I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Hello everyone, hope all are having a good day and a nice start to the weekend.
I wanted to take a moment and give y'all a look into the state of things and share some numbers. The first number is threeve. If you understand that joke, that makes you good people. Allegedly. As far as anyone understanding a random joke does anyways.
I will be going out of town at the end of next week and will be returning late the following. I do this every so often so as my long time readers know, I'll be doing some extra posting to make up for it. I might do an extra one tomorrow, then will post everyday from Monday to Thursday before I leave. Then will post when I return. I have a comfortable bank of chapters so can do that and me not writing for a week or so won't hamper me too much.
Which leads me to more numbers. As of today, I finished chapter 42 of Side Dishes so there's still ample chapters and I still have plenty of ideas in the pipeline so don't worry about this one. Also there are roughly 19 chapters of Heals so there's still a good amount to go there. I managed to also have about 7 chapters of Extended waiting for when I restart my usual posting of that.
And, a bit of a sneak peek for you all, as of today I finished the third chapter for my next project. I will start posting it after Heals finishes posting. It'll be a little different from what I have done so far and I have no idea how long it will be but it will definitely be less than my two/three long projects. Probably less than Defiance even. We shall see. I have the major moments in mind and will see how long it takes to get from milestone to milestone.
Hope y'all enjoyed a little prattling. As always, thank you for reading and commenting. Have a lovely day!
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Side Dishes
14th Course – Where Food Comes From
Takes place during Harry's time in New York City, around the same time as the 3rd and 4th courses of Side Dishes.
"Come on Harry, say you'll do it," Hanks said.
"I don't know," Harry said slowly.
"It'll be fun," Peters smiled. "You came to experience the local culture and stuff, right?"
"Right," Harry said. "Well, wait, I mostly came to learn how to work in a different style kitchen that was professional and busy-"
"And we'll show you the town and other stuff," Hanks said. "Get to know the local customers, experience more culture, have some fun. We'll introduce you to some other guys from other restaurants and it'll be a good time."
"You've been here for so long and haven't done much, about 3 weeks right? All work and no play makes Harry a dull boy," Peters grinned.
"I guess it couldn't hurt," Harry said at last.
"Great! We'll have some fun," Hanks said excitedly. "Adam, you want to come out with us?"
"Tonight?" Adam looked over. "Harry too?"
"Yeah, let's show him some proper New York fun," Peters said.
"Depends on where we're going then," Adam said. "I'm not going back to some of those places you two drink at."
"Well let's decide now then," Hanks said.
They finished the service and things began to wind down at the Brasserie. The last of the orders went out and the crew there did the initial cleaning, setting things up for the night crew to come and do the deep cleaning the restaurant needed every night. The various members left to go home or to do the other things they did after work.
Callie stopped and grabbed Peters as he passed. "Wait, you guys are going out now with Harry?"
"Yeah, he wanted to."
"Don't give me that, you two bullied him into it, didn't you?" Callie said accusingly.
"We didn't bully anyone into anything," Peters said indignantly.
"I can't help but notice you two pulled this shit when Leslie and Chef aren't here," Callie said accusingly.
"Oh fuck off," Peters sighed. "We're just a few young guys going out to have some fun alright? We'll take care of him and Adam's coming with us. Do you want to come and be our babysitter?"
"You know I can't tonight," Callie said heatedly.
"Your loss then," Peters said and left.
Callie growled slightly before she left the restaurant too, hurrying down the street.
"Do people go out this late?" Harry asked, checking his watch.
"People like us do," Hanks said. "People go out at all hours in New York. It's normal."
"There really are still a lot of people," Harry observed, seeing the streets still comfortably full of people walking. It was very late at night and while definitely not like the day, there was still plenty of people out.
"To Cav 80!" Peters said excitedly. "You'll like this place, Harry."
Cav 80 turned out to be a rather large bar that was still packed despite the late hour. Music played loudly and people mixed and mingled, drinking prodigiously and without stinting themselves. Harry instantly felt out of his comfort zone as Peters and Hanks introduced him to a bunch of people that he never quite got their names. The main thing they shared was that they were all in differing levels of inebriation and Peters and Hanks were racing to catch up.
After what felt like a very long time of constantly being badgered and questioned with drinks being pushed into his hands, he felt someone grab him and pull him to the bar. "Thanks," he gasped when he realized it was Adam.
"Sit, you look like you're about to have a panic attack," Adam said in a slightly kind tone. He sniffed the drink in Harry's hand and took it from him. "Water," he shouted to the bartender who gave him a large glass of water.
"Thanks," Harry repeated, taking the glass from him, drinking gratefully.
"I'm guessing they don't have places like this where you used to go," Adam said, speaking low but clearly enough despite the music and noise from the crowd.
"I don't know," Harry said weakly. "I've never really gone to places like this."
"Figures," Adam snorted, drinking deeply from a bottle. "Should've told those two to rein it in some." He looked at Harry. "Or you could've."
"Didn't want to seem ungrateful," Harry said weakly.
"You do know those two wanted you to come to show you off to their idiot friends and get the attention of others, right?" Adam asked. He snorted again at Harry's blank look.
"Is that why everyone was telling me to 'speak British'?" Harry asked. "When it's still English?"
"It's the accent," Adam said. "Plus the fact they like how uncomfortable you look. They're having some fun at your expense. 'Course those two idiots think getting drunk and being idiots is fun so they thought you'd like it too."
"Oh." Harry looked around. "It's not entirely unpleasant."
Adam snorted deeply. "You're way too nice." He gave Harry a look. "You need to learn to stand up for yourself. People will always take as much as they can, not caring how uncomfortable you are. They take and push to see what they can get away with. No one will stick up for you like you will, so you better get comfortable doing it."
"Sounds like something I was taught once," Harry said, all of a sudden missing home.
"Should learn it then," Adam said, drinking.
"Can't help but notice you're helping me," Harry said.
Adam shrugged. "Well, I guess I'd feel bad if something happened, so there's that."
"Appreciate it," Harry said sincerely.
The silence between them was filled with drunken laughter and shouting and loud music.
"So you really came all this way just to learn from Chef?" Adam asked. "Why him?" he continued at Harry's nod.
"He asked me to," Harry said. "I came to respect him during the competition and I've read about him in magazines. I knew he could teach me a lot and so I came. I also was interested in trying new things in a completely new place."
"That's pretty brave of you," Adam said, giving him a considering look.
"Best way to learn is from the source," Harry said. "It's how I've learned all my cooking stuff."
"And you didn't go to a cooking school?"
"Nope."
"Huh," Adam grunted.
"Harry, what're you doing here and drinking water?" Hanks slurred slightly. "Come on, let's hang out with some of these people over here." He winked. "A couple of the girls think you have a sexy accent and wouldn't mind getting to know you more."
Harry flushed. "Oh, uh, no thank you. I have a girlfriend at home."
"Nothing wrong with just talking a bit," Hanks persisted.
"He said no," Adam said, giving Hanks a look.
"Hey, lighten up!" Hanks said, returning the look. "Just want Harry to have some fun with us."
Adam looked past Hanks and for the first time that night, smiled. "Alright then."
"Wait, why are you smiling-" Hanks began before wincing.
Andres was at his back and had his shoulder in a vice-like grip. "Why the fuck did you bring Harry to a shithole place like this?!" she hissed into his ear.
"We were just having some fun!" Hanks squealed, unable to escape.
"It's getting late, how about you walk him home," Adam said, smiling at the sight.
"That sounds pretty good," Harry said, giving the situation a look but getting up off the stool.
"Don't break his shoulder, we need it tomorrow," Adam said, making Andres huff but she let Hanks go. "Hey, take him by Casita on the way back."
"Yeah?" Andres gave Adam a look before turning to Harry.
"Yeah, first round on me," Adam said, handing Andres some coins. "Get out of here. And if you're late to work tomorrow, you're going to be in trouble."
"Come on," Andres said, pulling Harry through the crowd.
"Night Chef!" Harry called and Adam raised his bottle in a salute. He followed Andres out of the crowded bar, admiring how she literally shoved her way through the packed people with little trouble. Every person that turned to look at her immediately stepped aside and their complaints died on their lips as they squeezed into each other to clear the way for them.
"Fucking idiots," she swore in Spanish after they escaped the bar. "You okay?"
"I'm okay," Harry assured her. "Not sure I like that sort of thing though."
"This place sucks," Andres said and walked away, pulling him with her. "Bad music, watered drinks, and full of dumbass idiots."
"How'd you know we were here?" Harry asked, following her willingly.
"Callie called me. She was worried Hanks and Peters would get into some nonsense and you'd be pulled into it with them. Glad Adam was there though. He's an asshole but he knows what's important."
"I don't think he likes me much," Harry said.
"He doesn't like anyone much," Andres said. "Don't worry about him. Do you want to go home?"
"I thought we were going to Casita," Harry said.
Andres smiled. "Alright, we can go to Casita." She led him away from the bar and they made their way through the city. Eventually they entered the magical Market Central district once more, but on the opposite end of the restaurant and where Harry lived. Harry realized how different this side was. It was a touch quieter and the decorations seemed very different, more colorful and rural in a way that was comforting. The foot traffic was slightly less, but people moved about still, mostly speaking Spanish.
"Hola Chica," a woman said as Andres and Harry approached. It was a small stall on the corner of the block. Lanterns hung from the awning and the air was rich with the smell of meat and smoke and fire. People sat around the stall at small low tables or on the bar that was connected to the stall.
"Hola Tia," Andres replied. She sat at the counter with Harry. "Tia, this is Harry, Harry, meet Tia. This is their little stall, Casita."
"Nice to meet you," Harry said, offering his hand.
"Oh I like this one," Tia said, shaking his hand warmly. "What brings you by? Must be special for Andres to bring you."
"He's a good one," Andres said. "Came from Britain to learn how to cook. Had his first taste of Mexican food a few weeks ago."
"First?! Where was it?!" Tia cried and even the others turned to look on with astonishment.
Andres grinned. "Itza on first."
"Ah no that is not good!" Tia exclaimed and a few of the others also groaned and shook their heads. "Harry, poor thing, Tia will give you some proper food now."
"Please," Harry said brightly. He looked on with interest. There was a very large flat top grill right behind the counter and there were piles of meat that smoked and cooked on it. Peppers of all sorts also cooked on the grill and Tia and two others cooked and served. They put down round tortillas on the grill to warm and brown and would hurriedly fill them as soon as they finished with savory meat and finished it with chopped onion, cilantro, and a bevy of sauces from containers on the table beside them.
"Why did you feed him food from Itza?" another asked. "You know better."
"Ah Chef got it for us," Andres said, waving a hand.
"Tony is a good man but he doesn't understand," a third sighed, shaking his head.
"Itza isn't that bad," another argued.
"Is too trendy," another argued.
"You don't listen to them chatter," Tia said kindly to Harry, serving him three smoking hot tacos. "You eat up now. You too skinny!"
"Thank you!" Harry bit into a taco and his eyes widened. "This is amazing," he gasped through a full mouth, earning warm laughter from everyone around. The meat was soft and juicy and spicy, full of flavor. The onion and was crunchy and fresh, the cilantro adding a pleasant peppery note. The sauce was thin but full of herbs and flavor. All of it held together by the soft corn tortilla that melted in his mouth.
"Nothing better than seeing someone enjoy your food," Tia said smugly. "You keep eating, I keep making."
"Tia is the best," Andres said, eating too. "And Casita is the best place for honest food."
"I believe it," Harry said, licking his fingers. He ate another taco hungrily. "I still can't get over how much food and all the different kinds here."
"New York is good for that," Andres said. "People come from all over to find a life here. And people always need to eat. Lots of people come and don't have the food from their home. So people like Tia make it. It's good for people who never had it before and for all the people that miss it."
"A taste of home," Harry said softly.
Andres nodded. "Exactly. Food from where you come from. It's powerful. It's your culture, your heritage. Connects you back to where you came from."
Harry looked around at all the people eating hungrily and happily. Despite the incredibly late hour, it was comfortably busy. There were people who looked very tired and others who looked like they were about to start their day despite the night. "I like it here, it feels good and warm," he said. "I wish I knew about Mexican food before coming over. I'm sure there has to be places with it in London or close by. I just never knew."
"And now you do," Andres said fondly. "It's good to have it from people who know how to make it at first. Before you make it your own. Authenticity matters."
"Sometimes you have to make do with what you have," Tia said. "You might not have a spice or an ingredient and that's okay. How you try to make it is as important on how you're supposed to. Though some things cannot be replaced or substituted."
"How is Mexican food seen here in America?" Harry asked.
"It's as American as most other foods," Andres said proudly and others agreed with her, cheering loudly. She shrugged. "Most don't think it's very fancy though. Usually consider it cheap. But cheap is fine. Not everything has to be expensive and cheap doesn't mean bad."
"Lot of people look down on British cooking too," Harry said.
She nodded. "I usually like to think people who think that don't know any better. And they have a chance to learn. If they try it and still think badly, then they don't deserve it."
"I like that mindset," Harry smiled.
"'Course you do," Andres smiled back. "You know what good food is and what's important."
"I've never seen her smile that much," one of the other workers teased. "She almost never brings new people either."
"Harry's a good person," Andres said proudly. She scowled. "I had to save him from Cav."
"That place sucks," a lot of people said together.
"Adam told me to bring him though," Andres continued.
"That sour man? The one that looks like he is constantly eating a lemon?" another asked and they laughed.
"He's a good man too," Tia said, scolding the others lightly. "Just not a nice one."
"What's that?" Harry asked, pointing at a pot on the corner. It was very tall and it bubbled and burbled, looking deeply savory and inviting.
"Oh you don't want that," one of the others said with a smile. "It's too much for you, I think."
"It's made with tripe," Andres smiled.
"Oh I like tripe! I learned how to make a Bulgarian stew that has it as a main ingredient," Harry smiled.
"I knew I liked you for a reason!" Tia said and the others laughed appreciatively. She poured a large bowl of the bubbling soup and served it to him. It was bright red and chunks of tripe floated in the liquid with garlic, chilis, and large white objects. Raw onion and cilantro garnished the top along with quarters of lime. "This is menudo. Makes you big and strong," Tia said proudly.
Harry took a big spoonful and ate it without reservation. "So good!" he said to more appreciative laughter. "What are these things?"
"Hominy," Andres said. "Dried maize kernels, like corn."
"It really soaks up the broth and it's so spicy and sour," Harry said, eating eagerly. "And the tripe is great, chewy and delicious. No gamey smell to it at all."
"I want some now too, one bowl please," a customer asked, watching Harry eat.
Everyone looked up when a keening cry approached and Hedwig landed next to Harry. She gave him a look, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Sorry, thought I'd be home earlier," he said apologetically as she pecked him.
"Hey, I've seen her flying around," a person gasped. "She belongs to you?"
"She's Hedwig, my best friend from home," Harry said and Hedwig hooted in greeting.
"Those bastard crows were running from her," another said. "I saw it!"
"They tried to fight her and she showed them," Harry said proudly as Hedwig nodded, fluffing up.
"Such a pretty girl," Tia said admiringly.
"Some more tacos please," Harry said, handing coins over. "She'll want some too."
"She eats with you? How cute!" Tia laughed. "Very good!" Soon everyone was watching with amazement and amusement at Hedwig happily gobbling the good food with evident gusto. The night continued as they sat and ate in good company with the world and the city passing by.
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"They don't look too happy," Harry observed. It was the next day and Hanks and Peters looked very not happy. They moved slowly and looked queasy.
"They got really drunk and I had to drag their asses home," Adam snorted. "And I wasn't letting them call off today."
"No hangover potions?" Andres asked.
"I'm not getting them any," Adam sniffed.
"Good," Andres said, glaring at them.
"Casita was really good, thanks for the recommendation," Harry said.
"Thought you might like it."
"We're going to go again tonight," Harry said. "Andres, Leslie, Callie, and Ella and I. And Hedwig too. Would you like to come? My treat."
Adam looked at him. "Sure, why not," he said.
"Brilliant!" Harry smiled and he walked off to continue his tasks.
"What?" Adam asked, looking at a grinning Andres.
"Look at you, being all friendly," Andres said.
"Just not passing up a free meal after paying for you two last night," he replied defensively.
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Hands Off MY Wolfie - I feel like people who really enjoy something, either their work or a hobby, really like it when they can indulge in it without worry for some time. Bacon fetish? Or extreme passion? Thanks for reading.
TheSphynx - Right? I tried to make it homey and tasty and satisfying to think about.
odonellzoo99 - That was my favorite part of the chapter. Just Hedwig eating everything and then getting caught and trying to bluff her way out. Was very silly and satisfying. At least Parvati was honest about it.
Wentley - Same with sprouts. So tasty that way.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Yup, like any passionate/perfectionist type person. Makes for good thinking though.
alix33 - I like it when inspiration can come from anywhere.
poka - I've made those things separate a lot, but never together. Maybe I should try that.
Shroudy9 - Nope, well seasoned attitude about it all.