I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
To celebrate Side Dishes' first course, a second update this week. I'm glad people are enjoying it already and hope you continue to do so. My best to all of you!
-0-0-0-
Side Dishes
2nd Course – The Market Central Incident
Takes place after the last chapter, with Harry arriving to America.
"How have you been feeling?" Leslie asked. "You have been here for a week now."
"Pretty great," Harry said enthusiastically. "I've learned a lot already and I know I still have so much to learn and do."
"Sheesh, calm it down Kid," Adam said wryly. "You're making us all look bad with you actually wanting to work and being happy about it."
"Adam, you only need to look in the mirror to look bad," Leslie sniffed.
"Just because you're dead inside, doesn't mean everyone else has to be," Callie snorted.
"He also looks dead outside," Ramirez laughed and the majority of the crew laughed too.
Harry had been warned by Anthony that it might take some time for the crew at the restaurant to warm up to him. They were all industry veterans. Some worked their way up from dishwashers, others from schools, and all had worked for some time in the profession. Harry would be the newest and the youngest by a very large margin.
Luckily, Harry had not been overly bothered. It was very similar to how the Crew at Gringotts treated him at first. He had not expected them to be overly nice either so there was that. Callie had been pleasant to him after the first day, Anthony was perfectly kind and professional, and Leslie was very nice to him. Adam and the rest were professional to a degree, but also hazed him a little.
On his third day, the door to his locker had been removed and they filled the locker with children's books and toys, including a pacifier and other things. Harry, confused at first then amused, had given the toys to Hedwig who had enjoyed them surprisingly. She also got revenge by obtaining random magazine subscriptions and then delivered them to the homes of the crew members who took the revenge in stride. Anthony put a stop to the worst of it however and they continued to work in relative harmony.
Still, it did not bother Harry much at all, comparing the time in his youth to Dudley and his friends, before they were forced to leave him alone.
On his rare time off, Harry enjoyed visiting the rest of Market Central, seeing all of the incredible things to see. Stores selling literally everything and anything were all over and he loved exploring them and seeing them. He also had plans to visit the attractions he had only heard of and saw in the distance like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and many others. The end of Central Park actually was a part of Market Central and he liked the scenic parts of that, visiting it with Hedwig for a bit of sun and fresh air.
Hedwig had also taken to exploring during the day and then hanging out at the restaurant at night or waiting for him in their apartment, but always going to the restaurant with Harry and then arriving when he was leaving if she was not already there.
He was also enjoying all the different food options and trying so many new things. New York bagels were his new-found love and the local pizza was very different to the pizza he was used to, but he liked it a lot. Ella promised to take him to a famous diner that sold very good pastrami and corned beef sandwiches while Vinny had brought him some delicious doughnuts one day. There were also plans to take Harry to some of the other big restaurants in the city, magical and No-Maj alike. Anthony had taken him to a Mexican restaurant where he had his first taste of that cuisine and he adored it as well. When he did his best to replicate it at home after, Hedwig had been a big fan too.
Now he was eating lunch with Leslie who had gone and gotten him some of her favorite American Chinese food. He ate the food hungrily, enjoying the flavors that were familiar from the Li family, yet also quite different.
"It's a bit sweeter," Harry said as he ate his lo mein and munched on a deep-fried egg roll.
"I believe it," Leslie said. "It is different from the Chinese food I had in France. I think the places cater to the tastes of the local population."
"I was taught by my friend and her family and it was definitely more spicy," Harry said, thinking fondly of Sue and the Lis.
"Probably way more authentic," Callie said, eating fried rice. "If you told a traditional Chinese chef that this was the same as their cuisine, you'd get stabbed."
Hedwig flapped into the kitchen from the back door, landing next to Harry. She barked hello at the others and nuzzled Harry.
"Hi girl," he greeted, kissing her back. "Lo mein?"
"You feed her regular food?" Callie asked, watching Hedwig slurp up some noodles from the carton.
Harry nodded as he fed her a dumpling. "Always have. She's the best taste tester."
Anthony walked into the cold prep area where they were eating. "Finally, that meeting took forever," he sighed. He looked at the table. "Where's mine?"
"I left it in the office," Leslie said, getting up. "I will go get it."
"Thanks Lezz," Anthony said. He sat in her vacated seat and smiled at Hedwig's enthusiastic munching. "She makes food look tasty with how she eats."
"She's the best," Harry said, smiling when Hedwig bonked her head against his and cooing lovingly at him.
Leslie walked in with a box of food and a frown. "Chef, we have visitors from the MACUSA. They wish to enter and speak with you."
He took the food from her and started eating. "We just had our Health Department check."
"It is not them. It is Monsieur Turkleton and two others I do not recognize."
"Huh, wonder what Cal wants. Send them back," Anthony said. He continued to eat with the rest and waved a hand when three people entered following Leslie, all wearing robes and MACUSA markings. "Hey Cal. What's up?"
"Hey Tony," the leader said, an older man with grey hair.
"There it is!" One of his companions, a shorter and unpleasant looking man, pointed at Hedwig. "I told you it was flying around here!"
Harry immediately frowned while Hedwig hissed at the shorter man. "What do you want with Hedwig?" he asked.
"We're taking that thing into custody," the shorter man said pompously, pulling out a net.
"No you are not," Harry said, getting up and standing between Hedwig and the man. "No one is touching my owl, not without a really good reason."
"Get out of my way, boy," the man sneered. "This is MACUSA business."
"I don't care," Harry said, glaring at him while Hedwig tried to push her way past Harry's arm, clacking her beak angrily.
"Hey, Cal, what the hell?!" Anthony exclaimed, glaring at the man. "What's going on? Who's that fuck?"
"Excuse me?" the short man gasped, looking incensed.
"He is Donald Bleeze," Cal said wearily. "An inspector for the Department of Magical Creatures. We're investigating an incident that involves that magical creature."
"Her name is Hedwig and she's a snowy owl," Harry said loudly, glaring at the three MACUSA officials. "And she isn't going anywhere, not without me and without a good reason!"
"And who are you to stop us?" Bleeze asked angrily.
"That is his owl!" Leslie said angrily. "As you have been told! Harry is here from the United Kingdom to learn and work here." By now the rest of the crew had gathered around to watch with more than a little interest.
"Don't point your wand at her," Harry said dangerously, seeing Bleeze take out his wand. Harry flexed his wrist and his bracelet turned into a knife, fitting into his hand.
"Are you threatening me?!" Bleeze gasped, paling slightly as he saw Harry holding the knife.
"Is that a goblin wrist knife?" Adam asked, looking impressed and wary in equal measure.
"Wow, he's had that this whole time and never shanked you with it," Callie snorted. "Count yourself lucky."
"Kid, you don't want to do that," Cal warned. "You don't pull a weapon on a MACUSA official."
"And you know we got laws about self-defense that applies to pets and family members," Anthony said, rising to his feet and looking very displeased. "You barge into my place of business, threatening one of my people and trying to kidnap…owlnap his owl. You better do some explaining or you better return with some Aurors while I call my lawyer."
Cal looked shocked, staring at Anthony while Bleeze was alternating looking at the knife and at Hedwig. The third MACUSA official looked very nervous all of a sudden and the rest of the crew looked on with unconcealed amusement.
"Alright, let's all take it easy," Cal sighed. "We've had reports of a magical creature, a foreign one, coming in and disrupting the local ecosystem. We found some of the magic pigeons and ravens severely injured and tracked the animal, the owl, here. As per protocol, we have to investigate and make sure that the magical creature, the owl, is not a threat to the ecosystem and take appropriate measures."
"As if Hedwig is capable of doing such a thing!" Leslie said with disgust.
"Actually, she is, but usually for good reason," Harry said, surprising everyone. He turned to his owl. "Hedwig, what happened?"
Hedwig flapped into the air and flew to the patisserie side of the kitchen and returned with a bag of flour in her talons. She scattered some flour onto the table and took Harry's knife and began to sketch in the flour with it.
"She's…drawing," Callie said, eyebrows raised. "And she's good at it. I know exactly where that is in Central Park."
"So you were flying around exploring, and you were set upon by the ravens," Harry said, looking at her drawings. "Then the pigeons attacked and you beat them up in self-defense. You then dunked them into the fountain to teach them a lesson and made a point of not destroying their nests, then came to me." Harry looked at the MACUSA officials who were staring with wide-eyed astonishment. "See? Self-defense."
"How do we know it's telling the truth?" Bleeze asked.
"How many owls do we know that can draw?" the third MACUSA person said, tucking a lock of brown hair behind her ear as she looked at Hedwig nervously, or more accurately, at the knife she held in her beak.
"I'm not convinced that it's just an owl," Bleeze argued.
"I have papers for both of us," Harry said. "In my locker."
"I'll grab them," Callie said, going to the locker room. She returned with them and gave them to Harry.
"Check them please Riggs," Cal said, handing them to the woman with him. "Look, not saying the owl's lying, but we still need to do some basic examinations and tests. We can do them here."
"What are you going to do," Harry frowned.
"Just use an examination tool," Cal said as Bleeze flourished a long metal rod. It had a large handle and a long shaft with a rounded tip, looking like a practice fencing foil but smaller, a bit larger than a normal wand. "Can you take the knife from her please and let us do this much? It's protocol."
Harry looked at Hedwig who looked back at him and sighed heavily, giving him back the knife. She sat beside Harry, looking very annoyed while Harry turned the knife back into his bracelet. She then squawked loudly when Bleeze poked her with the rod.
"Hey!" Harry shouted.
"I'm just doing what I have to," Bleeze said with an ugly smile and jabbed Hedwig again.
Hedwig glared at the little man, feathers mantling.
"You really want to be nicer about it," Harry warned.
"Don't you threaten me, boy," Bleeze sneered and poked Hedwig a third time with even more force.
"Cal!" Anthony said loudly, glaring at him.
"It's seriously a part of the job!" Cal shot back. "Bleeze, for Lincoln's sake, do it more carefully and right man!"
"You seriously want to stop that," Harry said, glaring at Bleeze.
"Or else what?" Bleeze asked snidely, jabbing Hedwig in the stomach again. "What are you going to do?"
Hedwig, beyond finished with all of this and truly angry at this point, acted. She kicked the tool out of Bleeze's hand, making them all but Harry gasp and shout. She caught it on the way down and when Bleeze drew his wand, disarmed him with a classic parry and thrust with the tool holding it like a fencing foil. After knocking his wand away, she chased him around the kitchen, smacking him over the head with the tool and jabbing him as hard as she could with it, flapping her wings as he ran screaming. She screamed too, in the same pitch as his, mocking him as she smacked and thwapped and jabbed and poked as hard as she could.
The kitchen exploded with laughter as everyone watched. Cal was watching with slack-jawed amazement while Riggs could only stare. Harry shook his head. "I warned him," he said, crossing his arms and watching with amusement.
"Tony, come on, we're just doing our jobs here," Cal complained.
"I don't see that. I see you lot bothering me right before service, harassing one of my own and his owl, and that little fuck was trying to act like a big man and is getting what he deserves. In fact, I think we should cancel your reservation tonight!"
"Whoa, wait, hold on," Cal said hurriedly. "You know it's my anniversary tonight and your place is Michelle's favorite!"
"I do know that because I introduced you two together and you had your first date here!" Anthony said loudly. "Did you think you could come in here and act like an ass without consequences?"
"It's not personal!"
"It is to me!"
"Uh, Sir?" Riggs said, staring at the documents in her hands.
"Not now," Cal said shortly.
"Sir, you really need to see this," Riggs said, holding up the papers.
"What?" Cal looked. "So he's a British citizen and…okay so his owl has citizen papers too. Weird but okay."
"No not that. This," Riggs said, holding up the other ones.
"Those…those are ICW documents," Cal said slowly. "Official ones. Your boy is an ICW employee?"
"Oh yeah, he is," Anthony said, his smile a touch cold. "Is pretty close to two pretty high up ones. Is staying at one of them's personal property. What was her name? Babbly? Bathingie?"
"Bathory?" Cal asked, paling.
"Yeah, that's it," Anthony said smugly.
Cal and Riggs looked at each other with some alarm and Cal cleared his throat awkwardly. "Mister Potter-"
"Oh you are 'Mister Potter' now and not 'Kid'," Leslie gasped theatrically, making Harry smile.
Cal sighed. "Mister Potter, I hope you can understand that we as MACUSA officials, we have to do things a certain way for the safety of our society and magicals as a whole. We did approach this in a rather unfortunate way and really meant no offense to you and…"
"Hedwig," Harry said flatly.
"-and Hedwig," Cal said sheepishly. "Please, could you call her off and we can finish things officially and put everything behind us?"
Harry looked flatly at Cal who had the grace to look sheepish while Riggs looked pleadingly at him. He sighed and turned to look at Hedwig who had cornered Bleeze and was belaboring him with the tool, beating him with it repeatedly. "Hedwig," he called out.
Hedwig stopped and turned to look at him, eyes narrowed.
"Maybe that's enough," Harry said.
Hedwig thought about it and then smacked Bleeze between the eyes one more time before she flew back to Harry, making the others laugh even harder, save for the MACUSA officials.
"Do you mind, taking it from her and giving it to us?" Cal asked.
Hedwig reluctantly gave the tool to Harry and moodily crawled into his chef coat, poking her head out of his collar and glaring at a cowed and cowering Bleeze.
Riggs took the tool and she waved her wand over it. "Donald Bleeze, moderate intelligence, moderate magical power-"
"Hey!" Bleeze cried while the others laughed harder.
"I'm reading the results!" Riggs said. "You're a 42-year-old human, by the way."
Cal had his hand over his eyes. "Read the results for the owl-I mean Hedwig, please."
"Hedwig Jane Potter," Riggs read. "Above average intelligence, above average magical power." She frowned. "It's not giving me an exact age for some reason, something between 7 and 8 years."
"I was taught to never ask a lady her age if she doesn't offer it first," Harry said airily and Hedwig cheeped lovingly at him, fluffing up.
"And she's one hundred percent snowy owl," Riggs said at last. "Not a trace of anything else."
"Are you happy now?" Anthony asked sarcastically.
"Yes," Cal sighed. "Mister Potter, we'll make a record of Hedwig's magical signature so if there are any anomalous readings of it, we know it's her and can respond accordingly. Please have her not go back into the raven and pigeon territory if she can help it."
"I can ask her not to," Harry said.
"I'll take it," Cal said. "And we're sorry for the disruption." He gave Anthony a look.
"Did we cancel the reservation?" Anthony asked Leslie.
"We still can," Leslie said sweetly.
"Better not. I don't want Cal to end up at St Peter's Hospital for losing it," Anthony said and Cal sighed with relief. "Besides, he got off lucky," he said, pointing at a well-beaten Bleeze. "I've seen her kick a double door off the hinges."
"Seriously?" Cal asked, eyes wide and Bleeze looked fearfully at Hedwig who poked her leg out of Harry's collar and waggled it at him, hissing.
"Yep. Now get out of here, we got work to do." He and the crew laughed when Bleeze fled first and Cal and Riggs followed after. "Things aren't boring around you, are they?" Anthony asked Harry with a big smile.
"Not the first time I've been told that," Harry said, resting his chin on Hedwig's head who cooed and fluffed up against him.
-0-
"Chef, there is someone from the MACUSA again," Leslie said the next day.
"Again?" Anthony shook his head. "If they aren't from the Health Department, tell them to come back another time or come back as a customer. I've had my fill of MACUSA from yesterday."
Leslie looked very serious. "Chef, you should meet with him."
Anthony raised an eyebrow. "Alright then." Both eyebrows went up when the man entered. The busy and loud kitchen faded in sound and action when they noticed him. He drew the eye with his severe expression and they could feel his presence, the feeling of someone very serious and very dangerous. "Uh, hello, Sir. I don't think we've met."
"We have not," he said, his voice cool and professional. "I apologize for disrupting your business."
"No problem," Anthony said with a smile plastered on. "What can I do for you?"
"Is Mister Potter here?" the man asked.
"Yeah, just around the corner. Potter!" Anthony called.
"Oh, hi Mr. Christos," Harry said, smiling when he recognized the man. Everyone goggled at the sight of Christos relaxing somewhat and looking less severe somehow.
"Harry," Christos said, going so far to smile a little. "Are you well?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"And your owl? Miss Hedwig is unharmed?"
"She's fine too. Still a bit angry but I don't blame her," Harry said seriously. "Nothing some cuddles and extra food won't fix though. And I'll get her something when we go shopping later. She loves accessories."
"Good. Mistress was very displeased by the whole matter and has lodged a complaint. I have as well." Christos' eyes turned red and people shuddered. "You, nor Hedwig, will be bothered again. We will ensure it."
"I appreciate that," Harry said gratefully. "I knew we can always count on Miss Edwina and her friends. You all are the best."
The reddish hue faded and Christos looked pleased. "We are happy for your confidence. I will not take too much of your time. I only wished to come check on you."
"Would you like to eat something?" Harry asked. "I can make you something if that's okay with Chef. His food here is so good. Have you had it before?"
Christos looked as flummoxed as everyone else. "I have not," he said slowly. "It has been some time since I have…eaten solid food."
"I'd be honored to be the first place you've had some…solid food then," Anthony said with a big smile. "And Harry's a great cook."
"I have heard of his prowess," Christos said seriously. He looked around a little. "Very well. I will accept and partake."
"What would you like?" Harry asked.
"I…have no idea," Christos said with a faint air of embarrassment. "I honestly cannot remember the last time I ate, or the last thing. I will leave it up to you."
"How do you feel about garlic?" Harry asked, looking at the others with confusion when they gasped in horror and fright.
"I do not enjoy the taste I must admit," Christos said seriously. "I think I am mildly allergic to it."
"No problem. I'll make you something," Harry said confidently.
"Follow me," Leslie said with a large smile. "We have a nice table for you out in the dining room." She walked him out.
"Sorry Chef, for offering without asking," Harry said apologetically.
"No, no problem at all," Anthony said with a shiver. "Do you know who that is?!"
"Mr. Christos? I met him when I arrived. He works for the MACUSA and is friends with Miss Edwina," Harry said.
"He's the Second Head of the Aurors," Callie gasped. "And not the public ones, the ones they send out on serious jobs!"
"And a freaking vampire!" Adam said, looking pale.
"Oh wow, that sounds really impressive," Harry said, looking impressed. "Also, yeah, I figured he was a vampire. He feels like Mr. Drake, Miss Edwina, and Greta. I'm friends with them and they're nice if you're nice."
"Go ahead and make something," Anthony said while the rest of the crew stared.
"Where did you find him?" Adam asked softly as Harry started cooking, whistling happily as he did.
"In France," Anthony said, shaking his head. "I'm glad he accepted my offer. Seriously."
After some time, Harry walked into the dining room with Anthony while the rest of the crew sort of peeked through the windows in the doors. Christos was sitting at a corner table looking a little out of place and a little uncomfortable. He relaxed once more when Harry approached with a plate, sniffing the air delicately. "That smells nice," he said.
"I'm glad! It's a steak frites, specialty of the house," Harry said. "No garlic in the sauce or on the frites but I seasoned them with parmesan and lots of cracked black pepper and made a sauce au poivre for the steak."
Christos held a knife and fork gingerly and carefully cut a piece of the steak. His nostrils flared a little as he breathed in the scent of the butter basted steak and admired the reddish insides of the meat. He bit into the steak slowly, as if trying to remember how. However, as he chewed, his expression brightened and he was soon eating easily and with familiarity.
"This is wonderful!" he exclaimed, speaking with a full mouth as he ate.
"I figured you'd like it a little on the rare side," Harry smiled, happy to see him eat with a pleased expression. "I learned that a proper rare steak should still be warm in the middle. You still want the heat to cook through, you just don't let the middle get cooked past the desired doneness. If it's still cold and blue in the middle, that's raw, not rare."
"A very fine distinction," Christos said as he ate. "A credit to your cooking and your learning."
"I've learned a lot here," Harry said happily and Anthony looked pleased and proud.
Christos finished the food in short order, leaving a bare plate. He wiped his lips with impeccable manners and looked at Harry. "Now I understand why Mistress and Greta have put more of an emphasis on eating once more. I do believe I will have to become a regular patron while you are here."
"We'll be happy to have you," Anthony said.
"In fact, Mistress will be returning in two weeks' time. I would like to make a reservation for five," Christos said.
"We can arrange that," Leslie smiled.
"Very good." He rose to his feet and offered his hand to Harry without reservation, shaking it warmly. "Thank you for this treat and experience, my friend. And once again, thank you for your patience in what happened yesterday. It will not happen again."
"Thanks for all your help," Harry smiled.
"Oh, this is more than the cost of the food," Leslie said when Christos gave her five Galleons.
"Keep the rest as a tip, for my appreciation," Christos said. "Chef, Miss Leslie, Harry, until next time." He left the restaurant with a smile on his lips.
"I'm glad you're here," Anthony said seriously to Harry.
"Me too," Harry said with a big smile.
-0-0-0-
GhostKingGengar - Thank you, I'm glad you did.
AshokaTheGreat - I'm very fond of this setting and there's still plenty to explore and see and taste in my opinion.
Hufflepuffzd96 - I thought the cover was very good too, really hit that fun vibe I was hoping for. Glad you liked it and the chapter.
Arnie1701 - I mean, up until now, he hasn't had any real exposure to that kind of cuisine. But it will come up soon.
odonnellzoo99 - Harry likes to cook and likes his friends and family in equal measure. Usually a safe bet. I say that line out loud when my jokes fall flat. Either as a form of self-soothing or trying to speak it into existence. I have some more fun with the NYC characters coming up. Hope you continue to enjoy.
TheSphynx - If the fic doesn't make you hungry for more, something terrible has happened.
alix33 - Yes indeed to both, the chef and his restaurant. His book, Kitchen Confidential, really taught me a lot about professional cooking and the mindset of it.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Hedwig is very clean and cleans up after herself. I know I despise slackers in my work environment save for myself of course. Thanks for reading.
guest - Glad to hear it, thank you.
61394 - Still plenty to see and taste I think in this setting.
choquain - I was too fond of this setting to not do this honestly. Glad others share the sentiment.
Stellan Black - Thank you so much. I was much too fond of the setting to not have a meandering exploration of it some more.