The next morning was hectic as everyone boarded the train, excited to go home and see their families. Harry dragged Draco to the carriages pulled by horses with the rest of Les Amis following behind. When they got to the first empty carriage Harry stopped by the horse that was pulling it to give it a pat like he'd seen people do on the television through the cracks in his door or while he was cleaning. He looked at the horse and barely suppressed a scream.
"What are these things?" he asked shakily.
"They're carriages. What else would they be?" Hermione replied, Ron nodding in the background.
Harry shook his head slowly, barely repressing a flinch as the creature sniffed at his shirt. "There's horse like creatures with wings pulling the carriages. You guys can't see them?"
The other four shared a look. "[redacted], there's nothing there. Are you ok?"
The creature tossed its head and gently nudged Harry. He giggled at its antics, deciding it wasn't as frightening as it looked. "I'm definitely not insane. They look scary but they're nice. They look like a horse skeleton with bat wings." Harry looked over to see Draco was even more pale than usual. "Dray? You ok?"
Draco nodded shakily. "Those are thestrals. Only someone who's seen death can see them. They're supposedly extremely dangerous. Father told me about them."
"I don't think they're dangerous," Harry replied. "They're friendly. Maybe everyone just thinks they're dangerous cause not a lot of people can see them."
Hermione nodded. "Come on, we have to hurry. Almost everyone is in a carriage by now. Harry you can say goodbye to your friend once we get to the train."
Once they reached the train, Harry reluctantly said goodbye to the thestral and boarded the train. After the train left the station the group began to talk.
"What should we do this summer?" Ron asked. "I know my family doesn't have anything planned."
"Oh yes! We should all get together sometime and hang out!" Hermione agreed. "I could show you guys movies in the Muggle world."
Harry nodded. "Movies are cool! They're like magic but the Muggles don't have magic!"
They continued to plan until they got to the Kings' Cross station, where they all met each other's parents. Draco dragged Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Ron over to where his parents were standing after Neville and Ron introduced their guardians. He finally noticed he was standing with Draco's parents.
"Hey, pup!" Sirius called. "I'm sure Draco wants to introduce you to his parents so I'm gonna take the honor away from him. Meet my cousin, Narci, and her husband, Lucius." Draco and Narci both glared at Sirius and Harry stifled his laughter. Lucius just sighed long sufferingly.
"Hello, young Harry. My name is Narcissa. Sirius here has no idea how to make a decent nickname."
Harry grinned. "It's lovely to meet you Lady Malfoy. Draco has told us lots about you. Thank you for helping him enchant the rings for all of us."
"Oh none of this Lady Malfoy business," she replied. "We're practically family what with my cousin being your godfather. You can call me Cissa, or Aunt Cissa, if you prefer." Harry just nodded.
"Father," Draco said. "Can my friends come over to the Manor every once in a while? We can stay out of the way easily enough, and we can teach Harry and Hermione all about Quidditch!"
Lord Malfoy smiled indulgently. "I don't see why we can't arrange something. Now come, Draco, say goodbye to your friends for now, we must be going."
Draco quickly hugged Harry and waved goodbye to everyone else, then grabbed ahold of his father's arm and the family disappeared.
"Ron, Neville, I see your parents and grandmother standing together over there. Hermione, would you like Harry and me to walk you across the barrier to where your parents are?" Sirius asked. "We need to be going, but we can get you safely to your parents before we do."
"Thank you, but I'll be alright. Mum and Daddy said they would be leaning on the pillar next to this one when they dropped me off at Christmas."
"Alright. I'm sure I'll be seeing all of you soon, then," Sirius said, chuckling.
"Bye guys!" Harry called, waving. Sirius grabbed his arm and they disappeared.
When they reached Grimmauld Place, Sirius gave Harry the tour. "Some of these rooms have strange things in them, so I'd like if you at least don't go in them without me. If possible, don't go in there at all, but I'd rather you went in with me and my knowledge than sneaking in and getting hurt. I also have a house elf. He doesn't really like me, so I try not to use him for important things in case he poisons my food or something. Kreacher!" He called.
"Filthy blood traitor master calls Kreacher?" the small elf who had popped in when Sirius called his name said.
"Yes, Kreacher, I'd like to introduce my godson, Harry. He's going to be staying with us from now on. I just wanted to let you know that he was here."
"Kreacher sees," the little being said. He popped out quickly.
"Why is he like that?" Harry asked.
Sirius looked down at Harry. "Kreacher has served the House of Black for a very long time. My mother, the previous owner of this house, was very vocal about where in her hierarchy muggleborns and blood traitors were. Kreacher seems to have taken her views as his own. Beyond that, my brother, Regulus, was Kreacher's favorite person here, and Reg died shortly after you were born."
Harry nodded slowly. He understood loneliness and hearing someone say something so many times you thought it must be true.
Over the course of the summer the kids bounced between their houses. They only had a sleepover once, and that was at Hermione's house, where her parents could keep an eye on her. They watched movies and learned to play Quidditch. They threw gnomes and grew plants. All in all, they were very busy eleven and twelve year olds.
Ron and Hermione's birthdays had been during the school year, so of the three summer birthdays, Draco's came first. His parents threw a huge party where all of their acquaintances were invited and Draco didn't have as much time to hang out with his small group of friends. The day after, however, they got together to throw a smaller party of just them and their parents. Draco and Ron taught Harry and Hermione all about Quidditch. Harry fell in love with the game and he and Draco decided to try out for the Slytherin team when term started again. Harry and Neville had a joint birthday. For their birthday, Hermione took them to the movies, where Draco, Neville, and Ron watched in awe as the screen filled with scenes that looked like they were made with magic.
Harry also tried to get closer to Kreacher. It didn't always work, but sometimes, when Kreacher was in a good mood, he would tell stories of "Young Master Regulus". Whenever Harry asked about Regulus' death though, Kreacher closed up again and didn't talk to Harry for a few days. By the end of July Harry and Kreacher were at least amicable and Sirius allowed the house elf to keep many of the things belonging to Regulus.
Over all, it was a good summer. Until the first day of August...