Life and Love After Voldemort

The significance of the League Cup win took some time to sink in for Harry. He'd arranged for the most visible reminders of the triumph -- the hardware he'd won as League and Finals Most Valuable Player -- to be displayed at Old Chudleighton Stadium for the foreseeable future so it could be shared with the fans, though he intended to hold onto the league championship ring that was coming his way. Since Ludo did put the team together, the Cannons unanimously decided to reward him with a ring, shipped to him at Azkaban. As a further reward that Harry and Ron specified, the ring was comprised entirely of leprechaun gold. ("George'll get a kick out of that, eh?" Ron had quipped to Harry. "It'll disappear before Bagman can pawn it...")

The team also voted Bagman a full share of the money received for the playoff and championship triumphs, which Harry then arranged to be donated in Bagman's name to the wizarding charities Ludo had claimed to have been so committed to helping. Ludo used them, so I'm going to use him right back...

The Cannons' exploits in this historic year were not yet complete, as the timing worked out for the current roster to compete in the European Cup Tournament. The Cannons were once again unstoppable and won the Cup in a rout over the Bigonville Bombers. (It amused Harry that the Cannons fans at each match had taken to singing 'I Love You Truly' to the Chudley players at every opportunity, from the introductions to beyond the final whistle.)

Ginny, Harry, and Ron seemed to take different things from the latest milestone. Ginny was more convinced than ever that she'd found her ideal career. Ron seemed more relieved than euphoric this time around, but was nonetheless thrilled to be a key part of the team that achieved another level of success it hadn't experienced in centuries. Harry loved playing Seeker at the stratospheric level that only a handful of pros ever had, but his heart's ambitions laid elsewhere at the end of the day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After discussing the matter with Ginny and gaining her full support, Harry announced his retirement from professional Quidditch a week after the match. The day before as he had readied his speech, Harry was taken off-guard by a flood of emotion and memories rippling through him. He saw Professor McGonagall's thin smile overcome the fear of expulsion when his Quidditch skills were unwittingly revealed to her. He saw the pictures of his dad flying for Gryffindor, which of course made him think of his mother as well. Just about every friend and mentor in his life had some connection with him through the Quidditch pitch, even Snape as he fought Quirrell and Voldemort when they tried to sabotage Harry in his first year. (Come to think of it, so did most of my adversaries, from Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle to dear Ludo, Gilderoy, and the aforementioned two-headed duo.)

He remembered playing beside Fred and George and hearing the cheers from Hermione, Neville, Dean, Seamus, and the rest of his House as well as Luna's eclectic brand of narration, whoops of support from Hagrid, and well-placed applause from Dumbledore accompanied by nods of approval. Most importantly, Harry remembered how Quidditch had broken the ice between him and Ginny, with the tidal wave of emotion that had built between the two reaching a joyous crescendo after a Gryffindor victory.

As with so much in Harry's life, Ginny understood how much the sport and his unparalleled excellence in it meant to him deep down. "I know it's not where your future lies," Ginny had told him, "but it will always hold a special place in your heart, and don't be shocked if you miss it now and again." However, as Ginny hastened to remind Harry, there was a silver lining. Harry's status as League and Finals MVP earned him an automatic berth on the national team roster in perpetuity (though he'd still have to compete for a spot in the starting lineup), meaning that he was eligible to compete in British national team matches even after leaving the pros. Harry was glad to learn that he would have the opportunity to compete as a Seeker at a high level in future years (and possibly team with Ginny and/or Ron again) without having to make a career of it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Transferring the last of his belongings from the penthouse suite to Grimmauld Place was a fitting way in Harry's mind to wrap up another phase of his life. Afterwards, he sat down with Ron in the middle lounge, as the Chudley Keeper wanted to have a word with him before Harry left for good in the morning. "We can't really top this season, can we," observed Ron. "I can see why you chose not to try."

Harry wasn't sure how to take that. Does that mean he understands why I'm moving on, or is he trying to say I'm bailing on him? Rather than dwell on it, Harry decided to explain himself. "Ron, I gave a hundred percent to the Cannons, but you know how it is with me. I belong at the Ministry."

"No, totally. Like I said, I see that now. I've also been talking to Hermione, and, well, I think I'm gonna head back to Hogwarts to prep for my N.E.W.T.s and then apply for Auror training."

Harry feigned surprise, though he was inwardly elated. "Are you sure that's what you want?"

Ron responded with an urgency that underscored his sincerity. "Harry, I almost lost my mind when I found out we were all in danger again and I was powerless to fight back against the people that were endangering us. I can't let that happen again, not when I know I have what it takes to combat these forces. Also, Hermione's already a rising star at the Ministry, and she'll be taking on the filthiest and most violent criminals at trial. I won't be able to live with myself unless I'm out there doing my damndest to be a part of that effort from the frontlines."

Harry was pleased that Ron's mindset had shifted so dramatically, but he didn't feel he'd be doing his job if he didn't ask Ron the one lingering question. "But you'd be giving up all the excitement that comes with living the dream of big league Quidditch on your childhood team. Can you really do that?"

"Gotta be honest, Harry; playing Keeper week after week was making me a wreck. I think even being an Auror will be a step down in stress for me! Seriously though, we've climbed the mountain and brought home the championship for the Cannons that I doubted I'd ever see even if I had Flamel's stone at my disposal. It would have been harder to walk away without that accomplishment, but there's no question that I'm ready to hone in on Auror training and leave the Quidditch pitch behind."

Harry also knew that Ron's part in such a unique and historic feat would assuage the chronic need he'd had to stand out which had driven Ron from his original career path in the first place. "That's great, Ron. We'll have to see what we can do to get you out of your long-term contract --"

"Already done, mate. Hermione spotted a slew of deal-breakers that automatically dissolve the contract, beginning with fraud in the inducement by Ludo. At least I saved enough money from the deal to pay off the engagement ring and put a down payment on a place for us near the Ministry after the wedding."

"Then let me arrange an interview with Minister Shacklebolt to get the ball rolling. I'll definitely put in a good word for you," Harry said encouragingly. If he only knew...

"Thanks, Harry; I knew I could count on you."

"Same here, Ron. I'm glad you've come around, because I don't know what I would've done without a Weasley around the office."

Harry smiled and slapped Ron on the back as he walked to his room. Once there, Harry picked up a pocket mirror on the nightstand and spoke into it. "Mission accomplished, Miss Granger!"