Confrontation

Bon Appetite

The house elves didn’t find it strange that Professor Lecter once again came down to the kitchens in the middle of the night to cook. Since his arrival at Hogwarts he came to the kitchens at least twice a week to cook himself a meal, saying he enjoyed cooking.

At first the elves tried to help him, but it went quite badly…the muggle becoming angry and ordering them to leave him alone. So now they did. They were uncomfortable around Professor Lecter anyway. He wasn’t magical, so they couldn’t perceive service for him, nor know his secrets. His food orders had to be pre-written out and delivered to the kitchen for them to prepare his meals. He sent his preferences in for the next day the night before with specific instructions on preparation, which the house elves grumbled about. They were excellent cooks. But apparently he had his own preferences as to flavoring and since they couldn’t foresee his preferences, the creatures had to work with what directions he gave them.

The house elves turned on the magic stove for him as the muggle collected two frying pans. The flames would extinguish themselves when he was finished.

Professor Lecter removed his robes and proceeded to round up what he needed. A piece of unsalted dried codfish, a few small potatoes, fish stock, several cloves of garlic, fresh parsley, olive oil, a few threads of saffron, half a shallot, a carrot, a leek, a ripe tomato, a red pepper, black pepper and almonds.

Lecter soaked the codfish in hot water for about four minutes, during which time he peeled and diced the potatoes. He then cooked the onion and garlic slowly in olive oil, then sauted the potatoes, codfish, adding a bit of water and saffron. He covered this and let it cook for several minutes until the potatoes and fish were tender, then removed the stock, putting it aside.

As the potatoes cooked, he cut up the carrots, leeks, shallots, tomato and red pepper. He added a bit of olive oil to another pan, then added the vegetables and almonds. Lecter looked about for the house elves, but they were all in their cupboards. He cautiously reached into his robes pocket, taking out a baggy containing two long thin slices of meat. He swallowed down the saliva that filled his mouth at the sight of them, then quickly added them to the sizzling vegetables, searing them quickly, then removing everything from the heat.

He quickly prepared his plate, everything smelling delightful. He added the saffron potatoes and codfish, then the meat and vegetables, salted it lightly, then set the plate on the counter for the flavors to blend a bit as he carefully washed, dried and put away the pots and pans.

His mouth watering, Lecter pulled up a stool, sat down and tasted the codfish and potatoes. Delicious. He then tasted the vegetables and almonds. Mmmm.

But it was when he sliced through the delicate flesh of the lightly cooked meat and slowly, almost reverently slid a small piece between his lips, that he felt heaven and earth meet in a rush of perfect texture and flavor as he chewed.

God...God...it was wonderful and extremely satisfying.

Letting out a deep sigh of pleasure, Hannibal Lecter, gentleman cannibal, set about devouring his meal with gusto.

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A/N: Move over, Emeril. Lolol. Thanks for reading.