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Jul. 30th, 2006 05:15 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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neutral_omensTime: Late afternoon, 25 July 2000
Place: The Manor Grounds
Status: Public
Summary: The Barbecue
Severus had prepared for this extensively, had done research as soon as he was told that he needed to provide food for a ‘barbecue’. Well, that was American, wasn’t it? A newly-published book titled The Great American Barbecue and Grilling Manual was his starting point. (The words ‘great’ and ‘American’ did not belong in the same sentence, although perhaps he might be mistaken, never having been to America.) After learning that this was not merely an American cuisine but a regional (Southern) American cuisine, he began to specialise. Having found a butcher to bring a pig and something to cook it over (yes, the whole pig, you dolt) he learned that it could have been done with a goat as it had been in the Caribbean, and with less effort.
Having put forth effort already, he pushed ahead. The intensive labour required to prepare food by the slow ‘barbecue’ method had been provided by Remus Lupin, although he surely did not understand when he volunteered exactly what it was he’d be doing. The butcher himself was also interested and so Snape had ‘invited’ him to come and help. Work for the day, eat. Bring your family with you and they can help and eat also. Only if they help. Severus’ labour shortage crisis solved.
The whole concept of barbecue sauce was confusing, so he’d made three kinds. Two for public consumption—a South Carolina style with mustard, vinegar and black pepper that seemed reasonable enough. Kansas City style that was thick, red-brown, and gloppy, made with a tomato base and molasses. The third was for Crowley, a Texas-style sauce amusingly named ‘Devil’s Spit’ made from a tomato base with cumin and hot chiles. These American chiles being unavailable, he procured an Oriental variety that were infinitely hotter. Let him call that bland.
Chicken would go on, although not for as long as the blasted pig, and sausages for the unadventurous. The Brunswick Stew might end up in the restaurant under ‘American Cuisine’. It was simple enough, with a tomato base, lima beans (or any beans), corn, other vegetables, and meat. Traditionally rabbit or squirrel but he could use leftover pork, chicken, beef or even cut-up sausages. Basically, a fine way to rid himself of leftover almost anything and he revised his opinion of American ingenuity. The true test would be Crowley’s opinion. If he disapproved, it was definitely going on the menu.
Okra and sweet potatoes proved impossible to procure. Field greens—of the turnip variety—were simple enough to cook in some of the extra pig fat. Black-eyed peas, which looked an awful lot like beans, with bacon. He made carrots in sauce of butter and brown sugar that seemed terribly French, but he simply shrugged. There would be green peas—not mushy, unfortunately, which would have made Crowley complain and Snape smile, a dish of fried apples that was a side dish, apparently popular with pork, and potato salad. It was a source of annoyance that the recipe he found for this called for red potatoes that did not need to be peeled. How brilliant would it have been to set Lupin to peeling potatoes for his own requested potato salad?
Cornbread was simple enough to make, although all the different names and types confused him. The concept of beaten biscuits was repulsive so he settled on cheddar biscuits instead. American biscuits, he found, were a bread roll that seemed a bizarre combination of bap, scone, and crumpet. But they were a Southern staple and very simple to make. Devilled eggs—also simple, seemingly French—were another extra dish along with pickles of varied types. He refused to make grits—porridge was bad enough at breakfast and he would certainly not serve it in any other time.
Cold tea, sweet, with or without lemon was also a disgusting concept. Lemonade, if people wished to drink it. Lupin had to deal with squeezing the lemons, too. He had procured some Bourbon and Belial would, he imagined, not object if any leftover made its way to the bar. Mint juleps required it. Mint grew in the garden and sugar was a staple.
Having no sweet potatoes with which to make sweet potato pie, which seemed unpleasant anyway, he went with pecan pie. It was too sweet, but someone would eat it. Pound cake with whipped cream (another job for Lupin) and blackberry cobbler, which was enough like local fare for people to be willing to eat it. If he could have found watermelon, that would have been amusing. But messy, so just as well he hadn’t found it.
All in all, it was a great effort on his part, slave labour or no, and people had better appreciate it else he would be extremely put out.
"Let Wensleydale handle things in the kitchen, Lupin. The butcher will take care of serving the meat. You can clear plates and make sure the dishes are all filled." He had planned this. "The butcher's wife can help with drinks. The children have been disposed of."
Out of the way, nothing more sinister. Eating now, washing dishes later. Work for food, and a good trade on his part.
"Keep an eye on the biscuits, Wensleydale, and see that they don't burn. And make sure there is plenty of ice."
He turned.
"No, mint juleps are not sweets, get away from me, you silly child." Weren't they supposed to be on the far side of the lawn, eating their supper?
Attention Edit: As of this point the Devil's Spit sauce is no longer on the serving table but in Snape's hands, doled out by him. Please do not have your character get into it.
Place: The Manor Grounds
Status: Public
Summary: The Barbecue
Severus had prepared for this extensively, had done research as soon as he was told that he needed to provide food for a ‘barbecue’. Well, that was American, wasn’t it? A newly-published book titled The Great American Barbecue and Grilling Manual was his starting point. (The words ‘great’ and ‘American’ did not belong in the same sentence, although perhaps he might be mistaken, never having been to America.) After learning that this was not merely an American cuisine but a regional (Southern) American cuisine, he began to specialise. Having found a butcher to bring a pig and something to cook it over (yes, the whole pig, you dolt) he learned that it could have been done with a goat as it had been in the Caribbean, and with less effort.
Having put forth effort already, he pushed ahead. The intensive labour required to prepare food by the slow ‘barbecue’ method had been provided by Remus Lupin, although he surely did not understand when he volunteered exactly what it was he’d be doing. The butcher himself was also interested and so Snape had ‘invited’ him to come and help. Work for the day, eat. Bring your family with you and they can help and eat also. Only if they help. Severus’ labour shortage crisis solved.
The whole concept of barbecue sauce was confusing, so he’d made three kinds. Two for public consumption—a South Carolina style with mustard, vinegar and black pepper that seemed reasonable enough. Kansas City style that was thick, red-brown, and gloppy, made with a tomato base and molasses. The third was for Crowley, a Texas-style sauce amusingly named ‘Devil’s Spit’ made from a tomato base with cumin and hot chiles. These American chiles being unavailable, he procured an Oriental variety that were infinitely hotter. Let him call that bland.
Chicken would go on, although not for as long as the blasted pig, and sausages for the unadventurous. The Brunswick Stew might end up in the restaurant under ‘American Cuisine’. It was simple enough, with a tomato base, lima beans (or any beans), corn, other vegetables, and meat. Traditionally rabbit or squirrel but he could use leftover pork, chicken, beef or even cut-up sausages. Basically, a fine way to rid himself of leftover almost anything and he revised his opinion of American ingenuity. The true test would be Crowley’s opinion. If he disapproved, it was definitely going on the menu.
Okra and sweet potatoes proved impossible to procure. Field greens—of the turnip variety—were simple enough to cook in some of the extra pig fat. Black-eyed peas, which looked an awful lot like beans, with bacon. He made carrots in sauce of butter and brown sugar that seemed terribly French, but he simply shrugged. There would be green peas—not mushy, unfortunately, which would have made Crowley complain and Snape smile, a dish of fried apples that was a side dish, apparently popular with pork, and potato salad. It was a source of annoyance that the recipe he found for this called for red potatoes that did not need to be peeled. How brilliant would it have been to set Lupin to peeling potatoes for his own requested potato salad?
Cornbread was simple enough to make, although all the different names and types confused him. The concept of beaten biscuits was repulsive so he settled on cheddar biscuits instead. American biscuits, he found, were a bread roll that seemed a bizarre combination of bap, scone, and crumpet. But they were a Southern staple and very simple to make. Devilled eggs—also simple, seemingly French—were another extra dish along with pickles of varied types. He refused to make grits—porridge was bad enough at breakfast and he would certainly not serve it in any other time.
Cold tea, sweet, with or without lemon was also a disgusting concept. Lemonade, if people wished to drink it. Lupin had to deal with squeezing the lemons, too. He had procured some Bourbon and Belial would, he imagined, not object if any leftover made its way to the bar. Mint juleps required it. Mint grew in the garden and sugar was a staple.
Having no sweet potatoes with which to make sweet potato pie, which seemed unpleasant anyway, he went with pecan pie. It was too sweet, but someone would eat it. Pound cake with whipped cream (another job for Lupin) and blackberry cobbler, which was enough like local fare for people to be willing to eat it. If he could have found watermelon, that would have been amusing. But messy, so just as well he hadn’t found it.
All in all, it was a great effort on his part, slave labour or no, and people had better appreciate it else he would be extremely put out.
"Let Wensleydale handle things in the kitchen, Lupin. The butcher will take care of serving the meat. You can clear plates and make sure the dishes are all filled." He had planned this. "The butcher's wife can help with drinks. The children have been disposed of."
Out of the way, nothing more sinister. Eating now, washing dishes later. Work for food, and a good trade on his part.
"Keep an eye on the biscuits, Wensleydale, and see that they don't burn. And make sure there is plenty of ice."
He turned.
"No, mint juleps are not sweets, get away from me, you silly child." Weren't they supposed to be on the far side of the lawn, eating their supper?
Attention Edit: As of this point the Devil's Spit sauce is no longer on the serving table but in Snape's hands, doled out by him. Please do not have your character get into it.
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no subject
Date: 2006-08-04 10:36 pm (UTC)Black was an arrogant bastard the same as he ever was.
"What are you going to do--curse me?" Can't do anything on the grounds, Snape knew it. Did not react and did not want to fight. He needed to keep this position so that he could remain on the grounds where he would be safe.
"I'll stay away from Lupin unless he comes to me. And he will--we had an agreement." Let Black ask Lupin about it because Severus was not interested in explaining if Black was too stupid to understand.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-05 08:13 am (UTC)He was used to the full moon hurting and terrifying Remus, and the feeling that he was the only one who could protect Remus from that much pain. It was selfish and he was ashamed of it sometimes, but he liked being Remus' protector, and getting a chance to be needed and care for Remus the way he always needed and was cared for. He knew the potion should make him happy for his friend, but instead it hurt that not only had he relinquished his role, but that Snape was now the one Remus depended on.
"Shit," said Sirius. "What are you making him do? Does he have to work for you to get it?" He thought of how busy Remus had been lately, and how tired he'd been looking. "You couldn't just give it to him, could you?" he growled. "No, it'd be expecting to much to think you'd have some fucking compassion."
"Look," he said, forcing himself to calm down. "Let me do the work instead, or pay you or something, okay? I could get the money for you somehow."
no subject
Date: 2006-08-05 09:41 pm (UTC)With how Black looked? He didn't have two Knuts much less anything else.
"But for now I have Lupin's services." No need to say why or how long. Sleeping potions and next month's Wolfsbane. For help through the barbecue (including clean-up.) Black did not need to know that.
He simply sneered at the compassion remark.
"Exactly as much as you had for me back at Hogwarts--that's how much I feel for the both of you."
no subject
Date: 2006-08-06 05:57 am (UTC)"Listen," he snarled. "You know goddamn well I can't get work in the wizarding world. And you also know that you could exchange muggle money easily if money was what you really wanted from me." It was true-- he was thought to be dead, after all, and even if people could accept his return, they'd never fully accepted his pardon. It'd be harder for him to find a job than it was for Remus. Part of him wanted to hex Snape right now, but he managed to stay calm, although his wand hand was shaking.
"You have to see that Remus can't fucking do this. I don't see why it should matter if he works for you or if I pay someone else's salary, except that you enjoy holding this over my head." He was breathing harshly, trying to stop himself from strangling the man before him. It wouldn't do to make a scene, but so threatening was his posture and tone that he knew those around them were beginning to watch.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-06 06:24 pm (UTC)And Snape sneered.
"Yes, it was all twenty years ago as you remind me. And yet you continue to call me by a juvenile nickname, given nearly thirty years ago." Seethe. "My petty grudges involve you trying to kill me. I'm used to it by now but that was the first time and, well, they say you never forget the first time."
He was very used to people wanting to kill him by now but that had been the first, though certainly his own father had probably wanted him dead. He'd never tried, though.
"I don't want your money and I can't stand your presence. I will continue to deal with Remus for as long as he asks me to make his Wolfsbane." He didn't want to make it but he would continue indefinitely because it would enrage Sirius Black. Lupin's service would be much lesser in the future but Black had no way of knowing. Let him burn.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-08 12:08 am (UTC)He leaned forward, grasped Snape's collar, and said "Have it your way, then. But if anything happens to Remus-- if anything goes wrong with the potion or he doesn't get it in time or he gets sick from working too much-- then I will fucking kill you. Understand?"
no subject
Date: 2006-08-08 03:56 am (UTC)Remus swallowed, looking at Snape - who glared unpleasantly and was entirely hostile, a look Remus hadn't seen directed at him or near him in many years - while holding onto Sirius tightly. "I'm sorry," he blurted. "Terribly sorry, Severus."
He shook his sandy head, frustrated, the scars on his face standing out in livid, irritated red on pale, slightly freckly skin. "Sirius, I need to talk to you. Now," and dragged him off.
And then, when they were a good distance away, he turned the focus of his attention onto Sirius, who was still too stunned to struggle, and began to shout in a strangled sort of whisper. "Sirius! Stop it! Yes, Severus and I have a deal for the Wolfsbane Potion. He's promised to make it if I help him out for this barbecue. This one! My side of the bargain is completed after today." He stumbled, and realized his hands were shaking, brushing Sirius' clothing.
"I'm fine, you know," he said, quietly. "I'm terribly - I'm so glad you are back from - and you're welcome to be protective." Remus held up a hand, palm facing away, to stall Sirius' immediate objections, feeling the ghost of a wry smile tug at his mouth. "I know what you're going to say. You're going to say that I should have told you about this sooner, so that it was not such a shock, or at least so Snape wouldn't have a weapon to use."
He glanced at the grass at their feet, then looked up, directly and penetratingly into Sirius' grey, grey eyes.
"And you'd be right, Padfoot. You would."
no subject
Date: 2006-08-08 04:41 am (UTC)You threaten me? Thin and broken as you are, Black, I could snap you like a twig. Try it. But he said nothing, turned and went inside before any of the gathering crowd spoke to him.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-08 04:59 am (UTC)He was so shocked (somewhere between infuriated that Remus would treat him this way and embarrassed that he'd been caught defending Remus, which in turn infuriated him more because why the hell shouldn't he be defending Remus?) that he didn't try to speak up as Remus gave him as close to a shouting at as he'd ever seen Remus give him. He glared, but his expression softened into a sulk when he saw the way Remus' hands shook. Impulsively, he reached out, and held them still for a second in between his palms.
"I hate Snape," he said dully. "I wish I could've done something to help." He glanced away from Remus for a second. "You never let me help," he muttered resentfully. He felt stupid for getting so carried away with Snape, and he was so tired of always feeling stupid and useless.
He sighed when Remus spoke again, and let Remus' hands go free when he pulled them away, holding one out in front of Sirius to stop any further objections. Sirius was surprised to see his normally composed friend become undone, but he didn't mistake the slight stammer in Remus' speech. The idea that someone cared about him filled him with warmth, and he found he couldn't be angry with Remus. He had wanted to stay angry this time, and instead he felt hollow and disgusted with himself and resentful.
"Damn right I'd say that," he muttered. "Remus, you lied to me. Every day. I can't fucking stand it when you--"
That intense gaze caught him completely off guard, and something caught in his throat. He shut his mouth, and when Remus finished, he merely nodded.
"Okay," he said, after a few seconds pause. "Okay. But I'm just going to go and get a bite or something, right?" He nodded again and stepped away from Remus. "Just stay away from that git for me, will you?" he added because it seemed somehow necessary.
He turned his back and walked away, feeling somehow shaken. How long had Remus had hazel eyes?
no subject
Date: 2006-08-11 09:04 am (UTC)