I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
A Taste of Magic
113th Course – Looking Forward
"I really should get used to being surprised like this," Andromeda said, walking into the kitchen. "And yet, I still get surprised. How nice. You know, I was terribly worried that I would be bored when Dora grew up and left home. Aside from being worried about her occupation of course. But I am more than happy to say that my fears were unfounded with you and Sirius in my life."
"Happy to help," Harry smiled and returned her enthusiastic hug.
"So, what is going on?" she asked, sitting at the counter and looking over at the strange scene. Nicolas was leaning over slightly and standing eye-to-eye with one of the snowy owl Patroni. She was staring back at him with direct eye contact and their faces were very close to each other. The other two Patroni were sitting to one side and looking back and forth between like watchers at a tennis match and Hedwig was sitting on a roost, looking deeply amused.
"Grandfather asked me to cast the charm so he could inspect them. He was really impressed with the way they combined with the Flame Whip," Harry said, also looking amused. "I was a little worried. I hadn't cast it since the duel and one was blasted out of the air. Thankfully they're all fine. I asked if he wanted me to direct them or something and he said no, that he wanted to watch them in their natural environment."
He shook his head and went back to cutting vegetables. "They flew about a little before they noticed him staring at them. So they decided to stare back and it became a staring contest. He's challenged each of them so far and that's the last one. He lost the other two contests."
"At least he does not look put out about it," Andromeda smiled. "How was Thalga? Thank you so much for the plates and bowls and light by the way. You are right, they will be wonderful surfaces to prepare my enchanting things on."
"You're welcome! It was really cool. I thought it would be too dark but between the SunDrop and my darkglass glasses, it was fine. The darker places needed my darklight but that was fine. I forgot to change my glasses though when I got back to the surface and the sensitive darkglass glasses magnified the light by so much," Harry laughed. "Gave me a headache. They're like reverse sunglasses."
"Sounds wonderful," Andromeda smiled after Harry shared more details about the trip.
"I was a little worried it might be claustrophobic down there," Harry said softly, "but it really wasn't, thank goodness. And Chef's family is super nice. I don't think Cuttlyr likes me all that much though."
"From what you have said, I think he might see you as a potential rival, since you are both cooks and chefs," Andromeda said soothingly. "And Chef Diglin might be using you as a goad of sorts, to try and get his son to improve."
"He practically hinted at that," Harry nodded. "I don't understand though. Why wouldn't Cuttlyr want to learn from his father?"
"Sometimes one chafes under the attention of an older family member," Andromeda said. "They want to break free from past observation."
"Oh, I guess that makes sense." Harry shrugged a little. "I would love to learn from my parents though, and I love learning from you all."
"That is because you are very smart and have a big heart," she praised, hugging him.
Perenelle came in and greeted Andromeda warmly and kissed and hugged Harry. She looked over at her husband and the Patroni and snorted. "How long has that been going on?"
"About seven minutes now," Harry said, looking at the clock.
"You do know that the Patroni do not have corneas technically?" she asked in a very condescending tone. "Therefore they do not feel the need to blink because they do not dry out."
"Drat." Nicolas blinked and the three Patroni cheered and started dancing, kicking their legs up and down with their wings out, giggling mightily. "I should have thought of that."
Hedwig fluttered to Harry and nipped his wrist gently and made an odd pecking motion.
"Really?" Harry groaned.
Hedwig nodded, looking at him with very large amber eyes.
He sighed and gave Nicolas an apologetic look while walking to the pantry. He came back with a few crackers that he crumbled onto the counter top. Hedwig walked over but not in a way she normally did. It was a very jerky walk and she bobbed her head up and down and back and forth. Somehow, she managed to have her eyes look in two different directions and she pecked at the crackers, cooing loudly.
"What is she doing?" Nicolas asked, staring at her.
Harry sighed. "She's pretending to be a pigeon."
"Why is she doing that?" Andromeda asked.
"She thinks pigeons are really dumb," Harry sighed.
"Are you calling me dumb?!" Nicolas gasped, looking affronted.
Hedwig nodded, bobbing her head dramatically and cooing through a beak full of crackers. The Patroni giggled and started mimicking her and the quartet started hooting with glee at Nicolas' expression while Perenelle and Andromeda cackled.
"Well, I suppose that is fair," Nicolas sniffed. He gave her a look. "You know, I have visited the taiga and tundra of Russia and Canada before. I have seen many snowy owls. I do believe I have seen prettier feathers on them."
Hedwig and the Patroni hissed angrily.
"Oh yes," Nicolas continued, as if unnoticing or uncaring of their reaction. "Beautiful snow-white feathers with even softer dispositions. Poor Harry, having such a…plebian companion in both feather and temperament."
Hedwig gasped audibly and the Patroni hissed even louder. With a furious expression, Hedwig flew to the bread box and flipped the lid open, fishing out a slice. She flew back to the counter and glared at Nicolas while munching on it. She did so in an exaggerated fashion that involved emphatic waggling of her tail feathers from side to side. She also made a strange warking noise as she munched on the bread messily.
"Oh Hedwig," Harry sighed. "She's-"
"No I can figure it out," Nicolas said, glaring down at Hedwig. He stared for a moment. "Are you being a duck?" He gasped, deeply insulted. "Are you calling me a quack?!"
Hedwig warked at him emphatically and the Patroni took up the call.
"I have dueled over less!" Nicolas shouted.
"It's true, he has," Perenelle laughed, deeply amused by everything.
"Such a clever bird," Nicolas said, giving Hedwig a look. He reached into his robe pocket and pulled out a white glove and threw it down in front of Hedwig. "Do you understand this?!"
Hedwig did in fact understand it and she picked up the glove in her beak and flew to Nicolas. She jerked her head to the side, swinging the glove around, and slapped Nicolas firmly across the cheek with it. She then left it on his head and flew off.
"Accept my challenge and then fly off? I thought you an owl, not a chicken!" Nicolas shouted, rubbing his cheek and putting the glove away.
"You challenged an owl to a duel," Andromeda said, unable to stop herself from laughing
"I was insulted! Also we know how capable she is," Nicolas sniffed.
Hedwig flew back into the kitchen, holding Harry's cane in her talons. She saluted with it, swinging it around in a businesslike fashion, barking at Nicolas.
"Ah! I accept!" Nicolas snapped his fingers and his cane flew to his hand. He stood at the ready, rolling it in one hand and also saluted with it. "En garde!"
Hedwig lunged forward and struck out with the cane and Nicolas slapped the point aside with a parry. He took a half step forward, probing with his cane and Hedwig darted back and forth, smacking his cane out of line before jabbing with hers. They went back and forth, the canes clacking against one another. The Patroni cheered for her, jumping up and down and flapping their wings.
"She's fencing," Andromeda said, eyes wide. "She's actually fencing. How does she know how to fence?"
"Honestly, I've stopped questioning how she knows to do things and just accepts she does," Harry sighed. "Be careful you two!" he shouted.
After some back and forth, Perenelle blew on a silver whistle she conjured and held her wand up, the tip emitting white light and she pointed it at Hedwig. "Point, Hedwig!"
"What?" Nicolas cried as Hedwig barked and the Patroni danced, waggling their rears at Nicolas.
"She got you here," Perenelle said, tapping her shoulder.
"Ah, very well. Again!" Nicolas and Hedwig continued to fence, going back and forth before Perenelle blew the whistle again and her wand was blue.
"Point, Nicolas!" She smiled at the look Hedwig gave her. "He got you here," Perenelle said, pointing at her waist on the left side. "A graze, but a touch."
"Hey now," Harry said when the Patroni hissed and booed. "If we celebrate one, we should celebrate the other. We're family and it's sporting."
The three Patroni looked at each other for a moment before they stood at polite attention. They clapped politely and genteelly, holding their left wings out and backside up and clapping the top with the right wings, like one did at a polite golf game.
"Thank you, girls," Harry smiled and they cheeped lovingly at him.
The duel continued and it ended in a draw, with Nicolas receiving a thwap to the head and Hedwig enduring a chest poke. They mutually agreed to a draw and the Patroni cheered and congratulated Hedwig warmly and Nicolas politely before fading away with warm barks and winks.
"That was invigorating," Nicolas said, drinking from a glass of water that Harry gave him. "I have missed fencing. I foresee us doing that more and I will make you some proper gear," he said to Hedwig. He sighed when Harry gave him a look. "I apologize for my unwarranted remarks. Your feathers are very lovely and you have a very good personality. Harry is not poor in companion at all."
Hedwig fluffed up at that but also sighed when Harry looked down at her. She hooted a few times at Nicolas, looking somewhat contrite.
"I will accept, thank you. And in fact, I will run home briefly to bring things to start work on some proper gear. I need to repair mine and I assume yours as well?" He nodded when Perenelle did and started to leave.
Perenelle clicked her tongue softly a few times and she picked up the end of a chopped carrot. She waggled it at Hedwig and tossed it at her. Hedwig watched it fly to her and kicked it hard with accuracy. The carrot top flew through the air and hit Nicolas squarely in the back of the head. When Nicolas spun around, Perenelle was looking away, drinking from a teacup while Hedwig had turned back to Harry and buried her face into his chest. Nicolas looked deeply confused and rubbed at the spot of carrot impact before he left the kitchen.
"That wasn't really mature," Harry said with an enormous smile as Andromeda laughed and Hedwig and Perenelle giggled.
"Neither is your grandfather," Perenelle smiled.
-0-
The first thing Harry noticed was how open everything was. He stepped through the Floo and came out into a very clean and bright living room. There were windows open to the air and bright cheerfully colored curtains that were tied up. Comfortable couches were about with brightly colored pillows and cushions resting on top. An inner courtyard could be seen through the windows and leafy green plants waved in the breeze and sunlight.
"Hey Harry!"
"Hey!" Harry hugged Parvati and Padma. "Thanks for having me over," he said happily.
"About time you came home sib," Parvati said. "You have to fulfill your familial obligations and such."
"As if you do those," Padma sniffed.
"I try to," Parvati protested. "Granted, not very hard, but I do."
"I like how open and colorful your home is," Harry said, looking around the Patil residence. "It feels nice."
"Thanks!" the twins said proudly.
"It's pretty big. Not as massive as Grimmauld but it's our family and grandmum and our closest aunt and her family who lives here full time," Parvati said.
"And it's usually where the visiting families from out of the country come to be. We have a few others who live close by but their homes are smaller," Padma said.
"Pota!" Durga's voice cut through the air effortlessly. "Come on then!"
"Grandmum, he's a guest technically," Parvati said. She and Padma led Harry to the kitchen.
"No he isn't," Durga said from the stove with a mock frown of censure. "He's family and we have enough lazy people in it and I won't have him be one. Hurry and wash up and help."
"Yes Grandmum," Harry smiled and put on his apron and bandanna. "I expected this to happen," he said to the amused twins. "Well, hoped really."
"Don't lie, you carry those with you everywhere, don't you," Parvati laughed.
"Well you can never be too prepared," Harry chuckled.
"Grandson?" A woman who had a striking resemblance to the sisters and Durga appeared in the kitchen, looking confused. "Who is visiting?"
"Harry Potter," Durga said, waving a hand between the woman and Harry as a means of introduction. "This is Aashi, Aditi's sister. Aashi, this is Harry. He is the twins' unofficial sibling, therefore, my grandson."
"Ah of course." Aashi smiled warmly. "Pleasure to meet you in person, Harry. We have heard many things about you. Good things, do not be worried."
"That's good," Harry laughed gratefully.
"Slice these," Durga said, pointing at a pile of onions. "Then cook them in oil. Most cook until golden brown. The rest, fry until crispy."
"Yes Grandmum," Harry said and fell to with a will.
"You're forcing him to help?" Aashi asked, looking at her mother with disapproval.
"Am I forcing you to do anything?" Durga snorted, looking at Harry.
"No Grandmum," Harry grinned cheerfully.
"There, now if you're not going to help, get out and let us work in peace," Durga said, pushing past her.
Aashi looked at the twins who were giggling and she sighed and shook her head before taking her leave.
"What are we making?" Harry asked as he cleaned and sliced the onions into thin slices. He then started slowly cooking a large portion of the onion into that soft golden-brown state that smelled heavenly and tasted sweet and savory. He set a small portion aside to fry until crisp and crunchy.
"Chicken biryani," Durga said. "It's very good and once you know how to make it, it is not hard to make. You two," she flicked the twins with a towel. "Do the rice and make roti."
"She normally doesn't get to boss us around like this," Parvati muttered as she measured the rice and started washing it. She then added a handful of spices into it: bay leaf, green cardamom pods, star anise, and clove.
"I doubt that," Harry whispered.
"She means in the kitchen," Padma smiled as she started measuring water and flour and salt. "We normally aren't in here from start to finish unless there's a lot of things to make like momo or samosa or on like big dinner days."
"Pota, watch." Durga opened several of the shiny masala dabbas and began throwing spices into a bowl. She did it swiftly without seeming to stop and measure.
"You should at least write it down for him," Parvati said.
"I think he can see and smell it just fine," Durga said, poking her with a long wooden spoon. "See?"
"I think so," Harry said, nodding. "I'll probably write down an estimation for myself though."
The spices were mixed with yogurt and chicken was put into the marinade and rubbed and set aside for a little bit. She then took the chicken out and started cooking it at the bottom of a large heavy iron pot. By then, the onions were how she wanted them and she layered them on top of the chicken with the par-cooked rice Parvati prepared. She poured saffron water on top and some ghee and set it on the stove to finish cooking.
"Biryani is drier so we make sides that have more liquid to them," Durga said. "So we will make a raita and a chutney. Easy and tasty."
"Can't go wronga with a raita," Parvati said with a big smile.
"That was terrible," Padma groaned. "Help with the roti and stop making terrible jokes."
Raita was a yogurt side dish that had green chilies and cucumbers mixed in with some spices. It was cool and creamy, a perfect accompaniment to something spicey and hot. Chutneys were also types of condiments and sauces and Durga made a peanut one that the family enjoyed. They roasted peanuts in the pan with spices until toasted and fragrant. They were blended with more spices and just a little water and urad dal, making a tangy spicy earthy sauce that was also delicious. Harry contributed with his favorite quick pickle he learned from Gringotts that Durga heartily approved of.
Harry exclaimed with delight at the chicken biryani. The whole dish steamed and filled the air with delicious aroma. "You want all the different color rice," Durga said as she fluffed the dish around with a spoon. "Rice that is white, some yellow from the ghee and saffron, and the darker color ones from the marinade. All mixed together like this with the cooked chicken. Mark of a proper biryani."
"That smells wonderful." A man walked in and smiled at the sight of the good food and he looked mildly surprised when he saw Harry. "Who is this? Oh, Mister Potter, right? That's right, you were joining us today."
"Pleasure to meet you Sir," Harry said politely, wiping a hand clean and offering it. "Harry is just fine."
"Pleasure is mine. My name is Deepak. I'm these two's father," Deepak said pleasantly, shaking Harry's hand warmly. "Thank you for watching over my girls." He winked. "I know how laborious it can be."
"Thanks, Dad," the Patil sisters sighed.
"They're great friends and sibs," Harry said without any hesitation.
"I'm glad to hear it," Deepak said, his smile widening.
Soon the table was set in the courtyard outdoors. Aditi came home from work and greeted Harry warmly. Joining them was Aashi, her husband Krish, and their son Ivaan and daughter Divya. After a short grace, they all started eating.
"Mmm, this is really good," Deepak said, eating the biryani.
"Harry made the onions," Parvati said. "He's got a lot more patience for them."
"Everyone has a lot of patience compared to you," Divya muttered.
"Yeah, I have none for you at all," Parvati sniffed.
"So you're the one that's been learning how to make Indian food?" Krish asked.
"Yes Sir," Harry nodded. "It's been wonderful."
"You're good at it," Aashi said, mixing raita and chutney into the biryani and eating it hungrily with roti. "We have tried your dishes you made at school too. You've gotten better."
"Oh right, that little tiff the children had," Deepak laughed.
"A source of shame you mean," Dugra sniffed. "None of my grandchildren that I taught personally could cook as well as him. But since he is now a pota, my shame has been healed a little."
"Are you dating one of them?" Ivaan asked, looking at Harry. "Is that why you're a grandson now?"
"Ew no, he's our brother," Parvati said, sticking her tongue out. "No offense Harry."
"None taken," Harry grinned.
"We decided we were sibs and that's that," Padma said firmly.
"Harry and Lavender are together," Padma said.
Durga snorted deeply. "That is a good match actually," she said, drinking her tea. "She has a lot of bubbly energy, something you can use and appreciate much of."
"She's great," Harry laughed. "And you're right, she's so happy and bright and that makes me happy."
"Took them forever to realize it," Parvati sighed. "Well, more her than you. She's dim."
"At least you do not have to worry about not having good food to eat," Anvi smiled at Ivaan. "He is starting Hogwarts this year."
"Oh brilliant," Harry said and Ivaan smiled at him. "You'll love it. And yeah, butter chicken and mango lassi is a regular on the tables now, at least a few times a month. Same with samosa."
"We make momos regularly enough too," Parvati said, "in the uncommon room."
"We always have some frozen dumplings in the icebox," Harry nodded.
"And we've made tikka and goan," Padma said.
"Wish we had something like that when we went," Aashi and Aditi said together with a laugh.
They cleaned together and sat and chatted some before thanking Harry for visiting and cooking. "We're going to need to introduce Anvi to you when she visits," Deepak said warmly. "She owns a restaurant in India and I bet you can keep up with her."
"Can't wait," Harry smiled. He thanked them all again and hugged Durga, Parvati, Padma, and Aditi goodbye, waving merrily as the Floo whisked him away.
"He's a good young man," Krish said.
"Very," Aditi nodded. "Got to be good friends with the girls and I've been grateful to him for it, not just for making our cuisine either."
"He's a worthy member of the family," Durga said without hesitation. "He'll watch over Ivaan and Divya like he does the twins." She flicked Parvati's ear as she walked past. "Especially you."
"Hey!" Parvati exclaimed, grabbing her ear.
"She's right," Padma snorted.
"I was heying the flick," Parvati grumbled.
-0-
"Why are we building a fencing space?" Dora asked.
Sirius looked up. "I don't know actually. It was brought up if we could and I said sure and went ahead and did it."
One of the biggest rooms in Grimmauld was in the first-floor basement and it had been traditionally the house exercise room. It housed a full dueling circle as well as various other exercise equipment such as weights and even a small place for running. Now to one side, a large Olympic standard fencing strip was built and was enchanted by Andromeda and Perenelle.
"Why are we making a fencing strip?" Sirius asked.
"For fencing," Andromeda replied, not looking at him.
"Right," Sirius sighed while Dora snickered. "Why though?"
"Hedwig has shown a liking for it and if she and Nicolas are going to spar, I rather it be done correctly with protections," Perenelle said. "I also wish to pick it back up and Harry showed some mild interest. It is fun and good exercise too."
"Hedwig fences? We shouldn't give her a sword," Dora said. "She beats us on the regular with a pillow. I don't want to know what she can do with an actual sword."
"We will take precautions," Perenelle said.
"I better learn so I can defend myself," Dora sighed.
"It is an elegant sport," Andromeda said. She finished her spellcasting and looked on with satisfaction. "I think I may wish to learn as well."
"Oh boy, you with a sword is also terrifying," Dora shuddered.
"I love you too," Andromeda said fondly.
"Thank you for letting us do this by the way," Perenelle said when she finished her part. "And for the workshop rooms and a suite of our own."
Sirius waved a hand. "No problem! We've got plenty of space here. Heck, there're floors that are still empty. You guys need a place to call home while you're here anyways. You'll be at Hogwarts every other week, right?"
"At the minimum," Perenelle nodded. "I know we can just Floo home from here or from Albus' office, but it is nice to have a place to call our own. Still, we could have bought a property."
"Sure, but we weren't using the space and we all get to spend time together," Sirius said genially. "Plus this makes Harry happy and it's no inconvenience to me so wins all around."
"Wow, this looks great," Harry said when he walked into the room and looked at the fencing strip.
"Are you going to also learn and be a swashbuckler?" Dora asked.
"It does look neat," Harry nodded.
A voice steadily grew louder and they turned to look at the door before it opened and Nicolas walked in looking weary and holding one of his little vases. "Yes yes, I understand Olympe," he said in French, sighing. "I meant no disrespect-"
"Everything you say and do can be construed as an act of disrespect!" Maxime's voice came from the tiny vase and it was loud with indignation.
"Well I did not mean any this time! We have to help our grandson and since he is a student of Hogwarts, then they accidentally benefit. See it as collateral damage." He set the vase down on a side table. "Oh no, I see some interference. I will have to speak with you later."
"Interference? What interference?!" Maxime asked indignantly. Her voice became muffled by a very large and thick blanket Nicolas conjured and threw over the vase.
"That kind," Nicolas muttered. "Harry my boy, I need your help."
"Sure, what can I do?" Harry asked, looking at the pile of blanket still moving from the force of Maxime's shouting. "Also, are you okay?"
"Oh never mind that," he said, waving his hand at the shouting blanket. "Maxime is just a bit, how you say, miffed. She is upset that we are teaching an alchemy class at Hogwarts and not at Beauxbatons."
"That's kinda my fault, isn't it?" Harry asked sheepishly.
"Eh, tangentially perhaps," Nicolas said, making a hand gesture. "I mean, I suppose she has some right to be miffed due to my past reasons for not teaching a class. I could not be bothered to essentially. I taught the class before for years and it is boring for the most part. I typically prefer being a master and teaching an apprentice or two."
"Why would you want to teach at Hogwarts then?" Harry asked.
"Because you are not boring," Nicolas smiled, making the others laugh. "And I actually like your companions."
"It will be fine cheri," Perenelle smiled. "We already agreed we will teach a class at Beauxbatons too. Sophie and Fleur will help us. They are very good apprentices and them teaching will lessen the danger of boredom and be food for them as well."
"That's good. How can I help then?"
"By making some of your delicious food and I can lull Maxime into a less angry state and make things more pleasant all around," Nicolas said without a hint of shame.
"Your food does do that," Dora nodded. "Less chance of the hangry."
Harry smiled. "I'll do my best."
"That is all I ask of you," Nicholas smiled.
"I didn't know the vases can do that," Sirius said.
"Some can. You need a lot of ambient magic and power to make it work, not to mention it is harder over great distances. Fine for an emergency but not the most efficient use of them," Nicolas said.
"I should let you take a look at these mirrors I have," Sirius said. "We call them two-way mirrors. Basically like Muggle phones. Not sure exactly how they work but I'm sure you and Perenelle can figure it out."
"Oh yes, I am sure we can and we can make it something for us to use," Nicolas said excitedly. "Oh! Speaking of, Harry, stick your hand out."
"This feels familiar," Harry smiled and took the small wallet that Nicolas put in his hand.
"My sack was bigger," Sirius sniffed, earning appalled looks from Dora and Andromeda.
"What's this?" Harry asked. He opened the top of the wallet and peered inside. His eyes went wide. "Is that full of gold and silver?!"
"It is!" Nicolas beamed. "Your share of the profits from the spoons. We made our version of divining spoons based off of Nicolas' spare and we have set aside your share after selling them. Been meaning to give it to you. The rest will be deposited directly into your vault, but I always encourage you to have some hard money on hand."
"I didn't really contribute to that though," Harry protested.
"We would not have gotten the idea if Drake had not given you one for your birthday," Perenelle smiled. "Accept it cheri, it is yours by right and by will."
"Thank you." Harry put the wallet away in his pocket and hugged the Flamels. "I'm more happy that you two are here and still with me."
"I warned you, my boy," Nicolas said warmly. "When you accepted the offer, you would never be rid of us."
"Best deal ever," Harry smiled.
-0-
"Hello Sir!"
"Hello Harry," Dumbledore said warmly, sitting at the counter in the Hog's Head. Fawkes hopped off his shoulder and landed on Harry's, warbling and resting comfortably against the boy's face.
"The usual?"
"Yes please," Dumbledore smiled and chatted with some of the other patrons at the bar before Harry returned with two very large plates of full breakfast. "Ah, thank you, delicious as always." Fawkes made a sound like happy wind instruments and started eating too.
"By the way, I received a rather amusing message today," Dumbledore said. "Rather, I hope it is an amusing one."
"Oh?" Harry asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Apparently, Madame Maxime is under the assumption that you might be transferring to Beauxbatons?" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he ate eggs and beans and butter fried bread together.
"What?! Harry, you better not be transferring!" Ariana gasped.
"I'm not," Harry laughed and there was a collective sigh of relief. "I made a large basket of food for her, well for Grandfather and Grandmother technically to give to her, and she really liked it. She asked them to ask me to transfer. Before they would have done their best to convince me but I think they're okay with Britain now. Mostly."
"Indeed," Dumbledore chuckled. "I thought that to be the case and I politely and firmly declined her 'generous offer'."
"I'll kick her arse as part of my generous offer," Ariana grumbled.
"Isn't she half-giant?" Aberforth asked.
"I don't care, I'll kick both halves of her arse, giant or otherwise," Ariana said confidently.
Harry grinned. "You all don't have to worry. Like I said, it took me forever to find my peace. I know where it is and I'm staying right here with it."
"That's our boy," Ariana said proudly, hugging him and kissing his cheek.
"We will not let you go without a considerable fight either," Dumbledore smiled.
"It's good to be wanted," Harry said happily.
-0-0-0-
Arnie1701 - Thank you for reading.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Yeah, probably wouldn't be the best place for people who are claustrophobic or anything like that. Still, I always imagined societies and civilizations that live underground would have big spaces like that. Thanks for reading.
l4w - Thank you for reading and Happy New Year. I do like a kinder Harry in this, it makes sense to me.
odonnellzoo99 - It was fun exploring both the new dynamics with people and with a completely new place. It was fun to see a completely new environment, though I had to do a lot more worldbuilding and thinking. It's good in small doses haha. Emmie is really cute and it makes total sense to me too.
50 - Glad you do and hopefully it is a kinder year to us all.
dolph25 - Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.
TheSphynx - Yup, he's a good soul and person.
alix33 - Glad you liked the visit and the interactions.
ShadowBladeAsura - Thanks for reading.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Happy New Year.
DarkRavie - Thank you very much.
poka - I knew I wanted to explore the goblins and their society and the like with this fic. I wanted to see them have a bigger impact beyond just the bank though the bank is still a big part of their culture. I wanted to try and show them a little differently from how other fanfics did as well as hopefully make them feel like a plausible part of the setting. I didn't want them to be completely obsessed with money and things and be antagonistic all the time. I wanted them to feel real. Wanted to show how an underground civilization could be. Glad you enjoyed it, I was very happy with it. Happy New Year!
scpotter - I knew I was going to do a big exploration chapter like this and I'm glad people enjoyed it. And Emmie. She's very cute.
kilowatt - Thank you. I'm happy you do.
Kaya - Thank you!
Guest - Glad you enjoyed the look. It was fun thinking about it and building it up.