I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Hello everyone, hope all are doing well. I am really excited to share this chapter and hope everyone likes it. It's one of those, I can't wait until we get there, chapters and I feel like it encapsulates what I want this fic to feel and be. All my best to all of you and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday. Thank you for reading and commenting, it means so much to me.
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A Taste of Magic
108th Course – Magic's Meaning
"Good morning," Tsumugi said brightly.
Harry smiled back. "Good morning," he replied. He and Dumbledore had arrived to the central platform and saw Tsumugi and an older wizard in golden robes waiting there. "Sir, this is Tsumugi Watanabe." He looked at the other pair. "And this is Professor Dumbledore."
"A pleasure to meet you," Dumbledore smiled, bowing sincerely before offering a hand to Tsumugi. "Your duel was spectacular to see and I have enjoyed watching you play Seeker. I am excited to see your team play against Hogwarts later."
"Thank you," Tsumugi beamed. "This is our Headmaster, Ujio Sanada Sensei."
"Quite nice to meet you both," Sanada said warmly, bowing and shaking Harry's and Dumbledore's hand. "Of course, you need no introduction, Sir," he said respectfully to Dumbledore. "I am glad to see Hogwarts back on the International stage and hope to converse with you on the regular."
"I would like that very much," Dumbledore smiled.
Sanada looked down at Harry. "And thank you for being so kind to our students. I hear that you and Sota traded cooking topics?"
"Sota's a great cook and it's been wonderful getting to know him, Tsumugi, and Chiyo," Harry said brightly. "Oh and Azuki too."
Sanada smiled wryly. "I am impressed to hear that Azuki treats you well."
"She likes to bother the Headmaster," Tsumugi giggled.
"It is fortunate that she is so cute," Sanada sighed.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Tong appeared and smiled at them. "So much to do in closing the Showcase." She clapped her hands, looking at Harry and Tsumugi with genuine warmth and happiness. "I had a feeling about you two when we met. I figured you two would be representing your schools and you both have performed excellently." The pair of students and the pair of headmasters looked very pleased at that.
"We will be having the final demonstrations today, starting at noon," she continued. That gives you a little more than four hours of preparation time. You, the students, will be alone in your presentation but you are allowed to bring whatever you want to the stage. We ask that you do not have assistance from anyone during your performance."
She smiled. "The theme of the final demonstration is: the meaning of magic. A bit broad, but in the hopes that it will inspire you. There is not a time minimum per se, but it is the final demonstration to prove your abilities and your experiences up till now with your school. I would tell you to do your best, but I do not think I need to. Any questions?"
"It can be anything as long as it has to do with the theme?" Harry asked.
"Yes! Use magic of course, but that is all it has to be. Any other questions? If you have some later, simply tell your Headmasters and they can ask me and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Who would like to go first?"
"Ladies first," Harry said easily.
"Such a gentleman," Tong said warmly.
"Harry is a fine British Gentleman," Dumbledore said proudly.
"I've always wanted a top hat," Harry joked, making the others laugh.
"You already have the cane," Dumbledore chuckled.
"See you later!" Tsumugi said and she and Sanada left, conversing rapidly in Japanese as they did.
"Well, do you require any assistance from me?" Dumbledore asked Harry. "I will help in any way I can. The parameters are a bit broad but the ask is great."
They started walking back to the train. "Yeah, it's a really broad topic," Harry mused. "I honestly never thought about the meaning of magic. I vaguely remember learning that magic's origin is sort of unknown. That it's always just been there though plenty of people still try to figure it out."
"That is true," Dumbledore said. "The origin of magic is a deeply contested and debated topic with all societies and cultures. A rather large portion of the Department of Mysteries is dedicated to just that."
"What do you think, Sir?"
"Honestly, I have no idea," Dumbledore said truthfully, chuckling when Harry laughed. "I know to many, magic is a tool, something one uses to live. Others see it as a reason for being. Many think it is a primordial force, a fundamental law like gravity. I personally see it as a fact of life. It is something we should not take for granted and to cherish it and be wary of it."
Harry nodded. "That's kinda like eating and food in a way."
"Indeed. Some eat to live, some live to eat. It is important to find the right balance. That said, being passionate about it, food and magic, is not a bad thing at all and like many things in life, worthy of passion." He smiled at Harry. "I confess, for quite some time, I usually approached food as fuel and while I enjoyed a good meal or a nice treat, I never thought more beyond just eating it. Now I find myself thinking about the effort behind food and cooking, as well as other people's approaches and how it is a part of life and a shared factor among cultures."
"Gee, I wonder what made you start thinking otherwise," Harry said cheekily.
"A mystery, I am sure," Dumbledore laughed. "But that is another reason for me to thank you for opening my mind to the opportunities and possibilities." He continued to walk before he noticed Harry had stopped walking and was looking pensive. "Harry? Are you okay?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes, yes I am." Harry smiled at Dumbledore. "I just got an idea of what I want to do for the demonstration, but I have a lot to prepare for it. Thank you, Sir! Sorry, gotta run, see you later and I'll let you know if I need your help with something!" Harry took off running.
Dumbledore smiled broadly and continued to walk back to the train, feeling light and happy. "No, thank you my boy," he said to himself and meant every word.
-0-
"Hello Sir!"
Leomattok turned and smiled as Harry ran up to him. "Mister Potter! Good to see you." This time, he had more fellow goblins with him though his companion from the other day was there too. "I saw your duel yesterday, very impressive. Are you feeling well from it?"
"I'm doing better, thank you for asking," Harry said, touched. "And I wanted to thank you again for the tiramisu from the bakery. It was incredible and I'm going to see if I can make mine better."
"Excellent, it's always good to learn and improve yourself," Leomattok said approvingly.
"I was wondering if I could ask you for some help Sir," Harry said.
"Who do you think you are asking-" one of the other goblins started angrily. He immediately went silent when Leomattock gave him a look. The others, save for the original companion, also looked angry and insulted but immediately calmed down when Leomattok looked at them.
After a moment, Leomattok looked back at Harry and smiled pleasantly at Harry's look of concern. "Pay them no mind. It depends upon your request of course, but if I can, I will try to assist."
"Well, I was selected to do one of the final presentations to end the Showcase," Harry said with a slight stammer, gulping at the looks from the other goblins. "The theme is the meaning of magic and well, I think I thought of what magic means to me. Problem is, I need some things and I certainly don't know where to go in Rome, and I know this is your home and wanted to see if you would be willing to help me." He handed Leomattok a piece of paper with things written on it. "I will of course pay 10% minimum on top of the costs and pay you a 20% handling and assistance fee. Open to negotiation of course."
The other goblins gaped at Harry and Leomattok's smile grew. "You clearly do know how to conduct business," he said with approval.
"A little. I do have a blunt hammer fee after all," Harry said with a small smile.
Leomattok laughed as did some other goblins. "May I ask why you came to me for help?" he asked, curious.
"You've been really nice to me every time we interacted and since this is your home, I thought you would know the best places to go to get these things. I also remembered what you said back at the party about letting things shine and I thought it would be nice to let Rome's things shine."
He shrugged weakly. "Besides, I trust you Sir."
Leomattok looked at Harry for a long moment while the others continued to gape at Harry, their eyes bouncing back and forth between the young man and the goblin. Leomattok took a breath and his smile was widest yet. "I will do this for you on one condition, I insist on partaking in whatever you are making." He glanced at the list. "Because I believe it will be good. It can come after your presentation of course."
"I'll ask Professor Dumbledore to ask the Committee to have you be a part of them for the presentation," Harry said. "And I promise that if you and your fellows don't get enough, I'll make it or something else before we leave in the next day or two. If that's not possible, then you can contact me through Gringotts Britain and I'll be happy to cook for you and yours."
Leomattok held his hand out. "Then we have a deal, Mister Potter," he said warmly with his biggest smile yet. "And I will charge you at cost and only require a 10% fee for handling."
"Thank you, Sir!" Harry said with evident relief and shook Leomattok's hand enthusiastically. "You can call me Harry. The only time I'm called Mister Potter is if I'm in trouble or with strangers. I like it when my friends call me Harry."
"Harry it is then," Leomattok said sincerely. "It will take us about 30 minutes to obtain these. Will that be acceptable?"
"That's better than I was hoping! Thank you so much!" Harry waved and dashed off.
"Who does he think he is asking us to do anything?" one of the goblins snorted.
"Asking you of all people as well," another said.
"Harry Potter is my friend and he asked for help from a friend," Leomattok said calmly, making the others look at each other with surprise. "He has been completely polite and kind in every interaction and his character is well spoken of, by Gringotts Britain as well."
He turned and the others immediately stiffened and stood at a form of attention when he glared at them. "Now, this request is proper business and will be conducted as such. This request is personal business of mine and if I find that any of you are derelict in your duty out of some desire to punish him for some imagined slight or misgiving, I will ensure that you suffer for not only reneging on the deal, but by casting doubt over my personal honor. Am I clear?"
"Yes Director!" the other goblins said together in crisp unison.
The Director of Gringotts Italy looked at them carefully then nodded sharply. "Good." He took a slim notebook out of his jacket pocket and scribbled on pieces of paper and ripped them out, giving them to certain individuals. "Trellis, go to your family business for these. Mortar, these are yours to obtain. I will get the last of it. Have ample supply of each be sent to the Hogwarts Express and send me the receipts. Do not wait for the others, have them sent straight to the train as soon as possible. No delays."
"Yes Director." Trellis and Mortar scattered with the rest following Leomattok as he walked energetically towards one of the exits.
-0-
"What are you all doing?" Blaise asked, walking into the seating car.
"Harry asked us to make something for him for the demonstration," Pansy said. "And so we're all helping to get it done and Luna is putting it together."
"Oh, need anymore help?" Blaise asked, sitting down beside them.
"Yeah, that way we can get this done in time." Parvati showed him a drawing. "Just do this. Like us."
"I can't wait to see what he's doing for it," Millicent said excitedly, her hands in motion. "Knowing him, it's going to be good."
"He asked Mr. Flamel to teach him something," Hermione said. "So you know it's going to be showy and impressive."
"I'm glad we could help him now," Daphne said. "No one is allowed to help during the presentation."
"That's why pretty much everyone is helping," Sue said, looking at the full car and practically all the students from Hogwarts were there.
"We all want Harry to look good and to represent Hogwarts," Padma said proudly.
"Where is Harry?" Tracey asked.
"Kitchen car, working on the other parts," Ron said as he finished another piece.
"Oh duh," Tracey laughed.
"We're going to finish on time, right?" Susan asked.
"Let's push on and make sure we do," Neville said resolutely.
-0-
"Hey! You wanted me to come see you?" Lavender asked, peeking into the kitchen car.
"Yes, thank you," Harry said, looking up and smiling at her.
"Wow, look at all this stuff," Lavender said admiringly, walking in and seeing the crates and boxes of things. "They look amazing!"
"Right?! I'll have to really thank Mr. Leomattok later. It's all so fresh and good." He handed Lavender a piece of carrot.
"Mmm, that's so sweet and crunchy," she said, nibbling on it. "How can I help?"
"Did you bring your sewing kit?" he asked.
"Not my big one but I brought my little travel one that you got me last Christmas," she said brightly.
"Great! Can you fix this for me?"
Lavender gasped. "Is this the apron I got you in first year?!"
Harry nodded. "I still use it but I think I ruined it and it shrunk a little."
"Or you just grew," she giggled. She held the black apron in her hands. It was soft, worn from being used well and lovingly. The ties were fraying a little and one of them had ripped off completely. The initials she had painstakingly embroidered as well as the little Hedwig she did on the hem still looked in good shape. "I can't believe you're still using it."
"It was my first Christmas," Harry said softly, looking at the apron and at her with eyes full of emotion. "That was my first apron, mine. One for me to use and wear. It always made me feel good."
Her heart melted a little and she smiled at him. "I can fix it, and I'll touch up the initials and Hedwig. And I'll see if I can let it out some to fit you better."
"Thanks Lavender," he said happily with immense relief. He leaned in to kiss her cheek but she moved at the same time and tilted her head to kiss his. Their lips met and their eyes opened wide with shock and they both jumped back slightly.
"Sorry!" he said, turning bright red.
"No! I mean, wait, why are you sorry?" she asked, blinking at him.
"That was our first real kiss and well, I thought they were supposed to be more romantic or something and sorry I ruined it," he mumbled. He looked away, blushing furiously and deeply. Her hands touched his cheeks and pulled him back to her and she kissed him on the lips directly, with intent and feeling. After a long moment, they broke apart, flushed.
"Wow," he stammered.
Lavender giggled and her eyes shone. "I thought it was proper romantic," she said.
"G-Good!" Harry laughed.
She giggled harder. "You taste like carrot."
"I've been nibbling too as I went," Harry laughed. "Sor-"
She kissed him again sweetly. "I like it," she confessed, cheeks pink.
"Oh good," he stammered again.
"I'll go fix this," she said, using his apron to hide her face. She nearly ran into the door and just managed to stop before impact, opening it and running through it with a cheerful wave.
Harry waved dumbly back with a goofy grin on his face before the pot behind him whistled and he went back to work, though his grin remained for quite some time.
-0-
All the people that attended the Showcase gathered in the center once more. The students of the final two schools, Hogwarts and Mahoutokoro, were closest to the stage as well as the higher officials and representatives of the ICW. The others sat a little further back in the seats and they all talked and laughed as the time for the final demonstrations approached. When the sun reached the center of the sky, Tong mounted the stage and conversation died down.
"Thank you for coming," Tong said loudly and clearly, her voice magnified by the Voice Amplifying Charm once more. "First, a round of applause for all the students and the four presenting schools." She led the applause and there were cheers from all around. The students from Uagadou looked happy despite not being the final two. The ones from Sanguis were a little subdued, but Narcissa and Lucius were the pictures of normalcy and polite grace.
"And now, the final demonstrations," Tong said. "First, we will be watching Tsumugi Watanabe from Mahoutokoro perform!" She left the stage and Tsumugi climbed onto the platform, wearing a kimono that was dark blue and had white flowers as decoration. She laid a long-elongated string instrument down and Sanada set up a large drum alongside the instrument before leaving the stage. She adjusted her bracelet and held a flute held to her lips. She began to play, the flute's melody gaining strength and volume the longer she played.
"Gosh that's pretty," Parvati said, eyes closing a little to focus on the music.
She played on, the music rising and falling, filling the entire amphitheater. No one spoke, enjoying the music. Then the stringed instrument began to play all on its own, adding to the music. Soon the large drum was doing the same, filling the air with a steady beat as the two other instruments played in time with Tsumugi.
"Look at the stage!" Padma gasped, shaking Parvati and making her eyes open.
Tsumugi was walking around the stage, continuing to play. The surface of the wooden stage shimmered and the wood became water. The water was deep blue and waves lapped the edges of the stage, moving slowly and smoothly.
"How is she doing that without incanting?" Adele gasped softly, enthralled.
"It must be the music," Perenelle said, amazed. "She must be using musical notes to cast the magic! How elegant!"
Every time Tsumugi played a particular series of notes, more magic would happen. The water continued to move but never spilled over the space she created. People gasped as two large ghostly forms appeared, made of mist and light. They wore an ancient style of Japanese dress, and they strode over the water slowly.
One wielded a jewel encrusted spear and he dipped the spear tip into the water, swirling it about. He pulled the spear high and the water on the blade of the spear became salt. He made a gesture and the salt fell into the water, turning into earth. The earthen drops grew and formed distinct shapes.
"Oh, it's Japan," Hermione gasped.
The female figure joined hands with the male figure and they turned into light, shining down on the islands of Japan. Where the light beams fell, small trees and animals and symbols grew and they eventually disappeared. The music had built and grown and at the crescendo, Tsumugi finished with a flourish and everyone clapped and cheered seeing the moving diorama before them, of Japan in the ocean.
"Beautiful!" Tong praised as she climbed back onto the platform and congratulated a beaming Tsumugi.
"Thank you!" Tsumugi was slightly out of breath and flushed from exertion and pride. "That was an example of our myth on how Japan was created. To me, magic is my home and my country, our origin, our traditions. All that we are now comes from that point and we will continue on, through our hard work and through magic. Our magic comes from the land and the elements and the spirits, so that is what magic means. Our past, our present, our future."
"Well said," Tong said. "And your incantations were music based?"
Tsumugi nodded. "It is a tradition for us, a type of performance. Specific notes act as spoken incantation and it responds to our magic. My shinobue," she held up her wand, "is made from the same materials that I am attuned to. Just like the koto and the taiko," she pointed at the other two instruments.
"Wonderful," Tong said warmly. "Thank you, a stunning performance." She applauded heartily and everyone joined her. Tsumugi bowed formally a few times before jumping up and down happily with a big smile. She and Sanada and a few others restored the stage to what it was before.
"And now, it is Harry Potter from Hogwarts' turn!" Tong left the stage and Harry climbed on. He stood in the center, looking decidedly nervous. To be in the center of attention of all these people made him feel quite anxious, and he did not have the incoming duel to focus on. As his eyes roamed the crowd, he saw his friends, the adults that he cared for and that cared about him, the goblins from Gringotts, and he felt calmer, especially when more than a few mouthed encouragement to him. He nodded to himself and released a deep breath.
He set things down all around him but the crowd could not see what they were. They were too small to be seen unless you were standing where Harry was. When he finished laying things out, he looked around and nodded once more before holding his wand high.
People gasped when the entire stage turned dark. The sun above seemed unwilling to breach the darkness and Harry was a dim shape in the shadows. Then a small light appeared and it shone down on him, a tiny spotlight focused only on him and the immediate space around him. Before him was a table, small and wooden. A few things sat on it, the scraps of vegetables, pieces of food that were small and broken. He gathered them by hand and put them on a small plate and left it there.
"Oh Harry," Lavender said sadly.
He reached over to the side and took a vegetable out, a potato. He cut it by hand, slowly and meticulously, and once more set it aside. He did it again with an onion, then a carrot. He continued to move slowly and use a knife and the audience watched on, unsure of what was going on.
"That's not his knife," Dee observed softly, frowning a little. "That's not the one Diggy reforged."
Harry turned and pointed with his wand. "Engorgio," he incanted softly. Another spotlight appeared and people watched as something small began to grow larger and larger. It grew slowly but steadily, and Harry turned and continued to chop as it grew. He slowly and steadily chopped and cut and prepared faster and faster as the growing object got larger and larger.
"Oh!" Primrose pointed. "That is Hogwarts!"
"Those are the bricks and things we made together!" Ron said excitedly.
And it was. A model of the school was growing behind Harry who continued to work. Harry set the knife down and began to use his wand more, bringing vegetables and things to the table, cleaning them with magic, and putting them to one side. He pointed behind him again and another small structure began to grow in size and stature. Beside it, another grew.
"That is Gringotts!" Doran said excitedly and Dee and Gates and his team cheered.
"That's Hog's Head!" Ariana gasped happily.
As the three structures continued to grow, Harry reached down behind the table and pulled out a knife roll that made Pansy smile, putting on a belt that made Millicent do the same. He put on a black apron that looked new and fresh with his initials glowing and a tiny embroidered white owl that shone like a star in the night's sky. He pulled out his usual knife from the knife roll and started working faster and faster, chopping and cutting with professional ease and swiftness. His chopping and cutting had a rhythmic beat to it and people could see him smile, even from a great distance.
He flicked his wand again and again and new things started to grow. Nicolas and Perenelle looked happy and proud as a full kitchen grew around Harry. Harry moved swiftly, finishing preparations and using his wand to move the ingredients about, filling an immense cauldron on center stage. He stirred with an overly large spoon and soon the air filled with savory scents.
Harry stood in the middle and moved his wand like a conductor's baton. Dough mixed itself and flew into the oven. Utensils and implements cleaned themselves with Scouring Charms, gleaming in the growing light. Things danced in the air as they flew about, moved by Harry's magic and will. Harry then moved to the cauldron and with a smile, pulled the lid off with a flourish.
A gigantic roar filled the arena, starling everyone. It was a dragon roar and fire leapt from the cauldron and formed the shape of a dragon in flight. People gasped and cheered as it flew around the stage, and flew into the sky before dissolving into a shower of light.
"That's my boy!" Nicolas shouted with pride, applauding loudly.
Harry dipped a regular sized ladle into the pot and poured out measures of stew into multiple bowls before gesturing at Tong and the other members of the committee, including Leomattok.
"Ah, that smells familiar," Tong said, sniffing the air delicately. "Your stew from your Winter Festival during the TriWizard?"
Harry nodded. "Yes Ma'am." He hesitated for a moment, taking several deep breaths. "I didn't really know what to do, when you gave us the prompt. The meaning of magic is such a broad topic. But then Professor Dumbledore said something and it resonated to me, and I had an idea on what magic meant to me."
He looked at the committee members. "I grew up not knowing magic was real." A startled hush filled the arena. "I grew up not knowing that magic was a real thing, that there are witches and wizards and goblins, that wands worked, anything about magic at all. Growing up, I thought there was only one kind of magic. That food had this wonderful ability to make people smile and being able to eat was something magical."
He coughed a little, embarrassed. "When I learned that magic was real, it was incredible. And intimidating. There were a lot of people that had lived with magic their own lives, it was something normal to them. It was hard getting used to that."
He looked at the immense cauldron of stew. "But bit by bit, I learned how wonderful magic was. What you could do with it. At all the possibilities and opportunities magic could bring, and that's really what made me realize that that's what magic means to me. Possibility and opportunity. From going to Hogwarts," he gestured at the model castle behind him, "I met people I admire and really look up, and people I could call friend and family. I met my first friends there, and how nice things could be."
He pointed at the Hog's Head and at Gringotts. "And from Hogwarts, I could meet even more people. People who not only liked cooking too, but were kind enough to teach me. To show me what else I could do. They encouraged me, helped me grow, and helped me be who I am today. Without Hogwarts, without magic, I wouldn't be nearly who I am now, and I'd be in a bad state too."
"This stew, it's called DragonFyre Stew. We made it for the Winter Festival and it was a combination of the efforts of my mentors, my chef, my friends, and myself. This stew was only possible because of the people I met. It could not have been made otherwise. I'm so grateful to magic and to Hogwarts because of what this represents." He held out a bowl. "The bonds I made. The chance to cook. To eat. To be happy."
He took another deep breath when Tong took the bowl from him. "I've learned that magic can be terrible and it can be good, just like people. And food can be just like that. But I have the chance to enjoy the good and I will always be grateful for the chance to do so." He smiled sheepishly. "I still remember the first time I saw real magic. And it made me smile. And that's my favorite part of cooking. To see people smile."
He clasped his hands in front of him and smiled. "And that's what magic means to me."
Tong looked at him and then at the bowl of stew in her hands. It smelled delicious, there was no other way to describe it. The scent of beef and something wilder was strong, mingled pleasantly with pepper and thyme. Orange carrot peeked out of the sauce with chunks of golden-brown potato. Beef and dragon meat glistened, vibrant and soft. She took her spoon and ate a mouthful, enjoying the deeply savory taste before something crunched between her teeth. She opened her mouth a gout of flame shot out, to the surprise and delight of others.
"This is incredible," she sighed. "Better than the one I had last year!"
"How did you have this all done? We watched you make it," another committee member said.
"Oh I made these earlier during the prep period," Harry said. He waved his wand and the oven door opened and loaves of soda bread came dancing out. "I prepared and cooked before you but near the end of the demonstration, I did a Switching Spell to switch the contents of the not done things with the ones that were done." He pointed at containers and things he had hidden behind the platform earlier.
"And there is a lot, I made so much with the help of Gringotts Italy," he said and Leomattok beamed up at him. "I think there's enough for anyone to want to try some and if not, then what I prepped during the demonstration will be done eventually."
"That is very kind and generous of you," another committee member smiled. He started applauding and Tong and Leomattok joined in and it spread around the Colosseum. People cheered and clapped with the Hogwarts people cheering loudest of all. A wave of people came up to the platform to take cups of stew and soon people were eating and laughing.
"How is it, Sir?" Harry asked.
Leomattok pursed his lips and an elegant stream of fire coiled up into the air and he grinned toothily. "Best stew I have ever had, Harry. Thank you for this, I greatly appreciate it."
Inky and the other Hogwarts house elves appeared to help serve the stew to the waiting people, allowing Harry to be with his friends and family. It was babbling storm of congratulations and hugs and Harry allowed himself to be passed and about in the sea of warmth, enjoying every moment.
"Perfectly casted charm," Nicolas praised. "And with enough practice, you can even do it while releasing smoke or fire from your mouth."
"Incredible," Ariana said while kissing his cheeks. "Too bad Abe isn't here. He would've loved seeing the Hog's Head grow like that."
"I'm going to shrink them to a model size and I'll give the Hog's Head to you and Mr. Abe," he said to her delight. "I'm giving Gringotts to the Director or Chef and Professor Dumbledore will get Hogwarts, if that's okay with everyone of course," he added looking at his friends who nodded without reservation.
"The Director will love it," Doran said warmly.
"I know just the place for the model," Dumbledore said happily. He shook Harry's hand. "Thank you, Harry, for honoring us all in your demonstration. It was a wonderful display of magic, talent, and your heart."
"Thank you for giving me the opportunity and the possibility," Harry said back. "And the idea."
Inky brought stew for everyone and they sat together and ate happily. "You know, I think this is your best batch yet," Ron said as he ate hungrily.
"This is really good," Bill said, on his second helping. "I mean, I've had your cooking at Gringotts before but I can taste a difference between what you do versus the rest of the Crew at Main One. Good job!" He scowled when the Weasley twins spat identical balls of fire at him and he thwapped them irritably.
"And you eat like this all the time?" Emmeline Vance asked Dora.
"Yup and it's okay to be jealous." Dora said smugly. "And if anyone tries to nick my lunch and snacks, I'll cut you."
"It tastes a little different," Primrose observed.
"I think it's from the local produce and the dragonmeat," Harry said. "Mr. Leomattok said it was from a local Italian dragon called Occhio Acido. It means sour eye."
"Is the meat sour?" Adele asked with interest.
"No, apparently it's usually ill-tempered," Harry said with a laugh. "Which I thought was great since the Scottish Rarebit is usually the same."
"You call him Mr. Leomattok?" Gates asked with a smile.
"Yes? I mean, I know most goblins use the clan name as a surname," Harry said, frowning a little. "I don't know his clan name though."
"Why do you call Raggy Director or Sir then and not Mr. Raggy?" Dee asked.
"Leomattok is the Director of Gringotts Italy," Doran said to Harry's obvious confusion. "Did you not know?" he asked when Harry choked slightly.
"No! No one told me!" Harry gasped.
"He has a reputation for being a bit odd about social norms," Dee said with a negligent handwave while the other goblins howled with laughter. "And don't worry, if he was truly upset at you over it, you would know. I'm sure he likes you and doesn't mind how you address him."
She patted him on the shoulder when he groaned. "Don't worry. If he gets fussy, I'll straighten him out for you."
"You're not going to threaten to gut him, are you?" Harry asked weakly and wholly seriously.
"No, I don't think so," she said with a small shrug. "I like him well enough. I don't threaten to gut everything."
"Just most things that bother you," Flitwick said dryly.
"I do do that," Dee nodded.
-0-
"And here we are, the end of another International Scholastic Showcase," Tong said. The sun was setting and everyone looked up at the tolling bells. The central platform was raised a little and she stood on it, beaming with happiness and pride.
"Once again, let us thank the Italian Ministry for hoisting us this year!" She clapped enthusiastically and everyone followed suit. "Next, let us thank our presenting schools! They all did magnificently and it was a pleasure to see such strides in magical education and learn about our differences and traditions!"
She pointed at the far-off mountain. "Uagodou!" She pointed at the castle. "Mahoutokoro!" As she pointed at the train, it released a cheery whistle and a gout of steam. "Hogwarts!" She pointed at last to the large tent. "And Sanguis Verus!" Everyone clapped and cheered for long moments.
"Education is the path to the future," she continued as the applause faded. "And as practitioners and patrons of education, we know that the path is never ending. You always have the ability to learn something new and to better not only your own life, but the lives of others. We learn to grow, to preserve, and to aid the future to be bigger and better and brighter.
"Now I know we still have plenty to do," she said with a bright smile. "We still have plenty of Quidditch to watch and the vendors still have their wares, as well as a final performance by the Italian Ministry at the very end. But I wanted to officially close out the Showcase now to allow everyone later on to enjoy themselves without a care or worry. Thank you all and I hope to see many of you in Showcases to come!"
The applause and the cheers that followed were the loudest yet and the stones of the Colosseum itself seemed to reverberate and join in at the simple joy in the air.
-0-
"Ah Miss Brown, Harry, hello hello," Dumbledore smiled. He had been walking down the train and nearly bumped into Harry and Lavender as they too were walking down.
"Hello Sir!" Lavender said brightly.
"Hello Sir," Harry smiled back.
"About to find a spot for the final show?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes Sir," Harry nodded. "Everyone already found seats around the train and other places but we came back to grab a couple blankets just in case."
"Good idea. While it is summer, the night can still be a bit chilly. Especially depending on where you sit." Dumbledore looked around and he touched the side of the car. Harry and Lavender looked up, hearing a latch click. The hatch at the top of the car opened and a ladder appeared. "I really need to get that fixed when we get back," Dumbledore sighed. "It will not do to have it open during a trip and some students climb out while we are moving."
"Uh Sir?" Harry asked as Dumbledore started walking off. "Don't you want to close it now?"
"The train is not moving right now," he replied with a wink. "See you two later." He left the car with a smile, closing the door behind him.
"Is he giving us permission to sit on top of the train car?" Lavender gasped.
"He's the best," Harry grinned. "Come on!" He and Lavender climbed up the latter and a few Scouring Charms cleaned the roof and they sat down together. It was a perfect spot to sit and they looked at the central platform at the center of the Colosseum.
The closing ceremony began. Italian magicals cast all sorts of charms, filling the air with light and imagery. They enchanted ancient armor worn by the Roman Legions and they marched in formation around the center of the arena and had a mock battle. They had a grand display of the birth of Rome and how it grew into the city it was now. The end of the ceremony was a flurry of fireworks that filled the air above them with music and sound and glowing lights, showering flowers on the people below.
"Hey Lavender?"
"Hmm?" She turned to him and squeaked when he kissed her on the lips. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him close, kissing him back. When they broke apart, her cheeks were bright and her eyes danced. "Now that was proper romantic," she giggled.
"Good, I can learn," Harry smiled back, cheeks warm.
They sat together on top of the train, eventually joined by Hedwig who sat in their laps, and they watched the sky dance above them as flower petals fell around them.
-0-0-0-
DOOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Yeah, he got to make new friends and learn more about food, two of his favorite things. That would be funny to be offered a position there due to his pure charisma and sincerity.
odonnellzo99 - Yup, I thought it would be a nice way to break up the intensity of the last few chapters and then set the scene and set up for todays.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Thank you. I do love a multi-use title or a joke title. Moriti and Azuki didn't beg. They emphatically requested adorably. Thanks for reading.
Kaya - Thank you. I try to do a little research and work topics and foods in as best as I can. Doesn't always work but I try.
alix33 - The ridged mortars are really cool. And a cheddar cheese I imagine.
poka - I'm fairly familiar with Japanese food, read and cook a bit of it. Researching African foods was fun. That is a cuisine I'm not terribly familiar with.
TheSphynx - Something nice and simple for everyone to enjoy.
DarkRavie - Thank you.
Jah Ith Ber - The world would be a much nicer place if it was.