The tart

You pick up the tart and look at it critically. The mass of cream and fruit looked like a disorganised mess from a distance, but from close up you see that there’s a structure to it. You move the dessert around and realise that it’s actually a sculpture of Hogwarts castle. The masonry is made up of cream with fruit embedded in it. When you look closer, you notice that there are even small windows cut out of the castle.

“Wow!” you exclaim. “This is really impressive.”

The house-elves look happy at your compliment. You take a bite of the tart and savour the flavours. Your mouth is flooded with tastes. It’s almost as if you’re eating all the components one at a time, yet you can also taste them as a whole. It’s the most delicious dessert you’ve tasted. You wipe your mouth and hands clean and look admiringly at the house-elves.

“I think that may be the best thing I’ve ever eaten”, you say. “What’s the secret?”

The house-elves look pleased with themselves.

“Well…” Scoope begins.

“Dobby trusts Harry Potter”, Dobby interrupts. “Harry Potter is a friend of house-elves.”

“There’s a secret ingredient”, Scoope continues in a whisper. “It’s not something you’d normally find in a dessert.”

“What is it?” you ask, bending down to hear Scoope better.

“Horseradish”, he whispered back.

Your eyes widen as you hear one of the ingredients you need to collect.

“That is a strange ingredient”, you say.

“We find human Potions interesting”, Scoope explains. “Horseradish is an important ingredient in your Laughing Potion, so we tried it out.”

“Well, it definitely worked. Somehow”, you respond. “This brings me to my request. Coincidentally, I also need some horseradish, and some thyme.”

“We’d be happy to help you”, Scoope says to your relief.

He rummages in a box, pulling out a knobbly root and breaking off a section for you. Scoope moves to another box and returns with a small vial.

“We don’t have any fresh thyme, but we have this tincture of thyme”, he says. “I’ve never found a use for it.”

“That will be perfect”, you say. “And thank you for your help!”