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

Extended Family

Chapter 131 – Wind Rider

Takes place after chapter 125.

"Potter! Get in here!"

"Yes Coach?" Harry peeked into the office. "I swear, I didn't know anything about the trunk."

"Have a seat and- wait, what trunk?" Miranda asked.

Harry sat down. "Trunk? What trunk?"

Miranda scowled at him. "You better hope that nothing happens to me because of a trunk because if it does, I'm holding you liable too."

"Nothing will happen to you that is from a trunk," Harry said. "Unless you accidentally happen on a suspicious trunk and if that happens, it was Sam and Oliver."

"Of course it is," Miranda sighed. She rubbed her eyes. "Sometimes I feel like I should stop them."

"But then you wouldn't get your cut of the betting pool," Harry said prosaically. "And you said it's good for morale."

"Yes, that too," Miranda snorted. "Anyways, that's not why I told you to come in." She picked up a very fancy looking scroll off of her desk. "I have something for you." She tossed it to him and he caught it easily.

He undid the fancy ribbon binding and unfurled it, starting to read. After he read the first part, he looked up at her in shock. "Is this for real?"

"It is, confirmed it myself," Miranda smiled. "Congrats! This is huge."

"I'll say," Harry gasped. "I can't believe it."

"Since it's in writing, you can believe it," Miranda said comfortably. "And it comes at a good time. Regular season's over so you'll have time to train and put in a good showing. Providing you want to of course and well, you really want to."

"I mean, I don't need to have someone slap my name or something close onto something," Harry said slowly.

"No, you don't," she snorted. "You're the most un-egotistical Seeker I have ever met in my entire career. Which works because we have one of the most egotistical ones on the team so there's a nice balance." She raised her voice. "The so-called something of Skye!"

"I AM THE QUEEN OF SKYE!" Shelia shouted back, her voice echoing clearly from the locker room.

Harry grinned and Miranda snorted. "Anyways," Miranda continued, "you're going to do it for three reasons."

"This I've got to hear," Harry smiled.

"One, imagine the publicity this will bring to the team and the Portree Program," Miranda said, eyes shining.

"Okay, that's fair," he conceded.

"Two, your teammates and friends and family always want you to shine," Miranda said. "Including me and not just because of the publicity. Because I genuinely like you and believe you should be lauded."

"Aww, thanks Coach," Harry said, touched. "Also fair."

"And last but not least," Miranda leaned over and smiled, "because you want to see how you stack against the other flyers and be the best."

"I thought you said I wasn't egotistical," Harry laughed, cheeks pink.

"No, I said you were the least egotistical," she corrected. "You still have an ego. Just a small one that you usually keep under control. But you know you're a damn good flyer and while you don't need to rub it into other people's faces on a daily basis, you want to be a damn good flyer and prove that you are one of the best damn good flyers there is."

Harry smiled. "Okay, you're right. Three for three."

"Told you," she said smugly. "So…what's the word?"

"Let me double-check with Katie and the others. She is pregnant after all."

"She's going to be the first to get you to do it," Miranda snorted. "But good on you for being a good husband and father. Not that any can say otherwise of course. Also you know you can use our facilities to train and we'll help you."

"Thanks. Yeah, I'll bring it up with the others tonight." He looked at the scroll in his hands with reverence. "It's a great honor to even be invited."

"It's an even better honor to win," Miranda winked.

"Do you ever get tired of pushing me to do things like this?" Harry asked, half-joking.

"Not at all. It's refreshing. Though I worry more about you doing some fool thing on the broomstick during games."

"Isn't me doing this sort of encouraging that?" he asked mildly.

"Not terribly smart of you to antagonize your coach over something like this," she said shortly, giving him a look.

"I never said I was intelligent," he grinned.

"No, just a manageable ego," Miranda snorted. "Unlike some people."

Shelia showed up at the door, hair still wet from the shower and she glared. "Who besmirches the Queen's good name?!"

"Me! And you're dripping all over my things! Get out!" Miranda shouted.

"Not until you recognize my royalty!"

"Your arse will recognize my foot in a second!"

"Squire! Defend your Queen!"

"I'm not getting between you two," Harry said, laughing and dodging past Shelia into the hallway.

-0-

"I don't know if it's the fact that this baby is number three, but I'm not that uncomfortable," Katie said, rubbing her abdomen lightly.

Harry smiled as he watched Dahlia run around with Iris chasing her. "Or maybe our first two are especially energetic."

"That too," Katie laughed. She smiled when Hedwig fluttered over and settled on her stomach. "Thank you, pretty lady," Katie said, rubbing Hedwig's belly. Hedwig cheeped and wiggled comfortably on Katie's stomach, fluffing up. "This one does feel a bit more calm."

"Thank goodness," Harry said and he and Katie laughed. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Is this about what Coach called you for today?"

"Yup." He walked over and handed her the scroll. Katie unfurled it and held it open behind Hedwig and the owl's head turned around so she could read with Katie. After Katie finished, she looked at Harry with sparkling eyes. "That's so cool! You're doing it."

Harry laughed. "Just like that?"

"Just like that," Katie said and Hedwig nodded in agreement.

"It'll take a lot of my time and energy though," Harry said slowly.

"Oh please. Third baby. And I'm not even that far along yet. Plus we got everyone to help and I do mean everyone. Once you tell McGonagall about it, she'll stop your mastery work willingly. This is an amazing opportunity; you have to do it!" Katie's smile was broad and proud and Hedwig nodded emphatically.

Harry grinned. "You're the best, you know that?"

"I do," Katie smiled. "Plus this is going to be amazing to watch." She laughed. "You already won the title in the Village, why not make it official on a grander scale?"

"You know this will encourage me to do things you normally don't approve of, right?" he asked.

Katie frowned slightly. "Okay, well, you can do it carefully." She snorted at Hedwig's flat look. "More carefully than normal," Katie amended.

"I'll try," Harry smiled.

"I've heard that before," Katie laughed.

-0-

"I've got something to announce," Harry said that night. The Village had gathered to eat dinner together and Harry had raised his voice during a lull in the conversations.

"You're double pregnant?" Alicia gasped, looking at Katie. She snickered when Katie threw a napkin at her.

"That sounds horrific," Angelina laughed.

"To be fair, you look kinda pregnant," George observed.

Harry patted his shirt front and Hedwig hooted, her sounds slightly muffled by his shirt. "She had too much ice cream apparently," Harry laughed. "No, but it's almost as cool. I've been invited to compete in the Wind Rider!"

"What's that?" Dora asked. "Sounds fancy."

Oliver took the scroll from Harry and read it. "Whoa this is amazing Sir Harry!" he exclaimed. "The Wind Rider is being held by The Firebolt Broom Company! It's a competition involving the best flyers in the United Kingdom and the winner will name their next broom and help test it!"

"That's so exciting!" Hermione exclaimed while the others cheered, especially the children. Her smile turned into a frown. "Wait. You're going to do something stupid, aren't you?"

"Define stupid," Harry said, frowning back.

"Something that no sane person should ever do on the ground on their two feet, much less anyone on a broom in the air," Hermione defined.

"That might not happen," Harry said slowly.

"Daddy's the best!" Dahlia and Iris cried and the other children agreed loudly. "It was proven!"

"The best at being an idiot on a broom," Alicia said severely. "Hey!" She fended off the children that attacked her, poking and pinching her before they fled squealing when Alicia's shot water at them with her wand.

"Hey if you get them a few times directly, that's bath time," Angelina smiled. "And I think we have to give Rabbit a little leeway here. He has to be the best flyer to win this and being the best flyer means you have to push the limit a little." She gave him a severe look. "But only a little leeway. Like, miniscule." She snorted and pushed his face away when he tried to look innocent.

"What is the criterion for the best flyer in their opinion?" Daphne asked.

"Surprisingly similar to what the bunnies and Hermione came up with," Katie said. "Speed, agility, and flair."

"I'm going to work on my agility," Harry said. "Do a lot of course work and things like that. I think that's my weakest of the three right now."

"We can help with that," Oliver said enthusiastically.

"You'll have a little more than a month to prepare," Luna said, reading the scroll.

"I can put in a good showing," Harry said confidently. "And if someone else is better, then that's what it is. But I'll do my best."

"I think you'll do better than most," Tracy said.

"Yeah, let's do this!" Angelina said brightly.

-0-

"You know, you wouldn't expect her to do that when you watch them on a normal basis," Hermione said, looking up into the sky.

Hedwig was helping Harry agility train. The owl followed him like a homing missile that would not be deterred. She dove at him constantly, banking sharply and then charging him from all angles, hooting and barking. Harry dove left and right, up and down, twisting in mid-air in many attempts at dodging her wings and talons and beak. He barely leveled out half the time, constantly twisting. He even had to literally bend backwards and do pin-point turns to avoid her.

"She takes flying seriously," Katie said, looking on with approval.

"He's getting better, dodging successfully three out of five times looks like," Alicia said.

The watchers chuckled and laughed when Hedwig managed to headbutt him clean between the shoulders, latching onto him and pecking the back of his head and hooting with glee as he tried to shake her off.

"I should stop complaining when she comes after me," Angelina mused. "She isn't this insistent when she does."

Fleur shook her head when Harry did a sustained barrel roll, shaking Hedwig off. Hedwig flapped wildly, tumbling slightly until Harry spun and caught her neatly, steading her. After a grateful nuzzle, the owl resumed the training, chasing him and barking instructions at him. "He has gotten better. It is incredible."

"Well, we better get ready," Fred said, pulling his gloves on and tying the laces tight.

"I still don't feel good about hitting Bludgers at Captain," Mirabelle said.

"Just remember all the hard times he put you through at school," Ginny snorted.

"And at least you don't live here," George said. He looked over at the cheering children. "You don't have to worry about your safety as a consequence of hitting Bludgers at Harry."

"You mean his Baronship," Jimmy chuckled.

"Isn't this a bit much?" Daphne asked. "Three Bludgers with three teams of Beaters?"

"He suggested it," Nathan said, shrugging. He threw a nervous look at Dahlia.

"Normally I wouldn't do it but this is Harry and if anyone could, it would be him," Tanya said. "Also, I'm really curious to see what happens."

-0-

I'm no longer curious," Tanya groaned. "Thanks Katie."

Katie finished incanting. "You're welcome. I don't think I've ever seen you pegged by the Bludger before like that.

Watching Harry evade the three Bludgers and the three Beater teams had been very entertaining. At first Harry had to fly so erratically, it made everyone laugh. Much like the Hedwig training, he was constantly diving and dodging, jinking around to avoid the magical missiles. Soon however, he found his groove and managed to fly in paths that fouled shots and errant shots forced the Beaters to dodge or abort hits. There was a spectacular moment where he managed to get two Bludgers to hit each other and they ricocheted loudly. One nearly hit Fred in the face, making him scream and dive sharply, the wind shear knocking him off his broom and him landing heavily on his rear. The other bounced off Jimmy and hit a glancing shot on Tanya, forcing her off her broom too.

"Yeah it's been a bit," Tanya wheezed. "Still, something I want to play with in the future, that ricochet shot. Not nearly a guarantee but boy if you can pull it off, it's impressive."

"Where did he learn that?!" Alicia cried. Harry had seen the Bludger coming for him as he leveled out. Unable to take an evasive flight path, he had slipped halfway off the broom itself, leaning dangerously to the left and hooking his right leg to remain stable. The Bludger had flown through where he was mere moments ago and Harry pulled himself up hard and twisted, settling back into the seated position.

"Oh I recognize that," Luna said. "When we watched those videos about American Cowboy trick riding. For when they ride horses. At Jean and David's home."

"They shouldn't be encouraging Harry!" Hermione shouted.

"To be fair, they probably didn't think he would try or learn how to take a completely different thing and apply it to flying," Luna said. "Though, we probably should by now."

"We're not going to survive watching this, are we?" Daphne snorted.

"Neither will he after because we're going to kill him," Alicia snorted.

-0-

"Hello everyone and thank you for coming to the Wind Rider competition! I'm Kenneth Gapboat and it is an honor and a pleasure to be announcing for you today!" Kenneth's voice rang out over the countryside and the cheers of the crowds filled the air.

The Firebolt Company managed to secure a large space in the English countryside and with the aid of the Ministry and talented specialists, sectioned it off magically like they did for the World Cup years ago. Plenty of wards and enchantments kept Muggles and prying eyes away and many magicals were there to enjoy the coming show and competition. Stands were set up with large mirrors to reflect the action and other groups clustered around in little camps to support their favorite.

Luna designed a symbol for Harry. With Sirius and Portree's backing, they made Harry robes of midnight black and his symbol was a snowy owl constellation made of white stars, surrounded by a ring of Portree gold stars. Everyone supporting Harry wore it as a badge or bandanna or waved it as a flag or banner with many of them wearing jerseys of it as well.

Portree came out together to support their teammate with their families as well as the families of the barony/village and Harry's closest friends. His year-mates from Gryffindor were there too, as well as some other good friends. Consequently, his supporting group was massive and it made his heart warm when he saw just how many people were there to support him.

"We got an army here," George grinned.

"Means if we have to settle this with a fight, we got it," Fred laughed.

"He's got his work cut out for him," Elizabeth frowned. "They really got the best flyers from every team in the UK. There're even some pro-racers here."

"Daddy's the best!" Dahlia said stoutly, echoed by the other children.

"How is the competition going to be run?" Jean asked.

"They have an agility course, where they have to hit the floating rings in a specific order," Hermione said. "Then there is a speed course which will be a similar task but more based on speed. Then there is a race that combines both with all the competitors. Finally, they have a free fly where they have a set time to show off their abilities."

"He's been training hard, he'll do great," Katie said.

"Will it be good enough?" Samantha fretted.

"We'll just have to wait and see," Andromeda sighed.

-0-

Harry had been chosen at random to go first for the Agility Course. It was very similar to how they set it up at Portree and at the Village. Large floating rings dotted the sky and flying through it or tagging it both counted, but flying through counted for more points. Some were stationary and some moved and the order of the rings were mixed up somewhat.

Half-way through the course, missiles were launched at them. They were large balls that exploded on impact, shooting off colored powder that clung to the flyer. Despite all the changes and the punishing nature of the course itself, Harry managed to do very well, setting a high bar with a low time and he had flown through every ring.

"That's not fair," Mirabelle growled when he rejoined them. "They only showed you the course layout before but not the other stuff! Now the others who watched have an advantage."

"You should have a pathfinder bonus," Alicia agreed.

Harry shrugged slightly as he picked up Dahlia and Iris. "Yeah, but that's the danger of these things, I guess. I didn't get tagged once and barely got powdered." His black robes had traces of the colored powder. "I think I set a decent start."

"You actually did," Oliver said. "They estimated an average speed of three minutes with an average score of 97.5 points. You hit two minutes thirty with a score of 125. You got them rattled. They're going to have to do a lot to try and catch up."

They watched as the others took their turns. Some set higher speeds but earned less points overall by not flying through the rings. Others were able to fly through them but were slower because of it. At the end of the Agility Course, Harry was firmly in the top three with a good time and maximum points earned.

He once again secured a spot in the top three after the Speed Course. Here the rings were spaced out and larger and flyers had to fly through them. They were forced to fly over a larger course and the rings moved as well. One ring had moved far enough for Harry to miss it and he had to double-back to go through it to count. Despite that error, he secured a good time.

"Billets from Appleby will be the one to beat," Tanya muttered. "Him and Pates."

"Pates is so fast," Miranda said, shaking her head. "That's a pro racer for you though."

"They're neck and neck though. Harry's still got this." Katie smiled at the sight of Harry sitting on the ground, covered by the children with Hedwig roosting on his head.

"Others want to drink or stuff themselves or nap to recharge," Angelina sighed softly.

"They're his energy all right," Alicia smiled.

"I wonder what he will name the broom when he wins," Colette said.

"Do not jinx him," Fleur said, slapping her friend on the stomach. "Victory is not assured!"

"Perhaps your faith is wanting!" Colette said back, smacking Fleur too.

"No need to invite the possibility of it!"

"He won't name it after himself," Sirius said. He started laughing hysterically. "James absolutely would if given the chance!"

"Oh yes, he would love the opportunity to hear that there were plenty of people riding him," Remus laughed, wiping tears from his eyes.

Luna's serene smile turned mischievous and she started giggling. "Perhaps people would fly higher if they mounted a Harry broom and flew it about the pitch."

Shrieks of laughter burst from a majority of them while others looked on, confused and appalled.

"I beg your pardon?!"Apolline gasped.

"Colette said it when we visited for the Triwizard," Fleur hiccupped, tears streaming from her eyes.

"I did not! I said that it was not like I was going to mount him like a broomstick and fly him about the pitch!"Colette protested. "Before we learned how very protective the girls were of him."

"Luna said what she said," Katie said, laughing and clinging onto Samantha for support.

"Why are they laughing so hard?" Hailey asked, looking over at them.

Harry shrugged. "They're just being silly I guess."

-0-

A chorus of boos rained from all over.

"What was that?!" Oliver shouted. "Foul!"

The Race Event had just started and as soon as the horn sounded, two of the competitors had crowded Harry down and he had to land hard to avoid a crash. The others took advantage of the situation and zoomed ahead and Harry was at the back of the pack. He fought hard to catch up and it was apparent that a few of the racers were content at ruining his time in exchange of their own.

The boos were not just from his family and friends either. Other watchers voiced their displeasure and Kenneth's voice was full of censure. "Unsportsmanlike attitudes there!" he shouted and the crowd agreed loudly. "Unfortunately not against the rules since the organizers had assumed that all the competitors would act with bare civility and what should be common courtesy!"

"It's not like he has the advantage of the broom either! They all have firebolts!" Angelina cupped her hands. "KILL THEM RABBIT! KILL THEM DEAD!"

Harry gritted his teeth and pushed on, dodging around the people in his way. He waited for his chance and as two people in front of them separated just enough, he leaned low over his broom and put on a burst of speed. Him rocketing to them from behind made them peel apart out of reflex and he blasted through, not stopping. The wind trail he left pushed them away and he swiftly caught up to the front. The damage was done however and he came in second behind Pates.

Before they released the results, the judges met with the competitors and there was a lot of arguing and arm waving. Harry had remained quiet the entire time, not even looking at the ones who had brought him down and interfered with him. When asked for his opinion, he gave it and the judges nodded and made their decision.

"What was their excuses?" Tracy asked when Harry rejoined them.

"They wouldn't admit to anything other than that what they did wasn't against the rules technically," Harry said. He was clearly irritated and upset but he took a deep breath and released it with his feelings.

"Bullshite. They were gunning for you and they weren't trying to win," Ginny growled.

Harry nodded in agreement. "The judges asked if I wanted them to be kicked out. I said it's already at the end, we only have the free fly left. I said let them compete and we'll see who's the best no matter what. They agreed to it but knocked them down to the bottom by taking points away and they're banned from future competitions run by the company."

"That's the bare minimum of what they should do," Sirius snorted.

"Yeah. And they said I'll go last for the free fly to make up for things." Harry rolled his shoulders. "I'm pissed but it is what it is. I'm still top three."

"You got this," Katie said, hugging him firmly. "Even the baby knows you got it."

Harry's features softened as he touched Katie's abdomen, feeling their baby kick inside. "Such a good baby already."

Katie smiled and kissed him. "Remember why you're doing this."

"Because everyone wanted me to?" he asked with a teasing smile and tone.

She laughed and kissed him again. "Yes. Also because you are the best flyer we know."

-0-

A hush ran over the crowd. "And now, last but not least, Harry Potter is coming up for his Free Fly Exhibition," Kenneth said. "I have had the pleasure of seeing Harry fly for many years now. When I first saw him as a part of Team England at the end of his rookie year, I knew he was a great flyer and player. He has only gotten better as the years have passed and it is a genuine honor to see him here today. Everyone, a round of applause for Harry Potter!"

Harry smiled and waved with one hand, holding his broom with the other. In the beginning, such adulation and applause would have embarrassed him utterly. Granted, sometimes it still did here and there, but he was more used to it now. He never chased it like some did, craved it like some were. He enjoyed it, seeing it as appreciation for what he did for others. The entertainment and joy he brought them.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, marshalling his thoughts. The Free Fly was the part that had given him the most pause. He had a routine worked out, showcasing his abilities, and had practiced it many times. His friends and teammates had given him pointers and the like and he knew it was a good one.

The other competitors had done well overall. Pates had flown fast and well, showing off her sharp cuts and turns and put on a dazzling speed. Billets had done a modified agility course once more and had dodged fire as well as Bludgers, showing off amazing control. Everyone had shown good flying and creativity.

Harry opened his eyes and looked at his friends and family. They waved and cheered but he did not hear them. All he heard was the wind and his own heartbeat. He looked down at his broom and felt it quiver in his hand. All of a sudden, he smiled. "We've been through a lot, haven't we?" he asked his broom.

The broom twitched in his grip.

"Years and years, ever since I was thirteen," Harry said, his smile growing.

The broomstick warmed in his hands.

"Let's give them a show, shall we?" he asked. He looked over at the people he loved. "Let's show them what we can do."

The Firebolt shuddered, eager to go.

Harry spun the broom in his hand, turning it around and around before he snapped it in an overhand grip, holding it like a javelin, cocked over his right shoulder. He ran sideways a few steps and threw it hard, sending it flying. As the crowd and watchers gasped in confusion, he ran after it, watching it fly away. He held his hand up, palm flat, and the broomstick stopped its flight and zoomed back to him eagerly and happily.

"It's just like his first World Cup game!" Kenneth shouted and everyone cheered. "He managed to summon the broom back then in mid-air and he's doing it again now!"

Instead of catching it and mounting it, Harry held his hand palm down and the Firebolt zoomed to rest there, ready to be grabbed. Harry leapt as the broom came to him and clamped down on the saddle and the broom continued to zoom, sending them straight into the air at an incredibly sharp angle. Despite seeing the cheering crowd, Harry still only heard the wind, his heartbeat, but now could hear his broom hum. He climbed and climbed into the air and at the top of the world, he laughed and the Firebolt laughed with him.

-0-

"He's not following the routine," Luna said, looking through her omnioculars.

"Oh no, he's gone off course," Alicia groaned.

"What is he doing?" Angelina whispered.

Cheers and screams came from the crowd as Harry rocketed to earth at a 90-degree angle, plummeting straight down. He pulled up at the very last second, flying with a scant few inches between the broom and the ground. He flew over the ground in a large circle, slowly turning it into a spiral and the circle shrank as he came to the center.

"I don't know if my heart can withstand this," Jean said, clutching her chest.

"He's not even sitting on it!" Samantha cried. "His feet would be hitting the ground if he was!"

"Harry's surfing the broom once more!" Kenneth confirmed, shouting with admiration with the crowd joining him. "What control!"

Once he reached the center of the spiral, Harry rose high into the air, standing fully on his broom. He swayed back and forth, his left foot was balanced on the ball while his right foot balanced on the heel. He moved slightly and the broom responded, keeping him upright with little effort.

"Wait a second." Hermione frowned even more severely and her eyes narrowed. "That doesn't look like his normal surfing-" Her voice was drowned by screams and cheers.

"Jumping Jackalopes!" Kenneth shouted. "Harry just spun his broom around with his feet! He kicked it and the broom flipped completely around! His feet were off of it with him so high in the air! He's doing it again and now he's balanced on one foot and the broom is gliding!"

"AAAAAAAAHHHH!" Hermione screamed, pointing with her finger first at Harry and then her father. "YOU SHOWED HIM SKATEBOARDING TRICKS?!"

"He was interested!" David shouted shakily as Hermione grabbed him by the shirt front and shook him. "I didn't know he would do this! I didn't know he could do that sort of thing on a broom!"

"I am going to kill him," McGonagall gasped.

"Oh my goodness, look at Hedwig," Katie said, pointing.

Hedwig's eyes were wide and round as she stared up at the sky. Her beak was open and hanging and she glared up at Harry. The feathers beneath her right eye twitched and after Harry did a complete loop while still surfing his broom, she started screeching loudly. She flapped her wings irately and stomped the table that she was standing on, scolding and shouting.

"You tell him Mama Bird!" Samantha shouted too.

"What is he doing now?" Alicia groaned when Harry flew down at a slightly more reasonable height. He began to move in a slightly odd way, his legs moving but feet planted. The broom swayed with his movements and Harry flew gracefully but slightly strangely, swaying and gliding.

Andromeda smiled. "He is dancing. That is a waltz."

"Only Harry could literally dance in the air," Fleur smiled.

At the sound of the horn, Harry leapt off and landed lightly on the ground, his broom drifting to his hand. He bowed and waved and smiled as the watchers jumped to their feet, screaming and cheering and clapping. As he rose from his bow, he ducked again as Hedwig flew right as his head and he fled towards his family group with everyone now laughing at the sight of Harry fleeing from his owl.

"You are in so much trouble!" Katie said when he dodged behind her. "Get him Hedwig!"

"What possessed you do to that?!" Andromeda shouted as she grabbed him by the ear, letting Hedwig latch onto his collar and peck him hard.

Harry grinned weakly, limply trying to fend off Hedwig's pecking and wincing from Andromeda's grip. "I took one look at you all here for me and I was inspired."

"We inspire you to take risks and be a prat?!" Alicia shouted.

"No! When I see you, I feel like I can do anything," Harry said. His smile turned sheepish. "That I can be my best and when I see everyone and think of you, it feels like flying to me."

"Well, you just had to ruin our justified anger by saying something that sweet," Apolline grumbled, softening.

Hedwig bit him hard on the ear one last time before plumping down on his shoulder and fluffing up, hooting softly, looking proud and exasperated in equal measure.

"Well, there's no doubt who won," Oliver smiled as the crowd continued to shout and talk about what they just watched.

"There really isn't," Harry said, his arms around his daughters and his wife and his smile from ear to ear.

-0-

"How's the broom testing?" George asked a few weeks later.

"It's still under design for now," Harry said. He set a platter down on the outside dinner table. "And you all should be happy to know that I am asking for and helping fund additional safety measures." He smiled at their collective snorts. "So far, they really only asked me one major thing and we came to an agreement on it."

"The name?" Hermione clapped her hands at his nod. "What did you decide on? Can you tell us?"

"Sure, just don't tell anyone else. They wanted to call it a LightningBolt for obvious reasons and I said no thank you for equally obvious reasons." They all laughed at that. "ThunderBolt was kind of a cool name too but I think they like what I decided on."

"The HarryBolt?" Luna asked, making them howl with laughter.

"The HarryWood?" the twins asked to more hilarity.

"Ugh, no," Harry retched. "No, we're calling it the SnowBolt. It's going to have a white broom top with a speckled pattern and the symbol will be this." He sketched out a flower.

"Oh that is pretty." Daphne looked at him. "Is that a snowbell?"

"It sure is," Harry said. He smiled when Katie wrapped her arms around him and Hedwig plumped onto his shoulder.

"You're so sappy," Angelina laughed.

"I like what I like," Harry said. "My friends and my family and flying."

"I'm surprised there wasn't a treacle tart in there somewhere," Alicia teased.

"They shot down the TreacleBolt sadly, same with the TartBolt," Harry said with faux-disappointment and their laughter rang out, lasting for a very long time.

-0-0-0-

odonnellzoo99 - I thought it would be a lot of fun to introduce the bunnies to the professors at large. Snape's was as delightfully awkward as I hoped it would be. Yeah, but I agree, magical longevity. Glad you enjoyed it.

Kaya - Thank you so much.

poka - I think each interaction had the feeling I wanted it to have to match the temperments of the professors. It was a lot of fun to write.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Glad you liked it.

Ghostwriter - Thank you.