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

Side Dishes

11th Course – Coming to a Head

Takes place before Lavender and Harry's wedding, specifically after chapter 174 of Taste.

"Uncle Harry's getting married!" Dee sang, dancing around with Emmie. "Uncle Harry's getting married!"

"It's about time!" Minla said, smiling broadly.

"They're so good and cute together," Rubi said gustily.

"And I get to be flower girl!" Emmie cheered.

"It's a very strange custom," Jaspyr mused. "I actually looked it up. It is most commonly attributed to the ancient Romans. They would scatter symbols of luck and fertility before the couple to be wedded to bless the union."

"I kinda like that," Minla said. "It's cute. It's not completely opposite of a blade bearer for us."

"Besides, you know, the whole blade bearer holding the person's weapon so they can marry in peace but is at the ready to fight," Rubi snorted.

"Flowers don't have points, like blades," Emmie said proudly.

Diglin chuckled but then looked over at the Floo hearth in the kitchen. It had come to life and he walked over to it. "Yes?"

"Ah, Diglin, sorry to bother you," Doran said, appearing in the flames. "I was about to leave the bank but something came in for you. Last minute letter. It looked odd and the name was familiar, so I wanted to ask if you wanted me to send it now."

"Who's it from?" Diglin asked, interested.

"Gabriel Robuchon."

"Oh, I wonder why he's sending me something. Sure." Diglin took the envelope from the flames. "Thanks, Doran." The fire went out and he walked back over to his family, opening the letter.

"What's wrong?" Dee asked, noticing Diglin's change in expression.

"Oh no. Nope. This ain't happening," Diglin said, glowering at the paper. "Who does he think he is?!"

"What?!" his children gasped.

"That French fu-fusspot thinks he can just take over as the head caterer for Harry's wedding just because he said so!" Diglin threw the letter on the table. "Over my arse he will!"

"What?! No!" Dee said loudly. "Harry's our boy and no one is taking that from us!"

"Exactly! And we've known him for longer!" Diglin pulled on his coat. "I'm going back to the bank and getting a proper rebuttal written and sent. I'm not accepting this at all."

"Get Quillon," Dee said. "He's good at that."

"I love it when they're mad at someone else," Rubi said, rubbing her hands together. "It's so fun to watch."

"Seriously though, I know he's a big-shot chef but he should know better than to mess with dad," Minla snorted.

"This will end well," Jaspyr snorted.

-0-

"Chef, question."

"By all means, ask it," Gabriel said dryly, walking into the kitchen. "I have not even put my things down or had my second cup of coffee and already you must harass me."

"My apologies Chef," the woman said without sounding like she was apologizing at all. "I can of course wait for you to get settled and to 'harass' you then. However, I had, perhaps erroneously, figured you may want to be alerted when you receive certified post from Gringotts."

"Certified post?" Gabriel looked at her, stopping his movement. "From Gringotts?"

"Oui Chef," she said with a saccharine smile and sarcastic words. "From Gringotts Britain no less. You must have annoyed someone there. Which, knowing you, is not outside the realm of possibility."

Gabriel took the letter from her, ignoring her attitude, and looked at the envelope with askance. It was a very officious looking envelope, heavy and well made with impeccable lettering. He opened it and looked at the papers within. The first was covered in a language he did not know or could read, but luckily he could read the one behind it. He stood there and read it for some time, frowning at it.

"Well?" the woman asked.

"I think I need DuPont to read this to be sure," Gabriel said slowly.

"Your lawyer? What have you done?!" she cried.

"If I am reading this correctly, what I thought was inconsequential is decidedly very consequential," Gabriel sighed. "Would you please call him for me Elodie?" In an hour's time, Jules DuPont arrived at the restaurant and was reading the letter carefully. "Well?" Gabriel asked.

"Who did you piss off?" Jules asked, still reading.

"Believe it or not, I was not intending to piss off anyone," Gabriel said, ignoring Elodie's snort. "I thought I was doing a service by sending a courtesy message."

"Well you failed spectacularly," Jules said flatly. "This is more or less a 'cease and desist' letter and should you continue on your current course of action, then not only will charges be brought, there will be blood. And not blood in a metaphor like gold, but actual blood. Specifically, yours."

"What have you done?!" Elodie cried, glaring at him.

"I merely sent out a letter stating that I intend to be responsible for catering for Harry's wedding!" Gabriel said loudly. "I was doing them a service by informing the others that I would be doing so!"

"Wait, so I assume that is from Harry's mentor in England?" Elodie asked.

"Chef Diglin of StoneHeart, yes," Jules nodded.

"And they are denying Chef's claim or desire?" she asked.

"Strenuously," Jules said. "Vehemently even."

"Only you would be so arrogant to claim such a duty in a brazen way," Elodie sniffed.

"Most of the time, no one claims responsibility for it!" Gabriel cried. "I thought I was being nice in taking ownership of one of the harder parts of a wedding!"

"Did Harry ask you to?!"

"No! But I cannot imagine he would have a problem with it!"

"You always did arrogantly take things for granted," Jules sighed. "And do what you want."

"And?!" Gabriel replied, hands up.

"And this!" Jules said, pointing at the letter.

Before they could continue speaking, the three of them looked at the window. A long-eared owl sat on the sill, pecking the window again. Elodie opened the window and took the letter from the owl who hooted at them and flapped off. She looked at the envelope. "This is from Anthony Banks." She looked at Gabriel. "Don't tell me…"

He took the letter from her. "Yes, I did send messages to all of the ones Harry has worked with professionally, as a professional courtesy." He opened the letter and read the message within, snorting and tossing the letter on the table.

"'You better think again,'" Jules read. "'I'm not afraid of you. I'm not ceding anything to you. Tony. P.S. Andres will cut you.'"

"Who is Andres?" Elodie asked.

"A legitimately terrifying woman that works for him," Gabriel sighed, rubbing his eyes.

"Oh look, another one," Jules remarked as another owl came to the window. He took the letter from this owl and opened it.

"Hey, there are laws about that," Gabriel protested.

"I am aware, I am your lawyer," Jules replied blandly. He poured out a handful of dried soybeans into his hand and looked at it confusedly for a moment. He then pulled out the letter that was in the envelope. "To ward off the oni," he read.

"I have no idea what that means," Elodie said and Gabriel shook his head, also not understanding.

"Oh there is also a postscript," Jules said. He read it and snorted. "Apparently it is an allusion to a Japanese tradition where they throw soybeans to cleanse evil and chase devils out while inviting happiness in."

"So Chef is the evil? Appropriate," Elodie said.

"Also Akari Morimoto wishes for you to fuck yourself," Jules said, handing the letter to Gabriel.

"Of course she does," Gabriel sighed, taking the letter while Elodie cackled. "Woman never lets a grudge go."

"Congratulations, you have managed to piss off not one, but three prominent members of the industry," Elodie said with barely concealed glee. "And one of them being affiliated with Gringotts. That is a new low for you, or is it a high?"

"You take so much delight in my misery," Gabriel complained.

"You are usually the cause of your own misery. It is delightful," Elodie said.

"Well what are you going to do now?" Jules asked, sharing Elodie's amusement.

"Send an invitation for everyone to come here and have a civilized meeting," Gabriel said.

"Next time, start with that," Elodie giggled.

"I thought I was doing a courtesy!"

-0-

That weekend, they had come to Paris to start what would be called the initial meeting. Gabriel set aside his private dining room in his main restaurant and there had been many whispers among the staff as to why that meeting was taking place. The only people who knew for sure was Gabriel, who was looking irritated and embarrassed, and Elodie who looked like she was enjoying the situation with too much gusto, and neither would tell anyone what was going on.

The guests drew lots of attention when they arrived. Diglin had arrived with Dee, dressed in their best though Dee had forgone battle regalia, but brought it with her. Anthony, who was a recognized guest, brought more curious whispering and muttering and more than few looked on at Andres with evident wary respect. Akari was also a very well-known figure and the fact that she looked rather annoyed too also made them wary. She was accompanied by Kaito who looked deeply amused by everything but kept it mostly hidden behind professional placidity.

"Allow me to start off that I meant no disrespect," Gabriel said as they all sat and were served drinks. "I wanted to bestow professional courtesy."

"No you didn't," Louis snorted. "This is you being you and asserting dominance because that's all you know how to do."

"Why are you here?" Gabriel asked, glaring at him.

"Because Tony told me what happened and I happen to like Harry very much as well and wish to contribute," Louis sniffed.

"You just feel guilty over the debacle with those two idiots!"

"Of course I still do! But I do legitimately like Harry!"

"Harry's a StoneHeart in all but blood," Diglin said. He looked utterly unintimidated by everyone else there. "He's one of us. We take care of our own. That's that. I'm sure he'll love having you all as guests. We can handle the rest."

"But as part of his Clan, surely you wish to relax as well," Akari said, looking at Diglin. "Would you be able to enjoy yourselves while working so hard? It makes more sense for one of us to be in command."

"Yeah, one of us," Anthony smiled.

"Precisely," Dee said, smiling sharply. "We know Harry the best. We're the closest. Makes sense it's us to handle it."

"We got very close with him," Anthony protested.

"We've known him for longer," Diglin said flatly.

"Time means little with true connections," Akari said, smiling sweetly. "I owe Harry much and wish for him to have a very wonderful wedding without worry."

"As do we," Elodie said hotly.

Andres coughed, catching everyone's attention. "Has anyone asked Harry first, about this?"

"He can't cook for his own wedding," Louis protested.

"Well, he actually could and would," Andres said. "And I agree we should do it so he can be happy and not worry about it. But has anyone actually talked to him about it first to see what he wants?"

"No," Gabriel confessed when everyone looked at him,

"Maybe we should do that first," Andres said in a very flat and sarcastic tone.

"Probably for the best," Diglin sighed.

-0-

"Oh wow, hi everyone!" Harry said happily. He had been told of a surprise last minute reservation that was important and had been pleasantly surprised to see all of his mentors and ones he worked with and admired all in one place. He hugged Dee and Akari and Andres and shook hands with the others, also sharing fond embraces. "Good to see you all!"

"Congratulations again!" Andres said, hugging him hard.

"Thank you!" Harry grinned. "What brings you all to the UK?"

"Well we actually met in Paris first," Anthony said. He pointed at Gabriel. "He tried to claim ownership over the food at your wedding."

"Professional courtesy!" Gabriel shot back.

"And we all disagreed," Akari said, frowning at Gabriel.

"Professional something," Louis snorted.

"And apparently, no one had thought to check with you first," Andres said, staring at the others who flushed.

"You all want to be in charge of the food at my wedding?" Harry asked, eyes wide.

"Obviously," Gabriel said.

"Because we care about you and Lavender very much," Akari said. "And want you to have a wonderful wedding without you having to worry about that part."

"Have you thought about it?" Kaito asked.

"Yes and apparently I'm not allowed to cook for it," Harry grumbled. He flushed at the flat but knowing exasperated looks the others threw at him and he rubbed his arm after Andres punched him. "I still think I should be able to! It's my wedding too!"

"Is Lavender around?" Dee asked a smiling Chloe.

"I can get her," Chloe said, reaching into her pocket and removing her mirror.

In a very short time Lavender appeared at the Hearth. "Oh my gosh hi everyone!" she smiled, seeing them there.

"Congratulations!" Andres said loudly, hugging her tightly. "Let's see the ring!"

"Isn't it wonderful?!" Lavender said, showing it off happily.

"That's some of our best work," Dee said with the biggest smile.

"Very beautiful," Akari admired.

"Question, have you thought about the food at your wedding?" Anthony asked.

"I knew it'd be taken care off and be amazing," Lavender said with utter faith. "But not so much the logistics of it, no." She giggled. "Only that Harry's not allowed to cook everything."

"Yeah, you tell him," Andres said, glaring at Harry who glared back.

"I mean, I normally want Harry to do whatever makes him happy," Lavender laughed. She hugged and kissed Harry on the cheek. "But I will insist that he be mostly out of the kitchen. But he can cook a dish or two though! It's my wedding too and I want to eat his cooking."

"You two are perfect for each other," Elodie said lovingly.

"We're helping too," Mirra said, having come into the private room. "Chloe told us what you all were doing here and Harry's our Chef and Lavender's ours too, so there."

"I'm really overwhelmed at all of you wanting to," Harry confessed. "Wedding cooking is usually the most stressful for a crew."

"Harry, do not be stupid," Gabriel said, looking at him severely. "We care, which is why we are going through with this."

"Oui, Chef Mentor," Harry said, smiling at Gabriel's groan.

"Okay, knowing Harry, he won't pick one of us to be the head," Diglin said. "He'd feel bad."

"This is true," Harry said.

"Oh I know," Lavender said. "How about working it out with his Best Maid? Pansy will be handling a lot of the planning and since the food will fall under her responsibility, I'm sure she'll handle negotiations. Plus she's a negotiator and mediator as it is so she's the best to handle it."

"That sounds good," Anthony nodded. "We all agreed?" The rest of them nodded.

"I feel bad putting her in that position," Harry said softly.

"This is literally Pansy's job, both her career and as Best Maid," Lavender reassured him.

"Yeah, but it's the chefs," Harry said. "They all have super strong personalities."

"She'll handle it," Lavender smiled.

-0-

The chefs and additional people returned that weekend, during the day when the Hearth had not opened yet. Harry was not there, so that he could not interfere or influence anything but had been assured he would be called if there was a problem.

Pansy cleared her throat gently. She sat at a table facing the rest and she looked very confident and professional. "Hello everyone. To make things more professional, for all of you who do not know me well, I am Pansy Parkinson. I am a mediator and negotiator by profession, and I am also Harry's best friend. I am also his Best Maid, therefore, I am very much qualified to handle this."

She gestured to either side of her, to two other women who looked very professional and even more amused by everything. "This is Sue Li and Susan Bones. They are also very good friends and will have roles in the wedding. They are also solicitors. Therefore, we intend to make this as professional and legal as possible."

"Wow, you're taking this seriously," Andres said admiringly.

"Well, with all the personalities here," Pansy said with a small smile.

"Okay, fair enough," Andres nodded.

"Right, let's dig to the ore here," Diglin said. "We've known Harry the longest. He's still an employee with Gringotts. We were his first professional job. He's part of our Clan and family. We've got the best claim to this."

"I thought he worked somewhere prior to Gringotts," Akari frowned.

"Here, before what it is now, and the old boss would say it wasn't a professional place," Diglin said.

"He has," Pansy confirmed.

"A lot of history, yes," Akari agreed. "But I owe Harry a debt for his time working for and with me in Japan, therefore, my claim is no less sincere as yours."

"Same," Anthony said. "Except not in Japan obviously. Harry helped me loads and my place is better than ever and he had a big hand in that."

"He did," Andres said warmly.

"So we'd do it and do it well," Anthony said. "And all of you can just sit back and relax."

"Well, are you not going to say something?" Louis asked.

"And run the risk of infuriating everyone else further?" Gabriel asked mildly.

"You already have, and you are you, so…yes?"

Gabriel sighed and rolled his eyes. "I still maintain that I did what I did as a courtesy. That said, I have done more than a few wedding parties and meals and am well experienced at that. I also have a desire to ensure Harry's wedding goes very well."

"Out of the goodness of your heart?" Akari asked sweetly.

"Do not answer that," Gabriel said to a smiling Elodie. "Yes, why not," he said to Akari.

"Bullshit," Anthony drawled. "You're doing this to fuel your ego."

"And you are not?" Gabriel asked, giving Anthony a cool look.

"Didn't say I wasn't either," Anthony conceded. "Hey, I'm just being honest," he said, wincing at Andres' flat stare.

"Are you going to say anything?" Akari asked.

"I would not dream of it," Kaito said. "Out loud." He smiled at her look.

"So no one will willingly concede to the other, it seems," Pansy said.

"Then we can do this the other way," Diglin said. "Competition."

"What, cook off and have Harry and Lavender pick? They've eaten our stuff before many times," Anthony said.

"We all can cook, that wasn't ever a question," Diglin said. "So no, not the competitions I had in mind."

"What, dueling then?" Gabriel asked.

"Yup! And I'm ready," Dee said, rubbing her hands together.

"Have at it," Anthony said, waving a hand and Andres cracked her knuckles.

"Let us not go straight for dueling," Pansy said hurriedly. "I'm sure we can find other ways to resolve this."

"I hope," Sue said.

"This is amazing and I'm loving every second," Susan grinned.

-0-

"How're things going?" Parvati asked.

Pansy sipped a glass of amber liquid. "Well, I managed to keep them from dueling outright and doing other forms of…more physical competitions. There's been a lot of arguing. And now they are playing Gemcut and trying to outbid each other for the role."

"Amazing," Parvati said, watching the chefs play and yell at each other with Dee. "So no luck yet then?"

"She's managed to keep them from drawing wands on each other and it was getting close to that," Sue said. "Like most conflicts, it also brings up past ones and they've all known each other for a while so there's a lot of history. Save for Diglin and Dee of course and they're not backing down."

"So what's the problem exactly, that no one wants to work for the other?" Parvati asked.

"Something like that. They all genuinely want to be in charge to make sure everything goes well," Susan said. "They all care about Harry and Lav. Sure there's ego involved but they do care. But you're not wrong. They're all head chefs of their own places and it'll be tough for them to give anything up."

"Why not just split the duties?" Parvati suggested. "Everyone makes a dish or a course."

"That's…a good idea," Pansy said. She flicked her wand and a loud gong sound filled the restaurant, catching the attention of the arguing chefs and Dee. "Suggestion. How about no one is responsible for everything? Everyone makes a dish as their contribution."

The chefs looked at each other.

"Hard to put out a cohesive multi-course menu with one in charge, making sure everything is in harmony," Louis said slowly.

"It is Harry and Lav though and they love all sorts of things," Sue said. "They wouldn't care so much about that and they'd think it be fun."

"Plus Harry's going to cook something so it'll be easier to slot it in," Parvati said.

"Timing would be difficult," Anthony said.

"Not if we do it buffet style," Andres said. "We all make things, set them out, and then make more if they run out."

"That will ensure you all get to enjoy the wedding just as much as a guest," Pansy nodded. "And everything is in equal weight. The Brigade here will want to help as well and I have been told that the House Elves of Grimmauld and Hogwarts insist on making the main cake as well as other smaller pastry."

"The cake is the most annoying part," Akari said.

"And we can all trust each other to do a dish well and not have to worry about making it all fit," Anthony said, warming to the idea.

"I think the idea has merit," Gabriel said. "There should be one in charge of making things run smoothly however, and putting out the final menu. Perhaps Chef Diglin should be in charge of that because he lives here, so it will be easier for him to centralize everything and communicate with Harry and Lavender."

"You are only conceding that to appear magnanimous," Elodie said accusingly.

"That and Dee and Andres genuinely terrify me and I do not want to fight either of them," Gabriel retorted.

"Okay, fair enough," Elodie smiled.

"Are we agreed then?" Pansy asked.

"Fine with me," Anthony said.

"I agree," Akari nodded.

"Yes," Louis said.

"I concur," Gabriel said.

"Alright, I'll accept the position of wrangler," Diglin said, hiding a smug look. "Plus doing it that way means we won't be fighting over the course order and anything like that."

"Good idea Parv," Sue smiled.

"I'm full of them," Parvati said, buffing her nails on her shirt and looking at them with satisfaction.

"Normally it is the ones being wed asking others to cook for them," Pansy smiled. "Have you ever thought there would be an instance of others fighting over to cook for the couple?"

"Just shows how many people love them," Susan smiled.

-0-0-0-

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Chloe is a good character and a good addition to the group.

TheSphynx - It was nice to explore things a little more from her point of view.

odonnellzoo99 - Luna is the best at delivering those odd little lines that catch you off guard. And Hedwig and Sunny are of course part of the girls.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - It was a lot like the Uncommon Room, just people hanging out and having fun together while enjoying good food. Hedwig is very good at breaking up fights. And starting them. And escalating them. Thanks for reading.

HoneyBear84 - Thank you.

alix33 - Small bacon butties must be very cute and dangerous because then you eat more.

poka - I didn't expect to like her so much either. I knew I wanted a strong manager/maitre d' for Harry and she just grew into her role and became such a fun character. Sunny and Hedwig are the best.

Shroudy9 - Thank you.

Wentley - They're a good group of people.