Chapter Five- Cooking Lessons

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"Now you put it into the water and let it boil for a while. As the pasta's being boiled, you work on the soup," Nicola instructed Hermione. "Then you cook the sauce and put the pasta in."

Hermione nodded as she tried to take mental notes of everything. She never thought cooking would be such a difficult task. After making sure Hermione understood everything, Nicola sat down and let her take over. As Nicola watched, she began to wonder just where her boyfriend was

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Harry bit his lip as he took a look at his surroundings. He never knew there was such a strange and creepy place in London. He'd asked nearly twenty people, all whom didn't want to help at all. As Harry worried, Ron seemed to be enjoying himself.

"Harry," Ron said excitedly. "I'm going to get a job here when I'm older."

"Job," Harry frowned. "What kind of job could you possibly get working in an area like this?"

"The one where people pay me food!"

"Food? Ron, no one pays anyone food."

"Yeah, but look at him. He has a sign that says, 'Will work for food.'"

"Ron, these people are homeles," Harry explained, "they haven't got families, food or shelter."

"What do you mean?"

"They don't have jobs. These aren't jobs. This is... Desperation."

"Oh."

"Balloons! Get your balloons!"

Ron followed the voice only to be frightened. A clown with fuzzy purple hair and red nose was walking around, selling balloons.

"Come on," Harry said, "maybe we can ask the clown for help."

Ron didn't reply. His eyes fell on the flower on the clown's shirt. He began to feel afraidd. Very afraid.

"No! Please no!"

Several clowns had gathered around him, water squirting out of the flowers on their suits, melting away the pink fluffy sweetness that was cotton candy.

"No! Not the pink fluffy thing! Not the pink-"

"Ron!" Without thinking, Harry slapped Ron. "Snap out of it Ron! Snap out of it!"

Several people had their eyes glued on the two young men. Realizing that he was just remembering a memory, Ron calmed down.

"Ouch, that hurt," Ron pouted. He never knew Harry could slap so hard.

Harry sighed. "Come on, we've got to get to a bus stop, or else, we'll end up like them," he gestured to the beggars. "Come on."

Taking one last look at the clown, Ron ran after Harry. Harry stopped, ran back and handed some of the beggars some money before going back.

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Hermione waited anxiously as Nicola took a sip of her tomato soup. She was afraid that she'd made a mistake. Nicola took another sip. Hermione let out a sigh of relief when Nicola gave her a thumbs up for the soup. She held her breath as Nicola tried the Spaghetti. Nicola immediately spit it out without meaning to.

"Oh no," Hermione shook her head in disappointment. "What's wrong with it?"

"You put too much salt," Nicola replied. The horrible taste was still in her mouth. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get it next time."

"I suppose so. Thanks for helping me out, I really appreciate this."

"It's nothing at all. Come on, let's get cleaned up."

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"Harry, I'm tired," Ron whined as he followed Harry out of another bus. "Can't we just call Mr. Granger and get a ride back?"

"No," Harry said firmly for probably the third time already. He didn't want to ask for help. He had a feeling if he did so, he'd feel stupid. Maybe perhaps, it was just his ego. Either way, he wasn't going to ask for help.

"But we'll miss dinner!"

"So? You could lose some weight. You're starting to look a little chubby," Harry poked Ron's stomach.

Ron gasped, his hands flying to his cheeks. He looked at Harry with wide frightened eyes. "Really?"

Harry rolled his eyes. As they continued to walk, Ron kept touching himself to make sure he wasn't really fat. Harry grabbed his collar and dragged him into another bus. At this rate, they were never going to get home in time. As they got off the next stop, Harry decided it was time to swallow his pride and call Hermione's dad for help.

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Nicola and Hermione sat on the floor of the livingroom playing Scrabble.

"Where do you suppose the boys have gone," Hermione asked.

"Probably went to get dinner," Nicola chuckled.

Hermione smiled but she was still a bit worried. They'd been gone nearly all day. Not only that, but she was really starting to miss Harry. It also worried her to see her dad take off in a rush mumbling something about buses. Perhaps he was going to pick them up. They continued to play until they were told to get to bed.

Ron and Harry got back late but Mrs. Granger had saved them dinner so they got to eat. Happy and tired from their long day, the boys went up to bed.

It wasn't until late at night that Harry was awakened by a visitor. They were stroking his hair and whispering words he could hardly hear. Harry smiled. It was Hermione. He couldn't really see, but he was sure of it.

"I love you," he heard her say and he could feel her leanin down to kiss him. He could fell her breath on his face. He closed his eyes.

"Harry?"

His eyes shot open and he saw Hermione standing in the doorway. Beside her stood Nicola. If they were there, then who was he about to kiss? He felt his heart stop as soon as one of girls said,

"Ron!"