The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 17: Christmas Cheer

Katie's eyes sparkled as she looked down at the open box in her lap.  The Bell family had a tradition where they opened a gift on Christmas Eve and she had opened the one from Harry.  She knew he had shopped for gifts for the team and a few others.  He was so happy planning the gifts out and Katie knew this was the kind of boy he was supposed to be: excited for Christmas and simply happy.

Apparently he had asked around a bit for ideas or clarification for gift ideas.  She had helped him pick out Alicia's gift.  She did not know who helped Harry pick out hers but she loved it.

"Well don't those look gorgeous?"  Katie's mother sat beside her, a smile on her face.  She was an older version of Katie.  Short in stature and mostly petite with long blonde hair.  Samantha Bell had a presence to her that was warm and inviting.  A smile that made you feel relaxed.  Eyes that were comforting.

Katie nodded happily, drawing out one of the ribbons.  There were three of them in different shades of red.  There were also little gold and silver charms: a lion, an owl, a broomstick, and a Quaffle.  A simple incantation could swap the charms about on the ribbons and made it so they could not be removed without the incantation.  The ribbons were soft but tough, perfect for tying hair.

She tied a bright crimson ribbon with the Quaffle charm around her hair, forming a long pony tail.  It held together perfectly and she shook her head back and forth, not even a lock of hair escaping.  "They're wonderful," she said happily.

"They're from Harry?  Good choice," Samantha said, touching the other ribbons.  "That's rather impressive."

"I know he spent a lot of time pouring over catalogues and asking people for their opinions."  Katie shook her head with mild disapproval.  "Spent more time on that then the end of term test studying in my opinion."

Samantha chuckled.  "I think we can forgive him for his excitement.  Especially considering his history."  She wrapped an arm around Katie's shoulders.  "I cannot tell you how proud I am of you.  Sticking up for him, helping him.  It warms my heart."

Katie blushed.  "I...I just did the right thing.  No one should ever suffer like that."

"Knowing the right thing to do is not the same as actually doing it."  Samantha squeezed her shoulders.  "That's my girl."

Katie rested her head on her mother's shoulder.  "Thanks.  I'm glad you think so.  I thought I'd be meddling when I shouldn't be.  I still don't know if I'm doing everything right."

"Would you like to hear a secret?"  Samantha looked about conspiratorially.  "I don't know if I'm doing everything right as it is."

Katie snorted, poking her mother in her ribs.

"No really.  I'm being serious.  Every case is different.  Every circumstance unique.  What works for one won't work for another.  You have to get a feel for things, to try what works.  Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't."

"That sounds terrible," Katie said with a shudder.  "I can't imagine a job like that.  Not knowing how to exactly solve the problem?"

"It's hard yes.  Not too different from being a Chaser though is it?  You don't approach every goal the same way.  Every Keeper is different."

"True...at least I know the Quaffle goes into the hoop in the end though."

"And I know that if I can help the patient in the end, then everything was worth it."

"Even when you're feeling miserable all the way through?"  Katie could think of many occasions when her mother returned home despondent.  How her work affected her mood.  How some days it was hard for her mother to smile, much less do anything else.