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

A Taste of Magic

128th Course – Visitors from Afar

They got off the train, a group of students wearing similar long robes in varying shades of silver and gold, accompanied by a few adults. They looked around the quaint little train station with delight and interest, curiosity evident in their expressions and eyes. One had a camera and took pictures of the train, of the surroundings, and of each other. Some with them posing, others in candid shots.

"Hello!" Dumbledore walked up to them with a big smile. "Welcome to Hogsmeade Station and Hogsmeade Village. I hope your trip was pleasant."

Sanada smiled and bowed before enthusiastically shaking Dumbledore's hand. "It was, thank you Dumbledore-sensei. The Hogwarts Express is very wonderful. Thank you again for hosting us for a short time as we make our way to the States."

"It is mine and Hogwarts' pleasure," Dumbledore said sincerely. "I had hoped we would be able to entertain more visitors from the other schools after the TriWizard and the Showcase and I was very happy when our schedules aligned. Would everyone like to ride the carriages to the school or would you prefer to walk after your trip? You need not worry about your luggage; the House Elves will take care of them."

"Walking will be fine," Sanada said after the others had voted to walk. The students and instructors from Mahoutokoro followed Dumbledore from the station and they looked around with interest. Spring had arrived and the air was warming noticeably. The grass was turning lush and green and the clouds that filled the sky were fluffy white, no longer grey from winter's discontent.

"How did the exhibition game go in Paris?" Dumbledore asked.

"The Quidditch team did very well," Sanada said proudly and the members of the team beamed with pride. "Bettered the Beauxbatons team though they did play well."

"Our teams have been practicing," Dumbledore smiled. "Hope to give you a proper contest, especially after your win at the Showcase."

"We appreciate the opportunity to play," Yuna Yamada said brightly, "as well as learn from our fellow students and instructors."

"As do we," Dumbledore said. His smile turned wry. "Also, I bear a message from my sister. She wanted me to tell you that she returns tonight as well and to 'prepare your liver'."

Yuna laughed brightly while Sanada sighed and the other escorting professors and students looked confused. "Ariana is so much fun," Yuna smiled.

"Remember we are guests and should behave appropriately," Sanda said with a stern look.

"Of course Sensei," Yuna sniffed, affronted.

The visitors gasped with delight as Hogwarts came into view, marveling at the very old structure and the immense magic saturating the air. Dumbledore felt that the school looked especially welcoming and picturesque at that moment. The clouds parted and sunlight shone down and the gates opened without his touch, inviting them onto the grounds.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," he said proudly.

"It is so beautiful in a very old way," Yuna said with delight.

"You can feel the magic everywhere," another professor said, looking about.

"Shimatta!" Tsumugi tried to catch a leaping Azuki who jumped out of her arms. The small red-furred trickster fox landed daintily and looked about, tail and ears twitching with excitement and she took off at a run, straight for the castle. Three more trickster foxes followed her lead, scampering off after her.

"No no no! AZUKI! NO! BAD GIRL! GET BACK HERE!" Tsumugi shrieked and took off after the small skulk of foxes, followed by Sota and Chiyo. "YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T DO THIS!"

The other visitors gaped and groaned with the loudest groan coming from Sanada. "I deeply apologize ahead of time for what mischief those inflict," Sanada said with immense weariness. "Trickster foxes are very useful and fine companions but they live up to their name. And Azuki is especially clever and even more of a trickster."

Dumbledore smiled warmly. "I am not too concerned. If anything, I would be impressed if they could do anything at Hogwarts."

"Do not challenge them like that," Yuna begged.

Dumbledore chuckled. "In any case, if I recall, Azuki is quite fond of Harry. Mister Potter I mean."

"Oh yes, I remember her being very kind to him," Sanada said, "which I found very odd on her part. She normally terrorizes new people she meets. And people she knows well."

"Then she probably felt his magic and is off to find him," Dumbledore said. "If they were heading to the Forest, well, that would not be very good but since they are going to the castle, I am sure we will find them together with no problems really."

"That makes sense," Sanada said with relief. "Fox groups tend to be matriarchal and Azuki is generally in charge if her mother or aunts are not around. That said, once more, I apologize before they can cause any mischief."

"I am well used to magical animals causing some bit of mayhem," Dumbledore said wryly. "I understand completely."

-0-

"Ooh, look at all the food," Parvati said, reaching out and taking a sausage roll. "Why are you making so much?"

"The Mahoutokoro visitors are coming for a few days and I wanted to make a lot of the usual things for them," Harry said. "Sota and Tsumugi and Chiyo wanted to try a lot and I'll be teaching Sota and he's going to be teaching me a lot too."

"Oh right, I can't wait," Padma said. "They're cool."

"Ron and Ginny have been training a lot with the Quidditch team," Neville said. "They want to try and beat them this time."

"Why are they visiting us again?" Astoria asked.

"Their school Quidditch team was invited to play in America," Harry explained as he took out more rolls and things from the oven. "They were going to go the other way but they were also invited to play in France against Beauxbatons. They saw it as a training trip of sorts and they managed to spend a few days here in Britain before continuing on. Professor Dumbledore invited them to play too and they can sit in on our classes and we can learn with them too."

"Oh that's neat," Astoria nodded.

"Are they nice?" Ivaan asked.

"Tsumugi, Chiyo, and Sota are really nice," Harry said. "The others I didn't get to know very well but they're polite. Their Headmaster is coming and so is their Potions professor and their Charms professor and some others. Tsumugi said everyone loves their potions professor and she's a big Quidditch enthusiast too and helps coach their teams."

"I wonder what that's like," Sue said, smiling a little. "Liking your potions professor, I mean."

"Certainly is a difference to the usual," Blaise smiled though he looked surreptitiously about as he said it.

"What's that sound?" Parvati asked, stopping her chewing to listen. They looked around with her, hearing what sounded like a lot of scratching. She got up and walked to the door. "Sounds like something trying to get in. Can't see anyone through the peephole." She opened it and the door was pushed in from the outside and she stumbled back, nearly falling over.

Azuki and the other three trickster foxes bounded into the room and charged at Harry. Azuki yipped and barked happily and jumped on him with the others doing the same. Harry managed to set the food down before kneeling down and he was lovingly assaulted by the foxes. "Azuki?! Hi! Good to see you!" He sputtered and laughed as she licked his face and nuzzled him and the other three were almost as affectionate.

"Oh my gosh they're so cute!" Clover and Marigold squealed.

"I don't see any of the students," Parvati said, having regained her balance and peered into the hallway. "I hope nothing bad happened."

"Uh oh, something might be happening here," Padma said, seeing Hedwig fluff up with indignation. The owl barked loudly and flapped over, hissing at the foxes who hissed back at her.

"We're all friends here," Harry said, catching Hedwig and hugging her. "All friends. You remember Azuki, right Hedwig?"

Hedwig gave Azuki a perfunctory nod before narrowing her eyes at the other three who did the same to her. Azuki barked and the other three relaxed but still twitched their ears at Hedwig who glowered.

"Look who I found!" Lavender came in with Tsumugi, Sota, and Chiyo beside her. "I couldn't believe it when I saw them but they were lost in a hallway and said they were chasing after Azuki. I figured she might have come here so brought them with me."

"There you are!" Tsumugi shouted and gasped when the four foxes flicked their tails at her in a nonchalant way. "Azuki! You promised!"

"I do not think she did," Chiyo snorted.

"It's so good to see you all!" Harry smiled at his three friends. "I'd get up but I'm a bit covered at the moment."

"So I see," Sota smiled, seeing the foxes sitting on Harry and Hedwig sitting on his head looking peeved. "It is very good to see all of you too!"

"Not even here for a few moments and you already embarrass us like this," Tsumugi scolded an obviously uncaring Azuki. She grumbled when Azuki looked up dolefully at Harry and looked back at Tsumugi smugly when Harry petted her. "Sorry," she said weakly to Harry.

"I'm not, don't worry," he grinned. "Are they all siblings?"

"One is," Tsumugi sighed. "The one with red and white fur is her sister. Her name is Ebi. The black one is named Ika, and the brown one is named Miso."

"Azuki is a type of red bean, right?" Harry smiled when Tsumugi nodded. "Ebi is shrimp and Miso is the bean paste for soup. Why is Ika named that way when squid are usually white?"

"My friends and I got our foxes together," Tsumugi said. "Ika's owner was going to name him Inku or Kage but he pouted when we named the others after food so Ika was chosen for the ink from squid."

"That makes sense," Padma said. "And that's adorable."

"Can we play with them?" Clover asked.

"Yes but be careful, they are usually very tricky and like to play tricks," Tsumugi said. "Typically." She shook her head at how docile they were while sitting on Harry. They sniffed at hands and looked inquisitive and friendly enough to the others when they approached.

"Told you this would happen," Sota said, grinning with his hand held out.

"Yes yes," Chiyo said, putting a few coins into his hand. "No need to rub it in."

"Of course there is need to," Sota replied. He looked around at all the food on the long tables. "Wow! Did you make this for us?"

Harry nodded. "Wanted to give you all that Britain can offer foodwise and I've been so looking forward to learning more from you."

"Excellent! I have been wanting to share as well," Sota said eagerly.

-0-

"Thank you for making us feel very welcome," Sanada said happily.

There was a Welcoming Feast for the visitors and Dumbledore had introduced them to the school at large. The Hogwarts students and staff had greeted them warmly and more than a few had looked on with envy when the visitor students had sat beside Harry and his friends at the Gryffindor table without a second thought. When the food appeared, Sanada and the others had been pleasantly surprised to see some Japanese food mixed in.

"These gyoza are very good," Yuna said appreciatively. "Did your elves learn for our benefit?"

"Actually, it's probably a variation of what Harry has cooked with them before," Dumbledore said. "We have had many kinds of dumplings through the years, taught by one of our students, Miss Sue Li. She taught Harry who in turn shared it with the kitchen staff."

"Oh yes, Chinese dumplings and Japanese ones are very similar," Yuna nodded.

"Do you normally have different types of meals?" Sanada asked.

"Ever since Harry became a student," Flitwick said happily. "He became friends with the elves in the kitchen early on and they started sharing recipes. As Harry learned, he eagerly shared his knowledge unstintingly and we have enjoyed the fruits of his labor."

"Indian dishes are seen at least once a week," McGonagall said proudly. "And a wider variety of fare in general. I never thought about how regimented the food was before. It was always good and truthfully, we never thought to change the diet all that much. We have since learned to appreciate more and to try different things."

"The stew he made during the Showcase was delicious," Yuna said, nodding at Harry. "And Ariana has said many positive things about him. I know Sota has been looking forward to coming as well. He loves to cook and his family have run a very old business and he is proud of it. He and Harry have exchanged many letters."

"Part of the reason I was happy to make arrangements for the visit," Sanada said comfortably. "Not that I expected anything less from Hogwarts, but it is always nice to see a friendly and familiar face."

"And here is to making more familiar faces," Dumbledore said, raising his goblet in a toast, one eagerly shared by the others.

-0-

"Goodness me," Hagrid said happily, "now you're a beautiful fox. Yes you are."

The visiting students decided to sit in on the classes to see what it was like and as a whole, they accompanied Harry to his while visiting classes that interested them that Harry was not taking. Currently they were in Care of Magical Creatures and Hagrid had enthusiastically greeted Azuki and her skulk and decided to make them a part of the lesson.

Azuki and the others liked the attention and they struck dynamic poses on the table, shamelessly soaking up the attention and adoration. Hagrid asked Tsumugi and the owners of the others to share their expertise and experiences, asking questions alongside the others and paying attentive attention.

"Are they like the owls of your country then?" Parvati asked.

"In some ways," Tsumugi said. "In our folklore, kitsune are the messengers of Inari, one of our kami. A goddess or spirit. The older the kitsune, the wiser and powerful ones grow more tails. These trickster kitsune have a long history of being companions and assistants and can deliver messages too but not so much over long distances anymore. We have some owls or small storm petrels for longer distance things. What you call post."

"Not all trickster kitsune are suitable for companions," Haruto, Ika's owner, said. "Some are too sneaky and play too many tricks. Others are less like that. As you might guess, they all have strong personalities though."

"So on a scale from mild to too tricky, where does Azuki and the others lie?" Lavender asked.

"Azuki is typically very troublesome with strangers and people she does not like," Tsumugi sighed with Azuki nodding emphatically. "The foxes bond with their companions and choose them as much as we choose them. They tend to become close to their chosen families. Azuki has a…how you say when people have heard of her before meeting her."

"A reputation?" Pansy offered.

"Yes, that," Tsumugi said gratefully.

"Even our Headmaster is well aware of Azuki," Chiyo giggled. "He is one of her favorite targets to tease."

"Sanada-sensei loves her," Tsumugi sniffed. "But yes, she does like to bother him. Again, I do say typically because I have never seen her approach a stranger so openly and be so friendly in a short while."

"Harry's a Disney princess," Parvati smiled. "Animals love him."

"You should see him with the unicorns," Millicent said. "It'd be so not fair if he didn't share the wealth."

"You have unicorns here?!" Tsumugi gasped. "May we see them?"

"I'm sure you could," Hagrid said. "I'd be happy to see if we could have one or two come by for a visit. Come on Harry, let's go see if we can introduce a couple to our guests." He and Harry walked into the Forbidden Forest and Tsumugi and the others shook their heads when the foxes followed after Harry.

"Are they hard to take care of?" Neville asked.

"Some can be," Chiyo said. "No worse than any other pet or companion, though the kitsune are incredibly clever." She snorted. "One time Ebi and Azuki exchanged all the clothing between Tsumugi and I. Before we lived together in the same room."

"Oh my gosh that's amazing," Lavender laughed. "Why?"

"Because they were bored and because they felt like we did not give them enough treats," Tsumugi said with a wry smile. "It was actually very impressive because they moved all of our clothes and we lived two floors apart. I was very confused the next morning trying to get dressed."

"I kinda want one," Parvati hummed.

"That thought legitimately scares me," Pansy said with a shudder. "You and a trickster fox together."

The Mahoutokoro students exclaimed with delight as Harry and Hagrid returned with two unicorns walking alongside them. The fox skulk walked sedately with them, unconcerned by the very large animals.

"So beautiful," one of the students breathed as the unicorns approached.

"You have kirin in your country, right?" Hagrid asked after talking about the unicorns. "Similar to Chinese qilin?"

"They are both similar, yes," Yuna said as she reverently petted one of the unicorns. "They are in our folklore however, though there is a breed of dragon-like animal that is basically the origins of the myth. They are rare and powerful. We have a type of magical deer that is taller and stronger than normal deer with magical horns that are similar though."

"Hagrid loves dragons," Harry said.

"Deeply misunderstood creatures," Hagrid sighed gustily.

"Actually I've been meaning to ask," Ron said. "Charlie told me that you tried to hatch a dragon egg here?"

"I didn't try, I did," Hagrid sniffed. "Had to give the baby away though. Was getting a bit big. Too big for my home."

"Professor Hagrid, you live in a wooden home," Hermione said slowly.

"Yeah, and?" Hagrid asked. "Wood wasn't the problem. Just a bit small is all."

"Part of the allure of the trickster foxes I suppose," Pansy smiled as she watched Ika and Miso run around her feet. "Them being small, I mean."

"I do not want to imagine what they could do if they were bigger," Chiyo shuddered.

-0-

"Does everyone have rooms like this to relax in?" Haruto asked.

When they were not in the guest dormitories or the classes, Tsumugi and her friends spent time with Harry and his friends in the Uncommon Room. The Mahoutokoro students liked the room's cozy atmosphere and comfortable aesthetic. It was also helpful that Harry's friends were nice. Of course Tsumugi, Sota, and Chiyo had met the majority of them at the Showcase, but they were glad to see that the Hogwarts students were still very friendly and nice overall.

"Not at all," Pansy said while the others laughed. "Typically, most students spend leisure time in their House common rooms. Or interact with classmates from the other Houses in the library or the grounds or the courtyard. In fact, before, most friendships were mostly within the House."

"But Harry coerced us to be nice to each other using food," Millicent said brightly.

"Coerce?!" Harry said indignantly.

"I seem to recall a stunning coercion course," Daphne said loftily but with a warm smile.

"That was a dinner party, thank you," Harry sniffed, making all the Slytherins laugh. He grinned at the visiting friends. "Sometimes I feel a little bad having this separate place for us. It kinda feels like favoritism in a way."

"But you've contributed so much to the school and to others," Padma argued. "I think it's well deserved and I'm not saying that just because I get to benefit too."

"I'll say that," Parvati quipped.

"I'm thankful for the Uncommon Room," Luna said, her normally dreamy voice solid and grounded. "I love having friends and being somewhere nice."

"And I never would've imagined being friends with everyone here before without it," Susan said sincerely. "I'd really miss it too."

"Seriously." Blaise nodded his head. "Traditionally, Slytherins and Gryffindors were mortal enemies. A tradition I am glad that has gone to the wayside."

"Many of the clans and families of Magical Japan have such feuds and rivalries," Chiyo said. "It is somehow comforting to know that it happens in other cultures."

"Speaking of feuds," Harry sighed, looking at the other side of the Uncommon Room. The foxes were currently badgering and messing with Sunny, Crookshanks, and Hedwig and it was turning more intense.

"We already warned them," Tsumugi sighed. "They constantly vie for dominance even among themselves. Sometimes you have to let them sort things out in their way."

Loud yips filled the air as Hedwig pounced with an irritated hiss. Ika had snapped her at her tail feathers and the snowy owl was beyond done with it. She grabbed the trickster fox and flew into the air, dangling him by his tail. She let him hang there, barking a question while the little fox flailed.

"Hedwig!" Harry cried, getting up.

"It is okay," Haruto sighed wearily, motioning for Harry to sit. "Ika can be a very big pain in the butt for such a little fox. Dammit Ika."

The black-furred fox barked back anxiously after Hedwig barked the question again. Finally, Hedwig flew back down and dropped the fox, glaring at him. Azuki nipped Ika on the ear and the fox put belly on the ground, flattening his ears and looking contrite. With a very weary sigh, Hedwig nodded and a tension seemed to leave the assembled petlings and soon Sunny was playing with them while Crookshanks went back to sleep and Hedwig flapped over, settling down on Harry's head with a grunt.

"Everything okay then?" Harry asked and smiled with relief when Hedwig nodded, hooting in an irritated way. "That's good. Good girl for not dropping Ika." He rubbed her belly and she nibbled on his fingers lovingly.

"They really are adorable," Lavender smiled as they ran around the room, chasing each other playfully.

"Part of the reason they have survived for so long," Tsumugi smiled.

-0-0-0-

odonnellzoo99 - It sure looks like Hermione and Tracey got each other the same necklace. Cute eh? In my mind, I think of Lavender and Harry as goobers in love so that's how I like to write them. Adorable idiots. Abe did threaten to do that to Harry so many chapters ago and I knew it would be a great way to end things with him following through.

Hoodedgenius98 - Dinner and a show honestly.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - No, they're adorable idiots that way. Just how I see them and yes, much better than Puddifoots lol. The website is oddly finicky sometimes. Thanks for reading.

Jah Ith Ber - It's a great place.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Yeah, but they're adorable so it's okay. Makes it that much cuter and funnier.

alix33 - That would be funny for a house elf network, but they know Harry will eventually share recipes and things with them so they don't need it. For that anyways.

Ninkasi - I'm glad you are enjoying it and I'm happy to know you've thought about food and cooking in a different way. That was one of my goals for this fic and one of the reason I enjoy it so.

TheSphynx - I like to think Lavender is delightfully vain. As in she cares a lot about her appearance but not in a bad way and she's honest about it. Poor Abe, can't be surly without consequence.

poka - I like to think of Lavender and Harry's relationship as loveable adorable idiots and it's so cute and fun. It feels refreshing to me. I also really like all the friend dynamics. They give it to each other a lot but from a place of genuine care and warmth and lots and lots of sass.

DustieDaven - Thank you, glad you are still enjoying it after Voldemort's conclusion. I wanted this to feel nice and slice of life and just simple fun. And I adore the petlings too.

DarkRavie - Thank you.