Either way, Alex reassured him.

  "Don’t worry, Hagrid. I’ve kept a low profile. I mostly stick to csses and don’t get involved with anyone else. By the way, let’s not dwell on that. Check out what I brought you." He ged the subject, gesturing to the bundle of spices.

  The shift in topic brought back Hagrid’s cheerful mood.

  "Oh, what’ve you got here?"

  "Chili sauce, sesame sauce, bay leaves, soy sauce, sesame seeds—you . The food in the Great Hall is good, but I’ve grown a bit tired of it. I saw yetable garden outside, and I thought maybe I could whip up a few dishes for you to try?"

  Hagrid’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. He had tasted Alex’s cooking before, back when they had shared some stir-fried dragon liver at the Leaky Cauldron, and the memory still made his mouth water.

  "That sounds wonderful! You’ve got a knack for cooking, and I’ve got plenty of good ingredients around here, too. e and see!" Hagrid eagerly opened a rge et in the er of the hut, revealing what looked like an enormous pork chop and a massive pork leg, both frozen with a simple Freezing Charm.

  "Professor Kettleburn gave me these. That there’s from a Teb—strohan any regur pork you’d get in the Muggle world!"

  Alex was momentarily stuhe sheer size of the meat was incredible—it was easily rger than a full-grown pig from the Muggle world.

  "That’s a magical animal? we evehat?"

  Hagrid waved off his . "Oh, no problem at all! It’s a bit tougher than regur pork, but perfectly edible. I was thinking of g the pork leg to make ham. The chops I was saving for the swan-tailed dogs—Professor Kettleburn’s litter of pups is almost weaned, and he promised me one."

  Alex blinked in disbelief. "Wait, you were going to feed this huge k of magical animal meat to a dog?"

  Hagrid chuckled heartily. "Aye, they’re strong pups—they’ll grow big with the right feed!"

  Alex couldn’t help but ugh. Hagrid’s generosity extended even to his animals, and it was endearing in its own way.

  "Alright, let’s see what I do with this," Alex said, rolling up his sleeves. He was ready to experiment with the magical pork, seasonings in hand.

  As Alex began preparing the meal, choppiables from Hagrid’s garden and seasoning the pork chops, the two of them chatted. The atmosphere was light, filled with ughter, and for a little while, Alex could fet about the plexities of Hogwarts life. Here, in Hagrid’s cozy hut, things felt simple and peaceful.

  Ribs in hand, Hagrid led Alex outside to show off his vegetable garden, which was ly pnted with a variety of vegetables. Despite the abundance, Hagrid expihat only a small portion of the crops were o supply Hogwarts. Professor Pomona Sprout had a rge greenhouse, expanded with a Traceless Stretg Charm, where most of the school's ingredients were grown.

  "Every year, I grow loads of pumpkins for Halloween," Hagrid said proudly. "Professor Sprout es by and casts an Engement Charm on them for the feast. Look at these beauties though—broccoli, tomatoes, potatoes, ginger, cabbage, you . Aren’t they lovely?"

  Alex surveyed the garden and couldn’t help but notice that most of the vegetables were on iern cooking. There wasn’t a single head of cabbage to be seen, and this wasly what he had in mind.

  Trying to steer the versation to something more relevant to his pns, Alex asked, "Aren’t you growing any herbs?"

  Hagrid scratched his head, fused by the question.

  "Herbs? Well, there’s plenty of those in Professor Sprout’s greenhouse. Some herbs be dangerous, y’know. Not something you’d want to hahout the proper training."

  "Really?" Alex asked, though he already had an idea in mind. His gaze shifted to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, just beyond Hagrid’s hut. "What about the Forbidden Forest? There must be herbs in there, right?"

  Hagrid’s eyes narrowed in .

  "Aye, plenty of herbs grow in the forest—some mandrakes and manda fruits are almost ripe this time of year. But the Forbidden Forest is no pce to go wandering. There are dangerous creatures roaming, and we keep some magical creatures ioo—like hippogriffs. It’s not a pce to explore on a whim, Alex. You’d best stay clear of it."

  Alex smiled, knowing Hagrid meant well.

  "Don’t worry, I’m just curious. Speaking of curious, how about we pie tomatoes, ginger, and potatoes? I’ll make us something special tonight."

  The two of them gathered a basket of vegetables auro Hagrid’s hut. Alex prepared to cook the ribs of the Teb.

  Fortunately, Hagrid’s rge cooking pot could hahe massive ribs. The sheer size of the meat was daunting—each rib was as thick as Alex’s arm. He quickly realized that ordinary fryihods wouldn’t cut it.

  Alex asked Hagrid to help cut down two ribs, which they chopped into smaller pieces with the help of a cutting spell. After ing the ribs, Alex seasohem generously, using a blend of sauces and spices he had brought along. Ohe ribs were marinated, Alex set the massive pot on the fire. He poured oil, added garlid ginger, and carefully stir-fried the ribs until their aroma filled the room.

  As the meat began to brown, Hagrid couldn’t hide his excitement. His mouth watered, and he peeled potatoes eagerly, his anticipation growing with each passing minute.

  With the meat simmering, Alex added water to the pot, covered it, a cook slowly. The rich st of the ribs stewing in their own juices was enough to make both of them impatient. As the ribs cooked, Alex and Hagrid sat down, peeling more vegetables and chatting.

  "Hagrid, think I could pnt somethio yarden? I’d like a little patch to grow my own herbs."

  Hagrid grinned. "Of course, Alex. No problem at all. You pnt whatever you like, and you’re wele to e by anytime. It’ll be nice having more pany around."

  An hour ter, the stew was nearly ready. Alex added the potatoes, onions, and a few more vegetables, letting the mixture simmer for ahirty minutes. Finally, after a long wait, the rge pot of Teb ribs with potatoes was fihe sauce bubbled, thid fragrant, as Alex lifted the lid.

  "Dinner’s ready!" Alex decred, and both of them couldn’t wait any longer.