Harry stood under the running water, letting it run over his back, turning his skin raw and cleaning his fears. In less than five hours he would be playing for the Quidditch World Cup, a lot of pressure on his behalf.
If the game continued for more than the day then the case would have to hold off until after the match. Harry was torn between wanting to go to court and wanting to hold it off.
A banging on the door made his head snap up.
"Harry, are you done in there?" Isabella's voice reached him through the door and the running of water.
"Yea, wait a sec." He turned off the water and wrapped a towel around his waist.
"Finally." Isabella opened the door and walked in. She was already dressed for the game, a simple green dress with a gold belt and gold earrings and shoes.
"You're looking very Australian." Harry grinned. Isabella did a twirl and posed.
Harry, laughing, left her and headed for his bedroom. He would properly change into his Quidditch robes at the stadium but for now he was able to wear whatever. He pulled on some dress pants and a button-down white shirt and a dress jacket.
Hope and Truth had been dressed for the occasion. Hope wore a yellow dress with a green belt and green ribbons and shoes. Truth wore a green dress with a yellow belt and ribbons and shoes. Sirius wore green and yellow dress robes.
The afternoon before the girls and the Weasley children, including Ginny's children Rose-Anne and Claire, had made signs to support Harry, most were just pieces of paper with green and yellow paint splashed everywhere.
Hope and Truth were waiting with Sirius, Isabella, Ginny and her family, Hermione, Ron and their family.
Discover moreBook recommendationsCommunity forumsMobile app promotionFan art commissionsCopyright guidance serviceHarry smiled and scooped Truth up, Isabella picking Hope up.
"Ready to go?" Hermione smiled, holding Chris. Harry nodded and disapperated, the others following.
A large crowd were hanging around the locker-rooms, the stadium was crowded and the crowd wild. The group was let into the common room while cameras flashed in their direction. Harry shielded Truth's face and Isabella did the same with Hope and the others with the other children.
When they finally got into the waiting room, the room just outside of the lockers, Harry sat Truth down on a chair and she was soon joined by Julian, Diana, Hope, Rose-Anne and Claire.
"Well we really should be going to our seats." Hermione smiled. "Penthouse seats and all." She gave Harry a hug and wished him luck, shifting Chris on her hip.
"Good luck mate." Ron grinned. He took Julian and Diana's hands and Morgan followed.
"We'll be watching." Ginny smiled, hugging him too before taking Claire and Rose-Anne. Josh, Ginny's husband, strongly built with gentle features, nodded to Harry before following Ginny.
Sirius smiled and hugged him tightly. "Good luck, not that you'll need it." Sirius whispered. Harry nodded.
Isabella smiled and hugged him tightly.
Harry turned to the twins who remained on the couch. They were used to the routine of the Quidditch games.
"Aren't you two going to wish Daddy luck?" Harry asked, putting on a mock-hurt voice.
The two hugged him tightly. "Break a nose daddy!" Truth grinned.
"Or a toe." Hope supplied.
"Thank you girls." Harry kissed their cheeks. "I need to go, but I'll see you two right after the game." Harry promised, releasing them and headed for the lockers.
Hope and Truth sat in the Penthouse box along with the others. They were used to the Quidditch games, although Truth always enjoyed them, more than Hope anyway. Isabella sat with Truth squirming on her lap. Hope sat beside Sirius and poked him occasionally out of boredom.
"OW!" Sirius yelped, jumping out of his seat. "Hope cut it out!"
"Hope, as much as you annoying Sirius is entertaining, please cut it out." Isabella cut in smiling at the girl.
"Okay Aunty Izzie." Hope sighed.
The Minister of Magic's voice echoed over the suddenly silent stadium, the start of the Quidditch World Cup.
The Australian Team and their close family and friends meet for their victory party in a booked room at Madam LeBrouque's Motel. As the team walked in, Harry holding the cup, there was a shower of confetti and green and gold balloons.
The team made their way to their families.
"Hey girls." Harry smiled, hugging the twins. "What did you think of Daddy?"
"Daddy was great!" Truth grinned.
"The best." Hope nodded.
"Thanks girls."
"Excuse me everyone." The room fell silent and everyone turned to the Team's coach. "Thank you, now I believe it's time for the speeches." There was a round of applause and some whistling. "Well this team of mine, we've survived through every game, always coming out victorious, since Harry joined," there was more whistling and a collection of laughs, "yes, yes, anyway, we did it, we beat England, 540-350 and we've got the World Cup!"
There was a round of loud cheering and whistling and some strange cat-calls and more balloons. The girls giggled and started playing with the balloons.
Discover moreFan fiction platformAnime streaming serviceAuthor interviewsWriting workshopsStory writing software"Harry?" Harry turned around and was greeted with the face of Kevin.
"Hi, Kevin." Harry smiled.
"Mr ass-guy." Hope acknowledged.
"Hope." Isabella warned. Truth poked her tongue out at Kevin which made Sirius smirk.
"Could I talk to you?" Kevin asked, effectively ignoring the twins.
"OK." Harry followed him to a quiet corner.
"I can't believe Daddy is talking to that ass-guy." Hope fumed, hands resting on her hips.
"Your Daddy is a big boy; he can take care of himself." Isabella smiled. "Right Sirius, Sirius?"
Sirius was glaring at Kevin, the glare of a small child who had their cake stolen by another kid.
Isabella, Ginny and Hermione rolled their eyes and all mumbled: "men."
"Really Sirius, they're only talking." Isabella sighed.
"But, but…" Sirius stammered, looking lost and a little frightened. "Harry likes Draco!"
"Never thought I'd hear the day when Sirius Black wanted his own godchild to be with a Malfoy." Isabella chuckled.
Sirius pouted and sulked like a three-year-old. Meanwhile the twins had snuck away to stand by Harry and Mr ass-guy.
Kevin brushed his hand against Harry in an affectionate gesture and Harry's cheeks coloured a rosy-pink. Truth and Hope growled and glared fiercely.
"Truth, you get the punch, I have an idea." Hope smirked, Truth grinned evilly with her twin.
The two snuck around, collecting several things, a punch-bowl, a ribbon, a pin and a string.
"Are you sure this will work?" Truth whispered.
"Yes, have some faith sister." Hope sighed. "Now stand back and watch." Hope cleared her throat. "Kevin!" Her voice was high and off pitch. Truth smothered her giggles.
Kevin looked up then excused himself, taking the bait. He was heading over in the direction of the twins when he tripped on a yellow-ribbon, he fell and his knee landed on a carefully placed tack, he yelled and pulled his knee up bring the tack with him, which trigged the string attached to the tack, pulling down the punch-bowl onto his head.
"HOPE, TRUTH!" Isabella, Sirius and Harry yelled, Isabella and Harry and annoyance and anger, Sirius in humour and amazement.
Discover moreGaming merchandiseGiftsRomanceBooksBooks & LiteratureThe two came out of their hiding place, smiling innocently. "Yes Daddy?"
"I can't believe you did that!" Harry growled.
The twins were seated on two chairs in the kitchen while Harry paced in front of them and Isabella and Sirius stood off to the side.
"That was an awful thing for you to do." Isabella sighed.
"It was awesome!" Sirius grinned, earning a smack from Isabella. "OW!"
"You stay out of this!" Isabella growled loudly.
"Girls, what horrible thing drove you to do such a thing?" Harry asked a desperate and weary sound to his tone.
Hope and Truth shared a silent look before Hope answered. "We don't like him."
Harry blew air through his nose, a sound like gas leaking from a pipe. "That is not a good reason!"
"Daddy did you just leak gas through your nose?" Hope asked curiously.
"Girls, just go to your room and think about what you did." Isabella suggested, ushering the two out of the room.
"I know that was rather immature but, that was pretty cool!" Sirius grinned.
"You out!" Isabella shoved a protesting Sirius out and turned on Harry.
"Why did they do that?" Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"They're not all to found of having Kevin around." Isabella sat down and Harry joined her. "Neither is Sirius."
"And you?" Harry asked, looking up at her, looking like a small lost child.
"Whatever makes you happy." Isabella smiled.
"I'm not sure what makes me happy these days." Harry mumbled into his hands.
"It'll all fall into place, just wait and see." Isabella smiled before kissing his cheek. "I'm going to bed, goodnight." Harry watched her leave and sighed.
The next morning Harry dressed casually and opened his drawer looking for his missing watch. When he opened his drawer all he saw was a gold photo-frame with the glass smashed. Gingerly he picked it up and the photo slipped out. He picked it up and looked at the photo of Draco and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
He didn't notice a piece of paper fall out, back into the drawer which he closed without looking.
He grabbed his jacket and headed out. Kevin was waiting for him in the Three Broomsticks when he arrived.
"I'm sorry, am I late?" Harry asked when he saw the half-empty cup of coffee before Kevin.
"Oh no, I'm just early." Kevin smiled as Harry took a seat opposite him. Harry smiled and hung his coat over the back of his chair.
The two talked and ate brunch, discussed various things and talking of work and family. When the discussion of dating came around Harry blushed.
"I've only ever dated two people, rather pathetic really." Harry smiled shyly. "They both didn't work out." There was a note of sadness to Harry's tone.
"I've dated a variety of people." Kevin smiled. "One included was a rather emotionally-distressed witch who would cry at the drop of a hat. I have to say it was a very interesting month."
Harry smiled. "So when was your longest relationship?"
"I was married to a Ministry Wizard, lasted three years."
"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?" Harry asked, tilting his head.
"He fell for his secretary; the last months of our marriage he spent screwing him."
"Ah." Harry winced.
"Yep." Kevin smiled. "I found out and filed for a divorce, they broke-up a week later."
The two continued to talk and finally Harry looked over at the cloak. "Is that the time? I need to get some things."
"I'll come then." Kevin offered, standing with Harry.
"Well if you want…" Harry smiled shyly.
They walked out into the crisp autumn air and the two started up another conversation.
"So how long are you in England for?" Kevin asked kicking up some leaves.
"Only until the case is cleared then I'm going straight back to Australia." Harry explained.
"So soon?" Kevin asked.
"Yea, I have a life back in Australia, and England is bringing back to many past memories." Harry looked around Hogsmead as students from Hogwarts began to arrive, walking around and laughing.
Harry walked with Hermione and Ron down the street, the autumn leaves falling around and creating a perfect setting. Hermione and Ron walked hand-in-hand and Harry felt like an intruder despite Hermione and Ron insisting he wasn't.
They turned a corner and found none other than Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini standing out front of the jewellery store. Harry excused himself from the cooing couple, promising to meet them later in the Three Broomsticks.
He made his way over to the pair who were looking in the window and talking about something. Harry stood behind Draco and pouted when the other boy didn't notice his presence.
"What, am I invisible now?" Harry asked in a mock-hurt tone.
Draco and Blaise looked over their shoulders at the young Gryffindor.
"Sweet Merlin Harry, you scared us." Draco smirked, greeting the green-eyed boy with a kiss on the cheek.
Blaise nodded his greeting which Harry returned. "What are you two doing?" Harry asked curiously, looking over Draco's broad shoulders.
Blaise smirked and answered for them. "Draco is trying to find a gift, perhaps you can help him?"
Harry brightened. "Draco has a crush?" Draco glared at Blaise who smirked. "That's so cute, sure I'll help!"
"Good, I'm off then." Blaise nodded and left the two alone.
"Come on." Harry dragged the distressed Blond into the store. "So how come you never told me you liked someone?" Harry asked, slipping his hand into Draco's bigger one, he never saw Draco's blush at the open contact.
"It must have…slipped my mind…" Harry shrugged at the excuse and the spent the next twenty minutes looking for a perfect look.
"Aww Draco look at this!" Draco looked over at the item Harry was pointing at.
It was a simple thick, white-gold bracelet with a carving of a dragon wrapped around the band, its eyes were two sharp emeralds and its mouth was open, spitting out flames that were rubies.
Draco nodded with Harry and watched from the corner of his eye, Harry's pure-joy over the simple item.
"I'll get it." He informed the assistant.
Harry straightened and smiled at Draco. "Whoever you're giving it to, they're definitely lucky."
"I just hope they accept the gift." The two left and Draco took Harry up to the shrieking shack.
Up there the ground was covered in a blanket of coloured leaves and there were floated around, including fallen petals, the setting was perfect and romantic, Harry thought absently.
"Harry, I have a confession." Draco stammered nervously.
"Yes?" Harry had never seen Draco so nervous, it was making him nervous.
"The gift…it's for you…"
There was silence and Harry tilted his head.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean," Draco pulled out the box and held it out to Harry, "that I love you Harry, ever since the end of fifth year, I've loved you, I joined the light side so I could be with you…"
Harry's eyes swam with crystal tears. "Do you mean it?"
"Yes…"
Harry threw himself at Draco and hugged him close. "I love you too…"
"Harry, Harry, are you OK?" Kevin's voice interrupted Harry's thoughts and looked over at Kevin.
"Huh? Oh yea, I was just thinking…" Harry had kept the bracelet in his safe at his Australian home, he hadn't thought of that day in nearly three years.
They finally made it to the jewellery store were they entered and looked around.
"So what are you after?" Kevin asked as they looked at necklaces.
"A gift for the girls, you know, in case something happens…" Harry trailed off as something caught his eye. "That!"
"What?" Kevin asked, startled at Harry's out-burst.
"I want those." He pointed at two necklaces.
One was a diamond shaped into an 'H' with a white-gold case over the back, the other was an emerald shaped into a 'T' with a white-gold case over the back.
"If you're sure." Kevin nodded.
"You can also get an engraved message in the back." The assistant smiled her perfect shop-seller smile as she resisted the speech she used with nearly all the customers.
"I'll get messages in the back." Harry decided.
"OK then that's an extra five gallons…"
Hope and Truth were bored out of their minds. Joey lay on the floor, past asleep, occasionally grunting or whining. Isabella was busy making lunch and Sirius had gone out.
Hope swung her small legs over the side of the couch and Truth starred at a space on the wall. For punishment they were not allowed to go out today and no TV.
Hope decided to start kicking Truth, who responded with kicks of her own. In no time they were in a kicking war, Sister Vs Sister in an all out battle for the winner.
"OWWWWWWW!" Hope howled as Truth's aimed kick went amiss and instead of hitting her sister's knee landed on Hope's chest.
"What are you two doing now?" Isabella sighed as she came into investigate. Joey was awake and running around barking while Isabella inspected the two girls who were covered in bruises.
"Joey!" Truth called, the puppy backed up and ran, making a flying leap for the couch but went to short and instead hit his head on the side.
"No Joey, down boy." Isabella scolded. The puppy's ears and tail dropped and he turned big brown watery eyes on Isabella. "Grrr." Isabella threw her hands in the air in a gesture of surrender and made her way back to the kitchen.
"Joey!" Hope called and Joey tried again to leap onto the couch but failed.
The front door clicked opened and a pair of voices drifted into the hall.
"…I'll see you again soon then." The twins exchanged looks.
"Mr ass-guy!" They hissed.
"Yea…" Harry agreed, voice slightly nervous.
The girls, with Joey at their heels, took off for the door. Harry stood in the doorway back to the house, facing Kevin who was leaning in. Truth growled and with a silent command sent Joey at the 'intruder'. Joey ran at Kevin and jumped onto his leg, sinking his puppy teeth into his leg.
"SWEET MERLIN!" Kevin shouted, pulling away from Harry and shaking the puppy off his leg.
Joey fell to the ground with a muffled 'thump' and ran to the girls, tail between his legs.
"Hey!" Truth shouted. "You hurt Joey!" The puppy whimpered and hid behind Hope.
"Girls." Harry ground; he turned to Kevin with an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry."
"No problem." Kevin panted, rubbing his leg. "Just some childish-fun."
"I'll see you later than." Harry smiled.
Truth marched over and grabbed the door. "Bye ass-guy." She slammed the door on his face and Hope giggled while Harry frowned.
"That was very rude you two." Harry scolded.
The two shrugged and smiled innocent-angelic smiles that would make anyone's heart melt.
Harry sighed in defeat. "Alright no punishment, just don't do it again."
"OK." The twins agreed, fingers crossed behind their backs, you could just see the devil horns.
"On another note, I've got presents."
The twins cheered and Joey barked.
"OK, here you are." Harry kneeled down in front of the two and pulled out two red velvet boxes tied with gold ribbon. "Here you are Truth." He handed one of the boxes to Truth. "And Hope." He handed the other box to the blonde.
Truth opened her box and inside lying on a bed of gold silk was the emerald shaped as a 'T'. Hope opened her box on the bed of silk was the diamond 'H'.
"Thank you Daddy!" The two squealed.
"Here, I'll put them on." The girls handed the boxes back and turned around, he placed the necklaces around their necks and they turned around to him. "You both look beautiful." Harry smiled. Joey barked and gave a doggy grin.
Truth turned her necklace over and saw the message engraved in the back.
"Daddy, what does it say?" Truth asked, looking up with wide eyes.
"It says, Dearest Truth, with all my love, Daddy." Harry resited, holding the tears at bay.
"What about mine?" Hope asked.
"Dearest Hope, with all my love, Daddy."
Isabella watched from the doorway of the kitchen, tears gleaming in her dancing blue eyes.
TBC…
Oooh the story is slowly ending, there will be 4-6 chapters left and it's all over! (tear)
Loads of thanks to my anonymous reviewers:
Tally: Thanks for the review! Chapter 18 is up! (see above, LOL) Must resist TEARS! (hides away)
Storm: Thanks for the review! Oh Draco gets his revenge (evil laugh) Don't worry I will be continuing, I love this story to much! But it's ending soon! Please leave a comment on the chapter! Thanks
Zut: Thanks for the review! I know how you feel! I hate it to, please leave a comment for the chapter! Thanks
…: Thanks for the review! One step ahead! Hehehe, please leave a review, thanks
emeralddragonchild: Thanks for the review! I know, I hate Ruth too but I need the evil baddy! Yea I know but I needed Draco involved in the case so I bent a couple of rules in the jury but yea. Please leave a review, loving hearing from you, thanks!
Unknownnnnnn: I agree, he should tell, and he may be taking a test, it's the judges decision on that matter, Harry stress will heightened while Draco is around, so will his pent-up guilt. Pansy won't be backing down; she's had a crush on Draco for a long time she won't be backing down too soon. There will be more memories of the two as the story goes on. The twins will get a chance to testify and they find-out a little too much about the case. Draco will be hanging around Blaise for a little info, Draco isn't allowed to testify, and since he's judge and stuff, there will be a few twists and turns along the way! Hopefully you've enjoyed this chapter, please leave