Inside Hagrid's hut, everyone's attention immediately shifted toward the sudden knocking at the door.
Hagrid scratched the back of his head beneath his tangled hair, looking thoroughly puzzled.
"Who could that be?"
Leo smiled slightly.
"Hagrid, we actually came for more than just a visit tonight."
The others looked toward him curiously.
"I asked Garcia and the Hogwarts house-elves to prepare ingredients ahead of time," Leo explained. "We brought a whole lamb leg, vegetables, and a variety of seasonings for a barbecue feast."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"We were hoping to use the empty space beside your hut for the gathering. And we'd really like you to join us."
Then he lowered his head slightly.
"Sorry we didn't ask you beforehand."
Even though he was fairly certain Hagrid wouldn't mind, Leo still felt it was only proper to apologize.
Before Hagrid could answer, Harry immediately jumped to his feet.
"Hagrid, you have to come!" he said quickly. "We already promised everyone, and Leo prepared all of this specially for tonight."
Draco gave a small nod.
"Mr. Hagrid, I think you'll enjoy the food."
Ron rubbed his hands together excitedly.
"It's gonna be brilliant, Hagrid!"
Hermione smiled warmly.
"I think it'll be a lovely evening."
Rose tilted her head and grinned.
"Come on, Hagrid. It'll be fun."
The more they spoke, the more excited everyone became about the mysterious meal Leo had planned.
Hagrid stared at the eager faces surrounding him before suddenly bursting into laughter.
"How could I say no ter all that?" he boomed. "Truth is, I wasn't plannin' ter refuse in the first place. Yeh lot just started talkin' before I even got the chance ter answer!"
He looked genuinely touched.
"An' honestly... I'm happy ter have a party with all of yeh."
Hearing that, the group instantly relaxed.
Ron nearly cheered aloud.
Even Hermione looked visibly pleased.
A few moments later, everyone stepped outside together.
Standing near the hut was Garcia, who immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing Hagrid.
"Good evening, Mr. Hagrid," the house-elf said politely. "I am Garcia, a Hogwarts house-elf."
He gestured proudly toward the nearby crates and cooking equipment.
"Under young wizard Leo's instructions, all ingredients and cooking utensils have been delivered."
Then Garcia turned toward Leo.
"Everything is prepared, young wizard Leo. We are only waiting for your chosen location."
Hagrid waved a massive hand toward the open area in front of the hut.
"The front yard's fine."
Garcia bowed again.
At once, he and several other elves vanished with a series of soft pops.
Only a short while later they returned carrying additional grills, cooking racks, tools, and stacks of firewood. Smaller house-elves hurried around the clearing with astonishing efficiency.
Under magical assistance, two fire pits were constructed in only a few minutes.
One large pit was prepared specifically for roasting lamb.
The second, smaller pit would be used for soups and side dishes.
Once everything was finished, Garcia approached Leo respectfully.
"Young wizard Leo, may we begin?"
Leo nodded.
"Go ahead."
The elves instantly got to work.
One group lit the fires while another secured the enormous lamb leg onto a rotating rack above the flames. Soon, the rich aroma of roasting meat and wood smoke began drifting through the cool evening air.
Hagrid looked fascinated.
"Blimey," he muttered. "That's impressive."
Unable to resist, he stepped forward as though intending to help.
Unfortunately, Garcia immediately panicked.
"Mr. Hagrid!" he squeaked. "Please rest! This is our responsibility!"
Hagrid blinked.
"I only wanted ter lend a hand."
Garcia bowed deeply.
"House-elves exist to serve wizarding families in both body and spirit. Please allow us to fulfill our duties properly."
Hagrid looked helplessly amused.
"Well... alright then."
Meanwhile, Leo had already moved toward the smaller fire pit.
Tonight's menu included far more than roasted lamb.
"Garcia," Leo called calmly, "wash the lamb ribs first, then dice the carrots."
"Yes, young wizard Leo!"
Garcia moved with lightning-fast efficiency.
"Next, heat oil in the pot. Once it's hot enough, sear the lamb ribs until golden."
Garcia followed every instruction with intense concentration, looking as though a single mistake might bring about the end of the world.
Leo couldn't help smiling.
"You can relax a little."
"Yes, young wizard Leo," Garcia replied immediately.
Somehow, he looked even more nervous.
Under Leo's guidance, the stew gradually came together.
Chunks of lamb simmered alongside radishes, carrots, onions, and herbs inside a heavy iron pot. The rich aroma slowly spread throughout the clearing, making everyone nearby visibly hungrier by the minute.
Meanwhile, the other elves prepared vegetables for roasting. Potatoes, mushrooms, peppers, onions, and carrots were skewered neatly while bowls of seasoning mixtures were arranged nearby.
The entire front yard filled with warmth, smoke, and mouthwatering scents.
Hagrid watched the busy elves with admiration.
"They work harder than anyone," he said quietly.
Hermione nodded thoughtfully.
"The books mention that house-elves are extremely devoted to service."
Though after seeing them up close, she couldn't help wondering whether such devotion was entirely natural.
Draco, meanwhile, observed Garcia carefully.
What surprised him most wasn't the elves' obedience.
That part was expected.
What truly shocked him was Leo's attitude toward them.
Leo never barked orders or treated them as lesser beings. Instead, he spoke normally, thanked them sincerely, and occasionally even joked with them.
And yet the elves seemed even more loyal because of it.
Draco frowned thoughtfully.
Perhaps there was something worth learning from that.
Nearby, Ron sat almost hypnotized by the roasting lamb.
His eyes remained fixed on the slowly crisping meat while saliva practically gathered at the corners of his mouth.
Hermione nudged him helplessly.
"Ron," she sighed, "you look like you're about to climb directly into the fire pit."
Ron didn't even attempt to deny it.
"That smells incredible."
Harry was equally fascinated by the roasting meat, though his attention suddenly shifted when he glanced toward Hagrid.
More specifically—
Toward Hagrid's size.
Leo noticed too.
A sudden realization struck him.
One lamb leg definitely wasn't enough.
Fortunately, Garcia approached before Leo even needed to say anything.
"Young wizard Leo," Garcia said proudly, "we actually prepared an entire sheep. Originally, we intended to cook the remaining portions for the professors later using the recipes you taught us."
Leo blinked.
Then he felt slightly embarrassed.
The house-elves had already thought further ahead than he had.
Considering how kind the professors had been since his arrival at Hogwarts, Leo quickly adjusted the plan.
"Bring the rest here too," he said. "We'll prepare everything together tonight."
Then he added with a smile,
"And bring more elves. Everyone can learn together."
Garcia looked delighted.
"At once!"
Several more elves soon arrived carrying the remaining cuts of meat and additional ingredients.
Leo turned toward Harry, Draco, Hermione, Ron, and the others.
"Well?" he said. "No standing around. At least help watch the fires."
Everyone immediately agreed.
Even Draco rolled up his sleeves.
After all, if Leo and the elves did all the work while everyone else simply waited to eat, it felt wrong somehow.
Soon the entire group gathered around the fire pits together.
Some turned skewers.
Others prepared vegetables.
Hagrid carried logs.
Ron enthusiastically volunteered for every task involving food.
Laughter and conversation gradually filled the clearing beneath the darkening evening sky.
And for the first time since arriving at Hogwarts, the students from different Houses no longer felt divided at all.
....
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