Extended Family

Chapter 169: Brawl Room Blitz

Takes place before chapter 141 of Family, at the end of Harry’s rookie year and before Katie returned to the United Kingdom

“Oh wow,” Harry said, looking around the large room. 

“Told you it’s an impressive shindig,” Shelia said, nudging him with her elbow.

It was the end of the season for the British Quidditch League.  The last game was played a week prior with Puddlemere United being hailed the Champions for that season with the Tutshill Tornadoes coming in third and Pride of Portree taking second place overall.  It was the end of Harry’s rookie year and he had been very happy with his performance and how things had gone.

Every year, there was a large ball/party to end the season.  The teams would gather with guests in the industry, as well as the media, and they would celebrate the League Champions and award accolades earned by specific players in the League.  They usually also celebrated the members of Team England that were selected to represent England if they were going to compete in the European League as well as give a chance for sponsors and organizers to try and form teams for international and exhibition games and the like. 

Pride of Portree had been especially jubilant this year.  They routinely finished in the top five with occasional drops in the rankings here and there but with Harry joining the team, they were able to make second place.  Tutshill fought hard and almost had taken second, but they were perfectly happy with third place after a series of losses at the beginning of the season.  The final three point totals were very close and all three teams were pleased with their performance.

The players for the teams came to the ballroom that was a part of Trafalgar’s Pitch, the official stadium and pitch used by the League for important games and national games.  They came dressed up in more formal clothing than the usual jerseys and uniforms, and were excited to relax after the busy hectic season of games and practices.

Katie was unable to leave her studies and clinic duties and had gleefully told Hermione to be Harry’s escort and to protect his virtue like she did before.  Thus she came with Harry as his date/escort/protection and Harry had been perfectly fine with that.  She looked around the large room with interest, her arm in Harry’s.  “Wow, this is mad,” she laughed.

“It really is,” Harry smiled.

Plenty of people milled around and the lack of uniforms made it seem all the fuller and busier somehow, though many of the players and their dates wore a badge or something to show their team and their support.  A very large bar dominated the back and was manned by several bartenders with waiters carrying trays of drinks around.  Long tables held food buffet style for people to take at their leisure. 

“Right, I’m telling you now,” Miranda said, looking at Shelia, “keep your pants on.”

“Joke’s on you, not wearing any,” Shelia said, smoothing out her dress.

“You know what I mean,” Miranda scolded.

“I actually don’t.  I know better than to jump Sean in front of people.  He’s delicate and I’m a lady,” Shelia sniffed, curling around her husband who was smiling at her.

“No fighting, scrapping, brawling, or any other physical altercations without a very good reason,” Miranda said.  “Or else the fine is coming out of your bonus.  Do you hear me?”