Harry snorted. "That's ridiculous." "I know. This will be the first year that I won't be able to take part in a proper celebration," Draco admitted, obviously sad and annoyed by the fact.
"Same here - even my gran thinks the laws are ridiculous," Neville said, shocking most of the group.
"I didn't know you celebrated Samhain in the traditional way, Neville," Pansy said. "I would have thought your family would follow Dumbledore's example." Her words thankfully didn't come across as malicious, simply curious.
Neville blushed and looked around quickly. Seeing his nerves, Harry flicked his wrist and cast a privacy charm around himself and his friends. "Thanks, Harry," Neville said, now used to Harry's casual use of spells well beyond their age group.
"Wow, that's a fifth year spell," Blaise said, looking at Harry in shock.
"What can I say - people call me a prodigy." Harry said plainly, smirking to show he was joking. "Anyway Neville, you were saying?"
"Oh, yeah. Well, even though my family is Light, we still celebrate the Olde ways. The House of Longbottom is an Ancient and Noble one, and my gran thinks it's important that, as the Heir, I knew all of the proper traditions and customs. Olde magic is Neutral, it's only in the last few years that it was deemed Dark and banned."
"My aunt said our family used to do the same, we only stopped because of her job. She said she couldn't disobey the law being the Head of the DMLE, even if she didn't agree with it," Susan said.
"Same here," Hannah added.
"But you would celebrate if you had the chance?" Harry asked, curious as an idea formed.
The girls shared a glance before nodding. "Yes, I've always been curious," Susan confessed. Harry nodded and hummed as inspiration hit him. "I think I may have a way for us to celebrate, here at Hogwarts."
"How? You know if we get caught Dumbledore would happily throw us out. He's been in a particularly foul mood ever since you found that old school rule," Blaise said.
"Yeah, Blaise is right. The headmaster has been watching you like a hawk, Harry," Neville said.
"The Room of Requirement," Harry said.
"The room of what?" Hannah asked. "The Come and Go room," Luna said, smiling and nodding.
"It's a secret room on the 7th floor. If you walk in front of the dancing troll painting three times, it will appear and provide you with whatever you need. If you wanted a bedroom, it would be one, a training room, or even a fully stocked potions lab."
"But wouldn't the wards pick up on the ritual?" Pansy asked, thinking about the possible failures. She would love to celebrate, but only if she wouldn't be caught.
"No, the room hides you from the wards," Harry said. They had found that out during the second war. "But what about the rune circle? None of us actually know runes," Draco asked.
"Leave that to me," Harry said. He had looked at the book and was sure he would be able to recreate a working rune circle. His memory of the book was firmly in place.
~
October 31st Requirement
1992,
the
Room
of
Harry sat back and admired the circle of runes he had drawn. Pushing his magic into them, he was happy when he felt the circle complete itself. He had written to Sirius and told him about his plans to perform the traditional ceremony and hadn't been shocked to learn that both he and Remus would also be taking part in a ceremony with the Malfoys. Sirius confessed that he and James, and eventually Remus and Lily, had always performed the Olde rites together while at school. Harry hadn't been that shocked to learn that; both his father and Sirius were from Olde families and they were obviously not completely biased about Blood magic as they had used a blood adoption.
Thinking about what else he needed, Harry was happy when the room conjured a bowl full of purified water for him. "Thank you," he whispered, speaking to Hogwarts herself. Harry felt a slight warmth wash over him for a second and wondered if he was just imagining it or if the castle really was sentient.
Casting a quick Tempus, Harry saw that the first group of his friends should be arriving soon. He had told them to come in two separate groups just in case people were watching. Draco, Pansy, and Blaise appeared first.
"This is amazing," Blaise said when he entered the room. "It can really turn into anything we would need?"
"Yes," Harry told him, smiling.
"Merlin, Harry, did you draw this?" Pansy asked once she was finished studying the rune circle.
"I did," Harry admitted.
"It's amazing. I didn't think you had celebrated Samhain before."
"I haven't but I saw a picture of the needed rune circle."
"Wait, you drew this from memory?" Pansy asked, clearly shocked enough to let her pureblood mask fall. All the Slytherins were slowly letting themselves act more normal around Harry and the rest of their group. In public they would still be emotionless, but when alone they would show more of their true selves. "I did, but I remembered the room could give me any book I wanted, so I checked against them."
"Well, it looks fantastic," Draco praised.
Just then the others arrived and Luna danced towards Harry, smiling brightly. "Tonight's a good night, my Lord," she said.
Getting his friends in position, all sitting on the floor on comfortable cushions provided by the room, Harry focused his magic and set the bowl of water alight with a flick of his wand.
The effect was immediate for Harry - he felt like he was floating in water. He was completely at peace and one with his magic. He could not see or hear much, but he felt like he was surrounded by love and affection. He felt safe.
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