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

The Family that Heals

Chapter 3 – Plummeting

It'll be fine, Harry thought to himself.

He had been a Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts for three years now, not counting all the times he taught classes for McGonagall as he did his Mastery training. At first, he had been very nervous, especially when he was still an apprentice. However, like most things, he grew used to it and had come to genuinely enjoy teaching.

He liked making a difference. He loved it when that light went on in a student's eyes, when they understood and realized they understood. He loved to watch students cast their spells, apply the principles, and look happy and satisfied when they get something right. He enjoyed working with those that genuinely tried, those that worked hard.

He had learned a lot in his years of teaching and he knew he would continue to do so. McGonagall had said as much and she had been teaching for far longer than he. When he became a full-time professor, they split the classes between them. The school had grown in size in the years and practically all the subjects had at least two teachers now, not counting assistants that were mastery students. Harry had been happy to take on more of the younger students while McGonagall worked with the older ones as well as her increased workload as Deputy Headmistress, not to mention as Head of Gryffindor.

This is just another class. He looked at the roster, his eyes drifting to a name. Only, not just another class.

He smiled as the students walked in, the first years. It was a Gryffindor and Ravenclaw class this time and he nodded pleasantly to them. Most looked eager and happy to see him. He had found that many thought having a retired professional Quidditch player be a teacher to be very cool and he enjoyed that very much. Some he recognized from their last names and subtle features as family members of people he knew and were familiar with.

On closer inspection, she certainly did look a lot more familiar than the first time he saw her from far away. It was clear, to him at least, that Daisy was Dudley's daughter. While she was smaller than he was at that age, not exactly something difficult to be fair, her face was slightly round like his was, her eyes the same shade of blue and thick blonde hair.

Curiously, she flinched when she saw him and took a seat far away from his desk. To his surprise, and his embarrassment, he suppressed his own flinch. Not that he took offense to her response, but more how nervous he felt being around her.

She's just another student, he thought, scolding himself. She's not Dudley.

"Hello everyone," he said with a smile. "Welcome to your first Transfiguration class. I'm Professor Potter and it's nice to meet all of you." He went down the roster, calling out names and trying to attach a name to a face. He managed to say her name without changing his tone or stumbling at least, though he noticed she flinched again and barely replied, taking care not to look at him directly.

It wouldn't surprise me if you were told to act like that to me, he thought sadly.

He pushed that thought out of his mind and finished calling out names. He then stood at the front of the class and tucked his thumbs into his tweed jacket. "Right then, like I said, welcome to Transfiguration. If you have a different class listed at this time on your schedule, you're in the wrong place." He smiled as the students laughed and waited for everyone to check their schedules.

"I'm sure some of you know this, but Transfiguration is the school of magic of transformation. But it's more than that honestly. There are other sub-schools that fit into the school, which you will learn more about eventually, but at its base level, it's about change. It's about using your magic and your will to turn one thing into something else. It could be something as simple as turning stone into wood." He tapped his desk and the wood turned into stone and then back into wood to the delight of the students.

"Or eventually, changing the material state entirely!" He conjured a globe of water and turned it into a ball of fire, then a swirling orb of air, and then finally a floating solid round rock, before vanishing it back into nothing. The students gasped and watched with large eyes, clapping their hands with glee.

"You can even swap places with things." He waved his wand and the students gasped when he made his chair switch spaces with the coat rack and then back again. "Magic is all about possibilities, about using your strength and imagination to make what you want happen. And this class will help you explore and learn how to control your magic and the world around you."

His good cheer faded a little and he looked at them with soft sternness. "But remember, magic is always something to be respected. Never play around with it because some things can't be fixed or returned to how they were. Magic is a lot like fire and water. Too little and it's inconvenient. Too much and it can hurt and cause irreparable harm. You always must be mindful to use it in the right way for the right reasons."

They looked at him solemnly, hanging off his words.

He smiled and the air lightened. "But it is also something wonderful and as long as you respect it, you can do amazing things and it will treat you right." His smile grew as they smiled too. He gestured with one hand and the chalk at the board rose into the air and began to write by itself. "We're going to start with a bit of a lesson on the basic incantation and then we will put it into practice."

He lectured a little about the incantation and the history behind it, watching the students take notes. He then passed out small balls of clay to every student. "It's a bit easier to get the feel for the magic when you are changing something to something else that has a similar natural state. So we're going to practice turning clay into stone or rock." He taught them how to pronounce the incantation, Transfigurare lutum lapideum, and the wand movement. Then he walked around, watching and listening.

"Less of a jab and more of a tap," he said to one student. "No need to stab it. Nice and gentle does it. Make sure you speak clearly. Now have a picture of a stone or rock in your mind when you do it. Intent matters a lot. You want it to turn into stone. There you go."

He looked down. "Well done, that's gotten harder and looks like a rock," he said encouragingly.

"Th-thank you," Daisy mumbled, not looking up at him.

He moved on, trying to quell his unease.

At the end of the lesson, he went over the incantation once more and encouraged everyone to read about the spell and the process in their textbook. He awarded a point to everyone that had managed to get it close to a stone and waved warmly as the bell tolled and the students left, chatting happily with one another.

At least my next class will be better, he thought with relief.

-0-

As the next class came in, Harry's smile was full and sincere. He had wondered if he could be completely objective when it came to his daughter and goddaughters. He knew he would not favor them over others in terms of points and credit, but he was so used to doting and spoiling them, with reason, for many years. In fact, he had brought up the concern to McGonagall before they started at Hogwarts.

She had, lovingly, told him he was an idiot and that he was not capable of treating them overly well compared to others in any way that mattered, as in marks and the like. And if he treated them more fondly at other times, that was his business. She had faith that he would be a proper instructor and behave appropriately.

Thankfully, she had been right, though he did slip up and use a nickname here and there during class. Also thankfully, the majority of the students had understood once they learned that he was Dahlia's father and Hadley and Hailey's godfather. A couple of the older years had complained and while their complaints were accepted, they had been asked if they were jealous of a father's relationship with his daughters, ones much smaller and younger, and the complaints had dissipated.

The girls had also a few times where they called him their preferred name during class, but had learned swiftly to not do that during class.

His smile faded slightly when he saw Dahlia walk in with Hailey and Hadley. He knew something was wrong from just looking at them. Hailey and Hadley looked like they were trying to be very presentable and had Dahlia firmly in between them. Dahlia looked a little miserable, glancing at her friends and sisters, while looking troubled otherwise. The three of them brightened when they saw him however, and waved eagerly, though once again, Hadley and Hailey looked almost too eager.

He suppressed his visible concern and waved back, and warmly greeted their classmates. He welcomed everyone back, teased them about their summer homework, and made their first class back a refresher class. He was gratified to see that nearly all of them seemed to have kept up with what they learned the year prior and the few stragglers caught back up by the end of the lesson. He dismissed the class and tided up his desk, waiting patiently.

"Hi Daddy," Dahlia said, hugging him.

He hugged her back, noticing how tightly she hugged him. "Hi flower," he said back warmly, kissing her forehead. "How are my girls?"

"Good," Hadley said, squeezing him tightly, even more than usual.

"Good," Hailey repeated, hugging him even harder.

While he enjoyed the intensity of their affection, it was a noticeable difference than normal, and not in a good way. He saw that Hailey and Hadley were very surreptitiously not looking at each other. For someone not familiar with their dynamic, it might have looked normal.

It did not look normal to him.

"Everything's fine?" he asked gently.

"Yup," they said, still not looking at each other. When he looked at Dahlia, she looked like she wanted to say something, then changed her mind.

"Everything's fine," she said, smiling at him.

He frowned a little. "You girls know you can tell me anything, right?" He felt better at three identical looks of exasperation, and three identical huffs and three identical "Yes" replied. "Good, just making sure," he smiled. He felt even better when they smiled back at him, looking more like how he thought they should.

Long ago, he had made a promise to himself not to get overly meddlesome in their friendship/relationship. He loved how close the three were, a continuation of how he felt about their parents and their own bonds. While he hoped they would never lose that closeness, he knew it was a possibility and if it happened for a good reason, he would abide by it. He knew how important it was for children to have an identity separate to their parents and wanted to respect that.

It was very hard though, sometimes.

"I bring treats from home," he said instead, handing the delighted girls small packages. "Also I managed to keep Abby and Alex from eating a piece of all your candy."

"Thank you, Papa," Hailey said gratefully.

"Your Mum took one though, said you owed her," Harry smiled.

"She better make a tally of it!" Hadley said loudly.

"I saw her do it, so don't worry, she did," Harry grinned.

"Good," Hadley grumbled.

"Well you three better run along to lunch. You have Herbology this afternoon, right? That's hard work and you need your energy." He hugged them again. "Love you girls."

"Love you!" they trilled, sounding like the trio he knew and loved for a moment. After a flurry of hugs, they left but by the time they got to the door, he noticed that Hadley and Hailey once again split slightly, keeping Dahlia in the middle.

He hummed softly to himself and tried to push the worry out of his mind.

-0-

"Dally, you okay?"

"Hmm?" Dahlia looked up and smiled wanly at her other friends who were looking down at her with evident concern. "I'm okay."

"Okay, I'm just going to say it," Bethany said bluntly. "I don't think you are. Also, what is going on with Hadley and Hailey?"

"We've known you for a while now," Serena said, "and this isn't normal, not for you three."

"We've known you for longer and it's not," Alice said and Esther nodded.

Dahlia sighed. "What did Alice tell you?"

"That those two fought and not like, push and shove, but tried to beat the shite out of each other," Bethany said.

"They did," Dahlia said sadly.

"Why?" Esther gasped.

"Hadley said something really mean that she probably regrets and Hailey got really upset over it," Dahlia said. "And she probably knows Hadley didn't mean it really, but when you say something like that-"

"Stuff happens," Serena finished. "Have they fought like this before?"

"Not like this," Dahlia said. "But they'll get over it, they always do. Just need a little time. Our mums always say stuff like that and even they fight as adults but they always make up. Mum and Auntie Lyly told me stories of how they grew up and would fight and squabble and it would last."

"If you say so," Esther said. "I mean, Sandy and I fight too so you're not wrong. It's just weird to not see you three get along."

"Really weird," Serena said. "Hope you're not mad at us for asking, but we're used to you three being you three and when you're not, it feels really weird and bad."

"I know," Dahlia said quietly.

"And I know we don't see them fighting with you, but you're not looking like yourself either," Alice said gently.

Dahlia rubbed her eyes. "I'm fine, really. Just, lots to think about right now."

"Does it have to do with that Dursley firstie?" Bethany asked.

Dahlia looked up, her insides squirming. "What makes you say that?"

Bethany raised an eyebrow. "Well, Hadley's been giving the girl the stink-eye whenever they're anywhere close to each other, and she keeps looking at you when she thinks no one's looking."

"Lot of people in the House are talking about it," Esther said.

"Are they treating her badly?" Dahlia asked, squirming physically now.

"Not yet, but they aren't being friendly either," Esther said quietly.

"Did she do something to you?" Serena asked. "Is that why Hadley's bent out of shape too?"

"It's…complicated," Dahlia said lamely. "I don't know."

"How do you not know if she did or didn't do anything to you?" Bethany asked, confused.

Alice patted her arm. "Look, like, we don't know what's going on but just know we're all here for all of you."

"Thanks," Dahlia said gratefully. "We really appreciate it, even if it's not obvious."

"Of course." Serena smiled a little. "Like, I don't know about the others but I was worried when we first met, thinking you three wouldn't be friendly with anyone else. And I'm glad that I was proven wrong. But it really does feel weird when you three aren't getting along."

"Thanks," Dahlia repeated with that same wan smile.

"Are you sure we shouldn't ask an adult?" Alice suggested.

"No, not yet. Don't worry. We'll work things out, we always do." Dahlia smiled broadly but it did not quite reach her eyes.

I hope.

-0-

"Has Dally mentioned anything odd in a letter or something? Or on a mirror call?"

Katie looked at Harry, shaking her head. "No, not at all. Why? Is something wrong?"

Harry sighed and sat back in his chair. Autumn was coming and the air felt chillier as the days passed, especially at night. A fire crackled in the hearth, offering welcome heat. It was late. Iris and Lucas were in bed and it was Harry and Katie in the sitting room. Hedwig was sitting on his head and Athena and Taiga were visiting. Athena also roosted on his lap and Taiga was sitting on Katie's lap. "I think they're fighting."

"The bunnies? About what?"

"I don't know. They aren't acting like they usually do. Actually they are, but only appearing too. But Hadley and Hailey aren't really talking to each other from what I can tell and Dally looks miserable."

"Hmm," Katie hummed, absentmindedly petting Taiga. "I'll ask Angelina and Alicia, but I can't think of anything."

"They've also been extra affectionate with me, and while I'm not complaining, it's noticeable," Harry said.

"Maybe they're just feeling a bit homesick, even though it's second year," Katie suggested.

"Maybe. Seems different though. I can't place it. But I do think they're hiding something," he fretted.

She smiled warmly at him. "I'm sure they are. And they should hide stuff from us, even with the closest parent and child relationship."

"True," he smiled wryly. "Just, well, not quite used to it."

"It's okay, I'm sure it's just something they're working out on their own," Katie said soothingly. "And you know the girls, they'll come to us when they need us. They've never been shy about that."

He nodded, feeling a little better.

"How are things with Daisy?" Katie asked. When Harry had returned to the village the night of the Sorting, everyone there had seen him be slightly out of sorts. After the children went to bed, he told them that Daisy Dursley was a first year student and the others had been very shocked by that.

-0-

One week prior

"Really?" Tracy Greendgrass-Davis exclaimed. "That bastard had a kid?!"

"And she is a magical?!" Daphne Greengrass-Davis gasped.

"Oof," Oliver grunted. "That's just rough. I'm sorry, Sir Harry. That can't be easy having to deal with that." He frowned at his wife. "What's so funny?"

Alicia stifled her sharp laughter. "Oh well, it really isn't that funny, but I thought it to be grimly appropriate for that family to be related to even more magicals," she said savagely. "With them having tried to erase every notion of it before, they won't get any relief it seems and that amuses me greatly."

"She seems okay," Harry said quietly. "She looks healthy."

There was a beat of silence.

Harry coughed, patting Luna Lovegood on the back as she squeezed him. "It's okay Luna, really. I'm glad that she looks healthy and not at all…" His voice faded, but they all knew what went unsaid.

"It's not okay," she said, her voice muffled with her face pressed into him.

"I still can't believe they sprung this on you today," George said, shaking his head.

"Apparently she used a fake name for most things, at the request of her parents," Harry said quietly. "And well, apparently there has been a history of people using different names in the past, but whatever the school finishes the roster, that's the name you have to use while you're there."

"The connotations of that is really interesting," Hermione Granger mused, "but her parents wanted to use a fake name? Why? Well, besides the obvious, they couldn't have known you were a professor now."

"Uh, that might be me and Fred's fault," George said slowly.

"Explain," Angelina frowned.

"The last thing we said to them when we left them way back was that we told everyone how Harry was treated," George said. "That his pathetic excuse for family tortured him and bullied him and that everyone hated them. That everyone knew what they did."

"What possessed you to say that?" Angelina asked, looking faintly impressed.

"They're the kind of people that care about appearances," George said. "So Fred and I thought it'd be the best to make them be paranoid for the rest of their lives."

"I approve," Alicia said, looking very pleased at that.

"But we obviously didn't tell everyone," George continued. "Just us folk that already knew."

"So they wanted her to have a fake name in case people still remembered their family name," Hermione said. "That makes sense."

"Hopefully that was okay," George said weakly, brightening when Harry hugged him without hesitation.

"Are you going to have to teach her?" Katie asked.

"McGonaMum offered to switch classes," Harry sighed. "I said it'll be fine. I can't avoid her forever."

"Sure you can, we taught you all the best side paths and hidden routes and everything," George said.

"Okay, I literally could," Harry grinned while the others chuckled, "but that would be exhausting and not fair, to her or to the other students."

"We did run into him and his mother," Katie said, looking very angry. "That year. And they saw how we reacted then. It must have reinforced the idea."

"I still wished I Cursed them," Daphne growled. "And damn the consequence." She relaxed at Harry's embrace.

"Dahlia was still a baby, or a little older," Harry said, smiling a little.

"What a mess," Angelina sighed. She pulled Harry to her, wrapping her arms around him and resting her chin on his shoulder. "And you're going to have to deal with it for seven years."

"Longer, she has a sibling," Harry sighed, leaning against her.

"Of course she does," Ronald Weasley snorted. He looked at Harry sympathetically. "What are you going to do?"

"Do my job to the best of my ability and hope for the best," Harry said. "What else can I do?"

"A lot that is a lot less kind and noble than you are," Daphne said. "And what many would do and no one would judge."

"But you're you, and you're amazing," Katie smiled, kissing him on the cheek.

"Only because you all are," Harry said, feeling better and warm.

-0-

Back to the present

"Well, two classes, and other than the fact she seems terrified of me, okay I suppose." He shook his head. "I don't like the idea of people being scared of me, unless it's on the pitch. I especially don't like the fact that a child is."

"It's not your fault," Katie said firmly. "This just further shows how terrible her parents and grandparents are, poisoning you and your name and reputation to a child."

He nodded slowly. "I checked with Pomfrey and Verity. She's fine, no signs of anything bad."

"That's good," Katie said, stifling a growl. She looked at him when he stiffened. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know if Dally knows," Harry said with dawning realization. "I don't know if she remembers seeing Dudley and Petunia that day."

"Oh…oh damn," Katie groaned. "I think you're right. We never said their names in front of them I don't think."

"This might be why she's been bothered," Harry said. "What if she found out?"

"She might be really confused," Katie said with a wince. "But we never told her or the girls what you went through aside saying you didn't have good family growing up."

"Yeah, I didn't want them to know," Harry said. He leaned back, troubled. "Oh boy. What do I do? Or we do?"

Katie let out a deep breath. "Maybe bring the girls back one weekend soon and give them a…brief idea of things? I know this isn't how you wanted it to happen…"

"I never really wanted them to ever know," he said quietly.

She drew him to her. "I know. And I'm so sorry you have to deal with this."

"Thank you." He kissed her back. "But better they know from us then from someone else. Yeah. You might be right. Let's talk to Angelina, George, Alicia, and Oliver later and see what will be the best way to do this." He smiled a little more when the three owls clustered around him, nuzzling and cooing at him.

Katie smiled. "We're here with you, love."

"I'm glad," Harry said back.

"Besides." Her voice turned light and her smile turned merry. "You're too Harry to be scary. Right?" Taiga, Athena, and Hedwig faced Harry and shook their heads emphatically.

"I can be a little scary," Harry pouted.

"Only to other Seekers and Quidditch players," Katie giggled. "Otherwise, you're our sweet and cuddly Harry."

"I'll take it," he smiled as he leaned back, wriggling comfortably under his wife and the three owls that sprawled on him.

-0-0-0-

Arnie1701 - Probably not. Lots of awkward times ahead.

The Sphynx - Fighting like only siblings that usually love each other do. Even unrelated ones. They're going to learn a lot and it'll take some time, but hopefully it will feel good and make sense.

61394 - A couple of awkward chapters honestly. In a good way hopefully.

poka - No she doesn't. I'm a bit surprised by the response to things but not in a bad way. I just hope it all makes sense by the end and it felt plausible and good along the way. Well the funny thing was I had a decent idea of the bones of this, and I was able to stay on task. Family chapters tend to be a bit punchier and smaller in length so I was able to stay on task and finish it. I think I finished it in about 3 weeks? I think that was when I finished writing Taste and then posting the last chapter. I basically treated this as Extended in a way and was hopefully able to weave some of that gentle exploration that Extended is usually, while focused on a more coherent story in a set period of time.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Hopefully it'll make sense in time and explain their reactions somewhat. That and hopefully I am getting their age right this time around.

alix33 - Thank you. I'm on the mend. Helena probably did bark that.

odonnellzoo99 - 7th grade was very hard for me too. Hopefully the journey in this one makes sense and people can sort of see the sides, even if they don't agree with them.

justanfanboy - No, but hoping to show how things tend to change over time and how people can change and how things are seen.

HoneyBear84 - They will learn a lot and be all the better for it. Hopefully.