At The Heart Of The Matter

Authors Note: Thanks again to ALL my wonderful reviewers! You guys are the BEST!!! Harry Potter is still not mine!

Winning & Losing

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Once again, like any typical judicial system, the trials for those caught during the Azkaban raid had been delayed till the end of September. All those arrested had been sentenced for their crimes, most receiving life sentences, but a few, mainly those newest Death Eater’s who had not really committed any real serious crimes, were sentenced to 25 years. All fortunes of those convicted, had been seized, and were being redistributed to help pay for the war, the new orphanage, extra warding for public areas, and so on. One of the biggest perks to the seizures had been obtaining Malfoy Manor, which was now being used for the orphanage, and an early elementary wizard education facility.

Ernie Macmillen and Theordore Nott would forever regret their decision of attempting to rape Alicia Spinnet. Due to the nature of the crime, Alicia had been allowed, by the old laws, to dole out the punishment. For Theodore, she had sentenced him to 75 years in Azkaban, considering he also had a few other charges against him other than just the attempted rape, and he was spell permanently impotent, therefore ending the Nott line forever. Nott, Sr., had died during the raid, and considering their were no other male Nott’s, this was a devastating blow to his family.

Ernie….well, Ernie suffered her wrath in the worst possible way. He received 50 years in Azkaban, 25 years probation working in the prison as a cook/cleaner when he did get out, and was castrated for his crimes. When she had announced the castration, Ernie had literally screamed like a girl, and promptly passed out, and most of the men in the room had flinched at the mere thought.

So, with the sentencing and trials complete, this is how September rolled into October. The past two months had proven a busy month for everyone, what with settling into the new Hogwarts curriculum, continued training for the ‘Warp Crew’, intercepting raids to upset Voldemort‘s every move, and all the wedding planning. On top of this, Harry also was training very hard for his November 15th Quidditch Try-out.

Oliver, Adrian, Fred, George, Alicia and even occasionally Charlie Weasley would practice with him, honing his skills, and working him to the death. Charlie had always been considered a great seeker, and gave up a chance at a professional Quidditch career for his beloved dragons, so Harry was more than willing to take any advice from him. It was set up so that all interested parties would show up at the Irish National Stadium, and if any were interested, negotiations would commence. Tony Rooks would be handling that end for Harry, as he was also bound to get some major endorsement deals. This totally flabbergasted Harry, as all he wanted to do was play….money and fame be damned.

“Harry? How many groomsmen would you like to have at our wedding. I need to figure out who to ask to be my attendants, and would like to know how many we are thinking of.” asked Alicia on night in early November, as they enjoyed a quiet dinner alone in their suite.

“Well, there’s Neville who will be my best man, Remus, Blaise, Oliver, Adrian and Paole. I was thinking of asking Fred and George to be ushers. Who were you thinking of?” responded Harry.

“I want Angelina to be my maid of honor, then Hermione, Katie, if you don’t mind her being in the wedding, Bianca, Hannah, and Su-Li.” said Alicia.

“I have no problem with Katie being in the wedding party. She and I have become very good friends, and I know how close you two have always been. What’s the invite number up to?”

“Your going to freak out, but it’s pushing 450 people. The minute the press found out, this became a major wizarding event. Were going to need a lot of security….unless we have it either here at Hogwarts, or at Thurox Manor, where you can control the wards. What do you think?”

“450 PEOPLE! Do we even KNOW that many people?!? This is getting ridiculous. 450 PEOPLE….Merlin! Uhm, I guess we could use Thurox Manor, and have the wards set to keep anyone not on the invite list out, as well as when the guests leave, their memories will be modified to forget the location of the Manor….450 people!” Harry finished, totally overwhelmed by the prospect of that many people coming to his wedding.

“Wait! Would it be perceived badly if we had a private wedding, with a large reception. I really want our vows to be more personal and private than having them witnessed by strangers. Would that be acceptable or would that be shunning a lot of people?” asked a pleading eyed Harry.

“Your so cute when you beg! I never thought of doing it that way, but I can’t see where that would be a problem. Let me just check with mum….she’s Miss Etiquette when it comes to these sort of things.” Alicia said, chuckling at the relieved expression on her fiancée’s face.

“I don’t want to burst that little bubble you’ve got going on, but the guest list is liable to top 550-600 people, especially if you make it on one of the Quidditch teams. You’ll have owners, coaches and players, along with their wives or dates also attending.” she said, laughing at the now horrified look gracing his chiseled face.

“Then I’ll put off trying out for another year! Alicia, honey….can’t we tone it down some? I mean I love you, and want to let everyone in the world know, but do they honestly have to have all them come to the wedding?”

“Harry, now your just exaggerating. It’s only all of wizarding Europe that’s coming.” she said in a flat monotone voice, then lost all reserve when he fell out of his seat onto the floor, just staring blankly up at her.

“Goddess above….you can’t be serious…..please?” he begged.

“No, silly…..I’m just teasing you…..but Harry, there will be a lot of people there, so consider yourself forewarned. Uhm, I know this is going to sound odd, but did you want to invite the Dursley’s by any chance?”

“NO! Absolutely not!” Harry said, all playfulness leaving him.

“Okay, I just wanted to ask, and not assume. Did you want the men to wear tuxedo’s or formal dress robes?” Alicia said, getting right back to the details to distract Harry from his sudden mood shift.

“Oh, uhm….I guess dress robes….I mean this is a wizarding wedding. I’ll call Phillipe at Wiz-Armani and have him come over to measure everyone so that they’ll all be custom tailored. Babe…can we lay off the plans, I want to snuggle up by the fire with you, and kiss you senseless….pretty please?” said Harry, pouting out his bottom lip and batting his long eyelashes playfully at Alicia.

“Knock of the eyes….you know I can’t say no to that look. We were done anyway, you big teddy bear….I can’t see why anyone’s scared of you, your just a mushy romantic.” she said teasingly.

“AM NOT! I’m a lean, mean, fighting machine….who only mushes up to people who are about to become Mrs. Potter! I can’t help it that you fall into that category. Don’t call me a teddy bear….I’ll show you a teddy bear….” and without another word, he pounced on Alicia, tickling her mercilessly. They did indeed spend the rest of the night kissing and snuggling in front of the fire.

Before they knew it, it was the morning of Harry’s Quidditch Trials. Oliver came and escorted Harry to the stadium, and after introductions were made to the scouts, he showed Harry where the locker rooms were.

“Harry, you seem to be handling this with very little stress. I was a complete basket case when I tried out.” said Oliver as Harry got changed into his Gryfindor uniform.

“Well, I look at it this way….I didn’t start out playing this sport to go professional, and if I do make a team, that’s just a bonus. I just like playing and competing, so this is just another competition to me.” said Harry, shrugging his shoulders.

“Your unlike anyone else I’ve ever met, you do know that, right?” laughed Oliver.

“Yeah, I like to call it the Potter Factor….if it’s abnormal to act like this, or odd to do certain things, it’ll usually be associated with me, hence, the Potter Factor.” Harry said laughing right along with Oliver.

Leaving the locker room, Firebolt in hand, Harry began his try-out. They had him in two mock scrimmages first, and when he caught the snitch each match before the other seeker, they had him next doing maneuvers. He did spirals, dives, high speed sprints, and when he completed four Wronski Feint’s perfectly in a row, they called an end to the trials. Tony met Harry and the scouts after, and setting up Tony’s negotiation meetings the next day, Harry made his way back to the castle, making it back in time for his 2:00pm class.

Two days later, on Saturday November 17th, Tony, Oliver and Adrian came into the Great Hall at lunch time all wearing grins that made Harry a little nervous. It just wasn’t right they way they looked all smug.

“Uhm, hey guys….what’s up?” asked Harry.

“Well, we just finished the negotiations, and I have with me a contract, that if meets your approval, needs to be signed.” Tony announced, as the Hall instantly quieted down. Scanning the curious students, and the excited teachers, he stood up, taking Alicia’s hand, and headed out to the anti-chamber off the to the side of the Great Hall.

“You just love doing that, don’t you! I knew you were up to something when all three of you walked in wearing smirks. Okay, spill it!” said Harry, rolling his eyes at their antics.

“You know us to well, my friend.” said Oliver

Tony started to explain, “Okay. The Irish National team would like to offer you a five year contract as lead seeker, paying 100,000 galleons a year, and I also have three endorsement deals pending your signed contract. The first is for Weasleys’ Wizarding Wheezes, for 20,000 galleons; the second is for Patch, the Pumpkin Juice Company, for 50,000 galleons plus 3% yearly profit royalties for 5 years; and third, is for Wiz-Armani, for 75,000 galleons a year plus 4 ½% yearly profit royalties till you stop modeling for them. All total, you stand to make close to 1.75 million galleons. Not a bad deal, if I do say so myself.” said Tony, giving himself a pat on the back.

“Harry, that is the sweetest deal out there right now…you’d be a complete nutter to not take it!” exclaimed Adrian.

“I nearly messed myself when I heard the numbers….that’s like almost half again what I’m currently making and I‘m considered the highest paid player! Maybe I‘ll have Tony renegotiate my contract next year!” said Oliver, looking at his friend in playful enviousness.

“Harry, your being awfully quiet. You okay, hun?” said Alicia, giving him a warm hug.

“Yeah….I’m good. Just….Wow! That’s a lot of galleons to be paid for just having some fun. Who’d of thought….Wow! Wait! How can I play for Irish National when I’m not even Irish?” asked Harry.

“Those rules were disbanded after the World Cup a few years ago, to promote a more competitive environment. It works great for us….wouldn’t you say Adrian!” Oliver said looking smug at his team getting Harry.

“Damn straight, Oliver! We are so going to win the championship this year!” said an excited Adrian.

Chuckling at his friends, he said to Tony, “Where do I sign! And tell Fred and George that I won’t accept their 20,000 galleons, but as my brothers, I’ll do it for some free products every now and again.”

After signing all the contracts, Alicia told Harry that the school was waiting for him to announce who he’d be playing for. Chuckling at his bewildered look, Tony quickly called a small press conference together, along with the owner and coaches of Harry’s new team, and within 30 minutes, they were back in the Great Hall to announce to the world the good news.

“Ladies and Gentlemen. It gives me great pleasure as the owner of the Irish National Quidditch team to announce that we have just signed a five year contract with Mr. Harry Potter to play lead seeker for us!” said Mr. O’Connor, the owner, soaking in the thunderous applause of the crowd. He continued by introducing Harry, “Now, I would like to give Harry the floor, and thank you all for your support!”

“Thank you, Mr. O’Connor, and I look forward to playing with your team this year. Playing for Irish National has the added bonus of being the team two of my very good friends, Oliver Woods and Adrian Pucey, play for. I never dreamed of playing professionally until Oliver talked me into trying out. I can only say that I’m thrilled that I decided to listen to my ex-captain for once.” Harry said, earning a mock glare from Oliver, but laughter from everyone else.

The reporters asked a several more questions of Harry, Mr. O’Connor, and the head coach, Mr. Blithe, about the upcoming year, then, when the questions switched to Harry and Alicia’s wedding plans, they called the press conference to a close. Many of the students stayed behind to congratulate Harry, and to get autographs from the three star players, until the Headmistress shooed them all on their way. Oliver and Adrian left shortly after to get ready to have dinner with Alicia and Harry that night, and to get their girlfriends. Tonight, was a big night for the engaged couple, as they were going to ask their friends to be in the wedding.

That night, everyone was pleasantly surprise to be asked, and overwhelmingly agreed to be part of the happy couple’s special day. It was well after two in the morning before the party died down, and they all agreed that, next weekend, the ‘Warp Crew’ needed to go clubbing again. So the week went by, with more wedding plans being finalized, and Harry going to his first practice with his new team.

The following Saturday, everyone met up at Dragons, in Diagon Alley for the much awaited night. It had been better than five years since they had gone out like this. Harry wasted no time getting his beautiful, future wife out on the dance floor, heating the place up like only he could. The place was packed with people that night, somehow getting out that they would all be there.

Suddenly, there were several large explosions that rocked the foundations of the club, and to the amazement of most in the club, the 30 members of the ‘Warp Crew’, plus Remus, Paole, Tonks, Bill, and Charlie, all sprung into action. The club was pitch black a few moments later, but with Harry’s enhanced eyesight, he could see the Death Eaters flooding in the two main entrances. Harry took control of the lead command, and ordered everyone to cast the ‘Furus Aspectus’ spell, which literally meant dark sight, on their eyes, enabling them to see in the blackness surrounding them. Blaise and his group were told to cover the back entrance, Neville’s group headed to the front entrance, and Tonks went to alert the Aurors. Paole and Harry’s groups were going to hunt the enemies within the club, and the rest were to defend the innocents. Drawing their concealed weapon’s, they disbursed to their assigned tasks.

Within seconds, Harry, using his katana in combination with his wandless magic, had taken out three, and the five other’s in his group had each taken someone out. By the screams around, Paole’s squad was making quick work of their opponents also. The sound of spells, screams and swords slicing into flesh were the only sounds heard for several minutes, until Hermione and Padma were able to finally get the lights back on, as the last of the screams died down. Looking around at the carnage and decimated club, Harry locked onto a sight he had never hoped to see…Luna was lying in the middle of the dance floor with a whole in her chest that had obviously been caused by a very strong Reducto Curse. By the time he was able to reach her, Alicia was already working on their friend, and minutes later, stopped.

“Harry….she didn’t make it.” Alicia said, with tears in her eyes. The club had gone absolutely silent by her declaration, no one daring to breath.

The deafening quiet was shattered when they all heard, “Harry! Alicia! Zach need’s some help over here! Hurry….I don’t think he’s going to make it!” screamed Ginny from somewhere near the restroom hall. Without hesitation, they made a beeline to her location, and Alicia, with Hermione’s help, worked relentlessly on Zacharias Smith until finally the Aurors and Healers showed, taking care of the injured, and sending them on to St. Mungo’s.

“What happened tonight, Harry?” asked a concerned Kingsley.

“We came out to party tonight, and we were all having a great time until there was an explosion….” Harry explained, leaving no details out. When he was done, Blaise, Paole, and Neville gave their version of what had happened from the different areas they defended within the club.

“Harry, why didn’t you use ‘The Breath’ to slow some of the DE’s tonight?” asked Paole.

“There were entirely to many other people around to ensure that I would hit my mark. I couldn’t risk taking one of our own out with it. That’s the draw back of ‘The Breath’, you have to almost be one on one with the opponent to be sure that no else is affected.” said a tired Harry.

“That’s what I thought, but wanted to make sure.” finished Paole.

Nearly two hours later, the club had emptied except for the dead, and the ‘Warp Crew’. About 10 Death Eaters had escaped, fifteen had been killed, and 7 more were in St. Mungo’s secure ward while Harry’s team had suffered 5 injured, including Zach, Hannah, Lee, Pavarti and Lavender, and lost just one, so far, but that one was devastating enough. Luna’s father was already there, and after speaking with Harry and the others, they all said a tearful goodbye to their friend before Mr. Lovegood left with Luna’s body to prepare for the burial.

The sun had just started making it’s way into the sky by the time everyone headed home. They had heard back that Zach was going to make it, but that he had a long road to recovery ahead of him. The next afternoon, Harry and several others were notified that Luna’s funeral would be on Wednesday, the 28th, at 10am.

Mr. Lovegood was overwhelmed by the all the people that showed up to say goodbye to his only daughter. While giving Luna’s eulogy, he said, “It warms my aching heart to know that so many will miss my precious little girl. I never knew she had so many friends and people who loved her as I see here today. I thank you on behalf of my self, and Luna….she would be honored to know you all came just for her.”

After Mr. Lovegood finished, Harry approached the podium, and with tear in his eyes, he said, "Luna was such a simple, yet complex woman, who never let the things in life get her down. When anyone was hurting, or need a friend, she knew just what to say to lift you right back up again. She was one of the smartest people I ever met....even if you did, sometimes have to read between the lines to figure her out. I'll miss her uniqueness, her caring spirit, and her one of a kind take on the way things are....the world is now a little less interesting without her in it. I love you, little sis, and I'll miss you for all eternity. Be at peace."