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

A Taste of Magic

55th Course – Heading Back

"You didn't have to see me off," Harry said weakly.

"I don't have to do a lot of things," Sirius said airily, wincing when Andromeda dug her elbow into his side. "What, it's true," he said, rubbing his side.

"You do not have to state everything that is true," Andromeda hissed. "For example, I do not comment every time I see a grey hair."

"Wait what?" Sirius looked alarmed. "Are you talking about me? Grey hair? I don't have any grey hair, Harry do I have any grey hair?"

Harry grinned. "Not that I can see."

Sirius deflated. "That's just cruel, Andi. Playing on the insecurities of someone who just got out of Azkaban after twelve long years of unjust incarceration."

"What Sirius means to say," Andromeda said loudly, ignoring Sirius, "is that we want to accompany you back to the train to take you back to Hogwarts."

"Oh well yeah, what she said," Sirius said, grinning when she snorted.

It was the end of the summer and it was time to go back to school. The last few weeks had flown by and for the first time in his life, Harry was a little reluctant about leaving for Hogwarts. It was an odd feeling. The last few years he had ached to go, eager to see his friends and be among friendly people once more.

Then again, this summer had been drastically different. He had worked in two environments that he wanted to and had learned so much from both. He had wished that he could continue during the year but all parties had denied that, though there was a tiny bit of alleged wiggle room from Ariana, accompanied by a wink from her and a sigh from Aberforth.

He had an actual home too now, not a place that he resided and returned to, but a place he could call home. He had people who genuinely liked him and wanted him around. People who cared about his well-being, his thoughts and feelings. People who liked to be near him and with him.

He hoped he would never get tired of enjoying that feeling.

The last few weeks had been a blur. Grimmauld still needed work but it had been fun working on it with Sirius and Remus and the Tonkses with occasional help from others such as the Dumbledores and Flitwick and McGonagall and Hagrid. Kreacher and Winky had been invaluable and they had come to like Harry in their own way and were sad to see him go too.

Sirius had offered to take Harry to the Quidditch World Cup game that was being held in Ireland and while Harry liked flying and watching the game, he was not that invested. He asked if they could have another party in Grimmauld while listening to the game on the wireless and Sirius had agreed readily. It had been a lovely party with some of Harry's friends coming over once more, the ones that did not go to the game themselves of course.

But like all good things, it had come to an end and after getting new supplies and new things for the upcoming fourth year, they were now at King's Cross. Remus was already at school of course, helping with the last-minute preparations as well as his own preparations for his classes. Ted was at work and Dora at the academy but both had given him hugs and well-wishes that morning and made him promise to send messages. Dora had made him promise to send treats too, something he agreed to easily.

They got to the platform early and Harry put his trunk in an empty compartment and Hedwig had escaped the cage by kicking the door open once more. She flew about inside, stretching her wings while Harry leaned out from the open window.

"Thanks for the amazing summer," Harry said.

"Hey, I should be thanking you," Sirius said thickly. He hugged Harry tightly. "You made Grimmauld bearable again and we've done so much and made honest good memories to replace the old ones. Plus I've made some new friends because of you."

He grinned. "My mind healer said he might need to send you some of his fee he got from me because you helped his job get easier."

Andromeda snorted and she hugged Harry hard too. "You have our thanks as well," she said warmly. "Ted and I have made new friends as well and it is wonderful. It has been a genuine pleasure to become close to you and welcome you to our family. Something all of us are grateful for."

"Thanks Auntie Andi," Harry said, hugging her back.

"Make sure you send us weekly messages," Sirius smiled. "And I won't say no to treats either but expect some in return. And if you need anything, you only need to ask."

"I'll try to remember and do that," Harry smiled. "I really appreciate it."

"Of course, Harry." Sirius gave him one last shoulder clap. "Right, we better get going before I get all weepy."

"Here." Andromeda handed him a very bright pink handkerchief with floral embroidery.

"Oh hey, fancy," Sirius said and dabbed his eyes delicately with it. "See you later Harry. Take care and don't do anything I or your father did. Remus will tell you what we did and do the opposite. Unless it's funny, then do it."

After another hug from Andromeda, Harry waved as the two left, feeling warm but slightly empty inside. Hedwig plumped up on his stomach, headbutting him in the chin until he ran his fingers through her feathers, making her coo with delight as he scratched and petted her. The platform slowly began to fill with families and students, chatter and laughter and other noises filling the air.

"Hey Harry!"

Harry looked out the window and smiled. "Hi Millie!" He got up from his seat and crossed to the window with Hedwig sitting on his arm, hopping to rest on the open sill when he stood there. "Want me to take Sunny's basket?"

"Please and thank you." Millicent passed the basket up to him and through the window and Harry set it down on the bench beside him, opening it. Sunny sprang out and thanked him with a purr and a hand lick before stretching out comfortably. He took Millicent's bag and Pansy's bag too, setting them down.

"Oh, hello Madam Parkinson," he said politely.

Primrose smiled back at him. "Hello Harry. It is good to see you." She watched as Pansy and Millicent walked onto the train, carrying their trunks, and came to the compartment. Her smile was warm as he watched him lift the trunks up to the overhead racks. "Do send me a letter tomorrow of the things you forgot, Pansy, and I will send them along the following day."

"Mother," Pansy hissed, coloring slightly.

"She waited to pack properly this morning," Primrose sighed.

"I would have forgotten a thing or two yesterday," Harry grinned, "if I didn't have Hedwig helping me." He frowned at her when she cheeped several times loudly. "It was not more than two things!"

"The idea has merit. Would you like for me to look into a helper reminder owl?" Primrose asked with a look of false concern.

"I did not think you would need one so soon, Mother," Pansy said with false sweetness. "Surely you have not gotten to that time in your life yet." She yelped when Primrose pinched her hand.

"My wits are still about me, dear," Primrose said with a sharp smile. "Do take care you two and enjoy the start of term." She hugged and kissed Pansy and Millicent through the window. "And do let me know if she is especially unreasonable, Harry. I will compensate you for any reasonable charges."

"I don't mind at all," Harry said, enjoying the usually collected Pansy looking very flustered and scowling at her mother. "She's a great friend, her and Millie both."

Primrose's smile was bright. "I am glad to hear it. Safe travels, all of you." She waved and walked away stately, disappearing into the crowd.

"Wow, she likes you," Millicent said, sitting down on the opposing bench.

"Really?" Harry asked, pleased.

"Mother normally only jokes like that around people she likes," Pansy said, looking pleased. She sighed and looked rueful. "Then again, you did impress her on your birthday."

"What did I do?" Harry asked.

"You didn't do anything especially different, and that was one of the more impressive things." Pansy shook her head. "She was also impressed with the people at the party."

"Seriously, when she told my parents and Uncle Alan, I thought they were going to have an episode," Millicent said. "That's Society for losing their shite."

"Why?" Harry asked, flummoxed.

"Because of the sheer power you had at your party," Pansy said. She sat beside him. "You had the Flamels, the oldest of the Elds, and a mix of some of the most influential members of Wizarding Britain from all facets of Society there. People would kill to have been there for either reflected might or the sheer possibilities of opportunities."

"I had no idea," Harry said, shocked. "Also, what's an Eld?"

"Eld is short for Elder and that is only used for the vampires," Pansy explained. "Some of the vampiric lines are really old and they have high standings. Lots of people look down on vampires like they would werewolves and other magical beings, but you do not look down on one of the Elds. I didn't realize it at the time when we were introduced to Eld Drake, but the Tepes line is the oldest of the known Vampire Lines. And he's oldest in that line."

"Oh that's funny. Mr. Drake is so fun and not stuffy that you kinda forget that sort of thing," Harry said.

"Yeah, they had a conniption when we told them we met him before, our parents," Millicent said. "They couldn't believe that you would know an Eld and that he was there for a 'young person's birthday'. Their words, not ours."

"I didn't even know if he would make it," Harry said. "I sent him an invite because I wanted him to come if he wanted. I'm glad he did."

"Me too." Pansy looked smug. "It helped convince my parents that me going was a good idea. They had reservations before, considering the implications and all that." She flushed and grew animated. "But Mother does like you now, now that she has met you. She has also enjoyed getting reacquainted with Mrs. Tonks again."

"That's good," Harry said, showing no sign of being insulted. "Auntie Andi is great."

"It's hard to believe she's sisters with Madam Malfoy," Millicent said.

"Auntie Cissa can be nice though," Pansy said quietly. She felt better when Harry and Millicent gave her sympathetic looks.

"Hey guys!" Padma and Parvati appeared at the open window.

"Hi!" the trio replied.

"Dang, you really picked a compartment right in the middle," Parvati said, frowning slightly, looking left and right. "Neither door is closer."

"You could always climb through the window," Millicent suggested with a broad smile.

"You'll get stuck somehow," Padma sniggered.

"Will not! Harry, push the window all the way up and secure it," Parvati said. She pushed her bag through and with a grunt, jumped up while bracing her arms on the sill. She pulled herself over until her upper body was through the window and she kicked a little, trying to gain purchase and traction. Hedwig waddled up the sill a little to give her more space. Suddenly, a loud smack was heard and she whooped with surprise and was propelled into the compartment, landing on Harry, sending them both tumbling to the floor.

"GRANDMUM!" Parvati screeched, turning around and glaring at Durga who was peeking into the compartment with Padma dying from laughter beside her. "YOU DID NOT JUST SMACK MY REAR!"

"I was helping you," Durga said with a mischievous smile. "Now get off that poor boy and come back out and help bring in the trunks."

"Sorry Harry," Parvati said, climbing off of Harry and she rubbed her rear ruefully. "I'll come out the regular way," she said, her face a dusky red.

"Good thing you weren't wearing a skirt," Padma cackled. "You would have flashed everyone."

"I'd just tell everyone it was you," Parvati retorted, reappearing outside the train.

Durga rolled her eyes as the twins squabbled, dragging their trunks down the way and climbing into the train. "Here you go my boy," she said kindly, handing a rolled bit of parchment through the window to Harry after he climbed to his feet. "Some more recipes for you to try. The girls have a large supply of spices, all you need for them."

"Thank you, Madam Patil," Harry said, taking the parchment eagerly.

Durga laughed loudly and brightly. "Madam? I'm not from one of those hoity toity families! But I do like you very much. I hope you continue to tolerate the rude things."

"They're great friends," Harry said stoutly. "I like them."

"Splendid," Durga smiled. She bid her granddaughters farewell with a hug and a kiss, and shook Harry's hand and waved at Millicent and Pansy. She walked off and like last year, apparated in mid-stride.

"Your grandmother is delightful," Pansy smiled.

"Not a word I'd used," Parvati said, rubbing her rear.

"Mother was very impressed with her. She listened to her and Madam Longbottom debate and said it was very illuminating and oddly crude in a pleasant way."

"Oh that was nothing," Padma said. "You should hear them when they get drunk and play cards."

"That must be amazing," Harry smiled. "Did you know Neville before since they hung out and stuff?"

"In passing," Parvati said. "They usually visited alone to each other's homes."

"Hi Harry!" two girls said in unison.

Harry turned and smiled out the window at the little girls peeking over the window sill. "Hi Marigold, Hi Clover," he said back.

"How do you always tell us apart?" Marigold asked.

"Hedwig told me of course," Harry said. He went through his bag as Hedwig hopped out of the train to the girls' delight. "She knows who's who of course."

"She's the best," Clover said, proudly holding Hedwig on her arm.

"She sure is. Here you go." He gave them each a small box and they squealed happily. "I made them yesterday for you two."

"Thanks Harry!" they shouted excitedly.

"You two didn't," Lavender groaned as she came up to the window with her things and Leena beside her.

"Harry gave them to us without us asking," Marigold said.

"I had them ready," Harry smiled. "Hi Lavender!"

"Hi Harry! Hi everyone!" she said brightly, waving at the people within the compartment.

"Hey Lav, come through the window," Parvati said. "I did it."

"With some help," Padma whispered and she and Millicent and Pansy giggled.

"Hmm, I don't know," Lavender said dubiously. "It's a bit high."

"We'll help you," Parvati insisted.

"Well, okay then. If you try to drop me, I'll drag you out with me." She reached up with her hands and Harry took one and Parvati took the other.

"Right, on three, you jump and we pull. Ready?" Parvati asked.

"You know, on second thought-" Lavender started.

"Three!" Parvati shouted and pulled, startling Harry into pulling too and Lavender jumped. They managed to pull her halfway over the sill before she stopped moving. She kicked a little, trying to pull herself through while hauling on Harry and Parvati's hands in a white-knuckled grip.

"I'm stuck!" she gasped from exertion and embarrassment. "Stop laughing at me!" she said indignantly while Parvati was indeed laughing.

"We'll help!" two voices from outside cried.

"Wait no don't you to da-AAAAAH!"

Marigold and Clover had put their boxes down and Hedwig had fluttered to Leena's shoulder and both girls enthusiastically grabbed a leg each and heaved upwards with all their strength. Lavender came flying through the window in a graceless tumble colliding bodily with Harry and knocking him over while Parvati had let go as soon as Lavender flew in, dodging to the side. Lavender and Harry landed on the floor in a heap while the compartment exploded with laughter.

"Girls," Leena said, hand covering her mouth to hide her smile and stifled laughter. Hedwig fluffed up and shook her head slowly from side to side.

"Wow, lucky day Harry. Flattened by two girls in barely any time at all," Millicent smiled. "Ow hey! What?!" she exclaimed when Pansy smacked her irritably.

"Are you okay?" Parvati asked, her laughter ruining her concern.

"I think so," Lavender groaned. "Nothing feels broken."

"That's because you had extra padding," Parvati said, her face still red from laughter.

"What? Oh no Harry! Are you okay?! I'm so sorry!" Lavender gasped, looking down on him.

"I'm okay," he gasped, winded. "I think. Your knee is in my stomach…"

Lavender scrambled off and pulled him up. "I'm so sorry!" She glared out the window at her little sisters. "Why did you do that?!"

"We were helping!" they said.

Leena could not hide her amusement anymore, chuckling gently. "Here Hedwig, watch the girls for me, please." She set the owl on Marigold's head who cheeped and gently pecked Marigold's head and then leaned over to do the same to Clover, making the two girls flush a little. "I'll bring your trunk in," Leena smiled. "To keep you from having to come out and murder your little sisters."

"Give me those boxes," Lavender said angrily.

"NO!"

Harry met Leena at the door to the compartment and took the trunk from her. "Sorry about that," Leena smiled.

"It's okay," Harry smiled back. "It was kinda funny."

"You're a good friend," Leena chuckled. "Here, get yourself a treat again later."

"Oh, I have money to spend now, you really don't have to," Harry said, trying to offer the coins back.

Leena closed his hand around them firmly. "I insist. I'm glad you're having better care and a proper family now, but this is a gift from me to you. Take it as my appreciation for all you do for us, all you continue to do for us." She sighed softly. "It's been nice reconnecting with Sirius and Remus again and Andromeda and Ted are fantastic. And I know Daniel has been so grateful to have people he can talk to and ask questions of."

"I'm glad," Harry said sincerely. "And Lavender was my first friend in the world after Hedwig. She's the best."

"I'm glad she has really good friends like you," Leena said softly. She sighed loudly when she watched Lavender lunge halfway out the window again. "Now to prevent her from falling out." She shook her head and left the train to stand at the window once more. "I know you two are being extra pesky right now to make up for the next few months of not bothering your older sister, but enough is enough."

They left after exchanging hugs and kisses and the girls walked off hugging their boxes. Hedwig rode on Marigold's head for a little bit before flapping off and returning to the train, swooping through the window and landing on Harry's head.

Lavender sat with a huff. "Little sisters are such giant pains."

"I can commiserate with that," Pansy said ruefully.

"Me too," Millicent said.

"You only have little brothers," Pansy said, looking at her.

"I consider you my little sister and my giant pain."

"I'm older than you!"

"And you're littler!"

Harry laughed. "Who's older between you two?"

"We've never gotten a straight answer about that," Parvati sighed. "Mum says one thing, Dad says another and the family is literally split on it."

"Shouldn't it be on the birth certificate?" Lavender asked.

"That's what we said," Padma sighed. "But apparently it's more fun to think you're right instead of actually being right."

"What does your grandmum think?" Harry asked.

"She says we don't need to know who's the bigger pain in the arse," they said together, making everyone laugh.

The train eventually left the station and Hermione, Luna, and Neville came to their compartment. The compartment was full of laughter and happy chatter and Harry sat there with Hedwig on his head, Sunny over his shoulders, and Crookshanks on his lap with his friends around him.

It was good to be around them again.

-0-

Pansy sighed softly, walking back to the compartment. She had left to use the restroom and on the way back, she saw someone leaning against the wall where the train cars connected. She took a deep breath and schooled her features into a mask of placidity. "Hello Draco," she said somewhat pleasantly.

"Pansy," he replied coolly. He did not move and did not quite look at her.

"Did you have a nice summer?" she asked.

"It was good enough," he said. His lip curled. "I heard you went to a birthday party."

"I did, it was very nice," she said as calmly as she could.

The silence thickened.

"I am here to give you another chance," he said at last.

"Another chance for what?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

He finally looked at her. "Something is going to happen this year, something big. Something that will change everything."

"Is that so?" she asked. Truthfully, her curiosity was piqued but she had learned to be wary of him.

"It is. And if you remember the right place to be," he said, stressing the words, "then you will come out of it for the better."

She felt her heart beat a little faster and she just barely resisted scowling. "My memories are not the problem," she said frostily. "Need I remind you of yours?"

"No," he said shortly, scowling openly.

"And pray tell, what is this 'something big'?" she asked.

"That information is reserved for friends that are loyal," he said.

She looked at him. "And so am I supposed to just know when the time is right then? Without any prior information or warning?"

"If you are still the proper Pureblooded Slytherin girl that you are," he said as if it was obvious. "You would recognize opportunity, rather, you should."

Her smile was falsely sweet and did not reach her eyes. "I suppose we will find out in time then, won't we?" She pushed past him but stopped with her hand on the door. "Oh, and Draco?"

"What?"

"A loyal friend can still disagree with you. They can see your flaws and still like you despite them," she said, her voice soft and low.

"I do not need friends like that," he sneered.

"Good to know," she said with a complicated look and left him behind.

-0-

Dumbledore stood from his seat and eventually the Great Hall subsided in volume. "Good evening, everyone," he said warmly. "It is good to see everyone. I have a rather large announcement to make so I ask for your attention." This time, everyone fell completely silent and their attention was focused on him.

"It is my pleasure to announce that something very special is happening this year. Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament." Gasps and exclamations of surprise came from some students while others looked at each other blankly. "The Triwizard Tournament was once held fairly regularly, an event where a student representing Hogwarts would compete against a student from Beauxbatons and a student from Durmstrang, three of the greatest magical schools in Europe. Unfortunately, it became unsafe and far too dangerous and was stopped for some time."

There was a bit of silence at that and Dumbledore smiled comfortingly. "This time, with representatives from three different Ministries of Magic as well as myself and my fellow Headmasters, we have devised a new tournament from the foundation, to showcase our prospective students' skill while keeping them safe. Now, to prevent past mistakes from repeating, a Champion will be selected from each school by magical means and you will have to be of age to be able to put your name in for consideration."

A loud rain of boos assailed him but if anything, his smile only grew. "Ah but do not fret for there will be ways for the rest of you to enjoy the overall tournament." The boos stopped and people looked intrigued. "For you see, groups of students will be coming and while there will be only one champion per school, there will be other events that will be going on and students will be able to participate without being the school's champion."

He coughed and his cough sounded remarkably like 'Quidditch tournament' and there were some cheers from the Quidditch players on the House teams. "Excuse me," he said, patting his chest and grinning. "As those events come closer, more information will be made known. There will be a selection of students coming from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons and I hope you will welcome them warmly and be good hosts to the visitors. This will be a perfect time for us to improve international relations and learn from the others while showing what we are capable of."

"Now, I will allow everyone to gossip to their heart's content and to imagine of what is to come. Let us begin the feast!" He clapped his hands and food appeared on the tables and the students began to eat hungrily and talk hungrily among themselves.

"Wow, that's incredible," Parvati said. "We're going to have visitors from other schools!"

"I wonder what they'll be like," Lavender said.

"Too bad that you have to be of age to compete as champion," Ron said.

"I've never heard of those two other schools," Harry said.

"Beauxbatons is in France. Our parents thought about sending us there," Parvati said. "Until we reminded them we don't speak French." This made everyone laugh.

"I read about Durmstrang," Hermione said. "It's in central Europe somewhere."

"Wow. Looks like it's going to be an interesting year," Harry said.

-0-0-0-

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Nah, just threatened with pain and maiming. Fourth year is going to have a lot of chapters in it. I'm about 7 chapters ahead and I haven't even finished first term yet. It's going to meander a bit but hopefully people like it.

Arnie1701 - If only kitchen knives had fancy names like that.

odonnellzoo99 - I knew I wanted Flynt to say something like that. Like other goblins, he can appreciate hard work and he's not shy in admitting he is wrong. He's a suspicious bastard, but an honest one. I had that story in mind too since the inception of the fic and I'm glad appreciated how Harry got such a treasured heirloom.

Isabelle6116 - It is explained here but no, he did not.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - I think Harry already did appreciate learning and working with the goblins but his first real chef's knife with such a story to it must feel really good to him.

TheReader81 - Thank you.

Kent Morgan - Thank you. I knew when I started this fic I wanted to explore different parts of the Wizarding World and it only felt right to see the goblins and how they are in this setting.

DarkRavie - Thank you.

Kaya - I figured the way they said goodbye and what they did would fit their personalities well and feel good for everyone involved.

poka - Sweet melancholy. I seem to hit that note a lot. Thank you for reading as always.

alix33 - Glad you liked the story.

- Thank you.

Urgwaew - Thank you, always good to see you. Hope things have gotten better for you. I knew I wanted to flesh out the setting more. Sharing a bit of Potter history, tying the McKinnons back in, Arian's injury, the goblins, all bits to make the setting feel familiar yet hopefully different enough. Thank you for reading and commenting. My best to you.

Mitkon2001 - Having a knife you are used to is always a comforting feeling.

xXMoonlitSorrowsXx - Glad you liked it. I really wanted an emotional impact and to show how a reputation can really last a long time.