Author's Note: I'm hopeful this will upload correctly, FF is acting a tad wonky this morning. The chapter is quite fluffy, although there are a few little nuggets of importance contained within. I'm having a rough time getting my mojo working on writing right now, thankfully, this story is nearly finished. The song is by Hot Chelle Rae, and I became addicted to it through my daughter. Thanks to my amazing team, especially my hubby; he's my biggest fan and supporter and not a day goes by that I don't love him more and more. Thanks for reading, MNF
Chapter 34:
"Tonight, Tonight"
Saturday, May 1, 1999
Persephone POV:
"Hannah, this food looks amazing! It tastes amazing! We are not paying you enough" I smacked my lips as I tasted the final dish. Tonight was the re-opening of the Tap Room and Hannah and her team had done an outstanding job with the food.
"Miss Gwynn, you and Harry pay me more than enough," she retorted. "I'm glad you like the menu. Hopefully the public will as well."
"This isn't your average pub food. This is cuisine, which happens to be served with beer." Never in my wildest imaginings did I think we'd get someone who could create such a unique menu and then also help her team bring it to life. Hannah blushed at the compliment.
"Thanks. I really enjoy working here and doing this, it feels like it's what I'm supposed to be doing."
"You know and completely understand. Oh, and before I forget, thank you so much for that potion recipe last month. I've had horrible cramps since I was a girl, and that potion was the first thing which has ever given me any relief. Who knew soy, St. John's Wort and nutmeg tea would work better than any of the medications or medicinal potions I'd taken before?"
"You're quite welcome," Hannah said proudly. "My mum always swore by it, and it's always brought me relief. Plants are remarkable things." She looked around the kitchen. "I should get back to work. Harry promised to open the doors at seven, and I want the kitchen to be ready."
"I won't keep you, but please come out sometime during the night and let people praise you for your amazing work here," I urged her and she reluctantly agreed. I would make sure I brought her out myself if need be.
I went out the correct door – we'd had to be adamant about people using the properly labeled ones – and into the huge new bar. Candlelight flickered off the brass railings and bar as well as the polished dark wood. The deep red cushions on the chairs looked as soft as they felt, and it gave the room a warmth which would welcome our customers. Harry and Ron were sitting at a table with Charlie and Connor. The four of them were finishing up their suppers before we opened in twenty-two minutes. I was too nervous to eat yet.
"Mummy!" my son cheered when he saw me before he took a drink from his own miniature beer stein. Harry had charmed it for him, and then had bought a fizzy drink for him to enjoy in it. Since Harry's moving in, there wasn't a desire Connor had expressed which hadn't materialized within days. I'd asked Harry to stop spoiling him so, but it was difficult to get to angry at him; the two were growing exceptionally close and Connor was the only thing which made Harry smile. He was missing Ginny deeply. She was yet unwilling to speak to him, although they were writing to one another. Charlie and I had suggested he be patiently supportive while she finished her schooling.
"Did you eat your supper?" I asked as I came closer. Connor nodded happily, using a salad fork to spear another mouthful of the pecan crusted chicken he was sharing with Charlie. I was surprised when I was told what my little boy had chosen to eat. I was certain he'd want bangers and mash. Apparently, Harry had told him about what vegetables did for you, so he wanted to eat them like Harry was. The chicken was designed to be served with the Moonlit Memories, which Charlie was enjoying.
"Yes," Connor enthusiastically cheered. "I ate more veg than Harry."
"Well then I guess you get dessert and he won't." Connor waved his little arms in the air while Harry mock pouted. I wanted the others' opinions of their meals.
"So, the chicken is good?" Charlie nodded. "What about the pork?" Ron was eating the pork tenderloin served over a bed of field greens, all topped with a beer demi-glace. This dish not only featured the MMB brew, but was made to be paired with it or Purple Pleasure.
"This is great, Seph," Ron complimented. "I can't believe Hannah can cook like this."
"We're lucky to have her," Harry said as he wiped his mouth. "I never would have imagined a beer going with blackened redfish, but it's perfect together," he took a pull on his bottle of our newest brew: Skinny Steam Swig. Steam beer is a warm fermented beer which gives it a very bubbly taste. Made with lager yeasts, the boiling wort is slowly cooled in large, shallow copper bins out behind the brewery, rather than the rapid chilling refrigeration brings. Thankfully we could charm the bins to keep things from flying or dropping or climbing in. The skinny part came from a charm which removed the bulk of the calories from it. Tonight was the first time we were serving it to the public, but if the staff's reaction was anything to go by, it would be accepted. Hannah had sworn the blackened redfish over chili-cilantro rice and beans would be the perfect match. Apparently, she was correct.
"Hannah paid close attention in her classes about wine and food and adapted those skills for us here," I agreed. "Finish up, and we'll get ready to open this place." I leaned down and kissed my son's head. Charlie surprised me by wrapping his hand around my neck and pulling me to him so he could get a kiss too.
"Oy!" Ron complained, "Do you have to do that where people can see you?"
"Ron, you wouldn't want Hermione to know what you've got stuffed in your bedside table drawer at the Burrow, would you?" Charlie asked and Ron's eyes became wide and he turned as scarlet as the seat cushions and curtains.
"Nope," the younger brother quickly replied. "Go right on snogging," he finished before taking a long sip of his beer.
"You'll have to tell me later when we're alone," I whispered in my lover's ear and he nodded. I righted myself, running my fingers over my lips which were still tingling. "Off to make nice with the staff and patrons."
I enjoyed watching Charlie with his siblings. Their relationships were so different from what I'd ever shared with any of my sisters. They were close, supporting one another through the good and bad. I didn't speak to any of my living siblings, my only positive contact was the yearly holiday card I received from Pandora and Archie. Philomena only communicated with me through the courts, as she was suing me for the family house, farm and titles.
I quickly chatted with the rest of the staff, all of whom had eaten earlier when they sampled everything on the menu. Because of the crowd we were expecting, Susan and her fiancé, Anthony; Padma, Dean and Daphne had volunteered to come in and help where needed.
I'd hired Audrey Abercrombie's older brother, Alvin, to work the bar with Seamus. They made a hilarious pair, even with the differences in their age; Alvin was pushing thirty. There was a Muggle film made about ten years ago about two foul mouthed bartenders who tossed bottles and put on a show while they worked. I had my own version working here. I hoped they'd keep the swearing to a minimum tonight. They were quite respectful when my son was here, often coming up with hilarious alternatives.
For the wait staff, Harry had recommended several people and I'd found a few others through my older staff members Diane and Hank. The most notable was Padma's twin sister, Parvati, who I'd been so impressed with I made her the head of the serving staff. I was certain I'd lose many of these people when the Auror school opened in the fall, but I'd appreciate them while I had them. I planned to start my search for a more permanent staff by midsummer.
I wasn't surprised when Molly, Arthur, Bill, Fleur, Percy and Audrey were the first people to walk through the door when Harry opened it. The last of the brothers, George, would be here when he closed his shop on Diagon Alley for the night. In the same way they'd adopted Harry long ago, Connor and I were now unofficial Weasleys. I couldn't help but wonder if we'd someday truly be part of the family. The more I daydreamed, the more I warmed to the idea. Marriage to Charlie would be none of the things I'd been so terrified of.
"I hope you've come hungry," I greeted them. Arthur and Bill both kissed my cheek and Molly hugged me. Fleur was looking very uncomfortable, but glowing nonetheless. Pregnancy definitely agreed with her. "Are you feeling okay?" I asked.
"Yes, 'though I wish zhis little one would find zomewhere to zit other zan my bladder," she explained and I smiled knowingly.
"Connor used mine as a kicking bag," I shared, remembering the last weeks of pregnancy less than fondly. "It's all worth it in the end, however." I looked over to where my son was being cleaned up by Charlie and overwhelming happiness filled me.
"You, dear, look like a woman in love," Arthur whispered to me.
"I am. Thank you."
He put an arm over my shoulders. "What for?"
"For raising such an amazing man. He's made me happier than I ever imagined I would be. I honestly thought I'd live the rest of my life alone. Instead, I have this wonderful man who loves me and my son. You did a very good job as a father. I hope one day someone will say the same to me about my little boy." Arthur blushed as I praised him.
"So," Molly interjected, "does that mean you're going to marry my boy and give me some more grandbabies?" I laughed.
"Molly, dearest, let's take things one step at a time, please." The rest of the Weasleys began laughing even as we made our way to the large table next to where Charlie and Connor were. Connor immediately flew into Molly's arms.
"It's nice to have her pestering someone else about the grandbabies," Bill said, and Charlie looked surprised, then mortified at his comment.
"Love, I'm sorry Mum started -"
"She's being a mum, no harm done," I stopped him. I cast my eyes toward the door and saw the Minister of Magic escorting in Augusta Longbottom. "I need to go greet the pair which just entered. If you'll excuse me?"
Harry and I reached them at the same time, and we chatted for a few moments until Harry took them to their table. The evening progressed in much the same way. We were busy until well after midnight, and when I made last call at two I was pleasantly pleased with how many people were still present.
We'd only had one major mishap during the evening. Two of the staff collided when clearing tables and an entire tray of dirty dishes fell to the floor. Within seconds at least one hundred wands were trained on the mess and it was cleaned up before we knew it.
Once everyone was gone, Harry and I sat down to review the night. Charlie had taken Connor home hours ago and we decided we'd rather converse in the comfort of the lounge at the farm than in the Tap Room.
"Did you get a sense of how much beer we went through tonight?" I asked.
"A lot. Everything was changed at least once. The Gwen's Grog and Wide Eyed Night were our biggest sellers tonight, although the Skinny Steam Swig did well also. Can I ask you something?" I nodded. "Why is it called Gwen's Grog? I heard Sirius call you Gwen and I was just wondering about it."
I took a deep breath before I answered. "Persephone is my given name, and my family always called me by my whole name. When my sisters wanted to tease me, they called me Perri, or worse, Perfect Perri. When I was old enough, I was able to convince my friends to call me Seph. When Sirius and I got together, he needed a code name for me, so that he and our friends could discuss me without fear of them spilling my secret. My middle name is Gwendolyn, hence Gwen was born. I liked it better than any of the other names, so he alone called me by it. When he created my beer, there wasn't really a choice in what its name would be. Anyway, we were all about the alliteration, and grog is a good word."
"The food went over well, also," I reported. "We ran out of pizza crust and the venison shanks. What really surprised me, though, was how many of the mascarpone stuffed figs we sold. Who knew strong cheese, figs and honey would be the pudding of the night. We sold more of them than the dark chocolate explosion."
"Guess you're not including both of the explosions you ordered, huh?" he teased me.
"I didn't eat them alone," I corrected him. "But honestly, anything chocolate and I'm there."
"I know, Seph, I know. You going to make any changes to the menu?"
"Hannah and I both agreed to give it a whole month, then go back and assess. Also, as we change what's on tap, we'll change the menu."
"Well, then, it sounds like we have everything in order. Congratulations, partner," Harry complimented and then yawned, which caused me to.
"It's late, and one of us needs to be there when the kitchen opens at ten. I vote for sleep." I flicked my wand and turned the lights off on the first floor and we climbed the stairs. "Oh, and Harry, I'll make sure to put up my Silencing Charm."