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

Extended Family

Chapter 96 – Ringing through the Years

Starts at chapter 78 of Family.

She waited for what felt like hours, listening to her new dormmates fall asleep. When she was absolutely sure that they were, she crept out of her bed and tiptoed out of the room, making her way down the stone steps and into the gigantic and empty common room.

Mirabelle sat on the couch and started to cry. It had been a very strange day and she had been overwhelmed since arriving at King's Cross. The feeling of drowning had never left her, if anything she felt like she was sinking deeper and deeper without any hope in sight.

She had always known she was different. One had to when they made very strange and seemingly impossible things happen at random. Making objects float to her, changing the color of her clothes, having her toys dance, all wonderfully strange things. Her mother had been concerned of course, but when they were visited by someone that called themselves a witch, it had finally answered a burning question.

They had been worried too with this information, but the witch had explained things to them. After a lot of discussion and thinking, Mirabelle decided to go to Hogwarts. She had been excited but also dreadfully nervous about everything, not to mention leaving her mother alone.

The newness and the wonder of everything had finally faded, succumbing to her fears and fatigue. Now, in the middle of the night, she surrendered to her feelings and cried fitfully. Lost in her tears, she never heard someone else walk down the stairs.

-0-

Despite the long day, Harry could not go to sleep. He was full and sleepy, but true rest alluded him. After some more restless moving, he decided to let his dormmates get some proper rest. Grabbing a book, his light orb, and some candy from his trunk, he drifted downstairs to the common room.

It was not as empty as he thought. Stepping into the room he heard some faint sniffling. He felt awkward, he felt like he was intruding on someone's private time. Then he remembered the times he came down to be alone with his feelings, desperate to be alone. Even more desperate for someone to be with him. He was lucky that one time when Katie had appeared as if by literal magic, with Angelina swiftly following. They had helped immeasurably.

Maybe he can do some good.

He approached the small weeping form and spoke softly, "Are you okay?"

The form squeaked with surprise. The little girl looked up, her eyes wet with tears and her face red from shame.

"I'm sorry," Harry apologized hurriedly. "I just came down to do some reading and heard you. Are you okay?" he asked again. "Do you need to go to the Infirmary?"

She shook her head.

"Are you hurt?"

Another shake.

Harry thought about all the times the Chasers had helped him. "May I sit with you?" he asked.

After a long moment she nodded.

"Thank you." Harry sat in the chair beside hers. "My name is Harry, what's yours?"

"Mirabelle," she replied softly.

"It's very nice to meet you," he said. He waited for her to say something and when she did not, pressed on. "First time you've been gone from home?"

She nodded.

"You know, a few years ago, I wouldn't have understood being upset at being away from where you're from. I didn't have a very good life away from school. But this summer I ended up in a much better place and I can finally understand what it's like to miss being somewhere else."

She looked at him suspiciously for a moment, wondering if he was merely placating her. After a moment, she was won over by his sincerity. "I miss my mum," she said. "I miss my dog. He sleeps with me and it didn't feel right without him."

Harry smiled. "The first pet I ever had was my owl and she usually doesn't sleep with me. When she does, she likes to sleep in my hair." He pointed at his messy locks. "I think it's because it reminds her of a nest."

Mirabelle giggled.

"Somehow, my hair looks more organized after she roosts in it for a little. I think she tugs it about to make it more orderly."

She giggled harder. She sobered after a little time. "Everything here is so strange. It's so…much."

"Are you Muggle-born?"

She nodded, suddenly afraid.

Harry smiled gently. "Don't worry, I don't believe in that blood nonsense. I was raised like a Muggle and everything was so strange to me too when I came here. Lots of things are still strange really."

She relaxed. "Really?" she asked, hopefully.

"Oh yeah. I learn new things every day. You really should ignore what most people say about your blood status or whatever they call it. My best friend is Muggle-born too and she's the best in my year. I'd put her against anyone in other years and still believe in her."

Mirabelle felt a lot better. "Can you…be friends with people in other Houses?" she asked.

"Of course," Harry said. "I have friends in other Houses. It's harder since you live apart but you can always spend time with them at meals and in studying after classes if you don't share classes with them. It's doable though."

"Even if they're in…"

"Slytherin?"

The girl nodded. "I met someone on the train and she was ever so nice. I thought we were getting along great but she got sorted into Slytherin and lots of people were saying they're…bad."

"Did your new friend treat you okay?" He continued at her nod. "Then you should still try to be friends with them. Slytherins get a bad reputation and I believed all the nonsense about them before too. But I've met some good people there and it's better to have friends than not. I've relied heavily on mine here."

"That's good," Mirabelle sighed with relief.

He offered her the bar of chocolate he brought down and with an encouraging smile, she took it happily. "Lyla Bell is in your year and she's a great person. Her sister and I are close friends and I bet you and Lyla would get along. You both are bells after all."

"Is she nice?"

"Very nice. She could use a new friend too."

Mirabelle smiled and yawned.

"Feeling better?" Harry chuckled at her sleepy nod. "Off you go then. Don't want to oversleep tomorrow."

She rose and started walking up the steps. She stopped and looked back at him. "Can I ask you more questions later?" she asked shyly.

"Of course you may. What are friends for?"

She smiled dazzlingly bright and with a wave, walked up the steps.

-0-

Mirabelle tiptoed back into her room. She noticed that one of the beds was empty, the curtains opened. She thought hard and realized it was Lyla's bed and guessed that she went to be with her sister.

Feeling much better, Mirabelle put the bar of chocolate on her nightstand and snuggled under the covers.

-0-

"Uhm…hello," Mirabelle said shyly.

Lyla looked up. "Hello," Lyla said back, just as shyly.

"I, uh, I talked to Harry last night and he said you were nice and a great person and that we could be friends," Mirabelle said in a rush. "He said we were both bells."

Lyla smiled broadly. "Harry's the best! My last name is Bell."

"My name is Mirabelle," Mirabelle smiled. "Ramos is my last name."

"That's so cool," Lyla gushed. "Guess we're friends now!"

Mirabelle felt much better. Now she had two friends. Things were definitely better.

-0-

"Hey, what're you thinking about?"

Mirabelle looked away from the window and up at Lyla. "Oh, I just miss my mum. And my dog."

Lyla smiled sympathetically. "I know that feeling. I miss my mum and my dog too. I've wanted to be here for so long but now that I'm here, it's hard."

"Do most people never talk to their family while at school?" Mirabelle asked.

"Well not really. We can Floo call in emergencies but most people send post."

"It's so cool that post is done by owls," Mirabelle said. "I think that's my favorite part. It's so weird."

Lyla laughed. "I grew up with it so it doesn't feel weird to me." She blinked. "Gosh, I never thought how hard things must be for Muggle-borns."

"Are there owls that we can borrow if your family doesn't have one?" Mirabelle asked.

"There are school ones but they can be a bit touchy and some are really unused to Muggle places." Lyla clapped. "I know! Follow me." Lyla walked over to what was unofficially called the team corner and launched herself bodily at someone.

"Oof!" Harry was almost knocked off the couch, having been tackled from behind. He knew who it was however and did not panic, instead turning his head and smiling. "Hi Lyla!"

"Hi Harry!" Lyla rested her chin on his shoulder. "Can we borrow Hedwig? Mirabelle wants to get in touch with her mum."

"Oh sure, she's always complaining that she doesn't have a lot to do."

"Really?!" Mirabelle asked.

"Really. She gets bored easily apparently and flying around the forest is fun in short doses so I'm told," he sighed.

"No I mean, you don't mind letting me borrow Hedwig?"

"Oh yeah, don't mind at all. I don't think she will either."

"She'll be okay in a Muggle place?" Mirabelle asked, worried.

"She will. She's really smart and she regularly flies to the Grangers. All she needs is the address and she can figure it out." He smiled when she clapped with glee. "She'll probably be fine with regular trips too if you bribe her with bacon."

"Thanks Harry!"

-0-

Isabel Ramos sighed softly as she sipped her tea. A soft whine cut into her thoughts and she smiled sadly down at her corgi lying in her lap. "I know, Lola, I miss her too."

It had only been a little more than a month since Mirabelle left for her school but it felt so much longer to Isabel. She had been so proud of her daughter, knowing she was going to a very prestigious school. As far as she knew anyway. Magic used to be a fairy tail to her, something to imagine and read about. She was very surprised to learn it was real and that her daughter was a witch.

It took some getting used to and she was happy that her daughter would learn new skills and things to take advantage of her talents, but it was still a very strange new world and something she was more than a little worried about.

Raising Mirabelle on her own with a few other family members was always hard but Isabel never complained. She wanted Mirabelle to be one of the formidable Ramos women, women who were strong and independent. She taught her a lot and knew she could help her with a lot, knowledge earned from hard work and harder experiences. Yet this magical world was completely foreign to her.

She wanted to hear from her, hear that she was doing okay. That she was eating and staying warm. That she had friends.

That she was happy and safe.

Isabel looked up, hearing a tapping noise. Her eyes widened when she saw a beautiful white owl sitting on the window sill. She stared as the owl tapped the window again with her beak. Lola looked up and growled slightly at the intruder. Surprisingly, the owl was not intimidated in the slightest and narrowed her eyes at the dog. The owl then looked back at Isabel and tapped the window again, looking irritated.

Isabel got up and opened the window and the owl fluttered in. Only then did she realize that the owl had something tied to her leg. With shaking fingers, she undid the ties and seeing the familiar handwriting on the envelope, she screamed with delight.

"My baby!" Isabel cried and tore the envelope open. She pulled out the sheafs of parchment and she read eagerly. "Oh! This is real and from her!" She read the first bit and smiled with teary eyes at the owl sitting on the table. "Hedwig! What a pretty name! Thank you. Yes I have some bacon, hold on."

Soon Hedwig was munching happily on some bacon while Isabel read the letter. She even read it out loud for Lola to hear and Lola whined happily. When she finished, she sat back, breathing a deep sigh of relief. "She's okay. Thank goodness."

She looked at Hedwig. "And you will wait for me to write something and deliver it back?" She smiled when Hedwig nodded. "Thank you! Oh bless you. I wish I could send her something more."

Hedwig cheeped and picked up a piece of bacon and dropped it on a napkin. She tugged the napkin closed and laid the bundle on the envelope, blinking up at Isabel.

"You will deliver a package too?! What if it's too heavy?" She laughed when Hedwig puffed up her chest and gave her a condescending look. "Okay, we will figure out what you can carry then. Thank you so very much, Hedwig, and please thank your owner for me. Harry sounds like a wonderful young man.

There was no mistaking Hedwig's look of pride at those words.

-0-

The morning rush of owls filled the air with the familiar sounds of flapping and hooting and barking. Owls flew to their owners or the recipients of their post, dodging about in a scene of feathery chaos. Hedwig maneuvered between several large owls that fluttered in place and barked at them snootily as she passed. Spreading her wings wide, she landed neatly in front of Mirabelle, hooting a greeting.

"Mum sent me something!" Mirabelle squealed and she undid the ties on Hedwig's legs. "Thank you!" She hugged Hedwig like she saw Harry had done before, giggling with delight when Hedwig cheeped happily and pulled on her hair playfully. She gave the owl a large piece of bacon and opened her package as Hedwig chomped noisily.

She blinked away happy tears, seeing the treats her mother had sent. She opened the letter within and sighed happily, seeing her mother's handwriting. When someone walked up to her, she looked up and smiled brightly, throwing her arms around his middle. "Thank you, Harry!"

"You're welcome," Harry said, hugging her back. He sat down beside her and patted Hedwig on the head. "You mum got back to you already?"

"She did!"

"That's great!" He snorted when his owl looked at his plate covetously. "I see you already eating some." He rolled his eyes when she took the bacon from his plate and munched on it in front of him. "You're insatiable."

-0-

Mirabelle sighed unhappily as she watched a group of students walk away from her.

"I know you said she was nice to you on the train," Lyla said softly, standing by her best friend, "but she's rude."

"I hoped we'd still be friends," Mirabelle said wistfully. "She really was nice on the train…"

"Don't feel bad," Lyla said softly. "She bought into the whole Slytherin thing about ignoring others and caring about blood status. She was the one that told you not to tell anyone you're Muggle-born, right?"

Mirabelle nodded glumly. "Yeah. Harry's friends with Slytherins though, right?"

"He is but that's really rare," Lyla said. "I don't know Daphne or Tracy well but they're nice enough. I think they're kinda different for Slytherin too."

Mirabelle looked at the retreating Slytherins one last time before walking away with Lyla.

-0-

"No."

The crowd stopped and stared at Mirabelle.

Mirabelle stared defiantly at them. Her mother had always told her to try and remain calm when times were tough, that losing your temper rarely led to good things. Her mother did say that sometimes, unleashing it could be done but to carefully choose the time and occasion and make sure it was for a good reason.

She knew that this was one of those occasions and the reason was very good.

It was days after Voldemort had been finally and firmly vanquished, days after that momentous news article. Obviously, being Muggle-born, she had not known about Voldemort or the Death Eaters before, and had learned about them during school. She was horrified to learn about the Wizarding War and how Harry played such a role in it.

While everyone had celebrated the end of Voldemort, she had been overcome with worry and concern over Harry. Seeing him in his state had truly frightened her. He was her first friend, who she thought most of when it came to the Wizarding World. He had seemed like this pillar of surety and strength to her. Even in the days after fighting against Crouch Junior, he had seemed so solid and strong. Despite his pain, he had treated her kindly and had bounced back.

Now, seeing him so hollow and broken, made her realize that he was just as fragile as anyone else. If anything, it made her love him all the more.

Seeing everyone celebrate while the person that made it all possible suffered, irked her. Hearing them talk about how strange Harry was after it, vexed her.

Hearing how they felt they should know everything and that they felt they deserved to cast judgement, infuriated her.

So when a group of students from different Houses felt like they could badger some of the first year Gryffindors for information, she let her feelings loose.

"What was that?" someone asked, turning to her and frowning down at her.

"I said, no," she repeated. "Leave them, us, and Harry alone. You heard what the Headmaster said."

The third year Slytherin snorted, his friends snickered. Others looked on with interest. "I did, and I think we deserve to know what happened."

"You don't deserve anything," Mirabelle said, her hands clenched and at her side. "You're not friends with Harry."

"And you are?" he asked condescendingly. "A little second year?"

"He helped me the very first night I came to school," she said proudly. "I count him as one of my best friends and you will leave him alone."

The boy narrowed his eyes. "Yeah? What are you going to do about it…mudblood?"

People gasped and some recoiled and others looked incensed. Mirabelle's eyes flickered and she saw a familiar second year Slytherin girl who looked pained. Mirabelle stared back at the boy. "If you don't, I'll do what my mum taught me."

The boy laughed and he was not the only one. "And what did your Muggle mother teach you?" he asked. He pushed her with one hand while taking out his wand in the other.

What Isabel Ramos did was teach Mirabelle how to fight. Usually with her mind first, then the rest of her body.

Mirabelle punched him hard in the stomach. When he bent over, she punched him in the face, knocking him over. "That!" she spat at him.

Wands were drawn but the few drawn by the boy's friends paled in comparison to the ones that stood beside Mirabelle.

"What is going on here?" Blaise pushed his way through the crowd, followed by Daphne. He looked down and did not look at all surprised to see the Slytherin boy there. "Well? Explain yourself Jordans."

"She attacked me!" Jordans gasped, clutching his stomach and his face.

"In self-defense!" Lyla shouted angrily. "He was bothering some of the firsties in our House and Mirabelle told him to leave them alone. He called her a mudblood and pushed her and drew his wand!"

Blaise's eyes darkened and Daphne glared, making all the students there flinch. "You know full well never to use that word," Blaise said. "Professor Snape was very clear about that the last time it was uttered. Get up Jordans, now." He grabbed the boy's arm and yanked him to his feet. "We will be seeing Professor Snape first. Ten points taken for using the word and for drawing your wand on another."

He looked at Mirabelle. "Two points taken for fighting in the hall and I will be speaking to Professor McGonagall."

"That's not fair," Jordans grunted.

"Ask if I care," Blaise hissed. "Go on."

He said nothing.

"Disperse, all of you," Daphne said sharply. "Heed the Headmaster. Do not bother the under years about Harry Potter and I will rain fire and calamity on you myself if I see or hear of anyone bothering him. Am I clear?" Her eyes were so cold, they burned.

She watched as the students scattered, smiling coldly at Blaise dragging Jordans beside him and the rest of his friends. She gave Mirabelle and Lyla a sympathetic look and a nod before following the others.

"That was so cool," Lyla gushed as she and Mirabelle left with the other Gryffindors.

"I was really mad," Mirabelle said weakly.

"Me too. And you're just like Katie. She stands up to bullies all the time."

Mirabelle smiled a little. "We are bells after all."

"Yeah we are," Lyla said.

-0-

"I really hate to say this," Lyla said slowly, "but I really don't think Seeker is a good position for you."

"What makes you say that?" Mirabelle asked sarcastically, picking herself off the ground.

"You plowed yourself into the ground," Lyla said unhelpfully. "You don't have the reflexes for it."

"Tell me something I don't know," Mirabelle sighed.

"Katie's favorite flavor of chocolate is raspberry dark." When Mirabelle looked at her with confusion, she continued. "You're supposed to ask me my favorite kind."

"I know your favorite kind and why would I ask you?"

"So then you would know and feel compelled to get me some."

Mirabelle sighed and shook her head. "You're terrible. Aren't you going to ask me what my favorite kind is?"

"Trick question. You like white chocolate and that's technically not chocolate."

"It's not?"

"Nope. Apparently it doesn't have any cocoa solids in it. That's what Harry says anyways."

"Huh, you should have led with that." Mirabelle sighed and looked dispirited. "I really hoped I'd learn how to be a good Seeker."

"You know you don't have to be Seeker. I mean, even if you were good, Harry would be the one playing and not you most of the time," Lyla said gently.

"I know. I just wanted to be like him," Mirabelle said lamely.

"I get that," Lyla said sympathetically. "But he'd love the fact that you want to fly and play Quidditch in any position. Not many Muggle-borns take to flying like you have. You've worked hard on it too. Be proud of what you've done."

"Thanks Lyla," Mirabelle smiled.

"Anytime! Say, you played a sport before, right? What was it again?"

"Softball." Mirabelle looked at the practice Beater bats and Bludger thoughtfully. "Bludgers are bigger than softballs…"

Lyla gasped when Mirabelle hit the Bludger hard and hit the floating target. "Wow! That was awesome!"

Mirabelle grinned. "I'm used to planting my feet and hitting so that'll take some getting used to, but that was satisfying."

-0-

"This store is very interesting and slightly disconcerting," Isabel said, looking around Eeylops. The soft noises from the owls were comforting, as was the sound of rustling feathers. The large eyes peering from all around her in the slightly darkened interior of the store was the slightly disconcerting part.

"You should see the owlery at school," Mirabelle said. "Well, that's on the roof and it's more open so it's a little different."

"If you really wanted an owl before this, we could have gotten you one," Isabel said softly. Something about the store prompted people to speak softly.

"I did after learning how helpful they were, but Hedwig was always there and she got awfully insulted if I ever tried to borrow any of the school owls." Mirabelle sighed softly.

"She is a very opinionated owl," Isabel smiled.

"But now that Harry won't be at school anymore, it's time I got one," she said. "That's why you're here too. I want one we both love."

"It's still so nice of him to gift you an owl," Isabel said. "I'll have to thank him properly when we see him again."

"You can teach him some home recipes," Mirabelle suggested.

"Oh we can pick some good ones then." Isabel looked around some more. "So what kind of owl are you looking for?"

"I was hoping for a snowy but they're still a bit rare. I guess I want on that's affectionate like Hedwig. Excuse me, could you help me pick out an owl please?"

The proprietor smiled. "I'd be happy to. Looking for a working owl or a companion owl?"

"Both? More friendly than working."

"You'll want to come over here. Most of the owls that roost in this area are more friendly. Take your time and look around but more often than not, the owl will come to you."

Mirabelle nodded and she walked around the corner of the store slowly, looking at the owls carefully. She stopped when she realized a long-eared owl had waddled forward on its roost to approach her. She smiled when she saw the light orange eyes peering at her intelligently. "Hi," Mirabelle said softly and extended a hand. She giggled when the owl nibbled on her fingers gently.

"Aw she likes you," the owner said with a big smile. "She's a new one here and has been pretty standoffish with most people. She's a Spanish Long-eared owl."

"Hey, a fellow from our home country," Isabel smiled.

"Would you like to join our family?" Mirabelle asked. She laughed when the owl nodded. "Does she have a name?"

"Not yet."

Mirabelle hummed. "I'm going to call you Choco. Do you like that as a name?"

Choco looked thoughtful before nodding. She hopped daintily onto Mirabelle's arm and walked up it until she sat on Mirabelle's shoulder.

"Choco, short for chocolate?" Isabel laughed. "That's a good name."

-0-

"Ugh, how did Captain do this?" Mirabelle groaned, slumping into the chair.

Lyla put her hand on Mirabelle's forehead. "Are you referring to yourself in the third person? Or have you forgotten that you're the captain?" She snickered when Mirabelle swatted her hand away.

"I meant my Captain," Mirabelle said, rolling her eyes at Lyla. "Harry of course. How was he Head Boy and Quidditch Captain and taking so many N.E.W.T.s classes? I'm taking less classes and I'm just a prefect and I feel like I'm super overwhelmed."

"Harry liked working for some reason," Lyla snorted. "He also delegated a lot if I remember."

"Jimmy's a big help as second," Mirabelle conceded. "And I share a lot of prefect stuff with Tim. But still. There's so much."

"You're not wrong. I'm not a prefect or playing on a Quidditch team and I feel stretched thin." Lyla rubbed her temples.

"You're taking more classes than me though," Mirabelle said.

"Oh did you hear back from Mistress Castor?"

"I did! She's more than happy to accept me as an apprentice," Mirabelle said, fatigue going away in the face of her enthusiasm. "She said as long as I do well on my N.E.W.T.s then I have a place with her. She said Alicia and Daphne both said good things about me which was really nice of them."

"Not going for the League then?"

She shook her head. "Not really. I love Quidditch but I know the League is way different. I'll just play it recreationally. Are you going to do a mastery?"

"No, I rather just join Dad at his architecture firm straight out the gate," Lyla said. "Of course I have to do well on all my N.E.W.T.s before he'll take me on." She grumbled while Mirabelle giggled. "I said it wasn't fair because his applications normally don't care about that and he said that it was a managerial decision. He's the manager!"

"He's just making sure you don't slack off," Mirabelle laughed.

"I know and he knows I wouldn't really," Lyla sighed. "Still, not fair."

-0-

Mirabelle threw herself at Isabel, hugging her tight with tears streaming down their faces. "I can't believe you're here!"

Isabel wiped her eyes and beamed at her daughter. "I didn't think I could either but Harry brought me!"

Harry coughed when Mirabelle tried to squeeze the life out of him next. "I'm apparently faculty, unofficially, and am allowed guests when appropriate. I couldn't think of a more appropriate time to bring your mother to your graduation."

"Still taking care of me," Mirabelle half sobbed, hugging him even tighter.

"Not that you need it," he said warmly. "You've done incredible Mirabelle! Great in your year, Quidditch Captain to two more victories, and a prefect! And Mistress Castor is going to love having you work with her."

She smiled brightly at him. "It's all so incredible. I can still remember the first time I arrived."

"Me too." His eyes were soft and his look dripped of melancholy. "I had a big change while I was here, and so did you. I'm so proud of you. You're exactly who I thought you would be: a wonderful person and an excellent witch."

"All thanks to you," she murmured.

-0-0-0-

jouve25 - Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

poka - At first it was going to be a second poker shenanigans chapter but then it turned for the melancholy with some delightful bits of Dahlia in it.

Ghostwriter - Thank you. Glad you do.

odonnellzoo99 - Thank you so much. Sometimes I worry if the hopping around would be too cumbersome for some to read. I personaly enjoy it because I can let things happen without worrying too much about continuity or making it fit sequentially. I wouldn't want to write a new fic like this, but for this spin off, it feels okay to do it like this. Yeah, younger oblivious Harry was a fun trope to play with.

alix33 - I will think about that as a chapter idea.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Glad you like it so. It turned out more poignant by the end than I thought it would but don't regret it.