Chapter 42
-oOo-
September 21, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
Harry was sitting at a table in the Gryffindor common room. Hermione sat across from him, with Neville next to her. They were working on the latest potions revision. As much as Neville wasn't enthused with potions, he was decent, earning an exceeds expectations, and sometimes had an even deeper understanding of the ingredients than Hermione with his skills in Herbology.
The study groups this year were going to be different. The only two classes he shared with their group was Transfiguration and Charms. Hermione was the only one in his Ancient Studies, while Hermione, Tracey, Hannah and Daphne were in Advanced Arithmancy. Daphne was saying he should be in Advanced Runes too, but Harry was getting tutoring in the areas he needed. Two hours a week of Latin and Elder Futhark each, then his two sessions a week with Sirius. Not to mention that Daphne and him were spending time with Dani and her new friends. Then take in that he had some of his personal library to translate and understand, Harry felt busy.
That didn't mean that he was starting to feel his decision to not play quidditch. He had gone flying a few times with Dani, Daphne, Astoria and Susan and found himself regretting the decision. Dani was going to be a good player, and she wanted to be seeker. Having gone out yesterday, she had shown the right instincts in catching the gold balls and even found a practice snitch a few times. She wasn't much competition yet, but given a year or two on a team, she might be. Hermione and Neville said a few times Dani reminded them of him first-year.
As he focused on the arithmancy homework, two people sat next to Hermione.
"Harry, we need to talk," a familiar voice demanded.
All three of them looked up from their work. Ron and Katie had joined them. The long hair brunette was looking at him rather pointedly. Ron looked a little uncomfortable. Harry noticed that he was wearing the assistant captain's badge. Harry raised an eyebrow. "So, did the team decide to make me the alternate?"
Katie took a shirt from under the table and threw it at him. "Everyone else refuses to be seeker, so your it," she told him.
Harry caught the shirt, unfolding it to see 'POTTER' on the back. Harry blinked. "What?"
"You're our seeker, mate," Ron said. "The only other player that could take the position is a second year, and she has agreed to be alternate. She wants to learn and refuses to unless you are primary."
Harry closed his eyes for a moment. "I've been a bloody idiot."
"Won't argue with that. I also hear that you may have some real competition. Cho and this new third year tried out. I heard Catherine Cattermole is good and will probably get the nod. Slytherin is still down any real talent in the seeker position, but I hear Astoria Greengrass and her friend, Amanda Heatherhoc, are going to be first line with Smithwick. If Lavender is right, they are going to be good."
"Yeah, Astoria and Amanda are good. They've been practicing the last few years and only got permission from their fathers this year," Harry told her.
Katie raised her eyebrow. "You've seen her play?"
"She is going to be my sister-in-law at some point," Harry told them.
"Harry practiced with them quite a bit this summer. Did Higgs make keeper?" Hermione asked.
"Since when do you care about quidditch, Grainger?" Katie questioned.
"Since my boyfriend is going to be a beater," Hermione said, turning back to her assignment.
"Bloody fuck! How much do you know about the other teams?"
"Susan will be frontline this year on Hufflepuff," Harry said.
"Theodore Nott will be the other beater for Slytherin," Hermione commented.
"Tracey said that Diggory's cousin, Rebecca Roth, or something like that, is most likely going to be seeker for Hufflepuff," Neville added.
"Who the bloody hell is Rebecca Roth?" Ron asked.
"A third year that supposedly trained with Diggory. Maybe even Krum this summer, if the rumours of them visiting him are true," Neville told them.
The year suddenly got a lot more interesting. He hadn't been able to visit Krum this summer but had seen three of his games and the Bulgarian Seeker had asked him to attend a Bulgaria-Belgium game over Christmas break in his family's box.
"You didn't tell us that," Harry said.
Neville gave him a grin. "You were a little busy with Daphne towards the end of the summer."
Hermione chuckled. "I think I only saw him twice after the cotillion," she said.
Harry tried not to flush. "Well, there was the betrothal party. I was busy with things at Potter Green, and you know," he said.
This caught all their attention. "Potter Green?" Hermione asked.
"The goblins have been rebuilding the castle and it's coming along," he told them. He had stayed for two nights more to reassure Sahassa and Harssess that the goblins were there by invitation, and they would not bother them. Speaking of which, he would have to ask if he could get a day pass this weekend. He had to go back to see how the basilisks were doing and that the goblins would be done before Christmas. If they were, Harry was going to ask auntie to stay over there a few nights so that he could get a feel for the place and decide if the goblins needed to change anything.
"I knew that, but Potter Green?" Neville asked this time.
"Later. So, quidditch?" Harry said.
"Yes, quidditch. We have double the games this year and I get it you wanted to not take the captaincy, but you must play," Katie told him.
That had been a nice announcement. The houses would face each other twice this year, with four matches between start of November and when they left for the Christmas Holidays, the other eight between mid-February to the end of May. Every other weekend there was a game to look forward too.
"Did Roth really spend some time with Viktor?" Harry asked to Neville.
"Tracey is related to Diggory. She was there when Lord Chang said no to the betrothal," he said. "They talked about quidditch before that."
Harry's nose scrunched at that. "The man is an idiot," Harry said angrily. "Cho wants to marry Cedric."
"I don't care about politics. Are you playing or not?" Katie pressed.
"You have to, Harry," Ron said.
Harry looked to his cousin and best friend. Hermione shrugged. "I think you should focus on your studies."
Neville gave him a grin. "I heard that Dani may have been seen by Smithwick and he was asking Slughorn to get permission to put her on the team."
Harry blinked. "Daph didn't say anything about that."
Neville had a slightly abashed look. "Tracey may have told me that after dinner."
"Wait, you don't mean Danielle Danforth? That squib born that has half the snakes all troubled," Ron asked.
Harry turned a glare to the redhead. "She is my cousin and who cares who her parents are?"
Ron held up his hands. "I know. I didn't mean any offense; it's just what Lavender says the rumours are saying."
Harry huffed. "I will play, but only if you don't mind if I work with Dani if she asks," he told them.
"But she is our competition," Ron complained.
"Done," Katie said. "Practices are Wednesdays starting at four-thirty and Saturdays at two," she told him.
"I already have plans every other Saturday," Harry told them.
"Madam Bulstrode is also hear on Sundays," Hermione said as she started to scratch away at her parchment. "I have my estate management with her Sundays at four."
"Alright, I guess I am free now," Harry said.
"Excellent!" Katie said, a huge smile on her face. "I'll let Emerick know she has a tutor, and she is the alternate."
Katie got up and Ron stayed. Neville turned back to what he was doing as it was obvious Ron wanted to talk to Harry. "This means a lot to us, Harry."
He nodded. "To tell you the truth I was already doubting my decision."
"I thought you wanted to be serious this year?" Hermione asked as she continued working.
"I do, but I think Moony and Padfoot were right. We should still have some fun," Harry said.
Ron gave him a smirk. "Does that mean you have time for a chess game?"
"Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow night. I really need to get these calculations done so that I'm free for my tutors tomorrow," Harry informed him. Things had changed a little and Ron and him were friendlier since getting back to school.
Ron blinked. "Tutors? Are you that far behind already?"
Harry laughed while Neville snorted and Hermione harrumphed. "No. I'm taking a few courses that Hogwarts doesn't offer. That's why I'm only doing four NEWTs now."
"Yeah, Jones is not happy you dropped," Ron told him.
Harry shrugged. "I already know everything on her syllabus and don't want to duel."
-oOo-
October 5, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
"That was well done, Ms Rosier," the older woman with grey hair said.
Dani had finally gotten permission to start attending these lessons from her parents. They had been quite concerned when she had told them, rather proudly mind you, that she had been sorted into Slytherin. She liked the green and silver on her robes. The common room was a little creepy, but Daphne said they had removed the green torches last year and replaced them with nice gas lamps. It made the black tiled rooms and halls less dreary, and the fact she had seen a selkie twice had started to make the underground House nice.
What she really liked about the House, though, was her two new friends. Cordie and Gwen were purebloods, like Daphne and most of Harry's and her friends in the house. She didn't fully understand that difference between friends and allies yet, but she was trying. Daphne and Tracey were helping her as much as Cordie and Gwen. They were also starting to make friends with people from other houses. Cordie said it was networking, but Dani preferred friends.
"Now, Ms Danforth, can you tell me which fork is the salad fork and which one you would use with desert?" Madam Bulstrode asked.
She had not had time to read through the books that she had been given last week. Feeling a slight panic, she randomly grabbed the first one. "This is the salad fork?" she questioned.
"Is that a question or answer?"
"Uhm, answer," she said, still sounding like she questioned herself.
"Good. Now, the desert fork?"
She looked at the place setting before her. Gwen leaned over. "On the top," she whispered.
Dani put down the other fork and picked up the one over her plate.
Madam Bulstrode gave them a small smile. "Good, Ms Umbridge. Now, for next week, Ms Danforth, I would like you to make a diagram of a full dinner setting and label all the silverware and drink glasses appropriately. You will have a quiz on this every time we meet until you can recite this in your sleep." The woman was stern, but Dani didn't feel like she was trying to be mean.
"Yes, Madam Bulstrode," Dani said, writing it down on her pad.
The woman nodded and moved to the next table. Cordie groaned when the woman was out of ear shot. "Mother had me doing that for weeks last year after I forgot at a dinner party."
Gwen frowned. "My mother never had me doing that. Though, my aunt would. My mother doesn't like leaving me with her, but dad insists sometimes when they go out."
Cordie gave Gwen a sympathetic look. "Father can't stand your aunt."
Gwen's frown said it all. "I don't like her either, but she is my father's sister, and older."
"She looks like a toad too," Cordie said.
"She does not?" Dani asked, and started to giggle as Gwen did.
Gwen continued to giggle. "Mum called her that once when they were arguing, and they almost came to wands. She does look like a toad. Dad said she was dropped on her head a few times."
All three giggled. "I can believe that," Cordie replied.
"Is it really that bad?" Dani questioned.
"Picture a toad faced woman that likes to wear bright pink robes, and that's about it," Gwen said. "Dad said he would disown her if he hadn't promised grandfather before he died. He says she is like my Greart-aunt. Dad always wanted to get away from the purebloods. That was why he married my mother."
"Isn't your mother a pureblood," Cordie questioned.
Gwen looked around furtively. "Squib born, technically. Two generations of squibs, then mom," Gwen said. "I heard Aunt Dolores saying that my grandfather almost disowned my father for that."
"She still looks like a toad," Cordelia giggled. Dani giggles when Gwen made a croaking sound.
"Girls. You are supposed to be practicing," Madam Bulstrode said to them.
Gwen and Cordie immediately straightened. They tried to make their faces look passive, but just weren't managing it. Dani couldn't hold it and all three descended into giggles again, earning them another admonishment.
When they were let go, the three girls rushed towards the common room to drop their stuff off and then go outside for a little bit before dinner. They could do revisions tomorrow. It was a sunny day in October and they wanted to go out.
As they ran through the corridors, someone called out, "Slow down!"
They laughed, knowing they shouldn't run, but after being in those stuffy lessons for two hours, all three girls needed to vent some energy.
They jumped downstairs and raced to the common room. Once there, they made it to their dorm. "What are we doing out on the grounds?" Cordie asked.
Dani flung open her trunk to pull out her pants, a nice jumper and her football. Holding it over her head like a trophy, she proclaimed. "I got Nathan, Ian, Veronica and Beth from Hufflepuff that will meet us to play at breakfast this morning."
Cordie rolled her eyes while Gwen threw open her own trunk to look for better clothes to play in. "I thought we were flying today?"
"Harry has practice this afternoon, and then I think they were going to go into Hogsmeade for dinner since they can this weekend," she said with a grin.
Cordie giggled. "He is so cute."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "He's not bad."
Dani made a face. "He's my cousin."
"He's still cute," Cordie said with a sigh.
"Are you playing?" she asked Cordie.
Cordie turned her nose up. "Father and mother would not approve."
Dani shrugged. "Your loss. Ready?"
"Mother used to play with me. Father also wants me to meet others. He is thinking of going to the neutrals. Something about all the power being there right now," Gwen said, pulling a jumper on with the Slytherin shield.
"I have to get a jumper like that. Let's go," Dani said.
"Yes, father says the same, but is not happy with some of the changes that are happening," Cordie pointed out.
Dani rolled her eyes. Half the house talked about stuff like this at times. "Can we just play today? Talk about this boring stuff later?"
They walked into the common room and were about half-way to the door when a tall boy stepped before them. There was a rather unpleasant look on his face. "Where are you going, and what is that?"
Dani looked down to the football she had in her hands. "It's a football," she said, thinking he was barmy for not recognizing one.
The boys lip curled to his nose, clearly disgusted. "What is a football? Is that a Muggle thing?"
Dani, too naive to understand what she was doing, stood tall. Her two friends shrank back a step. Many around the common room looked to them. Daphne and Tracey had warned her this might happen, and she wasn't about to back down. "Yes, this is a Muggle thing. Please let us by, we have some other friends to meet."
The boys sneer grew, and a few other older years stepped behind him. When they did, Dani had the first hints of fear, but she didn't back down. She knew Daphne had said she would back her and help. Even if she wasn't around, there was a good bet that someone else would be that they were friends with.
The boy's hand suddenly shot out and grabbed the ball from her hands. "HEY! That's mine!" she shouted.
"This is a wizarding school, mudblood," the boy said.
Her two friends gasped, as did a few others.
Dani knew what that meant, but the shear hatred in the voice as he said it had her backing down. "Give me my football back," she demanded, though she didn't feel as confident.
The boy smiled. It was a nasty smile that had Dani backing up just a bit, especially when another of the older boys stepped up next to him. "She wants it back, Everwand. Should we?"
"I think we should, Pucey," the boy called Everwand said. Everwand had his wand out and muttered, "Diffindo."
Dani let out a small scream as a white spell split her ball in half and landed at her feet.
The boy looked ready to throw her ball at her feet when someone yelled out, "That will be five points and we are going to see Professor Slughorn right now, Pucey and Everwand."
All four boys turned to the older girl. She had an expressionless look on her face.
"You can't do that," Pucey said.
Dani had tears on her cheeks now. Cordie and Gwen moved up to comfort her.
"I am. If I had been here a few minutes earlier, I would have done the same. You know our rules. No wand use to threaten others or bullying. They are only first years. You leave them alone," the girl said.
"She is a mudblood and doesn't belong here," Pucey snapped.
"Danforth is a cousin of Harry Potter, claimed by the House of Potter, scion of the future house of Potter-Greengrass. Do you really want to cross him? Never mind once Greengrass hears about this," the girl said. Dani had the feeling that she was being protected more because of Harry and Daphne, than because she was a first year.
Pucey's snarl turned sour. She thought she saw some fear for a split second. After a moment, he turned, "Just stay out of our way."
When the three of them stormed out of the common room, Dani knelt to pick up the two parts of her football. "I'm sorry, Dani," Gwen said.
"Why?" she said, only starting to get an inkling of what Daphne had really been telling her. She thought she understood. The older girl had been very straight forward, and she thought it a great idea to help Daphne. It was what Harry was doing, but he wasn't in the same house.
A seventh-year girl came over. "Can I help you?" she asked.
Dani looked up. The young woman had shoulder length dark hair, a pleasantly round face and light blue eyes.
"We would be appreciative, Ms Quincy," Cordie said.
Pulling her wand, Quincy tapped the ball, spun her wand, and Dani's eyes grew wide. The two halved pulled together, the seam melting together like nothing happened and her ball inflated. Her tears started to dry up. "Wicked," she uttered.
Quincy smiled. "My mother is a Muggleborn. She taught me to play when I was still at home, and I miss it at times. Go meet your friends and have fun," she said, standing up.
Many around the common room were just looking at them. Some wore faces that said they were not pleased. Others as though they were thinking. Dani wiped the tears from her face. "Thank you."
Quincy nodded. "Anyone else have a problem with first years, or do our rules not apply anymore?" the girl challenged, looking a little uncomfortable, as though she had never spoken up like that before.
Everyone went back to what they were doing before.
"Come on, Dani," Gwen said, pulling her towards the door to go outside.
-oOo-
October 7, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
"Bloody fucking mudblood," Pucey was swearing at the girl with his friends. Most in the house were either too afraid or 'newly reformed' to see that the Danforth girl was going to be a stain on their house. The mudbloods were going to be stains on all their society.
His father was still livid about what happened two years ago. No one really understood why those that had pledged themselves so fully to the cause had become nothing better than squibs, but there were still those out there that believed. There were those that believed the Dark Lord would return. His father and family were some of those that still believed and had the power to act, though it was greatly reduced. Only eight families still held to the pureblood alliance, but there were others out there that would rise again someday.
"Why would the hat put her into our house? It's so unpure," Everwand stated.
"Malcolm, are you sure that you should be saying that? You said that whole Potter thing was just a lie," a larger boy said.
Pucey snorted. "Don't worry. Potter will get his. Father has said there are plans."
"Plans? I'm sure the DMLE will be happy to hear that," a voice said from behind them.
They all turned, Pucey and Everwand pulling their wands. Pucey's eyes widened to see Potter standing in the middle of the hallway, his own wand coming to his hand and in a fighting position before they could even raise theirs.
"What do you want, Potter?" Pucey snarled, knowing he should be cautious of the sixth-year, but they had three of them.
"I am not going to fire the first spell. You know the rules," Potter told them, his prefect's badge prominent on his robes.
Pucey looked around. "Where is your gang?"
Potter just smiled. "If you think I am afraid of you three, you really are idiots."
"Don't call me an idiot, Potter," Everwand snarled. "Are you here to tell us to leave your little mudblood alone?"
"Five points," Harry said.
Pucey snorted. "You think that scares us?"
Potter just shrugged. "Perhaps not. I am here to tell you to leave my cousin alone. I can do a lot worse than dock you points or use this wand."
Everwand scoffed. "Like what?"
"My betrothed has some very interesting ideas. I'm sure I have ways to apply pressure to your families if you touch her or her stuff again," Potter said rather casually.
"You only think you are more powerful. Just wait until our fathers can build up our alliance again," Pucey told him. "We will take you down, Potter."
Potter gave them a smile that had Pucey shuttering on the inside. Potter put his wand back up his sleeve. "This will be your only warning. Daphne is rather upset, and I am even more so. You touch Dani or her friends again..."
Potter let whatever he was going to say unsaid. There was something in his eyes that had all three boys taking an unsteady step back. Even without his wand drawn, there was something about Potter that scared them. Pucey would never admit that though. When Potter turned, Pucey called out, "Don't ever turn your back on me again, Potter."
Potter lifted his arm and gave them a two-finger salute. "Touch her or bother her again, and I will ruin you."
When Potter walked around the corner, they finally lowered their wands. "Bloody hell. You two are on your own," the third boy of their group said before walking away.
"Coward," Pucey muttered as he stood there with Everwand.
"Malcolm, you don't think Potter is serious? My family took a big hit when the Malfoy's and Parkinson's fell," Everwand said.
"Potter is all bark. He only took down the Parkinsons because the courts. He would not be able to take on our houses directly," Pucey said.
"And Greengrass?"
"A blood traitor." Pucey didn't sound as sure this time.
They both stood there for a long moment, both lost in their own thoughts.
Everwand broke the silence. "I need to write to my parents about this. I was told we can't go against that alliance yet."
Pucey snarled.
-oOo-
October 19, 1996
Hogsmeade, Scotland
Tracey giggled as Neville grumbled. She had just smashed a cauldron cake in his face after he had been a little cheeky. "It got down my shirt!" Neville complained.
"Then don't call me short," she told him, sticking out her tongue.
"But you are," Neville said, shaking his shirt.
She moved in and had to go up her tip toes to kiss him. The chocolate icing was still on his upper lip, and she licked at it. "Neville?"
His breath had hitched. "Yes?"
"Do you want to repeat what I did last night?" she asked in a rather seductive voice, liking the way his blue eyes grew heated and that she could feel him leaning into her.
"Well, yeah," he said a little stupidly, a dreamy smile coming over his face. Tracey had to admit she liked knowing she could have this type of power over him.
"Then don't call me short again. You still have some chocolate on your face," she said, licking his lip again, before pulling away.
He muttered something under his breath. She smiled to herself as she turned and walked away. "You might want to clean your face before we meet with my parents for lunch."
"Bloody woman," he muttered, and she giggled again.
They were meeting her parents for lunch at the Three Broomsticks. Some days she wished there was more places in Hogsmeade, but she didn't feel like getting all dressed up for Emerick's, and Neville seemed to clam up in Madam Puddifoots and she refused to go to the Hogshead. That place was disgusting. She would have to find out where Harry and Daphne had been disappearing to the last few weeks.
She also was starting to feel bored. Not having the Weasley's here was a bad thing. She wasn't allowed to touch Parkinson since she was studying and doing what she was supposed to. There was no Crabbe, Goyle or Malfoy, and she had been ordered to leave Pucey and his lot alone. Daphne and Harry didn't want to start anything... not yet at least. If he bothered Dani once more, Daphne had promised she could have her way, but they wouldn't be the start of any feuds. Tracey had no doubt that Daphne and Harry would end any feuds.
As they walked, her eyes lit on two girls. One had long, straight hair, a lean body with a generous chest and Asian features. Next to her was a brunette that was laughing at something. It was a rather annoying laugh. Looking at the two girls, her eyes narrowed. Daphne was really upset with Chang. Her father had proposed some deal to Harry, who had rejected it, but was already going for a counter proposal. Chang didn't seem particularly interested in Harry, but Edgecombe had eyed Harry and Neville enough to get her own ire up.
Neville came up to her, putting his wand back into his holster. "What are you looking at?"
My next targets, she wanted to say. "Nothing. Thought I saw someone I knew."
Neville followed her eyes. His mouth tightened. "Gran says she needs to talk to me soon."
Tracey had a chill, then a feeling of rage and jealousy go through her. "Really? About them?"
"Not sure, but she didn't seem happy in her last letter, but said I should talk with her. The next Hogsmeade weekend, I suppose."
Tracey was determined she had found her next target. "I want to go to Zonko's, then the potions shop before we go back up?"
Neville rose and eye towards her. Tracey took on a totally innocent face, then back at Chang and Edgecombe. "Can I claim plausible deniability?" Neville pleaded.
"I don't know what you are talking about, and if you want to see what kind of lipstick I wear next time, then you would keep your mouth shut," she told him.
Neville gave her that goofy grin again. "Do I have to keep my mouth shut?"
This time she took on a goofy grin. "Only when you need too."
Inside the Three Broomsticks, Neville pulled up short. "What is Uncle Algie doing here?"
Tracy caught Neville catching Harry's eye. Neville made a motion enquiring if they should come over. Harry shook his head. Tracey looked to Daphne, who gave her the same signal. "I think they are alright," Tracey told Neville, taking his arm. She could feel how he wasn't totally sure. The muscles that had taken over his pudgier body in the last few years were taught. His bicep was rock hard. As much as she enjoyed how his body had changed, this wasn't the situation to enjoy it.
Pulling him, she was able to catch Madam Rosmerta behind the bar. "Hello, Madam Rosmerta. Has Lord and Lady Davis arrived?"
The woman nodded her head. "Third room on the left, dear. I'm a little busy today, so it may be a few before a server comes to you."
"That is fine. Could I have two butterbeers when they come and have the tab put to the Longbottom account?" Neville said to her.
"Of course," Madam Rosmerta said, turning to jot something down on a pad before turning to the man that just approached the bar.
Neville opened the door for her. Her parents were sitting with Roger and Wendy. Tracey hadn't seen Roger in months, not since he had found an apprenticeship with the Unspeakables at the ICW. "ROGER!" she exclaimed, rushing to him. He stood up, allowing her to wrap her arms around him tightly.
Her father chuckled. "I see all those lessons in being a proper young lady have paid off."
Roger laughed as he returned the hug. "I never thought my sister would be so happy to see me."
"Oh, hush. Prat," she said affectionately when she let him go. "Wendy, how are you?"
Wendy got up to hug her. As she did, Tracey caught the ring on her finger. She twisted to take Wendy's hand. "You agreed to marry him?" she said incredulously, looking at the large diamond and recognizing the ring from their family jewellery.
Wendy laughed. "He has his merits at times," Wendy said before taking Tracey into a hug, which she allowed this time.
"Congratulations from the House of Longbottom, Scion Davis" Neville said, shaking Roger's hand.
"Thanks, Scion Longbottom," Roger said. Being more friends than casual acquaintances, Roger pulled Neville in, and they exchanged a one arm hug. "We are going to be brothers. Don't be so formal for now on."
Neville nodded as he pulled away. "I still had to acknowledge it properly," he said back.
"Neville did the right thing," her father said. "Please sit and join us."
Tracey moved to hug her mother as the others around the table settled. Neville did stand to hold out her chair after she hugged her father.
"So, is this why you wanted us to meet you? Is there an engagement party happening soon? Oh, can I be a bride's maid, Wendy? I know you have a younger sister, but Roger is my brother," she spouted out.
"Tracey, that is a little forward," her mother chastised.
Wendy just nodded her head. "I was hoping to ask you, but if you aren't that excited about it..."
Tracey couldn't keep in her squeal. "I would love to!"
Her father shook his head. "I had hoped you might curb her enthusiasm with time, Neville."
Neville looked a little solemn. "I find it rather endearing, Lord Davis."
Her mother gave Neville an exasperated smile. "If you are willing to put up with it."
"Oi! I'm not that bad," she said. "I act proper when I am supposed to."
"There are small graces," her father said with a wry smile. Neville chuckled next to her. She gave him a stink eye.
"To answer your question from earlier, Wendy and I are not going to have an engagement party. We are looking to marry over Christmas though," Roger told her.
She raised an eyebrow, then looked to Wendy. "That is a little soon," she commented.
"Roger is transferring back to England to work in our Ministry," father said. "Wendy will be starting an apprenticeship at St Mungo's next fall and our name will open more doors for her."
She still felt a little curious. She cast a glance to her mother, who only nodded. There was something about the look in her eye that had Tracey curbing her enthusiasm for the moment. Looking back to Roger and Wendy, she gave him another raised eyebrow. Roger held her gaze. "How did you figure it out?" he asked.
"I know that you like our traditions, and you wouldn't get married so quickly unless you had something to hide," she told him.
Her father snorted. "I had my doubts about you being a Slytherin, but I shouldn't have."
"Trace, what's going on?" Neville asked.
She looked to Wendy. "When should I expect my niece or nephew?"
Wendy's eyes were already wide. "What makes you think..." she trailed off at Tracey's gaze.
"Are you being presented at the Yule Ball at the Ministry before you are married?" she asked.
Wendy looked to Roger. After a nod, Wendy replied. "Yes. We are going to be married Christmas Eve. It's when my parents were married and we have been able to get the same church, then we have a bonder ceremony on Boxing Day."
Tracey still looked at her critically. "You are telling me you are not pregnant?"
Wendy flushed a little.
"Roger and Wendy are betrothed, Tracey. There is no impropriety here," her father said, misreading her reaction.
"I want to know when I can start spoiling my niece or nephew and teach them all the tricks I know," she said with a big grin.
"Oh, Merlin, help us," Neville commented.
Her mother gave a demure laugh. "Neville, you still have time to make a different decision," her mother said in a teasing tone.
"I could," he said, rubbing his chin.
She turned to him. "You will not!"
Everyone around the table laughed as her reaction and the way Neville was eyeing her up. Oh, she had done too good a job of getting him to loosen up and to act surer of himself.
"If you want, Wendy and I were thinking of asking you and Neville to be the godparents," Roger said a little casually.
Tracey stopped whatever she was going to say and turned back to him. "Godparents?"
"My sister is a little too young and Roger really approves of Neville and loves you," Wendy said.
She was still a little shocked. "Godparents? But Neville and I aren't betrothed yet," she said.
Her father's head shifted, and she looked to him. Neville was looking a little red when she followed her father's eyes. She blinked, her breath catching and her heart pounding. He looked up to meet her eyes. "Gran is joining us in a short bit. Harry and Daphne were going to be here too," Neville said.
Her hands went to her mouth. She wasn't seventeen until April. They didn't have to make this final until they were both eighteen. Not that she didn't want to be with Neville for the rest of their lives...
That was it though. She did want Neville. After hearing about how close Daphne and Harry had gotten lately, she found she wanted the same, but was holding back. She knew the rules. She knew the consequences.
Neville reached out to take one of her hands from her mouth. "If you agree, your father and my Gran have worked out an agreement. I would like you to accept it. I will not keep you back. We will stand equal, just like I know you have talked about with Daphne. I love you, Tracey Theresa Davis, and would like to call you Lady Longbottom at some point."
Tracey heard him, but at the words he loved her, she threw herself at him, her arms going over his shoulders and hugging him for dear life. "I love you. I love you," she repeated several times. Then she started to repeat, "Yes. Yes. Yes."
A knock came at the door. She didn't let go of Neville, pulling back and planting her lips on his, trying to show him all the ways she loved him and that she wanted this. Perhaps Daphne, Harry and Hermione had worn off on her more than she had thought. It was not like she had a decision... but she did now. The courtship agreement gave her one. Her father had given her the choice... maybe that was why she was so eager to accept this.
"I see that I came too late?" Madam Longbottom said.
"We can go if they need the private time," she heard Harry. "She is examining his tonsils."
"That isn't polite," Daphne chastised him.
Her brother laughed. "I think Daphne tackled you, if I remember right," Roger said.
She heard the stiffness in Daphne's voice as she snogged Neville for another moment. "I may have been a little exuberant when Harry asked."
"Exuberant? We'll go with that, Heiress Potter-Greengrass. Tracey, we do have some important items to discuss and a betrothal to agree upon," her mother said.
Tracey pulled away, a huge smile on her face. "Where do I sign?"
-oOo-
November 9, 1996
London, England
Harry flew out of the team box under the stadium. It was the first game of the season and was glad he had wised up. The rush of the cold November air on his face was exhilarating. He did his lap, speeding ahead of Katie as they turned towards the centre and flying overhead.
"Playing for Slytherin today is a rather new line-up. With Marcus Flint graduating last year, Adam Smithwick is the new Slytherin Captain and has allowed girls on the team for the first time in fifty-two years. I guess the prejudices are finally fading..."
"Ms Lovegood, none of that today," Headmistress McGonagall could be heard over the cheering crowds.
Just a few years ago the Slytherin were just about booed by everyone but their own house, but now, the school was clearly excited and thrilled to see both teams.
"I was just observing, Professor. Now, Captain Smithwick is coming out, followed by his two chasers, Astoria Greengrass and Amanda Heatherhoc. Behind them is the rather nice-looking Theodore Nott and the taken Blaise Zabini. Both are rather nice looking..."
"Ms Lovegood!"
"Oh, and here comes Terence Higgs. Though not as nice looking as Smithwick, Nott or Zabini, he has a certain hardness to him that can be quite attractive. Then you have the lovely Greengrass and Heatherhoc," Luna said.
Harry chuckled to hear Headmistress McGonagall's groan, probably forgetting that the sonorous charm on the speaker cone picked up some of those close enough.
"And the Slytherin Seeker, a second year by the name of Robert Frost, lines up against Harry... I mean Potter, Professor," Luna corrected herself.
Frost was a small boy, whose eyes were wide as galleons to be lining up across from Harry, who was still chuckling. "I really missed her last year," Harry told the boy.
Frost looked even more unsure as Harry nodded towards Luna.
"Just don't make me dive into the ground," Frost said.
Harry looked to the boy. "Fine. No Wronski feints today, unless you try something."
The boy nodded. "My word is as good as yours."
Harry drifted over, extending a hand. "I look forward to the competition."
Frost's hand was shaking as he gripped Harry's. Harry sighed internally. This was part of why he hadn't wanted to play this year. It wasn't going to be fun with competition like this.
When the whistle blew, Harry took off at a decent clip around the field. Frost followed him. Harry could tell the boy was going to be a puppy-dog. He let out a sigh this time. He wished Dani was a year older. She was proving to be fun and loved playing seeker with him. She was also quick. Then again, he had bought her a new Nimbus 3000 so that she could get used to the speeds and fly a good broom. It turned a little better than his Firebolt, but wasn't as fast, so some trade-offs. Dani was taking to a broom just like he had. She was a natural.
Apparently, Neville hadn't been joking when he said the Longbottoms were pants at flying. Sirius had told him Frank Longbottom had refused to use a broom after his first year.
As he thought about all this, Harry took a detour down into the play, disrupting Astoria in a pass. "Bloody hell, Harry!" she yelled at him as he flew off, a huge smile on his face. If he couldn't have fun at seeking today, he could cause other issues. He caught Katie's eye and she shook her head, her eyes rolling before she turned back to the game to catch a pass from Ginny.
When he pulled up into a search pattern, Gryffindor had scored the first goal. Frost came near him, but not too close. Harry yelled over to him. "If you want to catch the snitch, you need to be a little more aggressive," Harry told him.
"I was told how you play," Frost said back.
"I'm not going to bite you," Harry called back.
Frost looked at him a little dubiously, then turned his eyes down towards the pitch.
Harry sighed, turning his attention to being serious. Katie wanted them to get at least two-hundred points before he caught the snitch so that they could have a demanding lead after the first game. Watching how the Slytherins were playing, Harry was starting to doubt that was going to be an easy thing. Astoria and Smithwick had rushed up the field, scoring a goal before Katie, Ginny and Demelza Robbins could regroup. The three girls had moved to bump hands, caught off guard by how fast Higgs had moved to grab the quaffle and through it to Smithwick. Amanda charged to block his chasers from following as Blaise and Theo beat the Creevey's to the bludgers.
"Oh, that was a nice play. Is there a name for that? I think the Slithering Shuffle would be a good name. Look how fast they are moving. And Slytherin..." Whatever else Luna was going to say was drowned out by the cheers of the crowd as Ron blocked an attempt. It was close to half the stadium rooting for each side today.
Harry focused to see the way Slytherin was playing. This wasn't the brutal tactics they usually used, and with Astoria and Amanda on Nimbus 3000's of their own, they were some of the fastest players out there. Ginny was on her Nimbus 2001. He had given Katie his Nimbus 2000 for the season and Demelza had a Nimbus 2001. It was a fairly even match-up with Smithwick using a Nimbus 2000. All the Slytherin's 2001's had been taken when Draco left. Something about them not being officially given to the school and repossession of Malfoy assets...
They went up and down the field, Astoria breaking away a few times, with Ron having a good day. Gryffindor scored another goal, with Smithwick and Amanda already rushing up the field as Higgs dove for the quaffle and Katie went to bumped wrists with Demelza as they turned. At least this time they were moving as the quaffle sailed over their heads. Ginny had turned to chase after the other two.
Looking at how they were playing, he cast a glance to Frost, who was starting to drift away from him, his eyes darting around the field. Harry had a suspicion at the intense look on the boy's face. He felt his suspicions to be founded as Frost took off. Harry caught a golden blur down the field and took off. Frost dodged a bludger, allowing Harry to catch up to him. Frost's bony elbow came out and Harry shoved it away with his open palm, sending Frost off course and allowing Harry to force the boy to the left. When they straightened out, the snitch had gone.
Harry eyed the boy, who looked more serious now. When they levelled up, Frost asked, "What gave me away?"
"You weren't scared of me anymore," Harry said, bumping Frost as he started a serious search pattern now.
Frost gave a scowl. "I see no reason to be scared of a half-blood."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Right. No more kid gloves."
Frost snorted as Harry pulled away. He was close enough to respond, but far enough that they would have to yell to talk. He kept an eye on the pitch, while looking for the snitch.
Seeing Astoria intercept a pass, Harry took off. He saw Blaise line up a bludger towards him. Harry chanced a glance and saw Frost following him, not looking as scared of him.
Harry put on more speed, the bludger missing him. "Cat in the trap," Harry yelled as he passed the Creeveys. They took off, trying to catch the bludgers. Katie heard him. "Weasley, low!"
Katie charged Astoria, forcing her to toss to Amanda. Ginny dove low, speeding down the pitch as Blaise and Theo took off after the Creeveys, obviously sensing something was up. Harry pulled up well above the ground and shot off towards their goal, picking up on Astoria as Katie dogged her. Demelza almost sandwiched Amanda into the wall as his chaser was able to rip the quaffle away. She didn't hesitate to turn and throw the quaffle. Smithwick had taken off after Ginny. In the confusion, the Creevey's were able to get both bludgers and Harry flew up. Frost dodged the bludgers but hadn't expected the long pass to nail him in the face.
Harry knew it was a bit of a dirty trick, but after watching some international games at Krum's invitation, he knew what was legal and expected. Though he doubted that a school team would play this way. He felt a little sorry when he heard the bludger connect with Frost's face, but this was quidditch.
Harry climbed up as the whistle blew. Levelling off, he saw Frost floating down, a hand to his face and blood dripping from his gloves.
Madam Hooch and the Slytherin team flew down to Frost. Katie, Ginny and Demelza flew up to him. "Why did we just take out a second year?" Katie asked.
"He was playing me and you three aren't taking the Slytherin seriously," Harry told them. The Creevey's and Ron were now joining them.
Katie gave him a cool look. "Come again, Potter?"
"You just let them score while you celebrated and three times now Greengrass has broken away and only Ron has saved us," Harry told her in no uncertain tone. "You have to play Greengrass, Katie. I told you she is good, and you are just letting her go. Leave Robins and Weasley to take on the other two, whoever is closer. The Creevey brothers need to take out Blaise or Theo."
Katie, who had been a strong captain and had been pushing them hard so far in training, gave him a quick glare before nodding. "Sure, Harry. But why did we take out Frost?"
"He was playing me is and arse," Harry said simply. He would talk to Daphne later. Frost could be a problem. He knew the rest of the Slytherin quidditch team was alright.
The whistle blew and everyone floated to their starting positions.
"Slytherin is benching Frost and taking out their back-up seeker. Danielle Danforth has been given permission to play as an alternate, as I have just been told. The first year will be facing off against her cousin, Harry... right, Potter," Luna said. "I hear Danforth has the Potter inborn ability to fly..."
"It is not an inborn ability, Ms Lovegood. Everyone can fly a broom," McGonagall said over Luna.
"They take to brooms like a horse to running. It is inborn," Luna argued.
Harry chuckled as he flew over to Dani. "You be careful."
Dani looked at him a little apprehensively. "Are you going to take me out like you did to Frost?"
Harry gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll play, but he annoyed me. I like you," he told her, backing up to his starting location. Dani looked a little mollified.
When the whistle blew, she took off like he had taught her too, and he followed her this time, enjoying seeing how she listened to him, but also did her own thing.
As the game went on, Katie took his advice and an hour later, it was Sixty-Fifty to Gryffindor with many plays being broken up on both sides. His future sister-in-law was proving to be even better than he thought, having scored three of the five goals. Dani started as he was watching the play. Harry glanced over. She was looking intently down the field towards the Slytherin goal posts, while drifting towards the Gryffindor. He looked down, quickly finding the golden ball down the field in the direction she was drifting.
"You ready!" he shouted, turning his broom down. Dani, as though spring loaded, did the same, and they both took off. Harry wanted the snitch, but he wanted to see what his cousin could really do. She closed the gap as he started to pull ahead. He thought he would have this until they shot past his chasers, and she suddenly kicked at his twigs. Harry swerved just a little. Dani was able to get a half broom lead as he straightened. "Sorry," she yelled, concentrating on her flying and the golden snitch they were quickly coming upon.
Harry let out a laugh. "For playing?" he shot back, pushing into her. He didn't hit her as hard as he might someone else, but she didn't give, pushing back. She had learned in the last two months. Harry smiled as she flattened more. The snitch took off to the right, the side Harry was on, and he cut a hard right. His speed took him onto the proper course quicker, but the tighter turn radius of the Nimbus 3000 had Dani right on his tail. Quite literally as he felt her broom hit his twigs. Harry flattened himself, putting on a small burst of speed. The snitch took a sudden dive down and to the left. Harry went after it, but Dani was able to pull inside of him.
"The cousins are fighting hard for the snitch. Go, Dani. Use those elbows," Luna said over the cheering crowd.
"MISS LOVEGOOD! We do not encourage violence,"McGonagall corrected, but she didn't' sound that into her admonishment.
Harry grunted as Dani caught his arm and then his ribs. Harry didn't want to hurt her, so gave her a good shove. She screamed as she just barely caught herself from hitting the wall. Harry normally wouldn't care, but she was his little cousin, and he was a lot larger. Dani responded with a determine look and shot off, clipping the front of his broom as he tried to make a one-eighty to get the snitch.
He wobbled, just missed a goal post and turned. "Ninety-fifty Gryffindor. Bell and Weasley have seen to figure out the Slytherin Chasers. Oh, it looks like they are holding hands..."
Harry caught Demelza trying to rip the ball out of Amanda's hands as they barrelled down the pitch. He refocused on the snitch. Dani had pulled a few broomsticks ahead with the major course correction. Well, they were on opposite sides of the pitch, with the snitch screaming up the centre. Harry was about to angle towards it when he felt the breeze of one bludger by his ear. The next one caught his arm, throwing it off the broom and sending a screaming pain up his arm.
"One-hundred to Fifty," McGonagall called out as Luna kept talking about Amanda and Demelza shadowing each other and wondering if love was in the air.
Harry leaned over. Dani was closer and only missed the snitch as it began a straight vertical climb. He was now realizing he had been too confident, and his admonishment of his team's captain should have been for himself too. Dani was low to the ground and kicked off it, her Nimbus 3000 responding to the almost hairpin turn. Harry was starting to wonder if he might need to consider getting a 3000 for himself. He loved the speed of the Firebolt, but she was clearly out manoeuvring him today with that broom. He didn't even think about the skill it took to control a broom like that. She had been such a natural so far that he didn't doubt her skill was what was allowing her to use the broom that way. Using the Firebolt's speed, he was able to reach his max speed of one-hundred and fifty faster than she could reach the one-thirty hers could do. She was still closer. Harry closed the gap as the snitch kept going up.
They both leaned over the front of their brooms.
"One hundred to sixty," McGonagall cried out.
"I think Weasley was distracted by the way Amanda and Demelza are flirting," Luna commented.
"They are playing quidditch, Ms Lovegood," McGonagall said in an exasperated tone.
Harry wanted to laugh as he reached out. Dani's smaller hand reached just inside his as he went to close his hand around the snitch. He grabbed her hand, the golden wings hanging out of it as they slowed down. Dani had a smile that stretched a mile. "I got it," she said disbelievingly.
The whistle blew some distance below them.
Harry let go of her hand. "You got it," he said approvingly. He was sad and upset with himself for taking this so cavalierly until now, thinking there wouldn't be any competition this year. He was also extremely proud of the twelve-year-old girl. She had turned twelve five days ago, and this was a great way for her to round up her birthday week.
"I got it! Did we win?" she asked, looking down. The two teams were going to the ground.
"Come on," he said, motioning towards the ground. "I think your house is ready to celebrate."
Dani's smile broadened. She brought her broom closer. "Thank you," she said, hugging him.
"You're welcome. I won't be going easy on you next time," he told her.
Her eyes widened. "That was easy?"
Harry laughed. "Come on. Your team is waiting."
She flew down into a scrum of green, with other colours interspersed here and there Harry made she Dani was on the ground in the scrum before he landed. Katie came up to him, punched him on the shoulder and then took his hand. She slammed the captain's badge into his hand. "You go soft like that again and I'm taking that back," she told him, a fierce look on her face.
"What is this for? You're captain," he told her as the others came up behind Katie.
"You were right and called the proper strategy. I was going to keep with what I was doing," she said. Her face softened. "This really belongs with you, even if you did let your cousin win."
Harry shook his head. "She got me fair and square. I should have listened to the same advice I gave you."
Ginny, some blood dripping from her nose, stepped up, "That is why you are captain, captain. Katie would not have realized that."
"Oi!" Katie said offended before looking mollified. "Yeah, you're right."
Ron came over. "You really do deserve it, Harry."
Harry looked at Demelza, who had a shiner starting to show, and then the Creevey's. Dennis smiled. "We managed to knock Zabini off, but he got back up and went right after you."
Harry nodded. "Fine. Take the rest of the weekend off. We'll have practice after last class Tuesday," he told them. "Do you guys want to keep Ron vice-captain or Katie? I need someone in the thick of it when I can't pay attention."
She gave him a sloppy salute with a grin. "Ron deserves it, captain. Well, I guess that means I can work on my Head Girl stuff more."
"That was your plan all along, wasn't it?" he asked as the others started for the scrum still around the Slytherin team.
She gave him a cheeky grin. "I'm never saying one way or the other. Come on, let's go congratulate the Slytherins."
Harry grimaced. "Tracey is never going to let me live this down."
Katie put her arm around his shoulders and he did the same. "Don't worry. I'll tell everyone you lost to a little girl."
"Oi!" he exclaimed as the dirty blonde chaser laughed.
Daphne caught his eye and gave him a broad smile. Dani was laughing as she was lifted on some boy's shoulders.