I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
A Taste of Magic
8th Course – Questions and Answers
The club classroom was warm and rich in scents and laughter. The wind howled outside, snow and chill doing their best to break through the castle stones and bother the people within. The stove working overtime kept it at bay, as did the chatting and feelings of happiness of the people inside.
"I've always wanted to bake biscuits for the holidays," Parvati said. "It always seemed fun."
"What do you do normally?" Harry asked.
"Mostly cakes and other traditional desserts and dishes," Padma said. "We visit with family, like visit ones we normally only see for trips and special occasions."
"But now I can prove I can bake," Parvati said smugly. "And fully intend on making them eat their words and my biscuits."
"You better not take any of Harry's to pass off as your own," Padma warned. "I can taste the difference."
Ever since they learned that magic had a possible impact on food, they made things together, sometimes with magic and sometimes without. They, including Flitwick, were delighted to discover that they could taste subtle yet distinct differences when magic was involved. They all regularly agreed that Harry was still the best of them and could easily tell when he made something, with and without magic.
Harry regularly cooked without magic however. He still learned the spells that Flitwick came up with and found, and liked practicing them. He was getting much better with the Scouring Charm for example. Yet since learning that magic could change things, he wanted to ensure that his skill in cooking did come from his practical efforts. He secretly found it more satisfying but enjoyed using a spell here and there.
"I'll make sure you don't do that either," Parvati said and she and her twin glared daggers at one another. "What do you do, Lavender?" she asked.
"My grandmum is a great cook so we usually go to her," Lavender said. "She almost always has things ready before we get there so she can spend more time with us so we don't cook with her much. I'm hoping to do something with her this year though! I never found cooking all that interesting until now and I want to cook with her."
She fluttered her eyelashes at Harry. "It's all your fault if you were wondering."
He grinned. "Sorry," he said, not meaning it.
She giggled. "What about you?"
Harry released a deep breath. "My aunt and uncle normally hosts dinner parties for the holidays, with an especially big one for Christmas. I made the food for them."
"All of them?" Padma asked, frowning.
Harry nodded. "They liked having guests and being sociable."
"They didn't help you?" Parvati asked, frowning identically.
"No, it was my responsibility and duty," Harry said, mixing another batch of biscuit dough. "I'm pretty good at it. People loved going to the parties and looked forward to them all year."
"You are a really great cook," Lavender said, looking at Harry closely. "Is it not happening this year?"
He shook his head. "I sent them a message the other day, asking what the themes of the party were and asking for details so I could prepare. Turns out someone else is hosting the parties this year because I left them for school and they're going on a trip for the other part of the holidays. So I'm not needed to come home."
"Not…needed?" Lavender looked troubled and the twins shared the look. "That's…that's not very nice."
Harry shrugged, not meeting their gazes. "It's okay. It'll be the first holiday that I can remember where I'm not responsible for cooking everything. I'll have a lot of time off for the first time. I get to see what it's like," he joked feebly.
"You'll be here by yourself?" Parvati asked quietly.
He looked up and noticed their expressions. "I'll be fine," he said hurriedly. "The professors will be here of course and I'll have Hedwig. I'll have plenty of time to do homework and I might even do a little extra." He smiled. "Maybe I can beat Padma's marks."
That made them smile and giggle, alleviating some of the tension. "Maybe you might even beat Hermione's," Padma smiled.
"He'd have to study all the time and not cook at all," Parvati said. "Are good marks worth that?"
"Please don't do that," Lavender begged. "I'd miss your food so much. And your company."
"Good to know," Harry said, wiping his brow with faux-relief. After he left to use the restroom, the girls looked at each other.
"He doesn't talk about his home life much, does he?" Padma asked quietly.
Parvati shook her head. "He changes the subject now that I think about it. He likes hearing about ours but…"
Lavender sighed. "From what I've heard, I don't blame him for not saying anything. It doesn't sound very pleasant."
"Should we do something?" Padma asked.
Parvati shrugged helplessly. "Like what?"
"I have no idea," Padma admitted, mirroring the gesture.
"Well, he's been slowly opening up more," Lavender said. "Let's just be there for him like he does for us and we can hopefully help when and how we can."
"That's a good idea," the twins said together and looked at each with surprise.
"You two just did a Weasley twins," Lavender giggled. The giggles became laughter when the girls made identical faces of disgust. "You did it again!"
Harry walked back in and stopped. Flour and other things were strewn about and Lavender was being chased by a vengeful pair of twins. "Uh, what did I miss?"
Lavender ran to him and hid behind him. "I made an innocent comment and they attacked me!"
"She compared us to the Weasley twins!" Padma said loudly.
"And you got flour and sugar into my hair!" Lavender shouted back.
"I'll get more than that in more than your hair! Come here!" Parvati chased after Lavender who ran squealing.
"I'm not cleaning this up!" Harry smiled and shouted.
-0-
Harry was sitting in front of the fire in the common room. He was the only person from Gryffindor that stayed at Hogwarts for the holiday. Being the only person in the tower was a novel experience for him. It was so quiet when the tower was usually never quiet except for the middle of the night. Even then, there was sometimes some noise due to something or someone.
It had been a very long time since he was perfectly alone like this. Even in the days of cooking all day in the kitchen at Number 4 Privet Drive, Petunia was somewhere in the house, if not Vernon or Dudley as well. He could still remember a time where he was kept somewhere out of the way, in darkness and silence, but that thankfully was a very long time ago. The silence of the tower was almost enough to be familiar, however, though luckily the large open space kept him from feeling exactly like he did back then.
The crackling fire helped a lot too.
He looked up when the door to the common room opened. His confusion grew when Dumbledore came walking in. "Oh, hello Headmaster."
"Hello Mister Potter," Dumbledore said warmly. He looked about the common room fondly. "It is good to see the old common room once more. I was in Gryffindor when I was a student here."
"Really?"
He nodded. "Yes, many many years ago." He frowned a little. "The décor has not changed since then. I am unsure if that is a good thing or not." He smiled when he saw Harry smile. "How are you doing, enjoying yourself?"
"Yes Sir. I'm usually spending most of the day and night cooking or shopping or cleaning for the holidays. Being able to relax like this is very nice," Harry said sincerely.
A flicker of a frown flashed over Dumbledore's face but it dissipated swiftly, as if it never appeared before at all. "Well, it is good to recuperate over a holiday," he said instead, smiling warmly once more. "Now, I have a bit of a gift for you."
"Oh, you didn't have to, Sir," Harry said, embarrassed.
"Ah but I wanted to," Dumbledore assured him. "First, you are allowed to visit the kitchens and cook with Inky and the other House Elves." He enjoyed the gigantic smile that appeared on Harry's face. "Actually, they have asked me and are rather insistent. My tea time treat hangs in the balance it seems."
"Extra jam and cream, right?"
"Indeed," Dumbledore chuckled. "Now mind you, I do not want you spending all day and night in the kitchens. As in all things, moderation is good, notwithstanding my excessive tea time condiments."
Harry snickered. "Yes Sir, thank you."
"Splendid. I would also like to offer a time where we can meet. I believe I made a promise to share stories with you about your parents."
"Oh, yes please," Harry said earnestly.
"Wonderful. How about tomorrow then? During tea time?" At Harry's eager nods he smiled. "I will see you then. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Could Hedwig be in the tower too?" Harry asked after a moment's thought. "I promise to clean up after her."
"That will be fine," Dumbledore said.
-0-
"Welcome in," Dumbledore said, opening the door and smiling at Harry. He gestured to his office. "Make yourself comfortable."
Harry looked around the office with interest, carrying a tray with both hands. The space was large and warm. A very large hearth sat against the wall with a very large fire crackling within. There were many bookshelves. Some were crammed full of books and others held all sorts of things that he did not recognize. Dumbledore's desk was very large, made from dark wood and polished to a shine. Large windows showed the grounds behind him and the falling snow made the room feel even cozier.
"Goodness, that looks quite the treat," Dumbledore said, looking at the laden tray. "Much fancier than my usual."
"I went to the kitchens and made most of it," Harry explained. "Mince pies, blueberry and cranberry scones, ginger cake, bread and butter, egg salad sandwiches, and bacon sandwiches. And of course, extra jam and cream."
"You spoil me," Dumbledore said with wonder. "Thank you very much."
"It's Christmas Tea," Harry said, blushing faintly with pride and pleasure. "I've made a lot like this but this time I'm eating it with someone and getting to hear stories. I was happy to."
"Then have a seat and help yourself," Dumbledore said, once again filing a bit of information away. He poured out fragrant tea for the both of them and sat back and looked at an empty stand beside him. "And let us see, three, two, one-"
Harry jumped in his seat when a burst of light and fire erupted over the stand. When the fire subsided, a large handsome bird sat there. Orange and red and yellow feathers seemed to constantly shift in hue and intensity and the bird looked down a long yellow beak with bright dancing eyes. He sang out a note of sweet music that warmed Harry like a cup of tea did.
"Mister Potter, meet Fawkes. Fawkes, Mister Potter. He is my phoenix familiar, a dear friend and companion. He's been a fan of your cooking actually. Had your biscuits and since then has been trying to get me to ask for more," Dumbledore said with twinkling eyes.
"Oh, nice to meet you. Glad you liked them." Harry put a bit of everything on a plate and put it in front of Fawkes. "Here you go."
Fawkes sang again and then fell to with a will, chomping noisily on the food.
"Graceful in many things," Dumbledore chuckled, "not so in table manners I am afraid. Then again, I am tempted to do the same with the food you have provided." He bit into a bacon sandwich. "Exquisite. You baked the bread as well?"
"Yes Sir," Harry said proudly.
"Simply wonderful. Did you use magic to mix or prepare anything?"
"No Sir, not for these. Did Professor Flitwick tell you about that?"
"He did and I am equally excited to learn about it more. It opens so much more to magical theory and it is rather exciting." Dumbledore took a sip of tea. "But we can save academia for another time. Now then, may I ask what you do know of your parents?"
"Nothing really," Harry said, munching on a sandwich. "Only that my father's name was James and my mother's name was Lily. And they died on Halloween. Though I've learned he flew and played Quidditch from you. And people have said I look like him but my eyes are like hers."
Dumbledore sighed internally. People in the Wizarding World of Britain knew more about the boy's parents than Harry did. It was a shame and he shamefully played a small part in that. No time to fix it like the present at least, he thought.
"James Potter was a good person," he said. He smiled when he noticed Harry leaning in. "Talented in transfiguration, loyal to his friends…" his eyes twinkled a little, "and I do tell you this with some reluctance but quite the troublemaker."
"Really?"
"Oh yes. You see, he was the only son of a family that was a well known family in our Wizarding World and society. And he let it get to his head a bit." Dumbledore shook his head and chuckled. "He had a bit of a tongue on him and was never shy about fighting back if he saw reason to. Some would call him arrogant."
"What would you call him?" Harry asked, a little concerned.
"Headstrong, which is a kinder way to say it sometimes," Dumbledore said, making Harry chuckle. "He grew up and matured into a fine man, one I was proud to call friend. Do not think I tell you his faults to demean him or his memory. I wanted to give you a full picture of him. He was a good person and had many friends, including a cadre of his personal best friends."
"I understand," Harry said and he did a little. "You said he was a good flyer?"
"An excellent one. He did tricks that others did not and would attempt with varied results. He was a great Chaser on the Quidditch team. Set the record for scores one year if I recall correctly." He bit into another sandwich. "No, he definitely did. I remember him getting detention for introducing himself as "James Potter, Scoring Champion" for a long period of time. Despite being proud of him, Professor McGonagall was tired of it."
His chuckles joined Harry's. "She adored him. Not only for his Quidditch skills but his magical talents. Like I said, he was very good at transfiguration and that is one of my favorite schools of magic as well. I taught it before Professor McGonagall did."
"What was my mum like?" Harry asked quietly, yearning for more.
"Remember when I said your father had a bit of a tongue on him? Lily Evans had more than a bit." Dumbledore smiled broadly. "She never shied away from being vocal. One professor said that she was quite cheeky in wit and word."
"Wow," Harry breathed.
"She was Muggleborn and was unafraid of the ones that would look down on her for it. I am sure you have seen some of the negative attitudes about it?" Dumbledore sighed deeply. "One of the unpleasant sides of our society, one I have been trying to help change for some time."
"Why do people look down on Muggleborns?" Harry asked.
"A variety of reasons, all of them unreasonable," Dumbledore replied. "There are those that deem them unworthy of magic. Others believe they are bringing down the society where the Pureblood reigns supreme."
He poured more tea. "In this case, Lily was very intelligent and never backed down from standing up to others for it. It made her many enemies as well as many friends." A mischievous smile grew on his face. "In fact…your mother and father were not friends for quite some time."
"Really?!" Harry gasped.
"Really. Your father thought her to be very head strong, ironic for him to say, and the fact that she did seem to like him from the start nettled her. Your mother found him, in her words, 'quite annoying' as well as arrogant."
"They hated each other?" Harry asked softly.
"No, even at their worst, they never did," he said soothingly.
"What changed?"
"James got his head on straight and matured while Lily mellowed out some. They started tolerating each other more and then they became friends and then more." Dumbledore chuckled as he drank his tea and nibbled on a piece of cake. "I won a rather substantial bet when they got together." He colored a little. "Do not tell anyone that we do that."
"I won't, Sir," Harry said, delighted.
"Lily was very good at charms and potions," Dumbledore continued. "Very intelligent and one of the highest of her year. She was also deeply loyal to her friends and was incredibly kind to many. One of the few that made friends with people from all the Houses. She was a wonderful person."
Throughout the stores being told, Harry had looked utterly happy. He was finally learning about his parents, mythical figures that he built up in his mind. He had no idea of them at all and having given all this information, it was like finding water in the desert. Then he sat back, looking glum all of a sudden.
"Mister Potter?" What is wrong?" Dumbledore asked, sitting his cup aside and leaning forward.
"I don't sound like them," Harry said at last. "I'm not very smart like they are. I only have a few friends, not a lot. They sound amazing," he said wistfully.
"Do not compare yourself to them," Dumbledore said gently. "You are your own person. You are not James Potter, nor are you Lily Evans Potter. You are Harry James Potter. You should be different from them. You are not them."
He continued when Harry looked up. "Yes, you look extraordinarily like James save for your eyes which are a mirror of Lily's. And I see in you things that you share with your parents. You are incredibly kind, Harry. You are friends with the House Elves, something most magicals would not think to be. You are good to your friends and are loyal to them. Professor Flitwick is quite happy with your performance in charms and you have some skills in potions. You fly well from what I have heard."
"You think so?" Harry asked plaintively.
"I do," Dumbledore said firmly.
"Thank you," Harry whispered. He gave a start when Fawkes fluttered over to sit beside him.
"If you need further proof, Fawkes does not approach many people of his own volition," Dumbledore smiled. He then sighed when Fawkes began taking food from Harry's plate. "Then again, perhaps he has some ulterior motives as well. Fawkes, I think you know better than to do that," he said and snorted when he was soundly ignored.
Harry laughed and put more food on his plate for Fawkes to eat. "My owl does this too; I'm used to it and it's fine." He admired Fawkes' plumage. "My wand has a phoenix tail core."
"Excellent," Dumbledore smiled. "Phoenix tail cores can be a bit temperamental but they are very good to their wand wielders. Demonstrates strength of character." He leaned to the side and opened a drawer in his desk. "I have something for you."
Harry took the folded fabric from him. It was light and airy and it seemed to move under his touch. When he unfolded it, it became a large cloak. "Oh, you didn't have to give me anything Sir. I already appreciate being able to go to the kitchens and the talk."
"Actually, this belongs to you, so it is long overdue," Dumbledore said. "This was your father's invisibility cloak." He smiled when Harry's eyes widened. "It belonged to the Potters and therefore, it is yours. I was examining it when James…passed. I've held onto it all this time and I am happy I can return it to you."
Harry put the cloak around his shoulders and looked down. "I'm invisible!" he cried, seeing nothing but the stone floor beneath him.
"Now I am fairly certain that your father got into all sorts of uncaught trouble while using it so I am going to ask that you try not to do the same," Dumbledore smiled.
"I'll try Sir!" Harry took off the cloak and carefully folded it, hugging it to his chest. "Uhm, Sir?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know why my parents died?" He flushed red and looked down at the floor. "Hagrid told me they were killed by You-Know-Who."
Dumbledore's sigh was deep and heavy. "Voldemort," he said. "His name is Voldemort. Do not give him greater power by fearing to use his name," he said gently. "And, forgive me please, but I have an idea as to why but I do not think you are old enough yet. But I promise, one day, I will tell you what I know."
Harry nodded. A part of him desperately wanted to know why. Another part of him never did. "I understand. Thank you, Sir."
"You are very welcome, Harry," Dumbledore said. "May I continue to call you that?" He smiled warmly when Harry nodded easily. "Splendid. Now, let us continue to do full justice to your wonderful food before Fawkes eats it all." He gave the phoenix a look when Fawkes squawked at him indignantly. "Do not give me that. I have returned to empty biscuit bags and treat tins with you sitting there looking plump and surprised as to where things went."
Time passed pleasantly with Dumbledore telling more stories and Harry soaking the words up hungrily. Finally, they finished all the food, Fawkes getting the last of it, and Harry got up reluctantly. "Thank you so much. This was really nice."
"It was," Dumbledore agreed. "I will see when we can do this again. Unfortunately, time is a very valuable resource when you are Headmaster. Would you like for me to accompany you back to the tower? No? Very well then. Off you go. Have a good evening."
"Thank you, Sir. Have a good evening!"
Dumbledore watched Harry go and then sent the dishes and tray back to the kitchens. With a sigh he sat back and looked out the windows. He thought of the conversation he had with Harry and his thoughts were like the falling snow outdoors: unrelenting and too numerous to count.
-0-0-0-
Arnie1701 - I hope they continue to do so in different ways.
Abigail Guerrero - I updated every single day last week between three different fics.
agnar - Thank you. I decided to try and challenge myself on this one and diverge from canon more early in more ways. I didn't think I could tell the story I wanted if I stayed too close to it. This way, it'll still be recognizable and familiar but with a fun new story that hopefully still fits in the settig.
alix33 - Twice baked potatoes are really good.
Nysk - I always mince my onions and really cook them out whenever I use them. I don't love the texture that much either save for very specific situations. Onion powder is pretty great.
kaya - Thank you. I wanted to try and showcase a different set of characters this time around. That's not to say others won't be involved to some degree, but trying something new. I updated every day last week because I was having a tough week and needed the positive energy. I don't think I can maintain that though I did finish chapter 19 today so I have a comfortable bank of this story so my continue with three updates a week for this story perhaps.
odonnellzoo99 - I'm trying hard to give them all different personalities that fits with what we do know of them in canon and not be retreads of personalities I've developed in other stories, though some of the other characters may exhibit some similar ones. Pretty much was what I was inferring as far as magical tastes, but I still plan to account for it and expound on the theory when applicable.
poka - I messed with the idea for a while and was happy with what I ended up with and hope to continue playing with the theory. I do agree that the beginning of Family that Chooses you was very very rough. I definitely feel like I hit the stride better around 3rd year and on and am pretty happy with the quality of Extended and this one, as well as Defiance. Thank you for the kind words.
- Thank you.
Navn Ukjent - I plan on playing more with the theory and letting it grow in different ways. Glad to see people think about it too.
Zincat - Thank you. I'm trying really hard to have them feel like proper characters and act like they could. It's hard, but I'm fairly pleased with it so far. I have the broad parts of the story planned out but I am also what is called a pants writer, as in writing from the seat of my pants. So some things can change as the story grows, but not everything.