I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World or any canon characters.
A Taste of Magic
141st Course – Scholastic Endeavors
Flitwick clapped enthusiastically with a characteristically gigantic smile on his face. "Bravo!" he said while the others in the class clapped and cheered too. "Oh my, simply wonderfully done! You have come so far!"
Daphne also had a very large smile, slightly uncharacteristic of her since she normally wore an expression of calm placidity when out and about. There was no hiding her glee and happiness now, nor her pride. She took her violin off her shoulder and beamed as the array of paper flowers in front of her continued to spin slowly in the air, still changing colors. "Thank you," she said happily. "I have practiced a lot over the summer."
Flitwick took one of the flowers and undid the folding gently. "I see you wrote a few runes here. Sound sensitivity, blocking other sounds, magical attunement, well done."
"Some of the more complicated charms I still whisper the incantation," Daphne admitted.
"Nothing wrong with that," Flitwick said. "You are still carrying the magic through the music of your violin even with the incantation, the music acting as an amplifier to the spoken component. That's still very impressive. And that is a new violin and bow?"
"Yes Sir," Daphne said. "We had the violin and bow made out of the same wandwood I use and there is a strand of unicorn hair in the strings for both. That made a considerable difference for the musical spellcasting. There are also sensitivity charms on the instrument as well."
"I think we can make it even more so," Flitwick said. "I found a channeling charm and a twinning charm over the summer months. I believe we can make it so that your instrument will commune with the materials almost directly and the twinning charm will take one charm and spread it out over the rest even more easily. This will make things more efficient for you and not drain you nearly as fast."
"Oh yes please!" Daphne said eagerly.
"We will work on that together and I will set extra time aside for the project," Flitwick beamed. "This is so terribly exciting and fun." He looked fondly at the rest of the class. "I have no doubts that all of you will do just fine on your N.E.W.T.s test at the end of the school year. Your last year projects would easily fit the bill for the practical portion of the test. As we continue to work on more this year and hone your understanding, you all will do just fine."
"My father said we might even be able to submit patents for our work?" Terry asked.
"We can try!" Flitwick nodded. "Especially if you wish to take your project past school and do more with it later. The forms are simple enough but the process can take some time. How about everyone else, would you like to continue your past projects or start something new?"
Susan and Pansy elected to continue with helping Daphne and the magical music project. Blaise and Terry decided to shift focus and work on enchanted glasses and goblets for wine and alcohol, since they were of legal age, making Flitwick laugh and some of the girls sigh. Hermione and Sue were continuing with different applications of their floating focusing lenses.
"Padma and I want to try something new," Lavender said. "Something to help upkeep utensils and equipment as well as make it easier to organize them. I have a place-let that holds things for me on my wrist here, but I was thinking of something bigger like a work surface. And I love their idea of floating lenses so I thought it would be fun to do that with more things. And at my Daddy's work, they use a big machine that cleans things inside so I thought that would be nice to have as well."
"Defintiely doable," Flitwick nodded, thinking and rubbing his chin. "Goblins have a box for cleaning equipment within as well. I'm sure we can work something like that out! Start with a rough design and list the charms you think you will want to employ and we will go from there."
He turned to Parvati and Harry. "And how about you two? More pillows?"
"I think we already got as far as we can with those," Parvati said. "And they're still pretty awesome."
"How has the arms race gone?" Flitwick asked with a big smile.
"Everyone who wants one has one," Harry chuckled. "And yes, Hedwig has not attacked Blaise with hers at all."
"How many accessories did it take?" Flitwick chortled.
"I have an ongoing commission and it is worth every coin," Blaise said seriously.
"We were thinking of making a more permanent version of a magical blender," Harry said. "Like how we did in Household Charms and we still do to make smoothies and milkshakes."
"Oh why didn't I think of that before?" Flitwick said excitedly. "That would be very handy!"
"I have a book about cooking history and they had hand-cranked mixers so I thought we could maybe do something like that," Harry said, showing Flitwick.
"What fun! I'm sure we can," he said. "And something else we can try to patent for you. I think this could be something very useful indeed."
Enchanting class continued and by the end of it, a lot of plans had been made and the projects somewhat laid out. Flitwick assigned them homework for theory reading to help prepare them more for the inevitable examination, but nothing beyond that, content with their progress and their plans for the future. Harry and the others went to the Uncommon Room to relax and start on work, joining some of their other friends. Eventually a knock on the door was heard and Flitwick came in, followed by a few others.
"Hi Dee!" Harry said happily, recognizing her. He coughed as she enveloped him in a typical Dee hug that crushed the ribs and squeezed the air from him.
"Hello my boy!" she said loudly. "Congratulations on placing! We're terribly proud of you."
"Thanks!" he replied, rubbing his ribs a little. "What are you doing here?"
"Two things, one, to bring you this." She gave Harry a drawing. "Emmie was so happy for you and she wanted me to bring you a drawing she did."
"She's so cute," Lavender gushed, looking at the drawing of Harry and Emmie wearing aprons and cooking.
"Isn't she?!" Dee said loudly and proudly. "She wants to cook like her Grandpapa and her Uncles and let me tell you, Diggy is so happy. As am I of course. As far as the second reason, let me see it." She took his right hand and frowned at the bracelet around it. "Where did Hacker find this?! Shoddy workmanship."
"Did Chef tell you?" Harry winced while the others looked on with confusion.
"He mentioned it and apparently deliberately undersold how awful it is," she sniffed. She twisted Harry's arm around and looked at the offending object from different angles.
"Oh wait, I have been meaning to ask you about that," Lavender frowned. "Where did you get that bracelet?"
"It's not really a bracelet," Harry said weakly. "I've gotten so used to wearing it, I forget about it sometimes, forget what it is I mean."
"You have been carrying a knife around?!" McGonagall exploded when Dee flexed Harry's wrist and the bracelet became the wrist-knife, the cord elongating and straightening into a handle and the blade appearing.
"I mean, I usually keep my knife roll in my bag out of habit," Harry said sheepishly while the others either dissolved into merriment at his expression or shared milder versions of McGonagall's reaction.
"One might argue one could cause more harm with their wands and they carry those everywhere," Flitwick said mildly and smiled at McGonagall's look.
"There are rules about carrying a weapon," McGonagall hissed angrily. "And wands are not construed as such!"
"Don't be too worried dear," Dee said with disgust, making McGonagall look at her confusedly. "This blunt piece of scrap barely constitutes as one." Dee opened the case she brought along and everyone goggled at the array of blades and things within. She then hefted a heavy miniature anvil out and began pulling out things and tapping it with a hammer, threading strands of metal together. "I doubt it would break skin and would snap if it hit bone."
"Did…did you come here solely for that?" Daphne asked faintly.
"No, don't be silly," Dee said kindly, not looking away from her work. "I came to see Harry, then deliver Emmie's drawing, and then to fix this. All have equal weight. I can't possibly have my Harry be so ill-equipped now can I?"
"Hacker was being nice and thoughtful," Harry said stoutly.
"Oh yes but there's thoughtful and then there's thoughtfully ineffective," Dee said.
"Are we going to allow this?" McGonagall asked weakly.
Dumbledore smiled. "I think we can rely on Harry's good nature to not…cause any worry."
"Besides, Harry was wearing it, not carrying it," Flitwick added.
"Really, are we going to argue about semantics?" McGonagall said acidly.
"Debate, not argue, I would never be so contrary," Flitwick gasped.
"This is not as funny as you are making it out to be," she said accusingly. She huffed at his smile.
"There!" Dee held up the finished wrist-knife. The blade was not any longer than the previous one but it looked solid and finely crafted. The handle was threaded and textured for grip and made from woven black and silver colored metallic threads. She had Harry stick his arm out and she secured it around his wrist and made adjustments to it with the same hooked tool that Diglin did to the prior one several weeks prior. "That should do it. Let's see."
She nodded with approval when Harry flexed his wrist and the knife extended properly, fitting into his hand perfectly. "There we go. That's better. I'll fix up the scrap one and you'll have an acceptable spare."
"Is that something all goblins have?" Parvati asked.
"Oh yes, well, mostly. Some who live in safer places don't always carry them around," Dee said easily. "It's a gobling rite of passage in fact, having their first one. As they grow, they get ones more suited to them of course. There are also ones made for day-to-day use, formal ones, ceremonial ones, that sort of thing."
She smiled fondly. "Getting a special one made for your prospective partner is an old tradition, or as a special gift. Diggy made me one and I love it. Still have it and wear it for formal and fancy affairs."
"Have you ever used it?" Parvati asked before yelping when Padma elbowed her.
"Never had the need to," Dee said breezily. "The vast majority of the time, the girls are all I need."
"The girls?" Pansy asked. She blinked when Dee held up her hands and made fists. "Ah, I see," she added wanly.
"Director said you fought a grundwyrm barehanded," Harry said.
"It was a piddling little grundwyrm, wasn't that impressive," she sniffed dismissively. "Was proper belligerent though so I didn't feel bad fighting it and beating it."
"Or gutting it," Harry added wryly.
"Or gutting it," Dee nodded agreeably. "At that point, it tore my dress to shreds and I was rather peeved because I liked that dress so fair's fair like they say."
"May we commission those sorts of things-ow stoppit Pads!" Parvati glared at her sister who returned it tenfold.
"I would see it as a kindness if you did that business not on school grounds," Dumbledore said weakly at McGonagall's accusing look.
"Send me a message later through Harry," Dee smiled. "You all will get family rates. Oh while I'm here, let me see the mallet too."
"Really Harry?!" McGongall squawked when Harry brought Dee the ironnut mallet.
"I keep that in here at least!" Harry said, face red. "Mostly because it's really heavy but still."
"And I suppose this is not a weapon either," McGonagall asked in a pawky tone.
"No, it's technically a kitchen tool," Dee said matter-of-factly as she swung it with ease. "But it is also a very good tool for self-defense if needed. This one is acceptable." She gave it back to Harry.
"Thanks for checking," Harry smiled. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"
"I'd like nothing more," she beamed.
-0-
"Here Lavender," Harry smiled the next day.
"What's this?" Lavender took the piece of heavy paper from him and smiled as she opened it. It was a drawing of Emmie and Lavender with them wearing aprons. "She's so darn cute!"
"She loves the apron you sent home with Dee," Harry grinned, "as you can see." He looked around surreptitiously before handing Parvati a small booklet. "Dee wanted me to give you this too."
"Ooh what's this?" Parvati opened it and paged through it. "Wow, lots of options."
"That's not what I think it is, is it?" Hermione groaned.
"Depends on what you think it is," Parvati replied.
"A catalogue for something we shouldn't have," Hermione said frostily.
"It's not that," Parvati said.
"It isn't?" Hermione looked confused.
"No, it's parts of things we shouldn't allegedly have," Parvati said as she continued to look through the booklet. "They aren't completely assembled I don't think."
"Is this a bad time to mention I want to look at it too?" Tracey said hesitantly as Hermione fumed. "It's always a good idea to have a back-up!" she added hastily when Hermione turned to glare at her.
"Don't tell me that's a Society thing!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Okay, I won't," Tracey said and looked at Daphne pleadingly.
"It is a Society thing," Daphne said with a small smile of amusement. "In the past, many of the Pureblooded families had blades as a means of last resort. Some continue to do so but most do not carry them around as often."
"Auntie Andi has one," Harry said.
"She does? A knife?" Hermione asked, shocked.
"No, it's an axe," Harry said. "Single-bladed war axe, goblin made."
"That's so cool," Susan said.
"Her name is Matilda," Harry added.
"She named her axe Matilda?" Hermione asked faintly.
"That's a very pretty name," Luna said.
"Grandmother has a boar spear named Aguille," Harry said, shrugging slightly.
"Because the Flamels are standards for normalcy," Blaise said lightly.
"You're not seriously considering getting one," Padma said when she joined them at the table, giving Parvati a look.
"I am and I was also seriously considering getting you one for Christmas," Parvati said, not looking up.
"Oh, well that's nice," Padma said, surprised. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Hey, want to go halfsies on one for Grandmum?"
"Thirdsies, I'll help," Harry said.
"Ooh we can get her a really good one then," Parvati said enthusiastically while Padma nodded.
"You all are prefects," Hermione hissed. "And Harry has a position that is vaguely similar to one!"
"So you don't want one for Christmas?" Tracey asked, sounding slightly crestfallen.
"I uh, I didn't say that," Hermione stammered, looking deeply confused and put on the spot.
"Dee's already making you one," Harry whispered to a delighted Lavender.
"They're the best," Lavender giggled.
-0-
"I feel like I should be surprised, but I'm really not," Ron said wryly.
The Care of Magical Creatures class had found a very robust flower garden along the edge of the grounds, right next to the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid had cultivated it with assistance from Professor Sprout and their class was being held in it. As the class sat down, they were surrounded by many fluttering and flitting forms that flew about them.
They came in all shapes and sizes. Some had bright blue or bright green skin, were smaller than others, and had smaller wings that beat very fast and were pointed in shape. They also had pointed ears and flew very fast. The others were taller, though still under six inches in height, and looked more human in shape and form, with larger and rounder wings that did not beat nearly as fast.
Hagrid had introduced them as pixies and fairies, with a mix of Cornish and Scottish Pixies and the fairies mostly being Fen and Flower Fairies. They typically lived in gardens, these species anyways, and had a rich history in folklore, both Muggle and Magical. Pixies were the faster of the two and the more mischievous, Ron and Neville having to chase after a bunch that stole their bags and went speeding around the garden with them. Fairies tended to be more shy and sedate but equally magical.
Both species of magical creature had flocked around Harry and were more calm and friendly with him, especially after he opened one of the boxes in his bag to share the treats within with them. They fluttered around him, sitting on his shoulders and head, munching on the food and chatting with each other in their languages.
"Not only a Disney princess, but a fairy princess," Parvati giggled, face going red with glee.
"They're really nice," Harry grinned as the little figures flew about him, literally showering him with flower petals.
"Are you jealous?" Millicent teased.
Lavender smiled. "I can't decide if I'm jealous that they're paying him more attention or because they're paying him more attention." She smiled as a few sat on her shoulder too and draped her hair over their heads. "They really are so sweet."
"To some of us," Pansy giggled as others made off with more of Ron's and Neville's things.
"They do like causin' a bit of mischief," Hagrid said comfortably. "It's in their nature. But you can't ask for better neighbors in your garden if they like you. They keep pests out or hunt them for their own consumption, keep your plants healthy, and will keep trespassers out and protect your home. Their magic helps gardens grow too, hence it's good to be blessed by them."
"What if they don't like you?" Hermione asked.
"Then they're a right pain in the arse," Hagrid said plainly, making them all laugh. "Cause even more trouble, steal from you, and let's just say they aren't above attackin' you if it gets that bad. So if you ever find some living near you, it's generally good to try and stay on their good side."
"How do you do that?" Pansy asked.
"Food's always good," Hagrid said. "Helpin' defend them against other things that'd prey on them. Give them things to pretty up their homes and nests. No clothes though. In fact, an old myth was about hobs that live around farms and country places, hobs being spirits. If you offend them, they break your things and drive your livestock out and givin' them clothes was a way to drive them away for good. I've always thought House Elves had a history like hobs and shows that some of the Muggle stories have a grain of truth to them."
"That's really fascinating," Hermione said.
"Are you going to keep the garden here from now on?" Lavender asked.
"Might do," Hagrid said. "Not hard to keep and Professor Sprout always said she wanted to do some outside growin'. Might make it a joint project with Herbology class."
"That would be fun," Neville said, huffing and puffing slightly. "Will keep me in shape trying to get my things back." He grinned when Harry traded more treats for his things, taking them gratefully. "Thanks Harry! I'll do that in the future."
"Imagine them in the castle," Parvati remarked.
"One year, we had a Defense professor who brought some in to prove a point," Hagrid snorted. "Underestimated them, he did. Didn't go so well for him. He never did try it again and left the post soon after. Never underestimate somethin', no matter how small or big it is."
"Seriously, Ginny's small and she can cause a lot of trouble," Ron said.
"She's not that small," Lavender protested with a smile.
"Neither's the trouble she causes," Ron said.
"I'm telling her you said that," Parvati grinned.
"I tell it to her face," Ron laughed.
"You're not wrong though. Divya's tiny and she's a ginormous pain in the arse," Parvati sighed.
"I thought she and her brother fought a lot, from what you've said," Lavender remarked. "But they've been nice to each other in the Uncommon Room."
"Only because she's in Gryffindor and he's in Ravenclaw and what's that phrase? When you're not around them all the time, you overlook their faults?"
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder," Hermione chided but looked very amused.
"Right that one," Parvati agreed while the others laughed.
-0-
McGonagall snorted as she watched Harry remove the wrist-knife and put it in his bag. "Thank you for appearing to adhere to propriety," she said wryly.
"You're welcome," he said sincerely and cheekily, making her snort again.
She shook her head but readily accepted the box from him. "I am going to miss getting things so often when you leave," she said wistfully.
"I'm sure I'll come by if I'm allowed to," Harry said with equal wistfulness.
That made her smile. "Of course you will be allowed to, and welcomed," she said warmly. "The castle loves you, as do the elves and we all are terribly fond of you as well."
He brightened at that, feeling the warmth grow within him. "And I might not be too far," he said thoughtfully.
"Oh?" McGonagall bit into a muffin and looked eager and interested.
"Mr. Abe offered the Hog's Head to me when I decide to have a place," Harry said.
"Oh wonderful!" McGonagall exclaimed happily. "That would be very lovely." She peered at him closely. "Unless you have reservations about it?"
"I don't think so," Harry said honestly. "I mean, I love the place. It's one of the few places I felt like I belonged to, after school. Mr. Abe and Auntie Ari and the Headmaster are all really important to me, same with Willie and Nillie."
"It is a rather large decision," McGonagall said kindly. She understood where he was coming from. "You still have plenty of options however, hence why we are having this meeting. I admit, your career path is one I am not familiar with per se, but there are some things I can draw from to help."
She opened a small notebook on her desk. "For example, I have helped many who wanted to start their own business and here are some numbers of rental fees for premises in Diagon, in Hogsmeade, and some of the other smaller places around the United Kingdom. Obviously these may not be up to date, but they will show you a general idea."
"Oh thank you." Harry looked through the numbers and the spaces as well as the years they were recorded. "Really depends on the area."
"Indeed. As you might imagine, Diagon will be the most expensive because of the high foot traffic there and the fact that it is the biggest mercantile location for the United Kingdom." She hesitated. "I do hope you plan on remaining here and not going somewhere internationally?"
"I don't plan on it," he said, smiling at her obvious relief. "Grandfather and Grandmother have given up on getting me to move to France. Especially now that there's an International Floo set up at Grimmauld."
"Thank goodness for that," McGonagall said with genuine relief. "I suppose it will also depend on the type of establishment you wish to have. If you want something busier and higher profile, Diagon would be the best place."
"No offense Professor, but do I honestly give you the impression I want to be 'higher profile'?" Harry asked with a bemused smile.
"No," McGonagall said flatly and they both laughed at that. "I wanted to do my due diligence however and explore all the options you have available to you."
"I appreciate it," he said. "I haven't thought about it too much yet, but I want something cozy, some place warm and people can come and enjoy themselves and be happy, leave feeling better. Look forward to coming back."
"I think you will do that very well," she replied honestly. "And Hogsmeade would be perfect for that. The village is equal parts difficult and not when one wishes to start something new. There is plenty of space to expand, all the land around the village belongs to it essentially, what is not Hogwarts' of course. But the Head of the village and the council also decides on who can build as well as what and they take the safety and comfort of the village quite seriously."
She finished the muffin and started to eat another. "Since you have been there for years now, I cannot imagine them not granting you a space should you ask for it, and I cannot imagine them denying you taking over the Hog's Head at all."
"I really like Hogsmeade, and how close it is to Hogwarts," Harry said.
"I do not want to influence your decision, but I hope you do remain there, even if you decide on a new space," McGonagall said. "It will be so nice to be able to pop over for a visit during the school year. And I know the elves will be happy." She smiled warmly at him. "They were rather worried too, about the end of this year."
"Growing up and leaving is hard, isn't it?" Harry asked. The warmth of their care and thinking about the elves cooling slightly at the imminent change.
"It is," she said sympathetically. "It comes for everyone, eventually, and change does not mean bad things all the time. And as we have discussed, small changes do not change everything."
He nodded to himself, feeling better.
"Now as far as your scholastic work goes, you are doing very well," she continued. "At the top of your class. If your current schoolwork predicts your N.E.W.T.s results, you will be averaging Exceeds Expectation to Outstanding across them all. And your studies will support your career in ways that I am sure you will come up with to continue to delight everyone."
She narrowed an eye at him. "Tell me you have worked hard on your Transfiguration for me and not for He-Who-Irritates."
"Sure!" Harry said with a big smile. "I mean, yes Ma'am."
"I'll take it," McGonagall said with a laugh.
-0-
"Come in," Dumbledore called out, not looking up from his work. Fawkes' happy trill and the sudden arrival of delicious smells made him smile and he looked up. "Ah Harry! Come in, come in." His smile grew when Harry walked over with a very large tray covered in food. "What did I do to deserve this? I wish to know so I can repeat it."
Harry smiled. "We've been really busy and haven't visited in some time, so I thought it'd be nice to share a meal together if you have the time."
"I will make the time," Dumbledore declared. He finished his letter and then pushed everything aside, helping set the dishes on his desk. "Mmm, thank you my boy, this will hit the spot and I'm thankful for you." He filled a plate for Harry and poured out the tea and bit into the egg salad sandwich with gusto. "Delicious as always," he praised. He looked at Harry. "And how have you been since the term started?"
"Well, thank you Sir," Harry said after giving Fawkes a very full plate and smiling as the phoenix gobbled the food hungrily. "And you?"
"Very busy and very well, thank you," Dumbledore replied. "I did not anticipate how much more I would be doing since the school becoming more active internationally. Lots of correspondence with the other Headmasters, plans and proposals, meetings with the ICW and other figures in education."
"I'd apologize for my part if you want it," Harry grinned as he ate his own sandwich.
"I will let you know if I actually ever do," Dumbledore chuckled. "How are you feeling about the upcoming challenge for the competition?"
"Okay, I suppose." Harry shrugged. "We'll get a rough idea of the theme a week or two in advance. I'm focusing on working more efficiently and practicing what I know."
"A good way to do it," Dumbledore praised. "I heard there was some unpleasantness with some of the other contestants?"
"Some were really rude," Harry frowned.
"An unfortunate yet inevitable attitude to experience in that sort of thing," Dumbledore said sympathetically. "Back when I did competitions for Transfiguration, there were plenty who insulted and denigrated others to gain the mental advantage. Most were undeserving of the self-inflated sense of superiority."
"But there's always someone better," Harry sighed. "Mr. Abe taught me that."
"Very true," Dumbledore nodded. "Some are better and are humble, others are better and are not humble at the slightest." He snorted. "As we both know."
"That's true," Harry smiled. "Thank you, Sir. I'm just going to do my best."
"And that is all that can be expected of you," Dumbledore smiled. "Do let me know if I can help you, and I will try to do so."
"I did have a question, are you okay with me taking the Hog's Head?" Harry asked.
"Of course," Dumbledore said without a trace of hesitation. "You have made a very large impact on the store, and on all of us. You are a cherished member of our family and it feels right for you to take it." He smiled at Harry's obvious happiness. "And if I may be honest, the decision was made for completely selfish reasons too. We all want to be a part of your life and future as well."
"You all aren't getting rid of me that easily," Harry said happily.
"Splendid." Dumbledore's smile was broad and warm, like the sun sinking into the west. "We can discuss the minutiae of it when the time comes, should you take it of course."
Harry looked at the small vase on the desk rattle, a large thunk could be heard as if something fell into it despite the lid keeping it closed. Dumbledore took off the lid and withdrew a slip of parchment. He snorted with amusement and handed it to Harry after he read it.
"How did he know we were referencing him?" Harry asked, laughing and looking at the vase after reading the message. "Did he hear us? We didn't even say his name really."
"Nicolas is pride incarnate and always assumes people are talking about him," Dumbledore chuckled. "Hey!" He irritably swiped at Fawkes who snatched some food off of his plate. "There is plenty in the center!" He looked sourly at a snickering Fawkes who chomped on the sandwich with deep satisfaction.
"I feel like I should apologize for that too," Harry grinned. "He probably learned that from Hedwig."
"Among other things," Dumbledore smiled. He ignored Fawkes waggling his rear at him.
"Should we reply to him?" Harry asked when another slip of parchment appeared in the vase.
"He can wait," Dumbledore said dismissively. "I believe this requires all of my attention. Is that a cranberry scone?"
"Yes Sir, with extra cream and jam."
"My favorite," Dumbledore said with a sigh of contented satisfaction.
-0-0-0-
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Flet that it was realistic in this setting for Harry not to claim mentorship like that so blithely.
TheSphynx - I thought it would be a logical progression that would make sense and also give a different feeling of strangeness to his 'celebrity'.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - I've always had to ride a car or bus to all my schools, usually for close to an hour in many ways. I lived in a very sprawled place though, not very good for walking. Hedwig knows how to share, she just chooses not to with most people for some things. Thanks for reading.
odonnellzoo99 - Durga is such a fun character. I know I say this a lot, but I never intended for her to show up so much or be so developed, but I'm certianly not complaining. Parvati and Hedwig is a dangerous combo that can easily self-combust. Tonks really would faint if she heard that.
alix33 - I had to include one more example of cage kicking.
Lucy Elizabeth Dawson - Thank you, glad you enjoyed them.
Songwriter90 - Thank you.
DarkRavie - Thank you.
poka - Even though we knew it was coming, it does feel bittersweet. And we all knew Perenelle's response was coming and it makes it that much funnier.
Arnie1701 - Sounds just over the top which would fit the Flamels perfectly.
dawnsfire - Gives meals on wheels a new idea.
1529 - I'm glad you came back and are enjoying it.