"Alright, that's enough for today," Alex said to himself, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I'm getting closer. With a bit more practice, I might be able to cast Protego, the Shield Charm, without a wand." He smiled, pleased with his progress.

  After finishing his practice, Alex started ing up the patio where he'd been training. Halfway through, he heard the wall creak and crack as someone opehe door to the Leaky Cauldron from Diagon Alley.

  A rge, t figure stepped through—a tall man with a thick beard, ed in a gray fur coat. His long, dark hair fell over his shoulders, and his steps were so heavy that the ground seemed to shake with eae.

  "Mr. Hagrid! Long time no see. What brings you over from Diagon Alley?" Alex greeted the half-giant warmly.

  Business at the Leaky Cauldron had been slow, though a few patrons still came by daily, including patrolling Aurors who often stopped for a drink after their shift. Alex had gotten to know a few of them during his daily magic practi the patio, and Hagrid, the groundskeeper at Hogwarts, was one of those familiar faces.

  Tom, the innkeeper, had introduced Hagrid to Alex, expining that he was the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts and also took care of the Forbidden Forest. He often came to the Leaky Cauldroher for a drink or to pick up supplies for the school.

  "It's good to see ya, Alex!" Hagrid boomed in his deep voice. "I was just here helping a young Muggle-born wizard get his school supplies. But as it turns out, his father’s a Squib, so he already knows Diagon Alley pretty well. Didn’t really need my help, after all." Hagrid scratched his beard sheepishly.

  Alex tried not to ugh, realizing Hagrid had misuood his question. But, as usual, Hagrid was generous with the details.

  "So, are you heading back to Hogwarts now?" Alex asked, ging the subject.

  Hagrid shook his head. "Nah, not yet. I've been in Diagon Alley since m, helpin' the family, but they didn’t need much. I ended up wandering over to Knockturn Alley, just poking around a bit. Didn't even realize it’s nearly diime, and I haven’t had a bite all day! Figured I'd stop in here for a drink."

  Alex chuckled. Hagrid’s way of talking made it hard not to like him.

  "What did you buy on your trip, Mr. Hagrid? That’s quite a rge package you’re carrying."

  Hagrid grinned, patting the rge bundle slung over his shoulder. "Ah, this? You won’t believe it—I got a whole pound on liver! Got it for a steal. ya guess how much it cost? Nah, ya wouldn’t believe it! Cheapest deal I’ve ever found!"

  "Dragon liver? That's amazing!" Alex's curiosity sparked. "I've never seen dragon liver before. I take a look?"

  "Of course, my friend!" Hagrid said enthusiastically, uning the buo reveal a piece of liver that was dark and ri color, fresh and glistening as if just cut.

  "My goodness, it looks like it’s straight from the dragon!" Alex exami closely. "What are you going to do with it? Use it for potions?"

  Hagrid chuckled. "Nah, I’m thinkin' of makin' a meat sauce. But it's such a fine piece, maybe I should try somethin' special."

  Alex, his love for cooking kig in, had an idea. "How about I cook it for you? I could fry it with some spring onions. I think it would taste much better tha sauce. What do you think?"

  Hagrid looked surprised. "You cook? But you’re only eleven!"

  Tom, who had been listening nearby, joined in. "Oh, Hagrid, you’ve no idea! Alex's cooking is fantastic. I’ve beeing his meals for weeks now, and I’ve learned a thing or two just by watg him. If he ever wrote a magical recipe book, it’d sell out instantly."

  Since Alex had moved into the Leaky Cauldron, Tom hadn’t had to pay for a single meal—Alex had takehe kit, cooking dinner and sometimes breakfast for them both.

  Hagrid grinned. "Well, if Tom says so, the’s do it! I'm up for tryin' anything new. Go on, Alex, let's see what ya make."

  Alex eagerly took the dragon liver into the kit, realizing just how special this ingredient was. As he hahe liver, he could feel a faint warmth in it and noticed a strong, gamey st.

  Hagrid mentiohat he’d bought it from a vendor in Knockturn Alley, which expis freshness.

  Alex grabbed a handful of spring onions he had grown himself, sliced up the dragon liver, and mari with onions, ginger, soy sauce, and cooking wine. O was ready, he stir-fried the liver h heat, keeping the fvors banced. He prepared a few side dishes as well, knowing Hagrid's appetite would need more thae.

  As the smell of the cooked liver filled the air, Hagrid and Tom were practically drooling in anticipation, their eyes fixed oeaming dish as Alex brought it to the table. "Well, here it is—stir-fried dragon liver with spring onions. Give it a try!" Alex said, setting the dish down.

  Hagrid wasted no time grabbing a forkful and taking a bite. His eyes lit up. "Blimey, this is delicious! Best liver I've ever had!"

  Alex took a bite as well, pleased with the result. The dragon liver had a uaste—not quite like pork or mb liver. It was rich yet tender, with a slight the outside and a melt-in-your-mouth texture inside.

  Tom, grinning, brought out a rge bottle of red currant rum from his colle. "This calls for a celebration! A meal like this deserves a good drink to go with it."

  They ate and drank together, ughing and sharing stories, while Hagrid and Tom praised Alex’s cooking over and over.

  By the end of the night, Hagrid and Tom were rosy-cheeked and full, tent from the delieal.

  As Hagrid leaned ba his chair, a bit tipsy from the rum, he raised his gss to Alex. "You’ve got a real talent, d. Best dragon liver I've ever had—and I’ve had quite a bit!"

  After eating and drinking, Alex, Hagrid, and Tom kept chatting, and soon, the versation turo the topic of the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters.