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

I normally post Extended Family on Wednesdays, but I figured everyone would like to see this one progress a little more since I posted twice in a row in the last few days. Extended will go up tomorrow or Friday. Have a nice day.

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A Taste of Magic

16th Course – Muddy Meddling

Harry did not know what hurt him more: the fall and the resulting developing bruise on his knee, or the cake that he had made strewn about the floor. He had worked hard on the cake and to see it on the ground in pieces instead of sitting prettily on the serving tray on the counter hurt him a lot, almost as physical as the fall.

"Oh my goodness, are you okay?" Mrs. Mason asked. The crash had brought the Masons and the Dursleys into the kitchen to see what had happened.

Harry sighed inwardly. The Masons, the couple that Vernon was trying to impress to secure a deal for his drilling company, looked at him with mild concern whereas Vernon and Petunia looked at him with mounting displeasure and fury. Dudley seemed like he was enjoying the sight of Harry on the ground with the destroyed dessert.

"I'm fine," Harry said, a fake smile on his lips. "Tripped and fell as you see. Sorry about the cake."

"Oh that's not that important," Mr. Mason said soothingly.

More than you think, Harry thought, seeing Vernon slowly turning purple. "I can fix it. I have some other things on hand that I can whip together. If you don't mind waiting a few more minutes, I can bring out a different dessert."

"If you're sure-" Mrs. Mason began.

"He's sure," Vernon said, oily smile back on his face yet he continued to glare at Harry. "It was his own fault it got ruined, so he has to fix it. Come! Let's get back to eating and you were talking about your garden." He led them away and Harry was once again alone in the kitchen.

Or rather, he hoped he was alone.

The reason the cake was on the ground was due to a House Elf, one Harry had never met before. This House Elf, calling himself Dobby, showed up unannounced and was telling Harry that he should not go back to Hogwarts.

Harry, already slightly pressured by cooking and serving this very important dinner, was nonplussed. He loved Hogwarts and while he had kept busy by balancing his homework and all the cooking and meal prepping the Dursleys had him do for all their dinners and parties, he missed it there. He missed talking to his friends and exploring magic with Professor Flitwick and the other professors.

Granted, the so-called danger Dobby said he would be in did give him pause, but he reasoned that the school would be fine and the teachers responsible. The Headmaster and the professors had defended him against the trolls after all. That was not enough for Dobby though, and after admitting to hiding some of Harry's letters, he tried to get Harry into trouble by destroying the cake and disappearing.

Still, that was a later problem and fixing dessert was the current problem.

Harry looked through the refrigerator and at the ingredients on the table and the pantry. He had not bought anything extra, not having foreseen the cake catastrophe. As he looked at the scraps of cake that he had cut from the original to make a nice shape, he got an idea. He pulled out a package of ladyfinger biscuits and while there would not be enough to line the sides, there was more than enough to crush and make as layers and filling.

He hurriedly made a batch of instant custard, normally he would not but needs must. Sticking it into the freezer to get as cold as possible, he made a batch of whipped cream, arm beating furiously with whisk to get the peaks he wanted. He touched the pudding and while cool, it was not as chilled or cold as he wanted but again, needs must.

In a clear serving dish, he layered crushed biscuit, custard, strawberry jam, and whipped cream, repeating the layers until the trifle dish was filled to the top. He artfully used the last of the whipped cream and made a peaked top and surrounded it with sliced strawberries, sliced thinly to add more of them. Then he carefully carried it out to the dinner table.

"Oh my, that looks wonderful!" Mrs. Mason said. "And you really just put that together?"

"Yes Ma'am," Harry said. "The custard won't be as set as it should be, but it should still be nice and cool."

"You must be very proud," Mr. Mason said, looking at Vernon and Petunia.

"We are proud of the food, yes," Petunia said pertly. She made a dismissive hand gesture from behind, out of the Masons' sight, and Harry took his cue to leave. He went back to the kitchen and slowly started cleaning up the mess on the floor. As he was finishing, he could hear the Masons leaving. "Make sure you tell him that we enjoyed the meal immensely," Mr. Mason said.

"I will," Vernon gushed. Yet after the Masons left and he was crowing about the successful meeting and the secured contract, no thanks came. "I did it!" he exclaimed happily. "That contract is going to launch us even higher! We must go out and celebrate!"

"How was everything?" Harry asked, hating himself for asking it. He knew what the answer and the response would be.

"It was edible," Vernon said in a magnanimous tone. "Good thing the school didn't ruin the only thing you're good for."

"Once you finish cleaning your mess, go to your room," Petunia sniffed. A few moments later the house was silent, the Dursleys having left in good spirits.

Harry slowly cleaned the kitchen and the dining room table, putting the dishes aside to dry. He piled the leftovers on a plate as well as some of the salvaged cake, and made his way upstairs. He finally smiled sincerely when he opened the door and he heard Hedwig hooting softly. "Hi Hedwig," he said, grateful to see her. He sat at the table and put the plate between them. "Hope you don't mind some leftovers. The cake fell, but I saved the parts that didn't hit the ground."

He smiled when she nuzzled him. "Thank you. Oh, is that a letter for me?" He saw that she was sitting on an envelope. "What is it?" He took it from her and his eyes widened when he saw that it was from the Ministry of Magic. He tore it open and read it swiftly, face falling as he did.

"That's not my fault!" he said indignantly with Hedwig hooting in agreement. "I didn't cast the magic!" The letter had come a Mafalda Hopkirk, warning him that magic was detected at Number 4 Privet Drive. He was then reminded that he was not allowed to cast magic outside of school and that repeated offenses would warrant punishment.

Harry glared at the letter. "Wait, it said exactly when the spell was cast. When did the letter arrive? Did you deliver it?" he asked Hedwig.

She shook her head.

"How did you get it?" he asked, anger being replaced with curiosity.

Hedwig pointed out the window with her wing. She flapped her wings and made grasping motions with her talons and showed him a long brown feather.

"You took it from another owl and waited for me here with it?" Harry asked and smiled when Hedwig bobbed her head. "You're such a good owl," he praised, as he rubbed her belly. She fluffed her feathers and cheeped happily. "Well let's eat dinner together." He put the best bits of the leftovers in her food dish and watched happily as she gobbled it up eagerly.

He chewed on a bit of steak. "I wonder who that House Elf was. I really don't know much of them at all, despite being friends with Inky and the others at Hogwarts. I wish Inky was here-"

"Hi Mister Harry!" Inky appeared with a pop, startling Harry. Hedwig continued to eat, utterly unbothered by the elf's sudden appearance.

"Inky! What are you doing here?!" Harry gasped, massaging his chest.

"Mister Harry called for me," Inky said as if it was obvious. She looked around the small bedroom, her eyes narrowing.

"You come when a student calls you?" Harry asked.

"No, Inky came when Mister Harry called," she said, again in the tone of voice that she thought was obvious. "This is Mister Harry's home?" she asked, eyes still narrowed. She looked at the small and shabby bed and at all the things that were Dudley's.

"Uhm, yeah, this is my room," Harry said awkwardly. "I'm happy to see you."

"Inky is happy too!" Her countenance brightened as she looked back at him. "Inky misses you and your food."

Harry grinned. "You can have some of this if you like. It's some leftovers but still good."

"Thank you!" Inky took some roast veg and wrapped it in a piece of bread and munched happily. "How can Inky help?"

"Oh right! Pardon me if I ask anything stupid-"

"Inky is used to it," she interrupted cheekily with a mouth full of food.

Harry smiled and Hedwig snorted through a full beak. "Right, fair enough. I doubt you know who this is, but have you heard of a House Elf named Dobby?"

Inky thought for a moment. "No, Inky has not."

"A Dobby appeared tonight and tried to convince me to not go back to Hogwarts," Harry explained. His eyes widened at the look of fury on Inky's face. "He apparently intercepted some of my post and when I refused, he dropped the cake that I had made to get me into trouble."

"He what?!" Inky shrieked. "No! This will not do! Bad Dobby! That is a bad elf!"

Harry blinked at the level of righteous indignation that Inky was exuding. It was slightly embarrassing, to have her be so upset for him, yet he liked how it made him feel. "Do House Elves do that normally?"

"They should not. Ones owned by powerful families must listen to the family but there is leeway. Clever House Elves can do that." She furrowed her brow. "He did not say where he came from?"

"No, but he did mention he was here without his owner's knowing," Harry said.

"Hmmm. House Elves can do that, but they have to expect punishment," Inky murmured. "Inky does not like this."

"I don't either," Harry said and Hedwig barked angrily too. "Can you help me? Please?"

Inky blinked at him. "Of course Inky will help," she said soothingly. "Inky will tell the Headmaster. May Inky take the letter? Headmaster is important at Ministry, he can put things right."

"Thank you so much," Harry sighed, much relieved.

"Inky will also help try to keep an eye out for this bad Dobby," she continued, taking the letter. "If you need to make sure a letter gets to the Headmaster, call for Inky."

"I will. Thank you again. I can't wait to cook with you again," Harry said.

"Inky can't wait too! Be good Mister Harry and Miss Hedwig!" Inky disappeared with a crack.

Harry sat back, feeling much better.

-0-

"Thank you Inky," Dumbledore said. "I will handle this directly." He looked at the letter in his hands. "And yes, you can continue to keep an eye out for Harry if you like."

"Inky likes and wants," Inky said. She curtsied and disappeared.

"A rogue House Elf trying to prevent Mister Potter from returning, and then sabotaging him at his home?" McGonagall looked disturbed. "I do not like the idea of that at all."

"Neither do I," Dumbledore said pensively. "I do not recall ever meeting a Dobby and with how many House Elves in Britain, finding him will be no easy feat. It might be better to ensure Harry's safety and catch this Dobby in the act if possible."

McGonagall nodded. "I cannot help but notice that you call him Harry now," she said with a small smile.

Dumbledore shared the smile. "I have grown very fond of Harry and fondness brings familiarity. Perhaps you can find the time to interact with him outside of class as well."

She sighed softly. "I have been meaning to, especially what you said about sharing stories with him of his parents. I want to, but the pain of those times prevents me." She shook her head. "Which is not fair either."

"Go about it at your pace," Dumbledore said. "It should not be seen as an obligation."

"No, but I do want to. Perhaps it will be beneficial for me as well." She adjusted her glasses. "With Remus here as well, that might make things easier." She frowned slightly. "I have never heard of a House Elf doing such a thing before, and of his own volition if that can be believed."

"Some House Elves are quite clever and can find ways around orders easily," Dumbledore said. "I never thought I had the complete and utter servitude of any of the House Elves that serve Hogwarts. That said, the House Elves' loyalty is to Hogwarts herself first and foremost." He sighed. "At least we are aware of the possibility of problems now and we have more secure means of communication."

"And what about the letter?" McGonagall asked.

"I will go in the morning. House Elf magic is distinctly different from ours so it should be easy to prove it and exonerate Harry." He shook his head. "Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this soon."

-0-

The deal with the Masons had been so large and fruitful, Vernon was in an incredibly good mood for many days. He did not share it with Harry, naturally, but he was less unkind. He even took Harry to London without complaint. He wanted to take Petunia shopping and Harry could spend the time getting his school supplies.

Harry took his time, getting everything he needed for his second year at Hogwarts. He still searched in vain for a cooking supply store, resigned to the fact that it did not seem to exist on Diagon Alley at all. He looked through the cooking related books at Flourish and Blotts and once again, there was little to be found. However, he was able to find some international magazines being sold at a newsstand and he bought all the ones that seemed related to food and cooking. He could not read most of them but he made a note to ask Flitwick if there was a translating charm or something to that effect.

He bought some small boxes that were good for owls to deliver things in. They were more durable and were made lighter for the owl to carry them, even shrinking slightly for easier transport. After Inky had left, Harry was able to receive the post once more. In fact, once Hedwig learned of what Dobby said, from Harry telling her, she was more vigilant about letters and things. One day she had returned bearing several envelopes.

Harry had been overjoyed. He had been worried when he did not receive any letters from his friends in the beginning of the summer, having been a little shy about sending any out. Seeing ones from Lavender, the Patils, and Pansy made him really happy. He had explained that there was something wrong with the post before without going into detail, but promised he would explain when he saw them next. The boxes he bought today would hold baked goods and things he planned on sending to them.

He had stopped at Eeylops to get some owl treats for Hedwig, something he learned that some owls liked during the last school year. When the clerk poured some in a bag, Harry looked at one with suspicion. "What…are owl treats by the way?"

"They're treats for the owls," the clerk said in a bemused way.

Harry smiled. "No I mean, what are they made of?"

"Oh! Not sure. The company keeps it under wraps but they say they're safe for consumption and have things every owl needs."

"Can people eat them?"

"Sure, I munch on one here and there." The clerk popped one into his mouth. "They're not bad."

Later Harry took a bite and resisted the urge to spit it out. He swore he would make proper owl treats for Hedwig instead of making her eat these unknown things.

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The rest of the summer passed swiftly.

Vernon's good mood had persisted, surprisingly, and he had almost complimented Harry for his cooking at the end of the summer party the Dursleys threw. When Harry asked about the winter holiday however, they had told him that they, meaning the Dursleys only, were invited to the Masons. He had told the Masons that Harry would be away at school and would be unable to attend. Therefore, Harry had no need to come back again.

Deep down, Harry thought he should have expected that to be the case. It did not hurt him any less, however.

Now it was right before the start of the new term and Harry was at King's Cross Station. He pushed his cart down the way, his things arranged neatly on the luggage trolley, and Hedwig sitting in her cage on top. He walked without conscious thought, ruminating over this and that, and when he arrived at Platform 9 and ¾s, he tried to push through the barrier.

He frowned, shaken from his thoughts when the trolley met unyielding stone. He pushed again and the trolley jolted, shaking the cage and making Hedwig cheep with irritation. Harry reached out to touch the stones and they refused to allow him through. Seeing people starting to stare, he moved to the side, starting to panic slightly. He did not recognize anyone around and he had no idea what to do.

Hedwig hooted softly, looking at him directly.

"Not now, Hedwig," Harry said, continuing to panic.

Hedwig sighed and nipped him gently on the hand, getting his attention. She then looked off to one side.

Harry looked at her, uncomprehending.

She sighed again and rolled her eyes at him before very obviously nodding her head in that direction. When Harry looked, he saw a tiny hand waving out of an alcove, and someone peeking out with large ears and eyes.

Harry pushed the trolley over and breathed a sigh of relief when he slipped into the alcove and noticed the other one within. "Inky!"

"Hi Mister Harry! Hi Miss Hedwig!" Inky chirped brightly.

"I need your help," Harry said. "The barrier won't let me through to the platform!"

"Inky knows," Inky said, frowning. "Inky can't flip the magic but Inky will take you to the train right now."

"Thank you," Harry said happily. He stumbled when Inky touched his pants leg and took him and Hedwig and his belongings to the other side of the barrier and to the Hogwarts Express. He felt like he had just been pulled through a very small tube and shot out the other end. His head spun and he felt incredibly dizzy.

"Oh, sorry!" Inky squeaked. "Elf Apparition is very startling! Is Mister Harry okay?"

"I think so?" Harry felt queasy and held onto the trolley for balance. "Does it always feel like that?"

"One gets used to it," Inky shrugged.

Hedwig looked rattled as well, shaking her head and swaying on her perch, hooting in a disgruntled tone.

"I really appreciate you looking out for me," Harry said, once he got his bearings back.

"Of course! Inky will tell conductor and platform manager before going back to Hogwarts and telling Headmaster." She looked determined. "Mister Harry no worry. This bad Elf will be caught!" With a cheery wave, she disappeared.

Harry carried his things into the train and found an empty compartment. He sat down with relief, opening Hedwig's cage. The snowy owl flew out and spent a few moments flying about the compartment before settling down on his lap, pecking him to pet her.

Time passed pleasantly as he petted her, mind wandering. He had arrived early to the platform by design, not wanting to rush. He saw activity increase on the platform as students came with their families and the doors of the train opened and closed constantly as people boarded and found places to sit.

The door to the compartment opened. "Harry!" Lavender nearly shouted.

"Lavender!" Harry gently set Hedwig on the chair beside him and rose to his feet, nearly knocked over by Lavender's enthusiastic hug. "It's good to see you!"

"It's good to see you!" Lavender said, squeezing him tightly. She was overjoyed to feel him hug her back just as fondly and warmly, without reservation. She smiled when Hedwig cheeped indignantly. "And it's good to see you too Hedwig! I'll hug you next."

"Hey! You hug Lavender now?" Parvati appeared at the door and pouted. "Since when?"

"Since the end of last term and that just proves how good friends we are," Lavender said smugly.

"Boo! Come on, give me a hug too, Harry!"

Harry smiled and flushed a little when he let go of Lavender. "It's really good to see you too, Parvati," he said warmly and hugged her.

"Same!" She broke the embrace and moved to hug Lavender but had to wait since Lavender was holding Hedwig who looked quite smug.

"You don't have to hug me if you don't want to," Padma smiled as she walked in after Parvati.

Harry smiled back. "I wouldn't want to play favorites."

"Fair enough," Padma laughed and hugged him. He helped them put their trunks up onto the racks and as they got settled, the door opened once more.

"May we join you?" Pansy asked. She looked calm but her eyes warmed slightly, growing warmer when she saw Harry. Millicent waved from behind her, smiling easily.

"Come on in," Lavender said brightly. After settling their things on the racks, she exclaimed at the basket that Millicent carried. "You got a kitty?!"

"I did! My parents gave her to me when I got back, for my really good marks. Which is partially thanks to you guys. Those group study sessions we did at the end helped so much. I hope we can keep doing that."

"Oh definitely," Parvati said. "My marks were better because of them too."

Millicent opened the basket and a small grey cat jumped out. "Everyone, meet Sunny!"

"Oh that's an adorable name," Parvati gushed. "Is she friendly?"

"Too friendly," Pansy said dryly. "She will shed all over you and claw up any of your belongings."

"Only you could be grumpy to a kitten," Millicent sighed.

"She destroyed my shawl!"

"She was sleeping in it!"

Pansy stuck her tongue out at Millicent. "She's a menace."

"So are you and we're still friends," Millicent retorted.

Pansy made a rude hand gesture while the others laughed. "I still like her despite her being a destroying menace."

"Good because I would totally kick you out of our dorm room first," Millicent said with a sharp smile.

"I am well aware," Pansy said, shaking her head and smiling herself.

The train left the station and they all got caught up with each other over their summers. The Patils had gone back to India to visit family and they talked about that while Millicent had gone with her family to France for a work trip with Pansy's. Lavender talked about visiting her family in Britain and then it came to Harry's turn.

"Now, what's this about your post being intercepted?" Pansy asked seriously. "Did you ever find out who did it?"

"Yeah and it's really weird," Harry said. "A House Elf was doing it."

"A House Elf? Really?" Parvati asked. "That's weird. Why?"

"He said it wasn't safe for me to go back to Hogwarts this year," Harry said.

"What does that mean?" Padma asked.

"I've no idea," Harry shrugged. "I didn't take him seriously but he even tried to get me in trouble. Destroyed a cake I made for a dinner party."

"What a waste!" Millicent exclaimed and everyone echoed her dismay and anger.

"I even got a letter from the Ministry about it," Harry grumbled, still upset over the incident. Dumbledore had sent him a letter the next day saying that the situation was handled and that he had no reason to worry which made him feel better. "About underaged magic."

"Oh weird, we've done that and we've never gotten a letter," Parvati said before Padma kicked her.

"Probably because we all have magic members in the family," Pansy said. "It is somewhat of an unwritten rule that older magicals should be observing their younger members."

"You're not in trouble, are you?" Lavender asked, concerned.

"Thankfully no. The Headmaster said he took care of it. Apparently House Elf magic is different and it's not too hard to prove."

"That's a relief," Lavender sighed. "That's so weird though. Is someone playing a trick on you?"

"Has to be someone with a House Elf in the family and not many have House Elves," Millicent said. "Usually really big families and old ones, and rich ones. Even then, most House Elves could just ignore an order of that kind. Pranks or stuff like that are beneath them or they don't have to listen to the younger members of the family."

"Did he give you a name, this House Elf?" Pansy asked.

"His name was Dobby," Harry said. He missed the look that flashed over Pansy's face and that she and Millicent shot each other a quick look.

"Well, hopefully the Headmaster will handle this too," Lavender said.

"Yeah, hopefully," Harry said.

Later, when Pansy and Millicent left the compartment to use the restroom, they saw Draco sitting in a compartment with his other friends. Draco studiously ignored them and went back to boasting to the others in his compartment.

"Wasn't the Malfoy elf named Dobby?" Pansy whispered to Millicent after they passed the compartment.

"I wasn't there as much as you were, but that does sound familiar," Millicent whispered back. "Do you think Draco would play a joke like that?"

"If he could get away with it, he would. But from what I remembered, Dobby didn't listen to Draco all the time for petty things like that," Pansy murmured.

"And, well, if things were dangerous for Potter, would Draco want to warn him?" Millicent asked softly, looking a little disquieted.

"I…I don't know," Pansy admitted. "Before, I would say he would. Before school I mean. After starting? I don't know. Should I mention something?"

Millicent hesitated. "Not yet. It might cause more harm than good and it might look like us saying something to get back at him."

Pansy sighed. "I agree. At least until we have more proof." They reentered their compartment and sat once more.

"Where's Sunny?" Millicent asked, looking around.

"She climbed up there," Parvati said, pointing at the luggage racks above them.

"My bag!" Pansy jumped up and brought it down. Sunny had clawed it open and was nestled comfortably inside. "Millie!"

"Awww, Sunny loves you," Millicent smiled.

"Maybe Professor Flitwick will know some claw-proof charms or something to teach us in club," Harry suggested while the other girls laughed.

"One can only hope," Pansy sighed.

-0-0-0-

odonnellzoo99 - Sssnakeface School of Ssssorcery. Or something like that. I wanted to try something different with the plans and when more things come to light, I hope it ties in well and makes sense.

kiks493 - Thank you, I'm glad you're giving this story a chance. I wanted tot ry and do something a little different with Voldemort this go around and hopefully it'll pay off.

poka - I hope a third helps keeps your days on the upbeat.

alix33 - Steak frites is very good.

Earth Guardian 28 - Trying something a little different with him, hopefully still enjoyable.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - Well, not just those kind of classes. But we will see if the execution lands well.