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

Hello everyone. Hope all are doing well and had a nice holiday.

I was going to wait until Sunday to post, but decided to do one today. I've missed posting and seeing people about and I feel like we could all do with a treat. Also, this is going to introduce a whole new avenue of exploration and I think people are really going to like it, hopefully.

I'm still committed to 25 updates in a row to do a Fanfiction Advent Calendar for all of you. I'm hoping the cover for the Christmas Special Fic gets done soon so I can start posting that. I still will post it before I have it if need be, I just like having the cover up and ready before I start posting. It adds a lot to the story. The Calendar will be a combination of that, Side Dishes, Stone's Heart, Extended Family, and Rambles. Hope everyone enjoys. My best to you.

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Side Dishes

34th Course – To the Rising Sun

Takes place during the 170th Course of Taste, during Harry's year of international training as well as approximately three to four months after the 1st course of Side Dishes and Harry arriving to New York.

Harry winced, head spinning mightily as he swayed in place, just able to keep his balance. He shook his head slowly, feeling the after-effects of the Portkey slowly leaving him. "I thought I was more used to them by now," he muttered. He held up the cage he was holding. "Are you okay?"

Hedwig's eyes spun independently of each other, rolling and roiling. She swayed on her perch and she groaned loudly, letting her discomfort and disgust be known to all.

"Yeah, that was a rough one," Harry said, sticking his finger through the bars of the cage and gently rubbing Hedwig's beak. She nipped him before gnawing on his finger comfortingly, slowly regaining her bearings.

The Portkey Hub for the Japanese Ministry of Magic was very different from the ones he visited in America, Britain, and France. It felt very old, ancient even, compared to the American ones. It had an ornateness that rivaled the gold and marble of France and the polish of Britain. The walls were made of stone, the base of them dark grey turning into white as the rose into the ceiling. Tall structures that Harry knew as torii gates sat above the different platforms and lined the walls. They were made from wood and stone and were painted in different colors.

There were a lot of people moving about. Many were dressed in kimonos and formal robes of all sorts with many different colors and symbols while others dressed in Muggle-style clothes. There were plenty dressed in other types of clothes too, though they mostly were coming or going via Portkey or entering and leaving the rest of the Ministry. Despite the colorful chaos and amount of people, there was an order to things and people moved with purpose or were directed by Japanese Ministry officials that were on hand to guide and aid.

Harry walked down the steps to the side of the platform and looked about some more. His glasses had been modified by the Flamels to help translate Japanese for him, much like the plug he wore in his right ear. Luckily, all of the signs had English written beneath them and in no time at all, he was walking up to a Customs official.

"Kon'nichiwa. Ninhon e yokoso," the wizard said politely as Harry approached.

"Hello and thank you," Harry smiled back, handing over his papers. "It's nice to meet you."

"It is nice to meet you too," the official said with a similar smile in slightly accented English. "Do you understand Japanese?"

"Some, but more that I have a translator plug," Harry said, turning his head slightly to show the small silver object in his ear. "I tried to learn as much as I could before coming but it's hard."

"It is difficult for those to learn," the official nodded. "But trying is as important as succeeding." He opened the small leather folder that Harry used to carry his documents. "Mister Harry Potter, citizen of Wizarding Britain. And…Miss Hedwig Potter, also a citizen of Wizarding Britain." He looked down at Hedwig who barked back politely. He smiled and nodded at her. "Also you are employees of the ICW I see. Very good. What brings you to Japan?"

"I'll be living here and interning for Chef Akari Morimoto," Harry said.

"Ah! That is wonderful!" The official beamed at Harry. "Her family is a well-respected part of Wizarding Japan and her restaurants are some of the finest in the country. You must be talented to be invited to work for her."

"I'm pretty good but not too good to not learn more," Harry said easily. "I'm really excited to learn more about Japanese cooking, cuisine, and culture."

"Spoken like a true practitioner of the art," the official said approvingly. He waved his wand over Harry's and Hedwig's passports. "All is in order. Do you know where you are going?"

"Not really," Harry confessed. "I know I'm meeting someone here in the Ministry but that's about it. Could you tell me where the visitor lobby is?"

"Of course." He pointed down a hallway. "Simply follow that hallway until you come into the gardens. That is where most people meet others and wait."

"Thank you, Sir," Harry said.

"Have a nice day," the wizard said, bowing at the waist.

Harry joined the crowd walking down the hallway. The walls were the same as the hub and there were beautifully carved motifs all around, surrounding paintings of the sea and nature. Like other magical paintings, the contents moved but rarely there were any people, instead animals and the elements of nature moving within them. Finally Harry walked into a large open space and it was filled with all sorts of gardens. Flowers, trees, even large patches of sand with rakes that moved by themselves as they drew shapes into the soft sand. Far above, the ceiling was enchanted like the ceiling of the Great Hall at Hogwarts, with the sun shining down on them and soft clouds moving slowly.

"Gosh, this is beautiful," Harry said and Hedwig cheeped agreement. She looked around but seeing how there were not many animals moving about freely, she did not try to leave her cage.

"Mister Potter?"

Harry turned and saw a man approaching. He was dressed in Muggle-style cut robes and looked very severe and proper. "That's me," Harry said.

"Ah, wonderful. I was afraid I would miss you. But I was told that you were tall and accompanied by a beautiful snowy owl, so you were not hard to see at all." The wizard smiled a little as Hedwig fluffed up and barked loudly and proudly. "My name is Aoi Bando and our mutual acquaintance wanted me to say," he hesitated and sighed ever so slightly, looking mildly embarrassed, "'Let's see how she likes it when her schedule is messed up'."

Harry grinned. "Mr. Drake still hasn't let it go, has he?"

"He most certainly has not," Aoi sighed, smiling a little more easily at Harry's amusement. "Eld Tepes is a surprisingly petty fellow despite his years and experience."

"You really haven't seen anything," Harry said. "You should see him with my grandparents, the Flamels."

"I have heard many a story," Aoi said with a bigger smile. "Follow me if you please. I will take you to your lodgings for the duration of your time here in Japan."

"Thank you, Sir," Harry said, following him. "You work with Mr. Drake?"

"We are colleagues and friends in the ICW," Aoi nodded. "I am one of the primary liaisons between the ICW and the Japanese Ministry of Magic. Eld Tepes and I work together a lot, especially within the last few years when he has done more in this part of the world. He had not done much in Asia before but within the last few years, he has become a prominent figure in the region."

"What exactly does Mr. Drake do? I just realized I never asked," Harry said sheepishly.

Aoi chuckled. "He is a quite the ambassador to magical communities, with an emphasis on the affairs of magical non-humans. He is also quite good at meeting with Muggle counterparts."

"Huh, actually that doesn't surprise me. I know he purposely fights with Grandfather and annoys Professor Dumbledore when he can. That must be how he gets his fun while being professional for his work," Harry mused.

"It is important to have a good balance between work and personal life," Aoi said. "Something my countrymen have trouble doing sometimes but it is still very important."

He led Harry out of the visitor lobby and they eventually left the building entirely. Harry looked around with interest, taking in the sights. Much like in America, the streets around the Japanese Ministry were full of people and all of them were Magicals. The immediate area had people dressed like guards, wearing battle robes like Dora's Auror uniform, and they kept a close eye on things. As they walked away, the streets became more of a mercantile style with stores and stalls and things.

"Welcome to Kyoto," Aoi said, enjoying Harry and Hedwig's looks of interest. "Kyoto was the traditional capital of Japan before it was moved to Tokyo. However, the Japanese Ministry of Magic decided to move back to Kyoto to make it their headquarter location though there is of course a Tokyo branch of the Ministry."

"It's beautiful," Harry said. He shook his head a little. The plug in his ear was doing a good job of translating, but the sheer amount of conversations going on around him was overwhelming it somewhat and in his unplugged ear, he heard the spoken language untranslated. It was confusing him slightly but he bore it easily enough. "Does Mr. Drake own property here too?"

"Yes, but not living quarters," Aoi said. "Unfortunately, the ICW apartments are all taken currently, but we have obtained you a nice little place in the main Magical District here in Kyoto. It is actually a popular place for young professionals and for people leaving their family homes for the first time. It is also located close to the markets, something Eld Tepes said you would enjoy, and it should be close to your main place of employment."

He took the address that Harry handed him. "Oh very close, easily within walking distance," he said after reading it. "And this is a very fine establishment! One of the best in the city. Mostly traditional cooking." He gave Harry a guarded look. "I suppose you do not have an upbringing in Japanese cuisine?"

"No Sir, save from what I've learned from a friend that grew up here."

"It will be very difficult for you," Aoi said slowly.

"I figured," Harry said. He shrugged. "But I'm here to learn and will do my best."

"Very good attitude to have," Aoi said approvingly.

"Oh and I think this place is close by as well?" Harry showed him another address.

"Oh yes, very close. Still in the same district, just the other side really," Aoi nodded.

"That's the friend I learned a lot from. It's his family's bento place," Harry said. "He's really good so I bet their food is too."

"I will have to try it. I always like good bento," Aoi said.

Finally they reached a nice looking building. It matched the others around it, looking traditional on the outside to match the local architecture. Sloped roofs with lanterns dangled off the corners, building lining fitted stone streets that were slightly narrow in places. There was an elegant mix of more modern among the more traditional and it felt very different to Harry, though the prevalent sense of magic was a comfort.

Aoi introduced Harry and Hedwig to the building owner and manager and after Harry signed a few papers, he was given a set of keys. They then walked to the second floor of the building and down the hall to a corner room. Harry unlocked the door and walked in, simultaneously opening the door to the cage and letting Hedwig flutter out. It was a one bedroom apartment with the walls and floors made from polished wood but parts of the floor were covered in tatami mats. A small kitchenette was alongside the main room but there were windows on adjoining walls, offering him a very fine view of the city around him, as well as a very broad river.

"Wow, this is wonderful," Harry said admiringly. "Thank you so much! Are you sure I can't help pay for it? This can't be cheap."

"It is very reasonably priced," Aoi smiled. "Also you are an employee of the ICW and you will be taken care of as one, Mister Potter. Also, Eld Tepes said you would ask that and he said that he will take his payment from you saying that the apartment is better than the one Eld Bathory secured for you during your time in New York."

"I don't know if I can say that," Harry laughed.

Aoi chuckled. "He said you would say that as well so his alternative payment will be for you to cook for him when he visits. And he plans to come in three days' time to check on you while conducting other business." He handed Harry a stack of delicate paper. "If you need to reach me directly, write a message here and tap it with your wand. The origami paper will fold and come to me. You may also ask the building manager for aid and she will give it. She is a very good manager and owner."

"Thank you, Sir," Harry said, shaking Aoi's hand warmly. "I really appreciate it."

"You are welcome," Aoi smiled. "I must leave unfortunately, but hopefully I will be able to taste your cooking either with Eld Tepes or at the restaurant soon."

"Anytime, I'd be happy to," Harry smiled. He let out a soft sigh once Aoi left and he looked around the apartment while unshrinking his luggage. He smiled when Hedwig landed on his head and fluffed up, cheeping at him. "It's a really different place this time," he said softly. "But it's so cool."

Hedwig hooted warmly.

"I'm glad you're with me," Harry replied and felt better as she tugged on his hair playfully. "Well, let's get settled some, shall we?" He unpacked their things, setting up her roost and tower in the main room and her bed alongside his in the bedroom. He had read about the futons they used here and was excited to try it out. He set out the pictures and little things from home all around and put his vase out. He had learned that this time he was many hours ahead of Britain's time zone and sent small messages to Sirius, Andromeda, Lavender, and the Flamels through the vase, letting them know he was there and things were fine.

Finished for the moment, he sat down on the couch and sighed softly, feeling the day's travels and exertions creeping up on him. Hedwig plumped in his lap and he petted her, running his fingers through her feathers and she cooed happily from the attention and affection. After some time, they both turned their heads as the door to the apartment shivered from enthusiastic scratching on the other side.

"I wonder what that is," Harry said, getting up and putting Hedwig on his shoulder. "It sounds familiar." He peeked out the peephole and saw no one but the door shook more as the scratching became more frantic. "Oh wait, you don't think-" He missed Hedwig's sigh as the door was pushed open and Azuki and Ebi bounded into the room, yipping loudly.

"Hi!" Harry exclaimed as they ran around his legs and jumped up and down around him. He knelt down and they tackled him enthusiastically, making him fall onto his back and Hedwig flew into the air, landing on the ground and hissing at the unrepentant trickster foxes. "It's so good to see you! Wait, how are you here?"

Azuki flicked her tail a few times, gesturing with it down the hall.

"Oh, do Tsumugi and Chiyo live here too?" Harry asked, delighted. He smiled as the foxes nodded. "That's awesome!" He laughed as they licked him and playfully bit and nibbled him. "And I'm very happy to see you two too!" He sat back against the wall and enjoyed the noises the foxes made as they settled in his lap.

-0-

"I told you." Tsumugi sighed when Harry opened the door and she and Chiyo looked at the two foxes sitting on Harry's shoulder with exasperated embarrassment. "I am so sorry," she said weakly.

"It doesn't bother me," Harry smiled. "It was a nice welcoming."

"I was also apologizing to Hedwig," Tsumugi smiled, seeing Hedwig's exasperated half-lidded expression while she sat on Harry's head. Hedwig nodded back, accepting the apology. "It is so good to see you!"

"Same!" Harry hugged her and Chiyo and welcomed them into his apartment. "I had no idea you lived here."

"We moved in together for work," Chiyo said. "We could of course go from our family homes, but this gives us some privacy as well as flexibility with our schedules."

"Did you know I was moving here?" Harry asked.

"I suggested the apartments," Chiyo smiled. "Bando-San was inquiring about suitable places for young professionals and when I learned he was asking for you, I made sure there was a room available here and then suggested it."

"Thank you so much," Harry said with a very big smile. "I feel so much better being near friends. It's so different here."

"We are happy you are here," Tsumugi said. She shook her head at her fox. "We got home and could not find them and we know we did not have errands for them. So after much searching, we thought to just come and here they are."

"Next time we will save ourselves the effort and just assume they are here," Chiyo snorted. "Anyways, have you eaten?"

"Not yet," Harry said.

"Then let us go to Sota's restaurant," Tsumugi said. "We grew up more or less together and we used to work there too. So whenever we do not feel like cooking-"

"-which is often," Chiyo muttered.

"-which is often," Tsumugi sighed, glowering at the giggling foxes, "we go over there. We help clean a bit and they give us plenty of food. They would anyway but we feel better that way. Plus we promised to bring you over as soon as we could."

"Lead the way," Harry said eagerly.

-0-

Aikawa no Boto was a charming little building. It was at the end of the row and at the lower part of the street overlooking the river proper. The front of the bento store had a large gleaming display case full of examples of the restaurant's fare and a few racks to either side where specialty boxes and things were arranged. There were a couple of tables at the very front but they were small, seating only two people each. A long noren door curtain hung over the entryway and a magical boat sailed up and down the parts of the curtains, the fabric rippling in the breeze.

Inside the counters and floors and walls were polished to a mirror shine, lanterns providing ample light and everything was fresh and clean. The air was rich with savory scents and despite it being later in the day, there were still a few people purchasing bento boxes and food to take with them.

"Hi Aunt Akane!" Tsumugi and Chiyo said loudly when they walked into the store with Harry following.

"Hello girls!" An older Japanese woman waved brightly from behind the counter. Dark brown eyes twinkled merrily as she finished serving a customer and she tucked a lock of reddish hair behind her ear. "Come here and give me a hug." She hugged the girls warmly and noticed Harry there. She blinked a little since the foxes were still sitting on his shoulders and Hedwig was sitting on his head. "Huh, I've never seen those two so calm before. Who's this?"

"This is Harry Potter, we've told you about him," Tsumugi said. "Harry, this is Aunt Akane, or Akane Aikawa. She is Sota's mother."

"Oh the friend from Britain and Hogwarts!" Akane walked around the counter and bowed to Harry before offering a hand. "I have heard much about you and it is a pleasure to meet you."

"So nice to meet you too," Harry smiled and shook her hand warmly.

"They really do like you a lot," Akane said, smiling at the foxes who looked quite comfortable.

"They're good girls," Harry smiled.

"No they are not," Akane, Tsumugi, and Chiyo said together.

"When did you arrive?" Akane asked.

"A few hours ago."

"Well come in then, you must be hungry and a friend of these two and Sota's is a friend of ours. Come come!" She led them into the back. The majority of the back was a kitchen that was tightly packed with equipment and things and Harry saw Sota there with a few others, cleaning and cooking. To one side there was a small break room where double sided sliding doors divided it from the kitchen, complete with chairs and a table.

"Harry!" Sota walked over, wiping his hands clean and enthusiastically shook his hand. "Welcome to our place and Japan!"

"Thanks! It's wonderful to see you and be here," Harry said. He looked around the kitchen. "I love the kitchen here. It feels warm."

"It always does," Chiyo said, fanning herself.

"No I mean, like a warm and nice place," Harry said. "Like it feels like a friendly kitchen where people really care about the food and people here."

"What did he say?" A woman who was older than Akane peeked out from behind a rack of things, giving Harry a narrowed eye look. It was easy to see that she, Akane, and Sota shared a lineage, looking quite similar. She blinked when she received the look in kind from Hedwig who narrowed her eyes right back.

"He said it feels like a good kitchen," Akane said warmly, smiling at Harry. "Warm and friendly."

"Oh?" the older woman remarked, looking at Harry with interest.

"He's the one I told you about, Grandmother," Sota said. "The one that cooks a lot and has worked in different places, including their Gringotts. And is here in Japan to learn from the Morimoto Clan. He's also friends with Kaito."

Akiko Aikawa nodded. "Oh yes, now I recall. I suppose he would know given his experience."

"You just came over from America, right?" Sota asked.

Harry nodded. "I finished my stage at La Brasserie Americaine and after a visit home, came here from the West Coast."

"We have not eaten yet so we brought him here because the food here is the best," Tsumugi smiled.

"Of course it is," Akane smiled. "Well we are about to finish up for the day service so we can eat together. You two can help start cleaning."

"What can I do?" Harry asked. He made a nest with his jacket on a chair and there was a minor tussle when Hedwig kicked Azuki and Ebi out of the center and the owl and the foxes squabbled among themselves for a moment.

"Oh we cannot ask you to do anything," Akane said hurriedly. "You are a guest and have only just arrived."

"I'm good to go," Harry said eagerly. "Really. I'd love to help if I can."

"He does pick up on things very swiftly. He was making tamagoyaki very well after but watching me once and a year later, learned swiftly," Sota said slowly.

Akiko made a gesture. "Come. Someone didn't show up for work today and we're a little behind on some prep for tomorrow. Let's see you do some peeling and chopping."

"Mother," Akane sighed.

"Do you speak Japanese?" Akiko asked, ignoring her daughter.

"I can understand it with my translating plug," Harry said, tapping his ear. He took out his knife roll and got his favorite knife ready. "Can't really speak it yet but hope to become passable in time."

The older woman made another hand gesture and her bracelet glowed slightly. "There. I can understand you a little better. Well let's see how you do then."

"Oh no, this isn't proper," Akane said, looking worried.

"Since when does Grandmother care about proper?" Sota muttered.

"He just arrived from overseas and he is being forced to work in our family restaurant?" Akane replied, giving her son a look. "That isn't how you treat a guest."

"He doesn't look forced to me," Chiyo said helpfully.

Tsumugi looked over. Hedwig was sitting on both Azuki and Ebi, keeping them pinned beneath her and the two foxes were squirming futilely beneath her. Other than looking at them with a superior look, the owl did not look bothered in the slightest.

"Harry would not be doing this if he did not wish to, yes?" she asked. She felt better when Hedwig nodded. "I think we are fine then," she said to Akane and Sota.

"I hope so," Akane said slowly. She got the others working on their tasks and helped with the last of the remaining customers. She finally took down the noren curtain, to show that the store was closed, and then hurried back into the kitchen. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine," Akiko said dismissively. "I like him! He listens and learns well. Look at this! All of our other apprentices took ages to learn how to do a proper rangiri cut and they're Japanese! And he's doing it properly and well!"

"Sota taught me years ago, he's a great teacher," Harry smiled.

"No he isn't," Akiko, Tsumugi, and Chiyo said together, the latter two being in a different part of the kitchen.

"Hey!" Sota shouted and the women and the others in the kitchen laughed, even the foxes.

"He's fast too. Already got a lot peeled and clean and doesn't waste," Akiko continued.

"He's worked in professional kitchens," Sota said as he walked past, carrying a tray full of dishes. "Not to mention he's here to work in one too."

"Just because you work professionally doesn't make you one," Akiko sniffed.

"Are you truly okay with this?" Akane asked.

"I am! Thank you for asking though," Harry said brightly.

-0-

"Tadaima." A young man walked into the kitchen and stopped, eyes wide.

"Okaeri," Akane said, greeting him.

"Did we hire someone new?" the young man asked, noticing Harry. He then looked to the side and saw Hedwig and the foxes. "Is that owl keeping those two in check?!"

"Not really? Also yes, she is." Akane shrugged limply. "He is Harry Potter, Sota's friend from overseas. That is his owl, Hedwig."

"Oh right. Why is he cooking here? I thought he was going to be working elsewhere."

"The girls brought him to get something to eat and then he just started working. Mother let him."

"She did?!"

"Encouraged it even, they're getting along quite well actually."

"They are?!"

"Harry, that loud one is my other grandson, Sota's older brother. His name is Daisuke and he is great at not being useful in the kitchen," Akiko said with fondness.

Daisuke groaned. "Grandmother, I'm just not good at it."

"I know, and I still love you despite it."

"Nice to meet you," Harry said, offering his hand to Daisuke.

"Please tell me you were not forced to do this," Daisuke begged. "The shame would be too much."

"Not at all. I love to cook and being able to learn Japanese cooking from experts is why I'm here. And I'm sure it'll be different from what I'll be learning from Chef Morimoto, so I'm really excited to learn."

"I like him a lot," Akiko said brightly. "Out of all your friends, he is probably my new favorite."

"Hey!" Chiyo and Tsumugi cried.

"You two are practically granddaughters so you don't count as friends," Akiko said, waving a hand.

Daisuke blinked a few times, stunned by the sight. "I can't remember the last time Grandmother was this friendly with anyone that wasn't family," he muttered.

"Even with most family," Sota nodded.

They all sat together around the table with the sliding screen door opened wide. A variety of plates were put down for people to take food from, lots of different dishes made from the leftovers and extras that came from the day's work. In the center though sat a large cast iron pot and the contents smelled deep and savory.

"What is this, it smells wonderful," Daisuke said as everyone passed plates and things around.

"Harry's beef stew," Akane said. "We made it before with the recipe but we wanted to try it from the original source."

"It's so good!" Tsumugi said as she ate. "Even better than at the Showcase!"

"We do not have dragon meat or the firepepper," Sota said, also eating hungrily, "but it tastes rich and satisfying."

"That's from the good local produce," Harry said, savoring the flavor. "I've learned that matters a lot when it comes to cooking."

"Mmm, you should work here instead," Akiko said, eating heartily. "We will treat you better than Akari-Chan."

"Mother, you can't call her that," Akane groaned.

"I absolutely can. I have the right," Akiko sniffed.

"I couldn't do that to Chef," Harry grinned. He refilled Hedwig's bowl and added more food to her plate and did the same for Azuki and Ebi, the trio of petlings eating hungrily and happily. "But whenever I get a chance to, I'd love to be here and learn and help."

"Loyal too? Such luck," Akiko said. "Since you work here now, you need to learn the history of the restaurant. Our eatery actually existed for several hundred years and the first version of it was a boat. The family boat used to travel up and down the Kamogawa river, selling food to people on the banks. The family eventually decided to have a more permanent place and thus we got this store and built here, but named it after our origin as a traveling boat eatery."

"I can't believe how she's talking so readily to him," Daisuke said with wonder. "She normally doesn't talk to new people like that at all. Or even people she's known for years."

"Harry is kind and friendly," Sota said. "But I'm surprised too." He sighed as he watched Azuki and Ebi take the karaage off of his plate. "Then again, it does take a special person to somehow not be bothered by those two. If he can tame them, the Grandmother being nice to him shouldn't be so surprising."

"You two should be nicer to your grandmother," Tsumugi said indignantly.

"As her daughter, I agree with them," Akane smiled, putting more karaage on their plates. "And I think it's wonderful actually. You could taste the thoughtfulness in Harry's recipes and it's even more apparent here."

-0-

Hours later, Harry laid down to sleep in his apartment bedroom. The futon was very soft and he liked the feeling of it. He turned his head and smiled as Hedwig plumped down onto a pet-sized version of a futon, also sighing with evident comfort.

Akiko had taken to Hedwig and had brought it out for Harry to take, after giving him a lot of food to take back with him. It had been a wonderful time at Aikawa no Boto, the visit stretching into the night. He had learned a lot about Kyoto, Wizarding Japan, Japanese food and cuisine, and more after spending time there.

He slowly drifted off to sleep, not feeling so strange in a strange land.

-0-0-0-

odonnellzoo99 - The foxes poking their heads out was one of my favorite moments too. Hedwig just had to show that she had no problems asserting dominance. She has that in spades. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving with your family. If I recall, your family likes to cook different things.

Wentley - It's very good. There's also tonjiru which is a miso soup with lots of veg and pork/bacon.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - Hedwig is very territorial and has all the right to be. She demands excellence. Thanks for reading.

AshokaTheGreat - That would be interesting. Not sure if I'll ever do it but maybe a one-shot or some such one day.

poka - Trickster foxes are one of my favorite things I've added to the setting and am glad I did. Hedwig does not tolerate too much disrespect.

alix33 - Azuki loves Harry and was fun to see them reunite.

HoneyBear84 - Thank you.

TheSphynx - They're the best, much like Hedwig is.

Lucy Elizabeth Dawson - Adorable menaces aren't they?