Chapter 125: Post-Healing and some Fun

Albus was drinking tea in the living room, his mind going over the conversation he had with his Alternate portrait less than an hour ago. More than anything, he felt sorry for his counterpart. For what he had done and what he had gone through. He also felt happy to have found a different way of doing things. A different way of life.

“You look tired but happy, Albus. Did you get the answers you were looking for?”

Lily had come into the room and took the chair facing Dumbledore, serving herself some tea. She looked no better than he did.

“Alas, no. I found other answers however. Ones that I didn’t know I needed. It had been… quite an ordeal to get them.”

“You chastised your Alternate portrait?” she guessed with a tired smile.

“Yes. I… understand why he did what he did. I do not condone it of course but I can’t help but think that had things been different I would have turned the same way. I’m glad I didn’t. He also confirmed my theory regarding Severus and speaking of… How did it go?”

She exhaled deeply. “Difficult. Especially at first. Making him believe I was from an alternate reality had been quite the challenge. The most difficult part was to see him. The way he turned out. Bitter, miserable, hateful.” She grimaced remembering that. “I almost didn’t recognize him.”

“Were you able to help him?”

“I hope so. Although, he will need more talk. He truly has no one here. Except perhaps Minerva in some way. I was able to placate him by showing him what kind of man he could be and what kind of life he could have. He was even more hateful but also envious. As planned I told him a bit of what is going to happen. I also tore him a new one for the way he treated his students and especially Harry.

Just because he looked like James didn’t mean he had the right to abuse him like he did. He was an adult and Harry wasn’t. He had no recourse and couldn’t fight back. I pointed out how he acted like his father and the marauders had acted towards him and that by doing so he had proven himself to be worse than them because he knew perfectly well the pain and the suffering and chose to do it to someone else.”

“He didn’t take that very well, I take it?”

“No. But that did break him. For the sole reason that it was rubbed onto his face that he was worse than James. Whatever he chooses is up to him now.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“We can only hope he makes the right decision for himself.”

They drank their tea in a comfortable silence when Alt-Ron and Rick came in while carrying Harry under the shoulders. They put him in a chair gently and Rick conjured a tea cup and poured some tea in it.

“Drink. It will do you some good.”

With a grunt, Harry grabbed the cuppa and down it in one go. He grunted again after that.

“Better, mate?” Asked Alt-Ron.

“Slightly. I’m going to need a whole teapot at this rate.”

“I meant in general, now that you don’t have that thing in your scar.”

“Ho! Well tired but… Lighter? I don’t really know how to describe it.”

Lily stood from her seat and went to him, using different diagnostic charms with her wand. “Hmm… Your magic is low, this is why you’re feeling tired. Nothing some food and good rest can’t fix.” she smiled at him. “And you are indeed horcrux free.”

“I know. Rick already told me he couldn’t feel it anymore, no need to -.”

“My husband is not trained in the healing arts. As such he doesn't know that you need to be careful with your magic now. The horcrux was acting as a leech and your magic with the help of your mother’s protection was constantly fighting against it. Expect your magic to grow a lot in the following weeks if not months so go easy when you use spells. They will be a lot stronger than usual from now on.”

“I do know actually but you're so sexy when you’re in nurse mode that I keep my mouth shut.” Rick interjected.

Albus and Alt-Ron smirked, the former even whispering a small ‘smooth but foolish’, while Harry simply frowned.

“Could you not talk about my mother’s lookalike like that in my presence, please?”

“I could, yes but I won't.” Rick smirked and dodged the stinging hex Lily shot at him. “I will never restrain my love for my wife, no matter what.”

“Yeah we heard that two nights ago.” Alt-Ron deadpanned, making Harry groan at the memory and Lily blush in embarrassment.

“Hm, no that wasn’t me two nights ago. I spent the night in my world.”

Lily looked a bit sheepish but also proud of herself. “Technically…. It was you. I had Nymphadora turned into you.”

“GOD, please stop!” Harry put his hands on his ears as he whined while the others had a good laugh. “I don’t want to think of my mom having sex!”

“He’s also a bit disturbed because he used to have a crush on Tonks.” Ron shared with a smirk.

“RON!”

“I’m just saying!” The redhead raised his hand defensively but the smile on his face was anything but remorseful.

“Now, where is Rose?” Lily inquired.

“She went with Susan outside to enjoy the weather. Bad idea everyone is here.” Rick replied.

“Everyone?” That surprised her.

“The twins made a truce and are now trying to out prank the original Maraudeurs. Lea is immortalizing everything in a painting. Lyra and Ginny are giving some flying tips to Atria while Veronica and Vega are practicing. Draco is giving a class on pureblood etiquette to both Hermiones. Well, our Hermirone is just supporting her counterpart and calling Draco a prat from time to time. I swear if these two don’t start dating while working for Andi it will be a miracle.”

“Malfoy and Hermione?!” Alt-Ron made gagging sounds.

“That’s… quite a concept.” Harry nodded with wide eyes. “I don’t know if I want to throw up or witness it for the weirdness of it.”

“Same, mate. Same.”

“Although I admit… your Draco is a rather nice bloke. A bit uppity but it’s just his mannerism.”

“At least he’s not constantly saying that his father will hear about this.” Alt-Ron joked, getting a good chuckle out of Harry.

Harry was served some food which he ate with gusto. He scrunched his nose when Lily gave him one potion and two dozen pills.

“Come on, this is the last one of the regimen.”

“Why isn't there a pill version of this?” he whined.

“There is, I just didn’t have the time to make them. Now stop being a big baby. If you don’t take it you’ll have to start ov-”

With the prospect of going through two weeks of disgusting potions again, Harry grabbed the potion and downed it in one go, making a retching sound when he was done.

“See? That wasn’t that hard.” Lily gently massaged him between his shoulder blades while speaking in a gentle and soft tone. “Now you have everything you need to grow big and healthy.”

“Honestly the only thing that matters to me is to grow taller. I’m tired of being the shortest one. How tall will I be?” Harry was genuinely curious and above all: hopeful.

“Difficult to say but considering how much you physically took after your father, I’d say around 6 feet like him?”

“Acceptable.” Harry nodded, hiding his joy.

“Do remember to change your wardrobe once you’re done growing.”

“Do I really need to-”

“Yes. You’re not ever again wearing anything from your cousin. If you want to wear hands me down, go ahead, that’s your choice, but not his!” Lily’s tone had become quite hot.

“You also need some nice clothes for Lord business. Look at it as a uniform for work like your quidditch robe is for quidditch or your school uniform for school. Or you can go the Albus’ way.” Rick pointed out and everyone turned to look at the man and his quite eccentric turquoise robe with a very intricate embroidery.

Harry made his choice on the spot. “Lord clothes it is.”

“Turquoise is a very peaceful color.” Albus defended.

“Which doesn’t suit most people.” Lily said smoothly.

Rick changed the conversation quickly when he used his wand to check the time. “I’m going to summon Amelia and the rest. Could you guys gather the others to put up the tents outside?”

““Sure.”” Harry and Alt-Ron answered and made their way to the front door while Lily followed Rick to the basement.

“You didn’t ask me to check the arithmancy.” she remarked.

“No. I didn’t want to bother you with it. And besides, I have a mastery in it too, remember? I’m a big boy who can make his own calculations alone. Granted I’m not as good as you at it but still, I'm a master.”

“If there is a problem and Amelia survives, I won’t defend you when she skins your ass.” she joked and grabbed his butt for a squeeze.

“Of course you will.” He turned around, took her in his arms and kissed her lovingly. His hands rested on her bubblebutt possessively and he looked deep into her eyes. “You love me too much to not to.”

“True.” she sighed.

After one last peck on his lips, they walked hand in hand into the basement. Rick had completely redone the magic circle that had been used to summon him and the others. Too unstable for his taste. Instead he created a pair. One was here, the twin was in their world. It was better that way than using Tipsy and Karkass to transport everyone three by three. After calling for the former and receiving news that everyone was ready on the other side. He activated the magic circle. Soon enough a few dozen people appeared. Chief among them, Amelia.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an alternate world which really needs some good people like you to fight for it.”

Amelia walked out of the circle and French kissed Rick out of the blue. For the past three weeks, she had only seen him once and she needed her husband’s love.

“Yeah, yeah, you missed your husband, we get it, lass. Now move, we have to settle down.”

Amelia may be his boss now but Moody didn’t care one bit, hitting the back of her leg with his staff. The glare she sent him rolled off his shoulders. Rick and Lily, led everyone out of the basement and outside.

“So our base is a manor belonging to the House of Black. As such, to avoid all of you getting cursed to hell and back we set extended tents outside. Worry not, it’s not some barracks, it’s actually quite well furnished, you’ll feel like you’re living in a gigantic Diagon Alley apartment.” True to his word he showed the inside of one and it looked exactly as he described it.

“Of course, you are getting my bed.” He whispered to Amelia and firmly gripped her ass above her robe.

“I better, I’m quite hungry for my favorite meat.”

Amelia let Moody handle things with the aurors and followed Rick and Lily inside. The sun was setting and the children were coming in too. Susan ran to Amelia for a big and heartfelt hug, while Rose made a request to her father.

“Dad, can you show us some of your quidditch matches?”

“Where does that come from?” he inquired.

“We’re curious. We heard plenty of things about your career.” Harry answered with hope in his eyes.

“Personally, I’d like to see one match where England wins the world cup.” Ron shared his opinion.

“Come on, dad! Just one!” his children pleaded as he wasn’t saying anything.

“Fine but just one.”

The quidditch fanatics all cheered in victory. Quickly, furniture was pushed aside and comfy couches conjured.

“What’s going on?”

Rick turned around to see Bella, both Fleurs, Nymie, Dora and Narcissa, stepping into the living room. It was clear that they had a very good day at the spa. They were all glowing.

“The children requested to see one of my matches.” He grinned at his wife.

Bella understood quickly that he was going to troll them all and grinned mischievously in return. She couldn’t wait for the chaos.

Everyone took a seat while Rick brought out his projo-pensieve. The windows’ stores or curtains were closed, light was diminished to only offer a soft glow and only then did Rick put his hand on the projector and start the memory.

“What match is it?” Alt-Ron asked.

“Montrose Magpies against the Wimbourne Wasps.” Rick answered.

On the wall, they all see the Referee whistle the start of the match then immediately whistle its end.

““What happened?”” both Hermione who were not great fans of quidditch wondered.

“There, you got your one match.” Rick said and removed his hand.

Bella began cackling while everyone from Rick’s world turned around with murder in their eyes.

“That’s not fair, dad!” Lyra shouted in outrage.

Sage and Camelia supported her. ““Yeah!””

“I agree with the kids! We. Want. A. Match! We. Want. A. Match!” Sirius began to scant and everyone mimicked him.

Alt-Hermione was still confused. “Can someone explain why the referee stopped the match? Harry, Ron?”

“We. Want. A. Match! We. Want. A. Match!”

“Hermione, the only reason a referee whistles the end of a match is because the golden snitch has been caught.” Ron explained.

“We. Want. A. Match! We. Want. A. Match!”

“But he whistled just after… How fast was that?!”

“We. Want. A. Match! We. Want. A. Match!”

“2.98 seconds.” Rose filled the golden trio in. “Dad was hyper motivated to finish the match quickly because that was the day he was supposed to marry mom.”

“We. Want. A. Match! We. Want. A. Match!”

Harry was in awe. “That’s more than half a second faster than the world record!”

“We. Want. A. Match! We. Want. A. Match!”

“Alright! Alright! I’ll show you a proper match.” Rick surrendered.

Sirius was basically leading a revolution with the children as minions. “And I say you need to pay for your prank!”

“““Yeeeaaaaah!”””

He was grinning like a loony, now. “So we want to see your very first one against Hufflepuff!”

“Oh, Yes! I’d very much like to see that one.” Amelia entered the conversation with a victorious grin.

Susan got confused. “Why? You’re not that much of a quidditch fan, Auntie. I know you like playing but not watching.”

“That's because-” Rick quickly put his hand on Amelia’s mouth but Sirius explained.

“That’s the only match where he didn’t catch the snitch.”

“It was close!” Rick protested! “0.1 second!”

“You still lost to me!” Amelia pulled his hand away. She was mightily smug.

“Wait, you mean-”

“In your entire career-”

“You caught all the snitches-”

“But one?”

““How many does that make?””

“569.” Albus answered the Weasley twins, shocking everyone in the room. Even those from the prime world as they never really counted.

“Blimey!” Ron exclaimed.

Rick wondered. “How do you know that? Even I don't know how many I caught.”

“Minerva keeps them all in her office and once, as she was cleaning them, I asked.” Albus explained.

“Damn, that’s a lot.” Rick admitted.

“Well, there is a reason you’re considered the greatest seeker in history.” Nymie reminded him.

Rick caved in and showed his one failure in his entire quidditch career. Amelia was gloating.

“And that snitch had been sitting on my desk for the past twenty years! With the caption ‘The one Snitch Corvus Potter didn’t catch.’ ”

“Merlin! That was a very close call!” Alt-Ron commented after seeing the memory.

“How were you able to fly through all those beams at that speed?!” Hermione wondered.

“And how aren’t you dead for hitting them?!” Alt Hermione added.

“Rick, showed us your first pro match! This one was awesome!” Nymie requested.

Harry got curious. “Why, what happened?”

It was Sirius who answered him with enthusiasm. “It was against Puddlemere. Their seeker, whatshisname, had tried to play dirty and Rick caught him in a Wronski Feint. The guy was out for six hours and his coach sent him back to stop the slaughter when he wasn’t all there in the head.”

“The game ended with a score of 1840 - 490. The magpies almost won the whole season from the very first match.” James chimed in.

“““Merlin’s beard!””” Everyone exclaimed.

“Honestly, the only thing I remembered is Minerva swearing like a sailor in her Scottish accent against the Puddlemere seeker. That shocked the hell out of me.” Lily commented.

Rick didn’t agree to show the match as in his opinion it was boring but he did show the Wronski Feint. He saw Rose and Harry looked at it then at him with awe and he felt very good about it. Finally the real match to see was a tie between the world cup final of 82 and the one of 90.

“Sirius, he almost died in 82!” Lily protested, not particularly wanting to relive that moment.

“““What?!””” the children exclaimed.

“I know, but catching the snitch while in his crow form?” He put the fingers of his hand together and kissed their tips loudly. “Besides, that’s an important moment in the history of quidditch! That’s the reason changing to your animagus form is now considered a foul!”

“Sirius!”

“Fine, fine! You win.”

“The final of 90 is great too. Dad wins the match while being hit by a lightning bolt.” Rose commented.

““You were hit by lightning?”” Sage and Camelia looked at their father in wonder.

The Hermions were preoccupied by something else however. ““How did you survive?!”

“I actually didn't. My heart stopped beating and it was Eva Johnson who started it again with her wand when she caught me during my fall.” Rick explained and the look Lily gave him made him think he should have kept his mouth shut. He forgot she didn’t know.

Already making a list of things he would have to do to her in bed for being forgiven, he showed everyone the final of 90.