chsdbacks Chapter 69 What? You want to eat a dragon?
Chapter 69 What? You want to eat a dragon?
Ellie is in a very good mood right now.
In the morning, led by Lucas and Hannah, she strolled through Diagon Alley, bought everything she needed for school, and even went to the Popcorn Club to watch a freestyle show.
Ellie found everything here novel and exciting, much like Lucas when he first came to Diagon Alley.
As they walked and talked, Lucas learned that Ellie had pleaded and begged for a long time before finally arriving at Diagon Alley a few days early to meet him. As for the fact that her father, Alastair, and mother hadn't come, leaving her alone, that was perfectly normal.
The McFastie family has always emphasized independence and self-reliance, and no one believes that going to Diagon Alley to buy things requires adult accompaniment.
It's only natural that Ellie left home early to stay at the Leaky Cauldron, and then went straight to school when it was time to leave.
Through further communication, Hannah learned more about the McFastie family.
"What? You live in an overseas archipelago, ruling the Hebrides Black Dragons for generations?" Hannah's mouth dropped open in astonishment. "Wow—that's—that's so cool!"
This is because the McFastie family has been isolated overseas for too long, and all matters related to dragons are highly confidential, so the young wizards have basically never heard of the name "McFastie".
Ellie's arrival at Hogwarts marks a significant step forward for the MacFast family in terms of outward engagement with the world, a feat not seen for centuries.
In the afternoon, long lines still stretched in front of Lucas's stall, but regular customers were surprised to find that Lucas was focused on being a chef today, while the stall's sales and cashier duties were handled by a tall, honey-skinned girl with purple eyes.
The gathered young wizards were astonished. Susan Burns nudged Hannah quietly, "Oh dear, who is she? Lucas seems quite close to her. Oh no, your Lucas is going to be stolen!"
Hannah blushed instantly and shook her head vigorously: "What are you talking about! This is Lucas's good friend, Ellie Jane McFastie."
"A good friend?" Susan squinted suspiciously. "Do you believe that? Silly girl, if I were you, I'd definitely be on guard."
Hannah blushed and covered Susan's mouth with her hand: "I've told you so many times, Skeeter's report is all nonsense, and Lucas and I are good friends."
Susan brushed her hand away and rolled her eyes: "Good friend? See if I believe you."
"Susan! What are you thinking? We're only eleven!"
"So, you mean we can wait until we're a little older?" Susan smiled mischievously. "I'll talk to Lucas about it right now!"
The two best friends were bickering and the little wizards introduced themselves to each other with laughter. Now Ellie also knew Susan, Ernie, and Zacharys.
After selling out and packing up, Lucas went to Gringotts to exchange his earnings for whole dollars. He took out one hundred gallons, then thought for a moment and added another fifty gallons.
I'm going to have a really stressful meal tonight!
......
As dusk settled, Lucas and the two girls were already seated under the dreamlike starry sky.
In fact, this is a dome that has been enchanted, with a deep and clear starry sky floating around, and occasionally a magnificent aurora borealis gliding by like ribbons.
In the center of the hall, a crystal grand piano, entirely transparent, was automatically playing soothing and melodious music, its keys undulating like ripples on water. In a corner, several exquisite violins and cellos were gently playing, golden dust occasionally falling from their strings.
The table was covered with a pristine white lace tablecloth, and the silver cutlery gleamed under the starlight, constantly cleaning itself. Elegantly dressed guests chatted quietly or savored their food with focused attention.
This is one of the most upscale restaurants in Diagon Alley, the renowned "Starlight Night" famous for its French cuisine. Its illustrious reputation, coupled with its sophisticated and exquisite décor, filled Lucas with immense anticipation.
Originally, reservations should have been made at least two weeks in advance, but Tom Abbott helped out, and coincidentally, a customer canceled their reservation, allowing Lucas to cut in line.
"Mr. McGregor, it's a pleasure to meet you. Your deeds are widely known, and I'm honored to serve you. In fact, Minister Fudge is a frequent visitor to our home."
The speaker was a manager dressed in a sharp tailcoat with a neat mustache. He bowed slightly and presented the menu with a professional smile.
Lucas hadn't expected to summon the restaurant manager directly. Thanks to the Daily Prophet and Minister Fudge, it seems I actually have some social standing now?
He thanked them and accepted the exquisitely beautiful silk menu wrapped in velvet. Ellie and Hannah huddled together, studying the French menu items and animated illustrations on another menu, occasionally whispering amongst themselves.
"What is this 'Coq au Vin'?"
"Oh, let's just look at the picture. This should be some kind of stewed chicken..."
Lucas didn't join their discussion; his gaze quickly swept across the menu.
French onion soup, bouillabaisse, escargot, foie gras with figs, Provençal stew, veal in white sauce, beef stew in Burgundy red wine...
Yes, that's right, these are all classic French dishes...
but--
Lucas flipped through it from beginning to end, and then from end to beginning again.
The mustachioed manager chuckled, "Mr. McGregor, too many dishes aren't a good thing, are they? A bit overwhelming, isn't it? No problem, may I recommend a few?"
"Thank you." Lucas hesitated for a moment. "Are all the dishes on the menu?"
The man with the mustache paused for a moment, then said, "Yes, sir."
Lucas closed the menu.
Something's not right. Looking at this menu alone, how is it any different from a French restaurant in the Muggle world?!
"Does your restaurant not have any dishes made with magical creatures or enchanted plants?"
The man with the mustache froze, momentarily thinking he'd misheard: "Excuse me, Mr. McGregor?"
Lucas wanted to find one from his still-developing knowledge of magical creatures, and the first one that popped into his mind was—
"For example, is there any dragon meat?"
With a soft thud, the menu that Ellie was holding fell to the ground.
Before the mustache could answer, Ellie sprang up and leaned in, her pert nose almost touching Lucas's, her purple eyes filled with disbelief.
"You want to eat dragon meat?!"
"Can't I? Why not?" Lucas asked curiously.
Why? Ellie's computer crashed.
For her, and for the McFastie family's view of nature and worldview, this question was like someone asking "Why does one plus one equal two?" It was obvious, but how could it be explained?
A flood of ideas rushed through her mind, swirling together into a jumbled mess. She could only stammer, "Dragons...dragons are very precious protected animals, treasures of nature..."
"But dragon liver is sold on the street, sixteen sieverts an ounce," Lucas said matter-of-factly. "Dragon liver is used in medicine, heartstrings are made into wands, dragon blood has twelve uses, dragon skin and scales are made into all kinds of armor..."
"Then why can't we eat dragon meat?"