I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Extended Family
Chapter 38 – Family Rivals
Takes place during Harry's rookie year, after graduating from Hogwarts.
"You look worse than you did at your debut game."
Harry looked up and smiled wanly. "Do I?"
Miranda nodded. "Just a bit. You've played two games since; you still got the jitters?"
"A little. There're so many people at each game it's really overwhelming sometimes but that's not the reason why this time." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Guess I'm more nervous about who we're playing."
"Ah." Miranda nodded and sat on the bench beside him. "Playing against your friend."
"Big sister in all but blood really," Harry said. "It feels different than Hogwarts where I got friendly with players on other teams. Angelina was my captain and she taught me a lot and well, you know." He shrugged a little. "I'm not making sense, am I?"
"You are," Miranda said soothingly, patting his arm. "It's tough. The first time I went against a former teammate in the League I was a right mess too. She and I were close friends and we just didn't have the luck to be picked for the same team."
"What happened?"
"We won and she hated my guts for years. I thought she was being a petulant bitch and a sore loser so I didn't try to fix things. It took a while before we became friends again." She blinked at Harry's horrified face. "That's not to say that that's going to happen to you and your friend though."
Harry buried his face into his hands. "Is it too late to sub out for Shelia?"
"Since she's at home with her baby, yes," Miranda said. "And my situation was like the worst-case scenario. I played another friend a week later and he won and we were honestly fine with it. I have no doubt that you two will be just fine. My first case friend was horrifically competitive."
"Angelina is super competitive," Harry moaned.
"Okay, maybe a tiny doubt. Like super tiny. Extraordinarily tiny." Miranda patted his arm again.
"Coach, why are you demoralizing the Seeker?" Tanya asked.
"I was trying to give comforting advice and as you can see, I failed miserably."
"Stick with Quidditch stuff Coach," Tanya sighed. "Okay, let me take over. Shoo." Tanya snorted at Miranda's eyeroll and plopped down beside Harry. "Hey Harry, what's up?"
"I'm about to go play against Angelina and I love her and I'm worried if we win she will hate me forever like Coach's friend and if she hates me forever then when we play against Puddlemere my other old first captain will hate me forever too and I will have to quit Quidditch and cry forever."
Tanya blinked. "Wow, you said that in one breath. Already bucko, chin up. From what you've told me about your friends, they are professionals. They know better than to take what happens in the game personally and you guys are really close, right?" She smiled when he nodded. "Then I doubt anything bad will happen." Her eyes narrowed. "You're not thinking of flubbing, are you?"
"To be honest, I briefly entertained the thought," he admitted quietly.
Tanya snorted. "Good thing you said that to me and not to Coach or else you'd be screamed at right now. Don't flub it, your friends will be even more angry. Look, play your best and take care of what happens after okay? It'll be alright."
Harry took a deep breath. "Thanks, Captain," he said with some composure.
"Attaboy," she said and high-fived him. "It'll be a good game. Don't fret."
Harry nodded and tried to ease the tension in his shoulders. He had been dreading this day for a few weeks now, when the Pride of Portree would be facing the Tutshill Tornadoes on the pitch. The week leading up to the game, there was an awkwardness between Angelina and Harry, one that consumed their interactions.
Harry had hated it immensely.
He opened his locker and pulled out a small velvet bag. He fished out the tiny silver rabbit and held it in both hands, pouring his magic and feelings into it before kissing it gently.
-0-
"We ever find out what's been up Johnson's arse?"
Felicia shushed her fellow teammate. "We're playing against Portree today."
"So what?"
"Her really good friend who is also basically a little brother is their Seeker."
"Oh."
"Yeah. Cut her some slack."
Angelina sat facing her locker. Her shoulders were curled in, her body language screamed danger and despair in equal measure. She had been in a bad mood for days now with each day making her feel worse. She knew that she had not talked to Harry as much as she normally would, when the date of their game came closer.
She chastised herself bitterly over it. She was the older one, the one that should know better. She had been in the League for three years and this was Harry's first. She had gone up against Oliver and had scored off him multiple times and yet they could laugh it off like nothing.
For some reason, playing against Harry made her feel awful. She wanted to try her best and win but she also did not want to hurt him. A part of her knew that he would never hold it against her if his team lost, but a tiny rebellious part of her, the part that liked to hiss dark things, said that their relationship would suffer over this. She also knew if she held back, her own integrity would suffer and she was caught at a crossroads.
A glint of light in her locker caught her eye. Rising slowly, she opened it and gasped when she saw her rabbit figurine glow as bright as the sun. She always took it to the pitch with her, a habit built from her first two years. Lately it was not used as much because it was easier to see and talk to Harry. Today it shone brighter than she had ever seen it before.
She picked it up, feeling much better. She held it and felt the magic fill her slowly. She kissed it and poured her own magic into it. She was about to put it back in the locker but stopped. She wrapped it in a few charms and gently tucked it into her robes beneath the padding.
-0-
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked.
Alicia chewed her thumbnail. "I'm just worried. Angelina and Harry weren't feeling so great before the game."
"Were they ill?" Daphne asked worriedly.
"No, probably because this is the first time they're playing against each other," Tracy said. "Unless you count the Blitz Quidditch."
"Which was more for fun and not for League standings," Alicia said. "This is much different. Their careers depend on it."
"I didn't even think about that," Hermione said softly. They were sitting in good seats but not in personal boxes. Alicia was using a ticket from Angelina while the other three used tickets from Harry. "I'm sure they'll be fine, they're so close."
"I know but I'm still a little worried," Alicia said softly.
"How do Angelina and Oliver deal with it when they play? That must be even more contentious considering he is a Keeper and she is a Chaser," Daphne said softly.
"They get along fine, never take it personally, thank Merlin," Alicia said. "But their relationship is a different sort. I don't think it will be this bad when Oliver plays against Harry either. But for some reason, this feels more tense."
"He's probably worried about her feelings," Tracy said, "and I don't know her that well at all but I bet she's worried about his."
"She is," Alicia confirmed. She sighed. "We can only hope for the best and force them to make up afterwards if there are bad feelings."
-0-
Angelina swallowed painfully when the teams faced each other on the pitch. Her heart pounded and it had nothing to do with the screaming fans surrounding them, the anticipation of the upcoming game. She took a deep breath then froze. The bunny in her chest pocket pulsated gently, tugging slightly. She looked over at Harry and she felt immense relief when he smiled shyly back. He gently tapped the space above his heart and she felt her bunny move in time.
Her eyes sparkled and she tapped her own bunny. Her heart melted when she saw Harry wiggle his nose at her. She winked and blew him a kiss. The teams split off to take to the sky.
"Feeling better?" Felicia asked with a broad smile.
"Oh yeah," Angelina said gratefully.
"Good! You're not going to hold back, are you?"
Angelina shook her head. "Nope. Going to let the best team win."
"Good! Let's kick some arse then!"
"Hell yeah!"
-0-
"Tornadoes score!" Hank Yew, the Tutshill announcer, shouted and the Tutshill fans cheered. "Awesome shot by Johnson ricochets the Quaffle off the central hoop into the side! What a game! She's on fire and Tutshill up, 100 to 80. Still anybody's game! Tutshill is calling time so a quick breather for both teams."
"You weren't kidding," Tina gasped to Harry. "She is scarily accurate and I've never seen someone do so many bank shots like that."
"She's only gotten better," Harry said admiringly.
"We're barely behind," Tanya said. "Let's keep up the good work and we can maintain this close match. Harry, I know you might not want to do this, but I want you to buzz and distract her a little more if you can."
"I'll be okay," he said confidently. "I'll do it when I can."
"Oh? What brought this change?" Nathan asked with interest. "Earlier this week Benny suggested you mess with her and you gave him a look that sent him scurrying."
"Yeah, sorry about that Benny," Harry said sheepishly. The Chaser waved a hand to show that he was not offended. "Well, I mean, I was worried before but she came out playing hard. I think she's showing me that she can handle it and showing me how much she's changed as a player."
"Makes sense," Tina said.
"So, it's only fair that I show her how I've changed as a player too, right?"
"And what'll you do when she blames you for the loss?" Flora asked kindly.
"I know her favorite kind of chocolate and stuffed animal," Harry said wryly and the rest of the team laughed.
"Right! Let's go then. Go Pride!" Tanya shouted.
"Go Pride!" the team responded.
-0-
"And McGee passes to Hope. Hope to Johnson. Johnson lines up the shot and- HOLY HIPPOGRIFFS!"
Angelina cocked her arm back to throw but flinched when a form in purple and gold dove right at her. She slid to the left, instinctively curling her arm to hug the Quaffle to her chest. The Portree player somehow stopped the dive and bounced straight up at an incredibly sharp angle, flying right for her again. She twisted and dove to the right and the player looped around her, making her stop in surprise. Another Portree player flew up at the opposite angle and punched the Quaffle out from under her arm, sending the ball flying into the air where the first player turned in place, slapping the Quaffle out with the end of their broom. A Portree Chaser caught it and went zooming off with it.
Angelina looked up, eyes widening as she saw Harry hovering just above her with a smile she had never seen aimed at her before. It was the smile he got when he did a tricky maneuver to an opposing player and it worked out well.
She had never been so proud of him.
She had never been so infuriated by him.
"Harry…" she growled and smiled.
"Hi Angelina bye Angelina I loovvvvvve yoooooouuu!" he shouted as he flew away.
"I'll get you for this Rabbit!" Angelina shouted and tore off for the other side of the pitch, her smile from ear to ear. "I love you too!"
"What a play by the Portree Seeker!" Hank shouted. "I don't even know what that was called! Potter dove and made a recovery at an angle I've never seen and looped completely around Johnson. Flanders was able to punch the Quaffle out of her arm and after a deflection by Potter, Duncil caught it and took away with it! Duncil to Bilby who shoots and Portree scores!"
The pitch was on their feet at the display. Despite Portree scoring, the fans cheered what happened and at the amazing flying they just witnessed.
The game took on a new feeling after that. Before it was a good fun game with no fouls nor bad play. After the buzzing, the game seemed brighter, taking on an even higher amount of energy. Inspired by the play, the Pride of Portree team played faster and tighter. Angelina's new enthusiasm was infectious and the Tutshill Tornados returned the energy in spades.
"I don't think you have to worry anymore," Hermione said with a big smile as she watched them fly through her omnioculars.
"Oh?" Alicia asked.
Hermione handed them to Alicia. "They're smiling."
Alicia zoomed in on Angelina and Harry. "They really are," she said with relief. Her eyes narrowed behind the omnioculars. "Angelina! I'm going to get you for that!"
"What?!" Daphne exclaimed.
"She just said something very rude to baby bird!"
"You can read lips?" Hermione asked.
"It's a very important skill for being in Society," Alicia said and Daphne and Tracy nodded in agreement. "Oh! Oh you bitch! I'm going to wash your mouth out with soap!" she raged a distant Angelina.
"And we're still neck and neck," Hank said. "The score is 120 to 100, Tutshill in the lead. And Portree has possession of the Quaffle and- here we go I think the Seekers found the Snitch!"
Harry leaned down on his broomstick and flew hard towards the Portree goalposts. He had seen the tiny glint of gold and raced for it but the Tornadoes Seeker saw it too and was catching up. Harry corkscrewed, dodging a Bludger and homed in on the target. He dived under a Tornado player trying to check him and spun to avoid another Bludger shot.
Angelina flew towards him, teeth gritted and eyes narrowed. She had made her mind and steeled her heart and was determined to interfere. Tanya appeared at the last second, getting into Angelina's way and they hit each other at an angle, flying off in different directions. Harry managed to catch the Snitch, turning in the air with his hand held high.
A groan ran through the home crowd but they all clapped good-naturedly at the catch. "Potter catches the Snitch! Great flying by him in dodging all of those interference ploys. Portree wins, 250 to 120! A very good game and let's give a rousing hand to both teams!" Hank shouted with positive energy.
The teams landed on the pitch and handshakes were exchanged with words of congratulation and consolation. "Hey, no hard feelings, yeah?" Tanya asked Angelina.
Angelina grinned. "No hard feelings. Good block. I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"No and I'm glad, you hit like a wall," Tanya laughed. "But I knew you wouldn't do anything bad, you got quite the fan on the team."
Angelina sighed softly and she looked at a sheepish looking Harry. "C'mere you," she said and pulled him into a tight hug. "Good catch," she said into his hair.
"Thanks! You were awesome out there," he said happily with immense relief, hugging her tightly back and kissing her cheek.
She squeezed him tighter when she felt the bunny in her pocket pulse in time with his. "Good game Rabbit," she said and kissed him a few times. "Hang out later?"
"Meet at my flat," he said smiling.
-0-
"Aww, this is a familiar sight," Hermione said with a smile as she walked through the door.
Angelina had Harry wrapped up in her arms and was snuggling him on the couch. "Hey Hermione," Angelina smiled.
"What does Katie have to say about this," Daphne asked with a small smile. "And George I suppose."
"Rabbit and I were cuddle buds before we were involved with them," Angelina said airily. "And they don't mind. George even throws Harry at me when he thinks I'm being too grumpy."
"It's true, well the before they got into a relationship part, not the George throwing him part," Hermione said. "Been like that since our first year."
"I don't believe that," Tracy said. "George can't throw anything."
"He's more of a Beater," Harry laughed.
"Pizza will be ready soon," Alicia said as she walked into the living room. "Might as well do this now." She summoned a bar of soap from the bathroom. "Don't move Harry."
"What are you going to do to me?" he asked, eyeing the soap warily.
"Not you, I'm washing out Angelina's mouth with soap."
"Why me?!" Angelina asked indignantly.
"I saw what you said during the game! You said you were going to make baby bird eat grass and other things!"
"Hey, that's normal Quidditch banter and you know it!" Angelina said, trying to use Harry as a shield. "Harry, back me up."
Harry went limp, squishing her down. "I don't know, it really did hurt my feelings and I'm very despondent now."
"Traitor!" Angelina squawked. She pushed Harry at Alicia and ran.
Alicia chased after her. "Get back here you brute!" Alicia said severely.
"It's usually the other way around but this is familiar too," Hermione giggled as she dodged out of the way.
"Hellooooooo," a voice echoed around the flat.
"Oh! That's Katie!" Daphne walked into Harry's bedroom and came out with the mirror. "Hello!"
"Hi Daphne! Hey everyone!" Katie smiled brightly. "It's so good to see everyone! I wanted to see how the game went, Harry told me he was playing against Angelina today."
"It went very well, Harry caught the Snitch and Portree won," Daphne said proudly.
"Yes! Good job love! Sorry Angie!" Katie said.
"How are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Tired but good! I'm in clinic all day and been doing extra shifts but it's really rewarding." She caught sight of Angelina being chased by Alicia. "What's going on there?"
"Alicia saw Angelina say something rude to Harry during the game today," Tracy said. "Something about eating grass and other things."
"What?! Hey! Don't talk to my Harry like that! Someone help me run after them."
Hermione took the mirror and she joined the chase, lending Katie feet by proxy and allowing her to join in verbally lambasting Angelina. Angelina eventually tripped and Alicia pinned on in a flash, trying to force her to eat the soap.
"I'm doing this for your own good!" Alicia said severely.
"Rabbit, help me!"
"I'll make you some sweets for after pizza!" Harry laughed back. He took the mirror from Hermione. "Glad to hear you're doing okay," he said to Katie.
"I am. I'm exhausted all the time but it's good to learn and I'm really getting good at healing if I do say so myself."
"I'll say it. With your Mum and MumAndi and Madame Pomfrey, no way you wouldn't be brilliant."
Katie blushed happily. "Aw thanks. Oh and Fleur and Aimee send their love. Colette sends something a lot more lewder."
"Send my love back," Harry laughed. He sighed slightly. "I miss you. Can't wait to see you again."
"Me too," she said lovingly. "I'm about to pass out so help me say goodbye to the others please." She bid the others farewell and she waved and blew Harry a kiss. When he returned the gesture, Tracy smirked. "That was so adorable and chaste of you."
"Oh well let me fix that." Katie stuck out her tongue and started making terribly slurping noises that made the girls shriek with disgust and Harry laugh. "Bye! Love you!" Katie said in between indecent noises, dissolving into laughter before the mirror went blank.
Angelina spat again and again, gargling a glass of water that Hermione had given her. "You're terrible," she said, glaring at Alicia. "Hate you. I only love Rabbit now." She curled around Harry moodily.
"Even though he got you into this mess?" Daphne laughed.
"No he didn't, he didn't force her to say such things," Alicia said, waggling her finger.
"He didn't try to rescue you though," Tracy said.
"What did I do to you two?" Harry asked indignantly. He rolled his eyes at their giggling. "Come on Angelina. I'll start those sweets now and they'll be baking as we eat pizza."
"Are we going to have a repeat performance when Harry plays against Oliver?" Hermione asked with a large smile.
"Oh he knows he better behave when he plays baby bird," Alicia said severely. "Otherwise the consequences will be dire."
"Poor Captain," Harry chuckled.
-0-0-0-
alix33 - He still does it because he knows how much it bothers her.
diffident-serpiente - I thought people would enjoy the idea of the four House Elves being sneaky and doing silly things like that. That's good to hear. I hope things get better for you and yours soon.
Arnie1701 - He found his family and will do anything for them.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Glad I could help. Hope you have a better day.
emilysouza221b - Thank you but please do not make prompts or tell me what to write in reviews. I have asked for people not to do that.
Urgwaew - Hope things continue to get better for you. I feel like Extended isn't too heavy on plot per se. It's more small snippets that are fleshed out a bit and it's nice that I don't have to try and tie things together sequentially. Definitely more fluff in this. I'm glad you liked that the girls can see each other, that was a little detail I reallly wanted to shine. My best to you.
