I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Hello everyone! I'm back from my trip and here is the latest update. I didn't get any writing while gone so I'm hoping I can catch up soon to maintain my schedule. It'll be a bit dicey so I will let y'all know if my posting schedule changes. I like to try and be upfront as best as possible. Thanks for reading and hope all are doing well!
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Extended Family
Chapter 151 – First the Thunder
Takes place four years after chapter 71.
"You called Coach?" Oliver asked, poking his head into Miranda's office.
"Sure did. Sit down."
Oliver did as asked but he could not help but notice how excited Miranda looked. The woman was always energetic and had a passion for the sport that rivaled his and McGonagall's, who he deemed at the height of positive fandom. She was tough and driven and one of the best coaches he knew. And while she was almost always enthusiastic, she was nearly vibrating from pent up emotion and energy. "You alright?" he asked with a grin.
"Better than," she said, sounding practically bubbly. She held out an envelope to him. "It's that time again…"
Oliver recognized the mark on the envelope and his smile matched hers in intensity, width, and breadth. "No way!"
"Yes way!" Miranda laughed as he opened the envelope eagerly. "It's time to see if we can do what barely a handful of teams have done in history!"
"Hell yeah!" Oliver said and they high-fived. "You're the Head Coach for the team this year, congrats!"
"Thanks! I was surprised but I'll take it. Guess it made sense because pretty much half the team is on Portree," she said smugly and proudly. "Plus I'm a pretty good coach if I say so myself."
"We all say it too," Oliver said. He took the object out of the envelope and sighed softly at it, running his fingers over it lovingly. "I'm glad to have this again."
"I bet," Miranda said with a wide smile. "Shall we share the good news with the first prospectives?"
"Let's do it," Oliver smiled. He then winced when Miranda shouted at the top of her lungs, her voice carrying easily out of the office, down the hall, and into the locker room.
"TANYA! SHELIA! ANGELINA! HARRY! GET YOUR ARSES IN HERE NOW!"
Oliver stuck a finger into his ear and wiggled it around. "I always assumed you did a voice amplifying charm for that."
"Nope, never have," Miranda smiled as she sat back with her hands behind her head. "Not inside anyways. Never needed it."
Harry was the first to run in, still toweling his hair dry with Angelina on his heels half-clothed. Tanya and Shelia walked in a few moments after at a much more sedate pace.
"Yeah what do you want?" Shelia asked, eyebrow raised.
"Will it kill you two to respect me?" Miranda sighed.
"Probably," Shelia said seriously.
"We've known you for too long," Tanya said apologetically without actually being apologetic. "We respect you. We're just less obvious about it."
"Or open about it," Shelia said.
"Or subservient about it."
"Or sincere about it."
Miranda mock glowered at the two women as they cackled. "I could kick you off this team."
"No you can't," Shelia said.
"Maybe not this one, but I am the Head Coach of that one," Miranda said smugly and pointed at the badge that Oliver pinned to his chest.
"Congrats Captain!" Harry cried, seeing the team captain badge for Team England and hugging Oliver enthusiastically.
"Thanks!" He winked at Shelia. "She can't really kick you off of this team either. Has to be voted on committee."
"Hey, don't undermine my authority!" Miranda gasped.
"HA! You have no power over me woman!" Shelia crowed. She yelped when Miranda shot her with a Stinger. "Who do I go to about being abused by people in position of power again?"
"They'll just tell you that you deserved it and that they won't do anything because it's in your contract again," Tanya snorted.
"I don't know why I let you put that in my contract," Shelia grumbled.
"Because you said, and I quote, 'that's funny'," Miranda said smugly.
"It is funny," Tanya snickered.
"I love that our coach and our teammates are like this," Angelina grinned. "It's so fun."
"They're the best," Harry agreed. He blinked a few times. "Wow, it's been four years already. I didn't even realize it. A whole lot has changed."
"We're back on the same team together," Angelina said, hugging Harry to her. "The babies aren't babies anymore, save for Lucky that is and he's a cutie."
"Yeah he is," Harry said loudly and proudly.
"And this time, we aren't the underdogs," Oliver said. "We're the returning champs and while I still care about us playing together and well, I really want to do what most teams don't do, be back-to-back champions. It's only happened a few times since the World Cup's inception."
"We can do it," Shelia said confidently. "We're still mostly in our prime." She patted Tanya on the shoulder with a condescendingly sympathetic expression and shrieked when Tanya shoved her with enough force to send her flying out of the office.
"And most of the players on the winning team are still in the League and kept in shape," Tanya said, ducking under a Quaffle that Shelia found in the hall and threw at her.
"Hey! Don't break my shite!" Miranda shouted, sending the Quaffle back at Shelia with a wave of her wand.
"I like that the majority of the team is Portree though," Shelia said, rubbing her stomach from where the return Quaffle hit her. "Proves our superiority."
"I want to start planning on invitations for the team," Oliver said. "I figure we all are fine with the previous members, right? Good. Ideally I'd like at least one extra reserve for each position though if not a full complement like seven chasers total instead of nine."
"I'm sure we can figure it out," Tanya said. "As long as we get along of course."
"We should hurry too, before Scotland, Ireland, and Wales gets who we want," Shelia added.
"Let's get some planning in and I'll send out the invitations to the last Cup's team so we can make sure we have our base," Oliver said. He rubbed his hands together. "This is going to be great!"
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That night there was the first planning session at the village. Miranda, Tanya, and Shelia came over with their families for a big joint dinner and there were many happy noises as the children from all the families played together. Tanya and Shelia and Miranda were regular visitors and their children adored the village's children and got along well.
"He's going to be a charmer," Tanya said with a big smile. Her oldest daughter, Sandy White, was cooing over baby Lucas with Meggy, Shelia's daughter. The two older girls played with Lucas who was a little shy but was soon giggling and laughing when the girls played with him.
"Gets it from his mum," Harry said proudly.
"Are we thinking about the same Katie?" Angelina teased before yelping. "Hey!"
"I know your medical records and don't forget I'll be responsible for healing you!" Katie said, glaring at one of her best friends.
"That has to be against some kind of oath," Angelina protested.
A barn owl came swooping in and deposited some envelopes in front of Oliver. He accepted some steak, under the watchful eye of Hedwig, and after hooting thanks, flapped off. Oliver then opened the envelopes one by one. "Silas is in," he said happily. "Same with Atton, Cailey, Miles, and Lisa."
"That gives us five Chasers," Ginny said eagerly. "We have our Beater team again and our Keeper and main reserve. And of course our Seeker and reserve," she said, looking at Hedwig who looked back beadily. "I think Melissa from Holyhead will be a good reserve Beater."
"Yeah she's good," Tanya nodded. "And if you recommend her character, I'm game."
"I like Phillips from Appleby as our third Keeper," Oliver said. "I'll ask Atton but I think he's decent."
"We'll talk to Silas about other Chasers," Angelina said, nodding at Ginny.
"Any ideas on who you want as a third Seeker?" Oliver asked.
"Lizzie," Harry said without hesitation. "She's great and she's solid in the League."
"Oh she's on the Wasps, right? And you were friends at school?" Shelia asked. "I'm fine then."
"Do you need to have approval from the team committee?" Harry asked.
"Nope, they trust us," Oliver said happily. "We did win last time after all." He looked at Katie. "How are things looking from the Support side?"
"Solid," Katie said easily. "Finn and I of course, and Sita. We can handle the majority and I'll fit in extra medics and medi-magicals as needed."
"Tina has sports healing experience," Harry said.
"Oh yeah, that's right. I'll ask her if she wants to join," Katie nodded. "Players are basically children so she'll be right at home."
"Hey, what does that mean?" Shelia asked indignantly.
"Want a bottle?" Tanya asked, holding up a bottle of beer. Everyone laughed as Shelia reached for it eagerly and held it with both hands and tilted it up, drinking deep.
"I think this is a solid start then," Oliver said, nodding happily. "Oh and before I forget." He reached into a pocket and took out a small silver badge emblazoned with the flag of England and with two C's intertwined. "Your new co-Captain badge."
Hedwig puffed her chest out, admiring the shiny badge. She nuzzled Oliver happily and flapped over to sit on Harry's head to look down at the players.
"I thought we wanted people to join," Ginny growled, glaring back at Hedwig.
"To be fair, we did get a lot better at dodges after those types of practices," Angelina admitted gruffly.
Hedwig flapped off and came close to buffeting Ginny with her wings and flew into the house. She came flapping back and landed on the table in front of Harry and gave Ginny a cool look.
"She has sunglasses?!" Ginny squawked.
"And she's rocking them," Shelia said admiringly.
"She knows how to captain," Oliver chuckled.
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"Hey!" Elizabeth walked out of the pitch and hugged Harry warmly. "Good to see you!"
"Good to see you too!" Harry hugged her back warmly. "Awesome catch during your last game. That dive was incredible."
"Thanks! One of my best I think. And I got to slam Gellers into the wall and make him bounce on the ground. What an idiot." She smiled savagely. "I remembered when you mentioned how rude he was to Dally during the camp and was hoping for a bit of payback."
"You're the best," Harry grinned.
"So what's up? You said you wanted to ask me something?"
"Yeah, what are your summer plans? Are you doing any exhibitions or excursions?"
"Not really. I didn't get picked for an international thing I wanted to do but it's okay, it happens," she said, looking a trifle glum but not too put out. "I was going to volunteer for other camps if there were any. Otherwise, just stay in shape and maybe help the family business some."
"So you're free?" Harry asked, smiling.
"Pretty much. Why?" Elizabeth asked, before frowning. "Wait, you're up to something."
"Took you a bit to get suspicious," he teased.
"Never felt the need around you," she snorted.
"How do you feel about being a secondary reserve for Team England?"
She blinked at him. "If you say this is a joke I will Curse you and beg Dally and Rilly and Lucky for forgiveness later."
"No joke. Team England is making the final team ready for the World Cup and we wanted an extra reserve for each position. So what do you-" He coughed when Elizabeth screamed and hugged him hard about the middle.
"OHMYGOSHDEARMERLINYESYESYES!" she screamed as she squeezed him as hard as she could. She let him go and he breathed deeply, trying to regain his breath. "But I'm still really new sort of and my record is okay, but I'm not the best," she said worriedly, her glee fading and replaced by worry.
Harry put a hand on her shoulder for both comfort and stability. "You've been in the League longer than I was when we took on the World Cup last time. You're a good Seeker," he said warmly. "And a good teammate. I know your team likes you and you've always supported me, even when we play against each other. We want a team that wants to play together and it isn't a team of glory-hounds trying to fight for camera time. I like you and so does Shelia and we want you on the team." He coughed when she hugged him again.
"I'm there and I'm game!" Elizabeth shouted. "Thanks so much Harry, you won't regret it!"
"I know I won't," Harry smiled. "I know how game you are."
"I'm surprised Innis likes me," Elizabeth confessed.
"Shelia's awesome, I've learned so much from her and I bet you will too," Harry said stoutly. "Besides, she was impressed that you joined the scrap that one time even though your team wasn't involved."
"I wasn't about to let them jump you because they're sore losers," Elizabeth growled. "I'm always ready to scrap and it's even better when it's for a good reason."
"Yup, and I want the two best scrappers in the League on my side anytime," Harry laughed.
"She's a really good scrapper," Elizabeth said brightly. "I still remember when she threw that giant arsehole over her shoulder and through the bar without magic."
"And that isn't even the most impressive thing I've seen her do," Harry smiled.
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Team England was finalized within a few days and Oliver already put out a schedule for training and practice. The team already started working together at the end of the League season and excitement was already on the rise. With it being the first World Cup after their amazing win the prior one, England and the UK were excited to see what would come this time around. Since the World Cup's inception, there were only three instances of a country winning back-to-back Cups and Oliver, not to mention the rest of the team, were eager to add their names to the history.
Members of teams that had players on Team England were eager to help with training and jumped in when they could. The stakes were a little higher this time around and the team, not just the players but the support staff too, were excited to be a part of it together once more and worked their hardest to be at their best.
On the third day of practice, Oliver clapped his hands and whistled for their attention. Everyone came to gather around him and he beamed at them. "I've got lots of exciting news to share! First, the team roster is now official and new jerseys are being made and the roster is being released tomorrow." He grinned while people whooped and high-fived and hugged one another.
"Second, the finale will be hosted in Greece this time," he announced. "Specifically, Olympia, where the ancient Olympics were held." He showed them pictures of the pitch being built there. It was reminiscent of the ancient temples and architecture of Greece, pillars of carved stone and marble, motifs of the Olympian Pantheon, framed on the shore with the sea behind.
"Oh that's lovely," Lisa murmured.
"We're used to kicking Olympian arse," Angelina smiled and some of them laughed heartily while others looked on with interest. A few even winced lightly.
"And third, and very exciting in its own right, I have here a representative from the Firebolt Broom Company with something really special," Oliver said with the biggest smile yet.
Harry recognized the representative, one Tidwell Twigs, because they corresponded on a regular basis over many things. Tidwell winked at Harry and Harry smiled too, knowing what was about to happen.
Tidwell gestured and others from the company came forward with long crates and the rest of the team gasped, knowing what the crates implied if not exactly meant. "It is our distinct pleasure to announce that our newest broom is ready for use," Tidwell said, bouncing from foot to foot. His smile was the widest out of everyone there. "It is still in final testing and tweaking, but we have always believed that the best results can be obtained by true professionals under different conditions and circumstances. So, the Company is pleased to provide a broom for each of the players, reserve and not, to use and keep at the end of the World Cup run. These will not be sold on the open market for some time yet either so you are the first to get them and only one of you has used them for the majority of the development before."
He waved his wand and the lid of one of the crates floated off and a broom floated into the air. The others gasped and ooh'd and ahh'd over it. On the surface, it looked like many of the other racing and Quidditch quality brooms. The birch bristles were slicked into a firm point, bound with crimson and pearl banded cord. The shaft of the broom was polished English oak that glowed. Silver bands bound the bristles to the shaft and the stands and foot rests were made of mahogany. The top of the broom was soft white with a black speckled pattern from tip to grip and a dainty snowbell flower was etched into the tip with snowflakes surrounding it.
Tidwell smiled proudly. "Ladies and Gentleman, it is my singular pleasure and honor to present to you, the SnowBolt. Our finest product to date. The shaft and the bristles were alchemically treated for stability and integrity and it is immune to most malicious charms. It can go from 0 to 150 miles per hour in 7.3 seconds, a clear improvement by over 2 seconds compared to the Firebolt. It has also been reinforced internally and externally with the best unbreakable charms and comes with the best braking charm that we have ever devised and improved upon with a built-in impact resistance charm."
He patted the broom lovingly. "I have been involved from inception, all through development, and execution, and this is one of the best brooms I have ever dreamed of as well as having helped produce and create. I am so very proud of this and I know that it will never fail any of you and help you on the path to glory."
He started walking with it and the players and others parted before him. He stopped in front of Harry and held it out reverently. "Harry, as the Wind Rider and as someone who has also been deeply invested in the project, it is only right that you receive the first."
Harry took the broom from him, holding it gently and admiring it. He had helped them with a lot of development, and even some internal testing, and he had never really spoken about it to anyone. His friends and family had known and respected that of course. This was the first final product however and Harry looked at it with wonder and awe. "It's wonderful," Harry said softly. "I can feel the magic. It's like holding onto a spell right before it's let go."
"Go on then," Katie said eagerly. "Let's see it in action!"
Harry mounted the broom and took a deep breath, getting a feel for the grip and the magic within. He let the breath out slowly and gently kicked off the ground. The broom shot up like a rocket and he shouted in surprise and exultation as he flew straight into the air. The others gasped and cheered as he flew fast at a sharp angle, some laughing at the shout and scream he let loose.
Harry turned and the broom seemed to glide beneath him. He swore that it moved before he did, as if it could read his mind. It thrummed with latent energy and magic, ready and eager to go. He did a loop, then another, and another, making the watchers far below cheer. He did a tight barrel roll, turning on the axis as he flew and did not deviate a single degree from his flight path. He looped up and around then dove in one motion, plummeting for the ground.
"You just had to say it," Angelina said, shaking her head. "'Let's see it in action'. Really Katie?"
"I got swept up in the feeling, alright?" Katie said, wincing when Harry came out of the dive and standing on the broom like a surfboard. "It does look a bit more stable, maybe."
Harry flew around Trafalgar's Pitch, laughing loudly and exuberantly. He surfed the broom around the pitch three times, getting faster each time while the others laughed and cheered, with some shaking their heads and fists at him. He finally glided back to them and hopped off gracefully, holding the broom in one hand. "It's amazing," Harry said, eyes bright and shining.
Tidwell's smile was even wider somehow and he and the others from the company clapped and cheered. "Let's get everyone mounted up and see what the SnowBolt can do!" he shouted and everyone cheered even more loudly at that. There was a flurry of motion and activity as crates were opened and people were paired up with brooms that matched their height and comfort and soon the air was filled with people riding the new brooms.
"Thank you for this," Harry smiled. He stayed on the ground to chat with Tidwell and the others while the majority of the others flew. Katie had eagerly accepted the broom from him and was also in the air. "This is amazing and so generous."
"And possible through your generous contributions of both time and money," Tidwell said warmly. "We were happy to do it, sincerely, and can't wait to see Team England challenge the world once more, on our brooms. I really love the design of the SnowBolt and it makes me so happy to see them fly like this."
"Oh dear, I know you've had a lot of experience with the prototypes, but even so, you made it look a lot easier to handle," one of the technicians said. She winced as players were trying to control the brooms to differing degrees of success.
"Well that's why we wanted to do this early," Tidwell said comfortably. "We can adjust the maneuvering and handling charms some for flyers' preference and comfort. Another feature I'm happy you came up with."
"How are the projected costs?" Harry asked.
"Actually, very similar to the Firebolt when it first came out," Tidwell said. "The alchemical process was actually cheaper and easier than what we used before so the cost differential is very minor."
"It feels like the first time I tried your Firebolt," Katie said when she came down for a landing. "The speed and sensitivity is mad! And I love it!"
Shelia winced when her landing was a bit harder than she was used to. "That sensitivity is no joke! But I can feel the impact charm working and it's pretty nice."
"It handles so much faster than my Nimbus," Silas said. "Almost too fast!"
Harry picked up his Firebolt and hugged it. "Don't worry, I'm not throwing you away," he said softly to it as it thrummed in his hand. "We've done too much and been together for too long. I'm not losing you like I did my first broom." He smiled when he felt the broom warm in his arms.
"Actually, we wanted to see a comparison against the Firebolt," Tidwell said eagerly. "Would you mind racing someone against the SnowBolt?"
Ginny eagerly took the challenge and she and Harry lined up. At a blast from Miranda's wand, they shot into the sky and flew fast, bending low over the broomsticks.
"Ginny took the lead, that 2 second difference is no joke," Angelina gasped.
"Harry's catching up though!" Elizabeth cried.
The watchers whistled and cheered as Harry narrowly beat Ginny across the finish line by a scant 0.3 second lead. The technicians cast charms over both brooms and they chatted excitedly over the results.
"Incredible, we thought the SnowBolt would have every advantage," one said.
"Just shows that speed isn't everything," Ginny sighed gustily. "But I love this new broom so much!"
"Me too," Harry smiled. "As much as my current one."
"And now we'll get to practice with it before the run starts," Oliver smiled. "They're not going to know what's going to hit them! You see everyone? This is what makes Team England the best! How we all work together. The players, the support, and the people who live here. England and the Cup!"
"England and the Cup!" everyone shouted together.
"England together!" Oliver yelled.
"England together!" they yelled back.
"The Cup is ours and it's not going anywhere!" Katie shouted. "It's our sodding Cup!"
Raucous cheers filled the air and the energy was warm and filled the entire pitch.
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odonnellzoo99 - She's the best at any kind of warfare to be fair, or unfair. I thought the chapter would be fun and am glad so many people enjoy it. It literally spawned from me eating an apple for lunch one day and thinking it would be cute for Hedwig to eat an apple. Then I had to Hedwig it up some more and thus the chapter was born. I'm glad you still enjoy reading.
TheSphynx - She's one of my favorite to write for honestly. I'm surprised I'm able to do so much without direct dialogue aside from the speaking chapters and am glad people like to read about her. Eh, he did the crime so he must face the punishment of Hedwig munching on apple while staring at him.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - It was a really funny chapter idea and am glad it hit the mark I wanted it to. I'm glad you're still reading. Thank you.
Ghostwriter - She's my hero too.
poka - She can communicate perfectly without speaking English. She's very talented. I thought it would be fun to show Harry leaning into the chaos and taking full advantage with malicious compliance.
alix33 - Hedwig and Harry sharing an apple is a very cute mental image for me.
optimus-maximus001 - Thank you.
