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A quick note: This is not another Potion Arc but a small introduction to a new feature. So when Harry uses it in the future, you will know it has a foundation. As I mentioned before, I wanted to create a strong base before we take off, so future chapters will be more solid. Chapter 54 is boarding the train, and I thank everyone for their support! Please trust the process!
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As he contemplated his next move, he muttered, "I feel like my mental power allows me to do this now.", a second Harry materialized beside him. This was a new capability he had developed through his Occlumency training, allowing him to divide his consciousness. In real life, this skill enabled him to process multiple thoughts simultaneously, albeit at the cost of efficiency. However, in the Virtual Room, it manifested as creating clones with his own consciousness.
"Hello, Harry 1," the clone greeted.
Harry turned to his duplicate, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Hello, James," he replied, deciding on the spot to name this aspect of his mind after his middle name. "Let's coordinate our experiments. What aspects will you focus on?"
James, or Harry 2, nodded in agreement. "I'll experiment with ingredient preparation variations and water temperature adjustments. You could focus on the order of addition and the age of the ingredients."
"Sounds like a plan," Harry said, already moving towards the first set of cauldrons.
The two Harrys, now differentiated as Harry and James, worked in tandem, each embarking on a series of meticulous experiments. Harry started by altering the sequence in which he added the ingredients, observing the subtle changes in the potion's color and consistency. He experimented with adding the Memorybane Root before the Valerian sprigs, then reversing the order, each time noting the effects on the potion's potency.
Meanwhile, James focused on grinding the Memorybane Root to various levels of coarseness and altering the water's temperature. He discovered that a slightly warmer temperature enhanced the dissolution of the root, resulting in a more potent potion.
Harry then turned his attention to the age of the ingredients. He tried brewing with freshly harvested Valerian sprigs, comparing the results with those using older, dried sprigs. The difference was notable; the fresher ingredients yielded a potion with a more vibrant hue and a stronger aroma.
As the hours passed, the two worked tirelessly, their efforts synchronized yet distinct. The Virtual Room was a hive of activity, with cauldrons bubbling and steaming as the Harrys moved between them, adding, stirring, and observing.
At one point, Harry paused, watching the simmering potion before him. "What if we combine our findings, James? Merge the best of both our experiments into one ultimate brew?"
James looked up from his cauldron, his expression thoughtful. "An excellent idea. Let's compile our most successful techniques and see what we can create."
Together, they selected a single cauldron, combining their collective knowledge. They used the finest ground Memorybane Root, added at the optimal temperature, with the freshest Valerian sprigs and precisely measured mistletoe berries. The stirring pattern was a complex combination of clockwise and counterclockwise motions, designed to maximize the potion's magical infusion.
As the potion neared completion, Harry and James watched with bated breath. The liquid within the cauldron shimmered with a deep, mesmerizing blue, and the aroma that wafted from it was both soothing and invigorating.
Although the task sounded simple, the challenge Harry and his clone James faced was anything but. In front of them lay two hundred cauldrons, each representing an opportunity to test slight variations in the potion-making process. For hours, the two experimented, each cauldron a testbed for a unique combination of ingredients, sequences, and techniques. They worked meticulously, exploring at least five hundred variations in their quest to master the Forgetfulness Potion.
Both Harry and his mental duplicate were deeply immersed in their methodical experimentation with the Forgetfulness Potion. Their task was to test each ingredient – Lethe River Water, Valerian sprigs, Memorybane Root, and mistletoe berries – in various states: ground, diced, whole, liquefied, and so on. This comprehensive approach was essential to scientifically determine the optimal combination for the potion.
As Harry picked up the two measures of Memorybane Root, he meticulously prepared them in different ways. He ground some into a fine powder to release their essence more fully, diced others into small, uniform pieces to test how they diffused their properties, and left some whole to observe the effects of their intact form. He also experimented with liquefying a portion to see if this state would create a more homogeneous mixture with other ingredients.
Simultaneously, James was handling the Valerian sprigs with the same level of attention. He ground some sprigs to a fine consistency, believing this might release their inherent magical properties more effectively. Other sprigs were sliced thinly to maximize their surface area, while some were left whole to maintain their natural state. He even tried crushing them to observe any potential enhancement in their potency.
The Lethe River Water, crucial for its memory-affecting properties, was not exempt from their rigorous testing. Harry experimented with various temperatures – from slightly above room temperature to near boiling – to see how this affected the potion's efficacy. He also tried using distilled water, aiming for maximum purity, and water in which other magical herbs had been steeped, to see if this infusion would add another layer of complexity to the potion.
Mistletoe berries, the final ingredient, underwent similar variations. Harry crushed some into a paste, thinking that this might release both their liquid and solid components more effectively into the potion. He sliced others, diced some, and left a few whole. Each variation was carefully added to separate cauldrons, with Harry and James observing the changes in the potion's consistency, color, and magical aura.
As they worked, the room was filled with the clinking of glass, the bubbling of cauldrons, and the faint scratching of quill on parchment as they noted down their observations. Harry and James, moving with a sense of purpose and efficiency, were a blur of activity, their focus unbroken.
The potion's complexity lay not just in the ingredients but in their interactions. A slight change in the preparation of one ingredient could radically alter the outcome. The ground Memorybane Root released its essence more rapidly, leading to a quicker brewing time, but it also required precise timing to avoid overpowering the potion. The liquefied mistletoe berries, on the other hand, created a smoother consistency but required an adjustment in the quantity to maintain the potion's balance.
After hours of meticulous work and over 500 different variations, Harry and James finally narrowed down the most effective combination. The finely ground Memorybane Root, thinly sliced Valerian sprigs, distilled Lethe River Water heated to just below a simmer, and mistletoe berries crushed into a fine paste provided the best results. This particular combination resulted in a potion that had a deep, luminescent blue color, a sign of its potent magical properties.
Harry, examining the final brew, felt a deep sense of achievement. "We've done it, James. This is the perfect balance – every ingredient prepared just right, interacting harmoniously to create a Forgetfulness Potion of exceptional quality."
James, looking equally satisfied, replied, "Indeed, Harry. It's been an exhaustive process, but the results speak for themselves. This potion is at a 69% mastery level now. Imagine what further practice and experimentation could achieve."
Nigel's voice, always a source of wisdom and guidance, resonated in Harry's mind. "Master Harry, your dedication and scientific approach to potion-making are commendable. This level of mastery is impressive, especially for a wizard of your age."
Harry's mood lifted as he reflected on the progress he and his mental duplicate, James, had made with the Forgetfulness Potion. Last time, working on the Cure for Boils potion, it had taken him a week to reach a 70% mastery level. This time, with James' assistance, he had significantly shortened that duration.
"Now, I can try to add new materials to increase it to 80%," Harry mused aloud, his mind buzzing with possibilities. "Nigel, James, any recommendations on what we could add?"
As they contemplated the potion's enhancement, Harry, Nigel, and James deliberated over various ingredients and their potential effects on the Forgetfulness Potion.
Harry started, "What about adding Wiggentree Bark? It's known for its protective qualities."
Nigel considered this, "Wiggentree Bark does offer protection against dark forces, but its effect on a potion centered around memory alteration might be inconsequential. It could potentially safeguard the user from negative side effects, but it won't necessarily enhance the potion's intended forgetfulness effect."
James then suggested, "How about a pinch of powdered unicorn horn? It's used in many powerful potions."
Nigel nodded, "True, powdered unicorn horn is a potent ingredient, but its properties are more aligned with healing and purity. In a Forgetfulness Potion, it might actually counteract some of the memory-altering effects we're aiming for."
Harry then brought up, "Dittany is known for its regenerative properties. Could that help?"
Nigel replied, "Dittany is excellent for physical regeneration and healing. However, its properties don't align with memory manipulation. Its inclusion might even dilute the potion's effectiveness in erasing memories."
James added, "We should also consider the balance of ingredients. Adding too many components could make the potion unstable or unpredictable."
Nigel responded promptly. "Well, Master Harry, considering the Forgetfulness Potion's properties, adding something that influences memory could be beneficial. Perhaps Sloth Brain Mucus?"
James, reflecting Harry's own thoughts, added, "Sloth Brain Mucus could intensify the potion's effects on memory. But we need to be careful with the dosage to avoid any adverse effects."
"Sloth Brain Mucus is indeed known for its impact on memory and cognition," Nigel concurred. "Adding it could make the potion's forgetfulness effect more pronounced."
Harry nodded thoughtfully, "That sounds promising. What about Moondew Drops? I've read they bring clarity and purity."
"An excellent choice," Nigel agreed. "Moondew Drops could refine the potion's effects, making it more targeted and precise."
James chimed in, "The purity of Moondew could balance out the Sloth Brain Mucus, ensuring the potion affects only specific memories."
Harry then considered another option. "What about Salamander Blood? It's a powerful enhancer."
Nigel cautioned, "Salamander Blood is potent. It could amplify the potion's overall magical properties, but we must use it sparingly."
Harry appreciated Nigel's warning. "Right, we'll add just a few drops then. Enough to enhance the potion, but not so much as to make it overwhelming."
Nigel agreed, "Precisely. The key is to enhance the potion's core function without overcomplicating the brew. That's why Sloth Brain Mucus, Moondew Drops, and a bit of Salamander Blood seem like our best options. They directly contribute to the potion's purpose without introducing conflicting magical properties."
Harry nodded, satisfied with the analysis. "Alright, let's proceed with these three then. We'll focus on enhancing the potion's memory-altering effects while maintaining its stability and precision." With a plan in place, they set to work, carefully measuring and adding each ingredient to refine and enhance the Forgetfulness Potion.
Harry stood determined in the Virtual Potion Crafting Room, his eyes reflecting the resolve of a wizard committed to mastering the art of potion-making. Beside him, James shared his intense focus. They were about to embark on a complex journey of experimentation, adding three new ingredients to the Forgetfulness Potion to achieve higher mastery.
"Let's create new variations for these three ingredients, James," Harry said, his voice steady. "We need to consider the preparation method, the age of the ingredient, and the sequence of addition in relation to the original ingredients. This will increase the variations exponentially."
James nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Harry. The combinations are nearly endless. We'll need to be methodical and patient."
They began with Sloth Brain Mucus, a component known for its influence on memory and cognition. Harry pondered the preparation method. "We could try it in different states: raw, diluted, concentrated, and even crystallized," he suggested.
James added, "Each state will interact differently with the potion's base. The raw mucus might offer a strong, immediate effect, while the crystallized form could provide a more controlled, gradual impact."
They moved on to discuss Moondew Drops, prized for their clarity and purity. "These drops are delicate," Harry observed. "We should test them in varying quantities, and perhaps combine them with different temperatures of the potion at the time of addition."
James considered this, "Temperature plays a crucial role. A cooler potion might enhance the Moondew's clarity, while a warmer one might integrate its properties more fully."
Their third ingredient, Salamander Blood, was a powerful enhancer but required careful handling. "Just a few drops," Harry reminded. "We need to amplify the potion's properties without overpowering it."
James agreed, "And let's experiment with adding it at different stages of the brewing process. The timing of its addition could be key to balancing the potion."
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