I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
A Taste of Magic
142nd Course – Harvesting Badges
"What are you doing?!" Astoria cried. "Those are valuable gems!"
"Yes, thank you Tori," Daphne said scathingly, glaring at her little sister. "Go ahead and tell everyone my cards!"
"I wasn't but I can if you want! She has a thr-EEEK!"
"I know that shriek," Parvati said knowingly. "That's an arse pinch, and a mean one too. Bruise-worthy I'd say."
"I'm guessing you know because it's a sibling thing?" Harry asked.
"Yarp," Parvati nodded. "Specifically, a sibling sister thing."
The friends were relaxing in the Uncommon Room as they commonly did. Some were doing homework while others, notably Daphne before engaging in a fight with Astoria, were playing Gemcut. The latest altercation drew the attention of the nonplayers, making them watch with amusement.
"Learn something new every day," Harry said as he saw Pansy, Lavender, Padma, and Millicent nodding. "In your case, Pansy sibling sister thing?" he asked.
Millicent nodded. "First time we physically fought, she pinched me and hard."
"And she punched me in the face in retaliation," Pansy said wryly. "Not exactly a reciprocal response."
"I only knew fighting with boys like my brothers," Millicent said, flushing while the others laughed and gasped. "And we were little kids and it wasn't that impressive of a punch."
"I'll have to find the picture of the aftermath," Pansy said. "Mother took one because she thought it was rather amusing, after soothing me of course."
"You're never going to let that go," Millicent grumbled.
"No, never," Pansy said agreeably.
"I don't suppose we should try to stop them," Harry said as he watched Daphne and Astoria continue to fight each other.
"It'll blow over soon," Pansy said, not even looking over at the fighting Greengrass sisters.
"If you say so," Harry said. He finished reading Lavender's essay and gave it back to her. "Looks good to me. I think you might want to add the bit about reactive materials and opposites though."
"Oh good point, thanks!" Lavender kissed him on the cheek before she started adding what he suggested. "I guess the essays for the N.E.W.T. test will want us to be more thorough."
"Have to be careful not to pad it out for no reason though," Padma said as she worked on her own essay.
"Speaking of padding out-" Parvati said before she too shrieked out loud.
"Oh hey that was a similar sound," Harry said while the others laughed loudly. He let them pinch and push each other for a bit before he pushed them apart.
"That hurt!" Parvati hissed.
"Good!" Padma hissed back.
"Healers aren't supposed to inflict pain!"
"I'm not a healer yet!"
Parvati said something in another language and then pointed a finger at Divya. "Don't you go snitching on me either!"
"Who is she going to tell?" Millicent asked. "And why?"
"Harry," Lavender giggled. "Because he's the family mediator."
"How did you get that role?" Pansy asked, deeply amused.
"Because Grandmum told them all to listen to me," Harry grinned.
"Tough luck," Millicent snorted, patting Parvati on the shoulder.
"He's welcome to it," Parvati snorted back. "I don't want the responsibility or the authority."
"Speaking of, where's your badge?" Lavender smiled.
"Hedwig probably," Parvati said. "Probably as in definitely because I gave it to her after I finished my duties earlier." She poked Padma when her sister rolled her eyes at her. "Hey, you can't give me guff. I noticed you don't have your badge right now."
"She does look super cute when she's wearing it" Padma admitted. "She looks good in bronze and blue."
"She's been wearing your badge too?" Harry asked. "Wait, why do I sound surprised?"
"Like I said, super cute," Padma smiled.
"This won't do," Pansy sniffed. "Hedwig!" She unpinned the badge from her robes and pinned it to Hedwig when the snowy owl fluttered over. "Oh you do look very regal in silver and green," Pansy smiled and kissed Hedwig back when the owl nuzzled her happily and puffed her chest out.
"Yeah you do," Harry smiled as Hedwig cheeped smugly. "Are we sure you guys won't get in trouble? Or her?"
"I don't think so. The other day, Professor Flitwick saw her wearing mine. She was bringing it to me before I started patrol," Padma said. "He didn't say anything. No wait, he did. He gave her a few treats for her hard work."
"I checked the rulebook, there are no rules saying she can't wear them," Pansy said. "Conversely, there are no rules saying she can either but that just means we aren't wrong unless proven wrong. I honestly think the situation never arose before, hence no rules relating to it."
"That's good," Harry said with relief.
"Now you just need a Hufflepuff one to complete the set," Lavender said to Hedwig.
"I knew she was wearing your badge," Sue said when she walked in and saw Hedwig. "I knew she was wearing Parv's but I thought the one the other day wasn't red. 'Course now she's wearing Pansy's I'm assuming."
"She sure likes shiny things," Harry smiled. "She still wears the morale one all the time. Oh and I've been meaning to ask you." He waved her to one side and she followed willingly. "What are we doing for the Mid-Autumn Festival this year? Anything new?"
"You still want to do something for it?" she replied, surprised.
"Of course! It's one of my favorite things after we started doing it our second year," Harry said.
"Aww." Sue looked really happy to hear that. "But you're busy with the Rising Stars thing."
"I'm making time for what's important," Harry said stoutly. "Besides, I'm still Raiser of Morale and want to do a proper job of it. I figure we'll do what we did last time, lanterns and things in the Great Hall with more themed food. I already taught the elves baozi too so we're going to do plenty of that."
"You're the best," Sue said and hugged him enthusiastically. "I can think a bit but between dumplings, baozi, and zhongzi, we're pretty set. I'll ask Mum too if she has any ideas. I'd love a dinner with just our friends though."
"Already ahead of you," Harry said. He took her to the magical icebox and opened it.
"Oooh those look nice," Sue said, admiring the cods lying within.
"I figured these three will be enough for us to do steamed fish," Harry said. "And I have all the stuff for hot pot too."
"Brilliant! Oh by the way, everyone at home loves Mr. Drake's spicy sauce."
"They can tolerate it?!" Harry gasped.
"We have to dilute it a lot but yeah! Even my grandmum, who was visiting and can drink chili oil without reacting, said it was very spicy. Do you have the recipe for it by the way?"
"No, but I can send Mr. Drake a message. See if he remembers how he made it and where to get the special ingredients."
"We'd appreciate it."
"Oh! How did the cake crab thing go?"
"Oh my gosh hold on I'll be right back!" Sue went running out of the room and after a few minutes, came running back in. "We took pictures and I completely forgot to send them to you."
Harry took them eagerly and he laughed as the first one showed an older woman that looked very much like Lin and Sue being attacked by a pile of crabs. They were much smaller than the ones he had baked before, and there were many more of them. The first picture depicted a cloche coming off of a plate and showing a pile of red crabs that suddenly, and literally, sprang into life by jumping at the woman. She went from delighted to shocked as the crabs leapt off the plate at her, pinching with pastry claws. The next picture showed her spearing and skewering them with knife and chopsticks, keeping them at bay while Lin and Sue and other members of the family howled with laughter. The last picture was of the woman chasing Sue and her mother around, covered in frosting and cake, and holding an irate crab cake in each hand with Lin and her daughter running and laughing and screaming.
"Oh I got off light then," Parvati laughed as she looked at the pictures. "Comparatively."
"We put a little chili oil in the cake frosting to give it the smell and shine, maybe that had something to do with it," Sue said.
"They do look spicy," Luna said as Sue's aunt ran past with a crab cake dangling from her ear, claw pinched tight.
"They look much crabbier than the ones Harry made," Pansy giggled.
"Mum and Auntie Mei love to play jokes on each other," Sue said. "So you know how intent can fuel spells? I think it's safe to say the Animus Charm can really take on the intent of the caster."
"Did you all eat any of the cakes?" Lavender asked.
"A little, basically pieces because most of the crabs had to be really put down for the charm to stop," Sue said to much hilarity. "But Dad says no more prank animal cakes for big meals. We can do it if the other is aware of it, but not for like big family meals anymore."
"Probably safer that way," Millicent laughed.
"Mum's going to get you something special for Christmas," Sue said to Harry. "She said it was the most fun she had in a while and you're to thank for it."
"She doesn't have to," Harry laughed. "I'm glad no one is blaming me though."
"Nope! Me and Mum took all the credit," Sue said smugly.
-0-
"I am still very grateful that you are a part of the club," Flitwick smiled.
"Did you think I ever wouldn't be?" Harry asked, giving Flitwick a look.
"None at all," he chuckled. "That doesn't mean I won't show my appreciation though."
"It's good to be appreciated," Harry smiled, mollified.
"It certainly is," Flitwick said gustily. The HouseHold Charms club room was full yet again. There were students from every year level and people gravitated into areas based on interest. Harry and his fellow seventh years were the ones usually in charge of the small groups, sharing the spells they have learned and how they applied to the fields of interest. Flitwick would flit from group to group to provide more assistance or eagerly join in on the fun. At the end of each club meeting, he would teach the entire club a spell he found really interesting and everyone enjoyed learning interesting and useful spells.
"Seven years ago, only two people," Flitwick said softly. "Look at it now. Thank you so much Harry. The club has never been this popular."
"You deserve more of the credit," Harry argued. "You're usually the most enthusiastic and teach us so much."
"What use is a teacher if there is no one to teach?"
"That sounds like something Grandmother and Auntie Andi would like to debate about in a philosophical way while drinking something," Harry smiled.
"And Nicolas would say something along the lines of 'a teacher owes nothing to the taught and they should be grateful for the time'," Flitwick laughed.
"Yeah, that does sound like him," Harry laughed too. "I don't think you will have to worry too much after we leave," he added. "I think Clover, Marigold, Aster, and the others will keep things going."
"I am very happy about that," Flitwick said with a big smile. "And I also rest assured that with your continued close ties with the bank and the StoneHearts, you and I will not grow apart in any way."
"Wouldn't think of it," Harry said with an equally large smile. "I owe you a lot, Sir."
"No more than I owe you," Flitwick demurred. "How are you feeling about the upcoming first challenge?"
"Okay I suppose. I got a letter saying the hint towards the challenge will be sent next week."
Flitwick blinked. "Why did they not just send the hint next week?"
"Rita said it's to build anticipation while getting into your head," Harry sighed.
Flitwick's snort was deep and robust. "Sounds about right. I have read a few articles in the Daily Prophet talking about the competition in general and some history of the World's Kitchen, as well as some commentary on what it can mean to Britain. As well as the other changes that have occurred and are occurring. It has made for interesting reading."
He patted Harry on the shoulder, reaching up slightly. "Nothing you should concern yourself over, mind you."
"It's hard not to," Harry admitted.
"You have had many things put upon your shoulders that aren't your responsibility," Flitwick sighed. "But worry not, Harry. We will support you, however we can."
"I know," Harry said sincerely.
"I believe you will be going to Gringotts this weekend for more training? Or will you be going down to Thalga?"
"The bank for a short time during the day," Harry said. "And I'll be going to the Hog's Head Friday night." He rubbed his neck. "I think I will be going to France next week on Saturday though, to train with Chef Gabriel for a little bit."
"Will you be accompanied by Perenelle or Blinky?" Flitwick asked with genuine amusement.
"I don't know and I don't know if it will be better with them or without them," Harry said wryly. Flitwick's laughter was so infectious, he joined in despite honestly unsure about which option was the better one.
-0-
"Ah, welcome back Monsieur Potter."
Harry winced at the tone and the pawky expression on Gabriel's face. "Bonjour Chef," he said sheepishly. "Ca va?"
"Bien," Gabriel replied before looking to see if anyone else would be entering the kitchen, sighing with relief at seeing Harry alone.
"They didn't do anything…bad, did they?" Harry asked weakly.
"I have been lectured by Madam Flamel before," Gabriel snorted. "Depending on the context, it can be rather frightening. This most recent time however, it was rather alarming to be confronted by a basilisk, no matter the size."
"Was she in her small form?"
"Yes, though apparently that has its own dangers," Gabriel said with a shudder.
"She's normally very sweet," Harry said.
Gabriel grunted at that, giving Harry a silent look that spoke volumes. "Anyways," he said, delicately pushing past the moment, "congratulations are in order. You did well. I spoke with Ripert. He and I are friends. We trained under the same mentor and worked together for some time. He was impressed."
"Thank you, Chef!"
Gabriel smiled. "And you defeated Barbeau. The loudmouthed angry one that did not place," he explained at Harry's look of confusion. "Apparently you were accosted by him and Abadie?"
"Oh right, those two." Gabriel's eyebrow rose at Harry's uncharacteristically ugly look that flashed over his face briefly. "They were rude."
"Quite, and for Frenchmen, that is saying something," Gabriel said kindly. "Those two were the ones I said I would not mind seeing fail and you have succeeded in putting one down. Good show, I believe the term is?"
"Yes Sir," Harry grinned. "How do you feel about the ones that did place, besides Abadie?"
"I have not heard much about Boucher," Gabriel said. "Nothing bad anyways. He works for a fine restaurant that has no truly terrible things said about it. Walt and Sakai work for restaurants I have heard of and think well of them. Beaufort will be your biggest competition. Her mentor is someone I think highly of and respect. Beaufort is his protégé, having taken her from culinary school and grown into the chef she is now."
"She must be very good then," Harry gulped.
"She is," Gabriel confirmed. "She will go far."
"And what do you think my chances are, now?"
Gabriel looked at him for a moment. "Fair, still," he said at last. "You are the youngest by far and the most inexperienced, but you did beat four people with more experience than you. That is not something that happens on luck alone. I still believe in your chances." He smiled wryly. "Otherwise, I would not be training you still."
"Thank you, Sir," Harry said gratefully. "I really appreciate it and now I know to refer to you as a mentor. In my defense, I referred to Chef Diglin and Mr. Abe as ones because I worked for them."
"I can respect that mindset," Gabriel said. "I should not be so peeved and I found myself surprised at being so. In the past, I have had ones claim I am their mentor or they have worked for me when they were a mere stage for an amusingly short period of time."
"I didn't want to take any liberties," Harry said.
"I appreciate that and I will forgive the indiscretion as long as you can promote feelings of cordiality towards me from Mademoiselle Blinky," Gabriel said with utter seriousness. "I do not want the possibility of finding a small basilisk where I should not."
"You don't have to worry, honestly," Harry said stoutly. "Even when she was being coerced by a dark artifact, she didn't hurt anyone. Nothing permanent anyways. And I was one of the ones she chased, unwillingly, and she didn't hurt me at all. And she's super sweet now."
"Your words do not fill me with confidence," Gabriel said dryly.
"I mean, I'll do my best to make sure she's sweet to you?"
"I will accept that," Gabriel sighed.
"Oh I got this one the way over," Harry said, holding up an envelope. "It's from the World's Kitchen."
"The clue for the upcoming event? What does it say?"
"I don't know yet, I waited to open it with you." Harry opened the envelope and opened the letter within. "It says, 'A mark of a chef is one that can respond to the unexpected. They should be familiar with a wide array of ingredients, and make the most of what they have to present a complete dish'."
Gabriel, after looking pleased at Harry saying he waited to see him before opening the letter, snorted louder yet. "I know this one," he said dismissively. "You will be given a random assortment of ingredients and you must highlight them in a dish. A simple exercise, but to the unprepared and mentally inflexible, a difficult challenge."
"That doesn't seem too bad," Harry said. "I like going to the market or seeing what was available from the distributor and making something new."
"That is seasonal cooking in essence and I prefer it as well," Gabriel said. "Of course, you can obtain many ingredients that are out of your local area's season these days. I prefer to use local produce and ingredients when possible, however. But, as you know, there are those who are wholly bound by the recipe and when faced with the unexpected, panic and cannot branch away."
"Sort of like Draco when we did our honor duel. He didn't do something because he didn't have the ingredients but didn't try anything else. Though I didn't have something I needed to be fair, too."
"Yes but from what you told me about it, you improvised by trying to add flavor to make up for the lack, as well as provide something else that you were able to make comfortably," Gabriel said. "Therefore, you succeeded."
"So should I try and practice by grabbing ingredients at random?" Harry asked.
"Somewhat. It would be better to have people prepare the combinations for you and you will cook them accordingly. There might be another twist to it, this is the World's Kitchen after all, and they care very much for entertainment and spectacle. They might wait until towards the end however." He shrugged. "They do take food seriously though, despite their fondness for the dramatic. And the judges that are selected are usually very true to their own beliefs on proper cooking."
"So not only expect the unexpected, but expect even more…unexpected things," Harry said.
"Precisely," Gabriel said, amused at Harry's look. He waved his wand and conjured several baskets with closed lids. "I will fill them with assorted things and we will see how well you perform under pressure."
Harry tied his bandanna over his head. "Yes Chef Mentor!" he said loudly, making Gabriel snort once more. Time passed as Harry was given the baskets and he opened them to find a mixture of things. Some combinations were things he was familiar with, others not so much. Gabriel would then set the time and watch him cook, asking him why he was doing what he did and giving his feedback on the completed dishes.
"You did well," Gabriel said after he set aside the third completed dish. "You definitely show more confidence with what you are familiar with and your flavors are more conservative with combinations that you are not. Which is perfectly normal of course, but continue to practice like this before the event and you should be moderately prepared."
"Yes, Chef Mentor."
Gabriel sighed. "Chef will be fine."
"Are you sure? Chef Mentor?"
"Quite," Gariel said through clenched teeth but relaxed at Harry's chuckling. "I suppose I deserve that, but only a little. A word of warning however. Your flavors tend to be more simple. In many ways, simple is more. Too many flavors can cloud the dish and many have failed due to unnecessary complexity. However, if a simple dish is presented against a complex one and the flavors are comparable, then the more difficult dish will win more often than not."
"I shouldn't try to be complex just to be complex though, from what you're saying," Harry said slowly.
"Exactly. Cook with purpose. Do not do things unnecessarily for the spectacle. Every ingredient and every technique needs to serve a purpose, but you need to show degrees of skill in this competition. It is fine to have simple flavors, but you must do it in a sufficiently thoughtful way."
"Yes Sir, I think I understand."
"Also, make sure you show variety. Serving the same dish in spirit with minor deviations is a sure way to lose."
"So don't make the stew again?"
"I did not say that. Make it if it fits the challenge and what is expected, but you must not rely on the same dish overmuch."
Harry nodded. "Yes Chef, I understand."
"Good. Off you go then. And do not lose to Abadie. I would not survive the shame."
"No Sir, not against him," Harry said seriously. "Thank you, Chef!"
Gabriel watched him leave and chuckled softly to himself as he finished the last dish Harry made.
-0-
"You still only have one victory over me," Sophie said. "I am keeping up with you."
"Only one victory, but still a considerable victory between you two," Fleur said as she wiped her lips daintily on a napkin.
Sophie looked sourly at her cousin. "You are family."
"And I am not lying to you because we are family," Fleur replied pertly. "And to keep you humble."
"Why are you not plying your skills on Harry then?!" Sophie asked indignantly.
"He does not need them," Fleur said airily.
"You two fight almost like sisters," Harry grinned.
Sophie and Fleur had come with the Flamels to help with the Alchemy class, but had also come to help Harry train some more. Sophie, while still doing her best in her Transfiguration Mastery, has also put more effort into cooking in general and enjoyed regularly cooking against Harry in all sorts of ways. She had been more than happy to help him practice when he decided to take part in the Rising Stars Competition, and this was a chance to do so before the first challenge event.
His friends had created the closed boxes for them and they had just cooked against each other twice with Harry winning one and Sophie winning the other. He was grateful for the chance to practice more and he always enjoyed spending time with the Flamels and Fleur and Sophie in any case or circumstance.
"We did grow up with each other," Fleur said with a fond smile. "We fought like our mothers fought when they were young, so we are told."
"Then we joined forces against our little siblings when they were born," Sophie said with the same fond smile. "But we still squabble and bicker with one another. Keeps things interesting."
"Thank you again for having these cook-offs with me," Harry said.
"Of course! I have come to genuinely enjoy them and I am rather happy to be cooking on the regular," Sophie said honestly. "I used to be rather assured of my skills-"
"-arrogantly so," Fleur interjected.
"-arrogantly so according to some," Sophie sighed. "But now I know I have improved and find myself wanting to. And it has combined with my mastery work and I have a better appreciation for both skill sets as well now."
"Tante Melanie wanted me to thank you as well," Fleur said to Harry. "She enjoys the fact her daughter is helping her more and likes to cook too." She smiled at Sophie's flush. "I am telling you now to save Sophie from thanking her rival."
"As long as I'm not your nemesis," Harry grinned.
"Oh do you have one?" Sophie asked with interest.
"I did," Harry said and his friends snickered. Hannah and Sue were not there at the moment and just as well that they were not. "One-sided though."
"Nothing wrong with having one," Fleur said sincerely. "Keeps one motivated and not…stagnant, or how you say."
"Complacent," Pansy offered.
"Yes, thank you," Fleur smiled.
"I like you too much to call you a nemesis," Sophie said. "But you are my rival in the kitchen, one I acknowledge with comparable skill."
"Despite the fact that he is years younger and has less experience than you and is slightly more than comparable to your skill level," Fleur said blandly before she shrieked and jumped from her stool after Sophie shot a spell at her.
"Oh hey, you two really are sisters," Harry grinned as the others laughed.
-0-
"Oh hey Susan, is something wrong?" Harry asked.
Susan had walked into the Uncommon Room with a distracted expression, looking all over. "Hey Harry. I'm looking for something and I'm hoping it's here because I've searched through my room and the Hufflepuff common room and I don't know where else it would be."
"I'll help, what are you looking for?" Harry asked.
"My prefect badge," Susan said. "I don't know why it would be here because I don't remember dropping it here." She looked at him. "Are you okay? Why did you wince?"
"I think I know where it could be," Harry sighed. He whistled. "Hedwig?"
"There it is!" Susan gasped when Hedwig flapped over, seeing a badge of yellow and black pinned to her chest. "Did you find it?"
"You can probably say that," Harry said. Hedwig gave him a reproachful look and nipped his hand before bobbing her head emphatically at Susan. Harry rubbed at the nip and gave his owl a look. "She's been wearing the different prefect badges when she can."
"Oh well, I don't mind as long as I don't need to wear it at the time," Susan said. "She does look super cute with it on." She smiled when Hedwig nuzzled her thankfully. She started to giggle when she looked at Hedwig's nest. "Do the others put their badges there when they come in and don't need them?"
"You can probably assume that," Harry said wryly before moving his hand away from Hedwig before she could nip it again.
"Such an influential owl," Pansy smiled, "able to wear the senior prefect badge from every House."
"Does Hermione know?" Millicent asked with a smile.
"She sighs a bit when she sees her wear my badge," Parvati grinned. "But she knew that would happen. I don't know if she's seen Hedwig wear the others."
"Honestly it's only a matter of time before Hedwig wears the Head Girl Badge," Lavender said, giggling mightily.
"Maybe we should make a Head Owl badge," Daphne smiled.
"She doesn't need a badge for people to know that," Harry laughed with Hedwig nodding in agreement.
-0-0-0-
odonnellzoo99 - Dee and Emmie make everything more better in my opinion. It was fun bringing Matilda into this setting too. I like the idea that my stories are vague multi versions of the same setting, much like they are of the original setting. Hermione likes to follow the rules and is always confused when she gets to a point where the rules might be broken to her benefit.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - I have no idea, but I'm sure every culture at one point carried weapons around for safety. Still, it is a bit much to carry one in the school I suppose.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Especially for students, good to have some help on what is coming and what to be expected. Fawkes doesn't have shame. Much like Hedwig. Thanks for reading.
aesir21 - Gives franchising a whole new meaning.
alix33 - I always liked Rapunzel using the cast iron skillet in Tangled.
TheSphynx - Thank you for the kind words. I was a bit nervous, having never thought I'd be able to do another very long story that's esssentially a full rewrite, but I'm glad I've been able to do it.
DarkRavie - Thank you.
AcyFus - I'm glad you are enjoying this and enjoyed the other.
lokarryn - There will be some chapters yet. I don't have a maximum chapter goal.
poka - Dee's a hoot and I also liked how the pixie and fairy lesson went. Just something simple and not necessarily important to the story, but exploration for fun's sake. I do plan to have several chapters after them leaving the school.