Meeting Vaughn's gaze, Li Nanyu nodded readily without so much as looking at Dumbledore. "That sounds very good."
Dumbledore's eyes widened. "You can't do this! This is the Headmaster's Office!"
As though he had not heard him, Vaughn walked over to the desk and, under Dumbledore's astonished gaze, pulled a copper pot, some charcoal, and an assortment of ingredients out of his satchel.
After trying hot pot at the Weasley family's home, Dumbledore had fallen in love with this Eastern delicacy, though he was partial only to the cream broth.
So the instant Dumbledore saw Vaughn's preparations, he knew what he was planning.
His throat bobbed as he looked at the copper pot and declared righteously, "Vaughn, you can't treat a hundred-year-old man like this. At least make it a Yin-Yang Hot Pot!"
He knew Vaughn liked spicy broth. Unless he fought for his share, he would most likely end up an "ineffectual headmaster," forced to watch these people eat supper in his office without getting a single bite.
"Mr. Li, can you handle spicy food?" Vaughn asked politely.
Li Nanyu smiled and nodded. "Of course. I was born in the Sichuan-Chongqing region of China. Most people there can't enjoy a meal without some heat."
Dumbledore finally lost his composure. Breathing heavily, he said, "Vaughn, there's been a major breakthrough with the Eight-Champion Tournament!"
That finally made Vaughn stop what he was doing and look up at him. Then he broke into a brilliant smile. "My dear headmaster, would you like to join us?" Dumbledore's mouth twitched. Then he watched Vaughn tuck the copper pot back into his satchel and take out a Yin-Yang Hot Pot instead.
Hermione had already helped prepare the ingredients. Soon, steam rose from the pot, and the rich fragrance of cream mingled with the spicy