I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
A Taste of Magic
123rd Course – Winter's Blessings
"That was a fine attempt," Nicolas said, nodding at the moving statue. Before him on the table, a small wooden knight moved on its own. It moved somewhat slowly and jerkily, arms and legs moving stiffly and the head moving almost too fast from side to side. Nicolas looked at the seventh year Hufflepuff student. "What? I said it was a fine attempt."
The student huffed, looking irritated. "I did my best."
"I am sure you did," Nicolas said in a slightly condescending tone that made the student bristle even more. "I do believe that was your best effort."
A whisper of amusement ran through the room, making the student even madder. "I'm sure you could do better," the student said, barely keeping a bitterness out of his voice.
"Of course I can," Nicolas said without any smugness, with the tone of someone stating the obvious.
"You know more than me!"
"Of course I do," Nicolas said, still in that matter-of-fact tone. He sighed at McGonagall's look. "But I can still do a better job with using the same exact amount of knowledge that you have right now. Your efforts are not limited to just your knowledge."
"Go ahead then," the student said and quailed when Dumbledore finally cleared his throat and gave the student a stern look.
"Thank you," Nicolas said with a sweeping bow. "I always do better with permission," he said, rising from the bow. He took a block of stone and made several wand movements, tapping the stone in succession. The stone shuddered and changed shape. It transformed from a block into a round cylinder. Then the cylinder became humanoid in shape. The stone undulated, turning into a full human male wearing armor, carrying a large oblong shield and a short sword. The Roman Legionnaire stood at the ready, shield up and sword held at the ready. It started to march across the table, its movements fluid, realistic.
"That doesn't look like mine at all," the student complained.
"No it does not," Nicolas agreed. "However, I transfigured mine using the same shape-change spell you did, and the same shaping spell you used, and the same movement spell you used."
"Then why is yours so much better?!"
"Because I used shaping first, then shape-change. I also used a locomotion charm as well as a featherweight charm before I applied the movement spell," Nicolas explained. "You transfigured the stone into wood in an attempt to make it lighter, but your spells are combating each other because you already have so much magic in it inherently. So you have to apply even more to add more spells, and then you did things in an order that makes it less flexible. When you apply the spells matters just as much as applying them in the first place."
"I didn't know I could use those spells," the student complained. "You didn't tell me I could!"
"Do you need to be told how to dress yourself in the morning?" Nicolas asked seriously. "Do you put on one sock before you put on your shirt? Do you put on your undergarments after you put on your cloak?"
The student flushed as the whisper of amusement was more pronounced, turning into smothered giggles and chuckles. "No," he said through gritted teeth.
"And why not?" Nicolas asked just as seriously.
"Because it wouldn't make sense."
"Precisely! So apply that same thought process to your magic."
"But I didn't know I could mix charms spells with my transfigurations ones when you told me to do this," the student persisted.
"This is Alchemy, not Charms and not Transfiguration. The point is to blend the schools and discover new ways of thinking and application," Nicolas said with remarkable patience. He frowned a little, staring at the young man. "I do not recall seeing you last year during tutoring sessions. Did you skip them thinking you did not need to attend due to not taking your big tests?"
He flushed. "No, I wasn't here," he said shortly.
"Ah." Nicolas looked at him for a moment longer before shrugging. "Well you are here now and if you learn, wonderful. If not, then I am merely wasting my time and I have ample time to waste. Even if you were not using any charms at all, how you apply your spells will still be important. Just like in any other spellwork and magic work. Do you just throw things into the cauldron and hope for the best?" He groaned and muttered in French when the student nodded.
"Did he say something rude and funny?" Padma asked when she noticed Harry wincing and Hermione's wide-eyed expression and Pansy and Daphne's smothered snickering.
"I'll tell you later," Pansy coughed.
"Ah, thank you my boy," Nicolas said brightly when Harry handed him a mini-muffin. Nicolas' demeanor changed again and he now glared at the seventh year Hufflepuff. "You know, just as well you are not being graded for this sort of thing. I would still give you points for trying and while you did not succeed as much as you could, you still did."
He smiled sharply at the student's confused look. "But then I would fail you gleefully for that rather ugly look you gave to your younger classmate for matters that do not concern you in the slightest. Now run along and think about how you would improve your spell casting. Allow me to help you start over." He waved his wand and his stone soldier attacked the wooden knight, literally chopping it into pieces. The student gulped seeing the stone soldier butcher his wooden knight and the pieces of wood returned to stone. He gathered the pieces and left swiftly, fleeing Nicolas' gaze.
"I would have to prevent you from actually doing that, if this were a formal class with scores and the like," Dumbledore said mildly.
"I would still do it," Nicolas sniffed, popping the muffin into his mouth and chewing hungrily. "Mmm, delicious as always. Thank you, Harry." He happily accepted another one and chomped on it enthusiastically.
"That said, there has been an improvement in all the classes for many of the students taking your class," Dumbledore continued.
"You are welcome," Nicolas grinned.
"I hope he teaches you more appropriately," McGonagall sniffed.
Sophie smiled. "Master has not threatened me in any way. Though I did see and hear him threaten another of his apprentices. Something about encasing his feet in stone and sinking him in the lake on his estate."
"Nicolas, really?" McGonagall asked, looking at him with clear disapproval.
"He needed it," Nicolas said dismissively. "He told me himself that he works better with motivation and since he was spending most of his time lying on a beach, I told him I would help him lie on a different kind."
"Underwater, at the bottom of a lake?" Flitwick asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Water and sand, still counts as a beach," Nicolas said.
"In Master's defense, he really does like to sit on the beach a lot and work on his tan," Sophie said.
"Why are you his Master?" Flitwick grinned.
"A favor to his father," Nicolas sighed. "What's maddening is that he is fairly competent. Just incredibly lazy and thinks too much of himself."
"Unlike you in the sense that you are talented and not incredibly lazy," McGonagall said dryly.
"Precisely," Nicolas smiled. "You see, this is why we are such good friends. We both appreciate attention to detail."
McGonagall snorted richly before gasping. "I do not get a muffin?!"
"Be nice to Grandfather," Harry said.
"You are turning Harry against me?!" McGonagall said, appalled and glaring at Nicolas.
"I need the help," Nicolas sniffed. "Barely anyone defends me. Right my love?"
"Hmm?" Perenelle looked up, having stuffed two muffins into her mouth and her cheeks were full. "What are you talking about?" she asked with a full mouth, her words muffled by muffin.
"Miss BeauSolei defended you mere moments ago," Flitwick chuckled. "Do you have some sort of 'flattery clause' in your mastery agreement?"
"No, I did at one point but it backfired terribly," Nicolas shrugged. "Insincere flattery is nice and all here and there but it grates after a while."
"I will be sure to be more sincere," McGonagall said with a sharp smile. "Thank you, Harry," she said happily, taking the muffins from him.
"Look at you, having them eat out of the palm of your hand," Daphne said but her smile was teasing, taking the sting or the accusation from her words.
"Not literally though, that would be really weird," Harry grinned. "That's reserved for the petlings."
"Crookshanks is starting to expect me to hand feed him treats like that too," Hermione smiled. "Such a spoiled kitty."
"They deserve it, they're good petlings," Harry said stoutly.
-0-
"I'm glad you found the piano and the Headmaster is letting us use it," Lavender said brightly.
The Uncommon Room had more music these days. Daphne would play on the piano at least once a day, either practicing something or just for the joy of playing to relieve stress from schoolwork. She always asked the others if she could, not wanting to bother them. Now she was playing to practice for the Festival and she and Tracey and Blaise were discussing what they wanted to do.
"Me too. It's really nice," Harry said. "And it's nice that Daphne has been teaching Marigold how to play."
"Yeah! I'm surprised, she's never said she wanted to play before but I guess now that she's around someone our age that can play, it really interests her," Lavender said proudly.
"It's been interesting to hear music done from magical composers," Hermione said. "I still don't know if Mozart or Beethoven were magicals or not. No one seems to agree on that."
"I can't tell the difference, I just think it all sounds pretty," Parvati said. "I'm going to start calling her Princess Piano."
"At least call her a pianist because she's playing it, she isn't a piano," Hermione sighed.
"Ooh Princess Pianist has a nice ring to it," Parvati agreed.
"Shouldn't there be cupcake in there somewhere too?" Lavender giggled.
"One teasing nickname at a time," Harry chuckled as he walked over to the stove to stir the large pot of hot chocolate simmering. He filled cups and handed them out to his friends.
"Thank you, Harry," Daphne said gratefully when he gave her a cup. She sniffed airily. "It does not surprise me that a coarse crumb is uncultured."
"It can be if you use cultured butter," Harry smiled.
"Cultured butter? What is that?" Blaise asked.
"It's butter that has some fermentation in it," Harry explained. "It has a tangier flavor."
"Don't ferment Parv, nothing good will come of it," Padma said, making them laugh.
"Any requests?" Daphne asked Harry, flexing her fingers a little.
Harry thought for a moment then smiled when he saw Hedwig wake up from napping in her bed. "Do you know that song from the Nutcracker? The one named after the dessert? Something about sugar plums?"
"Oh yes, I do actually," Daphne said.
"That please. It's one of Hedwig's favorites," Harry said. "She heard it our first Christmas at Grimmauld and she loves it."
"That's adorable," Tracey gushed.
Hedwig perked up when Daphne began to play. She fluttered over to the piano and landed on the top of it and as Daphne continued to play, she started to dance.
"She's…she's doing ballet," Blaise said faintly with wide eyes. "Harry, your owl can do ballet."
"Oh wow, those are perfect passe and pirouettes," Tracey admired.
"She's very talented," Harry said in a whisper, putting his finger to his lips in a shushing way. They all cheered and clapped when the song finished and Hedwig spun with a flourish, chest puffed out, wings spread wide, and standing in an arabesque. She bowed several times and hooted at Daphne and Harry.
"You want me to play again?" Daphne asked, smiling when Hedwig bobbed her head. "Of course!"
"What does she want you to do?" Astoria asked Harry.
Harry smiled. "Oh I know." He flicked his wand and thought of how happy he was in that moment, surrounded by his friends. His chest grew warm and the warmth traveled down his arm and into his wand. A flash of bright silver light filled the room and three snowy owl Patroni leapt daintily unto the piano. As soon as Daphne started playing the song once more, the owl and the Patroni started to dance once more.
"Of course they can do ballet too!" Pansy said, clapping enthusiastically.
The dancing quartet were grace personified, leaping and spinning on the piano. They once again finished in a very perfect and dramatic arabesque position and all bowed and puffed the feathers proudly to their wild applause.
"I love magic," Harry said after the Patroni faded away with warm barks and winks and he held a plump and proud Hedwig in his arms.
-0-
"Oh my goodness," Pansy said, looking around. "It's wonderful!"
This year, the Hogwarts Winter Festival was less impromptu. Having decided that it would happen weeks in advance, Dumbledore had set things up accordingly and the space was more organized than last year. Stalls were set up in a marketplace of sorts, with strings of glimmering lights illuminating them and the walkways in between. The stalls were made of wood and now the students competing were setting things up and decorating them. When the competition would end, the same stalls would be used by the vendors and stores from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley to sell things to students and visitors.
A large patch of land was dedicated for the coming snowball fights and on the other side there were places for snow sculptures to be built and presented. A portion of another part was set aside for shinty and hurling and the Quidditch pitch was ready for those brave enough to fly in the snow. Large braziers full of roaring fires and smoldering coals were all over, providing some relief from the cold and the snow. The central bonfire was already lit, crackling merrily and tables were arrayed out before the outdoor kitchen that was set up to provide plenty of food throughout the Festival.
There was even a large ice-skating rink, created by Dumbledore and Flitwick on the far side. They made an enclosed space and froze the water they conjured and smoothed it down, perfect for people to skate on.
Everything had been built and assembled for over a week and the students frequently looked on with anticipation, eager for the last day of term to come and for them to enjoy the Festival. The vast majority of them had worked hard through the end to fully enjoy the festivities to come.
"Right?" Harry said happily. "Everything's coming together amazingly."
"Oh wow, who is using this stall?" Pansy asked. It was the last one in the row, at the end of the marketplace, and it was very big and open. Stone was used to make it and there was a very large furnace at one end with crates and things stacked up all around. Immense anvils sat in the center and there was a very large rack of tools in the back corner.
"Gringotts and the StoneHearts," Harry said, patting a pillar. "Dee is going to do a blacksmithing stall and they're going to make simple things for people and show off goblin blacksmithing."
"That will be very interesting," Pansy said.
"Oh speaking of." Harry waved energetically at a group of goblins walking down the row from the far end. They waved back and a tiny figure broke away and ran pell-mell towards him. "No way," he smiled.
"Who is that?" Pansy asked, eyes going wide when the little figure jumped into Harry's arms.
"Hi Uncle Harry!" Emmie squealed happily, wrapping her arms around Harry's neck and kissing him on the cheek.
"Hi Emmie!" Harry said back, holding her easily. "You came to visit?!"
"I did! Grandpa and Grandma said we were coming to your school's festival!" The little goblin girl's smile was from ear to ear and she snuggled happily closer to Harry. She then noticed Pansy standing there also wearing an immense smile and suddenly grew shy.
"Emmie, this is one of my best friends, Pansy. Pansy, this is Emmie. She's Chef and Dee's granddaughter," Harry introduced.
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Pansy said, curtseying slightly before offering her hand.
"Hi," Emmie said shyly, shaking Pansy's hand.
"Fastest I've seen her run when it didn't include sweets," Granite smiled as he and the others reached them. "Sorry about that Harry."
"No need to be sorry," Harry grinned. "Good to see you!"
"Next time you tell me you can't hurry up, I'm not believing you," Rubi said, shaking a finger at her unrepentant daughter. "You took off faster than a runaway mine cart."
"All about the motivation," Dee smiled. She let go of the ropes tied to a large sled that she and the others had been dragging. "Hello my boy," she said warmly, crushing Harry in her usual hug. "And good to see you Miss Parkinson!" She inspected the open stall. "Good enough for light work. Alright, let's get things set up."
"I'll take Emmie on a small tour of the stalls," Harry said. "If that's okay."
"That would be great," Rubi said with relief. "Forge set up can be a little hazardous. Plus she's been so eager to see you and spend time with Uncle Harry again. You stick close to him now, you understand Emeralda Diamonda StoneHeart?"
"I don't think that'll be a problem," Minla smiled. "She's stuck to him right now."
"We will keep an eye on her," Pansy said.
"I know you will," Dee said comfortably. "You're one of Harry's best friends and he surrounds himself with good folk."
"Other way around really," Harry said warmly. "I'm really lucky."
"As are we," Rubi smiled.
-0-
"Oh who's this?!" Lavender smiled brightly when Harry appeared at the stall she was running with Pansy and Parvati. Her eyes lit up when she saw Harry holding Emmie.
"Emmie, this is Lavender," Harry said, introducing them. "This is Emmie, short for Emeralda."
"Oh I heard about you, I loved the drawing you made for your Uncle Harry," Lavender smiled, making Emmie smile too. "It's nice to meet you."
"Oh you're Auntie Lavender," Emmie said. At Harry and Lavender's shock, and the sincere amusement of the faces of the others, Emmie continued. "Auntie Minla said you're going to be my Auntie like how Harry's my Uncle now."
"Ow my heart," Parvati groaned, clutching her chest.
"Right? She's very adorable," Pansy grinned.
"She's so sweet I can feel it in my teeth and that's saying something," Hermione giggled.
Lavender's smile came back and was brighter than ever. "I'm honored to be! How are you liking Hogwarts and being up here?"
"It's fun! It's cold though," Emmie said, shivering a little and snuggling into Harry more. "It's different cold from being underground."
"The wind really gets you," Padma nodded.
"That's what Mummy says," Emmie nodded.
"Let's see here." Lavender looked at the wall beside the till where they put up examples of their wares. "Here we go." She took down a green knit beanie with a silver-colored pom on the top. "Green for Emeralda," she smiled at Emeralda's delight. "One second." She made a small incision on either side of the hat and reinforced it with a repairing charm. Then she pulled it over Emmie's head and the small slits allowed Emmie's ears to poke out comfortably. "That should help!"
"Thank you!" Emmie cried. She smiled at the mirror that Hermione held up. "I love it!" She reached over the counter and Lavender hugged her warmly.
"She's too cute to be a Slytherin," Parvati winked.
"You're not wrong," Pansy smiled.
Harry grinned as Lavender walked around the back of the stall carrying Emmie, showing her their sewing and knitting kits and all the other things they had prepared. "Already best friends," he said gustily.
"She's so cute," Hermione said.
"Let me get one of the Christmas bandannas and that scarf," Harry said, pointing.
"Harry, you don't have to pay," Lavender said, coming back to the front.
"I want to, it's part of the competition after all," Harry said stoutly, "even though I'm not judging to be fair. Plus I know this is one you and Pansy worked hard on and want to show appreciation." He wrapped the scarf around his neck and tied the bandanna around his wrist to use later.
"You're the best," Pansy smiled.
"No, you all are," Harry said. "I better take Emmie back to the Gringotts stall. Things are about to start, I can see all the people waiting."
"See you later?" Emmie asked when she climbed back into Harry's arms.
"You better believe it," Parvati and Padma smiled. They all waved as Harry and Emmie left.
"So, Auntie Lavvie," Parvati said, nudging her best friend with her elbow.
"I love it," Lavender smiled.
"Harry does look good carrying her," Pansy smiled. "A natural one would say."
"He does keep the sibs in line," Padma laughed. "And he babies the petlings. Only natural to think he'd be a great dad."
"Have you two decided on who's going to be the first godmother?" Hermione asked with faux innocence.
"Hey yeah!" Pansy and Parvati exclaimed.
"Thank you so much, Hermione," Lavender groaned. "Oh look! Customers!"
"Coward!" Parvati and Pansy shouted as Lavender ran to the front of the stall.
-0-
"This is beautiful," Andromeda said softly.
The Festival was in full swing and full of laughter and light. Despite the driving wind and falling snow, there were smiles everywhere and plenty of warmth to go around. People walked around and visited the stalls, laughing and delighting over what they saw and found. Not only were there magicals, but Muggle family members were there along with goblins and centaurs. There were also people that were obviously not students or Hogsmeade residents or other British magicals. They wore different kinds of clothes and things and more than a few had an ICW badge or symbol on them.
Savory and sweet smells filled the air alongside the fresher scents of pine and mint. The strings of lights glinted and glimmered brightly. Music also filled the air, adding an undercurrent of festive merriment to the conversation.
"I would have never imagined anything like this," Primrose said soulfully. "Ever. Not even in my wildest dreams."
"It really is something," Sirius said. He took a deep breath and looked inordinately proud. "And all of this thanks to Harry being Harry. It's incredible."
"James and Lily would be so proud," Remus said sincerely. "I'm sure they are."
"Ah there you are!" Perenelle came over to them with Hedwig sitting plumped on her head.
"Oh my goodness she's wearing a hat," Jean gasped. "And it's so cute!"
"We must go to Lavender's stall," Perenelle said excitedly. "I have been waiting to go to get a hat of my own."
"Lead the way," Daniel said brightly.
The Need & Thread had a good amount of people there. People could walk in and look at all the things they had to offer, letting them try them on and see how they felt. The families walked in, smiling at how busy Lavender and Pansy and the others were and how well their things were received.
"Hi!" Lavender hugged her father and mother warmly.
"Look at all this!" Daniel said proudly. "This is amazing!"
"We're even taking orders!" Lavender laughed. "It's so awesome!"
"You made this?" Alan asked, holding up a scarf. "This is very nice!" He hugged a beaming Pansy. "I'm surprised you did."
"As am I," Pansy laughed. "And a lot of people want them so that makes me very happy."
"We luckily had a lot of plain spares ready and can dye them and dry them super fast," Lavender said. "So we've managed to have a steady stock. Magic makes it so nice and handy."
"The pet accessories are darling," Jean smiled, looking at them.
"Hedwig and Sunny have been great models," Hermione said. "Crookshanks refused to, grumpy kitty."
After buying a few things, the group moved on to look at the other stalls. Neville and Millicent and a few others were selling winter plants and things, as well as wares made by the Tribe and it was also quite popular. Hannah's Bakery stall was popular as well, selling a variety of baked sweets and treats. Luna started doing face painting for kids and people who wanted them as well as selling her drawings and paintings that she had prepared. There was a stall for games of chance, watched over by Flitwick carefully, and others that made quills, small bags and things, and another that did potions that was watched by Snape.
Daphne, Blaise, and Tracey's dance and music area also was full of people. Those who wanted to listen as well as those learning about the dances and learning how to do them.
The Gringotts and StoneHeart stall was very full and very warm. Standing within the edges of it was actually very hot, keeping the winter cold at bay handily. Dee stood at the center anvil, wearing a heavy smithing apron with bare arms, hammering away expertly at something she turned on the anvil. Magicals from all over where there, placing orders and buying the things that had been made while students enjoyed the small metal figurines and badges and plaques that the clan was making on site to their order. Centaurs were inspecting arrowheads and spearheads, and blades, speaking with a goblin there about them.
"This would've been so cool to have when I was still a student," Dora said as she picked out a dagger from the counter.
"The Festival or the dagger?" David asked.
"I don't know if I want to know the answer to that," Ted sighed, sighing more at Dora's cheeky grin and bobbing eyebrows.
"It wouldn't have been possible for us," Remus said sadly. "Too much bad blood and unease."
"It really shows how peaceful things are and how things have changed," Leena said softly.
"And how important it is to keep it," Cyrus said firmly.
"Dear Merlin," Andromeda sighed, rolling her eyes at her daughter. "Did you eat breakfast?"
"No, I knew we were coming here and I can have Harry food," Dora sniffed.
"Was that your stomach?" Valentina laughed.
"Yup, I know that sound," Amelia sighed. "I can hear it from my office sometimes. I made her prove once that it wasn't a charm and I can still hardly believe that it's a natural sound."
Another loud growl cut through the air and Perenelle patted her stomach. "My stomach agrees with yours," she said with remarkable grace while the others laughed. "Come, let us find cheri and eat our fill."
"Heck yeah!" Dora exclaimed and she and Perenelle high-fived. They made their way out of the marketplace and headed towards the central bonfire. The savory smell got stronger and more delicious and soon they reached the outdoor cooking area.
Long prep tables were organized in front of the bonfire and a large area was stoned off and filled with smoldering coals. Grates and grills were placed over the whole of it while a few smaller fires were beside them with pots and pans that had long legs that let them stand over the coals easily. Food was constantly being made and put buffet style in either large serving trays and holding trays or were plated individually based on the food.
"Hi!" Harry came over after seeing them. He had his new Christmas themed bandanna tied over his hair and wore an apron over his clothes.
"You are not cold?" Andromeda asked as she hugged him.
"Nope, it's plenty warm back here," he smiled, hugging her back.
"Great job on everything," Sirius smiled when it was his turn to hug Harry. "Everything's incredible."
"Right? Everyone did such an amazing job," Harry smiled. "I barely set things up, everyone else did the real work for their stalls and all."
"Remember, be proud of your achievements too," Perenelle clucked gently.
"I am, just didn't want to take all the credit," Harry said easily. "Grandfather and Auntie Ari and Mr. Abe are over there at the big table. I'll bring you guys food to eat and share in a little bit. I've had stuff waiting for you."
"Hey, it pays to know the chef," Dora said cheekily.
"I'm not the chef," Harry laughed. "Chef is. But I hope you don't mind preferential treatment in some ways."
"We will survive," Primrose smiled. The party joined Nicolas, Ariana, and Aberforth at the collection of tables they had conjured and put together, right beside the cooking area. In a short time, Harry came over with several platters and pots following him.
"We have beef stew, crake chowder, and chicken soup" Harry said as he directed the floating dishes with his wand. "There's also zongzi, soda bread, Yorkshire puddings, and fish pie. Mostly heavy things that really warm you up and are nice and filling. There's also pickles to cut through the heavy tastes, and some sliced cheese and dried meats to fill the corners."
"Thank you, Harry," Adele smiled. "This all looks and smells wonderful."
"Tastes great too," Ariana said happily. "I've been munching all day already."
"How's the cooking going?" Sirius asked.
"It's great! The Crew is always fun to cook with, same with the Hogwarts kitchen elves. Actually, the elves have picked up Gobbledegook and they've been chatting back and forth with it."
"The elves are insulting in Gobbledegook now?" Remus asked with surprise.
"Not insulting technically, not like Kreacher anyways, Kreacher to Sirius I mean," Harry said.
"That's a low bar," Sirius snorted.
"Yeah, the Hogwarts kitchen elves just like to needle and use that kind of humor that sounds polite but is a little not. Kinda like Society humor actually," Harry said.
"Well isn't that something," Alan laughed
"Let me know when you want more," Harry said.
"More," Dora said with a full mouth.
Ted smiled fondly as Harry gave Dora a string of zongzi just for her and hurried back to the outdoor kitchen. "Does me good to see him so happy," he said.
"Makes the food all the better," Andromeda said, licking her lips.
-0-
A broad cheer filled the air as the final tally for the winner of the stall competition was revealed. Harry and his friends clapped and whistled and shouted as Luna celebrated with Sue, Ginny, and Astoria. Luna's art stall had taken first place and everyone was happy for her. A lot of the faces in the crowd had been painted as well as her selling her other art on more traditional mediums.
Everyone exclaimed with delight as the prize was revealed. Harry had made a Buche de Noel, a Yule log cake. He had also perfected the Illusory Flame Charm and the top of the cake crackled and burned merrily, releasing scents of cinnamon and vanilla as it appeared to be burning merrily. There would be more cakes for people to share later but the first and the best one was for Luna and her team to share.
Luna sliced herself a piece and pieces for Sue, Ginny, and Astoria. She then cut a piece for Harry.
"This was for you and your team," he protested.
"And it is for us to do with what we want and I want to share it with all of you," Luna said serenely. "You first because you made it and you're first among everyone I like." They smiled at that and everyone in their friend group had a piece, the whole cake being split perfectly.
"I love the magic of it," Hermione admired, enjoying the wisps of fire and flame that hovered over the surface. "It's like the dish you said you had at the fancy place."
"That's where I was inspired," Harry smiled. "The charm was fun to learn and I managed to get it to work by casting it on sugar that I treated with a sensitivity solution and sprinkled on top of the frosting. That way, you still get to taste the cake as it is underneath the charm."
"Very smart," Pansy praised. "And very tasty!"
"Where did you get the idea for face painting?" Susan asked.
"Harry," Luna beamed. "He suggested it after asking Emmie if she wanted her face painted and it was so fun."
"Emmie is just plain adorable," Millicent said.
"What did you paint on her face?" Daphne asked.
"Lion features." Luna smiled. "She wanted to be like her Uncle Harry."
Harry flushed at all the coos and smiles. "Alright, get it out of your system," he laughed, pink cheeked.
"Careful what you say," Blaise said, deeply amused. "Don't want any of the goblins think you're teasing her."
"Wouldn't think of it," Parvati said, "she's super cute and fun."
"Someone you won't tease?" Tracey gasped.
"I know who I can and can't and who I should and who I shouldn't," Parvati said. "I have some self-preservatory thoughts."
"You just don't listen to them," Ivaan muttered.
"Exactly," Parvati said, flicking him in the ear and making him yelp and glower.
-0-
"What did you purchase?" Perenelle asked, looking at her husband.
Night had fallen and more braziers were lit to combat the dark and the cold. Lanterns floated about providing more illumination and the cheery atmosphere continued, unperturbed by the chill of night. The Hogsmeade store vendors and the Diagon Alley ones came and set up shop and there was more light and merriment. The Three Broomsticks served drinks, to only of age patrons of course, and people continued to enjoy themselves.
"Some very delightful products," Nicolas said, holding up a bag that was orange and maroon with a stylized W on the front. "Those young men are very intelligent and creative. They also drive Minnie spare so I felt a kinship to them."
"Good thing she is embroiled in her current shinty game and cannot hear that," Drake smiled.
"She knows," Nicolas shrugged. "But yes, I found some delightful things to play with and use for my next trips to the French Ministry as well as other meetings with boring individuals that I dislike."
"I hope you do not mean me," Drake said severely.
"No, I like you. But I will still play jokes and pranks on you of course."
"Of course," Drake repeated and they clinked their glasses against one another. "Also, I love the new make-up. It makes up for your usual failings."
Nicolas looked at his image in a small mirror, admiring the raven features that Luna had painted on. "I think they make me look mysterious and compelling. That young lady is talented."
"You should have Luna paint you to look like a phoenix," Perenelle smiled.
"I actually like you, why would you wound me so?" Drake gasped while the Flamels laughed wildly. He shook his head and then stopped, turning to look off in a direction.
"What is the matter?" Perenelle asked, immediately on guard.
"Nothing terrible," Drake replied softly. "I just caught a whiff of something. That man over there. He smells very strongly of spices."
"Is he hiding something?" Nicolas asked, looking interested. "Cloying his scent?"
"No, he smells like Harry and the ones in the outdoor kitchen," Drake said. "I was just surprised is all."
"Hmm. He is wearing an ICW mark, do you recognize him?" Nicolas asked.
"No, but I will endeavor to find out," Drake mused.
Perenelle hummed softly, focusing on the man Drake pointed out and the ones he was with. "They do not seem suspicious."
"No, just interesting," Drake said. He shrugged. "I am sure nothing will come of it." He sipped his mulled cider. "So, prank things then?"
"Indeed! The older siblings of the young redheaded friends of Harry," Nicolas said. "And they have surprisingly decent character. As I conversed with them, they admitted that they were a bit unkind to Harry over some miscommunication in their younger years. They knew he and we are quite close."
"Brave of them," Perenelle said. "Hopefully now they are more cordial and polite."
"They seem to be. Besides, everyone grows up and matures in different ways eventually," Nicolas said.
"Except for us three," Drake smiled.
"Except for us three," Perenelle agreed and they tapped their glasses together and laughed.
-0-
"I'm going to get them this holiday," Lavender grumbled.
Harry laughed and helped her pat the snow off her shoulders and back. "Want me to help?"
"No, I got it," Lavender smiled. "I can't help but notice that they maneuvered you away from the hole they dug, the pests."
"I swear, I didn't know," Harry said.
"I know," she giggled.
"What do you want to do now?" Harry asked.
"Let's go ice skating!" Lavender said.
"Oh, uh, I never have," Harry said hurriedly. "I'll be happy to watch though."
"And I'll be happy for you to join. Don't worry, it's not too hard. It's fun!" She ran to the rink, pulling him along eagerly. There were rows of skates for people to use, the boots enchanted to conform to the wearer's feet. She laced hers securely before helping Harry with his and she stepped onto the ice. "Come on!" she said, holding her hands out.
Harry shakily stepped onto the ice, holding onto her hands tightly. He felt very awkward, trying to step and slipped and slid all over.
"Shuffle with your feet," Lavender said. "Push off and just sort of stay steady with the other so you glide. Yeah, like that! You got it." She held his hands and slowly moved around the rink. As they moved more, Harry became more confident and he let go of one hand but continued to hold the other.
"This isn't bad at all," he smiled.
"Good!" she said brightly. They skated together. Lanterns floated above them as the snow continued to fall. The lights within the lanterns changed color as they danced in the cold air and the snowflakes reflected the light, shining and brilliant.
"I remember watching a movie on the telly when I was younger," Lavender said softly as they skated. "I forgot the movie, but there's this place in the States where people can ice skate around a big golden statue and there's a Christmas tree there and I always felt it would be so romantic to skate with someone, holding their hand. I always wanted to do that."
She looked up at him and her smile grew. "And now I get to do it! Little me is so happy right now."
"Me too," Harry smiled. "I never got the chance to ice skate before. Wanted to try it. Never could for…well you know." His smile faded a little before returning in full force when he felt Lavender squeeze his hand. "I can't think of a better first time though, with anyone else. Worth the wait."
"You're getting better at the romance thing," Lavender giggled, skating closer to him. "That was really romantic."
"Practice makes perfect right?"
She kissed him sweetly. "It really does," she breathed. She smiled when he pulled her to him and they stood in the falling snow and their lips met once more, feeling warm within and without.
-0-0-0-
AshokaTheGreat - Huh, didn't even cross my mind. Oops. Well, hope you enjoy the conclusion in this chapter then haha.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - A good way for them ton continue business and drum up more, that's for sure. Fawkes must be bored most of the time. Now he has more to do but he always has time to continue his fued with Drake. Thanks for reading.
61394 - I was pretty happy with the prize, hope you enjoyed it here. No they are not and it's wonderful.
odonnellzoo99 - Hedwig in her beanie is one of my favorite mental images. Fawkes really turned up the feud here and I was laughing so much while writing. That would be a funny name for a fic.
DarkRavie - Thank you.
alix33 - Fawkes messing with Drake is always very fun and he won this round of taunting.
poka - Glad you liked it. I don't know how I got the idea for Fawkes' latest revenge but it was too good not to do once I did. Hedwig in accessories is such a cute thing right? She's so happy and adorable.
TheSphynx - Thank you so much. I always like a close relationship between Luna and Harry and will almost always try to do it.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Maybe, maybe not. Hope you like the surprise.
Guest - Thank you.