Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the wonderful wizarding world and all credit must be given to Ms. JK Rowling, however, anything unrecognisable is of my own creation.

Chapter 3: The Wolfsbane Potion

I have spent all of my spare time, over the last week and a half, in the potions classroom, attempting to brew the Wolfsbane Potion. The instructions for brewing the potion are very precise and complex: and any small mistake results in the failure of the potion. The finished potion should be a pearly white potion, which emits a light blue smoke; though, I still haven't quite got a desired outcome. The instructions also mention that the potions should not form bubbles, or stick to the side of the cauldron, as both of these observations suggest a contaminated potion that should not be consumed. I've brewed several potions, which have produced bubbles, and it took a while for us to realise that the aconite was contaminated. Remus and his parents are meeting with Dumbledore this afternoon to discuss the potion. I'd written to Remus to tell him that Dumbledore had come across a potion, which might make his transformations easier, but I hadn't gone into too much detail. Dumbledore would explain the situation, and then it would be up to Remus, whether or not he wanted to try the Wolfsbane Potion. I have just returned to the dungeons to perform the last stage on my Wolfsbane Potion: I found Professor Slughorn stood peering into the cauldron.

'This is looking very promising, Miss. Granger.' I smiled, whilst I began preparing the next ingredient. 'Has Mr. Lupin agreed to test it?' I didn't look away from preparing the next ingredient, but responded to Slughorn's question.

'Dumbledore is meeting with Remus and his parents this afternoon.' Slughorn nodded, examining the Wolfsbane potion again.

'Splendid.' I was now concentrating on adding the next ingredient to my cauldron. I'm rather impressed at how my potion brewing skills had advanced this year. I'd always been above average in potions class, but it had never been a favourite of mine and always stressed me out. I suppose having Lily around meant I'd gotten more involved in learning about potions and different brewing techniques: Lils gets quite talkative when you mention potions. I've also picked up a few things from Sirius that have helped a lot in attempting to brew this Wolfsbane Potion. Sirius's brewing style is vastly different from what is taught by Slughorn, and I assume it reflects the Black Family's style of potion brewing. I stirred the Wolfsbane Potion anti-clockwise after adding the next ingredient: I now just need to add the aconite and it would be finished. The recipe for brewing the potion ends by saying that the potion must be cooled slowly, so to activate the ingredients. I know if the potion isn't cooled slowly enough then it would become ineffective, but we wouldn't know if that was the case until Remus had tested it. I measured out the aconite, before carefully sprinkling it over the surface of the potion. The potion turned pearly white, and as I gave it one final clockwise stir the blue smoke appeared. I removed the cauldron from the flame, and placed it on the bench so it could cool.

I was eating lunch in the Great Hall when I received the patronus from Dumbledore, informing me that the Lupins had arrived. I, therefore, swiftly finished lunch, before hurrying up to Dumbledore's office. I realised as I was running up the spiral staircase that I've never met Remus's parents. I've heard about them: Sirius says Hope Lupin is a lovely woman, and always fed the Marauders too much when they'd visited in the past. Mrs. Lupin apparently embarrasses Remus a lot, because she's very protective. Lyall Lupin, on the other hand, is apparently a very withdrawn sort of person. I've heard from the Marauders that he's desperate to find a cure for Remus, and frequently comes up with strange remedies. Remus complains about these remedies, because they never work and most of them lack any evidence of being effective. I reached Dumbledore's office, hesitating, before I knocked. There was a moment of silence, before Dumbledore's voice appeared.

'Enter.' I opened the door slowly to find everyone staring at me: Dumbledore introduced me. 'Lyall... Hope... this is Miss. Hermione Granger. She is attempting to brew this potion that we believe could alleviate your son's condition.' The next I knew, Mrs. Lupin was almost smothering me with a rather tight hug: and I could hear Mr. Lupin speaking to Dumbledore.

'Where does the potion originate from, Albus? I've not come across it in my own research.' Mrs. Lupin must've heard her husband's question, because she let go of me to listen to Dumbledore's answer. Dumbledore didn't answer until Hope and I had taken a seat.

'The Wolfsbane Potion, won't be invented for a few more years, however, Miss. Granger is a seer... and has managed to produce a detailed explanation for both brewing the potion and how it should be administered.' I watched Lyall raised his eyebrows, as if doubting the validity of the potion. I spoke.

'I've seen it work. Remus takes it in the future.' I became center of attention again as I interrupted: Dumbledore continued with the conversation.

'Lyall, I have complete faith in Miss. Granger... though... it is entirely Remus's decision if he wishes to try the potion.' Lyall Lupin was silent for a moment, before asking another question.

'How does the potion work?' Dumbledore didn't answer this question, so I assumed that he intended for me to answer.

'The potion is drunk each day of the week preceding the full moon... and then it prevents the wizard, or witch, from losing their mind during the transformation. I've successfully brewed a batch of the potion; it's a little challenging to brew correctly, but my first batch will have matured by tomorrow morning.' Dumbledore smiled as I mentioned the success of my latest attempt with the Wolfsbane Potion. I continued speaking. 'I'm afraid it isn't very pleasant tasting, Remus.' I had noticed that Remus seemed a little speechless; though, as I spoke directly to him, a small smile appeared on his lips.

'Will it work?' I nodded.

'If it matures correctly during the cooling process it should work.' Remus's smile widened, as Hope spoke.

'Albus, she's just a child, how has she managed to brew what sounds like such a complex potion?' Hope's concern caused the usual twinkle to appear in Dumbledore's eyes.

'I assure you, Hope, that Miss. Granger is a very talented young witch. Her previous school was of excellent quality: and she's years above her peers in her knowledge.' I suppressed a smirk as Dumbledore complimented the quality of Hogwarts teaching. I watched Lyall and Hope share a lengthy look, before Lyall turned to Remus.

'It's your decision, son. We'll support your choice, if you wish to try this potion.' Remus glanced towards me, meaning I smiled.

'I can't promise it'll work first time, I might have to play around with the cooling process... but I promise, Remus, I will make it work.' There was silence, before Remus nodded.

'I trust Hermione with my life, so yes, I want to try this Wolfsbane Potion.'

Dumbledore arranged for the Lupin family to remain at the castle in the run up to the full moon. I didn't realise how lonely I was, until I had Remus around. Remus has been taking the Wolfsbane Potion all week: and he pulls the most adorable face when he's drinking it. He's complained about the taste everyday, though, it's usually soon forgotten, because the house elves have made the most wonderful food this week. They've started making this amazing pumpkin bread pudding with caramel sauce: it's incredible. I've bickered with Remus several times over the last piece. Yesterday, we'd written letters to James, Peter, and Sirius to tell them about the Wolfsbane Potion. Sirius is still locked up in his bedroom, and I suspect he's going a little insane. I sent him a selection of sweets from Honeydukes, so hopefully that will have brightened his mood. I am just hoping that the Wolfsbane Potion worked, because the Marauders were rather excited at the prospect of having Remus responsive during the full moon. We'd find out soon if I've brewed the Wolfsbane Potion properly, because the full moon is due to rise soon: and Remus has just left for the Shrieking Shack. It's looking positive, because Remus seemed less short-tempered than usual, which I am assuming means that the potion is suppressing the wolf. I have my fingers crossed; though, I doubt I'd be getting any sleep tonight. I am currently lying awake, staring at the canopy of my bed. The silence of the dormitory was interrupted, as the familiar ghostly blue dog patronus appeared accompanied by Sirius's voice.

'I can't sleep. Did Remus get to the shack all right?' I smiled at my dopey boyfriend's patronus: he always manages to surprise me; though, I did suspect he'd figure out how to project his voice soon. I'd only learnt to project my own voice after being transported back to 1975, during a rather productive session in the library. I cast my own patronus to respond to Sirius.

'He's seemed less restless this afternoon, but I can't sleep.' Sirius and I sent patronuses back and forth for a few hours, until I dropped off to sleep. It had been good to hear Sirius's voice, however, I agree with him: next year, we're getting a set of two-way mirrors.

I woke up the following morning, still exhausted after an awful night's sleep. I didn't change out of my pyjamas, and just wondered down to the Hospital Wing. I froze, as I reached the large wooden doors: the Wolfsbane Potion hadn't worked. Remus was laying in one of the hospital beds. He looked worse than I've ever seen him after a transformation. I walked slowly over to his bed, with a frown on my lips. Mrs. Lupin jumped to her feet to comfort me.

'Oh hunny... don't be sad. We don't blame you.' I was speechless as I watched Remus sleeping. Mr. Lupin spoke.

'Remus said the potion almost worked, he said he was semi-aware of the events after the transformation.' I glanced towards Mr. Lupin when he spoke. The potion almost worked?! That means I'd brewed it correctly, but it must've cooled down too quickly and not had chance to mature. I took the seat that Mrs. Lupin offered me, as Mr. Lupin continued speaking. 'He's all right, just needs to sleep it off. We'll just have to try again next month, he told me to tell you not to blame yourself.' I smiled, that's typical Remus.

A/N: Bit of a longer chapter for you all, because I lost track of how much I was writing :P Though I know none of you will mind. Thank you to my reviews from the last chapter, your reviews were all greatly appreciated. I was also asked what I'm planning with this series of stories, which I'm sure I'd already mentioned, but apparently I'm going mad and haven't mentioned before. Basically, this part of the series will cover the gangs 6th year at Hogwarts, then the next part will cover 7th year and up until October 1981, and then part 4 will continue the story up until we get back to Harry's time at Hogwarts and to where Hermione started her adventure. I've written a few chapters that I plan to put into part 4, but haven't really planned how to end the series yet, but hey ho, that's a problem for me to worry about later. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Remember to review. Love RoxannetheLaugh x.