The following morning, Harry and Sirius made their way to Diagon Alley. The bustling streets were alight with Christmas decorations, and the crisp winter air filled with the chatter of witches and wizards shopping for the holidays. Harry had a clear mission in mind: buy presents for all the members of the Order of the Stars, and something special for Luna, who had been in his life for the longest.
Sirius, ever the enthusiastic companion, was more than happy to join Harry on his shopping spree. "What better way to spend the day than spoiling people you care about?" Sirius said with a grin as they entered the crowded streets.
They spent the first few hours going from shop to shop, carefully selecting gifts for each member of the Order. Harry picked out enchanted quills, protective charms, and spellbooks, making sure each gift was thoughtful and fitting. As they left Quality Quidditch Supplies, where Harry had picked up a new broom maintenance kit for one of the club members, Sirius nudged him.
"And what about that 'special' gift you've been planning for Luna?" Sirius asked with a knowing look.
Harry smiled, already having something in mind. "I've been thinking about it for a while. She's always been fascinated by magical creatures, so I want to get her something unique. Something that reminds her of the Golden Snidget I got her before."
They made their way to a small, hidden shop that specialized in rare magical creatures and enchanted artifacts. After browsing for a while, Harry's eyes fell on a beautifully crafted pendant in the shape of a Snidget, its wings charmed to move ever so slightly, giving it the illusion of life. The pendant was imbued with protective magic, designed to shield the wearer from harm.
"This is perfect," Harry said, holding it up to Sirius.
Sirius nodded in approval. "Luna's going to love that. It's thoughtful and practical."
With his gifts purchased, Harry and Sirius made their way to the Lovegood residence. They arrived just as the sun began to set, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink. Luna's house was as quirky and unique as she was, with odd decorations and strange creatures flitting about the garden.
Xenophilius Lovegood welcomed them with a wide smile. "Harry Potter! How delightful to see you. Luna's been talking nonstop about your letters."
Luna appeared from the garden, her usual dreamy expression brightening when she saw Harry. "Harry! I'm so glad you're here," she said in her usual sing-song voice. "Come, come, I have something to show you."
She led Harry and Sirius to the back of the house, where a small enclosure held the Golden Snidgets Harry had gifted her months ago. To Harry's surprise and delight, there were now tiny nestlings, their delicate wings fluttering as they chirped softly.
"They've had babies," Luna said proudly, her eyes twinkling with joy. "I've been taking good care of them, just like you said."
Harry beamed, touched that Luna had nurtured the creatures so well. "That's amazing, Luna. I knew they'd be happy here with you."
Luna turned to Harry, her dreamy smile softening. "You always give the best gifts, Harry."
Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the Snidget pendant. "I wanted to give you something special for Christmas," he said, holding it out to her. "It's a Snidget, just like the ones you're taking care of. It's also enchanted to keep you safe."
Luna's eyes widened in awe as she took the pendant in her hands. "Oh, Harry… it's beautiful. I'll treasure it."
Xenophilius, standing behind them, beamed with pride at the bond his daughter shared with Harry. "You're always welcome here, Harry. You've been a good friend to Luna."
They spent the rest of the evening enjoying tea and homemade pastries, laughing and talking about Hogwarts, magical creatures, and all the odd things Xenophilius had recently published in The Quibbler. When it was time to leave, Harry felt a warmth in his chest, knowing he had made Luna happy.
As he and Sirius prepared to leave, Luna hugged Harry tightly, whispering, "Thank you, Harry. For everything."
Harry smiled. "Merry Christmas, Luna."
After leaving Luna's house, Harry felt a sense of contentment. Luna had promised that she would visit him at Highgarden when she found the time, something Harry was looking forward to. It felt good to know that his friends were just as eager to connect with him as he was with them.
He made his way back to Diagon Alley, the winter chill still biting, but the streets were as busy as ever with last-minute holiday shoppers. Knowing he had a task to complete, Harry headed to the Diagon Alley post office to send out the gifts he had purchased for the Order of the Stars members. He didn't have enough owls of his own for all the deliveries, and he didn't want to overwork them, so this was the easiest solution.
The post office was bustling with witches and wizards sending holiday cards and packages. Harry approached the counter and handed over the neatly wrapped gifts, each one carefully labeled with the recipient's name.
"That'll be six sickles for the owls," the postmaster said, weighing the packages and preparing them for delivery.
Harry nodded, paying the fee without hesitation. As the postmaster directed the owls to their respective destinations, Harry felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Now that the gifts were on their way, he could relax a bit and look forward to hearing back from the Order members.
With the errands done, he left the post office, his thoughts already drifting to the next adventure. The day wasn't over yet, and Harry was eager to return to Highgarden, where he would continue planning his next steps and look forward to seeing his friends and fellow Order members again soon.
During the rest of the Christmas vacation, Harry, along with Sirius, embarked on a tour of all the properties he owned. Some of these properties, Harry had never visited before, but Sirius was eager to explore them with him. They traveled across different regions of the magical world, marveling at the diversity of landscapes and potential each place held.
Harry made a point to hire skilled goblins from Gringotts to create powerful wards around each property, ensuring the highest level of security. Sirius, ever supportive, helped negotiate the terms with the goblins, ensuring that Harry's estates were as well-protected as possible. The goblins, eager to work for such a high-profile wizard, assured Harry that the wards would be impenetrable, and that his lands would be safe.
While visiting these properties, Harry realized that Runestone Castle in Surrey housed too many of his magical creatures in one place. His creatures, ranging from rare species to common ones, were all gathered in a single location, which made them vulnerable should anything happen. After consulting with Reeny and his house-elves, Harry decided it was best to redistribute them to his other properties, allowing them more space to thrive and reproduce in safer environments.
He began transporting them one by one, using his personal portkeys and the help of his loyal house-elves, Norky and Rosly. From Thestrals to Mooncalves, Harry ensured that each creature was settled comfortably in its new environment. He divided them among the larger properties with expansive lands, where they would have the space they needed to live freely and be protected.
Sirius, when he find out Harry is distributing magical creatures from a secret location, helped with the logistics of the entire operation, often joking about how Harry was becoming a magical creature caretaker on a grand scale. However, both knew that this distribution was essential, as it provided an added layer of safety for the creatures, and gave them a better chance to grow in numbers without being restricted to one location.
Sirius Black, the lord of the ancient and noble House of Black, had an extraordinary solution for Harry's concern about his magical creatures. He revealed to Harry a secret that had been kept within the Black family for centuries—a vast private island in the Caribbean, hidden and heavily warded. It was a secluded place, originally used by the Black family for their more illicit activities, but now it could serve a much more noble purpose.
When Sirius offered the island to Harry as a sanctuary for his magical creatures, Harry couldn't resist the opportunity to see it. As they arrived, Harry was utterly gobsmacked by the sheer size of the island. It was massive, with lush forests, secluded beaches, and rolling hills. The tropical landscape was breathtaking, and the isolation provided by the wards made it a perfect haven. The island's protections had been established long ago by the powerful magic of the Black family, making it one of the most secure locations in the world.
As they explored, Harry realized this place was ideal for his creatures. Not only did it offer enough space for them to thrive without restrictions, but it also had the potential for growth. With Sirius's help, Harry set to work transporting many more creatures to the island than he had originally planned. They utilized powerful portkeys and magical means to transfer the creatures in large numbers, ensuring they would have a safe home away from the dangers of the mainland.
Sirius, in his role as the Lord of the House of Black, took steps to ensure that the island would remain impenetrable. He barred anyone except himself and Harry from entering the property. Together, they reinforced the already-ancient wards, adding layers of protection to ensure no one could find or access the island without their permission. This level of security meant that no matter what happened in the outside world, the creatures on the island would remain safe.
Additionally, upon Sirius's suggestion, they charmed portions of the island to mimic the climate of Europe, creating an environment suitable for the creatures that needed cooler, temperate conditions to survive. These magical sections of the island replicated European weather, complete with forests and meadows, while other parts of the island remained in their natural Caribbean state, perfect for creatures that thrived in warmth and tropical conditions.
By the time their work was done, Harry felt immense relief knowing that his magical creatures had a perfect sanctuary. The Black family island had become a refuge, protected and thriving, and it was a place where Harry could always go to visit and ensure his creatures were well cared for. The magical creatures, whether native to cold climates or warm, were now perfectly situated to thrive, and Harry had one more reason to feel grateful for his connection to Sirius Black and the ancient magic of the House of Black.
Harry had successfully transported his magical creatures to their new homes. Though it had been an exhausting task, Harry felt accomplished. His properties were well-warded, his creatures were safe, and he was content knowing that they could now thrive in the spaces he had prepared for them.
Before Harry sent out his Christmas gifts to the members of the Order of the Stars, he included something special along with them—a Floo password to Highgarden, his magnificent property. This gesture opened the doors for his friends to visit, and soon, many of them took the opportunity to see Harry's home for the first time. The beauty of Highgarden left them all impressed. With its vast, manicured gardens, elegant architecture, and stunning views, it was a sight to behold.
What drew even more attention was the extensive collection of broomsticks Harry had created himself. His friends, especially the Quidditch enthusiasts like the Weasley twins, Tracy Davies, and Theodore Nott, couldn't resist the temptation to test out these incredible brooms. It wasn't long before they organized an impromptu Quidditch match in the vast open fields of Highgarden. The Weasley twins, notorious for their tricks and Quidditch prowess, put on a thrilling display of flying skills. Tracy and Theodore, both skilled players in their own right, contributed to the fun with impressive moves and teamwork.
Even those who weren't regular players decided to give it a go, and surprisingly, everyone held their own in the game. Laughter and excitement filled the air as they flew around, tossing the Quaffle and chasing the Snitch. For hours, the game raged on, with everyone having a great time.
Harry, watching his friends enjoy themselves and joining in occasionally, couldn't help but reflect on how different his life had become. Just a few years ago, he was a boy locked away in a cupboard, never imagining a life of magic and friendship. Now, here he was, surrounded by people who cared about him, playing Quidditch on his own property, in a place of beauty and magic.
Highgarden became more than just a home—it became a gathering place for Harry and his friends, a place filled with joy, laughter, and the kind of magical moments that made life so much more interesting and beautiful. For the first time in a long while, Harry felt truly at peace and grateful for the path his life had taken.