In the Hogwarts kitchen stood an "enormous" cauldron, about as tall as a giant. It was usually used for making soup and occasionally for stews. Anyone with thousands of teenagers at home who ate like mountain trolls, as they did at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, would need a pot that large too.
Halloween was merely an ordinary holiday for Muggles, a chance to dress strangely. But for wizards, it was New Year's, and anything less than a lavish feast would seem perfunctory.
"Your task is to stir it," Pomona told Barnaby. "Don't let the food on top remain uncooked while the bottom burns."
Barnaby looked at Pomona, then his gaze passed over her toward the rest of the kitchen. Only then did the people watching him look away.
Those staring at him included House-elves, members of the cooking club, and students who, like Barnaby, had been sent to the kitchen for detention.
"Yes, Professor," Barnaby said. He grabbed the enormous wooden spoon beside the cauldron, nimbly leapt onto the wooden ladder by its rim, rolled up his sleeves, and began stirring the soup.
After giving her instructions, Pomona left the kitchen.
Magic could have achieved the same result, of course, but it was nice to occasionally see wizards using their muscles to work.
Humming all the way, she arrived at the Great Hall to inspect the decorations. This year's theme was not jack-o'-lanterns, but vampires. Fake bats flew back and forth beneath the ceiling.
"This isn't the effect I wanted!" Filius shouted. "Don't let me see another coffin!"
The students helping him carried the web-covered coffins back out.
Pomona looked around. Apart from the ceiling, the Great Hall had hardly changed. It looked much the same as usual.
"That's it?" Pomona asked Flitwick.
"I'm still decorating!" Flitwick said