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

Note: Behind the scenes fun fact: I wrote this chapter over a month ago but shuffled it around a few times when I wanted to bring other chapters in first. Then last week I realized I could actually post this on Halloween and thought it would be a nice thing to do for some symbolism. I wish everyone a fun Halloween if you are partaking and hope all are doing well. As always, thank you for reading. It means more than you know.

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Extended Family

Chapter 48 – Hallowed Healing

Set before the final chapter of Family.

"Mummy?"

"Yes flower?" Katie smiled, looking down at her daughter.

"Can I ask you something?"

Katie noticed how serious Dahlia was and immediately set her book aside. "Of course, Dahlia. What's on your mind?"

Dahlia chewed on her lip for a moment. "Where does Daddy go on Halloween?"

Katie sat back and took a deep breath. "Uh. Well…"

Dahlia continued talking rapidly. "I mean I know he spends the nights with us but he is always quiet right before and he's gone during the day and then when he comes home he always looks upset but he always is there with us and Hailey and Hadley and I'm worried that he's hurt or he doesn't like Halloween and we are hurting him by playing and stuff."

"Huh, guess you got that from your Daddy too," Katie said softly with a smile. She picked up Dahlia and set her on her lap. "You're not hurting your Daddy. He loves spending time with you and the girls and all of us, don't you ever question that, okay?" She sighed at Dahlia's nod. "The thing about Halloween, it's a tough day for him."

"I thought he likes candy though. He always has some and shares it with me, even when you say I shouldn't have anymore."

"Does he really?" Katie smiled at Dahlia's panicked look. "I'll forget about that for now. No, he likes candy." She sighed again. "Dally, you know Granddog Sirius and Nana Andromeda and Grandpa Ted aren't your biological grandparents, right? I mean, they aren't related to you technically."

"Like McGonaGrandmum and Grandma Poppy," Dahlia said. "And the Grangers and Delacours."

"Yes, just like them. They love you very much but they aren't related to you."

"But Grandma Sammi and Grandpa Tommy are right? They are your mummy and daddy?"

"That's right."

"Why doesn't Daddy have a mummy and daddy?" Dahlia asked in a whisper.

"They passed away," Katie said sadly and softly. "When Daddy was a baby. They were hurt by a bad person."

Dahlia started to cry and Katie hugged her tightly. "Poor Daddy," she sobbed. "What happened to the bad person?"

"Your Daddy stopped him from ever hurting people again," Katie said, stroking Dahlia's hair. "It took a while but he did it. His parents passed on Halloween and when he was younger, he had a lot of bad things happen on this day so he isn't very fond of it usually."

"And I make him do things on it," Dahlia wailed despondently.

"Now now, don't think that," Katie said soothingly. "You help Daddy feel better on this day and it's good that you do. You Daddy doesn't do anything he doesn't want to and he always wants to do things with you. Don't forget that." She gently wiped her tears away. "He knows how much you and the girls like to eat candy and play at night so he goes to visit his parents' resting place during the day."

"Have you gone to see them?" Dahlia asked.

"Yes. I like to tell them about our lives and about you."

"I thought they were gone," Dahlia frowned.

"They are, gone from here. But we think they can still see us and hear us sometimes and we want them to know what's going on. So when we see them again one day, we won't be strangers."

"Were they nice?"

"I never met them. But Granddog Sirius and Uncle Remus were best friends with them and they said they were. McGonaGrandmum taught them and she liked them very much."

"I want to go and see them," Dahlia said. "I want to go with Daddy and you."

Katie hummed softly. "Well, let me talk to your Daddy and we'll see, okay? Wouldn't you rather play with Hadley and Hailey all day?"

"I can see them after and we can still eat and stuff after," Dahlia said stubbornly, setting her jaw and staring up at her mother.

Katie smiled. "You got that expression from me. I remember seeing Lyla do that a lot. Ok flower, I'll ask Daddy and we'll talk about it."

Dahlia nodded and hugged her, leaning her head on her chest, suddenly tired. "Is that why Auntie Lyly is my biological auntie but all my other aunties aren't?"

"Yes. Harry was the only baby his parents had. The other aunties are his very good friends he made at school. He treats Auntie Hermione and Auntie Luna and Auntie Dora as siblings just about, a lot like Hailey and Hadley's parents. Auntie Daphne and Auntie Tracy are very close friends too."

"Hailey has a lot of uncles she's related to," Dahlia observed.

"Her parents come from big families. Hadley's daddy has a big family too. Me, and AliMum and Harry only had smaller ones."

"I'm glad Daddy has friends like that," Dahlia said.

Katie kissed her forehead. "Me too."

-0-

Katie looked up as Dahlia went running from her room, through the sitting room, and out the front door. She smiled to herself and got up. "Harry must have come home," she murmured to herself. Sure enough, he came walking through the door carrying Dahlia who was doing her best impression of a limpet, legs wrapped tight around his chest and arms around his neck.

"Daddy can't breathe," he chuckled as he rubbed her back. "Just a little less pressure, flower." He tilted his head. "What's that?"

"'m sorry," Dahlia whimpered into his neck.

"What are you sorry for?" He looked at Katie with concern.

"For Halloween," Dahlia said, muffled.

Harry stiffened slightly and looked down at her with alarm before looking back at Katie. She gave him a sad look and he gently patted her back. "Oh, well, don't be sorry Dally. You didn't know. I didn't want you to know for a long time."

She looked up at him. "Why?"

"Uh, it's not very pleasant and I didn't want to upset you," he said softly. "What do you know?"

"You lost your mummy and daddy to a bad person and you stopped the bad person."

"That's right," he said, his smile sad and haunted.

"And that you go see them during the day. I want to go this year."

He blinked at her. "You do?"

"I want to go with you and Mummy and see them," Dahlia insisted.

"Uh, let me and Mummy talk about that, okay?"

"I'm going," she said stubbornly, eyes blazing.

He chuckled. "You got that from your Mummy."

"Right? It's uncanny," Katie smiled gently.

That night Harry and Katie got ready for bed together. Dahlia was especially clingy and affectionate with Harry that day, and he secretly loved every moment of it. "I'm sorry," Katie said as he brushed her hair. "She caught me off guard and I tried to put it as gently as possible."

"Oh don't be," he said as he drew the brush through her hair. "It must have been hard to talk to her about it. I had hoped to delay that for a while yet."

"She's oddly mature about some things and persistent," Katie said as she sighed happily at Harry's brushing. "I figured it would be better to give her a partial truth instead of lying."

"She would have asked someone else if she didn't get it from us," Harry chuckled. "And I imagine the others would panic harder and make a bit of a show."

"She was worried about you and hurting you."

"She's too young to worry about that," he said.

"Maybe. But she does love you very much."

"I know and I'm thankful." He sighed and put the brush aside. "What do you think?"

"Normally I'd say she is a bit young for thinking about this. That said, it is a part of our family and if she wants to be a part of it, then that's good. And…" she took Harry's hands in hers, "it'll help you too I think. Having more support and the like."

"It's not her burden," he said sadly.

"It's not a burden if we share it together as a family," Katie said gently.

He sighed. "You're right, as per usual. I'll make it up to her by making a proper feast for after."

"We'll invite everyone over after and we can celebrate our families being together while remembering those that made it possible," Katie suggested.

"I like that." Harry smiled at her. "Thank you. You're the best, you know that right?"

She kissed him gently on the lips. "You are too."

-0-

The Potters appeared at the Godric's Hollow apparition point, Dahlia holding her parent's hands. She barely made a face at the trip, having grown used to it by now. She let go of Katie's hand to wave back at some people who waved, ones waiting for them, but held onto Harry's hand.

"Go on Dally, go say hi," Harry encouraged her. He pushed her gently when she looked up at him and she walked over a waiting Andromeda and Tonks. "Hi Nana and Auntie," she said as she hugged them.

"Hey Dumpling," Tonks said softly as she hugged her tight.

"Hello dear," Andromeda said fondly, hugging her and lifting her into the air. "How are you?"

"I'm okay," Dahlia said, resting against Andromeda. "Are you okay?"

"I am okay," Andromeda said softly. "Are you up for this today?"

"Yes," Dahlia said confidently. "I want to be with Daddy and help."

"You certainly do," Andromeda praised. By then Harry and Katie caught up and they walked down the street together. She passed Dahlia to Tonks and hugged Harry. "And how is my boy?"

"I'm alright," he said softly. "I…wish Dahlia wasn't here. I didn't want her to learn about this so early."

"But she did and we cannot change that," Andromeda said gently. "And the fact that she wanted to come with you for something so strange and difficult to her shows her character. Be proud of her."

"I am," Harry said firmly.

"Then accept her presence. It will be good for you and her."

Harry nodded after a moment. "You're right." He kissed her cheek back and took Katie's hand. "Is Sirius here?"

"He went ahead with Remus."

They slowly made their way to the cemetery and walked in. Much like the other times they came, no one else was there to intrude or distract. Sirius and Remus turned as they approached. The two men had cleaned the grave and the area around it and they smelled slightly of whiskey.

"Hey there," Sirius said to them with a small smile. "Hi ladybug," he said to Dahlia who hugged him.

"Hi Granddog," she said. "Hi Uncle Remus."

"Hello Dahlia," he said as he hugged her. "Lovely to see you. I like your dress very much."

She smiled shyly. "I wanted to wear it today."

"It's very nice," he smiled.

They stood around the gravestone in solemn silence. Sirius spoke first, describing the newest bit of drama in the Wizengamot which somehow was oddly similar to something that happened to them in their younger years at Hogwarts, something Remus agreed on. The story ended with chuckles and laughter and the air felt warm despite the autumn chill.

Andromeda and Tonks gently reaffirmed the vows they made many years ago, sharing some of the bright moments they shared with Harry since the last time they visited.

Harry knelt, ignoring the cold ground. "Hi Mum, Dad," he said huskily. He smiled as Dahlia wriggled into his arms, clutching his with hers. "I know I was just here and nothing new happened really since. Aside from us beating Wimbourne. I know you really didn't like them Dad so I made sure to cream them for you. 400 to 50, it was brutal. Oh wait, something new. One of our papers was published. You'd like it Mum, it was co-written with Professor Flitwick. It was a lot of fun actually."

He coughed. "Dahlia's here today. She said she wanted to come with me this time. I've told you lots of stories and well, here she is. She's a really good girl. Only just learned about what happened and insisted on being here. Very insistent. Like her mother."

"And her grandmother," Sirius and Remus said together.

"Really?" Dahlia asked.

"Oh yeah, you're a lot like Lily," Sirius said warmly. "You two are incredibly kind and have quite the way of getting back at someone who wronged you."

"And you both love Harry very much," Remus said, giving Sirius an exasperated look.

"And your eyes," Sirius continued. "Your grandmother had the same eyes, just like your dad."

Dahlia blinked slowly. "I like that." She gulped and looked at the gravestone, melting back into Harry's touch a little. "Hi Grandma and Grandpa. I'm Dally. Dahlia when I'm in trouble." She felt better when the adults chuckled. "Dahlia Kaitlyn Potter when I'm in extra trouble." She smiled when the chuckling grew louder. "I wanted to come say hi. I know it's hard for Daddy without you but I help when I can."

She looked up at Harry. "I don't know what to say," she confessed.

"You've done splendidly," he replied softly. "Just say what you want."

She nodded. "I'll try to do things so I can tell them to you when we visit. Mummy said that what she and Daddy and your friends do. That way when we meet again we won't be strangers." She chewed on her lip a little. "I think you two must be nice. Granddog and Uncle Remus and Nana Andromeda are always nice when they talk about you and I love Daddy very much so I love you very much too."

Harry hugged her tightly. "Perfect," he said, voice heavy and thick.

They stood in soft silence for a few more minutes before drifting away slowly. Dahlia held onto Harry and Katie as they did, stopping to wave goodbye once they reached the entrance to the cemetery. They got back to the apparition point.

"We will come over later then," Andromeda said.

"I have to be back at Hogwarts but will visit another time," Remus said.

"Sounds good. See you later," Harry said and after some hugs and handshakes, he took his family home.

-0-

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Hermione asked Harry.

He smiled at her. "I'm okay. Really."

The Potter home had floating lights over the yard, drifting back and forth slowly. Flowers bloomed in abundance, adding color and sweet floral scents. The fire pit glowed, emanating welcome heat against the night's chill. Food cooked over it, tended to by Harry, and while cool, the atmosphere was warm and comfortable.

Hermione had taken Dahlia, Hadley, and Hailey trick or treating around her parent's neighborhood earlier and they had all returned just now. Fred and George enchanted little pumpkin baskets filled with candy and sweets to drift around, unless chased by the children which caused them to zip about speedily. The girls were still hungry for sweets and chased after them eagerly, laughing and squealing.

"I heard Dahlia went to visit your parents with you," Hermione said.

"Yeah. I was a bit worried. Didn't want to ruin the day for her. How was she?"

"Excited and happy enough but if you know her, you could tell she was a little subdued." Hermione patted Harry's arm. "I don't think the day was ruined for her. That's just a part of growing up. Learning more about the world and how things are and were."

"I guess so," Harry said softly. "At least she had fun."

"She loves her costume," Hermione smiled.

Harry smiled too. They had shrunk one of his school robes for her and she proudly wore it with a Gryffindor necktie and her hair bound with one of Katie's crimson ribbons. She carried a toy broom with it, after being told she could not borrow Harry or Katie's wand. "She looks like she's off to Hogwarts already."

"Don't say that," Hermione chided, smacking him lightly. "She's far too young."

"Yeah, I'll be a mess when the day comes, I'm sure." Harry watched fondly as the girls scampered past, chasing a basket. Hailey wore a shrunken Quidditch jersey that looked close enough to a football uniform and Hadley had worn a tiny chef's outfit, much to Alicia's delight and Oliver's lament. He smiled when David and Jean walked up. "Thanks again for taking the girls trick or treating."

"It was our pleasure," Jean said, her eyes sparkling. "It was a lot of fun."

"I need to work on my cardio," David grinned. "I got a bit winded chasing after them."

"Katie can work out a program with you if you want," Harry said. "A lot of the exercises she does have nothing to do with magic."

"That sounds great," David said. "I want to be able to keep up with them next time." He whooped as they dodged around him in pursuit of more sugar. "Well, for a little while at least," he laughed.

"Hey you," Katie said as she wrapped her arms around Harry's waist later. "How're you feeling?"

"I'm good," he said, kissing her. "I had a decent day, really."

"I'm glad," she said, squeezing him and kissing him back. "Dahlia had a good day too. As long as she doesn't eat another cake."

He chuckled. "I think she learned her lesson about eating too many sweets last time. She was so sick."

"Yet was good to eat more the next day, if only I could still do that," Katie laughed.

They stood in comfortable silence, letting the noises from the others wash over them. "Things really do get better as time passes, doesn't it?" he asked softly.

"I like to think so, for some things anyways," she replied.

"That's good," he sighed. He hugged her close.

"So what's this about you sneaking Dahlia candy when she shouldn't have any?" Katie asked, eyes twinkling.

"I don't know what you mean," he said evasively.

Katie hummed. "I think you do," she said as her arms tightened around him.

"I can't believe she grassed me up," Harry laughed.

"It was an accident but now that I know, I figured it was something we should discuss-" she gasped softly when he kissed her on the lips, injecting his love and warmth into it. She moaned softly as she hugged him tighter, feeling him against her. "That's not fair," she said huskily once they broke the kiss. "I'm supposed to do that to you."

"Did it work?" he asked, eyes bright.

"I don't know," she demurred. "Might need to try again."

And so he did.

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diffident-serpiente - I think I start calling the neighborhood Potter Village randomly later on. Might do a fun chapter on a naming convention for it. As you know, I have a soft spot for Tonks and wanted to give her a nice showcase chapter to let her grow and feel more at home, you know, when she's chasing the munchkins around. I'm glad you found the Hedwig chapter. That's one of my favorite ones that I've written now. It was such an absurd idea but I was really happy with the flow and how it ended. I'm glad you still enjoy reading. People like you make it worth it. Hope you and yours are well.

alix33 - I wish I had an Auntie Dora too. Remember Hedwig did the sounds for the mirror calls.