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

A Taste of Magic

77th Course – Familiar Territory

"Hey, who are you?!"

Harry looked up from his cleaning. "Oh hello there," he smiled at the gobsmacked goblin staring at him. "I'm Harry, nice to meet you." He held his hands up, covered in suds and water. "I'd offer my hand to shake but don't think you'd want to right now."

"What? No, I mean, what?" The goblin shook her head. "No, never mind that, who are you and what are you doing here?!"

"I'm Harry," Harry repeated and went back to scrubbing. "And I'm cleaning. Normally I use cleaning charms but I know Chef prefers a hand wash to finish up the surfaces."

Before the goblin could answer, the door to Gringotts Main Kitchen One opened and a few others of the Crew walked in.

"Hey, we have a humie in here!" the first goblin shouted, waving her arms wildly.

"Poittor! Good to see you," Flynt grinned, making the first goblin's jaw drop to the floor. "We were wondering when you were coming back."

"Last day of school was just yesterday," Harry grinned back. He dunked his hand into a bucket to wash the suds off and dried it on a towel hanging from his apron before shaking Flynt's hand enthusiastically. Amythyst and Hacker hugged him too.

"Oh, this one's Pinny," Flynt said, pointing at the goblin whose jaw was still hanging open. "Short for pin bone."

"Technically it's not," Hacker snickered.

"Why are you all not freaking out that there is a humie in here?!" Pinny shouted.

"Because he's Poittor," Flynt said, shrugging. "He's part of the Crew."

"WHAT?!"

"Yeah, he worked here last year and he earned his place," Amythyst said. "Also, he understands Gobbledegook. Right Harry?"

"Understand good, getting better talking," Harry said slowly.

"Hey not bad," Hacker grinned. "Guess we gotta watch what we say around you now."

"You never did before," Harry smiled and the three original Crew laughed and Pinny looked back and forth at them, her eyes large.

"You didn't get rusty while on vacation, did you?" Hacker teased.

"He was at school, not vacation," Amythyst snorted.

"I don't think so," Harry laughed. "I learned some new recipes too. Well you tried the mapo tofu but I learned some Bulgarian and French dishes."

"Neat," Flynt said. "Can't wait to try them."

The doors banged open again and more of the Crew appeared. They exclaimed happily seeing Harry and walked over to him, chatting away. Then Diglin appeared and immediately the kitchen fell silent and they lined up respectfully. Diglin took them all in at a glance and nodded at approval at the gleaming table tops. "Potter," he greeted. "Glad to see you still know how to clean."

"Still know how to peel too," Harry said, making the crew laugh and Diglin smile.

"Thought you'd sleep in a bit and arrive later," Diglin said.

"Still slept in a little later than normal and I was excited to come back," Harry said sincerely, making the others beam happily.

"Glad to have you back. We needed someone to get the stuff off the tall shelves," Diglin deadpanned.

"Why do you have such tall shelves anyways?" Harry asked innocently, making them laugh harder.

"To let you feel useful." Digling grinned, letting them laugh it out. "Right, start of the week so we got extra work to do so let's do it. I'll throw up the list and mark off as you finish. Potter, let's put you on half oven and half line, let you work yourself back up to our standards. Oh and you're on family meal duty for today." Diglin flicked his fingers at the Crew. "They've been waiting for you to do it."

"It's a thankless job," Hacker grinned. "You might as well do it."

"I can think of something," Harry smiled.

"Right, let's go then." Diglin clapped his hands and everyone moved to their duties with Pinny still in a daze.

Harry was a little worried at first. As he was cleaning his knives the night prior, he was wondering if he would feel out of place again at Gringotts. He knew the Crew at the main kitchen was mostly the same but a part of him was not sure about how they would receive him after so long. They were glad to see him that one time over the Christmas break, but they were also very busy that day and needed the help.

He need not have worried after all. The Crew were obviously happy to see him. Sure, they teased him a lot, as they did before, but there was no bite nor malice. They praised his skills, though they claimed he was slower than before, and they eagerly asked him about what he learned while at school. They also eagerly shared what had happened while he was away, filling him in with the gossip from the rest of the bank. Pinny continued to look on in mute astonishment, trying to make sense of it all.

For family meal, Harry made the chicken chausseur he learned from Sophie. He took nicken thighs and decided to add the drumsticks too, cooking them in a pan and finishing them in the oven. He used the remaining fond in the pan and added stock and tomato paste and herbs to it, reducing it a little before adding roux to thicken it up. With bits of vegetables he gathered from the prep work, he made fritters with added flour and egg. Leftover mashed potatoes became potato pancakes by adding flour and egg to them as well with more seasoning, then panfrying blobs until they were crisp on either side.

"Yup, you haven't gotten rusty," Flynt said through a full mouth. "This is great!"

"Mmm, I've missed nicken," Harry said, chewing happily. "It adds a lot of deep flavor."

"We can probably add this as a menu item honestly," Diglin mused as he munched. "A thigh and a leg, some roast veg or potato. Easy enough to pan sear and then stick the rest in the oven to finish and keep warm."

"Make a rich nicken stock to reduce down fast to make up for the fond," Amythyst said, munching on a bite of fritter, potato pancake, and nicken.

"Only one problem," Harry said. "It's a French recipe." He grinned at their snorts and how some made snooty gestures.

"Not anymore, it's a Gringotts version of a French inspired recipe as made by an Englishman," Diglin said and the others hooted with laughter.

They finished eating and finished the prep work for lunch service. As Diglin checked things off, he went to the front counter and spoke with the two at the front before coming back. "We got a line out there already, going to be a busy day."

And it was.

The moment the doors opened, people streamed in. The eating room was full of noise and orders began to fill the order slates and Diglin sent them to the appropriate stations, calling orders out. Harry started off at the ovens with Flynt and when they had a good rhythm going, he took the first few trays to the front to serve.

There was a small cheer and more than a few goblins called out to him when they saw him. Harry grinned and waved back, happy to see them and was grateful for the warm welcome.

"Harry! Welcome back," Doran smiled.

"Thanks! Glad to be here," Harry smiled back. "Wow, you're first today."

"Of course, been counting down the days for your return." Doran took his tray eagerly. "Looks delicious."

"None of it is for the Director?"

"He can get his own food," Doran sniffed, making them laugh.

Harry spent the rest of the service on the line. He and Amythyst worked hard, keeping up with the orders. Pinny was the new gofer and prep assistant and she did well but it was apparent that she was new, rushing to keep up with those calling for her. Everyone continued to work hard and Harry was pleasantly tired when the last order went out.

"You don't look like you're about to keel over," Amythyst laughed, handing him a bottle of ice-cold butterbeer.

"I'm close. Forgot how busy it can get," Harry said, taking the bottle gratefully. "But I missed it too. It's fun."

"You're our kind of crazy," Amythyst said admiringly.

"Potter! Someone wants to talk to you at the counter," Diglin called out.

Ragnok snorted when Harry approached. "'Someone' indeed." He shook his head before smiling up at Harry. "Good to see you again, Harry. You look good in Gringotts blue."

"Thank you, Director," Harry said, pleased. "Good to see you. How have you been?"

"Well, thank you. Are you okay? Filius mentioned you had some difficulty at the end of the year?" He looked concerned. "I fully expected you to need some more time to recover."

"Oh I'm okay, thank you Sir. Just exhausted myself magically but I'm recovered. I'm actually going to work on that this summer too."

"Good, glad to hear it. I wanted to ask, are you still using Filius' hearth to get here?" When Harry nodded, Ragnok handed a large canister to Harry. "This is Gringotts Floo Powder. I am giving this to you because I trust you. Using this, you may reach here from another hearth. For full safety, the bank should modify the hearth with our means. I assume you live with your godfather?"

"Yes Sir," Harry said, taking the canister and looking at it with wonder. "Grimmauld Place."

"We will reach out then and see if we can make said adjustment. Now this will react only for you. If anyone else tries to arrive with it, things will be very messy," he said ominously. "Catch my meaning?"

Harry gulped. "Yes Sir. I swear I won't misuse it."

"I know you won't," Ragnok said comfortably.

-0-

"Harry!" Willie and Nillie ran to the Hog's Head Inn hearth and hugged Harry happily.

"Hi guys!" Harry said, returning the embraces. He had returned back to Grimmauld to change and take a quick break before coming over to the Hog's Head. "So good to see you!"

"Yes yes," Nillie said, clapping. "Now things will be more busy and more lively!"

Aberforth snort preceded him. He climbed up from the cellar with a barrel over one shoulder. "You say that like it's bad when it's slower and calmer."

"It is bad," the house elves said together.

Aberforth snorted again. "Good to see you Kid."

"Good to see you Mr. Abe," Harry said back brightly.

"Thought you were going to take it easy some," Aberforth said, putting the barrel down easily.

Harry shrugged. "I know, but I missed being here a lot so here I am."

Aberforth smiled a little. "Well alright then. Not paying you any extra though."

"I'm getting paid?!" Harry gasped.

"Not this again," Aberforth said, throwing a towel at him. "Go on then, be useful."

"Master Abe be nice now," the elves sniffed as they walked past.

"I am being nice!"

"Be nicer!"

"I can fire you both!"

"No you can't! Only Mistress Ari can!"

"I really missed this place," Harry smiled as he listened to the elves and Aberforth bicker. Soon the kitchen was full of savory smells and Harry worked away while Willie, Nillie, and Aberforth got the front ready.

"Huh, you've gotten better," Aberforth said, walking into the kitchen and seeing everything Harry had done. "Hope your marks didn't suffer."

"I'm in the top ten in my year," Harry said proudly.

"Good work," Aberforth nodded. He smiled when the small bell on the countertop began to chime.

"Oh, she's back early," Harry said excitedly.

"Guess she figured you'd be back sooner than later," Aberforth said.

The front door to the inn opened. "Where's my boy?!" Ariana said, her voice sweet and clear. She walked swiftly into the kitchen and threw her bag and cloak at Aberforth. "Harry!"

"Auntie Ari!" Harry hugged her tightly. "Welcome home!"

"Welcome home to you too!" she said, hugging him soundly. "I could smell your cooking streets away. I've been thinking about it all on my trip and I'm starving!"

"Well I better finish your breakfast plate," Harry said and did just that. Soon they were all eating together. A platter held various breakfast foods in the middle and everyone had bowls of chicken soup.

"Mmm, your soup still hits the spot," Ariana sighed happily.

"Willie and I tried, but we can't quite get it," Aberforth agreed, drinking deep.

"I just like making it here," Harry said proudly. "It feels like it's a part of the Hog's Head."

"You might be onto something," Aberforth said with a slightly soft expression. They all turned when the front door opened again. "We're not open yet!" he shouted.

"I'll wait! Second I got home, I smelled the air and had to come over!" Bennets peered into the window and waved jovially. "Hey Kid! Welcome back!"

"Hey Mister Bennets!" Harry walked to the front. "How's it going?"

"Oh you know, another day, another spell. Oh hey, remember about that smuggling ring I told you about last time? We finally caught the pricks."

"Oh I'll want to hear about that. What'll you have? We got-"

"Everything you made," Bennets interrupted with a smile. "Make it a double. I'll wait for one of the others to get the ale."

"I got it," Harry said when he re-entered the kitchen. "You can finish eating."

The elves and Ariana gave Aberforth a significant look and he shook his head. "Yeah yeah, I'll admit it. I'm glad he's back too."

Later that night, Dumbledore opened the door and looked in with surprise at the full room. "My goodness," he laughed, walking in and nodding to the other patrons in greeting.

"Yeah, we're busy," Aberforth said, wiping down a spot at the bar for his brother. "One guess why."

"Your sunny disposition?"

"And Ari's propriety."

Dumbledore snorted, waving to Harry through the window. Fawkes fluttered off Dumbledore's shoulder and flapped through the window to sit on Harry's, trilling a greeting. "I walked past the Three Broomsticks, it was a bit dull if I am being honest."

"I'm sure I'll hear about it from Rosie soon," Aberforth chuckled. "Lots of people found out about Harry's cooking from the Festival. Some of the regulars here tried to keep it a secret but it got out."

"And of course, he still complains about it," Ari said, walking over. "'Oh no, we're making a lot of money and we're happier and less bored'," she said scathingly.

"I don't sound like that," Aberforth said mildly.

"He is a bit more gravelly," Dumbledore agreed. He smiled when Harry appeared with two large plates of full English breakfasts. "Thank you, Harry." He watched Fawkes sit beside him and start on his own plate.

"You're welcome, Sir," Harry said brightly. He had to hurry back to the kitchen with the crowd there.

"The place does feel nicer when it is more lively," Dumbledore said, eating a piece of toast dipped into a runny yolk.

"I guess," Aberforth sighed. He ignored Ariana's giggling and Dumbledore's knowing chuckles. "How're things at the school?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Well, the school will remain operational, thankfully, but it will be diminished. Sanguis Verus Academy has sent out representatives to current and incoming students and there are some who have withdrawn from Hogwarts to attend there. A fair amount from most of the years actually."

"Hogwarts wasn't exactly full to begin with," Ariana said sadly.

"No. Luckily none of the professors are leaving. Some were asked if they wished a more lucrative position and they all refused."

"Even Snape?" Aberforth asked.

"It seems Lucius is a little distrustful of Severus now."

"Gee, I wonder why," Aberforth said sarcastically.

"I do not know," Dumbledore said with remarkable sincerity. "Not that we will need additional instructors right now." He ate some mushrooms moodily. "However, I did receive a bit of good news. I received a letter saying that Hogwarts is being considered to being invited to the International."

"Oh, that's really good," Ariana said encouragingly. "It'll be the first time in years, right?"

"Decades," Dumbledore nodded.

"That'll show Hogwarts is still relevant, especially on the world stage," Aberforth said. "Will be good for the school."

"I am hoping for that actually," Dumbledore said quietly. "I will know by summer's end if we are selected and invited."

"You're going to need to spend the year picking out the school representative students," Ariana said. "Harry of course, I assume?"

The three siblings looked through the window at Harry working industriously, laughing at something Willie said.

"Mostly his year yes, but there are a few in seventh and sixth I may consider, perhaps the incoming fourth years as well," Dumbledore said. "May I ask for your help in tutoring the ones interested in potions?"

"Of course." Ariana smiled. "And I'll help the ones who want to duel. We all saw how nicely that went."

"Yes, yes we did," Dumbledore sighed. "Also, I want to know where you learned the Lip-Sewer Curse."

"Big brother Abe taught me," Ariana said immediately, opening her eyes wide in a guise of innocent guile.

"No, I taught you the Lip-Sticker. And that's a jinx at most," Aberforth corrected. "After I did, you said and I quote 'I wish there was something a bit more robust' and then you went and found something 'a bit more robust'."

"I don't sound like that," Ariana said indignantly.

"Harry, has Ari taught you any concerning spells?" Dumbledore asked when Harry walked back out with two bowls of soup.

"Uh, depends on what you mean by 'concerning'," Harry hedged.

Dumbledore sighed as Ariana looked proud and Aberforth looked amused. "Spells that you think are odd and have a very strange application that is very specific with potentially dire consequences."

"Not that I can think of. She taught me some neat ones though."

"Oh? Demonstrate if you please," Dumbledore said.

"Gestum ago," Harry incanted, twirling his wand. A glowing emerald green hand manifested in front of him and made a thumbs-up gesture.

"Oh yes, I know that one. Though she usually makes ruder hand gestures," Dumbledore smiled. He sighed when Ariana made her own that did in fact make a rude hand gesture. He chuckled when she and Harry had a thumb war fight with the two magical hands. "Any others?"

"Volans litterae." Harry waggled the wand and started writing in air with his wand, leaving a trail of reddish-gold light, and formed letters as if writing with a quill.

Dumbledore smiled and Fawkes sang happily, seeing his name written in the air with letters that floated and shined brightly. "Another Ari classic."

"I still haven't gotten the hang of the latest one though. I want to practice it more and I should do it outside," Harry said.

"And which one is that?" Dumbledore asked, frowning at Ariana who looked away and whistled.

"The Flame Whip spell. Last time I tried casting it, the lash got away from me and I nearly set the table on fire," Harry said.

"What?!" Dumbledore gasped.

"He didn't nearly set the table on fire," Ariana protested.

"Left a bit of a scorch mark," Aberforth said. He pointed at a back table where some people were sitting. "You can't really tell though since that one already has a few burns on it as it is."

"Why did you teach that to him?! That is a difficult spell even for adults for many reasons!" Dumbledore asked Ariana, frowning with disapproval.

"I seem to recall you saying something like one of the best ways to stop a fight is to prevent it from starting," Ariana said loftily.

"I…I did say that," Dumbledore said slowly.

"And would you willingly start a fight with someone holding a fire whip?" she asked, as if the answer was obvious. "You know, if you weren't Abe?"

"You fought someone who had a fire whip?" Harry gasped, looking very impressed.

Aberforth shrugged. "I knew he couldn't use it properly."

"And not only is it a good fight deterrent," Ariana continued, "it is an excellent intimidation accessory and also." She flicked her wand and a long lash made of crackling fire grew out of the tip. The patrons of the Hog's Head ooh'd and ahh'd and she cracked the whip, wrapping the lash around a bottle and she flicked her arm back, bringing the bottle to her. She opened the top, poured out a measure into a shot glass, and then dipped the end of the lash into it and set the surface ablaze. She smiled and struck a pose while everyone applauded and she dispelled the whip. "You can look very cool with it," she finished, putting the shot glass in front of Fawkes.

Dumbledore closed his eyes and sighed very deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose while Fawkes guzzled the burning liquor. "What. Are. You. Teaching. Harry?" he said in a very weary tone.

"That people are arseholes," Harry said with insincere innocence. He smiled when Ariana hugged him from behind, laughing merrily with Aberforth chuckling along and Dumbledore groaned very loudly.

-0-

Andromeda walked into the kitchen and stopped. "What is going on?!"

Harry looked up. "Oh hi Auntie Andi. We're training."

"You...both of you are training?" Andromeda continued to watch with astonishment as Hedwig seemingly fought with another snowy owl. Upon closer inspection, the second snowy owl glowed with silver light and the two were in fact fighting, but without malice or a desire for violence. They kicked and flapped and pecked at each other, blocking and weaving about each other. "Is that a Patronus?!"

"Yup! She's my Patronus," Harry said proudly. "I was talking to Remus, and Professor Dumbledore, and Madam Pomfrey about me exhausting myself magically from casting the Patronus Charm, and they suggested I cast it more often. The more you cast, the better you get at the spell and you don't expend as much magic and effort."

"That is true," Andromeda said, still watching the snowy owls sparring with one another.

"So I'm casting it a little bit every day to practice it and while I can direct the Patronus, it can also just sort of be. And Remus and Sirius suggested I do other charms and spells while the Patronus is active so I can really practice spell control."

"Also makes sense."

"I guess she got bored eventually though-"

"The Patronus or your owl?" Andromeda asked.

"Yes," Harry smiled. "And Uncle Ted let me borrow those comics about martial artists and Hedwig was reading one and she started sparring with the Patronus to train too and well, yeah." He gestured at the two owls flying around each other and kicking and barking happily.

"Huh. It is rather beautiful to watch," Andromeda said, sitting beside Harry and enjoying the spectacle.

"When they get tired of it, they chase me around," Harry smiled and Andromeda laughed. "Or Sirius or Dora."

"Ah, that was what Dora was complaining about the other day," Andromeda said. She smiled when the owls landed and bowed to each other before they fluttered to Harry, sitting on either shoulder. They preened his hair some, hooting together before the Patronus slowly faded away, her eyes being the last to do so and then disappearing with a wink.

"That was delightful," Andromeda praised and Hedwig fluffed up proudly, cheeping. "What other spells have you been practicing?"

"A lot of the ones I've learned through the years at Household Charms club. Scouring, general cleaning, produce cleaning, mixing, summoning, banishing, levitating, those really." He incanted and waved his wand. A bag from the counter flew over, landing neatly in front of him. He undid the string by hand and waved his wand again. An owl treat levitated out of the bag and he deftly directed it to Hedwig who had opened her beak and leaned forward slightly to daintily grab it before noisily enjoying it.

"Well done," Andromeda praised Harry, patting his back. "The more you do them, the better you get and you will have a firm foundation for casting non-verbally."

"Oooh, that'll be nice," Harry said excitedly.

"And how are things at Gringotts and the Hog's Head?"

"Great! It felt good to just slide back in and work there again. Chef and the Crew and Mr. Abe and Auntie Ari and Willie and Nillie are great to work with and see." He smiled a little. "Pinny still doesn't like me really though, I don't think."

"You will win her over soon," Andromeda smiled. She sniffed delicately. "My goodness, that smells wonderful. What is that?"

"Pot au feu. It's a lighter French soup that you can make with all kinds of meat. I'm doing beef bits and sausages." He walked to the stove and ladled out a small bowl with various pieces of meat and vegetables and gave it to Andromeda.

"Mmm, delicious," Andromeda said, sipping a spoonful. She smiled at Hedwig's look and gave her a bit of sausage to munch on.

"It'll taste even better later when it simmers more," Harry said proudly. "Winky is going to get us baguettes later and I'll make a salad too."

The door opened and Sirius came in holding a letter. "Oh good, you're here," he said when he saw Andromeda. "Was hoping you were."

"Is something wrong?" Andromeda asked.

"I don't know honestly." Sirius hesitated for a moment. "I got a letter. From Narcissa."

"Oh." Andromeda stilled and looked wary and pained. "What does the letter say?"

"She wants to meet. With both of us actually. Though it was addressed to Lord Black and said it's a family matter."

"I have not the faintest idea what she would want," Andromeda said quietly.

"Me neither," Sirius said. "I don't have a reason to refuse a meeting, but I don't have a reason to accept it either. Do you want to meet with her?"

"I…do not know," Andromeda confessed. She continued to look slightly lost. She brightened when Harry hugged her and she hugged him back hard, and held him instead of breaking the embrace. "Thank you, love."

Harry hugged her again without speaking.

"I suppose we could," Andromeda said at last. "It…might be nice to speak with her again."

"Alright. We'll do that and the second she says something neither of us like, her arse is out the door," Sirius said firmly. "You're my favorite cousin, not her."

"Thank you," Andromeda smiled. She let Harry go when he started moving and she watched him summon various things from the pantry. "What are you making now?"

"I learned something really sweet is really good for your feelings," Harry said. "For when you need to eat them."

"That is true," Andromeda said with an even broader smile. "Wise words from your female friends."

Harry nodded. "So I'm going to make the best dessert I know how to for tonight and you get the first piece." He looked at her shyly. "It's a tiramisu. It was Mum's favorite cake."

"Yeah it was," Sirius said thickly with a proud sad smile.

Andromeda's heart melted and she walked over and hugged Harry tight, eyes glinting.

"I have to make it!" Harry laughed but did not resist.

"It can wait a little longer," Andromeda said, not letting him go. "But not too long."

-0-0-0-

TheReader81 - Thank you.

odonnellzoo99 - One of my favorite episodes of a Top Chef season was the challenge they had to do a dish based on pride, greed, gluttony, etc. It was really fun to see what they thought and Seduction would be a fun one too. Thank you. I wanted the theme of the chapter to reflect the title of Perseverance, of them pressing on despite change and finding what they can amid it all.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Yeah. I want to hit that balance of no total loss and no total gain. Not the extremes, but finding the nuances and the balances of the situation. Like how things can be in real life. I did know that actually, it's such a fun name. I also like tuns and firkins as barrel quantities. When I was little, I read some of those little tidbits in my favorite fantasy series.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - A whole lot of change at the end, more so than usual. We will have to see how things go. Thanks for reading.

alix33 - A bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich or a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich are perfect sandwiches in my mind. Hold onto that thought about the Express.

SvenHPotterFan - There will be a trip during the summer, actually working on that chapter right now. Glad you enjoyed.

Guest - It is the same Sophie but in this setting yes.

DarkRavie - Thank you.

- Thank you so much.

Guest - I'm glad you enjoy the writings. Comfort reading is high praise for me. It was fun doing some research into Bulgarian and German cooking. I'm not as familiar with them. I really enjoyed the name of the dragon's breath stew and that was after I came up with dragonfyre stew and it made me very happy.

Jah Ith Ber - Thank you. I try to make sure the pacing is nice and not too hurried for this.

poka - I thought you had commented on this chapter but when I singled the last chapter, it wasn't there. I went and found it on chapter 70, that was funny. Glad you liked it. Fourth year was a big one so the end felt bigger too. Oh I hope the move was okay and that things go better for you.