7 7. The Food!!!

If you want, you can read 35 chapters in advance on -patreon.com/misterimmortal.]\

_____________________

Before the sorting hat could completely say the word, Happy interrupted it with a low whisper, "If you don't put me in Gryffindor, I'll eat you! You'll probably taste like old beef jerky, but I don't care."

"..."

The sorting hat fell silent after the boy presented his threat.

This was uncharted territory for the hat, as it had never before heard anyone say that. Nevertheless, it took its time to deliberate, instead of rushing to assign the boy to his house as it had done with so many others before him.

"But why not Slytherin? You can accomplish great things there."

"I don't want great! I want a warm atmosphere, with delicious food and a beautiful view, not a dark and dreary room! But, don't get me wrong, I love Slytherin equally, and I even wish to make friends with many of them, like Draco, and visit their common room someday.

"But that place would stress me to remain imposing and maintain my image throughout the year before the members, considering my family name. And if I don't do that, I will be ostracized or bullied. While my only wish is to enjoy my time and eat as much as possible."

The talking hat made a few counter-arguments too. "Are you sure you wish to enter Gryffindor? The family name you claim to be a burden of pride in Slytherin will be a source of prejudice and dislike from your peers in Gryffindor."

"I know that, and I'm prepared for it. However, Gryffindor is a more carefree bunch, and I am confident they will change once they see I only mean fun and food."

The hat chuckled at his last words, "I have no doubt about that, boy. But what about Ravenclaw? You can try that as well. They are a smart bunch and won't hold any hatred."

Happy bluntly answered. "Sorry, I didn't come to this school to study."

"..."

"Hufflepuff?"

Happy shrugged. "I don't know anyone there. I'd rather go to Slytherin than Hufflepuff. At least I know Draco there."

"Fine." The hat sighed and prepared to announce. "If fun and food are what you desire, go ahead and don the red and gold attire—Gryffindor!"

The echoing of clapping hands filled the hall.

Of course, the members of Gryffindor, known for their disdain towards Slytherins and dark wizards, did not receive the news of a Lestrange joining their house with unbridled excitement. However, the Lestrange name also held significant power and prestige and couldn't be ignored.

So, despite their misgivings, they were looking forward to accepting the addition, as it brought strength and status to the Gryffindor ranks—and a hope that perhaps the wizarding world of purebloods was genuinely changing.

Soon, Hermione, Harry, and Ron stepped forward to be sorted.

When the students heard the name "Harry Potter!" being called out, they momentarily froze in surprise.

However, as there was already a well-known family name before, the impact was not as great as it could have been.

"Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers as the new students took their seats among their new housemates, and the ceremony came to an end.

Ting ting ting!

"Your attention, please."

Professor McGonagall tapped her glass with a spoon, gaining the attention of all the students.

Eyes turned towards Professor Dumbledore as he took the stage, his long silver beard shining in the dim light. He stood tall, exuding a wise and gentle aura that commanded respect.

"Welcome, one and all, to a new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He began, his voice ringing out across the hall.

Dumbledore looked like he was calmly looking at the children, but Happy noticed his blue eyes rested on him for a few moments longer than expected.

'Is he suspicious of me? I hope those fanfictions were all made up, and he's not really a bad old man. It makes no sense for him to be evil. At best, he's chaotic neutral.'

"...Let the feast begin!"

The feast that suddenly appeared on the tables in the Great Hall was nothing short of magical and deliciously enchanting. The aroma wafting from the steaming dishes was enough to make one's mouth water, and the presentation of the food was nothing short of spellbinding.

Plates of golden roasted meats, piles of buttery potatoes, and crisp, colorful vegetables were arranged with expert care, forming an appetizing landscape of flavors and textures. The candelabras casting warm light across the hall seemed to shimmer with their own magic, casting a magical glow on the feast below. Glasses of sparkling juices and goblets of rich, velvety drinks added to the allure, creating a feast that was not just delicious but also captivating to the senses.

Happy watched as the feast appeared before him with a flourish of magic.

'Now this is what I call MAGIC!', he thought. The feast truly solidified the day as the best day of his life.

There were towering pastries, succulent roast chickens, sizzling meats, vibrant fruits, crisp vegetables, luscious cakes, and so many more dishes that Happy could hardly believe his eyes.

"Thanks for the meal!" Happy loudly clapped his hands to pray to the god who reincarnated him and jumped right into eating.

Soon, his plate was overflowing with an abundance of food, and he eagerly devoured it as if he hadn't eaten in a lifetime.

"OH! This is absolutely brilliant! So juicy, so tasty! Good god! This is heaven!"

Happy started grabbing food from all around. He turned into a man of sheer focus, aiming entirely at his meal, and had forgotten about the bad experience he just had. He didn't care who was watching or talking about him. He was enjoying every bit of it, precisely what he wanted with the new life.

Because that was what his name meant—HAPPY!

"Blimey! He's a madman!" Ron mumbled, feeling both embarrassed and impressed by Happy's speed.

Harry chuckled and put more food on Happy's plate. "Here, I think you'll need some more."

Happy smiled and nodded at his new friend, "You eat too, Harry. Look how scrawny you are. You'd fly away if I were to sneeze."

"..."

The boys spent the evening engaged in an array of festivities, filled with joyous play and uninhibited laughter.

As the night came to an end and their bellies became full and comfortably bloated, they made their way to the common room to catch a much-needed rest.

…

Amidst the jovial atmosphere of laughter and contentment in the common rooms, when some older students stayed up to chat, a somber gathering was taking place in an isolated chamber. The distinguished professors of Hogwarts and the esteemed Headmaster convened around a lengthy table, delving into the significant events that had transpired during the day.

The faculty chamber was a spacious room lined with shelves of ancient tomes and lit by flickering candles suspended in mid-air. The air was thick with a sense of urgency as the professors discussed the pressing matters at hand.

Dumbledore, who had a close relationship with the Longbottoms as they were members of the Order of the Phoenix, found himself trying to balance the situation with his wisdom.

"How would you like to proceed with the situation, Albus?" Professor McGonagall enquired with a stern tone. "It's a rather delicate matter, with the two being assigned to the same house. I have also put Neville Longbottom on a week-long suspension for daring to even attempt to utter that curse. We must investigate where he learned it."

"Agreed, and I suggest transferring the Lestrange boy to Slytherin, Headmaster," said Snape, his tone a bit stony.

Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully and responded, "No, the sorting hat's decision is final. Now it's our job to ensure that the two students, despite their ancestry, learn to reconcile their differences. We must not allow the past mistakes of parents to influence the future of an innocent boy like Happy Lestrange.

"As we saw today, he is a joyful child, and it would be a disservice to isolate him. Furthermore, Neville Longbottom is a gullible boy; I suspect his grandmother had something to do with his knowledge of the unforgivable curses."

"But…What if they fight again?" Snape asked.

"Boys will be boys, Severus. We must trust the sorting hat and not make an unnecessary matter out of this. Everyone is advised to treat Happy Lestrange with no prejudice. Like the rest of Hogwarts' students, he's just a child—I hope I made myself clear."

Dumbledore's words were indirect but clear as day. It was a warning to not mistreat the boy and made it known that he would be keeping a close eye on things.

The feeling was palpable in the air that something significant was about to take place in the halls of Hogwarts, with so many notable students enrolling at the same time.

The faculty and staff could all sense it, although no one knew exactly what was to come. As the dawn of a new era approached, everyone was filled with a mixture of uncertainty and trepidation.

________________________

[A/N: No, the story will not follow the movie plot to the teeth. As you probably know, like all my stories, things will change drastically as we go. It takes a little time for the butterfly to flap its wings.]

________________________

See Illustrations on Discord: https://discord.gg/misterimmortal

Special thanks to *DougErNuts* *Franklin Walley* *Qul* *phong thanh nguyen* *Dillon Tyler* *andy cohen* *Martin Bosley* *Jason Jimenez* *Devor*