The place was quickly filling up. Some passersby, seeing the number of people entering, stopped to take a look, and several decided to stay. Space was not an issue; if necessary, we could add more tables in the area between the main tables in the front and the counters in the back.
The atmosphere of the restaurant was charged with energy as a diverse group of diners mingled, from Aurors to curious Muggles. The attention was led by Tonks, whose natural clumsiness provided small moments of comedic tension, though she never actually fell, demonstrating her skill acquired over the years.
The diversity in the establishment was impressive. Families, couples, Ministry employees, and a group of people who preferred to keep to themselves shared the same space, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and curious interaction. The murmurs fluctuated between silences and bursts of conversation, especially when serving drinks, which had already raised expectations about the quality of the food.
Tonks attended to the diners diligently, but I was the one who personally delivered most of the dishes. However, I left it to her to serve certain diners, like my parents, Andra, and Andromeda. The presentation of the food was visually appealing, although my own dishes lacked uniformity, a detail that contrasted with the more aesthetically crafted plates from the restaurant.
Among the more meticulous diners was Moody, who, with his usual paranoia, discreetly cast spells to check if his food was poisoned, just as he had done with his drink, while Amelia, less suspicious, began to enjoy her salad without hesitation. The other Aurors, Ministry employees, and customers also started their meals, many eager to discover if the effects mentioned on the menu were real.
Each dish had its own charm and magical effects, generating varied responses among those present. Some effects were easily detectable, others required specific checks, and some would only be noticed by those very perceptive.
Chaos began when a person, suffering from chronic back pain, who could only have a life full of potions and constant spells to relieve his pain, excitedly shouted that he could feel immediate relief thanks to the dish he had ordered, which had a [Pain Resistance 20%] effect. This event spread like wildfire, and quickly the other customers tried to find out if the effects of their dishes were real.
The excitement overflowed when some spells began to fly through the air, especially from people who ate things that enhanced fire magic. Fortunately, the Aurors present, although somewhat stimulated themselves, helped calm the situation. However, some were reprimanded by Moody, who maintained his strict vigilance, for having also been part of the disturbance amidst the excitement.
In a moment of tension, I revealed with my wand a sign on the wall warning those present: "Any fight or conflict in this place can be ended by force by the owner of the establishment; assess the risks of doing so, as he is a dangerous criminal." While this warning did not sit well with Moody or Amelia, other customers considered it a funny joke. The case of Tenebrius and his massacre in the past still lingered in some minds, although most had forgotten it. Only those who witnessed his rampage remembered it clearly.
People were fascinated, asking numerous questions about the food. I explained that our dishes, unless there was some problem with the chef, would continue to offer these special effects, and in the future, they could even improve. However, I noticed that some showed a mix of excitement and frustration due to an inconvenience: the duration of the effects. Although the enchantments were extraordinary and desired by many wizards, the effects of the food lasted a maximum of thirty minutes to an hour, and that was only for the more expensive dishes. These, in turn, were costly, and not everyone could afford them.
Moody found nothing suspicious about the food, which seemed to unsettle him even more, as everything appeared too good to be true. Both he and Amelia approached me to discuss the matter. I assured them there was no trick or deception involved, and I even offered to show them the preparation process. Along the way, they warned me that when word spread, it was very likely that the Ministry would try to interfere or get involved in the business. They might send inspectors to check what was being added to the food, and under the pretext of "protecting the public," they could create obstacles to later try to profit.
To dispel any doubts, I prepared a dish in front of them, with no special tricks involved. I cooked in the simplest way, without adding anything magical. Moody inspected each ingredient meticulously but found nothing out of the ordinary. I then explained that the power of the food came from a magic I personally possessed, something innate that could not be replicated or transferred. There was no spell or potion involved, and although the Ministry might want to, they could never reproduce what I do, as it is something unique.
Both of them were deep in thought for a while. Partly, they sighed with relief knowing that I was not spending fortunes on magical ingredients, but they also appeared concerned about what might happen in the future. They promised to do everything possible to protect me from political games and Ministry interference. However, they also mentioned that they would be interested in long-term agreements with my business. The effects my food offered, although brief and not overly powerful, could be very useful for the Aurors. If they replaced their daily diet with my dishes, they could improve their performance in various aspects. For office workers, for example, there were dishes that enhanced concentration or alleviated fatigue, and for Aurors, those that offered physical or magical recovery. Everything was useful.
Back in the restaurant, I noticed that the place had fallen completely silent. Everyone was looking toward the door, and when I turned my head, I was surprised too. There, standing, was Dumbledore, being greeted by a Tonks as astonished as the rest of the attendees. I quickly approached to greet him and find out what had brought him to our restaurant.
"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore. I didn't expect to see you here," I greeted him warmly, using the tone I always employed as Tenebrius, not the one I used when I was Red.
"Greetings, Tenebrius. It's interesting to see you again," he replied with his usual penetrating gaze, accompanied by a smile that seemed directed more at the general public. Only he and I knew that our conversations often had a deeper meaning than the words revealed. "I heard you've opened a business with Miss Tonks, and I wanted to stop by and take a look. I hope an old man's curiosity doesn't bother you."
"Not at all, Professor," Tonks interjected, somewhat nervously, not just because of Dumbledore's presence, but also due to everything I had told her previously.
"Please, have a seat; I'll serve you something," I suggested while guiding him to an empty table.
"That's not necessary; I just wanted to take a quick look. I don't have much time," he replied politely.
"I understand, but I have a flan with cream, dulce de leche, and caramelized almonds ready. I can bring it to you, and you can finish it in a couple of minutes." I used my thumb to gesture towards the kitchen behind me.
"Well, maybe I can stay for five minutes," he finally conceded, making his way to the table while greeting those who watched him in admiration. I headed to the kitchen to fetch his dessert.
Dumbledore's visit was somewhat unexpected. Our relationship wasn't so bad, but seeing him here surprised me. His presence would undoubtedly give the place an excellent reputation, at least initially, attracting more customers. However, it was also a challenge, as there was someone in the restaurant that Dumbledore shouldn't see, as he would recognize her instantly. While preparing the dessert, I sent a couple of discreet messages.
I handed the flan to the headmaster, who was curiously reviewing our menu, casting me an inquisitive glance.
"Thank you, Tenebrius. I see this place has a lot of potential. And it seems many here enjoy your food," he commented, observing some wizards who discreetly tested spells after consuming the enhancing dishes. "Perhaps you should consider cooking full-time... maybe that would keep you out of certain troubles," he added in a tone low enough for just the two of us to hear.
"I'll think about it," I replied with a casual smile. "I hope you enjoy your meal. I'll return to the kitchen, but if you need anything else, feel free to ask my colleague. Oh, and this dessert is on the house. I couldn't charge someone as important as you."
"If your food is as good as they say, I might just have to invite the professors here one day," he said with a smile as he picked up his spoon.
"I would appreciate that," I responded, discreetly watching as Eileen headed to the bathroom to avoid being seen by Dumbledore.
The business continued its course, with customers taking advantage of the 50% discount to indulge in some extra treats. Dumbledore finished his dessert quickly, and although he left almost immediately, he left some money on the table. I didn't relax until I felt his presence completely fade away. Then, I told Eileen she could come out of her hiding place.
Despite everything, neither Andra nor Eileen went unnoticed by the others. Their clothes, characteristic of dark wizards seeking to conceal their identities, sparked whispers behind their backs and drew Moody's watchful gaze. At some point, the old auror pulled me aside.
"You need to be careful about who you let in here, kid. This place can fill up with disgusting rats very quickly. If it becomes a hideout for dark wizards, your business won't last. I wouldn't want to see you lose all the effort you've put in," he warned gravely.
"Don't worry, Mr. Moody, my business won't be affected. Besides, I don't think there's any problem with our clientele. I wanted this place to be accessible to everyone, no exceptions," I replied calmly.
"This isn't a game, kid. You need to be aware of what's happening. Not every customer is a good customer," he insisted.
Andra, from her table, let out a sarcastic remark: "Says the one who keeps checking everything he's served as if it were prepared by someone with dragon pox?"
"At least I don't have to hide like a criminal," Moody shot back disdainfully.
"Alastor..." I tried to calm him, but he wouldn't let me continue.
"I'm not trying to hold back, kid. I know their kind; I can sense it. With minimal investigation, I could send her to Azkaban for a decade," he said with chilling confidence, fixing his gaze on Andra. Since he saw her, his intuition told him she wasn't an ordinary criminal; I felt the presence of death around her, though perhaps it was just his paranoia.
"Maybe the one who should be hiding is you," Andra replied mockingly. "Let's just say you're not the most handsome, basically."
Moody slammed his hand on the table, ready to walk towards Andra with his wand drawn. The present aurors followed him, prepared to support him. I couldn't let this get out of control, so I stepped in front of him with my arms outstretched.
"STOP!" I shouted loudly enough it seemed I had used a Sonorus spell. "Any dispute here is resolved outside this place, or I will have to intervene, as stated on the sign. I respect you, Moody, but this rule applies to you too. This is a space where anyone can rest, no matter who they are," I added seriously.
"Kid...!" Moody started to reply, intending to shove me aside with a spell, but Amelia placed her hand on his shoulder and whispered something in his ear. Moody looked around, noticing how all the customers were watching us. Amelia had made him realize that a fight on the first day would harm my business. That made him stop, and, with a fixed gaze on Andra, he pondered for a moment.
"If you're so bothered by me hiding my face, I hope you're ready to see how I look," Andra said, with a mocking tone, slowly pulling back her hood.
When her face was revealed, the place filled with stifled gasps. Andra possessed a demonic beauty that left everyone speechless. Men and women alike couldn't help but feel drawn to her. Even married people found it hard to resist the temptation to cheat with her.
"It seems the atmosphere is no longer appropriate," Andra commented with a smile as she stood up, taking her wife Eileen's hand and heading towards the exit.
Moody gestured for two aurors to follow them while signaling for the others to leave. He was visibly irritated by my intervention, so much so that he didn't even say goodbye. Amelia did so for him.
"I hope you enjoyed your visit," I said to Amelia, holding her hand affectionately.
"It was quite nice. I hope your business thrives," she replied somewhat awkwardly, letting go of my hand.
"I hope to see you again. Perhaps you could tell Susan and her 'special friend,' Red, to drop by here too," I added with a smile, causing Tonks, next to me, to look at me incredulously.
"I'll think about it," she said before leaving.
The atmosphere in the restaurant felt strange. Those present were still affected by Andra's glamour. The men struggled to conceal their strong erections, while the women shifted uncomfortably in their seats due to their damp underwear. Gradually, they began to pay and leave, seeking relief from the intense attraction they felt. It was odd to see my own parents in that situation. Hermione, who had just come out of the bathroom, having missed the whole show, didn't understand why her parents wanted to leave so quickly, even though they had planned to order dessert.
When it all ended, Tonks slumped into a chair, exhausted from work, pondering the need to hire more staff. I sighed and smiled, hoping my act with Andra had fulfilled its purpose.
---///---
4th Additional Chapter