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

Extended Family

Chapter 147 – Independence

Takes place after Chapter 140 of Family.

"So how's practice been and working with the new team?" Sirius asked.

"Fun and exhausting," Harry said. "Not as hard as some of Captain's practices but still really intensive. Been doing a lot of full work outs and then personal training and drills after. They've been really nice though and I've learned a lot."

"Master Harry works too hard," Kreacher complained as he served Harry breakfast. "Kreacher finds Master Harry passed out and asleep in sitting room after falling out of Floo."

"Really?" Harry said, his eyes wide. "I've been assuming I made it back to my room."

"Kreacher's been taking you up there," Sirius smiled. "I've seen you passed out on the floor a few times before I get you up there, if Kreacher hasn't done it first."

"I'm sorry for making you do that," Harry said apologetically.

"Kreacher does not mind serving Master Harry," Kreacher sniffed. "But team works Master Harry too hard if he is that tired."

"Skye is really far, even for Floo and Apparation," Sirius said. "Practically on the other side of us down here in London. Basically the far north of the United Kingdom." He looked at Harry kindly. "Now don't think I'm trying to kick you out or anything because as long as Grimmauld exists, you have a home here, and even if it doesn't you'll have a home wherever I call home. But have you thought about having a flat in Skye? Somewhere to rest when you're too tired to travel?"

"No, I haven't," Harry said honestly. "Because magical travel isn't usually that bad but it might be nice, or more convenient. Mind if I think about it?"

"Of course, and like I said, you have a home here no matter what," Sirius said. "Just wanted to try and make things easier for you."

"Thanks," Harry said gratefully.

"Andi and Tonks would kill me if I suggested you leave permanently," Sirius said with honest acceptance, no trace of exaggerated jocularity. "Not to mention I'm sure Kreacher would do something." He exchanged cool looks with the House Elf. "Kreacher, did you get rid of all the poisons from when we moved in?"

"Yes Bad Master," Kreacher said as he walked by.

"Good," Sirius said. He frowned. "Kreacher, did you get new poisons after we moved in?"

"Kreacher does not recall," Kreacher demurred, making Harry snort and Sirius look concerned. "Kreacher will check later."

"I better stock up on antidotes," Sirius muttered after Kreacher left the kitchen.

"I'm pretty sure Kreacher won't poison you," Harry smiled.

"He's done it before," Sirius countered.

"Kreacher," Harry said when the House Elf returned, "please don't poison Sirius."

Kreacher stood there for a moment, ears twitching as he stood in deep thought. "Yes Master Harry," he said finally. He gave Sirius a sour look before he left once more, grumbling to himself.

"There, sorted," Harry said with satisfaction.

"I'm still going to stock up on antidotes," Sirius muttered.

-0-

"Goodness, Sirius was not exaggerating," Andromeda remarked. She came to visit and found Harry lying on the sitting room floor, not too far from the hearth. She bent down and patted Harry gently on the cheek after rolling him over. "Harry, love, come on, sleeping on the ground like that is not good for you."

Tonks grinned as Harry groaned wordlessly. "I got him." She bent low and hoisted him over her shoulders in a fireman's carry.

"Whoa!" Harry woke up to that and squirmed a little. "I'm up!"

"I got you," Tonks said as she walked out with Andromeda who looked amused. "Can't let my little bro just lie there."

"It must be a rite of passage into adulthood," Andromeda smiled gently. "I can recall doing the same after Healing training and the first few weeks of Auror Academy sent Dora like that home."

"Oh yeah, boot camp sucked," Tonks remarked. She followed Andromeda into Harry's room and she tossed him onto the bed with a laugh.

"Thanks," Harry said, laughing wearily as he bounced on the bed. "Sorry."

"You been eating okay?" Tonks asked worriedly. "I can throw you around a bit easier."

"Maybe you got stronger," Harry grinned.

"That's true too," she laughed.

"Have you thought more about having a place out in Skye?" Andromeda asked. She saw the hesitation in his eyes and expression. "Surely Sirius told you that you are not being kicked out or any of that other worry."

"He did, he made that clear and I was appreciative," Harry said. "I don't know. I mean, I guess I'm just being silly about it. I guess I'm just a little worried about being so far away from everyone and being on my own."

Andromeda sat beside him and put an arm around his shoulders. "I understand that. It is scary to contemplate."

"Yeah, when I got my little place, I was feeling it too," Tonks said, sitting on his other side. "I still went home every other night and my place is barely a few minutes away from Mum and Daddy."

"I guess I need to grow up a little and be an adult," Harry said softly.

"Nah, you don't have to grow up at all," Tonks said airily. "I still find fart jokes hilarious."

"Growing up and maturing are two distinctly different things," Andromeda sniffed while Harry and Tonks laughed. She smiled at them. "But Dora is not wrong. Sadly." She snorted and pushed her daughter who enlarged her mouth and eyes in faux shock, making her hair turn snow white. "You can mature at your own pace, as long as it does not interfere with your life. But growing up is inevitable. That said, you can determine the degree of your independence that you find comfortable."

"Thanks," Harry smiled. He released a deep breath. "Would you mind helping me?"

"Of course not, I am delighted to help," Andromeda smiled warmly.

"Yeah, we'll find you an awesome place and bachelor pad," Tonks said excitedly.

"What does that mean?" Harry asked indignantly.

"That we find you a cool and nice and comfy place for me to hide from Mum," Tonks said. "And all the happening parties you throw and all that."

"Okay to the former, not so much to the latter, and we know what Auntie Andi says to the middle bit," Harry laughed.

"As if I cannot find you when needed to," Andromeda snorted.

"Hey, you haven't found me in ages," Tonks countered.

"But now I have the best bait," Andromeda smiled, looking at Harry lovingly.

"You're not wrong," Tonks said, hugging Harry tightly who returned the gesture tenfold.

-0-

"Skye is very lovely," Andromeda admired. She, Samantha, and Harry had come out to the island on one of their day's off to look for flats for Harry. Rolling hills and cliffs looked out over the sea and it had a rugged but pleasant landscape that was natural and beautiful. The water ebbed and flowed around and the sky was as blue as the sea with soft cottony clouds drifting lazily about.

"Now we have a good reason to come often to visit," Samantha smiled. "What is the population of Portree like?"

"Mostly Muggle but there is a very large magical community here," Harry said. "Centered around the Quidditch team of course, but there are plenty who commute to work in London or other places as well. There's a nice magical market here too. I think most of the magical families that live in this part of Scotland come here. And the majority of them get along with the Muggles here really well."

"Smaller communities tend to have better relations with their Muggle counterparts here," Andromeda said. "Out of tradition and necessity. Hiding their magical natures of course but having more positive relations with Muggles. Of course, depends on the community. Some definitely are far more contentious and have had terrible history."

"Coach and Captain Tanya gave me a few places to go to for flats," Harry said.

"Then let's go!" Samantha said enthusiastically. The trio met with the local housing agent who showed them all sorts of different places available to rent. He was not pushy and was very excited to meet Harry formally, being a big fan of the Pride of Portree. They toured several small places before coming to a building that was beside the pitch, Portree Port.

"This flat actually just opened up," the agent said as he opened the door. "It's a touch smaller than the others and slightly irregularly shaped, but the view is wonderful." He proudly showed the small balcony that looked out onto the sea. "You're on the top floor and in the corner, so no one above you and on the other side. Single bedroom but the sitting room here is quite nice and connected with the kitchen through a counter so it feels bigger. All the usual amenities and a hearth that is Floo capable."

"Is there a stable apparition point?" Andromeda asked.

"Right there." He pointed to a small stand of trees in the garden alongside the building. "Normal anti-Muggle charms and protections. A very stable anchor point as well."

"I could probably fly my broom from the balcony to the pitch and back," Harry laughed.

"You could!" the agent said happily. "You have a direct flight path as you see, but of course you should disillusion yourself or some other charms to not be noticed by Muggles. I have a few more places I could show you but I think this is the best of the lot. And the previous occupant just left. This wasn't even on the market when we first made our appointment for today."

"I'd like to chat with them a bit if you don't mind," Harry said.

"Not at all," the agent smiled. "I will just pop to the corner store for a cup of tea. Would anyone else like one?" He left them there after leaving the keys to the flat on the counter.

"I love the view," Samantha said. "And it does feel very nice."

"Having a Floo capable hearth in a smaller flat this size is a rarity," Andromeda said. "And a stable apparition anchor point nearby is very nice."

"I like the kitchen. It's small but with the open counter to sit at, It feels bigger," Harry said. "This feels nice. And I think the price is reasonable."

"I think so too," Andromeda nodded.

"Do you think Katie would like it?" Harry asked.

"I'm sure she would," Samantha smiled. "But this is your place, Harry. You shouldn't worry about that."

"But I want to," Harry said. "I mean, not worry, but think of her too. Especially when she comes home," he added, feeling shy.

Samantha hugged him soundly. "Such a good boy," she said gustily. "Let me check the closet space." She laughed when they did. "Yup, very big master closet. She'll be fine," she said with a big wink.

"And with the Floo hearth, home is but a moment away," Andromeda said warmly.

"Want to check the others out?" Samantha asked.

Harry looked around and shook his head. "No, I think this is the place. Great open view, I can see the pitch and stadium easily, and Floo here. I think I'll take it." He smiled at them. "Thanks for helping me so much. I really appreciate it."

"Of course, you're our boy," Samantha said stoutly.

"Just because you are not in the same home does not mean you are not ours," Andromeda said, kissing him on the cheek.

-0-

"Ooooh I like it a lot," Alicia said.

Harry had signed the lease for the flat and it was officially his. The agent had given him a very good deal with the building's owner. In fact, the owner had even lowered the fee after finding out that the new reserve Seeker was renting it and was over the moon when they met him. The Portree team were happy to hear that Harry would have a local place too.

Kreacher had come to clean the place thoroughly within moments of the lease being signed. In fact, Harry had walked into the flat and was surprised to see it being cleaned by Kreacher without his knowing. Kreacher had said he had felt Harry's magic when Harry took ownership. Harry had pitched in, much to Kreacher's reluctance, and the place was very clean within a very short time.

Harry told his friends of his new place and they all came to see it as soon as they could.

"I love the view," Alicia said, nodding with approval as she looked out of the windows. "Small, but in a cozy way."

"I don't need a lot of space, I can go back to Grimmauld for that," Harry smiled. "I like how open the rooms feel though."

"Yeah, it feels good," Oliver said honestly. "Just perfect for you Sir Harry."

"It's a little bare right now," Angelina teased. The rooms were empty save for a roost stand by the window.

"We're going shopping for furniture in a day or two," Harry laughed. "Sirius offered for me to take my room's stuff now but I kinda like keeping it at Grimmauld. He also said there's stuff I can go through there to bring over and I might, depending on what it is I guess."

"We'll help you decorate," Fred and George said.

"And then we will help you redecorate," Alicia said.

"Ouch," the twins said with exaggerated winces. "You don't trust our fashion sense?"

"I wouldn't even if you had any," Alicia sniffed.

"Hey, we have fashion sense," George complained.

"Yeah, it's just as sharp as our other senses," Fred complained.

"That's not saying much with how hard of hearing you two are," Angelina frowned.

"We have excellent hearing," they said together.

"We hear just fine," George continued.

"Listening, well, that's up to debate," Fred conceded.

"To give them some credit," Angelina said, "their flat above the Wheezes is nice."

"Which we helped decorate and move them in," Alicia replied.

"Oh right, fair point," Angelina agreed.

"No, unfair point," the twins disagreed.

"When are you officially moving in?" Oliver asked.

"I don't know if I'll have a big move in date. I guess I'll just move things in when I can and just settle as I do," Harry said.

"Makes sense. Well let us know when you are and we can have a proper housewarming," Oliver said warmly.

-0-

"Nice place," Tracy said. "Gosh that's a pretty view."

"It really is," Hermione agreed.

Harry had brought over a few things and his other friends had come with him to help. Sirius, Samantha, and Andromeda had helped him go through the furniture that Grimmauld had a lot of and then helped him order some new ones that he liked. He was getting things set up when the others came.

"My goodness, that couch is massive," Daphne remarked. The sitting room was dominated by a very large couch that was very deep at the base. "Why did you get something so large?"

"Well I don't have a spare room here so I thought it'd be nice to have this really big couch for people staying over," Harry smiled.

"Oh nice, that's looking ahead," Ron said. "And I won't put my feet on it," he added, giving Hermione a look.

"It's very comfortable," Luna smiled as she sat on it.

"And there she goes," Hermione smiled as Luna laid down and curled into a ball, falling asleep. "She did just get back from overseas though."

"It is what the couch is for," Harry smiled as he tucked Luna in with a blanket.

-0-

The little flat was filled with people. Harry had finally fully moved in and after some careful planning around various busy schedules, he had a housewarming party. The others had gleefully come and brought little things to make the flat feel more of a home for him as well as adding thoughtful little contributions.

True to their words, the twins decorated the flat with various Quidditch posters and things with help from Oliver, Ron, and Ginny. Alicia and Angelina had redecorated on top of that and brought comfortable pillows and things. Luna put in a planter box on his balcony full of flowers including some sunflowers as well as adding several framed drawings. Hermione, Tracy, and Daphne filled his bookcase with things while Lyla and Mirabelle brought him fun new dishware. Sirius and Amelia with the Tonkses, the Bells, and the Grangers had also finished furnishing his place with him and even though it was still a brand-new place, it felt just right to him.

As he laid down to sleep that night, after everyone left, he felt a little odd. The whole flat felt oddly constricting for a moment despite how large and open it was. The silence was heavy and loud, weighing down on him and he took a shuddering breath.

He blinked as a tiny light came to life on the candle on his nightstand. He smiled as he smelled a sweet scent fill the air and letters glowed on the candle itself. He put his glasses back on and smiled as he read the simple message from Katie. He wrote one back and felt more at ease.

Fluttering wings made him look up and Hedwig flapped into the room. She flew around a few times before landing on the bed beside him, barking with approval. She nibbled on his fingers lovingly before nipping his nose and then settled in her bed that was beside his, hooting comfortably.

He took off his glasses, putting them carefully on the small wooden owl glasses holder that Percy made for him so many years ago, and almost immediately fell into a comfortable sleep.

At peace.

-0-0-0-

odonnellzoo99 - She sure can. She's the best.

poka - I like the 'A Day of' series. It's fun looking into the other parts of the Wizarding World and exploring them while letting a different character have the spotlight for a chapter. Dahlia is the best, same with Hedwig.

alix33 - Poor Bailey. At least she got plenty of Dally time later. I want to make a chicken and ham pie myself one day.

TheSphynx - I probably won't go that route but it is an interesting idea.

Ghostwriter - Thank you. She needed it.