Pansy took her bowl eagerly, stomach growling at the herb-filled savory scent. As she was about to start, she noticed that the other three girls were waiting for Harry. Lavender looked pointedly at Harry who sat beside her sheepishly before they picked up their spoons. Only then did Pansy follow suit.
The soup was delicious. The soup was clear but flecked with herbs, tiny drops of chicken rich oil dolloped the surface of the soup, little bubbles that shimmered. The carrots and celery and onion still had texture but were easily broken apart.
The chicken was soft and plump. The noodles gave the tiniest resistance before being chewed into pieces. The first sip seemed to warm her slowly, filling her with comfort as it trickled down her throat and into her stomach. The warmth radiated outwards from her core, filling every nook and cranny of her being.
"Wow," she whispered, looking down at the bowl of soup.
"Mmm, this is delicious!" Lavender praised. "Perfect for the cold!"
Padma sighed happily. "It's nice and light but still filling."
"I could certainly believe that this soup would help anyone feel better," Flitwick said warmly. "You can taste the craftsmanship and the care." He chewed on some of the vegetables thoughtfully. "Are all the vegetables ones we used the new charm on?"
"No Sir. A mix of them," Harry said.
"I don't think I can taste the difference," Parvati said. "It's all so good."
Inky appeared with a pop. "Mmm, smells good!" she said happily. She brought bread and butter for them and was eager to fill her own bowl, hopping up on a stool to join them.
"Inky is like the club Elf," Harry said when he noticed Pansy staring at her eating. "She brings us things and helps cook when she has time."
"I… I don't think I've ever seen a House Elf eat," Pansy said softly, eyes wondering. "And we have House Elves at home…"
"Most House Elves do not eat with others," Inky said. She slurped her bowl of soup happily. "But Mister Harry is nice and Inky likes to eat with him and the others."
After a while, they finished their meal, with everyone having seconds. Pansy accepted a container filled to the brim with more soup. "All this for Millie?"
Harry nodded. "Hope she feels better."
"Thank you." She hugged the container close. "I'm sure she will like it and feel better." She then watched with amazement as the students competed with each other in using the Scouring Charm. The others laughed as they teased each other, seeing who could use the charm to greater effect.
"I almost got it," Padma huffed.
"Are you mad that Parvati is better at it than you?" Lavender teased.
"Not really," Padma smiled. "She's more used to cleaning."
"I make bigger messes apparently," Parvati said shamelessly.
"Really?" Lavender gasped. "I'm shocked!"
"No, you're not," Padma laughed.
"No, I'm not," Lavender giggled. "HEY!" Lavender shrieked when Parvati aimed at her. "My hair!"
"I was only trying to help!" Parvati squealed as she ran from Lavender. She cackled as Lavender left a trail of bubbles behind as she chased after her.
After Flitwick left and Inky popped away, the students gathered outside of the clubroom to leave for their respective common rooms and dorms. Pansy stood there for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Thank you," she said at last, "all of you. For letting me be here."
"It was nice having you," Lavender said sincerely. "Will you come again?"
"Yes please," Pansy said very softly. She took a deep breath. "I'm going to get Millie to eat this tonight," she said, cradling the container. "See you later." She turned and walked away; head bowed with thought.
"You know, I never would've believed it," Padma said after they heard Pansy's footsteps fade to silence. "But she was actually polite tonight. A bit snippy but definitely way different."
"I'm glad she was nice," Lavender said. "It was weird but not in a bad way."
"I still think something else is going on," Parvati insisted. "People don't change like that so quick and easy usually."
"Maybe," Harry admitted. "But let's hope it's nothing bad."
Parvati smiled, a mischievous expression. "Maybe it's your fault."
"How so?" Harry looked faintly worried.
"It's your cooking, taming the most rude of people," Parvati giggled.
"Hmm now wouldn't that be a fun experiment," Padma smiled. "Perhaps we can feed your cooking to other rude people and see if it turns them around."
"That'd be a waste of good food," Lavender sniffed, making them all laugh appreciatively.
"I don't think it works that way sadly," Harry said, sobering a little. "I'd know otherwise," he added softly.
The girls looked at him. He shook his head, as if to shake maudlin thoughts away. "I rather cook for my friends who appreciate it," he said with a shy smile.
"And we'd rather eat it ourselves and with you," Lavender smiled brightly. "And appreciate you."
.....
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