A Potter Carol

Harry wrote down all the recipes he'd come up with over the last several years, and had a couple of baking lessons with Molly Weasley before he was due to meet Sirius. Molly, meanwhile, was very pleased that Harry had a plan, and spoke very highly of Duke Black, telling Harry more than once how unfortunate it was to be cut off from one's family. Molly even encouraged Harry to adapt some of her own recipes to impress Duke Black, and Harry was enthusiastic about the support from his adoptive mother. Arthur, too, was quite excited about the prospect of Harry finally gaining employment, and praised the pudding Harry made them that evening—a trifle filled with strawberry jam, cream, and sponge cake.

Harry spent the final day before he was due to meet Sirius revising and reading, and made sure to go to bed very early the evening before. His snowy owl, Hedwig, had carried letters back and forth from Harry and Sirius, the latter of whom praised the animal for her intelligence, beauty, charismatic spirit, and devotion to Harry. Hedwig informed Harry, in her own way, how much she enjoyed Sirius's company, and Harry was so relieved to hear that, hoping that he would spend much of his time in Sirius's company as time went by.

On the day of Harry's baking audition, for, really, he had no idea what else to call it, he was up at two-thirty to ensure that he was clean and presentable. Once he had finished bathing, he gathered up the supplies Molly had surprised him with as an early Christmas gift, and took the Floo to the chocolatier, saying goodbye to a sleeping Hedwig, who tucked her head back under her wing as Harry left. Stepping through the Floo, Harry felt strong arms around his biceps as he stumbled and, looking up, was locked in eye contact with Sirius himself, causing Harry to flush deeply and Sirius's expression to change minutely, before he gently released him and stood him up in the back room of the chocolatier.

"Scourgify," Sirius said, waving his wand around Harry's form, and got a good look at what Harry was holding. "Ah. You made some purchases?" he guessed.

Harry nodded. "Yes. My adopted mother and I have been using these since I was a child. I think it is always beneficial to have some things you are comfortable with, once you are in an environment unfamiliar to you."

Sirius gave a small smile to Harry at his words. "Precisely," he replied, and waved for Harry to follow him, and the pair of them ventured into the kitchen beyond. "You will have three hours to prepare me whatever you wish. At least one thing," he explained, and Harry nodded his head in a respectful manner, "but if you can manage more than one, that is all right, as well."

Harry gave the man a bright smile. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

"I will be in my study going over the books," Sirius explained, pointing to a door just outside the entrance to the kitchen. "Let me know if you have need of anything."

"I will, sir," Harry assured him.

Sirius spent the next few moments pointing out where various ingredients and other baking essentials were kept, as well as bowls, spoons, and other items. He then gave a nod to Harry before he slipped from the kitchen, closing the door to his study behind him. He did, however, take the opportunity to remind Harry that if he needed anything, anything at all, he would be on hand to assist him.

Harry, nodding his head decisively, decided that it was best to get to work. He began preparing the space to make his dark chocolate torte, by mixing the batter for it together and cooking the cherries in a port wine reduction over the cauldron above the fire in the massive fireplace the kitchen had on offer. Harry hummed to himself as he worked, and the kitchen soon smelled quite heavenly. He put a Keep-Warm Charm upon the cherries and port wine before he began to make the chocolate ganache, and, quite soon, the chocolate torte with cherries, port wine, and chocolate ganache had officially come together. This he placed beneath a Stasis Charm, for he still had plenty of time, and wanted to make one or two more dishes.