A Taste of Magic

Chapter 101: 101st Course - Under Examination

"This is different," Daphne remarked.

The Uncommon Room had lived up to its name relatively early on, being the place where the friends liked to meet and relax outside of their House common rooms. As the O.W.L.s got closer, they used it as a place for studying as well. Quieting and deafening charms allowed those that wanted utter quiet to study close-by while others who did better with group study took full advantage of the space and proximity.

Even Hermione had to admit that the Uncommon Room had advantages that the library lacked. First, snacking was not only permissible in the Uncommon Room, but encouraged if not nearly mandatory. Second, the clothing requirements were more relaxed as well. Some, like Pansy and Daphne and Sue, were a little slow to embrace the casual/pajama attire the others embraced easily, but they eventually did to some degree. Third, and not least of all, it was nice to be able to take a short break and indulge in some conversation or something else before getting back into studying.

Not to mention, there were always moments of delightful absurdity to enjoy.

"What makes you say that?" Harry asked, looking up from the pot on the stove.

"Normally, your head is the one she is sitting on," Daphne said. She looked over at Hedwig plumped up on Parvati's head. "Is Parvati's brain boiling, thus making her head more comfortable for Hedwig to sit on?"

"My head is as hot as your arse is cold, princess," Parvati said loudly, making the others snort and snicker and Daphne growl. "Ow! Hey!" Parvati yelped, looking up at Hedwig who pecked her and was shaking her head slowly. "Come on, that was funny."

Harry grinned. "No, so apparently, I was doing really well on practice tests and after some deliberation, people thought that the reason why was Hedwig sitting on my head and blessing me. Owls are symbols of wisdom after all."

"Of course, that is the only reason you could be performing well," Daphne said with an arched look. "Not the fact that you study and work hard and are intelligent."

"Every little helps, I'm not discounting the fact that Hedwig's presence helps," Harry smiled. "So now, every so often, Hedwig will look at people's work and then sit on someone's head. She's sat on Parvati's head every other time now and I honestly don't know if it's because she actually needs the help or if Hedwig is messing with her a little. She's been doing fine on practice tests. Parvati, not Hedwig. Hedwig doesn't believe in tests."

Padma giggled. "Parvati is a hot head though, always has been."

"Hedwig does hate having a cold arse," Harry said with sincere seriousness. "So that could be the reason too."

"I highly approve that your owl is waging psychological warfare on her," Daphne sniffed. "That is a very strange sentence to say and to mean."

"She does have a healthy sense of humor," Harry chuckled.

"What are you making? It smells lovely," Daphne asked, looking into the pot.

"Goan fish curry, it's an Indian dish," Harry said. He stirred the deep red curry in the pot and the air smelled of all kinds of spices. "Fish is brain food so this should help. It's spicy and savory and just a hint of sourness from something called tamarind. It's a fruit from Asia."

"Sounds delightful," Daphne smiled. "And these look incredibly soft."

"Naan," Padma said eagerly. "The roti we've made is unleavened while these have yeast in them and sat for a bit. So they're going to be a lot softer than roti. We have rice on the go too but a nice bit of soft naan to dip in your curry is very nice." She flipped the naan in the cast iron skillet, watching it puff up. "A bit of butter and they're amazing as is."