Party Preperations
It was another week before Harry heard anything from Griselda and this time it came in a rather unusual form. It was Saturday, Harry was alone in the house, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon having scarpered off for a trip to the high-street shopping centers and Dudley to go raise hell out and about Little Whinging. It was as calm as things would get for Harry, at least until the telephone rang.
Harry didn't know quite what he was expecting but he certainly wasn't expecting the quiet melodic voice of Griselda to come across the line. “Hello Harry!” She exclaimed. A surprise yes, but a good one at that.
“Hello Griselda, why are you calling?” Harry could not keep the worry out of his voice, it was rather odd, in his time home alone in number 4 Privet Drive, he had never once gotten a call from Griselda.
“Well Harry, It's my mama's winter solstice party on Monday and… I wanted to ask you. If you wanted to come, she's rather busy with preparation and most likely forgot. I'm sure she would love to have you there, she is rather fond of you after all, not to say that's the only reason as well…I'd love to have you there, you’re a better friend than the others.” Griselda trailed off hastily..
“Of course I'll come, what will I wear though?”
“I was thinking another trip to Diagon is in order, I'll have to ask mama though, rather short notice but I'm sure we can find you some suitable wizarding attire some other way too.” She giggled… ”Don't worry Harry, I won't make you wear my skirts and robes.”
“Gee thanks Griselda, the thought was terrifying me.” Harry said back smiling to himself, it would be a rather interesting party if they did that wouldn't it, Harry Potter himself dressed as a witch.
“I'm sure it was Harry. I have to go ask mama now, she just got home from the Wizengamot special session.” Just as quickly as she had called Griselda hung up leaving Harry smiling wistfully to himself.
An hour later there was a knock at the door, Harry opened it to find Mrs. Grimore and Griselda standing there, the former looking weary and the latter vibrating in excitement. Despite her clear tiredness Mrs. Grimore smiled warmly. “Hello Harry dear, are you ready to go shopping?”
“Yes ma'am.” Harry smiled and hefted his bag of wizarding gold, galleons he had learnt they were called. One of the books he had managed to take back with him, Wizarding Culture, had been quite enlightening. He was rather excited even if he didn't show it. While he had seen wizarding shops and been inside them, he had not yet gotten a piece of magical clothing so this would be a rather exciting experience.
Harry let the Grimores in locking the door behind them after Mrs. Grimore had motioned to allow them in. He cocked his head curiously…”Why come in? Aren't we going to Diagon?”
“Of course we are Harry, you don't expect us to walk with the muggles though do you?”
“How are we going to go then?” Harry asked curiously.
“We are going to be using Side-Along Apparition. It's a magical form of transportation much like teleportation in Muggle literature.”
“Oh…” Harry didn't know that was a thing, but he supposed it made sense.
Raising her arm on either side for Griselda and Harry to grasp she smiled, “Grab on tight please children, I don't want any splinching incidents.”
“Yes mother, grab tight Harry and focus on your breathing, it helps I swear it.”
Before Harry could respond they were swept in a whirlwind of roaring power like they had been consumed by a waterfall of magic, as quickly as the walls of number 4 Privet Drive disappeared the grimey walls of the leaky cauldron appeared. Giving Griselda and Harry a moment to catch their breath Mrs. Grimoire dropped her arms to rub their backs.
“Now, that wasn't too bad, was it children?” She was careful to keep Harry’s name out of her mouth eager not to cause a scene, without his name and his scar being hidden he was just another boy, Harry appreciated that. From what he had read in the books he certainly would not be getting out of the leaky cauldron without signing many autographs if he was found out.
Sweeping towards the backroom and entering Diagon Alley Harry again whipped his head back and forth taking in the sights of the magical shopping centers magical charm. Mrs. Grimore then offered Harry and Griselda her arms and led them at a comfortable pace towards one of the stores they had not visited prior, Victors Vestments. A rather small clothing shop, its storefront painted in a modest gray paint. They entered, bells jingling which allerted the shop attendant to their entrance.
“Good Afternoon Madam, how may I help you today?” The man chirped, eyes washing over Griselda and Harry quickly before returning to leer at the woman. “Hello James, I'm looking to get my daughters friend over there a set of party clothes, something conservative and simple.”
“Made to order or resized?” The man glanced at the finery of Mrs. Grimore’s clothing imagining the millions of galleons in clothing no doubt she could afford.
“Resized, he's a growing boy, no need to waste galleons on clothing that won't fit him in 6 months time.”
Muttering under his breath the man obliged, shuffling around the counter to eye Harry before swishing his wand for a tape measure to appear and begin measuring Harry. Once Harry’s measurements had been taken the man stepped into the backroom and returned with a set of clothes which amounted to a long dark green robe cut in a masculine open style to reveal the dark gray waistcoat, shirt and pants of the set. Indicating to the dressing room to the side of the shop the attendant handed Harry the hanger and clothes.
Putting on the clothes Harry did notice that they shrunk to fit his form well, though the pants did flare out widely at the bottoms rather than pull inward in a more modern style. They were wool and of a quality he had not once felt before, warm yet soft, and the robe seemed to react to his warming and cooled down which shocked him. Was magical clothing really so advanced?
Stepping out Harry smiled, he felt comfortable and rather put together in a manner he had not felt before. “Griselda and Mrs. Grimore clapped politely. Harry blushed, embarrassed to be receiving applause, not something he had ever experienced.
“You look good, Har, like a proper wizard.” Griselda shortened, almost fully pushing out his name by accident. She smiled and moved forward to brush the lapels of the waistcoat, eyes roaming the clothing. “The clothing looks good to me too, it should be worth it.”
Changing out of the outfit and setting it in a carrying bag which the shop attendant reduced to a rather small toy looking item which Harry was able to pocket Harry reached into his other to retrieve his coin pouch and pay, Mrs. Grimore stopped him.
“I'll pay dear, don't worry about the cost, it's a gift.” She smiled indulgently, urging him not to fight her on this, she knew Harry was a proud boy and Harry did find it hard to accept gifts but he knew it was more effort to not accept hers. Mrs. Grimore was quite the force of nature Harry was quite sure about.
“Thank you Mrs. Grimore.”
“You’re welcome Darling.”
Having paid the trio swept out of the store, the eyes of the muttering store attendant glued to their backs, Griselda did seem a slight bit creeped out. Harry however was unaffected, his mind was looking towards the future, to the party, he had never attended one and Harry was quite looking forward to it.