I'm rather surprised when Harry opens the door to what appears to be a Muggle Restaurant, though I quickly realise that these particular three friends would have a hard time eating an undisturbed lunch in a Wizarding establishment. A waitress waves and smiles at Harry as he nods and smiles to her, and to the few patrons waiting to be seated, and walks through the restaurant to a back booth. The restaurant is simple and its charm grows on you as you begin to take in your surroundings, the walls are a soft coffee colour and across them in a gentle italic are quotations, I recognise only one or two as being from songs. Harry follows my gaze.
HP: There are over 100 quotations, a few songs, a few movie quotes, several plays, but most of them are from Muggle Literature. If you look at the table, there are pages of novels covering it under a layer of Perspex glass.
There are indeed pages of literature covering the tables. It's quite unique and a charming atmosphere. I begin to understand the line of people waiting patiently for a table. Before I can ask any more about the place we're interrupted as Ron Weasley arrives with a grin.
RW: Lavender! Wow, I haven't seen you in years.
LB: Good to see you too Ron. I hope you don't mind me intruding on your lunch.
RW: Not at all, anything for Harry's adoring fans.
HP: Seriously Ron, one day I really am going to hex you into oblivion. (Ron smirks and Harry laughs at his friends teasing)
The pair though different in appearance, still maintain the teasing and friendly dynamic they've shared since meeting on the platform at Kings Cross at age eleven.
The pair are interrupted as Hermione Granger approaches the table holding four menu's.
HG: What did he do to warrant the threat of oblivion so early in the lunch? (She smiles)
Hermione slides into the booth next to Harry and Ron takes a seat next to myself.
HG: Here you are Lavender. (Handing me a menu) It's good to see you again.
LB: Same to you. It's been a few months.
HG: So you've been quizzing Harry all morning then? Has he behaved?
LB: Yes, we've had a good morning. I'm sure I'll get him to confess some sordid secrets by the end of the day. (The three of them laugh)
HP: Well I didn't know you wanted sordid secrets. I'll dig out the juicy stories after lunch. (Harry teases) Anyway, what's everyone having for lunch?
We make our choices, and as I look around for a waitress to take our orders Harry hops up and with a wave wanders through a back door into the kitchen. Seeing my puzzled look, Ron pipes up.
RW: We're good friends with everybody here. Harry doesn't like to bother Claire too much. (Claire obviously being the waitress Harry greeted on entering the restaurant)
Harry returns a few minutes later with our drinks on a tray. It's a rather bizarre sight. The most famous and powerful wizard in generations serving us drinks. However, Hermione and Ron don't blink at the sight, and I begin to remember how Harry really was at school. He may have been `The-Boy-Who-Lived', but you'd never know it to talk to him or his friends. To them he's simply Harry, he's had a tough life, but he's their friend, and I think they'd beat him into shape if he got any designs of celebrity, or demanded special treatment, though I don't believe he ever has, or ever would. Harry for many is an enigma. People are blinded by the heroic stories, his youth, and no one can deny that Harry is incredibly attractive. His green eyes are startling in their intensity, and years of Quidditch most definitely did him good, as our readers seem to agree as Harry has topped the list of `Witch Weekly's' most eligible bachelor for the last four years running.
The three friends spend several minutes catching up on news from the last few days as I observe them and catch up on news of old friends from the Gryffindor Tower. Ron and Hermione are sharing amused glances and watching Harry intently, I observe them with a smile wondering what is going on. My question is half answered when Harry who has been fidgeting for several minutes stands up.
HP: I'm just going to check on things out back.
RW: This may be a new record Potter. You only lasted four minutes twenty-two seconds! (Ron and Hermione laugh and wink at one another and Harry sticks his tongue out at them)
HP: I'll be back in a bit. Why don't you quiz these two for a bit. They know everything about me anyway. Hermione knows me better than I know myself.
As Harry disappears through the doors again, Hermione looks at me with a smile.
HG: He didn't tell you yet then?
LB: Tell me what?
RW: This is Harry's restaurant.
LB: Harry owns a restaurant now?
HG: He's the Head Chef as well. But he's a bit obsessive. Every Friday he takes a day off, we come in for lunch but he can't resist heading back to the kitchen and cooking it himself. His assistant chef Jane is amazing, but he's a perfectionist.
LB: I can't see Harry as a chef? Can he really cook?
(They both smile knowingly)
RW: You wont believe the food.
HG: And coming from Ron `bottomless pit' Weasley, you know it must be good.
RW: Hey!
HG: You know it's true!
LB: When did Harry learn to cook then?
(They share an unreadable glance. A common occurrence among the trio. Outsiders have no clues to deciphering their coded looks and short-hand language at times. They seem to come to an unspoken decision, and Hermione speaks up.)
HG: Well, you know Harry lived with his only living relatives after his parents were killed?
LB: I vaguely remember. They're muggles?
HG: Yes. His Mother's sister, her husband, and Harry's cousin who's the same age as Harry. Well, how can I put this?
RW: Those people were never Harry's family. The way they treated him…
LB: He was treated badly?
HG: (softly) Lavender, until he was eleven Harry lived in the cupboard under the stairs. A tiny horrible dark cupboard. I wanted to cry when I saw it a few years later. They eventually allowed him to take his cousin's second bedroom, a small box room. He didn't have anything of his own. He wore his revolting cousin's old clothes, and he was treated as a slave. He cooked and cleaned for them, and they told people he went to a boarding school for criminal children. That was until they just locked him in his room for several summers and just fed him through a flap in the door…thank goodness Dumbledore put a stop to that. He probably would have done sooner, but Harry didn't tell anyone how bad it had gotten. We suspected, but they were practically starving him at one point.
LB: Oh my god. Really?
HG: Nothing he ever did was good enough for them. He had to live there until he was seventeen, but I suppose he got one good thing out of it as he learnt to cook, and whatever they did to him, by ignoring him and not loving him, they taught him to cook, and he loves to cook.
RW: We were always sneaking down to the kitchens at Hogwarts the three of us, with Ginny and Neville, and personally I just loved all the food, but around seventh year Harry would wander off and chat to the House Elves, especially Dobby and Winky of course…Get the pumpkin pie for dessert - they gave him their own secret recipe, and he only went and made it better. It makes you feel like you're sitting in the Great Hall at a Welcoming Feast.
Now looking around the restaurant I can see the Trio's influence, and I can see how Harry would feel at home here. And he does truly seem relax and happy, happier than I've ever known him to be.
LB: I take it you had a hand with the decorating then Hermione?
HG: Well he did ask for advice for some of the quotations, but most of this is all Harry. All my nagging in school must have paid off because he does read a lot more now. (She laughs) He's quite the little bookworm. Just don't get him started on any of his cookbooks - seriously. Not if you ever want to leave the kitchen…I mean it's fascinating but he gets so into it, the recipes he's combined adapted, invented…
(Her tone is teasing, but I know from her eyes that she couldn't be prouder of all that Harry has achieved here)
Anyway, enough about Harry, how are you doing? Still enjoying journalism?
LB: I couldn't be happier with it. I believe you yourself once told me I was never happier than when sticking my nose into other peoples business.
(Hermione blushes and laughs)
HG: Sorry about that one Lav. I've mellowed out quite a bit since then. We got along most of the time though, those six years sharing a dormitory.
LB: We did. I know Parvati and I drove you mad with all our giggling. You'll be pleased to know I've mellowed somewhat as well.
RW: How is Parvati? Are you still in contact with her?
LB: She's living in New York now, she and Padma. They adore it. We owl each other every few weeks and I've visited several times. What about all the other Gryffindors from our year. What's everyone up to now?
RW: Well Seamus I'm sure you've come across in the journalism world with his sports columns, He and I are always bumping into each other before and after games and at Quidditch benefits, and Wasp's official interviews and photo-calls. Dean actually got married last year, she's great, and he's working for the Ministry now. Which department was it again `Mione?
HG: Improper Use of Magic. You've taken one too many bludger to the head Ron, I always have to remind you about that.
RW: And you know what Neville's up to?
LB: No, we lost touch a few years back actually. How is he?
HG: He's great. He's a Medi-wizard at St. Mungo's now. He's done some pioneering research as well. You know how he always loved Herbology. He's really made a difference.
We're interrupted as Harry appears bearing several plates of food. The food looks amazing, and smells absolutely delicious. The taste doesn't disappoint, Harry Potter is an amazing chef. I look up to find him observing my reaction to the food.
LB: Well I never would have believed it Harry, but this is the best food I've eaten in years.
HP: I knew they'd tell you as soon as I went to the kitchen. (He smiles at his friends who grin guiltily)
LB: Well I was definitely surprised, but the place is great.
HP: Thanks. We like it. (He grins and returns to his own meal)