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

The Family that Heals

Chapter 14 – Improving

"And then lean down a bit, there you go. That's it." Harry smiled as the broom came back to earth and the rider landing on slightly shaky legs but smiling broadly and proudly. "Good job! See, it's not so bad the more you do it."

"It's scary," the first year Ravenclaw student said.

"It can be," Harry nodded. "But you're doing great. And you certainly don't have to do it if you don't like it, but it's good to know that you can."

Harry loved teaching the flight class. He felt so much joy when he was able to help the first years learn how to fly and get used to riding a broom. Every time he touched a broom, he could remember how he felt the first time he flew. That sense of freedom, that feeling of being good at something. Leaving the ground and your worries behind for just a little while.

Which of course led him to his family and the ones he loved, and set him on the path to where he was today. Little wonder how much he loved flying.

With him a part of the staff, they were able to spread out the flying class some more over the year with people who were interested in learning and getting better able to do more classes or less depending on their interest level. As the class concluded, he waved as the majority of the students left to go back to the castle. Hooch also left to take a swift break before coming out to sit in on the various Quidditch practices. Harry gathered the brooms to him, they all flew to his hand without him needing to say anything, and put them together to be stored in the school's broom room.

"Oh, hello Miss Dursley," he said, noticing that she had stayed behind and was gathering brooms too, by hand of course. He conjured a wheeled sledge with his wand so that they could stack the brooms onto it and push the sledge to transport them more easily.

"Hi Professor," she said cheerily.

"Thank you for your help," he said. He searched for that little twinge of nervousness and discomfort, that small tiny piece of him that was more sensitive and shy to any presence of mention of Dursley and found it blissfully absent.

She nodded as she added another broom to the pile.

"How do you like flying?" he asked.

"It's scary," Daisy said, wrinkling her nose a little. "But I never liked super fast rides or things like that." She looked up at him shyly. "I like watching you and Dally and the others fly though. That's exciting."

"It's not for everyone," Harry said kindly. He smiled. "One of my best friends and sisters hates flying on brooms. Doesn't mind airplanes but not a broom."

"You have a sister? Does that mean I have an aunt?! Or…wait, what are you technically?" she asked, eyes wide.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I have a few friends I'm very close to and we think of each other as unofficial siblings. So no, not sisters by blood for me." He sighed softly at her crestfallen look. "As far as our literal relation goes, we are second cousins, I think. Or cousin once removed."

"Oh, that's weird," Daisy said. "I rather think of you like my uncle." She looked shy once more. "Is that okay?"

"It is," he said simply and was vaguely surprised at how he did in fact find it okay.

"I'll try not to call you that in class," she said.

Harry chuckled. "It took a few weeks for Hailey and Hadley and even Dally to not call me daddy or papa in class."

"All of the others in their year call you uncle too," Daisy said. "And some of the other students."

"Sandy, Megan, and Esther are the children of my teammates on Portree," Harry said fondly. "Alice is a niece of one of them too and we're still really close even though I don't play actively anymore. I watched them grow up and spent a lot of time with them, so they consider me to be their uncle. Serena is the niece of a good friend of mine who's also the wife of one of my best mates. And I'm friendly with Bethany's mother and aunt and didn't want her to feel left out."

They took the sledge to the broom room and he put the brooms away gently. "As far as the other students, they're the children of my old classmates and acquaintances. It was a bit strange at first but I don't mind. You can't have too big of a family."

"Oh, that's nice," Daisy said wistfully.

He smiled sadly at her, understanding the tone. "And how are the rest of your classes doing?"

"Well! I still think yours is the best and most interesting," she said honestly. "But I like them all."

"Glad to hear it, the whole you liking them all thing," he said and she giggled. "Thank you for the help."

"You're welcome. I better go do homework. I really want good marks to show Mummy and Daddy. Bye Professor!" She looked down for a second. "Uncle Harry?"

"See you later…Daisy," he replied slowly. He was unprepared at her beaming smile and happy wave before she ran off. He sighed softly, watching her leave. He then looked at all the school brooms and gently closed the door behind him as he walked back to his office.

-0-

"She started calling me Uncle."

Katie looked over at him. "How do you feel about that?"

They were home after their respective work days. Lucas and Iris were in bed already and Harry was washing the last of the dinner dishes while Katie read on the couch. Hedwig hooted thickly, handing him a cleaning cloth with her beak.

"Thanks Hedwig," he smiled, tugging on it with her as she turned her helping into an impromptu tug of war game. "I feel…weirdly okay with it," he said.

"A weird okay or it's weird that you're okay?"

"Both?" They laughed together. "Like, she asked me if it was okay for her to call me that and well, when you're asked so politely, it's hard to say no. Plus she just wants to belong. I can see that."

Katie nodded. "Well if it makes you feel better, I've been exchanging the regular letter with Veronica and I'm starting to like her as a person, despite her terrible taste in men. It makes me feel weird too." She laughed as Hedwig managed to yank Harry off balance and he flopped onto the counter, letting go of the cloth. She barked with victory, lovingly thwapping him with the cloth a few times before she let him take it to finish wiping the dishes clean.

"I'll get you next time," he grinned, rolling it and flicking it at Hedwig who mooned him, rolling her rump at him as she cheeped. He finished cleaning and walked over to the couch and sat down beside Katie with Hedwig fluttering over and fluffing up in his lap. "I got the feeling that she does care about her family and is probably a decent person."

"Pretty much," Katie said. She finished a last bit of paper work and leaned against Harry, reaching over to pet Hedwig who cooed happily.

"At least it's this and not something catastrophically bad," he said.

"Luckily you got over your catastrophic phase in school," she smiled.

"Right? Those were exhausting years," he groaned as she laughed.

-0-

McGonagall and Harry had a familiarity grown from many years of working together and being close. He had counted her as a mentor of sorts towards the end of his time at Hogwarts which led to their Mastery relationship with her as his Transfiguration Mistress. They worked together for many years following and they have only grown closer since he became the second Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts.

While she was the epitome of professionalism, usually, that sort of familiarity did have a tendency to arise at certain moments.

"Harry," she said, not looking up from a letter, pushing the door to his office open. "I have a-OW!" She gasped and looked down, looking at astonishment at a very ruffled and miffed looking snowy owl staring back up at her with heavily lidded eyes filled with disapproval. "Why did you bite me?!" She scowled as the owl mooned her irritably and flapped up and landed on Harry's desk, walking over moodily and plumping up in front of him with her back to McGonagall.

"You were about to walk into her. She doesn't move out of people's ways if she doesn't want to," Harry said. "Plus she's a bit miffed that I won't let her fly around and look for someone that she wants to do something to."

"Oh?"

Harry rolled his eyes a little and then smiled down at a very angrily fluffed Marguerite staring flatly at him. "She heard someone is bringing a bad reputation to the name Daisy and she wanted to find said someone and do something probably not too pleasant."

"Ah, I see. Has she been mollified to learn that the situation seems to have improved somewhat?"

"We're getting there," Harry said honestly. He petted Marguerite who nibbled on his fingers lovingly. "Plus she's inspecting the castle."

"Inspecting the castle?" McGonagall repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Since Fleur will be taking her position next year here," Harry explained. "So Marguerite wanted to make sure the castle lives up to her standards and to find the best napping places."

"Fascinating," McGonagall said. "So very much like her mother and yet different in many ways." She noticed others in the office. "Ah, that is Athena, Hermione's owl." She smiled as Athena waved a wing hello but continued to read the book that she was currently engrossed in. "And I am familiar with Helena." She then blinked at the owl that was hanging upside down off of a coat rack. "Is…is that one well?"

"Hadrian's fine," Harry assured her. "He likes doing that and naps like that a lot."

"I will never get over how often they come by," McGonagall smiled.

"We're not too far from the Village," Harry smiled. "And I'll never be tired of them and love that they come visit and hang out if they're not actively needed or doing anything." He looked at her. "What brings you by?"

"Oh yes, I got word that they are restarting the International Scholastic Showcase," McGonagall said. She handed Harry the letter.

"Oh wow, sounds impressive," Harry said, looking at the letter with interest.

"It was quite popular then it fell off in years due to disputes between hosts and we were not able to participate for…well, you know," she said with a soft sigh. She shook her head. "But the ICW wants to bring it back and we think it would be good for us as well. Let us see the other schools, see how we compare, and learn from everyone involved."

"Makes sense to me," Harry said. "And we can travel to different places too. That sounds fun. And stressful."

"Agreed," McGonagall said wryly. "Albus is very much enthusiastic about it and I am as well, truth be told. It would be a good way for us to rejoin the international community and to be a part of the world at large once more."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Harry agreed. He and McGonagall went over the details of the upcoming meeting the next year as well as what they needed to do to prepare for it.

"It might be best to obtain some support from some of the businesses that might be interested in sponsoring and donating to us," she concluded. "I plan on meeting with the Hogsmeade ones soon. Would you be free on the 15th?"

"I'll have to check with my secretary," Harry said, wholly serious.

McGonagall blinked at him. "You have a secretary?"

"Sure do," Harry nodded. "Since I'm still with Portree in some ways and with classes and things and my own mastery apprentice, not to mention some other duties, I really need someone to help me keep some form of a schedule."

"Who is your-oh of course." McGonagall shook her head as Hedwig, who had arrived during their meeting, fluffed up importantly and opened a large calendar book on the side of his desk. "Is something wrong with her eyesight?"

"No, thankfully. She just likes to wear glasses when she's doing secretary work because she thinks secretaries should wear them. I got them from Greg, Alice's uncle or second cousin technically. They don't have a prescription in them, just other handy charms." Harry looked at her. "I think I'm free that day, right?"

Hedwig adjusted her glasses and peered at the schedule and nodded back at him. She picked up a stylus and scribbled into the calendar. McGonagall huffed as she saw that Hedwig had drawn a small cat with a witch's hat standing next to a pig holding a glass of mead. "Well, that does get the point across," she said as Hedwig cheeped cheekily.

"Like most things, she's the best secretary," Harry smiled.

"What are they doing now?" McGonagall asked as Hedwig closed the calendar and pushed it to one side. She had clicked her beak and Marguerite and Helena helped clear Harry's desk with Athena and Hadrian opening a cabinet behind Harry and then flapping over to help finish cleaning the desk.

"Dance break," Harry said, turning on the wireless in the cabinet behind him. He adjusted it until it played a song with a fast beat and the owls hooted happily and started dancing in a line in tandem. Harry clapped his hands and looked at McGonagall who watched the scene with wide open eyes. "Hedwig is very big on work/life balance and meaningful breaks are good for productivity and morale."

McGonagall shook her head at the dancing owls but settled back in her chair comfortably. "How very strange, but delightful."

-0-

"What were you thinking?!"

"If you heard them, you've done the same!"

"What's wrong?" Dahlia asked, walking to the corner of the Gryffindor common room. That particular corner had a long-standing tradition as the 'team corner'. When Harry and the Team were playing, they hung out in that corner and after Harry and Ron graduated from the school, the teams that followed continued to use it. Sandy and Tanya were currently having an argument there and the rest of the House was giving them a wide-berth.

"Someone got into a fight and almost got detention and would've missed the game this weekend," Sandy said angrily.

"It was barely a fight," Megan said dismissively

"That's not the part I'm pissed about!"

"What happened?" Alice asked.

"The Chasers from Ravenclaw were saying some ugly shite about all of you," Megan said, face red from anger. "Said that we're a team of little girls and that they wouldn't lose to little girls and that the only reason the majority of us are on the team is because of our names. They were saying some especially ugly things about Dally and Hailey and Hadley and I would've fought them just for making fun of the team alone, much less because we're actual friends and family."

"Oh, well you didn't say that," Sandy said, deflating a little.

"You know I only fight for good reasons," Megan sniffed.

"I know you fight for many reasons with a broad interpretation of the word 'good'," Sandy countered.

"What did they say?" Hadley asked, frowning.

"Nothing good. But I made them pay for it," Megan said, blowing on her knuckles. "And since it was proven that they were being arseholes, we only got points off. And we're going to ruin them mentally and emotionally this Saturday and if I can arrange it, physically."

"Gosh, you really are like Auntie Shelia," Hailey said admiringly.

"Daddy says me and Mum are two belligerent peas in a violent pod," Megan said proudly. "And that he feels extra safe around us."

"Is it too late to switch off from starter?" Leonard asked, half-serious.

"Just don't piss us off and you'll be fine," Megan said. She looked at the Chasers. "Hammer and anvil?"

"Ooh, that sounds fun," the trio trilled.

"As long as you catch the Snitch," Sandy said. "Don't get too lost in getting revenge and forget to do your job."

"Hammer and anvil?" one of the reserve players asked.

"A tactic Uncle Harry and Auntie Angelina and the other Chasers made," Megan said, smiling. "It's a good one."

"Remember, get points," Sandy stressed. "Points first, everything else after."

"Yeah yeah, we heard you the first time," Megan said, waving her hand.

"Which one's hammer and anvil again?" Esther asked.

"You'll see," Megan said, her smile turning sinister.

-0-

"Wood has possession of the Quaffle and there they go again!" Timothy shouted into the magical megaphone, his voice enthusiastic and bright. "She's taken point on the spear formation with Weasley flying back and forth right behind her and Potter trailing farther behind. Weasley darts forward to break up the intercept attempt by Leeds and Wood passes back and caught by Potter who is now on point. Wood and Weasley blocks Daniels and Kaytree and Potter is making a run on the Ravenclaw goals! Leeds is trying to block and-OOOH!"

Dahlia flew on and suddenly dove. Leeds, the Ravenclaw Chaser, tried to follow and found himself pulling up short to prevent an impact with Hailey flying past him. He then had to roll to avoid being hit by Megan flying very close to him at an angle and when he straightened, a Bludger hit by Sandy struck him in the stomach and knocked him off his broom. Luckily they were not too high in the air and he landed on his rear, winded, clutching his middle.

"What a play!" Timothy shouted. "Potter dives, setting up a block from Weasley and a distraction from Innis puts Leeds in the perfect spot to be hit with the Bludger, knocking him off! Potter is rocketing up to the goals and shoots past Fields and scores! Gryffindor score! Taking them to 110 over 50!"

Dahlia cheered, high-fiving Hailey and then they both high-fived Megan. They took a victory lap together and retook starting positions.

"Right, good job," Sandy said, shouting a little to be heard over the crowd. "Keep it up!"

Dahlia winced a little at the knowing look Harry threw her way. He was also refereeing the game when Dahlia mentioned he might want to. She relaxed at his knowing head shake and his undeniably proud smile. The whistle was blown and she and Hailey and Hadley swarmed the thrown Quaffle and after a scrum, Hadley zoomed off with it with the other two girls close behind.

"I think they're doing it better than we are," Shelia said admiringly, watching the play through her omnioculars.

"Those are our girls," Angelina said proudly.

"What are they doing?" Jean asked.

"It's a play we created a while back when Harry was still playing," Angelina explained. "Hammer and Anvil. Basically the Seeker and the Chasers work together to harass the opposing Chasers. Lots of interference plays, roughing them around by ruining their plays, countering them, setting them up for mistakes."

"It's a little dicey because if your Seeker and Chaser team aren't in sync, you foul up yourselves," Tanya said. "Not to mention a Seeker who takes it too far doesn't pay attention to the Snitch and the other Seeker can get it. So you need a Seeker who can multitask and has the spatial awareness to interfere and make plays with the Chasers while also playing against the opposing Seeker and keeping them in line."

"But if you can do it, it's hell on the other Chasers," Shelia said proudly. "Especially if you get a Beater or both to join in on the fun. They must've done something to deserve it," she added, looking at the Ravenclaw team. "Look, they're crying."

"Don't take joy in children crying," Tanya said with disapproval.

"Okay first of all, they're what, 6th years? They're almost adults. Second of all, you know our kids. They don't do things without a reason," Shelia countered. "They wouldn't be doing this unless it was warranted."

"It's probably why Harry's being second ref," Katie said. "Normally he says he shouldn't in case of favoritism but we also know he's a moderating influence on the children so he's there to keep it from going too far."

"Didn't Meggy get in trouble earlier this week?" Sean Innis asked.

"Oh right, for fighting," Shelia said. "Something about the other party saying nasty things about her and her friends. So there, see? Reason."

"That would carry more weight if you weren't, you know, you," Tanya said dryly.

"What does that mean?!" Shelia gasped.

"That you scrap at the drop of a hat and love to do it," Katie smiled.

"Well yeah, I do," Shelia preened proudly.

"And our daughter is definitely like you in that regard," Sean smiled.

"And since the girls have been playing with each other almost weekly as they grew up, they have that kind of familiarity with each other," Jean said with a big smile.

"They take Quidditch very seriously," the various Quidditch player parents said together.

"Normally older players have the advantage, in school that is," Oliver remarked. He grinned as Hadley caught a thrown Quaffle that Hailey threw past him, whistling loudly. "But our girls grew up playing it so they're the senior in experience!" He and Alicia whooped as Hadley threw the ball and scored.

"Grew up playing it, watching it, being fully immersed into it." Hermione counted off the points. "They had no chance and no one they play has any chance," she smiled.

"Are they going to play in the League one day?" Samantha asked. "I know they're still very little though."

"That means nothing." Alicia looked at her husband. "This one wanted to play in the League since he was their age, younger even."

"Pretty much," Oliver nodded.

"Hailey definitely does," Angelina said with a big smile.

"Hadley isn't against it," Alicia smiled.

"Dally hasn't really decided, but she knows she will want to play regardless if it's a career for her or not," Katie said happily.

"Gosh, imagine them in the League though," Shelia sighed.

"They'd wreck negotiations and trades and things," Tanya laughed. "I can see it now. They hold the situation hostage by refusing to be split as a team."

"Can you blame them?" Katie laughed.

A very loud noise filled the air. Booing could be heard from all around and Hooch blew her whistle and began upbraiding one of the Ravenclaw Chasers.

"Foul!" Timothy shouted and the watchers howled in agreement. "Egregious foul by Leeds there! He threw the Quaffle, not a pass, and hit Potter in the back of the head! You can't call that a failed pass attempt! Foul play there!"

"Are you okay?" Harry asked, eyes full of concern. He had flown straight to Dahlia right after the impact, duly worried.

"I'm okay," Dahlia said, rubbing her head.

"Don't move." Harry cast a diagnostic charm on her and sighed with relief at the readings. "Okay, you're fine. Mild trauma, no excess swelling or concussion or serious injury."

"Does she still have a brain?!" Hadley and Hailey gasped together.

Harry grinned as Dahlia scowled at them. "Yes she does," Harry said with evident relief.

"Penalty on the Ravenclaw team!" Hooch shouted for all to hear. "Attack with the Quaffle. Gryffindor is to receive a foul shot attempt and then regain possession of the Quaffle whether or not they scored!"

"Go get them flower," Harry said, handing her the ball.

"You got it!" Dahlia flew to the scrimmage line and at the whistle, flew up into the air, keeping the sun to her back. At the apex of her climb, she dove down straight for the Ravenclaw Keeper. She weaved side to side then cut suddenly for the far right. As the Keeper followed her, she slewed around and punched the Quaffle hard, sending it neatly into the opposite hoop from where the Keeper flew to.

"Score!" Timothy shouted and people cheered. "Nice play by Potter! Kept the sun at her back, blinding Fields, and then sunk it in the opposite goal! Well played!"

"That's our girl!" Angelina, Katie, and Alicia cheered and the watchers shouted loudly as well.

"What an idiot," Mirabelle said, still glaring at Leeds. "Never mind that it's just bad form to attack a player like that. But to pick on a girl younger than you, and especially the daughter of a professor?"

"He is not taking N.E.W.T.s Transfiguration," McGonagall said, also frowning. "He obviously thinks himself safe."

"I don't think he's as safe as he thinks he is," Luna sniffed, looking at seven angry owls that had their heads together and were hooting and barking with one another and throwing angry looks at Leeds.

"Poor dumb bastard," Angelina snorted.

The game ended with Megan catching the Snitch. To return the favor, the Chaser trio swarmed the Ravenclaw Seeker when Megan started her run. Hadley and Hailey flew circles around him, confusing him mightily, and Dahlia buzzed Leeds who chased her angrily and the three Gryffindor Chasers scattered at the last moment, resulting in Leeds and the Seeker slamming into each other and knocking each other off course and into the ground, leaving Megan clear to catch the Snitch handily.

"Our girls are menaces!" Shelia cheered, throwing an arm around Katie and Angelina, drawing Alicia in too for a big group hug.

"They're the best!" Alicia cheered.

-0-0-0-

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - They are very cheeky and learned how to be the best at that from many role models.

TheSphynx - Until the desire to be naughty overcomes them. But at least it's still a funny sort.

odonnellzoo99 - Poor Harry, the parent for all three of them more often than not. The girls are good that way.

alix33 - Glad you liked it.

poka - I really like them a lot. I'm glad Flitwick was the main professor in Taste after all I did for McGonagall in Family. Just felt right.

chellchillingsworth - Thank you. I suppose I haven't felt the need for him to be one and nor has he really. But who knows, it might happen one day.