Chapter 7: The Summer Solstice
On the 21st of June, 1988, Harry James Potter-Black woke up at six in the morning, too excited to sleep any longer. He didn't bother getting dressed, he knew Mimsy would probably make him change out of whatever he chose anyway. Today, he was going to a party with his Godfather, Sirius and honorary Uncle, Remus. Sirius had assured him there would be many wizarding children there and he might make some friends.
Harry already loved Sirius and Remus very much, and the three of them had settled into a comfortable routine over the last few months. They had family dinner with the Blacks every Sunday –Harry had been especially happy when Dora was able to come while home for Easter break –well, at least, they had dinner with the Blacks they liked. Remus had been helping him write letters to send to Dora at Hogwarts, but it wasn't the same. Harry was used to being alone, but, even though he was always alone at the Dursleys, they had always had another chore for him to do to fill his time. Now, Harry was asked to keep himself and his room neat, but Mimsy didn't let him help with anything else. So, he was growing bored of being alone. And Sirius had promised he could make friends today, so he was very excited indeed.
Yesterday, Remus had told Harry about the Solstice. He said the two solstice days are the most magical days of the year, when the magic in the world is closest and brightest. On these two days, witches and wizards perform the Solstice Rites, a ritual where they thank the earth for their magic and let it fill them –he said it felt freeing, like your magic had been refreshed and renewed. Most families waited to perform any rituals on these days, like the Godfather Rites that Sirius and his parents had done, since any rituals done on the Solstices were at least twice as strong as they would be on any other day.
Harry sat on his bench seat, waiting for the rest of Grimmauld Place to wake up, his eyes closed. Gemma was curled up on his lap, asleep, and Hedwig was eyeing him sleepily from her perch. He could feel the magic, just like Remus had explained. It was similar to the feeling Harry had when his magic liked someone. It was usually strongest with Sirius and Remus, and Mimsy, Gemma and Hedwig, of course. His magic liked Dora next best, and Andromeda and Grandfather too. He also felt connected to the rest of the family, Cassie, Lucretia, Ted and Ignatius, but it wasn't as strong. Remus said this ability was very special, that his magic would help him find his family, his friends; and not everyone knew how to listen to their magic like he did.
Though now in a half doze, Harry still heard the pop of house elf magic when Mimsy arrived. He opened his eyes, looking at her –her hands were on her little hips, her expression stern. "Master Harry be up too early, should be sleeping longer, yes he should," she admonished him.
"Sorry, Mimsy. Too excited," he said, yawning.
"Master Harry be taking a shower, Mimsy will get his robes."
"Yes, Mimsy," he said dutifully.
When Harry returned to his room, he found Mimsy had already left. She had laid one of the nicest robes he owned out on his bed. It was made of acromantula silk, one of the softest and strongest materials known to the wizarding world and had been enchanted with permanent temperature regulating charms. The robes were a striking charcoal color that seemed to glimmer purple when the light slanted across them just right. The trim was a bright cobalt and on the right breast were the crests of House Black and Potter. The shoes she left out were sleek black with cushioning charms in the soles. Once Harry had dressed, Mimsy returned and started on his hair, which only she could ever seem to fix. Sparks of magic danced from her fingertips as she dried his still damp hair and tamed it into a controlled chaos. Then, they popped down to the kitchen.
Sirius and Remus were both still upstairs, but someone else was sitting at the table. "Dora!" Harry cried, rushing up to the older girl, who was eating a huge batch of Mimsy's chocolate chip pancakes. He threw his arms around her, squeezing her tight. She quickly squeezed back, laughing.
"Good morning Harry, it's nice to see you too. Come have some pancakes."
Harry jumped up eagerly to sit next to her. "Are you all done with school?"
"Until September 1st," she said, grinning at him. "I'll be at dinner every Sunday, don't worry."
"Sirius said he'd take me to the zoo next week. Do you want to come too?" Harry asked between large bites of pancakes.
"Sure Harry, you should slow down though, you'll choke yourself," she teased.
Harry stuck his tongue out at her. "Where's your mum?"
"She got called to the hospital, so she sent me here to come with you guys. She might make it back by the Rites tonight, but she's not sure."
When Sirius and Remus finally came down about a half hour later, the two friends were giggling over Dora's many noses.
Harry followed close at Sirius' heels as they made their way from the apparition point. Sirius, Harry, Remus and Dora were walking through a dense patch of woods towards Greengrass Manor –the Greengrasses were a Noble and Ancient Family and they were organizing the Summer Solstice event this year. Remus said only the Sacred 28, the Noble families, were invited –along with the handful of non-Noble Ancient or Most Ancient families who had seats on the Wizengamot, the Ancient Houses of Dumbledore, Brown, Moody and Prince and the Most Ancient Houses of Potter, Lovegood and Bones. Sirius told Harry he wouldn't tell him who he could or could not be friends with, not like his parents had to him, so they would talk about house alliances later –all he should know was there were families that were traditionally light or dark and they generally had different beliefs and tended not to get along, so he should be careful, because some people might try to lie to him. Harry knew what to do though, he would use his magic to guide him.
Harry was watching his feet as they walked, trying not to trip over a root or scuff his new shoes. From behind him he heard Dora exclaim, "Wow." Harry looked up, freezing in place at the sight. Greengrass Manor was huge, much like Black Manor, but its grounds were its most impressive feature. The manor sat above a series of rolling moors; off in the distance was a full Quidditch practice pitch and, on the other side of the estate, there were extensive gardens and a series of large greenhouses. Near the house, a huge raised platform dominated the area, on top of which was a series of tables encircling an open floor space, enough for hundreds of guests –Remus had said yesterday, depending on how many members of each family came, there could be over a thousand here. But Sirius remembered when he was a boy it was generally only a few hundred, only members of the main family line attended. "Honestly," Sirius had told them yesterday, "These parties are more political than anything else. It's why the guest list is made the way it is. The Lord or Regent of the family receives the invitation and they decide who attends."
Sirius chuckled at them, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder to move him along. They hadn't brought Gemma and Hedwig today, and neither was very impressed by their decision, but Sirius was certain that if Hedwig felt that Harry needed her she would show up before long, she had done it before. Their little group moved up towards the party steadily, there were at least a hundred people milling about already. Before they could reach the platform, a little girl stepped directly in front of Harry. She was petite and no older than Harry was, with large, entrancing, silvery-gray eyes and blond hair that reached all the way to her waist. Someone had drawn it back neatly with a pair of pink clips, but now it was falling out and had already gotten a bit straggly. She was smiling at Harry and bouncing on the balls of her feet. Harry liked her immediately.
"Hi, I'm Luna. Wanna come play?" She asked him brightly.
Harry looked up at Sirius pleadingly. He chuckled. "Of course, you can go play, but don't go running off, now –make sure we can see you."
"I'll keep an eye on him, Sirius," Dora volunteered. "I'm not much for political parties."
"Of course not, thanks Dora, off you go then."
Harry hurried off, followed at a more leisurely pace by Dora. Sirius could hear his godson introduce himself to Luna as they scampered off.
"Sirius? Remus?" he heard a voice call his other side. He turned.
"Pandora Lovegood!" he exclaimed, recognizing the woman immediately. "How are you? How's Xeno?"
Pandora Lovegood was a petite woman; like her daughter, her hair was wavy and bright silver-blond and her eyes a sharp, matching silver-gray. "Was that Harry Potter our Luna ran off with?" Pandora asked him lightly.
"Yes," Sirius said. "I should have known she was a Lovegood, she looks just like you. I sent my cousin's daughter off with them, she'll keep an eye on them."
"Don't worry too much, Sirius, you know everyone looks out for the children at these events."
"I know," Sirius sighed. "It's just different being the parent now. And he's only been living with us a few months."
Remus laughed at him. "Never thought I'd hear Sirius Black sounding so responsible," he teased.
"Oh shut up Moony."
"Ah, Sirius," Xenophilius Lovegood said, coming up beside his wife. "How have you been? How is your new charge?" Xeno, though blond like his wife and daughter, was a tall man with strong features, a direct contrast to his petite family.
"He's great, Xeno. Just ran off with your daughter."
Xeno laughed, glancing fondly in the direction the children had run.
Meanwhile, Harry was enjoying the company of his first-ever friend his own age. He thought Luna was amazing. She liked to play pretend, something Harry had never done much of and she had the craziest ideas, he could hardly keep up with her. After an hour of running around, Harry and Luna were sitting in the grass, out of breath. Dora was a few meters away, talking to a few older children, probably students she knew from Hogwarts. The two new friends were resting in silence when a few other children their age loomed over them, shading them from the glaring sun.
Harry looked up, recognizing Draco Malfoy standing there, with another boy and a girl. Draco was his usual self, his blond hair slicked back and a disdainful smirk on his face. The boy to Draco's right was tall and rail thin, with a long nose and brown eyes. The girl had long brown hair, blue eyes and a slightly upturned nose.
"Potter." Draco sneered. "Some families here are better than others." He continued, giving Luna a scathing look. "You need to learn that."
"All the families here are Noble or Ancient families, Draco," Harry returned confidently, glad he had listened to Remus' lesson the day before.
"Maybe so," said the tall boy. "But some families are more powerful than others."
"And you are?" Harry asked.
"Theodore Nott, Noble and Ancient House of Nott," the boy said proudly.
"And I'm Heiress Pansy Parkinson, Noble and Ancient House of Parkinson," the girl interjected importantly.
Harry stood up. "Well, if you know so well who the right families are, then you know I am Harry Potter-Black, Heir of the Most Ancient House of Potter and Heir Presumptive of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. And I can choose my own friends," Harry answered, staring at them stubbornly.
The three children exchanged looks, Pansy shaking her head at whatever she saw on Draco's face. She and Nott turned to leave, Draco following soon after. "You'll regret this, Potter," he said as they left.
"Not likely," Harry muttered.
Luna leaped up and squeezed him in a tight hug. "I've never had a friend before!" she said, and to Harry's surprise, she was crying.
"I don't like bullies Luna, and I know a good friend when I feel one."
"Feel one?" she said curiously. "Harry!" she said excitedly, leaping up to stand next to him. "Can you feel friends with magic?"
Harry nodded. "That's how I found my familiars."
Luna hopped up and down in excitement. "You should see if there are any other friends here, Harry!"
Harry shrugged in agreement. "Alright," he said, closing his eyes. It took him a while to work through all the ambient magic around them, it had been overwhelming all day and he wasn't entirely sure he would have found Luna on his own, if she hadn't come right up to him. "I think I feel a few, but there's one, stronger than the others, and it feels like, like..." he trailed off, concentrating. "Like she's sad."
"Then we have to find her Harry, and we can help her too!" Luna insisted.
"OK, Luna, let's go."
Harry weaved through the crowd with Luna's smaller hand grasped in his. She was the same height as him, but after months of nutrient potions, he was finally bigger than her. Andromeda assured him it was only a matter of time before he grew tall too; Harry hoped she was right, he didn't like always being the smallest boy. He grasped tightly with his magic to whoever they were looking for, concentrating hard to block out the crowd's interference. He hoped Sirius and Remus wouldn't be too mad that they had left Dora behind. (Though Harry did not notice, Dora had seen them leave and was following at a distance, waiting to see where they were headed.) They came up close to the manor house and then went around to the right side. Turning the corner, they found a small courtyard with benches and flowers in neat rings. On the far side, there was a girl about their age sitting on a bench. Dora paused at the corner of the house, just within sight, but out of earshot of the three children.
The girl was about the same size as Harry. She had impossibly vivid crystal blue eyes and silky, straight, brown hair, the color of chocolate. Harry thought her eyes were as pretty as Luna's, even though she was crying. When she saw them approaching her, she stiffened, her expression straightening into an emotionless mask. She wiped her tears dry. "Go away," she said shakily.
"I can't go away," Harry said. "My magic found you, don't you feel it?"
She shook her head, confused by his response.
Harry took one of her hands. "Close your eyes," he said. "And feel inside you. You know that feeling right before you have accidental magic? Feel for that."
The girl was quiet for a long moment, then she opened her crystal blue eyes to look deep into Harry's. "Wow," she murmured. "I have never felt magic like that before, how did you do that?"
"The magic is strong today, and I was pulling on yours," Harry told her.
"You can pull magic?" she asked in surprise.
"Sometimes, when I'm connected to someone. It's –my magic just likes certain people. It likes you. I'm Harry by the way, Harry Potter-Black. This is Luna Lovegood."
The girl smiled widely at him, her hand still in his. "I'm Daphne, Daphne Greengrass."
Daphne, Luna and Harry did not truly understand what had happened, but they knew they were meant to be friends. The three were completely inseparable for the rest of the day. They willingly met the other children, but never left each other's sides, not even for a moment. Harry thought Neville Longbottom might be a good friend, but was too shy to talk to Harry much. Ron Weasley and Ernie MacMillan were a little too loud for him, but nice enough, he supposed. For whatever reason, though also loud, Harry much preferred Ron's older twin brothers, Fred and George. Daphne's little sister, Astoria, and Ginny Weasley both thought he was some sort of hero, which he didn't much like. He avoided speaking to Pansy, Draco and Theodore again, but he didn't mind Millicent Bulstrode or Hestia and Flora Carrow, though they didn't seem much interested in being friends, even though Daphne was sort of friendly with Millicent. He found Lavender Brown a bit annoying, but Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott, who were best friends, were very nice. They didn't speak to any of the Hogwarts age children, who thought they were all babies anyway.
All in all, Harry was happy. He held tight to his new best friends' hands during the Solstice Rites, Daphne on his right and Luna on his left and he could feel his friends' magic hugging him long after they had finished the Rites and he had left for Grimmauld Place.
They left to return home at midnight, Remus carrying Harry to the Greengrass apparition point –meaning Harry was asleep by the time they returned home, so he hadn't had time to tell Sirius and Remus about his new friends. In the morning, when Mimsy brought him down to breakfast, (he had been allowed to keep his pajamas on today) he found that Dora had spent the night as well. He smiled tiredly at her and sat down to eat his eggs.
"Good morning, Harry," she said happily. Her hair was electric blue today and lay in a long mane down her back.
"Morning, Dora. Cool hair."
She grinned at him, taking a big bite of her breakfast. It wasn't long before Sirius and Remus joined them.
"Morning, Harry. Now, tell me about those lovely ladies of yours," Sirius said mischievously.
Harry scowled at him, blushing. "Well," he said, keeping his eyes on his breakfast as he mumbled an answer. "Luna found me and my magic found Daphne. She was sad."
"Sad?" Remus asked.
Harry nodded. "That's how I found her, even though there was too much magic to find more people like I did with Gemma and Hedwig. She needed us."
"You and Luna?"
"Yeah," Harry said, taking another bite.
"So, I know Luna is Luna Lovegood, who is Daphne?" Sirius asked him.
"Greengrass," Harry answered.
"Ah, the hostess herself. Did you meet the other children your age, Harry?"
He nodded. "I liked some of them, and some not," he said, scowling. "I still don't like Draco, or his friends."
Sirius nodded. "Who did he have with him?"
"Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson."
"Harry told them off when they tried to tell him not to be friends with Luna," Dora cut in brightly.
Harry blushed again and ducked his head.
"Good man, Harry," Sirius said, choking back a laugh at his godson's expression.
"And what did you think of the others, Harry?" Remus asked, moving the conversation away from Harry's embarrassment.
"Hmm," Harry thought over his answer for a moment. "I liked Neville Longbottom, but he was really shy. And Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott, they're best friends. I guess Ernie MacMillan and Ron Weasley are alright, but they were a bit too… loud. I liked Ron's brothers though, Fred and George, they were great. The others were nice, but I don't think we'll be friends."
"That sounds great Harry, well, we can invite Luna and Daphne over soon, if you'd like," Sirius said.
Harry grinned happily at his godfather.