"I thought I just heard Big-Mouthed Ball Fish? I also really like eating it." Allen's voice rang out, and he suddenly appeared, greeting them as he came over to join the fun, the smile on his face looking rather guileless. "I'd love to try Mrs. Granger's cooking too. Can I come along?"
"Allen, the more people, the livelier it'll be!" Mr. Granger hugged Allen—his precious daughter was about to graduate, and he felt that things like the wedding really ought to start being prepared.
"It's just Ball Fish, though. I still can't really tell their varieties apart. How would you like it cooked? I think people from your hometown like to dust it with flour and pan-fry it in butter?" Mrs. Granger's smile grew even brighter. She still had no idea that Big-Mouthed Ball Fish were basically considered extinct, to the point that many people believed they did not exist at all.
Hermione, off to the side, licked her dry lips, her uneasy gaze shifting about. Even Allen was going—this scene was outside what she had imagined. If Allen was there too, then the leeway she had originally planned to give her parents to adjust would lose its effect. Luna alone would not be enough to draw their attention and make them restrain themselves. More importantly, she had not even told Allen yet...
"Before I came over, I heard you say you'd learned a trick or two from Mrs. Zhang. I'm sure it'll be delicious... Actually, I learned a little before too. How about I cook as well and give you a hand?" Allen was being somewhat deliberately casual, wanting to show Hermione's parents the fact that, despite being a male wizard, he could make difficult dishes—something rather rare.
"How could I let you do the cooking? The neighbors would