I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Extended Family
Chapter 120 – Flying High
Takes place after chapter 100.
"Hey! Harry!"
Harry turned, looking around. He smiled when recognized the form approaching him, waving energetically. "Hey Cedric!" Harry shook Cedric's hand when he got to him. "Good to see you, how's it going?"
"I'm doing okay," Cedric smiled. "How about you? Awesome catch against Tutshill last week by the way." He winked. "Cho wasn't too happy."
"She's never happy with whatever I do," Harry groaned. "She's still a die-hard Tornado?"
"Yep," Cedric laughed. "I told her Pates is a decent Seeker but you had him locked down the whole game."
"No, he's good and he's a great person," Harry smiled. "But like I said, she's never happy with whatever I do, ever since school."
"You know, she still flinches when she sees something white and flying."
"That's not my fault either," Harry laughed. "Pretty sure."
"I believe it," Cedric said easily. "So I've been meaning to get ahold of you. I have a proposition for you. Think you can arrange another alumni game day at Hogwarts?"
"You could arrange it too," Harry said, bemused. "The Headmaster would love it honestly, from anyone."
"Well sure but since you have his ear and Professor McGonagall's."
Harry flushed. "I really don't have their ears," he said with an embarrassed smile. "She's my Transfiguration Mistress."
"Well that counts for something. So yeah, if you put your foot in the door I'll chime in and I can get some others I'm sure."
"Feel like playing against the students again?" Harry asked.
"That and against you. Those games I watched you play at the last alumni day were grand and I'd love to go against you again." Cedric winked. "With a slight handicap to account for your professional status and your rank in the League against my nothing status and rank."
"Don't give me that," Harry laughed. "Fred and George tell me about the friendly League you lot are in."
"Emphasis on Friendly," Cedric smiled. "But yeah, your team against a team I knock together. How's that sound?"
"I'll have to ask the Headmaster and the Team but that sounds like fun to me," Harry said thoughtfully. "Of course, that means you guys have our number to train against and we don't even know who we're going against."
"You'd have more active professional players from our era," Cedric said.
"I suppose. I'll send you a message later so we can go over details." Harry winced. "Through Hedwig."
"I'll be on the lookout then and warn Cho," Cedric laughed.
-0-
"Ooooh you know, that does sound like fun," Katie said later after Harry returned home. "I've missed playing with Angelina and Alicia. I know how hard Angelina's worked through the years and now I watch her play and practice a lot, and practice with her, but it's super intense and fun to Chase with her. And Alicia isn't as active really but she's still tricky and is there for the passes and all."
Harry was lying on the ground, letting Iris crawl over him. "That was easily one of the best days of Quidditch ever, playing with the Team again. I know we play here at home all the time but as a team in a somewhat serious game is really nice."
Katie smiled when Harry lifted Iris up and the baby squealed happily. "I'm all for it. Let's get pizza for dinner for everyone and ask the others. I doubt they'll say no."
"Pizza?" Dahlia asked, appearing at Katie's elbow as if by magic.
"You were up in your room last I checked," Katie said, looking at Dahlia with wide eyes.
"I heard you mention pizza," Dahlia said matter-of-factly.
"Like a second ago! In a conversational tone!"
"I like pizza," Dahlia shrugged. "Is it Daddy's pizza?"
"I don't think we have the stuff to make it and the dough has to sit for a while," Harry said, smiling when Dahlia pouted a little. "How about we get the groceries for it this weekend and we can make home pizza then."
"Okay!" Dahlia looked up at Katie. "Can we get mushrooms please?"
"Of course," Katie smiled. "A sausage one and a mushroom one for us. I'll go see what the others want."
"And a bacon one," Dahlia said.
"Does Hedwig want pineapple on it too?" Katie asked. "Ack! I was kidding!" she laughed when Hedwig flapped to her, landing on her head and pecking her, hooting with censure.
"Pineapple on pizza?!" Dahlia gasped. Hedwig mirrored her expression, eyes wide and face disapproving.
"Dora likes pineapple and olives on her pizza," Harry said with a light shudder.
"Ugh, no thank you," Katie shuddered too.
-0-
"I'm for it," Oliver said, munching on a slice of pineapple and ham pizza. "Those games against the students together were some of the best fun I've had playing in a long time."
The families of the Village gathered outside to enjoy the cool night air and ate pizza together, a plethora of toppings were available in a variety of combinations.
"Agreed, I'd enjoy it too," Alicia said. She rolled her eyes when the twins and Oliver gasped theatrically. "Yes yes, get it out of your system." She threw her napkin hard when Fred opened his mouth to take an exaggerated gasp.
Fred coughed when it sailed into his mouth and he reached into his mouth to yank it out. "If you choke me to death, I can't be a Beater," he sniffed.
"I suppose you live for now," Alicia sighed.
"Stop filching from my plate!" Angelina said irritably, swatting at her giggling daughter who ran off with a slice that had moments before sat on her plate. "The whole pizza is in the middle of the table!"
"It tastes better off your plate!" Hailey said, munching on it.
"I don't know what that's like," Harry sighed as he watched Luna and Hedwig take slices off his plate.
"It's tradition," Luna said, her mouth full and Hedwig nodded.
He grinned when Hadley and Dahlia and Hailey replaced the slices. "Thank you, bunnies." He shifted in his chair a little, making room for all of them to squeeze onto it with him.
"Any idea who's on the other main alumni team?" George asked as he put a slice on Angelina's plate. "Aside from Cedric?"
"No idea but he's got a decent pool to draw from," Harry said. "I can think of a few people he won't pull but he's got a good amount regardless."
"Sadly he's going to have a few extras on some positions," Katie said. "Very Seeker heavy."
"Yeah, they're a Knut a dozen," Fred said airily, "Can't go anywhere without tripping over them. Least important position and-hey!" He ducked behind George as the bunnies chucked napkins at him.
"Thank you, girls," Harry smiled and kissed the crowns of their heads.
Angelina laughed. "He's not wrong that there's a few Seekers that can be on the other team. Him, Cho, and Crowley come to mind."
"Hmm, I wonder if any of our old Gryffindor teammates will play against us," Katie hummed.
"Ron won't if he knows what's good for him," Fred said.
"He won't want to Keep against the Valkyries," George laughed. "And who can blame him?"
"Ginny might though, especially if we irritate her enough," Fred said thoughtfully.
"I'd rather her on our team as a reserve," Angelina said. "She's tough to play against in the League as it is."
"Mirabelle won't play against us," Harry said confidently. "I don't think Jimmy or Demelza would either. Or Erica, though you guys wouldn't know her."
"Hmmmmm," the twins hummed, harmonizing a little.
"It's so weird when you two do that," Alicia said.
"That's our thinking hum," they said.
"So Ced wants a handicap of sorts you said?" George asked.
"Half of the alumni players are pretty active in the London League," Fred said when Harry nodded. "And the top dogs aren't bad."
"So if we give them the same handicap we gave the terrible children last time, we might have a really rough time of it."
"But what if we do something else, like a rotating player thing of sorts."
"What does that mean?" Oliver asked.
"Oh like we regularly have to rotate a player out when they do something," Angelina said. "That might be fun."
"How did you get that from what they said?" Harry asked, impressed.
"It's happened!" Alicia gasped. "She's thinking like them!"
"I think your hair is turning red!" Katie gasped.
"How rude," Fred sniffed when Angelina started gagging and Alicia and Katie howled with laughter.
"But yeah, pretty much what we were thinking," George sniffed, turning away from the cackling Chasers. "Say whenever a Chaser scores, we swap one out. When one of us gets knocked off our broom by a Bludger, we swap out. If Oliver gets scored on, we sub someone in."
"Luckily you were literally the only Seeker for a long time so we don't have to worry about swapping you out," Fred laughed.
"Mirabelle will jump on board," Harry said, warming up to the idea. "That means Ginny, Ron, and Demelza can play too and they might. Jimmy too if he wants."
"I like that idea," Katie said. "Let's see if the other team will go for it and then invite the others here to do a bit of practice."
"I want us to play one game without the swapping though," Alicia said. "It is our Team after all."
"No complaints here," Harry smiled.
-0-
"I am so excited and so nervous," Mirabelle said as she tightened her padding. "I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with the legendary Weasley twins."
"I like her," Fred smiled.
"You'll do great," Harry laughed, hugging her with one arm.
Cedric had enthusiastically agreed to the terms and so did Dumbledore. The date was set for another Alumni game day at Hogwarts and the other Alumni team will play a game against a mixed Hogwarts team as well as the Highflyers. Then the Highflyers will go against the other Alumni team twice, once with the swapping rule that the other team agreed to adopt as well, and once in a regular game.
McGonagall had been giddy when she found out and she said the other professors and the students were really excited for the upcoming game day. Fred and George reported that the main pitch in London where the friendly games were held had been booked for private practice by Cedric and the team roster of the other team was very hushed.
Mirabelle, Ginny, Demelza, Ron, and Jimmy had all eagerly jumped onto the opportunity to play with the Highflyers and had been so happy to receive their own uniforms of crimson and gold but with a shield as their symbol: the Gryffindor lion in the middle of a mountain with Hedwig flying over top, and an extra Hedwig on their right shoulders. All the members of the Team received an updated uniform as well and the bunnies were happy to wear the old ones shrunk down for them.
Jimmy and Mirabelle took some time to get used to playing with each other once more before they started mixing things up with Fred and George. Oliver taught Ron some new techniques he developed and honed from years of professional play while the Chasers swapped in all sorts of combinations of three and scrimmaged against each other with Harry providing help to all of them when appropriate.
"I thought I stayed in decent shape," Demelza gasped. "I need to work harder apparently."
"Man, I've played for the Harpies for a while now and I thought me and my team worked well," Ginny said, wiping her brow. "But those three are on another level."
"Your team is great," Angelina said. "We just played so much in school together and stayed in touch so we never lost our touch sorta."
"I think we got our groove really fast," Katie said, nodding to Ginny and Demelza. "It's like my last year too. It feels nice flipping between the two trios honestly."
"We've been doing very well in mixed teams," Alicia nodded.
"Ron's doing good," Oliver said, tossing the Quaffle at Ron who caught it neatly. "You been keeping active in the friendly league too, right?"
"Here and there," Ron said. "Hard to get away from the Cauldron sometimes even with the help and Hannah is happy to let me go." He looked pleased at Oliver's praise. "Not your level obviously but I'm decent I'd say. At least close to how I was at school."
"I know why you two were called the best Beaters for the longest time," Jimmy said. "You two think on a scarily close level."
"That's because they're twins," Ron said.
"Trust me, you don't want to think like them," Ginny said.
Fred and George sniffed. "Sibling cruelty is especially cruel," they said together.
"But you two are good," George continued. "You fly well and hit well. Mirabelle has more power and aim, just saying."
"I played softball growing up," Mirabelle smiled.
"Ah makes sense," Fred said. "You got good spatial awareness," he said to Jimmy, "and we don't have to go looking for either of you really so I think we'll be good here."
"Poor Harry, all by himself," Ginny said, her smile dripping with saccharine insincerity. "That's what you get for being the only Seeker for like seven years."
"Six, we didn't play during my fourth," Harry said lightly, giving her a look.
"Still, no one to swap out with as needed. It must be lonely at the top," she said, sighing with mock sadness.
Harry opened his mouth to retort but then smiled instead, looking slightly past her. "I mean, wouldn't make sense to swap out Seekers for scoring, but maybe if getting hit with a Bludger, I'll just have to not get hit."
"Not hard for you," Angelina said. "What's your hit record, one out of every four games on average?"
"If you don't count grazes or glances," Harry nodded.
Ginny brushed something off her head, not looking at it. "Our Beaters hate trying to go for you. You weave around all their shots."
"Most Beaters do," Oliver said. Something caught his eye and he started to smile. "Sir Harry's wily."
"Seekers always are, egotistical too," Ginny said with the smile she wore when she needled her brothers. She waved her hand again to brush something aside.
"Shelia and I work great together, thank you very much," Harry said.
"Yeah and I love Shelia but she's got ego to spare," Katie said lovingly. "In fact, that's why you two work great together. She has more than enough for the both of you." She started to snicker.
"Oh man, the first time I saw her get rowdy and call herself the Queen of Skye, that was amazing," Angelina said. "That was after our first game together as a team against Puddlemere." Her eyes started moving back and forth and she grinned, looking past Ginny too.
"Oh yeah," Oliver said, his smile turning feral. "When she headbutted Greens after he called her a broomstick trollop. That was awesome."
"Oh good, never liked him anyways," Alicia said approvingly. "What happened to him?"
"He got knocked out clean," Harry said, smiling at the memory. "He called her that and knocked her mug out of her hand. She drained his and put him down with a solid headbutt. It was awesome."
"Wish I saw that." Ginny looked at the twins and Ron laughing, their faces turning red. "What's so funny?" she asked irritably as she swiped at something that buzzed behind her head. She turned to look and saw nothing.
"Anyways," Harry said, fighting to keep the mirth from his voice, "I'll be fine on my own as sole Seeker. If you have concerns, you might want to bring it up to the co-Captain."
"Who, you? Aren't you co-Captains with Oliver?" Ginny asked.
"Nope," Harry said, popping the P with a lopsided grin.
Ginny paled. "Oh no wait-" She shrieked and jumped when Hedwig screeched loudly from behind her. Hedwig, wearing her co-Captain badge, had flown silently around her when Ginny started teasing Harry. She brushed Ginny's hair with her wing tips and talons, buzzing about much to the amusement of the rest of the team. Finally, Hedwig made her presence and ire known and chased Ginny down the pitch, chastising her loudly.
Everyone watched and laughed as she ran around the pitch for the first part, fleeing the wrath of Hedwig before turning and chasing the cackling owl, howling at the top of her lungs.
"She's never going to learn, is she," Katie laughed.
"Nope!" the twins chortled.
"Bloody bird's a menace," Ron said, shaking his head.
"Glad it's not me," Angelina said happily. "Though to be fair, she's mellowed around me some and I'm grateful for it."
"She's such a cuddlebug normally though," Mirabelle said.
"Like most people, she has complex relationships with all sorts of people," Harry said lovingly.
-0-
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Witches and Wizards, children of all ages, welcome one and all to the second annual Alumni Games Day! She's Lyla Bell-"
"And he's Lee Jordan! We're back as your favorite commentators and do we have a treat for you!" Lyla shouted into her megaphone to the cheers of all the watchers.
It was a beautiful day at Hogwarts. The sun was bright and the breeze was nice and cool, taking away the edge of the coming summer heat. Dumbledore chose the day after exams for the Alumni day as a treat for the students and they were out in force to watch the games. Like last time, the families of the alumni were there in colorful tents and watched from their own chairs and tables while the students packed the stands.
"We have a gauntlet of games for you today!" Lee said happily. "First we have Hogwarts' finest of mixed teams to go at it and see who will earn the right to face the alumni teams! And you heard me right, there are two teams of alumni today!"
Lee and Lyla joined the applause. "First is the newcomers, let's give it up for The Olympians! Led by Captain Cedric Diggory and composed of players from Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin!" Everyone cheered as a group of alumni waved from one side of the pitch, wearing white uniforms edged in bronze and they had a symbol of a white pillar building on top of a mountain surrounded by clouds.
"Oh that's a fun team name," Harry said. "I wonder why they picked it."
Hermione frowned a little. "Hmm, I have an idea maybe," she mused.
"And we have our reigning champions: Hedwig's Highflyers!" Lyla shouted and the roars could be heard from everywhere. "Joining the team this time are Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Demelza Robins, Jimmy Peakes, and Mirabelle Ramos! After the two games between the Hogwarts teams and the Alumni, the two Alumni teams will battle in two more games! One will be called the Rotating Rule where players will be swapped out after points and Bludger hits. The other has not been modified yet but there might be one yet to come!"
"Will the Highflyers continue to rule on high? Or will the Olympians take down the titans that the Hedwigians are?" Lee shouted.
"Oh that's what I thought," Hermione sniffed.
"What's up?" Angelina asked.
"The Titans were the gods that ruled before the Olympians in Greek myth. The Greek Gods were the descendants of them and the titans were overthrown after a war, and the Olympic Gods being the final rulers of the pantheon and the cosmos. They killed all the former titans and enslaved the survivors." Hermione shook her head.
"Sounds like they're a little confident," Alicia said coolly, shooting the other alumni team a look.
"I'm fine with them trying to psych themselves up and us out," Fred sniffed.
"They're going to need all the help they can get," George sniffed.
The two alumni teams met in the middle of the pitch. "Nice uniforms and name," Harry said genially.
"Thanks," Cedric grinned. "We were going to use a lightning bolt as part of a symbol but well, decided not to in the end."
"Just as well," Harry laughed. "Hey there Silas."
Silas smiled back. "Good to see you, Potter." He sighed when he saw Ginny. "As if your team needed more professional players, and a particularly dangerous one at that."
"You didn't think I'd play against them, did you?" Ginny snorted. "I got four brothers on the team," she said, hiking a thumb over her shoulder.
"I had hoped you would not," Silas said politely.
"You got professionals too," Angelina said, nodding at him, Elizabeth, Atton, and Cailey. "Same number as us actually."
"And looks like we're pretty even on regular friendly league players," George said.
"So it'll be some good games," Cedric smiled. As the players mingled and chatted, he nudged Harry. "Feeling the pressure? There's three of us against one of you."
"Just a bit," Harry smiled, nodding cordially at Cho and exchanging happy waves with Elizabeth who hugged him.
"I'm in a bit of a bind," Cho said with a small smile. "Tina said if I make Dahlia cry, she'll make me cry and let me tell you, she can do it. She's scary."
"Dally loves her," Harry said warmly, his smile from ear to ear.
"Oh is she here? I found the cutest thing for her when I did that international game in the States," Elizabeth said.
"She sure is. She always likes to see Auntie Lizzie," Harry said, making Elizabeth smile.
"I love her. But I won't take it easy on you," Elizabeth said with a hungry smile.
"You never do in any game we've played and I wouldn't expect anything less," Harry said with an equally hungry smile.
Cedric sighed gustily. "Going to be some great games today."
-0-
The first Hogwarts versus Alumni game matched the Highflyers against a strong mixed team. It was an improvement over the last team that played, both in temperament and skill. The Hogwarts team accounted for themselves well, but even with the now traditional two-to-one score scale, the Highflyers won, 105 to 40. The Hogwarts team was elated that they scored as well as they did and were happy for the opportunity to play.
The Team swapped out their players throughout the game, letting the secondary members warmup some. They all landed in high spirits and rejoined their families to watch the Olympians play.
"Hmm, they think they are clever," Alicia said, "making us play first so they can watch."
"They're trying to get every advantage they can," Angelina agreed. "Not a bad play."
"They aren't bad either," Oliver mused as the game progressed.
"Told you," George said, holding a wiggling Abby. "The ones that play on the London Friendly are a bit more than friendly. They take it seriously. Ced, Cho, Corner, Li, the Carrows, they play like they mean it."
"Atton and Cailey were above us in school, I barely remember playing them," Fred said, holding a bouncing Alex.
"They must have practiced some too, they're working together decently," Katie said with a critical eye. "Same with Silas and Lizzie. What do you think, love?"
Harry rolled a little, shifting Hadley and Hailey and Dahlia who were lying over him. "I agree. Silas is a solid Chaser and Lizzie is a great Seeker and they look like they've been playing with this team for a little bit."
"What are your chances then, do you think?" Daphne asked.
"We still have the advantage," Alicia said firmly. "Our teamwork is top notch and we work very well with the others." She narrowed her eyes. "They are playing rather fast."
"Trying to end it soon so they can go against us fresh," Angelina huffed. "Which they have a bunch of people to sub out, shouldn't be an issue." She turned to Alicia and blanched. "Oh boy, I know that look. What are you cooking in that brain of yours."
"If they think they can outthink us and play our minds, they need to go back to Hogwarts," Alicia said, her eyes glinting. Suddenly she smiled. "I have an idea." She gestured and everyone leaned in.
"I suddenly feel bad for the other team," Danielle remarked. "Whenever Alicia smiles like that, something is about to happen."
"She is very clever," Andromeda said admiringly.
"Does seem like they've tried to stack everything against our team," Sirius said.
"I have faith in the Highflyers," Samantha said stoutly.
"Two can play at that game," Luna said, her own calculating look growing.
"Oh yeah? Tell me more," Sirius said, looking at her with interest.
"Do you think we can get fabric and lots of it?"
"I have a pocket full of gold that says we can," Sirius said. He smiled. "And let's hit up another store in Hogsmeade while we're at it. I think I know what you're going for."
"Let's go, before they start their game then," Ted said eagerly.
-0-
"And a hearty hand to the Hogwarts team!" Lee shouted and everyone applauded loudly. "A great second game and they came close to the Alums, but the Olympians carried the win with the game ending at 200 to 80." He cleared his throat and his voice fell into a stage whisper. "And now, the moment we have been waiting for…"
"The moment we've been dreaming of," Lyla carried on in the same whisper.
"The moment we've been envisioning."
"The moment we've been divining!"
"The moment we've…been…salivating?"
"Ew."
"Yeah it didn't feel right with me as I was saying it but it's been said. Anyways! It's time for the clash we've been wanting! Hedwig's Highflyers against The Olympians!" Cheers rained down from all sides.
"Introducing the starting lineup for the Olympians! Silas Selwyn, Flora Carrow, and Hestia Carrow as your Chasers! Atton Alberts and Michael Corner as your Beaters! Cailey Lane as your Keeper! And Cedric Diggory as your Seeker!"
"Taking the field for the Highflyers: Ginny Weasley, Demelza Robins, and Katie Potter as your Chasers! Mirabelle Ramos and Fred Weasley as your Beaters! Ron Weasley as your Keeper. And Harry Potter as your Seeker!" Lyla squealed.
"Johnson-Weasley and Spinnet-Wood aren't starting?" Silas asked, eyebrow raised. "Neither are Weasley or Wood?"
"Taking a breather," Harry said with a small smile. "Plus with the kids, you know." He waved to Michael. "Switched to Beater?"
"Cross-trained a bit," Michael laughed. "We needed some people for other roles and let me tell you, being a Healer means I have plenty of aggression to work out so Beater's actually fun."
"That's why MumAndi's taken up golf," Harry laughed.
"Hey, stop fraternizing with the enemy," Cedric teased, flying over.
"No enemies here," Harry smiled. "You don't have any of the not-awesome Slytherins on your team." Silas' smile grew at that.
"I wouldn't have Flint on any kind of bet," Cedric said, shuddering.
-0-
"There are so many Weasleys on this year's team," Lee said. "Last year there were three and now there's five! So we're going back to maiden names for the Chasers and unfortunately, there has been proof that Fred is in fact, not a maiden."
"LEE JORDAN!" McGonagall shrieked from the pitch without any magical assistance.
"Oh yeah? How so?" Lyla asked while the crowd howled and hooted.
"He really is dating my sister," Lee sighed.
"He didn't tell us," Angelina gasped. "Did you know?"
George nodded. "I do and don't ask me how I know."
"How do you know?" Alicia asked.
George sighed. "Let's just say he had a lunch guest of sorts one day when I was going up to the flat."
"Poor girl, ashamed of him," Alicia smiled.
Lyla giggled mightily. "We'll be referring to the men Weasleys by name to save any confusion there and Ginny will retain the Weasley title. Man, I've said Weasley so much in the last few minutes."
"There's a lot of them, and the majority of them are Quidditch fanatics," Lee nodded. "I've always wondered what you call a bunch of Weasleys. So I went and looked up what you call a group of weasels and get this, they can be called a boogle, a gang, a pack, and my personal favorite, a confusion!"
"A boogle of weasels is so cute!" Lyla gushed.
"Right and since the Weasley brothers collectively aren't, we can't use that. But a Confusion of Weasleys sounds right on the Knut to me!" He laughed uproariously as Fred and George and Ron booed and Ginny threw a very rude hand gesture at him.
"Your new nickname is boogle," Alicia said, her face contorted by laughter. She squealed when Angelina shoved her.
"Don't you dare," Angelina said, fighting a smile.
"I rather be a Bludger," Hailey said. "Or a bun."
"Here comes Madame Hooch!" Lee said and the crowd went silent. "She's opening the case! There goes the Bludgers, there goes the Snitch!"
"She's throwing up the Quaffle and there's the whistle!" Lyla yelled.
"HERE WE GO!" the commentators shouted together and the game was on.
"Selwyn takes first possession of the Quaffle and there he goes with Flora and Hestia forming a bowl formation with him in the middle! He dodges a Bludger hit by Fred and passes to Flora and what a shot! Ramos hits the Quaffle with the other Bludger and knocks it aside!" Lee's enthusiasm was infectious and the crowd cheered.
"Go Mira!" Lyla shouted. "Robins with the recovery and she passes to Weasley who passes it to Bell and back to Robins! Look at those ladies go! Hook formation with Bell at the hook and Weasley at the tail and they're passing with barely a look! Bludger from Corner scatters them but they have possession still though Robins is isolated. Alberts coming in to crowd with Flora and Selwyn and Hestia punches the Quaffle up and WOW!"
Hestia flew up from below and punched the Quaffle out from under Demelza's arm. The big red ball went high into the air and Selwyn flew to block Demelza while Atton screened the other Gryffindor Chasers so Flora could catch the Quaffle.
Harry flew in at an angle and spun the broomstick underneath him, twisting with his knees and kicking with his right after he hooked the stick with the front of his foot. The broomstick twirled around his left leg and the tail struck the Quaffle with a heavy thwack, sending it flying away from Flora who had stopped and watched with slack-jawed amazement. The broomstick continued to spin, letting Harry land neatly back on the saddle with his left hand clutching the front part of the stick for stability. The Quaffle sailed out and Katie caught it neatly and zoomed away with it while Ginny flew behind her to discourage any Olympian interference.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Lee shouted while the crowd screamed and cheered.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Samantha, Andromeda, McGonagall, Hermione, Daphne, and Jean shouted from below at the same time.
"Harry kicked his broomstick and used his left leg as a pivot!" Lyla squealed. "And knocked the Quaffle with the tail like a mallet! What a trick and what a play!"
"Bell has a clear shot at the goals! She's going in hot, shoots, and scores! Bouncing the shot off the middle pole and sending it clean through the left while Lane goes right! Highflyers on the board! 10 to nil!" Lee whistled loudly while the crowd roared.
"Now remember, any time a Chaser scores, anytime a Beater knocks a player over, and anytime a Keeper lets a goal in, they swap out. So Lane and Bell have to swap and- oh wait." Lyla started giggling and laughing. "Bell-Potter is going to have a word with Potter it seems before they swap and swaps don't cause timeouts so Bell-Potter better hurry to get out so the Highflyers can have an active team of Chasers." She threw the hand gesture that Katie threw back.
"Harry," Katie growled as she zoomed to him. "Where are you going?!"
"Taking you back down to swap out faster!" Harry said, flying a little faster than necessary. "Awesome catch and score by the way! You're so awesome and cool and beautiful and I love you very much!"
Katie landed but glared at him. "Don't you dare do that again! Do you hear me?!" She cupped her hands around her mouth as he zoomed off and Alicia took to the air. "YOU ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE HARRY JAMES POTTER!" She squawked when the bunnies jumped on her, bringing her down.
"Go Daddy! Go Papa Harry!" they trilled.
"I take it you didn't know he had that in his pocket," Samantha asked as she looked down at a trapped Katie.
"No," she said through gritted teeth. "I'm going to get him for this. Also girls, you can't keep defending him when he does things like this!"
"Yes we can," the bunnies said together resolutely.
"Okay, you can, but you shouldn't," she allowed.
"Why?" they asked with identically tilted heads.
"How in the world did you even think of that?" Cedric asked flatly when Harry flew up to him.
"Just thought of it one day," Harry shrugged. "I practiced it to make sure it was doable and not unsafe."
"That wasn't unsafe?" Corner asked, incredulously.
"I mean, more unsafe," Harry said weakly. "Look, I just thought it would be fun and cool and well, yeah."
"Are you trying to get a move named after you?" Cedric snorted.
"As if he needs it. Do you realize that the general strategy of active Seeker interference is called Seeking Potter?" Silas said.
"Really?" Harry asked, eyes wide.
"Yeah," Atton said. "There's normal Seeking, conservative, hunting, and your brand of Seeking and you're the best at it. There's a reason why new plays are made to account for a Seeker being a nuisance."
"PLAY THE GAME!" Cho shouted from the Olympian side of the pitch. "GET YOUR ARSES IN GEAR AND GO!"
"I feel bad for you," Corner said, patting Cedric on the shoulder as they dispersed.
"Don't," Cedric laughed. "She only yells on a pitch."
-0-
"Great shot Mummy!"
Angelina scooped Hailey up and kissed her. "Thanks Bun!" She high-fived Alicia who took her place and flew into the air for the swap. The Highflyers were up, 100 to 60, and the game continued at a brisk steady pace. Angelina accepted a cup of butterbeer from her mother and sipped, looking around. "Whoa, wait, where did those come from?!" Flags and banners bearing the symbol of Hedwig's Highflyers flapped and waved from all over the pitch. People waved and banged on sticks that were crimson and gold with snowy white tips.
"Luna of course," Hermione smiled. "We figured we should try and give the Team some support and she and Sirius and some others went to Hogsmeade and came back with fabric and things. She made the new Highflyers symbol and replicated it on the flags and people have been snapping them up while Sirius bought a bunch of noise makers."
"You're the best," Angelina said, hugging Luna.
"Thank you," Luna said, smiling prettily. "The Team deserves some proper support."
"The game has been so exciting so far," Andromeda said. "How is it up there?"
"It's good! It's not like playing a pro game but it's tougher in a way because the other team is being pretty ruthless too. Must be our teenage pride coming through," Angelina laughed. "It's a fierce game and I knew it wouldn't be easy, but it's been fun. This whole swapping thing has been interesting."
Jean bounced Iris in her arms. "It's really interesting to see how the other Seekers are treating Harry."
"Yeah he's basically dealing with three different playstyles. Elizabeth is in his face and is counter-interfering while interfering with us some," Angelina said. "But she does that in the League and she's the second best at Harry-style Seeking. Cho is definitely doing the more avoiding him but actively hunting and searching while Cedric is aerial dueling Harry but not really interfering with the rest of the game."
"They've been swapping out on the regular," Thomas said. "Harry must be getting tired."
"Papa Harry will catch the Snitch," Hadley declared stoutly.
"He's the best!" Hailey shouted.
"Go Daddy!" Dahlia yelled.
-0-
The crowd exploded in cheers when Harry came out of a dive with the Snitch in hand. He and Cedric had fought hard for it, sliding in and out of each other's paths and Harry managed to weave around a Bludger struck by Mirabelle, distracting Cedric just enough to grab the Snitch. There were some groans from the crowd but everyone clapped and cheered for both teams as they returned to earth.
"What a game," Cedric said, smiling despite the loss. "We got close! 220 to 250!"
"Yeah, it was a close one," Oliver said, shaking Cedric's hand. "Good play all around!"
"I guess that's what the number advantage does," Silas said. "We could swap out our players more often and stay fresher than you."
"That's true," Alicia said, stifling a yawn. "Been a bit since we played like this."
"We can cancel the last game," Su suggested. "Open it up back to Blitz with the students."
"I kinda feel bad," Katie said slowly. "We did promise two alumni games."
"Yeah," Cedric smiled. "We'll take it easy on you."
The Team looked at each other. "I wouldn't mind playing one more," Fred said, stretching slowly. "Maybe just us as our Team against you guys. You can keep swapping out."
"We'll stick with our old handicap, with us scoring half to your proper," George said, stretching as well. "Since you lost two of your pro players." Atton and Cailey had to leave after the game they just finished, having prior plans.
"If you're offering, thanks!" Cedric said. He and the Olympians went to their side of the pitch to figure out their starting line-up.
"They took the bait," Harry said softly.
Alicia's smile was from ear to ear and the newer team members blinked at the sheer ferocity in the expression. "Good. Let's remind them who started the dynasty, shall we?"
-0-
"Alright everyone! Are we still excited for one more official game?" Lee held a hand to his ear as the crowd cheered and clapped. "Great! We have one more game to enjoy, a second game between Hedwig's Highflyers and the Olympians! The conditions are as follows: the Olympian team can swap players out as desired and every time the Highflyers score, it is halved. They'll be sticking to their original team composition for this final game."
"Introducing the starting Olympian team line-up! Silas Selwyn, Flora Carrow, and Hestia Carrow as your Chasers! Elias Knight and Michael Corner as your Beaters! Sebastian Linwood as your Keeper! And Cedric Diggory as your Seeker!" Lee whistled as the Olympian team took a lap around the pitch, soaking in the cheers.
"And here is the original Gryffindor line-up for Hedwig's Highflyer!" Lyla cheered. "Alicia Wood, Angelina Weasley, and Katie Potter as your Chasers! George Weasley and Fred Weasley as your Beaters! Oliver Wood as your Keeper. And Harry Potter as your Seeker!" She jumped up and down as they took their lap.
"Let's do this," Angelina said as they broke off to assume starting positions.
"There goes the Bludgers, and there goes the Snitch!" Lee shouted as the magical balls went flying.
"Madam Hooch throws up the Quaffle and blows the whistle! Let's get it on!" Lyla shouted.
The last word barely left her lips and the Highflyers exploded into action. Alicia leaned down and flew forward in one smooth motion, startling the other side. She flew straight to the Quaffle but instead of grabbing it, she punched it hard, cocking her arm back and punching with all her might. Katie did not fly towards the Quaffle, instead of flying forward as soon as the whistle blew. She dove and then climbed, looking up and catching the Quaffle before rocketing off. Angelina had followed and stayed behind her as rear guard.
Fred had flown to a Bludger and hit it hard, swinging his whole body around with the broom, shooting the iron ball at George. George hit the Bludger with a two-handed grip on his bat, grunting with exertion, and the screaming Bludger scattered the three Olympian Chasers that had clustered to follow Katie, sending them in different directions.
Harry had flown up into the air at a sharp angle, into the sun and as soon as Katie started flying in an approach vector to the goals, he dove. He flew right at Linwood who flinched and dove away from Harry, a startled shout from the Keeper as he saw Harry come flying out of the sun to him. It cleared the way for Katie who threw the Quaffle from close range, sending the Quaffle through the center hoop with plenty of space around the Quaffle.
"Hopping Hippogriffs!" Lee shouted. "Immediate possession by the Highflyers with an amazing punch-pass-play! The Beaters discouraged the Olympian Chasers and with Potter distracting Linwood, Bell scored with space to spare!"
"We thought the Highflyers were flagging last game but it looks like they found their second wind!
Lyla screamed.
"We got played," Cedric gasped, eyes wide.
"Yup," Silas said grimly. Loud laughter made the Olympians turn and they blanched at the sight.
Alicia floated above them, arms wide and head back. "WHERE ARE YOUR GODS, OLYMPIANS?!" she screeched. "Look no further for we are here!" She gestured to the team. "You think you rule on high from your mountain but never forget that we will always FLY HIGHER!" She cackled and zoomed off with Angelina and Katie following her, whooping and punching the air.
"Holy shit," the Carrows breathed in the same tone.
"I uh, I think I just got a cramp, or something," Michael said uneasily. "Anyone else want to take over?"
"Come on, we still got this," Cedric said, a trifle uncertain.
Oliver had listened to the proclamation with the biggest smile on his face. "I love my wife so much."
"Sorry mate," Fred said, patting his shoulder.
"For what? She only shouts like that on the pitch," Oliver laughed. "You guys know that if we lose after she says something like that, our suffering will be never ending right?"
George grimaced. "Better not lose then."
The game continued and the feigned weariness the Highflyers had shown last game was firmly dispelled. It was like the old days all over again, where they felt like they could play forever. They smiled and laughed and cheered as they played and the Olympians were swept up into the flow of things.
"Yup, they're panicking," Ron laughed, watching through some omnioculars. "They bought the tired act."
"And now they got serious buyer's remorse," Demelza said smugly.
"Go Team!" Mirabelle shouted, shaking a pompom that Dahlia shared with her. "Go Captain!"
"Go Daddy! Go Papa Harry!" the bunnies cheered.
-0-
"What is she doing?" Oliver asked.
Cho swapped out for Elizabeth and as soon she got onto the pitch, she took off. She flew fast and low to the ground, zigzagging across the pitch back and forth.
"Oh hell no," Angelina said. "She's trying to zipper it! Just like you did Rabbit!" She looked at Oliver. "It's a play we made my last year."
"We can't have that," Oliver smiled. "You going to let her do that to you?"
"Say the word," Harry grinned.
"Zip it up, Rabbit," Angelina said with a feral smile.
With a will, Harry flew off and started flying against Cho in the opposite direction. The crowd roared as they watched them both constantly bisect the pitch back and forth, causing the other players to fly evasively and disrupt plays. Eventually, Harry flew right at Cho and at the last moment, flew up at an angle, causing her to follow. He flew up and at the apex of his climb, turned almost along his own length and flew straight down.
Cho followed right after him, thinking he saw the Snitch. Yet as they approached the ground, she thought otherwise and pulled hard on her broomstick, leaning back and leveling out. People screamed as Harry kept diving and leveled out mere inches over the ground, twisting slightly and straightening easily, his feet skimming along the ground.
"What a beautiful Wronski Feint by Harry!" Lee exclaimed. "It was almost like my last year when Chang did the same to him just about! Only in this case, Potter did not almost plow Chang and I'm not saying that because I have a very healthy fear and respect for Katie!" Wait." He watched as Harry continued to fly around with his right arm out. "Is that-"
"He did it again!" Lyla squealed. "The Snatcher of Snitches snatched another Snitch! Highflyers win! 150 to 50! HEDWIG'S HIGHFLYERS CONTINUE TO FLY HIGH!"
Cheers and applause came from all over as the watchers exploded. Highflyer flags waved from all around and the Team assembled to take a team lap with Hedwig joining them, carrying a banner that streamed behind her as she barked in victory. The Team laughed and waved and they came to earth, joined by the Olympians.
"Nice catch," Cho said wryly. "You almost got me with the feint."
"Thank you," Harry smiled. "Nice variation on the Zipper. You are sharp on the cut turns." He extended a hand.
Cho smiled more easily and shook it happily. "One of these days, I'll get you."
"I'll have to keep working hard," Harry replied with the same smile. "Good game!" He stumbled when he was tackled by three enthusiastic little girls.
"Daddy run!" Dahlia shouted.
"We'll protect you!" Hadley and Hailey shouted.
Harry turned and blanched at seeing Hermione and Daphne walking very angrily towards him with the older women following behind. "Ahhhh run!" Harry shouted. He pulled Dahlia onto his back and took off with Hailey and Hadley under each arm, fleeing and squealing at the top of their lungs.
"Get back here!" Hermione shouted and she and Daphne took off after.
"Wow, Harry's gotten stronger," Luna said admiringly.
"We make him strength train with us," Angelina smiled as she and Oliver snorted and laughed.
"You're not going to chase him?" Katie asked.
"He will tire out," Andromeda sighed. "And then he will not be able to get away."
"He's a menace on a broom," Samantha said, shaking her head.
"What did you say to them, by the way?" Ginny asked Alicia. She laughed when Alicia repeated it. "I need to get your help on trash-talking."
"It is a very valuable art," Alicia smiled.
-0-
"How's your hearing?" Katie asked later.
"Hmm?" Harry asked, grinning when she poked him. He had accepted the scolding with contented good-humor and the rest of the day had passed very pleasantly. The students and groups of alumni made teams to play Blitz and the others enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, enjoying the company and plenty of good Hogwarts food.
"Promise me you won't do that kick trick in an official game," Katie sighed.
"I promise," Harry chuckled.
"Good." Katie snuggled against him and they chuckled as they watched the girls chase after Ginny who was chasing a cackling Hedwig for some reason.
"I love that we still play together as a Team like this," Harry said, his voice soft and warm.
"We're never not going to," Katie said confidently. "We'll always be a team and keep playing until we can't."
"Promise?" Harry asked.
"Promise," she said, kissing him. "We'll be playing together forever."
"Looking forward to it," he said, kissing her back.
-0-0-0-
odonellzoo99 - I did like the last chapter. It was simple and sweet. The whole chapter came from the idea of the three baby bunnies/sluggies meeting properly for the first time and grew from there.
poka - It was a lot of fun and just simple sweetness. I literally wanted to write a scene where Dally exchanged pacifiers like that and it just snowballed from there. That and it's fun seeing Apolline and Jean like that.
Ghostwriter - Hope your month is improving and things get better.
Kaya - Thank you, glad you enjoyed.
alix33 - The sweet and gross line was my favorite and the image of Dahlia latched onto the pacifier like a determined fish on a hook made me laugh.
DoraLupinTonks - Thank you, I'm glad you do.