Harry Potter and the Candy Factory

The house-elves' culinary skills at Hogwarts were, to say the least, extremely high.

Even Charlie, who had attended so many banquets and gatherings of nobles, had never encountered anything that could compare to the culinary skills of the Hogwarts house-elves.

The steak was grilled to perfection. As the table knife cut through it, the tender juices burst forth, mingling with the rising heat that carried a subtle aroma of spices. Even just inhaling that scent was a sheer delight.

The roast chicken on the silver platter was brushed with honey, and under the candlelight, it formed a thin layer of light orange film along with the oil. One could faintly see some of the scorched marks from the roasting.

And there were even more extravagant things, like the pudding that almost seemed to dance, layers of mille-feuille stacked high, waffles drizzled with thick honey, and a small mountain of golden-fried chips…

Charlie didn't stand on ceremony too much. He and Professor Flitwick both put down their knives and forks.

He directly tore off both legs of the roast chicken in front of him. As the chicken leg was torn off, the flesh and skin connecting it to the body also tore apart.

The tender and beautiful meat was still faintly covered with juice, and the rich aroma instantly rushed into his nose, teasing his sense of smell and stimulating his taste buds with all its might.

"Not bad…" Professor Flitwick brought the chicken leg to his nose, closed his eyes, and took a delicate sniff, then took a bite, and the expression on his face became more and more enjoyable.

“Come on, I hope that after so many years, you haven’t forgotten how delicious Hogwarts roast chicken is.”

Professor Flitwick smiled at Charlie, then picked up the chicken leg in his hand, which already had a crescent-shaped bite taken out of it, and gestured to him.

Charlie also smiled. He nodded, then picked up the chicken leg in his hand and took a light bite.

His teeth gently touched the outermost layer of skin, which had become crispy at this moment. Under the pressure of his teeth, it made a pleasant "crunch" sound.

The rich juice rushed into his mouth the moment the skin was broken, carrying the flavor of countless spices mixed and soaked in, instantly filling Charlie's entire mouth.

Charlie blinked, his bright eyes filled with both enjoyment and nostalgia.

… … … … … … … …

Charlie enjoyed this meal immensely. He enjoyed it to the point that he hardly stopped eating throughout the entire process. Apart from the food in front of him, he didn't even pay much attention to Draco for a while.

It wasn't until the banquet was about to end that Charlie picked up the last cherry on his plate with his fork and put it in his mouth.

Only then did he put down his utensils with satisfaction and exhale a breath of happiness.

He looked at the food in front of him, which had been mostly devoured, picked up the napkin on his left, wiped the greasy corners of his mouth and fingers, and then returned to his usual appearance.

Dumbledore had also finished his meal. He sat upright in his seat. Suddenly, his left hand, which was originally on the table, quietly reached down and rummaged in the pocket of his wide robe. Only then did he bring his hand back up with two hard candies.

“Would you like one, Minerva?”

Dumbledore openly opened his palm and asked Professor McGonagall beside him.

Professor McGonagall was naturally used to this. She picked up her cup, took a light sip of the drink in it, and shook her head at Dumbledore.

“Don’t let me remind you again, Albus. You shouldn’t eat so much candy. It’s not good for your health.”

Dumbledore laughed. Seeing McGonagall refuse, he nonchalantly put the candy in his mouth.

“Perhaps candy isn’t good for my health…” He said, pausing, and then a childlike playfulness appeared in his expression.

“But without it, my spirit would wither away.”

“…” McGonagall shook her head noncommittally and could only roll her eyes at her headmaster inwardly before ignoring him.

Finally, as the last little wizard in the hall put down his utensils and happily let out a satisfied burp, the banquet officially ended.

Groups of people poured out of the hall's doors one after another. However, for those newly arrived first-year students, it was not the end. Rather, it should be considered the official beginning after entering Hogwarts.

Because next, under the leadership of the prefects of each house, they would sort out their dormitories and begin to truly understand this castle, which no one had ever fully explored for who knows how many years, and prepare to officially live here from tomorrow onwards.

“Headmaster Dumbledore.”

After all the students had left the hall, and even the professors had mostly departed, Charlie stood up from his seat and walked to Dumbledore's side in a few steps.

Charlie hesitated for a while, as if thinking about how to start, and after a long while, he finally asked

“This time you called me here…”

But before he could finish his words, Dumbledore held out a hand and stopped him from continuing with a smile.

“Alright, Charlie… there will be plenty of time tomorrow. There’s no need to talk about anything now.”

As Dumbledore spoke, he moved his chair and stood up unhurriedly.

“I’ve prepared accommodation for you, in the staff dormitories—I imagine you wouldn’t mind being neighbors with Severus for one night?”

Hearing this, Charlie couldn't help but be stunned, and then subconsciously turned his head to look at Severus Snape, who hadn't left yet and was still sitting in his seat, seemingly waiting for something.

A rare look of surprise also appeared on Snape's eternally unchanging face, but he didn't say anything. He just took a deep look at Charlie, then slowly got up and left the hall.

Charlie quietly watched Snape's departing figure, raised his eyebrows, and wondered what he was thinking.

“Then let’s do as you wish, Headmaster Dumbledore.”

But soon, he regained his gaze and nodded to Dumbledore, saying so.

After speaking, he turned around, ready to leave.

Suddenly, Dumbledore's voice sounded again from behind him.

“Oh, right, Charlie…”

Dumbledore's voice was deliberately lowered a bit, and it seemed to carry a mysterious feeling.

“When you go back, don’t forget…”

“Send me some more of those sweet and sour flavored soft candies… You know, the kind from last time. The key is that I’m almost out… They taste pretty good.”

Charlie couldn't help but smile, looking at the headmaster whose childlike innocence hadn't diminished, and could only nod in agreement.

“If you like them, you can ask me for them at any time.”