I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Happy New Year everyone! I hope all had a nice start to the year and are doing well.
Here's a bit of a longer note today to touch base with all of you for a moment, feel free to skip.
Today concludes 32 updates in a row. It's been a very long time since I've done that, back in my days of posting The Family that Chooses You. I had an idea to do an Advent Calendar style post schedule two or three weeks prior to December and basically wrote all but the bonus chapters of The North Star to help supplement it. It was hectic and chaotic, but glad I managed to write that and to do the post. I then decided to extend it through December because I still had plenty and I'm glad I can end the year and start it that way. It was a bit of a rough time and seeing the kind words from you all helped. I hoped I was able to help in my way too
I am probably going to go back to my early schedule of two updates minimum, with three being likely and occasionally more. I didn't get too much writing done towards the latter half of the month due to work, and the beginning of the year is also busy for my job, so it might be a bit before I get back into things. Can you believe I have a profession unrelated to writing? I don't sometimes haha.
As of today, I still have 2 more bonus chapters of The North Star to post, about 14 chapters of Side Dishes, 3 chapters of Extended Family, and 5 more of Harry Potter and the Stone's Heart. Side and Extended will still be going on strong, with the latter having occasional updates as I get inspiration for it, and the bonus chapters for Star are just gravy on top of the finished story. The 5 chapters of Stone will finish the story and I will not be doing an extended series for that one.
I am happy to report that I have 21 chapters of my next major project finished and I am about maybe 2/3rds of the way through the story I want to tell. It is something I have famously said before that didn't really interest me, as the hypocrisy, but I managed to find a spin on it that entertained me and gave me enough of a foundation to write a story that I like. It's mildly tropey, has a theme that people seem to like, and lets me do two things at once which is fun. I will give you all a couple of hints. It's called Champion of Fire, has a finished cover done by the awesome Babbling Brook like my other covers, and involves some time shenanigans. No more hints and I won't be answering any more questions about it. I will probably start posting it after Stone is finished posting.
I also today got an idea for two one-shots and may have the time to write them up. Both ideas are frankly silly, with one definitely firmly in the crack territory, so we will see if and when they happen.
As always, thank you all for your time and energy. I write for all of you. I write to make you smile, to help you forget the real world for a moment, enjoy something different. You have helped me with my hard times and there are a few of you that I would consider to be an acquaintance of sorts after seeing and hearing from you for so long. I'm grateful for you.
Thank you for being a part of my fanfiction family.
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Side Dishes
42nd Course – A Day to Celebrate
The meat of the chapter takes place after the 13th course of Side Dishes, after Hedwig's Hearth had been open for some time. The first part of the chapter starts after the 53rd course of Taste, after Harry's first real birthday.
"Did you enjoy your birthday, cheri?" Perenelle asked, hugging a jubilant Harry.
"I did, thank you Grandmother," Harry replied, smiling more at how happy Perenelle looked and how warmly she hugged him again.
"Good! It is high time you are celebrated," she said. She then looked at Nicolas and coughed loudly.
"I am sorry for almost allegedly ruining your birthday by threatening your godfather," Nicolas said, returning Perenelle's look.
"It didn't ruin anything," Harry grinned. "Was a bit shocking I'll admit. Sirius didn't seem too bothered by it either, thankfully."
"See? No harm done," Nicolas sniffed, giving his wife a superior look.
"Oh, now that I think about it, when are your birthdays? I learned it's proper to tell people that apparently," Harry said sheepishly as Nicolas and Perenelle laughed.
"I know this sounds terribly trite but I have honestly forgotten that exact date," Nicolas said without a hint of being bothered by it. "It was some time ago."
"I have also forgotten to tell the truth," Perenelle said. "At one point that might have bothered me but now it does not."
"It just means you can give us gifts often," Nicolas said in a loud whisper, winking at Harry who laughed at that.
"It really doesn't bother you?" Harry asked softly.
Perenelle shrugged eloquently. "Not really. We have many other ways to keep track of the passing of time and we have accomplished so much that is celebrated, we do not lack for occasion." She hugged him again. "And we can add yours to the top of that list now!"
Nicolas grew uncharacteristically somber. "After a while, not having many people to celebrate it with, you tend to ignore it. For a while, it brought more painful memories than happy ones." He sighed and then brightened. "But as my darling wife has said, we can focus on yours and make many merry memories off of that instead. It will be much more satisfying."
Harry smiled, glad that they did not seem bothered, but he remembered that moment for a long time, vowing to do something with it.
-0-
Years later, when Harry was in Paris and working with Gabriel before returning back to Britain.
"Bonjour Harry."
"Bonjour Elodie," Harry replied, looking up at the front of house manager and smiling back.
"What are you reading?" She looked at the title of the book that Harry was holding. "French History? That looks very dry. Why are you reading that and not asking one of us something?"
Harry grinned. "Well, I'm trying to find something specific and the people who I would ask won't know the answer to it, even though they're the ones that technically would know."
"I do not understand," Elodie said, looking confused.
Harry hummed for a moment. "Well, and this sounds really silly, but I'm trying to figure out Grandmother and Grandfather's birthdays."
Elodie blinked for a moment and then nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see now. You are right, that is a bit of a conundrum if Master and Mistress Flamel will not tell you. Why will they not?"
"It's not that they won't, but they don't remember," Harry said. "And they've tried to remember but they legitimately don't. I also tried to search through the records department at the French Ministry and I thought I found it, but then Grandfather admitted that none of those dates would be right because he routinely told them the wrong date each time they asked because it amused him."
Elodie smiled. "That does sound like Master Flamel."
"So I thought maybe a Muggle written book would give me an answer and so far, not really. They can't really agree on a time either."
"It is a slightly silly problem," Elodie nodded. "Typically one that should not be a problem to begin with, but nothing is typical when it involves the Flamels."
Harry nodded too and set the book aside. "I really want to do more for them with all they do for me. And I know you can celebrate any date really. I just want it to be special."
"You really care for them," Elodie said with a warm smile.
"I do," Harry said without reservation. "They were so kind to me from the day we met and have supported me and genuinely liked and loved me and I want them to know I feel the same."
"You do not have to worry about that," Elodie reassured him. "They are incredibly proud of you and sing your praises when the occasion for it is there."
Harry flushed but smiled at the same time. He took a breath then stopped, tilting his head and his expression became contemplative.
"You have an idea?" Elodie asked, intrigued.
"I think so." He flipped through the book for a moment and read something. "Are you familiar with Pontoise?"
"It is a nice place," Elodie said. "A commune north of here, within easy travel. Has a small but nice magical community there."
Harry scribbled some notes onto his wax tablet. "What's the food like there?"
"Northern French cuisine." Elodie smiled. "Perhaps a trip up there will be fruitful to see the sights and experience the local food."
"Yeah, that sounds great!"
"The Flamels are very lucky," Elodie said.
"No, I think I am," Harry smiled.
-0-
A little more than two years later, after the opening of Hedwig's Hearth.
Perenelle's eyes lit up when she saw the vase on the kitchen counter rattle. While anyone that possessed a voiceless vase could send messages to anyone that had one, Perenelle and Nicolas had their multiple ones enchanted where messages from specific individuals would show up at specific vases. If they were not open after some time or if one of the house elves did not inform them that a message was waiting, it would then go to a central vase for safekeeping until opened.
Only one person's messages would go to the kitchen vase first and Perenelle opened the vase eagerly and pulled out the message. She read it swiftly and then walked towards Nicolas' Lair. She knocked and waited, having learned a while back that the gesture was for personal safety reasons and not for propriety's sake.
"Come in!" Nicolas called.
Perenelle walked in and approached Nicolas who was leaning over a counter. A frying pan of sorts sat on the table, resting on a stand of three legs that also held a round metal plate in the center. "How is it going?" she asked, looking at the invention with interest.
"I think it is almost done," Nicolas said, leaning back and setting two long thin tools aside. He grabbed the handle and incanted and a fire appeared on the plate held by the stand. The flames touched the bottom of the pan and it began to heat up. He lifted the pan and the stand came with it and he moved slowly, watching the fires continue to heat the pan but not spill out of the stand. He put the whole thing back on the table and then lifted it again and this time, the pan came free from the stand.
"Well done," Perenelle said, nodding with approval.
"Thank you," Nicolas smiled. "You were right, the stability charms were fighting with the containing ones, so that was why they would fail at random. I rewrote the weaves and layered them differently, and this should work more properly. Now we just need Harry to test the pan properly and we can make adjustments."
"Speaking of Harry, he sent us a letter," Perenelle smiled.
"Well go on then," Nicolas said, smiling back.
"He wanted to see if we are available tomorrow to eat at the Hearth. He said he has a special meal for us planned."
"Well if we are not available, we are now," Nicolas said. "Nothing is more important than that."
"I agree." Perenelle snapped her fingers and conjured a planner, catching it and paging through it. "I have no meetings and all my work can be done in the morning easily enough."
Nicolas took it from her and looked through it too. "I have that meeting with Reynolds and it can be rescheduled."
"I thought this was the third reschedule," Perenelle frowned.
"It is, and he is the reason it has been rescheduled each time. If he complains, I will send his retainer fee back and refuse to do business with him in the future. My time is infinite, not my patience," he sniffed.
"Then I will send Harry a reply," Perenelle smiled.
"I cannot wait," Nicolas said, patting his stomach and smiling too.
-0-
"Hello cheri!" Perenelle stepped out of the Floo and vanished the soot and grime and hugged Harry tightly.
"Hi Grandmother! Hi Grandfather!" Harry replied happily.
"Hello my boy," Nicolas said warmly. He looked around the kitchen with interest. "Were you not open today?"
"We opened for a half day," Harry said, "private party the rest of the night."
"For us?" Perenelle asked, delighted. "You need not close for our sake."
"But I wanted to, it's a special day after all," Harry grinned. He led them to the small guest table he had in the kitchen for friends and family during service. It had a cheery checkerboard tablecloth on it and a candelabra in the middle already had lit candles that burned brilliantly.
"Have we forgotten a special occasion?" Nicolas whispered, looking horrified as Harry walked away to the ovens.
"I do not know!" Perenelle gasped.
"But you are supposed to be the one that remembers!"
"I know that!" she snapped back.
Harry walked back, carrying a tray and a bottle of wine floated passively behind him. "First course," he said with a proud smile. "A tarte au Maroilles that's served with a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley." The tarte was a bubbling cheesy pastry, the top still slightly molten from the oven and dusted with black pepper. Lardons peeked through the cheese and the smell was deep and savory and buttery.
"Ah, that looks divine!" Perenelle exclaimed.
"It tastes divine!" Nicolas said, huffing and puffing as he dug in eagerly. "Mmm, exquisitely cooked my boy. And this is a fine wine."
"I looked for some good French tea," Harry smiled and the Flamels laughed.
"I suppose we have Gabriel to thank for your selection," Perenelle smiled as she ate.
"He did teach me a lot about wine pairings," Harry nodded. "I knew I wouldn't want like super fancy wine here, it's still good to know. Plus I can pretend to be pretentious about it."
"Always a fine thing to pretend about," Nicolas chuckled appreciatively.
Harry brought over the next course. "Moules frites," he announced, lifting the lid off of a deep pot. Black shelled mussels sat in butter and wine and were garnished with garlic and chive. A deeply salty savory scent filled the air and the frites alongside were golden brown.
"Mmm, this is wonderful," Perenelle said, eating without stinting. "I say this a lot, but this is one of the finest versions I have had of this!"
"It's really simple and satisfying," Harry nodded. "And it was fun to learn that this is considered to be a national dish in Belgium as well as Northern France."
"They steal from us all the time," Nicolas sniffed through a mouthful of mussel. "I suppose they need the elegance."
He sniffed the air and looked at the next pot Harry brought with undisguised hunger. "Now that smells, incredible! And very familiar." He frowned slightly before the lid was lifted and his expression became one of joy and hunger.
"Beef carbonnade," Harry smiled. "A beef stew but cooked in dark Belgium beer. I tried it with red wine but the beer really makes it, adds a nice depth to it and it's delicious. But here is some wine with it and here is some cheese from Northern France and bread."
"You spoil us," Perenelle smiled as she admired the slow cooked beef and how soft it looked. The meat was tender and full of flavor and not a smidge of it was dry. She and Nicolas ate with same fervor and eagerness as they did from the start despite having eaten plenty up to that point. "Sit and eat with us, we do not need to be waited on hand and foot."
"Well I do, but not by you," Nicolas smiled. "But yes, join us."
"Let me bring out the dessert and I will," Harry said. He soon returned with a pastry that had a dark brown crumbly top that smelled incredibly sweet and deep at the same time. "Tarte au Sucre," he said proudly.
"Oh my I have not had that in ages!" Nicolas cried happily. He smiled at Harry. "You are letting your French side fly this fine meal, grandson."
"You have!" Perenelle frowned slightly. "This whole meal is French. Specifically Northern French." She looked at the dishes and food. "We have had this many times before, not recently but much in the past."
"I was wondering why it seemed so familiar." He took a bite of the tarte au sucre. The bread beneath the top was not sweet at all, yeasty and almost savory. The top that was baked onto the tarte was made of butter and cream and brown sugar and was almost too sweet were it not for the plainer pastry beneath. "This…this taste…it is very familiar."
"It is," Perenelle agreed as she took a bite.
"It's my version of one I had in Pontoise," Harry said. "I'm glad it tastes really close."
"Pontoise?" Perenelle repeated.
Nicolas stared at Harry. "I was born there," he said, voice soft.
"I found that out," Harry said, looking bashful. "During my time in France, I went up there for a day and tried a lot of the local food and Chef Gabriel likes all French cuisine and had his versions of the dishes. I practiced with them a lot and knew that one day I'd want to make this meal for you, especially on this day."
"What is this day?" Perenelle asked, eyes wide as she tried to remember. "Clearly it is important and I feel terrible for not remembering why!"
"Mon Dieu," Nicolas said, looking at his wife and then at Harry. "The day we came to Hogwarts to retrieve Blinky."
"It is?!" Perenelle gasped.
Harry nodded. "It is! The first day I met you Grandmother and when I had a proper meeting with you, Grandfather. I don't really count first year because I was pretty out of it after the trolls." Harry smiled at his shocked grandparents. "Since we don't know, or you don't remember, when you were born, and you said we can celebrate any occasion, I figured it would be good to celebrate this day. The day we met."
He rubbed his neck as they continued to stare at him in silence. "I thought about making a quiche and a tartiflette again, but I wanted to try and make something closer to what you two might have had way back then. I assumed you were from Northern France too, Grandmother. I know it won't be the same, but had hoped the flavors would be really close."
"Incredibly close," Nicolas said, tears in his eyes but his smile from ear to ear. "Why, I never thought about how close they were until now and it…I can remember eating things like this growing up and living in the area before we moved."
"My darling heart." Perenelle pulled him close and kissed his cheeks and forehead several times. "You are such a wonderful and loving boy. We do not deserve you."
"Other way 'round," Harry said, enjoying the affection.
"Decidedly not," Nicolas said. He hugged Harry too. "It was a fortuitous day when I went to Hogwarts to retrieve the Stone from Albus, and a blessed one when Perenelle and I went to the school to smuggle out Blinky."
"Our lives have only gotten better with you in it," Perenelle smiled tearily.
"Same," Harry said, not immune to the emotion either.
"Let us drink and eat and make merry on this joyous day!" Nicolas said, pouring out glasses of wine. "A wonderful day to celebrate!"
"Forever," Harry said, raising his glass to tap against theirs.
"And always," Perenelle cheered.
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Hands Off MY Wolfie - Conscience flexible lol. I thought the stories from Remus and Sirius in this fic were a little better and warmer, and made for a nicer and softer time. Thanks for reading.
odonnellzoo99 - Just as funny as the first time I wrote it back in Taste for sure, the spit take. The ending bit was one of my favorites for so many reasons. Pumpkin scare. The duality of Halloween Hedwig. The Pumpkin Owl. Abe and Al enjoying Ari's plight like only older siblings can.
poka - Some people just cannot learn from their mistakes until it's almost too late.
alix33 - The duality of Halloween Hedwig.
iamchaos98 - Right? they're a good family here.
Lucy Elizabeth Dawson - Everyone praise to the Pumpkin Owl!
DOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Thank you.
TheSphynx - One of my favorite endings to a chapter for sure.
HoneyBear84 - Thank You.