I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Hello everyone, happy Friday! Hope all are well and are ready for the weekend. I just wanted to show how happy I am to share this chapter and to bring back one of my favorite reoccurring series within the fic. Hope you all enjoy. Have a lovely day!
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Side Dishes
5th Course – Speaking With Words 1: The First Two Years
As per tradition established in Extended Family, this series of chapters with this title will be moments all over the timeline from Hedwig's point of view and have her inner dialogue manifested. There will be some new moments too that take place during the story, both in A Taste of Magic and eventually in Side Dishes. This one will start slightly before the story starts, but was alluded to in the 42nd Course of Taste by Hagrid, when he was describing the first time he met Hedwig.
Elena Eeylops, the proprietress of Eeylops Owl Emporium, got to the store in the morning like she normally did every day. She was the current manager and owner, the business having been founded by her ancestors and passed down within the family for generations. It was one of the oldest and best owl stores in the country, and to her thinking, anywhere in the world. Here they have received owls for many years and found them good homes with families while providing supplies and care and advice to people.
The Emporium has deals with owl carers and sanctuaries from around the United Kingdom and some places overseas. They would send owls that they raised specifically for post and other owl related duties and it was the Emporium's duty and honor to match them. However, that was not the only source of owls. Every now and then, a wilder owl that had natural magic and ability would show up at the Emporium, brought by the sense of wanting to be paired with a family or driven to fulfill a duty that went beyond an animal living in the natural world.
Elena blinked when she saw her sitting on the roost outside the backdoor. She was a gorgeous specimen of a snowy owl. Her white feathers speckled with black to match the tundras and taigas where they normally lived. She looked about intelligently, amber eyes focusing on Elena.
"My goodness, where did you come from?" Elena asked, admiring the owl.
"Up north," the owl said. Owls could speak to each other and other magical animals generally. Just people could not understand them typically, verbally anyways. "I felt compelled to come after I got used to flying." She looked around. "Not sure why though."
"Well come on in," Elena said, opening the door. "I'm sure we'll find you a family. I always do."
-0-
Elena was no longer feeling that confident.
Not every owl could find a family of course. On those rare occasions, Elena made arrangements to send the owl to a preserve or a sanctuary where the owl would live with other magical owls and be happy while raising families of their own. True, it had only been a few days, but the prospects were looking bleak for the snowy. Her white speckled feathers were a big draw as there were not many snowy owls around this part of the country. In fact, Elena could not remember the last time she had one.
The owl was very belligerent however. No amount of coaxing would make her approach anyone and when a few had tried to grab her, she had retaliated and sent them off with scratches that were rather deep. Not that Elena blamed her of course.
Elena looked up when the door opened and a massive man walked in. "Hagrid!"
"Elena!" Hagrid ambled over, somehow able to slide through the narrow parts of the store without upsetting anything. He hugged her fondly. "How're you?"
"I'm doing well, thank you," she said, smiling up at him. "And you?" She narrowed her eyes a little. "You look a bit annoyed."
Hagrid huffed, an alarming loud sound. "You can say that," he grunted sourly. "Bad meetin' with a family. Wouldn't let their nephew attend the school if you can believe it."
"Wouldn't let them attend Hogwarts?!" Elena gasped. "No, I can't!"
"Had to do a bit of threatenin'," Hagrid growled, a very frightening sound from the very large man. It made the owls perk up and look over at him, ready for fight or flight. He sighed and flushed, waving a hand at the owls. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you all."
He smiled sheepishly. "Anyways, the boy's a good un, but I think he's had it a bit tough. He's a nice boy and it's his birthday, so I wanted to get him somethin'. I think he can use a friend and a good owl, so I came here."
The snowy owl looked over. "A nice boy?"
"That's sweet," Elena smiled. "I'm sure we can find him an owl."
"I need one that's smart," Hagrid said. "A good owl that has a lot of love. Boy looks like he could use it."
"I can love," the owl said confidently. "I'm good. I want a nice boy." She waddled out. "Hey! Look at me!"
"Well look at her," Hagrid said admiringly when he saw the snowy owl.
"Oh, I uh, don't know about her," Elena said slowly.
"Don't listen to her! They were bad picks, I could feel it. I think I feel goodness from you and from the boy," the owl barked.
"Is somethin' wrong with her?" Hagrid asked, worried.
"Not wrong, I don't think, but she's been really unfriendly since she's been here," Elena said honestly.
"I had reasons!"
Hagrid looked at the owl thoughtfully. "I think she looks like a good one." He gave her a serious look. "This boy, Harry, he's a good kid. I can feel it. But he really needs a sweet and smart owl to help him and love him. Can you do that?"
The owl chewed on the name. "Harry. I like that." She nodded. "I can help. I'll be his owl."
"Good enough for me," Hagrid said, looking pleased.
Elena nodded. "Okay! Let's get her some basic things and a cage." She got things readyand settled the owl in a nice cage. "You be good to him now, okay?"
"I'll see," the owl said.
-0-
The owl looked around the small room with obvious disapproval. It was small and bare, nary a decoration. It had a shabby dresser, a somewhat neglected desk, and a small bed and that was essentially it. It, unfortunately, matched the one that lived in it.
The owl had looked at Harry with a bit of askance when first introduced. Harry, small and thin, looked at the owl with wonder, delight, and a little trepidation. The owl had raised what would be an eyebrow when she first saw him. He really was small, compared to many of the other boys and girls they passed at Diagon Alley and on the way back to Surrey. "No wonder Big Heart thinks he could use some affection," the owl had thought.
That thought had only deepened when they arrived at Number 4 Privet Drive. The two adults here were nothing like Hagrid in literally every way. As soon as the big man left, they had scolded Harry about not preparing enough food and things and were very upset with having an owl at the home. The fat boy there that looked nothing like Harry, had tried to tease the owl through the bars of the cage. Before the owl could retaliate, Harry had defended her, arguing back with them. He had to bring all his things up to his room before he would make dinner.
The owl blinked when Harry opened the cage door. "I thought they said not to do that," she growled low in her throat.
Harry did not understand her directly, like most humans did not, but he seemed to have no problems talking to her after learning that magicals did that with their owls. "It wouldn't be fair to keep you cooped up," he said softly. "I'll be back later."
Some hours passed and the owl explored the room some, finding it as empty as it looked. She sat on the cage and dozed and perked up when he returned with a plate of food. She looked more surprised when he put the plate on the table between them.
"I don't know if you eat human food, but you can have some if you like," he said shyly.
"You're sharing, with me?" The owl hopped onto the table and looked at it. "It looks nice." She frowned at him. "You look like you could use some feeding though."
"Go on," Harry encouraged.
Hedwig took an experimental bite of the meat. "Hey, this is good!" She started eating enthusiastically. "Mmm, I like this! And this! Who knew food could taste this good!"
Harry smiled and laughed, delighted by how she was eating so hungrily and enthusiastically. "I'm glad you like it," he said. "I made that."
"You made this?! It's wonderful!" she barked through a full beak.
"You look so much happier eating than they did," Harry said wistfully. He ate too but kept pushing more food to her. After she realized that, she pushed some back and after a game of food tennis, Harry snuck down and came back with more leftovers and she ate more easily.
As they ate, Harry paged through the books he had just bought that day. He really liked the Potions book because it was like a cookbook to him. He then started reading the History of Magic book and looked at the pictures and the names and events and things. "Oh, do you have a name?" he asked.
"I think of myself as Me for now, but not really. Owls can choose their own names of course and eventually some make their own, but it's tradition to be named and if we choose to accept it," she hooted.
Harry looked down. "Hedwig. I like that name. It sounds warm and fun." He looked at her. "Would you like to be named Hedwig?"
Hedwig thought for a moment then nodded. "I am Hedwig!"
Harry smiled at her obvious acceptance. "That's great! Hi Hedwig, it's nice to meet you. I'm Harry Potter."
"Hello Harry Potter," Hedwig barked. She watched him closely as he slowly and hesitantly held his hand up and out. She leaned forward the rest of the distance and sighed with satisfaction as he gently petted her head. "Oh this is nice. I think I like this."
The rest of their first night together passed pleasantly with him reading and petting her.
-0-
The months passed and Hedwig was enjoying herself and her life.
They went to Hogwarts and she spent most of her time at the Owlery. Harry did not have any people to send letters to or receive from, something that made her wonder, so she got little delivery work to do. At first. As he became friends with Lavender, the Patils, and Hermione, she began delivering things for them. That was fun and she enjoyed the trips and the attention she got from the girls and their families. It was a lot of fun playing little jokes on Daniel and David though she knew better than to play any jokes on Durga.
Every morning she would fly to the Great Hall to spend time with Harry. She was able to eat with him, though not his cooking sadly. When he got to cook in the Household Charms clubroom however, he always brought her some food and she was especially happy when that happened. He came to visit every day and they would sit together on the castle roof. He would tell her about his day while petting and playing with her.
She was happy she went to Eeylops and decided to take a chance in approaching Hagrid, though she did not know it at the time, it would only get better.
-0-
Hedwig came flying down, dodging nimbly around other post and family owls. Spreading her wings wide, she landed neatly in front of Harry and hooted a hello before walking daintily up the table to approach Parvati. She held a leg out, revealing a small package tied neatly. "Here you are."
"Thanks Hedwig!" Parvati said as she undid the ties. She looked a little confused when Hedwig looked at her expectantly.
"Well? I'm waiting," Hedwig hooted.
"She wants some of your bacon," Harry whispered loudly. "For a job well done."
"Oh! Here you go." Parvati giggled when Hedwig carefully accepted the piece of bacon and gobbled it down noisily.
"Do you need her to send some post too?" Harry asked.
Lavender shook her head, smiling when Hedwig took the piece she offered. "Maybe later. But I wanted to give her a piece because she's beautiful and adorable."
Hedwig fluffed up, sticking her chest out and gave Harry a smug look. "See? I'm beautiful AND adorable."
"Hey, I tell you that all the time," Harry laughed. He shook his head when she helped herself to the bacon on his plate.
"I know, I just like it when others tell me that too," she said through a full beak.
"Ooh, Grandmum sent us a little pack of our family garam masala." Parvati continued to read the letter. "She says it's fine if you learn the recipe, unless you mess it up. Then you'll be cursed by our ancestors." She looked at Harry. "I'm pretty sure she's kidding."
"Better not mess it up to be on the safe side," he gulped. "I got the rest of the ingredients Padma wrote out. Some were delivered from a grocer that had a mail order list and others I got from the kitchens."
Lavender clapped her hands with glee. "This is so exciting! Can we do it tonight?"
"I'll check with Padma but I hope so!" She opened the small packet of potent spices and took a whiff. "Mmm, it smells like home."
"You home smells very nice," Harry said with a smile when he sniffed delicately from the spice bag.
"Yeah." Parvati's tone became wistful. "Guess I didn't know how much I missed it."
-0-
Hedwig flapped into the boys' dormitory, the door opening for her as she carried some packages. She had been very happy that Harry got permission for her to stay in the tower with him for the holiday. It was much better sleeping beside him again and being able to play with him indoors. She had woken early and gone to fetch the presents that his friends had sent him.
"Hmmph," she grunted as she landed, thinking sourly for a moment. "After all he does for you, you don't even send him anything but a bad letter? Pathetic." She shook her head, shaking loose the bad thoughts she harbored about the Dursleys, not wanting them to ruin the day further. "No matter. I'll help him be happy."
Harry blinked slowly, still in the realm between dreams and wakefulness. He was warm and comfortable and was loath to fully wake. He rolled onto his side, tugging on the covers some. As he did, he heard some clattering and felt things shifting on his bed.
"Hey! I brought those for you!" She landed on his chest and pecked him on the forehead.
"Ow! Hedwig!" He woke up fully, pecked by an indignant Hedwig. With a yawn he sat up and squinted at her form. "What was that for?" he asked.
She hooted severely at him, fluttering to the floor and flying back up, carrying the things that fell off the bed when he shifted. "I made a nice pile for you and you let them fall!"
He hurriedly put his glasses on and stared at the small pile of things at the foot of his bed. "Are those presents?"
Hedwig nodded. "Well yes, what did you expect, root vegetables of some sort? Which knowing you, you'd actually like that to cook with but I jest."
"I've got presents?!"
Hedwig tilted her head at him before nodding once more, cooing softly. "Oh. You poor thing. Even I know how important presents and things are to children. Yes. Yes you do."
Harry was shocked. He never received any presents of his own before. In years past, the Dursleys had gotten cookbooks but they made it clear that the books belonged to them and that letting Harry look at them was his present. He had been ecstatic this year when he had the means to give presents and had gleefully and carefully selected presents for his few friends and people he wanted to give things to.
He never expected to receive any though.
His smile was the biggest he ever had as he watched Hedwig carry each package to him. She walked daintily over the bed to him, proudly depositing each one into his lap. The first one he opened was from Hagrid and it was a book about magical animals and how they compared to Muggle counterparts. Hagrid had remembered the book Harry bought about plants. He paged through it briefly, excited to read it fully later. He was glad that he sent Hagrid a nice multi-purpose axe for his groundskeeping duties.
Hermione had sent him a selection of chocolates. He had sent her an array of quills since he heard that her parents were dentists and did not approve of too much sweets.
"Oh wow," he breathed when he opened the gift from the Patil sisters. They had gotten him a mortar and pestle. It was carved from stone but enchanted to be as light as wood, as well as enchanted for durability and easy to clean. The pestle felt like it was made for his hand and he knew it would serve him well for both potion brewing and cooking. He put it on his nightstand and liked how handsome it looked.
He saved Lavender's for last and he was glad he did. She had gotten him an apron but had sewn his initials into the bottom right corner of the hem, as well as a small white owl. The apron was made of a soft black material but the outside of it felt nice and heavy. The strings and the collar were grey and the front also had a few pockets of various sizes.
He had worn aprons before. The Dursleys had gotten one for him to wear when he would be seen by guests but once again, he was told that the apron was not his. That he was borrowing it and woe betide him if he ever ruined it or stained it.
This apron had his initials on it. It was his and only his.
He hugged it to his chest, feeling warm. Unable to resist he put it on and tied the strings around the front, making it snug and neat. He turned to Hedwig. "What do you think?"
Hedwig puffed up when she saw the tiny white owl embroidered into the hem and barked approval. "It looks very nice. Oh! There's a little me! I love it."
"Right? Lavender's so talented. Oh and I have something for you too." With a flourish he revealed a crimson and gold ribbon. "Now you can be a Gryffindor too!"
"For me?! You got me a ribbon?!" Hedwig cheeped happily, dancing up and down. When he tied it around her neck in a bow, she nuzzled him lovingly, looking quite festive and happy. "I love it! I look even more beautiful! What a lovely present from a lovely boy, thank you so much!"
"We're both dressed up for Christmas," Harry smiled. He sat back onto his bed and Hedwig sat in his lap, fluffed up and nibbling on his fingers.
"Best Christmas ever," he sighed, completely content.
She looked up at him. "Yes, yes it is. You're my boy, my chick. I'm your owl. And I love you very very much."
-0-
Harry slowly cleaned the kitchen and the dining room table, putting the dishes aside to dry. He piled the leftovers on a plate as well as some of the salvaged cake, and made his way upstairs. He finally smiled sincerely when he opened the door and he heard Hedwig hooting softly. "Hi Hedwig," he said, grateful to see her. He sat at the table and put the plate between them. "Hope you don't mind some leftovers. The cake fell, but I saved the parts that didn't hit the ground."
"Hi Chick. I never mind leftovers, when you cook that is. Pity about the cake though."
He smiled when she nuzzled him. "Thank you. Oh, is that a letter for me?" He saw that she was sitting on an envelope. "What is it?" He took it from her and his eyes widened when he saw that it was from the Ministry of Magic. He tore it open and read it swiftly, face falling as he did.
"That's not my fault!" he said indignantly with Hedwig hooting in agreement. "I didn't cast the magic!" The letter had come a Mafalda Hopkirk, warning him that magic was detected at Number 4 Privet Drive. He was then reminded that he was not allowed to cast magic outside of school and that repeated offenses would warrant punishment.
Harry glared at the letter. "Wait, it said exactly when the spell was cast. When did the letter arrive? Did you deliver it?" he asked Hedwig.
She shook her head. "No. I was flying for a bit of exercise and saw it coming."
"How did you get it?" he asked, anger being replaced with curiosity.
Hedwig pointed out the window with her wing. She flapped her wings and made grasping motions with her talons and showed him a long brown feather. "I told the delivery owl that I'm your owl and I deliver things to you. I had him drop it. He tried to stop me but I plucked a feather out for his cheek and he knew better to not fight me on it."
"You took it from another owl and waited for me here with it?" Harry asked and smiled when Hedwig bobbed her head. "You're such a good owl," he praised, as he rubbed her belly. She fluffed her feathers and cheeped happily. "Well let's eat dinner together." He put the best bits of the leftovers in her food dish and watched happily as she gobbled it up eagerly.
He chewed on a bit of steak. "I wonder who that House Elf was. I really don't know much of them at all, despite being friends with Inky and the others at Hogwarts. I wish Inky was here-"
"Hi Mister Harry!" Inky appeared with a pop, startling Harry. Hedwig continued to eat, utterly unbothered by the elf's sudden appearance.
"What, they do that all the time."
"Inky! What are you doing here?!" Harry gasped, massaging his chest.
"Mister Harry called for me," Inky said as if it was obvious. She looked around the small bedroom, her eyes narrowing.
"You come when a student calls you?" Harry asked.
"No, Inky came when Mister Harry called," she said, again in the tone of voice that she thought it was obvious. "This is Mister Harry's home?" she asked, eyes still narrowed. She looked at the small and shabby bed and at all the things that were Dudley's.
"Uhm, yeah, this is my room," Harry said awkwardly. "I'm happy to see you."
"Inky is happy too!" Her countenance brightened as she looked back at him. "Inky misses you and your food."
Harry grinned. "You can have some of this if you like. It's some leftovers but still good."
"Thank you!" Inky took some roast veg and wrapped it in a piece of bread and munched happily. "How can Inky help?"
"Oh right! Pardon me if I ask anything stupid-"
"Inky is used to it," she interrupted cheekily with a mouth full of food.
Harry smiled and Hedwig snorted through a full beak. "To be fair, you do that a lot," Hedwig cheeped lovingly.
"Right, fair enough. I doubt you know who this is, but have you heard of a House Elf named Dobby?"
Inky thought for a moment. "No, Inky has not."
"A Dobby appeared tonight and tried to convince me to not go back to Hogwarts," Harry explained. His eyes widened at the look of fury on Inky's face. "He apparently intercepted some of my post and when I refused, he dropped the cake that I had made to get me into trouble."
"He what?!" Inky shrieked. "No! This will not do! Bad Dobby! That is a bad elf!"
Harry blinked at the level of righteous indignation that Inky was exuding. It was slightly embarrassing, to have her be so upset for him, yet he liked how it made him feel. "Do House Elves do that normally?"
"They should not. Ones owned by powerful families must listen to the family but there is leeway. Clever House Elves can do that." She furrowed her brow. "He did not say where he came from?"
"No, but he did mention he was here without his owner's knowing," Harry said.
"Hmmm. House Elves can do that, but they have to expect punishment," Inky murmured. "Inky does not like this."
"I don't either," Harry said and Hedwig barked angrily too.
"I better not see this Dobby! I'll claw his eyes out for messing with my boy!"
"Can you help me? Please?"
Inky blinked at him. "Of course Inky will help," she said soothingly. "Inky will tell the Headmaster. May Inky take the letter? Headmaster is important at Ministry, he can put things right."
"Thank you so much," Harry sighed, much relieved.
"Inky will also help try to keep an eye out for this bad Dobby," she continued, taking the letter. "If you need to make sure a letter gets to the Headmaster, call for Inky."
"I will. Thank you again. I can't wait to cook with you again," Harry said.
"Inky can't wait too! Be good Mister Harry and Miss Hedwig!" Inky disappeared with a crack.
"Hey! I'm always good to my boy!" Hedwig complained.
Harry sat back, feeling much better.
-0-
Now it was right before the start of the new term and Harry was at King's Cross Station. He pushed his cart down the way, his things arranged neatly on the luggage trolley, and Hedwig sitting in her cage on top. He walked without conscious thought, ruminating over this and that, and when he arrived at Platform 9 and ¾s, he tried to push through the barrier.
He frowned, shaken from his thoughts when the trolley met unyielding stone. He pushed again and the trolley jolted, shaking the cage and making Hedwig cheep with irritation. "Ow! Hey! What gives?!" Harry reached out to touch the stones and they refused to allow him through. Seeing people starting to stare, he moved to the side, starting to panic slightly. He did not recognize anyone around and he had no idea what to do.
Hedwig hooted softly, looking at him directly. "Hey, Chick, look over there."
"Not now, Hedwig," Harry said, continuing to panic.
Hedwig sighed and nipped him gently on the hand, getting his attention. She then looked off to one side. "I said look over there. Inky is there and trying to get your attention."
Harry looked at her, uncomprehending.
She sighed again and rolled her eyes at him before very obviously nodding her head in that direction. "Look. Over. There. Please." When Harry looked, he saw a tiny hand waving out of an alcove, and someone peeking out with large ears and eyes.
Harry pushed the trolley over and breathed a sigh of relief when he slipped into the alcove and noticed the other one within. "Inky!"
"Hi Mister Harry! Hi Miss Hedwig!" Inky chirped brightly.
"I need your help," Harry said. "The barrier won't let me through to the platform!"
"Inky knows," Inky said, frowning. "Inky can't flip the magic but Inky will take you to the train right now."
"Thank you," Harry said happily. He stumbled when Inky touched his pants leg and took him and Hedwig and his belongings to the other side of the barrier and to the Hogwarts Express. He felt like he had just been pulled through a very small tube and shot out the other end. His head spun and he felt incredibly dizzy.
"Oh, sorry!" Inky squeaked. "Elf Apparition is very startling! Is Mister Harry okay?"
"I think so?" Harry felt queasy and held onto the trolley for balance. "Does it always feel like that?"
"One gets used to it," Inky shrugged.
Hedwig looked rattled as well, shaking her head and swaying on her perch, hooting in a disgruntled tone. "Oh that was really unpleasant. I hate that. Why can't elves fly like proper beings? I feel like I got pulled by my stomach and got turned inside out. I can taste my own feathers from inside. I hate it."
"I really appreciate you looking out for me," Harry said, once he got his bearings back.
"Of course! Inky will tell conductor and platform manager before going back to Hogwarts and telling Headmaster." She looked determined. "Mister Harry no worry. This bad Elf will be caught!" With a cheery wave, she disappeared.
Harry carried his things into the train and found an empty compartment. He sat down with relief, opening Hedwig's cage. The snowy owl flew out and spent a few moments flying about the compartment before settling down on his lap, pecking him to pet her.
"Hey, praise me for saving us by alerting your unobservant self to Inky! Goodness me. Good thing you have me around. You wouldn't be a very good hunter sadly but don't worry, I'd hunt more than enough for the both of us."
Time passed pleasantly as he petted her, mind wandering. He had arrived early to the platform by design, not wanting to rush. He saw activity increase on the platform as students came with their families and the doors of the train opened and closed constantly as people boarded and found places to sit.
-0-
Parvati smiled when Hedwig fluttered down to join them at breakfast. "She liked Hedwig. She thinks Hedwig is beautiful."
"So does Hedwig," Harry grinned. He rubbed her head while the owl cheeped with a regal mien.
"I am Beautiful," Hedwig hooted with unflappable self-assurance.
"Hello everyone," Hermione said as she sat down to join them. "Oh Harry, I wanted to mention that I really do think that tasting magic theory carries weight. I paid attention to food over the break and there really was a different taste to things."
"Oh yeah, so did we," Parvati said. "I think Padma and I could get to a point where we recognized who cooked with magic and who didn't, kinda like with you."
Hermione nodded. "I couldn't cook with magic obviously," she looked sheepish, "I can't cook at all really to be honest, but I still had some magical candy and when I tried them side by side, there was a clear difference. I even convinced my parents to try them and they said that there was a difference too. It wasn't as easy for them to tell but they could."
"That's so interesting," Lavender said. "That's kinda like with my Dad. My Mum cooks with magic sometimes but not always and when I told her about it, we tested it too. Dad liked it all but we started telling a difference too."
"That's so cool," Harry mused. "I'm definitely going to talk to Professor Flitwick more about it. I think he wants to test it more too. I obviously didn't use magic this summer," he growled slightly, still nettled by the letter, "but I remember towards the end of last term, I was able to do some spell stuff and it didn't change the taste all that much."
"I can't wait for club," Lavender said excitedly. "I practiced a lot over summer with sewing and I can make new stuff now!"
"Oh I was about to ask when we will be starting up again." Padma had approached with Sue beside her. "I don't want to miss it at all and it's a lot of fun."
"I'll ask Professor Flitwick after class," Harry said. "He might start letting us use the room outside of club times too."
"You're taking new members, right?" Sue asked.
"I don't see why not," Harry said. "It was tiny before and I bet Professor Flitwick would be happy. He's your Head of House after all."
"I always thought he is a bit strange to be our Head," Sue said. She smiled weakly when everyone looked at her. "He's so cheery and enthusiastic and Ravenclaws on the whole aren't."
"Is it really like that?" Hermione asked while they chuckled.
"A little," Padma said. "Lots of debating and arguing and talking about theory and things but it's not terribly warm or close. People will help each other but the helper is usually a little snooty about it."
"What's it like in Gryffindor?" Sue asked.
"People are nice enough but sorta cliquish," Lavender said. "Like stay apart in small groups and there's some rude people in it. Lot of the upper years don't seem to bother."
"I guess that's why I like the clubs so much," Parvati said. "Gives us a chance to interact with people from other Houses." She noticed two people walking in. "Even people I'd never think to talk to ever." She waved a hand.
Millicent and Pansy noticed her waving and after a moment's hesitation and a shared look, they came walking over. "Morning," Millicent said pleasantly and Pansy nodded at them, stifling a yawn. "Impromptu club meeting?"
"Something like that," Parvati smiled. "You joining too?"
"Sure," Millicent said brightly. "I liked talking fabric stuff with you two and I want to eat more of Potter's cooking."
"Call me Harry," Harry smiled. "There's enough people to call me Potter like that."
"Alright Harry," Millicent said, looking pleased.
"How's Sunny?" Lavender asked.
"She's doing great! Likes her room. Likes sleeping with Pansy," Millicent giggled.
Pansy removed several grey hairs from her black robes. "Likes exploring my dresser as you see," she said sourly. She flicked her fingers at Millicent, flinging the hairs onto her.
"Aww, but she's so adorable. How can you get mad at her?" Lavender giggled.
"Easily," Pansy said dryly, but with a small smile to lessen the sting.
"Maybe she can be the club mascot," Parvati said. "Ow! Wait, I didn't mean it Hedwig!" Parvati tried to fend off Hedwig's irritable pecking. "I'm sorry! Harry! Help!"
"Excuse me?! I was here first! I'm not giving up my spot to a newcomer with four legs! How dare you!"
"I'm not getting in between you two, sorry," Harry laughed, holding his hands up.
"Aww, don't be like that," Parvati said when Hedwig turned her back to the girl, mooning her and flicking her tail feathers at her. "You're my favorite owl!"
"Fine way of showing it!"
"Poor girl," Lavender cooed and took Hedwig in her arms. "Parv is so mean, isn't she?"
"So mean! I am the best owl and she wanted to replace me with a cat?!"
"You all have no idea," Padma said and they howled with laughter while Parvati looked at them all with a deeply wounded expression.
-0-
"I'm happy too really," Harry smiled. He gave a start and jumped a little, looking down to see Sunny climbing his leg. "Aww, hello Sunny," he greeted, smiling again when she clambered up onto his shoulder and draped herself over his neck, purring contentedly.
"Someone's a little jealous," Padma smiled, pointing at a severely affronted Hedwig that glared at the kneazle. Sunny closed her eyes with lordly insouciance, continuing to purr unperturbed.
"Hey! I tolerate you being around but you get off my boy!"
Sunny looked back at her and blinked. "Why? There's enough space for us to share," she purred.
"Because I don't want to share! You have a girl!"
"Come here beast," Pansy said and lifted a protesting Sunny off of Harry's shoulders. "Before you start a fight and fall into the food and ruin it." She smiled triumphantly when Sunny dug her claws ineffectually into her overrobe. "Foiled again!" She shrieked when Sunny managed to bite her through her sleeve and the kneazle minced off, her tail up in victory.
"You didn't think of that!" Sunny giggled, mincing off.
"I guess we need to ask Professor Flitwick for kneazle-bite proof charms," Harry grinned. He turned his head a little when Hedwig landed on his shoulder and fluffed up, looking incredibly possessive. He rubbed his head against her, making her coo.
"My chick," Hedwig cheeped, nuzzling him back and giving Sunny a superior look.
-0-
"I am very happy that we can do this again," Dumbledore smiled when he opened the door to his office. "I have many fond memories of last year's tea."
Harry beamed, carrying the large serving tray in. "Me too. It was really nice. Maybe next time we can do it with more of the people in the castle."
"That would be pleasant. And I see we have a new guest with us today. Pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said.
Hedwig hooted a very stately greeting, nodding in a very prim and proper way to Dumbledore. "Hello there. I'm Hedwig, Harry's my chick. I'm the best owl. Nice to meet you."
"Lavender told her to watch out for me over the holiday, to keep me safe," Harry sighed. "And Hedwig is taking her duty very seriously."
"I imagine sitting on your head is an excellent vantage spot for safe-keeping," Dumbledore grinned.
"I personally think she sits on my head to keep her ar-rear warm," Harry said, correcting himself and looking sheepish.
"See? He understands," Hedwig hooted without shame.
"A cold arse is a terrible thing," Dumbledore laughed and even Harry broke into laughter when he felt Hedwig nod and saw Fawkes nodding in agreement. Dumbledore cleared the things off his desk and helped Harry set up the tray and plates, smiling in anticipation at the spread of food. It was like last year. Lots of sliced sandwiches, an array of small sweets and slices of cake, a steaming pot of tea, and of course, extra jam and cream.
He watched fondly as Harry served Hedwig and Fawkes their own plates and the two birds sat side by side and noisily enjoyed their food.
"Mmm, Harry's cooking is the best," Fawkes said through a full beak.
"Isn't it? My boy is so talented and kind," Hedwig hooted smugly and proudly.
-0-
Remus gave Harry a careful look. "Quite observant of you," he said after a moment's thought. "Thank you, Harry. I will treasure and use this." He summoned some plates from the small kitchen in his quarters and after filling them, he sat back down. "Ah, should I do one for your owl too?"
Harry shook his head. "She already had a lot early, she's just going to pick from mine," he smiled comfortably while Hedwig did just that. She had carefully sat on the photo album, cooing at the picture of baby Harry, and fluffed up beside the photo, leaning over to delicately pick bits and pieces off of Harry's plate. "Oh my goodness," she gushed at the photograph. "You're so adorable! Such a good little baby!"
-0-
Hedwig deposited the last of the gifts on his bed. "There we are. Some more this year too. Good! Chick deserves more love and affection. Speaking of." She squirmed beneath his covers and fluffed up on his chest, wriggling around.
Harry blinked slowly. A cavernous yawn spilled forth and he rubbed his eyes, slowly waking up. Once again, he was the only one in the tower for the holiday but it had still been pleasant. Hedwig had been with him the whole time. He spent a lot of time in the kitchens with the Elves. Hagrid had hunted more boars and he and Harry spent time together and even cooked outdoors in the snow together. He had his tea with Dumbledore and visited with Remus a lot. It still felt odd to not be scrambling and cooking every day and preparing for parties and big meals and while he missed the joy of cooking like that, he did not miss cooking for the Dursleys and their guests.
He made an unhappy noise. Seeing people genuinely appreciative of his cooking made cooking for the Dursleys all the more difficult and he did not want that to be difficult. Not really. He knew they were rude to him, and had known if he was being honest. His feelings about them were rather complicated though.
He looked down, noticing at last that his covers were moving. Rather, something was moving underneath his covers. He lifted them and smiled as Hedwig peered back up at him, her amber eyes large and her pupils constricting and dilating. "Good morning," he said sleepily.
"Good morning Chick! Happy Christmas!"
She hooted happily and scootched up his chest, popping out and nuzzling his cheeks before nipping his nose playfully. The boy and his owl play fought a little, her dancing around him and buffeting him gently with her wings and nipping him while he poked her and tugged on her feathers even more gently. She won of course, headbutting him in the forehead and while he laughed, she began to bring up his gifts from the foot of the bed.
"There's so many this year," he gasped as he looked at the pile. He opened the first one eagerly and smiled at the large wax tablet case the Patils had gotten him. It was larger than the one he gave Padma the year prior, and the note said it was stain and heat proof and would repel anything but the enchanted stylus to write on it. It had a built-in stand so it could be propped up and parchment could be affixed to it. It would be perfect for cooking.
Luna had painted a very lovely picture of Harry cooking. The fires on the hob moved on their own and he sighed with wonder at how life-like and pretty it was. Hedwig was there as well, something the real Hedwig enjoyed immensely, puffing up and looking at her painted picture proudly.
He really liked Hermione's gift. It was a book about the history of British cuisine and he flipped through the first few pages eagerly, knowing he would like it. Sue had sent him a book about cooking from around Asia, something he really looked forward to reading as well. Neville had given him a book on magical herbs and plants, specifically for use for potions and potion-adjacent activities.
Millicent and Pansy got him a new school bag together. It was dark brown leather but felt incredibly soft without losing any kind of durability or solidity. The top flap was closed with a metal latch and there was a side pocket for a handkerchief and even your wand. It felt very fancy and looked very elegant. He adored it.
Once again, he saved Lavender's gift for last and was so happy when he opened it. It was a new apron but this time, Lavender had sewn it herself. With the gift of materials from Millicent and Pansy, she had made it from the beginning. The body of the apron was a soft grey and the neck band and the back strings were a dark forest green. A large pocket was sewn into the front and there was a small loop over the heart to hang things off of. Like before, his initials and a tiny Hedwig were embroidered into the bottom right corner.
He hugged it to him and hastily put it on. It felt perfect to him and he loved it.
"Ah and as per tradition, I'm there too!" Hedwig barked happily, seeing her sartorial facsimile in full display. After Harry told her that he put her present in the room somewhere, she went flying about and came back carrying a small package, having found it on the canopy of the bed. Soon the air was filled with tinkling music as she danced, the silver bells tied to her legs ringing merrily.
"Happy Christmas," Harry smiled as she danced in his lap, her wings spread wide as she kicked up and down.
"Happy Christmas! Oh it's the best Christmas because of you. I love my bells! Such a wonderful Chick." She cheeped lovingly back to him and continued to dance happily, hooting in time to the jingling bells.
-0-0-0-
Jessica Dallas - Thank you. Always did like Gates as a character. We might see it one day.
Wentley - The website has been having troubles for a long time. I would love to have some steak frites too.
ktbunyptch - Thank you.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Anthony knows what it takes to run a good restaurant and won't let opportunity pass him by. He's not too proud to learn and adapt. Thanks for reading.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - I assumed goblin nature is similar from place to place and tried to mix it with a bit of NYC flair and feeling. Thought it worked out well.
Shroudy9 - The fic will hop around like Extended. I just wanted to spend some time in NYC and do things a bit sequentially for a little bit. Many more people will show up and have their moments.
guest - Thank you, it's fun to have the time and flexibility explore somewhere new without having to worry about it fitting into a longer contained narrative.
TheSphynx - I'm very fond of those small characters showing up time and again and that's why I like this fic format, let's us see them more and explore them.
alix33 - I think so. Some places don't put that much emphasis on family or staff meal, others do. But at least Harry got to do it because he likes to.
HoneyBear84 - I'm glad to hear it and hope you enjoy trying a few new things.
poka - I think that's one of the things I'm proud of most for this fic. I feel the characters really grew and use what they know and have learned to continue to grow and develop themselves. For the most part.
Arnie1701 - It's a possibility.
61394 - He's cooking, learning, making new friends. That's his joy in life.
odonnellzoo99 - I'm glad people still enjoy the confused goblins/purebloods trope. I feel it's a smidge overdone, but it's so gosh darn amusing to me that I can't help myself.