I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Extended Family
Chapter 169 – Brawl Room Blitzed
Takes place before chapter 141 of Family, at the end of Harry's rookie year and before Katie returned to the United Kingdom.
"Oh wow," Harry said, looking around the large room.
"Told you it's an impressive shindig," Shelia said, nudging him with her elbow.
It was the end of the season for the British Quidditch League. The last game was played a week prior with Puddlemere United being hailed the Champions for that season with the Tutshill Tornadoes coming in third and Pride of Portree taking second place overall. It was the end of Harry's rookie year and he had been very happy with his performance and how things had gone.
Every year, there was a large ball/party to end the season. The teams would gather with guests in the industry, as well as the media, and they would celebrate the League Champions and award accolades earned by specific players in the League. They usually also celebrated the members of Team England that were selected to represent England if they were going to compete in the European League as well as give a chance for sponsors and organizers to try and form teams for international and exhibition games and the like.
Pride of Portree had been especially jubilant this year. They routinely finished in the top five with occasional drops in the rankings here and there but with Harry joining the team, they were able to make second place. Tutshill fought hard and almost had taken second, but they were perfectly happy with third place after a series of losses at the beginning of the season. The final three point totals were very close and all three teams were pleased with their performance.
The players for the teams came to the ballroom that was a part of Trafalgar's Pitch, the official stadium and pitch used by the League for important games and national games. They came dressed up in more formal clothing than the usual jerseys and uniforms, and were excited to relax after the busy hectic season of games and practices.
Katie was unable to leave her studies and clinic duties and had gleefully told Hermione to be Harry's escort and to protect his virtue like she did before. Thus she came with Harry as his date/escort/protection and Harry had been perfectly fine with that. She looked around the large room with interest, her arm in Harry's. "Wow, this is mad," she laughed.
"It really is," Harry smiled.
Plenty of people milled around and the lack of uniforms made it seem all the fuller and busier somehow, though many of the players and their dates wore a badge or something to show their team and their support. A very large bar dominated the back and was manned by several bartenders with waiters carrying trays of drinks around. Long tables held food buffet style for people to take at their leisure.
"Right, I'm telling you now," Miranda said, looking at Shelia, "keep your pants on."
"Joke's on you, not wearing any," Shelia said, smoothing out her dress.
"You know what I mean," Miranda scolded.
"I actually don't. I know better than to jump Sean in front of people. He's delicate and I'm a lady," Shelia sniffed, curling around her husband who was smiling at her.
"No fighting, scrapping, brawling, or any other physical altercations without a very good reason," Miranda said. "Or else the fine is coming out of your bonus. Do you hear me?"
"Hi, I'm Shelia, Harry's Mentor," Shelia said, shaking Hermione's hand vigorously. "It's so nice to meet you!"
"But we've met before," Hermione said, deeply confused.
"I'll try to keep her on her best behavior," Sean smiled. "Between Tanya, Harry, and I, we just might be able to make it through."
"Merlin help us," Miranda sighed.
"Ohmygosh what are those?!" Shelia gasped. "They look like little sausages on little wands! Will wonders never cease!" She walked off to the tables with Sean beside her.
"Did she take a Bludger to the head and we didn't see it?" Sam asked.
"No, she's doing her whole 'if you treat me like an idiot, I'm going to act like an idiot' thing," Tanya sighed.
"At least it's never boring around her," Nathan smiled.
The guests at the party mingled and ate and drank, chatting and laughing. The ballroom filled with people and sound as the party carried on. Harry was enjoying himself and Flora and Hermione were having a spirited discussion on Charms and Masteries when he felt someone hug him from behind. "Hi Angelina!" he exclaimed.
"Hi Rabbit!" Angelina hugged him tightly resting her head on his shoulder.
"Hey!" George appeared and clapped him on the shoulder and waved jauntily to Hermione. "Glad to see you two."
"Good to see you two too," Hermione smiled. "Congratulations on placing third!"
"Thanks!" Angelina preened. "We worked hard to get that one and we earned it."
"Yeah you did!" Harry said, leaning back into her.
"Oh thank goodness, sane people." Alicia appeared in their midst. "Save me from the insanity."
"It's a bad day for you when you consider me sane," George smiled.
"It really is," Alicia nodded, wholly serious. "If I have to listen to Morgans and Pritchard continue to talk about how they are Puddlemere, I'm going to kill them both by shoving both their heads up the other's arse and watch as they suffocate."
"That doesn't seem physically possible," Hermione said, smiling through a frown while Harry, George, and Angelina laughed.
"I'd find a way to make it possible," Alicia growled.
"Yeah you would," Angelina snorted. "Did you abandon Oliver?"
"Hardly," Alicia snorted. "He is speaking to a few purveyors of Quidditch supplies and I told him I would be looking for you lot."
They stayed together, chatting and enjoying the company with Oliver finding them soon. Others in Portree came to hang out and to leave to mingle and Angelina introduced her closest friends on the Tornadoes. Eventually the League organizers called their attention to the front. A large dais appeared and the heads of the League went up. They gave a few speeches, made a few remarks that garnered a laugh or two, then the Puddlemere Team was called up to be celebrated. Harry and his friends cheered for Oliver, enjoying his time in the spotlight.
"No announcement for Team England?" Angelina whispered as the organizers moved onto individual accolades.
"They're still working out the team," Oliver whispered back. "Hoping for good news myself though."
Various players were picked out for achievements they made during the season. Angelina was recognized for being in the top 3 for highest scoring individual Chasers and they cheered loudly when she accepted her medal for it with a big smile. Oliver was celebrated for having the lowest scoring percentage out of all the Keepers for the teams.
"And now, we have a dual award for this," Kenneth smiled. As the voice of England Quidditch, he was also the announcer for the awards. "It is with sincere honor and happiness to not only announce the Rookie of the Year, but also one that caught the most Snitches for their Rookie year as well as a season best! Everyone, please put your hands together for Pride of Portree's HARRY POTTER!"
Harry gaped as the lights fell on him with his friends and teammates shrieking with glee. As a whole they pushed him towards the stage where he accepted the medal and the trophy from a beaming Kenneth.
"Care to share a few words with us?" Kenneth asked as the crowd applauded.
"Really?" Harry asked, still in a daze. Everyone laughed at that with his friends and team laughing and cheering the hardest.
"Really!" Kenneth smiled. "You caught the most Snitches for a Rookie! And you were a clear frontrunner for the title of Rookie of the Year with many nominations from all over the teams. You're a good player and an excellent flyer, while having admirable sportsmanship. Well done!"
"Thanks!" Harry said, regaining his composure. He pointed at the Portree team. "But I really couldn't have done it without the rest of Portree. I've learned so much from them about how to play professional Quidditch and they're really the best. I'm really happy to be part of the team!"
"Could not have said it better myself," Kenneth praised and led the applause.
"Aww, we love you too," Benny gushed when Harry rejoined them.
"Seriously! Less egotistical Seeker ever!" Flora laughed.
"I meant every word," Harry grinned.
"Well we're never letting you go," Tanya smiled.
The party continued and as Harry went to grab some more food, he was rudely bumped by someone, shoulder to chest. He looked up, an apology on his lips and was confronted by a sneering man with dark brown hair and cold blue eyes.
"Careful, Potter," the man said. "That medal of yours is dragging you off balance."
"Might be a little," Harry said neutrally. "Sorry about that Wickets. If you'll excuse me." He dodged another bump, sliding around the man and moving past.
"Think you're better than us, huh? Now that you won Rookie of the Year? That doesn't mean you're special," Wickets said.
"That's funny, I remember you going on and on about it when you got it a few years ago," Nathan said coolly, coming up to stand beside Harry. "Went on and on and on and on."
Before Wickets could retort, Shelia popped up, sliding around Harry and looking up at the taller and bigger man. "Hey it's Wicker-face! Come one Wicker-face, give us a big ole wickery smile! You know, like the time you got in my face and I knocked out half your teeth."
Laughter could be heard as people clustered around, eager to see the ensuing action. Wickets flushed and growled as other members of Ballycastle stood behind him. "You shut your mouth, bitch," he spat.
"Nah, don't wanna. Not till I get to see you smile again," she replied, smiling broadly and her eyes flashing dangerously.
"I suppose you're used to standing up for weak men," Wickets said coldly.
"I know you're not talking about my hubby," Shelia said, growling. "He's more than a hundred times the man you are, wicky baby."
Wickets flushed as more laughter rang around. "It's clear who's the one with weight in your relationships, wearing the pants." He looked down at Harry with a cold smile. "Doesn't surprise me that you're doing the same for Potter. Unlike others who have earned the title before, he's the only one that got it out of pity. Poor little Boy-Who-Lived. So alone. Now in the League and has to get a shiny medal and a trophy to make him happy."
"Oh I'm going to rearrange your face again and it'll make me happy!" Shelia lunged at him but Harry wrapped an arm around her waist and her right shoulder, hauling her back. "Lemme go! He's begging for it!"
"He's not worth it," Harry said to her, struggling to pull her back.
Wickets, after flinching involuntarily at Shelia's lunge, flushed more and glared at Harry. "Not worth it? All of us are worth much more than you, Potter! We earned our places, not given it due to a name and out of pity! You proud of yourself, Potter? Think mummy and daddy are happy seeing you playing?"
A hush settled over the crowd and even some of the Ballycastle players looked at Wickets with apprehension.
"Harry, let me go," Shelia said quietly, nearly vibrating out of his grasp from sheer rage.
Harry stared at Wickets who stared boldly back. "I like to think so," Harry said quietly, looking up at Wickets. "That said, I have earned my place. I tried out for my position, worked hard, practiced, and learned. I don't know if I earned Rookie of the Year, but I earned my place on the team."
"You absolutely did," Tanya growled as she and the rest of the Portree team pushed their way through.
"You willing to back that up then? Man to man?" Wickets asked.
"I mean, I already have," Harry said mildly. "We beat you and I caught the Snitch in our game." Loud laughter and appreciation met his remark and Wickets seethed. "You know. I've learned a lot from the team. They taught me so much this year. One of the best things I learned is to let the best person for the job to do the job. It really looks like you want a fight for some reason."
"If you're man enough," Wickets said, cracking his knuckles.
"I don't have anything to prove," Harry said coolly. "That said, I think I'm going to listen to my team and let the best person for the job, to do the job." As his words sunk in, he let go of Shelia. As she felt Harry loosen his grip, she tore the bottom half of her dress off and threw the material at Wickets. As he stumbled back, suddenly blinded by the dress, she tackled him to the ground and straddled him, raining blows down on him as he struggled beneath her and through the dress.
Harry shoved off a player who tried to grab Shelia and the next Ballycastle player to get involved got punched by Nathan. A brawl began and more people got involved, it growing wider. Guests and others scrambled to get out of the way while cheering each other on.
Harry felt someone try to wrap him in a chokehold before a very loud thwack filled the air and the assailant from behind fell over like a sack of sand. "Don't you fucking touch Rabbit!" Angelina cried, kicking the man as he lay on the ground. Another tried to grab him but was hauled into the air by Oliver who tossed him aside easily, shaking his head. "Don't try it again," Oliver warned, holding up a substantial fist.
A crash filled the air and another wearing a Ballycastle badge slumped over with Hermione holding a tray in both hands and a pile of broken glass at her feet. She looked half-sheepish and half-exhilarated while Alicia stomped hard on the man that she had struck.
"Okay, break it up!" Heads and officials and coaches waded into the melee, pulling and pushing people apart. Miranda reached Harry and the others and she looked at the start of the fights, sighing heavily.
"She didn't start it," Harry said swiftly.
"I know, we all heard Wickets run his mouth," Miranda said. "Let's pull her out before something really bad happens though." It took her, Tanya, Sean, and Harry to pull Shelia off of a squealing Wickets.
"Who's wearing pants now you hollow straw bastard?!" Shelia screamed. She had ripped his off and was once more punching the man through them, trying to shove the material down his throat. "Come on then! Since you're so obsessed with them, choke on it! You leave my Seeker alone! You like low blows! Have some low blows! I'm going to fill you full of pants and burn you with them!"
"Shelly, baby, come on," Sean said as they pulled her back. "You got him good, power down now."
It took some time for the fight to be truly put to rest and the organizers of the event decided it would be good for the event to end officially. The Portree team hustled Shelia away while Miranda remained to deal with the aftermath, all of them leaving through the Floo and arriving at Portree Port. As they waited, Angelina and George arrived alongside Alicia and Oliver.
"Good job Hermione," Angelina praised, high-fiving the bemused Hermione. "You hit him good with that tray!"
"I was told we shouldn't use magic because it's League tradition to not to during a fight?" She laughed from nerves and adrenaline. "He was about to throw something at Harry and I just grabbed a tray from someone and hit him with it. That was mad! Are events usually like that?!"
"They can be," Tanya snorted. "Brawling and scrapping is a League tradition. We usually keep it after games and more lowkey though, truth be told."
"But that fuck can't get away with saying shit like that," Flora said angrily. "How dare he!"
"He always was the sorest of losers," Oliver said with deep disapproval. "You okay, Sir Harry?"
"I'm fine," Harry said truthfully. "I wasn't even that bothered by what he said. I'd hate for you all to get in trouble because of me."
"I'd do it again!" Shelia raged. "No petty little bitch is going to say shite like that to my Seeker! Oh just he wait! I'm going to get him next time!"
"You got him this time," Miranda said dryly, joining them. "Seriously. He was twitching like a charm loaded pig filled with firepepper pods."
"Good," Shelia growled.
"I'll pay for the fee and whatever fee comes after us for it," Harry said.
"We can't let you do that alone," Nathan said.
"Yeah, we jumped in as a team," Benny said.
"Luckily, no one is getting overly fined or punished," Miranda said. "Everyone heard what Wickets said and he can't even blame it on being drunk. They tested it."
"So he's going to get away with it?!" Tina asked, appalled.
"I mean, you saw the absolutely beating he took," Miranda said while the others snorted and nodded. "Not to mention all the pictures of it being taken. This time tomorrow, it's going to be in the paper. And let me tell you, his reputation is going to take a huge hit after what he said gets printed and it being accompanied by a picture of Shelia ripping off her dress, throttling him with it, then ripping his pants off, punching him through it and shoving it down his throat while stomping the shit out of him. It's going to be something."
She sighed and shook her head. "But he's under examination and the committee are going to do something about his conduct. As far as for the others that took part in the fighting, it's going to be a small fee for behavior with a warning to not get caught doing it again."
"Don't you mean, don't do it again?" Hermione asked, confused.
"No," the team and players said, shaking their heads.
"There's a reason there usually isn't any media in any of the accredited bars after games," Oliver said, smiling at Hermione's expression.
"Professional Quidditch is strange," Hermione said.
"You're not wrong," George laughed.
"Thanks for fighting for me," Harry said to everyone. "I really appreciate it."
"Harry, you're one of us," Tanya smiled.
"And you would, and have, done the same," Nathan grinned.
"My Seeker," Shelia repeated. "No one fucks with my Seeker except for me! And my fuckery is adorable and hilarious."
Harry smiled, feeling warm inside. "Well, I'll still pay for the fees for everyone."
"Okay," Miranda said, smiling back. "Well, since that got cut short, let's order some pizzas and enjoy a small party here with just us. How does that sound?"
"Just no more fighting," Tanya said, giving Shelia a look.
"No promises," Shelia said, yelping when Tanya kicked her. She retaliated in kind and the two began to squabble and push each other about.
"I love this team," Harry said with a loving sigh and a big smile.
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odonnellzoo99 - I really like that line too, it's so silly and sincere all in one. I had a lot of fun writing the original chapter and felt that it definitely deserved an edit.
poka - There was a little of that in First Flight, but might be fun revisiting again. Hedwig is very protective.
Ghostwriter - She is very much a badass and I love it when she is.
alix33 - I thought the clumsy noodle insult would be really funny and oddly fitting for Dora.
WhatHaveIDiscovered - Her chapters are the best.
TheSphynx - The best protector.
HoneyBear84 - Thank you.