I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Hello all. There was something going on with the site yesterday and I couldn't upload at all. So a day late of a post. Enjoy.
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Side Dishes
44th Course – Speaking With Words 16: The Seventh Year Part 4
As per tradition, takes place all over the timeline with the first instance starting at the 148th course of Taste, right after the challenge where Harry attempted at using a mother sauce with his pies and did not succeed and Banter's wrote another bad article, and with his friends trying to cheer him up by making sandwiches.
"Speaking of the contest, you think your sibs won, right?" Parvati asked, giving Harry a look.
"Yeah, your sibs won right?" Clover and Marigold said. "And your girlfriend," they added in after-thought.
"Not so fast! Time for the best owl to make her opinion known!"
"You already do that," Crookshanks sniffed.
"Quiet you," Hedwig hissed.
Before he could reply, Hedwig flapped her wings loudly and flew into the air and landed on Harry's head. With gentle but insistent tugging, Harry rose to his feet and at her directions, walked to the kitchen part of the Uncommon Room. At her hoots and barks and wing pointing and emphatic nodding, he toasted bread in a pan with butter and pan cooked some bacon. He then put the bacon between the grilled bread with a little more butter on the inside with a bit of Worcestershire sauce.
"That's it, get the bacon into that perfect state of some parts are chewy and some are crispy. Perfect! Well done, Chick! Just like that. Now just a dab of butter in the pan, don't want to fry the bread. Just a nice buttery crust to it. Good good! Now a little butter on the inside and a bit of the tasty sauce. Put the bacon in between and there you have it. The BEST sandwich there is!
Hedwig then landed next to the finished sandwiches and puffed her chest out, fluffing up and looking at the others with an air of extreme satisfaction.
"Eat and admit defeat!"
"It's hard to beat a bacon butty," Lavender said with a full mouth and Hedwig nodded emphatically, hooting with lordly mien.
"I think they're perfect for whatever mood you want something for. The Bombay and the caprese for something lighter, the steak or roast beef or club for something hearty, egg salad and tuna mayo for something creamy and filling, the chicken or duck for something very different, the fruit for a sweet taste, and a bacon butty for anytime," Harry said.
"What a Harry answer," Blaise sighed but his smile and good humor eliminated any trace of sting from his words. "And fitting."
"Just as well," Pansy laughed. "This was a lot of fun."
Harry helped clean up and they all sat around together after. Some played Gemcut, others chess, and a few did school work or studied for their upcoming exams. Harry sat back in Lavender's arms and felt himself fall asleep, also thoroughly covered by Hedwig, Sunny, and Crookshanks.
"Poor Harry," Crookshanks sighed. "Why are people mean to him? He's just making tasty food. If you don't like it, don't eat it. It isn't hard."
"Bastards, all of them" Sunny growled.
"Don't worry," Hedwig said. "I'm going with him next time to make sure they don't treat him rudely. Or else they get Hedwigged."
"What if they try to stop you from going?" Sunny asked.
"I'm not concerned. I'll figure it out," Hedwig said confidently.
Lavender smiled down at him sleeping and she rested head against his, feeling warm.
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"I'm really glad the Winter Festival is a thing," Hermione said. "It's so much fun." She sighed and looked at Parvati. "Go on, say it."
"Say what?" Parvati said innocently, tilting her head.
"You usually make some comment about me liking something that's not purely academic," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
"That does sound like me," Parvati nodded. "But I apparently have you trained to expect it now so I still win and I'm going to not make a comment like that this time."
"You? Not make some kind of comment?" Daphne gasped audibly.
Parvati twitched. "Now I feel like I have to."
"You never have to," Padma said with a smile. "You just like being contrary so you feel compelled to."
"But which is the most contrarian?" Pansy asked with an even broader smile. "Not making a comment because you are expected to, or making one because you are challenged for not making one?"
"I don't know," Parvati said, fidgeting. "Oh no, I can't decide!"
"It's like watching Cokie try to decide if she wants a treat now or more treats later," Lavender giggled mightily.
"You look like you're in pain," Millicent laughed.
"Harry, help!" Parvati said in a strangled voice. "What do I do?!"
"Hey Nev, that's a nasty looking bruise," Harry said with a grin. "She got a little too rough with you?"
"Yeah seriously Millie," Parvati exclaimed, jumping on the opportunity. "You gotta know your own strength by now!" She let out a long sigh of relief while the friends either howled with laughter or gagged theatrically.
"I didn't do that!" Millie shouted, face bright red. She shoved Pansy who was retching dramatically. "That happened in herbology! And not from me!" She smacked Harry. "You were there and you saw it!"
"Oh right, I recall now that you mention it," Harry grinned, and scooted away from her.
"I love you," Parvati said, hugging Harry. "You let me make a comment on a wholly unrelated situation, letting me keep my dignity."
"You don't have that," Padma snorted, scowling when Padma threw her napkin at her.
"Why me?" Neville asked, laughing and blushing.
"Sorry, Hermione and Tracey are the usual targets so I mixed it up a little," Harry smiled apologetically.
"Thank you," Hermione sighed wearily. "I appreciate it."
"I target everyone," Parvati said. "I'm an equal opportunity teaser."
"You don't target Harry and Lavender like that," Millicent complained.
"Yeah 'cause that means I'm commenting on Harry's romantic business and he's my brother and that's gross," Parvati said, sticking her tongue out. "But I can make fun of Lavender for tangentially related things while skirting it directly. Did you all know that last year she forgot about Val-" Parvati shrieked when Lavender blasted her in the face with a jet of water.
"Oh hey that's Mr. Abe's Hosing Charm," Harry smiled while the others roared with laughter.
"It's a good one," Lavender said before she sputtered as Parvati retaliated with a stream of bubbles that clung to Lavender before popping loudly. "Hey! Help! I'm being assaulted by a prefect!"
"I'm not wearing the badge right now so I'm not a prefect right now!" Parvati growled.
Hedwig burrowed into Harry's shirt, still wearing Parvati's badge, and popped her head out of the collar and hooted fussily at them, biting and pecking at errant bubbles floating their way. "Hey! Be careful! Those bubbles get everywhere and really soak feathers and things!"
"Should we be doing something about this?" Neville asked.
"I'm debating if it's worth it or not," Hermione sighed.
"What a lively breakfast," Flitwick smiled, looking over at the commotion.
"Generally it should be broken up by now," McGonagall said, looking half amused and half stern. "Considering the majority of the Senior Prefects are there, as are the Head Boy and Girl."
"At least we know it's nothing malicious," Sprout smiled.
Dumbledore sipped his coffee and smiled too. "They are just having some fun," he said. "And the Hosing Charm is a good way to wake up."
"Would you like some assistance with that?" Flitwick asked innocently.
"Only if I can throw you into the Lake after," Dumbledore replied to genial laughter.
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"Would you like some more?" Harry asked with a big smile.
"Is the Minister of Magic bad at his job? Of course I would!" Hedwig cheeped warmly as Harry put a large zongzi down in front of her and unwrapped it for her too. She ate the rice and things with gusto. "Mmmm, so good! So heavy but so satisfying. Really warms the belly. Thank you Chick!"
"Here you go Millie, fuel up for your game later," Harry smiled, handing a very full platter to Millicent.
"Thanks!" Millicent reached over the table and hugged him. "I'm starving and this will hit the spot." She waved at some Hunters sitting together at a table and exchanged glowers and hand gestures with some centaurs at the edge of the dining space.
"Birch still hasn't learned, has he," Harry said, smiling and waving to the centaurs too.
Hedwig was still chewing on a piece of Chinese sausage before she stiffened, turning her head around. She felt a presence that she was unfortunately familiar with. Unfortunately in the sense that she despised the presence for what he did to Harry, but fortunately recognized it because she and Rita had spent some time enacting revenge on said individual. For about a month, Hedwig made a daily delivery of Rita's reprisal articles to this person work office and even followed him and made deliveries while he was eating outside to their amusement and his displeasure.
"That is not who I think it is. It is! You bastard coated bastard with bastard filling! You come here to harass my chick today?! Over my butt feathers! Where's Rita? Rita!"
"Nope, and good thing too because he deserves the trampling," Millicent said. She blinked when Hedwig suddenly flew into the air, flapping hard. "Oh no, is something wrong?"
"I don't think so," Harry frowned, watching his owl fly away. She had been standing beside him, dancing with her bells on and being fed a lot when she wasn't modelling at the Need & Thread. He was used to her suddenly flying away but she seemed particularly focused on something all of a sudden. "Hopefully nothing extreme," he said before he greeted some people from Hogsmeade.
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"Rita! Riiiiiiitttaaaaa! We need to do something!"
"Hmm?" Rita looked up a little when Hedwig landed on her head and tugged on her hair urgently. "What's wrong Hedwig?" She turned her head to where Hedwig was glaring and Rita's eyes narrowed slightly as she focused. "Oh, hell no."
"Right?! Let's get him!"
"What's wrong?" Ariana asked, turning to look.
"That fucking little worm," Rita hissed angrily and Hedwig hissed too. "How dare he show up here?!"
"Banters," Flitwick growled, seeing the man. "What a large and heavy hat he is wearing, hiding like a coward."
In the distance, trying to stay close to random groups of people, was indeed Brandon Banters. He wore a cloak and had a large hat on his head. He looked about, trying to seem interested in the stalls and the sights but was slowly making his way to the kitchen and dining area. He held a writing book in one hand with a bright acid-green quill sticking out of it.
"Dibs," Dora said, pushing her way past the others.
"Sorry, I have the claim here," Flitwick said, about to walk past.
Aberforth cleared his throat. "No. Let me and some of the others from Hogsmeade handle it," he said, making the others look at him. "Let's show him what real British citizens think about him and his writing."
"That would be very appropriate," Dumbledore said with a smile colder than the winter's air.
"Knew you'd approve," Aberforth grunted. "Hey, Bennets, Murph, Rosie. Come on. We got some trash to toss."
"Happy to," Bennets said, his scarred face lighting up.
"Let's do it," Rosemerta said, rolling her sleeves up.
Banters continued to walk slowly, seeing his target. Suddenly he was falling, head ringing. Hedwig had flown straight at him and hit him hard, snatching the hat off of his head as she flapped off and landing on a brazier. With her eyes blazing brighter than the fire within it, she glared at a dazed Banters and dropped the hat into the flames, watching it burn with satisfaction.
"Oh if I could, I'd rip every measly thinning hair off your balding head, you pitiful excuse for a person! You're not even a worm! Worms are useful and nice things for lots of reasons. You don't have a reason to be, much less be here!"
"Well well well," Rita said, smiling savagely as Banters groaned when he recognized her. "If it isn't Brandon Blundering Bloody Banters. It's not good to see you."
"Rita," Banters replied, scrambling to his feet. "I'll have you on charges for attacking me!"
"Goes to show how blind you are," Rita sneered. "I didn't touch you and everyone around me saw me not touching you. I wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot quill."
"You should get out of here," Aberforth said grimly, towering over Banters who shrank at the sight of the older and larger man. "We don't want you here."
"I have the right to be here!" Banters said, licking thin lips nervously as more people gathered around. He quailed as he noticed that every expression was on the unfriendlier side, not a single smile or kind feature to be seen. He winced when the goblins started to gather, sliding away from him.
"No you don't," Bennets said, his scars making his smile savage. "You aren't a part of Hogsmeade, you don't have family at the school, and we don't want what you're selling."
"Take a look around," Rosmerta said sternly. "All of this is possible because of one good soul, and we won't tolerate any trying to tear him down for any reason, much less for making gold."
"Unlike you, we are real British citizens," Donald Murphy said severely. "And we appreciate our neighbors for who they are and what they do. And we don't like it when people try to use them for bad things."
"You can't just force me out because you don't like me! I'm a member of the press and I have rights!" Banters said loudly, voice rising with panic.
"This is technically private land," Amelia said blandly, making Banters whimper when he recognized her. She smiled coldly. "The land belongs to Hogsmeade as well as bordering Hogwarts. The citizens of Hogsmeade have the right to defend themselves and you can of course file a complaint at the Ministry later, if you think you have a case."
"D-D-Don't the Aurors have to protect me?" Banters stammered.
"If your life is in immediate danger," Amelia said. She looked around. Dora looked like she was the immediate danger while Emmeline, Kingsley, Hestia Jones, and John Dawlish looked at the situation with mild apathy bordering amusement.
"Wait!" Banters said loudly as people began to get close to him. "I came to apologize to him! To do an interview and to get his story! To share his side!" He was wholly unprepared for the loud laughter that greeted his comment, at how mocking and disbelieving it was.
"That was the deepest bucket of shite I have ever heard and seen," Aberforth said, laughing mockingly. "Anyone believe him?"
The responding silence was thunderous.
"Didn't think so," Aberforth said with grim amusement. Banters screeched as he was lifted into the air by Aberforth, one hand on the back of his cloak and the other on Banter's belt. He flailed wildly as Aberforth started walking, unable to grab at his wand.
"Aberforth," Dumbledore called out.
Aberforth stopped and Banters looked relieved for a moment before blanching at how Dumbledore looked at him. The kneazle markings Luna painted onto his face made Dumbledore look especially condemning and cold. Dumbledore pointed. "The western side."
Aberforth grinned and nodded and kept on walking while the followers cheered loudly.
"The western side?" Nicolas asked, looking like he wished to do more to the situation.
"Of the hill leading back to the train station," Dumbledore said coolly. "It is the most direct path. It is also, coincidentally, the roughest and steepest part of the hill."
"Splendid," Drake said, his eyes red and his fangs exposed. "I desperately would like to do just a little more."
"Get in line," Perenelle growled.
"I do hate saying this, but this is a British matter and it is being handled by the British," Dumbledore said soothingly. "And the pictures being taken and the article to come by Rita will be especially scathing."
"Fair enough," the Flamels and Drake pouted.
"Have I mentioned how much I hate you?" Drake asked mildly as his eyes became soft brown once more.
"Been a few days. Why now?" Nicolas asked with feigned innocence, the feathers on his face looking like they were burning lightly.
"You know why," Drake sniffed. "Fine, I know what I want done now." He walked off sprightly as the Flamels cackled and Dumbledore shook his head.
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"There you are," Perenelle said.
"There was a bit of a line," Drake said. "Miss Lovegood is a wonderful artist. I also commissioned some work from her."
"Well, what did you get painted on your face?" Nicolas asked, turning to look at Drake. He inspected the bright yellow feathers and the orange coloring around his mouth. "Wait. No. You did not!"
"I am the Alchemist!" Drake quacked, rolling his eyes all over. "I make things! Sometimes I even make things that work!"
"Have I mentioned how much I hate you?!" Nicolas shouted while Perenelle and the others howled with laughter.
"The feeling is mutual!" Drake quacked.
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The traditional Christmas Eve gingerbread escapades were in full swing.
It had grown into something much more than just simply building houses and castles and statues and working siege equipment like previous years. Of course they still built the various buildings that they wanted, specifically Blinky's house and Hedwig's nest. But something many of the people in Grimmauld fully leaned into now was full on war between two mighty castles.
Nicolas, of Mont Saint-Nicolas, built a large circular gingerbread castle with an imposing peak at the top with a tall tower. After learning from last year, he had also built protective coverings over the top of his statue. He, Sirius, and Remus were currently defending the castle to the last.
Perenelle led the forces out of Chateau de Pain d'epice, which was Dora, Susan, Andromeda, and Emmeline. Currently a mighty host of siege engines trundled over the cleaned floor while trebuchets hurled candy boulders to pound on the walls of Mont Saint-Nicolas. Those involved in the war could banish candy projectiles at each other or shoot small hosing charms at the siege pieces.
Harry finished what he was working on and gently put it in a large covered battering ram. At his wand poke, the small vehicle trundled towards the Mont, the gingerbread mantlets on the front of the ram deflecting incoming fire.
"Somehow things get even more crazy every year," Amelia smiled, watching the war. "And it's rather wonderful."
"I agree," Ted laughed. He sipped his mulled wine. "Hedwig didn't want to play?"
Harry shook his head, still working on his gingerbread sculpture of Hedwig who was posing for him. "Grandfather made anti-aircraft candy weapons and Hedwig hates sticky feathers. Grandmother said that wasn't fair due to inaccurate time periods but he said it was considering how she won last year."
"Someone's a sore loser," Hedwig hooted glumly. "But seriously, sticky feathers are some of the worst things to deal with."
"I can honestly see both sides of the argument," Ted chuckled.
"Have you been having a good holiday?" Amelia asked.
"I am, thank you," Harry said gratefully. "It's been nice not thinking about the competition some I have to admit."
"I bet," Amelia said sympathetically. "A bunch of us at the Ministry believe in you, and not for the 'good for the country' stuff either. Some of them only do it for that of course," she frowned and shook her head, "but a lot of us appreciate what you've done and are rooting for you."
"Thanks," Harry said with a small smile.
"Of course some weren't too happy because of the negotiations with Gringotts," Amelia snorted. "We had to make concessions even though the negotiations solidified things. It's mostly the old idiots who don't want to 'show weakness' and all that nonsense."
"That's not Harry's fault," Ted protested. "Blame Banters."
"Oh definitely, we all made that point super clear," Amelia said. "Same with Gringotts' representatives. So he's gotten the biggest portion of disapproval and disgruntlement." She chuckled grimly. "Someone made a jaunty little tune to the 'Bouncing Blunder of Britain' and it's quite popular right now. At least it is in the Auror and Magical Law Enforcement Department."
"Don't feel bad lad," Ted smiled to Harry.
"I was trying really hard to," Harry smiled. "But I won't since you said not to."
"As my darling wife says, do not feel pity for the actions of idiots," Ted said.
"Wise words there," Amelia nodded.
Harry finished his gingerbread owl and Hedwig cheeped happily, dancing up and down at her pastry facsimile. She fluffed up next to it for a picture and she then happily joined in on the eating of it after everyone admired it a little. "Ahh it's so pretty! Just like me if I was gingerbread! My chick really appreciates beauty in all forms. Marvel at the pretty and the praise the tasty!"
"Oh this should be good," Harry said, looking over at the war. The battering ram had made it to the gates, still moving though heavily damaged. Once it reached the heavy candy doors do the castle, the top opened and Blinky slithered out. She roared and climbed the walls easily, protected with gingerbread armor.
"Mwahahaha! All tremble in the presence of Blinkomius, the Ginger Basilisk! I will penetrate the defenses and defeat the arrogant one!"
"Are those candy wings?" Amelia asked, delighted.
"They are! So she can be like a little dragon," Harry smiled.
"Drat," Nicolas grumbled as Blinky slithered into the castle easily, dodging all projectiles and escaping out the back, carrying Nicolas' statue. Perenelle's team cheered in victory as Blinky slithered away and climbed up Harry's leg and settled in his lap, depositing the statue there and looking very smug.
Nicolas sighed again. "Why does everyone that destroys a likeness of me look so happy?!" He pouted as Blinky did look very happy as she gobbled the gingerbread statue, even sharing some with Hedwig and the pair of them made eye contact with Nicolas as they chomped away blissfully.
"Mmm, victory and gingerbread taste sweet," Blinky giggled as she chomped.
"Bwahaha! Take that! You still lose!" Hedwig chomped.
"It is not everyone. I refuse to eat anything that looks like you," Perenelle smiled. "It would be in bad taste."
"In bad taste, or taste bad?" Andromeda asked with a big smile.
"Yes," Perenelle said and they all laughed.
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"Mmm, it smells wonderful in here," Hedwig hooted happily, sitting on her roost beside Harry as he cooked. "Some of the best parts of the holidays and Christmas honestly. Flocking with family, eating good food, simply the best. Hmm, Chick deserves some ambiance and extra treats. Oh! I know!"
Hedwig flapped off and flew to Harry's room and returned shortly with her tie in her beak and his shrunken top hat already nestled on her head. "Chick! Tie the tie please and can you summon the Magical Me's? I want to treat you."
Harry tied the tie around Hedwig's neck, making it neat and snug. Divining her want as she tapped herself with her wing, he cast the Patronus charm, smiling as the three silver owls appeared. The magical guardians tilted their head when Hedwig barked at them,
"Hello Me's! I have decided that we should entertain Chick by singing carols for him while he cooks."
The guardians all smiled at that, bobbing their heads. In flashes of light, they were soon outfitted with their own accessories of hats and bonnets and scarves, lining up beside Hedwig.
"Amazing," Harry smiled, admiring them. "Oh, wait!" He incanted and waved his wand. A metal light post grew out of the counter and the top lit up with soft light. Another wave summoned endlessly falling snow that fell onto the quartet, melting right around them into nothingness.
"Chick is the best!" Hedwig barked and the Patroni agreed heartily. "Okay, let's start with one of my favorites. Which is all of your favorites too. Silent Night. Ready?"
"Oh my goodness," Lavender gasped.
It was Christmas Day and the now annual Christmas Day party was being had. Like last year, the Delacours, the Browns, the Grangers, the Dumbledores, and McGongall had come to Grimmauld to celebrate and enjoy the day with the Blacks, the Tonks, the Flamels, and Harry and other guests. Harry was in the kitchen finishing something when the Browns arrived and Lavender had gone looking for him.
She walked in and stopped and gasped at the sight and sound. Hedwig sat fluffed up under a conjured Victorian style lamp post, dressed in a small scarf and the shrunken top hat. She was hooting a carol along with the three snowy owl Patroni, who were also wearing appropriate winter wear. Magical snow fell around them as they sang, swaying side to side as their voices harmonized.
"Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin, Mother, and Child,
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace."
"Is that Silent Night?!" she whispered as she walked up to Harry and wrapped her arms around him.
"It is," he whispered back. "It's one of their favorite carols." He and Lavender applauded when they finished, the owl and the guardians bowing deeply several times. He and they then looked at Lavender as she leaned heavily on Harry. "Are you okay?"
"I've swooned from the adorableness," Lavender said breathily, her eyes fluttering. "I need something to bring me to my senses."
"I think I have some smelling salts in my potions kit," he said, laughing at the flat looks from Hedwig and the Patroni and Lavender's incredulous look. ("Really Chick?!") "I'm kidding." He kissed her sweetly on the lips and Hedwig and the Patroni turned their heads around briefly for a bit of privacy.
"That's better," Lavender giggled. She smiled at Hedwig and the Patroni as they turned their heads back to the couple. "That was beautiful!" she praised and they cheeped and looked smug. "Encore!"
"I'll never not take the opportunity to sing and be amazing. Alright then. What say you lot. What's next?"
Hedwig and the Patroni moved their heads together and conferred before they nodded and began barking a new song, one much more upbeat and spritely. To match the tone and tune, they danced energetically together, wings held wide and legs kicking.
"Feliz Navidad,
Feliz Navidad,
Feliz Navidad,
Prospero ano y Felicidad!"
"I love this one!" Lavender cheered. "Feliz Navidad! I want to wish you a Merry Christmas!" she sang along, swinging Harry by his arms, spinning him around.
"From the bottom of my heart," Harry finished with a smile from ear to ear as they danced together in the warm kitchen filled with music, savory and sweet smells, and a general feeling of deep ease and contentment.
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The window rattled and Hedwig swooped in. She flew around the room a few times, barking at the people within, and landed in front of Harry. "Hello my Chick and associated lovelies!" She nibbled his fingers a little before he took the letter she brought him and then promptly took one of the dosa that was sitting on Parvati's plate. "Mmm dosa! Crunch munch monch!"
"That looks official, from the World's Kitchen?" Parvati asked, moving her plate closer to Hedwig.
"Looks like it," Harry said. He opened the envelope and read the letter within. "'Entertainment is the name of the challenge,'" he read as everyone gathered around. "'A chef cannot control everything and sometimes must face the reality of lacking in choice, mobility, availability, or decision. Therefore, the mark of a chef is flexibility'."
"That is even more obtuse than the last one," Daphne frowned. "What does that mean?"
"Sounds like you won't have something or some things during the challenge," Hermione said.
"But what?" Millicent asked. "Would they make you cook without any equipment?"
"I think so. I feel like I vaguely remember reading a challenge like that before," Harry said. He walked to the book case and brought over all the books that Ariana brought him before the beginning of the competition. "I remember wondering how I'd react." He and his friends took a book or magazine each and started paging through them.
"This one had them cooking with one arm behind their back. At least with magic it's more doable," Pansy said.
"This one they couldn't use magic at all," Parvati said. "Apparently it wasn't very popular and the ones who didn't rely on it were better obviously."
"Oh wow, this one sounds like a pain in the arse," Millicent said. "No knives at all."
"How does that even work?" Hannah asked.
"They had to use other stuff like the edges of things and racks and what not," Millicent said, showing the accompanying pictures. "That looks incredibly tedious."
"I see a few where they couldn't have their favorite ingredients or weren't allowed to use certain ones," Lavender said. "This one didn't let them add salt. They had to use things that were naturally salty or other flavors."
"That sounds really annoying," Padma said. "Imagine being told to make potions but you can't use a cauldron or something."
"Or casting spells without your wand. I know some can do wandless but it's really hard and not everyone can," Sue said. "Not to mention not every spell can be cast wandless."
"How do you even practice for something like this?" Astoria asked. "I mean you could force yourself to cook without utensils and things but that doesn't sound fun in the slightest."
"I don't think the competition has been fun at all honestly," Luna said grumpily. "It's been very rude."
Harry smiled and hugged her fondly. "It's been challenging, that's for sure. And it has made me try different things and…different experiences," he said wryly. "I'll send a letter to the Chefs and see what they recommend. Otherwise, I think I'll just focus working on flavors I know and try to think of different ways of using them. I have a feeling it'll be one of those times I have to see what the constraints are and go from there."
"Probably for the best," Pansy nodded.
"Wow, look at this," Susan said, showing them another picture from another challenge. "They had to cook while weighed down with things. That looks really hard."
"I think Harry's used to that," Lavender smiled as Harry moved about with Hedwig plumped on his head and Sunny draped around his shoulders.
"If only that was the challenge," Tracey laughed. "They'd be supportive of him and attack the others. And the judges."
"If only," Millicent grinned with Sunny and Hedwig nodding in agreement.
"I would definitely do that," Sunny agreed. "I'm not above sabotaging either."
"Only reason I don't sabotage is because Chick doesn't like it," Hedwig cheeped. "But he doesn't need to sabotage others to succeed. He's in a class of his own!"
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DOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - I am Chinese American.
poka - That sounds wonderful. I wish there were night markets around me. I thought it'd be fun for her to be the yokai he meets and there would be a lot of fun with the similarity with Hedwig.
Arnie1701 - Now that would be interesting.
odonnellzoo99 - I don't know if there is a night market dedicated to the parade, I think I made that up. But the parade is very interesting and their folklore is very cool and terrifying. I did have the duel in mind as the point where Akari is less employer and more mentor and friend. It made sense to me.
IcySneasel - Glad you enjoyed it.
MarcusTrax - Harry is good at making friends, even with the unlikeliest of beings and people.
Lucy Elizabeth Dawson - Right? The good kind of spooky.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Yup. The best kind of learner is one that is eager to do so. I'll admit, I forgot Harry didn't introduce himself to her but it adds to the mystique so happy accident. Thanks for reading.
TheSphynx - Right? And it being a good thing on top.
HoneyBear84 - Thank you.
Wentley - I didn't know if there would be an owl one per se, and wanted to lean more into the folklore side of things. But if there was one, he'd get one.