A Star Is Born Chapter 17 (Patreon)

Chapter 17

Over the next few days of practice, Harry felt completely locked in. Every morning found him alongside Oliver Wood at seven sharp, long before the rest of Puddlemere arrived, chasing every extra drill they could squeeze into the quiet hours. Saturday night's clash with Montrose loomed larger with every sunrise.

Harry would've been lying if he said he wasn't nervous. Cormack MaCloud had earned every bit of his reputation as one of the finest Seekers in Britain, and Harry had spent enough years watching professional Quidditch to know exactly what kind of challenge awaited him. But beneath those nerves was something stronger.

Excitement.

Pressure had always sharpened him. Whether it was the Triwizard Tournament, the Battle of Hogwarts, or the Quidditch Cup Final, Harry had learned that when expectations were highest, his mind somehow became quiet. All that mattered was the task in front of him.

The only distraction all week had been Marcus Pucey.

Harry ignored every insult the veteran threw his way. Every sarcastic comment. Every attempt to bait him into another argument. Even when Cho looked ready to hex the man herself, Harry simply shook his head.

Saturday was worth too much. He would, after all, be facing his old friend and former teammate, Angelina Johnson. The special moment was made even more significant by the fact that it was the first prime time game of their season. The biggest game of the weekend was usually on Saturday night, and since Montrose and Puddlemere were both undefeated thus far, they had been granted the opportunity for the sole late night game. The game would be in Montrose, which would stack the odds against them, but Harry was relishing the challenge.

By the time the team had made it to the locker room, the air was thick with anticipation for the next day's matchup. Harry, hoping to increase camaraderie on the team, thought about how he would like to spend the remainder of the evening. When an idea struck him, a grin crossed his features as he considered something most of his teammates could get behind. Harry cleared his throat loudly enough to get everyone's attention, his voice carrying over the clatter of gear, "Well, I am heading to the Leaky Cauldron if anyone wants to join? Dinner is on the house; I am trying to support a friend's business if anyone is up to it. She's a lights-out cook."

Conner and Jason, the team's starting beaters, were the first to jump at his offer, when Jason Milroe said with a shrug, “You know we are in.” 

Conner Statland added with a grin, “Never turning down a free meal, or a chance to rack up a big tab on the rook.”

Charlotte agreed next, offering a small smile of appreciation for the gesture, while Garret looked reluctant, glancing toward the exit as if weighing his evening plans, but he nevertheless agreed to join the group. Harry made it a point to catch the eyes of the younger players, assuring them that the reserves were more than welcome to come along as well. This led to Cho being visibly excited to join the outing, her face lighting up at the prospect of a team dinner, while Pucey, true to form, tried to rain on the parade. Leaning against his locker with a sneer, he drawled, “You want to take us all to that dump? Hardly a treat, Potter.”

Challengingly, Harry raised an eyebrow toward the star chaser, refusing to let the negativity dampen the mood. “When was the last time you actually ate at the Cauldron, Pucey? The Abbotts bought it out and completely renovated it after the war.” Harry paused, letting the silence hang for a moment before adding with a pointed edge, “I know how you feel about Purebloods, lineage, and all that. You will be happy to know that a respectable Pureblood is running the kitchen now, so maybe you can set aside your pride and give it a chance.”

Scoffing, the man shook his head. He looked like he had a quippy retort, but decided against it, gathered his bag, and exited the locker room. With the man’s departure, Harry shrugged, “His loss, everyone is still welcome. I will send my friend a heads up that we are on our way.”

With a flourish of his wand Harry whispered the words he had been well acquainted with since his third year, “Expecto Patronum.”

A mist of silver immediately erupted from his wand, causing most of his teammates to shield their eyes, while Harry, Oliver, and Cho grinned at the sight of the stag that began to appear. When the stag was fully formed, Harry spoke, “Hannah, sorry for the interruption, but I was hoping the team and I could intrude on the Cauldron for dinner. If you are willing to host, we will be arriving soon.”

When the stag disappeared, Cho let out a sigh, “We were on death's door the last time I saw that stag.”

“I thought it would be one of the last things I ever saw,” Oliver agreed with a whisper.

The rest of the team exchanged looks, but said nothing further. It didn’t take more than a few minutes before a badger came floating into the room, “All are welcome, Harry. I will make arrangements. Thanks for the heads up.”

“Brilliant!” Harry exclaimed, “We are in business. I trust you all know how to find Diagon Alley?”

The question was an invitation for anyone who might not know, but all just nodded their heads in agreement, and Harry packed away the rest of his things, and began making his way to the apparition point.

.o.

Arriving at the Cauldron, Harry was the first to arrive at the old pub, and already the small staff on duty had magically pushed a large table together closest to the bar. The table easily seated a dozen, and the young Quidditch player walked towards the bar, seeing Hannah and Sally-Anne having some sort of disagreement.

As he approached, he only caught the tail end of it, “Just let me serve them. It’s been slow tonight, and I could use the galleons.”

“We need to make the best impression possible,” Hannah insisted, “Let’s just tag team it, make sure they have everything they need. We could use the good publicity.”

“Everything okay, ladies?” Harry asked as he approached the bar, and glanced at a few of the regulars who greeted him warmly, but looked mildly alarmed by the argument that was brewing between the two witches.

Bennet was at the far corner of the bar, and when Harry glanced over at the man, he shook his head slightly, as if expressing his disapproval. Before Harry could question him, Hannah answered instead, “Great. We were just deciding how to break up the tables to make sure everyone gets everything they need for the evening.”

Hannah’s smile was professional, yet Harry could see the lingering tension in her shoulders. Sally-Anne, on the other hand, barely masked her frustration as she began setting out extra cutlery.  Harry noted that while the regulars seemed slightly alarmed by the friction, the overall presentation of the pub was exactly what he had promised his teammates—a place run by a capable cook that wouldn’t make the average Pureblood flinch due to its previous reputation.

“The rest of the team will be here in a moment,” Harry added, leaning against the polished wood of the bar. “I just promised a solid meal before the match against the Magpies tomorrow. Nothing crazy.”

Hannah nodded, her focus returning to the task at hand. “We’ll be ready for them, Harry. We will make sure Puddlemere United feels right at home.”

This caused some excited chatter among the regulars who overheard them, and Conner, one of the Irish regulars Harry knew from the pub, asked, “Think you can introduce me to Charlotte Dubois, Potter? Long time fan!”

Scoffing and holding back a grin, Harry replied, “I will keep Garret from hexing you if you dare to speak with her, but that’s the best you can ask for. You lads play it cool, and I will see what I can do when we are leaving for the night.”

This led to some raised glasses from the group, and none bothered Harry further as he went to take a seat at the table.  It was six to a side, which thankfully meant everyone would be distributed equally, and there would be no misinterpretations of the seating arrangement.

When Harry took his seat, Hannah came over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, “It’s going to be okay right? I’ve never had this many famous people in the Cauldron at once.”

Chuckling, Harry wrapped an arm around the girl's waist for a moment, “It’s going to be fine. You and Sally-Anne will be great. It’s all going to be on one tab, my tab, so you can promise Sally-Anne I will take care of both of you for the trouble.”

“You caught that, huh?” Hannah asked nervously.

“Don’t worry about it.” Harry assured the girl, “It’s just dinner. No one will be drinking heavily or making fools of themselves tonight with the game tomorrow. Just be yourself. Tell Sally-Anne the same.”

Right as Hannah nodded her head, trying to be confident despite the flutter of nerves in her chest, the heavy oak door of the Leaky Cauldron swung open. Oliver walked in, looking every bit the professional athlete he was, in casual attire, with dark jeans and a snug Puddlemere T-shirt that proudly displayed the team crest. The seasoned keeper scanned the room with a practiced eye, his gaze softening when it landed on the familiar faces at the large central table. He greeted Hannah with an easy familiarity, immediately pulling the girl into a brief, warm embrace that seemed to bolster her spirits. After releasing her, he navigated around the table to take the empty seat next to Harry, a low chuckle escaping him as he eyed the surroundings. Leaning in slightly toward the younger seeker, Oliver murmured quietly enough that nobody else could hear him, "You know we can split this, right? No need to carry the whole team on your shoulders.”

Harry laughed quietly. It wasn't the smile he gave reporters. Or Ministry officials. Or fans asking for photographs. It was the grin Oliver had seen a thousand times back at Hogwarts. "Let me score points with my girl, Oliver. Her restaurant, my treat," Harry joked, his voice firm and laced with a quiet pride. "Besides, I think the team could use a win off the pitch tonight. Consider it a down payment on a victory against the Magpies."

Oliver grinned, the competitive fire that usually defined him replaced by a moment of camaraderie as he settled in, ready to enjoy the evening Harry had quietly orchestrated.

As Harry leaned back into his chair, he took a moment to appreciate the warm, bustling atmosphere of the Leaky Cauldron, a stark contrast to the sterile intensity of the Puddlemere training grounds. Seeing Hannah managing the floor with such grace brought a genuine smile to his face. He caught her eye and signaled for the first round, ordering a large pitcher of pumpkin juice for the table and three bottles of their finest goblin wine for the team to share as they settled in.

Just as the first round of drinks reached the table, the heavy oak doors swung open again and the rest of the Puddlemere squad filtered into the pub in a loud wave of conversation. Conner and Jason were arguing over something that had apparently started back in the locker room, each insisting the other had exaggerated the length of one of Jason's practice swings. "I'm telling you," Conner insisted as he dropped into his chair, "if Oliver hadn't ducked, you'd have taken his head clean off." Jason scoffed, waving the accusation away as he reached for a mug of pumpkin juice. "Please. If I was trying to hit Wood, I'd have hit him." Oliver looked up from across the table without missing a beat. "Comforting." The dry response earned an eruption of laughter from nearly everyone present, even Garret allowing the corner of his mouth to twitch upward before he caught himself.

Charlotte shook her head as she settled into the seat beside Harry, rolling her eyes at the beaters' antics. "They've been having this same argument for three days," she said. "By tomorrow they'll both remember it differently." 

"That's because I improve every time I tell it," Jason answered proudly.

Harry couldn't help but grin as he looked around the table. For the first time since joining Puddlemere, the locker room walls didn't seem to exist. There were no positions, no veterans, no reserves, and no tension over who belonged. They were simply teammates sharing a meal before the biggest match of the young season.

"That's called lying," Cho offered innocently as she took the last empty chair, drawing another round of laughter. Cho was radiant in a long, flowing blue dress that shimmered under the pub's enchanted lanterns. She wore little, if any, makeup, and she possessed a natural beauty that drew several appreciative glances from the regulars.

Hannah froze for a split second, her eyes widening in surprise as she recognized the former Ravenclaw seeker. She set the drinks down quickly, her voice betraying her curiosity. “Cho! It’s so lovely to see you,” she exclaimed, wiping her hands on her apron before moving to hug the girl. “I didn't realize you were even in the country. I thought you had gone back to your family after the war. Are you... here with someone on the Puddlemere squad?”

Cho let out a soft, melodic chuckle, tucking a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear. “No, nothing like that, Hannah, I spent a few months back home, but came back in time to run the combine. I wasn’t lucky enough to get drafted, but I was signed to play as the reserve seeker for Puddlemere just last week!” she explained with a bright smile. “Harry and I have been spending quite a bit of time on the pitch together all week.  He’s been getting me up to speed and we’ve been preparing for the match against Montrose.”

Hannah's smile froze.  Just for a heartbeat. Nobody else noticed. Harry did.  Merlin. He hadn't told her.

The witch may have returned the smile, but Harry could tell it was more forced than usual, the professional mask of a hostess sliding back into place with practiced ease. Hannah immediately moved towards taking orders from Oliver and the Chasers, her movements brisk and efficient as she tried to reclaim the rhythm of her evening with Sally-Anne stepping in to help the opposite side of the table.

Hannah was noticeably stiffer than she usually was while serving. Her eyes constantly slipped away from her patrons as she approached the tables and glanced back towards Harry and Cho. Harry wished he could assure Hannah, but knew this wasn’t the right time or place.

“How long have you and Hannah been seeing each other, Harry?” Cho asked to his left.

“Just the last two weeks, it’s new,” Harry said, wincing as he felt Sally-Anne’s eyes drift towards him when Cho started talking. It was clear the girl had picked up on the question, and the stare he received made him feel guilty that he had not mentioned Hannah to Cho either, and Harry had the distinct feeling that this would not end well.

“That’s great!” Cho said cheerfully, clearly unperturbed by the news, which Harry was grateful for. He didn’t think the girl was harboring any old feelings for him, but it was nice to get a small assurance and avoid any disappointed feelings.  They were teammates now after all.

“Yeah, she’s been really great. I did make the small mistake of forgetting to mention you were signed to the team.” Harry admitted, embarrassed.

Oliver laughed at this, and shook his head, while Cho’s eyes widened in surprise, “You idiot!”

This just made Oliver laugh even more, causing Sally-Anne and Hannah both to glance their way while Harry blushed, which probably didn’t help his image, before saying, “It’s been a crazy week.”

“Good luck digging yourself out of that one, Harry.” Oliver joked.

Cho looked like she was about to ask one of the others to switch spots with her to put some distance between them, but seemed to resign herself to the situation, “If she spits in my food, Harry, it will only be your fault.”

Knowing Hannah would not do that, Harry just sighed, and offered her reassurance, before turning to try and find Hannah’s eyes, but instead saw he was getting a piece of the cold shoulder.

“Spits in your food?” Oliver asked with a laugh, looking entirely too pleased with the situation, “I’ve seen that witch duel, best hope she doesn’t pull her wand out tonight.”

Cho paled at this, while Harry just shook his head, desperate to change the topic. 

Despite the slipup, Harry watched as Sally-Anne distracted the table by shamelessly flirting with the male and female members of the team, much to the amusement of the team and even some of the onlookers. The girl had a type of charisma that made Harry think she was just perfect to be a bar maiden. Hannah even allowed the girl to take more of the reins in their service, allowing her to focus more on the bar and group of regulars at the pub. Harry hoped Hannah wasn’t avoiding him after his faux pas, but he had a feeling he would find out soon enough.

As the food began arriving, Sally-Anne had somehow managed to learn every player's name within minutes, weaving effortlessly between chairs. She set a plate in front of Jason before leaning closer with an exaggerated whisper. "The cook says this one's for the beater who nearly knocked his captain unconscious this morning." 

Jason looked up, bewildered. "That story's already made it here?" 

"Half the pub knows," Sally-Anne replied gravely. "The other half have you winning the match single-handedly tomorrow." 

The beater barked out a laugh, shaking his head as Conner loudly protested that his own version of events was considerably more heroic. Within moments Sally-Anne had the entire end of the table arguing over who had embellished the story the most, leaving Hannah enough breathing room to quietly refill drinks and check on the regulars.

By the time the final courses were served, any earlier friction between the staff or within the team had fully dissolved into a seamless operation. The kitchen delivered a series of excellent dishes, despite the slight slips in Hannah’s initial service, and before long the Puddlemere squad, tense from the week's training, appeared truly at ease for the first time all week. 

The evening concluded with even the most cynical veterans, including Garret, finding little to fault. 

“Don't get used to this," Oliver said, looking around the table. "Potter's buying because he's still on his rookie contract. Once he gets his first real paycheck he'll suddenly discover the meaning of 'split the bill.'"

Conner immediately shook his head. "Nah. Chosen One money."

Jason nodded seriously. "Definitely Chosen One money."

Harry snorted. "I literally don't know what that means."

"It means," Charlotte said with a grin, "you've accidentally become responsible for every team dinner until someone richer than you comes along."

Even Garret muttered, "Poor bastard."

This caused an eruption of laughter from the team, while Harry just shook his head with a grin. He couldn’t imagine spending his galleons on anything better.

A few bold regulars approached the table seeking autographs, a request the players graciously accepted. Hannah managed these interactions smoothly, ensuring the VIP guests weren’t overwhelmed before gently guiding the fans back to their seats without causing any disappointment.

The group eventually began to thin out amidst light-hearted banter under the flickering glow of enchanted lanterns. As Harry rose to settle the substantial tab, Hannah joined him, resting a hand on his chest and an arm around his shoulder in a subtle but clear assertion of their relationship while she thanked the departing guests. Soon, the crowd had dwindled until only Harry, Oliver, and Cho remained at the main table with Hannah.

Exhausted by the week’s rigorous training and the looming match against Montrose, Oliver and Cho prepared to leave. They gathered their belongings and departed after giving hugs and farewells while promising to return on a night without pre-game restrictions to fully support Hannah’s business. With the departure of the final Puddlemere squad members, the pub’s lively energy transitioned into a quiet, intimate atmosphere, leaving only Harry and Hannah behind. Despite the night’s success, the physical toll of practice and the mounting pressure of the upcoming Saturday game against the Magpies finally caught up with the young man.

Watching him stifle a deep, weary yawn, Hannah offered a tender smile and suggested he use her own bed in the flat at the back of the Cauldron. She encouraged him to get some much-needed rest while she attended to the final closing tasks of her shift.

Grateful for the sanctuary, the Quidditch star accepted the offer as she guided him through the familiar hallways. Hannah expertly navigated the wards to grant him access to her private quarters, promising to join him once the bar was fully closed and the books were settled for the night. As Harry collapsed onto the familiar, soft linens, the lingering scent of Hannah and the quiet comfort of the room acted as a balm to his frazzled nerves. Reflecting on the team camaraderie at dinner and the resolution of the minor friction with the staff, it didn't take long for him to drift into a deep sleep, feeling a profound sense of gratitude for the evening they had shared together before the intensity of tomorrow’s game.

.o.

Harry wasn’t sure how long he had been asleep, but it felt like hours when he felt the familiar presence of Hannah join him in her own bed. Placing an arm around the witch and burying his face against her neck, he breathed in the familiar scent of her shampoo, and sighed happily. Harry intended to go back to sleep, but Hannah was clearly awake, and wanting to speak with him, “Merlin, Harry, you know how to surprise a girl. You forgot to mention Cho was playing at Puddlemere with you.”

Harry felt a jolt of guilt pierce through his sleepy haze, remembering the sharp, inquisitive glint in Hannah’s eyes when Cho had revealed her new role as a reserve seeker earlier that evening. He shifted slightly, his voice thick with sleep as he tried to find the right words to navigate the delicate situation. “I’m sorry, Hannah,” he murmured against her skin, his sheepish and apologetic look hidden in the crook of her neck. “It’s been a long week. Her joining the roster completely slipped my mind as anything important.”

He felt Hannah stiffen slightly in his arms, her professional mask of a hostess having long since been discarded for the night. The silence in the room stretched, filled only by the distant, muffled sounds of Diagon Alley settling into the late night hours. Harry knew he had made a significant mistake by not mentioning the signing earlier in the week, especially considering how much time he and Cho had spent together on the pitch. He tightened his hold on her, “I swear I didn’t think anything of it, and our relationship has been strictly professional.”

“I don’t doubt you, Harry.” Hannah said softly, “A warning would’ve just been really appreciated though.”

“Cho and I were a disaster the first time around.” Harry said through a soft chuckle, keeping his tight grip on the girl's waist, “You have absolutely nothing to worry about. It flew so far below my radar that it didn’t even seem worth mentioning. I know how it looks in hindsight though, I’m sorry.”

Hannah sighed, the tension finally leaving her body as she leaned into his embrace. "I know," she murmured, turning her head just enough to press a soft kiss to his lips. She let out a soft laugh and flopped dramatically onto her back. "Harry... She's gorgeous."

Harry groaned, knowing any words would just land him in trouble.

Hannah smiled, reached for a pillow, and hit him with it. "Don't make that face! I'm serious. She's gorgeous. She's your ex. Now she practices with you every day."

"You can understand why I would've liked a little warning. A girl's allowed to be a little insecure, right?" Hannah traced a lazy circle across the Puddlemere crest on his shirt, before continuing, “Just don't surprise me like that again."

Harry frowned, “With Cho?"

Hannah smiled softly, “No." She looked up at him with shining blue eyes, "With your life."

Harry blinked, clearly not understanding. Hannah shrugged. "You're becoming famous all over again. New teammates. New matches. New people. I just..." She laughed nervously, before finishing her thought, "I'd like to hear about those things from you before I hear about them from someone else."

Harry pulled her closer, realizing the gravity of her request wasn't about Cho, but about being included in his life's bigger picture. "I promise," he said, his voice dropping into a sincere whisper that held more weight than any vow made under a golden snitch. "Everything about this—my life, my career, all of it—is so much better because you're in it, Hannah. I am grateful, I swear." He gently nudged her chin up and closed the distance between them, sealing the conversation with a long, tender kiss that erased any lingering doubts or tension.

When they finally drew apart, the quiet intimacy of the room wrapped around them like a comforting blanket. Hannah settled back down, her head resting on his shoulder, a profound sense of peace washing over the young Seeker. He held her close, listening to the soft, rhythmic beating of her heart. Tomorrow night would bring the roar of the crowd, the blinding speed of the Snitch, and the challenge of Cormack MaCloud and Angelina Johnson. But in this quiet moment, with Hannah in his arms, Harry felt completely centered and ready. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to rest, secure in the knowledge that he had everything he needed for the battles ahead, both on and off the pitch.