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

A Taste of Magic

20th Course – Signs and Sabotage

"Are you really trying out for the Quidditch team Harry?" Neville asked.

"I wasn't planning on it," Harry said. "Why?"

"Oh I heard Seamus mention it when he and Ron were talking about going to the try-out. Apparently it's a rumor."

"Oh no, I think Oliver wanted me to. He's been trying to convince me during Flying club but I'm honestly not that fussed about it," Harry laughed. "I love flying but I think practice and stuff would get in the way of Household Charms and well, we know how much I like to cook."

"Really?" Neville asked with insincere surprise.

Harry laughed more. "But apparently the whole Quidditch team is a part of Flying club and Oliver treats it as extra practice time and he asked if I'd help them train. I said that sounded like fun at least."

"Oh that's probably where the rumor came from," Neville said. "That's cool though. I don't like flying all that much."

"Me neither," Lavender said as she and Parvati and Hermione caught up to the two boys on the way to Herbology. They walked together over the grounds and towards the greenhouses. "I'm airheaded enough without having to literally have my head in the air."

"Ooh that's clever. Wait, how'd you think of it if you're so airheaded?" Parvati asked. She snickered and squealed when Lavender kicked her rear.

"My Daddy," Lavender smiled. "I think it's cute though."

The small group passed the Slytherins leaving the class. On the whole, they ignored each other save for some glaring from certain parties, but they heartily returned the hellos and waves to Pansy and Millicent who smiled and waved as they passed.

"It must be tough to have pale skin sometimes," Parvati remarked.

"Where did that come from?" Lavender asked.

"Just saying it's easy to tell when you're about to blow your top," Parvati giggled, pointing surreptitiously at a very irate Draco. "Literally." The rest of them snickered appreciatively at her remarks and while the Slytherin boy was too far to hear them, he accurately guessed that they were talking about him and grew even redder.

Herbology class was fun. Sprout was as enthusiastic about the subject as Flitwick was about Charms and had a robust sense of humor. She had the class in gales of laughter when she spanked the Tentacula for being naughty and trying to bite her. After going over the care and uses for their latest plant, refreshing flowers, she set them on their way.

"You'd be interested in these, Mister Potter," she said as she passed. "Put a couple beside fruit and produce and they keep them fresher for longer. They absorb some of the things that cause things to ripen too swiftly."

"Wow, that's interesting!" Harry exclaimed. "All kinds of fruit and produce?"

"The vast majority, though mostly the mundane ones. They can react a bit funny with magical ones," Sprout said, enjoying his obvious interest. "Plus they are rather pretty when in bloom. Miss Brown, Miss Granger, would you mind grabbing some of those pots out of the back corner?"

"No Ma'am," they said together and went to get them. However, something made Lavender pause and when she bent to look, she dropped one with a shriek and backed away hurriedly, pulling Hermione with her. "There's something in them!" Lavender said loudly.

Harry had been close and at her scream, dashed over. He bent over and looked where she was pointing. "Oh, hi there," he hissed. He reached into the pot and slowly withdrew his hand, holding a small smooth snake. The snake was sitting comfortably in his hand, looking up at him calmly, its tongue flicking in and out.

"She won't bite you," he said to Lavender. He realized that everyone in the greenhouse was staring at him. "Is everything okay?"

"He's talking to a snake!" Zacharias gasped. "He's a Parselmouth!"

"I'm a what?" Harry asked, growing more confused. He took a small step back, feeling the stares from everyone and feeling even more insecure from it.

"A Parselmouth," Parvati said. She was one of the few that looked completely unbothered. "It means you can talk to snakes." She looked at the others who were staring at Harry with distrust. "What? What's the problem?"

"Only Dark Wizards can talk to snakes," Seamus said scathingly, glaring at Harry.

"What?! That's stupid," Parvati laughed. "There's plenty of Parselmouths in India and Asia and most of them aren't Dark."

"That's quite right," Sprout said. She had been shocked to see Harry do what he did but was glad for Parvati's intervention. "It is a rare…ability here in the United Kingdom but it is more prevalent worldwide. Admittedly, it has a less than savory connotation here, but that means little in the grand scheme of things."

She smiled gently at Harry. "And is our little friend there, okay?"

Harry nodded slowly. "She was looking for somewhere warm for the coming autumn and winter."

"Well, in that case, I have a greenhouse that has a bit of a pest problem. If she would like to live there, I would be grateful for her assistance. Come along with me, Mister Potter, and let us take her there." She gently rested a hand on his shoulder and took him with her.

When they left, Seamus turned to Ron and Dean. "I knew there's something wrong with him! I just knew it!"

"Shut up Seamus," Lavender said angrily. "You heard Parvati, Parselmouths aren't Dark!"

"In India and we aren't in bloody India, are we?" Seamus retorted. "Every Parselmouth in Britain is Dark and always has been."

Hermione snorted. "I sincerely doubt that."

"You doubt anything you don't read about first," Zacharias sneered. "That's right, we've heard about you too."

"Well of course not," Hermione said back, face bright red. "Where else am I going to get accurate information, you?"

Half the class laughed appreciatively at that and the Hufflepuff boy seethed. "I'm not going to take any cheek from a jumped-up Mud-Muggleborn like you!"

"No, but you are going to take a punishment from me." Sprout's voice made everyone jump and they saw a very displeased Sprout standing there with Harry looking small by her side. "I am ashamed someone from my House would say something so rude and I do know what else you were implying, Mister Smith, and if you actually had said that we would be having an entirely different conversation right now!"

Everyone's eyes opened wide. Sprout almost never raised her voice or said anything sharply and for her to do so right now was an awe-inspiring sight.

"You will stay after the end of class," she said severely and Smith deflated, nodding glumly. "The rest of you, let us finish the lesson, shall we? In fact, let us learn how to remove certain guests from a garden or greenhouse. While Mister Potter's talents are not commonly shared, everyone can learn how to safely remove a snake without injuring anyone involved."

"Are you okay?" Lavender whispered when Harry rejoined them. His silent nod did not dissuade her but she did not press further. When class ended, they left in groups. Ron, Dean, and Seamus left first, followed by the other Hufflepuffs save for Smith who was wilting under the barrage of scolding from Sprout. When their group left, she reached out and took Harry's hand. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I guess," Harry said weakly. "I didn't even know I could do that really."

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"I mean, I remembered times when I ran into snakes while in the garden back in Surrey and they always seemed kinda nice to me. They never bit me and I was able to get them to hide when the Dursleys were stomping around. Dudley would hurt them if he could." He shrugged limply. "Makes sense now, thinking about it."

"Don't listen to them, Harry," Parvati said firmly. "Like I said, Parselmouths are not evil. There are so many in India and Asia. I don't know why people think that here."

"You-Know-Who," Neville whispered, shuddering slightly. "He was one."

"Oh," Parvati said softly.

"I think Salazar Slytherin was one," Hermione added. "Probably why his House symbol is a snake."

"What if I'm Dark?" Harry asked, looking distressed.

"Harry, you're not Dark," Lavender said stoutly, squeezing his hand. "You are way too kind and nice to be Dark. And I bet no one Dark could ever make good food and sweets like you do."

He smiled for the first time since finding the snake. "You think so?"

"Yeah, I bet Dark chefs cook things all burnt and terrible," Parvati said. "Or want it to taste bad."

"You care about people," Hermione said shyly. "Even I can see it. I don't think you're Dark."

"I honestly wish I could speak to snakes sometimes," Neville said with a very small smile. "I'd love to chat to the ones in my gardens and greenhouses at home."

"Thanks guys," Harry said, feeling much better. "I really appreciate it."

-0-

Remus looked about the classroom with slight confusion. The energy was a bit subdued when he started, at first he thought it was out of respect for him having just returned from his 'sick leave'. As the class progressed, he realized that there was another reason. Half of the class kept shooting looks at Harry who looked embarrassed and withdrawn while Lavender and Parvati were glaring back at the others openly.

"Alright," he said towards the end of the lesson. "Are there any questions?" Hands shot up. He smiled a little. "Related to the lesson?" Most of the hands went down. "Miss Brown?"

"Well, it's not entirely related to the lesson about Curses," Lavender began. "But it's related to the class in general."

Remus' smile grew. "Very well then, go on."

"Does being a Parselmouth make you a Dark witch or wizard?" she asked boldly.

Remus' eyebrows rose. "Not at all. It is an ability just like many others."

Lavender smiled victoriously, glaring at Seamus.

"But Dark wizards are Parselmouths!" Seamus spat back.

"You are operating under a false equivalence," Remus said. He rubbed his chin when Seamus, and many others, shared a blank look. "Allow me to try and explain. If you are referring to the Dark wizards of Wizarding Britain, then yes, a fair amount of the most prominent were Parselmouths. That being said, not all Parselmouths were, or are, Dark. Healer Methuselah, one of the founders of Saint Mungo's Hospital, was a Parselmouth and it was through his efforts that most of the modern anti-venom potions have been created."

He looked right at Seamus. "Legend has it that Saint Patrick was a wizard and well, since he was so celebrated by ridding Ireland of snakes, one can imagine an ability to make that easier."

"Not to mention all the Parselmouths all around the world, right Professor?" Padma asked. Parvati had hissed an explanation to Padma and Padma joined in glaring at a rapidly wilting Seamus.

"Precisely. Just because it is rare here, it does not mean it is rare elsewhere. I'm sure you and your sister have heard of many stories regarding Parselmouths in India and Asia. In my travels I have worked with more than a few and have had good interactions with them." Remus tried to help Seamus save some face. "But if you aren't aware, then that is probably why you misunderstood the situation."

"What do we have more of that other parts of the world don't?" Ron asked, shooting Seamus a look first, then Harry.

Ignorance, Remus thought sourly with a wry chuckle. "Wizarding Britain has some very fine enchanters and a larger percentage of transfiguration masters. We also have a large amount of Curse Breakers and a good amount of traveling working magicals are ours as well. Any other questions? No? Then off you lot go then. Essay is due next class period."

He waited for the majority of the students to gather their things, conversing in low tones. "Mister Potter, a moment of your time please?" He watched as Harry finished gathering his things and waved while his friends left. "Everything okay?" Remus asked kindly after the last student left.

Harry shrugged. "I guess. Turns out I'm a Parselmouth."

"Ah I see now." Remus tried to look encouraging. "There's nothing wrong with being one Harry. It is a skill just like many others. As long as you do not use it for ill of course."

"I didn't even know I was one technically until I found a snake in Herbology. She was cold and a little scared but was happy at the end. She lives in Greenhouse One now."

"That's good. Don't worry Harry. Unfortunately, Wizarding Britain is a bit…narrow minded on some things. Yes, Parselmouths have a bit of a poor reputation here due to some bad individuals, but do not regret the skill. You will always have to deal with people misunderstanding you and choosing to believe the lie over the truth, but they do not define you. You define you."

Harry looked up at him, feeling better. "Thank you, Sir," he said sincerely. "You sound like you have experience with that."

"Just a bit," Remus said lightly. He coughed and rapidly changed the subject. "Thank you so much for the dumplings the other day, they were delicious. I very much enjoyed them."

"I'm glad!"

"In fact, just like the ones I had when I was in China a few years ago," Remus smiled. "And I am not just saying that to butter you up."

"Thank you," Harry beamed, cheeks pink and smile wide. "It was Sue Li's family recipe but I'm glad it worked well."

"You have a gift, Harry."

"Did…were my parents good cooks?" Harry asked nervously. He gaped when Remus laughed loudly.

"James was absolutely terrible! We used to joke and say he made candy taste worse by simply opening the packaging," Remus laughed heartily. "We proved it too! We did a study in Gryffindor tower where we gave people opened candy and everyone said the ones he touched were noticeably worse!"

"Oh no," Harry laughed.

"Your mother, she said she knew how to make some things and the first time she brought us biscuits she made, the only person that kept eating them was James because at that point, he was so desperate to get on her good side." Remus wiped his eyes and grinned. "She eventually had one of the last ones and discovered that she had mixed a few things up but by then, James ate the lion's share and had to go to the Infirmary for stomach healing!"

"They were that bad?!" Harry gasped.

"Lily got much better," Remus smiled, reminiscing. "And the day James was able to pour a cup of tea that tasted like it should was a day of much rejoicing." He chuckled and shook his head. "Like I said, Harry, everyone has skills and the vast majority of them does not dictate if a person is Dark or not. If they did, your father would have been a Dark poisoner."

Harry chuckled at that. "I wonder who I got my cooking from," he mused softly.

"Your grandmother I would imagine. I ate at the Potters often and she was a wonderful cook." He sighed sadly. "They, she and your grandfather, passed before you were born unfortunately from illness. They would have adored you."

"Oh, that's nice," Harry said quietly and wistfully.

"Unfortunately, I must let you go," Remus said regretfully. "But we will find time soon, I promise. I have much to catch up from when I fell ill." He awkwardly but sincerely patted Harry's shoulder. "Chin up, Harry. Your father once said, 'idiots repeat what they've heard, the intelligent repeat what they learn'."

"I like that. Thank you, Sir. R-Remus," Harry stammered and left with a wave.

Remus smiled broadly and it was a while before the smile faded.

-0-

"I think I know why you became friends with Potter now," Draco said without preamble, sitting beside Pansy without asking.

Pansy's stomach turned a little and she looked at Draco coolly. "Do you now?"

"Yes and I must admit, I am impressed. It is just like you to attach yourself to someone for a reason."

"And what reason is that?" Pansy asked, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Apparently Potter is a Parselmouth," Draco said with a complicated expression and a hint of jealousy in his tone.

"Harry's a Parselmouth?!" Pansy repeated loudly, her eyes wide open.

"Since when do you call him Harry?" Draco asked sourly, glaring at her.

"Since when is it any of your business?" she retorted, souring herself. "Or have you forgotten what you told me last year?"

"Blast it all, how long are you going to hold that over my head?" He looked disgusted and turned his head away. "And you truly did not know?"

"No, I didn't. Not that it would ever come up in conversation typically." She looked at him closely. "How do you know?"

"Rumors going about. He sicced a snake on Finnegan and Smith," Draco said. "I can almost believe that."

"I can't. He'd never," Pansy said.

"You are awfully close to him," Draco said, suspicious.

"Like you said when I have no say of who you interact with, I'll remind you of the same," she said snidely. "Never you mind if we're close or not."

"I thought we were friends," Draco hissed.

"Funny, so did I," Pansy replied.

They stared at each other for long moments.

"Well if you did not know, I might not believe the rumors then," Draco said at last. "Then again, it's not like he would trust you with his secrets. Why would he? He barely knows you."

Pansy looked uncomfortable. "You're right," she said without heat. "Why would he?"

"That's what I thought," Draco snorted and got to his feet.

Pansy looked up. "How's Dobby?"

He paused and looked at her. "Our House Elf? How would I know? Why would I care? Actually, why would you care?"

"He gave me a treat at the Winter Soiree," she said truthfully. "I thought it was nice of him."

"Nice of him to do his duty? You have been hanging out with the wrong sort for too long." Draco shook his head pityingly. "He's alive as far as I know," he said, walking away.

Pansy looked down at her book but was not reading the words. Her insides coiled and cramped. Knowledge that Harry Potter of all people being a Parselmouth concerned her as well as Draco's parting remarks of why Harry would trust her gnawed at her. That and the attitude Draco had about learning how close she was with Harry made her feel conflicting emotions.

Millicent looked up when Pansy walked into their dorm room. "Hey, what's up?"

Pansy sat on Millicent's bed and moved her book when Sunny flopped over her lap. "Apparently Harry's a Parselmouth."

"No way, really? Where'd you hear that?"

"Draco. The rumor is going around the school. Harry apparently set a snake on Finnegan and Smith."

"Well I doubt that for many reasons. First Draco said it, and we both know Harry wouldn't sic a snake on anyone."

"That is what I said. Draco took offense."

"At refuting him or that you'd know?"

"Both, I think."

Millicent grunted. "Then again, it might be true because Draco wouldn't think being a Parselmouth is a bad thing, especially if he sounded jealous."

Pansy smirked just a little. "He did sound jealous come to think of it."

"I guess we can ask Harry later in club."

Pansy nodded. She hesitated again. "I confirmed that Dobby is a Malfoy elf."

"Hmm. Do you think Draco told Dobby to mess with Harry?"

"Yes, if he thought of it. But he doesn't think of House Elves at all. And we both know that Dobby has no problems ignoring Draco's wilder commands."

"Then…I don't think Lord Malfoy would do that," Millicent said uneasily.

"Me neither," Pansy said. "Is there a chance that Harry had the name wrong?"

"Possibly. Some of the Elves have awfully similar names. I don't think we should say anything right now still. It might cause trouble we can't avoid."

"At least until we have more concrete proof," Pansy said softly. "Makes sense."

-0-

Pansy blinked a few times. "How did you not know you were a Parselmouth?"

Harry shrugged weakly as he stirred the soup on the stove. "I didn't know."

"You were speaking to snakes!"

"No one was around me when I did it before! I didn't know I was speaking a different language!"

"And you assumed that the snakes you met could speak English then? Or understand it?"

"Hedwig understands English perfectly," Harry said with utter confidence.

"That's not a fair comparison. Hedwig is really smart," Lavender smiled.

"An owl and a snake are not the same," Pansy smiled wryly. "Are there other equivalents to other animals? An owlmouth?"

"You mean a beak?" Harry asked. He snickered when Pansy poked him in the side irritably.

Flitwick chuckled too. "I am not sure actually. I will look that up for next time. I imagine there certainly could be ones that could speak to cats and dogs at the least."

"Parrots can speak to people," Luna said. "They learn English from people though so I'm not entirely sure that counts."

"My grandmother has a crow that's ridiculously smart," Sue said. "It doesn't speak English or Chinese but you know when she's making fun of you."

"Oh like Hedwig then," Parvati said and everyone who has met Hedwig personally laughed.

Harry smiled proudly as he continued to stir the pot of soup. His smile faded a little as he leaned forward towards the stove.

"What's wrong?" Pansy asked, standing beside him.

"I hear something," Harry said slowly, listening closely.

"What?" she asked.

"Something I've heard before-" Harry suddenly grabbed Pansy and turned away from the stove. "Watch out!"

The top of the stove exploded. A plume of fire rocketed towards the ceiling and the pot of soup went flying, sending the contents all over and the lid and pot shot out like projectiles. Pansy screamed as Harry put himself between her and the stove, falling over. He grunted when hit by the lid and hot soup splashed over him.

Flitwick jumped up and slashed with his wand, creating a shield to keep the fire contained. He incanted swiftly and drew a symbol and a heavy gout of thick bubbling foam suffocated the flames, putting them out. A third slash pushed the stove away and it went still.

"Harry!" Lavender screamed at the same time Millicent shouted "Pansy!" They ran to their friends and Lavender dabbed at Harry, trying to wipe the scalding soup away.

"I'm okay," Harry groaned, hissing lightly in pain. "Pansy, are you okay?"

Pansy checked herself, not a drop of soup fell on her and she was not hit by the lid nor the pot. "I'm…I'm okay," she said. She breathed hard; eyes wide open. "You…you protected me."

"Uh, yeah, sorry I pushed you about a bit," he said sheepishly.

"I don't care about that," she snapped. "Why did you protect me? Why did you put yourself between me and harm?!"

"You're my friend," Harry said. "Why wouldn't I?"

Pansy stared at him, slack jawed.

Flitwick came over and looked over Harry's injuries. "That's a nasty burn," he said grimly. "And that lid hit you very hard. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I've been burned before," Harry said, seemingly unperturbed. "And hit by a flying object before." He colored when everyone stared at him. "What?"

"Hold that thought," Flitwick muttered. "Inky!"

Inky appeared with a loud crack and she gasped in dismay at the mess before noticing Harry. "Harry is hurt!" She looked at the stove and she growled audibly.

"Fetch Madam Pomfrey if you please," Flitwick said hurriedly.

Inky nodded and disappeared with another loud crack. Moments later, she came back but not alone. Pomfrey swayed slightly from the trip holding her bag. She came striding over to Harry while Inky and a few House Elves, Ebbers and Quarters included, went to the stove.

"Right, what happened?" Pomfrey asked professionally as she cast a Diagnostic Charm over Harry.

"I heard a weird sound from the stove and it sounded like it was going to burst over like there was too much gas," Harry said as he watched her move her wand over him. "I've seen it before. I pulled Pansy away and the hobs exploded. Got splashed a bit and hit with the lid I think that was on the hob beside the pot."

"This is only 'splashed a bit'?" Pomfrey asked sardonically. "That's a rather severe burn. Are you trying to appear tough for the ladies?" she asked impishly, making the others giggle and laugh.

Harry snorted. "Not really. It's easy to get burned in the kitchen, and cut. I'm used to it."

She blinked at him. "And the rather large and heavy bruise that you're developing from the lid?"

He shrugged and regretted the gesture, wincing from pain. "Used to it," he said again, quietly.

"Hmm well I for one will not indulge your machismo and heal you up properly," she said, her severe tone belied by her gentle touch. Harry sighed with relief when her healing charms helped the bruise disappear. She started to apply a cream to his burn.

"Sabotage!" Inky shouted, drawing everyone's attention. "Bad Elf magic!"

"What's that?" Flitwick asked, all jocularity and concern gone, growing serious.

"Someone has interfered with the stove," Ebbers said severely. "Another Elf, we can tell!"

"That is very serious," Flitwick said. "Someone fetch the Headmaster."

Inky popped away and within moments Dumbledore appeared with her. He too looked incredibly serious, after checking on the wellbeing of his students. "Someone has sabotaged the stove?" he asked.

Ebbers nodded. "Another Elf! Not a Hogwarts Elf."

"They wanted to hurt our Harry!" Inky shrieked and the assembled elves growled angrily.

"You think?!" Lavender gasped, looking at Harry with frightened eyes.

"Unfortunately, I would agree. Out of all of us, he is the one most likely to be near the stove consistently," Flitwick said.

"Perhaps the Elf is still near. Search the castle," Dumbledore ordered.

"We will run them to the ground," Quarters growled and shook his swagger stick. They all popped away.

Pansy's thoughts were in turmoil. She kept staring at Harry and hearing his words in her head, his words fighting with the words she had heard elsewhere. Her heart ached and after long moments of chaos, a single thought rose to the surface in her mind. "Dobby is a Malfoy elf," she said out loud.

She flushed when everyone looked at her. "I checked. Dobby belongs to the Malfoys."

"Wasn't Dobby the name of the elf that messed with you during the summer?" Parvati gasped. "The one that stole your post and smashed your cake?"

"And maybe kept me from getting on the platform," Harry said, connecting the dots.

Dumbledore looked at Pansy. "That is a very serious accusation. You are sure?"

"Yes Headmaster," Pansy said. "If this Dobby is the one bothering Harry," she gulped, "trying to hurt Harry, then it's the Malfoy's elf."

"I'm pretty sure the Malfoy elf is called Dobby too," Millicent said shyly. "Pansy would know more but I'm pretty sure."

"And you are sure he named himself Dobby?" Dumbledore asked Harry.

"Yes Sir, as far as I recall," Harry said.

Dumbledore stroked his beard slowly. "I know of your…somewhat poor interactions with Mister Malfoy, but we cannot make accusations so blithely. No offense, but a school children rivalry would not be considered sufficient motive."

"He did say that he did things without his masters knowing," Harry said honestly. "Dobby that is."

"Which makes the situation all the stranger," Dumbledore mused. "I thank you all for this information. It will prove invaluable. We must take proper precautions for the moment."

Harry looked at the stove sadly. "I liked that stove."

Dumbledore smiled. "That's right Harry. Stiff upper lip and proper grit is always welcome, as is implacable practicality." He chuckled at Harry's look of confusion and Pomfrey's groan. "I think it is best for us to relocate the clubroom and it can resume once some proper protections are made."

"We can still have club?" Lavender asked, smiling with relief.

"Of course. I will not stop it without a very strong reason to and I believe that Professor Flitwick and I, not to mention the House Elves, can make proper protections. Madam Pomfrey, does Harry need to go to the Infirmary?"

"No, I don't think so. I can feel how twitchy he is to not go. Apparently this sort of injury is old hat." She gave a look to Dumbledore who nodded slightly. "You will see me in the morning, Mister Potter, and take this vial of cream to apply before bed. Should you not come, I will come hunting for you. Am I clear?"

"Crystal," Harry gulped.

Inky, Ebbers, and Quarters popped back into the room. "The blaggard isn't here," Quarters grumbled. "Others are still searching but the trail's cold."

Dumbledore nodded. "Thank you for your efforts. Now that we are aware of the threat, we can try and be more watchful for it. Would you three escort the children to the kitchen and give them supper? I think they usually skip dinner for the club and since theirs has been ruined, they need to eat. Then take them back to their common rooms."

"Thank you, Headmaster," the students chorused.

"Of course. Do not tarry and I would heed Madam Pomfrey, Harry, about tomorrow morning." He smiled at Harry's nervous look that grew more nervous at Pomfrey's feral smile. His smile faded when the students left with the House Elves. "A curious situation, and concerning."

"Why would a House Elf be harassing Harry?" Flitwick asked. "Even one from the Malfoys?"

"Apparently the Elf in question warned Harry about a danger at the school this year," Dumbledore said.

"Of course he didn't say what kind of danger," Pomfrey sighed. "Or did he?"

"He did not," Dumbledore confirmed.

"Is this enough to go after the Malfoys?" Pomfrey asked.

"Not nearly enough evidence," Dumbledore said. "Lucius is not one to take any slight, perceived or actual, well and I do not want to start a fight unless it is worth fighting and I am well equipped."

"Then we will watch and gather said evidence," Flitwick said coolly but his eyes burned. "I do not like it when my students are threatened, much less ones I am fond of."

"Me neither," Dumbledore said quietly but emphatically. He sighed and shook his head. "And you were saying, Poppy?"

"I checked Mister Potter over and it is as he said. He does have evidence of past burns on his hands and arms and leg even. As well as scars from a knife. I found some when I treated him at the end of last year but looked more in-depth this time around."

"Hazards of the kitchen," Dumbledore said. "Acceptable ones generally."

"Sure, but he does have evidence of impacts like he said and you cannot tell me those are generally accepted hazards of a kitchen," she said sharply. "And if so, I demand to have those kitchens closed."

"I have noticed some…peculiarities," Flitwick said softly. "With his behavior and habits."

Dumbledore's sigh was even deeper. "As have I. I have not broached the issue with Harry yet because I do not want him to hide and shy away. He is remarkably resilient and mature in many ways."

"Too mature," Pomfrey sniffed.

"I agree," Flitwick said.

"Perhaps this incident has a silver lining," Dumbledore said. "We can pay more attention to Harry and provide assistance when able as well as catch this rogue elf and see what is going on. He seems close to you Filius and I think he and Remus are developing a fine rapport. Perhaps in time, he will trust us more and we can respond accordingly."

"I suppose that must do," Pomfrey sighed. "Even if it takes too long for my tastes."

"Not all of us are able to bull our way through and damn the consequences quite like you," Dumbledore chuckled.

"Damn straight," Pomfrey snorted, making Flitwick and Dumbledore laugh. "And don't you forget it."

-0-

After being thoroughly stuffed by the kitchen House Elves with good food and treats, they were lined up and ready to leave the kitchens to be escorted back to their common rooms.

"I'm glad you're okay," Luna sniffled a little, looking up at Harry.

"Me too, don't worry Luna," he replied, touched. He patted her shoulder a little awkwardly and grinned when she repeated the gesture. He watched the Ravenclaws leave, following Ebbers.

"Harry, thank you for protecting me," Pansy said quietly. "I'm sorry you got hurt because of me."

"I didn't get hurt because of you, you didn't do it to me," Harry said back. "I don't regret it though. You're my friend." He dithered a little at her blank look. "We're friends…right?"

"Y-yes," Pansy stammered. "We're friends."

"And thanks for telling us about Dobby. Not sure what we can do with the info right now, but it's good to know."

"You're welcome." She raised her chin. "It's what friends do." She waved to the Gryffindors and left with Millicent, following a grumbling Quarters who was looking left and right, hitting the palm of his other hand with the head of his swagger stick grumpily.

"I can't believe Dobby would do that," Millicent whispered. "He never seemed the type."

"Me neither," Pansy whispered back. "But we don't really know him, do we?"

"No, we don't." They walked in silence for a bit. "Do you regret telling the Headmaster?"

"I don't," Pansy said quietly and was surprised that she meant it completely. "Harry has proven himself to be a good friend and…he did protect me. I don't want him to get hurt."

"You know what, neither do I," Millicent said softly.

"It's…" Pansy's voice faltered a little, "it's just a little confusing right now."

"Yeah it is," Millicent said comfortingly.

They thanked Quarters belatedly as they entered their common room and the House Elf waved his stick absent-mindedly before he popped away. The girls walked through the room, stopping to watch Draco boast to a crowd of students. He turned his face away when he saw them, talking louder.

"I don't think I regret it at all," Pansy whispered as they walked to their dorm room.

"Yeah, neither do I," Millicent whispered back.

-0-0-0-

dawnsfire - I'm a Minty Maniac myself.

Earth Guardian 28 - So fun fact, all the food so far is stuff I've made myself and am quite familiar with, hence why I was able to describe them well. Of course I'm not going to stay only with what I've cooked, but while I established this setting, I wanted to fall back on things I was very familiar with for that extra bit of authenticity. I will eventually branch off and more though and hope to write adequately for those too. Moon cakes are traditional foods for the Mid-Autumn Festival so I'm sure they will appear at some point.

l4w - I think it's reasonable for him to jumnp in willingly since he likes cooking and he lacked the opportunity to try new things. Dumplings are intimidating at first but like most things, get easier with practice.

poka - As you might know, I have a soft spot for Luna and like to include her when I can. She's hard to get right but I like to think I do her justice.

odonnellsoo99 - That's a thing I like, where the actions of one can inspire the actions of others, leading by example.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - Pansy and Millicent have always squabbled like sisters, just not as openly. But they are feeling more comfortable around the others so it's more open.

kaya - Thank you, glad you liked it.

- Thank you.

alix33 - Some dumpling wrappers are more suited for one form of cooking or another but yes, you can prepare them in many different ways. The fillings might differ too.