I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Extended Family
Chapter 68 – Climb to the Top
Takes place after chapter 60.
Oliver looked around at the crowd of people around him. He was familiar with all of the players and most of the staff, and close friends with a large percentage of them. It was easy for him to read their expressions and body language and he could tell that they were excited and driven, slightly nervous, and very ready.
He could relate.
"Alright everyone, I think we all know why we're here," he said warmly. He waited a moment for a snarky comment or a joke and was mildly surprised that none came. He quirked an eyebrow at two people and the taller woman rolled her eyes and the black-haired man grinned lopsidedly back. Oliver chuckled and continued.
"In case you don't," that got a chuckle, "it's because we are Team England. Not for the European League though, but for the World Cup!" He grinned when everyone clapped and cheered. "Now I know most of us are first timers for the World Cup but everyone here is a vet in the European League and after the last two terrible runs for the World, the owners decided that we were the best chance at getting to the finals this year."
His warm geniality sharpened and he looked hungry. "But I aim to win the damn thing, how about you?" His grin widened as they cheered once more. "We've got a long road ahead of us and a lot to prove. The last two teams were touted to do well because they were made up of World Cup vets and the big names of the UK League and where did it get them? At the bottom of the heap. We're not doing that. You lot know why?"
"We want it more," Tanya said.
"We're slightly younger," Shelia said.
"We work better together," Alberts from Appleby said.
"All great reasons," Oliver praised. "Anything else?"
"We're prettier?" Angelina offered with a faux coquettish look, throwing her hair terribly, making the others laugh.
"We got you as Captain," Harry smiled.
"Kiss arse," Ginny grinned.
"I'm taking that personal," Tanya gasped.
Oliver laughed and it was infectious with everyone joining him. "Well that and everyone here will play as a team. There are no lone wolves or giant egos on this team."
"Aside from yours," Angelina smiled.
"Aside from mine," Oliver agreed with sparkling eyes. "But seriously, when we built Team England to take on the European League those years ago, that was the primary goal for making that team: people that know how to play with others and check their egos at the door. We were in the final four for the first time in years. The next League, we were second place. The next, we won!"
He led the applause. "In the years since we have been in the top three if not number one. The owners still clung to star power for the last two World Cup Teams but this year, they finally realized we have what those teams lack and we are going to prove to them that we can do it."
He looked them in the eye, player and staff alike. "I'm not going to lie to you. Winning the Cup isn't a guarantee. But victory in the Cup League is as long as we remember why we are here together. We lose together, we win together, we play together."
After laying out the training schedule, he showed when the first bracket games were taking place and where and against who. He then did an estimated path to the Cup and showed a large board he had made with the game schedule laid out though the later ones were blank as the match-ups had not been determined. It culminated with a picture of the Cup and a picture of the stadium where the finals would be.
"Gosh, that looks gorgeous," Shelia said. "I've always wanted to visit Japan."
"I'm told it looks even better in person," Oliver said. "They built it with Mount Fuji in the backdrop and built with stones from every prefecture. As you can see, those are called Torii gates to symbolize the mundane from the sacred, or the non-magical to the magical in this case. Lots of island and ocean themes."
"Gorgeous," Angelina whispered.
"And we make golden gaudy monstrosities," Selwyn sighed and everyone laughed. "We lack subtlety and class."
"The only thing better than seeing that pitch will be playing in it," Oliver said. "What do you lot say?"
They shouted their agreement.
"Then let's do this!" Oliver thrust his fist into the air. "For England and the Cup!"
"For England and the Cup!" they roared as one.
-0-
Harry stumbled through the Floo, regretting the yawn as he inhaled a mouthful of soot as he came out the hearth. He coughed and hacked, leaning against the wall.
"You look like something Crookshanks dragged in," Hermione said as she banished the soot off of him and helped him to the couch.
"Feel like it too," Harry said, smiling tiringly. He grinned at the cat-kneazle that hopped onto the couch beside him. As if proving them right, he bit Harry's hand gently and tugged on it. "Thanks," Harry said, scratching his head with the other hand. He looked up at Hermione. "Thanks for watching the girls."
"Of course. They've been great. Dahlia is doing excellent in her studies and Iris is still adorable." Hermione looked proud before becoming slightly concerned. "It's been a while since I've seen you this knackered by Quidditch practice."
"We're on fire and riding the enthusiasm," Harry yawned. "Makes for more exhausting practices though as you see. Katie took one of the reserves to St Mungo's for extra testing. They took a tumble and wanted to be careful."
"Makes sense. How are things looking?"
"Really good. Our teamwork is solid. We've all played together a lot for the Euro Leagues and the newer players slotted in easily. We're doing a lot of mixed team scrimmages and team practices so we can play with multiple combinations of players."
Hermione smiled. "Sounds exciting. I'm definitely coming to one of your home games."
"Yeah, it's nice that it's almost a guarantee that we'll have at least a couple home games during the bracket placement and the run to the finals."
"Have you and Katie decided what to do with Dahlia and Iris during the finals run?"
"Not yet but Sirius was being mysterious about something and told us to wait a bit," Harry said.
"That bodes well," Hermione snorted.
"At least Amelia has tempered him a lot," Harry chuckled.
-0-
Oliver clapped his hands, getting their attention. "Alright you lot, this is it."
"The big one," Angelina and Harry chorused together. Most of the team looked at them curiously while they laughed.
"I might have started most of my speeches the same way during Hogwarts," Oliver chuckled. "But yeah, it's a big one, the first game of the World League. We have the home field crowd but that just means the pressure is really on. Just like our first European League almost eight years ago, most of the UK thought we were too young and too green. We showed them then, we will show them now!"
He let them cheer and applaud before continuing. "I know for a fact that we're better than Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. If any of the UK teams is going the distance, it's us. We can do it. We're strong. We're ready. We want this more than them and we're going to show them that we came to play."
"We came to win!" Angelina shouted and the team roared approval.
"Let's get out there and show them we are winners! We are CHAMPIONS!" Oliver cried.
"England and the Cup!" Harry shouted.
"England and the Cup!" everyone shouted.
The team assembled in the tunnel leading to the pitch. The gates opened and they almost staggered at the wall of sound that came pounding in. "Show a little flair," Oliver shouted over the noise of the crowd. "When you're announced, fly out there and show them why you were picked for Team England!"
"Welcome to the first game of this year's World Cup!" Kenneth Gapboat, the voice of English Quidditch shouted over the roar of the crowd. "Let's give a proper welcome to the visiting team: Team Norway!" He announced the names of the players and they each flew out of their end of the pitch, showing off their flying skills as each one was called. They were dressed in red uniforms with a white bordered blue cross over their chests. The crowd applauded for each player, admiring their flying style.
"And now, it is my pleasure to announce the starting line up for Team England!" Kenneth said and the crowd cheered. "Your Chasers! Angelina Weasley, Ginevra Weasley, and Silas Selwyn!"
Angelina flew straight out of the tunnel, bent low over her broom and zoomed around England's goal posts. She weaved around the three posts in a complicated pattern before coming to a stop over the tallest hoop, her right arm raised and fist clenched.
Ginny flew out and aimed straight for the sky, doing a sharp loop and a twisting dive before rocketing up to stop beside Angelina, both arms waving energetically and the biggest smile on her face.
Silas zoomed out and stayed just over the ground, tracing the outline of the pitch before flying up at speed towards his fellow Chasers. He hooked an arm around one of the posts and spun neatly, stopping beside them and raised an open hand in a calm but sincere salute to the crowd.
"Your Beaters! Tanya White and Atton Alberts!"
Tanya flew out, flipping her bat like a baton, catching it and throwing it around with both hands and flying without a hand on the broom. Atton drew much laughter as he flew out, balancing his bat on his nose and throwing it up with a head bob and catching it once more on his forehead neatly. He and Tanya then had a duel with them, clashing their bats together like swords before taking their position flanking the Chasers, waving to the crowd.
"Your Keeper and Team Captain! Oliver Wood!"
Oliver went running out on the pitch with his broom in one hand. He waved to the excited crowd, using his broom like a conductor's baton and pointing at sections, making them cheer when he pointed at them. With a flourish he hopped onto the broom and flew for his goals, weaving in and out of each hoop before stopping in front of his team and his smile could be seen from around the pitch.
"And last but not least," Kenneth said and the crowd went momentarily silent. "Your Seeker…Harry Potter!" The crowd waited with baited breath for his entrance.
He did not disappoint.
Harry came flying out of the tunnel and the crowd screamed when they realized he was crouched over his broom but standing on it like one would stand on a Muggle skateboard, his feet perpendicular to the broomstick. His left hand gripped the head of the broom and he tilted his body back and forth, turning the broom easily. He pulled up on the broom with his hand and he flew up at a sharp angle, causing more screams of shock and delight as his right leg extended to keep his balance. At the apex of the climb he stood, letting go of the broom completely and for a long perilous moment he stood straight and balanced on the broomstick with just his feet, his legs and arms outstretched. With a smile and a wave, he lifted his left leg and twisted his body then kicked out his right, landing neatly onto the broom and riding it like normal, zoomed to his team.
The crowd exploded. The watchers jumped to their feet and howled at his display, screaming and cheering.
"INCREDIBLE!" Kenneth shouted. "What an entrance by the English Team! The game hasn't started yet and we're already on a high note!"
"You insane bastard!" Tanya shouted, half deeply impressed and half deeply appalled.
"Now that's flair Sir Harry!" Oliver cheered.
"I'm going to kill you later Rabbit!" Angelina shrieked.
"Dear Merlin, I'm intimidated and I'm on your team," Silas said with a small smile.
"They look really intimidated and they're not on our team," Atton pointed at the Norwegian team with a broad grin.
Ginny shook her head at Harry. "Mum is going to kill what's left of you after Angelina!"
"Better win the game then," Harry said, face flushed with exertion and adrenaline.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Kenneth said and the crowd went silent briefly once more. "There goes the Snitch, the Bludgers! The Quaffle is up and there is the whistle! Game start! Here. We. GOOOOOOO!"
Sita held her hand over her mouth, fighting back her laughter as she watched her fellow healer seethe. "I'm guessing that you didn't know he could do that much less do that," she said, giggling at every other word.
"I'm going to kill him!" Katie nearly shouted. "Scared the bloody life out of me! And I know Dally's watching and she's going to want to do the same, much less Hailey and Hadley!" She cupped her mouth and screamed in the torrent of noise around them. "HARRY JAMES POTTER! YOU ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE!"
"At least it was impressive and nothing bad happened," Finn tried to soothe. He flinched and took a few steps away at the heated glare Katie threw at him.
"Poor Harry," Sita smiled. "Lambasted for doing something well."
"What would you do if you saw Parvati or Padma do that?" Katie asked.
"Tweak their ears and tell their mother and mine," Sita said. "But they aren't good flyers."
"Not the point," Katie sighed.
A similar conversation was being had up in a private box. Dahlia, Hailey, and Hadley had been incredibly impressed of course and were jumping up and down and shrieking with glee, cheering for their parents. The other occupants of the box had differing opinions.
"I'm going to get him for this," Andromeda groaned, rubbing her chest. "That mad boy!"
"He's a menace on a broom," Samantha said, shaking her head. "Talented obviously but that took years off my life!"
"He keeps getting better," Daphne said, eyes wide. "How does he constantly do that?!"
"Going to kill Oliver too," Alicia growled. "All his fault, ruining baby bird from an early age. Bloody idiots, both of them!"
"At least it was Harry doing it," Luna said with a small shrug. "If anyone could do it well, it would be him."
"That didn't scare the life out of you?" Hermione asked.
"I found it rather thrilling," Luna said. "But it was a little anxiety inducing, yes."
"Nothing to say?" Andromeda asked, staring at Sirius.
Sirius shook his head. "Not right now anyways," he said.
"England scores the first goal of the game!" Kenneth shouted. "Pass from Selwyn to Weasley who passes to Weasley! Weasley evades a Bludger hit and throws the Quaffle past Larsen for the goal! 10 to 0! Hmm, I'm going to have to think of a way to differentiate between the Weasley women!" He noticed a paper airplane flying to him in the announcer's box. "Oh! Looks like they had it sorted and just told me. For in-game commentary, Angelina Weasley will default to her maiden name of Johnson for clarity's sake. Much obliged!"
The Chasers took a victory lap, waving their arms to the cheering crowd. When they finished, they retook their ready positions and the Quaffle came flying up once more.
"Hansen takes possession and passes to Eriksen! Eriksen to Hagen! They're flying in a modified Claw formation and nice feint pass back to Hansen! Good dive around a Bludger from White and Hansen shoots! Block by Wood! Wood passes to Weasley who doubles back to Selwyn."
A groan cut through the crowd. "Ouch! What a hit to Selwyn! Good hit by Berg to be fair. The Quaffle is free and Eriksen takes control. She shoots and is blocked by Wood again! Hagen with the rebound and shoots and an amazing save by Wood! Hopping hippogriffs, he's on fire! Deflects it high and Potter hits it with his broom tail and sends it out of the zone! White discourages Hagen and Johnson with the catch and she's off!"
Harry returned Oliver's thumbs up and flew after Angelina. With a slight twist of her head, she saw him flying behind her and she nodded when he pointed down and to the right. Weaving around a Bludger shot, she suddenly braked, letting Harry shoot past her who expected her to do that. Hagen and Eriksen were caught off guard by the play and tried to brake too but flew past her. She tucked right behind Harry and sped back up, using him as a shield.
Harry bobbed up and down and left and right, making the Norwegian Keeper Larsen nervous. Larsen tried to stay central to the three goals, eyes flicking between Harry and Angelina. Harry and Angelina split and flew in opposite directions, distracting Larsen for a critical moment when his eyes followed Harry first since Harry was in front. Angelina took advantage and threw the Quaffle underhanded in an upwards way, ricocheting the bright red ball off the inner edge of the outer hoop and through it.
"Goal! Johnson is two for two and it's England 20! Brilliant distraction play by Potter and Johnson scored!"
Harry and Angelina high-fived and took a lap around the pitch before play resumed. Undaunted, the Norwegian Chaser team gained possession and with some good shots by Team Norway's Beaters, the English Chasers could not intercept and Hagen scored.
"Good teamwork by the Norwegian Chasers and Hagen scores with a long shot! What a play!" Kenneth praised. "The score is 20 to 10, England in the lead."
The Norwegian Seeker stayed out of the game as a whole, content to feint and distract Harry as much as possible while staying on overwatch for the Snitch. Harry on the other hand played more aggressively with the team as a whole and proved instrumental in stopping a few goal attempts and assisting his Chasers to score.
"Potter dives!" Kenneth shouted. "He might be after the Snitch!"
Harry was not but was glad that Kenneth thought so because it convinced Dahl and the Norwegian Seeker was chasing after Harry. Harry put on a burst of speed, leaning down over his broom to lower his profile. Pulling out of the dive, he leveled out over the ground before flying up sharply and Dahl followed close behind.
Atton hit the Bludger right at them and Harry spun, feeling the Bludger pass by him. Dahl's eyes widened as he saw the Bludger but it was slightly too late for him to do anything else but try to dodge. The magic missile hit him a glancing blow and he spun around, wincing in pain from the heavy hit. Harry continued his flight and nodded at Atton as he passed.
"What a hit!" Kenneth shouted and the crowd groaned with sympathy. "Dahl took that in the shoulder and he's heading to the ground. Looks like the Norwegians will be sending out a reserve. Oh good, Dahl's waving his hurt arm, he'll be okay hopefully!"
The game continued with neither team backing down. England maintained the lead and eventually Harry did see a glint of gold in the far distance. He whistled and waved at Tanya who nodded and she followed right after him, waving her bat left to right.
"Something's happening!" Kenneth cried and the crowd chattered in anticipation. "Might be an actual Snitch hunt now!"
Harry flew up at an angle and dove sharply, aiming for fluttering wings and shining gold. Atton hit a Bludger towards Tanya who hit it with a double-handed grip on her bat, sending it screaming down the pitch. Dahl, a bit shy of the Bludger now, dived away from it, going further from the Snitch and Harry.
Hagen flew at Harry, trying to check him and interfere. A flash of motion made him pause and he ducked when the Quaffle came rocketing at him, going through the space his body was moments ago. Ginny had caught the Quaffle and flew to intercept Hagen. Seeing she would not be in position; she did the next best thing and hucked the ball as hard as she could. Angelina slid in behind and caught the Quaffle, completing the pass attempt.
Unperturbed, Harry flew on and snatched the Snitch from the air. With a cry of victory, he held his hand up high, the ball clutched securely in his fist.
"Potter catches the Snitch and Team England wins the first game of the World League!" Kenneth screamed and the crowd at Trafalgar's Pitch screamed with him. "England wins 250 to 80! A round of applause for Team Norway for an excellent first game!" The English crowd happily applauded for the good opponents. "Give it up for our team!" Kenneth cried after. "We're on our way to the Cup!"
"That's my boy!" Oliver shouted as he collided with Harry in midair.
"Number one!" Harry shouted back, brandishing the Snitch.
"Number one!" the rest of the team screamed as they flew to hug each other, shouting it again and again. The watchers heard the team chant and soon the rest of the pitch joined in the chant.
"Number one! Number one! Number one!"
The team landed and thrust their hands in the air as they reveled in the chanting that enveloped them all.
-0-
Harry fell over, tackled by three enthusiastic girls acting like human Bludgers. Dahlia, Hadley, and Hailey shrieked with glee, babbling congratulations as they hugged Harry to pieces.
"Didn't take a hit all game and gets knocked over now," Angelina laughed as she stepped past the squealing pile, walking into the waiting room where the others were while the stadium emptied and the team did a debriefing after the game.
"Enjoy it for now," Andromeda said with a smile but a dangerous glint in her eyes as she glared at Harry. "As soon as they are done with you, it'll be our turn for that stunt you pulled in the beginning."
"Dally, protect me from the angries," Harry whispered to his daughter.
"Don't be mad at Daddy, Nana Andi," Dahlia said. She clung to Andromeda's dress and opened her eyes wide, blinking slowly and soulfully up at her grandmother. "Please?"
"Harry James Potter, you are a monster," Andromeda gasped as she picked up Dahlia. "How dare you use my granddaughter like this against me!"
"Please don't be mad," Dahlia begged Samantha, clinging to Andromeda but looking at Samantha with a lip quiver. "Please, Grandma Sammy?"
"Oh this only delays it," Samantha said, shooting Harry a look but walking over to hug Dahlia too.
"Hey, I didn't teach her the look," Harry laughed. "And I'm not above using it to save myself."
Angelina snorted as she picked up Hailey and hugged her tight. "She's dangerously good at it."
"You two taught her," Oliver chuckled as he kissed Hadley, looking at Alicia and Angelina.
"I didn't teach her to be that good at it," Alicia protested.
"I did," Luna said proudly. "She's very good at it."
"Yeah she is," Harry smiled as he watched Dahlia giggle from being kissed and hugged by her grandmothers. He winced when Katie walked up to him and she poked him hard in the side. "Hi, I love you."
"You're lucky I love you," Katie hissed. "No more grandstanding like that, do you hear me?!"
"Loud and clear," he said and kissed her.
Sirius snorted. "That's the loudest inaudible 'for now' I've heard and let me tell you, your dad was perfect at those."
"Don't know what you mean," Harry sniffed, wincing again when Katie poked him again.
"Splendid first game," Daphne smiled. "You set the bar high."
"Norway is one of the teams to beat too," Oliver said proudly. "They played well but we played better and it shows. We have a really good chance this year."
"Two more bracket games and then it'll lead into the Cup proper right?" Hermione asked.
"Yep," Angelina said. "We'll get our placement matches and then it's elimination time."
"This is so exciting," Daphne said, clapping her hands.
"If we keep playing like we did today, we are definitely in the finals," Oliver said with sincere confidence.
"England and the Cup!" the three little girls shouted.
-0-0-0-
Arnie1701 - Hope you had a pleasant holiday.
alix33 - Dressed up Hedwig was my favorite part.
Urgwaew - It's so good to see you. I've missed seeing you about but totally understand being busy. I'm glad to have provided you some entertainment and comfort. Hope you had a lovely holiday as well and wish you joy, health, peace, and prosperity. I am grateful for your comments.
