Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters you recognise. They belong to J.K. Rowling. I'm not making any money from this in any way.
This fic ignores several major events from the books – but includes other major events – so bear with me. If you have any questions please ask and I'll explain as best as possible, though more of the past will be revealed throughout the fic.
Slash of the male/male and female/female kinds will eventually be appearing in this story. If you don't like slash then please leave. Don't read what you don't like.
Cross-posted to ffnet and AO3. If you want to the see newspapers as the actual newspapers and the emails without odd formatting - head over to AO3 and read.
Thank you to everybody who favourited, gave kudos and/or posted a review.
Chapter Three: Another busy year
Wednesday 6 February 2002
The Quibbler
QUAGGA HERD FOUND IN SOUTH AFRICA
A herd of 30 quaggas have been sighted in South Africa. The Quagga was thought to have been extinct since the last captive Quagga died in 1883. The Quagga is a distinct sub-species of the Plains Zebra, with distinctive striping of brown and white strips mostly on the front part of the body, and with a solid brown back of the body.
The extinction of the Quagga was in part due to Muggle European colonisation of South Africa, as well as extensive hunting of Quaggas by European Wixen for potion ingredients. The location of the herd of recently found Quaggas will be not released to the public. For photographs and further details of Quaggas turn to pg.3.
"MERLIN! RON WAKE UP!"
Ron startled. The manuscript he had been reading fell to the floor in a flop of paper. Well – at least he knew that book should go in the 'no' pile. He looked to where his husband was standing in the middle of the lounge room holding a crumpled copy of The Quibbler.
"Do you know what she's done?" the blonde demanded, shaking the newspaper in his direction, "Do. You Know. What. She's. Done?"
As the newspaper clenched in Draco's hand was The Quibbler, Ron searched his memory for any recent mention of Luna, "Umm… I think Fred mentioned that Luna was in Africa…."
Draco nodded, "Of course, she's in bloody Africa. But did you know about THIS?", he threw the newspaper at Ron, who managed to catch the fluttering pages and smooth out the front page.
"Umm….." Ron cleared his throat, a little confused, "Luna found a herd of Quaggas….?"
Draco stamped his foot and his voice rose, "QUAGGAS!"
Ron blinked and looked at Draco in concern, "Yes…. That's what the headline says," he flicked through to page 3 of the paper, "and there are photographs as well."
A strangled noise came from Draco, causing Ron to look up from the paper and the photographs of the Quaggas which seemed to be a bit of a weird mix between a zebra and horse. Before he could help himself, Ron had to know what was wrong with Luna finding a Quagga herd.
"I don't get what the big deal is. They look like a weird hybrid of zebras and horses."
Draco stared at Ron and was visibly taking a deep breath. Likely to calm himself down a bit, though Ron didn't understand why he would need to.
"We have to offer her a book deal."
Ron blinked. He wasn't sure about the connection between Luna finding some zebra horse and the need to ask her to write a book….
Draco must have noticed his confusion, because he sighed and sat on the sofa next to Ron, picking up the newspaper again.
"Ok, darling. I'll explain it. Quaggas have been extinct since 1883. They partially went extinct due to many parts of them being used in several popular potions during the 19th Century. Luna has found a Quagga herd. A herd of previously thought extinct creature." Draco paused dramatically, and Ron absorbed the information, "Do you see where I'm coming from darling?"
Ron nodded. When it was laid out like that…. He liked Luna but found her belief in, what he thought was, imaginary creatures, amusing but exceptionally odd.
But… If Luna had found one of these extinct creatures, then perhaps it means that other crazy Luna animals are also not so extinct….
He turned to Draco, and pulled him for a kiss, "You are a bloody genius Draco."
Draco just looked smug and snogged. Ron loved it his lips plumped up after snogging. "We'll send her a letter tomorrow. This has the potential to be bigger than Fantastic Beasts."
To: llovegood
From: hpotter
Date: 8 February 2002
Subject: Quaggas!
Dear Luna,
Congratulations! I'm so happy you managed to find the Quaggas! I saw the photographs in the Quibbler – so cute! Are they nice to meet? Did you have too much trouble finding them? I was going through some of the sketches you gave me, and Quaggas look pretty similar to the pictures of Guagqas you used to draw at Hogwarts. Do you think they're related? That would be pretty crazy if you managed to also find Guagqas as well!
Uni is going well! I'm especially enjoying the Magical Theory class at the moment. It's all about different types of ancient magic and what type of remnants we might still find of it (you know, like excerpts in books, old artefacts, etc.). So interesting!
Where are you off to next? Make sure to stay safe!
Love Harry.
P.S. Have you heard from Draco or Ron yet? Ron said Draco was going crazy about the Quaggas… I guess he just likes cute hybrid zebra horses as much as the rest of us!
DM: This is the best yet.
RW: What is? Surely watching Harry and Neville brew potions can't be that entertaining.
RW: Unless they're blowing themselves up.
RW: I can see you find that entertaining.
RW: They aren't blowing themselves up are they?!
DM: No explosions yet.
RW: Oh good! Because so far Snape's textbooks have been the best potions teacher ever…. Considering we were taught by Snape himself…. But it would have sucked for our business if the last textbook was a flop!
DM: Yes – you don't have to go about how bad a teacher Severus was in person. And no it's not a flop.
RW: Well, what has you so entertained then?
DM: Harry and Neville finished brewing all the standard potions a couple of hours ago. They've since moved on to the experimental section.
RW: Oh…
DM: Yep. There's flavoured lube everywhere!
RW: If they've done it right, make sure to bring some home with you. We're running low.
DM: I've already put some aside.
RW: And that's why I love you. XXXX
Severus hummed to himself softly as he surveyed the upper year's potions classroom at the Australian Wixen Secondary School. It was lovely. Well ventilated, filtered light – dim more than dark, the perfect cooler temperature for brewing and storing. The student benches were marble and spaced evenly throughout the classroom. One wall had shelves, the lower of which had a variety of cauldrons stored on them, the higher of which had other miscellaneous brewing tools such as scales, mortars and pestles, and chopping boards. He only wished that the set-up at Hogwarts had been half as good.
The temperature here was especially nice when compared to outside – 30 degrees Celsius! In March!
Despite the unreasonable temperature for March (!), Severus was very happy he had taken Professor Yarran, or Iluka as he insisted, up on the opportunity to provide a guest lecture and answer questions to the 6th and 7th years at his school. The release of his final potions textbook occurred at the end of last month and was already getting favourable reviews. He knew from his ongoing correspondence with Iluka that the students were looking forward to the textbook.
Severus had to stop himself from snorting as he watched the students eagerly enter the lab and take seats at the benches. One by one, they took out writing implements and notebooks. He smiled slightly noticing the exciting gleam in many of their eyes. Perhaps eager was a slight understatement. But an improvement on how it used to be at Hogwarts.
Harry carefully scraped the dirt with his trowel. He was following the peculiar energy he could feel emanating from this corner of the dig. When he offered to excavate this section, the Director was surprised but didn't complain.
Scrape. Scrape. Scrape.
The feeling was getting stronger, but Harry kept his patience and carefully scraped down the dirt across his excavation square, being extra careful to look for any changes that indicated the former structure which was there.
Scrape. Scrape. Scrape.
"OK!" Harry startled at the Director's booming shout. Trowelling was meditative. "Time for smoko."
He stood up slowly and stretched out his back. Shaking each of his legs as he checked his progress. That was a pretty damn neat one-metre by one-metre square. Squinting slightly, he checked the walls of the square to make they were perfectly straight. Yes. Ok. Looking good. He made sure his bucket had some dirt in it and then placed it on top of his recording folder with his trowel next to it.
He loved his trowel. A WHS that he had scratched his name into the wooden handle. It was a perfect size, the perfect weight. Though, after the first day excavating at Casselden Place, he had ditched the belt holster for it. The light but persistent jokes had made it clear these Australian archaeologists and students weren't particularly tolerable of anything they considered wanky.
But it was worth it. Being here in the centre of Melbourne, slowly digging squares with a trowel. Learning some of the local slang. Like wanky. And smoko. Though according to Anna, a Masters' student who already had one postgraduate degree, the smoko was meant to have originated in the British Merchant Navy, though Harry sure hadn't heard it before. Maybe it was something that hadn't crept into the UK Wixen vocabulary yet.
Harry carefully exited the excavation zone and made his way around to the shade shelter where the eskys – another delight word – were kept to have a quick morning tea.
Yes – he was happy to be here.
Even if that feeling ended up not indicating anything of interest. The Director and site supervisors on this dig were all consulting archaeologists, who had decided to get some free labour by having local university students help out. They were hard taskmasters, but efficient and exceptionally proficient. He had only managed to get on the dig due to Headmaster Yarran mentioning him to the Director. They were great friends. And that the Director was a squib also helped, though he had been thoroughly warned about any magic use. Harry was just happy to be here and getting more, and different experiences so had happily agreed.
Harry's phone buzzed. He considered just letting it ring out, but eventually, the tinny sounds of the entertainer annoyed him enough to close his laptop and answer. Damn George for changing my ringtone… I didn't even have time before to ask Hermione how to change it back.
He clicked the answer button, "Hello?"
"Harry?" Bill's voice came through the phone's speaker.
"Bill! It's nice to hear from you. How are you?" Harry settled back on his bed.
Bill chuckled, "I'm really good, thanks, Harry. How have you been?"
Harry smiled, the last two weeks had been awesome, "I've been fantastic! I'm in Australia at the moment and have been helping on a dig in Melbourne. It's fantastic!" He paused slightly, "You won't believe what I ended up excavating…"
Harry could almost imagine how Bill would have reacted to that statement. Sitting up slightly more, a cold drink, though not alcoholic since he would be back at work later in the afternoon, in hand, his blue eyes narrowing slightly as he mentally catalogued what it may be….
"Ok – Harry. You know I have no idea what it could be." Bill huffed slightly, "And you can't just leave me hanging…"
Harry laughed in delight; he loved talking to Bill. It wasn't as good as hanging out together in person, but it was a step up from letters or emails. "So, I was deliberately excavating this square where I was feeling magic emanating from. The deeper I got, the stronger it was. I eventually came across some soil staining which indicated a post hole from the early structure. It wasn't particularly well defined though, so after the Excavation Director okayed it, I was able to excavate out the post hole…" Harry sipped his beer, "and I found a stash of bottles at the base of the post hole… Most of them were muggle ones dating from around the 1850s…" Harry paused again.
"And?! You found something more interesting than old muggle bottles. Spill Harry."
Harry laughed again, "Ok, ok. There was also this one bottle, a crystal potions bottle that still had a potion inside it. Luckily the Excavation Director is a squib, so he was able to squirrel it away before it got entered into the official catalogue. We did take unofficial records of it though."
Bill laughed, "Oh wow – that was lucky! Do you know what the potion is?"
Harry also laughed, "Ha – they didn't need me there. The area was a popular stomping ground for Wixen in Melbourne at the time – despite being the red-light district…. Or maybe because of it. Fewer questions asked and all that."
"I can see that being true," Bill agreed, "And usually brothels went hand in hand with drug dens as well which would have accounted for the odd behaviour and clothing."
"Yep, exactly." Harry said, "But that's also the reason why the Australian Ministry posts someone on these types of excavations to keep an eye out and tend to replace magical objects with non-magical copies. They have boxes of artefacts and details in their archive rooms."
Bill hummed, "Sounds like a huge research project to go through it."
Harry laughed again, "I think I'll leave that for someone more interested in post-colonial Wixens in Australia. That's not my piece of cake. And I'm heading home in two days anyway…" Harry paused, "Anyhow – what have you been up to?"
SS: You found a bottle recently during an excavation in Melbourne?
HP: Umm… Is that a question or a statement? The wording is as a statement, but the question mark poses it as a question….
SS: I was asked by the Australian Ministry to determine what the potion was.
HP: You were in Australia?! When? Why didn't the Ministry use their own Potions Master?
HP: Not that you're not awesome…. It's just odd they asked a foreigner.
SS: I was in Australia all of April. Headmaster Yarran invited me, and Ron and Draco wanted me to do a tour for the 6/7th year textbook.
HP: We could have caught up! I was there for the first two weeks of April. Too bad.
HP: So – did you test the potion? What was it? I've been curious since I excavated it. It was radiating such a strong signature that I could feel it before I even started excavating that section, and it only got strong the closer I got.
SS: They asked me because their usual Potions Master was overseas on holiday. And also likely because I was the closest available at the time. Australia has some fantastic potions Masters, but everybody is so spread out.
HP: And the potion? Did you figure out what it was?
SS: It's odd. Nothing I can immediately identify. I initially had trouble determining all of the exact ingredients. It wasn't until Elder Kenny was called in that we made any progress.
HP: Elder Kenny? From Alice Springs?
SS: Yes….
HP: I'm not surprised. I bet Uncle Kenny knows lots of rare plants that only grow in the East MacDonald Ranges. I met him when I was up at the Tiwi Islands since he was visiting at the same time.
SS: Hmm…. Well, Elder Kenny and I will be working on it together as a research program. I've been invited to his home for the duration.
HP: No way! That's terrific. Congratulations! Please keep me posted as to how it goes. Also, please say Hi to Uncle Kenny from me and that I still like Pinyama – too bad we can't get any in the UK.
Draft Final Report for Advanced Spell Crafting (SC301) – DRAFT ONE (10 May 2002)
FIGURE OUT A PROPER TITLE!
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to outline the results of a spell crafting project. As archaeology is not a field of study in the Wixen World there is a lack of suitable spells available for use in the discipline. This report will detail the results of a spell crafting experiment that focused on addressing the need for accurate grid squares and measurements in an archaeological context.
An outline of standard archaeological practice for survey and excavation is provided, highlighting standard tasks which Muggles do by hand, but that could be expedited or made more accurate by the use of magic relating to measurements. An analysis of common spells that were initially thought to be useful is discussed, focusing on the strength and weaknesses of each for use in an archaeological context. The methodology for the spell crafting study is then outlined, followed by the results of the experiment. Finally, the discussion will show that the resulting spells crafted for use in the archaeological context, specifically regarding measurements, not only work consistently but are more accurate than undertaking the same task by hand.
Background
· Outline standard archaeological practice. Make sure to focus on where spells may be useful for something (stringing up squares, grids, recording, shade, mapping, etc.)
o Maybe have a chart? Point out the point at which different spells could be useful.
· Summarise previous research
o Vector's study into the properties of squares (reference Vector 1989, 1992, 1995 and 1997)
o Stable's magical geometry assessment – focus on references that relate to visualising/conceptualising and then marking.
· Critical analysis of other spells, etc.
· Highlight the gap
Methodology
· Outline the methodology used
· Etymology – Latin – since that's what I'm used to
· A base spell for a standard square
o Overlay of a 1 metre by 1-metre square grid
o Powered and delineated by 'will' and control of the spell.
· Adaptations of the base spell
o Record a 2D map
o Include depth measurements – basically a 3D map.
IDEA for later: Holographic style maps! Ask Moony and Sirius about the Marauders Map – able to view images in 3D, scan, change angles, etc. Layers?
Results
· What were the key results of the study?
· Only include the results
· Statistics – think about
Remus didn't usually feel awkward around Harry's friends.
But this brunch was excruciating.
Draco, Ron and Sirius were talking back and forth, enjoying the (delightful) brunch that Harry had prepared. Harry was mostly digging into his food, but interjecting into the conversation occasionally. Remus took another bite of his egg benedict and tried to zone out the conservation.
It was normal brunch, one Harry held at least once a month. To keep his sanity while studying, was what he used as the excuse. And they were great. Fantastic even. Harry was a good cook. Remus and Sirius were constant invitees, and Harry rotated invitations through his close friendship group.
So – there was nothing different this week…
Except for the topic of conversation.
Remus watched as Draco gestured toward him, "And just look – Remus is like the quintessential professor. We wouldn't even need to do any styling, just update everything so it's not as old looking." Ron snorted at his husband's statement and Remus heard a thump and subsequent squeak from Draco.
Ah, the good old shut-up foot stomp. Remus was well acquainted with using that on Sirius.
Sirius swallowed and said, "But the well-worn look is just so Remus. You can't change that. He wouldn't be Remus anymore without it."
Harry just nodded and threw a cheeky wink at Remus.
"Ok gentleman. Here's what we'll do," Ron stated authoritatively, "Draco is allowed to update some of Remus' wardrobe…"
"Yes!" Draco inserted, doing a quick fist pump.
"-But, the majority of any updates have to be in the same styles or from vintage places." Ron finished.
Remus watched as Draco didn't look so triumphant anymore, but at least he wasn't objecting openly.
Sirius nodded, "Agreed! You gentlemen have yourselves a deal!"
Harry grinned at Remus.
Remus just shrugged and continued to eat, still feeling a bit awkward.
How did a contract offer to write and publish a series of Defence textbooks turn into negotiations about his wardrobe choices and 'style'…?
To: llovegood
From: gweasley
Date: 4 June 2002
Subject: WWW goes international!
Our Dearest Luna,
The release of WWW worldwide went off without a hitch (except for the planned ones!). Thank you our blonde goddess for recommending New York City as our first international store. It's a fantastic place, and Rolf has been a darling showing us around the Wixen and Muggle areas. Please remind us to thank Harry for putting us in touch with Irontooth – she's amazingly scary and efficient (a goblin version of Hermione?).
I think I even saw Newt Scamander go through at one point! There were even a couple of MACUSA Aurors hanging around our defence shelves!
Look forward to seeing you soon!
Love George and Fred
To: tnott
From: pparkinson
Date: 29 June 2002
Subject: Congratulations!
My Dearest Theo,
You looked so handsome yesterday in your cap and gown! I'm so happy for you! We all got lots of photos – I'm sure you'll be getting a barrage of owls with USB drives this weekend. I hope you're looking forward to tonight! You should invite Lisa as well – she seemed nice and is hot hot hot for you, Theo.
Kiss kiss,
Pansy
BZ: Theo – I love you.
TN: ?!
BZ: Not like that you dick. But like, congratulations on your graduation! You were always the smartest out of us (except for Daphne, but she's been too busy with charity work to consider university). And I'm just… Proud of you, and I love you since you're my best friend.
TN: Oh god – who has been giving you gin?
TN: Thank you for the sentiment though – I love you as well since you're my best friend.
TN: But – seriously, stop drinking the gin.
TN: You'll be embarrassed about this tomorrow when I show you at Harry's big brunch.
To: bweasley
From: hpotter
Date: 24 July 2002
Subject: Whitefriars
Hi Bill!
Thanks for your last email! I needed that laugh. The photographs you attached were hilarious!
Everything is going okay at the moment. I'm still working at the Whitefriars Excavation which is fascinating. We've uncovered evidence of Roman occupation, as well as Anglo-Saxon occupation. I got to help Professor Halo excavate the skeletal remains that were uncovered! It was awesome. He's managed to determine that only one of the individuals was deliberately buried with care, while the remaining seven individuals were buried by cutting into each other's graves and the body placement wasn't deliberate either (like one individual had been buried face down, and another with their knee up to their chest). At the moment neither Professor Halo nor any of the other (qualified) archaeologists know what's up with them. I think they hope to get more data during the post-excavation analysis.
I'm a bit miffed that I won't be around to help with the post-excavation analysis work, I would have liked to work with Professor Halo some more – he's good at explaining everything, and I've learnt so much from him! I have several more ideas for spells to help with archaeological tasks I'll bring a copy of my final spell crafting report – you guys may have a use for the recording/measuring spells I created and the report itself has some more detail than the journal article. Which will be published next month! Whoo! My first journal article! (And I never thought I would be excited about that – am I turning into some weird type of Hermione obsessed with dirt?)
Anyhow, I've still got a week on this dig. Then next month I'm off with Luna to help her get the photographs/pictures she needs to finish The Compendium. Are you still okay with us dropping by at the end?
I hope Egypt is going well and that you haven't had to deal with any mummies recently!
Love,
Harry
HP: You and Draco owe me big time.
HP: Do you know how difficult it is to keep Luna on track?
RW: Yes we do know. That's why we suggested to her that you should go as well.
RW: Not that we quite phrased it as you being her timekeeper, but hey! It worked. Right?
HP: *sigh* Yes it has bloody worked. I'm going to be messaging you and keeping a tally of how much you guys owe me for this.
RW: Sure. You know you can claim disbursements back anyway.
HP: Not what I meant Ron. This is bigger than just replacing my favourite pair of jeans. And trainers. And jacket.
RW: Ummm… Okay, sure. As long as Luna manages to finish the book by the end of the trip. With photographs and/or sketches. We will owe you whatever tally you manage to come up with.
HP: Damn straight you will.
RW: Can I ask what happened to your jeans/trainers/jacket though?
HP: let's just say that Luna doesn't believe in letting the creatures know we're here….
HP: Though for some fucking reason the bloody creatures keep on coming up to me…
HP: The Tasmanian Tiger mounted my bloody leg. It was a nightmare.
RW: Ok – wow…. Ummm…
HP: So yes you and Draco bloody owe me.
Draco chuckled from where he was reading the texts over Ron's shoulder, "I hope Luna got photos of that!" Ron, despite Harry being one of his best friends, couldn't help but laugh and agree with Draco's wish.
To: rweasley-malfoy ; dweasley-malfoy
From: llovegood
Date: 9 September 2002
Subject: The final copy
Attachments:
Dear Draco and Ron,
Harry and I have a lovely time while finishing off The Compendium. Thank you, Draco for organising all of the portkeys and accommodations. Harry was very impressed. I have a feeling he just ended up sleeping wherever he ended up when travelling before. I must also say thank you for suggesting Harry come along with me – it was certainly easier to get good photographs and sketches with the both of us! Even if some of the creatures had interesting reactions to Harry. I'll leave it to him to tell Ron what happened.
We started in Australia and managed to get some good photographs and drawings of Drop Bears and Hoop Snakes. Harry even managed to get a good shot of the Tasmanian Tiger. We even had a tour of the Australian Wixen Secondary School. Headmaster Yarran is so lovely, and their Care of Creatures professor, Salamander Irwin, is very knowledgeable. Salamander organised a personal tour of the Australian Wixen Zoo, which let us get photographs of the rest of the magical creatures.
From there we followed Draco's itinerary to South East Asia, China, Japan and India. We managed to get photographs of Wuzzles, Xiondings, Kitsunes in their fox forms, Yuki-onnas and Rakshas. Then we went to Africa and got more photographs of the Quaggas, before visiting with Bill for a little.
It was marvellous! And of course, I finished off the book (see attached) with all of the photographs and diagrams this time!
Love you both! See you at Hermione and Pansy's party!
Love Luna
Harry stood next to the punch bowl sipping his drink. It was a great party. Lots of interesting people and all his friends were around as well. It had been good to catch up with Dean and Seamus – he hadn't seen them since pub night before heading off with Luna on their whirl-wind trip. Dean had some great insights about using magic on drawings. He would have to remember to ask Severus about magical ink and what was involved with brewing some…
Waterproof ink would be especially useful for field work… And a waterproof notebook… He could glamour the notebook to look like the type Professor Halo used during the Whitefriars dig and that way muggles would just assume it was the same type. Perhaps he could also add an everlasting charm to it, and maybe something to repel dirt…
Harry was jolted out of his musings by a light touch to one of his elbows, resulting in his cup of punch ending up all over the front of his new white button-up.
"Oh – I'm so sorry," a deep voice next to him said, "I didn't mean to startle you!"
Harry looked at the person and realised he recognised him from somewhere, but couldn't quite determine where from. "Oh – it's no problem. I'll just- "
The faintly recognisable person pointed their wand at the damp orange stain on his shirt and mumbled something. The stain immediately disappeared and the damp patch dried, leaving his shirt the immaculate white it was before. They smiled as they slid their wand back up their robe sleeve, "There all done."
Harry wasn't keen on having other people's wands pointing at him, or magic cast on him without permission, but then – his shirt was perfect again, so he would let it go this time. And this person was rather handsome with his floppy brown hair and shy smile.
"Ummm, thanks for that," Harry said, before drinking the last mouthful of punch left in his glass, "I was going to do it myself though."
The man just laughed, "Well, it was my fault that you spilled it. I always like to clean up my messes," he held out a hand to Harry, "Eddie Carmichael. I was the year ahead of you at Hogwarts."
Ah! So that's why he recognised him. And the name helped trigger Harry's memory, "Baruffio's Brain Elixir!"
A slight blush flushed up Eddie's neck, "Uh yeah, that was me…" Eddie glanced around, "I sure was scared of Hermione back then – she could really scold a man, yeah."
Harry just laughed, and smirked slightly at Eddie, "She still can."
Eddie faux shivered, "Here, let me get you another glass of punch."
HG: I saw you chatting to Eddie on Saturday. He wasn't trying to sell you any elixir, was he? That was a condition of his invitation. I double-checked that Pansy included that.
HP: Ha. No elixir in sight. You know he's an Auror now right? Not likely to be caught selling potions or elixirs on the side. And Severus would kill me if I bought anything like off someone at a party.
HG: LOL.
HG: And of course, I know Eddie is an Auror. We've been chatting about the possibility of getting those Muggle earpieces to work with magic.
HP: Oh – that's a great idea!
HG: Yes, it is. But I'm having trouble figuring out where to start with it. The electronics and technology involved are a bit different than what I'm used to…
HP: What about starting with short-wave UHFs? Or even those toy radios? I'll pick up a couple of cheap sets and we can play around them tomorrow.
HG: Thanks, Harry! That would be great. What did you think of the party though? Pansy outdid herself this time.
HP: Agreed! It was a great party – definitely worthy of your birthday celebrations. Did you have a good time? Tell Pansy I think she did an amazing job as well.
HG: Yes I did have a lot of fun! And even more, fun after everybody left ;-)
HP: Way too much information! But I'm glad you had a good birthday. No further details are needed.
HG: So… I did notice that you left with Eddie.
HP: And?
HG: Spill it!
HP: We apparated back to my place and had a nightcap. He's an interesting person. Nothing else happened though.
HG: Too bad.
HP: Ok. Time to change the subject – have you heard of the Wixen library in Cardiff?
To: hpotter
From: ecarmichael
Date: 23 September 2002
Subject: Dinner?
Hi Harry,
I had a nice time chatting with you at Hermione's birthday party. Would you like to have dinner with me sometime this week?
From,
Eddie
To: ecarmichael
From: hpotter
Date: 23 September 2002
Subject: Dinner?
Hi Eddie,
I'm glad you emailed! I realised that while I gave you my address, I didn't have yours.
Yes – dinner sometime this week sounds great. I'm pretty free until uni starts back on the 7 October. Give me a call and we can arrange a day and time.
Also – thanks for letting me know about the Wixen library in Cardiff. I'm going to head down there this Friday to check it out.
From,
Harry
Blaise sat back and stared at the view from his balcony holding his mobile and listening to the ringing. The Mediterranean Ocean glimmered.
The sound of the call being answered caused Blaise to smile, "Ciao Bello."
Draco laughed, "Hi Blaise. How are you going? And to what do I owe this phone call?"
Blaise sipped his red wine, "I'm very well. Pansy outdid herself in planning Hermione's party."
"Yes she did," Draco agreed, "Though did you see whom Harry left with at the end of the evening?"
Blaise settled back in his chair, ready for their weekly gossip session, "No. Who was it? Do you know any more?"
"It was Carmichael. You know that Ravenclaw was a year ahead of us. He's been pestering Hermione with some new ideas, and somehow managed to wrangle an invitation to the party."
"I heard he was an Auror now," Blaise said in response, "Do you know if anything happened after they left the party?"
He could hear Draco's sigh and could imagine him pouting slightly, "No. Nothing of interest anyway. Pansy told me that Hermione told her that they've been a couple of times since though."
"Hmmm… Well, keep me informed of anything interesting then. Harry's back in classes next week, so seeing if Carmichael can tough out the obsessive habits will be interesting." He paused and smirked to himself, "Did you see how the twin-Weasleys were slobbering all over Lovegood?"
"What?! No." Draco said loudly, "Tell me more!"
Kreacher carefully placed his little Masters' notes in different coloured folders on the desk. If Kreacher wasn't there to organise his little Master then little Master would never pass his classes or become the first Wixen Archaeologist.
He was so proud of his little Master.
To: hpotter
From: fflitwick
Date: 1 November 2002
Subject: Useful charms
Dear Mr Potter,
Thank you for your email extolling the virtues of my book Practical charms for the Intrepid Explorer. I didn't realise that Professor Marsh was still using that in her practical classes.
About your question concerning the geometry behind the wand movement for the never-move charm, yes I agree with your theory that a quarter turn at the end would essentially stick the item down in a non-permanent manner, but without needing to constantly push magic into the spell.
As for combining the never-move charm, with the old Welsh charm you found for wafting looms, and tying it in with your measuring spell… It's theoretically possible. I think we would need to do some experiments to ensure that such a resulting spell would be built up correctly though.
I have asked Albus whether you would be able to stay a weekend at Hogwarts, and he agreed. Would the 15-17 November be agreeable?
Sincerely,
Master Filius Flickwick
FW: Luna! Congratulations on your book!
GW: We walked past Flourish and Blotts this morning – and your book is in the front window!
LL: Thank you for letting me know, though the flibbertigibbets had already told me.
GW: Ah – but did the flibbertigibbets take a photo for you?
FW: It's on its way by owl to you at the moment. Enjoy!
LL: Thank you!
LL: I'm so glad Hermione figured out how to do text message conservations with more than one person!
LL: Now I can talk to you both at the same time – as it's meant to be!
The restaurant was dimly lit and soft jazz was playing in the background. The restaurant was relatively busy, especially on a Wednesday evening.
At least each table seems to have its privacy charms for sounds. Too bad we couldn't get a table in the corner though….
Harry looked at the man sitting across the table from him. Eddie. They had been dating casually for a couple of months – since Hermione's birthday in September – but it hadn't progressed into anything.
And I don't want it to. Harry shifted in his seat feeling uncomfortable. Eddie just kept on smiling at him, waiting for an answer…
"Eddie… I…You…" Harry sighed and took a sip of water, "I just don't think we're ready to move in together. You're busy with work, I'm busy with uni. Moving in together isn't going to fix this."
The smile slowly left Eddie's face, and Harry could see his eyes becoming glassy, "So you don't want me then?" He asked a bit harshly.
"No – that's not what I said. I don't think we're ready to move in together. It doesn't mean we can't keep dating." Harry argued back.
Harry watched as a flush worked its way up Eddie's neck to his face. He could see the anger starting to work its way past the shock of before.
Eddie stood up suddenly, causing Harry to flinch back from the table slightly, "No Harry. If you don't want to live with me, then this is it. I'm not wasting my time on somebody with commitment issues."
WTF?! I don't have commitment issues! Who moves in with someone after only casually dating for like two months!
Harry didn't reply to Eddie except with a raised eyebrow. He was not going to lose his cool. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Eddie," He stood up, and placed his napkin on the table as well as a handful of galleons. Holding his hand out to Eddie for a handshake that Eddie shook automatically, "I've enjoyed spending time with you the last two months. I hope you have better luck finding someone with fewer commitment issues."
Monday 2 December 2002
The Australian News
CURE FOR LYCANTHROPY: RARE AUSTRALIAN PLANT KEY
The Australian Institute for Wixen Matters (AIWM) held a press conference yesterday evening at the regional office in Alice Springs. Elder Kenny Larapinta spoke about the effort put in by the multidisciplinary team which was made up of Masters from several different countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, Spain and Bulgaria.
As many Australian Wixen will know, there are a limited number of were-people affected by lycanthropy living in Australia, and those that are affected were all born or infected overseas. This phenomenon has been noted previously by researchers, though no definitive conclusions as to why or how this occurred had been found.
The research team credited with creating the cure was formed following a standard investigation into a potion bottle full of unidentified liquid. The bottle had been recovered during an archaeological dig at Casselden Place on Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne in April this year. The potion was unable to be identified by Potions Master Severus Snape, visiting Australia at the time, and who was asked by the Australian Ministry to initially examine the find.
"My initial results from examining the unidentified liquid in the bottle were inconclusive. There were several common ingredients such as daisy root, hyacinth petals and poppy seeds, but at least one more that I was unable to identify at the time," Potions Master Snape said during the conference.
Elder Kenny Larapinta, a notable expert on Australian flora and fauna, was then contacted. The unidentified ingredients in the potion all indicated they were from Central Australia, though are not usually used in potions brewing. Elder Kenny stated, "This was too good an opportunity to pass up. As soon as I saw that bottle, I knew it was important, and that we needed to know exactly what it contained."
At Elder Kenny's insistence, along with several other Elders and spokespeople for Wixen communities around the country, a research team was formed by the AIWM and based in Alice Springs. From there they started to examine several different native plants that grow locally in Central Australia. "It was a matter of elimination," Herbology Journeyman Neville Longbottom told us, "At the beginning, we had about fifty types of plants to examine. Then we had to test each component of each plant to even consider start narrowing down the list. Not to mention, most of these plants have a fragile ecosystem, so we had to be careful with how much of each we took."
Eventually, the list was narrowed down to ten native plants, all with innate magical properties. "That's when the Potions Masters started experimenting. We had figured out the different magical properties but had no idea how any of the plants or their components would react when brewing," Herbology Master Maria De León stated, "And while the Potions Masters did that, the Herbologists worked on cultivating each of the plants so we were not ruining the ecosystem or the habitat."
Eventually, the researchers noticed a commonality between the common ingredients –that of the moon, which helped to narrow down the list to two plants. "From there it was only a matter of time until we figured out the missing ingredient," Elder Kenny told the press conference, "And once we had the missing ingredient, it was obvious what the intent of the unidentified potion was." The missing ingredient turned out to be the Sickle Leaf Wattle (Acacia undoolyana). Elder Kenny expanded on his explanation, "We found that the Sickle Leaf Wattle has a strong reaction to the lunar ingredients. When we tested it on lycanthropy-infected blood, the lycanthropy cells changed shape… It was then we started to suspect that what we had been researching was a cure for lycanthropy."
Following rigorous testing of the supposed antidote to lycanthropy, several volunteers infected with lycanthropy were provided with the remade potion before the October full moon. Following above-standard safety protocols, the volunteers were observed during the full moon. None were forced to change into a were-animal, their blood showed no signs of lycanthropy infection following the full moon, and to date, there have been no side effects. The sample size of volunteers was increased for the November full moon and included volunteers from every continent. "After the November full moon, we knew we had a cure for lycanthropy was that safe, and had no harmful side effects," Master Healer Joanna Smith told us, "We will continue to monitor the volunteers and anybody else who decides to take the antidote."
When questioned about what the cure would be called during the press conference, Elder Kenny said the research team were still working on a suitable name, as well as cultivating more Sickle Leaf Wattle trees in anticipation of the demand for it. Several academic papers from the various Masters working on the project are planned to be released over the next several months.
To: rlupin
From: sblack
Date: 2 December 2002
Subject: DID YOU DO IT?
REMUS! MOONY! ARE YOU CURED?
I can't believe you didn't tell me! I guess that's what the trip to Australia was all about then?
I still dislike him – but at least Snape isn't as much of a douchebag as he used to be.
HP: CONGRATULATIONS! The Daily Prophet picked up the article from the Australian News. That's amazing!
SS: Yes, we are all pleased. I'm surprised we managed to do it in less than a year.
HP: So, what's next then? Is the research team disbanding?
SS: Not so much… We'll still be working together, just remotely.
SS: Which means I thankfully get to come home before it gets any hotter here.
HP: Fantastic! I bet you'll all have lots of work to do on writing up the formal papers.
SS: Yes – and testing more properties from some of the other plants we trialled. Some of them had interesting preliminary results which I would like to continue examining.
HP: Let me know when you get back, and we can have tea. You can tell me all about it then.
To: sblack
From: rlupin
Date: 3 December 2002
Subject: NO MORE WEREWOLF
Yes, Sirius, I did volunteer to help test the lycanthropy cure. Yes, Snape is much better now, but we knew that before. And Harry gets along with him, so he's changed. They were texting each other when I was being monitored the morning after the November moon, though I don't think Snape had let Harry know exactly what they were working on. Or that I was a volunteer. At least, that's the impression I got from Harry's text.
Ok – so I'm sorry I didn't tell you what I was doing, but I didn't want to get your hopes up if the cure didn't work or something. The good news – is that I now have Animagus form – a wolf (of course) – but can change at will. So, if we go to one of the remote Black properties, we'll still be able to run around together.
I'm enjoying Australia. They want us to hang around for another month or so and are providing accommodation to do so. I'm enjoying exploring a bit of Australia and recently met the esteemed Headmaster Iluka Yarran. You'll remember Harry mentioning him before.
Also – it turns out that Harry found that bottle of potion mentioned in the news article when he was doing that dig in Melbourne. Can you believe it! (Though, honestly, I'm starting to not be surprised by things like this).
See you in January! I'll be back before the anniversary.
Love Remus
Harry stared at himself in the mirror. For the first in his life, that he could remember anyway, he was able to see clearly without his glasses. Actually, I'm able to now see better than when I was wearing my glasses.
He looked at the parchment letter that came with the potion,
Dear Harry,
Happy Christmas. One of the plants we were working with this year turns out to have ocular healing properties. The potion is new, though has been vetted and tested by the Australian Ministry. Place ten drops in each eye, and keep your eyes closed for fifteen minutes. Make sure the room you do it in is dim – your eyes will be sensitive for an hour or so after.
Sincerely,
Severus
He grinned and looked up at the mirror again. It would take some time to get used to seeing his reflection without glasses.
Notes/References
Casselden Place was an actual archaeological dig occurring in Melbourne in 2002. I did take liberties with the dates of the excavation though. And I'm not sure whether they even had students on site – but that's why this is fanfiction.
The Whitefriars excavation in Canterbury is also an actual archaeological dig that occurred between April to August 2002.
Professor Halo is a fictional character of my own making and is not based on anybody from RL or anybody who was involved in the Whitefriars dig itself (especially since I don't know anybody who was there to base anybody off).