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[HARRY POTTER:Rainbow in the Dark] #110
🕑 Added 2025-05-09 13:11:54 +0000 UTC"Yes, it is rather refreshing to just sit back and let someone else do the driving," Severus commented as he pulled open the door to Jessops and they went inside. Severus explained to the clerk about the camera's film being only halfway used and how his wife had accidently opened the back of the camera and possibly exposed the film, but could he get it developed even though there might be some photos lost.
The clerk rewound the film and gave the camera back to Severus. He nodded and told them it would take two to four days to do it so Severus said they would come back in on Friday to pick it up whatever pictures there were. Since it was close to five, Severus hailed another Black Cab and gave the driver the address to the Royal China restaurant at 13 Queensway. They were seated and given menus. "What do you recommend, Severus?" Filius asked looking over his menu.
"They are noted for their dim sum here. Otherwise the Barbeque Pork Loin with Braised Noodles is delicious and so is the Chicken and Prawns in Cream and Sour Sauce."
They decided to start off with the Crab Meat Dumpling Soup with an order of Minced Pork Dumplings with Shrimp. Filius decided on the Barbeque Pork Loin and Severus on the Chicken and Prawns in Cream with and they both added sides of Chicken and Mushroom Buns. For the dessert, they both decided on the Chilled Mango Pudding. Severus paid for the dinner with the Muggle cash he routinely carried. He always kept some in his quarters for outings such as this.
"That was excellent," Filius said while Severus was paying the bill. "My compliments to the chef."
They went back outside and Severus flagged another Black Cab to drop them off on Charing Cross Road. By now it was fully dark, but inside of the Leaky Cauldron was busy since people were no longer afraid to come out of their houses at night. All the businesses in Diagon Alley had benefited from Voldemort's demise.
They flooed back to Hogwarts and stepped out into Severus' quarters. "I'm assuming the headmaster will want you to accompany me when I pick up the developed film on Friday so we can leave at the same time if that works for you?"
"That's fine, Severus. Do you have any other favorite restaurants?"
"Yes, I have a favorite Indian restaurant that I have eaten at a couple of times. Its name is the Cinnamon Club."
"The name sounds familiar. I think I recall Miss Patel mentioning it to me," Filius nodded. "I believe she said it was her parents' favorite place to eat and that the cuisine was more like India than the other Indian restaurants they've eaten at. Perhaps we can try that or else we can go back to this Royal China again," Filius said. "The food was exotic and very tasty."
Severus nodded. "We can decide on Friday," he replied.
After Filius went back to his quarters, Severus flooed Dumbledore. "I took the camera in, but unfortunately we will not be able to see what is on the film until Friday. Filius and I will return on Friday and I will give him the photos to keep after I pay for them so they will be no question of fraudulence. I have Mr. Creevey's camera and I will give it to Minerva to keep until Mr. Creevey is no longer petrified."
"Fine, but I want to see them as soon as you return."
"If you are going to up still because Filius and I are going to have dinner again in London and we probably will not be back here until about nine."
"I will wait up."
"Fine then. Goodnight, Headmaster."
Severus and Filius returned to Jessops on Friday to pick up the pictures. Severus paid for them and then immediately handed Filius the envelope of photos and he put it into the inside pocket of his jacket. They had decided to have dinner at the Cinnamon Club. Filius decided on the Baked Sea Bass filet with burnt shallots and ginger crust and tomato lemon sauce while Severus decided on Tandoori wild Spence Gulf king prawns with malai curry sauce and dried shrimp rice. They both had a seasonal green leaf salad and a side dish of Masala mashed potatoes.
Filius stopped eating at one point and asked, "Severus, do you ever wonder if Albus is getting too old to be the headmaster and should step down and I'm worried about some of the things I've seen in the last year."
"You mean his insistence on having the Sorcerer's Stone hidden in the building?"
"That and insisting on having a Cerberus guarding it not to mention that he hired a defense professor that was possessed by You-Know-Who and he didn't even notice it. I'm also concerned about the prejudicial things I've heard him say and his extreme favoritism toward Gryffindor."
"I am worried about my house and his attitude towards them. His prejudice towards Slytherin seems to be increasing rather than diminishing. I thought it was bad when I was a student, but it's definitely gotten worse."
"It does seem he's becoming paranoid. Maybe if we as heads of house and Poppy were to talk to him, we could convince him to step down," Filius suggested. "Surely she has noticed how much he's changed."
"You, Minerva, Pomona, and Poppy can try to talk to him, but if I come with you, he won't even consider it because he will think I want my snakes to be able to run wild, take over Hogwarts, and set up Mr. Flint as the next dark lord." Severus shook his head. "I suspect it will end up with the Board forcing him to retire."
"It's a shame," Filius said shaking his head. "He was a brilliant wizard in his day, but his behavior now is damaging to the students and to the school's reputation."
