Summary: Blaise tried to do something nice for Harry. Unfortunately, blackened chicken looks different in person than on paper.

Rated: K

Genre: Family

Misread Recipes

Harry couldn't help but spy through the kitchen entryway at Blaise hovering over the cooktop. He could see the darkening smoke hovering above him as easily as he could smell it, but was told he was not allowed to interfere during the meal preparation this time.

The clap of a lid covering a skillet startled Harry from his fidgeting thoughts and he got to his feet. Leaning into the entryway, he tried to ignore the fresh burnt smell of food fragrancing the small space.

"Need any help?"

Blaise turned to him and gave a soft smile. "You could set the table?"

It seemed that Blaise's confidence would not be wavered this time, and Harry obliged while Blaise took great care to block his line of sight to unveil the sizzling sounds on the cooktop as he moved about the cupboards to retrieve the dinnerware.

Harry laid out the plates, glasses, utensils, and sparkling wine while Blaise placed hotpads down to set the pan holding a sauce and mixed vegetables on. Then came what Harry supposed was the main course.

"What do you think?" Blaise questioned, taking in the meal in front of him before looking up at Harry.

He didn't know what to say, too busy trying to puzzle out what the black lumps in the pan were supposed to be. "It looks... interesting… what is it?"

"Deboned chicken thighs with cooked spinach in mushroom sauce."

"I could be wrong, but that does not look like chicken," Harry said apprehensively, eyeing the black lumps again.

Blaise chuckled, stabbing a fork into a piece. The extra crispy noise the skin made had them both flinch. "In my defense, the recipe did call it blackened chicken."

Harry couldn't help but laugh. The spinach and mushrooms did look appetizing, however.

"Curry takeaway?" Blaise prompted, accepting defeat.

"I'd love some."

Originally Written For:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)

Word Count: 306

Originally Written: August 2019