'The Wedding'

A/N: Please read this URL: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=267167&rss=yes If it doesn't work as a direct link cut and paste it into your adress bar. I have to admit I laughed my self stupid when I read it but I never really suspected! Did you?

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The following afternoon Harry left the Ministry of Magic right on Five PM and apparated to Andromeda’s house. Andromeda and Teddy were out in the garden watering an enourmous Parisian Orange Bush when his apparating crack alerted them to his arrival.

‘HARRRRRRRREEEE!’ Teddy bellowed.

‘Ted Lupin can the volume!’ Andromeda scolded as Harry scooped Teddy up and swung him in a circle ‘Hey Harry how was work?’

‘Great, nailed a bad guy and the rest of the day I played a round robin chess comp in the office because not one memo came in all day, Not one. The first time ever that’s happened even when I was doing my training, hey monster more gardening today?’

‘Uh huh, can’t wait to go to Hogwarts! Uncle Neville could teach me soooo much!’

‘He could teach you a lot now’ Harry said ‘I’m going to get him and Aunty Hannah to come to the house and put some plants in out garden, you can help if you like’

‘Ohh coooool!

‘Now has Nanna told you where we’re going tonight?’ Harry said heading toward the house.

‘No she said it was a surprise’

‘Well remember Oliver Wood that nice man I introduced you to on Sunday night?’

‘Uh huh he’s the Captain of Puddlemere United!’

‘Yup well he’s invited me to train with his team tonight and I’m allowed to bring friends. How would you and Nanna like to come and watch the team fly?’

‘Oh wow REALLY?’ Teddy exclaimed looking like his birthday and Christmas has arrived at the same time ‘Really truly?’

‘Uh huh really truly you haven’t seen me play quidditch before fancy coming to Cornwall to see?’

‘Awww yeah!’ Teddy rushed his now purple eyes alive with excitement ‘Cooool!’

‘Well let me have a shower and we’ll have dinner then apparate to the pitch okay?’

‘Okay’

‘I think you’ve made his day’ Andromeda said with a grin as Teddy skipped into the house ‘He’s not going to talk about anything else for weeks’

‘Yeah I know’ Harry said with a grin ‘Had Cho and Dennis from the Prophet over last night to take pictures and write a story announcing Gin and I’s engagement. It’s going to be in tomorrow’s Prophet’

‘Really? Well those two will do a better piece that Rita Skeeter. I’m still rotten about that book she did on Dumbledore’

‘So am I’ Harry said ‘But I learnt long ago it takes too much energy to hate someone so I just ignore her. If I run into her or see her at a press conference I refuse to talk to her. I’m hoping one day she’ll get the idea. But that may be hope springs eternal it’s been five years since the end of the war and she still hasn’t let up’

‘You’ve go to give her credit for persistence I suppose’

‘I suppose so’

After his shower Harry returned downstairs and went to the loungeroom where Tonks and Lupin were playing a game of chess in their portrait.

‘Hey guys’ He said.

‘Knight to E4’ Tonks said not taking her eyes of the board ‘Wotcher Harry back again?’

‘Yeah having dinner with your Mum tonight. I’ve been invited to train with Puddlemere United tonight and they’re coming with me’

You’re getting back into Quidditch?’ Lupin said as Tonks’s knight knocked his bishop off the board ‘Dammit’

‘Nah not officially Oliver just invited me to train with them at the housewarming party on Sunday night and I thought I’d go along’ Harry said ‘Ought to be a bit of fun’

‘Getting a new broom?’ Tonks asked as she and Lupin paused their game.

‘I’d only do that if I were accepted onto the team and that’s not likely to happen as this is only an invite to train not to try out’ Harry said

‘Harry from what I know about Oliver Wood he’s a very determined person and doesn’t do things on a whim, he wouldn’t invite you to train if he didn’t want you on the team’ Lupin said ‘I would take his invite seriously’

‘You reckon he’s invited me as a try out?’

‘Most likely yes’

‘Fuckin’ hell, I didn’t really think if it that way’ Harry said ‘Bloody Hell Puddlemere United is the best team in the League’

‘Uh huh and you were the best Seeker at Hogwarts since your father so I think Oliver wants to tap into that talent’ Tonks said.

‘But Tonks I haven’t played Quidditch for seven years!’ Harry exclaimed ‘Schoolboy quidditch is a hell of a lot different to professional league quidditch’

‘Yeah it is but you don’t lose abilities like yours’

‘I’m going to have a full calendar this year’ Harry said ‘Dammit what have I got myself into?’

‘Goose’ Tonks said affectionately.

‘Hey did your Mum tell you Ted can already cast a disarming charm?’ Harry continued ‘Did it three times the night of my birthday party’

‘Yeah we heard that’ Lupin said ‘Impressive stuff’

‘Yeah I think he’ll be a talented wizard imagine what he’s going to do once he gets a real wand’ Harry said ‘He’ll have half of all the known hexes down pat by the end of his first year’

‘Probably’

‘Harry dear dinner!’ Andromeda called.

‘Okay guys get back to your game I’ll see you soon huh?’ Harry said starting toward the door

‘See ya Harry’

Harry left the louungeroom and made his way back into the kitchen.

‘You chat to Remus and Nymphadora every time You come here you may as well have a frame for them at you place’ Andromeda said levitating a pot of soup over to the table.

‘I can yeah!’ Harry said lighting up ‘I’ll dip into my vault’

‘Harry you being who you are would be able to get one funded by the Ministry’ Andromeda said ‘Dipping into your own funds wouldn’t be necessary’

‘I suppose I can ask him tomorrow’ Harry said buttering a piece of bread ‘What do you reckon Tedmeister, what would you think about me trying to get a portrait of Mum and Dad at the Manor?’

‘Ted Lupin if you speak with your mouthful I will hex you!’ Andromeda scolded Teddy cutting across Harry ‘Chew and swallow before you speak’

Harry had to withhold a laugh as Teddy his cheeks bulging with food began to chew madly, swallowing an obviously too large mouthful with a wince.

‘That’s be cool Harry!’ He rushed ‘Where would it hang?’

‘I was thinking the loungeroom above the mantlepeice’ Harry said blowing on a spoonful of soup. Or above the sideboard in the dining room, But I think the loungeroom would be better don’t you? That way we can both talk to them on a comfy chair you’d get a sore bum sitting on the kitchen chairs’

‘Cool bananas’

Harry coughed as he inhaled his soup.
‘Pardon?’ He said with a grin.

‘Cool bananas. It’s something Mummy says’

‘Really?’

‘Oh Nymphadora said cool bananas from when she was a child’ Andromeda said reminiscing fondly ‘I think it’s something she picked up right from when she was at primary school’


‘Did she ever have issues with her Metamorphmasing when in school? Harry asked ‘Like did she ever change her hair colour when under stress or being picked on?’

‘Yeah once the year before she went to Hogwarts, she went from blonde to black streaked with red, Ted and I had to go to the school and cast memory charms on thirty seven people to make them forget what they saw’

‘Thirty seven?’ Harry exclaimed ‘Hells Bells I’ve never cast that many at once ever!’

‘But my Nymphadora was always a firebrand, she did tend to get into a lot of scraps at school’ Andromeda said reminiscently ‘She settled down a lot when she got to Hogwarts, mind you she did get ripping drunk in her seventh year and threw a bucket of cold water over Severus’

Harry burst into raucous laughter
‘She chucked a bucket of water on Snape? She roared ‘Oh he would’ve murdered her!’

‘Well from what I gathered he very nearly did’ Andromeda said joining in the laughter ‘Ted and I were called up to the school at half past three in the morning! We got there and she was so drunk she didn’t know who Ted and I were’

‘That sounds like Neville on his stag night’ Harry said dipping a piece of bread into his soup ‘He didn’t remember galloping naked down Diagon Alley and cartwheeling over one of Fortescue’s outside tables. What was her poison?’

‘Home made Wizards Absinthe’ Andromeda said ‘It transpired she was dared to brew some by a potions classmate and she drank about five shot glasses one after the other. Now I don’t know if you’ve ever tried Absinthe but it’s lethal stuff. I tried it once and got drunk on half a shot glass’

‘So what was her punishment?’

‘A months worth of every day detentions and no Hogsmeade visits for two months’ Andromeda said ‘Plus a bollocking from Ted and I. Ted yelled so loud he lost his voice for a week’

‘I would’ve had trouble yelling at her it sounds hilarious to me’ Harry said with a grin.

‘Oh it was’ Andromeda said ‘We got home and cacked ourselves. I thought it was hilarious’

‘I would never have had the balls to do anything like that while at school’ Harry said ‘Especially to Snape, the worst thing I did was throw a Filibuster’s Firework across the potions dungeons into a caouldron of swelling soloution. I didn’t get caught for that though he knew I did it, did you ever get up to any hi jinx when you were at Hogwarts?’

‘Yeah I put laxatives in the staff room kettle in my seventh year’ Andromeda said ‘We had a whole school muck up the day of the graduation ceremony. It was the best fun’

You didn’t!’ Harry said in, incredulous disbelief his hands flying to his mouth ‘Oh Andromeda Tonks you are a bad girl!. How’d you get into the staff room?’

‘Piper Laurie and Louise McAllister my two best friends set off an explosion in the west tower and got the teachers out of the staff room while I added the extra spices to the kettle’ Andromeda said ‘Then Ted went streaking through the Great Hall screaming ‘I’m a pink fairy look at me!’ From what I can recall Dumbledore thought it was hilarious. He had smuggled a huge amount of Woopie Weed into Hogwarts and had been bonging on all day we all had. Even Bellatrix and Narcissa were off their trees’

The atmosphere around the table tautened.

‘Well I’m no expert with that sort of thing but I’m half tempted to think the Woopie Weed permanently addled her brains’ Harry said ‘I’m sorry Andromeda I know she was your sister but I can’t forgive her for killing Sirius’

‘I understand Harry I really do’ Andromeda said ‘I can’t forgive her either. In fact I took a leaf out of Sirius’s mother’s book and blasted Bellatrix off the part of the family tree I have. I’ve left Narcissa on there though. Whatever happened with her I believe she was acting out of fear of what Voldemort would do to Lucius and Draco. And when the time mattered they turned their back on the Dark Lord to me that shows their true colours’

‘Hmm I suppose so’ Harry said ‘You know Draco’s the new Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts don’t you?’

‘Yeah I know about that’ Andromeda said ‘Transfiguration has been a well-developed ability amongst the Blacks and Malfoys going back centuries. Everyone in our immediate families got ‘O’s’ in their O.W.L’s and N.E.W.T.s in it’

‘Including you?’

‘Yup the only subjects I didn’t get an O.W.L in was Divination. I totally bombed out in it’

‘I can understand about Divination’ Harry said ‘I got a ‘P’ in my Owl exam everything else I passed, Divination was a useless subject, I always kept falling asleep in the classes’

‘Naughty boy’

‘Ha ha I’m telling ya it wasn’t hard to fall asleep in Trelawney’s classes they were the perfect cure for insomniacs’

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After dinner Harry, Andromeda and Teddy made their way out into the yard.

‘Okay mate you go with Nanna okay?’ Harry said squatting down to Teddy’s level ‘You apparate with her and I’ll see you after training okay?’

‘Okay. But I hate apparating! It feels funny!’

‘I know mate I don’t find it very comfy either but you do get used to it’ Harry said ruffling Teddy’s hair ‘And it feels better when you do it yourself’

‘But I can’t do that til I’m big!’

Harry laughed.
‘I know that matey but it only goes for a second. You hold onto Nanna tight okay? I don’t want you to get splinched’

‘Okay

Harry walked a few steps away from Andromeda and Teddy and grasped his broom more securely.

‘I’ll see you at the pitch okay?’ He said to Andromeda

‘Gotcha’

And with a crack Harry disapparated and appeared a second later at the Cornwall Quidditch stadium, a huge impressive structure the spiritual home of the Puddlemere United League Quidditch team.

‘Harry!’ Came Oliver Wood’s voice ‘Hey over here!’

Harry turned around and Saw Oliver Wood and his fiancée and fellow team member Alicia Spinnett waving at him.

‘Harry!’ Alicia exclaimed engulfing him in a hug ‘So great to see you, how are you, how’s work, what are you up to, are you-‘

‘Jeez darl let him speak’ Oliver said to Alicia ‘Heya Harry glad you could make it’

‘Glad to come’ Harry said returning Alicia’s hug ‘Where to from now?

‘Follow us we’ll take the back entrance to the changerooms’ Alicia said ‘We’ve got some robes for you Oliver figured your old Gryffindor robes wouldn’t fit you any more’

‘And they’d be the wrong colour’ Oliver said ‘Griffyndor is red and gold Pud is Blue and black’

‘Your broom still looks brand new’ Alicia said to Harry taking in his Firebolt ‘And it’s nearly ten years old’

‘Well I do look after it and don’t really use it that much’ Harry said ‘I tend to apparate or floo anywhere I want to go, I rarely fly anymore’

‘Well it’ll suit training just fine though if you join the team you might need a new one’

‘Is that likely?’ Harry said ‘This is just a bit of fun isn’t it?’

‘Er yeah sure, sure’

Harry, Oliver and Aliciaa walked around the the stadium til they came to a door marked ‘Team changerooms’ Oliver took out his wand muttered an incomprehensible spell and the door opened for them.

‘Just down there Harry’ He said third door on your left’

Harry walked through the door and followed Alicia down the hall the first door on the left was marked with a sign bearing the words ‘Match Officials’ and immediately next to it was a door marked with ‘Medical Officials’ then the third door a deep electric blue door with gold lettering said ‘Puddlemere United Q.C’ Alicia turned the handle and swung it open. Loud music was blaring from a muggle stereo system that had obviously been charmed and and energetic game of limbo was being played using a charmed broomstick.

‘OH YOU LOT ARE SO IMMATURE!’ Alicia bellowed.

‘Oh come on Leesh join in our game!’ blonde tall and skinny man who Harry recognized as Larry Tallis on of the starting beaters said turning down the volume on the stereo.

‘No’

‘Aww you’re no fun’

‘Anyway guys I have found a seeker to help us tonight’ Oliver said standing aside so Harry was visible to the rest of the team ‘Meet Harry Potter’

The silence that fell was almost deafening whoever was charming the broomstick had obviously stopped concentrating on the spell as the broomstick fell to the floor with a crash. One team member who had been hidden before spoke up, Harry recognized the tall woman as Katie Bell a fellow member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team during his time at Hogwarts.

‘Oliver Wood you are a total and utter shit!’ She declared to Oliver coming forward and hugging Harry ‘Great to see ya Harry welcome to Pud ’

Harry returned the hug.
‘Good to see you too Katie’ He said ‘Sorry you couldn’t come to my birthday or housewarming’

‘Yeah I wish I could’ve come but work called'.

‘You really know him?’ Larry Tallis said incredulously to Katie.

‘Shit Yeah Harry and I were at Hogwarts together’ Katie said ‘Though he was a year below me, oh come on guys he’s Harry Potter you don’t have to stand there gawping at him like he’s a naked witch you’ll catch flies’

The tension broke as the team burst into laughter and to greet Harry.

‘Larry Tallis beater’ Larry said extending a hand to Harry ‘Nice to have you here, your reputation preceeds you, Katie, Oliver and Leesh can’t stop banging on about you’

‘Oh fuck off Tally you’re so full of crap’ Alicia said going to a nearby locker and taking a set of blue and black quidditch robes off the door ‘Here are your robes for tonight Harry’

‘Thanks’

‘Okay everyone get your robes on and meet out on the pitch in five minutes!’ Oliver called ‘Get to it’

Grumbling to themselves the rest of the team dispersed to their lockers(Katie and Alicia went to another room)to change into their rooms. Harry leaned his Firebolt up against a spare locker and pulled the robes over his head. He found that they fit perfectly. He changed into his boots and strapped on his knee guards.

‘You’ll have fun tonight Harry’ Larry said pulling on a pair of gloves ‘Oliver’s a pain in the arse task master…-‘

‘OY!’ Oliver called ‘I heard that!’

‘But he does gets results’ Larry continued ‘But of course you’d know that’

‘Yup’ Harry said with a grin strapping on his arm guards ‘It’ll be nice to fly again. I haven’t played a good game of Quidditch since my sixth year when I was captain of the Gryffindor team’

‘Gee that’s a while…but never mind Quidditch is like putting one foot in front of the other it comes naturally. And I think that’d be the same for you, Angeina, Ollie and Leesh always bang on abut how good you were’

‘I’m going to kill Oliver’ Harry said in a mock angry tone ‘You’re a loudmouth Wood!’

‘Whatever!’

When Harry was fully dressed in his robes he sheathed his wand in the wand holster Ron gave him for his birthday and picked up his broom, Larry did the same and led Harry from the changerooms down a long race and out onto the pitch.

‘Welcome to ‘The Birdnest’ Harry’ Larry said mounting his broom

‘Thanks’ Harry said mounting his Firebolt and kicking off ‘I’m going to let off a bit of steam before we start okay?’

‘Sure, we always do that then Oliver gets us to do some formation excercises’

‘Cool’

Harry leaned forward and his Firebolt shot forward. The rest of the team merged into blurs as Harry shot the length of the pitch and back again several times performed several loop the loops and lightening fast figure eights around the goalposts and several Wronski Feints. He eventually pulled up to find the rest of the team gaping at him.

‘What?’ He said puffing heavily from his efforts.

‘Gee you haven’t lost your touch Harry’ Katie said admiringly hovering on her Firebolt Series Five Hundred ‘I’d forgotten just how good a flier you were’

‘And I thought you were full of crap’ Gordon McIntyre who Harry has been introduced to earlier as the second Beater said to Katie ‘Nice flying Harry’

‘Er ta’

‘Okay guys lets get down to business we’ve got that match against the Kenmare Kestrels this weekend and you know they’re a tough bunch of bastards, we need to make sure we’re on top of our game, the arrowhead formation…NOW!..Harry just fall in line behind Alicia and follow you’ll pick up what to do’

Harry fell in behind Alicia and joined the team as they formed a large arrowhead headed by Katie, they flew up and down the pitch twice then broke apart one half of the team pulled off to the left, with a shout and a sweep from her arm Harry followed Alicia.

For the next hour Harry joined the team in executing several as Oliver put it ‘Essential Team strategic manoeuvrers’ Oliver then flew to the ground and kicked open the ball chest.

‘Okay guys I’m going to release the balls, Harry give the snitch three minutes head start okay?’ Oliver called from thirty feet below them

‘Righto’

Oliver flicked his wand and the bludgers and snitch flew into the air. He then picked up the Quaffle, mounted his broom and kicked off.

‘Okay people I want half an hour of good hard quidditch!’ He said throwing the Quaffle high into the air ‘GO!’

Harry took off scanning the skies for the snitch that has now disappeared while the rest of the team swung into action. Katie was the first one to catch the Quaffle she twisted away from Alicia who was forced to do a 360 degree roll to stay on her broom.

Harry waited three minutes then started looking in earnest for the snitch within thirty seconds he had caught it just as Alicia was about to score.

‘Oh fuck you Harry you’re no fun!’ She said in a mock angry voice ‘Damn you to eternal hell’

‘Love you too Alicia’ Harry said with a grin letting the snitch go again ‘Mwah’

‘Oh fuck off’

Laughing Harry flew off again and once again the team swung into action.

In an hour and a half Harry caught the snitch twenty seven times. Each time he caught the fluttering gold ball he left it longer and longer before he went searching for it again. Oliver eventually called it quits at nine PM.

‘Okay guys nice job’ He said strapping the last of the bludgers into the balls box ‘Hit the showers and team meeting in half an hour’

Harry slid off his broom and slung it over his shoulder.

‘Nice flying Harry you haven’t lost your touch at all’ Katie said ‘It was good to see you on a broom again’

‘I was nice to be back on one’ Harry said ‘Nights like tonight make me wonder why I didn’t take up professional Quidditch as a career’

‘Because you were too busy off catching bad asses’ Alicia said with a grin ‘I think after the way you flew tonight Oliver is wondering why he didn’t get you to train with us sooner’

The team made their way back to the changerooms and Alicia and Katie went off to the ladies bathrooms. Harry stripped off and was about to wrap a towel around his waist when Oliver spoke.

‘What the hell is that at the end of your cock?’ He said loudly to Harry

‘A metal ring’ Harry said blushing slightly wrapping his towel around his waist

‘And what the hell would you have one of them there of all places for?’

‘It’s supposed to make getting laid better’ George Lewis the chaser filling in for Angelina said.

‘How the hell do you know that?’

‘I’m muggle born it’s a muggle thing to get body peircings’

‘That begs the question why did you get on Harry?’ Larry asked

‘I got pissed on Neville Longbottom’s stag night and got it done at a piercing and tattoo studio in Notting Hill. Seamus, Dean, Ron, Neville and I all got one done’ Harry said turning around and showing him his back ‘They did the snitch on my shoulder too’

‘Fuckin’ hell you all got a cock piercing?’ Oliver said ‘Neville Longbottom the straight laced Herbology nerd got a cock piercing?’

‘Yeah he also drank three bottles of Firewhiskey and streaked the length of Diagon Alley’ Harry said with a laugh picking up his toiletries bag and going to the showers ‘He sculled the last one inside a minute’

‘Fuck how pissed was he to do at that point?’ Gordon asked.

‘Oh he was rotten’ Harry said going into a shower stall ‘We all were we crashed At George Weasley’s shop and slept for twelve hours. I’ve never had a hangover so bad. I drank as much hangover potion as I did alcohol and I still felt seedy for three days’

‘You really party hard Potter’ Larry said in amusement.

‘Mate I hardly ever drink but when I do I make up for the time I don’t’ Harry said with a grin stepping under the stream of water.

‘How did you go at the wedding?’ Oliver asked ‘It made all the society pages of the prophet’

‘I had a few drinks but didn’t get rancid’ Harry said ‘I’d only just recovered from the stag night. I wasn’t going to get that pissed so soon’

Harry washed his hair rinsed off all the soap then stepped out of the shower wrapping a towel around his waist. He dried himself thoroughly then dressed and joined the rest of the team in what appeared to be a boardroom. The walls were adorned with past Puddlemere United squads and it seemed every league Trophy the club had ever won was displayed in glass cases.

‘Okay team good practice tonight sterling stuff’ Oliver said ‘We really ought to give the Kestrels a touch up on Saturday.

‘Er ‘We?’ Harry interjected ‘Oliver I’m not officially a team member. You’re speaking as if I’m the starting seeker’

‘Ahhh er yes’ Oliver said giving Alicia who was the Vice Captain a significant look ‘I thought you might say that’

Harry had a sinking feeling in his stomach about what was to come next.

‘Harry after seeing you train tonight I’m convinced you are as good as you ever were while you were on my Gryffindor team at Hogwarts. Ever since your birthday then housewarming party on Sunday where you flew I’ve been chatting to Leesh, Katie and Angelina and I’d like to offer you the position of starting seeker for Puddlemere United’

Harry stared at Oliver incredulously.
‘Oliver you are mental!’ He said ‘Tonight is the first time I’ve trained for quidditch in six years! I haven’t played a game of quidditch in six years! I am so out of the loop! And you want me to be starting seeker? There’s two games left in the pre-season cup! Now is not the time to introduce a totally different seeker especially one that’s as much out of the loop as I am!’

‘Harry you are not out of the loop!’ Katie said cutting in front of Oliver who had opened his mouth to respond ‘You are a brilliant flyer! As I’ve said to you over and over tonight you haven’t lost a touch of your abilities on the pitch. Don’t underestimate yourself! You’re a brilliant seeker and I for one think you’d be a great addition to United’

‘Say I say yes?’ Harry began. What about Louise Minson the seeker on the reserve team? Oughtn’t she be the first priority in calling up a new seeker?


‘Harry she’s only just graduated from Hogwarts and isn’t developed enough to play in the league team straight up’ Alicia said ‘I reckon she needs a good half season of playing on the reserve team before she is ready to step up and our starting seeker for the senior team is on the long term injury list. We need a seeker now we’ve got a game in three days! If we win we get into the pre season final! We need you Harry!’

‘Couldn’t you have asked me a week ago when I could’ve gotten to know you guys better and gotten a few more training sessions in with you?’ Harry said in a defeated tone ‘Jesus Oliver I remember you from Hogwarts as being an anal taskmaster that was paranoid with attention to detail! There’s three days to one of the biggest matches In the pre season, I’m flattered you asked me but what the hell were you thinking? There’s going to be hell to pay when the press find out…very clever’

The rest of the team tittered.

‘I know I’ve sort of been a git’ Oliver said having the good grace to look ashamed

‘No Oliver you HAVE been a git’ Larry said ‘It would serve you right if Harry told you to stick it up your arse’

At that the rest of the team burst into loud laughter.

‘What about the major season?’ He said ‘Harry said ‘I start a new full time job at the beginning of next month and that’s going to take up a lot of my time, plus I am the guardian of a five year old, he’s my priority you know

‘I know but as I said to you the other night let me know the name of your new boss and I’ll talk to them, Puddlemere United only train at night so it wouldn’t interfere with your job during the day and if Ron Hermione, Andromeda or Mrs Weasley couldn’t look after Teddy for you I will personally hire you a nanny’

‘Oh fucking hell’

‘O-li-ver’s getting des-per-ate!’ Katie said in a sing song voice.

‘And what if I have to take time off for any reason during the season?’ Harry said deciding at the last minute not to tell the team of his and Ginny’s engagement til the Daily Prophet came out the following morning ‘What will you do for a seeker then?’

‘George’ll he’s the seeker on the reserve team’ Oliver said.

‘Then why are you filling in for Angelina?’ Harry asked George.

‘I play chaser too, I alternate between the positions. I’ve been filling in the Seeker position on the senior squad since Coralie Dickson got injured at the end of the major round last year’ George said lifting a bottle of spring water to his lips ‘I prefer chasing though’

Harry put his head in his hands then ran his fingers through his perpetually mussed up hair.

‘Okay’ He said to Oliver ‘I’ll take up your invitation. But you owe me big time’

‘Name anything’ Oliver said in a relieved voice as the rest of the team burst into cheers

‘An access all areas pass for anyone I nominate for any United game I nominate, I can’t very well ask for one for Ginny as she’s a starting chaser at the Holyhead Harpies. That includes the pre season final if we get there’

‘Deal’ Oliver said ‘Now your broom, you did brilliantly on your Firebolt tonight but I think you’re going to need a five hundred’

‘And how the hell do you expect him to get a Firebolt Five Hundred before Saturday?’ Alicia exclaimed ‘When we got ours at the beginning of the season we had to specially order ours in’

‘Yeah but to be fair we did order in fourteen one for each member of the starting and reserve squads’ Katie said ‘That would’ve taken a while to organize. I remember when the original Firebolt came out Quality Quidditch Supplies made a habit of having three in stock just in case anyone decided to come in and buy one off the street, I think they do that with each new broom that comes out’

‘Okay Harry go to Quality Quidditch Supplies first think tomorrow morning and get one’ Oliver said returning to his usual businesslike self ‘I’ll make sure the club re-imburses you’

‘They ought to demote you to the reserve team’ Alicia said darkly ‘You really are a prat Oliver’

‘Yeah but you love me’ Oliver said with a grin

Alicia grunted as Larry, Gordon and George burst into wolf whistles and cat calls.

‘Ollie and Leesha sittin’ in a tree…’ Gordon began

‘F-U..’ George and Larry started

‘Finish that and I will shove your broom handles up your smart arses and make you play on Saturday on a Hippogriff’ Oliver said in a mock angry tone.

‘How about training?’ Harry said as George, Gordon and Larry tittered.

‘We always have the day off before a match and this one will be no different’ Oliver said ‘So same time same place tomorrow for training huh? If you manage to get a Firebolt Five Hundred tomorrow you’ll need to train on it in a hope to get used to it’

‘Fair enough’

Half an hour later Oliver wrapped the meeting up.

‘Okay guys that’s it see you all here tomorrow night same time’ He said rising from his seat.

‘Welcome to the team Harry I‘m sure you’ll be an asset to us’ Gordon said extending a hand to Harry

‘Thanks mate’ Harry said shaking Gordon’s hand

‘Same here pal’ Larry said slinging a bag over his shoulder ‘I’m sure you agree it would have been better if you had joined the team in the usual way but welcome anyway, you’re brilliant you’ll help us no end’

‘Ah you didn’t need much help’ Harry said feeling his face warm ‘United is a great team’

‘And after you flew tonight it’ll be moreso’ George said hoisting his broom over his shoulder ‘I haven’t seen anyone fly like you did tonight since Victor Krum at the ’94 World Cup’

‘Oh bugger off I’m no Viktor Krum’ Harry said blushing in earnest now ‘He’s the best international Quidditch player ever, well in my memory anyway, Bulgaria have won the last two World Cups because of him’

‘And England’ll win the next one because of you’ Katie said.

‘Oh fuck off Katie I’ve just joined the domestic league and now you’ve got me playing for the national squad!’ Harry exclaimed ‘The next World Cup is three years away. There’s no guarantee I’ll be playing in the domestic league then let alone for the National Squad’

‘I know I just like to embarrass ya’ Katie said with a grin ‘Okay people see ya later’

‘Bye Katie’ Came the collected reply.

Harry bade everyone goodbye then made his way up to the stands where Andromeda and a very tired Teddy were waiting for him.

‘Sorry I took so long’ He said ‘I have the most peculiar news!’

‘Go on’ Andromeda said with a grin.

Harry spent the next few minutes explaining to Andromeda and Teddy what had transpired after the training session.

‘You’re kidding? Andromeda exclaimed ‘That’s spectacular news Harry! Congratulations’

‘Thanks I just wish Oliver had asked me three weeks ago so I could prepare properly. ‘I have three days to get ready for one of the biggest games in the league’

‘Cool bananas Harry you’re going to play Quidditch!’ Teddy exclaimed who was clearly deeply impressed ‘What will Aunty Ginny, Uncle Ron and Aunty ‘Miny say? How about Mummy and Daddy can we go back to Nanna’s and tell them pleeease?’

‘No mate not tonight it’s way past your bed time’ Harry said ‘You need to get to bed quick smart you can’t keep your eyes open. Nanna will tell them when she gets home’

Teddy made a face.

‘Go on mischief I’ll see you at the Manor tomorrow morning’ Andromeda said giving Teddy a hug and kiss ‘Go straight to bed’

‘Oh Ischpose’ Teddy said through a huge yawn 'Night Nanna’

‘Night pookie’

With a last hug Andromeda stood up and with a crack disapparated. Harry shrunk his broom put it in his back pack then picked Teddy up. Teddy yawned again and gripped Harry hard. Then with a crack they disapparated back to he manor. Despite hating apparating Teddy had fallen asleep his head resting on Harry’s shoulder his mouth wide open.

The front door opened itself with out Harry having to draw his wand. Hermione had heard him apparate in and was the first person to greet him as he came in the door.

‘Hey Harry how’d it go?’ She said keeping her voice low as so not to wake Teddy.

‘I’ll tell you in a minute’ Harry whispered ‘Let me put Teddy to bed and I’ll tell you Ron and Gin everything, quite a bit has happened tonight’

Harry took Teddy upstairs to his bedroom and changed him into his Chudley Canons pajamas. He then tucked him into bed and tucked his stuffed dragon Meat Pie under his arm.

‘Night kiddo’ He said flicking his wand so the lights turned off.

Harry left Teddy’s bedroom and made his way across the hall to his and Ginny’s room. He unpacked his bad resized his broom then went back downstairs. Hermione Ginny and Ron were in the kitchen chatting over coffee,

‘How’d training go?’ Ginny asked getting up and giving him a kiss.

‘Great it went great!’ Harry said with a wide stupid grin as he went to the fridge.

‘What’s gotten you so happy?’ Ron asked ‘You’re grinning like you’ve just gotten laid’

Harry laughed and Ginny and Hermione slapped him.

‘Well it’s the next best thing’ Harry said pulling a can of coke from the fridge .

‘C’mon fess up you’ve done something that’s made you look like a Cheshire cat’ Ginny said

‘Ladies and Gentlemen meet the new starting seeker for the Puddlemere United Quidditch team!’ Harry announced holding his arms up in the air.

There was a long and loud silence and Harry dropped his arms.

‘Well that’s not the reaction I was looking for’ He said.

‘Are you serious?’ Ron said putting down the glass of butterbeer that was halfway to his mouth when Harry made his announcement.

Yeah I’m serious’ Harry said opening the can of coke ‘It turned out that this ‘Invite’ to have a bit of fun and train with the team was a secret try out. We trained for two hours then had a meeting afterwards. That’s when Oliver offered me the seekers position. I tell ya he had to bribe me too’

‘What for?’ Ron exclaimed ‘Hell if I were offered a starting position in a league team I’d be in before they’d finished asking me’

‘Well I made a point of pointing out my job and looking after Teddy and he even went to as far to say if you, Gin Hermione, Mrs Weasley or Andromeda can’t mind Teddy because of a quidditch commitment he’d personally hire me a nanny’

‘He was getting desperate’ Hermione said.

‘That’s what Angelina said’ Harry said.

‘I don’t get it’ Ginny said ‘Harry I’m glad you’ve made the team but why did Oliver leave it three days before the biggest game in the pre season to ask you to play? From what you’ve told me Oliver next to Hermione is the most organized person you’ve ever met. This doesn’t sound terribly well organised’

‘I think he was hoping for the original seeker to come off the injury list but she’s been transferred to the long term injury list and the new reserve seeker isn’t ready to step up to the starting squad’ Harry said ‘Tomorrow is the last training session before the match on Saturday’

‘Are you going to have to get a new broom?’ Ron asked ‘Your Firebolt is nearly ten years old’

‘Yeah I am’ Harry said joining Hermione, Ginny and Ron at the table ‘It did fine for the training session but just about every team in the league has a Firebolt Five Hundred and Oliver thinks it best I got an up to date broom’

‘Are you going to be able to get one so close to the match?’ Ginny said ‘Generally one has to order them in I know we had to at the Harpies’

‘Katie said that too’ Harry said ‘But apparently ever since the original Firebolt came out Quality Quidditch Supplies have made a habit of keeping a few extra in stock just in case. Apparently there’s a good chance of me being able to get one. If not I’ll have to play on my Firebolt’

Ron broke into a grin.
‘This is brilliant!’ he said ‘My sister and best mate are on league quidditch teams!’

‘I’ve managed to get you access all areas passes for Saturday and the weekend after if United make the grand final’ Harry said ‘Gin I obviously couldn’t ask for one for you considering you are a starting chaser at the Harpies but you can probably get in as a league player anyway’

‘No worries Harry’ Ginny said ‘I was going to Saturday’s match with the team anyway we have a reserved box’

‘I don’t know who to cheer for now’ Ron said ‘My sister plays for the Harpies and my best mate plays for United. The Harpies play the the Cannons on Sunday and if they win United and the Harpies play each other I the final what a dilemma!’

‘Oh diddy dums’ Hermione said patting his head ‘Never mind Ronniekins’

‘Ha ha’

‘Thursday night is generally when all the press turn up to the final training sessions of the week’ Ginny said ‘You’re going to have to fly for an audience tomorrow night’

‘Oh lovely’ Harry said sarcastically ‘Just spiffing, absolutely dandy’

Ginny laughed at Harry’s use of uncharacteristic words.
‘You’ll do fine Harry’ She said rubbing his leg ‘Maybe I’ll play against you if the Harpies and United make the final I switch a lot between seeking and chasing’

‘Oh great I’m not going to be able to concentrate if that happens’ Harry said with a goofy grin ‘I’ll be too busy staring at your boobs’

‘Oh guys get a room!’ Hermione complained.

‘Well if that happens I’ll catch the snitch first and the Harpies will win’ Ginny said with a grin.

‘Ha ha you wish dear’ Harry said in a mock condescending tone patting her cheek.

‘When are you going to get your broom?’ Hermione asked him

‘Tomorrow morning’ Harry said ‘I’ll have to go out early to get to Diagon Alley before Quality Quidditch Supplies opens. I want to be there when it opens so I can put my order in if they haven’t got one or get one if they have. If they have one in stock I’ll buy it straight away apparate home drop it off then go to work’

‘Cool if you get one tomorrow can I have a ride?’ Ron said excitedly

‘Sure but it’ll have to be during lunch because there’s training tomorrow night I have to go there pretty much straight from work’ Harry said ‘Or you can come to training and have a fly for as long as you like after the session’

‘Lets see how busy it gets in the office tomorrow if it’s anything like the past couple of weeks we won’t have a lunch break period’

‘Hey what do you want to try Harry’s Firebolt Five Hundred?’ Ginny said ‘I have one and you flew it when I got it just before Christmas’

‘Oh yeah woops I forgot about that’ Ron said

‘Ronald you have the memory capacity of a goldfish’ Ginny said ‘I’m floored you got through Auror training. Come to think of it I’m floored you got through school’

Harry and Hermione laughed.

‘Oh fuck off Ginny’ Ron said making a face.

‘Oh original comeback bro’ Ginny said with a giggle.

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A/N: Okay peoplees there's the fifth chapter I would put here how to contact me of you wish but it takes too long to type and I'm an impaient tart...plus the Caulfeild Cup is about to be run and I'd rather watch one of Australia's biggest horse races than repeat myself. Just refer to the details in the Chapter one Autjor's Notes...Hope you liked it!