Plot Overview
Harry Potter and The Winter Solstice Pact re-focuses the franchise narrative on the original much-loved trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione who are all now in their 40’s, juggling the pressures of parenthood, professional life and the intrusion of an emerging crisis.
New characters are introduced to the wizarding world, including a much-awaited first appearance of Harry’s godson Teddy Lupin. Harry and Ginny’s children make supplementary appearances, as do the extended Weasley family at The Burrow, but the focus is very much back on the original trio.
The Winter Solstice Pact gives a spotlight to one of the largely-omitted Weasley brothers from the original novels, Bill – the aging ‘Curse Breaker’ for Gringotts Bank - who helps Ron get to grips with a significant aspect of the investigation, while also shedding some light on what a ‘Curse Breaker’ actually is, what they do, and how they do it.
Draco and Scorpius Malfoy make appearances, following on their relationship from The Cursed Child. Draco has evolved in the intervening years, struggling to balance his personal grief while being a father to a growing teen who needs him increasingly less. But can Draco finally redeem himself in the eyes of the Wizarding World?
Old favourites such as Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Minerva McGonagall and Hagrid all appear.
The story takes place during the post-covid year 2022. Harry has just turned 42 and is now the head of an elite Auror task force ‘The Quarter’, focusing on high-risk dark wizard threats to the secrecy and security of the Wizarding World. Primarily using the cutting-edge magical forensic tool ‘SpellTrace’ to aid in their detection of serious crimes, The Quarter is confounded when SpellTrace fails to give any readings at the sites of obviously-magical attacks on Muggle Villages. Harry turns to one of SpellTrace’s creators – Hermione Weasley, and his life-long friend Ron to help him stop the attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice - one way or another.
Their investigation leads them through the hallways of The Ministry of Magic to the secret cellars beneath Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes, a secret Magical Library in the British Museum, the hallowed halls of Hogwarts and the cosy rooms of The Burrow.
Harry is faced with the dilemma of how to deal with enemies fighting for their existence against the backdrop of middle age and a desire for a quieter, safer life. This is a story deeply rooted in Potter canon about legacy, passing the torch, the evolution of magic and the enduring power of belief.
The scenes of The Winter Solstice Pact occur throughout a diverse range of magical and non-magical locations around the UK, with the inclusion of new, vibrant locations such as the Lake District, Wales and Manchester. Prehistoric sites around the UK feature prominently in a celebration of the UK’s rich and magical unwritten history.