A Taste of Magic

Chapter 86: 86th Course - Summer's End

Main Kitchen One was bustling, the Crew cleaning up after another solid lunch service. They were especially busy that day, the eating hall in the front was constantly packed from beginning to end. The Crew joked and laughed as they cleaned, putting most things away and breaking the space down.

"Why were we so busy?" Pinny asked, looking tired.

"It's the end of summer," Flynt said, mopping the floor. "Someone is about to take a year-long vacation."

Amythyst deliberately spilled some grease on the ground in front of him, making him frown. "'Year-long vacation', bah." She rolled her eyes at him. "He's going back to school. Wouldn't call that a vacation."

"I don't know, sitting around all day. Not dealing with customers and angry higher-ups. Seems relaxing to me," Hacker mused.

"Yeah until you factor in the tests and the essays and the book learning," Salta snorted. "And worrying about marks."

"Fair enough, that's why I became a cook apprentice as soon as I could," Hacker chuckled.

"We're talking about you, if you're wondering," Flynt said, running the mop over Harry's feet.

Harry grinned and stepped back. "Really? Never would've guessed."

"Your marks must suffer with that obliviousness," Hacker laughed.

"Top ten," Harry sniffed.

"Swot," Flynt and Hacker said together and the Crew laughed.

"I have to do something while on vacation if I can't cook and work," Harry sighed with faux sadness, making the others laugh harder. "Might as well try and do well in school."

"Fair enough," Salta agreed.

"Right, now that it's all clean, let's muck it up again," Flynt said when they finished. He and the others started putting out their favorite ingredients and things. "Come on Poittor, you're not done yet."

Eventually the back door opened and Diglin walked in, followed by Doran, Phrog, Gates, a few others, and Ragnok bringing up the rear. "Don't hold back on my account," Ragnok said when some of the Crew stiffened a little. "No need to stand on ceremony."

"What are they doing here?" Pinny whispered, looking at the officials with wide eyes.

"Helping us celebrate with Harry," Amythyst replied. "This is his going-away party. Not permanent of course. A few of us see him during the months when we go Hogwarts for trade things and he pops by over holiday breaks."

"He's that important? Does he belong to an important wizarding family?" Pinny asked.

"Well, yes and no. He's a Potter and they had good relations with the bank in the past. He's part of the Blacks and they're one of the oldest wizarding families. But they're here because they like Harry. He's a good kid and a great cook. They like him and his food."

Soon the tables in the back were covered by dishes and food and they sat around on the counters or on chairs they dragged back to eat and chat. The atmosphere was merry and bright as they enjoyed the food and the company.

"I'm still not legal," Harry remarked when they poured out cups of a fizzing ale.

"You're still kitchen staff. No age for kitchen staff," Flynt said, handing him a cup.