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Somewhere Safe - Chapter 39
🕑 Added 2024-02-24 15:53:17 +0000 UTCHarry watched as Iris zipped through the air. She was a witch possessed. He had seen how good she could fly at the try-outs, but this was on another level. She wanted to prove she deserved the starting spot. Harry didn't try to find the snitch. Instead, he relaxed and watched the story. The fact that he was surrounded by the rest of his coven made it a pleasant experience. He hadn't seen James or Lily, but he thought they would probably be there for the game. Harry tried not to make it obvious that he was searching for them.
"They couldn't make it." Rose answered his unasked question. "There is a Mot meeting that dad couldn't miss and mom is in the middle of a project. We should see her around Yule break."
"That's not soon." Harry replied.
"You should see it when she gets a big project." Rose chuckled. "She'll be in her workshop most of the day and only emerge for food. Dad isn't as bad since he has to be available for the Mot. Still, they made a rule that there is no food in the workshop."
"Huh." Harry shook his head.
The game started before the conversation could continue. Everyone cheered for Hufflepuff, more specifically, Iris.
He had to admit that this version of Quidditch was interesting. The time limit amped up the excitement. Iris swapped between scanning the skies and assisting the Chasers. Much to her obvious annoyance, the snitch remained free. At the half, the score was 80 to 60 in favor of the Hogwarts Team. Catching the snitch would have either bridged the gap or boosted the lead, but not so much as to make the game pointless.
There were changes to the stadium as well. The seating area was larger to fit the increased student body, visiting parents, and there was even a private box set aside for professional scouts. There was also a snack bar in each section as well as a set of restrooms. It was clear that Quidditch brought in a lot of money for the school.
The second half started off at a frantic pace and kept at it the final buzzer. Iris caught the snitch with about a minute to spare. She had a bright smile on her face that could be seen from the other side of the pitch. Harry didn't miss the small, smug glance to the Hogwarts Seeker. She slid the snitch into a little bandolier made specifically for that purpose, then focused on assisting the Chasers.
Harry decided that he was going to have play a game soon. He had always been a little envious of how much action the Chasers had in comparison. Being a Seeker was great, but there was also a lot of time just scanning the sky. The option to both sounded like fun.
The Hogwarts team pulled out the win with a final score of 170 to 180. Team Hufflepuff team weren't exactly happy but had put up a good show considering the players were hand-picked to represent the school. The games in place to help the Hogwarts team to get accustomed to each other. Hopefully, they would be a cohesive unit by the time the other schools arrived.
Iris held her broom across her shoulders with her arms draped over it. She had a broad smile on her face as the teams headed to the locker room. The Seeker from the Hogwarts team walked beside her. Harry noticed it was a girl that looked really familiar. It took a moment for him to recognize Ginny Weasley. Of course, she would be the other Seeker.
He hadn't thought much about the Weasley's much since his arrival. Aside from the short conversation with Fred and George. The realization made him feel a bit guilty considering they had played such a large part of his life in the other world. Ron's reaction to his name coming out of the Goblet didn't make him eager to talk to this version of him. Plus, the coven had taken the majority of his attention, and that was something he was not going to complain about.
Delphi held his hand on one side with Padma on the other. Spending time with each of the ladies was already an issue. He made a mental note to make better effort to do so. Lavender, Padma, and Miranda needed some attention.
"I'm taking Delphi on a date tonight." Harry announced. "I'd like to take each of you on a date too."
"That's her second date." Katie pouted.
"Dinner with the parents isn't a date." Lavender teased.
"We have a schedule ready." Padma chimed in. "We'll get everyone a copy after Katie's game."
"I didn't realize you were serious about that." Harry chuckled.
"It makes sense." Padma muttered.
"Hey." He squeezed her hand. "It is a good idea."
Padma gave him a small, shy smile.
"We'll get the schedule going after tomorrow night." Harry said with a firm nod.
"Why tomorrow night?" Padma asked.
"That way we can go on a date." Harry leaned over and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek.
Padma squeaked in shock and hid her face against his shoulder. Delphi squeezed his other hand. He turned his attention to her. She stole a quick kiss then slipped out of his grip. The witch dashed away leaving a happy cackle in her wake.
"She's a sneaky one." Katie giggled. "I need to go change. You're still watching the game, right?"
"Definitely." Harry smiled brightly at her.
"Kiss for luck?" Katie teased.
Harry let go of Padma's hand. He turned toward Katie, swept her into a dip, and kissed her deeply. He pulled back, returning to their upright position, while holding Katie until she was steady. Harry slipped his hand back into Padma's and continued on to the locker rooms.
"I think you broke her." Lavender slipped in beside him and took his other hand.
Harry flashed her a roguish smile.
"Stop that." Lavender teased. "There are too many people around for me to ravish you."
"Ravish me?" Harry arched an eyebrow.
"You heard me." Lavender replied. "Padma, as a Ravenclaw, you'd know. Ravish is the right word, right?"
"Yes." Padma squeaked out.
"It is a good word." Luna chimed in.
"Sounds like radish." Luna added.
"I like radishes." Luna nodded.
"Where have you been?" Harry asked. "I lost sight of you during the game."
"I introduced me to the thestrals." Luna replied.
"The herd is bigger here." Luna gave a serene smile.
Harry paused.
"What is a thestral?" Harry asked.
"Similar to a Pegasi, but only people who have seen death can see them." Padma answered. "Their hair is commonly used in invisibility cloaks."
"How can you see them?" Harry asked Luna.
"I was there when momma died." Luna replied easily.
"I'm sorry." Harry whispered.
"She's alive now." Luna said with a happy shrug.
"What about you?" Harry asked the other Luna.
"I was with Mi-ma when she died." Luna answered.
"How did she die?" Harry asked. "If it's ok to ask."
"Magical exhaustion brought on by extended sexual ritual." Luna answered like it happened every day.
Harry gawked at Luna. He wouldn't believe it if anyone else had said it.
"She was happy." Luna continued without a care.
The coven continued on in shocked silence. Aside from Luna who spent the rest of the walk talking to herself about how nargels didn't look the same in this world.
~ - ~ - ~ -
"Did you see it?" Iris bounced happily out of the locker room.
"You were great!" Harry swept her into a hug.
Iris giggled as he spun her in a single twirl.
"Quidditch looks really fun here." Harry stated. "Maybe we could play a game when you have time?"
"Deal." Iris' eyes shined. "Let me introduce you to my teammate."
Ginny stepped out of the locker room. Her ginger hair was poofy from the recent wash. Harry recognized the signs of using magic to dry hair. For some reason it just didn't work as well as a towel. Dental Hygiene spells were even worse. Sure, they kept teeth clean, but it tasted like dried paste.
"Ginny Weasley." Iris motioned to the girl. "This is Harry Potter. My…"
She struggled to find a proper label. Technically, they were siblings.
"Distant relation?" Harry offered with a sly smile.
"That works." Iris nodded.
"Nice to meet you." Harry gave Ginny a nod of recognition.
"Nice to meet you too." Ginny said right back. "Did I hear something about a game?"
It was nice to see a version of Ginny that wasn't too shy to speak to him. Things had gotten better since the Chamber of Secrets, but they had still been on the 'awkward small-talk' level of interactions. Quidditch dominated any actual conversation.
"If there's time." Harry replied. "It looked fun."
"Iris said you were a Seeker where you came from." Ginny raised her eyebrows.
"Yeah." Harry smiled. "I was the Gryffindor Seeker."
"Cubs or Mid?" Ginny asked.
"Neither." Harry shook his head. "There was only one team per house."
Ginny's face scrunched in confusion. She stared at him like he had suddenly sprouted a second nose.
"But…" She sputtered.
"Crazy, right?" Iris nodded. "I told you. It's weird. Come on, let's get to our seats."
Harry chuckled as the duo hurried toward the stands. Ginny came to a stop when she saw both Lunas.
"Luna?" Ginny asked.
"Hello, Ginny." Luna said.
"Hello, Ginerva." Luna said.
"There are two of you." Ginny shifted her attention from one to the other.
"Yes." Both Lunas spoke at once.
"How? Why? Huh?" Ginny didn't seem to be able to form a full thought.
"We followed Harry." Luna counted off the answers. "Because we were curious, and…" The two blondes shared a look. "Yes, huh."
"I am so confused." Ginny muttered.
"I was going to get myself a churro." Luna said. "You could come if you'd like."
The blonde duo melted into the crowd heading toward the concession stand. Harry noticed that there was a decently long line already formed. Thankfully, he wasn't hungry. He hadn't thought to grab any money either. One of the coven might offer to pay, but that didn't feel right.
"How do you two know each other?" Harry asked Ginny.
"We're neighbors." Ginny was happy to have a question she could answer.
"Did you want a churro?" Iris asked Ginny and him.
"No, we just came to congratulate you." Harry smiled at her. "You were brilliant."
"Thank you." Iris preened.
"Just wait until you play Gryffindor." Ginny rolled her eyes. "I'll get my vengeance."
"Sure, you will." Iris gave her friend a 'genuine' smile.
The two hurried off toward the stands. Harry watched them go with a small grin on his face. This Ginny didn't have the trauma of having the diary twist her mind. It was yet another thing that made him happy to be here. The other world would be fine on its own. Oddly enough, he had led the magical world into a better future by disappearing than the few times he had faced Voldemort.
"Are you with us, Harry?" Katie's voice brought him back to the present.
He was about to answer when he caught sight of her. Katie stood nearby now dressed in her uniform with her broom propped over her shoulder, a pair of goggles hung at the end of it. The jersey was a light red with the Hogwarts crest on the chest. Her name was stenciled across her back above her number, which was fifty-five. Her pants were incredibly tight, with some padding on her knees and hips with shin guards. Sturdy gauntlets that stopped short of her elbows, which had their own pads.
"Like what you see?" Katie teased as she did a slow spin.
Katie flashed him a smoldering glance as his eyes drifted to her tight ass. She shook her booty a little, much to his pleasure and her amusement.
Harry bobbed his head in answer.
"You broke his brain, Bell." Lavender shook her head.
"It would be pretty easy to get uniforms for the coven." Padma suggested.
Everyone looked at her in surprise. She blushed and hid her face against Harry once more.
"Would you like that, Harry?" Katie purred. "Your witches all in uniform? The Potter Crest instead of Hogwarts. We'd still need the knee-pads."
Harry gulped.
"Yep." Lavender chuckled. "You broke him."
Now that Katie was ready, they went back to their seats. Thankfully, the game started soon after which saved Harry from further teasing. He forced himself to focus on the game. It didn't help all that much to get his high thought process to return. With more witches than wizards there were a lot of ladies in form-fitting uniforms zooming around him. There was something about the messy, wind-swept hair that made a woman so much sexier.
Harry thought he recognized the other two Chasers on the Hogwarts team from the other world. Harry didn't spend too much time paying attention to the other House teams beyond their Seekers, so he couldn't recall their names. The trio were good, but they weren't as in sync as Angelina, Alicia, and Katie. He did recognize Cho as the Seeker for Hogwarts.
After watching the second game, he was sure he wanted to try this version of Quidditch. The position of Chaser interested him than he expected. Being a spectator made him realize how disconnected Seekers were from the game. He didn't think Katie would mind giving him some lessons.
The trio of chasers were swapped out at the half. Katie being on the bench meant he didn't have to focus so much on the game. It was still interesting, but he didn't have a personal investment on the field. Now was the perfect time to get an idea what to do for the date with Delphi tonight. If he was lucky, he could figure out what to do with Padma as well.
Harry definitely preferred these problems to the ones he had faced in the past.
Comments
Daeron Targaryen
Damn, Harry the lucky man.
