บท 75: A Potion for the Future

For the next week with all the free time he had now, Harry had started working on various small little projects here and there. He had not started with the potion as Vernon had not yet sent him the ingredients. He had spent the days inventing new spells or in the Room of Requirement studying restricted books on dark magic. There was one thing that he still didn't understand is that why was certain magic classified as dark while others were not.

One day, while flipping through an ancient tome titled The Grey Area of Magic: Understanding the Boundaries, Harry stumbled upon a passage that caught his attention:

"The classification of magic as 'dark' or 'light' often depends on intent and context. A spell's potential for harm does not solely define its moral standing; rather, it is the purpose and circumstances under which it is used that dictate its ethical implications. For example, the Severing Curse, while capable of lethal damage, is primarily used in non-lethal contexts, such as cutting ropes or freeing trapped individuals. In contrast, the Killing Curse, Avada Kedavra, leaves no room for defensive or constructive use, as its sole function is to end life."

Harry found himself nodding as he read. It made sense, yet it also seemed subjective. What if someone used the Killing Curse to protect others? The book continued, explaining that spells like Avada Kedavra were considered dark because they offered no alternative outcomes—death was their only result, making them inherently malevolent. But the explanation didn't satisfy him.

There were many instances recorded in books where the so called dark magic was used to save lives. So why classify them as dark magic when they could be used to save lives? Any spells could be made into a lethal spell by the wizard. The simple Levitation charm could be used to kill people too by making them drop from high points.

Magic apart from certain rituals which were in real, dark and evil should be free as it depended on the user's intentions. Regardless of what he felt, it would be a lot of work to change the perception of the general public; he could only prepare himself and possibly try to get his close ones to try it.

One night Harry had stayed up late experimenting on his other broom, trying to see if he could make it fly under water. When he had gone to sleep it was already 2 am in the morning and as soon as he had laid down on the bed, Harry was fast asleep. Like other nights his dreams started setting in and Harry was first transported to Embera's place. There he had talked with her on how he could enhance any spell that dealt with fire.

Embera had given him valuable insights into the topic of enhancing spells and soon Harry was transported to yet another setting which surprisingly he remembered nothing about. As he stirred awake, Harry glanced at the clock by his bedside which was too blurry for him to read. Then he remembered he was not wearing his glasses and groaned as he sat up and reached for them.

He looked at the clock again after putting on the glasses, and it read 8:46 am. Well it's not like he had any train to catch, Harry swung his leg over his bed and stretched. Something bright and unusually red caught his eye. As far as he remembered he didn't have anything red for his bed. He looked to his right and was shocked out of his skin.

There, lying next to his pillow, was a large, brilliant phoenix feather and a small vial of a clear, shimmering liquid. Harry's eyes widened as he took in the sight. He picked up the feather, feeling its soft, and warm texture between his fingers. It was unmistakably a phoenix feather, the vibrant hue and the gentle glow confirmed it. The vial upon closer inspection turned out to be phoenix tears. Harry's heart raced, they were the exact item he had needed and now they were just lying next to his pillow.

"What kind of plot armour is this?" he muttered out loud. Harry had been dreading about going to Dumbledore and asking Faux for feathers and tears as he would have to tell him the exact potion he was making. But now there is the exact thing he needed just lying there.

"How did it even come here?" Harry thought as he put the feather and vial in a drawer of his table and locked it. He just needed the normal ingredients now, which Vernon would no doubt send soon.

With that he took a pair of change and headed to the bathroom to shower. After a refreshing shower, Harry changed into a new pair of casual clothes and went back to the dormitory. He didn't have much to do today apart from keeping eye on Quirrell and waiting for Vernon to send the potion ingredients.

After checking if the drawer was properly locked or not, Harry headed down to the Great Hall to get some food. On the way he kept thinking about how the feather and tears suddenly appeared and tried to form an explanation as to how it could have gotten there. Safe to say that each explanation was so outlandish that the only possible answer he could think of was the nature itself helped him. Which is not that surprising considering it did bend over it's back to make him a wand.

As he reached the Great Hall he saw that it was almost empty with just a handful of students trying to get some last morsel into their mouth before they went off to their classes. Harry quickly took a seat on the empty Gryffindor table and helped himself to whatever he could find. As he was midway through his meal, he vaguely felt someone's eye on him and turned to see that Snape was walking towards him with a very classic "Snape-like" expression which was a completely expressionless face.

"Good morning, Professor Snape," Harry said as he kept his knife and fork down. He stood up before continuing, " Did you have some work with me?"

Snape came and stopped just in front of him and cast a look around the hall before answering, "Yes, Potter. Did you honestly believe I would grace your presence without purpose?"

With that Harry knew that there was probably at least one more Slytherin left in the Hall. Harry nodded, "How can I assist you, sir?"

"I came to inform you that the potion you so miraculously managed to brew is done." Snape said with a sneer. Harry was impressed with Snape's acting. Should this guy have been a Muggle he would have made an excellent actor, though Harry doubted Snape could be Muggle even if he wanted to.

"Okay, sir. When can I come to check up on it?" Harry asked politely. Snape looked at him and replied, "Come by in an hour, Potter. Don't be late." Harry nodded as Snape turned around and walked off. He sat back down and resumed his meal thinking about how Lupin would react to the news.

As Harry continued eating, he pondered aloud, "If the potion is successful and I patent it, how much should each dose cost?" He wanted the potion to be affordable and accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. An idea of offering financial aid for those unable to pay for it crossed his mind, but he wondered how to implement it effectively, as the potion would require the drinkers blood as well.

Suddenly, the perfect person to help with this endeavor popped into his mind—Sirius. With his substantial wealth and generous heart, Sirius could manage the financial logistics. Harry could also enlist Vernon's assistance, potentially leveraging his business acumen. He resolved to discuss the plan with them over the weekend when he returned home.

Then, Harry recalled the letter he had received the previous day, informing him that his financial advisor was available for a meeting at Gringotts. This would be the ideal opportunity to start laying out the groundwork for the potion's distribution and pricing strategy. The joint venture with either Sirius or Vernon would be the best course of action to maximise the profit while also making sure that the potion is accessible to all.

After finishing his meal, Harry got up to head to the dungeons. Although an hour had not passed, he doubted Snape would mind. As he walked through the corridors, he wondered what he would do for the rest of the day. For the past week alone he had invented over 15 different spells and charms ranging from a simple charm used to make shrubs and garden plants grow into a specific letter for decoration, to a more serious spell capable of maintaining a spell to freeze everything in a time bubble. Similar to before he had noted everything down in that same diary and kept it locked away. He would later send it to Dumbledore to let him decide which ones he should introduce to the world and which ones he shouldn't. Although he had no plans of not using the ones he can't introduce himself, it would be better if some of the spells wouldn't be available to everyone considering their effects.

As he reached the Snape's office, Harry knocked lightly. "Come in" Snape usual cold voice responded. Harry pushed the door open and stepped inside, the familiar scent of various potions ingredients filling his nostrils. But mixed with the usual smell there was a new sweet and earthy scent, which Harry figured was coming from the Moonsbane Elixir.

"Harry," Snape greeted. He was scribbling something in a large leather-bound book. "You're early."

Harry nodded, "I couldn't wait to see the completed potion, sir."

Snape nodded as he got up and walked across the office to a cauldron. He gestured Harry to come closer. "This is the result of your work," he said. Harry peered into the cauldron to see that it looked like a bluish-silver concoction that could easily be mistaken for molten silver.

"It seems ready, but how soon can we test it, sir?" Harry asked looking at Snape.

Snape turned and looked at the lunar calendar on the opposite wall, his eyes narrowing as he calculated the timing. "How should the user take this potion, Harry?" he asked.

Harry straightened up, "The user should take the potion once every day for two days leading up to the full moon. This ensure the effects are at their peak during the transformation."

Snape nodded. "Very well. It seems we better call Lupin to test it, then."

Harry was suddenly very nervous. How would Lupin react to the fact that he had made something for his transformation and that he knew that Lupin was a werewolf. 'Yes, sir," he agreed, moving to fetch a ladle and a goblet from a nearby shelf.

As he did so, Snape walked over to the fireplace and threw in a handful of Floo poweder. "Lupin, a word please." He called out into the flames.

After a brief moment, the fire roared to life, and Remus Lupin stepped into the office. "Severus," he greeted. "To what do I owe the pleasure."

Snape's expression softened slightly as he explained. "Harry here has developed something that might be of interest to you, Lupin."

Lupin turned to see Harry for the first time, "Harry...I didn't see you there." He then quickly turned to Snape, "Something of my interest you say?"

"Yes, young Harry has developed an advanced version of the Wolfsbane Potion." Snape explained. "We've successfully brewed it, and we need you to test it. This potion should allow you to retain your human mind completely during transformation and provide some protection against silver as well."

The smile on Lupin's face disappeared as his eyes widened. He looked at the goblet Harry was holding, that held the silvery potion. His gaze went from the goblet to Harry and then back at the goblet again, utterly speechless. His knees buckled and he flopped down on a nearby chair. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Lupin just sat there trembling as he tried to process the information. He looked at Snape and Harry but couldn't say anything. He was still unable to process the information that Harry came up with a potion that was the advanced version of Wolfsbane Potion. The Wolfsbane potion was already so advanced that very few people dared to brew it. Yet this eleven year old came up with a more advanced potion that was leagues above the Wolfsbane Potion.

He had always thought that Sirius was bragging about Harry and exaggerated everything. But to think that he was not exaggerating.

Snape handed Lupin the goblet filled with the bluish-silver potion. "Words are unnecessary, Lupin. Just drink."

Lupin took the goblet with shaky hands, his eyes still wide with shock. He took one last look at Harry before bringing the goblet to his lips and emptying it.

Harry watched with bated breath as Lupin emptied the goblet. Now as long as the book was not false, it should help Lupin's inner werewolf to calm down.

Harry stepped closer, "How do you feel, Professor?"

Lupin finally found his voice, though it was shaky. "I feel... a sense of calm and clarity that I've never experienced before during the full moon cycle. It's as if the beast within is tamed."

Snape looked at Lupin with a thoughtful gaze, "We'll need to monitor you closely over the next few days to ensure that the potion's effects are stable." He took a deep breath. "But this certainly looks promising."

Lupin looked at Harry with tears in his eyes. "Harry... I don't know what to say. This...this goes beyond everything and anything I could have imagined." He was more grateful to the fact that Harry knew about his condition yet never treated him badly.

Harry smiled, "Of course, Professor. This is only the beginning, sir. I promise on my name that I will find the cure to your situation."

Both Snape and Lupin looked even more surprised at Harry's declaration of solving the werewolf curse which has no record of any cure for centuries.

"Harry..." Snape looked at him. "Do you know what you are promising?"

Lupin nodded, "Yes Harry... this is a big promise. There has been many extensive research done and yet there has been not even the mention of a cure in centuries..."

Harry smirked as he knew that he could get it done since there was already a potion that was recorded in that book. "Don't worry Professor. I am fully aware of what I am promising."

Snape looked at Harry with a strange gaze, as if he was trying to see what Harry was playing at. He turned to Lupin, "I think it's best you go to your office, Lupin. I would like a word with Harry here."

Lupin nodded and went back to his office through the Floo. Snape then turned to Harry and asked, "What makes you think that you can cure it, Harry?"

Harry smiled, "I can already think of a potion that can do the work sir. But I have to refine it and research more thoroughly before I can make it."

Snape was taken aback, utterly shocked at the young-eleven-year-old mentioning that he could already think of a potion that could end the werewolf curse on a person. Even a potion master like himself couldn't think of anything even remotely close to that. Then again, he thought back to the fact that it was Harry who came up with the Moonsbane Elixir, which even he couldn't have thought of. Although he had said that he had found the recipe in some old book, Snape doubted there was such a book.

"I will personally see to it that you deliver on this promise," Snape said with a firm voice.

Harry nodded, "I have no intention of backing out, sir."

Snape then sat down at his desk and motioned for Harry to sit in the chair in front. "Did you know that creating the Moonsbane Elixir is enough to get you a Master in Potions?"

Harry knew it but quickly lied. "No, sir, I didn't know that."

Snape continued, "To obtain the Master in Potions, you would have to pass an exam set by five different potion masters. The other condition is to come up with a new potion recipe of your own."

Harry nodded, "If it helps, then I'm ready to take the exam."

Snape studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Very well, Harry. I will talk to Dumbledore regarding this and make the necessary arrangements. But understand this, your work will be scrutinized more than anyone else's as you are Harry Potter and many would believe that you simply got the Master because of that."

"I understand sir. But as long as my work can't be even questioned, it should be enough to silence the haters, right?" Harry replied.

Snape leaned back in his chair and smirked. "Yes. I can't wait to see what you come up with next, Harry."

"The youngest person to get the Master in Potions till now is me when I got it in my sixth year at Hogwarts." Snape explained. "Should you manage to get it now, you would be the youngest ever to have achieved it."

Harry nodded as he knew that he could get all the Masters if he wanted to. Although there was no reason to do so but a part of him wanted to. To let the world know that he will be at the top regardless of what they thought of him. Maybe next year he could get the rest of the rest of the Masters. He just nodded at Snape and started walking out of the office.

"You know Harry, Lily would have been the proudest mother in this world, had she seen what you did today." Snape's voice rang out from behind causing him to stop in his track. He turned around and smiled, "I am sure she is watching over me from wherever she is now, sir. At least I hope so..." With that he walked out shutting the door behind him.

After about 10 minutes, he entered the Gryffindor Common room to find that it was completely empty. Well it was not surprising considering that all the students were still in classes. He looked at the clock, it was 10:15 am. What should he do? Should he head to the next class just for a change of air?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Snape watched Harry step out of his office, his words still ringing in his ears, "I am sure she is watching over me from wherever she is now, sir. At least I hope so..."

Snape sighed and leaned back in his chair. He always tried to keep away from sentiments but whenever he saw Harry or was near him, he couldn't help but think of Lily. Harry's eyes always reminded him of her.

Her son....Harry was a paradox. He was James Potter's spitting image, yet he possessed a depth of intellect and power that was perhaps something he had encountered for the first time in his life. Harry's ability and knack for potions always managed to leave him in shambles. And now the boy had successfully prepared a potion that is the advanced version of Wolfsbane potion which itself is so advanced that very few people could brew it.

The more pressing factor was that he was just eleven-years-old. Snape rose from his chair and began pacing his office. He was jealous but also filled with admiration.

Snape stopped by his desk, his eyes resting on a framed photograph he kept hidden in one of the drawers. It was a picture of Lily, smiling and waving at the camera, her green eyes sparkling with life. He rarely allowed himself to look at it, but today he felt the need.

"Lily," he murmured, his voice barely audible in the empty room. "Your son… he's remarkable. He's more like you than I ever expected."

He wondered if Lily would have approved of how he handled things. Would she have been proud of him for helping Harry, for guiding him in his own subtle way? Or would she have seen through his façade, recognizing the internal conflict that raged within him every time he looked at the boy?

"I don't know what I am supposed to do anymore, Lily." Snape whispered as a single tear fell from his eyes. He had hoped that he could hate the boy but Harry had apologised for something he didn't even do and how was he supposed to hate him when his behavior reminded him of Lily.

He set the photo back in the drawer and locked it. A small part of him knew that he had to move on but how could he? He didn't have a life, he was a pawn in the game between Voldemort and Dumbledore. Sometimes he wished he could escape all this and run away somewhere but he knew that Voldemort had not fallen and will rise again. And when he does, his own contribution would be paramount to bringing about the downfall of the Dark Lord.

Snape pushed aside all these thoughts as he sat back down on his desk. He had much work to do, beginning with Harry's Master of Potion. He would have to talk to Dumbledore that evening regarding this and also let him know that Harry was much more exceptional than what Dumbledore had expected.