The Tenth Weasley - CH - 9 (Patreon)

The arrival of Charlie's new owl, whom he proudly named Homer, was a cause for celebration at the Burrow. Homer was a beautiful tawny owl with sharp eyes and an air of wisdom, much like the stories Charlie brought back from Hogwarts. The owl became an instant favorite among the Weasley children, and they all took turns feeding and playing with it. The gift of an owl was not only a practical one, allowing Charlie to send letters back home more freely, but it also represented a symbol of the Weasleys' newfound stability. For the first time in years, they had the means to offer such gifts without worry.

As the excitement over the owl settled, the children’s curiosity about Hogwarts took over. Harry, Fred, George, Percy, and Ron pestered Charlie endlessly about life at the magical school. Charlie, always the good-natured storyteller, indulged them with tales about the enchanted castle, its moving staircases, and the portraits that spoke to students as they passed by.

“There’s this one staircase,” Charlie explained, eyes wide with excitement, “that leads one way on Tuesday, but on Wednesday, it’ll take you somewhere else completely! You’ve got to be careful, or you’ll end up on the wrong floor.”

Harry and the others listened in awe as Charlie talked about Dumbledore, the great headmaster with the long white beard, who could make entire rooms light up with a flick of his wand. He described the Forbidden Forest, which was full of magical creatures both dangerous and fascinating, from centaurs to giant spiders.

Fred and George, who had already developed a mischievous streak, were particularly captivated by the possibilities Hogwarts offered for mischief. They spent hours scheming about the pranks they would pull when they finally got to school.

“We’ll make Dungbombs explode in the Slytherin common room,” George declared one afternoon.

“And charm the suits of armor to walk around and chase people!” Fred added, grinning widely.

Percy, always the studious one, shook his head at his brothers' antics but couldn’t help but smile. “I’m more interested in the library,” he said. “I heard it’s enormous. There are books about every kind of magic you can imagine.”

Ron, on the other hand, was a bit more laid-back. “I just want to have a good time,” he said with a shrug. “Maybe try out for the Quidditch team.”

Ginny, the youngest of the Weasley siblings, sat nearby with Luna Lovegood, who had come over to play. The two girls were absorbed in their own little game, pretending they were grown up and discussing their future husbands. Much to the amusement of everyone else, their focus was almost always on Charlie Potter, the famous Boy Who Lived.

“I’m going to marry Charlie Potter,” Ginny declared confidently, her bright eyes shining as she and Luna sat beneath one of the apple trees.

“No, I will!” Luna replied in her usual dreamy voice. “I think he’s got Nargles in his hair. That means he’s special.”

The game made Harry and the older boys chuckle, but Harry, being protective of Ginny, had no patience for the idea of anyone—even someone as famous as Charlie Potter—catching his little sister’s eye. Though he didn’t say it out loud, he felt a surge of loyalty and protectiveness toward Ginny. In fact, the sentiment was shared by all of the Weasley boys.

“Charlie Potter or not,” Fred said one day, “no one’s messing with Ginny.”

“Exactly,” George agreed. “We’ll make sure of that.”

Harry found himself nodding along. He didn’t know Charlie Potter, but he knew one thing for certain: no one was going to hurt his new sister.

The warm atmosphere at the Burrow was filled with excitement, hopes, and dreams about the future, each sibling imagining Hogwarts in their own way. Charlie’s stories, full of magic and wonder, only fueled their enthusiasm. For Harry, being surrounded by this much joy, laughter, and love was something he never thought he would have. Every day brought something new—new adventures, new plans, and new hopes for the future. And in the heart of it all, he felt like he was truly part of a family, something he had never experienced before.

As the Christmas vacation neared its end, the Weasley household was buzzing with excitement. Bill and Charlie were packing their things, preparing to head back to Hogwarts after their time at the Burrow. Everyone knew they’d miss their older brothers, but the sadness of seeing them leave was overshadowed by something even more thrilling: Arthur Weasley had managed to get tickets to a professional Quidditch match in the British and Irish League.

None of the Weasley children had ever been to a professional Quidditch game before, and the news sent them into a frenzy. The match was to be held in Ireland, and it was between two legendary teams—the Falmouth Falcons and the Chudley Cannons. Arthur, always a man of surprises, had also acquired a magical tent that would make the trip even more enjoyable. The Weasley children couldn’t believe their luck.

The morning of the match, the family piled into the enchanted portkey and set off on the journey to the campsite near the Quidditch pitch. When they arrived, the sight of the massive campsite took Harry’s breath away. Tents of all shapes and sizes sprawled across the area, and the atmosphere was filled with excitement as wizards from all over Britain and Ireland gathered for the big game.

Arthur Weasley pitched their magical tent, which looked like a modest canvas structure on the outside but, to Harry’s amazement, had multiple rooms and was more spacious than the Burrow inside. It was another reminder of just how incredible the wizarding world could be.

When the time came to enter the stadium, Harry's eyes widened as he saw the enormous Quidditch pitch for the first time. It was far larger than anything he had imagined, towering high above the ground with enchanted stands packed with wizards and witches, all cheering for their favorite teams. The air was filled with the smell of magical snacks and the sound of excited chatter.

The match itself was a spectacle beyond anything Harry had dreamed of. As the players zoomed onto the field, he was transfixed by their flying skills. The Falmouth Falcons were known for their aggressive playing style, while the Chudley Cannons were the underdogs, but their fans were fiercely loyal.

For six hours, Harry sat on the edge of his seat, watching in awe as the players performed all sorts of daring broomstick maneuvers. The speed, the agility, the coordination—it was breathtaking. Harry couldn’t take his eyes off the players, imagining himself flying like that one day. He’d seen brooms before, of course, but he had never realized just how much skill it took to control one like these professional players did. The Seeker for the Falcons made several impressive dives that left Harry and the crowd gasping, and the Chasers zipped across the field, scoring points with every pass.

The crowd roared with every goal, and the excitement built as the Cannons fought valiantly to keep up with the Falcons. The game was fast-paced, intense, and full of high-flying action. But in the end, the Falmouth Falcons pulled ahead with a stunning final move, securing an impressive victory with a score of 820-230.

Despite the Cannons’ loss, something about their spirit and determination resonated with Ron, and by the end of the game, he had declared himself a lifelong fan of the Chudley Cannons. His enthusiasm was contagious, and even though the team was often at the bottom of the league standings, Ron’s admiration for them only grew after the match.

As they packed up their things and headed back to the Burrow, the family was still buzzing with excitement from the game. Harry, who had been completely swept up in the magic of Quidditch, now had a burning desire to play the sport himself. He couldn’t wait for the day he’d be able to get his own broomstick and experience the thrill of flying firsthand. Watching the professionals had sparked something in him, and he knew that Quidditch would become a big part of his life.

For now, though, he was content. He had experienced his first professional Quidditch match, and it was everything he had dreamed of and more. The Weasleys, with their shared love of the sport, made it even better, and as Harry looked around at his new family, he couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of belonging. This was home, and these were his people.

The entire Weasley family gathered at King’s Cross Station to see Bill and Charlie off as they returned to Hogwarts for the new term. The air was filled with a mix of excitement and bittersweet farewells, and Harry could hardly contain his enthusiasm. The recent Quidditch match still lingered in their minds, and it seemed to ignite something wild and adventurous in Fred and George.

As soon as they arrived at the bustling station, the twins began to imitate the impressive maneuvers they had seen the professional players execute during the match. They ducked and weaved through the crowd, pretending to fly on invisible broomsticks while shouting out commentary as if they were the announcers of the game. Their antics earned a few amused looks from passersby, and Harry couldn’t help but laugh at their antics.

However, their spirited enthusiasm quickly shifted to a more serious tone when they started whispering amongst themselves. “You know, if we had a Quidditch pitch, we could really practice those moves,” Fred suggested, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Yeah, and we could make our own rules! Just imagine, we could have our own matches right here at the Burrow,” George chimed in, already envisioning the possibilities.

Despite knowing that broomsticks weren’t allowed for children without parental permission, the twins decided to put their persuasive skills to the test. They bombarded Arthur Weasley with questions, pleading for a place to practice their newfound skills. “Come on, Dad! Just a little pitch in the back garden!” they nagged, their voices a mixture of charm and determination.

At first, Arthur resisted, explaining the rules and safety concerns. But as the twins continued their relentless campaign, he couldn’t help but be swayed by their enthusiasm and the memories of his own youth spent on broomsticks. Finally, he relented, a reluctant smile creeping onto his face. “Alright, alright! I’ll see about building you a small Quidditch pitch. But it’ll have to wait until I have the time.”

The twins cheered, their excitement infectious. They quickly began planning how they would set up the pitch, discussing the placement of the goalposts and what they would need to create a proper practice area. “We can use hoops for the goals!” Fred exclaimed, already imagining how they would construct the apparatus.

Even without broomsticks, they knew that throwing the Quaffle through the hoops would be great practice for their aim. “And we can still train to be beaters!” George added, grinning mischievously. “Imagine us dominating the pitch, hitting Bludgers at our opponents left and right!”

Their dreams of Quidditch glory filled the air as they fantasized about how they would outplay their opponents and become legends in their own right. Even Ron, who had been watching the excitement with a wide grin, joined in, imagining himself as a Chaser. “I can catch that Quaffle like a pro!” he declared, fists clenched in determination.

Harry listened to them, feeling the thrill of their plans bubbling inside him as well. The idea of having a Quidditch pitch at the Burrow excited him beyond words. He could hardly wait to join in the fun, feeling more a part of the family than ever before. The thought of running, laughing, and playing Quidditch with his new brothers filled him with joy and anticipation.

As the train pulled into the station, the mood shifted to a mix of excitement and nostalgia. Bill and Charlie had their trunks packed and ready, waving goodbye to their family. Harry watched as they boarded the train, feeling a surge of longing for the magical world that awaited them.

“Don’t forget to write!” Molly Weasley called out, her voice filled with warmth and love. Bill and Charlie both waved back, their faces alight with enthusiasm for the adventures that awaited them at Hogwarts.

After they left, the Weasley family headed back to the Burrow, spirits high from the day’s events. Fred and George were already plotting their next moves, eager to put their plan into action. Harry felt grateful to be part of such a lively and loving family. The thought of Quidditch practice made him giddy, and he couldn’t help but think that this was only the beginning of countless adventures to come.

Arthur Weasley, pestered by the excited pleas of his children, quickly set to work creating a makeshift Quidditch pitch near the Burrow. With a flick of his wand and a few murmured incantations, three sturdy goalposts sprang up, perfectly aligned in a reasonable-sized area that could be transformed into a proper Quidditch pitch. The grass was lush and inviting, making it an ideal spot for the children to practice their newfound love for the sport.

The day after the pitch was completed, the air buzzed with excitement as Percy,Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, and Harry gathered in the yard, their faces beaming with anticipation. Word of their new pitch spread quickly, and soon their neighbor, Cedric Diggory, who had already made a name for himself as a talented future Quidditch player, joined the fun.

“Mind if I join in?” Cedric asked, a friendly grin on his face as he approached the makeshift pitch. The Weasley children welcomed him with open arms, eager to include more people.

The children formed two teams—Team Weasley and Team Diggory—and quickly set up rules that were as simple as they were fun. They decided to play a ground version of Quidditch, where they would pass the Quaffle between teammates and attempt to throw it through the goal hoops. Although it wasn’t the same as flying through the air on broomsticks, the thrill of competition still fueled their spirits.

Harry took a spot on Team Weasley, feeling a surge of energy as he gripped the Quaffle tightly. “Okay, let’s show them what we’ve got!” he called out, determination sparking in his eyes.

Fred and George, always the pranksters, immediately began hatching schemes to trick their opponents. “I’ll be the decoy,” Fred said with a mischievous grin. “While George distracts them, I’ll slip past for an easy goal!”

The game commenced with laughter and cheers echoing through the yard as they passed the Quaffle back and forth, weaving in and out as they attempted to score. The excitement of the match was infectious, and the children became lost in the moment, their competitive spirits igniting a new sense of camaraderie.

Cedric proved to be a natural leader, guiding Team Diggory with an easy confidence. “Alright, let’s focus! We need to work together if we want to win!” he encouraged, and his teammates rallied behind him, determined to give the Weasleys a run for their money.

As the game progressed, the children engaged in playful banter, their laughter ringing through the air. Ginny, quick and agile, darted around the yard, snatching the Quaffle from Fred’s grasp and hurling it towards the goal. “Take that!” she shouted gleefully as the Quaffle sailed through the air, barely missing the hoop.

Harry and Percy, who were working closely together, coordinated their movements perfectly, passing the Quaffle back and forth as they attempted to outmaneuver Cedric and his team. “I’ve got it! I’ve got it!” Harry shouted, sprinting forward with determination. With a well-timed throw, he sent the Quaffle soaring towards the goalpost, cheering when it went through with a satisfying thud.

“Goal!” they all shouted in unison, pumping their fists in triumph as they celebrated the score.

The simplicity of the game allowed them to focus on the joy of playing together, the camaraderie building with each successful pass and goal. They were caught up in the thrill of the moment, and even as the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the yard, they were reluctant to stop.

As the afternoon faded into evening, the sounds of laughter and shouts of victory filled the air, creating a symphony of joy that would linger in the Weasley home long after the game ended. The magical experience of playing Quidditch, even on the ground, had woven them closer together, reinforcing the bond of family and friendship that defined their lives at the Burrow.

Harry felt grateful to be included in such a spirited, lively family. The thrill of Quidditch filled his heart with happiness, and he knew that this was just the beginning of many more adventures to come with his new brothers and sister.