AN: You know where the disclaimer is. This chapter has NOT been proofread;
as a matter of fact, I just finished writing it, have no beta (because I'll
be frank, I can't stand them) and will not, under ANY circumstances, allow
my sister to act as beta - I'd rather have my cat do it than her. In
addition to that, though I'm usually a proficient beta for myself, I have
been staring at this chapter for about two hours (can you say, writer's
block) and would not be able to act as a decent beta for it no matter how
hard I try.
And as for the reasons for my not waiting; I'm leaving for a three-week camp where I will have NO Net access (still wondering how I'll make it through, I am on a total HG/SS binge so that I don't die of fic- starvation), which means unless I can find someone who is willing to give me their snail mail addy, who I can trust enough to give my FFN password and would be willing to devote their time to typing what will undoubtedly be pages upon pages of my tiny, meticulous handwriting, that means a Net- less heaven for me (not the Net-less part, but the rest of it), and an update-less hell for you.
But let's just see where I can get this absurd work of imagination without leaving four-page long author's notes, shall I?
MOURIR
Chapter Three
Abrumpere Veneficium
"Before we begin our lesson today, I would like to address the topic of Seventh Year Projects. Each student will be obligated to complete one Seventh Year Project in a subject of their choice; no doubt most of you will choose to complete the project for Herbology," Snape said, his lip slightly curling up in a sneer as he glanced over the area in which Neville was seated, "or Divination." A decidedly nasty grimace was aimed in the direction of Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown.
"Those of you, however," continued Snape, looking around haughtily, "who will choose to complete a project in the Potions subject, will be under my supervision and will require my approval of your chosen project before commencing work." His gaze swept the room, lighting only momentarily on one or two of the Gryffindors, then flitting across to the Slytherins. Draco was smirking as he muttered something to Crabbe, who smiled somewhat stupidly.
Snape obviously noticed this, but said nothing; Hermione frowned and bit back a comment as the Potions Master began to lecture. She would speak to him tonight, at their Wandless Magic lesson.
She dipped her quill in ink and began to take notes.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Professor Snape?" Hermione timidly pushed the door to the Potions classroom open and peered in.
Snape was seated at his desk. "Well, don't just stand there," he said, not looking up from the papers he was grading. Hermione was quickly finding this habit irritating and frustrating, but kept her mouth shut as she walked in and approached his desk.
"Sir..." Hermione said hesitantly. "I - I hate to impose on you, but my Seventh Year project, I'd like to do it in Potions."
He looked up sharply, and Hermione braced herself for the retort that was sure to leap off his tongue any second. Instead, he kept silent, and the Head Girl tried to hide her surprise.
"Potions?" Snape repeated after a rather long pause; it was still the only thing he could think of to say. From Hermione, he had expected anything BUT Potions; he knew she wouldn't choose Divination (he smirked inwardly at the thought of the girl sitting up in that lofty, but dark tower, working with that ditz of a teacher), but certainly Transfiguration, or Arithmancy - or even Charms. The latest staff meeting had been punctuated with talk of the Seventh Year projects, with every teacher hoping that Hermione would choose their subject. It was almost pathetic, seeing the teachers caring about this girl choosing their subject as if they were all teenage girls with a crush on the same boy. To think that the one teacher who cared the least - well, alright, he could admit it to HIMSELF that he was secretly pleased - about advising Hermione on her Seventh Year project would be asked to...Snape could practically hear McGonagall's screams now.
Hermione took the opportunity of Snape's silence to continue. "I wanted to do the Abrumpere Elixir, sir," she said. "I found the texts in the Restricted Section, while I was doing some research for Transfiguration, and I - I thought it looked interesting."
Snape mentally grimaced. Of COURSE it would be interesting - after all, it WAS a potion that had never before been attempted at Hogwarts (not even by him), mostly for the reason that the formulas were all incomplete and lacking large parts; there had only been one documented successful completion of the Abrumpere Elixir and that had been over thirteen centuries ago. The records of notes had all been hidden away or destroyed, and years of search had turned up fruitless.
"And why is that, Miss Granger?" Snape asked, somewhat suspiciously.
"Well, sir, through my research, I found several variations on the theory that in conjunction with the elements needed to create the potion for Artificial Magic, one would create the Abrumpere Veneficium, the potion that is said will cure magical ailments and banish most toxins from the body. Theoretically, this should cure - uh..." Hermione trailed off, fidgeting for a moment, then finally blurted out, "lycanthropy."
"Lupin," Snape muttered, everything becoming crystal clear.
"Um, yes," Hermione said, "that through this, we - that is, I - could be able to find a cure for Professor Lupin. Unfortunately, there have not been any recorded attempts - let alone successes - to make the Abrumpere Veneficium, which would be my ultimate goal. And," she stammered, "this might double in almost any of my other subjects - Runes, or Defense Against the Dark Arts, or even Transfiguration. But I would need a lot of materials and substances I couldn't get ordinarily, and I..." Hermione began babbling, and Snape just stared at her. She got the picture after a moment or two and shut up. "Sorry, I..." she mumbled, obviously chagrined as she stared at the floor, "I guess I got a bit carried away."
"If I'm not mistaken, Miss Granger, I believe you will require a partner for such a potion."
Hermione looked up at him, a grin pulling at her lips. "Are you - ?" asked she, eyes alight.
"Only for the second potion - the one for Artificial Magic."
"Thank you!" Hermione squealed, ecstatic. "Professor Lupin will be thrilled!"
"Now, if you don't mind; I assume you wanted to get some work done tonight?" Snape asked drily.
"Oh - sorry," Hermione blushed. "Yes, please."
"Your aptitude at Wandless Magic," Snape began, "is...impressive," he allowed. "However, you don't seem to understand the principles behind it..."
"It was a practical class; we didn't do much by way of discussion," Hermione blurted, and Snape looked evenly at her. "Sorry," she said again. "Continue, please."
He raised an eyebrow. "Thank you," he said, as if she'd been generous in allowing him to continue. She blushed even harder.
"Wandless Magic was designed so that the wizard - or witch, in your case, would be able to infuse her spells with more power. The power that is taken to direct your magic through your wand can, through Wandless Magic, be added to the force or effect of your spell..."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Harry! Ron!" Hermione burst through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room, where they could ordinarily be found playing Wizard's Chess or something of the like.
"Hermione? What is it?" Harry took one look at her flushed face and immediately abandoned the chessboard he'd been sitting at with Ron; he'd been losing anyway. Ron was slightly less happy.
"Harry, move, will you?" demanded Ron, and Harry looked back at his friend, a half-smile on his face.
"Can we just keep on playing later?"
"Oh, all right," Ron allowed grudgingly. "Now what is it that you had to interrupt our chess game?"
"I'm sorry, Ron," Hermione said. "It's just that - Professor Snape agreed to be my advisor for my Seventh Year project, and I think that if it works out, then we may be able to find a way to cure Professor Lupin!"
"Hermione, that's great! Did you tell him yet?"
"No - I wondered if you wanted to come with me?"
"Sure!"
Hermione glanced at her wristwatch. "Alright, we'd better get going. There's only half an hour before curfew."
"D'you reckon I should bring my Invisibility Cloak?"
"I can be out after curfew, it's Friday after all. We can just ask Professor Lupin to write you a pass. Come on." Together, the three of them hurried out of the portrait hole.
"Don't be too late coming back, dears," the Fat Lady called after them.
"Professor Lupin!" Hermione gasped, out of breath from their scampering down the halls. She knocked on the classroom door, and a voice called, "come in!" from inside.
"Hermione? Ron, Harry? What is it?" Lupin looked concerned.
"Hermione has news," Harry said hurriedly. "Go on, Hermione, tell him!"
The three of them all grinned.
"For my Seventh Year project, I'm making the Abrumpere Elixir - and afterwards, Professor Snape is going to help me make it into the Abrumpere Veneficium. We think it may be able to cure your lycanthropy!"
Lupin looked startled at first, then happy. "Wha - What?" he asked.
"The Abrumpere Veneficium - it's supposed to cure magical ailments, and conditions. Doesn't lycanthropy classify?"
"Wow...I've been living with it for so long..."
"Well, it will have to go through extensive testing," Hermione said, mood slightly dampened by the thought, "and it - it may not work. But it's worth a try. I just wanted to tell you."
Lupin smiled widely, the happiest that Harry, Ron and Hermione had seen him in a while. "Thank you. Now, you're going to miss curfew. Get going," he said, only mock-seriously, as he ushered them out. "Thank you again, Hermione. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
The smiles didn't leave the three friends' faces until they were each in their beds.
And as for the reasons for my not waiting; I'm leaving for a three-week camp where I will have NO Net access (still wondering how I'll make it through, I am on a total HG/SS binge so that I don't die of fic- starvation), which means unless I can find someone who is willing to give me their snail mail addy, who I can trust enough to give my FFN password and would be willing to devote their time to typing what will undoubtedly be pages upon pages of my tiny, meticulous handwriting, that means a Net- less heaven for me (not the Net-less part, but the rest of it), and an update-less hell for you.
But let's just see where I can get this absurd work of imagination without leaving four-page long author's notes, shall I?
MOURIR
Chapter Three
Abrumpere Veneficium
"Before we begin our lesson today, I would like to address the topic of Seventh Year Projects. Each student will be obligated to complete one Seventh Year Project in a subject of their choice; no doubt most of you will choose to complete the project for Herbology," Snape said, his lip slightly curling up in a sneer as he glanced over the area in which Neville was seated, "or Divination." A decidedly nasty grimace was aimed in the direction of Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown.
"Those of you, however," continued Snape, looking around haughtily, "who will choose to complete a project in the Potions subject, will be under my supervision and will require my approval of your chosen project before commencing work." His gaze swept the room, lighting only momentarily on one or two of the Gryffindors, then flitting across to the Slytherins. Draco was smirking as he muttered something to Crabbe, who smiled somewhat stupidly.
Snape obviously noticed this, but said nothing; Hermione frowned and bit back a comment as the Potions Master began to lecture. She would speak to him tonight, at their Wandless Magic lesson.
She dipped her quill in ink and began to take notes.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Professor Snape?" Hermione timidly pushed the door to the Potions classroom open and peered in.
Snape was seated at his desk. "Well, don't just stand there," he said, not looking up from the papers he was grading. Hermione was quickly finding this habit irritating and frustrating, but kept her mouth shut as she walked in and approached his desk.
"Sir..." Hermione said hesitantly. "I - I hate to impose on you, but my Seventh Year project, I'd like to do it in Potions."
He looked up sharply, and Hermione braced herself for the retort that was sure to leap off his tongue any second. Instead, he kept silent, and the Head Girl tried to hide her surprise.
"Potions?" Snape repeated after a rather long pause; it was still the only thing he could think of to say. From Hermione, he had expected anything BUT Potions; he knew she wouldn't choose Divination (he smirked inwardly at the thought of the girl sitting up in that lofty, but dark tower, working with that ditz of a teacher), but certainly Transfiguration, or Arithmancy - or even Charms. The latest staff meeting had been punctuated with talk of the Seventh Year projects, with every teacher hoping that Hermione would choose their subject. It was almost pathetic, seeing the teachers caring about this girl choosing their subject as if they were all teenage girls with a crush on the same boy. To think that the one teacher who cared the least - well, alright, he could admit it to HIMSELF that he was secretly pleased - about advising Hermione on her Seventh Year project would be asked to...Snape could practically hear McGonagall's screams now.
Hermione took the opportunity of Snape's silence to continue. "I wanted to do the Abrumpere Elixir, sir," she said. "I found the texts in the Restricted Section, while I was doing some research for Transfiguration, and I - I thought it looked interesting."
Snape mentally grimaced. Of COURSE it would be interesting - after all, it WAS a potion that had never before been attempted at Hogwarts (not even by him), mostly for the reason that the formulas were all incomplete and lacking large parts; there had only been one documented successful completion of the Abrumpere Elixir and that had been over thirteen centuries ago. The records of notes had all been hidden away or destroyed, and years of search had turned up fruitless.
"And why is that, Miss Granger?" Snape asked, somewhat suspiciously.
"Well, sir, through my research, I found several variations on the theory that in conjunction with the elements needed to create the potion for Artificial Magic, one would create the Abrumpere Veneficium, the potion that is said will cure magical ailments and banish most toxins from the body. Theoretically, this should cure - uh..." Hermione trailed off, fidgeting for a moment, then finally blurted out, "lycanthropy."
"Lupin," Snape muttered, everything becoming crystal clear.
"Um, yes," Hermione said, "that through this, we - that is, I - could be able to find a cure for Professor Lupin. Unfortunately, there have not been any recorded attempts - let alone successes - to make the Abrumpere Veneficium, which would be my ultimate goal. And," she stammered, "this might double in almost any of my other subjects - Runes, or Defense Against the Dark Arts, or even Transfiguration. But I would need a lot of materials and substances I couldn't get ordinarily, and I..." Hermione began babbling, and Snape just stared at her. She got the picture after a moment or two and shut up. "Sorry, I..." she mumbled, obviously chagrined as she stared at the floor, "I guess I got a bit carried away."
"If I'm not mistaken, Miss Granger, I believe you will require a partner for such a potion."
Hermione looked up at him, a grin pulling at her lips. "Are you - ?" asked she, eyes alight.
"Only for the second potion - the one for Artificial Magic."
"Thank you!" Hermione squealed, ecstatic. "Professor Lupin will be thrilled!"
"Now, if you don't mind; I assume you wanted to get some work done tonight?" Snape asked drily.
"Oh - sorry," Hermione blushed. "Yes, please."
"Your aptitude at Wandless Magic," Snape began, "is...impressive," he allowed. "However, you don't seem to understand the principles behind it..."
"It was a practical class; we didn't do much by way of discussion," Hermione blurted, and Snape looked evenly at her. "Sorry," she said again. "Continue, please."
He raised an eyebrow. "Thank you," he said, as if she'd been generous in allowing him to continue. She blushed even harder.
"Wandless Magic was designed so that the wizard - or witch, in your case, would be able to infuse her spells with more power. The power that is taken to direct your magic through your wand can, through Wandless Magic, be added to the force or effect of your spell..."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Harry! Ron!" Hermione burst through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room, where they could ordinarily be found playing Wizard's Chess or something of the like.
"Hermione? What is it?" Harry took one look at her flushed face and immediately abandoned the chessboard he'd been sitting at with Ron; he'd been losing anyway. Ron was slightly less happy.
"Harry, move, will you?" demanded Ron, and Harry looked back at his friend, a half-smile on his face.
"Can we just keep on playing later?"
"Oh, all right," Ron allowed grudgingly. "Now what is it that you had to interrupt our chess game?"
"I'm sorry, Ron," Hermione said. "It's just that - Professor Snape agreed to be my advisor for my Seventh Year project, and I think that if it works out, then we may be able to find a way to cure Professor Lupin!"
"Hermione, that's great! Did you tell him yet?"
"No - I wondered if you wanted to come with me?"
"Sure!"
Hermione glanced at her wristwatch. "Alright, we'd better get going. There's only half an hour before curfew."
"D'you reckon I should bring my Invisibility Cloak?"
"I can be out after curfew, it's Friday after all. We can just ask Professor Lupin to write you a pass. Come on." Together, the three of them hurried out of the portrait hole.
"Don't be too late coming back, dears," the Fat Lady called after them.
"Professor Lupin!" Hermione gasped, out of breath from their scampering down the halls. She knocked on the classroom door, and a voice called, "come in!" from inside.
"Hermione? Ron, Harry? What is it?" Lupin looked concerned.
"Hermione has news," Harry said hurriedly. "Go on, Hermione, tell him!"
The three of them all grinned.
"For my Seventh Year project, I'm making the Abrumpere Elixir - and afterwards, Professor Snape is going to help me make it into the Abrumpere Veneficium. We think it may be able to cure your lycanthropy!"
Lupin looked startled at first, then happy. "Wha - What?" he asked.
"The Abrumpere Veneficium - it's supposed to cure magical ailments, and conditions. Doesn't lycanthropy classify?"
"Wow...I've been living with it for so long..."
"Well, it will have to go through extensive testing," Hermione said, mood slightly dampened by the thought, "and it - it may not work. But it's worth a try. I just wanted to tell you."
Lupin smiled widely, the happiest that Harry, Ron and Hermione had seen him in a while. "Thank you. Now, you're going to miss curfew. Get going," he said, only mock-seriously, as he ushered them out. "Thank you again, Hermione. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
The smiles didn't leave the three friends' faces until they were each in their beds.