I do not own Harry Potter the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Hello all, I hope all are doing well. I had two more commissions done but I don't know how to embed them here, so if you don't mind, head on over to AO3 and take a peek there. I post there with the same username and in this chapter over there, there will be the two commission pieces. I had the symbols made for Hedwig's Highflyers as well as the one made for Harry for the Windrider.
I wish everyone a very Merry or Happy Christmas and holiday. Have a good day and weekend!
Extended Family
Chapter 139 – New Traditions
Takes place after chapter 60.
"Mummy, what are our family traditions?"
Katie looked up at Dahlia, cradling a gurgling Iris in her arms. "What do you mean, flower?"
"I was talking with Hailey and Hadley and they were talking about family holiday traditions," Dahlia said. "'Cause it's almost Christmas."
It was true. Winter was firmly here and was making its presence known outdoors. The wind howled and snow was driven across the landscape. Large mounds of snow grew on the ground and the windows rattled a little from the force of the wind.
The house was perfectly warm and cozy though, immune to the winter outdoors. Through the window and the storm, they could see the other homes in the village, name yet to be determined. Lights twinkled prettily and cheerily through the snow and the gloom, a reminder that friends and family were within sight. This was their first winter and holiday season at the village, and while the weather was frightful, things within were cozy and bright.
"Hmm, we always visited family when I was little," Katie said, smiling fondly at memories. "Either they came to us or we would go to them. We also each opened a gift on Christmas Eve. That was nice. Lyla and I would spend days deciding which one to open early."
"That does sound nice," Dahlia said brightly. "Are we going to do that?"
"Of course," Katie smiled. "We're going to open a gift each on Christmas Eve and all the families are coming to have a big lunch and dinner here on Christmas Day. They wanted to come here to see Iris. She's still a bit small for Floo and apparition unless it's an emergency. My aunt and uncle are visiting Grandma and Grandpa a few days after and you and I might pop over to see them if you want, or they may come over for a bit, we haven't decided yet."
"What about Daddy?" Dahlia asked.
Katie barely concealed a wince. "Uh, he doesn't really have any family traditions from when he was little," she said as gently as she could. "But," she added, seeing Dahlia's crestfallen expression, "maybe we can make our own new ones, one for us Potters. Would you like that?"
"Yeah!" Dahlia said, clapping her hands excitedly.
Katie smiled. "We can make some good ones."
The back door opened with a bang and Harry came in, forcing the door closed against the wind. He stomped his feet, shaking snow off of his cloak and shivered. "Don't know if you've noticed," he called out through chattering teeth, "but it's snowing a bit out there."
"Oh yeah? So it's a little cold?" Katie called back cheekily.
"Just a little," Harry chuckled. He set something down on the counter and came over, hanging his cloak up.
"Eeek!" Katie shrieked when Harry bent down to kiss her. She kissed him back and smacked his arm playfully. "You're freezing!"
"Oh no!" Dahlia jumped on Harry. "We have to warm Daddy up!"
"Mmm, that feels nice," Harry said, kissing Dahlia's forehead. "I have a bunny warm-up, thank goodness." He settled down beside Katie on the couch and leaned down to kiss a squirming Iris. "What are my girls talking about?"
"We want to make new Potter traditions!" Dahlia said.
"Oh? Well that sounds good to me," Harry said, looking slightly sad but with growing enthusiasm. "Something for us to do together for the holidays?"
Dahlia nodded. "Like how we open a gift on Christmas Eve."
"I do like that tradition." Harry hummed for a few moments before the window rattled loudly and opened. Hedwig swooped in and the window closed behind her. He smiled as she flew around the room a little and landed before the fire for a moment to absorb some of the welcome heat. "How about praising Hedwig for being the best."
"I like that!" Dahlia walked over and picked up Hedwig and hugged her close, bringing her back to the couch. "Hedwig has the softest feathers and is the best owl ever."
Hedwig nodded with extreme satisfaction, cheeping happily and lovingly nipping Dahlia's fingers. She then looked at the other Potters with an expectant expression.
"You're the best mama bird," Katie smiled and received a nibble and nuzzle back.
"You're the best head warmer," Harry said, laughing when Hedwig fluttered to his head and pecked him and pulled on his hair.
Iris gurgled and giggled holding her hands up. Hedwig cooed back lovingly and hopped down to settle on Katie's lap beside the baby. She nuzzled the baby, making her squeal happily, and cuddled close, letting her soft feathers envelop Iris' side.
"What next?" Dahlia asked.
"More?" Harry gasped. He smiled when Katie and Hedwig and Dahlia gave him identical flat looks. "Hmm, well, I've always wanted to decorate the home with family and friends," Harry offered. "Remember how I decorated our old house a year or two back?"
"Like a 'spolded snow globe!" Dahlia shouted with glee.
"How about we do it together," Harry smiled. "I'll provide the magic and you lot provide the expertise and the opinions. Go to Mummy's office and to her bookcase, the holiday decorating charms book is in there," he said and watched as Dahlia went running down the hall.
"Dahlia asked about them," Katie said softly. "I managed to say you didn't have any from before. But I suggested that we make our own ones."
He hugged her warmly. "I love that idea."
"What were you doing out there anyways?" Katie asked.
"Getting this one some snow," Harry said, poking Hedwig gently. "I still don't know why you want some. I know for a fact you don't like sitting on cold things."
Hedwig nipped him back before waddling to the end table. She flipped the lid of a tin open and waddled back with a piece of candy in her beak.
"Candy?" Katie asked, taking it from her and breaking it into small pieces.
"Oh, I know," Harry smiled. "You pour hot maple syrup in the snow and it freezes over." He ate a piece of candy when Hedwig nodded, doing the same.
"That does sound like fun," Katie smiled.
Dahlia returned with the book, Holiday Household Charms, and Harry found the box of decorations from the attic. He opened it up and Dahlia and Katie paged through the book together while Iris held Hedwig's feathers as she dozed.
After some hours of work, the living room was newly decorated. The Ever-falling Snow charm had magical snow gently drifting down from the ceiling, melting away cleanly before landing on anything and leaving no chill. A small cauldron bubbled in the corner, releasing scents of citrus and cinnamon and mint and pine. Their favorite though was the tiny Hogwarts Express that chugged on a small track all around the room. At Dahlia's request, they extended the track so that it would puff up and down the stairs, visiting their rooms for a circuit, and it would make a stop in the kitchen. A small car was expanded to hold candy, though Harry enchanted it so that it would only dispense one piece every so often.
He smiled as Dahlia chased after the train with Hedwig perched on the engine, looking very pleased with herself. He felt arms wrap around his middle and Katie leaned against him, her chin on his shoulder. "I like this tradition," she smiled.
"Me too," he said, resting his hands on hers.
They ended the day with Harry boiling some maple syrup and they sat around a big pan of snow, drizzling the syrup onto it and making fun shapes. The syrup cooled rapidly and made delightfully sticky and chewy candy with the texture of taffy.
"Hey, nice broomstick," Harry said admiringly.
"Thanks! The tail's a bit wonky, but it's good," Katie smiled. She laughed when Iris stuck a sticky syrupy finger in her mouth. "I like your owl."
"Thank you," Harry smiled. "I'm pretty good at making owls, right?" He smiled even more when Hedwig inspected the candy owl critically before giving a nod of approval. "Aww, beautiful flower, Hedwig."
Hedwig fluttered in place with a ladle clutched in her talons. She dribbled the syrup expertly and made a beautiful dahlia blossom in the snow. When she finished, she fluffed up with extreme self-satisfaction.
"What did you make Dally?" Katie asked.
"I made a lightning bolt," Dahlia said, tongue stuck out with concentration as she laboriously created a candy lightning bolt. She missed the look between her parents as she finished it. "Now I can eat it and Daddy will feel better." She did as promised and gobbled the candy in one massive mouthful, chewing away with focused vengeance.
Harry pulled her into his lap and kissed her. "I love you, Dahlia," he said with a soft smile and a warm heart.
"I love you, Daddy!"
Harry laughed as he was covered by sticky kisses.
-0-
"This is going to come back and bite us on the arse, just you watch," Alicia said, shaking her head.
She, Katie, Angelina, Hermione, Daphne, and Harry watched out of the windows from the Potter home in warmth and comfort. The Triangle was currently a warzone. Small forts made of snow dotted the landscape and snowballs flew through the air. A single large fort sat in the middle and Fred and George and Oliver were besieged on all sides as the bunnies, Luna, Tracy, and Tonks attacked.
"How so?" Hermione asked.
"We're going to wake up to one of them attacking us in bed with a snowball," Alicia snorted. And no peace will be had."
"No, I told the girls to keep snowballs outside unless for dessert," Harry said.
"I wasn't referring to the girls," Alicia said ominously, making them snort and snicker.
"You're not wrong there," Angelina laughed. "And what dessert are you talking about?"
"Pouring syrup over them," Katie smiled. "It's actually a lot of fun. I wonder how Hedwig thought of it."
"Probably saw it on a delivery trip or something," Harry said. He laughed when Hedwig dropped a very large snowball on George's head and flapped off cackling.
"I think the babies want to go out again," Daphne smiled. Iris, Heather, Alex, Abby, and Melanie were all bundled up and had spent some time outdoors earlier before the parents came in for a break. They were wiggling and fussing in the big group pen they had.
"I don't see why not," Harry smiled. He slipped warming runestones into their winter coats and they all went out once more. Angelina, Alicia, and Katie joined the snow war while Harry transfigured a small snow play area for the babies to crawl around and play in.
Tonks walked over and flopped beside Harry, tilting her head to one side and patting the other side of her head. "I'm going to get that flying pillow," she groused as snow fell out of her ear.
"That's what you get for trying to bury her in snow," Harry chided.
"I did bury her in snow, thank you," Tonks sniffed. "She's a snowy owl, I thought she'd like it."
"No you didn't," Harry snorted.
"Okay, maybe I didn't," Tonks conceded. She hugged Harry. "Now I need to warm up."
"Babies, Auntie Dora needs help getting warm," Harry said.
Tonks sighed softly as the little ones crawled over and clambered over her clumsily. "You know, I used to be terrified of babies and little children." She laughed as she scooped up Iris who was trying to pull herself onto Tonks. "Now I'm only a little terrified."
"They love their auntie," Harry smiled.
"Oh my goodness," Katie laughed as she walked over. She laughed as loudly as the babies squealed happily. Harry had transfigured a sled and they had piled them into it and Tonks was running around, pulling it after her. Her nose was bright red and it glowed with light as she ran about the Triangle, laughing with them. "I don't know who's happier!"
"We all are," Harry said warmly.
-0-
"Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!" Sirius wore red robes trimmed with white fur and a giant Christmas hat on his head. It was Christmas Eve and everyone in the village was together for a large celebration and visitors came too. He dropped a very large red bag on the ground and handed out a gift to the squealing children, the pictures on the gift wrap moving and dancing.
"What, no beard?" Harry smiled when Sirius came over after distributing the gifts.
"Not yet, don't think I look good in one." Sirius inspected himself in the mirror critically. "I prefer the stylish goatee myself."
"He did commit in other ways," Remus smiled and smacked Sirius on the stomach.
"Hey! No I didn't!" Sirius said indignantly.
"So that is not padding? Do not forget I am a healer," Andromeda said with a sharp smile.
"It is not!" Sirius opened his robes and pulled up his shirt. "Look at my chiseled abs in wonder!"
"Put that away," Ameila said as she walked past. "No one wants to see it."
The others laughed at Sirius' wounded expression. "I'm impressed," Harry smiled.
"Thank you, I'm glad someone is," Sirius muttered.
"Harry is easily impressed," Andromeda smiled, hugging him.
"No I'm not-oh my goodness is that treacle tart?!" Harry gasped, sending everyone into gales of laughter, even Sirius.
"To be fair, that does look like a very good tart," Remus chuckled richly.
-0-
"Someone looks happy," Samantha said warmly. "And that is a good observation, not a complaint by any means."
It was Christmas Day and the Potter home was full of people and warmth and laughter. The Potters were there of course and so were the Black-Bones, the Tonkses, the Bells, and the Grangers as well as McGonagall. The others had brought dishes potluck style, potterluck according to some, for lunch and Harry had dinner waiting. They did justice to lunch and had enjoyed presents with each other. The more energetic people had gone out to play in the snow while the others were more than content to relax indoors and watch.
"Every Christmas gets better somehow," Harry said softly. He looked around at all the people, inside and outside, and sighed gustily. "It's wonderful."
"It really is," Samantha said happily. "I love this family tradition. Having all of us together for Christmas. Before, I'd have a panic attack with so much people around and what used to be strangers but now, I look forward to it."
"I'm glad Iris is sociable," Harry smiled, hearing his daughter squeal happily as she was twirled around by a cooing McGonagall. "I don't think she's ever fussed when around family, no matter how tired."
"She conks out so easily, no matter where or who's holding her," Samantha smiled. "As long as you're near or something of yours is near of course."
"Leaving something of mine is part of the bag of necessities for any babysitter now," Harry laughed.
"Are you sure you don't need help with dinner?"
"I have plenty made and waiting and we still have a lot of leftovers from lunch." He smiled at her. "Don't worry. There's a big chicken pie and a ham and mushroom pie and a fish pie, all with your name on them. Seriously, I put a tiny pastry SB on them."
"My favorite son," Samantha praised and kissed him on the cheek.
"Oof!" Harry and Samantha grunted and laughed when Dahlia threw herself on them, still in her wraps. "You're so cold!" Samantha laughed, hugging Dahlia. "Done with playing outdoors?"
Dahlia nodded. "We buried Granddog in the snow and Grandpa Tommy and Grampa Ted and Grandmelia are poking him with things."
"Fantastic," Harry smiled. He took Dahlia when she wriggled into him. "Are you happy, flower?"
She kissed him on the cheek and nestled into him. "I am! Are you happy, Daddy?"
"So very much," he said softly and sincerely.
"I like our Potter traditions," Dahlia said, wiggling.
"So do I," he said, hugging her close.
-0-0-0-
Ghostwriter - Indeed. It's a very Sirius thing though.
odonnellzoo99 - I thought that was funny too. I also still love how Kreacher is in this setting. Genuinely loves Harry and has no qualms sticking it to Sirius. Sirius' head is a perilous place.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Glad you enjoyed it.
alix33 - I made my first bacon sandwich not too long ago. Would recommend.
poka - It was fun to imagine how the mirrors are made and work, especially with lots of them having it in the future parts. They're so useful.
WhatHaveIDiscovered - Glad you want to. Thank you so much.