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

A Taste of Magic

110th Course – Welcome Home

"Hey welcome back!"

"Good to be back!" Harry smiled. He wiped his hands clean and eagerly exchanged hugs and handshakes with the Crew. "Great even."

After taking a day after returning to rest and unpack, Harry was back at Gringotts Main Kitchen One. He arrived a little early like he usually did and got to work wiping things down and cleaning to prepare for the day. A few of the other goblins at the bank saw him leaving the Floo and greeted him cheerily, genuinely happy to see him.

"Heard you made a good show at the Showcase," Flynt said. "Nice work."

"Thanks! Oh by the way, was someone going to tell me that Mr. Leomattok was the Director of Gringotts Italy?"

"What, you didn't know?" Amythyst giggled. She and the rest of the Crew burst out laughing at Harry's expression. "You've been a Gringotts employee long enough to recognize symbols and official markings, haven't you?"

"He wasn't wearing any!" Harry exclaimed, making the others laugh even harder. "He wears really nice suits!"

"Which should be an indicator honestly," Salta snickered. "Then again, he has the reputation for doing things a bit differently and every bank has slightly different markings so there's that too."

"So how was I supposed to know all this?" Harry asked sardonically.

"Guess you weren't," Hacker grinned.

"And I guess you guys are like this because it's funny?" Harry sighed but smiled at the same time.

"Hey you get us," Flynt said to fresh laughter. "Besides, he likes you so that's what matters, yeah?"

"Yeah look at you, friendly with another Director," Amythyst said. "Making all these connections and what not. Next think we know, you'll be friends with Sylver and his lot."

"Is he the Director of Gringotts France?" Harry asked.

"Thankfully no, he's a prick," Salta said. She looked him up and down. "You'd think you'd get some fashion tips from your time in Rome and being buddy buddy with the Director."

"Yeah yeah, get it all out," Harry smiled while the Crew hooted with laughter. "I might return the souvenirs I got you lot if you keep it up!" He laughed when they booed and threw towels and things at him.

"You lot sure are loud today," Diglin said, walking into the kitchen. He smiled at Harry, "Welcome back, Harry."

"Thanks Chef!" Harry said, shaking Diglin's hand eagerly.

"Dee told me what a great job you did overall," Diglin said approvingly. "She was very proud of you."

"I'm glad she came," Harry said. "She's great."

"She had fun. Did some family business and got to threaten folk," Diglin said with a loving expression. "Even put on her war dress."

"Powers below," Flynt shuddered. "What made her do that?"

"Some idiots from that other school messed with the train," Diglin said, making the others shake their heads and snort. "Doran put the fear of Goblin in them and Dee did too."

"Good," Amythyst sniffed. "Bastards."

"So, learn some new things on your trip?" Diglin asked.

"Sure did," Harry said proudly.

"Whip up something and let's see if it'll be good enough as a special," Diglin smiled.

"Yes Chef," Harry said and got to work. He made a mound of flour and shaped a well out of the center and cracked several eggs and put them in the well. He slowly incorporated everything together with a fork, slowly beating the egg and flour together until it was fully combined. He then kneaded it smooth and covered it in a towel to rest. Once rested, he used his new rolling pin and made a long thin smooth sheet of pasta.

He made a filling with all sorts of different mushrooms that he sautéed with garlic and thyme and other spices, then mixed with the Mixing Charm with ricotta cheese and parmesan cheese until it was nice and smooth. He put dollops of the filling on the sheet of pasta and folded the other side on top and patted the edges shut and worked out all the air. He cut the ravioli out and boiled them briefly and made a simple cream sauce to serve alongside.

"Mmm, these are delicious," Amythyst said, chewing blissfully.

"Yeah, that's a really nice pasta dough," Flynt said as he ate.

"That's one of our usual mushroom blends too," Salta said happily. "And the cheese doesn't overpower them."

"I hoped it would work," Harry said just as happily. "They're super earthy and nice and the cheese helps mellow them just enough but they're still recognizable."

"Mmm, this will be our special," Diglin said, nodding with approval. "Add a side salad and it'll be perfect. You'll be on pasta making duty for it though, I imagine we're going to need a lot. Salta, you're with Harry today. Learn from him and we can probably use the recipe in future dishes."

"Yes Chef," Harry and Salta said together. The rest of the morning passed swiftly. Harry slotted back into the Crew easily and Pinny had been very cordial with him. She even shushed the newest member of the Crew when they appeared and looked like they were about to say something.

Salta learned the process swiftly and steadily improved the more she made the batches with Harry. After making some, she helped make the filling and they set up a station on the range for the rapid cooking of them as well as preparing the sauce.

The lunch was especially busy. Most of the employees at the bank ate at Main One usually as it was but whenever Harry returned, they definitely came to eat. The mushroom ravioli was well accepted and the eating room was full from the very beginning to the end. Consequently, the kitchen was also incredibly busy with lots of movement and cooking.

It felt like home to Harry.

The lunch rush died down and some began the cleaning tasks while the others continued to cook the last few orders. Harry looked up when someone called his name and he smiled warmly back. "Hello Director!"

"Good to see you," Ragnok said warmly. "Things seem a bit busier when you are here. Hopefully that does not mean the rest of the kitchen makes you do more work."

"He makes us do more work," Diglin snorted. "Brings in extra business."

"Fair enough," Ragnok chuckled. "Doran told me you did very well at your Showcase. Good job."

"Thank you again for letting us borrow your khabor," Harry said.

"He insisted. I hope Dee behaved herself?" He and Diglin snorted together at that.

"She was great," Harry said sincerely. "I think she had fun too. Did a good amount of gambling on the train. Sirius said he needs to get better to keep up with her."

"I am sure that will end well," Ragnok snorted.

"She even taught me how to play Gemcut," Harry smiled.

"She did what?!" Diglin asked loudly.

"Oh fuck me," Ragnok groaned.

"She took it easy on me," Harry said defensively. "At first. She said I showed promise," he said proudly.

"Oh you know how to play Gemcut now?" Flynt asked, looking over.

"No gambling in the kitchen!" Diglin shouted. "I mean it!"

"Yes Chef," the Crew and Harry chorused.

"Did she tell you how to play normally or how she plays?" Ragnok asked, concerned.

"Both," Harry said.

The Director of the bank sighed and shook his head. "Do be careful on who you play that with, please."

"Don't worry, I'll only play for fun and for snacks."

"Thank goodness," Ragnok said. "Moving on, I received a very complimentary letter from Leomattok the other day. He wanted to thank me for the honor that Gringotts Britain showed him and he also made several subtle and unsubtle inquiries about your employment."

"I don't care who he is, he better not poach my staff," Diglin warned.

"I'm not leaving here," Harry said stoutly. "I still have a lot to learn here."

Ragnok's smile was broad and mirrored by Diglin and the Crew. "I assumed as much, but it is good to hear out loud. I did reply, unreservedly, that conflicts have started over less. I think he knew too. He then asked if I was willing to lend your services out, for a fine fee of course."

"That I can probably do," Harry said, pleased.

"I am sure the occasion will arise here and there," Ragnok chuckled. "Oh and thank you for the model of the bank. Doran brought it to me and it is sitting on my shelf in my office. I like it very much." He looked at Harry kindly and seriously. "You honor us. Doran told me what you said during your final presentation. That sort of thing, well, you know not many magicals are willing to credit us so."

"You gave me a chance," Harry said with utter sincerity. "You and Chef. Ever since I proved my metal, you haven't held anything against me and have been nothing but kind and wonderful. I was being honest; I wouldn't be who I am today as a cook without being here, or a person really. Thank you for the opportunity."

"It was a fine day when you came to Gringotts," Ragnok said happily. "You have proved your metal and your worth a thousand times since and it is an honor and a pleasure calling you one of our own." He shook Harry's hand again and clapped him on the shoulder. "Oh, speaking of, Dee wanted me to remind you about a trip to Thalga this summer. A holiday."

"I was going to ask," Diglin said sulkily. "I wasn't going to forget."

Harry smiled. "That sounds amazing! I'd love a weekend trip or something."

"We'll make it happen," Diglin nodded. "Maybe middle of summer? One of our slow periods at the bank."

"Sounds good to me," Ragnok said. "We will make it happen."

-0-

Aberforth walked up from the cellar and put the barrels down behind the counter, using his wand to secure them and to put in the taps. He hummed tunelessly, making sure the taps were placed securely without any leaks. Satisfied, he began to polish the glasses with a towel, making them sparkle and shine.

He looked up briefly at the movement on the bar floor and paid it no attention, at first. Then he looked up again and frowned. "What are you two doing here?"

"Bristles and Twiggy are here when Three Broomsticks is closed," Bristles said, wiping the tables down. "Has Master Abe forgotten?"

"Master Abe's memory is a bit spotty," Nillie said.

"As in he chooses to forget things," Willie said.

"Watch it," Aberforth snorted before sighing. "Yes, I remember the deal. But Rosie doesn't close on this day usually.

"She did today," Twiggy said, moving the chairs about. "Said she knows it will be busy here today and did not want to open."

Before he could say anything else, the door to the Hog's Head opened and Harry walked in with Hedwig riding on his head. The house elves cheered and ran to him, greeting him happily and hugging him. Harry hugged them back enthusiastically and gave them little bags that they took gleefully, exclaiming with delight at the towels and things within.

"Hey Kid," Aberforth smiled when Harry walked up to him. "Good job on the Showcase, Al and Ari were super proud of you."

"Thanks! And it's so good to see you," Harry said happily and Hedwig hooted a greeting, fluttering to her bed in the window. "Here you go."

Aberforth took the small model Hog's Head with reverence, softening as he looked at it. "That looks good," he said. "You even got the broken signpost detail down."

"Of course I did, it's a part of the tavern. And this is for you too."

Aberforth looked at the bottle of alcohol with a practiced eye. "Wow, this looks good too. How did you buy this?" he asked, looking at Harry.

"Mr. Leomattok purchased it for me since I wasn't of age yet and I paid him back," Harry said.

"Thanks, Kid," Aberforth grinned. "Don't you have better things to do than to work here?"

"I can't think of anything," Harry said seriously as he walked into the kitchen with Aberforth following. "Unless you're firing me."

"No, Ari would murder me and Al would have words. I'll never keep you from here but you know, there's more to life than working in a pub. You should be out being a kid."

"I like it here, it's like a home to me," Harry said as he washed his gear and put his apron on, tying a bandanna over his hair and Hedwig fluttered to her bed "I still have a lot to learn and experience here too still."

"I guess," Aberforth said with a soft expression. "Well alright, as long as you want to be here then." He paused for a moment. "You and that girl are still together, right?"

"What? Yes, I mean, yes? I haven't done something have I?" Harry started to look panicked.

"I was just asking since he's here instead of with her," Aberforth said defensively when Hedwig barked at him sharply, fluffing up with irritation at the barkeep.

"Oh!" Harry rubbed his chest, relieved. "I mean, yes we're still together and I'm actually having dinner with her and her family at their home in the next few days." Harry rubbed his neck. "I'm a bit nervous about that actually."

"Not sure if you want my advice on that," Aberforth snorted. "Don't listen to any of us really. As you can see, we don't have successful relationships like that for many reasons. Has Ari found out by the way?"

"She has, kept the teasing down a little but said she has a right to bring it up when she likes," Harry said, shaking his head.

"Yeah, she does that," Aberforth snorted. "Told you."

"She says she teases because she cares."

"Yeah, she says that," he snorted again. "Might even mean it."

-0-

"Hey Kid!"

"Hey Mr. Bennets!" Harry came out to shake Bennets' hand. "How are you?"

"I'm doing alright, thanks. Say, heard you kicked arse at your duel at the Showcase. Good job!"

"Really?" Harry asked, astounded.

"Really. Shack and Vance both said you did an amazing Flame Whip and really whipped some arsehole that deserved it." He looked sympathetic. "That fear spell is no joke. Most people shouldn't go anywhere near it. You doing okay?"

Harry felt touched at the scarred man's concern. "I'm okay. Still dealing with it a little, but I'm glad for my friends and family. They've been helping a lot."

"That's good," Bennets said.

"I just…I don't know," Harry said slowly. "I still don't love the face that I snapped like that," he confessed. "I've seen a lot of people do that. Grew up with that and I had hoped I wouldn't ever be someone like that."

"Kid, there's no shame in that," Bennets said kindly. "Look, you push hard on anything in the world and sooner or later it's going to do one of two things: snap or break. With enough pressure, it happens. Nothing in this world will not do one or the other. From what it sounds like, you snapped and did what you had to do."

The older man looked kindly at the younger one. "You've been here a couple years now and you're a good kid with a good heart. You snapped and defended yourself in a bad situation. That's fine. And you know what else? It's okay to not be proud of your reaction, but you shouldn't feel shame over it either. You weren't the one doing the pushing. Anyone willing to throw that spell out has to be willing to accept the consequences."

Harry took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then nodded a little. "Thanks, Mr. Bennets," he said with a growing smile. "I appreciate it."

"You're welcome Kid, and I mean it," Bennets said encouragingly.

Harry's nod was a little more emphatic and firm. "A bit of everything?"

"More than a bit," Bennets smiled. "What'd you make today?"

"The usual chicken soup of course. I learned a nice beef meatball recipe from Italy, comes with a tomato sauce and bread and salad. And there's a fish pie too. Also I'm making gelato for dessert."

"Sounds perfect to me," Bennets said, rubbing his hands eagerly. "Keep it coming!"

-0-

"Good thing I decided to close," Rosmerta said wryly. "This place is packed!"

Aberforth nodded and poured her a glass of gin. "Sure is. Always is when the Kid comes back after being away. How'd you know when he would start by the way, not even I did."

"Albus mentioned that Harry would be taking a day or two off before he got back into working here," Rosmerta said. "Figured he would be here today." She blinked when she saw a group of goblins sitting in the corner. "They meeting with someone or waiting for someone?"

"Nah, there's usually a group now when the Kid is here," Aberforth said, filling a tankard with ale and putting it on a tray with glasses. Nillie picked it up easily and served it to the table. "He's friends with them."

"Last time I had some, they were meeting with Ludo and that was a big mess," Rosmerta snorted before sipping her gin.

"He deserves it. Got a problem he does, thinking he can stiff goblins," Aberforth snorted too. "What do you want to eat? The meatballs are really good and you'll want to save room for the gelato."

"Sold, and throw in the soup." Rosmerta looked around and then smirked back at Aberforth. "Might be worth trying to get him to come over, even if it does upset Ari's sensibilities."

"You're welcome to try," Aberforth said easily. "But I think we know what the answer will be."

"Mistress Rosmerta be nice now," Twiggy said, looking up at usual boss with disapproval as she walked past.

"What?! Hey! You're telling me to be nice?!" Rosmerta called after indignantly.

"Kid's got that effect on everyone," Aberforth laughed.

Rosmerta rolled her eyes but soon joined in on the warm chatter and fully enjoyed the genial atmosphere. The soup was good like always and the meatballs were also very nice: tender and flavorful and not dense. The tomato sauce was tart with a nice balance between tangy and savory. She sighed happily when she ate her first spoonful of gelato, savoring the creamy sweetness.

"Harry dear, you could give Fortescue a run for his money," she said when Harry walked out of the kitchen. "This is lovely!"

"Thanks! I wish you could try the original, it was really delicious. I'm getting better with practice though. Here, this is really nice." Harry poured some piping hot espresso onto the gelato and Rosmerta shuddered with pleasure at the new flavor and temperature combination.

"Oh my, that really is," she said admiringly.

"I'm going to be trying new flavors soon too," Harry beamed.

"Is there anything you can't make?" Rosmerta teased.

"I haven't found it yet," Harry said honestly. "I'm sure there is though. Sota, a friend I made at the Showcase, told me about sushi and that sounds really hard. Cool though. It's usually raw fish or carefully made fish with rice."

"Ari likes it," Aberforth said as he walked past with more flagons and tankards. "I like the cooked stuff myself."

"Well it's good to have you back," Rosmerta smiled. "Even if it's not at my place."

"Good to be home," Harry said sincerely.

-0-

"Harry, hold out your hands."

Harry did as asked and his eyes widened when Sirius dropped a large sack into them. "What's in this?" he gasped as he nearly dropped the heavy sack. It made a metallic ringing noise as he hefted it. He opened it and his eyes went even wider. "Is this all gold?!"

"Yup!" Sirius beamed at him. "That is from the Wizengamot as a thank you."

"What did I do?!"

Sirius laughed. "You helped Britain reappear on the international scene in a favorable way. Fudge is all happy that he has gotten letters of congratulations and compliments from the other nations and the ICW itself. Said he's proper proud of Hogwarts and so he made a donation to be distributed to all the students and Hogwarts at large and you're receiving a bigger share because of the extra work you put in."

"It was a group effort though," Harry protested.

"I know that, you know that, and everyone who went knows that, but you did put forward a lot of effort." Sirius patted him on the back warmly. "Enjoy it, Harry. You're being recognized for your hard work and your abilities. You're being celebrated for what you did and how you did it. Take pride my boy."

"I'm still getting used to being thanked for things like that," Harry said softly. "Being recognized for it."

"About time," Sirius said quietly. He grinned. "I'm all about it though."

"Shouldn't this go into my vault?" Harry asked.

"Oh yeah, I just wanted to throw a sack at you because it was funny," Sirius smiled. "Always keep some hard cash on you but yeah, rest in the bank. I can take it for you tomorrow or you can bring it with you next time you go to work at Gringotts."

Harry put it aside carefully. "Sounds good. How are things overall for us?"

"Good," Sirius said easily, sitting down on a stool and leaning on the counter. "Cissa sent over a cup and a diadem to Dumbledore and we think they belonged to Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, like the locket was Slytherin's. Looks like they were used like the locket was."

"Wow, that's pretty big," Harry said.

Sirius nodded. "They're going to be displayed at Hogwarts as relics from the Founders. Gryffindor's sword will be there too."

"What about with…what are we calling him?" Harry asked.

"I'm partial to fuckbag," Sirius said, making Harry laugh. "I think QuirrellMort is the quasi-official term. Basically, he's going to officially pass in a couple days from long-term complications with Wasting's Disease. Basically a magical loses their ability to control and maintain their magic and they eventually lose it all. Turns out, it ran in Quirrell's family so it lends more weight to it. And there were records that Sanguis' Healer and Cissa recommended Quirrell to not duel or overexert himself and he ignored them. Even have a written letter signed by QuirrellMort saying no one would be held liable."

He shook his head. "Turns out the signature is legit and has been around for a while even so Narcissa's been planning something like this for a while. Which honestly doesn't surprise me."

Harry blinked at that.

"And she and Lucy sent over a lot of information on the last of the Death Eaters and Amelia is running with it, bringing some long overdue justice. The Ministry isn't questioning it, seeing it as a good thing, and well, that'll be it. It'll be over." He saw Harry's confusion. "Death Eaters was the name of Voldemort's followers during the war."

"Oh weird," Harry said. "And is Lucy your nickname for Lucius?"

"Sure is," Sirius smiled and Harry laughed. "So he gets to avoid punishment again but this time, things should stick. QuirrellMort is super dead for good, his power base completely gone, and Lucy and Narcissa will be running a school forever. You're alive and happy. I'm alive and happy. We got good friends and family. A win in my book."

"Yeah," Harry said quietly.

Sirius reached over and pulled Harry to him in a one-armed embrace. "Your parents would be happy that you get the chance to grow up and be happy. Don't think otherwise."

"Really?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Yeah," Sirius replied sincerely. "They would definitely want that for you. Even at the lowest, they never begrudged someone else's happiness, and never for you."

"That's good," Harry said with some relief.

"So grow old, build up a lot of stories and memories, and you'll get to share all of them with them when you see them again," Sirius said softly with a glimmer of a tear.

"When we see them again," Harry said, also tearing up.

"Damn straight," Sirius nodded. "And I plan on living a very long time and have plenty to share when we get there."

"Me too," Harry said soulfully. They stood there together in comfortable silence and shared warmth.

"Want to help me mess with Remus?" Sirius asked, ruining the moment deliberately.

"Why are we doing that?" Harry asked, smiling and intrigued.

"Why not?" Sirius said with a falsely-innocent expression. "But you see, now we can really give it to him because he has finally joined us in status."

"What does that mean?"

"It means the gloomy bastard is dating," Sirius said, eyes twinkling in visions of mischief. "He and Emmeline Vance got awful chummy on the trip and the train. They sort of were friendly before and well, got a little more friendly recently, if you know what I mean."

"I really don't want to," Harry said, looking awkward. "No offense, it's kinda weird for me to think of you two like that."

"Oh right," Sirius laughed. "I'll try to not shock your sensibilities and…wait." It was his turn to look awkward. "Have you had the Talk yet?"

"The what?" Harry looked horrified.

"You know. The Talk. About courting and dating and," Sirius coughed a few times, "relations of a personal nature and that sort of thing."

"I know where babies come from," Harry said with as much dignity that he could muster.

"You know, I knew I would eventually have to do this when I had children of my own but damn, I didn't even think about it with you. Sorry. And you're already dating." He Sirius coughed more. "Uhm, have you and Lavender-"

"We've only kissed," Harry said, wanting to fall over and die from embarrassment. "And napped together."

"Right right, that's good," Sirius said, relieved and still horrifically awkward. "Let me talk to Andromeda and Remus and Ted about how to approach this and we'll have that talk, the Talk even."

"Or you could just kill me before I die from embarrassment," Harry muttered.

"No way. All that effort we put in to keep you alive?" Sirius shook his head. "You're living for a few hundred years boyo. Fine. Help me come up with a way to mess with Remus and we'll push this off."

"Deal," Harry said gratefully.

-0-

"This looks fancy for a regular meal," Remus observed. He looked down at the plate and at the several utensils on either side. "What brought this about? A formal meal to celebrate the Showcase? Or are we convincing someone of something? Another coercion course?"

"Dinner party," Andromeda corrected. "Sorry, force of habit. I have no idea what this meal is about either, truth be told."

"Well, it's a bit of a refresher course," Sirius said breezily.

"For what?" Ted asked.

"To teach Moony some decent table manners of course. It's been a while since he's dated so I wanted to make sure that he knew the protocols for fine dining that were roughly the same time as his last date," Sirius said with a broad smile. His smile grew at Remus' glower and at the laughter from the Tonkses. "So about fifty years or so, give or take."

"I am 35 years old!" Remus growled.

"I said give or take," Sirius shrugged.

"I'm not surprised you did this, but I am a little surprised that you are doing this with him," Remus said to Harry in a slightly wounded tone.

"I was coerced, more or less," Harry said apologetically. He served Remus a very large steak and poured lots of sauce on top. "I'm sorry."

"Hey, it was something you agreed to!" Sirius said.

"I said more or less," Harry shrugged.

"Remind me, which fork is it?" Remus asked.

"That one," Dora said, pointing.

"No eye-stabbing with forks," Harry said sternly. "Or else no dessert."

"Oi, stoppit, both of you," Dora said in her no-nonsense Auror voice, hair turning metallic grey and her eyes to match.

"You answered the question," Sirius muttered.

"You're going to be a good dad," Ted grinned. "In many years I'm sure," he added to Harry's look of panic.

"Oh right, reminds me, Harry needs the Talk-" Sirius started.

"No more talking about the Talk or no dessert!" Harry interrupted loudly.

"So help me if I don't get dessert then it's everyone's problem!" Dora said.

"It is true, it will be," Andromeda said seriously with Ted nodding.

Harry shook his head but smiled as Remus and Sirius and Dora devolved into an argument and Ted and Andromeda watched on with undisguised glee. It was really good to be home.

-0-0-0-

DOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - I still have a few ideas left for Taste and we will see what comes. Thank you.

choquain - Thank you. I'm sure there was a reason he wasn't allowed any espresso.

Arnie1701 - Hope you had a Merry Christmas as well. Thank you.

odonnellzoo99 - That's true, but I'm sure they will in time. Magical transportation is a lot faster than Muggle ones. The petlings on espresso bit is probably one of my favorite things I've ever written. It was so silly but funny. That sounded like a very pleasant Christmas. Mine was nice. It was just me but I made a rather large and involved dinner. Messed up my yorkie but I know why and it won't happen again hopefully.

scpotter - Thank you for reading and Merry Christmas!

poka - Thank you, and I hope you had a lovely Merry Christmas as well. You moved recently right? Hope you were able to have a fine holiday. I've never been to Rome, but one day hopefully. I actually like a good Rita oddly enough and it's fun to see her work here. A match made in Heaven for the petlings and the ones watching that aren't targets of their caffeinated ire.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - Or do feed them espresso if you want something funny to happen. I like to think that the changes in the Malfoys and Narcissa are somewhat plausible here and understandable. I wanted that feeling of 'eh' that canon had with them. Thanks for reading.

TheSphynx - That would be funny and the castle would be so chaotic.

alix33 - The owner saw kinship in Harry and acted accordingly.

Kaya - There's still plenty to come. It's only a soft ending for those who aren't interested in the rest.

Lady in Colour - That will be a good chunk for you to read then. Hope you continue to enjoy. Thank you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well!

DarkRavie - Thank you.

Lucy Elizabeth Dawson - Yup, still plenty to go from here. The petlings fueled by mal-intent and espresso is one of my favorite things too.