Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own OC, non-canon magic, etc.

A/N: Hello my lovely readers! Thank you kindly and here is my Happy Valentine's/St. Paddy's Day/Easter gift to y'all! You keep me creative and going. So, I hope you enjoy! Keep R&R it keeps up the currency. I'm not giving up. Just late _!

XLVIII: Invitations

Petunia Evans Dursley's kitchen window overlooked her nice, normal, dare we say, boring lawyer neighbors. Yet, for some strange reason, this woman deemed them worthy of her small mind.

"Oh! Oh, look, Vernon!" She practically danced on her toes.

Her walrus of a husband arched a dark brow at his blonde wife over his morning paper.

"Yes, Pet?" he queried, sharing a manly look with his whale-sized 'big-boned,' son eating his eleventh pancake.

"The Wilsons have a brand new red car!" She squealed. "Can you believe it?"

Now Vernon was curious. He rose and practically shook the foundation as he made his way over to his wife to peer over their kitchen window.

Blinking slowly, the man paused.

"Yes, Pet," he agreed. The small wheels of his mind turning fast with an abundant sense of self-righteousness. "That's a very nice red car…" he muttered.

Immediately, the walrus man thought how much he deserved a new red car. Mine will be bigger. He thought sagely, automatically calculating the amount from Freak's allowance. Vernon knew Petunia wanted a new mink coat for Christmas and Dudley had to get a Gameboy. Whatever that is. He thought as he continued to peer at the Wilsons driveway.

He shared a knowing look at his simpering, gleeful wife.

Mrs. Jean Sarah Granger a.k.a. Jeanie overlooked her garden view from her kitchen window.

I wonder how Hermione's getting on with that apology. She thought, her maternal instinct at odds with her sense of fair play. She discussed Hermione's latest foray into schoolyard rules with her husband, Dr. Michael Granger, during dinner.

"Oh, you're absolutely right, Jeanie." He told her in-between bites. "I don't know anything about this friend of hers but that was downright rude of Hermione."

"Indeed," she agreed, perplexed. "I just wished we were allowed to visit!" They shared an angst-filled discussion for the umpteenth time in a row. In a 'normal,' circumstance they would have pulled Hermione out of the school and had her go someplace else.

"For all the money we're spending, seems fitting." She muttered under her breath as she walked outside to the atypically sunny day in Crawley.

A huge Blackiston Fish Owl's wing shadow spooked the Mugglewoman, before she realized he carried a fancy invitation in its beak. Much to her further surprise, the giant owl inclined his head, and waited.

"My goodness!" She started, before she carefully took the thick envelope. "Please wait here." She told it, feeling mental. "I don't like feathers in the house."

Of course, whenever Hermione borrows Harry's owl, she does the same thing. The lady of House Granger got a letter opener from her kitchen desk and carefully unsealed the thick parchment from the ornate black wax seal showing a fearsome basilisk intertwined with a raven across a fleur-de-lis backdrop. Their names were elegantly written in a hand that made Jeanie Granger want to frame it.

With matching letterhead, the script read:

The Lord & Lady Black of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black invites Dr. Michael Granger & Madame Jean Granger of House Granger for tea on Saturday, the 12th of September, 1992 at four o'clock in the afternoon.

We would be delighted if you should attend. Please summon our House-Elf, 'Kreacher,' and he will transport your to Our Estate.

Serena Helena Black
Lady of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black

Stunned, Jeanie Granger stared at the beautiful parchment. She immediately went to her secretary and took out her best stationery. No way am I messing up this opportunity. Her dark eyes brightened in anticipation. She must be Harry's new godmother. She smiled, as she penned a response slowly in her cursive. Nothing like Lady Black's penmanship.
 She handed her letter to the giant owl and watched him fly. Giving herself a little shake, she returned to her house she rummaged through their closets to find the best clothes to having a tea party.

Xenophiles Lovegood* adjusted his cravat and lace sleeves. He wore the Lord Lovegood's jewelry and a Ravenclaw blue-colored robe. His platinum hair was brushed to perfection and tied neatly in a long ponytail.
He was nervous, but excited. The tall wizard plucked from his own greenhouse of the late Lady Lovegood, sterling rose bouquet mixed with ivy, as his hostess gift.
No idea if she likes purple. He thought in askance, he loathed removing any flower from Pandora's garden. But Pandora would've done so…we are so rarely invited for anything outside of official business.
Clearing his throat, he summoned Kreacher.
The House-Elf eyed him professionally, and bowed, before silently offering his hand.

Séraphine finished putting her few touches in the Formal Drawing Room, she wore a mixture of her black and platinum with a sterling rose brooch. The House chimed for her to greet her guest. Their finest china on display.

I'm glad Sirius wanted the oxblood red accents. She admitted privately to herself. If she could have her druthers she would make certain rooms more feminine. Putting her Pureblood Lady smile to good use as she recalled The Quibbler magazine's latest articles.

She made her way to the foyer. "Good afternoon, Lord Lovegood." Séraphine greeted, her eyes widening at the gorgeous display of sterling roses and ivy bouquet.

"Good afternoon, Lady Black." Xenophiles blushed slightly, pleased his gift made an impact.

The witch gave him a genuine smile and immediately thanked him and smelled the roses matching her enameled brooch.

"Do come in," she signaled. Xenophiles looked around the opulent display of masculine wealth and power. His own magic sensing how fundamentally above him in rank they were despite being a part of the Sacred 28.*

Immediately, she made her way to a purple vase and placed a quick Aquamenti Charm on it, and displayed it on the over-large tilt-top table for tea.

"How did you guess, Lord Lovegood?" She teased, her eyes genuinely filled with joy.

Xenophiles smiled shyly, before answering. "My late wife, Pandora, grew them in our greenhouse," he volunteered. "They were her favorites, and I…know she would've liked to share them."

Séraphine's eyes softened. He's still grieving her. The witch had done her homework on the late Lady Lovegood. Pandora was a well-respected Potioneer and kept the House of Lovegood alive and running. Without an Heir or his daughter marrying well and producing a minimum of two sons then it would be up for Line Extinction.

"I'm deeply touched, Lord Lovegood." She ventured sincerely, her hand on her heart. "I consider flowers to be a treasure and a feast for the eyes."

Xenophiles blushed, before inclining his head. "Thank you for inviting me, Lady Black, will I be meeting Lord Black as well?"

The witch nodded. "He should be arriving in time for dinner," she told him. "I hope you will be joining us?"

"If it isn't much trouble, My Lady," he answered graciously.

"We would be delighted." Séraphine said sincerely. "Do tell me about this Stubby Boardman?" her eyes danced.

Harry James Potter made his way toward Hermione Jean Granger. "Hello Hermione," he greeted her carefully. He really wanted to talk to her privately. Especially, considering the nonsense with his Housemates.

"Hello Harry," she echoed softly, her dark eyes filled with trepidation and she worried her lower lip.

"May I have Luna join us for lunch?" Harry asked her steadily.

Nodding, the Muggleborn witch followed Harry, as he led her outside during their free period.

"I tried to apologize Harry," Hermione blurted. "I ruined it."

Harry sighed.

"Hermione," he began softly. "You're my best friend." He eyed her carefully, his bright emeralds conveying a combination of guilt and disappointment. "I want to be friends with Luna because…" his brows crinkled. "I think she could use a friend." He pursed his lips. "I saw her being bullied by her own house." His eyes practically brewing an Unforgivable Curse. "I can't imagine being alone in the Magical World like that." Sighing again, "You know you're my best friend and that won't change. And, I do know what it's like not to have a mum." Harry said quietly. "Please, don't make me choose between you two. I really like her company. Sure, I don't know anything about Wrackspurts, but come off it, that was just mean-spirited of you—and you're better than that Hermione—sometimes being right isn't the same thing as being kind. And, you've always been….really nice, My."

The young witch lowered her head in shame, bushy curls flying in all directions. "I didn't know that about Luna at all…I just," she sighed. "I'll try again, Harry, but I think you'll need to help me."

Harry smiled faintly at her. "I'd be happy to repay all the times you've helped me." The boy wizard explained quietly about Luna's mother and what he witnessed. It made Hermione feel low and mean. She blushed at Harry's assessment. I've always been nice?

She still felt she was right. That there were, in fact, no such things as the magical creatures like the ones Luna mentioned.

But, she could concede: Harry made a good point.

References:

Xenophiles Lovegood: I think he's like a calmer, blond version of Liberace, don't you?!

Lovegood Magic: I think they're high up there. But, in my world-building I'd say the HoB is closest to the Royal Family. Like they are a step below (Duke, duchess). Versus HoL is more (Baron/baroness).