Anduin chuckled softly, the sound dry and devoid of true humor. "Professor McGonagall has been nothing but fair and even exceptionally kind to me. It's the trouble-making factions—both the perpetually reckless Gryffindors and the politically aggressive Slytherins—who provide her with the majority of her headaches."
"Hmph, those damned Slytherins..." Frank started, taking another cautious sip of the Firewhisky, his eyes flashing with old rivalry. He then caught himself, realizing he was speaking to a member of that very House, and quickly softened his tone. "...I mean, those few who incessantly boast about pure-blood superiority. Most Slytherins, I'll admit, are usually quite well-behaved, if a little overly ambitious."
Anduin offered a dismissive shrug, signaling his lack of investment in the old House rivalries. "I find your observation accurate, Frank. I've encountered a few pure-blood students who attempted to cause trouble for me—but they were dealt with efficiently. The confrontations were thankfully brief."
Frank grinned, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Ah, efficiency. You remind me of an old duelist. But you need to learn how to make it fun, Anduin! You should get Sirius and James to teach you their signature prank—the 'Reverse Bell' Charm. It hangs a person upside down by their ankle, swinging like a pendulum. It was hilariously effective at school."
The Reverse Bell, Anduin thought, analyzing the spell's mechanics instantly. A simple, short-range locomotor charm reversed on the vertical axis, easy to counter and offering little tactical advantage. He shook his head, his internal logic overriding any potential nostalgia.
"I appreciate the sentiment, Frank, but I find such displays of childish superiority counterproductive. Why bother with the theatrics? Wouldn't it be more logical to deal with an opponent cleanly, quickly, and effectively? Efficiency in magic minimizes risk."
"You certainly have a point," Frank conceded, though his expression suggested he still preferred flair. "But you're a hard man to entertain."
"He was eager to teach me that charm earlier, actually," Anduin remarked, then his expression grew serious as he shifted the topic. "Speaking of Sirius—is he in serious trouble? I've been unable to contact him. More pressingly, I cannot send letters to Lily and James; the owls simply refuse to fly to the address, or perhaps they can't even perceive the location."
Alice, who had been softly rocking Neville, exchanged a subtle, worried look with Frank. She was the one who answered, her voice soft but steady. "Dumbledore acted swiftly. He concluded that Lily and James are high-priority targets, and that was confirmed by your analysis of the ambush. He has placed them under the Fidelius Charm—hidden them so comprehensively that even their closest friends and the owls themselves cannot perceive the location without the Secret Keeper."
"As for Sirius," Frank continued, lowering his voice, "he is, naturally, a target because of his close association with the Potters. The Death Eaters who can't find James and Lily are likely trying to locate him, hoping he's the Secret Keeper or knows where they are. He is currently moving around, taking precautions, but don't worry. He's not fighting alone, and he's more than capable of handling himself."
Anduin nodded slowly, his suspicions confirmed. Dumbledore had utilized the highest form of protective magic, a necessary extreme in this escalating conflict. It brought a measure of cold comfort. My intervention bought them time for the Charm to be cast.
"Well, now that the serious matters are settled, the late hour dictates rest," Augusta announced, sweeping into the living room, having finished her work in the kitchen. "Frank, you take Anduin to the guest room down the hall. I've already aired the linens. Anduin, you are a thoughtful boy. I don't think we'll be able to get through that Tepo ham in a month—it's thick as a cow's leg!"
As she finished, she sniffed the air dramatically, her nostrils flaring. Then her eyes narrowed, focusing directly on Frank. "Frank! You've been drinking Firewhisky again, haven't you? You know you have to report for your Auror shift tomorrow!"
Frank jumped back, his earlier bravado instantly evaporating. He offered an awkward, apologetic smile and quickly pulled Anduin to his feet.
Alice smothered a laugh behind the blanket draped over Neville, only to receive a furious glare from Augusta, which she met with an innocent, wide-eyed stare.
Anduin settled into the disciplined rhythm of the Longbottom household. The guest room, while traditional and heavy with old furniture, was quiet and private. His schedule was rigorous:
Morning & Evening: Regular physical exercise and staff practice, maintaining his physical edge.
Daily: Dedicated study on his Sound Wave Runes, meticulously testing the echolocation theory for his Ultrasound Spell. He was beginning to codify the runic sequence that would allow the charm to interpret complex magical echoes for spatial mapping.
Constant: Occlumency practice, using the silence of the large house to push his mental defenses further. The Buffet Mind-Awakening Potion was a steady catalyst, ensuring his concentration never wavered, allowing him to work on Legilimency countermeasures—not just blocking probes, but actively deflecting them.
His integration into the household was seamless. Augusta, initially reserved, softened considerably toward the polite, self-disciplined young man. He was everything Frank, in his youthful recklessness, was not. Furthermore, Anduin proved to be an excellent cook.
The Longbottoms, both highly active Aurors, routinely left early and returned late, exhausted by Ministry work and continuous patrolling. Anduin saw an opportunity to contribute and relieve the burden on the old woman, who was often lonely.
For two weeks, Anduin took over the kitchen, rarely repeating a dish, turning meal preparation into a meditative, focused exercise in precise chemical and thermal control—a kind of Muggle Potions class. Augusta quickly became his enthusiastic, if somewhat amazed, assistant.
One morning, while Anduin was helping Augusta prepare a simple lunch, she brought up a more elaborate project.
"Anduin," Augusta began, her eyes sparkling with rare excitement, "Frank and Alice have managed to secure a full day off tomorrow. I'm taking the opportunity to invite some of our neighbors and closest friends for a small gathering. I finally want to serve that magnificent Tepo ham you brought me. What do you think, do you have any good ideas for preparing such a large, rich cut of meat?"
"That depends entirely on the scale of the gathering, Madam Longbottom," Anduin replied, looking up from slicing vegetables with almost disconcerting accuracy. "If it is a small, intimate group, we could aim for highly delicate and exquisite dishes, perhaps focusing on minimal presentation, like the traditional Muggle boiled cabbage in a clear broth, which elevates simple flavor. Or slice the ham very thinly and serve it with a fresh, acidic salad."
"Oh, it's going to be larger than that," Augusta corrected, counting on her fingers. "I'm inviting the Weasleys, you see. Arthur, Frank's colleague, and his wife Molly, a very capable woman. She's pregnant again, and they have quite a few children, which always requires planning. Then there are the Diggorys, also Ministry workers, and their son. And, of course, Xenophilius Lovegood, the editor of The Quibbler. He's a neighborhood eccentric, but as neighbors, it would be terribly rude not to invite him."
Anduin's mental calculator immediately began to work, adjusting for demographics and logistics.
"Let's take inventory," Anduin stated, pulling a clean piece of parchment and a charcoal stick from his sleeve—a habit born from his need for constant note-taking. "That accounts for: Six adults, assuming Xenophilius attends. And if the Weasleys bring their usual complement, that's seven children—five older children, plus the two infants, Neville and the unborn Weasley. And one pregnant woman. That changes the menu entirely."
He began to write, his hand moving with the precision of a master calligrapher. "Given the composition—pregnant woman, many children, and adults who need to relax—alcohol must be completely excluded from the cooking process. Children universally prefer fried textures and pronounced sweet and sour flavors, requiring comfort food."
He quickly dictated the first phase of the main menu, speaking as he wrote:
"We will prepare four main child-friendly dishes, ensuring high caloric density and engaging flavors:
Braised Red-Cooked Pork (Stewed Pork): Rich, slow-cooked in a dark, sweet sauce. Highly appetizing.
Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs: The classic sweet and sour profile is essential for the younger palates.
Crispy Fried Chicken Wings: Universal appeal and easy to eat outdoors.
Fried Calamari Rings (Squid Rings): A slightly more adventurous, but well-loved, finger food.
"Now, for the Tepo Ham, we must maximize its reach and utility across the different groups. We will prepare it in three distinct ways:
Ham-Fried Sentinel Rice (My own creation): I will dice the majority of the ham into small, uniform pieces and use them as the protein base for a large quantity of fried rice. We will mix this with shrimp, scallops, sweet peas, bamboo shoots, and perfectly scrambled eggs. This ensures the ham stretches to feed everyone, and I can manage the seasoning precisely. This will be my primary contribution.
Classic Charcuterie Platter: We will slice the very driest, preserved sections of the ham into paper-thin slices, serving them cold with a selection of artisanal cheeses and a sharp, vinaigrette-dressed salad. This is for the adult guests and will pair well with conversation.
Ham and Sweetcorn Chowder: The leaner portions of the ham will be finely diced and combined with sweetcorn kernels in a thick, hearty soup. This is warm, comforting, and perfect for the children and the pregnant Mrs. Weasley.
"Finally, supplemental dishes," Anduin continued, listing the remaining items: "I recall you have a stash of dried mushrooms, Madam. We can use those for a luxurious Chicken and Mushroom Stew—a savory, deep flavor. And the lamb chops I saw in your cold storage can be trimmed and fried, coated with crushed pistachios for a crunchy texture and elegant presentation."
He finished the writing with a flourish. "For cold starters, a simple trio of fresh, blanched vegetables: Marinated Cucumber Ribbons, Spicy Tree Fungus, and a refreshing Seaweed Salad, all dressed in a light, acidic sauce. Please, prepare ample desserts and various forms of bread, like rolls and muffins, in case any of the guests prefer flour-based staples over rice.
"As for logistics: We should set up a single, long table in the garden, and use the other smaller tables to create a buffet-style service area. Guests, especially those with many young children, can serve themselves what they want, when they want it, which is far more convenient and saves us the labor of constant service. What are your thoughts on this plan?"
Augusta had watched the entire process—the swift analysis, the detailed reasoning, the precise menu planning, and the logistical solution—with a jaw slowly dropping in stunned admiration. She had simply asked for a suggestion on cooking the ham, and Anduin had orchestrated an entire, military-precision banquet.
"My thoughts, Anduin?" Augusta finally managed, her voice thick with pure, unadulterated anticipation.
"My thought is that I am suddenly very, very much looking forward to lunch tomorrow. Everything sounds absolutely divine. We shall proceed exactly as you've outlined. The house has needed this kind of precise, confident planning. Thank you, my boy. Now, let's go procure those pistachios!"