Chapter 20

Two weeks before the end of the term, the sky lightened suddenly to a dazzling, opaline white and the muddy grounds were revealed one morning covered in glittering frost. Inside the castle, there was a buzz of Christmas in the air. Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, had already decorated his classroom with shimmering lights that turned out to be real, fluttering fairies.

The students were all happily discussing their plans for the holidays. Both Ron and Hermione had decided to remain at Hogwarts, and though Ron said it was because he couldn’t stand two weeks with Percy, and Hermione insisted she needed to use the library, Harry wasn’t fooled; they were doing it to keep him company, and he was very grateful.

To everyone’s delight except Harry’s, there was to be another Hogsmeade trip on the very last weekend of the term.

“We can do all our Christmas shopping there!” said Hermione. “Mum and Dad would really love those Toothflossing Stringmints from Honeydukes!”

Resigned to the fact that he would be the only third year staying behind again, Harry borrowed a copy of Which Broomstick from Wood, and decided to spend the day reading up on the different makes.

On the Saturday morning of the Hogsmeade trip, Grace watched as Harry said his goodbyes to Ron and Hermione. After what happened before, Ron finally learned how to refrain himself, and to her surprise, Ron actually took the initiative to apologize to her, which was really unexpected for someone as stubborn as Ron.

Grace wanted to comfort Harry, knowing how he must feel being left behind while everyone else went off to enjoy the village. She took a step toward him, ready to say a few kind words or offer to keep him company. But before she could reach him, Fred and George quickly went to Harry, leaning in close and whispering something secret and exciting into his ear.

Grace paused for a moment and stopped in her tracks. She saw the way Harry’s face changed at once, from disappointment to surprise and then to a bright, eager curiosity. She remembered what was supposed to happen this time upon seeing the twins.

Fred and George were about to give Harry the Marauder’s Map, a magical piece of parchment that showed every corner of the castle and everyone inside it.

With that map in his hands, Harry would not stay behind at all. He would find his own way out and go to Hogsmeade too, just like everyone else.

If he was going to be there anyway, there was no need for her to stay and comfort him anymore. He would have his own adventure and would not be lonely or bored at all.

She pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders and stepped out into the crisp, frosty air, joining the stream of students making their way down the sloping path toward the village.

~

It had been months since her very first visit to Hogsmeade. She smiled with satisfaction seeing goods being displayed by different establishments.

The results of her effort spoke for themselves; her pouch was already heavier with the earnings she’d collected over the past weeks, steady gold and silver that had grown into a reliable income. It was proof enough that what she had done worked, and that was all she needed.

All she had to do now was to make more to earn more quickly. This way, she could buy her own house in the wizarding world and a place where she could build her own establishment.

With these thoughts in mind, she visited the places she had cooperations with, like Zonko’s Joke Shop as Fred and George recommended this place since they also have cooperation with Mr. Zonko. She gave more supplies and also new gadgets. Then she went to Scrivenshaft’s Quill Shop to give more new quills with unique designs.

After taking her time doing business, she walked out the shop and finally had the time to relax, when by the time she came back to her senses she was already standing at Honeydukes Sweet Shop. She hesitated whether to go inside or not as she didn’t have any business here nor any plan to buy anything.

She stood still for a while lost in thought when the door suddenly opened.

“Hello dear, why don’t you come inside?” Mrs. Flume invited Grace with a kind smile.

Grace stiffened then blushed as she felt embarrassed getting caught in her dilemma; she nodded and went inside reluctantly.

“Thank you,” Grace said in a low voice.

Mrs. Flume smiled as she watched Grace getting shy. “I’m Mrs. Flume, co-owner of Honeydukes, you can look around and see if you like anything.”

Seeing Grace look around quietly after a while, Mrs. Flume spoke again. “If you want anything, just tell me. I’ll give it to you, no need to pay, don’t worry.”

Grace was startled, quickly shaking her head. “No, no, no need, Mrs. Flume.”

“Then, is there anything you need? I saw you hesitate to come inside and even now. If you need anything just tell me, as long as I can do it I’ll help you.”

Mrs. Flume’s kindness made Grace relax little by little. “I’m sorry for the late introduction, I’m Grace Ashworth, third year at Hogwarts.”

“Nice to meet you dear, is there anything I can help you with?”

Grace hesitated again; she looked around to make sure no one was around. “That… I have a friend… well… not yet… you might know her as she likes to buy here secretly on her own. I want to be friends with her and want to give her something but she’s a Slytherin. I’m afraid that if I give it to her directly she might not accept it, so…”

Mrs. Flume smiled with understanding; after all, the conflict between Gryffindor and Slytherin was not new. “Would you like to give her something made by you?”

“Yes, also, I want to make it myself but I didn’t bring anything with me as the idea just came to me when I saw your shop.”

“You want to bake?”

“Yes.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about, we have everything here, feel free to use it, dear.”

Grace was shocked to know how generous Mrs. Flume was. “Thank you, Mrs. Flume.”

Grace followed Mrs. Flume to their kitchen.
Warm and sweet-smelling, with sunlight slanting through wavy glass. Jars line the walls-labels looping neatly, ingredients inside floating gently on their own. The big wooden table stays clean by itself. Copper bowls stir when you tap them; the stone oven glows soft gold and bakes evenly, never burning. Rolling pins move lightly over dough, and sprinkles hop right onto the sweets. Magic is as normal here as flour or sugar.

Grace pulled a soft apron over her uniform, her hands already dusted with fine white rice flour. She set out small bowls: one with sweet rice dough that shaped itself smooth when she patted it, another with pale cream that thickened gently on its own.

First she made the puddings, silky, vanilla-scented, poured into little cups that cooled in seconds. She added a swirl of syrup that swirled into pretty patterns by itself.

Next came the mochi, soft, pillowy white pieces, not blocks but round, bite-sized orbs. She filled some with sweet bean paste, others with soft cream; each one rounded itself perfectly in her palm. She dusted them with extra flour so they stayed soft.

Mrs. Flume smelled the unique sweet scent and couldn’t help but visit the kitchen; she watched Grace move around with sparkling eyes as if seeing a great treasure.

“It smells good~ May I know which Slytherin student you want to give these delicious treats?”

Grace smiled widely, feeling more comfortable talking to Mrs. Flume. “It’s for Pansy Parkinson.” She took a pretty pale blue box with a clear, cool-touch lid. Inside, small, soft compartments formed on their own. She arranged the mochi neatly in one half, and placed the pudding into sturdy little glass cups that sealed tight and stayed fresh. Everything fit perfectly, easy to carry, ready to eat anywhere. Tiny silver stars glimmered softly along the box edge, simple and lovely.

“So it’s for Ms. Parkinson. It looks delicious and fancy, she would definitely like it.”

“This one is for you and Mr. Flume, please accept it as my way to show my gratitude.”

She presented a wide, clear glass tray, piled with mochi in the center, dusted lightly with flour, and set four matching glass cups of pudding around them. The glass kept everything cool and fresh, and the whole tray looked neat and generous, perfect to share over tea.

Mrs. Flume smiled warmly,” Such a kind, thoughtful heart you have, dear. These look wonderful, my husband will be so pleased.”

Grace felt warm and happy. She carefully tucked the blue box into her own bag making sure it stayed safe and cool. Mrs Flume walked her to the door and pressed a small paper bag of extra lemon drops into her hand.

“Take these for yourself dear,” she said. “A little something sweet just for you.”

“Thank you so much Mrs Flume,” Grace said her voice soft and sincere.

As Grace stepped back out into the frosty street she breathed in the sharp cold air feeling lighter than before.