Chapter Twenty-Five: The Patronus Potion
Harry's time over the next few weeks went quickly but as his anticipation grew for Halloween, time seemed to halt to a stand still. Finally, it was potions, the final class before Halloween. Harry arrived to class early and took his normal seat. As he sat, he heard a crinkling noise. He stood and found a note on his seat.
Meet me in the dungeons at five o'clock and come alone. I have information on his plans.
Harry didn't have time to ponder the notes meaning as the class entered the room followed by Snape.
"Now, around this time, I begin a little project with my sixth years," sneered Snape, "I will assign you a potion and your task is easy. You must make it. Of course, they aren't easy potions. No, these potions have yet to be made correctly. Get in groups of five, now."
Having already seated themselves into a group, Harry, Katie, Hermione, Ron, and Neville didn't move.
"I expect that your potions will be completed before the start of next term. Providing any of you made a correct potion and it, in fact, works, I shall present only the best to the Potions Master Committee. They shall decide if the potion is worth publishing. I will now pass out your potions and I want you to gather any necessary potions by next class," sneered Snape as he passed out the cards.
"Potter, if you and your group can create this flawlessly, I guarantee that the Committee will pass it," said Snape in an undertone as he reached Harry and his group.
When Harry read the card, his heart sank.
"We are going to need an awfully lot of chocolate for this one," as he passed the card around.
"What?" asked Ron, "How are we supposed to make an anti-dementor potion? How are we supposed to test it?"
"One thing at a time, Ron," said Hermione, "I suppose we could have it turn the person into a patronus. That would be tricky, though."
"What if we made it like a Polyjuice Potion?" asked Ron, "It worked fine when we became Crabbe and Goyle."
"Actually, that's a good idea. So, basic Polyjuice ingredients," said Hermione as she began writing down notes.
"Instead of a hair of the person you're turning into, we'll have to use unicorn hair and chocolate," said Neville.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked at Neville.
"I… might have experimented with it over the summer," admitted Neville.
"That's good. Now you know what we're talking about," supported Harry, "The unicorn hair because unicorns are the purest creatures alive. The chocolate to help keep the drinkers energy replenished."
"So, who's doing what?" asked Katie.
"Well, Ron and I can get the basic ingredients. Neville, would you like to get the unicorn hair?" asked Hermione.
"Sure, give me the hard part," chortled Neville.
"Hey, that's easy compared to my job," said Harry.
"What is your job?" asked Katie.
"That's easy, I'm the tester," said Harry.
"Why you?" inquired Katie.
"Well, providing we can get a boggart, my worst fear is fear itself, or a dementor. So, naturally, I would be the one to test it," said Harry.
"You've actually faced off against a boggart?" asked Katie in disbelief.
"We all did in our third year," said Neville, "Why, haven't you?"
"No, boggarts are rare in the United States and it costs a lot to import one," said Katie, "So what's my task?"
"The only thing left is to get the chocolate," said Hermione.
"I guess I can do that. How much will we need?" asked Katie.
"I suppose we'll need about six bars. We'll make that many doses. It should be sufficient enough," said Hermione.
"Well, I could ask Professor Strindell about the boggart. How much unicorn hair will we need?" asked Harry.
"I'm not sure. Harry, since you have little to do for a while except watch, write to Mr. Ollivander and ask him," said Hermione.
After compiling quite a large amount of note, the bell finally rang. After the class, Harry strolled up to Snape in a casual manner.
"Professor, did you send me this note by any chance?" asked Harry.
The look that Snape threw at Harry told him 'no.' Harry left the dungeons and walked to the stairs. He became invisible and waited until five o'clock. After awhile, Harry noticed a dark shape pacing about the dungeons. The figure appeared alone.
"Where is he?" asked the figure to themselves.
Harry returned to visibility and approached the figure.
"Malfoy?" asked Harry in disbelief.