A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.
Chapter 20
December 19, 1993
London, England
Astoria walked down the cobbled road of Diagon Alley. Luna was on her arm. Hermione was walking next to her.
"What did you get on the third translation," Hermione asked.
"How to cure Dragon Pox," she told her. "I thought we would be translating more interesting stuff, like ancient history, or spells, or even a potion that no one uses anymore."
Luna shivered. "I never want Dragon Pox."
She pulled Luna in closer. "I don't either."
"Are you talking about the Runes assignment," Daphne asked from behind them.
"Yes. Are you disappointed too," Hermione asked. "Mrs. Potter had us doing some really interesting texts."
Tracey rolled her eyes. "We are off for two weeks. Can we wait until after Christmas to talk about it?"
"No," Astoria said.
"If we are all together, I would like to go over it today," Daphne spoke up.
"Girls, we are out for a fun day. Do you have to talk about school work," Lady Davis asked.
Lady Davis looked similar to her daughter, with light brown eyes, light brown hair and glasses. "Dora, leave them be. If this is what they want to talk about, I don't see the issue. It's not like they should be talking about boys or quidditch."
"I would like to talk about the kelpies we saw yesterday. Did you notice one of them had blue streaks," Luna spoke up.
Astoria loved her best friend. Hermione's eyes lit up and the rest looked at them questioningly. "Luna saw some when we came close to the ocean. Two kelpies playing in the chop of the waves. I thought one of them looked more yellow."
"I was surprised to see them. I wouldn't think they would come so close to shore in a muggle area."
"You actually saw kelpies," Tracey asked looking scared.
Luna shook her head. "Oh, yes. I would really like to ride one one day."
"We'll see what we can do," Astoria told her.
Lady Davis looked much like her daughter. "They will eat you, Ms. Lovegood. Why would you want to approach them?"
"Not if you can fit a bridle, Lady Davis. Part of the pact that allows them to inhabit places in Britain is that they will not harm anyone if a witch, or wizard I suppose, can bridle them," Luna said.
"In here, girls," mother said indicating a shop with dresses and gowns in the window.
Hermione hesitated. "This is too expensive," she muttered lowly.
Luna moved from Astoria to Hermione. "Hermione, do not think of it today. My cousin wants to do this for you."
She looked uncertain. "Why don't you go in with Daphne and Tracey," mother said to Lady Davis. Lady Davis nodded. Once they were inside, mother looked at Hermione kindly. "Ms. Granger, Scion Longbottom has offered to give you a gift. Astoria, and I expect Scion Longbottom, would very much like your company Friday evening. We are offering you to join us in the manner that is offered to all young woman of Society. If it makes you uncomfortable, I will pay for you instead. You are a personal guest of the Greengrass Family."
"You will look very pretty," Luna said with a smile.
"Hermione, if a boy you like offers to buy you a dress, you should let him," Astoria said. She tried to hold a smirk down to see some color come to her cheeks. Luna had been correct that Hermione liked Neville. It was part of the reason she had invited her, besides seeing the girl as a friend.
"I don't want anything frilly," she said. "And if you say anything to Neville I will tell Harry," Hermione said as she came in close as they entered the shop. Astoria did all she could to keep her own flush down. Luna was right there.
Luna just smiled. "Our Harry would understand. Astoria, should I get a yellow dress or blue? I think you would look lovely in a green or lilac. Hermione, my cousin likes blue and green, though I don't think green goes well with you. Maybe red? It is Christmas."
Astoria just blinked at Luna. There was no tension, no jealousy, nothing but acceptance. She wasn't getting it. Not that she felt any of that towards Luna either.
Her mother looked at them for a moment before a woman in nice witches' robes and numerous measuring tapes around her neck came up to them. Her strawberry blonde hair was in a nice bun. Astoria had been coming to Madame Flourish's Dress and Robes since she could remember. "Good morning, Lady Greengrass. I see you have the other three young ladies you mentioned would be joining you."
Her mother nodded. "Yes, Carmen. Astoria and Luna will be on my account. Hermione, have you decided?"
Her face was still a little flush. "I will let Neville pay."
"Ms. Hermione Granger has been authorized to use the Longbottom account," she said taking a letter out her hand bag. "This will authorize the withdrawal."
The woman smiled at them. "Would you three like to join Ms. Greengrass and Ms. Davis? Otherwise there is another private room. You are the only ones to have an appointment this morning," Carmen told them.
"I would like to have our own room," she told her mother. Daphne was with Tracey. She wanted to be selfish today and have only her friends.
Her mother nodded. "We will take your other private room, if that is alright, Carmen."
"Of course, Lady Greengrass. This way."
They were shown into a room with a nice cream color carpet and white walls. Two sofas were arranged around a tea table, already set with four settings and a steaming pot. "If you need other refreshments let me know. Now, who will be first?"
"Please," Luna said bouncing up to the dais in the middle of a bunch of mirrors. "Astoria, do you think Harry would like yellow?"
She smiled at her friend. Astoria did not want to stand in the way of her friends. "You would look wonderful in yellow, Luna."
Hermione sat while Lady Greengrass walked up to Luna to talk with her and Carmen. Hermione poured them both some tea. After a few, she looked at Astoria. "Is it that obvious how I feel towards Neville?"
Astoria gave her a smile. "I see the way you look at him. You try to hide it when others are around, but you don't when you are around us. Neville isn't that discrete either. The detention he received last week was from him defending you to Malfoy."
Hermione gave an uncertain smile. "He has so much going on. I don't know if he likes me like that."
"He does. It is not like you need to date him yet. It is alright to like someone and not do anything about it until you are both ready," Astoria said, copying something her mum had told her last night. She had also gone over how a witch is careful. Again. Astoria was not ready for anything like that. Not yet.
"My mum told me something like that too."
Hermione was quick.
They watched Luna try on a dress. Astoria made a face. A straight gown was not Luna. "Astoria," Hermione said in a low voice.
"Yes," she asked.
"You like Harry, don't you," Hermione asked.
Astoria didn't let the flush show this time. She debated to lie, or divert the question, or anything else that would keep her from answering. Like Luna and Harry, she knew Hermione would see through any lie. They had spent too much time together since the start of summer and this year. "I won't stand in the way of Luna," she told Hermione.
They were quiet for a moment. Astoria looked at Luna, who caught her eye and gave a brilliant smile as a new dress was pulled over her. This one had a few layers of skirts that ran from her waist down. It fit her nicely and the color matched her golden hair. Why would she get the same feeling for the girl as she did Harry? She liked boys.
"You like Luna too," Hermione told her. Astoria felt her cheeks grow warm as Luna looked away to talk with Carmen and her mother.
"I am not a witch's witch," she said, her heart fluttering to see Luna in the dress. It was not generally accepted in their world to like another witch like that. Not unless a wizard had multiple wives. She liked Harry. The cute blonde was a wrench in the works that confused her. She did not feel that way for any other witch she had looked at. Why was this so confusing?
"I didn't say you were. I am just saying it is alright if you like both of them. I won't say anything," Hermione confided.
"What do you think," Luna said twirling around. The skirts flared out, making it look as if the layers of fabric were making her fly. Astoria felt her mouth go dry. When had she started to feel this way towards Luna?
"You look stunning. Harry will love it," she told her best mate.
Hermione leaned in closer. She had a smirk on her face as she said in a low voice, "I think you like it too."
"I swear, I will march into Longbottom Manor later and tell Neville everything," Astoria whispered out of the side of her mouth.
Hermione eyed her. "Mrs. Potter has invited me over when I want. I am sure Harry would like to know. Also, isn't Luna sleeping over tonight with us? Have you ever heard of a game called truth or dare?"
"You wouldn't," Astoria said, looking away as they took the dress off of Luna. It suddenly felt indecent to see Luna in her shift and underclothes.
"I am a Gryffindor, Astoria Greengrass. I will protect Neville as I know you would Luna or Harry." Hermione wasn't being unkind, but she was serious in her threat.
Astoria looked up to meet Hermione's eyes. "Truce? I rather like you as a friend and would not like to be enemies," she said.
"Truce. I rather enjoy having people I can talk to about my studies. You, Luna and Harry actually challenge me. It is rather sad we are in different years," Hermione said sitting back.
Luna bounced over to them. "Hermione, Lady Greengrass would like you next."
"That didn't take long," Astoria said, knowing many times it seemed to take much longer.
"Carmen knew what might work after the first two dresses."
"It looked beautiful on you, Luna," Hermione said getting up. Astoria didn't miss the smirk at her. She narrowed her eyes at Hermione.
Luna sat next to her. "Do you think Harry will like it," Luna asked.
"I do," she told her best mate.
"Well, if you and Harry like it, then I am happy," the girl said.
Astoria was going to have the image of Luna spinning in her head all week now.
-oOo-
December 22, 1993
Godric's Hollow, England
"Come on, Harry. We are going into town for a few last things," his mum yelled up the stairs at him.
"Just a minute, mum," he called back. He was just double checking his money pouch. He needed something to box the gifts for Luna and Astoria. He rushed down the stairs.
"Do you need anything else?"
"Just some boxes," he told her.
"For what? I have lots of gift boxes in the closet," she asked.
"I need something nicer. I was hoping for some long wooden ones."
His mum raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting Luna and Astoria that needs something like that?"
"Who said it was for them? It could be for Neville or Hermione."
"It could, but you got Hermione two books on Runes and Latin and Neville a huge thing of chocolate frogs and a dittany plant. None of those would fit in a box like that," she reasoned.
He loved and didn't love his mum at times. "You're a pain."
She gave him a look that she knew she was right. "Fine. I will wait for Christmas to find out."
It was a short walk into the center of town. He always liked the enchanted statue in the center of the town square. From a distance, it looked like General Cornwallis on a horse. Once you got closer and had a magical gift, you could see the statue of Godric Griffindor riding a rearing griffin with his sword in one hand and wand in the other. When younger, he had always wanted to charge into battle like that. Now that Harry had seen the real thing after he ran to Ginny, the silver sword in the man's hand looked nothing like the real thing.
They stopped at Abbots Commissary. It was the only wizarding general store in town and served many of the magical households in the region. It sold anything from basic potion ingredients and cauldrons to writing supplies and owl treats. He grabbed some for Hedwig. It wasn't until they made a stop at a trinket store where his mum wanted to grab some more wrapping paper that he found what he wanted. They were nice wooden boxes that held some nice long candles. He didn't want the candle, he wanted the box it was in. He shrugged when his mum asked why he would be getting those.
After that, he was dragged to the grocers and butchers. He would rather have been home.
"Harry, do you mind just waiting out here for a moment? I would like to stop in here," she said outside a music store. He wanted to go in, but figured it might have something to do with Christmas presents for him. He stood outside in the cold winter day waiting for his mum when a large black dog came up to him. It was sniffing as though looking for food.
"Hey, pup," Harry said to it. "I don't have anything to give you."
It whimpered and walked up to him, sniffing his hand. Harry liked the old black dog. It was large, with a scruff down the top of its neck. His mum did not like dogs, and he had never spent any real time around them, but he liked this dog. The dog started to lick his hand and bounce around. Harry laughed. "What? I can't take you home. Mum hates dogs."
The door opened and the dog took off, slipping in the snow. His mum charged past him, her wand out and a snarl on her face. The dog ran between the buildings. She raced after it, skidding on the snow strewn sidewalk as she came to a stop. "That mutt should never have gotten around here," she said angrily.
Harry looked at her very confused. "Mum, what was that?"
"Harry, did he hurt you?" She sounded frightened.
"No."
"Do you have your wand on you," she asked in a hard tone once satisfied he was alright.
"Yes. You say to always carry it."
"Take it out. Don't put it away before we get home.
She cast a Patronus. "Find the nearest Auror. Tell them Black has been sighted." She marched over to him and picked up most of the bags.
Harry took the rest. "What do you mean, Black? It was just a dog. I know you don't like dogs. It was very friendly."
She looked down every alley and scanned the rooftops as they just about jogged home. "Harry, there is a very good reason I do not like dogs."
He was feeling scared. "Mum?"
She didn't say anything until the gate to the yard was closed. She ran her wand over him again, casting spells faster than he could follow her wand movement, after a moment, she stepped back, letting out a breath. "Mum, you're scaring me. What is going on?"
Her green eyes locked with his. He saw the anger and how frightened she was. "Harry, you just met Sirius Black, if I am not mistaken."
He looked at her dumbfounded for a moment. "What! That dog! That dog betrayed dad. I'll kill it," he said turning. He let go of his magic and it radiated out.
His mum grabbed his arm. He felt her magic trying to contain him. "You will not, Harry James. You do not have the skill yet to defeat him," she said calmly.
"He killed dad!"
"Yes, he did." Her eyes showed her anger and hurt. "He will kill you if you go after him like this."
After a moment, he huffed and threw her off. He ran his hands through his hair, breathing to contain the torrent of power that wanted to be loose. "Why didn't you try to kill him," he asked angrily.
"Because I will not be a killer like him," she said flatly.
He looked at her dumbfounded. "You say that man killed dad. He came up to me and could have killed me! What do you mean you're not a killer like him!"
Her lips pursed. "Maybe I have waited too long to tell you this. Why don't we have a cuppa and I can tell you what really happened around Halloween that year."
He looked at his mum's green eyes. They were the same ones that stared back at him in the mirror. After a moment, he nodded. "Willow," she called.
Their elf popped to them. "Welcome back, Mistress Lily and Master Harry."
His mum smiled at the elf. "Please check the wards. I do not want anyone not on the list to be within a hundred yards of the house. I don't normally ask, but can you please take care of these bags and groceries? I am going to put a pot on and I don't want Harry and I disturbed for a while."
Willow nodded solemnly in her nice dress. "Yes, Mistress. Do you want Willow to lock the house down again?"
"No. The new wards should be sufficient."
Willow nodded and quickly disappeared with their bags.
She eyed him for a moment. "Are you controlled enough to go in? I really don't want half the house blown up."
His anger was still up, but he did as he had been taught and took in a few breaths to ensure he wouldn't lose control again.
A short bit later, his mum was holding a large mug in her hands.
"Why didn't you go hunt him down," Harry asked.
"Because I will not leave you. He will not be able to get at the house. I will have to look at the ones around town. They should keep anyone with a Dark Mark away."
"Mum, if that was Black, you should go get him. He killed dad." He was not letting this go.
She let out a breath. That was usually a sign she was trying to control her temper. "You do not have to remind me. Can you please just calm down. We are safe. The Aurors are on their way and you are not to leave this house. I will not have you in danger."
They stared at each other for a few. Their green eyes challenged the other. "Harry, there are things that your Uncle Remus and I have not told you. I am sure you may have heard some rumors or other stuff, but I didn't think you old enough to understand," she started. She held up a hand to stop him as his mouth opened.
"Your father, Sirius, Remus and a man named Peter Pettigrew, were best mates going through Hogwarts. Your father and Sirius were downright bullies and troublemakers through the end of fifth year."
"You always said dad was a good man and just got up to trouble at school," he said.
"Your father was a good man. I would not have married him otherwise, but he was not always that way. Your father and Sirius grew up in the Old Ways and Pureblood Households. They were pampered, spoiled and raised to be Heads-of-House for two immensely powerful Houses in our world."
"I know that. But how was dad a good man if you make him sound like the stuck-up prats at Hogwarts? And what does Black have to do with this?"
"Harry, you will be able to ask all the questions you want, but let me get through this first," she told him. "I need you to understand."
He huffed. He could hold his temper like his mum.
"Yes, you are the Heir to the House of Potter. James wanted to wait until any child we had to turn fifteen before he talked to you about it. You are eligible, if you want, to claim Scion rights under the Old Ways. Because of his childhood, and how many who adhere to the Old Ways view the world, he didn't want you raised in all that. It took your father a long time to understand how narrow minded many of them are."
"I agreed with him. I do not like all the pomp and bigotry that is infused in many that follow the Old Ways. You are a brilliant young man that does not see the world as many wizards do. Professor Flitwick and McGonagall have written and talked to me about how you talk out against many of the old beliefs and prejudices. I know you have received some detentions for it," she said as he shifted in his chair.
"Don't change, Harry. I am proud that you do that. Your father, after an incident in our fifth year, started to change. He started to see the world more like I have taught you to see it."
She took a few sips of her tea. He stayed quiet, knowing she wanted him to.
"James and Sirius were more than just best mates. They were brothers. Cousins, actually, but your grandparents adopted Sirius after he ran away from home after their fifth year. The point is, they were inseparable. Willing to do anything for the other, and many times they did."
He looked at her confused. He heard the sincerity in her voice.
"Why would he betray dad," he asked, not understanding.
Her eyes were sad and upset. "I don't know, Harry. I can only speculate, and even then I am not satisfied with my own answers, but it is irrefutable what happened that day from the reports."
"What did happen and how do you know," he asked her.
She sighed. "I did not lie to Hermione that I was offered other jobs outside the Ministry when I left Hogwarts. What I didn't say was that I took up a post as an Unspeakable for four years first."
He looked at her wide-eyed. To be an Unspeakable, especially just out of Hogwarts was an accomplishment he never even dreamed of doing. He wasn't even sure what he wanted to do yet, just that he wanted to be Head Boy.
"I was working on a task force trying to counter Voldemort and his Death Eaters. I was called to investigate a battle as Magical Reversal and the Aurors hummed like bees around a busy street in Brighton. My mentor had to escort me from the scene when I saw James. Weeks later, I was given the reports to go through. Sirius Black led James into a trap. It was seven death eaters against them. It was in the middle of a busy street in Brighton. Fifteen muggles died. A building had been reduced to rubble and many others hurt or maimed."
"Muggle authorities blamed it on a gas leak. I know it was from the fight. A few witnesses said they saw James trying to protect a mother and her child when a big black dog ran away."
"That dog was Sirius," he said bitterly.
She nodded. "All signs point to it. I only knew your father's animagus form. He was a marvelous buck. They would not tell me what Sirius and Peter were. I didn't press with what was going on at the time James and I got married. We all thought it best to keep that hidden. Harry, wait. You have to understand. When we graduated from Hogwarts in 1978, the war was already raging. Two of my best friends did not come back our last year. Their entire family had been killed by Death Eaters. Nine people, just gone in a blink of an eye."
To see the sadness in her eyes hurt him. "You and others always said it was bad, but I had no idea," he told her.
"I didn't want you to. The stories I have, the depravity your father and I witnessed at times, it is not something I would ever want anyone to go through. It was in this pandemonium that we got married two days after Graduation. Your father went to work for the Aurors with Sirius. Your Uncle Remus was asked to go with the wolves to work as a double agent. I stayed in contact with Illiana, the only friend from school I had left. Peter was working for Borgin and Burkes as a clerk and delivery man. We were all just trying to survive. No one really knew who to trust, except your closest friends or allies, and even then it could be dangerous."
"After your grandparents were murdered by Death Eaters in our seventh year, James decided to renounce the Old Ways. He did not want a seat on the corrupt Wizengamot and didn't want any child of his to grow up a Blood Purist, which is what Voldemort and his supporters were trying to achieve."
"Mum, not all purebloods are that way," he said, thinking of Luna, Astoria and Neville.
"I know, Harry, but many are." She sighed. "Your grandparents were not supporters of Voldemort, nor were they blood purists, but they did believe that Wizards were at the top of the power structure in the world. James was required to go along with it until he was seventeen. I was there the day he had a large row with his parents over it. That was about a month before they were murdered after Fleamont opposed a Muggle Hunting bill that had made it to the Wizengamot."
He frowned. He always thought his father and grandparents were good people, that was what his mum had always said. Most still talked of them as very progressive and muggle-loving. His House was lumped into the Blood Traitors. He was thinking that progressive and muggle-loving could be relative terms.
"Please do not get me wrong. James' parents very much agreed with our engagement. They were changing their views. The Potters have a long history of Muggleborn marriages, but it had been six generations, meaning the Potters had just regained their Pureblood status and James was the first full Pureblood. His grandparents very much opposed James and I."
Harry blinked. "I thought dad's parents and grandparents were dead at the time," he asked confused.
"Your last great-grandparent from your father's side died about four years ago. They tried to cast you out of the family when you were born, but I am Lady Potter, Head of House until you decide to take up head or not. They had no say."
Harry blinked. His great-grandparents hated him? He hadn't known any of them were alive.
"That is not what I wanted to talk about though. Sirius Black. Your father and I decided to make him Secret Keeper when Potter Cottage went under the fidelius. Then things became progressively worse and James feared that Sirius would be killed with how much they were on the front lines. I convinced him to change our Secret Keeper to Remus. Even though your Uncle Remus was among the wolves, we asked him to help us. Maybe I should have seen it then. James trusted Sirius over all others, even me at times, but James had grown suspicious too. We suspected someone was giving information to Voldemort."
"Dad suspected Black," he asked.
"I rather think he suspected Remus, but since Sirius was with your father most of the time, James thought it best to have someone else to protect the house and me. He wanted a family and to have a safe place for us to live. I trusted Remus in everything, it was what swayed James to name him Secret Keeper."
"Then why would Black betray dad? I don't understand."
She sighed and looked down. "I don't either, but if Sirius hadn't run, then I believe James would have survived."
"If he killed dad, why did he try to hunt down the Death Eaters the next day," he asked.
He knew that story. Everyone did. Black had hunted down two death eaters. There had been a fight in a market alley. Twelve muggles and two Death Eaters were killed. Black had been sent to Azkaban.
"I don't know. Peter Pettigrew had been killed in the fight your father fell in. They found his body under the rubble of one of the buildings. There are things I still don't know about those days. Voldemort fell a few hours after your father was killed. Aurors, Death Eaters and just plain scared people were everywhere."
"You didn't blast Black in the village because you don't want to kill innocent people," he asked.
"I will not be like those monsters. Four of the muggles were confirmed dead by Black's wand in that alley the next day. I always thought him different, but I am not sure anymore."
Harry nursed his tea. He wasn't sure if he was old enough yet to understand all this, but he was certain Black had betrayed his father. "How did Black sell out the Longbottoms?"
"That one is even murkier, but the Ministry is convinced of it. The reports said a black dog matching the same description as the one from Brighton was seen leaving the McKinnen's. They had been murdered, some suspect by Voldemort himself, three days prior."
"The Aurors were convinced Sirius got the information from them. Mary McKinnon had been confirmed later to be the Longbottom's Secret Keeper and they trusted Sirius and James. As you know, once a Secret Keeper is dead, then everyone that knows it now becomes a Secret Keeper."
Again, they were quiet.
"Mum," Harry asked after a little bit.
"Yes, luv," she responded.
"Why isn't the Ministry reporting he is an animagus?"
She let out a heavy sigh. "I can only assume it's the Minister and others trying to cover up their incompetency. I didn't tell you because I thought it might scare you and your friends. I should not have kept that from you."
"You knew what he looked like from Uncle Remus," he stated.
"Only after James was dead. After the fall of Voldemort, many things came out that had been secret." Her eyebrows were furrowed.
They finished their now cold tea. A knock came at their door. "Harry, stay in the house and yard today. I am going to assume that is the Aurors. Only took them forty minutes to make it here," she said in a huff.
Harry frowned. If Black was as dangerous as she said, why would the man have just come up to Harry like that? Why not just kill him?
He also had to agree, there were holes in the story. Looking at the pain in his mum's eyes, he wondered if he was not being given the whole truth yet.
-oOo-
December 24, 1993
Godric's Hollow, England
Harry really did not like dress robes. They were tight around the collar, his wrists felt like they had manacles on them with how closely fitted his shirt was. His mum was looking him over, straightening his lapel and trying to tame his hair. "James used to intentionally muss his hair. I can't ever get yours to go down," she said.
His mum was in a very elegant dark red dress with her hair up and the jewels she only took out for special occasions like this. They were a set of large emeralds on a necklace and earrings that dad commissioned the goblins to make when they were married.
"Luna likes it like this," he told her.
His mum chuckled. "And does Astoria?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. She's never said anything about my hair."
She shook her head and gave up. "Remus should be here any moment. Willow, are you sure you want to take us tonight?"
Willow nodded her head. "Oh, yes, Mistress."
Uncle Remus arrived in a nice pair of dress robes, similar to his. "Lily, are you sure of this," he asked.
"Yes. Illiana invited you. Most of the families who are there will be understanding," she said doing the same thing to him as she had Harry. Harry looked at them. There was something different about the two of them since he had come home last summer. He just couldn't figure out what.
"If I cause you any issues, I will not stay," he told her.
"Oh, posh," she said back to him. "It will be fine. Are you ready, Harry," she asked.
He nodded. "Will I be able to run up and see Astoria and Luna first?"
They looked at him. He had three small boxes in his pockets. "That would be highly improper. Let them introduce us first, and then you can hunt down your friends. Willow, if you please."
They all took one of Willow's hands and a second later, they stood inside an atrium that was twice as large as the one he usually used at the Greengrasses. There were a few other families that were coming out of two large fireplaces or arriving by elf.
"Thank you, Willow."
Their elf nodded and snapped her fingers. Soon they joined a line and then they made it to the front, he was surprised to see that a good forty or more people were already in the Holiday room and more were arriving behind them. Two doors were open to his left that led to a large gallery with tables.
His eyes were drawn to the large tree though. It was tall, easily twenty or more feet, with more decorations than he had ever seen. Most were made of crystal or jewels, sparkling and refracting the candles in the tree. Crystal tinsel was expertly place around the tree and he had to stop himself from spinning like Luna to see the sea of white and rainbows stars that spread around the chamber.
"Luna will love this," he whispered.
"What was that," Uncle Remus asked. Of course, he would hear with his enhanced senses.
"Nothing," he said quickly. Uncle Remus had been very sly and stealthy about his jabs towards him, Luna and Astoria. Tonight, his Uncle seemed too distracted to taunt him.
"The Lord Winters, with Lady Winters and their daughters, Ms. Remer and Ms. Jane," a wizard in page robes called out before them. Two young woman, definitely old enough to be out of Hogwarts, followed their parents.
Harry lined up behind his mum. The few times they had been to events like this, he had been at her side. Tonight, Uncle Remus was. He preferred that. It always felt uncomfortable to escort his mum in.
"The Lady Potter and Scion Potter, with Mr. Remus Lupin," the man announced.
Harry blinked and missed them moving forward. He wasn't a Scion yet, and his mum hadn't used her formal title in years. "Please clear the way for the next guests," the Page said kindly.
He moved forward with a jerk. "Mum, why did they call me a Scion?"
His mum shrugged. "This is a formal affair. It is your proper right at your age."
Uncle Remus looked uncomfortable with all the people around. A few had turned to look at him. He recognized the Patil twins and Roger Davies. "Mum, can I go find Luna and Astoria? Do you see Neville?"
She looked around. "I do not see the Longbottoms yet, but yes, you may go find your girlfriends."
Not expecting it, and feeling slightly flustered with where he was, the heat raced to his face. "They are just my best mates," and to make it worse, his voice cracked again.
His mother's eyes danced with mirth, but she held her tongue, only nodding her head. Uncle Remus didn't seem to notice as he looked straight ahead. Harry took the chance and moved to one of the stairs that led to the Library. A rope was across them and a Page was keeping watch.
"I am sorry, but the upper floors are closed for the night," the woman said to him.
"I just want to see Astoria Greengrass and Luna Lovegood for a few minutes. I am Harry Potter," he told the woman.
She bowed at the waist. "You do have permission." She unlatched the rope and he walked up the circular stairs. He didn't miss Padma and Parvati watching him. He also caught sight of Cho and Marietta. They were about the only younger people he recognized by name. Some others he had seen around school in Slytherin or Hufflepuff colors. There were many Pure or Old bloods here tonight.
The Greenrasses all lived on the first floor in what they called the East Wing. It was down the hall across from the spiraling staircase they typically used. All the living areas the Greengrasses used were on the ground and first floor of this wing. There was a large portal with double doors to the right of the stairs as he walked past, and another flight that led to the second floor. The North wing was not used, nor were most of the rooms between the Main Atrium and the Holiday room.
The manor had a feel as though many more people used to live in it. Harry wondered what had happened to them.
Two porters stood at the open doors to the East wind. "Good evening, sir. Only special guests are allowed up here tonight."
"I am Harry Potter. I was hoping to see Astoria Greengrass and Luna Lovegood."
Again, the one addressing him bowed. "I would ask you to wait here, Scion Potter. Isabella, please inform Lady Greengrass."
The woman bowed slightly at the waist before walking to the end of the hall where the Lord's Chambers were. Harry liked visiting Greengrass Manor, but he felt it was too big. The hall itself was almost as long as the length of Potter Cottage's lawn.
A moment later, Lady Greengrass came out of her rooms. She wore a wide ball gown in a nice periwinkle blue. "Evening, Scion Potter. Should you not be with our guests?" She didn't sound reproachful or upset with him. More amused than anything, as though she had expected this.
"Yes, Lady Greengrass. I was just hoping you could give Astoria and Luna these." He tried hard to keep his face passive. He still felt flustered from his mum. They were just his best friends.
Lady Greengrass looked at him and took the boxes. "May I look," she asked. They were long and thin to hold the necklaces in them.
"Yes."
She opened the one for Luna first, then Astoria. "More of your creations?"
"Yes, ma'am," he said.
"I will just take them in. Would you mind waiting a few moments?"
He nodded. She went to Astoria's room on the left. He stood there as the Pages looked straight ahead. She had not given him permission to enter the Family apartments tonight. It felt like an eternity. He fought the urge to rock on his feet. His mum had taught him how to act a young Gentleman, even if he thought them prats, and he would not disappoint her. He also felt it would disappoint Lord and Lady Greengrass.
As he waited, Lord Greengrass came out of his chambers. He looked to him and walked down. "It appears, Scion Potter, that you stole my wife," he said in a joking manner.
"No, sir. Lady Greengrass went to give Astoria and Luna something from me," he told the man.
Lord Greengrass looked down at him. Harry did his best to meet the man's eyes and hold them. After a moment, Lord Greengrass nodded as though approving.
A page came up to them. "Lord Greengrass, Scion Longbottom is waiting in the Holiday Atrium for Ms. Granger."
"Thank you, Ferdinand. Have all the guests arrived?"
"One hundred and four. There are still eight more names on the list," the Page Ferdinand responded.
Lord Greengrass nodded his head. "We will be down once my daughters and all their friends are ready."
"Very good, sir. I will inform Scion Longbottom."
Lady Greengrass came out of Astoria's room about the same time Daphne and Tracey came out of Daphne's. She walked up to her husband. "You look radiant tonight, my dear," he said to his wife and Lady Greengrass smiled.
"Thank you. Scion Potter, would it be an imposition to ask you to escort Ms. Astoria and Ms. Lovegood?"
His eyes went wide. They were friends. It wasn't like it meant anything, but this was a formal affair. He licked his lips. "If they are willing," he told her.
"Scion Longbottom is waiting to escort Ms. Granger," Lord Anders said to her.
"Scion Potter, if you would wait with Scion Longbottom, we will be to the staircase in the Atrium in just a few minutes.
"Yes, ma'am."
When Harry pulled up along side a nervous looking Neville, he had to admit he was nervous too. "Here," he said pulling the last box out of his pocket. "Hermione should like that."
Besides four Pages, they were the only ones in the Atrium. The noise coming out of the Holiday Room was loud as so many people awaited their hosts. This was so backwards from what they did at home. His mum always taught him to greet all their guests as they came. In a Society Ball, the hosts were usually last, so they could greet their guests all at once.
"What's in here," Neville asked.
"Open it. I made ones for Astoria and Luna, and I thought you might like one for Hermione," he told him.
Neville opened it. On the end of a magically adjustable silver chain was a rose. It was silver at the base and flared out to pink and white tips at the ends of the petals. "Harry, I can't give her this. How much did it cost you?"
"Twelve galleons, fourteen sickles. I had to buy the chain, but the rose I made. It's like Luna's and Astoria's hair pieces. Luster, unbreaking, ownership charms. If you want to change the color, you just say Pigmentum and the color you want. If I got it right, it should change to whatever color you want," he told him. "I just thought Hermione would like one with the other two getting them."
Neville stared at him with an open mouth for a moment. "You did all that?"
Harry shrugged. "I've had some practice now. I'm getting better."
Neville blinked a few times and then shook his head. "Hermione is right."
"About what," he asked.
"You have as much talent as your mother. You could sell these. I have seen things half this shody sell for two or three hundred galleons when Gran is looking for new jewelry," Neville told him.
Harry shrugged. "I do it because Luna and Astoria like them."
They stopped talking as the Greengrasses entered. Harry would see a site that would make up some of his most pleasant dreams for much of his teen years. Luna, the petite of the two girls that caught his eyes, was in a yellow dress that had a few layers of dresses. It was more modern, but it fit her. As she turned, it flared at all the skirts and made her seem more magical than anything he had ever seen. Her hair clip and the new moonflower necklace shown prominently for all to see. Her sky-blue eyes looked satisfied as she caught his eyes.
Next to her, Astoria was a few inches taller. She was as striking as Luna, looking regal and prim in a very flattering dark green dress. Her dark hair was held back with her aster hair clip and the matching aster necklace around her neck was at choker length. Her hazel-brown eyes had a power that drew on his. Years later, he would realize it was that night he had the epiphany the two girls were the two parts of him. Luna the calm and whimsical. Astoria his power and ambition.
It was also the first time he remembered the inkling of hormones that would drive his fantasies of this night for years to come.
Lord Greengrass approached with his wife. "Scion Potter, it is proper protocol not to let the flies into your mouth, and instead ask my daughter and her friend to properly escort them."
Harry shook himself. "Yes, sir," he said with a large squeak to his voice. He felt mortified.
-oOo-
Holiday Room, Greengrass Manor
Luna very much liked how handsome Harry looked tonight. She also liked the warmth of Harry's magic close to her heart.
She smiled to see him dancing with Astoria. How she longed to be in both of their arms, but this was a traditional dance for two and it was Astoria's turn. She watched enchanted balls of mistletoe floating around the ball room. Many couples, young and older, were on the floor, with many around the edges.
Hermione and Neville waltzed by. She was in a flattering red dress with a new necklace. She knew Harry had made it, but it had the feeling of friendship. The ones Harry made for her and Astoria had a feeling of something more.
It was a good feeling to see her cousin so happy. He had had a hard life. Her Great Aunt was not the easiest to get along with and Neville dealt with more than Harry at Hogwarts. It made her heart feel good to see them. It made her heart feel good. The way Hermione tried to hide her feelings was cute to watch. She didn't think Neville would act on his feeling yet, but it was there.
Luna, on the other hand, was starting to realize how she felt for her best friends that were dancing with each other. She would hold back if the fancy hit her.
When the music ended, they separated. Harry bowed. Astoria curtsied. They both looked a little flush. She waited patiently for them to come back. "Would you like another dance," Harry asked.
"A walk would be rather nice," she told Harry.
Astoria fanned her face with her hand. "A walk would be nice. Come with me," she said looking around.
"Where are you taking us," Harry asked as Astoria took both of their hands.
"You'll see," she said with a glean in her eyes.
Luna was looking forward to whatever surprise Astoria had for them. She went to a side door on the hall, opened it, and dragged them through as fast as she could. "Mother and Father leave this open so people can sneak to the roof," Astoria told them. "Not many know about it. The last few years Daphne snuck some firewhiskey up here."
"And do you have some tonight," Harry asked. He looked like he was up to no good.
"I don't know, but we can find out."
She pulled them up a set of stairs and up to a gallery that looked out over the house and grounds. It ran across the peak of the West wing. They saw a few people talking quietly. She thought she saw Cho in a doorway with a dark hair boy as Astoria dragged them along. She looked over her shoulder and Harry smirked. At the end of the gallery Astoria pushed open a door. It opened onto a patio around the large dome that was over the top of the stairway in the main foray. A few lights and more mistletoe were floating around.
Astoria shivered as the cold air hit her. "Arcardelius," Harry said softly. A second later, he repeated it with her. Luna really liked the feel of Harry's magic. Astoria looked at him. Her eyes were a little wide. Harry had done it without a wand. He shrugged at Astoria's look. "It just felt like the right thing to do."
She moved to take his arm. Harry smiled at her before offering his arm to Astoria. "Shall we," he asked and led them to the far side.
They were alone and it was so pleasant to be with Astoria and Harry. Small snowflakes started falling as she nestled into his side. He wrapped his arm around her. Astoria still held his arm with both of hers.
Looking up, she noticed some mistletoe floating towards them. "Harry," she asked.
"Yes, Luna," he said turning to her. The mistletoe passed over Astoria and stopped over Harry.
"Thank you for the necklace," she said before pushing up on her toes and tilting her head. She met his lips. It was her first kiss. He stiffened before slowly pressing his lips into hers. His lips were nice on hers. She felt his power. It didn't last long, but when she pulled back, Harry's green eyes were filled with power. It sent a thrill through her. Astoria looked at them with a wistful smile.
"I should leave you be," Astoria said starting to walk away. Luna reached out for her and pulled her in. Her lips were softer than Harry's, and her power was not as great as Harry's but much more than most. It wasn't long, but Astoria responded after a moment. When she pulled back, her eyes were confused, but her mouth was pouty, as though she wanted more.
Astoria licked her lips. Luna pulled Harry in. "She kisses quite well," Luna said with a smile to see the looks on their faces.
"Luna, what is this?" Astoria still looked confused.
"Mistletoe. I think Astoria would like you to kiss her."
Astoria looked at Harry, who reached out and pulled her in. Astoria didn't protest as he met her lips. Luna's smile broadened. After a moment, she pulled back. Harry looked at them. "I hope it alright," he asked. She felt he was as confused as Astoria. Luna was not.
"I think we should try once more. I rather liked this first kiss," Luna told them before pulling Harry to her again.
-oOo-
Advanced Notes: Year 2 Christmas and on
1) The love story is centerstage. Other events may get glossed over or barely mentioned if it does not revolve around Harry/Luna/Astoria. In reality, most people act this way. If it does not seem to directly affect them, they focus on what they can
2) Story is going to get darker as year 2 ends and year 3 progresses. Blood Purists supported Voldemort and will become more prevalent, as well show more of why Voldemort and his Death Eaters are so feared. Mature rating may be well founded at some point.
3) There will be lemons that may included personal explorations, normal couple, threesome, fem/fem. I don't plan to go into whole chapters on it, or to go into huge details before they get older, but scenes here and there as the three grow, magically, mentally, maturity and sexually, are all part of normal life. That is where I would like to focus. On the three growing up, and all aspects that takes on. It is also why this story is classified Mature.
4) Harry is starting to come into his power. It may be slow for some, but I find it impractical for someone to suddenly know everything overnight. I also find it impractical, even with his power, for a twelve-year-old to go toe-to-toe with experienced duelers or those with many years more knowledge and experience. Nothing in the books suggest that anyone gains knowledge in an instant. He is also straddled with fear of his power. The incident with the boy in Primary School may not be his only demon holding him back.
5) Neville and Hermione: They will become a large part of the story, as can already be seen. Hermione is a little more mellow, mostly because of Lily's training and the fact she has a few friends that get her hyper-intelligence, and encourage her. Unlike in the books at times.
6) Ron and Ginny: I have not totally decided what is going to happen with them. Ginny still has a crush on Neville. Ron still has jealousy issues and the fact he can never seem to own up to his own mistakes. Neither of them will be in Year 2 much. We will see what happens beyond that.
7) Malfoy will become a thorn in the side for Harry and Neville as time goes on. No surprise there.
8) The first floor is actually the second floor in England. The first floor is the ground floor.