A Taste of Magic

Chapter 113: 113th Course - Looking Forward

"I really should get used to being surprised like this," Andromeda said, walking into the kitchen. "And yet, I still get surprised. How nice. You know, I was terribly worried that I would be bored when Dora grew up and left home. Aside from being worried about her occupation of course. But I am more than happy to say that my fears were unfounded with you and Sirius in my life."

"Happy to help," Harry smiled and returned her enthusiastic hug.

"So, what is going on?" she asked, sitting at the counter and looking over at the strange scene. Nicolas was leaning over slightly and standing eye-to-eye with one of the snowy owl Patroni. She was staring back at him with direct eye contact and their faces were very close to each other. The other two Patroni were sitting to one side and looking back and forth between like watchers at a tennis match and Hedwig was sitting on a roost, looking deeply amused.

"Grandfather asked me to cast the charm so he could inspect them. He was really impressed with the way they combined with the Flame Whip," Harry said, also looking amused. "I was a little worried. I hadn't cast it since the duel and one was blasted out of the air. Thankfully they're all fine. I asked if he wanted me to direct them or something and he said no, that he wanted to watch them in their natural environment."

He shook his head and went back to cutting vegetables. "They flew about a little before they noticed him staring at them. So they decided to stare back and it became a staring contest. He's challenged each of them so far and that's the last one. He lost the other two contests."

"At least he does not look put out about it," Andromeda smiled. "How was Thalga? Thank you so much for the plates and bowls and light by the way. You are right, they will be wonderful surfaces to prepare my enchanting things on."

"You're welcome! It was really cool. I thought it would be too dark but between the SunDrop and my darkglass glasses, it was fine. The darker places needed my darklight but that was fine. I forgot to change my glasses though when I got back to the surface and the sensitive darkglass glasses magnified the light by so much," Harry laughed. "Gave me a headache. They're like reverse sunglasses."

"Sounds wonderful," Andromeda smiled after Harry shared more details about the trip.

"I was a little worried it might be claustrophobic down there," Harry said softly, "but it really wasn't, thank goodness. And Chef's family is super nice. I don't think Cuttlyr likes me all that much though."

"From what you have said, I think he might see you as a potential rival, since you are both cooks and chefs," Andromeda said soothingly. "And Chef Diglin might be using you as a goad of sorts, to try and get his son to improve."

"He practically hinted at that," Harry nodded. "I don't understand though. Why wouldn't Cuttlyr want to learn from his father?"

"Sometimes one chafes under the attention of an older family member," Andromeda said. "They want to break free from past observation."

"Oh, I guess that makes sense." Harry shrugged a little. "I would love to learn from my parents though, and I love learning from you all."

"That is because you are very smart and have a big heart," she praised, hugging him.

Perenelle came in and greeted Andromeda warmly and kissed and hugged Harry. She looked over at her husband and the Patroni and snorted. "How long has that been going on?"