I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Side Dishes
28th Course – Festive Festivities
Takes place the winter after Hedwig's Hearth opening, a few months after the 173rd course of Taste.
Clover looked up at the window to the dormitory and smiled. "Hi Hedwig!" She hopped out of bed and opened it, letting the snowy owl in. The cold winter air came with her but the window soon shut it out and the crackling fire in the small hearth that warmed the dormitory flared in response and the chill was rapidly banished.
Hedwig hooted warmly, tugging on Clover's hair playfully before offering her the letter she brought. She sat in Clover's lap as Clover sat on her bed and opened the letter eagerly.
"Hi Hedwig!" Marigold came in and walked over, picking up the snowy owl and hugging her. Hedwig barked in greeting and fluffed up comfortably, also tugging on Marigold's hair with affection. "Came to visit and play?"
"She brought us a note," Clover said, handing it to her sister. "Harry wants us to come to the Hearth tomorrow during the Hogsmeade day visit."
"Not like we don't go when we can anyways," Marigold smiled, snuggling Hedwig and resting her cheek against Hedwig's chest and belly feathers.
"True! But he wanted us to make sure we came tomorrow. Said he wanted to talk about something with us. He also said don't worry, it's nothing serious and nothing's wrong."
"Oh thank goodness," Marigold sighed.
"Harry's good like that," Clover nodded.
"Well, since nothing's wrong, it means we can make a little wrong," Marigold smiled.
Clover smiled too, their expressions matching. "Didn't we just learn the Propelling charm and the Space charm?"
Marigold nodded. "Hedwig, do you mind delivering something to Lavender please?" She and her sister started giggling and Hedwig echoed their mischievous merriment.
-0-
"Hi Harry!"
Harry hugged the twin sisters warmly, catching them as they threw themselves at him. "Hi girls!"
The Hearth had not opened yet and the Brigade were doing their usual prep work and all of the never-ending tasks in running a successful restaurant. Despite it being just about half a year in being open, the Hearth was booming in business and remained busy. Harry made it a policy that on Hogsmeade days, they would not take reservations or outside business, much like the Hogsmeade only days. That way students could come and eat there with the usual Hogsmeade residents and friends. He also had a menu with reduced costs for the students and a different menu that appealed to them, while still maintaining his style and the obvious quality of the restaurant. It was a hit and a happy day for the village, the school, and the restaurant.
The girls waved at the rest of the Brigade who were familiar and friendly with them at this point. "So what's up?" they asked together, sitting at his station when he conjured stools for them.
"The school's Winter Festival is coming up, right?" Harry asked.
"That's right," Clover nodded.
"We've been working hard on it," Marigold nodded.
"Good! I knew you two would." He smiled at their preening. "I wanted to put my restaurant down for a stall."
"Really?!" the girls gasped.
"Of course! I love the festivals and it's a place for Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley businesses to contribute, so I want to. I'll still be doing the main cooking with Chef but the Brigade are going to handle the stall. We'll have a sample menu to sell things for. Ideally, if it could be by the main kitchen and eating place so I can watch both, I'd appreciate it."
Marigold dug into her bag and pulled out a large notebook. "I'm sure we can do that!" She opened it and showed the large map of the festival grounds and all the stalls and areas.
"Look how big it's gotten," Harry smiled, looking at the map with fondness.
"It's so popular, we've gotten more people asking to join," Clover smiled. "This and the spring one." She looked over the map. "Oh yeah, we can move the kitchen area over a little and put your stall there."
"And you'll be beside the StoneHeart Forge and the Needy Thread stalls, and the Cooking Club one," Marigold added, scribbling on the map with a quill. She tapped it with her wand and the small names and drawings shuffled around, making space. "Is this space big enough?"
"Plenty. If need be, we can do the majority of the cooking and prepwork here and then transport it to the stall," Harry said. "Some people can work here primarily and the others can be at the stall itself."
"Dibs on being here," Eddie said. "I don't do great in the cold."
"Only if there were clothes or charms you could do to keep warm," Felicity said with false understanding. "Oh, wait."
"It's still cold!" Eddie said indignantly while others laughed.
"But if you're outside, you can have Mitsy and Teagan with you," Julia said.
"Mitsy does love the cold," Eddie mused. "But they can be here too, just not by the stoves and things. They're good dogs."
"You can be runner and transport things to the stall from here," Harry smiled, making Eddie give him a wounded look while the others laughed even more.
"We can tie a sled to Mitsy and she can haul you back and forth," Felicity giggled.
"You know how lazy she is," Eddie laughed. "Teagan would do it but he can only pull like a small sled. He's strong for a Jack Russell but you know, still a small dog."
"Still never got that third dog?" Clover asked.
"No," Eddie sighed dolefully. "Benjamin said no and he's not completely wrong."
"Oh and if you don't want to work the day of the festival, no problem at all," Harry said. "We'll be closed that day here but it's definitely a volunteer thing. But you'll be paid for it if you do work."
"Being paid to do the same job but with less responsibility and stress and in an overall more festive environment? However will we cope?" Chloe asked in a very dry tone but her smile showed her true thoughts.
"Just letting you all have the opportunity to decide," Harry smiled at similar reactions from everyone else.
"Thanks Chef!" Felicity and Eddie chorused and the others smiled happily.
"Oh and all Hogsmeade residents are welcome to go," Harry said. "Even those who aren't doing anything for a stall or whatnot."
Guy smiled slightly. "I am sure Zoe will be excited. Rebecca and Tomas as well. They are interested in Hogwarts and want to see it before Zoe eventually decides if she wishes to attend there or Beauxbatons. She still had years to decide however, thankfully."
"ICW employees can send their children to any of the major schools, right?" Harry asked.
Guy nodded. "Yes, typically it will be the closest to where the family lives or their home country of course, but the option is there."
"That's cool." Harry looked over at the ecstatic sisters. "I think Professor Dumbledore is coming by tonight for dinner so I'll talk to him then too about it." He looked past the sisters and his eyebrows went up slightly, looking surprised and confused. His expression smoothed out after a moment and he gave the sisters a slightly sympathetic look.
"Wait, what's with the-eeek!" Marigold shrieked as Lavender clamped her hand on the back of her neck. The woman had crept out of the pantry from behind them and stalked stealthily up to them and leapt. Clover managed to dodge the grab and made it halfway to the door before she tripped and fell. A long ribbon, manipulated by Lavender's wand, shot out and wrapped around Clover's legs, taking her down.
"Time for some revenge," Lavender said with a savage smile and walked out of the back door of the kitchen, dragging Marigold by the ear and hauling on Clover with the ribbon.
"Harry! Help!" the twins shouted as they tried to break free.
"Sorry! I can't get between you three but there'll be soup and hot drinks after!" Harry called after them.
Lavender blew him a kiss and threw her sisters out the door and jumped after them and the sound of shrieking and fighting filled the air.
"What's that about?" Mirra asked, looking out after the sisters.
"So I sent the twins a letter yesterday to have them come here today," Harry said, smiling with fondness and watching Lavender bury her sisters in the snow. "They then decided to play a prank on their sister and had Hedwig deliver an envelope back to her. Apparently they just learned some charms and essentially were able to put enough snow to build a large snow fort into an envelope. Hedwig flew to the Thread and delivered the letter and when Lavender opened it, she got blasted by a contained blizzard."
"I need to do that to Gwennie," Eddie laughed.
"Did Lavender have her revenge on Hedwig?" Chloe asked with a smile.
"She wrapped Hedwig in a ribbon last night, a pretense to a measuring, which kept Hedwig in place and Lavender ate her bacon." Harry shook his head. "Which of course started a different kind of fight after Hedwig got free but they're on okay terms now."
Lavender walked back into the kitchen, rubbing her hands together and shivering slightly. "There! Revenge dispensed." She looked at her handiwork with satisfaction, watching her little sisters trying to struggle out of the two snowpeople that Lavender had turned them into.
"Are you not worried about them getting sick?" Henri laughed.
"I cast a small warming charm on them," Lavender said dismissively. "And Harry can dig them out after five minutes and thirty-seven seconds."
"That's oddly specific timing," Felicity giggled.
"All the better to annoy them." She smiled when Harry poured her a cup of tea and gave her a container of soup. "Thanks! I better get back to work so I can be over tonight for when most of the students are." She kissed Harry and left, taking care to slowly walk past her sisters and sip her tea and giving them an overly warm and smug smile.
"They are sisters," Chloe smiled.
"Good ones too," Harry said, keeping note of the time.
-0-
"Of course you may take part!" Dumbledore's smile was from ear to ear. He snorted deeply. "If word ever got out where I even joked about denying you, I would be in deep trouble."
He looked around the busy restaurant with a happy expression. The majority of the guests there were Hogwarts students and they were enjoying being in the warm and happy place. There were more house elves from the castle to help serve and food came and went as students and others sat together and ate and drank and made merry with each other.
"Besides, the festival is one you helped start. You are always a welcome part of it," Dumbledore continued.
"Well you know me, trying to be proper and all that," Harry grinned.
"Of course," Dumbledore smiled. "I do hope these Hogsmeade days are not too taxing on the Hearth."
"Not in the slightest," Harry said firmly. "I don't overcharge as it is and make a very comfortable profit that also ensures I pay my people well. Even though things are lower for the students and the Hogsmeade residents, I still do more than okay. Granted, I know I'm lucky because I have my other investments so I don't have to worry too much about that. Still, I'm very comfortable and Lavender and I are secure."
"Splendid," Dumbledore said with relief. "I did not want you to harm yourself or your future out of the goodness of your heart."
"'Generosity starts with yourself before others. It is like gold, should be given intelligently but not overabundantly.'"
Dumbledore nodded. "A wise saying. A Gringotts remark?"
Harry nodded. He smiled. "The lesser known version is, 'if you give it all away, you don't have anything to give anymore and then you're fu-' uh, 'screwed,'" His laughter joined Dumbledore's.
"Believe it or not, I have heard the word before," Dumbledore said, chuckling richly. "I might have said it once or twice myself." He sighed and ignored Fawkes' large eyes and beak hanging open, making a sound like a confused flute.
"I don't think I can believe it," Harry laughed, topping off Dumbledore's glass with more mead.
-0-
Harry loved the Winter Festival.
He had attended a few by now. He adored the ones that he went to in Japan during his time there. In America, they had some state fairs and other gatherings that he visited with the others there that were a lot of fun. But he would always love the Winter Festival the most. He could still remember the very first one, during his fourth year and the TriWizard Tournament. It was such a milestone event for him and his friends. The time where he became proper friends with Daphne, Tracey, and Blaise. How the entire group worked together and made the beef stew into the DragonFyre stew, transforming it from something painful into something wonderful. How he became friends with Fleur, Sophie, Colette, and Aimee.
It was a very precious memory.
Then how they turned it into something more for Hogwarts and Hogsmeade in the years since. How during the unstable and uncertain time during their fifth year where the school had been in a perilous position. Then the joyful following year with the open friendly competition with the special burning Buche Noel cake. Then finally his last year where he felt like he truly belonged at the village when they rallied around him to show their support for him and to deal with the awful Banters.
More precious memories.
And now he was back. Hedwig's Heath had her own stall in the festival, right beside the big set of fires they used as part of their field kitchen. On the other side was the Needy Thread stall with so many fabrics and colorful cloths draped around. Clothing of all sorts and pet accessories hung from the rafters and the walls, adding bursts of color to the snowy environment. Facing them was the StoneHeart Forge. The forge already radiated welcome heat with metals and materials lining the space around it. Finished and mostly finished product hung from the walls as well, the metal reflecting the lights from the fires, the lamps, and the floating fairy lights. The Cooking Club stall was there too. It was brightly decorated and the equipment in the back gleamed. The students would be serving an array of hand snacks that they practiced in club and were eager to share.
The Festival had grown in size and scope as well. There were more stalls than before and more businesses from not only Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, but even some from Thalga far below. Vetted by Gringotts, they were there to show off goblin goods and make trades. The Tribe had their own stall too as well as the Village Beneath, also eager to trade and share goods. ICW employees and officials were welcome and anyone that was associated with one of the many businesses were welcome too.
Aurors and civil officers were there to act as security of a sorts and to keep the peace. Dora had told him that the positions were technically voluntary though they would be paid, but there has always been fierce competition for the spots. It was a popular duty that more than a few wanted to do.
There was talk of having a second festival later in the holiday to allow the general public to come and enjoy, hosted by Hogsmeade. The details were being discussed and while they may not do it that year, it was certainly possible to do the next year.
Harry stood there and breathed deep, relishing the crisp cold air with the scents of cinnamon, pine, and citrus and clean wood-smoke. The brooms brushed the paths clean of snow, the bells attached to them jingling merrily, filling the air with tinkling silvery music. Fairies flew through the air, their laughter joining the music as they emanated warm light along with the other light sources. Many flew around Harry and made greetings as they passed. Special roosts and resting trees were set up all over and owls already flew around and rested on them, enjoying the magical warming charms.
"I knew you would be here early!"
Harry smiled and hugged Pansy warmly. "You're early too," he said.
"I normally would still be in bed," Pansy laughed. "But I have been looking forward to this day and decided why wait?"
"I hope I get first picks out of what you brought," Harry smiled.
"Of course you do," Pansy smiled, patting her bag. "I've been working in my spare time and have a lot done. Lavender asked if I wanted to sell a few things under her brand and while I certainly don't need the money, it is very nice to see people enjoy my knitting. Aside from friends and loved ones of course."
She looked around and took a deep breath too, letting it out with a smile. "It does feel so nice to be back here and in this environment. So many lovely memories."
"I was just reminiscing too," Harry said, leaning against her comfortably. So lost in the moment, he was wholly unprepared for the impact and he fell forward into the snow, letting go of Pansy so as not to drag her with him as he fell. He fell into the snow bank, slightly winded, feeling something in the small of his back.
"Hi Uncle Harry!" Emmie squealed, hugging him from behind tightly while Pansy shrieked with laughter.
"Emmie!" Rubi shook her head at her daughter as the others came close, dragging their things on sleds. "Be careful!"
"Hi Emmie," Harry wheezed, managing to wriggle around and smiling back at the giggling little girl. He climbed to his feet, holding her as she snuggled into him. "Traditions have to be maintained," he smiled at the others.
"That was a hard hit," Granite said with a sheepish smile. "You okay?"
"Doing just fine," Harry assured him.
"I'm glad you're having a stall," Dee smiled, looking up at a replica sign for Hedwig's Hearth hanging from the top of the stall.
"I thought it'd be nice for the Brigade to be recognized and praised too," Harry smiled.
"Hey, you never cared about doing that for us!" Flynt gasped and others in the Crew also gasped in faux outrage and offense.
"Well, the difference is, the Brigade deserves it," Harry said with a quasi-sympathetic tone that made everyone laugh.
"Ow, my feelings," Hacker groaned, holding his chest.
"You don't have any," Salta snorted.
"You know, you're still Junior Sous so you still answer to me," Amythyst teased.
"Is that right?" Harry asked, grinning.
Diglin snorted. "Not at all but you know it's good for them to have false hopes and delusions of grandeur."
-0-
"I know Britain prefers brooms, but there is an elegance and a delight to flying carpets," Dumbledore said, looking up at the fluttering forms of magical transportation with a happy expression. One of the ICW departments had brought the carpets for people to ride and try and they flew about over the festival. They came in all shapes and sizes and speeds, all designed for slightly different purposes. A track was made for an impromptu race between them and against brooms and there was an eager crowd watching that with interest.
"It never caught on here before due to it being on the list of illegal Muggle objects to charm," Arthur Weasley said. He was a kind looking man, his hair still bright red but slightly receding. It was easy to see that his children took after him. "But they have been meeting about that in the Ministry and I think they plan on making it more open to the more magical parts of the country. They would be really useful for moving things and for transport. ICW representatives have shared how they keep them under control in other parts of the world and there are some very useful spells for it."
"That would be useful," Aberforth said. "'Course you can just levitate things but if you have a lot to move at once, a carpet could provide stability."
"Would you look at that," Dumbledore smiled as they saw a carpet in eye watering orange and magenta zoom overhead, the bottom emblazoned with a stylized W and a stream of fireworks fell off the back, exploding and filling the air with light and sound.
Arthur groaned a little. "How on earth did they do it that fast?! Even I didn't know of the demonstration today!"
"Those boys are far too clever and opportunistic," Molly said, half in exasperation and half with pride.
"Better too clever than not enough," Ariana giggled. The group walked around, admiring the stalls and the variety of things on display. All the major businesses had a stall and were proudly showing off their wares and services. Students and their families, the families of Hogsmeade and the businesses, and ICW officials and their families roamed around the large space, filling it with bodies and general merriment. Goblins and centaurs and house elves also walked the paths openly and barely any extra glances were made save for people not wanting to bump each other.
"More than a few Ministry officials here," Arthur commented quietly as they walked. "And they look like they're paying attention and taking notes."
"Hopefully a sign of good to come," Dumbledore said warmly.
"Oof!" Harry gasped when he was hugged hard from behind but he smiled as he recognized Ariana. He hugged her back just as hard. "Hi there!"
"The stall is so busy!" Ariana admired. Hedwig's Hearth stall was indeed very busy. A comfortable line filled the front and Julia and Henri worked the till and the counter, chatting and laughing with people as Mirra and Inky and Felicity worked comfortably in the back, preparing the food and getting things ready. Harry hopped in and out, watching over the stall as well as contributing in the field kitchen despite Diglin saying he and the Crew could handle it.
"It's the discounts," Harry grinned.
Aberforth snorted richly. "Sure, you can say that," he said, deeply amused.
"Thank you!" Molly happily took a cup of steaming beef stew and a large steamed baozi from Harry. "We can wait in line though."
"Why wait when you can benefit from friends and family opportunities?" Harry asked with a merry glint in his eyes.
"Thank you very much," Arthur smiled, taking his portions.
The sound of bells grew louder and a sled came up to the stall. A very large Saint Bernard dog pulled a sled behind her, looking completely unbothered by the burden of the sled or the wind and snow. She looked at the others and whuffed loudly, a very loud and what could be an intimidating sound if she was not smiling so broadly. Hedwig sat on the handlebars of the sled, where a driver would be holding, and she barked a cheery greeting at them.
"Oh my goodness, delivery?!" Ariana asked, smiling at the sight as Harry helped unload the sled and Inky and Felicity took the things into the stall.
"Yup! Guy and Eddie are getting things mostly done at the Hearth and Mitsy and Hedwig bring it to us. Teagan was doing it earlier but got too cold so Benjamin is taking him around." Harry patted Mitsy who licked him with a gigantic tongue, rubbing her body against him. "Are they doing okay back there?"
Mitsy nodded and barked loudly several times before suddenly going quiet and a look of canine irritation crossed her features as she looked down her muzzle with faux antipathy.
Harry laughed. "I better go and help out some before Guy gets too annoyed. Or let him take a break. You two take a break too."
Hedwig nodded and barked authoritatively and Mitsy gamboled back towards the village and the Hearth, pulling the sled with good speed and the bells on the sled rang merrily and sweetly.
"Eddie chats a lot and Guy doesn't chat much at all," Harry explained. "They work great together but Guy will need a break soon before he starts replying."
"Such a good manager," Arthur laughed.
"They're great people," Harry said proudly.
-0-
"Chef, that is the rudest thing you have said to me!" Chloe gasped, affronted.
"What, go have fun?" Harry asked, giving her a look.
"You expect me to 'go have fun' while things are so busy?!"
"It's died down! I'm handling the stall now and you've worked from the beginning and all day."
"And what about you? Or is this one of the abuses of power where you are exempt from your own edicts!"
"Sure! I mean yes, whatever you like."
She narrowed an eye at him. "Is this an order?"
"Yes." He smiled at her huff. "Go have fun, that's an order."
"Do not worry Harry." Chloe sighed when she felt someone pull her arm into theirs and it was someone very familiar. "We will make sure she has a little fun," Fleur smiled.
"Not too much though, she always had problems with that," Sophie added, tucking her arm into Chloe's other arm.
"She was always stuck-up and up-tight," Colette added in a loud whisper. "Once I asked her how long the stick was that she had shoved up there."
"Oh I'll find one here to shove up you!" Chloe hissed.
"Chloe!" Aimee gasped, pretending to be shocked and appalled.
Harry laughed. "Make sure she relaxes some and you all will get a very nice meal when you come back."
"All I needed to hear to tolerate her," Colette smiled.
"I can say the same for you," Chloe grumbled.
"Come Cousin," Fleur giggled, dragging Chloe away and bumping Colette with her hip, sending her stumbling. "Let's visit the Thread and find some pretty things to wear and then have some fun, yes?"
"If I must," Chloe said with a begrudging smile. "Can we muzzle Colette at least?"
"I will hold her down," Sophie smiled.
"Hey!" Colette shouted while the others laughed.
-0-
"Hey you!" Lavender wrapped Harry in her arms and kissed him. "Good day?"
"The best," Harry said, kissing her back. "How about you?"
"Same! Lots of happy people, sold a lot, turned a scarf and a muffler into a very pretty and oddly effective gag and watched the girls force it on Colette." She laughed at Harry's pleasant confusion. "All in good fun."
"Sounds like it."
"Only one thing to make it better," she said demurely, fluttering her eyelashes at him.
Harry grinned. "Well we already closed down the stall and the others are taking the things back. The field kitchen is set. Want to go ice skating?" He laughed as she pulled him towards the lake eagerly, their laughter mingling with the jingling bells.
-0-0-0-
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Well the accessories enhance how beautiful her feathers are. It's give and take. I think she can weaponize all of her props. Thanks for reading.
odonnellzoo99 - Hedwig and Parvati have a hilarious relationship full or ripostes and parries and pecking.
alix33 - Nicolas versus the Patroni in a staring contest is still one of my favorite bits.
HoneyBear84 - Thank you.
poka - Never ever.
Arnie1701 - Not sure how that would come about but it would be fun.