Chapter 17: I Like It Well-Brewed
7 Advanced chapters on Patreon: Fiction Haven
===
Quest Complete!
Attained 1,000 Poisons Immunity!
For the lack of a better word, Harry was fine. He had received another quest from Kowalski to drink any type of poison to gain immunity to one thousand kinds of poison. Since he couldn't make any without raising suspicions, he had thought about asking Lily to make one for him. He was both delighted and floored that he could find it in Lily's tea.
"Harry's potent Magic is fighting off the poison. I can only help him once his Magic has calmed down. When it does, please call me quickly."
"Very well. Thank you, Madam Pomfrey."
"Don't worry, Lily sweetheart. Harry will wake up feeling dizzy and throwing up a little. He will be fine."
Harry wanted to wake up and gave them a heart attack but held himself. Charlus had been silent the entire time and he wanted to hear what the lad had to offer. Once Pomfrey left her quarter, Lily faced the guilty Charlus. A pregnant silence filled the space between them. Myriads of emotions flashed across Lily's eyes. Anger and disappointment were prevalent.
"I didn't raise you to be a vindictive person. James and I showered you with love, in hopes you can also show the same love to the people around. Even Harry who had been raised without love could still forgive his sorry excuse of a parent."
Charlus remained silent.
"What compelled you to poison your brother, Charlus?" Lily asked softly.
"I didn't…" Charlus defended weakly.
Clank!
Lily slammed the table, breaking her teacup. The shard grazed her hand, making it bleed. Charlus instantly looked up. He wanted to tell his mother her hand was hurting, but her look shut him up.
"Look at me when you talk, Charlus Fleamont Potter!"
Charlus flinched. "Yes, Mother."
"Tell me everything," Lily said softly, feeling slightly guilty that she had made her son flinch.
Charlus told her everything—his plan, his sneaking game with Moody and his expectations. At the end of the explanation, Lily was left conflicted. Charlus was not as guilty as she thought. It was relieving. However, his stunt still almost killed Harry. It wouldn't have happened if Charlus had abandoned his plan to prank Harry once his potion was confiscated.
"You will be grounded for a month, boy. No Quidditch, no flying, no mischiefs—I will take away the cloak and the map—and no weekly allowance."
The harsh punishment made Charlus groan, but he thought he deserved it. He was lucky Harry was sturdy. If Harry had been a bit weaker, he would have ended up in Azkaban for murder. Charlus could tell his mother didn't want to see him for the time being. He was about to excuse himself when Harry's husky voice resounded throughout the room.
"Now, don't be too harsh on him. Moody is the most suspicious of all in this case."
"Harry!"
Lily sprung up and jumped at Harry in an instant. She hugged him like a koala and peppered his face with kisses. Charles was quite weirded out by how sensual it looked but felt sorry for Harry. He wouldn't want to be at the receiving end of his mother's aggressive love.
"You are bleeding, Lily. Let me look at your hand."
"And you almost died."
"Hmph! I am tougher than that."
Lily let go of Harry and gave him her hand. Harry cast Episkey on the wound and it instantly healed up. After that, Lily hugged him again. Harry smiled wryly and let her do her thing.
"I will kick your sorry bottom after this, Charlus. For the time being, leave."
Charlus gladly obeyed Harry's instruction. He didn't like to admit it, but Harry was saving him from his mother's ire. He decided to forego dinner and went to his room. Once they were alone, Harry sat on the bed with Lily sticking to him like a koala. He soothingly rubbed her back and let her weep into his chest.
"I was afraid to lose you. Had you died… I would have ended my life," Lily said through a muffled voice.
"Well, I am flattered. But rest assured. I am tougher than Voldemort could ever become," Harry told her amusingly.
Lily didn't say anything but hugged Harry tighter. They remained that way until Lily fell asleep. Harry thought about removing her from him but didn't do it. The poor woman was still traumatized by what she had seen. He would likely make her think he was going to the afterlife if he left her.
"Well, who am I to refuse to sleep with a redhead bombshell?"
The next day came in the blink of an eye. Aside from Lily getting flustered by being poked by Harry's morning wood, the morning was uneventful. They took turns taking a bath using the bathroom in the quarter. They agreed to meet with Moody and picked up Charles from the Gryffindor Tower.
On their way, they met Dumbledore who immediately followed them after expressing his desire to know what had happened the day before. They met Moody in front of his office. Dumbledore, sensing an outburst from Lily, invited everyone to his office. Not even a second after they entered the office, Lily exploded.
"What have you done to my son!?"
"What?"
"Don't play coy with me, Moody. Give me one reason not to throw you to Azkaban!"
Harry watched Barty Jr's acting in amazement as he asked Lily about what happened. Lily told him everything and Barty acted surprised. He quickly took out a phial and gave it to Lily. Charlus' eyes widened and he realized what he had done. Barty had never left the potion in his office. Charlus had taken the wrong potion and almost killed Harry.
"I apologize for my lack of vigilance. I shouldn't have underestimated young Charlus' skill to break into my office. Had I been more careful, I wouldn't have kept anything dangerous there. I am sorry, Lily. And you too, Harry."
Lily wanted to punch Barty Jr but held herself. In whichever case, Charlus was in the wrong. She was forced to swallow the pill and grumbled under her breath. Barty Jr offered some compensation that Lily immediately took. Dumbledore offered Harry some medical assistance, but Harry refused it since he was already healthy.
Once everything was done, they went to the Great Hall to have breakfast. On their way, Lily traded some words with Harry but ignored Charlus. She was still disappointed by her son. Charlus accepted the treatment quietly.
"Meet me during the afternoon recess in the backyard," Harry said to Charlus once they separated from Lily.
"Uh…okay."
Apprehensive of what was to come, Charlus couldn't even enjoy his meals. Even in class, he worried about being pummelled by Harry. When the time came, he walked into the backyard like a death row inmate. He found Harry standing in the backyard with his hands in his pocket while gazing at the sky. He noted Harry looked cool even without effort.
"Harry…"
"Well, hello, there young Charlus."
"So… should I just stand here and let you hex me?" Charlus asked with a gulp.
Harry quirked an eyebrow and chuckled. "Nah, that's not how siblings fight." Holding out his hand, he said, "Give me your wand. Let's do this the classic way."
Charlus reluctantly gave Harry his wand. Harry took out his and then cast their wands aside. He motioned for Charlus to come with his palm. The youngest Potter was reluctant but still put his all into his attack. They traded a few blows before Charlus found his world upside-down. Harry had swept his feet, sending him to the ground.
"Get up!"
Apprehension ran through Charlus' body at first, but the more he fell, the more indignant he had become. Eventually, Charlus tried his best to land a hit on Harry. He failed miserably. At the end of their fight, Charlus was covered in mud and sore all over his body, especially his bottom. Harry had kicked it repeatedly. On the other hand, Harry was untouched. He didn't even look winded.
"Well, I have kicked your butt. Please think before you mess with me, kid. I'd overlook it this time, but I won't the next time."
"There won't be another time. I have learned my lesson."
"Good."
Harry extended his hand and helped Charlus up. He returned Charlus' wand and then cleaned him up with Scourgify. They parted ways and didn't talk until a few days later. Professor McGonagall had just announced Yule Ball on 25th December and wondered if Harry had asked his mother for his date. It was a possibility since many girls wanted to be Harry's date.
"Lily refused," was Harry's shocking revelation.
"Why?" Charlus asked curiously.
"Said she is too old to be my date," Harry shrugged. "I told her I like my woman like my tea—well-brewed—but she didn't listen. She shooed me away and here I am."
Blinking in confusion, Charlus asked, "Why are you here?"
"Asking Professor Vector to be my date," Harry smirked.
Charlus dumbly looked at Harry as he stepped into Professor Vector's office. The beautiful mature witch was known for her strictness. Students even hesitated to take her class thanks to it. He wished Harry luck but knew Harry was going to be disappointed. So, when he came out with a shit-eating grin, Charlus cursed Harry's luck with women.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone