I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Hello everyone, hope all are doing well.
We have hit 50 Courses of Side Dishes. I honestly am surprised by that.
It feels like I only just finished A Taste of Magic but that was months ago apparently. I always feel like Chapter 50, 100, and so on are really huge chapters. It means a story has lasted to that long and I like to think that while the pace meanders here and there, there is no 'filler' chapter, that each chapter belongs in the story and deserves to be a part of it.
When I saw I was writing Course 50, I knew I wanted it to be a big one, something grand, something with feeling. Therefore, I felt it was perfect for this chapter and it's tale to tell. It was a lot of fun coming back to the theme and hope you all agree and enjoy it too.
I have 13 more chapters waiting to be posted and I still have plenty of ideas to go still. I also, as of today, finished completely my next long project. It sits at more than 25 chapters and is complete and contained. I will start posting that in a few weeks. I have a very silly surprise coming this week and it's a two part one shot. I also have a few chapters of Extended Family waiting for their turn to shine.
As always, thank you all for being here with me. I never thought my silly nearly irreverent story of how food can impact a story would ever be so well received. Every time I see someone say they were inspired to try something new to eat, it makes me smile so much. Knowing that I can provide that softer slice of life enjoyment is something I am proud of, and am glad to provide.
As always, thank you for being a part of my fanfiction family.
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Side Dishes
50th Course – Stars
Takes place after the 175th Course of Taste, after Harry and Lavender get married.
Like many major and momentous events, it started in innocuous fashion.
It was a typical day at Hedwig's Hearth. Customers came hungry and happy and left sated and happy. The atmosphere was cheerful and warm, laughter and chatter filled the air as full plates came from the kitchen to be returned empty. The guests from outside the village and within the village mingled together easily and like most nights, it was a good place for heart, soul, and stomach.
And like most things, it started with a question. A guest asked for Chloe and when the maître d' approached, they asked if it was true.
"Pardon, is what true?" Chloe asked, confused.
"That the Chef is competing again in the World's Kitchen," the guest explained eagerly.
Chloe looked nonplussed. "I have no idea. I assume not because the Chef has not said anything about it."
"Oh, I thought I heard he was," the guest said, looking slightly crestfallen.
Chloe did not think anything of it. Rumors came and went and since she had not heard anything about it, she figured it was only that, rumor. She thought, and rightfully so, that she and Harry were very close and the two discussed everything professional and private. She thought, again rightfully so, that something as big as competing in a cooking competition for one of the biggest cooking competition organizers in the world would be discussed with her. Therefore, she did not think anything of it.
That was, until she was asked again a few moments later by a completely different guest.
Once again, she said she knew nothing of it and once again, the guest was disappointed and had said they had heard that he would. Then Henri approached and said another guest had asked him if it was true and he of course had said he did not know. With being asked three times in a short period of time, Chloe thought there might be something to the rumors and she walked into the kitchen.
She always enjoyed stepping into the kitchen, no matter the time of day. In the middle of service, it was a scene of pleasant chaos and industry. The utensils and pans rattled, accompanied by the symphony of opening and closing doors. Harry and the Brigade communicated well. They shouted to be heard sometimes, but there was no anger or aggression to the shouting. There were moments of conversation here or there that had nothing to do with the cooking, a joke, a laugh, a comment. Conversations came and went, to be dropped off when needed and picked up at their leisure. Otherwise, they moved like a machine, staying on task and focused to do the best they could.
"Chef," she said, walking up to Harry.
He looked up from a plate that he was finishing. "Yes Chloe?" he replied with a smile.
"I have heard some strange rumors this evening regarding you," she said.
"Ooh what?" Clover delivered more mise en place to Harry's station. With her and Aster recently joining the Brigade and working full time at Hedwig's Hearth, they were the new gofers and prep cooks, the commis, they did what Felicity did when she started working. Felicity was now responsible for the garde manger part of the kitchen and she adored it. She worked with cold items and preservation and other components of dishes and doing a lot of appetizer work. "Wait, let us guess first. I love this game."
"I hate this game," Harry groaned but with a smile.
"I think it's about Chef opening his second spot," Clover said with a big smile.
"Too easy," Aster said from the prep area. "I think it's about him starting a cooking school to rival Hogwarts, I like that one!"
"My personal favorite is that Hedwig is the real chef and she's controlling Harry," Felicity smiled.
"All the waitstaff are being replaced by dogs!" Eddie said from the ovens. "And if that isn't it, I still think that'd be a great idea."
"I'm biased but I love the one that the Hearth is a front for a goblin rebellion to take over Wizarding Britain," Mirra smiled.
"What about you?" Clover asked Guy with a big smile, unperturbed when he gave her an amused look, rolled his eyes, and went back to work.
"What, no one thinks I'm having an affair or getting a second wife or something like that?" Harry asked wryly.
"No Chef, no one would think that about you," Aster said plainly and everyone in the kitchen nodded.
"No one intelligent," Inky snorted richly.
"Thanks everyone," Harry grinned. He turned back to an amused Chloe. "Anyone get it?"
"No Chef," she smiled. "It is, however, somewhat plausible. People are asking if it is true that you are competing at the World's Kitchen once more."
"Not that I know of," Harry said with a frown. "I'm not, right?"
"I do not think so," Chloe said. "But I thought I would check with you."
"I wonder where that rumor came from," Harry said. A short while later, he would get his answer.
"Chef, Daphne would like to visit," Chloe called from outside the kitchen.
"Come on in," Harry said. He smiled at his friend. "Hey!"
"Hello!" She hugged him warmly.
"Welcome home, how did your concert go?"
"Very well, thank you," she said with a big smile. She narrowed an eye at him. "But first, I read something rather interesting in a magazine in Paris while I was waiting to return."
"They have articles in those magazines?" Aster asked, making a very round shape with her mouth and opening her eyes wide, fanning herself with a hand, making Chloe giggle and Daphne flush and scowl.
"Whelp!" Daphne hissed, making the girls cackle. She turned to Harry, pointedly ignoring Aster. "It was a cooking magazine and there was an article with one Celine Beaufort. She was asked if she had any plans to join any of the upcoming competitions and she said there would be one she would be interested in." She gave him a look. "A rematch with you."
"Oh, so that's why people have been asking," Harry said, understanding at last. "We've had a few people ask the front of house if it's true and I had no idea what they were talking about."
"Has she approached you or has the World's Kitchen?" Daphne asked. She frowned when he shook his head.
"She's calling you out in a magazine without even asking you first?" Eddie gasped.
"Bitch!" Clover, Aster, and Felicity cried together.
"Not an unheard tactic," Guy said, passing plates down to Harry for inspection and finishing. "Passive aggressive yes, but a common enough one."
"Chef Gabriel did it a lot to needle people he didn't like to make them force the issue and go through the effort of setting things up," Harry nodded. "He preferred to let his inferiors engineer their own downfalls."
"Sounds like him," Guy snorted.
"I thought you two weren't enemies though," Mirra said, looking at Harry.
"I don't think we are or ever were, even during the Rising Stars," Harry said.
"Chef, international Floo call," Chloe said, walking into the kitchen. She gave him a look. "From one Celine Beaufort."
"Bitch," Clover, Aster, and Felicity hissed together.
"Speak of the devil in chef white," Daphne remarked.
"Want Inky to handle?" Inky asked meaningfully.
"I can handle it," Harry grinned. "Take over Sous?" He moved past Mirra and walked to the office and walked in, recognizing Celine's head in the small hearth they used for communication. "Bonsoir Chef," he said warmly.
"Bonsoir," she replied pleasantly. "I apologize for bothering you during your service."
"No problem, my Brigade has it handled," Harry said proudly.
Celine smiled lightly. "A good staff is a gift from God."
"Seriously," he agreed.
"It has come to my attention that a remark I made during an interview might be making the rounds," she said, looking apologetic.
"Actually it's funny, I was only recently just asked about it this evening by three people, and my friend who was just in Paris performing came to me just now," Harry said.
"Oh Miss Greengrass? I was able to attend one of her shows earlier in the day. I greatly enjoyed it, please pass my compliments." Celine coughed awkwardly. "I apologize if my interview has caused you some trouble. I was being truthful and was not thinking too much of the impact of my words. While I would compete again in the World's Kitchen competitions again, I would only do so with very strict conditions."
"No weird restrictions like no utensils or things like that?" Harry asked with a grin.
She smiled. "No, none of those." She looked at him directly. "That said, I would be interested in competing against you once more. You have grown as a chef; it has been pleasing to see. Hedwig's Hearth has earned its reputation."
He felt warm from her praise. "Thank you. I've heard Champ et Foret has gotten a lot of great reviews. Even Chef Gabriel and Chef Louis have said nice things."
She smiled with pride. "Thank you! Yes, as you know, a lot of hard work but well worth it." She looked at him evenly. "I would like to see how I stand against you as you are now, after you have worked these last years and have honed your craft. Knife to knife, plate to plate. No extraneous challenge, no frivolous restrictions. Just good food."
Harry hummed softly. "Maybe we can make that work," he said at last.
Her eyes glinted. "I will be more than happy to work with you and with the World's Kitchen to make it happen to suit all of us. A question first, however." She smiled again, a wry expression that was still warm. "If we were to compete against each other, what would you count as winning?"
Harry laughed brightly at that. "This time?" He grinned at her, an expression of good humor and a little hunger mixed in. "Beating you on the dais by having the judges say they liked my food more."
Her smile became the same as his. "I am glad we agree, with me beating you of course."
"Of course," Harry laughed.
-0-
"What did she want?" Aster asked when Harry walked back into the kitchen.
"She wanted me to tell Daphne that she really enjoyed your show," Harry said.
"Really?" Daphne asked, nonplussed.
"Well not just that, but she wanted me to when I said you were here," Harry said. "She also apologized for letting what she said get out of hand."
"Well that's nice of her," Mirra said.
"She also said that she would like to cook against me again. No weird challenges or rules. Just straight battle, see who can make the better food," Harry said.
"And what did you say?" Eddie asked.
"I said I wouldn't mind seeing if we could make it happen," Harry said and smiled when the Brigade cheered loudly.
"Really?!" Clover asked, delighted.
"I like cooking, obviously," Harry said, laughing at faux shocked expressions. "And I liked the challenges for the most part. And now that I've gotten a lot of experience, I really would be interested to see if I can beat her directly. Sure she's had more than me, but I've grown a lot since the Rising Stars."
"You have traveled the world and cooked in all sorts of kitchens," Daphne said encouragingly. "And your restaurant is highly thought of and celebrated!"
"And each of those kitchens were monster ones," Felicity said. "You're definitely up there, Chef!"
"Thanks everyone," Harry said, feeling incredibly full seeing everyone be so full of confidence for him. This time, it was a different kind of confidence. When going into the Finale of the Rising Stars all those years before, he knew the confidence of his friends and family there were founded in a way, but it was always a long shot since he was going against someone his elder in years and valuable experience. The confidence was a supportive one, and they knew he would do his best and do well overall.
This time however, he possessed both the knowledge and confidence that he would do better. While he was still younger, of course, and lacking in years of experience, he knew that the experience he has gained since was of a different sort. He had been put into trying and difficult situations and learned all he could. He had absorbed all sorts of techniques, experience with flavor profiles and combinations, and had worked with some of the best in the world.
He knew this time the fight would be a lot closer.
"We'll see how it works out," Harry said. "But I think this competition is going to be a lot closer."
-0-
In a very short time, the news spread around even faster and rumor became confirmation. The World's Kitchen reached out to Harry and Celine and made the competition official. Both chefs met with the planning committee and they negotiated the terms of the upcoming event as well as the timing.
The various food magazines went wild with the news that Celine Beaufort and Harry Potter would be cooking against each other once more. This brought a resurgence to the articles and material from the Rising Stars and the ICW and the World's Kitchen reprinted the booklet from then and compiled a new one with what the two chefs had done since added to it.
Rita, firmly ensconced as Harry's press and media agent, wrote a series of articles for the Daily Prophet and Gourmancy which were then reprinted in other things. This of course led to a rush of reservations for Hedwig's Hearth and Harry became very busy for some time. He enjoyed the work, of course, and did not mind the attention or the impact it was having on the restaurant and his vaults.
He began planning and thinking of what he would do at the event, waiting for the final details to be sent to them so he could plan properly in earnest.
-0-
"Chef, Miss Edwina is here," Chloe called into the kitchen.
"Come in!" Harry wiped his hands clean and smiled at her as she walked in. "Hi there," he said warmly, hugging her.
"Hello my friend," Edwina said with a smile, waving at the others in the kitchen. "Fresh off the print," she smiled and handed him a magazine.
"Battle in the Heavens," Harry read, wincing slightly. "The Star Ascendant and the Shooting Star, a rematch at the top!" He gave her a look. "A bit dramatic, don't you think?"
"More than a bit," Edwina said, looking pleased with herself and the others came around to look at the magazine. "Did you think that I would not be?"
"Wow that looks great," Aster said, paging through the magazine eagerly.
"Am I really being called the Shooting Star?" Harry asked.
"You have been referred to as such here and there the last few years," Edwina said. "I happen to like the title."
"Yeah, it's cool!" Clover said.
"Well I've had worse ones," Harry snorted.
"You knew full well that it would be such an event," Edwina said, wagging a finger at Harry. "The finalist of the Rising Stars competing against the one who won. Both having years of experience now, especially you having gained much professionally. Both stars continuing to rise through the years, getting all the better."
"I'd hoped there wouldn't be a lot of it, but it looks like I was wrong, obviously," Harry said wryly. He looked up when Chloe entered the kitchen with a large eagle owl sitting on her arm. "Oh hey there," he said, and took the fancy envelope from the owl. He fed the owl some food who hooted warmly and happily, eating with gusto before bowing deeply to Harry and Chloe and flying away.
"That is from the World's Kitchen," Edwina said. "The details of the duel?"
Harry nodded, reading it. "Yup. It's going to be in three weeks, one of the dates that we agreed on. A five-course menu again and we're allowed two assistants because we won't be doing any pre-work for it. The only other stipulation is that there will be a secret ingredient to be revealed the day of and at least one of our courses will have to highlight it."
"Seems simple enough," Eddie said.
"I thought there weren't going to be any challenges or changes?" Felicity asked.
"Have to do something to 'even the field' so to speak," Edwina mused. "That and to make it so that they both do not show up and simply make their best dishes only."
"Who are you going to take with you?" Chloe asked.
"We really should send the best of us," Aster said without shame or hesitation. "We want Chef to win this one and really show her how much better he is."
"Aww, I was ready to duel people," Eddie said with a pout.
"I choose Hedwig as my proxy!" Clover said.
"Hey! At least make it fair for me!" Eddie squawked.
"Can Hedwig count as one of your assistants?" Aster asked eagerly.
Harry smiled. "Maybe. I mean, I'm comfortable with any of you helping, yes even you two," he said to Aster and Clover, "and we'd make a fine team no matter what."
"It's a big competition though and you're going against someone really good," Mirra said. "We want to win this and we shouldn't let egos get in the way."
"I will help decide that," Chloe said. "We will decide it swiftly so Chef can start to plan and train."
"You're French too, what if you're going to sabotage Chef?" Eddie teased. He paled when Chloe turned to look at him and her bright blue eyes deepened and turned dark amber, her features sharpening. "I was so kidding," he said, hiding behind Felicity.
"Which is why I have not stuffed you into one of the cabinets, Monsieur Edward Bolton," she said cooly. "I would shove you into an oven but would not wish to force any of the others to clean it after. My loyalty is to the Chef and Hedwig's Hearth."
"Again, kidding," Eddie said meekly.
Harry grinned and patted Chloe's shoulder. "Never a doubt," he said and Chloe beamed at him, relaxing in expression and presence. "And that sounds good. While I'm going into this one with a bigger intent to win, I'm still going in wanting to do my best and if I don't win, then I don't. I'm just going to show everyone how we cook here at Hedwig's Hearth and how good honest cooking and food can be."
Edwina and Harry left the kitchen to discuss something, leaving the others within. Chloe looked about at the Brigade. "We should determine that now," Chloe said. "As I said, the faster we determine it, the faster Chef and the team can plan and practice with the others assisting."
"As cool as it would be to be there and to help, I'm not experienced enough," Clover said honestly.
"Me neither," Aster said. "It really should go to the more experienced members."
"Can House Elves compete in competitions?" Clover asked.
Inky shrugged. "Yes and no. Yes if it is specifically allowed but most of the time, elves don't. Too much bother. If Harry wants, Inky of course will but the rules are always a bit odd."
"We can give you Quarters' swagger stick and you can attack anyone that tries to sabotage or interfere," Clover smiled.
"Inky is very good at that," she said confidently, cracking her knuckles in a business-like fashion.
"I'm still pretty new with it all, compared to the rest of you," Felicity said. "Plus the idea of being in front of all those people kinda freaks me out. So I'd rather one of you let one of you do it."
"I probably could help," Eddie said. "I've done a few amateur competitions, but not on this scale. First of all, Mirra should definitely be one."
"Me?" Mirra asked, eyes wide.
"You're the sous," Eddie said.
"But I'm a goblin," Mirra protested.
"Really?!" Eddie said, gasping theatrically, making the others laugh. He winced when Mirra elbowed him in the side and he rubbed it ruefully. "I mean, yeah it's obvious you are. And? They didn't say 'no goblins' and if they did, Chef would have words. But again, you're the sous. You and Chef work together great and you know his style."
"It would draw attention," Chloe nodded. "But is that not one of the Hearth's pillars? Inclusion and acceptance?"
"Not to mention magical and goblin relations here have really improved over the years," Aster said.
"You should do it!" Clover said and the others nodded.
Mirra flushed a little but smiled broadly. "I'll do it!" she said.
Guy returned Chloe's look. "What? I agree, Mirra should be one of the assistants."
"And what about you?" she asked.
"What about me?" he replied defensively.
"After Chef, you are the most experienced, technically more since you are older and have worked in the industry longer. And you have done major competitions before, correct?" she asked, arching an eyebrow at him.
"When I was younger, yes," he said shortly.
"Therefore, you are more experienced in both years of work and having competed in this sort of thing," Chloe said.
"And it's important for the whole team to be in sync and you and Mirra and Chef work great together," Eddie said. "I know what I do and I know I can talk a bit-"
"-more than a bit," Clover and Aster said together.
"And be annoying," Inky added.
"Le bavard," Chloe said wryly.
"-a bit," Eddie said while the rest snickered and laughed with Guy rolling his eyes. "Also, rude," he said pointing at Clover and Aster, "accurate and hurtful," he said pointing at Inky who shrugged, "and also accurate," he said to Chloe who said nothing. "Anyways," he continued, "these big competitions are all about what you can do in a short time right? You need a team that can work around each other on a very high level. I'm not there yet. You two are."
He smiled winningly. "Also I don't really want to. Way too much pressure."
"What if I say I do not want to?" Guy asked, looking irritated when the others looked at him.
"To be fair, you don't want to do a lot of things," Felicity said shyly.
"Precisely," Guy said. "Proving my point."
"But you still do it because you are a professional," Chloe said matter-of-factly. "You also care about the restaurant. And finally, you are French. You always have the desire to prove something."
"I do not," Guy said, narrowing his eyes. "Why are you doing this to me?" he asked in French, scowling at her.
"Because I want to win and the greatest chance to do that, is with you working with them," Chloe said unashamedly. "Just do it. It's basically working a night here and knowing Chef, he will compensate you well for the added trouble."
"It's not about the money," Guy said, affronted.
"I know. It's about the prestige, the honor, the bragging rights," Chloe said pertly. "Chef's honor is our honor. Would you allow it to be so tarnished by some French woman that so degraded him in the past?"
"First of all, as you have pointed out, we are French," Guy said dryly. "Second of all, that happened before we were even affiliated with Chef."
"Of course I know we are French. Only the French can battle the French over matters of petty importance," she said proudly and he rolled his eyes again but not in disagreement. "And yes it happened before we were employed by him. So what? It still happened." She grinned slyly. "You wouldn't want to disappoint Zoe, would you?"
"Too low of a blow, even for you," Guy said, pointing a finger at her. He sighed deeply. "There will be no rest for me, will there?"
"Probably not."
"Fine, I will do it," Guy said, shaking his head and rolling his eyes once more at the cheering of the others.
"Why are we cheering?" Harry asked, walking back in.
"We have determined the team to defend your honor," Chloe said smugly. "Mirra and Guy."
"Are you sure?" Harry asked Guy who gave the others a pawky look. "You don't like to compete anymore."
"It is important that you have the best support, Chef," Guy said through a rictus of a smile, glaring at the others. "I suppose I will glean some satisfaction doing this."
"You might have a bit of fun," Harry said. "Just found out who the judges are."
"Who?" Felicity asked eagerly.
"Chef Tony, Chef Akari, Chef Louis, Madam Auclair, and Mr. Shaw," Harry said.
"Weren't they the original judges for the finale?" Clover asked.
Harry nodded. "They were and apparently there was a big fight over who got to judge this one as soon as it was announced. The organizers thought it would be really interesting to have them back."
"I am surprised Chef Beaufort is not complaining considering you have worked for two of them," Chloe said. "Was that not a problem during the competition with one of the competitors?"
"Not to mention Madam Auclair is here like once every ten days or so," Mirra said.
"Actually, she liked the fact they're coming back," Harry said. "She said it'd be a good opportunity to be judged by them again and see how she has grown and changed. Also she trusts them to be impartial and fair and so do I. Even after all I did with them, if I did something not up to their standards, they'd tell me and I always appreciated it."
"This is so exciting," Aster smiled, clapping her hands. She looked at Guy. "Why would you be having some fun due to the judges?"
"Chef Louis Ripert was my old chef," Guy said with amusement. "He knows how little I think of competitions and have refused to do many in the past. Even some with him."
"Hope that doesn't cause trouble," Felicity said.
"It will not. Chef Ripert is a professional," Guy said with conviction. "He will complain and I will shrug. Such is the way of things."
"Well I'm glad you all worked it out," Harry smiled. "And we're going to show our best." He smiled as the others cheered out loud.
-0-
"How're you feeling?" Sirius asked.
It was a few days before the competition and there was an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement in the air. By now, everyone was aware of the upcoming rematch and many have shown support for Harry in England. Hedwig's Hearth was a popular restaurant and Harry was a usual figure at the growing festivals that appeared in Diagon and Hogsmeade on the regular, not to mention Hogwarts of course. Thus, many were proud of him and terribly excited for his upcoming contest against Celine.
The Potter home was full of people. Lavender organized an encouragement party for Harry and people came as soon as they could to add to the well wishes and general merriment.
"I'm feeling good about my chances," Harry said confidently. "I've worked hard in the years since the finale of the Rising Stars. I'm more confident in my skills and I'm pretty sure that between Mirra, Guy, and I, we can handle most reasonable twists and challenges."
"That's my boy," Sirius said proudly, clapping Harry on the back and hugging him fondly. "You definitely got this."
"And you said she has been an ideal competitor this time?" Remus asked. "I recall the accusation she threw at you."
"Definitely past that," Harry said. "She's been great, really."
"I still cannot believe you managed to convince my father to join the team," Rebecca said, smiling at her father who sighed loudly.
"Grand-pere is the best!" Zoe shouted, climbing up her grandfather who held her easily and warmly.
"Are you sure you weren't forced into it?" Harry asked, giving Chloe an amused look who had the gall to look innocent and wounded in equal measure.
"Debatably," Guy said dryly, scowling back at his granddaughter who scowled at him.
"We're so proud of you," Dee said, crushing Harry with her usual hug. She then beamed at Mirra. "And you!"
"You're going to be the first goblin to compete in the World's Kitchen!" Minla said happily.
"It's a lot of pressure," Mirra said with a weak smile.
Harry patted her back. "It's not so bad. Sure at first, it's really nerve-wracking when everyone's watching you. But then you start cooking and it's just another service." He winked. "I was more scared of working at Gringotts Main One. And that was even before the crake chowder."
Diglin snorted deeply, smiling at Harry. "I'm okay with you using me as a metric of fear." He winced when Dee poked him.
"So just remember, there's always scarier things," Harry finished and Mirra laughed with them.
"So how did you convince Lavender to make Hearth clothing?" Ariana asked with a big smile.
"Other way around really," Harry laughed.
"Some people wanted the restaurant's sign to be emblazoned on something to wear to show support. After checking with Harry, we went ahead with it," Lavender smiled, proudly showing off her scarf with it. "We even got Aunt Andi, Grandmum Penny, and Hermione to do some tricky enchanting and no one can try to replicate it like us."
"It's so cool seeing people wear it about," Padma smiled.
"You know, it says something about you if you're wearing something with yourself on it," Parvati said with an amused expression.
Hedwig fluffed up and gave her a half-lidded look of superiority, sitting happily on Harry's head while wearing a small scarf with the symbol of the restaurant on it like Lavender.
-0-
The Cuisine Capitale was as majestic and grand as Harry remembered it.
Everything shone in the light, gleaming and brilliant. The two kitchens had been assembled and were ready, facing one another with a large array of tables and appliances just waiting to be used. A large pantry was along the back with all kinds of ingredients laid out. In front of the judges' dais, a large covered platform sat there, where the secret ingredient would be revealed.
The stands were full of people. The air rumbled with laughter and chatter as the watchers waited eagerly. Harry, peeking in through one of the doors, smiled as he saw his friends and family clustered together behind his assigned kitchen. So many people were there and he was glad they would be behind him, cheering him on. He even saw Hedwig there, sitting on Lavender's lap, her white speckled feathers glowing.
"You okay?" he asked, looking down at Mirra.
She gulped a little. "Just a bit nervous," she said. "There's so many people out there."
"There are, but we got this. You're an amazing chef and as soon as you start cooking, you'll forget all about them," Harry said confidently.
"Thanks, Chef," Mirra smiled, breathing a little more easily. She looked up at Guy. "How are you so calm during something like this?"
Guy shrugged lightly. "There are only a few people whose opinion matter to me. I do not care about the vast majority of people and their thoughts of me. Therefore, I feel no pressure. Merely my own expectations of my own abilities and my own performance, as well as working with Chef of course."
"Wow, that's a really good mindset," Mirra admitted.
Guy smiled wryly. "It is not, actually. I have been told that it is very, how you say, anti-social and cold."
"Or professional," Harry said with a big smile.
Guy laughed. "That is the polite way of phrasing it, yes."
"We got this," Harry said confidently. "We're going to go out there, do what we love and do every day. It's just another service."
"Yes Chef!" Mirra shouted happily.
"Oui Chef," Guy said with less outright enthusiasm but with solid certainty.
-0-
"Hello and welcome, one and all!" Francis appeared in a swirl of light and magic, once again the host and announcer for the competition. Dressed in a resplendent gold suit that flowed over him like molten gold, the man beamed as the crowd clapped and cheered.
"It is my pleasure to be the announcer once again for this," he said with the biggest smile. "I had the honor for the original competition between these two, and let me tell you, they have only gotten much better in the ensuing years!"
He gestured to one set of doors and they opened, revealing Celine and her team of two. "Allow me to introduce first, Celine Beaufort of Champ et Foret!" Celine and her two assistants walked out to their kitchen, smiling and waving to loud applause. "She is joined by Michel Garnier and Ashley Durand. Champ et Foret has been named as one of the best restaurants in Paris since their opening and as know, Chef Beaufort is the Star Ascendant, having won the Rising Stars competition."
After the applause died down, Francis pointed at the other set of doors and the cheering grew once more as Harry walked out with Mirra and Guy. "And now, the finalist from the Rising Stars and the second competitor, Harry Potter of Hedwig's Hearth! He is joined by Mirra of Ironsides and Guy Arnaud! Hedwig's Hearth has been named the restaurant to eat at in the United Kingdom and Chef Potter has done much work in his community!"
Harry's friends and family exploded, cheering and clapping as they took their place in their kitchen. They were dressed in new uniforms of blue and grey, made by the Needy Thread of course, and wore black aprons on top, all embroidered with their names and little signs with Harry's having a little snowy owl beside his name. Harry and Mirra had bandannas on while Guy wore a more traditional hat.
"And to make this rematch especially special, we are honored to have the original judges," Francis smiled. "Please welcome: Chef Akari Morimoto, Chef Anthony Banks, Chef Louis Ripert, Madame Melanie Auclair, and Monsieur Robert Shaw!" More applause welcomed the judges who sat at the table, all smiles save for Melanie who looked formally pleasant.
"Despite having judged the original finale, and having written many a review and eaten at both establishments regularly, and not to mention having Chef Potter working for a few of the judges, be assured that our judgement will be impartial and will be based solely on today's efforts," Melanie said with utter surety.
"The parameters for today's contest are as follows," Francis said. "A five-course formal meal as the foundation, with our now revealed secret ingredient that has to be featured in at least one of the courses." He waved his wand and the covering over the table disappeared, revealing an array of prepared chickens.
"Chicken! A well-known ingredient of course," Francis said. "All well sourced and of high quality. We wanted to challenge our contestants and see them use their skills to the best of their ability." He smiled at them. "And now for the secret twist…" He laughed at Celine's scowl and Harry's raised eyebrow. "Have fun! We promised no more extra twists." A ripple of laughter accompanied by a groan filled the arena.
"Chefs, you have one hour. Any questions?"
"None," Celine said.
"Nope!" Harry smiled.
"Then cooking starts now!" Francis said and a loud gong rang, heralding the beginning of the contest.
Harry approached Celine first and held his hand out. "Bonne chance, Chef!" he smiled.
She smiled back and shook it immediately and firmly, without hesitation. "Good luck to you, Chef." The pair then ran to the table with the chickens and after some inspection, each selected several of them in different shapes and forms and rejoined their respective teams in their kitchens.
"Seems easy," Mirra said, looking at them. "Good looking too."
"Orders, Chef?" Guy asked.
"Course two will use it, same with the main," Harry said confidently. "Let's take our usual soup but make it a consommé instead and prepare the ingredients separate and add it together. I think we can use it as our first as well and our main special as the main. How does that sound?"
"Sounds good! Our best dishes but elevated," Mirra said.
"I will get started on the consommé," Guy said.
"Save the skin for the third course," Harry said as he worked on breaking the chicken down and Mirra started laying out the ingredients for each dish, putting them on sheet pans to keep them together. "It'll be a good garnish and ingredient."
"Look at them go!" Perenelle said proudly, watching the Brigade cook together.
"They're faster than normal," Primrose admired.
Mirra beat together flour, eggs, and a few other ingredients swiftly before pouring the mixture into a pan and setting it into the oven, then moving on. Guy soon had a stock bubbling using the broken-down parts and bones from the chicken as well as the scraps from the vegetables that Mirra was producing from chopping and cutting and slicing. He then mixed egg whites and seasonings with chicken he ground by hand and soon the tall pot bubbled away, clarifying the stock within.
Mirra had the vegetables prepared and seasoned and slid them into the oven to roast. She then had potatoes bubbling away on the stovetop and started to warm milk, vanilla, and butter on the stove too while beating eggs and sugar together. She then combined it all and cooled it with a charm before putting it into an icebox to chill.
Harry finished breaking-down all the chicken and set out the portions as he wanted them before moving on. He had used his magic to prepare a pie crust while working on the chicken and it was soon ready. He slowly began to render out chicken skin he had carefully trimmed and cut into long thin pieces, pouring off the rendered oil and fat at intervals and cooking the chicken skin until it was crispy and golden brown.
"The consommé will be ready in fifteen minutes," Guy said, moving over to help cook off the chicken in the pans. "What is the garnish?"
"I have the carrots done here," Mirra said, pointing at a plate. "I'm frying off shallots here and blanching short egg noodles."
"Perfect," Harry said. "Skin is about ready here and you can take these oils to enhance the gravy and sauces."
"I can smell the oven," Guy said. "The vegetables are close."
"Got it, thanks!" Mirra said, running to the oven.
They worked on, moving about each other with practiced ease. Celine and her team worked with equal intensity and skill, neither side sparing a moment to look at the other. They were solely focused on their work and their food.
"That looks so good," Dora sighed as she watched Harry and the team plate their dishes.
"Familiar and not," Nicholas nodded. "Lovely!"
The arena exploded into cheers and applause when the time reached the end, the gong ringing out once more. Both sides had plated their dishes and were done before the final gong and Celine looked deeply satisfied at her plates, speaking softly with her team. Harry had enthusiastically shared a double-high-five with Mirra and had shaken Guy's hand with equal enthusiasm. Guy had rolled his eyes but returned Mirra's attempt at high-fiving him as well, much to the amusement of their supporters.
"It's so good to see you all," Harry said with a big smile at the judges.
"Same here!" Robert said while the others shared his joy.
"Ladies first," Harry smiled.
Celine curtsied lightly to shared amusement. "Thank you," she said warmly. "For my first course, I present my chicken vol-au-vent. Roasted chicken with pea and carrot in a cream sauce, served in a puff pastry cup, on a bed of wild greens and herb."
"Delicious," Louis praised, eating it one bite. "The greens provide a nice bitter note to accompany the rich gravy and pastry."
"Chicken is perfect," Anthony nodded. "That's a nice mouthful."
"Ah, something similar," Akari smiled, seeing Harry's plate.
"Close! I made a mini-pie with chicken, carrot, and parsnip. It's on a bed of mashed potato and some chicken gravy on top. I garnished it with spring onion," Harry said.
"Also wonderful," Louis said. "The flavors are distinctly different, but the presentation and the idea are so similar. The gravy is thinner but no less flavorful, the mashed potato adds the creamy texture, your pastry is stiffer and chewier."
"A lovely testament to show how things can be similar, yet different, and equally enjoyable," Akari said.
"Another similar presentation," Melanie observed as the two second courses, the soup course, were brought out.
"I was surprised when Chef Potter produced a consommé before," Celine said. "Now, I am not at all but I believe ours will be different enough. I made a consommé a la royale with chicken and Guinea hen, and the garnish is the traditional custard made with eggs as well as the meat from both birds."
"You have managed to balance both the flavors of the chicken and the hen together," Melanie said. "Similar, yet different yet again. The custard is well made, smooth, and pleasantly dense. Well done."
"We have a chicken soup at my restaurant," Harry said. "It's been a part of the establishment for many years now. We took that and elevated it to fit the course. Chicken consommé with egg noodles, carrot, and fried shallot on top with our herb blend."
"Oh wow it really does taste like it," Robert said admiringly. "It's a little cleaner in taste, and the appearance is different, but if I close my eyes, it tastes just like it. Nice and warm and comforting."
"They're neck and neck again," Rita said, making her notes. "Just like the first time."
"I think Harry is doing a better job of keeping this time," Andromeda said. "He is matching her on a closer level that does not feel forced."
"He is doing an excellent job of keeping with the haute cuisine requirements, but making his own dishes in his own style," Fleur said warmly. "We eat at both places often enough, more so the Hearth of course, and his dishes would be served at any French restaurant."
"I have made a warm salad of roasted vegetables, topped with a quick sausage I made with chicken and apples," Celine said, serving her next course. "Summer vegetables of course and slices of brie. Brie accompanies apples very well and the chicken sausage added body and flavor."
"I don't think I've ever had a sausage I never liked and this is a good one," Anthony praised. "Really well seasoned, not overworked. And it's moist, not dry. Pork fat?"
"Yes Chef," Celine said proudly. "With a bit of pork meat worked in as well, but the chicken is the star."
"A bit heavier than your usual plating," Melanie observed.
"I thought it would be a comforting course," Celine said with the slightest smile.
"Oooh she's trying to steal from Chef!" Clover said indignantly.
"Bitch!" Aster gasped.
Gabriel chuckled richly. "We do that from time to time. See inspiration in others and see how we can do it differently or better."
"It's a form of respect, in a way," Rocko nodded. "Depending."
Harry grinned. "My salad is a little different. I used summer greens and romaine lettuce with a pickle of carrot, mushroom, and ironnut. I also then cooked chicken skin until it was nice and crispy and garnished the salad with that and grilled chicken tenderloin. We then made a vinaigrette with the rendered chicken fat and mixed it with soy, sesame oil, and other warm spices and rice wine vinegar as the base."
"This is wonderful, I love fried chicken skin," Akari said, eating happily. "And the vinaigrette has a nice deep chicken flavor and is still tart because of the vinegar."
"Very elegant," Melanie said with a slight smile. The other judges and Francis chuckled when Celine tipped her head at Harry who grinned back.
Exclamations of delight were heard when Celine's main course was revealed. Whole roasted quail sat on every plate, the skin golden and crackling. A fresh green salad sat beside the quail and a light brown sauce ringed around the plate. "Field caught wild quail," she announced proudly. "Slowly roasted and stuffed with a dressing of raisin and bread and vegetable. A side salad to accompany. The sauce is the drippings from the quail and fortified with chicken stock and reduced."
"Exquisite," Louis said, taking a mouthful of the rich meat. "Mmm, wonderful. Cooked through, the dressing is nice. The sauce is very well seasoned."
"The taste of the meat is wild, gamey as some would say, but not unpleasant," Melanie nodded. "It underscores the difference of the meat compared to others. Very well done." She gave Harry a sharp look when his plates were put in front of the judges. "Chef Potter, there better be food to start this time."
Harry laughed, a merry sound that filled the arena and was taken up by the watchers. "There is, I promise." He smiled proudly when the cloches were lifted and he was true to his word. "This is one of our favorite things and also something I made my first time here, but different. This is our new version of a roast dinner plate.
"You have half of a Cornish hen, roasted in the oven and seasoned with thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper. We then took the drippings and made our famous Gravy a la Hedwig, introducing a bit of bacon fat into the chicken fat in the base, and then after cooking it to the consistency we want, a bit of bacon to finish. You also have roasted carrot, parsnip, potatoes, and sprouts alongside and instead of a Yorkshire pudding this time, rounds of puff pastry."
"This is a good roast chicken," Anthony said, eating hungrily. "Perfectly cooked."
"Hold on," Akari said, eating the vegetables. "There's something else here, something that shares elements of the other parts of the dish, creating a harmony."
"Chicken fat." Melanie looked at Harry. "You included it into the vegetables and even the pastry?"
Harry beamed and nodded. "We did! We took the reduced fat that I made from the skins earlier and thinned it slightly and seasoned it with the base seasonings. We then tossed the vegetables in it to roast and brushed it on top of both the Cornish hens and the puff pastry. It's the same fat used in the gravy too. That way, you should have a solid core flavor running through the whole dish, keeping them balanced."
"Now that's clever," Robert said with admiration. "He didn't learn that from you."
"He didn't learn it from you either," Anthony retorted.
"My dessert is a tarte aux Fraises," Celine announced. "Our famous pastry crust, filled with a vanilla bean custard and topped with fresh strawberry. Finished with a hint of crème mixed with basil."
"Oh that's nice," Akari said, eating the dessert with gusto. The pastry was cooked through and crisp, the custard barely set and silky and the strawberries were sweet. The crème was just the slightest bit of tart flavor and the basil added a fresh taste.
"This is quite a lovely presentation," Louis admired as small crystal bowls were brought out.
"I love trifle," Harry smiled. "We made a vanilla sponge and a creamy custard here and layered that with whipped cream and a strawberry jam we made too."
"Surprisingly, you two have made similar menus and we appreciate you highlighting chicken and egg in every course," Louis smiled.
"Great minds think alike," Celine said, nodding at Harry. "Yet style and skill sets them apart."
"She's making it hard to hate her," Parvati grumbled.
"She's a lot nicer this time around," Padma agreed.
"I guess she mellowed out with age," Hermione remarked.
"Why are you looking at me?" Ariana frowned, scowling at her brothers.
"No reason," Aberforth and Dumbledore said together, grinning at one another.
"It has been five years since you both were last here," Melanie said. "It is clear to see that your skills have only gotten better since."
"You maintain your standards for high technical skill," Akari said and Celine smiled broadly. "And your appreciation for wilder ingredients. There is a softness to it though, now."
"I have…relaxed, somewhat in my years of work," Celine said wryly, shooting a look over her shoulder and Michel and Ashley returned carefully blank expressions and placid smiles. "I have learned what is important and what is less so. Good flavor, good skills, and deliberation are still very important to me, and I believed I delivered on that."
"Whereas for you, Chef Potter, you have gained confidence," Louis said warmly. "Your skills also have noticeably improved and you also remain true to your ideals of comfort, quality, and good taste. A wonder that you developed that in the ensuing years."
"Go fuck yourself Louis," Gabriel growled while Perenelle and Nicholas snorted and snickered.
"Thank you, Chef," Harry smiled. "I was given a lot of opportunities to learn and improve and I'm glad for all of them. I always want to make good food that makes people smile. I just learned lots of different ways to do it."
"Another difficult deliberation," Melanie said. "Better that than not, however," she added.
"I am stealing that from you," Celine said softly as she and Harry stood side by side, waiting for the judges. "Using the elements of the base fat to season all the parts of the plate."
"Go for it," he smiled. "I learned that from Chef Gabriel. Except I did it for everything. He usually did it only for the main part and the side. I'm glad it worked carrying it through multiple dishes."
"It is hard to not account for the past, sometimes," Akari said as the judges agreed on their decision. The audience watched on with baited breath and Harry and Celine stood at attention in a way. "Afterall, chefs base all of their cooking on their own past, what they have tasted and made."
"We are in an enviable and unenviable position to judge you two again," Louis said. "It is a genuine pleasure to see you both here once more and to taste your cooking in such a place and situation."
"All of that said, we did come to an agreement about today," Anthony said. "About what you made today and only that."
"Really hard, but it was done," Robert nodded.
"For using the special ingredient throughout, for presenting us the best contained full course meal this day, we have decided that Chef Harry Potter is the victor in today's contest," Melanie said with satisfaction. "Well done the both of you, but Chef Potter has earned his victory this day!"
"YES!" Lavender shouted, joined by Harry's closest. Hedwig flapped her wings and screeched happily, dancing up and down and the rest of the arena exploded with applause and cheers.
Celine nodded, accepting the judgement, and smiled at Harry. "Well done," she smiled and shook his hand again warmly before taking a step back, joining in the thunderous applause.
Harry's smile was from ear to ear and he waved happily to everyone around him, the sound of their affirmations beating in time with his heart: fast and completely full of joy. He shook hands with the judges and with Francis before running back to the kitchen where Mirra was jumping up and down and Guy wore a proud smile on his lips.
"We did it!" Harry shouted, hugging and jumping with Mirra and even Guy could not resist an unrestrained high-five. By then, his friends and family came onto the floor of the Arena and he and the other two were mobbed by them, showered with praise and affection.
"Congratulations!" Lavender screamed, hugging him and kissing him wildly. "You did it!"
"Well done, cheri!" Perenelle shrieked, hugging him mightily.
He was passed around from friend to loved one and he felt his face aching with his smile. Celine approached with Michel and Ashley and Harry shook her hand warmly again. "That was incredible," he said. "I'm glad you suggested it!"
"I am glad you accepted it," she said with a sincere smile. "It is good to know where I stand and I taste no shame in my defeat today." Her eyes twinkled. "In fact, I am glad you have won. It means I have a worthy rival and one that I will hold myself against for years to come."
"Guess neither of us can get complacent then," Harry grinned.
"No, we cannot," she agreed.
-0-
In the coming days when the news of Harry's victory went around the world, the picture that accompanied the headline was not one of Harry in victory. It was not one of the ones where he was with his family and friends, nor was it one with him and Guy and Mirra celebrating together. Not even the one with Hedwig sitting on his head barking a victory song. Or the one of her chasing someone and kicking the doors open.
Instead, the picture that Harry requested to be the first one seen was of him and Celine standing side-by-side as honest competitors and as equals. It showed a young man standing beside a young woman, each with easy smiles, and presenting themselves as champions.
Stars.
-0-0-0-
Hands Off MY Wolfie - They have a lot of experience in the realms of their expertise, so it was something easy for them to collaborate on. I do that a lot too sadly. Change something and then wonder why the taste doesn't quite match haha. Thanks for reading.
odonnellzoo99 - It actually took me a bit to think of the title, but when it hit me, it felt perfect. Right? She has no idea and actually, hold onto that thought for a future chapter. Aster is a good sister, in the sense that she acts like many sisters do.
TheSphynx - It's got a nice ring to it.
alix33 - It was the perfect title.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - It took me some time to think of an appropriate title. Wanted it to feel just like Harry and the Hearth and it came out perfect.
dawnsfire - I have a few of those cookbooks: the unofficial HP one, DnD, a few manga ones, Redwall, a cocktail one based off books, a Pusheen baking one, and a few by Morimoto, Kenji, and Claire Saffitz. I do like cookbooks.