Chapter 20: Bottled Hope and the First Date

It was very early in the morning and Brixton was already at work in the Potions classroom. She had spent years thinking about this potion and secretly doing extensive research on how to make such a thing possible. She hoped that she would be successful in her endeavor. Working quickly, she set up a cauldron at her favorite workstation at the front of the classroom and got all the necessary utensils. She grabbed a book from the restricted section that had the potion she was going to use as a base. She opened her personal notebook with all the steps she would be adding and set it down beside the recipe book. She then gathered up the ingredients.

She turned to the book that had her base potion and read:

The Potion of All Potential

This potion is capable of realizing all that is best in us. It is said to unlock the best qualities in a person and amplify them. It is a very rare and complicated brew that was created during the influence of Felix Felicis by the Hogwarts Potions Champion. The ingredients are very rare and not much is known about most of them. It is unknown the exact measurements or order in which the ingredients are used so this potion has been rarely duplicated. Only a highly skilled potioneer could replicate this renowned brew.

Brixton began to feel a little nervous at the ambitiousness of what she hoped to achieve. She reminded herself that if anyone was capable of getting the job done it would be her. She quickly went back to the storeroom and fetched a vial of the Felix Felicis that she and Severus had brewed together months ago. She visualized what it was that she wanted to accomplish and the downed the vial in one big gulp. At first she didn't feel anything, but then she suddenly felt a wave of calm and confidence. Brixton knew exactly what to do.

She laughed to herself in giddy excitement as she flicked the flame beneath her cauldron on. If she was successful this potion would have a legendary impact on the wizarding community. Knowing that the ingredients of the potion were rare, and therefore expensive, Brixton decided she would make a batch small enough for just three vials of the concoction. She made sure to have her notebook close to document every step and the progression of the potion so that she could replicate her work in the future.

First she crushed one red bulb of the Witch's Ganglion and poured the juices into the cauldron. As she allowed that to simmer, she chopped the rest of the plant, except for the leaves, and added it to the cauldron. This produced a blood red mixture that she stirred four times clockwise. She then took only three golden leaves of Niffler's Fancy and shredded them finely before adding them to the brew. As she stirred, Brixton watched as the potion turned a beautiful deep gold color. Then she took one pod of Pritcher's Porritch and squeezed it over the cauldron. This released a thick, blue, lumpy ooze that fell into the cauldron with a PLOP. She stirred the potion rapidly to incorporate it into the now bubbling mixture. Once everything was blended together properly she turned the flame beneath her cauldron down to a medium heat. Then she pulled off three flowers of the Thaumatagoria plant and tossed them into the cauldron. Immediately the potion turned to a deep blue color.

Brixton instinctively knew that she had completed a small amount of the Potion of All Potential successfully, but she wasn't finished yet. She had her own ingredients to add to the concoction. She poured two glugs of White Spirit into the cauldron and watched as the deep blue color faded a little. She allowed the potion to simmer as she muddled four leaves of Nightshade in her mortar. When the potion had stopped changing colors and settled to a turquoise, Brixton added the Nightshade to the cauldron and stirred rapidly. Thanks to the Felix Felicis, she knew exactly the moment to stop stirring and quickly turned to chop the Lovage finely before adding it to the concoction. After stirring some more, Brixton pulled out her wand and cast an enlightening spell over the potion and hoped for the best.

It was still quite early and something told her that she would still have time make it to breakfast so she left the potion to simmer and hurried off to the Great Hall. She was still basking in the glow of the Felix Felicis as she approached the High Table. Sitting there was Headmistress McGonagall and former Professor Sprout. Brixton greeted them both as she took her assigned seat. Both witches welcomed her to the table fondly and continued their conversation.

"Are you sure that today is your last day here, Pomona?" McGonagall asked.

Professor Sprout nodded and said, "Yes, it is. I am just here to collect the last of my things. I will miss it here at Hogwarts, but I am very much looking forward to my retirement. I'm moving into a beach house on the coast."

"How lovely," said Brixton politely, "I know that you will be greatly missed."

"Thank you. Congratulations on your new position as Potions Mistress. I am very proud to have taught you and I hope that your lessons in Herbology serve you well in your new role. The two subjects go hand-in-hand, you know. You and Neville Longbottom were my only students to receive Outstanding scores on your N.E.W.Ts." Professor Sprout said glowingly as though they were her own grandchildren.

"Thank you," Brixton smiled back.

Suddenly, as though really seeing her for the first time, McGonagall turned to Brixton and said, "Pardon me for being so forward, but the scars on your neck are gone. How did you accomplish that? Severus said that there was nothing that could be done."

Brixton blushed at this sudden revelation and answered, "Well, yesterday I created a Scar Removal Paste that heals scars from both magical and non-magical causes. I am rather proud of it, actually, and intend to sell the recipe to George Weasley so that he can brew it and sell it at his shop."

"That is magnificent!" remarked McGonagall, "It seems that Severus and I were not mistaken in giving you the position. I believe you are going to do excellent in your post."

Professor Sprout smiled and continued talking to McGonagall about the state of affairs in the greenhouses. Brixton caught that Neville would be returning tomorrow to tend to the school's plants. Her heart leapt knowing that her dear friend would be joining her at Hogwarts and she would be able to share her newly invented potion and the implications of it with him.

There was a swooping sound as a black-banded owl, that Brixton recognized as Severus', flew in and landed at the table next to Brixton. It carried a black envelope with her name and 'Hogwarts' written on it. Brixton pet the bird fondly and then offered it a small piece of ham that she had been eating before untying the letter. She went to pocket the letter but McGonagall asked, "Aren't you curious to know what Severus has to say?"

Brixton smiled and nodded before opening the letter. It read:

"Brixton,

I will be returning to Hogwarts at noon today. I would very much like to take you to Hogsmeade for lunch. I will meet you in your office so that we can walk there together.

Yours,

Severus"

Brixton read and reread the word 'yours' several times before folding the letter back up, placing it back in the envelope and sticking it into her pants pocket.

"Well?" asked McGonagall with an expression that Brixton could only interpret as meaning that she knew more than she should.

Brixton could not stop herself from blushing under her Headmistress' knowing gaze. She said, "I'm sure you remember what my father was like when you came to explain that I was a witch when I was eleven. Since he threw me out that day I haven't had a proper guardian to sign off on me going to Hogsmeade before. Professor Snape has offered to take me there for lunch."

McGonagall's thin lips stretched into an unnerving smile and Brixton looked back down to her plate and continued eating. Professor Sprout cooed, "Oh, you will love Hogsmeade. It's a shame you haven't been there before now. It's a lovely little town."

McGonagall nodded and said, "It is, I am sure you will have a wonderful time. I imagine that Severus will be a most gracious host." After saying this, she pulled out and waved her wand and a small brown cloth bag appeared next to Brixton's plate.

Confused, Brixton asked, "What is this?"

"Consider it a sign on bonus for accepting the teaching position here. I imagine that you will need proper teaching robes and some appropriate clothes for weekends should you prefer not to wear your robes all the time. There is enough there to get what you need," McGonagall replied.

Feeling guilty at the need for such charity, Brixton said, "Well, for my birthday my friends and the Weasleys pitched in and we went shopping in Diagon Alley. I got two sets of robes and a couple of dresses. I wouldn't want to use my poverty to take advantage."

McGonagall shook her head and said, "Trust me; you will want more than that. There is a lovely shop at Hogsmeade that carries handmade robes and even some more casual clothes for when you are not teaching. Plus you will need the basics such as quills and ink. Plus, if you have a sweet tooth you just have to visit Honeydukes."

"Thank you so much," Brixton replied, "I have always been appreciative of Hogwarts for supplying me with what I needed over the years since I didn't have a parent to do it for me. This is just such a kind gesture that is above and beyond. I have some sort of commission coming for The Monthly Potioneer for their publication of my blood clotting potion, but I don't know how much or when it will get here. So I am very appreciative to have the money needed to do some shopping while I am in Hogsmeade."

"You are welcome," McGonagall said, "Don't consider it charity. I know that you are going to do so much for our students here that you have more than earned it. You taught the first years for almost an entire year without any compensation, after all. Oh, it would also be a good idea to get a list of all the ingredients that you are low on today before you go so that you can put an order in at Dogweed and Deathcap. It's a Herbology shop that supplies us with all the more rare ingredients and ones that we are unable to grow in our own greenhouses."

Brixton nodded, "Absolutely, I will get to that right away. I want to have my own personal storeroom and the students' storeroom fully stocked before the start of term so that we will be prepared. Thanks to Professor Sprout's excellent teachings I know what we have accessible in our greenhouses."

"Excellent. I hope you have a wonderful trip to Hogsmeade," replied McGonagall.

Brixton grabbed the bag of wizarding money and thanked the Headmistress again. She wondered if her consumption of Felix Felicis had anything to do with the generosity she was being shown. She gave Professor Sprout a long hug and told her that she would miss her and to enjoy her retirement. Then she scurried off to the dungeons.

Taking inventory of the student ingredient closet and Brixton's private stores was quite the chore. She had to make a list of what was needed in each room and then compare to the other list, eventually making one master list. She hoped that she would be able to purchase a Quick-Quotes Quill like the ones she had seen reporters use. It took her over three hours to get the task done between checking everything and having to take so many notes. She was thankful that Severus had keep the private storeroom so meticulously organized, but the student store room had not been so carefully organized. That added to the time it took her to finish. She made a mental note to lecture her students on the importance of keeping everything labeled and put in its proper place at the start of term.

After finishing the job, Brixton went over to the cauldron that held her newest creation. She divided it into three separate vials, careful not to spill a drop. She then cleaned up the workstation and gathered her notes on the potion. She carried the vials and her notebook into her office. She smiled as she looked at her sitting area. Dobby was true to his word and got her exactly what she wanted. There was a black leather couch with two matching armchairs. A large Ravenclaw blue covered the area and a metal coffee table with a glass top sat at the center.

Brixton grabbed a vial stand from one of her shelves and set the vials gently into the slots and sat her notebook, open to the page she had been taking notes on. She checked the time and then hurried through her bedroom and into her bathroom to take a shower.

After her shower, Brixton went to her bedroom to get dressed. She put on the dress that she had told Luna and Hermione she was going to wear for her first date. It was a silky sleeveless black dress that had a high collar and buttons all the way down to where it fell right at her knees. She chose a pair of shiny black pumps. She pulled the top half of her hair into a neat bun on the top of her head and allowed the rest of her curls to fall down past her shoulders. Finishing her look with some purple lipstick she stood back from the mirror and had a look at herself. She never wore makeup, but having never been on a date before, she wanted to look extra special. Feeling somewhat naked, she put the necklace with her mother's wedding ring and her storeroom key on and slipped it underneath her dress.

When she exited her bedroom she was unsurprised to see that Severus was already sitting with his back to her on the couch waiting. "You're early," Brixton said.

"A little," he said as he turned and looked at her. "Wow," his mouth fell open a little bit, "You look breathtaking. I really like the dress."

"Thank you," she smiled and made her way over to the couch. She saw that Severus was wearing a dressy black button up shirt and dark wool pants. She wondered if he would get hot, but did not ask. It seemed normal for him to be dressed warmly year-round.

Severus turned back to the coffee table and asked, "Did you brew this?" as he gestured to the notebook.

"Yes, do you think it will work?" she asked nervously.

His face didn't reveal anything and it took a long while before he said, "I think it might. It's brilliant thinking actually. I see what you have done with the spell work and the ingredients. I think this has the serious potential to reverse Cruciatus induced insanity. You're brilliant, you know."

"I'm glad you think so. I had some help from Felix Felicis. I know it will be revolutionary if it works. I don't see anything about it that could potentially harm anyone, but I wanted to see what you thought just in case," she responded.

His eyes widened, "Are you suggesting testing it on someone?"

"Well, I was going to see what Neville thought about trying it on his parents. He doesn't talk about it much, but I do know that St. Mungo's has tried all manner of experimental treatments on them. Since the potion would otherwise be harmless I think it is worth giving a try… or at least giving him the option. I was going to send the third vial with him to give to their lab for more testing," Brixton said.

Severus hesitated and then stood up and closed the gap between himself and Brixton before grabbing her face and kissing her firmly. "You are so extraordinary," he said as he pulled away, "You could give people their lives back."

She blushed, "I feel a little guilty. I have been thinking about this potion for years now; ever since I found out about Neville's parents. I got the recipe worked out months ago, but I didn't have the nerve to try until I could work alone and had free rein with the ingredients. If it works I don't plan to sell it. I plan on giving the recipe to St. Mungo's only under contract that they will only charge patients the cost of the ingredients. That will be pricey enough as it is."

Severus said, "The more I think about it the more I believe it will work. When are you going to tell Longbottom about it?"

"He will be here tomorrow. I plan to go down to the greenhouses right after breakfast. I actually planned on offering to do whatever it is that he needs done for the day for him. I imagine he is going to want to rush off right away with the vials," she replied.

Severus just stared at her as if he was in awe. When he didn't say anything Brixton asked, "So, are you ready to head to Hogsmeade?"

"About that," he replied, "It is a good thing that I told Minerva that we are seeing each other. With you dressing like that it would be rather obvious."

"You did what now???" she stammered.

"Well, you aren't a student any longer and it's only a matter of time before it comes out any way," he replied.

"How did she react?" asked Brixton with wide eyes.

Severus rolled his eyes and said, "Intolerably happy for me. She also didn't seem surprised. I do not believe that that woman ever misses a beat."

"Yes, she was being weird at breakfast when I got your letter. That explains why. So, does that make us a couple?" she asked.

He paused before saying, "Do not get carried away. I very much enjoy your company and I would like to see where this goes. My heart is still… otherwise engaged, but if you are willing to accept that I am willing to give this a chance."

She smiled and replied, "I am alright with that."

"I like your shoes, by the way. It is much easier to kiss you," he laughed.

Brixton immediately fell in love with Hogsmeade. It was positively picturesque with little thatched cottages and neat little shops. She immediately drug Severus into Honeydukes to get some butterscotch treats. She purchased some extra quills, including a Quick-Quotes one from Scrivenshaft's. She was able to put in her order at Dogweed and Deathcap that was expected to arrive just in time for the start of the new term. The shop keeper seemed positively shocked that someone so young had taken over Severus' position, but Brixton was quick to remind the man that Severus himself was not much older than her when he took the job.

Severus seemed bored when she asked if it was okay to shop for some clothing at Gladrags Wizardwear, but he was polite about it and seemed to understand her need for suitable clothes now that she would be teaching. Brixton quickly selected a violet set of robes and a turquoise and brown set of robes to add to the black set and cream set that she had bought at Diagon Alley. She also bought a long black skirt, a white lacy long-sleeve top, a grey pair of high-waisted dress pants, and a flowy purple top.

When they finally made it to the Three Broomsticks Brixton was positively famished. They chose a table in the corner of the room and she ordered a sandwich and a Butterbeer. Severus said he was not hungry, but ordered a whiskey over ice. "You are of legal age, you could have a proper drink if you liked."

"I have been dreaming of trying Butterbeer, thank you very much. Butterscotch is one of my favorite sweets. I think my childhood has perpetually steered me away from alcohol," she replied, "but don't let that stop you from enjoying your drink."

He simply nodded in response. Brixton looked around the room and noticed that there were several witches and wizards at various tables. The inn was nowhere near full, but almost everyone in the room was looking over at Severus and her. "Uh, why is everyone staring at us?" she asked.

He shrugged and said, "Because I have been coming here for two and a half decades and I have always been alone. Now I am seated with a beautiful and overdressed woman half my age."

She blushed and said, "You think I'm overdressed? I thought you liked the dress. I had hoped to wear it some on weekends. I thought it was modest enough."

"I do like the dress, but nothing is going to look modest on you short of your robes. You are going to break some necks if you wear that dress at Hogwarts when the school term starts," he replied before sipping his drink.

Brixton narrowed his eyes at him, "Now are you being jealous? Even Molly Weasley said that it was professional enough to wear at the school on weekends if I didn't want to wear robes all the time."

He scoffed at her in response. Before Brixton could respond, Madam Rosmerta appeared with her sandwich. "Now that we have you served, Severus you must tell me who this young beauty is you brought into my inn."

"Now, Rosmerta, you wouldn't be looking for some juicy gossip would you?" Severus sneered.

"Me? Of course not, it's just good to see you with someone is all," Madam Rosmerta blushed as though she had been caught doing something she shouldn't.

Brixton chimed in, "Hello, my name is Brixton Winchester. I'm actually taking over Severus' job and he will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts next year."

"I don't recognize you; did you not go to Hogwarts?" Madam Rosmerta asked.

Brixton said, "I did. I just graduated actually. I just didn't have any parents to sign permissions for me to visit the village. Severus was kind enough to show me around"

"That's a shame," said Madam Rosmerta, "I will let you get to your meal. You be good to this one, he's been through a lot."

Severus laughed tersely as Rosmerta walked away, "See? I told you that your outfit clearly indicates 'date'"

"What's wrong with that," she asked, "It is a date."

"I would think you might be ashamed to be seen with me, is all. It's one thing when we are together in the dungeons, but another thing entirely to be out and about with me," Severus said gloomily.

Brixton took a bite of her sandwich, chewed slowly, and then finally responded, "Just get me back to my room and I will show you just how happy I was to be seen with you. This is more than I ever hoped for when my feelings for you started." She reached across the table and put her hand over his.

Severus smiled back at her and just said, "Well, no one has ever felt about me the way you do. I feel rather lucky."

"So do I," she smiled back.