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

A Taste of Magic

92nd Course – Forward Momentum

"Someone looks happy," Hermione commented.

"I'm very happy!" Lavender held up her essay. "I got an Exceeds Expectations on my Potions essay!"

"That's great!" Hermione smiled. "Good work!"

"Thanks! I can't believe it! All that tutoring and reviewing has really paid off. I used to only do Acceptable on Potions things too without Harry's help."

"We can keep things up and do well on O.W.L.s," Hermione said. She sighed at Lavender's doleful look. "With plenty of breaks, yes."

Lavender giggled. "I know it's important to stay on top of things."

"I guess I've learned the merits of relaxing here and there," Hermione conceded with a smile.

"Finally," Parvati said, sitting down beside them. "It only took you five years. Or has it only been one and it's Tracey's influence?" She gasped and looked at Lavender while Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Lav! We've been friends and trying to influence Hermione for years and she's ignored us, only to succumb to her girlfriend of less than one!"

Lavender giggled harder. "To be fair, I'm sure Tracey has other ways to influence Hermione that we don't."

"They only hold hands apparently with no confirmation of if they do anything else," Parvati said cheekily.

Lavender's smile grew as Hermione's glower intensified. "Have you asked Tracey?"

"Oh say, that's an idea-"

"Don't you dare!" Hermione shouted. She flushed bright red when people in the common room turned to stare at her outburst and Lavender and Parvati shrieked with laughter. "You two are awful!"

"Sorry!" Lavender laughed, hugging Hermione. "We're just being girlfriends and teasing you because you have a girlfriend."

"Don't tell me you can do it too?" Hermione groaned. "Make perfectly normal and innocent things sound so dirty."

"It only sounds dirty because you think it's dirty," Parvati said airily. "A mark of a dirty mind." She glared as Hermione's orange magical hand clamped over her mouth meeting Hermione's equally intense glare.

"We get a lot of uses out of that spell," Lavender smiled. "And muzzling Parvati is a very good use for it."

"This is turning into a regular thing," Harry remarked, walking over and seeing Parvati fuming silently while gesturing emphatically with her crimson magical hand. "Isn't there a thing about prefects not supposed to be using magic on others?"

"You're right," Hermione grumbled and canceled the charm.

"Thanks Harry!" Parvati beamed. She exchanged glares with Hermione. "I should talk to someone about you abusing your prefect powers!"

"Go on then!" Hermione said.

"Harry! Hermione's abusing me with her prefect powers!" Parvati said.

"No! Really?" Harry gasped. "Did she have a good reason to?"

"I don't think so!" Parvati cried.

"I do!" Hermione said.

"You're too close to the situation and can't be objective about it," Parvati argued.

"Lavender, you won't lie to me. What did it look like?" Harry asked, feigning concern.

"Well, as far as I could recall, Parvati was making innuendos and Hermione muzzled her magically," Lavender said, screwing her face up in thought.

"Does that sound like something I would do?" Parvati asked, looking hurt.

"Yes," the other three said at the same time.

"Yeah that does sound like me," Parvati agreed with a bright smile.

Harry chuckled. "Come on then. I know just the thing to smooth things over."

"More treats for good behavior?" Lavender asked.

"Pretty much," Harry smiled. "Let's go make roti and eggs. We haven't had that in a long time."

"Oooh, good idea," Parvati said happily. "Sounds like a good treat right now."

"We're not pets to be trained with treats," Hermione said as she followed them.

"Dibs on Hermione's roti and eggs," Parvati said.

"What?! Hey! I didn't say I didn't want any!"

-0-

"Miss Skeeter, welcome," Dumbledore said with a genial expression.

Rita shook his hand firmly. "I do believe you mean that."

"I think I do as well, curious," Dumbledore said, smiling. "What did you call me that one time? An 'obsolete dingbat'?"

"Something like that," Rita said evasively. "I do remember that article being edited by a third party so there's a chance that the word choice was embellished."

Dumbledore chuckled and gestured to the seat across from his desk and Rita sat down. "You must be wondering why I asked for you to come."

"I am, mostly because people never ask for me to willingly go anywhere pleasant," Rita said pleasantly.

Dumbledore chuckled more. "A consequence of your profession."

"And I how I approached it," she said without shame.

"How you approached it and not approach now?" Dumbledore replied, looking intrigued.

Rita shrugged. "Let's just say I've taken a liking to writing a different sort of article here and there. I still have my past skills and fondness for my old writing. I did recently pen a rather lovely article about a feud between the Weird Sisters and Hexen that's even mostly true."

"I will look forward to it," Dumbledore said. He sobered slightly. "I believe you have spoken with Lord Black."

"Yes. He told me to expect a meeting with you. Which only further makes me curious." Rita leaned forward, her eyes glinting behind her glasses. "And what can Rita do for you?"

"How would you like a chance to write a series of articles about something rather interesting, something that has not happened to Britain in a long time?"

"I would like that as much as I like gold." She smiled. "Which is a lot because those articles have the potential to earn a lot of gold and I really like gold."

"Quite. You will be one of the first to know this outside of the people here and a select few at the Ministry. Hogwarts has been invited to the International Scholastic Showcase this year."

"Has it? That's wonderful! It's been many years, yes?"

"Decades even," Dumbledore nodded.

"Quite the feather in an already feathered cap," Rita said. "It's hard to get that invitation, especially after how Wizarding Britain has tried to ignore the international community for quite some time. If Hogwarts does well, that could mean very big changes for Wizarding Britain."

"It would indeed," Dumbledore said approvingly. "You see the advantage without having it spelled out for you."

"A consequence of my profession," Rita repeated with a small smile. "Lateral thinking and looking for advantages, always." She raised an eyebrow. "Now why ask for me? Most certainly wouldn't."

"Well, you did write a few lovely articles recently that were well received. Not to mention, the reason we have been invited to the Showcase was a subject of those articles."

"Ah, now that makes sense. Even I was surprised by that article. It was surprisingly fun to write and I had to do little to punch it up. People legitimately enjoyed the mundanity of it and I will admit, it was refreshing to write like that."

"Not to mention the subject of said article?" Dumbledore asked, looking at her carefully.

Rita smiled. "Mister Potter is quite the good fellow."

Dumbledore smiled and took off the cloche on a tray beside him. He saw how Rita's eyes lit up at the sandwiches and scones that sat on the tray with a pot of steaming tea. "Would you like to share some with me? I mentioned to Harry that I would be having a guest today for a meeting and he made this for us."

"How tricky of you and how lovely of him," Rita said, but eagerly accepted the plate that Dumbledore assembled for her. "Some might think you are trying to influence me."

"And what do you think?" he asked as he ate a scone.

"I think you are absolutely trying to influence me," Rita said, eating the egg salad sandwich with undisguised relish. "How does he make food taste so good?!"

"He cares about the food and the people that eat it," Dumbledore said proudly.

"He really does," she said admiringly. She sipped the black tea with honey and cream. "So, you're trying to stuff me full of flattery and food and in my soused state, try to convince me to write something that flatters you and Harry and Hogwarts. Do I have that right?"

"Very close to it," Dumbledore said plainly. "May I be honest with you?"

"I would find that to be very different from how people normally treat me," Rita smiled.

Dumbledore laughed. "Very well. Yes, I want you to write articles about Hogwarts and how we prepare for, and even how we perform at the Showcase. I want you to show our students and their efforts in an honest and hopefully positive light."

"If they're the same ones who won the Winter Festival last year, that won't be difficult at all," Rita said.

"I also want you to ply some of your earlier mentioned skills to…annoy a certain other party."

"Oh? Now who would that be?" Rita chewed literally as she mentally chewed at the idea. "Ahhhh. One Sanguis Academy?"

"Yes. I will not give you carte blanche to attack them per se-"

"-not like anyone gave me permission before," she quipped.

"-but I will not be upset if your writing does upset them," Dumbledore continued. "Nor do I want you to literally go after them and put them down. But if you were to say highlight the differences between Hogwarts and Sanguis, show the ways their students differ in academics and other things. And let us say they somehow are able to attend the Showcase as well, show how the schools approach the matter and perform."

"And you think they will be invited as well?" Rita asked, narrowing her eyes. "Why would that happen?"

"Why indeed? That is a question for the ICW committee," Dumbledore demurred.

"Curious. So very curious," Rita hummed. She continued to eat, cleaning her plate and not refusing a second helping. "I suppose the challenge would be fun, not to mention the novelty of being invited to write these things instead of being protested for writing such things."

She tapped her chin a few times. "I have a few conditions."

"Name them and we will discuss," Dumbledore smiled.

"Second, I will be the sole journalist responsible for this series of articles. No interviews with any others and no articles written by any others."

"Accepted."

"Third, I accompany Hogwarts to the Showcase and my reasonable expenses be covered by the school or a third party and I will ensure said expenses will be modest and correct."

"Also accepted."

"Fourth, I will need permission to enter and leave the school unmolested and unbothered and I promise to not abuse the privilege."

"As long as you do so and know full well that such permission can easily be revoked," Dumbledore said.

"I do."

"Very well."

"Then I accept the position," Rita smiled, extending her hand.

Dumbledore shook it easily. "I cannot help but notice that you skipped your first condition."

"Ah of course. First, plenty of Harry's food for my personal consumption," Rita said shamelessly.

"He never needs a reason to cook," Dumbledore chuckled. "I am sure he will be fine with it."

"Splendid!"

"I do want to warn you about one thing," Dumbledore said, as if in afterthought. "Be very careful about writing about things that are not directly related to the subject at hand. Especially concerning personal relationships, familial and otherwise."

"Lord Black has threatened me, I understand," Rita said, waving her hand dismissively.

"Lord Black would be the least of your worries," Dumbledore said.

"That's ominous, are you threatening me, Headmaster?" Rita asked, looking interested and delighted.

"Me? Not at all. I am doing my due diligence and warning you. You recall the special guests at the Winter Festival, yes?"

"Oh, the Flamels? Yes I do and that was quite the surprise." Rita chuckled. "I'm pretty sure their involvement drove interest up considerably."

"Then you should know that they are unofficial grandparents of Harry and he is their official ward," Dumbledore smiled.

"Now that is a story I want to hear," Rita said admiringly.

"And I also want to inform you of their very protective feelings about Harry and the lengths they will go to ensure his overprotection," Dumbledore said without a trace of a smile.

"Is that right?" Rita said, her own smile faltering slightly.

"I believe the last time a newspaper printed something libelous about them was bought by them, forced to print apologies and many embarrassing confessions by the entire staff, and then forced to burn down their building and equipment personally," Dumbledore said.

"Ah. I am actually familiar with that incident," Rita said, her smile firmly gone. "Heard about it before."

"Oh and Harry is good friends with Eld Tepes," Dumbledore said. "Napkin?"

Rita took it, dabbing her lips and at the drops of tea she sputtered. "Thank you. And thank you for the warning. I will be sure to remember them."

"I would hate for a burgeoning working relationship to be cut so untimely short," Dumbledore said.

"So would I," Rita said sincerely. "Do we have any more scones?"

"We do." Dumbledore gave her more and then refilled their tea cups. "To a profitable working relationship."

Rita tapped her cup against his. "And may it work out to both our favors."

-0-

Lavender stared at him. "That might be the meanest thing you've ever said to me!"

Harry squared his shoulders and grimaced. "Well I stand by it."

"You've never refused me food before!" Lavender gasped.

"Don't look at me like that!" He turned his head away. "I'm the injured party here!"

"Wait what? How?!"

"You haven't given my bag back yet."

"Oh, right. Well I was going to remake it for you or make you a new one," Lavender said sheepishly.

"I'll always be happy with what you make for me but I want that one back too, as it is," Harry said. "I told you, it's my favorite."

"You don't have to make me feel better about it," she protested. "Hold on." She walked up the stairs to her dorm room and soon came back with said draw-string bag in hand.

"I'm being very sincere," Harry sniffed, taking it from her eagerly. "This has a lot of sentimental value to it."

"But the stitching is crooked and it's a little lop-sided," she sighed. Her fingers twitched a little as she looked at it. "I can make it better."

"I'm sure. But this is the first thing you ever made for me. It's the first thing I got that was new and nice. It's precious to me." He gave her a look, opening his eyes wide and blinking slowly. "You'd really take that from me?"

"Not after you said all that, I'm not a monster!" she cried, shoving him lightly.

"Well good. And now that I have it back, yes, we can fill a snack bag or box for you. Let's go to the Uncommon Room and see what we have."

"Probably not much. I think Parvati and Padma ate the leftover biscuits we had," Lavender smiled.

"Then I'll make something. We can do homework while it bakes."

"Sounds good to me!" They grabbed their school bags and she threaded her arm through his as they left the common room. As they walked, she thought about what Harry said. "The bag really means that much to you?"

"It does," he said. "It was the first time anyone made anything for me and just for me. Not something made for someone else and then given to me after it was used for a while. It was new to me. It's my first gift from my first friend. First friend after Hedwig of course."

"Of course," Lavender giggled.

"It reminds me of how I feel about you," he continued.

She looked at him. "Really?"

He nodded. "Cared for. Liked."

"Oh." Her arm tightened on his as she looked at him closely.

He noticed her looking at him and after a moment he put the bag into his school bag. "I'm a little worried about lending it to you now."

He laughed when she pinched him and they walked on in companionable silence, but Lavender thought loudly and her arm was still tight around his.

-0-

"Hey, mind if we join you?" Tracey asked.

"Sure, but why'd you ask first?" Millicent asked. "You usually don't."

Tracey flushed, glaring at Millicent while Hermione wore an amused expression. "I was trying to be considerate," Tracey hissed. "I didn't want to interrupt a date."

"I'm not dating either of them," Pansy said, frowning at Tracey.

"I know that! I guess if you don't mind being a fifth wheel instead of a third," Tracey said, scowling at Pansy who glared back.

"Oh this wasn't really a date," Neville said. He looked at Millicent. "Right?"

"Right," Millicent smiled. "Since Pansy's here. We were just hanging out and were going to do date stuff later when Pansy wasn't with us."

"Thank you for that," Pansy said dryly.

"Well this is just awkward then," Tracey sighed.

"It wasn't until you arrived," Pansy sniffed.

"I'll fix it. Oh, hey! Harry! Come here!"

Harry came over and waved to everyone. "Hi guys." He looked at them and smiled. "Wow, three Gryffindors and three Slytherins."

"Yeah, we need the balance," Tracey smiled. "And it sort of became an awkward double date thing with Pansy here so how about you join us and we can be a triple date thing?" She flinched when Hermione pinched her surreptitiously. "Ow, what?" she asked, confused at Hermione's look.

"I'm not usually asked to make something less awkward," Harry laughed, prompting the others to join him. "But I'm free for a little bit. I'd be happy to join you for a little. I can be your escort, that's the friend date thing, right?"

Pansy flushed a little but nodded. "That is correct." She gave him a mock-serious look up and down. "You will do, I suppose," she smiled.

"Where should we go then?" Neville asked, a trifle loudly. "The Three Broomsticks?"

"Oh, uh, I don't know if I should," Harry said suddenly.

"What did you do to get banned from the Broomsticks?" Tracey gasped.

"I'm not banned!" Harry squawked. "At least I don't think so," he added awkwardly when the others looked at him. "It's a kind of funny story. So apparently, before I started working at the Hog's Head, the Headmaster asked Madam Rosemerta if she had a space for me there to learn and work. She didn't at the time so he found me a place at the Hog's Head with Mr. Abe. Then after last year's Winter Festival and me working a lot more there, we've gotten a lot of the local dinner crowd most nights."

"Ah, and she regrets not giving you the opportunity initially," Pansy said.

"The funny thing is she sort of forgot about it," Harry said. "She and Mr. Abe had a negotiation over the summer about each closing early a few nights to give the other more business and Mr. Abe told her to blame the Headmaster for his busier nights. Which she did."

Millicent laughed. "Oh man, she must have been sour about that. Also that's weird that they're willing to do that, closing for the other thing."

"Mr. Abe never really cared about being super busy and profitable," Harry said.

"Not a very businesslike attitude for a businessman," Tracey remarked.

"He's great," Harry smiled.

"So why aren't you allowed at the Broomsticks?" Hermione asked.

"More like, what might happen if I'm in the Broomsticks," Harry said.

"Rosmerta doesn't seem the sort to hold a grudge," Neville said.

"Oh I don't think so either. More like what Auntie Ari would do," Harry said. "Or do more of. I think Rosmerta made a remark that could be construed as her poaching me and Auntie Ari took offense to that. She went over and started a bar brawl one night when the Hog's Head closed."

Pansy smiled. "She is amazing. Also, it's even funnier when you remember that she and Mr. Aberforth are siblings to the Headmaster."

"I want to see the Headmaster start a bar fight," Millicent said, eyes shining.

"I don't know if he ever would," Harry said after they all stopped laughing at that mental image. "Auntie Ari definitely and Mr. Abe too. Fawkes gets surprisingly belligerent when he's drunk though."

"Phoenixes get drunk?" Hermione gasped. "Who's giving him alcohol?!"

"He drinks it himself when he can," Harry said. "Auntie Ari always makes him one if she's making flaming shots too."

"That can't be healthy," Neville said. "For anyone."

"What does a drunken belligerent phoenix act like?" Millicent asked.

"He sings off-key and won't move," Harry said, making them laugh more. "He also smolders more too. But he doesn't burn things down or set things on fire which is nice. He's a good phoenix. When he's not bothering Mr. Drake that is. They have a really rough relationship."

"So what should we do then?" Tracey asked.

"I know of a new nice little bakery shop place," Harry said brightly. "They opened over the summer and it's good. They don't do a lot of different things but what they do is really good." He led them to a side street and they stopped at a small bakery. The owner and workers greeted Harry warmly and soon they all sat outside and enjoyed Irish soda farls filled with cheese and ham as well as farls daubed with jam.

"Oh wow, yeah these are good," Neville said, munching on a savory one.

"We sell their bread as a side at the Hog's Head," Harry nodded. "They're really good and the Murphys are nice."

"Do you know everyone in the village?" Hermione asked as she munched on a sweet farl.

"Just about I suppose, not well of course save for the regulars. But almost everyone comes into the Hog's Head at least once a week or so," Harry said. "Oh hey, I wanted to congratulate you by the way."

"Me?" Pansy tilted her head. "Why?"

"Lots of the younger years say you're a great prefect," Harry said. "Our firsties say so and even Astoria admits it. Lyla and Mirabelle are second years but they like you too. Said you were awesome when you broke up that fight the other day."

"Oh right, well, it had to be done," Pansy said. She snorted. "We, Slytherins, are in no position to start or prolong a fight and those third years haven't got the message quite right."

"Oh those two, yeah, they're dumb as rocks and that's mean to rocks," Millicent snorted.

"Should've let them get beat really," Tracey said.

"As tempting as that is, I couldn't," Pansy confessed. "I have the job, I have to do it well." She chewed thoughtfully. "It is still very strange to be looked up to."

"You deserve it," Harry said. "You work hard."

Pansy softened. "Thank you," she said softly.

"So do you Babe," Tracey said, smiling at Hermione.

"Oh you too Babe," Millicent said to Neville.

"You call him babe too?" Tracey asked, looking mortified.

"Nah, first time. Thought to try it out. Feels weird," Millicent said and they howled with laughter while Tracey glared. "I call him Nev or Nevvie. Oh and you don't have to try and call me babe."

"Thank goodness," Neville smiled.

"What do you call Tracey?" Millicent asked innocently. "Does it rhyme with 'plain in the bass?"

Hermione snorted. "No and I don't think I'm comfortable with sharing that sort of thing right now." She poked Tracey at her pout. "It's not a competition!"

"Everything's a competition," the Slytherin girls and Harry said together, making them laugh.

"You got that from Parvati and Padma," Pansy giggled.

"Yeah. We've been thinking alike a lot lately. 'Cause the whole sib thing," Harry grinned. He looked up when a gentle bell toll could be heard. "I gotta get going. Want to help with prep at the Hog's Head. Sorry to cut the date short."

"Oh no matter, since you were forced into it after all," Pansy smiled easily. She hugged him.

"Are you guys coming for dinner?" he asked. After they said they would, he hugged Millicent and Hermione too and left with a cheery wave.

"Ah there you are," Daphne said, walking over. "Harry told me you were here. Are any of you free? I need sartorial opinions."

"I am since I am the fifth wheel once more," Pansy said primly. She waved her hands at Tracey. "I wouldn't want to make things even more awkward." She laughed when Tracey made a rude hand gesture and she and Daphne left.

"Why did you do that?" Millicent asked, frowning.

"I was helping! You know how she feels about him," Tracey protested.

"Oh no, really?" Hermione asked, eyes wide.

"I'm pretty sure," Tracey said. "What's with your reaction?"

"Uhm," Hermione looked at the sky.

"Lavender likes Harry, maybe," Neville said. "I've seen it, I think."

"Oh, but didn't she go on dates with other blokes before?" Millicent asked.

"Yes but you recall how things happened at the Ball last year," Hermione said. "It was very…well awkward. And I've noticed things too."

"Oh boy," Tracey sighed. "I hope I didn't muck things up terribly for lots of people. I actually kind of like Brown. But I thought Pansy did like Harry."

"I thought so too but she's been doing a lot of thinking and introspection lately, so who knows?" Millicent shrugged.

"I guess we should just wait and see how things go then and support our friends," Neville said after a moment. "All of them."

"Yeah, we can do that," Millicent nodded.

They sat together in silence for a few moments.

"Is it bad that I really want to see a drunk Fawkes?" Tracey asked.

"No because I do too," Millicent smiled.

"That really can't be healthy for phoenixes," Hermione said, shaking her head.

"Phoenixes are weird," Neville chuckled. "It might be okay for them. No worse for most people I suppose."

-0-

"It looks very busy in here tonight," Dumbledore smiled, looking about the packed tavern.

"It's really busy," Aberforth confirmed. "The village knows on Hogsmeade days, the Kid'll probably be here. And because the Kid is here, the other kids are comfortable coming."

"Ah, and some that aren't Harry's closest friends but still friendly acquaintances," Dumbledore observed. He nodded genially at the surprised looks on Alicia, Katie, Angelina, and the Weasley Twins' faces as well as Cedric, Cho, and a few other of the older students. The whole of the very back were several tables pushed together and Harry's closest friends were there.

"After years of being barely bothered by Hogwarts students, I have to deal with a bunch of them," Aberforth sighed.

"Master Abe be more polite now," Nillie said, frowning up at him as she took a tray with drinks upon it.

"I see clothes in your future," Aberforth grunted irritably. "Frilly ones, many and new."

"That's fine," Nillie sniffed. "Clothes do not fire Nillie." She walked off, completely unperturbed. "Much like Master Abe does not fire Nillie."

Dumbledore smiled as he heard Ariana's clear giggling and knew that Aberforth heard it clearly as well.

"She even taught Twiggy and Bristles to cheek me," Aberforth complained. "No respect here."

"Don't exaggerate," Ariana said as she walked past with two flagons. "Harry respects you, poor lamb."

"It's true!" Harry called from the kitchen.

"Shut it Kid, you're still on my list!" Aberforth shouted back much to Dumbledore's, Ariana's, and the regulars at the bar shared merriment. "Making me busy, come on now."

"Making me money, making me financially secure," Ariana said mockingly in an artificially gruff tone. "Making my healer happy now that I have a balanced diet and I'm healthier."

"Aren't those good things?" Harry asked, poking his head up at the window. He ducked when Aberforth threw a towel through the window.

"You are more active, I must admit," Dumbledore observed to more laughter. "And move with less complaint."

"He doesn't do anything without complaint," Ariana said.

"Is there a single person in this place that isn't having a go at me?!" Aberforth shouted while the laughter increased.

"Hedwig isn't," Harry said, sending more food through the window. "She likes the bed you made for her." Hedwig cheeped and fluffed up in her bed that was in a small cubby that was cut alongside the window.

"I had to put one in," Aberforth said defensively. "Wasn't sanitary for her to sit everywhere."

"Awww, look at the grumpy crup all embarrassed for being nice to a pet," Ariana cooed. She shrieked when Aberforth kicked her in the rear as she walked past.

Aberforth ignored her reprisal kicks. "You almost done cooking all the food for your pack of friends?"

"Yes Mr. Abe."

"Then finish yours and get out of there."

"I have to make the Headmaster's dinner and Ariana's third dinner," Harry protested.

"I'll have the usual special and the soup," Dumbledore smiled. "And Ariana will have the same."

"Hurry up before I send Ariana back in there with a towel," Aberforth said.

"Yes Sir!"

"Shaddup," Aberforth sighed.

"I thought you wanted respect," Dumbledore grinned.

"Doesn't mean anything when it's cheekily given," Aberforth said.

"He misses it when Kid's not here," Bennets grinned.

"You can shut up too or I'll ban you," Aberforth growled.

"No you won't. Kid likes me," Bennets said smugly.

"I sure as hell don't," Aberforth said, topping off his ale. He poured Dumbledore a mead and set it before him. "You're in a continued good mood."

"I am, thank you. Drake sent word. They have made a place for an additional school to be invited to the Showcase and have labeled it as a 'means to highlight new schools and to give them some much needed recognition'. There is even a scholarship of sorts to help said 'struggling schools'."

Aberforth grunted with amusement. "That'll raise some hackles."

"And Miss Skeeter has told me that she has recently finished an article comparing and contrasting the different magical schools of Britain and showing just how different they are but was kind to say that sometimes it is unfair to hold certain schools to Hogwarts' storied statuesque history'."

"That'll raise even more," Aberforth laughed. "I still can't believe that Skeeter of all people is helping. And not just 'helping', but legitimately helping."

"She is very fond of Harry and his cooking," Dumbledore said warmly.

"Well if anything could thaw that heart, it'd be the Kid and his cooking," Aberforth said admiringly.

"Indeed." Dumbledore smiled when Harry brought his dinner and Ariana's third to the bar. "Thank you, Harry."

"You're welcome, Sir," Harry said brightly.

"Go on and go eat, it's getting late," Aberforth said.

"I will."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

"Auntie Ari to finish serving. She'd be disappointed if she didn't get to do what she likes to."

Aberforth shook his head and snorted when Ariana finished said serving and then started snapping a towel at Harry, driving him out from behind the bar and towards his friends who laughed at the sight. He watched fondly as Hedwig fluttered over to plump on Harry's head and at Harry's friends welcoming him, waiting for him to join them before they ate. "He really puts up a lot from us."

"He truly does, more than we deserve," Dumbledore said. "Especially you," he and Aberforth said together when Ariana rejoined them. They laughed together at her look of affront, their laughter joining the rest of the Hog's Head's patrons.

-0-0-0-

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Some people really do need treats to curtail negative behavior to help them behave.

odonnellzoo99 - I plan on writing this to the full seven years as well as a few chapters beyond that, like I did for Family. I don't know if there will be 60 more chapters, but I aim to treat the fic as a whole story from beginning to end.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - I liked the imagery of the phrase when I first read it. Sunny doesn't sneak in to cause trouble. She just happens to cause it. Thanks for reading.

Kaya - Hlad you enjoyed it.

alix33 - Parvati has many talents, some of them useful.

TheSphynx - That would be an interesting sight to see. Nick and Penny are a lot of fun to write for. They make moments either very important or very silly.

poka - Nicolas has that impact on lots of people. Oh he's very wrong, a consequence of his experience and talent. I'm glad you continue to look forward to the updates. Thank you for reading and commenting.

bdwilliams3 - Glad you enjoy.

- Thank you so much.