I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Hello all, hope everyone is having a good start to the week. I think this one was one that a lot of people were waiting for, especially the end. Enjoy!
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Side Dishes
22nd Course – Speaking With Words 8: The International Scholastic Showcase
As per tradition, takes place all over the timeline with the first instance starting at the 102nd Course of Taste, the start of the International Scholastic Showcase.
"So you're telling me that this is going to travel over the ocean? Without wings? I have my suspicions." Hedwig was sitting on the specialty car of the Hogwarts Express, giving it a look that dripped of incredulity. She stomped on it a few times, tilting her head, and then stared at the two in question.
"Why is she looking at us like that?" Nicolas asked, tilting his head back at her.
"Because she does not believe us," Perenelle said evenly.
"Oh well I am used to that," Nicolas snorted and went back to work.
"Come here my pretty," Perenelle said. She smiled when Hedwig abided, flapping over and settling on her head. "Now then, do you really think we would be risking the life of our beloved grandson?"
"No, not really," Hedwig said assuredly.
"We have tested this a lot," Perenelle said, patting the large train car with fondness. "And Blinky aided us in the testing. We took both her and our train up and down the mountains, across the major rivers and down the length of them. We did several trips across the Channel both ways. It works."
"Hmm, well, if you say so," Hedwig hummed, looking at the car in question. "I would feel better if it had wings though." She flapped her wings to drive her point home.
Perenelle looked up at the owl and divined her meaning. Taking out an etching tool, she made a rough sketch of a pair of wings into the surface, using her wand to preserve it. "How is that?" she asked, looking at her etching with satisfaction.
"Better!" Hedwig hooted, nodding with satisfaction.
"Do not worry, it will work," Perenelle smiled. "And you will like how we renovated the sleeping cars. They are very comfortable."
"Oh good. That's very important."
-0-
The first part of the journey was very much like any trip back to London from Hogwarts and Hogsmeade station. It was a little strange not walking through the passenger cars with the familiar sitting compartments full of comfortable benches and seats and overhanging luggage racks. The majority of the back cars had the same hallway but had sleeping rooms instead where some had beds that could be folded up or more sturdy ones that were always out, built firmly into the car. Each car had a set of bathrooms with showering capabilities too.
There was a large dining car with tables and another passenger car that was filled with seats and long open windows. The very back was the luggage car and where the elves had their own sleeping rooms. The aforementioned kitchen car was narrow like all train cars but was well set up and laid out.
The track car was a wonder to walk through. Ties and rails lined the walls and the bottom of the car was open to the air. Nicolas and Perenelle showed them how it worked and magic would assemble a long section of rails and the whole section would fly out the bottom and line up at the front of the train. Ones behind would be sucked up by the magic of the dissembler and be taken apart and stored. The pieces slowly moved up the length of the car to be reassembled and sent out before eventually returning.
The train had made it past London in a shorter amount of time than it normally would take and everyone had crowded at the windows to watch as the train left the established tracks to keep on going over bare ground. They gasped and cheered when they saw the tracks being assembled in front of the train's path and the trip over the magic rails was nice and smooth. Like the Flamels said it would, the train did slow down at this point, but the motions were very smooth and felt safe. A large amount of the passengers gathered in the free sitting car while the Flamels gave a brief description of how the magics worked together and what they did to do parts of the process.
Everyone divided themselves into the sleeping cars. Most of the friends shared the same compartments and the escorts and chaperones did the same as well as the teachers and the goblins respectively. Harry and Dora had one together at the end of the cart that Sirius, Remus, Andromeda, and Ted took. They decided to take the first of the sleeper cars so that they did not have to move the kitchen car.
"Ooh swanky," Dora said as they walked into the first sleeper car and looked through the rooms.
"We figured you would want to be closest to the kitchen car for obvious reasons," Nicolas smiled at Harry. "We should be closest to the track car for even more obvious reasons and so we put this sleeper car in between. We are at the far end."
"Continuing our train of thought," Perenelle smiled at Nicolas' eye roll and Harry's hug, "we made this room in mind for you. There's a bed for Hedwig in here as well."
"Oh perfect." Hedwig flapped to it and settled down in it, wiggling comfortably. "This is nice. I claim this room for myself and Chick."
"Aww, not a bunkbed?" Dora asked.
"Probably for the best," Andromeda said, smiling at her daughter. "We will be in the room beside this one with Sirius and Remus taking the one on the other side of us."
"And we have bunkbeds," Sirius preened. "Dibs on top bunk."
"By all means," Remus said, amused.
"Thank you for everything you've done for us," Harry said, hugging the Flamels again.
"Anytime my boy," Nicolas said, hugging him back. "It was challenging, engaging, fun, and will be quite profitable."
"And most importantly, for you," Perenelle said.
-0-
"I think I'm in heaven," Lavender said, her eyes large and filled with awe.
While Ariana spoke to her friend, they found themselves where a collection of stalls had set up together. It turned out that they were all clothing and fabric stalls and they had all sorts of beautiful clothing on display. The clothing of magicals from different countries were all laid out or were worn by mannequins, with rolls and bolts of fabric floating about. Patterns and colors of all kinds were out and a lot of people were inspecting them critically. The vendors were showing their wares and were assisting people, letting them try on clothes while espousing the qualities of their things.
Harry smiled, watching his girlfriend and other friends looking through all the clothes and things with undiluted enthusiasm. He wandered about the racks of clothes and cloths and found himself with accessories. He reached out and picked up a ribbon of rich purple material that felt light and smooth. "Would you like one Hedwig?"
Hedwig had been sitting on his shoulder and she fluffed up, nodding. "I absolutely would love one. Thank you, Chick. Such a good boy." She waddled down his arm to look at the ribbon but stopped all of a sudden, her head turning around and she suddenly jumped off his arm, flapping her wings. She flew behind him and fluttered in the air, giving a warning hiss. "Hey! Back off, now! What do you want?!"
"Hedwig? What's wrong?" Harry spun and saw Hedwig dive at a form on the ground that hopped back, dodging the owl's talons. Harry blinked at the red-furred fox that dodged once more and it bent low to the ground and growled at Hedwig, its tail fluffed up and lashing the air. Long pointed ears flicked back and forth and the fox barked at Hedwig who barked back loudly, undeterred.
"Hey! What's your problem!" the fox barked.
"You! You're my problem! What do you want?!" the owl barked back.
"I just wanted to say hi! He smells nice and he smells like he has something tasty!"
"Azuki!" A Japanese girl wearing long sliver robes came dashing up. "Azuki! There you are and what are you doing?!" She gaped at Hedwig who glared at the fox. "Why is your bird bothering my fox?!"
"I don't think Hedwig started it," Harry said politely. "She's very protective though. Your fox was coming at me from behind I think."
"I didn't start anything but I'll certainly end it!" Hedwig hissed.
The girl looked startled and looked at Harry with surprise. "You speak Japanese?" she asked in accented English.
"I can understand it with this," Harry said, tapping the plug that was in his ear. "It's translating for me."
"Oh, that is very useful," the girl said. She leaned down and scooped up the irate fox. "This is Azuki. She is my fox. My name is Tsumugi Watanabe."
"Harry Potter," Harry said pleasantly. "This is Hedwig." He reached out and plucked her from the air and hugged her close. He hugged her when Hedwig continued to glare at Azuki who was doing the same in return.
"Such pretty nice white feathers, I bet they would look nice in my tail," Azuki growled.
"How funny, I was thinking the same about your tail decorating my nest," Hedwig hooted dangerously.
"Nice to meet you," Tsumugi said politely. "Azuki normally does not approach strangers. But she is a trickster fox so she does like playing tricks here and there. Mostly stealing little things."
"Hedwig likes to steal things too, but usually only mine," Harry smiled.
Tsumugi smiled too. "All of my things are Azuki's." She looked down at her fox. "Why were you going to bother him?"
Azuki gave her a flat look and looked back at Harry. She stretched out a little, sniffing and looking at Harry's cloak closely. She bared her teeth when Hedwig clacked her beak at the fox.
"Keep your nose out of my boy's business!" Hedwig barked.
"I'm hungry and he smells nice and has nice smelling food!"
"Oh, she might have smelled the treats I have on me." Harry reached into his pocket and took out a couple of owl treats. "I make these for Hedwig. They have bacon in them."
"She's usually a picky eater," Tsumugi said with surprise. "Is that what you wanted?" She looked even more surprised when Azuki nodded, licking her chops.
"They smell very good," the fox yipped.
"Do you mind sharing?" Harry asked.
Hedwig glared at him, minding very much. "Yes, I mind. Those are MINE!"
"I'll make you more tonight, we have the stuff on the train." Harry fed her the bigger one and offered one to Azuki who sniffed it delicately and picked it up daintily before chomping on it with unmistakable enthusiasm.
"Oh this is delicious!" Azuki chomped.
"What is an owl treat?" Tsumugi asked, smiling at her fox's obvious enjoyment.
"Chickpeas ground and mashed that are mixed with water and honey and some safe spices," Harry said. "These also have pieces of bacon mixed in." He dug out another one and popped it into Hedwig's beak when the owl opened her beak to lambaste Azuki.
"Don't get used to it you red-furred bi-"
"Thank you for sharing," Tsumugi said. She blinked when the fox nuzzled Harry's hand in thanks. "She's almost never this friendly with anyone new!" She looked at Harry and inspected his robes. "You mentioned a train? Are you from Hogwarts?"
"That's right. I'm guessing you're from Mahoutokoro?"
She nodded. "We have heard of Hogwarts of course, but we were surprised to hear of your invitation. According to our instructors, your school has been absent for a very long time."
"We have," Harry nodded. "I'm afraid I don't really know much about your school or the others."
Tsumugi smiled. "You will. We will show just how good Mahoutokoro is and what we are capable of."
"Looking forward to it," Harry said sincerely. "And we'll do our best too."
She looked at him for a moment before nodding. "Then perhaps we will speak again. See you later, Harry Potter." She blinked when Azuki yipped a few times and her eyes widened when Azuki licked Harry's hand. After a short bow she walked off, speaking softly to the fox in Japanese.
"I'm surprised at you," Tsumugi murmured. "Since when do you approach strangers and I can't remember the last time you were this nice to one. Or to anyone really."
"He smells and feels nice," Azuki said, also used to Tsumugi not understanding her literally through verbal communication.
"That was strange," Harry murmured. "Ow!"
"My treats! You shared MY treats! To a fox of all things?! WHY?!"
"Why is Hedwig trying to eat your finger?" Hermione asked, appearing at his side.
"We just met some new people and she's a little irate because I shared her treats with one of them," Harry said with a wince. "Hedwig, come on, don't be rude."
Hedwig bit his finger hard again and scolded him with severe barks before she fluttered out of his grasp, landing on his head and yanking his hair irritably. "Rude?! That little four-footed poacher with a fat tail came to us and stole my food! That you gave willingly! And I'm the rude one?! HA! I know you're nice and sweet to everyone but you're supposed to be the nicest and sweetest to me!"
"I'm going to make more! And I'll get you a ribbon and-ow hey quit it okay, two ribbons!" Harry winced again. "And something shiny!"
"ALL THE SHINY FOR THIS INDIGNITY!"
"You just wanted to share owl treats with someone?" Hermione asked, smiling broadly.
"Well, not with a human person. A Japanese trickster fox approached and Hedwig and her were about to fight before her owner appeared. Someone from Mahoutokoro. I guess the fox could smell the treats on me?"
"Oh I've read about them," Hermione said enthusiastically. "Trickster foxes are supposed to be really clever and act like messengers. Plus they're really cute."
"She was pretty cute," Harry agreed.
"NO SHE WASN'T!"
"Who was cute?" Parvati popped up, looking very interested. "Harry Potter and Hermione Granger both agreeing that 'she' was 'cute'?"
"Oh no, don't you twist our words and get us in trouble," Hermione said severely, glaring at Parvati.
"Azuki," Harry smiled, shaking his head. "A Japanese trickster fox, like an actual animal."
"Awww," Parvati said, "I want to see her!"
"I'm sure you will, she belongs to a student from the Japanese school," Harry said. "It looks like she likes to play tricks and get in trouble."
"Sounds like someone we know," Hermione growled.
"Excuse me, I don't get into trouble," Parvati sniffed.
"You fight and get jinxed a lot," Harry observed.
"I meant officially," Parvati clarified. "But I'm gratified to know you think I'm cute. Hey Trace! Your girlfriend thinks I'm cute."
Tracey smiled as she joined them. "I think you're cute, but not my type."
"I'm everyone's type," Parvati gasped.
Harry chuckled and winced once more. "Okay okay! Show me what else you want," Harry said hurriedly. "Stop pulling my hair like that!"
"NOT UNTIL YOU HAVE MADE UP FOR THIS TRAVESTY!"
"Why is Hedwig trying to scalp you?" Parvati asked.
"I shared her owl treats with Azuki."
Parvati gasped again. "Poor Hedwig! Let's go find something expensive for you. Something very shiny and befitting an owl of your status." She smiled when Hedwig hopped onto her head. "I think I saw some beautiful necklaces over there. Let's find something Harry can get us to make up for things."
"Yes lets. I saw some very pretty shinies over that way," Hedwig hooted, pointing with her wing.
"Wait, why am I getting something for you now?" Harry called after. He sighed and grinned wryly as Hermione and Tracey laughed.
-0-
"Is everything okay?" Dora asked, looking concerned as well as amused. "Normally she looks a lot happier when she's being cuddled."
Harry sighed wryly. He was lying on his bed and hugging a still irritated Hedwig who was fluffed up on his stomach. Alternating between gnawing on his fingers and pecking his hands and nipping him hard. "I shared some of her owl treats with a Japanese trickster fox today and she's not too happy."
"Which isn't something unreasonable I think!"
"Oh I get that," Dora nodded with complete understanding. "I hate sharing my treats too with people I don't like."
"See?! Pinky gets it!"
-0-
"Not at all," Akin said. "There is still plenty to argue and fight about." He looked at Harry with mild interest. "Are you a mganga?"
"I don't know what that is," Harry said. "Is it a good thing?"
"Yes. Sorry, a shaman," Akin translated. "They are magicals that have an affinity with nature and spirits. Some are particularly close to animals. I ask because Moriti is usually not very friendly with strangers."
Harry looked down at the African wild dog who was resting his head in Harry's lap. The dog looked up at Harry and made a soft noise, crooning happily when Harry scratched his head. "He's very nice," Harry said, continuing to scratch Moriti.
"He's really not," one of Akin's friends said, looking surprised. "I have seen him chase someone around the school for slighting him and our school is a mountain. He is usually very suspicious of people."
"Animals love Harry," Lavender smiled. "Almost every animal that meets him love him. Even Mrs. Norris."
"A cat that belongs to one of the staff," Pansy said. "She hates everyone but she is surprisingly cordial with Harry."
"The owl looks a little upset," one of Tsumugi's friends observed.
Hedwig did indeed look upset. She was sitting on Harry's head, feathers fluffed with irritation. She clacked her beak at Azuki who was sitting on Harry's shoulder and at Moriti who both gave Hedwig a defiant look. "You two look far too comfortable on my boy! Stoppit!"
"We're not causing any trouble," Moriti grunted.
"If you stay mad, your feathers will turn grey," Azuki snickered.
"She's very possessive," Luna smiled.
"She doesn't act that way with Sunny or Crookshanks," Millicent snickered.
"She's used to sharing with them," Hermione giggled.
"Do not bother the owl," Akin said to Moriti, sighing when the wild dog gave him a flat look and flicked his tail back and forth. "I told him to be nice to your owl. Moriti can be rough."
"I'm not too worried," Harry said easily. "Hedwig doesn't pick a fight unless it's necessary but she can handle herself."
"She's caught a caddok," Parvati said. "Big magical catfish thing. That one was seven feet long and a couple hundred pounds, right?"
"256 pounds," Harry nodded. "Also Hedwig can break a door open by kicking it. Like a regular door. She did it when we were home before coming here. Granted, the door was already a little shaky on the hinge but she kicked it clean off."
"Don't bother Hedwig," Tsumugi said, shaking a finger at her fox. "I don't want to catch you if she kicks you flying."
"We're all friends here," Harry said kindly. He winced a little when Hedwig tugged on a lock of hair. "Some slightly less friendly admittedly."
"Stop forcing me to share! Hedwig doesn't want to share!"
-0-
Harry was back in the nightmare of his past. He felt like he was in absolute darkness once more, trapped between walls that pressed down on him from all around. The smell of dust and neglect and mold assaulted him. He saw shadowy figures in the oppressive dark, Voldemort with his wand out and Lily trying to shield him. She screamed as she died, as Voldemort laughed cruelly, and Harry screamed with her. He was paralyzed by the spell, held up by the tendrils, unable to escape.
"Harry!" Lavender shrieked. She had to wrestle with a struggling Hedwig. She was holding Hedwig in her arms and at Harry's screams, the owl tried to burst out to intervene. Hedwig barked and screeched, trying to fight her way free. "Hedwig, we can't interfere!"
"I AM GOING TO MURDER YOU!" Hedwig screeched. "I'm going to tear out your eyes and make you watch me eat them you bastard! Fight Chick! You can do it!"
-0-
"Hey, are you okay?"
Harry smiled a little, hugging Lavender back. He had returned to the train with the others and Lavender had been waiting for him outside of it with Hedwig. "I think so," he said at last. He smiled when Lavender hugged him even more tightly and Hedwig fluffed on his head. "I definitely will be though," he added softly.
"That's my Chick," Hedwig cooed. "Wonderful dueling today. I always knew you could. Any idiot can fight for no reason at all. You only fight when you must, and that's true strength."
"You look like you could use a nap," Lavender smiled, looking at Harry.
"That does sound great right now," he admitted, feeling very weary. He followed Lavender onto the train and as they got to his room, Crookshanks and Sunny appeared as if by magic. They followed after and when Lavender tucked Harry in, she smiled as the petlings snuggled close to him.
"You take good care of him now," she said as she left.
"We will," the trio said and soon fell asleep with him.
-0-
"Come in," Harry called sleepily. He grasped for his glasses and slipped them on when the door to his sleeping compartment opened.
"Sorry, were you still napping?" Pansy asked, looking apologetic.
"Sort of, but I'm up. Is everything okay?" he asked, waking up more.
"Oh yes," Pansy said. "But I wanted to see if you would like to receive visitors. Akin and a few friends and Moriti? I think that's the dog's name. They came to see if you were well."
"That's kind of them," Harry said, touched. "Sure. Are they outside?"
"The Headmaster said they could come onto the train," Pansy said. "I'll let them know." She smiled. "It might take you a bit of time to get out of bed."
Harry looked down at Sunny lying over his chest and Crookshanks sprawled over his legs, feeling Hedwig shift beside his head. "Might be a bit," he smiled.
"Why are we moving?" Crookshanks complained, sprawling out more in an attempt at keeping Harry still. "I'm really comfortable."
"Yeah, same," Sunny purred, melting over Harry's chest.
In a surprisingly short time, surprisingly since Sunny and Crookshanks were comfortable and had fought Harry in moving, Harry walked into the sitting car with Hedwig on his head and the two kneazles walking beside him. When they saw Moriti though, they hissed and coiled around Harry, staring at the very large wild dog.
"What the hell are you?!" the kneazle cats gasped.
"A big bastard," Hedwig grumbled.
"It's okay, Moriti is nice," Harry assured them. He was nearly knocked over by the dog's enthusiastic greeting. Hedwig flapped her wings for balance and joined the kneazles in hissing at Moriti and the dog ignored them handily.
"Be careful!" Hedwig hissed.
"I am very careful," Moriti said with regal disdain.
-0-
"They're really nice," Harry agreed. He looked down with surprise at something before smiling a little. "I bet we're about to get a visit from Tsumugi and the Mahoutokoro students next."
"What makes you say that?" Millicent asked.
Harry knelt down and scooped up Azuki who looked very comfortable in his arms. "Oh, just a hunch," he said with a smile.
"Where did you come from?!" Hedwig hooted, staring at Azuki.
"Kyoto Prefecture," Azuki said, rubbing her head against Harry and smiling at Hedwig's displeasure. "Specifically, the Gardens of the Heavens fox home."
"Are all foxes as annoying as you?!"
"I'm the epitome of foxes," Azuki sniffed.
"So yes?!"
-0-
"You are being especially troublesome," Tsumugi scolded. She sighed when Azuki turned her back and flicked her tail dismissively at her.
"Please, you have seen my be especially troublesome and I'm not nearly being that," Azuki snorted. "I like Harry too much to be troublesome."
"That's really familiar," Parvati, Millicent, and Hermione said together.
"You have trickster foxes too?" Tsumugi asked. "I did not know there were any outside Japan."
"No, the whole mooning you and flicking their tail thing," Millicent clarified. "Our petlings do it too."
"Some make it a whole thing," Parvati said, glowering as Hedwig danced from side to side and mooned her with expressive rear wagging and tail feather wiggling.
"Shake shake shake. Shaking my booty at you. Look at my tail feathers!"
"Oh that is familiar," Tsumugi giggled. She introduced her friends, Chiyo and Sota, to everyone with Harry returning the favor. "And how are you feeling? You looked a little odd after your duel, hope that is not rude to say."
"I'm doing well, thank you," Harry said with a smile. "Yeah, I normally don't like dueling and that got a little personal. My opponent, Draco from Sanguis, we have a bit of a history."
"Strife between?" Sota asked. "Uh…how you say, bad blood?"
"Something like that," Harry said wryly.
"He had no honor," Chiyo sniffed. "That was a bad spell. Very poor taste."
"You do not know the half of it," Blaise snorted. "Draco 'wait until my father hears of this' Malfoy has many things but honor isn't among them."
"Ah, much bad blood," Sota nodded with complete and utter understanding. "For some, shame is the only language they speak."
"Oh I like that," Daphne said. "And true."
"You duel very well," Chiyo said to Harry. "And that you can summon spirit guardians is very impressive. It is difficult, even for our adults."
"I'm lucky I practiced that spell a lot," Harry said gratefully.
"And they are your owl companion?" Tsumugi asked, looking at Hedwig who fluffed up happily. "That speaks of much trust and companionship."
"She's the best," Harry said happily and Hedwig cheeped lovingly.
"Ha! You hear that? I'm the best," she hooted smugly.
"For an owl," Azuki sniffed, dodging a beak snap.
-0-
The closing ceremony began. Italian magicals cast all sorts of charms, filling the air with light and imagery. They enchanted ancient armor worn by the Roman Legions and they marched in formation around the center of the arena and had a mock battle. They had a grand display of the birth of Rome and how it grew into the city it was now. The end of the ceremony was a flurry of fireworks that filled the air above them with music and sound and glowing lights, showering flowers on the people below.
Hedwig flew around the periphery of the show, enjoying the lights and the spells. "These are pretty! Such grace and beauty. And I would know. British magicals should focus more on pretty things." She landed on one of the ancient seats high in the air and watched the spells fly by. "It's very nice to look at, but it's a bit boring by oneself. Let's see. Where's my-ah yes there he is!" She launched herself into the air and flapped down towards the train.
"Hey Lavender?"
"Hmm?" She turned to him and squeaked when he kissed her on the lips. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him close, kissing him back. When they broke apart, her cheeks were bright and her eyes danced. "Now that was proper romantic," she giggled.
"Good, I can learn," Harry smiled back, cheeks warm.
They sat together on top of the train, eventually joined by Hedwig who sat in their laps, and they watched the sky dance above them as flower petals fell around them.
"Much better," Hedwig hooted comfortably.
-0-
"Hey! Why don't we have the dark stuff too!" Sunny gasped.
"It smells nice!" Crookshanks said, sitting up and looking forlornly at cups of gelato with espresso and then back at the cups in front of him and Sunny and Hedwig without the espresso.
The Hogwarts Express was traveling back home to Britain and Harry, as he normally did, was cooking something tasty in the kitchen car. He made buckets of creamy delicious rich vanilla gelato and poured measures of steaming hot espresso on top of them, turning them into cups of affogato. He was serving those to his friends and had given large portions of ice cream to the petlings, but without the espresso on top.
"I'm sorry, I know you can eat regular food by now, but I really don't know if espresso is good for you," Harry said apologetically.
"We don't know that it isn't not good for us!" Sunny cried.
"They look so happy," Crookshanks complained, his tail whipping back and forth as he glared at the others eating the affogato.
"Hey, it's okay," Hedwig said to her fellow petlings. "Chick is being his sweet chick self and erroneously thinking about our health. We can fix this." She waddled up to him and headbutted him. She tilted her head up and opened her eyes as wide as she could, making direct eye contact with Harry. "Chiiiiick. I looooooooovvvee yooooooooooouuuu."
"Oh no," Harry groaned, feeling his reserves crumbling.
"Just a little bit please," Crookshanks begged, also looking up at Harry with large soulful eyes. "We can handle it! And I love you too!"
"I love you more than him and slightly less than Hedwig!" Sunny purred, rubbing her head on Harry.
"What, hey! Not true!" Crookshanks hissed.
"Maybe a little won't hurt," Harry said and he poured a dollop of espresso into each of the cups. He smiled as the petlings nuzzled him gratefully and fell to with good appetite.
"I mean, up until now, we have not seen any of them have any bad effects," Daphne said.
"Well, the Headmaster just told me to not give Fawkes any espresso actually," Harry said.
"Oh? Did he say why?" Daphne asked, intrigued.
"He didn't," Harry said.
"Uh oh," Millicent said. "Sunny? Are you okay baby?"
"Who? Me? I'm fine! I'm better than fine!" Sunny's eyes were wide open and her tail whipped the air, twisting and turning. "I'm so fine! In fact, I'm so fine that I can barelydescribehowfineIamfeelingrightnow!"
"Is this what it feels like to have energy?!" Crookshanks' purr was loud and throaty, sounding like an engine.
"I CAN SEE EVERYTHING!" Hedwig screeched happily. "SO MUCH ENERGY!" To Harry, Millicent, and Daphne's shock, the owl and the cat/kneazles dashed around the kitchen car and went zooming out into the rest of the train, their voices mingling into a sustained high-pitched sound that made the windows rattle.
"Uh oh," Harry groaned.
-0-
Pansy was reading in her room. She was feeling still a little subdued after the last minute fun of exploring Rome and buying many wonderful things. She still felt a little off after the last meeting with Draco. It was needed and necessary, and while she felt a sense of relief from it, she still felt somewhat sad over it. Her mother had been very proud of her and while Pansy was also proud, she felt like a part of her childhood was finally put to rest behind her.
She frowned as she looked up. The door to the sleeping room rattled wildly. She waved her wand at it. "Millie? Is something wrong?" She gasped when the door opened and Sunny came running in. She was a grey blur and she dashed around the room at top speed, upsetting things, dragging Millicent's blankets and pillows off the bed and then she jumped on Pansy. Pansy shrieked as Sunny clambered all over her, licking her hands and face and diving into her clothes and tugging on her hair as she lovingly assaulted her. Flailing, the girl fell to the ground with a thump and Sunny continued to roughhouse her.
"HI! HI HI HI! I wanted to tell you that I like you very much and actually might even love you a little bit and in the hierarchy of people I like it's Millie then Harry then you and I like to mess with your things to show affection and it's not really personal but it is personal in the sense that I do genuinely like you so there!"
Sunny bit Pansy on the hand and then went running out of the sleeper room, leaving a windswept and ruffled Pansy lying on the ground.
"MILLIE!" Pansy shrieked at the top of her lungs and climbed to her feet, running out of the room. Her doldrums long forgotten.
-0-
Chaos reigned on the train.
Fueled by espresso, Hedwig and Sunny and Crookshanks ran rampant up and down the train, leaving a trail of confused people, delighted people, and 'lovingly' harassed people in their wake. At the current moment, Parvati was running circles around one of the sitting cars with Hedwig in hot pursuit.
"Why?!" Parvati shrieked as she fled from a happily hooting Hedwig. "I thought we were cool!"
"We are cool! And I'm keeping you cool by chasing you and want to show you some affection!" Hedwig shouted as she flapped after Parvati.
"Did you get faster somehow?!" Parvati squawked. She dove into a second sitting car, just barely dodging Hedwig.
"YOU! I haven't forgotten you smacking my nest with your poor aim!" Hedwig chased after a screaming Blaise who ran past Valentina who slumped against the wall, howling with laughter at the sight.
"Oh wait me too!" Sunny joined the chase. "You and your damned exploding cards!"
"What did I do to deserve this?!" Blaise shouted as he ran. As he leapt over a couch, he did not quite stick the landing and rolled with Sunny and Hedwig homing in on him.
"Gotcha!" Fred and George held a large sheet between them and tried to net the owl and cat and failed miserably. "Uh oh," they said in unison when the two animals turned to glare at them. They ran screaming as Sunny and Hedwig changed targets, chasing the Weasley twins up and down the train to the combined delight of everyone else.
"Just because your little sibs are better now, doesn't mean you share the goodwill!" Hedwig screeched.
"Get back here!" Sunny yowled as she chased after them. "I'm still irritated about the rat!"
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"What is wrong with your kneazle?!" Pansy pointed a finger at Millicent.
"You look ruffled," Millicent said, trying to hide her laughter.
It was true. Pansy's hair was a little mussed and her robes askew. She also looked irate and she shook her fist at Millicent. "That is because Sunny ran into the room, assaulted me, and then took off running! What is her problem?! I thought you wouldn't give her catnip anymore!"
"I didn't give her any catnip!" Millicent protested. "Also it's not my fault!"
"It is true," Daphne said, giggling and looking deeply amused. "I think we have learned that the pets should not be given espresso."
"Why would you give her espresso?!" Pansy shouted, appalled.
"Sorry," Harry groaned. "I sort of did. You see I was giving out the affogato and I gave Sunny and Crookshanks and Hedwig the gelato and they looked so put out that they didn't get any espresso to turn it into an affogato and I felt so bad. I figured a little espresso couldn't hurt…"
The door slammed open and Parvati came diving into the kitchen car. "Hedwig's been chasing me up and down the train!" she shouted, clambering to her feet. "I can barely avoid her regularly but she's like a freaking Bludger right now!"
"How did you get her off you?" Daphne asked eagerly while Harry groaned again.
"Luckily I ran into Blaise and she changed targets. Last I saw, she and Sunny were chasing him around," Parvati said, panting. "I thought we were cool!"
"She got a little espresso in her," Harry said weakly while the others howled with laughter.
"Who gave her espresso?!" Parvati shouted. "Also why?!"
"She looked really sad when her gelato didn't have any," Harry said lamely.
"And Harry cannot say no to Hedwig," Pansy smiled.
"Remember when you asked me why you were buying me something at the Showcase, it's for instances like this one," Parvati growled. "I demand restitution!" She brightened when Harry gave her a large cup with scoops of gelato within it and she smiled when he poured espresso on top. "Okay, restitution accepted."
"Thank you, Harry," Pansy smiled when she received her own portion. "Mmm! This is incredible!" she gasped, eating a spoonful with obvious delight.
"Yeah, I guess I can understand why the petlings got upset they didn't get any espresso," Parvati conceded.
"That was seriously the fastest I've seen Crookshanks move," Millicent laughed. "He was like a blur!"
"Hopefully it means they crash and go to sleep," Parvati muttered, eating her treat.
The door opened and everyone burst out laughing seeing Blaise stagger in, looking windswept and rumpled. "I have questions," he said, glaring at his laughing friends.
"They got espresso in them," Millicent said.
"Oh, you know what, fair enough," Blaise said evenly. He slumped into a chair. "I am exhausted and it did not help that my mother did nothing to help and only laughed at my plight. Oh, thank you Harry." He happily took the cup of espresso from Harry as well as a cup of affogato. "Mmm, this helps."
"Where are they now?" Pansy asked.
"Chasing the Weasley twins. They tried to catch them and the animals took offense." He sipped his espresso and ate a spoonful of the gelato and espresso mixed. "This is quite delicious by the way."
"I guess we can file this away for future use," Millicent said. "Give them a bit of espresso and let them loose on people we don't like."
"We should not weaponize them," Daphne frowned.
"They enjoy it," Pansy and Parvati and Blaise said flatly.
"What did you do to my cat?!" Hermione appeared at the door holding Crookshanks that was practically vibrating in her arms, his purr sounding like a racing engine. Sunny and Hedwig came in and dashed around the kitchen car with the former running and the latter flapping about.
"Hefedmetastyfoodandheisthebest!" Crookshanks purred.
"Technically he did it to himself," Millicent laughed. "He ate gelato and espresso."
"Don't feed him espresso!" Hermione cried.
"He looked really sad!" Harry replied. He looked at Hedwig and Sunny with apprehension when Hedwig landed beside him and Sunny jumped onto the table. "But maybe we should limit your espresso intake." He smiled when they shrugged and dashed out of the kitchen car, followed by a very energetic Crookshanks.
"Worth it!" Hedwig and Sunny said together as they left.
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"Chick, help."
"You look exhausted," Harry smiled as he caught a Hedwig that looked like she was about to plummet from the air.
"I did so much in such a short time but I am about to pass out," Hedwig said, already nodding off. Her head fell back and she started to snore loudly.
"Let's get you out of the way and off the ground." Harry picked up Sunny and Crookshanks and settled on a couch in one of the sitting cars. The petlings immediately moved in their caffeine devoid slumber, getting comfortable. Fawkes appeared and looked at the thoroughly covered Harry.
"No fair," Fawkes said sulkily. "I didn't get any espresso! Damn you Albus!" He settled on Harry's shoulder and soon fell asleep anyways, plumping up comfortably and feeling comfortably warm.
Harry chuckled softly. There were plenty worse places to be than in a very nice train, sitting on a nice couch, covered by sleeping animal companions.
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"They look comfortable," Andromeda smiled.
Harry looked up and blushed a little but also looked happy. He was lying on a couch in the seating car and was literally covered. Lavender was lying beside him between him and the couch back, her head on his shoulder. Crookshanks was draped over their legs like a cat-shaped blanket. Sunny was snuggled between them and Hedwig was sprawled on his chest, wings spread and beak slightly open, snoring lustily. Even Fawkes was there, sitting on his other shoulder and snoozing. "They crashed hard after the espresso wore off," Harry laughed, "Except for Fawkes, he didn't have any. Guess he just wanted to nap too. Lavender said we looked too comfortable and she fell asleep after sitting."
"Dora was annoyingly energetic. She managed to work it out with some dueling practice," Andromeda snorted. "She and Amelia and Professor Flitwick turned one of the back cars into an impromptu duel space. They got a lot of use out of it. Apparently the duels at the Showcase inspired them."
"Where are they now?" he asked.
"Most are back in the second sitting car and gambling away," she smiled. She sat in the chair beside Harry. "Dee and Ariana are neck and neck and the others are making them work for it." She leaned back comfortably. "Where are your other friends?"
"Having a debate in the eating car," Harry smiled. "At first it was which is better: Chinese dumplings or Italian ravioli. Which then became an argument of what's the difference between the two. Some think they're the same. Sue and Blaise most certainly don't."
Andromeda chuckled. "And how are you feeling?"
"I don't think they're the same either." He smiled at her chuckling. "Now? Pretty great if unable to move really." His smile grew when she laughed outright. "If you mean with all that happened, well, a lot happened in just a few days."
"It did," she said sympathetically.
"I still can't believe you all went through all that for me," he said.
"You might as well get used to it," she said, smiling softly. "We care deeply about you Harry. We did what we did because we wanted to. For you, and for us."
"I'm really thankful you all think of me like that," he said in a soft whisper.
She leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead. "And we're thankful that you are in our lives. I would consider myself quite poor in heart and health without you."
"Me too," he said sincerely. "I'd hug you back right now but I kinda can't."
She laughed gently. "I can wait."
They chatted away with Harry enveloped by the pets and Fawkes and Lavender. Harry felt warm within and without and considered himself very lucky indeed. It had been a very eventful last few days and he learned a lot, about all sorts of things.
It was nice to go home, however. To return in safety and warmth.
Triumphant.
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HoneyBear84 - Thank you.
Shroudy9 - Guy is unassuming like that.
Hoodedgenius98 - Not completely unreasonable to think.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - I liked Guy's inclusion and growth here. It was surprisingly fun to explore how such a taciturn veteran came about. Thanks for reading.
odonnellzoo99 - Zoe is very cute and Guy was again one of those OCs that surprised with how much I liked him from inception and it's fun seeing him grow.
Wentley - Yup. I like unassuming people like that. On the surface they seem cold or aloof but are merely hiding a warm spot for the important things.
DOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - It was fun exploring Guy's history and mindset and see why he is the way he is without being super obvious about it. There's a chance more will show up in specific chapters about them eventually.
TheSphynx - I'm glad, thank you.
poka - Louis was very irate and upset with his recommendations. Poor guy. Not poor Guy though. I do like the trope of people softening in some ways and Guy fits the bill.
alix33 - At least Zoe was kind enough to give the warning.
justanfanboy - Thank you. Guy was surprisingly satisfying to write with.
Commando678 - Thank you so much.