this when I was younger," she said quietly. "I grew up within the Society. I always thought I'd be 'lucky' if I was matched with a boy from a good House. I'd be the stay-at-home wife responsible for making babies and stuff. I thought my friends would be the other women of the Houses."
She looked around. "I never thought I'd have friends like you. I never thought I'd be with Daphne like this and look forward to seeing people and just being me and hanging out. I actually like seeing your daughters and am excited for the ones on their way. I thought my life would be so…stolid and stale and regimented. If little me could see me like I am now, she'd never believe it."
Katie scooted her chair over and hugged Tracy. "Honestly, me neither. I mean, I thought I'd be hopefully playing Quidditch or something or have a family but if you told me I'd have friends like you and Daphne, I wouldn't have believed it either. I never thought I'd be as close to Angelina or Alicia either. They scared the shite out of me when I was a firstie."
Angelina snorted. "I did have a chip on my shoulder my first few years at Hogwarts, had a lot to prove."
"Same," Alicia said softly. She smiled. "We really do owe Harry a lot, don't we?"
"We'll have to show Harry how much we appreciate him," Tracy said.
"I already do," Katie said, waggling her eyebrows.
"You're so gross!" Angelina said loudly.
Shrieks and laughter could be heard, growing louder. Harry came running towards them, chased by the three girls. Harry looked back and stumbled and he fell over by the table the women sat at. Dahlia, Hadley, and Hailey took advantage of his prone position and jumped on him.
"I'm being attacked!" Harry said with false fear and he tickled and wrestled with them.
"I know, I sent them after you," Angelina laughed.
"Oh well thank you then," Harry laughed, his voice becoming muffled when Hadley belly flopped onto his face.
"Don't hurt him," Alicia sighed to her daughter.
"He'd never admit it," Katie smiled as the other two girls sat on his chest and stomach, crying victory.
Harry fought his way free and sat up, setting the girls on his lap and legs. He wrapped his arms around all three and the mothers and Tracy sighed at the sight of them leaning against him comfortably. "How are you lot?" he asked, slightly out of breath.
"Wonderful," Alicia said. "The houses are so nice."
"Great! We still thinking about moving in this weekend?"
"Probably yeah. I'd like to get a little settled before having the babies," Angelina said with Katie agreeing.
"We'll have plenty of help," Harry said. "The team and the support staff are going to help us all move. All they want is dinner after and you know me, any excuse to cook for people is one I'll make."
"Everybody?" Tracy asked astounded.
Katie nodded. "Yup! We asked if anyone was interested in helping and pretty much everyone said they wanted to. And they're going to help with you guys too since we're all moving the same day."
"Ooh, I can use this against my team," Angelina laughed.
"And Oliver's," Alicia smiled.
-0-
With so many people helping, the moving part took very little time. Most things were packed up and secured before the weekend and in a short amount of time, everything was moved out of the houses and into the new ones.
A small part of the neighborhood was set aside as a communal area in the center of the homes and they set up tables and chairs there for the after-move dinner party. Harry set up a large grill and everyone brought small things with them. A picnic-like atmosphere was created and a large number of people congregated, eating and laughing as they relaxed. After night fell, people left and the three families went back to their homes.
Harry tucked Dahlia into her bed. "Look Dally," he said, pointing out her window. "You can see Hailey and Hadley's windows. We made sure to give you three end rooms so you can see each other when you want."
"I love it," Dahlia said happily and sleepily. She pulled Harry in and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Daddy!"
"You're welcome, Dally," he said warmly. "Sweet dreams star flower."
He closed her door and walked down to the living room. Hedwig hooted at him when she saw him.
"How do you like our new home?" he asked her.
She cheeped contentedly, nibbling on his fingers.
"Lots of forest for you to play in and hunt in," he said, stroking her back.
She clacked her beak in satisfaction, wiggling on her perch in a satisfied way.
"The windows are already charmed for you so you can come and go at your leisure," he said warmly and smiled when she climbed up his arm to nuzzle his face. "Glad you like it too." He watched fondly as she swooped out the window. "Stay safe and good hunting!"
Katie appeared and wrapped an arm around his waist. "It's so weird. This place already feels like home and we haven't even spent a night here yet."
"It feels right," he said as he hugged her back. He felt warm when he looked out the window, easily seeing the Weasley and Wood homes. "It's so nice knowing they're right over there. And soon everyone else will be here."
"Thank you love," Katie said and kissed his neck. "I don't think I say it enough."
"You don't have to, this was for me too," he said warmly. "It's like a dream come true."
She sighed softly as she looked over the moonlit ground, breathing in his scent and the smell of the outdoors. "It really is," she agreed softly.
-0-0-0-
Thespianpoet - Glad to see you and all caught up. The handshake bit was probably my favorite of the chapter. I want to slowly develop the girls more, make them feel like new and real characters that are reflections of their parents but not clones. It was fun to write the French Family too. Seeing how they fit into the new timeline and how they are now. I'll write that French visit chapter for you. Granddog just felt right and I agree, very much a Sirius joke, same with how he messes with Amelia. I'm glad you still like the games and thank you for the high praise. Given the initial premise, I have to be decent at writing Quidditch games haha.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - It's always fun seeing the Delacours and now the newest Delacour - the thunderplushie.
alix33 - Poor Hedwig. Aioli is good, a well flavored mayo.
diffident-serpiente - You know me, I love callbacks and when Fleur and Gabrielle reappeared, I knew I had to bring back Gabi and Hedwig being gremlins to Fleur again. I think the double eye blink/wink was my favorite little bit too, beside the hoot and her tackling Colette at the end. Glad to hear things were okay for you. I actually went to school in Orlando and am fairly familiar with Sarasota. Hope things get better soon.
The mini-Totoros, the soot gremlins and the soot sprites, the cat bus, love them the most. The big fat chick spirits too. The Kodamas kinda freak me out a little haha. That whole movie freaks me out a bit, it's so good but so creepy. I might have to try my hand at a crossover soon.
Urgwaew - Good to see you. I was thinking of sending a message today to check on you but am glad to see you here. No I still have plenty to do in the setting. I just about finished a chapter today on a random idea that I had no idea where it came from until I started it. I have at least 3 more major Quidditch related ones, a couple more wedding related ones, the France trip, and an AU to even start and I am about 10 chapters ahead in the bank so don't worry, plenty more to share. The two Hedwig ones were completely new ideas too and I'm sure I'll glean more. Hope you are doing well.
