Dudley had grown three inches this fall. Petunia had to continually buy him new clothes, he was almost as tall as she was. His hair was now down to shoulders as befitting a Wizarding Heir. He was, she thought, turning into a very handsome lad. His temperament was gregarious and jolly, no signs of the distressing bullying he had shone back on Privet Drive. He had many friends of all ages.

His teachers told her he was a natural leader, which made her so proud she feared she might pop. So many years of constant low level worry and fear for him dissipated. Arcturus treated him like a son, showing him kindness and attention that would help him be a better man. His magical strength was in charms and, not surprisingly, battle magic. Dudley had a head for figures and would probably do well in the financial realm. He took extra tutoring in muggle mathematics.

After their first year of magical school, Arcturus wanted them to take muggle subjects also, with a view to attending Cambridge or Oxford. Arcturus wanted family members with a good idea of how the muggle world worked.

Harry was quieter and studious, though he was a breakneck broom rider. He had grown two inches and was slim but wiry. He also had many friends, but he was by nature shy and detail oriented. Arcturus said that he would be an excellent Potion's Master, Enchanter or Rune Smith when he got older. He and Milly had a strong, seamless relationship. When together they radiated comfort and joy, and others were drawn to them. They communicated with no words. Arcturus confided to her that Harry had Mage level power, a rare thing. Stronger than the feared Voldemort, stronger than Dumbledore.

Petunia was so glad and thankful for Arcturus, Who else could raise a boy like Harry, after the events of the past? She shuddered to think what anger and depression would do to a powerful, neglected wizard child.

She had to see her boys. "Silvi, where are my boys?"

"Dudley, Luna and Neville are having a riding lesson on the Abraxans. Harry and Milly are in their lounge playing with the kittens."

"Come, Cami. Let's go see your brothers."

"Budders!" Cami cheered.

They stopped at Harry and Milly's lounge. The two had moved into a large two-bedroom suite. They each had a private bath, the lounge full of cushy furniture, and a study with two desks. Milly was a serious student, like Harry.

The Norwegian Kneasel kittens were huge fluff balls already. The female, Lunette, was white with pale gray stripes and a ringed tail and bright blue eyes. The male, Rudy, was an orange tabby with an exceptionally fluffy chest and tail, and bright green eyes. Milly and Harry had every intention of having kittens in a few years, so had chosen their pets carefully. They were highly magical.

"We're going outside to watch Dudley ride on the Abraxan."

Milly and Harry got their coats and the kittens decided to join them. "We had our lesson earlier. Gruff will only work with three riders at a time."

"I rode Ysabel. She's the most beautiful horse ever!" Milly said.

Dudley and his friends were learning how to turn and circle on the flying horses.

"Hi Mom!" Dudley yelled. "You should try this!"

Petunia laughed. "Maybe someday!"

They watched the lesson. When it was over Petunia invited them all for a cup of cocoa in the gazebo. The riders were expected to unsaddle and care for the horses they rode. Luna and Neville gave their regrets, they were both going shopping after the lesson.

Silvi brought cocoa with marshmallows and Christmas biscuits.

"Have you been learning about Solstice?" Petunia asked.

The boys and Milly nodded, munching.

"On Solstice morning I would like to do something. Just us. Milly, too of course. I was thinking of taking baskets of fruits and nuts to the forest to leave for the birds and beasts. A kind of thank you, to magic. We have had an amazing year and magic has blessed us."

"Our lives are waaay better," Dudley agreed. "I just had a lesson on a flying horse! And I'm not a fat pig anymore."

Harry nodded. "I am happy now." He smiled at Milly, who smiled back. "It's important to give back. Uncle Arcturus showed me how to find the enchanted places in the forest. We could spread food there. Did you know there are tree people? Dryads!"

"I didn't know that. Maybe we should research what they would like as gifts?" Milly said.

"Yes!" said Harry with enthusiasm. Dudley rolled his eyes but grinned.

Petunia gave them all a hug and kiss. "You are such good kids!"

"Cami kiss kiss!" The toddler, adorable in a pink coat with a white fluffy collar and hat, held up her arms. Harry laughed and picked her up, giving her a loud smooch on the cheek before handing her over to Petunia.

Argent Lovegood had made quite a bit of money harvesting in the Old Bohemian Forest. To his surprise he met no other foragers other than an old squib women, Margretha.

She was collecting plants to add to her garden. She invited Argent for tea, and he walked through her garden on the edge of the forest in amazement. Centuries old, she had herbs and flowers so rare Potion Masters would nearly kill for them. Her hut was magical and adapted for a squib by her daughter, a healer in Prague.

"This is amazing. What life's work," he said in awe.

"My family is descended from an ancient line of wood witches. Most died in the Burning Times, but this forest hid my family. I'm preserving rare ingredients from the Old Forest."

"I honestly can't think of a more noble calling."

"Would you like to purchase my home? I am elderly, you know. My daughter has no interest in living in the forest, devoted to a magical garden. She wishes me to live in Prague with her."

The old woman handed him tea and a jar of wild honey. He could feel the magic swirling in the honey.

"I asked the Lord of the Forest to send me a buyer. The right buyer for the garden. Are you willing to take starts and seed back to the forest for replanting?"

Argent nodded. "I am that buyer." He knew it, deep within. "And I would be thrilled to help preserve the forest."

She smiled. "The Forest kin will help, once I introduce you. Also, I have old journals and grimoires. My daughter will copy them for you, she has the magic."

His thoughts turned to his years of making dark potions for his masters. This new life would finally clear that blackness on his soul. He had a sudden vision of himself, an old white haired man with bright-eyed grandchildren, sitting at this very table. Boudacia sat on perch by a window with blue curtains. Harvest, or a descendant, stretched out by the fire.

Telling Henreitta was the hardest part. Their nightly meals had made them good friends, perhaps on the cusp of something more.

"Henrietta, I will be leaving for Prague for a few days. I plan to sell the caravan and purchase Margretha Gode's cottage."

She dimpled. "Margetha Gode is my great aunt. The cottage is adorable, and she is a fabulous gardener. I am glad that you will be staying, and she will be safe with Avrielle in Prague."

He was moved into his new home, with a small stone shed he could make into a lab, by November. The lab was a success, it was bright and airy, quite a bit different than what he was used to in the dungeons. Many potion Masters preferred to be above ground with plentiful ventilation available. He began making wolfsbane and several other rare medical potions that many potions masters had not mastered. He made a fine living.

Henreietta gifted him blue curtains for the cottage and lab windows as a house welcoming gift. On cold snowy days he was reminded of the blue skies of summer, and of grandchildren.

Some nights he and Henrietta ate together at his table instead of at the local inn, especially when the snow began to fall.

One night as they at grilled cheese sandwiches and beef vegetable soup an eagle owl arrived.

"Ahh, it is from the Head of my family. A wedding on Boxing Day. Lord Arcturus Black, our family holds vows of fealty to him. It will be lovely wedding. Would you like to accompany me? I must warn you, you will need dress robes."

"I would love to accompany you. I was planning a trip to Prague soon. I will get new dress robes."

On the morning of the Solstice, just as the sun rose, Petunia, her boys and Milly walked into the woods. Cami slept in a magical pram dressed in a sunny yellow snowsuit. Harry worry bright yellow dress robes, Milly had a flouncy dress to match, plus a white fur robe for warmth. Dudley wore orange with military-like gold braid. Dudley, Harry and Milly proudly floated large baskets of gifts into the forest.

Tiny glass jars of wine and jelly, apples, nuts strewn on the ground. Grain sheaves tied with yellow ribbon. Yellow and orange roses in small garlands to hang on branches. Dried jerky, and boiled eggs for those that needed protein. Cami woke and threw nuts everywhere.

They moved from enchanted area to enchanted area. Towards the end of the giving time Petunia began to see a golden glow on the gifts and the gifters.

"Do you see that? The glow?"

Harry laughed. "The magic is happy with us."

Petunia decided to have a wedding that was reminiscent of the Midnight Garden. Her gown would be a pale silver acromantula silk scattered with tiny diamond studs. The sweetheart neckline was lined with fluffy silver swan's down, as were the cap sleeves, in honor of the season. It was a muggle sheath style with a flounce below the knees. She felt it was befitting a widow woman of her age, plus it set off her figure without being vulgar in any way. Cissy insisted she take pictures wearing it to make sure it was photogenic. "Because, Pet, the entire wizarding world is going to see this dress for decades."

In her hair, instead of a veil, she would wear a silver and diamond crescent moon tiara from the Black Vaults, with silver ribbons and tiny flowers covering her hair. Silvi practiced her hair in several styles with the tiara so it would be absolutely perfect for the wedding.

The weeks preparing for Christmas and the wedding was so busy. "I should have waited," she said to Cissy, Andi and Mimosa over tea in a hotel suite after a marathon shopping day and dress fittings in Paris.

"Nonsense. Muggle Boxing Day is perfect for a wedding," Andi said.

"Yes, but I had no idea about wizarding Solstice!"

"All the ladies Black can plan that," Narcissa dismissed her fears. "The important thing for you is to choose a dress for Solstice. Traditional colors, evergreen, snow white, gold and yellow for the sun, holly red. Sun motifs, holly and evergreen will be the decor."

"Oh, good. It will look nothing like my wedding decor."

"Wear yellow," Narcissa suggested. "That fabulous golden topaz jewelry hasn't been worn in thirty years."

Petunia agreed immediately. She sent a note off to her Paris Wizarding Designer. She could take care of that while in town.

The Wedding

Arcturus and the boys were wearing dress robes reminiscent of a seventeenth century fairy tale. Arcturus matched her in silver. Dudley was in icy blue, Harry in icy mint green and Gore in icy lavender. Milly, Narcissa and Mimosa matched them, all in different styles of floaty organza and silk chiffon.

Narcissa chose a high-waisted style that actually hid nothing but was pretty nonetheless. Twins on a stick thin woman were hard to hide. Petunia had nixed the idea of a glamour. "I want the real you, Cissy. Baby belly and all."

The ceremony was set for evening, followed by a late dinner and ball. Dinner would be a buffet style with three dining rooms open for the overflow, plus several sitting rooms, including two meant for young people and children.

It was going to be a huge event, nearly a thousand guests. Black family, allies, their friends, political contacts, foreign world leaders of the Wizarding World and even a representative from Her Majesty the Queen of England's Court.

Petunia kissed the bridesmaids and Cami, her flower girl and ring bearer on the cheek as the string quartet began.

"Walk down to Daddy," Petunia whispered to her tiny daughter. "Like we practiced."

Cami didn't exactly walk. She skipped and twirled, hopped and leaped, her beribboned basket with the rings waving through the air. Magical glowing petals flew off her silver and mixed pastel dress. Layers of chiffon floated about her as she giggled and said hi to her friends. In her hair was a tiny tiara similar to Petunia's. Flower girls were not common in wizard weddings but after this, would be. A photographer nearly wept with delight as he took the commissioned photos.

The edges of the huge Ballroom were lined with large Christmas trees, they were spelled with magical ice and snow so that they glittered. A type of glowing pastel fairy filled the branches in lieu of glass lights, a gift from the Lovegoods, who had colonies on their estate.

Pastel colored shiny balls in mint green, pale blue, glittering white, silver pale pink and lavender covered the trees, each with a magical glow. Goblin crystal balls and dangles caught the lights. Large bouquets of the midnight blossoms were collected and spelled to remain fresh, many of them live plants that would later be put back into the Midnight Garden.

The floor softly glowed with silver light so that later the couples dancing would be able to see each other. Narcissa had showed her a glittery mist similar to tiny snowflakes, to flow through the air giving the ballroom a wintry look, though it was warm enough not to feel wintry at all. The mist loved Cami and followed her everywhere.

The bridesmaids walked sedately, and then Petunia entered on Dudley's arm. Dudley's had clips in his hair commissioned by Arcturus as a gift, with crescent moons made of diamonds instead of snakes. Harry and Arcturus had switched to diamond stars instead of the snakes, stars being more reflective of House Black.

The wedding went by like a dream for Petunia. She remembered how handsome Arcturus looked, smiling. Cami twirling. How proudly Dudley handed her to Arcturus. Harry's brilliant eyes and smile.

Remus Lupin performed the ceremony with dignity and the magical marriage binding flashed in a glow of silver and drifted into spangles that clung to the wedding party.

The werewolf became the in-demand minister for wizarding weddings for the rest of his life.

Arthur Weasley, as Master of Ceremonies, impressed so many high profile wizards and witches he was elected as Minister of Magic two years later.

Andi made a contract for valuable plants and potions with Argent Lovegood.

Mimosa Burke and Xeno Lovegood married quietly in Black Bay village. They had a son a few years later, Lunaris Lovegood.

Argent Lovegood and Henrietta slow danced every dance at the reception and were declared to be a most romantic couple. The children especially loved Henrietta, who had a toy for each child from a velvet bag. They married in Argent's garden in the spring. Four children followed, Johan, Ulrich, Etta and Liesl. Two became potion's masters and two became toymakers.

Flitwick married Madame Rosemerta and had four children.

Pomona Sprout and Horace Slughorn married. They adopted two daughters of a Death Eater couple when one arrived at Hogwarts as a first year, obviously abused, and their parents were jailed. The kind, jolly parents helped the girls heal. Pomona always said it was her pale blue gown, tailored by Narcissa's elves, that made her catch his eyes at the Black Wedding. She was married in it, also.

Hogwarts reformed and became the school it always should have been. In their fourth year, Harry and his classmates attended Hogwarts though their Newts.

Black Towers became both a primary school, and a small Wizarding University headed by Master Enchanter Aberforth Dumbledore. University students could work in the primary school for tuition.

Petunia didn't miss the boys as much as she expected because she had a new baby, Lyra Lily Black, the summer before the boys left for Hogwarts. She went to muggle art school and opened a wizarding art gallery and museum in Black Bay Village.

Harry and Milly had six kittens when they were thirteen. They were in high demand. They were sorted into Ravenclaw while Dudley went to Slytherin. All three were on their House Quidditch teams, Harry as seeker, Milly as chaser and Dudley as Keeper.

Harry refused to allow his image to be used for commercial purposes, but in their seventh year a Witch Weekly photographer captured a picture of Dudley and Draco in their green Slytherin Quidditch robes, congratulating Neville, the Gryffindor keeper, on the win of the House Cup. It was titled The Three Blonds of Hogwarts and sold like hotcakes. The proceeds went to St. Mungo's Long Term Care facility, run by Neville's parents.

~The End~

Author's Note:

Thank you all for reading! Writing this story was a pleasant light experience in dark time. I hope all the fluff gave you a moment of happiness.

I may one day return to this 'world' of the Black Towers, since I loved it.

I have a new story, to start posting in January. It will be a romance with Harry and the girl from the diner. It will feature a cool Ron.

Nightmelody