dmims Chapter 93 Please give me your orders!
Chapter 93 Please give me your orders!
Chapter 93 Please give me your orders!
Lucas stared blankly at the words, as if he could see a witch a thousand years ago, with red hair, a slightly plump figure, and a perpetually smiling face, writing these words with anticipation in this very kitchen.
This is not an order, not a task, but a gentle invitation that transcends time and space.
He slowly closed the notebook and hugged it tightly to his chest.
"Professor, I'd like to know, have many people obtained this notebook over the past thousand years?"
Professor Sprout smiled. "Yes. Hufflepuff's treasures are naturally highly sought after. Many students have asked for this notebook, but unfortunately..."
Some people come to investigate whether Hufflepuff left behind powerful spells; others try to find any treasures left behind by Hufflepuff in the notebooks; still others are simply curious and want to learn about this history.
'
"Some of the food spells in the notebook also spread to the outside world, becoming the source of culinary magic in society."
"But in the end, not a single person appeared who truly had a heart for food, truly loved the path of food, and upheld the legacy of Hufflepuff."
"Professor," Lucas looked up, his gaze resolute, "I've made up my mind."
Professor Sprout's eyes were filled with satisfaction.
"What decision have you made, my child?"
Lucas's voice wasn't loud, but it resonated clearly in the ears of every elf: "I shall carry on Lady Hufflepuff's culinary legacy!"
Lucas and Professor Sprout were escorted to the kitchen door by the tearful elves.
In a moment of excitement, and to prove that he wasn't just talking the talk but truly capable of conducting culinary research, Lucas rolled up his sleeves on the spot and made a squirrel-shaped sea bass.
Since there is no mandarin fish in the UK, we can only use sea bass, which has a similar texture and taste, which is available in the kitchen.
This dish, which combines skillful knife work and precise control of heat, is truly stunning in its finished form.
The whole fish lies in the center of a white porcelain plate, head and tail raised. The fish body is fried until golden brown and fluffy after being scored with cross-shaped cuts. Each strand of fish meat curls outward, resembling fluffy squirrel fur. The outer skin is a uniform amber-gold color, glossy and smooth, without a trace of scorching.
A thin layer of piping hot sweet and sour sauce is poured over the fish, its glossy red color lifting the fish up. The tail of the fish is slightly raised off the plate, as if it is about to leap up at any moment. The plate is garnished with a few blanched florets of broccoli and a few orange-yellow carrot slices with carved designs.
As the steam rises, a complex sweet and sour flavor emerges: the crispness of apple cider vinegar, the richness of tomato sauce, and the caramel sweetness of rock sugar blend together, merging with the caramelized aroma from deep-frying, filling the air and whetting the appetite.
Take a bite, and you'll find the fish skin crispy, the fish meat snow-white, firm, and elastic. The best part is the thin layer of sweet and sour sauce that's perfectly coated on every piece of rolled-up fish meat, maximizing the fish's freshness.
Only with a slight chew can you savor the sauce, which Lucas has innovatively added orange juice to bring out its refreshing fruity flavor, balancing all the sour and sweet notes.
The freshness and aroma blend together, making one's mouth water and whetting one's appetite.
Having witnessed the entire process of this dish's creation, Lanqi and the elves were deeply impressed by Lucas's amazing knife skills, perfect technique in thickening and coating the sauce, and precise control over the oil temperature and heat. They covered their mouths tightly, suppressing their gasps, afraid of disturbing Lucas.
Finally, after confirming several times that they were truly qualified to taste it, Lanchi and the elves lined up in a long queue. Each elf carefully cut a piece of fish from the squirrel sea bass and tasted it, falling into unbelievable amazement.
When Lucas wrote down the recipe for Squirrel Bass and the proportions of several sausage spices, and handed it to the elves, all the elves were moved to tears and sobbed.
Lanchi repeatedly emphasized that in his heart Mr. McGregor was just as great as Ms. Hufflepuff.
"Ms. Hufflepuff is such a kind and wonderful person, using food to fill the world with warmth."
"..." Lanchi sobbed, "We are so happy that Mr. McGregor is going to follow in her footsteps."
A thousand years ago was arguably the darkest period in the wizarding world. Order and civilization had not yet been established, and wizards could hardly protect themselves in the face of the mad Muggles, constantly going into hiding. House-elves, who had no human rights, suffered inhumane abuse.
At that time, the method of creating Pokémon had not been completely lost, and domesticated Pokémon were only used as consumables and tools.
But Hufflepuff stepped forward, bringing a large number of house-elves into the newly founded Hogwarts, providing them with safe haven and insisting that they enjoy certain rights.
Helga Hufflepuff, in the hearts of all the elves at Hogwarts, is a beacon of eternal light, a monument that stands forever.
Now, Lucas, who has vowed to carry on Hufflepuff's legacy and has proven his abilities, naturally enjoys great respect from the elves.
They surrounded Lucas and Professor Sprout, walking all the way to the end of the corridor.
"Alright, little elves," said Professor Sprout, "it's getting late, everyone go and get some rest."
"Goodnight, Mr. McGregor!" Lance said shrilly. "Please get some rest! Whenever you need my service or assistance, please don't hesitate to ask! I'll be there whenever you call!"
After thanking the elves for their kindness, Lucas followed the professor and stood at the far end of the wall, in front of a pile of large wooden barrels.
"Unlike the Gryffindor and Slytherin dormitories, which require passwords, and the Ravenclaw dormitories, which also test your wits, our Hufflepuff dormitories are always ready to host friends, so the usual method is very simple."
Professor Sprout smiled and pointed to the second barrel in the middle of the second row.
"Remember this barrel, and then, tap its bottom in the rhythm of the syllables 'Helga Hufflepuff.'"
She demonstrated it to Lucas; the bottom of the barrel rotated, opening a circular entrance from which orange-yellow light rippled.
As Lucas climbed over the barrel, he asked, "What if I knock on the wrong one?"
The professor laughed: "If you tap the wrong rhythm or the wrong bucket, the lid of the other bucket will immediately burst open, spraying you with icy vinegar as punishment."
After passing through the entrance of the wooden barrel, the fragrance of earth, sunshine, and plants fills the air, and a warm, circular space slowly unfolds before your eyes.
This is Hufflepuff's common lounge.
The simple wooden furniture was painted a warm honey color, decorated with black stripes and curves. Many plant vines hung from the ceiling, and pots and clumps of plants were everywhere in the corners, on the windowsills, and next to the shelves.
They were all different colors and shapes. Some had bloomed with bright flowers, some had drooping slender branches, and some had unripe fruits. Lucas even saw a few plants twisting and dancing. At this moment, a taller plant next to them drooped down its branches and hit them, as if blaming them for disturbing its sleep.
The lounge had many round, transparent glass windows on its ceiling and at the top of its walls. Through these windows, the brilliant moonlight and starlight streamed in, and Lucas could also see the lush green grass, soil, and plant roots.
He suddenly realized that Hufflepuff's lounge was mostly buried underground, but a portion of the roof protruded to ensure ample light.
"During the day, the lounge is bathed in sunlight, and at night, it's bathed in the bright moonlight," Professor Sprout smiled. "When it's windy and rainy, sitting here with a cup of coffee, facing the roaring fire, listening to the wind and rain battering the portholes, there's a unique kind of tranquility. How is it here, Lucas?"
Lucas exclaimed sincerely, "I love it here, Professor."
"I dare say this is the most comfortable dormitory at Hogwarts," Professor Sprout said with a smile. "Especially after the new washrooms were built more than eighty years ago, so the children no longer have to run out in the middle of the night, the only shortcoming has been made up."
"And then there are the rooms where everyone lives. Hufflepuff has the largest student population of the four houses, so we built the most rooms. But around the time of the First Wizarding War—Lucas, you've read that history, haven't you?"
Lucas nodded. It was after reviewing this history that he learned why Harry was so famous and why he was called the "Savior".
Lucas also knew that Harry didn't want this kind of fame at all.
"Due to rampant panic, social unrest, and widespread killing, the birth rate in the British wizarding world plummeted during those years, and the number of students also declined sharply. So now there are only a little over three hundred students in the entire Hogwarts," Professor Sprout said.
"Until the end of 1981, the Death Eaters were completely purged, society returned to stability, and the birth rate bottomed out and rebounded to a peak. Well, you have no idea how many children were born in 1982... In short, it won't be until you're in your third year that the number of students at Hogwarts will return to its peak."
"Therefore, there are plenty of rooms available in Hufflepuff dormitories now. You can stay in double rooms instead of being crammed into five-person rooms like in Gryffindor—ah! Girls, it's already past midnight, what are you doing here?"
Moving your gaze, you see a comfortable sofa with yellow and black cushions around the fireplace, which is filled with glowing red charcoal. On the mantel is a carving of a badger that is dozing off.
Then, among those sofas and coffee tables, two small shadows were embedded.
Ellie and Hannah.
Ellie was sprawled out on her back, nestled among the pillows, when she heard Professor Sprout's call. She woke up with a start, her beautiful purple eyes sparkling in the firelight.
"Lucas!" Ellie tried to spring up, but she forgot she was on a soft sofa and thought it was her hard bed. She stumbled and fell down, knocking Hannah, who was sleeping soundly on the coffee table, to the ground.
The two little girls rolled around on the carpet. Hannah, still confused, groaned a few times and laboriously opened her sleepy eyes, only to see Lucas's face appear before her.
Ah, it's Lucas... He's extending his hand to me.
Hannah groggily reached out and grabbed the strong hand, then felt a lightness in her body as she was pulled up and stood on the carpet.
Lucas took my hand. Did he want to dance with me?
Hannah was confused, only feeling her face burning. But I... I wasn't ready.
Hannah lowered her head in annoyance. "Look," she thought, "I'm still wearing my robe, I haven't changed into my dress yet!" Wait, the robe—wait! Wait!
"Hannah, what are you grinning about?" Ellie grabbed Lucas's other hand and stood up. "Uh, were you asleep? You're drooling a lot."
Hannah stared blankly at Lucas and the smiling Professor Sprout, then trembled as she touched the corner of her mouth, which was wet.
"Ewh!!!!!!!!!"
Her face flushed red instantly, she screamed and turned to run, rushing up the spiral staircase before crashing into the room with a bang.
All that could be heard from inside the room was Susan's groggy voice: "Hannah, what are you doing?"
"Thank you for waiting for me." Lucas could only keep smiling. "Actually, you don't need to worry. With the principal and professors with me, how could anything happen to me? Go and get some rest."
Seeing that he was alright, Ellie finally relaxed and yawned.
"That's good... The luggage you put in my suitcase has been taken to your room by the house-elf. I'm going to sleep now, goodnight."
She said goodnight to Professor Sprout again and jogged up the spiral staircase.
"The friendships of youth are always so touching." Suddenly, a gentle and magnetic female voice said, "Child, these two girls have been waiting for you for a long time; it's almost two o'clock now."
Lucas looked up in surprise and noticed that the portrait hanging above the fireplace had come to life.
She was a voluptuous witch with a rosy complexion and an irresistible smile. She had the same fiery red hair as me, and her brown eyes were looking at me with a smile.
Her name is engraved below the frame.
"Greetings, great Lady Hufflepuff!"
Lucas was suddenly overcome with emotion and bowed deeply. He never expected that after learning about Hufflepuff's exploits, receiving her kitchen notes, and vowing to follow in her footsteps in the culinary world, he would turn around and see her.
Oh right, how could I forget? Of course there would be a portrait of her at Hogwarts!
Portraits in the magical world are completely different; they can communicate with real people and seem to have independent souls.
For example, right now, it's as if Hufflepuff himself is standing in front of Lucas!
In that instant, Lucas had so many words welling up inside him, but his throat tightened and he couldn't utter a single one.
Finally, she managed to squeeze out, "Dear Ms. Hufflepuff, I just received your kitchen notes, and they are absolutely amazing..."
'
The portrait smiled: "Child, I'm glad it can help you. But unfortunately, I have no way to discuss this with you. Because the four great founders did not leave behind any portraits containing their memories and wisdom during their lifetimes."
"I was created by later generations to commemorate Lady Hufflepuff. In that sense, I am just a spiritual vessel made of paint, and I have no ability to guide you on the path of magic."
"I see..." Lucas said with a hint of regret, but still bowed again: "It's already a pleasant surprise to see you in person. I salute you."
The portrait smiled and shook its head: "I just heard you called Lucas, right? Lucas, you don't need to be so formal. You'll be staying here for the next seven years. Are you going to bow to me every day?"
"I am just a portrait; keep your respect for Lady Hufflepuff in your heart."
Professor Sprout spoke up: "Alright, Lucas, you really need to go to sleep."
"Tomorrow morning, you will have your first lesson. It will be Potions class taught by Professor Severus Snape."
"Believe me, you definitely don't want to be late for his class."
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