Chapter 13: LINK

Draco tightened his jaw so hard that he might crack his teeth, but right now he didn't care if it indeed happened. He didn't even try to school his expression, all his energy was directed to squelch his urge to lash out especially since it was only increasing overtime, encouraged by the loud pounding sound in his ears. Luckily his logical brain still won, he knew that it wouldn't do him any good to create commotion inside Minister Office. Therefore he upheld his stony demeanour, repressing the flecks of rage that threatening to burst his veins and the itch to slam someone's face.

The atmosphere in the room was stale, nobody uttered any sound to break the stillness. Particularly for the two men facing him, he could tell they wait for his reaction which he wouldn't give, if only just to spite them. He would hold his ground, he wouldn't be the one who'd spit the first word. His endurance paid off, the tide shifted in his favour when not a minute later his partner inadvertently aided him.

"Who's escaped?" The bespectacled Boy Wonder spoke, taking away the spotlight from him.

The Head Auror answered, "Yaxley, Runcorn and Crabbe."

"So why we're still here? We should gather everyone and capture them before they'll go too far and it's not possible to track them."

"Don't you think I haven't done it, Potter?" His boss castigated him. Potter clamped his mouth apologetically. "There's no Trace to be tracked. Either they managed to remove it or somehow they're able to obscure it."

"But that means ...," Potter trailed off as realisation dawned on him.

Robards finished it for him. "Knowing about Lucius Malfoy's release is one thing, but to know about the Suppressing Bands means their access to the Ministry is deep. We don't have enough information right now to make a chase, so the first priority is to find the mole."

"Someone can be using Polyjuice, Imperius is a possibility too," the young Auror supplied. "It won't be the first time someone use that method to infiltrate this place."

Draco glanced to the man sitting beside him. He had heard rumour about how Potter had successfully broken into the Ministry of Magic undetected, even during Riddle's reign. There was also rumour that he had robbed Gringotts with Granger impersonating his deranged aunt. Of course none was confirmed and many believed that it was only the paper's ruse, exaggerating his so called adventure to sell their copies. How embarrassing it was to admit that the two most vital institutions in Wizarding Britain could be broken by mere teenagers.

While the Ministry never voiced any statement, Gringotts had vehemently denied the allegation. They claimed that the incident that was referred in paper was caused by a newly acquired dragon wreaking havoc in one of their vault which led them to evaluate the use of dragon as a guard. It was soon followed by dragon removal from the bank within a year later and the public's doubt had completely ceased, Gringotts retained his reputation as impenetrable fortress.

Although judging by the exchange look between Potter and the Minister, there might be some truth in those rumours. He didn't have to wait for Shacklebolt to confirm it.

"I know. We can't really depend on wand identification all the time, but that's what we have now," he acknowledged sombrely. "This breakout cannot leak to the press, public can't know. There's World Cup coming next year, no need to attract unnecessary distress," he emphasised.

Typical government secrecy, Draco thought, expecting the conversation to end so he could deal with his problem at hand. However, apparently Potter still had some say.

"What about using something like the Thief's Downfall they have in Gringotts? It washes away any concealment; Imperius and Polyjuice included," he blurted. At Robards' cynical look, he added hurriedly, "I know it's too obvious to have waterfall in the Atrium, but there's existing fountain there. It won't be so strange if there's mist around it, right?"

Shacklebolt was faster to catch on Potter's plot than the old Auror.

"Can you handle it, Harry? I prefer to have less people as possible knowing about this, especially if we really have mole in the ministry."

"Maybe Hermione and Bill, if that's okay?" Potter bargained.

Very predictable of Potter. He might able to concoct a rather impressive idea but he would always run to Granger for help in the end.

Listening as bystander had reduced his anger, but he jumped too fast to assume that they would left him alone from their discussion. He's only starting to unfold his clench fist when the Minister of Magic addressed him.

"How about Mr Nott? You sure it's not him?"

"No, he won't. I made sure he can't betray me," Draco answered, applying blasé attitude.

"How?" Robards demanded.

"I have my way, you just have to take my word," he bristled icily. His control slipped rapidly once he started talking.

"It's not time to play, Malfoy. I will decide is it okay or not, I don't need another surprise." His superior pressed on.

And eventually Draco snapped. "So do I. You didn't disclose everything to me, so I merely return your gesture. It goes both way, sir," he hissed stiffly. "Oh let me tell you, I don't appreciate your planned surprise."

"That information is above your pay grade," he brushed him off.

But Draco weren't having it. "I don't care what deal he had with you, but I have rights to know if I would find my father sitting in drawing room when I got home," he spat. "Too bad Crabbe had to ruin the surprise by killing him."

He's not angry that Crabbe had murdered his father. He's fully aware that many had targeted his family, one side because of their defection while the other displeased with their light punishment. He's prepared for any attack, to him and to his parents, he anticipated it. Especially Crabbe, he knew for a fact that the wizard had personal vendetta against him, he held him responsible for his son's death. But the way they tried to make a fool of him, it didn't make angry, he's furious.

Right after he'd arrived in his cubicle this morning, he'd been sent to a meaningless assignment far south in Cornwall only to be call back hours later and then was dragged by Robards to the Minister's office where he'd been informed the news. There's breakout in Azkaban this early morning and his father was killed in the commotion.

The secrecy was expected, he figured they didn't trust him to be involved in the investigation despite his position as Auror. Or maybe they thought that he would run after them to avenge his father, hell they might even suspect that he had a hand in this prison break.

No, what had aggravated him was how they finally revealed that his father was supposed to be released today to finish the rest of his sentence in house arrest. That's how the three prisoners had escaped, they hijacked the boat which supposed to transport his father.

Did they seriously think he'd welcome his father easily as if nothing happen? Or they'd amused themselves in anticipating his reaction, betting which colour his face would turn into?

Unlike with his mother, his relationship with father was always complicated, even before he dragged him into self destruction. So there's no way he could face him with straight countenance and it's not something that he wanted to show to strangers.

Realising that letting Robards continued the conversation would bring them nowhere, Shacklebolt intervened.

"Only select few know about the arrangement, Draco. The plan was to bring Lucius here where you'd meet him before we escort him to Malfoy manor," he said plainly. Not patronising nor placating, only stating a fact, even if he called him with his given name. "He's big target so the wards would also be strengthened, it's for his safety and yours too. And later on, even public won't know that he's under house arrest."

Draco sneered, dripping with cold derision. "I can protect myself, thank you. And why do you think I want to continue this charade, sir? I've paid my due. With the way you keep blindsided me, I don't think I'll be safer on your side."

"And what will you do if I may ask? Running? Hiding? With the Galleon you have now, it certainly possible for you to buy your way, right," he calmly derided him. Not affected by the hostile glare thrown at him, he continued, "I won't offer you protection, Draco. I offer you a chance to be a man and do the right thing."

Draco didn't plan for both, but nobody needed to know that, more so Shacklebolt. He wouldn't let him manipulate him by retaliating either, so he just bit his tongue and held his stance in defiance for now, willing this meeting to be over soon. Then again, Potter had to flaunt his nasty habit to snoop his nose to other people's business.

"You must move Mrs Malfoy, Kingsley. She's also in danger and her location is too well known."

There, bleeding heart Saint Potter had to bring up his mother in this precarious situation.

Shacklebolt clearly pleased with how this meeting went. "How is it, Draco? What if you make the arrangement yourself? It will be only Harry who supervises you. It's okay right, Robards?"

Robards eyed him questioningly, frown visible on his forehead. However, he didn't voice any objection.

"As long as she doesn't return to Britain," he shrugged. "That will be your assignment for the next two weeks then. But Potter, make sure you get Arrington and send the preliminary report on Gloucester to my desk before you go."

Afterward, the Head Auror took out a roll of parchment and handed it to Shacklebolt. Without the need to spell it out, the two young Aurors knew that they were being dismissed so they stood up and bid their leave.

Just when Draco turned his back, Shacklebolt beckoned him.

"Mr Malfoy, it might be wise if you weren't seen entering my office too often. We don't want to raise unnecessary attention on you."

His tone was still as flat and as calm as before. Even without turning around, Draco could guess from the sound of flipped paper, he seemed to not even shift his gaze from whatever he's been reading. And Draco understood what it implied, an order which didn't need an affirmation, so he didn't give any and moved on.

Good for him, he didn't need to attend this dreadful meeting anymore. And since he said not to attract suspicion, he presumed it including avoiding Robards as well. It's not something that he'd complain, even though in exchange he'd get annoying Potter as his 'caretaker'.

"Malfoy."

Speak of the devil, not even one minute passed and he's already on his noisy mode. He stopped his step and spun to face him, sending him an irritated glare.

He hesitated for a moment, nervously adjusting his glasses. "Erm ... I'm sorry for your loss."

"No, you're not," Draco snarled. More than his unending intrusion, he despised the pity directed at him like he's doing now.

"He is still your fath–"

"He was," he cut him scathingly. Good, it made Potter squirmed.

"Listen, I'll finish the paperwork. You can leave early if you want," Potter said gingerly.

And right at that time, one lift opened, it's empty. But instead of following his partner into the lift, Draco changed direction, heading to the stair. He knew Potter would leave him alone, at least until tomorrow morning. He wouldn't be back to his cubicle today and the last place he wanted to be right now was the manor.

The Minister of Magic wanted him to do the right thing, then that's what he'd do, his right thing. His father's now gone, never again he'd let anyone to control what he should or should not do.

.***.

Whilst majority of witches and wizards flee to Britain, they chose to remain in the continent, retreating to the deep of Bavaria. An old account reminisced that most had escaped from Valais, history noted that's one of the place where the persecution of werewolves emerged during the peak of Witch Hunt period. From then they'd formed a community of their own, completely separated themselves from wizarding community.

Yes, how surprising that centuries ago werewolves used to live in harmony side by side with witches and wizards, just like our past history with Muggle. Among all the things that were lost in our history, it's the awareness that long time ago lycanthropy was not seen as a Curse but a Gift. I was very fortunate that the Elder was willing to share the glimpse of his knowledge.

Contrary to popular belief, originally magical folk didn't turn into a were due to malicious Curse or because a wizard had accidentally been bitten by a wolf during full moon (a common knowledge, Muggle can't turn into werewolf). It is through hard work. To become a true Wolf, you need to go through a long and tedious process, from meditation to a certain ritual. It can be said that transforming into your Wolf was a form of Advance Animagi where you don't control your transformation, but surrender it to the Magic of the Moon.

Sadly I didn't pass their preliminary assessment, I wasn't deemed suitable to host and to care Wolf's soul so he couldn't tell me more. The Art of Wolf is a secret that is shared among their kinds. It's understood that if it's done incorrectly, you won't be able to maintain the balance of the two souls, the Wolf may overtake your soul and goes rogue. That's one of the cause how werewolf had become a plague as we know today.

A new Initiate was willing to recount his experience while in his Wolf form. He said and I paraphrase it, "I felt free. It's liberating but simultaneously it's also overwhelming! I was very sensitive to everything around me, it's like I was engulfed by Mother Nature. It's crushing but humbling at the same time, to realise that I'm just a tiny part of the universe. It's a very exhilarating experience and I can't wait for the next full moon."

Hermione's eyes scanned the rest of the article. It continued with argument on why Ministry should never interfere with werewolf and left them alone instead of bringing them to join wizarding community, basically it was an anti-werewolf propaganda in round-about way. However, that citation had picked her interest. It was noted to be quoted from a book titled Revisiting Magical Lore by Eustace Hordwill. She never heard both, but she sided aside the copy of an old edition Daily Prophet to write down the book title on her notebook. She would search it later in library.

When she turned to deposit the pile of old papers into her tote bag, she didn't find it. Instead she found a woven string bracelet lying next to her books. She must have been here for quite some time since the charm already wore off. She took the bracelet into her palm, smiling as she remembered how she got it. It was from Ron.

Few days ago, she'd been at Diagon Alley for an errand. It's already close to lunch when she'd done so she'd thought of inviting Ron for lunch. She'd realised even after they've made up, unlike her other two friends, she'd never be the one to reach first toward Ron. The way his face had lit up seeing her entering the shop had only made her feel guiltier for not doing it sooner.

That'd been the first time they've gone out together after their fight, just the two of them without Harry or Ginny as chaperons. And it'd gone well.

They'd chatted; Ron'd happily talked about the joke shop and she'd told him about her latest house visit. She'd laughed when Ron narrated some funny incident with a customer in the morning and he'd soothed her when she'd started to be aggravated as she recounted an argument she had with one of House-Elf owner. It felt easy, just like when they were teenager.

By the end of their lunch, nervously Ron had pushed a nicely wrapped rectangular box toward her. A string bracelet was inside, made by a red and a golden coloured string interwoven together with something like Runes inscription visible in its centre. As she'd carefully examined it, Ron had sheepishly explained that it was supposed to be her birthday gift but with what had happened, he'd thought of giving it to her for her next birthday but then it would've meant he didn't give her birthday present for three years straight so here was it.

He had made and charmed it himself, it'd been his first craft from his Auror day and the only thing he'd successfully learnt from Jonas, he claimed. It'd been made from special strings Auror normally used and charmed so it would've been easy to be transfigured into anything based on string and stayed that way for twice longer than it normally did. Permanent Transfiguration was impossible, usually how long it held would depend on how strong the caster was and she'd never heard anything about amplifying it.

It was very thoughtful of him, not only that it was a proof of his hard work as an Auror but also he'd recognised that she wasn't into jewellery and had given her something more practical instead. In fact until today, she'd never wore it as bracelet, it was mostly used as a key holder or she'd transfigured it into a knitted tote bag to carry book or parchment, especially if it belonged to Ministry library because it was specifically charmed to clash with any Extendable Charm to prevent smuggling.

Yes, when he really put his heart on something, Ron could be very charming. It was one of his attribute that made her attracted to him. And she still did. She's aware that he still had feeling for her, it's hard to not notice it and he never tried to hide it either, but she didn't want to acknowledge it and played ignorant. However, if she's being honest, that flutter in her chest was still there.

Now that Harry and Ginny had dated again, she often felt a pang of envy seeing how happy they were. She wanted it too, she really did. Yet something had been holding her back, something she couldn't identify. It left her wondered how relationship could look so simple and easy when she was 17; you fancied someone and when he fancied you back, then they're dating. Now it all seemed to be very complicated and confusing.

Was it because everything had crumbled for her own mistake and unconsciously she's punishing herself for that mistake? If only she'd never insisted of going to Australia, maybe she would be in happy relationship with Ron right now. They might even been planning their wedding by this point. She'd never seen herself as someone who'd marry young, only would do it after she'd settled in her career, but maybe she would love Ron that much to reconsider it.

Then again, she's a Gryffindor right? Harry and Ginny also had their problem, yet it didn't prevent them from taking a chance for happiness with each other. They chose to fight for their relationship, braced any hardship that might come in their way. In that case, maybe it was also the time for her to embrace her Gryffindor spirit and stopped over thinking. Happiness couldn't be achieved without a fight and to be able to feel it she had to open her heart. Ron had done his part, it's her turn to meet him in the middle.

Hermione leaned her back on the bench, letting out a long breath, eyes looked up to the sky. Two years working in this institution, she found out that there's nothing better than spending time reading at the Balcony on summer. The late sunset was a bonus for she'd get more time in daylight. Sure she loved to be in the library, but she wouldn't deny that being in a closed space for long period could be suffocating, the best place to read was always outdoor. Back at Hogwarts, her favourite had been under an oak tree by the Black Lake and now she had the Balcony.

Her mussing was abruptly interrupted when the door was harshly opened, followed by Malfoy's appearance. She didn't have a chance to react because what happened next occured in a rapid succession. Not a second after he stepped from the door, Malfoy slammed it in a loud bang and with no halt in between, he threw his fist to its surface.

"FUCK!" And another punch, not as strong as the first but still made Hermione flinched.

No one made any movement. Utterly stunned, Hermione only watched as Malfoy spun around and slowly slumped down to the floor, sitting dejectedly with head between his knees.

Did someone in Auror Office give him a hard time, she wondered in her thought. Aside from their single run-in in Grey Room, she'd never seen him interact with anyone in the Ministry and outside this place she'd hardly seen him anywhere so she didn't really know how he'd actually been treated here, but she wouldn't be surprised if more than one person acting unpleasant toward him.

His shoulder shook slightly as a silent hollow laugh was heard from his direction. At the moment, Hermione felt that it was not something she's allowed to witness, moreover she's really sure that she was not supposed to be here at all and saw his breakdown.

Just when she started to think of a way to leave without he noticed, she caught a glance at his bloodied knuckle and without a thought she blurted, "Oh my god! What wrong with you boys and brute force!"

She slid down joining him on the floor and without asking, she snatched his injured hand and fixed the fracture with a tap of her wand. She kept muttering about how boys needed to find less barbaric outlet for their anger while applying Dittany from her bag to his knuckle.

Her whole action was automatic after spending too much time with two reckless hot blooded boys so when she lifted up her gaze and found a pair of grey eyes, her smile gradually dissipated.

Malfoy stared at her with wide eyes and mouth half open, bewildered. There's a strong urge to smack her head to nearest wall but with Malfoy seemed to be still processing her presence and sudden antic, she might have some leverage to salvage her dignity.

Hermione released his hand from her hold and haughtily said, "There, it's fixed." With as much calmness she could muster, she stood up and walked to the bench. Once she sat, she reached the top most book beside her without looking at the title and started to leaf through its pages.

"I don't need a company right now, Granger. You better leave," Malfoy said in restrained tone, free from his stupor.

He didn't barked it as an order, no demeaning nor insulting tone, but Hermione was too jittery so her replied was harsher than what she intended.

"How many time I have to tell you that this is a public, not yours. And anyway, you're blocking my only way out. Do you want me to jump from here? No, thank you, Malfoy."

Realising too late how it sounded, she almost uttered an apology when she saw that her bag was lying few feet from where Malfoy sat. For a second, she really considered to jump from this building. Yes, she'd done a series of imperious stupid behaviour but this was Malfoy and if she owned it up – not that her pride would let her did it anyway – it's guaranteed that he'd exploit it against her for the rest of her life. So she acted her best to pretend reading while racking her brain on how to take her bag unnoticed.

She could feel Malfoy's stare at her, but she didn't dare to steal a side glance checking it. Eventually she concluded that to look convincing that she's reading, she just had to truly read. And that's what she did. Lucky for her, it's a book about werewolf so at least she could continue her research on that subject.

It took her less than 10 minutes to be absorbed in her reading and by third chapter the previous debacle was completely wiped out from her mind, so engrossed she was in her book that she became obvious that Malfoy was still there. It was when she reached for her afternoon snack from the box beside her that she accidentally glimpsed on his crestfallen figure.

He was still where he was with his head was back on his knees, but judging from the steady movement of his shoulder it looked like he managed to control his rage. Maybe he'd fallen asleep, she thought, though she didn't think he'd allow himself to be in a vulnerable state in her vicinity. But she understood how it felt like to be afflicted by her peer with no one to turn to, possibly he's finally at his breaking point.

How the wheel of life had turned, from a privileged boy prancing like a prince back in Hogwarts to a social pariah he's now. But was his past behaviour actually his nature or nurture? After knowing him closer this last three years, she often wondered how he might turn up if he wasn't born as Malfoy. For one thing, he might never been coerced to receive the Mark. She couldn't help not to sympathise him.

Even in her childhood, she might not have friend but she had her parents and thing was only getting better as later on she found friends in Harry and Ron, but it was the contrary for Malfoy. She gathered that his father was in Azkaban and his mother was exiled abroad, their communication was cut as stipulated in their sentence. And most people still saw him as Death Eater while his old Slytherin pals seemed to avoid him as well. He was truly alone.

Hermione's eyes bounced between her fish finger sandwiches and the man by the door, considering. Once she came on her resolve, she grabbed the snack box then headed to the former Slytherin, crouched down in front of him.

"Here," she said as she held out the box. At his puzzle look, she added, "My payback. I remember I took your sandwich once. Call me petty, but I don't like owing you anything, Malfoy."

She reckoned he wouldn't take her offer if she acted nicely, so she did the opposite. And she's correct. He cautiously took one, not shifting his suspicious stare from her face which she replied with challenging raised eyebrows.

A bite, one chew, and he spat it, coughing furiously.

Hermione burst out a hearty laugh, it was an expected reaction. Non-verbally she Accio'd her water flask from the bench and offered it to him. Surprisingly, after the prank, Malfoy unquestioningly took it from her hand and drank it.

"What the hell is this, Granger? Are you trying to kill me?!" he barked once he controlled his coughing fit.

"Don't you dare throwing it, Malfoy!" Hermione scolded him when he lifted his hand to dispose the rest of the sandwich. "Did your mother never tell you it's bad to dump good food?"

"You call this pathetic excuse of rubbish as food?!" he yelled, shooting her a scathing incredulous glare.

"Oh please. It's just marmite, Malfoy."

"So you admit you put Mermaid poison here."

She rolled her eyes, Malfoy really could be very dramatic.

"No, you moron. It's yeast extract and it's actually rich of nutrient, it will make you healthy if you don't know what it means." She nicked the corner of his sandwich and made a show of chewing and swallowing it. "You see, I'm fine. But since you're a beginner, my suggestion is take small bite instead of big one and maybe drink in between to offset the taste."

She took one sandwich for herself, giving him a mocking smirk while she munched it, goading him to finish his share.

"Why does anyone want to eat this horrible thing?" he grumbled.

Nonetheless he put a brave face and took a small bite, quickly followed by a gulp of water, but the bite reached his stomach this time. So in appreciation, she restrained her giggle. She scooted to the side of the cupboard and sat there with her back resting on it.

"My father used to make it for me every time I was upset, fish finger sandwich with a thin layer of marmite. He's marmite guy. But my mum liked marmalade on her toast and she always made sure to make homemade orange marmalade on holiday," she spoke conversationally.

"No matter how angry you are, hurting yourself won't bring you any good, you know. Don't listen on what they say, there's always someone who don't like you no matter what you do, so just ignore them." The last part was said in light offhanded tone as to not incite his anger.

"Was?"

Hermione turned her head to face him, a frown between her eyebrows. From his expression she realised that he's referring to her earlier sentences.

"No-no-no, they're alive. They just don't remember me," she corrected his assumption. She transferred her gaze to the horizon, looked longingly to the distance. "I had to send them away to protect them during the war," she began.

"A complicated Memory Modification to make them think they're different persons with no daughter and some sort of adapted Protean Charm to take care of their identification so anything with Richard Philip Granger would change to Wendel David Wilkin and Elizabeth Jean Granger became Monica Jean Wilkin." She paused for a moment. "Very smart, right? In fact it was so perfect that there's no way to reverse it. But they're alive and happy, that's the most important for me."

She could feel his stare on her but she fixed her eyes to where it was, she didn't really want to know how his reaction would be.

"You don't change her middle name," Malfoy noted idly.

He really had interesting knack to pick on unexpected detail. It's amused her so she followed his lead.

"I shared my last name with my father, so in fairness my mother gave me her middle name. She's very competitive woman." She chuckled, realising that she should blame her mother that she inherited this trait. She sighed. "I knew that I had to let them go, that I might never meet them again. I know it's silly, but in that last second I still want to have a connection with them somehow."

Silence descended around them. Even the noise from the crowd below was more of a muffled sound. The sky had switched colour to reddish violet with a spade of gold layer on the horizon. Time to go home then, if not she might end up staying here until morning.

"You're still working on werewolf?"

Hermione grabbed her bag and stood up. "Yes. And?"

He scoffed. "Wow, you're really serious about doing the impossible, aren't you?"

"For your information Malfoy, my House-Elf project is huge success," she retorted, a shade of boasting could be heard in her voice. "Or are you offering your help? Have something to share, Malfoy? Another werewolf bedtime story perhaps?"

"Nice try, Granger. I see you're finally learning something about manipulation," he mocked complementing her. "Giving me strange food and then telling story about your parents so I'll lower my guard. But sorry, I'm not that stupid to fall on your trap. I know it's time for the Gryffindor Princess to go to bed, but find someone else for your bedtime story, Granger."

"Well, worth a try," she quipped. She glanced at his right hand and smirked. "Strange food, huh? But it seems you enjoy your sandwich," she teased, a cheeky grin decorating the corner of her lip.

He looked down on his hand and saw that the sandwich in his hand was almost gone. Schooling his expression, he countered, "I would rather have marmalade."

Looking straight to her eyes in defiance, he plopped the last bite into his mouth. His eyes never wavered from hers as he swallowed it.

A/N:

Marmite and marmalade, what an interesting couple (because butter and jam are too ordinary). I prefer honey on my breakfast though; on my toast, pancake, milk, porridge, almost everything. By the way if you think that Draco finishing his sandwich on his first marmite experience is too far-stretched, Hermione made the sandwich for her afternoon snack so it was cut into small size (as in instead of cutting it diagonally into 2 pieces, it was cut into 4 pieces). And I've done the similar trick to my friend where I managed making him to eat an 'exotic food' by distracting him with conversation, so it's possible to trick your friend that way. That's how you 'train' someone on how to eat marmite (^o^).