I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Thank you everyone for the kind words. All this is possible because of you. Hope all are doing well and have a lovely day.
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Extended Family
Chapter 101 – Stone Soup
Takes place after chapter 73.
"…and then they left, fuller in both body and heart with a valuable lesson for all." Luna smiled while the bunnies clapped in appreciation for her storytelling. "Does anyone have any questions?"
"Was the stone magic?" Hailey asked.
"I do not believe so. It is a Muggle story but they have plenty of stories that include magic, even though many do not believe magic exists. It certainly is possible, but I think it was the strangers' way of contributing to the communal soup."
"But you're not supposed to eat stones," Hadley argued. "If it isn't a magic stone or a spice stone, then they didn't contribute fairly at all."
"That is certainly one perspective," Luna said seriously. "I can see how some would assume that the strangers tricked the village-folk by not contributing edible food. However, they were also instrumental in convincing the rest of the village to contribute and share and thus imparting a valuable lesson about being kind and generous with one another."
"But that happened after they ate the soup when everyone else contributed before they did," Hadley said.
"We would have to dive into the mindset that the ends justify the means to fully explore that but I do think you three are still a bit young for that kind of discussion," Luna said. She smiled at their blank looks. "I do not disagree with you completely, Hadley. It is fine to question the magnitude of contributions and their timeliness. In time you will learn how to put value into things."
"I wonder what it tastes like," Dahlia said. "They put a lot of good soup things in it."
"It did sound good," Luna agreed. "Perhaps one day we will be able to discover for ourselves."
After some more chatting, the three girls hugged their auntie Luna goodbye and left her home. They walked down the lane towards their own homes, enjoying the brisk afternoon breeze. Autumn was coming and the air was already turning frosty despite the waning sunlight.
"This is good soup weather," Hailey said, shivering slightly.
"I like soup in all weather," Hadley said, pulling her hat down a little farther on her head.
"Even when it's hot?" Hailey asked.
"Yeah! Soup is good."
"That's weird."
"Mummy said I got it from Daddy. He drinks hot chocolate all year long."
"I don't think I've ever tried hot chocolate in the summer," Hailey said thoughtfully. "I like chocolate all the time though. Is cold chocolate a thing? Like a cup of cool melted chocolate?"
"There's chocolate milk," Hadley said. "That's probably the closest thing."
"I do like chocolate milk," Hailey said. She flushed when her stomach grumbled. "Now I'm hungry."
"Hey I know, let's make stone soup," Dahlia said with a big smile.
"I don't want to eat stones," Hadley grimaced.
"Well they didn't eat the stones in the story. Eat everything but the stone," Dahlia replied.
"Papa Harry doesn't come home until later though," Hailey said mournfully. "And I'll die from starvation before that."
"No you won't," Hadley sniped and poked Hailey in the belly. She squealed with outrage when Hailey poked her back and kicked her in the ankle.
"We can make it," Dahlia said confidently.
"We can?" the other two asked together.
"Why not? We help Daddy cook all the time and he said we're good at it and we're his shoe chefs."
"We're not supposed to use the hobs though, not without someone with us," Hailey said slowly.
"We can use the fire pit in the Triangle. It's enchanted to not burn over and fire won't escape the pit. We'll be extra careful with knives and things and make a really good soup." Dahlia clapped her hands excitedly. "Then we'll eat it with the Village! We can get bits from everyone and make something and when Daddy and the other adults come home from work, they'll see we made dinner and they'll be proud and give us cuddles and hugs and treats."
"I like those things," Hadley said, growing enthusiastic.
Hailey hummed. "Hmmm, okay. But can we snack on something first?"
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"I can't believe you're eating bacon cold," Hadley said.
"Why? It's cooked. Bacon is good hot or cold," Hailey said thickly around a bacon sandwich. "Hedwig eats bacon hot or cold."
"Hedwig also eats mice and frogs," Hadley retorted.
"I've had frog legs before," Hailey said.
"How're they?" Dahlia asked.
"Chewy and like…weirder chicken."
After having made the cold bacon sandwiches, the three girls dragged out the table Harry used most when cooking outdoors. They assembled a cutting board and bowls and trays and very carefully put a knife on the table top. Dahlia also brought out the first aid kit that her parents had at the ready for all sorts of accidents. They filled the biggest stock pot with water and stood at the fire pit.
"How do we light it without a wand?" Hailey asked.
"We might need a fire first. There's plenty of kindling and wood here," Dahlia mused.
"Oh I'll be right back." Hadley scampered off and after some time, came back holding a lit candle.
"Where did you get that?" Dahlia asked.
"I asked Mummy if I could get something from the potion dungeon. She always has a small fire lit for something to bubble over."
"She let you take a lit candle out?" Hailey asked.
"I didn't tell her what I was getting," Hadley said airily. She used a twig to transfer the fire into the fire pit and the three girls coaxed a fire into life. They then moved the heavy pot onto the grate over the crackling fire.
"This will take some time to start coming to temperature," Dahlia said, using the words confidently.
"So should we ask people for things to contribute?" Hadley asked.
"If they're home."
"Wouldn't that ruin the surprise?" Hailey wondered.
"We can ask what they like in soup and say we're making one. We can give them bowls of it later," Dahlia said. "And if they're not home, we can sneak something out or mirror them."
"Sounds good to me." Hadley smiled. "Let's go see Auntie Luna first. She has some clean stones too plus she gave us the idea."
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"Back again so soon?" Luna smiled.
"We're making a stone soup!" the trio trilled.
"Oh how lovely!" Luna said. "Do you need assistance? I have some things I must do first but can come by when I finish."
"We're making it for everyone," Dahlia said. "And we're being careful. But we need a stone and what do you like in your soup?"
"I love potatoes," Luna said, leading the girls to her kitchen. She put several potatoes in a bag and handed it to Hailey. She then went back to her back garden and selected a large smooth stone from a pile by the back door. She cleaned it several times with scrubbing and cleaning charms and gave it a wash with soap and water. "I'll be by when I can," she said.
"Thank you, Auntie Luna!" the girls said together and after another round of hugs they dashed off with Dahlia grunting softly, holding the large stone with both arms.
"I do love those girls," Luna said quietly while smiling loudly.
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"One of us should probably stay with the fire now," Dahlia said weakly. "That's an important rule."
"Good idea. Well one or two of us need to work on ingredients and we can take turns visiting the houses," Hailey said. "I'll peel the taters. I'm good at that."
"I'll go grab herbs from our home," Hadley said. "Mummy made herb bundle things for when Daddy cooks. He likes them 'cause he won't get them confused. Last time Mummy sent him to the greenhouse for thyme, he came back with snapweed."
"I'll chop the taters and get sausages from our home," Dahlia said. She held the stone over the pot then had second thoughts. She placed the stone in a ladle and slowly lowered it into the water. "Taters and sausages and herbs is a good start."
Hailey had her tongue stuck out in concentration as she carefully peeled the potatoes with a small peeling knife. "I think we have onions at home. Mummy always says onions and taters go together in things, and with sausages."
"I don't like onions," Hadley said, also sticking her tongue out.
"We can chop them all tiny and cook them over the fire a little first," Dahlia said. "Daddy does that for me since I don't like big chunks of raw onion."
"I love onions. I'll eat slices like an apple," Hailey said.
"Gross!" Hadley exclaimed.
"You're gross!"
The sound of barking cut through, stopping the ensuing argument from occurring. Hedwig swooped in and landed on the table. She narrowed an eye at the three girls.
"Hi Hedwig," they said together, squirming slightly at her judgmental gaze.
Hedwig looked all around, her head swiveling and her body unmoving. Her head turned back and she glared beadily at the girls.
"We're being careful," Dahlia said meekly.
"Our parents said we can cook if there's an adult nearby and there's a lot nearby," Hadley piped up. "Auntie Luna is coming later too."
"And if you're here, you can watch us and mind us," Hailey said cheerfully.
Hedwig sighed deeply.
"I'll make you some bacon?" Dahlia offered.
Hedwig shook her head but plumped down comfortably on the table, hooting in a resigned way.
"Thank you Hedwig," they said together, relieved.
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"Oh hello Dahlia," Daphne said, opening the door and smiling at her visitor. "How may I help you?"
"Hi Auntie Daffy! We're making a stone soup!"
"Why are you eating stones?" Daphne asked, concerned.
"You don't eat the stone part. It's from a Muggle story. People offer something to add into the communal soup pot and share it. Hailey and Hadley and I are making it for everyone to have for dinner tonight."
"Oh that sounds fun and is quite nice of you three. Let me see if I have something to add then." She beckoned and led Dahlia into the home.
"Hi Auntie Taffy! How are you feeling?" Dahlia asked, hugging Tracy.
"Hi little banshee! I feel like a beached whale," Tracy said wryly, hugging Dahlia back. She rubbed her abdomen. "I can't wait till the little one is born."
"Me neither," Dahlia said. "I can't wait to help take care of him!"
"You're the best," Tracy smiled. "Such a good big sister. What brings you by?"
"The bunnies are making a stone soup for everyone for dinner," Daphne said as she rummaged through their pantry. "We are all contributing to it."
"If I get the stone, I'm chucking it at someone," Tracy grunted. "Probably at the person that did this to me." She looked pointedly at Daphne.
Daphne snorted. "You cannot throw things in your best condition so I am far from concerned. And if you try to use your magic, you would probably drop the stone onto your foot." She held up a large bunch of carrots. "Would carrots do well?"
"Yes please! Carrots and onions and taters and sausage will be great!"
"That does sound good," Tracy smiled. She and Daphne waved when Dahlia ran out. "I wonder where they for the idea for a stone soup."
"Most likely one of the stories that Hermione or Luna like to read to them. The idea itself is nice enough, sharing a meal with all contributing to the pot."
"It'll just be my luck if I do get the stone and try to eat it. Darn baby is really messing me up," Tracy grumbled and Daphne laughed heartily.
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Hermione reached out for her mirror that chirped at her. "Hadley? Is something wrong?"
Hadley's mirror image shook her head. "No Auntie Hermione, I have a couple of questions if you have a moment."
"I do yes, go ahead."
"What do you like in soup and can I get it from your home?"
Hermione blinked a few times. "Well, I like beans in soup and I think I have a package in my pantry. Yes you may but why may I ask?"
"Auntie Luna read us the story about stone soup and so we're making it for dinner for everyone tonight."
Hermione smiled. "Aww, that's so sweet of you. Yes, you may get them from the pantry. Don't feed Crookshanks any treats though, he's had enough."
"May we take him to the Triangle?"
"Yes but seriously, no treats. If he begs, tell him that I'll make him run with Tonks."
"Thank you, Auntie Hermione!"
"You're welcome! See you at dinner!" Hermione smiled and set her mirror back on her desk. "Did you and your sister ever do things like that when you were that age?"
Padma smiled. "Parvati and I once thought that anyone could talk to snakes if you tried hard enough so we would go out and try. Had a few narrow escapes."
"I was happy with reading about people doing things," Hermione chuckled.
"Are you really going to eat what they cook? I can think of a few times where Parv and I made some rather terrible things and our family refused to eat them," Padma giggled.
"They cook a lot with Harry and are pretty good at it. Then again, they cook under his supervision." Hermione frowned. "He shouldn't be home right now." She reached for the mirror. "Potter Residence."
After a few moments, Hadley reappeared in the mirror. "Hi Auntie Hermione and no I didn't give Crookshanks any treats."
"Good and is Harry there? Or any of the parents?"
"Papa Harry isn't here but Mummy is sort of here."
Hermione narrowed an eye. "Then how are you cooking?"
"We're being careful," Hadley said evasively. "And we have someone minding us and Auntie Luna is coming soon."
"Don't you lie to me young lady," Hermione said severely.
"I'm not lying! We have someone watching us very carefully!" Hadley said indignantly.
"Okay, if you say so, and I'll learn the truth of it later. Wait." She peered closely at the mirror. "Is Crookshanks eating something?!"
"You said no treats not a single treat and Crookshanks looked so sad and I only gave him a tiny singular one and I got the beans and thank you and love you and see you later!" The mirror surface shimmered and soon Hermione was gazing at her own disapproving face.
Hermione sighed and put the mirror down. "Those girls. I knew I shouldn't have taught them critical reasoning."
Padma laughed. "Should you try to get a hold of one of the adults?"
"I feel like I should but I'll trust them for now. They haven't ever lied directly and I have no reason to not believe that someone is minding them and that Luna will be there eventually." She shook her head. "I'm sure it'll be some loophole that I'll be proudly irritated at them about later. And we will have to give more explicit instructions to prevent this in the future."
"Look at you, being a mum without having your own children, not counting Crookshanks of course," Padma smiled.
"Sounds like someone doesn't want me to share lunches I get from Harry anymore," Hermione sniffed.
"Hey! Don't be cruel!"
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"Hi Nana!"
"Dally my grandbaby!" Andromeda smiled brightly. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes Nana, I had questions if that's okay."
"Of course."
"Can I have permission to go into Auntie Dora's home to get something to make soup? Also do you know what she likes in soup? And do you and Grandpa want to come for dinner?"
"I typically should not give you permission to enter Dora's home since it is her home. She likes barley in soup. And we would love to. Why are you asking these questions?"
"Mummy said that she can let other people in my room with good reason because she's Mummy and since you're Auntie's mummy, I thought you could do that too."
Andromeda threw her head back and laughed. "Well, you are much younger than Dora and yes that is correct. Normally I would not have permission to give but in this instance I will because it amuses me. There should be some barley in her pantry."
"Thank you! Also we're making stone soup for everyone at the Village and it will have things everyone likes so you should come too. What do you like in soup?"
"I like lots of herbs and will bring some dessert for afters. We are not eating the stone, are we?"
"No, that would be silly."
"Quite." Andromeda looked up. "Hello Sammi."
"My grandma senses were tingling." Samantha peered into the mirror. "Dally!"
"Hi Grandma! What do you like in soup and would you and Grandpa and Auntie Lyly come to dinner?"
"I like some bacon or ham in soup and of course we would. We will be there after we get off work."
"See you later!" Dahlia blew air kisses and the mirror became a normal mirror once more.
"So what's going on?" Samantha asked.
"She is making a stone soup, whatever that is. Apparently everyone contributes and she asked me permission to go into Dora's home because I am Dora's mother."
"That's so funny," Samantha smiled. "Stone soup?"
"I do not quite understand either but we will learn the reasoning later I suppose."
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Fleur sighed with relief, stepping through the Floo. It was an amazing thing. Ever since she had her home in the Barony, she always felt better after arriving. Something about the place, well many things, made her feel at peace and she loved the relief and comfort she felt every time she arrived.
She barely set her things down and took off her cloak before the door shuddered from excited pattering. Her smile blossomed and she stepped sprightly to the door and opened it. "Dally! Bonjour my sweetling!"
"Tante!" Dahlia hugged her hard. "Welcome home! I'm glad you put the lantern up so I know when you get back."
"One of my better ideas," Fleur said happily. She had enchanted the lantern by her front door to light when the Floo activated and enjoyed the fruits of her labor.
"What do you like in soup?"
"I enjoy dipping crusty baguette into soups. Maybe a nice rouille to put on top if it warrants it. It is a sauce of sorts."
"Do you have any here? We're making a stone soup for everyone for dinner and everyone is putting in a bit of what they like into it."
"That sounds like fun! I do not have any here but will be happy to get some."
"I'm sorry, you just got home," Dahlia said apologetically.
"Do not worry. I do not mind going to get the ingredients for a rouille and to get some baguettes. I will be right back."
Normally Fleur always had a pang of irritation when leaving her home but never for a good reason. Any reason to have Dahlia smile was always a good reason.
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"What's all this?!" Harry looked amazed as he walked to the Triangle.
"Daddy! Papa Harry!" The three bunnies rushed and tackled him, hugging him with all their might. "We made stone soup for everyone!" they trilled.
"You did? That's great! What's stone soup?"
Luna smiled. "It's a story about sharing and kindness. The girls were inspired and made a soup for everyone to enjoy with ingredients that everyone likes."
"Aww, that's my good girls," he praised and kissed them. "Why is it called stone soup?"
"Depending on your viewpoint on questionable ethics, the strangers in the story claim that a soup made from a stone is the best soup. They convince or cajole others to contribute more conventionally edible ingredients and in the end, a delicious communal soup is had by all."
"What kind of stories are you reading to them?"
"Stories with questionable motives and actions that yield wholesome morals and lessons."
"We might need to be more careful in those," Hermione grumbled. "The girls were cooking without supervision!"
"Girls," Harry said, and looked down at them.
"We were careful," Dahlia insisted sheepishly. "We didn't use the hobs because you said not to and we used the fire pit because of the enchantments! Auntie Luna came later and Hedwig was watching us from the start!"
"You said Alicia was nearby!" Hermione said, wagging a finger at Hadley.
"She was! She was at home and home is just over there!"
Alicia groaned. "I was working and wasn't paying attention to them and apparently I should be." She glared at the girls. "Statements of omission are not permission!"
"Oooh that brought back memories," Oliver laughed.
"I didn't teach them that," Harry laughed. He grew more somber. "Okay girls, from now on, no cooking without an adult present and what I mean present, literally beside you or in the immediate vicinity. You can still get snacks and make cold sandwiches but otherwise, wait for an adult. Do you understand?"
"Yes Daddy, Papa Harry," they said.
"Okay good. I'm not making it a Papa promise because I want to trust you and your judgement."
"I have a question," Hailey said. "Does Hedwig count as an adult? Because she really was here the whole time."
Harry looked at Hedwig who looked back wearily, chewing on a piece of bacon. She nodded and rolled her eyes.
"Let's debate that another time," Harry said. "Now what kind of soup is stone soup?"
"We made it with sausage and bacon and a ham bone and taters and carrots and beans and barley and herbs!" Dahlia said proudly. "I also added tomato paste because you said it made soups nice and tasty."
"I brought some baguettes to make toast with and dip in," Fleur smiled. "As well as some rouille I taught the girls how to make. And yes, there is an extra one for Alicia to hit you with."
Harry laughed and dipped the ladle into the simmering broth and sipped. "Hey, this is actually pretty good!"
"We cooked the veggies on the grill some before putting them in," Hadley said proudly. "Same with the bacon and sausage!"
"And none of you got hurt?" Harry asked, concerned.
"No Papa! We were very careful and we brought out the first aid kit just in case," Hailey said proudly.
"Well then, what's done is done and I'm sure they'll be more careful in the future," Harry said. "Let's dig in!"
The soup was quite tasty and everyone rained praise and compliments on the beaming girls. Everyone sat around the crackling fire and enjoyed the savory soup with the fresh bread.
"Gosh, this rouille stuff is tasty," Angelina said. "I really like it!"
"It is normally a condiment on soupe de poisson or bouillabaisse, but it is surprisingly good on this soup," Fleur smiled.
"I'm impressed that the soup turned out quite well," Alicia said. "Clearly they have learned a lot from Harry and us."
"I still can't believe you gave them permission to raid my home," Tonks grumbled, glaring at Andromeda.
"I am your mother dear and it was too amusing not to," Andromeda chuckled.
"I guess it's our fault a little," George said ruefully. "We did teach them to be smart. Independence comes with that. At least they aren't getting into the messes Fred and I had at their age."
"Thank Merlin," the former Chaser trio said and laughed at George's wounded look.
"We might need to write a book of rules to follow and be exacting with the wording," Hermione sighed.
Harry laughed. "That's going to backfire on us spectacularly." His good humor dissolved a little. "I was younger than them when I had to learn how to cook. I guess that's why I was excited when they wanted to learn to cook with me, because I could teach them how to be careful."
"They cook because they want to, and because they want to do it with you," Katie said gently, rubbing his arm. "And you're doing great with them and they really are careful. Most of the time."
"The circumstances are completely different," Samantha said softly. "And you are doing wonderfully with them. They wanted to make food for everyone because they wanted to. They took a story about kindness and sharing and made it real. That's a credit to their parents, all of you."
He released a breath and smiled easily. "Thanks. They're good girls."
"Do you want anymore, Auntie Taffy?" Dahlia asked.
"Just a little more, thank you little banshee." Tracy leaned back and closed her eyes. She reopened them when Dahlia returned with the bowl. "Really?!"
"Auntie Daffy said you wanted the stone," Dahlia said with wide innocent green eyes.
"Somebody throw it at her," Tracy said while everyone roared with laughter.
"No! Not one of the Chasers!" Daphne shrieked and scrambled out of her chair.
"We should save it," Luna said, taking the stone. "It will be the Village soup stone. It will be a lovely tradition."
"Sounds good to me," Harry smiled.
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Ghostwriter - Thank you so much.
Major Dragon - Oh very nice. I thought an Alumni game would be fun here and it feels like something that could fit in the setting. Glad you enjoyed.
Arnie1701 - I liked the name a lot too. Thought it fitted in well.
guest - Thank you for continuing to read it. I had hoped it would feel like a proper milestone chapter that encapsulated all the feelings I wanted for a solid Family chapter.
DOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Thank you very much. I always want to try and make sure the Quidditch chapters shine. Glad you are still along for the ride.
poka - I wanted it to end on a slightly melancholy but overall sweet note. I really wanted to feel like a proper real Family chapter and am glad it did. Harry wouldn't plow the kids into the ground though. He knows they don't deserve that quite yet. Pros are fair game, but not the kids. They just needed some ego deflating.
tainted1992 - Thank you. Not sure if I'll get to 200 but we will see!
odonnellzoo99 - Thank you so much. I knew I wanted to hit some good notes: Quidditch, the Team, their extended family, some fun banter, the bunnies being cute, and some sassy Hedwig. It was nice to hit some callbacks and some small jokes from the entirety of the series. Glad you liked it so.
Flyer101999 - Thank you so much. I always like seeing comments and discussion so I await eagerly for yours. I'm glad you liked the OCs. I know OCs are a touchy point for fanfiction and I didn't want mine to be fixes or SI or useless. I want them to feel like real characters, to feel like important members to the story. I want to give them personality and identity that are wholly theirs, and not rehashes of canon characters. Colette, Aimee, Lyla, and Mirabelle were truly surprises to me as they became greater than I originally imagined them to be. Lizzie being there was a random thought but felt proper and of course had to have Lee and Lyla providing commentary.
I'm glad I can help you smile. Thank you.
CrystalKaouri - I think I am lucky that I have the whole series, the original and extended, to draw from and I was able to hit the notes because people have enjoyed it so. I was very satisfied when I finished the chapter because it felt like a proper milestone chapter for this whole setting and I'm grateful you agree. It really tickled me to see the collective ire of all the alumni players. Of course the Team wanted to show why there were the most dangerous Team and it was fun to see the other older players and listen to them commiserate. And it wouldn't be Hogwarts Quidditch without Lee and Lyla commentating.
As for the next round, hold that thought. I hope to announce something soon.
alix33 - I was really happy with the comparison of the two pictures at the end. It felt good to me.
kaya -Thank you very much.
DawnandTwilight - That is the reason I write: to help others escape and smile. Thank you so much.
1529 - I would love to see an Amerian Football alumni game like that. Thank you for continuing to read and join me on this journey.
