A Taste of Magic

Chapter 17: 17th Course - Coming Back

"I've missed going to breakfast and doing things with you two," Lavender said happily, threading her arms into Harry's and Parvati's. "I kept expecting to wake up Pav and see Harry waiting for us the first week of summer." The trio were headed to breakfast together, something Harry and evidently the other two, had missed.

"Same, it didn't feel right," Parvati said. "First morning I woke up and saw Padma in my room and I was so disappointed, even more so than usual." She joined their laughter. "Don't feel bad for her, the feeling was mutual."

"Sleeping in was nice though," Lavender said. "Though I couldn't do that too much. My little sisters made it their goal to wake me up early every day if they could."

"My Mum let me for the first few days but put a stop to that," Parvati sighed. "What about you, Harry?"

"I woke up earlier than when I'm here," Harry said nonchalantly. "I always have at the Dursleys. I cook all the meals so I have to get up early to make breakfast before Uncle Vernon leaves for work."

"You cook all of them?" Lavender asked, frowning. "They don't help or take turns?"

"Not really, never have. Uncle Vernon pretends to fish or hunt and tells others he brings me what he and Dudley catch but they always get it from a specialty butcher." Harry snorted. "The only thing Dudley can catch is food falling into his mouth really."

Their frowns abated a little, giggling at Harry's comment. "Must be nice that you can sleep in a little while here at school then," Parvati teased.

"Only a little. Ron and Seamus snore," Harry said with a small smile.

"So does Lav," Parvati smiled and squealed when Lavender pinched her.

They reached the Great Hall and sat at the Gryffindor table, chatting easily. It was like right before they left for the summer break and Harry was grateful for it. It was nice to eat with people again, to see smiling faces and be a part of the table, instead of watching others smile while they ate. He had noticed during the beginning of the summer how accustomed he got to having that during school.

All summer he ate in his room or while he was cooking. He was happy to eat with Hedwig in his room, her happy expression and the noises she made were good company, far better than the years he had before he had Hedwig in his life. He had not realized just how much he got used to eating with Lavender and Parvati during school and for the first few meals of summer, their absence made it very hard to swallow.

"What's that look for?" Lavender asked gently.

He shook his head, trying to allay her concern. "Nothing, just happy to be eating with you two again." He tried to smile, to put her at ease. "Food tastes better, you know?"

She smiled back but there was still a hint of worry in her eyes. "I do," she said instead.

"Oh! I meant to tell you this earlier," Parvati said eagerly. "Grandmum let me and Padma write out some more recipes for you to make!"

"Brilliant!" Harry exclaimed, excitement driving away the doldrums.

"Yeah when we described how you made it those times she approved. Said it was okay to share it with the angrej ladaka." Parvati blushed. "Forget I said the last part."