I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

A Taste of Magic

34th Course – Hunger and Thirst

"Albus! Good to see you!"

Dumbledore smiled broadly and shook the man's hand firmly. "Drake, good to see you too! How are you?"

Drake Tepes smiled and embraced Dumbledore after their handshake. "Oh you know me, going where the wind blows and what interests me."

"I do, and am always glad to see you blown to my doorstep." The pair left the Hogsmeade station and began walking to the castle. "I know you are not terribly fond of Britain."

"It is okay to visit here and there," Drake sniffed delicately. "The majority of people here leave something to be desired however." He noticed the patrolling Dementors and scowled. When one approached, he glared at it, his warm brown eyes turning deep red. The Dementor stopped and drifted the other way. "Case in point," he said dryly as his eyes shifted back to brown.

"Not to mention the dreary weather," Dumbledore said lightly, as if nothing had happened.

"Actually, one of the few pleasant reasons to visit," Drake chuckled. He made a show of inspecting his alabaster skin. "One must protect their complexion after all."

"Still terribly vain," Dumbledore snorted.

"And terrible otherwise," Drake smiled brightly.

"What brings you to visit?"

"Nicolas of course. He mentioned you wished to speak to me?"

"Oh yes. I did not think that was enough to interrupt your busy schedule, my apologies."

Drake waved a hand. "Nonsense. I had just finished some work in the States and he got a hold of me. I have nothing pressing for a while and it has been some time since you and I spent time together. I will be going to France after this to visit him and Perenelle. They have acquired a basilisk? From here no less?"

"That's right." Dumbledore gave Drake a summation of the events from last year as they entered the school grounds. He finished by the time they reached his office and had ensconced themselves comfortably.

"Quite the story," Drake said, eyes glinting with amusement. "Of course, letting Nicolas anywhere near a basilisk should be cause for worry."

"Thankfully he has Perenelle with him," Dumbledore chuckled.

"She's worse than he is," Drake snorted. "She eggs him on at least a third of the time."

"They get bored easily it seems," Dumbledore laughed. "Something you can relate with."

"True enough," Drake smiled. "I have been terribly bored as of late." An expression of melancholy crossed his face briefly before he looked up. "So, you wish to rejoin the world stage then?"

"Something like that," Dumbledore said.

"And what of the opinions of your countrymen?" Drake gestured out the window at the distant cloaked figures floating. "As if they have any opinions of note that is."

"Still rather isolationist and stubborn," Dumbledore admitted. "I am hoping to bring some things to light and to try and shift opinions a bit."

"My friend, you have not been successful in many years," Drake said sympathetically. "What makes you think you can change things now?"

"Well, for one, the Tri-Wizard is happening next year, and we are hosting."

"Oh? Well, that's interesting news." Drake looked thoughtful. "Which means you will obviously have the other two schools here, so some foreign visitors. Which means there will be more of a presence from the ICW."

"Indeed. And I am hoping to put a good foot forward with the Confederation visiting in force. While the current Ministry might pretend to not care, they will. And if we put a good showing there, that will create positive feelings for joining the International itself."

Drake sat back and laced long fingers together. "A fine thought and it would work. I would be happy to lend aid there." He took a deep breath. "That said, you have to know it will be an uphill fight. Many look down on Wizarding Britain, for many reasons."

"I know," Dumbledore said sadly. "But, I have some hopes for some of my students that might be able to prove their worth as well as represent a changing culture."

Drake laughed. "The last time the culture changed that abruptly was when a rather large shipment of tea was dumped in a harbor."

"There have been others since," Dumbledore laughed.

"I know, I am jesting." Drake smiled. "My worries remain however. Have the students here changed so much?"

"Not the older ones, but some of the younger ones have," Dumbledore said confidently. "I am hoping to influence them a bit with the Tournament, expose them to the world. Make them see what is possible and different, then show the world that we too are capable of change, change for the better."

He sat back. "The war ruined our efforts before and I am hoping to fix that."

"Hmm, wars do that," Drake said quietly. "And that was an unpleasant bit of business." He shrugged lightly. "Like I said, I am happy to help you, but I have my reservations."

"Perhaps I can put them to rest? Give you a bit of insight?"

Drake gave Dumbledore a calculating look. "You sound rather confident. It has been a while since I have heard you so."

The Headmaster smiled. "Like I said, I have strong hopes and am confident in this one."

Drake opened his arms. "By all means, show me! I will give you an honest assessment."

Dumbledore turned to Fawkes who was sitting on his perch, dozing. "Fawkes, fetch Harry if you would? No need to bring him back the fast way, a walk will do."

Fawked nodded eagerly and vanished in a flash of fire.

"Your fire pigeon looked rather eager," Drake observed.

"Fawkes is fond of Harry." Dumbledore shook his head. "And fire pigeon, really?"

"An apt description I would say," Drake sniffed.

"Your jealousy is unbecoming."

"I am not jealous," Drake huffed. "Beauty without effort is simply unfair is all." He grinned. "You do surround yourself with vain things I have noticed."

"Not the first time I was told that," Dumbledore chuckled.

-0-

"Hey Harry," Oliver said with a tired smile.

"Hey Oliver, how's it going?" He looked at the people sprawled around in the corner of the common room. "Everyone okay?"

"Yeah, just tired and a bit dispirited," Oliver said pleasantly. "The game, as you saw, was tough flying and for it to be ruled as a draw was a bit hard to swallow."

"No rematch due to the weather?" Harry asked.

"Well, it was offered but Flint didn't want it," Angelina sighed. "Knows we'd whip them normally."

"I don't know about that," Alicia said scathingly. "McClaggen is a terrible Seeker."

"He plays Keeper more," Oliver said diplomatically. "But he wanted to give Seeker a try and well, he plowed himself into the ground early on and their Seeker, Malfoy, couldn't catch it before the game was called due to the Dementors. We were tied on goals so it was ruled as such. Rare, but it happens."

He colored a little. "Oh, sorry, Harry. How are you doing by the way? I heard you had to go to the Infirmary?"

"Oh no, why?" Katie asked, looking up.

Harry looked sheepish. "I have bad reactions to Dementors, like really bad."

"Nothing wrong with that," Fred said, "they suck."

George shuddered. "Literally, if you're super unlucky."

"What does that mean?" Harry asked.

"Our dad told us," George explained. "If they get too close and are too hungry, they suck your soul out." He made a very loud sucking sound before Angelina hit him in the face with a pillow.

"Leaves you a husk," Fred continued. "It's super messed up."

"Another reason not to get too close to them," Harry shuddered. "Well, I made these for you," he said, handing Oliver a box.

"Oh, more biscuits?" Alicia asked, brightening.

"Muffins this time. Thought you all would like some after your game. I couldn't imagine playing in it when I was watching, with the storm going on," Harry said.

"Aww, thanks!" Katie gushed. She picked one up. "Ooh, still warm!"

"Warming Charm that Professor Flitwick taught us," Harry smiled.

"Oh my goodness, this is delicious," Angelina said, mouth full. "I love blueberry muffins!"

"Thanks, Harry!" the twins said together. "We appreciate it."

"Really nice of you," Oliver smiled.

"Does this mean we can expect more treats if we lose?" Alicia asked.

"Wait, hold on," Oliver said, looking alarmed.

"Pretty decent consolation prize," Angelina mused.

"I don't like where this is going!" Oliver cried, making the others and Harry laugh.

"Calm down Oliver," Katie giggled. "We'll just ask for something for when we win too. And pay you of course, I still remember mentioning that from last time. We don't want to take advantage of you."

Harry smiled back. "I'll work something out." He blinked when he noticed Fawkes standing on the window sill, looking up at him. The phoenix appeared outside with his normal bit of fire, then pushed his way through a window and sat there comfortably, looking up at Harry. "Oh hi Fawkes, are you looking for me?"

Fawkes nodded and looked at one of the muffins covetously, licking his beak.

"For a snack or does the Headmaster want me?" Harry smiled when Fawkes chirped twice. "I still have some muffins I can bring. Guess I should go then."

Alicia whistled. "Sent for by a phoenix? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Harry waited for Fawkes to settle on his shoulder comfortably before he started walking. "I don't know, but I don't think it's bad. See you guys later."

"Thanks again!" the team chorused.

-0-

"Come in." Dumbledore smiled as Harry walked into his office with Fawkes noisily enjoying a muffin while sitting on his shoulder. "Ah Harry, thank you for coming. Allow me to introduce you to a good friend of mine. Drake, this is Harry Potter. Harry, this is Drake Tepes."

Drake smiled and extended his hand. "A pleasure to meet you." His skin was cold to the touch and he shook Harry's hand firmly.

"Likewise," Harry said. "I brought some blueberry muffins. Fawkes is eating one already as you can see."

"And hear," Dumbledore said. He happily accepted a muffin and bit into it eagerly. "Mmm, delicious as usual."

Drake tore a piece off the top and delicately sniffed the air. "Hmmm, delightful aroma." He popped the piece into his mouth. "I agree, quite delicious! Soft but not overly, fresh blueberry, nice and sweet." He stopped and looked horrified. "Wait. Is that…garlic I smell?"

Harry blinked. "I was chopping some before the muffins were finished but they aren't in the muffins."

"Oh no, if I can smell it, it is too late!" Drake gasped and clutched his throat before slumping over. His chest stopped moving and he looked blankly into space, going terribly still.

Dumbledore sighed and bit into the muffin again. "Do not be alarmed," he said to a very alarmed Harry. "He is being dramatic."

Drake groaned and looked at Dumbledore with irritation. "Dramatic? Someone dying is 'being dramatic'?"

"For you? Yes," Dumbledore said. He rolled his eyes and gave Harry an apologetic smile who was just starting to relax. "Drake is a vampire, hence his little joke about garlic."

"People usually find it funny," Drake complained. "Ow! Hey! Stop that! Albus, control your pigeon!" He tried to fend off Fawkes' pecking.

"He does not appreciate you insulting Harry's cooking," Dumbledore said mildly. "He just might steal the rest of your muffin."

"You try and I will kill you for good! I can do it!" Drake said crossly and Fawkes looked unimpressed. Fawkes snatched a chunk of the muffin from under Drake's hand and flew to his roost, glowering. "Your bird is a pest," Drake grumbled.

"So you're not…allergic to garlic? Is that an allergy?" Harry asked with interest.

"I personally am not. There are different kinds of vampires in the world and some are sensitive to it and some are not." Drake tapped his nose. "I have a very sensitive sense of smell to some things, hence me smelling the garlic." He sniffed the air. "You must be a cook of some note. I can smell a variety of spices and ingredients when you entered."

"I like to cook," Harry said. "Gosh, must be handy to be able to smell things like that."

"Like most things, there are positives and negatives." Drake ate the remains of his muffin with gusto. "Very delicious by the way, I was not jesting on that."

"Thank you." Harry looked at him. "Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, but vampires eat regular food too?"

Drake smiled broadly, revealing gleaming fangs. "Again, it depends on the type of vampire. For all vampires, it is about imbibing essence, something essential for survival. Where people and animals consume food for the nutrients they require, the needs of vampires are distilled into more specific needs. Most need blood to survive. Others feed off emotion. Some crave pure magic."

He pulled back shoulder length black hair behind his ears. "I thirst for blood but it can be any blood really. I have my favorites like any picky eater, but I can survive comfortably on food like others can as long as I get to have blood here and there."

"Wow, that's really cool," Harry said with bright eyes. "Thank you for explaining that."

Drake blinked a few times. "You are quite welcome."

"Would you like to cook something for Drake while he is here?" Dumbledore asked. "He will be visiting for a few days and we could come visit for a Club night. I am sure Drake has some spells he has learned that are useful for Household Charms."

"Oh plenty," Drake said, "some useful and some not."

"Sure, I would like that," Harry said. "Is there something you really like, Sir? I don't know many different cuisines yet but would love to try if you have something specific in mind."

"Do not worry about that," Drake said kindly. "I have traveled all about Europe and the States mostly, as well as South America and enjoy a variety of things. I would be fine with whatever you make. To be honest, I have not had any sort of hunger for anything in some time."

"I'll try and think of something." Harry said thoughtfully. He left, still lost in thought.

"He is quite kind. Most do not react so well to meeting a vampire," Drake said after Harry left.

"He is an excellent young man of good character," Dumbledore said proudly.

-0-

"No, there can't be more homework we haven't done!" Parvati wailed.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, looking up.

"You're reading more!"

Harry snorted. "I'm reading for fun and something else."

"No one does that!"

"Yes people do!" Hermione said indignantly. "And I've seen you read your astrology book."

"Astronomy and astrology," Parvati corrected.

"Adding astronomy to astrology does not make it any more legitimate," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

"First of all, how dare you," Parvati said severely, making Lavender and Harry giggle and laugh. "Second of all, how dare you."

"You said that already," Hermione smiled.

"That's the depth of me being surprised at how you dare. Third of all, astrology does have some basis in magic and you need it for certain rituals as well as divination."

"You need astronomy more," Hermione said.

"Which are somewhat related. Besides, like most things, there is a basis of fact. When is your birthday again? September 19th? Oh, you're a Virgo, no question."

"And what does that mean?!" Hermione asked, sounding scandalized.

"You're a perfectionist, works hard, pay a lot of attention to detail." Parvati smiled when Hermione relaxed a little. "Not to mention judgmental and overly critical! And you think too much!"

"First of all, judgmental and overly critical are basically the same thing," Hermione said, blushing at Parvati's look of vindication and Harry and Lavender snorting, trying to stifle smiles. "Second of all, there's nothing wrong with thinking! And third of all…how dare you!"

"Hey that's my thing!" Parvati gasped.

"You don't own it! What are you then?"

"I'm not telling!"

"Her birthday is February fifth," Harry smiled.

"That means she's an Aquarius," Lavender added.

"And what are your traits then?" Hermione asked sharply.

"For me to know and you to never find out since you don't believe in it anyways," Parvati said, hugging her book to her chest.

"Fine. I'm going to the library then!" Hermione got up and ran out of the common room.

"Hey! Stop that!" Parvati shouted after and chased her out.

"You can follow after them," Harry smiled at Lavender. "Tell me how it goes later."

"Thanks!" Lavender ran after them, smiling from ear to ear. She nearly ran into Neville coming in, shouting a hasty apology to him as she ran past.

"What's all that about?" Neville asked, looking vaguely windswept.

"Star signs apparently," Harry smiled.

"Ah, say no more." Neville sat beside Harry. "What are you working on?"

"Just looking for a cooking idea. There's going to be a guest at our next club night and I want to make something nice for them. They said they haven't had anything they've really wanted in a while and I want them to enjoy it." Harry held up the book he got from Sue last Christmas. "So just seeing what I could try."

"I thought you didn't cook much Asian things," Neville said.

"I haven't. But you know, you learn more by doing, sometimes," Harry said.

"That's true. I've had plants I wasn't able to cultivate well at home without some trial and error," Neville said. "What does the guest like?"

"Uhm, somewhat different," Harry said after some thought. "Candy?" He held out his drawstring bag.

"Thanks!" Neville reached in and pulled something out. "You still have the bloody sucker?" he laughed.

"I don't want to throw it away but I also don't want to eat it," Harry laughed. His laughter faded and he turned thoughtful, paging through the book. "Huh, that's so weird…then again…"

Neville munched on a piece of chocolate. "Got an idea?"

"I do and I don't know if it'll work, but might as well try. And it gave me an idea for a back-up." Harry got up. "I'll have to see if I can get the ingredients."

-0-

Roosty blinked her large eyes at Harry. "Roosty sorry, but Harry wants what?"

Harry flushed a little. "I know it's a bit strange-"

"More than a bit," Roost said.

"Okay, more than a bit. But it's for a dish." He showed her a page in the cookbook.

"Oh! That…that sounds interesting actually," Roosty said as she read it. "Roosty can get it. But we should ask professor first. In case." She walked off and Harry rushed to follow her. When she arrived at the destination, she knocked on the door a few times.

"Come in!" Flitwick smiled seeing Roosty and Harry walk in. "Ah hello! How can I help you?"

"Harry would like something from the farms," Roosty explained.

"I thought that was under your purview, why come to me?" Flitwick asked, confused. He looked at the ingredient that Roosty and Harry pointed out. "Ahhh, I see now. I am somewhat familiar with that being cooked but I'm surprised you are Harry. Why are you making this?"

"For a guest of Professor Dumbledore's," Harry said.

Flitwick thought for a moment then smiled. "Oh I see! How thoughtful of you. I see no problem with it. Do you, Roosty?"

"Is no problem. But House Elves must check with faculty before certain things," Roosty said apologetically.

"I understand," Harry said. "And like I said, bit strange."

"More than a bit," Roosty giggled. "Roosty go get. Can Roosty have some please when you finish?"

"I'm actually going to make a trial dish of it tonight if I can use the room," Harry said. "Would you like to watch and have it then?"

"Yes please!"

"I'll tag along too," Flitwick said enthusiastically. "Like I said, I'm somewhat familiar with it with my own culture."

"French?" Harry asked with a smile.

Flitwick laughed boisterously. "Actually, there is a bit of French in my history so that's not completely off. I am part Goblin, on my father's side."

"Oh? That's really neat," Harry said. "They cook like that too, something similar to this dish?"

"Oh certainly, and many more besides."

"I'd love to learn more," Harry said eagerly.

Flitwick turned thoughtful before smiling once more. "I think I might just be able to make that happen."

"Really?!"

"I do! Give me some time, but we will see."

-0-

"Wait, we're about to meet a vampire?" Millicent asked.

Household Charms club were meeting together and Flitwick had told them of the special guest. Harry had been there before them, having cooked something first, and it was slowly simmering on the stovetop. The air smelled savory with a slight hint of vinegar but before anyone could ask what it was, Flitwick had informed them of the incoming guest.

"Indeed. He is an old friend of the Headmaster and a frequent visitor to the school," Flitwick said.

"Wow, guess you picked a good time to come for your first meeting," Sue said to the newcomers.

"Auntie's worked with vampires before," Susan Bones said. "I haven't met any myself yet but I'm sure it'll be okay."

Ron and Ginny looked at each other. "I don't have a problem," Ginny said, something Ron echoed.

As they were leaving for the club, Ron and Ginny had approached Lavender, Parvati, Hermione, and Neville and asked if they could come with them. After a brief look they had agreed, mildly surprised to be joined by the Weasleys. The surprise had increased when the others had seen them and there was a moment of tension between the Weasley siblings and Pansy and Millicent before they let it go. Susan coming with Padma, Sue, and Luna had been another surprise.

Susan had been with Sue and they had front-row seats to the row that Parvati and Hermione had when the latter looked up some star signs in a book in the library. The incident had deeply amused them and Sue invited her fellow Sue-sounding friend to the club and Susan had agreed readily.

"There's another bloke now," Neville had smiled.

"Smith wanted to tag along but I warned him we actually did stuff here," Sue frowned. "He's allergic to work and decided not to come."

"Why would he want to come? He's one of the Society too with House Elves that do everything," Millicent said.

"Probably wanted to bother Lavender," Susan said, giving Lavender an apologetic look. "He and the other boys in Hufflepuff say some stuff.

"Like what?" Harry asked, frowning mightily.

Susan blinked at the expression. "Nothing polite really."

"I can handle Smith," Lavender sniffed. "Don't worry," she said, patting Harry on the arm.

Before anyone could say anything else, the door opened with a loud slow creak and Drake strode in. His cloak billowed behind him dramatically. His face was carved in patrician lines and he looked about coolly, his eyes a mix of brown and red. The students gaped at his appearance, eyes widening.

"So," he said, his voice silky and echoing slightly, "you are the ones that request my presence? You dare demand an interview with a vampire?" A sudden flash of fire and light made everyone cry out and Drake threw his hands up, beating at his smoldering cloak. "Curse you! You damn flying fire rat!" His voice lost the echoing quality, sounding positively irate.

Dumbledore sighed as he followed Drake in and closed the door behind him. "Drake, mind your language."

"Bugger your language and your bird!" Drake replied, chasing after a snickering Fawkes. The phoenix flew ahead of the irate vampire, musical giggling filling the room as Drake trailed smoke behind him as the top of his cloak smoldered. The scene was so ludicrous, the students were laughing, the moment changed irrevocably.

"Everyone, meet Drake," Dumbledore smiled to the deeply amused students. "As you may surmise now, his previous mystique is an air that he likes to affect for dramatic purposes."

"Let me have my fun," Drake sighed. He visibly relaxed, his eyes warm and his demeanor no longer haughty. "But yes, I am Drake and I am a vampire. And we can get some questions out of the way. Allow me to answer the most asked. Do not worry, I will not suck your blood, as long as I am satisfied another way which I believe your compatriot will be attempting to do so." He nodded genially at a suddenly nervous Harry. "I am sure I will however, if his muffins were any mark of his ability."

"Do you like Anne Rice?" Hermione asked.

"I do not know, have I met her?"

"Oh well you said interview with a vampire, so I thought you did," Hermione said.

"Drat. Muggleborn are you?" Drake shook his head when she nodded. "I thought I was being clever with that. Yes, I do enjoy her writing though her takes on vampires are somewhat generous."

"Does garlic hurt you? If so, don't go over to that side," Parvati said, pointing at the kitchen side.

"Not all vampires are sensitive to garlic," Luna said.

"That is correct," Drake said, looking faintly impressed. "Did Harry tell you that I already assuaged that fear?"

"No, my daddy and I have met vampires before. One of his friends smells a lot like you." Luna looked at Padma who had gently elbowed her. "Not in a bad way, but in an identifiable way."

Drake blinked at that while the others snickered. "I…uh…well I suppose I need to pay attention to how I and others smell. Even with my keen senses, I never truly noticed."

"You smell very nice," Luna said dreamily. "Like night air and clean soil. Oh and sandalwood."

"That is very kind of you to say," Drake replied, slightly confused yet oddly touched.

"So does getting stabbed through the heart with a wooden stake kill you?" Ron asked.

"Yes but I imagine that would kill just about anything really, that has a heart," Drake quipped, making them laugh. He pointed a finger at a preening Fawkes. "Do not think I cannot do it to you."

"How did you make your cloak do that when you entered?" Lavender asked.

Drake smiled broadly. "One of my very favorite charms! I am a master at glamours and aesthetic charms and as someone here so likes to characterize me, I have a flair for the dramatic. Allow me to show you!" He taught them a bevy of charms that included your cloak billowing out behind you as you walked, your hair moving in the breeze even if there was not a breeze, skin protecting spells, and helped them learn a different kind of warming charm.

"Will you be teaching us aesthetic charms?" Parvati asked Flitwick eagerly.

"I suppose I can adjust my curriculum," Flitwick smiled. "I never had any real desire for those kinds of charms, but if the want is there, I suppose I could work it in."

"Not everyone shares your sense of style," Drake said. "Besides, that overly dour fellow you have here, he uses the cloak billowing charm."

"Professor Snape denies that, adamantly," Dumbledore smiled, making the students look at each other with delighted expressions.

"I doubt that entirely! If anything, he does it better than me and that is saying something!" Drake opened his mouth to say more but at that moment, Harry went to check on the simmering pot and his head whipped around when Harry took the lid off. His eyes flickered and he drifted towards the kitchen, following his nose. "What is that?" he asked, licking his lips slightly.

Dumbledore and Flitwick had noticed Drake's sudden change in demeanor and they surreptitiously went over to that side of the room as well with the others watching on. Harry, focused on the bubbling pot, had not quite noticed. "What I'm hoping you like. It's called dinuguan, if I'm pronouncing it right." He tasted the thick chocolate-brown sauce that clung to the pork. "Mmm, I think it's pretty good." He ladled out a portion onto some white rice and put it before Drake who had sat at the table beside the stove, looking on with undisguised interest. "I hope you like it, this is the second time I've made it. Tested it for the first time the other night."

Drake took up a spoon and filled it with rice and meat and gravy. He breathed deep, his eyes turning deeper red. He tasted it delicately, chewing slightly before he gobbled the rest of the spoonful. "This is exquisite," he breathed. "It's so rich and hearty and luxurious! With a hint of vinegar and spice! It's incredible!"

Sue sniffed the air and she looked down at the pot with a thoughtful look. "Wait, I've seen this before. It smells really familiar."

"It smells nice," Padma said. "Can we have some too?"

"Only once you know what it is," Harry said. He looked nervous once more. "It's a bit different than what we're used to. Well wait, not terribly so to one thing. Do you like black pudding?"

"What does black pudding have to do with this?" Neville asked.

"Oh! I know what it is now, that's chocolate pork," Sue exclaimed.

"You cook chocolate with pork?" Ron asked, making a face.

"Not with chocolate," Sue said. "It's called that because the sauce looks like that. It's actually blood."

"What?!" a few of the others exclaimed, looking various degrees of shocked and revolted.

"It's pork blood," Harry said, flushing when everyone looked at him with expressions ranging from shocked to horror. "It's a traditional Filipino dish. Blood is an ingredient in a lot of Asian cooking apparently."

"Oh yeah, there's some Chinese dishes," Sue said.

"Some Indian ones too." Parvati looked a little squeamish. "Never really appealed to me though."

"Me neither," Padma said.

"There's blood in black pudding?!" Ron asked.

"That's what makes it go black," Harry nodded.

"I did not know that," Neville gasped. "That's really interesting and kinda gross." He looked panicked. "I mean, I didn't mean to sound dismissive or anything-"

"It's a bit strange," Sue said soothingly.

"More than a bit," Flitwick and Harry said together. They smiled at one another, making the others look at them strangely.

"I also made shepherd's pie for the people that don't want to eat any dinuguan." He opened the oven door and removed a large pan with golden-brown potato topping and bubbling gravy.

"I think I will stick with that," Millicent said. "I'm sure the dinuwhatsit is good but…it's just…"

"I don't mind, really," Harry smiled. "That's why I made a pie too."

Besides Drake, Dumbledore, Flitwick, and Fawkes ate the stewed meat readily, enjoying the flavor. Sue had some as well and her enthusiasm prompted Susan to try a bit and Luna ate a plate of it herself, also enjoying it. Most of the others passed, enjoying the shepherd's pie, but Lavender tried a little and after much hesitation, so did Pansy.

"It doesn't taste weird actually," Lavender said with wonder. "It's like rich stewed meat." She smiled sheepishly at Harry. "I don't think I can have more though. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, I'm really happy and honored you tried it at all," Harry said, genuinely happy. "You too Pansy."

"The taste is not unpleasant," Pansy said. "But I agree with Lavender, kind of hard to think about."

"This is better than some I've had," Sue said.

"I like it," Luna smiled, "tastes good to me."

Drake finished a third helping and delicately wiped his lips on a napkin. "Now that was a fine meal. You have my thanks, Harry." He paused and looked at Harry directly. "You have never made this before save for the test?" He looked astonished at Harry's nod. "Why attempt it now?"

"You said that you can survive on regular food but eating to survive is a bit…sad to me," Harry said slowly. "So I wanted to challenge myself and try to make something you would enjoy eating. As well as having something there that you like and want in it."

"And you went through all that effort for me?" Drake asked, incredibly surprised. "Why?"

"You said you haven't had any sort of hunger for a while. Thought you might like to try something new," Harry said softly. "Not to be presumptuous, but well, I thought it might be nice. You also said you traveled about Europe and the Americas but not Asia. I'm lucky to have the cookbook to try Asian foods now so, thought you might like to try some."

Drake looked at him for a long time, his eyes piercing. "Harry…"

"Potter," Dumbledore provided.

"Harry Potter," Drake said slowly. "You have made a friend today. You have done a kindness for me and I will not forget it. This meal was delicious and I suppose I need to go explore Asia more now." He smiled and though his fangs were on full display, the expression was kind and warm. "I have been on this earth for many years, and it appears there is still plenty for me to see, and more importantly, to taste."

He looked at Dumbledore. "I have reservations no longer. I will do my best to assist you." He looked at the students in the room. "I believe you are quite right."

"Excellent," Dumbledore beamed.

Drake extended his hand and shook Harry's and the cold flesh did not feel so cold anymore. "If you need anything, you need only ask. I, Vladius Draconis Tepes, will do what I can. On my honor, so I swear."

A clattering of a dropped fork drew their attention and Hermione was staring at Drake with huge eyes. "T-T-Tepes?" she repeated.

"Yes?" Drake said, looking confused. "Oh! Have you heard of me?" he asked with a large smile.

"You're Vlad Tepes? Count Dracula?! Son of the Dragon?!" Hermione's voice rose in pitch. "As in Vlad the Impaler?!" The others looked between a slightly horrified Hermione and a more than slightly embarrassed Drake.

"Oh! No no no," Drake said hurriedly. "That was my uncle! I was adopted by him as a distant nephew relation sort of thing and that whole thing with the Ottomans, I was not involved in. Hence why I go by Drake to try and avoid unpleasant misunderstandings. As far as I know, I have never impaled anyone on anything!"

"As far as you know," Flitwick repeated dryly.

"I have been, well not alive but you know the equivalent of being alive, for hundreds of years," Drake retorted. "Do you remember everything you have ever done? Same with Nicolas and Perenelle. They certainly do not, unless it is something petty and worth bearing a grudge over then they remember everything in horrific detail."

"Oh, you know Nicky and Penny too?" Harry asked, delighted.

"Nicky and Penny?" Drake shook his head. "Okay, now I especially do not want to be on your wrong side. If you can call them that, then any slight against you will be seen very poorly by those two." He looked at Flitwick. "And I know for a fact that Nicolas has impaled-"

Dumbledore cleared his throat, glaring at Drake. "Another time with that story I think."

"Oh right." Drake saw the youngsters and flushed slightly. "Any last questions for me?" he asked with assumed dignity.

"Oh, I do," Harry said. He smiled at Parvati. "What do you think of the bloody suckers?"

"Those dreadful blood-flavored lollipops?" Drake laughed exuberantly, the sound so happy and infectious, it prompted the others to laugh too. "They do not have any blood in them at all and while they taste similarly to blood, they do not taste like blood. Not properly anyways."

"Finally, now we know," Parvati smiled.

-0-

Later that night, Dumbledore and Drake sat in his office for a nightcap. Drake slowly rolled the goblet in his hand, watching the firewhiskey swirl within. "I am actively trying to remember the last time I was so…pleasantly surprised."

He looked at Dumbledore directly. "Has he met a vampire before?"

"Not to my knowledge, or his I imagine."

"He was kind at the start. Actively looked for something that would suit my palate in more ways than one. And was brave to attempt it." He smacked his lips. "And it tasted good. You can taste something more to his cooking. Something…something that others lack."

"Perenelle said she can taste his sincerity," Dumbledore said softly.

"Exactly." Drake nodded. "His sincerity. His effort. His attention to detail and his care." He sipped the potent spirit. "I believe you, when you feel something about him."

"Now that is a smile, one of the widest I have ever seen on you," Dumbledore observed.

"Albus, I have roamed this earth for ages. I have seen moments of great import, seen attempts fail to rise, seen stars burn out and seen stars burn forever. Each time, there is a certain feeling about it, no matter how great or small the…sincere change that comes about." Drake sipped his goblet.

"And do you feel it now?" Dumbledore asked, interested. "That feeling?"

"Oh yes," Drake said, voice low and rich. "I do. And I am so terribly excited to see what is to come of it."

"You and I both," Dumbledore smiled.

Drake refilled their goblets. "To the future and seeing what comes," Drake toasted.

"To interesting times," Dumbledore toasted.

-0-0-0-

LordLiberty - Sorry, I may not have been clear but Remus' Boggart was the Werewolf. I changed it up from canon a little. I am trying to give him a little more development in this fic though and I'm glad that you are enjoying his change and growth. Same with the other adults.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - Thanks for reading.

odonnellzoo99 - I like to think Harry's willingness to talk to his friends as well as Remus and Dumbledore shows growth on his part that makes sense.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - then you will enjoy him in about 7 or 8 chapters or so. Spoilers.

poka - Yeah, that is a good example. I can see that being an inspiration for sure. Magic has the dark and the light, and I feel like, even with this trying to be a lighter slice of life fic, you still need to see the other side to make the lighter side feel that much more satisfying. The friendships are definitely wish fulfillment haha.

alix33 - There was a meme a while ago that IO enjoyed saying McGonagall trusted herself the most to deal with Dementors, hence cat Patroni.

TimothyB - There will be a pairing eventually. Not for some time yet, but there will be.

- Thank you.

DarkRavie - Thank you.