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

Extended Family

Chapter 95 – Reminiscing

Takes place after chapter 55.

Jean stumbled slightly coming through the Floo. "You know, I've done this a few times now and I still can't quite get used to it."

"Do not feel too bad," Andromeda said kindly. "There are many magicals that grew up with Floo travel and never got used to it."

"At least I am over my fear of burning alive," Jean laughed. She stood to one side and half-caught David when he almost fell out of the hearth.

"I don't know which is better," David said ruefully, "Floo or apparition. Or which is worse."

"A common debate even with us," Andromeda said. "Ted had many things to say about both as he learned of them."

"Which is his favorite?" David asked.

"He prefers apparition because he does not like to be daubed with soot and ash, so he says. I may have been terribly unkind and laughed at him the first time he came flying out of the Floo," Andromeda smiled and the other two laughed heartily. "Thankfully it was one of the first times he ever heard me laugh so freely so he forgave me."

Jean and David followed Andromeda out of the room and down the hall in Grimmauld. "So, you said the others have been practicing?" Jean asked, rubbing her hands together.

"Yes indeed." Andromeda blinked at Jean's hungry expression. "You look like you mean business."

"She's been bit by the bug again," David chuckled. "She stopped playing for a while but after helping Hermione train for that first game at the village, she's been eager. The local casino had no idea what they were dealing with."

"Don't make it sound like I have a problem," Jean said, sounding wounded.

"I'm not! I'm really proud of you actually. It's great to see all those poker players underestimate you and watch them lose their money." They entered the room and stopped, looking around. "This looks like a seedy gambling hall," David laughed.

Sirius grinned around the cigar in his mouth. "Decided to do some decorating and liked the look of it." He patted the expansive poker table, the wood gleamed in the lamplight. The walls had Muggle style pinup gambling posters and they looked oddly out of place, frozen instead of moving like magical pictures. The surrounding chairs and couches were plush and an expensive looking bar sat against the wall, an array of drinking vessels and bottles on top.

"You look ridiculous," Remus snorted. "Why are you wearing that green hat?"

Sirius tapped the visor. "All poker people wear them!"

"Way back then they did," David said. "To cut down on eye strain from poor lighting. Bit out of style now and unnecessary."

"Ah, that is why you wear it then," Remus said dryly. "Out of style and unnecessary are your key words."

"Hey, I stay in style thank you very much," Sirius sniffed. He conjured a small mirror and preened at his image.

"I am so glad I don't care about makeup and things like that," Amelia sighed. "Imagine having to fight with you for mirror time when we're getting ready for the day."

"He did monopolize the mirror in our dorm room while at school," Remus smiled.

"It's a lot of work to look good," Sirius said snootily.

The door opened once more and Samantha and Thomas entered, followed by Sebastian and Apolline.

"Hey, welcome! How was your portkey?" Sirius asked.

"It was good. A smooth trip thankfully," Sebastian said. "One of the perks of the occupation."

"Do you play?" Andromeda asked Apolline.

"I do not." She sat beside Andromeda and Samantha. "I enjoy listening to Sebastian lose however and have been looking forward to visiting with all of you."

"And I love you too, my darling songbird," Sebastian kissed her on the cheek and dodged her pinching him for his cheek.

Jean took ownership of the cards and shuffled them with expert handling, dealing them out to the other players: Sirius, Amelia, Ted, Thomas, Remus, and Sebastian. "Right, so to go over the rules again, this variant of the game is called Texas hold'em. We each get two cards and we have cards in the middle that are community cards. Three are flipped in the beginning and we bet or fold before each next flip. You build your five hand combination out of the two you have and the community ones. Once five community cards are shown, we showdown and see who has the highest hand."

"Ooh I like that," Sirius. They played a few practice rounds before they threw some money into the pot and took their stacks of chips.

"I didn't know you played," Samantha said later to Amelia.

"It's become quite popular in the Auror offices," Amelia said, looking at her two cards. "I think Tonks started it up again. There's usually a game going during lunch and they meet after hours too. I was doing a stint there one day and got sucked in."

"Oof, hope no bad feelings get created over it," Thomas remarked.

"After the first couple days, someone made some tamper-proof enchanted cards spelled against every cheating charm and hex they can think of," Amelia said and the others snorted. "And the poker table in the bullpen has an anti-magic ward spelled into it to keep others from casting things onto the table and to mess with the cards."

"That sounds extreme yet necessary," Andromeda said.

"Let's just say I almost had to throw a couple of idiots in cells to cool off," Amelia sighed.

"Tell me there are games starting in the Wizengamot," Ted said.

"Officially? No Pureblood will play a Muggle game." Sirius chewed on his cigar. "Unofficially, there probably is a game or two floating about. You know how the Purebloods are. Bored and have too much money and want to prove how much better they are over each other while trying to take money from each other."

"Are there magical card games like this?" David asked.

"There's exploding snap but that's seen as more of a children's game," Remus said. "The cards can explode in your face at any time. There are different games to play but they all end when the cards explode."

"Sounds dangerous," Jean remarked.

"It can be. Every once in a while, we see someone at St Mungo's because of it," Samantha. "Children usually but not unheard of an adult coming in with burnt hands and a scorched face."

"Hey, remember when we played Salamander?" Sirius asked, grinning at Remus.

"Not one of our better ideas," Remus grinned back. "It was a match number game but you always held a card in your mouth and that was the one you could match to another. You had to put the card in your mouth right before your turn and only could take it out after your turn."

"That sounds like a terrible idea," Thomas said while Sebastian and Ted laughed.

"It was," Remus conceded, chuckling at the memories.

"I remember when they played that in Slytherin." Andromeda looked gleeful. "Lucius burnt his lips and was very upset."

"And he couldn't claim that came from snogging Narcissa," Sirius grinned. He flinched when Andromeda hit him with a Stinger.

"I do not want to think about that," Andromeda said, making a face.

"Why was it called Salamander?" Jean asked.

"There are magical salamanders that are on fire," Sirius explained. "When your lips get burned by an exploding snap card, it looks like you tried snogging a salamander."

"How was that game created?" Apolline asked.

"James and Sirius of course," Remus said fondly.

"He bet he could hold a card in his mouth longer than I could." Sirius looked wistful. "I of course bet he couldn't and we pushed our luck a lot of times. We then decided that just standing there holding cards in our mouths like that was stupid so we made a game of it."

"No no, you don't get to reinvent the narrative," Remus chided. "Lily said you two looked stupid standing there with cards in your mouths."

"Oh that's right." Sirius smiled sadly. "That was what…third year? Or fourth, I can't quite remember."

"Must have been fourth. If it was before, James would have doubled down," Remus said, also smiling sadly.

"What does that mean?" Sebastian asked as he folded.

"James, in the beginning, would take any criticism from Lily as a reason to continue doing what he was doing, only in a more extreme way," Remus explained as he threw a chip into the middle of the table. "If she said he looked ridiculous wearing red, he would turn his entire wardrobe bright red. If she said he was loud, he would howl."

"Then he would do the opposite of what she said," Sirius chuckled as the others laughed. "When he started to fancy her and wanted her attention."

"Please, he always wanted her attention," Andromeda snorted. "I barely knew him and I could see that plain as day."

"Same," Ted said. "He had it bad."

"Obvious to me too," Amelia said.

"He'd be gutted if he was here," Sirius smiled. "He thought he was pretty subtle. I laughed my arse off when his dad told him that Potters were anything but subtle."

"What is that sound?" Apolline asked, hearing something through their laughter.

Andromeda smiled as she unshrunk a small mirror that dangled from her bracelet. "It is Harry calling on the mirror. He did a Sound Mimicking Charm and combined it with runes so that specific people calling have a specific sound."

"What sound is that?" Apolline asked.

"Hedwig headbutting her roost," Samantha smiled and everyone laughed. "She came up with the sound herself."

"Hello love," Andromeda smiled, seeing Harry in the mirror.

"Hi MumAndi! How's the poker game with adults?"

"You are an adult too," she snorted.

He gasped theatrically. "I am?! Dally, am I an adult?!"

"You're a daddy!" Dahlia said, her voice coming from the mirror.

"Now that is an insufferable grin, you must have learned that from Sirius," Andromeda laughed.

"Hey! I resemble that remark!" Sirius shouted.

"I was wondering if you all would like to come over for dinner after the game," Harry said.

"If it won't make things inconvenient for you," Samantha said eagerly.

"Not at all! The bunnies wanted a picnic style dinner so I'm making a lot of burgers and sausage sandwiches and the more the merrier."

After seeing everyone nod, Andromeda smiled broadly. "We will come by and bring things as well."

"Brilliant! Also, would you all like some snacks now?"

"I'll never say no to that," Ted said.

"It'll be over in a bit then," Harry said and the mirror's surface shimmered, showing Andromeda's image when it stopped.

"He is such a good soul," Apolline said happily.

"That's our Harry," Jean agreed.

After a few moments, the door to the room shook from excited pattering. "Special delivery!" Dahlia shouted.

Samantha went to the door eagerly and pulled it open. "My grandbaby!" She took the boxes from Dahlia. "Hug your poor grandmother."

"Which one?" Dahlia asked as she squeezed Samantha about the middle hard.

"All of us of course," Andromeda said and opened her arms.

"Such a big girl, delivering things by yourself," Apolline praised when it was her turn.

"And I helped make them!" Dahlia said proudly, moving on to hug the men in the room. "Who's winning?"

"Grandmother Jean of course," David smiled.

"It's been pretty close though," Jean said happily.

Dahlia gasped when she looked at the middle of the table. "You're betting with money?!"

"Yes and don't tell your father," Sirius said. "We're adults and we are mature enough with betting money."

"Debatable," Amelia said softly and smiled winningly when Sirius pouted.

"Is this when you bribe her for her silence?" Sebastian snickered.

"Won't work on this one," Sirius said. "No bribe from us can stop her from telling her daddy if she wants to." He poked her cheek and snatched his hand back hurriedly when she bit at his finger.

"Do not bite him," Andromeda chided gently, "it would make you sick."

"Hedwig bites people all the time and she doesn't get sick," Dahlia said mulishly.

"She's a bit of a special case," Samantha smiled. "So we're having a picnic dinner tonight?"

"It's really nice out and we thought it would be fun!"

"That does sound like fun! When should we come over?" Thomas asked.

"Daddy said things should be ready in three or four hours."

"We will see you later then," Andromeda said warmly. After another round of hugs Dahlia waved as she closed the door behind her.

"She gets more adorable every time we see her," Apolline sighed. "I will be happy when Fleur's home is done and we can visit much more easily and often."

Sirius sighed too, looking wistful. "Lily and James would have loved her to bits. She's so cheeky and smart. It's like seeing a tinier blonde Lily."

"Are they alike?" Jean asked. "Dally and Lily I mean."

"Well, since we did not know Lily at that age, we cannot say absolutely," Remus said as he folded. "However, their temperaments are very similar. Both very kind and thoughtful. Inquisitive. Fiercely protective of their friends and loved ones."

"I'll know for sure if she starts Hexing me like Lily did," Sirius said airily and the others chuckled. "But yeah, they're alike enough for me to really feel it."

"Is she like James?" Apolline asked.

Remus and Sirius laughed heartily. "Not at all," Sirius said, "and thank goodness for that!"

"James was kind as well," Remus said, "though he was rather headstrong."

"That's code for something else," Thomas grinned.

"He was arrogant," Andromeda said plainly. "Annoying. Probably why he and Sirius got along so easily and stayed good friends."

"You didn't like him?" Samantha asked, surprised.

Andromeda chuckled as she bit into a sausage roll. "I tolerated him for the most part. He was much better than the vast majority of the other Pureblood boys. He did not put too much emphasis on family honor or pride or that sort of thing. He thought very highly of himself and was never shy to share it."

"You just hated that he flirted with you a lot," Sirius said.

"No! He did?" Jean asked.

"Oh constantly and terribly," Andromeda laughed. "And he was the only boy brave enough in the castle to not only try to flirt with me, but with Narcissa and Bellatrix." Her face fell for a moment and so did Sirius'. Ted reached over and took her hand and she smiled and squeezed it back.

"Your sisters?" Jean asked gently. She snorted when Andromeda nodded. "Brave enough to flirt with three sisters, or stupid?"

"Both," Sirius and Remus said and everyone laughed.

"Though to be fair, James never flirted with you three thinking it'd ever go anywhere," Sirius continued. "He did it for the attention and because he thought it was funny."

"It was amusing here and there," Andromeda conceded.

"He was good about it," Ted smiled. "When he learned that I was sweet on Andromeda, he stopped. Or rather, he heaped it on super thick but he always looked to me to make sure I was okay with it."

"He did that?" Andromeda shook her head. "I was wondering what caused the change. That is good of him."

"I thought he was in love with Lily though," David said.

"He was indeed and was terrible with how he showed it," Remus snorted. "It was that standard, boy teases girl he likes, sort of thing. They fought terribly the first few years of school. She thought, rightfully, that he was an arrogant arsehole and he thought she was the most stubborn girl he had ever met."

"He definitely mellowed out around the middle of the school years," Sirius sighed gustily. "Started being less of an arse."

"It is incredible that her feelings for him changed," Apolline said.

"Yeah, we never would have guessed it early on," Remus smiled. "I think she always found him fancible. She just had the willpower to wait for his mental maturity to match his physical."

"I wish I met her," Samantha said.

"She would have loved you," Sirius said confidently. "You and all your family. She'd agree that Katie and Harry are perfect for one another."

David looked at his wife. "Share with the class?"

Jean was giggling to herself. "Oh just had a funny thought. If Harry had grown up with James and Sirius in his life, would he also be a terrible flirter?"

The room exploded with loud laughter.

"Hey! I'm not a terrible flirter!" Sirius said, trying to glare but his laughter ruining the expression.

"No, you're a terrible flirt," Amelia laughed heartily. "You were in school, don't deny it. So was James."

"Lily would not have tolerated that," Remus chuckled deeply. "She swore that James would be the last Potter lothario."

"Imagining Harry as a flirt amuses me and horrifies me," Andromeda gasped, holding her middle. She blinked when she saw that the door was slightly opened and a flash of movement caught her attention. "I am going to get some tea, would anyone else like some?" She left the room and closed the door firmly behind her. Looking about, she smiled when she noticed that the cloak room door was slightly ajar.

She conjured a chair and sat beside the cracked door. "I do hope your parents were not expecting you back earlier."

After a long moment of silence, the door was pushed from the inside, revealing a sheepish Dahlia. "Daddy said I could visit," she said slowly. "I did ask Kreacher to tell Daddy that I was still here so he wouldn't worry."

"That was good of you." Andromeda pulled her into her lap. "So you are getting old enough to start eavesdropping."

"I didn't mean to," she said weakly.

"You accidentally got stuck to the door and was forced to listen?" Andromeda teased.

Dahlia giggled. "No. I was going to leave but heard granddog mention grandpa James and grandma Lily."

"That makes sense," Andromeda said softly, running her fingers through Dahlia's hair.

"I like hearing about them," Dahlia said, snuggling close to Andromeda.

"That is good. Perhaps we can spend some time sharing more stories with you in the future. You and your daddy." She smiled at Dahlia's eager nodding.

"Was grandpa James bad?" Dahlia asked with a slight hesitation.

Andromeda chuckled. "Not entirely. He was a young boy and he was a bit much to be used to. However he grew up into a fine young man."

"That's good," Dahlia said with relief.

"Let us get you home then," Andromeda said after a little while. "You should have gone home a bit ago."

"Can we cuddle later?" Dahlia asked as she hopped off Andromeda's lap, still holding on to her hand.

"Of course," Andromeda said warmly.

-0-

"Hey there," Harry said happily, seeing the visitors leaving his home and walking to the Triangle. The Wood and Weasley families were already there with Hermione and Tonks. The bunnies and other children shouted and ran to the visitors and were scooped up and hugged. "How was the game?"

"It was good," Sirius said, hugging him. "Much fun was had and only a little money lost."

"Who won?" Katie asked.

"Jean of course," Samantha laughed, taking Iris. "She's really good at poker."

Apolline squealed and she looked down at Dahlia with wide eyes. "Why did you poke me?!"

"Grandma Sammy said to poke her," Dahlia said glibly with large, falsely-innocent eyes. She ran away, shrieking with laughter when Apolline kicked off her heels and went chasing after Dahlia, playfully shouting in French.

Andromeda laughed along with the rest before she stood next to Harry, watching him work the grill. "So, my grand-daughter has reached the age where she is listening in on conversations."

"I figured," Harry said wryly.

"Oh? What prompted this?"

"Well it did take her a bit to come back and I knew she was being sneaky when Kreacher came to tell me. If she was with you lot, she wouldn't have bothered. But something else happened. Did you notice Katie and the others all red faced and gasping when you came up?"

"Yes."

"Well that's from Dally asking me if I was a terrible flirter at Hogwarts." He shook his head when Andromeda cackled loudly.

"I love her so much," Andromeda said, wiping away tears of merriment.

"So do I," he chuckled. "But after Katie stopped shrieking with laughter, which did wonders for my ego let me tell you, she just had to tell the others and the general consensus was that I was terrible at flirting. I like to think I'm getting better though."

"I would agree considering how happy Katie is with you," Andromeda said and hugged him. "To assuage your fears, we were speaking of your parents and how much your father was like Sirius. James liked to flirt with me and my sisters. Well before he became serious about Lily however."

"I feel like I should apologize for that," Harry groaned, staring up at the heavens.

"Do not. Children should never be held accountable for their parents." She leaned gently against him. "I was telling her that we should share more stories with you about them. I have wondered why you never asked for more."

Harry was silent for a few moments as he flipped some burgers on the grill. "I worry that they'll be different from how I made them to be in my head. Selfish I know, but I worry about hearing about them and maybe they're different than what I imagine them to be. Not fair for them but still."

"No, that makes sense. We of course will abide by your wishes. But I want you to know that the opportunity will always be there."

"Thank you, MumAndi," Harry said warmly and hugged her tightly. Harry and Andromeda watched as Dahlia was pursued relentlessly by Apolline. "I never would have guessed Apolline would play like that," Harry smiled. "She's so proper normally."

"And what am I? Improper?!" Andromeda gasped.

"I've seen you scrap with Dora and Sirius without a second thought," Harry soothed.

"That is true," Andromeda smiled.

"Daddy! Help!" Dahlia shrieked and wriggled and squirmed, trying to escape Apolline from tickling her.

"I'm sorry flower," Harry said, the picture of insincere regret. "You brought this on yourself by poking grand-mere. You'll survive, I believe in you."

"You know if you intervene you would be the target," Andromeda laughed.

"That and she really did start it," Harry laughed too. "And she loves it."

-0-

poka - I honestly don't remember any career days when I was younger. I thought this would be a fun idea to explore and you're right, a Hogwarts one would be very interesting.

Katie2001 - I'm glad. Sometimes I worry if people like me hopping about. It's rather freeing to write that way though. I may visit that idea one day.

odonnellzoo99 - I'm glad you enjoy the interactions. I don't know if it will ever be too much but I enjoy writing silly fun moments like that.

alix33 - Baby Iris reaching for people is a very lovely image.