ch 67 Anyone can cook?
December 23, 1991 10:34 am [Southampton Friends Burial Ground] Southampton, United Kingdom
-Third-person POV-
A young boy enters the cemetery and looking for a certain tomb. He was wearing a hooded camel wool Monty Duffel coat, a black-yellow scarf and denim pants.
When he removed his hood, the boy's shining red hair popped up against the solemn vibe of the cemetery has during winter times.
"There you are, Old man Oscar." Marshall walked in front of a tomb of one of his friend in the retirement homes back in Ottery.
Oscar died in the first week of December, and was buried next to his wife, who passed away a decade earlier.
On Witcherly's way to the Bones' Residence, he stopped by to pay his respect to his old friend.
Marshall placed the immortelle that he prepared before on the tomb and greeted the couple's grave.
Before leaving, he placed two wine glass and poured the couple some wine and left the bottle there.
Turning around, Marshall's body was covered in white flames, and he vanished on sight.
A few minutes later, a family of three came in front of Oscar's tombstone.
"Eh? Look Dad, someone visited granddad's tomb," said a little boy to his father.
The father look at the still liquid wine on the glass, and he surmised that it hadn't been long since the visitor left. He looked around and didn't see anyone in the cemetery.
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11: 34 am, Gringotts Banks, Diagon Alley
- Marshall's POV-
"Two gallons of Acromantula venom for 240 Galleons, ....250 lbs of Acromantula silk, 215 Galleons, ...ten gallons of troll's blood 550 Galleons..... a total of 1005 Galleons." Bogrod, the goblin, tally the items I sold to them.
"Just add it to my vault.." I said nonchalantly as I read the report of the investments I made half a year ago. There were some losses but it was to be expected as I invested in pretty much startup companies.
Bogrod nodded. He paused for a moment and want to say something but appears hesitant.
Seeing this, I sighed and said, "I won't sell the potions that cured the Longbottoms to the market. But... If your king asks for it for personal use, then just send me a letter."
The goblin was embarrassed and nodded again, but he still said, "Master Witcherly, some of those that asked about it were from the Pureblood families. They might trouble you in the future."
When I heard him, I looked at Bogrod and smile, "I'm expecting it. Why do you think I let the news spread?"
Bogrod sighed when he realized that I'm deliberately making myself a bait. The only question he has is, 'Why?'
"All seems to be in order…" I put down the report and change the topic, "... I want to ask something about a particular vault. Is it allowed?"
"Uhm… which vault, Young Master?" Bogrod seems troubled by my question.
I said, "The Lestrange Family vault… At present, who has legal claim to it?"
"Young Master, it's against the bank's policy to ---"
Waving my hands to cut the goblins train of though, "I know that already. I'm after the FOUL thing inside that vault, and I believe it's in the bank's best interest to have that thing taken out, right?"
Silence ~
Bogrod kept quiet that he's already calculating in his mind.
"Just mention it to Gringott and see what he thinks. I already know that Lucius Malfoy is already attempting to snatch the vault. I just want to know who has other claims to the Lestrange vault."
With a sigh, Bogrod made up his mind, "Due to all the Lestranges members being in Azkaban, the vault can be claim by those that are related to them by marriage..."
"The Malfoys are claiming the vault due to their marriage with Narcissa Black who is the sister of Bellatrix Lestrange. But if such an argument was followed, then the current Black Family Head has a stronger claim to the vault."
'As I expected…' I nodded and didn't ask any further and decided to leave. "Thank you, Bogrod. You can tell Gringott what we talked about today. I believe he can see the bigger picture.... Also, do you have a fireplace around here that is connected to the Floo Network?"
Bogrod bowed, "Sure thing, Young Master Witcherly. I'll tell Lord Gringott. As for the fireplace, please follow me."
In front of the fireplace, I grabbed a handful of Floo powder and positioned myself inside. Letting go of the powder, I yelled, "Bones Residence!!!"
Whoosh ~🔥🔥
Before the green flames engulfed me, I saw Bogrod's surprised face, hearing my destination.
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11:57 am Bones Residence
Whoosh ~🔥🔥💨
As I walked out of the fireplace, I heard Susan yelled out…
"Marshall!! Help! Quick!"
'What's wrong?!' Taking out my wand, I rushed to where Susan was…. The kitchen.
Susan saw me walking in and said, "Quick! Stop my Aunt! She's trying to personally cook lunch!"
I almost stumbled, hearing her. Looking around, I found Amelia wearing an apron over her dress, while Susan and a house elf watched at the side with a worried look.
Amelia looked over and put her hands, cover with mittens, on her waist. The serious boss lady vibe she had when I first met her in the train station is nowhere to be found.
"Stop it, Susan. I can cook," said Amelia while she opened the stone oven and pulled a tray of…. Charcoal!?
She frowned, seeing the lump of coal, put it down and took a knife and scrape the black part. "It just needs a bit of polishing..."
Susan yelled, "Stop, Aunt Susan! That's already burnt! Two cauldrons of 'soups' had already exploded! Let Marshall cook!!!"
"Mistress please! Listen to young miss!" The female house elf, wearing a white toga, pleaded.
Amelia stood up straight and removed her mittens and apron, "Very well…" She sighed and looked at me and said, "Apologies, Mr. Witcherly, I know I invited you for lunch but as you can see… I'm… a little out of practice."
I gave a wry smile and said, "It's no problem at all, Ma'am. It happens to the best of us…. And please call me, Marshall."
Walking into their kitchen, I saw the roasted charcoal, some blacken cauldrons and leftover ingredients on the counter top.
'Ugh!' Wasting food is really a pet peeve of mine.
I looked at the house elf and asked, "Can I have your name please?"
"Tilly, Sir!" The elf replied.
"Well Tilly, kindly clean up the kitchen first as I check what you have in your pantry…" I then turned to Susan, waiting for her to show me the pantry.
Susan immediately said, "There's nothing good in the pantry except for some everyday ingredients. Aunt just brought the chicken and the fresh vegetables for today's lunch… She didn't even tell us you were coming and just started cooking."
I quickly looked at the charcoal and then at Amelia. She gave me a guilty look.
Reaching in my coat's pocket, I summoned my pouch. I then brought out my suitcase.
Seeing my suitcase, Susan was relieved.
As I place the suitcase on the floor and opened it, I asked, "What do you ladies want to eat?"
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Half an hour later…
"Thanks for the food!" Susan started eating and quickly sipped the warm Leek and Potato soup I prepared as an appetizer.
Amelia was amazed at the dishes I was able to prepare in a short amount of time.
Well… I did prepare some simple dishes that required short cooking time like the soup, Pan-Seared Scallop Salad, Pan-Seared Filet with a side of Mac and Cheese. For dessert, I just scooped some Wall's vanilla ice cream into margarita glasses and added a drizzle of Hershey Chocolate Syrup with cherry on top.
While cutting her filet, Amelia said, "I'm surprised how skilled you are, Marshall. Did the Flamels taught you how to cook?"
*Cough*
I almost choked hearing her question. It seems Amelia is disregarding the gag order. Well… She is the Head of the D.M.L.E.
"Flamel? Why does that name sound familiar?" asked Susan.
Amelia smiled, played innocent and asked her niece, "Oh? Did he not tell his friends that he personally knows the famous Nicholas Flamel? You know… the Immortal Alchemist?"
Susan's eye pops and stares at me, "As in the creator of the Philosopher's stone?!"
'Oh boy…' I waved my hands and said, "They are just a family friend. Please keep it a secret."
"Are they the source of your potion, Marshall? The one that cured the Longbottoms?" asked Amelia and we made eye contact.
🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵
Sounds of windchimes echoed in my mind. Unlike when Mr. Greengrass tried to use legilimency on me, I didn't break my eye contact this time.
When she can't read my mind, Amelia frowned and persisted until...
*CLANK!!*
"AHhg!!!.." Her body jolted as if she was punched in the face, and she screamed in pain. A second later, a visible blood can be seen running from her nose.
"Mistress!?" "Aunt?!" The other two quickly approached her and check.
Susan asked me, "What happened?"
"She just tried to use legilimency on me, but my defense hurt her." I explained as I continue to eat my meal.
"Why didn't you warn her?" Susan glared at me.
Holding my knife and fork, I spread my arm and said, "Well, others had tried to read my mind before but stopped when they can't get anything. It was your aunt who persisted to invade my mind and triggered my defense. I'm the victim here."
"Ugh... Calm down, you two. Go back to your seat," said Amelia as she tries to compose herself. "Well… Sorry about that, Marshall. It's--"
"An old habit…" I cut her off and rolled my eyes, "The others said the same excuse. Seriously, that's why I never learned Legilimency. It just becomes a habit. I don't know how you people can make friends if your first impulse when meeting someone is to invade their mind."
"Hah.." Amelia let out a chuckle as she wipes the blood from her nose. "But such a strong Occlumency at such a young age. You must have train for a long time?"
Pointing a finger on my face, "Ma'am, is this a face of someone who trained in Occlumency?"
It was then that, Amelia realized that I don't show the other trait of someone who learned Occlumency. My face is expressive as any 11-year-old kid.
She wants to ask further but seeing that I continued eating again, decided to stop her little interrogation.
~end chapter ~