Chapter 5

June 11, 1988

In East Finchley, a leafy northwest neighborhood of London, Walter and Danielle Stone live in a three-bedroom cottage. Like most Saturday mornings, the two laze about in bed silently enjoying one another's company. All too often a seemingly never ending list of obligations fills their days, and nights quickly bleed into day resetting the cycle. But with love abound in small heartfelt gestures and unwavering mutual support to pursue their dreams, they stay one mind and one heart.

With one last brush of fingers against her cheek and a smoldering kiss, Walter hops into the shower leaving the master bath's door partially cracked.

Lingering in bed, Danielle shifts position to recline against a few pillows and turns her gaze upon the garden. In truth, garden is an exaggeration. For now, it is only a 25 x 12 foot space beset by overgrown bushes and a concrete patio that encroaches into the greenery, but already a myriad of possibilities easily overlap the current image. From wild to more manicured floral arrangements, the transformations all revolve around creating a serene garden oasis separate from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Stray thoughts of youthful adventures traipsing in the countryside and one particular large placid pond offset by a picturesque willow tree with sprawling roots bring dual feelings of nostalgia and bitter resentment.

Before an ever present turmoil trembling beneath the surface can grab hold again and drag her down into depression, she hears the off-key tunes of her husband singing in the shower.

"You've got the right stuff, baby

Love the way you turn me on

You've got the right stuff, baby

You're the reason why I sing this song

All that I needed was you..."

Walt's baritone voice reminds her of the life they built together. A life based on trust, devotion, and acceptance. Though nearly two decades passed since she turned 11, the crushing disappointment in not receiving a Hogwarts letter still haunts her today. From growing up amidst magic, totally entrenched in the wizarding world's culture to immediate immersion into a foreign world filled with inferior, half-witted brutes was a devastating upheaval. Ironically, all the aspersions cast towards muggles would be more appropriately aimed at her parents for abandoning their flesh and blood simply because she is a squib.

Remembering the mantra that helped her find self-acceptance and finally embrace her status as a squib, she utters, "That was then; this is now. That was there; this is here. That was yesterday; this is today. I'm strong and capable, and I love myself."

Once again centered and ready to face the day, Danielle hears tapping over by the window. A mottled brown, short eared owl perches on the other side intently staring at her. Quickly shifting the covers, she strides towards the window and opens it allowing plenty of room for entry. The owl flaps its wings a few times to get closer then extends a leg displaying a well-used black pouch for payment. Grabbing a few sickles from the night table, she pays the subscription fee and retrieves the Daily Prophet newspaper. With the transaction complete, the delivery owl flies away.

Hopping back in bed to catch up with the latest happenings in wizarding society, Danielle enjoys her Saturday morning routine. Time passes unnoticed until Walt exits the master bath bare chested with a towel wrapped low on his hips. While walking into the master closet, he slightly raises his voice to say, "Dani, I'm going for a jog at Cherry Tree Wood. Don't forget Harry is coming by later around 2 pm for lunch. Do you need me to stop by the grocer and pick up anything on my way back?"

As Danielle folds the paper in thought to inventory the pantry, she eventually shakes her head before remembering that she's not in Walt's line of sight. Less than three minutes pass before Walt returns in jogging apparel and sits at the end of the bed waiting for her response.

"No honey, I have everything, but thanks for asking. Just make sure your cute bum is home with plenty of time to shower and dress in suitable attire before our lunch guest arrives."

Walt starts heading to the door all the while smirking in amusement and jokingly says, "Of course, of course love, I'm the quintessential gentleman of propriety and punctuality."

Catching him by surprise, Danielle lunges across the bed then swats his behind and retorts, "Don't be cheeky and definitely don't be late!"

The flirtatious banter triggers a full belly laugh from Walt as he finally exits the room.

Danielle reopens the newspaper absently thinking who would have thought that I'd have Harry Potter, savior of the UK wizarding world, over for lunch.

August 15, 1988 (M) Squib introduction and outreach into the wizarding world.

A curious afternoon lunch to finally meet Harry, the boy who continually pops up in conversation with Walt, and personally observe their dynamics unexpectedly transformed from a duo to trio. Coincidentally, Harry bonded with Walt over their love of architecture whereas my passion for horticulture sparked his and even enabled a remarkable discovery. While nature already affords a soothing effect, now Harry and I easily sink into a meditative state when performing simple repetitive tasks.

The constant threat of falling into depression seems to have magically lifted. There's no doubt that without his unwitting intervention this foray into occlumency, closing one's mind to intrusion and compartmentalizing emotions as well as memories, would be impossible. Year after year of rote gardening miraculously changes over night to cause a restful night sleep devoid of nightmares and painful unwanted memories?

No, the mere presence of a young boy who practically radiates power is the cause of my relief.

Typically, squibs have a passive relationship with magic. They can see through muggle repelling charms and even benefit from taking potions, but active manipulation is wholly beyond their grasp - until now.

Today among fellow squibs, our group doesn't commiserate over being ostracized by family or the challenges faced while attempting inclusion within wizarding society. Instead there's hope to recapture our lost innocence and finally be a part of the wondrous acts of magic.

Kiran Singh, Gilbert Bernard, Josefa Marin, and Doris Lund promptly finish their cups of tea along with a few scones and finger sandwiches. Almost as if in concert each one of them cast their questioning gaze upon Danielle silently urging her to disclose the mysterious reason for a last-minute invite.

Softly placing her cup and saucer down on a nearby end table, Danielle tries to inconspicuously glance in the mantel's direction in order to read the early Victorian walnut clock. Josefa, a Spanish squib in her early forties and long-time confidant to Danielle, immediately catches the tell-tale movement and resolves to wait even though she's burning for the reveal.

Gilbert on the other hand loses all composure by releasing an explosive sigh and says, "Danielle, enough with your paltry delay tactics. You asked us to come and we're here. Now tell us what you have to say!"

Josefa aims a disgusted gaze on the young French squib just entering his twenties. The dirty blonde hair paired with pale green eyes may attract youthful admirers, but his uncouth habits and less than stellar intellect make him wholly unappealing.

Out of time, Danielle simply blurts aloud, "I can perform one of the mind arts, occlumency, and it started while in a wizard's presence." A long moment passes before all realize that she doesn't intend to say anything else.

Doris, a second generation immigrant and squib with a long ancestry hailing from Norway, owlishly blinks in confusion before looking left and right for some cue on how to handle the short statement. Gilbert tilts his head utterly dumbfounded by this tripe and when he begins to open his mouth Kiran immediately interjects.

"Danielle, I think it's safe to say that we're at a loss for words. Squibs cannot use magic; a sad truth, nonetheless it is a reality all must eventually accept." The British born Indian, also in Josefa's generation, looks around the room confirming there's a consensus with his statement.

Danielle quickly glances at Doris who reluctantly nods in agreement while Kiran, Gilbert, and even Josefa each have varying expressions of disbelief mixed with pity. The disbelief is expected, but seeing outright pity from close friends she respects immediately dispels any misgivings on whether she's chosen the correct course of action.

Locking gazes first with Josefa and then the remaining parties, Danielle says, "For far too long, you and I plus countless generations of squibs have been indoctrinated to believe that we can't wield magic and so we're worthless. But what if this belief was built on a fallacy? Witches and wizards use a wand to wield magic. Of course, there's a whole wide world full of magical creatures and plants that do not. They're not shackled to a wand. Yet we are condemned for it. Fine, if the majority of the wizarding population wants to live within the constrictive ideology that wands define them, then so be it. Squibs are different from the rest of the magical population, but regardless we are still a part of it. And since we're different maybe, just maybe we can wield magic but in a different way. No one, but us should define what's normal."

Hearing Danielle's impassioned speech catches them off guard, but ultimately leaves them more willing to keep an open mind."

Kiran slightly shifts position in the wingback chair thus gaining Danielle's attention and then he says, "You have my attention."

Doris adds, "I too am ready to hear more about occlumency and how you're able to use it." Josefa and Gilbert follow with quiet murmurs of assent.

Not caring to hide this time, Danielle turns toward the mantel clock. Realizing that her last guest should be arriving any minute now, she decides to have an idle chat over her garden. "If you glance out the parlor window, then I'm sure you'll notice that my backyard finally matches the garden I envisioned. In starting the project, I didn't realize the monumental undertaking ahead of me. Luckily, help arrived from a very unlikely source…"

Danielle abruptly stops as an overwhelming and magically powerful presence appears; she also takes notice that each guest reacted simultaneously to the sudden arrival. It slowly nears her house and before long all hear the distinctive door bell chime 'ding-dong'.

Rising to stand with the intention of greeting her last guest, she announces, "By the way, my little helper and the person standing at my door are one and the same. His name is Harry Potter."

Author's Note: Song lyrics from "Right Stuff" by New Kids on the Block. Mantra from TNT's show Claws.