I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
A Taste of Magic
76th Course – Perseverance
"No alcohol?" Moody asked.
Dumbledore snorted softly. "I seem to have overindulged as of late, using it as a coping mechanism so I am trying to cut back some." He looked over as Moody stomped over to the cabinet. "Do help yourself though," he added dryly.
"Thanks," Moody grunted and came back with a bottle and several glasses. He poured out generous measures before claiming a glass for himself.
McGonagall accepted a glass. "So, what is the fallout then?"
"Officially, Hogwarts is not being held at fault for the events of the last Task," Dumbledore sighed.
"And unofficially?" Remus asked.
"Technically, a Ministry official was responsible for 'accidentally' including the lethifolds. They are holding true to that they received the wrong plans and it appears to be a genuine mistake." Dumbledore shook his head. "I find myself suspicious. Not to mention the weakening of the maze is also suspect. It is true that there were creatures in the maze that could weaken parts of the hedge walls, but they were not near the points of collapse until after the collapse happened, as far as the investigators could tell."
"Could it be a natural flaw in the hedge?" Flitwick asked.
Sprout shrugged. "It is possible but they were quite healthy as they were grown."
"And what did Maxime and Karkaroff say?" McGonagall asked.
"Luckily, they were not too upset. Obviously they had to do more to keep things contained but not even Igor is raising too much of a fuss." Dumbledore snorted. "Of course, his Champion won so that might be part of his good mood but I will take what I can get. He can be very difficult to deal with."
"He's a Death Eater, I can handle him," Moody said sourly.
Dumbledore refilled Moody's glass. "Of course. But yes, thankfully relations with the other two schools are fine. Better than fine honestly. Their students enjoyed themselves and had made it clear to their Heads. We will probably maintain good contact and they are already speaking of the next Tournament."
"That's a positive," Flitwick said brightly. Then he sobered. "And any more word from Quirrell?"
"He continues to blame Hogwarts and is telling everyone and anyone how much we failed the students and the Tournament," Dumbledore said wearily. "How it was a travesty from the beginning."
"Then why was he so eager to butt in?" Sprout asked, incensed. "He helped make it one!"
"I have no idea," Dumbledore said. "And we will have the whole summer to fight over the future of our schools and how things will be divided between incoming students and the Ministry." He looked at a glass of firewhiskey with a wanting expression.
"This is really going to change things for us, for Hogwarts," McGonagall said sadly.
"Indeed. There will be darker and uncertain times ahead," Dumbledore murmured.
After a long awkward silence, Remus cleared his throat.
"One of these days, you will actually need a cough drop," Dumbledore said with a weak smile.
"I'm sure I will," Remus said with a stronger smile. "Not to ruin the dour mood, but I have a bit of good news, perhaps. And believe me, the novelty of me being the bright spot is new and very strange."
They chuckled at that. "By all means, any positivity will be welcome," Dumbledore said. He took the newspaper from Remus and gave him a questioning look. He looked at the title of the article and the author and his eyebrows rose even higher.
"Read it," Remus prompted.
Dumbledore began to read and his eyebrows reached new heights. He continued to read and when he finished, he looked completely gobsmacked. "Is this her new way of taunting? Some strange form of satire?"
"I honestly don't think so," Remus said. "You did read her article about the Winter Festival and that was delightfully positive and dare I say, accurate."
Dumbledore handed the newspaper to Flitwick. "I did, but I assumed that she had indulged in some sort of good cheer and accidentally wrote something pleasant."
"Well blast the vein, I can hardly believe what I'm reading," Flitwick gasped. "Rita Skeeter being nice and positive?!"
"No!" Sprout leaned over Flitwick to read over his shoulder. "'It was heartening to see the instructors and the three Heads of the schools jump in. Competition, the very basis of the Tournament, was thrown out the Floo and the safety of the students became the new objective. They worked together in a stunning display of International Cooperation that was encouraging to see.'"
"She said that?" Moody snorted. "She must've written it drunk or at wandpoint."
"That is oddly out of character for her," McGonagall said, also leaning over Flitwick to read.
"I think I found the source of it," Flitwick smiled. "'And Mister Harry Potter, one of the students that won the Winter Festival Event as you may recall, literally leapt into action to protect a darling little girl caught in the chaos. He cast the exceedingly difficult Patronus Charm and drove away the lethifolds to protect her. Then he went on to protect the rest of his fellow students as well as students from the other schools. Many have called him a hero for his efforts to defeat You-Know-Who in the past, but it is something else to see him in action being a hero. It seems his talents not only lie in the kitchen, but on the field as well and I am sure that it is a testament to his teaching.'"
"That is twice now she has written positive articles with Harry involved," McGonagall said with wonder. She looked at Remus. "Sirius is not blackmailing her or something similar, is he?"
"I don't think so," Remus said. "I mean, I wouldn't put it past him but I don't think that's the case."
"She doesn't care about blackmail," Moody said begrudgingly. "She likes the attention."
"And she does not write what she does not want to," Dumbledore mused. "I was actually waiting to see how she would skewer us and what aspirations she would cast over the situation."
"Then, I suppose, everything ended up well enough?" McGonagall mused. "Obviously not ideal, but as well as it could?"
"I agree, it could have gone considerably worse." Dumbledore shared a meaningful look with Moody before he picked up a glass.
"I thought you were cutting back," Sprout smiled.
"Before, I was drinking to cope. Now, I will share a glass to celebrate," Dumbledore smiled as he refilled everyone's glasses.
-0-
"Hello Hero," Blaise said, smiling while Harry groaned while the others giggled and laughed at him. Blaise then looked irritated. "Don't tell me others are already calling you that?"
"Parvati sent Crookshanks into the dorm with a message around his collar to wake me up and said they needed a hero," Harry sighed, glowering at his giggling friend.
"Drat, I thought I would be the first," Blaise sighed.
"One should not do heroic things if they do not want to be called a hero," Daphne smiled.
"I wasn't trying to be a hero," Harry said.
"No, you were being your normal kind self," Luna said. She smiled impishly. "It just so happens your kindness can be construed as heroism."
"I take it you read the article too?" Harry asked, cheeks still faintly pink.
"I did and I was astounded to find that it was not only positive, it was accurate," Blaise said. "Will wonders never cease."
"It is very strange," Daphne agreed. "You really have managed the impossible."
"Be friends with Slytherins? I didn't think it was impossible," Harry demurred.
Pansy smiled. "No, just highly improbable," she laughed. "But yes, Rita writing two nice articles back-to-back without copious amounts of gold is something that is usually considered impossible."
"Whatever you're doing or done to her, keep it up," Neville said.
"Have you seduced Skeeter?!" Blaise gasped theatrically. "Good show man." He grunted when Pansy and Daphne and Millicent threw things at him, ducking down to avoid the missiles of towels and balls of parchment and other debris. "Longbottom said it!"
"No I didn't!" Neville squawked, also ducking down.
"What did you do to Rita?" Hermione asked.
"What I normally do! Make food!" Harry said, throwing his hands up while the others laughed.
"Harry's food is seductive," Luna said brightly. "It makes you happy and you're willing to do a lot for it."
"She's not wrong," Sue laughed.
"If only people knew that the beast that is Skeeter could be kept at bay with a sandwich," Blaise snorted.
"Honestly, part of it might be the novelty," Pansy said. "She's so used to writing pieces about the darker sides of people, the intrigue, the twistiness of life. She's making money writing something plainer and she gets to enjoy good food."
"Also a challenge for her to make it interesting," Millicent said.
"Well. Whatever the reason, it works," Tracey said. "And that's a good thing."
"Seriously, I don't need any more negative attention," Harry sighed. They turned and looked at the Uncommon Room door as it suddenly shook from excited knocking.
"I wonder who it is." Lavender walked over to peek out through the peephole and smiled, opening it. She whooped when Gabrielle dashed past her and smiled when the girl jumped at Harry, hugging him tightly.
"Gabi," Fleur sighed, following her little sister in. She was with Sophie, Colette, Aimee, and her parents.
"She is excited to see her hero," Sebastian said. He looked confused when everyone else started laughing. "I have missed something?"
"We read Rita's article," Parvati said, holding up a copy of the Daily Prophet.
"Ah yes, as did I," Sebastian chuckled. "I was very pleasantly surprised by how pleasant it was. She is normally not known for it." He reached his hand out and shook Harry's warmly. "We wanted to make sure we came to thank you properly, Mister Potter. You saved my daughter and shown extraordinary kindness to my other daughter and my niece and her friends. I will not forget this."
"Oh, it wasn't a big deal," Harry stammered, shaking Sebastian's hand. "I mean, it was only right. We're friends."
"After a difficult beginning," Sebastian grinned, making the four witches from Beauxbatons grimace and groan.
"Sure," Harry said, grinning back. "You said all good friendships start with a rough beginning, right?"
"For some," Apolline smiled. She also shook Harry's hand, holding it between hers. "Thank you, Mister Potter. It is not often our kind are met with such kindness and it makes me feel better that such kindness exists."
"You're welcome," he stammered again. "And you can call me Harry. Mister Potter makes me think I did something wrong."
She laughed brightly and her aura pulsed, making them shake their heads and blink a few times. "Of course, Harry. You have made a friend for life with the Delacours and the BeauSoleil."
"Having more friends is good," Harry said softly. "Thank you."
"Ah good, you are here!" Viktor peered into the room and walked in, followed by Ana and Felix and his parents. He smiled wryly at Gabrielle's glare and shook Harry's hand when Harry was freed. "Thank you again, my friend."
"What did I do now?" Harry asked, nonplussed.
"It was your idea to summon a broom," Viktor said cheerily. "I thought about claiming the idea as my own but it would have been wrong. So I wanted to be sure and thank you sincerely for it."
"I didn't think you'd take me seriously," Harry laughed.
"Well I am glad I did!" He grinned at Fleur. "No hard feelings?"
"I have plenty, but none for this," Fleur smiled back. "You earned your victory."
"You are an excellent rival," Viktor said without any condescension. "Pity you do not fly; I imagine you would be challenging to fly against as well."
It became an impromptu farewell party of sorts. In a short time, Harry had stacks of different kinds of sandwiches laid out (ham, cheese, and egg), and crisps coming out of the oven and Luna, Lavender, and Parvati made smoothies together. He was also able to make a trifle in short order with the portable ice box chilling the custard swiftly and everyone dug into the food eagerly.
"I will have to take international games here when I can," Viktor said later. "I will miss your cooking. You helped provide a bit of home for me when I missed it. I am grateful."
"I learned a lot from you and thank you again for the gyuveche pot," Harry said.
"Of course! You make it well. Mother was very impressed." He munched another sandwich. "And you must tell me if you visit in central or eastern Europe. I would be happy to show you around."
"Luckily, it should be fairly easy for you to come to France to visit," Fleur said afterwards. "We are much closer and there are even Floo networks connecting our countries."
"I think I'm visiting France over the summer," Harry said. "My grandparents want me to come."
"You have French grandparents? May I ask who?" Sebastian asked as he took a sip of smoothie.
"The Flamels," Fleur said with a devious smile and she laughed when Sebastian choked and coughed, nearly spitting the mouthful out.
"They're not related to me," Harry said. "They claimed me which I'm fine with. It's nice having grandparents."
Apolline looked at him sadly. "Yes indeed." She smiled warmly. "Then perhaps when you visit them, you can visit us as well. We wish to show the same hospitality that you have shown Fleur."
"I'll definitely ask my godfather," Harry said eagerly. "What are you all going to do after leaving for home?"
"Well we are graduating," Fleur said, referring to herself and her friends. "I am applying to several masteries. Colette is going to work for our Ministry of Magic. Aimee is doing the same. Sophie is applying to masteries as well."
"As well as working at my aunt's restaurant," Sophie said wryly. "I have been humbled and need to work on my skills."
"Do not feel bad, you won one match," Colette said with faux-sympathy.
"And I lost three!"
"Well yes you did, but you did win one, narrowly I might add," Colette smiled.
"To be fair, I've had to survive off my cooking," Harry said plainly, missing the looks from the others at the odd statement. "And been cooking for longer despite you being older than me."
"That is true," Sophie said slowly. "That and you are more sincere about it. I have been less so but now I have a drive to improve."
"I am graduating as well and will fully involve in the professional Quidditch life," Viktor said when Harry looked at him. "It is very busy with local, country, and continent Leagues. Not to mention the larger international tournaments and games. Ana is pursuing higher education as well and Felix is going to work in his family business."
"Wow, that all sounds nice." Harry suddenly looked panicked. "I don't know what I'm going to do yet!" The others in his year also suddenly shared panicked looks.
"You are what, your fourth years?" Sebastian asked.
"For the most part," Harry said, nodding at Luna and Ginny.
"Then you still have years yet to decide and plenty still work to decide on what they wish to do after leaving school. There is much to experience and explore after all. Many find their passions much later and still have very rich lives for it," he said kindly.
"That's what O.W.L.s help us do, sort of," Padma said.
"You take that next year?" Fleur asked. "We take our version of that test our sixth year and we take the higher level of our testing after we finish our last year of school."
"Must be nice," Parvati sighed.
"At least we can put the reviewing that we did for the academic event to good use," Hermione said.
"Hey that's true. Thanks Harry," Parvati said loudly, sticking her tongue out at Hermione and Padma.
"You're such a brat," Padma hissed.
"Your face," Parvati hissed back.
-0-
The Farewell Feast was a little more poignant than years past. With the friendships they made with Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students, it felt a little more impactful. Addresses were exchanged as well as promises for future meetings.
"Congrats again," Harry said, shaking Viktor's hand.
"Thank you! It was very satisfying to be Champion. I was able to win through my own means, and some advice. Very different from being on a team." Viktor grinned. "Do not remain stranger. I am glad we became friends, Harry Potter." He clapped him on the shoulder and the Durmstrang students left, making their way to the docks to board their ship.
The Beauxbatons girls made their goodbyes, hugging the ones they became closest too. Sophie hugged Harry and then Fleur did as well. "We will see each other again," Fleur said with a warm smile. "Especially if you become a frequent visitor to France."
"You think I will?" Harry asked.
"Of course. Visiting your grandparents for one, us for another. And if you pursue a career in the culinary arts, and you most definitely should given your abilities, then you will have to learn in France. It is the culinary capital of the world after all." Sophie smiled. "Besides, I will not rest until I have bested you completely and utterly."
"I'll have to keep working hard then," Harry smiled back.
"Do so, my victory will be the sweeter," Sophie declared.
"Thank you, Harry," Fleur said softly. "You became a true friend and I lament that our initial meeting was less than cordial."
"We got there though," Harry said sincerely.
Fleur smiled. "We did. We have a saying in French. Au revoir. It does not mean goodbye; it means until we meet again."
"I like that a lot," Harry said softly. "Au revoir, Fleur and Sophie." He smiled at them, but his smile was ever so slightly sad.
"Au revoir Harry," they said with the same fond expressions.
-0-
"Let's head to the front of the train," Pansy said. "They have the bigger compartments up front. They're usually claimed by the larger groups of older students, but," she looked a little down, "I don't think we'll have a lot of competition."
It was the next day and the students were leaving for home on the Hogwarts express. With the visitors gone, it made the absence of the ones that left for Sanguis Verus all the more apparent. There was a noticeable lack of students and the difference was felt by everyone.
Pansy took a deep breath and smiled. "I think we're going to need a bigger compartment now. It'll be much too tight to squeeze into the other ones."
"Sounds good to me," Harry said sincerely. "Let's go." They found the first of the larger compartment cars empty and settled in. Instead of completely closed rooms like the other compartments, it was more open, almost the length of the whole car. The outside hallway still ran down the length of the car along the enclosed compartment, with a single door leading into it. Some benches faced each other in close proximity while the rest had the seats facing each other down the length of the compartment.
They settled in and Harry waved to Hagrid as the train left the Hogsmeade platform. He sat back on his seat and watched Hogwarts and Hogsmeade fade into the distance. He smiled when Hedwig nibbled on his fingers until he set up the cane for her to roost on and she plumped down on it comfortably.
"Are you going to be working at Gringotts and the Hog's Head again this summer?" Lavender asked.
He nodded. "I might not go to both every day. I still need to talk to them about that. I'd like to spend time with Sirius and the Tonkses too beyond just the weekends, but we'll see."
"Maybe we can hang out a few times over the summer too," Padma suggested.
"I'd like that a lot," Harry smiled. "Sirius said I can have friends over whenever."
"Parties at Grimmauld Place!" Parvati cheered.
"You've been to Grimmauld Place?" Blaise asked.
"Yeah, and it sorta fits the name," Parvati said.
"It was worse, if you can believe it," Harry chuckled.
"I would think so, since it was the home of the Blacks," Daphne said. "Well, still is I imagine."
"Sirius likes brighter colors," Harry said. He laughed a little. "His room is yellow and gold and he made a lot of the other rooms really bright too." His good humor turned melancholy. "Said he had enough grey and black for a lifetime after Azkaban."
"Ah, all the bright colors must be therapeutic then," Daphne said, wincing slightly.
"I really like the rooftop garden," Hermione said. "It's really open and pretty."
"It's one of my favorite places too," Harry said.
The journey back to London passed swiftly. They chatted and snacked and laughed and all too soon, they came to a stop at Platform 9 and 3/4s. They got off the train and went to where their families waited, greeting each other warmly.
"Welcome home, love," Andromeda said, hugging Harry warmly.
"It's good to be back," he said, hugging her back hard. He and his friends promised to exchange messages soon and after warm greetings and exchanges with Durga, Leena, and the Grangers, he and Andromeda left together with Hedwig, arriving at Grimmauld through the Floo connected to the platform.
"Hey, welcome home!" Sirius said, walking into the Floo room and hugging Harry tightly. "I just got back myself. Was going to rush over but Andi wanted to fetch you."
"He is not a bone nor a ball," Andromeda sniffed, poking Sirius with Harry's cane. "And what are you calling me?"
"My favorite cousin," Sirius said with his brightest smile.
Andromeda snorted and poked him again. "Nice save," she said dryly. She smiled at Harry. "I am going to go home to do some things but will return soon. Ted and Dora will meet me here for dinner. I already have a very large treacle tart waiting at home to be brought over for pudding."
"Thanks Auntie Andi," Harry said, hugging her again and waving as she left. "Hi Kreacher, hi Winky."
"Hello Master Harry," Kreacher croaked, taking Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage. "Good to have you return."
"Go wash up before you go to the kitchen," Winky said as she left with Harry's cloak.
"She's been learning from Kreacher," Sirius snorted. "Now she talks back and gives orders instead of takes them."
"Could be worse, the Hogwarts elves just do things if they want to," Harry grinned.
"That's true," Sirius snorted. "Welcome home, Harry."
"Glad to be home," Harry said, sincerity in every word.
-0-0-0-
AshokaTheGreat - Maybe not an outright cold war, but definitely some jostling and posturing and some eventual conflict. I have what I am thinking of in mind and I'm not sure how it will be written out, but hopefully you will enjoy it. I was pretty happy with the Dora and Voldemort interaction. I thought it was realistic and it does add some of that intrigue and flavor.
iamchaos98 - Hopefully by the end, you'll have liked the journey as well. I'm not a formal chef but I cook a lot. I live alone so I have to, mostly, but I genuinely like trying new things and actually aim to make something new at least once a month. I basically think of something I like, look up recipes, and give it a go. A lot of the recipes and dishes in the story are ones I've made myself, though not the French ones and the Bulgarian ones so far, though I do want to try chicken chausser soon. I grew up in South-East America and am Chinese American, so I kinda have a hodgepodge of cooking and food interests.
poka - I'm hoping people like how Quirrellmort has been so far. I wanted something that felt similar to Voldemort in canon with a different slant due to the setting, while still feeling plausible. And I wanted to show how his plans have been happening and while he has not been completely successful, he hasn't failed in everything either. I'm hoping by the main arc climax and reveal, it all makes sense and it feels kinda of good on how it has been happening throughout the story.
I spent some time thinking about how to change the Third Task and making it fit what I want to do, make it feel like a good Third Task, and still tweak it a bit to make it a little different. I also wanted to show a little growth with Harry still, magically in this case, and him still being a part of the action per se. I'm glad you are still enjoying things and wish you well.
alix33 - I want to try making pot au feu soon.
Pungis - Well Dumbledore is doing something, by having Moody investigate and shadow Quirrell. He doesn't know what the reader knows, and is reacting how he thinks is best right now. So far, Lucius and Quirrell are behaving in a way that doesn't appear too suspicious on the surface, but enough for Dumbledore to be alerted and want to learn more. He still has his regular duties to do. I'm trying to show a subtle approach where they are trying to figure things out without knowing everything.
Grothnack - I'm glad you liked my other stories and like this one. I'm trying something different from the other ways I've addressed Voldemort and things in my other stories, and hope people like it when it resolves. I'm kind of glad a lot of people say they aren't sure what is going to happen exactly. It kind of means that people might appreciate the hints and little things now but yes, hopefully the final reveal will be satisfying.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Hopefully today's chapter shines a bit more light on your point there. Of course things make sense in my head, but hopefully it will in other people's heads too. Harry and the Infirmary are things that just routinely happen. Thanks for reading.
Aura-Guardian1999 - I really learned how fun she is to write with towards the end of Family, and I love writing for her in Extended, so I knew I wanted her to have a bigger role from the beginning in Taste. Glad you like her here too.
Kaya - I'm glad you did, thank you.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - He did to a degree. I like it when plans don't completely fail, but don't completely succeed either. Today's chapter should explain a bit more. Glad you still love it.
DarkRavie - Thank you.
