"Cedric, are you... eating potions?"
The door to the Hufflepuff common room swung open, revealing a group of students entering in high spirits, chatting and laughing. However, they stopped abruptly, staring in shock at Cedric and his friends.
The scene before them was bizarre—Cedric, Fred, George, and David were gathered around a bubbling cauldron, using tongs to pull out steaming food and placing it onto their plates. Their faces were flushed red, beads of sweat trickling down their foreheads, yet they continued eating enthusiastically.
The leader of the newcomers, a tall fifth-year Hufflepuff student named York Gladstone, frowned in concern.
"If you're feeling unwell, you should go to the hospital wing," York said seriously. "You shouldn't be brewing potions and drinking them—especially not without supervision!"
It was a testament to Hufflepuff's camaraderie that his immediate assumption was concern for their well-being rather than suspicion.
Cedric let out a long exhale, his tongue tingling from the spiciness, and waved his hand. "York, we're not sick! This stuff is delicious, just really spicy!"
Even as he spoke, Cedric didn't stop reaching for another slice of beef, dipping it into the fiery broth before eagerly taking a bite.
Fred grinned at York and motioned for him to come closer. "You should try it. This is a Muggle dish from China, something David introduced us to. It's called hot pot!"
York hesitated, glancing at the cauldron. "Muggle food?" He had never heard of hot pot before. However, seeing Cedric, Fred, and George all eagerly devouring their meal, curiosity got the better of him.
David, who had been quietly enjoying his food, looked up and smiled. "Senior York, you're welcome to join us. I promise, you won't regret it."
Seeing Cedric and the others eat without hesitation reassured York. He nodded and sat down beside them.
"Alright," he said. "If Cedric is willing to risk his tongue, I might as well try it too."
Following David's instructions, York prepared his dipping sauce with chili oil and sesame paste before picking up a slice of thinly cut beef. He placed it in the boiling red broth, watched it cook, then dipped it in the sauce before taking his first bite.
The explosion of flavors hit him immediately—spicy, numbing, yet incredibly delicious. His eyes widened in shock.
"Hiss—spicy! But… but it's amazing!" York gasped between bites, his face growing redder. He gave David a thumbs-up. "David, you should have been in Hufflepuff. Seriously!"
The other Hufflepuffs, who had been watching from a distance, were growing restless.
"York, you're just going to sit there and eat without us?" one of them complained.
"You can't be serious—let us try some too!" another whined.
The hunger in their voices was evident.
York laughed and turned to Nellie, one of the Hufflepuff house-elves, who had been observing the scene with wide eyes.
"Nellie, can you prepare more ingredients?" York asked. "We're going to need a lot more meat and vegetables!"
Nellie, eager to please, nodded excitedly. "Yes, sir! The kitchen still has plenty of food. But… we don't have this broth."
David chuckled, reaching into his bag. "Don't worry. I still have some of the hot pot base left." He handed Nellie a small portion.
The house-elf took it reverently, as though receiving a rare magical artifact. His eyes shone with determination. "Sir, may I try making it in the kitchen?"
David smiled. "Of course. If you need any help, just ask."
With that, Nellie disappeared with a pop, heading straight for the kitchen.
Hot Pot Fever Sweeps Hufflepuff
With Nellie preparing additional hot pot bases, more and more Hufflepuffs started joining in.
By now, the common room had transformed into a lively hot pot feast. Several additional cauldrons had been placed on tables, each bubbling with spicy broth. Students crowded around, eagerly dunking in slices of meat, mushrooms, and vegetables.
The air was filled with the rich aroma of spices, laughter, and the occasional sharp inhale from someone overwhelmed by the heat.
David sat back, observing with satisfaction. "Well, I didn't expect this," he muttered to himself.
Cedric, who had taken a break from eating to gulp down a butterbeer, grinned at him. "David, you might have just started a new tradition at Hogwarts."
Fred wiped his forehead dramatically. "I can already imagine it—'Hogwarts Hot Pot Night'!"
George laughed. "And you'll be the legendary 'Hot Pot Master of Hogwarts'!"
David rolled his eyes. "You lot are ridiculous."
Still, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Bringing hot pot to Hogwarts had been a spontaneous decision, but seeing everyone enjoying themselves, bonding over food, made him genuinely happy.
A Special Achievement
Suddenly, David felt a strange sensation—as if a warm, golden light was surrounding him.
A voice echoed in his mind:
[New Achievement Unlocked: Potion? No! It's Food!]
Description: "Making potions is similar to cooking. Master the order of adding ingredients, control the heat, and time it correctly—whether it's a potion or a meal, the process is the same!"
Achievement Goal:
☑️ Cook a meal using a cauldron (1/1)
Reward:
✨ Potion-making talent improved!
David blinked in surprise.
He had unlocked an achievement just by making hot pot? And it had enhanced his potion-making abilities?
Fred nudged him. "David, what's with that weird smile? Did the hot pot make you delirious?"
David chuckled. "Something like that."
Snape's Future Nightmare
Meanwhile, down in the Hogwarts kitchen, Nellie was hard at work, preparing new cauldrons of hot pot broth under the curious gazes of other house-elves.
As the spicy aroma filled the air, a wicked thought crossed David's mind.
"If this keeps up, I wonder how Snape will react when he walks into the Great Hall and sees students brewing hot pot instead of potions in their cauldrons."
The image of Professor Snape glaring at dozens of bubbling cauldrons filled with food instead of potions was so hilarious that David nearly choked on his butterbeer.
Conclusion: Hot Pot Brings People Together
As the night went on, more students from other houses started hearing about the Hufflepuff hot pot feast. Soon, even a few curious Ravenclaws and Gryffindors were sneaking in to get a taste.
David smiled to himself. Food had a magical way of bringing people together.
He had no idea how long the hot pot craze would last at Hogwarts, but one thing was certain—
Hufflepuff had just discovered its new favorite meal.
And if David had anything to do with it, this was just the beginning.
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