I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
A Taste of Magic
150th Course – Holiday Healing
"You know, maybe there is something wrong with you," Flynt said, giving Harry a look.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, looking at Flynt with a hurt expression.
"I mean, we all knew you're a workaholic," Flynt continued, opening the large oven doors and removing dishes with a long wooden paddle. He expertly moved things about inside the deep oven, inspecting what was cooking and how, and slipping in new dishes that were waiting. "Who comes to work when they're supposed to be on holiday?"
"People who enjoy their jobs and professions?" Salta asked as she rolled out more pasta dough.
"Well sure, but there's enjoyment and then there's obsession," Flynt said. "Not to mention the whole, you liking goblins and goblin things and cooking and all that. You've taken a hammering and yet here you are. It's like you're asking for it."
"I am pretty stubborn," Harry agreed, his hurt turning into amusement. "Family trait I'm told, adopted and natural."
"Well you have to be to tolerate us too," Salta smiled.
"Just saying, if I were you, I'd take the opportunity to lie low for a bit," Flynt shrugged as he took out a bubbling pizza that was covered in mushrooms and sausage. "Go somewhere deep and cool for a break. Or whatever you like. Warm and sunny, is that what you people say?"
"Sure," Harry said with a laugh and the others laughed too. "I prefer somewhere comfy with food."
"You do have other interests besides food, right?" Flynt asked, half-serious.
"He has a girlfriend," Amythyst said as she checked the order sheets.
"I've done a bit more dueling and fencing too," Harry said. He stirred the sauce in the pan and tasted it. The rich stock was reducing nicely and he added a bit of butter and swirled it. "And Hedwig of course."
"Hey, you know how to play Gemcut right?" Hacker asked. "We should have a game day one of these-"
"No gambling in the kitchen!" Diglin shouted from the pass, giving them all stern looks.
"We wouldn't do it in the kitchen!" Hacker said loudly back.
"At least they didn't mention taking me to Darkwell again," Harry said cheerily.
"Harry why?" Flynt groaned as Diglin glared at them.
"Clearly you lot need to work harder if you've got the time flapping your mine holes so stop yapping and get back to cooking!" Diglin yelled.
"Yes Chef!" The Crew shouted back.
"Look at you, being all sneaky and getting us in trouble," Hacker grinned.
"You know, he is Junior Sous, you should be showing him more deference," Amythyst said, narrowing her eyes at them.
"If we did, that'd mean we respect him and well, we kinda don't," Flynt said airily.
"I mean, we respect his patience," Salta said.
"And his stubbornness," Hacker added.
"But him? Not really," Flynt finished as he opened the second set of oven doors and moved the things within about. "We mostly tolerate him."
"I tolerate all of you too," Harry smiled.
"But if you were curious, we respect him more than you," Hacker said to a fuming Amythyst.
"Way more," Salta said.
"No question," Flynt grinned.
"Sorry," Harry laughed.
"Don't be, I can actually punish them," Amythyst said with a sharp smile and the rest of them groaned.
The lunch rush eventually wound down and the Crew started to clean while others finished up the last of the orders. Harry brought the last of them to Diglin for inspection and they were sent out to the waiting patrons. Harry rolled his shoulders to ease the strain and accepted a bottle from Diglin. "Thanks, Chef."
"You're welcome," Diglin said, sipping from his own bottle. "Good work today. Things are always busy right before the holidays."
"It's a good kind of busy," Harry said, glancing at the bottle before sipping. "Oh wow, that's earthy and really familiar. Tastes good. What is it?"
"Mushroom beer," Diglin said.
"How strong is it?" Harry asked.
Diglin waggled his hand. "So-so. Less than spirits of course, and wine, it's a medium beer I'd say."
"I kinda like it," Harry said. "Think we can use it to make a stew? There's a Guinness stew that uses Guinness. It's a dark beer."
"We should give it a try," Diglin said enthusiastically. He gave Harry a look. "You haven't been training, have you?"
"No Chef," Harry said seriously.
"Good. You'll have plenty of time for that later."
"I'm still not used to people telling me to stop working hard," Harry grumbled.
"Should tell you something that we do that," Diglin snorted. He looked over when the doors opened and his eyebrow rose. "You look happy."
"I am very happy," Ragnok said with a very wide smile. "I just returned from the Ministry of Magic and the Wizengamot."
"And?" Diglin asked, leaning forward.
"We have reached an accord," Ragnok said smugly. "We received the majority of our demands and our place in Wizarding Britain is much more secure." He and the other goblins and Harry cheered at that. "And all thanks to you," he said and shook Harry's hand warmly.
"I mean, I was just a target," Harry said, bemused.
"No, I mean, yes, you were," Ragnok said. "And it did create a beautiful opportunity for us. But you are much more than that, Harry. You have showcased our culture to your fellows in an entirely positive way. Not only that, in a far more approachable way. That has shown such possibility, it has opened doors to us that we had not had in the past. It gave us a form of leverage we never were able to utilize before."
"I'm glad you are getting treated properly," Harry said sincerely.
"Thank you," Ragnok beamed before sighing wryly. "That, and I will admit, I was a bit more lenient in my dealings with the Ministry because of you. I have come to appreciate humans more due to you, your friends, and your relations, and that tempered my temper somewhat."
"Don't hold back on my account," Harry joked and the others laughed appreciatively.
"Certainly not," Ragnok chuckled richly. "Though some I was not so kind to."
"What did they specifically accept?" Diglin asked.
"There will now be goblins in the Department of Goblin Relations," Ragnok said smugly, eliciting more cheers.
"There weren't before? That makes no sense," Harry frowned.
"If only more people were as sensible as you," Ragnok said.
"Uh, I know plenty of people who would say I'm not," Harry said weakly.
Ragnok snorted. "Still, yes, that was a glaring insult before but now the Department will be redone and we will have our presence. We are also going to have a presence in the Department of Urban Planning and the newly created Culture Department. Finally, if we live on, or below, British soil, we are technically and firmly proper citizens of Wizarding Britain."
Diglin whistled. "What did we give up to get all that?"
"Oh some regulations involving monetary exchange as well as assurances in writing about market fluctuations and how we work with other banks."
"Don't we do that already?" Diglin said, deeply amused and the others sniggered darkly.
"I did not tell them that," Ragnok said mildly, joining their merriment. "I would ask you not to tell them, but I do not think you will," he said to Harry.
"I temporarily forgot Gobbledegook and don't know what you all were saying," Harry smiled.
"That's a good lad," Diglin laughed.
"And there is also another bit of very incredible news," Ragnok said. "It's not just Gringotts Britain doing this. This is happening all over the world."
"I know that every culture has different relations with goblins," Harry said.
"That's true," Diglin said. "Some are closer than others but there are some distinctions. It's pretty impressive that the others are following suit."
"And we will forever be known as the first," Flynt grinned.
"Thank you again for making all of this possible," Ragnok said sincerely.
"Just doing what I can," Harry said. "Say, questions, you all haven't been treating Banters badly, have you? I had that thought the other day."
"Badly? I would not say that," Ragnok said mildly. "He still has access to his account and no additional fees or charges have been applied. He does have to wait longer because none of the front clerks will work with him. The Bank has always allowed its employees to refuse to work with an individual for legitimate reason. Banker Rasp has assumed responsibility for Banters and any others that the others do not like."
The Crew laughed, looking pleased in a mean way. "Oh that's perfect," Salta giggled.
"What's wrong with Rasp?" Harry asked indignantly. "She's really nice!"
"To you," Amythyst smiled. "To just about everyone else, she's a real stickler for the rules."
"You have to fill out the forms in triplicate for her," Hacker laughed. "No copying spells or things allowed. And if you mess up any part, you have to do it all over!"
"And she times you," Diglin said, deeply amused. "Either charges you extra for wasting her time or will cut you short if she is annoyed enough."
"She's never done that to me," Harry said.
"Because she likes you," Amythyst said.
"That's not fair! Once I asked her for some change and she made me fill out forms!" Flynt cried.
"Because she doesn't like you," Amythyst snorted.
"How does it feel to be the Director that made everything happen?" Diglin asked quietly as he and Ragnok watched fondly as the Crew jeered and jibed with one another with warm comradery.
"Very pleased," Ragnok said, looking how he sounded. "But I will not take all the credit." He looked at Harry who was trying to dodge Flynt waving a mop at him, laughing all the while. "If you ever told me such monumental things would happen from hiring a wizardling, I would have laughed at you."
"Our lives have been much better with him in them," Diglin agreed. "And things continue to get better."
"And we will treasure him for it forever," Ragnok said firmly. He chuckled as Harry disarmed Flynt with a flourish, wielding his own mop. "Good to see him fight back though."
"I had my worries," Diglin chuckled. "The main Crew is a tough bunch of idiots and weren't all too happy with the idea of a humie being around. I'm glad he won them over though and can give as will as get."
Flynt shook his smarting hand ruefully. "Okay, that was a neat trick," he laughed.
"I'm getting better at fencing," Harry said, holding the mop handle like a saber.
"Flynt probably thought you meant building fences," Hacker snickered.
"I know what fencing is," Flynt said, throwing a bucket at Hacker. "I'm more of a clubbist."
"Club and cudgel fighting," Salta explained. "Maces too. Any blunt weapon really. Which suits Flynt."
"Because he's blunt?" Harry asked with a smile.
"More like he's dense enough to be used like one," Amythyst said. They hooted and laughed as Flynt threw more things, earning them a tongue lashing from Diglin while Ragnok shook his head and smiled at their antics.
-0-
As teas went, this one was a lot more boisterous and open than most typically were.
The participants were in varying degrees of amusement, ranging from the hysterical to the reserved, but all were openly and deeply enjoying the circumstances.
"And I for one think that Banters has missed his calling," Andromeda read while the others wiped tears of merriment away, coughing and laughing. "As you can see, he makes for a wonderfully bouncy ball as he tumbled down the western slope. Seeing how fond he is of titles, I dub him the Bouncing-Blunder-of-Britain!"
Fresh howls of laughter filled the parlor as Andromeda showed the picture that accompanied the article. Banters bouncing his way down the steep scree and slope of the hill. The picture captured his facial expressions with stunning clarity and the citizens of Hogsmeade standing on the top of the hill looking gleefully triumphant. Ariana and Aberforth were at the fore, wiping their hands and crossing their arms and looking grimly proud of the sight of Banters bouncing down the hill. Then the picture would repeat in reverse first, Banters bouncing up the hill to be caught by Aberforth who then unceremoniously threw him back down with Ariana kicking him on the way down over the edge of the slope. The scene would repeat over and over with it never growing old for the readers.
"As I have said before, Banters is very thick and to call him cabbage-like is an insult to the noble vegetable, which I do apologize to cabbages for the slight and unfair comparison. That said, I hope he finally learns his lesson and sees what true British Magicals care about and what ideals they uphold. And if he still has not, then there are plenty of hills to help drive the point home." Andromeda wheezed from laughter and took a fortifying sip of tea.
"How I love her writing when it has nothing to do with me," Adele said, wiping her eyes. "Nor my friends. And it is even more delicious when it happens to a person who wholly deserves it."
"And the best part is that it is true," Primrose said with a very wide and sharp smile on her lips.
"What a very sad little man," Linda said, shaking her head.
Andromeda was hosting another get-together at Grimmauld and Primrose, Valentina, Linda, Adele, Tiffany, and Narcissa were there along with Pansy, Aster, Daphne, Astoria, Millicent, and Tracey. The atmosphere was less awkward than last year's holiday tea and like last time, the table had plenty of food upon it.
"I have that framed at home," Astoria said with a big smile. "It's wonderful and I can't stop laughing every time I see it. I only wish I saw it in person."
"Same," Millicent said. "Shame we didn't."
"Aberforth and the others wanted to handle it before Harry got wind of it, to prevent his mood from becoming soured," Andromeda said. "Which I approve of."
Narcissa's smile was polite and slightly wistful. "The Festival sounds wonderful. I did like the one that was put on during the TriWizard." She coughed a little at that and the others refrained from commenting. She took a deep breath and smiled a little more. "But I am happy to say that Sanguis has been invited to partake next year and we will certainly be doing so."
"Oh that will be nice," Valentina said politely. "A bit of pleasant showmanship and the like."
"Is Sirius still upset at Cissa by the way," Primrose smiled mischievously.
"Why would he be upset?" Tiffany asked. "Over their contribution to the paper? Wasn't that a show of support?"
Narcissa and Andromeda laughed together and, in that moment, the familial tie was easily seen. "Oh Siri is probably a bit peeved I 'borrowed' something he said and did not give him credit," Narcissa said, her eyes dancing.
"Borrowed, or stole without restraint?" Andromeda asked, smiling.
"Yes," Narcissa said demurely, making them all laugh and snort.
"How much of that was calculated, by the way?" Primrose asked boldly. "Is the support sincere?"
"Sincere enough," Narcissa said plainly. "I have…learned about some things and I do believe in the words to a degree. Besides, I truly believe in supporting family when appropriate," she smiled once more at the collective snorts from the older women, "and it was no hardship to do so."
"And what did Lucius have to say to that?" Valentina asked.
"'Yes Dear,'" Narcissa said haughtily, causing them to laugh once more. She smiled easily. "He had no complaints and rather enjoyed the attention so it is how they say, win win."
"I'm glad you are doing well, Auntie Cissa," Pansy said truthfully.
Narcissa smiled and hugged Pansy fondly. "I am surprised myself, to be honest. But being Headmistress agrees with me for the most part." She patted the scarf around her neck. "And I adore that you have such a wonderful hobby now. Thank you again."
"You're welcome," Pansy smiled.
"If I may ask, how does Harry have Rita Skeeter in his employ?" Narcissa asked without a hint of censure or accusation. She sounded genuinely curious.
"Pansy's doing," Daphne said in sotto and smiled at Pansy's frown.
"Really?" Narcissa asked, surprised.
Pansy sighed and kicked Daphne surreptitiously. "During the TriWizard, Rita was looking for an article to write and I made a wager with her to write about the Festival and Harry's cooking."
"You made a wager with her?" Narcissa gasped.
"That was our reaction," Primrose said flatly and the others snickered.
"It seemed like the best thing to do at the time," Pansy sighed. "Also, Millie didn't stop me."
"Oh you suck for dragging me into it," Millicent growled.
"You were there! And you helped!" Pansy scowled as Millicent took her sandwich off her plate. "And it continued from there."
"I do not think she is in his employ per se," Andromeda smiled. "She genuinely likes and cares for him and while she will consult with Harry for privacy and things like that, she acts on her own will and want."
"Daphne thinks Harry seduced her," Astoria said snidely.
"Daphne," Adele chided while the others howled with laughter.
"You are such a pest!" Daphne said angrily. "That was taken out of context and it was said in a jesting manner!"
"She really thinks so kindly of him?" Narcissa asked. "I mean, clearly she does. She speaks well of him in her articles and it is not the heavy-handed way she did for those who paid for her services."
"I personally think she has mellowed out some," Valentina said. "I spoke with her once before briefly and it was very much like speaking to a barely restrained predator, one scenting blood and just looking for weakness. Imagine my surprise at how personable she can be and how pleasant she is." She smiled and pointed at the newspaper. "You know, when she isn't actively skewering you and hanging the corpse of your ego out for all to see and throw things at of course."
"Harry's food makes you happy," Aster said as she ate unstintingly.
"That is true," Narcissa said with a small smile.
A knock was heard on the door and when Andromeda called out, Harry poked his head into the room. "Hope I'm not intruding," he said, "but would you like some more food?"
"Is the Minister of Magic bad at his job?" Primrose replied to much amusement.
"You know, that's the third time I've heard that and it's starting to concern me a little," Harry smiled. He walked in with trays and things floating behind him. "I'm also assuming that that was a yes."
"A safe assumption," Primrose smiled and hugged him. "Hello my dear, how are you?"
"I'm well, thank you Auntie Rose," he said, hugging her back. He waved his wand and the trays came to a rest on the table and empty dishes floated onto the trays with full plates replacing them. "Out of curiosity, is he bad at his job?"
"He is not the best, nor is he the worst," Adele said politely to more chuckling.
"According to Grandfather, that would be the worst," Harry smiled. "He thinks those that are mediocre are terrible because they don't have the drive to be the best or the courage to be the worst."
"I don't think that's the best lesson in that," Andromeda said while they laughed.
"Probably not," Harry agreed easily. "Oh thank you, Lady Malfoy, for your opinion piece. It was really appreciated."
"You are very welcome," Narcissa smiled. "And thank you for the food once more. I see you made the shortcakes again and they are very delicious."
"I'm glad! They're a regular favorite for a lot of people," Harry said happily.
"We were just talking about you," Aster said, hugging him
"Nothing good I'm sure," he smiled, laughing when she scowled and poked him.
"Just commenting on your seducing abilities," Astoria said before she yelped and glared at Daphne.
"That concerns me a lot," Harry said with pink cheeks.
"It was in regards to your rapport with Rita Skeeter," Adele smiled.
"Oh! No, no seduction there," he said and the others laughed merrily at that. "Rita's great. Really! She's nice and gives good advice."
"And what do you pay her to keep in good grace?" Valentina asked teasingly.
"Nothing," Harry said stoutly. "Though she does say she makes a lot of money from our working relationship. I do send her food at least once a week if not more though. But I do that a lot for a lot of people so it doesn't feel like paying to me."
"An arrangement like that is worth its weight in gold," Tiffany smiled.
"You did get her something really adorable," Millicent said.
"Oh? What?" Linda asked.
"Rita mentioned once that she used to have a little red lunch box when she was little," Harry said. "I managed to get her to describe it one day and I had one made by the StoneHeart Clan. Then enchanted it with the usual stability and expansion charms as well as durability and some others."
"Oh that is really cute," Pansy smiled. "I bet she loved it."
"She didn't say anything for a long time," Harry grinned. "And carries it everywhere now." After some more chatting, Harry left with his friends, leaving the older women behind.
Narcissa chewed slowly on a strawberry and lemon shortcake with thoughtful enthusiasm. "Well, that is a surprise."
"What? Rita showing genuine care for another person?" Linda asked.
"Or Harry being a sweetheart?" Primrose offered.
"That, and just how incredibly…misguided my son is about him," Narcissa said with a small smile. "Goes to show that sometimes one must experience something themselves to draw an accurate conclusion."
"I will drink to that," Valentina said, pulling out some bottles from her purse.
"And how has Draco been?" Primrose asked politely.
"Doing well, maturing I think," Narcissa said. "Slowly, but some progress is better than none."
"That's fair," Linda said.
"To family," Andromeda said, raising her glass.
"I will drink to that," Narcissa said, tapping her glass against the others.
-0-
The traditional Christmas Eve gingerbread escapades were in full swing.
It had grown into something much more than just simply building houses and castles and statues and working siege equipment like previous years. Of course they still built the various buildings that they wanted, specifically Blinky's house and Hedwig's nest. But something many of the people in Grimmauld fully leaned into now was full on war between two mighty castles.
Nicolas, of Mont Saint-Nicolas, built a large circular gingerbread castle with an imposing peak at the top with a tall tower. After learning from last year, he had also built protective coverings over the top of his statue. He, Sirius, and Remus were currently defending the castle to the last.
Perenelle led the forces out of Chateau de Pain d'epice, which was Dora, Susan, Andromeda, and Emmeline. Currently a mighty host of siege engines trundled over the cleaned floor while trebuchets hurled candy boulders to pound on the walls of Mont Saint-Nicolas. Those involved in the war could banish candy projectiles at each other or shoot small hosing charms at the siege pieces.
Harry finished what he was working on and gently put it in a large covered battering ram. At his wand poke, the small vehicle trundled towards the Mont, the gingerbread mantlets on the front of the ram deflecting incoming fire.
"Somehow things get even more crazy every year," Amelia smiled, watching the war. "And it's rather wonderful."
"I agree," Ted laughed. He sipped his mulled wine. "Hedwig didn't want to play?"
Harry shook his head, still working on his gingerbread sculpture of Hedwig who was posing for him. "Grandfather made anti-aircraft candy weapons and Hedwig hates sticky feathers. Grandmother said that wasn't fair due to inaccurate time periods but he said it was considering how she won last year."
"I can honestly see both sides of the argument," Ted chuckled.
"Have you been having a good holiday?" Amelia asked.
"I am, thank you," Harry said gratefully. "It's been nice not thinking about the competition some I have to admit."
"I bet," Amelia said sympathetically. "A bunch of us at the Ministry believe in you, and not for the 'good for the country' stuff either. Some of them only do it for that of course," she frowned and shook her head, "but a lot of us appreciate what you've done and are rooting for you."
"Thanks," Harry said with a small smile.
"Of course some weren't too happy because of the negotiations with Gringotts," Amelia snorted. "We had to make concessions even though the negotiations solidified things. It's mostly the old idiots who don't want to 'show weakness' and all that nonsense."
"That's not Harry's fault," Ted protested. "Blame Banters."
"Oh definitely, we all made that point super clear," Amelia said. "Same with Gringotts' representatives. So he's gotten the biggest portion of disapproval and disgruntlement." She chuckled grimly. "Someone made a jaunty little tune to the 'Bouncing Blunder of Britain' and it's quite popular right now. At least it is in the Auror and Magical Law Enforcement Department."
"Don't feel bad lad," Ted smiled to Harry.
"I was trying really hard to," Harry smiled. "But I won't since you said not to."
"As my darling wife says, do not feel pity for the actions of idiots," Ted said.
"Wise words there," Amelia nodded.
Harry finished his gingerbread owl and Hedwig cheeped happily, dancing up and down at her pastry facsimile. She fluffed up next to it for a picture and she then happily joined in on the eating of it after everyone admired it a little.
"Oh this should be good," Harry said, looking over at the war. The battering ram had made it to the gates, still moving though heavily damaged. Once it reached the heavy candy doors of the castle, the top opened and Blinky slithered out. She roared and climbed the walls easily, protected with gingerbread armor.
"Are those candy wings?" Amelia asked, delighted.
"They are! So she can be like a little dragon," Harry smiled.
"Drat," Nicolas grumbled as Blinky slithered into the castle easily, dodging all projectiles and escaping out the back, carrying Nicolas' statue. Perenelle's team cheered in victory as Blinky slithered away and climbed up Harry's leg and settled in his lap, depositing the statue there and looking very smug.
Nicolas sighed again. "Why does everyone that destroys a likeness of me look so happy?!" He pouted as Blinky did look very happy as she gobbled the gingerbread statue, even sharing some with Hedwig and the pair of them made eye contact with Nicolas as they chomped away blissfully.
"It is not everyone. I refuse to eat anything that looks like you," Perenelle smiled. "It would be in bad taste."
"In bad taste, or taste bad?" Andromeda asked with a big smile.
"Yes," Perenelle said and they all laughed.
-0-
"Oh my goodness," Lavender gasped.
It was Christmas Day and the now annual Christmas Day party was being held. Like last year, the Delacours, the Browns, the Grangers, the Dumbledores, and McGongall had come to Grimmauld to celebrate and enjoy the day with the Blacks, the Tonks, the Flamels, and Harry and other guests. Harry was in the kitchen finishing something when the Browns arrived and Lavender had gone looking for him.
She walked in and stopped and gasped at the sight and sound. Hedwig sat fluffed up under a conjured Victorian style lamp post, dressed in a small scarf and the shrunken top hat. She was hooting a carol along with the three snowy owl Patroni, who were also wearing appropriate winter wear. Magical snow fell around them as they sang, swaying side to side as their voices harmonized.
"Is that Silent Night?!" she whispered as she walked up to Harry and wrapped her arms around him.
"It is," he whispered back. "It's one of their favorite carols." He and Lavender applauded when they finished, the owl and the guardians bowing deeply several times. He and they then looked at Lavender as she leaned heavily on Harry. "Are you okay?"
"I've swooned from the adorableness," Lavender said breathily, her eyes fluttering. "I need something to bring me to my senses."
"I think I have some smelling salts in my potions kit," he said, laughing at the flat looks from Hedwig and the Patroni and Lavender's incredulous look. "I'm kidding." He kissed her sweetly on the lips and Hedwig and the Patroni turned their heads around briefly for a bit of privacy.
"That's better," Lavender giggled. She smiled at Hedwig and the Patroni as they turned their heads back to the couple. "That was beautiful!" she praised and they cheeped and looked smug. "Encore!"
Hedwig and the Patroni moved their heads together and conferred before they nodded and began barking a new song, one much more upbeat and spritely. To match the tone and tune, they danced energetically together, wings held wide and legs kicking.
"I love this one!" Lavender cheered. "Feliz Navidad! I want to wish you a Merry Christmas!" she sang along, swinging Harry by his arms, spinning him around.
"From the bottom of my heart," Harry finished with a smile from ear to ear as they danced together in the warm kitchen filled with music, savory and sweet smells, and a general feeling of deep ease and contentment.
-0-0-0-
poka - Thank you for the kind words. I always look forward to your comments. It will be strange when it ends, not having something like this as a constant going on, but we will see when it comes. I really liked the feeling of the chapter. It shows so much change and growth from the beginning of the fic and how things are now compared to how they were. I like to think it grew well and feels natural. And of course, it ends with the hilarity that is Drake and the Flamels. They weren't even considered when I first started this fic. I had assumed Nicolas would only have that minor role in that one chapter and Drake was a last minute thought, and this fic would be drastically different without them.
odonnellzoo99 - I thought it was really nice with how Hogsmeade as a whole responded and it felt like a good change and a good reflection of how the setting is now. Thank you for all the kind words, I look forward to your comments as well. Oh yes, if you include Extended, then I probably hit that mark or came close to it. I was just marveling at all the work this one has absorbed.
agnar - My mother also told me of a fairly popular dish in China where they would melt lard in a wok, season it heavily, and then pour it over rice to be eaten. Which sounds wonderful and awful at the same time. That sounds like a lovely memory.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Banters is oblivious in many ways and like many people like that, like to invent a narative. Thankfully the residents of Hogsmeade weren't having it. Thanks for reading.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Oh I know, I was jesting. You've been around for a very long time and I'm glad you still are. I'm glad to see your comments and any without doesn't feel quite completed. The Dumbledores have come a long way, haven't they?
zlancer1 - Thank you for reading.
Arnie1701 - A necessary task but can be satisfying.
Ninkasi - Thank you very much.
61394 - The lardwich is probably hard to swallow. We'll see if Banters still wants to be involved after today's chapter.
1529 - It really is something to see everything laid out like that. I knew I was doing more with this compared to Family, but seeing me hit the one year mark without finishing it and being more in word count was really eye opening. I knew I was making up more for this fic and being a bit more involved so it wasn't a surprise per se, but it was surprising to see the differences. I can't believe it's been a year, and can't believe it's been only a year. Thank you for continuing to read.
TheSphynx - He sure did and it was satisfying to read and write. Thank you so much.
Xissel - I had a near panic attack and a moment of 'what have I done' for the first birthday party at the sheer amount of characters and it's only gotten worse. I still don't know why I created so many but they all feel important to the story. Thank you for reading.
Jessica Dallas - Thank you for reading. I love food, if that wasn't clear. I have no plans as of right now, but we will see.
No Vigilance - Something he would enjoy I'm sure.
Doombreed - Thank you, I agree it was a very good one. One of the ebst I've done I think.
alix33 - Perenelle looking like Hedwig is very funny to me, same with Banters being thrown down the hill.
Turok1 - Thank you. I always think pacing is very important so I'm glad people like the pacing in the fic. Same with character growth.
Wentley - The website is having some trouble sadly. It usually takes ages to be fixed. I think a more inclusive Wizarding World that is growing slowly more comfortable with it is also very satisfying and somewhat believable.
Guest - Thank you.
spyder221 - Thank you.
elenor1 - Thank you.