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

A Taste of Magic

84th Course – Summer's Bounty

"Hey, how were the Farms?" Sirius asked, smiling as Harry walked in carrying a large basket and looking tanned.

"Great! Hogwarts Farms are incredible during the summer," Harry said, dropping the basket onto the counter. It was full of produce and things and Hedwig sat on the top, looking especially plump and satisfied. "There's so much growing and it's really pretty."

"They gave you all this?" Sirius asked, poking through the basket. "That's a lot of good-looking stuff!"

"Yup! Most of it are the smaller ones they keep to eat themselves and to give the other crops room to grow and get bigger. They taught me a lot about winnowing and thinning out the crops and what to look for."

"She looks happy too, get her fair share?" Sirius said, nodding at Hedwig.

Harry rubbed her head and she cheeped and belched, looking very content. "She had a good time too. They were having a rat infestation and she went in and got a lot and drove the rest out. Wheatley was especially happy."

"Hey good job," Sirius said and Hedwig flapped her wings happily. "Glad you enjoyed yourself." He grinned. "Never thought you'd have fun working and doing hard things like that."

"It's food related," Harry laughed. "It's a little weird though."

"Everyone's a little weird," Sirius said. "Pity the ones that aren't. They don't have a personality."

"What do you like that's weird?" Harry asked.

"I mess with Muggle motorbikes," Sirius said. "And I always liked Muggle music and things like that. Lily brought a record with her one year and I was hooked the first time I heard it. I also like wood carving."

"That's cool."

"That last one was a joke," Sirius said and Harry laughed. "I don't think I have the patience or the artistic talent."

"That and it's dangerous to let you play with sharp objects," Remus said, not looking up from his book.

"Also true," Sirius nodded. "Both to others and myself. I need adult supervision."

"Aren't you an adult?" Harry asked mildly.

"Don't remind him," Remus smiled. "Or do. I don't know which would be more detrimental."

"Depends on the day," Sirius grinned. "Excited for this weekend?"

"What's this weekend?" Harry smiled at Sirius' look. "Kidding. I know it's my birthday. Yeah, I'm really excited!"

"Good! You should be, you prat," Sirius said, playfully shoving Harry.

"Is it okay that it's still here and so many people are coming?" Harry asked.

"Of course. This is your home too," Sirius said softly but firmly. "And honestly, after spending more time with the recovering Purebloods, it's been pretty decent actually. Color me surprised."

"You don't honestly call them recovering Purebloods to their faces, do you?" Remus asked, looking faintly disapproving.

"Not to their faces, no," Sirius said, making Remus shake his head. "And it fits, sort of."

Remus grunted and caught a thrown potato without looking at it and threw it back.

Harry caught it before it hit Sirius. "Why do you call them that?"

"It's just me being a prick," Sirius shrugged. "They're relaxing some of their Society bullshite nonsense drivel and I'm showing my appreciation by being a dick about it. Besides, it's less on the nose than the anti-Sanguis squad or other names I thought of."

"How did Mr. Malfoy react by the way?" Harry asked. "When he found out?"

"Oh he wasn't happy at all," Sirius said gleefully. "Kept it polite, but just barely. His hair was all mused and he didn't even look at any of us. He apparently had sharp words with Greengrass though and Greengrass retaliated by canceling a very expensive and lucrative deal between them which ruffled his feathers all the more."

"He always was rather spiteful, even to himself," Remus snorted.

"I hope he doesn't take it out on Mrs. Malfoy," Harry said quietly. "I know she's Auntie Andi's sister and your cousin. And Pansy really likes her."

"Don't worry about Cissa," Sirius said. "She can handle herself. She's not one of those Pureblooded wives that exist solely for her husband or family she's married into." He shrugged. "Still, I might send her a message or something. She did want to try and mend ties between us."

He hugged Harry. "That's good of you to think of her."

Harry hugged him back. "I don't like seeing people hurt without reason really," he said. "I personally never had any bad interactions with her. Now if it was Draco…I don't know. He's such a prick and half of what happens to him he does to himself. But…yeah." Harry shrugged. "It's complicated."

"Feelings and family frequently are," Sirius said sympathetically. "If it makes you feel any better, Draco's like his father. Sometimes kids turn out like their parents either through blood or teaching. And some turn out drastically different. Sometimes it's the parent's fault, sometimes it's not. Sometimes it's for the better, and well, sometimes it's not."

Sirius smiled sadly. "As you might imagine, I'm not much like my parents at all. Well, I'm as stubborn as my father in some ways."

Remus smiled sadly too. "My mother and father were far braver than I, but I like to think I work hard like them. And I try like they did."

"I think you two are great," Harry said stoutly, making their smiles warm. "I know you said Mum was really smart and eventually got better at cooking, and you said Dad made everything taste bad by touching it and he ate everything."

Sirius and Remus laughed together. "You and he are good flyers too," Sirius said. "Of course, he adored Quidditch and you don't and that's fine. He would've been fine with it. Bitched a lot but fine. The fact that you like flying is what's more important."

"He was a bit lazy scholastically at first but he was clever and worked hard when it mattered," Remus said fondly. "He and Lily would be very proud of your achievements at school."

"What subjects did they like most?" Harry asked eagerly. "Professor McGonagall said Dad liked Transfiguration."

"He did," Remus agreed. "He actually enjoyed Muggle Studies a lot which we found hilarious. When we asked if he was overcompensating based on how he treated Lily at first and how desperately he wanted her to like him eventually, he wouldn't answer unless it was with a jinx."

"Lily loved Charms and Potions," Sirius grinned. "She and Flitwick got along great and our professor for Potions, Horace Slughorn, loved her. Thought she was a natural and went on and on about her. Was surprised when he learned she was Muggleborn."

"Guess I'm more like Mum," Harry said softly. "Charms is my favorite and I like Potions because of cooking."

"James would've been happy," Remus chuckled. "He used to joke that he wouldn't tolerate himself when he was younger."

"And don't forget that you're a better cook than either of them." Sirius smiled.

"Right, the salt biscuits," Harry smiled.

"Poor Lily," Remus chuckled. "She looked so disappointed when she found out."

"Poor James," Sirius laughed. "He had to go to the infirmary. One of the few times that Pomfrey didn't chastise him while healing him though. Said it was an idiot's way of being sweet. Well okay, maybe a little chastisement."

"She's got a way with words," Harry smiled.

"Has to get her frustration at our idiocy out somehow," Sirius chuckled.

-0-

"And I thought there were a lot of people last year," Sirius said admiringly. "Look at this, it's so good."

It was Harry's birthday once more and the rooftop garden was full of people. Invitations were sent out and everyone had replied with intentions to come, and more than a few asked if others could come too. Thankfully, they were the families of those invited and Sirius and Harry had welcomed them easily. The same people from last year were invited as well as a few new ones.

"I believe the last time Grimmauld was this full was almost a century ago," Andromeda said. "When the Blacks were the prominent family and entertained members of the elite in Wizarding Britain." She shook her head. "If only our parents could see this now."

"Oh I bet they're looking on from wherever they are and they're seething," Sirius said with grim satisfaction. "And that's almost as delicious as Harry's cooking."

"There is a poetic justice that all are here due to Harry," Andromeda nodded, also looking very satisfied and deeply amused. "Oh how they would be so disappointed that everyone here is not to pay homage to the Blacks and beg for influence and aid."

"Isn't it great?" Sirius sighed gustily.

"I don't know if I should be worried about you two," Dora said frankly.

"Self-hating is a Black family tradition," Sirius snorted.

"That's not healthy," Dora said mildly.

"Doing things that aren't healthy is a Black family tradition," Sirius said, making her and Andromeda snort.

"He is not wrong," Andromeda smiled.

"Anyways, I like how we are now," Sirius continued. "We're doing things differently. Gone is the obsession with blood purity and wanting to hold people hostage and take advantage of them. Now it's about doing what we like while being beneficial to others as well as ourselves. Making connections instead of demanding them. Welcoming instead of demanding. It's a new age, and I love it."

"It truly is." Andromeda looked over at Jean, Leena, Lin, Molly, Aditi, and Amelia talking easily with Primrose, Linda, Tiffany, Adelle, and Valentina. At Ted laughing with Xenophilius, Daniel, David, Hugh, and Alan. Cyrus talking comfortably with Durga and Augusta. "If you ever told me I would see Purebloods of the 28 speaking willingly with Muggleborns, Muggles, Halfbloods, and foreign families, I would call you a delusional drunk. Not to mention families speaking to each other that are normally divided in ideal and principle."

"I never would have imagined it," Sirius said with wonder. He looked at Harry laughing in the middle of his friends lovingly. "All thanks to a poor boy with a heart of gold. And his talents. It's incredible."

"How is your stomach still growling?" Andromeda asked, looking at her daughter. "You have been eating all morning and day while Harry was cooking!"

"I'm insatiable," Dora said brightly.

"How are you getting it to say words?" Sirius asked with interest

"I'm not trying, I think she's learning how to talk," Dora said, patting her stomach. "Besides, this isn't even the best bit."

"What do you mean?" Sirius asked.

"Not everyone has arrived," Dora smiled. "And I love watching people freak out over the arrivals."

"I do admit, I enjoy it too," Andromeda smiled.

"Same, it's dinner and a show," Sirius laughed loudly.

-0-

"That is Nicolas Flamel," Cyrus said faintly, his eyes large and round. "Nicolas Flamel, and Perenelle Flamel, are here."

"Surprised me as well last year," Primrose said, shaking her head.

"The Flamels, the Alchemists are here at a birthday party," Cyrus said, his voice still sounding faintly lost.

"I wondered if they brought Blinky once more," Primrose mused.

"Who's that?" Tiffany asked.

"Their basilisk."

"Their what?!"

"She's surprisingly cute," Primrose continued, ignoring the looks of shock on the other parents' faces. "And incredibly well behaved. Oh yes, there she is." She smiled softly at the snake slithering down Perenelle's arm and up Harry's. "They are licensed handlers so there is nothing to be afraid of, apparently."

"Aside from the fact that there is a basilisk here," Linda said.

"No need to be alarmed," Andromeda said soothingly. "And trust me, my reaction last year was quite similar. She is very sweet and as long as you do not threaten Harry, all will be well."

"As if I had any desire to after seeing how warmly the Flamels treat him," Alan said. "Not to mention the other international guests. Is that Sebastian Delacour?"

"It is," Adelle nodded. "I recognized him from the last Ministry party. And that must be his wife." She gently but firmly pinched Cyrus' arm.

He shook his head and looked slightly sheepish. "Thank you," he whispered to her and kissed her on the cheek while she beamed. "Oh, I had no idea their children and ours were acquainted."

"They came over for the Triwizard last year," Sirius said, watching the younger element mingle and chat excitedly. "When we visited the Flamels last week in France, they were there. Friends of Harry's." He puffed his chest out. "And Harry saved the littlest one from that mess at the end of the Third Task."

"Oh I read about that," Valentina said. "A Patronus right? Rather impressive for someone at his age."

"Three even," Remus said proudly. He smiled. "They are here in Grimmauld more often than not. Sometimes the one, sometimes the three."

"Most impressive," Hugh said, nodding.

"I am surprised you did not mention that connection during the dinner party," Cyrus said mildly, nodding at the Flamels and the Delacours.

"Didn't think I needed to," Sirius shrugged. "Besides, that really wasn't the point."

"No, their happiness is," Adelle said softly, watching her daughters interacting with the others. "And I will admit, seeing them like this is very heartening."

"Besides," Sirius continued with a smug expression on his face, "there's still someone else that's kinda influential that's coming. If I really wanted to impress you, I would've mentioned him too."

"Someone more influential than the Flamels?" Valentina asked, intrigued.

"He thinks so," Ted chuckled. "They, well Nicolas, would object."

"Who could that possibly be?" Alan asked. The door opened and Drake came out of the stairwell and he pointed dramatically at Nicolas who started laughing uproariously. "You are a very bad man!" Drake shouted.

"It takes one to know one," Nicolas said, wiping tears of merriment from his eyes.

"My vengeance will be terrible and prolonged!"

"Eh, I have endured worse," Nicolas shrugged, snickering when Perenelle smacked him in the chest.

Drake turned and grumbled in a language that no one recognized, looking peeved. He adjusted the amulet around his neck and his clothes shifted, making the new guests stare in astonishment. He smiled wide for a moment, waving jovially to Harry before approaching Sirius and the others with him.

"What happened?" Sirius asked, smiling.

"That bastard sent me on a damned thistle chase," Drake sighed, rubbing his face. "Asked me to do him a favor and fetch something. When I got there, there was a note that he had already fetched said thing and he did that to me to ensure that I would arrive after he did because I told him that this time I would beat him here!"

"That's amazingly petty," Andromeda groaned.

"He's amazingly petty," Drake sniffed. "I will get him back for this." He smoothed his expression and smiled at the newcomers who continued to stare at him. "Ah, new people to meet! How lovely. Forgive my earlier outburst. There are few in this world that can genuinely make me lose my control and Nicolas 'I am a fat bastard' Flamel is one of them."

"Hey! I am not fat!" Nicolas cried.

"You are fat in head and body!" Drake shouted back.

"You…you are insulting the Alchemist to his face," Tiffany said faintly. "And you don't seem to be scared."

"Of course I insult him to his face, I want to see his expression," Drake snorted. "And I am not scared of him. He is nothing without his wife."

"That is true," Nicolas admitted loudly.

"Now his wife, I have a healthy fear of and sincere respect for," Drake said.

"I love you too, Drake," Perenelle called over. "Also you damn well better."

"Drake?" Cyrus blinked slowly. "Drake Tepes?"

"Oh, have you heard of me?" Drake smiled brightly, revealing his fangs.

"We do some business together," Cyrus gulped. "I am Cyrus Greengrass."

"Oh how wonderful it is to meet you in person!" Drake shook his hand energetically. "I am pleased with your shipping company. Excellent work. Almost never get delays. I have been meaning to ask you about your latest shipping fees but that can wait. I try to never mix business with pleasure and it is a pleasure to be here once more."

His smile was even broader somehow when Harry came up to them holding a tray. "There is the birthday boy! Or man rather. Forgive me, how old are you now?"

"Fifteen," Harry grinned.

"Young man then," Drake decided. "I am a terrible judge of how old a person looks these days. Everyone is either far younger than I think or are older than dirt, like that one." He pointed at Nicolas who replied with a rude hand gesture. He smiled down at the tray Harry offered. "And what are these delicious morsels?"

"American pigs in blankets," Harry said. "I wrapped chipolatas in puff pastry instead of bacon."

"Mmm, delicious," Drake said, popping one into his mouth and chewing delicately. "Lovely flaky pastry and the sausage is well seasoned."

"Oh I learned a new dish from the goblins you might like and I just learned from Miss Lin that it's a Taiwanese dish too. You mix pork blood and rice together and steam it and then grill it with seasonings. I've had it waiting for you."

"Such a kind fellow," Drake said happily. "Lead me to it and let me tell you of this very interesting cookbook I found for you." He followed Harry away, one hand on his shoulder and they chatted warmly with one another.

"That was a vampire," Hugh said quietly. "And not just a vampire, but one of the Elds."

"Again, my reaction last year," Primrose said.

The parents of the Slytherin children looked at each other blankly for long moments before they looked at Sirius who was munching on pigs and blankets with Ted and Andromeda and Remus. "Hmm?" Sirius asked, mouth full.

"When were you going to inform us that Harry is on friendly terms with Draconis Tepes, the Eld among Elds?" Cyrus asked, fighting to keep his voice low.

"When it was applicable," Sirius said, licking his fingers. "Like now. Say, Harry's last guest is Drake Tepes. He's a vampire. Pretty cool guy. Especially considering my family had a blood feud with him for a while."

"I need a drink," Alan groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Thanks, Kreacher," Sirius said, exchanging his now empty tray for the drinks that Kreacher was carrying about.

"Bad Master is welcome," Kreacher croaked without heat, making the others, save for Andromeda and Ted and Remus, look at him funny. Kreacher left to refill his tray and Sirius went back into Grimmauld to get something, talking to Nicolas. Andromeda joined Ariana and Jean and Leena, laughing over something while Ted and Remus were invited to try a new alcohol Drake brought for Aberforth.

"I think it is a very good thing that we decided to keep the children at Hogwarts," Valentina said seriously.

"I'm glad you convinced me to go to the dinner party," Tiffany said. "The amount of influence and power here is incredible."

"I do not think we would have survived the outcome if we did not," Hugh said softly.

"No, from what I have heard from Millie and Pansy, and have seen myself, I don't think it would have come out like that," Linda said thoughtfully.

"Agreed. They do not think like that, for good and for ill," Primrose said.

Cyrus watched as Astoria and Daphne laughed as they ate and talked with the others. "More for good, I think," he said quietly. "And it appears, for many reasons."

"I will drink to that," Alan said and they raised their glasses in a silent and heartfelt toast.

-0-

"You know, you're supposed to be getting presents on your birthday, not giving them," Parvati said.

"But these are souvenirs and things I got for people from France," Harry said.

"If you don't want yours, I'll take it," Padma said.

"And I'll stab you," Parvati retorted, glaring at Padma.

"That's not a nice thing you say to your sister," Hermione said, scandalized.

"I've said worse," Lavender, Pansy, and Daphne said. They looked at each other and laughed.

"She said worse," Ron said, hiking his thumb at Ginny.

"I technically don't have sisters so it's allowed," Ginny growled.

"I agree with her," Millicent snorted.

"How was France?" Lavender asked.

"It was a lot of fun," Harry smiled. "And we went to Rue Magique to sightsee and shop. It's their version of Diagon Alley and it's so big. How you get there is really cool too. You go through the Arc de Triomphe a certain way and come out into their main magical district. No one notices that people walk in and don't exactly walk out when they should."

"Oh that is neat," Sue said.

"The Arc acts as a gateway," Fleur explained. "It takes you to somewhere else, where the Rue is. Because the entrance is anchored in one place, however, it is more stable."

"How's it going being apprentices to grandmother and grandfather?" Harry asked.

"Very challenging and very odd," Fleur said with Sophie agreeing. "They are shockingly informal."

"Master Flamel goes on many strange tangents," Sophie said. "But learning from him is incredible. I have learned more about Transfiguration from him in days than I have for years at Beauxbatons."

"Mistress Flamel is very good with talking about how Charms apply to other schools of magic," Fleur said. "I am learning so much. Thank you again, Harry. We can never thank you enough."

"I hope they'll take me on as an apprentice eventually," Hermione said wistfully. "That must be incredible learning magic from the Flamels."

"I'm sure they will if you ask," Harry said. "And I didn't even ask them really."

"You still made it possible," Sophie insisted and Fleur nodded.

"Happy to, whatever I did," Harry said.

"I'm surprised they're here," Susan said, looking over at Astoria, Aster, Nathan, and Owen.

"Astoria practically demanded to, the brat," Daphne sighed.

"Aster did not demand, technically," Pansy snorted. "She raised a very polite ruckus, as mother puts it."

"Nathan and Owen said if Sunny can come then so should they. I said they weren't as cute and nice as Sunny though," Millicent said.

"The more the merrier," Harry smiled. "I'm surprised they wanted to come really."

"Aster likes you," Pansy smiled. "She thinks you are very cool."

"Should I be worried about that though?" Lavender asked. "They're getting along really well with Clover and Marigold. And they cause enough trouble as it is."

"I have a feeling we're going to be in trouble when they all arrive at Hogwarts together," Millicent sighed.

"Gabi wants to transfer over," Fleur snorted.

"There might be more Patils coming," Parvati said. "Mum and Grandmum have been pretty happy with how Hogwarts has been for us honestly."

"And that they're serving proper food," Padma smiled.

"Ah yes, an important part of education," Blaise said dryly. "Proper food."

"Curry is proper food," Parvati, Padma, and Harry said together. They looked at each with clear surprise before they laughed and high-fived one another.

"Oh no, you're thinking like them!" Lavender cried through a very large smile.

"We're sibs, 'course we do," Parvati said, one arm over Harry's shoulder.

Padma threw her arm over Harry's other shoulder. "Don't be jealous," she smiled.

"Actually, that smile is uncanny," Hermione laughed when the trio smiled in exactly the same way.

-0-

"Whew, have to admit, having the help of a lot of House Elves really is nice," Sirius said. It was late and the party was over. The majority of the guests had left and the Tonkses and the Flamels and Drake were spending the night at Grimmauld. Dora had passed out from overeating and the others were changing and getting ready for bed before a nightcap. Sirius and Remus and Harry had helped tidy up the rooftop garden some though the visiting Hogwarts elves and Winky and Kreacher had done the majority.

"What a party though," Sirius said gustily. "Everything was perfect."

"I was a little worried there wouldn't be enough food," Harry laughed. "So many people and everyone ate so much!"

"And the fact that there were some leftovers even for people to take was amazing," Remus smiled. "Everyone bringing a small family dish they enjoyed was very nice too."

"It's nice trying other family's foods," Harry nodded.

Sirius ruffled Harry's hair. "Enjoyed yourself?"

"I did! I still can't believe so many people came," Harry said happily.

"We have to make up for all the bad ones before," Sirius said quietly, embracing Harry from the side, one arm around his shoulder. "I know you're going to say it wasn't our fault, but still."

Harry leaned into Sirius, feeling warm. "Thank you." He was quiet for a moment. "I hope people always want to celebrate things with me," he added softly.

Remus smiled at him. "I have no doubt we will. I am sure you will forever be yourself and your kindness is a warmth that people will always want to be around."

"Thank you," Harry repeated, feeling even warmer than he did a moment ago.

-0-

"I still can't get over how giant that knife is," Millicent laughed.

Harry patted it fondly. "It's more of a machete I think."

Hagrid laughed sheepishly. "Well I got you a new one this year and it's more appropriately sized for a field knife." He beamed when Harry patted the smaller knife at his side with equal fondness. "Still, always good to have options. Speakin' of." He flourished the very long and large boar spear happily. "Thank you, Harry. I love it."

"You're welcome! I was going to get one from the same clan that Grandmother's came from but they wouldn't do it for me because I'm English. They tried to backtrack when Grandmother went over to 'talk' to them but I asked around Gringotts instead and Chef's family was more than happy to make one."

Hagrid chuckled. "Well, that'll learn the other clan. Some folk get pissy about that sort of thing."

"Thanks for inviting us," Ron said to Harry and Millicent nodded in agreement. During Harry's party, Hagrid had told Harry that the Tribe had invited him to the Summer Hunt in the Forbidden Forest. Harry asked if Ron could come as well and when Millicent heard about it, she asked to come too. The Tribe had agreed without reservation and the trio came to the Forest with Hagrid and Fang.

"No problem, I know you want to be a Hunter. I didn't know you wanted to though, Millie."

Millicent smiled shyly. "Well, I've always thought it would be cool to travel and hunt and stuff. I like the family business but I don't love it and if I can find stuff that helps then more the better. Ever since they agreed not to send us to Sanguis, they've been listening to us more so I talked to them about it and they're not completely on board yet, but are being more open-minded."

"Is Hunting not a Pureblood acceptable thing?" Harry asked.

"Depends on the family," Ron said. "Some families are entirely in the Hunter profession. Others don't mind. Some families manage Hunters or have guilds and teams but don't do it themselves."

"It's sorta like that for Society families," Millicent agreed. "Some hunting is 'sufficiently noble' but some see it as unseemly because of how physical it is. And some have issues with women and witches wanting to be Hunters."

"Weird," Harry said. "If you're good at it, you're good at it."

"That's what I think," Millicent agreed. "But lots don't."

They came into a clearing and there were a lot of the Tribe members there already, clustered around a large fire. There were a few other witches and wizards there too and they looked at the three youngsters with mild interest and confusion while most of them greeted Hagrid warmly.

"Harry! Hello!" Rell galloped over with a few of the other younger centaurs. "Good to see you."

"It's great to see you!" Harry hugged her and the others, standing up slightly on tip toe while they bent down a little. "Thank you for inviting us!"

"Glad you could come," Rell smiled. "Hello Ron. And you are Millicent, yes?"

"Yeah, thanks for inviting us too," Millicent smiled.

"You wishing to learn is a great honor." Ronan came over and shook Harry's hand warmly and nodded cordially to Ron and Millicent. "The Summer Hunt is an important hunt for us. We help keep the Forest clean, keep it healthy, by culling some of the deer and boar and other species. We start to prepare supplies for the winter as well as find the places for harvesting herbs and plants come harvest time."

He gestured to the other humans there. "Only the ones we trust are allowed to hunt with us. Only ones that show due respect to the Forest are allowed."

"We'll do our best," Ron said and Millicent nodded in agreement.

"I am sure. You are Harry's friends." Ronan nodded and left to speak with Hagrid.

"This is the Heart Fire," Harry explained to Millicent, showing her the large fire that crackled in the clearing. "For as long as the Tribe can remember, the Heart Fire has never died, even in the rain and the winter. They always keep it alive and whenever they move from camp to camp, they bring it with them. It's important to them."

"It's so pretty," Millicent said. "It even feels different." She looked around. "So what are we going to be doing?"

"Helping with things," Harry said. He had gone on smaller hunts with the Tribe before. "Watching and observing a lot but we'll get to do hands-on things too."

"Can't wait," she smiled.

-0-

"You okay?" Harry asked with a small wince.

Millicent smiled broadly despite the scratches on her face and a small bruise on her jaw. "I'm great!" she said enthusiastically. She winced a little too and gingerly touched the bruise. "Banged up a bit but I'm not too fussed about it."

"She did well," Rell said with admiration. "Did not scream at the charging boar."

"I did a bit of screaming inside," Millicent admitted, making them laugh. "But yeah, remembered what you taught me and managed to dodge aside. And I hit it with a good Piercing Curse!"

"It was a good shot, almost as good as our bowshots," Rell nodded.

"Yeah, I'll need to practice," Millicent said. "Oh thanks!" She sighed with relief when Harry applied some ointment on her cuts and bruise, feeling the magical compounds healing her injuries.

"Thanks for teaching that spell to me," Ron said. "It's a really good one to get good with. I've been trying to get Bill to teach me but he kept putting it off. Something about regretting teaching a spell to the twins." He shrugged. "To be fair, that's a decent excuse."

"Now what do we do?" Millicent asked. The clearing was full of movement and industry. The Tribe hunters and the visiting Hunters were trading things and helping one another prepare and process what they had captured and gathered. They talked and laughed, sharing stories and experiences as well as working together.

"We help break down things and start the preservation processes," Harry said. He helped haul the boar Millicent had helped catch up with a rope to leave it dangling. "Then I get to do what I do best." Together, with help from the centaurs and Hagrid, they broke the boars down with Millicent being more than a little grossed out but she pushed on solidly. She learned how to remove the hide and even talked about tanning with a few of the experts in the Tribe.

Not too long after, pieces of the boar crackled and sizzled and smoked over grills set up over coals and flames, filling the air with aromatic scents. Harry basted them with sauce he prepared from herbs they gathered and seasonings he brought; a thick spicy sauce that made the air smell even more fragrant. Eventually everyone ate the grilled pork and roasted wild vegetables hungrily, enjoying the summer weather and the fresh food.

"I'm really glad I came," Millicent said, gnawing on a rib. "This was a lot more fun and incredibly interesting. I learned a lot about Hunting today."

"Still want to do it?" Harry asked, chewing on the tough but delicious boar.

"I think so. It's nice doing something really physical and wild like this." She shifted a little. "Going to need to exercise more and build up muscles and things. I'm going to be sore tomorrow. I'm sore now actually."

"Same, and I didn't even join on the more strenuous stuff either," Harry said. "Glad I've been doing more exercises with Dora though, helped a lot."

"Thanks again, Harry," Millicent said after some time.

"You already thanked me for bringing you," Harry said, nonplussed.

"I know, but the whole, well, everything you've done for us thing," Millicent said. She flushed. "I mean, you and Sirius sticking up for us and convincing our parents to not send us to Sanguis, you being friendly and all, all that. I never thought I'd ever get the chance to ever say what I want to my parents. And now I'm here in the Forbidden Forest, I hunted with centaurs, and I'm happy for it."

"We're pals," Harry said brightly. "I'm glad you're happy."

"We're pals," Millicent agreed, smiling. "I'm glad Pansy and you became friends so we could be."

"Me too." They sat in comfortable silence. "Oh boy," Harry chuckled.

"What?" she asked.

Harry pointed. The centaurs were opening a heavy chest and removing oddly shaped clubs from it and passing them about. "They're about to play hurling. You try to hit a ball between two goalposts. You can slap or pass the ball with the club, even kicking. Also it's full contact."

"That sounds amazing," Millicent said.

"It sure is something to watch," Harry said. "Careful if you want to play." He smiled when she trotted down to join the group. "Of course you want to play."

Maida came over and settled down beside Harry. "You do not wish to play?" she asked in a teasing tone.

Harry laughed and shook his head. "I learned my lesson last time when I was included without really knowing what it was."

Maida laughed too. "I am impressed your friends are willing to play. Many adult Hunters are more reluctant."

"Ron has five older brothers, he's used to rough housing. Millie's just plain tough. I think she likes that sort of thing and never had a chance to do it." He blinked when he saw Millicent bodily check a young centaur without hesitation. They hit each other hard and they both stumbled back while the other players and the watchers cheered at the sight.

"Goodness! Yarrow bounced right off of her!" Maida said, clapping enthusiastically.

"Yup, she's tough alright," Harry smiled. "Go Millie!"

Hagrid sat down with a thump, holding onto a joint of boar in one large hand easily. "Never thought I'd see that," he said, watching them play. "It's a good thing."

"It sure is," Harry agreed. He winced when Millicent leaned into a tackle and smacked another player with her hurley stick after taking a blow without stopping. "Note to self, when I need help, give Millie a stick and let her go."

"She sure can handle herself," Hagrid chuckled appreciatively.

-0-0-0-

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Harry's well taken care of in this setting.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - She probably could take over the radio if she really wanted to. At least her ideas of exercises make very fun mental images. Thanks for reading.

Arnie1701 - I thought it would be fun.

Kaya - I do like running jokes and thought bringing that back from last summer would be fun. Glad you enjoyed.

odonnellzoo99 - I was trying to think of a fun idiom and a blunt hammer made sense to me. Yeah same. Some people only care about money, others care more about the environment. The lucky get to have both in balance. Probably not the macarena but I'm a fan of the electric slide.

poka - Yeah, I liked the large change in their attitudes since last summer. I feel like it's realistic too. They have genuine grown fond of Harry and respect him due to his respect of them and how they appreciate hard work like that. I knew I wanted a slightly different portrayal of the goblins and their culture, but have it still feel like their culture. I think I like how it came about honestly. Same with showing Harry's personal growth compared to last year with the Dumbledores. I was really happy with the Hedwig group dance too.

alix33 - I love trying different dried and cured meats. And the Hedwig and patroni dance was my favorite.