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Severus leaned over to Harry and asked softly, "What is it?"
Harry shrugged. "I really don't know."
They wandered about the Ball Room, inspecting the various food offerings. Most of which looked unfamiliar. Anything that was familiar already had a crowd about it.
Kingsley Shacklebolt had recently appointed a Muggle Born witch to be in charge of this year's annual Ministry Yule celebration. She had decided to 'shake things up' by offering unusual foods from around the world.
"It looks like pizza," Harry inspected the dish. "But with fruit?"
Severus peered closer. "I think it is pineapple."
Harry frowned. "Really? Why would anyone put pineapple on a pizza?"
"I have no idea," Severus replied.
Since the pieces were small, they each took one. Severus looked like he had bitten into a lemon but Harry ate his and took another.
"It's not dreadful," Harry said. "Mostly unexpected."
"Let's see if we can find anything else," Severus said.
They moved to another table.
"Looks like polenta," Harry said dubiously. "Although no one seems to have tried it."
"Try a small taste, then," Severus replied. There were side dishes offering butter and sugar.
"Anything with butter and sugar can't be all bad," Harry shrugged. He added both to the dish and took a taste. "Huh. It almost has a porridge texture but it's grittier, is all I can say. But it's definitely edible." He took a slightly larger serving. He looked at Severus. "I'm hungry, what can I say?"
Severus took a dish and frowned at the texture. "Not horrid, but not something I would recommend."
The next table had something with batter and impaled with a stick.
"Is it rude to break it open first?" Harry asked.
"Not today," Severus nodded.
Harry picked one up by the stick and put it on a plate. He poked at it to find the center.
"It's a sausage!" Harry said in surprise. He took a small taste of the batter. "It's kind of gritty, like the porridge dish." He considered for a moment. "In fact, it may be from the same base."
"Corn dogs! Oh, yum!"
Harry turned to see one of the visiting Americans.
"Corn dogs?" Harry asked.
"It's a hot dog, dipped in a cornmeal batter and then deep-fried," the man said. "It's not especially good for you but it is good. Try it!"
Harry took a bite of the sausage and it was indeed a plain hot dog. "It's... interesting."
"Dip it in ketchup, or mustard," the man said. "It's better that way."
"If you say so," Severus said.
"Arnold Andrews," the man introduced himself.
"Severus Snape and Harry Potter," Harry introduced them.
"Just the folk I was hoping to meet!" Andrews said. "I'm part of a group looking to start an elementary school for Muggle Born students and I've been told you have some experience there."
"Kingsley told us there was someone interested in our work," Severus replied. "We would be glad to share what we have learned.
"Tell me what that dish is," Harry pointed at the porridge.
"Grits," Andrews replied. "It uses a cornmeal base similar to the batter for the corn dogs."
"That explains the similarity," Harry nodded.
"Is there any explanation for pineapple on pizza?" Severus asked.
Andrews frowned. "Oh, yucch!"
"That's what we thought," Harry nodded in agreement.
Andrews looked around. "Do you think we can get out of here and go for some real food? I'd be happy with a decent sandwich."
Harry looked around. "I think we can do that."
"We'll send our regards to Kingsley tomorrow. Although I would suspect the pub around the corner is already busy," Severus said looking around at the thinning crowd.
"We can Apparate across town," Harry nodded. "Our usual place should be good."
"Come with us," Severus invited. "We can call it a diplomatic rescue mission."
Andrews laughed.