The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 139: The Setting Sun

"Ah Mister Potter, come in."  McGonagall smiled, truly smiled, as he walked in.  She did not have the subtle lessening of pressure on thin lips, she did not have the tiniest of curls to the corner of her mouth, it was a true smile with the barest hint of teeth.  "What brings you in today?"

"Just making the rounds and thanking my professors before graduation," Harry said with a sincere smile back.  "The ones that I like anyways."

"Then I am glad to be counted among them."  She gestured for him to sit and she poured out tea for them, opening a box of biscuits.

"I should admit that I'm visiting all my professors," Harry said as he sipped from his cup.

"Am I the first at least?"

"No, but I plan on spending more time with those that I really do like."

She snorted.  "I suppose I will take what I get then."

"Don't sound so put out Professor, I'm not doing a mastery with any of the others after all."

She preened.  "Indeed not.  Speaking of, I wonder if I should be punishing you for your slip of the tongue.  Gilly has been calling me McGonaMum and there are only a few that dare do that."

"Weird, I wonder where she heard it."

"Weird indeed."  She shook her head at his insincere innocence.  "I am very pleased that you will be doing a mastery in Transfiguration."

"It sounds like fun, which is something I never thought I'd say about continuing education.  Also it's nice that I can do it while doing Quidditch.  Thanks again for making that concession for me."

"No problem at all.  I would not wish to deprive you of Quidditch nor deprive the League of you.  You will do great things in both, I am sure."  She took a drink.  "Any idea on which team you will be playing for?"

Harry reached into his school bag.  "I do actually.  I was allowed to go do my try-outs over the weekend and catching a Remembrall out of a dive was the easiest try-out I ever had.  Professional try-outs are grueling."  He grinned when she snorted, her cheeks looking a little pink.  "Luckily Mr. Timms was there and Uncle Ted came with me to act like a solicitor agent of sorts to make sure the contracts were good.  Between them, they helped a lot.  I'll have to hire a proper agent soon but at least I signed onto a good rookie contract with a team."

McGonagall accepted the wrapped parcel from him eagerly.  She unwrapped it and she exclaimed with delight, holding up a banner of royal purple.  A large stylized black P was emblazoned with a five-pointed gold star on the middle of the banner and smaller golden stars decorated the corners of the banner.  "You're going to play for Portree?!"

Harry nodded happily.  "They were the nicest to me and offered really good terms.  I'm technically the reserve Seeker but their current Seeker actually told me she's pregnant and will want to take the reserve role soon and phase out for a bit.  So she's going to get me trained up to replace her as starter and when she comes back, we'll trade off on starter roles."

He chewed a biscuit.  "And I remembered you saying they were your favorite team and they were actually Dad's team too.  Sirius told me.   So it felt right to me."

She dabbed her eyes on the banner and hung it proudly over her desk.  "Now I am even more proud to support the Pride."

"And I'll always try to get you a ticket when you come out," Harry said.

"I'll teach those Quidditch fans how to be a proper hooligan," McGonagall said to his shocked amusement.  "I'm so happy for you Mister Potter."  They chatted for a while, laying out a loose schedule on his mastery duties with flexibility depending on his Quidditch schedule.  It then became a quasi-venting session for her, telling a delighted Harry stories of his parents of their years at Hogwarts, especially all the things James did to earn her ire.