Cedric handed out the snacks he was holding.
Professor McGonagall took a portion, and Hermione Vance took one too. Mr. Fawkes grew curious when he saw his daughter holding something, so he reached over and picked up one of the little balls.
It had been fried until crisp and crumbly. Even a light squeeze made flakes fall off.
"Is this made from Spore Cabbage?"
Mr. Fawkes leaned in and sniffed. The fried aroma rushed into his nose. His throat bobbed, and he opened his mouth to pop it in.
Professor McGonagall quickly raised a hand to stop him.
"Sorry, Mr. Fawkes."
Her tone was polite, but her hand stayed where it was.
"You can't eat that."
Mr. Fawkes froze with his mouth still open.
Cedric was just as confused.
Hermione's hand stopped halfway to her mouth. She looked at Professor McGonagall, then at her father, her eyes full of questions.
"What's wrong?"
Cedric couldn't help asking.
"There is a problem."
Professor McGonagall took the Biting Cabbage snack back from Mr. Fawkes and placed it in Cedric's palm.
"This is made from Biting Cabbage, isn't it? I've heard quite a bit about what you've been doing lately."
"That's right."
Cedric nodded.
"Everyone seems to like it. This is a new snack I just made, and I'm sure the taste won't disappoint."
"I'm not talking about the taste."
Professor McGonagall wasn't blaming him. She simply explained with patience.
"Biting Cabbage contains magic. Muggles can't eat things like this, and the same is true of most potions."
She paused, her expression turning serious.
"If a Muggle's body can't withstand the magic inside it, the damage could go deep. Once that happens, it's very difficult to put right."
Cedric's eyes widened.
A chill of fear ran through him.
If Professor McGonagall hadn't warned him today, he might have let Mr. Fawkes eat it. None of the books had explained anything about this. Even his Potions textbook hadn't mentioned it.
"Looks like you won't be able to enjoy it, then."
Cedric shrugged, popped the Biting Cabbage snack Professor McGonagall had returned into his mouth, and crunched away.
Professor McGonagall and Hermione gave Mr. Fawkes apologetic smiles, then ate their own portions.
"Oh my goodness!"
Hermione's cheeks puffed out, and her eyes lit up. With food still in her mouth, her words came out muffled.
"I've never eaten anything this good!"
Professor McGonagall couldn't keep her composure either.
She had known for some time that Cedric was an excellent cook. She hadn't expected even a snack he had thrown together to taste this good.
The dish fell a little short of perfection, and its enhancing effect wasn't especially noticeable. But in terms of flavor alone, it was every bit as good as Rock Sugar Biting Cabbage.
Professor McGonagall and Hermione were completely won over by that first bite.
Mr. Fawkes saw the sparkle in his daughter's eyes, then looked at Professor McGonagall, who usually wore such a stern expression but now looked like she was savoring every bite. He felt even more left out.
Fine, I can't eat it. But do they have to make it look so delicious right in front of me?
Professor McGonagall was a professor, after all, and soon collected herself. She cleared her throat and composed her expression.
"Well done."
As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on the bag in Cedric's hand.
Cedric had no intention of sharing any more. He pulled the bag shut.
Professor McGonagall and Hermione sighed softly at the same time.
"What, doesn't it taste good?"
Cedric asked deliberately.
"That's not what I meant. It's just..."
Professor McGonagall coughed again, pushed the look of satisfaction off her face, and returned to her usual stern manner.
"Next, I need to take Miss Vance and her father to Diagon Alley. We'll part ways here."
"I won't hold you up, then."
Cedric nodded.
"I'm heading to Diagon Alley too, but I have different things to do. I doubt we'll be going the same way."
Of course they wouldn't be going the same way.
Professor McGonagall and the others would probably head to Gringotts first, and Gringotts was farther down Diagon Alley.
Cedric wandered down the street alone. He had seen just about everything in the shops on either side. To him, the magical sweets and little toys were less appealing than an ordinary cabbage.
The Quidditch supply shop held even less interest for him.
The sport was popular among wizards. A crowd of children had gathered outside the window, pressing close and shouting excitedly about the new brooms inside.
Cedric had never understood what was so fun about riding a broom through the sky and chasing a ball.
He had no interest in riding a broom himself, either.
If he had a choice, he would much rather be able to fly whenever he wanted without needing a broom.
What would I have to eat to gain a flying ability?
Lost in such thoughts, he arrived at the first shop he had planned to visit today.
"Spirit Feather Tailor Shop."
It was a tailor shop that catered to wealthy customers.
Ollivander's wand shop had a sign that looked as though it hadn't been wiped down in centuries. The Spirit Feather Tailor Shop was nothing like it. Even the frame of its sign was gilded, gleaming almost painfully bright in the sunlight.
Cedric glanced up at the name of the shop.
He was still wearing the cheap clothes Professor McGonagall had bought him, but that didn't intimidate him in the slightest. He strode straight into the shop, which looked much like a luxury boutique.
"Hello, dear. What sort of clothes would you like?"
The shopkeeper rose to greet him.
When she saw Cedric clearly, one eyebrow lifted slightly.
The owner of the Spirit Feather Tailor Shop was a poised woman. She had black hair and black eyes, a straight nose, and a touch of Roman beauty in her features. She was quite lovely.
Her clothes looked perfectly at home among wizards, yet wouldn't have been out of fashion in the Muggle world. The outfit showed off her figure without looking improper. Taken as a whole, it was very tasteful.
Cedric had to admit that the owner had an excellent eye for clothes.
He looked her up and down and silently approved of her taste.
If she brought out an old-fashioned robe or tried to dress him like a dark wizard, he would feel uncomfortable instead.