I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Side Dishes
9th Course – Speaking With Words 4: The Fourth Year Part 2
As per tradition, takes place all over the timeline with the first instance starting at the 51st Course of Taste, when the invitations for Harry's first real birthday are being made and sent out.
"Yeah! Then I'll knock up a formal invitation letter and then send them all out later." Sirius blanched a little when he noticed Hedwig perched on a lantern holder and looking at him intently. "And ask Hedwig to deliver the letters."
" You better give them to me and soon. I want to send out the invitations with plenty of time for people to make arrangements for Chick's birthday. He deserves the best one and by talon and feather I intend to ensure he does."
Hedwig fluffed up and nodded. She gave him what was obviously a stern look and waggled her tail feathers at him before fluttering off.
" I'll be waiting and I'm impatient so you better do it tout suite or else I'll come find you!"
"Does she act like that normally?" Sirius asked.
"Oh yes, she's very intelligent and incredibly protective," Remus said.
"Right, don't mess with her then," Sirus said.
-0-
"You know, on a base level, I feel like I should be insulted," Sirius remarked. "Instead, it's actually kinda comforting to be double-checked like this by someone that clearly has Harry's best interests at heart."
He and Andromeda watched as Hedwig was meticulously checking the invitations. She was going through the pile of well lettered envelopes and checking them against Harry's list. After each confirmation, she would make a small checkmark with a talon on the parchment, dipping the tip of her talon in a bit of ink.
"My goodness, she really is thorough," Andromeda admired.
" Okay, that's everyone," Hedwig nodded with satisfaction. She held her wings up and Andromeda helped buckle on the special harness Harry had found for her and gotten her. It went over her chest and bucked at her back. There was a large pocket on the front of the harness with a flap and a latch on it. It was designed for mass letters and would be more comfortable for mailing multiple things and the pocket was charmed to only allow people to take out post addressed to them.
" This is quite comfortable," Hedwig cheeped happily after the harness was settled and the letters put in. " And makes multiple letters be sent out so much more handy. I love my chick. He's the best boy. It even has a snack pocket!"
"Ready?" Andromeda asked.
" Ready and raring!" Hedwig barked. She bobbed her head at them and took off, jumping high and flapping hard. Within seconds she had left Grimmauld and was high in the sky, flying swiftly.
" Time to earn my bacon and to make sure Chick has the best day!" she screeched joyfully as she flew.
-0-
Dumbledore looked up and smiled. The tapping on the window drew his attention and he rose from his desk and walked over to it, opening by hand. "Good morning, Hedwig," he greeted the snowy owl. "Hmm. I will enchant the window for you in the future. I trust you and Harry."
" Good morning and yes please, thank you." Hedwig puffed her chest out and Dumbledore opened the pouch and removed his invitation.
"Ah splendid!" Dumbledore said happily. "I will see Harry later and give him my reply. Thank you. Are there invitations for Nicolas and Perenelle? And my siblings?" At her nod, he continued. "I can take them and send them for you if you wish. Save you a bit of time since I can do it more swiftly."
" That will be good," Hedwig cheeped and allowed him to take the others. " Make sure they get them fast please."
"I will send them out right now," Dumbledore said. Under her watching eye, he slipped them into the voiceless vase and tapped it with his wand. After a brief shake, the invitations were sent out.
" Good! See you later!" Hedwig said and after another head bob, launched herself out into space, flying to the next recipient.
Dumbledore watched her fly away, admiring how fast she was. "I cannot wait," he smiled, and walked with a spring to his step.
-0-
Hedwig flapped silently into the Patil home. She had come often enough where the family had made it so she could come and go without being let in. There was a specific window that had been charmed to allow her in and out without having to wait for someone to do it. She flew around the room silently and noticed a napping Parvati.
" Ooh this will be fun," she giggled and landed delicately on the chair. She slowly and carefully walked up Parvati's leg and settled on her chest, leaning down to look at the sleeping girl.
Padma walked and was about to greet Hedwig before she took the whole scene in. She then put a hand over her mouth to hide her merriment and the girl and the owl waited for the inevitable.
Parvati yawned, smacking her lips as she tugged on the blanket covering her. She was napping in her favorite napping chair; it was the perfect dimensions to sprawl out and be somewhat reclined. It was placed in the corner of the sitting room beside the window, perfectly situated to let sunlight fall over the body but not the head for maximum comfort.
The blanket resisted her tugging and she was slowly waking up, irritated by the blanket's refusal to cooperate. After tugging it some more without any improvement, she blinked slowly, frowning. As her eyes focused, she realized she was eye to eye to with some very large amber eyes, framed by snow-white feathers and a very sharp beak was very close to her nose.
She shrieked and flailed, rolling out of reflex and fell from the chair while Hedwig flapped her wings, hovering in place and hooting happily when Parvati hit the ground. "Hedwig!" Parvati sat up, hand to her chest, feeling it beat wildly. She glared when she saw Padma shrieking with laughter beside her. "Why?!"
" Because it was funny!" Hedwig hooted with laughter.
Padma dodged a pillow swipe. "It wasn't my idea! I came in and found her perched on your chest and just looking at you. It was too funny to interrupt and you know that if it were me, you'd watch too."
"Okay yeah, but still." Parvati took a deep breath, calming down. She sighed when Hedwig landed on the chair, plumping down in the middle of the warm spot that she had left behind. "You think you're so clever, don't you?"
" I am very clever, yes. All should know this." Hedwig nodded, giggling. She thrust her chest out and Parvati noticed a little harness buckled across Hedwig's chest. A strap sealed a pouch on the front and Parvati undid the cord keeping it sealed, opening the pouch and taking out a letter with her and Padma's name on it. "Wow, that's a cute harness."
"Oh I see a lot of envelopes in there," Padma said, taking a peak. "Better for mass deliveries it seems." She gently rubbed Hedwig's head when the owl nodded, smiling when Hedwig nibbled her fingers lovingly.
" It's very handy," Hedwig nodded.
"Oh Harry's having a birthday party!" Parvati said excitedly, reading the letter. "And we're invited of course. Wow this is a fancy looking invitation."
"Oh wonderful!" Padma looked at it. "Oh wow yes it is. It's very formal. That's an official family seal at the top."
"Guess that means he's got a decent home now." Parvati smiled when Hedwig nodded. "Thank goodness."
" It's a good nest, one he deserves," Hedwig sighed thankfully.
"Hmm, it says parents and guardians are invited too," Padma said, after taking the invitation from Parvati. "We can ask Mum or Dad or Grandmum to see if they want to come."
"They trust us to visit friends but we haven't visited Harry before, not to mention with the Blacks back on the scene."
"Yeah, we'll ask them later." Padma offered an arm and Hedwig hopped daintily onto it. "I don't think we have any bacon, but we have some leftover lamb from last night. And some chicken. Want something to nibble on before moving on?" Hedwig nuzzled her cheek, making her laugh.
" Yes please! I already ate my snacking bacon and I'm a bit peckish. Hehehe. Peckish. Get it?"
"She's nice to you," Parvati complained. She whooped when Hedwig flapped over to her and sat on her head. "Well, I'll take what I can get," Parvati said with a wry smile as Hedwig wiggled comfortably.
" I'm nice to you too. Only people I like get to be my butt warmers."
-0-
"Oh hello," Jean Granger said, smiling as Hedwig came swooping in. She still remembered the first time the beautiful snowy owl had appeared at their window. For the longest time, Jean had thought the owl had been blown off course or something and was lost. Hedwig had shown remarkable patience and had sat there calmly enough, tapping the window with her beak, but Jean had learned that the owl could communicate through very expressive facial expressions.
She was utterly flabbergasted when she learned that owls were used as messengers and post carriers by the Wizarding World. The letter that Hermione had sent from Hogwarts had been a delight, something she and her husband David thought impossible when Hermione left for school. Since Hermione's first year, Hedwig had flown regularly between Hogwarts and the Granger home and they had all been very happy for the assistance.
Hedwig hooted hello and thrust her chest out, making soft noises as Jean opened the pouch and took out the letter with Hermione's name on it. " Hello there! I have come bearing important news."
"Thank you, dear," Jean said. "Have a rest and I'll call Hermione down. Would you like something to eat and drink?" She remembered how vaguely silly she felt the first time she talked to Hedwig but that was a very long time ago. Speaking to the owl now felt normal and comfortable even. She smiled when Hedwig nodded eagerly and sat on the roost they purchased just for her.
" Yes please. I'm exerting more energy than normal by flying very fast."
"Hermione! Hedwig's here!" Jean called as she filled a water dish with fresh water for Hedwig. She opened the fridge and looked about. "I'm out of bacon I'm afraid. Will some ham do?" At Hedwig's hoot of affirmation, she took out the ham and made a pile of thin slices and put them on the food dish in front of Hedwig, smiling as the owl ate hungrily.
" Ham is still good. Mmm hammm."
"Hi Hedwig," Hermione said brightly, walking into the kitchen. She opened the letter and read it swiftly. "Oh! Harry's having a birthday party this year! His first one."
"His first one? What does that mean?" Jean asked.
"Oh, uhm, it turns out his guardians from before weren't very kind to him," Hermione said sadly.
"That sounds down right abusive," Jean frowned.
"From what I heard, that's not very far off the mark," Hermione said quietly. She looked over when Hedwig shredded the ham angrily and gobbled it down with even more fervor.
" One day, one day I will have my vengeance. Bloody bastard coated bastards with bastard filling! They are unfit to care for anyone much less someone as wonderful as my chick! Oh just they wait. I will do terrible things to them."
"Poor thing," Jean said sadly. She sliced more ham for Hedwig. "He's in a better place now?"
"Yes, living with his godfather. You and Dad are invited too."
"Oh? Hmm. Are we welcome? With us being Muggles."
"It says on the invitation," Hermione said, handing it over. "And there's an extra note here, saying that Harry's new god-uncle is Muggleborn like me and if we had any questions, he'd be happy to help us."
"Oh well that would be incredible," Jean said with a sigh of relief. "I know I would love to learn more about things and your father would too. That's very generous of them. We'll have to find something nice for Harry for his birthday. You know what he likes, yes?" She grinned when Hedwig cheeped loudly. (" ME!") "Besides Hedwig of course."
Hermione giggled. "We can't go wrong with anything cooking related."
"Oh right, you've had many good meals with him and I'm still astounded he helped to figure out how to make smoothies. Well, guess we better prepare for a party then!"
-0-
"Hello Hedwig," Pansy smiled as Hedwig flapped over landing on her desk neatly. "Would you like something to eat?" She turned to Tulip when the owl nodded. " That sounds wonderful, thank you."
"Would you get Hedwig some bacon and some water please?"
"Yes Mistress Pansy, Tulip will be right back." Tulip curtsied and left, humming softly.
Pansy took her letter out of Hedwig's harness. She opened it and her smile grew even wider, going from ear to ear. "Oh lovely!" she exclaimed as she read. "Good, he is going to have a proper birthday. I was worried with what happened before and that he is working. How is he, is he happy?" She sighed happily when Hedwig nodded emphatically. "Good."
" He's happy and healthy," Hedwig sighed lovingly. " About damn time."
Tulip walked back in with bacon on a plate and a shallow dish of water. "Mistress Pansy is popular right now. Miss Millie is calling from the small Floo."
"I will be right back, take your time," Pansy said to Hedwig. "Thank you, Tulip." Pansy left her room and went to the small Floo room, the room reserved for Floo calls and not traveling. "Hi Millie."
"Hi Pansy," Millicent said brightly, her head hovering in the flames of the small hearth. "Did you get your invitation?"
"I did!"
"Great!" Millicent frowned slightly. "So Mum and Dad are a bit nervous since it's being held at the Blacks."
"Oh right, I wonder if my parents will be the same," Pansy said, also frowning.
"Dad has to work but Mum said she could escort us if we wanted her to. But she did say she'd feel better if Auntie Rosie would and that if she'd escort both of us, that would be great."
"I will ask," Pansy said. "I intend on going no matter what they say."
"Me too. We can't not go to Harry's first real birthday." Millicent smiled. "And guess what, Sunny got an invite too! Sunny Bulstrode."
"Adorable," Pansy smiled. "And the beast's ego will inflate even more."
"When she bites you later, you'll know why," Millicent laughed.
"As if she needs a reason."
"She sure has plenty. Do you want to go in on a present together or get something related?"
"Ooh, that might be fun. Let me think on that. But I'll ask my parents right now about escorting us."
"Sounds good, let me know what they say." Millie waved and her head disappeared from the hearth.
Pansy returned to her room. "Tulip, are my parents home?"
"Yes Mistress Pansy. They is in the parlor."
"Thank you." Pansy gently patted Hedwig's back. "Thank you for bringing the invitation. Safe flight home and give Harry a nuzzle for me please." She smiled when Hedwig hooted warmly and nipped her finger gently.
" Thank goodness Chick has good friends," Hedwig mused as she munched on the bacon. " I'm surprised a bit how nice you are now, but well, I shouldn't be. Chick has that effect on people. He makes good people more good and is so kind and warm."
-0-
" Owl coming in for a landing!"
Lavender smiled, hearing a keen growing louder. She looked up eagerly and was rewarded with the sight of a snowy owl flying in. "Hi Hedwig!" she called cheerily, smiling brightly when Hedwig hooted back, extending her wings and gliding in for a gentle and graceful landing. The owl landed on the table beside the chair Lavender sat in, barking a greeting.
" Hi hi! I brought you something!"
"I love your harness," Lavender said. "Look at what I'm working on for you." She showed a length of pink ribbon she was sewing. She giggled when Hedwig danced up and down and tugged on her hair playfully.
" Oh I love it! You're the sweetest. You take care of Chick and give me pretty things."
"What did you bring me?" She took the letter from the pouch and read it, her eyes widening as she did. "Yes! Finally! Oh I'm so happy," she sighed.
She finished the end of the ribbon and tied it around Hedwig's harness into a big bow and Hedwig puffed her chest out, admiring it. "Let's go ask my parents now." She held out her arm and Hedwig walked daintily on, climbing up her arm and shoulder and nestling down in her hair. Lavender walked into her home and found her parents in the sitting room.
"Hello Lav," Daniel said warmly. "Hello Hedwig," he said wryly, seeing the owl peeking out from Lavender's hair.
" Hello father of Lavender and one who likes to be teased," Hedwig hooted.
"How's Harry doing?" Leena asked.
"He's well, he's all moved in and has a good home finally." Lavender had shared some of what she learned from Harry about his past circumstances, glossing over the more private parts with broad terms. She had been gratified to hear that her father and mother also found the situation entirely unacceptable, that it was not normal in the slightest.
"That's good," Leena said. "I'm still surprised he's working all summer."
"Nothing wrong with a bit of work when you can," Daniel said comfortably.
"Yeah, he wants to. Oh and his first real birthday is coming this weekend." Lavender put particular emphasis on those words. "And I need to go. Can we go please?"
"Need to go?" Daniel repeated, eyebrow raised.
"We?" Leena repeated.
Lavender handed over the invitation. "Mmhmm! Remember when I said his terrible relations never celebrated his birthdays? Well a bunch of us swore we would this year and now he can and it'll be great and I need to go or else I'll be sad forever and hold it against you until I die."
"What shows are you watching with Mum?" Daniel asked, alarmed.
"She said not to tell you," Lavender replied, smiling brightly. She immediately shifted gears, her eyes turning large and doleful, her lip trembling. "Please Daddy?"
"Oh no, don't do this to me," Daniel said, putting his hand over his eyes. "I can't handle that-hey!" Hedwig hopped off Lavender's head and landed on his chest and started gently prying his fingers apart with her beak. "Stop that! No fair!"
" Behold the eyes of your chick! Allow them to worm into your conscience and bend to her will and wishes! Only in this case because it is for my chick but also because it is funny. Do it! Look at her!"
"Please?" Lavender begged, making her voice quaver. She leaned in close and helped Hedwig in prying her father's fingers open. "You don't want me to be sad forever, do you?"
"Leena help!" Daniel cried, fighting for his life.
"I know I should but this is really adorable," Leena smiled, enjoying the show.
"Hedwig!" Clover and Marigold came running over when they saw Hedwig. "What's going on?" they asked in tandem when they noticed what was happening.
"Your older sister is trying to convince your father into something with Hedwig's help," Leena said. "And it's probably going to work."
" It's absolutely going to work. I am very persuasive."
"Convince what?" Clover asked.
"Can we help?" Marigold asked.
"No!" Daniel shouted.
"Harry's having a birthday party and I need to go," Lavender explained.
"Can we go?!" the girls cried out. "We can help and we want to go!"
"Girls, it's rude to invite yourselves to a party," Leena said gently.
" Chick likes the two little ones," Hedwig barked. " And the more the merrier! He deserves all the love!"
"But you two are invited and I'm sure they can be, I'll ask," Lavender said. "Harry likes them too. Harry's godfather wants parents to come to meet and make sure everyone is comfortable and all."
"Oh, that's rather nice of him," Daniel said, peeking out from between his fingers. "Will it be a problem with me being there?"
"No. Hermione was invited and her parents are invited I'm sure. Plus Harry's god-uncle is Muggleborn, it's written on the invitation too."
"Hmm, well, that is very nice. Who is Harry's godfather anyways?" Leena asked.
"Sirius Black," Lavender said. Her eyes widened when Leena coughed and hacked, startled. Everyone turned to look at her. "Are you okay?!"
Leena rubbed her chest. "Yes, sorry, wrong time to sip something. Did you say Sirius Black?"
"Yes? Oh is this about the prison thing? He was found innocent. He was sent to Azkaban without a trial and it turns out he wasn't guilty at all."
"Wait hold on, he was in prison?" Daniel asked, looking very alarmed.
"He was sent to Azkaban without a trial?!" Leena gasped.
Lavender nodded. "Yeah there was a huge thing about it but it ended up okay and he's Harry's godfather. He's taking good care of Harry I think."
Daniel looked at his wife with concern. "And he's completely okay? Now I mean?"
"I think so," Lavender said. "The Headmaster helped them a lot and Professor Lupin is too."
Daniel looked at his wife again, not liking how still and lost she looked. "Okay, well, I'd like to exchange some messages with Mr. Black but I think we can at least go for a bit."
"Nothing will happen," Lavender insisted. "Harry's the best and he won't let anything happen. I know it."
Daniel saw the look of sincere belief on her face and he sighed when Hedwig nodded emphatically. "Okay, well, like I said, we can at least go for a little bit. But yes, ask them if Marigold and Clover can come. We can bring extra things to make up for it."
"Thank you, Daddy!" Lavender hugged him and kissed his cheek soundly and did the same to Leena who smiled distractedly back. "Oh and I'll ask if we can bring Cokie, I've been wanting them to meet too anyways, she's going to love him." She ran out of the sitting room, trailed after by Hedwig and Clover and Marigold.
" He'll say yes," Hedwig said confidently. " He likes all of you and if you're there to celebrate him, then all the better."
-0-
The door swung open silently, charmed so that it would make no noise. Two figures crept into the bedroom on similarly charmed feet, their steps making no noise. They fought down snickers and giggles and both stood beside the slumbering figure on the bed. They shared a nod and one flung the window curtains open while the other jumped on the bed.
"Happy birthday!" Sirius shouted as he let the sunlight in.
"Happy birthday!" Dora shouted as she jumped on the bed, shocking Harry awake. "Wake up! It's time to make this the best day ev-AAAAH!"
" WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
"I told them it was a bad idea," Andromeda sighed as she walked in but stopped at the sight. She watched with wide eyes as Dora and Sirius were belabored by an intensely irritated Hedwig carrying a very large pillow. The snowy owl screeched angrily as she chased a yelping Sirius and Dora around the room, thwapping them over the head solidly with the pillow she carried in her talons.
" I WAS SLEEPING! I WAS HAVING A GOOD DREAM! THEN IT WAS RUINED BY A SHRIEKING PINKY AND AN OVERGROWN PUPPY! DON'T YOU HAVE ANY MANNERS?!" Hedwig whalloped them with the pillow between every word to make a point.
"Is this normal too?" Ted asked, smiling broadly at the sight.
"I've never seen it myself but from what I know of her capabilities, it doesn't surprise me," Remus said, his smile just as broad.
Harry sat there, blinking and yawning, still slightly fuzzy-headed by the sudden awakening. He put on his glasses and smiled as he also watched his owl chase his godfather and god-cousin-sister-person about the room, punishing them for their actions. "Good morning," he said happily.
"Happy birthday love," Andromeda said, sitting on the bed beside him. She gleefully accepted his hug and hugged him warmly in return. "Happy fourteenth!"
"Thank you!" Harry was really enjoying the warm greetings and the obvious care from the individuals there.
"How did you teach her that?" Ted asked, pointing at the one-sided melee.
"The Browns taught her, she's very good at it," Harry said. He helpfully tossed pillows to Sirius and Dora but despite being armed, they fared only a little better against the owl. It went on for some time before Sirius and Dora finally capitulated and Hedwig landed on Harry's head, hooting smugly, not quite gracious in victory.
" That should teach you to let me sleep. And Chick of course."
"Ow, seriously, she hits hard," Sirius said, touching his face.
"This isn't over," Dora said, shaking her pillow at Hedwig, her hair turning pale white and also speckled when Hedwig yawned in reply.
" Anytime you want your arse tanned, just come find me Pinky."
"We wanted to surprise you," Sirius said sheepishly.
"I don't mind," Harry said brightly. "Hedwig doesn't like being woken rudely like that though."
" Does anyone?! I don't think that's an unreasonable ask!"
-0-
Primrose smiled back at him. "Hello Harry. It is good to see you." She watched as Pansy and Millicent walked onto the train, carrying their trunks, and came to the compartment. Her smile was warm as he watched him lift the trunks up to the overhead racks. "Do send me a letter tomorrow of the things you forgot, Pansy, and I will send them along the following day."
"Mother," Pansy hissed, coloring slightly.
"She waited to pack properly this morning," Primrose sighed.
"I would have forgotten a thing or two yesterday," Harry grinned, "if I didn't have Hedwig helping me." He frowned at her when she cheeped several times loudly. "It was not more than two things!"
" Yes it was! You forgot some of your potion things and my favorite pillow!"
"The idea has merit. Would you like for me to look into a helper reminder owl?" Primrose asked with a look of false concern.
" Oh be careful with them," Hedwig warned. " Some aren't very good at that and are bad at remembering things themselves. Which defeats the purpose."
"I did not think you would need one so soon, Mother," Pansy said with false sweetness. "Surely you have not gotten to that time in your life yet." She yelped when Primrose pinched her hand.
"My wits are still about me, dear," Primrose said with a sharp smile. "Do take care you two and enjoy the start of term." She hugged and kissed Pansy and Millicent through the window. "And do let me know if she is especially unreasonable, Harry. I will compensate you for any reasonable charges."
"I don't mind at all," Harry said, enjoying the usually collected Pansy looking very flustered and scowling at her mother. "She's a great friend, her and Millie both."
Primrose's smile was bright. "I am glad to hear it. Safe travels, all of you." She waved and walked away stately, disappearing into the crowd.
"Wow, she likes you," Millicent said, sitting down on the opposing bench.
"Really?" Harry asked, pleased.
"Mother normally only jokes like that around people she likes," Pansy said, looking pleased. She sighed and looked rueful. "Then again, you did impress her on your birthday."
"What did I do?" Harry asked.
"You didn't do anything especially different, and that was one of the more impressive things." Pansy shook her head. "She was also impressed with the people at the party."
"Seriously, when she told my parents and Uncle Alan, I thought they were going to have an episode," Millicent said. "That's Society for losing their shite."
"Why?" Harry asked, flummoxed.
"Because of the sheer power you had at your party," Pansy said. She sat beside him. "You had the Flamels, the oldest of the Elds, and a mix of some of the most influential members of Wizarding Britain from all facets of Society there. People would kill to have been there for either reflected might or the sheer possibilities of opportunities."
"I had no idea," Harry said, shocked. "Also, what's an Eld?"
"Eld is short for Elder and that is only used for the vampires," Pansy explained. "Some of the vampiric lines are really old and they have high standings. Lots of people look down on vampires like they would werewolves and other magical beings, but you do not look down on one of the Elds. I didn't realize it at the time when we were introduced to Eld Drake, but the Tepes line is the oldest of the known Vampire Lines. And he's oldest in that line."
"Oh that's funny. Mr. Drake is so fun and not stuffy that you kinda forget that sort of thing," Harry said.
"Yeah, they had a conniption when we told them we met him before, our parents," Millicent said. "They couldn't believe that you would know an Eld and that he was there for a 'young person's birthday'. Their words, not ours."
"I didn't even know if he would make it," Harry said. "I sent him an invite because I wanted him to come if he wanted. I'm glad he did."
"Me too." Pansy looked smug. "It helped convince my parents that me going was a good idea. They had reservations before, considering the implications and all that." She flushed and grew animated. "But Mother does like you now, now that she has met you. She has also enjoyed getting reacquainted with Mrs. Tonks again."
"That's good," Harry said, showing no sign of being insulted. "Auntie Andi is great."
"It's hard to believe she's sisters with Madam Malfoy," Millicent said.
"Auntie Cissa can be nice though," Pansy said quietly. She felt better when Harry and Millicent gave her sympathetic looks.
"Hey guys!" Padma and Parvati appeared at the open window.
"Hi!" the trio replied.
"Dang, you really picked a compartment right in the middle," Parvati said, frowning slightly, looking left and right. "Neither door is closer."
"You could always climb through the window," Millicent suggested with a broad smile.
"You'll get stuck somehow," Padma sniggered.
"Will not! Harry, push the window all the way up and secure it," Parvati said. She pushed her bag through and with a grunt, jumped up while bracing her arms on the sill. She pulled herself over until her upper body was through the window and she kicked a little, trying to gain purchase and traction.
Hedwig waddled up the sill a little to give her more space. " This is going to end poorly for you and I'm going to enjoy every moment."
Suddenly, a loud smack was heard and she whooped with surprise and was propelled into the compartment, landing on Harry, sending them both tumbling to the floor.
" GRANDMUM!" Parvati screeched, turning around and glaring at Durga who was peeking into the compartment with Padma dying from laughter beside her. " YOU DID NOT JUST SMACK MY REAR!"
"I was helping you," Durga said with a mischievous smile. "Now get off that poor boy and come back out and help bring in the trunks."
"Sorry Harry," Parvati said, climbing off of Harry and she rubbed her rear ruefully. "I'll come out the regular way," she said, her face a dusky red.
"Good thing you weren't wearing a skirt," Padma cackled. "You would have flashed everyone."
"I'd just tell everyone it was you," Parvati retorted, reappearing outside the train.
Durga rolled her eyes as the twins squabbled, dragging their trunks down the way and climbing into the train. "Here you go my boy," she said kindly, handing a rolled bit of parchment through the window to Harry after he climbed to his feet. "Some more recipes for you to try. The girls have a large supply of spices, all you need for them."
"Thank you, Madam Patil," Harry said, taking the parchment eagerly.
Durga laughed loudly and brightly. "Madam? I'm not from one of those hoity toity families! But I do like you very much. I hope you continue to tolerate the rude things."
"They're great friends," Harry said stoutly. "I like them."
"Splendid," Durga smiled. She bid her granddaughters fare well with a hug and a kiss, and shook Harry's hand and waved at Millicent and Pansy. She walked off and like last year, apparated in mid-stride.
"Your grandmother is delightful," Pansy smiled.
"Not a word I'd used," Parvati said, rubbing her rear.
"Mother was very impressed with her. She listened to her and Madam Longbottom debate and said it was very illuminating and oddly crude in a pleasant way."
"Oh that was nothing," Padma said. "You should hear them when they get drunk and play cards."
"That must be amazing," Harry smiled. "Did you know Neville before since they hung out and stuff?"
"In passing," Parvati said. "They usually visited alone to each other's homes."
"Hi Harry!" two girls said in unison.
Harry turned and smiled out the window at the little girls peeking over the window sill. "Hi Marigold, Hi Clover," he said back.
"How do you always tell us apart?" Marigold asked.
"Hedwig told me of course," Harry said. He went through his bag as Hedwig hopped out of the train to the girls' delight. "She knows who's who of course."
" You're Clover because your hair is soft like Clover and you're Marigold because your hair is just a shade brighter and lighter than Clover's," Hedwig hooted assuredly. " That and you feel like Marigold and you feel like Clover. It's really simple. I don't know why people get you two mixed up."
"She's the best," Clover said, proudly holding Hedwig on her arm.
" Yes I am!"
"She sure is. Here you." He gave them each a small box and they squealed happily. "I made them yesterday for you two."
"Thanks Harry!" they shouted excitedly.
"You two didn't," Lavender groaned as she came up to the window with her things and Leena beside her.
"Harry gave them to us without us asking," Marigold said.
"I had them ready," Harry smiled. "Hi Lavender!"
"Hi Harry! Hi everyone!" she said brightly, waving at the people within the compartment.
"Hey Lav, come through the window," Parvati said. "I did it."
"With some help," Padma whispered and she and Millicent and Pansy giggled.
"Hmm, I don't know," Lavender said dubiously. "It's a bit high."
"We'll help you," Parvati insisted.
"Well, okay then. If you try to drop me, I'll drag you out with me." She reached up with her hands and Harry took one and Parvati took the other.
" Oh this will end poorly," Hedwig giggled.
"Right, on three, you jump and we pull. Ready?" Parvati asked.
"You know, on second thought-" Lavender started.
"Three!" Parvati shouted and pulled, startling Harry into pulling too and Lavender jumped. They managed to pull her halfway over the sill before she stopped moving. She kicked a little, trying to pull herself through while hauling on Harry and Parvati's hands in a white-knuckled grip.
"I'm stuck!" she gasped from exertion and embarrassment. "Stop laughing at me!" she said indignantly while Parvati was indeed laughing.
"We'll help!" two voices from outside cried.
"Wait no don't you to da-AAAAAH!"
Marigold and Clover had put their boxes down and Hedwig had fluttered to Leena's shoulder and both girls enthusiastically grabbed a leg each and heaved upwards with all their strength. Lavender came flying through the window in a graceless tumble colliding bodily with Harry and knocking him over while Parvati had let go as soon as Lavender flew in, dodging to the side. Lavender and Harry landed on the floor in a heap while the compartment exploded with laughter.
"Girls," Leena said, hand covering her mouth to hide her smile and stifled laughter. Hedwig fluffed up and shook her head slowly from side to side.
" Yup, saw that happening. Poor Chick. No soft feathers to pad the squishing," Hedwig sighed.
-0-
"You are so cute," Lavender gushed. "I'm so jealous."
"Really, you're jealous of her?" Sue asked, smiling.
"Yeah I am! She looks cute in everything!" Lavender exclaimed.
" I do look cute in everything! It's a talent."
Hedwig sat on the table, feathers fluffed and looking quite happy. The red and grey bandanna was tied over her head and she admired herself in a small mirror that Lavender had set up for her. Hedwig had flown about some after it was tied and secured with a charm. Loops and spins did not cause it to slip and she was very happy with it. After some more reflecting on her reflection, she sat against Lavender and nuzzled her gratefully.
" Such a talented and lovely girl. I like you very much. Thank you! I am even more beautiful than I was before!"
"She does look beautiful in everything," Harry smiled.
"Good thing you don't have to worry about camouflage and hiding," Parvati said and Hedwig bobbed her head in agreement. "Imagine not being able to accessorize."
" That would be very sad!"
"Sometimes they aren't worth the bother," Millicent sniffed.
"So is your face sometimes and yet I continue to make the attempt," Pansy said. She exclaimed with outrage when Millicent took her eggs from her plate.
"You're more of an accessory than wearing accessories," Millicent said, eating Pansy's eggs in a large mouthful and chewing them slowly, smiling at Pansy's scowl.
"That doesn't even make sense!"
"Neither does your face and yet I continue to make the attempt! Hey that's my juice!"
"That is the nice thing for me being here," Lavender laughed, watching Pansy defiantly guzzling Millicent's juice and holding her friend off with her other hand. "No Marigold or Clover to filch my food."
"I don't know what that's like at all," Harry said, watching Hedwig lift a rasher off his plate and chew on it in front of him.
"Oh the joys of being an only child," Hermione smiled. "Do you two ever have that problem?"
"Cousins yes, each other no," Padma said. "Our tastes differ in some ways."
"We actually like to take both ends of a spectrum of food and fight others off for them and share the spoils," Parvati said. "Tastes better that way." She struck a pose. "Victory makes everything taste better." She frowned when Lavender made a gagging noise.
"You're so dramatic," Lavender said.
"Traumatic even," Padma giggled.
"What a belligerent breakfast," Hermione smiled when the three of them started to squabble, joining the already existing one.
"I don't know what that's like at all," Harry repeated, sighing softly when Hedwig snatched half of the rasher of bacon off his fork in mid-air and chewed on it while cheeping cheekily at him.
" You know I do it because it's funny and you like it. I'd never actually steal important food from you," Hedwig munched. " I looooovvve youuuuu."
"Hey Harry, do you have a moment?" Sue came walking up to him as they rose from the table to go about their day.
"Of course, what's up?"
"I'd like to ask a cooking favor thing. The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming up again and can we make something for it?"
"I'd like that a lot," Harry said easily. "Why are you asking me like this though?"
"Well, it's not just for me," Sue confessed. "Cho Chang, she's a year above us and also in Ravenclaw, her family and mine are pretty close since we were little. Our mothers are friends. She's been having a rough time of things lately and I was hoping we could make something and if I could take some for her later."
"I don't mind, that's good of you."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it," Sue sighed with relief. "The problem is, the main ingredient is kind of hard to get here."
"What is it? I can ask the elves or see if we can get it from one of the delivery places."
"I'd be surprised if we could. It's tofu."
"Oh yeah, probably not something to get at Hogwarts or locally," Harry mused. "I've never cooked with it either. Aren't there a lot of different kinds?"
Sue nodded. "And this dish works best with a specific one. It also needs a special spice but I brought that. We could send for it from my family but I was hoping it would be kind of a surprise you know?"
Harry hummed for a few moments. "Actually, I have an idea. There might be a way we can get it. Let me write a letter to someone and see. No promises of course."
"Of course and I appreciate it," Sue smiled. "And like I said, we can try to get it from my family but I honestly have no idea how it would fare under owl post."
"Might be worth experimenting with one day anyways. Hedwig has never roughed up a package before." Since Hedwig had already left the Great Hall earlier, he and Sue walked up to the owlery with Harry writing a letter on his wax tablet. He then used the charm the Patils taught him and transferred the letter to parchment. "Up for a flight?" he asked when he saw his owl.
" For you? Always."
Hedwig nodded and extended her wings, wiggling happily when Harry secured her harness. She tugged his hair lovingly when he tucked the letter into the pouch. A nuzzle and a head-bonk to him and a head-bob to Sue and she flapped off, gaining speed and height as she flew.
"Gosh, she's getting faster and faster," Harry said when she disappeared from sight in moments.
-0-0-0-
Arnie1701 - That's why I write them. I like them too.
alix33 - Justifiable arson indeed.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - I always like Inky being belligerently and shamelessly protective of Harry and is willing to attack first and ask later. Much like Hedwig really. Thanks for reading.
poka - I still remember being shocked at how many people really were impacted by that chapter. I thought it was a big moment of course, and one that I carefully laid the foundations for a while, but I underestimated how many people were really touched by it, in a good way of course. This was why I also wanted the other magical animals to have a voice too. Fawkes is really fun to write dialogue for. And meeting Kreacher and Winky has some of my favorite moments in the whole story. So funny.
TheSphynx - Hedwig chapters are so fun to revisit other moments and see them in a typically funnier light.
Shroudy9 - They didn't burn it, sadly. But a very good moment will show up in a future chapter with much fun dialogue.
HoneyBear84 - Thank you.
Carlos29 - Thank you.