AN: This one is a little different, but I hope you enjoy the change of pace.
As a side note, I've gone through and updated all the old chapters, trying to remove a few plot holes, and clean up some mistakes. If you have a re read and anything super glaring stands out, feel free to comment or PM me :]
All thanks given to Katherine my beta.
When term started back up, Mia decided she needed to work on getting Sirius on board with her secret potions project. There was no way she would be successful without him. They corresponded regularly.
Dad,
How are things at meadow lake? I miss you and Remus terribly. You must send me pictures from your holiday. Enclosed is a batch of burn ointment Madam Pomfrey says will do wonders for sunburns. The Yule Ball was better than expected, thanks for forcing me to go. By the way Gabe and I are officially dating. Thought you should know.
Yes he's being a perfect gentleman. No we haven't done any of the things mentioned in that book, nor do we plan too. That book was just for research and yes it was about werewolves, not the other things. That's actually something I've been wanting to tell you about, but I wasn't sure how to bring it up. I've had an idea for a potions project since last summer, you remember the one that melted my cauldron. I spent the last few months going over my failures to figure out what went wrong and how I can make it better and I think I have something that'll work. I know I'm just 14 and I'm probably being really stupid thinking I'm capable of fixing this but, I think it will work. I think I can cure Remus.
Please hear me out, you read it yourself in that book and that wasn't the first time I've heard it. The first person to ever attempt becoming an animagus is believed to be the first ever case of lupinism. It was a mutation caused by the potion. That's also why animagus are immune to lupinism. The two processes are too similar to exist in the same body. I have a theory that with the correct potion, we could tip the balance, and a werewolf could become an animagus, ridding the body of lupinism. I think I know what I was missing in my potion the first time and what I need to change to make it work, but it's not something I can do alone. And I know it's not something I should do alone. Eventually, I'm going to need to ask Remus for consent. This won't work unless he's completely on board with it but I think to get him on board I need to get you on board first.
What do you think? Is it too crazy to try or is it worth the risk? Do you think Remus would hate us for meddling in his life? Do you think he would trust the plan enough to go along with it? If you don't think I'm totally crazy I can tell you more about what the process would look like. Let me know what you think and if I still have a chance to talk you into this. I don't think I can be successful without your total commitment, no pressure or anything.
Yours,
Mia
Mia Bell,
Have I told you recently how absolutely brilliant I think you are? I firmly believe that you could accomplish anything you put your mind to. Not because you're my daughter but because you are your mother's daughter.
But you're right, tread carefully here. You're talking about doing the impossible albeit from a perspective I've never heard before, and hope is a funny thing. It can drive us on but it can also break us. When we have hope we have the potential for heartbreak. Trust me, I'm an expert on this. I had no hope when I was in Azkaban, that's how I survived.
Now I don't think that means we should ever not hope or dream for a better future, but I do think we need to be careful with someone else's hope. Tell me your plan, my love, and I'll tell you what I think. I do agree Moony should hear nothing about this unless we are 100% sure on a plan.
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself at the Yule Ball. Remind me to tell Gabriel about some of my favorite hexes I learned back when I was fighting against You-Know-Who. Some of them are quite impressive and do interesting things to a man's body. Good things to keep in mind while he's dating my daughter. Does this mean I have to have The Sex Talk with you now? I think that's something I'm going to give to Moony. He is your godfather, he should pull his weight.
If we can never speak again about the first half of that book I think it would be too soon. If all you needed it for is the stuff in the back about werewolves could you just cut out those first few chapters and maybe burn them? I think I would sleep easier. If you don't then I think I'll recite it for Moony and make him explain to you why there are just some things the human body isn't meant to do. Also, please don't think I missed the fact that you still have not told me what rules you've broken recently. I refuse to believe my kid is so straight laced.
Sincerely, the one who will murder your boyfriend if he attempts to hurt you in any way shape or form,
Dad
P.S. Thanks for the burn ointment, it came in handy. Apparently falling asleep on the beach isn't a great idea after spending 12 years in a jail cell.
P.P.S. Enclosed is a pic of us at a muggle boardwalk. Their pictures don't move for some reason. The shark eating me was not real, nor are the waves and surfboard Moony is standing on.
Dad,
Please oh please don't try to have The Talk with me or ask Remus to. McGonagall's already covered everything. That was traumatic enough. I really don't need to go through it again. I promise to rip out the pages of that book. I can rebind what I need and burn the rest. It's not worth it, please don't tell Remus, I don't think I could ever look him in the eyes again if he knew.
I didn't comment on the school rule I broke recently because I thought it was obvious. I'm in possession of a banned book that would definitely cause some noise if it was discovered but don't worry, my rule abiding father insists I get rid of the naughty pages so I won't be breaking the rules for much longer.
I love the picture of you two at the beach. Remus looks amazing in that floppy hat. And I love your sunglasses tan line. How is Remus? Still, getting letters from our favorite cousin?
Here's the basic concept of the potion. It would be brewed during the first two weeks of the lunar month and then would be taken the night of the new moon. It will transform the taker into their animated form for one hour while they observe their animagus form just like a real animagus would. Each consecutive night after the new moon the subject will continue to attempt transformation after meditation and end the process by taking the potion and spending another hour in their form.
I believe once a full transformation without the assistance of a potion is completed, this will be the turning point for the subject, and the moon will no longer have any sway over them, meaning they are essentially cured of lupinism and are now an animagus. If the subject doesn't achieve transformation within the first month, the potion will be brewed again, and the process started over again on the new moon of the following month. The ingredients that make the animagus potion so deadly if someone takes more than their original dosages isn't present in this one. Someone can take it month after month until they're successful.
Now here's the catch. During this process, the subject can't take the Wolfsbane Potion. That means every month that they're not successful they'll have to go through a full moon change, without the assistance of the potion. That's the sucky part and I'm afraid there's not a way around it. That's where I was kind of hoping you could come in. I know you used to help Remus back before the Wolfsbane Potion was created. Is there a way you could create an environment that would help him through the months, so it's not as difficult?
Always,
Mia
Mia Bell,
McGonagall gave you The Sex Talk? I am so, so sorry. Did she use her chalkboard or transfigure anything to show the finer details? Merlin, I can't imagine. Actually I can, and I think I may start having a new case of night terrors. Send more chocolate magic potion. I may have to chug a bottle.
I think I can manage Werewolf Moony just fine. I did it for years without the Wolfsbane Potion, so I can do it again, although I may convert your potions room in the cellar into a safe room. Maybe we can turn one of the rooms on the third floor into a new potions lab? It will take a little convincing, but I think I can make Moony comfortable. What about on the potion's end? How will we know when you have something that won't kill him?
I'm not entirely sure how he is doing in the whole, secret-letters-from-my-cousin-that-we-all-know-about, department. They did go out one day (I think. He was very hush hush about the whole thing, but he was smiling stupidly the next day.) That was a few weeks ago, and he still gets owls every few days, but he seems much more somber about it. I've tried to ask him a few times, but he gets mad and tells me to butt out. I'm not sure how to go about getting more info without waylaying the owls.
Always, your loving father who misses you terribly,
Dad
P.S. Is that boy sill treating you ok? I can find a reason to visit and threaten him if I need to.
Dad,
Is everything ok, like in general? I keep getting weird vibes from random people. Harry has been acting weird, and I know you have been writing him. Professor Moody said something in DADA yesterday about 'things to come' and he's hinted cryptically like this before, but this time Harry turned pale and looked like he would puke. What's going on? Does this have more to do with what happened at the end of last year with Harry's Divination teacher and Wormtail? I've wanted to ask before, but I wasn't sure if I should. I know whatever it is, it probably isn't my business, but I feel like it should be.
Yes McGonagall gave me The Talk, no, I'm not going to share the details. Trust me, you don't want me to.
Gabe is wonderful. Please be nice to him. I really care about him and I don't want things to be weird.
For the potion… I'm working on it. Once I have a finished plan, I'm going to show it to Professor Snape. I know you don't like him, but he's helped me in the past, and I don't believe he would ever do anything to jeopardize an important potion. It would go against his professional code or something. I know you hate him, but I think I can trust him. As for having everything I need, that's another thing I need help with. I think the reason my last potion failed was because I didn't have Remus' hair, like the Animagi potion. But to balance everything correctly, I need some of his human hair, and some of his werewolf hair. Is it too weird for me to ask you to sneak some for me?
I'm sorry to hear things haven't progressed with Remus and Tonks. I really hoped by now they would be more open about it. I've hinted in my letters to him, asking for details, but he always seems to ignore it. Maybe you should start waylaying owls.
Always,
Mia
Mia Bell,
You can trust Snape. He's a greasy git, but Dumbledore trusts him, so I do as well.
Attached is some of Moony's hair in both forms. Please don't ask me how I got it. I do not wish to relive it. Tell me love, what is your plan for actually administering the potion to him? If the potion takes two weeks to brew and will be monthly for who knows how long, do you plan to make it over the summer then call it quits for the school year until next summer? You aren't dropping out of school for this, sorry sweetie.
Yes, you are correct something seems to be up. I don't know what, and I don't think even Dumbledore knows what, but it's something. Just keep your eyes out and stay safe, and maybe don't talk about it around open ears.
Your loving father who still is suspicious about your boyfriend,
Dad
Dad,
I've been thinking about what to do about the potion being brewed monthly. I want to make it over the Easter holiday, that will give me one week for the difficult part and the second week of brewing needs very little maintenance. I'm hoping professor Snape or McGonagall or both can help me work out the details. If I do that, Remus can have a go in April, and we can make sure it works. Then, do you think he would feel comfortable if I asked Alec, Gabe's older brother to help? I don't know if he has time or the interest, but he definitely has the skill. I can ask him if he'd be willing to brew it each month for us.
Love you,
Mia
Mia Bell,
I like Alec, he's good people. We've had a few dinners with him and his parents. Moony likes them too. If you think he can help, I say ask him. Is there anything else you need from me? I feel bloody useless. The cellar has been werewolf proofed with lots of fun chew toys. No, Moony hasn't seen it yet.
Love,
Dad
P.S. I'm still worried about you and this boy. Are you being safe? I don't want to be a grandpa any time soon.
Alec,
How's everything going at work and with your family? Are your parents still as pissed as they sound about Gabe becoming an animagus?
I have kind of a weird question to ask you. I have a potion I've been working on the last few months and I think I officially have a working product. The problem is the application requires monthly brewing, and the potion takes two weeks to brew. It's not something I can do with my current schedule. Read over the attached papers and treatment method and tell me what you think. I can brew it for the month of April to confirm it is successful, but would you have any interest in helping in May and June?
Thanks,
Mia
Mia,
What the bloody f***? Did you really make this yourself? This is effing brilliant. Does the potion work? If it works, what you're talking about... this is so dangerous. Who else knows about this?
Yes, Mum and Dad are still pissed, although they might also be a little impressed. I think they will let Gabe have it when he gets home, and then they will be done with it. You'll understand my insistence on asking what adults know about your plans before I agree to help you. I do kind of feel a little guilty over the whole animagus thing since I knew about it and didn't tell Mum and Dad. They don't know that part yet, so please keep it to yourself.
For something like this Mia, I can make the time at work. Hell, they would probably give me the time if I told them what I was working on, but I think it's probably best if it was kept private for now. Do you have the paperwork to patent the potion? This is necessary. A discovery like this, lord you're only 14! I get now why my baby brother is in love with you. Don't tell him I told you that.
Let me know who over the age of 15 knows about this and what your plan is. I can talk with Remus or Sirius directly as well if you want. Remus is your guinea pig right? Remus knows he's your guinea pig right? There's a certain process this type of magical experimentation needs to follow. Attached is the magical board's policies and procedures for you to read over. This is really something you want to be above board on. If you are successful, a magical discovery on this scale will be ground breaking. You need to make sure when your actions are scrutinized for years to come by every potions master and healer in Europe, it stands up. Let me know what you need, I'm happy to help in any way I can as long as it's legal.
Your future brother-in-law,
Alec
AN: AAAAND now you know Mia's plan. Did you guess correctly? think it will work? How will this change things? Review and let me know what you think!
Also, I just posted my book cover on my website! If you want to check it out, head to hmwrites dot com
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