I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Hello everyone, hope all are well. I always try to post on this date, it's a special day for me, and it felt right to post Extended Family today. Even with all I've done, The FamilyVerse will still always have a special place that is near and dear to me. It was proof that I could take on a large project and see it through to the end. It also was proof that I could tell a narrative in the setting with greater changes to it. It helped give me the confidence to continue and ever since 12/22/2021, I have been consistently writing. Dance of Dementors was my first ever finished story and that was only a bare few weeks before The Family that Chooses You was started being posted. More than three years. I can't imagine what I would be doing now if I wasn't writing. I wouldn't even know how I would be now.
Finishing Dance led me to thinking I could take on Family. Finishing Family led me to all the others. I have not regretted writing any of my stories though I still wince at some of the comments on some of them truth be told. But from Dance to Family, to Curse, to Devotion, to Defiance, to Taste, to Stone's Heart, and now Champion with a myriad of one-shots in between. All of that was possible because of Family.
And I have all of you to thank for it.
Thank you for the kind words through the years. Thank you for your time and attention. You all have seen me through many lows and my highs were made the better for all of you.
Thank you for being a part of my fanfiction family.
All my best to you.
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Extended Family
Chapter 174 – Speaking Eight: Hedwigian Measures
As per tradition, takes place all over the timeline with the first instance starting in chapter 39 when Harry and Parvati had to investigate something at Hogwarts during their seventh year.
A few days later, Harry no longer felt as confident. He and Padma could not quite figure out the spells that the person or persons were using and they were no closer in figuring out a pattern. A few others prefects on patrol experienced the same sounds and coldness but that did not help them in finding out the culprits.
Harry had asked Daphne for help to try and figure out who could be the culprits through rumors and while she provided a list, there was no real evidence for them to work on.
He even tried to use the Marauder's Map to look for people moving around the back paths and secret tunnels but there were too many that used them at odd hours and the names again, were not enough to go off of.
"Unless we try to patrol everywhere or set spells down first, the castle is just too big and there are not enough of us," Daphne said.
"And if we do that, we warn them anyways so it'll be for nothing," Padma said dispiritedly.
Harry sucked on a sugar quill as he thought for a solution. "I might have jinxed us."
"How so?" Daphne asked.
"He said he learned from the best at being sneaky and he was pretty confident," Padma said with a smile.
"He is not wrong," Daphne smiled. "The Twins are terrors of course and he was their confidant. Have you tried writing them for ideas?"
"Not yet, not desperate enough," Harry chuckled. "They either wouldn't help me out of prankster principle or they would never let it go that I needed a rulebreaker to catch a rulebreaker."
"Perhaps you should think like they would," Daphne suggested.
"I've been trying to do that," Harry said as he chewed on the sugar quill. "Problem is, the twins are geniuses at this sort of thing. Like on a different level."
"Still, might be worth sending them a letter. Don't want to let pride be a factor," Padma said.
"No you're right. At least they're easier to get a hold of." He looked up. "Wait a second. I think I have an idea."
"Pray tell," Daphne said eagerly.
"There's more than one way to track someone," Harry said. He got up. "I'm going to do a quick experiment." He took an ink bottle and cast a few simple charms on it. "Here, hold this," he said giving it to Daphne. "Then go hide somewhere for a little bit."
"You didn't cast a tracking charm though," Padma observed.
"No 'cause tracking charms are rather obvious and if this person is as talented as I think they are, they'd figure that out fast. I'm going to test something." He watched Daphne go one way and he moved off another with Padma following.
"The owlery?" Padma asked as they stepped out onto the roof.
"Yup. Owls find people based on their magical signatures and I think if there is enough magic on an object, an owl just might be able to find it."
"I don't think most owls can find charmed objects though," Padma said.
"Most owls might not, but if they're very smart and very familiar, I bet one could," Harry said. He clicked his tongue and Hedwig flew to him, landing on his head and leaning down to rub her head against his.
"Hiiii Chiiiiick! Nuzzle nuzzle nuzzle."
"Hi Hedwig, care to help me with something?" ("Of course! How can I help?") He held up a quill and cast the same charms on it as he did the ink bottle. "Can you try to find the same magic I cast here but on a different object?"
Hedwig looked thoughtful, clicking her beak. "Hmm, I don't know but I think I can. Never tried to before but I can figure it out. Let's see. Oh! I just got to follow what feels like you. Easy enough!" She picked the quill up in her beak and launched herself into the air. Flying about for a few moments, she dove down the stairwell into the castle and Harry and Padma followed after. They followed her as she flew and she eventually led them to a small alcove beside the Infirmary.
"You know, if I didn't know how amazing I was already, I'd be even more amazed at my talent and cleverness. Hedwig, you're so smart and beautiful and talented. And modest."
"Hello Hedwig," Daphne said as Hedwig landed on her lap. Hedwig hooted hello before turning to Harry, looking immensely proud and dancing on Daphne's lap.
"Hello! Chick! I did it! This is my 'I did it' dance! Waggle waggle waggle."
"Wow, I never would've believed it," Padma said admiringly.
"You did not tell her to find me, but the same set of spells?" Daphne smiled and rubbed the owl's belly. "You are very talented."
"Yes I am! Praise me more and rub my belly!"
"So you slip something into one of the boxes we left at the drop site," Padma grinned.
"And Hedwig will lead us to them," Harry finished, wearing a smile that reminded the witches of the twins. "And, for all the nonsense they put us through, how about a bit of revenge?"
"Revenge against the ones that irritate my chick!"
"That would be very unbecoming for a Head Boy and I highly approve," Daphne said with a savage smile. "What do you have in mind?"
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"I told you," a boy hissed as they pushed the false bookcase aside. "See? Everything is here and they didn't mess with it."
"Wait." The other boy waved his wand. "Okay, no tracking charms or anything like that. We're good to move things." They put things into their bags and left the small room, pushing the bookcase back. They began walking down the hall.
"Wait, what's that?" one said.
"Not funny," the other said.
"No seriously. What's that?" They both stopped and they heard something coming closer. A low cry could just be heard, growing steadily louder. Something seemed to woosh, a displacement of air, the sound of wind whistling between something sharp.
"I'm hunnnnntinnnnng yoooouuuuuuuu! Come out, come out wherever you are! You can't flee from me! I am Hedwig the Unescapable!"
"I don't know but I don't want to find out!" They started to run. They did not take paths that seemed to lead them to the sound but no matter where they ran and hid, the sound seemed to get closer and closer, always hunting, always chasing. They tried to duck into an alcove and the sound of clicking, something sharp and pointed running on the stones broke their nerves and they continued to run.
"What's that?!" one yelled, pointing behind them.
The other turned and screamed. Something brilliantly white was chasing them. It was swathed in long pearly fabric that fluttered and billowed. A hoarse barking sound echoed around them, turning into a hunting keen. Two large amber orbs burned from the swathes of white fabric and the spectral figure flew after them with the unerring energy of a predator.
"I SEE YOU! PREY! Rulebreakers that aren't Chick or the twidiots! Face judgement! Face my wrath! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
They tried to cast behind them and bumped into each other, falling over and sliding over the stones. Their bags exploded, sending bottles of alcohol and other things all over the hallways and they groaned in pain, stunned.
"That looks painful," Daphne said without sympathy.
"And all that looks very illegal," Padma said with grim delight.
The two students looked up and blanched when they saw Daphne, Padma, Harry, and Professor McGonagall standing there, looking down at them.
"Wait!" one of them shouted.
"Please don't tell us you don't know where this came from," Harry said condescendingly.
"No! I mean yes! But there's something chasing us! It's white and sounds terrifying!" the boy said loudly.
Raising an eyebrow, Harry looked behind them and even walked down the hallway, looking left and right down either path. "I don't see anything. I think you two might have dipped into whatever you're selling and saw things that wasn't there."
"We don't have anything like that," the other boy protested before audibly groaning once more realizing what he said.
"No, you are in trouble enough," McGonagall said severely. "On your feet you two. We are going to the Headmaster and your Heads of House and you are in considerable trouble." She took their wands from them and made them gather their illicit materials. Harry very carefully summoned the slim wooden disc that had been stuck to a box of cigarettes, pocketing it without the two boys or McGonagall noticing.
"Twenty points to Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin for excellent work," she said proudly to the Head Boy and the two Senior Prefects. After nodding at them, she pushed the two students ahead of her and they left for the Headmaster's office.
Harry smiled broadly and he looked up at the rafters. "That's my girl," he said proudly and Hedwig fluttered down, trailing the white sheets they charmed to follow her. She landed on Harry's head and hooted proudly, puffing her chest out with pride. "Someone earned a very big platter of bacon tomorrow."
"I always earn my bacon! I did good! That was fun. It's always nice hunting idiots and bringing proper judgement."
"We really should make her a badge of her own," Daphne said.
"I agree! I want a Head Owl Badge so all can marvel at my head owlness."
"You really are incredibly smart," Padma praised as she petted Hedwig. "That was really satisfying," she said happily.
"Yes I am and yes that was!"
"Yup, a job well done," Harry said. "And I'm not taking third shift patrols for a long time." He looked at a giggling Daphne and Padma. "What's so funny?"
"With Hedwig sitting on your head and the white sheets, you look like you are wearing a bridal veil," Daphne giggled.
"You make a beautiful bashful blushing bride," Padma laughed.
"Hey! I mean, you're not wrong. Chick is the cutest."
Harry gave them a look that made them laugh harder. Harry looked up at Hedwig. "Hey, would you like some sausages with your bacon?"
"Uhm, always?"
Daphne immediately stopped laughing. She blanched at Hedwig's eager nods. "Wait, hold on."
"Uh…I don't like this," Padma started to say.
"Go get them!" Harry said and Hedwig launched herself into the air and at the two witches, starting her hunting cry again.
"Now it is your turn to face my wrath! Tease my chick?! I tease you! Come back here! I want to earn my sausages too! You will not deny me my sausages!"
Padma and Daphne shrieked as they ran, chased by a hungry vengeful Hedwig and Harry's laughter echoing after.
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"I think this a solid start then," Oliver said, nodding happily. "Oh and before I forget." He reached into a pocket and took out a small silver badge emblazoned with the flag of England and with two C's intertwined. "Your new co-Captain badge."
Hedwig puffed her chest out, admiring the shiny badge. She nuzzled Oliver happily and flapped over to sit on Harry's head to look down at the players. "Oooh yay! Thank you! New shiny badge! Now all of you have to recognize my authority. Especially you little loud fire head."
"I thought we wanted people to join," Ginny growled, glaring back at Hedwig.
"To be fair, we did get a lot better at dodges after those types of practices," Angelina admitted gruffly.
Hedwig flapped off and came close to buffeting Ginny with her wings and flew into the house. She came flapping back and landed on the table in front of Harry and gave Ginny a cool look. "My sunglasses help me in ignoring you. Take that! Squirm in your impotent outrage!"
"She has sunglasses?!" Ginny squawked.
"And she's rocking them," Shelia said admiringly.
"She knows how to captain," Oliver chuckled.
"Yes I do! It comes naturally to us snowy owls and since I am a paragon among them, I'm the best at it."
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The sound of flapping wings made them look up and an eagle owl came swooping in. It landed in front of Oliver and dropped an envelope in front of him. It then bobbed its head respectfully at a watchful Hedwig and it flew away.
"Do all owls know not to cheek you if they come to the Village?" Hermione asked.
"They know not to do it twice, if you catch my flap," Hedwig hooted.
Katie rubbed Hedwig's back as the owl nodded with lordly authority and puffed out her chest. "I guess so," she said with a big smile.
Oliver whistled as he read the short message. "They put up first matches for the final bracket into the final. We're going against Bulgaria."
"No way," George said.
"Oh this will be interesting," Alicia remarked.
"Seriously, we haven't gone against them in a while," Oliver said. "We keep not getting paired up in Euro Leagues."
"I assume Krum still plays?" Daphne asked.
Angelina nodded. "He's still really consistent from what I've seen. Solid stats and a solid player."
"This time though, Harry's better since the last time they played and that was years ago." Katie's smile was hungry and so was Hedwig's. "Harry will get him this time. I'm sure of it."
"Chick will show that guy who's boss! All day, every day!"
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"Okay, I have some thoughts," Tina said.
"Oh? Something wrong?" Miranda asked, slightly worried.
The team were practicing at Trafalgar's Pitch to keep warmed up before they traveled to Greece. They would be going in a few days and then take some time there to get used to the air and environment, but they still met to do some light skirmishing and agility training to keep in the zone before the big game. While the support staff did not have to be there, they came anyways for comradery and to share the energy together.
"So I did some reading, and something doesn't make sense to me," she said. "The SnowBolt can max out at 150 miles per hour but the average cruising speed and skirmish speed is about a third of that right?"
"Usually," Tanya nodded. "Of course it's a lot of stops and starts and you change your speed up a lot while playing, but if you want to do a sustained speed without losing too much agility and the like, roughly a third or so of max speed, depending on the player of course."
"Okay. The average speed of a flying snowy owl is about 30 miles per hour with rare instances of 50 miles per hour depending on the size of the owl and what they're doing," Tina said.
"Huh, I didn't know that," Sita said.
"She's been outflying and dodging and chasing and nearly keeping up the whole time," Tina concluded, looking up in the air. "And she's not showing obvious strain and if anything, I think she's making fun of the players as they're training."
"Dive! Dive! Don't fall! DIVE! Aim your body down, fold your wings, or in this case arms and legs in over the broom, and dive with a purpose! You lot are terrible flyers! How are you this bad?! Fledglings are better flyers than all of you put together! If you had to survive on your flying you'd be dead from starvation before you even knew what that was! Chick! Show them how to dive properly!"
"She absolutely is," the others said in tandem.
"What was that?! How in the world did you flub that turn?! You're on a broom and don't have to rely on flapping anything which is good for you because you're lamer than a one-winged duck on ice!"
"Hedwig is a snowy, but a magical one," Katie smiled. "Or is more magical now. Anyways, we've really stopped questioning how she does things most of the time."
Hedwig tumbled as Ginny flew past her at high speed, making the owl plummet a few feet to regain her air and bearings. Hedwig growled as Ginny laughed as she flew. "Oh is it that time again? When I show you how much you suck?! Don't mind it at all! IT'S MY FAVORITE TIME OF DAY!"
She flew into the air and did a perfect pinpoint dive, flying down at an angle with wings bent and eyes focused. As Ginny flew into the space that Hedwig was aiming at, Hedwig flung her wings out to stop her descent, slapping Ginny in the face. She then turned and flew off, but not before plucking out a long strand of red hair. "I'm happy to remind you who the superior flyer is! Even when you were at Hogwarts, you've never outflown me! The only time you'll beat me is in your dreams!"
"I always thought Cho was exaggerating but I don't think that anymore," Tina said. They watched as a shrieking Ginny chased a cackling Hedwig around the pitch. "Did Hedwig pluck out some hair?"
"That's tradition at this point," Angelina said, still breathing hard. She had just landed and slumped onto the ground; her breathing slowly coming back under control. "She has a thing for ruining hair. She half destroyed one of my braids one year, nearly chewed it in half."
"To be fair, you were questioning her abilities and intelligence," Katie giggled. "Hedwig, having started as a post owl, is really good at carrying things and that includes grudges." The watchers laughed as Harry caught Hedwig at one point and zoomed around the pitch with her latched onto the front part of the broom, chasing the other players and helping her harangue them in relative comfort.
"Thank you, Chick! I love you so much! Such a sweet boy. Okay, chase after that one. Hey! You! Fly better!"
"I should find an owl like her," Miranda mused. "For co-coach duties." She dodged several things thrown at her. "It was a joke!"
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Harry smiled and undid the cord around Dahlia and Iris. A few Impediment Charms kept the twins, Hailey, George, and Angelina in place and he undid the cords binding them. "Be free and run along," he said happily after freeing Melanie and Hadley. After a flurry of hugs, the children ran off together with Heather being released by her mothers.
Hedwig flapped over to greet the children running back into the village proper. "Hello my lovely grandchicks," she cooed as she landed on a table and accepted their return greetings. She beamed as they petted her and kissed her. "It's always good to have you home. It's a smidge too quiet without all of you lovely loud babies."
She watched them fondly play before she turned her head to look at the others. "Uh oh, looks like Chick is getting a scolding." She barked loudly a few times, attracting the attention of the children. "Grandchicks! Arm yourselves, we must go save the big Chick!" The children, watching her point with her wings and barking authoritatively, understood her wants. The Weasley kids dragged the large magenta and orange chest out and each child grabbed a pillow and went running after Hedwig who flapped away.
Andromeda handed Lucas to an eager Jean and flexed her fingers lightly before grabbing Harry by the ear. "Now let us have a talk about your latest deviation from good sense!" she scolded.
"Ow hey!" Harry winced. "I was better this time around! I subbed out more often with Shelia and Lizzie and didn't overdo things!"
"Surfing on the broom all those times isn't overdoing it?" Samantha chided.
"I've practiced it a lot and-ow MumAndi-and I know what I can handle and what I can't!"
"Think about what we can handle sometimes!" Andromeda said loudly.
"You know, if you really feel the need to scold someone, you should scold Oliver too for instilling this sense into Harry at a young and impressionable age," Hermione sniffed.
It was Oliver's turn to wince. "I knew you haven't forgiven me for that practice in your first year."
"Don't look at me, I agree," Alicia smiled pettily.
"And do you still have to do those skateboarding tricks on a broom when you're hundreds of feet up in the air?!" Samantha continued.
"I don't have to but-" Harry yelped.
"Shouldn't you be helping?" Luna asked.
Katie sighed. "I feel like I should but I also agree with them? But I also trust him so I find myself somewhere in the middle."
"I've had my ears pinched by Mum for ages and I don't miss it," Tonks muttered, making her ears shrink.
Katie heard something, making her look over. A large smile blossomed on her face. "Thankfully, it looks like I won't need to interfere right now."
Andromeda paused in mid-scold. "What is that sound-" She shrieked when a small red hand pillow hit her squarely in the face, causing her to let Harry go.
"Don't worry Chick! The cavalry is coming! Take that! Yes, direct hit! Let's go grandchicks! Defend him!"
Hedwig came swooping in, barking like a bugle. Following her were the children waving Weasley War Pillows and they leapt into action, thwapping and swinging them at Samantha and Andromeda. They swarmed them and shouted and laughed as they swung energetically, making Samantha and Andromeda dance back as they were overwhelmed.
"That's a calvary bugle call," Hermione laughed.
"Hedwig and I were watching an old western movie a bit ago," David smiled. "She really liked the calvary charge."
"What! Hey, why me?!" Thomas laughed as he was attacked too. "I wasn't involved!"
"We are now!" Ted gasped as he too was lovingly attacked.
"Thank you, Hedwig," Harry smiled and hugged his owl, kissing her. "My hero."
"I'm the best hero for you! Now excuse me, I have to lead the troops!"
She cheeped lovingly and bit his nose gently before she took off into the air, grabbing a pillow on the ground and joining the fray. The others watched and laughed at the melee before Harry conjured a few pillows and threw them into the mix for the grandparents to arm themselves.
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"Oh, by the way, I believe you more now," Tina said to her bemused cousin.
"About what?" Cho asked.
"Hedwig," Tina said.
"I told you!" Cho said loudly. "What made you finally believe me?"
"Seeing her train the team and fly at high speeds for an extended period of time," Tina said. "It's really impressive and a little intimidating."
"Hedwig's a sweet cuddlebug," Mirabelle protested.
"I'm still getting hair pins in the mail," Cho said. "And it's been years since we left school."
Harry looked to the side and frowned a little. Hedwig had taken one of Harry's jerseys and made a nest inside his Cup with it and was sitting within it comfortably, plumped up and fluffed and happy. "I thought you mailed them all back before the end of the school year that year," he said softly.
Hedwig's eyes were wide and full of insincere innocence as she tilted her head at him, blinking soulfully at him with feigned confusion. "What? Of course I did. I didn't keep any, nope, not me. If anything, I'm being especially nice and getting new ones to mail to the loud mean one. Isn't that a nice thing to do? To send a gift here and there without expecting anything in return?"
"Oh I've been helping with that," Luna said quietly. "And they're brand-new hair pins. They just look like the ones she wore before."
"Of course you are," Harry smiled. He shook his head as Hedwig and Luna giggled together.
"Moon Song is the best for shenanigans," Hedwig giggled. "She gets me and we work so well together."
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Iris grunted, rising out of the depths of sleep and hovered between true consciousness and faux unconsciousness. She grumbled a little before she realized it was Dahlia moving the blanket for them as they snuggled on the couch. "Thanks," she murmured sleepily.
"You're welcome," Dahlia yawned, also in a similar state.
"I wonder why Hedwig does that to Auntie Tina's cousin," Iris said, voice becoming even softer and slower.
"Dunno," Dahlia said, her voice also fading. "It's for a good reason I'm sure. Right Hedwig?"
Hedwig hooted warmly, preening the hair of the two napping girls that were sleeping against her. After they fell back asleep and with hair in place, Hedwig joined them in their nap, their snores mingling pleasantly in the early afternoon sun.
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Hamiltonds1991 - She knows how. She just thinks it's beneath her to do.
mike3308 - Few would be better.
odonnellzoo99 - Twidiots is one of my favorite nicknames. The children being belligerent will never not be adorable and hilarious.
HoneyBear84 - Yeah sudden sickness is terrible to deal with. Hedwig wouldn't have to buy her own, but she has the option to lol.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - It's easy to imagine for some reason. No experience though thankfully.
poka - Oliver is a fun character and I've always really liked how I have him here. It takes a lot to get him there, but when he is, woe betide the one that forced him there.
TheSphynx - She was very close to dealing with him. And that would have been very bad for him.
sbe2013 - The updates will be less but will still be kept for as long as I can.