I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Side Dishes
58th Course – Speaking With Words 21: After Hogwarts, Part 2
As per tradition, takes place all over the timeline with the first instance starting at the 171st course of Taste, with Harry continuing to build his dream restaurant.
Harry frowned down at the resume. On paper, it was a good one. The person had worked in the restaurant industry for many years now. He went to a good culinary school in France and had spent the last few years working for good restaurants. His latest was working for Chef Louis Ripert, a friend of Anthony Banks and Gabriel Robuchon. Harry liked Louis a lot and respected him.
He was having some difficulty doing the same to the person who sat across the table from him.
Unlike Louis, Alois Allain was not very nice. He had an air of arrogance to him, having swaggered into the building a bit late and with an all too familiar sneer on his lips. He looked down on Harry, literally even given how he sat up straight so he could just barely tilt his face down. The man oozed self-love and superiority and Harry was really not enjoying talking to the man, much less the idea of working with him.
He was also the second person to be recommended by Louis and Harry felt bad in rejecting yet another man from Louis' kitchen and restaurant. Though, he also wondered how the chef put up with people like this. He did not take it personally though.
Harry cleared his throat. "Well then, Mister Allain, just a few more questions."
"Even more?" Alois said with a deepening sneer.
Harry looked back coolly. "Yes, even more. I am sure you would find the time to answer them considering you are refusing to cook during your interview."
"You have no reason to doubt my abilities," Alois said coldly. He blinked at Harry's flat look.
"I have reason," Harry said. "How do you feel about working with goblins?"
"Why would I? Chefs do not work with the cleaning staff," Alois scoffed.
Harry gripped the paper tighter, crinkling it. "She will be a cook on the line, equal to the rest of the Brigade."
"I was not aware we would be serving Goblin…food. Are we serving their kind as well?"
"We will be serving food of all kinds," Harry said, glaring at Alois who blinked in surprise, "and all respectful customers." He smiled a little when Hedwig swooped in. No matter how foul a mood he was in, seeing her always made him feel better. "Hi girl."
"Hi Chick!" Hedwig hooted, landing daintily beside him and nuzzling his cheek.
"What is that?!" Alois gasped, staring.
Harry and Hedwig looked where they thought Alois was looking and saw nothing before turning back and realizing Alois was staring at Hedwig.
"What, never seen an owl before?" Hedwig barked, narrowing her eyes.
"This is Hedwig, my owl," Harry said, his voice low.
"And what is it doing in the restaurant?!"
"Who are you calling 'it', you ugly fuck!" Hedwig hissed.
"She will go where she pleases and she is a part of the staff," Harry said, his voice nearing dangerous levels.
"What am I even doing here?" Alois said dramatically, throwing his hands up. "I thought this was a restaurant! Instead it is some sick joke. Goblins and flying rats. Where does it end?" He stiffened when the air froze slightly and he winced when he saw the expression on Hedwig's face before wincing more at the look on Harry's. "Oh, uh, pardon Chef, I mean-"
"This interview is over," Harry said coldly, folding the resume and handing it back to Alois who took it with trembling fingers. "I have no desire to have you here. You may leave, Monsieur Allain." He looked at Hedwig. "In fact, I recommend it."
"What is she going to do?!" Alois asked, staring at Hedwig who was swelling with rage.
"You'll find out if you stay," Harry said. He snorted when Alois stood and left rapidly, slamming the door behind him. "Don't kill him," Harry said when Hedwig spread her wings.
"No promises!" Hedwig screeched, flying into the air. "Don't try to stop me!" she barked when she heard her name being called. She turned her head to look back. "I have my honor and-oh wait gotcha!" She wheeled about and flew back to Harry who was holding the ironnut mallet in his hand. "Thanks Chick! I love you so much!"
Hefting the hammer in her talons with ease, she flew out the window. "Now get back here you dumb bastard! I'll flying rat you in the face!" She screeched loudly, her hunting cry magnified by rage.
Inky walked onto the main floor from the kitchen. "Why did Harry summon the mallet from the kitchen?"
"Oh sorry, I didn't hit you, did I?" Harry asked sheepishly.
She shook her head. "No, but Inky still wants to know." She tilted her head at Harry's uncharacteristic ugly look.
"The person I just interviewed said mean things about goblins and insulted Hedwig," he growled.
Inky snorted deeply. "What an idiot," she said. "Why did Harry give Hedwig the mallet? She does not need that."
"To prevent her from using her talons and doing more damage, maybe."
"Fair enough."
-0-
Alois stopped walking and looked up. His eyes popped wide and his jaw fell open. "What the fuck?!" he screamed in French, diving low when Hedwig flew over his head. "The Chef sent you after me?!"
"I sent myself! I'm taking my own vengeance and how dare you waste Chick's time?! He's busy! He has so much to do and no time to waste on sacks of crap like you!" Hedwig neatly dodged the spell Alois shot at her and she swung as she flew past, making Alois scream from pain when she rapped him over the knuckles with the haft of the hammer.
"Wait! Please!" Alois shouted as he ran from the vengeful owl. "Mercy!"
"Mercy is a privilege!" Hedwig screeched as she flew at an angle and struck out. "So are knees!"
Alois screamed in pain when the head of the heavy ironnut mallet, a tool designed for iron-hard ironnuts made contact with something much softer and less resilient than iron. He came crashing down hard, ironically landing first on his un-hammered knee.
She flapped off, leaving a groaning and crying Alois lying in the road, clutching his knee with both hands. "Let this be a lesson to you! Don't be a dick, you cock!"
"H-Help," Alois groaned, looking up at two people who looked down at him with shocking placidity and lack of care or concern. "I was attacked!"
"I know, we saw," Rosmerta said with deep amusement.
"Hedwig doesn't attack people who don't deserve it," Danielle Murphy said, shaking her head at the man in the road. "What did you do?"
"Isn't it obvious? He probably insulted Harry and Hedwig," Rosmerta snorted.
"It does not matter what I did!" Alois gasped, face red.
"Actually, it does," Danielle snorted. "We take care of our own, here in Hogsmeade. And we love Harry and Hedwig so yeah, it does."
"If you keep crawling that way," Rosmerta pointed with a finger, "the potions shop is there and you can get a pain potion and maybe a bone-healing potion if there is one. Don't tell the shop people what you did or who did it to you though, they might not serve you either."
"Why cannot one of you get one for me?!" Alois groaned.
"You can't afford it," Danielle sniffed and she and Rosmerta walked into The Three Broomsticks, leaving a very hurt and very confused Alois in the middle of the street.
-0-
A window in the kitchen opened and Chloe's eyes opened wide when she saw a beautiful snowy owl swoop in. Her eyes became even wider when she realized the owl held a very large object in her talons that looked vaguely like a war hammer that she had seen in museums. The owl flew around the kitchen before landing on the table beside Harry, hooting warmly at him and giving her a curious look.
"Hi Chick! I'm back, and mostly satisfied with my act of reprisal. I could have done more but I'm trying to learn to be moderate in certain things. Who's this? I hope she's better than One-Knee. Well he still has both. One-Whole-Knee."
"What is that?!" Chloe asked, pointing at the object the owl dropped.
"Chastiser of Idiots! All good weapons deserve a good name."
"Ironnut mallet," Harry said with what she thought was a startling lack of concern. "It's also really good at cracking other things." ("Like leg benders!") He looked at the owl. "Did he make it out unscathed?"
The owl shook her head, looking very pleased with herself. "Not at all! More unscathed than I like but more scathed than he probably wants. Which who cares what he wants. Dumb prick."
"Good," Harry snorted. "That'll teach him to be nicer to people and owls. Thank you Inky," he said when the house elf took the mallet and cleaned it while walking away. "Oh sorry, this is Hedwig. She's my owl and the reason why I asked if you had any problems working with an owl."
"Pleasure to meet you," Chloe said and meant it. She offered her hand and smiled when Hedwig stuck a leg out and they shook. "Nice to meet you too. You have better manners already. Thank goodness." Hedwig hooted back politely before she plumped back down with a sigh, cheeping happily when Harry fed her a bite of steak and some chips. "Mmm, post-revenge snacks!"
"So, what do you think?" Harry asked.
Chloe smiled. "I think I will enjoy working here with you and everyone else. I accept the position."
"Great!" He and Chloe shook hands enthusiastically. "So far the front of house staff is Willie and Nillie, also house elves. Mr. Abe, Aberforth, will be running the bar sometimes. My girlfriend Lavender will probably want to help on slower nights on the Hogsmeade side."
"I can think of a few that might come over from France," Chloe offered. "More or less experienced in hospitality and waiting as well. I will ask."
"Thank you," Harry smiled and she felt herself mirroring the expression. "I think this is going to be great!"
I think so too, she thought as she ate more of the delicious food.
-0-
"Welcome home," Lavender said warmly. She got up from the couch and hugged Harry tightly.
"I still love hearing that," he said, kissing her.
"I still love saying it," she smiled, kissing him back.
Lavender and Parvati still lived above the Needy Thread in the small flat they made when renovating the building. They each had a room and shared the small but comfortable sitting room with attached kitchenette. When Harry returned to Britain, he was told he could move in too and he spent a lot of his spare time there if he was not at the growing restaurant or at Grimmauld. Parvati had been happy to have him there too, though in typical Parvati fashion, hired Hermione to come over and enchant the doorway with sound-blocking charms and privacy charms and all sorts of others. Hermione, in untypical Hermione fashion, came and did just that and she and Parvati enjoyed teasing Lavender until she chased them around in typical Lavender fashion.
Eventually they knew they would be moving out too but for now, while they were getting their businesses stable, they were comfortable and happy with the arrangement.
"Have you two eaten yet?" Harry asked, hanging his cloak up and putting his bag in the room he and Lavender shared.
"Yeah, but I can eat again," Parvati said, still lying on the couch. She shifted when Hedwig flapped over and settled on her stomach, fluffing up and wiggling comfortably.
"So can I!" Hedwig cheeped.
"Same," Lavender smiled. "If you're not too tired to make something."
"I can make something fast and easy," Harry said. He got to work in the kitchenette, moving things about and taking things out of the cold and ice box.
"How're things going?" Parvati asked.
"Better," Harry said. "Finally finalized the new staff and I think it'll work out."
"Oh yay!" Lavender cheered. "So the last two are set?"
Harry nodded as he threw leftover vegetables from last night's dinner into the pan and added oil and chopped garlic to them. "I'm grateful Professor Sprout got me in touch with Felicity. She's inexperienced but really eager and wants to learn and work. She really liked the cooking club when we started it that year and was trying to find work similar to it. She thought she might have to work in Muggle places for a while but when Professor Sprout heard I was still looking, she got in touch with her before contacting me."
"Wanting to work makes up for inexperience," Parvati said. "And the other bloke is going to work even though he's older?"
Harry nodded as he added pinches of seasoning to the vegetables and the noodles he added to it. "It looks like it. Chef Ripert was mortified that two of his recommendations turned out to be utter arseholes. I was a little wary of the last one he spoke to me about but he swore on his restaurant that this time I wouldn't be disgusted." He and the others laughed together.
"Good for him, I was going to fly over and give him a piece of my mind," Hedwig grumbled. "Sending us shite people. Seriously!"
"But yeah. Guy seems like a nice guy," he smiled as the women snorted at his bad joke. "He's worked in the industry for years and worked his way up from plongeur to even being sous chef."
"Oh wow, that means he works hard," Lavender said. "Why did he never have his own place?"
"He never wanted it," Harry said. "Even when I asked if he wanted a sous chef position, he said he didn't want the headache. Just wants to work in a decent place and leave the work at work when he leaves for the day."
"That's fair, why is he over here now?" Parvati asked.
"His daughter moved here. She works for the ICW and since they're setting up a permanent place for them here, she came over to grow her career. He doesn't really have any other family so he came over with her." Harry finished cooking and brought over three plates.
"Aww, that's sweet," Lavender smiled, taking her plate. "Mmm, this smells great, thank you!"
"Yakisoba," Harry smiled as he gave Parvati a plate and put the other on the table for Hedwig to eat from. "Stir-fried noodles. Fast and tasty and a good way to use leftovers."
"I'll say," Parvati said through a full mouth. "This is great, thanks!"
Hedwig cheeped through a full beak, wiggling happily as she munched and slurped. "Mmm, just as good as we had it back in Japan! Yummy noodles. Slurrrrrrrrrrp."
"So with them, Inky, Eddie, and Mirra, the kitchen is set," Harry said. "Willie will pop in when needed. Chloe also convinced two people she knew in France to come over to be servers too with Willie and Nillie. They weren't too happy with where they were and apparently our place will be better."
"You don't think so?" Lavender asked.
"Hard to say since we haven't even opened yet," Harry laughed. "I mean, I hope so. But they seem nice and if Chloe vouches for them, I'm fine with letting them try things out. Their names are Henri and Julia."
"Sounds like you're set there then," Parvati said. "That's good. It was rough for the time that it was just Lav and me."
"We made it work though," Lavender said and they high-fived.
"Yeah you did," Harry smiled. "It's cool seeing people in the village wearing your things and I'm sure I've seen a few people at Diagon too."
"Good," Parvati said fervently. "Growing up, I thought people who owned and worked their own businesses had it good. Even with Auntie Anvi having her own restaurant. But you don't realize that you basically work all hours of the day and night, even when the store is closed.
"It's really hard," Lavender sighed. "But I'm happy with all the work we put in and how it is now. And it'll get better." She and Parvati high-fived.
"I'm sure it will, you two work hard and put in the effort," Harry said encouragingly.
"Only about a week or so until your soft open, right?" Parvati asked.
Harry nodded. "And then the official opening a few days later."
"You've put in a lot of work too," Lavender said, leaning against him. "It's going to be awesome. No way it can't be!"
"Listen to her Chick! We've worked too hard to not do well."
He smiled. "Thanks. I'm just nervous. I've put so much energy and thought into it. It's been a dream for a while now and it's scary to see it become real. What if it bombs and is terrible?"
"Really don't think that's possible," Parvati said, chewing. "We've gone over at length about how you could be bad and each time, it just isn't feasible." She swallowed. "You Owl de Cuisine won't let you do anything without bacon."
Hedwig nodded emphatically at that. "Bacon is a universal flavor enhancer."
"And we've seen your test plates, not small portions," Lavender smiled.
"Chick is generous!"
"And besides, it's you. Even if it isn't amazing from the start, you'll work hard and make it happen," Parvati said, waggling her fork at him.
"What would I do without you?" Harry sighed gustily.
"Have too much food," Parvati grinned. "And be devoid of our company and personality."
"Can't have that," Harry laughed.
-0-
A wave of sound hit him, cheers that seemed to shake the street and the building around him. The street was full of people and they cheered and shouted when they saw him. Cameras flashed and Harry stood there dumbly for a moment, looking at the wave of warmth and adoration with open-eyed wonder before he smiled back at them.
"Hello everyone!" he said happily, waving to them all. "Thank you so much for coming. I am happy to see all of you and it means a lot for you all to be here." He waited for the applause to die down a little. "This place is a landmark location for Hogsmeade. I think a lot of you would agree with me when I say that the village would be a different place without the place, and what it means. I wanted to maintain that feeling as I made this new place, and I think it will fit the bill."
He smiled at them. "And this place was only possible with all of you. It was a dream for so long and I poured into it all my experiences, my memories, my feelings, and all of you here now have had major impacts on me in all of that. So this place is possible because of all of you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."
He held up his wand. "Now I know that all of you have been waiting to see the name and I thought about it for a long time, but here it is!" He flicked his wand and the covering on the sign above the door vanished. An iron-wrought sign hung down and it showed a snowy owl wearing a toque, roosting on a wooden spoon, all above the name that was forged in flowing script. "Everyone, welcome to Hedwig's Hearth! Where you're sure to find warm food and warm company aplenty."
"Someone's ego just got way bigger," Parvati laughed as Hedwig screeched happily, dancing up and down in Lavender's arms, flapping her wings wildly.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! I LOVE MY CHICK! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH! THAT'S THE BEST NAME EVER! It's My Hearth! Our Hearth! Our restaurant is going to be the best restaurant in all of Britain, the world! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
"She deserves it," Lavender laughed, kissing the jubilant owl on the head.
-0-
"It's so wonderful to see it all work like this," Padma said, looking around.
"I'm so proud of him," Lavender said, her smile from ear to ear.
"And Hedwig's working hard," Hermione smiled, watching Hedwig deliver new napkins to a waiting table before flapping off to sit on a roost in the kitchen window, looking around with professional dedication.
"Okay, napkins to table 12, check. Looking around and oh, they need new cutlery at 5. I'll handle that. Looking good, looking good. Everything's going wonderfully!"
"She always does, even if it's to mess with someone," Sue laughed.
-0-
Guy nodded. "This was the best opening night I have ever worked," he said quietly.
Harry blinked a few times. "That makes me very happy."
"Good, because it should." Guy nodded. "See you tomorrow, Chef."
"See you tomorrow." Harry watched him leave and he stood in the middle of Hedwig's Hearth, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. He smiled when Hedwig fluttered to him and landed on his shoulder, cooing and nuzzling him lovingly.
"Good job Chick! We did great! The food came out hot and tasty and on time. Everyone left happy. Everything's wonderful!"
"We did it," he said and she cheeped in agreement. She climbed down his front and plumped up in his arms as he hugged her close to his chest.
"I love you so much. You named the restaurant after me! You're the best and the sweetest."
Harry felt like he was dreaming while awake, and it was wonderful.
-0-
"Chef?"
Harry did not look up from the plate he was finishing. "Oui?" he called over his shoulder.
"Quelle est votre politique a l'egard des vampires?" Chloe asked in a low tone at his shoulder.
"Depends on the vampire," Hedwig called out from the floor.
"Oui Chef, dites-nous si'l vous plait votre politique concernant les vampires," a voice said through the open window, full of ironic mirth.
Harry grinned and patted a visibly irate Chloe on the arm. "Well I know a few really well. They all work for the ICW and if they're here, they're okay. They know how to behave. Unless two of them are within the vicinity of each other and they'll say snippy things but they'll still be polite."
Drake snorted richly. "He is not wrong," he said, eyes bright and merry.
"If it's anyone else, well, we'll hold them to the standards that we hold all our customers and offer limited modifications to their meal if it is possible," Harry continued.
"And to what standards do we hold this one?" Chloe asked, jerking her head at Drake.
"He's family," Harry smiled. "I'll take care of him."
"Very good Chef," Chloe said. She held the door to the kitchen open for Drake and gave him a cool nod before she left, walking back into the dining room. She gave Hedwig a look when Hedwig patted her on the arm with her wing. "Is he always that annoying?"
"Yeah, but he's sweet to Chick and he annoys Nicky so I tolerate him," Hedwig hooted comfortingly. "And it really is funny when he and Nicky fight."
"I hope she treats you better," Drake said, looking at Chloe with interest.
"She's a really good manager and maître d'," Harry said, finishing the plate and sending it out with Willie. He hugged Drake and smiled. "Don't be too upset."
"Upset over her treatment of me? I am not that sensitive," Drake laughed. "Well, depending on the individual I suppose. I am rather impressed, truth be told." He looked around the kitchen with open delight, admiring how the staff moved and worked and cooked. "A beautiful place my dear friend! It sounds and smells wonderful."
"We're getting there," Harry said happily. "The Brigade is better than I could hope for and I really like what we're doing. Did you have a reservation?"
"No, I merely stopped by and had hoped to see you for a moment, which is what I think irritated the lovely angry lady," Drake said.
"Here, sit." Harry showed him a small table that was in a small alcove in the kitchen. "I'm going to be using this for friends and family who come in to visit and have a bite to eat."
"And a front row seat to the action," Drake smiled, sitting down. "I do not wish to bother you so."
"You're not bothering me," Harry smiled. "What're you in the mood for?" He took Drake's order and added it to the order line on the metal plates and Inky came back with a goblet and a bottle of thick red wine.
Drake drank comfortably and enjoyed the food that Harry brought to him. He watched the cooking with unrestrained interest, enjoying the actions and the movements of the cooks and the servers coming in and out. He nodded companionably to Hedwig when she swooped in through the window to get something and flapped back out. ("Hiiii and byeee!") "A wonderful name and I love the atmosphere," he said warmly. "Very well done."
"Thanks," Harry smiled, looking proud. "I'm surprised how well things are going honestly."
"I am not. I knew you would run a fine establishment with your attention to detail and passion," Drake said confidently.
"Chef, what is your policy on Ministers of Magic as well as high-ranking members of Ministry?" Chloe asked, walking back into the kitchen.
"Depends on the Minister and the members I suppose," Harry said, making Drake laugh and a few of the others look over. "Let me guess, someone is insisting on coming tonight?"
"First they lied and said they had a reservation when they did not," Chloe huffed. "Then they claimed that they 'meant' to make one and was upset with me when I said that 'meant' did not mean 'actually had'. Then they asked if I knew who they were, which I do not and do not care to. Then they tried to bribe me!"
"Can we accommodate them?" Harry asked.
"We could," Chloe sniffed. "Should we desire."
"I don't desire at all! What's the opposite of desire? Despise? I despise them!"
"You're the maître d' and I trust you," Harry smiled.613
Chloe smiled back. "I will tell them we have availability for a reservation in three days. If they complain, then it will be late next week. Bien?"
"Tres bien," Harry replied and Chloe walked out with a bounce to her step.
"Is it wise to antagonize members of your government?" Drake asked idly though his eyes danced with mirth.
"Hey, we don't have any openings, not our fault," Harry laughed. "Maybe they should've made reservations instead of meaning to. And this will teach them to be nicer to my staff."
"Will it?" Drake smiled.
"Well, one can hope," Harry laughed. "Maybe if we weren't already steadily busy, I might've let it go. But I rather support my people and defend what's mine."
"Very good," Drake said, applauding. "Besides, I do not think they can so afford to antagonize you."
"I'm not running a country or a government here," Harry snorted as he continued to cook, adding last minute garnishes and wiping plates clean. He tasted an offered spoon by Mirra. "A pinch more salt and ground pepper. Did you have to replenish the stock? I think we didn't have a chance to season that yet so it's a touch bland. Good catch."
"Perhaps not but you are the talk of the country," Drake said, admiring Harry working. "And not just this one. I have heard many at the ICW talk about your restaurant and hoping to come when they are here to work. Wizarding Britain is still growing culturally and you are at the fore."
"I feel bad for the country if that's the case," Harry said wryly, sending out a tray of finished food. He waved a hand at Drake's flat look. "You know me. I never wanted to be a trendsetter. I just want to be happy doing what I like and make others feel happy and cared for."
"And you are the best at that," Drake said warmly, toasting with his wine glass.
"I had a lot of good role models," Harry smiled.
"Indeed? Tell me who," Drake said and the two men laughed merrily together.
"Not you, that's for sure," Hedwig hooted cheekily as she flapped through the window.
-0-0-0-
alix33 - There were several chapters dedicated to kaiseki cooking.
mike3308 - Maybe Angelo will show up again.
61394 - There really wasn't a lot of nuance or different personalities in Slytherin, was there? I guess that's why fanfic is great to show possible differences and things like that. I think the idea for the chapter came up as me wanting to do a food focused one, seeing the Feast of Seven Fishes, gravitating to the Zabinis, and then had to make it a bit more emotional as is my modus apparently. Glad you enjoyed.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - That's the best part about Harry. He wants to learn and be sincere while eventually putting his own touch on it. Thanks for reading.
odonnellzoo99 - It was a roundabout way to get to the Zabinis and the meat of the chapter. I intended to just do a fun food focus which derailed into some accidental growth and fleshing out. I thought it was a good one overall and I did learn a lot about Italian food and the feast while doing my research. I do like Blaise and Valentina a lot anyways, so it was nice giving them the light.
poka - Exactly. Things like that make it feel more plausible and real. Plus it was a way to explore that rumor/identity of hers and give it new life and meaning.
HoneyBear84 - Thank you.
TheSphynx - The problem with that is my own opinion is pretty trashy. As in I am an unironic lover of many bad things lol. I appreciate your kind words and attention, thank you so much.