Cooking: The First Lesson in Wilderness Survival
The students sitting by the small lake in the Forbidden Forest had no objections whatsoever, even though the two largest ethnic groups were present.
They can tolerate two days and one night as long as the Centaur's territory is not violated.
The Acromantula has recently encountered many natural enemies. Many of its unhatched spider eggs have been eaten, and it has been driven back by a large fire when trying to find the source.
"You mean those wizards?" Aragog's chelicerae opened and closed repeatedly inside the nest.
Hagrid had indeed instructed them not to go out for the next two days, but he never expected that the reason was that nearly a thousand students had come for a field trip.
Living people, fresh and young living people.
Mosag's eight large eyes darted around, as if he were considering something.
They exert almost no control over their offspring.
On Halloween, it was because the leader of one of the regions was cursed with Imperius Curse that he stormed the castle in a great force.
But that's only one-eighth.
While he was tempted, the strange weapon in the hands of that young wizard was not easy to deal with.
Animals are afraid of fire, and magical creatures are no exception.
Adult Acromantula have a shell that is covered with dense hairs.
A fire can be lit without any ignition source.
Thankfully, there were no casualties, otherwise their offspring would definitely have been unable to resist.
"I'm old, Mosag."
The children can do whatever they want; we can't control them anyway.
Adult Acromantula can reach a length of up to fifteen feet.
As carnivorous creatures, they will even eat their own dead members.
This fire comes every few days and will continue for a year or two; cannibalism might soon break out.
"The children will attack those wizards."
Aragog slightly raised his large head, then lowered it again as if to express sorrow.
"They are wizards, beings who stand at the pinnacle of the Wizarding World."
I'm grateful to Hagrid for bringing me here, but we can never defeat them.
Its chelipeds stopped swinging, "Perhaps after I die, my children will become tools for the animals they keep in captivity."
Mosag's eight legs curled up slightly, his voice trembling with terror. "That person—that person only ever uses species like us."
If they had to choose sides, they would both definitely side with Hagrid.
But their offspring are another matter.
Just the promise to eat live people...
"It's good for the children to experience some challenges." Aragog's large body landed on the ground, stretching out all his legs.
"I can neither stop our reproductive instincts nor our brutal nature."
"Everything will be alright." Mosag turned and walked out of the cave.
Since it's a wilderness survival exercise, lunch certainly won't be prepared in advance.
With the combined efforts of hundreds of House-elf, all the ingredients were piled together, forming a small mountain thirty feet high.
The students were all excited when the professors divided the food and took it back with them.
"We'll set off promptly at 3 PM, and we'll rest on the mountain near the Forbidden Forest tonight!"
Hufflepuff students became the most popular group.
On the professors' side was Sprout.
"Handle the knife gently, don't use too much force."
Under her magical control, each ingredient was processed.
The students nearby immediately did as instructed.
What good is having magic?
Food cannot appear out of thin air.
Even with many spells that can automatically create delicious food, it's still too difficult for students who haven't graduated yet.
What's more, the taste wasn't great either.
Precise and delicate control over magical power is the first point;
The second point is a focused and serious attitude;
The third and most important point is timing.
"To ensure the best taste of the food, I suggest using Repairing Charm sparingly."
Sprout put the blanched beef chunks and potatoes into the pot, along with onions, carrots, and other ingredients.
Flitwick operated the machine with remarkable skill, even more smoothly than she did.
Cook over high heat for 15 minutes, then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
However, the works presented by the two are completely different.
With the official taste tester "missing," Vincent, as the substitute, took a small bite of each item amidst countless envious glances.
While Flitwick's dishes are aesthetically pleasing, the resulting beef stew with potatoes has a strong industrial feel to it.
The food he cooked with magic looked very much like products from a factory assembly line.
Sprout's is different.
This is a beef stew with potatoes that has soul; Vincent can feel the emotion she poured into it.
One got a passing grade, and the other got a perfect score.
"Tch, what's so great about it—" Blaise Zabini below used fire the whole time.
The ingredients in the stew pot were oddly shaped, and the seasoning was a mess.
When the time came, he pointed his wand upwards.
As soon as the lid was opened even a crack, an extremely strong smell of burning wafted out.
This thing is not even worth eating, let alone restoring with Repairing Charm.
"Wow~ Zabini made a pot of dog poop~"
The twins pinched their noses and leaned closer, then retreated with extreme disgust.
"Fred, even ghosts wouldn't like the smell of this food."
"George, this is not food."
Blaise Zabini, his face turning red and then pale, retorted, "I don't need cooking skills at all!"
I want something to eat, and as soon as I open my mouth, the finished product is delivered to me!
"Then what are you waiting for?" The twins ran back with grins.
This is the Forbidden Forest of Hogwarts; even an owl takes night to make its round trip.
Draco's family does have House-elf, but they didn't arrive until almost three o'clock.
What to do?
Let's have some snacks first.
Blaise Zabini learned his lesson the second time and simmered it over low heat the whole time.
The stew pot was crammed full, with all sorts of ingredients squeezed together.
It's the same familiar color, the same familiar taste.
Draco gazed proudly at his constantly shaking stew pot.
Instead of cooking beef stew with potatoes, he confidently chose mutton that still had its gamey smell removed.
The pot was almost a third full of rosemary.
It seems that in his mind, as long as the fragrance is strong enough, it can mask any strange smell.
As for the result...
Draco, who had just vomited, took a bite and vomited it up again.
Of course, these two failures are just isolated cases.
The food the students cooked was generally edible.
It's simply a matter of whether it tastes good or bad.
Hufflepuff is generally above average, and many students shamelessly go there to freeload.
The most eye-catching one is a round, plump owl.
"Gu Gu Accio— " Vincent's merciless iron hand caught it.
"Those are too high in calories, you need to have this."
This vegetable salad, made with tomatoes, lettuce, corn, and other ingredients, is Gu Gu's long-awaited lunch today.
"Eat it, it's all cold."
Gu Gu its paws and turned its back to him.
Vincent picked it up again. "After you finish this, I'll take you to find the little field mouse tonight?"
"Gu Gu!"
"Who am I? I certainly wouldn't go back on my word!"
"Gu Gu!"
"Fine, fine, anyone who goes back on their word is a little dog."
Gu Gu stood in front of the vegetable salad again and picked up a small piece of lettuce.
It has no oil, no salt, and not even salad dressing.