JUNE 20-22, 1979 | MIDSUMMER
Midsummer, or Litha, has long been a celebrated tradition in wizarding circles. Though the old holiday is also celebrated by halfbloods and even some muggleborns, it is the purebloods who have ensured its survival and tradition. Litha celebrates the sun and honors it as a life-giving force while also acknowledging the longest day of the year - the summer solstice.
Unlike Beltane, which is traditionally celebrated at Stonehenge, Litha celebrations are often broken up into Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Night Fires on June 20 and June 21, a Midsummer Sun Celebration on June 21, and the day after Litha, June 22, is often a day for handfastings and pureblood weddings due to the inherent nature of the holiday. Many families hold separate events and often compete with one another over the somewhat limited guest pool. This year is no exception and some events have considerable overlap.
This year a Midsummer Eve’s Fire ritual is held at the main Crouch Estate on June 20. The majority of the Wizarding World is invited, including those who are not as pure of blood. A smaller celebration is held by the Greengrass Family and is much more exclusive in nature.
On June 21, Midsummer proper, the Malfoy Family holds a Midsummer Sun Celebration. Held in the gardens over a plated brunch, many guests have gone to great pains to ensure that they look just as presentable as the night before, even if the bonfires have gone quite late. This event is more formal, though there is an unofficial feeling of inadequacy for anyone too hungover or too tired to attend - or too hungover to listen to Abraxas Malfoy’s diatribe on the importance of traditional holidays.
A plated dinner party in celebration is held on the grounds of the Nott Estate. Conversation is plentiful and it is difficult for even those at the top of the pureblood hierarchy to find fault with what has been provided.
The final Midsummer Night’s Fire celebration is held at the Wilkes Estate around dusk. Food and alcohol are plentiful and at this point in the celebrations many of the guests have loosened up much more than they did before. There is some informal dancing.
For those who have imbibed too much, there is Evan Rosier’s informal hangover brunch held on June 22. Between morning cocktails and delicious elf-made food, each attendee has little to complain about and they keep the party going well into the afternoon.
LORD VOLDEMORT LIES IN WAIT
But what most are unaware of is that Lord Voldemort has begun to expand his reach in his search for immortality and power. Muggleborn children have been going missing after first showing signs of magic, their families wiped out. The Muggle newspapers are torn between thinking the crimes are cult-related or if there is a serial killer. Some of the more salacious ones have even wondered if there has been a rise in British child trafficking.
What they do not know is that Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters have been taking muggleborn children after disposing of their families. They are currently being held at the old Riddle Estate, with an unnamed Death Eater responsible for their safekeeping and for the operations themselves. It was he who was responsible for the kidnapping and murders reported in the Daily Prophet, though the Ministry of Magic has little to no clue about his involvement.
In a meeting on June 18, the Death Eaters are given an assignment so that they can prepare for it. On June 20, each Death Eater has been ordered to murder a family of muggles, keeping only the muggleborn children alive and returning them to Riddle Manor. This creates some concern and the attacks must be carefully coordinated so that they do not all go missing at the same time from the Midsummer rituals. Though the Death Eaters are not yet certain of what Lord Voldemort intends to do with the children, they know how to follow orders and can acknowledge the magical strength of this holiday. What they are unsure of, however, is how it will look to the government if so many families are murdered on the same night in different parts of Britain and Ireland.
After their mission is done, the Death Eaters return to their parties and hope that no one has noticed their absence.
The event will take place through SUNDAY, JULY 5, after which a time shift will occur. You may roleplay any of the events listed above, though please remember that it is unlikely your character would attend all of the hosted events. Please do not roleplay past June 22, 1979. Make sure to tag your starters with thesacredrp:starter as well as thesacredrp:event2.
Players are welcome to continue any current threads they have, but are also encouraged to participate in the event. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!
