Of The Solstice

The Manor

The Summer manor was always the worst place for me to be. My mother had allowed me to stay with the Potters over the summer on the condition that I return for the last week before the term started. Amaris Summers, my mother, was the most difficult woman I had ever met. She was just like Sirius and Regulus's mother.

As I walked up to the large, ominous manor, I took a deep breath before knocking on the door. Before my hand even reached the old wood, the door swung open. Barby, my favorite house elf, greeted me with a smile.

"Oh, Madam Calista! Barby is delighted that you are home!" he exclaimed, holding the door open for me.

The interior of the house was exactly as I remembered it. Upon entering the large open room, I saw the two staircases and noticed my mother walking down one of them. "Barby, who's her-" she began to say before locking eyes with me.

Her brows furrowed as she approached me. "I received a very concerning letter from the Rosier's," she said. I looked down at Barby and waved him off. When I met my mother's eyes again, I was met with her hand.

"How dare you end things with him, Calista Arwin!" she scolded. "Your purpose is to marry a pure-blood and ensure that our bloodline remains strong. That's the purpose of an arranged marriage, my child!" she continued to shout.

As I opened my mouth to plead my case, I quickly realized that she had no intention of listening to me. "Calista, you will not be returning to the Potters after this term," she said in a cold, unforgiving tone. "Go to your room. I am disgusted by your presence," she added, waving me off dismissively.

I obeyed her orders and made my way up the stairs, rubbing my raw cheek as I went. When I opened the door to my bedroom, I was greeted by the sight of my thriving plants and scattered books on the small couch. I dropped my bag by the door and slumped onto the couch with a huff. I picked up one of my open books, "A Herbologist's Guide to Potions," and began to read, hoping to pass the time.

After a few hours of getting lost in my thoughts, a small knock on my door jolted me back to reality. "Madam Calista, your mother would like you to join her for dinner," Barby's voice rang out.

"Thank you, Barby," I replied with a sigh. I took my time descending the stairs into the dining room. Mother was already seated at the end of the table, her icy expression piercing right through me.

"Have you had time to think about your foolish actions?" my mother asked as I sat down across from her.

"Mother, he-" I began to plead.

She cut me off, smacking her hand on the table. "Calista, I do not care what he's done to you," she said firmly.

Tears started to well in the corners of my eyes. I blinked them away. I stood up from the table and looked her dead in the eyes. "This is why dad fucking left you." I stormed out, going straight to my room, I flicked my wand at my door and locked it.

The moment I sat on my bed, I heard heavy footsteps coming down the hall. Loud banging erupted on my door. "Calista Arwin Summers, open this door!" she yelled.

I chose to ignore her, allowing her to pound on the door until she finally stopped. I then heard her take a deep breath before delivering her punishment. "You are forbidden from leaving your room until it's time to depart for Hogwarts," she said coldly. "The house elves will bring you your meals."

As I lay back on the bed, the tears I had been holding back finally fell, streaming down my face. Then, Barby appeared near my door, holding a handkerchief. "Madam Calista, it's only for a week. Barby is truly sorry for how your mother treats you," he said, pulling himself onto my bed and wiping away my tears.

"Barby..." I sat up and gently took the handkerchief from him. "Thank you." I hugged him tightly.

"You are most welcome, Madam," Barby said kindly. He looked over at my stack of books. "Why doesn't Madam read? Barby knows it helps you calm down." He smiled and hopped off the bed, retrieving a book for me.

I reached out and grabbed the book, my fingers tracing over the cover. "Thank you, Barby. You always know just what to do to make me feel better," I said, offering him a small smile.

Barby returned the smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's my pleasure, Madam. Barby hates to see madam upset like this. Does madam need anything else from Barby?"

I shook my head, pulling the book closer to my chest. "No, that's all for now. Just go before my mother punishes you for being in here," I said. "I don't want her to take it out on you."

Barby nodded his head "Yes madam," he said before snapping his fingers and disappearing.

I sank back into the softness of my pillows and held the book close to my chest. Its cover was tattered and worn, evidence of the countless times Barby had read it to me as a child. But its familiar pages brought a small smile to my face, and I eagerly flipped through them, relishing the memories they held.

Suddenly, the words on the page seemed to blur and shift, as if they were alive. My heart raced with excitement as a paper dragon burst out of the book and took flight around my room. It soared high and then swooped low, circling around me as if inviting me to join in its playful dance.

But all too soon, the dragon vanished, and reality crashed back in. I sighed and closed the book, watching as the dragon disappeared back into its pages. I sat the book on the bed and rolled to face the window, slowly drifting to sleep.

The rest of the week dragged on endlessly. I was confined to my room, with no one to talk to except Barby, and even he had to leave when my mother was around. I spent most of my time reading my books and trying to ignore the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach.

As the days passed, I packed up my trunk, carefully selecting the books and supplies I would need for the upcoming school year. It was the only thing that gave me some sense of excitement and anticipation, knowing that soon I would be back at Hogwarts, away from my mother's suffocating presence.

Finally, the day arrived when it was time to leave for the Hogwarts Express. Barby came to my room early in the morning, helping me carry my trunk down to the front room. My mother was already there, waiting for us with a stern expression on her face.

"You better behave yourself at Hogwarts, Calista," she warned, her eyes boring into mine. "I won't tolerate any more of your nonsense."

I clenched my jaw, trying my best to keep my emotions in check. I knew better than to argue with her, it would only make things worse. Instead, I nodded and grabbed my wand from my pocket.

"I'll be on my best behavior, Mother," I replied evenly, my voice betraying none of the anger and frustration I felt inside.

She remained silent, her hand on my arm as we stood in the front hall. I placed my hand on my trunk, knowing that at any moment she would apparate us to the platform. I glanced over at Barby, giving him a small smile. "Be a good elf," I whispered to him.

My mother scoffed at my words and tightened her grip on my arm. I couldn't help but grimace in discomfort. I had never been a fan of apparition, and the sensation of spinning down a drain always made me feel nauseous.

As the world around me spun and twisted, I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for it to be over. When I opened them again, I was met with the huge red Hogwarts Express.